The Un-Voiced Benefits of Voice Improvement

When I first started my business, my primary goal was to teach others how to improve the sound of their speaking voice and also to teach public speaking skills. What I learned in those early years was that my techniques for voice training were resulting in a host of benefits that had nothing to do with the voice or presentation skills.

I had clients telling me that they were sleeping better at night; one woman was able to get rid of a tension headache simply by doing a few of the exercises I had provided when driving to and from work.

What is the secret resulting in these benefits? In order to improve the sound of the speaking voice - or as I prefer - to discover your 'real' voice, you must first learn to breathe with the support of your diaphragm. Anything else is a waste of time because your 'real' voice must be powered by your chest cavity. That can only occur if you are breathing with support.

The majority of the population is not only renowned for being lazy or shallow breathers but they are also not using the chest to power the voice. Instead most people rely on their other 4 resonators: the throat, voice box, mouth and/or nose.

What you will discover with supported breathing is an improvement in the quality of your life. You will find that you handle stress better. Some people fall asleep faster at night; others no longer yell at their children (they project which is truly a blessing - kids don't listen if you yell at them); and, you may find your blood pressure dropping.

People who are involved in sports, athletics, aerobics or any other physical activity will discover that they have more endurance and greater control again by breathing with support. It certainly is an absolute for yoga! At first you will do this consciously; but, once it is a habit, you won't have to think about it again. A professional golfer, who came to me for work in presentation skills, found that breathing with support when she addresses the ball has improved her drive -- in Patty's case, her income is directly related to how well she hits the ball. What a wonderful benefit for this woman, a professional golfer, who had only wanted to feel more relaxed in public speaking!

Rod, a lawyer and a long distance runner, found that when he concentrated on breathing while jogging, he was able to run 15 minutes longer, although his leg muscles were not prepared for that extra mileage! There is no doubt that if you apply diaphragmatic breathing to any sport in which you participate, you will notice an improvement in strength, endurance, speed and control.

The un-voiced benefits of good voice training can change your life in ways you never imagined. What you will gain through deep supported breathing is the ability to control your voice as well as your nervousness in public speaking. It's a fabulous feeling; it's a relaxed feeling; it's a strength; and, if you do it correctly, it will give you a tool that you have never before experienced.

The Voice Lady Nancy Daniels offers private, corporate and group workshops in voice and presentation skills as well as Voicing It!, the only video training program on voice improvement. Visit voicedynamic.com/specialaccessvoice.htm Voice Dynamic and watch Nancy as she describes The Power of Your Speaking Voice.

Do Yoga and Live in Yoga

Most people always expect external answers, likes to indulge in the hands of others and expects whenever that someone or something heals them. In yoga the practitioner of yoga is a different person (not on sense of enlightenment, wisdom, etc.). - It is different because it has

sufficient discipline to invest alone in the process of their healing through challenging himself in the breach of their basic patterns. It is necessary detachment from beliefs, in-depth examination of oneself through body work. You learn to break free of opinions formed about ones own body through the act of being present in what you do, observant and disciplined.

From one point of view it is correct to say that the process is contrary. You learn to not depend on the outside, not depend on the foreign "authority". This process is seemingly contradictory because it goes against the many years of philosophy of thoughts generating patterns in which we were educated and trained and conditioned to certain limits. Some of these standards say (and we believe) that this attempt for freedom from external authority, this state of denial, threatens the structure of personality to such an extent that could lead the individual to madness.

Every attempt for freedom, whatever it is, has immediately the action of opposing forces. The freedom from patterns of thought as a starting point of healing is the basic premise of yoga. The practitioner must have this consciousness and this will immediately put you in "Back hand" of what is already established and accepted by all. Doing yoga is one thing, live in yoga is something that requires much more.

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3 Intermediate Bodyweight Training Workouts Using the Basics

We all know what the three basic bodyweight exercises are - Pushups, Pullups and Squats. But these three exercises can get really boring really fast. I'm going to show you three workouts you can perform using variations of these three basic movements:

The Exercises:

Boot Strappers - Squat down. Place your arms in front of you on the floor. The goal is to straighten your leg out without lifting your hands off the floor. This will target the hamstrings.

Hindu Squats - Squat down by bending from the knees and placing your weight on your toes. These are different from regular squats which require the weight to placed on your heels.

Chinups - Grab a pullup bar with a palms facing your grip. Pull your body up towards the bar until your chins clears the bar.

Mixed Grip Chinups - Grab a pullup bar with one palm facing you, and the other palm facing away from you. Pull your body up towards the bar until your chins clears the bar.

Incline Pushups - Place your feet on a surface, with your arms on the ground. Get into pushups position and perform a pushup.

Dive Bombers - Get into an upside down V position with your butt in the air, legs and arms straight. Pretend that there is a low bar in front of you that you need to get under. Start with moving forward with your nose towards the floor. Straighten out your body by moving under the imaginary bar. Push out the other side so that now your upper body is curved upwards, similar to a Yoga Cobra Pose. Reverse the movement by following with your hips and moving back underneath the imaginary bar. You should end up back in the upside down V position.

  The Workouts:

Workout 1

10 Rounds of:

Boot Strappers, 20 reps
Chinups, 5 reps

Workout 2

3 rounds of:

Incline Pushups, 5 reps
Mixed Grip Chins, 1 rep
Incline Pushups, 10 reps
Mixed Grip Chins, 2 reps
Incline Pushups, 15 reps
Mixed Grip Chins, 3 reps

Workout 3

For time:

Hindu Squats, 10 reps
Dive Bombers, 5 reps
Hindu Squats, 20 reps
Dive Bombers, 10 reps
Hindu Squats, 30 reps
Dive Bombers, 15 reps
Hindu Squats, 40 reps
Dive Bombers, 20 reps
Hindu Squats, 50 reps
Dive Bombers 25 reps
As you can tell, workout 1 is the easiest, and workout 3 is the most difficult. Tackle each workout once a week, and see your strength, endurance, and body improve.

One of the best bodyweight and dumbbell programs I've come across is Gladiator Body Workout. I recently published an interview with the creator of Gladiator Body Workout, Coach Eddie Lomax. You can find this powerful interview on my blog shahtraining.com/achieve-the-strength-physique-and-fitness-of-a-gladiator-interview-with-coach-eddie-lomax ShahTraining.com

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Yoga Clothing And Yoga Wear

Yoga has really increased in popularity in the last couple of years. Widely held as a great form of exercise for both your body and your mind, people have been adopting this ancient form of meditation all over the world. As far as equipment is concerned there is very little required to get started.

As time goes by you will improve your technique, posture and that's when you start enjoying your routines a lot more. Even though there are no 'props' required for yoga, you will find certain specific forms of clothing that help you in performing these exercises. Not only will these clothing items make you feel more comfortable and confident in your training, but they should also assist you to improve your style.

One of the very important things to remember about yoga is that this practice has its roots in Hinduism which has been around for centuries. In its eastern form, there was no recommended attire. However, in the western form of this practice, it is not only the style of clothing that is important, but also the quality of the fabric that is used. There are also traditional stitching patterns and methods that are part of the yoga tradition and if you are serious about getting legitimate yoga clothing then you should make sure that you are getting real yoga stitching as well. This will require you to go to a high quality and serious manufacturer who really is dedicated to the art of yoga.

For those who are doing their own research on this topic please keep in mind that yoga attire includes monks meditation robes, sitting jackets, sitting pants, kimono and jubon. There are also western adaptations of these eastern traditional garments. Besides the clothing, there are also meditation cushions and traditional bags that can also help you with your development and commitment to yoga as an art.

At the very least you should look to make sure that the yoga garments you are considering purchasing are made from one hundred per cent pre shrunk cotton. You will also have to ensure that you can dry them on a clothes line after washing, or on the lowest temperature of your dryer.

You can get your yoga clothing in a variety of colours and also different weights depending on the weather conditions that you think you will be practising in. There are usually two weights, a light one for spring and summer, and a warmer heavier one for the winter and fall. The costs will vary but you should not expect to pay extortionate prices unless you are really looking at something special.

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Yoga Stretching Exercises and Beyond

Yoga is an age old science with millions of followers worldwide. It is known to help an individual develop physically as well as spiritually. It boosts the immunity of the practitioner and makes the body very flexible. Yoga stresses on a combined mental and physical development. All the yoga poses are nothing but stretching exercises and each is said to act not just on the physical body but also on the development of the mind and soul. There are a variety of stretching exercises in yoga each exercise stretching a group of muscles and thus, strengthening them. The yoga stretching exercises are so effective that they are a part of almost all forms of workout and sports training.

During any workout, it is recommended that yoga stretching exercises be performed right after warm up and also after the work out is over. Stretching after warm up reduces the chances of any cramps and after work out it has a soothing effect. It is said that you can't relax your body well unless you stretch it. Try it out by holding your hand out and trying to relax it. You will find that you cannot relax it completely. Now try stretching your arm in any way and then try to relax it. You will find that you will feel much more relaxed in this manner. This is the principle on which yoga stretching works. The more you stretch, the more you will relax.

In general, it is highly recommended that every person should practice yoga stretching exercises at least 15-20 minutes a day irrespective of his/her profession. The basic level exercises are so simple that they can be performed even in the office or any public place. Following are few of the basic exercises:

Neck rotation and neck sideway stretching
Forward bending (upper part of the body)
Back bending (upper part of the body)
Calf stretching
Hamstring stretching
Side bending (upper part of the body)
Spinal twist
Lunge stretch
Quad stretch


For best results, the stretched pose should be held for at least 15-20 seconds and repeat 4-5 times. But it is important to note that these stretches are known to have positive effects only if they are challenging for the muscles. So, if an inflexible person practices these exercises, the results would be seen in a short time but if a highly flexible person practices these, the results might not be impressive. The best yoga stretching exercises for any person are the ones that challenge the muscles of his body to the next level of flexibility. It should also be remembered that these exercises should carefully be performed in the prescribed order as they may prove harmful if done in the wrong way. So, it is best to start these exercises under the guidance of a good yoga teacher. With regular practice, the results of these yoga stretching exercises will speak for themselves.

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Weight Loss - If You Want To Look Years Younger Do Weight Training

There are two common misconceptions woman have when they hear weight training. First they think they are going to have to go to the gym and start "pumping iron," and second they think they are going to "get buff," meaning they'll develop "big" muscles. Let's put these myths to rest. First, you don't have to lift anything if you don't want to - many yoga poses are considered weight training, and second, women do not have enough testosterone in their body to develop big guy muscles, so stop worrying!

What weight training can do for you is give you a leaner, firmer body. You see muscle burns more calories and therefore you will be able to burn fat easier if you have a few muscles. And being toned, makes you look younger. We aren't talking big muscles, rather what we are talking about is firm arms, some definition in the legs such as the calves, and just an overall look of fitness. So what type of weight training should you use? Glad you asked.

There are many different types of weight training works outs. We'll look at four popular methods that require little or no investment in equipment by you. Remember you can mix and match weight training. The key is that you do it and that you work all your muscle groups.

Resistance Band Exercises

Resistance band exercises are popular because they are inexpensive, easy to use, and effective. They are perfect for an at home weight training program. It is a great way to strengthen specific certain muscle groups. It's also a great way to target smaller muscle groups that are harder to target. Resistance bands are color-coded which indicates how stiff they are. You can start light and build if you've never done any weight training. The bands are very affordable.

Hand Weights At The Gym

You can join a gym a use the hand weights there or you can spend a little and buy your own set of dumbbells. They are very affordable and then you can work out at home. Hand weights will tone and shape you giving you total fitness. They begin at as low as 0.5 kg and go up from there. They are perfect for developing skeletal muscles. Hand weights will tone and develop muscles. You aren't going to get huge buff muscles. What you will get is shapely muscles, less body fat.

Challenging Yoga Positions

Few, realize that yoga can be a form of weight training, especially some of the more challenging positions. The difference with eastern types of workouts is that it isn't just about physical stimuli. It involves the connection of the mind with the workout. The great thing about yoga is that you do not require any additional equipment. You just need your mind and body.

Using Your Own Body Weight

Another easy method of weight training that involves no cost is to use your own body weight. For example sit-ups, calf stretches, abs, and wall sits to name just a few. The key here is the resistance against your own body.

Just a little weight training will do plenty for you. It will firm and tone you taking years off the way you look, it will make you happier, it will help you lose those extra pounds, and the great thing is the equipment you need is little or none. So now that you know what weigh training can do for you are you ready to get busy?

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Relaxation Training - A Simple But Effective Method of Dealing With Stress

In the past when I was going through stressful situations, my palms would sweat, my heart would race, my neck got tight and my stomach would hurt. For a while I could make these symptoms go away but after a while I found myself getting more aggravated and unable to sleep.

Soon after I wasn't able to handle the stress and I found myself tired and exhausted, barely able to navigate through my life on a daily basis. I was on stress overload.

Maybe you've felt like I did, so you decide to go to your doctor. What happens? Your doctor tells you that you need to relax. Relax? You don't have time to relax, but you don't have time for a heart attack either. So you ask, "How can I learn to relax?" The doctor tells you to try relaxation training. So what is relaxation training?

Well, relaxation training is made up of techniques you can learn and practice on your own. Once you learn them you can practice them anywhere. Here are some things that can help you learn to relax and stay calm.

Psychotherapy - Often doctors will refer you to a psychologist or mental health counselor. This doesn't mean that you're "mentally ill." These professionals can help you get your stress and mood under control.

Mental health professionals are also trained to teach you visualization, stress inoculation and other techniques that help you manage your stress. These are also therapies that you might be able to learn on your own using DVD and CD tutorials.

Hypnosis - Since hypnosis is one of my specialties I must admit I am prejudice toward its use. In my opinion, the reason you should go to a hypnotist is to learn how to relax yourself using self-hypnosis. And don't be worried about all the urban legends surrounding hypnosis. Contrary to false beliefs, you won't suddenly quack like a duck or howl at the moon. Today these types of techniques are often used by medical and psychological professionals for stress and pain management. For most people you'll learn all you need to know within a few sessions to be able to do this on your own.

Yoga - Take a series of classes to learn the basic Yoga movements. This ancient technique involves the mind and body so completely that you relax, stretch and develop flexibility all at the same time.

You can get DVDs and books to help you with the moves at home but rather than practice constantly by yourself alone, I would suggest scheduling a Yoga class at least twice a week and pre-pay. That will motivate you to get out of the house or the office and get into an environment better suited for the relaxation of practicing Yoga.

Tai Chi - I have been practicing tai Chi for many years. Tai chi is an ancient Chinese martial art that combines patterns of slow movements with deep breathing. In addition to helping you relax, Tai Chi improves your balance and your cardiovascular system. Many martial arts schools provide a Tai Chi class as part of their curriculum.

Qigong (Chi Kung) - I was introduces to Qigong over 20 years ago. Much slower paced than Tai Chi, Qigong also belongs to the Chinese martial arts. Using these very simple breathing and movement exercises, people all over the world have experienced a reduction in stress levels while improving their overall health.

Art or Photography - You don't have to know anything about either of these to enjoy them. Forget perfectionism and just put some paint on a canvas or shoot some pictures. Go outdoors to a tranquil park or garden to practice your craft.

You aren't trying to become proficient - just enjoy what you create. The time spent studying your subjects and looking at the results is what counts. Being creative, especially if this is completely different than your usual work, can be highly relaxing.

Act like a kid - this is one of my favorites and also gets me the most looks. Choose a day twice a month when you act like a kid. Go to the park and swing. Draw on the driveway with colored chalk. Watch funny movies in your pajamas or go to a kid's matinee.

Do something that is carefree and just plain fun. Once your stress level is down, keep up your relaxation training or you'll be back in the same overload situation again. It may sound silly, but relaxing is something many people have to learn because it doesn't come easily to them.

Bio

Wil Dieck is the founder of Total Mind Therapy. He uses a combination of of the mental techniques of hypnosis and NLP and the breathing and meditation techniques from the martial art of Qigong to help people learn to manage their stress. His practice is located in San Diego, California. If you are on stress overload and would like to learn some easy ways to relax he has a astressfreeyou.com free stress relief course.