Wellness Voice

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Yoga for Fitness, Wellness, Mental health & a Flexible Body

Cass Naumann talks about yoga, the benefits of yoga and yoga meditation & demonstrates different yoga positions and poses.

A yoga workout can lower stress, improve health, increase mental Wellness, give one a more flexible & sexy body.

Cass is a singer, songwriter, model and actress.
Cass has years of experience as a fitness instructor teaching yoga, kick boxing, pilates.

You can visit Cass’ website at

http://www.lovecass.com/

Music By Jimmy Gelhaar

http://myspace.com/bonjimmy

http://youtube.com/jgelhaar

This video was produced by psychetruth

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People suffer from extremely busy days that usually lead to extremely “busy” nights. Instead of going to sleep, the vast majority of today’s working professionals select to do something else, like watching TV until the early morning hours instead of sleeping properly, due to stress and anxiety problems. But, one should keep in mind that sleep is a necessity, not a luxury. Having a good night’s sleep is just as crucial to maintaining Wellness as is following a healthy diet and performing the proper amount of exercise.

Apart from being a healing process, sleep is also an invigorating one. Researchers examining the human brain while asleep have found that it is cycling through three stages of sleep; light, deep and REM. During these stages the human organism gets restored, it rejuvenates and it also becomes stronger. In addition, the human immune system gets recharged, as cells grow and repair themselves, and the human body conserves energy that will be needed later while a person is again awake.

Unfortunately, due to the heavy schedules and the daily problems people have to face, many do not value their bodies’ sleeping needs. Nowadays, as everything stays open later than in the past, many individuals select to sacrifice their night’s sleep for another dance at the local club, a late-night movie, a work project due or a few more hours of exercise in the gym. Instead of investing this time available to sleep and provide to their organism time to heal, people prefer to do other activities that seem more important or interesting. What they may not realize is that lack of sleep takes a toll on their mental and physical well-being. According to various studies, like the one the National Sleep Foundation performs frequently, even minimal sleep loss has a profoundly detrimental impact on mood, cognition, performance, productivity, communication skills, accident rates and general health status. Thus, it is important for people to know that for optimal functioning throughout the day, the average adult needs between seven to nine hours of sleep during the night.

But, some people lack their normal sleeping patterns not because of choice, but due to a condition. Million of people worldwide for example, suffer from insomnia today. For these people, using medication-whether based on a doctor’s prescription or not-is crucial to aid their night’s sleep. Thus, if one suspects that the problems she or he has sleeping could be linked to a health condition like insomnia, it is imperative to visit a doctor’s office, if the following tips do not bring sleep back into their lives.

- Avoid caffeinated food and beverages, like coffee, teas, chocolate, and soft drinks, for at least three hours before bedtime. Instead try a cup of warm milk.

- Exercise regularly, but do not perform any workout before bedtime for at least three hours.

- Check the mattress and be sure it supports your whole body. Flip it periodically.

- Develop a ritual before bedtime and perform it daily. Warm baths, reading, listening to soft calming music, are some of the things that can relax your mind and let it rest.

- Sleep in a quiet and comfortable room. Noise, light, temperature can reduce your sleep duration and quality.

- Go to bed and wake up the same time every day. When your sleep cycle has a regular rhythm you will feel better.

Kadence Buchanan

http://www.articlesbase.com/careers-articles/beauty-sleep-63422.html

Now you don’t even have to leave your home to purchase from our extensive range of essential oils; Baldwin’s now offer the largest selection of essential oils online in the UK. As well as selling essential oils for aromatherapy, we also sell our own-prepared blends of massage oils as part of our Synergy Range.

Essential oils are now a major part of our stock and we have the biggest stock available online anywhere in the UK. Our list of essential oils in extensive, including oils such as geranium essential oil and eucalyptus essential oil.

Geranium essential oil and eucalyptus essential oil are both extracted from their plants using steam distillation. This process is used to maximise the freshness and potency of the oils extracted; many organic compounds – such as botanical oils – break down at consistently high temperatures. The introduction of steam into the process results in vapours which are cooled and then separated into their constituent parts: water and the essential oil. These can then be separated.

Our eucalyptus essential oil is Portuguese in origin. It has a distinct fragrance that makes it excellent as an aromatherapy oil and it is soothing to the skin. It can also be used as an effective insect-repellent. Eucalyptus has also been used in medicine for many years as a decongestant; a few drops in a hot bath will help clear your head of all the stuffiness that comes with a cold.

Our essential oils online and from our UK shop are affordable and come in various forms. Our Diluted Essential Oils are a cost-effective way of enjoying expensive aromatherapy oils and consist of 90% jojoba base oil and 10% essential oils. They come in 10ml bottles and a variety of perfumes, from Carnation to Turkish Rose. However, even the prices of our essential oils for aromatherapy are very low and this is due to the fact that we buy in large quantities directly from the producers and decant the essential oils ourselves.

We have a range of essential oils that literally runs from A to Z, and you can buy any of these essential oils online in the UK. The list is quite surprising and if you are unsure of the oils that would be best for you, simply contact us by telephone or by email and we will be delighted to offer our advice and experience.

As the biggest supplier of essential oils online in the UK, we also offer a range of organic essential oils that are backed by the Soil Association. Call Baldwin’s today or browse our website; we work hard to help you relax.

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Earlier, a spa was referred to as a resort with mineral springs or a whirlpool bath where a device is used for aerating and swirling water. But over the years, the spa has come to be known as a place to relax and rejuvenate your senses through massage and an assortment of body relaxing substances. A spa, today, can easily be termed as a synonym of therapeutic healing and health maintenance.

A spa-goer must be able to put a finger on exactly what he/she expects, since spa has now become a blanket term for a number of professional services. A peek into the types of spas and the services they offer are worthy of a second look by any spa-goer. Spas can be broadly classified into day spas, mobile spas, destination spas, eco spas, mineral health spas, medical spas, resort /hotel spas and club spas. Depending upon whether you are interested in pampering you senses, authentic therapy, holistic healing, activity, or simply a deluxe treatment, it is important tot choose the right spa.

Day spa

Starting from half an hour treatments to full day treatments, a day spa is the place to head to if you are looking at a quick break from your routine. These spas do not offer accommodation and are sited at stand alone locations, or shopping centers, airports, and hotels. The menu generally offers the classic European facial, therapeutic body massage, body wraps, plus hand and foot treatments. Some others also offer hair treatments. Any hair or beauty salon, health center or Wellness clinic, which provides a minimum of one hydrotherapy treatment comes under the day spa.

Mobile spa

Fast gaining popularity, mobile spas are ‘come home’ spas. They offer their services at a venue of your convenience and are a great way to enjoy a relaxing massage I the comfort of your home. Alternatively, you can treat yourself and a group of friends to the luxury of a spa treatment.

Destination spa

Apart from focusing on the treatments and therapies, a destination spa also carefully chooses its location, so as to offer the benefits of a complete retreat for its customers. The scenic locales that generally house a destination spa complement the state of your mind. These spas are known to offer holistic treatments including a spa cuisine, total health and fitness, and rejuvenating therapies including acupuncture, aromatherapy, detox, body tanning and body wraps. It is a center to interact with like minded and fitness conscious people where guidance is offered on lifestyle improvement, meditation and overall well being.

Eco spa

These are meant for environment conscious populace. They concentrate on using eco friendly substances for treatments and therapies apart from displaying eco friendliness in everything from the building material to the cleaning systems used. Eco spas may also support environment projects such as water harvesting plants, lighting projects and are known to use eco friendly water.

Mineral health spa

Minerals have been known as the source of life since time immemorial. Abundantly strewn with medicinal properties, mineral water helps in rebuilding worn out muscles, expediting metabolism, and accelerating the healing process by improving blood circulation and detoxifying the body. Typically located within a hotel or a resort, a mineral health spa allows access to the miraculous water either on a daily basis or more frequently.

Medical spa

Apart from the regular spa therapies, a medical spa offers preventive healthcare, cosmetic procedures, conventional and modern medicine under the direction of reputed medical professionals. Weight maintenance therapies, skin and hair care therapies, and hair removal treatments are also a part of a medical spa. Weeklong programs are often carried out to help varied requirements including quitting smoking.

Resort/hotel spa

A resort or hotel spa is basically a hotel with an attached spa – it therefore is primarily concerned with accommodation rather than well being. Having said this, it is also a perfect blend of activities teamed with spa treatments. The spa services are offered so as to complement golf, horse riding, tennis, water sports and surfing, and skiing. It is more like a holiday destination where whole families can look forward to indulging in their favorite activity.

Club spa

Usually open only to club members, it is a fitness centre with added-on spa facilities. Apart from the regular facilities that a day spa offers, a club spa will house a swimming pool, a sauna and a steam room.

Cruise spa

A cruise spa has to be necessarily located on a cruise ship. Though the unrestricted food and drink on board is a deterrent to good eating habits and can send your diet on a spree, you will enjoy the festive ambience followed by soothing therapies.

Meditation

Meditation is seducing the soul towards a better life. It is a thoughtful reflection of god and His creation. A brainstorming of utmost supremacy. A quiet ambience and a focused mind kindle the soul to connect with your inner being. This is meditation. Not only does it release the inner knowledge to help you lead a more meaningful life, but it also assists you in recharging your latent potential. By setting aside a regular time and place for meditation, you meticulously proceed towards retarding the incessant meanderings of the mind. This increases your concentration on more meaningful things and helps you gain inner peace. A regular meditator is then led to self inquisition, which is the beginning of the journey within one’s own self.

Ashish Bhattacharya

http://www.articlesbase.com/alternative-medicine-articles/spa-therapies-and-meditation-82317.html

Essential oils, also known as volatile or ethereal oils are complex hydrophobic liquids with strong aroma. They are very volatile and complex in nature. Essential oils are concentrated extracts of flowers, spices, roots, fruits and leaves. Mostly, essential oils can be obtained by distillation. Besides you can also use expression or solvent extraction. They are used in cosmetics, perfumes and cosmetics. In order to get the maximum benefit from essential oils, it is important to use pure essential oils.

Some of the following tips will help you shop for the best quality essential oils:

• Try to purchase essential oils from a reputable source: It is important to buy essential oils from a well known source, so that you do not get poor quality. Unfortunately, they are often diluted, cut, extended or altered in one form or the other that leads to impurity in the quality of essential oils. It is advisable to use pure, natural essential oils for health purposes. Make sure you ask the seller if he has the oils that are tested by an independent lab using Gas Chromatography or Mass Spectrometry. This test helps to identify the purity of oil and authenticity. It is observed that sellers who believe in communicating with their suppliers and maintain a close connection tend to get the oils tested. It helps them obtain pure products. Buying oils from a place of repute saves you from major disappointment regarding quality.

• Never buy oils that are stored in plastic or transparent containers: Essential oils tend to lower the quality of the plastic material. Therefore, it should be sold and stored in glass containers only. Moreover, the glass container in which you wish to store essential oils should be dark in color, as light tends to affect the quality fo the essential oils.

• Always enquire about the purity of the oil and the place from where the seller bought it. Besides you should also ask about the botanical plant names for the essential oil. Try to get answer for all such questions. If the seller happens to answer them correctly then you can be sure that he has clear knowledge about essential oils.

• Always be on the lookout for synthetic essential oils. Many such oils are lilac, rain, carnation, strawberry or cucumber. As these oils are synthetic, it could mean that rest of the oils will also be synthetic.

• Try to check for purity: It is important to identify pure essential oils. In order to do so put a drop of essential oil on a paper and check if it evaporates immediately or not. Ideally, it should evaporate without leaving any oily mark, as soon as it is put on paper. If it leaves a mark it means it is made with vegetable oil.

• Fragrance oils, synthetic oils or perfume oils do not belong to the category of essential oils. These oils should not be substituted for essential oils, particularly when they are used for health related purposes. Fragrance oils do not have any therapeutic value and can often lead to sensitization and adverse reactions in many people.

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Yogini Shiva Rea talks about the spirituality of India

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The odoriferous substances (Essential oils) themselves are formed in the chloroplasts of the leaves where they combine with glucose to form glucides and are then circulated around the plant in this form. At certain times of the day or year they are stored in particular parts of the plant.

In some plants, the essential oils are produced by the secretory tissues, and in others they are combined with glycosides, and are therefore not detectable until the plant is dried or crushed, e.g.: Valerian

Essential oils are considered to be an important part of the plant’s metabolism: some have hormonal activity and others are a stage in some other process, e.g.: the oil found in the rind of the orange is a stage in Vitamin A synthesis.

Essential oils can be found in almost any part of the plant, in differing concentrations, depending on the plant itself, the time of day and year. They may be found in the roots (e.g.: Calamus and Valerian), flowers (e.g. Lavender, Rose,), bark (e.g. Sandalwood, Cedarwood), fruits (e.g.: Lemon, Cardamom, Orange), berries (e.g. Juniper), leaves (e.g. Thyme, Rosemary, Sage).

Plants which contain essences must be picked at the correct time of day and in the correct season, and in particular weather conditions in order that a maximum yield of the essential oils can be obtained, and of course, as with all medicinal or nutritional plants, soil conditions, and climatic conditions will also dictate the quality of the oils obtained.

Heavy, concentrated oils are called ABSOLUTES e.g.: Rose, Jasmine, Oils which are solid at room temperature and which must be warmed before use are called BALSAMS, e.g.: Benzoin and Camphor.

HOW DO ESSENTIAL OILS WORK?

Essential oils are known to have an effect on us in three different, but overlapping, ways.

a) On the physical body, both locally and systemically, via the lymphatic and blood circulation.

b) On the mind and emotions via the Sense of Smell and the Limbic System.

c) On the “Etheric Energy System” of the body via the energy vibration of the individual oils themselves.

The Way Essential Oils Effect the Physical Body

When Essential oils are applied to the surface of the body, either via Massage, Baths, Compresses, Creams or Lotions, they will have an effect locally (i.e. the site at which they are applied), and Systemically (i.e. throughout the body). The Systemic effect occurs when essential oils are absorbed through the skin into the Lymphatic Circulation, and they are then dumped from the Lymphatic circulation into the blood stream.

Once the oils are circulating in the blood, they are carried to their TARGET ORGAN/S, where they exert a therapeutic effect on the specific tissues. Every Essential oil has its own Target Organ, e.g. Juniper oil targets the urinary tract and kidneys in particular, with secondary effects on the Digestive, Respiratory and Reproductive Systems. Chamomile Oil targets the Nervous System via which it can then exert a broad effect on many other body Systems, like the Digestive Tract for example.

Even when Essential oils are inhaled only, say in the form of a steam inhalation for a cold or as a fumigator for a background “psychological” effect, the oils will be absorbed across the mucous membranes of the Respiratory Tract and lungs into the blood stream, where once again, they can travel around the body very rapidly.

If Essential Oils are taken orally, their absorption through the Mucosa of the stomach and into the blood is very rapid. Very few essential oils are actually ‘digested’, which is fortunate as their Therapeutic principles may well be altered if this were the case.

The reason why Essential Oils behave in this manner in the body is because the molecules of which they are composed are organic molecules and very small indeed. Below are some of the more common Therapeutic Properties which can be obtained by using Essential Oils.

SOME THERAPEUTIC PROPERTIES OF ESSENTIAL OILS

1. ANTISEPTIC

All essential oils are to a greater or lesser extent ANTISEPTIC. This is one of their most important and valuable properties. This broad description of ANTISEPSIS includes anti viral, antifungal, anti-bacterial and general anti-microbial activity which is found in such oils as: Lemon, Thyme, Tea Tree, Garlic, Eucalyptus, Cinnamon, Pine, Lavender and Sandalwood.

2. ANTI-INFLAMMATORY

Oils with this property help to ease inflammation. The symptoms of inflammation are typified by pain, redness, swelling, and partial or total loss of function of the tissue involved. Examples of oils with this property are Chamomile, Rose, Lavender, Sandalwood, Myrrh and Benzoin.

3. CYTOPHYLACTIC

Restoration of tissue function and regeneration of cells is another outstanding property of essential oils. Oils such as Pine, Basil and Rosemary are known to restore function to the adrenal glands, Jasmine, Cypress, and Ylang Ylang restore function of reproductive endocrine glands, lavender and chamomile stimulate cell regeneration in the skin.

4. SEDATIVE

Essential oils may also have a pronounced effect on the nervous system by producing relaxation, pain relief and relieving muscle spasm. Oils with these properties include Lavender, Neroli, Rose, Geranium and Ylang Ylang.

However, the most outstanding property possessed by essential oils is their antiseptic/antigenetic properly.

This is well documented in Dr Jean Valnet’s book, “The Practice of Aromatherapy” and he discusses at length the effects of specific oils in relation to the control of extremely virulent microbes like Meningitis bacteria, Golden Staphylococcus bacteria and typhoid bacteria.

In your Reading for Week One, in the Chapter entitled “The Healing Power of Plants”, from Valnet’s book, there are extensive references to the many ways in which essential oils can affect the physical body.

It is critical to your full understanding and appreciation of Essential Oil Therapy that you appreciate the ways in which essential oils can have both a healing and preventive role in diseases involving invasion of the body by microbes.