Health & Fitness Tips

VRIKSHASANA !!!

2009-08-11T07:29:00.001-07:00

Vriksha means TREE. Tree like posture is called VRIKSHASANA

Procedure:

Stand straight, in attention position
Using your right hand bend the right knee and rest the right feet on left thigh, the sole of foot resting on inner left thigh and shift all the body weight to your left leg.
Once you are able to balance on single foot, rise both the hand upward and form a namaskara (i.e. joining both the palms). Stretch your hand as far as possible. The more you stretch your body its easier to maintain the balance.
Close your eyes and keep the mind fixed & focused and continue to breathe normally.
Stay in this position for few minutes.
While releasing, exhale and bring both the hands down and slowly slide the right feet and rest it on the ground in attention position.
Repeat the same with the left leg

Benefits:

Improvement of balance and flexibility
Improvement in concentration and memory
Strengthen the thigh
Strengthen the feet and ankles
Effective stretching exercise for leg muscle, particularly thighs as well as for chest and shoulders

Note:

Beginners to maintain balance perform the asana by leaning to wall and taking the back support to maintain balance.
Do not perform the asana when you suffer from headache or migraines, low blood pressure.
Hypertension people can perform this asan but do it without raising the arms over the head.

You may not know ALL of these things.

2009-08-11T07:10:00.000-07:00

The liquid inside young coconuts can be used as a substitute for Blood plasma.
You burn more calories SLEEPING than you do watching television.
Apples, not caffeine, are more efficient at waking you up in the morning.
Most dust particles in your house are made from DEAD SKIN!

Paschimottanasana

2009-08-03T09:56:00.001-07:00

Method:

· Sit on the ground or mat with both the legs stretched forward.

· Stretch both the hands up with fingers pointing upwards.

· Slowly try bending forward along with the hands and try to reach the feet. Keep the knees straight while bending forward.

· If you feel constriction while bending, straighten up and again try bending slowly

· Do not force yourself to reach the feet (might injure muscles). If you cannot reach the feet try keeping the hands near the ankles and stretch back and the shoulders.

· Try to remain in this pose for few minutes.

Benefits:

· Beneficial for liver, ovaries uterus and kidney

· Stretches the back

· Stretches the spine

· Stretches the hands

· Strengthens the thigh

· Improves digestion

· Very helpful for women as it relieves the menstrual discomfort.

· Do not perform this asana if you have back problem.

SUKHASANA,

2009-07-27T12:49:00.000-07:00

SUKHASANA, phrased as an 'Easy Posture’. The effortless and simple posture of yoga is Sukhasan. This asana can provide the best start to yoga beginners.

For this posture, a person is required to sit cross-legged on the floor, in a certain position. All the way through the asana, you need to concentrate on your breathing and let the body relax completely.

Instructions

Sit down on the ground and stretch both the legs in front.
Keep the hands on the side, and make sure the palms are resting on the ground. Fingers should be together and point forward.
Fold the left leg slightly, at the knee, followed by the right leg.
Now, join the soles of the both the feet and hold the legs at ankle by the hands.
Moving slowly, start bringing the legs towards yourself. Continue doing so till the time the legs reach under the perineum.
At this point of time, your knees should remain on the ground, while the body should be erect and gaze directly in the front.
Keep your hands on your knees, in GYANA mudra (you have to hold the index finger against tip of thumb, having the other three fingers straight).
Remain in this position for 5 minutes.
Then, gradually loosen the legs and come back to the original position.

Benefits

Help you get over the exhaustion and make you feel refreshed.
Provides mental peace and calmness.
Strengthens the lumbar region of the body.
Helps in achieving a state of serenity and harmony, by eliminating all the unnecessary anxiety.
Sukhasana helps make the waist and lower region of a person quite flexible.
This posture keeps the backbone in the ideal position, which is beneficial for those suffering from back pain.
This asana can be carried out by almost anyone, with hardly a few exceptions.

NOTE:

People who have had a recent, or suffer from chronic, knee or hip injury or inflammation should not practice this asana.

GOOD SLEEP

2009-07-23T07:37:00.000-07:00

Good rest and sound sleep is very IMPORTANT
If you don't sleep well, the toxic in your body will accumulate affecting your health and your mood...

We just have to adopt a good daily lifestyle and eating habits. Maintaining good eating habits and time condition are very important for our body to absorb and get rid of unnecessary chemicals according to 'schedule.'

Because: Evening at 9 - 11pm : is the time for eliminating unnecessary/ toxic chemicals (detoxification) from the antibody system (lymph nodes). This time duration should be spent by relaxing or listening to music. If during this time a housewife is still in an unrelieved state such as washing the dishes or monitoring children doing their homework, this will have a negative impact on her health.

Evening at 11pm - 1am : The detoxification process in the liver, and ideally should be done in a deep sleep state. Early morning 1 - 3am : detoxification process in the gall, also ideally done in a deep sleep state.

Early morning 3 - 5am : detoxification in the lungs. Therefore there will sometimes be a severe cough for cough sufferers during this time. Since the detoxification process had reached the respiratory tract, there is no need to take cough medicine so as not to interfere with toxin removal process.
Morning 5 - 7am : detoxification in the colon, you should empty your bowel.

Morning 7 - 9am : Absorption of nutrients in the small intestine, you should be having breakfast at this time. Breakfast should be earlier, before 6:30am, for those who are sick. Breakfast before 7:30am is very beneficial to those wanting to stay fit. Those who always skip breakfast, they should change their habits, and it is still better to eat breakfast late until 9 -10am rather than no meal at all. Sleeping so late and waking up too late will disrupt the process of removing unnecessary chemicals. Aside from that, midnight to 4am is the time when the bone marrow produces blood.

Therefore, have a good sleep and don't sleep late.

Chart for everyone

2009-07-22T08:44:00.000-07:00

FRUITS/VEGETABLE	USEFULNESS
Apples	· Protects your heart · prevents constipation · Blocks diarrhea · Improves lung capacity · Cushions joints
Apricots	· Combats cancer · Controls blood pressure · Saves your eyesight · Shields against Alzheimer's · Slows aging process
Artichokes	· Aids digestion · Lowers cholesterol · Protects your heart · Stabilizes blood sugar · Guards against liver disease
Avocados	· Battles diabetes · Lowers cholesterol · Helps stops strokes · Controls blood pressure · Smoothes skin
Bananas	· Protects your heart · Quiets a cough · Strengthens bones · Controls blood pressure · Blocks diarrhea
Beans	· Prevents constipation · Helps hemorrhoids · Lowers cholesterol · Combats cancer · Stabilizes blood sugar
Beets	· Controls blood pressure · Combats cancer · Strengthens bones · Protects your heart · Aids weight loss
Blueberries	· Combats cancer · Protects your heart · Stabilizes blood sugar · Boosts memory · Prevents constipation
Broccoli	· Strengthens bones · Saves eyesight · Combats cancer · Protects your heart · Controls blood pressure
Cabbage	· Combats cancer · Prevents constipation · Promotes weight loss · Protects your heart · Helps hemorrhoids
Cantaloupe	· Saves eyesight · Controls blood pressure · Lowers cholesterol · Combats cancer · Supports immune system
Carrots	· Saves eyesight · Protects your heart · Prevents constipation · Combats cancer · Promotes weight loss
Cauliflower	· Protects against Prostate Cancer · Combats Breast Cancer · Strengthens bones · Banishes bruises · Guards against heart disease
Cherries	· Protects your heart · Combats Cancer · Ends insomnia · Slows aging process · Shields against Alzheimer's
Chestnuts	· Promotes weight loss · Protects your heart · Lowers cholesterol · Combats Cancer · Controls blood pressure
Chili peppers	· Aids digestion · Soothes sore throat · Clears sinuses · Combats Cancer · Boosts immune system
Figs	· Promotes weight loss · Helps stops strokes · Lowers cholesterol · Combats Cancer · Controls blood pressure
Fish	· Protects your heart · Boosts memory · Protects your heart · Combats Cancer · Supports immune system
Flax	· Aids digestion · Battles diabetes · Protects your heart · Improves mental health · Boosts immune system
Garlic	· Lowers cholesterol · Controls blood pressure · Combats cancer · kills bacteria · Fights fungus
Grapefruit	· Protects against heart attacks · Promotes Weight loss · Helps stops strokes · Combats Prostate Cancer · Lowers cholesterol
Grapes	· Saves eyesight · Conquers kidney stones · Combats cancer · Enhances blood flow · Protects your heart
Green tea	· Combats cancer · Protects your heart · Helps stops strokes · Promotes Weight loss · Kills bacteria
Honey	· Heals wounds · Aids digestion · Guards against ulcers · Increases energy · Fights allergies
Lemons	· Combats cancer · Protects your heart · Controls blood pressure · Smoothes skin · Stops scurvy
Limes	· Combats cancer · Protects your heart · Controls blood pressure · Smoothes skin · Stops scurvy
Mangoes	· Combats cancer · Boosts memory · Regulates thyroid · Aids digestion · Shields against Alzheimer's
Mushrooms	· Controls blood pressure · Lowers cholesterol · Kills bacteria · Combats cancer · Strengthens bones
Oats	· Lowers cholesterol · Combats cancer · Battles diabetes · Prevents constipation · Smoothes skin
Olive oil	· Protects your heart · Promotes Weight loss · Combats cancer · Battles diabetes · Smoothes skin
onions	· Reduce risk of heart attack · Combats cancer · Kills bacteria · Lowers cholesterol · Fights fungus
Oranges	· Supports immune systems · Combats cancer · Protects your heart · Straightens respiration
Peaches	· Prevents constipation · Combats cancer · Helps stops strokes · Aids digestion · Helps hemorrhoids
Peanuts	· Protects against heart disease · Promotes Weight loss · Combats Prostate Cancer · Lowers cholesterol · Aggravates diverticulitis
Pineapple	· Strengthens bones · Relieves colds · Aids digestion · Dissolves warts · Blocks diarrhea
Prunes	· Slows aging process · Prevents constipation · Boosts memory · Lowers cholesterol · Protects against heart disease
Rice	· Protects your heart · Battles diabetes · Conquers kidney stones · Combats cancer · Helps stops strokes
Strawberries	· Combats cancer · Protects your heart · Boosts memory · Calms stress
Sweet potatoes	· Saves your eyesight · Lifts mood · Combats cancer · Strengthens bones
Tomatoes	· Protects prostate · Combats cancer · Lowers cholesterol · Protects your heart
Walnuts	· Lowers cholesterol · Combats cancer · Boosts memory · Lifts mood · Protects against heart disease
Water	· Promotes Weight loss · Combats cancer · Conquers kidney stones · Smoothes skin
Watermelon	· Protects prostate · Promotes Weight loss · Lowers cholesterol · Helps stops strokes · Controls blood pressure
Wheat gram	· Combats Colon Cancer · Prevents constipation · Lowers cholesterol · Helps stops strokes · Improves digestion
Wheat bran	· Combats Colon Cancer · Prevents constipation · Lowers cholesterol · Helps stops strokes · Improves digestion
Yogurt	· Guards against ulcers · Strengthens bones · Lowers cholesterol · Supports immune systems · Aids digestion

Helpful Tips on Eye Care

2009-07-22T08:34:00.000-07:00

Many of us spend lot of time in front of the computer every day. The research is showing a rise in visual problems.

What can an individual do?

First,find out how to protect the eyes through eye health exams and by making a few minor changes in your computer viewing habits.

Some helpful Eye Care Tips:

Positioning is everything

Correct positioning of your computer, keyboard and typing copy is essential. Your screen should be positioned about an arm’s length from your eyes and 20 degrees below eye level. Consider foot and wrist rests for added comfort.

Lighting can make all the difference

Room lighting should be diffuse, not direct, to reduce glare and reflections from your screen. Look into an internal or external glare screen and be sure to set your color, contrast and brightness levels to suit you.

A little extra help for your glasses

Anti-reflective coatings on the lenses of your glasses can be applied by your optometrist to reduce discomfort and to ease reduced vision from bright and/or flickering light sources such as VDTs and fluorescent lights. And don’t forget, your doctor of optometry can talk to you about eyeglasses designed specifically for people who use computers a lot.

Take time out, our 20-20-20 rule

Step I :-
After every 20 minutes of looking into the computer screen, turn your
head and try to look at any object placed at least 20 feet away. This
changes the focal length of your eyes, a must-do for the tired eyes.

Step II :-
Try and blink your eyes for 20 times in succession, to moisten them.

Step III :-
Time permitting of course, one should walk 20 paces after every 20 minutes
of sitting in one particular posture. Helps blood circulation for the entire body.

It’s all in the blinking

Did you know that on average we blink 12 times per minute? But wait, did you know that when we’re on the computer we only blink 5 times per minute? That can add up to dry eyes. Relieve the discomfort by using artificial tear drops or gels and remember to blink!

Palming

Sit straight at your workstation and rub your palms against each other till you feel them warm. The warmth of your palms helps soothe and relax tired eyes. Then, lightly cup your eyes with your palms and relax for 60 seconds. Count the seconds in your mind. Repeat this exercise two to three times whenever your eyes feel tired, or as often as you want. While palming, you can either rest your elbows on your desk or keep away from the desk and cup your eyes. Both ways are fine.

Splash water on your face

During breaks, splash water on your face while closing your eyes. This has an overall relaxing effect and helps you feel refreshed.

Use tea bags

Keep two used tea bags in the refrigerator before you leave for work. Once you are home, place the tea bags on your eyes for a few minutes as you relax. This not only soothes tired eyes, but also reduces puffiness.

Eat healthy

Incorporate Vitamins A, C, and E on a daily basis; eat citrus fruits, green leafy veggies, tomatoes, spinach, poultry and dairy products. Pack a box of chopped carrots, cucumber and fresh fruits and munch in-between meals at the office.

How much water do you need a day?

2009-07-22T07:51:00.000-07:00

WATER is an important structural component of skin cartilage, tissues and organs. For human beings, every part of the body is dependent on water. Our body comprises about 75 % water: the brain has 85%, blood is 90%, muscles are 75%, kidney is 82% and bones are 22% water. The functions of our glands and organs will eventually deteriorate if they are not nourished with good, clean water.

The average adult loses about 2.5 liters water daily through perspiration, breathing and elimination. Symptoms of the body’s deterioration begin to appear when the body loses 5% of its total water volume. In a healthy adult, this is seen as fatigue and general discomfort, whereas for infants, it can be dehydrating. In an elderly person, a 5% water loss causes the body chemistry with sodium. One can usually see symptoms of aging, such as wrinkles, lethargy and even disorientation. Continuous water loss over time will speed up aging as well as increase risks of diseases.

If body is not sufficiently hydrated, the cells will draw water from bloodstream, which will make the heart work harder. At the same time, the kidneys cannot purify blood effectively. When this happens, some of the kidney’s workload is passed on to the liver and other organs, which may cause them to be severely stressed. Additionally, it may develop a number of minor health conditions such as constipation, dry and itchy skin, acne, nosebleeds, urinary tract infection, coughs, sneezing, sinus pressure, and headaches.

The minimum amount of water needed depends on the body weight. A more accurate calculation is to drink an ounce of water for every 2 pounds of body weight.

SPREAD A WORD

2009-07-21T09:04:00.001-07:00

TIPS FOR A BETTER LIFE

2009-07-21T08:48:00.000-07:00

Take a 10-30 minutes walk every day. And while you walk, smile.

Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day.

Sleep for 7 hours.

Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm, and Empathy.

Play more games

Make time to practice meditation, yoga, and prayer. They provide us with daily fuel for our busy lives.

Spend time with people over the age of 70 & under the age of 6.

Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants.

Drink plenty of water.

Try to make at least three people smile each day.

Don't waste your precious energy on gossip.

Forget issues of the past. Don't remind your partner with his/her mistakes of the past. That will ruin your present happiness.

Don't have negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.

Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.

Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a beggar.

Smile and laugh more.

Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Don't hate others.

Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.

Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their journey is all about. Don't compare your partner with others.

No one is in charge of your happiness except you.

Forgive everyone for everything.

What other people think of you is none of your business.

GOD heals everything.

However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.

Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.

Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

The best is yet to come.

No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

Do the right thing!

Call your family often.

Your Inner most is always happy. So, be happy.

Each day give something good to others.

Don't over do. Keep your limits.

When you awake alive in the morning, thank GOD for it.

HEART.....

2009-07-21T08:26:00.000-07:00

From the moment it commences beating until the moment it stops, the human heart works vigorously.

So it is very important to take care of HEART

Thumb rules:

1. Diet - Less of carbohydrate, more of protein, less oil
2. Exercise - Half an hour's walks at least five days a week, avoid lifts and avoid sitting for a longtime
3. Quit smoking
4. Control weight
5. Control blood pressure and sugar

Heart diseases are hereditary. Everyone past the age of 30 should undergo routine health checkups.

Walking is better than jogging since jogging leads to early fatigue and injury to joints

Practice to De-stress heart is to always think positive. Change your attitude towards life. Do not look for perfection in everything in life

Cholesterol accumulates from childhood. Cholesterol content can be controlled without using medicines through controlled diet, walk and eating walnut.

Irregular eating habits affect the heart. You tend to eat junk food when the habits are irregular and your body's enzyme release for digestion gets confused.

People with low blood pressure suffer extremely rare from heart diseases.

Yoga helps prevent heart ailments.

Fruits and vegetables are the best for the heart

All oils are bad (groundnut, sunflower, olive oil). Oily items are worst food for the heart.

Routine checkup: blood test to ensure sugar, cholesterol is ok. Check BP, Treadmill test after an echo.

Consuming more coffee/tea will not lead to heart attacks.

At work: Avoid sitting continuously for more than half an hour and even the act of getting out of the chair and going to another chair and sitting helps a lot.

REMEDIES for Sunburn & Tan !!

2009-07-20T10:13:00.000-07:00

SUMMER TIME!!!!

Everybody will be very cautious about skin and sunburns. Particularly GIRLS!!!

Some of the remedies for sunburn which are readily available at home and cost effective:

· Place a thin cloth dipped in milk on the sunburn area. This would provide aid from the burn.

· Apply sliced cucumber or potato (raw) on the sun-burnt area for soothing effect.

· Boil lettuce leaves. Cool it and strain the liquid and apply using cotton ball on the sun burnt area

· Apply Aloe Vera gel

· Cucumber pulp together with yogurt (curd) can also be applied over face regularly and washed off with cold water.

· Make paste from sandalwood powder and water and apply on the affected are to get relief burning sensation.

· Mix 2 table spoon honey and few drop of fresh lime and apply on the affected area.

· Use of cold tea bags removes tanning from the sunburns.

· Mix tomatoes puree, cucumber puree with few drops of lemon juice. Apply this paste all over the suntanned and sun burnt area. Let it dry and reapply the puree again. Repeat this 3 times and let it dry completely, then rinse off with cold water.

· Rub ice cubes on the sun burnt area to reduce irritation.

· Apply coconut oil on the sun burnt area.

· A pinch of turmeric can be added to yogurt (curd) and apply it over face, neck and arms regularly for half-an-hour.

· Wear light color clothes, as these clothes will not absorb more sunlight.

· Do not use bandage over the sunburns. Keep the area open to dry or apply cream and leave it open.

· Mix equal proportions lime juice and cucumber and apply it regularly for 20 minutesover face neck and arms and sun burn area.

· Mix a 1 teaspoon of milk powder, 1 teaspoon of honey and 1 teaspoon of lemon juice with half-a-teaspoon of almond oil. Applying regularly and wash it off with cold water helps to remove tan.