Is Yoga 'Healthy or Hurtful’ For Christians?

This is a good question!  

Core stretching and isometric exercises are very important for our body's overall health.  The problem arises when we turn to such sources as Yoga to meet this need, primarily because we are unaware of its dangerous pagan spirituality. There are several hidden ways with each yoga pose that a person is unknowingly practicing in this pagan spirituality!

To learn more listen to this talk by Fr. Ezra Sullivan, O.P., where he addresses the topic of Christians and yoga to a group of parishioners in Cincinnati, OH. He presents the reasons some Christians practice yoga, as well as objections to practicing yoga. Fr. Ezra has done his research, and he finishes his talk with clear conclusions based on Catholic teachings. While the video is lengthy, it is very informative and well worth watching!

Church’s Teaching

If you are Catholics and you’re discerning this topic for the first time, here is a wonderful teaching by the church.

 

So are you now wondering, if there are safer alternatives? 

Take a deep breath. Yes there are much safer practices.

So if you are discerning that Yoga is probably not the path you want to follow, and you are open to looking for other safer resources for your core strengthening exercises then I might have a few recommendations you would like to try.

But first, if you’ve been practicing yoga and you are concerned you might have not only offended our Lord, but you’ve probably jeopardized your own soul, I strongly advice you go straight to our Lord in the sacrament of reconciliation and confess.  The graces received from this act will strengthen you in staying detached from things of this world. 

Then after healing and strengthening your soul of this wounding, you will be ready and open to exploring healthier alternatives for your physical and spiritual wellbeing.  

Here are two that I HIGHLY recommend...

Pietra Fitness Gentle

Pietra Fitness is not “Christian yoga” or ‘Catholic Yoga” and should never be described as such because the term ‘yoga’ describes an integrated whole of philosophies, spirituality, and physical practices based in Hinduism and found in Buddhism and New Age practices. Please check out their website for more videos. This company resonates with the very core of what our family believes about healing the mind, body, and soul.  

  Soulcore 

SoulCore is a Marian prayer apostolate integrating core strengthening, stretching and functional movement with the prayers of the rosary. A sensory experience combining candlelight, music, scripture and movement to nourish body, mind & soul and encourage deeper reflection on the virtues of the rosary. Please check out their website for more videos. This company also fully resonates with what our family believes about healing the mind, body, and soul.  

Five Star Guy - David Hall

I have tried running, biking, aerobics, treadmills, stationary bikes, jump roping and exercise videos galore over the past 10 years. Then time and time again my exercise regimen would die, primarily because I didn't have the time to get in a good 1 hour workout everyday. 

I was not getting any younger and things had starting to squeak and hurt which played into my not keeping up with an exercise regimen.  Can you relate? Well this might be of interest to you as a possible exercise outlet. Almost two years ago I started rebounding with a Cellerciser and I HIGHLY HIGHLY recommend it!  Fast, simple, super easy and really quite a bit of fun!

Here is a great video and testimony of David Hall the founder of the Cellerciser.

Reduce Electromagnetic Frequencies (EMFs) In Your Home

Today I want to mention another great technological resource that reduces the negative effects of electromagnetic frequencies on brain function. 

They are simple EMF blockers.  Just like sunscreen protects against the harmful effects of UV exposure, these EMF blocker discs significantly reduce radiation produced by portable electronic devices such as cell phones, laptops, tablets, screen monitors, radios, microwaves, hair blow dryers, etc. 

Here is a great video created that talks about the dangers of electromagnetic frequencies and the use of EMF blocker discs.

I personally have these on all of our family's cellphones, laptops, iPads, and our television. 

Athletes using Earthing Technology

When I initially learned about earthing and was doing a lot of my own research on the topic, I read somewhere that many athletes were using this technology as a means for quicker healing and better performance. 

This intrigued me.  Well today while browsing on one of my favorite websites I noticed they had a section with several video testimonies from different athletes that use this earthing technology!!   Thought I would share.

Cellercise - For All Ages

Another great benefit... my kids love jumping on my Cellerciser. Twice now when they have started coming down with head colds (due to local allergies) I have them jump on my rebounder for 10 mins and the symptoms would be gone within 48 hours .... Love this exercise!!!!

Gross....

This is what we are dangerously doing to our bodies even when we are slightly overweight... 

Earthing: How To

After watching that fascinating documentary on Grounding I did a lot more research and ran across this comprehensive posting by Ashley Green on the topic.  Very simple, honest, scientific evidence and down to earth (pun intended -lol!). I also like all the personal testimonies Ashley offers.  

Since finding this thorough posting and doing more reading on the topic, our family has started grounding too.  First we purchased an EMF reader and then a Digital Multimeter.

With the EMF reader we went around the house to find which appliances / electronics were emitting magnetic waves. We were surprised to learn just how many emitted waves! Our computers, radios, alarm clocks, outlets, lamps, microwaves, cell phones, hair blow dryer, televisions, monitors, laptops etc. etc.   Remember these electromagnetic waves have negative effects on our brain functions. More studies are coming out showing the dangers these EMFs are presenting in the proper development of our precious children's brains.  I cringe when I think of all the video games kids play today!

This is when we decided to purchase a couple universal grounding mats and place them around the house. One at each of the computers in our schoolroom and a few in our beds to sleep on at night and then a couple in our cars. This way the children's bodies could be grounded while being exposed to these negative EMFs.  While using our mats we had a lot of fun experimenting with our Digital Multimeter to see if the grounding mats actually worked. Guess what... they did!!!

The most significant changes we have noticed since using our grounding mats, were better nights sleep with less snoring, quicker recovery after workouts, less back and neck pain, better concentration during computer lessons!!

UPDATE: Since this posting we learned about a new technology called x-Zubi that helps reduce emission of these electromagnetic frequencies from our different appliances / electronics. Here is the post I wrote up on that company. 

What is Earthing?

Here is a great definition by Juil.. "In our everyday lives, we’re exposed to toxins and stress. Toxins include anything from breathing polluted air, to carrying our cell phones around. Stress can come from anywhere – work, school, friends, or family. Exposure to these stresses and toxins leads to a buildup of free radicals in our bodies. These free radicals attack healthy cells and cause inflammation, which, oh, by the way, is the root of almost all medical ailments.   Fortunately, we have the Earth, a giant magnet with an endless supply of electrons. If we stay connected to the earth, these electrons are absorbed to neutralize and release the harmful free radicals in our bodies."

This often makes me think about the days when Jesus and his apostles lived on earth. They would travel either barefoot, as when Jesus sent out the 70 disciples to the surrounding regions, or they only wore thin non-rubber soled sandals. They traveled only foot or beast and there was no electricity or modern technology. They slept on mats, on the ground. So if you think about it they were more connected to the earth's magnetic field than people in our world are today.  

I was first introduced to earthing and it's healing effects after I watched this fascinating documentary!

"This captivating documentary follows a National Geographic filmmaker who finds relief from pain and aches using the earth as a healing conduit source of free electrons. Helping his community in Alaska, he expands his circle of people who are eager to learn about the effects of grounding. Featuring David Suzuki, Clint Ober, Dr. Mercola, and other leaders, naturalists, and health visionaries."

Cellercise - What If in 10 Minutes...

We have owned our cellerciser for over a year now and still use it anywhere from 2-5x per week!!  I try hard to do at least 10 minutes each morning before jumping into the shower.

Our Favorite Cleaning Products!

Back right after pinecone #3 was born, I joined the La Leche League out of desperation, because he was having several health problems that was discouraging to a nursing mama like me. That is when my whole life changed for the BETTER!!   I learned so much about attached parenting the importance of breastfeeding, being educated about vaccinations, organic foods, food and drug additives etc. 

A few years later we started a purposeful effort to convert our home to safer, healthier environment.  I'm not talking about just organic foods but rather the household products we used on a daily basis. 

This became a real passion for me because I am a very visual person and a clean house helps me to breath easier.  I find I can focus better and I function in a calmer manner. This probably sounds weird but I loved coming downstairs and smelling a freshly mopped floor and clean counters and seeing a vacuumed living room floor.   Reality was to have this kind of home I could not continue to put my husband's, my children's and my own health at risk with those store brands.  I knew the chemicals were dangerous and breathing them in everyday was not healthy so after more research I decided to make my own cleaning solutions.

During that learning curve in my life I purchased many wonderful home remedy and recipe books that I would highly recommend to anyone that has the time to go this route. This approach to creating a healthier home environment was definitely cheaper, but on the down side it required quite a bit of pre-planning and time to purchase the supplies, make up the solutions, label bottles etc. 

By the time pinecone #6 was born, I really didn't have the time or energy to continue down this path of making my own cleaning products.   

That is when I learned about a great company called Melaleuca.  

Melaleuca is a wellness company that operates just like Costco where they have a one time lifetime membership fee of $29.00 to become a preferred customer.   Once you become a preferred customer all you have to do is commit to buying 35 product points a month which winds up being between $40-$60.  This then allows you to purchase products at their best discounted rates.

The membership is a money back guarantee up to 3 months after joining and can be terminated anytime. The products ALWAYS have a money back guarantee if you are not satisfied for any reason. So you have nothing to lose for trying… and the products are really Excellent.

They have over 350 of the world’s leading wellness products for the home and family. These products include:

• Green Household Cleaners
• Laundry Soap
• Makeup
• Toothpaste
• Shampoo
• Soaps & Lotions
• Pain Reliever Tablets
• Vitamins
• Candles
• …and so much more!!

Today, having shopped with this company for over five years, I would say our favorite line of products is hands down their Household Cleaning Products!  They are all non toxic and eco friendly with no harmful chemicals such as chlorine bleach, ammonia, or formaldehyde.  The neat thing about these products is that they are concentrated so you actually save money every month because you don’t use as much product as you would with regular store brands. And who doesn’t  want there home to be safer and toxic free, while saving money?  

Check out this video.

Truthfully, discovering Melaleuca has become a time and money saving Godsend for our family.    

If you are interested, please let me know!  We would be happy to help you set up a Preferred customer account.  Leave me a comment with your email address and I will send you a quick introductory email.  

You will not regret it!

~~ Leslie or Dave Adamson, M.E. Member #61982903

One Year Anniversary to Graining!!

I have always been fascinated with living a healthier lifestyle and actually welcome the challenge with our growing family. 

For many years now I have been very interested in the benefits of graining my own flour, but two factors kept me at a distance cost and time.  Then last year for Mother's Day, my wonderful husband finally gave me the go ahead to purchase one of my dream kitchen upgrades, a WonderMill Grain Master and a Kitchen Aide Mixer.  Oh my goodness! For the latter, I feel like I just went from the Flintstones era to the Jetson's era!!  I can get so much more accomplished in the kitchen during meal prep now with my new mixer, but today I want to focus on my God sent grain mill!!

For years I've read the benefits of graining your own flour and baking with it fresh from the mill verses purchasing over counter bread or milling your grain at a store then bringing it home to bake. It is amazing how many nutrients we loose in just one hour after milling our grain, then three hours and then 72 hours!  Our society is so fixated on *fiber*, which is very important, but they never mention all the vitamins and minerals that are equally important and lost in the processing.

Since we started this very simple step towards better health, I can say that we have seen amazing improvements over the past year in the whole family's overall health. Let me start with Dave, my husband, since I have known him 20+ years. Like clockwork, every Spring and Fall, he comes down with terrible allergies that lead to nasty sinus infections. He gets very congested and for several weeks he is quite miserable. Well this is the first year, with the exception of the four years we lived in Florida, that he did not suffer with allergies and sinus infections!! It has been amazing.  Every year with the children we can expect to catch a variety of colds, ear infections or stomach viruses.  This year we had no stomach viruses come through our household. My oldest daughter, who also suffers severe allergies, only had to fight maybe two colds. My son who is susceptible to ear infections did not have one!!  As for myself, I had only one cold, which I caught after I got pregnant. Our total over the counter medication expenses have been cut by two thirds!! There was an occasion earlier this year when we got to go on a two week business trip with Dave and when we got back, everyone started to come down with either a sore throat or sniffles. The entire next week I made sure we had breakfast with a freshly grained food item, and within three days everyone was perfectly healthy!! It was truly amazing!! 

We truthfully have not changed any of our habits other than graining our own flour! Several friends have  made comments about not being big bread eaters so for what exactly would they use a grain mill? Well, I have yet to bake my own loaf of bread. That will hopefully be the next step towards better health when I get the go ahead for a bread maker that can handle the heavier dough. Currently we grain our flour for biscuits, muffins, pancakes, waffles, tortillas and occasional teatime snacks.  I try to have freshly grained foods a minimum of three days per week and when used in correlation with the Kitchen Aide Mixer the actual time and overall cost to prepare these food items is no different than when we previously used prepackaged mixes!!! 

Another thing I love about my WonderMill is if someone has certain grain in-tolerances you can mill other items like rice, corn, beans etc. It is just so simple. It really surprises me that more people don't do it!

I highly recommend these two tools on your journey to transforming your kitchen to a wholefoods kitchen!