Wisdom Wednesday

"If your spine is inflexibly stiff at 30, you are old. IF it is completely flexible at 60, you are young."

~ Joseph Pilates

Join Amelia for a Chair Class on Saturday mornings at 10:30am. Text (203) 627-6687 to reserve a spot . Chair Class: $25

Join Dorothy Sunday morning at 9:30 am for a group Sculpt, Tone and Balance class with props.  Text 626-818-0241 or Email to reserve a spot.

Sculpt, Tone and Balance Class: $20

Photo by Joyce McCown on Unsplash

Simple Steps to Better Sleep

The secret to refreshing sleep is to wake up naturally after a sustained period of REM. There is wisdom in the old saying that ‘one hour’s sleep before midnight is worth two after.’

We spend about a third of our lives in sleep.  Sleep is important on so many levels.

As Leonardo da Vinci said, “…a well-spent day brings happy sleep.”

If only we could sleep like a baby

and get some solid restful sleep.

Short-term insomnia, which is the commonest type of insomnia afflicts as many as one in three people, can be caused by a stressful life event, a poor sleeping environment, and an irregular routine.

 Try these 7 simple steps to better sleep:

1. Set up a strict routine involving regular and adequate sleeping times.

2. Devise a relaxing bedtime routine that helps you to wind down before bedtime.

3. Eat a wholesome evening meal with a good balance of protein and complex carbohydrates.

4. Enjoy a hot, non-caffeinated drink such as herbal tea or hot chocolate before going to sleep. In time, your hot drink could serve as a sleeping cue.

5. Sleep in a familiar, dark, and quiet room that is adequately ventilated and neither too hot nor too cold.

6. Exercise regularly. Exercise reduces arousal and anxiety and also helps with other aspects of psychological and physical health.

7. Reduce your overall stress. At the same time, try to do something fulfilling each day.

Don't make the common, almost universal mistake of underestimating sleep. Time spent in sleep is time well spent; almost everyone could do with better, more restorative sleep.

 Sleep is the best meditation. —Dalai Lama

Boost methylation

Methylation is your body's biochemical superhighway that helps protect your DNA, brain, and gut from inflammation.

It is important to support healthy methylation pathways to lower homocysteine, an inflammatory amino acid.

A great way to help with this is by eating sulfur-rich vegetables such as cauliflower, brussels sprouts, and broccoli.

For more information go to: https://www.mindbodygreen.com

Photos by Keenan Loo,  Lauren Lester and  Reinaldo Kevin on Unsplash

Tuesday Tip

True Self-Care

Photo by John Westrock on Unsplash

True self-care is so much more than an occasional bubble bath, manicure, or massage. While all of these things are fantastic, they are self-care lite.

Nicole Griffin says, "True self-care, in my mind, is not an appointment, but a way of life. When done right, it is a manifestation of self-respect and is deeply woven into the way we show up in the world.”

In Nicole’s blog, she challenges us to think creatively and beyond the every day routine.

True self-care is living your best life Get the shiny nails if that makes you happy, but also do the real work. What makes you feel most alive? Who brings out the best in you and mirrors your fullest potential? Who doesn’t (bye)? What things make you lose track of time? What types of play did you love as a child? Who inspires you and why? What are you good at?

What are you waiting for? To learn more go to http://nicolegriffinwellness.com

Nicole is a yoga teacher and holistic health coach in the DC area. She believes that health and self-care should be a priority and that experiences are more valuable than possessions.

Her adventures in life have been defined by a love of learning, an insatiable curiosity, and a willingness to explore the world and say yes to new experiences.

Source: http://nicolegriffinwellness.com/service/b...

Get a Better Waistline...Add Obliques to Your Workout

The obliques aid in compressing the abdomen and in forward-bending. They are also the hard workers that help us in side-bending and twisting our torso.

The big reason to include oblique work in your workouts is to make sure you have tone and good function in any muscle group—you want the full benefits that muscle group has to offer.

In this case, it's the side bending and twisting ability along with abdominal compression and forward bending. Many of us want to make extra sure we get our oblique workouts in because toned obliques make for a nice waistline. 

Keep in mind that the obliques work in concert with your other abdominal muscles and really all the muscles of your Pilates powerhouse—abs, back, hips, pelvic floor.

It is not recommended to focus just on obliques, but rather obliques in the context of a full-body workout. We want form and function along with a waistline.

Making bending and twisting exercises effective and safe to get that oblique workout. One example is the Pilates Mermaid Side Stretch Exercise below.

Pin it - Ben Goldstein

One of the best ways to get your oblique workouts is in a balanced Pilates workout which will always feature twisting and bending exercises.

To get a better waistline, contact one of our experienced instructors today they can craft a balanced workout for you in studio and for your at home practice.

The studio is open 7 days a week from 6am to 9pm or

contact us at info@pilatesofpasadena.com

Aging Gracefully and Safely

Kent Elliot offers a few simple things seniors can do to age in place more safely. But what is 'Aging in place'?

Aging in place refers to living independently in your own home rather than in an assisted living or retirement home in old age.

As many as 75 percent of older adults plan to live out the remainder of their years in their own home. Instead of uprooting your life and moving to an unfamiliar nursing home, you can support your physical needs by making accessibility changes to your own house.

Here's how to plan for aging at home as safely and gracefully as possible.

Ask Yourself if Aging in Place is Realistic

Even though home modifications allow many people to safely age at home, it's still not for everyone. For people who need daily nurse assistance or those with fluctuating health conditions, aging in place may not be the best option. You still need to be able to move about your home, even if you're in a wheelchair or require a walker. Preparing food, washing, and keeping your home tidy are all requirements for aging in place. You'll also need to travel into town to run errands and attend doctors appointments. If you cannot drive, you will need to find alternate transportation such as public buses or help from family.

Reduce the Risk of Injuries Outside

Did you know that falls are the leading cause of injury for older Americans? Luckily, low-cost home modifications have been shown to significantly reduce injury from falls. First, start by making repairs to your walkways and stairs outside your home. Keep paths clear of debris and install adequate outdoor lighting. This also means keeping vegetation trimmed so it doesn't intrude onto pathways. Handrails on your stairs and steps can help you enter your home safely. If you're in a wheelchair or walker, you may want to replace your stairs entirely with a ramp.

Keep Indoor Living Spaces Safe

Moving indoors, get rid of hazardous throw rugs that can bunch or slide on hard floors. Instead, replace them with non-skid mats that are securely fastened to your floor. Make sure your indoor staircases are well-lit and have railings. It can even be helpful to add brightly colored tape to stairs so they're easy to see. Clean up clutter from the floor so nothing is sitting in the way of walkways or staircases. Everyday Health recommends wearing shoes or non-slip socks in the house to reduce your slipping risk.

Fall-Proof Your Bathroom

The threat of accidents in the bathroom can be a major cause of concern for seniors and their family members. According to Independent Home, many falls happen when people get in and out of the bathtub or shower. To avoid this, place non-slip mats in your shower and on the floor outside it. Putting a sturdy chair directly in the shower can also be helpful. Grab bars and handrails in the bathroom provide extra support when using the toilet or bathtub and save you from a fall if you do happen to slip. Liquid soap and shampoo dispensers can be mounted on your shower wall so you don't have to reach for these items. Also, consider installing a night light in your bathroom so you don't risk falls at night when you get up to use the toilet.

Consider Moving to an Accessible Home

If you’re unable to make your required home modifications for any reason, consider moving to an accessible house. Accessible homes in Pasadena, California, typically sell for $950,000. These homes usually include a step-free entrance, wide door frames, step-free showers and bathtubs, non-slip bathroom floors, and grab bars. If you're in a wheelchair, look for tiled or timber flooring that is easier to roll over. Make a checklist of everything you need in an accessible home before starting your search. Then, use online filters to search for accessible homes for sale in your area.

Of course, keeping yourself in good physical health will make aging in place much easier to accomplish. This includes getting regular exercise, eating a healthy diet, and minimizing stress.

If you're worried about aging in your home alone, remote monitoring systems and fall alerts can notify family members if you ever need help.

Just remember, many people have successfully aged at home, and you can too!

For additional information contact:

Kent Elliott

https://athomeaging.info/my-book/

 

info@athomeaging.info

 

75 percent - https://www.ncoa.org/news/resources-for-reporters/usoa-survey/2015-results/

aging in place - https://www.simplyss.com/blog/aging-in-place-a-seniors-guide/

cause of injury - https://www.bmj.com/content/354/bmj.i5190

making repairs - https://www.alliancehhcare.com/resources/modifying-home-fall-prevention/?doing_wp_cron=1530795073.7342660427093505859375

Everyday health - https://www.everydayhealth.com/longevity/future-planning/prevent-falls-at-home.aspx

Independent home  - https://independenthome.com/six-concrete-and-effective-ways-to-accident-proof-your-bathroom/