Despite differing opinions and varying experimental results, what remains true is that the benefits of stretching tend to be uniquely individual to the population studied. Because you’re not stretching the actual muscle in pain, rather the ligaments and tissues around it, effectiveness has been shown in improved circulation resulting in reduced tension and stress relief. Also, frequent conscious stretching leads to increased mobility and range of motion (ROM).

A mouthful to pronounce but we’re here to break it down. Starting with phyto, a prefix used in scientific terms to mean “plant”. And as for cannabinoids, these are naturally occurring compounds which largely make up the cannabis sativa plant, but can also be found in other well-known plants such as Echinacea.

 Kundalini is a universal mental and physical activity that expands beyond the yoga realm. It can serve as a successful coping mechanism during stressful or transitional periods for anyone without a traditional yoga background facing the ongoing challenges of life from the workplace to the home.

For centuries Eastern cultures have practiced and mastered natural, holistic healing methods. Although advanced modern medicine seems to take the spotlight in our Western societies, a niche with growing interest in plant based healing also exists. In this series, we talk about how we get by with a little help from our plant friends.

If breathing is something we unconsciously do, why is there an entire framework of physiological study on it? As it turns out, there are seemingly endless benefits when humans harness the power of simply breathing. In a brief definition, breathwork is the act of deeply focusing on each inhale and exhale for a specific amount of time. 

With commonly used phrases such as “It's like a sauna in here", the general idea of what a sauna actually is can be inferred, but what exactly does sweating in a tiny hot room really do? On our journey of exploring the various modes of self care, new and old, here's what we learned about the sauna and its role in health and wellness.

What is Floating aka Flotation therapy? Also referred to as REST (Reduced Environmental Stimulation Therapy), this practice is centered around sensory deprivation as a way to provide comfort from not only physical pain but mental stress and fatigue as well. It is the basis of our mantra Unplug, Recover and Evolve. 

Athletes and fitness enthusiasts alike have taken up ice water baths as an immediate form of post-workout recovery. Ice baths, also known as cold water immersion (CWI) or loosely referred to as a form of whole body cryotherapy, entails submerging yourself in a vessel of cold water (roughly 50-59 degrees) after vigorous workouts or exposure to high heat such as a sauna, steam room or hot bath. 

The act of meditation has been around for centuries with rich origins in countries like Japan, India and China. In the last decade, it has become increasingly popular in the US for the positive effects on both mental and physical health. In fact, the amount of people who practice meditation has more than tripled from 2012 to 2017. 

While the practice of hot yoga cannot be traced back and attributed specifically to an individual or group, the use of heat can be attributed to many cultures and spiritual classes for centuries as a form of healing and cleansing.