Yoga As Medicine

I received my copy of Yoga as Medicine - The Yogic Prescription for Health and Healing by Timothy McCall, M.D. just a few months ago and I can't recommend it enough. It's not only a book that you will want to sit and read, but it's a reference guide to improve and strengthen your life in all ways: physically, mentally, emotionally, medically and spiritually. I've already given away a copy to a dear friend as a holiday present.

This book is endorsed by Mehmet Oz, M.D. one of the doctors who brought us the You series of books (You: The Owner's Manual, You on a Diet, etc.). I didn't focus on this when I purchased the book, I was just impressed with the concept of Yoga as a prescription and the approach this book took to the subject. Once I received the book and noticed that not only did Dr. Oz endorse it but his comment on the cover resonated with me - "Read this to find out why we teach our patients YOGA."

I have taken Yoga classes over the years along with martial arts, pilates, etc., etc., but I didn't make it a serious part of my life until 2007. I've been a runner for a very long time and as a result I have some what I will call body-alignment problems that began to cause me series health problems and resulted in having to take a number of medications. One of the more serious issues has been lower back pain and once I decided to try yoga more consistently my back pain began to subside. In fact, whenever I "forget" to do my yoga practice or attend classes for more than a week, my back pain returns. Okay - I was convinced.

With Yoga I feel better, think better, sleep better and I can't imagine not doing some form of Yoga everyday. That coupled with meditation, eating right, and yes, even running when I can, I feel better than I ever have. While I think everyone can improve their lives with the right form of Yoga - yes like everything else there are many forms - I caution everyone to not approach Yoga with what I call the miracle pill syndrome. The best approach is to accept Yoga as a part of one's life which is what I have done, and it will be so for the rest of my life. I'm fortunate enough to have a place and instructors that are very accomodating to each of the students to learn and improve at their own pace.

So, get a copy of the book Yoga as Medicine - in fact give at least one as a present - and try some classes until you find the right instructor for you. It will change your life for the better. (NOTE - as always talk to your doctor if you have any concerns about your particular medical profile and adding Yoga to your daily routine.)

Menage a Trois

A California Red that beckons you to take a walk on the wild side. A self-described "seduction of dark, rich berry with a hint of peppers, a lush lingering finish leaving you wishing for more..." This really is a delightful wine as the label boasts and is a blend of Zinfandel, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, produced by the Folie a Deux Winery in St. Helena, Napa County, California.

I've began drinking Merlot long before it became a fad and long before the proliferation of brands and varieties, so I'm glad to see the continued experimentation of using a Merlot with other varietals. In fact, the first time I sampled a Merlot was back in the late 1980's when I was attending graduate school at UC Santa Barbara, and the tour guide explained that Merlot was primarily used as a blending wine to enhance other varietals. After standing on its own for many years we are now seeing Merlots being used as a strong partner with other varietals and no longer performing as a backup singer.

Meritage wines are also another opportunity to taste some very sophisticated blends of Merlot and other noble red wines. In fact there's even a Meritage Association. For more information see the following links:

www.folieadeux.com/mat
www.meritagewine.org
www.uncork.biz/tidbits15.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meritage

Salut!