Today the weather is wonderful in Tokyo - it is supposed to reach 19 degrees (celcius that is) in some areas. It's sunny, fine AND although I still haven't found my sock knitting, I did go back to my work LYS and they had ONE skein of the Navy blue Lang Jawoll Superwash left and it was on sale. So although my inox double points are gone at least this project will get finished - big relief!!
Darin and I went and had our yearly physicals today and it was the first time I had to drink barium and do a bunch of stomach xrays. Man, I seriously nearly puked - that stuff is a nasty thick consistency. Also if you don't like to know about women's health issues you should probably stop reading now...... No, it's not that bad really. I just wanted to mention that today is the first time that I have done a self-applied pap smear!! Every other time a doctor has done the test, but in Japan they give you a little tampon-like applicator thing and away you go - very interesting. I wonder if it is as effective. According to the doctor everything looks good for both of us except he mentioned that my posture is a little on the not so good side. I figure I will start working on some strength exercises as I have been mainly focusing on cardio for a while now. Any recommendations for a straighter spine and better posture??? I am thinking - more ab work, yoga, and back strengthening exercises...
A straighter spine and better posture? Pilates! Not so popular in Japan (yet) so you may not be able to find classes, but try a video.
Posted by: Amy | March 08, 2005 at 04:39 PM
http://www.kundaliniyoga.org/spinal.html
Kundalini Yoga wisdom says that your spine determines your age. My momma, who is a kundalini yoga instructor, just hit a major birthday (between 50 and 60) and everyone always remarks that she seems so young. Hmmm! It is very relaxing, too. Start with the pelvis rotations and spine flexes. As you limber up, gently move onwards.
Pilates is good, too. It also has the advantage of being a good workout.
Posted by: freecia | March 08, 2005 at 08:38 PM
dear pinku,
let me know and i'll send you a copy of my windsor pilates dvds in trade of a japanese knitting magazine. i've been dying to have one.
pilates will give you instant results (returned my dancer body) <3 nichole
Posted by: knitnic | March 08, 2005 at 11:10 PM
ok, i'm not a pilates follower. it seems to be the hip thing to do in the states right now but, then again, regular yoga was all the rage 4 years ago too. what i recommend, and this worked for me, is weight training. i go to the gym at least three times a week.. twice/week i do cardio and once/week i do weights on the upper half of my body. if you can get a trainer to show you all the machines then you'll be in good shape to get started.
what i did to fix my posture is to strengthen the back shoulder muscles more than the front ones (more, meaning that i do 4 reps of 15 of rowing/pull-up weights, but only 3 reps of 15 for all the front muscle weights.) this way your back muscles are a bit tighter and they help pull back your shoulders hence giving you better posture. then you just have to tell yourself to sit up straight! it works! and gives you those sexy arms :) i just love it.
Posted by: gleek | March 09, 2005 at 01:00 AM
i would definitely have to say pilates. i've been a certified instructor for 3 years and have been doing it about 3 1/2. i started taking it because of my back and started to notice a difference in less then a month. not to forget i gained an inch in height, my strength had increased and i get sick less often. i know it's the hip thing right now but it does have a broad history and a lot of medical benefits. if your not sure on what videos or books to buy i can gladly recommend a few. not all of them are the same and not all of them are good.
Posted by: danielle | March 09, 2005 at 02:27 AM
Yoga yoga yoga and belly dancing! I am the slouch queen, but since taking yoga and belly dancing, I have been much more aware of keeping my shoulders back. Of course, I still slump at my desk, but who wouldn't?
Posted by: Mariko | March 09, 2005 at 03:11 AM
WoW - that's pretty interesting about the pap!
I too wonder if it's as effective?
I have to say that I love the help of my chiropractor for assisting with keeping my posture straight. That and Pilates!
Finally - - THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU for the lovely package! What fun it was to come home to!
Cheers!
Kimberli
Posted by: Kimberli | March 09, 2005 at 03:54 AM
Oh definitely pass on the tips if you get any! Us 5 foot 8 plus Asians/Eurasians gotta stand up straight!
Posted by: swirl | March 09, 2005 at 06:45 AM
got a bunch of pilates/yoga videos gathering dust on my shelf. give a holler and i'll bring them on tues.
sheesh, if i have to do my own pap-smear, it just wouldn't get done! do they run blood tests too? you know, cholesterol etc?
good luck finding your sock knitting...e is still pouting.
Posted by: rae | March 09, 2005 at 07:58 AM
Alexander technique is an all encompassing technique about the relationships of the body and how we have come to use our bodies incredibly inefficiently, yet still have the ability to conciously override these bad habits. It's about stopping doing the the things we do that create inefficiency and bad relationships. If you take this on board it actually seeps into all areas of life. Take a look at a baby/toddler, how their heads just kind of float on top of their necks and how they use their joints. It's amazing. Also supermodels on the runway are often coached with an Alexander background - that gorgeous way their heads seem to balance on their long necks and that there is a string holding them up. Check it out - no exercise involved, no hocus pocus or religious bent, just a very pragmatic approach to using the body more efficiently.
Posted by: Sarah | March 09, 2005 at 02:04 PM