Raja yoga is about quieting the body in order to free the mind. Image Credit: TheaDesign/iStock/Getty Images Although in western culture yoga is mainly regarded as a form of exercise, many forms of yoga are purely mental or spiritual practices. Raja Yoga encompasses both body and mind, but the emphasis is on mental and spiritual development. Its purpose, according to its progenitor, the Indian sage Patanjali, is to unite the practitioner with the higher self....
A young woman is training her back muscles at the gym. Image Credit: frenky362/iStock/Getty Images Well-conditioned biceps will help you do pullups, enhance the strength of your back muscles and reduce your risk of injury if you play a racket sport or throw a ball repetitively. Training your biceps with another muscle maximizes your workout time and will help you balance the strength of your upper body muscles. Advertisement Considerations Training your biceps should depend largely on your intent....
A gas stove can run on either propane or natural gas. Image Credit: krblokhin/iStock/GettyImages In This Article Gas vs. Propane Using a Propane Stove vs. Gas Your Stove Safety Considerations Choosing If you use a gas stove in your kitchen, chances are, it's powered by natural gas rather than propane. Advertisement "Propane is more portable, which is why it's used a lot for barbecues, camping stoves and food trucks," explains professional chef and former restaurant owner Sylvia Fountaine, the CEO and founder of Feasting at Home....
Yawning occurs during exercise for several reasons. Yawning is involuntary -- just try not doing it -- and is even somewhat contagious. Ever see someone else yawn and then found yourself yawning, as well? But yawning during exercise can occur for a variety of reasons, including fatigue or level of exertion. Although most reasons for yawning are harmless, some may indicate a more serious condition. Contact your physician if you experience excessive yawning during physical activity....
It is important to have proper form when you swim. Image Credit: efenzi/E+/GettyImages Swimming is a low-impact activity that is typically recommended when a person experiences back pain. Although swimming for back pain can be a good option, like many other exercises, it can have adverse effects when performed with improper form. This includes placing strain on your back. Certain swimming strokes, such as the breaststroke, are more likely to cause back pain....
Hard-boiled eggs make a nutritious addition to any diet. Image Credit: mg7/iStock/GettyImages While eggs are back on the good-for-you list, they are not a magical weight-loss food. However, as protein-rich fare, they may offer some benefits that can help you reach your weight goals when part of a healthy and balanced diet. Advertisement Consult your doctor to discuss how hard-boiled eggs fit into your health plan. Video of the Day Read more: 9 Things You May Not Know About Eggs Tip While consuming eggs won’t make you magically lose weight, they are a healthy protein source that can help you feel fuller....
Pushups alone aren't enough to get rid of man boobs. Image Credit: Javier Snchez Mingorance / EyeEm/EyeEm/GettyImages No man seeks to acquire “moobs” and a flabby chest. Your man boobs aren’t just a fitness failure, however. Gynaecomastia, in which a male’s breasts swell and look larger than normal, can occur because of a hormone imbalance — such as during puberty — drug reactions or genetics, as well as due to obesity....
Reheating leftovers is a quick and easy way to enjoy a meal without starting from scratch. Image Credit: MarianVejcik/iStock/GettyImages Reheating leftovers is a quick and easy way to enjoy a meal without starting from scratch. You can even microwave soup for a healthy meal in minutes. Though there are many ways to reheat leftovers, the best way to heat up soup at work or school is to pop it in the microwave....
The Total Gym home fitness system is a weight-training machine, sold most prominently through infomercials. You can use the Total Gym to train your arms, shoulders, chest, back, abs and legs. The Total Gym has more than 100 exercises to choose from. Use the Total Gym three to four days each week for one to two sets of 15 to 25 reps, if you are a beginner, or one to three sets of 12 to 20 reps if you are an intermediate exerciser....
Image Credit: Saklakova/iStock/Getty Images You need a certain amount of calories for basic bodily functions, what's referred to as your basal metabolic rate, or BMR. You also need calories to burn for the activities of daily living, such as preparing a meal, folding the laundry or brushing your teeth. Most people who don't do any extra exercise use between 1,800 to 2,600 calories a day depending on their sex and size....
Is walking up hills bad for knees? Not if you take time to stretch and strengthen your leg muscles. Image Credit: adamkaz/E+/GettyImages Walking makes you feel great. It boosts your energy, lifts your mood and revs up your metabolism. However, knee pain walking uphill (or downhill) can also leave you ready to permanently park your walking shoes. Advertisement Knee pain while walking uphill is usually caused by one of a few common knee problems....
Your microwave can make a high-protein breakfast in minutes, almost zero prep required. Image Credit: PeteerS/iStock/GettyImages If you’re having a stressful morning, sometimes even the thought of making breakfast is overwhelming. But when you omit your a.m. meal, you miss out on some major health benefits. Advertisement Indeed, a robust breakfast (compared to a large dinner) may boost your metabolism, hinder high blood sugar and obesity and curb your appetite and cravings, according to a February 2020 study published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism....
Fish such as salmon contain healthy omega-3 fatty acids. Image Credit: Comstock Images/Stockbyte/Getty Images If you’re concerned about red meat or want to change your dietary patterns to decrease your dependence on this form of protein, you still have lots of dietary options. Protein is an important component of a healthy diet, and you can find many other options to meat, such as poultry or fish. Advertisement Making the Switch Red meat comprises beef, pork, lamb and less common forms, such as bison and venison....
Exposure to blue-green algae can sometimes result in pneumonia. Image Credit: Photos.com/Photos.com/Getty Images Pneumonia is a long-lasting, often severe and occasionally fatal lower-respiratory illness. It can occur in one or both lungs and make it difficult for a person to go about daily life. For swimmers and other athletes who need to have their lungs and respiratory tracts fully functional to do their best at their sport, pneumonia can be incredibly disruptive....
Muscles burn after a workout as the body begins the repair process. Image Credit: PeopleImages/iStock/GettyImages If you work out too long or too vigorously, you set up a scenario for injury. Muscle injury typically includes symptoms such as pain, swelling and a burning sensation. Advertisement Muscle injuries can occur at any fitness level, but a beginner is more likely to experience muscle burning after a workout simply because his body has not had sufficient time to adapt to the demands of exercise....
Weight loss doesn't need to negatively affect your chest. Image Credit: Felix Clinton/Stone/Getty Images You’re thrilled with the prospect of losing weight and creating a new physique, but you’re not so jazzed about the possibility that your breasts may sag if you lose weight. Advertisement Yo-yo dieting exacerbates the natural sag that results from gravity, pregnancy, breast-feeding and adolescent growth spurts. But a serious change in your breast shape isn't inevitable with sensible weight loss....
Can you do lunges every day? Or a better question: Should you do lunges every day? Image Credit: LIVESTRONG.com Creative What Really Happens to Your Body When examines the head-to-toe effects of common behaviors, actions and habits in your everyday life. Second only to squats (and maybe deadlifts), lunges are one of the most functional exercises you can do. They work the same muscles you use to climb up stairs, step over the pile of laundry you’re trying to ignore or walk your dog around the neighborhood....
Jump rope is a great way to help improve your vertical leap. Image Credit: Cavan Images/Cavan/GettyImages Dunking in basketball requires explosive vertical leaping ability, but with some training many players can see an increase in the height they can achieve on their jump. Muscles need to be strong, but they also need to be trained for quick, explosive bursts of power as part of your dunking workout. Advertisement Deep knee bends, jumping rope and training various jumps are among the best exercises to dunk in basketball....
Gaining muscle Image Credit: Halfpoint Images/Moment/GettyImages Growing bigger, stronger muscles requires feeding a growing appetite. Advertisement After all, you need ample fuel to power your workouts and replenish nutrients to build major gains, so is it really possible to gain muscle and stay lean? Advertisement Finding the perfect strength training regimen and diet plan for your body may take some trial and error, but it is possible to be lean and muscular....
references American Heart Association: "Healthy Cooking Oils" Mayo Clinic: "Omega-3 in fish: How eating fish helps your heart" Build your grocery list with these best products at Whole Foods. Image Credit: LIVESTRONG.com Creative Image Credit: LIVESTRONG.com Creative Pantry Staples Frozen Foods Snacks Dairy and Alternatives Meal Starters Fresh Items We spoke to nine different registered dietitians for their favorite staples at Whole Foods. Here, they share the items they personally buy for their own households and why....
