Happiness in Seven Minutes

When I'm feeling not happy, I take a walk around my community.  99% chance of running into someone to chat with, a resident who is outside working and needs a helping hand, someone walking their dog who offers to "share" a dog moment.  All of these interactions with other people cheer me up.  Did you know that if you make eye-to-eye contact with a dog, the endorphins in both dog and human are stimulated and you both feel happier.

I read an article in CNN news 'Be Happier with 7 minutes of Yoga".  It's unfortunate that people often think that if they do yoga, they have to do a regular 2-3 times a week hour session to get benefits.  Not true!  It never ceases to amaze me how much better I feel when I do just two minutes of yoga pose while I'm waiting for a task to be completed, like the spin cycle to finish on the washing machine, or the water to come to a boil so I can put in pasta.

The article focuses on three warrior poses, each held for approximately 30 seconds.   Warrior pose opens the chest to facilitate breathing.  Inhale deep to the abdomen, hold 5 seconds, then slowly release.  Inhaling deeply brings in more oxygen that usual shallow breathing to give the body a much needed oxygen boost.  You do each warrior yoga pose, 30 seconds on each side.  You are stretching, getting oxygen in your body, being mindful and this raises your endorphin levels, the "happiness" hormones in your body.

That's it!  7 minutes of yoga to feel more relaxed, get healthier and be happier.

Warrior pose is easy to do.  Women over 50 with bone decreased bone density can do warrior pose without risk of damaging bone.  Frail people can use one hand to hold a chair to keep balance.  Almost anyone can do warrior pose.

Changing your relationship with gravity also takes noticeable
physical stress off your body

The article is about Dana Santas yoga training, on the CNN web site.

So....what does this have to do with jade?   If your body's qi energy is flowing smoothly, it will combine with your jade qi and your jade will have more energy and look prettier.