Fitness and health

I've got to share this new "keep fit" program with you.
Every year, I enroll in a local fitness class to have at least 1 hour a week for myself. I live in the countryside in France so the choice is fairly limited, and I don't want to travel for 30 minutes to get to a class.

So a few years ago, we had a yoga teacher. That was great, it worked wonders on my breathing and agility. I was pregnant at the time and I think it was very beneficial for the pregnancy and birth.

Then the yoga teacher retired. The following year, the only local class was run by a young "keep fit" adept. The pace and style were very different; it was all about press-ups and other strenuous exercises to the rhythm of hip-hop music. It certainly toned my stomach muscles but it was not soft enough for me. In France we use the term "gym douce" but I don't think this new teacher know the meaning of soft... or maybe I 'm getting older and can't take it!

Anyway, this year we have an alternative class, and when I say alternative, it really is a different approach. I've only been to one session but it's a welcome shock to the system!
The teacher is used to working with disabled people and workers at risk to help them improve their safety and become aware of their movements. His class is called "fitness and health", he is really passionate about his work but spends too much time talking about the theory. So in an hour, I did not feel like we exercised very much, just played a few games to improve our memory and dexterity. For example, in pairs, we had to run whilst throwing the ball to the partner , then clapping, then catching the ball with one hand and so on... Not as easy at it seems.

I like this approach where every automatic behaviour is broken down to make you conscious of your movement and breathing, getting rid of bad habits to relearn. It's a bit like the Alexander technique, it's educational.

I'm not sure the other ladies are ready for his new approach as it is so different from what we had last year. Anyway, I'll give it a go and let you know how I get on.

Colonic irrigation or colon hydrotherapy

I've recently discovered a new alternative therapy to clean your body of toxins and help you restore good health. Well, it is not new as such since it has been used for hundreds and even thousands of years. Like so many alternative medecine, we are not inventing anything, just updating and improving the techniques and giving a new name. You might hear about colonic irrigation, colon hydrotherapy or colonic lavage: it's the same thing.

I heard about it because a friend of mine, a naturopath/reflexologist, has trained for months and invested 15000 € in a brand new machine that can clean up your colon and give you a brand new lease of life. I have not yet tested the technique but I'd like to hear from you if you have any experience to share.

Anyway, I've created a website for my friend: L'hydrothérapie du côlon ou irrigation du côlon (sorry it's in French!). He practices near Bordeaux in France so if you're enjoying a holiday in the area, book yourself a session after eating all that rich and gorgeous French food!

Spring is here ... and Hay Fever is around the corner!

That's it, the cold weather is behind us as winter is officially over. It's now time for the longer days, warmer weather and changes in nature. Where I live, you can feel that spring is amongst us; with the birds singing in the trees, the plants sprouting up, the flowers timidly blooming. It's time to rejoice, however for more and more people it's time to think about their dreaded allergy: hay fever!

Hay fever is a common condition which affects a growing number of children and adults. It usually occurs in spring and summer when there is more pollen in the air. You can experience hay fever at different periods of the year depending on the type of pollen causing the allergy.

The symptoms are sneezing, a runny nose and itchy eyes. What happens is the immune system overreacts when the body comes in contact with pollen, and a chemical called histamine is released by cells in the nose, mouth and eyes. This is what triggers the symptoms of an allergic reaction.

Unfortunately, hay fever cannot be cured but there are ways of reducing the symptoms. Anti-histamine tablets are commonly taken but if you want to opt for a drug-free therapy, you should try foot reflexology

In reflexology therapy, there are preventive treatments that can be done every year prior to the hay fever period, followed by reflexology sessions during the worst season.

Reflexology can help to minimize the symptoms by focusing on the main reflex points connected with the sinuses, head, eyes and adrenal glands.

You might find improvements from the first session, generally you will have to follow a course of 4 or 5 sessions for better results. The important thing is to renew this treatment every year before the hay fever period.

If you suffer from hay fever, I really advise you to try reflexology and you will be able to enjoy the outdoors again!

If you have tried reflexology for hay fever, please give your experience by posting a comment after this post.