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Welcome to January and to the rest of your
life…
After you have read this month’s piece by leading yoga teacher
Howard Napper, we know you’ll be adding a
quick upside-down-moment to your morning schedule as one of your
new years resolutions! It’s called the Yoga Face Lift.
It doesn’t involve anaesthetic, pain or swelling so it’s
a no brainer really! Read on for our yoga kit recommendations.
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As co-founder of agoy,
yoga Lifestyle Company and a yoga teacher I am always singing the
praises of the ancient tradition of yoga but there is one benefit
that until recently I overlooked.
Whilst on a trip to America I was introduced to an attractive
film producer, whose face lit up when she discovered I was a yoga
instructor and before I could say nice to meet you, she grabbed
me and insisted I teach her do a head stand. She went on to explain
that she had read an article about the anti-aging miracle benefits
of yoga – that a headstand or yoga inversion is the best natural
face-lift around. It seemed that yoga was threatening to put top
plastic surgeons out of business!
The whole concept that yoga could be the secret to eternal youth
got me thinking. I was well aware that yoga works directly on the
main biomarkers that determine the longevity of our lives. These
are the brain, the spine, the internal organs, glands, and probably
the most important of all for a long and healthy life – the
breath. It is well known that the animals that have the slowest
breath cycle, like whales and elephants, live the longest and that
yoga teaches us slower, deeper and more regular breathing. The other
thing that yoga focuses on is postural alignment and the way that
our posture acts like a coat hanger for all our organs and the respiratory
system. This would also make sense of the saying that I often hear:
“You are only as young as your spine,” as the spine
is the centre axis of our posture.
It was true that my first yoga teacher, a very handsome Italian
man, shocked everyone when they found out he was in his late sixties.
He was capable of doing things with his body that I had only seen
16-year-old Russian gymnasts do – and come to think of it,
I do remember him being particularly fond of inversions. An inversion
is any position where the head is lower than the heart - like a
headstand. Amongst other things, these positions increase the circulation
to the face, bringing much-needed nutrients and oxygen, as well
removing toxins.
Other benefits of these inversions are that they calm the mind
and can release tension in the face, reducing the effects that will
cause you to frown. They also increase the flow of blood to the
hair follicles in the scalp producing better nourished and thicker
hair, and in India some people claim that it is the regular practice
of inversion in their yoga routines that has the power convert their
greying hair back to its natural colour.
What I believe is that with hard work and commitment yoga gives
the body energy, agility, strength and foremost a sense of well
being and calm which work together to make practitioners feel and
therefore look younger.
But it is the image of high-powered businesswomen in America standing
on their heads in their lunch breaks that will stick with me forever.
Is yoga the answer to eternal youth – I’ll let you decide?
It is one of those things I only you only wish you could bottle
and sell.
Howard Napper is co-founder of agoy, yoga lifestyle company.
agoy will be launching series of yoga for beginners
DVD in March for more information on agoy visit www.agoy.com
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How to look good loves....
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… these cashmere “Bonny”
pants from Sweaty Betty which are extremely soft
and stretchy and feel divine against the skin. They are very flattering
with an elasticated drawstring waist and ribbed hem. Available in
Peony, Black and Sweetpea.
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… these loose fitting woven
pants with drawstring by Casall available in black
and white.. A soft cotton and linen mix which feels divine against
the skin. Chic, stylish and effortlessly cool!
£49.95
Stockists – 01458 273 394 or
www.casall.co.uk
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… the “Flare 438”
pants from USA Pro which have a boot leg and cross
over waist detail. Ultra stretchy and available in black, grey,
blue and pink, definitely in our top 5 and good value for money!
£32.00
Stockists – 0116 283 8181 or
www.usapro.co.uk |
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… these gorgeous pink pants
from new activewewar label Chibi. The mix of stretch
cotton poplin and lycra means that you have freedom of movement
without compromising on quality or fit. Celebrity fans include Madonna,
Claudia Schiffer and Gwyneth Paltrow!
£70.00
Stockists – 07940 311 433 |
… these stylish energize
pants from Röhnisch. The loose-fit pants with
adjustable waist and leg openings is made from a soft, stretch microfibre
fabric which is encapsulated with Ginseng releasing a great 'feel
good feeling'. Available in black, white and brown.
£49.00
Stockists – 020 8286 2050 or
www.rohnisch.com |
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