Never give up

One day a young lady was driving along with her father. They came upon a storm & the young lady asked her father, What should i do? He said "Keep driving". Cars began pull over to the side, the storm was getting worse. What should i do? the young lady asked again, "Keep driving" her father replied. On up a few feet, she noticed that 18 wheelers were also pulling over. She told her dad, "I must pull over, i can barely see ahead. Its terrible & everyone is pulling over !". Her father said "Don't give up, just keep driving". Now the storm was terrible but she never stopped driving and soon she could see a little more clearly. After a couple of miles she she was again on dry land, and the sun came out. Her father said "Now you can pull over & get out". She said "But why now?" Father said " when you get out, look back at all the people that gave up and are still in the storm, bcoz You never gave up so ur storm is now over. That is the testimony for anyone who is going through "hard times." Just bcoz everyone else, even the strongest give up...You dont have to...if you keep going, soon your storm will be over and sun will shine upon your face again.

This story touched me, say something if it touched you too!!!

Benefits of COCONUT

The health benefits of coconut oil include hair care, skin care, stress relief, maintaining cholesterol levels, weight loss, increased immunity, proper digestion and metabolism, relief from kidney problems, heart diseases, high blood pressure, diabetes, HIV and cancer, dental care, and bone strength. These benefits of coconut oil can be attributed to the presence of lauric acid, capric acid and caprylic acid, and its properties such as antimicrobial, antioxidant, antifungal, antibacterial, soothing, etc.

Hair Care: Coconut oil is one of the best natural nutrition for hair. It helps in healthy growth of hair providing them a shinny complexion. Regular massage of the head with coconut oil ensures that your scalp is free of dandruff, lice, and lice eggs, even if your scalp is dry. Coconut oil is extensively used in the Indian sub-continent for hair care. It is an excellent conditioner and helps in the re-growth of damaged hair. It also provides the essential proteins required for nourishing damaged hair. It is therefore used as hair care oil and used in manufacturing various conditioners, and dandruff relief creams. Coconut oil is normally applied topically for hair care.

Stress Relief: Coconut oil is very soothing and hence it helps in removing stress. Applying coconut oil to the head followed with a gentle massage helps in removing mental fatigue.

Skin Care: Coconut oil is excellent massage oil for the skin as well. It acts as an effective moisturizer on all types of skins including dry skin. The benefit of coconut oil on the skin is comparable to that of mineral oil. Further, unlike mineral oil, there is no chance of having any adverse side effects on the skin with the application of coconut oil. Coconut oil therefore is a safe solution for preventing dryness and flaking of skin. It also delays wrinkles, and sagging of skin which normally become prominent with age. Coconut oil also helps in treating various skin problems including psoriasis, dermatitis, eczema and other skin infections. Therefore coconut oil forms the basic ingredient of various body care products such as soaps, lotions, creams, etc., used for skin care.

Premature Aging: Coconut oil helps in preventing premature aging and degenerative diseases due to its antioxidant properties.

Heart Diseases: There is a misconception spread among many people that coconut oil is not good for the heart. This is because it contains a large quantity of saturated fats. However, coconut oil is beneficial for the heart. It contains about 50% lauric acid, which helps in preventing various heart problems including high cholesterol levels and high blood pressure. The saturated fats present in coconut oil are not harmful as it happens in case of other vegetables oils. It does not lead to increase in LDL levels. It also reduces the incidence of injury in arteries and therefore helps in preventing atherosclerosis.

Weight Loss: Coconut oil is very useful in reducing weight. It contains short and medium-chain fatty acids that help in taking off excessive weight. It is also easy to digest and it helps in healthy functioning of the thyroid and enzymes systems. Further, it increases the body metabolism by removing stress on pancreases, thereby burning out more energy and helping obese and overweight people reduce their weight. Hence, people living in tropical coastal areas, who eat coconut oil daily as their primary cooking oil, are normally not fat, obese or overweight.

Pancreatitis: Coconut oil is also believed to be useful in treating pancreatitis.

Digestion: Internal use of coconut oil occurs primarily as cooking oil. Coconut oil helps in improving the digestive system and thus prevents various stomach and digestion related problems including irritable bowel syndrome. The saturated fats present in coconut oil have anti microbial properties and help in dealing with various bacteria, fungi, parasites, etc., that cause indigestion. Coconut oil also helps in absorption of other nutrients such as vitamins, minerals and amino acids.

Immunity: Coconut oil is also good for the immune system. It strengthens the immune system as it contains antimicrobial lipids, lauric acid, capric acid and caprylic acid which have antifungal, antibacterial and antiviral properties. The human body converts lauric acid into monolaurin which is claimed to help in dealing with viruses and bacteria causing diseases such as herpes, influenza, cytomegalovirus, and even HIV. It helps in fighting harmful bacteria such as listeria monocytogenes and heliobacter pylori, and harmful protozoa such as giardia lamblia.

Healing: When applied on infections, it forms a chemical layer which protects the infected body part from external dust, air, fungi, bacteria and virus. Coconut oil is most effective on bruises as it speeds up the healing process by repairing damaged tissues.

Infections: Coconut oil is very effective against a variety of infections due to its antifungal, antiviral, and antibacterial properties. According to the Coconut Research Center, coconut oil kills viruses that cause influenza, measles, hepatitis, herpes, SARS, etc. It also kills bacteria that cause ulcers, throat infections, urinary tract infections, pneumonia, and gonorrhea, etc. Coconut oil is also effective on fungi and yeast that cause candidiasis, ringworm, athlete's foot, thrush, diaper rash, etc.

Liver: The presence of medium chain triglycerides and fatty acids helps in preventing liver diseases as they substances are easily converted into energy when they reach the liver, thus reducing work load on the liver and also preventing accumulation of fat.

Kidney: Coconut oil helps in preventing kidney and gall bladder diseases. It also helps in dissolving kidney stones.

Diabetes: Coconut oil helps in controlling blood sugar, and improves the secretion of insulin. It also helps in effective utilization of blood glucose, thereby preventing and treating diabetes.

Bones: As mentioned earlier, coconut oil improves the ability of our body to absorb important minerals. These include calcium and magnesium which are necessary for development of bones. Thus coconut oil is very useful to women who are prone to osteoporosis after middle age.

Dental Care: Calcium is an important element present in teeth. Since coconut oil facilitates absorption of calcium by the body, it helps in getting strong teeth. Coconut oil also stops tooth decay.

HIV and Cancer: It is believed that coconut oil plays an instrumental role in reducing viral susceptibility of HIV and cancer patients.

Finally, coconut oil is often preferred by athletes and body builders and by those who are dieting. The reason behind this being that coconut oil contains lesser calories than other oils, its fat content is easily converted into energy and it does not lead to accumulation of fat in the heart and arteries. Coconut oil helps in boosting energy and endurance, and enhances the performance of athletes.

Breathing Therapy

The nose has a left and a right side, we use both to inhale and exhale.
Actually they are different, you would be able to feel the difference.
The right side represents the sun, left side represents the moon. During a headache, try to close your right nose and use your left nose to breathe. In about 5 mins, your headache will be gone? If you feel tired, just reverse, close your left nose and breathe through your right nose. After a while, you will feel your mind is refreshed.

Right side belongs to'hot',so it gets heated up easily, left side belongs to'cold'.
Most females breathe with their left noses, so they get "cooled off" faster.

Most of the guys breathe with their right noses, they get worked up.

Do you notice the moment we wake up, which side breathes faster? Left or right? ?

If left is faster, you will feel tired. So, close your left nose and use your right nose for breathing, you will get refreshed quickly. This can be taught to kids, but it is more effective when practiced by adults.

My friend used to have bad headaches and was always visiting the doctor. There was this period when he suffered headache literally every night, unable to study.

He took painkillers, did not work. He decided to try out the breathing therapy here: closed his right nose and breathed through his left nose. In less than a week, his headaches were gone! He continued the exercise for one month. This alternative natural therapy without medication is something that he has experienced.

So, why not give it a try?

Winners Don't Do Different Things, They Do Things Differently

You are driving along in your car on a wild, stormy night, when you pass by a bus stop, and you see three people waiting for the bus:
1. An old lady who looks as if she is about to die.
2. An old friend who once saved your life.
3. The perfect partner you have been dreaming about.
Which one would you choose to offer a ride to, knowing that there could only be one passenger in your car?
Think before you continue reading...
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This is a moral / ethical dilemma that was once actually used as part of a job application.
You could pick up the old lady, because she is going to die, and thus you should save her first;
Or
you could take the old friend because he once saved your life, and this would be the perfect chance to pay him back.
However, you may never be able to find your perfect mate again.

NOW READ THIS:
The candidate who was hired (out of 200 applicants) had no trouble coming up with his answer.
He simply answered:
"I would give the car keys to my old friend and let him take the lady to the hospital. I would stay behind and wait for the bus with the partner of my dreams."
Sometimes, we gain more if we are able to give up our stubborn thought limitations.
Winners Don't Do Different Things, They Do Things Differently

Different Parts of Our Body - Age At Different Times:

WE all accept that getting older is inevitable, and now leading clinicians have revealed the exact age when different body parts start to decline, most alarming being the brain and lungs.
French doctors have found that the quality of men's' sperm starts to deteriorate by 35, so that by the time a man is 45 a third of pregnancies end in miscarriage. Here, with the help of leading clinicians, Angela Epstein tells the Daily Mail the ages when different parts of the body start to lose their battle with time.

BRAIN - Starts ageing at 20
As we get older, the number of nerve cells - or neurons - in the brain decrease. We start with around 100 billion, but in our 20s this number starts to decline. By 40, we could be losing up to 10,000 per day, affecting memory, co-ordination and brain function.

GUT - Starts ageing at 55.
A healthy gut has a good balance between harmful and 'friendly' bacteria. But levels of friendly bacteria in the gut drop significantly after 55, particularly in the large intestine, says Tom MacDonald, professor of immunology at Barts And The London medical school. As a result, we suffer from poor digestion and an increased risk of gut disease. Constipation is more likely as we age, as the flow of digestive juices from the stomach, liver, pancreas and small intestine slows down.

BREASTS - Start ageing at 35
BY their mid-30s, women's breasts start losing tissue and fat, reducing size and fullness. Sagging starts properly at 40 and the areola (the area surrounding the nipple) can shrink considerably.

BLADDER - Starts ageing at 65
Loss of bladder control is more likely when you hit 65. Women are more vulnerable to bladder problems as, after the menopause, declining oestrogen levels make tissues in the urethra - the tube through which urine passes - thinner and weaker, reducing bladder support. Bladder capacity in an older adult generally is about half that of a younger person - about two cups in a 30-year-old and one cup in a 70-year-old. ...

LUNGS - Start ageing at 20
Lung capacity slowly starts to decrease from the age of 20. By the age of 40, some people are already experiencing breathlessness. This is partly because the muscles and the rib cage which control breathing stiffen up.

VOICE - Starts ageing at 65
Our voices become quieter and hoarser with age. The soft tissues in the voice box (larynx) weaken, affecting the pitch, loudness and quality of the voice. A woman's voice may become huskier and lower in pitch, whereas a man's might become thinner and higher.

EYES - Start ageing at 40
Glasses are the norm for many over-40s as failing eyesight kicks in - usually long-sightedness, affecting our ability to see objects up close.

HEART - Starts ageing at 40
The heart pumps blood less effectively around the body as we get older. This is because blood vessels become less elastic, while arteries can harden or become blocked because of fatty deposits forming on the coronary arteries - caused by eating too much saturated fat. The blood supply to the heart is then reduced, resulting in painful angina. Men over 45 and women over 55 are at greater risk of a heart attack.

LIVER - Starts ageing at 70
This is the only organ in the body which seems to defy the aging process.

KIDNEYS - Starts ageing at 50
With kidneys, the number of filtering units (nephrons) that remove waste from the bloodstream starts to reduce in middle age.

PROSTATE - Starts ageing at 50
The prostate often becomes enlarged with age, leading to problems such as increased need to urinate, says Professor Roger Kirby, director of the Prostate Centre in London . This is known as benign prostatic hyperplasia and affects half of men over 50, but rarely those under 40. It occurs when the prostate absorbs large amounts of the male sex hormone testosterone, which increases the growth of cells in the prostate. A normal prostate is the size of a walnut, but the condition can increase this to the size of a tangerine.

BONES - Start ageing at 35
'Throughout our life, old bone is broken down by cells called osteoclasts and replaced by bone-building cells called osteoblasts - a process called bone turnover,' explains Robert Moots, professor of rheumatology at Aintree University Hospital in Liverpool . Children's bone growth is rapid - the skeleton takes just two years to renew itself completely. In adults, this can take ten years. Until our mid-20s, bone density is still increasing. But at 35 bone loss begins as part of the natural ageing process.

TEETH - Start ageing at 40
As we age, we produce less saliva, which washes away bacteria, so teeth and gums are more vulnerable to decay. Receding gums - when tissue is lost from gums around the teeth - is common in adults over 40..

MUSCLES - Start ageing at 30
Muscle is constantly being built up and broken down, a process which is well balanced in young adults. However, by the time we're 30, breakdown is greater than buildup, explains Professor Robert Moots. Once adults reach 40, they start to lose between 0.5 and 2 per cent of their muscle each year. Regular exercise can help prevent this.

HEARING - Starts ageing mid-50s
More than half of people over 60 lose hearing because of their age, according to the Royal National Institute for the Deaf.

SKIN - Starts ageing mid-20s
The skin starts to age naturally in your mid-20s.

TASTE AND SMELL - Start ageing at 60
We start out in life with about 10,000 taste buds scattered on the tongue. This number can halve later in life. After we turn 60, taste and smell gradually decline, partly as a result of the normal ageing process.

FERTILITY - Starts ageing at 35
Female fertility begins to decline after 35, as the number and quality of eggs in the ovaries start to fall. The lining of the womb may become thinner, making it less likely for a fertilised egg to take, and also creating an environment hostile to sperm.

HAIR - Starts ageing at 30
Male hair loss usually begins in the 30s. Hair is made in tiny pouches just under the skin's surface, known as follices. A hair normally grows from each follicle for about three years, is then shed, and a new hair grows. Most people will have some grey hair by the age of 35. When we are young, our hair is coloured by the pigments produced by cells in the hair follicle known as melanocytes.

Green Tea Benefits

Green Tea Benefits

"Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don't mind, it doesn't matter."

Green tea was discovered by the Chinese over 4000 years ago. It is used for its medicinal and herbal powers. Its leaves are not oxidized but they are steamed to preserve its nutrition, therefore there are know many green tea benefits to human health.

Here are the most important benefits of green tea:

 

1. It is believed to have polyphenols in it, which helps it burn the calories and maintaining the heat of the body.

2. Its leaves contain EGCG which helps the body to fight the cancer cells and does not allow them to enter the body.

3. It also minimizes the risk of strokes in the body.

4. Green tea has satisfying effects on hypertension and cholesterol.

5. One of its ingredient Catechine helps destroy bacteria which causes food
poisoning in the stomach.

6. It also helps in suppressing appetite.

7. It is also believed that t is very beneficial for oral hygiene.

8. It is accepted that green tea is quite healthy for the heart.

9. It is believed to work well in improving the functioning of the immune system.

10. Green tea is fabulous for diet conscious people.

11. Ingredients of green tea help increasing the rate of burning of fat and calories.

12. Some of substances that are found in green tea modify the utility of norepinephrine a kind of hormone.

13. It is understood that green tea helps preventing rheumatoid arthritis.

14. Another of green tea benefits is that it helps you in knowing when your stomach is full so there is no need to overeat.

15. Green tea increases you stamina and increases the energy. Thus helps you to do more work.

16. It is used for generations for solving problems of indigestion or depression.

17. Green tea benefits your health by removing free radicals.

18. It is working miracles for diabetes and blood pressure problems.

19. It is also reported that that it cures many skin related problems.

20. It can also give solution to major diseases like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s.

21. It also opposes HIV.

Green tea is now the 2nd most popular drink consumed worldwide after water. It has many beneficial roles which have made it very common among individuals.

Following are the direct benefits of green tea:

1. CANCER: It reduces the risk of cancer in a person. The antioxidants which are present in this tea are very effective and much more powerful than any antioxidant.

2. HEART DISEASE: It lowers the risk of any heart disease and strokes. It also reduces the levels of cholesterol in the body.

3. ANTI AGING: This tea contains polyphenols, a kind of antioxidant, which helps the body fight against free radicals. This in a way helps in longevity of your life.

4. WEIGHT LOSS: It is the main reason why it is the most consumed drink. It naturally helps the body lose the extra weight. It helps burning fat and reducing calories.

5. SKIN: The antioxidants present in this tea help the body to protect from the ill effects of free radicals

6. ARTHRITIS: Green tea can be very helpful in lowering the risk of rheumatoid arthritis. It saves the cartilage by killing the enzymes that attack the cartilage.

7. BONES: Green tea leaves are rich in fluoride content. This helps this tea to keep your bones very strong. Consumption of green tea everyday can help improve and maintain your bones density.

8. CHOLESTEROL: Drinking green tea helps lower your levels of cholesterol. It also maintains the perfect ratio of the good and the bad cholesterol.

9. OBESITY: It inhibits the movement and flow of glucose in cells and this helps it prevent your body from obesity.

10. DIABETES: It enhances the metabolism of glucose and lipid in the body. Thus it impedes the increase in sugar level.

11. LIVER DISEASE: This tea helps patients with transplant surgeries by lowering the chances of any failure in transplant. In fatty liver cells it removes the free radicals.

12. HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE: It controls the angiotensin which controls blood pressure. Hence it lowers the risk of high blood pressure and the problems that occur with higher blood pressure.

13. FOOD POISONING: The presence of Catechine in this tea helps it to destroy the bacteria that cause food poisoning.

14. IMMUNITY: The presence of flavanoid and antioxidant polyphenols help in amplifying your immune system.

There are many types of the green tea made by varied processes and hence tastes differently. Some are mild and some are strong, but they all have great weight loss and other green tea benefits. The green tea weight loss benefits are probably the main reason why more and more women drink green tea.

Health Related Information

 

BRAIN DAMAGING HABITS

1. No Breakfast
People who do not take breakfast are going to have a lower blood sugar level. This leads to an insufficient supply of nutrients to the brain causing brain degeneration.

2. Overeating
It causes hardening of the brain arteries, leading to a decrease in mental power.

3. Smoking
It causes multiple brain shrinkage and may lead to Alzheimer disease.

4. High Sugar consumption
Too much sugar will interrupt the absorption of proteins and nutrients causing malnutrition and may interfere with brain development.

5. Air Pollution
The brain is the largest oxygen consumer in our body. Inhaling polluted air decreases the supply of oxygen to the brain, bringing about a decrease in brain efficiency.

6. Sleep Deprivation
Sleep allows our brain to rest... Long term deprivation from sleep will accelerate the death of brain cells...

7. Head covered while sleeping
Sleeping with the head covered increases the concentration of carbon dioxide and decrease concentration of oxygen that may lead to brain damaging effects.

8. Working your brain during illness
Working hard or studying with sickness may lead to a decrease in effectiveness of the brain as well as damage the brain.

9. Lacking in stimulating thoughts
Thinking is the best way to train our brain, lacking in brain stimulation thoughts may cause brain shrinkage.

10. Talking Rarely

Intellectual conversations will promote the efficiency of the brain 

The main causes of liver damage are:

1. Sleeping too late and waking up too late are main cause.

2. Not urinating in the morning.

3. Too much eating.

4. Skipping breakfast.

5. Consuming too much medication.

6. Consuming too much preservatives, additives, food coloring, and artificial sweetener.

7. Consuming unhealthy cooking oil.
As much as possible reduce cooking oil use when frying, which includes even the best cooking oils like olive oil. Do not consume fried foods when you are tired, except if the body is very fit.

8. Consuming raw (overly done) foods also add to the burden of liver.

 

Veggies should be eaten raw or cooked 3-5 parts. Fried veggies should be finished in one sitting, do not store.

We should prevent this without necessarily spending more. We just have to adopt a good daily lifestyle and eating habits. Maintaining good eating habits and time condition are very important for our bodies to absorb and get rid of unnecessary chemicals according to 'schedule.'

 

The top five cancer-causing foods are:

1. Hot Dogs

Because they are high in nitrates, the Cancer Prevention Coalition advises that children eat no more than 12 hot dogs a month. If you can't live without hot dogs, buy those made without sodium nitrate.

2. Processed meats and Bacon

Also high in the same sodium nitrates found in hot dogs, bacon, and other processed meats raise the risk of heart disease. The saturated fat in bacon also contributes to cancer.

3. Doughnuts

Doughnuts are cancer-causing double trouble. First, they are made with white flour, sugar, and hydrogenated oils, then fried at high temperatures. Doughnuts, says Adams, may be the worst food you can possibly eat to raise your risk of cancer.

4. French fries

Like doughnuts, French fries are made with hydrogenated oils and then fried at high temperatures. They also contain cancer- causing acryl amides which occur during the frying process. They should be called cancer fries, not French fries, said Adams.

5. Chips, crackers, and cookies

All are usually made with white flour and sugar... Even the ones whose labels claim to be free of trans-fats generally contain small amounts of trans-fats.

PASS THIS TO ALL WHOM YOU CARE FOR...

"Life laughs at you when you are unhappy,
Life smiles at you when you are happy,
Life salutes you when you make others happy!! ...."
Please take care of your health ........ Good luck!!

Some Stretching Exercises for your Back & Spine

 

Computer users & specially traders like me & you tend to spend way too much time in front of the computer and simply not moving around enough. Bhujangasana & Shalabhasana may help a lot to all of you. 

Bhujanga means Cobra, Bhujanga Asana is always practiced as the first in a series of backward bending movements. In this asana the spine is arched backward gently promoting flexibility.

Position before Asana:

Lie straight on your stomach, keeping the palms on the floor below the shoulder blades and the elbows touching the middle part of the body. Keep the heels together and toes flat on the floor. Breathe normally.

Steps:

Bend the head and neck backward. Inhaling slowly, raise the head and chest, above the naval area, upwards. Tighten the legs all over from the waist down to the toes.

Retain your breathe and hold in the same position for about 8 to 10 seconds.

Exhale and simultaneously lower the head towards the floor. Relax your body and rest with your right or left cheek on the floor for about 6 seconds. Now you have completed one round of Bhujanga asana.

Daily practice:

Start with 2-3 rounds on the first day and increase to a maximum of 5 rounds.

Benefits:

Bhujanga asana activates and energizes the upper areas of the body like the chest, shoulders, neck, face and head, giving a youthful appearance and the abdominal area, because of this activation, the pancreas, liver and other organs of the digestive system are strengthened and normalized. Increases flexibility, rejuvenates spinal nerves and brings a rich blood supply to the spinal region, it has some special benefits for women. Helps relieve problems of the uterus and ovaries and menstrual problems. A regular practice of this aasan makes child birth easy.

Note:It is recommended to practice the Salabh Asana after releasing the Bhujanga Asana.

Posture Shalabh means 'locust' as the position of the body in the asana appears to be like that of a locust. Its the reverse exercise of Bhujanga asana.

Procedure Exhale and inhaling, raise the legs from the waist keeping it straight in the knee. Keep the toe stretched to the backside and continue normal breathing.

Take the precaution that legs are straight in knee as otherwise the strain on desired organs is reduced and desired results are missed. During the practice chin should rest on ground.

Position In this asana legs should be raised and kept stable without allowing it to bend in the knee. The chin should rest on the ground. The muscles of the shoulders neck and head should be kept relaxed. But the muscles of the thighs and abdomen should be kept stretched. Releasing Inhale and exhaling bring the legs down on the ground and then back to the prone position.

Duration Initially practice it for 10 seconds by counting 1 to 10. After practicing it for few days you can increase the repetitions & counting, once you are able to do 5 repetitions easily then reduce repetitions and increase the time up to 1 min.

Internal Effects This asana mainly centers the lower vertebra of the spinal cord and the muscles of the abdomen and thighs. The strain activates their blood circulation. As a result of this the concerned organs become more active and efficient. This strain is effective on small and big intestine and certain enzyme producing glands.

Precaution:

Jerks and unbearable strains should be avoided always, no violence with body, increase duration by regular practice only.

Correct method of Namaskar to God

 

A. 'While paying obeisance to God, bring the palms together.

1. The fingers should be held loose (not straight and rigid) while joining the hands or palms.

2. The fingers should be kept close to each other without leaving any space between them.

3. The fingers should be kept away from the thumbs.

4. The inner portion of the palms should not touch each other and there should be some space between them.

Note: The stage of awakening of spiritual emotion (Bhav) is important to the seeker at the primary level. Hence, for awakening spiritual emotion (Bhav), he should keep space in between the joined hands, whereas a seeker who is at the advanced level should refrain from leaving such space in between the palms to awaken the unexpressed spiritual emotion (Bhav).

B. After joining the hands one should bow and bring the head forward.

C. While tilting the headforward, one should place the thumbs at the mid-brow region, i.e. at the point between the eyebrows and try to concentrate on the feet of the Deity.

D. After that, instead of bringing the folded hands down immediately, they should be placed on the mid-chest region for a minute in such way that the wrists touch the chest; then only should the hands be brought down.

Underlying Science in this action

Subtle picture while offering Namaskar (1)

Subtle picture while offering Namaskar (2) A.

The fingers should not be stiff while bringing the palms together because this will lead to a decrease in sattva component from the vital and mental sheaths and thus increase the raja component in them. By keeping the fingers relaxed, the subtlest sattva component will get activated. With the strength of this energy, embodied souls are able to fight powerful distressing energies.

B. In the Namaskar posture, the joined fingers act as an antenna to assimilate the Chaitanya (Divine consciousness) or the Energy transmitted by a Deity. While joining the palms, the fingers must touch each other because leaving space between the fingers will result in accumulation of energy in that space. This energy will be immediately transmitted in various directions; therefore the seeker's body will lose the benefit of this potent energy.

C. About the space to be maintained between the palms :

For a seeker at the primary level, it is advisable to leave space between the palms; it is not necessary for a seeker at an advanced level to leave space between the palms.

D. After joining the palms, bow a little. This posture puts pressure on the navel and activates the five vital energies situated there. Activation of these vital energies in the body makes it sensitive to accepting sattvik frequencies. This later awakens the 'Atma shakti' (i.e. soul energy of an embodied soul). And later, Bhav is awakened. This enables the body to accept in large measures the Chaitanya emitted by the Deity.

E. Touch the thumbs to the mid-brow region. (Please see images above.) This posture awakens the Bhav of surrender in an embodied soul, and in turn activates the appropriate subtle frequencies of Deities from the Universe. They enter through the ’Adnya chakra’ (Sixth of the 7 chakras in the Kundalini) of the embodied soul and settle in the space parallel to it at the back interior of the head. In this space the openings to all the three channels converge; namely, the Moon, the Central and the Sun channels. Due to the movement of these subtler frequencies in this space, the Central Channel is activated. Consequently it facilitates the speedy transmission of these frequencies throughout the body, leading to purification of both the gross and subtle bodies at the same time.

F. After doing Namaskar, to completely imbibe the Chaitanya of the Deity (that has entered the hands by now), instead of bringing the folded hands down immediately, place them on the mid-chest region in such a way that the wrists touch the chest.The 'Anahat chakra' is located at the centre of the chest. Akin to the Adnya chakra, the activity of the Anahat chakra is also to absorb the sattva frequencies. By touching the wrists to the chest, the Anahat chakra is activated and it helps in absorbing more of the sattva component.

Effect of this Posture

By doing Namaskar in this manner, the Deity's Chaitanya is absorbed to a greater extent by the body, as compared to other methods of doing Namaskar. This gives maximum distress to negative energies. The negative energies that have manifested in a person are unable to touch their thumbs at the mid-brow region in Namaskar. (The negative energies are subtle. But at times they enter an individual's body and manifest it. - Editor)'

Q. What is the reason for not wrapping a cloth around the neck while performing circumambulation, doing Namaskar, ritualistic worship, sacrificial fires, chanting and while visiting Guru and deities?

A. When a cloth is wrapped around the neck, it does not activate the Vishuddha chakra (in the throat region) and hence an individual gets less benefit of the sattva component. (More information on this is given in Sanatan's Publication 'Part

3: Vol 29: Bhaktiyoga 4: 'Spiritual Science in the ritualistic worship with sixteen substances'.) (Ref: Sanatan's Publication-'The Correct Methods of Paying Obeisance')

Sleeping Patterns & Their Reflections

How do you sleep and what do they say about you?

Life Diary

Health:

 

1. Drink plenty of water
2. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a beggar
3. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants, and eat less food 

    that is  manufactured in plants
4. Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm, and Empathy
5. Make time for prayer
6. Play more games
7. Read more books than you did last year
8. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day
9. Sleep for 7 hours
10. Take a 10-30 minutes walk every day ---- and while you walk, smile

Personality:

 

11. Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their journey is

     all about.
12. Don't have negative thoughts or things you can not control. Instead invest

     your energy in the positive present moment.
13. Don't over do ; keep your limits.
14. Don't take yourself so seriously ; no one else does
15. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip
16. Dream more while you are awake
17. Envy is a waste of time, You already have all you need.
18. Forget issues of the past. Don't remind your partner with his/her mistakes

     of the past. That will ruin your present happiness.
19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Don't hate others.
20. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present
21. No one is in charge of your happiness except you
22. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are

     simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class

     but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.
23. Smile and laugh more
24. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

Community:

      will. Stay in touch.

Life:

Last but not the least :

40. Take good care of you for sure

32. Do the right things
33. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful
34. GOD heals everything
35. However good or bad a situation is, it will change
36. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up
37. The best is yet to come
38. When you awake alive in the morning, thank GOD for it
39. Your Inner most is always happy. So, be happy. 25. Call your family often
26. Each day give something good to others
27. Forgive everyone for everything
28. Spend time with people over the age of 70 & under the age of 6
29. Try to make at least three people smile each day
30. What other people think of you is none of your business
31. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your family and friends 

Boost your body’s immune system

One of the best prescriptions for good health is also one of the easiest to follow: watch what you eat. Every day, new studies prove that eating the right foods regularly can help reduce the risk of cancer and heart disease, banish the blues and increase energy and vitality. Here are 10 nutrient-packed “super foods” that should top everyone’s grocery list.

1. Broccoli

This is one mean green! Broccoli is chock-full of the phytochemical sulforaphane, which makes headlines because of its potent anti-cancer properties. It’s also a rich source of beta-carotene (good for the eyes and immune system, among other things), fibre and vitamin C.

Toronto registered dietitian and author Liz Pearson was so convinced of the health benefits of this “King of Cruciferous Vegetables” that she called her first book When in Doubt, Eat Broccoli! But Leave Some Room for Chocolate (Penguin Books, 1998). For fast, easy and delicious ways to add vegetables — including broccoli — to your diet, visit 5 to 10 a day.

2. Blueberries

If you haven’t gone blueberry picking since you were a kid, here’s a reason to start again. In a peer-reviewed study of 100 common fruits, vegetables and nuts in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, these blue jewels had one of the highest antioxidant capacities (the ability to combat cell-damaging free radicals that can lead to heart disease and cancer). And, like cranberries, blueberries appear to fight off urinary-tract infections by preventing E. coli bacteria from sticking to cells in the urinary tract.

 

John Stanton, president of the Running Room Canada, says he always starts his day with a big bowl of fresh fruit, including blueberries when they’re in season. “It’s light, it’s healthy, and then I’m ready to run.” For more on the power of blue, including tasty recipes for everything from wild blueberry chicken breasts to blueberry sorbet, check out Wild Blueberries.

3. Flax

 

“Ground flaxseed is the one thing I make sure I eat every day,” says Mairlyn Smith, co-author of The Ultimate Healthy Eating Plan That Still Leaves Room for Chocolate (Whitecap Books, 2002). Smith says flax is a great source of both soluble and insoluble fibre (which makes it a natural laxative) as well as plant lignans which may reduce the risk of developing hormone-sensitive cancers, such as prostate and breast cancer.

Flaxseed is also high in Omega-3 fatty acids, which are known to protect against heart disease. Smith eats a flaxseed muffin or sprinkles a tablespoon of ground flaxseed on her cereal every day. For more information on the health benefits of flax, including delicious ways to cook with it, visit the Flax Council of Canada.

4. Garlic

 

Since ancient times, physicians have used the “stinking rose” to treat health conditions including heart disease. Garlic contains allicin, a phytochemical that may lower cholesterol and make blood platelets less sticky, cutting the risk of clots.

In Mississauga, Ont., naturopath Rana Singh swears by the immune-boosting, cold-fighting power of the humble garlic bulb. He recommends chopping or crushing two or three cloves of fresh, raw garlic and adding them to whatever you’re eating.

For information on the health benefits of garlic and great ways to cook with it, visit The Garlic Information Centre and Garlic Sleuth. (Note: Consult your doctor before including more garlic than is customary in your diet.)

5. Green tea

Green tea is loaded with powerful antioxidants, which may protect against cell damage that leads to aging and help prevent heart disease and cancer. Green tea contains a polyphenol known as epigallocatechin gallate (EGCg), which in animal tests has been shown to prevent the formation of tumors. Researchers at Purdue University found in laboratory tests that EGCg killed human breast cancer cells but did not kill non-cancerous human breast cells.

Paulette Bourgeois, author of the Franklin the Turtle series of kids’ books, drinks green tea several times a day. “It’s not only healthy, it’s soothing,” she says. For more information on the health benefits of tea, visit the Tea Association of Canada.

6. Skim milk

“The one food I consciously remind myself to consume and monitor regularly is milk, since I know that I may not drink enough of it in the course of my regular routine to keep my bones strong,” says food writer and cookbook author Dana McCauley.

She’s not alone. Most women don’t get enough calcium, and one in four white women (the rate is lower in black and Hispanic women) will develop osteoporosis. Studies have found that increasing your calcium intake can also help relieve the symptoms of PMS.

To meet your daily quota, reach for three servings of milk or milk products. After a tough workout, make it low-fat chocolate milk, advises McGill University fitness coordinator Jill Barker. “It has the requisite amount of carbs and protein needed to promote optimal recovery in the working muscles.”

Visit the Dairy Farmers of Canada for more tips on adding calcium to your diet.

7. Salmon

Fresh or canned salmon is one of the best sources of the celebrated Omega-3 fatty acids, which can help prevent heart attacks. Studies have also shown that Omega-3 may have the ability to offset depression as well as protect against inflammatory diseases such as arthritis.

“I try to eat salmon twice a week, as do my kids,” says nutritionist Rosie Schwartz, author of The Enlightened Eater’s Whole Foods Guide.

8. Soy

Protein is one of the nutrients that most women don’t get enough of. They should have a protein-rich food every three to four hours during the day to keep energized, says dietitian Linda Barton.“Soy is perfect since it’s a plant-based protein that’s low in saturated fat.”

Soybeans and soy protein products — including tofu, miso, tempeh and soy drinks — also contain phytoestrogens that may slow the growth of some cancers, lower cholesterol and offer some protection against osteoporosis.

Visit the Soyfoods Association of North America for more information and recipes.

9. Spinach

When asked to name one of her favourite super foods, Toronto registered dietician Leslie Beck praised spinach. It’s loaded with energy-promoting iron and folate, a B vitamin that prevents neural-tube defects in the fetus. It is important in red blood cell formation, protein metabolism, growth and cell division. The leafy green is also one of the best sources of lutein, an antioxidant that benefits eye, skin and cardiovascular health. For more information on the health benefits of spinach, visit Wholehealthmd.com.

10. Tomatoes

Research has found that tomatoes, especially cooked or processed ones, can lower the risk of some cancers and heart disease. Experts attribute this to lycopene, a potent antioxidant and the pigment that makes tomatoes red. A Harvard University study found that men who regularly ate tomato-based foods had lower rates of prostate cancer.

“We love tomatoes,” says Diane Clement, who founded the popular Tomato Fresh Food Cafe in Vancouver. She and her husband, Dr. Doug Clement, start their evening meal with their favourite tomato and bocconcini cheese salad. “The juicy tomatoes, loaded with lycopenes galore, are the perfect healthy jumpstart for any body,” she says. For more nutrition facts and recipes, visit California Tomatoes.