Renew Year-round with this Yoga Position

by Sue Schaffer, Instructor/Owner, The Live it Well Place Gold Canyon

Change, growth and newness are inevitable forces of Mother Nature that reshape our world every season and influence our life perspective every day.

How can you blossom year-round? Can you visualize the opportunity to create the right components for a new life, habits and healthy changes? One step, one change, can sometimes be all that is necessary to launch a person into a happier lifestyle.

Turning upside down can expand your perspective, along with grounding and energizing you.

One way to energize while reflecting about your intention is to spend time with your legs up the wall, a yoga practice that drains lymphatic fluid and blood from the legs to enhance detoxification.

UP-THE-WALL POSE

1. Sit on the floor next to a wall. Lower your shoulders and head to the floor, lying on your side. Then roll onto your back and stretch your legs up the wall, with your feet hip-distance apart or whatever distance feels comfortable. 2. Adjust your position by scooting your tailbone toward the wall; no need to touch the wall.

3. If your lower back is uncomfortable, you can put a folded blanket under your hips. You also can wrap a strap or blanket around your legs so they rest in place without effort.

4. Find a comfortable position for your arms at your side, with palms turned up; relax your arms and shoulders.

5. Relax your legs against the wall; release all effort. You might feel your femurs sink into your hip sockets. Feel the spine lengthening. Settle into the pose and breathe for at least 10 minutes.

6. To come out of the pose, bend your knees and roll to your side. Remain here for a few breaths before using the strength of your arms to slowly push yourself away from the wall and back up to seated.

Collagen Peptides:

Powerhouse Supplement or Edible Hoax?

by Kristina Donnay FNP-C, Maricopa Wellness Center

Collagen is a special type of protein that accounts for as much as 30% of the body’s total protein.

It’s a primary structural component of connective tissue. Collagen constitutes 75% of skin, 70% of ligaments, 65% to 80% of tendons, 50% of cartilage, 30% of tooth dentin, 16% of bone and 10% to 11% of muscle fibers. It also plays a part in the structure of the arteries and veins.

The amino acid composition of dietary collagen is extremely similar to human collagen, making dietary collagen peptides an ideal source for supporting body collagen turnover and renewal.

Compared to other proteins, collagen has a unique amino acid composition. Collagen is an effective choice in supporting strength and flexibility of bones, tendons and cartilage, appearance of skin and nails, and GI tract health.

Many people — the elderly in particular — do not consume enough protein.

If a person decides to supplement their bodies with collagen, they must look for one that is hydrolyzed. This means the collagen has been broken down into small peptides easy for the body to digest and transport to the cells where needed.

Benefits of collagen peptides include:

• Healthy skin elasticity, thickness, hydration, appearance. • Improved brittle nails, damaged hair and fine lines and wrinkles. • Improved symptoms of osteoarthritis, osteoporosis and rheumatoid arthritis by reducing joint pain. Improved joint tissue health and function involving cartilage, tendons, and ligaments. • Possible improved gut health and reduced symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome. • Improved recovery time and joint function in athletes. Starting in your 20s, your body starts losing collagen. By the end of 40, you’re likely to lose 1% of your bodily collagen per year. Taking collagen peptides can help prevent unwelcome health woes by replenishing some of your body’s collagen supply.

Collagen peptides comes in a powdered form and typically is made from bovine (beef) or porcine (pork) sources. Marine collagen supplements made from fish also are available. Currently, there are no vegan sources of collagen supplements, as collagen itself comes from the bones and skin of animals.

Here at Maricopa Wellness Center our collagen peptides contain three highly potent forms of collagen; ensuring you get all the various benefits in an easily digestible form. It is nonflavored and can easily be mixed into hot or cold drinks.