Planes, Trains and Automobiles: Staying Healthy on the Road

With the color-burst of 4th of July fireworks over the East River (New York), San Francisco Bay (California) and every small Americana town in-between, summer here is officially underway. And with it, vacation season – which doesn’t have to mean unhealthy indulgences. Whether traveling by plane or train; checking into a five-star hotel or the cot in grandma’s spare attic room, there are ways to keep your mind, skin, body and spirit healthy while on the road.

Some of my favorite travel must-bring, must-do, wellness-on-the-road tips:

At the Lake or Beach House: stock your kitchen with fresh produce and super food ingredients (explore the local farm stands and markets). And bring along your smoothie blender. Nourish yourself with your healthful blends, and maybe even turn your housemates on to green living. If you’re a morning person, rise early in the a.m. to watch the sunrise over the water. Practice yoga in the morning (or dusk) light, go for a jog, kayak, stand up paddleboard, or take a long walk in nature. Be sure to apply sunscreen throughout the day and shield face with a hat and sunglasses. Skip the hair dryer and curling/flat irons and allow your hair to cool-dry naturally in the breeze.

In the Air: While many airlines are working to well-up their menus, plane food is still just that – plane food. Carry on your own healthy snacks: fruit, nuts or dried snacks. Buy water at the airport and drink, drink, drink inflight. Keep your shoes on, or change into a pair of thick, cushy slipper-socks, those plane floors can be nasty. Massage your calves every so often to help the blood circulate. Use the flight to relax – plug into your favorite soothing music, book a window seat and watch the clouds. Dab on one of my personal favorites, Kerstin Florian Calm Mind, a blend of lavender and peppermint oils, to temples and sinus points. Or rub a few drops in palms and slowly inhale.

On the Train: Rail travel is one of my favorite modes of transportation – a throwback to a gentler, more romantic era, and I find, a perfect way to go inward. Seek out the “Quiet Car” – which is completely conversation (and cell-phone) free. Use your time there to digitally detox from your own phone. Read that book you’ve been longing to read. Close your eyes and meditate into sleep. Or better yet, keep eyes open and savor the scenery.

In the Hotel Room or Grandma’s Attic Room: Whether checking into a five-star room, or the guest room of a friend or family member, make the room your own. Set up your night-table with familiar items: a small photo of your children, spouse or partner; bring your favorite travel-sized candle and light it upon arrival to infuse a scent of ‘home’ spread out your yoga mat and stretch. And unpack your bathroom with your very own favorite, travel-size products – cleansers, mists, face and body moisturizers. Including our very own Kerstin Florian products.

I’m thrilled to announce that for this summer-vacation season, we are offering three carry-on ready, TSA-approved travel kits to take with you to your favorite destination:

The Beachcomber: containing our Kerstin Florian Multi-Vitamin Day Crème SPF 30, Rehydrating Neroli Water, Sun Protection SPF 30, Lip Balm SPF 15, Hyaluronic Serum sachet and Brightening Eye Crème sachet.

The Jetsetter: featuring Rejuvenating Cleansing Gel, Rehydrating Neroli Water, Rejuvenating 24-Hour Moisture Crème, Fuß Balm, Hyaluronic Serum sachet and Brightening Eye Crème sachet.

The Weekender: with Rehydrating Cleansing Milk, Rehydrating Neroli Water, Multi-Vitamin Day Crème SPF 30, Hyaluronic Serum sachet and Brightening Eye Crème sachet.

All three travel kits arrive in a clear zippered sand and water-resistant travel bag and include a smoothie recipe card.

Happy summer and happy travels!

Love,
Charlene

Posted in Charlene Florian's Blog

Say Yes to Wellness

The excitement of summer is in the air at Kerstin Florian headquarters. That’s because of the energy, enthusiasm, and ‘magic’ we feel as we’ve been counting down to Global Wellness Day, June 13, 2015, a social movement without any commercial purpose that was started by my beautiful Turkish friend, Belgin Aksoy.

Global Wellness Day was first celebrated only three short years ago, in Turkey – under the premises that something so important as our wellbeing deserved its own special day. We are thrilled that this year, more than 50 countries around the world will be sharing the mission of wellness – stopping, pausing, reflecting – for this one day – to ask the poignant question: “How can I live a healthier and better life?”

True change, of course, begins on a small scale, and with little steps. Global Wellness Day has identified seven easy steps – that will make a huge impact on lives. And we’ve added a few of our favorite Kerstin Florian wellness tips to the mix.

Walk one hour per day – rise early before work to start your day; walk during a lunch break; or after work in the evening, walk just to walk and clear your head. Also for quick errands – to the grocer, bank – try walking instead of driving.

Drink more water – a great rule of thumb is to drink half your body weight (in ounces) per day of the purest water you can. Spring water in glass is best. If you don’t filter your water, your body will have to.

Avoid plastic bottles – which pollute our earth and destroy our oceans. Invest instead in a large, reusable container that can easily be refilled while on the go.

Eat organic, locally-sourced produce – to ensure you’re getting enough fresh fruits and vegetables in your diet, invest in a high-speed blender like a Vitamix, to make green (veggie) and fruit smoothies.

Do a good deed – practice the art of kindness, even when you don’t feel like it. Hold the door open for a stranger, smile, pay it forward.

Eat a family dinner – make a point to sit down, as a family to eat dinner, converse, share your day.

Go to bed at 10 p.m. – getting our ‘beauty rest’ is important. We call it vitamin S.

Have a spa treatment – beyond the aesthetically pleasing experience of spa, treatments (massage, body wraps, facials, steam-sauna) help to release an important hormone called oxytocin which helps us feel loved, connected and blissful.

Take care of your skin – our body’s largest organ. For the face, start with an easy skincare regimen of cleanse, tone, moisturize, morning and night with gentle exfoliation once a week.

Express gratitude – say thank you to the people in your life; soak in the beauty of the nature that surrounds you. Try keeping a gratitude journal, at end of the day just before bed (or whatever works best for you), take a moment to write down all that you’re grateful for. Grow your relationship with your inner self and your spirituality through meditation and prayer. And always do your best at everything you do (read Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz).

Certainly on my gratitude list for June 13 is this worldwide Global Wellness effort. The Kerstin Florian Team will be at a private wellness event taking place at the Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills. Its purpose is to promote a truly obtainable wellness-loving lifestyle around the world. I couldn’t be more excited and humbled at the same time.

Love,
Charlene

Posted in Charlene Florian's Blog

Celebrating Earth Day

Thank you Earth for our home, for the wide sky and the blessed sun, for the oceans and streams, for the hills, mountains and whispering wind, for the flowers, trees and green grass. Thank you for Earth Day.

April 22nd marks the 45th anniversary of Earth Day around the world. More than one billion people will participate in activities this week, making it the largest civic observance in the world.

For me, Earth Day is one of the most important days of the year — reminding us that we live on a beautiful planet that requires our constant respect, love and attention. Earth Day gives us the opportunity to re-evaluate our relationship to ourselves, to others, our health, to the planet and how we live our lives. It’s a day of celebration and contemplation — and, unlike many special days, does not require any prep work. In fact, Earth Day is very simple to observe.

A few ways to celebrate:

  1. Connect to Earth: It’s spring time in the northern hemisphere and flowers are in full bloom. If the weather allows, toss off your shoes and get connected to the earth.. I try to make this a regular practice but admittedly can go several days in between. I live at the beach where it is natural to take walks barefoot. ‘Earthing’ as it is called has so many health benefits substantiated by research.
  2. Teach a Child: The greatest gift we can give to the planet is to teach sustainability and respect for Mother Nature to the next generation. Teach a child that every day is Earth Day.
  3. Eat Organic and Green: Imagine the possibilities if one billion people had this blessing?
  4. Visualize Perfect Harmony: Close your eyes and visualize earth in perfect harmony and balance.
  5. Set a Goal: Make one goal to improve sustainability in your life — like finally switching to sustainable household cleaners, carrying a (non-plastic) water bottle with you, or bringing reusable bags to the market.

I will be observing Earth Day with special friends. We will spend it in contemplation, doing yoga, enjoying nature hikes and beach walks. Water conservation is a big topic for us in California so both personally and at the corporate office, we will be implementing new ways to reduce our water consumption.

And as we take daily mindful steps today, we are excited to announce that Healing Lifestyles & Spas honored two of our products with a 2015 Earth Day Award.

Correcting Eye Rescue — Best Eye Treatment
Correcting Brightening Body Scrub — Best Body Scrub

These are two of my favorite new products and we are thrilled to have them recognized for their natural benefits.

Correcting Eye Rescue, based on pure concentrated laminaria algae (rich in amino acids, essential energizing minerals and trace elements) has clinically proven results for instantly younger looking eyes. This all-natural eye treatment provides an intensive energy boost to lift, plump and smooth the skin. It helps to stimulate collagen production. Clinical studies have proven it to: reduce wrinkle depth (by 27%); increase hydration and plumping (by 60%), reduce wrinkles (by 70%), smooth skin (by 80%) and revitalize the skin (by 85%).

Correcting Brightening Body Scrub actively retextures the skin, achieving a brighter, smoother appearance and skin tone. Exfoliating bamboo, jojoba beadlets and stimulating fruit enzymes polish and refine, while rich emollients hydrate and protect. This uplifting scrub invigorates, illuminates and softens the skin.

In honor of this special celebration, we are offering a one-day promotion: 20% off all Kerstin Florian products on www.kerstinflorian.com (promo code KF20).

Enjoy this day of celebration and join us to take a moment, pause, reflect and give thanks to this beautiful planet on which we live.

Love,
Charlene

Posted in Charlene Florian's Blog

Peace, joy and time to “be”

The holidays are here. Last week our Kerstin Florian team gathered for our annual holiday luncheon at Fig and Olive in Newport Beach – an artisan restaurant exuding the natural essence of the Mediterranean, a fitting place to set the tone for the New Year.

Bright and natural is our theme for 2015 – a time of healthy beauty and vitality, eating organic foods, practicing yoga, seeking more natural energy sources, rejuvenating physically and spiritually, and fueling our positive thoughts by stopping to ask the question, “Where am I headed?” 2015 is the time to manifest our genetic blueprint through positive daily habits and loving our skin as it is. Enhanced by a great skincare regimen and healthy lifestyle, natural beauty requires little makeup.

I will be spending my holidays on a catamaran in the British Virgin Islands, diving, swimming and reconnecting to nature. I’m excited to truly feel the freedom that sailing brings as I unplug and connect to my surroundings. I am so grateful to have this opportunity just to “be” and appreciate beautiful sunsets…

I’m bringing my NutriBullet (blender) plus Superfood ingredients, (cacao, maca, hemp seeds, chia seeds and lucuma) and my favorite smoothie recipes. I will be nourishing my skin with Neroli Water and one of my all-time favorite Kerstin Florian products: Brightening Facial Treatment, a powerful blend of skin-illuminating and scientifically-proven botanicals that deeply moisturize and visibly fade dark spots. I love this product and the superpower ingredients it contains: red algae, Chinese mushroom (to reduce redness), kombucha, black tea ferment (to smooth and improve skin texture, vitamin C (increases collagen), chlorella, turmeric and the perfect sailing condiment, sea water.

Along with this facial treatment, I’ll be wearing my Multi-Vitamin Day Crème SPF 30 (of course), along with my favorite sunglasses and hat. In preparation for my make-up-free mantra, I’ve tinted my lashes, visited my local brow bar and conditioned my hair with our new Intensive Hair Repair (if you haven’t tried this yet, it’s one of my favorite products). I look forward to the feeling of letting go. Breathing in. Digitally detoxing. And ushering in the New Year, with a renewed sense of peace. We all need it. The world craves it. From peace we cultivate a space where we can create absolutely anything.

As per the famous poet, Rainer Maria Rilke, “And now we welcome the New Year. Full of things that have never been.”

Wishing you and your family peace, joy and the time to “be” this holiday season, and throughout 2015.

Love,
Charlene

Posted in Charlene Florian's Blog

Spa Treatments Help Us Feel Loved, Connected, Blissful

To experience a spa treatment is a gift. The faint aroma of beautiful essences, herbal teas, soft music, skilled therapists and the sound of bubbling water. Spa is a place to rejuvenate and recharge, a place to nourish the skin and soul. But the benefits of spa treatments go beyond just nourishment and muscle relief. Spa treatments help to release an important hormone called oxytocin which helps us to feel loved, connected and blissful.

Oxytocin is a hormone consisting of nine amino acids, made in the hypothalamus portion of the brain. These amino acids are then transported to and secreted by the pituitary gland located at the base of the brain. Oxytocin acts as a hormone and as a brain neurotransmitter—it is really important to our overall happiness and sense of wellbeing.

During my time in Sweden this summer, Kerstin and I had the opportunity to meet Kerstin Uvnas Moberg, M.D., Ph.D., a world-renowned authority on oxytocin. Her research takes place at the famed Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, and at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences in Uppsala, where she is a professor of Physiology. She is the author of more than 400 scientific papers and books—including The Oxytocin Factor, which I am just finishing.

Dr. Moberg is a firm believer that oxytocin—released during a spa experience—is responsible for a series of benefits that go beyond relaxation, increased circulation and detoxification. So, next time you receive a spa treatment or massage, consider these added benefits:

  1. Increased self esteem
  2. Faster healing (anti-inflammatory properties help to heal wounds)
  3. Pain relief
  4. Antidepressant—you will feel blissful
  5. Improved digestion
  6. Reduced anxiety
  7. Reduced stress responses
  8. Feelings of extraversion
  9. Increased ability to trust
  10. Greater psychological stability
  11. Beneficial metabolic effects

This amazing research proves again how important it is to include regular spa treatments in your lifestyle regimen.

Love,
Charlene

Posted in Charlene Florian's Blog

Summer Hair Tips

Hair and its care have been a topic of discussion since the beginning of time from Great Grandmother’s mantra to brush hair 100 strokes each night before bed (which actually causes split ends) to the modern-day philosophy of washing hair daily (which removes hair’s natural oil and proteins).

So how, in this era of hair extensions, highlights, low lights and pink tips do we achieve and maintain shiny, healthy, gorgeous hair? Several factors from eating well and reducing stress to changing up hairstyles and choosing gentle hair products come into play.

Eat Well

For healthy growth and shine, our hair needs nourishment. For hair-growth, look to foods rich in zinc and protein. For shine and overall healthy hair, consume foods high in biotin (vitamin B such as lentils and walnuts) and high content of omega-3 fatty acids (wild-caught salmon). One of my favorite Chinese herbal tonics for hair is He Shou Wu, possibly one of the most widely used tonics in Asia to maintain the youthful condition and color of hair, and one of the greatest energy tonics known to man. It is the prepared tuberous root of Plygonum Multiflorum. I drink it in a tea from Dragon Herbs (www.dragonherbs.com) and put it into smoothies. Warmed with honey and salt, the tea is delicious and very nourishing.

Condition Ends

We recently introduced our Intensive Hair Repair which deeply moisturizes, smoothes and protects the hair from thermal damage with ingredients like Keratin Amino Acids (nourishing), Panthenol (adds thickness and body), Aloe Leaf, Meadowfoam Seed Oil (moisture, shine), and Rosemary. It’s a staple in our family and works for both thin and thick hair. Use it all over or just on the ends, 3-5 times per week. To fortify the conditioner, add a drop of essential oil. I recommend our Lavender Bath & Body Oil, which is healing and smells great for summer. It is perfect to apply to clean, wet hair before heading out to the pool or beach. The warmth of the sun will help deeply condition as the product protects your strands.

Change Up Ponytails

Wearing a high ponytail or braids too frequently can cause hair to break and fall out. These styles as well as popular hair extensions pull on the hair, causing tension that leads to breakage. When possible, let your hair down, falling loosely around your face.

Chemical Processing

This is one of my indulgences – I admit. While it’s tempting to highlight, lowlight and change up hair color completely, it is of course better not to chemically process hair and rejoice in our natural-born beauty…to an extent. Beauty lies in balance.

Manage Stress

Although gray hair is linked also to genetics and illness, there is growing evidence that stress hormones contribute to graying hair. Be aware of your stress levels, take time out to breathe, walk, ground your feet to the earth, be still in nature, meditate or practice yoga. Supported Headstand (Salamba Sirsasana) helps to stimulate circulation in the head. Start slowly with proper instruction. Head massage is also an indulgence that has great benefits to maintaining healthy hair and a healthy scalp. Most spas offer some kind of head massage if you ask for it.

Cool Dry

When possible, avoid blow-drying hair altogether and allow hair to air dry. When using a blow-dryer, use cool, or at most, a warm settings and hold the appliance a minimum of six inches from your hair.

Trim Frequently

Avoid split ends with regular trims. Even with long hair, trims are needed every six to eight weeks.

Avoid Washing Daily

It really is better for our hair to avoid washing it daily. During summer, hair is exposed to many harsh elements. Cover hair with a hat or scarf to protect from environmental damage.

Use Gentle Shampoo

Select a gentle shampoo and conditioner free of sulfates and color. Our Reviving Shampoo is enriched with essential nutrients and vitamins to strengthen and rejuvenate the hair, especially for thin hair with ingredients like hydrolyzed whole wheat protein, calendula, aloe, golden seal and jojoba seed oil. Our Reviving Conditioner is a light, daily conditioner that restores moisture and adds immediate tensile strength.

Water Filter

Water quality can vary from country to country and has a big impact on our hair and skin. Chlorine and chlorine by-products negatively impact hair health. A simple shower filter can make a big difference.

Happy Summer.

Love,
Charlene

Posted in Charlene Florian's Blog

Celebrate Earth Day

Earth Day, held April 22, is a day of gratitude to our planet for sustaining, nurturing and supporting life. It’s a day to live more sustainably, improve our health and celebrate Earth’s gifts.

U.S. Earth Day was founded in 1970 by Gaylord Nelson, a Wisconsin senator inspired by the energy, spirit and consciousness of youth to preserve water and air for future generations. Although 20 million people participated in the first Earth Day, it wasn’t until 1990 that the ‘holiday’ went global. Today, Earth Day experiences a wider participation, with a growing awareness.

Earth Day is a beautiful day for a nature walk, environmental education opportunities, conservation talks, clean-up events and festivals. In my family, we use Earth Day as an opportunity to contemplate, express gratitude and contribute to the collective effort. At Kerstin Florian, we use the day to step back, acknowledge the efforts we’re making — understanding that radical change doesn’t happen overnight. And continue to take small steps with every decision we make — from selection of our ingredients (using more organic ingredients) to packaging (using recyclable containers and recyclable paper for our outer cartons that come from certified sustainable forests), carbon neutral printing (reducing the use of printed materials and partnering with suppliers who are mindful of green and sustainable practices).

And as we make daily mindful steps, we are excited to announce a 2014 Earth Day award, received today from Healing Lifestyles & Spas for our Ginger Bath & Body Oil — awarded “Best Muscle Relaxing Body Oil.” Excited to celebrate with you and share together in the magic of Earth Day, we are offering a one-day 20% site wide discount on all Kerstin Florian products (promo code KF20). Enjoy this day of celebration and reflection.

Love,
Charlene

Posted in Charlene Florian's Blog

Wellness On The Road

At Kerstin Florian, we always say that spa is not a treatment—but a lifestyle. A wellness lifestyle that involves around-the-clock attention to taking care of our physical bodies, emotional and spiritual health. Much of our focus is on simple daily regimens—eating healthy foods, moving, breathing and stretching our bodies, and appropriately treating our skin. But what happens—and how do we maintain our wellness lifestyle when traveling?

I am on the road a lot—catching planes, overnighting in hotels and dining out from Europe, Asia, and the Middle East to India.

Sometimes, my travels take me to a specific city, where (like many reading this), I spend days in back-to-back meetings. Other times, my travels bring me to exotic places of wellness—living spa/wellness laboratories where I study new health programs, have a much-needed massage or body treatment, and eat delicious healthy cuisine.

In both settings however, a personal wellness strategy is needed to combat the inevitable stresses of traveling: dehydrating plane air, disruption to eating and exercise routines, and sleeping in an unfamiliar bed—to name a few.

Over the years, I’ve found a number of ways to maintain my personal wellness lifestyle when on the road—be it inflight, on the ground, or dining out. Following are a few:

Inflight: I have a pre-flight habit of stopping by my favorite health food store and stocking up on healthy snacks for the plane (Persian cucumbers, apples, carrots, raw crackers, avocado, kale chips, raw nuts and dark chocolate). I’m not a fan of airplane meals and always eat light in the air no matter what class of service I fly. It’s not uncommon to see me on a layover cutting into an avocado and eating it on raw crackers. Having snacks with me also gives me refreshment between meetings or a back up if I can’t find a healthy meal. Traveling can also be an excuse to forget to take essential daily supplements (probiotics, digestive enzymes, Omega 3s, tonic herbs, chlorella, Vitamins B, C, D3, colloidal silver, etc.). Investing in a smart supplement case helps to keep our program on track. During the flight, I listen to Audible books (audible.com), one of the greatest tips I learned in the past year. It allows me to listen to several books (a lot of educational material) in a short period of time.

My skincare regimen stays fairly consistent, but I change it slightly depending on two things 1) the location I’m traveling to and 2) the weather/environment at destination. On the day I depart, I apply Ginger Bath & Body Oil after showering. This naturally moisturizing formula helps keep my skin hydrated while flying. It’s naturally antiseptic, smells fresh and helps protect me from catching colds. Fuß Balm is also an amazing product and great to apply pre-flight on legs and feet. It helps lessen leg aches from long haul flights. Flying can tax the immune system. During the flight, I walk (as much as possible) and stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water and spritzing Rehydrating Neroli Water on my face. It smells great, and because it comes from pure Neroli blossoms, it dissipates quickly so it doesn’t disturb my neighbors. Kerstin Florian offers a great travel program—several of our best-selling products (cleansers, moisturizers, shampoo, conditioner, lotions and sunscreen) are available at spas in small bottles and tubes, perfect for a short getaway. And I always bring a disposable loofah with me as well. Nothing beats stimulating skin circulation in the shower to shake feelings of jet lag.

In The Hotel: Once settled in my hotel and even before unpacking, I jump in the shower or bath. I always carry our Mineral Wellness Soak with me. The combination of water and sea salts immediately decreases jet lag. I also like to get grounded in my environment and literally put my bare feet on the ground if weather permits! If arriving at night, I scope out the location of the gym for the next day’s early morning workout.

For meals, I explore local fare and keep it light, with fresh fruit, vegetables and pure water when possible. Enjoying local flavors and culture is a pleasure when traveling.

The most important thing is to go with the flow, even if travel schedules change or don’t go exactly as planned. Having a great attitude and smile is always a healthy way to handle the unexpected.

Wishing you healthy traveling in the air and on the ground.

Love,
Charlene

Posted in Charlene Florian's Blog

Ventana Lifestyle Retreat

In between the California Coast and its rugged wilderness lies a resort known for weaving its spiritual magic. Tucked away and spread across 240 acres of rolling meadows and wooded hillsides, Ventana Inn and Spa blends rustic sophistication and elegant simplicity with nature. It perfectly embodies the peaceful essence of Big Sur – making it the perfect location for our first Kerstin Florian Wellness Retreat March 14-16th.

For quite some time now, I’ve felt inspired to share all I’ve been learning about nutrition, skin health, longevity and spa lifestyle. And a wellness retreat is the perfect venue. Retreats offer an amazing opportunity to take time out, evaluate, connect with others, spend time in nature and take home a few inspirational tips. We will have a host of health experts there who will share their expertise in a tranquil setting where you can choose to participate as you wish. It’s like a short destination spa experience. One of the most life-changing weeks, in terms of my own health, was a retreat a couple of years ago in Peru. It was more than the vegan food, ancient sites and health lectures – it was the people I met. I had been to several resort and destination spas, but this was special. We were from all walks of life. I went not knowing anyone, and now have several friends that I will always stay in touch with. In one week, we grew together and I discovered I was ready to take on more personal wellness upgrades.

I so hope you join me this March.

We’ll stay three days/two nights in a fireplace guest room (with Kerstin Florian amenities), eat gourmet healthy meals, enjoy a Kerstin Florian spa treatment (facial, body treatment or massage), enjoy daily yoga, breathing and talks on longevity. We’ll learn about the benefits of living cuisine, super herbs and juicing. And we’ll spend time soaking in the energy of the old tree forests and the great Pacific Ocean. This resort is built with a great reverence to the nature that surrounds it. Recently voted the number one spa in the world on the 100 Most Amazing Spas in the World by Escape Normal.

To register www.kerstinflorian.com/retreats. For questions, contact Julie Andrews at

In Gratitude this Holiday Season—Yoga is a Gift Worth Giving

My love affair with yoga began years ago, in my 20’s, and like any young love affair that stays the course, it has changed, expanded and matured. Today, it is difficult to recall a time in my life when I didn’t practice yoga—or when my practice was solely ‘on the mat.’ But like many beginners, my attraction to yoga at that time was physical, a way to tone my body, reduce stress and lower risk factors for disease.

It was only after years of practice and continually ‘showing up’ on the mat, that I began, organically, to experience the ‘other’ amazing aspects of yoga, and make the ‘off-the-mat’ connection that’s hopefully helped shape me into a more tolerant, patient, appreciative person.

For me there’s no greater reminder of the immense benefits of yoga—physically, emotionally and spiritually—than the holiday season. Always, whether in a class or on my own, the grounding, centering and breathing that is yoga, brings me back to gratitude. And as we gather around the holidays with close family and friends, that warm feeling of oneness is similar to that which I experience in my yoga practice.

Yoga is a gift for physical and mental health. Studies have confirmed this but it wasn’t until recently that we completely understood why. New research from the University of Oslo has determined that yoga can have an almost immediate impact on gene expression, particularly in immune cells. From previous research we know that yoga is linked to not only lower stress levels, but also bone health, reduced back pain, relief from depression, and lower risk factors for heart disease, among other health benefits. The small Norwegian study published this year found genetic evidence of yoga’s impact on the immune system. In the study, researchers examined 10 participants who underwent a weeklong yoga retreat where they did meditation, yogic postures and yogic breathing exercises. Examining the participants’ blood before and after four one-hour yoga sessions showed that the yoga practice changed the expression of 111 genes in circulating immune cells. In contrast, music and walking-based relaxation changed the expression of 38 genes.

“There are rapid (within two hours of start of practice) and significant gene expression changes…during a comprehensive yoga program,” the research team writes in the study. “These data suggest that previously reported effects of yoga practices have an integral physiological component at the molecular level which is initiated immediately during practice and may form the basis for the long-term stable effects.”

The results suggest that yoga may be as effective, or even more so, than traditional exercise in inducing health benefits through changes on the gene expression.

So, as the holiday-shopping frenzy — and confusion on what to give your loved ones — intensifies, consider the gift of yoga to others and to yourself, and watch the amazing and promising changes. As part of my own yoga practice, I include Calm Mind, an essence blend of Peppermint, Lavender, Cajeput and Marjoram that helps soothe the mind and is the perfect start or end to your practice. After a physical class, I also do a Mineral Wellness Soak, featuring solar-dried and hand-harvested 98.7% pure salts, rich in 60 essential minerals and trace elements, to ease any muscle or joint tension, and follow it with organic Ginger Bath & Body Oil (great for boosting the immune system and protecting against colds). Enjoy this beautiful wellness and gratitude ritual this season.

Love,
Charlene

Posted in Charlene Florian's Blog