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Month: September 2018

2019 Health

How to give yourself a yoni massage for serious sexual empowerment

6 min read

September 30, 2018 at 08:27AM Spa menus are looking a lot different than they used to, with new massage modalities ranging from the woo-woo to the downright weird—think CBD-infused rub downs, high-vibe crystal massages, and celebrity-approved treatments that involve biting. (Yes, that’s a thing apparently.) But there’s one type of out-there massage that you definitely won’t be seeing at your favorite day spa any time soon: yoni massage. Basically, a yoni massage is a tantric massage for your vagina, and its roots go way back. “The word ‘yoni’ comes from the ancient Sanskrit language,” says advanced certified tantra educator Mare Simone, who learned about yoni massage from Charles Muir, aka the godfather of tantra. “It means the sacred space where life comes from.” Although a yoni massage can definitely lead to climax, an orgasm is actually not the intention. “The main goal [of a yoni massage] is really about healing and awakening pleasure,” Simone says. It’s meant to be an incredibly powerful, transformational experience more than anything else. (But if the Big O does happen, who’s going to complain?) One of the benefits of a yoni massage is education. Most women are familiar with the external parts of the vagina, like the clitoris, but a lot of a woman’s erogenous zones are hidden, Simone says. Learning how to connect more with what’s inside the vaginal canal—hello, G spot!—can be super eye-opening. The other major benefit of a yoni massage, Simone says, is to release tension and emotions that women tend to hold

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2019 Health Vegetarians

Sure, flaxseed is full of fiber—but how exactly do you use it?

6 min read

September 30, 2018 at 07:00AM Shiny-object syndrome is real in the wellness world—it seems like every day, there’s a new “must-have” superfood or supplement gunning for a spot in your pantry. A jar of lucuma here, some turmeric root there, and the next thing you know, your grocery budget’s been cannibalized by ingredients no one really knows how to pronounce. Yet no matter how many new-to-us potions and powders may be hitting the shelves of Whole Foods, there’s something to be said for the basics. Flaxseed, for one, is a kitchen staple that should never be bumped from your grocery list, says health coach and digestive expert Robyn Youkilis. “I consider flaxseed to be one of the OG superfoods—before bone broth, matcha, and collagen were all popular, us health nuts were shopping for flaxseed at the health foods stores,” she says. There’s a reason these tiny, blonde-colored seeds have been a dietary staple for the past 6,000 years, Youkilis adds. “They’re packed with magnesium, thiamine, omega-3 fatty acids, and lignans, to name a few,” she says.  These superstar nutrients have been linked with better sleep, brain health, mood regulation, and hormonal balance, respectively. Suddenly, flaxseed seems a little more exciting, doesn’t it? Keep reading for more on the health benefits of flaxseed and how to use it. Photo: Getty Images/SolStock Flaxseed: An unsung digestive hero In addition to the potential benefits mentioned above, there’s another major perk associated with flaxseed: It’s known to be amazing for your gut. For one thing, it can help keep you regular. “Flax is

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2019 Health Fashion Relaxation

This is the week astrologically to connect to your fierce feminine power

6 min read

September 30, 2018 at 03:00AM Astrologer Jennifer Racioppi is here with her weekly celestial weather report (from a wellness perspective), with the daily nutrition, fitness, and lifestyle choices to keep you in tune with the cosmos—no matter what your sun sign is. This week: Feminine energy takes center stage (AKA look out, world). October 1 Ready to rumble? The month and week begin on the heels of Pluto stationing direct. Tiny but mighty Pluto is waking up from its multi-month retrograde journey at 18 degrees of Capricorn, instigating the day with a jolt of passion, and maybe even a wee bit of chaos, too. Like an airplane experiencing some turbulence, don’t get thrown off course with a couple of bumps. Instead, stay grounded and connected to your truth. Consider starting the day with a body scan meditation, taking note of what you need physically. Then make a promise to yourself and give your body what it needs. More water? Meditation? A massage? Even though Pluto technically stationed direct last night, Monday feels extra charged. Channel your focus productively. October 2 Mercury, the planet of communication, makes an awkward angle known as a square to Pluto today, meaning communication could present challenges. If you don’t get the news you want today, do not fret. Instead, allow for piercing insights to guide you forward. With the waning quarter moon marking the halfway point between the last full moon and upcoming new moon, now’s the time to consider what you no longer need and let

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2019 Health Relaxation

“Nappily Ever After” shows black women need safer hair care

5 min read

September 30, 2018 at 02:00AM Netflix’s new original film Nappily Ever After is a tale as old as time for women of color. The movie centers on the complicated intersection between hair and identity—in particular, the idea that a black woman’s social acceptance is dependent upon the condition of her hair. Doesn’t sound like much of a fairy tale, does it? It’s a straight-up impossible standard to live up to, beauty or otherwise. And the movie’s main character, Violet (played by actress Sanaa Lathan), struggled with it from an early age. Vi’s mother came from an era before the feminist and Civil Rights movements, and she impressed upon her daughter that straight, smooth locks attract Prince Charmings and perfect endings. But achieving such tresses often involves painful, pre-dawn hair appointments with hot tools and harsh chemicals—not to mention that this beauty ideal left Vi with a paranoia about having a hair out of place, preventing her from living her best life. No swimming or running in sprinklers as a kid. As an adult, it means being an obsessive weather watcher and never having “sweatin’ out my blowout” sex with her hot doc boyfriend, Clint, played by British actor Ricky Whittle. It’s definitely not glamorous, which could be why black women’s hair isn’t often a storyline mainstream media embraces. For that reason alone, Nappily Ever After is worth watching. (If we want more diversity in our entertainment, we have to show the industry there’s a demand for it.) [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3xh9XFxo2Hg?feature=oembed&w=500&h=281] I’ve watched the

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2019 Health Fashion

Liver cleanses are trending, but are the side effects worth it?

5 min read

September 29, 2018 at 10:45AM “The liver is one of the hardest working organs in the body,” says holistic nutritionist and lifestyle cleanse expert Elissa Goodman. Indeed, its job description is a long one: It helps us break down and digest food, it stores essential vitamins and minerals, and it removes toxins from the system, among other things.  So it’s no wonder that “liver cleanses” have become so popular in holistic wellness circles—they’re believed to improve this vitally important organ’s function and, in turn, our overall health and wellbeing. Before we dive any further, though, let’s first clarify what exactly a liver cleanse is and what it isn’t. “When we talk about liver cleansing, we need to talk about body cleansing,” says The Detox Diet author Elson Haas, MD. “You don’t individually detoxify or cleanse any particular organ.” So the phrase “liver cleanse” is kind of a misnomer—it’s not just about the liver. But does cleansing in general actually work? Not everyone’s in agreement about this, but Goodman believes it absolutely can be beneficial when done the right way. She recommends staying away from over-the-counter liver cleanse supplements, as they are not regulated by the FDA and many haven’t been clinically tested for effectiveness. Instead, she believes the best and healthiest way to give your liver some love is the good old-fashioned way: living a healthy lifestyle. It’s not about doing a super intense, one-time cleanse. The goal is to make small tweaks to your diet and lifestyle that support

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