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Article: How to Prolong the Life of your Gardening career and Increase the Enjoyment of the gardening you do.---Body Care Advice of the Gardener, from an Expert. - by Judy Lynn |
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Depending on where you are and what other things you do in your life, time is probably an issue when it comes to how much you get to be out with your piece of dirt and the incredible plants you tend. Living in Northern Canada, the weather is my timer and so when the earth warms I am up to my elbows as quickly as possible and stay there until the frosts hit in the fall, even when the snows stop me physically I am still imagining and planning the next season. I have a very first hand experience of how much effort and love goes into the process, not to mention back power and because I practice the technique of Rolfing as well, (a deep myofacial release technique used to release the body and being from chronic tightening and contraction), I choose to share the importance of your personal body care. Often I am reminded personally that my body requires attention to continue with the labor intensive activities associated with creating masterpieces with living things. When there are time constraints and it is your passion your body will end up neglected until a later date when you have more time. It is a recommendation of this expert of health that you make time for you body from the beginning, although I also have been known to take time from activities other than my gardening to do this. Stretching is probably the most important thing you can do for your self and can be done everyday without needing any equipment or extra space. Stretching increases circulation so that healing is effective and you can avoid overuse injuries and symptoms, things like tennis elbow, tendonitis, and lower back pain. The tool I share with my clients for support above and beyond stretching and away from the office is the Myoball Technique, the drug free inexpensive way to prevent and release pain and tension, anywhere…anytime. It was designed to assist in releasing the tight muscles that cause imbalance in the body, because all the pain in your system comes from imbalance. If the back of your legs are tighter than the front of your legs then you could be experiencing challenges with your knees, back fatigue or lower back pain. Individuals with shoulder challenges generally have one hip that is out of alignment without even realizing it, align the hips and the shoulders can rest and heal. The Myoball Technique is complementary to the stretching that you do and will aid you in keeping tight muscles released so that if you visit a chiropractor or massage therapist they can help you to attain greater relaxation and alignment more easily. Many people continue to gain even greater ease in their bodies because The Myoball Technique can be used throughout the day, everyday, so it gets used. Ultimately, it is wise to have an educated practitioner of the human body to help you recognize how your body is holding the stress physically and where release would benefit you the greatest. If your gardening schedule is tight due to weather or other daily requirements then The Myoball Technique can be very useful for you because you can use it while doing other things. Next time your feet and knees are hurting after a full day find a tennis ball, stand with feet parallel and about shoulder width apart. Place the tennis ball under the ball of one foot and watch that your knees stay soft and unlocked. Just stand there reading, watching the news, on a break at work, or when you are on the phone with a friend for five minutes or longer. Remove the ball stand with both feet on the floor and notice the difference. You may find that the foot that the tennis ball was under feels flatter and softer and your knees feel less tension after stretching and lengthening the calf muscles. It was that easy and you were able to do something else at the same time. Next, it is important to do the same with the other foot for approximately the same amount of time, in approximately the same area so that you keep your body balanced from the ground up. Enjoyment of what you do increases when you are feeling great in your body, so take time to create balance in your body so that your gardens mirror how wonderful you feel. |
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By Judy Lynn Wetherill Judy Lynn has been practicing the technique of Rolfing for over a decade, is the founder of the BodyWealth Network and has acres of personal garden herself. www.bodywealth.net |
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