Yoga and Digestion- Unit 5 Extending Learning

http://www.returnyoga.org/listen-to-the-gut-yoga-of-digestion-and-indigestion/

The article, "Listen to the Gut", by Karin is about the benefits that yoga can bring for individuals who experience digestive problems. She describes how our health is tightly woven with our emotional state Yoga calms the nervous system through meditation and holding poses, which builds strength and flexibility. The nervous system is controlled by the endocrine system, which secretes hormones and enzymes to keep the body chemically balanced. These chemicals, like insulin and glucagon, signal the body to begin or stop digestion. I think it is incredibly interesting how something as simple as holding yoga poses can be so effective in healing. It targets every system of the body to work together, rather than exclusively digestion or muscular regions. Although this could seem controversial to those who primarily believe in pharmaceutical treatment, it is evident that those who practice yoga consistently, overall are much happier and healthier individuals.

Digestive Lab Questions

1. In this lab, I measured different parts of the digestive system relative to my own body. The small intestine is by far the longest component which was demonstrated by the amount of string needed to match its length.
2. The length of my digestive system in total is 8.7 meters, while my height is 1.6 meters. The reason this fits within the abdomen is because it is folded up.
3. I think that it takes about 5 hours to move food through the entire digestive system. In reality, it takes 6 to 8 hours for food to move, this can depend on how much food is consumed.
4. Digestion is breaking food down physically while absorption is the storage and transportation of nutrients. Digestion includes mouth, stomach and small intestine while absorption includes liver, adipose tissue and kidneys.
5. I want to learn about how different foods are absorbed by different organs.

New Years Resolution

1.  To be able to perform squats at 150 Lbs
S. My goal is to increase my squat weight from 100 Lbs to 150 Lbs to improve muscle strength which will benefit me with horseback riding as well
M. Squatting 3 reps at 150 Lbs without excessive assistance
A.  I will make sure to balance my workouts with cardio warm ups and training shoulders, core and back in addition to legs so that squatting will be safe.
R. This is a good time to achieve this goal as right now is the off season for horse back riding competitions, and I need to continue to maintain strength and well being
T. I think that I can accomplish this by beginning of May.

 S. To get 8-9 hours of sleep every night in order to be able to properly function during the day.
 M. Although I will not always get this target goal hours of sleep, I want to average at least 56 hours of sleep per week.
A. I will practice turning my phone off 30 minutes before going to sleep and avoiding all caffeinated drinks during the day. Plan to go to be in bed by 10 PM and wake up at 6:30. Maintain this sleep pattern as often as possible on weekends as well.
R. As a second semester senior, college and the future becomes very stressful and getting sleep is an important part of managing stress.
T. It takes at least 30 days to break a habit, and so by March I want to be able to consistently reach this target goal for sleep.