Lifestyle and Fitness

Introducing the Hatha Yoga Way

noreply@blogger.com (admin1) — Wed, 13 Jul 2016 17:18:00 +0000

The Hatha Yoga Way It is that, but it is also much more. Hatha yoga practices are more spiritual than physical, more subtle than gross, more a means of understanding than an exotic way to relieve stress or limber up the body.

The sages who developed hatha yoga designed it as a way to gain conscious control of our life energies, a way to go within, to harmonize the external so the innermost Self could be encountered. To them, it was about states of consciousness, about living a divine life, and it was a preparation for meditation.

As you perform the asanas, concentrate on feeling the energies within the nerve currents. Sensitize yourself to knowing when the body has been in each position long enough to tune the nerve currents involved. Then shift smoothly into the next asana. It's like a dance, a deliberate, fluid dance.

During all postures, inhale using the diaphragm, not the chest muscles. Do not stretch unduly or force the body. Relax into the poses. Don't worry if you can't perform them all perfectly. In time, you will find the body becoming more flexible and supple. Free the mind of thoughts and tensions. You will be more aware, more alive, more serene.

While there are many more complex hatha yoga routines, these twenty-four asanas provide a balanced system for daily use. For the simple purpose of quieting the mind in preparation for meditation, this is all you will ever need.

For best results, hatha yoga should be taught personally by a qualified teacher. These instructions are meant only as a rudimentary aid. For more elaborate regimens, inquire at a recognized school specializing in hatha yoga.

The scene of hatha yoga has a spiritual purpose - to balance physical and physic energies in preparation for meditation. It is not only meant to make us young, beautiful or creative, but to aid us in quieting the mind, body and emotions that we may awaken enlightened consciousness & know the Self within.

By Ann Marier - Source: Free Articles

Make Sure You Pick the Right Yoga Class

noreply@blogger.com (admin1) — Mon, 11 Jul 2016 20:32:00 +0000

Regardless of the type of yoga you choose to do, make sure you find a class with an instructor who knows how you are doing, physically and mentally. If you want to get the most of the class, for your mind and body, you must pick an instructor who asks you, before you start the class, how you are, physically and mentally. Once that information is known, you can safely move into the wonder of yoga.

By LeeAnn Simons

Congratulations! You are starting off the New Year by increasing your activity! You are walking, or jogging, or you joined a class at the local Y. Whatever it is, you have taken the first step to improving your fitness.

Now you are considering working on becoming more flexible. You read somewhere that, to have a "total fitness program," you need to include not only increased activity, but also flexibility and strength.

Good luck. I'm almost 53 years old, and I am not sure I'll ever get all three parts down. But I am a walker and my goal is to walk 4-5 times a week for 45 minutes. Many times I take several short walks, but the total is 45 minutes, so most times I meet my goal. I have also been working on my flexibility for many years by doing yoga. Many yoga poses involve holding this 144-pound body in a headstand, or handstand, and that takes strength. So maybe I won't need to buy weights to keep my bones strong!

Let me tell you a bit about doing yoga, because, as a big fan, I wish everyone could take time to do it. Yoga helps you feel good in your body, no matter what shape you think you are in-and that's what I love about it. Whether I feel too fat from overeating, or I'm feeling energetic because it's...a good day, ten minutes of yoga makes me feel even better. Maybe it's the idea that I have made time to take care of myself, I don't know. Whether you have ten minutes or an hour, you can always find some type of pose (or series of poses) to fit the way you are feeling. You will always feel better, physically and psychologically.

There are many styles of yoga, including Ashtanga yoga, a fast moving, intense practice; power yoga, a Westernized form of Asthanga; and another form known as "hot yoga" where you practice in a heated room (make sure to drink LOTS of water).

The style I practice is called Iyengar yoga, based on the teachings of B.K.S Iyengar. It has been referred to as "props" yoga, because it involves the use of blocks, belts and other objects to aid in learning the poses (also called "asanas"). Once I went to another yoga-style class. After the class, I had a conversation with the instructor about Iyengar yoga. I have a distinct memory of him saying "yes, that is the yoga for people who have hurt themselves and need to start over again, slowly"." I was so angry I would have kicked him! (Since I'd injured my back, though, I couldn't.)

I complained to my instructor about this comment, and she smiled. It's important that you simply start doing yoga, she said, not what style you choose. Very Zen, don't you think? But she's right. The important thing is for people to just get started.

There is one essential piece of advice I'd like to offer anyone interested in learning yoga, regardless of the style you choose. You must make sure you have a qualified instructor. While there are many people out there who may be considered qualified, not all of them should be teaching classes.

Here is one way to tell: at the beginning of your class, if the instructor does not ask "Is there anyone here with a particular health issue I should know about?"-get up and leave. A misconception about yoga is that you simply sit, breathe deeply, and learn small stretches. Learning how to breathe correctly is essential, it aids in concentration and movement through the asanas. However, many yoga poses involve deep stretching and lots of strength (to stay in those poses). Suppose you walk into class with an injury (perhaps you strained your neck in the middle of the night, or pulled a back muscle getting out of bed). If your instructor isn't aware of this at the beginning of class, by the end of class you may be in more pain than when you started.

By all means, pick a yoga class you like-that's the most important part in getting started. Just remember to make sure your instructor knows what going on in your body (and your mind) before you start the class.

If you would like more information on becoming At Peace With Food™, as well as access to interesting articles and links to nutritional resource websites, visit http://www.AtPeaceWithFood.com/freetips.html

www.BandhaYoga.com

Learn Yoga For A Better Lifestyle

noreply@blogger.com (admin1) — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 07:02:00 +0000

Photo credit: Hotel Borgo Villa Castelletti

Not many people know, but Yoga is a 3 thousand year old tradition, from it's homeland of India. It goes back to the Sanskrit term known as "yuj" which means to join, yoke, bind and attach. It simply means that you focus your mind and body to connect yourself to God.

Furthermore, it is about balance of mind, emotions and soul by disciplining yourself. After you Learn Yoga, you can acquire a more positive and fulfilled view in your mind.

Someone that makes use of yoga is named as a "yogi" Please find below some good strategies in ways to learn yoga:

You can begin to learn yoga by reading resources, which are designed specially for new comers, (good books can be found on the link below).

If you are a student, you can always go to the most accessible library in the school. Also a variety of books can be found, from a book shop or found online.

You will need to comprehend all exercises and postures before you actually go to try them, this way you'll know you can Learn Yoga the right way before execution.

Another option is to attend a yoga class. Once you have learned the basics about yoga through the book, you can then be confident to join a yoga class.

It is fun, intriguing and you will be able to share associate and share with other like minded people.

Classes of Yoga can usually be found online for your local area, then again you can ask your friends and find out that way if they know anyone that teaches yoga.

Or you could simply learn yoga from home, the most popular choice. Firstly of all you need to get yourself a yoga mat, place it in the center of your room.

Clean and clear the room from clutter, so that you will have a healing and harmonious energy coming in. If you want it simple, you can make use of plants for added serenity, even as far as a water fountain to keep the ambience required.

Once you start keep on practising. It is expected that when you're a beginner, it's important to take you time, it's the absolute essence of yoga.

Generally, it will take you a short while before you can implement proper yoga successfully to achieve peace of mind, both body and soul.

Just do what you can and practice regularly, and you can be certain to achieve your yoga goals

Once you learn yoga, there are many different variations of it to try: Vinyasa yoga, bhakti yoga, jnana yoga, karma yoga, kundalini yoga and karma yoga.

As time passes by, your skills in yoga will grow and will surely enjoy it with positive thoughts and peaceful mind.

About the Author: Isabelle Scott - If you would like to learn much more in ways to Learn Yoga then visit our home page here My-Yoga-Meditation.com.

Understanding Holistic Health

noreply@blogger.com (admin1) — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 10:59:00 +0000

Photo Credit: Go Interactive Wellness

By Colleen Palat

Every thought and emotion affects your health. A holistic health approach encompasses treating the whole person: the body, mind, emotions and spirit. Traditional cultures have known for thousands of years that these aspects are intimately connected. Every food we eat, every thought we entertain, every emotion we feel and every interaction we experience impacts overall health.

Many blame their health problems on genetics, a virus, toxins in the air, and stress. While these factors can contribute to illness, very often problems result from a lack of fundamental health-enhancing qualities such as responsibility, a strong will, family support, passion, a balanced lifestyle and a knowledge of good health. Without these, whatever modality is chosen becomes just another pill to be taken and discarded when symptoms disappear.

When disease is artificially removed without changing the underlying cause, long-term health will NOT be achieved. The quick fix approach brings little or no permanent success. I am not suggesting that we abandon medical treatment. I am recommending that we look for the deeper causes of the problem from a physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, and lifestyle perspective. We need to take the holistic health perspective. Lasting solutions can be found to multiple illnesses of society by getting at the root of the problem holistically.

I have observed patterns among those who have successfully reversed health problems. These traits are not rigid models. We all have them to some degree. They are holistic health approaches that each of us can maximize in our own unique way to return to our natural state of health.

Here are some very important steps you must take to achieve optimal holistic health. I can assure you that by putting these into practice, your overall health will be much improved! Sometimes you have to reevaluate what it is that you are doing with your life. By doing this, you will start to see the big picture.

Lets start with the first step, RESPONSIBILITY. This means not blindly accepting the opinion of some outside authority as the only way. Take a look at your previous choices for they may have led you to the problem. Then recognize that you can make new choices to remedy the situation.

I am not telling you to stop seeing your health practitioner. I am suggesting that you gather as much information as possible and make your own decisions. Taking responsibility is meant to empower us to make new choices for a healthier result.

Next is AWARENESS, which simply is deeply knowing yourself by observing your thoughts and beliefs, your choices and outcomes, and your response to the world around you. As you observe, ask questions. Do you believe you can recover your health? What does the illness have to teach you? Why do you make the choices you make? What do you need to know? Through questioning you will discover the things that seemed unchangeable are actually flexible and can be manipulated.

PROPER NUTRITION is the cornerstone of good health. Health and longevity depend on our daily nourishment. In 1988, the Surgeon General stated that two-thirds of the deaths in this country are related to diet. Our eating habits play a major role in many common diseases and emotional disorders.
Most Americans have a limited awareness of the power of food in maintaining health and reversing disease. The most effective diet includes whole grains, vegetables, low fat, no cholesterol, proteins and fruits.

LETTING GO OF THE PAST. Resolving conflicts and discovering their positive impact in our lives is paramount in healing. Resentment, anger, guilt and all negative emotional states are self-poisoning. They weaken cells and immunity and can be the reason for illness. Let it go and move on.

FAITH and the developing of sound judgments are important qualities in healing. Faith is knowing there is an order and unity to life, a sense of wholeness and connectedness with something larger than oneself. With faith, unlimited opportunities unfold, and we gain a sense of confidence in our choices.

FINDING YOUR PURPOSE IN LIFE is prevalent among those who are healthy. Everyone has talents and skills through which they express themselves, and so do you! If you do not find your unique creative expression, you will be restless and frustrated, regardless of the success in the conventional world.

Purpose stimulates a deep sense of fulfillment and joy. With purpose, your life will take on much more meaning. I did not have a purpose for many years. The second I knew where I was going my life took a turn for the best. If you do not have purpose yet, do not worry! Focus on what makes you the happiest and visualize where and what you want to be. By working toward a goal and a purpose, you will feel alive and ready for anything.

Each of the above factors has a profoundly positive influence on your health and are more effective when bring them together. When utilized, you can go beyond sickness to health and happiness. Start with small steps and build upon them for a holistic approach to your health. Action is the only thing preventing you from achieving optimal health.

About The Author: Colleen Palat is a health and fitness enthusiast who loves to pass on the latest information on health and wellness. Sign up for your free e-newsletter filled with cutting-edge information on health, nutrition, weight loss, and fitness. For your free e-newsletter, visit http://www.HealthyRevelations.com.

Three Reasons Why You Should Practise Yoga

noreply@blogger.com (admin1) — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 12:57:00 +0000

Photo credit: takebackyourhealthconference

Yoga has become a trendy fad all around the world. Everyone from famous movie stars to your next door neighbor is starting to practice yoga. In case you have never tried it and are curious, I would like to explain how yoga might be of benefit to you.

Prior to discussing the reasons for practicing yoga, it is useful to know something about the nature and origins of yoga. The practice of yoga originated in India several thousand years ago. Yoga is a comprehensive system of exercises and its goal is physical, mental and spiritual well-being. The main components of yoga are physical postures, relaxation techniques and meditation exercises. Today it is the physical aspect, the physical postures known as "asanas" that is the most popularly practiced form of yoga and you can find it taught in gyms, health clubs and studios all around the world.

Now if you are interested to know "what's in it for me" then here is a brief list of some of the most important benefits that the practice of yoga can bring to you.

Photo credit: Lachlan Hardy

1. Yoga will help you to become very healthy. This is what people are generally looking for when they begin the practice of yoga, and yoga does the job of improving physical health. If you combine a practice of yoga postures along with a sensible diet and other physical exercise then you can reach very high levels of health and fitness. One of the reasons for this is that yoga can help you to improve the functioning of your digestive system, and prevent acidity, indigestion, constipation and other more serious problems that have their root in the digestive system. Yoga postures (when combined with relaxation and meditation) have the additional benefit of helping to control blood pressure, and this is a great asset as you grow older and become more susceptible to heart disease.

2. Yoga will make you look better. A lot of people begin yoga in order to lose weight and look better. Can yoga be of help in this area? If you are healthy then you will look better! In fact that is the evolutionary, biological basis of beauty. Biologists tell us that living beings choose partners who appear to give them the best chance of spreading their genes successfully. We don't think about this when we see a handsome man or beautiful woman, but a glowing skin and attractive appearance is the outer sign of health and vitality. So, the practice of yoga, with its previously mentioned health benefits will help you to look your best.

3. Yoga will help you to manage and relieve stress. Modern life is stressful. Whenever we feel a threat from the outer environment, our body goes into a "fight or flight" mode. This was extremely useful to primitive humans who had to run for their lives or fight for their lives, but for modern people it only leads to inner problems. Sweating and turning red is useful when you are running, but when you are standing in a business suit and being chewed out by your boss it is not particularly desirable!

Yoga postures, deep relaxation and meditation all combine to help you achieve an inner state of peace that will enable you to function steadily and calmly even in the most stressful environment.There are many more things that I can say about the benefits of yoga, but these three should be incentive enough for you to check it out and maybe to start practicing today.

About the Author: Randall Barnett is an avid runner and yoga devotee. He writes about health, exercise, and educational subjects including online degrees, distance education PhD programs, online colleges, and scholarships for adult students.

Credit (picture above): stevendepolo

Will Yoga Help Weight Loss?

noreply@blogger.com (admin1) — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 15:39:00 +0000

Credit: Evan-Lovely

Weight Loss Through Yoga The answer to the question in the title of this article, 'Will Yoga Help Weight Loss?', is a resounding 'Yes'. Yoga will help weight loss and has been proven to do so. Yoga will work on both your body and mind to provide a new and leaner you.

Yoga is well known for it's abilities to create a wonderful state of relaxation in the practitioner which has been proven to lower blood pressure and many other physical ailments. It is also a great way to remove that access weight that has been plaguing you for months or years.

The reason that yoga is such an effective way to lose weight is that it burns calories at a much faster rate. It increases one's metabolism, thus speeding up the rate at which calories burn.

There are many forms of yoga. Some practices, like power yoga, is a much more active form which will burn calories much faster than other yoga practices like ashtanga yoga. Power yoga though is NOT for the faint hearted. Like all forms of exercise you should check with your family doctor before setting off to engage in a new fitness regime.

It is becoming more and more recognised that overeating is related to our emotional state and our minds. Thus, a quieter mind, brought about through yoga practice will make it less likely that you will reach for that cream cake every time you get the urge.

This is not to say that you have to diet on celery and lettuce leaves. The idea of weight loss through yoga is to become relaxed about this area of your life that it causing you problems. That way you are in a better state to deal with it.

It is said that 'what we resist, persists'. So, stilling the mind through yoga will certainly give you a more positive outlook on life and lead to a calmer mind and body.

Now, on to the physical aspects of yoga for weight loss:

It is not difficult to see that yoga exercise will burn those stubborn calories that you have been trying to rid yourself off. Have you watched some of the asanas or poses? Any physical activity at all will help you lose weight but the turning and twisting of yoga helps to break up the stores of fat and rid them through the body's natural processes.

Don't let the gentler forms of yoga fool you either. It looks very serene to watch those that have been practicing it for years. It almost looks as though there isn't much going on. Believe me, you will be surprised at how much perspiration is generated by these simple poses. When I first started off on a half hour yoga regime of simple poses, I was absolutely surprised at how much workout I had actually achieved at the end of it.

Things do get easier as you progress and the feeling that yoga gives at the end of a workout is second to none. You WILL get a feeling of achievement and relaxation that you may have never felt before.

Keep at the yoga regime and the calories will surely burn off like you wouldn't imagine.

About the Author: Jake Kennedy has more great tips on finally ridding yourself off those stubborn calories through yoga check out: http://www.freeonlineyogasite.com/ and http://www.healthybodysecrets.com/

Staying in Shape Over 40 - What You Need to Know

noreply@blogger.com (admin1) — Sat, 27 Dec 2008 17:28:00 +0000

Photo credit: Shayan (USA)

Turning 40 can be a powerful and transient event even though many women believe that everything starts to change or even fall apart at 40. This doesn't have to be so! Women can stay strong and competitive, healthy and fit well over the age of 40. There may be some changes you need to make, but it is an important time for you to make these changes so that you can continue to stay in shape.

Some basic dietary changes can help you to supplement your workouts and keep you strong. Calcium, for example, has always been important in a woman's diet, but it is critical to start supplementing calcium now if you haven't already. Bone density begins to decline and if this gets really bad, it can lead to osteoporosis later in life.

Ginseng is an herb that can help to give you energy when you start to feel fatigue, and some people swear it is what helps keep them young. Consuming a lot of fruits and vegetables is crucial to keeping yourself young. Not only is it very healthy for your body, it is quite beneficial for your skin as well.

Natural foods, especially fruits and vegetables, are full of antioxidants, and these help keep free radicals from destroying that youthful appearance of your skin. Also good are salmon and other foods such as almonds, flax and fatty fish which provide a strong source of Omega 3 fatty acids. Again, this is good for your heart health but also for your radiant skin.

Staying in shape also means getting - or staying - physical, of course. You may discover aches and pains that you haven't noticed prior to turning 40. It's not because 40 is some magical age, but rather a useful timeline to gauge when women tend to start feeling less energetic, more rigid, or have tighter muscles than they used to.

A fun and relaxing antidote to this is yoga. Yoga has been said to be the true fountain of youth! A good, long yoga session a few times a week or a simple practice of ten to twenty minutes daily can relax, tone and lengthen your muscles as well as your spirit. It also helps to de-stress your mind, which has been shown to have an effect on cortisol levels in the body.

By reducing cortisol, you can help reduce the belly fat that may be more stubborn to remove these days. Any time of stress-relieving mechanism you use will help keep you young, but yoga is an especially good one.

If yoga isn't really your speed, pick something that is. Maybe you enjoy spinning, or a step class or kickboxing. Whatever it is, don't stop now just because you've reached that dreaded age. Keeping active now is just as important as it was when you were twenty, if not more so.

If your aches and pains feel like they are preventing you from doing what you like to do best, it probably means you need to stretch more. Stretching can be a wonderful tool to keep you young and keep your muscles supple and strong. It can help prevent muscle tears and help you reach new levels of fitness by warming up the muscles and ligaments, but it can also just feel great after a nice, long bout of exercise. If you run or bike, be sure to stretch the calves and quadriceps muscles as well as the hamstrings. If you like to partake in a class at your gym and there is a lot of jumping involved, make sure to stretch the ankles as well.

Simply adding ten or fifteen minutes of stretching to your daily routine can make you feel years younger if you are faithful about it. Staying in shape doesn't just mean looking good or staying in good shape on the outside.

Once you reach the age of forty, keeping up with regular doctor appointments becomes more important than it was in days past. Make sure to get a mammogram and screen for early detection of breast cancer. Make an appointment with your general practitioner for a complete physical. Consult with a dermatologist, and keep regular full-body skin checkups once or twice a year, which can help screen out skin cancer and suspicious moles that may crop up. If you used to see the eye doctor once every couple of years, cut that in half and see him once annually. Unfortunately, the eyes are quick to deteriorate as you age, and you will want to keep up with these check-ups for safety reasons, to be able to keep reading, and to check for signs of glaucoma and other age-related diseases.

Nobody said getting older was fun, but it does not have to be painful. The age-old adage that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure applies to the aging process very well, and if you take these measures you too can age gracefully.

About the author: Megan Hazel is a freelance writer who writes about health and fitness topics, similar to what consumers read in Oprah Magazine.

Source: Free Articles,

Top 5 Best Exercises For Total Body Fitness

noreply@blogger.com (admin1) — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 17:37:00 +0000

Photo credit: djwhelan

By Frederic Patenaude

What if I told you that you could get in the best shape of your life even if you didn't have time to exercise, even if you were busy, and even if you didn't know where to start?

There are many exercises that can give you results, but if you want fast results, it's best to focus on the very best exercises for total body fitness. Although these exercises are well-known, you might not have realized their importance in developing an enviable physique, whether it means increased endurance and heart function, tight and sexy thighs, butt and legs, or muscular arms. Or you may not know how to incorporate them into your routine - until today.

1. Squats: The squat is one of the most basic all-around fitness exercises that you can do, and it is one of the best. It works several body parts at once, including your core, quads, hamstrings and calves.

No matter what you do, you should incorporate squats into your routine. If you train for strength, squat using a barbell or holding dumbells in your hands. If you want to train for endurance or cardio, use body-weight squats.

2. Pushups: This exercise is no secret, but not enough people take advantage of it. Many women and even men still have weak, flabby arms and chests. The best way to develop them is by starting to incorporate daily pushups into your routine. They work the chest, shoulders, triceps, back and abs (core).

The key with pushups is to incorporate different kinds of pushups into one routine. If you cannot do a standard "full" pushup, start with the "modified" version on your knees. Then work your way toward doing regular pushups.

Photo credit: MikeOliveri

EVOLUTION OF THE PUSHUP:

1. Wall pushup: Stand facing a wall. The farther your feet are from the wall, the harder it will be. Lean in toward the wall.

2. Counter Pushup: Pushup leaning from the edge of a counter.

3. Knee Pushup: the standard "modified" pushup on your knees

4. Feet Elevated: you've now reached the regular pushup level, congratulations!

Other pushups that rule:

Wide Hands - Place hands on the floor at a greater distance apart (past the shoulders). This works even more back muscles.

Close Hands - Place hands on the floor closer to each other (maybe a foot apart or less). Very difficult. Feet Elevated - Place your feet on a chair or other object and push up from the ground. More difficult. Handstand Pushup - This is my favorite pushup EVER and the ultimate exercise to build strong shoulders. If you're a man, you need to be able to do this one.

Go to a handstand, your feet against the wall, then lower your head to the floor and push up. If you can do a few of those, you're good. To help you succeed in mastering this pushup, you can first use your toes to help you "crawl" the wall, or have a friend hold your feet and help you through it. At first, your goal should be to simply stay in a handstand with your feet facing the wall.

3. Walking or Running Hills: You want extreme health, a fit body and a healthy heart? Try walking or running up hills. This is one of the best exercises for overall fitness. So go find hills in your area, and dare to walk the hell out of them!

4. Pullups & Chinups: Many women lack upper body strength. Unfortunately, this can lead to injuries and lack of ability, as many common movements such as lifting a box (or a child!) require strong upper body muscles.

It's wise for all women to strengthen these muscles by working on the two best exercises for them: pushups and pullups. Just because pullups and chinups are hard, it doesn't mean women can't do them! In fact, you should be able to lift your own body with your arms. In nature, this sort of movement is very basic and in fact a matter of survival.

For men, the benefits of pullups and chinups cannot be emphasized enough: you will build a strong back and enviably muscular arms.

For women, I would set a goal to do at least 1 complete pullup and 2 complete chinups, with a future "ultimate" goal to do at least 3 pullups and 5 chinups.

To get started, use the assisted pullup machines at the gym, or follow the following routine:

1. Hang for 30 seconds or as long as possible in the position of having pulled your body up all the way from a bar. You can use a chair to get in that position. When you feel you can't hold yourself any longer, lower gently in a slow and controlled manner. Do this 5 times.

2. Get on a chair and check out what kind of a bend you need in your arms before you can successfully pull yourself up. Then do it five times from there. Improve from there.

3. Hang from a bar and see how far you can pull yourself up 5 times in a row.

Do these three exercises 2-3 times a week and make sure to warm up properly beforehand (by doing some jumping jacks for a few minutes, for example).

For men, a good benchmark for strength would be to be able to do a few series of 5 pullups with 10% of your weight attached to your body (as extra weight).

5. The Plank: This is a powerful isolation move used in Pilates and Yoga and it works the abs, back, arms and legs as well as your internal abdominal muscles, which is your core strength!

To do it, lie face down on mat with your elbows resting on the floor next to your chest. Go to a pushup position while resting on your elbows or hands. Then squeeze the abs and keep your body in a straight line. Hold in this position for 30-60 seconds, then slowly lower yourself to the floor and rest for 15-30 seconds. Repeat as many times as you can. Start by doing the plank on your knees and gradually work your way up.

So there you have it, 5 powerful exercises that every man and woman should include in their routine for functional fitness and increased strength.

About the author: Frederic Patenaude is the author of the book The Raw Secrets and offers a free subscription to his ezine Outrageous Health & Success - available at http://www.FredericPatenaude.com

We Have Reasons To Stay Fit

noreply@blogger.com (admin1) — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 19:46:00 +0000

Modern life takes a lot out of us. We seem to be pre-occupied with many tasks but a lot of things we do is so different from the days of our grandparents' or even our parents' day. Our daily lives do not demand a lot of physical activity from us although we move about a lot.

For example, most people now own cars and they rely on them to travel from one place to another. And modern technology has turned more and more people to sit in front of their computers for long hours. These and many other reasons of modern-day activities have made it hard for people to find the time to start exercising.

But exercise they must...if they want to stay fit and healthy.

But people have excuses...

They will tell it's pretty tough to really get started because the pressures of home and family life can also mean it feels as if there's little time left to fit in exercise.

But remember, it's worth thinking about what you can gain from regular exercise and making even a partial improvement to your fitness. Here are some reasons to ponder on:

Physical inactivity: If you don't exercise you dramatically increase your risk of dying from a heart attack because there's a greater risk factor for coronary heart disease. Conversely, exercise means a healthier heart because it reduces several cardiovascular risks, including high blood pressure
Your mental health will get a boost by being physically active and it will help you to manage stress, anxiety and even depression better
Regular exercise can help you achieve and maintain an ideal weight, which can be important in managing many health conditions, or may just make you feel happier about your appearance
All exercise helps strengthen bones and muscles to some degree, but weight-bearing exercise, such as running, is especially good in promoting bone density and protecting against osteoporosis, which affects men as well as women
Different exercises help with all sorts of health niggles, such as digestion, poor posture and sleeplessness, and physical activity can be beneficial for a range of medical conditions, from diabetes to lower back pain.

Positive reasons to stay fit

When you are "as fit as a fiddle" life will be more enjoyable. You will be more ready to meet new people, discover new interests and generally feel better, but if you need to be scared into doing more exercise, consider the following:

Based on current trends a third of the male population will be obese by 2010, according to a 2006 UK health report
Obesity in adults rose by nearly 40 per cent between 2003 and 2006.
It's worrying for youngsters as well - by 2010, it's predicted 22 per cent of girls and 19 per cent of boys between the ages of two and 15 will be obese, with girls under 11 at particular risk
Obesity will be a major contributory factor to heart disease
Coronary heart disease (CHD) is still the leading cause of death in the UK, accounting for about a fifth of all deaths, according to the Office for National Statistics.
About a third of deaths caused by CHD are among people aged under 75

It's not a promising picture to see if people neglect efforts to keep fit by exercising. Are you planning to have regular exercise so you can stay fit and enjoy a fullfilling lifestyle?

What Everybody Ought To Know - About Hypnosis and Weight Loss

noreply@blogger.com (admin1) — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 22:08:00 +0000

Photo credit: Alan Cleaver

By Valerie Slaughter

What the heck does hypnosis have to do with weight loss? Do images of a night club act come to mind? Someone "barking like a dog" on stage and doing whatever the magician (hypnosist) says?

Whatever your impression of hypnosis may be, you may be surprised to learn that as an alternative treatment for everything from pain to stop smoking to weight loss, hypnosis is being used in medical institutions to help manage these conditions.

According to Jean Fain, a psychologist who uses hypnosis at Harvard Medical School's Cambridge Hospital, "The country is getting fatter and fatter, so different weight loss methods are getting more attention."

O.K.. how does hypnosis work? First, you must remember that no one can make you do something that is against your will. Alternatively, hypnosis can help you master your own states of awareness and can affect your own bodily functions and psychologial responses.

According to Gary Montgomery, president of the Society of Psychological Hypnosis and Division of American Psychological Association, the hypnotic state is defined as a state of focused concentration, much like being so absorbed in a good book that the outside world seems to fade away. During this state, you become more open to suggestions.

Much like the way televsision plays upon your need for food and to lose weight. Constantly repeating the theme of looking thin, being wealthy. popular and fit, drives their message into your subconscious while you are watching the television.

Proof of this effect can be seen when you sit in front of your television and start munching and are unaware, until later, how much you had eaten. This is a hypnotic state! Or what about sitting at a red light? So, when you are in a "trance" or deep concentration, you are unusally responsive to a suggestion or image.

How many times have you watched television and an ad for a hamburger comes on and you then become hungry? Or after watching an ad for a weight loss product, you start to feel guilty for your weight. This combination of consumption of junk food and dieting creates guilt and, believe it or not, excess weight.

Hypnosis can help you create your own defense against this constant bombardment of television, newspaper and radio ads. By learning the technique of positive self-hypnosis, you may actually counter all of this negative feedback.

About the Author: Valerie Slaughter, a veteran marathoner herself, runs a beginner marathon website and is the author of "You Want to Do What!?" Website URL http://healthandfitnessnut.wordpress.com

Welcome to Lifestyle & Fitness

noreply@blogger.com (admin1) — Sat, 19 Jan 2008 05:27:00 +0000

All right, we are on a fitness quest. We believe that if we stay fit we stay healthy, and the icing on the cake is...we can enjoy life to the fullest.

Welcome to Lifestyle & Fitness.