Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Improving cardiovascular status:get off your butt and enjoy exercise.

http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/sweating-relief-10/default.htm
http://www.webmd.com/hypertension-high-blood-pressure/slideshow-lowering-blood-pressure-exercise-tips

As we age we gain weight, our metabolic rate decreases and our arteries become harder.the blood supply to our organs like kidneys, brain, heart decreases and these atrophy and degenerate. Due to the lack of exercise that is needed to keep our bodies at the particular age and weight fit, and excessive and wrong eating and dietary habits, we gain excess weight, misuse and disuse most of our muscles and eventually end up being obese, unfit, unhappy and depressed. Body image if not healthy will definitely lower self esteem and nothing makes a person down so much as low self esteem. Heart health is also worsened by a depressed outlook and low self esteem. A healthy, fit outlook and exercised body goes a long way to elevate self esteem and alleviate a depressed mood. Endorphins released during a workout really make one happier and healthier. Just as good sex and orgasm makes one relaxed and happy, daily measured and graded exercise increases health and fitness.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IO54C0qemfY&feature=relmfu

 Heart is one organ that is central to a person's health and well being. It is affected by a sedentary lifestyle, bad eating habits which include excess carbohydrates, saturated fats,deficient greens and vegetables and alcohol..Foods like burgers, fries, soft drinks, fizzy colas, sweets, chocolates in large amounts really gradually worsen the cardiac fitness profile so much so that the degeneration in arteries starts at twenty and by the time one is forty his/her chances of a heart attack are increased manifold and chronic illnesses like diabetes, hypertension etc have started.It Yis thus important to understand heart health and make lifestyle changes much earlier in life.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IO54C0qemfY&feature=relmfu

 Due to urbanization and office jobs we tend to sit for very long periods. this also increases the lack of circulation and stress levels. Daily gym regime with walking, jogging, swimming or water workouts are essential to adopt at an early age. Joining the workforce after college also is a major lifestyle change.Work stress is added. Coping with new environment, relationships also is inadequate and adds to stress. A regular exercise regimen included in daily routine will considerably reduce stress.


Start with a doable routine like early morning walk, jogging if not overweight, stationary cycling etc. Keep the routine, Buy good exercise clothes and look good to enjoy the routine.If possible find partner to exercise with, chat and compare notes.This can be neighbor, colleague and friend.It has been researched that talking and sharing helps increase fitness levels considerably as motivation and bucking up is involved. I call it part of TLC (Tender Loving Care). Any thing done with TLC increases health and happiness. when one is admired and wanted then the heart health also improves. It has been proven that sadness, grief, loss and loneliness makes the incidence of heart attack and sudden death increase many times.In Urdu language there is a term "Dil Bagh Bagh Hona|"meaning the heart is like a happy garden. It emphasizes how important is heart health for happiness.

The link given for exercise slideshow by Web MD above will show the facts.
It has been proven that exercise started at any age and health status will benefit the person , so get off your butt and start, whether you are old, young , lazy or simply naive.Have a ball!find your lifestyle!



Thursday, May 5, 2011

YOGA, The Ultimate Holistic Lifestyle.

http://www.amazon.com/Living-Yoga-Creating-Life-Practice/dp/0786868066


Ten years back Yoga  started in the West as a fad. The article by Richard Corliss opened our eyes to a whole new world of Yoga practice. Ten years later, research in health, lifestyle practice, it has been proven that Yoga is one of the most successful holistic lifestyle change that one can benefit from. There are many Cardio- health programs that incorporate Yoga in both prevention and recovery phases.http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/cardiac-rehabilitation/MY00771
There are many types of Yoga practices. One can easily choose one:
Start with basic  Iyengar.for those with joint and muscle problems.

Kundalini is also good for beginners and is practiced by many people all around the world.It has stretching postures and releases the Kundalini energy. 
http://youtu.be/dnbzxMsjbIk

Viniyoga is a customized from where the teacher personalizes the postures and stretching according to needs of the student. Viniyoga is practiced as a therapy for upper back pain and lower back pain.Some of these You tube videos will show you the exercises and benefits of Viniyoga.
A very popular form now is Power Yoga or Ashtanga Yoga. This has many instructors all over the world.In Karachi also AQ Power Yoga (facebook group https://www.facebook.com/AQYOGI?ref=ts ) is also available for instruction.
In 1992 I learnt the basics which helped me realize the potential advantages and benefits of Yoga lifestyle. The relaxation techniques that I learnt help me even today fast and successfully. Any one can learn Yoga and practice this lifestyle. The health benefits are enormous and now proven.
As a fascination since childhood I love this posture.


Yoga practice is a personal journey to self discipline, lifestyle, stress management and basically health. It can be taken with love, caring and respect for one's own self and body. It helps you understand, cherish and groom your own body and through this immense love and respect for your own body you can love and respect others.