The Pilates Principle

Joseph Pilates then went on to create " the six principles of pilates" in order to properly condition the entire body. They are breathing, centering concentration, control , precision and flowing movement.

Breathing enhances proper blood circulation, which in turn stimulates cells in the body and carries away wastes that can cause fatigue. For blood to function optimally, it has to be charged with oxygen and purged of waste through proper breathing. Full and thorough inhalation and exhalation are thus an integral part of every pilates exercise.

Centering involves the large group of muscles found in the center of the body, called the "powerhouse" in pilates- the abdomen, lower back, hips and buttocks. All the energy exerted doing pilates exercises begins from the powerhouse the "core"

Concentration demands careful attention and intense focus. Every position and movement of every part of the body is interrelated. Control simply means no unnecessary and uncontrolled movements.

Slower movements make your strength and coordination grow. Practitioners also perform every exercise with utmost control, in order to avoid injury. Precision aims to accomplish unified (flowing), precise and perfect movements through appropriate transitions, rather than many halfhearted or disjointed ones. The end goal is for precision to eventually become second nature, and carried over into everyday life as grace and economy movement. Once precision is archived the exercises are intended to flow within and into each other in order to build strength and stamina.

Josep Pilates once said " Physical fitness is the first requisite of happiness. In order to achieve happiness, it is imperative to gain mastery of your body. If at the age 30 you are still stiff and out of shape, you are old. If at 60 you are supple and strong, then you are young"

Common Meds and a little bit extra treatment

We heard so much about medicines and how they cure us. and doctors prescribed them for one condition has the potential to treat another.As i was saying a lot of us might find something useful in our medicine cabinet , but remember that you shouldn't just take a medicine on your own for a problem it wasn't prescribed to treat. You have to remember these are just a list of the common medicines that gives you a little extra. Always see your doctor if this wasn't such a good option.

1. Tenormin (atenelol) -It is known for treating high BP and chest pain but it can also help kill the pain of migraine.

2. Diamox- known for reducing the severity of glaucoma, a serious eye disease, but it can also prevent or ease altitude sickness, which causes headaches, nausea, shortness of breath, dizziness,and drowsiness.

3. Benadryl - It is known for cutting down on seasonal allergy symptoms like sneezing and runny nose, but it can also knock you out when you can't sleep.-say on that long flights.

4. Beta-blockers( Inderal/ propranolol) It is known for lowering high blood pressure but it can also help you feel less anxious before a big first meeting or a first date.

Now, these are just some of the meds out there, but again these opinions are not always suitable to everyone it's still best that these should be asked to your doctor.

Milk Milk Milk!

I always hated milk, and I'm always trying to buy something that are flavored. And i ended up with chocolate milk. There are many people who love milk but are too conscious about their health so they ended up not drinking it any more. Here some great milks that you shouldn't taken for granted. A little knowledge about hem won't hurt.

Oat milk, low fat enriched with Calcium and Vitamin D-
craving variety (or really allergy prone)? Oat milk, which taste like Quaker instant with sugar in it. contains 2 grams of fiber per serving(half of which is the soluble, cholesterol-lowering kind). The other grain option, rice milk, is not much more than sugar water with a few added nutrients. Skip it. Oat's low protein means it's less that stellar for active babes looking to build muscle.

Soy Milk- Light unflavored, enriched with calcium and Vitamin D. A god send for milk lovers with daily allergies, thick nutty soy milk could help lower your LDL(also known as the bad) cholesterol a few points and some studies shows that it may help protect against breast cancer. Going light and unflavored allows you to skip extra sugar-chocolate and vanilla flavors ban have two or three times as much.

Cow's milk- fat free skim milk, According to the new study in American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, the protein in cow's milk is twice as good at building muscle after workout as its soy counterpart. And without the saturated fat of whole milk, skim won't strain the two percent spandex in your jeans.

Fruit Juice and Health

Orange fruit. Orange trees are evergreen trees that grow to the heights of between 8 and 15 meters when fully mature. They are supposed to have originated from south and Indo-China and are acknowledged to have been in cultivation for thousands of years. The fruit is round, thick-skinned with a reddish-yellow color when ripe. One orange contains about 50 milligrams of Vitamin C, or about two thirds of an average person's daily need. It is deliciously edible and juicy fruit when squeezed-whether to be drank immediately or packed, canned bottled at the factory for later consumption.

Lemon, which alleged originated form Burma or Northern India, The fruit itself is yellow and oval with an acidic, detoxifying juice that is often made into lemonade mixed with water and dome sugar. Lime, on the other hand, is one of the most cultivated citrus fruits in the tropics and is much like a lemon but is much smaller and more acidic.

Not all fruit juices are created equal. Products labeled "fruit or juice cocktails" are in all probability primarily a water-sugar mix and only five to ten percent juice. Also an important distinction: orange, grape and other fruit-flavored soft drinks contains no juice. In cases where you have 100 percent juice, a 3/4 cup unfortified serving of grape juice give you 0 percent Vitamin C of the recommended daily allowance (RDA_. Pineapple 33 percent, grapefruit 90 percent and orange juice a full 100%.

Many juices and the fruits they're from have vaunted healing and medical powers, and welcome role as preventers of uncalled-for visits to the doctor. Relief of skin ailments, stomach aches, headaches, indigestion and fevers plus counteractions of colds, cough and bronchial disease are just few of the positive effects known to be elicited from regular consumption of a wide variety of them.

Medical Myths we must forget

These myths are often hard to remove from our beliefs so I guess I have to re post it again for the benefits of many who may have forgotten it... again.
This research was conducted a couple of  years ago by Aaron Carrol, an assistant professor of pediatrics at the Regenstrief Institute, Indianapolis and Rachel Vreeman, fellow in children's health services research at Indiana University School of Medicine.

Despite frequent mentions in the popular press of the need to drink eight glass of water, they found no scientific basis for the claim. The complete lack of evidence has been in a study published the American Journal of Psychology, they said. The other six myths are:

Reading in dim lights ruins your eyesight- The majority of eye experts believe it is unlikely to do any permanent damage, but it make you squint, blink more and have trouble focusing, the researchers said.

Shaving makes hair grow back faster or coarser- It has no effect on the thickness or rate of hair regrowth, studies say. But stubble lacks the finer taper of unshaven hair, giving the impression.

Eating turkey makes you drowsy. It does contain Amino acid called tryptophan that is involved in sleep and mood control. But turkey has no more of the acid than chicken and minced beef. Eating lots of food and drink at Christmas are probably the real cause of sleepiness.

We use only 10 percent of our brains. This myth arose as early 1907 but imaging shows no area of the brain is silent or completely inactive.

Hair and fingernails continue to grow after death(mom, read this)- This idea may stem from ghoulish novels. The researchers said the skin dries out and retracts after death, giving the appearance of longer hair and nails.

Mobile phones are dangerous in hospitals- despite widespread concerns, studies have found minimal interference with medical equipment.

Natural Alternative meds vs Arthritis

Dietary supplements for arthritis are very popular nowadays, but before you pop pill or recommend one to others, know the benefits and risks of using herbs and dietary supplements.Only your doctor can accurately tell if complimentary medicines will interact will interact well with other medications you are taking. Some may cause adverse effects in people at risk, including pregnant and breast-feeding women, children, babies and people with chronic illnesses and allergies. If in doubt about any complementary medicine, ask your doctor.
A dietary supplements for arthritis has any or some of these:

Ingredient/Extract = Benefits = Side Effect
                           
Avocado or Soybean = Helps relieve symptoms of chronic but stables osteoarthritis of the hip = no serious side effects reported.

Bromelain = An enzyme from pineapple that is said to have anti-inflammatory properties = No conclusive scientific evidence of effectiveness; may cause gastric problems when taken in medicinal doses or for long periods.

Ginger = claimed in ancient Indian systems of medicine as useful for inflammation and arthritis = Scientific studies inconclusive; may adversely affect the fetus when taken by women.


Green-lipped mussel = Available in oil extract or dried flesh; said to relieve joint pain and muscle discomfort = Evidence not conclusive.



Green Tea = An extract rich in anti-oxidants shown useful in preventing the onset and severity of arthritis in mice = No definitive studies done on humans.



Tumeric = Its active ingredient, curcumin, has an anti-inflammatory effect on animals = No definitive studies done on humans.

White willow bark = Conatins salicilin, which has painkilling properties similar to aspirin = Must not be taken by those sensitive to aspirin.

Have a Healthy Travel

I love traveling, and having kids with you is really fun but a pain as well. Especially, if I'm not ready here are some of the lists that would keep you cool and stressed free.
1. Loose fitting clothes- figure huggers are bound to make you feel warm by mid tour. I used to wear really fit ones when i was a bit younger. You can still look fashionable in loose cotton tee, A wide belt in your waist will make you look very trendy, also avoid dark colors as this absorbs heat more than light hues.
2. Comfy shoes- If you are not an actress/popular/VIP then leave your stilettos at home. This shoes have absolutely no place in an activity that require you to walk for hours. Even flip flops can put a strain on your feet when worn for a long time, so stick to your most comfortable pair of sneakers. I love my flip flops but if I know that i'm going to walk for a long time, I make sure that I wear my sneakers.
3. Sun protection tools- My kids just love to run and walk even if we just stopped for a gas or for food. These is one thing i must not forget especially for them. Sure, SPF do the trick but it wouldn't hurt if you also brought along a hat and a pair of shades to protect you and your family from the sun,and my kids just love wearing their cool shades.
4. Bottled water - no need to lug a huge water jugs around, unless your traveling with kids. but do make sure you have small bottle of water in your bag. water keeps you hydareted, replacing fluids you lose when you sweat.
5. Facial spray - Not really a must but definitely good to have on hand. If the store-bought ones are simply too heavy on the pocket, you can improvise by putting clean water in an atomiz