Why Pilates Is The Number One Choice

There are various types of Pilates workouts that are available to you, thus it is important to understand about each different type, so that you can study the components of each. Either you want to take up Pilates as a hobby or a career choice, the following article helps you decide on which exercise is truly suitable for you.

1) Powerhouse Pilates

Powerhouse Pilates is a form of exercise that provides that of a fitness approach to that of the Pilates education overall. It was founded by Marci Clark and Christine Romani-Ruby in order to make Pilates education easily available for fitness professionals.

2) Peak Pilates

Peak Pilates is one of many forms of Pilates which uses a truly and entirely different approach that teaches you how to teach and not just what to teach. Peak Pilates certification programs concentrate on that of professional development and a deep understanding of the integrated, systematic approach to Pilates overall.

This knowledge is important because it is what provides the solid foundation and the confidence; two things that are required in order to become a successful Pilates instructor.

Moreover, the Peak Pilates certification programs offer that of a modular educational pathway which allows you to learn and teach at your own pace while simultaneously matching your own personal education level to the level of Peak Pilates that you wish to teach. It is compulsory for every single Pilates student, regardless of their specific fitness level or movement experience, begins by learning the introductory system.

3) Stott Pilates

Stott Pilates is one which concentrates on that of breath, core conditioning, and body awareness. Moreover, Stott Pilates exercise provides a safe and highly effective way to stretch, which is a very important part of the Pilates routines altogether. Stott Pilates is also great as it strengthens and streamlines your body without adding unwanted bulk and without putting any more pressure on your joints.

Stott Pilates is performed on a mat and uses specialized equipment. It is considered as being one of the few fitness regimes that can last you for a lifetime. In addition, it is also thought of as being the perfect compliment to that of cardiovascular exercise, sport and rehab.

4) Power Pilates

Power Pilates are exercises on almost the same lines as yoga, however with a big difference - the fitness in yoga comes from the mind first, hence the deep meditation, etc. The Power Pilates imparts a series exercises which are focused to build muscles and overall the fitness of body and mind.

There are many programs which offer a number of Power Pilates at different levels of interest. The Power Pilates is a series of exercises that a person has to take on for about 12-36 hours per week. The Power Pilates moves will almost always require backup by some form of equipment. These equipments are used for different muscle stretching exercises.

The Power Pilates exercises are a great way to stay fit. Yoga is the only other method for accomplishing the same level of fitness of the mind and body. Power Pilates is not too costly to learn, or too labor intensive as yoga yet it is highly effective. While with yoga you will need to be extremely supple, with the Power Pilates you require only to have the will to learn and do it.

5) Yoga Pilates

There are several different yoga Pilates workouts that involve exercises that have their foundation in yoga along with Pilates as they focus on flexibility and core strength. An exerciser can do these yoga Pilates exercises at a restful pace by breathing slowly and deeply throughout the workout. Yoga Pilates exercises can also be adjusted to fit different fitness levels and flexibility. However one should also consult the doctor before starting any of these exercise programs.

There are definite yoga Pilates guidelines that should help exercisers which include yoga postures that should not be performed on a full stomach. One should wear comfortable clothing to enable freedom of movement and not exercising when feeling weak or shaky.

One should build up strength steadily while staying within personal limitations. One should extend their boundaries of limitations gently while staying focused throughout the workout on one's breathing that is inhaling and exhaling fully and completely, through the nose.

Because yoga Pilates classes is mushrooming everywhere, there may be a limited number of qualified instructors available. Having a qualified instructor is important as it guarantees that the participant takes the right yoga Pilates exercises. In the case of Pilates, it is dangerous to do moves that are beyond one's capabilities.

6) Pilates and Pregnancy

Pilates is thought of to be one of the best ways a pregnant woman can use to prepare herself for the birth of her baby. Furthermore, by practicing Pilates can help her along the stages of her actual pregnancy. The dynamic moves of Pilates actually challenge the woman by building her muscle endurance, and at the same time helping her to gain better balance.

Pilates and pregnancy is a great match in this regards because with Pilates it is a mind and body incorporating method of exercise that strengthens the most important muscles - the ones that the woman will be using during the labor and delivery part of her pregnancy: the abdominals, pelvic muscles, and the back.

One of the best and most important parts about Pilates and pregnancy is that it is the most perfect groundwork for a woman's labor and delivery process. Pilates is also great during pregnancy because it helps the woman to limber her muscles thus making them supple, which will be a very helpful factor when the time comes to deliver the baby.

However, as with any other form of physical activity, the pregnant woman should consult her physician before starting Pilates, just to ensure that it will not do harm to herself or to the baby.

Cindy Heller is a professional writer. Visit winsorpilatesworkout.net winsor pilates workout to learn more about winsorpilatesworkout.net/power_pilates.php power pilates and other winsorpilatesworkout.net/pilates_workout.php pilates workout.

Working With an Online Trainer

We have all had the intention of finishing work and heading to the gym or to a fitness class, only to be delayed and end up missing the workout. It happens and with our busy lifestyles it will continue to happen.

Having a gym membership is a great idea but do we really know what to do once we get there? We all know that there is a benefit to any form of exercise but lets face it, if we have to go to the gym lets get the most benefit out of it.

Online training has become so popular mainly because it allows people to receive and enjoy all the benefits of working with a trainer for motivation and accountability without the stress of "making the appointment"

Online training is convenient for most people as their programs are custom designed and emailed to them. That way you have it ready for when you can make it to the gym or can squeeze in a workout. What is important is to do your research and only work with a reputable company with certified trainers. This is important whether you're looking for a trainer for the gym or online.

Online training provides an easy solution to the hassles and frustrations on weight loss and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Everyone should be able to receive the education and knowledge, including the support needed to help in achieving goals that clients set for themselves.

Many trainers and fitness facilities now offer this service. Decide which is the best for you.

Connie Oliwa is the Owner of Fortfitness.ca Fortfitness.ca, A Personal Training & Lifestyle Coaching Company that was created in 1996 in Whistler, British Columbia. Our goal is to create, develop and instruct professional fitness and lifestyle programs for our clients of all ages and fitness levels. As leaders in fitness education we provide professional knowledge and innovative training methods to ensure our clients reach and maintain their goals, and enjoy the experience.

With over 20 years in the fitness industry my role is to educate and motivate my clients to succeed with each and every goal which is set. Together we plan, design and work on a program that enhances your lifestyle. I believe it is the utmost of importance to find a fitness program that is designed for you, your fitness level and your lifestyle. Whether you train with us at our Studio or Online we will empower your inner strength to achieve and succeed with all your fitness & lifestyle goals.

Yoga Instructor Ethics

The mission of a yoga instructor should be to serve the needs of the students in the class. That cannot be accomplished if intimate relationships are being cultivated with students, and unhealthy emotions blur the student-teacher boundary.

Some instructors are not prepared to guard against the ego in these situations and may give into the temptations presented to them. This not only dominates the nature of the classroom, but also damages the purpose and reputation of yoga practice.

Ego also gets in the way of yoga instruction, when instructors do not recognize the point where they are not trained enough to assist yoga students with their needs. On the other hand, instructors should not abandon or neglect students.

Students should always be referred to another instructor, or class, to allow them to get the most from their yoga instruction. The yoga studio needs to be a safe place for everybody, regardless of where they are in their own lives. The instructor is responsible for creating and maintaining a safe environment.

The yoga sutras, which are at the core of yoga ethics, have eight branches, or arms. The personal and social ethics that apply most substantially to yoga instruction are yama and niyama. These ethics require peacefulness, honesty, acceptance, truthfulness, temperance, and restraint.

Niyama sets forth the goals of purity, contentment, self-study, and dedication to holiness. These essential ethics cannot be upheld if instructors do not seek them. Ahimsa, peacefulness, requires us to do no harm. One cannot get personally and intimately involved with a student and not inflict some grief.

Unfortunately, in today's environment, it is commonplace to see that the "exercise" portion of yoga is often separated from the rest of yoga. The classes tend to be body-centric and avoid, or eliminate, altogether, the importance of ethics, philosophy, and spirituality, which have been a part of yoga for its 5,000 year history.

Without the ethical, philosophical, and spiritual elements, the complete benefits and true core of yoga are missing. The same can be said of actions taken by yoga instructors that selfishly put the needs of the teacher first.

© Copyright 2008 - 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 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

Why Would a Skinny Guy Train in Pilates?

O.K. I was skeptical for about 4 or 5 years when I heard about the Pilates exercise system. "Here we go again," I thought. "The movie stars are doing it do it must be the end all be all. Besides something that dancers and actors do seemed to effeminate. It was strange enough that I had started instructing women's kick-boxing. I mean who would have thought that there was such a demand?

But I digress. I had heard bits and pieces of Pilates this and Pilates that. But, I never really took a serious look until some of my women's kick-boxing trainees started talking and demonstrating these "Pilates" moves. O.K. some of it looked difficult... I mean challenging. So, I practiced some of the movements without much thought. Then one day, this pretty, a bit-over weight lady showed up after several months of absence. Wow. She had completely trimmed down and did she look hot! It almost challenged my professional attitude just looking at her. So, what happened? Was it the great nutritional advice that I gave her. Well, a bit (I'd like to think anyway). "Pilates training," she explained.

So, I asked her to demonstrate this style of exercise. It was kin of weird, but it made sense. Strengthen the muscle STABILIZERS and the big muscles will be O.K. So, I signed up for the $900 instructor's course. There I was one of two guys in a class of women. Almost as awkward as when I took my aerobics instructor training. Except with the aerobics, I could wing it with my runner's stamina. Not so with the Pilates.

Everyone else in the class was some kind of dancer, physiotherapist or gymnast. So, I was the awkward dude. To complicate things, I was also experiencing back and hip pain and was visiting a chiropractor, acupuncturist and physiotherapist. At over 44 years, I had run too many miles on pavement and thrown too many round house kicks. Plus my old motorcycle accident just kept acting up.

But, a few weeks into the Pilates instructor course something started to happen. No, I did not start getting more girlfriends and Hollywood fame. My hip pain started going away. I could also do a squat or clean with weights without falling to one side. I was getting stronger in the lower body without the use of weights. Go figure. I also seemed to have lost a recurring muscle pain behind my right should blade. My Pilates instructor, Monique, explained that many of us were born imperfect and these imperfections come to light later in life.

Well, I was sold on the Pilates and started teaching it. Later, I also learned and taught power yoga. While I admit that the Pilates can get as dry as watching grass grow, the stuff works. It is also a relief to know that the inventor, Joseph H. Pilates was a smart, tough dude, who had trained former world heavy weight boxing champion Max Schnmeling.

While Pilates will not develop kick-butt stamina and muscular endurance, it can strengthen your overall structure and keep the older athlete in the game. It does make you look better and more confident when you are standing taller. When people stand taller, they look leaner. I also attribute Pilates training to assisting me climbing Mt. Rainier while carrying a 60 pound back pack.

I highly recommend the following exercises: Roll like a Ball, Roll up and sawing.

For more information read the download: 2ndwindbodyscience.com/stomach.html Stomach Flattening

Doug Setter holds a Bachelor's of Food and Nutrition. He has served as a paratrooper and U.N. Peacekeeper, has completed 5 full marathons and climbed Mt. Rainier. He held a welterweight kick-boxing title at age 40. He consults clients in alcohol reduction, stomach-flattening, kick-boxing and nutrition. He is the author of Stomach Flattening, Reduce Your Alcohol Craving and One Less Victim. Visit his website: 2ndwindbodyscience.com 2ndwindbodyscience.com

Should Yoga Teachers Be Marketing Themselves?

Is marketing Yoga unethical? Is it wrong to make money by teaching Yoga classes? Is it wrong to be teaching Yoga as a career? In a "nut shell," the answer is "no." How can you exist without making a living?

The whole concept of Yoga teachers, refusing money for their services, is absolutely ridiculous. Everyone, who performs a service of value, should be paid for it. Anything of value is worth something. It is a fact that Yoga teachers spend a lot of time and money on training.

What do Yoga teachers bring to their students? Let's look at a short list of examples: Happiness, tranquility, less stress, less pain, self-confidence, less anger, better physical health, improved emotional health, and better mental health.

There are many books on the benefits of Yoga, so my list is quite modest. Let's look at just one benefit of Yoga. Would you rather have more pain or less? Pain is the relationship you never wanted. Once you have pain, you only want to get rid of it.

Some people gladly pay anything to get rid of pain. So, now I ask, "Is Yoga still worthless?" The answer is: Yoga is not worthless - of course not. Why would you listen to anyone, who tells you so?

Therefore, if you are a Yoga teacher, or thinking about becoming a Yoga instructor, marketing is part of the job. Whether we like it, or not, we market ourselves everyday. In fact, everyone markets themselves at work, home, or play, so we may as well do a good job of it.

© 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

Cures & Treatments & Excuses for Back Pain

Did you know that as many as four out of five people will suffer some kind of significant back pain during their lifetime? But these statistics cannot be truly verified as tens of thousands of people each year also go to their doctors faking back pains in order to get signed off from work on sick leave. In fact, as back pain is so difficult for a doctor to detect, it's the number one excuse for sick leave in the developed world.

Such individuals are often caught out swinging a number 9 iron down at their local golf club or working on their gardens, but these tricksters aside, there are still countless others who genuinely go through agonizing and debilitating problems with their backs, and because many of these genuine sufferers get little 'real' help from their physicians, they often seek alternative treatments and cures for their back pain.

Osteopaths reputation has grown in popularity over the years and they have been deemed by many as miracle workers when it comes to relieving agonizing long-term back problems.

In fact my wife's mother was almost bent in two for 6 months with excruciating lower back pain, and after reluctantly agreeing to visit an Osteopath, she walked out of his surgery with head held high after the very first visit. This was the first time in almost half a year that she was able to stand up straight. It brought tears of joy to her husband's eye at the time.

But it's important to note that there are lots ways to injure a back and there are many places on the back which can be inflicted with ache and hurt. Sadly, there is not a one-treatment-fixes-all remedy, which is why many long time sufferers seek a range of alternative treatments before they are able to alleviate, or cure their problem altogether. Let's now take a look as some of the popular treatments that folks have found to work well for them.

Massage Therapy: In particular Chinese or Thai, but it's very important if you try this method, you find a professional and reputable masseur who has a good understanding of muscle imbalances and how to work on them. For those wanting to try massage should do so with extreme caution, but reports from previous suffers have proved that it can be a very effective treatment for back pains.

Yoga: Yoga is a great exercise for strengthening the lower back and is great as a prevention as well as a cure for back pain. However, yoga, like massage, should not be jumped into without expert guidance. In fact, not all yoga poses will relieve back pain, and some may even aggravate existing pain if you don't know which moves will be most beneficial. Therefore, Yoga should be practiced under the watchful eye of a trained professional and not be attempted for the first time with a home video or a book on the subject.

Acupuncture: There have been studies by the National Institutes of Health which have show that acupuncture can be a very effective treatment for back pain. It's still looked on as doubtful by many in the medical community as modern medicine has not been able to fully explain how acupuncture works. But many western patients have sworn by this ancient Chinese alternative treatment for all kinds of ills.

So, if you are a long time sufferer of back complaints, you might want to take a look at some of the alternative treatments available today, including Osteopaths, Massage, Yoga, Acupuncture, herbal remedies, liniments, special sticking plasters ad infinitum.

Read more articles on Natural Cures and Treatments including another look at orientalcures.com/natural-cure-fordepression.htm The Natural Cure for Depression, also a piece about the orientalcures.com/naturalcures-for-anxiety.htm Natural Cures for Anxiety, and a take on orientalcures.com/back-pain-cures.htm Finding Natural Back Pain Cures!. This plus more pieces on natural remedies for today's ills at Oriental Cures dot com

Muscles - United They Stand - Divided They Fail!

So, just what IS this "Functional Fitness (FF)" everyone is suddenly talking about?  Actually FF is nothing new, it is in fact the oldest and, in many an opinion, the most important kind of exercise.  A true example of FF is Yoga.  Hardly new.  You don't ever see a Yogi just repping on one muscle at a time do you?  Let's first look at the opposite of FF:

THE ISOLATED REP.  I see this all the time in every gym I have ever visited.  For many years this was THE method used by body-builders for building muscle.  So, what's wrong with that?  Nothing, and everything!  Clear as mud?  OK, let me explain. If you are in the gym doing all of that work and spending all of that time, just so you can have some "pretty" muscles, well, isolated work might do ya.  But is that "fitness"?  Not really, no.  I have seen countless bodies that are the result of this kind of exercise and very often they are unbalanced, and one step from real problems.  Often they are not really that attractive either.  I'm sure most of you have seen "that musclebound guy" walking down the beach thinking that he is really strutting it.  Yet his arms don't even hang correctly.  It is called muscle"bound" for a reason.  Notice that "that guy's" palms are often facing backwards instead of towards his sides.  This is partially due to a lack of flexibility because "pumping up the muscles" is more important to this guy than spending time stretching.  Another cause of this "ape-like" stance is that these guys often place much more emphasis on working their front than their "all over".  Why?  Because he can watch his work in the gym mirrors and it looks cool!  He works his back less simply because he cannot see it.  This kind of exerciser is not really going after 'fitness', and isn't getting it either.  He/she also has a much higher chance of being injured during activities due to the imbalances in the body, as the body has not been 'trained' to work together.  When a muscle is very strong, and the opposing muscle is not, you are asking for problems.  And how can isolation work train the muscle how to "work well with others"?  Teamwork is important in more than just sports!  It is critical in the body if you truly want to be physically 'fit'. 

This is where Functional Fitness comes into the picture.  The only thing that is somewhat 'new' about this is what we are calling it.  Yoga, Pilates and athletic training are all examples.  You can actually turn some work 'functional' by just standing on one leg as you do it.  This brings your core smack full into the equation, and changes the dynamic entirely.  Of course you only do this when it is safe to do so!  An example of an isolated move would be a hamstring curl, which works ONE muscle (or group, since several muscles in the body are actually a group, i.e., triceps, biceps, quads, etc.).  Now think about a squat.  This works quads, hamstrings, glutes, core, etc. And you can take this a level higher by making this a ONE legged squat, thus working all of the isolator muscles that keep you balanced as well as those large mover muscles.  All 'compound' moves are not necessarily in the category of FF, but FF will always use more than one muscle.  Bottom line is that functional work involves the entire body and how it works together.  This article is about the difference between the two and the importance of FF.  Come back again when we really get into detail about some of the best functional work, and how convenient you will find it to do.  You can turn almost any place into your FF gym.  Boot camp work is among the best, think about it, our soldiers train functionally, you don't see them sitting out there in the field with the Sargent all curling dumbbells now do you?  Not at all, they are doing burpees, push ups, running, climbing, doing ploy work and more.  All can be done with the body alone.  See, the excuses are gone!  No need for a bunch of equipment. 

I'll 'see' you soon, and in the meantime, start switching up your isolated work and see if you don't really start to feel the difference in your every day activities.  ~Coach Sherilyn~

5 Reasons Why You Need a Doula

A doula is a labor support professional who can assist you when going through childbirth. Traditionally, women were always attended by other experienced women to help them get through this difficult life transition. In the modern day hospital setting, women are generally unattended until it is time to actually deliver. This means a first time mom could spend 16-18 hours feeling completely alone. The nurses will hook you to the monitor, and check on you about once an hour.

A doula is a professional, trained to handle the non-clinical aspects of labor. She is familiar with the process of childbirth and how to guide you through the progression of labor with effectiveness. This is the only experienced professional who stays with the mother from the time her labor is active, until after the baby is born.

Here are 5 reasons a mom will want a doula by her side:

1. The mother will have professional help in developing a birth plan, as a doula assists the new parents in understanding all the available options

2. The mother will have an experienced professional by her side continuously during labor

3. The mother will be physically comforted by the doulas comfort measures, including warm compresses, massage, relaxation and breathing techniques

4. The partner will have support and guidance in how to help the mother during labor

5. The couple will have a beautiful account of what happened during labor, as a doula will keep a record and many mothers lose focus of the time

These are just a few things that a doula can do for you! Here is what Jacksonville moms are saying about having a doula for their birth:

"She [our doula] provided us with important prenatal information and practice relaxation techniques that assisted my husband and me to feel prepared for the birth."

"The positive outcome of our labor was directly impacted by our doula's birthing expertise and her ability to assist me in managing my labor. We would not have been able to have a natural, non-medicated delivery without our doula!"

"This was the best money we spent when preparing for our new baby!"

Educate yourself and hire and doula to help you have a shorter, easier birth and a wonderful birth experience.

Sita Payne Romero, LMT, CD

Sita specializes in preparing expectant mothers to have a comfortable pregnancy, and achieve their ideal birth experience. She is a certified doula, a licensed and certified pregnancy massage therapist and a prenatal yoga teacher. She owns a private practice in Jacksonville, FL. For more information, and helpful articles please visit our lotusinbloom.net Jacksonville Doula and Pregnancy Massage Resource Page

Yoga in Practice: Train Your Mind for Empowerment, Part 1

Recently, there have been some objections to using words like empowerment, abundance, success, and achievement, within Yoga writings. However, it would be much more difficult to open the doors of my wellness center, in North Providence, if I were homeless. Imagine the number of children, teens, adults, and seniors, who could not reap the benefits of Yoga, if every Yoga teacher took a vow of poverty.

The fifth Yama: Aparigraha (Non-gathering) is clear to Yoga practitioners, but it would be difficult to contribute to charities, research Yoga, write, teach under-privileged people, or make a contribution to mankind, if you are starving in the back alleys of New England, or anywhere else. If you have nothing to give, you can give nothing; therefore, you must acquire and give to others to help mankind.

You should not abandon the concept of empowerment to help yourself, in order that you can help others - in turn. This is not about hoarding material, but accumulating, and re-distributing, to those in need. You only have a temporary hold on any material wealth in this life, so why not help people, while you have it? This is a principle of Karma Yoga: Union by selfless service.

Where do you start with training, or re-training, your mind for empowerment and success? It is within the basic programming of your mind that you must start. You must learn to "eat, sleep, and drink" positive energy every day.

To eat correctly, a diet should, for the most part, consist of sattvic foods, such as vegetables, fruits, and whole grains. There is much more to this dieting aspect, but it is difficult to find these foods at a fast food restaurant. However, it is worth the effort to research the sattvic diet and make small changes to your current eating habits.

When you sleep, try to get to bed earlier and be in your best frame of mind. You can do this by meditating or by practicing a stage-by-stage relaxation before bedtime. There are also many good meditation, self-hypnosis, and relaxation CD's to choose from. Sometimes, dreams can be negative; but with the above-mentioned methods, you can change the programming of your mind.

Drink plenty of pure water and gradually observe how your behavior changes. Many people consume too much caffeine every day. Can you imagine if a negative person walked up to you, in a positive mood, and said, "I'm sorry, for what I said before - I had one coffee too many, today?" This sounds like a "lame excuse," but in reality, there are too many every day conflicts due to caffeine.

With these first three steps, you will gradually train your mind for empowerment.

© 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

How To Get Started Using Pilates Fitness Training

If you haven't already joined the pilates fitness training wave, there is plenty of time to get on board. Pilates has been adopted successfully by millions as a way to get in shape and stay fit without extensive strength training and aerobic exercise. Of course, it's not a bad idea to incorporate different kinds of workouts in your daily exercise routine, but if the others don't appeal to you, then consider pilates instead.

Pilates is a system of 500 movements that have been developed and refined over the years to help build up the core muscles of the body and improve flexibility at the same time. It usually produces a longer, leaner appearance rather than the bulky muscles created by bodybuilding. It also focuses on the quality of the movements undertaken and so repetitions aren't nearly as important in pilates routines as they are in weight training.

So what do you need to get started with pilates fitness training? Actually, the first thing you can do to see if it might be something worth looking into is to go to your local library and get a DVD on pilates exercises. Usually you can learn a lot from these kind of products, even getting to see pilates being put to use. If it looks like something that you think would appeal to you, your next step would be verifying with your doctor that you can physically handle such an exercise program.

If he agrees that it would be good for you a logical next move is to actually sign up for a pilates class and learn how to perform the movements from a good, qualified instructor. The teacher can also help you work up an exercise routine that will be tailored for you with your particular needs in mind. If you enjoy attending these classes and have the time to do so, you may want to just continue and add more exercises as the need arises.

But for many, once they have mastered the pilates exercise program they can actually just do it right at home any time they want. This often works very well for people who lead busy lives too, enabling them to fit their daily fitness workout into their schedule whenever it works best.

You may also want to consider adding the use of some other equipment including a pilates exercise ball, a mat, pilates circles, and pilates resistance bands to the mix later on. But initially just focus on getting the movements right and doing them properly. The most strenuous pilates workout is the winsor pilates system which will burn the most energy and help you lose the most weight, so eventually you may want to focus on that set of pilates exercises to get in the best shape possible.

Whatever you choose to do, the most important thing to do is to just get started. Following the suggestions above should help you get on the road to good health using the power of pilates.

Thad Pickering writes on many consumer related topics including fitness. You can find homefitnessconsumerreview.com/pilates-exercise.html free pilates exercises and learn about homefitnessconsumerreview.com/index.html pilates sample exercises by visiting our Home Fitness website.

Learning Yoga For Your Good Health

For many of us, cranking out a ten-minute mile on a treadmill or pounding the floor of the racquetball court can mean major joint pain. Fortunately, you can cover all three of your major exercise types (aerobic, anaerobic and stretching) through a low-impact activity like yoga.

Yoga is an ancient Indian practiced designed to promote relaxation, health and flexibility. By using a series of poses and breathing techniques, yoga also works on the practitioner's balance, strength and overall health.

It has been shown to reduce blood pressure, lower cholesterol levels, diminish back pain and improve cardiovascular health. Depending on the type of yoga you do, yoga can be an aerobic, anaerobic or stretching exercise or all three.

Essentially, yoga tones and stretches all your joints and muscles. Not only does this unique form of exercise deliver physical benefits, it also reduces stress while promoting relaxation. When it comes to aging well, yoga is one of the best activities you can do.

Some types of it are more strenuous than others, so before you sign up for a class or purchase a yoga DVD, you may want to make sure you're choosing a yoga program that's right for you. Keep reading to learn about the five major types of yoga:

Integral Yoga: This is a basic and very gentle form of yoga with a set pattern of postures. The emphasis is on pose control, relaxation and deep meditation. Integral yoga is perfect for beginners.

Ashtanga Yoga: You may see Ashtanga yoga listed as "power yoga." This type of yoga moves fast and focuses on a continuous flow of movement through the traditional yoga poses. By incorporating strength, aerobic exertion and flexibility, Ashtange embodies all three types of exercise.

Kundalini Yoga: This form of yoga is extremely spiritual and tends to focus predominantly on breathing exercises, chanting, relaxation and meditation.

Iyengar Yoga: Iyengar yoga focuses predominantly on positioning and poses that are precise and correct. Using wooden blocks, buckets or straps, Iyengar concentrates on alignment and the actual structure of a pose. Though slow and steady, Iyengar is not recommended for yoga beginners.

Bikram Yoga: Also known as "hot yoga," Bikram yoga is typically done in a room heated to anywhere from 80 to 100 degrees. Vigorous and intense, this form of yoga may be too much for those suffering from respiratory problems, high blood pressure or cardiac issues.

Please visit Life Skills Are Essential For Addiction Recovery [markhoustonrecovery.com/blog/recovery/life-skills-are-essential-for-addiction-recovery] and Parent's Role in Teen Drug and Alcohol Addiction [markhoustonrecovery.com/blog/addiction/parents-role-in-teen-drug-and-alcohol-addiction]

Online Yoga Teacher Training

Are you considering a career in yoga? Maybe you're a yoga practitioner and want

to take your training to the next level. You may have wanted to become an instructor

for a while now but haven't had access to the training facilities. You couldn't

make the drive or the yoga training school was too far away from you. Well you're in

luck because you can now become a yoga instructor through online training.

Because of the nature of any online business you must be careful in choosing a

program that is right for you and has meets strict criteria. You will want to choose

a program that has a history of training people to become successful instructors.

There are many options for courses and certification programs so you want to pick one

that suits you and your lifestyle. That's why learning to become a yoga instructor online

and gaining a certification is so great. It is incredibly rewarding. You can perform it

from the comfort of your own home without sacrificing or damaging your marriage, career

or family.

Before starting any program online you should speak with experienced Yoga teachers who can offer

you unbiased advice. If you can speak with people who have used the program you're interested

in then that's even better.

Any worthwhile program will have comprehensive training in the following areas.

* Anatomy, Physiology, and Kinesiology

* Asanas

* Modifications

* Yoga philosophy & methodology

* Assisting with alignment

* Chakras

* Bandhas

* Mudras

* Yamas & Niyamas

* Pranayama

* Meditation and Relaxation

* Working with special populations

* Yoga Teaching Tips

* Yoga Teacher Ethics

Make sure all of the above are included in the yoga training and ifthey give advice

on how to set up your business then that would be an added bonus. So many people fail

on that point. They love yoga and are great teachers but have no idea on how to set up

their business correctly.

Starting your training to become a yoga teacher via an onlie program will have some expense

and you want to be sure you are getting value for money, so whichever program you choose make

sure they have a money back guarantee if you're not satisfied.

If you're interested in becoming a yoga instructor and receiving your qualifications

then it is possible to do so online. You will find yoga training to be very rewarding

and can change your life in many ways.

Paul Louvre is a Yoga addict and an avid practitioner. He also teaches yoga and provides information on how to achieve a yoga teaching certification online. To take advantage of Pauls recommendations and to get your free report visit Free Report Click Here [onlineyogateachertraining.blogspot.com]

Yoga, Tolerance, and the New World Order

Yoga's philosophy is based upon peace and the end of suffering. Each time a world leader has stood up to give this same message of world peace, he or she is shouted down. Yet, we must ask - "Has the world changed overnight?" Will Barack Obama "become the change we wish to see?"

Throughout history, intolerance has caused many set backs for humanity. Humankind's history is a track record of blood lust, based on close-minded beliefs about different ideas. Unfortunately, fundamentalist groups demonstrate that intolerance is still alive and well.

If you live in a democratic society, which is not at war, you have the good fortune to see the intolerant clearly. It is not so easy to see any issues clearly if you are in the middle of an armed conflict. Even in democracies, the masses can become swept up in polarization during wartime, after a terrorist attack, or in search of a political scapegoat.

How can Yoga help? Every form of Yoga trains the mind toward rational thought. In fact, Yoga is a nightmare for dictators and war mongers. How can you convince rational thinkers to kill their neighbors?

In the King James Version, of the Holy Bible, Mathew 5:43-44, Jesus states: "Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you."

The fundamentalist interpretation of ideas concerning peace is: "Let's be rational, see it my way." Actually, we have to listen to the narrow-minded and open dialogue in order to achieve a peaceful solution. You can afford to exchange ideas, with those who disagree, when you live in a democracy.

In a free society, people have a right to choose the path of enlightenment or the path of ignorance. Luckily, the intolerant have limited influence for now. This does not mean to send them on their merry way. It means that we should engage them in conversation, when they demand to state their viewpoint, with the provision that we may state our viewpoint, as well.

What good will this do? If you practice Yoga long enough, you should have a trained mind. As a serious Yoga practitioner, your beliefs in world peace, the end of suffering, and a clean planet, are good and noble causes, based upon rational logic. A blissful planet is the kind of world we want to leave to our children.

© 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

Working Out At Home

Weight loss can be accomplished from the comfort of your home relatively easily.

Implementing a jump rope routine for 15 - 20 minutes a day can have very positive effects on the body. From toning to gaining cardio endurance to burning calories. If you can't skip rope for 15 - 20 minutes build up in stages until you can push farther and go longer.

Employing a medicine ball into your weekly routine at the house has beneficial effects you muscle development, muscle integrity and overall cross training endurance. Shoot for 20 - 30 minutes of medicine ball work.

If you have a treadmill, running is a great way to burn of the unwanted pounds. Consistently running for 4 - 5 times a week will have great effects on how you look and feel. Cardio based training like running uses also strengthens your circulatory system and it can also increase your red blood cell count from your lungs putting such a demand on oxygen.

If you have older, durable stairs or a step up piece, you can practice doing jumps, or stair climbs to shed some calories and increase your endurance. Don't forget that every or any weight loss method you may be using needs to be in conjunction with a healthy diet to experience tangible results.

Working out at home using just the power of your own body Often times people do not realize that the only thing you need to increase strength, endurance and to lose weight is yourself. If you have a pull up bar or push up accessories to deepen the effects of the exercises, noticeable results will definitely arise after consistent use.

If you can afford or construct two support bars to practice doing dips, you can easily tone and define your back muscle groups as well as destroying a few calories in the process. Training cords that challenge you with resistance are a great household exercise training utility. They are also inexpensive and are proven to provide results if correctly used.

Purchasing a floor mat and taking up yoga may be the best option yet, yoga has a large number of benefits for the body and mind.

To wrap up, don't be afraid to try different weight loss techniques from the comfort of your own home and try to take up new things to reach your weight loss goals.

Yoga - Its Philosophy and Practice

Yoga is a path of self discipline. Beyond the personal physical and psychological benefits we aspire to becoming aware of our spiritual nature and our full human potential. This vital goal is shared with a profound love and respect for the natural world and the Universal Life that flows through all.

Basically we begin Yogic practices with purification of body through hygiene, diet and respiration. As we aim to cleanse the inner physical body so we work to cleanse the psyche by eliminating bad psychological habits of all kinds. We practise relaxation in order to help the nervous system, and the mind to become free of stress.

Once we have achieved a degree of success we are likely to benefit from our efforts in building health of mind and body. This involves building good physical health, muscular development and control; disciplining our emotions to express kindliness and positive feelings; and developing a strong and clear mind and character. This we achieve through self discipline known as Sadhana and through the aid of our desired self image that guides us patiently towards self improvement and the human ideal.

To assist in keeping our body flexible we also learn of the 84 classic Yoga asanas known to assist in health and control of the body. With the realization that our attitude to life is as important as our physical posture, we are encouraged to refer to or create a structure of our own philosophy based upon values of respect and appreciation of natural laws and actions that comply with moral and ethical standards. Then it is considered that we are ready to learn to increase our vitality and how to direct energy through respiration as we practise of several important breathing exercises.

When we have some degree of self control, it is appropriate that we study our psychological nature in detail and recognize the difference between physical senses and emotional feelings and aim to balance all aspects of sensitivity before further training that can sometimes lead to extended awareness known or extra sensory perception.. The senses must be controlled before it is safe to develop all the mental faculties - the most difficult sphere.

Through mind training exercises, concentration gradually improves as does memory.We patiently work upon our powers of imagination and our mental image as a prelude to further mental creativity if we are inspired to do so. Our intellect is stimulated by our practices and we begin to acknowledge greater self-confidence in our own worth and talents.

In addition to what we value in western life by demonstrating our physical control through active sports, we must also prove our control over the body by and ability to be still. As beginners we may sit immobile for short periods in order to practice concentration and simple mental relaxation. Later training leads to the ability to sit comfortably for much longer duration as our muscles gradually learn to cooperate. This stillness of body is conducive for meditation when our consciousness withdraws from the outer world and retires into our centre, where our soul self resides.

Always, as we make contact with our deeper nature or soul, there is a positive and pleasant experience. We find a certain refreshment, whether it is a renewed sense of purpose, increased feelings of devotion or love, increased sense of faith as well as personal power, or an expanded understanding or realization of life.

Meditations are rarely experienced but as unique and very personal moments of inner satisfaction and spiritual upliftment. Ultimately we experience not only a feeling of peace and harmony or at-one-ment with others around us, but with life itself through an intimate awareness of the great One Creative energy that animates us all.

Sally Janssen is a writer, and Yoga teacher well known both in Australia and abroad for her skill in demonstration of the Hatha Yoga practices and her wisdom in applying the principles of Raja Yoga -the study of the mind and consciousness. More details at essence-of-yoga.net essence-of-yoga.net Her book "Mental Fitness: A Complete Self-help Guide" explains the principles of mental fitness that can be applied by us all. The book may be found here: mentalhealthandfitness.com/blog mentalhealthandfitness.com/blog.

The Elements of a Handstand

I am in the process of developing a training program for people who want to do handstands. I thought this would be useful both for people who practice yoga by themselves, and also for people who teach yoga who want to understand the elements of a handstand so that they can teach it to various levels of students. As an aid to understanding the process of breaking a big idea into smaller more manageable small ideas I wanted to show my initial breakdown for understanding a handstand and how to practice it or teach it.

Elements of Doing

We can break down the process of doing a handstand into three main elements or stages:

jumping up
staying up
coming down

These elements can then be broken down into smaller elements. In the Jumping up category I can include ideas like:

going up and down using feet on a wall (to get first timers used to being upside down)
jumping up and down with feet on a wall (to get beginners used to the idea of jumping)
jumping up using the down leg
jumping up using the swinging leg
jumping up with one leg at a time (down leg and swinging leg working together)
jumping up from downward dog with one leg
jumping up from downward dog with both legs
jumping up from downward using the hips as opposed to the knees
jumping/pulling up from a forward bend
jumping up using the shoulders and hips in a reciprocating action (????)

These are all different techniques or ways that I've taught hand stand at one time or another.

The staying up category would include

using our connection with the earth to feel where our center is so that we can sense when it is moving away from the center of our foundation
recovery techniques for when you feel yourself tipping forwards or backwards and ways of practicing those techniques
staying up for longer and longer
variations of handstands.

Coming down from handstand would be the easiest section to teach. I would make a joke about how for most of us this is the easiest part, but I have had students who come out with absolutely no control and so this section would be to teach such people how to apply the same awareness they use going into the pose to coming out. Actually, coming out could be a good way to teach people to go in since coming out with control requires control and that control could then be used to help people jump in.

Elements of the Body

We can also break down the body into a number of elements that are key in any of the above three stages. The purpose of breaking down the body into these elements is so that we can practice feeling, controlling and understanding them. The ideal is to get to the point that we can sense each part and respond to what we sense based on what we are trying to do without having to think. To get to that point we can design and use exercises that help us to sense and control these elements individually as well as together in the context of a handstand (or any other action we are trying to do.)

the hands, using them to feel and control center
the elbows (it might seem obvious to keep them straight but for those that can't then it can be useful to practice drills so that students can practice feeling when their elbows are straight
the shoulders since they control the relationship between the upper body and the arms.
our hips and pelvis, since this is approximately where our center of gravity is
the legs, a key element in jumping up, and once up they can be used to express the handstand. Reach them up!

I would include practices, exercises and/or drills for learning to both feel and control these parts in a handstand and out of a handstand.

Getting Comfortable and Failing Safely

For people who have never been upside down, a key element is to get them used to being upside in small, controllable and comfortable stages. Hence using the wall can be a key training tool.

For those who want to venture away from the wall, an important tool is giving them the ability to fail safely, some way of falling that doesn't cause injury. Generally in handstand the easiest way to do that is to shift the hands in such a way that they can fall with their feet in front of them as opposed to behind them. For people not used to moving their hands while upside down, that is something else that can be practice against a wall.

Another key point in both cases is to get into the habit of making sure that our practice area is safe for us to fail within.

Yet another practice, and this takes some balls, is to tuck and forward roll at of a handstand.

Transitions to and From Handstands

One of the reasons for doing a handstand is that we might want to use it as a transition from one pose to another or as a pose in a string of poses. As an example, we might to bend backwards into a back arch, then come up into a handstand, and then from there back to standing. And so once we've learned or at least gotten comfortable being on our hands, we can then practice entering it from a posture like wheel pose. We can start of with our feet elevated on a table or low bench, or we can use a wall to walk down and up.

All of these ideas are tied together by the big idea of learning to stand and balance on our hands. All of these methods require practice, but because they are all simple to understand, the practicing part can be relatively simple and straight forward.

Also important is that each of these elements is meaningful in the context of doing a handstand but also in the context of learning to feel and control our body. They are readily definable which means that they can be sensed, understood and we can learn the necessary control to do each of them.

The net result after practice is the ability to do a handstand or at least to know what we need to do to do it. An added benefit is that we understand our body well enough that we can apply that understanding to other things that we use our body for.

Teaching, Adjusting and Firm Foundations

Since this program would be geared towards teachers as well as self-practitioners, we could look at the big idea of teaching handstands to a class. A key element would be spotting which in itself is a variation of the same techniques that are used in handstand. As an example, doing a handstand, or any posture for that matter, our connection with the earth is our foundation. In the case of handstand our foundation is provided by our hands, arms and shoulders. These need to be sensitive, stable and responsive in order for the handstand to be done. With our foundation taken care of, in order to stay balanced all we then need to do is keep our center over it.

If we are aware of this as a teacher who is adjusting someone else then we can first make sure that we are in a position so that no matter what happens we have a firm foundation and that we can keep our own center over that foundation. If we aren't then we adjust how we relate to the person we are adjusting so that we can stay balanced. At the same time, we make sure that in whatever way we adjust the person we are working on, they are able to maintain their foundation and keep their center over it.

As a matter of fact those are two things that we can help them with,

keeping their foundation stable, and
keeping their center over their foundation.

Handstands and Basic Principles

Basic Principles are designed to be used on ideas and the relationships between them. A first step towards using basic principles is to know what we are trying to do. This could be the "Big Idea." We can then break this big idea down into the little ideas or elements that make it up. Once we know the elements we can work on how they relate to each other. And so with respect to handstands and the little ideas that make them up, once we've practiced the small ideas, we then work at putting them together into a big idea that works, being able to move in and out of handstands.

Neil Keleher is lives and teaches yoga in Taiwan. He's been teaching yoga for 12 years and doing it for five. He specializes in teaching people how to feel and sensational-yoga-poses.com/handstand.html control their body in such a way that they can use that understanding in yoga and any other activity that involves the body.
Find out more about sensational-yoga-poses.com/handstands.html handstands including how to stabilize your shoulders, the middle position, jack knifing and jumping up from downward dog.

Exercise Equipment Floor Mats

Exercise equipment mats are used for home gyms, as well as near weight training equipment and any other physical training equipment in public and commercial gyms. These mats protect the floor from scratches and scuffs, reduce noise and vibration and aid shock absorption. Made of durable vinyl, these mats put a layer of protection between your workout equipment and your floors. The vinyl construction provides superior protection beneath treadmills, bikes, weight benches, steppers and more.

Based on the application, these mats come in various sizes for most of the exercising equipment like steppers, treadmills, exercising bikes, rowers and the like. This mat is constructed of solid, high-density PVC and can withstand the impact force of someone dropping a dumbbell or gym attachment on it. This saves the floor from serious damage. Exercise equipment floor mats are designed so they do not stain surfaces the way that rubber-based mat products can.

These mats are sturdy enough to withstand the weight of heavy exercising equipment. They are made in various colors to suit the décor requirements of gym and fitness clinics' interiors. Exercise equipment floor mats are manufactured in varying grades of sturdiness to suit differing needs. Where a moderate strength mat will suffice, there is no need to spend for a very sturdy one.

Easy maintenance is necessary for exercise equipment floor mats. Mats are exposed to a lot of foot traffic and liquid spills from users. They need to be cleaned regularly for maintaining standards of hygiene. Vacuuming for removal of dry dust and sponging or mopping for removal of stains is the recommended procedure for cleaning these mats.

A variant of exercise equipment floor mats is also available for use by people who do floor exercises. Such mats are popular with those who follow exercise regimens that include yoga, aerobics, calisthenics and the like. These mats are made of sturdy yet absorbent material.

i-Mats.com Mats provides detailed information on Mats, Floor Mats, Yoga Mats, Car Floor Mats and more. Mats is affiliated with e-masks.com Feather Masks.

How is Your Back Pain? Part 2

Health

By practicing yoga, tension is often released and blood flow is increased, which means your muscles are getting added nourishment, ultimately creating and training a healthy body.

There are many forms of yoga, choose one that you are happy with and can relate well to your instructor. You may find that one area of yoga gives you more than another. From a yoga point of view, overall wellness and longevity begins with a healthy spine. Yoga practice has been proven one of the most effective ways to restore joint health, relieve muscular tension, and improve strength. Consider alternate therapies also. Reiki for one plays an important role in increasing a patient's overall health and ability to recover from medical problems and treatments. Many doctors are now verifying that yoga is beneficial in treating a number of health problems, including back pain.

Mind

Yoga is designed as a series of healing exercises that work to promote the health of both the mind and the body. Yoga also focuses on the mind, allowing the pain sufferer to benefit from awareness, further giving them control over the pain. You should open your mind and consider a gentle exercise and breathing, such as yoga, which is non-evasive, as a method to relieve pain; it is certainly worth a shot.

Using the breath in this way, with intention and mindfulness, exponentially increases the effectiveness of positions and exercises. The sequences flow smoothly with the breath, stretching and strengthening the body, focusing the mind and opening the heart to this moment, while addressing your specific needs. Yoga accepts you where you are and invites you to discover what riches can be uncovered when the body, mind, and spirit are explored together.

With exercise, your state of mind has an enormous influence on how far you can fold forward, bend back, or twist. An ancient proverb says, what the mind can see, the body can do. With this approach, your lifelong wellness, in a unique way that integrates your body, mind and spirit.

Another excellent way to complement and strengthen your yoga practice is to join it with body-mind disciplines. We are not saying that your pain is all in your head; rather, we are saying that the battle going on in your mind results in a real physical disorder that may affect muscles, nerves, tendons, or ligaments. According to Sarno, the mind tricks you into not facing repressed emotion by making you focus on pain in the body.

Glen Wood - The Yoga Teacher. Glen is a yoga expert who loves to teach you how to lose your neck, shoulder or back pain with yoga. He is 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

Yogic Mind Training Techniques

Within every form of Yoga are the tools of change. Yoga was designed to give you the tools to improve yourself, your health, and your lifestyle - at this moment. Just by practicing your favorite form of Yoga, each day, you reinforce your emotional health; but let's observe how the principle works and how to do it.

From my observation, as a Yoga and martial arts teacher, the sincerity of a "New Year's Resolution," became a joke. By Valentine's Day, most students, who suddenly made a resolution, at the beginning of January, were buried in a box of chocolates by mid-February. Once again, they had given up on attending classes, and on the promise of making a permanent lifestyle change.

What makes most adults so insincere, in terms of making a commitment or a lifestyle change? The secret to making changes, that stick, is in training the mind. The mind must receive a positive emotional charge each day. We commonly call this "positive reinforcement," but it is a form of gratification that keeps us going.

Observe children and you will see this principle take hold. Children are not tainted by decades of set backs, negative energy, and a steady drone of pessimism. Even in families full of depressed adults, you will see happy, optimistic, and emotionally-charged children.

What can Yoga do to help you bring back your inner child?

This will work with any style of Yoga, but here is an example. If you are a devout Mantra Yoga (union by sound) practitioner, you should be able to modify your practice to bring positive energy with mantra, japa, prayer, and positive affirmation. See how you feel after a Yoga session, and alter your practice to bring about an inspired state of mind.

How often should you make inspiration a part of your life? Every waking moment, and the positive energy will carry into your sub-conscious mind, as well. In fact, your dreams will become positive. Make it a point, to envision the inner child within you. Most often your inner child has been trapped by fear of failure.

If you meditate daily, you may want to see your inner child break out of his or her prison. It takes negative programming to lock your inner child up. At the same time, it takes positive programming to wake your inner child and set him or her free. Childhood is a state of mind, when we are full of enthusiasm for discovering.

If the adult mind is allowed to harden into a pessimistic mold, there is no hope. The only concept a pessimist can consider is failure and all of the negative side-effects, which go with losing and failing. My grandfather used to say, "You are never a loser, until you give up." Think about that in your next Yoga practice.

To fail is only human. We learn from our mistakes. Children learn to pick themselves up. To label oneself a loser is a choice. If we are aware of the choice, and keep thinking we are inherent failures, we have wasted an opportunity, which comes with inner awareness. To see reality, and fail to act upon it, is a shame.

All of us have the ability to program our minds in a forward-thinking direction. Our emotional state must be charged with enthusiasm every day. This is why some people keep journals and records. To have a record of small successes, which happen every day, provides daily inspiration.

Therefore, start making entries into a journal every day. Write down the small, but positive changes that happen to you each day. You could reflect on this after Yoga, meditation, or at the end of each day.

After a month, or two, recording your success will become a habit, but you will also notice one more result - you have permanently programmed your mind for success. This is a systematic formula to change your life, for the best, permanently. This formula is an example of why Yogic mind training has worked for thousands of years.

© Copyright 2008 - 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

7 Precautions for Training Whilst Pregnant

Pregnancy is a physical challenge in itself; although training whilst pregnant can keep you in great shape it's important to know how much exercise to do and when not to do it.

You can benefit from training to relieve stress, improve posture, maintain strength and fitness to help you cope with pregnancy weight gain, as well as maintain stamina for the lengthy hours of labour. Keeping active can also make it easier to regain pre-pregnancy fitness levels after the birth.

1. If you have not exercised for a long time or are new to an exercise programme it is advised to avoid training during the first trimester. This period runs a higher risk of miscarriage, and although there is rarely any direct link between exercise and miscarriage I'm sure you'd prefer to err on the side of caution. Once the first 3 months are over consult your GP before starting an exercise programme.

If you regularly exercised before becoming pregnant then there is no reason why you shouldn't continue although remember that anything that puts a significant strain on your joints or ligaments, such as high impact aerobics or difficult yoga positions, should be done more gently. Contact and extreme sports are best avoided though!

2. It is important to remember that the main goal here is to maintain fitness and strength as opposed to increasing either. So no rushing to the gym to pump out seriously heavy weights and busting out 200 kilo deadlifts! However, there's no reason to stop lifting weights altogether to maintain your strength.

3. Core strength should be at the top of your priority list. Maintaining core strength will help to support the spine, particularly as your baby grows your centre of gravity will change which places the core under strain as you get bigger, adding to this the surrounding muscles will stretch to allow room for the growth of your baby.

Using some deep reverse breathing exercises will activate the deep core muscles such as the transverse abdominus and the pelvic floor and will help to keep its elasticity and strength to maintain posture throughout pregnancy. This will also help you to spring back to shape after the birth.

4. Take care when stretching. Although it is important to maintain your flexibility keep the stretches basic and try not to push too far with the stretches. During pregnancy your body produces the hormone 'relaxin' which triggers the soft tissue structures to relax allowing space for the little one to grow. Some stretches such as some rotational poses in yoga maybe too much strain for the tissues, an experienced yoga instructor will help and show you which exercises are best for you.

5. Core temperature is also of major importance, hence keeping exercise exertion to around 5 - 6/10. Although we have a built thermostat that works very efficiently the baby cannot regulate its core temperature. Make sure the area you are in is well ventilated or if in a health club they will have air conditioning. Drink plenty of water to remain hydrated.

6. Adaptation of exercises is necessary as the little one grows. After the first trimester it is strongly advised not to do exercises lying flat on your back. This is because the weight of your baby would put pressure on arteries and veins constricting blood flow. There are many ways to execute exercises without lying flat on your back, for example, compare lying on your back doing scissor kicks to doing the plank. Both target the same area more or less although the former is a little more dynamic. Ask your trainer or instructor if you're not sure how to adapt exercises to suit.

7. Ok you're nearly there; it's almost time for your precious one to make an entrance into the big wide world. Your core muscles are stretched to the limit and you're off to the gym! However you need to save some energy for the birth, so during the last 2 - 3 weeks of pregnancy start to reduce the work load a little and absolutely no high impact exercises. Continue to exercise the pelvic floor and core. Make sure you drink plenty of water and always take your bag......!

If you have any further questions about training during pregnancy feel free to contact me by email or leave a comment to this article.

There is also a book that I can strongly recommend, it's called 'The Pregnancy Bible: Your Complete Guide to Pregnancy and Early Parenthood' it is packed out with great information with regards to exercise and pregnancy.

Good luck and best wishes for your exciting journey ahead!

aptpersonaltraining.com/personal-training-blog aptpersonaltraining.com/personal-training-blog/

Can Yoga Be Useful As A Tool To Sharpen The Mind?

Our culture is known now for multi-tasking. We are on the phone while driving, eating breakfast and also brushing our hair. Though doing a few things at once can be good for a short-order cook, it can be distracting for many of us. Yoga has some tools for helping the mind focus without wandering to something else. For instance, in many classes the teacher will say to put everything else out of your mind for forty five minutes. If you want to, you can think about all your worries once class is over. It is hard to focus initially. Our mind constantly wants to think about everything from who we need to call back later, whether we are out of laundry detergent or what to do later in the day. There can also be more disturbing types of thoughts that intrude such as anger towards a roommmate, sadness over a difficult phone conversation or frustration with fixing a house appliance.

In many of the yoga poses, the instructions are to hear and feel one's breathing. This is a way to stop the mind from going on and on with it's dialgoues. As we do this and get more relaxed, it is a very nice feeling. What initially we resisted, becomes a positive state. We can start to feel that the negative thoughts aren't who we are but are actually intrusive thoughts.

Often at the end of a yoga class, the benefits are enhanced further by a meditation. In the meditation, the mind will focus on a mantra, a breath or visualization. This is another way the mind is trained to go deeper and not jump around. Often people find that when they then return to work or their family, the inner calmness will carry into their conversations and decisions.

Find Out More About How Yoga Can Enhance Your Body, Mind and Spirit

Learn about the becomeayogainstructor.org/benefits-of-yoga.html Benefits of Yoga and the becomeayogainstructor.org/sun-salutation-sequence.html Sun Salutation Sequence.

Yoga Teacher Training Course

Yoga, the sound word, is possibly derived from Sanskrit. "Yuj" which means to "yoke, join or unite" implies "joining or integrating" all aspects of an individual - the mind with the body and those with the soul - to achieve a happy, balanced and useful life. Yoga also facilitates the union of the spirit of an individual with the supreme creator. A yoga teacher training course aims at training the candidate, having the potential and knowledge, to reach where the trainee wants to be. The yoga teacher training course aims at unfolding ones potential and transforming an experienced yoga practitioner into a yoga teacher through proper and planned learning.

If yoga is your passion and if you have been practicing yoga regularly for the past few years, you may feel that you would like to complete a yoga teacher training course. If you have the real zeal for learning and dedication towards yoga then you can surely become a professional yoga teacher. A high degree of motivation is necessary in order to achieve the goal through a course, so ask yourself if you are actually ready to undergo the training, and if the answer of your

inner conscious is yes, then you are on the right path.

Many people take a back step because of bad experiences with teachers who did not know what they were doing. That's the biggest problem faced by those with a desire to learn nowadays. So the training guide must be good and well trained themselves. However, it is not that difficult to find a good yoga teacher training course in any part of the world, especially now when a few rare inspirational films are easily available, and which help the practitioner a lot in uniting one's soul with the supreme creator. It was only 25 years ago that the only options for yoga practitioners were fitness centers in expensive hotels or small group practices which were advertised only by word of mouth and which were very difficult to find. But now due to advancements in popularity in the West one can find many training institutes and classes in almost any place in the world.

Most of the yoga teacher training courses specify some minimum requirements for the candidates to qualify and make the candidates eligible for a particular course. It is also a good idea to supplements ones training by seeking out info on the great Yogis of the past and from the last of the living greats.

Even if one does not intend to become a professional yoga teacher, a good yoga teacher training course is bound to enrich one's yoga experience and practice.

Sherry Holistan is a Hatha, Vinyasa and Bakti Yoga Practitioner. For more great tips on yogatraininganswers.com/yoga-teacher-training-courses Yoga Teacher Training Courses please visit yogatraininganswers.com yogatraininganswers.com/

Why Energy Healing is Becoming Less Unconventional

The concept of energy healing is not highly regarded by modern science, and yet it is a wellness principle utilized by millions of people on a daily basis. Anyone who practices martial arts, Reiki, tai chi, and even yoga is participating in an activity linked to energy healing.

The principle is based on a concept that dates back thousands of years, and it originally came from Asia; likely India or China. The idea that the human body has a flow of energy that can be manipulated is one of the founding tenets of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Good health requires this energy to be moving freely. When it is blocked, then illness can result.

Ways to stimulate the energy flow have been developed through the centuries. These include such things as massage, specific exercises and even more methods that may seem unconventional to us, such as psychic healing and the use of crystals or gemstones.

Both the Chinese and the Indian systems believe that different energy centers in different parts of the body control different emotions. In TCM, these body centers correspond to acupuncture or acupressure points, while in Indian medicine they are called chakras, the Hindu word for wheel. For example, attention to the fifth or neck chakra is believed to have an effect on wisdom.

Basic to nearly all forms of energy healing is the human breath, and being aware of how a person breathes in and out. When doing yoga exercises, the way you breathe is nearly as important as the placement of the body in its various postures and stretches. An even more dramatic example is how Zen monks focus on their breath when they meditate and can accomplish nearly miraculous control of their body temperature that they withstand freezing temperatures without suffering hypothermia.

So incontrovertible are some of these ancient energy healing traditions that they are now, albeit slowly, being not only recognized by but assimilated into modern western medicine. One good example of this is acupuncture, which was once only joked about by medical doctors but now is being prescribed by them.

At last, training courses are becoming available at some of the leading colleges and universities in the country, with studies in such modalities as massage, Reiki and acupressure having moved closer to the mainstream of modern life.

As time passes and an even greater number of individuals have benefited from energy healing, it surely will shed its somewhat shady reputation and evolve into the commonplace realm of daily living.

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Meditation Teacher Training - Meditation Benefits

There are 10 (ten) main meditation benefits. Here they are:

1. Enlightenment

This is the fundamental purpose of meditation, to make us realize that we are united with nature & God.

2. Peace & tranquility

This is about mind and body relaxing. It also builds comfortable feeling about our self.

3. Wisdom

Once we learned about meditation, it helps us open up more communication links between our surrounding environment and our self. Beside that, we will start to learn that our life guide is our self.

4. Joy and happiness

Once we realized that we are united with God, there will be no more worries and fears because we believed that God always there, not beside us, but inside us. Meditation also helps you to reveal false identity and will help us to find the true one. Then, after we eliminated those false ego and nonsenses, we will enjoy and happy about our self.

5. Love and compassion

Once we opened up more communication links between our surrounding environment, automatically the feeling of love and compassion emerging in. Knowing that nature and us is one component, it will make us realize and easy to understand about differences about each others and it will guide us to improve relationships, both in romantic or casual way.

6. Stress reduction & good health

After we learned the art of tranquility in meditation, it helps us in stress management. Beside learned the art of tranquility, we also learned the art of living which guide us to put the worries and anxiety behind. This will be preventing illness and disease cause by poison of stress.

7. Improving brain function

Most of the serious mediators really know how much meditation improving their brain function. Recently lots of empiric studies are indicated this amazing yoga meditations fact. Meditation undoubtedly increases our awareness. It also significantly improves our intelligence.

8. Discover our purposes and gifts

With full of awareness and increasing intellectuality, it help us clearly think about what God has planed for us. Once we discovered it, we will enjoy living in this world because we know exactly that we are walking in the right path. It also helped us to be grateful of life and helped us building our confidence.

9. Yogi & physic power

We currently only use 10% of our brain capacity. Practicing meditation will helped us wake those dormant sections of our brain. When areas of the brain are activated the power will unleash.

10. Magnificence

Meditation will brought us to charisma, confidence, courage, character, and balance. This will bring us to be a charming and magnetic person. Meditation will shine our magnificence.

There they are.

You can learn more about Meditation Teacher Training at meditationcertification.blogspot.com Meditation Certification Website. If the link doesn't work, you can copy & paste this link to your web browser meditationcertification.blogspot.com MeditationCertification.blogspot.com/

What is Joint Mobility Training?

Joint mobility training involves actively moving your joints with the intent of restoring or maintaining your mobility. It improves the flexibility of the joints by reducing excess tension surrounding the joints and by improving the coordination - more efficient movement.

Specifically, you only move as far as is pain-free, not pushing through areas of tension. By working within these guidelines, you can reduce tension in the muscles surrounding the joints, speed recovery from exercise, and restore lost motion from past injuries.

It works to restore proper posture and increase your movement efficiency through increased control over your movements. This emphasis on posture and controlled movement helps to re-educate the nervous system.

If you have had low back pain, it can help you deal with it and prevent it from reoccurring. If you have had neck or shoulder problems from past injury, it can release tension and reduce pain.

Initially, you move every joint or group of joints in an isolated manner to help restore or maintain mobility. This is done in a standing position to enhance posture. Simple rotations to start and then gradually more complex patterns involving multiple joints.

As you progress from basic rotations to more complex figure 8 patterns, you provide a greater stimulus to the nervous system, which adapts to this stress in a positive manner.

What separates it from other movement systems is the isolation of every joint movement to start with. Both for each joint or group of joints, and then for movements that involve multiple joints. These additional moves may include elements of Tai Chi, yoga, dance, and the martial arts.

The basis for joint mobility training lies in two areas. One, it works with your body's reflexes to restore lost motion due to injury, stress, poor posture, and lack of movement. It seems that reflexes can impair joint function long after the threat of harm is gone.

Reflexes that were meant to protect the body, but are still active at a later time. The muscles surrounding a joint will reflexively spasm or tighten to protect a joint from further injury.

Meaning, movement has to be retrained after injury to restore proper function. Proprioception, which is the body's ability to sense and feel where it is in relation to movement,is often impaired after injury. It needs to be retrained in order to work properly.

Joint mobility work does an excellent job of retraining proprioception (re-educates the nervous system). By moving at a speed it can control, in a range of motion that is pain-free, avoiding unnecessary tension, movement is gradually restored. Your movements become more efficient, because you have greater control over them.

According to Dr. Eric Cobb, who introduced me to this work, you need a balance between tension and relaxation in the muscles for optimal performance. While that may seem rather obvious, it's a perfect example of how our complex bodies often function in a simple manner.

That we should be able to move through a great range of motion, but still have control and stability through that motion. "Mobility with Stability".

Brian Morgan has been a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) since 1993. He is also a massage therapist, with 5 years experience working in rehab settings with people of all ages. For more information, go to [brianmorganfitness.com]

Your Workout Time and Cortisol

The time of day you workout is important because your level of cortisol rises and falls as the day progresses. Cortisol is a natural hormone that raises metabolism along with body temperature, and readies the body to work. Cortisol also stimulates us to wake up from sleep when it is activated / released by light exposure, low blood sugar levels and other factors. Exercise lends to activation. Cortisol levels start to activate at sunrise, peak between 9:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m., and decrease during the afternoon. By 6:00 p.m. daily output is done, and this makes it easier to wind down and eventually go to sleep.

Some major sports authorities say that when cortisol levels are highest, one can naturally train better. They also believe that training after work in the early evening may cause sleep disruption and disrupt the recovering / repair cycles. The physical repair cycle is between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. The psychological repair cycle is between 2 a.m. and 6 a. m. This disrupting can cause you to wake up feeling lethargic.

As noted, exercise lends to the activation of cortisol. So, if you work out in the evening, the body gets the feeling it is in the timeframe between sunrise and midday. Essentially, you will be winding yourself up for the night. When cortisol is released, it lasts for hours before it dissipates. If released in the evening, it will still be active at bedtime. This can keep you from getting a deep, or restorative sleep.

Note. If you work out in the evening, but still sleep good, this may suggest an underlying problem of fatigued adrenal glands. You're sleeping good because the released cortisol from exercise is bringing the adrenals back up to a baseline functioning. A problem is being covered over.

The ability to do your exercise routine between 9 and 12 in the morning is impractical for most people. But, if you can do it then, you will be in the ideal time frame. Otherwise, try to workout as early as you can in the late afternoon, as opposed to the early evening.

Of course, the above information is relative to your particular lifestyle, and the ability of your body to adapt to the parameters of your exercise routine, your work schedule, and your sleep pattern.

Harrison Ennis is considered to be a true renaissance man of the 21st century. A published author and freelance writer, as well as owning several design patents. A votary of shag dance. Serious researcher on the science of life for over a quarter century. A Kundalini adept. Lifelong involvement in physical culture; to include martial arts, yoga, traditional exercise, and various obscure modalities. Tracker of cutting edge health products and practices. Fitness / Wellness researcher and coach, esoteric educator, and life science counselor. Past general manager for one of the largest health and fitness club facilities in a major metropolitan area. Proffers his Yoga by Ennis - Yoga Life Science Regimen yogabyennis.hleproductions.com yogabyennis.hleproductions.com as a personal trainer for individuals and groups, and gives seminar sessions by request and special arrangement. His current products and services directory may be viewed at hleproductions.com hleproductions.com

Sedona, Arizona - A Travel Adventure in Red Rock Format

USA WEEKEND's Annual Travel Report for 2003 heralds Sedona, Arizona, as one of the USA's ten most beautiful places. It is a four-season adventure in beauty.

The community boasts a list of 102 things to do while in Sedona, and the list is not exaggerated. Some are free, some are pricey, but all are viable possibilities, accentuating this beautiful land.

You will meet lots of people in Sedona, from everywhere in the world, but it's not the shoving, hurry-hurry crowd (with the possible exception of the early morning or late evening commute of the friendly service population). More often it's rubbing shoulders with others who hike and stroll and caravan endeavoring to capture their share of the beauty and peace surrounding the valley.

What appeals to you?

o Visit the Africa Wildlife Park

o Golf at one of Sedona's 18-hole Courses

o Take a jeep tour

o Photograph your aura

o Hike to the bottom of Montezuma's Well

o Visit Montezuma Castle National Monument

o Visit Red Rock State Park, Fort Verde State Park and Jerome State Historical Park

o Dine and take in the show at Blazin' M Ranch

o Ride the Verde Canyon Train

o Sketch the Red Rocks

o Watch birds

o Visit a vortex

o Hike one of the 100 plus trails in the Coconino National Forest

o Watch artists create masterpieces at local galleries

o Picnic and spend the day at Slide Rock State Park

o Take a scenic drive around the Verde Valley

o Visit the Grand Canyon

o Eat rattlesnake, buffalo burgers and cactus fries at local eateries

o Tour Tlaquepaque Arts & Crafts Village and more

o Sit back and enjoy the views and cool evenings

o Play a round of tennis or miniature golf

o Have a picnic at Posse Ground or Sunset Park

o Skateboard at the Sedona Skate Park

o Visit the Bird Sanctuary in Page Springs

o Sample a prickly pear cactus drink

o Experience a hot-air balloon

o Visit the Chapel of the Holy Cross

o Photograph the sunset at the airport overlook

o Take yoga

o Experience Shakespeare at Tlaquepaque

o Hike at Red Rock Crossing and Crescent Moon

Sedona is a choice for all. Family vacations here are truly jam-packed and memorable. Couples and singles find whatever they need and want at the moment.

Sedona is one of those "Must see, must do" American travel adventures.

Article Summary

Sedona Arizona offers vacation adventures to all ages and all interests. Red-rock buttes and towers dotted with green verdure emit a captivating aura of beauty.

Donald Pyle is a husband, father, and grandpa with experience in education and interpersonal relations. He specializes in helping others plan and realize their travel needs and their dream vacations. He is a certified referring travel agent, association specialist, and CLIA certified

CedarViewTravelResources.com CedarViewTravelResources.com

Kids Yoga - A Viable Option for Busy Parents

In some geographic areas, such as southern California, there is an abundance of Yoga classes for children. While in some other areas, there is no choice at all. In New England, you would be lucky to find one Yoga class for children, within any town, if you travel outside of Boston or Providence.

Of course, cities have many choices, but educating the public about children's health is an uphill struggle. The average Yoga studio owner will try his or her best to make, at least, one class available for children or families.

Generally speaking, neighborhoods with people, who are pro-active about health, will encourage specialized activities for children. If martial arts, dance, Yoga, and gymnastics schools, are struggling to find pro-active families, within a geographic area, there is little hope for children's health.

At a time, when physical education is experiencing serious cut backs in public schools, children need healthy activities. Good health is a habit that needs to be developed at a young age. There are league sports available, but children are not all the same. There have always been children who shy away from league sports.

In contrast, Yoga is a complete non-competitive activity for holistic health. If there are no available classes in your area, you can always contact a local Yoga teacher or studio. Sometimes, all it takes is an interested group to start a new class. Many programs, for children, start with five or six dedicated students, and then flourish as the news of the benefits become available.

Consider this: Yoga classes for children have to grow at the "grass roots" level. Do not expect the government to take action on behalf of children's health. The track record of inaction speaks for itself. However, good health habits must be encouraged now, if our children are to live healthy lives.

© Copyright 2008 - 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 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

Tacfit Warrior - How To Build Your Muscle in A Better Way

Tacfit Warrior fitness training is based on intensive body building and natural enhancement. The main purpose of this training program is not just to make a bigger muscle and nice looking body, but to create a different person that are able to counter any physical challenge in real life. This course is a short time exercises program, it just take less than thirty minutes at a stretch. These exercises package are very challenging even for a very fit person.

Doing this training program, you will feel the effect of the exercises in a very short of time. This is because Scott has added a strength-based Tabata protocol to the exercises that using the body weight rather than extra weights. This technique has been found to be very effective to lose fat, develop the abs and slim up the midriff. This particular session will boost your metabolism and keep on burning fat even long after you've done the exercises.

For some people who are doing the bodybuilding exercise just to sculpture their bodies won't find this training method to their taste. Because this program is for people who are interested to gain a great result in building up their functional muscles. In other words, not just big, but also functional. The other advantage of Tacfit Warrior is, you can do the exercise anywhere, because as I said before, this training methods are based purely on our body weight. You don't need to go to a gym, or buy some expensive fitness tools. You can start your workout immediately after finished downloading the package.

Tacfit Warrior can be scaled at five different levels of difficulty. It integrates Parasara body flow yoga along with joint mobility which has the ability to protect your body from over training or injury. The exercises work at the mental level and give you the power to stay calm in any situation and do things that are tactically specific to the situation at hand.

So, if you are looking for a bodybuilding program, and found this training interest you, please remember that this training is not for people who just want to gain a nice looking body by losing fat and growing muscles. Tacfit Warrior is quite demanding in terms of physical as well as mental involvement. This will make you physically able; give you more stamina, strength and flexibility. This course is a whole new challenge that you have never faced before. If youare really interested in working hard for a stronger and capable body then mensproductsreview.com/fitness-bodybuilding/tacfit-warrior Tacfit Warrior is for you.

You can read another Tacfit Warrior review and other men health and fitness products reviews on mensproductsreview.com mensproductsreview.com

Diabetes Stress Management

When I was first diagnosed with diabetes I began to analyze the causes of the disease and its management. I kept returning to one pivot point, stress. Yes, I had a strong heredity factor in my case (my father was a diabetic and died of a heart attack at the age of 47). However in the three years prior to my diagnosis I had fallen away from my yoga practice and was overcome by my thoughts and reactions to my life situation, in other words, I manifested stress in my body.

The funny thing is stress does not really exist per say. There is no tangible stress "out there". It's a manifestation of a fear based perception and interpretation of an event in our lives. Usually the reaction is not to "what is" in the moment but what may happen in the future. This perception triggers the sympathetic nervous system response of "fight or flight" in our physical body. When the "fight or flight" syndrome kicks in, the heart rate and blood pressure increase, and high levels of cortisol and adrenaline are released into the body. (High levels of cortisol are a strong risk factor in cardiovascular disease and known to be responsible for weight gain as well.) In addition this syndrome causes blood sugars to rise. This release of blood sugar is a double edge sword as the same stress cycle blocks the body from releasing insulin. The physiological reason is to prepare our body with the fuel for fight or flight. However today we no longer run or fight, we sit and simmer and our bodies are slowly destroyed and diseased by a mechanism initially designed to help us survive. The result is a type 2 diabetes train wreck making the management of stress one of the most important things you can do to preserve your health.

Well how does one do that? Looking at nature we can find some good examples. Use the analogy of a hunting cat in the wild or even that of a pet cat you can observe. A cat will patiently stalk its prey and, when the time is right, make its move. This strike may or may not be successful. But notice that if the cat misses its intended meal, it does not get angry, scream, yell, flip off other cats on the way home and then treat its family badly. It will shake it off, walk away and nap in the sun. Then, if the opportunity should arise for another meal, it will again patiently resume the hunt.

The second action in my yoga method is the practice of mantra meditation. If you commit to this practice you are well on the way to managing stress and getting that nap in the sun like that lucky lazy cat!

 Mantra Meditation

The definition of mantra is "to free from the mind." Mantra in yoga refers to Sanskrit Mantra. In the language of Sanskrit, vibration is the primary effect and intellectual meaning is secondary. In other words, when a person utters Sanskrit sounds, the subtle energy system of the person's body reacts and aligns in relation to the sound. The benefits of the Sanskrit sounds used are two-fold-they quiet the mind as well as energize the "prana" or life force.

This powerful combination is what makes the practice of these sounds so profound. When you begin to recite the mantra, all other distractions fall away and the mind is stilled to the point of deep meditation and silence. Once you are in this state, the mantra actually subsides until thought begins to distract you once again. So, what is this space of silence? It's truth, nirvana, bliss, healing and that nap in the sun.

There are thousands of mantras to choose from. Some are long and melodic and others are short. I prefer to use and initiate students in what are called "Bija", or seed sounds mantras. A seed mantra is a one-syllable mantra that has no exact translation. The interpretation or exact result of using it is something you feel on an energy level-it cannot be "taught" in the mind. Because there is no definition for the mind to grasp, it becomes a tool of transformation, a vehicle to the space of silence.

Remember if it's in your mind it's in your body! Everyday you succumb to the residue of thought and your physical as well as your energetic body is left with residual stuff-stored negative energy, emotions and stress. It is essential for the purpose of your overall health that you take the time on a daily basis to "clean out."

So find yourself a good book or instructor and commit yourself to this practice! Start with once a day for 20 minutes. Remember to keep a journal of your blood sugar levels to track the benefits of this potent action!

Bradley Kapture, author, "The Sounds of Silence" and lecturer, is the founder of yoga4diabetes". Kapture is an expert in asana, mantra and meditation practices. In 2004 a turn in life circumstances forced him to close his yoga studios, leave his yoga practice and go to work in the world of corporate sales. After just 3 years he found himself overweight, filled with anxiety and with type 2 diabetes. He refused standard drug treatment and instead returned to yoga and developed a yoga method to address the causes of type 2 diabetes and to heal his body.

Within just three months his blood sugars had returned to normal levels. His doctor responded, "I agree with you on your diabetes control; the HGA1C is well below target at 6.5 so keep doing what you're doing. It's really a tremendous achievement to go from 7.7 to 6.5 in such a short time period without medication." These results inspired him to share his yoga method and help others with diabetes reduce or eliminate dependence on medication and help those with pre-diabetes from developing the disease. For more information go to yoga4diabetes.com yoga4diabetes.com/