FEATURED ARTICLES

• Exercise
• work out
• exercise regimen
• exercise routine
• tai chi

Details

Written by Lisa Jillanza

Tai Chi is a popular mind and body exercise that traces its roots to Ancient China. It is a low impact activity that is aimed at promoting a person's well being regardless of age and general health condition.

Tai Chi includes a variety of slow, gentle movements. It improves breathing, promotes better circulation and is a great way of relieving stress. Practitioners believe that Tai Chi improves the flow of energy in the body, restoring the body's natural equilibrium and providing relief to many ailments.

Opening Position

• Stand erect, maintaining proper posture and spine alignment
• Spread your feet apart, and point both feet at 12 o'clock
• Relax, drop your shoulders and let your fingers hang loose
• Curve your hands and palms facing the sides of your body
• Bent your knees slightly

Awaken the Chi: Warm-up Exercise

Benefits: breathing exercise, stress reduction

• Opening position
• Bring your hands in front of your body, with your hands slightly touching and palms facing outward, about two inches below your belly
• Breathe in, and raise your hands upward to your breast level with the palms of your hands still facing skyward all in one continuous motion
• Breathe out; lower your hands in a pushing movement. Synchronize releasing the air and lowering your hands with the palm of your hands facing downward.
• Repeat the cycle 6 to 8 times and return to opening position

Balancing the Chi

Benefits: relieves anxiety, strengthens back muscles

• Opening position
• Bring hands in front with palms facing skyward, with the tips of your hands around two inches apart. Position your arms at the hip levels.
• Breathe in, raise your heels and bring arms to chest level
• Breathe out, lower hands in a gentle pushing movement. Turn your palms facing to the ground and plant heels on the ground
• Repeat movements 6 to 8 times and return to opening position

Beautiful Woman Turns the Waist

Benefits: Loosens tight muscles, strengthens back, improves kidney function

• Opening position
• Clockwise
• Position your hands at the back, with the palm of your hands pressing at your kidney area
• Straighten knees
• Push left hip out to left bend upper torso slightly right
• Push hips forward and allow upper body to bend backwards slightly
• Push right hip out to right and bend body slightly left
• Push bottom backwards and allow body to bend forward slightly
• Repeat movements 6 to 8 times and return to opening position
• Counterclockwise
• Push right hip out to right and bend body slightly left
• Push hips forward and allow upper body to bend backwards slightly
• Push left hip out to left bend upper torso slightly right
• Push bottom backwards and allow body to bend forward slightly
• Repeat cycle 6 to 8 times and return to opening position

Cloud Hands

Benefits: Improves coordination, strengthens back muscles, relieves neck tension, stress relief and enhances mind functioning

• Breathe in, turn your left arm towards the center chest area at shoulder level with the palm of your hands facing your body
• Drop right arm in line with your body and palm facing the side of your body
• Transfer your weight to your left leg
• Lock legs and turn body from your waist
• Turn left
• Let your arm follow the body's side movement
• Drop left arm in line with your body and palm facing the side of your body
• Position your right arm over the center chest area at shoulder level with right  palm facing your chest
• Return to center from left
• Breathe out
• Transfer weight to center
• Transfer your weight to your right leg
• Lock legs and turn body from your waist
• Turn right
• Let your arm follow the body's side movement
• Drop right arm in line with your body and palm facing the side of your body
• Position your left arm over the center chest area at shoulder level with right  palm facing your chest
• Return to center from right
• Breathe out
• Transfer weight to center
• Repeat exercise 6 to 8 times and return to opening position

• detoxify your food
• avoid canned food
• organic food
• synthetic ingredients
• unwanted ingredients
• clean produce

Details

Written by Lisa Jillanza

Our bodies come fully equipped with natural processes that eliminate harmful toxins in the body. But in today's modern world, keeping our bodies free from toxins is becoming more difficult. We can't control the world around us but there are things we could change to minimize our exposure to toxins. Instead of reaching out for medications we could help our body become more efficient by living a healthier lifestyle.

Assess your lifestyle Poor lifestyle habits are major factors which increase our risk of certain diseases. Choosing to live a healthy lifestyle is the first step towards achieving a healthier body. Smoking, drinking and eating unhealthy diets should be avoided to give your body its best chance of recovering from illness. Drinking or eating foods which contain chemicals defeats the purpose of detoxification which is to completely eliminate and flush all harmful chemicals and agents from a patient's body.

Eating Healthy There are many types of detoxification diets available. However, all of these promote diets which contain general food types. People planning to take a detoxification diet should always remember to keep everything natural. Great care should be taken to avoid foods containing chemicals such as those artificially prepared or preserved.

Eating natural foods is not the only thing important to remember. But eating the right type of food is equally important. Fruits and vegetables are foods rich in antioxidants, they also contain large amounts of fiber which not only prevent some types of cancer but also aids in proper digestion. People should also drink lots natural juices which contain large amounts of natural antioxidants.

Drink lots of water, water is the main medium for transporting toxins out of the body. They increase urine output and hasten the release of toxins in the body. Water therapy also helps to manage constipation, gastric acidity, and diabetes. Studies have also shown their benefits in decreasing the levels of blood chemicals after treatment.

Maintaining Optimum Function of Detoxification Organs The liver and kidneys act as the two major organs responsible for eliminating toxins from the body. Medications all pass through the liver; this is where they are broken down before finally being released for elimination. Medications are important for treatment but they also take a toll on the liver. Taking in too much medication may cause liver damage and cause side effects.

Blood passes thru the kidneys where they are filtered and impurities are passed out thru the urine. It is important that we keep this organs working properly. Putting great stress on these organs can impair their normal functioning. Giving these organs some rest by providing other exits for toxins. This is possible by encouraging the patient to go to a sauna or letting them do simple exercises in order for the toxins to be passed out by the skin thru perspiration.

Free Radicals

Simply put, free radicals are atoms which have an odd number of electrons in its outer ring. Free radicals are atoms which have unstable outer rings. These atoms react by giving off some of its electrons or gain electrons from other atoms to complete their outer shells. It is believed that thru these chemical reactions, normal cells mutate and give rise to cancer cells.

The body normally produces these free radicals thru normal body functions such as metabolism. The danger is when the body's antioxidants become insufficient to eliminate these free radicals. Abnormally high concentrations of free radicals in the body may also be due to exposure to some external factors. Excessive drinking, smoking and pollution are major factors in the formation of free radicals in the body. Another factor which causes high levels of free radicals in the body is age, decreasing production of antioxidants and accumulation exposes this age group to the negative effects of free radicals.

• diet
• healthy lifestyle
• health
• low cholesterol
• Chinese Herbs

Details

Written by Lisa Jillanza

Traditional Chinese medicine has long used herbs and other types of natural treatments for maintaining the body's optimum health. Most of these treatments have even reached mainstream medicine with alternative treatments such as acupuncture being accepted by medical practitioners. Chinese herbs play a large role in traditional Chinese medicine. Below are some of the commonly used Chinese herbs and their benefits.

Ginseng (renshen)

One of the most popular Asian herbs in use today, ginseng has long been used as n integral part of different herbal treatments in traditional Chinese medicine. It has also been regarded as an effective way of treating and preventing many diseases. Benefits of ginseng include stress reduction, improved memory, and it could also be used as an aphrodisiac.

Some of the benefits of using ginseng includes improved stamina, strengthens the immune system and promotes better respiration in patients.  People who are susceptible to infections such as respiratory diseases may use this to compensate for diminished immune functions and weaker bodies. Ginseng addresses this need by boosting immune functions and promoting oxygen absorption in the lungs.

Ginseng can be prepared in a variety of ways, but is best taken raw. Rinse and thoroughly cleanse the ginseng, slice a piece of a fresh or dried ginseng and ingest it orally just like fresh fruits or vegetables. Cooking or boiling may damage some of the compounds contained in ginseng so careful preparation should be done not to overcook the ginseng.

Ginseng is normally served as tea; it may be taken alone or in combination with other herbs. Today, the herb comes in different form such as tablets, capsules and powder. Dosage may depend on the type of treatment it is designed for and taking in large amounts may lead to certain side effects. Known side effects of ginseng intake are nervousness and hormonal imbalances in women. Recommended dosage for ginseng intake is 0.5 to 3 grams daily.

Rhubarb (dahuang)

The root was one of the first Chinese herbs adopted in the West. It has been widely used as a laxative and other benefits include treatment of jaundice, diarrhea, ulcers, menstrual disorders and burns. Largely regarded as a Dietetic, the herb is mainly used for relieving symptoms of digestive conditions.

Uses of rhubarb includes pain relief, reduced autoimmune functions, improved blood circulation and decreased chance of acquiring digestive infections. Cooking time plays a great role in the herbs preparation. Cooking the herb for more than the prescribed time decreases its laxative properties but other medical benefits are maintained. Normal intake consists of taking 0.5 to 3 grams daily. Although the herb is widely used as a way of treating symptoms of digestive disorders, rhubarb should not be taken by patients suffering from irritable bowel conditions as they lead to uncontrolled diarrhea and abdominal cramping.

Salvia (danshen)

Derived from the red roots of the Chinese sage plant, salvia has been used for centuries as a treatment for tissue injuries. Salvia is currently being studied as a treatment for traumatic injury, chronic inflammation, post-stroke syndrome and infections caused by some degenerative diseases.

This herb has played an important role as a domestic herbal remedy treatment, providing relief for common symptoms in digestive disorders. It is also used as an antiseptic gargle and can heal sore throats and mouth sores. Salvia is also effective in relieving tooth pain when gargled.

Medical properties of the herb which make them useful in relieving symptoms are its antiseptic, antispasmodic, astringent, carminative, stimulant, and vasodilator properties. Popular medical applications of the herb include management of excessive lactation, excessive salivation, and menopausal problems.

The use of salvia in the treatment of TB symptoms is also well documented. Salvia has been used in the management of common TB symptoms such as night sweats and profuse perspiration. Other medical applications include treatment of some female sterility problems.

Patients suffering from Cardio Vascular diseases may also benefit from the use of salvia. The herb is known for improving blood circulation. Other benefits resulting from the use of this herb are lower blood pressures, reduce cholesterol levels and improved liver functioning.

However, the use of salvia in pregnant women is discouraged. Use of sage in pregnant women may result to miscarriage or abnormalities. It may be used alone or in combination with other herbs to produce desired effects. Recommended consumption is tagged at 1 to 20 grams per day, with special consideration as overdose may result to adverse side effects to the patient.

Rei Shi (Ganooderma lucidum)

The use of mushrooms in Chinese medicine has been practiced for centuries. These are often used in combination with other herbs to provide symptoms and even cures for simple diseases. Rei Shi mushrooms are the most widely used medicinal mushrooms in Chinese medicine.

Rei Shi mushrooms are rich in antioxidants and polysaccharides. They help improve immune functions and facilitate the elimination of cancer causing free radicals. Herbs are often used in relieving fatigue and improving general health conditions.

• Exercise
• yoga
• work out
• exercise regimen
• exercise routine

Details

Written by Lisa Jillanza

Yoga is fast becoming one of the most popular relaxation exercises. Yoga techniques include physical postures, body and mind discipline, breathing control and meditation. Allowing cancer patients to do simple yoga meditation exercises can help reduce stress and condition their minds for cancer treatments. Below are some of the benefits of practicing Yoga:

• Promotes sleep
• Reduces stress
• Lowers blood pressure
• Improves breathing
• Gives patient a sense of well-being
• Reduces muscle tension
• Enhances blood circulation
• Strengthens muscles

Basic Yoga Techniques

Pranayamas are yoga breathing exercises designed to eliminate impurities in the body and improve the mind. All exercises must be performed while sitting with eyes closed. All breathing must be done with the tongue's tip touching the mouth's roof.

Deerga Swasam: Complete Breath

This is a type of breathing exercise which promotes proper breathing technique. Breathe slowly and deep thru the nose with the tongue's tip touching the mouth's roof. Direct the air to your diaphragm and slowly fill your stomach with air. Inhale until chest area is completely filled with air. Gently lift your shoulders as you slowly feel the air filling your lungs. Exhaling, pull your stomach in as deeply as possible while releasing the air. Relax all chest, shoulder and chest muscles as you expel air thru your nose. Total duration for each exercise should take 1 minute, 30 seconds to inhale and 30 seconds for exhaling.

Brahmari: Humming Bee

This breathing exercise teaches how to properly control exhaling and reduce stress. Students are instructed to enter a meditative state before each exercise and instructed to reduce their pace of breathing.  Perform complete breath exercise and produce a humming sound as you exhale slowly. Listen carefully to the pitch and tone of the hum produced and continue to perform the exercise until a pleasant sound is produced.

Kapalabhati: Skull Shining Kapalabhati is a relatively simple breathing exercise. It is based on the lungs natural property to fill itself with air when open. This breathing exercise doesn't focus on breathing but on moving your diaphragm. Abdominal muscles are used to move the diaphragm while you concentrate on keeping your lungs open. The diaphragm controls the movement of air in the lungs. Pushing the diaphragm up forces the air in the lungs to be expelled (exhalation), relaxing the diaphragm increases lung volume forcing air to be pushed in back to the lungs (inhalation). This breathing exercise is required prior to performing Bastrika.

Bastrika: Bellows

Practice rapid breathing movements similar to those in Kapalahati. Perform these movements as fast as possible with emphasis on more forceful exhalation. Perform inhalation slowly and hold breath for a few seconds. While holding your breath, lean forward to press your chin to your chest as far as possible. Gently raise your head as you exhale thru the nose.

Anuloma Viloma: Opposite Nostril Breathing Anuloma Viloma is a breathing exercise that aims to improve air movement thru nasal passages. It also promotes a smoother and slower movement of air while both nasal passages are equally trained. The breathing exercise also increases the amount of air that could pass thru to the lungs. Anuloma Viloma decreases and eliminates snoring and prevents sinus clogging.

First perform Kapalabhati or Bastrika to prepare body for a lesser oxygen supplies. Mild oxygen levels maybe experienced as covering one nostril constricts the flow of oxygen to the body. Perform the Vishnu mudra. Fold the first and middle fingers into the palm, taking note to keep the pinky, thumb, ring fingers straight. Perform complete breath technique thru both nostrils. Cover one nostril by using the pinky and ring fingers and exhale using the other nostril.

Still covering the other nostril, inhale thru the nostril which you just exhaled thru. Cover this nostril and exhale thru the nostril which was previously covered. Alternate nostrils and perform the exercise for about 10 minutes.

• diet
• diet and exercise
• essential vitamins
• healthy

Details

Written by Lisa Jillanza

Having troubles with your child's eating habit? Well, you're not alone. Most of the parents today are having the same problem like you have. Toddlers nowadays are picky when it comes to food. They always have their favorites, which usually doesn't supply the proper nutrition that their body needs.

If your kid does not eat sufficient calories for their body in a day, well don't panic. Instead, consult your doctor to start developing a healthy eating habit for your child.

Here are some tips to help you encourage your child's good eating habits:

1. You can start by giving your child three regular meals and three snacks in a day. Being consistent with meal and snack times makes a child less likely to try to tell you when they will or won't eat.

2. In choosing the right foods in each meal or snack, try giving them a variety of foods. Offer foods that your child likes, but also some that they haven't tried or liked yet. Usually, your child may not show interest eating those foods, but there's no harm in trying. You can always try several times, maybe even ten times, offering the same foods they initially rejected because high familiarity with the food may increase your child's interest on the food.

3. Play with food, in a good way. Sometimes, playing with foods will make your child more interested in it. Some children form faces with their meals, some form animals. Children can be creative with their meals, so let them enjoy it--as long as they're eating it eventually.

4. Adding some salt, sugar or cheese works most of the time. Cheese could be added to vegetables. Some likes to have it melted as toppings. Of course, you'd want to use these ingredients in moderation.

5. Watch the liquids. We all know soda pops are not healthy. But too much of milk and juice may not be good, either. Limit those fluids to a few cups a day. It's best to get fruit juice from whole fruits, anyway. Encourage the drinking of water, since it is so good for the body, and is a great habit to develop. And remember, drinking liquids before a meal will make one feel satiated, and likely to eat less food.

6. Forcing your child to eat their whole meal was once the norm, but it's been a long held belief in modern times that this practice is not healthy. Children always know if they're hungry or not. If they insist upon not eating dinner but prefer to eat snacks, then cut down on the size of snack portions so they'll be hungry at meal times. You can also offer them a deal or bargain. For example, if they eat a set amount of their meal, they get to eat a snack afterward. But forcing children to always clean their plate discourages them from learning to stop eating when they're full.

7. If you have a malnourished or underweight child, adding dry nonfat milk into their milk, soup or even on pudding could help them get some extra calories. Some of these other tasty, calorie-rich foods may help: margarine, cream cheese, peanut butter and syrup. Just make sure they're not allergic to any of those ingredients, of course.

8. Eat together. Eating is a social event. Studies have shown that eating alone is bad for the digestion. So if you're so busy that you plop your kid down at the dinner table to eat by themselves while you do dishes or get your office work together, you may want to rethink that lifestyle. Much quality time and conversation with family and friends occurs during meal times. Use this rule of eating together as an opportunity to force yourself to stop being busy for a few moments so you can enjoy the company of others. Eating together not only will make meals more pleasant for your child, but for yourself, as well.

If all else fails, never hesitate to consult your doctor. If your child is excessively overweight or underweight, trying to determine the best way to get your child to eat nutritiously is like taking medicines: never self-medicate. Always consult the experts.