The Best Medicine

We've all heard the saying "Laughter is the best medicine," but now it's scientifically proven! According to Dr. Lee Berk of the Loma Linda School of Public Health in California, laughter strengthens the immune system and lowers levels of stress hormones like cortisol and epinephrine.

After a bout of laughter, blood pressure drops to a lower, healthier level than when the laughter began.

Dr. William Fry of Stanford University found that "twenty seconds of guffawing gives the heart the same workout as three minutes of hard rowing."

Another year-long study of heart attack victims done at the Oakhurst Health Research Institute in California found that of those who spent half an hour a day watching comedy videos, 10 percent had a second heart attack, whereas 30 percent of those who did not watch had a second attack.

Since laughing is something people can do sitting down, costs no money, and requires no special exercise equipment or skill, it's the perfect workout for anyone who doesn't have the time or desire to participate in a regular fitness program.

So here's a tip for the next time you feel stressed and need a wellness break. It's called the Smile Time-Out. Take a deep breath, smile, exhale, and say "Aaah" while visualising all your muscles and cells smiling. Then add to that a memory of a time you felt really good and laughed and laughed. Remember, even when you fake a smile or laugh, you get the same physiological benefits as when it's the real thing, because your mind is smart, but your body is stupid and can't tell the difference!

About the Author:

David Granirer gives laughter in the workplace presentations for hundreds of organizations throughout North America. For more information on his presentations, stand-up comedy, products, and articles call (604) 205-9242 or go to http://www.granirer.com/

The Pain of Bipolar Depression Disorder

by: Andrew Bicknell

Bipolar depression disorder generally occurs before the age of 30 years and may first develop during adolescence, but most commonly presents its symptoms in the late teens and early 20s. It is a type of mood disorder that exhibits marked changes in mood between extreme elation or happiness and severe depression. Bipolar disorder used to be referred to as manic depression.

Like other mental illnesses, bipolar disorder cannot yet be identified physiologically�for example, through a blood test or a brain scan. Therefore, a diagnosis of bipolar disorder is made on the basis of symptoms, course of illness, and, when available, family history. The diagnostic criteria for bipolar disorder are described in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders, fourth edition (DSM-IV).

A person with bipolar depression disorder experiences cycling moods that usually swing from being overly elated or irritable (mania) to sad and hopeless (depression) and then back again, with periods of normal moods in between. There are statistics that say that one in five people will suffer from depression at least once during their life.

Symptoms of depression include: loss of interest in usual activities, prolonged sad or irritable mood, loss of energy or fatigue, feelings of guilt or worthlessness, sleeping too much or inability to sleep, drop in grades and inability to concentrate, inability to experience pleasure, appetite loss or overeating, anger, worry, and anxiety, thoughts of death or suicide.

Symptoms of manic states are varied and include restlessness, increased energy, euphoric mood, racing thoughts, poor judgment, intrusive or provocative behavior, difficulty concentrating, and a decreased need for sleep.

The exact causes of bipolar disorder aren't known, but stressful life events, un-resolvable problems, or emotional damage in childhood, possibly combined with genetic factors may play a role. Scientists are also studying about the possible causes of bipolar disorder through several kinds of studies. As the causes are more clearly identified and defined through research, scientists will gain a better understanding of the underlying causes of the illness, and eventually may be able to predict which types of treatment will work most effectively. As it stands now it is thought that bipolar depression disorder is caused by electrical and chemical processes in the brain not functioning correctly.

Unfortunately, for most individuals, lifelong treatment may be required to prevent recurrent manic and depressive episodes. They should try to identify the features of the illness that are distinct to that individual, including the warning signs of recurrent manic or depressive episodes, so that someone in treatment can get immediate help to ward off those symptoms. Failure to seek help can lead to suicide so the most important factor in any treatment is the sufferer's acceptance of some form of counseling and/ or medication.

Bipolar depression disorder is a serious mental illness that can be successfully treated with proper psychological counseling and medication. It is important that anyone exhibiting the signs or symptoms of this disease seek help so they can properly manage this condition.

Andrew Bicknell is a writer, Webmaster and the owner of Depression and You. Visit his website for more information about bipolar depression disorder and other depressive disorders.

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Bipolar Disease

by: Krishan Bakhru

Bipolar Disease or as it is more commonly called Bipolar Disorder is a mood disorder. This means that any causes or symptoms can lead to Bipolar Disease.

In Bipolar disease sufferers will experience bouts of serious depression and high mania. The disordered moods of the sufferer occur in cyclic patterns. Their moods will swing from an extremely high or euphoric mood with some irritation mixed in to being extremely sad and hopeless. Between these two poles of mood swings, the individual will feel completely normal. They will not show any signs that they are suffering from erratic moods.

However it is worth noting that these periods of normality occur only between bouts of erratic mood swings. This is a characteristic of Bipolar Disease. While we may view the person who has Bipolar Disorder as being somewhat crazy or mentally disturbed the symptoms of the disease are very severe and in many cases they can be life threatening. The individuals who are afflicted with Bipolar Disease find it disruptive and distressing to their lives.

As Bipolar Disease has affected many well known musicians, writers and artists the illness, and the effects the disease has on the lives of its sufferers has been trivialized. The reason being that there are so many creatively talented people who live with Bipolar Disease, that this illness is considered as beneficial to the creative mood. Therefore it is not regarded very seriously.

Bipolar Disease is a very serious mood disorder. It can affect about 1% of adults during their life. The symptoms usually begin to show during adolescence and early adulthood. They can reoccur throughout the person’s life. The deterioration of the quality of one’s life is that the effects of Bipolar Disease can include alcohol abuse, drug abuse, unemployment and marital break-ups.

The symptoms of Bipolar Disease include both the depression symptoms and the manic depression symptoms. The depression symptoms are sadness, low self esteem, lack of interest in daily life activities, excessive sleep, insomnia, difficulty focusing, inability to concentrate, thoughts of death or suicide, feeling worthless, changes in appetite, aches and pains.

The manic symptoms are boundless energy, grand ideas, feelings of self importance, irrational behavior, no sense of self preservation, difficulty concentrating, fast developing ideas, talking very fast, excessive money spending, alcohol and drug abuse, long periods without sleep, loss of self control, loss of good judgment and a desire to engage in various risky ventures without considering the consequences.

Since Bipolar Disease is a very serious and life threatening condition it is best to seek treatment as soon as possible. Should Bipolar disorder be left untreated it could lead towards suicide. Therefore to prevent such a tragic event, medical treatment, which is a mixture of medication and therapy, should be started as soon as the condition has been diagnosed. Stop Bipolar Disease before it destroys your life.

Krishan Bakhru is the editor of Natural Home Remedies , Natural Home Remedies for Heartburn and Acid Reflux and Anxiety and Panic Attack Treatment Information

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Aloe Vera - The Healing Plant

Nutrovitasub

Aloe Vera is a plant of many surprises and wonders. Whether you use it as vital ingredient in beauty products or it is consumed as dietary supplement. Aloe Vera is a hot fertile region plant, but now it is cultivated in most part of the world. Aloe is a member of the lily family although it looks more of a cactus. It has been used for its medicinal purposes since the ancient times, but only recently has it enjoyed a rediscovery and subsequent popularity explosion.

There are over 200 varieties of aloes, but it is the Aloe Barbadensis Miller (Aloe Vera) plant, which has been of most use to mankind because of the medicinal properties it displays. Aloe Vera contains over 75 known active ingredients including a wide range Vitamins, antioxidant, minerals, calcium, essential Amino Acids, Sugars, Digestive Enzymes, Anti-inflammatory Enzymes, Plant Sterols, Lignin, Saponins, Anthraquinones and more. Aloe Vera contains many components, including vitamins A, B, C, and E. Aloe has a massive amount of minerals and enzymes, however not its entire component has been identified yet.

Nowadays, although medicines and drugs can be very effective in treating ailments, long term use often involves side effects for patients. Consequently more consumers and scientists are turning back to look at more traditional, and often natural therapies which have been neglected for so long. As a result, Aloe Vera is once again attracting attention as it can provide many benefits to our health and lifestyle without any side effects.

BENEFITS OF ALOE VERA

Ancient records show that the benefits of Aloe Vera have been known to mankind for centuries. Its therapeutic advantages and healing properties have survived more than 5000 years.

By using the aloe vera juice a person can get the benefits of aloe vera’s ability to aid in digestion, improve circulation, detoxify and heal from the inside. Aloe Vera juice can be a part of a person’s daily healthy regimen because it is safe to take everyday. If Aloe is taken internally, it increases the actual amount of our bile. It affects the small intestines and stimulates the muscular coat of the large intestine thus causing purging in about fifteen hours. Aloes also help increase the menstrual flow, since it belongs to the group of emmenagogues. Aloes have Aloin present used for therapeutic purposes. This causes less pain. It is a preferable drug for many forms of constipation. Continuous use of it does not lead to enlarging the dose to take.

Aloe’s benefits to our health include, helping to lower the blood sugar levels in diabetes patients. Aloe Vera is a strong laxative that may have some anti-cancer effects to humans. It is now being studied as a treatment for asthma.

USES OF ALOE VERA

Aloe Vera is commonly used externally to treat various skin conditions such as cuts, burns and echzema. It is alleged that sap from Aloe vera eases pain and reduces inflammation. Scientific evidence on the effects of Aloe vera sap on wound healing is contradictory. A study showed that the healing of a moderate to severe burn was sped up by six days when covering the wound on a regular basis with aloe vera gel, compared to the healing of the wound covered in a gauze bandage. In contrast, another study suggested wounds to which Aloe vera gel was applied were significantly slower to heal.

Many cosmetic companies add sap or products derived from Aloe Vera to products such as makeup, shampoos, soaps, moisturisers, sunscreens and lotions. Aloe gel is alleged to be useful for dry skin conditions, especially eczema around the eyes and sensitive facial skin and for treating fungal infections.Aloe vera has very good results in skin diseases and it is often taken as health drink. Aloe Vera is also found effective in treating wrinkles, stretch marks and pigmentations. Where as auravedic practitioners are in the favor of use of Aloe Vera. According to them Aloe vera has very good role in diabetic. Aloe vera is found to have smaller molecular structure and cutting properties. This help breaking down fat globules, therefore reducing obesity. Medical properties of Aloe vera are still on debate, but the beauty properties are highly accepted by the world.

Aloe Vera is also known to have certain medical properties. Aloe vera drink is used as a tonic for patient suffering from arthritis, diabetes and high cholesterol. This is because of the dietary supplement properties, which help in healing like anti fungal, anti oxidant, anti bacterial and some other properties. It is found to boost the immune system. The transparent gel that is found inside its leaf is used as a domestic emergency treatment in burns, injuries and solar erithema, also it is applied externally on hemorrhoids and foe a good cicatrisation. Aloe Vera contains at least two active compounds that decrease the levels of sugar in the blood and its extract is also used in patients with hypoglycemia. Its juice is consumed as prevention and treatment of many gastric disorders. The efficiency of Aloe Vera in the treatment of burns is due because it has a similar structure as aspirin, that in combination with magnesium have an anesthetic effect and because of its antimicrobian composition it helps for the hygiene of the burns, avoiding a possible infection.

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Ayurveda- A Complete Science of Life

Awinita Smith

Woman body is wonderfully complex and delicate. She play multiple role in her life like mother, daughter, wife, homemaker is physically and mentally quite taxing. Because of her special reproductive role, she is at risk of some female disorders.

Ayurveda is a health care system sensitive to women's special health needs. Women are far more sensitive to the rhythms and cycles of nature and Ayurveda is founded on the principle of keeping the body toned in tune with nature. And naturally women find Ayurveda very suitable.

Ayurveda literally means "science of life and longevity." and is considered to be the traditional system of medicine of India. Ayurveda is a science in the sense that it is a complete system. It is a qualitative, holistic science of health and longevity, a philosophy and system of healing the whole person, body and mind. The origin of this system goes back to a far past, in which philosophy and medicine were not separated. Therefore, philosophical views have strongly influenced the Ayurvedic way of thinking.

Ayurvedic treatment is useful to remove the root cause and give permanent relief. There are four main classifications of managements of disease in ayurveda: shodan, or cleansing; shaman or palliation; rasayana, or rejuvenation; and satvajaya, or mental hygiene.

The treatment mainly comprises of powders, tablets, decoctions, medicated oils etc. prepared from natural herbs, plants and minerals. Because the medicines are from natural sources and not synthetic, they are accepted and assimilated in the body without creating any side effects and on the other hand, there may be some side benefits.

Along with medicine, proper diet, exercise and living style is also advised. This is equally important. If we are taking a medicine to remove the root cause and at the same time we are taking some food or following a life style which is increasing the cause of disease, then we may not get well or will be getting less relief.
Dietary Regimen:- Proper selection of diet is necessary to avoid dosha imbalance and is also used as a treatment in many diseases.

Exercise Selection of proper exercise plays an important role in the treatment in disease.

Panch Karma therapy is also used as a treatment in many diseases. This "panchkarma" or five internal cleansing methods, is a most profound therapy in Ayurveda.

Yoga:-Ayurveda teaches a very systematic and scientific way of life which is important to pursue both materially and spiritually.

Ayurveda can work miracles. Ayurvedic healthcare is the perfect solution for women to stop the aging process. Periodic rejuvenation therapy will keep health, beauty and zest intact throughout the years.

This article has been published by Awinita Smith whose specialization are in Health related topics and currently writing on Skin Treatment topics for http://www.skintreatmentweb.info. In past, she has written more articles on natural health care which can be seen in the same website. For more details about the Skin related issues or Natural Skin Care, please visit Skintreatmentweb.info website. If any mistake or error is found in this published article, please get back to us at this address; awinita.smith@gmail.com so that we can rectify it promptly. You can also see more information on acne treatment on this page: http://www.skintreatmentweb.info/retin-a.html

Rejuvenating Sex And Health Naturally

by: Dr. Randy Wysong

Our physical and psychological makeup is influenced by the sexual imperative far more than most of us realize or wish to admit. Entire systems of psychoanalytical therapy (e.g. Freud) are based upon the premise that we are primarily sexual creatures.

Behaviorally, there is little doubt that there are dramatic differences between the sexes. This can be seen even in the earliest of years. (This is so in spite of vigilant efforts by “rights” groups to blur distinctions and to declare sexual equality by legal fiat.) Girls with dolls and boys with trucks and guns manifest with no coaching from parents, and reflect the natural nurturing tendencies of girls versus the more aggressive and protecting inclination of boys. Physically the primary and secondary sexual characteristics are obviously different. These features, in fact, attract the opposite sex and prepare each sex for reproduction, caregiving and protection for the young.

But sex is not just about recreation or procreation. It can directly impact health. For example, the risk of breast cancer is directly linked to childbearing and nursing in women – having children and nursing them for extended periods of time decreases the number of ovulations a woman has and thus decreases the pro-cancerous estrogen surges. Other research has demonstrated that fulfilling sexual activity in women is also linked to health.

A man’s sense of strength, perception of attractiveness to women, feelings of being loved and depended upon, financial success, respect, and feeling accepted are all intricately tied to sexuality. Male sexual self-worth goes hand-in-hand with physical and mental health.

Who primarily commits violent crime in society? Is it not young men in the heyday of their testosterone surge? Sexuality and health at their peak create the potential for either great accomplishment or great harm depending upon how these energies are focused.

On the other hand, when male hormone levels start to ebb in later years, health decline parallels this downturn. Men experience loss of muscle mass, lowered energy levels, decreased immunity, increased susceptibility to a variety of degenerative diseases, decreased libido and fertility, and various degrees of impotence. Sensing this decline, men can feel hopeless, worthless and at the end of life. Such feelings further fuel the downward health spiral often resulting in an early death.

The importance of sexuality in men is evidenced by polls showing that men would sooner risk serious life-threatening side effects than forego the possibility that a new drug (e.g. Viagraâ„¢) might rejuvenate them sexually. Being sexually alive even in the very oldest of men may be as important as life itself.

Although male hormone levels decrease with age, the slope of the curve can be dramatically altered. It will not, however, be just a matter of taking a pill. Supplemental male hormones are available but their use disrupts the body’s natural balances and can cause negative feedback inhibition. When this occurs, exogenous hormones (pills) send a signal to hormone-producing tissues that hormone levels are high enough. Endogenous (from the body itself) production therefore slows. Over time this can weaken hormone-producing tissues so that the initial problem of inadequate production is compounded. This is at least part of the mechanism for the adverse effects of anabolic (male hormone-like) steroids taken by athletes and bodybuilders. Young men eager to exaggerate muscularity end up with withered and weakened testicles and other endocrine glands setting them up for serious diseases as they get older.

A better alternative is to make healthy lifestyle changes (suggested in the Optimal Health Programâ„¢ http://www.wysong.net/optimal_health_page1.shtml) combined with natural nutritional supplementation, which has been proven to provide benefit to many.

Androgenic phytonutrients from herbs (such as Tribulus terrestris, Muira puama, Avena sativa and nettle leaf), amino acids (including L-arginine) and certain foods such as melons naturally increase testosterone production without the danger of negative feedback inhibition as experienced with anabolic steroids and other hormones. Increased testosterone levels, in turn, increase libido, act as an aphrodisiac and help prevent impotence. (In fact, modern research has revealed that testosterone is the only substance capable of generating libido in both men and women.)

Recent studies suggest that these phytonutrients also affect brain chemicals such that potency and erectile capacity are improved and male reproductive system growth, function, and repair is enhanced.

Phytonutrients can also improve sexual function through inhibiting the binding of sex hormone-binding globulin to its receptor site on prostatic membranes. This provides relief to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) sufferers who often experience painful intercourse, a certain impediment to sexuality.

Other nutrients such as zinc, vitamin B12 and vitamin C directly stimulate sperm production and motility and thus increase fertility. Modern, processed, food fraction-based dietary fare can be woefully deficient in these nutrients. Selecting good supplements and converting the diet to more natural, fresh and varied foods is the solution.

Lifestyle changes (outlined in the Optimal Health Program™ http://www.wysong.net/optimal_health_page1.shtml) – not the least of which is maintaining healthy body weight and regularly exercising – when combined with proper nutrition can rejuvenate the entire body and with that send a signal to the sexual core of our biological being that we are alive and well. Such signals stimulate a natural invigoration of sexuality, and with that mental and physical health.

Dr. Wysong is a former veterinary clinician and surgeon, college instructor in human anatomy, physiology and the origin of life, inventor of numerous medical, surgical, nutritional, athletic and fitness products and devices, research director for the present company by his name and founder of the philanthropic Wysong Institute. He is author of The Creation-Evolution Controversy now in its eleventh printing, a new two volume set on philosophy for living entitled Thinking Matters: 1-Living Life... As If Thinking Matters; 2-The Big Questions...As If Thinking Matters, several books on nutrition, prevention and health for people and animals and over 18 years of monthly health newsletters. He may be contacted at Wysong@Wysong.net and a free subscription to his e-Health Letter is available at http://www.wysong.net. Also check out http://www.cerealwysong.com

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Types of Yoga, Benefits of Yoga Classes

by: Altius Directory

Yoga, which has been practiced in India since the Vedic stage, has gained huge popularity worldwide. Yoga helps harmonize body; mind and soul, making its practitioner feel improved and geared to take on the challenges in the excited and aggressive world of today.

Benefits of Yoga Classes

Some of benefits of yoga classes listed few below:

Benefits of Yoga Classes 1
Yoga helps in maintaining the weighing scale between body, mind and soul. Once the weighing scale is achieved with the help of various exercises, the practitioner becomes more calm and starts having a helpful approach towards life. With the regular practice of yoga, he attains a level where he is at ease with himself, his body and his environment and does not get tense easily. As a result, he develops affirmative outlook towards himself, his environment and his life, making him happier and content.

Benefits of Yoga Classes 2
These days, people are living such excited lives that even 24 hours seem less in a day. Yoga helps its practitioner to relax during such worrying times and remove pressure with the help of relaxation exercises. In these exercises, a person is in a state of nothing in which he has to focus on his breathing. This helps the practitioner to understand his strengths and improves his attentiveness level.

Benefits of Yoga Classes 3
Yoga helps in improving the litheness of your body with the regular exercises and lubrication of various joints and ligaments of the body. Even if you are not work on a particular body part, you will find that part too has become lithe. The cause being that when different yoga positions are done together, litheness can be achieved easily.

Benefits of Yoga Classes 4
Yoga help in carefully massaging all the glands and organs of the body, fitness, care the diseases at bay. Yoga helps its practitioner to know his body as a result he becomes responsive about an impending disease and can prevent it by taking safety measures.

Benefits of Yoga Classes 5
Yoga helps in flexible correct blood supply in the body with the help of stretch exercises of different muscles and exercises that massage different organs of the body. Correct blood supply to different organs of the body ensures that the toxins are removed from the body, leading to its suitable nourishment. This in roll helps in delay the ageing process and gives its practitioner immense energy to face life.

Benefits of Yoga Classes 6
Yoga remove the excess fat on the body, particularly hips, waist, higher and lower abdomen, with the help of exercises that focus on the precious part of the body. It also help in toning and increase the muscles to give a worked-out look to the body.

Types of Yoga

Yoga can be separated into a range of types, which have their own single features. While some yoga types are used to improve physical strength, there are others which help in creation the practitioner mentally strong.

Bhakti Yoga - this type, practitioner�s focal point on prayers, their love for God and kindness, and obeying God's teachings and preach on life. Not like other types of Yoga, asana, pranayama and meditation are not practiced in Bhakti yoga.

Hatha Yoga - One of the most well-liked yoga types in the US, Hatha yoga focuses on pranayam, asana (positions) and meditation. Considered to be the foundation of all types of yoga, Hatha Yoga try to get stability between different types of energies - positive and negative - in the body. This type of yoga help in relaxing the tensed muscles, tone up different organs of the body, and recover flexibility, digestive system and blood circulation within the body. It also helps in improving the performance of the endocrine and nervous systems.

Jnana Yoga - During this yoga, its practitioner focus on gaining understanding about himself, his body and the God. This type helps the practitioner to know himself, his strengths and weaknesses, and his beliefs, giving him a helpful outlook towards life.

Karma Yoga - Karma Yoga focuses on the practitioner exit his egoistic requirements and work for the betterment of the humanity. Karma Yoga type, the practitioner is positive to let go his ego and involve himself in the unselfish action and service towards the poor and the needy.

Kundalini Yoga � This type, sexual experience are used to increase self-awareness, get enlightenment and to increase knowledge about oneself, one's surrounds and God. Partners treat in different rituals and meditation previous to getting into physical contact. The main thing is that partners maintain the spiritual link during the process and do not try to have orgasm which enable various chakras in the body to release their powers.

Mantra Yoga � This type of yoga, terms, phrase, or syllables are chanted in anticipation of the practitioner's mind is steady and is very soon concentrating on the meaning of these chants, help him to relax and concentrate on the God. In this type of yoga, it is key that the practitioner pronounce the chants properly to get the necessary effect.

Purna Yoga - The importance in this type of yoga is on responsibility good deeds in day today life. Purna Yoga not only help put together the mind with the outside atmosphere but also unites the mind with the soul. This type of yoga promotes love towards one and all, understanding and unselfish action towards the needy.

Altius Directory

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Beginner Yoga Class Checklist

by: David Morgan

If you�re new to yoga, you might not know what to expect when you walk in the doors of a beginner�s yoga class for the first time. You might not even know how to start in choosing a beginner�s yoga class to attend. Here�s a �how to� checklist.

1. Nail down your goals and find the right style for you.

Everyone comes to yoga for different reasons. Sometimes these differences are slight, other times they�re vast.

For instance, are you interested in an intense physical workout to throbbing music, or are you on more of a spiritual path towards (quiet) enlightenment? Are you attracted to yoga because of its health benefits, and if so, is it physical or emotional health you are most interested in?

Are you interested in the philosophy and rich traditions of yoga, or are you on the other extreme and wouldn�t be caught dead reciting a mantra?

Whatever your personal needs and proclivities, there�s a yoga for you. If several flavors of yoga are offered in your area, do your research online or in the library to find which style would be the best fit for you.

Once you know what it is you�re looking for, you can set some goals. Call the teacher of the beginner yoga class you�re considering and ask if your expectations are reasonable.

2. Choose a drop-in or series beginner yoga class

A drop-in yoga class allows you to pay-as-you go. There will likely be some turnover week to week as to which students show up for class. The teacher is likely to keep this class on the mild side, because students will be at such differing ability levels.

This may be just what you�re looking for if you just want a taste of yoga but don�t want to buy an expensive package of classes. This may also be a good choice for you if your schedule won�t allow you to attend a class every week. Keep in mind there are significant drawbacks.

One, because the class is ongoing, you will never get to start at �the beginning.� You may be a little lost at first while you learn the culture of the class. Also, drop-in beginner yoga classes tend to be repetitive.

A series yoga class is different in that you buy a set number of classes and each class builds on what you learned in the previous week. A good series class is repetitive only in that there is some review each time, but then the teacher introduces new material.

You can learn much more much faster in a series class, but again there are drawbacks. First, if you miss a class it may be difficult to make up the material that you missed. Also, you will be asked to pay for the whole series up front.

Take a look at your level of commitment, your schedule and your budget and decide whether a drop-in or a series class is better for your needs.

3. Make sure the teacher has adequate training.

Yoga is now a significant contributor to sports injuries. This can be attributed to two things: students pushing themselves too hard for perfection and inadequate training of instructors.

Don�t be shy in asking your potential instructor about their background. There are certifications for teaching �gym yoga� that an instructor can get in a long weekend. A three day training is just enough to make someone dangerous. That�s not to say that some of the people who start with such certifications don�t turn out to be excellent instructors by dedicating themselves to practice and increasing their knowledge over the course of months and years.

There are of course people who teach yoga with no formal certification whatsoever, and though it might be difficult for these teachers to get liability insurance, there�s nothing illegal about it. Keep in mind that yoga is a spiritual tradition thousands of years old, and the idea of giving someone a certificate for learning a few poses and breathing techniques would have been an odd idea indeed even seventy years ago. It is one thing to wake up one morning and decide to teach yoga with little to no experience. It is quite another to teach after living for years under the tutelage of a master yogi who just doesn�t believe in certificates.

As a general rule, seek out yoga teachers with at the very least 200 hours of training. In the United States there�s an organization called the Yoga Alliance that offers a registry of teachers who attended training programs that meet certain standards. Someone can have the Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT) designation from the Yoga Alliance and still be a crummy teacher, but usually RYTs are a safe bet.

4. Look into additional costs of the yoga class.

Sometimes there are additional costs involved in taking a beginner�s yoga class besides the registration fee. You may need to buy your own yoga mat, strap, or other props, for instance. In some classes you may need to buy certain books for study or even special clothing of a certain color.

It is important to know what the related costs are up front so that you and your bank account won�t encounter any surprises later on.

I hope this checklist will help you find a beginner�s yoga class that�s right for you.

David Morgan is a Kripalu Yoga Teacher who offers Knoxville, TN yoga classes. Find out more about yoga for beginners on his web site and get a free relaxation recording by subscribing to his newsletter that covers yoga in Knoxville and the East Tennessee region.

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Fitness

by: Jimmy Sturo

Fitness is defined as a state of being healthy, which prepares the body for the physical necessities of daily life. To be more precise, fitness provides strength, flexibility and stamina for the proper functioning of the body. It is a total solution for a perfect, fine-tuned life. The five main components of fitness are aerobic endurance, muscular strength, muscular endurance, and flexibility and body composition. The right kind of physical and mental exercises and proper intake of nutritious food are the factors that contribute to fitness. A well-balanced diet not only makes one fit, but provides all necessary nutrients for the body. Mental fitness, essential for the psychological well-being of a person, is also a key factor in sustaining a healthy state.

Fitness lowers the risks of various health issues such as obesity, cardio-vascular problems, habitual inactivity and depression. It helps to prevent age-related problems. Moreover, fitness makes one feel relaxed and active throughout the day.

To stay physically fit doesn't entail spending hours in a gym or on costly fitness to develop muscle mass like body builders. All you need to do is improve power and endurance and get mobile. Nowadays, immobility has become part of a lifestyle, with people spending more time in front of the computer. So the need for exercise is a must.

A systematic workout of small exercises such as brisk walking, cycling, jogging and swimming can energize the body. An overdose of exercise might injure the body. So it is vital to find an enjoyable schedule of activity. The fitness methods adopted must be person-specific. It varies for men, women, children and the aged. Individuals have to choose exercises that are ideal for their body. Fitness methods include meditation, yoga sessions, aerobic classes and muscular fitness exercises.

Today, more and more people are struggling to keep their body and mind fit. This has resulted in the growth of a range of sophisticated multi-gyms, professional fitness institutions and clubs. Health and fitness magazines and publications are also available, and fitness tips and training programs are available via the Internet.

Fitness Equipment provides detailed information on Fitness, Fitness Equipment, Fitness Tips, Physical Fitness and more. Fitness Equipment is affiliated with Exercise Programs.

Miracles of Carrot Juice

by: devika

Carrots are well known as the universal vegetable for juicing. Carrot juice has been well known as being a miracle juice, or the king of juices. Many people around the world have found that if they include carrot juice in their daily diet, that their overall health improves enormously. A common misconception is that carrot juice would be bitter or too deep in flavor. In reality, when carrots are juiced, they are actually very sweet tasting, and they mix great with other fruit juices, especially apple juice. Carrot juice blends with practically all other juices. It is a delicious nourishing beverage for all members of the family at all times and it should be an important part of the diet in cases of illness. You can also use carrot juice to lose weight by adding celery while juicing. This will help decrease the sweetness of the carrot juice. Carrot juice is best ingested in the afternoon because of the burst of energy that always follows.

The amount of carotene, (which is converted to vitamin A in the liver), contained in carrots is indicated by thedepth of the coloring matter. The large, firm, dark-yellow carrots, therefore, should be selected for juicing, rather than the light-yellow ones, because of their greater carotene content.

Carrot juice is very high in beta-carotene, and is a cancer fighting agent. Beta carotene is a pigment substance found in plants that can often form into vitamin A. Vitamin A helps to promote growth for visual light and color,prevents drying of the skin and eyes, helps maintain the digestive system and urinary tracts, as well as enhances the fight towards bacterial infection. Vitamin A may also be an aid in helping to prevent certain forms of cancer. If you do not receive enough vitamin A, it may cause symptoms including: night blindness, poor growth,dry skin, and xerophthalmia or dry eye. The vitamin A from freshly juiced carrots is very important for women whoare pregnant. They need to build up and maintain the health of their own body, as well as the new developing child. Even after the baby is born, it is still imperative that fresh carrot juice is kept in the daily diet for
the mother nursing the child.

Carrot juice helps nursing mothers to enrich their milk. The chances of developing puerperal sepsis is minimized by the regular intake of carrot juice during pregnancy. If it is taken during the last three months of pregnancy, it tends to reduce the hazard of infection after childbirth. It also meets the demands of calcium
during pregnancy. One pound of carrot juice is equal to 20 pounds of calcium tablets as far as the active calcium is concerned.

Another vitamin contained in carrot juice is vitamin E. This vitamin appears in three forms, known chemically as alpha, beta, and gamma tocopherol, and commonly known as the vitamin E complex. In animal experimentation, vitamin E has been found to affect reproduction. When foods bearing this vitamin were fed to animals that had failed to reproduce, their sterility was overcome.

Carrots also carry other vitamins such as B, C, D, E, and K, and minerals like calcium, phosphorous, potassium, sodium, and traces of protein. Juicing your carrots will help to promote healthier hair, skin, and nails.

Because of its rich vitamin and mineral content and other valuable nutrients the daily diet should be fortified with the protective and healthful benefits of carrot juice. It can be taken alone, or combined with other fruit and vegetables juices.

Carrot juice is one of the richest sources of vitamin A that can be used in the daily diet. It also ranks high as a source of the other vitamins, especially those of the B complex. Its mineral content is equally rich, and includes calcium, copper, magnesium, potassium, sodium, phosphorus, chlorine, sulfur, and iron.

The carrot is recorded as being used in medicine by the early Greeks and has been cherished ever since. Its juice is one of the most delicious and healthful, and alone or in combinations should be in every daily diet providing, as it does, the essential vitamin A, without the saturated fats with which this vitamin is associated in eggs and butter.

Reference: HealthOnclick

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Helping to reduce numbness

by: Anonymous

Question : MY mum feels numbness in her left hand which she finds uncomfortable and disturbing. I'm worried that this may be a symptom of bad blood circulation or some other health problem. What is your advice?
Answer : NUMBNESS is caused by altered sensory nerve functions. It can occur anywhere in the body, but is often felt in the hands, feet, arms or legs. It usually involves both the loss in the ability to move a particular area and sensations. These sensations, which occur without any associated stimulus, are called paresthesias. Other types of paresthesias include feelings of cold, warmth, burning, itching and skin crawling.
Your mum may need to check with a doctor to find out the underlying causes of her numbness which can be due to a lack of blood supply to the affected area, a vitamin B12 deficiency, diabetes, hypothyroidism, malnutrition, central nervous system disturbances and nerve injury.
Vitamin B12, calcium, magnesium and other nutrients may improve nerve function. The B vitamins are one of the most important nutrients for nerve health maintenance. They help increase the ability to repair body damage or injury. Calcium is beneficial in alleviating muscle cramps, pain and numbness in neck, shoulders, arms and legs. Magnesium also helps in reducing numbness and tingling symptoms.
Ginkgo has long been used to stimulate blood circulation and alleviate numbness. Self-massaging with an essential oil may be beneficial too. Stretching and exercising may improve the blood circulation. She should avoid doing a repetitive task for too long.

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Common Traits of the Long Lived

by: Byron J Richards

The oldest living person, Gertrude Baines, just turned 115. The California resident was born April 6, 1894, in Shellman, Georgia, to parents who were born into slavery. As People.com reports: Baines enjoys life�s simple pleasures, such as extra crispy bacon and sweets, as well as daily viewings of �The Price Is Right� and �Jerry Springer.� Pressed for her secret to longevity, Baines begs off the question. �She prefers not to have the title [of world�s oldest],� says her nurse, Cynthia Thompson, who has looked after her for nine years and quotes Baines as saying, �Of all the people in the world, why do I have to be the one? I didn�t ask for this.�

It appears that the secret to her longevity may not be so mysterious, and may boil down to enjoyment of life�s simple pleasures. A new study would suggest there is more to this behavioral approach than meets the eye. Researchers at the American Geriatrics Society have recently completed a study evaluating the behavioral traits of the children of centenarians.

The researchers found that these individuals had very low scores on neuroticism - meaning they didn�t fret and worry about the little things in life - or even the big things too much. They also had higher scores on extraversion - meaning they had desire and interest in others and in participating in activities. Women, but not men, were also found to be more agreeable with others (meaning less chance for conflict).

While different personality traits obviously have pros and cons depending on the given situation, this is an unmistakable pattern of behavior that is common in the long lived. Sometimes we evaluate the rightness of our behavioral traits based on solving a current situation or problem. But then we must pause and ask, �How right is that strategy if it ends up killing me?�

From a technical point of view it is easy to see that the net result of these behavioral traits is less wear and tear, in other words, less inflammation. The take home message is that no matter how you approach and deal with life, ensure you set aside time to relax and rejuvenate - the length of your life may depend on it.

For Byron's Free E-Health News Letter.

Byron J. Richards, Founder/Director of Wellness Resources, Inc., is a Board-Certified Clinical Nutritionist and a world renowned natural health expert. Richards is the first to explain the relevance of leptin and its link to solving obesity.

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Good Healthy Habits

Tania Jain

Good health is of prime importance to all of us. We need to be healthy, filled with abundant energy, sound sleep, and fit and disease free body, which will give us a sense of overall well being. In order to be fit and healthy we need to practice healthy living styles with proper food habits and exercise. We cannot be healthy if we are lazy and lethargic. We need to work hard both physically and mentally to be fit and healthy. Besides exercise, we also need to eat healthy foodstuffs avoiding junk foods, which make us lethargic and dull. If you are over weight and obese you will suffer from health problems. So you need to maintain an optimum body weight to be healthy.

You need to follow healthy and positive habits. Positive thinking is very essential in order to be healthy. You need to clear out your mind and fill it with positive thoughts. You will have to remove all the depressing and negative emotions and thoughts from your mind and replace it with healthy and positive thoughts. These positive thoughts can be extremely energizing and always lead to good things in life. You can get involved in practices such as meditation and yoga to get rid of the negativity and force yourself with positive thoughts.

You need to eat healthy foods in order to be fit and healthy. Simple food stuffs like vegetables, fruits, nuts, tubers, lean meat, pulses, ect can keep you healthy and strong. Try to avoid refined foodstuffs. The main reason for ill health and diseases is improper food habits. Because of this many people suffer from diseases like diabetes, cancer, obesity ect. Simple changes in your diet and causes a great difference within a short period and can improve your health drastically. Try to avoid smoking and alcoholic drinks. For good health, you need to exercise daily. Exercising in the morning can leave you with a refreshed feeling throughout the day. Exercising can put you in a good mood and it will be easier for you to think positively and eat healthy foods. You can also get involved in activities such as swimming, biking, walking or playing your favorite sport in order to keep you healthy .Do not go for an activity which you do not enjoy. Try to do your work outs in the open air. In this way you will feel more refreshed. You should not make drastic changes in your life style. You should start with simple changes and make sure that you enjoy it. You try to make these simple changes in to a regular habit in order to achieve long term success. It is very important to improve your health in order to be happy and enjoy life. Besides exercise you need to have good sleep and rest in order to be healthy. Sound sleep can refresh your mind and make you feel healthy .All these simple changes in your life style can improve your health and make you feel strong and fit. You will feel a sense of well being, both emotionally and physically.

Tania writes for health care and diseases guide, vitamins and nutrition and different types of depression.

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10 ways to get more energy from food

You can boost your energy levels by making small changes to the foods you eat. Here's how ...1. Eat beans and breadSlow-releasing carbohydrates such as chickpeas, kidney beans, baked beans, nuts and grainy bread will keep your energy levels more stable than sugars and white flour, which cause your blood glucose to fluctuate.2. Have caffeine with lunchA cup of coffee in the middle of the day can help offset the natural dip in energy levels you get in the afternoon. But more than two or three caffeinated drinks a day may actually sap your energy by disrupting blood sugar.3. Increase your iron levelsTiredness can often indicate iron deficiency anaemia. A mild iron deficiency is rectified by eating more iron-rich foods such as red meat, liver, pulses and green vegetables. But if you have a more severe iron depletion, which will only show itself through blood tests, you'll need strong iron tablets that are prescribed by your GP.4. Eat enough caloriesCutting down by more than 500 calories a day can reduce the nutritional quality of your diet and affect your energy levels. If you're dieting, eat plenty of fruits, vegetables and unprocessed foods and don't eat less than 1,400 calories day.5. Try more seedsSeeds are great energisers. Two teaspoons of sesame-rich tahini paste provide nearly half the recommended daily allowance of magnesium. Magnesium is crucial for energy release in cells. It will also give you one quarter of your allowance of iron.6. Eat more pastaThe complex carbohydrates in pasta provide slow-release energy that keeps your blood sugar levels on an even keel. Pasta stimulates the release of your brain's natural calming chemicals too so it's an ideal lunchtime meal if you're faced with an afternoon of filing and organising.7. Get more zincIf you're really flagging and lethargic you may be short of zinc. This fantastic trace mineral really helps boost your energy levels. Find it in food such as shellfish, red meat and poultry. A vegetarian diet often contains less zinc than a meat-based one, so it's important for vegetarians to include plenty of dairy products, beans, lentils, yeast and nuts, as these are also good sources of zinc.8. Eat a proper breakfastNever skip breakfast. It's the most important meal of the day because it sets up your energy levels. By skipping breakfast you'll not only deprive your body of calories just when it needs them the most, you'll also slump later. Carbs are fine for breakfast, but you need to ideally balance them with protein for enduring energy. Try scrambled eggs on wholegrain toast with baked beans for optimum slow-release energy.9. Get plenty of vitamin CAround one in three women aren't getting enough vitamin C and experts now believe there's a link between vitamin C intake and energy levels.Vitamin C plays a vital role in your body's production of a molecule that helps burn fat for energy. You should aim to get around 200 to 300mg a day, but you don't have to resort to taking an expensive supplement. Drink just one 8oz glass of fresh orange juice every day and you'll boost vitamin C levels considerably. Other great sources of vitamin C are kiwi fruit, broccoli and strawberries.10. Make a banana smoothieA fruit smoothie made with a banana is a brilliant way to give yourself a quick, delicious energy boost. Bananas rev you up as quickly as a sugary snack, but with the bonus of giving you extra fibre, vitamins and minerals too. To make your extra extra nutritious smoothie you will need one cup of low fat milk, a small banana, a spoonful of wheat germ, crushed ice and a spoonful of honey.Don't forget: Drink at least eight cups of water every single day, otherwise you'll become dehydrated, and you'll ruin all your other good work.

Louise O'ConnellGood to KnowGood to Know features lots of recipes and nutritional advice including healthy food recipes, easy recipes, curry recipes and much, much more.

What Oprah Has to Say About The Total Cleanse Diet

Some people are very concerned about cleansing or detoxing diets because they think that they can be dangerous, but this is simply not true. These diets are designed to cleanse and detox the body and then be stopped or modified. They are not designed to be used for a very long period of time. Oprah would not endorse something that she felt would be harmful to her many viewers who trust what she has to say. By backing the total cleanse, Oprah is showing that she does not feel as though this diet is a problem. Since it has been advertised on her show, there are more and more people who are buying it and finding out how well it works for them. The best thing about the total cleanse detox is that it's not really even a diet. It's a pill that you take and that will simply take the waste products out of your body so that you'll lose weight and feel great. Some people have lost ten to fifteen pounds of waste per week with the total cleanse product. Others have not lost as much weight but have reshaped their bodies because they've lost fat and waste products from their stomach area. Their stomachs have gotten flatter and they feel better, too. Total cleanse detox allows for a complete cleansing of the liver, the colon, the blood, and all major parts of the body. It's a great option for people who want to lose weight and who want to feel better about themselves, the way that they look, and their health. They can do all of that and more with total cleanse. Oprah thinks so, and so do a lot of other people. The total cleanse diet isn't like anything else you've ever experienced so don't reject it because other diets haven't worked for you. Instead, give the total cleanse experience a try and find out all that you need to know about that option. It might very well be the best one for you, but you won't know until you give it a try and see how it can help you with your weight loss, cleansing, and health goals.
Source: http://www.ArticlePros.com/author.php?Murphy James

Swine Flu and the Pandemic Alert

Every year there is research into the flu, focusing on finding the strain that will be the most likely to reek havoc in our population. A vaccine is developed for the strain that appears to be the biggest threat. This years winner is not the swine flu, but this strain of flu is certainly in the news.
This flu is of the type A/H1N1, which is the type that is spread via coughing or sneezing, spreading airborne droplets of liquid. Is it contagious? Yes, most definitely, as is any other strain of influenza.
Does the swine flu mean that we should avoid eating pork? No, that is not the case. There is no concerns about using pork products in your diet, other than the reminder to cook your pork products properly and thoroughly.
There are many recommendations related to protecting ourselves from this flu. The most common is to wash your hands often, toss your tissues in the trash, and avoid close contact with those who have symptoms. But, since the swine flu and most other flus are airborne there is not much we can do to prevent contact.
You might want to contact your doctor if you have these symptoms: unusual fatigue, headache, a runny nose, aching body, coughing, and a high fever. Treatment is the same as for any other flu outbreak.
If you are thinking that the flu shot you received will protect you, well sorry you are out of luck. The vaccine is for a specific strain of influenza. It will take at least six months for a vaccine to be developed for this strain.
Are we looking at a pandemic with this new strain of the H1N1 virus known as the swine flu? The number of cases has grown, and with our travels the infestation is quickly spreading across multiple states in the U.S.
There are measures we can take in our daily lives to create a cleaner healthier environment, thereby reducing the risk of contracting any flu virus. Eating a healthy diet helps promote a stronger immune system. Anti-oxidants also support and promote better health. Using natural anti-bacterial and anti-viral supplements, both in your environment and in your personal health and hygiene, can wipe out a virus or flu before it takes hold.
Water purification drops have been used for decades to treat water supplies and reduce mold and mildew, such as the cleanup after hurricane Katrina. Learn more about the effectiveness of chlorine dioxide in its many applications in our home and our health. Swine flu is a virus, and we can fight back with a powerful anti-virus water treatment program.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lydia_Peru

Swine Flu News - Why the Swine Flu is Considered So Dangerous

Because it is a new mutation of known viruses that can be found in three species of biological beings - man, pigs and birds - AND because the new virus seems to have a genetic code that is made from bits of the viruses from each of the three species, it is being taken seriously as a potentially dangerous new strain.
The evidence for this is the very high number of deaths recorded so far (around 9%at the time of writing) and the fact that young people also succumb to this flu, which is highly unusual. For these reasons, scientists and doctors all over the world agree that the risk of a lethal pandemic is very high.
Note that a swine flu epidemic refers to a national emergency and a swine flu pandemic to a world wide emergency.
It's important to note, this swine flu is treatable (and can be survived). It's resistant to two of four antiviral drugs approved for combating the flu: Symmetrel and Flumadine. But two newer antivirals - Tamiflu and Relenza - appear to work.
It becomes even more dangerous when people start taking the anti-viral drugs while not being sick. By the time they really catch that flu virus, the real thing, chances are the treatment will not be very effective anymore. This has probably something to do with the fact that you trained your body to get rid of the anti-viral chemicals.
Currently, labs all over the world are mapping the genome of this new flu virus. But scientists are also warning that this could be only the frontrunner of another "big" one, like the spanish flu, that killed over 100 million people all over the world in 1918 and 1919.
A virus will not be caught by eating pork meat, so there is also no risk of infection from consumption of well-cooked pork and pork products. The World Health Organization advised to wash hands thoroughly with soap and water on a regular basis and to seek medical attention if one develop any symptoms of influenza-like illness.
Theo Steward was concerned by the speed at which the swine flu has spread and so he set up a Swine Flu News page, where you can also read up on swine flu prevention tips and subscribe to a free newsletter to keep updated.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Theo_Steward