What is Self Mastery? - Part 2
March 21, 2008
To continue with our overview of the physical component of self mastery, it goes without saying that walking is a valuable aerobic exercise - but you have options. You can use a bicycle for nice days, or use indoor aerobic exercise equipment for use on inclement weather days.
My personal favorite is the elliptical trainer. Elliptical trainers allow you to cross train - they are very low impact exercise equipment - you use upper and lower body - and they don’t cause excessive wear in your joints. Elliptical trainers provide a weight bearing workout that tones muscle, adds to bone density, and burns more calories than an exercise bike.
Some of my clients have literally shed weight away with regular use of an elliptical trainer, Yoga classes, and a moderate diet. That leads into the next aspect of physical health: your diet.
Diet has to be moderate and something you can live with. If your diet causes you to be depressed, you can’t stick with it, due to your mental health. However, that doesn’t justify a "junk food" diet.
Use of Lifting Belts During Strength Training Workouts
March 21, 2008
The decision of whether to use a lifting belt during exercise should be guided by the following information:
As mentioned in an earlier article on lower back pain, the deep stabilizing muscles of the lumbo-pelvic region (core) are suspected as having a "drum forming" effect ? that is the muscles contract simultaneously in a reflex (no conscious thought required in people without back pain) action to help stabilize the low back and allow forces to be transferred from the lower body to the upper body and vice versa. This action also has the effect of compressing the abdominal contents - composed primarily of water and very little gas; thus the name of this phenomenon is the "fluid ball" effect. Water as a liquid is essentially incompressible, so you can see how the presence of an internal pressurized fluid "ball" will lend stability to the pelvis and spine and actually help generate torque in the lift. For example, as you descend into a heavy squat, the muscles of the core and diaphragm begin to contract and generate tension on the fluid ball. As you squat deeper and your knees and hips flex more and more, the pelvis starts to tip forward and the large erector spinea muscles begin to lose their strength advantage due to a decreased muscle length. It is logical then to assume that the fluid ball acts as a "block" to prevent excessive spinal flexion and possible compressive damage to the intervertebral ligaments and discs.
Golf Club Swing Weights
March 20, 2008
A golf club’s swing weight helps the player to be able to feel the club head hit the ball. This helps each of the clubs to have the same feel for continuity purposes.
Low lofted iron head’s, such as a 3-iron, have a much lower weight than a higher iron head, but the irons feel the same weight, due to the increased length of the lower irons club. The sand wedge is the only exception to this rule, as it needs the higher weighted club head to move through sand and pop the ball into the air.
Graphite and steel shaft golf wood swing weights vary because of the different compositions of the shafts themselves. While playing golf with steel shaft clubs, you will feel more of the club head than you will with the graphite shafts.
One driver golf tip to keep in mind is that when deciding to change your golf club’s shaft, you need to keep in mind that the weight will change on the club itself, and therefore the feel of the club will change also. You may need to change the weight of the club head itself for the club to retain its feel.
Bodybuilding and Exercise ? The Ten Commandments in Making of a Champion!
March 20, 2008
1. Fill your life up with different hobbies! ? Bodybuilding Champions realize working out is not everything there is in life. Your life does not center on the gym. Experience other activities. Get a hobby; join a group; do outdoor activities in order to stay mentally strong. One day you will realize, your identity is not built on the sport of bodybuilding.
2. Leave your ego at the door! ? Bodybuilding Champions focus on the process and not on themselves. Your life should not center on you and you alone. True Champions in any sport know that it is what the sport gives to your heart that matters most, not the image you want to project.
3. Never forget where you come from! ? Bodybuilding Champions never forget what the sport has taught them, where they have been or who has helped them along the way. Bodybuilding and life share the same principles: what you gain inside is more valuable than anything physical.
4. More is not better! ? Bodybuilding Champions work smarter not harder. Efficiency and knowledge is the key to becoming a true champion. Less effort and more results usually work best. Be smart in your training and practice a little common sense when needing to rest.
Building Better Biceps
March 19, 2008
Two of the nine pivot points - those stunning body parts located precisely where they attract the most attention - are the lower biceps and long head of the triceps. When fully developed, these muscles lend a mystical beauty to the physique that size alone can’t.
BARBELLS FOR BICEPS
To work the lower biceps, use a preacher bench that has a rounded face and well-padded corners. Place a towel over the bench so the vinyl doesn’t rub the skin off your elbows.
First, do a set of dumbbell curls with a weight heavy enough that you can do only 6 reps. Go all the way down, uncurl the wrist and then curl it again. you can cheat on this exercise, but be sure to uncurl and curl your wrists at the bottom of the movement. After completing 6 reps and 4 partial reps, go immediately to the wide-grip barbell curl. Form is critical, so follow these tips:
Select a barbell that’s about 45% of your one-rep max for standing barbell curls.
Grasp the bar with your palms up and thumbs wrapped around the bar.
Use a grip that’s about 4 inches wider than shoulder width.
The Beginners Game of Golf
March 19, 2008
A professional should give beginner golf swing instruction. In this way, you will learn to correct way to grip your clubs, stand, and swing. They will concentrate on the three fundamentals grip, stance, and posture so you will have the basic foundation to play the game.
Free golf tips for beginners can be found from any person wandering around on the driving range or golf course, but you will want to take these with a grain of salt. Free golf tips can be found on the internet also. They will have sections for tips on driving the golf ball and putting.
The best place to practice your driving and putting is at a driving range or par-3 golf course. This will give you a less stressed place to learn your fundamentals. When you are more comfortable with your technique and your game then you may want to try a 18 hole course.
The belly putter technique uses a two-gripped longer shafted putter, which rests against your belly and is swung in a smooth motion. This technique is great for golfers who have problems keeping their pivots steady. Your pivot point includes your elbows, shoulders, and head. This enables the player to have a smooth and even tempo stroke.
Interesting Facts on Samurai Sword Manufacture
March 18, 2008
A samurai’s sword is his most sacred and prized possession. Not only did the samurai rely on his sword to defend him, but spiritually the sword held greater significance as the samurai actually believed his soul inhabited the sword. Therefore it comes as no surprise that the same discipline and respect in which the samurai wielded his sword, went into the actual making of the sword itself.
Swords weren’t simply ‘cast’ in a mould and then sharpened. A Japanese samurai sword was made by an intricate process of heating the steel, hammering it flat, then folding it, then hammering it flat again, and folding. This process of repeated hammering and folding would be done up to as much as 30 times, or until the maker was satisfied it had been done properly.
There are quite a few reasons for this labour-intense procedure. Firstly, any air pockets which might develop during the heating of the steel would be eliminated. Having an air pocket in a seemingly solid blade would be a weak point, and any weak point would be seen as neglect and any dedicated artisan would produce the highest quality blades as if his own life depended upon the very blade he was forging. Secondly, in the repeated folding and hammering, what might be described as ‘layers’ were produced. Take a book and roll it up it parallel with the spine, these internal layers would look something like this, almost like the rings of a cross section of a tree trunk. This added much strength to the blade.
Whirlpool Baths: The Way To Good Health
March 18, 2008
For hundreds of years, mankind has recognised the soothing, remedial effects of bathing. Several decades ago the medical profession acknowledged the benefits of hydrotherapy and began to prescribe the use of whirlpool baths as an effective treatment of many common physical ailments, a course of action that is now often used in clinics and hospitals around the world.
Hydro massage relieves the effects of stress, balances your bodies negative reaction to tension, relaxes muscles, lowers your heart rate and helps blood pressure and circulation return to normal.
Like a tightly compressed sponge, a tense muscle retains less fluid than one that is relaxed. This lessens the circulation of blood and increases the pressure placed on your heart. It can leave you feeling tired and aching, reducing your precious energy levels and making you feel irritable and lethargic.
Whirlpool hydro massage eases tense muscles and increases circulation, allowing the bodies cells to receive much-needed oxygen and energy-producing nutrients. Metabolic waste products are removed and your blood count increases, resulting in even better oxygen distribution.
Left Handed Golf Tips
March 17, 2008
Where do you find left handed golf tips? You find right handed golf tips in every golf magazine available but it is nearly impossible to flip the instructions around to fit you. In addition, let’s not even talk about trying to flip the diagrams and pictures! How do you learn to play golf left handed? Here are a few golf tips for left handers.
1. Make sure you are doing the basics correctly. Lining up with the ball, keeping your clubface square, etc. If you are not sure, you may want to take a lesson with a club pro.
2. A proper right-handed grip will give you more control over the ball.
3. Point your right shoulder toward the target. Bad body alignment is a major cause of bad golf shots.
4. To strengthen your grip, concentrate on the right hand and not the left. If you concentrate too much on the left, then you may cause a fade or a slice.
5. Keep your left foot anchored flat on the ground. If your left foot comes up on the toe, then your hips are not moving correctly and therefore, your clubface may not remain square on the ball.
Sport
March 17, 2008
In our modern day society we have moved away from walking anywhere and think nothing of jumping into the car for a quick trip to the corner shop. We live life at such a fast pace that we feel we dont have time to walk anywhere and as a result we are probably the most unfit that we have ever been.
Things are beginning to change as we slowly realise that our own health is in our hands and many people are turning to Sport to help them enjoy becoming healthier.
Sport is a diverse area, which continues to grow. Many countries around the world embrace and claim a Sport as their own, calling it a national Sport. It has become a World Wide industry in which countries compete and stake claims on titles and trophies. There seems to be a Sport that suits everyone and of every age.
There are various types of sport that range from professional to amateur. There are Olympic Standard Sports and sports that are just for fun. There are lone sports such as hurdles, javelin throwing and pool. There are team sports such as basketball, hockey and rugby. There are also sports that can be both, such as tennis, running and swimming.
