http://www.bchd.org/resources/documents/Summer08LW.pdf

Stretch.  Athena Engelman,
certified yoga instructor, teaches yoga at the Center for Health &Fitness.  She says, “Yoga literally means to yoke or unite.  Yoga unites the body, mind and spirit using breath and physical postures.”  Engelman recommends that beginners practice yoga twists at home because they help relieve pressure on spinal nerves and lengthen the spine.  Try this twist:
Sitting on the floor, extend both legs in front of you.  Crossing the right leg over the left, plant your right foot near the outside of the left knee or hip.  Bring your left hand to the right knee and place your right hand on the floor behind you.  Gently twist your spine in the direction of your right side. As you inhale, reach up with your right hand, keeping it up for five deep breaths.  As you exhale, twist away from the knee toward your
right side.  Repeat on your left side.  The accompanying sidebar takes a closer look at the benefits of incorporating yoga into your daily life.  At the end of your wellness retreat,
ask yourself what behaviors you can incorporate into your daily life and seek out the resources that offer support while you hone your skills.

Read more at the Center for Health
Information, BCHD’s health library:
“Stress, Diet & Your Heart”
by Dean Ornish, M.D.

“Stress Management for Busy
People” by Carol Turkington

If you have no summer vacation plans, why not create a one-week
wellness retreat at home? Adopt these habits during your week
off to help put you on a path to better health.
GETTING AWAY …
WITHOUT GOING AWAY
by Christina Kosta Procopiou