Post Yoga Diet Chart: Top 7 Health Drinks for Ultimate Muscle Recovery Post-Yoga Session | TheHealthSite.c – TheHealthSite
Posted: March 25, 2024 at 2:40 am
Advertisement
Post-Yoga Diet: Keeping yourself hydrated significantly impacts your overall health and wellness. After working up a good sweat from your yoga workout, it's vital to replace the fluids you've released. The choice of beverage can not only rehydrate you efficiently but also lend extra health perks. In this article, we tell you the top 7 refreshing beverages that you can incorporate into your post-yoga regimen.
Drinking beneficial fluids isn't just about quenching your thirst, it's about replacing the lost body fluids and feeding your muscles. As you twist and stretch into various yoga poses, sweat happens and toxins are expelled. So you must replenish with effective hydration. Here, we've picked five healthy options to add to your after-yoga regimen.
Advertisement
The experience of drinking coconut water is akin to a natural refreshment. It balances your hydration and feeds your body essential electrolytes like potassium and magnesium. Aside from its refreshingly light and subtly sweet flavor, coconut water also aids in muscle recovery and helps prevent post-workout cramps.
Nimbu pani aka nimbu pain - A squeeze of fresh lemon juice in a glass of water is a simple yet potent hydrating option. It enhances flavor, infuses some vitamin C, and alkalizes the body. It also assists digestion and detoxification, and thus, comes as a no-brainer choice to jumpstart your post-yoga recovery.
Advertisement
Following the cooling down moments of yoga with hot herbal teas such as chamomile, peppermint, or ginger will provide you not just hydration, but also bonus health perks. They help to soothe and relax the body, assist in digestion, and alleviate inflammation, making them excellent additions after yoga.
Green smoothies are a delightful, healthy post-yoga drink. These liquid feasts, when made from greens, fruits like bananas and berries, and a wet ingredient like coconut water or almond milk, flood your body with essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that aid recovery and recharge energy after a workout.
Aloe vera juice, lauded for its healing abilities, is another hydrating choice with a wealth of health benefits. Rich in crucial vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Aloe vera supports digestion, boosts your immunity, and slashes inflammation levels. Adopting it as part of your after-yoga sequence can help recovery and health maintenance.
If your goal is muscle repair and replenishment post-yoga, a protein shake can be really beneficial. Consider plant-based or whey protein shakes, coupled with fruits and nuts, as a nutritious refuel. Protein shakes aid in muscle recovery, energy restoration, and comprehensive nourishment.
Freshly juiced vegetables provide terrific post-yoga hydration and nourishment. Vegetables like cucumber, spinach, kale and carrots, loaded with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, can aid in refilling your body's nutrient depot. Vegetable juice acts as a swift and handy way to nourish your body after yoga.
Important Note: Post-yoga healthy drinks are vital in refilling nutrients and supporting recovery after yoga sessions. These delicious beverages boost your yoga benefits and overall health. Don't forget to choose drinks that resonate with your health goals and preferences. Stay hydrated and well-nourished with these wonderful post-yoga drinks!
MIND BODY SPIRIT: Welcome Villain Films Acquires Worldwide Rights to Yoga Horror. Releasing Across Digital Platforms May 7th! – ScreenAnarchy
Posted: at 2:40 am
I come from a faith-based family and upbringing so this idea of yoga horror tickles me, even within the constructs of the found footage genre. The notion of ancient rituals unleashing unholy entites is not new, I've just never seen it linked to the peaceful and purposeful practice of yoga. This is a first, for me.Oh, I can hear all those church leaders and elders now, "See? See what happens when you open yourself to Eastern practices and New Age religions?".
Alex Henes and Matthew Merenda's found footage horror Mind Body Spirit has been acquired by Welcome Villain Films, who will distribute the horror flick through digital platforms worldwide on May 7th. It looks like it will make one more festival appearance at the Unnamed Footage Festival at the end of the month, with the directors and their star,Sarah J. Bartholomew, in attendance.
Welcome Villain Films, the genre studio that released last years MALUM and BEATEN TO DEATH, has announced their latest acquisition: the supernatural screenlife horror shocker MIND BODY SPIRIT. The film is set to screen at the Unnamed Footage Festival on Sunday, March 31st, ahead of a release across digital platforms on May 7th.
Directed by Alex Henes and Matthew Merenda, MIND BODY SPIRIT follows Anya, an aspiring yoga influencer, as she embarks on a ritual practice left behind by her estranged grandmother. What starts as a spiritual self-help guide quickly evolves into something much more sinister. As Anya becomes obsessed with the mysterious power of the practice, she unwittingly unleashes an otherworldly entity that begins to take control of her life -- and her videos. Now Anya must race to unlock the truth, before her descent into madness threatens to consume her mind, body and spirit.
MIND BODY SPIRIT is such a creative blend of wellness and horror, and really feels fresh and exciting for the genre, which makes it a perfect fit for the Welcome Villain family, says Luke LaBeau, Welcome Villain Films Head of Development. Were thrilled to be working with Alex, Matt and team, and we cant wait to unleash this nightmare on audiences on May 7th.
It has been an immense privilege bringing our first feature film to life. MIND BODY SPIRIT is the kind of midnight movie we grew up watching and loving. Its freaky, its funny and it will definitely f*** you up, say co-directors Alex Henes and Matthew Merenda.
MIND BODY SPIRIT premiered at the Telluride Horror Show, where it immediately made a splash as one of the buzziest found footage films of the year, seamlessly blending horror with all-too-relevant social commentary. Since then its garnered numerous favorable reviews from festival appearances across the country (including Chattanooga 2023), with genre critics touting that the film cleverly plays with the subgenres established conventions to create something spooky, smart, and wholly entertaining (Mary Beth McAndrews, Dread Central).
Alex, Matt, and myself come from the entertainment marketing world, so we relished the opportunity to flex all of our experience and storytelling prowess by crafting a film that embodies everything we love about the genre, says Dan Asma, producer of MIND BODY SPIRIT. Were beyond excited to partner with Welcome Villain Films and to get our twisted creation in front of a wider audience thats eager for original storytelling.
MIND BODY SPIRIT will screen at the Unnamed Footage Festival on March 31st, with in-person appearances/Q&A by the filmmakers Alex Henes and Matthew Merenda, along with the films lead Sarah J. Bartholomew. Welcome Villain has also come on board as official headline sponsor of UFF24.
MIND BODY SPIRIT was directed by Alex Henes and Matthew Merenda; the two also co-wrote the film with Topher Hendricks. The film was produced by Dan Asma and Jesse McClung. Sarah J. Bartholomew stars in the lead role of Anya, with support from Madi Bready, Kristi Noory, KJ Flahive and Anna Knigge. MIND BODY SPIRIT was shot on location in Los Angeles.
Expert-approved yoga asanas to help manage PCOS – The Indian Express
Posted: at 2:40 am
Polycystic ovary syndrome or PCOS is a common lifestyle disorder affecting many women today. Some common signs that a woman may have PCOS are inconsistent period cycles, excess facial and body hair, acne, unusual weight gain, thinning hair, as well as ovaries with multiple cysts.
In a 2014 journal article published in the National Library of Medicine, researchers found that women who have been diagnosed with PCOS suffer from issues that are not just physical, but also mental.
Due to development of this syndrome, their beauty was impaired by obesity, hirsutism, hair loss, and facial acne. In addition, resulting menstrual disorders and infertility had impaired their feminine feeling, had made them ashamed, and had decreased their self-confidence as they considered themselves inferior to other women, the study revealed.
In India, PCOS affects many women as stress levels rise and life becomes more hectic, with many being forced to multitask at the cost of their health.
Divya Rolla, yoga expert at Cult endorses practicing yoga daily to effectively manage symptoms. She says, Yoga is one of the key unlocks in helping reverse this condition. It has been observed that yoga for PCOS can help open up the pelvic area, release deeply stored stress in that region, and promote complete relaxation of both the mind and body.
While revealing the best yoga asanas to try, Rolla adds, mere practice of these asanas alone will not be helpful. It needs to be coupled with improving sleep quality, actively managing stress better, and being conscious of eating healthier.
Here are the five asanas you need to try, as prescribed by Rolla:
Chakki Chalanasana: This includes circular movements of the body and helps improve digestion along with the flexibility of the spine.
Baddha Konasana: Also known as the butterfly pose, this asana stimulates the reproductive organs by opening up the hips and groin.
Supta Baddha Konasana: This is a reclined variation of the baddha konasana, giving your inner thighs a deeper stretch to help relax the area.
Bharadvajasana: This asana aids digestion and detoxification of the body through a seated spinal twist, stretching the spine, shoulders, and hips.
Bhujangasana: Commonly known as the cobra pose, it strengthens the spine, opens up the chest, and improves flexibility, helping you let go of stress and energising the body.
In addition to the above asanas, Rolla stresses that pranayama or breathing exercises coupled with relaxation exercises should also be practiced daily for better results. She mentions the following techniques:
Abdominal breathing: Promotes better breathing habits and oxygenates the whole body.
Anuloma viloma pranayama: Pranayama yoga helps to enhance the oxygenated blood supply to the brain which in turn helps to restore the hormonal balance.
Savasana: Promotes deep relaxation and reduces cortisol levels in the body.
Maintaining a nutritious diet and avoiding junk food is essential for women who are serious about managing PCOS symptoms. Chandni Haldurai, head of nutrition at Cult, mentions the following things to keep in mind when you prep your diet plan:
Go here to read the rest:
Expert-approved yoga asanas to help manage PCOS - The Indian Express
Solana Blockchain Based SolStream: Pioneering Web3 Streaming with Decentralized Super App – CoinTrust
Posted: at 2:40 am
SolStream, an innovative decentralized super app operating on the Solana blockchain, has achieved a significant milestone with the successful launch of its Beta version across multiple major cryptocurrency exchanges. This development underscores the projects ambition to establish itself as the foremost Web3 streaming discovery protocol.
SolStream transcends conventional streaming platforms by offering a comprehensive super app tailored explicitly for the Web3 environment. This unique approach empowers both creators and viewers to harness the potential of blockchain technology, promising a more rewarding and transparent streaming experience.
Utilizing the Solana blockchain infrastructure, SolStream ensures rapid transaction speeds and minimal fees, enhancing user experience while mitigating excessive gas costs. The platform caters specifically to Web3 creators, spanning various domains such as gaming, video production, and key opinion leaders (KOLs), providing them with essential tools and resources for success in the decentralized realm.
SolStream embraces the popular play-to-earn model, enabling users to engage with content while potentially earning rewards through its native token, STREAM. This incentivized approach fosters active participation and cultivates a vibrant community within the platform.
SolStream envisions itself as a central hub for Web3 streaming, prioritizing openness and interoperability over a closed ecosystem. The platform facilitates seamless integration with other Web3 applications and services, fostering a connected ecosystem conducive to innovation and growth.
SolStream has forged strategic partnerships with key players in the Web3 space to enhance its offerings:
Filecoin: Ensures secure and decentralized storage of streamed content. Livepeer: Provides cutting-edge streaming infrastructure for high-quality, low-latency video experiences.
SolStreams commitment to innovation is underscored by its impressive track record, including victories in hackathons sponsored by industry leaders such as Filecoin, Aave, and Polygon. These accolades validate SolStreams potential and underscore its promise for the future of Web3 streaming.
Looking ahead, SolStream has ambitious plans to further its impact and reach within the Web3 ecosystem:
DApp and Whitepaper: Interested users can explore the SolStream DApp and delve into the projects comprehensive whitepaper for detailed insights. Community Building: SolStream actively engages with users on platforms like Telegram to foster discussions, gather feedback, and cultivate a loyal community. SDK Development: SolStream aims to develop a robust software development kit (SDK) to empower developers in integrating SolStream functionalities into their own Web3 applications, fostering innovation and expanding SolStreams influence.
SolStream emerges as a beacon of hope in the realm of Web3 streaming, offering a solution founded on decentralization, transparency, and community empowerment. With its innovative approach, strategic partnerships, and unwavering focus on user-centric development, SolStream is poised to redefine the landscape of content creation and consumption in the Web3 era.
Go here to see the original:
PwD Community in Bong Calls for Decentralization of National Commission on Disabilities – Global News Network … – Global News Network
Posted: at 2:40 am
By Enouch Dormue, Journalists Network On Disability Reporting |
In the aftermath of the recent appointment of Mr. Samuel S. Dean, Sr as the new Executive Director of the National Commission on Disabilities by Joseph Nyuma Boakai, the People with Disabilities (PwDs) community in Bong County wants the commission to critically consider the decentralization of its activities as a major priority under the new dispensation. The PwD community believes that decentralization would ensure better representation and support for people with disabilities across various regions of the country.
The National Commission on Disability (NCD, established to address issues related to disability rights and welfare, currently operates from the capital city, Monrovia. However, individuals with disabilities residing in remote areas often face significant challenges in accessing the services and resources provided by the commission.
According to the PwD community in Bong, the centralized structure of the NCD contributes to disparities in assistance and advocacy efforts. Many individuals with disabilities living outside Monrovia struggle to have their voices heard and their needs addressed effectively.
We need the government to understand that disability rights are not just an urban issue; they affect every corner of our nation. Decentralizing the National Commission on Disability would ensure that our concerns are not overlooked and that support reaches those who need it most, remarked Mr. Lawrence Tokpa, a visually impaired resident of Gbarnga.
Mr. Tokpa further thinks the decentralization of the NCD activities would involve establishing regional offices or branches in various parts of Liberia where these offices would serve as hubs for providing assistance, advocacy, and information tailored to the specific needs of the local PwD communities.
The PwD community in Bong further emphasized decentralization would promote inclusivity and empower individuals with disabilities particularly outside Monrovia to actively participate in decision-making processes at the grassroots level and could facilitate more efficient resource allocation and service delivery, addressing the unique challenges faced by different PwD communities in each county of Liberia.
Despite the call for the National Commission on Disabilities to decentralize its impact and reach, the institution itself has been grabbing with some challenges including limited budgetary allocation by the national government and staffing capacity to carry out its mandate effectively, logistical constraints to enhance monitoring and supervision, lack of accurate data on actual number PwDs nationwide to inform proper planning and limited outreach that has prevented the NCD to reach all segments of the disabled population, including those in rural and remote areas.
As part of the commissions mandate consistent with the Act establishing the National Commission on Disabilities (NCD) by the 51st National Legislature of the Republic of Liberia in November 2005, NCD was established to have jurisdiction over matters involving and appertaining to the welfare and wellbeing of PWDs including but not limited to carrying out empowerment through Capacity Building, Small Business, Livelihood Skills, Medical, Educational Support through School aids, result driven Programs and Projects, Advocacy, Monitoring and Supervising the effective delivery of social services within the territorial confines of Liberia.
The NCD currently works with Seventy-Eight (78) Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPWDs) and subsidize them through Budgetary Support. As discussions on the future of the National Commission on Disability continue, the voices of people with disabilities and their allies grow louder, demanding meaningful reforms that prioritize accessibility, representation, and empowerment for all.
Visited 29 times, 4 visit(s) today
See original here:
South Africa: MSF Calls for Decentralisation of Life-Saving DR-TB Services in Rural Setting – AllAfrica – Top Africa News
Posted: at 2:40 am
An evaluation report released today by Doctors Without Borders (MSF) charts progress towards decentralizing services for patients with drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB) in South Africa's KwaZulu-Natal's King Cetshwayo District (KCD), in line with the country's 2011 DR-TB decentralization policy.
The report finds that the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health (KZNDoH) has established some level of DR-TB services in six district hospitals, three district clinics, and one district community health centre but that progress towards the full implementation of the DR-TB decentralization policy is slow.
For example, the report highlights an absence of services for children with DR-TB and patients with extensively drug-resistant TB (XDR-TB) and pre-XDR TB. MSF, which supported the decentralization of DR-TB services in KCD from 2015 2023, calls for the decentralization of these services as a priority.
"The Department of Health has made enormous strides in implementing the decentralization policy, yet the most vulnerable DR-TB patients in the district are still having to travel several hours to the province's central TB hospital in Durban to get treatment and care, at a cost that is often catastrophic,"said Dr. Liesbet Ohler, the long-standing medical coordinator of MSF's HIV/TB project in KCD, which closed in 2023.
According to the report, issues preventing or slowing the decentralization of DR-TB services in KCD include
MSF provided considerable support, including structures, equipment, and staff, for implementing the decentralisation policy in KCD.
"In order to fully decentralize DR-TB services in the District, this support will need to be replaced, perhaps with strategic partnerships with non-governmental actors,"said Ohler. He added that MSF's intention in producing the evaluation report"is not to criticize or apportion blame, but to highlight where the work of decentralization is incomplete so that it can be taken up with renewed energy."
South Africa's DR-TB decentralization policy was largely based on a successful decentralization model of care piloted by MSF and the Western Cape Department of Health in Khayelitsha between 2007 and 2011. Although the MSF project in KCD has closed, MSF is currently applying many of the lessons it learned in the district in terms of making treatment and care easier for patients to access in a newly opened non-communicable diseases project in the Eastern Cape.
Follow this link:
Understanding Solana Validators And Top 10 Important Things To Know About Them – Blockchain Magazine
Posted: at 2:39 am
March 22, 2024 by Diana Ambolis
130
Solana, introduced in 2020, has swiftly risen as a high-performance blockchain platform, revolutionizing the industry with its innovative features. At the core of Solanas architecture is the groundbreaking Proof of History (PoH) mechanism, a decentralized clock that timestamps transactions before they enter the blockchain. This unique approach to transaction ordering significantly reduces confirmation times, enabling
Solana, introduced in 2020, has swiftly risen as a high-performance blockchain platform, revolutionizing the industry with its innovative features. At the core of Solanas architecture is the groundbreaking Proof of History (PoH) mechanism, a decentralized clock that timestamps transactions before they enter the blockchain. This unique approach to transaction ordering significantly reduces confirmation times, enabling Solana to achieve thousands of transactions per second with sub-second finality.
The synergy of PoH with Solanas Proof of Stake (PoS) consensus mechanism contributes to the platforms efficiency while maintaining decentralization. The native utility token, SOL, fuels the Solana ecosystem, serving various functions, including staking, governance participation, and facilitating transactions.
Solanas emphasis on scalability and low transaction costs has attracted a vibrant ecosystem of decentralized applications (DApps) and projects. Notably, decentralized finance (DeFi) projects like Serum and Raydium leverage Solanas high throughput to offer efficient decentralized exchanges and automated market makers. The platforms developer-friendly environment supports smart contracts using the Rust programming language, enabling the creation of complex and scalable applications.
PoHs role in Solana is pivotal, as it provides a tamper-resistant historical record of transactions, offering benefits such as low-latency confirmation, enhanced scalability, and efficient consensus mechanisms. The platform actively explores interoperability, with initiatives like the Wormhole bridge connecting Solana with other blockchains.
Despite facing challenges, including network interruptions and concerns about centralization, Solanas commitment to ongoing development and upgrades, supported by the Solana Foundation, showcases its resilience and determination to address emerging issues. As Solana continues to evolve, its impact on decentralized and high-performance blockchain solutions remains significant, making it a key player in the dynamic landscape of blockchain technology.
Also, read- Whales Market Announces the Launch of Its Revolutionary Dapp and Token on the Solana network
The importance of Solana in the blockchain ecosystem is underscored by its notable contributions to addressing key challenges faced by earlier blockchain networks, offering a range of features that make it a significant player in the industry.
Understanding Validators in Solana:
Validators play a crucial role in the Solana blockchain network, contributing to the security, consensus, and overall functionality of the decentralized system. Heres a breakdown of the key aspects of validators in Solana:
In conclusion, Solanas validators are integral components that underpin the security, consensus, and functionality of the blockchain network. Operating within the Proof of Stake (PoS) consensus mechanism, validators play a vital role in proposing and validating blocks, maintaining the decentralized nature of the network. The importance of decentralization is paramount in Solana, with a diverse set of validators contributing to the resilience and trustworthiness of the overall system.
Validators, driven by the incentive structure and the staking of SOL tokens, are incentivized to act honestly, ensuring the integrity of transactions and adherence to protocol rules. The dynamic nature of Solanas validator set allows for adaptability, as new validators can join, and existing ones can leave, fostering an environment that encourages innovation and participation.
Community engagement is a key aspect of Solanas validator ecosystem, promoting transparency, collaboration, and inclusivity. Validators often interact with the community, providing insights into their operations and seeking input, contributing to a more decentralized and community-driven governance model.
The diversity of validators, including those operated by different entities and community members, enhances the networks robustness. This diversity, combined with ongoing network upgrades facilitated by validator participation in governance decisions, ensures that Solana remains adaptive to evolving requirements and challenges.
Overall, its validators are not only technical participants but also active contributors to the governance and growth of the network. As it continues to evolve and play a significant role in the blockchain space, the collaborative efforts of validators and the community underscore the importance of their role in maintaining the integrity and innovation of the ecosystem.
Follow this link:
Understanding Solana Validators And Top 10 Important Things To Know About Them - Blockchain Magazine
A+ Self-Awareness: CBS Tried To Get DJ Burns To Randomly Start Eating Ice Cream During An Interview, He’s Too … – Barstool Sports
Posted: at 2:38 am
So the whole bit here is after a win NC State apparently gets an ice cream party. In the world of NIL, they get ice cream? Don't get me wrong, ice cream fucking rules, but I'll take my money and ice cream. Obviously we also know about DJ Burns. He's America's favorite Big Fella. Dude came out and said how he watches a lot of Hakeem he just happens to have the body of Zach Randolph. That's called self-awareness, probably why he's a damn good player. Watch his footwork! For a man that size, dude moves incredibly well.
But I love the move by DJ Burns here. Everyone in America probably wanted him to take a big bite of ice cream like a kid at their birthday party and smile for the camera. Instead, he said not today CBS. I'm not getting yelled at by the strength and conditioning coach. Not when we're getting ready to play our 7th game in just over a week. Plus, what if it's an ice cream flavor he doesn't prefer? Maybe he's strictly a mint chocolate chip or cookies n cream guy. Ever think of that? You get hit with some plain chocolate or something like raspberry chocolate chip (delicious from Graeter's, if you know, you know) and you're not a fan, you're not gonna eat it.
Let the man enjoy his ice cream in peace. No one wants to be seen going to own on a bowl of ice cream.
I can't believe the rest of America gets to enjoy DJ Burns vs Jack Gohlke.
PS: Who had the ice cream ready? Who ended up eating the ice cream? Those are the important things here.
All of Us Are Strangers: How love is the most revolutionary act of self-awareness – The Federal
Posted: at 2:38 am
Andrew Haighs All of Us Strangers, which is still playing in some theatres, impressed upon me a lesson that I have learned with a lot of heartache over the last couple of years: Love is, in its simplest form, the ability to see and, in turn, be seen. Andrew Scott plays Adam, a lonely screenwriter in London, with a traumatic past. In the first few minutes themselves, the dimly-lit frames and scenes carefully induce a tangible feeling of heaviness.
Adam is visibly alone in his life. Time passes outside his window as the lights shift on the horizon, but in his apartment, time exists in a vacuum takeout food sits morosely in tin foils in the refrigerator, he sleeps on his couch, with no one to cover him with a blanket. Suddenly, his doorbell rings and the nauseating ghetto of loneliness is punctured He opens the door of his apartment to Paul Mescals Harry in a baby pink jumper, drunk and desperate, appealing to Andrew Scotts Adam to let him in both into his apartment and, by extension, his life.
Love, the movie suggests, is also the simple but infinitely brave act of keeping the door open long enough for someone to come in, and build a home with us. But Adam closes the door on an unnervingly starved and alone Harry, perhaps to protect himself from his clearly sexual advances, or simply because he is imprisoned by his loneliness so much that the choice to open the door is not even real to him he must keep the literal door closed too, as a comorbid condition of that loneliness.
Queer loneliness
After decades of struggles, protests and brutalisation, LGBTQ+ issues have become relatively more public and accessible. But we are far from addressing, let alone understanding how queerness is married to loneliness. The film makes sure that despite the bustling crowds around Adam whether he is on a train or in a club he is almost always alone.
Adam lives in this menacing high-rise, which is also depicted on the posters, but each window represents loneliness, more than other lives, because for all its splendour, modernity is after all a poor excuse for crippling communal estrangement and mutual disconnection from each other. In one of the most poignant scenes in the movie, Harry tells Adam: I always felt like a stranger in my own family anyway. Coming out just puts a name to the difference that had always been there.
The title of Andrew Haighs ghost romance suggests that all of us remain strangers to each other, because somehow the act of knowing the other even within our families comes at the discomfort of effort. To open our world to the possibility that the others own world too exists. Attitude magazine described the movie as a tender examination of love in the shadow of shame. Which perhaps also comes close to describing the radical costs of love: at so many levels, it requires us to wade through the complicated shame of vulnerability which is so tangibly demanding a feeling, perhaps especially for the LGBTQ community.
Everyone wants to be seen, to be found, but for queer people, the experience is often so postponed that they close themselves off from the possibility itself. Or worse, fear being vulnerable, lest they expose themselves to the defeat of rejection or abandonment a feeling they are already made to feel from a young age. Families often abandon them or stop talking to them out of anger, friends more often than not drift apart, relationships are somehow so much more challenging
Coming out the constant confessional nature of it notwithstanding is one of the most difficult things to do when queer individuals know how keeping the silence and repressing their truth buys them peace at home. In one of the most heartbreaking scenes in the movie, Adam comes out to his father, and tells him how he was bullied in school: Theyd call me a girl. Refuse to play with me. Flick drawing pins at my face and flush my head down the loo. But Adam never told any of this at home as a child. As so many queer children dont. To avoid their parents the disappointment, perhaps, and so many times to avoid confronting the pain themselves. Silence and loneliness reinforce each other.
To love, to be loved
Adam (as so many of us will identify with) describes his helpless loneliness as a knot in his heart. It is falling in love with Harry, finally, which not only reveals the knot and its smothering force, but also permits Adam the tools to unravel this knot. Often queer individuals develop a structure/ghetto of loneliness around themselves as a survival mechanism. Growing into ones queerness, then, is so frequently (and sometimes tiringly) about unmaking and unlearning these survivalist behaviours.
There are so few happy queer stories, as Andrew Sean Greer has often talked about. And while Haighs movie is incredibly heavy with emotions, theres something so reassuring, uplifting about it too. In the simplest way, it is a testament to the triumphant quality of love, which even through the worst times or perhaps especially through the worst times can protect us so often from ourselves.
With an almost shocking ability to anticipate the next feeling, and present it with stunning accuracy, Haighs screenplay (available to read online) registers moments of tenderness and grief, and the heartbreaking process of healing old wounds with a double-layered plot. While Adam and Harrys relationship builds, Adam also finds his own past clouding over the tender bliss of new-found love. Adam tells Harry at one point how all the scabs that seem to have healed, really dont. It doesnt take much to be back there again, does it? Skin all fucking raw, feeling how you used to feel.
Haighs screenplay, inspired by Taichi Yamadas ghost novel Strangers, rallies for a simple message: While love begins with a sort of suspension of logic, it is indeed the most revolutionary and violent act of self-awareness. It makes us weak as it breaks all of our walls, and reveals to us the embarrassingly vulnerable and fragile children we are at heart. But isnt that itself paradoxically one of the most powerful things that can happen to us? Exposing to us the awful realisation that in the pursuit of self-preservation, we complied with the conditions of a cruel world, and forgot that that child exists within us who just wants to be loved, and to love.
The language of tenderness
One of my favourite scenes from the movie is when Adam and Harry talk about their respective childhoods after making love passionately, but its not the sex that builds intimacy as Haighs note in the screenplay directs: More than sex, its a mutual understanding of something shared that brings deepening intimacy. Harry leans in and kisses him.
While loneliness is one of the most challenging conditions of queerness, it seems that its consequences are far worse when we forget to care about ourselves. So often, whether its after enduring the grand heartbreaks of a breakup or everyday anguishes of living, we give up on ourselves, because its the easiest thing to do. And so often we also convince ourselves that we deserve our loneliness, too.
Haighs project with this movie seems to be to remind all of us strangers that we are capable of love, and being loved. That we too can find (or stumble upon) care and safety, even in this not-very-promising swipe-right world of modern relationships because these are the basic necessities of living and enduring, and indeed what else can we put all our hopes on, if not love?
Every response to the movie that I have read online has been deeply moving too, with so many people writing about how Adams story reflected theirs. How the loneliness of the movie became theirs. How the promise and incredible power of love is something they crave too. One review just said that they felt held by the movie. The language of touch is one of our most profound achievements, I would argue, because in so many ways its also something that makes us real to each other. All of Us Strangers triumphs in this understanding, too.
Much like Haighs phenomenal series released a decade ago, Looking which masterfully explores the parabolas of queer desire, with their crests and valleys All of Us Strangers presents passion with a careful intensity, fletched with mutual care and love. Intimacy that is more than physical, always. And so a movie about a London-based screenwriter finds resonance across borders because we all experience loneliness in similar ways, and we all know that to be cared for, and to care for someone is what can save us, change us, and keep us going in a burning world. Tennessee Williams wrote that we have not long to love: a night, a day and that we live in a perpetually burning building, and what we must save from it, all the time, is love.
All of Us Strangers is the promise of a haunting forever, especially when we are all yearning for a forever that never seems to exist or is not enough. It is, in the most gut-wrenching, but also reassuring way, a guide, not a warning. That love is, in its most profound state, an awful feeling that pushes us to madness. But its all we have, and thats always enough.
Originally posted here:
All of Us Are Strangers: How love is the most revolutionary act of self-awareness - The Federal
Aries, Horoscope Today, March 22, 2024: Balance passion with self-reflection – The Times of India
Posted: at 2:38 am
As dawn breaks on March 22, 2024, Aries, you find yourself standing at the crossroads of ambition and introspection, a testament to the celestial dance between Mars, your ruling planet, and the reflective Moon. This day unfolds as a canvas for you to paint with bold strokes of passion and careful touches of self-awareness. It's a time when the universe nudges you towards a harmonious blend of action and reflection. In the morning, you may feel a surge of energy, a fiery impulse pushing you to chase after your dreams with unbridled enthusiasm. Yet, as the day progresses, this zeal is tempered by moments of quiet contemplation, prompted by the Moon's gentle influence. It's an invitation to pause, breathe, and align your actions with your deeper intentions. The challenge and opportunity lie in balancing these forces, allowing them to guide your steps rather than pull you in opposing directions. The realm of love and relationships dances to a similar rhythm. Single Aries might encounter prospects that spark their interest, yet the day calls for discernment. Rushing forward might seem tempting, but the stars advise taking a moment to consider what you truly seek in a partner. For those in a relationship, this is a day to foster deeper connections by sharing your dreams and fears. Communication is your ally, enabling you to bridge gaps and strengthen bonds. Career-wise, Aries stands on the precipice of significant breakthroughs. The dynamic energy of Mars propels you forward, urging you to take bold steps in your professional journey. Yet, success is not just about advancement; it's also about alignment. Use this day to ensure that your career trajectory resonates with your true self. It may involve difficult decisions or conversations, but authenticity is your key to lasting fulfillment. Health and well-being, too, echo the theme of balance. The vigor of Aries often leads to pushing limits, yet today, mindfulness is your best approach. Pay attention to your body's signalsrest when needed, and engage in activities that nourish both body and soul. Perhaps a nature walk or a yoga session could serve as a perfect counterbalance to the day's energies, offering you a moment of tranquility amidst the hustle. As night falls, reflect on the lessons of the day. The stars have woven a tapestry of experiences designed to guide you towards a richer, more balanced life. Embrace the dualities within you, Aries, for they are the source of your strength and the path to your growth.
Read the original post:
Aries, Horoscope Today, March 22, 2024: Balance passion with self-reflection - The Times of India