Benefits of Rajyoga

Raja Yoga, sometimes called the "Royal Yoga" is inclusive of all yogas, and its philosophy goes beyond the boundaries of the many styles of yoga today.

Raja Yoga is also referred to as the Mental Yoga, or the Yoga of the Mind, because of its emphasis on awareness of one's state of mind. It is through this practice of concentration that one learns to calm the mind and bring it to one point of focus.

It is at this point that we direct our attention inwardly, toward our true nature, which is Divine. You can achieve this by following the Eight-Fold Path of Raja Yoga, which includes observation of the following:

* Yamas (Abstentions): Ahimsa (non-injury), Satya (truth), Asetya (non-stealing), Brahmacharya (chastity), Apragraha (non-greed)

* Niyamas (Moral Observations): Susha (purity), Santosha (contentment), Tapas (austerity), Svadhaya (study of the scriptures), Ishvara Pranidhana (surrender to God)

* Asana: Steady pose, posture or seat

* Pranayama: control of vital energy through breathwork

* Pratyahara: Withdrawal of the senses

* Dharana: concentration of the mind

* Dhyana: Meditation

* Samadhi: Enlightenment, union with the Divine

Healthy Foods for Strong Bones

Bones form the basis of our skeletal system, protect our vital organs and define our body shape and size frame. The bones found in our body are alive just like us; they keep on growing, changing in shape, size as we grow old, in fact our height and weight depends on our bones. We have 206 bones in our body, with the spine being made up of 26 bones alone!

Food is needed so that we have the energy or efficiency to perform our bodily actions such as walking, sleeping, running, breathing etc.To maintain healthy and strong bones, it is necessary that we provide proper nutrition to them, following is a list of foods that will help us maintain good healthy and strong bones.

Milk

Regularly drinking milk during the growing years is associated with greater height, bone size and bone mineralization. Milk contains calcium, magnesium, zinc, proteins, fat, sugars, and vitamins A and D, what some call the "perfect package” for bone health.

Yogurt 

If your body doesn't have enough calcium to replace what is removed, your bones can become weak and break easy. Yogurt is a good source of calcium, according to the National Institute of Health Yogurt providing 300 milligrams in a six ounce cup.

Chinese Cabbage

 Chinese cabbage contains plentiful of calcium, whereas vegetables such as turnip greens, broccoli, and spinach provide us with good amount of calcium.

Soy

Soy is the best source of plant nutrients called isoflavones. Along with protein and other vitamins and minerals, isoflavones may combat bone loss as we age.

Nuts and Seeds

Nuts and seeds are anyways loaded with essential nutrients and vitamins. They are highly beneficial to nourish our body. Sunflower seeds, pistachios, and almonds are rich source of calcium, while flax seeds and walnuts are packed with omega- 3 fatty acids, Almonds and peanuts consists good amount of potassium that prevents the loss of calcium through urine. The proteins and nutrients that are present in nuts, helps to construct strong bones.

Sunlight

The sun is technically not a food. However, the sun contains many nutrients found in some foods. In response to sunlight, the body will produce vitamin D. Without vitamin D, your body will not absorb calcium properly. Although milk is often fortified with vitamin D, but there are still not enough to maximize calcium absorption.

Salt water fish

If you want to have healthy bones you should have salt water fish once in a week, Most fish are known to contain high levels of vitamin D, which is required by bones to absorb calcium.

While these are important food items needed to keep our bones healthy, one should not just rely on them wholly, when it comes to the maintenance and health of our bones. Moderate to heavy exercise should complement our bone friendly diet, if we are to have healthy bones!

Turmeric Cure For Allergies

Being a powerful anti-inflammatory agent it helps individuals with rheumatoid arthritis. Turmeric is known to lower Total cholesterol and ldl cholesterol while increasing hdl cholesterol.

It reduces blood sugar level in diabetics It boosts stomach defences against acid. The antioxidant activity of turmeric is mainly associated with its phenolic fraction, curcuminoids, which act as free radical scavengers as well as inhibitors of leukotrienes and prostaglandin synthesis.

Turmeric is one of the best medicinal spices in the world. It is used in cooking for its detox properties to neutralise any toxins if present in the food preparation.

Turmeric is being used in Ayurveda since centuries as an internal medicine for a variety of conditions ranging from allergy to diabetes, and as an external application for beauty as well as in skin disorders and arthritis.

A few simple turmeric remedy for Allergies.

Ground Turmeric and Ground Curry leaves one heaped teaspoon each to be taken together early morning in empty stomach for 3 to 6 weeks. Proven very effective in chronic allergic rhinitis.

Healthy Heart is key to a Healthy Life

The most important factor for heart health is a healthy lifestyle. A healthy lifestyle is the key to preventing heart disease. the earlier healthy habits are embraced, the better.

* General health check-ups after the age of 25 years in case of family history of heart disease.

* Consuming food rich in protein, like fish as Fatty acids found in fish prevents clot formation.

* Maintain good oral hygiene: Studies suggest gingivitis may increase the risk of heart disease and stroke because of the high levels of bacteria found in infected areas of the mouth.

* Meditation: It has a direct impact on one’s blood pressure; there is a significant reduction in the blood pressure levels and is key to a healthy heart.

* Avoiding extreme weather. In the cold weather blood pressure increases harming blood vessels thereby inducing heart attacks.

* Consuming mixed nuts, about 25 gms of walnuts and peanuts as they help in bringing down cholesterol levels and are rich in proteins.

* Starting the day with a spoon full of honey- It reduces the cholesterol in the arteries and prevents heart attack.

* Walking on dew bare feet: Walking restores a sense of balance and brings an inner calm hence it good for the heart.

* Taking a tablet of 10 mg of statin everyday at night (if over the age of 40 and particularly diabetic).It helps to decrease cholesterol and reduce risk of heart attack.

* Brisk walking for at least 30 minutes early in the morning since it reduces the affects of pollution on the heart, which are more likely during the evening hours.