Salute to the Sun

With the Summer now seemingly far behind us, I felt it was appropriate to take time out to appreciate these beautiful Autumn days we've been experiencing recently.  

This weekend in particular, I was lucky enough to take a 3-hour cycle ride along the coastal path from where I live in Lymington out along the seawall to Milford-on-Sea.  Here I stopped to enjoy a (not-so-healthy) brunch and the spectacular views across the Solent to the Needles.  

There was still some considerable warmth in the sun, and it felt very gratifying to be able to steal a few extra hours outside, breathing in the fresh sea air and watching the migrant bird life as it settles down to a Winter on the salt flats.


To continue this appreciation, I have decided to give you a short sequence of yoga postures, known as the Sun Salutation, which you can follow and repeat (as many times as you like) to bring you extra warmth and vital energy during these darker autumnal days.

Some yoga instructors use the Salutations as a warm-up routine before teaching a full yoga session, others tailor their whole class around the postures within the routine.  Either way, the benefits of the Sun Salutations are numerous:

• A complete exercise for muscles and joints, helping the body gain flexibility
• It establishes the connection between movement and the breath 
• Enhances strength and elasticity of the spine
• Increases circulation and provides a gentle cardiac workout
• Tones all the muscles and reduces fat
• Activates the nervous system
• Massages internal organs
• Increases lung capacity and regulates the breath
• Activates and regulates hormones
• Encourages lymph drainage and elimination of toxins
• Improves immunity and resistance to disease
• Aids concentration and memory function
• Increases the body's vital energy (prana) 

If video doesn't open, click here:
http://youtu.be/naw1udSG858

An extra source of concentrated "sunshine" can be brought into your life by adding a tablespoon of fresh Sunflower seeds to your daily diet.  These can be added to your usual breakfast cereals/porridge/natural yogurt, sprinkled on salads or simply used as a nutritious, protein-rich snack between meals to help counter fatigue, depression, irritability and lack of energy.  Try a handful with a piece of fresh fruit or dry roast and sprinkle with tamari (soy sauce) to have as alternative nibbles with your favourite tipple.

And, finally, brighten someone's day by bringing them flowers.
May you be as lucky as I was when a very special
person (you know who you are) treated me to these beautiful Sunflowers.