January 2, 2011 - Posted by Fred - Comments Off
Hatha Yoga is known as the foundation for all of the yoga types. The name, hatha, has some real meaning: “ha” means “sun” and “tha” means “moon,” so “hatha” is referring to the sun (positive) and the moon (negative) currents within the body. These currents are supposed to be balanced and mastered so that the prana (vital force) can be regulated, the mind can be cleared, and a super conscious state can be experienced.
About the Asanas or Postures Used In Hatha Yoga
The best way to practice Hatha Yoga poses (asanas) is to come to the practice in a calm, meditative mood. After sitting quietly for a few moments, one can begin the series of yoga poses, with control and grace, and being slowly inwardly aware as the body does the poses selected for that practice session. The asanas are not a competition, with others or with oneself, though one should want to do one’s best and seek to improve.
The Value of the Asanas
In order for our bodies to be rejuvenated and have vitality, they need three prerequisites: a healthy central brain and spine (nervous system), healthy internal organs, and healthy glands.
The brain and spine are helped by so many of the positions in Hatha Yoga! Consider the headstand, and the spinal positions. These increase circulation to these organs and areas of the body. The spine needs to be kept flexible by asanas to keep proper alignment for optimal health. The internal organs of the body are benefited by the asanas by being massaged and stimulated. This makes the internal organs function better and last longer.
The endocrine glands are greatly affected by the asanas. These glands secrete powerful hormones that control much of how well our bodies function. The thyroid glands benefit from Hatha Yoga poses like the headstand and shoulder stand. Sex glands and adrenal glands are also affected by many of the asanas. The asanas also help other bodily aspects, like a healthy digestive system, joints, and skin.
In Conclusion
The asanas are certain poses that are combined with specific breathing exercises. There are poses in all body positions – supine, sitting, standing, twisting, Originally, the poses were designed to create the physical stamina, strength, and concentration that was needed for effective meditation – which was used as a path to a more spiritual life. Many yogi still practice yoga for that purpose.
Today, Hatha Yoga has become very popular in the United States because it is easy to learn (with the help of a Yoga DVD or Yoga book) and a basic form of yoga. But it is usually practiced for the sense of health and well-being that it provides, and no note is taken of the spiritual content. However, Hatha Yoga is not just an ordinary stretching exercise program. There is a focus and discipline to Hatha Yoga that helps provide inner and outer balance. Many – even those why didn’t expect it to be so – will find Hatha Yoga to be a path to enlightenment. And modern medicine is marveling at its many health benefits.
September 8, 2010 - Posted by Fred - 0 Comments
Cloves (Syzgium aromaticum) are the dried flower buds of the clove tree. a tree belonging to the myrtle family. Clove trees are native to the Moluccas and the southern Philippines but today, they are also grown worldwide, mainly in Indonesia, Madagascar, Tanzania, Sri Lanka and Malaysia for the production of cloves.
Clove buds must be picked before flowering by hand. After drying, they have lost three quarters of their weight. Cloves of a good quality feel greasy and secrete more oil if you push your fingernail against their stem. Even the swim test provides information about the quality: High-quality cloves drop in water or at least float in a vertical position with their heads up. Lower qualities or de-oiled cloves float horizontally on the surface of water.
Taste, smell and effect are determined by their essential oils, which make up about 15% of their weight. Essential oils of cloves consist of 70-85% eugenol (which is also found in cinnamon), 15% eugenol acetate and 5-12% β-caryophyllene. Another part is oleanolic acid at 2%. Eugenol has a numbing effect and cloves are therefore used as a remedy for toothaches. Cloves are also effective against bad breath.
The small brown buds taste very intense. In the kitchen cloves are therefore applied with great care and are used to flavor marinades, sauces, sausages, meat and fish dishes, gingerbread and more. Clover are also a compund of curry powder, masala chai spice tea and ayurvedic teas. As food only the heads of cloves should be used. Clove heads taste somehow round and noble while the stems taste pungent bitter. Cloves, when used in soups, are removed before serving.
In Indonesia cloves are also used, in addition to a significant proportion of tobacco, in cigarettes. More than half of the annual harvest is consumed for the production of Indonesian clove cigarettes.
Traditional folk healers use cloves as ingredients in medications for indigestion. Cloves usually don´t cause any side effects but be warned against the use of large quantities of cloves or clove oil because this can cause severe poisoning. Don´t apply clove oil as a form of self medication.
Persons who are hypersensitive to cloves, eugenol, or balsam of Peru should also avoid the use of clove oil or products containing oil of cloves or components of cloves.
July 9, 2010 - Posted by Fred - 1 Comment
Arthritis belongs to the most common and also the most serious health conditions in our society. Although very common it also belongs to the most misunderstood diseases and many people just fail to realise that the symptoms of arthritis can both be very painful and debilitating for ones lifestyle.
What are the symptoms for arthritis?
There are many different forms of arthritis and symptoms of athritis. The most common forms of arthritis possibly are rheumatoid arthritis, as a result from a hyperactive immune system, and osteoarthritis, which relates to the wear and tear of the bones in the body. Although each form of arthritis has it´s own symptoms and causes, there are a few basic symptoms usually associated with all types. Joint pain, pain and swelling in the joints of fingers and toes, are often the first signs and symptoms of arthritis. Arthritic pain can range from very mild and hardly noticeable to very serious, making it impossible for people to maintain their usual lifestyle.
In most cases arthritis is accompanied by inflammation, swelling, stiffness, warmth and redness of the joints. Inflammation can cause fever, weightloss, a loss in range of motions and extreme fatique.
Treatment of arthritis starts with the proper diagnosis. What type of arthritis is a person suffering from and how serious is his/her condition? In order to determine if and/or what type and symptoms of arthritis a person is suffering from, he/she will have to go through a couple of routine tests. From there on the physician can establish the proper treatment and medication, necessary for curing or reducing the symptoms of arthritis.
Many signs and symptoms of arthritis are also common to a wide range of other diseases and diagnosis of arthritic conditions is often not an easy task and can be quite difficult. The physician has to rely on the information provided by the patient and it is oft the utmost importance for the patient to work closely with his doctor and keep him informed on any changes of his/her condition.
July 8, 2010 - Posted by Fred - 0 Comments
Arthritis may be a torturing medical condition where nearly all of a person´s joints, bones and cartilages can be affected. While there are a lot of conventional medications prescribed through medical physicians to help against the pain caused by this disease, lots of people still look for herbal and natural cures and medications against arthritis. People expect more from these herbal remedies than to just ease the pain and symptoms of arthrits, they also want to heal the condition itself. This however is not always possible. Not every form of arthritis can be resolved.
For many people Acupuncture is one of the most appealing natural cures for arthritis. Acupuncture is believed to alleviate the blood flow through the body, thereby improving the function of all body organs. Alleviated blood flow can positively effect and reduce inflammation of the joints, at least with a couple of forms for arthritis.
Glucosamine and Chondroitin are two elements highly recommended for maintaining and rebuilding cartilage in order to reduce friction between bones. These natural cures for arthritis positively effect the condition of a person´s joints, cartilages and ligaments. On top of that, these elements hardly have any adverse side effects and can be used safely.
Another natural cure for arthritis is eating well and avoiding the consumption of foods that can cause, trigger or worsen the pain and symptoms of arthritis. Consumption of foods that improve the body´s system and functions as well as avoiding foods that cause or aggravate arthritic conditions could be the best natural cures for arthritis. You are what you eat and this is definitely true when it´s about curing arthritis.
Another one of the best natural cures for arthritis is losing weight when being overweight. Being to heavy puts extra pressure on the body and this may worsen your arthritis symptoms and problems.
Herbal teas, extracts and tinctures also belong to the best natural cures for arthritis and can easily be found in many health stores and on the Internet. Devil´s Claw or Stinging Nettles are to popular herbal cures for arthritis. But there are many more herbal solutions that, directly or indirectly, improve one´s arthritic condition.
Natural cures for arthritis can be a satisfying alternative since natural cures for arthritis often lack the adverse side effects of prescription drugs from the pharmacy. However, one should always consult a doctor before thinking about replacing convential medications with natural cures for arthritis.
