Mountain Views News          Saturday, September 14, 2013

A11

HEALTHY LIFESTYLES

 Mountain Views News Saturday, September 14, 2013 

THE JOY OF YOGA

NEVER BEEN TO A YOGA 
CLASS?


by Lori Koop, Career Coach

ene
My daughter regularly puts these rescue videos under my nose. Hurting dogs 
living on the streets, and one man’s commitment to save them. They are beautiful 
stories. Have a look: HopeforPaws.org. 

When I viewed the newest one yesterday, I was filled with gratitude. The sacrifice. 
The offering. The impact. THANK YOU, Eldad. For the humanity you 
call us to. For the compassion you uncover. For the giving heart that expects 
nothing in return.

And thank YOU for your service. Whether you are volunteering at school 
or the local animal shelter, making a meal for a neighbor, or giving clothes 
to Goodwill, giving matters. It 
changes others, and it heals you. 

If you are feeling lost, unneeded, or hopeless, reach out. 
It’s often the opposite of what you’re inclined to do; depression 
often leads to isolation, but it doesn’t help. If 
you can, reach into your heart pull out a part. Give it to 
someone else, someone less fortunate, and feel it heal 
back up. Stronger. Bigger. Better. That’s how it works. 

Let us all be reminded to make time. To do what we can. 
To care.

“Let us not be satisfied with just giving money. Money 
is not enough, money can be got, but they need your 
hearts to love them. So, spread your love everywhere 
you go.” 

- Mother Teresa

- - - - - - - - - -


Lori Koop, Reinvent your Career . . . Do work you love! 
Schedule a complimentary session, 626-921-6315 (Sierra 
Madre) www.LORiKOOP.com

Anyone can go to yoga. You do not need to be flexible. All ages are in the 
same room. But you want to pick the level that is right for you. Some of 
us need gentle yoga. We want to calm the mind, stretch out and get strong, 
yet with out the strain on the wrists and knees. Maybe our low backs are tricky and we just want 
to build strength with out aggravation there. Maybe we have had a health issue that keeps us from 
more vigorous exercise or even that we haven’t done any physical movement for a while and need to 
work in slowly. Gentle class is great for this. We learn to go inside and choose what is right for us.

Beginning class is for the student that wants to get moving. You get all the benefits of the gentle 
practice, but with even more strength. You learn alignment and how to do the poses. You learn 
breathing exercises to help you build stamina and tame the thoughts. Any class creates greater 
focus, but beginning is the place to start if you are in ok shape and want to get all the benefits of a 
yoga class. You can learn meditation and mantra.

All levels is for the student that knows a little bit of yoga and is ready for a bit more challenge – but 
the great thing is you get to work at your own level. Advanced and easier modifications are given. 
More challenging breath options and more of the ancient teachings work their way in.

You don’t generally have to make a reservation for class in our neighborhood. You can just show up 
a few minutes early to meet the teacher and tell them your specific needs. You don’t need to bring 
anything but yourself. Wear comfortable clothing. You’ll go barefoot. Most studios have mats to 
borrow or rent.

You just need to get there. The teacher takes care of the rest. If you have ever heard someone say “ 
I went to a yoga class, and it was too hot” or “ I went to yoga and everyone was doing all these crazy 
poses and I was lost” – then you need to come to Yoga Madre. It’s not too hot and it’s really friendly 
and accessible. You will be so glad you did!

See you in class, René


BE.WELL By Douglas Edwards

THE MYTH OF LIVING ALONE PART 2 

 

Americans are living longer than ever before in human history. Average life expectancy has increased 
by over 25 years since the late 19th century. Women’s average life expectancy is 81 and men’s is 79, … 
and changing. We are getting what we want, longer life, but does that mean a better life? How does 
one age well?? Research is showing us what we have known and taken for granted all along. There are 
three elements to aging well: good health, strong social connections and purpose. These are strained 
as people live longer in privacy and face increasing challenges on their own. 

This chapter of life is our longest, and it can be well lived by planning, or lived poorly without. The 
two most common plans made by retired adults are for health care and finance. That only covers one 
of the three areas that contribute to aging well, what of the others? Planning for community and for 
purpose requires a good look at one’s living arrangements. When living alone is more of a liability 
than an asset, there are other ways to live that improve health, provide community and encourage 
purposeful living. Here is a brief review of the most available choices:

• 55+ Housing caters specifically to the needs of retired adults who are age 55 and older, 
providing services and amenities that attract this particular segment of the population and make 
these popular places to live. 
• Affordable Housing are government subsidized (HUD 202 Program) apartments for people 
who meet the requirements. 
• Assisted Living is a combination of housing, personalized support services, and health care, 
designed to meet the needs of those needing help with the activities of daily living. 
• Board & Care is usually a single family home licensed to provide limited services on a monthly 
basis. 
• Continuing Care Retirement Communities combine residential living with other levels of 
care in a single setting so that health, dietary, transportation and social services are readily available.


Many people would prefer to live in the familiarity of their home, but for a growing majority, home 
life is lonely. It is a place where few people visit, where comfort replaces stimulation and activity, 
and where there is very little purpose to bring out the best in a person, which increases the risk of 
depression, poor health and accidents. So the question remains, “What does aging well look like?”. 

The popular notion that a person’s home is one’s castle is true for much of life, but as people live longer, 
a home can be an obstacle to aging well. Living with good health, purpose and community requires 
more planning than our predecessors, it’s the price of getting what we have long wanted, more life. 
What will make more years better years is to plan for aging well. Living without community and 
purpose results in poor health, and a shorter lower quality life. 


4 TIPS TO A TOXIC FREE LIFE By Dr. Tina 

Many of us are trying to do the right things to lead healthy lives. We 
always wear our seatbelts. We exercise regularly. We don’t smoke 
and we try to eat healthy. In our modern world these things may not 
be enough. 

Many chemicals that we are exposed to everyday may increase our 
risk of cancer. Unfortunately, when chemicals are tested for safety 
they are tested by themselves. In today’s world rarely is one chemical 
used by itself, rather they combine with many other chemicals. 
It is that chemical interaction that has many of us concerned. One 
toxin maybe harmless but regular does of many toxins may be another 
issue all together.

 

1. Eat organic when possible. The pesticides on or in the food 
you consume are stored in your fatty tissue and organs. Tender flesh 
fruit like strawberries require lots of pesticides because they are close 
to the ground. 

2. Give up plastic water bottles and canned foods. Bisphenol A is found in many plastic 
water bottles, in some cling wraps and in the lining of many can goods. This chemical can 
increase the risk of breast and prostate cancers. Try fresh or frozen vegetables in place of 
canned ones (they taste better too). 

3. Leave your shoes at the door. Just think about the places you that you have walked 
through in a given day. Do you want to bring that in your home? Maybe you went to the 
grocery store. Not only did you walk through the store but you have to cross the parking lot 
too. Maybe while at the store you visited the restroom. Possible you walked across someone’s 
lawn laden with chemical fertilizers and pesticides. The majority of dirt, pesticides and 
chemicals that come in our home, come in on our shoes. 

4. Forego cologne or perfume. I like wearing perfume BUT most of the chemicals used 
in fragrances are chemicals compounds that come from petroleum and are carcinogens like 
benzene. Many perfumes and beauty product fragrances have been found to contain phthalates 
which have been shown to cause birth defects. Keep in mind that what is in a fragrance is 
a trademark secret and is not listed on the label. You don’t have to give up all perfumes there 
are wonderful perfumes made from natural oils that are not harmful. 

Just a few simple changes in lifestyle can go a long way to living a more toxic free life!

Dr. Tina is a traditional 
naturopath and nutritionist 
at Vibrant Living 
Wellness Center

11th 
Annual 
Duarte of 
Authors 
Festival 
Saturday October 5 
10am to 4pm at Westminster Gardens 
1040 Santo Domingo Avenue, Duarte 
Featured Speakers 
More than 50 authors in talks, 
panels, and book signings 
A benefit event presented by Friends of the Duarte Library 
626.372.0540 / friendsoftheduartelibrary.com 
Children’s Area with Readings & Activities/Food & Refreshments 
Free Parking & Free Admission 
Speaks at 11:45 am 
Luis J. Rodriguez 
Speaks at 2:00 pm 
Award-winning 
Chicano writer 
and poet 
Robert K. Tanenbaum 
Bestselling 
writer of legal 
thrillers 
“Always Running: 
La Vida Loca” 
“It Calls You Back” 
“America Is Her Name” 
“The Piano Teacher” 
“Badge of the 
Assassin” 
“Tragic”