Browsing Category: "health"
Running is a great self-esteem booster, especially if you are a beginning runner. Running will allow you to test and expand your limits like never before. With each milestone you reach you will find yourself more confident and able to take on the world.
Starting out slow reaps big rewards
Even if you can’t run to the mailbox without huffing and puffing, you can run to boost self-esteem. The first time you run to the mailbox, down the street, around the block or whatever distance it is, you will feel a great sense of pride and accomplishment. The first time you go out, you will probably do a lot more walking than you will running. However, if you keep at it, you will soon find yourself running more and more until one day your run the entire route without stopping.
Popularity: 35% [?]
You have surely heard of opposites. Black and white, night and day, light and dark, pleasure and pain, wealth and poverty and similar innumerable pairs come to mind as opposites. Yin and yang represent, according to ancient Chinese philosophy, two opposing aspects of this entire universe as well as of human life, but with a difference. They not only oppose but also complement each other. Simply put, life is impossible without yin and yang at once opposing and complementing each other on a perennial basis. Yin is feminine, yang is masculine; yin is passive, yang active; yin is death, yang life and so on. If yin is thought to be receptive, cold, winter, moon, night, water, and even, then yang opposes and complements them by being creative, hot, summer, sun, day, fire and odd. They represent the essential parts of a duality. That only means that without either of them, the duality does not, and cannot, exist.
Popularity: 27% [?]
Tai-chi is a form of exercise which anyone can do and which can have many beneficial effects on the physical and mental health. It is an ancient system from China that consists of slow, flowing movements that are excellent for correcting balance and helps to keep the joints supple and flexible.
The two main aspects of Tai-chi are conditioning the body while being able to focus the mind. By simply practicing the set of exercises that make up Tai-chi for 20 minutes per day, you are able to let go of stress much more quickly while increasing your stamina and health.
The health benefits of Tai-chi are numerous and include learning how to breathe more efficiently, a lowering of blood pressure, an increase in bone density, more flexible joints and a feeling of overall wellness.
The styles and types of Tai-chi
There are three main types and styles of Tai-Chi; these are Yang style, Chen style and Wu style.
All types and styles have around 24 to 35 steps which all flow into one long movement, but they can be learnt a few steps at a time until you can do the individual steps without having to pause. Once you have accomplished this you are then able to move on to combining the steps into one fluid movement.
There is always a starting movement and an end movement, while in-between there are movements with names such as “part the wild horse mane”, “hand strums the lute” and “grasp the bird’s tail”.
The Yang style
The yang style is exceptionally good for developing strength and softness at the same time and is the most popular form of all Tai-Chi. It is a slow form of the exercise which focuses on continuity with the hands being held relaxed and open for most of the time. It is the best place to start when taking up Tai-Chi and consists of 24 steps.
The Chen style
The Chen style is harder to pick up and has a varied pace with a lower stance. There are many lulls and crescendos during the movement and this form consists of 35 steps from the opening move to the closing.
The Wu style
The Wu style comprises of making a series of smaller but more deliberate movements, this form is especially good for those who want to improve their balance and leg strength.
Pushing hands style
Pushing hands is a form of sparring or training for those who perform Tai-Chi, the whole aim of it is to unbalance your opponent by making a series of gentle pushing movements, while keeping your balance. The winner however is victorious due to skill rather than using brutish force and rough pushing. Skills such as using your energy to its best advantage, being relaxed, using your reactions and awareness all go towards winning.
There are four basic movements to the pushing hands style, the single palm push hands, double fist push hands, double palm push hands and the free style push hands. They are relatively easy to master, however the skills needed to use them can only be developed over time and practice.
Learning Tai-Chi
There are various way you can learn the basics of Tai-Chi, there are many DVD`s and videos, books with full color pictures or taking a class. Without a doubt if you are serious about learning this ancient system then following an instructor is the best way to go, by doing so you are able to learn the correct form of the movements.
Popularity: 40% [?]
Garlic is not only useful for flavoring your meals when cooking; it is also used in many over-the-counter herbal remedies and old wives concoctions throughout the world. The ancient Egyptians put garlic on a pedestal and worshipped it for its medicinal value, while Greek athletes would chew it to give them vitality and strength. Garlic has even been portrayed as a vampire deterrent.
Today many herbal stores sell garlic in capsule form and it claims to help and ease many illnesses and medical problems when taken on a regular basis. The most common reasons that millions of people pop a garlic pill daily is to help ward off coughs and colds, clearing bacterial infections and keeping the heart healthy. The good news is that you won’t get garlic breath when you take garlic in capsule form.
Uses of garlic
Garlic is, without a doubt, the number one most popular herbal cure all of all times due to its centuries old reputation and healing qualities. A recent study has shown that if you eat between ½ to 1 clove of garlic per day or take the equivalent in capsule form then it can help to reduce your cholesterol level by 9%. It is thought that garlic can help to keep the elasticity in the veins of older people and it also helps to keep to the blood pressure low.
Popularity: 29% [?]
A detoxification diet is a specialized diet plan, typically for a short period of time that allows the body to rid itself of the accumulated toxins. While those dependent on alcohol or drugs make up a large portion of those who use a detox diet, it is also very useful for eliminating natural, dietary or environmental toxins from the body.
Goal of a Detox Diet
The main purpose of a detox diet, aside from eliminating toxins from the body, is to increase colon function, create more waste products, thus cleansing the colon. Additionally, a good detox diet will help improve your circulation as well as liver function. During and for a short time after detoxing you will find that your overall well-being and energy levels have improved due to your body now functioning with a clean “motor.”
What to drink
Perhaps more important than what to eat is what to drink during a detox diet. Water is the key to a successful cleansing and you should be drinking, at a minimum, 8 glasses a day. Occasionally, you may drink pure fruit or vegetable juice with no added sugar to add to your fluid intake. Organic juices should be drank whenever possible and all juice should be cut with water by 50% to cut your sugar intake. By consuming only organic, you can ensure that the fruits and vegetables are chemical and pesticide free. Although you might feel the urge to stop by your local smoothie shop to fulfill your detox plan, it should be avoided at all costs. Most smoothie shops serve smoothies choc full of sugar, dairy and inorganic fruits. Basically everything you should avoid while cleansing your system.
Green teas or other naturally decaffeinated herbal teas are gentle enough to drink while on your detox diet but should be drank sparingly and never boiling hot. You could even sweeten them with a touch of organic honey, but remember to use it sparingly over the course of the diet so that it does not interfere with the main goal of your cleansing.
What to eat
It’s important to note that a detox diet is not a starvation diet. The key is not to lose weight but to lose the toxins and unhealthy chemicals your body is forced upon with the intake of processed, high fat and high sugar foods. With this in mind, you will be happy to note that any fresh vegetables, preferably organic apply. Whole grains such as Quinoa, millet or brown rice and beans like split peas, garbanzos, pintos or kidney beans can supplement your detox and help you feel full. Nuts except for peanuts are also acceptable to help cleanse your system. As you have probably noticed, you should try to stick with foods that are high in fiber, sugar and salt free and organic.
Other recommendations
The key to a successful detox plan is not to starve yourself, but create a menu you can follow for about two weeks. You may use herbs and spices as desired and sea salt in a limited amount. Be sure not to eat on the run and to chew food adequately. If you are dedicated to a true system cleansing, a detox diet is right for you and surprisingly easy to follow.
Popularity: 35% [?]
