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By JEN MULSON, THE GAZETTE
Happy Thanksgiving to all you feasters.
Here’s hoping you’re treating your bellies right today. If you’re sitting there scoffing at me, at least try these tips:
• Eat your big holiday meal at midday. According to ayurvedic teachings, midday is when you should be eating your biggest meal, anyway. It’s the time of day when your agni (digestive fire) is at its peak. Also, ayurveda recommends avoiding ice-cold drinks and foods. They douse the “fire” in your belly, and put a damper on the digestive process. Limit the amount of cold liquids you drink during your meal and afterward, or try taking room temperature or warm liquids with your meal. Mixing cold and hot foods at a meal can result in stomach cramps and discomfort.
• Try a few spices to help with digestion, including turmeric, cumin, coriander, fennel, mint, black pepper, cardamom, cinnamon, nutmeg and cayenne. These can enhance digestion and metabolism, and prevent digestive disorders such as gas and bloating. My new favorite trick is to pour a teaspoon or two of dried powdered ginger into a mug of hot water for a super easy ginger tea. Not only will it help your belly, but ginger has heating properties if you’re feeling cold this winter.
• If that big meal isn’t sitting properly inside you, lie down and curl up on your left side. Also, take a walk. It does wonders for digestion.
• Twist your body into a yoga posture. Allow your food to settle for a bit first, then try a simple seated twist. Sit forward on the chair, keep your hips pointed forward and twist to the right, resting your hands on the side and back of the chair. Hold for three to five breaths. Then twist to the other side.
Try a reclining twist. Come down to your back. Keep the left leg straight, and hug the right knee into your chest. Pull it across your body over to the left. Extend your right arm out to the right and gaze toward those fingers. Hold for three to five breaths. Change sides.
• Legs up the wall pose. This posture is good for just about everything. Sit right next to the wall and then swivel onto your back so your legs extend up the wall. Stay here, or take one of numerous variations. You can try opening the legs wide or bending the knees with the feet flat on the wall. If your feet or legs begin to tingle as the bloods leaves them, lower the legs and place the soles of the feet together near your pelvis. The knees will open wide to the sides. This posture is contraindicated for those with serious eye problems, such as glaucoma, neck or shoulder pain, high blood pressure, heart disease and stroke.
“Thai Yoga for Couples”
Local yoga teacher Kat Tudor will once again offer a “Thai Yoga for Couples” evening at Marmalade at Smokebrush. I had the pleasure of participating in the last one during the summer, along with other couples that included friends, husbands and wives and a mother and daughter. It’s a very gentle class that’s perfect for the giving-and-receiving spirit of the season. You’ll take turns maneuvering your partner’s limbs, lightly pounding on their body and giving the beauty of your presence and healing power of your touch. Tudor is a reassuring presence in the room, as she talks you through class with grace and humor, even when you accidentally bonk heads with your partner and get the giggles. After class there are drinks and yummy snacks. It’s a nice evening to spend with somebody, 6-8:30 p.m. Saturday, 219 W. Colorado Ave., Suite 210 in the Trestle Building, $30 per couple, make reservations: smoke brush.org or 444-1012.
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Contact Jennifer Mulson: 636-0277, Twitter @jennifermulson,
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