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Tuesday, May 20. 2008

Posted by Terri Henry - Contributor in Healthy Living

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Defined tags for this entry: health, lifestyles, local food, massage, natural fitness, natural therapies, wellness

Natural Health and Fitness - Caribbean Style

The warm sunshine and beautiful scenery of the Caribbean islands make them a naturally healthy and healing environment. But you still have to do more than just sit in the sun to keep fit and well! Big gymnasiums with a full range of technological equipment are not always available on small islands but don’t let that stop you from enjoying a hard and sweaty work out! There are still many ways to stay fit and well naturally, and with minimal expense.

Firstly get in the garden. I have seen visitors to the islands whose jaws drop when they see the six-pack abs and bulging biceps of bare-chested farmers coming back from a hard days work. These men with their simple tools get more muscle bulk and definition than most of those guys in city gyms pumping iron and chugging back protein drinks! There’s a lot to be said for manual labour especially since much of our work has become based around offices and computers and it’s only our fingers that get a work-out! So make sure you take some time out to dig in the soil, cut back on weeds and plant some food. And all that gardening pays off in double dividends when you have cultivated a variety of produce and also have the health benefit of eating vitally nutritious local foods.

Okay, gardening done, now let’s hit the road – but not in the car! Walking and hiking provide a great source of natural exercise. It’s a typical Caribbean scene at dusk to see small groups or individuals walking on the road in an attempt to lose weight and keep healthy. The American Heart Association recommends that for optimal effectiveness, one should walk at a vigorous pace for 30 to 60 minutes, 3-4 times per week. Of course walking up hills increases the work out and the varied terrain of a nature hike provides extra balance, coordination and mentally soothing scenery. To make it even more fun you can always play hide-and-seek among the trees!

As islands, being surrounded by an ocean of water just goes to prove that the best things in life really are for free. Of course almost everyone knows that one of the best forms of exercise is swimming which tones up the whole body. Even if you can not actually swim get in the water and do some muscle resistance training. I won’t repeat all the other amazing health benefits sea bathing as I already mentioned them in my blog on seawater but rest assured you are doing your entire system a favour by taking the plunge.

Do Yoga. Okay it is not typically Caribbean and I’m clearly indulging in my personal preferences here but yoga it is an ancient healing art that has crossed continents and gained popularity all over the world. And since it has probably has about 10,000 health benefits and requires no equipment (although a yoga mat is useful), it’s definitely worth practicing as part of a natural wellness regimen.

In Dominica we are blessed to have almost daily yoga classes from a great teacher and from what I have seen many other islands have the same. If classes are too far away from home form a local club of your neighbours, get a DVD and practice together. The added sociability factor also does wonders for maintaining a healthy mind and spirit.

Dancing is another great exercise that requires no extraneous equipment. Put on some high energy Caribbean music and dance in your front room or check out the social scene for some live entertainment action.

After all the workouts and exertion you may be in need of a little pampering to ease out the sore muscles. Thankfully the natural healing energy of the Caribbean is attracting more holistically minded therapists offering massage, aromatherapy, osteopathy, chiropractic, watsu, reflexology and a host of other wellness treats. In truth, these therapies are really far from being optional indulgences but are essential maintenance for the body.

If you do not have a therapist near you start to master some basic techniques yourself. Massage is the most basic of healing therapies as we are all born with an instinctive inclination to touch and ‘rub things better’. Just about anyone can give a simple massage either to themselves or on a partner. I host a Learn Massage Workshop (one of which will be taking place on Sunday 25th May) to encourage people to learn basic techniques. If you are too far away for this fabulous event get a book or DVD to support your learning and get practicing on a willing body!

Keeping healthy and fit is of primary importance for an enjoyable life and easy to do in fun ways. I’d love to hear of anyone else’s recommendations for staying naturally healthy in our Caribbean environment.

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