http://www.MyWebSite.com/ Welcome to A Mind Body and Spirit : Body Category http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Jitbit RSS Feed Creator Mon, 02 Feb 2009 21:26:14 +1100 Yoga: does standing on your head really help your health? Practiced in India for over 5000 years, yoga is credited with enhancing calmness, mental clarity, and general well-being. Styles of yoga include Hatha, Bikram, Iyengar, Kripalu, Kundalini, and Ashtanga, among many others. While the styles differ in emphasis and the rigor of the practices, most combine some form of breathing technique, physical postures, and meditation or relaxation. Yoga has become increasingly popular in many parts of the world as an element of a healthy lifestyle. Recent studies by medical researchers suggest that yoga also has value in treating certain chronic medical conditions. Researchers are studying the role of yoga in the treatment of asthma, chronic low back pain, allergies, insomnia, fatigue, depression, multiple sclerosis, digestive disorders, cancer, and anxiety. Meditation, an essential part of most yoga practices, appears to slow age-related mental decline. While all yoga’s health benefits have not been proven, it is clear that the practice of yoga can: - Improve mood and sense of well-being; - Counteract stress; - Reduce heart rate and blood pressure; - Increase lung capacity; - Improve muscle relaxation; - Improve overall physical fitness, strength, and flexibility; and - Have a positive effect on levels of certain blood and/or brain chemicals. Yoga Different yoga postures, or asanas, have different effects on the body and mind. Some are energizing, while others are relaxing. Some asanas relieve back strain, while others are good for digestion. Restorative yoga is more directly therapeutic and aims to restore function after an injury or illness. Risks of injury from yoga are minimal, but people with medical conditions should steer away from certain postures. For example, shoulder stands and headstands can exacerbate neck injuries. People with detached retinas or who have had recent cataract surgery should not do inverted postures, in which the head moves below the heart, putting pressure on the eyes. The asanas that benefit pregnant women change with the trimester. People with serious medical conditions should consult with their medical providers before starting yoga. Yoga is easily adapted to the individual. Some yoga classes focus on specific conditions or stages of life. Many yoga teachers offer private sessions and can design yoga practices to meet personal needs. More and more physicians understand the value of yoga in overall health and support integrating yoga into a treatment plan. Yoga can be practiced at home and in classes. Most urban areas have yoga classes in private studios, medical centers, gyms, community centers, or adult education programs. Costs vary according to the settings. CDs are readily available for home practice. Opportunities for practicing yoga abound and the benefits can be truly life-enhancing. http://amindbodyandspirit.com/Body/Yoga.phpMon, 02 Feb 2009 21:26:14 +1100 Making use of supplements Keeping up with your body’s demands Today’s busy lifestyle means that most of us are at work and on the go for at least eight hours each day, making it more difficult to give your body the right amount and quality of daily nutrients. Who has time to spend several hours at home preparing five or six meals to take with you on your schedule? But if you are still dedicated to make those muscles grow or lose weight after your gym workout and meet your muscles fuel demands, then quality nutritional supplements can be useful for you. How do supplements work? Taking nutritional supplements after resistance exercise helps provide a hormonal environment to promote muscle growth. Supplements do this by either providing additional nutrients to top up your dietary intake, or they stimulate the muscles to grow. Such supplements are usually found in meal replacement formulas, which are a very convenient substitute for solid food meals. So a high protein and low fat meal replacement drink is healthier and often a cheaper alternative to a fat-loaded meal of fast food. Protein A key ingredient for both weight loss and gaining muscle is protein which is not always easy to consume in the correct amount for your body from meals on the go. That’s why Whey Natural offers Natural Whey Protein and Whey Protein Blend, both designed for meal replacement. Our Whey Blend formula has only 1.1g fat per serving so you know you are replacing your meals with both high quality protein and low fat. Creatine Creatine is another important supplement scientifically proven to increase muscle size and stamina by refueling energy stores, boosting muscle cell volume and switching on protein synthesis. Stimulating your muscles also increases weight loss. Taking creatine supplements in combination with protein immediately after a workout can actually create more powerful and effective muscle gain compared to taking each supplement on its own. That is why Whey Natural also offers Creatine supplements, which when combined with Whey Natural Protein, work as a team after your training. L-Glutamine The amino acid L-Glutamine has many benefits if you are participating in an exercise program. Glutamine promotes muscle recovery, stimulates the synthesis of glycogen, and boosts immune function. A protein-rich diet may provide your body with a sufficient supply of glutamine, however if you are unsure, supplementing your diet with 5-10 grams per day of L-Glutamine gives you added re-assurance and can help prevent potential muscle loss from L-Glutamine deficiency. Whey Natural also offers L-Glutamine for those who want that extra assurance. Remember: Cardio is a great way to burn calories that will assist you losing weight, but the calorie burning stops soon after you finish, so don’t go past weight training. Weight training at the gym not only burns calories while there but as your muscles are repairing after your gym session you are still burning calories to repair and build them. When you feel that soreness after a weights workout this means you are still burning extra calories, and that is a good thing! Glenn "Vegas" Fitzmaurice @ wheynatural.com.au Save 5% on any orderr placed at Whey Natural when you use promo code "mindbodyspirit"http://amindbodyandspirit.com/Body/Vitamins%20and%20Supplements.phpMon, 02 Feb 2009 21:25:50 +1100 Superfoods to Rejuvenate Body, Mind and Spirit When the goal is rejuvenating the body, mind and spirit, the method should be smaller, more frequent snacks and meals. This will help keep energy levels on an even keel, and regulate your blood sugar levels to avoid spikes and dips. When you choose the right combination of foods, your body gets the much-needed boost it needs to sustain itself properly, even through those slumps later in the day. So dump those high sugar junk foods and reach for the following foods and get that boost you need. some strawberries Any fresh fruit, especially with skins or seeds like peaches, apples, pears, oranges, and strawberries, is a great source of vitamins and fibre. In the summer you can choose a peach and get plenty of dietary fiber, niacin (vitamin B3), potassium, beta carotene and vitamin A, plus high amounts of vitamin C. Niacin is important for providing energy for cell tissue growth. Along with regulating fluid balance, potassium helps maintain the electrical stability of the cells of your heart and nervous system and is important for cell and muscle growth. Vitamin B12 plays a role in red blood cell formation, nerve function, and metabolizing protein and fat. Dried Apricots and Almonds combination provides a high amount of vitamin A, iron protein and dietary fiber. Both foods are low in cholesterol and sodium, and apricots are a great source of potassium, which is important in regulating your body's fluid balance. The vitamin A in apricots contributes to healthy vision, bone growth, and reproduction, and helps fight infection. Raisins are a healthy, low-fat, low-cholesterol, and low-sodium snack with significant amounts of potassium, phosphorus, copper, and iron, and when mixed with low-fat yogurt, you also get riboflavin (vitamin B2) and vitamin B12, as well as a high amount of calcium, which is needed not only for strong bones and teeth but also plays a key role in the normal functioning of the heart and other muscles. lady with carrots Baby carrots and sesame sticks are a tasty treat that will provide significant amounts of beta carotene, vitamin A, vitamin C, folate, vitamin B6, iron, potassium, copper, and fiber. Beta carotene helps protect against diseases like heart disease and some cancers. Vitamin A is important for healthy skin, for better night vision, and to fight infection and respiratory ailments. Folate, or vitamin B9, is essential to human life, helping to form red blood cells and break down proteins, and playing a key role in cell growth and division. Low fat cheese on some whole grain crackers (biscuits) is an excellent source of protein, calcium, and fiber. Celery is stuffed with numerous vitamins, minerals, and is high in fibre. Add a piece of fresh fruit for extra fibre.http://amindbodyandspirit.com/Body/Superfoods.phpMon, 02 Feb 2009 21:25:12 +1100 Exercise And Sleeping Better The amount of physical exercise that you exert during the day is one of the key ingredients to helping you get a good sleep at night. The more active your body is during the day, the more likely you are to relax at night and fall asleep faster. With regular exercise you'll notice that your quality of sleep is improved and the transition between the cycles and phases of sleep will become smoother and more regular. By keeping up your physical activity during the day, you may find it easier to deal with the stress and worries of your life. You should try and increase your physical activity during the day. The goal here is to give your body enough stimulation during the day so that you aren't full of energy at night. Your body requires a certain amount of physical activity in order to keep functioning in a healthy manner. It is also important to note that you should not be exercising three or four hours before you go to bed. can't sleep The ideal exercise time is in the late afternoon or early evening. You want to make sure you expend your physical energy long before it is time for your body to rest and ready itself for sleep. You should attempt to exercise at least three or four times a week for a period of 30 minutes or so. You can include walking or something simple. If you prefer, you can include strenuous activities such as running as well. The goal here is to increase your heart rate and strengthen the capacity of your lungs. By adding a regular exercise activity to your daily schedule will help you to improve your overall health and help you emotionally as well. Along with running and walking there are several other physical activities that you can add to your daily life to increase your level of physical activity. If you are battling Insomnia you'll find aerobic exercise to be the best. Your goal with exercise is to increase the amount of oxygen that reaches your blood stream. Overall, there are many types of aerobic exercise for you to choose from. The activities include running, biking, using a treadmill, dancing, and jumping rope. There are also some non aerobic exercises that you may find beneficial to help you solve your insomnia problem. Yoga Yoga is an exercise that has a stimulatory effect on your nervous system, especially the brain. Yoga utilizes breathing techniques and yoga postures to increase the blood circulation to the brain, promoting regular and restful sleeping patterns. The regular practice of yoga will help you to relax as well as relieve tension and stress. To find out more about Yoga click here Tai Chi Tai Chi is an ancient art of breathing and movement that was developed by the Chinese monks. The movements involved are slow and precise, which is ideal if you have joint pains or you are unable to participate in high aerobic exercises. Research has shown that Tai Chi can help with insomnia by promoting relaxation. If you discover that you don't have any time to exercise on a regular basis, you should try to sneak moments of activity into your schedule. Whenever possible, you should take the stairs instead of the elevator, as little things will start to make a difference for your body. Another idea is to park your car around the corner and walk that extra block or two to get to your destination. As you may know, there are many small things you can add to increase the activity in your life. Your overall goal here is to have a healthy and well balanced life - with plenty of sleep. http://amindbodyandspirit.com/Body/Sleep%20Remedies.phpMon, 02 Feb 2009 21:24:34 +1100 Organic Skin care "If it can be done naturally, why go for artificial means?" - this is the basic premise on which ‘organic skin care’ works. Organic skin care is the most natural way of ‘skin care’. In fact, ‘organic skin care’ was probably the first one to be used by man when it first woke-up to the needs of his skin. ‘Organic skin care’ is not only friendlier to skin, but also inexpensive. If exercised in the right way, organic skin care can prevent the occurrence of a lot of skin disorders and can help keep your skin healthy and young-looking for a much longer time.Organic fruits and vegetables are the most popular things on organic skin care routines e.g. cucumber is very common in organic skin care routines. Turmeric, apple, papaya, ginger are others that find a wide use in organic skin care routines. These organic materials have a very refreshing and vitalizing effect on your skin. Almost every skin care book/guide has section on organic skin care (including the actions of various fruits and vegetables on skin). So choose the ones that are more suitable for your skin type and start experimenting with them until you finally select the ones that are most suitable for inclusion in your organic skin care routine. It’s important that you use fresh organic fruits/vegetables. Don’t try to utilise the rotten ones for your skin, their only place is the garbage bin. skin care Milk is known to posses good cleansing properties; in fact, the name of some skin care products contains the word ‘milk’ in them. A combination of milk with ground oatmeal acts as wonderful cleanser. Ground oatmeal is especially good for oily skins and is a popular ingredient in organic skin care regimen. It is used in various combinations e.g. with egg, honey, milk and fruits, for preparation of organic facial packs. Wheat germ is another ingredient in organic skin care procedures. It is rich in vitamin E and is known for its exfoliation as well as moisturising properties. Wheat germ, in various combinations with other organic materials, is used to prepare facial masks for normal and dry skin types.Wheat germ oil is another way in which wheat germ is used for organic skin care. Yogurt and sour cream are other organic materials that are popular for their exfoliation and moisturising properties. Use of organic honey is also popular in organic skin care products. It helps in retention of moisture and helps impart a glowing look to skin. Rose water takes its place as a toner in organic skin care routines. Lavender water is popular too.‘Organic skin care’ uses combinations of various organic materials that complement each other and enhance each other’s effectiveness. Moreover, these combinations are also helpful in over-riding the harmful effects (if any) of various organic materials that form them. Organic skin care is really an art that, once perfected, can give wonderful results in a very cost effective manner. Mineral make-up http://www.skinrich.com.au/http://amindbodyandspirit.com/Body/Skin%20care.phpMon, 02 Feb 2009 21:23:36 +1100 Snacks... Here's the first of many great recipes.. Blair's Balls just don't eat too many.. Although they are full of healthy stuff there is plenty of sugar (energy) in the fruit so 2 max per day. Blairs' Balls (named after Blair @ Camp Eden in Queensland) Ingredients: * 1 cup of Cashews * 1 cup of Almonds * 1 cup of Sunflower seeds * 2 cups of Dates * 1 cup of Currants * 1 teaspoon Vanilla essence or Peppermint essence * 1 tablespoon Carob or Cocoa * Dessicated Coconut Method: Add the Vanilla or Peppermint Essence and the Carob or Cocoa to the other ingredients. Blend together in a food processor for 5 minutes or until smooth. Roll into small balls and then into coconut. Store in the fridge.http://amindbodyandspirit.com/Body/Recipes.phpMon, 02 Feb 2009 21:22:50 +1100 http://amindbodyandspirit.com/Body/Pilates.phpMon, 02 Feb 2009 21:22:38 +1100 http://amindbodyandspirit.com/Body/Natropathy.phpMon, 02 Feb 2009 21:22:27 +1100 This page is waiting patiently for the wisdom of the best Kinesiologist I've ever been to - Rebecca.http://www.MyWebSite.com/item.htmlMon, 02 Feb 2009 21:21:36 +1100 Wake Up...It’s Time To Create Consistency To Get Results: "I don’t have time..." "I’m too busy..." "I’m not a morning person.." "I can’t commit to a routine...” These excuses are so common with clients in their initial meeting with me for personal training. One of them is probably your excuse too! With the busy lifestyles that we live it’s hard to create an exercise and nutritional routine that will ensure that we get results. Or is it? jogging girl The best way to get results is to ensure that you have a consistent routine in place. It has to be a routine that is based on your health and fitness goals and something that will complement other factors and commitments in your life. Work commitments are the most common excuse or reason for people not being able to create a routine. Long or inconsistent work hours can make getting to the gym or having time to cook healthy meals very hard for most people. The best way to overcome this is to plan your workout sessions in the gym in the morning. It doesn’t necessarily make exercise a priority over work, but it will ensure that your workout is done for the day and you can then focus on your work and not have that little voice in the back of your reminding you to get to the gym after work. How many times have you planned to go to the gym after work but never got there because you had a hectic day at work and didn’t finish till late? Or simply didn’t feel like you had enough energy at the end of the day to do a workout? Its 6am...beep beep beep! The sound of your alarm wakes you and you reach for the snooze button! But wait...don’t press it! Once you can get past the initial shock of waking up earlier and hitting the snooze button, you’ll find that your body responds extremely well to exercise in the morning because your body has an internal clock that loves routine. It’s called your Circadian Clock and it regulates your body on a 24-hour cycle. This clock is the mechanism behind why you wake up around the same time each day, feel hungry around the same time every day, feel tired around the same time each night, and get jet-lagged when you cross time zones. So by creating a consistent routine your body will reward you for your efforts. Studies have shown that exercise in the morning can increase your mental sharpness for 4-10 hours after your workout. It also ‘jump starts’ your metabolism for the day and keeps it elevated for hours, sometimes up to 24 hours. So that means you're burning more calories all day long because you got to the gym and exercised in the morning! Key Points to Creating a Consistent Routine: * Create consistency in your sleeping patterns by going to sleep and waking up at the same times each day. * Ensure your routine and exercise complements your other commitments (work, family, etc). * Have specific workouts planned by a personal trainer focussed on your goals to maximise your workout and exercise time. * Plan your meals and meal times for the week and always have a protein shake (powder and shaker) in your bag ready to go if you get hungry throughout the day. And Remember that 90% of people who exercise consistently, exercise in the morning. So make exercise a part of your everyday life, which is the key to a healthy lifestyle! Ricky Kildea Personal Trainer Fitness First -South Yarra Yarli Personal Training Ph: 0431 117 088 http://amindbodyandspirit.com/Body/Fitness%20and%20weight%20loss.phpMon, 02 Feb 2009 21:20:01 +1100 Chinese Medicine Over 2000 years old, traditional Chinese medicine focuses on balancing energy within the body and with the natural world. Chinese medical treatments include, among others, acupuncture, diet, and herbal remedies. Acupuncture is one of the most well known methods of Chinese medicine. It involves inserting very thin, sterile needles into specific points along pathways of the body called meridians. Health problems arise when the flow of energy is blocked; acupuncture aims to open up and balance that energy flow. Although western science lacks proof that acupuncture is an effective therapy, evidence shows that it relieves chemotherapy nausea, dental pain, soft tissue problems, menstrual cramps, backache, asthma, and emotional disturbances. chinese medicine Acupuncture is highly effective in treating a wide array of disorders. Acupuncture is successful in treating many types of non-surgical infertility. Evidence shows it can improve the chances of conceiving if done right before or after in vitro fertilization and continued for about three months. Along with herbs, acupuncture improves ovarian function and increases blood flow to the endometrium. It addresses problems that impair fertility such as an under- or over-functioning thyroid. Cupping is a type of acupuncture treatment. The acupuncturist heats a glass cup from inside to create a vacuum then places the cup on acupuncture points on the body. Cupping improves circulation and relieves discomfort from congestion, swelling, or pain. It is particularly effective for relieving low back aches, reducing sprains and other soft tissue injuries, and relieving fluid in the lungs. Cups are left on the body for five to fifteen minutes; a round bruise results which lasts for a few days. While there are no inherent dangers to cupping, it should not be done over cramps, convulsions, or ulcerated sores or when the patient has a high fever. Cupping is not advisable over the low back or abdomen of pregnant women. In Chinese herbal medicine, herbs are combined in formulas of up to 25 herbs to address the needs of the individual patient. As with all methods of Chinese medicine, herbal treatment seeks to remedy imbalance in the body. Like herbal treatment, dietary therapy is based on the condition of the patient. A balanced diet leads to good health, so dietary recommendations aim at rebalancing the body. Whether used by itself or as a complement to western or other eastern therapies, traditional Chinese medicine has an important role in modern medical treatment. http://amindbodyandspirit.com/Body/Chinese%20medicine.phpMon, 02 Feb 2009 21:19:27 +1100 Happy New 2009! Hows your body after Christmas and all the festivities? Is it time to detox? Detoxification is something that our body does naturally. This is the reason why our excretory system is very important in maintaining the health of each vital organ. Without the ability to release these harmful substances through our excretory organs, we will be poisoned by the many toxins that we have ingested and those that our body secretes. If we eat the right kind of food, do exercise regularly, and maintain a stress-free lifestyle, the natural body process of detoxification will go on completely and thoroughly without any needed assistance from us. If thats you then you don't need to read any further... bucket and brush Nowadays, we are confronted with a lot of choices in making our life more relaxed or busier, our environment is now more condusive to over eating and indulging in too much alcohol, our lifestyles are more stressful on our bodies than ever before. The air we breathe isn't so clean and we are inhaling pollutants to our systems. Toxins accumulate, and each day more are being absorbed by the body without the possibility of being expelled. The natural means of detoxification cannot cope and are overwhelmed by the amount of toxins that invades the body each day. We are more prone to fatigue and mental draining. Metabolism deteriorates, our fat storage increases, and our energy is zapped out for no apparent reason. Therefore, there's a need for a conscious, deliberate detoxification. A whole body cleanse (detoxification) returns back to the cells the energy that it needs and refreshes their ability to expel toxins. It also improves appetite by cleaning out digestive system of any left particles were not successfully excreted and hence makes digestion more complete. Besides, nutrients are also not filtered out, but will be absorbed better. Our immune system is boosted, our vital organs are protected, and our excretion becomes efficient. You will feel lighter, better, and more active than before the detoxt. Stress for most, will always be a part of life. Stress releases bad toxins to the body like cortizol. Coping with it is therefore very important in body detox home remedy. Think of ways in combating the effects of stress, like engaging in enjoyable hobbies, yoga exercises, and in meditation. Lastly, always think that while exercise will definitely make you stronger in terms of power and strength, it also makes your body sweat toxins out. In maintaining and being conscious of health, you will not only be guaranteed of a longer lifespan, but also a quality life. Learn how to detox your body gently, safely and effectively to lose weight and be energized. P.S Before you go running for the hills it's not about being on a liquid diet for weeks! A 7 day detox diet where you actually eat food and not a lemon juice detox drink in sight! If I can do it so you can you! Light and Vegemite Lishttp://amindbodyandspirit.com/Body/Body.phpMon, 02 Feb 2009 21:19:08 +1100 How to Efficiently Decode People’s Inner Feelings and Emotions Through Their Body Movements, and How You Can Use This Knowledge to Succeed in Your Career, Relationships, and Personal Life!” What I am about to tell you might shock you. Many people think that the most popular way of communicating with other people is through the mouth. But what they didn’t know is that actual verbal communication accounts to only around 10% (or even less) of the overall means to convey a message. Moreover, you can never determine the truthfulness or sincerity of people by what they say alone. In fact, words transmitted verbally oftentimes do not reflect what people really think or feel. The only way you can determine their true inner feelings and thoughts is by reading their body language. Have you ever wondered what it would be like if you can "see through" the emotions of other people? Let’s say you asked a person if he can do an important task. He says “ok.” But deep inside, you are questioning yourself, “Is he really willing to do this job?” or “Does he have the confidence to finish this assignment? You can’t question him directly because that would be like belittling him. And even if you ask him those questions, his replies will not be indicative of what he really feels or thinks. The ultimate solution? Read his body movements and gestures. The Body Never Lies! Through body language, you will be able to decode hidden emotions. You may even decipher if a person is telling the truth or not. Moreover, you can apply body language techniques to convey your intentions to other people. This will ultimately lead you to a successful career and fruitful relationships. You can use the knowledge of body language to identify if confidence, dominance, and other characteristics are inherent in people. On the contrary, you may also perform these gestures when you want to convey certain personality traits to subconsciously influence others. Cool, isn’t it?http://amindbodyandspirit.com/Body/Body%20Language.phpMon, 02 Feb 2009 21:18:08 +1100 Ayurveda means "science of life." Ayurvedic medicine derives from religious scriptures that record the health care practices of ancient Indians. While the exact origins of Ayurvedic medicine are not known with certainty, the tenets were first written down 3500-5000 years ago; the practices themselves date from even earlier times. This traditional medicine of India is still widely practiced in Southeast Asia and has been adapted by western users. Ayurvedic Ayurvedic medicine is a system of preventive medicine grounded in the close connection between spirituality and health. The practice seeks to eliminate illness by looking at the whole person and treating underlying causes, not just symptoms. Balance within the body and harmony with the universe help people stay vital and realize their life potential. Ayurvedic treatment is individualized according to a person’s constitution. The constitution involves the elements air, fire, water, and earth; good health occurs when the elements are in balance. Ayurvedic medicine uses a variety of healing methods to bring the three elements into balance and restore the body and spirit. Ayurvedic remedies may include herbs, foods, aromas, gems, meditation, colors, yoga, massage, and lifestyle changes. By integrating healing practices into daily life, Ayurveda seeks to promote general well-being and treat specific illnesses. Certain practices require working with a trained practitioner. One example is Ayurvedic massage, in which one or more therapists massage oil into the skin to release toxics. Another is herbal treatment. While the public has easy access to herbs and herbal formulations, herbs can have potent effects. It’s important that a knowledgeable practitioner supervise herbal treatment. Other practices, like diet, yoga, and stress management, become part of a person’s daily routine. Ayurvedic medicine is particularly effective in treating chronic, non-communicable, lifestyle-related conditions. Skin conditions and emotional problems often respond well to Ayurvedic treatment. Obesity is treated through exercise, mental and physical exertion, and reduced sleep. Using weight-reducing herbs and avoiding food high in carbohydrates and oils are also part of the regimen. Like all non-traditional medical practices, Ayurveda has its skeptics. Integration with western medicine has brought greater acceptance of the value of this ancient system of health and well-being.http://amindbodyandspirit.com/Body/Ayurvedic.phpMon, 02 Feb 2009 21:17:17 +1100