Me, My Parents and the Yoga Lifestyle

When I was a little girl growing up back in Ohio, the Easter Holiday in April was a big deal in my household.  We painted boiled eggs, ate sugary marshmallow candy and gnawed on chocolate bunnies.  I haven’t eaten that stuff in ages.  Living in Los Angeles has certainly fostered a much healthier lifestyle for me.

I was lucky my parents visited me in Los Angeles from January to April this year.  We kept it zen and we kept it healthy.  When people visit for a week or so, getting off track of your healthy habits isn’t such a big deal.  Maybe you miss a few yoga classes, you skip a weekend nature hike or you eat junk food.  I knew with my parents staying for two months, we needed to choose health for the wellbeing of all involved.

Celebrating Saint Patrick’s Day with Fresh Squeezed Veggie Juices from Green Earth in Pasadena http://www.greenearthvegan.com/about-pasadena.html

Los Angeles is a relatively easy place to be healthy on a consistent basis.  The challenge may arise when you are getting things on the go and in a rush.  Or the people visiting you are not so into sprouts and Ezekiel bread.  For the record my mom is healthier than me!  Dad, well he is dad and we love him just the way he is.  The goal for me is always to have my folks leave healthier and happier than when they arrived.  It is a group effort.

Traveling to such a big city like Los Angeles can feel quite overwhelming and taxing.  Here are some suggestions on how to have a good time AND keep a healthy environment for you and your loved ones.

First are the Descanso Gardens in La Cananda.  My yoga students have been telling me about these wonderful gardens for years.  I finally made it there with my folks.

Dad, mom and my boyfriend’s mom all had a favorite spot by the serene waterfalls.  Water is an element known to soothe and heal the soul.  Who doesn’t need some soul soothing?  I was surprised they all just sat there watching and listening  to the water for an hour.

Soothe Your Soul

I was lucky enough to get dad an incredible physical therapist who also practices yoga!  I mean, this was nothing short of a miracle.  Check out my dad practicing modified plank with his physical therapist.

Modified Plank Pose, practice on the bed!

One of dad’s health challenges is living with high blood pressure.  Practicing Left Nostril is known to lower your blood pressure and cool down the body naturally.  This is also a breathing technique you and your loved can practice when emotions get out of hand.  You don’t have to pop a pill and there is no need to waste time checking to see if it is covered by insurance (please check with your doctor before editing your prescribed medication).  To practice Left Nostril Breathing you slowly inhale through the left nostril and slowly exhale through the right.  Try it for five minutes before you go to sleep.

Of course yogi food is a big part of the body healing from the inside out.  In the picture below my folks are enjoying a meal at the India Sweets and Spices Restaurant  in Los Feliz.  They loved the protein packed gorbanzo beans, the lentil stew which is high in fiber and the mango smoothies.  Mangos are known to lower cholesterol.  This trip we kept our meals simple and mostly vegetarian.

Let your food be your medicine and your medicine be your food

Dad also has edema which causes swelling in the legs and feet.  When dad first got to LA, the swelling was horrible.  It caused a lot of pain and he had trouble walking short distances.  Mid trip dad finally agreed to elevate his legs throughout the day.  I didn’t have to convince/bribe him to put his feet up here!  We went to Gold Class  movie theater in Pasadena.  You can put your feet up in the lazy boy chairs throughout the entire movie.  I was so relaxed I fell asleep.

For those of us who are able, Legs Up the Wall pose is just as easy as a lazy boy chair.  All you have to do is go to a wall and gently swing your legs up towards the ceiling.  Allow your legs to rest up against the wall.  Keep your legs elevated for 5-20 minutes.  When practiced regularly you will regulate your blood flow, restore tired feet and legs and relieve mild backaches.

An easy and enjoyable way to elevate your legs

I love that my parents can still come visit and enjoy what LA has to offer.  Along with the year around sunshine, I am blessed to live in a city that has a variety of healthy options for myself and the people I hold dear to my heart.  I am looking forward to my brother and my nephews coming in June!

Yoga Tips
Yoga is not only a physical practice, it is a lifestyle.  How can you incorporate more of the yoga lifestyle in your modern busy day?  Maybe you start your day by getting up 20 minutes earlier to meditate.  Or commit to practice yoga for a half hour after work.  Grab a healthy lunch that gives you energy to be more productive throughout your day.  Most importantly, do what serves you in your life, there are no do overs.

Photo  Credits: Cindi E. Lee