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The Best Way To Prevent Spinal Cord Injuries

Many people are diagnosed with spinal cord injuries yearly. This is usually caused by accidents involving vehicles, gunshots, heavy falls and even certain kinds of diseases such as polio or ataxia.

These causes are the ones that could be inevitable since all people are prone to it no matter what they do.

But, there are things that could be done in order to prevent spinal cord injuries. One of which is through regular exercise.

Experts say that if people were into regular exercise, their spinal cords would be stronger to endure impacts and are more immune when it comes to fighting certain diseases.

Of course, this strength could only be achieved if the person puts enough much effort in keeping the body healthy and fit.

Regular exercise is the key

To be able to achieve successful long-term fitness and health goals, a fitness center should be able to provide people with a safe, clean, and well maintained environment for them to be encouraged to keep on working out.

Since the person will be staying inside the fitness center during your work out, it is a must that he or she feels comfortable with its facilities as well as with its staff. It must also provide the customer the convenience needed to be encouraged in doing exercises and workout everyday.

The following are some of the things that people should look out for in a fitness center that could encourage them to maintain daily exercises, which in the long run, will help them prevent spinal cord injuries:

- The location. This should be the major consideration when choosing for a fitness center. This is very important because it can provide the convenience the person needs every time he or she feels like working out.

The location of the fitness center is quite important because it fuels the drive of the person in going to the center. The most ideal location of the fitness center—especially for those who are prone to spinal cord injuries—is near the home or in the workplace.

When the fitness center is nearby, people will be encouraged to drop by thinking they will not have to worry about going home or to the office late because the center is just within the area.

- Affordability of monthly fee or membership fee. In choosing a fitness center, make sure that you enroll in those that offer fees that would suit your budget.

Don’t opt for fitness centers that are charge high prices because you can never be sure if they offer the services and facilities that would suit your needs. It is always best to choose a fitness center that offer lower charges for trials, if you are not satisfied with it, you can always look for another one.

- Offers flexible schedule. If you have decided to do your work outs in a fitness center, choose for those that offer services that can suit your schedule. This will ensure that you can work out because the place is open for you.

- Quality of facilities and equipment. For people who want to spinal cord injuries, it is a must that they choose fitness centers that will meet your requirements when it comes to facilities in order for you to enjoy your stay inside the center.

Before finally signing up for the fitness center, it is a must that you visit the condition of the facilities and equipment so you'll have an idea if these worth the fee that you have paid for.

2 Basic Tips To Prevent Spinal Cord Injuries

Studies show that there are about 500,000 people in the United States, alone, are suffering from Spinal Cord Injuries or SCI.

The people who are usually involved are those within the age bracket of 16 to 30 years old. Experts say that in this age bracket, there is 82 percent of males who are greatly affected and women take the rest.

In both genders, it is said that the most common causes include vehicular accidents, heavy falls and wounds brought by gunshots.

Among men, the leading causes of spinal cord injuries include driving and sports related accidents while in women, the leading causes are in the form of heavy falls as well as medical or surgical complications.

If spinal cord injuries are not diagnosed and treated the earliest possible time, there's a great chance for it to develop into "transverse myelitis".

This is among the rarest neurological disorders there are which is usually caused by an inflamed spinal cord. In the US alone, 400 to 1,500 people are affected annually. Experts say that this disorder should be carefully monitored and treated because if not, it can paralyze a person for life.

Prevention is the key

Experts say that in any condition or illness, prevention is the best and the cheapest key. To be able to avoid this, the first thing that one needs to know is the familiarizing him or herself about the leading causes of SCI and how to prevent these at all times.

Studies show that the leading causes of spinal cord injuries are vehicular accidents, heavy falls, and sports related activities.

Here are two of the tips in each respective cause that can help you prevent acquiring the disorder:

1. Vehicular accidents. Studies show that auto or car accidents is the major cause of SCI and greatly affects people—especially male—below 65 years of age. To avoid car accidents, drivers should always:

- wear a safety belt as well as all the passengers inside to minimize the impact of pressure in case there's an accident;

- adhere to child safety practices especially is there are infants or young children inside the car;

- ask children 12 and below to be in the back seat with their seatbelts fastened properly;

- follow road rule and obey the appropriate speed limits all the time;

- be clear-headed—without the influence of drugs or alcohol—when driving so as not to cause accidents to his or herself as well as to others.

2. Falling inside the house. For people who are 65 and above and for women in general, falling—especially inside the house—is the number one cause of spinal cord injuries. To avoid this at home or in the office, make sure that the:

- walkways are clear and free of any debris such as electrical cords that can cause tripping;

- floors are clean especially to greases, water spills and other liquids so nobody would slip;

- rugs are non-skid to lessen the possibilities of slipping;

- handrails are properly installed in stairways as well as in areas that may be wet such as in bathrooms;

- areas where people usually stay at such as living areas are well lighted;

Through the years, there have been so many developments and advances when it comes to diagnosis, treatments, and rehabilitation of people with SCI.

These advances which include surgery, rehabilitation therapies, drug treatments, stem cells, nerve cell transplantation, and nerve regeneration, help SCI patients to be able to survive and manage all the pain and inconvenience brought by the condition.


But, up until this time, no cure for SCI has been discovered. With this case at hand, people are advised to do everything they can to prevent having spinal cord injuries.

5 Things To Never Take On An Empty Stomach

There is a familiar adage that our dietary patterns characterize our character for example for getting healthy, the kind of food you eat is everything.

A similar way, what you do previously or in the wake of eating likewise profoundly affects well being. Here is the rundown of things that you ought not do on void stomach.

1. Chewing gum nourishment 

By eating or biting gum, stomach related corrosive fluid is delivered, which disposes of the covering of the counter stomach. Albeit expending a lot of biting gum expands the danger of stomach issues.

2.  Drinking espresso 

By drinking espresso on void stomach, the generation of corrosive in the stomach rises, improving the probability of consuming sensation in the stomach and other stomach related issues.

Not eating in the wake of drinking espresso diminishes the generation of cheerful hormones called serotonin in the body, which causes us to feel peevish throughout the day.

3. Intake of mitigating 

Ibuprofen, paracetamol and other non-steroidal medications ought not be expended on void stomach. Its impact is diminished and will transform into a negative impact on well being. There might be issues like gastric seeping because of this.

4. Alcohol utilization 

Drinking liquor prompts a quick speeding up in the stomach area and its aftereffect additionally goes on for quite a while, it badly affects our liver, kidney and heart.

5. Going to rest 

You won't get a decent rest because of yearning and it brings down glucose levels in the body bringing about rest inadequacy.

Absence of rest expands the generation of yearning hormones. This is the explanation we eat more the following day on the off chance that we skip supper the most recent night.



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4 Benefits Of Sports To Mental Health

We definitely realize that sports has basic advantages for our physical well-being. 
In any case, there's all the more uplifting news. As of late, there has been additional discovery that game support can decidedly influence our psychological well-being. 
Below are some of the benefits of sports in our mental health:

1. Sports improve your state of mind

Need an eruption of satisfaction and unwinding? Engage in a physical movement.

Regardless of whether you are playing sports, working out at a rec center, or going for an energetic stroll, physical movement triggers mind synthetic substances that cause you to feel more joyful and increasingly loose. 
Group activities specifically give an opportunity to loosen up and take part in a fantastic test that improves your wellness.

They likewise give social advantages by permitting you to interface with partners and companions in a recreational setting.

2. Sports support your self-assurance

Image result for self confidence

The normal exercise that accompanies playing sports can support your certainty and improve your confidence. As your quality, abilities, and stamina increment through playing sports, your mental self view will improve also. 
With the restored power and vitality that originates from physical movement, you might be bound to prevail in undertakings off the playing field just as on it.


3Sports help you maintain a healthy weight

Customary physical action is significant for acceptable well-being, and it's particularly significant in case you're attempting to get more fit or to keep up a sound weight. 
When getting in shape, progressively physical movement expands the quantity of calories your body utilizes for vitality or "consumes off." The consuming physical action, joined with lessening the quantity of calories you eat, makes a "calorie shortfall" that outcomes in weight reduction.

Most weight reduction happens in view of diminished caloric admission. Be that as it may, proof demonstrates the best way to keep up weight reduction is to be occupied with standard physical movement. 
In particular, physical action diminishes dangers of cardiovascular infection and diabetes past that delivered by weight decrease alone.

4.Sports improve your fixation

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Normal physical movement helps keep your key mental abilities sharp as you age. This incorporates basic reasoning, learning, and utilizing decision making ability. 
Some research result demonstrated that doing a blend of oxygen consuming and muscle-reinforcing exercises is particularly useful.

Partaking right now action three to five times each week for in any event 30 minutes can give these psychological wellness benefits.
In a nutshell, at the point when you are truly dynamic, your psyche is diverted from day by day stress. This can assist you with abstaining from getting hindered by negative musings. 
Exercise decreases the degrees of stress hormones in your body. Simultaneously, it animates generation of endorphins. These are common temperament lifters that can keep pressure and misery under control.

Have a nice day.
Source: https://www.sportsblog.cf/2020/02/benefits-of-sports-for-good-mental.html

Ideas About Prenatal Vitamin Supplements

Prenatal vitamin supplements are vitamin supplements that a woman can take on a daily basis to ensure that she is obtaining appropriate quantities of essential nutrients during pregnancy.

It is important for a woman to discuss with her medical practitioner which prenatal supplements, if any, she should take and which she should avoid.

It is essential that all prenatal vitamin supplements are only taken under the advisement of a medical professional. There are some prenatal vitamin supplements that can prove dangerous for a pregnant woman to take and she has to be especially cautious.

The most important point to consider when deciding which prenatal vitamin supplements to take is which one contains certain nutrients that are beneficial to the woman and her developing baby.

The majority of adults do not need additional vitamins as they receive sufficient from a balanced diet but a pregnant woman often needs prenatal vitamin supplements, especially for folic acid and iron.

However, it is essential that she ensures that the prenatal vitamin supplements that she takes to provide one particular nutrient do not contain potentially harmful amounts of another.

One of the most toxic types of prenatal vitamin that a pregnant woman has to be extremely cautious of is vitamin A. For this reason the most suitable prenatal vitamins for pregnant women who require extra vitamin A are those which contain vitamin A in the form of beta-carotene.

Beta-carotene is a nutrient that is found in fruits and vegetables and is converted into vitamin A in the body. Prenatal vitamin supplements that contain vitamin A from animal products can cause birth defects when taken in high doses during pregnancy but beta-carotene is a much safer prenatal vitamin as it is not toxic in high doses.

It is essential that a woman discusses prenatal vitamin supplements with her health practitioner at her first prenatal check-up. They can examine her current dietary requirements and assess whether prenatal vitamin supplements are necessary to increase the amount of nutrients that she has available for her baby.

Often a doctor will recommend that a pregnant woman takes a course of a folic acid vitamin supplement during the first trimester of her pregnancy. Folic acid is the most commonly prescribed prenatal supplement for the months prior to becoming pregnant as well and it is essential for the health and growth of the baby, especially the brain functions.

Iron is another prenatal vitamin supplement that is recommended to prevent the mother suffering from anaemia due to the demands that the baby puts on her iron consumption.

Here Are Various Sources Of Natural Vitamins

There are a lot of people who do not have enough natural vitamin sources in their diet and therefore suffer from a deficiency of one or more vitamins.

Obviously, it is possible to buy vitamin supplements to help overcome any deficiencies but for the majority of people it should be possible for them to obtain the majority of their recommended daily allowance of vitamins from natural vitamin sources.

The key to gaining the correct amount of vitamins from natural vitamin sources is to eat a healthy and balanced diet.

There are certain diets, such as vegetarian, that provide a limited number of natural vitamin supplements and therefore a supplement may be necessary.

Also, the intake required of these natural vitamin sources at certain periods may need to be increased and a supplement may be the best option.

It is important to be aware of each of the different types of vitamins and their best natural vitamin sources so that a person can incorporate as many of these as possible into their regular diet.

Water soluble vitamins cannot be stored in the body and need to be replenished on a daily basis so it is natural vitamin sources for these vitamins that are the most essential to know.

•    Natural vitamin B1 sources are brewer’s yeast, whole grains, blackstrap molasses, brown rice, organ meats, egg yolk

•    Natural vitamin B2 sources are brewer’s yeast, whole grains, legumes, nuts, organ meats, blackstrap molasses

•    Natural vitamin B3 sources are lean meats, poultry & fish, brewer’s yeast, peanuts, milk, rice bran, potatoes

•    Natural vitamin B4 sources are egg yolks, organ meats, brewer’s yeast, wheat germ, soybeans, fish, legumes

•    Natural vitamin B5 sources are organ meats, egg yolks, legumes, whole grains, wheat germ, salmon, brewer’s yeast

•    Natural vitamin B6 sources are meats, whole grains, organ meats brewer’s yeast, blackstrap molasses, wheat germ

•    Natural vitamin B7 sources are egg yolks, liver, unpolished rice, brewer’s yeast, sardines, legumes, whole grains

•    Natural vitamin B8 sources are who1e grains, citrus fruits, molasses, meat, milk, nuts, vegetables, brewer’s yeast

•    Natural vitamin B9 sources are dark-green leafy vegetables, organ meats, root vegetables, oysters, salmon, milk

•    Natural vitamin B12 sources are organ meats, fish, pork, eggs, cheese, milk, lamb, bananas, kelp, peanuts

•    Natural vitamin B13 sources are root vegetables, liquid whey

•    Natural vitamin B15 sources are brewer’s yeast, rare steaks, brown rice, sunflower, pumpkin & sesame seeds

•    Natural vitamin B17 sources are whole kernels of apricots, apples, cherries, peaches, plums

•    Natural vitamin C sources are citrus, cabbage family, chilli peppers, berries, melons, asparagus, rose hips

19 Helpful Cooking Tips

1. Never over mix muffins and quick breads. Fold dough with large spoon until flour is barely mixed and dough is lumpy.

2. Sprinkle your cutting board with salt before chopping fresh herbs. It will keep them on the cutting board.

3. Store sharp knives in a knife block – or stick wine corks on their tips before placing in drawers.

4. If you need to finely chop bacon, put it in the freezer for 20 min. This will make it easy to chop without being stringy.

 5. To test if your oil is hot enough for frying, use a thermometer or stick the end of a wooden spoon in the oil. (Bubbles=ready!)
  
6. Always let meat “rest” for at least 10 minutes when you take it out of crockpot, pan or oven. It will cut much more easily.
 
7. Get to know parchment paper. Great for lining baking pans or preventing pastry from sticking to your roller.
  
8. When rising dough containing yeast, cover loosely with plastic wrap instead of the traditional tea towel.
  
9. Run out of baking powder? Combine 3/4 of a teaspoon of baking soda with 1 tablespoon of vinegar.
  
10. Never slice cake more than 15 minutes before serving. It will not taste fresh and may dry out.

11. Never open the oven door while cooking soufflé. And when you take your soufflé out of the oven, never bang the oven door.

12. For perfect Baked Alaska, make sure your cake is not warm and your ice-cream is the hard-brick type – not the creamy type.

13. Learn “base” recipes and then experiment by adding different seasonings or ingredients – basic sauces, muffins, cakes and bread.

14. Don’t just bring your butter to room temperature when preparing to bake: Do it to the eggs you’re planning to use also.

 15. Cool your cakes on a wire rack, upside down. (Place rack on cake; then flip over, holding both sides of pan and rack firmly.)

 16. Make ordinary cake, cookies or pancakes special by using heart-shaped Valentine’s Day pans.

 17. Make a Valentine’s Day trifle in a heart-shaped bowl (large or individual-sized) for extra visual impact.

18. When camping, fully prepare soups, stews and other one-dish items ahead of time. Just reheat while you’re in the woods.

19. There is no right or wrong cheese for a pizza. Go with what you like and what you have on hand.

Have a great week ahead.

How Yoga Helps With Diabetes

Diabetes in various forms affects up to 5percent of the world population with 12 million diabetics in Western Europe alone.

Of the different ways in which diabetes presents, noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) is probably the most commonly encountered genetic disease.

NIDDM or Type II diabetes is multifactorial, depending also on environmental factors including obesity, sedentary lifestyles and nutritional imbalances.

Yoga has shown some beneficial results in curing diabetes. The yoga exercises that are prescribed for curing diabetes is different from hatha yoga exercise because it involves positions tailored to treat certain conditions, as well as meditation, relaxation and stretching exercises.

One of the studies conducted to cure diabetes was the one set up by the Yoga Biomedical Trust, founded in 1982 by biochemist Dr Robin Monro, and an Indian yoga research foundation which discovered that practicing yoga for 30 minutes a day for one month helped reduce blood glucose levels in some diabetics.

The yoga patients took part in one or two 90-minute sessions a week and were asked to practice at home. The classes included the specific yoga exercises of the spinal twist, the bow and abdominal breathing.

At the end of the 12 weeks blood sugar levels fell significantly in all patients in the group and were slightly raised in a control group which had not joined in the yoga sessions.

Three yoga students managed to reduce their medication, including one man who had not changed his drug regime for 20 years.

It has been known for a long time that exercise is helpful for diabetics. Yoga therapy may help reduce stress levels which could play a part in maturity onset diabetes.

But one drawback is that some patients would find it hard to keep up the regular sessions needed to sustain the benefit.

All the patients said they would like to see these classes set up on a permanent basis but we don't have the money.

It is not necessarily the exercise component of the yoga therapy package which is most important, because there is not enough physical exercise to account for the changes, but stress reduction has a lot to do with it. Stress hormones increase sugar levels in the blood.

People also benefit from the stabilization of their moods which yoga brings, an increased feeling of well-being and a feeling of being more in control, which may help with their diet control.

Have a good day.

The Health Benefits Of Yoga Exercises

Yoga exercises strengthen your body and make it more flexible.

Yoga also calms your mind and gives you energy. In active sports or strenuous exercises, you use up energy.

In yoga classes, students report that they feel tranquil after a class, yet have more energy.

Slow and steady motion is the key to going into or coming out of the postures.

You hold a yoga pose for several seconds or even minutes and give attention to full, quiet breath.

Your yoga instructor will always encourage you to relax as the exercises are being done.

You gently place your body into yoga postures. Done correctly, there's very little chance of injury or muscle stress.

A particular exercise is not to repeated dozens of times, nor are you ever encouraged to push yourself too much.

A yoga session is designed for balance. You stretch to the right and then to the left. You bend back and then forward.

You learn to recognize when one side is stronger or more flexible than the other. Thus harmony and balance are achieved with yoga practice.

People of all ages can practice yoga exercises. They are easily modified to meet your needs and physical condition.

Don't be put off by the difficult looking postures you may see in a yoga book.

A yoga practice can be tailor-made just for you. If something is really impossible for you to do, just forget it.

 Never compete with yourself or others. Yoga is a stress-free but powerful way to exercise.

Yoga is good for increasing your flexibility and relieving stress, but it doesn't take the place of aerobic exercise.

You should still do regular, aerobic exercise, which increases your cardiovascular fitness, helps you lose weight, and, for people with non-insulin-dependent (type II) diabetes at least, improves blood glucose control.

Have a great weekend.

The Greatest Vitamin Sources

There is a lot of debate as to what the greatest vitamin actually is. Each vitamin has its own essential functions that contribute to a person’s general health and well-being. 

It is impossible to actually state that one of these is the greatest vitamin. However there are a number of foods that provide the greatest vitamin quantities.

The greatest vitamin sources vary for each vitamin. It is important to have a balanced diet to ensure that the required amounts of each vitamin are obtained.

However, it may be useful to list the greatest vitamin sources for each vitamin to be used as a guide.

* Greatest vitamin A sources are milk, eggs, butter, yellow fruits & vegetables, dark green fruits & vegetables, liver

* Greatest vitamin B1 sources are brewer’s yeast, whole grains, blackstrap molasses, brown rice, organ meats, egg yolk

* Greatest vitamin B2 sources are brewer’s yeast, whole grains, legumes, nuts, organ meats, blackstrap molasses

* Greatest vitamin B3 sources are lean meats, poultry & fish, brewer’s yeast, peanuts, milk, rice bran, potatoes

* Greatest vitamin B4 sources are egg yolks, organ meats, brewer’s yeast, wheat germ, soybeans, fish, legumes

* Greatest vitamin B5 sources are organ meats, egg yolks, legumes, whole grains, wheat germ, salmon, brewer’s yeast

* Greatest vitamin B6 sources are meats, whole grains, organ meats brewer’s yeast, blackstrap molasses, wheat germ

* Greatest vitamin B7 sources are egg yolks, liver, unpolished rice, brewer’s yeast, sardines, legumes, whole grains

* Greatest vitamin B8 sources are who1e grains, citrus fruits, molasses, meat, milk, nuts, vegetables, brewer’s yeast

* Greatest vitamin B9 sources are dark-green leafy vegetables, organ meats, root vegetables, oysters, salmon, milk

* Greatest vitamin B12 sources are organ meats, fish, pork, eggs, cheese, milk, lamb, bananas, kelp, peanuts

* Greatest vitamin B13 sources are root vegetables, liquid whey

* Greatest vitamin B15 sources are brewer’s yeast, rare steaks, brown rice, sunflower, pumpkin & sesame seeds

* Greatest vitamin B17 sources are whole kernels of apricots, apples, cherries, peaches, plums

* Greatest vitamin C sources are citrus, cabbage family, chilli peppers, berries, melons, asparagus, rose hips

* Greatest vitamin D sources are salmon, sardines, herring, milk, egg yolk, organ meats, sprouted seeds, sunflower seeds

* Greatest vitamin E sources are cold-pressed oils, eggs, wheat germ, organ meats, molasses, sweet potatoes, nuts

* Greatest vitamin F sources are vegetable oils, butter, sunflower seeds

* Greatest vitamin K sources are green leafy vegetables, egg yolks, safflower oil, blackstrap molasses, cauliflower

* Greatest vitamin Q sources are pinto beans, legumes, soybeans

* Greatest vitamin T sources are sesame seeds, raw seeds, butter, egg yolk

* Greatest vitamin V sources are raw cabbage, sauerkraut, leafy vegetables

Good Food Health Vitamin Intake

It is essential that a person is aware of what constitutes good food health vitamin intake.

The federal drug administration produces a recommended daily allowance for the majority of vitamins which it regards as a good food health vitamin intake.

These figures vary according to a person’s age, sex and some other factors so that the good food health vitamin intake for a young woman is going to be different to that of a man in his seventies.

The food health vitamin intake amounts of certain foods are included in the nutritional labeling.

This labeling is important for a person to consider and helps ensure that they are receiving the correct food health vitamin intake from the foods that they eat.

The nutritional information is often represented as a percentage of the recommended daily allowance of each vitamin and mineral and can help assess the value of the foods in the quest for good food health vitamin intake.

There are also a number of items that a person may want to restrict in their diet as part of their good food health vitamin intake. Again, the nutritional labelling of certain foods can help a person to see how high a product is in these undesirable contents.

Salt and fat, for example, may be items that a person wants to consider limiting as part of their good food health vitamin intake even though they are not strictly vitamins.

The majority of people actually refer to nutrients when they use the word vitamin and food manufacturers are aware that a person is looking at minerals and other items when they are considering their good food health vitamin intake.

Fiber is another element that many people are more aware of as forming an essential part of a balanced diet and is necessary for good food health vitamin intake.

If a person is on a restricted diet for any reason then they need to pay even more attention to their good food health vitamin intake.

Obviously, some foods contain different nutrients to others and this is applicable to vitamins as well and it may be more difficult for a person to achieve their good food health vitamin intake if they are unable to eat certain foods.

Vitamin supplements can form an essential part of a good food health vitamin intake for people who are unable to obtain their vitamins from their normal diet.

It is also worth remembering that the good food health vitamin intake for a person varies throughout their life depending on their general health.

The Origins Of Yoga

Today’s society is much faster paced that ever before.  People have more stress problems which lead to more health problems, mental and physical.

There are more concerns with toxicity in the food we eat and the air we breathe.

Millions of Americans today live a sedentary lifestyle, which is associated with obesity.

The body, the cavities of our soul, was not meant to deteriorate in such a way that leads to disease.

Yoga was developed over 5,000 years ago in India and it included spiritual beliefs, physical techniques, and scholarly philosophy. 

There is a growing trend to practicing Yoga for many different reasons, which include attaining the yoga body or physique, relaxation and peace of mind, or to prevent injury and ailments.

Americans mainly practice Hatha Yoga, which focuses on postures and stretching the body. 

Yoga, which is derived from the sacred Sanskrit language of India, meaning *union* or *to yoke or harness*.

Yoga is a way or path to transcendence and liberation from the self and the ego by purifying the mind and body.

Practicing yoga leads to a union with the mind and body or the individual and universal consciousness.

 In other words, yoga is the union with the Individual Self and the Universal Self.

Yoga predates all other religions and has influenced and inspired many other traditions and philosophies.

  Yoga is better understood as a union of the physical, physiological, mental, emotional, and intellectual bodies, which leads to a purposeful and balanced life. 

There is simply no other discipline quite like yoga because it utilized the body, mind and spirit, all in one practice.

Yoga is indeed a spiritual path that is based on ancient sacred philosophy, but one does not need to make an ethical decision when practicing yoga, rather finding your own path is wholly accepted.

The holistic benefits of yoga are suitable for the young or old, sick or well, with any religious background.  The secrets of yoga are inwardness, concentration, and purification of mind and body with cleansing thoughts and food.

Indian philosophy states that within man is the spirit that is the center of everything.  *Internal equilibrium is the basis and the ground for the higher illumination,* The cultural Heritage of India (Vol. I) - published by The Ramakrishna Mission Institute of Culture, Kolkata, India.

Have a great day.

Work And Life Balance With Yoga

After a surge of interest during the consciousness-conscious '60s, yoga began to fall out of favor.

Exercisers apparently lost patience with the activity, which offers slow but steady results, and turned to the fast pace and quick shape-up of aerobics.

Now yoga is back-less mystical than in the past, less reminiscent of gurus in pretzel positions, and more attractive than ever to people who are interested in working out rather than working toward some spiritual goal.

Once you step out of the metaphysical atmosphere, yoga is a great stretch and flexibility program.

Yoga is increasingly being used by those who are having a trouble in balancing their work and personal life.

A stressful working environment and a hectic schedule has a telling impact on the personal lives of the modern day executives and so they are turning to yoga to bring about a peace of their mind and to adopt a perfect work-life balance.

Also, many disgruntled runners, weight trainers and aerobic dancers complain that instead of reducing the stress in their lives, their exercise regimes add more.

People rush to work out every day at lunch, force themselves to keep up and then rushed back to work. Surely, it does something good for them, but it is just another pressure.

Yoga is less competitive, less stressful, and above all gives a wonderful feeling of being.

Indeed, the healing aspect of yoga is a key to its renewed popularity. The strained knees, aching backs and neck pains generated by the push for fitness and the stress of making it in a competitive world have inspired a packaged set of a book and audio cassettes.

Some orthopedic surgeons, chiropractors and neurologists are now referring patients to specific yogis during treatment.

Growing interest in the mind-body connection is fueling a major comeback of the ancient practice, boosted by research suggesting it can reduce stress and blood pressure, improve work performance, even slow effects of aging.

Several techniques are now being taught in mainstream hospitals and businesses; books about them are brisk sellers and discussion groups have sprung up on the Internet.

Even the Army is interested - it has asked the National Academy of Sciences to study meditation and other new age techniques that might enhance soldiers' performance.

Details differ, but a common theme is relaxing the body while keeping the mind alert and focused - on an object, sound, breath or body movement.

If the mind wanders - and it always does - you gently bring it back and start again

Stress-related problems account for 60percent to 90percent of U.S. doctor visits, and mind-body approaches often are more effective, and cost-effective, than drugs or surgery.

For example, 34percent of infertile patients get pregnant within six months, 70percent of insomniacs become regular sleepers and doctor visits for pain are reduced 36percent.

Yoga For Business People: Enhance Your Business Acumen

There are many of us who feel we are not as bright as we would like to be; or that we lack the will power a friend or a colleague seems to have.

What is not known widely - or taken with skepticism even when known - is that mental power can be enhanced by Yoga and meditation.

Don't worry if your allopathic doctors dismiss this claim, or worse, laugh at it in contempt.

Allopathic doctors tend to downplay such claims because allopathy has been brainwashed into a sort of negativism.

While the neuro-surgeon himself swears by the mantra which he recites every morning, believing it is instrumental in making divine energy flow through him, he feels that the beneficial effects of yoga on all professionals, particularly businessmen, have hardly been talked about.

Yoga or meditation is very beneficial to business executives because it makes decision-making much easier and quicker. It takes away vacillation and helps the brain to grasp the pros and cons quickly.

A surgeon needs to take a decision quickly on the operating table. Similarly, a businessman may not have more than five minutes to decide.

Supposing he has a dollar 1 million business deal where a decision has to be made in five minutes, he needs a brain which is stimulated and in a trim state. In this state, decision-making becomes easy and anxiety level goes down.

In such a state not only is the brain able to think clearly, but the other systems of the body which suffer due to stress or tensions, are also spared.

Enjoy your day.

The Case Of Infertility

Infertility is defined as the inability to conceive after one year of trying, or the inability to carry pregnancies to a live birth.

It affects one out of six couples of childbearing age in the United States today - at least ten million people.

And in a career-oriented area like Washington, where many couples postpone decisions about childbearing until professional goals have been met, the ration of one in six is probably on the conservative side. Yet it is rarely discussed, and understood even less.

For almost all couples the condition comes as a surprise. And no wonder. It seems as if the whole is on its guard against producing unwanted children.

Every day 19.9 million women in this country wake up and remind themselves to take the Pill. In China, a woman with more than three children is considered an enemy of the state.

In India, population experts fear the country may end up at century's close with four times as many people as it started with - up from 250 million in 1900 to one billion.

The huge nation has resorted to quickie vasectomies and cash rewards at commuter train stations. Two will do posters are everywhere.

Although infertility may affect people of all social classes, the childless poor usually have neither the time nor the money to undergo a lengthy series of tests - commonly called an infertility work-up - to determine the cause of the problem.

There may also be class differences in a person's willingness to endure many sacrifices so that a long-range goal can be realized. For these reasons, the inability to conceive and bear children seems to be a middle and upper middle-class problem.

The anguish of infertility will strike increasing numbers of couples in the next few years, however, as the children of the baby boom reach their late twenties and early thirties.

Many who till now have postponed marriage and childbearing for their careers will turn to both to round out their lives - and find child-bearing not possible.

The men, after years of enjoying what they consider a healthy sex drive, will be shocked to learn that their sperm are too few in number or perhaps not active enough to effect a conception.

The women may be given a finding of endometriosis, a condition in which parts of the uterine lining seed themselves in various places along the reproductive tract.

Unknown in cultures where women marry young, it is a common finding in American women past 30. Or the women may be part of the 10.9 million who took the Pill every day whether or not previous gynecological abnormalities should have warned the physician against a prescription.

A generation ago, before the current explosion in medical technology, many couples who could not produce children were told there was nothing wrong with them: either it was all in their heads or God's will.

There was also smirking ignorance on the public, the insinuation they weren't performing correctly in bed.

In fact, male impotence is the source of less than five per cent of the cases of male infertility, and the sources of impotence are extremely varied, from diabetes to perineal nerve injury to psychogenic causes.

Tips To Preventing Heart Attacks

Strict changes in diet and lifestyle can not only prevent heart attacks, but can reverse the clogging of the arteries, according to a small but pioneering study.

The study showed that a vegetarian diet, moderate exercise and an hour a day of yoga and meditation could produce a reversal of atherosclerosis, a blockage of the arteries that can lead to a heart attack, in men and women who were strict in following the daily regimen.

Experts say this is the first study to report that such blockage can be reversed without using cholesterol-lowering drugs or surgery.

The study, which was conducted by Dr. Dean Ornish, director of the Preventive Medicine Research Institute in Sausalito, Calif., was presented at the meeting of the American Heart Association in New Orleans. 

This is a tremendously important study in the control of heart disease. It's the very first study indicating regression of coronary heart disease without pharmaceutical intervention.

The results also suggest that the current medical guidelines for changes in the habits of people with severe heart disease do not go far enough.

Previous studies have shown that exercise and diet changes can slow the progression of heart disease, but not reverse it.

While the study did not determine what percentage of improvement could be attributed to the lifestyle changes alone, the researchers noted that stress-control methods have been shown to ease recovery from a variety of disorders, including hypertension.

But some experts are skeptical of the need for stress-management methods, which are not currently among standard recommendations for those with severe heart disease.

Some experts on cardiac rehabilitation question whether most people with heart disease could follow such strict changes in their habits.

Do You Have Insomnia ?

Sleep is an essential part of good health. A good night's sleep can help you feel good, look healthy, work effectively and think clearly.

But sleep is not always so easy to come by. If you sometimes have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep, you're not alone.

A 1991 Gallup study found that more than one-third of all Americans suffer occasional or chronic insomnia.

People often are surprised to learn that daytime drowsiness is not an inevitable, harmless byproduct of modern life, but rather a key sign of a sleep problem that could be disastrous if not treated.

Recent figures show that nearly a quarter of the population regularly cannot go to, or remain asleep, and every year doctors write out more than 14 million prescriptions for sleeping tablets.

The causes of sleeplessness are many and varied. 'It can be due to a medical condition, such as chronic pain from rheumatism or arthritis,' says Professor Jim Horne, who runs the Sleep Research Laboratory at Loughborough University.

 'Or it can be chemical, as a result of drinking tea, coffee or alcohol.

Chronic or long-term insomnia is often associated with depression or anxiety, and environmental factors certainly contribute.'

And sleepless nights, staring wild-eyed into the darkness, are worse than bad dreams,

For too many people--an estimated 9-12 percent of the American population--a good night's sleep is an elusive goal.

The consequences of fatigue from chronic sleeplessness include accidents in the car and at work, a dramatically increased risk of major depression, and worsening physical illness.

Immediate relief is available, in the form of hypnotic agents, for persons who have difficulty in falling or remaining asleep or who cannot obtain restful, restorative slumber.

However, long-term improvement usually involves behavioral therapy.

These therapeutic approaches must be integrated if the patient's short- and long-term needs are to be addressed.

Have a nice day.

What is Yoga

Yoga, which means discipline, was developed in the year 300 by an Indian Hindu named Patanjali. Its purpose is to stretch the muscles, strengthen the body and increase concentration. It can also help you relax, if you have trouble doing that.

No wonder this ancient discipline has become popular among modern entertainers and athletes. Depending on who practices it, yoga can be simply a set of exercises or a total way of life.

Some who practice yoga, called yogis, try to use the discipline to reach a high level of consciousness. They respect certain abstentions (things not to do), such as not lying, stealing, being greedy or harming other people. They also practice certain observances (things to do), such as being clean, content, self-controlled, studious and devoted.

Physical control is also important in yoga. Yogis train themselves to take full, deep breaths. They consider breathing a life force, counting a lifespan not in years but in the number of breaths taken.

Unlike exercises that work only on strength, yoga also helps the body become flexible. As a result, some yoga exercises (called asanas) look a little strange, and you may think you need to be a human pretzel to do them. Not so. You just have to relax.

In yoga, you ease into stretches, never forcing yourself. The saying no pain--no gain simply does not apply. You do only the best you can at the moment, and at some later moment you will do more.

All yoga poses demand balance. And since you can't balance if you're thinking about last night's TV show, yoga also demands concentration. Learn to concentrate in yoga, and you will be better able to concentrate in baseball, tennis or even school.

Yoga exercises copy nature. Many yoga poses can be traced to the shapes of creatures, such as the cobra, cat, dog, tortoise, crab and eagle.

In the cobra pose, for example, you ask yourself, What would it feel like to be a cobra. You lie on your stomach with your forehead to the floor. As you inhale, you slowly roll your head back, supporting yourself with your hands. You hold that pose, then come down slowly, trying to move as a snake would move.

All yoga exercises promote strength and calmness. Each move's effects on a muscle, a gland or a nerve center are carefully thought out.

You can choose certain exercises to rid yourself of particular pains, such as back pain from back-packing or leg pain from jogging. Yoga can help condition you for skiing or help you control feelings of depression or fear.

Any good book on yoga will describe various asanas and tell how each works. You may even have done yoga exercises already. Ever done a handstand, or the wheel. Many exercise programs borrow from yoga.

6 Fast Weight Loss Techniques

Other than physical appearance weight affects a person in many ways. This could be the overall quality of life, self-esteem, depression, health risks, and physical in-capabilities.

There are a lot of positive changes once a person experience weight loss.  It is for this reason why a lot of people are searching for a weight loss technique that will surely trim down those fats and get a super slim head turner body.

The first thing that an over-weight should do is seek a doctor to recommend the best weight loss regimen.

This will be done after a full physical examination, which leads to the determination of proper weight loss technique.

And to lose weight fast and effectively four aspects of life should be changed: what to eat, how to eat, behavior and activity level.

Here are fast tips that can change an over-weight's life:

1. Fast weight loss composes of a multi-faceted technique that consists mindset, exercise, and in other cases, diet supplements.

Begin by learning a diet food plan that can easily be accustomed with.  Incorporate an exercise plan that allows even at least fifteen minutes a day like brisk walking, running, swimming, and dancing.

2. Set realistic approaches.  The ability to focus and have proper mindset enables someone on a diet to quickly lose those extra pounds. With discipline and proper mind set, a dieter will never be discouraged and lose focus.

3. Listen as the body speaks.  Each and everyone's body metabolism reacts differently to different fast weight loss programs and plans.  Try substituting one program for another to compensate the body's reaction.

 Exercise program must be suitable to one's body, as others are not able to exercise as rigorously as others can.  If walking is all that can be done, then walk for this is proven the best exercise. 

Muscles burn more calories than fats so it's also best to put on a little muscle and looking good too.

4. Eat more fibers for it makes a person full sooner and stays in the tummy longer, slowing down the rate of digestion.

A single serving of whole grain bread moves fat through the digestive system faster.  Grains turn into blood sugar that spikes the body's insulin level.

 Thus, making the body more energized and ready to tell the body when it should stop burning fats or start storing.

5. Keep away from fried foods especially deep-fried as this contains a great amount of fat.

Although fish and chicken appear leaner than beef, this white meat can contain more fat than when a beef is fried.

It is recommended for those on strict diet to opt for grilled food as this does not have or contain less amount of fat after the food is cooked.

6. Takes lots of fluid.  Drinking at least six to eight glasses of water a day keeps the body refreshed.  Since weight loss depends on how the body eliminates body wastes, the body must stay hydrated.

All in all, discipline and consistency is still the best practice and the key to a rapid weight loss success.

 Light dieting, workout, and right amount of supplementation applied in a regular way everyday will result in faster weight loss than having a massive action only to be followed a return to old habits as this would only lead to gaining more weight than when the weight loss plan has started.

Have a good time.