Tag Archives: body

Master Of Meditation

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Hello everyone. Did the title of this blog post get you? Sorry, it won’t be about the master of meditation but it will be about my thoughts and experience on meditation. Feel free to keep reading or if you aren’t interested, check out our other posts!!

Anyways, during my sophomore year in college, I had taken a class on religions of the world. Three fourths of the way through the class, there was an assignment that required us students to physically attend a religious event at a site of our choice. My friend, Nancy, and I decided to go to the Zen Meditation session at Bluestone Zen Practice Community (dedicated to the practice of Zen and the fundamentals of Buddhism). I never really thought about how hard meditation could be. It just seemed so easy, having to sit most of the time. After this session and lessons from class, I realized that meditation was more than just having your eyes closed and breathing.

Nancy and I entered the building not knowing what to expect. It was around 7am so there were no lights turned on. Curtains were not put up either so it created darker/dimmed lighting. Candles were lit and it was quiet, but in a way where everything just seemed so soothing and peaceful. The session finally started when it was time. We all sat on a pillow on the floor. There wasn’t much talking at all and so Nancy and I just did our best to follow along. The whole experience was eye opening, showing me that there is so much more to it. Having to clear my mind while meditating was so much harder than I thought. I kept talking to myself in my head and thinking about trying not to think. I just couldn’t seem to clear my mind, and still haven’t mastered it. In the end, I appreciated the art of meditating a lot more. I definitely saw how this could be a really good routine for my body and mind.

After reading the article written by Dr. Sanjay Gupta on lessons from meditating with the Dalai Lama, it made me feel a sense of comfort and happiness. He talked about how he had a personal one-on-one meditation session with the Dalai Lama. The part that I loved from his article was the part where he talked about how the Dalai Lama smiled and laughed while replying back with “After doing daily for 60 years, it is still hard.” I felt so comforted that someone as holy as the Dalai Lama was so sweet and encouraging. The overall article also talked about how Dr. Sanjay Gupta became a changed man because of this experience and the decision of applying what he learned to his everyday life routine.

Giving things a chance before judging was the reminder that came to me after this experience and again, after reading this article. Meditation is a way to calm the mind and help people with their body. It is just so cool to me now because there is such a deep meaning to it, and it helps a person in so many ways. Keeping the body healthy and staying in shape is so important but sometimes we forget to help the mind. Definitely give meditation a try. It won’t be easy but it will definitely benefit and satisfy you.

 

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I highly recommend you to read Dr. Sanjay Gupta’s article. Click the link below to go directly to the webpage.

http://www.cnn.com/2017/02/15/health/sanjay-gupta-dalai-lama-meditation/index.html

9 Ways to Flatten Belly Without Dieting & Exercise

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Achieving a better body is a challenge for anyone because we are all different. Some things may work for another person, but not for you. It is hard to find motivation to start working out and dieting. But don’t worry, there are some other steps you can take to feel more confident. Here are some ways in which you can easily achieve those goals:

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1. What about the body posture? “Yes, needless to say that having a good and perfect posture will surely reflect a better figure and diet. Kim Lyons, a Biggest Loser coach, says that straightening up your body will not only be good for our bones but also for our physique. “When your posture is good, you’re automatically engaging and toning your stomach muscles.” He advised that if you tend to forget to stand up straight, sticky notes that are strategically placed will constantly remind you. It’s not bad to try this at all. It may come difficult and tiring at first but trust me you’ll get used to it.”

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2. Bowel movements? “You definitely need to take bad toxins and wastes out of your body. Train yourself to have a bowel deposit every day. This will help you avoid feeling bloated and constipated. It’s also a good way to list in your daily routine for a good diet planning.”

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3. Drink more water! “Try to at least drink 7-8 glasses of water a day. Keep all the fluids coming! It’s also helpful for your body so that it’ll flush away those toxins. Who knew that water therapy is the best diet for a flat tummy.”

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4. Eating healthier is always a plus! “Many of us don’t know about how to properly eat our food. Some just scarf down the meals meaning they just eat the food really fast and hastily. The right way is to chew each bite or intake at least 8-10 times before swallowing. Dr. Reichman says,” The body has to work overtime to break down good in the stomach and intestines, which can lead to major gas and indigestion.” In addition to this, when you’re eating fast, you’re actually swallowing some air too which could be a cause for developing a round stomach. So, chew your food thoroughly and don’t gulp. Take your time to eat the food.”

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5. Walking is exercise? “Now, you might say that walking is an exercise, and yes it truly is! But to take a walk is already part in our everyday lives and we can’t get rid of it knowing that it is really helpful in burning some fats plus it helps you take toxins and ailments out of your body. “Try to squeeze in a 30-minute walk daily. The simple boost in metabolism will help you burn the waistline fat more efficiently. And if you want to work out, skip those gadgets that promise “miraculous abs in minutes”. Remember that you don’t get things easily. You need to work hard for it. And going for a basic exercise such as walking will give you better results.”

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6. Does taking supplements help too? “C.W. Randolph, M.D., author of From Belly Fat to Belly Flat, says that excess estrogen causes the body to retain fat around the waist. The supplements, calcium D-glucarate ( 1,000 milligrams ) and B- complex, have been shown to help you excrete the hormone, which can cause to a reduced belly fats around the stomach.”

Of course, do your research and make sure that supplements you take are good for your body. And read the directions on how many you can take per day because taking too much of anything can do more bad than good.

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7. Chewing gum less is a good thing? “Researchers at the American College of Gastroenterology say that chewing a gum is also swallowing some air which can also lead to an increase size in the middle. Plus, some artificial sweeteners, such as sorbitol that is found in some gums, give out gas.”

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8. What should I eat more of? “Probiotics are ‘good’ bacteria that help your digestive system break down food, preventing the gastrointestinal issues that can keep you from having a flat stomach,” says Jonny Bowden, Ph.D. He suggests that we should consume a daily serving of probiotic-rich food like yogurt, ginger beer, mild, dark chocolate or taking supplements containing at least 50 milligrams of probiotics.

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9. Time to relax? Dr. Reichman says that when you’re completely frazzled, your body increases the production of stress horomones and sterious, which negatively affects your digestive system, causing a major constipation. Did you know that stress pumps up the production of cortisol, a steroid hormone, which sends excess fat directly to the midsection of your body. He greatly recommends you to take at least 20 minutes a day to relax and go for something that minimizes your stress.

Information and picture belongs to original source.

Running Time!

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Running is one of the oldest ways of exercising and has been proven to be very effective for maintaining an active lifestyle. People have been doing it for exercising, hunting, and sporting events. It is something that most people can do and fit into their schedule. Here are some tips on how to start:

  1. Stretching is very important before doing any work out! Whether you’re planning to run for 15 minutes or longer, it is good for you to stretch your muscle to relieve muscle tensions, lessen possible sore muscles, and prevent muscle cramping.
  2. Drink lots of water! Do it before, during, and after you have run. Besides the obvious fast paced breathing for oxygen, water is another important source for your body to reboot itself.
  3. Running is cardio work out! If you’re looking to lose weight, running is a great way to do it! You will have to work around and understand how your body loses and gains weight. The best combination to losing weight is dieting and sticking to a exercise schedule. Of course, a mix of cardio exercising will help your body more than just running.
  4. Wear proper work out gears! Some clothes, accessories, and shoes are better suited for working out because of the technology and material behind it. They are made to help absorb the sweat and give you more comfort while working out. And they can somewhat motivate you to work out even more.
  5. It’s great for the body and soul! Exercising helps decrease stress and raise your brain activity. When you are engaging in physical activities, it helps pump more blood, raise your heart beat, and release brain chemicals that makes you feel better. So you are helping yourself destress, losing calories, and incorporating more positive feelings into yourself.

Eating Traditional is Healthy!

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Asian Americans who grew up in the U.S. have been influenced over their lifetime of how to eat healthy. The American diet is shown in a food pyramid that doesn’t really represent or incorporate foods from other cultures. Many people choose to mix in both diet and switch other things. But did you know that many Asian cultures actually have a healthy diet too? Here’s an example of what many Asian foods consist of.

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So what are the main differences between the two diets?

1. One difference between Western and Eastern diet is at the bottom of the pyramid. Westerns tend to eat more grains, oats, and more. While the Eastern diet consist majorly of rice, noodles, and tofu. A great change to make in your diet is to eat 100% whole grain/wheat breads and switching from white rice to brown rice can be a healthier choice.

2. In many Asian dishes, there is usually vegetables/fruits mixed in or as side dishes. In Japan, even fruits can be seen as deserts and served to children after dinner. Western dishes don’t usually include side dishes and whenever there is some, they are usually considered a full entree plate. It’s just more common for Asians to eat vegetables and fruits on a daily basis due to the different types of cuisines and culture.

3. Some people eat meat daily, rarely, and sometimes, always. The point is that everyone eats meat differently and at a different rate. In many cultures, meat was perceived as a luxury food and only available to the middle to rich classes. But in these days, it is something that everyone can have easy access to and it has become affordable.

4. One of the biggest differences between the American diet compared to Eastern diet is that the Eastern diet consist less processed food than the American diet. It could because of culture differences since America was built upon the slogan of ‘bigger and faster things can produce, the better’. In the U.S., it is much harder to find organic or fresh produces that are not being sent of to large groceries or being very expensive. In Eastern cultures, foods are usually home cooked with organic or local produces from their markets. It could because that they do have better access to fresh produces like fruits, veggies, fishes, and more.

Push for No More Tobacco

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From http://www.hhs.gov./

Source: Johnston, L. D., O’Malley, P. M., Bachman, J. G., & Schulenberg, J. E. (2014). Monitoring the Future national survey results on adolescent drug use, 1975-2013: Volume I, Secondary school students. Ann Arbor: Institute for Social Research, The University of Michigan.

Over the last 40 years, the use of tobacco has steadily decreased due to many enforcement of laws, regulations, government and local support, and established health awareness programs. But the concern is now focused on teens and adults who are still buying and using tobacco in different forms. Once someone has used tobacco, they could eventually or become immediately addicted to nicotine.

So what are the trends of using tobacco besides smoking tobacco:

  • Oral tobacco products that dissolves in the user’s mouth; they still contain tobacco properties that puts the user’s health at risk and they can come in different forms and flavors.
  • Hookah is a mouth piece smoking pipe that is commonly popular among teens and is used among groups where they pass it on to each other. Not only is it not sanitary of bodily fluids, it is technically like smoking a cigarette where the toxins are released and inhaled into the body.
  • Smokeless tobacco is in the form where tobacco can be sniffed and chewed. “For smokeless tobacco use, the highest rates of initiation are in the seventh through 11th grades. Although approximately equal proportions of male and female adolescents smoke cigarettes, users of smokeless tobacco products are nearly all males.” – http://www.hhs.gov/
  • E-cigarette is a cigarette that can be used electronically to vaporized a liquid that gives off the feeling that one is smoking tobacco. Although e-cigarettes has no tobacco, they still contain nicotine.

Sometimes, people don’t understand the consequences of using tobacco. The fact that tobacco was scientifically proven to lead to other cancer diseases and cause the user to have other health related problems is already a concern. We can’t stop the production of tobacco, but at least try to educate the public what tobacco can do to the body.

  • Increases the risk of almost every organ disease such as the mouth, bladder, stomach, lung, heart, kidney, and more.
  • Worsen asthma symptoms
  • Nicotine is scientifically proven to be a addictive stimulant and can cause people to rely on it for temporarily relaxation
  • Affects the body’s sexual, thyroid, pituitary, and adrenal hormones
  • Affects the production and sensitivity of insulin that could lead to type 2 diabetes and other potential health issues
  • Trying to quit smoking tobacco can cause physical reactions such as strong cravings for the substance, an increased appetite, insomnia and sleep disturbances, gastrointestinal problems and mood-related complaints including anxiety, anger and frustration, depression, irritability and restlessness. –  [source: MayoClinic]” – http://science.howstuffworks.com

So before using tobacco in any way of any form, think about how it could affect you, your body, and your health in the long term.

 

Fitness Is Fun!

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Help improve your health physically and mentally by doing fun exercises! It’s never too late to take a step towards a healthy living lifestyle. Many studies all over the world has shown that people who exercises on a daily basis tend to be healthier and happier. Why? Exercising can help reduce stress hormones in your body like adrenaline and cortisol. It also promote your body to produce more of endorphins that can help raise your happiness, activity, and decrease your overall stress level. Here are some great resources to check out!

Want to know more information? The more information you know, the better you understand how your body works!

Reference: https://www.presidentschallenge.org/

E-mail at info@presidentschallenge.org for more information and questions.