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Wellness & Lifestyle - Statistical Data Included

American Fitness, July, 1999

Soothing STONES

For centuries, stones have been used for healing purposes. People chant over and wear them. Mary Hannigan, founder of LaStone Therapy, incorporates them into massage sessions with the intent of opening up energy channels to facilitate self-healing and body-mind awareness.

The treatment consists of a series of gentle stretches and a Swedish massage, after which two rows of warm stones are placed on the treatment table in alignment with both sides of the spine and then covered with a soft towel. Stones of varying weights are also placed gently on strategic energy wellsprings, including the seven chakras. Warm stones are placed between the toes, cupped in the palms and used for gentle, soothing massage. By combining a Swedish massage with hot and cold stones, the circulatory system is stimulated and relaxed, a sensation known as "vascular gymnastics."

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"Those who have experienced LaStone Therapy are amazed by its potency," says Emile Willett, director of the Stoweflake Spa & Sports Club in Vermont. "It's a very empowering experience."

For more information, call the Stoweflake Spa & Sports Club at (802) 253-7355. To find a practitioner in your area, visit www.lastonetherapy.com.

Gardening for Good Health

Psychiatrists and physical therapists agree gardening is an excellent way to exercise, as well as a good way to relieve mental stress. As early as 1768, physicians were prescribing "tending the soil" as a cure for ills of the mind and nervous system. Today, physical therapists and trainers agree the "wheelbarrow shuffle" and "weed squat and pull" provide an excellent upper and lower body workout. Not only do less strenuous forms of gardening such as weeding, trimming and raking burn off as much as 300 calories per hour, but the simple, repetitive nature of the tasks provides stress relief.

Massage Mania

It's time you realized that a massage is more than just a luxury. According to the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA), visits to massage therapists increased by 13 percent last year.

"Consumers are seeing massage therapy as part of their overall health care," says Houston LeBrun, president of the AMTA. "Physicians are increasingly prescribing therapeutic massage and more insurance providers are covering it."

According to the Encyclopedia of Natural Healing, massage can relieve respiratory conditions such as asthma and emphysema, calm and balance the nervous system and improve sleep quality. It can also increase the flow of oxygen to the skin and muscles, prevent illness by boosting the immune system and improve the circulation of the lymph and blood vessels, which supply tissues with replenishing nutrients.

The AMTA provides information about massage therapy and helps consumers and health care professionals locate qualified massage therapists. To contact the AMTA, write to 820 Davis Street, Suite 100, Evanston, IL 60201-4444, call (847) 864-0123, fax (847) 864-1178 or visit their Web site at www.amtamassage.org.

Veg Out

Chances are, you eat too much meat. A day's portion of red meat should be about the size of a deck of cards--approximately three ounces--according to the American Institute for Cancer.

In order to reduce your risk of cancer, vegetables, fruits and other plant foods should be the mainstay of your diet. They are potent sources of antioxidant nutrients, phytochemicals and dietary fiber. You should eat at least five servings a day of fruits and vegetables and more than seven servings of "other" plant foods (starchy or protein-rich foods of plant origin: grains, legumes, roots, tubers and bananas).

What is a serving you ask? One vegetable serving is one half-cup of cooked or raw vegetables or one cup of raw leafy greens like romaine lettuce or spinach. One fruit serving is one medium piece, one half-cup of cooked or raw fruit, one-quarter cup of dried fruit or six ounces of fruit juice. One slice of bread is a serving and so is one half-cup of cooked cereal, rice or pasta. One medium potato or banana is a serving.

The next time you sit down to a meal, take a look at your plate. If you see mostly meat, it's time to regroup. A general rule of thumb is to make at least two-thirds of your meal plant-based.

Wellness & Lifestyle - Statistical Data Included

American Fitness, July, 1999

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