Oh! the joys of looking after the human body! When we are young, it all seems so easy.

We hardly seem to have to do anything to keep the body balanced, and can stay up late, eat and drink whatever we want, work hard and play hard. Well, the news is that Newton’s law of cause and affect influences us all. In other words, there is no getting away with anything. Bad habits will catch up with us at some point! Health is not just the absence of disease, it is also about feeling happy, energised and in love with life. What are the symptoms of great health? Here are a few:

• friendly and happy
• sleep well and wake up feeling rested and fresh
• good mental performance
• low incidence of ill health
• long life span

So what are the keys to look out for to keep the Anamaya Kosha happy?

• Look at a good healthy diet plan that has a balanced acid/alkali ratio. The recommended food intake is said to be 80% alkali (greens, water, fruit, essential fats) and 20% acid (grains, milk, some of the naughty stuff!). We are all different, so explore and observe the foods that work for you. Cut down on sweets, caffeine and alcohol.
• Get enough sleep. 8 hours is great. We can probably get away with 6 hours for a while. Lack of sleep can have adverse effects on our nervous system and make us anxious and worried. Sleeping in a dark room is best as it activates the natural melatonin that induces a relaxed state.
• Exercise – yes of course!  Getting out into natural daylight and walking help stimulate the serotonin and natural endorphins that keep you happy and alert. As you are reading this at Dru Yoga Online, you won't be suprised if I also say: "Do yoga!"
• Go organic as much as you can in relation to food and the products you put in your hair and on your skin!!
• Enjoy a massage regularly to help relax and nurture your body.
   

Suggested resources

Here's a great class from Dru Yoga Online that I recommend that will help you get in touch with the physical body:

Enjoy your Get Fit series! First, sample Coby's activations to get you fit and active! Then enjoy a fantastically strong version of the Dru Sun Sequence (Surya Namaskara) to stretch, tone and strengthen the whole of your body; the Maltese Cross (Shava Udarakarshanasana) for a great stretch in the lower back and shoulders.

Sneak in a piriformis stretch to ease off the glutes before settling into a short deep relaxation to complete a fantastic re-energising class.

Enjoy looking after your body. It has to carry you around for many years. It is your temple. If you take good care of it, it will take good care of you.