Healthy Body RECHARGE
Om for the Holidays If you’re like most people, the top two items on your wish list right now are (1) less stress and (2) more energy. No need to wait for the UPS delivery; we’ll show you how to give yourself those gifts. It’s as simple as taking a breath. BY BETSY STEPHENS PHOTOGRAPHED BY RAYMOND HOM
You’ve been breathing your whole life—you’d think you’d be an expert. A quick way to find out: Lie on your back and place your hands on your lower belly. Take three deep breaths. Did your hands rise up or sink down as you inhaled? If your belly sinks, this is called reverse breathing, which can trigger the sympathetic nervous system to release excess stress hormones (cortisol is one) into the body. But you can learn to breathe normally again, with practice. Do this exercise a few times a day: Lie on your back with your hands on your belly. Breathe in through your nose and expand your belly (feel it push against your hands). As you exhale through your nose, feel your belly move away from your hands. Better, right? Get more benefits on the opposite page.
DECEMBER 2015
Use this pullout booklet of yoga poses and mind tricks to help work out any kink, crisis, or crappy mood.
ST Y L I N G BY A R GY KO U T S OT H A N A S I S . H A I R A N D M A K E U P BY A L L I S O N B R O O K E . P R O P ST Y L I N G BY C H R I ST I N A L A N E . H A R D TA I L T-S H I RT A N D S P O RT S B R A ; AT H L E TA L E G G I N G S
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