Howard Murad's Blog, page 45

Transformation Occurs From Within

By Mary Beth LaRue, Yoga Teacher, Life Coach, and Co-Founder of Rock Your Bliss

Transformation isn’t always a grandiose event. In fact, it’s rarely accompanied by a firework show, a celebration, or even a visible life change. Transformation occurs from within. Sometimes it’s so simple that you might blink and miss it.

When I was eighteen I stepped into a yoga studio for the very first time. I’d been walking home from class when someone handed me a flyer advertising an upcoming class. And though I wasn’t sure what that feeling was at the time, a little spark ignited in me. That class wasn’t my class. It wasn’t my time to start my yoga practice and honestly, it wasn’t even something I really needed at that time. But five years later when I finally stepped onto my yoga mat with a feeling of desperation and a hungry craving for change, my yoga practice became the most important thing in my entire life.

Nothing spectacular happened in that class. There was some Bob Marley, some awkward poses that made me feel really good in my body and then there was breath. I couldn’t even remember the last time I’d even noticed my breath, let alone spent an hour communing with it.

That class, that hour of deep breathing, truly changed my life. Not all at once. I didn’t walk out of the studio levitating above the ground, but I’m sure I walked out with more kindness, more ease, more spaciousness to receive whatever was headed my way. It gave me a way to retreat from my thoughts and felt like a coming home to myself.

So maybe yoga isn’t your jam. Maybe it’s painting. Or surfing. Or meditating. Notice what you lose track of time doing, and that’s when you are communing with your deepest self, truly with your soul.

Though it doesn’t sound like much, the more you allow yourself the time to connect within, the more that energy will transform the rest of your life. Your relationships, your conversations, your career are all fed by what you bring to the table. By keeping your inspiration well full, you invite that energy of transformation into the rest of your life.

So move toward what you love. Try something new. Ask others what they are passionate about. Shift the conversation from the mundane to the passionate, and observe transformation.

Murad Partners with City of Hope to Raise Funds for Women’s Cancers Programs

In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we are proud to announce that Murad is joining forces with City of Hope for the fourth consecutive year to raise funds and awareness for women’s cancers programs.

City of Hope is a leading research and treatment center for cancer, diabetes and other life-threatening diseases. For over 100 years, City of Hope has helped patients and their families manage and conquer challenging diseases. Ranked as one of “America’s Best Hospitals” in cancer by U.S. News & World Report, City of Hope’s groundbreaking research and treatment protocols are making a difference worldwide. Four of the nation’s top-selling cancer drugs, including Herceptin—which is used to treat breast cancer—are based on technology pioneered by City of Hope.

Hope is a gift, and you can help make a difference.

To provide special focus for this effort, each year we create a limited edition gift set, called Hydrate for Hope. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of these sets is donated to City of Hope. Since Murad began working with City of Hope in 2011 we have donated over $200,000 from the sale of our Hydrate for Hope sets support City of Hope’s breast and women’s cancers research, treatment and education programs.

Our 2014 Hydrate for Hope set features our bestselling Hydro-Dynamic Ultimate Moisture, a super-rich and deeply hydrating moisturizer that restores youthful resiliency and tone paired with a limited edition pink cosmetic bag.  The bag features accent panels and a liner printed with details from one of Dr. Murad’s original works of art. Hydrate for Hope retails for $49.50 (a $65 value) and Murad will donate 10% from sales to retailers of these sets to support City of Hope.

The 2014 Hydrate for Hope set is now available at Murad.com, at The Murad Inclusive Health Spa and leading spas and salons. Also, during the month of October, the Murad Inclusive Health Spa will donate 10% from sales of the Hydrolyte Moisture Infusion Facial to City of Hope.

Your skin loves moisture and your heart loves a good deed! Your purchase will help support City of Hope’s innovative treatments that save lives all over the world. Hope begins with you, and we hope you will join us in supporting this worthy cause.

To purchase the Hydrate for Hope set, click here.

7 Ideas for Infusing Mindfulness into Your Everyday Life

Mindfulness was the theme on the blog this month, and as we wrap up September, we want to give you a few reminders about how you can practice being more mindful in your everyday life. Something as simple as washing your face or doing the dishes can become an exercise in mindfulness.

Here are 7 examples of how you can use everyday experiences as opportunities to practice being mindful and more connected to the present moment.

1. Eat mindfully. So many of us have become out of touch with this—one of life’s most simple and wonderful pleasures. When you sit down to eat, turn off all distractions and focus on your immediate experience. Look at your food, take notice of the scent. Chew slowly. Try not to rush; instead be fully present in the moment, savoring the tastes and textures of your meal. For more on this, check out our post “Food for Thought: Mindful Eating.”

2. Practice mindful listening. Often, when we listen to another person talking, only part of our mind is listening. The other part is thinking about how we are going to respond or what we’re going to do next. Instead, practice really listening to what the other person is saying. Make a true connection. The best part about this exercise is that you are giving a gift to the other person—the gift of your full attention.

3. Shower or bathe mindfully. Surrender to allowing yourself to wash your body or face with appreciation and love. Notice the feeling of the warm water running over your body. Draw your attention to the sensation of your fingers on your skin as you wash your face. Inhale the scent of your cleanser. Visualize the water washing away worries, negative feelings, and tensions in your body.

4. Practice mindful waiting.  We typically view “waiting” as a waste of time, but it’s actually an opportunity for you to pause, observe, and be mindful. The next time you’re standing in line at the bank or sitting in the waiting room at your doctor’s office, use that time to be mindful. Without judging, observe how you are feeling in your body. Do you feel tense and impatient? Excited? Bored? Relax your shoulders, breathe, and calm your mind. Realize that you have to be there waiting anyway, so why bother getting anxious or annoyed about it.

5. Spend 5 minutes each day doing nothing. Just sit in silence. Become aware of your thoughts. Focus on your breathing. Notice the world around you. Become comfortable with the silence and stillness.

6. Focus on the present. Become more aware of your thinking. Are you constantly worrying about the future? Learn to recognize when you’re doing this, and then practice bringing yourself back to the present. Just focus on what you’re doing right now and try to enjoy the present moment. This becomes easier with practice.

7. Mindful chores. For many of us, housework takes up a good portion of our time. Instead of thinking of these tasks as chores, use the opportunity to practice mindfulness. The next time you have to prepare dinner or do the laundry, focus all of your awareness on the task at hand. Aim to be fully engaged in what you are doing as opposed to caught up in mind chatter or just rushing to get it over with.

By living life more mindfully on a daily basis, we become more in tune with the moment, with ourselves, and even with the world around us—which helps all of us live #BetterEveryDay.

How to Treat and Minimize the Appearance of Pores

Pores are tiny hair follicles in our skin and we all have millions of them. Some people have large pores genetically, but many people have large pores because they get clogged with dirt and oil, or because of environmental damage. Dr. Murad has some excellent skin care advice on how to treat and minimize the appearance of pores, including what ingredients are the most effective. He also explains how overall healthy, hydrated skin can help pores to look as small and clear as possible.

Murad offers a whole line of Pore Reform skin care products that help banish blackheads and clear clogged pores.

We’re thrilled that our Pore Reform Starter Kit is the winner of the 2014 FITNESS Magazine Beauty Awards for Best Pore Minimizer!

Go here for more information on our Pore Reform products.

 

How to Reduce the Appearance of Dark Eye Circles

If you’ve got dark circles under your eyes, it doesn’t necessarily mean you’re short on sleep. Your diet, stress, genetics or environmental pollutants may be to blame. And while you can’t totally prevent dark under-eye circles, you CAN reduce the appearance of them. Dr. Murad explains your best treatment options.

Murad has several bestselling products that target dark eye circles. Our eye creams minimize the appearance of dark circles, diminish puffiness and crow’s feet, while restoring firmness. Click here for more information.

What to Do About Acne Spots & Scarring

Treating acne is easier now than ever before thanks to the many effective products that are available without a prescription. But what about acne scarring and post-acne hyperpigmentation? There are many ways to address the evidence of acne that remains after the blemishes have healed. Dr. Murad explains what types of ingredients and treatments, at home and in the dermatologists office, work best to diminish acne dark spots and scarring.

One of the most effective ways to treat post-acne discoloration is our bestselling Post-Acne Lightening Gel.  It’s powered by contains hydroquinone which is the gold standard for resolving post-acne spots and other unwanted pigmentation. You can find out more about this product here.