As any yoga practitioner knows Restorative Yoga is essential in a well-rounded yoga practice. I love Power Flow as much as the next person but I wouldn’t be able to heal as well as I do without Yin or Restorative yoga.
Many of us find Restorative very challenging because it is so hard to fully let go while holding your body in a certain position. Holding poses for a long time can be difficult on certain bodies. My endurance runs out quickly with chronic fatigue and most times it is more physically exhausting to hold a 3 minute Yin pose than it is to do an hour of Vinyasa Yoga.
I recently found a Lotus Wrap from Earth to Ethers like I’ve never encountered before. It has a belt loop for easy use and is wide to make comfort the number one priority.
I started using this while dealing with high anxiety. It worked so well for me that I instantly grabbed it when my daughter suffered a panic attack (many children with gastrointestinal problems also suffer from anxiety disorders). I wrapped her up in a child’s pose with the Lotus Wrap and within ONE MINUTE she was breathing slower and feeling much better. It’s a proven science, the pressure caused by using the Lotus Wrap calms the nervous system which is great for Restorative Yoga and any tension or stress held in the body.
The Lotus Wrap can be used for any pose you can imagine. It’s as easy as a regular yoga strap and can be used in many of the same ways with much more comfort.
Also, the Lotus Wrap is eco-friendly as they only use plant-based fabrics that aren’t treated with herbicides or pesticides. Their packaging is minimal, made from recyclable paper and compostable plastic.
The Lotus Wrap also comes with a beautiful guide to poses with it as well as access to online tutorials to help you get instant relief. It is easy to pack for use anywhere and for safe keeping.
I was most surprised with the difference in poses like child’s pose. Without having to press my seat back to my heels my body melted completely down to the mat and the stress in my shoulders dissipated. It’s definitely great to have at least one of these. But I warn you, if you have children, you’ll fight for the comfort of the Lotus Wrap. And even worse, if you have a spouse with lower back pain (who doesn’t? ) you’ll never get the Lotus Wrap to yourself!
Namaste!
Amanda Nicole @ Save Serenity
PUBLISHED ON
For those of us who have yet to meet, my name is Kara. I'm the founder of Earth to Ethers and creator of the Lotus Wrap. It was a blessing and hmm, how do I say this ... my 'path' to design the Lotus Wrap. Five years ago during a Vipassana meditation course I STRUGGLED HARD to find a comfortable seat. Over the course of that 10 day retreat the prop I needed began to flesh out in my mind. It was such a simple solution I honestly thought I'd leave the course able to buy one. It never dawned on me no one would be making it already! It took a few months to realize that finding new career path was what drew me back to Vipassana in the first place! Though starting a business was about the furthest thing from my mind, yet here we are five years later.
I say 'we' because even though I am the sole employee of Earth to Ethers, there are many, many, many, many, many, many, many souls who contribute to it's success, and man am I ever grateful!
This path is my teacher, my guru. It brings it all! ... victory, defeat, courage, fear, bliss, stress, indulgence & famine. The biggest lessons by far have been practicing non-attachment and learning to move & grow at my own pace. Earth to Ethers is still a small company because I move at a ridiculously mindful (aka slow) pace.
Above all I'm grateful to be here learning, creating and doing what we do. This summer we'll be at a number of yoga and music festivals: Folk Fest Vancouver, Wanderlust Whistler and Bhakti Fest. If you have time to come and say Hi I'd love to meet!
Sat Nam, Namaste and with Metta beautiful souls
]]>Oh mama! Are you ready to experience the divine? Our newest Lotus Wraps are both di~vine and sub~lime! These glorious little shrouds transport your senses to all sorts of heavenly realms! Digitally printed on 100% OEKO-TEX certified naturally organic linen these 93" inch long celestial deities cocoon you in exaltation.
Material: digitally printed on 100% OEKO-TEX certified Linen
Length: 93" inches long
Weight: 182g
Care: delicate wash, cold water, do not tumble dry
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Material: digitally printed on 100% OEKO-TEX certified Linen
Length: 93" inches long
Weight: 182g
Care: delicate wash, cold water, do not tumble dry
Incorporate Activity, But Not Too Quickly
One need not feel like they have to sign up for a marathon to prove they want to be physically active — especially after being complacent during the addiction phase. It’s not uncommon for recovery survivors to experience muscle atrophy (deterioration of the tissue), so it’s smarter to start slowly. For example, low-impact activities such as yoga, swimming, and meditation can relieve stress and anxiety while preventing a relapse — specifically because each helps one to achieve inner peace while gaining control over negative emotions. While it’s always a good idea to check with a physician before starting an exercise routine, it’s particularly crucial for recovery survivors, because they may have developed underlying health issues such as liver disease, brain damage, malnutrition-related issues, and pancreatitis.
Restoration Through Food
As with any exercise plan, diet is key, but eating nutritious foods may not have been top of mind when one was addicted. With that in mind, it’s important that the body is restored from the inside out. While a balanced diet is a good rule of thumb, there are specific foods that can help with the withdrawal and restoration process. For example, brightly-colored fruits and vegetables such as papaya, bell peppers, oranges, and strawberries; stomach-soothing complex carbohydrates such as potatoes and rice; vitamin B6-rich proteins like salmon and lean red meat (lentils and tofu for vegetarians); and plenty of vitamin-rich, dark green, leafy vegetables. Water (and lots of it) is also a key, but electrolyte-packed drinks and coconut water can also help refurbish hydration levels — especially if vomiting is a side effect.
Staying Motivated
Finding ways to stay motivated during the recovery process may feel challenging at times — especially if a relapse occurs. Tactics such as setting up a basic home gym (think dumbbells, a yoga mat, medicine ball, resistance bands), signing up for a race, and joining a health club or sports league can help one stay on track because of convenience and/or accountability. Many rehab programs offer assistance finding such activities where like-minded individuals are present, which can be helpful for anyone struggling with temptation related to post-workout socialization. Since it’s likely that exercise was not a part of one’s schedule for quite some time, it’s better to slow down a routine for the sake of one’s overall health than to quit cold turkey — this is why regular trips to the doctor are helpful.
While exercise and healthy eating are forms of self-care, implementing additional practices such as getting enough sleep, engaging in a hobby or interest, making time for sober social activities, and meditating can only enhance the recovery process as a whole. Maintaining long-term sobriety can only happen if one is willing to make an all-encompassing lifestyle change.
written by Constance Ray
Constance Ray started Recoverywell.org with the goal of creating a safe place for people to share how addiction has affected them, whether they are combating it themselves or watching someone they care about work to overcome it. The goal is to share stories of hope from survivors who know that the fight against addiction is one worth having, because no matter how it affects you, life can get better.