Consider

Shouldn’t Yoga should be easy for everyone to understand? There are so many Yoga books, containing detailed, full color pictures and loaded with content.


At this time, it is easy to find audio books, DVD’s, and various video formats made by world famous Yoga teachers. The world of Yoga has changed from small classes, in a Yoga teacher’s home, to gymnasiums full of eager Yoga students.


This is a good thing – so who needs a private lesson when you can buy a Yoga video and learn from the masters? Learning Yoga should be a “piece of cake,” right? Wrong; as a matter of fact – Painfully wrong.


Yoga videos are great learning tools for “Yoga Teachers.” Sometimes, I use them at workshops for Yoga teacher interns, but we stop the film at certain points and cover intricate techniques. This gives a Yoga teacher, or an intern, a more complete understanding of the subject covered.


On more than one occasion, we have had a new Yoga student join because he or she was injured while practicing Hatha Yoga, with a video, at home. How is that possible? It is as simple as watching the television and cranking your neck to the side while practicing a Shoulder Stand (Sarvangasana ) or Plow (Halasana).


Why would someone do that? Someone who is new to Hatha Yoga, and has had no formal guidance from a Yoga instructor, does not know better. Hatha Yoga is a safe practice, if you develop a foundation of knowledge by coming to Yoga classes and learning from a competent Yoga teacher.


If there is no Yoga teacher in your nearby area, use a Yoga DVD or video. Please watch the Yoga practice at least one time, completely, so that when you physically participate, you do not injure yourself. You should take notes and develop a safe practice, based on the easiest postures you see.


When you start to develop a Hatha Yoga home practice, never force your body to do anything. Always stay in the “comfort zone” and play it safe. In your spare time, read about contraindications for Yoga postures. This will help you expand your knowledge of Yoga and stay safe.


If you do have a Yoga teacher nearby, and get injured because you did not visit a class, or set up a private lesson – Shame on you. Whenever, you take a private lesson with a Yoga teacher, ask questions. That is what you are paying for.


If you are new to Yoga, and have a health condition, it would be wise to inform your teacher. It would also be in your best interest to take a private Yoga session. In the case of pregnancy, you should seek out a certified Prenatal Yoga instructor, if approved by your physician.


Copyright 2007 – Paul Jerard / Aura Publications

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It is safe to say that most people in the United States go to the doctor when they feel ill. The doctor will treat the illness by prescribing some type of medicine. We then take what he or she has given us and hopefully feel better. This is how modern medicine works, and what we, as a society, come to believe is the only way to receive treatment. If anyone were to suggest we think about alternative medicine, we would probably dismiss it as foolishness.

That was not always the case though. Before the introduction of man made medicines, people of all cultures had to rely on home remedies. Some cultures used herbal medicines, while others would have a village medicine man who local people would visit for treatment of whatever ailed them. He would then pass on his knowledge of the healing powers of herbs to his apprentices so that they could continue his work. Today this is what we call natural medicine.

Natural medicine is the use of traditional methods to treat sickness. With the birth of modern medicine, most doctors discarded the use of herbs and other home remedies and replaced them with man made drugs. What they failed to remember is that natural treatments are based on the healing properties of herbs. Even some of the drugs they continued to use, such as aspirin, quinine and digitalis had been once considered home remedies.

Strangely enough with all of our technological advancements and modern ways of thinking, we are going back to the old ways and once again embracing natural medicines. Quite a few organizations have dedicated themselves to the study of these old fashion methods. Even government and health agencies advocate the use of certain treatments.

Natural treatments also tend to focus on living a healthy lifestyle, not just treating a patient when they become ill. Practitioners of these treatments focus mainly on diet and living well. So, Mom was right when she said to eat our vegetables.

But before you run out and visit you local acupuncturist, it would be best to consult a physician to find out if this is the best possible treatment. With more and more studies being conducted, many treatments have been proven to be ineffective in treating serious conditions. It is believed that these remedies are more appropriate to be used for minor ailments, and might be best used in conjunction with modern medicines.

It is funny how things have come full circle. For many years natural medicines were believed to be a bunch of old wives tales. Now doctors are seriously considering the validity of some of these so called “out of date” treatments. Some have even gone so far as to combine natural medical practices with modern medicine. Hopefully this will open the door to finding out how much more nature has to offer to our society.

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It’s no big secret that a lot of people enjoy smoking. It’s one of the guilty pleasures that is fading more and more as time passes, and more and more people discover the medical risks. At this point, less than 20 percent of the world smokes. While you will see it more dominantly in foreign continents like Europe and Asia, the habit of smoking is dying in the United States. This is due to knowledge, awareness, and the number of new smoking cessation products that are hitting the market. Never has it been so easy to kick the bad habit of smoking, and there is no time like the present.

If you haven’t already, you should speak with your doctor about your smoking habit, and things you can do to kick the habit. There are several new smoking cessation products always hitting the health scene. Some that you may have heard of in the past are Nicorette patches and gum, as well as products that are placed under the skin to discourage cigarette cravings. Now, just so you know, you don’t have to chew on nicotine gum all day or slap a patch on your arm to calm you nicotine cravings. You don’t even need to undergo some extreme operation to stop smoking for good. There are alternatives!

One way to quit smoking without drugstore smoking cessation products is with hypnotherapy. This basically involves a professional hypnotherapist putting you in a sleep-like state. You are told that smoking is not necessary and is poor for your health, so you do not want it. Eventually after one or more sessions, many people give up smoking completely. This is a great treatment for individuals that prefer to avoid taking any manmade products or medications. A second similar approach to smoking cessation is acupuncture therapy, which must also be done by a licensed professional.

Take a look at websites like SmokingCessationOption.com, BecomeAnEX.org, and freeclear.com. These official websites will assist you with learning more about smoking cessation products and programs. You can get an overview of what therapy approaches and cessation products are at your disposal, and then proceed to choose one that sounds right for you. However, prior to taking any products to help you quit smoking, you should first discuss these with your doctor. He or she can offer you some insight concerning smoking cessation products and what potential side effects are involve. The most important thing is that you find a way to kick the habit sooner, rather than later. You only have one life to live, and smoking cigarettes is shortening it dramatically.

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“Let the beauty you love be what you do,” is one of my favorite quotes by Rumi.

It is also an invitation to a powerful and transformative way of being and doing. Whether it is the way you make your bed or prepare a meal, doing whatever you do from the energy and spirit of beauty is a transformational practice.

Consider “beauty” as a practice for your business. Whether it is your business vision, the physical space of your business, the ways you connect with clients or how you market, calling upon the energy and spirit of beauty will transform both you as a business leader and your business itself.

Beauty inspires. Inspiration – whose origin is “in Spirit” – is an energy source and wisdom that flows from within. Inspired ideas and actions carry their own natural energy and always move you toward successful outcomes.

Beauty nourishes and gives pleasure to the mind, body and soul. Imagine what it would be like if your business and business activities nourished and brought you pleasure. Practice and surround yourself with beauty as a way of doing business, and this will become your reality.

Beauty attracts and charms. The practice of beauty naturally makes you more magnetic and your services or products attractive to clients.

Excellence, artistry, truth and originality are attributes of beauty. They are also elements of authentic, successful and sustainable businesses and business brands.

Other attributes of beauty are grace, harmony and order. These bring ease and flow into the business mix.

Here are a few basic business beauty suggestions:

Clear your desk every day before your business day is over. Keep fresh flowers or buy something beautiful for an area of your office that you see frequently during the day. Dress and groom yourself each day in a way that you feel beautiful – even if you never see a client. Do one task at a time. Have a place for everything and return everything to its place. Practice being present with you, in every interaction and with whatever you are doing. Slow down and breathe regularly through the day. Choose excellence and artistry in your work. (Perfectionism is neither about excellence nor beauty; give it up. 🙂 ) Meditate or contemplate beauty in your business regularly. Play beautiful and inspiring music in the background while you work.


Consider Beauty. There are countless ways to bring the spirit and energy of beauty into your business. Practicing beauty is good for the soul and good for business.

Step Into Your Greatness…
Make beauty a business practice.

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Obesity poses a threat to a person’s life. Even if obesity is not a disease, this can result in many diseases that have been claiming the lives of thousands of people. Many obesity-related diseases have been causing deaths all over the world. Because of this, weight loss is very important to fight obesity.

To effect weight loss, obese people are advised to regularly exercise and eat the proper diet. These are very effective in losing that excess weight. Once you have reached your ideal weight, you must maintain this to have a healthy and long life.

Unfortunately, some people find it very hard to lose weight with exercise and diet. And if these two regimens have been exhausted but to no avail, your doctor may prescribe FDA weight loss pills. These weight loss pills are approved and regulated by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Only FDA weight loss pills must be prescribed by doctors. Because the FDA’s seal of approval means that these FDA weight loss pills have undergone the appropriate process of evaluation that has deemed them safe and effective. Using non-FDA weight loss pills is a big risk for you. Since these non-FDA weight loss pills are not legitimate, you do not know how safe these are for human use. You also have no enough data to prove that they are effective for weight loss. And you do not know what the ingredients are in those non-FDA weight loss pills.

If you want to lose weight, do this the right way. Consult with your doctor first. A dietician is also very helpful in making the appropriate diet for you. Exercising regularly and having proper diet are very effective for weight loss. You must start with these. If these do not work, consult your doctor again. He or she is the best person to assess if your condition is right for a prescription of FDA weight loss pills.

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