Yoga for Brain Injury

For people recovering from traumatic brain injury (TBI), concussion or head trauma, yoga offers gentle exercise with therapeutic benefits. Many survivors find themselves unable to pursue former ways of staying in shape. Balance difficulties, loss of motor control, vertigo, and neck injuries limit physical activity, further restricting an already curtailed lifestyle. Fortunately, a yoga practice can adapt itself to any illness or injury, lending itself particularly well to TBI recovery.

Where to start? With yoga's recent popularity in the West, students can now choose anything from hot yoga to Kundalini to Ashtanga. People with neck or back injuries in addition to head trauma probably want to begin with a teacher trained in Iyengar yoga, which uses props to support proper alignment without strain. Kripalu trained teachers also tend to offer calmer, restorative classes. Any yoga class that emphasizes flow (not too fast, though) will help retrain sequential processing-an advantage for people who suffered damage to their left-brain or rational side. A vinyasa sequence links breath and movement, emphasizing step-by-step progression in a set order. Learning and remembering such movements through repetition becomes a form of cognitive therapy.

Before beginning a yoga practice, survivors should talk with their treatment providers, as well as their intended yoga instructor. Most teachers ask about injuries in the beginning of class, but few people understand the intricacies of TBI on their own. Explain any unusual sensitivities or restrictions you experience and ask the instructor for recommendations within his or her own class, or for suggestions on where to find more compatible classes. Yoga is supposed to support and nurture growth, not exhaust the body and nervous system.

For this reason, survivors might initially want to stay away from Kundalini Yoga or Bikram Yoga, both of which offer intense workouts. Kundalini Yoga aims to awaken dormant energy potential, which sounds like a good thing for TBI survivors. Indeed, it can help tremendously--once neurons have stopped misfiring and "short-circuiting." Most survivors inaccurately gage their stamina, though, easily over-stimulating themselves. Kundalini Yoga works powerfully on subtle levels, making energy levels more difficult to monitor. Sometimes the rapidly awakened kundalini proves too much for a sensitive TBI survivor. Bikram Yoga takes place in a very hot room, moving rapidly through poses that encourage the sweating of toxins. As with Kundalini, adherents of Bikram rave about its benefits. For a hypersensitive survivor, though, the excessive heat, body odor, and physicality of Bikram make it a less safe option. In the beginning, look instead for class titles like: "Restorative," "Beginner," "Iyengar," "Kripalu" and "Gentle."

Yoga Journal offers many DVD's, in case survivors prefer to learn in the comfort of their homes. Start with short sessions to build up mental and physical stamina. Twenty minute DVD's allow survivors a sense of accomplishment, without the potential fatigue caused by hour or hour and a half long in-person classes. Downward Dog Productions with Sarah Bates also offers accessible yoga DVD workouts designed especially for people with disabilities. At-home yoga workouts take most of the expense out of learning yoga, too, since survivors can invest in one or two DVD's to practice every day, rather than paying for class each time. On the other hand, a good yoga teacher can personalize routines to support survivors' own unique health challenges.

Besides sculpting lean, strong muscles and naturally realigning the spine, yoga offers TBI survivors a chance to reconnect with their bodies in a positive way. Robin Cohn, a TBI survivor and Vice President of the New York State Brain Injury Association, recognized the transformative effects of yoga in her own recovery: "I began with a beginner's gentle yoga class, where I slowly started to get atrophied muscles moving once again. The more I went, the better I began to feel." Inspired, she began co-teaching yoga classes designed especially for other survivors. "These students are so thrilled to have the opportunity to be practicing yoga and reaping the wonderful benefits of asana and pranayam (breathing). ... The happiness, tranquility and peace that yoga brings to them is so rewarding! Their smiles just say so much about how happy they are to be practicing."

Yoga brings awareness from 5000+ years of connecting human body, mind and spirit. It began as a means of calming the endocrine system and relaxing the body so that practitioners could sit longer in meditation. These calming, strengthening and relaxing effects make it an ideal practice for TBI survivors whose systems run on constant overload. Slowing down and bringing oneself to center can help anyone deal with stress. For TBI survivors, though, yoga offers a glimpse of not just "normal" functioning; yoga also brings the chance for optimal health and well-being. Many practitioners experience peace and self-acceptance for the first time in their lives, including pre-injury. Yoga becomes part of a greater awakening (facilitated by TBI)-helping survivors to find and appreciate the hidden blessings of their journey.

Laura Bruno is a Life Coach, Medical Intuitive and Reiki Master Teacher from Sedona, Arizona. In addition to private coaching and intuitive sessions, she teaches Conscious Eating 101 classes, Intuition workshops and Reiki Certification classes around the country and in beautiful Sedona. internationalrenaissancecoaching.com internationalrenaissancecoaching.com

Laura also authored the long-awaited book If I Only Had a Brain Injury: A TBI Survivor and Life Coach's Guide to Chronic Fatigue, Concussion, Lyme Disease, Migraine or Other "Medical Mystery," now available at ifionlyhadabraininjury.com ifionlyhadabraininjury.com

How is Yoga Helpful in Our Daily Life?

Many people who practice yoga just take it as a means of improving physical body. Yoga is more a state of mind or lifestyle than a practice. The benefits of yoga extend far beyond the physical body. You can enjoy these benefits as long as you keep a regular practice.

The benefits of yoga are initiated because you're focusing on inner peace. Self-realization, relaxation, focus, and harmony are the cornerstones of yoga. One of the wonderful things about yoga is that despite the benefits it produces, there is no cost. There is no specific training equipment, or environment required to practice yoga.

The beauty of yoga is that the yoga benefits you can feel are apparent even after the first session. And it doesn't matter what level of flexibility you have, or if you are able to fully get into the postures you are trying to do.

Yoga benefits are curative as well as preventive. Regular yoga exercise makes your body strong both from inside and outside. As the body is in total harmony, incidence of getting any disease is reduced.

Morning and evening practices can result in great benefit to the body and mind. Performing the exercises in the morning can contribute to a balanced mind and body throughout the day and improves vitality. An even session helps induce restful and peaceful sleep.

You should try to remember that the most important thing is the attitude and desire to discover incredible sensations and experience this ancient philosophy can provide.

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How to Reduce Stomach Exercise Mistakes and Get Flat Abs Faster

In your pursuit of getting flat abs, there may be various things standing in your way of getting that washboard flat appearance. One of these may be a lack of motivation or a lack of knowledge. And then there are mistakes that are hindering your progress without you even being aware of making these mistakes. The end result of these mistakes may ultimately be not reaching your goals, wasting your time and even the risk of serious injuries. Identifying these mistakes early on in your workout routine is thus very important if you want to see results and avoid hurting yourself.

The top 5 stomach exercise mistakes are:

Overtraining

When training your abs, you should never train the same muscles for consecutive days in a row. This means not training your abs directly every day of the week. The best is to alternate a day of abs crunches or weight training with a day where you do only cardio exercises for fat burn. Overtraining can result in injuries that will stand in your way of achieving that flat stomach. Another important thing to keep in mind is to stick to stomach exercises that are on your level. If you are just starting with an exercise routine, stick with beginner exercises at first.

Poor Form

Using the wrong or poor form while exercising can result in injuries and can hinder your progress. When performing abdominal exercises it is important that you never do any of these exercises with straight legs, don't ever jerk your head or arms up in a movement and always to do the exercises in a slow controlled manner, concentrating on the muscles that you are training.

Targeting abs the wrong way

Lots of people target the abdominal muscles as if it is one muscle. The abs is actually made up of four different muscles. You get the rectus abdominis (the six pack); the internal and external obliques (on your sides) and your transverse abdominis (support your obliques). So when you are choosing exercises to do, choose one for every muscle group instead of only doing crunches.

Only focusing on abs crunches

Although abs crunches will make your abdominal muscles stronger, you will never see the effect of your hard work if your abs are hidden by fat. It is thus very important to include cardio to burn of calories and to do some weight training. With weight training you keep on burning calories for up to eight hours after you've stopped training. You will also waste your efforts if you consume more calories than you burn. So it is also very important to watch your diet.

Doing the wrong combination of exercises

Getting the combination of exercises right is very important if you want to get flat abs. Doing only cardio won't help, as you'll start to lose muscle. And doing only weight training can result in injuries. The best is to combine weight training with cardio and throw in a yoga class every now and then. Yoga is a great way to reduce stress. As stress can cause excess stomach fat is worthwhile to include exercises that strengthens your nervous system, like yoga.

So if you avoid these typical mistakes and use the advice given, you will have fewer injuries and you will progress faster. You might also want to join a gym to maximize your results. If you live in Canada or India, check out loselovehandleshowto.com/fitness-one Fitness One. If you are thinking of going on a diet, be sure to first read my article on loselovehandleshowto.com/fast-weight-loss-diets Fast Weight Loss Diets, to ensure that you know about the dangers and precautions you need to take when going on a diet.

The Health Benefits Of Yoga

What are the health benefits of Yoga? Well, to answer shortly; they are very great and work in countless of ways - but that would have been a too short an article.

Stress is the number one cause troubling every section of our emotional, endocrinal and physical system. But with the assistance of yoga these things may be corrected.

At the physical level, Yoga and its cleansing practices has been demonstrated as extremely substantial for various health problems.

Discussed here below are just a selection of the benefits of Yoga that you can get.

Healthy Joints and Body

Yoga is known to increase flexibility; yoga has positions that work on the specific joints of the body. Counting in those joints that are not stimulated with ordinary exercise systems.

Yoga similarly promotes the lubrication of joints, ligament and tendons. The carefully studied yoga positions develop the various ligaments and tendons in the body.

It has likewise proven to be true that the body which may have started doing yoga as a rigid one can produce a quite astonishing flexibility all things considered - even in locations of the body which have not been intentionally put effort into.

Yoga grants a definitive detoxification of the body. It gently stretches the muscles and joints while massaging the various organs at the same time. It also ensures optimal blood flow to various parts of the body.

This helps in the flushing out of toxins from every little crevice of your body as well as offering nourishment up to the last point. This leads to benefits such as slowed down ageing, higher levels of energy and a formidable appetite for life.

Yoga moreover massages all organs of the body. Yoga is possibly the only exercise that can have effect on your internal organs in a thorough demeanour, along with those that hardly get externally stimulated over an entire lifetime.

The health benefits of yoga act in various ways on the different parts of the body. The revitalization and manipulation of the organs for example, in turn helps us by repelling sickness and providing a forewarning at the first conceivable instance of a most likely outbreak of disease or health problem.

An example of the complex benefits of Yoga is the uncanny sense of mindfulness of an imminent infection or ailment, that it develops in the practitioner. This consequently makes possible for the person to take pre-emptive curative measures.

The most under trained muscle - your mind

Yoga is in addition a fantastic way to tone your muscles. Muscles that have been powerless and ill-defined are stimulated over and over to drop excessive fats and flaccidity.

But these awesome physical benefits are just a "side effect" of this effective habit. The stuff yoga does is harmonize the mind with the body and this is what produces the real quantum benefits.

It is nowadays an open secret that the will of the mind has enabled people in general to accomplish bizarre physical feats, which beyond doubt demonstrates the mind and body connection.

In fact, Yoga = meditation, seeing as how both of them work in tandem in reaching the common aim of unity of mind, body and spirit which can lead to an feeling of boundless joy that you can only feel through Yoga.

Although this may sound quite abstract in a very "hippie-flower-power" kind of way, it is very beneficial in order to maintain emotional balance - something that is getting harder and harder with the pace of our modern society.

As it is quite clear, also from the aspect of western medicine, that the physical and mental health go hand in hand a calm and harmonious mind can definitely be said to be one of the greatest health benefits of Yoga.

To learn more about yoga-central.net/Yoga_Benefits.html the many benefits of Yoga visit Michael Hawkins website, where you can yoga-central.net/guide download a Yoga book that clearly outlines all major benefits that this practice has to offer.

How to Become a Yoga Teacher - Self-Study

Where does one begin the journey of Yoga teacher training? Does Yoga instructor training start in a course, an intensive, or through years of practice with a Swami? The calling to teach any subject; stems from learning enough about the subject, to be able to guide others who wish to know more.

The first requirement of advanced training, in Yoga, is to be willing to know one's true self. This internal study makes Yoga unique, in comparison to some subjects, which require us to study how a particular subject is related to external matters. Yogic self-study requires hours of research, practice, and modification.

To see one's true self may be difficult because the ego is a great deceiver. The ego's primary objective is more often related to self-protection than deceit. The Yogic practice of withdrawing the senses, and focusing on the inner self (Pratyahara), is a method for finding the truth. At the same time, Pratyahara helps the Yoga practitioner expel emotional damage.

There are many good, quality books for the study of Yoga; but the "Yoga Sutras," by Maharishi Patanjali, and the "Hatha Yoga Pradipika," by Swami Swatmarama, are excellent foundational references. There are many interpretations from Sanskrit to English, so it may take some cross-referencing to reach a state of clarity in reading the above-mentioned classics, however, the time is well worth it.

There are many forms of Yoga; some are not well known outside of India. Although Hatha Yoga has reached worldwide fame, it is necessary for teachers to understand the differences and similarities in the main Indian Yoga systems. After investing time in study and practice, we realize that Yoga is a complete holistic system, which allows us to understand ourselves on the mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual planes of existence.

When direct sensory perception (Pratyaksha) becomes a difficult method for finding the truth, meditation, mantra, and objective listening, may also be useful tools. Objectively listening, or reading the opinions of others, requires patience, as there are many different points of view. When we absorb opposing opinions, and rationally consider them, we may likely come to a third point of view, which is some form of a mutual agreement.

Mutual agreements and compromises are not for the selfish. Arbitration and resolution are the result of higher forms of thinking. Reconciliation is very difficult, if we cannot put the ego aside, see ourselves, and think logically.

? Copyright 2010 - Paul Jerard / Aura Wellness Center - Publications Division

Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500, has written many books on the subject of Yoga. He is a co-owner and the Director of yoga-teacher-training.org Yoga Teacher Training at: Aura Wellness Center, in Attleboro, MA. He has been a certified Master Yoga Teacher since 1995. To receive Free Yoga videos, Podcasts, e-Books, reports, and articles about Yoga, please visit: yoga-teacher-training.org yoga-teacher-training.org/

Letters to a Yogi - Prana (Energy)

The following statements are excerpts from my talks with Yoga students, who have questions about Prana, Energy, Creation, and Life.

When, and how, does Prana (energy) enter into our body?

The energy fields, which are within each of us, have existed since the beginning of time. Energy (Prana) exists throughout the universe. If the "Big Bang Theory" is correct, Prana was once very condensed, but then exploded to be scattered throughout the universe as we know it.

Yet, the energy around you was not in the particular form of your being before.

Many people believe the energy within each of us starts at conception, but a man and a woman each contribute one half of the energy, which creates a new and unique child. As the child grows, the energy field grows, pulling in Prana from the outside universe.

This is the way it is for all living beings, whether they are animals or plants. Life is a random formula of coincidences for which God has the only true answers.

How does our energy field know that we are old, and when it is the time for energy to leave our body?

Most likely, the energy field does not have a consciousness, as we know it, but it may operate more on an instinctive level. Even a rock is an energy field, because it is full of neutrons, electrons, and protons. Yet, it is doubtful that we will find a "thinking rock."

If we live a full life, our energy field will gradually fade from our body, as we become weak and frail. The human body was not made to exist forever, so the energy field within, will then take shape as something else.

If we suddenly die, due to trauma, such as - an auto accident, plane crash, or something very abrupt - the energy is propelled out of our bodies, but, again, it will take shape as something else.

The Yogic body is actually three bodies. The physical body, which we know as "sthula sharira," is easy for us to comprehend. We can smell, taste, see, feel, and touch, with the physical body. However, this is not the only reality.

The causal body, which we know as, "karana sharira," is the soul. The soul is not the energy body. Only God knows where our particular souls will go after this life.

The third body is the one we have been discussing today. This is the energy body, which we know as "sukshma sharira." We often refer to this as the Pranic, subtle, vital body.

One last point to mention: Do not waste time by worrying about energy escaping from your body. It is guaranteed that you gained some energy today, but you also lost some, in the process of daily life.

Practice Pranayama and cultivate Prana, into your body, for your physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health. This will enable you to enjoy each moment of your life.

© Copyright 2007 - Paul Jerard / Aura Publications

Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500, has written many books on the subject of Yoga. He is a co-owner and the Director of Yoga Teacher Training at: Aura Wellness Center, in Attleboro, MA. riyoga.com riyoga.com He has been a certified Master Yoga Teacher since 1995. To receive a Free Yoga e-Book: "Yoga in Practice," and a Free Yoga Newsletter, please visit: yoga-teacher-training.org/index.html yoga-teacher-training.org/index.html

Power Yoga - What is It?

Power Yoga is a modern day cross between vigorous exercise and the traditional Ashtanga or Vinyasa. According to Wikipedia, Ashtanga Vinyasa series includes various exercises used by Indian wrestlers and British gymnasts. Krishnamacharya, considered by many to have major influence on the modern day Yoga instructors, setup a tradition of adapting to the needs and requirements of the pupil. Following the tradition Power Yoga was established in the 1990's by two American teachers; Beryl Bender Birch and Bryan Kest; although not in the same place. Both had been students of Master Sri K. Pattabhi Jois. Upon returning to USA, they felt the need to create a new form of yoga that would incorporate both conventional and contemporary aspects. This name for yoga was chosen to remove the misleading notion that yoga only consists of meditation. It is actually a complete health and fitness program, which produces a well toned body and mind.

Power Yoga is interchangeably used in place of Ashtanga. In the current environment the importance is more on the physical aspect than the spiritual. It received its fame because Americans started to consider yoga as a way to work out and not just to meditate. Today a number of gyms offer power yoga classes for their members. The steadily changing poses in this fitness program require a lot of strength and flexibility, but the fast rhythm causes a lot of sweating and calorie burning as well.

There is no specific series of exercises that are followed in Power yoga. It entirely depends on the instructor and what he or she prefers. At times people keep switching their teachers for power yoga until they find one who's training suits them best. A number of trainers use a combination of cardio vascular exercises along with breathing techniques to achieve the highest levels of flexibility and stamina, muscle strengthening and removal of toxins. It also balances the opposite muscle groups in the body, so a large number of athletes incorporate it into their workout regimen.

When people start power yoga with preconceived notions of only getting a sweaty workout from it, they are surprised as they start feeling other changes within themselves. Like all other kinds of yoga, this also has the ability to purify the mind and soul when practiced on a regular basis. Very strong internal changes start appearing and people learn to relax and unwind with it too. Power Yoga is usually liked by people who are in shape and want their workout sessions to go to the next level. The fitness and spiritual aspects of this yoga are providing a magnetic pull for many celebrities. The famous singer, Madonna, has been practicing it for many years. Others include Christy Turlington, William Dafoe, Karim Abdul Jabbar and many more.

It has come a long way from its beginning in Ashtanga. It has transformed over the years and is a westernized version of its Indian cousin. The awesome workout provided by Power Yoga is making it greatly popular among the masses.

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"Powerful Yoga for Real People"

How Can Certain Yoga Positions Help You Burn Cellulite?

My friend Susan has been struggling with losing weight for quite some time. She works out several days a week and participates in a couple of exercise classes. Her issue is more than trying to lose weight, as she also struggles with a dietary disorder called colitis. The medication she takes affects her ability to lose weight the way others can, and this frustrates her.

After hearing her frustration, I decided it was time to invite her to attend yoga class. We had recently learned some yoga positions that focused on reducing cellulite in the body. I have found that this is more apt to happen during Bikram yoga class because of the higher temperatures, which is why Susan was willing to try it.

How will certain yoga positions help you lose weight?

- Yoga is an exercise that burns fat and calories.

- You'll lose more calories when exercise is done in heat.

- Higher temperatures increase a person's heart rate so cardiovascular training is improved.

- Toning occurs during class.

- Certain poses focused on the buttocks, thighs, and hips provide a good lower body workout.

- You increase circulation in the areas that cellulite tends to linger.

Whenever you're trying to lose weight, it's important to watch what you eat and make sure you exercise. When this is done, cellulite will be reduced because fat loss happens and you increase muscle mass. Different yoga positions help both problems, as it burns both calories and fat, especially when it is done during heat.

Bikram yoga will help a person lose weight because the room is kept at 104 degrees Fahrenheit during the workout. This will increase a person's heart rate so cardiovascular training is greatly improved. This will strengthen muscle tissues because of the reorganization of lipids. This means significant toning will happen, and in the process, people's clothes will fit better.

When you do different poses in the heat, it will cause the appetite to be normalized, it will increase circulation and strength, and it will reorganize proteins and fats. Some of the yoga poses focus on the muscles found in the buttocks, thighs, and hips, which is where cellulite tends to linger. With the increase in circulation, it will help weight loss to occur. It's suggested to hold the yoga positions for between thirty and sixty seconds, except for the floor bow which should be held for twenty and thirty seconds.

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Osteoporosis; the Preventable Disease - Reduce your risk Today!

Osteoporosis is a condition which affects up to 50% of women by older age, and 1 in 8 men. This condition is responsible for major bone trauma, loss of independence, and fatalities amongst the elderly. Osteoporosis can devastate lives, and yet is one of the most preventable diseases. So what preventative measure can we employ to reduce our chance of developing this condition?

The single most important factor in preventing osteoporosis is to achieve peak bone density as a child and young adult. Bones continue to grow into young adulthood, and then they stop growing and start a cycle of renewal called remodeling. In order to achieve peak bone density (optimum bone health) an individual must have a healthy diet rich in vitamins and minerals, and be physically active. Bones thicken and strengthen as a response to stress such as running, jumping, carrying weight, and generally bumping around; as children should. Unfortunately, children are becoming less active, and also eating diets which are insufficiently fresh and healthy. Lack of exercise and poor diet will result in a generation of children who never achieved peak bone density, and who are at risk of developing osteoporosis at younger ages, and in greater numbers. Step one to lower your kids risk of getting this disease is to encourage them out of the house and to spend as much time as possible running, skipping, jumping, and taking part in organized sports.

Diet is also extremely important in avoiding this disease. We all know that we need to eat calcium to have strong teeth and bones (eat lots of green leafy vegetables), but we also need vitamin D to be able to use this calcium. Exposure to sunlight will allow the body to produce vitamin D, even in the winter months. This summer saw a warning to parents not to be too fastidious in keeping children out of the sun, amid concerns that they may not make enough vitamin D. There is also a link between the over-consumption of protein and osteoporosis, as eating large amounts of protein encourages the body to use its calcium supplies from the bones. Last week research was published which links an intake of cola drinks to low bone mineral density in women. Those who had a cola drink each day had a 4% lower than average bone mineral density; a considerable loss to the skeleton. Although tests were not conducted on children the scientists involved suggested that regularly drinking cola drinks could prevent young women from achieving that all-important bone density, leaving them vulnerable in later life.

Other behaviors which will put you at greater risk are smoking and drinking alcohol. There are hundreds of reasons why smoking is bad for you, and this is another big one to add to the list. Consumption of alcohol is on the increase among women, especially among young women, and is linked to increased risk of many cancers such as breast cancer, and also dementia and osteoporosis. Both men and women should try and limit alcohol consumption, and if you avoid alcohol altogether, you have a good head start in health.

Adult bones also respond to the stresses placed upon them, and so all adults will benefit from increasing the amount of weight bearing exercise in their lives (walking, gardening, jogging, dancing, racket sports etc) even a mile of walking a day will contribute to better bone density. All forms of exercise help guard against osteoporosis; varied exercise should encourage greater muscular strength around the joints, better coordination, balance, and don't forget that flexibility also plays its part; make a chest stretch part of your daily routine. This will help prevent rounding of the spine which may cause tiny spinal fractures in later life, leaving the sufferer stooped. Developing a good sense of body awareness and balance will guard against falls, so get down to your Yoga class or practice balancing exercises at home, such as single leg squats, arabesques and simply balancing on one leg whilst moving the arms around; get a nice pink feather duster and do the dusting on one leg! Developing good spine and hip stabilizer muscles will protect the two main sites of fracture; all exercise will help with this, but in particular Pilates. Practice good posture to contribute to spinal health, and try as many different varieties of exercise throughout the week to keep all of the muscles and joints in good working order.

Because osteoporosis is linked strongly to the menopause, hormone-replacement therapy is also an option available to women at risk, although as this treatment carries other risks such as a greater chance of developing uterine cancer, individuals need to make a careful decision along with their GP as to what is best for them. When a diagnosis has been made, there are positive ways to control and live with this condition. Drugs are available, and these treatments can be reinforced with healthy diet, and a specialized exercise programme. The exercises which will benefit all people at risk, and also those post-diagnosis will include range of movement exercises to keep joints working efficiently, balance and coordination work to lessen the risk of falling, flexibility exercises, especially to stretch out those chest muscles, and postural work to take the strain out of the spine and hip. Aerobic work such as walking is also important, as is some weight training to target problem areas. These exercised should be part of a programme designed for the individual with osteoporosis. Your GP may be able to refer you to a specially-qualified personal trainer, physiotherapist, or local class which is suitable.

Osteoporosis is a truly awful disease with one in four fractures proving fatal, and yet is hugely preventable. The younger generation needs our help to ensure that they do not develop this condition, and there is plenty that people of all ages can do to improve their chances. It all boils down to doing the things which you already know are right; eating well, increasing exercise, and importantly the variety of exercise that you do, giving up smoking, drinking moderately, chucking out the fizzy drinks and junk food, and getting the kids involved in activity.

Vikki Scovell BA(hons) PG DIP is a fully qualified Personal Trainer and Fitness Coach. She is a qualified Nutrition Adviser and runs successful Community Exercise classes. Vikki is a consultant in Healthy Eating and Exercise initiatives to schools in the independent sector and publishes School and General Healthy Living newsletters. Vikki lives in Bristol in the U.K. with her partner Jeremy and two young children. if you have an enquiry for Vikki please contact her via getfitter.net getfitter.net

How to "Yoga Meditate"

There is no doubt that yoga provides many health benefits to it's practitioners including strengthening of the core muscles, increased flexibility, and achieving better focus. An important part of yoga that many beginners don't quite understand is the area of yoga meditation. As your practice matures you will find that there are many yoga meditation techniques to master. But as a beginner it is best to master the basics.

You may find that it is easier to maintain a meditative state while keeping your eyes fixed on a single object. Keep your eyes focused on that one object for the duration of meditation. This has a calming effect on the mind. It is quite hard to stay relaxed and focused when you are looking all around. Not only will this help you to become accustomed to the meditation, it will also enhance your balance.

Breathing is essential to your yoga practice. Proper breathing will go a long way to helping you to increase your range of motion, achieve poses that you thought impossible, and allow you to enter a deeper state of meditation. Try to focus solely on your breathing. If you find your mind wandering, bring it back in and concentrate on breathing in and out.

These two tips are more important that you might realize. In fact the cornerstone to any successful yoga practice and yoga meditation is proper breathing and maintaining focus. If you attend a live class an instructor can work with you to further these techniques. If attending live training isn't possible, then there are plenty of DVDs available.

In time you will find that yoga increases your strength and flexibility. It will also allow you to enhance your calm and allow you to deal with stressful situations in a more relaxed way than ever before. You will find that situations that used to stress you out or cause you anxiety seem much more petty now!

Yoga isn't the only thing that I find to be relaxing. Believe it or not, keeping a fish aquarium has calming and relaxing benefits as well!

It is important to use a proper filter in your aquarium though. I highly recommend the aquariumcanisterfilter.net/eheim-2213-canister-filter eheim 2213 canister filter. Check out reviews on aquariumcanisterfilter.net aquarium canister filters here.

Back Pain and Visualisation Part 1

With back pain, the human pelvis has recently become a focus for a considerable amount of new research which is relevant to manual therapy practice. In particular, movement within the pelvis is now being recognised and studied in relation to its role in maintaining stability in the vertebral column and subsequent implications for the prevention and treatment of low back pain. This important new subject area for clinicians is now covered in depth in this groundbreaking work from the people at the forefront of research and practice in the field. The contributors represent the breadth of professionals involved in manual therapy with back pain, from osteopathy, chiropractic and manual physical therapy, to orthopaedic medicine and surgery, anaesthesia and pain control. The text presents the latest research and developments in this high profile and fast developing area and demonstrates the relevance of the research to clinical practice.

The decision regions containing the training examples were found by presenting each training case to low-back-pain and recording the corresponding hidden layer activations.

More common causes of low back pain are sprains and strains of lumbar paraspinal musculo-ligamentous complex. However, the consequences of normal aging of the spine include progressive disk degeneration may be manifested in low back pain even though an exact correlation between disk degeneration and low back pain has not been established.

Nevertheless, many believe that the predominant cause of persistent low back pain is degeneration of the disk. Spondylolisthesis and spondylosis are other known causes of mechanical low back pain. However, the treatments by means of conservative methods or spine surgery depend on the pathology.

The innovative pain visualisation tool is displayed via a web browser as a 3D body. Users can log pain data on an easy-to-use PDA monitor at regular intervals. Pain can be classified as: burning, aching, stabbing, pins and needles and numbness with each pain type allocated a colour, which is represented on the 3D rotating tool.

If neck or back pain is severe, your health-care provider may suggest physical therapy. Physical therapy combines pain-relieving non invasive treatments with therapeutic exercise, posture correction, and preventive body mechanics. Yoga is ideal for this.

With visualisation, time in investment that teaches you a skill, namely how to communicate with your subconscious about your pain to obtain relief. It has no on-going costs, but does have an on-going benefit: the ability to use the subconscious to handle new pain or other conditions that may crop up in the future.

Glen Wood - The Yoga Teacher, dedicated to unlocking the Real Secrets of Back, Neck and Shoulder Pain.

To help you further with your back, neck and shoulder pain you need to sign up for your FREE "Yoga and You" report at YogaTeachingwithGlen.com YogaTeachingwithGlen.com

5 Reasons Why Your Fat Loss Training Program is Failing You

You're carrying an excess of body fat and decide to begin 'training for fat loss', following all the best advice from all the expert coaches in all the fitness magazines and on all the most reputable websites around the world.

o You've stopped doing 'traditional cardio' in favor of strength training.

o When you 'do' cardio, you do High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT), not long slow distance (LSD).

o You've done 'total body training', 3 days per week, because studies (and work in the trenches) have shown that this is the most time efficient and effective way to transform your body.

o Everything you think, feel and do is dedicated to turning your body into a fat-burning furnace via higher metabolism and increased strength.

The only problem seems to be that all of this scientifically-justified, 'in-the-trenches' training isn't working for YOU.

All your hard work . . .  and all you've got to show for it is fatigue, frustration and little to no fat loss.  Or, worse yet, you did succeed, but have since regressed and are left wondering "What happened?" as you begin again from square one.

If this describes you or somebody you know, here are 5 reasons why your fat loss training program is failing you:

1.  You view training as if it's a 'magic pill.'

Common sentiment these days seems to be that exercise is the central figure in getting you healthy.  You buy the optimal training program, you train hard, you train consistently . . . and the rest of your life falls into place.  

You eat what you want -- "No problem!  Exercise makes up for it!"

You drink regularly with your friends - 'No problem!!  Exercising harder 'cancels out' the beers."  

But training isn't a remedy for fixing or 'overriding' consistently poor choices. It just doesn't work that way.  If you view it as a 'magic pill', you're setting yourself up for disappointing results because, frankly there's a little more to training than 'just training', whether that's a premise you want to accept or not.

2.  You view exercise as an 'isolated event' in your life and not as part of a lifelong journey.

If you do this, you tend to treat your 'exercising self' as an alter-ego of the real you.  You live one way when you're not training; you live another when you are.  You eat 'good foods' when you're training; 'bad foods' as soon as you get into shape.  

The thing is, of course, that the 'exercising you' and the 'real you' are one in the same person, living one life -- a life that responds best to consistency and flow.  If you live a life of inconsistency, where you 'live healthy' only when you've got to burn fat  and fall off the wagon as soon as your use of the 'perfect fat loss program' has finished, the roller coaster ride that your body has taken leads to hard-to-achieve (or fleeting) results.

3.  You worry more about the quantity of calories you consume and less about the quality.

To this day, the common focus by those fixated on fat loss is on burning calories.  

Eat (a little) less!  Burn more!  

It's as if food's only responsibility is to provide you with energy when you're depleted . . . and, again, that's simply not the case.

When eating, your primary focus should be on the quality of the food you're eating.  Quality food builds a quality infrastructure while building an optimally functioning body -- one that will favorably respond to the rigors of your training.

4.  You're using a training program that's not aligned with your specific training goals.  

A healthy lifestyle is important for having any program work, but assuming you've got 'healthy' down, you've got to make sure that you're using a training program that will deliver according to your specific needs.  

If you're going to burn fat, you'll best be served by strength training and metabolic conditioning.  If you're trying to add significant muscle, you'll want a training program that delivers high intensity and high volume.  If you're simply looking to kick the living heck out of yourself because, well, you can, then you'd be served by some incredibly intense conditioning.  Point being, after (or concurrent with) cultivating health, if you want to get specific results, you'll want to choose training that will deliver those specific results as efficiently and effectively as possible.

5.  You're using a training program that's not 'ideal' based on your current stress/health status.  

If your underlying health isn't supporting the fitness program you're doing, you won't see the results you expect.  

It doesn't matter if it's the greatest, most proven training program on Earth!

It doesn't matter if you feel you can do the training -- ability to do a program doesn't imply guaranteed results!

Quite simply, you've got to choose exercise that will bring balance and harmony to your underlying physiology. If you're chronically over-stressed your body is going to respond best to activity that encourages rejuvenation, rebuilding and recovery (think: qi-gong, yoga, a walk in the park, etc.), not to the latest, greatest 'run yourself into the ground' fat loss program.

In the end, it comes down to this:  

Blindly choosing exercise because 'it's the best method for fat loss' without looking at the big picture and considering such things as 'what your body needs from ITS perspective' can end up being an exercise in futility.  You might feel good in the moment (because you feel the burn and you're sweating profusely), but what you're doing could be the exact opposite of what's necessary to truly transform into the image of what you want.  

Take this into consideration, and you'll have much greater success with any fitness program you follow from this point forward.

Christopher Warden in a NYC-based personal trainer and fitness expert offering 1-to-1, group and online training services to individuals seeking long-lasting body transformations. For more on him and his holistic, 'training from the inside-out' approach, you can visit christopherwarden.com christopherwarden.com

Proven Advantages of Dahn Yoga Meditation

Meditation was never taken seriously by people who are not religious. However, due to Dahn Yoga meditation, and the emergence of several clubs of practitioner all across the globe, meditation is becoming fashionable. This is of a course for all the good reasons that should be encouraged. It has been demonstrated that it is not just another pass time event or something left for the downtrodden and miserable lot of this world. It actually has real benefits that can be proven by science.

The growing list of funs of Ilchi Lee such as Costa Rica's President Oscar Arias is proof for its goodness. It is actually benefiting people from all walks of life with some life changing advantages and healthier living. Even people who were at the brink of committing suicide are often persuaded to change and begin to live a purposeful life when they join the community of Dahn Yoga meditation. Since it costs nothing much except your being disciplined and finding a place of solace to sit and meditate, even the poor can practice meditation.

dahnyogatx.com/2010/12/28/dahn-yoga-poses-training-method Dahn Yoga meditation has been shown to have lots of advantages in life. The evidence is clear among the many people who have had a life changing experience due to its advantages. One most obvious benefits is that of giving purpose in life. As one sits and reflects on life, the purpose of the earth, death, and they soon realize all these were not just another accidental happening, they find purpose in life. The drive towards a purposeful life enables the meditator to find time and think about others. It enables one to clear off the feeling of self-sufficiency and instead live a life of service and depending on others.

Because of the focus on life goals and service to others, one who is meditating will be able to realize the importance of service. He or she will also be able to identify their strength in the area they are able to serve in. This discovery of abilities makes one to be able to work smart and sharpen particular skills.

Therefore Dahn Yoga meditation helps bringing happiness as people begin to live for what the creator has made them for. They start living for other and stop the self-focus and materialism that often brings pain and sadness. It teaches one to be content and ushers one into a community that makes every effort to do so. The increased flow of good chakra as a result of the practice will lead to brain wave vibration that improves brain power. This has been shown to be helpful in recovery from diseases such as stroke and high blood pressure.

Jeff Brendan is a Dahn Yoga student and enthusiast. Always willing to share his experiences and help others by sharing his knowledge.

Teaching Hatha Yoga Classes for Children

Teaching Hatha Yoga to children requires specialist skills. On the surface, it would seem easy enough to teach children about the foundational aspects of Yoga. Should one decide to teach children, it is wise to realize that they are not "little adults."

Children like to laugh, have fun, play games, and they have an abundance of energy, in comparison to adults. Yoga teachers, who spend time teaching children, must be patient, fun-loving, and compassionate. If one does not have these primary ingredients ingrained in his or her personality, it would be wise to keep teaching adults.

If an instructor has all the necessary ingredients to teach children, he or she still needs to enter into a happinesslifetime.com Yoga teacher training course, which specializes in teaching children. Depending on how much training, or experience, a Yoga teacher has - the course for teaching children may be in the 200-hour range.

The skills taught to children in Yoga classes will last a lifetime. Many of these skills may be referred to as "life skills." Children become more relaxed, confident, coordinated, and learn the ability to focus on a task. Kids Yoga classes give children a haven to meet peers who come from well-adjusted families.

It is not easy to find young people, in a small group, who are consistently nudged in the right direction. There is always the argument that children will find their own way. However, what parent wants to let their child enter the world with no foundational guidance? The point is that if we want our children to be guided in the right direction, we have to set limits on video games, television, Internet access, and any other potential hazards. With this in mind - children, in Yoga classes, are learning how to appreciate the finer things in life.

? Copyright 2010 - Paul Jerard / Aura Publications

Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500, has written many books on the subject of Yoga. He is a co-owner and the Director of yoga-teacher-training.org/index.html Yoga Teacher Training at: Aura Wellness Center, in Attleboro, MA. He has been a certified Master Yoga Teacher since 1995. To receive Free Yoga videos, Podcasts, e-Books, reports, and articles about Yoga, please visit: yoga-teacher-training.org/index.html yoga-teacher-training.org/index.html.

Is Your Fitness Program Working For You? The 3 Best Ways to Ensure Successful Training

The training programs tried by the masses that guarantee their abilities to shed fat, build muscle and deliver incredible health are typically rigorous and very stressful on the body.

There's nothing wrong with them (and they obviously work well for thousands of people), but there are many times where the training doesn't work, despite the research (and results) that indicate they should, leaving those that 'fail' frustrated and wondering what to do.

If you're frustrated because repeated attempts at 'getting in shape' have failed to bring you results, or if you're simply a beginner struggling with 'where to begin' your journey to improved health and fitness, here are 3 things you can do to ensure you get the most out of your training:

1. Assess Yourself. An assessment is one of the most basic and important steps to getting results, yet it's also one of the most overlooked (or ignored). You might have a clear vision of the health and fitness goals you want to achieve, but the roadmap you use to get there can only be drawn if you know your starting point. The best way to determine your starting point? An assessment!

2. Use an assessment that goes beyond 'health history' and postural/movement analysis... and digs deeper into your current lifestyle. The importance of health (and family) history can't be denied because it gives you a 'heads up' about ailments/injuries you're predisposed to. Postural assessment and movement analysis is also important because it enables you to effectively deliver structural balance to your body, ensuring that you're actually 'working the parts you think you're working' while preventing injury.

But an equally important assessment that you'll want to do (that's rarely ever done) is a lifestyle assessment because it helps you to objectively look at the elements of your life that are significantly influencing the health and function of your body right now. Not only will a lifestyle assessment direct you toward the specific areas of your life you can improve upon, but it will also help you to create a training program that will most benefit you.

Which leads to...

3. Use a training program that's 'ideal' based on your current stress/health status. If your body isn't functioning properly on the inside (i.e. if it can't handle and positively adapt to the stress of training) it won't respond to exercise in the way you think it's supposed to... and you won't see the expected results. It doesn't matter if you're training hard, using most 'proven' fitness program on Earth!

Simply put, it's not often the training program that's not working -- it's your body that's not working with the program. And one of the most effective ways to fix the problem is to utilize training that emphasizes rejuvenation, rebuilding and recovery (like Qi-Gong, Yoga or a walk in the park) instead of solely following the latest, greatest 'run yourself into the ground' fat loss program.

Assess yourself (including a lifestyle assessment) and create/use an exercise program that works best with your body as you strive to reach greater levels of health and fitness. They may be simple and obvious concepts, but they're frequently overlooked, misunderstood or ignored. Make a concerted effort to do these 3 things, and you'll open the door the greatest, longest-lasting results of your dreams.

Christopher Warden is a health and fitness expert helping people to achieve long-lasting body transformations with his holistic, 'training from the inside-out' approach. For more about him and his work, please stop by his site christopherwarden.com christopherwarden.com

How to Manage Stress When Hiding Is Not An Option

Stress and the Effects on Your Health

It is well-known by now that stress is very harmful on the organs of the body; this of course includes your brain. Because of this threat to your body and mind it is important to learn techniques how to manage stress. All your life you will face some type of stressful situation. These stress situations can involve personal relationships, finances, work, health or family. The timing of stress often seems continual in that you solve one problem and another comes right behind. So it is crucial to not only learn but practice techniques that control stressful situations. Basically the intent of these techniques is to change your reaction to stress through relaxation methods.

How Do You React to Stress? Your mind reacts to stress in two ways, fight or run away. These two responses are normal when the fear of danger is threatening a person. The body can react to stress with such responses as rapid heartbeat, gastrointestinal problems, hypertension, sleep disorder and immunity deficiency to name a few. Stress even leads to depression or mental illness. There has been scientific evidence that cases of stress have caused an increase in stages of a person's aging process. Your mind is the control center for perceiving stress and the way to handle it. A person's reaction to stressful life events is actually a learned habit. The good news is that stress reaction can be changed.

What Are Your Alternatives for Stress Reactions? By learning and applying a trained response a person can manage stress in a correct manner. You achieve this by practicing a body control method that can activate whenever stress occurs. Two great methods for responding to stress are learning controlled breathing techniques by meditation and by practicing yoga. To be effective it is a requirement that one or both have to be practiced on a regular and consistent basis. Then they become trained responses to stress and do not allow the body to control the mind.

Meditation? Finding What You Truly Think Meditation provides tremendous benefits regarding a person's emotions, mentality and health. Meditation starts with the thought awareness process. This stage involves learning how to become aware of the thoughts that are going through your mind. You accomplish this task by focusing for about 15 minutes during the day and paying attention to your random thoughts. You are just attempting to achieve the awareness level. The next meditation phase involves being able to keep your body in a trance state. It is intended to place yourself in a state of trance and stay there as long as you choose. You will learn to keep yourself between dreaming and sleeping. The third meditation phase is for thought upkeep. In this phase you will acknowledge your thoughts by speaking them out loudly. After performing this exercise continually you will eventually cause these thoughts to disappear from your consciousness. The final phase is deep meditation where you develop a relaxation or stillness in your mind and body. This final stage is where your are provided the way to combat the effects of stress. Meditation brings you to a point where your thought process and breathing techniques will be controlled.

Yoga- Your Brain Will Love You For It The basic intent of Yoga is to be able to attain a higher level of consciousness. Yoga allows you to do strength training, flexibility, breathing and meditation. Yoga improves your flexibility and increases your blood flow by teaching you how to breathe properly. An increased blood flow will likewise help the muscles of the body and be a major contributor to good health. Yoga likewise strengthens the cardiovascular system. The person's mind benefits from Yoga due to the increased supply of blood and oxygen being fed to the brain. In order to allow the mind to stay alert and believe intelligibly and creatively it is compulsory to induce the supply of blood. The gain from using the method of breathing and philosophy conditioned in Yoga can be utilized as one of the ways for myselfimprovementinfo.com/how-to-manage-stress how to manage stress.

I am an enthusiast and practitioner in the methods for self improvement that involve a person's mind, body, spirit, wealth and well being. myselfimprovementinfo.com/how-to-manage-stress Manage Stress

Pilates Yoga Exercising - Commonalities And Distinctions

A lot of individuals realize that there's a yoga workout. Loads of individuals also know that pilates exercise exists. But did you ever hear of the pilates yoga exercise workout? Perhaps not. This kind of yoga exercise or pilates physical exercise program is obviously a combination of two diverse training programs. Although it might sound a little new to you, this practice has been performed in quite a few gym facilities for very some time currently. Others consider the practice a controversial one simply because they locate the combination less efficient than performing them separately.

Read additional about pilates yoga physical exercise below and discover how and why it can assist you.

A pilates yoga exercising is similar and various in some methods. The similarity among the two are: both work outs need to have mental concentrate, the routines offer you with relaxation instead of tension, each offer with stretch workout routines, as well as the routines serve as a good way to release strain. The differences involving the two exercises are: pilates is a lot more dedicated in developing core strength than yoga, yoga is stretch and flexibility oriented although pilates deals more with core muscle building, the degree of focus necessary in between the two physical exercises are different. In the yoga exercise class, you will need an extreme circumstance of mental preparation. While you may need to concentrate in a pilates class, it doesn't need you that a lot of concentration than performing yoga physical exercises.

No matter what the variations between the two are, it's essential to keep in mind that if each work outs are combined together, they yield fruitful and purposeful effects.

You can find many movements or routines which are the exact same in a pilates yoga workout. Some examples are: open leg balance which lets a person flex the body inside a "V" shape fashion, front help which is essentially the very same with that of a push-up exercise, the four limb staff pose which uses all four extremities, swimming movements, plus the side lift with a twist which works on your arms and abdominal muscles.

Individuals have been talking about the pilates yoga exercising because of its efficiency problems. Though it is a little hard to believe that two forms of workout can turn into one, it have been created feasible through the pilates yoga physical exercise. It is possible to very easily obtain the body you want with no experiencing too a terrific deal pressure. If you religiously follow the workout program, you'll be able to continually keep fit devoid of owning to worry of too extremely significantly strain.

Chloe Walker has been writing articles professionally, both online and offline, since 4 years ago. This author is not only writing in the subject of health, but also in dieting, fat loss, fitness and many other more. Check out her latest website in touchscreencashregister.org Touch Screen Cash Register which discuss and review about touchscreencashregister.org/pos/samsung-register.php samsung register.

More Yoga Strategies for Anxiety Relief

The Dr. Kataria School of Laughter Yoga has received much exposure over the past few years because of the medicinal benefits of laughter. Laughing strengthens your immune system and reduces anxiety.

Dr. Madan Kataria is on to something, as laughter could be combined with Pranayama sessions for maximum benefits. In life, there is a shortage of laughing. Unfortunately, too many people take themselves too seriously.

If you feel foolish laughing for 20 minutes a day for good physical, emotional, and mental health, you may want to consider laughing alone, or joining a Laughter Yoga club. The benefits of laughing are too good to miss out on.

Yet, the average adult laughs less than 20 times per day. Children often laugh over 100 times in a day. No wonder so many adults and teens are so stressed out.

Laughter reduces stress, protects your heart, lowers blood pressure, and is a form of quick relaxation. You could watch comedies, or listen to comedy audio recordings on CD, while you are driving on your way to, or from, work.

If you want to avoid negative thoughts, you may want to reduce the time you spend watching the news or reading depressing stories in the newspapers. This does not mean you should avoid learning new things, but be selective about the type of information you read, watch, or listen to.

Good stories do appear on the news, but how many depressing stories will you have to mentally process before you find one. The old saying, "Bad news sells," often applies. There are plenty of good magazines to read, radio stations to listen to, and television channels to watch, so be selective.

© Copyright 2007 - Paul Jerard / Aura Publications

Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500, has written many books on the subject of Yoga. He is a co-owner and the Director of Yoga Teacher Training at: Aura Wellness Center, in Attleboro, MA. riyoga.com riyoga.com He has been a certified Master Yoga Teacher since 1995. To receive a Free Yoga e-Book: "Yoga in Practice," and a Free Yoga Newsletter, please visit: yoga-teacher-training.org/index.html yoga-teacher-training.org/index.html

Yoga Teacher Certification Courses on the Internet

Do you wonder about the value of certifications earned on the Internet? How do you sort out who is reputable? When is a Yoga teacher correspondence course a viable option? How can anyone benefit from online certification? Will virtual training ever replace traditional face-to-face education of Yoga instructors? Let's review these questions and sort through your options.

1. Is there a value in Yoga certifications or diplomas earned on the Internet? Many of the world's Yoga registries, and Yoga certifying organizations, recognize the value of non-contact continuing education credits (CEUs).

Correspondence courses, and online courses, are a form of independent study in many fields, including Yoga. Distance learning credits may be applied toward re-certification or to keep a registration active.

2. How do you sort out which Yoga courses are reputable? If the certifying body specializes in Yoga, this is a major step. The certifying body should have a qualified Yoga teacher trainer on its staff. If the certifying body writes courses for aircraft mechanics and computer repair; you may want to shop around.

3. When is a Yoga teacher correspondence course a viable option? If a person is busy at work, has children at home, or has limited funds for a Yoga education, an online course may be the best option. If you live in a rural area or on an island, distance learning may be your only choice.

4. How can anyone benefit from online certification? Even a bad course would teach you more than you knew about Yoga. However, a well-rounded Yoga teacher course should give you new ideas, even if you have 10, 20, or 30 years of teaching experience.

5. Will virtual training ever completely replace traditional face-to-face education of Yoga instructors? Absolutely not. Yoga teacher education is an ongoing process. Over the years, teachers go through many stages of life. For example: The world economy will improve again. Instructors will have the funds for workshops, camps, and seminars in the future.

On the other hand, why turn away the chance for virtual online training? In comparison, it is much more cost effective than traditional face-to-face Yoga training. With the development of the Internet, and various forms of broadband technology, teacher trainers can now review interns, or established teachers, by streaming video.

This is only the beginning, because 3-D technology is about to make leaps forward within the next decade. Online Yoga teacher training will help instructors improve in an instant. Therefore, it will always be a valuable source of foundational training and continuing education.

© Copyright 2009 - Paul Jerard / Aura Publications

Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500, has written many books on the subject of Yoga. He is a co-owner and the Director of Yoga Teacher Training at: Aura Wellness Center, in Attleboro, MA. aurawellnesscenter.com aurawellnesscenter.com He has been a certified Master Yoga Teacher since 1995. To receive Free Yoga videos, Podcasts, e-Books, reports, and articles about Yoga, please visit: yoga-teacher-training.org/member-offer.html yoga-teacher-training.org/member-offer.html

Strength Training For Women

Strength work out is a vital component of a woman's health and fitness. Strength training is also called as struggle training or sometimes also referred to as lifting weights. But a lot of women are not aware of how to begin a strength training plan or how to choose strength tools for home work out.

Being healthy and fit is useful to one's body in numerous ways. Being fit and healthy makes one's body opposed to injuries, and speeds up the revival from injuries or improves the immunity. The cyclic nature of several jobs these days lead to strength training serious in preventing the workplace worn outs.

The profits of strength training are over and over again overshadowed by its work out cousins, the cardio vascular work-out and the modern flexibility and yoga. However, unlike stretching activities and aerobic, strength training is perhaps the most effectual usual method for increasing bone weight and preventing the dangerous disease like the osteoporosis.

Moreover, the majority of women can reduce many more calories by bracing weights than from cardio vascular (and far better than stretching or yoga) as it is less recognizable to their delicate bodies. The braveness needs one's body to perform harder and to get out of one's work out muscular boredom and calm zones.

Before you choose your work out tool, examine your needs properly.

Working out at your residence has both merits and demerits, all of which are dependent on your work out tool decisions. Firstly, judge when and where you will work out. For instance, if your program is to work out early in the dawn, you might be working out in a lit room upstairs.

In how much space do you plan to accommodate for your work out equipment?

If you exercise off your residence, then think utilizing a crumb of office room as you would do when at home for maintaining the gear of work out. You will be more willingly to utilize it all through the daytime, and provide yourself hale and hearty breaks, if your work out tool is easy to get to.

Further, reflect on your habits. Decide whether you favor to encase yourself with uncomplicated, condensed bare-minimums or do you like to prefer work out equipments with plenty of functions?

Every fine year, the health and fitness business shows unveiling new smooth, sleek work out equipments and discarding the big and bulky.

Read more on realwomensfitness.com Womens fitness. Check out for realwomensfitness.com/category/midsection-exercises Ab exercises and nutritionalsupplements101.com nutritional supplements.

Why We Need to Burn Fat, Build Muscle

It's no secret that a fit, active person feels better, looks better and has more energy than someone who is less fit. The goal of everyone should be to burn fat and build muscle. The fact is that the more muscle you have the more calories you burn, even when the body is at rest.

There are other benefits to building muscle. Exercise lowers stress and blood sugar levels. It also improves balance and helps develop stronger bones.

There is no magic formula that will instantly form muscle tissue, but a steady, planned, regular exercise regime can get you where you want to be.

The following are some steps to get you started:

Add aerobics: This makes the lungs and heart work more efficiently. It also helps with general toning. It's easy and cheap to incorporate aerobic exercise into a daily routine. This includes the fun stuff like swimming, biking, playing ball, hiking, jogging, skiing or tennis - just about any physical activity you enjoy. Even a brisk walk counts.

If you're starting from the couch potato level start out slow. It isn't so important what you do, but that you get started. If you can only walk half a block, start there and work your way up. Any amount of movement is better than none and all helps burn fat and build muscle.

Stretch: Flexibility exercises keep you limber and mobile. If you do strength training it will keep the muscles from shortening so the body doesn't develop big, hard to move muscles.

You may want to try some tai chi or yoga moves to get a good stretch.

Muscle building or strength training: Resistance training is simply something that forces muscles to contract against an outside force. That force can come from an elaborate exercise machine or from lifting a bag of groceries. Weight lifting remains a popular and effective method of building muscle. Don't concentrate on any one muscle group, such as the chest or pecs, but work on all areas equally.

If your goal is to bulk up there are some excellent aids available such as Muscletech body building supplements and various supplement stacks. A high calorie protein drink may also be good for the weight gainer. Keep in mind that these are aids and not an end method.

Now is the time. Get started on your plan to burn fat, build muscle and get healthy.

D. Bruce Stevens owns and operates trimupslimdown.com trimupslimdown.com where valuable information on trimupslimdown.com/burn-fat-build-muscle burn fat build muscle can also be found.

Getting Bent Into Shape In Texas - Or Yoga For Beginners

Yoga has become a very popular form of physical activity for many individuals in Dallas , Houston and elsewhere in Texas . It involves both physical and mental balance and is good for strengthening your "inner core." It's an activity that individuals can take at their own pace. In other words, it can be as light or as vigorous as you want to make it.

Where did Yoga come from?

The practice of Yoga is thousands of years old. The word itself means "union" in Sanskrit, which was the language of ancient India , where Yoga originated. So quite literally, you can say Yoga is the union that happens between mind, body and spirit.

But Yoga is probably more accurately described in Sanskrit as "asana," which is the practice of physical postures or poses. And yet, Asana is only one of the eight types of Yoga. The majority of Yoga practices involve mental and spiritual well being, rather than physical activity. However, the words asana and Yoga have become almost synonymous these days.

Yoga poses.

Many people believe that Yoga is just about stretching. And yes, stretching is involved, but Yoga is really more about creating balance in the body by developing both strength and flexibility, which is done through the performance of poses.

Each pose has specific physical benefits. And the poses, when done quickly in succession, create heat the body through movement, or, when done more slowly, increase stamina and perfect the alignment of the pose. There is an ideal way that each pose should be done, although not all yogis (Yoga masters) will agree on what is the perfect pose.

Yoga practice makes for perfect poses.

When you begin a Yoga class, you might hear your teacher refer to "your practice," which means your individual experience with Yoga over time. And with Yoga, your practice should always be evolving and changing, to make sure it never gets boring.

Many yogis will tell you that although Yoga poses do not change, your relationship to them will. Believe it or not, Yoga is for everyone, even if you don't think you're very flexible or very strong. This will all develop over time.

Thinking of Yoga as "your practice" also encourages the noncompetitive spirit of Yoga. One of the most difficult, yet most freeing things about Yoga is letting go of your ego and accepting that no one is better than anyone else. Everyone who practices Yoga is just doing his or her best.

Where everyone gets bent.

Yoga classes in Dallas, Houston and throughout Texas may also include instruction on breathing, call and response chanting, meditation, or even an inspirational reading by the teacher. This will depend on the individual teacher and the type of Yoga in which they have trained. Usually, Yoga classes held at a gym will be more focused on the physical benefits of Yoga, while classes at a Yoga

center have a tendency to focus on the practice's spiritual side. Some individuals find that the physical practice of Yoga becomes a gateway to a spiritual exploration. Others just enjoy a wonderful low-impact workout that makes them feel great inside and out. Whatever type of Yoga you're attracted to, you should be able to find a class that suits your style.

The Dos and Don’ts of Yoga.

DON'T:

* Eat a big meal right before class. Eat lightly a few hours prior class.

* Drink water during class, but have some before and after.

* Wear shoes or socks during class.

DO:

* Review Yoga etiquette to feel comfortable when entering an unfamiliar situation.

* Tell the teacher it’s your first class. Don't worry. You won't be alone.

* Ask the teacher for help.

* Look around and see what other students are doing. This helps if the teacher doesn't demonstrate every pose. Be careful of watching advanced students. Don't compare yourself to them.

* Familiarize yourself with some beginners' Yoga poses prior to taking your first class.

* Come back in a few days for the next class.

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Yoga Meditation - Discover the Art and Science of Self Realization Through Self-Awareness!

Yoga meditation is the art and science of remaining in a state of union without the distraction of thoughts. The meditator overcomes the false perception of separation and finds himself in the awareness of union.

It is a form of Raja Yoga. Yoga Meditation technique involves a systematic viewing, acceptance, training and understanding of the respective levels of our being. The goal is to coordinate and integrate those aspects of ourselves, so that we can ultimately experience the all-pervading center of consciousness.

"Yoga meditation" is actually not a separate part of Yoga. But, this phrase is used to distinguish between yoga meditation techniques as a complete system of self-realization and the popular belief of Yoga being just a couple of physical postures and exercises for a better health.

The fact is that, Yoga or Meditation Yoga is a process that is complete unto itself, and only a small (but useful) part of it relates to the physical body.

Meditation techniques of Yoga or simply "Yoga" involves systematically working with our body, senses, the various levels of mind, breath and gradually moving towards the center of consciousness.

It makes use of various practices such as contemplation, meditation, mantra and prayer; and is holistic in nature. Yoga Nidra is one of the easiest and highly effective yoga meditation and relaxation technique.

The final goal of meditation & yoga is to experience the eternal, pure and absolute center of consciousness or God. This can be done by overcoming the sense of separation and being in the awareness of union for long durations.

The word yoga means "to join" or "to be one with". It means to be in a state of awareness of oneness or un-dividedness of the various aspects of yourself with the universal consciousness. The interesting thing is that they were never divided in the first place.

Yoga and meditation practices are not a religion or a belief system. The primary source for learning the practices and science of the meditation technique yoga, meditation & meditation-techniques-guide.com meditation techniques is the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali.

Vijay Kumar Raisinghani is an avid proponent of the use of easy and simple meditation techniques for a healthier stress-free living. Besides being an Active meditator, his interests include Spirituality, Meditation, Buddhism and Zen.

Visit his website meditation-techniques-guide.com meditation-techniques-guide.com for in-depth information on the most effective techniques of meditation and their amazing benefits.

The Yoga of Menopause - Alternatives to Hormone Therapy

It's big news when a favored medical treatment - HRT for menopausal women - is found to be harmful. But it's no news to those who have been blowing the whistle on both scientific and alternative treatments of menopause for nearly two decades. As recently quoted in Newsweek Magazine: "Menopause is not a 'pathology', but a passage to power. Like puberty, menopause is a natural - and healthy - change. Wise women the world over herald menopause as a health-promoting event. They see hot flashes as 'power surges' and menopause as an intense spiritual journey. Most treatments - including ERT, HRT, isoflavone, and progesterone creams - disrupt this process and can do severe damage to a woman's health."

MENOPAUSE IS ENLIGHTENMENT

The energy aspects of menopause are of special interest to me.

As a long-time student of yoga, I was struck by the many similarities between menopausal symptoms and the well-known esoteric goal of "awakening of the kundalini." Though the ideas presented in this section may seem strange or difficult to comprehend, they contain powerful messages about menopause, which lie at the heart of the Wise Woman approach.

Kundalini [is] the root [of] all spiritual experiences... Kundalini is a special kind of energy known in many cultures, including Tibetan, Indian, Sumerian, Chinese, Irish, Aztec, and Greek. Kundalini is said to be hot, fast, powerful, and large. It exists within the earth, within all life, and within each person. Psychoanalyst Carl G. Jung called kundalini anima. Kundalini is usually represented as a serpent coiled at the base of the spine, but women's mystery stories locate it in the uterus - or the area where the uterus was, if a hysterectomy has occurred. During both puberty and menopause, a woman's kundalini is difficult to control and may cause a great number of symptoms.

East Indian yogis spend lifetimes learning to activate, or wake up, their kundalini. This is also called "achieving enlightenment". When they succeed, a surge of super-heated energy goes up the spine, throughout the nerves, dilating blood vessels, and fueling itself with hormones. As kundalini continues to travel up the spine, it changes the functioning of the endocrine, cardiovascular, and nervous systems. Not just in yogis, but in any woman who allows herself to become aware of it. Menopause is a kind of enlightenment. Hot flashes are kundalini training sessions.

TAKING HORMONES? THESE HERBS ARE FOR YOU

More and more American women are using herbal remedies to help them with menopausal problems. Those who do take ERT (estrogen replacement) or HRT (hormone replacement) may be surprised to discover that herbal medicine has a lot to offer them as well.

Herbs for women on ERT/HRT include those that alleviate side-effects as well as those that counter problems caused by the hormones.

Herbal Helpers Counter Side-Effects

Water retention is the symptom most often cited for dissatisfaction with hormone replacement. Herbal tinctures and tea, such as dandelion or cleavers, and ordinary foods can not only relieve the distress, they will go to the root of the problem and help prevent recurrences.

Dandelion root tincture (Taraxacum officinale) strengthens the liver and helps it process out the excess hormones you are taking. When the liver works well, the kidneys work better, and tissues no longer bloat. A dose is 10-20 drops in several ounces of water or juice 2-3 three times a day. If you have any digestion problems, take your dandelion before meals; otherwise, anytime is fine. You can safely take dandelion daily for months or years if you need or want to.

Cleavers herb tincture (Galium molluga) tells the lymphatic tissues to get moving. Relief from edema is usually rapid when 20-30 drops are taken in several ounces of water or juice. Repeat up to six times at hourly intervals if needed. Cleavers is especially helpful for easing swollen, sore breasts.

Foods that relieve water retention include (in order of effectiveness): asparagus, nettles, corn (and corn silk tea), grapes, cucumbers, watermelon (and watermelon seed tea), parsley, celery, black tea, and green tea.

Headaches are the second most common side-effect of hormone use. Unfortunately, they are common among menopausal women not taking hormones, too. Herbs that help relieve headache without a drug-like action - such as dandelion, yellow dock, milk thistle, burdock, garden sage, skullcap, and St. John's/Joan's wort - are generally considered safe to take with hormones.

Chinese herbalists say headaches are caused by liver stress. My favorite liver-strengthening herbs are dandelion, yellow dock, milk thistle seed, and burdock. I use one at a time, a 15-25 drops of the tincture several times a day, for two weeks. If symptoms continue, I switch to a different herb.

A strong tea of garden sage leaves (Salvia officinalis) offers immediate relief from headaches and helps prevent future ones. It also reduces night sweats. Tinctures of skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora) and St. Joan's/John's wort (Hypericum perforatum) ease pain and relieve muscle spasms. Use 5-20 drops of skullcap and a dropperful of St.J's at the very first sign - no, the very first thought - of a headache. Repeat the doses every five minutes until pain free. Skullcap can be quite sedative, especially in large doses.

Herbal Allies to Prevent Problems Caused by Taking Hormones

Breast cancer risk is increased 20% in women who use ERT for five or more years. Use of HRT for five or more years increases breast cancer risk by 40%. Each five years of continued use increases the risk. In addition, women who take ERT are far more likely to get uterine or endometrial cancers. All women on hormones increase their risks of lung and ovarian cancer, too. Nourishing herbs such as red clover, and foods such as beans and yogurt, offer easy ways to stay cancer-free.

Red clover blossoms (Trifolium pratense), when dried and brewed into a strong infusion (one ounce herb steeped an a quart of boiling water for at least four hours) prevent cancer by providing phytoestrogens that counter the cancer-promoting effects of oral hormones. Usual dose is 2-4 cups a day. The infusion tastes like black tea and can be flavored with mint if you like.

Since uncooked beans and unfermented soy contain anti-nutritional factors that may promote bone loss and dementia, soy "milk" and tofu are not recommended. Miso and tamari definitely help to prevent breast cancer but soy isoflavones may promote it.

Yogurt helps build powerful immunity. Women who eat a quart of yogurt a week have 700% less cancer than women who eat no yogurt.

Dry eyes afflict more than 9% of women using ERT and over 7% of those on HRT. Risk increases by 70% for every year of continued use. And the longer a woman uses hormones, the greater her risk. Herbs such as oatstraw, chamomile, and chickweed can help relieve and prevent this problem.

Oatstraw infusion (Avena sativa) cools and moistens your eyes from the inside out, builds strong bones too. Use one ounce of dried herb in a quart jar; fill to the top with boiling water and cap tightly. Let steep four or more hours. Dose is 2-4 cups a day. Refrigerate after straining.

Cucumber slices ease dry eyes; so do chamomile tea bags.

The ultimate ally for women with dry eyes is fresh chickweed (Stellaria media), applied as a poultice to the closed eyes. Leave on for five minutes, or until the plant material feels warm (it will heat up). Repeat as needed.

Stroke and heart attack are actually increased by use of ERT/HRT, though modern medicine has long proclaimed the opposite. Every major double-blind study done to date has created a larger and larger gap between ERT/HRT's supposed ability to help cardiovascular health and its actual results. Protect your heart with nourishing and tonifying herbs and foods such as motherwort, hawthorn, and cherries.

Motherwort (Leonurus cardiaca) tincture helps the heart. The Japanese claim it is their secret of longevity. A dose is 5-15 drops, twice a day. Motherwort also relieves hot flashes, calms tachycardiia, and eases anxiety. It's an all-in-one remedy for menopausal women.

Hawthorn (Crataegus oxycantha) flowers, leaves, and fruits are all used to maintain heart health and control fluid build-up in heart tissues. A dose is 20- 30 drops of tincture 2-4 times a day, or a cup of tea with meals. This widespread shrub is considered one of the finest heart tonics in the world.

Cherries are even better than apples at keeping the doctor away. Dried cherries and cherry juice, even tincture of cherries.

More than three-quarters of the women in America over the age of fifty have refused ERT/HRT. If you want to join them, taper off your dosage slowly, while continuing to use nourishing and tonifying herbs such as dandelion, motherwort, red clover, oatstraw, and seaweed.

THERE ARE MANY TYPES OF ESTROGENS

Women make estrogens.

Plants make estrogens and estrogen-like compounds.

Chemicals, especially organochlorines, act like estrogens (xenoestrogens).

Pharmaceutical companies make estrogens from substances such as horse urine, wild yam roots, and petrochemicals. Tamoxifen, used to treat and prevent breast cancer, is a type of pharmaceutical estrogen.

Women make at least thirty types of estrogen, including estradiol, estrone, and estrace. Estradiol is the strongest; it is turned on at puberty and turned off at menopause. Estradiol is positively linked with breast cancer; other human estrogens are not. Anything that reduces the amount of estradiol a woman produces (such as pregnancy, lactation, early menopause, and late puberty) also decreases her risk of a breast cancer diagnosis.

Phytoestrogens counter the detrimental effects of estradiol by competing for the same receptor sites.

Estradiol is a strong estrogen and is metabolized by the long path. The other estrogens our bodies make are weak estrogens and are metabolized by the short path. Alcohol turns off the short path. Phytoestrogens are weak hormones and hormonal precursors. Phytoestrogens in foods are metabolized by the short path. Phytoestrogens appear to protect tissues from the cancer-causing effects of estradiol, xenoestrogens and pharmaceutical hormones. Phytoestrogens in foods prevent cancer and promote health; phytoestrogen supplements and processed soy fake-foods may do the opposite. Breast cancer occurs four times more often in women whose urinary output of phytoestrogen by-products is low compared to women whose urinary output is high.

Phytoestrogens are common in food. They are concentrated in seeds (grains, beans, nuts, berries) and roots. The exceptions to the rule that plants don't contain human hormones: French beans, rice, apple seeds, licorice, and pomegranate seeds contain the "weak" estrogen estrone.

To get the greatest benefit from phytoestrogenic foods and herbs remember:

Isolated phytoestrogens are not as safe as those "in matrix."

To make use of plant hormones, you need active, healthy gut flora.

Herbs and foods rich in phytoestrogens need to be used in different ways.

Phytoestrogens may have different effects on women who do not have their ovaries.

1. Plants contain many types of phytoestrogens; additionally, they contain minerals and other constituents which help our bodies modify the phytoestrogens and so we can use them safely. Red clover is mineral-rich and contains all four of the major types of phytoestrogens: lignans, coumestans, isoflavones, and resorcylic acid lactones. It is the world's best-known anti-cancer herb. In general, foods and herbs rich in phytoestrogens, with the possible exception of licorice, show anti-cancer abilities. Isoflavone, however, when isolated (usually from soy) has the opposite effect: in the lab it encourages the growth of breast cancer cells.

2. Plant hormones, including most phytoestrogens, can't be used by humans. But we can convert them into ones we can use - with the help of our gut bacteria. When women take antibiotics, their excretion of phytoestrogens plummets. Get your gut flora going by eating more yogurt, miso, unpasteurized sauerkraut, homemade beers and wines, picked-by-your-own-hands-and-unwashed fruits and salads, sourdough bread, and whey-fermented vegetables. (See Nourishing Traditions by Sally Fallon for whey-fermented vegetable recipes.)

3. Plants which are exceptionally rich in phytoestrogens are regarded as powerful herbal medicines. Plants which are good sources of phytoestrogens are regarded as foods. While food can certainly be our medicine - a practice I advocate - it is also true that medicines are more dangerous than foods. Foods rich in phytoestrogens are different than medicinal herbs rich in phytoestrogens. They have different places in my life.

I eat phytoestrogenic foods daily in quantity.

I use phytoestrogenic food-like herbs regularly (not daily), in moderate quantity.

I take phytoestrogenic herbs rarely, in small amounts, for a limited time.

Phytoestrogenic foods are the basis for a healthy diet and a long life. The first food listed is the highest in phytoestrogens. The best diet contains not just one but many choices from each list:

Whole grains (rye, oats, barley, millet, rice, wheat, corn)

Edible seeds (buckwheat, sesame, sunflower, pumpkin, amaranth, quinoa)

Beans (yellow split peas, black turtle beans, baby limas, Anasazi beans, red kidney beans, red lentils, soy beans)

Leafy greens and seaweed (parsley, nettle, kelp, cabbage, broccoli, kale, collards, lamb's quarter)

Fruits (olives, cherries, grapes, apples, pears, peaches, plums, strawberries, blackberries, raspberries, salmon berries, apricots, crab apples, quinces, rosehips, blueberries)

Olive oil and seed oils. Garlic, onions and their relatives leeks, chives, scallions, ramps, shallot

Phytoestrogenic food-like herbs are generally considered longevity tonics. For optimum effect, use only one from the list below and to stick with it for at least three months.

Citrus peel, dandelion leaves and/or roots, fenugreek seeds, flax seeds, green tea, hops, red clover, red wine.

Phytoestrogenic herbs are usually too powerful for long- term use. From the list below (which is in alphabetical order), it is safest to use only one herb at a time, and use it only when needed, although that may mean daily use for several months. More information about these herbs, including specific dosages and cautions, is in NEW Menopausal Years the Wise Woman Way.

Agave root, black cohosh root, black currant, black haw, chasteberries, cramp bark, dong quai root, devil's club root, false unicorn root, ginseng root, groundsel herb, licorice, liferoot herb, motherwort herb, peony root, raspberry leaves, rose family plants (most parts), sage leaves, sarsaparilla root, saw palmetto berried, wild yam root, yarrow blossoms.

4. Most of the warnings about phytoestrogenic herbs center on their proven ability to thicken the uterine wall in animals who have had their ovaries removed. This could encourage cancer, just as taking ERT encourages cancer of the uterus by stimulating cell growth. Women without ovaries are probably safe eating phytoestrogenic foods, but may want to use phytoestrogenic herbs - especially ginseng, dong quai, licorice, red clover, and wild yam - in small amounts and only for short periods.

NEWS NOTES ON PHYTOESTROGENIC PLANTS (UPDATED JUNE 2002)

Recent studies indicate black cohosh does not suppress luteinizing hormone, has no estrogenic effect, and contains no compounds related to estrogen. Red clover flower heads contain many hormone-like flavonoids, including isoflavone, daidzein, genistein, formononetin, biochanin, sitosterol, and coumestrol, a particularly strong phytoestrogen (six times more active than the one in soy). Red clover contains all four major estrogenic isoflavones; soy has only two of them. A cup of red clover infusion (not tea) contains ten times more phytoestrogens than a cup of soy beverage, is richer in calcium, has less calories, and contains no added sugars.

Researchers in Australia report a million lambs a year are aborted after sheep eat clover on pasture. Yet red clover is renowned as a fertility enhancer. What's up? Stephen Buhner, author of The Secret Language of Plants, says clover plants make blood-thinning compounds (which cause abortion) when overgrazed, but don't otherwise. Plants, it turns out, can fight back.

When unfermented soy takes the place of animal protein (meat and milk), its anti-nutritional factors can create brittle bones, thyroid problems, memory loss, vision impairment, irregular heartbeat, depression, and vulnerability to infections. Unfermented soy is high in hemoglutin, which causes clumping of red blood cells and may increase risk of stroke. It is also impressively rich in aluminum (up to 100 times more than is found in the same amount of real milk). Eating tofu more than once a week doubled the risk of Alzheimer's in a small group of Japanese men studied for thirty years.

Human gut bacteria can cleave a sugar molecule from wild yam's steroidal saponin, producing diosgenin. Labs make progesterone from diosgenin, but our bodies can't. Diosgenin itself has a weak estrogenic effect. According to Australian herbalist Ruth Trickey: "A more probable explanation [for the observed effects of wild yam]... is that [diosgenin] interacts with hypothalamic and pituitary hormones and... initiates ovulation."

Legal Disclaimer: This content is not intended to replace conventional medical treatment. Any suggestions made and all herbs listed are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, condition or symptom. Personal directions and use should be provided by a clinical herbalist or other qualified healthcare practitioner with a specific formula for you. All material contained herein is provided for general information purposes only and should not be considered medical advice or consultation. Contact a reputable healthcare practitioner if you are in need of medical care. Exercise self-empowerment by seeking a second opinion.

Susun Weed, Copyright @ 2009