Finding a Yoga DVD Review Online

The last number of years has seen numerous yoga DVDs originating from every corner of the world. Each presenter uses a different approach in teaching and the video presentation varies greatly amongst the different offerings. Because of this proliferation many wanting to do yoga at home on DVD seek out a yoga DVD review that can be used as a helpful time saver for picking out the best yoga DVDs.

The trainings of each of these in your living room presenters is based on the experiences of the instructor and those they have learnt from as well as the person who made the DVD. Different yoga schools use different styles; most at least, in part, try to adhere to the original designed systems and applications of the discipline but it is not always the case. Yoga done right and with sincerity on the part of the practitioner should leads to the ultimate liberation of the spirit and unique understanding of Divine Unity. That is a big challenge especially when many just want to get in a little better physical shape.

Most of the yoga DVDs produced struggle to make a mark for them selves because of the huge competition faced in the market place today. That is both a good and bad thing. Some offerings emphasize stress reduction and the body positions that aid in the calming of the mind. Some put more an emphasis on yoga darshan and yoga philosophy as valid aspects of the Indian metaphysics to be worked into the presentation.

Yoga goes beyond just body poses, it is the result of human wisdom and its insight on topics like psychology, physiology, ethics and spirituality mixed together. Hence the need for a yoga DVD review which can guide a beginner on which ones are better for just getting in shape or which ones have a sound and grounded philosophical offering.

In order to learn yoga the right way, one should be careful enough to choose a DVD which offers quality and insightful training. Most offerings provide the basics but there is a real difference in the presentations. Some introduce the viewer to the basics of body postures and gradually help them to move towards the advanced concepts and postures. Some also include spiritual tips and life philosophies in their presentation to ensure that the viewers have a more balanced knowledge of the discipline, be it metaphysical or practical body knowledge. This merger also makes sure that if interested, the trainees can themselves move forward on the path beyond just body positions and exercise.

The large world wide offering now available ensures that any one can find something to match their skill level. Most looking for a yoga DVD review own less then 3 DVDs hence they are seeking the guidance and assessment of those who know how to look at and compile the reviews and make recommendations. If the right choice of offerings is made by the purchaser then they are much more likely to have a sustained interest in the practices and will reap a greater benefit.

It is very important if one is just starting to not get something advanced beyond the current skill level. A good yoga DVD review site can help you easily find what best suits your physical abilities, needs personality and spiritual aspirations.

Sherry Holistan is a Hatha, Vinyasa and Bakti Yoga Practitioner. For a helpful yogadvdreview.com Yoga DVD Review site, please visit yogadvdreview.com yogadvdreview.com/

How to Become A Yoga Teacher - Objective Thought

One of the most difficult obstacles humankind has ever encountered is objective or impartial thought. Anyone who has learned to avoid hasty judgments, has to some degree, also learned to master his or her mind. Tainted knowledge is an illusion in which we tend to think we know the answer; but in reality, we only know a part of the answer, or have been steered down the wrong path entirely.

Within Yogic philosophy, it has been said that all thoughts correspond to the five elements of creation (Panchamahabhutas). Within your Yoga teacher training, you may have learned the basic five elements, which are: Ether (Akasa), Air (Vayu), Fire (Agni), Water (Apas), and Earth (Prithivi).

Through our senses, we experience the five elements, and our senses translate their perceptions of these elements to the inner mind. Ether is experienced by our sense of hearing. Air is experienced by our sense of touch. Water is experienced by our sense of taste. Fire produces light and is experienced by our sight. The property of earth is experienced by our sense of smell.

Although we experience the above-named elements in many ways, this is just one example of how the sensations of the five elements are translated from a primal sense to a complicated thought. We learn that fire (Agni) is naturally attractive when controlled, but it is also very hazardous.

One example of Agni, out of control, is the power of two galaxies that collide. Star systems would also collide as a result. On a much smaller scale, we can easily imagine wildfires that take forests, dwellings, and lives, in their wake.

The reason for painting this particular picture of Agni in your mind is to make you aware of the power of suggestion. Your mind is also powerful because it has the power to produce images, which make us react. If we have been misinformed, will we react to the message rationally?

Our psychological reactions, to situations around us, create our lifestyle. Two people may experience the same sensation, but their reactions can be different. One person becomes depressed or suicidal over bad news, while another decides to take the challenge that life deals to him or her.

Meditation, concerning objective viewpoints, is a Yogic tool for the advancement of all humanity. Humankind must learn to compromise with new ideas. Training the mind is the ultimate investment in Yoga practice. Objective thought is the guiding light to self-discovery and the Eight Limbs described by Patanjali.

? Copyright 2011 - 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/

Yoga For Beginners - Practical No-Nonsense Advice

A Word of Caution

As someone who has learned the advanced stage of Yoga and been practicing it for several years now (as of writing this article in April 2010), I can very strongly advise you to NEVER EVER attempt practicing yoga through the Do-It-Yourself guides widely available these days, simply because Yoga does not work that way.

· Take it from me or leave it, but I have done this mistake once and it required hard work and a trained guru to reverse the damage by 98%.

· Yoga is a treasure house of health, peace of mind and confidence.

· Yoga must be learned from a Guru teaching it for decades to thousands of students.

The Pre-Yoga mindset

· Have a firm mindset to learn Yoga up to the advanced levels including Kriyas (more on this in just a bit) only from a trained guru.

· Have a firmer mindset to practice the asanas every single day. If you are not serious about this step, you may please go ahead and close this page!

· It may be a good idea to cleanse your body of all toxins (explained in the Kriya section) so that your body is flexible.

· Cut down on your junk and non-vegetarian food as much as possible.

Is Yoga right for me?

· Age limit: 10 - 100 Years!!! (But do not start when you are 99 years old. The upper limit is applicable only if you start at age 30, max)

· Yogasanas do not need warm up! Sure, this is big turn on for anybody.

· If you do Yogasanas properly, you will never sweat. Boy, this is true!

· Do not strain (or aim for perfection initially) while doing Yogasanas; do them very slowly. Trust me, you are gonna have fun!

· Yoga is thoroughly scientific and so, follow your trainer's instructions ad verbatim.

· Try not to practice more than 30-45 minutes each day, preferably early morning. Oops, sorry if you are a night bird!

Postures and Practical Benefits

These asanas may be sufficient to begin with (under expert supervision).

1. Mathsyasana: A superb technique to relax and strengthen your neck, shoulder and upper back muscles.

2. Vipareetha Karani: An outstanding technique that relaxes and strengthens your internal organs in the lower part of your body.

3. Sarvaangasana: This is considered one of the gems of Yoga and has several benefits including putting all internal organs in harmony with each other.

4. Shavasana: Literally, the "Corpse" posture. It targets each and every muscle and perhaps tissues and cells as well and relaxes each one of them.

5. Virkshasana: Literally, the "Tree" posture; it helps to balance all the "Chakras" or glands of your body.

6. Nadi Shudhdhi Pranayama: This teaches the precise way of breathing to flush out toxins.

7. Kapalabhathi Pranayama: This is said to do the job of a Ventilator! But it is extremely easy to do.

Kriyas: The Secret Health Chest

All these must be done strictly under expert advice/guidance

1. Body Cleansing: The enema procedure, this is ideally done before starting Yoga practice, up to twice a year.

2. Vamana Dhouthi: Meaning self-induced vomiting, this makes your body lighter and practically flushes out toxins. Frequency: once a week.

3. Jala Neti: Now called "Nasal Irrigation" this very simple technique cleanses the respiratory canal. Do it to believe it!

4. Suthra Neti: "Suthra" means thread. This technique achieves the same purpose achieved by Jala Neti Kriya

Disclaimer: This is not intended to replace professional advice and should at best serve as general information or tips. You are urged to seek professional advice from practitioners in the field to help you further.

all-under-the-sun.com/yoga-for-beginners-practical-no-nonsense-advice Yoga for Beginners is a practical, no-nonsense guide that touches upon very relevant and important issues and questions if you are keen on starting the practice today! No elaborate lectures on theory, no confusing jargons (explained in simple terms wherever inevitable). Equip yourself with the knowledge, get trained by an expert, and live long hale and healthy!

Secrets of Exceptional Yoga Teachers, Part 2

Professional and responsible Yoga teachers become exceptional Yoga teachers. The Yoga teacher who shows up late for class, is disorganized, and does not have a hint of lesson plan in his or her head, will not be successful. As a Yoga teacher, your conduct should be professional at all times. You cannot "act like a Yoga teacher" during a class and then provoke conflicts outside of your classes.

Yoga instructors need to have problem solving skills, as not all bodies are the same. Some students will require a bit more "maintenance," than others. You are a living and breathing guide to Yoga's many aspects. You will be asked to explain the physical, mental, and possibly the spiritual benefits of Yoga. As a result, you will become a better Yoga teacher than you imagined.

The responsibility just comes with leadership and being self-employed. An independent mind-set is ingrained through the daily routine of handling your own affairs. You are in charge of your own finances, health, career, and more.

Being willing to adapt and evolve is a key component to teaching Yoga. Now more than ever Yoga and healing information is being exchanged at the speed of the Internet. You must absorb information in regard to Yoga, physical therapy, ailments, physiology, anatomy, kinesiology, and sports medicine.

Therefore, you may want to learn how to speed read or listen to audio books. Your Yoga lesson plans will evolve, when you learn new methods for safety, modifications, and how to help Yoga students with ailments.

Planning and preparation are a part of each day, as you get ready for each Yoga class. You must also write down your daily, weekly, monthly, and annual goals. This will propel you to a level of Yoga teaching beyond your "wildest dreams." This method is a matter of positive visualization and using positive energy for the good of those you come into contact with. You will be shocked to see your written goals become reality, but written goals do come true quite often.

Setting a pace is a matter of being reasonable with yourself and those around you. This may sound strange, but I have seen Yoga teachers push themselves too far. Life is a journey, not a race, and the rewards of pacing yourself will be plentiful, if you allow yourself the time to "stop and smell the flowers."

Ambition is the final key, but based upon what I have already said, all aspirations should be "kept in check." Never look at life from a linear viewpoint. Enjoy your loved ones and friends, as you work toward becoming an exceptional Yoga teacher. This will be your holistic path to success.

© Copyright 2006 - Paul Jerard / Aura Publications

Paul Jerard is a co-owner and the director of Yoga teacher training at: Aura Wellness Center, in North Providence, RI. He has been a certified Master Yoga teacher since 1995. He is a master instructor of martial arts, with multiple Black Belts, four martial arts teaching credentials, and was recently inducted into the USA Martial Arts Hall of Fame. He teaches Yoga, martial arts, and fitness to children, adults, and seniors in the greater Providence area. Recently he wrote: Is Running a Yoga Business Right for You? For Yoga students, who may be considering a new career as a Yoga teacher. yoga-teacher-training.org/index.html yoga-teacher-training.org/index.html

The Difference Between Yoga and Exercise

Like regular exercise, yoga strengthens and tones the body. Regular exercise typically makes a body stronger and less flexible. Weight training for example, builds strength by breaking down and rebuilding muscle tissue. That bulky, muscle bound look and tighter muscle mass is a result of this breaking down and rebuilding of muscle. Yoga strengthens the body by toning the muscles and creates longer, leaner muscles due to the stretching. Yoga creates a body that is stronger and more flexible. Often the goal of regular exercise is to increase the heart rate.

While yoga can be practiced vigorously to increase heart rate, it can also be practiced in a way that reduces the heart rate and lowers blood pressure. Typically one exercises to a point of fatigue. At the end of a yoga practice, you feel as though you have had a workout, but are more relaxed and energized. Hatha yoga is not just a series of exercises, but a principle of exercise that involves concentration, breathing and movement.

Yoga offers many additional benefits as well. Bending, stretching and twisting the body massages and soothes the internal organs aiding digestion and elimination. Our hormones are brought into greater balance due to the toning of the endocrine system. The respiratory system is strengthened and the nervous system is soothed. Stress relief is also a major benefit of practicing yoga. In fact, all systems of the body are affected by a yoga practice. A qualified yoga teacher can advise you on the most appropriate yoga practice for you, regardless of age, health issues and fitness level.

Whether practicing vigorously with challenging poses or practicing gently with soothing poses, yoga is balanced action of the body, awareness of breath and steadiness of mind. This is yoga in action, union of the body/mind.

Regular exercise and yoga both help us to lead active, healthy lives. Yet, yoga is a life support system...a way of life that helps us to maintain a healthier body, a calmer mind and a more balanced and peaceful life.

How to Get the Most Out of Your Yoga Instructor Training Videos

Regardless of how much previous training a Yoga teacher has, it is always exciting to learn new techniques from Yoga videos online or DVDs. The following are a few tips for anyone, from interns to gurus.

Review your video first. This step requires us to be spectators and enjoy the film, much as we would at a cinema, or in our living room. The difference being that when we review a video for Yoga techniques that we may demonstrate in our classes we should be taking notes.

It seems that the art of taking notes is based upon patience, more than any other factor. Some people want to pop a DVD out of the box and begin practicing immediately. This is one of the ways that beginners are often injured at home. You might think that a Yoga teacher would know better, but it is highly probable that anyone can be injured while watching television and performing a full inversion.

Therefore, time invested in taking notes is not wasted. In fact, the mind is embedded with the memory of a technique, during the note taking process. Although we are trying to be a paperless society, it is hard to get that same feeling when typing notes on a laptop. If it works for you, then by all means, save a tree and transfer the information from your mind to your laptop.

Some teachers have a preferred time for practicing with a DVD or online web clips. To be honest, any time you have some flexibility in your schedule, is an ideal time to review Yoga techniques. I'm sure that some of you would prefer to do it in the morning, before breakfast, because your stomach is empty.

On the other hand, if you are a Yoga teacher, who has to meet early morning clients for private sessions, or teach early classes at the local fitness center, the morning Yoga DVD practice may not fit into your schedule so seamlessly. During the day, there are usually open frames of time after classes, or before classes, that give you an hour or two for reviewing videos.

If a video is focusing on asana, only; you may want to set aside some time for pranayama and meditation. At the same time, one can easily focus on integrating pranayama with asana practice. One good example of this is practicing Ujjayi pranayama, while performing asanas.

In summary, to get the most out of any Yoga video, always review it first, before practicing along with it. In this way, you will understand the creator's lesson plan and be prepared for any surprises that may occur along the way.

? 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

Yogic Insights - Five Solutions For Progress

No matter who we are - we may feel "stuck" at times. We may see an obstacle and feel like we have hit the end of the road or a 'road block." How can Yoga help you when you struggle, at an impasse, which looks like there is only one solution?

We know there may be multiple solutions, but all we see is one, and the one we see may not be appealing. When we gather information to make decisions, we can create a system for progressive thought that gives us multiple solutions.

Sometimes, the best possible solution is a combination of ideas, which take time to link together. If you are the person who makes the final decision, it may require you to compromise your ideas until you find the best possible solution. Below is a system for making progress in the worst of times.

1. Listen to outside opinions completely. Even if you do not agree, the old saying: "two heads are better than one" is worth considering. Make sure you understand the other person's viewpoint and record the idea before you dismiss it. All, or part of, a foreign idea may be the answer to move forward.

2. Listen to your intuition. If you have poor intuition, it is best to have an advisor who has good "gut instincts." If you do not like the essence of something, you should proceed with caution. If you have a partner with strong intuitive skills, who warns you about the road ahead, proceed with more caution.

3. Know yourself. If there is one quality you should have from steady Yoga practice, it is to have a realistic perception of yourself. Yoga teaches us about our strengths and our weaknesses. Yoga is a gateway to self-observation, and the ability to transform oneself to become a better person, by training the mind.

4. Learn what you do not know. Yoga is a never-ending path of education, with more information than we can gather in one lifetime. This applies to many other subjects, as well. Libraries are filled with answers, but our time in this life is limited.

Therefore, life is an educational journey. Enjoy it! When you cannot find the solution to your questions, it helps to have intellectual company around you. Yet, some people are good at finding solutions because they are "street wise." They may not have the formal education, but they are strong in the area of common sense.

5. Develop relationships based on mutual trust. It is good to have a trusted pool of talent with diversified abilities. Some of these groups are referred to as "master mind" groups. Why should any of us struggle alone, when we have trusted friends?

© 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

Do You Desire a Perfect Life?

When you realize how perfect everything is you will tilt your head and laugh at the sky.

Buddha

Do you desire a perfect life? You may not realize it but to obtain this life is quite simple. Unfortunately society has trained us to live contrary to the actual truth of the Universe. We are taught from very early on to be everywhere but the present moment, to complete tasks as fast as humanly possible, to place our happiness on future goals, and to compete against each other in order to be superior, have the most expensive toys, and to be considered a success in this world. Quite frankly we place money and superficial objects above authentic living, above authentic being. I believe we call this philosophy the "American Dream." To be completely honest with you I don't desire this "American Dream" that has been embedded into my mind and if this is what it takes to be a worldly success, I don't want it. I think we all need to reach deep down within our being and ask ourselves if we really want this; do we really want to sell our soul to society.

So this dream that many of us blindly follow surely is a dream in a literal sense being that we are pursuing it without actually being awake and truly alive. In fact, nightmare may be a more appropriate term. The problem is that we've accepted this nightmare as "normal" life. We have adapted to this philosophy of living and actually believe that this is what life is all about. We accept this faulty and deluded belief system as the truth. It is imperative that we awake from this deep slumber before it destroys us.

It's quite obvious if we take a look at the state of the world today that we are doing something entirely wrong. Yet we continue to follow along with the majority seeking superficial pleasure, power, and control while avoiding the important suggestions of the great spiritual figures, such as Buddha. Of course we have a choice to continue this destructive cycle or we can change and practice simplicity in our lives.

Based on my intensive study of spiritual figures and philosophies, I truly believe within my entire being that it comes down to two simple practices. These practices will give you that perfect life you desire.

Live Now! We must live completely in the miraculous energy of the present. Discard the life scripts that your ego creates and experience what it feels like to genuine BE in the present. This is the only way to be intimately connected to everyone and everything in this Universe. You are creation and creation is you. You are the Now and the Now is you. Practice this and you will know perfection and freedom.

Help another member of your human family. To help humanity is to truly live. If we are not helping humanity we are not living the genuine meaning of life. On a daily basis we should ask ourselves how we can help another human being and be part of the necessary transformation of human consciousness.

If we could unite as one and practice these two simple, fulfilling principles we can turn this Universe around and create peace. Can you imagine what the world could be?

Richard A. Singer is an award winning author, trained psychotherapist, and most importantly a seeker of truth. He continuously searches for wisdom to use in his life, as well as helping other human beings in their precious journey. He has studied eastern psychology, buddhist healing, and non-violence at the doctoral level; in addition, he has spent years devoted to the study of wisdom recorded throughout history. He seeks to impart this knowledge to the world through his writing. His primary purpose is to benefit humanity in any way possible. Richard states that "My books are not only for reading, they are meant to be lived." Richard resides in the Cayman Islands. Learn more about Richard A. Singer on his website RickSingerBooks.com RickSingerBooks.com and contacted at

Yoga in Practice: Helping Negative People (Part 1)

Do you know someone with a perennial dark cloud over his or her head? You're thinking: "I want to avoid negative people, not waste my time helping them out." What if this person is a family member, or loved one, who has turned bitter for some reason? You care deeply for this person and want to help.

Helping people is an example of selfless service, without seeking a reward of any kind. We also know this as Karma Yoga. Mahatma Gandhi is a classic example of a Karma Yoga practitioner.

However, how many of us can be as kind, or as enlightened, as Mahatma Gandhi? You really don't have to; all you have to do is your personal best. Isn't this what Yoga, or "Unity," is all about? We accept that we have limits in our Yoga practice, but we are persistent in our efforts to do better next time.

Some of the most negative people I have met - have everything, but they don't see the "field of diamonds" in their own backyard. Everything is always better somewhere else. No matter how much love they get, or how many possessions they acquire, they are never happy. Some of these people create their own environment and cannot see it. Through observation, you will notice that "money cannot buy happiness." The saddest people on this earth are the extremely poor and the extremely wealthy. This is not a rule, and there are exceptions. Some of the extremely wealthy people practice Karma Yoga, by helping, and giving, to the less fortunate.

Jesus once said, "It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God." Why is this philosophy so close to Karma Yoga? There is a simple answer: We are obligated to help the less fortunate because it is morally right. This is a universal principle in every religion.

Helping the poor, and giving to the poor, will make the wealthy person sleep better at night. If you follow any religion, you will notice that there is a price to be paid in the next life, or in the after life, for gluttony. However, the price is being paid now, in this life, and on this earth.

How can I say this? The only people of great wealth who are happy are the givers. Those who do public service and help others have found a way to put their status and money to work for the common good.

As Andrew Carnegie once said, "Surplus wealth is a sacred trust which its possessor is bound to administer in his lifetime for the good of the community."

Paul Jerard is a co-owner and the director of Yoga teacher training at: Aura Wellness Center, in North Providence, RI. He has been a certified Master Yoga teacher since 1995. He is a master instructor of martial arts, with multiple Black Belts, four martial arts teaching credentials, and was recently inducted into the USA Martial Arts Hall of Fame. He teaches Yoga, martial arts, and fitness to children, adults, and seniors in the greater Providence area. Recently he wrote: Is Running a Yoga Business Right for You? For Yoga students, who may be considering a new career as a Yoga teacher. yoga-teacher-training.org/index.html yoga-teacher-training.org/index.html

Your Guide To Exercise

Even light exercise is good for you, so don't get discouraged!

The most important thing to remember about exercise is that you should pick something you enjoy doing first, and then worry about whether or not it's the best exercise for you later.

The biggest mistake that most people make when they start an exercise routine is the choice of exercise. Most people start out excited, and they pick a really hard exercise routine to start out. They also tend to pick the type of exercise that is recommended to them, instead of one that they enjoy.

The upshot of this approach is that people lose momentum, begin to hate their exercise routine and eventually quit altogether.

It is impossible to overstress how important it is to avoid doing this. An exercise routine you enjoy doing and completing is invaluable starting out. A little exercise can make a difference in your health and fitness, countless studies have shown that people who only get one hour walking a week have better health than those who get no exercise at all.

Once you get into the swing of your routine you will probaly want to step up its intensity somewhat, but ensure you don't fall into the old trap of stepping it up too much. Say you enjoy riding a bike and you cycle a short distance every second evening, once you become used to this you will find you are able to cycle further, quicker and for longer. At that point the best plan is to stretch your routine to encompass your greater abilites, retaining a challenge when you go cycling.

If you feel you are well settled into an exercise program, then to advance you should begin to expand it. If, for example, you walk a certain distance three times a week, aim to walk it four or even five times a week, or maybe increase the distance you walk so as to maintain the challenge.

Try to vary your exercise also, this will help avoid boredom. If you become bored doing your exercise then you will begin to get sick of it. So liven it up by doing different exercises.

An exercise routine which trains all of your body is obviously a good one, so maybe you should look into getting a membership in a local gym or perhaps buying a body workout machine for your home. By getting a total body workout your whole body will feel, and look, better.

Don't allow yourself to get discouraged; you won't always be in the mood to exercise. If you don't feel like exercising, then just take that day off. There is no harm in missing a day's exercise here and there, in fact it can help you prevent become burned out. Just try to ensure the day off doesn't become a permanent break.

Even if you end up not exercising for so long that you get out of your routine, that is no reason to give up. Just start exercising again - no matter how much or how little exercise you do, it will always benefit you. Whether you're looking to continue or change your current exercise routine, or you're just starting to exercise again, good luck!

Peter Hilsper is webmaster and editor at ROAR Exercise [roarexercise.com] which is crammed with the best in health information, links and articles. Read more at: [roarexercise.com]

Losing Weight Through Efficient Exercise and Smart Nutrition

It is pretty obvious why more and more people are overweight. With all the modern conveniences, people are no longer walking or riding bicycles to work or school. People are doing less and less yard and house work. Everyone is becoming more sedentary at work, at school, and at home. We are not playing outside as much and running around as much. Instead we are watching TV, doing work on computers, surfing the internet, or playing video games. We are simply not moving our bodies as much as in the past and this is taking a devastating toll on our health and well being.

Something has to be done about this. The solution lies within you. You must take action to educate yourself and then to nurture yourself back to optimal health and fitness. A good starting point is through admission. Our modern world is very demanding and it is quite understandable that you may feel a little overwhelmed, tired, fatigued, and drained. It is okay to admit this and begin your calm surrender. In fact, the most important step is to first acknowledge the need for change.

Proper nutrition is essential. A balanced and healthy diet can be very difficult to achieve in our busy modern world. Today, more than ever before, we need to pay very close attention to what we putting into our bodies. We should change our diets to avoid many of the modern man made substances we ingest. Believe it or not, there are many people today who are significantly overweight yet they are very hungry all the time. This is because they are consuming many foods and beverages that have very empty calories and their bodies are actually undernourished. Yes, can you believe this? Many people today are overweight but are actually malnourished! There is a need to evaluate daily nutrition and improve it. What are you putting into your body on a daily basis? Have you researched what you should and should not be eating and drinking? There is tremendous controversy in this area, however, look for the common threads. These are things most professionals agree upon such as: Drink purified water. Drink mostly water for your daily hydration. Most people are not eating enough fresh fruits and vegetables. This is another great source of hydration.

Drink and eat out of glass containers instead of plastic whenever possible.Drinking soda or pop is not good because it is loaded with chemicals, preservatives, additives, sugar, and carbonation. Most fried foods are very bad for you because the oils contain the worst type of fat and these fats tend to go rancid. Most "fast foods" are bad for you for the same reason listed above under fried food. Eating 5 times a day with 3 healthy meals plus 2 healthy snacks is better than 3 heavy meals. Eating a full meal after 6pm at night is not a good idea because digestion will use lots of your energy and interfere with sleep. Whole foods are the best answer. And there are many more common threads about nutrition to consider. We challenge you to research this area rigorously and change your diet for the better based upon your belief system and findings. Simply improving upon the food you eat, water you drink, and basic exercise you perform can make a significant and lasting difference in your life. You are faced with nutrition choices every day. Choose wisely!

Efficient Exercise is the key for long term good health. Over-training can be worse than under-training in many cases because over-training can cause injury and fatigue. Before starting any new exercise program, you should consult with your physician. Beyond that it is critical to use efficient and intelligent methods to improve your flexibility, endurance, strength, and stamina. There are many simple techniques that you can start right away to improve your core and your foundation that will produce excellent health and fitness benefits in the long term. A balanced body is a very worthy goal that will allow total wellness to flourish in your life. The benefits of exercising have been proven to improve health for so many reasons. Exercising and keeping your body in good physical condition can lead to a highly efficient natural detoxification system that is vital to disease and illness prevention.

Exercising intelligently and efficiently is the key for long term good health. As a starting point, take a serious look in a long mirror. Look at your body facing directly in the mirror. Now turn to the side and review your profile. How is your posture? Are you out of alignment? Are your shoulders raised up near your ears or behind you, down on your back and relaxed? Is your head, neck, shoulders, hips, knees and feet in proper alignment? Have you been evaluated by a professional licensed physical therapist, doctor, Pilates, or yoga instructor recently? What would they say? Do you sit at a desk in front of a computer for your job? Do you sit excessively during the day at your job and again at night on the couch at home? Do you experience aches and pains in your neck, shoulders, and back? Proper posture especially in this day and age is critical to restoring balance and wellness in your life. Our modern lifestyle tends to over develop the front of our bodies and neglect our backs. Muscles, especially in the back, abdomen, and legs, become very weak over time. These core muscles are the most important yet are often the most neglected.

The basic components of an intelligent, efficient, exercise program include the following: Consultation with your physician. Cardiovascular risk assessment. Consultation with a licensed physical therapist and other professionals such as credible, qualified Pilates or yoga instructors. Cardio / Endurance training (walking, swimming, biking, etc.). Flexibility training (basic stretching, Yoga). Strength training (Pilates, basic weight training, yard work). Relaxation training (meditation, music). Find an "accountability partner" to exercise with. You can motivate each other significantly.

A critical element of proper exercise is the core training. This is the foundation upon which you build. In today's busy modern world we all are faced with limited time and money. This is why learning how to do key flexibility, strength, and endurance exercises quickly and efficiently is critical. As with nutrition there are many so called "experts" out there. As a foundation, I do perform several core strength exercises using Yoga and Pilates principles daily. A balanced body is a very worthy goal that will allow total wellness to flourish in your life.

There are many things you can do to significantly improve your health and well being. Don't give up, stay positive, and fight back. You can do it! Try to work on all health elements (attitude, passion, nutrition, exercise, rest & relaxation, detoxification, hobbies, etc.), but be sure to zero in on the two key elements of smart nutrition and efficient exercise. Simply improving upon the food you eat, beverages you drink, and exercises you perform can make a significant and lasting difference in your life.

The author is a continuous improvement consultant and web developer with a passion for health, fitness, life balance, and total wellness. He is the creator of bestexerciseabs.com BestExerciseAbs.com, a website dedicated to weight loss, bestexerciseabs.com/Smart-Nutrition.html smart nutrition, efficient exercise, and life balance.

How to Find a Certified Yoga Instructor

A great yoga instructor teaches how to encompass the fleeting sprit, the groping mind and the tired body. The union of all three in their most symmetric form to create a composite conscience is called yoga. These classes take us beyond the threshold of achievable and lay ground rules for an indefatigable "oneself". Each breath we take gets adorned with beauty. This oriental art /science have taken the western world by storm too and today, yoga classes are a thriving business. A trained instructor does not have profiteering in mind but due to its large scale acceptance, a yoga teacher has to maintain himself as businessmen.

A yoga teacher offers classes in a proper studio. The instructor makes sure that you have an ambience where you can perform up to your potential for best results. For yoga lessons, people do not mind taking long routes. They travel for an hour or more to take classes from a certified instructor. Thankfully, all this can be made available at your nearest neighbourhood. For all those looking for a quality yoga instructor, you can find on the internet, sites that can help you find the proper instructor or class.

Some website are a publisher or an affiliate seeking to bring you closer to the merchant sites that offer great services when it comes to yoga classes offered by a trained yoga instructor who has proper certification in a plush studio. Even goods like exercising accessories and clothing can be obtained via the internet, sometime at a lower cost. A few suffer from posture related worries that can be gotten rid of with the help of yoga classes provided in a yoga studio. For all of them, a posture-enabler like a zafus or a mat can help in doing their yoga classes as provided by a yoga teacher in a yoga studio with greater concentration.

A few look for holistic retreats that can take them away from the humdrum of their daily lives and throw them in the arms of pastoral retreat. Such retreats are also offered by a variety of merchants. All that you need to do is look under yoga retreat on the web. These also provide information about yoga teacher instituted in such retreats.

Maybe osteoporosis has made a dent in your fleeting steps. Maybe you are young and just got a stroke. Still others can be suffering from flatulence, bloating and a lethargic feeling developing all over their body. There can be so many diseases that might have become a part of your existence.

You know that taking lessons from a yoga instructor in a yoga studio can be an astute and effective answer to all these worries but you don't know what it would take to visit a far-flung yoga studio. For all these people in dilemma, we propose just a "click" and infinite blessings.

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Nadine is the owner of a new website targeting yoga lovers. The author felt in love with yoga when she started practicing yoga about 2 years ago. She felt the tremendous health benefits she obtained with time. While going to classes she searched for some yoga accessories and comfortable clothing. She found on the web, wonderful merchants promoting yoga gear. She created a website where she could offer to customers faster access to great merchants. Here it is, TheYogaOutlet was created.
If you are looking for some yoga clothing/accessories/DVD etc, you can have a look at her website and just browse at the listed merchants at theyogaoutlet.com home page