Helping You Achieve Your Fitness and LifeStyle Goals


Archive for July, 2009

Relief for Pregnancy Stretch Marks

Stretch marks are a regular issue faced by thousands of females. Stretch marks are a delicate subject depending on why they formed. For a majority of women, pregnancy stretch marks are normally easier to live with than ones that developed due to excessive weight gain. Obviously with a skin problem so inexplicably tied to human emotion, finding the most effective and gentlest treatment of stretch marks is important.

Stretch Marks Treatment

Stretch marks are submerged scars. They develop in the deeper layers of the dermis when collagen elements can not sustain the added stress or weight and start ripping. After repeated stress they actually break and the result is a pink or purple line that fades over time and becomes a white line submerged deep in the skin. So the matter now becomes how to dissolve old stretch marks.

Repairing Tears in Dermis Skin Layer

Lotions and the top stretch mark creams sold as stretch mark treatments are typically alpha hydroxy acid formulations or cocoa butter. Alpha hydroxy eliminates the superficial layer of skin cells, permitting newer, healthier skin cells to materialize. This supposedly allows moisturizers to penetrate deeper, further softening and smoothing the skin. The biggest problem and

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Cure For Stretch Marks Exposed!

Both men and women don’t like to get stretch marks, but as the country continues to patronize fast food chains and snacking, it’s getting doubly hard to stay away from these seemingly pesky marks on the skin. Pregnant women usually get pregnancy stretch marks in the later part of their pregnancy, while other people get them from gaining considerable weight over a short period of time. The good news is that stretch marks can be cured, and in this article, see the cure for stretch marks exposed.

Stretch marks are a type of scarring that manifests on the skin as silvery-white streaks. Also called striae in the field of dermatology, stretch marks are caused by the tearing of the dermis and occur when there is rapid stretching of the skin. Stretch marks typically develop among youngsters during early puberty when there is fast growth, and in pregnant women during the last stages of pregnancy when there is fast weight gain. When stretch marks first appear, they are lines in purple or reddish color. Gradually, they fade into a lighter color, normally gray or a softer tone of your original skin color. A cure for stretch marks exposed promises to

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Join the Yoga Classes in West and North Vancouver For Healthy Body and Mind

yoga
Guest Author: Alliance


Nakul Kapur

Street Address #1: 1641 Lonsdale Avenue

City: North & West Vancouver

Province: BC

Country: Canada

Yoga means to unite. Unite our physical body and our physical mind with our Divine Mind, the Higher Mind. This alignment is basically our physical mind’s cooperation and surrender to the Higher Mind. It is the basic requirement for the people who love yoga very much. Nowadays these are very much popular because mats give the best practice at the time of doing yoga exercises. It enables you to do certain yoga practices properly and efficiently.

Divine Light Yoga brings its distinctive Teacher Training Program to Vancouver in Canada, which are particularly focusing on the understanding of Yoga and creativity. The courses are particularly designed to raise the knowledge of the creative sources within every student. Divine Light Yoga Teacher Training Program is a 200 hour and 500 hours intensive training program and Batch Starts from Feb 19, 2009. They aim to encourage and promote the original flow within students and to show them, how it is kept alive and used in every day’s life to make the most of it.

Nakul kapur has expert instructor of yoga in Divine Light Yoga, he is instruct several types of yoga like Hatha Yoga, Kundalini Yoga, Mantra Yoga, Jnana Yoga, Karma Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, Raja Yoga (Ashtanga Yoga).

1.HATHA YOGA: It prepares us, through kriyas (cleansing techniques), asanas (physical postures) and pranayam (breathing techniques), for higher practices in yoga.

2.KUNDALINI YOGA: Shakti is the active creative force of the universe. It is this life force that binds the whole of creation. It is this life force that is responsible for our existence and is also known as the Kundalini.

3.MANTRA YOGA: A mantra is a combination of syllables or words that correspond to a particular energy vibration. The essential technique is japa, or mental repetition of the mantra to invoke that energy in our selves. If done with concentration and pure intent, it is a form of prayer that purifies and raises our vibrations. It brings a sense of peace and calm, which are essential to meet the Divine within.

4.JNANA YOGA: It is the path of knowledge. Through spiritual knowledge, we are able to discern right from wrong, so that we can make good choices and avoid building bad karma (the law of cause and effect). We use spiritual knowledge to get rid of our bad qualities and replace them with good qualities. Most of our suffering is due to the darkness of ignorance and this suffering can be removed only with the light of knowledge.

5.KARMA YOGA: It is the path of selfless service. Selfless service is at the core of our Higher Self and is the source of true peace and happiness. We express our love for God by serving all His creations. This yoga is the key for making the worldly path a divine path, by helping genuine good people.

6.BHAKTI YOGA: Bhakti is the approach of pure intense love, devotion to God, and attachment to Him alone. God is to be regarded as the devotee’s parent, master, friend, child, husband or sweetheart, each succeeding relationship representing an intensification of love.

7.RAJA YOGA (Ashtanga Yoga): It is a practical and systematic path, codified by sage Patanjali in the Yoga Sutras somewhere around 200 B.C. It is also known as the eightfold path as it is made up of eight angas, or limbs.



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Aerobics Cardio

cardio
Guest Author: rosy


Aerobics (long, steady state sub-maximal cardio) aren’t much good for many health or fat loss related benefits. I’ve already done a post on why aerobics suck for fat loss. And then I went over the health benefits of interval training versus steady-state aerobics in my interval training for fat loss article

Cardio is used in reference to exercises and/or equipment intended for cardiovascular fitness and endurance training (aerobic exercise). “To do cardio” is a common term which means to engage in Running or other endurance training for a set period of time. Having Cardio equipment at home is a great way to be sure to get it in.

The exercises are also very much important to the men. These exercises will help develop the flexibility that will aid in reducing the chances of injuries to the body. These exercises also help in the continuous development of the body. The exercises work to increase the activity level and the oxygen supply to the various parts of the body.

It is important that we work out the cardio system. This is because the cardio system is the core of the body. With a weak cardio system there are not many exercises that we can perform. A weak cardio system also makes a person prone to many heart problems and diseases.

Again, that’s why you see these overweight aerobics instructors that can probably do well in a triathlon (because of excellent endurance), but don’t lose any fat weight.

Aerobics is also known as cardiovascular exercises and it improves oxygen intake and works major muscle groups like the lungs and heart. Aerobics speeds up your metabolism and this leads to fat burning and weight loss, by keeping your heart rate up for an extended period of time. Most instructors suggest 30 minutes of exercise to get the heart rate up to with a 5 minute warm up and 5 minute cool down.

Because you would look forward to doing it and won’t likely miss (or “play truant”) and would likely stay put in it long, to achieve your goal- either to lose weight or to maintain good health.

Cardio and aerobic exercises are helpful to strengthen the respiratory muscles and it results in smoother and unlabored breathing. These exercises are good for strengthening the cardiovascular muscles and it also improves the hearts pumping efficiency. It tones the muscles of all parts of body that results in improved blood circulation and reduced blood pressure.

Most people perform cardio training to burn excess calories. With obesity as one of the leading health problems in the Western world today, people are seriously considering doing cardio workouts since they burn much more fats and carbohydrates in so little span of time. But it must be noted that the amount of calories burned during cardio training will always be dependent on the body weight of the exerciser, the intensity of his workouts and the type of activity he does.

If you were looking to change up your aerobic routine, I would suggest you try water aerobics.Also known as aqua aerobics or aqua-fit. Water aerobics is similar to any other kind of cardio exercise. You run, do jumping jacks, perform arm movements and kicks, except you are in the water.

Read about herbal supplements and also read about boswellia and mucuna



Look Young Again
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Using The Right Skin Cleansers For Your Skin Type

Whether you have oily skin, dry skin, or normal skin, it’s very important that you choose the right type of skin cleansers for your skin type to obtain maximum results.

There is a dazzling array of skin cleansers on the market including: Oil facial cleansers, lemon facial cleanser, low foaming facial cleansers, acne facial cleansers, and even facial cleansers for men. Looking at facial cleanser reviews online may help you find the best facial cleansers for you. However, you may just decide to make your own homemade facial cleansers.

Whether your facial skin cleansers are homemade or store bought, washing your skin helps it shed old skin cells and stimulates the new ones. If you’re in your teens and twenties, your skin cells renew themselves very quickly. The older you get, the longer the cells take to renew. This can lead to buildup of oil and dirt, which can make skin look dull and flaky.

By gently scrubbing your skin’s surface, you can speed up the release of new cells, which will leave skin looking fresh and young. Mildness and rinsing ability are important factors when choosing a cleansing soap.

Dry skin types should use super

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Going on the Perfect Ashram Yoga Retreat

yoga
Guest Author: Ben Ashanti


If you are into yoga, you’ve probably heard of a ashram yoga retreat. What the role of these retreats is, is to provide a vacation learning environment for yoga under the tutelage of a number of teachers who will cover a variety of material.

Supplementary Learning

Believe it or not, yoga is actually a very complicated discipline to learn. Yoga requires much more than stretching and breathing, even though those are major parts of the whole process. While there are many books, magazines and videos out there claiming to be able to teach yoga the reality is that these items are supplementary learning material. Now, there is nothing wrong with that as their purpose is to supplement a learning environment with a qualified teacher.

Class Environments

Whether you are studying in a yoga class or at a ashram yoga retreat, there is only so much that instructor is going to be able to show you in that environment. Yoga is a complex art and requires a life-long commitment to really study and grasp all the different components. Since the learning curve can be a long one, be patient and allow yourself the time to grow. It’s to your advantage to study yoga in as many ways as you can, and a ashram yoga retreat can be an excellent way to increase your knowledge.

What to Expect at the Retreat

Yoga encompasses many facets that include a spiritual as well as physical learning experience. You should look for a ashram yoga retreat that touches on the physical, mental, and spiritual aspects of yoga. It should have a variety of certified instructors who can share their unique point of view. The advantage of a retreat is that you get the insights and perspectives of a variety of instructors on all the different components of yoga. It’s different than what you get out of your regular yoga class.

Retreats are the perfect environment for expanding on what you already know and learning brand new aspects of yoga. Yoga classes can sometimes become routine and even get a little boring, but a retreat can renew your interest in yoga. By attending a retreat, the student may find his or her learning experience re-invigorated. This along makes a ashram yoga retreat a hugely positive experience that any serious student should consider.



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Stretch Marks: Gain Control Over Stretch Marks!

For women some things are inevitable, whatever efforts they take there will remain physical signs of all achievements that women undergo emotionally and physically. Stretch marks are just one of those signs. Stretch marks appearing on your body will signify that you have come of age, either you are growing up into a woman, or you are not just a woman you have also graduated into motherhood.

Stretch marks are those signs which will remind you of the times that you felt very successful and also remind you that you are no more lissome lass that you once prided yourself to be. These are small compromises for large gains, but you can gain control these small compromises to ensure that not much damage is done to the skin in process of growing up.

Stretch marks cannot be avoided completely, but you can ensure that these are not highly conspicuous in nature. All you require doing for controlling stretch marks is living a good and healthy life, eating nutritious food and replenishing the ever depleting supply of water in your body.

It has been noticed that women who get high concentration of stretch marks have not been living

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5 Tips to Help You Improve Your Cardio Health

cardio
Guest Author: Lambert Klein


ease is the number one killer in the United States today. If you have certain risks factors, it is critical that you take measures to improve and maintain good cardio health. Keep reading to discover what you can do to naturally improve your heart function for a long and healthy life.

1. Lose weight. This should be at the top of your list to get into good physical health overall, but it is especially important to your cardio health. Overweight people are at a higher risk for developing diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and even certain types of cancer. Obesity will also cause your heart to pump harder which can lead to long term damage.

2. Stop smoking. This killer habit can put you at a much higher risk for heart attack and stroke. Smoking is one of the most preventable causes of heart disease there is. So if you smoke stop. If you don’t smoke, don’t start. If you live with a smoker, insist that they not smoke around you. Second hand smoke can do just as much, if not more, damage to your lungs.

3. Exercise. Your heart is a muscle. The best way to develop any muscle is through exercise. This includes your heart muscle. Exercise gets your blood pumping and makes your heart stronger. It also reduces cholesterol levels and helps to reduce stress.

4. Eat heart healthy foods. Foods that are rich in potassium are good for your heart. You should also try to avoid foods that are high in sodium because sodium will make you retain excess water and put a strain on your heart muscle. Studies have shown that foods that are rich in omega 3 fatty acids are good for your heart. Stop eating the high calorie, high fat junk foods and start eating a diet rich in fiber, fruit and vegetables.

5. Lower your stress levels. This can be easier said than done. We all lead busy, stressful lives. If you feel that you are under too much stress, investigate ways to decrease these stress levels. There may be some things you cannot change, but some things you can. If you are trying to be perfect in everything you do, stop. Nobody is perfect and trying to achieve perfection will cause unneeded stress in your life. Find something that you can do that will de-stress you. Some people like to exercise while others engage in their favorite hobby. Whatever you, do try to lower your stress level to protect your heart from the damage that ongoing stress can cause.

So there you have five great tips on how to improve and maintain your cardio health. Use these tips wisely and develop a few of your own. Keep your cardiovascular system healthy and lower your risk for heart disease.



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What is a Pore or Skin Cleanser?

You’ve probably come here in hopes to battle acne. We’ve all had different forms of skin acne at one point or another. Clogged pores are one of the leading contributors to acne. If you see a black dot on your face, that’s not a mole or freckle, it’s probably a blocked pore or blackhead. Don’t get alarmed, don’t pick at it. There’s several things you can do to unclog your pores. Please read on as we describe a few successful acne remedies, specifically blocked pore remedies below:

First, have you ever heard of a skin cleanser? A skin or pore cleanser is typically a bottle of liquid, referred to as an astringent. It will smell strong, and it may even burn a little once applied to your skin. It removes all the dirt and oils in your skin. Skin Cleanser should be applied by a cotton ball and wiped across your face, after your face is washed thoroughly with warm water. The acne astringent or pore cleanser will help you to prevent acne. By unclogging blocked pores, the pore cleanser is keeping dirt from collecting and forming a pimple. This is a great method for keeping pimples and acne

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Stretch Marks Home Remedies – How to Get Rid of Stretch Marks

Stretch marks are scars left behind when skin is overstretched, and fibers in the middle layer (dermis) have broken. They most often occur during pregnancy, bodybuilding, extreme weight gain, occasionally puberty and are usually found on the abdomen, breasts, buttocks, legs, and upper arms. Fresh stretch marks appear initially as red lines and then slowly fade to a pale white color over the course of several months. While it is possible to reduce and even eliminate the appearance of stretch marks, it is much easier to prevent them.

Stretch marks (striae) — pink, red or purple streaks on the skin — may occur where skin is rapidly stretched. Stretch marks are most often associated with rapid weight gain and pregnancy. Unfortunately, there are very few effective treatments for stretch marks. The actual cause of stretch marks has not yet been determined so far. A reduction in collagen level in the skin affects the structure of the skin and may lead to occurrence of stretch marks. The pink color that shows in the initial stages points to rupturing of the small blood vessels in the outer layers of your skin.

Before you contemplate splurging your hard-earned cash on

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