The practice of yoga, as you may realize, has been around for thousands of years. Several types of research have claimed it to be around for more than 5,000 years, actually. It was first developed in India as a philosophical practice that is centred significantly on obtaining union with the mind and body; hence it is named “yoga” from the Sanskrit word “Yuj’ meaning “to unite”.

Yoga is an interesting practice that maintains an interesting principle. According to its followers, what are taught in yoga are self-discipline and the realization that not all things in this changing world can give you satisfaction. The money and relationships you are keeping right now will not produce a sense of purpose and even happiness, allowing you to search for something more deep in life. This deeper search is basically what the yoga philosophy is giving importance, believing that people regardless of race, age and sex can reach that stage.

The yoga philosophy is generally a broad concept. In fact, it is divided into several branches, and each branch maintains a philosophy that is to some degree different from the others. For instance, in Ashtanga Yoga, which is but one of the earliest types, the development of all the human faculties such as the physical body, feelings or emotions, mind and life force is considered as the most important aspects that followers should work to attain. This development is not just partial, but full.

There is also the yoga philosophy founded on the so-called “purna”. The yoga philosophy maintained in this yogic type is centred basically on the development of the whole being. It is given importance believing that the development of the entire being will lead to total transformation. It is for this reason that purna yoga is known as an integral yoga.

You may also have heard about the bhakti-yoga philosophy which tackles simply the aim of getting in touch with the so-called “Divine Being”. Well, this aim is basically what makes Bhakti a devotional type of yoga. The virtue of love and devotion are basically the centre of this practice.

The yoga philosophy further differs according to several other forms of the practice. Aside from those mentioned above, there are also the kundalini, mantra, karma, Hatha, tantra, and raja yoga. Each of these types has its own principles or philosophy maintained for the practitioners to heed. So the perfect way of knowing all about the yoga philosophy is to know each of these forms as closely as possible.

Lunch is the forgotten stepchild of the meal day. We spend a fair amount of energy planning dinner, and we (sometimes begrudgingly) spend some energy making sure we eat breakfast. But more than one of us has looked at the clock at noon, realized we are hungry and then scarfed down whatever was available and easy.

Too often, that means fast food, vending machine food or – for some people – nothing at all. And this is truly unfortunate. Nutrition experts tell us again and again that eating three meals and two snacks a day is the surest path to good nutrition and a balanced diet. And even if you are eating lunch, a hamburger and fries don’t get you very far on the path to good nutrition.

So, how do you change this? Lunch is a tough one for people who work outside the home. Sure, you can pack leftovers from dinner, but what if there aren’t any or you didn’t like dinner in the first place? Making a sandwich and adding some fruit sounds easy, but that’s just one more thing to do in the morning and if you’re in a rush, it’s one of the first chores you’ll discard.

Here are some tips to bring lunch back into focus on busy weekdays:

Do plan for leftovers, if possible. If you like what you’re making for dinner and think you wouldn’t mind having it for lunch tomorrow, set aside some before everyone else gets fed. Put it into the fridge and your family will never know a portion of the entree is missing. Best of all, you’ve already done the work. Add a piece of fruit and yoghurt and there’s lunch tomorrow.

If you must have fast food, stay away from fries, most hamburgers, anything breaded and fried and most salads. Yes, I said salads. Sure, you’ll get some nutritional content from the lettuce and all the other goodies on the salad, but the dressing might have as much as 30 grams of fat in it, most of it saturated fat. Stick with light dressings or even keep a bottle of dressing in the fridge at work. Otherwise, stay away from fast food salads (and they’re never that good anyway). Try a grilled chicken sandwich, sans fries.

If you’re out and about running errands and get hungry, stop at 7-11, and grab a bottle of milk, some trail mix or a granola bar and a piece of fruit. It might not be gourmet, but it will get you through to a small snack later and then dinner.

Keep lunch items at work. There are many things you can keep in your desk that are shelf-stable and still healthy. How about tuna packets and crackers? How about some fruit in its juice? Nuts, trail mix and granola bars are all good choices. Stay away from sodium-laden canned soups and noodle bowls. Not only can they provide you with more than the maximum sodium you need for one day, but they also won’t provide the complex carb and protein boost you need to get you through the afternoon and keep you from stalking the vending machine later for an unhealthy snack.

Sometimes, without doing any activity we end up feeling tired and exhausted. One of the main reasons for this is under-charged body, due to lack of a healthy lifestyle. As we all know our immune system destroys any foreign body which threatens to harm your body. Immunity helps to keep your body healthy and perked up. Low immunity level causes a lack of zeal and body aches. White blood cells are one of the core elements of the immune system including the mucous membranes as well as the skin. The constant communication helps them to fight the bacteria or any foreign body. If your body’s immune system is weakened it opens the door for innumerable diseases, which can lead to death.

Things To Do

Avoid too many antibiotics. Instead of helping they may dig your grave even further.

Stop smoking

Sleep well, at least 8 hrs to get your body rejuvenated.

Drink plenty of fluids as it is a great supporter to increase the immunity level.

Some Natural Immune Booster for your body

Astragalus – This is a Chinese root which has been used in the Far East as an excellent tonic food and medicinal plant. The root is sold all over the world in the form of six to twelve-inch root. The root and its extracts are excellent immune system boosters. You can boil this root along with chicken broth to make an excellent soup. It has been used for lung problems, on and off cold bouts and shortness of breath. This is very useful for chronic ulcers and relentless external infections.

Echinacea is a highly recommended herbal plant used for various herbal remedies. It has been known to treat common cold, influenza and other kinds of infection. Echinacea increases the number of immune cells which helps in the act of increasing the immunity level. It is not toxic and does not have any side-effects making it such a useful herbal plant.

Have raspberries and plums as it contains Xylitol (sugar-free sweetener) which helps to fight ear and sinus infection and tooth decay.

Increase zinc content in your diet. You can get your regular zinc supply through poultry, pork, fortified cereals, yoghurt, oysters and milk.

Vitamin A increase the level of immunity and you can have it in your diet by eating sweet potatoes, carrots, squash and pumpkin or any kind of orange vegetables.

Shiitake and maitake are best sources of mushrooms to increase your immunity level. It increases white blood cells to fight the bacteria.

Black or green tea also increases your immunity level. It has a good source of polyphenols which helps in clearing the free radicals.

What do you do about the scale? If you weigh yourself every day you will likely see your weight bounce up and down, and on up days, you can get discouraged.

That is why many trainers will tell you to ignore the scale. They will tell you that what is important is how fit you are, and not how much you weigh.

And on the other hand, there are diet programs and diet books that focus only on the scale, and sell you on quick weight loss based on nothing but the scale.

Which way is right? Scale or no scale? They both have some truth in them. Let’s sort it out.

We tend to be focused on the scale, because it is such an easy thing to measure, and it is easy to compare the numbers. You read that your favourite celebrity lost 25 pounds-you can easily understand that. You read, “Lose 15 pounds in 2 days!” Who wouldn’t want that?

The scale gives us a number that we can use to compare ourselves to others and to set goals for ourselves. It is simple.

But if you think about it, the reason we are so intent on the scale is not that we are so interested in numbers, but because we are interested in looking good. We want to be lean. We want to be sexy. We want our clothes to fit, and we want to be appealing to others.

And we know that when we lose weight we get these things. So we get hooked on the scale. But the scale is just one part of it.

What is important is not just your weight, but how much fat you have on your body, and how much lean mass you have.

You can lose weight but instead of losing fat you lose muscle. This happens all the time with quick weight loss diets.

When you are done, you don’t look as good as you thought you would. Your arms are still flabby. Your belly still sags. You still don’t look good in a bathing suit and you are still embarrassed about your body.

You lost muscle and you are out of shape.

This is what causes people to lose weight rapidly but then gain it back. You lose some fat, but you also lose your muscle mass.

Here is the most important part: Muscle burns up calories. Muscle burns up fat. And since you don’t have as much muscle to burn up calories, you gain the weight back faster than ever.

See, even if the scale improved, you didn’t accomplish what you wanted. So even though it is harder to measure, what you want to know is how much lean body mass you have as well as how much fat you have.

If you became lean, really firm, with sleek, strong muscles, and you saw your trim abs in the mirror, the strong arms, and the sexy butt, you wouldn’t care what the scale said.

On the other hand, the people who are the most successful in weight loss, in taking the weight off and keeping it off forever, are people who have a weight loss goal and who reach that goal.

Not the people who lose some of their excess weight, or who get almost to the goal. No, the people who keep the weight off are people who reached their goal weight.

Many people can lose some of their weight and get partway to their goal. But the vast majority gain it back. But those people who have a goal and reach that goal are much more likely to keep the weight off.

So you see, there are two sides to the weight loss coin. There is more to losing weight and getting the body you want than the scale. And on the other hand, having a goal and reaching it will dramatically increase your odds of staying lean forever.

So what do you do? The best way is to make the scale part of your plan, but not the whole plan. Weigh yourself regularly, and keep a chart of your weight, but watch only the long-term trend, not the daily ups and downs.

Make the scale one part of your weight loss plan. Keep at it and you will see. You can get the body you want.

Healthy weight is a big deal. Here are some diseases that you are putting yourself at risk of if you are carrying a lot of extra pounds:

Losing weight helps to prevent and control these diseases.

It is better to rely on a healthy weight loss option which will provide lifetime results. You have to set realistic goals and not expect to lose a lot of pounds in a short period.

The quick weight loss methods which have spread like fire these days do not provide lasting results. More often than not, dieting methods which involve dietary drinks, foods and supplement or pills do not work. If they do, the results are just temporary.

Here are some tips on how you can lose those unwanted pounds the healthy way:

1. Do not starve your self.

The key to a healthier way of losing weight is: Do not diet.

If you get used to skipping one or two meals a day, your stored calories will be used up instead of the energy that should have been provided by your meals. So if you just eat one huge sandwich in one day, it will end up straight to your problem area (i.e. highs, buttocks, hips).

You may seem happy and feel that you are losing those unwanted flabs on your belly and thighs by skipping meals. But remember that this would not last long. Your body cannot tolerate having insufficient food to fuel the energy that you use up every day.

2. Start your day right.

Mothers always say that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Have a healthy meal in the morning to jump-start your metabolism.

Your food intake after you wake up will be used to burn fat all day long.

3. Eat smaller, healthy meals frequently.

Five small serving snacks per day is better than three hearty meals. Eating more frequently, and in small servings, can prevent over-eating. This will also increase your metabolism and make calories burn faster.

4. Decide on how much weight you want to lose.

Keep your goals realistic. In the long run, it is virtually impossible for you to lose 40 pounds in 2 weeks. Have a mindset that you want to eat healthy to stay healthy for the rest of your life.

Once you have decided on a weight loss plan or program, stick to it and make sure that you follow your own set of dieting rules.

5. Drink lots of water.

Your body needs sufficient water to burn fat and keep your cells hydrated and healthy.

6. Avoid too much sugar.

Plan your meals around lots of fruits and vegetables, some bread, rice or pasta for that carbo fix that you need, plus lean meat and protein rich foods. Sweets, sodas and pastries should be once-in-a-while indulgences only.

7. Watch your fat intake.

Fat is not the culprit of being overweight. You need this to keep your weight at the proper level.

There is such a thing as healthy fats. Olive, peanuts and canola oil have them. Tuna, salmon and mackerel have omega-3 fats which are good for the heart.

8. Exercise.

Leave your car if you are only going a few blocks from home, take the stairs instead of the elevator, jog, cycle or skate. Use these activities and other home chores if you are too lazy to go to the gym and take exercise classes. Make sure that you do this regularly and you will not even notice that you are already shedding pounds with these mundane activities.

It does not matter how much weight you plan or need to lose. What is important is that you set realistic goals for yourself.

Go slow. If you have already lost 5 or 6 pounds, give yourself a break then try to lose the next 5 pounds.

Eat healthily, drink lots of water, have enough sleep and exercise. This will give you a higher chance of losing weight and improving your health, which would result in a new, healthier you.

Stress is everywhere: in our homes, our jobs and on the street. Since we can’t get away from it, it is best to learn how to manage it. One way to get your stress under control is through exercise.

What does exercise do for you? For starters, it functions to bring health to your body. Strong core muscles resist injuries to the back. Your other muscles grow stronger as well. You can walk upstairs, carry packages and move around with ease when your body is in shape.

Running is just one type of exercise that can function in the war on stress. Stress can manifest itself in the body. When overcome with stress, you can experience insomnia, loss of appetite, short temper, depression, lack of proper nutrition and all manner of conditions. This is the result of not handling stress well in your life.

Running is related to walking and jogging. Your body is the only equipment you need besides a great pair of running shoes. Proper footwear cushions your ankles against shock as you move.

Perform a warm-up and cool down to stretch the muscles correctly to avoid injury that can waylay your exercise efforts. You are also prone to stress fractures, sprains and strains when the body is not properly heated up.

Running has many benefits for both men and women. During exercise, chemicals called endorphins are secreted into the body. These are “feel-good” substances that can improve your entire well-being. It is like nature’s quick pick-me-up to improve your mood.

Everyone wants to feel good. The good thing here is that to feel it again, you have to run again (or perform some other type of exercise). It is your internal incentive to get fit and reduce the effects of stress on your body. While you are running, you are also learning to breathe more efficiently. That will lead to a clearer head to think things over as you hit the trails.

Running is one way to reduce the production of stress hormones like cortisol in the body. This particular hormone causes the body to store belly fat. No matter how much you exercise and perform crunches, your stress level can keep you from losing that weight.

Running can be done anywhere and at any time. Go for a run on your lunch break or right after work. In the winter, you can run on indoor tracks or a treadmill. Because it is a weight-bearing exercise, you are also strengthening your bones in the process.

Want to manage your stress? Think about running as your exercise of choice. You can do it anywhere, you need no equipment and the benefits can be felt from your first time out.

But What You Need to Know if You Want to Get Fit!

10 No, you won’t end up looking like the latest hot young model/singer/actress!

Let’s face it: your body is your body. It’s the only one you’ve got. Can you still look great? Sure! But there are some things you can’t change. You can’t make your legs longer or your feet smaller. You can’t grow five inches or elongate your torso. You have what you have, so work with it! Concentrate on making a healthy and fit you instead of wishing you looked like someone else. You don’t have to be perfect to be attractive. A strong, fit body, as well as the self-confidence it brings, can make any person attractive!

9 It’s better to be muscular and weigh more than to be flabby and weigh less.

I’ve said it so many times: I’d much rather be 135lbs and muscular than 120lbs and flabby. I’ve been both, and 135lbs with a lower per cent of body fat was better! I was smaller, stronger and had much more energy. So, don’t always seek that magical number on the scale, but look at your total body composition instead.

8 You can’t get fit in a week.

Okay, well, you can, but only if you’re one week away from being in peak condition and you keep working out. Otherwise, forget about it! If you want to look good for that class reunion or because you’ll be in a bikini soon, then get moving way before that. Or better yet, get moving for your health and not for “things” like reunions and bikinis.

7 You need to put some effort into it.

Do you want to get fit? You have to work at it. You have to plan it, you have to schedule it, and, most importantly, you have to do it. No excuses. Sitting on the couch, telling yourself you should be doing something will not burn up a lot of calories. If nothing else, get out there and start walking. And while you’re out there walking think about a plan of action for a healthier you and get started on it today – not tomorrow!

6 You need to exercise.

Can you lose weight just by diet alone? Sure, you can! But if you want to get fit, you need to exercise those muscles, including your heart. And that heart won’t get any exercise if you’re sitting on the couch, eating broccoli. Lose the weight that you need to lose and you’ll just end up with a thin, but a flabby, body. Get moving! Weight training is ideal, but if you’re not into weight training, find an activity you like to do that work all your major muscle groups.

5 You need to eat properly.

Putting aside any low carb/low fat/high protein controversies, the simple fact is, if you want a fit body, you need to nourish it. Protein, carbs and fat are important, but vitamins and minerals are key elements that your body needs, too. No matter what way of eating you’re following make sure you’re getting enough vitamins and minerals. Add a variety of fresh vegetables and fruit to your diet. The next time you go grocery shopping, linger around the produce section and not only pick out some old favorites but experiment a little by trying something new!

4 You can’t lose weight overnight.

You didn’t gain it overnight — or in two months — and you’re not going to lose it overnight — or in two months. Think of getting fit as a train leaving the station: you start slow, gather speed and then off you go! Patience is the key here. Look for consistent trends. If you’re not losing fat and getting stronger after a couple of months, then you need to sit down and honestly analyze what you’re doing. Keep a journal to help you know how you’re eating and exercising.

3 You can’t spot reduce.

Genetics will decide where the fat will come off. Doing 1000 crunches won’t reduce your belly fat. Nor will 1000 leg lifts get rid of the fat on your inner thighs. Your body does not burn the fat it needs from the body part that you’re exercising. Your body will burn fat much like an onion is peeled, a layer at a time if you will. So, don’t overdo it on the exercise for one specific body part and look to getting your whole body in shape.

2 There are no quick fixes.

That’s right, you heard me. There are no quick fixes. None. Put all those pills, potions, contraptions and miracle diets in the garbage where they belong. Learn the basics about how your body gains muscle and loses fat, so you won’t get sucked in by another scam again.

1 Fitness is a lifelong commitment!

So, you faithfully work out and eat properly and you’ve reached your goals. Now what? Well, now you’ve got to keep doing it for the rest of your life, that’s what! You can’t just work your way to being fit and then stop, because you’ll end up exactly like you were before. Fitness is a lifelong commitment. And, you want to know a secret? It isn’t easy! And anyone who says it is easy is trying to sell you something. Make fitness a lifelong ambition and you’ll reap the rewards of a long and healthy life, filled with energy, strength and an overall sense of well being.

Now that spring seems to finally be back in our lives, many people are concerned about losing those few extra pounds of chub which stand between them and a sculpted midriff. Those folks who let themselves go a little in the winter months may be working overtime now that it is April and thoughts of bikinis are dancing in their heads. The good news is that there are, of course, stomach exercises to speed along the process. Some are better than others, including these few, which are good specifically for trimming belly fat. As with any workout routine, be sure to consult a professional before beginning and always warm up properly to avoid injury.

Hip Lift

For this stomach exercise, you will need to lie on your back on a flat surface, such as the floor. Use a mat or towel to cushion your spine. Put your arms at your sides with palms facing up to the ceiling. Put your legs straight up in the air so that the soles of your feet are facing the ceiling and your legs make about a ninety-degree angle with your torso. Keep your knees unbent and as straight as possible. Now, contract your ab muscles so that it feels like your belly button is being pulled toward your spine, while at the same time gently lifting your hips off the floor. Raise your hips to the height of a few inches, keeping your legs extended straight upward. Hold this position, then slowly lower your hips back to the floor. Repeat for an entire set.

Seated Torso Twist

Stay on the floor for this stomach exercise, getting into a seated position. Bend your knees so that your feet are flat on the floor. Position your feet about hip-width apart. Extend your arms straight out in front of you, interlocking your fingers. Contract your abdominals and lean back about forty-five degrees. Holding the contraction, rotate your torso as far to one side as you are comfortably able. Use your abdominals to control this motion so that your upper body moves at once, do not lead with your arms. Remember to keep your arms in from of you with fingers locked– pretend you are aiming an imaginary gun. Once you have rotated as far as you feel comfortable, rotate back to centre, then to the other side. Repeat these steps for an entire set. Take care to go slow and keep a controlled movement. Do not allow your momentum to twist you.