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TWENTY MINUTES FOR GOOD HEALTH
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Why physical exercise is necessary?
Everyone of us want beautiful skin, healthy body,
no pains and aches, always to be young, to feel fresh and to be happy throughout.
Physical fitness is a prerequisite for achieving success
in life. It does not matter whether you are at home or at office. If a cake has
to be successfully baked, you have to work hard for desired objective. If I am not
feeling well, I will not muster to bake the cake at all. If you are in pain you
can?t concentrate on your goals.
Ancient man roamed around for food and worked hard,
thankfully we don?t need to do it now. Hence what we eat remains in our bellies
(even for days!) Hence some form of exercise has to be incorporated into our daily
routine to remain young and healthy during our lifetime outsmarting natural aging
process.
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Which is the best form of exercise?
There are various forms of exercise, all games give
some kind of activity to the body (other than recreation). Bodybuilding, running,
weight lifting, swimming, football, hockey, volleyball, gymnastics, aerobics etc
are games, which activate the body muscles and give you strength and stamina.
Definition of a best form of exercise includes one
that gives you strength, stamina, flexibility and balance. Researchers say flexibility
is the secret to feeling and looking young, which is important at 50 than at 25.
Added to this list is the fact that human beings physique is psycho-physiological
in nature, also we need mental workout.
If you observe the workouts lined out above, none
of them concentrate on psycho or physiological aspect of human body. Yoga is the
only form of exercise designed 5000 years ago (even prevalent today!) which fit
into perfect definition for a personal or group exercise program. The only necessity
being your body and a mattress.
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What is Yoga?
Yoga is a way of life. It is a logical Science, simple
and practical, up-to-date and can be followed by anyone and everyone. Yoga gives
methods for development in physical, mental and spiritual levels. Yoga gives methods
of harmonious living with oneself, society and nature. Yoga comprises of postures
or asanas, breathing techniques or Pranayama and Meditation or Dhyana.
Postures have a corrective action on the functioning
of various glands and massage internal organs like kidneys, stomach, backbone, lungs
etc. They relax and tone up the muscles and the nervous system, stimulate circulation,
stretch stiff ligaments and tendons, limber joints and finally help the mind to
be calm and relaxed, alert to situations and to concentrate better.
Breathing techniques regulate vital energy called
as Prana, which is very important in preventing exhaustion. It increases the capacity
of lungs, regulates rate of breathing and relaxes facial muscles. This pacifies
the organs of perception(smell, touch, sight, hearing and taste) and thus controlling,
calming and elevating the mind.
Meditation helps to analyze one?s personality and
to rise from limitedness to unlimited ness.
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Importance of Breathing
When you are angry or mentally disturbed, your breathing
rate if increased, and you feel a hot flush. This leading to many problems, heartburn,
acidity, increased heart rate, hyper tension, blood pressure, irritated or frayed
nerves, unapproachable person etc. If not trained to channelize or control one will
be left with diseases and no friends. Hence breathing techniques are practiced to
redirect this unnecessary or excess energy.
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Importance of Meditation
Modern living, change happening around us, stress
experienced by tight schedules and dead lines are taking a toll on our minds. Slowing
down in life is essential. Meditation is a tool unaided by any external necessities
helps us to calm, concentrate, channelize, relax and lead us towards divinity.
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List of posture recommended
Standing
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Karma Asana
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Uddayana Mudra
Sitting
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Dirgha Pranama
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Madhumaya Avartha Asana
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Madhumayan Danda
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Padmaasana
Lying Down
1.
Bhujanga Asana
2.
Paschimottana Asana
3.
Sarvanga Asana
4.
Matsya Mudra
5.
Sava Asana
7.
Does food play a role in healthy living?
Food is a vital part of our everyday life. As we awake
we think of breakfast lunch and dinner. One has to take care as to what enters the
body if one is to look smart not only physically but mentally too. Eating habits
affect the whole household.
Despite hundreds of diets, nutritionists and slimming
centers, there is considerable confusion about what constitutes the right diet.
But the fact remains that there is no ideal diet for all people and there is no
formula for a miracle diet. Dieting is temporary, but healthy eating is a lifetime
commitment. Many researchers and food pyramid designed account that proper eating
will not show results unless it is combined with regular, moderate exercise.
The following points give a large outline for a healthy
eating and living
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Staple food should comprise of whole grains
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Eat vegetables and fruits in abundance
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Vegetable oils to be used moderately
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Dairy products, nuts and legumes, fish, poultry,
eggs in small quantities
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White rice, white bread, sweets and meat to
be taken sparingly
8.
How
to incorporate it in daily life?
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Slow down and observe around you
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Exercise once everyday, anytime convenient
to you, it is good if morning or evening when children can be involved
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Cook for health and not for taste
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Enjoy life with a positive attitude, give love
and joy to others, laugh and dance as if there is no next day
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Work as if your life depends on it
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Relax, for the world does not rest on you
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