Thursday 27 June 2013

The Medical Benefits Bikram Yoga For Your Health

One of the most important medical benefits Bikram yoga is the toxin removal in your body. Bikram yoga is one of some variations in hatha yoga. The hatha yoga can naturally remove the waste and toxins from your body. Many practitioners of the hot yoga praise as a process of the cleansing internal of the body, by heavily sweating and this sweating is a way to clean your body. Bikram’s yoga college describes Bikram yoga as a “natural irrigation of the body through the circulatory system,                                            
                   
As you know, Bikram yoga or hot yoga has so many medical benefits. Medical benefits Bikram yoga, is somehow very popular in the Hollywood, so many celebrities practice this yoga. But, some medical experts suggest you to contort and stretch carefully. It is because everything has two side effects, bad and good, even the Bikram yoga that has so many benefits.

The benefits of Bikram Yoga are many and endless.  Bikram’s signature series of 26 postures and two breathing exercises will help you with a multitude of afflictions ranging from thyroid problems to weight loss, stress to insomnia, diabetes to knee problems, kidney conditions to heart disease, depression to blood pressure, Bikram Yoga  arthritis to back pain  allowing you to maintain exceptional health for years to come. The postures work every part of your body down to a cellular level flushing toxins out of your system.

Benefits of Bikram Yoga 

1. Weight loss
Bikram Yoga is excellent for weight loss. Your digestive system and metabolism will improve, normalizing your appetite and diminishing unhealthy cravings. Your fat will turn into muscle as you develop muscle tone and strength. Warm muscles burn fat more easily as the heat flushes and detoxifies the body. Bikram yoga is known for burning anywhere from 500 to 1000 calories a session.

2. Blood Pressure
Unstable high blood pressure can respond very quickly to a regular Bikram Yoga practice. Consult your doctor and don’t push too hard for your first few classes. If you are tested about a week after starting Yoga, you may see a slight rise in pressure. Don’t be alarmed. By the second week, that pressure will be normal or close to normal and will stay there as long as you continue your yoga regimen. Many students who maintain a regular practice are able to stop taking blood pressure medication

3. Skin and Beauty
Watch your face and skin develop “the Bikram glow” as your eyes become brighter and your skin becomes more clear and soft. As you sweat, your pores are opened and cleaned allowing natural lanolin to release through the pores, softening and preserving your skin’s elasticity. “I feel so CLEAN inside and out, and my skin is so SOFT I don’t need moisturizer anymore!” is a student’s comment. Faces in general change expression from looking disturbed and frustrated to looking full of life and happiness.

4. Diabetes
Bikram yoga can be a perfect complement to the lifestyle changes necessary to help keep diabetic symptoms in check.  Recent research has found that performing these postures on a regular basis can decrease blood-sugar levels.  A dedicated Bikram Yoga student, who lost 50 pounds without dieting, healed his chronic back problems and no longer needed his diabetic medication after practicing Bikram Yoga for 6 months.

5. Depression
On those days when you don’t feel like doing anything, going to Bikram Yoga class is key. You just have to show up and the yoga takes care of the rest.  After each session your mind will become more balanced and depression will be lifted. The more you practice, the better you will feel. Many students come off antidepressants and other medications after establishing a regular Bikram Yoga practice.

The Benefits of Early Morning in Exercise

Most of us aren’t so crazy about getting up at the crack of dawn to exercise.  But it turns out that there are a number of benefits to setting your alarm clock a little bit earlier and getting your fitness on to the soundtrack of birds chirping and the sun rising.                                                      
                                             
If I had to pick a single factor that I thought was most important in a successful exercise or weight loss program, it would be to exercise first thing in the morning every morning! Some mornings,you may just be able to fit in a 10 minute walk,but it's important to try to do something every morning.

The medical literature is quite clear about the best time to exercise--it's whenever you can.Yet there is a debate in the fitness world as to whether cardiovascular exercise early in the morning poses a health risk greater than the health and fitness benefits?

If we didn’t prioritize our lives, we would never get anything done; work, family, and financial stability often trump our personal health and leisure Benefits of Exercising .

benefits

  • Avoiding air pollution, which climbs as more cars hit the road
  • Missing the heat of the day or evening in the summer
  • Early mornings are often a quiet time with fewer people on the road or in the gym
  • Can lead to clearer thinking and increased energy levels during daytime activities
  • A positive start to the day will inspire you to keep up the good work and eat well
  • You won't need an additional shower in the middle of the day

 you have trouble finding time to exercise during the day, early morning exercise may be the answer. People who exercise in the morning before breakfast may enjoy benefits, such as increased energy throughout the day and greater weight loss. Making morning exercise a habit can improve your performance during the day and help you sleep better at night. People who exercise before breakfast in the morning may also enjoy burning more calories than those who exercise later in the day.

Wednesday 26 June 2013

The Single Best Exercise For Weight Loss

Often people will ask me to share the best exercises for weight loss. They want to know what kind of cardio activity is going to help them lose weight faster than anything else. Even if they don't enjoy it, they are willing to try whatever is going to help them reach their goals more quickly. My response is always the same. So are you ready to hear what the magic exercise is? What's going to help you lose weight keep it off long-term, and get fit?

Being active is an important part of any exercise for weight loss or weight-maintenance program. When you're active, your body uses more energy (calories). And when you burn more calories than you consume, you lose weight loss.

Let’s consider the butterfly. One of the most taxing movements in sports, the butterfly requires greater energy than bicycling at 14 miles per hour, running a 10-minute mile, playing competitive basketball or carrying furniture upstairs. It burns more calories, demands larger doses of oxygen and elicits more fatigue than those other activities, meaning that over time it should increase a swimmer’s endurance and contribute to weight control.

Are you wasting time on burpees? Frittering hours on free weights? Going in circles with circuits? There’s nothing worse than sweating it in the gym, without seeing the desired results. Lose Weight You want to make sure you’re getting the best bang for your buck in the exercise stakes but, without conclusive research proving which exercise is most effective, how do you know you’re spending your time efficiently?

Everyone wants that one secret exercise that can burn the most fat off their body in the least amount of time.Since there are so many different opinions about what is the best exercise to lose weight, we decided it would be a good idea to consult our experts to hear their thoughts.We didn’t come up with one consensus, but did find some great exercises that will definitely help to get you leaner and stronger, even if there is no single best exercise to lose weight.

There are several forms of exercise (aerobic, anaerobic, circuit training, interval training) and even more theories as to which type of exercise is best for weight loss. Many exercise science specialists believe that aerobic exercise is the most important component in weight loss, while others believe that anaerobic activities and strength training are more effective in drastically increasing weight reduction.

So is the butterfly the best single exercise that there is? Well, no. The butterfly “would probably get my vote for the worst” exercise,

Monday 24 June 2013

What Are The Benefits of Sports Massage Therapy

When it comes to receiving a massage, most individuals wouldn’t have to think twice or even take much persuasion. However, most would not consider paying a qualified sports therapist to give them a sports massage. This is not your typical end of the day massage you would give your partner or spouse in order to relax them

As an athlete, you can derive significant health and performance benefits from receiving regular sports massage therapy. Sports massage therapy is a form of massage therapy that helps athletes recover from or avoid sports-related injuries, and typically utilizes more vigorous forms of massage to facilitate muscle healing or relaxation. Sports massage therapy should be performed before and after a competition to prevent injuries and loss of mobility and maximize the life of your sporting career.                                                            
                                 
There are many physical conditions that we commonly treat on a daily basis: Sciatic pain, arthritis, tendonitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, nerve pain, thoracic outlet syndrome, plantar fasciitis, IT band syndrome, cramping, lordosis, kyphosis, piriformis pain, tennis elbow, Achilles tendonitis, sinus pressure, headaches, neck stiffness, edema, swelling,  migraines, back pain and general muscle stiffness. Through sports massage therapy, we also deal with releasing emotional and psychological stress that can actually be contained within the muscles.

Research has shown that massage helps people deal with depression, anxiety, addiction, and stress. It creates a sense of healing and well- being by assisting the body in healing itself. Massage is being used more and more as a complimentary therapy for these conditions.Benefits of Yoga New research has also shown that massage has decreased the side effects of chemo therapy in individuals going through cancer treatment.

In closing, sports massage therapists have the ability to compliment everyone’s lifestyle. We aim to educate the public on benefits of incorporating sports massage into your normal maintenance routine.

Sports massage therapy is geared toward athletes of every kind, from world-class professionals to weekend joggers. The particulars of the sports massage technique are specific to the athlete's sport of choice. Focusing on areas of the body that are overused and stressed from repetitive and often aggressive movements.

The prime purpose of sports massage therapy is to help alleviate the stress and tension which builds up in the body’s soft tissues during physical activity. Where minor injuries and lesions occur, due to overexertion and/or overuse, massage can break them down quickly and effectively.

An Athlete’s peak performance may be dependent upon the proper use and application of sports massage. More than a treatment for injuries, sports massage produces overwhelming benefits for athletes physically, physiologically, and psychologically. Sports massage is designed to prepare the athlete for their best performance, reduce fatigue, and relieve muscle swelling and tension. During physical activity—especially strenuous—muscle tension builds up in the body’s soft tissues


Is It Safe To Exercise For During Pregnancy

Most women who exercise during pregnancy benefit greatly, however the level of activity a woman can do will be directly proportional to her level of fitness prior to pregnancy.

Medical research points to the fact that women who exercise regularly during pregnancy have a lower chance of gestational diabetes and weight-related hypertension.  The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology recommends that an expectant mother who exercises regularly has better musculoskeletal fitness and copes better with the anatomical and physical changes of pregnancy when they are in better shape.                                                                
                           
Maintaining a regular exercise routine throughout your pregnancy can help you stay healthy and feel your best. Regular exercise during pregnancy can improve your posture and decrease some common discomforts such as backaches and fatigue. There is evidence that physical activity may prevent gestational diabetes (diabetes that develops during pregnancy), relieve stress, and build more stamina needed for labor and delivery.

Women who want to maintain a high exercise level during pregnancy may be frustrated at the outdated ("keep your heart rate below 140") and vague ("stop exercising if you feel tired") information they find. "Physicians aren't trained to counsel pregnant women about exercise," says James Pivarnik, PhD, vice president of the American College of Sports Medicine. "It's a rare bird who keeps up with the exercise and pregnancy literature." Doctors may have you believe that we know little about how exercise affects pregnant women.

Pregnancy can sap your energy, but regular bouts of exercise will help you get through your day. And the good news is that you can safely start an exercise program during pregnancy even if you've been an avid couch potato until now. Learn more about the best exercise programs for pregnancy.

Exercising during pregnancy can make you feel great and help you develop the stamina needed for giving birth. Yoga, swimming, and walking are all great options, during the Pregnancy but avoid high-impact exercises that involve jumping, bouncing, lifting, or sit-ups.

Keep up your normal daily physical activity or exercise (sport, running, yoga, dancing, or even walking to the shops and back) for as long as you feel comfortable. Exercise is not dangerous for your baby – there is some evidence that active women are less likely to experience problems in later pregnancy and labour.

If you weren't active before you got pregnant, don’t suddenly take up strenuous exercise. If you start an aerobic exercise programme (such as running, swimming, cycling, walking or aerobics classes), tell the instructor that you're pregnant and begin with no more than 15 minutes of continuous exercise, three times a week. Increase this gradually to at least four 30-minute sessions a week.

In general, the rule of thumb is to use common sense when it comes to following an exercise regimen during pregnancy. First, make sure that you are in good physical health and that your doctor does not prohibit or limit your exercise for any reason (always check with a doctor first). Second, don't take up a new strenuous physical activity now that you're pregnant – for example, something that you've never done in the past. This is not the time to start new physical activities.

Saturday 22 June 2013

The Truth About Exercise And Your Weight Loss

If you've been working out and eating fewer calories but your extra pounds won't budge, you may be wondering why that seemingly simple strategy isn't working.The truth is you may need a reality check about what to expect from exercise.
                                       
Many of you have been trying to make exercise a habit. Some of you may have already succeeded in that goal. Either way, I'm proud of you for making fitness a part of your life even if you're not always perfect at it. A consistent exercise routine offers so many benefits to your mind and your body, many of which you are probably already beginning to experience.We all have our own ideas about exercise: what "counts" as a workout, how much we need to do, and how it benefits us

If you’ve been workíng out and eatíng fewer caloríes but your extra pounds won’t budge, you may be wonderíng why that seemíngly símple strategy ísn’t workíng.The truth ís you may need a realíty check about what to expect from exercíse.

We have always been told that regular exercise is one of the keys to a healthy, happy life, and, broadly speaking, the more exercise the better. But new research suggests that short bursts of intense exercise may be as effective as, if not better than, long periods of moderate exercise.

At Optimal Fitness at Good Shepherd’s Health & Technology Center, we offer a free one-hour assessment/personal training session to all new fitness members. Part of the assessment involves asking individuals what their goals are for attending the fitness center. Exercises for Fitness The number one answer and often the only answer is "weight loss.

I wish I could tell you that working out is the magic key to weight loss. However, contrary to popular belief, exercise alone does not burn enough calories to produce significant weight loss. You need to create a deficit of 3,500 calories in order to lose one pound. A 150 pound man burns only about 100 calories for every mile walked or run. The truth is that dietary changes are responsible for approximately 80 percent of weight loss, and so the secret of losing weight begins with changing eating habits.

When it comes to losing weight, most of us follow a simple formula: burning more calories + eating fewer calories = weight loss. Exercise is one way we try to burn more calories, so we hit the gym or pick up a pair of weights thinking we’ll eventually see the number on the scale inch its way down. Unfortunately, it doesn’t always work that way, something that often frustrates new exercisers. If you’re doing all this exercise, you should be losing weight, right?

The truth is, exercise is a complicated business and there are a number of things that can affect how many calories you burn. Knowing what those are will help you set realistic goals and get the most out of your workouts.

Friday 21 June 2013

Foods To Avoid During Pregnancy in order To Maintain Your Health

Pregnant women are even more cautious about their health and are extra careful because they don’t want to harm their baby. There are certain foods that women should not eat during pregnancy in order to maintain their health and the health of their baby.

First of all, pregnant women should not eat raw or partially cooked eggs because this will endanger their health. If the eggs are raw or aren’t cooked thoroughly, there is a risk of salmonella. In addition, pregnant women should not consume any foods that may contain partially cooked or raw eggs, including homemade mayonnaise.                                                          
                                       
Now that you're pregnant, taking care of yourself has never been more important. Of course, you'll probably get advice from everyone your doctor, family members, friends, co-workers, and even complete strangers about what you should and shouldn't be doing.But staying healthy during pregnancy depends on you, so it's crucial to arm yourself with information about the many ways to keep you and your baby as healthy as possible.

Eating healthy foods is more important now than ever! You need more protein, iron, calcium, and folic acid than you did before pregnancy. You also need more calories. But "eating for two" doesn't mean eating twice as much. Rather, it means that the foods you eat are the main source of nutrients for your baby.

Good nutrition during pregnancy, and enough of it, is very important for your baby to grow and develop. You should consume about 300 more calories per day than you did before you became pregnant.Although nausea and vomiting during the first few months of pregnancy can make this difficult, try to eat a well-balanced diet and take prenatal vitamins. Here are some recommendations to keep you and your baby healthy.

Women with healthy eating and exercise patterns before pregnancy enjoy reduced health risks for both themselves and their babies during pregnancy.during the Pregnancy By following a balanced diet and participating in regular exercise, you should work towards maintaining a Body Mass Index (BMI) below 30, and ideally between 20 and 25. Women who have BMIs over 30 when they conceive are at increased risk for complications during pregnancy

Because pregnancy affects your immune system, you and your unborn baby are more susceptible to the bacteria, viruses, and parasites that cause foodborne illness. Even if you don’t feel sick, some “bugs” like Listeria and Toxoplasma can infect your baby and cause serious health problems. Your baby is also sensitive to toxins from the food that you eat,

Good nutrition during pregnancy, and enough of it, is very important for a baby to grow and develop. When you're pregnant you need to pay extra attention to what you eat, so both you and the baby will be happy and healthy.

Eating well and doing moderate physical activity during pregnancy are important for you and your baby. Nutritional needs are higher when you are pregnant. Meeting these needs helps protect the long-term health of both you and your baby.

Thursday 20 June 2013

Learn Different Yoga Poses And Health Benefits

Yoga is considered to be the best exercise as it helps to maintain equilibrium between the body and the mind. Yoga soothes the mind and relaxes the body making it more flexible, fit and healthy. Here are some yoga poses that one could perform to enrich a revitalizing experience.

The Yoga Poses for Beginners library serves as a comprehensive intro guide to the most popular yoga poses and sequences, featuring images and videos with how-to instructions and tips Becoming familiar with and learning these beginner yoga poses should get you through a class in any of the types of yoga styles.The beginners pose library also serves as a great learning tool and reference guide as you continue to develop your yoga practice.
                                                                 
Yoga is a very old Indian practice that goes back to over 5000 years. The term ‘yoga’ comes from a Sanskrit word ‘yuj’, which actually means to bring oneself to a disciplined way of life.There are many types of yoga but Raja and Hatha yoga are most popular in the West.

The practice of Yoga Exercises means practicing both your body and your mind. It takes willpower and perseverance to accomplish each Yoga Pose and to practice it daily. But the prize for your perseverance is really worth all the hard work. Benefits of Yoga The practice of Yoga Exercises or Yoga Asanas with your yoga blocks can improve your health,increase your resistance,and develop your mental awareness.

Warm Up Poses
In general,warming up depends on the Yoga Style that you practice.This section covers some Warm-Up exercises that you can do prior to a Yoga class or session.

Standing Poses
Learn how to practice the different Standing Poses Triangle Pose,Hands to Feet, Standing Side Stretch Pose,Stand Spread Leg Forward Fold, Warrior Pose,Tree Pose,and Sun Salutation.

Seated Poses
There are poses which can be done while sitting on yoga mats. In this section,know how to do the various Seated Poses such as Spread Leg Forward Fold,Hero Pose, Seated Forward Bend,and Child Pose.

Twist Yoga Poses
Aside from strengthening the back, the Half-Spinal Twist and Sage Twist are Yoga Poses which tone and massage the abdominal area and improve digestion.

Supine Poses
This section covers several Yoga Poses which are done in supine (lying face up) position - Leg Reclining Lunge, Locust Pose, Leg Pulls, Leg Raises, and Wind Relieving Pose.

Inverted Postures and Balance Poses
Shoulderstand, Headstand, and Plough can help increase circulation, stimulate the brain, enhance glandular system functioning, and relieve pressure on the abdominal organs.

Back bends
Backbends are Yoga Poses which promote flexibility in the spine and strengthen the arms, legs, and abdomen. In this section, know how to practice Backbends.

Finishing Poses
The Corpse Pose or Savasana and the Final Corpse are Yoga Poses which are usually practiced as final relaxation at the end of a Yoga Session.

Bikram Yoga Poses
This section will be discussing the various Bikram yoga poses.

Wednesday 19 June 2013

The Health Benefits of Aerobic Exercise And Fitness Classes

‘Aerobic’ exercise refers to exercise that requires the consumption of substantially more oxygen than at rest. It is of a light to moderate intensity, and can be undertaken for a prolonged duration (many minutes to several hours) without excessive fatigue. Examples of aerobic exercise include walking, jogging, swimming or cycling at a steady pace. Another example would be dancing or aerobics’ classes.

Regular exercise causes your body to make adjustments that result in improved health and physical functioning. Continuing with regular exercise enables your body to maintain these benefits. Regularly doing the right types of Benefits of  Aerobic Exercise at the correct intensity, and for an appropriate duration, results in the most benefit.
                                           
The benefits of aerobic exercise can be broadly categorised as either ‘fitness’ (physical capacity) or ‘health’. Fitness and health are linked, and most forms of aerobic exercise will help you achieve both.

Joining an aerobic fitness class can be a great way to improve your health. According to the Mayo Clinic, aerobic exercise can provide the following health benefits:

  •   Helps with weight loss or management.
  •   Increases your stamina and reduces fatigue.
  •  Conditions your heart & lungs increasing the amount of oxygen that is available, helping your heart                     use oxygen more efficiently.
  •  Helps manage your stress level.
  •  Increases your mobility.
  •  Reduces your risk of developing hypertension and stroke.
  •  Improves your blood fats, increasing HDL (good) cholesterol and decreasing LDL (bad) cholesterol.
  •  Reduces your risk of developing certain forms of cancer, including breast, colon and prostate cancer.

Regular aerobic activity such as walking, Benefits of Exercising bicycling or swimming can help you live longer and healthier. Need motivation? See how aerobic exercise affects your heart, lungs and blood flow. Then get moving and start reaping the rewards.

Aerobic literally means "with oxygen", and refers to the use of oxygen in muscles' energy-generating process. Aerobic exercise includes any type of exercise, typically those performed at moderate levels of intensity for extended periods of time that maintains an increased heart rate. In such exercise, oxygen is used to "burn" fats and glucose in order to produce adenosine tri-phosphate, the basic energy carrier for all cells. Initially during aerobic exercise, glycogen is broken down to produce glucose, but in its absence, fat starts to decompose instead. This latter is a slow process, and is accompanied by a decline in performance level. Aerobics is an effective physical exercise which is often done to music. It can be defined as "any activity that uses large muscle groups, can be maintained continuously, and is rhythmic in nature.

There are various types of aerobic exercise. In general, aerobic exercise is one performed at a moderately high level of intensity over a long period of time. For example, running a long distance at a moderate pace is an aerobic exercise, but sprinting is not. Playing singles tennis, with near-continuous motion is generally considered aerobic activity, while golf or doubles tennis, with their more frequent breaks, may not be.

Tuesday 18 June 2013

2012 London Olympics Opening Ceremony: The Highlights

Oscar-winning director Danny Boyle, 55, created a stunning series of visuals for the 2012 Summer Olympics Opening Ceremony in London July 27.One of the evening's most memorable moments featured Queen Elizabeth II, 86, showing off her comedic chops in a pre-taped video with Daniel Craig, 44, as James Bond. In the clip, the duo left Buckingham Palace, climbed into a helicopter and parachuted into the Olympic Stadium. (Her Royal Highness and the actor used stunt doubles, of course.)
                                                     
Highlights of Danny Boyle's extravagant 2012 Olympic Games opening ceremony entitled "Isles of Wonder" featuring Bradley Wiggins, Kenneth Branagh as Isambard Kingdom Brunel, James Bond and the Queen.
                                   
Is there a Chinese phrase equivalent to ‘WTF’? If so, one imagines it was uttered by more than a few mouths in Beijing on Friday night. While budgets are slashed across the board elsewhere in the UK, theatre and film director Danny Boyle was gifted £27m for the London 2012 Olympics opening ceremony, with the express remit of making the British not look like impoverished bumpkins next to the Chinese, whose uber-bombastic 2008 Olympics opener might as well have been subtitled ‘world, meet your new superpower’.

In the event, Boyle’s faintly bonkers tribute to all things British seemed to only have the slightest eye on international audiences: London Olympics 2012 if our hypothetical observers from the Chinese capital had managed to get all the references in a ceremony that paid homage to everything from maypole dancing to Isambard Kingdom Brunel to the NHS to ‘Brookside’s famed lesbian kiss, I’d probably suggest their anglophilia was getting a little obsessive.

Monday 17 June 2013

What Are The Benefits Of Walking Early In The Morning

Walking as a form of exercise has a number of benefits, both physical and mental. Walking early in the morning works well for some people because they can do their exercise before the demands of the day make them want to skip doing it. It offers time to plan your day in a calm setting while oxygenating your body. For some, it is a time of feeling gratitude for the day ahead as they use walking as a meditative experience.

Benefits Of  Walking                   
                
A low-impact exercise of moderate intensity, walking can improve your health and it is easy to do for most people. According to MayoClinic.com, it can lower your blood pressure, reduce your risk of or help manage type 2 diabetes, manage your weight, improve your mood, lower bad cholesterol while raising good cholesterol, and help you stay fit. It is important to start slowly, warm up and use proper walking shoes. Stretching your muscles beforehand can help you avoid injury.

Air And Oxygen
One of the benefits of walking early in the day is exposure to the air in the environment, which is the freshest at this time. There are few cars around to pollute the air with exhaust fumes. The air feels cleaner after the activity of humans and cars has died down during the night. By moving your joints, you can increase your blood circulation, increasing the rate at which you bring new oxygen in while removing carbon dioxide from your cells.

Relaxation
Walking energizes you, while at the same time stills your mind and helps you relax. As you relax, the way you perceive the world changes, and the usual mental clutter that usually fills your mind recedes into the background. Health Benefits of Leisure A natural mood elevator, walking can ease mild depression and promote happiness. It releases muscle tension while simultaneously decreasing stress hormones and increasing beta-endorphins, which are relaxation hormones that elevate mood and create a sense of well-being. Walking early in the morning can "kick-start" your day into a more relaxed way of being as well as help you sleep better that night.

Meditation 
If you think of meditation as only taking place in a quiet, still setting with candles and incense, think again. During an early morning walk when the air is cool and the birds are starting their melodic songs, you can enter a state of walking meditation as you breathe, step, breathe, step, and focus as you become one with your walk. The combination of the steady rhythm of walking combined with the rhythm of your own breathing can still your mind, open you up to messages from your subconscious mind, and refresh your spirit.

Leg Lift Exercises For Weight Loss And Slimming

Losing weight can be tough, and it can be especially tough for women to slim and trim their legs and thighs. Shapely, strong legs can help you look slimmer all over. Leg lifts are easy to do and can help you burn some calories while strengthening your legs, thighs and butt. You can only lose weight and slim down by burning more calories than you consume and exercising. Combine aerobic exercise with a reduced-calorie diet to lose weight all over your body. Add leg lifts to help firm and tone your legs.

Spot Reduction Myth
Most people have seen those late-night commercials advertising the latest fitness program that targets your hips, thighs, butt or belly and promises to melt the pounds away in just one area. You can't get a slimmer waist by doing only crunches or lose fat on your thighs by walking alone. You have to combine a reduced-calorie diet with aerobic and strength-training exercises to lose weight, and firm and tone your body. Leg lifts can tone your leg muscles under the fat, but leg lifts exercises alone won't get rid of body fat. Once you lose those excess pounds through diet and exercise, keep exercising your legs and your whole body to keep the weight off and maintain a slimmer figure.

Side Leg Raises
Side leg raises are easy to do and will firm up those upper thighs fast. Place your hand on a wall or hold onto a sturdy chair if you need help keeping your balance. Stand up straight and drop your shoulders a little bit to help straighten your back. Squeeze your abs and lift your left leg off the floor. Keep your leg straight as you lift your left leg out and up to the side as far as you can. Hold it for a few seconds and then lower your leg. Do eight to 10 repetitions with each leg. You can boost your side leg raises by wearing ankle weights, too.

Lying Leg Lifts
If you feel like taking a load off and getting some leg exercise in at the same time, do some lying leg lifts. Lie down on your left side.Exercise for health Stretch your legs out and stack one on top of the other. Hold up your body on your left forearm by bending your elbow and placing it underneath your left shoulder. Squeeze your belly tight and lift your right leg straight up toward the ceiling. Go as high as you can without hurting yourself and then relax. Do eight to 10 repetitions with each leg. Loop a resistance band around your ankles for a muscle-strengthening resistance workout for your legs.

Single Leg Circles
Turn over on your back after doing those lying leg lifts and take a few deep breaths. Stretch your legs out and rest your arms straight out on each side of your body with your palms flat on the floor. Lift your right leg off the floor about 2 inches and point your toes. Squeeze your belly tight to keep your torso stable. Lift your right leg toward the ceiling as high as you can without hurting yourself. Make five small circles clockwise in the air with your big toe, then make five small circles counter-clockwise. Gently lower your leg back to the floor and repeat with the other side.

Saturday 15 June 2013

The Ultimate Thigh Slimming Exercises

Are you finding it hard to squeeze into your skinny jeans right now? Can't seem to shift that inner leg fat or shrink your thighs? Follow our top leg heavy exercises and you'll have tight, toned pins in no time.

Dumbbell lunges 
Start off with weights that have a little effort.Hold one in each hand by your side. Position one leg in front of the other and use your hips to lower the back leg so it's just slightly off the ground this should form a right angle and you feel the muscle activate.

Barbell squats                         
                                  
Barbell squats might take a little time to manoeuvre, but when you've got the style mastered it's a great way to get long and lean pins. Slimming Exercises Add light weights to the bar and rest it on your shoulders, grip the bar half way between your shoulder and the weight. Keep your back straight and look ahead, when you've got your balance and feet grounded, bend your knees and slowly lower your hips straight down until your thighs are parallel with the floor.

Leg press
Sit on the leg press, adjust the seat so your legs are slightly bent and fine-tune the weight to a lady-like lift. Position your feet about shoulder width apart on the footrest in front of you and light grip the handles at the side of your seat.Slowly push the weight and straighten your legs, hold for a few seconds and release your legs back the initial bend. Do three sets of 15 and if you're finding it easy,increase the weight until your muscles are fatigued.

Outer-thigh exercise 
Lie on your side and extend your grounded arm straight above your head. Relax your other arm wherever is most comfortable for you. Slightly bend your grounded leg and elevate and straighten the other leg slightly above your hip. Exercises For Men Raise and lower the leg slightly above and then level with your hips 15 times and repeat on the other side.Remember to always keep your abdominal muscles strong and your buttocks tight.

Running with intervals 
A mix of weights and cardio is key to getting slimmer and running with intervals will help fast track your weight loss. Sprint on the treadmill or in the park for 30 seconds and have a second break in between to really work the legs and butt. It's also great for increasing your fitness levels.And the best bit is it burns kilojoules fast!

Pump classes 
Enlist yourself in a pump class once or twice a week. Pump classes are great for tightening on toning muscles all over the body including your legs.

Diet
When trying to shift fat and lose weight diet plays a big part in results. Cut out all foods high in sugar and minimise the amount of carbohydrates you consume each day. Increase high-protein foods and fresh vegetables to fast track your results.

Friday 14 June 2013

Top 10 Most Popular Brands of Sports Shoes

the footwear he would use for his competitions.How many of us have bought our sports idol’s shoes hoping that we could replicate his moves, jump a little higher, run a little faster and control the ball a little better by gearing up with the same footwear brand? Here is a list of the top 10 most popular brands of sports shoes in the world.

1. Nike
Nike is an American company founded in 1964 as Blue Ribbon Sports. It changed its name in 1978 to Nike, who is the Greek goddess of victory. Its “Just Do It” slogan and swoosh logo are some of the most recognizable marketing items in the world today. It is considered to be the leading supplier of athletic shoes and apparel.

2. Adidas                  
Adolf Dassler established Adidas in 1948 in Germany. It can trace its roots, however, to 1924 when the Gebruder Dassler Schuhfabrik was founded by Adolf and his brother, Rudolf. The two split up in 1949, however, with Rudolf establishing Puma. The basic design of Adidas is the three parallel bars, which is also incorporated in the company’s logo.

3. Reebok
The company was founded in 1895 as J.W. Foster and Sons in England. It came from a desire by the founder to create a spiked running shoe for his sons. In 1958, his grandsons, Joe and Jeff, renamed the company as Reebok, which is the Afrikaan spelling of rhebok, a type of antelope or gazelle native to the continent. Paul Fireman brought it to the United States in 1979 after seeing a pair in an international trade show

4. Puma
The brothers had hit a goldmine before the split when they convinced Jesse Owens to wear their shoes in the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin. Running shoes Review Afterwards, the brothers started to grow apart. Both became members of the Nazi party, but Rudolf blamed his brother for his arrest by American soldiers. The two brands became bitter rivals and divided their town.

5. Converse
Marquis Mills Converse established the company in 1908 as the Converse Rubber Shoe Company. In 1915, it began making tennis shoes. A company milestone occurred in 1917 when a basketball player named Charles H. Taylor walked into its office because of sore feet. He designed a high-top sneaker that became the classic we know today as “Chuck Taylor.

6. New Balance
New Balance was established in 1906 as the New Balance Arch Support Company. It seldom goes on expensive advertising campaigns. Its shoes are also typically more expensive than its rivals because it maintains manufacturing plants in the U.S. and the U.K.

7. Fila
Fila Ltd. was established in 1911 in Italy. It is known for its logo that features its name in snakelike letters. It used to be endorsed by Boris Becker and Bjorn Borg. It collapsed in 2003, however, forcing it to sell to a hedge fund company. Fila Korea, however, was a distinct company and it bought all the rights to the company in 2007.

8. K-Swiss
The brothers Art and Ernie Brunner of Switzerland founded k-Swiss in Los Angeles in 1966.  It was the first company to create leather tennis shoes. The white stripe on white leather design was considered a classic, so much so that Steven Nichols bought out the company in 1986. Popularity further increased with their “Put Your Spin on It” campaign that allowed users to customize the stripes’ color.

9. Asics
It is an abbreviation for “anima sana in corpore sano,” which is Latin for a healthy soul in a healthy body. It was established in Japan in 1949 as Panmure Co. Ltd. Endorsers include Newcastle, Sunderland, Leeds and Aston Villa football teams.

10. Li-Ning
Li-Ning is a Chinese company established in 1990. It created ripples in the NBA when it signed Shaquille O’Neal to a contract in 2006. In 2012, it made its biggest score when Dwayne Wade of the Miami Heat agreed to endorse its product

Tuesday 11 June 2013

Yoga Poses for a Flat Belly

For those who have been going on a diet, all of you know that the most difficult part to tone down is the belly. We all imagine having a flat belly. But it appears to be the most stubborn part of the body and is usually the last part to get rid of fat. Aside from avoiding food rich in carbs and sugar, being active is a necessary part of the regimen. However, I've found doing numerous crunches along with other exercises a big strain.

Yoga and Pilates, however, has been known to have exercises or poses which help a lot in trimming the abs. Here are a few yoga poses that focuses on strengthening the abs and trimming down extra fat. I will add more in futures posts, including pilates workouts which will give you a flat belly.

Locust Pose (Salabhasana). Lie face-down on your mat with your legs together and arms in your corner. Gently raise your legs as high as you can. While your legs continue to be up, raise your head and balance the body on your tummy. Keep your on the job your sides, away from the floor and remain in this pose for at least Ten seconds. You can rest after a few seconds and repeat the pose if you're still unable to hold it for very long. Over time, you will be able to stay longer within the pose as your abdominal muscles start to gain strength. Once you have gained enough strength, place more difficulty in the pose by stretching your arms before you.

The Bow (Dhanurasana). From the locust pose, you are able to progress to another difficult pose to help tone your abdominal muscles. Like the locust, lie face down on your mat and raise your legs up. But this time, fold the feet towards your body and raise your torso while arms reach right down to hold on your ankles. Balance the body on your stomach while in the pose. After you have the strength to maintain the pose, you are able to rock your body back and forth to massage the abdomen. This can be a pose that will help in reducing fat inside your abdominal area.

Forward Bending Pose (Paschimottansana). Another yoga pose that reduces excess belly fat is the forward bending pose. This is good for the spine and back muscles and it is known to relax the nervous system. It also massages your organs. Sit with your legs together, your spine straight and relaxed. Reach down and touch the feet while lowering your forehead for your legs/knees. Hold the pose for at least Ten seconds then sit up again. Repeat the pose. Initially, it might be difficult to go that low. With constant practice, you'll be able to touch your forehead for your legs. Remember to keep your spine straight while executing the pose.

There are other yoga poses for the abdominal. Keep in mind that when you do this alone, be sure you maintain relaxed breathing and don’t force the body to do what it is still not able to do. Yoga is a practice of patience also. You will simply be able to perfect a pose with time. But the effects on your abdominal are immediate. After the first try, you will feel some slight pain in your abdominal muscles, especially if you have not been exercising them for very long. The good thing about these poses is they also strengthen your back instead of strain it.