How to Get Smooth Feet

With the rise in temperatures, boots and winter shoes are being packed away, and sandals are making their way back into the sun. If you want to wear your flip flops and other open shoes, but your feet aren't ready for the big reveal, you need to start getting them back into summer shape now. Smoothing out the rough skin and calluses is easy when you give your feet a makeover and put them on a maintenance routine.

Step One - Soak

Soak your feet in warm water to hot water for about 15 minutes. To make the foot soak more like a spa treatment add some baking soda and a pretty scented soap or epsom salts with a few drops of essential oil. If you are short on time, just start exfoliating after your shower.

Step Two - Exfoliate

After you soak your feet, it's time to scrub, scrub, scrub. There is more than one way to exfoliate, and you need to experiment the way that works best for you. You can use a cheap pumice stone, a gritty scrub like St. Ives peach scrub, or a foot file from your local drugstore. There is no need to splurge on this step. You can exfoliate effectively without spending on a fancy scrub. If you have particularly stubborn calluses, and you are feeling brave, there are special foot razors you can use to shave the dead skin off. Once you have exfoliated as much as possible, you can move on to the next step.

Step Three - Moisturize

Once you have exposed the softer skin with steps one and two, it is time to moisturize to keep them soft and smooth. The key here is to use a thick and rich moisturizer on your feet to stop the calluses and dry skin from returning. A thick body butter from the drugstore is perfectly fine your feet are in decent shape. If you have very thick and dry skin on your feet and heels, to the point of experiencing some heel cracking, you need something with active ingredients. Neostrata has Heel Repair cream with AHAs and vitamin E in it that will exfoliate and soften at the same time. It can be applied once or twice daily.

The three steps can be performed once a week. To maintain and continue to smooth and soften, put heel repair cream or a thick moisturizer on them after every shower. After going through the trouble of soaking, scrubbing and moisturizing your feet to smooth them, a moisturizing care regimen is how you can keep them sandal ready all summer.

MyReviewsNow.net offers information regarding skin products. For more on skin care please visit us at MyReviewsNow.net.

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6 Skin Disorders That Requires Good Treatment

Regarded as the largest body organ, your skin controls your body temperature as well as safeguards you from various pathogenic attacks. This is why it becomes vital to take utmost care of your skin. There are several external as well as internal conditions that tend to inflame your skin or debilitate it from functioning well.

Irritants, makeup, and genetic composition along with certain ailments can cause skin conditions marked by symptoms such as itching, dryness, pus, redness, and burning. Irrespective of the ailment caused, your overall look gets affected badly due to which you tend to feel embarrassed. Many of these ailments are such that they may not grab your attention in their early days but are such that they need urgent medical care. Otherwise, the chances of worsening increases up to such an extent that they can become irreversible. Therefore, it is vital to know about these skin disorders that need your urgent attention and instant medical care.

• Acne: Affects more than 80% of folks around the world at some point in life. This one influences the oil glands to which pores are connected via follicles. When these follicles get clogged, pimples and scars start surfacing on the skin. It is best to treat this condition as early as possible but that requires your observance and awareness.

• Eczema (Atopic Dermatitis): Is a long-term condition that shows symptoms such as rashes in different parts of the body, dryness, and itchiness. The most serious aspect of this condition is that there exists no single test for its diagnosis. Therefore, you have to be very vigilant and visit your doctor the moment you observe any of the aforementioned symptoms. For diagnosis, the doctor relies on information that you provide.

• Psoriasis: Is marked by scaling, thick red patches, itching, and swelling. These symptoms are often experienced on the elbows, legs, face, lower back, and palms although they can exist on other areas, too. Psoriasis is difficult to diagnose due to its resemblance with other skin diseases. The treatment varies as per the seriousness of the ailment, size of patches, and patient's response.

• Rosacea: Shows up symptoms such as small red lines, redness on face, inflamed eyes, thicker skin, and swollen nose. Luckily, this disease can be diagnosed with a careful physical exam and medical history. However, there exists no single cure for this ailment although it can be controlled well.

• Moles: Exist as unwanted growths on skin when the cells known as melanocytes develop in a bunch flanked by tissue. Although it is fine to have ordinary moles, people tend to develop atypical moles that can trigger a type of skin cancer. As per statistics, 1 out of every 10 people possesses an atypical mole. Therefore, do not ignore moles. It is essential to go for a regular check up so that your unusual moles can be detected, which can grow bigger or have a different color.

• Basic Dermatitis (Rashes): Has symptoms such as dry and itchy skin and rashes on elbows, hands, and face. The condition may look very normal in the beginning because of low intensity but your ignorance can convert it into flares.

Cory Thiarello writing for www.FaceDoctor.ca. Our acne treatment and rosacea products have found wide acceptance over the past years. FaceDoctor introduced a wide range of products which can cure all kinds of skin disorder.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Cory_Thiarello

The 5 Things About Diet a Psoriasis Sufferer Must Know

If you are a sufferer of psoriasis there are a few handy things you need to know about diet.

1. The link between psoriasis and diet is related to certain foods which help your immune system

Some foods may worsen an outbreak while others can reduce inflammation which is a general cause of psoriasis flares. As of late there is no scientific link between having psoriasis and your diet. However the link lies between the severity and frequency of your psoriasis and your dietary habits.

2. Diet is an alternative treatment method

If you have psoriasis you can turn to a myriad of treatment methods. One such method is diet. Diet is considered as an alternative treatment method, the purpose of which is to prevent thickened lesions and to manage pain caused by psoriasis.

3. You must take note of which foods cause the increased severity of your psoriasis

If you notice your skin condition worsening, then it is in your best interest to see what foods that were the triggers and try to avoid eating them. See if this helps maintain fewer outbreaks. Certain foods can trigger psoriasis outbreaks.

4. Your diet can also help to reduce obesity which increases the likelihood and severity of psoriasis

Obese people are at a 7% higher risk for psoriasis than non-obese counterparts. If you are obese, your body will replicate cells at a faster rate which exacerbates the inflammation that causes increase psoriasis outbreaks. In order to alleviate this, you need to consider a balance and healthy diet. Some of the best foods overcoming obesity and reducing the rearing of psoriasis are included in a low-fat diet which consists of particular fruits and vegetables, nuts, poultry, and salad dressing. It is said that vitamin B12 as well as folate are able to reduce the levels of circulating homocysteine while vitamin E possesses a strong antioxidant effect. Olive oil, yogurt, cheese, fresh fish, and cereals are a part of the daily staples needed to combat fat storage. Majority of these foods are anti-inflammatory agents which can protect your body.

5. Dietary habits for those suffering from psoriasis should remain sensible

If you have psoriasis you can reduce the severity and frequency of your outbreaks by consuming foods which reduce inflammation in your body. Be sure to have low fat consumption and low sweets consumption with high fruits and vegetables. Among the most important fruits is vitamin D. Vitamin D is a great boost for your immune system when you want skinny and firm thighs. It works to fight off any viral infections like the common flu. Vitamin D also works to temper your immune system, keeping it from overworking. If your immune system is overworked then it will create excess mucus and fluid in your lungs. This can lead to issues such as pneumonia. When you consume vitamin D, your immune system is better regulated. Vitamin D also works to fight against infections while limiting inflammation.

Never give up. Make the necessary changes in your lifestyle and continue on the journey to find the treatment for psoriasis that will work for you.

For more information on Psoriasis and to benefit from 100% tried and tested treatment methods, please visit http://www.urbanhealthylife.com

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Yoga, Patanjali Style - The Satya Yama

Yoga can be defined as 'an established set of guidelines and routines that one practices with the ultimate intention of reaching Divinity'. As the compiler of the Yoga Sutras, Patanjali incorporates all forms of Yoga practice to assist students with achieving a balanced body-mind-soul unit and to uplift individual and collective consciousness.

Patanjali Yoga can be broken down into 2 subdivisions, the Limbs and Sutras, which can then be broken down further. The first Limb of Patanjali Yoga is the Yama limb, which consists of 5 Yamas that focus on 'doing no harm (good behavior) to others'. The Satya Yama is the second Yama and translates to the 'practice of truthfulness, honesty and integrity in our thoughts, words and actions.'

There are many sides to Truth and non-truth; there have been/are/and will be times when Truth can do more harm than good, therefore, the 'truth' is/will not always the most harmless or integral response. This is an important perspective to absorb, along with the entire focus of the Yama Limb, which is 'to do no harm to others'. These principles of Truth are all considered in the Satya Yama.

When the definition of the Satya Yama is 'the practice of truthfulness, honesty and integrity in our thoughts, words and actions', one can identify their Truths or non-truths as being personalized responses to external, or internal, stimuli. Therefore, the starting point for the practice of this Yama is inside of oneself, at the tier of the mind/heart, as words and actions towards others are manifestations of thoughts/feelings.

To 'know thyself' is one of the objectives when practicing the Satya Yama. When one applies Truth, Honesty and Integrity to internal questions such as who am I really? or, am I happy?, one may find it excruciatingly difficult to answer without Courage. This is due to the existence of the Ego Self, defined as "... the division of the psyche that is conscious, most immediately controls thought and behavior, and is most in touch with external reality."

Each and every single one of us would probably not fully, 100%, agree with an-others observation or opinion of us, good or not good, which points to the fact that each and every single one of us, to some degree, 'knows thyself'. That is all the suggestion required when discussing the existence of the Ego Self and the True Self in relation to the Satya Yama. When one can answer their own questions of themselves Truth-fully and with Courage (am I, in Truth, happy?) then they begin to operate out of the True Self internally, and can then eventually, if not immediately, provide truthful or integral responses externally. This is why it is important to 'know thyself' and to then 'be true to thyself' on, at least, a casual level.

From internal Truth-full responses come external Truth-full responses, and the opportunity to further cultivate Honesty, Integrity and the desire to do no harm to others. When observing and practicing the Satya Yama, one can begin to see how the practice of Truth dismantles the Ego Self while, at the exact same time, builds up the True Self. The development of the True Self then fosters Truth-fullness, Honesty and Integrity in ones external responses, while protecting the heart of the Yama Limb by 'doing no harm' towards others' in ones truths.

In terms of the Satya Yama, Honesty is recognizing when a Truth-full response would cause more harm than good, and Integrity is choosing to respond in spirit of the honest observation. This causes a Harm-less response to others and thus, meets another ambition of the Yama. That is not to say one should respond with non-truth, but rather, to find the best response that fits the practice of this Yama. For example, when paying attention to the relationship Truth has with Honesty and Integrity, one will notice how often life invites them to respond Truth-fully, but from the Ego Self. One will also notice how often their responses to these invitations are not Harm-less.

For example, it could be said about a response to an offensive driver: 'That driver cut me off!! They deserved my (negative) response (a.k.a truth)!' True there was an 'offense' committed, but the negative, rude or aggressive behavior of others does not control and, therefore, should not influence one's ability to Truth-fully, Honestly, Integrally and Harmlessly respond. When we respond to negativity with negativity, we respond from the Ego Self, the only one who cares about the 'offense' or 'the offender.' However, referencing the offensive driver, if it were a matter of SAFETY, how would a response full of aggressive, negative Truth provide a solution? What would be the most integral response to the event? Notifying officials to deal with the situation properly one might say? So, the Satya Yama can be visualized; how Truth, Honesty and Integrity can harm or not harm, and how these ingredients can provide a solution or not.

Another factor to observe in practicing this Yama is how swiftly we tend to respond to external stimuli with our truths or non-truths, which is an element to be explored in observing and practicing the Satya Yama. Typically our truths or non-truths are immediately manifested, through expression, in the face of negativity. This is due to the even quicker mental/emotional reaction to negative stimuli and one not giving themselves space between stimuli and their response. It is in this space that one can collect their thoughts from True Self and respond with Truth-fullness, Honesty and Integrity. That is, one can consciously choose to do no harm in their response.

It could be said that Truths are steps taken on a Divine Path that guide an individual through their lifetime. One could then conceptualize that each step taken, or Truth expressed, either keeps one on course with True Self or it does not. With this in mind, one can see how each of their steps, their Truths or non-truths, creates the momentum required to move forward on, or off, their Divine Path. This is the blessing and gift of the Satya Yama.

May each of your steps be lead by lights direction.

Namaste,

Anna G. Cianci

http://www.thefreedictionary.com/ego

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Relief for Pediatric Conditions Through Yoga

Families who have sickly, depressed or injured children would do anything to make them feel better. They pay for therapy, take them to the doctor for checkups and treatments, and generally do anything to help them feel at ease. Studies today show that yoga-centered treatments can have a good effect on pediatric conditions like the ones mentioned above.

Classes that teach basic yoga poses for children can often pinpoint a significant improvement in their pediatric issues. It doesn't matter if the child is tired, in pain, or just hyperactive and easily distracted. The teachers and parents alike saw that after a few sessions of yoga, the children were generally calmer, focused, and reported feeling less pain and exhaustion.

The Emotional Benefits of Learning Yoga Basics

Yoga instructors often teach children by 'playing pretend,' trying to get them to see the connection between themselves, their peers, and the world at large. The children who took yoga at least 45 minutes every week reported feeling more relaxed, imaginative, and reflective of their actions. The results were the same regardless of the children's ages.

More than a thousand schoolteachers in the United States these days chose to train in yoga instruction. Hundreds of school districts now offer mind-body practices and yoga-inspired activities into their curricula. Schools report that yoga-inspired class activities were effective in teaching their students self-control, anger management, respect, and good hygiene, and health practices.

The Pediatric Conditions Addressed through Yoga

Yoga elevates your mood and makes you feel better, and has a literal effect on your physical condition. Children and teens who take yoga classes and practice regularly can notice a significant amount of relief from physical ailments and emotional conditions.

Below are some of the conditions that yoga can relieve. They include:

ADHD

Students diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD, can be hard to control. This condition makes their attention span short, distracting them from activities and disrupting the flow of their classes. A paper from the Journal of Attention Disorders presented facts on how ADHD medication and yoga could go hand-in-hand. It provides the children with a way to focus and relax, which makes their medication more effective.

Chronic Pain

Accident-prone children have a high risk of developing chronic pain in adulthood. They are not as likely to suffer from long-term pain, but the risk is still high. The researchers from Children's Hospital in Boston studied the effects of yoga together with anesthesia programs. They suggested that yoga's relaxation and breathing techniques could be an invaluable part of many pain management programs.

Today, yoga is one of the most sought-after forms of alternative pain management. Almost 86 per cent of pain clinics offer yoga as one of their alternatives.

Depression

Teens and young adults often suffer from depression, but the symptoms and onset actually begins during childhood. Research indicates that practicing yoga at a young age can effectively reduce the symptoms of depression among adolescents, teenagers, and young adults.

According to the Alternative Therapies journal, a depressed youth can benefit from undergoing two or more yoga sessions each week. The youths who chose to try to yoga basics showed marked improvements in mood and anxiety levels. It also helped them relax and think.

Yoga can improve many more conditions aside from the ones listed above. Some journals suggest that yoga plays a big role in children who suffer from severe mental and physical problems. Yoga-centered treatments is also a big help for respiratory health conditions like asthma, anxiety, and irritable bowel syndrome.

There are many yoga studios offering classes for children, adults, and groups today.

Click here to learn more about the health benefits of yoga.

Stephanie is an avid yoga practitioner who goes to yoga classes every week.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Stephanie_H_Jackson

Dancing With the Divine

As your yoga practice comes to an end you relax in Savasana and let go of the whole of your body, feeling yourself sink deeper and deeper into the mat. Letting go and feeling calm, relaxed and peaceful.

Coming out of Savasana assume the classic yogi position in Padmasana or whatever comfortable cross legged position is comfortable for you.

Take your hands into a mudra, lengthen the front of the body through the core up to the crown of the head and lengthening the spine.

Lower your head slightly and close your eyes, focusing on your breathing.

Sublty engage mula bandha, drawing back the naval slightly so as to engage Uddiyana bandha, just slightly so as not to restrict the movement of the diaphragm and hinder breathing.

Take a long slow deep inhalation through the nose and a long slow exhalation through the nose. Let your breath be slow, steady and even.

Let the breath in be the same length as the breath out and with each inhalation fill the lungs, expanding the chest, contracting and fully expelling the lungs on the exhale.

As you inhale visualise the breath entering your body high into the back of the throat and as you take in the last breath of air, feel yourself being suspended with that breath for a moment as the breath is then held in.

Don't restrict the breath, just let it be, holding the breath in until it feels natural to exhale, slowly and deeply as the chest contracts and the air releases from the lungs.

Repeat this breathing pattern several times. Inhaling deeply high into the back of the throat and exhaling deeply down to the abdomen.

As you inhale and reach the point where the inhalation ends and the breath retention begins you experience a feeling of being lifted. Your spine is lengthening and your whole body drifting upwards as though you are transcending from your body as you hold the breath in. For those few moments your mind and body are at one and through the avenue of the breath are dancing with the divine, that is universal consciousness, our source and place of infinite possibilities and peace.

Exhaling and you feel yourself fluttering back down with your breath, a renewed sense of calm and peacefulness washes over you as you then repeat the process again.

Continue on until you feel complete stillness throughout your mind and body and then allow yourself to release the bandhas which were subtly engaged.

Let your breath fall into its natural rhythm and simply focus on the rise and fall of your breathing, not forcing the breath, not restricting the breath and not holding the breath in, just simply allowing it to be.

Silently affirming 'SO' on the inhale and 'HUM' on the exhale.

Om shanti, shanti Om

Shelley Costello is a yoga teacher, writer and wellness coaching helping others to overcome challenge and change to live a happier, healthier and more fulfilled life.

A qualified yoga teacher and life coach, she has studied many areas of wellness to include nutrition, relaxation, Ayurveda, meditation, relaxation, Indian Head massage, Buddhism and different self development programmes and techniques.

Shelley has published two books and several articles with the International Yoga Magazine. She writes and publishes articles regularly on self development and wellbeing and is currently writing her third book.

Visit Shelley Costello at http://www.shelleycostello.net

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Shelley_Costello

Yoga For People Who Love Running

When I first started running I felt a bit sore and tight afterwards though I did not stress much. My thigh muscles would hurt terribly. So I thought why not blend yoga with running. Since Yoga is a fitness exercise which centers on the spiritual and physical state of the body. It eases stress, pain, weight loss, etc. Today my article is meant exclusively for athletes who love running and or has taken up running as their profession. During the course of an average mile run the foot strikes the ground at least 1000 times and so the impact of the foot on the body is five times more. Hence it is normal to hear runners complain of thigh pains, sore feet, hamstring injury, etc.

The right combination of yoga poses can help you loosen up your muscles after a long run and keep you tight and healthy. In fact running and yoga can make a good combination for strength and flexibility. Runners who use yoga to balance strength, increase range of motion and practice asana can coordinate their body, mind and soul well. The eventual result will be integrated body mind and soul. While running breathing should be at a normal pace so one practice pranayama. This helps one to breathe steadily and at a normal pace. This also helps one to be at peace and concentrate well on his goal.

Before you begin, remember these precautions:

· Do not start a yoga routine or any other workout without clearance from your doctor.

· These poses are not suitable for pregnant women.

· Each pose should be done in a slow and controlled manner, without bouncing or forcing, which can cause your muscles to tighten, increasing your risk of injury. Stretch in a slow, steady motion to the point of "mild discomfort." If you are stretching to the point of pain, you have stretched too far. Learn to respect your edge-never go beyond it.

· This routine can be integrated into a post-run stretching routine. You can also do it any time of day. If you're not doing the stretches immediately following a workout, I recommend a 10-minute cardio warm-up before starting this routine. Warm muscles are easier to stretch.

· These poses and the accompanying photos are modified for people with tight hips and hamstrings, which is common among runners.

· A breath is one full inhalation and one full exhalation through the nose. Hold each nostril for five breaths, or longer if you like.

First of all, never ignore your body's signals. Take a break when your body needs one. Learn to understand when rest is appropriate. Secondly, start incorporating yoga postures into the warm-up and cool-down portions of your workout. Think of running as the linear part of your workout and yoga as its circular complement.

There is no need to be sidelined by injuries and discomfort brought on by your running program. Chronic injuries can eventually self-correct through a gentle yet consistent yoga practice. Remember, your body is on your side. It has an inherent intelligence to bring about a state of equilibrium no matter how many times your feet hit the pavement. Yoga Therapy can help you overcome all the anxiety that one feels due to over exertion.

Daniel Brewer is a well known yoga teacher. He stays with his wife and two kids in Canada. He shares his view on how yoga therapy has its benefits for runners.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Daniel_M_Brewer

How Body pH Can Affect Your Energy Levels

WHAT MOST PEOPLE DON'T REALIZE; WE ARE BIO ELECTRICAL ENGINES

In order to accomplish all the many millions of complex functions that occur over the course of the day, your body has to be able to communicate with itself... all the way down to the cellular level. And do you know how it does this? Through pulses of electricity. That's right, electricity.

Your body operates on an electro magnetic current. Believe it or not, all of the organs in your body emit these fields of electrical current. In fact, nerve signals are nothing more than electrical charges.

What creates this electrical power in your body is a very fine balance that exists in your bio chemistry. And of all the systems in your body that depend on this delicate, bio chemical balance, one of the most important is your blood stream. This is where pH comes into play. But what is pH?

WHAT PH IS AND WHY IT IS IMPORTANT TO ALL YOUR BODY FUNCTIONS

PH is a scale that measures how acidic or alkaline a substance is. The scale ranges from 1 to 14 with 1 being very acid, 7 neutral and 14 very alkaline.

So what does pH have to do with you and your blood? Well, the pH of your blood is extremely important. The ideal pH level for your blood is right around 7.35 and your body goes to enormous lengths to maintain this level.

Why? Because if your blood pH were to vary 1 or 2 points in either direction, it would change the electrical chemistry in your body, there would be no electrical power and in short order you would drop dead. As you can see, maintaining the right pH level in your blood is pretty important!!

With this in mind a good way to avoid upsetting this delicate bio chemical balance would be to take a look at those things that can compromise the maintenance of the ideal pH level in your body. And what is the main culprit in this case? The answer is the creation of acid in your body.

Before we look at what causes acid, here's a graphic example to give you an idea of what can happen in the blood when your pH drops to less than ideal. Red blood cells are how oxygen is transported to all the cells in your body.

As red blood cells move into the tiny, little, capillaries, the space they have to move through gets pretty small. In fact, the diameter of the capillaries gets so small that the red blood cells sometimes have to pass through these capillaries one red blood cell at a time!

Because of this, and because it's important for the red blood cells to be able to flow easily and quickly through your body, they have a mechanism that allows them to remain separate from each other. This mechanism comes in the form of the outside of healthy red blood cells having a negative charge. This causes them to stay apart from each other, sort of like when you try to push the negative ends of two magnets together. They resist each other and stay apart.

Unfortunately, acid interferes with this very important mechanism in a pretty frightening way. Acid actually strips away the negative charge from red blood cells. The result is that your red blood cells then tend to clump together and not flow as easily. This makes it much more difficult for them to flow easily through the bloodstream.

But it also makes it harder for them to move freely through those small capillaries. This means less oxygen gets to your cells. Acid also weakens the red blood cells and they begin to die. And guess what they release into your system when they die? More acid.

I could describe a whole list of processes that occur when your system becomes and remains acid but I think you get the idea. The point is that aside from the acid that is secreted into your stomach to aid digestion, acid in your body is bad. Really bad.

In regard to producing energy in the body, here's an easy question for you. What do you think happens to a person's energy level if over time their system becomes more and more acid, their biochemical balance is disrupted and their red blood cells can't deliver oxygen and nutrients as efficiently to all their cells? The answer is simple. Their energy level drops. Dramatically.

Are you beginning to get the picture here as to the importance of pH in your body? Good. Now let's take a quick look at what causes acidity in your body and then look at steps you can take to get your body pH back to an ideal level.

WHAT CAUSES ACID IN THE BODY

The primary cause of an acidic condition in your body is from what you put in your mouth. In other words, what you eat and what you drink. And it isn't how "acid" something may seem when you eat or drink it. It has to do with what is left over when you digest it.

Specifically, does eating or drinking something leave behind an acid or alkaline "ash". For example, I don't know about you but I love seafood. Scallops are one of my favorites. However, when your body digests scallops, it leaves an extremely acid ash. In fact, scallops are one of the most acid foods you can eat.

Unfortunately, a lot of the things most people put in their mouths create an acid ash. These include alcohol, coffee and a lot of flesh protein in your diet. Interestingly enough, stress also tends to create an acid condition in the body.

STEPS YOU CAN IMMEDIATELY TAKE TO IMPROVE YOUR PH

Fortunately, it is pretty easy to immediately change your pH for the better and make it more alkaline. The first step is to understand which of the foods you are eating and the drinks you are drinking are acid and which are alkaline. Then it's simply a matter of eliminating some of the more acid foods you are eating and adding in more alkaline foods.

However, before you start, it's important to get a baseline of what the pH is in your body so that you can see how you are improving or if you need to continue to eliminate more acid foods and add in more alkaline ones.

You can do this by testing the pH of your saliva on a regular basis. This is really simple to do. More details on how to do this are provided on some web pages I have created for you to help you out. A link to these pages is provided below.

In addition to decreasing the amount of acid foods you eat and increasing the amount of alkaline foods you eat, one of the best ways to immediately begin changing your pH is to drink "green drinks". You can make these by simply adding a powder that is made up of a whole host of vegetables that are highly alkaline to a glass of water. Information on suggested green drink powders to use is included on pages that I have a link to below.

RESOURCES WHERE YOU CAN LEARN MORE

Clicking on the following link will take you to some pages I created that have more information on alkaline and acid foods, how to test your own pH and what to look for in green drinks.

http://www.ajpip.com/resources/site_map.htm

Start taking the steps described above and you may very well find your energy levels increasing over time. Mine certainly have.

- Andy Long

After years of extreme fatigue, severe digestion problems and frequent sickness, Andy Long now enjoys energy levels that allow him to windsurf in 30 mph winds for 3-4 hours at a time.

He now shares with others what he did to completely regain his health through his health related web sites and newsletter.

To see a list of the topics covered in Andy's newsletter, click on the following link: Learn How To Have More Energy Now [http://www.hypertracker.com/go/andylong/artph/]

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Andy_Long

If You Want To Try a Dermal Filler - Make Sure To Check The Doctor's Testimonials

I speak to many other women who all are very interested in beauty treatments, looking good, staying young and of course we are addicted to dermal fillers like Juvederm. We compare notes, give each other feedback and generally just help each other find the best products and services for each of our individual needs. The surprising thing is that I don't think many other groups of women do this.

Consult Your Trusted Friends First When Doctor Shopping

I think when it comes to the realm of cosmetic surgery or even just having a dermal filler like Juvederm injected into your face women tend to hide this from the other girls. For some reason or another they find this embarrassing or maybe they just want to keep the 'secret' for themselves, who knows? But this is the worst thing you can do because you are taking your ability to do due diligence away.

You can't properly investigate the person who will be performing your Juvederm procedure or get to know the real scoop from others who have underwent the same procedure from the doctor you are considering. The very first thing you should when you are considering a dermal filler is to consult your own network of friends and trusted confidants.

Check The Doctors Testimonials For The Procedure You Want To Have

After you consult with your own network, then it's time for a visit. Schedule a consultation with the doctor's office and sit down with them one-on-one. Ask all of the clinical type questions you may have. Things like;

• Will it hurt?
• How much does it cost?
• How long will the results last?
• What benefits do you see for me with Juvederm against other dermal fillers?
• Will you be the one actually performing the procedure?

I could provide you with some basic answers to the above questions but you really should sit down with the doctor and ask them yourself so that you can hear THEM describe their answers to you. This will allow you to see how they approach these things and hopefully make you much more comfortable with the procedure.

After you ask those questions, it's time to ask the most important question. Do you have testimonials from other patients of yours specifically for Juvederm? Ask them this question point blank and see what they say. Hopefully they will say yes and provide you with a list of testimonials for you to read. If they are good at what they do they will have these, and you being able to read them (or watch them on video) will help you know that this truly is the person to help you look and feel younger.

If they don't have them, it's not necessarily a deal breaker but I would most certainly ask them why they do not have these. Remember, overall we're trying to find the best doctor to have a dermal filler like Juvederm done with so don't be shy about it. Talk to your internal network and then make sure to ask the doctor for Juvederm testimonials.

Juvederm and dermal fillers are a hot topic amongst women in their late thirties and on. At some time soon you may find yourself looking for the best doctor for your Juvederm treatment, and you'll want to make sure you check out their testimonials very thoroughly. I found a great group of video testimonials for Juvederm in Las Vegas from a well qualified doctor there. These are the kinds of testimonials you want to see.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kate_Bowden

Reasons to Receive Hair Therapy

Hair therapy helps you to avoid and treat thinning and balding. Whether this is an issue that runs in your family or it is something unique to you, it will help you to promote growth and even look as you did years ago. There are several methods of doing this, but one of those most popular and reliable continues to be transplants. This will put more strands into your scalp and it is a highly effective way of re-growing what has been lost. While there are more noninvasive methods available, this is still the choice that many make on a daily basis. It gives you the opportunity to have the younger, fuller appearance that you want with few worries.

When trying to regrow your hair, you are going to need to choose something reliable. There are many methods on the market because the need is so great. Before you choose the first over-the-counter product that you find, however, you should realize that there are some rather significant differences between them and something like transplants. The biggest thing to remember is that not all products are going to work. This may cause you to spend large amounts of money on things that end up keeping you exactly where you are.

You should also remember safety and health. Some things out there might put you in danger, or they might not be the best options because they are not entirely safe. Something like a graft could actually scar you, which is not something that is just going to go away with time. If you want to be sure that you are not going to be putting your life in danger, you need to trust the type of hair therapy you choose. This gives you the ability to relax while the professional does the transplants.

The amount of time invested also matters. This is more than just how long it takes to do the treatment, of course. With some types of hair therapy, you can cover a large portion of your scalp quickly and the recovery process is not too long. This will give you the chance to have the fuller appearance that you want without wasting a large amount of time. For many people, this will work in a very short amount of time and give you the chance to enjoy what you thought you had lost.

Effectiveness is an obvious concern, and is often what people are most worried about. Luckily, many treatments provide you with a way to get the same full head of hair that you had years ago. You will be able to reverse the effects of thinning, regardless of what caused it, and have the appearance that you missed.

If you're looking for a place to get hair therapy in Pittsburgh PA, consider scheduling a consultation with the trained and experienced professionals at http://www.hairrestorationpittsburgh.com.

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Losing Hair? Read Why Correct Grooming Is Absolutely Vital to Control Hair Loss

Most people never give grooming a second thought. Their Mum brushed and combed their hair for them when they were a kid and they just followed on in the same old way.

But grooming is so very important and is crucial in maintaining healthy hair but it needs to be done correctly, especially with longer hair styles. The trick is knowing what type of brush to use and how to use it.

How Brushing Creates and Maintains Healthy Hair

Correct grooming benefits the condition and appearance. When done right, brushing massages the scalp, encourages increased blood flow, removes all the loose scales that become attached to the scalp and it also acts to distribute the sebum evenly through the hair.

On the other hand, over-brushing, using the wrong type of brush or brushing too harshly can cause abrasion, hair breakage and split ends. It can also make your hair greasy and in the end can play a major role in hair loss.

Forget the '100 Times a Night' Theory.

If you ever heard of the age old theory about having to brush your hair 100 times each night, that simply does not apply any more. That was something people really had to do back in the day when they did not shower and wash their hair as often as we do now. It was the only way they could get all the dirt and grease out of their hair and keep it reasonably healthy in appearance.

Choosing the Right Type of Hair Brush - 'Boar Bristle'

Go for quality when you are choosing your hairbrush. Always use natural bristle brushes made from boar or other natural, non-synthetic or petroleum materials. Using cheaper versions will only irritate and cause damage to your scalp so it's just not worth it. Good combs and brushes are expensive as most of them need to be post-processed by hand. But long-term it is well worth the extra investment.

Using a good brush is almost as effective as using a good conditioner. The purpose of a boar bristle brush is not to detangle hair. In fact, these brushes should never be used on knotty hair. Because of the thickness of the bristles, tangles will only get caught in the brush even more so you should use a comb to remove any knots and tangles before brushing.

Boar bristle brushes are designed to thoroughly clean and condition the hair. The natural bristles attract any dust and dirt and collect excessive amounts of sebum; too much sebum clogs the pores and follicles giving your hair a greasy, unwashed look. A boar bristle brush spreads the sebum from the root down the length of the shaft allowing it to do its job of coating and protecting the hair.

Regular Care and Correct Maintenance is Vital

Don't save the pennies when you go to buy your hair brush. The extra benefits you get from using a top quality brush will determine not only your hair appearance but more importantly the condition of your scalp and hair.

Steve Charles is widely acknowledged as a leading hair specialist and was once described by one qualified doctor as 'the man who puts fear' into hair loss.

Yours Free: Take his Medically endorsed 7 day online Hair Rejuvenation Course right now by visiting his website www.HairLossBeaten.com

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Abdominal Fat - Know the Basics to Burn It Off

Abdominal fat, if you were not aware, is found in two different levels, deep and superficial. The deep abdominal fat is found inside the abdomen on both small intestine and large intestine while superficial abdominal fat is found just below the skin but above the abdominal muscles. You can remove the fat on the intestines only by weight loss exercises and diet.

Getting rid of abdominal fat is not an easy task as it is made out to be, by any means; it takes a strict regimen of hard work and a strong willpower towards your resolution. You may have also heard of terms such as visceral or subcutaneous fat which only refer to abdominal fat at deep and superficial levels.

There are quite a few tummy fat burning exercises you can do to get a flat stomach, and these are particularly of use for both men and women. Immaterial of that, if you are keen to lose belly fat fast, you will need to work it out. The first and the foremost amongst all the exercises are cardio exercises that work really well and help you get a flat stomach as they are extremely effective in burning calories.

Aerobics are also extremely helpful in getting rid of stomach fat fast. They include dancing, jogging, running, walking, swimming, cycling etc. To get a visible result fast, pursue any one of it at least 3 to 4 times a week.

If you are also interested to build muscles around your stomach, exercises like plank will be extremely helpful. Planks just require you to hold your abs while you do them to tighten your muscles around abs.

Without a doubt, you need to keep your focus on your diet too; believe me result will be yours but you must be prepared to work for it because food habits have a big say in determining stomach fat but if you practice with regular exercises, it is fun and faster.

However a word of caution isn't all too out of the place. Fast food is the biggest reason for most stomach related problems and belly fat is just one of them. This is particularly so because fast foods are high on saturated fat content, salt, oil and they are pathetically deficient in dietary fibres, nutrients and natural minerals or vitamins and with uncontrolled fast food habits you will only make abdominal fat burning a tough task.

Get started with your quest to burn off that stomach fat however stubborn it is now. The exercises and food habits that you find in my website are not just quick fix solutions, you will actually see your belly turning flat within 3 weeks. Click here http://www.sixpackcrafter.com/

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Choose the Right Surgical Specialist for Obesity Treatments

Obesity is the major concern all over the globe, which is accelerating at an alarming rate. The excess intake of junk foods has lead to this problem. Obesity also gives rise to innumerable heart problems. There are several procedures for reducing the level of fat from our system. Online sites display several surgical specialists, with each of them claiming to effect weight loss through the most appropriate treatment available. The most popular obesity treatment is the bariatric surgeries.

Bariatric Surgeries are performed to induce weight loss in its patients. Recognized operative facilities use lap band, gastric bypass, and gastric banding surgery in order to affect weight loss in their patients. With most of these operative centers demonstrating state-of -art standards in it, patients from all across the world are opting for undergoing weight loss operation. In the current scenario, people prefer to shed their weight effectively and quickly. However, one has to rely on reputed operative centers for ensuring safety as well as productive results from his surgery. An operative facility which would help you understand the process of treatment thoroughly should ideally be relied upon.

The Lap Band Surgery is considered as the safest and most effective treatment of losing weight. It is medically termed as Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding. It is as popular as the Gastric Bypass Surgery. This treatment produces the feeling of fullness in its patients, thereby restricting their amount of food intake. Its operative mode involves the insertion of a band around the upper stomach. The upper gastric pouch which is fitted around the stomach ranges around 15 to 30 cc in size. This band obstructs more food from entering the stomach, thus rendering a sensation of fullness to its subjects. The prime functionality of the Lap Band is to control the rate at which the pouch gets emptied, rather than controlling its size. The degree to which your treatment can help you attain 'Intrameal Satiety' shall dictate the success of your surgery. If the band can prolong your feeling of fullness for a considerable time, your operation can be said to be an effective one. This procedure requires patients to adhere to certain norms post-surgery. The food intake should be low in sugars and fat. One has to eat his meal slowly so as to avoid overfilling the pouch. Likewise, liquids should be low in calories and should be consumed prior to eating solid foods.

Gastric Sleeve operation eliminates the storage capacity of the stomach. Due to this, the patient does not urge to have large amounts of food. This surgical treatment narrows down the size of the stomach to around 4 to 8 ounces. Ghrelin, an intestinal hormone, plays a pivotal part in lowering the level of bloodstream post-surgery. This turns down the individual's drive to intake more calories. As this type of operation is devoid of any bodily implant, this mode is more popular than others. In order to undergo bariatric surgeries, one has to choose his surgical specialists only after a fully-fledged online research.

Martin Easley is the author of this article on Lap Band Surgery. Find more information, about Houston Surgical Specialists here

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Getting Started With the Paleo Diet

You've been hunting the web to learn more about this "Paleo Diet Thing" and like what you're reading. Most things probably appear sensible, but you begin to ponder whether you can easily get it done. Seeing things, like NO GRAINS, NO SUGAR, NO DAIRY, NO LEGUMES have started to freak you out and paralysis is setting in...

STOP now, So you're able to START somewhere!

OK, now that you've stopped worrying a little, I want to put you at rest. As greatly intentioned all of the articles concerning the NO's and Do Nots along with the monthly challenges and detoxification articles are, they tend to up the pressure on individuals to the point of immediate failure. Then what usually comes with failure: Guilt.
We would like to wipe that right out of the way start! We are on a journey for the POSITIVE, not the negative.

My challenge for you will be to START SOMEWHERE.

The very first thing to remember is that Eating Paleo Meals is Not a one-size-fits-all formula! It is essential to do the things that work for you personally and truly look closely at what your system is telling you. As an illustration, try removing breads, cereals and crackers for a week and discover how you are feeling. Do you experience anything different? More energy, less fatigue? Gut Issues dissipating? What occurs when you reintroduce a bread? Notice any difference?

Let's take whatever you are familiar with a Paleo based eating lifestyle (I personally don't like to call it the Paleo Diet, as most diets fail. Again, let's stay Optimistic) and see where we might be able to begin making some positive changes in our lives.

BASIC GUIDELINES

Preferred Paleo Ingredients (Real Food, not refined)

Fat (Animal Fat, Coconut Oil, Avocado, Olives, Olive Oil)
Protein (Beef, Chicken, Lamb, Fish, Venison, Pork)
Carbohydrates (Vegetables and Fruit)
Ingredients to avoid

Grains (wheat, rice, oats, etc..)
Sugar (refined, processed)
Legumes (beans, except Green Beans)
Dairy (Milk, cheese)
Fake Food (ready-made: breakfast cereals, breads, crackers, pre-made meals, etc..)
Considering this pair of simplified lists lay the building blocks so that you can START somewhere.

Think about your day-to-day eating routines now. Are some of the preferred ingredients in the menu? How about some of the bad ingredients are you currently consuming? My guess is that you simply likely have a mix.

Let's "mix" it up a bit. So I presented my challenge to you earlier: START SOMEWHERE.

I find the best way to start somewhere is see it similar to this: One Meal at a time. Baby Steps if you will... (If you're a Dave Ramsey fan you understand about the Baby Steps in Total Money Makeover.)

Start with Breakfast.

As opposed to Cereal, Bagels, Muffins or Toast, try replacing with some Eggs, Bacon plus some veggies.
(If you're really bent toward cereal, stay tuned in as in a few days I'm going to share two Paleo Cereal recipes.)
Here are a few ideas with steps:

Bacon, Eggs and Spinach

Start up your skillet
Include some bacon (minimally processed is most beneficial, however, if you don't already have it, It's OK! Just grab some bacon.)
Cook it to your liking, while you scramble Two To Three eggs
Utilizing the same skillet, within the melted bacon fat, include your scrambled eggs
Throw a handful of fresh spinach within your eggs
Once the eggs are done cooking, place them on your plate with the bacon
Enjoy! You could thank me later
Hard Boiled Egg and an Apple

Hard boil some eggs the night before
Peel a few eggs, pair with a Golden Delicious Apple

Enjoy!

If you would like to learn more about eating Paleo Meals, please visit Eat Paleo Meals. at http://eatpaleomeals.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Steele_Sanders

Find Out If You Might Qualify for Gastric Bypass Surgery

Undergoing a procedure to lose a lot of weight may sound like a wise idea to many people, but not everyone is a good candidate. If you are thinking about your surgical options, getting a gastric bypass may come to mind. If you are wondering if you would qualify for this treatment, you should find out who this procedure tends to benefit most before you decide to look into it further.

The first thing you need to know about this treatment is that it is often a last resort. If you have not tried losing weight on your own, your doctor probably will not suggest this surgery. You should first talk to him or her to find out how you can get help with healthy eating and exercising regularly. Many people are able to come down to a healthy weight this way, and it is considered less risky than surgery of any kind. In fact, you can expect your doctor to compare the risks of the operation to the benefits for you before agreeing that you are a good candidate. This means that unless you have tried to diet and exercise properly for years without seeing results, you will likely be encouraged to avoid surgical intervention for now.

Another requirement you must meet to get a gastric bypass is to have a body mass index, or BMI, of 40 or higher. This means you are severely obese, so you cannot be simply overweight or chubby to get this treatment. Since extreme obesity is considered a serious health problem that could be deadly, surgery may be right for you because it may be dangerous to wait any longer to lose the weight. Having an operation can allow you to drastically reduce what you weigh within months or just one year, compared to taking a few years or more when you exercise and eat right.

If your BMI is not quite 40, you may still qualify for a gastric bypass if you are obese and have related health problems. Having a BMI of 35 and over means you are obese, and this often leads to serious health conditions. Examples include diabetes and high blood pressure, to name a few. Losing the weight can reduce the risks associated with these issues and alleviate your symptoms altogether, which is why your doctor may want you to get this operation. Even if your BMI is between 30 and 35, you may be approved for the procedure if you have serious conditions related to being overweight.

Talking to your regular physician is the first step to finding out the necessary information on this surgery. If he or she thinks it is a good idea for you, you should get a referral to a surgeon who can take a look at your medical history. Once it is clear you qualify, your surgeon should tell you everything you need to know about preparing for the operation.

Are you interested in a procedure such as a gastric bypass houston has many reputable professionals to choose from. Visit http://www.obesitysurgeryhouston.com to find out more.

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Physical Therapy for Overweight People

For adults, obesity ranges are determined by using weight and height to calculate a number called the "body mass index" (BMI). BMI is used because, for most people, it correlates with their amount of body fat.

For children and teens, BMI ranges above a normal weight have different labels. Additionally, BMI ranges for children and teens are defined so that they take into account normal differences in body fat between boys and girls and differences in body fat at various ages.

Fatty kids is now epidemic in the United States. The number of children who are overweight has doubled in the last two to three decades, currently one child in five is overweight. The increase is in both children and adolescents, and in all age, race and gender groups.

Weight management means keeping your body weight at a healthy level.

Regular exercise and a healthy diet are crucial when it comes to controlling your weight.

Healthy Internal Cleansing Flushes Out Harmful Toxins, Works To Boost Metabolism, Increases Energy Levels, Optimizes Nutrient Utilization and Helps Improve Weight-Management Efficiency. For successful long-term weight-management, it is important to maintain proper daily dietary fiber intake.

Wear and tear, the body and its cells are damaged by overuse and abuse. As time goes on, waste products of the cellular activity are not adequately removed by the detoxification system. They clog up normal channels of communication, receptors on the cell walls, enzymes, and other important structures.

This leads to decreased function of our maintenance and repair mechanisms, which means that our structures are no longer repaired and replaced adequately. Natural supplements and detoxification will increase useful life of the cells and tissues of the body.

Free radicals are unstable molecules that are produced as a result of cellular metabolism and energy production. They are highly toxic to cellular components and DNA, inflicting damage that eventually overwhelms the ability of the cell to repair itself.

Cholesterol is a soft, waxy substance found among the lipids (fats) in the bloodstream and in all your body's cells. It's an important part of a healthy body because it's used to form cell membranes, some hormones and is needed for other functions.

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Yoga for Relaxation

Discover the true meaning of yoga...

In taking any modern yoga class, you will find parallels to ballet. Like ballet, the promise of poise, grace and flexibility encourages much interest. Yet if yoga is like any other exercise, it is only at first glance. Underneath the coveted health and fitness benefits of modern yoga practice are the roots of a great spiritual tradition blending cultures and religions.

Unfortunately, through the westernization of yoga, we have lost an essential component of this peaceful practice. Though the ritual remains intact the meaning has gone astray. Where previously the postures of yoga practice were merely a branch of a tree; today they are viewed by western society as the tree itself. How do we bring meaning to our poses?

Modern Yoga's Roots and Benefits

Though the development of yoga cannot be pinned to an exact year, the discovery of the Indus seals, which show figures in the classic yoga asana (posture) of lotus pose, trace yoga back to at least 3000 BCE. At this time the Vedas were being written, which today's yoga postures are derived from. These gave birth to Vedic yoga, which accommodated the ancient Indians fixation on ritual and sacrifice. We see evidence of the importance of sacrifice in the yogic corpse posture. Lying as though we were placed in a coffin, this represents the ultimate sacrifice-that of death. Though seemingly morbid, corpse posture is one of hope when we understand that according to the Vedanta sutras, death results in liberation

Sacrifice was meant to join the material and the physical, and create the longed-for "union" that defines the word Yoga. The Vedanta sutras (vs.4:4,13-14) declare that the liberated soul is not materially motivated.. By asking us to free ourselves from the bondage of material motivation, compassion requires us to be selfless. Surely, this giving is an exercise in compassion. Even still, the modern practice of yoga facilitates this. Through postures and stillness, we alter our consciousness and therefore change our perspective. In our new realization of others as being part of the cosmic whole, we feel that in giving to them we are also giving to ourselves.

The ancient philosophy of yoga saw its postures as part of a greater whole. Thousands of years ago during the time of Astanga yoga, posture practice was one piece of a more important whole. Astanga yoga, which originated during Vedic India, was derived of eight branches; yama (control and discipline), niyama (rules, methods and principle), asana (posture), pranayama (focused breathing), prathyahara(avoidance of undesirable action),dharana (concentration), dhyana (meditation) and samadhi (contemplation). In contrast, most contemporary yoga focuses on postures and uses breath work as a small component or an afterthought. Though admittedly, the current vision of yoga over-emphasizes asana, it is extremely important and has enormous benefits. The medically studied benefits of yoga include the following: Stress reduction, improved muscle strength and tone, increased energy and flexibility, improved balance and coordination and a reduction in depression.
.
Moving with Compassion

Through most of asana practice, we are unconsciously engaging in physical metaphor. Many yoga postures are named after and imitate the living world; tree pose, eagle pose, frog pose, cat pose. By developing postures that imitate the stance of animals, the vedic seers may have been seeking not only to embrace the qualities of these animals, but to formulate compassion for them.
The way that compassion serves as a partner to yoga's goal of liberation can be understood through reading the ancient yogic texts. Understand these vedas; whether they be the Rig Veda (knowledge of praise),Yajur-Veda (knowledge of sacrifice), Sama Veda (knowledge of chants), and Atharva-Veda(knowledge of atharvan), is likelier while deep in meditation. Understanding the vedic sutras, we are permitted to experience a bliss unknown through material grasping.

In this state everyday experiences fade away and a greater perspective unfolds. Over time, meditation also allows us to become more intuitive and receptive. This opens us up to others, enhancing our compassionate nature. This experience has been discussed by Eastern sacred-text expert "H.P. Blavatsky's in "The Voice of the Silence." Blavatsky writes: "Compassion is no attribute. IT is the LAW of LAWS--eternal Harmony, Alaya's SELF; a shoreless universal essence, the light of everlasting Right, and fitness of all things, the law of love eternal."

In order to experience compassion for others we must first extend it to ourselves. Straining too forcefully in a pose is counter to compassion. Why? Yoga teaches us that we are all connected, so when we hurt ourselves this pain eventually reaches others. Instead we must strive for gentle self-acceptance, competing with nobody-not even ourselves. This is essential to a rewarding experience of yoga.

Postures for Peace

By the time of Patanjali's yoga sutras, which were written near the beginning of the common era, we begin to see a discussion of the more practical aspects of yoga. Posture is discussed (be it mainly for meditative purposes), as is concentration of the mind during this exercise. In the Yoga-Sutra, Patanjali presents relaxation as the very essence of yoga practice. He teaches us that posture should be steady and comfortable .This sentiment is reflected in the postures (asanas) of today's practice. The physical dimension of yogic exercise requires us to have compassion for our limits. We are never asked to push, instead only to release. Mercifully, our small efforts are graced with us connecting to a life-force that is divine and encompassing.

Asanas urge us to see our body as divine, and to nurture health in this mortal temple. Yogic adepts understand that their body is flawed, however slender and toned it may look externally. This acknowledgement leads to less judgement of other's bodies. However pleasing to the eye a yogis shape may be, the same vedic texts that encourage the practice of yoga for health, also remind us that true "liberation" comes from being free of the cycle of rebirth-free of the physical form.

Yogic postures work in contrast to the western notion of exercise. Here we see exercise as an end, such as an end to overweight and fatigue. Yoga is different. While in most forms of exercise the physical results are the sole goal, in yoga the soul is the goal. The ancient tradition of yoga exercise stands apart in its doctrines. The ancient yoga texts insist that the mind and spirit are more important than the physical body. While many other eastern forms of mind-body fitness also encourage this awareness, no other physical practice has the ultimate goal of union with the divine. In yoga, the process of attaining this union is as important as the actual attainment.

Yoga practice is not a means to an end. It is an end in of itself. Even distinguished from vedas and sutras, the modern practice of yoga posture is a beautiful and calming pursuit. Though modern yoga practice makes little mention of the scriptures that it is based on, the experience of union and compassion can be woven into each pose. In doing this we are enhancing more than our practice, we are improving our life.

Galina Pembroke is an internationally published writer. In addition she publishes and edits New View magazine online, [http://www.nuvunow.ca]. New View is dedicated to providing unique, non-mainstream articles for personal and planetary growth. To aid this we have rapidly expanding sections on Green Living, Animal Rights and Self-Help.

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