http://www.articletrader.com/ Articles at ArticleTrader en-us http://www.articletrader.com/health/alternative/make-way-for-alternative-health-care-research.html http://www.articletrader.com/health/alternative/make-way-for-alternative-health-care-research.html Mon, 20 Nov 2006 00:00:00 -0600
The research is not a matter of which is better among the two; instead, it focuses more on how to give the people more treatment options. Through the years, more and more consumers are looking for natural treatments, which are as effective but do not have as much side effects as traditional treatments. Of course, part of their reason to prefer alternative medicine is economical. Consumers can save a lot on alternative medicine.

As more alternative health care researches are made available, more conventional doctors are starting to integrate their practice with some alternative methods. Both alternative health care and otherwise researches demonstrate somewhat the same results when it comes to identifying the cause of the ailments.

Alternative medicine also plays a major role to proper health care. They strive to provide curative treatments for common disorders, such as diabetes and arthritis. Like traditional medicines, they are an integral contributor the scientific world.

In fact, several licensed alternative medical schools are brewing up. They also follow defined and comprehensive curriculums, complete with several studies and researches to scientifically back up their data. They’ve done their own researches and conducted their own studies, not to oppose what conventional medical schools, have done, but to complement them instead.

One reason why alternative health care research is gaining much popularity these days is the fact that alternative medicine could not do any harm when implemented correctly. When alternative medicine is combined with conventional medicine, overall risks are reduced and possibly will make the patient heal at a faster rate.

Alternative medicine is usually associated with some religious or spiritual beliefs. Though it could be true in some of the therapies, it is not entirely proper to generally refer to alternative medicine as such. It is just basically taking in natural supplements instead of drowning oneself with synthetic drugs. The philosophy is to make the patient more in-tune with the body and nature.

Currently, though alternative medicine is still not widely accepted, especially in the Western culture, it is good to note that it is gaining supporters quickly. Most conventional medicine practitioners do not find any problem in suggesting alternative treatments alongside their prescriptions.

Unfortunately, there are still several critics who do not place any confidence in alternative practices. It could be because of the lack of scientific studies made to prove the effectiveness of alternative health care. By definition, these practices are referred as alternative practices precisely because of their lack of scientific proof. The moment more scientific health care researches are made on them, they’d no longer be alternative forms but another conventional treatments.

There is one major hindrance in conducting these researches on alternative treatments though. Because these treatments usually just aim to make the patient feel better about himself and be self-aware, science finds it hard to arrive at a complete solution. Also, alternative medicine elicit slight changes over longer periods of time which makes it difficult to achieve a more definitive scientific research, because the positive results could just be due to the placebo effect or natural healing.

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Mark Hipp is an author and regular contributor to The Healthy Village, a virtual community for health practitioners and enthusiasts. The Healthy Village consists of an article directory, discussion forum, and monthly newsletter.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/self-improvement/coping-with-anger.html http://www.articletrader.com/self-improvement/coping-with-anger.html Fri, 27 Oct 2006 00:00:00 -0500
King Lear exiles his most beloved daughter from his kingdom and his heart when she angers him. “We have no such daughter, nor shall ever see that face of hers again,” he rages. “Thererfore be gone/Without our grace, our love, our benison.” (King Lear, Act 1, Scene 1.) But Lear learns, after it is too late, that she is the one daughter who truly loves him.

In Othello, the insane Iago poisons Othello’s heart with lies about his beautiful wife, Desdemona. The Moore is driven into the blackest of rages over Iago’s tales of infidelity and kills her in a fit of anger. He learns of her innocence after it is too late, and, like Lear, he dies a tragic death.

We all have felt the hot flashes of anger, although, perhaps, not on such an epic scale as Shakespeare depicted. However, even though you might not be driven to radical lengths, the ability to control your temper, whether or not your anger is justified, remains crucial to both your personal and professional life.

When you are angry, you should first examine why you are angry. Be specific in describing to yourself the cause of your anger. Then try to see the situation from a different point of view. We can become so wrapped up in our own feelings and difficulties that we forget that, for the most part, people are truly trying to do the best they can. They aren’t out to get us.

When we are angry with others, we are often being unfair to them. Our anger usually arises out of a misunderstanding or an unrealistic expectation. What seems like infuriating behavior is more often just the other person’s effort to keep his or her balance.

When you’re angry you should ask yourself, “Am I jumping to false conclusions? Do I have unrealistic expectations?” It also helps if you try to see things from the other person’s point of view, and avoid believing you know how he or she ought to be acting. For example, suppose a man is furious with a boy in his neighborhood who hits his new car with a rock, but his attitude toward the boy changes when he learns the boy’s sister is dying.

If you decide your anger is justified but that it is not an appropriate time to engage in an all-out confrontation, you need to control your anger. One strategy to stem the rising tide of anger involves becoming more aware of how your body reacts as you grow irate. Through various relaxation techniques, you can learn to bring the physical effects of anger under immediate control.

It’s important to pay attention to how your posture changes when you are angry. For example, as you struggle to keep your composure, you might find yourself tightly gripping the telephone receiver, or clutching the steering wheel of your car in traffic. The jaws are also a target for stress.

When you’re angry, you will most likely find yourself tensely clenching your teeth. Realizing that these are common reactions and that they are not helping you calm down is a big first step in coping with your anger. Now you should take additional steps to do something about it.

I always recommend to my clients and people who attend my seminars to use progressive relaxation exercises. These exercises help you center; they teach you to be aware of your body’s reactions when you’re angry and to assert some control over them. In progressive relaxation exercises, you alternately tense your muscles and relax them. You can start at your feet and work your way up to your head, or you can focus on a particular tense area.

Here are some other techniques to help you cope with anger:

• Take deep breaths. Like the progressive relaxation exercise, deep breathing encourages you to relax and normalize your body’s reaction to anger.

• Take notes. This can help you reflect on what the person who angered you has said. The very act of writing will force you to take some time before you respond and will help you obtain a more objective point of view.

• Close your eyes and use positive visualization. Closing your eyes gives you time to relax and shut out the world. Couple this with positive visualization, a technique where, for example, you picture yourself speaking calmly and objectively with the person you are angry with until you reach a satisfactory resolution of the problem, and your results are very effective.

• Use the hold button on the telephone. If you are on the telephone and find yourself growing angrier by the minute, don’t be afraid to use the hold feature on your telephone. Be polite, of course, and don’t get off the telephone too abruptly or keep the person holding for too long. Make sure you take the time to calm down so that you don’t end up saying something you’ll regret later.

• Lower your tone of voice. When people are angry, their voices tend to get louder. Be aware of this, and consciously turn down your volume. When you are shouting, nobody is listening, and you are only exacerbating an already tense situation.

Anger can be a frighteningly overwhelming emotion. Whether your anger comes on like a sudden storm or simmers slowly, you must learn how and when to express your anger. It is healthy for us to acknowledge that we are hurt or threatened or frustrated, but we must make sure that our expression of anger is appropriate. Otherwise, we could end up with a fate as tragic as that of a character in a Shakespearean drama.

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Joe Love draws on his 25 years of experience helping both individuals and companies build their businesses, increase profits, and achieve total success. He is the founder and CEO of JLM & Associates, a consulting and training organization, specializing in personal and business development. Through his anger management seminars and other lectures, Joe Love addresses thousands of men and women each year, including the executives and staffs of many businesses around the world, on the subjects of leadership, achievement, goals, career coach training, and marketing. Joe is the author of three books, Starting Your Own Business, Finding Your Purpose In Life, and The Guerrilla Marketing Workbook.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/health/nutrition/colon-hydrotherapy-dissolving-fybroid-cysts.html http://www.articletrader.com/health/nutrition/colon-hydrotherapy-dissolving-fybroid-cysts.html Mon, 23 Oct 2006 00:00:00 -0500
Keep in mind that abnormal growths are present because the environment we have created in our body will support it, and it is often getting stronger because of what we are consuming in the way of foods, liquids or environmental poisons. Medical research teams have concluded that iodine deficiency is a common reason for fibrocystic breast tumors, which has become quite ramped in women today. Other factors that contribute to that are hormone imbalances, chemical fertilizers, sprays, insecticides, and herbicides, all of which destroy or distort the enzymes, vitamins and minerals which our body requires to maintain some quality of health. Common sense would tell us that if the environment in the body is supporting the unwelcome growth, best to change the environment so that we are no longer feeding and housing what we wish to eliminate.

This is not as difficult as one would imagine. Viruses and bacteria feed on acid pH levels within body, rancid oils (which is often unknowingly used by many fast food restaurants), sugars, and chemicals in pre-packaged or canned foods. The most effective means of cleaning the residue of toxic waste, fermentation from old fecal matter that has a slow transit time and an acid body from wrong combinations or food groups is to do Colonics or Colon Irrigation's as some refer to it. This process is not intimidating as one imagines, nor is it painful in anyway. You are in a private and peaceful surrounding with music, reading material, or just the sound of the water if you choose. You are lying on a padded table with an opening beneath you that leads to a clear eliminating viewing tube. The water that is going into the colon is processed through filters and is temperature controlled. The tube that is inserted into the rectum is a disposable individually wrapped tube about the size of a pencil, and no more than an inch in you. When you feel full of water, you simply push it out, or have a bowel movement, and it will go around the rectal tube (not through it) and drop down into the opening of the viewing tube. There is no getting up or down or straining to any of the colonic process. Many will talk on their cell phone and do business while taking colonics. It is remarkably easy and non-invasive.

After cleaning the body out you want to create a less acid and a more alkaline body. Your goal is to eat 2/3 of your diet with alkaline foods and 1/3 acid foods to create a balance. Acid conditions within the body can contribute to sinus and respiratory problems, acid reflux, arthritis, psoriasis, cancer, tumors and more. The following is a list for you:

Alkaline forming foods: agar, alfalfa, almonds, apples, apricots, artichokes, bananas, beets, blackberries, broccoli, brussel sprouts, burdock, cabbage, cantaloupe, carob, carrots, cauliflower, celery, chard, cherries, chives, colloidal minerals, apple cider, coconut, cranberries, cucumbers, dandelion greens, dates, dill, endive, figs, flaxseed, garlic, grapes, grapefruit, green beans, kelp, leeks, lemons, lettuce, lima beans, limes, mango, melons, millet, mint, molasses, greens, nectarines, okra, olives, olive oil, onions, oranges, papaya, parsley, parsnips, passion fruit, peaches, pears, fresh peas, persimmons, pineapple, plums, pumpkin, radishes, raisins, raspberries, rhubarb, romaine lettuce, soybeans, spinach, squash, strawberries, swiss chard, tangerine, turnips, turnip tops, vegetable oils, water chestnuts, watercress.

Acid forming foods: asparagus, barley, beans (dried), beef, bread, buckwheat, butter, cashew nuts, cereals, coffee, cheese, chestnuts, chicken, chocolate, cider vinegar, clams, cod liver oil, cottage cheese, cornmeal, crab, cream, currants, egg, fish, flour, frog legs, halibut, ham, hazelnuts, hickory nuts, hominy, honey, horseradish, Jell-O, lamb, lentils, lobster, mackerel, macaroni, maple syrup, margarine, meats, mushrooms, oats, pasta, peanuts, peas, pecans, pistachios, pomegranate, pork, prunes, rice, rye, sauerkraut, salmon, scallops, smelt, smoke herring, sole, spaghetti, sugar, syrups, tapioca, tea, turkey, walnuts, wheat, wheat germ, wine.

Another avenue for assistance is therapeutic massage in order to create circulation in the lymphatics. Also keep in mind that stress creates an acid environment. We can not control the stress that is present in our life at times, but we can look at it with a different perspective. The mind body connection is most powerful. What we believe we create around us consciously or subconsciously. Whether it is fully understood or not we are a multi-dimensional being existing within several dimensional bodies - spiritual, mental, emotional, and physical. Sometimes our own erroneous patters of thought and feelings will create a misalignment of decaying atoms and congeal into a physical mass which we deem to be disturbance to the body - either annoying or destructive, depending on what is sustaining it.

When looking to the emotional mental aspect of dimensional bodies, it is easily understood and accepted that anger and resentment is stored in the liver creating transmutation. Another common weakness recognized and dealt with is the pancreas due to excess sugar consumed. The attachment to that energy block is that we are often desperately trying to compensate for lack of sweetness in our emotional being. The dimensional bodies are forever working on balance. When the scales tip to far in either direction being overactive or under active than the disturbance comes to our attention quickly, for the body must then compensate in any fashion feasible. A domino effect takes place where the entire being is working in our behalf. Rather than assist, we normally put a hold on natural processes in hopes of jolting the body into a different direction. The body relying on its natural course is confused and retaliates. We are no longer working on automatic pilot - we set our own course from that point on. One will often ask if one course is better than the other. Most come to the conclusion that if they get to their destination all in one piece that the ride there becomes insignificant. It's a matter of choice - but let it be your choice. When you know you have options, you can take the ride with grace.

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Dr Terri L. Hawkins-Fox, is a doctor of Naturopathy and holds her Ph.D. in Nutritional Science. She is a member of the American Association of Drugless Practitioners (AADP) and registered as a Naturopath through the Department of Professional Licensing. Dr Terri offers nutritional counseling, fybroid cysts information, and colon hydrotherapy through her practice Natural Rejuvenation, Inc. 6650 West 10th Street , Indianapolis , IN 46214

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/internet/seo/keyword-research-choosing-the-right-keywords.html http://www.articletrader.com/internet/seo/keyword-research-choosing-the-right-keywords.html Mon, 23 Oct 2006 00:00:00 -0500
Keyword Popularity refers to the sheer number of people searching for a particular keyword phrase. This is often the concept that most people have no trouble understanding – if your website is optimized well for a keyword phrase that a lot of people are searching for, this will bring you more traffic. After all, what good is it to be ranked #1 in Google for a keyword phrase that nobody searches for?

Keyword Competition is an area that some newcomers to SEO fail to examine. When a particular keyword phrase is popular, this usually means that there are many other websites out there competing for top rankings of that phrase in the search engines. The number of competing websites is the number of results a search engine returns for a specific query. Optimizing for a competitive keyword phrase can make it much more difficult for you to achieve successful search engine rankings for these phrases.

So now you may be asking yourself, “Ok, great! Now how do I find popular keywords that aren’t very competitive?”. Many keyword research services, such as WordTracker.com, include an index that measures exactly this. The Keyword Effectiveness Index (KEI) is a qualitative measure of how easily it is to optimize for a particular keyword phrase. KEI is essentially a matter of ‘supply and demand’. Ideally, we want to select keywords that are extremely popular but aren’t very competitive. This would result in a very high KEI and take very little effort to achieve successful rankings.

But we can’t forget one other very important element when choosing the right keywords…relevance.

Keyword Relevance has to do with how much a keyword phrase relates to your products or services. If you rank well for a popular search phrase and receive a lot of traffic from it, this still doesn’t help you if the traffic doesn’t translate to sales or leads. For instance, let’s say you’ve found a good niche phrase that is fairly popular and has a high KEI index – “free keyword ranking report”. So you optimize for this keyword phrase, rank well, and receive more traffic. However, if your website doesn’t offer a free keyword ranking report or have any information on how to receive a free keyword ranking report, these extra visitors will not actually convert to customers. It is important to remember not to get too caught up in the popularity and KEI of a keyword phrase. You must also think about keyword relevance when conducting your keyword research.

Choosing the right keyword phrases to target can be the deciding factor between a successful and unsuccessful search engine optimization campaign. When doing your research, remember to keep in mind your business goals and the three factors discussed above. Is it always easier to work with the market trends instead of against them.

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Zach Brown has been involved with multimedia and web development for over six years and is currently the project manager for BuzzSEO, a full service internet marketing and website optimization firm. BuzzSEO provides complete internet marketing capabilities including search engine optimization, pay-per-click management, and email marketing. Get your free keyword ranking report today!

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/health/alternative/self-care-is-health-care.html http://www.articletrader.com/health/alternative/self-care-is-health-care.html Sun, 22 Oct 2006 00:00:00 -0500
Our bodies are programmed to heal. Whether small or large, major or minor, terminal or temporary all challenges to our optimal health are met with a mindboggling precision of strategies from our very bodies to ensure our survival. This protection starts in the womb and accompanies us to our final breath. Day in and day out an intelligence coordinates our functions so we can go on our merry ways. WOW. What a miracle, what a spaceship, what a great place to live in, our bodies. Bottom line is we cannot be here on the earth without one. And then, of course, there are those times when it does not feel like any of the above!

Some spiritual belief systems diminish the body. They emphasize the inner life and devalue the "temple of our abode." Yet we all know how different life can be when the temple feels like a shack in need of repair. When I was 20 years old I had an ephiphany. I understood that health truly is one of the greatest wealths and I started down the path of becoming my very own medicine woman (so to speak.) It is now 36 years later. My life and my self-care includes massage, acupuncture, hydrotherapy, various types of exercises, stretching, movement and physical play. My "medicines" are the plants in the form of herbal tinctures, infusions, salves and oils. Common sense in nutrition is my meal plan. And a visit to an emergency room once stitched up my knee.

Natural healing has worked well for me over all of these years. I do think one of the "secrets" to all of this is to cultivate a true enjoyment of taking care of oneself. After all, who could possibly know our body, mind and heart better than our own self?!

Self-care is the ticket to health care. No amount of money can buy our health. Money can buy policies that enable us to have tests, drugs and surgeries. Sometimes these things are helpful, even life saving. Yet let’s not confuse ourselves. With an investment in ourselves day to day as a lifestyle, over the years we just may become the best doctor, medicine man or medicine woman you could ever imagine. Our bodies are programmed to heal. Look in the mirror. Perhaps you are the healer you have been looking for.

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Cate Miller has been a massage therapist and teacher since 1982 and a teacher at FSM since 1986. Her specialty combines Neuromuscular Therapy with communication and perceptual awareness skills.
She currently teaches and works at the Florida School of Massage in Gainesville, FL.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/health/alternative/qigong-true-healing-miracles.html http://www.articletrader.com/health/alternative/qigong-true-healing-miracles.html Wed, 11 Oct 2006 00:00:00 -0500
Your physical body is overlapped by a spiritual energy body and this is the one that vibrates and it is also the body we are seeking to 'activate' in Qigong. Everyone has Qi; however some people can hold 10-1000 times the amount of a normal person. The term 'activate' refers to the Qigong principle of filling up the storage center (Dan Tien) with Yang Qi thereby increasing the flow of Qi to such a degree that ones Qi can be seen as cobalt blue vapors rising from the skin. This cobalt blue substance is the universal color of Yang Qi and its cultivation leads to higher levels of body function.

But, is this the limit of Qigong? I once heard a man say Qigong was metaphysical, but not spiritual. Is cultivating the living energy of God not a spiritual practice? And how does any of this relate to creating miracles?

What is a True Miracle?

A miracle can be defined as any event that is so statistically unlikely, it cannot be explained by natural laws, or even attributed to random chance. For example, say John Smith, a soccer superstar, tears a tendon during a big game. Physical law dictates that a torn tendon takes considerable time to heal, perhaps several months. Even if one had profound levels of Qi, this kind of injury would require many concurrent sessions and considerable time to heal. Now, if the torn tendon healed instantly during halftime while John was on the sidelines, this would be a miracle. The statistical probability of instantaneous healing is so remote; it appears to defy the natural laws. However, after years of clinical work with nearly a dozen renowned Qigong masters, shamans and healers of many faiths, I have personally witnessed two different types of energy healing: 1) Qi Healing 2) Miraculous Healing.

Qi healing is an ancient practice based on Qigong breathing disciplines. It can be used to treat almost any illness, physical or emotional, from asthma and migraines to depression and anxiety. It is based on the Qigong theory that all around us there is living "Qi Plasma" that permeates every square inch of the universe and throughout all of existence. During Qi healing, the practitioner uses specialized breathing techniques to first absorb Qi and then "pressurize" Qi in his or her Dan Tien, the body's storage area for Qi, located behind the belly button. Qigong breathing practices create tremendous heat in the body, which builds up in the hands. The practitioner then places his or her hands on or near the person being treated, transmitting the Qi. People who receive this intense dose of energy usually have some immediate response. They may gently sway or undulate as the Qi energy enters their cores; some people will laugh, cry or have what they later call a "spiritual experience."

As powerful as the Qi Healing experience is, it's a process; several sessions are usually required to completely heal a serious problem. Instantaneous healing is extremely rare. Even so, it sometimes happens, especially with particularly powerful healers and between people who share an especially strong connection--say, a husband and wife, or a parent and child. These kinds of healings, which defy even the laws of Qi, are what I call miraculous healing.

Miraculous Healing Example

High-level Qigong can manifest true miracles from God or the ultimate energy. Using Qi to perform healing is not the same as harnessing this ultimate energy. Miraculous healing describes an instantaneous healing of body, mind or spirit; in miraculous healing, a deep and lasting cure is affected. The healing is complete and immediate, and never returns. Miraculous healing begins with the same breathing mechanics and energy flow principles, but it also requires the mental assent by the patient. When one is willing to heal, when one has faith, miraculous healing can begin.

Here's a true story to illustrate. A few years ago, my wife injured her knee in a ski accident. The ski patrol carried her on a snow mobile down the mountain; when I met her at the bottom, she looked up in agony and said, “I need to go to the hospital!” Her knee was swollen with visible internal bruising.

It was a reasonable request. Even so, spirit moved me to insist she sleep first, before going to the hospital. The next morning, she woke up and sat up on the edge of the bed. When she tried to stand up, she winced horribly in pain. I asked her if she was willing to let me try Qi healing on her knee. She agreed, both reluctant and hopeful.

I practiced Qigong for an hour and returned to the room when my hands were fully charged with energy. But instead of using my usual approach, I was guided to try something different. I stood beside the bed and asked her, “Do you believe you can be healed, totally and completely, on this very day?” She looked doubtful, but said “Yes." I placed my hands over her knee and began practicing my usual method of focused Qigong breathing. The pulsation between my hands and her knee became very intense; after about 20 minutes, she said, “I can feel a strong current flowing from your palms.” Sensing the opportunity I asked her again: "Do you think it is possible to heal completely and totally on this very day?” She smiled and her eyes filled with tears. “Yes," she said. "I do believe it is possible.”

You probably know how the story ends. For 30 minutes I held my hands over her knee while doing concentrated breathing reciting a silent prayer. Suddenly, she heard a clicking sound and exclaimed, “I just heard my knee click!” I slowly pulled my hands away and asked her to try walking. She did, without pain. I then asked her to jump up and down! Tearful, she jumped repeatedly without pain. In that moment I realized that something different had happened. Her knee looked normal without even so much as a bruise. She was totally healed.

Summary on True Healing Miracles

Since this first miraculous healing experience, I have seen many other cases. The process is always the same; the patient doesn't believe at first that total and instant healing is possible. But when he or she feels the strength of the Qi, a mental door opens up. Disbelief is suspended, faith enters and healing begins. If the words of Jesus are true, “Your faith alone has healed you," then we can see why Qi healing is so important. The powerful energy sensations the patient feels at the first contact of Qi energy provide the foundation for faith! Qigong brings in the energy, but the mind of the patient brings in the miracle.

And spontaneous or miraculous healing isn't limited to physical ailments. It's equally, if not more, powerful in addressing many mental and emotional ailments, including depression, anxiety, insomnia and addictions. Because it works with energy and operates in the spiritual realm, Qi healing can quickly and completely heal people with these and other disturbances. Even when years of psychotherapy or behavior modification have failed, Qi healing can effect lasting change.

Perhaps not surprisingly, there appears to be power in numbers; miraculous healing tends to occur more frequently in group setting, probably because of the sheer amount of energy available. In China, people frequently gather in groups of tens of thousands inside stadiums to practice qigong. These events are known for miraculous healings--the kind where paralyzed people get up out of wheel chairs and walk. I believe it is the sheer size of the group energy field that allows this to take place; when many people are gathered together in faith, with the intention of healing, it's impossible not to create dramatic change. The greatest miracles occur when our focus is united in faith, and Qi energy exponentially enhances this process. God breathes life into every particle of the universe; the miracle truly is right under your nose.

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Jeff Primack is the founder of the Supreme Science Qigong Center and has taught his unique Qigong and Food-Based Healing system to thousands of people. He has led numerous Qigong workshops and developed DVDs and books to help educate people on the benefits of Qigong.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/health/alternative/martial-arts-and-massage-therapy.html http://www.articletrader.com/health/alternative/martial-arts-and-massage-therapy.html Wed, 11 Oct 2006 00:00:00 -0500
Martial Arts and Massage?

Tai Chi Chuan is one of the most well known styles of moving Chi Kung. The word "chuan" denotes a fighting art and Tai Chi Chuan is a martial style where the principles of Chi Kung have been applied to martial movements and the developing of fighting ability.

However, there is much Chi Kung that is not connected to martial arts. In Buddhist and Taoist circles Chi Kung was used to help attune the adept to the subtle energies, and thus support their spiritual development.

Chi Kung was also used by traditional Chinese doctors for healing and rehabilitation. And this is what Chi Kung is mostly known for today.

Some of China's most ancient medical texts refer to breath and movement exercises. And, in recent times, studies have been done in universities and hospitals, as well as by independent doctors, validating and exploring the healing qualities of various Chi Kung principles. These studies have documented the profound effects that Chi Kung can have on balancing, harmonizing, and energizing every system of the body: the circulatory system, endocrine system, immune system, and so on.

The Chi Kung that I study comes from a traditional martial arts context, with a strong emphasis on building bodily health and vitality as the foundation for further practice. The classes that I teach are based on a process of structural rebalancing. Using various exercises, from lying down to moving, students learn to soften the tissues and loosen the joints, freeing up the breath wave. Through an increasing proprioceptive and kinesthetic awareness one becomes more conscious of what is going on in ones own body. This is a powerful neuromuscular reeducation. And when a person gets the "knack", it becomes an ongoing activity. Going through this process while standing and moving within the gravitational field makes it a very real experience that is directly applicable to everything one does.

Another aspect of the structural rebalancing is based on "softening the tissue". With a focus on relaxation and rhythmic movement, the student is able to release tensions and restrictions within the soft tissues. This helps to develop a fluid quality to ones movements, which literally "flushes" the tissue, having a profound effect on the immune system.

I feel that this is the basis for the healing qualities of Chi Kung. This flushing process can affect the entire body, all the organs and tissues, with a profound physiological effect. And, when the body is vitalized, the subtle energies become free flowing, allowing the whole body-mind being to experience a sense of freedom and harmony.

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Malik Lawrence is a teacher at the Florida School of Massage and is working on integrating Chi Kung with massage therapy. The Florida School of Massage is located in Gainesville, Florida and offers massage therapy sessions, workshops, and certification.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/self-improvement/develop-your-intuition.html http://www.articletrader.com/self-improvement/develop-your-intuition.html Fri, 06 Oct 2006 00:00:00 -0500
Developing your intuition can open door to utilize more of your brain's potential. It will enable you to access information, insight and guidance beyond your rational thought process about anything you choose. You can know more about anything by consciously developing your intuition.

Most persons have had intuitive experiences. I believe that most of us are in a state of anticipating those wonderful out-of-the-blue hits of insight and enlightenment much of the time, simply because we are always wondering about something. Think about it. Aren't you wondering about a situation, person, outcome, decision you're trying to make in your life right now? This is where consciously cultivating your intuition can be of great assistance. You do not have to wait for those enlightening experiences. If you are aware of the simple principles that activate intuition consciously , you can receive information and insight whenever you choose. When you decide to follow your intuition as it unfolds in each moment, you have stepped onto the magical path of adventure, creativity and discovery. You awaken each day anticipating the guidance you will receive to direct your life.

Consciously accessing your intuition implies become aware of what is already there-paying attention. If you know your intuition is always present, rather than a sporadic, transcendental event, it makes it much easier to identify it's subtle presence.

Intuition follows the flow of your attention and intention. One of the principles governing conscious access of intuition is focusing your attention. A focused mind will access strong and clear impressions. A scattered mind will produce scattered impressions. When you are focused, your intuition is very present to serve and guide you in greater and more specific ways. Focus your attention on anything and whatever you are focused on will reveal its nature. The more you keep your attention focused, the more is revealed with deeper and deeper insight.

The keys to consciously access your intuition can be put into a nutshell. They are...

Stillness -quiet the body and anchor yourself in the present.

Focus your attention and intention on what it is you want more insight into. Empty the mind of pre impressions.

Receptivity - Sustain an open, receptive state to receive impressions.

Close your eyes and sit quietly the first few times you attempt this. With practice, you will be able to focus on anyone, when you're up and about, and receive impressions easily. Another suggestion: try this with persons you know and with persons you don't know anything about. Happy discoveries...!

1. Sit quietly and close your eyes. Take in a few deep slow breaths and relax.

2. Bring the person you want more insight into your awareness and gently focus on them.

3.Ask your intuition: If this person were an animal, what would (he/she) be? Allow your creative imagination to transform them into the image/impression of an animal.

4. Stay focused on the animal and allow it to reveal it's nature to you. Notice the environment it is in. What is it doing? How is it moving? Ask it to reveal it's nature to you and just continue to observe what emerges in your inner vision. After a while, ask the animal any questions that come to mind. It will respond.

Each impression conveys intuitive insight. This is the language of intuition. If you stay focused and allow the animal to reveal itself, you will come away with understanding and insight that could not have been realized through your ordinary impressions and analytical faculties. This is your intuition communicating. Try this with as many persons as you can. Only with practice and observing differences, can you extract the full benefit and insight this will bring to you.

--
Marina Petro is a psychic/intuitive consultant, visionary artist and teaches Intuition Development workshops. She is widely recognized for her gift of precise intuitive insight and clarity. Her angel art oil paintings and prints are in collections all of ther world.. Marina has maintained a private practice since 1977. She has an extensive regional and international clientele. Marina Petro can be reached at P.O. Box 159, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/home-and-family/kids/the-value-of-self-awareness.html http://www.articletrader.com/home-and-family/kids/the-value-of-self-awareness.html Thu, 05 Oct 2006 00:00:00 -0500 The Problem
It is clear, listening to the evening news or reading the paper, that aggression, violence and self-destruction are growing throughout the United States and the world. According to social workers, tobacco and marijuana experimentation begins in the fourth grade, followed by inhalants, alcohol, and harder substances like cocaine and methamphetamine. In 2003, the US Department of Education’s Institute of Education Sciences stated: “Most types of antisocial behavior (e.g., aggression, bullying, violence) are already evident by third grade. Because middle childhood is a time when children’s beliefs about aggression and conflict resolution skills are developing, researchers have suggested that interventions aimed at preventing youth violence ought to begin at this time”.

By middle childhood (8 to 12 years of age), children should have well-developed skills of self-regulation, empathy, and caring. Many psychologists anticipate problem behaviors emerging in adolescence if these sociologic skills are not developed as expected. In fact, this is the case.

Many community agencies must focus on mitigating conditions after the fact. Drug and alcohol treatment centers attempt to rehabilitate individuals. Penal institutions lock up offenders. A variety of patches and techniques are available to help stop smoking. Weight loss clinics teach healthy eating habits.

More pro-active efforts are needed that positively impact the health and well being of children. Some school-based programs are in effect and some are effective. However, most of these drug, tobacco and health educational programs hold the information in a right-wrong, good-bad context. A child’s role in his or her future is often energized by threat and fear of the end result. Wholeschool offers a new, unique pro-active solution to this growing problem.

A Pro-Active Solution
Wholeschool, a nonprofit organization located in Spokane, Washington, provides courses in self-awareness to groups of children ages six to eleven, moving them toward self-appreciation, empathy and empowerment of others.
The program objectives are:
• Provide fun and engaging lesson for children as they explore who they are as human beings with children in four other locations via live web-conferencing.
• Guide these children to appreciate their bodies, minds, emotions and creative abilities.
• Create within these children an increased experience of self-esteem and empathy and affection for others

Program Description
Wholeschool has created, produced and tested a course in self-awareness for elementary school-age children. Contained within a context called “The YETI Club”, this 12-lesson, six-week program is now available to children throughout North America. The next presentation will begin November 7 and end December 14. Another session will begin in January 2006 with new sessions following once a month. All that is needed to participate are 5 to 15 children who can gather around one computer with high-speed Internet connection and one facilitator.

The YETI Club is webcast live for one hour, twice a week. A Wholeschool Presenter presents material over the Internet to five groups of children in different geographic locations. Presentations are in multimedia format, with slideshows, videos, interactive presentations, animations, and stories with pictures. After each lesson presentation, a facilitator in each group helps children with an activity that allows children to experience and explore what they have been seeing and hearing. These activities are designed to be fun, interesting and provide a kinesthetic method of teaching the material.

For example, children learn about their miraculous organs and how the lungs, liver, kidneys, stomach and intestines work. They learn how they must take care of these organs by choosing the right foods and avoiding toxins. After learning about the complex function of the main organs of their body, children lie upon a large piece of paper and trace their body outline. Then they locate where on their body they learned that an organ is located, close their eyes, hold their hands over that body organ and picture it doing its job for a few moments before drawing and coloring it on their “paper you”.

Children also study their emotions and learn how their emotions protect them from harm. They watch a fun animated story about what goes on in a boy’s head when he hears a scary noise in his closet. Then they break into teams of two and paint an emotion on the other’s face while he or she tries to guess which emotion is being painted.

They learn of other cultures with their similarities (all bodies are the same inside and all have very similar facial expression from emotions) yet there are very different ways of living (houses, food, customs and art are different). They explore creativity and learn that everyone is creative. They take on the assignment of “Creativity Detective” and interview ten people to discover what is creative in each of them.

They then begin to distinguish their “self”—their body, their personality, their abilities and those things that may extend beyond their body, like their clothes, family and football team. They begin to observe themselves protecting all parts of their self.

Wholeschool provides all materials for children’s activities, a webcam for each group so children can be seen and heard. Facilitators are trained and receive a notebook containing a description of each day’s lessons and activities.

Impact
Self-awareness without judgment results in the “self” showing up only when appropriate and moving to the background naturally during other times, such as during play, sports activities and creativity. This state of being, known by athletes as the “zone”, allows natural capabilities to be expressed without the destructive judgmental comments often introduced by the self when it is present in the foreground.

Wholeschool’s self-awareness course encourages children to adopt self-regulation, empathy, and caring behaviors thereby reducing the potential risk factors of substance abuse, family conflict, and academic failure in late elementary school age children. Valuable insights often come to children that reveal deeper understanding of themselves and why they act and react as they do.

For example, a fifth grade teacher at Broadway Elementary in Spokane shared his experience as a facilitator of a pilot YETI Club program. A problematic student in his class had a breakthrough during the lessons on the body. The student shared with that he had a hole in his kidney that lead to further dialog. After this concerned exchange, the teacher reported a complete positive shift in their relationship and later this student became a leader on his basketball team.

The Director of School Indigo, a private elementary school in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho wrote, “The YETI Club was a great after school experience. I would highly recommend this program to any facility with a group of elementary school age children. The interaction with other locations was very fun for our students. We used our computer skills and our geography to figure out where our friends were located. The materials provided were very easy to use. The amount of preparation needed was minimal and the lessons were excellent. The children were very engaged in the process. The Club provided an identity for the students that encouraged cooperation and sharing.”

Three Boys and Girls Clubs in Washington State have participated in previous YETI Club programs, and all have enthusiastically approved the program. One facilitator said "The YETI Club 'IS' the mission of The Boys and Girls Clubs."

Outcome Measurement
Wholeschool is presently developing a plan to measure the effectiveness of the program with the help of a professional outside evaluator. Two sets of outcomes will be evaluated. The first set is knowledge based associated with the curriculum. These outcomes are:
• Knowledge and appreciation of the body, its organs and their function.
• Knowledge and understanding of the emotions, their effect upon the body and their purpose.
• Knowledge and appreciation of the brain, its ability to think, form beliefs and to create.
• A beginning sense of “the self” and how this might be distinguished.

The second set of outcomes relate at attitude and behavior. These outcomes are:
• An improvement in physical well being, such as improved eating habits, rejection of drugs, tobacco and alcohol and increased physical activities.
• An improvement in emotional well being, such as self-esteem, general happiness and outlook on the future.
• An improvement in interaction with others, including behavior in the classroom toward teachers, at home with family members and with friends during play.
• A shift in attention from individual self outward, toward others and their world.

The first set of outcomes is measurable through surveys and interviews. The second set is more subjective and relies upon the perceptions of others and the perceptions of the child. However, certain aspects of these outcomes are measurable through statistics such as reduction in aggressive behavior, and improved school attendance and school performance.

--
Robert N. Hager, Ph.D. is the founder and executive director of Wholeschool.org. He has a B.S. degree in Engineering Mechanics from the Georgia Institute of Technology, an M.S. degree in Physics from San Diego State University and a Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Florida. Dr. Hager has thirty years of experience in creating, operating and building businesses. He has experience in education and curriculum development as well. Much information on homeschool curriculum and character education lesson plans is available from the Wholeschool website at www.Wholeschool.org.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/health/weight-loss/loose-weight-in-10-days.html http://www.articletrader.com/health/weight-loss/loose-weight-in-10-days.html Mon, 25 Sep 2006 00:00:00 -0500
Here are a few simple solutions that are effective, lasting, safe, quick and economical. One that offers powerful fat-reducing ingredients that work together, quickly and naturally. Three products are used: Enzyme Botanika, Nature’s Vigor Plus, and Omega 3-6-9, all which attack fat, build the body, and creates tremendous energy.

Enzyme Botanika contains:

* More than 100 complex metabolic enzymes.
*Vitamins and minerals from over 60 different extracts of vegetable, fruits, seaweeds, herbs, wild grasses and other plants including Brindall Berry (Garcinia Cambogia).

Nature’s Vigor Plus contains:

*Opuntia-S (cactus fiber) is a health-essential dietary fiber and an anti-constipation agent. It traps and evacuates excessive excessive dietary fat, reduces appetite by expanding in the stomach, and provides botanical source calcium (which may deactivate a gene that triggers cellular fat intake). Additionally, it strengthens bones,promotes cardiovascular health, inhibits fatty build up, and increases lean muscle mass.

*L-Carnitine: Increases use of fat stored in the body and in the heart.

*Multivitamins: A, B1, B2, B3, B6, B12, C, D3, E, and Folic Acid

*Other beneficial nutrients include: Soy Protein Isolate, Raw Millet, Raw Quinoa, Raw Amaranth, Lecithin Powder, Chinese Wolfberry Extract, and Fructo Oligosaccarides (FOS).

Omega 3-6-9:

*Rids the body of excess water held in tissues.

*Increases the rates of metabolism, anti-oxidation, and energy production.

*Builds lean muscle mass, resets your fat “thermostat.”

*Reduces food cravings, all of which combine to help keep weight off.

The diet can be either a 5 or 10 day program. Here’s How You Do It!

Each time take:

25cc (half of the measure cup that comes with it) Enzyme Botanika extract diluted with 8 oz. Water, 3 capsules of Nature’s Vigor Plus and 3 capsules of Omega 3-6-9.

For “5-Day Full Diet” Program

4 times per day in the:

1.Morning (instead of breakfast)
2.Noon (instead of lunch)
3.Afternoon (as early as dinner)
4.Evening (as late dinner)

To repeat “5-Day Full Diet”, a 30-day interval is recommended for optimal results.

For “10-Day Half Diet” Program

2 times per day in the:

1.Morning (instead of breakfast)
2.Take regular meal for lunch
3.Late afternoon (instead of dinner)

There is no other diet program comparable to this. Whether weight loss is desirable or not, these nutrients should be a part of everyone’s consumption to gain optimal health and vibrant energy, and to rid the body of fat and gain muscle.

--
Dr Terri L. Hawkins-Fox, is a doctor of Naturopathy and holds her Ph.D. in Nutritional Science. She is a member of the American Association of Drugless Practitioners (AADP) and registered as a Naturopath through the Department of Professional Licensing. Dr Terri offers nutritional counseling, diet and weight loss programs, and colon hydrotherapy through her practice Natural Rejuvenation, Inc. 6650 West 10th Street , Indianapolis , IN 46214
http://www.naturalrejuvenation.com/

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]>