Yoga has long been utilized as a way to strengthen the body and mind, relieve stress and achieve mental and physical balance. As the exercise has become more popular, yogis have come up with different forms of yoga that provide unique benefits. Doga is one of these variations.

Doga or dog yoga, comes in several forms. You can help your dog into a yoga pose, you can use him or her to support your own poses, or, if your dog is really in touch with his inner self, he may be able to do his own pose. But whatever path works for you, it’s sure to come with benefits that will strengthen the pet-owner bond.

Benefits of Doga

Doga provides several benefits in the dog-owner relationship. Here are some to consider.

·  Improves the dog’s circulation

·  Provides exercise for dogs that are obese or injured

·  Provides stress relief for dogs and owners

·  Helps develop impulse control in dogs

·  Promotes bonding between pets and owners

·  Works as behavioral therapy

Many owners claim that dogs that do doga are calmer during activities like grooming and nail clipping, and more well behaved overall.

How to Get Started with Doga

You can start doing doga at home or you can join a class. If you can’t find a studio that offers doga classes, call around to see if there are yoga studios in your area willing to accommodate pets.

Working with a teacher will provide guidance on your doga journey, but here are some poses you can start out with if you’re going the “at home” route.

Chaturanga

This pose resembles a push up and is meant to strengthen the back, arms, and core. Your dog may not be able to get into this pose in the traditional sense so have him lay on his stomach while you pet his back for a modified version.

Heart to Hound Mudra

For this pose, you will begin seated with your left hand on your heart and your right hand on your dog’s heart. Breathe slowly while closing your eyes. This will connect your energy with your dog’s energy.

Puppy Paw Mudra

The Puppy Paw Mudra requires your dog to lay on his stomach with his front paws extended. Kneel behind him with your head on his back and your hands on his paws. Turn your head to the side while breathing deeply. This is another great way to forge a connection.

The Right Products Can Help

Whether you do yoga with your dog or not, the right products can help you reach a deeper meditative state. Badger Yoga Meditation Balm Stick is a great example.  

Badger is a family-owned business that prides itself in using all natural, high-quality ingredients in their personal care products. Their Meditation Balm is designed to promote calmness and balance during the meditative process. It is formulated with an essential oil blend that supports inner peace.

Doga is a great way to build a bond with your pup. It provides beneficial physical and mental activity for both dog and owner. Will you be bringing this form of exercise into your routine?

After a long day of work, many of us look forward to going home and soaking our feet.

A foot bath has a soothing sensation that can make anyone feel relaxed, but it can be even more effective if Epsom salts are added.

Epsom salts contain magnesium. Some believe that a lack of magnesium can cause muscle cramps. Therefore, adding Epsom salts may reduce cramping that can contribute to foot pain.

If you think an Epsom salt bath might benefit you, read on to find out how to mix one up.

Directions for an Epsom Salt Foot Soak For Pain Relief

Here is what you will need for an Epsom salt foot soak that soothes achy feet.

Ingredients:

·  ½ cup of Epsom salt

·  3-6 drops of essential oil (optional)

·  1 tbsp carrier oil if essential oils are being used

Directions:

1. Add Epsom salt to bath and stir to dissolve.

2. If using essential oils, stir them with a carrier oil in a separate bowl.

3. Add essential oil mix to water.

4. Soak feet for 20 minutes.

5. Towel dry.

For even more pain relief, massage feet during the soak or add marbles to the bottom of the basin for similar effects. You may also massage essential oils into the feet after the bath is completed.

Directions for an Epsom Salt Foot Soak for Relaxation

Epsom salt can also be mixed into a foot bath to promote relaxation. Here’s how it’s done.

Ingredients:

·  ½ cup Epsom salt

·  3-6 drops essential oil (choose one that promotes relaxation such as lavender or chamomile)

·  1 tbsp. carrier oil (jojoba oil is recommended)

Direction:

1. Add Epsom salt to the bath, stir to dissolve.

2. Mix carrier oil and essential oils in a bowl.

3. Add essential oil mixture to the bath.

4. Soak feet for 20 minutes.

5. Dry with towel.

Benefits of an Epsom Salt Foot Soak

An Epsom salt foot bath is great for reducing muscle cramps and offering soothing relief. Here are some other advantages it provides.

·  Softens skin and reduces bacterial overgrowth

·  Improves muscle and nerve function

·  Helps prevent blood clots

·  Reduces and prevents athlete’s foot

·  Loosens skin to make it easy to remove splinters

·  Treats toenail fungus

·  Minimizes pain from sprains and bruises

·  Reduces pain and discomfort caused by gout

Best Epsom Salt Product

A foot bath is a relaxing experience but getting all the necessary ingredients and mixing them up might cause more stress than anything! That’s why it’s good to know that Hyalogic sells a Powdered Bath and Foot Soak with hyaluronic acid and essential oils already mixed in.

Hyalogic is an industry leader known for producing all-natural products rich in hyaluronic acid. Their foot soak contains hyaluronic acid, jojoba oil and peppermint oil that soothes and moisturizes skin and maintains joints and muscles. It is gluten free, cruelty free, and vegan friendly.

During the day, your feet take a beating. Treat them well by letting them soak in a nice, warm Epsom salt bath. How do you like to mix yours up?

We all want healthy, beautiful skin. One of the most basic rules of great skin is to clean it regularly, but a deep clean will be even more beneficial.

A deep clean gets into those pores removing impurities. It also makes your face more receptive to the cleaners you use and the moisturizers you apply afterwards.

One way to get a terrific deep clean is with facial saunas. This article will take a look at these innovative devices as well as other options for getting your skin looking it’ best.

What are Facial Saunas?

Facial saunas are devices with a cone-like shape on the top (that’s where your face goes) and a warm steam/cool mist chamber in its base. To use it, fill the warm steam chamber with water and plug it in. Then proceed with the following steps.

1. Cleanse your face.

2. Start with your face a few inches from the cone to test your level of comfort.

3. Turn the switch to hot. Wait three minutes. Then set time for desired steam time. This is available in increments between 3 and 15 minutes. When the time is done, the sauna will shut off automatically.

4. Cleanse away loosened dirt and oil.

5. Switch the sauna to cool. This will produce the cool mist that will close pores.

6. Wait a few seconds, then set the timer for the desired cool mist treatment time. The facial sauna will automatically shut off when the time is up.

7. Dry face and apply moisturizer.

Exfoliants

Exfoliants have small granules in them that help skin open up. They take off the old layer of skin to reveal healthy cells underneath. They will give your face a youthful, healthy glow while diminishing the look of fine lines and discoloration that may be caused by acne or aging.

Exfoliants can be bought in the drug store or you can make your own at home. A sugar and raw honey scrub, for example, will work to exfoliate skin and you can mix it up right in your kitchen. Just combine equal parts honey and brown sugar, rub into your skin for two minutes, and rinse.

Facial Cleanser with Hyaluronic Acid

Hyaluronic acid is an ingredient that washes away dirt, oil and impurities leaving skin soft and smooth. Using a hyaluronic acid cleanser will get you the clean, fresh look you are after.

When looking for a cleanser for your skin, you want to find one made of all natural ingredients and free of irritating chemicals. Hyalogic’s Facial Cleanser with Hyaluronic Acid is recommended.

Hyalogic is known for manufacturing innovative hyaluronic acid skin care products. Their facial cleanser is a fragrance free formula that is effective in helping skin retain moisture while absorbing toxins and impurities. It is gluten free, sulfate free, paraben free, and cruelty free.

People go to great lengths to get their skin looking terrific, but the secret may just be a good deep clean. Facial saunas, cleansers and exfoliants will help you get a glowing look that turns back the hands of time. Which will you be adding to your beauty regimen?

2020 was quite a year. If there’s one thing it taught us, it’s that health and wellness should be a focal point of all of our lives.

Now that we are well into 2021, it’s important that we remember the lessons we learned the past year. This includes making a conscious effort to improve our quality of life. Here are some tips that will help us achieve that goal.

5 Health and Wellness Tips for 2021

Exercise Regularly

Exercising and wellness goes hand and hand. Physical activity keeps us at a manageable weight reducing the risk of diseases like heart disease and diabetes. It boosts serotonin levels to improve mood. It reduces stress and helps us sleep better at night.

Mental Health is Important Too

While physical health is a focal point for many of us, we must also be aware of how we are doing mentally. You can reduce anxiety and depression by meditating, doing yoga, and taking part in mindfulness exercises. Be sure to take out a part of your day for some “me time,” and don’t be afraid to ask others for help.

Get Plenty of Sleep

It is recommended that you get 7-9 hours of sleep each night. This requires setting aside enough time to sleep and it also means getting some quality rest. Get ready for a good night’s sleep by promoting a peaceful atmosphere in the bedroom and by disconnecting from electronic gadgets a few hours before bed. Melatonin is an all-natural sleep aid that can also be helpful when it comes to getting in those Zzzz’s.

Continue to be COVID Compliant

Now that the vaccine is here, we are all looking forward to returning to normal. However, it’s important to remember that until we are given the go ahead, we must continue to take steps to keep things under control by wearing a mask, staying sanitary, and social distancing.

Eat Right

A good diet is so important. Eating the right foods makes us healthier and it can elevate mood. Avoid foods that are high in preservatives and saturated fats. Opt instead for organic, lean menu items. Keep your mental and physical health in check by eating things like dark chocolate, fatty fish, fermented foods, nuts and seeds, and plenty of fruits and vegetables.

Eating well is important but not all of us have time to make healthy meals. If you find your diet is lacking, you can get the nutrients you need by taking supplements like NuMedica Multiplex Complete.

NuMedica is a dietary supplement brand committed to meeting or exceeding cGMP’s strict quality standards. Their Multiplex Complete is a liquid multivitamin and multimineral formula that contains over 200 nutrients. It has a great tasting, berry flavor, and it’s non-GMO, vegetarian, and gluten-free.

2021 is set to be a better, brighter year than the one that came before. Make the most of it by eating right, exercising, getting plenty of sleep, paying attention to your mental health, and continuing to contain the spread of the virus. What moves will you be taking to boost health and wellness this year?