Supernatural Botanicals

Professional yogis don’t use yoga mats just to keep their feet on a soft surface during yoga postures, they use yoga mats because they are incredibly beneficial to help you stretch further.  Yoga mats, sometimes called sticky mats, are thick rubber-like surfaces, about 4 feet wide, designed to be under foot while you are doing yoga or Pilates workouts. 

When you place your hands and feet on a yoga mat, they almost stick (and sink) into the soft mat, keeping your hands and feet securely firm, with no worry of slipping out of your posture.  They are also fabulous for doing stretches, enabling you to stretch deep into your stretches with your feet and/or hands essentially glued to the mat.  It truly makes a difference in your workouts. 

Also great to stimulate the spine.  How to:  Lay on your back, hold your bent legs to your chest, wrapping your arms around your bent legs, and rock in a boat pose from head to feet.  The thickness of the yoga mat keeps it comfortable for your spine.  It will feel like a back massage!

Kiss the carpet goodbye, and try using a yoga mat during your next yoga/Pilates/stretching session.  It increases your flexibility by 25% to even 50%.  (Those aren’t scientific percentages…it’s just what I can feel in my own workouts.) 

The phrase, “tough cookie” comes to mind when thinking of Lee Woodruff.  After meeting Lee, there’s no denying her fighter spirit.  Lee Woodruff was in Cincinnati with Smart Talk Connected Conversations to talk about her experiences over the last few years, and needless to say, this girl has had her fair share of hard knocks. 

Lee’s life turned upside down when she received a call in 2006 that her news reporter husband, Bob Woodruff, (the one with the dreamy blue eyes) had been injured while covering the war while in Iraq.  And we’re not just talking “injured”, Bob was thisclose to losing his life. 

While her Bob lay in critical condition for days upon days, months, in fact,  Lee watched in horror as her beautiful husband’s head swelled to the size of a rugby ball.  She had no idea if he’d wake up again.  Even then, she had no idea if he’d remember her or their children after he did wake up.  Fighting back a tsunami of tears and emotion, Lee asked Bob’s doctor “will he still love me when he wakes up?”  His doctor assured her “yes, he will!” 

Through a long and grueling healing process, Bob Woodruff slowly reemerged to nearly 100% of his former glory.  Physically, he looks unscathed.  Bob is back on the news and looks as gorgeous as he once did.  Lee says his only residual issues remain with word-finding abilities (for instance, he referred to a breast augmentation as a breast explosion.) 

To endure what Bob did and to come back so strong was surely a gift from God, one that Lee clearly acknowledges.  Lee’s faith is what helped carry her through.  And really, when things are catastrophically bad, faith is all you have to cling on to.  And cling she did. 

To fully delve into Lee’s horrific turned joyous experiences, you can read her book, Perfectly Imperfect.  Lee is not only an amazing speaker, but she’s also knows her way around the literary world.  She also has an amazingly fun side to her as well.  I promised her I’d include Flannel Nightgown video (see below.)  The flannel nightgown stems from an incident one night when Bob threw her flannel nightgown over the balcony into the street!   In no uncertain terms, Mr. Woodruff let it be known that he’s not on board with the comfy flannel look. 

To read more about Lee, her work and her life’s experiences, visit her website at www.LeeWoodfuff.com 

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=niiu4MqDVNQ

If you only have five minutes for exercise today, try this five minute yoga stretch with Tara Stiles.  She’s beyond flexible….and ultra-inspiring!  A great stretch will not only elongate your muscles to give you a long, lean look, but it also relaxes your mind and recharges your batteries. 

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RR4wvCYNlvk

 Start your day with a glass of warm lemon water; on an empty stomach, it aids your body in releasing toxins.

Mood music to fit your every mood.  Click which one you are in the mood for, and r-e-l-a-x.

Aromatherapy Facts:

Grapefruit Essential Oil:  Aids in relief of nervous energy, depression, headache, performance stress, jet lag, and PMS.

Therapeutic Effect:  Uplifted, Euphoric, Feeling of Wellness, Natural Stress Reliever.

My friend Michelle, aka Buffmother, taught me a trick I use on a daily basis.  She loads up her To-Do list with things like Drink 10 oz of water or Stretch for one full minute.   She calls it her five minute mojo checklist.  My favorite way to find my “mojo” is to take five deep breaths, …very…..long…..slow…..breaths.  Controlling your breath centers you, and calms your central nervous system.  Breathing in five (minimum) deep breaths helps you to focus, and is excellent in calming anxiety.  Great stress reliever.   

Sun damage, stress, and lack of sleep can contribute to uneven skin tone.  Take care of your skin with a super-high SPF sun block every day.