Mountain Views News          Saturday, December 19, 2015

10

HEALTH & WEALTH

 Mountain Views News Saturday, December 19, 2015 


THE JOY OF YOGA

ACUPUNCTURE AND FOOT PAIN

WHAT IS FOOT PAIN?

 The foot is one of the most complex parts of 
the body. It consists of 38 bones connected by 
numerous joints, muscles, tendons and ligaments, 
and is susceptible to many stresses. As a result, 
foot and ankle problems are a common reason for 
visits to a doctor’s office (4.8 million office visits 
a year, according to the American Academy of 
Orthopaedic Surgeons). Foot problems may be 
caused by pain, inflammation or injury, thereby 
limiting a person’s range of motion (and in some 
cases, a person’s quality of life).

 Foot pain is caused by a variety of conditions, 
most often improper foot function or poor 
posture. In fact, the most common reason for 
people to have foot problems is a condition called 
abnormal pronation, in which the foot does not 
strike and/or leave the ground as it is supposed 
to. However, several other factors can cause (or 
lead to) foot pain. Footwear can worsen and, in 
some cases, produce foot problems. Shoes that 
are too tight, for instance, can increase pressure 
and stress, while shoes that are too loose can let 
the foot slide and rub, creating friction. Overuse 
and exercise-related problems can also cause foot 
pain.

Who suffers from foot pain?

Nearly everyone suffers from some form of foot 
pain during their lifetime. The condition is most 
prevalent in infants and newborns just learning 
to walk, and people over age 50. Women who 
wear high-heeled shoes are also more susceptible 
to foot pain, as are athletes who either do not 
warm up their feet prior to exercise, or who use 
improper foot techniques while exercising.

What can acupuncture do?

Studies have shown acupuncture to be effective 
in relieving certain types of foot pain. A 
study published in the journal Acupuncture 
in Medicine in 1996 found acupuncture to be 
effective in relieving otherwise unresponsive 
chronic foot pain. A 1999 study, meanwhile, 
found that electrical stimulation of acupoints on 
the feet could increase blood flow to the foot and 
lower leg. There have also been anecdotal reports 
of individual acupuncturists using different 
techniques to relieve pain associated with the 
ankle, heel, and ball of the foot.

 As with any other form of care, however, 
remember that not all patients will respond to 
all forms of treatment. Make sure to discuss the 
situation thoroughly with your acupuncturist 
before undergoing treatment for foot pain.

References

www.acupuncturetoday.com/abc/footpain.php

FEEL GOOD ABOUT WHAT YOU’RE 
GIVING? WHO KNOWS, YOUR 
THOUGHTFULNESS COULD CHANGE 
SOMEONE’S LIFE!

Here a few yoga-friendly gift ideas:

 1. A gift certificate for a series of yoga classes. Nothing says, 
‘I love you’ like the gift of yoga. If the recipient is new to yoga, 
they can pick their classes; gentle, beginning, restorative or 
mixed levels. Who knows, this could be the beginning of a 
health and wellness revolution for them!

 2. A private lesson with their favorite teacher. Many 
students find it hard to make the extra splurge for a private 
session with their teacher. This gift is an unexpected, and 
well-appreciated surprise!

 3. Gear and accessories. Every yogi needs their own mat! 
I recommend a quality Manduka mat. They are not cheap, 
but last forever and give the extra firm padding needed for 
our knees and wrists. Less expensive mats such as a Jade or 
Tapas mat work well too, but may need to be replaced sooner. 
Other props such as a Bolster and blocks are extremely 
helpful and almost essential to a home practice. Don’t forget 
the meditation cushion, or ‘zafu’, to allow that perfect lift for a 
comfortable seated position.

 4. Devotional accompaniments. Typically, a student of 
yoga has a space at home for practice or meditation. A set 
of mala beads, or prayer beads, is a very special gift. A deity 
to place on an altar, or dresser is a lovely gift too. Any deity, 
whether it be a statue of Ganesha or Mother Mary can make 
the space sacred. To complete the space, a special candle is 
perfect. Yoga Madre carries Breathe In Candles, which are 
handmade organic soy blend candles. They are infused with 
Reiki healing energy and make the perfect gift for yogis and 
non-yogis alike.

5. Books and Journals. There is not enough space in this 
article for all the recommended book titles! Light on Yoga and 
Light on Life by B.K.S. Iyengar are essentials. The Secret of 
the Yoga Sutra by Pandit Rajmani Tigunait is a very inspiring 
book. Every yogi (and person for that matter) needs a journal 
to note insights and intentions for the year ahead. 

 My very first yoga mat was a gift from someone at 
Christmas. At the time, I had not yet taken a yoga class. Just a 
month or two later, I was inspired to attend my first class with 
using that same mat. It was my mat for the next few years. My 
set of prayer beads, same thing, a gift, I use them each day. 

 Happy gift giving this season! Yoga Madre has many great 
gifts including quality Manduka mats and lovely Breathe In 
candles. See you in class very soon!

 

Namaste, Keely Totten


BUSINESS NEWS & TRENDS

FAMILY MATTERS By Marc Garlett

HOW TO RAISE RESPONSIBLE 
KIDS - PART 3

 

In part 3 of this series, I’m focusing on how to 
raise kids who are responsible when it comes to 
relationships. 

 

I defined “responsible” in part 1 of this series as 
“able to be trusted to do what is right.” And just 
like with money (see part 2), in order to trust our 
children to do what is right in relationships, we 
need to trust ourselves in that area first. 

 

It’s no secret our children are sponges, absorbing 
everything they see us do. 

 

So the first question we need to answer is, are 
we modeling responsible behavior in our own 
relationships? Here’s a good exercise to help you 
see where you may be making less than the best 
relationship decisions:

 

• Look at where you might be blaming other people for your circumstances, rather than taking 
100% responsibility for your choices. 

 • Look at where you may be trying to control people and events that are not within your personal 
sphere of control. 

 • Look at where you are gossiping (even inadvertently), avoiding hard conversations, or simply not 
communicating at all and then making the other party responsible for your pain.

 • Look at where you are failing to set boundaries but then lashing out if and when they are crossed.


These are just some of the ways our children may be picking up irresponsible relationship habits. If any 
of them ring true for you (as they did for me), the good news is that we now have the opportunity to 
“grow up” these parts of ourselves that were likely not parented properly when we were kids (because 
our parents didn’t know how to do it better than they did) so we can break the pattern in our own 
children, raising them to be trusted to do what is right in relationships.

 

After a child’s other parent, our ultimate relationship resides with 
our child and deserves the utmost attention and care. By giving it 
that attention and care we have the opportunity to stop generations 
of wounding instead of passing it down and perpetuating pain in 
our family line.

 

Our path toward that goal is to see every behavior our children 
exhibit as a reflection of our own interior. After all, our children 
often mirror the parts of ourselves we cannot see.

 

While many parents try to “fix” their kids (with therapy, drugs, 
wilderness programs, behavior modification, punishment and 
rewards), if we truly want to raise responsible kids, we must be open 
to the possibility that when our child behaves in a way we do not 
like, it’s not only - or perhaps even primarily - the child who needs 
fixing, it’s us.

 

Now, this is not to say that a child may not need therapy or treatment, 
especially if he or she has been through trauma, but if we only try to 
fix the child, we’ve missed a true opportunity for the inner growth 
being a parent makes possible for us. 

 

And, if we do not focus on being responsible in our own relationships 
first, we will likely never fully trust our children to do what is right 
in their relationships because we haven’t done the work necessary to 
trust ourselves.

 

Bottom line: If you want to raise kids who are responsible when it 
comes to relationships, start with yourself. Look at where you are 
not being 100% responsible with your own relationships and then 
put in the effort to make positive changes. 

Dedicated to your family’s wealth, health, and 
happiness,

 

A local attorney and father, Marc Garlett is on a mission to help parents 
protect what they love most. His office is located at 49 S. Baldwin Ave., Ste. 
G, Sierra Madre, CA 91024. Schedule an appointment to sit down and talk 
about ensuring a legacy of love and financial security for your family by 
calling 626.587.3058 or visit www.GarlettLaw.com for more information.