3 Yoga Poses to Relieve Headaches

Who all carries the weight of the world on their shoulders? I do... LITERALLY! 

I am one of those types of people who tend to carry my stress in my neck and shoulders, which leads to tightness which leads to PAIN. Naturally, the pain then leads to the ultimate: headaches!

I went to my massage therapist a few days ago and she recommended doing yoga to relieve the pain by stretching those muscles. As far as yoga goes, I was mainly used to the hip stretches that open your pelvis-the butterfly stretch was my favorite!

I figured, "Why not try some new poses?" After all, ANYTHING could help at this point!

So I went to a yoga class and here is what the teacher recommended! Lo and behold-I feel a world's difference!

3 Yoga Poses to Relieve Headaches

1. Seated Neck Stretch

1. Sit cross-legged on the floor with your spine lengthened and straight.
2. Maintaining that sense of length, reach overhead with your left hand and hold under your right ear at the notch just behind your jaw; as your head tilts slightly to the left, make sure you don't tip it back and jut your chin toward the ceiling.
3. Rest your right hand on your right shoulder, fingers pointing toward your neck.
4. Take full, deep, but unforced breaths for a minute, letting your muscles relax and expand into that gentle rise and fall.
5. Then deepen the stretch by gently pulling your head to the left and your right shoulder down, away from the ear.
6. Pull right up to the edge of discomfort, then pause and relax into the stretch for another minute before repeating on the other side.

2. Wide Legged Standing Forward Fold

1. Step your feet about 3 to 4 feet apart, with your hands on your hips. 
2.  Lift up tall through your whole torso and fold slowly over your legs.  
3. Place your hands flat on the floor, shoulder-width apart; begin to stretch your torso forward. 
4. Fold deeper, bringing your head toward the floor.
5. Bend your elbows, stacking them over your wrists. 
6. As you fold, make sure you are folding from your hip joints instead of rounding your lower back. If your hamstrings feel tight, you can choose not to fold all the way down. No matter how far you go, keep your legs active. As your hamstrings lengthen, think about contracting the muscles to control just how far to stretch. Find your edge and remember that yoga is about making skillful choices, not about getting to the deepest stretch

3. Cow Face Pose

 

1. Sit with your legs criss-crossed.
2. Lengthen the base of your spine with your pelvis well grounded, lengthening the back of your neck by bringing your chin gently towards your chest.
3. Stretch your right arm up, bend the elbow and bring your right hand as far down the back of your neck as possible.
4. Reach up behind your back with your left arm towards your right hand.Use a belt in your right hand if need be, clasping the belt with your left hand and working your hands as close together as possible.
5. Be aware of the gentle lengthening of the space between your rib cage and your pelvis, making more room for your baby.
6. Release your arms and repeat on the other side.

Photo Source: Yoga Outlet

Breastfeeding IS Beautiful

Im no stranger to sharing breastfeeding photos. I love breastfeeding my son-it is literally one of the sweetest moments I could ever endure with him. I love the fact that Facebook has finally allowed breastfeeding pictures. Because for the longest time, half naked pictures of women posing in a provocative or suggestive manner has been accepted instead. Its amazing to think how boobs are totally okay.. until you put a baby on it-then everyone loses their minds and goes ape-shit crazy! I have had comments along the lines of "this doesn't need to be on FB" or "this should be a private thing."

Um, says WHO?

A few weeks after my son was born, my husband and I went to eat out at a restaurant. My son started crying and because of all the stares, I went to go feed him in the bathroom stall. 

It was:
1.) Uncomfortable
2.) Unsanitary
3.) Degrading
4.) Lonely

And during that whole time, (since I was in there for 15 minutes or so), I had people trying to get in-knocking furiously, etc. I almost lost my mind and I cried and cried over it. I looked down at my newborn son and I decided: NEVER AGAIN. Breastfeeding is NOT a shameful act. It's mothering at its finest.

And never have I ever 

HAPPY BREASTFEEDING AWARENESS WEEK!

7 Best Tried & True Teething Remedies

My son got his first two teeth within two weeks of each other. I have always heard about the dreading teething stage but... Boy oh BOY was it ever fun??? (hint of sarcasm there)

Fevers.. sleepless nights.. and fits-OH MY! BUT, looking on the bright side, we made it through just fine.

Here are my favorite tried and true methods to teething that I have personally tried myself with great success!

1. Gum massage: This was so helpful even though it hurt him. Well, he actually acted like it hurt-in a good way. Massaging the gums actually does help the teeth break through the skin.
2. Ice, Ice Baby: I let him start chewing on ice in his mesh feeder and he seemed to really enjoy it! I know it must have helped numb the gums some.
3. Frozen Wet Rags: This was a lifesaver! I would wet one of his baby sized washcloths and freeze them in a ziplock baggy. I would let him teeth as it thawed. Then I would refreeze it and repeat!
4. Sophie the Giraffe: Yup, she works. You can read all about her here.
5. Amber teething necklaces: We love ours! Even if it doesn't work, it is mighty cute!
6. Teething biscuits: We love Ella's Kitchen! It is 100% organic! I sometimes find myself snacking on them.. but don't tell Grey!
7. Homeopathic Oragel: I am not sure if you have heard the recent news, but there are some babies who have passed away from Oragel due to its numbing aids-this makes it difficult for the baby to feel the insides of their mouth so they sometimes choke. I use the homepathic version which has no numbing agent-just good ole natural stuff.

When all else fails, there's always wine :)

Jamie Eason's Cardio Routine

Proper Meal Time Proportions