Thailand Detox

Exercise Tips: Warm Up!

Though we may skip the warm up and jump straight in to the regular exercise, especially if time is an issue, this is not a smart idea, in terms of physical safety. It is a natural desire to start something right away, but we must pace ourselves.

Warming up raises the flexibility of muscles, which reduces the likelihood of straining or tearing something during the workout. During a warm up, the goal is to increase core body temperature. As a result, metabolism and blood flow increase. This work gets your body prepared for an intense workout. A warm up improves performance, as your muscles operate more efficiently. With limited time, it is crucial to maximize your workout.

For the best warm up, engage in your activity at a reduced pace. An example of this is running. Begin with five minutes at a relatively slow speed, increase to a moderate speed for another five minutes, and finally increase to your top speed for the duration of the exercising. For sports, light jogging or slow drills will help prepare for the competition.

Before science was applied, stretching for the purpose of flexibility and avoiding injury was taught. This is correct, but before, static stretches were mostly encouraged. Static stretches are stretches that involve little movement, and they provide minimal help before a workout. Dynamic stretches are more effective, as they include movement and better prepare your muscles. Even if not working out, stretching should be done daily.

A cool down is just as important as a warm up. It is the opposite idea of a warm up, gradually slowing your body from the high intensity activity. For a cool down, stretch and continue doing your workout at a slower rate.

Though you may often skip the warm up, your workout could greatly benefit from it. It is greatly beneficial in the injuries it prevents, in addition to the increased effectiveness of the actual workout. Warming up is the smart decision to make when exercising.

Tags: cardio exercises, Diet & Exercise, eating healthy, family nutrition, healthy family, vitamins, warm ups

Free Yoga Video: Hamstring Stretching Exercises

Learn how to do standing hamstring stretching exercises for the knees in this free online video demonstration of physical therapy exercises for the knees.

Hamstring stretch

• standing, feet wide apart
• slowly reach down with fingertips
• keep legs straight
• try to touch the ground

Overall Rating (1-5): 1

Entertainment Rating: 1

Basic demonstration of basic hamstring stretch

Instructional Rating: 1

Demonstration is short and does not contain much knowledge to take away

More information: http://www.youtube.com/user/expertvillage

Tags: free yoga video, learn yoga online, online yoga class, stretching exercises, yoga class online, yoga videos free

Personal Development Books: Being the Best You Can Be by Ian Hunt

A Guide on Personal Development for Managers

In today’s world, it’s everyone for themselves. Learn how to handle the pressures and expectations of the workplace to do better for both yourself and those you manage. If you are a supervisor, manager, or the head of department, then the skill set built in this book is essential to your success. This book can help you better yourself through challenge, organization, and enjoyment of life.

Learn to do the following with this book:

• Gain confidence and organizational skills
• Feel more positive about your life and job
• Prioritize
• Manage stress more effectively
• Get the job done more efficiently than ever before

Being the Best You Can Be: A Guide on Personal Development for Managers

About the Author

Ian Hunt is a professional speaker and trainer. He works in conjunction with several different UK companies to train employees.

Tags: anatomy training, fitness, nutrition, personal development books, Weight Loss, wellness

Free Yoga Video: Stretching for Fat Burning Exercises

Learn how to do stretching exercises to warm up for your work out with expert tips in this free fitness video clip.

Hamstring stretch

• put one leg in front of the other
• bend over and stretch hamstring
• do not bounce - this contracts muscle and makes it tight
• breathe deeply and relax

Overall Rating (1-5): 4

Entertainment Rating: 4

Interesting demonstration of stretches to be used as part of a workout

Instructional Rating: 4

Interesting demonstrations of stretches and explanation of how they work, with safety tips

More information: http://www.youtube.com/user/expertvillage

Tags: free yoga video, learn yoga online, online yoga class, stretching exercises, yoga class online, yoga videos free

Arthritis: What you need to know!

Though osteoarthritis is common, it is still a very painful condition. Arthritis is associated with old age, but young people can develop it. Knowing risk factors is important for avoiding this issue.

Osteoarthritis affects the joints. In healthy joints, cartilage is destroyed and rebuilt at an essentially equal pace. However, if arthritis exists, cartilage is eroded faster than the body can replace it. In addition to keeping bones in position and moving properly, the cartilage provides padding between bones so that pain does not occur. If cartilage is not in the joint, bones come in contact, and severe pain is the result. Another possible effect is bone spurs from the constant rubbing. Before long, the joint loses all usefulness.

Though we easily recognize the cause of discomfort with arthritis, it is tougher to determine why cartilage deteriorates. Studies have shown that several risk factors have been linked to osteoarthritis. These include:

• Age - Whether realizing it or not, the majority of people over 60 have arthritis in some form. As you grow older, your body has a harder time replacing cartilage, and it becomes much more brittle. Also, all the stress put on the joints over the years begins to add up.

• Genes - Doctors have evidence showing that cases of arthritis seem to run through families.

• Weight - Having some extra pounds will put extra pressure on joints. This only affects weight bearing joints, such as knees and ankles.

• Diet - Not receiving enough nutrients will cause cartilage to have less longevity because it does not have the required supplies. A healthy, balanced diet is important.

• Injury - Certain injuries will increase your risk for osteoarthritis. Though many injuries are accidents, it is imperative to receive proper care after injured. Correct rehabilitation will reduce the risk of developing arthritis.

• Job - If your job requires lots of physical exertion, you will be at a greater risk due to the extra strain on joints. This is also true for athletes in some sports.

• Infection - Joint infections increases risk, so it is important to get infections treated as early as possible.

• Inflammation - As you get older, your joints tend to swell, which causes inflammation. Chronic inflammation can bring arthritis much sooner.

The above list is only the known major factors. Many factors are not known, so continued research is imperative. If you suspect you may have arthritis, speak to a doctor immediately.

Tags: arthritis, cardio exercises, Diet & Exercise, eating healthy, family nutrition, healthy family, vitamins

Weight Loss Secrets: The Power of Yoga

Are you wondering if yoga can help you detoxify and purify your body? If so, you’ll be happy to know that through yoga you can detoxify your body very efficiently and effectively. Many people go to great lengths to rid the toxins from their body, never knowing that yoga is a very simple, gentle, and effective way to go about the cleansing process. Yoga is good for the mind and body, in more ways than most regular practitioners realize. Many people indulge in yoga because the way it makes them feel, not realizing that much of the way that they feel is owed to the detoxification process.

Detoxifying Through Yoga

If you are already into yoga and have been a practicing yogi for some time, you may know that your body is being detoxified every time you indulge in yoga. If you didn’t know this, well, just consider the detoxifying qualities of yoga an added bonus. If you are considering taking up yoga for the detoxification process that your body will go through, you are making a great choice.

Yoga helps to detoxify the body in many different ways because every day our lives are filled with toxins as is our mind. When you do yoga you are able to detoxify your every body part as well as your mind. For example, when you partake in twists you are bringing oxygen to the kidneys and to the liver by bringing more blood to the tissue. When you look at yoga in this way, it proves that yoga can help to detox the body starting with the organs that we can help become more effective because we are bringing more blood to them. Even something that is as well known and as common as “rapid fire breathing” also known as “bellow’s breath” is a detoxifying yoga tradition as it does away with metabolic waste that derives from the very bottom of the lungs.

Yoga also helps to detoxify the mind! When you practice yoga you are practicing things that are meant to purify the body and the soul. When you use mantra and meditation kriyas and things of this sort, you are able to rid your mind and body of the negativity that you take in every day. Yoga is a way of life, a life that prompts the practitioner to live a life filled with positive interactions, compassion, and empathy. It can be simple to fall into negative thoughts and to be affected by it, but through the practice of yoga one is able to move out the negative thoughts and replace them with positive thought.

Yoga in and of itself is a very detoxifying process even if you don’t really live the lifestyle but you just use yoga as a means of losing weight or staying fit. When you move your body through the yoga movement you are bringing blood to all of your organs, and thereby moving the toxins out of your body in a very efficient and effective way.

Tags: Diet & Exercise, weight loss exercises, weight loss plans, weight loss programs, Weight Loss Secrets, weight loss tips, yoga for weight loss

Jim Rohn Video: MLM Marketing

Dale Calvert introduces Jim Rohn at a seminar. He gives a touching and personal statement about how Rohn’s teaching has deeply affected his life and changed his philosophy, attitude and activity to help him lead a happier, fuller and more successful life.

Overall Rating (1-5): 4

Entertainment Rating: 5

Really touching personal testimony from someone who has applied Rohn’s teaching to his own life.

Instructional Rating: 2

Not for instructional purposes - however, interesting insight into the effect that this material can have on an individual life.

More information: http://youtube.com/user/CalvertMarketing

Tags: Jim Rohn, motivational speakers, personal development, personal growth, self help

How To Get A Relaxing Deep Sleep

Even those who do not suffer from insomnia sometimes suffer from the inability to fall sleep or waking during the night. One or two nights of disturbed sleep will not have any long-term effects, but regular insomnia will affect many aspects of your life including your health, your relationships and your work. If your insomnia is not severe there are many things that you can try before having to resort to medication.

Tips To Help You Sleep Well

Food

• Eat small meals before bedtime. If you eat a big meal at night it may give you too much energy which will only keep you awake as well as causing indigestion. If you can not go to bed without eating something, have only a small snack before going to bed.

• Avoid all stimulants. They do not just affect you if you take them before going to bed, some, like coffee, can remain in your systems for as long as 6 hours. Caffeine should not be drunk after lunch if you find you have trouble sleeping.

• Eat food with tryptophan which is chemical in food like turkey and most other proteins that can make you sleepy. By mixing a small amount of protein with complex carbohydrates at nighttime this chemical will help you sleep. The old favorite of a warm glass of milk also has tryptophan and can help with your insomnia.

Routine

• Have a ritual at bedtime as your body will learn to respond to what you do. If you have a set ritual before going to bed each night, your brain and body take this as a signal that it is time to get ready for sleep helping you to get to sleep more easily and more quickly.

• Develop a sleeping schedule by retiring to bed at the same time each night as our bodies like rhythms and schedules. You can help set these by ensuring your bedroom is sufficiently dark while you are sleeping or by wearing an eye mask. As soon as you get up throw back the curtains to get some sunlight or turn on the lights.

Environment

• Your bedroom should only be for sleeping and not where you read, work or watch the television. Your mind will be less inclined to think about all of these activities if they do not take place in the bedroom.

Miscellaneous

• Have a warm, but not too hot bath to relax your muscles. If you have the bath too hot there is a good chance it will wake you up rather than relax you.

• Use visualization and deep breathing techniques to clear the thoughts that might keep you awake and help you relax.

• No stimulating activities before bedtime including watching the television or reading as your mind will be going over what you read or saw instead of relaxing and going to sleep.

By incorporating as many of the above as possible you should certainly notice a difference in your ability to fall asleep and remain asleep throughout the night. However, if none of the above help you could try some calming herbal remedies, but if you still can not fall sleep or wake regularly throughout the night you should go and see your doctor.

Tags: Alternative Medicine, Exercise, exercise programs, Family Health, fitness, natural curies, the importance of exercise, Weight Loss

Herbal Supplements: Is natural always safe?

Herbs, like any medication, can have potentially harmful side effects and while they can certainly be beneficial, should be used with caution.

The use of herbs has been documented for centuries and are used by those who consider them to be a safer alternative to drugs. Although any modern drugs have herbal or plant ingredients, the efficacy of herbal supplements is believed to derive from the interaction of all the compounds found in the herb, whereas over-the-counter medications often use just one of the many compounds found in herbs. The process of extracting the compound and the chemicals used to do this may also alter their effects.

What are the dangers of using herbal supplements?

• Incompatibility with medications

Those already taking drugs prescribed by their doctor are often unaware of the potential danger of the interaction of herbal supplements with their current medication.

• Pre-existing medical conditions

Those with existing conditions should be particularly careful to ensure a herbal supplement will not aggravate their condition. Those with heart problems should not take herbal supplements that may cause an increase in blood pressure for example.

• Pregnant women and those nursing their babies should also be extra vigilant when taking herbal supplements because of the potentially harmful effects on the baby.

• Those who are going into hospital to have surgery should always inform their doctor of any drugs or supplements they are taking as some of these could have blood thinning ingredients with the potential to jeopardize their recovery.

Lack of regulation
The majority of herbal supplements will be classed as dietary supplements which mean they are not as strictly monitored as prescription medication. For example, while herbs undergo limited testing, herbal supplements are not reviewed by the Food and Drug administration before they are sold and they will generally act only after it is available to the general public and problems are reported with it.

Tags: boost your immune system, cleansing your system, detoxifying your body, safety of herbal supplements, staying healthy

Bikram Yoga Dallas in the News… Again!

This video shows Bikram Yoga Dallas as featured on ABC 8 News. Bikram is a mind/body exercise. Students are encouraged to have a physical beforehand - those who are overweight should see a doctor first. Everyone is advised to keep well hydrated throughout the session.

Bikram’s benefits

• Relaxes muscles for deep and safe stretching
• Hot muscles burn calories more effectively than cold ones
• Bikram provides healing of many ailments

Overall Rating (1-5): 4

Entertainment Rating: 4

Interesting feature story on Bikram Yoga

Instructional Rating: 4

Lots of information about the practice and benefits of Bikram, with safety advice.

More information: http://www.youtube.com/user/BikramYogaDallas

Tags: bikram yoga, free yoga video, learn yoga online, online yoga class, stretching exercises, yoga class online, yoga videos free