7 Proven Benefits of Green Tea

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Made from Camellia sinensis leaves, this delicate tea is lightly steamed and then dried. Green tea is rich in catechins, an antioxidant. 

So here are 7 benefits of Green Tea

Anti-allergy properties for example studies that it can help reduce the symptoms of eczema.

Can help prevent the breakdown of collagen and cartilage which protect our bone joints, so it is a natural treatment for arthritis. 

If you are looking to cut down on the caffeine, then you could try switching to green tea instead. Keep your caffeine down and stay hydrated

Since green tea is rich in antioxidants, studies have found that consumption of green tea may help reduce the chances of cancer, such as Colorectal and Breast cancer. 

It helps the body to burn fat by thermogenesis and fat oxidation. 

It may help to protect your skin against and make it more resistant to ultraviolet lights, slowing down the appearance of wrinkles. (This is not an excuse to skip the SPF, though)

If you want to have the very best of green tea, then pick up Matcha green tea. Matcha green tea has a more concentrated form of antioxidant, because it is made from the actual leaves which are ground down. 

How To Use Meditation To Relieve Stress

Meditation is a form of alternative medicine that promotes relaxing and mental calmness through the use of controlling or suspending thoughts for a certain period of time. Since meditation involves physical and mental relaxation, it's a great way to relieve stress.

When some people hear about meditation as a way to relieve stress, they laugh and think it's a bunch of baloney. They think that meditation is not a viable solution to eliminating stress. But research has shown that meditation works and is a practical technique for stress management.

The most notable research on meditation's usefulness in relieving stress was done in 1968 by Dr. Herbert Benson of Harvard University. He conducted a series of experiments on popular meditation techniques and published his findings in the book "The Relaxation Response." He discovered that meditation has a "real effect on reducing stress and controlling the fight-or-flight response." Dr. Benson wrote that meditation increased the skin's resistance to damage or infections, slowed the heartbeat and breathing rate, and reduced oxygen consumption.

Meditation is all about consciously relaxing your mind and body for a period of time. Meditation means that you need to focus inwardly so that your mind is basically so busy concentrating on your breathing and body that there's no time to think about the events that are causing you stress.

The act of meditation is actually quite simple to do. Meditation does not require you to be a mystic or to be spiritual. Meditation is something that anyone can do almost anywhere.

When you prepare yourself for meditation, be sure to set aside a certain amount of time where you're guaranteed not to be interrupted. Meditation doesn't require hours of practice at a time for it to be effective. You can practice meditation for as a little as 5 minutes or for as long as 1 hour.

Effective meditation requires that you're in a comfortable, quiet environment. This means that when you practice meditation, you should make sure that you're wearing comfortable, unrestrictive clothing. The atmosphere temperature (whether you're indoors or outdoors) should also be comfortable for you in order to make your meditation session as stress fighting as possible.

Stress-relieving meditation is all about concentration. Once you're fully comfortable (you can sit or lie down) close your eyes. Focus your attention of your breathing throughout your entire meditation session. Count your breaths. You can even say the numbers out loud to discourage your mind from wandering to other thoughts.

Another way to control wandering thoughts when you're in a meditation session is to use imagery. Imagery is very popular in meditation. All you have to with imagery is focus on something you consider refreshing or pleasant. Music is also a popular way to help mind concentration during meditation. You can do a monologue hum. Or you can use some soothing music that features plenty of nature sounds.

The key to meditation is mind control. When you learn to control your mind, you can control your thoughts, and you'll be able to better control the functions of your muscles. Sometimes it takes a bit of time to learn not to let your mind wander to other thoughts while you're in a meditation session. But once you've mastered meditation, you'll discover you'll be able to do it almost anywhere to relax when you're feeling overwhelmed with stress.

Yoga Toes: The Perfect Solution to Foot Problems

Can you spread your toes? Are you suffering from a foot problem? You probably have a bunion causing your feet to deform. Well, whatever type of feet disorders or imperfections you may have  right now can be healed by using yoga toes.

Yoga toes are produced and marketed around the world for several good reasons. They are worn primarily as toe stretchers, highly capable of stretching the toes for better shape. And, those who use it usually wear the materials at the bottom of their toes also for exercise-related purposes.


What are the benefits of Yoga toes?

There is a lot to be said about the benefits of yoga toes. Studies found out that this material has the ability to not only stretch your toes, but also to strengthen your feet, aligning its muscles for them to appear in good shape just like everything in your system.

Aside from that, the Yoga toes are highly capable of improving the circulation in your feet and legs. This increased circulation is very important as it can help enhance the condition of your feet and it can improve your ankle strength and flexibility.

The other noted benefits of these Yoga toe stretchers are correct postural alignment, stress relief, prevention of bunions, varicose veins, hammer toes, stretches Achilles tendons, enhance arches, and a passive exercise for deep vein thrombosis.


Who can use Yoga toes?
The Yoga toes are generally used by millions of people from around the world.  Many of those who use these toe stretchers are those who spend a lot of time on their feet such Yogis, golfers, runners, dancers, athletes, hospital workers, cyclists, flight attendants, soon-to-be mothers, and postal workers.

Do you use Yoga toes?

Let us know!

4 Steps to Finding the Right Beginner Yoga Class for You

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When you are new to Yoga you are probably going to be uncertain as to what to expect when you first enter a beginner Yoga class on your first day. Most people are uncertain about what they should even be looking for in a beginner Yoga class, so this article will let you in on the four steps to finding the right class for you.

Step 1: Decide on what you want to achieve before choosing a style.

The number of different reasons for taking up Yoga is usually at least as high as the number of new people in a Yoga class. Broadly people will be looking for one of three things - physical health, mental health or spiritual health. All three are important and all three are realistic goals in a Yoga class. Whatever it is you are trying to achieve through Yoga there will be a class and style that is suitable for you. You can research in a library, online or even by asking various Yogi and this will hep you find the Yoga that will get the best result for you.

It's worth actually setting some solid goals and many newcomers are surprised at how willing a Yoga instructor is to talk over these goals with them and discuss whether they are realistic or an alternative may be better suited.

Step 2: Join a class-by-class program

These are sometimes referred to as drop in classes, or pay as you go. These are a good way of getting a feel for Yoga. There will be a regular turnover of other students in the classes and the contrasting level will mean the instructor will keep the classes at a relatively mild level and give everyone a taste of many different aspects of Yoga.

The advantage of this method is of course that you are not committed to an expensive series of classes and you can get a taster for Yoga and see what types of Yoga interest you. You will also quickly learn whether the goals you set earlier are realistic for you, or even too low and need expanding upon.

Your next step will be to chose a series of classes in the areas that you found most suitable from the drop in classes. These classes will build on each other from week to week and you may find yourself behind if you miss a week.

Step 3: Ensure that you are being taught by someone who knows what they are doing.

Surprisingly enough considering the relatively low intensity and the many physical benefits, Yoga has begun to regularly show up on the statistics for sports injuries. Two key causes are identified. Firstly students pushing themselves too fast too soon, and secondly instructors with inadequate training or appreciation of the individual level of their students(large classes are sometimes to blame for this).

When you are considering a new class, don't be embarrassed to ask your Yoga instructor what their qualifications and background are. Many 'instructors have nothing more than a three day training course in 'gym yoga' and many people put this in the 'enough knowledge to be dangerous category'. Traditionally a student would train for many years under a guru before they would be considered fit to pass on even the simplest of Yoga techniques to another novice.

A nice rule to work by is that less than 200 hours of instruction would mean a part time Yoga education. 

Step 4: Be aware of hidden costs.

An unpleasant surprise that can put people off Yoga is turning up to the first class and finding that there are expenses that they weren't expecting. Some studios require each student to have their own mat, a special strap or other props. Some classes will work through a book which you are obliged to buy and some classes will have a dress code ranging from specific colours to specific articles of clothing. So be sure to ask questions on what you may need for the class.

6 Benefits of Bikram Yoga

Bikram Yoga is intended to scientifically warm up and stretch tendons, ligaments, and muscles in the proper order that they should be performed, with twenty six series of challenging asanas.  Designed by Bikram Choudhury, these twenty six series of Bikram Yoga posture exercises methodically move oxygenated, fresh blood to the entire body, to every fiber and organ, repairing every single system to a healthy working condition, as nature has designed it to be; the result, toned muscles, proper weight, great sense of well-being, and an energetic good health.

There are numerous benefits of Bikram Yoga and its twenty six asanas; however, here are some of the most asked about areas on benefits of Bikram Yoga postures:

Pranayama Breathing

This gives mental relaxation, and works on the respiratory, circulatory, and nervous systems of the body, as well as detoxification of the body.

Half Moon Pose

This posture helps ease constipation, lower back pain, bronchi stress, stomach obesity, frozen shoulders, and scoliotic deformities.  Other benefits of Bikram Yoga half moon pose include working out the pancreas, colon, and kidneys, as well as working on the trapezius, hamstrings, deltoid, and pectoralis major.

Eagle Pose

The benefits of Bikram Yoga eagle pose includes helping the pelvic area to open, alleviating knee arthritis and joint pain, strengthening the lower limbs, relieving sciatica, and improving flexibility of the ankles and toes.  It also works on the deltoids and quadriceps.

Standing Bow Pose

This Bikram Yoga posture boosts circulation to the lungs and heart, perks up spine elasticity through spine compressing, assists with lower back pain, and opens lungs and diaphragm.

Triangle Pose

This Bikram Yoga pose is good for the kidneys, and it helps in chemical imbalances of the system, as well as helping in alleviate constipation, colitis, spondilitis, menstrual disorders, hip and back pain.  It also gives cardiovascular benefits, as well as working on the circulatory, immune, muscular, digestive, and reproductive systems.

Tree Pose

The tree pose creates knee and hip mobility, helps alleviate inflammation of the lower back, and releases tension of the abdominals.

Toe Stand

This Bikram Yoga posture creates balance in mind and body, strengthens weak joints and stomach muscles, as well as helps with knee problems, arthritis, or gout problems.

These are just some of the benefits of Bikram Yoga postures which deliver total health through strengthening and balancing every system of the body to prevent injury, illness, and limit the effects of aging.