Thinkfood+Fitness 3: Butternut Squash Dip and Yoga
Ed. note: Today we are pleased to present the third in a series of guest posts from Camille S. Finley, MBA, MPH. Camille is a fitness expert with a specialization in applying exercise and nutrition choices for brain health. In this series, she pairs specific workouts with recipes from the Thinkfood cookbook. Click on her name above for a full biography.
The recipe for Perfect Butternut Squash Sage Dip is a wonderful fall recipe that’s tasty and nutritious, yet light enough to compliment a yoga session. This posture, Ananda Balasana (“Happy Baby Pose”), is thought to calm the brain and relieve stress and fatigue. It gently stretches the inner groin and the back of the spine. The anatomical component focuses on the buttocks, groins, hamstrings and hips. NOTE: If you are pregnant, or if you have a knee or neck injury this pose should be avoided. Otherwise, enjoy your brain healthy dip and your brain calming Happy Baby Pose!
- Lie on your back. Exhale and bend knees toward your abdominals.
- While inhaling, hold the insides of your feet with your hands. Use a looped belt or towel if you cannot hold on to your feet.
- Open knees a bit wider than your torso and stretch them towards your armpits.
- Make sure your ankles are positioned over the knee. Flex through the heels. Gently push your feet up into your hands (or the belts) as you pull your hands down to create a resistance.
- Coax the thighs in toward your torso and down toward the floor as you lengthen the spine—release your tail bone toward the floor and lengthen the base of your skull away from the back of your neck.
- Hold the pose steadily for 30 seconds to one minute. Then release the feet back to the floor with an exhale and rest for a few breaths.
Always consult a qualified medical professional before beginning any nutritional program or exercise program. The information contained herein is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment in any manner.
Possibly Related posts:
Posit Science's corporate blog is the place where our employees share their thoughts about Posit Science and its products, brain fitness, breakthroughs in neuroscience, and any other topic they find interesting and relevant. 
