Health Benefits of Nordic Walking

• It works the upper and lower body at the same time, strengthening the back, legs and arms


• It reduces neck and shoulder tension

• It is very social and suitable for all levels of fitness. Once you have learned the basics you can do it alone or join a class

• Studies show it works the heart, lungs and body harder yet it feels easier and less tiring than regular walking

• It burns 20 per cent more calories than regular walking at the same speed as you are using your legs, arms, shoulders, chest and back muscles

• It works your heart yet you feel more relaxed so it’s a more intense workout for less perceived effort. Studies of high intensity Nordic Walking showed heart levels reaching 75% of its maximum rate while participants were walking. If you want to increase the workout you can also try running with the poles

If you already walk, power walk, hike, run, or cycle, Nordic Walking will enhance your fitness level. In addition, walking with poles is a lot more interesting and engrossing than plain walking. So next time you go out for walking just remember this:

Why settle for plain walking, if you could be exercising your whole body with Nordic Walking?

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More on Nordic Walking

Nordic walking can indeed play a vital role in almost anyone's health and fitness program. Below is my view on who may benefit, and how. Please CHECK WITH YOUR DOCTOR before starting any new exercise, including Nordic walking - especially if you have any health issues.


• Anyone currently walking for fitness: You're already walking to get - or stay - fit, why not get more out of it and save time while actually reducing stress on your knees and joints.

• Low-impact exercise for weight loss & general health: This is a time-efficient total-body exercise you can actually enjoy.

• Former runners or runners in pain: If you experience a lot of pain in your knees and joints from running, but walking doesn't seem like 'enough', this is for you. By increasing the intensity of your pole-plants, you can get an aerobic workout similar to running without the joint pain. Plus you get the added bonus of toning the muscles in your arms and upper body.

• Rehab from surgery: From knee and hip replacements to heart surgery, and all things in-between, Nordic walking has proven to be popular in rehab situations. It's an easy, efficient exercise and the poles not only take stress off your lower-body joints but also provide extra balance and stability.

• Recovery from pregnancy: An easy, body-friendly way to burn more calories, faster, to help you get to your desired weight and total-body fitness level after pregnancy. Some also use the poles during pregnancy, appreciating the added balance, stability and joint-relief.

• Serious Athletes: Some athletes use it as a low-impact cross-training exercise to round out their fitness program.

• Trend-setters: Some people just like to keep up with the times. Many consider this modern way to walk the 'new' yoga / pilates / spinning / etc. If that's your reason for Nordic walking, more power to you.

Text courtsey of Boomyah International.

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Sudarshan Kriya to get Into Meditation!!!

Sudarshan Kriya is a rhythmic breathing technique designed to relieve people of stress of daily living leading to a more peaceful and joyful state of being. It has been taught since more than 25 years in over 140 countries across the globe with remarkable results

This breathing technique incorporates specific natural rhythms of breath that release stress, detoxify the body, and center the mind in the present moment, naturally bringing it to a meditative state. Quieting the mind and dissolving deep into meditation, this technique brings joy, peace, and a sense of belonging to oneself and others. Independent research has shown that Sudarshan Kriya helps significantly in the following ways and more:


• Reduces levels of stress (reduce cortisol - the "stress" hormone)

• Supports the immune system

• Increases optimism

• Relieves anxiety and depression (mild, moderate and severe)

• Increases anti-oxidant protection

• Enhances brain function (increased mental focus, calmness and recovery from stressful stimuli)

• Enhances well-being and peace of mind

This simple, yet powerful breathing practice has a unique advantage: it is free from unwanted side-effects, can cut health care costs, and is easy to learn and practice in daily life. This powerful technique teaches us how to have greater peace, energy and joy...for a lifetime. We have learned many skills at home and in school, but we have never been taught how to handle negative emotions like anger, sadness, fear etc. If we learn the skill to deal with our mind when these emotions arise, the quality of our lives can change significantly for the better. We can take control of our negative feelings and experience a new depth in life and spirituality. So people what are you waiting for? Learn this powerful technique today and see how it changes your life only for good.

Sudarshan Kriya is taught across the globe as a 5-day part time course by teachers of the Art of Living Foundation organization. People in greater Phoenix area now have a unique opportunity to learn this technique from a senior Art of Living teacher. Art of Living, Phoenix chapter, is very soon organizing a basic mediation and Sudarshan kriya Course in Phoenix. For details please feel free to email us at durgam@artofliving.org or call at 480-557-6333. You can also visit the website www.artofliving.org to learn more about the technique and enroll in a course near you.

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The Art of Meditation

Our mind is at work all day, every day. Every decision we make, every challenge that we face, every moment we go through in life, our mind is our constant companion...and it can be our best friend or our worst enemy. Our mind needs a way to release all this tension and stress, or if possible, not create it at all. Hence, we need a vacation every now and then to keep ourselves refreshed and rejuvenated. But let’s face it; few of us are in a position to take a vacation whenever we desire because of our work and financial commitments.


"The good news is that we can afford to go on a vacation every day, even more than once a day, without going away and spending money. We can enjoy a period of freedom from our daily tasks and chores, from stress and problems, and at the same time renew our energy and enjoy inner peace. We can all enjoy such a vacation when we practice meditation". More and more people are coming to realize that one’s quality of life depends largely on one’s quality of mind. People are becoming aware of the fact that meditation is a way not only to relax and de-stress but also a way to accelerate spiritual development and enhance overall quality of life.

So what is meditation?

Quite simply, meditation is that space when the thoughts have subsided, and the mind is in complete rest. When you are really happy, reposing in love, you are meditating. When the mind settles down, it lets go of tension and stress and centers itself in the present moment. Daily practice of meditation enables us to gain an increased ability to focus and concentrate, as well as clarity of mind and expanded awareness. Meditation also removes past impressions, and provides relaxation and deep rest. The rest one gains in effortless meditation is deeper than the deepest sleep. Through specific, natural breathing techniques, it’s possible to quiet the mind of thoughts, preparing it to slip easily into meditation.

Ref:
Why Meditate?," Remez Sasson",SuccessConsciousness.com

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Why settle for plain walking?

I always strive to find new and exciting ways to work my entire body. In a couple of months when the weather in Phoenix will be perfect for outdoor activities, I will be back on my walking track. I pride in calling myself a walker and can walk for hours. I believe walking is the best way to stay fit while being in close proximity to nature. However, I always wanted more and wondered if there was a way to get a total body workout just by walking. This quest led me to discover a new form of walking called “NORDIC WALKING”.


Quite simply, Nordic Walking could be described as WALKING PLUS, or even EXTREME WALKING.

Nordic walking, pole walking, ski walking...whatever you call it, it's the hottest new fitness trend in Europe and now it's spreading around the world. In just a few years, over 8 million people have switched to this modern way to walk for exercise. Nordic walking is using specially-designed poles for fitness walking. Using poles, you transform regular walking into a total-body exercise that's actually gentler on your knees and joints. You get a better aerobic exercise while adding light resistances training for your arms and upper body that you don’t get with regular walking. Nordic walking is one of the fastest-growing new exercises in history, mainly because it's easy, anyone can do it, anywhere, anytime, and it flat-out works. It's like a one-stop-shopping exercise ideal for busy lives, providing superior total-body fitness & health benefits in less time.

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