FOGA

Food and Yoga Approach to Well-Being

FOGA: Food and Yoga Approach to Well-Being Self-care is an ancient practice perhaps even older than what we know so far. In 1991, two hikers in the Austrian Alps found a perfectly preserved man or Iceman who died in about 3300 BCE at the approximate age of forty five. In examining his belongings a medicinal kit with herbs that are natural antibiotics and constipation remedies were discovered. Scientists also found that the Iceman, or Ötzi as he is called, has 15 tattoos along his spine, left knee and right ankle and 9 of those tattoos were located on the urinary bladder meridian that traditional Chinese medicine uses as a guide (meridians or lines of energy of which the urinary bladder meridian is one among many) to treat back pain. Using x-rays revealed that Ötzi had arthritis in his lumbar spine, left knee and right ankle. It is speculated that the tattoos were used by the Iceman as a guide to the points where he could apply pressure and/or herbs for relief from arthritis and back pain.

Down through the ages, self-care was a modality that our ancestors used for healing the body and mind. Many ancient temples were designed for healing practices and included gardens for contemplation or meditation. Nature was often a part of these sacred places that were built with water or natural springs close by or on mountaintops or with views of the mountains. Where Did Yoga Come From? Yoga is one such healing modality from India. Yoga came from an oral transmission of sacred texts and teachings. The early writings on yoga were transcribed on fragile palm leaves that were easily damaged, destroyed or lost. The development of yoga can be traced back to over 5,000 years ago, but some researchers think that yoga may be up to 10,000 years old.

Self-care is an ancient practice perhaps even older than what we know so far. In 1991, two hikers in the Austrian Alps found a perfectly preserved man or Iceman who died in about 3300 BCE at the age of forty five. In examining his belongings a medicinal kit with herbs that are natural antibiotics and constipation remedies were discovered.  Scientists also found that the Iceman, or Ötzi as he is called, has 15 tattoos along his spine, left knee and right ankle and 9 of those tattoos were located on the urinary bladder meridian that traditional Chinese medicine uses as a guide (meridians or lines of energy of which the urinary bladder meridian is one among many) to treat back pain.Using x-rays revealed that Ötzi had arthritis in his lumbar spine, left knee and right ankle. It is speculated that the tattoos were used by the Iceman as a guide to the points where he could apply pressure and/or herbs for relief from arthritis and back pain. 

Down through the ages, self-care through the use of many modalities (herbal, acupuncture, essential oils, meditation, prayer, etc.) that our ancestors used for healing the body and mind. Many ancient temples were designed for healing practices and included gardens for contemplation or meditation. Nature was often a part of these sacred places that were built with water or natural springs close by or on mountaintops or with views of the mountains. 

Where Did Yoga Come From?

Yoga is one such healing modality from India. Yoga came from an oral transmission of sacred texts and teachings. The early writings on yoga were transcribed on fragile palm leaves that were easily damaged, destroyed or lost. The development of yoga can be traced back to over 5,000 years ago, but some researchers think that yoga may be up to 10,000 years old.