Posts: 7

1. IMPORTANT FACTS

   19.Jul.07, 19:41 EDT
   
   Share It | Spread It | Comments: 0

   Dehydration Facts for Las Vegas You’ve probably already heard the warnings about drinking enough fluids when the temperature rises. But your body needs an adequate supply of water no matter what the temperature. Even in cooler temperatures, you should make sure you are getting enough water. Dry outside temperatures and heated indoor environments evaporate moisture from your skin and contribute to fluid loss. Most medical professionals recommend drinking eight glasses of high quality drinking water during an average day. In the dry Las Vegas climate you should drink more water. And it is even more important to drink water before, during, and after exercise. Not sure if you are getting enough water? Take the following test. Do you feel tired even though you have had plenty of rest? Do you easily loose your concentration throughout the day? Are your feet, hands, ankles, swollen? Do you cramp up during exercise, despite having stretched beforehand? Do you feel thirsty? If you answered yes to one or more of these questions, you may be suffering from dehydration. And dehydration can lead to such problems as fatigue, impaired physical ability, weakness, dizziness, headaches, as well as other health ailments. These are also signs of dehydration: dry mouth, marked thirst, infrequent urination, dark yellow urine, sunken eyes, skin lacking elasticity (to determine this, pinch the skinon the stomach using all five fingers. If the skin does not spring back, you may be dehydrated. Don’t wait until you feel thirsty to have a drink. Doctors recommend drinking before you get thirsty. In fact by the time you feel thirsty, you are probably already dehydrated. Try to avoid caffeine and alcohol beverages after strenuous activity. Many people choose to quench their thirst in hot weather with icy however, ice actually causes the blood vessels to shrink, limiting how quickly fluids can be absorbed into the body. For Rapid fluid replacement, drink beverages that are closer to room temperature. Good Reasons for the Heat! 1. Enhances vasodilatation* so that more blood is delivered to the muscles. 2. Allows oxygen In the blood to detach from the hemoglobin more easily.** 3. Speeds up the breakdown of glucose and fatty acids. 4. Makes muscles more elastic, less susceptible to injury. 5. Burns fat more easily. • The capillaries that weave around the muscles respond to the heat by dilating. This brings more oxygen to the muscles and helps in the removal of waste products such as carbon dioxide and lactic acid. • ** When blood passes through warm muscles oxygen releases more easily from the hemoglobin. Blood through cold muscles releases less oxygen. • *** Warm muscles burn fat more easily than cold ones. Fat is released during stress. The stress of intense exercise causes a deluge of fatty acids into the blood stream. If you exercise with cold muscles the muscles can not use the fatty acids, ant the fatty acids end up in places where they aren’t wanted, such as the lining of the arteries. NOTE: Muscles aren’t the only beneficiaries of heat. Higher temperatures improve the function of the nervous system, meaning that messages are carried more rapidly to and from the brain of SPINAL CORD. Warm muscles are more elastic and less susceptible to injury. Warmer temperatures produce a fluid-like stretch that allows greater range of motion. Cold muscles don’t absorb shock or impact as well and aren’t stretched as well so they get injured more readily. Plastic and Cancer news from Johns Hopkins No plastics in micro No plastics in freezer No plastic wrap in micro Johns Hopkins has recently sent this out in their newsletter. This information is being circulated at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. Dioxin Carcinogens causes cancer, especially breast cancer. Don’t freeze your plastic water bottles with water as this also releases dioxin in the plastic. Dr. Edward Fujimoto from Castle hospital, Manager of Wellness Program, explaining about dioxins during a T.V. interview. He was talking about how bar dioxins are on us. He said we should not heat up our food in the microwave in plastic containers. This applies to foods that contain fat. He said the combination of fat, high heat, and plastics releases dioxins into the food and ultimately into the cells of the body. Dioxins are carcinogens and highly toxic to our bodies. Instead Dr Fujimoto recommends using glass, Corning Ware, or ceramic containers for heating food. You get the same results, without the dioxin. So such things as T.V. dinners, instant ramen soups, etc should be removed from the original container and heated in something else. Paper isn’t bad, but you don’t know what is in the paper. It is just safer to use glass, Corning Ware etc. He said that we might remember when some fast food restaurants moved away from the foam containers to paper. The dioxin problem is one of the reasons. To add to this, Saran wrap placed over foods as they are nuked, with the high heat, actually drips poisonous toxins into the food, use paper towels. NUTRITION AND ELECTROLYTE REPLACEMENT For years, health care and fitness professionals have stressed the importance of fluid intake and replacement in preventing dehydration. Therefore, most health conscience individuals are educated about dehydration and cases of dehydration have increased in recent years. Yet, in some cases, people make take dehydration prevention a bit too far and unintentionally drink too much water. Drinking an excessive surplus of water can lead to over-hydration or hyponatremia. Although hyponatremia is rare and seen primarily in serious endurance athletes, such as marathon runners, it can be dangerous and fitness enthusiasts ought to be aware of the condition. The MedTerms.com medical dictionary defines hypontremia as an abnormally low concentration of sodium in the blood. Hyponatremia is also known as “water intoxication.” Salt (sodium chloride) is an electrolyte, which helps the body distribute water. This is essential for water balance and your muscles and organ to function effectively. Electrolytes are lost through sweat. When exercising, our body temp. rises and we sweat to keep cool. The more we sweat the more sodium we lose. Sweat loss varies from as little as 16 ounces to over three quarts during each hour of exercise (Gatorade Sports and Science Institute). For this reason it is important to replace body fluids during and after exercise. To completely replace these fluids, you must not only replace water, but also sodium and chloride. Those who consume excessive amounts of water after exercise can further deplete sodium and chloride levels, leading to electrolyte depletion and possibly over-hydration. PREVENTION Over-hydration can easily be prevented by carefully monitoring your fluid intake And replacing all necessary fluids after long periods of exercise. USA Track and Field (USATF), the governing body of track and field recommends that exercisers “be sensitive to the onset of thirst as a signal to drink, rather than staying ahead of thirst.” By being aware of when you are thirsty, you will help prevent dehydration as well as Decreasing the risk of over-hydration (ACE Fitness Matters). In other words drink fluids only when you need to. To replace lost fluids during and/or after exercise, drink small amounts of fluid as needed throughout your workout to remain hydrated. Sports drinks, Such as Gatorade, contain electrolytes and are therefore a good source of sodium and chloride. Also prior to a race, endurance athletes may be instructed to eat a salty snack such as pretzels or tomato juice to build sodium reserves. Furthermore, if an endurance athlete is taking any over the counter (O.T.C.) pain medications or prescription medicine He or she may be asked to consult a doctor as some medications reduce the body’s capability to conserve salt. PLEASE REPLACE YOUR ELECTROLYTES BY DRINKING EMERGEN-C AFTER EACH CLASS!! SCIENCE OF BREATHING (THE PRANAYAMA) There are benefits of pranayam practice for psycho-physical and neuro biological regularization. The effect of stress and depression on physical and mental health (psycho-somatic impact) is wide reaching. Anxiety and depression have been found to be co-factors in the progression of every disease, including asthma and cardio vascular diseases. Yogic breathing techniques activate the nerves, through pranayam we achieve respiratory efficiency, better oxygenated blood throughout the system as well as a state of mental and physical equilibrium along with Hatha Yoga practice. Biological age younger than chronological age is possible through pranayama practice.

2. BIKRAM CHOUDRY DIRECTOR

   19.Jul.07, 19:40 EDT
   
   Share It | Spread It | Comments: 0

   BIKRAM CHOUDRY DIRECTOR Bikram Choudry began learning Hatha Yoga poses in his native India, at the age of three. At five he began studying yoga with Bishnu Ghosh ( Paramahnsa Yogananda’s brother) and quickly became a yoga champion. At age eleven he was the youngest contestant ever to win a yoga competition. At age fourteen, Swami Shivananda declared him “Yogi Raj” (King of Yogis). At age twenty, a weight lifting accident crippled Bikram. With guidance of his guru, Bikram created his twenty-six posture series which restored his health. Combining Eastern discipline and Western medicine, Bikram perfected his comprehensive system suitable for all ages and levels of fitness. Bikram arrived in the United States in 1973 at the invitation of President Nixon, and the urging of Shirley Maclaine. He quickly became the foremost yoga teacher in the West, as celebrities, athletes, and others began to flock to him. Since that time he has been healing thousands of students at his school; in Beverly Hills and traveling the world extensively, bringing the benefits of “Bikram’s Beginning Yoga” to millions of students worldwide.

3. BIKRAM’S BEGINNING YOGA CLASS

   19.Jul.07, 19:40 EDT
   
   Share It | Spread It | Comments: 0

   BIKRAM’S BEGINNING YOGA CLASS Bikram’s Beginning Yoga Class is a demanding series of 26 postures (asanas) and two breathing excises (pranayamas), which is suitable for all ages and levels of ability. Each posture stretches and strengthens specific muscles, ligaments, and joints needed for the next posture. The Bikram method also stimulates the organs, glands and nerves, moving fresh oxygenated blood to 100 percent of the body, restoring all systems to a healthy working order. Bikram scientifically designed this 90 minute program to deliver total health through the balancing and strengthening of every system in the body in order to prevent illness, injury, and limit the effects of aging. In addition, the series of postures combine skills of concentration, patience, determination, and self control, which lead to increased mental clarity and reduced stress. “Bikrams Beginning Yoga” class is done in a hot room to warm your muscles, prevent injury, allow deeper stretching, and cleanse the body by flushing toxins. As Bikram says, “Yoga is the only exercise in the world you can do at any age.” There is always some posture that will improve your health, mind or soul.

4. Bikrams Guru

   19.Jul.07, 19:39 EDT
   
   Share It | Spread It | Comments: 0

   BISHNU CHARAN GHOSH – GURU The year 2005 marks the 102nd anniversary of the birth of Bishnu Ghosh, one of the greatest and most influential yoga masters of the past century, guru of Bikram Choudhury and brother of Paramahnsa Yogananda. Ghosh, born in Lahore, India in 1903, was a celebrated physical culturist and the first to scientifically document Yoga’s ability to cure chronic physical ailments and heal the body. Beginning in the 1920’s, Bishnu Ghosh, developed a school if Yoga that provides a unique blend if spiritual inspiration and a highly disciplined physical regimen. Ghosh came from an extraordinary family. He was initiated into the field of yogic exercise and physical education by his guru and older brother, Paramahnsa Yogananda, the world renowned Yogi and spiritual healer. Yogananda founded the "Self Realization Fellowship Center" and his book "Autobiography of a Yogi", continues to be one of the best known and influential works of our time. Ghosh developed a Yoga regimen that provides a unique blend of spiritual inspiration and disciplined physical exercise. His view of the body as the temple of the Living God has been a major force in the renaissance of Hatha Yoga in the west. In 1923, At the young age of twenty, he founded the first "Ghosh College of Physical Education" in Calcutta and his name quickly spread throughout India. Other schools were opened, first in India then in other locations around the world. In 1939 Bishnu Ghosh came to the United States to educate people on the subject of yoga by giving demonstrations of amazing yoga feats. He lectured at Colombia University in New York, generating a great deal of interest in the field, ands was widely acknowledged and respected in the academic community. In 1968 he went to Japan with his troupe and traveled all over the country giving lectures and yogic demonstrations. Bishnu Ghosh’s were the first yoga exhibitions to be televised outside of India and were seen and loved by millions if Japanese. He passed away in 1970. His legacy is being continued by his son, Biswanath Ghosh, the current director of the Ghosh College in Calcutta. His students and disciples have gained worldwide recognition. One of them Bikram Choudhury, has carried the message of the curative powers and benefits of Hatha Yoga and the possibility of a disease free long life, around the world. He has trained thousands of teachers and has over 1000 affiliated schools.

5. BIKRAMS DEDICATION

   19.Jul.07, 19:39 EDT
   
   Share It | Spread It | Comments: 0

   BIKRAMS DEDICATION I hereby dedicate my life’s work to the cherished memory of my beloved guru Bishnu Charan Ghosh. May the eternal light of his spirit, made brighter by the love of his guru Paramahansa Yogananda and those who have carried his sacred lineage, through the halls of the ages, be reflected in the hearts of all the students and teachers, of whom it has been my privilege and honor to serve Bikram Choudhury

6. Why The Heat?

   19.Jul.07, 19:38 EDT
   
   Share It | Spread It | Comments: 0

   GOOD REASONS FOR THE HEAT! 1. Enhances vasodilatation* so that more blood is delivered to the muscles. 2. Allows oxygen In the blood to detach from the hemoglobin more easily.** 3. Speeds up the breakdown of glucose and fatty acids. 4. Makes muscles more elastic, less susceptible to injury. 5. Burns fat more easily. The capillaries that weave around the muscles respond to the heat by dilating. This brings more oxygen to the muscles and helps in the removal of waste products such as carbon dioxide and lactic acid. ** When blood passes through warm muscles oxygen releases more easily from the hemoglobin. Blood passing through cold muscles releases less oxygen. *** Warm muscles burn fat more easily than cold ones. Fat is released during stress. The stress of intense exercise causes a deluge of fatty acids into the blood stream. If you exercise with cold muscles the muscles can not use the fatty acids, ant the fatty acids end up in places where they aren’t wanted, such as the lining of the arteries. NOTE: Muscles aren’t the only beneficiaries of heat. Higher temperatures improve the function of the nervous system, meaning that messages are carried more rapidly to and from the brain of SPINAL CORD. Warm muscles are more elastic and less susceptible to injury. Warmer temperatures produce a fluid-like stretch that allows greater range of motion. Cold muscles don’t absorb shock or impact as well and aren’t stretched as well so they get injured more readily.

7. Bikram’s Yoga Class Benefits

   19.Jul.07, 19:38 EDT
   
   Share It | Spread It | Comments: 0

   Bikram’s Yoga Class Benefits 1. Standing Deep Breathing/ PranayamaBreathing Most people use only ten percent of their lungs never allowing the lungs to reach the maximum expansion capacity that Nature intended. Standing Deep Breathing teaches you to use the other ninety percent of your lungs. This exercise expands the lungs to their full capacity, it increases circulation to the whole body, waking everything up and preparing the muscles for action. 2. Half moon Pose with Hands to Feet Pose/ Ardha-Chandrasana & Pada-Hastasana Improves and strengthens every muscle in the central part of the body, especially in the abdomen: increases the flexibility of the spine: corrects bad posture: promotes proper kidney function, helps to cure enlargement of the liver and spleen, dyspepsia, and constipation. It increases the flexibility and strength of the rectus abdominis latisimus dorsi, oblique, deltoid, and trapezius muscles. The Hands to Feet Pose increases the flexibility of the spine and the sciatic nerves and of the most tendons and ligaments of the legs, and strengthens the biceps of thighs and calves. It also greatly improves blood circulation in the legs and to the brain, and strengthens the rectus abdominis, gluteus maximus, oblique, deltoid and trapezius muscles. Both poses firm and trim waistline, hips, abdomen, buttocks, and thighs. 3. Awkward Pose/ Utkatasana The Awkward Pose strengthens and firms all muscles of thighs, calves, and hips, and makes hip joints flexible. It also firms the upper arms. It increases blood circulation in the knees and ankle joints and relieves rheumatism, arthritis, and gout in the legs, and helps to cure slipped disc and lumbago in the lower spine. 4. Eagle/ Garurasana The eagle supplies fresh blood to the sexual organs and the kidneys, increasing sexual power and control. It helps firm calves, thighs, hips, abdomen, and upper arms. It also improves the flexibility of the hip, knee, and ankle joints and strengthens the latisimus dorsi: trapezius, and deltoid muscles. 5. Standing Head To Knee Pose/ Dandayamana Janushirasana: The Standing Head to Knee helps develop concentration, patience, and determination. Physically, it tightens abdominal and thigh muscles, improves flexibility of the sciatic nerves, and strengthens the tendons, biceps of the thigh muscles, and hamstrings in the legs, in addition to the deltoid, trapezius, latisimus dorsi, scapula, biceps, and triceps. 6. Standing Bow Pulling Pose/ Dandayamana-Dhanurasana The Standing Bow Pulling is a perfect example of the “tourniquet”, or “damming” effect in Yoga, because it transfers the circulation from one side of the body to the other, and then equalizes it- circulation fresh blood to each organ and gland to keep them healthy. Like the Standing Head to Knee, this pose helps develop concentration, patience and determination. Physically, it firms the abdominal wall and upper thighs, and tightens upper arms, hips, and buttocks. It increases the size and elasticity of the rib cage and the lungs and improves the flexibility and strength of the lower spine and of most of the bodies’ muscles. 7. Balancing Stick Pose/ Tuladandasana The Balancing Stick perfects control and balance by improving physical, psychological, and mental powers. In addition, it firms hips, buttocks, and upper thighs, as well as providing the same benefits for the legs as the Standing Head to Knee. It increases the circulation, strengthens the heart muscle, and stretches the capacity of the lungs. It is one of the best exercises for the lungs. It is one of the best exercises for the lungs. It is one of the best exercises for bad posture: strengthens the flexibility of latisimus, deltoid, and trapezius muscles: and improves the flexibility, strength and muscle tone of shoulders, upper arms, spine, and hip joints. 8. Standing Separate Leg Stretching pose/ Dandayamana Bibhaktapada Pashimotthanasana The standing Separate Knee Stretching Cures and prevents sciatica by Stretching the sciatic nerves and the tendons of the legs. It helps the functioning of most of the abdominal organs, especially the small and large intestine, and improves the muscle tone and flexibility of thighs and calves and the flexibility of the pelvis, ankles, and hip joints, and of the last five vertebrae of the spine. 9. Triangle Pose/ Trikanasana The Triangle is the only posture in the world that improves every muscles, joint, tendon, and internal organ in the body. At the same time, it revitalizes nerves, veins, and tissues. It helps cure lumbago and rheumatism of the lower spine by flexing and strengthening the last five vertebrae, and improves crooked spines. This is the most important pose to increase the strength and flexibility of the hip and of the side of the torso. It also firms upper thighs and hips, slims the waistline, and improves the deltoid, trapezius, scapula, and latisimus muscles. 10.Standing Separate Leg head to Knee Pose/ Dandayamana-Bibhaktapada-Janushirasana The benefits of the Standing Separate Leg Head to Knee Pose are the same as those of the Hands to Feet Pose. It also slims abdomen waistline, hips, buttocks, and upper thighs. 11. Tree Pose/ Tadasana: The Tree Pose improves posture and balance and increases the flexibility of the ankles, knees, and hip joints. By strengthening the internal oblique muscles, it prevents hernia. (This pose and the Toe Stand, which follows, are preparatory postures for the more advanced Locus Pose). 12. Toe Stand Pose/ Padangustasana The Toe Stand develops psychological and mental powers- especially patience Physical, it helps to cure gout and rheumatism of the knees, ankles, and feet. It also helps cure hemorrhoid problems. 13. Dead Body Pose/ Savasana The dead body pose returns blood circulation to normal. It also teaches complete relaxation. 14. Wind Removing Pose/Pavanamuktasana The Wind Removing Pose cures and prevents flatulence, which is the source of most chronic abdominal discomforts. It also improves the flexibility of the hip joints and firms the abdomen, thighs, and hips. 15. Sit-Up Sit-ups strengthen and tighten the abdomen and increase the flexibility of the spine. 16. Cobra Pose/ Bhujangasana The Cobra is one of the best ways to maintain the body in perfect condition. It increases spinal strength and flexibility, helps prevent lower back ache, and helps cure lumbago, rheumatism and arthritis of the spine. It also relieves menstrual problems (irregularity, cramps, backache), cures loss of appetite, helps correct bad posture, and improves the functioning of the liver and spleen. The Cobra strengthens the deltoids, trapezius and triceps. 17. Locust Pose/Salabhasana The locust Pose has the same benefits as the Cobra but it is even more potent in the cure of any back or spinal problems such as gout, slipped disc, and sciatica. It cures tennis elbow and is also excellent for firming buttocks and hips. 18. Full Locust Pose/ Poorna-Salabhasana The full Locust Pose has the same therapeutic value as the Cobra Pose and the same upper-body benefits as the Standing bow Pulling. It also firms abdominal muscles, upper arms, hips, and thighs. 19. Bow Pose/Dhanurasana The Bow improves the functioning of the large and small intestines, the liver, kidneys, and spleen. It helps straighten rounded spines, relieves backaches, and improves pigeon chest by opening the rib cage, permitting maximum expansion of the lungs and increased oxygen intake. The Bow also revitalizes all spinal nerves by increasing the circulation of the spine. It improves digestion and strengthens abdominal muscles, upper arms, thighs and hips (it is especially good for increasing the flexibility of dancers’ hip joints). It also improves the flexibility of the scapula, latisimus, deltoid, and trapezius muscles. 20. Fixed Firm Pose/Supta-Vajrasana The Fixed Firm Pose helps cure sciatica, gout and rheumatism in the legs. It slims thighs, firm’s calves’ muscles, and strengthens the abdomen. It also strengthens and improves flexibility of lower spine, knees and ankle joints. 21. Half Tortoise Pose/ Ardha-Kurmasana The Half Tortoise provides maximum relaxation. It cures indigestion and stretches the lower part of the lungs, increasing blood circulation to the brain. It firms the abdomen and thighs. And it increases the flexibility of hip joints, scapula deltoids, triceps, and latisimus dorsi muscles. 22. Camel Pose/Ustrasana The Camel stretches the abdominal organs to the maximum and cures constipation. It also stretches the throat, thyroid gland, and parathyroid. Like the Bow Pose, it opens a narrow rib cage to give more space to the lungs. And because it produces maximum compression of the spine, it improves the flexibility of the neck and spine and relieves backache. It also firms and slims the abdomen and the waistline. 23. Rabbit Pose/ Sasangasana The rabbit produces the opposite effect of the Camel, giving maximum longitudinal extension of the spine. As a result, it stretches the spine to permit the nervous system to receive proper nutrition. It also maintains the mobility and elasticity of the spine and back muscles. The Rabbit improves digestion and helps cure colds, sinus problems, and chronic tonsillitis. And it has a wonderful effect on thyroid and parathyroid glands. The pose improves the flexibility of the scapula and the trapezius muscles and helps children reach their full potent ional. 24. Head To Knee Pose With Stretching Pose/ Janushirasana with Pashimotthanasana The Head to Knee Pose helps balance the blood sugar level. It improves the flexibility of the sciatic nerves, ankles, knees, and hip joints: improves digestion; enhances the proper function of the kidneys; and expands the solar plexus. The stretching pose relieves chronic diarrhea by improving digestion; It increases the flexibility of the trapezius, deltoid, erectus femoris, and biceps muscles, sciatic nerves, tendons, hip joints, and the last five major vertebrae of the spine. 25. Spine Twisting Pose/ Ardha-Matsyendrasana The Spine Twisting Pose is the only exercise that twists the spine from top to bottom at the same time. As a result, it increases circulation and nutrition to spinal nerves, veins, and tissues, and improves spinal elasticity and flexibility of the hip joints. It helps cure lumbago and rheumatism of the spine, improves digestion, removes flatulence from the intestines, and firms the abdomen, thighs and buttocks. 26. Blowing in Fixed Firm Pose/ Kapalbhati in Vajrasana The last breathing exercise strengthens all the abdominal organs and increases circulation. It also makes the abdominal organs and increases circulation. It also makes the abdominal wall strong and trims the waistline.