Fit and Youthful Life

Guest Author: Adam Khan


For many years, aerobic exercise was considered the optimal method for women attempting to lose weight. Using equipment such as stair climbers, treadmills, exercise bikes, etc. was thought to be the “ideal” way to lose weight.

Although aerobic exercise provides many benefits and is excellent for your heart and lungs, too much of it could hinder your efforts at losing body fat. Unfortunately, many women do not understand the true value of adding a weight resistance routine to their aerobic exercise program.

There are many popular myths on why women have turned away from using weights. Probably the most popular one is: “If I lift weights I will bulk up and look like a body builder.” This is far from the truth, as women do not have enough of the hormone called testosterone. Testosterone is dominant in males and is responsible for muscle growth. Therefore, because of hormone levels and women’s genetic makeup, it is very difficult for women to “bulk up.” In addition, women would have to train for hours on end and eat a very specific diet in order to look like a “bodybuilder.”

One of the reasons weight training will help women decrease their body fat and lose inches is because increasing the amount of muscle tissue raises metabolism. Muscle tissue is much more metabolically active than fat tissue; it burns 25% more calories than fat tissue. Men typically have an easier time than women losing fat because they ten to have more muscle overall.

Therefore, if you have been trying (unsuccessfully) to lose 10-15 pounds, despite all the hours spent on the stair climber or in step aerobics class, then try adding weight training to your workout. That simple change can help you break through the plateau you may have reached by performing only aerobic exercise.

It is important to note that you should not stop exercising aerobically, but maybe rethink putting 100% of your efforts into aerobic exercise alone. By adding weight training, you will lose inches, burn more fat and change the shape of your body. In addition, weight training helps build stronger bones to help protect you against osteoporosis, which is the degeneration of bone associated with insufficient calcium in the diet.

Strength training also has been shown to benefit individuals with certain types of arthritis. But one of the best benefits of weight training is a better quality of life. Everyday activities such as gardening, carrying groceries or playing with your children become easier. Life becomes more enjoyable and you feel more vibrant!

Therefore the best approach for people wishing to reduce their body fat is to incorporate aerobic exercise and strength training and follow a well-balanced, low fat high fiber diet. If strength training is new to you, follow the advice of a certified personal trainer. This will ensure that you are exercising safely and effectively. And as always, consult with your doctor before starting an exercise program.

Guest Author: anonymous


Yogic Methodology: When thinking about Yogic Methodology, there are two kinds that come to mind. One is the application of Yoga techniques to daily life, and the other is Yoga teaching methodology. Competent Yoga teachers should thoroughly know both.

When considering the application of Hatha Yoga techniques to daily life, we know that Yoga will change a student’s health for the best and improve his or her lifestyle, but it must be gradual. The mind, body, and spirit will not change much in a month, but a year of regular Hatha Yoga practice will yield some significant health changes.

How many Yoga students want an instant life change? Too many – and this is why we should not make unrealistic promises. It is up to the Yoga student to take action, come to classes regularly, and practice what you have taught in your Hatha Yoga classes. It is up to the Hatha Yoga teacher to fill the student’s mind with knowledge and encouragement.

If it took decades of neglect for a new student to achieve poor health, how can he or she expect a little bit of Hatha Yoga practice to perform miracles? Every aspect of a student’s health will be changed for the better by regular Yoga practice; but this is an “on demand” world, where some people are willing to risk the side-effects of a pill rather than take positive action toward better health.

The natural effects of regular exercise, proper breathing, better posture, improved diet, and self-discipline will result in a Yoga student who is less stressed, has fewer ailments, lives longer, and sleeps better.

When a Yoga student continues to make Hatha Yoga classes a part of his or her life for years – the true value of good health will be felt and seen. This same student will most likely practice Karma Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, Jnana Yoga, Raja Yoga or other forms of Yoga “down the road.” The benefits of Yoga, in any form, will cause a student to go deeper into his or her personal Yoga practice.

Yoga teaching methodology is how a teacher reaches out to the audience – through the use of teaching, communication, or observation methods.

Student corrections, in regard to Yoga techniques, should be straight to the point; but every Yoga teacher should take care to be tactful in the process. Yoga students come to you for guidance, so keep your ego “in check.” A few “rogue” Yoga teachers, who are gruff and condescending, can ruin any student’s desire to continue practicing Yoga.

What are the qualities of a good Yoga teacher? There are many, but being able to spot students in need, and still show compassion, is very important. Being able to teach any student is another strong trait. The realization that each Yoga student is uniquely different from each other, and cannot be “cloned,” is a milestone in teaching.

Demonstrating and correcting Yoga techniques is only part of the job when teaching Yoga classes. A successful Yoga teacher must communicate with all students throughout the class, and keep the passion for Yoga going.

Copyright 2007 – Paul Jerard / Aura Publications



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