Losing Weight is Not a Complicated Process

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Losing weight is a hot topic no matter whether you fight a constant battle with being overweight and you need to lose a large amount to restore your health or you only need to lose a few pounds. Diet books rank amongst best sellers on the book-store selves and there are many websites catering to weight loss on the internet. When we watch television we are exposed to even more 'magic pills' and weight loss programs. These can be tempting if we wish to lose some weight.

But is it really this easy? Do these pills, diets and program really work? Well, with a failure rate of 95 percent they do not work. That means only 5 in every one hundred people succeed with their weight loss goals after trying one of these products. Would we buy a home appliance or other product with such a high failure rate? Not very likely.

We need to say a permanent goodbye to diets and ineffective activities like walking to really lose weight. The answer lies in our muscular system and its relationship to your metabolism (your body's engine) and the rate that your body burn fuel (calories).

The true secret to losing weight is a very simple one, although it can be challenging to change your mindset to accept it. You will need to make some changes to your level of strength and fitness that will help you lose the extra pounds without resorting to the expense and frustration of useless fad diets.

The main thing you need to get started on is a proper strength training program to tune up your fat burning engine, boosting your metabolic efficiency and maximizing calorie burn morning, noon and night. By shifting your body in high gear with the right exercise program you will burn 200-300 more calories each day. This is how you will burn off that extra fat and get into the shape you dream of.

The one thing you need to get your head around is that a strength training program is not negotiable for a person that needs to lose weight. If you are not comfortable with the thought of working your muscles hard and often then you had better get comfortable with the thought of being overweight for a very long time.

Although it may seem hard at the start, after just a few months o your strength training program it will all become much easier. Strong, fit people are naturally more inclined toward activity and tend to exert themselves at higher levels. That is because activities of all kinds becomes easier as your strength and fitness improves, and even intense (higher degree of effort) levels of exertion become more comfortable.

All of which makes calorie-burning activities a much more appealing proposition, which makes you want to do it even more. And the easier it gets and so on. Then you are burning even more calories at rest - while you are sleeping or relaxing watching television.

You just need to decide how active a human being you are going to be then your food has to adjust. The more activity you do the more you can eat and the more weight is lost. You no longer will be able to eat through the eye of a needle. You will have to eat more high quality food to support your exercise program so; you can put the necessary effort into it to make the changes you need to make to your metabolic motor.

Just 2-3 sessions each week is all you need to do if the program is set up and monitored by a fitness professional so you can get the very best results in the shortest time. Losing weight is easy when you do it right. Try it and see for yourself.

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Carolyn Hansen is a certified fitness expert and fitness center owner who coaches clients to look and feel younger. In her nearly 30 years of fitness and bodybuilding competition experience she has helped thousands of people start their journey towards being strong, fit and youthful at any age.

Simple Steps to Optimum Health

Yoga is a very old form of exercise that has been followed through ages in order to have a healthy body and mind. This form of exercise is becoming very popular in the recent past due to the exposure it is getting worldwide. There are more and more people turning to this form of healthy living in order to get rid of their sedentary lifestyles. This form of activity is not only easier to do but also does not require any external help in terms of equipments or step-up stools.

Yoga has been credited to having solved many problems that we face in our lives. A few changes in our lifestyle coupled up with a few exercises in yoga can help take care of many diseases like diabetes, cancer, and high or low blood pressure. Some yoga exercises that you can carry out daily are:

Anulom Vilom or Alternate Nostril Breathing: This is one of the most common exercises that Yoga offers and can be done by anyone without the constant supervision of a trainer. To do this you will need to hold the left side of your nose with the thumb and breathe from the right. Then go on to closing your right nose with the help of the middle finger and breathe through your left nose. Keep doing this continuously for about 10-15 minutes. This helps breathe in fresh air and also helps in clearing out the congestion in the chest and nose area.

Kapalbhati or Skull Shining Breath: This is a type of pranayama or breathing exercise that will help you get rid of most ailments of the body. You can do this exercise anytime of the day in a sitting posture with your back straight. This exercise requires you to exhale and contract your abdomen simultaneously with each exhalation. You need to exhale in a manner that you're throwing out your breath. In-between several rapid exhales do some passive inhales. Keep doing this continuously for a period of 5 minutes in the beginning and you can increase the time once you're comfortable with the exercise. Take short breaks to let your body relax a little in between the exercise.

Basic Pranayama: Sit in a cross-legged posture or lotus posture and breathe in and out slowly and recite "OM" as loudly as you can. Let your body vibrate with the effect of the recitation. Keep doing this pranayama for about 20-30 minutes. This will not only help you relax your body but will also help in controlling your temper and is a very good exercise for people who lead a very stressful lifestyle.

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Yoga Diet - Focusing Vegetarianism

Yoga diet helps in setting an ideal weight and achieving spiritual and emotional balance. Yoga diet does not insist on planning a complicated menu or calorie tracking, nor does it ask you to stay hungry. Yoga diet refers to vegetarianism, as the principles of yoga regard Sattvic foods to be the ideal diet. These foods create new energy, calm mind and there by enables to use physical, mental and spiritual talents, besides being nutritious and easily digestible. Sattvic products include fresh fruits and vegetables, cereals, beans, natural fruit juice, milk, honey, butter and pure water. An ideal yoga diet focuses vegetarianism compiled of simple, natural, pure and effortlessly digestible foods that encourages the overall well-being and health.

The food cycle depends on the source of energy received from the Sun that helps in nourishing plants and hence it is believed to have vital life force, besides promoting life. Owing to this reason, the animal meat value is considered to be inferior by nature, albeit being a strong source of nutrition. Natural foods such as vegetables, fruits, grains, nuts and seeds all have varying essential nutrients in differing proportions and quantities. These are considered as they are getting easily absorbed, making the best sources of protein.

Yoga practitioners have listed fish and meat among injurious food believing that death fear pervades in every animal cell while being slaughtered. However, traditional yoga diet concentrates on lacto vegetarian and hence avoids eggs and animal meats inclusive of fish. In reality, modern research as well has given evidences that vegetarians are in better shape than non-vegetarians as the required proteins are obtainable from dairy products, nuts and legumes than that is available from fish and meat. Legumes, seeds, nuts and dairy products give sufficient proteins.

Yoga diet is appropriate with lacto vegetarian and this means it is composed of non-animal foods with the exception of milk and milk-derived products like yoghurt, cheese and butter. The research studies also state that a vegetarian diet is the best for overall health as meat proteins consume longer time to digest and are tough on the liver and kidneys. Relying on a vegetarian diet is not tough as there are adequate tasty alternatives to support the digestive system and health. However, red meats need not be cut down overnight and this can be done gradually by opting for white meats. Similarly, finding nutritious and tasty vegetarian foods will assist in relinquishing poultry, eggs and fish.

Eating fresh vegetables and fruits, and also cooking vegetables without destroying their enzyme and vitamin content with an inclusion of a few raw vegetables are recommended as yoga diet. Having whole grain foods and drinking nearly 2 liters of water everyday is mandatory. Stepping up by taking fluids having fruits and vegetable juices, herb trees, milk and vegetable milks is also suggested. Including Soya, coconut, rice milk and abundant water rich foods are the best yoga diet, while steering clear of foods that are processed, sugar, white flour, fast foods, tinned foods, bottles, jars and pre-cooked meals is recommended.

Following a yoga diet does not compulsorily demand yoga practicing, but it focuses on the proven diet to reinforce a strong body and mind. Yoga insists in having a well-balanced diet to remain energized and alert throughout the day and is hence predominantly vegetarian comprising of simple, pure and natural foods.

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Yoga For a Healthy Menstrual Cycle

Yoga is a way of healing our internal world to live in greater harmony with the world around us. Yoga is not only about the postures, but about creating deep, inner stillness in order that we enhance the peaceful place that we hold in the world and come together in a more balanced way.

The menstrual cycle is a natural time in a woman's life that can occur monthly from puberty to menopause. Many hormonal changes take place during the cycle, which can last 2-7 days, with symptoms going on for more than a week prior. Yoga is an excellent way to help the menstrual cycle be a time for greater introspiection and healthy reflection in a woman's life, as well as by practicing yoga during other times of the month, can lead to have a healthier and pain-free cycle.

Poses to practice while menstruating, include:

Sukhasana:

Sit in a comfortable cross-legged position, while gazing into the horizon and breathe for 1-2 minutes.

Bhujangasana: (good for the lower back)

Cobra Posture

Lie on your belly. Bend your elbows beneath your shoulders, spread palms wide, and have forearms making contact with the ground. Press the palms down and gently lift the gaze (avoiding overstretching in the neck) and lift your chest. Shine your hear foreward, and rest back down. Lift 2-3 times. Inhale as you extend, and exhale as you rest back down.

Pavanamuktasana: A good relaxing pose.

Wind relieving pose.

Lie down on your back. Lift your legs, bend your knees to your chest, simultaneously bring your chin to reach the knees. Don't try too hard, inhale as you lift knees to chest, and exhale, rest your head back down and straighten the arms, taking the knees away from the chest.

Poses to avoid are as follows:

Inversions (any pose where your head is below your heart)

Such as headstand and handstand

Yoga is a healthy way to relax and rejuvenate while you are menstruating. Yoga offers a break from the stress of life, and is a time to go within and give yourself the gift of healing. Learn to go within during your menstrual cycle to aid in the cleansing process and reflect upon what really matters as you breathe away the tension in order to awaken to greater health and ease in living in being present in your life and body.

Waller McInnes is a life coach, writer, yoga and meditation instructor and founder of Create Radiance offering coaching, customized meditations, classes, workshops and guidance to awaken to your life and shine. Her services and products are designed to relax the Body, release the Mind and restore the Soul. Visit http://shantiloveyoga.blogspot.com to sign up to receive yoga inspiration delivered directly to your inbox. Call 615-618-6556 to book a phone consultation and receive a customized meditation for free.

How to Choose a Yoga Training Center

Yoga is a complete system for achieving physical and mental health. Since there are a plethora of activities targeted at achieving different goals, it is important to choose a yoga training center with utmost care. The first thing to consider is what you are trying to achieve through yoga. Is it to reduce stress or cure an ailment? Is it to lose weight or to remain agile? This decision would determine which yoga postures and meditation techniques would be ideal for you.

Features of a Good Yoga Training Center

Here are some features that you should look for while choosing a yoga training center:

* Physical Setup: Ventilation and space are important factors to be kept in mind. The structure of a training center should be such that students do not get disturbed during practice sessions.

* Environment: It is crucial for a training center to be absolutely noiseless. The location of the center plays an important role in this aspect. If a center is located in the heart of a commercial center, it may not let you practice peacefully. On the other hand, the facility to play soothing music can add value to the yoga practices.

* Accessories: Some training centers will provide you with yoga mats. Others will require you to purchase your own. Also, enquire if they provide you a locker to keep your belongings, such as cell phone and wallet.

* Course: Find out what the course includes. You may not wish to do the same activities in every session.

* Client List: The clientele is a factor indicating the quality of service and recognition of a yoga center. If the center has trained celebrities and business people, it is likely to be highly reliable.

* Branches: A reputed and authentic yoga center should ideally have branches in various cities. Some centers also have branches worldwide.

Steps to Take for Choosing a Yoga Training Center

You can make a list of yoga centers in your city from the Internet or yellow pages. Visit the website of each of them to see if they meet your requirements. A personal visit and enquiry would be most beneficial. Check the number of classes offered in a week or month, duration of the classes and their prices. Be straightforward in asking about the qualification, experience and certifications of the teacher.

Artistic Yoga is a highly reputed yoga training center. It has branches across India as well as internationally. The students of Artistic Yoga include celebrities like Ratan Tata, Saif Ali Khan and Bipasha Basu. To find out more about this unique approach to yoga, log on to www.artisticyoga.com.

Yoga Training Center - Developed by Himalayan Yogi and spiritual master Bharat Thakur, Artistic Yoga is an innovative, dynamic and powerful system of Yoga that affects the body like no other form of exercise.

Yoga Training Programs For For Stress Relief

Deadlines, disappointments and demands can cause stress in your life. While each problem may be small, the cumulative impact can lead to chronic stress. This in turn can cause serious ailments. It is worrisome that most of us do nothing to keep stress away and end up harming ourselves further by consuming painkillers, antidepressants and sleeping pills.

In fact, many of us, especially those who are working, don't even realize that we are suffering from this life-threatening disease. Yoga for stress relief includes a plethora of techniques, including meditation, visualization and exercise.

Yoga for Stress Relief: What is stress?
Stress is our physical or emotional responses to good or bad situations. Mental symptoms of stress include tension, excessive fatigue, insomnia, irritability and lack of concentration. Headache, dry mouth, frequent urination, a fast heartbeat, sweating palms and difficulty in breathing are some of the physical symptoms of stress. Chronic stress can cause high blood pressure, poor immune system, increased risk of heart attack and stroke, infertility and aging. Stress can make you more vulnerable to anxiety and depression.

Yoga for Stress Relief: How does it work?
Depending upon one's choices, everyone has different ways to de-stress, popularly called stress busters. One may listen to soothing music, dance, watch movies, cook their favorite dish, travel, exercise or play with their pet. One of the best de-stressing techniques is yoga, which is being used for 5,000 years to relieve stress.

Yoga is both a science and an art and is practiced for healing both physical and mental stress. It helps you understand life, increases your ability to think logically and enables to you handle various tasks vigorously without stressing yourself.

Yoga practice includes asana, pranayama, bandha, kriya, shatkarma, mudra and meditation. The various asanas (postures) of yoga relax your body and help release physical tension. Practicing pranayam (breathing), dhyana (meditation) and asana help in releasing muscular tension, increasing body awareness and improving mind and body coordination.

Meditation is a boon for people suffering from low blood pressure, inability to focus and anxiety. After meditation you feel light and peaceful. The various breathing techniques in pranayama supply oxygen to all the parts of body and cleanse it, resulting in increased level of energy and awareness of breathing.

Himalayan yogi Bharat Thakur has introduced a new concept of yoga, artistic yoga. The various techniques of artistic yoga have been devised to suit the physical and mental needs of the modern man and to improve awareness. Apart from offering yoga classes in groups and personal sessions, Bharat Thakur also offers corporate yoga in the form of 'Transformation' to help companies de-stress employees and increase productivity.

Yoga Training Center - Developed by Himalayan Yogi and spiritual master Bharat Thakur, Artistic Yoga is an innovative, dynamic and powerful system of Yoga that affects the body like no other form of exercise.

Where to Find the Best Yoga Clothes

Yoga is an exercise that's been a trend for quite some years, and for good reason. With the influx of seriousness put on our health, it's essential to find a way to stay fit while eating right.

Yoga can be practiced both at home as well as at classes in health centers. No matter the way you decide to practice yoga, a yoga mat and yoga clothes are all you need to get the job done. Some commitment doesn't hurt, but sometimes that has to naturally come along once you've become comfortable with yoga and you really enjoy it.

In the end, the thing that will really make or break your yoga experience is the yoga clothes you choose to wear. Too loose and you'll spend more time swimming in your yoga clothes than actually working out. Too tight and you'll find yourself too uncomfortable to have a good time practicing yoga exercises.

What to Wear

When it comes to wearing the right yoga clothes, consider comfortable and form fitting wear. Sweat pants work fine as long as they aren't too big, but stretch pants work better because they form to your body, they're comfortable and they don't get in the way of your exercise.

T-shirts are also ok choices as long as they fit correctly. Even better is tank tops or even just a sports bra if you're a woman. Men might even choose to wear no top at all!

Wrist bands and headbands are great accessories to help keep sweat out of your eyes and to keep you feeling comfortable and cool. Long hair should always be wrapped up so it stays out of the way as well.

What Not to Wear

Some yoga clothes that should never be worn include jeans, sweatshirts and shoes. Jeans are constricting and are probably the most unfit yoga clothes. Jean shorts and jean skirts are also bad choices even though they don't constrict the legs. Sweatshirts are too warm, and don't allow your body to breathe correctly. This can get in the way of properly practicing the breathing exercises. Additionally, shoes of any kind should never be worn. Keep feet free and wear only socks, better yet keep your feet free from anything at all!

Final Tips

In addition to the right yoga wear, a yoga mat and instruction either in person or through the use of a DVD make sure a fresh bottle of water is near by. Staying hydrated is a great way to get the most out of yoga. A small snack for after the exercise is also ideal; consider a granola bar or a cup of yogurt with granola.

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Cruise Weight Loss Healthy Eating

The temptation of lavishing meals, endless buffets, and tall, frosty beverages can become too much to avoid or consume in moderation. Did I mention the early breakfasts and midnight buffets, this lets you can eat around the clock making it more difficult to eat healthy on vacation.

In most cases, the cost of food is included in your payment for the cruise, so you'll never see a priceessentially, the caviar is free! So is the chocolate croissant, and the filet mignon, and the fettuccine Alfredo, and the crme brulee, etc.

But you should enjoy yourself right?

So you see how easy it is to overeat on a cruise as food is everywhere. Even the best low-calorie, small-portion intentions can add up at 2 a.m. you're still encouraged to nibble on wedges of sea creature-shaped cheese and olives stuffed with lobster.

Dont avoid everything but use these tips to help you enjoy on cruise without overeating completely.

Cruise Buffet Temptations

Before going back for seconds give yourself a couple minutes to digest and rest as you might find yourself satisfied. Eat at a slow pace, enjoy the food and really emphasize chewing and all the taste of different foods. When you have your plate of food, sit in another room or far away from the buffet for a place to eat. Become a fan of fruit and vegetables as they will be a lot healthier for you. Choose foods you normally dont get to eat so you will enjoy your meal more. Walk around the whole buffet before you load up your plate so you know exactly what you want.

Stay Active As Well

Use the chances to go snorkeling, diving, or playing on the beach. When visiting different places walk instead of taking a bus or taxi as much as possible. Use the pool not just for relaxation but for enjoyable lap swim. Use the deck for a nice walk after a meal. Other activities are dancing, fitness facility, and running on the ships deck.

You must remember that you are on vacation though so have fun and enjoy it as much as possible and I guarantee you that eating healthy or just not gorging yourself will make the trip more forth wild.

Have a great day and God bless!

How to Use Yoga For Weight Loss

Many people do not realize that a daily yoga routine can not only help you tone muscle, but it can help you lose weight as well. Yoga is an ancient form of exercise that focuses on the mind and body working together. Traditional yoga exercises do not normally raise your heart rate, which many associate with burning calories.

However, yoga does burn calories, which leads to losing weight. Many yoga trainers believe doing yoga puts your mind and body in sync together. A person practicing yoga may lose the tendency to overeat or eat foods that are unhealthy for their bodies. Yogis are more familiar with their bodies, and more conscious of what they are eating. This is believed to be why somebody who practices yoga regularly, can lose weight. They are less prone to indulge in sugary or high fat foods. They are more at peace with their bodies and respect their bodies.

Yoga can be done by anybody, at any age. Although walking or running can burn more calories faster, that type of exercise may not be possible for everybody. Yoga can be done at home or in a group. When a person loses weight quickly they may be left with sagging skin. Yoga can help a person lose weight, and keep the skin and muscles toned. Yoga does not require a lot of time and energy to do, a person is more likely to stick with the routine. Instead of feeling drained after a workout, yoga leaves you feeling energized and an overall sense of inner peace.

People are more aware of yoga, and it has become extremely popular for middle aged people. Celebrities like Madonna and Jennifer Anniston have the bodies to prove what yoga can do. Several athletes are also doing yoga to improve their muscle tone.

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Improving Your Sex Life Through Yoga

Everybody's interested in sex. Whether it's to get pregnant, who's doing it and with whom, or how often is normal? We wonder what we should wear, or how much hair to remove to get more of it, or even how to market it? It's in our face in some way, often subliminally, and frequently in a distorted way every day. Men and women obviously have differing sexual needs, (not necessarily sex drives guys!), and this often leads to conflict. Conflict is the antithesis of yoga, yet within conflict there is always opportunity for unity. This is where yoga comes into play.

Sex and yoga is about harmony, about bringing balance into the equation so both sexes feel healthy, nourished and appreciated, free from all the usual repercussions or associated pressures. In my opinion the essence of sex is as a pathway to spiritual transformation and lasting physical well being. Basically yoga makes you feel good. It gets the blood pumping. It gets the hormones flushing through the body. It gives your skin a healthy youthful glow. It generates heat and stimulation from the inside out. It gives you energy, and that's sexy.

Sex and yoga are more intimately connected than we think. Sex feels good. Good sex with someone we love opens our hearts, makes us smile and relieves tension. Sex is about relationship, connection, intimacy, love and creative expression. At their best sex and yoga are about union, truth and love. To reveal those things in your life, your yoga practice, and your sex life takes a genuine commitment to creating a deeper sense of intimacy and overall wellbeing. In my journey as a yoga teacher I encourage all those things and created a yoga system as a way of putting it into a concise practice.

I use a unique system of corrective Japanese yoga postures, wholefood medicine and breath work, which has the potential to heal and enliven, stimulate and support both the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems. When this happens, optimal function of our hormonal, lymphatic, circulatory, respiratory and digestive systems is restored. This makes us feel more vital, connected and present. We begin to engage more fully with life on all levels - mentally, emotionally, spiritually, physically and sexually.

To keep it simple: each section of our spine is governed by a particular meridian, and our very foundation, the sacrum, our base chakra into Mother Earth, dictates how secure, confident and trusting we feel within ourselves. Our sexual essence, that is, our base chakra or kundalini energy, is the connection between our Spirit and Universal Consciousness, or Love.

The flow of sexual hormones is governed primarily by our kidney energy and is intricately connected to our emotional health and how fluidly we move through life, and whether we speak our truth from our hearts and souls without fear. A strong aligned spine is the foundation channel for this universal energy so we can move through life, embrace challenges and grow into the full expression of ourselves.

Sex and yoga are therefore intricately entwined!

Our sexual and emotional confidence is governed by the quality of our Base chakra (perineum), Solar plexus chakra (navel) and Heart chakra. Yoga works to connect the potential in these chakras and energize the entire chakra system from the pelvic floor to our biggest sex organ, the brain. My female students have noticed marked improvement in their energy levels, regulation of, and reduced discomfort throughout their menstrual cycles, healthier hair and skin and a general sense of heightened vitality, libido and sexual responsiveness - all good things!

For women, the sequence will help correct gynaecological disorders, enhance fertility, counter osteoporosis, reduce varicose veins, rebuild pelvic floor integrity after childbirth (imperative on so many levels!), balance hormonal function and generally improve emotional and sexual confidence. My male students are honoured and nourished equally so they can start to access both their male and female energies (yin and yang) in an appropriate way to experience balance, intuition and emotional expression, rather than traditional repression.

They comment that they have become more empathetic with their partners and other men. They unravel learnt behaviours and stereotypes that stop them from feeling and being true to themselves, without losing their sense of masculinity. You can still be a bloke and sensitive. For men, the important issues of prostate health, virility/fertility, hair loss, libido, body confidence and stamina are addressed to help counter the effects of aging, modern day stresses and work and relationship pressures often placed upon them.

This ripples out into the greater community as energy of understanding, compassion, tolerance, self responsibility and positive response rather than reaction, and ultimately, respect for the opposite sex. These introductory postures take just 20 - 30 minutes a day and if possible should be done at least 3 times a week.

1: Gall Bladder Dips

Interlace hands behind head, R foot against L knee. Exhale and drop elbow to rear foot to open up opposite waist, draw elbows wide. Inhale to centre, repeat briskly x 8. Releases tight sides and brings softness to the shoulders & hips. Also releases the lines that govern the metabolism so we can maintain healthy weight and body image, plus tones the waist/hip line where we often store unresolved issues.

2: Spleen Bridge - Setu Bandha

Exhale and lift hips high, pressing through inside edge of feet. Inhale and lower one vertebra at a time to the mat. Repeat smoothly x 8, drawing knees in slightly to feel inner thigh line. Rest on back after and breathe - feel Spleen blood quality/pulsing up legs into belly. Upper body will soften and thoughts will relax as well as hormone flow improves. When we feel warm and nurtured from within this expresses as compassion and sensitivity towards ourselves and others. Spleen energy helps us make supportive choices & develops personal integrity so we don't repeat negative/destructive patterns in relation to ourselves or others.

3: Kidney/Spleen Lift

Lie on belly with L foot pressed into R inner knee, squeeze elbows into ribs. Exhale and lift hands and straight leg, pressing foot to knee and feeling the kidney area. Inhale and lower, repeat lifting x 6, then hold up and inhale. Exhale and squeeze around to L, lift chest and straight leg to draw awareness into weak points in lower back and increase blood flow and motivation into the kidneys. Inhale to centre, exhale and squeeze round to R. Swing L to R briskly x 10 then rest on belly with head to one side and breathe deeply.

Stimulates endorphins and increases sexual vigor, builds libido and stamina.

4: Bow - Dhanurasana

Lie on belly and bend knees to hold ankles, forehead to mat. Exhale and lift into Bow, press belly into mat and resist feet with hands to open shoulders. Inhale and lower, rest briefly then repeat and hold up for 3-6 breaths. Relax and feel the lungs, heart and belly energies connecting. Excellent for reproductive organs, circulation and developing emotional sensitivity.

5: Downward Facing Dog - Adho Mukha Svanasana

Come onto all fours in Downward Dog (Adho Mukha Svanasana), hands shoulder width, feet hip width, bend knees if need too. Hold for 5 - 8 breaths, releasing the jaw and neck, lengthening the spine up to the tailbone and rolling the shoulders away from the ears. Downward Dog stretches the spine and nervous system channels to bring mental clarity, nourish the spine and nerves and counterpose to Dhanurasana. Downward Dog builds mental endurance, leg and arm strength and nourishes the endocrine system, strengthens the heart and builds overall health and organ function.

6: Triangle Pose - Trikonasana

Take legs one leg length apart, R foot heel dissects L arch, L toes turned in 30 degrees. Arms out to sides at shoulder height, spine long and legs engaged. Exhale and lean over R leg extending and lifting R arm to open R ribcage. Keep back foot grounded and belly drawn to spine. Lower R hand to shin and L fingers to ceiling in line with shoulder, look to floor or up along L fingertips. Hold and breathe 5 - 8 breaths, focusing on lengthening the spine, rotating the chest, extending the energy from the heart out into the fingertips and anchoring down into the legs. Come up to standing on an inhalation and switch feet to do the other side. Lay down on your back after for a few breaths to absorb the cleansing effect of the pose.

Trikonasana strengthens the legs, tones the abdominal organs, particularly the Liver, flushes the hormones and lymphatics and creates a sense of expansion, acceptance and patience. Clear Liver energy helps connect us with our inner wisdom and ability to see opportunities and make appropriate choices that support our direction and purpose in life.

7: Crocodile - Chaturanga

Lie on your belly, hands beside chest, toes tucked under and knees lifted off the mat so legs are elevated and parallel to the floor. Exhale and contract entire body to lift off the mat and squeeze from the belly out into the limbs. Keep elbows close to ribs, chest in line with elbows and elbows over the wrists. Hold up for 3 breaths then rest with head to one side.

Crocodile governs the lungs and helps develop breath capacity, mental stamina and a sense of empowerment. Strong lungs give us a sense of trust and positivity as we draw in nourishment and breathe out stagnancy. Healthy lungs fuel the blood with oxygen and regulate the nervous system which in turn makes us feel good and radiate vibrant, attractive energy.

8: Hara Bicycle

Lie on your back with legs long and hands interlaced behind the head. Exhale and draw R knee to chest, L elbow up and across to meet it. Feel the belly engage. Inhale to centre, exhale and swap sides. Briskly cycle to build your belly strength and tone your abdominal organs and harness inner strength. Hara bicycle connects the kidney and lung energies to circulate oxygen, adrenalin and promote production of fresh hormones. Hara (or belly centre) strength and integrity is essential to maintain optimal digestion and hormone balance. When we are disconnected from or congested in our bellies, we lose awareness of what is appropriate and inappropriate, on all levels.

9: Seated Butterfly - Baddhakonasana

Sit with soles together, knees wide and hands interlaced around edges of toes. Use hands against feet as traction to lift the chest and lengthen the spine. Close the eyes and focus on your breath at the end of your practice now, observing the shifts in your body and mind and getting a sense of the energies moving within. Baddhakonasana is an excellent hip opener that helps circulate fresh blood around the pelvis to nourish the reproductive organs. Sit quietly for 5 - 10 minutes, breathing in and out through the nose to calm the adrenals, drawing the breath down into the belly and sit bones so you feel grounded, nourished and calm. As always with any posture always move within a sharp-pain-free range of movement. If you feel uncomfortable with a posture just bring it back a little. Do remember though, you need to be fit for good sex so keep your practice going and enjoy Sex and Yoga.

Denby Sheather is resident Yoga expert at http://www.fitforlifeonline.com.au.

Yoga and Its Effect in Our Body

In our modern day, people are now more conscious on what we eat and how we live our lives for each and every day. As we all know, exercise is a part of our life that we have to do in order for us to have a healthy mind and body. One may choose in any of the usual physical exercises like jogging, going to the gym for weights, aerobics, dancing or perhaps yoga.

So what is yoga? Yoga in layman's terms is a form of meditation that harmonizes both mind and body. Like any other exercises it can release stress but with more beneficial effect. As we all know stress is the number one killer in terms of diseases that is being associated from it. Through regular practice of yoga, one can achieve a state of calmness that allows our selves to be detached from the things that happen in our surroundings. As a result, one my feel free from burdens or stress providing healthful benefits in both mind and body.

Yoga's ultimate goal according to our history is to attain self enlightenment, and to achieve this, one has to meditate for long periods of time that can take days, weeks or even months. Usually yoga is performed in certain yoga postures known as "Asanas" which is very similar in today's practice. There are numerous benefits from practicing yoga and it is divided into three major categories which are physical, psychological and biological effects. Some of the major befits are;

• Detoxifies the body - by mildly stretching the muscles and joints it ensures normal supply of blood in certain parts of our body that promotes detoxification that slows up aging and give us more energy.
• Enhance flexibility - thru yoga postures, joints are positioned or use in certain movements that are not usually done in our daily activity.
• Toning of the muscles - weak or sagging muscles are toned with continues and regular stimulation.

Though yoga is one of the best forms of exercise most especially with its benefits, still it's not for everyone. Choose wisely and select the one you really love and comfortable with.

Yoga and Pregnancy Are Natural Combination

If you are looking for a gentle and safe way to stretch and stay in shape while carrying some extra weight during pregnancy, welcome to yoga and pregnancy 101. This isn't a real college class but I'm sure there are hundreds, if not thousands, of yoga classes targeting pregnancy being taught these days.

What is Yoga?
Yoga as is taught in western society is a mix of general exercise principles and awareness of self, body and breathing in relation to the larger world around us. This is sort of the opposite of true yoga, which starts with a premise that all is one and we are parts of that whole going through varied experiences.

Yoga literally means union or yoking - making two come to know they are one. In a way, this defines pregnancy also. The relationship between mother and child is both natural and quite often unshakable. In this light, what better exercise than to explore that oneness in a healthful pregnancy yoga environment.

Natural and Healthful
We can hardly recall a time in our busy lives when we look within and come in touch with our inner self - and that too in a class environment! Who is qualified to teach such a personal exploration into self and what impact does it have on the baby? These are good questions and often the kind that percolate up to the surface during the exploration of yoga in pregnancy.

To safeguard your personal wellbeing and that of the baby, it is suggested, even recommended that you do your research before venturing into the yoga arena. In India, where yoga was born, it is said that there are more yoga teachers than students. This is not said to scare those wanting to explore yoga; rather, it is a reminder to check out the teacher before signing on.

Yoga done properly is a natural and healthful exercise giving benefits to the body, mind and in the case of pregnancy, yoga has been said to help the unborn baby too. Spiritual aspects are prevalent too but this is a very personal area and no other person stands in one's shoes. Ask for references and once satisfied, go for it.

After Birthing Schedule
After child birth, the regimen established during pregnancy plays a vital role in recovery of normal body weight, toning and general strength. The great value of yoga done while pregnant will show itself during and after your child is born. As the hectic schedule of motherhood unfolds, a moment of quietude and remembrance will bring a smile to your face in the midst of dirty diapers and sleepless nights!

Yoga, Your Way to Healthy Living

How effective is yoga in weight reduction?

In this modern world it is quite difficult to stick only on to diet restriction in order to maintain a healthy body. The tight schedule forces them to limit their meals to junk stuffs. This leads to obesity that affects a person's health and self-esteem areas.

Though there are many alternatives to reduce weight, Yoga is one of the effective ways to reduce weight and maintain a healthy body. Yoga is a great way to get rid of extra flab from the body without any side effects. From ancient times, this has been a very common method of fat reduction and weight control. Some positions (asanas) of yoga are specially meant for weight reduction only. Yoga is also a preferred method for weight reduction as it is does not cause any side effect. Yoga directly affect on the body metabolism by acting upon several hormonal secretions in the body.

Yoga is said to be the best way of weight reduction because it has no side effects on your body... Yoga makes your body structure proportionate with your body weight and age. The deep breathing in Yoga exercises increases the oxygen supply to the cells of the body.

The main yoga asanas for weight reduction are Paschimottanasana, Bhujangasana, Halasana, Dhanurasana, Veerasana, Trikonasana, Ardha Matsyendrasana. Following atleast one of them will surely help to reduce fat. For thyroid patients who put on weight abnormally due to hormonal imbalance should go for Sarvangasana and Matasyasana. Yoga exercises done with sun reputation is said to be extremely helpful in reducing body fat and in gaining a healthy body.

You must stick on to a healthy fat free meal when you are practicing yoga for weight reduction. A regular meal time should be followed and you must avoid food between meals.

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Cardio Exercises to Lose Belly Fat

Doing cardio can certainly help you to lose belly fat. But why not get a double benefit out of it and focus on the kind of workouts which can not only help you shed belly fat but also help you to build strong legs.

After all, your legs are what carry you around. Even if you're totally satisfied with the way they look, having strong legs can certainly help you workout and function better.

So, let's focus on some killer cardio exercises to lose belly fat and get strong legs at the same time:

1. Jumping rope - This is a great and short cardio workout which you can also do at home. Jumping rope works the entire body but it truly strengthens your legs. In addition, you also burn a lot of body fat by doing it, which is great for getting flat abs.

2. Running - We all know how running works the lower body. In fact, it works the upper body as well as your abs but if you do running on a regular basis (especially outside) you will have strong legs.

3. Mountain climbing - Anyone who thinks this isn't an aerobic workout is sadly mistaken. This is one of the hardest sports there is and you will get an awesome cardio stimulation when you do it.

4. Cycling - If you've ever seen the legs of cyclers you may have noticed how incredibly muscular they are. This is because cycling build the leg muscles and also helps you to burn belly fat very fast.

If you do these workouts you will burn belly fat and develop stronger legs at the same time.

Best Carb Foods to Help You Lose Weight

In order to help you choose the best carb foods for your diet it is necessary to remind ourselves of the basics. Often, carbohydrates are referred to as either simple carbs or as complex carbs. A diet is high in simple carbs such as sugary foods will result in unstable energy levels as well as cravings, mood swings and tiredness.

Complex carbs, however, are digested more slowly than simple carbs thereby releasing energy much more steadily. Examples of complex carbs include bread, pasta, rice and vegetables. While it may be necessary to reduce your overall carbohydrate intake, having less simple carbs in your diet is much more important, because of their effect on your energy levels.

Out of all the best carb foods, you should aim to eat lots of fibrous carbs such as green vegetables. Not only do they contain few calories, many vegetables are referred to as negative calorie foods. In other words, your body actually uses more calories to digest them than they actually contain, so your body literally burns calories when you eat these foods.

When choosing the best carb foods to help you drop the fat, you should also ask yourself whether the food is natural or highly processed/refined. Simple carbs such as fructose which is what is in fruits, or complex carbs such as potatoes and fibrous vegetables are examples of the former. Sucrose, your average table sugar, and other refined sugars such as glucose and dextrose, as well as highly processed starchy carbs such as white bread and white rice, would come under the latter category.

One of the worst food choices is refined carbs and they can often do more harm then good. These foods are digested very quickly, and all the healthy nutrients have been extracted away from them during the refining process. In fact, they act much like simple carbs in that they can leave you feeling tired and moody, something many of us have experienced after a typical American lunch. Couple that with a Coke or Pepsi, which is very high in sugar, and these side effects are even more obvious.

You can also refer to the GI (glycemic index) values for another tool to help you choose the best carb foods to help you lose weight and have more energy throughout the day. The glycemic index shows the impact foods have on your blood sugar. If the GI value is low, such as with lentils, it will not have a great effect on your blood sugar and you will have a relatively steady release of energy.

If you were to eat a food with a high GI value, however, such as white rice, this will result in an immediate rush of energy followed by a noticeable drop. Apart from the this sugar crash affecting you mentally, in addition to the hunger pangs, these foods limit your bodys fat burning capacity and sets it up for storing food as fat. Eating a low GI food with it, however, can balance the meals average GI value.

It is also important to remember that refined sugars especially are very bad for your health, unless there is a need for them, which may be the case with athletes. On top of this, the GI values are very high, and we already have too much carbs and sugar in our diet as it is. Whats more, when you add unhealthy fats to the equation, this can result in immediate fat gain. Fried foods, pastries and ice cream are examples of such foods. High-sugar beverages such as sodas, soft drinks and alcoholic drinks are also very common in the West but are terrible for our diets. I always advise staying far away from foods which are high in refined sugars, and especially if coupled with unhealthy fats.

To summarize, the best carb foods will have little or no refined sugars and very little fat content. It is very unfortunate, however, to see that most low fat and fat-free foods being sold are high in sugar, misleading innocent individuals who think they are making the right choice. However, now you know exactly what questions to ask when choosing the best carb foods.

How To Lose 35 Pounds In 3 Months

Quick fix weight loss: thats the name of the marketing game these days. It makes it tough to talk about real world results. Even good results like how to lose 35 pounds fast.

The task, itself, is never easy. Many people treat weight loss it as if its a race. This is what its come down to. We live in a fast paced world where expectations for instant results through the stratosphere.

Technology continues to advance, but a digital chip does not govern the human bodys adaptive process. Each persons performance is based on, well, the individual. But still we demand fast. And for fast results to appear we must be willing to work hard.

Here is a list of weight loss triggers for how to lose 35 pounds in 3 quick months.

1. Begin right where you are. Walk for 20-30 minutes a day, 5 days a week for weeks one and two.

2. Remove the following from your diet: Late night sugary snacks and all fast food meals.

3. Add the following to your diet: 12 glasses of water a day and slowly increase your fiber intake to 40 grams a day.

4. Increase your protein intake. Eat a portion of protein with every single meal.

5. Measure your food portions using the fist method. No portion shall be bigger than your fist. If it is, reduce it.

6. Eat real food. Protein shakes have their place, but whole food is unprocessed and needs your body to perform its digestive and delivery process.

7. Weeks 3-7 doing a minimum of 30-45 minutes walking 5 days a week.

8. Increase your meals to four a day. Spread them evenly over the day. No bingeing.

9. Eat your first meal within 45 minutes after you wake. Be sure to include protein.

10. By week 4 you should be 10-15 pounds lighter, depending on your water and muscle composition, without having to join a gym.

11. Week 5 join a gym. Have a trainer demonstrate some basics. Alternate upper and lower body workouts for 3 weeks.

12. Weeks 9-12 combine upper and lower body workouts into one streamlined workout lasting no longer than 45 minutes.

13. Gym tip: move quickly through your exercises even if you have to lighten the load. This creates a cardio effect.

14. Weeks 8-12 walk for 45-60 minutes 5 days a week. In addition to your gym workouts.

15. When you feel like quitting or eating something you shouldnt, compare the short-term gain against the long-term pain. This helps you stay in the game.

Keep perspective. This program will slowly get you ready to make huge weight loss progress over a short period of time. Thats what you want, to start slow and then rev yourself up like a high performance racecar.

Follow this program and you will surely lose 35 pounds in 3 months. And youll be turning the heads of strangers.

The Best Way To Lose 20 Pounds

Some gurus will tell you to get on some zany diet. No doubt, theyre usually promoting weight loss book they wrote. But should you really believe them? Do you really need the latest diet book to find out the best way to lose 20 pounds quick? I doubt it.

In fact, Im pretty sure you already know how to lose weight. Im betting youve lost some weight in the best. You may have gained it back, buy thats not the point. You did lose weight before.

In case you forgot, Im going to give you a hard and fast weight loss formula for shedding quick pounds. Use the formula and you will find yourself on the other end of a smaller reflection very quickly.

7 steps for weight loss success

Step 1: Make a commitment to weight loss at the very beginning. Dont go half-hearted, here. If you do, you will come up short. Treat this like a job. Make it a priority.

Step 2: Prove your commitment by creating a weight loss journal. Write down your diet and exercise goals and review them daily. Make a list in your journal of all the things you will hold yourself to. Everyday turn a page and re-write the same thing. Cross things off as you accomplish them.

Step 3: Begin walking 20-30 minutes in the morning, afternoon, or evening. The best time is the time you can fit it in. Be consistent. Same time every day, if possible.

Step 4:Add water. Increase your daily water consumption to 10-12 cups. More water means less bloating and better internal organ function. A side note: decrease the sugary sodas. Increasing your water can help you lose 5 pounds the very first week.

Step 5: Eat four meals a day. The first meal coming within 40 minutes of waking. The last meal coming 2 hours or more before bedtime. You never want to eat right before bed. Do this and you will feel your waistline loosen very quickly.

Step 6: Understand the difference between weight loss success and weight loss failure is smaller than you realize. You only need to make small adjustments to reap huge results. Dont go out and try to change the world. If you do, you may just wind up burnt out and with even more anxiety.

Step 7: Take a long-term perspective. The best way to lose 20 pounds is to begin where you are with these 7 steps, but to realize this isnt just a commitment for now. If you want to keep the weight off, then repeat these steps time and time again.

Weight loss is a simple task. The principles are very basic. The results, however, will always be based on the individual. Begin strong and begin prepared, and youve already won half the weight loss battle.

Get Super Quick Weight Loss Results

Optimizing your weight loss efforts is all about timing and rhythm. Its about what you do, when you do it, and for how long. To get super quick weight loss results you must reserve yourself to this fact. It will take all youve got, and nothing less.

You will want to outline your immediate future on paper. Make a weight loss and diet journal. Make a list of activities that youll need to engage in.

Will you need to join a gym? Write it down.

Will you need to prepare your meals in advance? Write it down.

The more you can keep track and quantify your efforts, the more weight loss progress you will achieve, and fast. Youll want to measure your food portions using the closed fist method. Make a closed fist, and any portion of your diet that is bigger than that fist, its simply to large a serving for that one sitting.

To get super quick weight loss results youll want to add to your daily water intake. Youll want to minimize nighttime snacks. Dont eat less than 2 hours before you go to bed for the night.

Youll want to increase your fiber intake to 40 or more grams a day. Do this slowly over a period of time, or your stomach will suffer dearly. The extra fiber helps keep you feeling fuller which cuts down on the extra snack urges you might encounter otherwise.

Fiber also halts the digestion of other would be fat stored calories.

Make a commitment, a mental promise to yourself going into your new weight loss program because you can be sure to encounter a whole bunch of counter productive desires along the way. With a commitment, you can overcome these distractions.

Without a commitment, sad to say, theres not a chance in a lifetime that youll make it to the end at the weight you had in mind. Heres your last secret: to get super quick weight loss results guaranteed, the name of the game is action.

No matter what you do, keep taking action. Thats your weight loss bonanza. You can make mistakes, but never rest until you have a reflection that continuously smiles back at you in your bedroom mirror.