Is H1N1 The New Y2K?

So far, 75 countries have been affected. And with over 35,000 confirmed cases and 165 confirmed deaths (23 in NYC alone), the World Health Organization recently declared H1N1 a global pandemic. Do these alarming numbers serve to warn us of the harmful effects of globalization? We've seen how the economic meltdown has affected everyone from New York to New Zealand and how political breakdown in some countries have only worsened with international intervention, but will it a take a worldwide health scare such as this, to slow down the ever-rapid pace of interconnectedness? Perhaps H1N1 will go down in the books as another Y2K phenomenon, a perceived time bomb that luckily never exploded. Or perhaps it's time to start planning that stay-cation.

Elder Flower

... is one way of saying "83-year old in padmasana" (lotus pose).

Exhibit A: Bette Calman, an Australian octogenarian, has been practicing yoga since the 1950's, teaching yoga for 40 years, while enjoying advanced poses (arm balances, binds, and inversions) well into her eighth decade - by attending/teaching class up to 11 times a week! The Ozzie Yogi insists, "You're never too old. The body is a remarkable instrument." Perhaps even more incredible than her still-strong holistic practice, is the age that she began her yogic journey. (after doing the math, it seems that Bette began practicing in her early 40's).

So the next time you feel too old and out of shape to give yoga a shot, think of our friend down under -- throwing her legs up and over!

Sun of a ...

A spate of recent surveys sheds light on why white, middle class men over 50 account for half of all melanoma fatalities in the U.S., whereas women seem more likely to engage in self-detection and/or seek medical care for suspicious moles and skin growths. Some men pride themsleves on their outta sight outta mind approach, but guys - turn around in the mirror and check out what's happening back there!

The study notes that doctors are more likely to detect and treat early-stage melanoma in patients who:

A) have prior (family) knowledge of skin cancer

B) have a personal history of atypical moles

But that doesn't help the less than 50% of men who never check their own skin for symptoms or the less than 20% who don't even know what the warning signs are.

Since the majority of men already spend quite a bit of time examining themselves, regularly inspecting the skin for irregularities should be a no-brainer.

(Insert Semi-Clever Dog Pun Here)

Looking for an excuse to get into a yoga routine? Behold, the power of doga. You and your beloved canine can now enjoy the many benefits of yoga together (better posture? inner peace? reduced anxiety when visiting the vet?), according to this newest wave of yoga practitioners. Doggie yoga has been catching on in cities such as New York, Los Angeles, and Pittsburgh - though I would have guessed Sedona, AZ, along with any other energy vortexes. Both owners and yoga teachers agree that partnering with pooches creates an incredibly relaxing experience by "honoring where your dog is {in his or her doga practice} and remembering that dogs respond to our energy."

Doggie Yogis May Experience:
-A Sense Of Ease
-Enlightenment
-Tail Wagging

Yogi Doggie Owners May Enjoy:
-Furry Yoga Props
-Mind-Body Balance
-Meeting Others Of Wack Mind

At the very least, owners will have an opportunity to train their yogi puppies to sit, roll over, and namaste.

Roll With A Twist (And A Side Stretch, Too)

This past Sunday's annual White House Easter Egg Roll featured a theme of wellness and health in addition to the usual countless pastel eggs careening down the South Lawn (13,000, to be exact). Michelle Obama arranged for the event, titled Let's Go Play, to include healthy snacks, nutrition and cooking demos, and a variety of sports and activities, including yoga. The Easter Roll's wellness focus fell right in line with Mrs. Obama's recent organic garden groundbreaking ceremony on the South Lawn, in an effort to promote and educate the American public about healthy eating. Let's just hope their new puppy, Bo, doesn't get into the vegetable patch!

S&Ommmmmm

Just when it didn't seem possible for yoga in New York City to reinvent itself with another innovative, if not gimmicky, fusion style, Yoga Fight Club has arrived. The latest craze, purported to "Unleash Your Inner Warrior", combines traditional yoga with a cardiovascular, strength-building workout designed to kick your asana. ABC's Good Morning America recently did a charming little segment on the Midtown yoga studio and its Swami-turned-Rocky owner. And though the typical yoga student might raise her eyebrows before raising her fists in Virabhadrasana (Warrior) pose, Yoga Fight Club may, in fact, tap into subtle body energies long associated with this 5,000 year old Indian practice. Consider the power of Kriyas - quick movements combined with yoga breath work and hatha poses that induce an internal cleansing action. For example, a forceful exhalation accompanied by a bit of shouting in the various Warrior poses (don't knock it till you've tried it) purges the body of stale breath, increases perspiration, and clears out stagnant energy channels -- a sort of spring cleaning for your body and soul -- though the jury is still out on whether yogic kick-boxing actually awakens one's hibernating Kundalini energy (especially since Punxsutawney Phil saw his own shadow back in February).

The City That Can't Sleep

A recent poll conducted by the National Sleep Foundation has found that one third of all Americans (up from the usual 40 million) are struggling to get a good night's rest, with economic uncertainty topping the list of factors causing the mass insomnia. Are millions of Lunesta and Ambien prescriptions about to turn 33% of American adults into groggy, half-functioning individuals muddling through their days? Let's hope doctors encourage their patients to explore meditation before medication: Yoga (and exercise in general) has long been associated with a better night's sleep. And what effect does sleep deprivation have on the body? A recent Carnegie Mellon study indicates that poor sleep efficiency (less than seven hours a night) significantly compromises the immune system, while other findings have revealed long-term health issues, including an acceleration in the overall aging process.

A few suggestions for a better night's sleep:

- check for monsters under the bed

- eliminate any and all peas under the mattress

- acquire as many Krugerrands as possible

New York City - A Picture Of (almost) Perfect Health

Looks like that scary anti-smoking campaign throughout the subway system worked: NYC has 300,000 less smokers since 2002. And 364,000 more city residents have a primary care physician. Not to mention, there's been a steady drop in alcohol, drug, and AIDs-related deaths. The Big Apple's fiscal health might be a mess but its physical health has improved in the past seven years, according to a recent study conducted by the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. One thing to note - it doesn't seem that the city's two-year trans fat ban has done much to curtail obesity rates. Damn you, Beard Papa!

Kiss This!

Philematology - the science of kissing - recently offered up a rather compelling research finding: A big wet one might be just the thing to manage these stressful times. When two people share a deep, French kiss, the sexy interchange of saliva induces a chemical and hormonal shift in both smoochers. Surprisingly, oxytocin, a hormone typically associated with the emotional bonding induced during the female orgasm, appears to increase in men while decreasing in women. Women, equally surprisingly, experience an increase of testosterone levels in their saliva, suggesting a sex drive surge more often associated with men. So kissing makes men want to cuddle and women ... ? Quite the biological switcheroo. But what seems consistent in both sexes is a significant reduction of the stress hormone, cortisol. Overproduction of this particular hormone can lead to such issues as a weakened immune system, sleep problems, and weight gain. And if lip-locking isn't a current option to keep your stress in check, consider these other cortisol-reducing activities.

Sex Rx

The next time you find yourself wandering the aisles of Walgreen's, head over to their newly touted sexual wellness section. The national drugstore chain has recently introduced a Swedish sex product line, Lelo, to its shelves, in the hope of increasing the sensual quality (and, therefore, overall health) of its customers' lives. It's no wonder Walgreen's decided to carry Lelo's accessories; they have a rather discreet, if not artsy, design (sort of a cross between Toys in Babeland and the MoMa Design Store). But don't mistake that rechargeable gentleman's ring for a resin napkin holder just yet. As for which section of the store will contain the new line: Family planning? Seasonal? Household items? Whatever the case, that's one prescription people won't mind refilling.