Health & Wellness Blog | The Aspen Club & Spa

Hi2T it hard this Spring!

Posted on April 9, 2013 by Kate

Hi2T or High Intensity Interval Training is a safe and effective class which will show you real results through proper exercise technique, sequence of exercise, combination movement patterns and workload. Hi2T will enhance athletic performance and will make you leaner and stronger through baseline body measurements, fitness testing and feedback from our certified personal trainers. The Aspen Club is integrating Hi2T into our normal group fitness and it is available to all members at no extra cost.

Participants MUST attend the Foundation Class before participating in the program. The Foundation Class will be the Basics class where participants will learn some of the exercises, proper form to prevent injury and have their baseline body measurements. Sign up online or call 970.925.8900.

Why Yin Yoga Enhances Your Athletic Skills and Daily Life

Posted on April 3, 2013 by Kate

By Anne Byard

As important as it is to our physical and mental well-being to be strong, it is not muscular strength that gives us the feeling of ease and lightness in the body. It is the flexibility of the joints at the connective tissue level (the deep, fibrous dry, inelastic tissues that are our tendons, ligaments and fascia). I have taught many muscularly powerful adults who are physically incapacitated or uncomfortable because of joint problems. Bad ankles, bad backs, bad knees, and bad hips; these are the injuries that force athletes to retire and older people to shuffle around.

Think of it this way; connective tissue is to animals what cellulose is to plants, the scaffolding around which everything else is built, hung or inserted. Plant cellulose maximizes stability, healthy connective tissues permit a more dynamic mobile stability and our stability requires near constant maintenance. Not as obvious to us as atrophy or weakening of our muscles, but just as undesirable is the slow shortening and stiffening of connective tissues throughout our body due to injuries, abuse,neglect, and aging (beginning around the age of 30!). Shrink wrapped joints hurt. They don’t bend, and they prevent youthful stability, fluidity and range of motion. They kill the fun!

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What Standards ‘The Biggest Loser’ Set for Weight Loss

Posted on March 27, 2013 by Kate

The winner of season 14 of “The Biggest Loser” lost nearly half her body weight.

Danni Allen, a 26-year-old advertising executive, lost an incredible 121 pounds, or 46.9 percent of her body weight, to take home the grand price of $250,000. According to www.cable.tv it’s one of the most popular reality shows on network television and incredibly fun to speculate who will lose the most when it’s all over. The contestants of the show seem to pull the impossible, losing such a high amount of weight in such a short time, and are an inspiration to those struggling with obesity. But should “The Biggest Loser” be the standard we set for ourselves?

Maintaining Weight Loss

The mirage of “The Biggest Loser” is the time spent on the show as a lifestyle that just can’t be maintained back in the real world. We raise children, work nine-to-five (sometimes two), and leave little time for ourselves to manage health and fitness. The boot camp-style that trainers Bob and Jillian put the contestants through is a full-time job for their tenure on the ranch.According to NBC News, a majority of the contestants from the show are unable to keep the weight off after the season ends. Some actually gain so much to the point of their original weight before joining the show.

Negative Self-Image

Another unfortunate statistic of “The Biggest Loser” is that viewers battling obesity are likely to have a negative image of themselves when watching the show, according to Science Daily. The depictions of exercise on the show are intense and often grueling. Contestants are crying, passing out and throwing up as their trainers push them to the limits. Those with similar body types watching the show could be discouraged from participating in similar physical activity, if any at all.

The Science Daily study found that the negative effect was stronger than watching shows with good looking people enjoying themselves, like “American Idol.” This suggests that instead of being envious of someone for good looks or figure, a person is more likely to empathize with someone’s negative emotions who is more like them.

A Healthy Balance

Extremism makes for great television, but it can be a risky model for weight loss. For starters, an entire team of doctors and EMT’s are on standby during the making of “The Biggest Loser” in case any injuries or health conditions occur during the show — a convenience most won’t have when exercising. Many who battle weight loss aren’t in the proper condition just to jump into a boot camp environment, as well as an extreme change to a diet which could cause malnourishment or dehydration.

“The Biggest Loser” is a great show — it’s entertaining, intense, emotional and many other qualities that make for great television. If you enjoy the show and pull inspiration from it — to eat better or get more exercise — fantastic. But if the show motivates you to jump into a more intense regimen, consult your doctor before making any extreme changes.

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Do you really know what Yoga does for you? – Part 3, The Pineal Gland

Posted on March 25, 2013 by Kate

Continuing our discussion of how our yoga practice affects our bodies and consciousness, I am going to focus on the pineal gland. Located in the center of our brain, it is a very small gland, about the size of piece of rice. It has a very distinctive form, it looks just like a pinecone. Remarkably, it receives more blood than any other part of the body except the kidneys. It has a hollow interior filled with a watery fluid, which gathers an increasing amount of mineral deposits. For years the medical community had very little to say about this gland. They determined its primary function was the secretion of melatonin and serotonin which regulates our ability to sleep when it becomes dark and to awaken when light appears in the morning. So this little pinecone has been essentially ignored by western science, but for thousands of years the eastern mystics were singing its highest praises. They have called the pineal the “seat of the soul” and the “eye of wisdom”. So why is there such a wide difference of opinion in the importance of this tiny gland?

According to yogic teachings, one of the major functions of the pineal is to vibrate and control the nucleus projection of every cell of the body. Wow, that is one powerful little gland, and this gives us some insight to how it controls the cells, by vibration. Obviously western scientists only studied the chemical aspects of the pineal, but its key action is the vibrations it emits. Which makes sense in that it is hollow, filled with liquid, and its shape would provide direction in its projection of frequencies. What direction is this cone pointed? Right to the top of the head, our crown, the seventh chakra, the highest frequency energy vortex in our energetic chakra system. Master yogis also refer to the seventh chakra as the 10^th gate. We have nine physical openings into and out of our bodies, but the crown is the energetic opening to the Universe. They taught that this is the center of our spiritual growth, our connection to the cosmos and our highest self. This is where we realize our infinite nature, our vastness, unity and connection to everything, and the elevation of consciousness. The seventh chakra corresponds to the color violet, which in the color spectrum has the highest frequency, the shortest wavelengths, and the most powerful projection of electro-magnetic signals. When we pray and meditate, we project from this chakra center out into the cosmos our prayers and intentions. We also receive from the cosmos light, love, and wisdom through this center. This is our cosmic communication control center in the macro relating to the cosmos and how we are connected to everything. And in the micro, that it is controlling the nucleus projection of our cells and giving us the experiences of knowing our true nature.

It was not only the master yogis who had great reverence for the pineal gland. Throughout our history the image of the pinecone appears in many spiritual traditions. The staff of the Egyptian God Osiris is shown with a pinecone at the top. It appears in many hieroglyphs found in Egyptian temples and tombs. The Masons have the pinecone symbol shown in a position of great respect and reverence. The Catholic Church uses it extensively, a scepter held by the pope has a pinecone symbol at the top, and located in the center of an interior Vatican courtyard is a large sculpture of a pinecone. The caduceus, the ancient symbol showing two serpents intertwined in a spiral pattern moving up a staff to face a pinecone at the top. This is an especially powerful and symbolic image because in eastern philosophy the Kundalini energy was described as a serpent that spiraled up the spine to the pineal gland. I must confess this does raise questions for me. How did these ancient traditions associate the pineal gland with a pinecone, which is the female seed of conifer trees? And are we just stretching to make the association of these symbols with the pineal just because it physically resembles a pinecone? How could these different traditions over time and distance have such similar reverence for this symbol? I can only conclude that they separately, through the wisdom and insight of the mystics and high priests, had the intuitive awareness to “see” the source of their spiritual experiences. The ancient yoga masters had no anatomic knowledge of the pineal gland, but they did know that when specific mantras were chanted, when pranayam breathing patterns were done, and yogic asanas performed, dramatic changes occurred in the middle of their heads.

Going back to western science, an interesting discovery explains some of this. The cells within the interior of the pineal gland are very similar in structure to the cells of the retina inside the eye. They are sensitive to light! Obviously this is part of the pineal glands function of regulating our internal timepiece and sleep patterns. Could this also be the source of our insight, where the intuitive wisdom emits, projects the feelings, sensations, and images of expanded consciousness. When we meditate and quiet our minds, slowing down brain activity, we open ourselves to our higher self. With eyes focused up to our third eye point, we see our infinite, vast self and realize we are not human beings in search of spiritual experiences; we are spiritual beings in search of human experiences.

Himat Singh Dayvault, KRI Certified Kundalini Yoga Teacher and NCBTMB Certified BioSync Bodyworker.

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SalonAspen Highlights

Posted on March 19, 2013 by Kate

Just a few weeks ago as the stars of Hollywood waltzed down the red carpet at the Oscars, women everywhere took inspiration from the gowns, accessories and hair of their favorite stars. These latest trends, particularly in hair, where a quick trip to the salon can update a look almost instantly, are showing up on the streets, in clubs and in the workplace across the country.

Of particular note this year are some of the beautiful highlighted hair colors seen on the runway. Angelina Jolie’s hair had beautiful honey colored highlights wound into her dark tresses. Reese Witherspoon’s trademark blonde was touched up with gold around her face.

Also popular in Hollywood this season are block color highlights, in which
a section of hair is colored differently than the rest of the head of hair. This is
generally achieved through highlights and lowlights in combination. Many are
experimenting with bright colors in this context such as pinks, purples and blues.
Hombre color has been popular for the past few seasons, and continues to
allow women to have hair that appears to have been dipped into another color.
From light to dark and dark to light in varying shades and color, this look was made
popular by Christina Aguilera, and continues to evolve. At the New York Fashion
week this year the ombre look took color to new heights. Simone Kitchens’ models
had hair that appeared to be tie dyed it was so radiantly bright.

Increasingly, the everyday American woman feels more confident wearing
brighter hair colors and sporting more radical looks. Current hair trends allow
American women the opportunity to experiment with fun and beautiful hair colors
they never imagined possible.

Highlights do no have to be a radical color. They are most commonly used to
naturally accent natural hair colors and hide gray. Professional stylists recommend
highlights to clients looking to freshen up their look and brighten their hair color
without committing to all over color. A variation of color, particularly lighter and
warmer colors, framing the face brightens up features and accentuates the face.
These same warm colors are particularly complimentary for those looking to appear
younger.

For those looking to try more radical colors in small doses, highlighting
allows experimentation with other colors, whether bright or more natural without
committing to a full head of hair color.

Likewise, highlights are an excellent choice for those wanting to brighten
their look, but who are not willing to go to the salon every four to five weeks
for upkeep. Those with highlights can wait up to 8 weeks for touch ups and
maintenance as the natural hair grows back in with the highlights. Highlighted hair
also makes transitioning to a new color or look very easy without damage to the
hair.

This spring, feel as fresh as flower with bright, new highlights from Aspen
Club and Spa. Stop in for a color consultation to discuss the right color combination
for your skin type and fashion preferences today! Call (970) 920-5852

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The Domino Effect: Willpower and Your Fitness Goals

Posted on March 11, 2013 by Kate

The majority of us don’t have million dollar stylists and trainers who follow us around with the specific task of making us look beautiful, but that doesn’t mean you can’t. Sadly, only 1% of women are truly happy with their appearance, according to the BBC. Even in prime shape, Olympic Gymnast Alicia Sacramone struggled to accept her appearance. Trying on leotards she used to think, “God, I hope I don’t look fat in this” she told ESPN magazine. With four out of five gym memberships going unused and no visible decrease in the popularity of fast food, what’s it going to take for our will power to conquer the lazy pitfalls the world shoves in our face?

Get in the Mindset

Although a positive attitude makes for a great guide, research suggests that human willpower is a finite resource (although it varies from person to person), and that exercising willpower in one arena tends to deplete it in another. Stanford University conducted a study that tested human willpower, simply by asking one group of grad students to memorize a two digit number, and another group to memorize a seven digit number. After the experiment each group was offered a choice of fruit or cake, and the students who memorized the seven digit number were twice as likely to choose the cake. Basically, their brains told them that they earned the unhealthy reward for exerting effort somewhere else. Does this phenomenon sound familiar to your diet? If you’ve had a particularly rigorous workout, or almost followed your diet to the T, are you much more likely to cut corners and cheat?

Apply it to Your Life

The good news about this phenomenon is that by accepting the fact that a tired brain that’s inundated with problems has a harder time resisting temptation, you’re already on your way to overcoming it. Prof. Roy Baumeister of Florida State conducted an experiment where he challenged students to improve their posture over the course of two weeks. In those two weeks it was discovered that the flexing of willpower in that one area had spread to other arenas of their life, such as diet and exercise.

For diet and exercise, this doesn’t mean that sitting up straight will automatically provide you with the motivation and willpower to execute your wildest fitness dreams, but it does mean that small daily goals have a domino effect on larger ones.

Armed With Answers, Start Again

The final piece to the motivational puzzle is, of course, choosing a program that works for you. Common sense dictates that super-strict diets and 90 minute daily workouts are not in the cards for most of us, but small dietary changes, or research on doable diets certainly help. US News and World Report published an exceptional guide to the best diets, or, “healthy lifestyle plans that work” here. Some focus on cutting certain vices, and others emphasize caloric shifts over caloric reductions . . . basically, they leave little room for excuses when it comes to eating healthy.

As far as moving and strengthening your body goes, there’s so many flexible programs around, it isn’t difficult to find one that fits like a glove. Fortune High-Tech Marketing offers a program called FABS Cyberfitness, which allows you to choose classes that fit your style, while pairing you up with a personal trainer, all from home. The courses are streamed online and sent via DVD in succession, so you get personal attention and workouts never get stale. Nike + Kinect also has a program that allows you to track your fitness progress from home, and there are plenty of programs like P90X that help kickstart your fitness routine from home. Achieving your health goals doesn’t mean torturing yourself into submission, but it also means not cutting corners. Armed with an education about how your brain works and a diet/fitness plan, bringing out the best version of you is a goal worth reaching.

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Benefits of WATER

Posted on March 6, 2013 by Kate

Everyone knows that it is good to drink water, but why?

Every system of your body relies on water to function and it makes up 60 % of your body weight. Water’s main function is to keep toxins out of your organs, help deliver nutrients to your cells and keep mouth and throat moist. An interesting fact that helps to understand the importance of water is that a person can go 30 days without food but they can only survive for 7 days without water.

There is always a big debate behind how much water you should be drinking. A great rule of thumb is the 8 x 8 rule. Make sure you are drinking 8, 8 oz glasses of water each day. Hydration is a key way to keep your body working properly.

Proper intake of water is a key part of loosing weight. Water keeps your metabolisms working. Having the proper amount of water in your diet can help control your appetite and energy levels. A major cause of afternoon fatigue is being dehydrated. So next time you are feeling a little low around 3 pm, grab a glass of water instead of a cookie.

Also, if you are exercising, make sure that you are drinking a little extra water to make up for the extra movement and sweat. You should drink water before, during and after exercise if you can. If you are sweating excessively for more than an hour, you may want to add in a sports drink to replace the sodium you lost through your sweat. The same rules apply for hot, humid weather. If you are sweating a little more than usual, add some extra water in.

Water is important for all organs but especially your skin. It helps keep your skin moist on the surface. It also aids all the cells below the skin to function so your skin has a healthy glow.

Water is really the key ingredient to keeping your body healthy and functioning. Water can works in many ways from keeping your skin moist, to helping you stay alert and all the way to flushing toxins out of the body. Challenge yourself to see if you can add in an extra glass each day and see how you feel.

Posted in Aspen Fitness, Healthy Habits | 1 Comment

Nails!

Posted on March 5, 2013 by Kate

Like so many in the digital world, I have fallen in to Pinterest, and the décor in my home is not the only thing in my life to benefit from this new passionate and obsessive relationship. In fact, I have learned how to really make the best BLT with tips from Pinterest, to organize my life and to really, really condition my hair with limes, a banana and olive oil.
Above and beyond all other Pinterest factoids I have learned, the truth behind nail care has been among the most fascinating and most useful. It really began with my 9-year old daughter, who has lovely nails, and has not yet inherited my terrible habit of chewing them. During our Christmas vacation, in a plot to sit together and chat, I showed her Pinterest, and she fell in love with the various nail pages. Since then, we have looked at nails, talked about technique and fantasizing about how to really have nails that look like Pinterest nails.

Through this education by fire, humiliation, and the insatiable curiosity of a nine-year old, I have learned that one’s nails really are a window into their health; serious diseases like lupus, melanoma, diabetes and thyroid disease can be identified by discolored nails and swollen nail beds. Nutritional shortfalls such as lack of Vitamin D and Calcium are also apparent in nail growth and strength.

Your mother was right, taking vitamins and eating right really are the secret to beauty and longevity; those secrets reveal themselves not just in your face, but in your hands and feet as well. Nail beds and fingernails indicate if you have consumed enough water, calcium, protein and Omega-3 fatty acids, among other things. Your nails reveal more than just your nutritional health, they also communicate how well you take care of yourself in general. Carefully groomed hands and toes on men and women tells employers, friends and potential love interests about your grooming habits, the importance of your image and in the case of some of the more involved paint jobs, your artistic vision.

However, like so many aspects of life, nail care can easily fall by the wayside in the lives of busy women (and men too), as we focus on children, work, exercise and household duties and obligations. In my own life I know that upkeep on my own nails is directly related to my self-image. However, the biggest stumbling block is often getting started on better beauty care.

It really begins with turning over a new beauty leaf, scheduling that spring Mani/Pedi and preparing for sandal weather with beautiful, Pinterest-worthy nails on your hands and feet. You really deserve to look and feel like a princess, or an Easter egg, a camo-wearing mama or a sparkly diva.

The beauty of social media and particularly creative social media outlets like Pinterest is that they allow women, girls and creative individuals everywhere the opportunity to come together, inspire each other and encourage each other to pamper ourselves just a little, tend to our own needs and to bring out our inner princesses just a little in the midst of a busy and overwhelming life.

Bring your inner princess in to Aspen Club and Spa; schedule a Mani/Pedi and experience your own Pinterest-worthy nails today. Click here for a list of services in Salon Aspen!

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Winter Skin Care

Posted on March 3, 2013 by Kate

-Morgan Walsh, esthetician at The Aspen Club

2/23/13

Started using the NuFace micro-current treatment five days ago. The NuFace is a device designed to firm and lift the face- an instant non-invasive face-lift if you will. The electrical current stimulates collagen and elastin production in the skin while it exercises facial muscles. This gives an immediately more youthful appearance that lasts up to 24 hours. Daily use will increase and lengthen the effect.

The first couple of days I used it my eyes felt lifted for about three hours and my cheeks were slightly firmer. Now on day 5, I notice that my skin looks tauter and my eyes are still lifted from yesterday. The effects are beginning to hold.

2/28 My goal is to maximize the benefits from using NuFace. The manufacturer recommends to achieve optimal and lasting results that the device be used atleast 5 days a week for 90 days and then 2-3 times a week to maintain the results. I faithfully used it from February 19-23, and then took three days off. The results lasted through the downtime and when I used it yesterday and today – my cheeks and jaw line firmed notably.

I am going to continue using the device for 6 weeks and see what the results are.

MORGAN BEFORE

Winter is a particularly hard on the face, especially here in Aspen. This year is drier than most and therefore even worse. My skin is dry and itchy all over and my face is easily irritated and reddened. To counteract this I have stopped using all my anti-aging products and been adding a Leaf People green tea facial serum (which promotes tissue restoration) to my Leaf People anti-oxidant face cream which is soothing and healing. Because Leaf People uses raw, vital ingredients, it works with the skin giving a healthy, radiant glow.

I have also had a couple of facials to deeply clean and restore my skin removing sunblock residue and dead skin and black heads. The facial massage relaxing away any tension and stress I am carrying. Then a hydrating and nurturing mask to restore balance and suddenly I look younger, my skin clearer and glowing and I am ready to cross country ski once more.

There are some amazing products at SpaAspen and SalonAspen that will help you
stay hydrated from head to toe.

1. Moroccan Oil. I use the light because my hair is blonde, but I use it daily to hydrate my hair and tame the frizz. I use it right after the shower and my hair feels amazing whether I style it or let it air dry. Plus, it smells heavenly.

2. Image Ormedic face cream. I love this stuff. It is very creamy, but not greasy and my face is the prefect amount of hydrated all day, no need to reapply. I also love the Ormedic lip enhancement complex balm, it has a slight plumping effect, the more you use it, the more plump your lips will be, no botox needed!

3. Paraffin dips. I should do this more often as it is the easiest way to help the hands and feet. It literally takes 5 minutes to dip, dry and peel off and my hands are soooo soft.

4. Leaf People Rejuvenating Balm. This stuff will heal anything. They used to call it healing balm, because that is what it does. Great for people with sensitive skin, for wind burn, sun burns, you name it, it will fix it.

5. Trilipiderm body lotion. It absorbs immediately and does not leave the skin feeling greasy. It is great for face and body. They just came out with a sunscreen that has Vitamin D in it so your skin can be protected from the sun and still get the good stuff.

6. Sandal Essence heel balm literally saved my feet. I am one of those who has cracked heels 90% of the year no matter what I do. I finally found a great smelling product that works! I put it on my feet after every shower and put my socks on right away. My feet feel amazing, no more cracks!

To schedule a winter facial or other service at SpaAspen, call (970) 925-8900.

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Do You Really Know What Yoga Does For You? (PART 2)

Posted on February 27, 2013 by Kate

- Himat Singh Dayvault, KRI Certified Kundalini Yoga Teacher and NCBTMB Certified BioSync Bodyworker

On the previous blog I left with how important the glands are to our yoga practice and how they create the experience of enlightenment. But how do the things we do on our mats in a yoga class affect the glands? And what glands specifically are being addressed? One of the great aspects of Kundalini Yoga and its ability to create rapid results is its affect on the glands, which causes them to secrete. Glandular secretions are caused several different ways, but yoga works primarily through applied pressure to specific glands and sound vibration. The kriyas, yogic exercises with a completed action via geometry, movement, breath, and sound, are designed to create pressure on the glands. When the pressure is released, the resulting relaxation allows the secretions to circulate through the bloodstream bringing balance and expansion to the mind-body relationship.

Geometry works with the specific angles of the body when placed in static and active postures. The firing of the nerves, muscle contraction and tension, and alignment of the energy meridians creates internal pressure, and pressure causes movement. When yoga enthusiasts talk about the flow and glow they experience from the practice, it is the movement of pranic energy, the more efficient circulation of oxygen, and the elimination of used prana, apana, and CO2 from the body. For example, aura fix, a posture done while sitting cross-legged with the arms extended up and out at 60 degrees with the thumbs pointed toward the sky and the fingers pressed into the pads of the palm. Yogi Bhajan was very specific on the 60 degree angle of the arms because this angle allows for the free flow of energy through the arms into the heart center, chest, and the thymus gland just above the heart. Also, the energy meridians for the heart, lungs, and pericardium begin in the hands and are stimulated through this angle. This kriya is done with breath of fire, which increases the flow and intensifies the internal pressure. This sacred geometry aspect to yoga postures is the reason we strive to hold the postures correctly. Just by dropping the arms a little bit we will change the affect of the kriya on the energy centers, internal organs and glands.

Kundalini Yoga incorporates many kriyas that involve moving the body in rhythm with the breath, which creates a pumping action, which causes even more powerful internal pressure and movement within all systems of the body. The combination of body movement and breath has a dynamic affect on the glands. This gives us more leverage, which the laws of physics tell us reduces the amount of energy needed to move a larger object. Leverage gives us the capacity to effectively and quickly open pathways, penetrate blocks and create rapid change. It also gives us a tremendous reserve of pranic energy that we use to power our daily activities.

The use of sound vibration is vital to stimulating and balancing the glandular system. Vibrations move very fast, faster than the blood circulates through the body. So the glands communicate with each other by frequency, like calling someone to tell them you have put a package in the mail to them. The vibration from the pituitary gland prepares the pineal gland, alerts it to the fact that biochemical secretions are on the way via the circulatory system. That is why we begin every Kundalini Yoga class by chanting the mantra “Ong Namo Guru Dev Namo.” What the words mean has very little effect on the glands, but the frequency of the vibrations is the action created. The vibrations from this sound current resonate throughout the nasal cavity, and the pituitary gland is located directly above this vibrating cavity. Similar to the effect of one sitting on top of a stereo speaker, the ability to hear is not necessary to feel the music. The frequency of this sound changes the secretions of this master gland, which will begin a process of communication with the entire glandular system, and change the biochemical state of the brain, allowing the mind to become less active and more relaxed and calm. Also while we are chanting, we have our hands in a specific mudra, which connects two meridian points in the fingertips. By pressing the tip of the thumb with the tip of the first finger, that connection completes an energetic circuit, which stimulates the third eye point, which is the pituitary gland.

Not only are we activating the pituitary by sound and mudra, we internally focus our eyes to the third eye point. With the eyelids closed, we roll our eyes up to focus our attention to this point between the eyebrows just above the bridge of the nose. We are essentially gazing at the inside surface of our skull at the lower forehead, like a movie screen in a theatre. But, the pituitary gland is physically located back several inches in the brain, above the nasal cavity. How does this eye position affect the pituitary gland? I learned the answer from a yogi who is also a doctor. In medical school during his anatomy cadaver studies, he manually rolled the eyes of the cadaver up to the position of focusing at the third eye, and realized the optic nerves from the back of the eye balls stretched and moved. The optic nerves cross like an “X” on their way to the brain, and the pituitary gland is located at the point in which they cross. When the eyes roll up, the optic nerves move and physically apply pressure to the pituitary gland. Here we see the sacred geometry of the yoga practice come into play – the triangle pattern of the eyes and pituitary gland creates the experience of awareness and insight, with insight being the internal sights and feelings from our intuitive wisdom. The eyes gaze at the movie screen in our heads, observing the infinite Universe that is within each of us. But where do these images come from, and what projects them onto our screen? The pineal gland is the projector, and I will discuss that in the next blog entry.

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