Video: Yoga As Medicine

Posted on March 12, 2015 by Frances Griffey

My very first post on this blog was about a Cal Poly yoga class called “Human Being Training.” I haven’t touched on yoga that much since then, but it has always stuck in the back of my mind. So for my final video project, I decided to revisit the topic with a new lens: medicine.

Yoga has been around for hundreds of years. It’s a tried and true practice that benefits not only the body, but the mind and spirit too. It’s a form of exercise, but its function stems much deeper than the physical. It’s a way to destress and focus the mind on the present as well as physically stimulate the body. In this way, yoga prevents and can even cure various ailments like pain and depression.

Alt Axis is Winding Down

Posted on March 10, 2015 by Frances Griffey

For those who didn’t know, I originally started this blog as a project for a multimedia journalism class at Cal Poly — but Alt Axis has become so much more than just a school assignment.

As this quarter at Cal Poly comes to an end, so does this blog. But I’m so thankful to have had the opportunity to reach out to members in the community, interview some pretty inspiring people, and make blog and multimedia posts teaching my readers (and myself) about holistic health. I hope I shed some much-needed light on various alternative health and lifestyle topics like diet, yoga and meditation, and provided more knowledge about preventing illness through a healthy lifestyle.

Copyright-free images used by Frances Griffey

My goal was to learn and teach others the fundamentals of holism and how to lead a satisfying life by those basics, and I think I’ve accomplished that. I’ve personally learned so much about alternative medicine and will implement that into my daily life by practicing yoga and meditation and being more conscious of myself and what I put into my body.

Keeping this blog and updating it about twice a week has been hard work. Coming up with topics, finding sources and writing throughout these past few weeks has definitely proved more challenging than I thought it would be, but it was undoubtably worth the effort. I got 263 page views, 138 total visitors, 17 likes, and eight followers, plus a few positive comments sprinkled throughout my posts. I think I could have gotten more traffic if I started sharing my site and posts through social media right away, but I’m happy with my blog and think it did pretty well for being run by a first-time blogger and only being active for about ten short weeks.

Reader Comments

Sara Portnoy from Generation Social said the visuals I used on this site really helped tell the stories I was trying to convey. She also said the layout of my site and use of bullets and links make it readable, easy to navigate and visually pleasing. Overall, I think I improved the style of this throughout the quarter and am happy to have gotten positive feedback.

Shout-Outs

I’d like to give a giant shout-out to my readers, for staying with me these past weeks and supporting me by reading the content I post. THANK YOU!

But it’s not over yet. I’ve been hard at work (literally — I’ve been sweating trying to do basic yoga moves) researching yoga, attending classes, filming poses and interviewing professionals. So be sure to stick around to see that video about how yoga is truly a type of medication. It’ll be available this Thursday.

A Preview of What’s to Come

Posted on March 5, 2015 by Frances Griffey

Alt Axis is working on its biggest project yet: a video. That’s right, this time next week a short video will be available for your viewing pleasure. The topic? Yoga, specifically how yoga is a form of holistic healthcare and how it functions as medicine.

As humans, we somehow always find ways to stressed ourselves out, sometimes to the breaking point. This stress can be caused by anything — school, work, family, friends, social events or even personal struggles. But being in a constant state of tension is NOT good for the mind, body or soul. Stress can literally make you sick.

Practicing yoga relieves stress and positively influences the mind, body and spirit. Yoga CAN prevent and even help cure illnesses in this way. So obviously, this video is something everyone can benefit from watching.

For this project, I will attend a session at Smiling Dog Yoga in San Luis Obispo. In the video, I will feature various yoga poses along with informative interviews with yoga instructor Leslie St. John and a few yoga students and experienced yogis.

I want to discover why people do yoga and understand how it has altered and improved their lives – and how it can improve yours!

Stay tuned to learn all about yoga and how it’s not only a mode of exercise, but also truly a form of medicine that the Western World might not fully comprehend or accept yet. Who knows, maybe you’ll discover a passion for yoga and be encouraged to give it a try, or maybe current yogis will be motivated to practice it more often.

Feel free to ask questions or make suggestions about this project in the comments. I’d love to answer any specific stress-relieving questions you may have in my video!

What’s For Dinner?

Posted on March 3, 2015 by Frances Griffey

Hi everyone!

I want to begin sharing more recipes and food-related posts, so I thought I’d start by showing what I made (and scarfed down) for dinner. I threw together a quick salad (seen in the vine below) made from baby spinach and crumbled feta I got from Trader Joe’s and a drizzle of Earth & Vine‘s Tangerine Fig Balsamic Vinegar — and it was delicious! The tangy sweetness from the feta and the balsamic balanced out the bitterness from the spinach perfectly. Adding pine nuts or almonds and some fresh fruit like apples, pears or strawberries would be a great addition.

So why exactly is this salad good for you?

Spinach: is full of vitamins, minerals, iron and protein and can help fight various illnesses like cancers and asthma.
Feta: has vitamins, minerals and protein and is an especially great source of calcium. However when shopping for this tangy cheese, try to buy it low fat and low sodium.
Balsamic: can reduce cholesterol and normalize blood pressure and blood glucose levels.

Share what healthy snack you’ve made recently in the comments below.

Alternative Medicine: The Basics

Posted on February 26, 2015 by Frances Griffey

Are you new to the vast (and somewhat intimidating) world of alternative and complementary medicine? Knowing the core methods and beliefs of holistic practices can help you implement them into your own life by making simple changes in diet, sleep, exercise and thought process. Check out the perspectives of Robert Sachs from Diamond Way Ayurveda and Cal Poly Professors Dr. Colleen Carrigan and Dr. Ginger Lordus, who discuss the fundamentals of alternative medicine and holistic lifestyles and how it differs from Western healthcare.

Click the play button below to listen to a podcast and learn the basics of holism through professionals’ eyes.

6 Reasons To Download About Herbs

Posted on February 24, 2015 by Frances Griffey

About Herbs may seem like any other app — but trust me, it’s not. For those involved in or eager to discover what the the world of holistic medicine has in store, this app is a great first or continuing step. It’s so useful for people trying to learn more about what they are consuming and how it impacts their bodies. This 4/5 star app has it all. Find out why you should get it, today.

1. It’s Not Just Herbs

Although the title of the app is “About Herbs,” it contains more than just an endless list of herbs and their descriptions. Particular spices, foods, diets, supplements and even medical practices are discussed like turmeric, pomegranates, cranberry, calcium, fish oil, kombucha, tai chi, acupuncture, Ayurveda and much, much more.

Screenshot by Frances Griffey

2. Everyone Can Use It

This app is specifically formulated for the use of all adults. It has two different tabs at the top: one for professionals and one for consumers. Under the professional tab, the science behind the item is discussed simply, but sufficiently, whereas the consumer tab is focused more on practical uses and description without relying on confusing and technical jargon.

Screenshot by Frances Griffey

3. It’s Easy

Not only does it serve professionals and the general public, it’s also exceptionally easy to use. You can browse items alphabetically or search for something specific. It’s clickable, well organized and has pictures to make finding an herb, food or practice a quick and pleasant experience.

Screenshot by Frances Griffey

4. Improve Your Knowledge of Herbs

You’ll learn both the technical and common names for items and herbs along with brief but educating snippets on what it does, its uses, how it works, the side effects of consuming it and more.

Screenshot by Frances Griffey

5. You Can Bookmark Items

Interested in a particular herb and want to remember it or look at it later? Save it in the bookmarks tab of the app. There, you can easily access all the information concerning the topics and items of your particular interest without scrolling or searching for them repeatedly.

Screenshot by Frances Griffey

6. It’s Free

The cherry on top? It costs $0. You might expect a lower quality product since it’s free, however that is not the case with About Herbs. Its credibility can be seen through the research and reference sections under every item.

Screenshot by Frances Griffey

Why You Should Start Drinking Tea Today

Posted on February 19, 2015 by Frances Griffey

Tea, tea: the magical drink. The more you gulp, the better you think. Okay, this impromptu rhyme may not be stage-worthy, but it does describe a lot about tea’s influence on the body.

Photo by Frances Griffey

Tea has been around for ages. Its ancient roots stem back thousands of years in China and its continued presence today proves that it’s kind of a big deal.

But Why?

“Particular herbs react with the body in different ways to induce certain states of mind,” Jenna Marie Fuentes said. Fuentes has worked at a local tea shop called The Secret Garden for seven years. She can tell you what types of teas will wake you up and which will help you fall asleep; which are good for digestion and which reduce menstrual cramps; which can help with anxiety and arthritis. To say this woman really knows her teas would be an understatement.

The Secret Garden truly is hidden. You can find it tucked away by the creek in downtown SLO.
Photo by Frances Griffey

“Tea helps fight free radicals, is high in antioxidants, helps with heart problems and boosts metabolism,” she said. “Each one does something different for the body.”

When?

Fuentes, who’s trying not to consume caffeine, said that drinking tea in the morning is an excellent alternative to coffee. She prefers Secret Garden’s own Mental Magic tea. “It helps clear my head and improves the flow of oxygen to the brain,” she said.

Photo by Frances Griffey

Compared to coffee, Fuentes said teas are higher in antioxidants and easier on the gastrointestinal track. She said she drinks tea all day, every day. “I drink specific ones in the morning to get myself going, then during the day to keep me going, and at night to help me fall asleep,” she said. Cal Poly junior Josi Bertling also drinks tea throughout the day. “I drink tea in the afternoon and evening as a pick-me-up when I don’t want to drink coffee,” she said.

Fan Favorites

Everyone has their go-to tea. Bertling’s favorite is chai, which originated in India about 5,000 years ago. “It’s more than just a tea — There’s an art to making chai,” she said. “It’s warm and comforting.” “I drink all types of tea: white, green, black — everything,” Cal Poly senior Mila Feldsher said. “One of my favorite teas would have to be jasmine green tea.”

Photo by Frances Griffey

It’s Personal

Coming from a Russian background, Feldsher said tea drinking is a very cultural thing. It helps her feel more connected to home. “It makes me happier because I grew up drinking tea with my family. Teatime would be a tradition after dinner,” she said. “It has given me a routine — something I can go to for relaxation,” Feldsher said.“Especially after a stressful day, sometimes I’ll have some tea in bed to relax and go to sleep.” Bertling and Fuentes feel the same way. It calms them and always manages to improve their mood. “If I’m having a bad day a cup of tea can help me feel better,” Bertling said. “It’s like a ritual,” Fuentes said. “It brings me solace.” Tea has that special something. It comes from the earth, so it can help you feel more in tune with nature. “It comes from the ground and you drink it — there’s something spiritual about it. It’s not like drinking coke,” Bertling said.

As Fuentes said, “Tea is a way of life.”

Recap

Tea can:

Boost metabolism
Alleviate menstrual cramps
Reduce symptoms of arthritis
Improve mood
Decrease anxiety
Reduce certain health risks
Help you stay awake
Help you fall asleep (and stay asleep)
Decrease stress
And much, much more

Basically, tea is awesome and so beneficial for the mind and body. How do you take your tea? One lump of sugar, or two? A splash of milk, a squeeze of lemon, or a drizzle of honey? Let us know in the comments!

5 Holistic Blogs You Should Follow

Posted on February 17, 2015 by Frances Griffey

There’s so much content out there and it’s often hard to find a blog that fits your wants and needs entirely. Alt Axis follows quite a few holistic and health-focused bloggers. Check out a few of our favorite blogs that we stumbled upon recently that offer some really great content that can improve your life, today.

The Paisley Kitchen

This blog has it all. It features yummy recipes like smoothies, soup and hearty meals and recommends purchasing things like spices or water filters to improve your life. General advice and tips on how to lead a satisfying lifestyle is present throughout the blog and every Sunday, she posts an Intention of the Week and does a recap. Check out her recent post about the insane benefits of using turmeric.

Pain Patient

Suffering from pain? Want to stop popping pills that barely get you though the day? If the answer is yes, this is the blog for you. It posts recent research and news related to pain and will explain why certain type of pain occurs and various solutions that mainly revolve around diet. A few easy changes in lifestyle and food consumption can really alter your life and reduce bodily pain.

Alexandra Ross Acupuncture

An acupuncture practice in London started this blog. It discusses what acupuncture is, specific types, how it is used, its benefits and much more. Who knowns, after reading this blog you might be encouraged to find an acupuncture practitioner near you.

Zen Healing Center

With a primary focus on recipes that aid in immunity, detox and general health maintenance, this blog also has plenty of tips for improving mood and life. Check out their recipe for an anti-inflammatory smoothie.

Natural Mountain Life

This blog makes posts featuring specific herbs or spices. It describes what the item is, its health benefits and how it can be incorporated into daily life. Following this blog will definitely add a little more spice into your life.

Did I miss your favorite lifestyle blog? Share your top blogs in the comments below.

Where In The World Is Alternative Medicine?

Posted on February 12, 2015 by Frances Griffey

Holistic healthcare has a variety of forms — some stemming back to ancient times, others only mere centuries old. It’s popped up and flourished across the world, however there’s a notably strong concentration in Asia.

Despite its diversity and occurrence in different cultures across time, one concept remains constant: mind and body balance. People across the world have sought alternatives to the often superficial, expensive, painful and invasive procedures offered by Western Medicine and have found solace in the holistic elements of complementary medicine. Many unconventional medicine practitioners critique modern healthcare because it treats the symptoms of a disease rather than the true underlying cause(s). Unlike today’s common medicine, CAM (complementary and alternative medicine) focuses on the individual and tries to treat the core causes illness.

Shamanism, Homeopathy, Ayurveda, Chinese and Sasang Constitutional Medicine are discussed below in terms of age, fundamental beliefs and treatment methods. However, in no way is this even close to a comprehensive assessment of worldwide alternative health practices – it only skims the surface.

Click here or on the map below to explore a basic profile of five particular types of alternative medicine you should be aware of.

Images used in the graphic are copyright-free or used with Creative Commons license.

How Am I Doing?

Posted on February 10, 2015 by Frances Griffey

This blog is in its baby stage — it’s only a little over a month old. Since my first post, I have gained 6 blog followers and 6 twitter followers over the past few weeks. I’m thankful to be able to share my passion for alternative healthcare with my audience, however I’d love to increase my reach to make a bigger impact.

I’ve noticed that immediately after I make a large blog post, it gets a few visits and likes but then trickles down until my next large post. I will continue making posts 1-2 times a week on engaging and important content to keep page views constant. and start promoting this blog via social media and word of mouth. Alt Axis’ twitter account will also continue to link to recent blog posts to increase traffic and get the word out to a wider audience.

Showing this blog to peers, I have come up with a few other ways to improve this blog overall:

1. Clean It Up

I will work on cleaning up the layout of this web page. Kendall Hober and Domenica Berman thought my blog needed more definition. This means clearly separating my articles from one another while representing a holistic theme throughout my writing. Additionally, I will continue creating headlines and subheadings that reflect the alternative medicine topic along with using pops of color and bolding especially important quotes, plus linking to other related articles within my posts.

2. Use More Multimedia Elements

Sara Portnoy, praised my use of multimedia. Incorporating pictures, interactive graphics, maps, charts, slideshows and video is an excellent way to engage audiences of all sorts. I will try to include more original and appealing multimedia components to convey a holistic lifestyle in a fun and interesting way.

3. Encourage Dialogue

I strongly encourage my visitors to like, reblog and even comment on posts and I will reply to the best of my abilities. Feel free to make suggestions of topics you’re interested in seeing researched and covered by this blog as it relates to alternative medicine and holistic living.

As always, a giant thank you to Alt Axis’ viewers. This blog is an extremely important platform in progressing and maintaining knowledge about holistic health, and your visits, likes and reblogs are appreciated.