Alternative Information

What Exactly is Alternative Therapy and How Does It Boost Your Health and Well-being?


My first yoga retreat

I never wanted it to stop. It was a wonderful feeling of joy, love compassion and connection to everyone who was there with me. This was despite the fact that I had only met these people just three days ago. But at that moment, it felt like I had known them all my life.

This was my first yoga retreat. Four days of total immersion in the practice, philosophy and life of hatha yoga. We practiced yoga twice a day. Spent several hours in sitting and walking meditation and learned about the philosophy of yoga through talks and discussions.

We helped prepare and ate the most delicious home-made vegetarian food. I was on an energy high. I had so much stamina. It was the best short break I had ever had.

So why did it effect me so profoundly?

Our subtle energy body

Yoga works on our bodies and minds at many levels, and in a way that traditional medicine fails. Infact, many of the alternative therapies and practices, that have become so popular, work on our mind and body in powerful ways.

You may not realise it, but your body has a network of unseen energy channels. They follow the pathways of our nervous system and provide a constant supply of subtle energy that keeps us alive.

This complex mesh of energy channels, or 'meridians' as the Chinese call them, focus around 7 energy centers or 'chakras' that are vertically aligned from our crown to our abdomen. Yoga, and many alternative therapies and practices, increase, balance and harmonise this energy network.

Lao Tsu, the revered Chinese sage and chi kung master, said, "When human beings are born, they are tender and soft. At death they are stiff and hard. All things, the grass as well as the trees, are tender and supple when alive". It's this hidden energy system that keeps us alive, vibrant and healthy.

Shiatsu, acupressure and acupuncture

The study of our energy bodies can be seen in shiatsu, acupressure and acupuncture. These are just three of the many practices that originate from the East.

Shiatsu is a system of full body massage taken lying down on a futon. But it's more than just massage. Many part of your body are pressed and massaged where the subtle energy lines meet. The effect is both invigorating and relaxing at the same time. My first massage was so good I fell asleep.

Acupuncture is a curative system that is accepted by the western medical establishment because it works. Needles are inserted so they connect with the energy channels in your body. By placing these needles at the right points your energy and health is both rebalanced and restored.

The ancient art of yoga

Yoga, stretching and pilates is about exercising your muscles and ligaments, but it's more than this. The gentle stretching of muscles releases trapped energy and energises the muscles and ligaments the pose is working on.

Yoga involves stretching into a pose and holding the position while breathing in or out deeply and completely. There is a dynamic to this apparent stillness. You may be holding the position, but your deep breathing is moving energy and refreshes the parts of your body other exercise cannot reach.

So, the slow and steady movements free trapped energy, energise muscles and ligaments and refresh your whole body. At the same time you are developing strength and stamina while holding these poses.

Mind and body health

Traditional medicine and therapies work with symptoms, known illnesses and diseases. Holistic and alternative practices and therapies view illness as a warning that your system is out of balance. Many of these practices work on you at different levels, especially your subtle energy body.

It's all about re-balancing your mind and body so that it works properly once again. It's a 'whole'-istic view rather than a piecemeal view.

Maybe that's why modern medicine seems unable to cure some illnesses and health problems.

We have so much to learn.

Terry Dunn writes regular articles on how to use alternative therapies to improve your health. From aromatherapy to yoga, discover what it's like, how it works and how you can benefit. To read more articles, visit his website, http://www.holistichealthtalk.com


MORE RESOURCES:

Sunrise Solar tapped for alternative energy project in Brazil
Bizjournals.com, NC - 7 hours ago
The project is part of a multimillion-dollar alternative energy development initiative by Brazil which is making a big push to become energy self-sufficient ...
Solar project narrows gap on fuel costs San Jose Mercury News
Sunrise Solar to Provide Solar to Brazilian Hospitals istockAnalyst.com (press release)
all 26 news articles


Los Angeles Times

Treasury Bond Alternative
Boston Globe, United States - 8 hours ago
"Where should I put my money right now? I don't feel comfortable investing in stocks, and I've heard that Treasury bonds are paying next to nothing. ...
Get Out Now! Barron's
Bonds may be a shield, but they're still risky Gail MarksJarvis Chicago Tribune
Corporate debt's allure Boston Globe
all 296 news articles


Fuel Systems Solutions to Launch US Automotive Alternative Fuel ...
MSNBC - 3 hours ago
Since the 1960s, Fuel System Solutions' transportation subsidiary, BRC, based in Cherasco, Italy, has been a major provider of alternative fuel systems ...


Alternative fitness routines for the new year
Newsday, NY - 14 hours ago
BY JOHN HANC | Special to Newsday What drives the fitness industry? "It's always about 'what's next?'" says Jill Oppenheimer of Hewlett, a former group ...


TopNews

Hybrids, alternative fuel cars showcased
Detroit Free Press, United States - 14 hours ago
The EcoXperience exhibit will feature about a dozen hybrid vehicles and other vehicles powered by alternative fuels. It will be supported by General Motors ...
Michigan Economic Development Corporation and North American ... PR Newswire (press release)
Try hybrid vehicles at auto show exhibit Detroit Free Press
all 57 news articles


Times Online

Gas war may boost alternative routes to Europe
guardian.co.uk, UK - Jan 6, 2009
But a cut in supplies via Ukraine this week, the result of a dispute with Russia over debts and pricing, may force Europe's leaders to support alternative ...
Video: Russia Stops All Gas Supply to Europe AssociatedPress
Gas row shows importance of alternative gas routes Canada.com
Russia again cuts flow of gas through Ukraine Los Angeles Times
Reuters - BBC News
all 5,652 news articles


TAKE 2: An alternative look at the day in sports
Columbia Daily Tribune, MO - 2 hours ago
By JOE WALLJASPER LeBron James was not happy Sunday when he was called for traveling late in the Cleveland Cavaliers’ 80-77 loss to the Washington Wizards. ...


Dunn would be smart alternative for Dodgers
FOXSports.com - 16 hours ago
Not a bad alternative. Not bad at all. At the moment, the Dodgers are focused on pitching, talking to free-agent closer Trevor Hoffman as well as other ...


ABC News

Fighting in Gaza, a Dollar Alternative, and Obama's Foreign Policy ...
Council on Foreign Relations, NY - Jan 6, 2009
Golden Alternative: David Hale of David Hale Global Economics writes that the great challenge confronting the foreign exchange market at the start of 2009 ...
Video: Gaza families mourn dead after UN school bombed - 07 Jan 09 AlJazeeraEnglish
Yes, the war in Gaza is terrible. But the alternative was worse ... Daily Mail
The Only Exit from Gaza is Death Media Monitors Network
Asia Times Online - Al-Arabiya
all 28,992 news articles


Alternative school faces hardships, closure
Galveston County Daily News, TX - 16 hours ago
When Robledo enrolled at Galveston Alternative Educational Center, Whatley bought him books she thought he might find interesting: literature about sports. ...

Alternative - Google News

home | site map
© 2008