Healing

Yogasana - Chaturanga Dandasana (Plank Pose)

noreply@blogger.com (Socrates) — Mon, 18 Apr 2022 06:19:00 +0000

Chaturanga dandasana is also called four-limbed staff pose or plank pose. This basic stance demands careful alignment and isn't just a push-up.

In Chaturanga, you should stimulate muscles from the front to the rear of your body and keep your elbows close to your ribs rather than allowing them to splay outward. In a hover, this permits your chest to stay aloft. To keep stable in the posture, you must also stimulate your legs and arms, as well as activate your abdominals and shoulders. The inclined plane will awake and activate large body muscles of the arms, trunk and legs . It is the only position in the Surya Namaskar where breathing does Kumbaka (retention) in full.

Steps:

From Ashwa Sanchalanasana step, bring your left foot next to your right.
Make sure that your wrists are located under your shoulders.
Stretch your palm and fingers
Distribute the weight between hands and feet.
Bring your sternum forward while simultaneously keeping your heels back. Feel your body strong and stretched in two opposite directions
Feel the abdomen active and keep the whole body in a single line (like a board) without the hips rising or falling.
The crown is directed forward and the gaze goes to the ground, a little above in front of the line of your hands.
Try to keep your neck relaxed.
If you have reduced mobility, or are a beginner, you can do this step by placing your knees directly on the ground.

Benefits:

It is a strength asana that activates and tones the large muscle groups. It strengthens the abdomen in particular.
It teaches us to distribute weight and muscle strength evenly.
It tones arms and legs.

How Nutritional Content in Food Can Be enhanced by Using Healthy Cookware

noreply@blogger.com (Socrates) — Wed, 13 Apr 2022 01:12:00 +0000

DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning I get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links, at no cost to you.

Cookware, like other ingredients you use to prepare your food, plays an important role. It contributes to the maintenance of a healthy body, mind, and well-being in an indirect way. As you can see, maintaining a healthy lifestyle requires more than just a well-balanced diet and proper eating habits. If you are concerned about eating healthy, investing in high-quality, chemical-free cookware is a great investment. Let's take a closer look at this....

The Advantages of Using Healthy Cookware

Just as one is particular about eating the correct foods and exercising on a regular basis, one must consider the type of cookware one uses. Premium quality cookware created from health-conscious materials will cook better dishes and retain more food nutrients than local aluminum or inexpensive non-stick utensils. Healthy cookware includes cast iron or iron cookware, copper, bronze, and brass utensils, to name a few.

Cast Iron Skillet & Iron Cookware

Slow cooking is best done with cast iron and iron cookware. It fortifies your food with iron, ensuring excellent results. Iron deficiency is fairly common among women worldwide. Cooking in cast iron utensils will enhance the iron content by at least 20times. With such cookware, even heating is achieved, which helps to preserve food nutrients and enhance the flavor of any dish.

Clay kitchenware

It's fantastic for everyone to use clay kitchenware, whether you're cooking or eating. To reap the benefits of clay, you can preserve and drink water from it. It keeps water cold even in the hottest climate due to porous nature of clay. Earth is linked to the kapha chakra, which governs immunity. A modest research is done on a tiny sample of people with rheumatoid arthritis. They were asked to use only clay utensils to cook and eat. It was observed that they got a lot of respite from their problems when they cooked in earthen pots. We are connected to five elements of nature when we are near the earth, which is why clay makes such a magnificent vessel. Clay utensils are chemical free and food-safe as well.

Copperware

One of the main advantages of copper cookware is its excellent thermal conduction. But it is advised not to cook acidic foods like tomatoes, vinegar etc in copper vessels, because copper can leach into the food and ingestion of copper over time can be harmful.

So, I wouldn't suggest to use copper utensils for cooking. But, they can be good for your health when they are used for storing drinking water. Copper jugs, water bottles, and dispensers aid in the purification of drinking water by killing hazardous microorganisms. Water held in copper jars is said to be beneficial for indigestion, irritability, and stomach infections. As a result, it's clear why copperware is a better choice than plastic utensils or water cans.

Bronze Vessels

Bronze, commonly known as Kansa or bell metal, is an ultra-superior metal made from a copper-tin alloy.

This ancient metal is rarely utilized these days, although it has numerous therapeutic benefits. It balances the vata (dry skin, anxious temperament, irritability) and pitta doshas. It also aids in the reduction of fat (obesity), as well as the improvement of eyesight and skin health. It's ideal for cooking and eating in, but you can't use ghee in a bronze vessel.

Alternatives to Non-Toxic Cookware

Chopping boards, bowls, spatulas, and other wooden goods are typically manufactured from neem or mango wood. These goods are completely safe to use for food preparation because they are composed of natural materials.

Purchasing healthy cookware will undoubtedly be a blessing, as it will provide you with nutritious food for the rest of your life.

Disclaimer: This article is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. It's best to consult a doctor if you have any recurrent symptoms or health concerns

As the Seasons Change, Safeguard Your Mental Health

noreply@blogger.com (Socrates) — Sat, 09 Apr 2022 23:06:00 +0000

Many of us have been looking forward for spring and it is already here. Slowly, summer is going to come. Natural medicine systems like Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine base their whole knowledge of health on seasonal differences. According to these traditions, each season has its own set of rhythms and rituals on the human body.

Our general well-being as people is inextricably linked to nature. Our mental health is influenced by the quantity of daylight we get, time spent in green and blue spaces such as parks and meadows, lakes and rivers, seasonal foods that are locally available to us, temperature, and even air quality. Consider this: as the temperature grows colder, your body requires more energy, therefore you crave warm items like hot coffee, snug sweaters, and fireplaces that make your body's job simpler. Summer, on the other hand, exhausts our bodies. Sleeplessness, lethargy, a lack of appetite, and dehydration can all result in aggressive behavior and anxiety when exposed to extreme heat for long periods of time.

After two years of the COVID-19 pandemic, it's time to accept that things will never be the same again, and to develop new policies that prioritize mental and physical health in and out of the workplace. Seasons change for a reason all around us, and you may follow these five ideas for your overall well-being.

Self-Evaluation: Recognize Your Emotions

Recognizing your feelings can help you feel less overwhelmed. Take some time to sort through your emotions in a way that suits you best - journaling, talking to a friend, or spending some alone time pondering. You can begin creating preparations to manage with the precise feelings you're experiencing after you have a greater understanding of them.

Use the abbreviation S.T.O.P. if you're having trouble identifying how you're feeling because your mind is racing.

S: Stop and put down whatever you're doing. For a time, put everything down.

T: Take a few deep breaths. Breathe normally and track your breath as it enters and exits your nose. To aid concentrate, you might even say "in" as you breathe in and "out" as you breathe out to yourself.

O: Observe your feelings, thoughts, and emotions. Recognize that thoughts aren't facts and that they don't last forever. If you get the notion that you are insufficient, notice it, let it go, and go on. According to UCLA research, even naming your feelings can help you relax. Then pay attention to your body. Do you prefer to stand or sit? What's your posture like? Do you have any aches and pains?

P: Plan something that will help you in the moment, such as reaching out for help from a friend or rubbing your shoulders or drinking a glass of water.

Recognize What You've Lost.

While spring is often associated with joy, renewal, and celebration, it can also serve as a stark reminder that we are still in the midst of a pandemic and may not be able to do everything we normally would. Consider how you may honor a loved one in the new season if you're missing them. If you've lost a job or had to drop out of school, take some time to think on the difficulties you've faced and what you've learnt. Even if you haven't lost anything tangible, we've all lost a sense of normalcy as a result of the pandemic, and it's fine—even healthy—to be sad about it.

Make the most of the situation.

Things will undoubtedly be different this year than they were prior to COVID. There are, however, a number of spring activities you may do, ranging from physically challenging days at the beach or park to cleaning and remodeling your house or office. Consider how you can adapt the things you can't do for COVID times. If you're upset that gatherings have been canceled, consider throwing a small outside get-together. Are you missing the social parts of working? If it's safe and comfortable for you, consider establishing coffee shop work dates with a close coworker or friend. Are you lonely because you won't be able to see your loved ones? Try to reconnect, share fond memories, and speak, arrange a group video chat to discuss what you want to do next once you all get together.

Don't get carried away with your usual plans.

While the summer months are usually filled with excitement and joy, they may also be stressful. In fact, throughout the spring and summer, suicide rates often rise, and people report increased levels of worry. The heat can dehydrate the brain, reducing its ability to operate normally, and too much daylight can disrupt sleep and potentially exacerbate bipolar disorder manic episodes. Even if you're giving up some of your favorite summer activities this year, you're probably also leaving behind other worries. Take care not to exaggerate the situation and make it appear worse than it is. Change is difficult, but that doesn't mean it can't be done. Find unique ways to adapt or start something new that will add new meaning to your life.

Gratitude is a virtue to cultivate.

Make a conscious effort to identify some things for which you are grateful on a regular basis. It could be as wide as your health or employment situation, or as specific as your favorite music on the radio when you arrive in the car. Gratitude has been linked to reduced melancholy and anxiety, as well as a variety of mental and physical benefits such as better sleep, mood, and immunity.

Maintaining your health requires self-care. With the aid of our blog, Practical Meditation as a healer, be proactive and build a seasonal self-care plan. With these pointers in mind, we hope you have a smooth transition into spring. Thank you for making the decision to #BeTheChange!

Yogasana - Ashwa Sanchalanasana (Equestrian Pose)

noreply@blogger.com (Socrates) — Sun, 03 Apr 2022 22:55:00 +0000

Ashwa sanchalanasana or famous called equestrian pose is an asymmetric posture that involves keeping the spine long and your chest open, integrates the alternate stretching of the legs and mobilizes the pelvis and sacroiliac joint. The asana name comes from sanskrit words ashwa meaning horse, sanchalana meaning stepping movement or marching.

Steps:

From Uttanasana, place your palms next to your feet, all fingers in line (bend your knees if you need to)
Keep the hands fixed on the mat and do not move it during the rest of suryanamaskar.
Take a big step back with your right foot
Rest your right knee on the mat.
Lengthen the spine, open the chest, and look forward.

Benefits:

It lengthens the spine or extends the column
It helps in stretching quadriceps of the rear leg.
The psoas is lengthened.
The gluteus maximus of the front leg is stretched.
It's dynamic practice provides agility to our body movement and develops asymmetric coordination of legs and hips.

The truth about coconut oil. Is it really healthy?

noreply@blogger.com (Socrates) — Fri, 01 Apr 2022 05:59:00 +0000

DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning I get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links, at no cost to you.

Different fats, such as coconut oil, were once thought to be just as dangerous as animal fat, and that consuming them would eventually lead to heart disease. However, we have learned that this is not the case, and that coconut oil is actually highly beneficial to our cardiovascular system. Isn't it one-of-a-kind? So, what distinguishes it from other oils? From food products like butter and lard, which are also used in cooking but pose significant health hazards.

So what's in a coconut?

Coconuts are actually wonderful providers of nourishment, despite their modest look. With its healthy meal, oil, and juice, it may also be called a full food. Did you even know that some individuals rely only on coconuts to survive? That's how good this under-appreciated fruit is. The oil is, without a doubt, the most nutritious and useful component of the fruit. It's no surprise that people utilize it from the inside out because it contains over 90% saturated fat and has anti-fungal, antimicrobial, and antibacterial effects.

What is virgin coconut oil and how does it differ from other coconut oils?

[Information on photo source]

To begin, you need understand that most commercial coconut oils are made from copra, or dried coconut meat. This can be done in a variety of ways, including sun drying, kiln drying, and smoke drying. If dried coconut meat is utilized as the basic material, the unrefined oil produced is unfit for consumption, at least not after purification and refinement. This is because, due to the manufacturing process, dried coconut meat may be quite unclean. Refined, Bleached, and Deodorized (RBD) coconut oil is the typical product generated from copra. That suggests that chemicals were utilized in the manufacturing process.

Virgin coconut oil, on the other hand, is made from fresh coconut meat and hence keeps the aroma and flavor of the genuine coconut. In fact, this is one of the ways you can tell it apart from an RBD. Virgin coconut oil is believed to be considerably healthier and safer when it comes to human ingestion because it hasn't been treated and was extracted in a hygienic method. It's worth noting that it keeps significantly more of the excellent, healthful stuff that's made coconut oil a popular functional food among doctors and health-conscious individuals all over the world.

However, it has recently been recognized for its efficiency in speeding up weight loss in patients as well as lowering the risk of developing heart disease.

Here are some of the advantages of consuming virgin coconut oil on a daily basis either using it as a cooking oil or consuming it raw.

Who am I?

noreply@blogger.com (Socrates) — Fri, 01 Apr 2022 05:56:00 +0000

This simple question seems easy to answer at first. However, as soon as I start to think about it, I realize that giving my name or a description of physical appearance does not describe the myriad of thoughts, moods, actions and reactions which comprise myself and my life. Even a description of what I do becomes confusing because, everyday, I wear so many different hats. I may start the day as a husband or a wife. At work I may become a engineer, secretary, a clerk or a teacher. At lunch I may meet a friend and in the evening an acquaintance. Which of these roles that I play is me?

In each role that I play a different facet of my personality emerges. Yet, I am quite aware that my true identity is not defined by the role I play. How can I think of myself? Who am I really? What is needed is something constant, safe and stable. We all know that gradually, over time, the human body is declining. It is not stable or constant. So in yoga while doing meditation instead of this bodily identification, we start with our thoughts. Because thoughts are always there, whatever age we are. Their content may change but our ability to think does not.

Soul is the only form that cannot be destroyed. It is something without any physical dimension. The soul is like a driver and the body is the car. To be in complete control, the driver has to sit in the place where he has access to the controls and also can collect all the necessary information to make decisions. Each thought, leading to words and actions, begins with an impulse from the brain. In Yoga it is considered that the soul is located in the center of the forehead in the vicinity of the brain. This knowledge provides me with a constant point of reference on which to focus my attention.

So, my identity is a soul which is a living, spiritual and eternal being, and all other identities - teacher, engineer, husband, wife and so on are simply different roles which my soul play. In meditation I create an awareness of myself as a soul. This naturally leads to an experience of these peaceful, positive qualities. This is what is called 'soul-consciousness'. In meditation I begin to think about my true identity. I let thoughts about the soul and its qualities fill my mind. Through understanding and experiencing my true qualities, I regain confidence and self-respect and am no longer pushed and pulled by expectation of others. By remaining soul-conscious, I will stay in my true state of peace. This is something which does, of course, take time and patient effort to practice. The reward of practice is enjoyable in itself and the greater benefits will accumulate over time.

MEDITATION PRACTICE

When you sit to meditate, choose the quietest place you can find, preferably in a room which you do not use very often. If this isn't possible, sit where the familiar objects around you won't distract your attention. This mental preparation will help your concentration. Start with 10 or 15 min. This will gradually lengthen naturally with experience. Soft or subdued lighting will help.

When you finish meditation, just take a moment to reflect on what you have experienced and note how your mood has changed. This will emphasize your experiences and help you appreciate what you are gaining through meditation. One more suggestion of great benefit is: Don't just meditate when you feel like it. The greatest progress is possible at the time when you really don't want to meditate or when you feel you can't. That's the time when you need to meditate the most.

THOUGHTS FOR MEDITATION

These thoughts are only a suggestion. Create your own similar thoughts if you prefer. Any thoughts based on the awareness of the self as a soul are valid. Think slowly and aim to experience each thought before moving on.

You should withdraw your attention away from your physical body. You lie behind your eyes in the center of the forehead, an eternal spark of life energy. This energy empowers the body. You are a non-physical being, an eternal soul. You are an actor and your body is simply a costume. You find deep peace and contentment within. Know your true self, an eternal, pure and peaceful soul. You are in the ocean of peace.

Yogasana - Tadasana (Mountain pose)

noreply@blogger.com (Socrates) — Thu, 31 Mar 2022 06:40:00 +0000

It is the root posture, the mother from which all other postures in your day to day life arise. The instructions for building tadasana correctly can (and should ) apply throughout your yoga practice.

It also constitutes the art of standing:

Tadasana is the present and continuous action unfolding in stillness.

Steps:

1. Stand with your feet together

2. Fan out your toes and let them spread over the ground

3. Distribute the body weight over the entire sole of the foot

4. Activate legs, without tension and without excessive muscle strength

5. Lengthen the spine column.

6. Keep shoulders gently back and shoulder blades toward the ground

7. The chest expands and the abdomen lengthens.

8. Elongate the back of the neck allowing the crown to float towards the ceiling. Keep your throat relaxed

9. Keep active arms next to the body and fingers of the hands directed to the ground

10. As you breathe, increase the stillness by feeling the subtle internal movement of the breath.

Benefits:

• Reveals our vices and postural imbalances and helps us to correct them.

• Improves posture by learning to evenly distribute body weight on the soles of the feet

• Reduces lumbar pressure

• According to yogacharya B.K.S. Iyengar “provides lightness to the body and agility to the mind"

• Activate our somatic intelligence

• It also calms the mind

Yogasana - Uttanasana (Standing Forward Bend)

noreply@blogger.com (Socrates) — Thu, 31 Mar 2022 06:39:00 +0000

This position teaches the basic mechanics of bending forward from the hips. It can be constructed with feet together or open feet hip width.

Standing Forward Bend is not about touching your toes, contrary to popular assumption. It's also not about squeezing as much length as you can from your fingertips." Many newcomers are astonished (and a little suspicious) to hear that Uttanasana isn't about the link between the fingers and toes. It's almost all of the things that happen in between.

The Sanskrit word uttanasana consists of the words "ut," which means "intense," "powerful," or "deliberate," and "tan," which means "stretch" or "lengthen." Uttanasana is a deliberate extension of the entire back body, which includes the area between the soles of the feet and the backs of the knees.

Steps:

1. Start with Tadasana pose and continue onto to Urdhva hastasana posture.

2. Staying in urdhva hastasana position, while exhaling, flex the trunk forward while keeping your chest open and directing the hands toward the feet

3. Place your hands on either side of the feet ( if they don’t reach the ankles or shins , or use a tape )

4. Keeping your legs active, rotate your ischia toward the ceiling

5. With the grip of your hands exert a strong attraction of the chest towards the legs and opening the elbows laterally outwards.

6. Keep your neck relaxed

7. If you feel pressure or back pain, flex your knees slightly.

When you discover the link between all of these activities, it's no longer about the stance, but rather about how I'm relating to the sensation of being in the pose.

Benefits:

• This pose will relieves the spine and pelvis muscles.

• It stimulates the legs and ankles

• Straightens your back muscles of the legs

• Develop balance

• All organs of the abdomen are massaged and stimulated

• Mobilizes the intestines and abdominal fat

• Promotes internalization and calms the nervous system.

Yogasana - Urdhva hastasana in retroflexion

noreply@blogger.com (Socrates) — Thu, 31 Mar 2022 06:39:00 +0000

Urdhva hastasana is a variant of tadasana, it helps us become aware of the movement of the shoulder girdle without causing alterations in the placement of the legs and the center (abdomen) of tadasana. Here, you tend to keep your body in retroflexion or you bend back. This is one of the key step in surya namaskara or the sun salutation.

Steps:

1. Build or maintain tadasana with all your prompts

2. Raise your arms in front of the body to a vertical position.

3. keep your arms active and elbows outstretched

4. Free up neck space by moving shoulders away from ears

5. Hold your legs, activate buttocks and keep your abdomen long and active

6. Make a small retroflexion backwards lengthening the lats and trying not to break the lower back

Benefits:

• Awakens the somatic intelligence of the shoulder girdle.

• Expands chest and rib cage so that our respiratory capacity is expanded

• It teaches the basic mechanics of standing retroflections.

The Most Effective Ways To Burn Visceral Fat While Walking

noreply@blogger.com (Socrates) — Mon, 28 Mar 2022 03:50:00 +0000

Losing fat around belly is the toughest and the last step in the fat burning process. Many people want to lose belly fat, which is a common health and fitness goal. And, while this is your top priority, you should also concentrate on your visceral fat burn. Visceral fat surrounds your abdominal organs and has serious health consequences if you have a lot of it. Fortunately, visceral fat is easier to eliminate than subcutaneous fat (the stubborn fat located underneath the skin). Aside from eating a high-protein, low-calorie diet, you should engage in regular physical activity. So, to assist you, we've compiled a list of the best ways to increase your visceral fat burn while walking.

Strength training is, of course, a must-do if you want to lose weight. Walking, on the other hand, is an activity that is under-appreciated when it comes to decreasing visceral fat. It's easy to do, low-intensity, and you can do it almost anyplace. This is an excellent method to begin living a healthier lifestyle for those who are currently sedentary.

Here are some tips to help you burn more visceral fat while walking:

1. Walking uphill or hiking

Increasing the difficulty of your walk is one of the most effective strategies to burn more calories. This can be accomplished simply walking up hills in your neighborhood. Look out for hiking trails around in national parks or community parks. You strain your body to work harder when you walk up a hill or on an inclination. You end up using more muscle fibers in the hips and quadriceps, which leads to increased fat burning.

Hike all the way up, and then down. For a beginner, try doing a 5-mile round trip going up and down. For an experienced person, I would suggest doing 10 to 15 mile round trip.

2. Increasing walking pace

Increasing your walking pace is another strategy to burn more calories and fat. You can increase the speed and do fast/power walking if you're used to walking at a leisurely pace.
Challenge yourself to go a little quicker on your next walk. You may time how long it takes you to walk your normal route and then try to beat it. Alternate intervals of short, brisk walks with your regular speed if you're just getting started and building up your stamina.

3. Holding hand weights or wear weighted vests

Holding hand weights while walking is another approach to make your body work harder. Grab a pair of lighter weights (2 to 5 pounds) or wear equivalent weighted vest and walk your usual route with them. You can also work your upper body with workouts like curls and lateral raises if you desire while walking.

4. Doing body weight sumo squats

Preparation

The good part of this exercise is that there is no special preparation that is required. All you need is your body.

Workout Steps

Step 1

Stand with your feet wider than your shoulder-width.

Step2

Point your toes and knees 30 to 45 degrees out to the sides, raise your arms straight out in front for your balance.

Step3

Keeping your head up and torso upright, inhale as you squat, making sure to descend at least until your thighs are parallel with the floor.

Step4

Hold for a second and return to the starting position. Repeat this for 3 sets with 10-15 reps in each set.

5. Lunges

Preparation

Have a 12ftX12ft space. Use your own bodyweight

Workout Steps

Step 1

Stand in athletic stance with feet slightly away from each other.

Step2

Bring one leg backwards and simultaneously go down in a manner where both your knees create a 90 degree angle. Please ensure that your knee goes as low as possible but not touch the ground. It may hurt your knee by the time you complete all your sets.

Step3

Get back to your starting stance by pushing through your leg.

Step4

Repeat with other leg. Do 3 sets with 10-12 reps in each set.

6. Pushups

Preparation

Lie prone on the floor with hands kept at shoulder's width. Raise your body up off the floor by extending arms with body straight coming to the plank position.

Workout Steps

Step 1

Keeping body straight, lower body to the floor by bending arms. Keep your core tight and glutes squeezed.

Step2

Push body up until arms are extended.

Step3

Repeat the above steps. Do 3 sets of 10-12 reps.

7. Bodyweight Dips

Preparation

Find a strong surface like a bench to rest your palms on. Sit on one side of the bench where you can stretch your legs completely. Place hands on the edge of the bench, straighten your arms, slide rear end off of bench and position heels on the floor with legs straight.

Workout Steps

Step 1

Lower your body by bending arms until your arms are parallel to the ground and you feel a slight stretch is felt in chest and shoulder, or until your rear end touches the floor. Keep your chest tall and core straight while performing this exercise.

Step2

Raise your body and repeat. Perform 3 sets in total with each set having 10 to 15 reps.

Benefits of having spices as part of your daily diet

noreply@blogger.com (Socrates) — Sat, 26 Mar 2022 22:40:00 +0000

Spices are aromatic herbs with essential oils. They contain a lot of antioxidants and aid digestion. Spices should be used on a regular basis to:

Boost your immunity
Strengthen your digestive system.
Relieves bloating and protects against allergies such as lactose and fructose sensitivities.
Improves respiratory health and helps to fight the common cold.
Virus infections can be relieved.

Spices may be disliked by certain persons with sensitive stomachs, while they are highly recommended for everyday use by others.

Benefits of spices

Cinnamon — Relieves arthritis pain, lowers LDL (bad cholesterol), includes iron, calcium, and magnesium, and can help with menstrual pain.

Clove - relieves toothaches, lowers inflammation, and is effective in upper respiratory tract infections. It also has a cooling impact on the stomach, making it useful in cases of gastritis.

Pepper - Aids digestion and is a good source of vitamin K, iron, manganese, and fiber. It's also good for asthma and respiratory infections.

Ginger - It is beneficial for sinusitis, vomiting, indigestion, bloating, motion sickness, and the common cold and flu.

Cardamom - It has a high iron, potassium, calcium, and magnesium content. Antioxidant, aids digestion, acts as a natural diuretic, eliminates foul breath, and can help with high blood pressure.

Turmeric - It is healthy for the heart and liver and can help prevent cancer and allergies. It can also help with arthritis, the common cold, bronchitis, and menstruation issues.

Curry leaves — Aids digestion, relieves vomiting, aids weight loss, is beneficial for diabetes and visual problems, and protects the liver.

Fennel - High in vitamin C, fiber, and potassium, it boosts the immune system, is healthy for the heart and intestines, and can help with indigestion and gas.

Fenugreek - Aids in the production of breast milk, lowers cholesterol, is beneficial for the heart, and can help with diabetes, indigestion, and gastritis.

Cumin seeds - They are beneficial in the treatment of diarrhea, gas, indigestion, vomiting, the common cold, liver illness, and diabetes.

Garlic - Lowers cholesterol and relieves bloating. Garlic has a strong flavor and aroma that some people dislike. They can boil it in milk for five minutes and drink the milk in that case.

Pain Subsides This Way

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sat, 18 Jul 2015 17:10:00 +0000

'Ouch....toothache'. Immediately comes a reply from granny saying 'keep cloves between your teeth'. We act as if we haven't heard anything, thinking that it is a superstitious belief. But whatever granny said is 100% true. Scientists prove that there are many natural medicines for pain relief.

Suffering from muscle pain? Eating ginger must heal it. Muscle pain could be because of stress and tensions. If you are suffering from muscle pain from long time, add two tablespoons of dry ginger powder to boiling milk or water and have it daily for some months. Danish scientists have found that gingerols in the ginger powder help in controlling the release of pain causing hormones thereby reducing the muscle pain gradually.

Credits: Delphine

A clove for toothache

We know that toothache reduces by placing clove powder at the tooth that is causing pain. Scientists at University of California have found that eugenols in clove acts as a powerful anaesthetic, in turn reducing the pain. Studies have also shown that taking 1/4 teaspoon of clove powder daily for three weeks improves the heart function, maintains sugar level in the blood and also reduces the cholesterol level in the body.

Credits: Zoyachubby

Garlic as an antibiotic

Studies at Mexico school of medicine have shown that garlic as an antibiotic helps in reducing ear infections. Put two drops of garlic oil in the ear for 5 days and it does wonders. Celenium, germanium and sulphur in garlic are responsible for killing all types of bacteria and prevent infections. If you wonder how to prepare garlic oil, add 3 cloves of garlic to half cup olive oil and boil them on a medium flame. You can store the oil in refrigerator for two weeks.

Credits: Hafeez

Pineapple for indigestion

Gas problem also called flatulence became a common problem these days due to change in the food habits. People take various medicines for indigestion and gas problem. But researchers at Stanford say that pineapple juice is a very healthy substitute for those medicines. Pineapple juice is rich in enzymes that easily digest proteins. Take a cup of fresh pineapple juice for three days and you can see that the pain due to gas problem vanish.

Credits: kyle

Turmeric for pains

Studies at Cornell university show that turmeric is far better when compared to painkillers like Brufen, aspirin, naproxen. Turmeric has enzyme by name curcumin which can reduce the pains due to arthritis by 50%. For this, take quarter teaspoon of turmeric everyday in the morning.

Oats as a cure for stomach ache

During menopause many women complain about unbearable stomach ache and pelvic pain. This is mainly due to the development of a tissue outside womb. This is called endometriosis. American researchers say that by making oats a part of their daily food for 6 months, women can see 60% improvement in results.

Credits: Nico

Flax seeds for chest pain

Some women always complain about chest pain. This is mainly because of the drop in the estrogen hormone levels in the body. Studies at the University of California show that by including flax seeds as a part of daily diet for 3 months can help in reducing this problem.

Credits: HealthAliciousNess

Honey for mouth ulcers

Studies at Dubai center for health show that if you apply honey directly on mouth ulcers, caused by some infection or because of common cold, you shall see good improvement in the results. Honey heals faster than any other medicine.

Credits: Dino

Tomatoes for muscle pain

Some people experience a sudden muscle pain while walking or in sleep. It is really difficult to bear that pain. This pain is mainly due to lack of potassium in the body. By having a cup of tomato juice daily helps in overcoming the deficiency.

Credits: Swong

Grapes for backache

Research at Ohio state university proved that if people suffering from severe backache have one cup of fresh grapes or one glass of grape juice, they will see good improvement. Researchers say that there is no better medicine than grapes in supplying oxygen rich nutrients to the backbone.

Credits: Ramnath Bhat

Benefits of Tulasi (Holy Basil)

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 15 Jul 2015 12:40:00 +0000

With the onset of rainy season, cold, infection and other common diseases show up. With tulasi we can find ready solutions at home. We shall look at what kind of solutions are available for different problems.

Everyday early in the morning, take 10 to 15 leaves of tulasi and boil them in one glass of water. Then leave it till water becomes luke warm and then drink it. By drinking this water, diseases like fever, common cold and cough will come under control. For people suffering from asthma, bronchitis and other breathing related problems, add 15 to 20 tulasi leaves to half cup water and add small teaspoon of ginger paste to it. Then boil the mixture. After boiling, add one spoon full of honey and have it. It will give you immediate relief.

For people suffering from throat pain, put 15 to 20 tulasi leaves in boiled water and close the lid. Once the water becomes lukewarm, use it to gargle. Gargle at least 4 times in a day and you will see results very soon. Chewing tulasi leaves in the morning is also good for heart. It plays important role in reducing bad cholesterol levels in the body.

Tulasi also heals you from headache

International Yoga Day

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 21 Jun 2015 09:26:00 +0000

Have you even thought of why June 21 was chosen as International Yoga Day?

Grand Velas Puerto Vallarta

United Nations General Assembly has passed a resolution declaring June 21 of every year as the International Yoga Day (World Yoga Day). This declaration came after the call by India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi for it's adoption during his address to UN General Assembly.

Every year in Northern Hemisphere, the Summer Solstice falls on June 21. It is during this time when the day is the longest and the night is shortest. It is this day when earth is at its closest distance from the sun in its orbit.

From the perspective of yoga, the Summer Solstice marks the transition of sun from Uttarayana to Dakshinayana, according to ancient Vedic calendar. According to Vedic books, it was the day when Lord Shiva, first taught Yoga to his disciples. The Knowledge of yoga first descended from Shiva on this day. We can say June 21 as the birthday of yoga. This is the reason why several yogic preachers also had advocated celebrating June 21 as the International Yoga Day.

You can see more details here

Shower (Hydrotherapy) to Get Rid off Stress

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 16 Jun 2015 14:11:00 +0000

Irrespective of the level of stress, taking a shower relieves us from it immediately. It brings a happy feeling to the body. For the relief to last longer, a new showering technique is explained by writer Vicky Vlachonis in her latest book The Body Doesn't Lie.

Credits: Rikard Elofsson

Hot and Cold:

Normally we take shower either with hot water or cold water. Taking shower with both hot and cold water alternatively will help in long lasting relief says Vicky. She mentions that this is one part of hydrotherapy. Please ensure that water should be bearably hot and not warm. Even cold water should be so cold that you could bear it. Take shower with hot water for 30 seconds and repeat the same with cold water. Repeat this 4 to 5 times. End the bath with cold water, using a soap or showering gel.

What happens?

With hot and cold water touching the body alternatively and added to it the water pressure keep the soul in a state of shock. So, the nerves will contract and expand alternatively. So, the impact of stress hormones reduce. Cytokines, the cell signalling protein molecules that stimulate movement of cells to the sites of stress and pain, will come under control.

Yogasanas to Prevent Calcium Deficiency

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 07 Jun 2015 15:06:00 +0000

DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning I get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links, at no cost to you.

Once we cross 40 years our bones slowly become weak. So we start taking calcium tablets to prevent it. These asanas help you take in more vitamin D from the sun thereby prevent calcium deficiency.

You won't see either vitamin D deficiency or calcium deficiency. Vitamin D absorbed by body is activated by parathyroid hormone (PTH) which in turn helps intestines absorb calcium.

Stand facing towards the sun. Take water in a copper jug and pour the water slowly in front of you from above the head in such a way that sun rays reflect from water and fall on our skin. Do this 3 times. It is good for the skin.

Note: Wear cotton clothes while doing these asanas. Ensure that soul is in a peaceful state while doing these asanas. Doing these asanas during sunrise or sunset gives you positive results.

Benefits: Makarasana will bring your muscles and bones to a relaxed state. You will receive good amount of vitamin D from the sun because of which your body calcium levels will increase. Bone strength will also improve.

Ashva sanchalasana

First keep your legs close and be in a standing posture. While slowly exhaling, bend forward and place your hands next to your legs. Now while slowly breathing in, bring your hands above your head in namaskara mudra and move your left leg back simultaneously as shown in the picture. Try to stay in this posture for half minute. Now while breathing out, come back to your previous position where you were bent down with your hands next to your legs. Now while breathing in, do the namaskara mudra by moving your right leg back. Repeat this asana 2 times.

Credits: Amy

Makarasana

Lie down on the yoga mat with your chest facing the floor. Keep your legs close together with fingers facing outward in stretched position. Now hold your face with your palms as shown in the figure. Be in this peaceful state for 3 minutes.

Salabhasana

Lie down on your chest. By keeping a pillow under tummy one can do this asana easily. Keeping your legs close together stretch your hands sideways at your shoulder level. Now while breathing in, lift your hands, shoulders and legs simultaneously. Stay in this posture for 30 seconds and repeat this asana 6 times.

Credits: Amy

Ardha Chandrasana (Half Moon Pose)

This asana was discussed earlier. Please refer to the previous post.

Yogasanas to Burn Body Fat Easily

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 31 May 2015 04:07:00 +0000

Fat gets deposited easily in some parts of your body. Particularly it gets stored in your buttocks, shoulders and belly very fast. These asanas help in burning the excess stored fat in these areas and get your body back in shape.

Vipareeta Noukasana

Lie face down on the floor and keep your legs close together. Then keep your hands behind as shown in the picture. Now breathe in and simultaneously lift your head, shoulders, hands and legs. Try to stay in this position for 30 seconds. Then slowly bring your head, hands and legs back to original position while breathing out. Repeat this asana 6 times.

Benefits: Doing this asana will burn fat in your buttocks.

Marjalasana (one form)

There are many variations of marjalasana ( cat posture ). Sit in Vajrasana posture initially, and stand on your knees slightly. Now keep your palms on the floor at shoulder width. Now cross your legs as shown in the picture. Now, while breathing out try to touch the floor with your chest, similar to the way you do pushups. After 2 minutes get back up while breathing in. Repeat this 10 to 20 times.

Note: People suffering from spondylitis and shoulder pain should not do this asana.

Benefits: This will burn fat in hands, shoulders and in chest areas.

Ardha Chandrasana (Half Moon Pose)

It is easy to do this asana with a pile of books or a stone block in case you are not able to touch the floor with your palm. Stand with your right leg forward and left leg slightly backward. Hold the stone block in your right hand and place it on the floor in front of you as shown in the picture. Now keeping the whole body weight on the stone block raise your left leg at an angle of 90 degree to your right leg and simultaneously raise your left hand with fingers facing upwards. Keep your eyes focused on your left hand. Be in this position for 30 seconds and come back to your original position. Repeat the same asana by holding the block in left hand and raising right leg.

Benefits: This will burn the fat in your shoulders and bring them to a good shape. These balancing acts in the asana will also aid in improving concentration.

Bhuja shakti vikasaka

Stand close to a wall. Now place your palms on the wall. Ensure that there is one foot distance between your legs. Slowly while exhaling try to touch the wall with your chest. Don't move your feet while trying to touch your chest against the wall. Then come back slowly while inhaling. Repeat this 10 to 20 times.

Benefits: This burns out additional fat in the chest area.

10 Best Ayurvedic Tips for Healthy Living

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sat, 16 May 2015 09:50:00 +0000

DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning I get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links, at no cost to you.

Here is how you can teach your body to stay healthy, by following these ayurvedic techniques daily. These tips teaches us the tools of living well and how to correct brewing imbalances through simple changes to daily routines through use of simple treatment protocols.

1. Drink two glasses of warm water as soon as you wake up early in the morning. Add some lemon juice if you'd like. Lemon juice can also help stop nose bleeding.

Photo by go_nils

2. Go outside for a morning exercise, jogging or even brisk walk would do. Breathe in fresh air everyday.

Photo by Randy

3. Apply some oil like jojoba oil to your body and give yourself an oil massage before you take shower. Your body relaxes and feels good. It also aids in blood and lymph circulation through the body.

Pic Courtesy: Vasile

4. Every time you eat, take your time and enjoy the nourishing food.

5. Eat your heavy meal at lunchtime.

Pic Courtesy: Steve

6. Keep your body hydrated by sipping warm water every hour throughout the day. This also supports the digestive fire.

7. These days more people are addicted to coffee as caffeine in it acts as an energy boost during work hours. Instead, make tulasi tea as an alternative. This is not only an energy booster but also helps in reducing mental stress.

8. Make sure you always buy the freshest produce, organic whenever possible.

Pic Courtesy: Cutler

9. To wind down your day, spend time with family or friends or spend time relaxing by reading books or listening to soothing music before you go to bed.

Photo by Julia

10. Create balance in your life as you make choices by following this simple principle of nature: Like increases like, opposites balance.

Health benefits of eating Almonds Daily

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 02 Feb 2015 16:03:00 +0000

DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning I get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links, at no cost to you.

Recent studies at Pennsylvania State University have confirmed that eating 10-15 almonds daily is good for heart. They found that having 42 grams of almonds daily as a substitute for cakes and biscuits which we have as evening snacks, will not only keep you away from hridroga (diseases related to heart) problems but also burns fat around your tummy. The other uses of almonds include:

It lowers cholesterol
It acts as anti-inflammation agent
It strengthens bones and teeth
It acts as immunity booster
It regulates sugar level in blood

How to consume almonds?

Now the question is in what form to consume almonds? Whether to have them raw, roasted, blanched or to take them as supplements? Many suggest to have them the way you wanted. But the right way to consume them is to soak them in water for 12 hours and then consume them after that. The reason behind soaking is that almonds contain phytic acid which helps in their defense mechanism against predators that stop them from growing. This acid prevents easy digestion of nuts because of which you get to see some bits of nuts in your stool when you consume them raw.

Soaking helps to get rid of this acid, enabling easy digestion and good absorption of vitamins and other nutrients in almonds. Adding a little salt while soaking helps in neutralizing enzymes and also remove dust on almonds.

Note: Please don't re-use the water residue left after soaking almonds for any cooking purpose. This has all the harmful substances. Moreover, wash almonds before consuming them once they are taken out of water.

Yogasanas for kids and teenagers to grow taller

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 20 Jan 2015 14:44:00 +0000

Due to various reasons, lot of kids don’t grow in height on par with their age. For some, this problem is also hereditary. There is a solution for this in yoga. One should practice the below yoga asanas along with suryanamaskara daily. For fruitful results, this should be particularly practiced by people in the age group 12-16.

Halasana

The name comes from sanskrit word Hala meaning plough, a large farming implement used to cut furrows for planting seeds.

First, lie on the floor on your back. Slowly, lift your legs and keep them at 90 degrees without bending your knees. Then start lifting your hip and buttocks by slowly moving your legs over the head and place them behind your head as shown in the picture. You can keep your hands in a direction opposite to your legs or you can keep your hands on your hip as a support. Stay in this posture for 3 minutes. Then slowly lift your legs and come back to your original position. Then be in shavasana and breathe in and breathe out 5 times slowly.

Note: Don't be in a hurry to do the asanas. Do them slowly. You should not speak, move, laugh or move your head side ways when you are in this halasana posture.

Benefits: This asana will help on the elongation of the backbone. This will heal any body posture defects and make them look taller.

Vrikshasana

The name comes from sanskrit word Vriksha meaning tree.

From Tadasana weight is shifted onto one leg. Stand on your feet keeping your legs together. Now bend the right knee and place the right foot on the left inner thigh or in half lotus position. Your hips should be open and your knees should be facing right side and not forward. Toes of your right foot should be facing down. Now slowly raise your hands above your head pointing upwards clasped together in anjali mudra. You should stretch your hips, shoulders upwards while clasping your hands. Stay in this position for 1 minute and slowly come back to original stance. Repeat the same asana with your left leg.

Benefits: By doing this asana, growth and concentration will improve in kids. Bones in your legs will stretch and you can see faster growth in them too.

Sarvangasana

This asana is discussed in greater detail in one of my previous post which you can access here

Benefits: This asana will stimulate thyroid gland in kids which helps in faster growth in height

Yogasanas for healthy and beautiful hair

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 11 Jan 2015 09:27:00 +0000

Hairfall, dandruff, greying of hair by the age of 25. These are some common hair related problems everyone is facing these days.There is a solution for all these problems in yoga.

Kapalabhati

Sit in padmasana posture with your legs bent inwards and in a upright position with your backbone straight. Make chin mudra with your fingers. Then exhale very fast by pulling your stomach inside. after that breathe in normally. Do this asana 60 times in a minute and repeat it for 3 minutes. After 3 minutes don't get up immediately. Do breathe in breathe out normally and come to normal stance. Then take rest for 2 minutes.

Benefits: This will pump more oxygen into brain thereby reducing stress and strengthening hair roots. Hairfall will reduce. You can see quick results with this asana.

Sarvangasana

Sleep on your back and raise both your legs up perpendicular to your upper body. Now slowly lift your hip and legs together using your hands support on your back as shown in the picture. Then keep your toes in such a way that they face upwards. Ensure that your shoulders and head won't move in this position and also your chin should be touching your chest. You should be in this posture for 3 to 5 minutes. People who can't do this can take support of a wall. Anyone suffering from backbone injuries or cervical spondylosis should avoid doing this asana.

Benefits: This asana will increase blood flow to your brain. By this hair growth will improve. The thyroid harmone will also be activated. If thyroid harmone doesn't function properly the first effect will be seen on hair. This asana will slowdown the greying of hair and also reduce your hairline from receding.

Adho Mukha Svanasana

First sleep on the floor with your tummy facing down. Keep your two hands next to your ears. Keep your feet close together and while balancing on your hands lift your hip upwards. While doing this ensure that you don’t bend your knees and your feet touches the floor. Breathe in and breathe out normally staying in this position for a period of 30 seconds to 1 minute. Then keep your knees on the floor and come back to original position where you sleep with your tummy facing the floor. Repeat this asana 3 times.

Benefits: Doing this not only pumps blood to your brain but also to your face and surplus oxygen will be available. With this the density of your hair increases and also dandruff problem reduces.

Practical Meditation as a healer

noreply@blogger.com (Socrates) — Tue, 06 Jan 2015 17:17:00 +0000

Practical meditation is highly recommended for those who are beginning to discover the beauty and strength of their own inner world. More and more, we human beings are realizing the need to develop the power of the mind, as we try to keep up with the ever-increasing pace of life and its complexities. By introducing meditation into one's own practical life, one not only gains real peace of mind, but also a very positive and healthy attitude towards life. The aim of meditation is to provide a means by which you can become the master of your own mind and your own destiny, and thus acquire constant peace of mind. So, it is essential for you to proceed at your own pace, in a way which feels comfortable. Above all, you need to develop a faith in yourself.

Having faith in yourself means not only having confidence in your previous experiences, but also having the courage to explore what you are going to experience. So, when you sit in meditation you can see if your experience matches up to the information you have been given. If you practice soul-consciousness during the day, you can see if it has the result that the knowledge predicts. By doing meditation you are not aiming for something you have never known before. Your aim is simply to rediscover that forgotten feeling of being so peaceful. When you experience peace in meditation, it feels so natural and easy. It is an effortless thing. Your aim is to be in that experience constantly. Whatever you are doing, whoever you are speaking to, whatever is happening around you, you remain 'Om Shanti', lost in the peace, spreading vibrations of peace to others. Faith needs both understanding and experience to sustain it.

So, make sure that you combine ongoing study of this knowledge with the practical experience of meditation. In this way your life becomes an inspiring source of positivity and happiness for yourself and for those with whom you interact.

Treatment for Cough

noreply@blogger.com (Socrates) — Thu, 01 Jan 2015 18:00:00 +0000

DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning I get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links, at no cost to you.

Cough is most widespread disease. The cure for this disease lies with Betel leaves.

1. Apply 4 drops of eucalyptus oil to Betel leaves and eat them.

2. Apply 2 or 3 drops of peppermint oil to Betel leaves and eat them.

CREDITS: BETH BRYAN

Treatment for bleeding nose and common cold

noreply@blogger.com (Socrates) — Wed, 31 Dec 2014 18:00:00 +0000

1. Put 3 or 4 drops of lemon juice in nostrils. This will stop the bleeding nose.

2. Make powder out of dried Ocimum Tenuiflorun (Tulasi) and try to breathe in the powder. This will stop the running nose.

3. Fry wheat flour in ghee on mild flame. Eat this flour daily in small quantities. This will cure sinusitis.

4. Extract juice out of pomegranate flowers and put 5 or 6 drops of the juice in nostrils. This will stop bleeding of nose.

5. Eat 7 black pepper seeds daily. This will cure your running nose.

6. Drink hot milk by adding little turmeric to it. It will cure your running nose.

7. If you are sneezing more with running nose, boil rose petals in sesame oil and put two drops of the oil in nostrils.

8. Smelling coriander leaves also cures the sneezing problem.

Treatment for conjunctivitis and night blindness

noreply@blogger.com (Socrates) — Tue, 30 Dec 2014 18:00:00 +0000

DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning I get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links, at no cost to you.

1. Eyesight will improve for people who regularly take honey in the morning.

2. Put 2 or 3 drops of water, onion juice in eyes. This will remove conjunctivitis completely.

3. Mix sandal wood paste with Eclipta Prostrata (Tella galijeru) and make it into mild liquid form and put in eyes. Slowly it will cure blindness.

4. Extract juice from neem leaves. Put 1 or 2 drops of neem juice in the eyes during night time. This shall heal night blindness slowly.

5. Try to get fresh cow dung and put it in a cloth. Squeeze it to extract the liquid. Put the drops in your eyes. Within 10 days night blindness will be cured.

6. Apply castor oil to your scalp and massage slowly. This is one more cure for night blindness.

7. Mix turmeric powder in water and apply the paste on eyelashes. This will reduce the redness in eyes. In addition to this turmeric can also help to stop running nose

8. Fry neem leave in ghee and grind them into paste. apply the paste over eyes and tie a bandage over it to keep it still. This will cure lot of eye related diseases.

9. Try to extract juice from leaves of Coreopsis verticillata (Nandhivardhanam leaves) and pour some drops of it in eyes. This will cure conjunctivitis.