How To Safely and Easily Find The Best Yoga Class

There are three main fears people have when they decide to try yoga.




In the years I’ve been teaching, many of my students have told me their stories of those fears. Some had some real-life nightmares while searching for good instruction, but inevitably… Once they found the right teacher, they experienced the best health of their lives, and enjoyed life more than ever before…



Here are a few of those stories, and then I’ll show you the eight secrets to finding the best yoga for you. Let’s jump right in.



The number one fear of prospective yoga students… is pain and injury.



Just yesterday a new student, who I’ll call Jose, came to me and said the following:



“Tao, I know I need this because I’m always stressed and I’m not at all flexible, but I’m afraid of hurting myself… I don’t want my muscles and ligaments ripped to shreds, I’m afraid of being forced to go into poses that I am not ready for and cannot do.”



Now – Nobody’s ever been injured at my school, but Jose is right to be concerned.



Bad things can happen with the wrong instructor.



You see, -- two friends, both healthy, fit women – had come in earlier that same week to take one of our seminars. They had stopped taking yoga at another South Beach school several months ago, after one of the women tore her hamstring. The instructor there had a forced this woman’s stretches to the point of injury, claiming that the space heaters and steaming temperatures in the classroom would protect her muscles form harm. She couldn’t walk, much less do yoga for weeks afterwards. It’s very important that you listen to your own body first. You don’t have to force yourself to do effective yoga.



The second great fear, fear of humiliation.

Kelly came to me wanting to take yoga. She told me she had never done yoga, she felt overweight, and was afraid of feeling or looking foolish in front of the other students.



“Tao, she said, I signed up before at a gym to do yoga,. I mean, picture me walking into a room full of men and women with perfect bodies and yoga butts. There I was, wearing spandex, with my imperfect body. I didn’t fit in. I could feel their looks, and then the thought of trying one of those impossible looking poses and falling on my ass, with all of them laughing… I just walked out.” I could feel her pain.



And I regret to say, I’ve watched Kelly’s nightmare unfold at classes at gyms, and event at other so-called yoga schools. Ironically, 6 months earlier the students laughing probably couldn’t do that same pose. But some teachers can provide a poor model for their students. The yoga teachers at many big gyms like Bally’s are frequently just aerobics instructors, certified by the gym, not by other yogis.



“Kelly,” I said, “yoga is about emotional health as well as physical. And while the physical exercises in real yoga will quickly give anybody a strong, beautiful body, real yoga has nothing to do with gym culture and being judged on your looks. Real yoga isn’t like that”



The third big fear of new yoga students is the fear that a class will intrude on your personal beliefs – that a teacher will bombard you with foreign dogma. This is what I like to call captive audience abuse. Picture yourself bravely venturing into a classroom for the first time. Instead of the teacher making you feel better through yogic exercises, he or she browbeats you with sanctimony for an hour and a half as you hold poses, criticizing your political beliefs, your clothes, the food you eat, the music you listen too, and your religious beliefs or lack thereof. It happens all too often.



I’ve been to yoga seminars where students were denied meals they’d already paid for when they would not repeat a teacher’s sectarian prayer. At the other end of the spectrum, Solange, one of my students, told me she’s wasted time and money at yoga seminars where self-proclaimed gurus spent 70% of the time selling a new book or video and only 30% teaching.
 
1. Tell them what you want. Whatever you want a better body, pain relief, or even spiritual enlightenment, let your instructor know. If a teacher can’t give you specific prescriptions for your goal, then leave!




2. Take a hard look at the instructor! This may seem obvious, but if the teacher is in poor health, unhappy or angry all the time, has low self-esteem, or can’t function in the real world, what are you going to learn form him or her? Find a teacher who is happy, relaxed, healthy, and together…



3. Check your teacher’s background… it takes less time to check references that to take a single class! This one step can save you from injury and harassment. So ask for references form their students, and from their peers in the yoga community.

4. Ask yourself the following: is their yoga practical for you? Will they specifically tailor a program to your body and personality? Don’t settle for a cookie-cutter class, where poses are forced and everybody does the same thing, day in and day out, regardless of experience of ability.



5. Give yourself the power. Your teacher should tell you how to take the knowledge home with you to improve your everyday life. Every technique has benefits, and you don’t have to be a Chinese acrobat to get results. If a teacher won’t teach help you help yourself with yoga, he or she either doesn’t know much, or is trying to keep you dependent on classes.



6. Look out for cults. If you want to learn yoga, just emulate the techniques, awareness, and happiness of a yogi to succeed. You don’t have to dress like your teacher, you don’t need to talk like her, you don’t need to shave your head like him, or grow your hair or beard, or wear a turban, or eat a particular ethnic diet, and you certainly don’t have to change your name, or give them your title to your house or your car.



Sounds crazy?? Many large so-called yoga organizations demand such outrageous things of their students. Examples are Sahaja Yoga, 3HO, Siddha Yoga, and the ever-present Hari Krishnas.



If a teacher or a student at another school even hints that to learn their yoga you need to devote yourself heart and soul to some tax-evading charismatic leader you’ve never met, don’t walk… run… out the door! Yoga is about inner freedom and bliss, not oppression.



7. The class should not revolve around the teacher’s ego or temper. This may seem obvious, but if an instructor is a sourpuss – angry, condescending, self-righteous, or downright verbally cruel, he or she’s missed the point of yoga entirely. He can’t teach you anything. The ultimate goals of yoga, are blissful absorption – which Hindus call Ananda or Samadhi – and liberation, which they call mukti… anger is an imbalance!



8. Look for impeccable hygiene in a school and in your teachers. Bad body odor is a sign of an imbalanced body and poor health – and a dirty school is an invitation to disease and infection. If the school rents mats, you’d better hope they’ve found some new way laundering rubber – in this age of communicable diseases, do you really want to be lying in a pool of someone else’s sweat? Sure some schools spray their mats down with Lysol, but would you put on somebody else’s dirty gym clothes just after they’ve been sprayed with toxic disinfectant? My school is cleaned daily, and you shouldn’t settle for anything else

The Most Neglected Muscle In The Body

In 1987, during my first year in the biz of personal fitness training, I had an 18-year old client named Tim.




He was gung-ho at first. Showed up on time. Worked his arse off. Never complained.



Then, all of a sudden, after about five weeks, he started to miss workouts. Despite my "rah rah" talks with him his behavior didn't change. In fact, it got worse. Seven weeks into the program and he dropped out. No phone call. No explanation. Would not return my calls.



A couple years later, from "out of the blue" Tim called again. He wanted to come back.



Upon starting back up he explained that the reason he dropped out before was due to his problems with alchohol and drugs. Now that he was "clean and sober" - all was well. There weren't going to be any problems.



But ... true to form, despite giving up the booze and dope, five weeks into the program and Tim's behavior started to look the same. He missed a Monday workout - and showed up late on Wednesday
 
This time I gave no "rah rah" talk. I simply confronted Tim and asked him a number of questions about why he was missing sessions and coming late. Tim's response was as follows: "It's raining. I don't feel motivated when it's raining."




"What makes you think you need to be motivated?" I asked.



Tim had no answer for this one. It was sort of a brain-bender.



So I followed up with, "Which would you rather be - motivated or focused?"



Tim replied, "Focused."



"That's right," I said. "Now, what's more important to you, staying home when it's raining or getting your body in great shape?"



"Getting in great shape," said Tim



"Right again," I said. "Now, how about this. From now on, do me a favor: Whenever you come up with an excuse for why you don't want to train, I want you to ask yourself this question:



'What do I want most, to do 'X' or to get into great shape?'



If you do this, I think you'll always be focused."



Tim agreed to do as I requested. Six months later he was still with me. He never missed another workout. And he got into kick-butt shape.



Yes, I know what I just described seems simple. But the best things in life are just that: SIMPLE.



It all boils down, once again, to the questions you ask yourself: Do you WANT to get fit? Do you really, really, really WANT to get fit?



Questions focus your mind better than anything.

7 Ways To Make Exercise More Enjoyable

Thought I'd pass this along to you because it can really cut through the negativity on days that you may not feel like training.




1. While training, listen to music that inspires you or brings back memories of the best days of your life. But make sure you are still paying close attention to your breathing, posture and form.



2. Think about positive, successful moments in your life when you were full of confidence and courage. Imagine that you are bringing these same qualities into the picture of what you want to accomplish.



3. Listen to motivational cassette tapes, filled with stories and information about how you can improve your life. My Magnetic Mind Power series is a great one for this.
 
4. Spend some time focusing on your goal and your present condition before you begin your session. Doing this will help you begin and end your program with focused enthusism.




5. Focus on your breathing, watching the inhale and exhale. When you focus on your breathing while exercising, you can feel the same euphoria, within minutes, that has been labeled, "runner's high."



6. Focus on the bottoms of your feet when you are running, biking or walking. Push off the ground. Notice how much more of your latent physical strength is used when you pay attention to the connection your feet have with other things.



7. At a high-point of the workout, imagine that you have already achieved your goal and someone wants to know how you accomplished it. Mentally pretend that you are telling them how you did it and they are praising and congratulating you for your achievement.

8 Steps To A Healthy Heart

According to the American Heart Association, cardiovascular diseases claimed the lives of 945,836 people in the United States in 2000. This means that a staggering 39.4 percent of all deaths during this year were attributable to heart disease. It is also the leading cause of death for both men and women.




Cardiovascular diseases are typically the result of atherosclerosis, which is the buildup of plaque in the arteries. This buildup develops gradually over time, as soft fatty streaks form along the inner walls of arteries. As the buildup continues, these streaks begin to harden into plaque, which constricts the blood flow through the arteries. This can lead to a heart attack, the formation of blood clots, or stroke.



There are several risk factors that may contribute to whether or not you will develop some form of cardiovascular disease during your lifetime. Some of these risk factors are beyond your control, such as your gender and your genes, for instance. Men typically run a higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease than women, as do people who have other family members who have the disease. There are other risk factors, however, that can be controlled or eliminated by following a healthy lifestyle.



Here are eight steps that you can take to have a healthy heart and lower your chances of developing cardiovascular disease:









1. Know Your Risk Factors

It is important to be aware of any risk factors that you may possess. For example, if you have a parent or other close family member with cardiovascular disease, you are at a higher risk. The odds of developing cardiovascular disease also tend to increase as we age. People who are diabetic have an elevated risk of developing cardiovascular disease because chronic high blood sugar is associated with the narrowing of the arteries. People with diabetes also tend to have lower levels of "good" HDL cholesterol and increased levels of triglycerides (blood fats).









2. Make Healthy Food Choices

Your diet can have a major impact on your chances of developing cardiovascular disease. Limit your intake of greasy, fried, or fatty foods and red meats. Fill your diet instead with fresh fruits and vegetables, lean meats such as poultry and seafood, and fiber-rich foods such as Quaker oatmeal and whole-grain breads
 





3. If You're Overweight, Get To A Healthy Weight And Maintain It

If you are currently overweight, your odds of developing cardiovascular disease are higher. A loss of just ten to twenty pounds can help lower your likelihood of developing cardiovascular disease. Work with your physician or dietitian to find a healthy eating plan that will work for you.









4. Establish And Follow A Regular Exercise Program

You should engage in some form of physical activity for at least thirty minutes, several times a week. Consult with your family physician to see what forms of activity are appropriate for your age and current physical condition. You can also find ways to incorporate activity into your daily routine by doing things like gardening and house cleaning at a fast pace.









5. Have Your Cholesterol Numbers And Blood Pressure Checked Regularly

Have your family physician check your cholesterol numbers and blood pressure at least once a year. If either of these sets of numbers is high, your chances of developing cardiovascular disease greatly increase. Your physician can help you modify your lifestyle by improving your diet and adding exercise in order to bring your numbers under control. In some cases, your physician may also prescribe medication to help return your cholesterol or blood pressure numbers to normal levels.

6. If You Smoke, You Should Quit

Smoking is one of the leading causes of cardiovascular diseases. According to the American Medical Association, people can cut their risk of developing cardiovascular disease in half within one year of quitting smoking.









7. Get A Handle On Your Stress

Stress may help contribute to heart disease. Stress can also cause your blood pressure to rise and may lead to unhealthy behaviors such as smoking or binging on unhealthy foods. Try practicing meditation or yoga as a way to combat stress. Take a few minutes out of each day and do something you enjoy, such as listening to music or reading, for example.









8. Don't Ignore Possible warning Symptoms

That burning sensation in your chest may simply be the result of heartburn, but it could also be a warning sign of the presence of cardiovascular disease. Other symptoms may include a sense of tightness emanating from the breastbone and into the neck, jaw and arm or a shortness of breath. If you have any of these symptoms, don't casually dismiss them. Let your physician determine what is causing them and follow his advice.



Heart disease is a leading cause of death in the United States for both men and women. While some of the causes are beyond your control, many of them are not. If you follow a healthy diet and lead an active lifestyle, you may be able to reduce your risk of heart disease. Work with your family physician to develop a lifestyle plan that is right for you.

Big Heart Disease News from the FDA

I have to admit most of the time I look at what the Food and Drug Administration puts out with regards to supplements and say to myself "DUH!!! We've known that for years."




I have to give them some credit however for their latest move. But there is Still a "DUH"!! moment in the latest info release here it is.



The FDA's commissioner Dr Lester Crawford stated that Omega 3 fatty acids could confer protection against heart disease and that Americans should begin to evaluate the food content of EPA and DHA the 2 most important Omega 3 fatty acids. DUH!



What really pleased me was a quote from the same article, ""Also, it is important that the FDA emphasized long chain not short chain fatty acids. "Long chain omega 3 fatty acids from fish/fish oil are more beneficial than short chain fatty acids from flax, canola, soy or walnuts."



It's always nice to get independent confirmation from an outside source to back up what you say.



I often get "love letters" from flax and canola fans.



Many of you are familiar with the "information" put out recently by one of the well known health guru who sells flax oil called the "Fish Oil Farce".
In this "document" the physician in question touted the benefits of flax and belittled Fish Oil.




One of my customers read my email, looked at all of the proof that Fish Oil has in the Scientific literature, and the lack of it for Flax and said of the doc who wrote it, "It kind of makes you wonder!"



And well it should. My suggestion is that when someone puts out nonsense they should be rewarded for it by a massive loss of business.

That of course may be the reason why this person put out that article, because their business is being flushed down the tubes by the growing awareness of Fish Oil's many benefits and the scientific proof behind them.



Look for the next wave of food supplementation to be the addition of Omega 3 fatty acids to all kinds of products, butters, spreads, eggs and as feed for chickens and cattle

Pregnancy Induced Hypertension: How to avoid and treat PIH

PIH or pregnancy induced hypertension is a condition of high blood pressure during pregnancy. One of the most common PIH is the chronic hypertension, wherein high blood pressure is detected before pregnancy. When the blood pressure extremely goes up, protein can be found in the urine and this is called toxemia or preeclampsia.




Most pregnant women who are really affected by this condition are those who are first-time mothers, women who are carrying multiple babies, young mothers and pregnant mothers who are more than 40 years of age. Pregnancy induced hypertension can be considered as a genetically found health disorder; that is why, if there is someone in your family that have the same condition, there is the possibility of acquiring the condition as well.



Pregnancy induced hypertension can be one of the primary concern in having a baby because it can be the start of other serious problems if left untreated. High blood pressure may block the passage of blood flow that can damage some vital organs of the body. Moreover, this condition may develop abruptio placenta and some fetal growth disorders.



Symptoms of pregnancy induced hypertension can be different from other pregnant mothers because most of the time their symptoms may vary from how high their blood pressure is. The most common symptoms are having an elevated blood pressure, protein present in the urine, edema, and sudden weight gain. Pregnant mothers may experience some changes in their vision as well as vomiting, abdominal pain, urinating in smaller amounts and sudden changes in kidney function.



Pregnancy induced hypertension can be treated just by having a regular consultation to your doctor and by taking some prescribed medications, along with magnesium sulfate to lower down the blood pressure. To prevent your self from having PIH, treatment with added care and discipline is a must. For a healthy pregnancy, you should observe a complete bed rest or hospital confinement. Regular fetal monitoring is also suggested to monitor the development of your child during the pregnancy

Quit Smoking Today; Switch Over To The Best E-Cig

many of us bother to look at the warning closely and do something about it. Something meaning, quit smoking. It is a silent killer can reduce your lifespan drastically. It is known to cause cancer and can be fatal to your life. If you are addicted to smoking and want a way out, then get yourself the best E-Cig. E-Cig means electronic cigarette. It is akin to vaporized smoking and is a healthier option. It can help you get rid of the dangerous addiction.




There are many brands available online. It is imperative that you choose the right product that is safe for your health. There are many benefits of using the best E-Cigs. Here are some of the reasons to switch over to the best Ecigs.



Benefits



Zero tar and second hand smoke: These cigarettes do not contain tar or second hand smoke. This means that you can smoke in public places without worrying about the harm you cause to the environment and other non-smokers. Burnt tobacco is toxic in nature and it emits second hand smoke in the environment. However, the electronic cigarettes stimulate smoke by emitting vapor into the air. This vapor is formed in a liquid tube inside the device and is known as e-liquid or e-juice.



Sensation: The best E-Cig will offer a sensation that is identical to smoking, minus the harmful effects of regular smoking. It is as good as smoking a real cigarette. It makes the switch easier from a regular cigarette to a healthier cigarette since you do not have to compromise on smoking. The shape and size too closely resemble the traditional cigarette.



Safe: E-Cig review revealed that it does not contain carcinogenic chemicals. The ingredients are certified as food safe. There is no carbon monoxide, which is responsible for causing heart disease in tobacco smokers.



Refill Cartridges: The electronic cigarette is available in different types of cartridges where you can choose the level of nicotine. For instance, there is low, high, medium and zero nicotine cartridges that you can choose. The zero nicotine refills help you to cut down the consumption of nicotine completely. The best E-Cig should have such refill options.



Economical: This option of smoking is cheaper than regular cigarettes since the refills are available at lower costs. The traditional cigarettes are a costlier option. Besides, it comes with a chargeable battery. This further saves cost of smoking.



Flavors: You could choose a different flavor like a fruity or a punchy one. The refills are available in tasty and exciting flavors to bring newness. However, if you are a succor for tobacco then you could choose a tobacco flavored best E-cig.



An electronic cigarette has an LED light at the tip, which lights up on inhaling. The cigarette has an automatic function and does not require turning on the device. All you have to do is inhale the cigarette and the mechanism turns on automatically.



An E-cig can satisfy your nicotine cravings without causing harm to your internal system. It is a safe and eco-friendly way of smoking and can help you fight the addiction.

Now You Can Get Rid Of Analogs With An Electronic Cigarette Free Trial

Not so long ago, a mysterious device was developed. It was called the “Electronic Cigarette”. From that day, the buzz about it began to grow. And it grew so fast that today every smoker on earth wants either to try an electronic cigarette free trial or directly buy them. Why? Why not just stick to the old methods to quit analogs? What is that unfair adventage the electronic cigarette has?






To be honest with you, quitting analogs is an extremely difficult task. And the reason why is because you are NOT fighting against nicotine alone. That’s exactly why every other smoking-cessation product has miserably failed. The truth is you are fighting against nicotine AND the actual habit of smoking a cigarette. And that habit is so strong that it’s not even funny!



That’s exactly why electronic cigarettes are a game changer. That’s the unfair adventage. Think about it for a second, you are getting your nicotine fix and you still feel like smoking a regular cigarette. But you are not exposed to harmful smoke and all the toxic garbage that an analog has.



In a nutshell, every time you inhale the electronic cigarette produces a vapor that contains nicotine. And that is what you “smoke” (you are not smoking anymore, you are vaping now!).



As no harmful second hand smoke is generated (when you exhale) you can smoke you e-cig anywhere you want. Not to mention that you are also being cool to other non-smoking people who will enjoy so much more spending time with you when you don’t smell like an… well, when you smell smoke-free. That’s the nice way to say it :-)



The electronic cigarette will also save you money. The initial purchase may be a little bit scary (around $150 bucks for the complete electronic cigarette starter kit) but when you do the math you’ll realize that you are saving a TON of money each and every month like clockwork

How to cope with depression and stress

How to cope with depression and stress

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Depression is one of the most gruesome threats for the human society world wide; although apparently look innocent, it may lead toward lots of psycho-physical disorder for its victims. Severe kind of depression may lead toward alcoholism, drug addiction, and more intense conditions and ultimately toward a complete negative view of life developing a tendency for committing suicide. Therefore it is important to resist depression in its very first stage. There are different types of depressions like manic depression, bi-polar disorder, etc; however medical intervention is required for all kinds of depressions.



The type of depression and its outcome may vary from one patient to another. Cause and triggers of depression also vary largely from one depression victim to another. Therefore treatment of depression cannot be done in superficial manner and it takes professional expertise to learn and understand the true nature of depression to decide about its treatment process. Depression treatment centers are the best reliable places where right treatment procedure is decided to ensure complete cure of the depression affected patients.



Depression treatment centers, in an average, remain equipped with expert psychotherapists and physicians. the psychotherapists take care of psycho analysis, cognitive therapies, and counseling of a patient and the medicinal back up to improve physical output is provided by the concerned physicians. A good depression treatment center should have qualified physicians, nutritionist, and counselors so that complete support and back-up can be given to the depression patients.

In depression treatment centers the patients are not only given medications and counseling support, the successful treatment process is involved with three more phases of treatment like group therapy, family therapy, and individual therapy.



The problem of depression is becoming like an epidemic in our modern society; inability to stress management, panic attack, unrealistic expectation, and lack of coordination with family are some major issues behind this social disorder. It has been observed from many alcohol treatment centers and drug treatment center survey result that in most of the cases depression works as initial trigger behind alcoholism and drug addiction.



Suffering from minor depression for 2-3 days is a common factor and happens in everybody’s life; however, if the feeling of restlessness, stress, insomnia, unconditional headache, excessive sweating, loss of appetite, excessive mood swing etc are observed in an individual consistently for one week or more, it is to be anticipated as an alarming signal for recurring occurrence of depression. At this stage it is strongly recommended to contact a reliable depression treatment center for further modus operandi. On the other hand persons with hyper-activity tendency, suffering from irritation, short tempered, and excessive energy drive also should get in touch with depression treatment center; in these cases chemical imbalance in brain triggers the above discrepancies which may turn into severe depression id not intervened in time.



Simple online search can reveal lots of options for depression treatment centers but it is always wise to go for the best and the most reliable options when the question of emotional balance handling is concerned. The treatment center.com is a website about a depression treatment center in Florida which has handled lots of intricate cases of depression successfully. In your requirement you can contact their 24 hours hot line to get more about resources to handle your depression related problems

Herbs for Depression - Herbal Remedies to get rid of Depression

Depression is an illness that involves body, mind and thoughts. It is not a bodily flaw that will vanish within days but it’s the state that interferes with the every day chores of life resulting in deprived performance or output. It gives rise to a harmful feeling for each and every thing. It may also be defined as allergy, which triggers an unhappy response. It may be due to emotional or mental pressure and strain or due to high intake of antibiotics. Sometimes anxiety also results in depression. It also arises out of the monotony and drudgery of a every day routine without any meaningful difference in urban life. The major risk in great cases of depression is suicide.




For more information please visit http://www.herbalcureindia.com/products/brahmi.htm



Causes of Depression



There are a number of factors that may augment the chance of depression, including the following:



1. Abuse. Past physical, sexual, or emotional abuse can reason depression later in life.



2. Convinced medications. For example, several drugs used to treat high blood pressure, such as beta-blockers or reserpine, can amplify your risk of depression.



3. Conflict. Depression may result from personal conflicts or disputes with family members or friends.



4. Death or a loss. Sadness or grief from the death or loss of a loved one, though natural, can also increase the risk of depression.



Home Remedies for Depression



1. One of the simplest and effectual home remedy for treating depression is to add rose petals in a glass of boiling water. Add sugar to the drink and have it.



2. Combine 1/8 teaspoon of nutmeg powder with 1 tablespoon of newly extracted amla juice. Consume this combination thrice a day.



3. Licorice tea also works well for depressed minds. Take 1-3 cups of tea per day to get free of depression.



4. The plant, Griffonia simplicifolia, gives a substance 5HTP which is extracted from the seedpods of the plant. Intake of this would ease a person from depression.



5. One more remedy for curing depression is to have an apple with milk and honey.



6. This might surprise you but a neutral immersion bath for about an hour would do wonders in curing a person off depression and uplift his/her mood.



7. Dry the root of asparagus and make a powder of it. Every day one or two grams of intake of this powder would heal a person's mind from depression.



8. Create a tea and add 1/4-teaspoon basil and 1/2 teaspoon of sage per cup of hot water. Consuming this combination two times a day would be obliging in relieving a person from depression.



9. Boil a cup of hot water. Add powdered seeds of 2 green cardamoms and sugar. Drink this when warm. It would assist in treating depression.



10. Diet is also a significant concern for treating depression. Having a well balanced nutritional food is very essential. Eat a lot of nuts, cheese, and apple cider vinegar in a glass of water, pumpkin seeds, carrot juice, apple juice, 5-6 plums, ruta leaves varied with cumin.



11. In 1 cup of rice milk or soy milk, cook 3-4 tablespoons of oatmeal. Add nuts, almonds, dried fruits, maple syrup or honey to it. This would be efficient in curing depression.



12. One more method would be to stir a tsp of lavender leaves in a cup of boiling water. Have it when temperate 3 times a day

Diabetic Coma Symptoms, Causes and Treatment

Diabetic Coma is a medical emergency condition. The person who suffers from diabetes mellitus is comatose. It means the person is in unconscious state. It is describing one of the acute complications of diabetes.




1. Severe diabetic problem



2. Diabetic ketoacidosis advanced enough to result in unconsciousness from a combination of dehydration, severe hyperglycemia, shock and exhaustion.



3. Hyperosmolar nonketotic coma relating to dehydration and hyperglycemia causing unconsciousness.



Based on medical context, the term diabetic coma relates to the diagnostical dilemma posed while a physician is confronting with an unconscious patient. Noting can add about the unconsciousness except the patient has diabetes. Therefore, a state of unconsciousness leads a person to a risk prone condition of brain damage or death; it happens due to severe constant fluctuations in the sugar levels. This unconscious state is known as diabetic coma. There are many causes behind diabetic coma. It has symptoms and treatments also.



The early symptoms can lead to diabetic coma if these are not treated. These can be -

1. Increased thirst

2. Increased urination

3. Weakness

4. Drowsiness

5. Headache

6. Restlessness

7. Inability to speak

8. Paralysis





The symptoms of hypoglycemia are sweating, hunger anxiety, abnormal behavior, double or blurred vision, tremor, heart palpitations, loss of consciousness or seizure. When blood sugar reaches 600mg/dl (milligram per deciliter) or more, Diabetic coma typically happens.



The causes of Diabetic coma can be extreme low blood glucose levels (hypoglycemia), or extreme high blood glucose levels (hyperglycemia). Hypoglycemia is the condition that arises due to insufficient supply of glucose, a fuel to the brain. It is ranging from nausea to seizure. Both type 1 and type 2 diabetes are hypoglycemia prone. Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA) is found in type 1 diabetes patients. It is a life threatening complication. It is the state of absolute of insulin shortage, leading to alarming high blood sugar levels, saturating organic acid and ketones in the blood. Muscles, fat and liver cells become inefficient to use sugar as a fuel. Nonketotic Hyperosmolar Syndrome relates to the high concentration of sugar or glucose in the blood stream, and it is mostly found in adults suffering from type 2 diabetes. The causes behind this syndrome are hyperglycemia and dehydration. In this state, blood sugar level reaches at 600 mg/dl or 33 mmol/L; as a result, the blood turns thick and syrupy.



The treatment of diabetic coma depends on the blood sugar levels. When it is too low, the hormone glucagon injection is provided, and it can help raise the glucose level. Similarly, when blood sugar level is too high, intravenous fluids is applied and it restores water in the tissues. Replaced sufficient fluids, insulin can be administered to absorb sugar. To function the cells properly, potassium, sodium or chlorine can be prescribed. As glucose level reaches at normal blood sugar level, the patient regains consciousness. Moreover, proper diabetic diet,

Exercise a Cure for the Belly Fat Blues

Belly fat isn’t only bad for the heart—it may be giving people the blues as well. However, moderate exercise, even a walk around the block, can help you fight back and feel better.




A study at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, published in the May issue of the journal Psychosomatic Medicine, linked depression among middle-age women with the accumulation of visceral fat—the kind packed between internal organs at the waist.



“We’ve long known that depression and heart disease are related, but until now there’s really not been an explanation as to why,” says cardiovascular epidemiologist Lynda Powell, the study’s lead author and chair of Rush’s Department of Preventive Medicine. Powell says this study may help explain the link between depression and heart disease in both women and men, because visceral fat is associated with increased heart disease risk.



Powell’s team looked at the connection between depression and visceral fat in 400 women between ages 42 and 52 and found a strong correlation, particularly among overweight and obese women. Powell says that the link between belly fat and depression goes beyond feeling sad or depressed because of body image: There appears to be a chemical connection.



In another study, on mice, researchers at the University of Illinois looked at inflammation in belly fat, which has been shown to be an independent predictor for disease, to see whether exercise or diet would be more effective in reducing both the inflammation and the levels of fat. They found that moderate exercise worked just as well as a low-fat diet in reducing inflammation, if not weight. That’s important. “If you’re exercising or dieting and not losing weight, you still may be getting benefits,” says nutritional scientist Victoria Vieira, lead author of the study, which was published in the May issue of American Journal of Physiology—Endocrinology and Metabolism

Glucosamine: No Real Relief for Chronic Lower Back Pain

popular supplement glucosamine doesn’t appear to relieve lower back pain, according to new research.




Eight out of 10 Americans will experience lower back pain during their lifetimes. For some it’s a fleeting inconvenience, but for others it’s a chronic condition affecting health, work and quality of life. In search of relief, more than a quarter of the millions of Americans with chronic back pain take glucosamine, but a new study reports that this widely available dietary supplement provides little real benefit.



A team of researchers at the Oslo University Hospital looked at 250 people over the age of 25 with chronic lower back pain who also showed signs of osteoarthritis in the lower back. Half were given 1,500 milligrams of glucosamine; the rest were given a placebo.



Patients were asked to describe their back pain using a standard rating scale. At the start, all the patients scored between 9 and 10 on a scale of 24. After six months, the placebo and the glucosamine groups showed the same improvement, both rating their back pain at about 5 on the scale.



“We found no difference in pain level or quality of life between those taking glucosamine and those taking the placebo,” says Philip Wilkens, lead author and a research fellow in the orthopedic department at the University of Oslo in Norway. While the study found no adverse effects from taking glucosamine, patients suffering from chronic low back pain will most likely not benefit from taking the supplement, Wilkens says.



“This was a well-done study to test a widely used therapy,” says Andrew L. Avins, M.D., research scientist in the Division of Research at Northern California Kaiser-Permanente in Oakland, and author of an editorial on glucosamine and lower back pain.



“And while I would not encourage clinicians to recommend glucosamine as a treatment for chronic lower back pain, if a patient is taking it and believes it’s helping, that merits a discussion between physician and patient,” he says

WHAT YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH FOOD SAYS ABOUT YOU

WHAT YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH FOOD SAYS ABOUT YOU






In the world of health and weight loss, we hear a plethora of information about what, when, and how much we should eat. But for all this information, the discussion about our relationship with food is non-existent at best. It seems that we live in a culture that is dependent on sound information about weight loss, of which there is none. To be sure, when I say sound information about weight loss, I am speaking of information about weight loss that incorporates information pertaining to your relationship with food. Without this integral piece of information, the changes we may make in the what, when, and how much categories of our weight loss will only be first order changes. First order changes are changes in behavior, not the underlying thoughts, and feelings that support behavior. The failure of this band-aid approach is evidenced by the lack of weight loss success in this country. In order to create second order changes, or changes in the thoughts and feelings that support the behavior of weight loss, we must change not only what, when, and how much we eat, but our attitude toward food. In order to change this, we must first understand it. As we do, we will likely find that our attitude toward food represents not just a pattern in our behavior around food, but our behavior in life in general. That being said, it is not uncommon to find that the way you are around food, is the way you are about many things in life. So let's explore a few different attitudes toward food, and the ways in which these attitudes affect our lives:



1. THE CONTROLLER: Do you view food as something in your life that can be controlled? Do you depend on your control of food to gain a sense of control of your life? Do you find yourself turning to food to overcome emotions or situations that are not within your control? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you probably do have a tendency to view food as control. People such as this tend to look for things in their life that can be regulated, structured, managed and consistent. When they find these things, they tend to depend on them for emotional stability. What this means is that when that thing in the person's life is stable, regulated, managed, and consistent, so is the person. But when that thing is not consistent, stable, or controlled, neither are the person's emotions. People such as this, do not like changes in routine, and have trouble adjusting when plans do not go as expected. Much of what perpetuates this trouble adjusting to changes in routine is the expectation that things should not change unless the person changes them. People such as this, rely on the ability to control things, and can have trouble delegating authority to others, or trusting them with control. Using the relationship with food as a way to feel in control can then predispose this person to eating disorders, such as anorexia nervosa, or bulimia nervosa. However, perhaps the larger issue is that this person is prone to depression and anxiety, as a life that is dependent on control ceases to have a sense of freedom, enjoyment, or passion.



2. THE DEPENDENT: Do you feel as though food provides comfort for you? Do you find yourself nurtured by food? Do you turn to food when you feel depressed, or rejected? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you have a tendency to view food as something to be depended on. People such as this; tend to look for things in their life that represent comfort. This can be in the form of a relationship, a place, a thing, or food. As these things will provide emotional comfort, every time they feel depressed, they will turn to those things. For people such as this, emotional stability is dependent on the availability of these things. As they tend to look for ways in their life to feel nurtured, they also do not like to be in control, and would rather delegate authority than experience it. However, looking to other people and things to fulfill their emotional needs, these people are prone to overeating, and feeling as though their life is without direction, or firm anchoring.



3. THE ANGRY PERSON: Do you feel as though diet plans and weight loss attempts have let you down? Do you tend to find yourself often angry, and looking for a way to vent? Does food provide an opportunity for you to get what you really want when you are not able to in other ways in your life? If you answered yes to any of these questions you have a tendency to be an angry eater. People such as this tend to be angry in life easily, and often experience this emotion predominantly. As they experience anger frequently, they also feel as though life, people, and situations have let them down. As they cannot change any of these situations that have disappointed them, they look for a way to express their anger. In fact, they become dependent on these situations. They may find themselves feeling attached to things in their life that allow them to express their anger. For this reason, they will often stay in relationships that they describe as bad. These relationships allow them to express their anger. Food, to these people, also represents a way to express anger, and they will often find themselves eating when they are angry. Much in the same way that they will stay in a bad relationship because it is a way for them to express their anger, they will also want to maintain their relationship with food. They may ask for help, or attempt to change their eating habits, but they remain attached to the angry relationship they have with food. Because people such as this have trouble letting go of their anger, they are also prone to self-destructive behavior and patterns in life.



4. THE LOST PERSON: Do you find yourself trying routine after routine in your weight loss efforts? Do you find that your weight loss efforts in adult fat camps go well when you are on a routine, yet things seem to fall apart when the routine ends? Do you often have trouble knowing what food will satisfy you? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you have a tendency to feel lost around food. People such as this tend to be unsure not just about what they may want to eat, but about a lot of things in life in general. They tend to do well when the expectations are set out for them, and the routine is implemented for them. But when it comes to developing their own expectations of themselves, or creating their own routine, they falter. They tend to never really be sure about what they want, and their relationship with food demonstrates this. It is almost as if as long as the eating routine satisfies someone else, they are satisfied. But they never really know what satisfies them. For this reason, people such as this are prone to feelings of loneliness, and loss of hope. It becomes difficult for these people to feel confident and sure of themselves as they feel they don't understand themselves frequently. That being said, they may also have trouble knowing when they truly hungry or not, and/or differentiating hunger and fullness levels. As a result of this, they can be prone to overeating, and under eating.



Looking at the types above, see if you can determine your attitude toward food. If you can, you are already one step ahead. Typically, when people understand not just their relationship with food, but themselves more clearly, the needed changes are also more salient. Additionally, when you can see that your relationship with food is a component of a larger pattern in your life, the impetus to change will be strengthened. When you do make these needed changes, although they may be challenging and difficult at times, it is important to recognize that lasting change includes changing not just what, when, and how much you eat, but also they way you think and feel about food, yourself, and your life.



Eric Viskovicz is the founder and director of Live In Fitness Enterprise. When it comes to weight loss, Eric Viskovicz is both an innovator and a pioneer. He was the biggest loser and developed his program before others in the industry due to his own struggle with weight loss, and a comprehensive understanding of the way in which the struggle to lose weight from fat camps can totally envelope a person, Eric was the first person to realize that in order to be successful at weight loss, it needs to be treated in the way in which it is experienced. What this means to Eric is that in order to win at weight loss, a person has to first completely understand himself. This philosophy led Eric Viskovicz to produce the first ever approach to weight loss based on the person's personality.

Surgery Reduces Breast and Ovarian Cancer Risk

About one in 400 women carries gene mutations that put her at higher risk for developing breast and ovarian cancers. Now a new study finds women dramatically reduced their chances of getting the diseases and of death when they opt for mastectomies or removal of the ovaries before they show any signs of cancer.




The multi-center study found that women with the mutated genes BRCA1 and 2 who had a prophylactic mastectomy reduced their risk of breast cancer almost 100 percent.



Those who had surgery to remove their ovaries—oophorectomy—reduced their risk for ovarian cancer 70 to 80 percent and their risk for breast cancer 50 percent. The study was published Sept. 1 in the Journal of the American Medical Association.



Although previous studies have shown removing the breasts and ovaries reduces the risk of cancer, this is the largest study of its kind and the first to show a survival benefit from the surgeries.

But Donald Lannin, M.D., director of the Yale-New Haven Breast Center, says older women may not benefit as much from the surgeries as younger women.



"Younger women will get more benefit because they have more years ahead of them. It's not clear that surgery is the best option for, say, a 70-year-old woman, especially if she has other issues such as heart disease. Her surgery risk is higher, so it wouldn't make sense," Lannin says. "Also, it's not clear if the ovary removal's beneficial effect is as big in postmenopausal women."



This pivotal study shows for the first time that removing the ovaries of women with the mutated genes helps them live longer, says Virginia Kaklamani, M.D., associate professor in the department of medicine at Northwestern University. Since ovarian cancer is hard to diagnose before it is too late, ovary removal significantly lowers that chance, says Kaklamani, who wrote an accompanying editorial in JAMA but was not involved in the research. She added that the study hadn't gone on long enough to judge whether the mastectomies prolonged lives.

The study results do not mean the subjects' risk for all cancers are reduced. However, says Timothy Rebbeck, professor of epidemiology at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine and one of the lead authors of the study, "ovary removal also removes hormones, so in theory, cancers influenced by hormones—endometrial, melanoma, colon—may be reduced as well."

Keep Your Brain Young With Berries

Pour yourself a bowl of brightly colored berries to refresh your brain as well as your taste buds.



Recent research shows that fresh or frozen strawberries, blueberries, acai berries and other deeply colored berries can help the brain stay healthy. These berries, and possibly walnuts, activate the brain's own housekeeper cells, which clean up and recycle toxic debris linked to age-related mental decline.



Scientists already know that aging involves a steady drop in the body's ability to protect itself from inflammation and biological wear and tear. But natural plant compounds called polyphenolics, found in many fruits, vegetables and nuts, can protect the brain. "In previous work we showed that supplementing the diets of aged mice with berry extracts improved their ability to process information," says molecular biologist Shibu Poulose of the USDA Human Nutrition Center on Aging at Tufts University in Boston.



In new research presented at a meeting of the American Chemical Society in Boston on Aug. 23, Poulose focused on why mental function declines with age. He believes there is a reduction in the brain's natural housecleaning process so that housekeeper cells, called microglia, fail to clean up biochemical debris. This toxic litter builds up in the brain and interferes with mental functioning. Poulose found that extracts from berries enable the microglia to remove the toxic chemicals before they do damage.



"This research fills in another piece of the puzzle," says neuroscientist Paula Bickford of the University of South Florida in Tampa, who was not involved in the research. "Most of what goes on in the aging brain is a damaging buildup of debris, and it can be removed. It's never too late to start eating berries."



In addition to berries, other deep red, orange and purplish blue fruits and vegetables contain these plant compounds. Look for red radishes, carrots, cherries, cranberries, acai berries, purple and red grapes and plums

WEIGHT LOSS 101: OVERCOMING SHAME

Weight loss should make us feel positive right? After all, we are going to look better, so we should feel better right? Well, not always. How we feel is inexorably linked to what we do. In this sense, what we do is often a much more clear indicator of how we feel than what we say. While we may say we feel fine, what we do may not indicate that we feel fine. For example, we may show up at our jobs, proceed to live a "normal" life, appear happy, and then go home and to binge eat. Do we really feel fine? On the surface, maybe, but what lies underneath? How do we really feel about the things we do that we do not share with others? When we do these things, how do we feel about ourselves? How do we think those around us would respond if they knew the truth about the things we do?



Thinking about questions such as these can be overwhelming as, often, the tendency to avoid shameful emotions has kept many of our behaviors out of the realm of conscious experience. What this means is that we do these things unconsciously, without really registering an emotional reaction to them. Yet the shame we feel about these things that we do continues to affect us, often causing us to continue these behaviors. In a vicious cycle, we act in one shameful way after another, all the while perpetuating our sense of shame and keeping it out of our awareness. For example, let's say that you have a secret that no one knows about you, and this secret is kept even from your husband. While you may not ever allow yourself to think about how this secrecy between the two of you affects you, and further, what he might think of you, when you do begin to think about it, the feeling becomes overwhelming. Not coincidently, a few years into the marriage, you also find yourself sneaking food, and overeating when he is not around. These shameful acts represent the way that you feel about the original secret. They also create more shame as you now have two secrets to hide from your husband. As this cycle unfolds, the shameful behaviors can create a contagion around us, making us feel like a shameful person.



This explains why binge eating can be so difficult to treat. The sense of shame the binge eater feels both remains under the surface of her awareness, and becomes a part of her identity, incorporating itself into other behaviors. The more this happens, the more the person feels and identifies as a shameful person. She may begin to see herself like other shameful people, who do not deserve to be treated well, cared for, or consequently, treat others well. Shameful people do not treat themselves well, but they also do not treat other people well. As the sense of shame becomes more powerful, the person may have trouble trusting care, but also behaving in ways that demonstrate care for others. At the root of this is a person who does not believe that she deserves to be treated well, by herself, or others.



Clearly, what remains under the surface cannot be treated. Overcoming shame then, depends on the ability to bring all of these behaviors into our conscious awareness. Essentially, we have to take out our emotional trash, and in doing so, become open about the things that we are shameful of. We will need to find one trusting person, such a counselor or therapist, to disclose the things we feel shameful about. The reason we may want to consider a therapist over, say a friend or family member is because it is the therapist's responsibility to be objective, whereas our friends and family members do not have this responsibility. What this means is that we may fear their reaction much more, be more tied to it, and also may not receive a balanced response from them as it is colored by their own subjective feelings toward us. Choosing your mother for example may not be the best choice if she has her own psychological issues, such as a need to see her daughter as perfect. Therefore when you disclose what you are shameful about she may be overly critical, judgmental, or demeaning. As you may imagine, this response is not going to alleviate any sense of shame, and in fact, may increase it. However, when you can discuss what you feel shameful about and receive an objective response, a different thing happens: your shame loses power over you. These shameful things lose power over you, as they no longer exist under the surface of your awareness. What this means is that they lose their contagious ability to affect other behaviors, thereby halting the vicious cycle of your behavior acting out your unconscious material. Additionally, you will be aware of all of the things that make you feel shameful, meaning that you now have the power to change them. Not only will you feel more accepted by yourself and those around you, but also, less likely to binge eat.

The Simplest, Cheapest Weight Loss Trick Ever

Losing weight could be as straightforward as turning on the kitchen tap.
A new study found that middle-age and older adults who drank a couple of glasses of water before each meal lost about 30 percent more weight than those who didn't.
Common wisdom has long held that drinking water before meals can promote weight loss, but there were no studies proving the point. To test it, researchers at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg assigned 48 overweight or obese men and women ages 55 to 75 to one of two groups. Both groups consumed low-fat, low-calorie diets for 12 weeks, but one group was told to drink two 8-ounce glasses of water before breakfast, lunch and dinner.
"We were concerned that they might have trouble drinking this much water before each meal but they had no problems," says Brenda Davy, associate professor of nutrition and senior author of the study.
At the end of the 12 weeks, the water drinkers shed about 15.5 pounds, while the other group dropped about 11 pounds.
Davy and her colleagues found that after a year both groups succeeded in keeping the pounds off, but those who continued to drink water before meals lost even a bit more, an average of 1.5 pounds. Why is water so effective? She says it may be because it fills the stomach with a zero-calorie fluid, so people eat less.
Drinking water before meals may work only if you've reached middle age. Researchers believe that in younger people, water begins to leave the stomach almost immediately. But in older people, it takes longer for the stomach to empty so they feel full for a longer time.
"This interesting study shows that drinking water before meals provides some benefit in terms of weight loss," says Lawrence Cheskin, M.D., director of the Johns Hopkins Weight Management Center. "Clearly, any tool we have to help people feel more full has value."
The research was presented in Boston on Aug. 23 at the 2010 annual meeting of the American Chemical Society. The study was funded by the Institute for Public Health and Water Research, a nonprofit, independent science organization that was launched by an unrestricted grant from the Brita Products Co.

Universal Principles of Yoga (Part 5)

Kundalini Yoga: Is unity through awakening psychic nerve force, which indicates the depth of this Yoga style. Kundalini Yoga is sometimes referred to as the "Mother of all Yogas." On the surface Kundalini Yoga might resemble Hatha Yoga, but the emphasis on the subtle body, chakras, mantras, meditation, and Pranayama is presented in a uniquely powerful way.
Kundalini Yoga was cloaked in secrecy until Yogi Bhajan gave a lecture in Los Angeles during January of 1969. Until that time, most information about Kundalini Yoga had been exchanged verbally from teacher to student. So, this was the beginning of Kundalini Yoga teaching "going public."

The awakening of Kundalini energy starts with focusing on dormant energy at the base of the spine within the first major Chakra; also known as the Muladhara Chakra. Through asanas, coordinated Pranayama, Japa (repeating mantras), and meditation, the Kundalini energy is sent up the spine to the Sahasrara Chakra at the crown of the head.

Samadhi, also known as intuitive enlightenment, is one of the most sought after results of Kundalini Yoga practice. Therefore, Kundalini attracts a much different type of student and Yoga teacher from what is most commonly found in a Hatha Yoga class. This is neither right, nor wrong, but most Hatha Yoga students are not usually pursuing a spiritual transformation process.

As a side note: Kundalini has taken a few verbal assaults, from religious fundamentalists, for being a bit mystical and a little harder to understand. Based upon my own experience, Kundalini Yoga sessions will purge negative energy from your mind and body. Only positive results can be gained in the study of Kundalini Yoga, under the supervision of a competent Kundalini Yoga teacher.

Mantra Yoga: Is unity through sound. Mantra Yoga is also referred to as Japa Yoga and the repeating of particular Mantras will cause sensory withdrawal (Pratyahara). This is, in fact, easier for most people to accomplish than meditation and it allows the Mantra Yoga practitioner to remove negative energy from the body, mind, and spirit.

In Sanskrit Mantra literally means "tool for thinking" or "tool for thought." The purpose of Mantra Yoga is to achieve salvation through unity with the supreme consciousness, which you many people refer to as God, Brahman, Yahweh, Jehovah, or Allah. The repeating of Mantras, which is also known as Japa, is in fact prayer. So, Mantra Yoga may not look like much "from the outside looking in," but it is a deeply spiritual, powerful, and rewarding Yoga practice, in its own right

Universal Principles of Yoga (Part 4)

Universal Principles of Yoga (Part 4)


By: Paul M. Jerard Jr.











Karma Yoga: Is unity through work and particularly through the act of selfless service. Along with Jnana Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, and Raja Yoga; Karma Yoga is often considered to be one of the four most advanced forms of Yoga. To take selfless action, without expectations, or seeking a reward, is one of the keys to Karma Yoga and also enlightenment.



When I think of Karma Yogis, the first that would come to mind is Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, also known as Mahatma Gandhi. His model of peaceful resistance for civil rights has been successfully copied since, but most importantly, his actions were for the highest moral reasons. He did not seek fame, but fame did come to him. His selfless acts did cost him his health and, unfortunately, his own life. India and the world will always miss his rare wisdom.



You do not have to be enlightened, or give up your life, to follow the path of Karma Yoga, but if you can let go of attachment to the outcome of your action; you are on the path. This one task is most difficult and requires acts of loving kindness to friends, strangers, and those who do not wish you well.



Karma Yoga also requires mindfulness and forgiveness. Why should you give so much of yourself? Surprisingly, the Karma Yogi does receive a priceless reward, but most people do not come to this realization. By giving, forgiving, showing kindness, being mindful, and letting go of attachment, the Karma Yogi experiences freedom. This is freedom from hate, guilt, fear, and greed.



Think of "The Middle Way" as taught by Siddhartha Gautama, also known as "The Buddha." He taught avoidance of extremes; whether it is pleasure or pain. When you stop hating, you are releasing your own pain from within the depths of your soul. So, you are forgiving, but you are also releasing the burden of hate.



Remember also that when you give in to hate, greed, fear, and guilt; the consequences of your actions will eventually be realized. Therefore, the path of Karma Yoga should be a part of each of our lives. Give to those in need and do not expect a reward. Your reward is that you are in a position to give.



The highest form of Karma Yoga is selfless service to God. It does not matter what name you choose call God, the principle is the same. Selfless service is taking the action to help others. If you can learn to love others, you will learn to love yourself, and establish an even deeper love for God

Universal Principles of Yoga (Part 3)

Universal Principles of Yoga (Part 3)


By: Paul M. Jerard Jr.











Hatha Yoga: Is unity through physical mastery, but Hatha Yoga uses many of the aspects of other Yoga styles. This is the most common form of Yoga outside of India. In the Hatha Yoga family tree are many popular Hatha sub-styles such as: Iyengar, Bikram, Sivananda, Restorative, Power, and Vinyasa Yoga.



There are many books and videos about Hatha Yoga on the market. Yet, there are still many misunderstandings about Hatha Yoga. Since Hatha Yoga is the most popular form of Yoga in the world, it has been labeled as many things.



When most people outside of India refer to Yoga, they are most often referring to Hatha Yoga. Some celebrities endorse variations of Hatha Yoga for its healing properties, while some journalists still scoff at the idea of Yoga as preventative medicine. Some doctors refer their patients to Yoga classes, but a rare few may still compare Yoga to "snake oil."



Yoga has been referred to as a "cure all" for everything that troubles mankind. In truth, Yoga is the most comprehensive health maintenance system ever developed and it continues to evolve to this day. Hatha Yoga's strength is that it is a "well rounded" in every aspect of preventative medicine.



Yoga has come a long way in the Western Psyche, but is still accused of being a "front" for the proliferation of Hinduism. The fact is, Hatha Yoga is a separate practice from religion, but also Hatha Yoga could be integrated into any religious practice. Hatha Yoga is a separate entity from religion.



Strangely, Yoga has sometimes been compared to "witchcraft." The first time I read that one, I burst into laughter, but a few people must feel strongly about it, if they take credit for writing such claims. Just like anything else people have difficulty understanding, Yoga can be misunderstood. When one of my first Yoga students stated that she got rid of migraine headaches, after practicing particular Yoga techniques, I never thought the devil would receive credit for it.



A few of the more vigorous and contemporary Hatha Yoga styles have limited meditation practice within the class structure. This is not a rule, but the students are just more interested in "getting a workout." Pilates is one of Yoga's 20th Century offshoots and has no meditation practice at all. On the other hand Ashtanga Yoga classes are very vigorous and do contain meditation, as part of the lesson plan.



Hatha Yoga's best known component is its postures (Asanas). However, Pranayama, philosophy, bandhas, mudras, mantras, and meditation can be commonly found in Hatha Yoga classes. With so many sub-styles of Hatha Yoga, there is always a style to match the needs of all Yoga students.

Universal Principles of Yoga (Part 2)

Universal Principles of Yoga (Part 2)


By: Paul M. Jerard Jr.











The emphasis, in most Hatha Yoga classes, is on the physical body. As I have explained to some of my colleagues, "Some form of union is better than no union at all." This indicates something ancient Yogis knew thousands of years ago. The path of Hatha Yoga will be much easier to follow than the paths of Bhakti Yoga, Raja Yoga, Karma Yoga, and Jnana Yoga.



There are many styles of Yoga, but let's look at some of the main Indian Yoga styles and their approach to unity. There are many other Indian Yoga styles, and no disrespect is intended by not mentioning them. Many styles of Yoga do use components found in other styles, so each style has many facets. Meditation is one of the most common facets found in almost all forms of Yoga.



Bhakti Yoga: Is unity through devotion, love for God, or loving service. This is the most widely practiced form of Yoga within India. However, Yoga practiced for devotion to God is practiced by many religions. These Yoga classes are most often sectarian in nature and include members with one religious belief.



Bhakti can also be misplaced when a person gives too much devotion to material gain and temporary worldly pleasures. The Bhakti Yoga practitioner knows that the true path, toward a connection with God, is through loving service and devotion to God. The "holy man" who preaches hate, is not a Bhakti Yoga practitioner.



Pope John Paul II could have been considered an example of a Bhakti Yoga practitioner. Within a spiritual country, such as India or Saudi Arabia, you will also see many examples of Bhakti Yoga. Although, many Saudis might not agree with the description, they are devoted to Allah (God). Many Moslems will travel a great distance for a Hajj or Umrah. This is an example of loving service to God.



Sometimes devotion can be to a prophet, saint, or Guru, who is living or not, but most often devotion, dedication, and love toward God, Brahman, Krishna, Allah, Jehovah, Yahweh, or a Supreme consciousness is the central idea. In truth, mankind has spent far too much time waging war over the name of God.



Jnana Yoga: Is unity through knowledge, but this is much more than intellectual pursuit. Jnana Yoga is a method to turn knowledge into pure wisdom. Knowledge is not always practical or pure wisdom.



Today, many children have access to multiple forms of media, so they are knowledgeable, but are they very wise? Children are young and need time to develop wisdom. How many times have you met a person who was "book smart," but lacked common sense in daily decision making? Awareness, logic, and pure wisdom are cultivated through meditation, self-analysis, self-realization, and developing a deeper connection with God

Universal Principles of Yoga (Part 1)

Universal Principles of Yoga (Part 1)


By: Paul M. Jerard Jr.











Yoga and Yogic philosophy is occasionally misunderstood because some people have not been informed of the universal principles that are not threatening to any belief or disbelief. Many people who do not practice Yoga are often surprised to find detailed dietary suggestions contained within their Yoga training. Yoga aids the student toward better health in every possible aspect. So, Yoga requires and in depth explanation.



Let's start with the meaning of Yoga, which literally means "unity" or "union." Your next question might be, "Unity with what?" Yoga does help unify the mind and body, but it also unifies the spirit or soul within you with God. The soul is sometimes known as the "Atman" and can also be referred to as pure or true consciousness. Yoga is not a religion, but it can be practiced in harmony with any religion.



Before we go any further; it should be noted that many students from a variety of religions have practiced Yoga and feel a deeper connection with God as a result of the mind, body, and spirit unification process. Therefore, Yoga is doing no harm to anyone of any religion. Yoga philosophy does not preach a "Better than thou" doctrine. This has been mankind's excuse to wage war, since history was first recorded and even before.



The concept of another person's religion, nationality, ethnic background, race, and gender; being less, have always been convenient reasons for bigotry, slavery, and cruelty. Tolerance of others is not a new idea in Yogic philosophy.



There is no group that has the exclusive rights to Yoga. India is the birth place of Yoga and the people of India have gladly shared their gift with the rest of the world. There is no exclusive group that practices Yoga or teaches Yoga classes. Yoga was not designed to be an exclusive practice and Yoga has evolved for the best over 5,000 years to this day.



For the sake of being "politically correct," many Yoga teachers omit the spiritual aspect of Yoga in their Hatha Yoga classes. This is fine, since the masses of some cultures object to learning about a method to connect to God. However, what does it say about a culture that is to busy to talk or think about God?



It means many things and some societies are showing signs of systematic spiritual illness. However, if you teach Hatha Yoga under these circumstances, you might be best to leave religion outside your classes. Unless, you are teaching Bhakti Yoga or something similar such as Jewish, Moslem, or Christian Yoga, the union of mind, body, and spirit does not usually occur in a typical Hatha Yoga class.

Enjoy Yoga For Health As You Age

Enjoy Yoga For Health As You Age


By: Danette Hibberd











Yoga is a wonderful form of exercise and assists in controlling and balancing various aspects of the body and mind. Yoga helps you in the control of your Central Nervous System and more. Enjoying yoga will promote many positive changes including a boosted self-esteem, a reduction in stress levels as well as discovering strength in your body and improved overall health. For more than 5000 years, people have enjoyed yoga. Yoga derived from the Indian nations, and through time has now allowed many people in the western world take control of their body and mind. Yoga when enjoyed on a regular basis is a great method to help you with the many pressures of today's society. Yoga combines spirituality, exercise, positive thinking, breathing and so on to help you enjoy healthy ageing.



The Benefits of Yoga

Yoga is a valued practice for many people worldwide. Yoga incorporates fitness, health, gymnastics, and training in a set of rules. Yoga helps you to maintain or lose weight along with strengthening and toning to the muscular system. Yoga is a stress reducing machine. Yoga will train your mind, as you learn to control your thoughts through meditation and breathing. Breathing correctly is essential to mastering yoga. When you practice this form of exercise, you are connected with your inner self. You learn to balance your mind and body, which leads to good health.



Through practicing yoga, your emotions are also controlled, meaning that fears, doubts, and other negative influences will not take control of your life. Rather you will have control. As you practice yoga, you will feel comfortable with both yourself and others around you. The world will become yours, as you learn to communicate effectively and stop sweating the small stuff.



As there are many forms of yoga, be aware that some types of yoga training may not be right for you. Sometimes you may have to modify the workouts to benefit your body type and to withhold the workout suited for your strengths. You have to determine the beginners level in whatever yoga form you participate in, and allow to progress naturally. Your instructor will provide you with the necessary steps to receive the utmost benefit to you and your body.



How To Get Started With Yoga

The first thing you should do is seek medical approval from your practitioner. Make sure you are able to enjoy the type of yoga you choose. Start out slowly and progress only when your body is comfortable. Guide your way into mediate exercising. Yoga will put you in connection with your spiritual side, so prepare to find a new you.



When you first begin yoga, perhaps you would benefit from joining groups that practice yoga at the appropriate level. The group sessions will inspire you to continue your journey to healthy ageing. Having support is essential for all of us, and these yoga groups can become your support team on your journey. If you cannot find a group in your area, visit your local library. You can also purchase books, videos and dvds that provide instruction on how you can both enjoy and benefit with yoga.



Where do I go after learning yoga?

After you have taken the steps to get started and learn and discover the correct methods to perform the yoga exercises, you will need to find a quiet area where you feel comfortable. You want to avoid interruptions while practicing yoga to receive the most benefit from your workout. As yoga involves both physical and mental connection and balance, the benefits from the meditation and breathing will be tantamount to your results, stimulation and healing.



When will I notice the change in me?

Be patient. As with almost everything in life, you may not notice a change right away. It takes time to notice or feel the changes. If you practice yoga on a regular basis changes will occur gradually and soon you will be amazed how your emotional and spiritual connections will begin changing your life in leaps and bounds. Keep in mind that yoga is teaching you how to control your mind, body and emotions.



Work with yoga and yoga will work with you. Yes, promote healthy ageing with the benefits of yoga