Thursday 2 August 2012

Use Beer For Soft and Shiny Hair!


Use Beer For Soft and Shiny Hair!

Many of us drink beer regularly or occasionally. But do you know that beer is also good for hair. It might sound strange but it is a true fact. Experts say that beer works as an excellent conditioner for very dry and dull hair. So, it is time to grab a bottle of beer and change your lifeless hair into healthy and shiny hair.
Beer
Beer is an affordable hair remedy for those looking for shiny and healthy looking hair. In fact, for ages beer has been used as a conditioner for hair. There are special components within beer that helps in conditioning hair like never before. It contains vitamins B and proteins that give nourishment to dull hair making them soft and shiny. It also gives volume to your hair as well. The phosphorus, magnesium, potassium and maltose found in beer work as a natural conditioner for hair. Due to the goodness of beer, you can find several commercial hair products in the market using beer as one of their main ingredients.

Some hair benefits of using beer:

  • It gives extra shine to your hair.
  • It makes your hair silky soft.
  • It repairs damaged hair.
  • It gives volume to your hair.
  • It tightens the cuticle of your hair shaft for enhanced shine.
  • It helps in preventing hair loss and controlling dandruff.
  • It gives a smooth feel to your hair.
However, it is essential to understand that the benefits of beer usually depend on hair type and condition. Beer is better are those having oily hair as compared to those having colored hair or extremely dry hair. When using beer for hair, it is advisable to use a flat one without fizz which means no carbonation in it. You can use any beer brand but it should be without fizz. To make a bottle of beer fizzles just keep the bottle open for some time until the bubbles are no more. Also try to get a beer without a strong odor; otherwise your hair will have an unpleasant or awful smell.
It is also essential to note that beer is not a substitute for traditional shampoo and conditioner. It will never have positive impacts on your hair when used alone. For better result, it is advisable to use beer occasionally.
Beautiful hair

You can increase the benefits of beer with these home based recipes:

  1. To make a beer shampoo, you need one cup of mild shampoo and one forth cup of boiled beer. Allow the beer to cool at room temperature and then add the shampoo to it. Now wash your hair with this shampoo. The cleansing properties of your regular shampoo when combined with shampoo help to improve the texture and quality of your hair.
  2. Next you can make a beer conditioner too. To make it take one cup of warm beer and one teaspoon of jojoba oil and mix it properly. Now after washing your hair with a beer shampoo it should be followed by applying this natural conditioner on your hair. This conditioner will add volume and shine to your hair.
  3. You can also make a beer rinse at home. To make this rinse take one tablespoon water, two teaspoon cider vinegar, one tablespoon flat beer and mix it with five drops of rosemary essential oil. Now use this solution to rinse your hair after shampooing. This rinse will help in removing any build-up accumulated on the scalp and hair strands from hair care products. When using beer on hair, you must rinse thoroughly and preferably with lukewarm or cold water. Hot water should not be used as it will make your hair dry.
So, it is time to start using beer for hair and enjoy the compliments from other on your luscious locks. Beer can be used on any hair type including soft, dull, silky, damaged, dry and curly.

Uses of Castor Oil for Hair


 
Uses of Castor Oil for Hair 
Castor oil, derived from the bean and seeds of the castor plant, has been used for many years as a laxative, a lubricant and in skin and hair care products. This naturally produced vegetable oil has many uses, including treating dry scalp, adding shine and conditioning dry hair. When used for hair care, castor oil should be applied topically, directly to the hair or scalp.

Proper Care of African-American Hair

According to a manual produced by the state of Connecticut, a light and all-natural oil such as castor oil should be applied to African-American babies' hair following weekly washing and brushing. Castor oil is a popular ingredient in hair products formulated for African-American and ethnic hair types because it is known for its ability to moisturize the hair, combating the natural dryness of these hair types.

Treatment of Dry Scalp or Dandruff

"The Connecticut Ethnic Hair and Skin Care Manual" advises those with dry scalp or dandruff to apply castor oil directly onto the dry areas prior to washing or shampooing the hair. Castor oil contains fungicidal, germicidal and insecticidal properties, making it an effective treatment for many causes of dandruff. In addition, castor oil hair treatments seal in moisture when applied to either the hair or the scalp, making it an excellent scalp moisturizer.

In Shampoo and Conditioner

Castor oil is a common ingredient in all-natural and homemade shampoo and hair conditioning products. The beauty site Girltalks.org provides a recipe for homemade hair conditioners containing castor oil, intended to add volume to the hair. Castor oil contains a high concentration of fatty acids to retain moisture and nourish the hair. Use shampoo or conditioner containing castor oil if your hair is limp, lifeless or dry.

For Added Shine

According to researchers studying the light reflected from hair samples, castor oil hair treatments were found to increase the luster of hair. Hairfinder.com explains that this effect is caused by castor oil's ability to coat the hair shaft, sealing in moisture and creating a silkier surface. Dull hair may benefit from the use of castor oil hair treatments, either in conditioners or in the form of a hot oil treatment. For optimum shine, use a hot oil treatment once per month or moisturizing treatments weekly. However, more frequent use than this, cautions Hairfinder.com, can result in an oily scalp.

For Longer Eyelashes or Faster Hair Growth

Many people have long believed in castor oil as a folk remedy to increase the speed of eyelash growth. However, according to the scientists at The Beauty Brains, there have been no scientific studies to prove that castor oil makes your eyelashes grow. Many people also believe in castor oil as a treatment for hair loss or baldness. Again, however, there is little scientific evidence to support this use of castor oil. While castor oil may make your hair silkier or shinier, it will not make it grow faster.

Uses for Castor Oil in Beauty


Uses for Castor Oil in Beauty 
For at least a century, castor oil has shown up in cartoons and folklore as a nasty tasting substance forced upon children by adults. As it turns out, there is some truth in this long-held notion that castor oil is good for a number of ailments. While still commonly thought of for its uses in digestive problems, there are a number of other uses for castor oil. In fact, it is a common ingredient in many cosmetic products and has uses in several personal beauty applications.

Cosmetics

According to CosmeticsInfo.org, castor oil is a fatty vegetable oil obtained from the seeds of the ricinus communis plant. Many derivatives of ricinoleate, a substance formed from castor oil, make up the ingredients of such common cosmetic products as deodorant, lipstick, eyeliner, soaps and perfumes. Castor oil is a good emulsifier and emollient because it maintains its structure at extremely high and low temperatures. Castor helps cosmetic products maintain a smooth consistency in a variety of climate conditions.

Eyelashes and Eyebrows

You can apply castor oil to your eyelashes and eyebrows to promote hair growth and to enhance a healthy, lustrous appearance. You can safely use castor oil around the eye area since you can even put it directly into the eye to remove irritants. The DailyGlow website recommends using a mixture of 1 tbsp. castor oil and 1/8 cup of grapeseed oil as a natural eye makeup remover.

Hair Conditioner and Treatments

According to a study at Minnesota State University, the ancient Egyptians were one of the first to use castor oil in beauty applications, especially for the hair. Egyptian men applied castor oil to their scalps to stimulate hair growth and prevent baldness. It is still recommended to put castor oil on the scalp to prevent baldness and relieve dandruff.
The natural fatty acids in castor oil make it a good hair conditioner. Warm up a small amount of pure castor oil and apply it to your hair for at least 15 minutes before shampooing. To create a more pleasant smell and decrease the stickiness of the castor oil, add almond or coconut oil or a favorite essential oil.

Skin Cleanser

CosmeticsInfo.org states that one use of castor oil and its derivatives is as a cleansing surfactant. This means that castor oil helps water to mix with oil and dirt in order to wash them away easily. Unlike other cleansers that contain man-made chemicals such as sodium laureth sulfate, castor oil is very similar to skin's natural oils and won't strip away moisture to clean.

Skin Softener

According to Indian-Heritage.org, castor oil is a traditional beauty treatment for skin all over the body. In this culture, you would apply castor oil to the eyes, soles of the feet and on the head. The castor oil would soak in and then be washed off in a bath.
Today, this traditional application remains largely unchanged. Smooth castor oil over the entire body and wash it off in a warm bath to condition skin over the entire body. You can use it on cracked heels and on dry nail beds and cuticles.

Castor Oil Effects on Hair Growth

Castor Oil Effects on Hair Growth 
 
Castor oil is derived from the seed or bean of the castor plant. It's most commonly used as a laxative, but it has many other reported functions. Castor oil may help eliminate warts, boils, menstrual congestion disorders, ringworm, and fungal and bacterial infections, according to The Analyst website. It may also improve the condition of your hair and aid in hair growth, although little scientific evidence exists to support these claims.

Properties

Castor oil contains vitamin E, minerals, proteins, antibacterial and anti-fungicidal properties. The Castor Oil website attributes its healing benefits to its unusual chemical composition, which consists of a triglyceride of fatty acids with ricinoleic acid of up to 90 percent. In addition to healing benefits, castor oil also contains anti-inflammatory properties, all of which are related to healthy hair growth.

Improves Circulation

Target Woman, an online health and beauty magazine, lists good circulation as an important factor for hair growth. Sufficient circulation in the scalp area helps stimulate blood flow to the hair follicles. When the roots of your hair are properly nourished, your hair strands will be stronger and more resilient, allowing them to grow longer without breaking. Castor oil on your scalp can help to increase circulation. In addition, castor oil has a strengthening effect on hair follicles and can stimulate hair growth in cases of alopecia, or hair loss, according to Live and Feel, a health and beauty website.

Prevents Hair Loss

The Hair Disease website says the antifungal and antibacterial properties in castor oil are useful in combating scalp infections, such as follliculitus, ringworm and peidra. Infections and scalp disorders are major causes of hair loss. Pathogens and micro-organisms such as viruses, bacteria, fungus and parasites can attack your skin and scalp, leading to bald patches and impeding hair growth.

Controls Split Ends

Castor oil as a conditioning treatment can help reduce split ends, which in turn prevents hair loss and breakage. Omega 6 essential fatty acids, vitamin E, proteins and other nutrients in castor oil can penetrate dry and damaged hair, smoothing rough cuticles and helping the hair shaft retain moisture. Castor oil has a viscous consistency, so mixing it with lighter oils -- such as olive and jojoba -- makes it easier to evenly and sufficiently distribute it throughout your hair.

Moisturizes Scalp

Omega 6 fatty acids in castor oil help keep your scalp from drying out, while regular use of castor oil may encourage thicker hair growth, according to the Black Women Beauty Central website. Unrefined castor oil is preferred over refined types, because it contains more nutrients and healing properties. Use castor oil for hot oil treatments and scalp massages to stimulate hair growth and keep your hair soft and manageable. Leave the oil in your hair overnight, covered with a plastic cap to trap heat and enhance penetration. In the morning, wash your hair thoroughly with shampoo to remove all traces of castor oil, then style as usual.

What Are the Benefits of Using Castor Oil on Hair?


What Are the Benefits of Using Castor Oil on Hair? 
Castor oil comes from the castor bean plant. It is the source of ricin, a poison more deadly than rattlesnake venom. In its greatly diluted form, castor oil was given to children on a weekly basis to aid digestion and in the belief that it would rid them of internal parasites. Using castor oil on hair is a tradition among Caribbean parents and is finding new popularity today as people search for natural hair remedies. Castor oil hair treatments are available commercially, but since castor oil mixes well with other ingredients, it is simple and less expensive to make your own.

Insecticidal Benefits

Mix castor oil with neem oil and turmeric and use them to coat your scalp and hair if you have head lice. Castor oil has long been used as a way to kill head lice in Ayurvedic medicine, and it is an ingredient in lice killing shampoos. The slipperiness of the castor oil will also help you comb out the nits.

Antibacterial and Anti-fungal Benefits

Massage castor oil into your scalp after a camping trip, hike, or other outdoor activity. The ricin and ricinoleic acid in castor oil acts as an antibacterial and anti-fungal agent. According to the people at Organic Facts, bacteria and fungus are leading causes of hair loss, though MayoClinic.com only lists ringworm as a fungus-related cause of hair loss. Castor oil has been used to cure ringworm for centuries.

Cosmetic Benefits

Pour a cup or so of castor oil into a small bowl. Add a tablespoon of lavender or almond oil to scent it and thin it out slightly. Castor oil is thicker then commercial hot oil treatments, so it coats and seals the hair shaft which traps moisture inside more effectively. Warm the oil for a second or two in the microwave, so that it is about the same temperature as your skin. Massage it into your scalp and coat your hair. Put your hair up and wrap your head in cling wrap, then let the treatment sit overnight. Shampoo as usual in the morning. Repeat twice a month as needed.

How to Apply Castor Oil for Hair


How to Apply Castor Oil for HairCastor oil has many uses. It's often ingested as a laxative but is also thought to benefit the hair when applied as a mask or wash. Carefair.com suggests a weekly treatment of castor oil for the hair to maintain smoothness and softness. Castor oil is sometimes used as a natural home remedy for hair loss. The application of this oil, whether effective in preventing hair loss or not, is like any other oil and can provide extra moisture to hair. Castor oil is odorless, unlike many other oil products suitable for hair.

Step 1

Mix 1/4 cup castor oil with 1/4 cup water directly before hair treatment.

Step 2

Massage the scalp and hair down to the ends with the mixture.

Step 3

Rinse the hair with warm water. When possible, wrap the hair with a towel and leave it overnight for intensive 

Step 4

Shampoo the hair with your regular product to remove the castor oil.

Tips and Warnings

  • Warm the oil for a homemade hot oil treatment. Do this by placing the container of castor oil in a glass of warm water. Never microwave or boil the oil; this could cause serious burn injuries. Pour warm oil over the hair and scalp, and allow it to set for 20 to 30 minutes before shampooing. For the treatment of dandruff or eczema, use a comb and gently comb the scalp while the oil is setting. This loosens flaky skin and provides extra hydration to a dry scalp.

Things You'll Need

  • 1/4 cup castor oil
  • 1/4 cup water
  • Towel
  • Shampoo
hydration treatment.

Castor Oil for Healthy Natural Hair Growth




How Does Castor Oil Help Hair Growth

A lot of people want to know about castor oil as whether it helps hair growth. Well, the truth behind castor oil and hair growth is that it can surely help a lot in taking care of hair loss and hair thinning problem.  In fact many people have been using castor oil for years to treat their hair loss problem and have got positive results too.  
Long hair
Use of castor oil is a natural way to make your hair healthier and thicker. Having plenty of medicinal uses, castor oil is very effective in maintaining beautiful and healthy hair. So, if you are facing hair problems such as hair thinning and hair loss, it is time to get a castor oil and get benefitted from it. 

What is castor oil?

Castor oil is extracted from the seeds of the castor bean plant. Since time immemorial the oil is used for a various hair and skin care problems. It is regarded as valuable oil due to its myriad uses. This liquid oil can be colorless or very pale yellow in color with mild or no odor or taste. When you touch this oil, it feels thick and sticky. As this get absorbs fast and easily into skin and scalp cells, it is one of the most popular ingredients used in many skin and hair care products. 
Castor seed

Why castor oil is popular?

Castor oil has been used for generation and even today there is a huge demand for this oil in the market. The simple reason behind the popularity of castor oil is due to its curative and medicinal properties. The Ricinoleic acid found in castor oil help in getting rid of bacterial and fungal infection on the scalp that causes hair loss. This oil is also used extensively in many popular home remedies for hair growth.

Benefits of Castor oil for hair growth

Castor plant

Stimulates Hair Growth:

When it comes to hair growth castor oil is really good. When you massage with castor oil it stimulate the hair follicles leading to new and faster hair growth. Also as this oil gets easily absorbed by the scalp, it helps hair follicles to grow additional hair.

Conditions Scalp:

Regular use of castor oil also conditions the scalp and hair. Well conditioned hair means healthier hair and better texture. Healthy hair strands appear thicker as compared to unhealthy hair strands. This hair oil must be used by those having thin hair.

Strengthens Hair:

Each and every hair strand becomes stronger with the regular application of castor oil. Stronger hair stays in the follicle for a longer period of time. Thus, there will be less hair breakage and hair loss. Broken hair strands can make hair appear thinner but with castor oil you will not be facing any such problem.

Prevents Hair Loss:

Due to the anti-bacterial and anti-fungicidal properties of ricinoleic acid available in castor oil it also helps in preventing hair loss. When you apply castor oil on to your scalp it protects the scalp and hair from infections that can cause hair loss.

Solves Dryness:

The omega-9 fatty acids available in castor oil keep the hair well moisturized and nourishes. It also prevents the scalp from becoming too dry. Regular application of castor oil to your scalp and roots will make dry hair soft and shiny within months. Dry scalp is one of the many reasons behind hair loss and other hair related problems.

Solves Dandruff Problem:

When you apply castor oil onto your scalp it cleanses the scalp thoroughly without leaving any trace of dry flakes. It removes the dirt and bacteria that clog the pores that often become the reason behind dandruff and hair fall. Dandruff is also caused by too much sebum production in your scalp that can be easily controlled by the anti-bacterial property of castor oil. 

Cure Scalp Infections:

The healing properties of castor oil can be used to cure scalp infections and other side effects caused due to various chemical treatments. This oil will prevent your hair from becoming brittle and will promote healthy hair growth.

Acts as Lubricant:

Castor oil also works quite effectively as a lubricant for the hair. Natural lubricants produced by our body often do not reach the hair roots. Castor oil helps to maintain a healthy level of lubrication on hair and assists in keeping hair from getting tangled.

Brings Shine to Hair:

As castor oil is humectants in nature it helps in maintaining the moisture level of hair. When hair is well moisturized it will become soft, shiny and strong. It also helps in helps in curing damaged, frizzy and split ends hair.

Stops Graying Hair:

When your hair is treated with castor oil regularly, you can get rid of premature graying of hair. After massaging the scalp regularly with the oil, the color of hair will become darker and there will be no trace of gray hair.
Well, castor oil is versatile as it can solve different hair problems. It can solve simple hair problems like frizzy locks, dandruff, or split ends along with serious hair problems such as excessive hair loss and damaged locks.

Where to buy castor oil?

Castor oil is available in the market. You must always buy cold-pressed and hexane-free castor oil which is tasteless and odorless in form. Using the unrefined or purest form of castor oil will give you best results. Avoid refined, adulterated castor oil as it can clog the pores on the scalp. A bottle of castor oil will last for a long time as due to its thick nature you need to use it in very small amounts. 

Best way to use castor oil:

Castor oil
Looking at the manifold benefits of castor oil for healthy hair, you must also give it a try. But before using castor oil for hair growth, it is essential to know how to use castor oil: Here is a step-by-step process of using castor oil:
  • Always invest in good quality castor oil to enjoy its benefits. Cold-pressed and hexane-free castor oil is the best one for hair.
  • Using your fingertips, apply castor oil to your roots and scalp thoroughly.
  • The oil should be applied on the roots and scalp. Avoid using the oil into your hair as due its thick consistency it cannot be washed out easily.
  • After applying castor oil, cover your hair with a towel for at least 15 to 20 minutes or allow it to set overnight.
  • Wash your hair with a mild shampoo to remove the castor oil.
  • Follow the process once a week for two to three months to see the results.
Note: You can also mix castor oil with grapeseed oil to minimize its thick consistency and to get relief from the unpleasant smell of the oil.

To conclude, castor oil benefits for hair are astounding.  But, for those who are facing hair problems, it is essential to understand that using castor oil is just one of the strategies to encourage hair growth. For healthy hair growth there are many other factors too that need to be considered such as a healthy diet, getting enough sleep, regular exercise, proper hair care, using the best quality hair products and so on. When every criterion is fulfilled it will mean longer, thicker and stronger.

Control Hair Falling - Hair Care during Rainy Season

Rains are a synonym of loads of fun but also signal the need for extra protection, be it of your vehicle or yourself (your hair in particular). The monsoon humidity robs hair of its bounce leaving it limp and lifeless. The scalp constantly sweats leading to itching, scratching and increased hair fall.  Humidity weakens hair making it easily breakable.
If you get drenched in the rain, shampoo your hair as soon as you get back home. Rainwater carries atmospheric pollutants that weaken your hair roots causing hair fall. Also, it is recommended that you use a mild anti-dandruff shampoo.
Avoid hot hair treatment such as perming, straightening or coloring in the rainy season. Ironing hair is not advisable either as the repeated flow of hot air can cause damage to hair resulting in breakage and split ends.

7 Common Myths and Facts Associated With Hair Loss

  • Herbal Shampoo Doesn’t Contain Detergent

Shampoo that generates lather, always contain detergent. Herbal shampoo is no exception of this. Actually, lather doesn’t generate without detergent. Most of the shampoos contain Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES, Wikipedia.org/SLES) or Sodium Lauryl Sulphate (SLS, Wikipedia.org/SLS). SLS is used in any task requiring the removal of oily stains and residues, is the key ingredient of engine degreasers, floor cleaners, and car wash soaps. If you want to avoid application of detergent, search for a shampoo without SLS or SLES. Or you can use a home-made mixture of Soap Nut (Botanical Name: Sapindus mucorosai), Acacia (Botanical Name: Acacia Concinna) and rosemary for washing hair.
  • Applying Oil Daily Gives Strong and Healthy Hair

Oil makes hair heavy and dirty. Oily hair attract dust and dirt. Therefore, applying oil after hair wash doesn’t have any benefits. Besides, the claim that applying hair oil gives long hair is a misconception.

  • Usage of Extra Protein Shampoo
Market is flooded with several shampoos claiming to have extra protein. The notable point here is that while washing, protein in the shampoo doesn’t enter the hair or its roots. Shampoo’s main role is limited to cleaning the external surface of hair, that is, its cuticles. Hair do need protein but it comes from a good diet.
  • Going Bald or Cutting Hair Increases Hair Growth
Many people shave their head or trim their hair short when undergoing serious hair loss. They think short hair will reduce hair fall or new hair after going bald will not shed. However, this is a misconception. Going bald does not have any effect on hair fall.
  • Contact Time of Shampoo
Most of the people wash off shampoo immediately after its application or keep the shampoo in the hair for very long. They think prolonged application of shampoo in hair will benefit hair. But the fact is that the contact time of shampoo to hair should be around five minutes, neither less nor more. This allows appropriate time for cleaning of dirt in the hair.
  • Oil Removes Dandruff
Hormone level change during youth or puberty makes the scalp oily and causes dandruff. People think applying oil in hair will help them get rid of dandruff though it is not true. Oil doesn’t help remove dandruff in any way.
  • Daily Washing Causes Hair Fall
Dirty hair causes more hair fall, and shampooing hair daily reduces falling of hair. Fixed amounts of hair fall every day. If hair are washed after a long gap, then also those hair will fall. It is possible that most of the hair fall happens during the massage before shampooing and while shampooing you find less hair fall.

Grooming Tips - To Stop Hair Loss

Healthy hair mostly stay strong even if you use normal grooming techniques. However, poor grooming habits result in thinning or breakage of hair. The following tips can prevent these bouts of thinning and breakage of hair:

•    Avoid combing hair with fine-toothed combs when wet. Although this is a tempting practice as hair straightens and de-tangles much easily if combed when wet, this is a common cause of breakage.  The stress on the hair shaft is immense when the hair is wet resulting in weakened hair roots.

Brushing hair in general can be stimulating to the scalp, encouraging blood flow to the hair follicles and maintaining their health. Brushing the hair before washing them loosens up flakes of sebum and dead skin buildup and makes it easier to thoroughly clean the scalp during shampooing. Remember, over-combing or over-brushing generally causes damage to the hair, which is quite contrary to the old 100-stroke brushing rule.

•    Avoid hair styles that pull hair tight:

A lot of people use hair styles that need tight pulling of hair.  This process of hair styling causes friction among hair strands and results in hair breakage. This condition is known as Tractional Alopecia.

•    The Right Hair Washing Technique:

Before hair wash, comb your hair to get rid of any tangles. This decreases chances of breakage due to tangling. Then, damp hair and apply shampoo to your hair gently. Apply shampoo in a way that it spreads from the hair roots to ends.
Move your hands in this manner gently and generate lather. Do not handle hair roughly and don’t rub them together unnecessarily when generating lather as this can result in damage and tangling.
After cleaning hair for 2 to 3 minutes with lather, rinse thoroughly with water. Make sure not even a trace of shampoo is left on the scalp. Always use minimal required shampoo so that it rinses off easily.

A lot of people do not use conditioner after shampooing. They think this makes hair weak. However, it is a huge misconception. Conditioner helps complete the nutritional cycle of hair. Conditioner help maintain the shine of hair. When applying conditioner, be careful that the conditioner does not enter the scalp skin. It damages the hair.

Thoroughly wash off the conditioner one minute after applying. Be sure of rinsing the conditioner completely. Be even more careful than shampoo and rinse off the conditioner thoroughly.

Don’t rub wet hair rigorously with towel nor try to twitch them fast in order to dry. Note that in wet state hair are most soft and weak. After washing hair, wipe them softly with towel or wrap hair with a towel and leave for a few minutes. Towel will absorb water in some time.

Don’t use fine-toothed comb. Also, avoid combing wet hair.

•    Hair Massaging:

All doctors unanimously believe that oil does not have a major contribution in hair growth and nutrition. According to them, though a good scalp massage does improve blood circulation of the head; but besides this, oil in the hair only attracts dirt.

One can apply oil some time before taking shower. This works as a kind of conditioning but results in excessive use of shampoo which has its own risks.

Any oil can be used for massage. Oil should be applied with light hands otherwise hair in their shedding stage start falling even more. Therefore, always be careful of tall claims of different oils for hair growth.

Avoid Certain Foods to Help Stop Hair Fall

  • One should avoid eating certain food and edible items completely to control falling of hair. Consuming Nicotine, Alcohol, Caffeine and Sugar can result in lowering of nutrient level your body drastically. This can lead to hair loss and high androgen production because of increase in adrenal levels in your body .
  • Fried foods or food items that are high in cholesterol and saturated fats should be avoided as these foods can cause an increase in DHT levels (a by-product that causes hair loss).
  • Do not use extra salt in your food as higher values of sodium (from salt) than the recommended daily value can lead to hair loss. Also, always use iodized salt. Iodine is an important nutrient for hair growth. Sea food is also a good and natural source of iodine.
  • Avoid Aspartame, an artificial sweetener found in sugar free food items. As stated by FDA, it can cause hair loss and thinning of hair along with other symptoms like arthritis, depression, impotency, and sexual problems.
  • Simple carbohydrates that have high amount of sugar and less fiber and nutrients like cakes, biscuits and white flour often redirect the nutrients consumed through other sources to the process of digestion of their own.  They could indirectly lead to hair loss since sugar is known for slowing down the ability of the body to handle stress – and stress is a major factor for hair fall. Eating complex carbohydrates and fibrous food like wholemeal  flour, bananas and beans, on the other hand, help digestion and body’s ability to carry nutrients to blood stream and effectively, to hair follicles.
  • High consumption of acidic (preserved) foods like sour sauces and pickles etc. is also not good for hair health.

Foods to Stop Hair Fall

Foods to Stop Hair Fall

1. To stop or control hair loss, increase your intake of green leafy vegetables, salad, fruits and sprouts. Include yeast, wheatgerm, soybean, whole grains and nuts in your meals. Massage the scalp gently with coconut or almond oil daily for 10 to 15 minutes.

2. Healthy and glossy hair depends on a healthy and wholesome diet. Hair is made up of protein so a protein rich diet helps grow hair strong and healthy. Minerals are also important for lustrous hair. A recommended protein diet includes wheatgerm, pulses, legumes, and most importantly, soybean. Soybean is not only an excellent source of protein but it also acts as a DHT (Dihydrotestosterone) inhibitor reducing DHT levels in the body. Along with protein, Vitamin A and B rich foods like mangoes, dark green leafy vegetables, carrots, dried apricots, wholegrain cereals and peas will help prevent hair loss.

3. To boost protein intake, choose nuts over oil and wheat over rice. To increase iron absorption, include Vitamin C rich foods like oranges, peppers, broccoli and cauliflower.

4. To soften rough hair, use fenugreek seeds. Powder the seeds and add water to make a thick paste. For visible results, apply regularly on the scalp for a month at least. You can also apply warm oil with lime and egg on the scalp. Wrap head in a warm towel. Leave until it cools and wash thoroughly. Repeat twice a week to soften hair.

5. For real obstinate cases of dandruff where regular anti-dandruff shampoos don’t work, include zinc and essential fatty acids which guard against dandruff and a dry scalp. Foods such as whole wheat, oats, pumpkin seeds, peanuts, cashews, soybean and vegetable oils are good sources of zinc and essential fatty acids."

How To Prevent Hair Loss

How To Prevent Hair Loss - Additional Tips

Here are some more valuable guidelines to prevent hair loss:


Trim off damaged and split ends frequently, as they obstruct the hair growth process and make the edges of your hair strands weak.

Keep hair clean. Make sure that your scalp and hair are always clean. It will help your hair grow faster. Dirt clogs the hair follicles, which makes it more difficult for hair to grow. However, do not shampoo every day, as men’s hair get easily damaged, and excessive shampooing can dehydrate hair and cause breakage. Shampoo twice a week while cleanse hair with conditioner daily.

Rinse hair with lukewarm water. Never use very hot or cold water to wash hair. It makes them brittle.

Condition hair daily. Ensure that you use a conditioner at all times after shampooing your hair. Conditioner helps soften and detangle hair.

Deep condition every alternate week. Use a deep conditioner that contains protein at least twice a month to strengthen hair. Hot oil treatment with olive oil to intensely moisten the hair follicles is also very effective to stop hair fall.

Be gentle with wet hair. Don’t comb, pull, tug, twist, or be rough with your hair in any way immediately after hair wash. Hair roots are weak and prone to breakage when wet.

Say no to chemical treatment of hair. Chemical treatments like relaxers do make curly hair look longer, though they drastically slow down the growth of men’s hair.

Avoid using hot hair-styling products. Use of hot irons, blow-dryers, and other appliances producing heat damage the hair. Ensure that your blow-dryer is set on a low temperature setting.

Protect hair from damage due to heat by applying a protein lotion before you use a blow-dryer.

Lubricate your hair. Using a moisturizer greatly reduces the chances of split ends and promotes hair growth by diminishing breakage. However, to avoid overtly oily hair, use only a little moisturizer or try lubricating your hair a couple of hours before hair wash. Moisturized hair will attract dust if you go out.

Massage your scalp daily. Massaging helps circulate blood and brings nutrients to the scalp. Put both your hands on the head and move your fingers in slow, circular motion. Massaging will make your scalp warm and tingly — it is an indicator that blood is flowing to the scalp which will help in hair growth.

Include protein in your diet. Protein strengthens hair and controls hair falling. Eat a high protein diet filled with meat, fish, eggs, avocados, nuts, and beans, or add protein supplements to your drinks.

Increase your folic acid intake. Folic acid is vital for hair health and growth. Include food with high folic acid in your diet. Add soybeans, green vegetables, and carrots to your daily menu.

How To Stop Hair Loss

How To Stop Hair Loss - Tips

If you are suffering from hair loss, you have reached the right spot to find out how to stop hair loss naturally. Here we discuss hair loss, causes of hair loss, ways to stop hair loss, foods to stop hair loss and much more…


While hair loss may not necessarily be a disease in the conventional sense, it can still cause a lot of suffering. Traditionally, hair loss has been regarded negatively, and subconsciously associated with aging and loss of beauty. Thus hair loss, especially if it is premature, is capable of causing great emotional turmoil and in some cases, may even lead to social withdrawal.

No one can understand the agony of an individual who is going through hair fall than the one who has experienced the pain. The advice given on this website is derived both from scientific facts and my personal experience. Let’s take a look at some selected and effective tips to prevent hair loss:


How to stop Hair Loss – TIP # 1
Start Consuming a Good Multivitamin + Multimineral Pill

If you are experiencing major hair fall, it indicates deficiency of key nutrients in your body. To take care of that, along with a good and balanced diet, take multivitamins and multiminerals to replenish the nutrient deficiency in your body fast and prevent hair loss. You can buy them from any "health food" store. Just ask for the best multivitamin-multimineral tablet available that gets easily absorbed into the adult body. The idea is to ensure proper nutrient supply into your body to resume its proper functioning and stop hair loss.


How to stop Hair Loss – TIP # 2
Drink Plenty of Water Daily

Drinking at least between 10 and 14 - 8oz. glasses of water every day is another great way to prevent hair loss. Water helps wash off toxins from your body. These toxins could be a major reason for hair loss. Drink distilled water or at least filtered water that does not contain Chlorine, lead, etc. for healthy hair.


How to stop Hair Loss – TIP # 3
Cut Caffeine

I find this one the hardest! Caffeine is a diuretic, which makes you urinate out more liquid than you take in causing dehydration. Dehydration of your body and hair roots is another key reason for hair loss. Replace your daily coffee intake with a fruit beverage, milk or any other non-caffeinated drink to those shiny and healthy hair.


How to stop Hair Loss – TIP # 4
Sleep Is the Key - Get 7 to 8 Hours of Sleep Every Night

Proper amount of sleep every night is vital for your overall health and that of your hair as well. Sleep is the time for the body to regenerate and recover from the day’s work, removing the toxins you inhaled, eaten and drank. A sound sleep helps you in getting a sound and healthy body and controls hair falling.


How to stop Hair Loss – TIP # 5
Know what you apply to your hair!

Most of the men hardly care about the shampoo they are using. I have seen a lot of my friends using a four-in-one shampoo, conditioner, body wash & automotive degreaser in one easy-to-use bottle for hair!

Always use good hair care products and not just any scented shampoo. Add special hair care products to your routine and you’ll feel natural after trying it for a couple of days. Using specialized and good hair care products is a significant step towards hair loss prevention.

How to overcome sleeplessness

How to overcome sleeplessness
 
There are many ways on how you can get better sleep. You can try any of the below methods to get some good sleep. Treatment for sleepless ness or insomnia can be made by following the below tips. Sleeplessness leads you to tiredness, confusion and restlessness. A good sound sleep is essential to keep you active in your daily routine. A few tips to gain good sleep.
- Maintain strict timings on your sleep. Ensure that you go to sleep at the same time everyday. Also get up at the same time. This will help your body and mind to regularize your sleep.
- Have a light snack before going to bed. Do not take spicy food or excessive sweets. Help your digestive system by taking light snacks like a few slices of bread or some cereal. This will reduce the pressure on your digestive system which will allow you to sleep peacefully and will not disturb you trying to digest food.
- Avoid nicotine... or atleast ensure that you do not consume any kind of nicotine atleast 5-6 hours before you go to bed.
- Many people have the habit of taking alcohol and assume that this gives better sleep. This is not true and also this could lead to complications. Usually, you will have disturbed sleep after consuming Alcohol. Avoid Alcohol atleast for 5-6 hours befor you go to sleep.
- Try taking milk before going to bed. You can also take some malt beverages which normally helps in having good sleep. Always ensure that you dont go to bed hungry.
- Try to keep your bedroom clean and well ventilated. If you are getting disturbed by any noise around, try to use earplugs to have a peacefull sleep.
- Be active during the day. Dont doze off during the day, as this may be an obstacle to your night sleep.
- Finally, sleep comfortably. Make a good and comfortable bed, stretch your legs and sleep comfortably. Dozing off on the Sofa, chair in uncomfortable positions is not a healthy habit.

Healthy food for Stress Free Life

Health Tips and Technics - How to Overcome STRESS
Try out juices of grapes, watermelon, banana, jack fruit, lemon and pineapple during summer.
STRESS cannot be done away unless the cause itself is removed. Good health and stress free life is all that one craves for. According to the American Dietary Association, the main hazard of stress is not that we need more nutrients, but that anxiety or pressure can cause us to neglect proper dietary habits. Prolonged periods of stress lead to depletion of Vitamin C, B and D. Food changes our brain chemistry in a way that it influences our moods.
The key to our emotion lies in certain chemicals in the blood stream. These are called neuro-transmitters. These are produced from the nutrients in the food. Hence, the need for nutritious and balanced diet is a must to free ourself from the physical and mental diseases and relieve stress. A balanced diet should be defined from the nutritional point of view. As one which contains different types of food in such qualities and proportions; the micro-nutrients like minerals and vitamins and macro nutrients like proteins, fats and carbohydrates is adequately met. And a small provision is made for extra nutrient to withstand short duration of leanness (infections in the body).

10 Tips and Technics for Better Eyes

10 Tips and Technics for Better Eyes
Most computer users suffer from the problem of tired eyes, dark circles and headaches. Follow the ten tips to avoid them
Studies have shown that stress, active nightlife and above all, the fact that most of us spend maximum time in front of the computer lead to dark circles, puffed and tired eyes. Timely treatment is essential for such difficulties.
Specifically with computer users, physical and visual discomfort is experienced by many after just a few hours in front of computers. It appears that PC users suffer from repetitive stress of their eyes and want an immediate solution to revive the tired eyes.
Studies show that most computer users start to feel eye-muscle stress after two or more hours at the computer. This usually starts with tired eyes. With more time at the computer, discomfort frequently spreads to the head resulting in headaches, burning of the eyes, blurred vision, loss of focus, double vision, and neck and shoulder pains. Before it is too late, your stressed out eyes need to be relaxed and revitalised so that you feel fresh later in the day.

Tips to reduce eyestrain
-Modify your workstation. Adjust your workstation and chair to the correct height.
Use proper lighting.
-Match the computer screen to the brightness of the environment. The contrast between the background and on-screen characters should be high.
-Minimise the glare. Use window shades, blinds or drapes to block excessive sunlight or install an anti-glare screen to minimise reflections.
-Take frequent breaks. Full-time computer users should take a 10 minute break every hour.
-Blink more often. Tears in the eye evaporate more rapidly during long non-blinking phases and cause dry eyes.
-Get an eye examination done.
-Re-focus your eyes. Look away from your computer screen every 10-15 minutes and focus for 5-10 seconds on a distant object.
-Exercise even when sitting. Move about or exercise frequently.
-Get sufficient sleep. Fatigue promotes eyestrain

Treat Headaches by Breathing

Breathe Deep - Drive Headaches Away

RELAXATION exercises can help to relieve headaches, backaches and insomnia.
One of the simplest relaxation exercises is deep breathing, which will release endorphins (the body's very own painkillers) into our body.
Begin by breathing through your nostrils; inhale for five counts, silently saying the word "in" (concentrate on breathing deeply); fill your lower abdomen with air; count to five, and then exhale slowly, silently saying the word "out" as you let the air escape through your mouth; repeat this exercise for about two minutes; gradually you will be able to build up to ten counts or higher; increase your relaxation by imagining a peaaceful scene or by breathing in fresh air or pleasant smells.
Best ways to drive out Headaches
Headaches can be caused by a number of different reasons, and diet is only one area that could contribute. The most common causes of headaches are stress with associatd muscle tension, or hormones or medication or medical conditions like high blood pressure or water retention.
Ensure that you drink 6 to 8 glasses of water daily, and limit alcohol consumption to a maximum or abstain completely. Increase water intake if you are having alcohol.
Keep your blood sugars constant by eating regular meals, preferably with snacks in between, and limit intake of very sugary foods (e.g. sugar, jam, cool drinks, sweets, etc.) as these cause a rapid rise and resultant fall in sugar levels.
Eat high fibre foods to help keep blood sugar levels constant. Certain foods can trigger headaches. Dietary triggers are foods which are commonly found to trigger headaches or migraines in certain individuals.
However certain foods will affect different people differently, and you will need to identify which particular foods trigger your headaches. The most common trigger foods are:
  • Red wine, champagne and beer
  • Caffeinated beverages especially coffee, smart drinks, tea and carbonated beverges like
  • Coke
  • Cheese
  • chocolate and chocolate drinks
  • Peanuts and peanut butter
  • Foods containing Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) like packet or canned soups, sauces, instant pastas and Chinese foods. Foods high in other additives can also trigger headaches. avoid processed foods and learn to read labels on foods.
  • Salted and cured meats, dried meats, pickled herring and chicken livers may also be a problem.
  • Certain beans (broad lima, soya, lentils) and citrus fruits; avocados, raspberries and bananas

How to get a Good Night Sleep

How to get a Good Night Sleep
Are you getting enough sleep? If not, you are not alone. A recent study has found that one in every two Indians (46 per cent) sleeps less than six hours. A busy work schedule, a hectic social life, household chores and children’s worries leave little time for sleep. Modern life builds up so much stress and anxiety that when we do get to bed, most of us find it difficult to sleep well.
Adults need at least seven to eight hours of sleep every night, to perform optimally. Children need even more sleep. Less sleep causes morning headaches and daytime fatigue, leading to poor concentration and performance.
Insomnia includes the inability to sleep, frequent awakenings during the night and not being able to go back to sleep, or waking up too early. Women are more likely to suffer from chronic insomnia – the ratio is about two women to one man. Working women, in particular, build up a large sleep debt over the years.
To a large extent, we can control the quantity and quality of our sleep. The key to a restful night’s sleep is to calm down your brain rather than rev it up.
What you eat affects how you sleep. Some food slows down nerve traffic and calms the brain and contributes towards a restful sleep; such food are called sleepers. Other perk up the brain and keep you awake; such food are called wakers.
Sleepers contain tryptophan, an amino acid that makes up protein, which produces the sleep – inducing substances, serotonin and melatonin. Food that contains tryptophan or make more tryptophan available to the brain make us sleepy.
Ideal sleepers are food which contains moderate amounts of carbohydrate stimulates the release of insulin which clears amino acids that compete with tryptophan making it more available to the brain. At the same time, protein contributes tryptophan directly to the brain.
Great snooze food includes; dairy products (paneer, cheese, milk and curd), meat, poultry or seafood, whole grains vegetables and pulses (including soyabeans).
Indian dinners usually have a fair share of these types of food. However, our traditional cooking practices include a lot of fat and spices, both of which in terferes with sleep.
Calcium helps the brain use tryptophan; this explains the soporific effect of a glass of milk at bedtime. Foods containing caffeine such as tea,coffee, colas and chocolates are wakers. a high-protein meal without carbohydrates contains the amino acid, tyrosine, which perks up the brain.
An all carbohydrate snack, especially one high in sugar, is less likely to help you sleep. It will raise blood sugar and inhibit sleep. Later, when blood sugar drops too low, you might wake up and not be able to fall back asleep. Also, you will miss out on the sleep-inducing effects of tryptophan.

Benefits of Pranayama

Benefits of Pranayama
Breathing is the only way by which we get oxygen in the body. Oxygen is the vital nutrient that keeps alive and healthy. We can survive without food or water for several weeks, but without oxygen, we can survive only for a few minutes. Sedentary lifestyle reduces oxygen supply to the body and the brain. As a result, there is sluggishness, pain negative thoughts and illness. Many people take breathing for granted; they don’t realize that breathing influences and controls the functions of the systems in our body and also clams the mind.

Normal breathing is shallow breathing. We have made shallow breathing a habit. We use only a fraction of our lungs, and so the cells are deprived of oxygen, and the impurities build up. Over time, it depletes the functions of all systems, and leads to premature ageing and illness.

The ancient yogis realized this truth and developed many types of pranayama that enhance health and longevity. Prana means energy, life force or breath. Ayama means restraint, control, regulation or expansion. Prana is subtler than air. It is the cosmic energy that pervades within everything in the universe.Pranayama is much more than normal breathing it is the heart of yoga. It is a scientific technique of prolonging the breath, increasing the vital energy, allowing it to percolate efficiently into all the cells and eliminating maximum toxins from the body. It refreshes and strengthens the brain, mind body and immune system and cures and prevents many diseases. Pranayama consists of three process. Puraka or inhalation, Rechaka or exhalation and Kumbhaka or retention. With deep and steady inhalations, there is more oxygen drawn in than normal breathing. And, the impurities are removed without leaving any residue in the lungs.Exhalations in normal breathing are so quick that only part of the lungs are emptied. When impurities build up, it leads to illness. With retention there is perfect absorption and distribution of the prana or oxygen. Retention is not recommended for beginners. The yogis believed that the breath is the bridge between the mind and the body. When the breath is extended there are positive changes within and it illumines our lives.
Pranayama is a kind of meditation that creates awareness, controls the unsteady mind, refreshes the brain, nourishes the cells, boosts oxygen to all organs, efficiently removes impurities and provides total freedom from pain and disease. Many types of pranayama have been designed each one contributes substantially to physical mental and emotional wellbeing. Pranayamas recommended for everyday practice are Ujjayi, Kapalabhati, Nadishodana and Brahmari. They can be practiced anytime when travelling in the car stuck in the traffic, working on the computer or in the kitchen and when the mind is disturbed

Yoga Do's and Dont's

They’re asanas, not aerobics
Wrong breathing technique while doing yoga can cause blackouts and hernias
Walking and yoga are probably the safest exercises for a beginner. The practice of yoga is thousands of years old, with innumerable techniques, breathing manoeurves and asanas. Walking comes with few safety caveats, but yoga, long considered a method of relaxation requires caution. A major determinant of injury in the beginner is the skill and experience of the instructor. Experienced practitioners achieve high levels of flexibility and breathe control. Many universities and organizations in India train yoga instructors, but many unqualified find work as instructors anyway. Unqualified find work as instructors anyway. Unqualified instructors tend to offer misleading advice to beginners with special needs and health problems. The result is often injury sometimes worse.
Do warm-up exercises before doing yoga especially in winter. Cold tissues are prone to injury. Wear the right kind of clothes – loose fitting cottons are best.  Learn to breathe correctly. Get this right before you worry about asanas and movements. Maintaining a position with the wrong breathing technique can cause blackouts and hernias. On the other hand, if you are breathing correctly you will find exercises easier to do, you can maintain a position for longer and you can stretch further. Yoga is not a competitive sport. Do not try to match your instructor or out – do your fellow students. Doing a full movement with bad form or incorrect breathing is dangerous because repetition will increase your risk of injury. If you suffer from back or spine problems, have a detailed conversation with your doctor about what exercise and postures you should avoid. Let your doctor and not your instructor is the final judge of what is safe or unsafe exercise for you.
Stop exercise when you develop pain. Avoid that particular posture or movement in future sessions. Discuss the matter with your doctor yoga may simply have unmasked an underlying health problem. Drink lots of water during and after a session. Remember that yoga may make you sweat but it is not a substitute for walking and other aerobic exercise. It is not a good aerobic exercise and is poor at burning calories. The good news is practicing yoga will make you feel better than any form of exercise.

Benefits of Bharadwaj asana

Bharadwaj asana
The Bharadwaj asana will help you remain unfazed by problems
This asana is named after one of the saptha rishis or seven primary and accomplished spiritual researchers (who had tuned into their higher mind and had control over their senses) of ancient India. The word asana comes from the root word “asi, which means one’s state of being. By assuming the posture of Bharadwaja we are emulating his qualities.
Bharadwaja was not just a master of the Vedas but also well versed in the art of war. He was found as a baby on the banks of a river and was taken care of by the demi gods and celestial beings, who noticed his radiance. He had a steely resolve to gain knowledge. He was later adopted by a king. His main interest was to spread knowledge and motivate people to lead a righteous life. So he prayed that the king beget a son. A son was born but soon after, the king died. So, he waited till the son grew up and trained him in the art of war and justice, before he went his way. This shows his dedication to his path and his resolve to proceed through life’s twists and turns yet remain unfazed. The bharadwaj asana, though a simple twisting position, is excellent to build awareness of the back muscle and the vertebral column. When done correctly, the asana gives a good twist to the lower, mid and upper back as well as opens the chest out which facilitates deep breathing. The muscles of the back bear the brunt of physical and emotional imbalances which can be released using this asana.
Sit in vajrasana (sitting on the heels). Now slip to the right side. Bring left hand to right knee. Breathe in and straighten your back stretching up. Breathe out and twist to the right side. Bring the right hand on the ground as close to the body as you can. Use the arm to straighten the back and do not lean on the hand. Keep a straight back. Let the chest be open. Breathe in deeply as you twist, all the while focusing the mind on the body. Find ease in this position. Then you will find that through focus and deep breathing, the body will automatically open up and you will be able to twist more. Do not strain too much in the beginning. Then release and turn back to the centre. Now repeat on the left side. From the vajrasana, slip to the left side, the right hand to the left knee and the left hand to the ground. Follow the principles mentioned earlier. Relax.

Benefits of Vrikshasana

Vrikshasana
Vriksha means tree. Practice of this asana helps build concentration.  The tree symbolizes rootedness and, at the same time, grows to reach for the sky. The blossoms and fruits are an offering to the divine. The tree is a symbol of the cycle of life. It progresses from seed, to sapling, to flowering and fruition. The vriksha asana builds leg strength as well as balance. The weight that was borne by two legs is now borne by one. The balance that is cultivated is not just physical but also emotional. Despite life’s situations that can shake us up and destabilize us, we can cultivate a balanced outlook. This inner focus and stability can be cultivated by this asana.
The tree of knowledge will give us its fruit if we imbibe its qualities. This asana helps us to take the stance of the tree of knowledge and the tree of life. Steadfast focus on the goal will draw the goal to us. We become receptacles for the gifts of life. The vriksha asana brings a straightness and focus to the body and to the mind. This awareness and mind management system is one of the principles of yoga. That is why one has to understand the beautiful science holistically. Its beauty lies in the fact that an asana when done with awareness can create so many shifts in consciousness. The body language becomes a lot more balanced and one can see the results of this in a focused mind. The kalpa vriksha was a wish fulfilling tree that existed more than 10,000 years ago. This tree is supposed to come into existence whenever someone asks for something with devotion and unswerving focus. This focus can be developed by standing in the vriksha asana. The kalpa vrishka is inherent is each one of us and can be accessed by pulling out the weeds of distraction that grow around us. This does not mean one becomes dogmatic or fanatic but achieves a relaxed focus and balance that ensures we realize our wants.
The technique
Stand in samasthithi asana, which is in a balanced way on both feet. Now bring your left leg up and place it across your right thigh. Bring your hands into an anjali mudra above your head. Straighten and stretch up. Focus on a point in front of you. Stay in this position for as long as you can manage. Now release the foot and shake out your feet. Now bring the right foot across the left thigh and stay in the position. Release and then shake out your feet.
There is another leg position you can adopt. Bring the left leg on the inside of the right thigh and vice versa.  If you’re unable to balance use a wall for support and you will find that with practice and time you will become better.

Benefits of Samasthithi asana

Samasthithi Asana - A balanced life
This section provides you with benefits of samasthithi asana.
The samasthithi asana is the standing position and much more. The Sanskrit word ”samasthithi” tells us how to stand. By observing our standing position, we can see our stance towards the world. This stance is an indicator of our sub-conscious leanings. By consciously being aware of it, we have the choice to change our stance. The samasthithi asana helps you cultivate a balanced stance towards the world. From this samasthithi all other standing postures or asana are practiced.
In chapter 12,ver 13 & 14 of the Gita, the sthithapragnya is  described as one who is friendly and compassionate to all, who is without attachment and ego, who maintains equipoise in adverse and favourable circumstances, who is always content and steadfast in meditation, has firm conviction, with his mind and intellect dwelling on the universal consciousness. Such a person is dear to the highest principle.
It requires lifelong endeavor to cultivate this sense of equanimity. Staying balanced will change even the worst circumstances into a blessing. This is a way of working out or dissolving old thought patterns or habits.
We simply become a dispassionate observer yet do what needs to be done. Also when you stand, be aware of standing with poise. Keep the back straight, shoulders pushed back. Check to see that the neck is not leaning forward. There should be a nice straightness in the spine and ease in holding oneself upright. This upright, balanced stance is what the samasthithi asana signifies.
Stand in the samasthithi asana. Keep your eyes closed and be aware of how the weight is distributed on the feet. See if there is more weight on the left foot or on the right. See if you are putting more weight to the front or the back. This will give you an idea of your habitual patterns of how you distribute weight. This ideal way to stand is to have weight equally distributed and slightly towards the front. Those who stand for long hours can practice a few jath is that shift the weight from one foot to another to release stress.
If you look at the soles of your footwear, you will be able to see which areas are worn out and thereby which areas you put more weight on. If the back portion is worn out then you are an unlikely candidate for a marketing job as you are holding back! Consciously distribute your weight forward and you will see your life move ahead. Given below is a technique to rebalance weight distribution.
Now keeping the eyes closed, gently shift your weight to the front. Come back to the centre. Then shift the weight to the back. Come back to the centre. Then move the weight to the right. Come back to the centre.
Then move the weight to the left. Come back to the centre. Kick your feet loosely to give some relief. Repeat thrice. Now from the standing position, move in clockwise direction thrice and then in anticlockwise direction, distributing the weight on different parts  as you go along with eyes closed. Once you are done, you will see a difference in the way weight is distributed on your feet.

Benefits of Sarpasana

Sarpasana - Reduce muscular tension
Sarpa Kriya - releases energy blocks stored in the upper back region
Sarpa means 'snake'. The snake symbolises wisdom and beauty in the Chinese system. The skin and other parts of the snake are used in Chinese medicine to treat skin dieseases, arthritis and paralysis. In ancient Egypt, The snake was considered as a symbol of royalty and wisdom. The ancient Ouroboros symbol or the snake biting its own tail represents the continuum of life and time anda merging of one into other. It symbolises unity and infinity at the same time.
Two snakes interwined on a staff, with a pair of wings on top, is a symbol used by some pharmaceutical companies. A modified version is used by the Indian Medical Association. This symbol is called the caduceus. It was the staff of hermes, the Greek god of Commerce, invention, theft and verbal artistry. Later it also came to be associated with alchemy. The staff of Ascelpius, a medicine man in Greece, Later revered as a god, is the original symbol of healing and comprises a single snake wound around a long staff and used by the 'WHO' and various medical associations around the world.
In Christianity the snake has both good and bad associations. The bad associations are there as Eve is believed to have been misled by sepent. However, Moses makes a rod similar to that of Asclepius, a rod with a snake that would make the Israelites look up to heaven and protect them from snake bites.
In India too the snake is respected as it is associated both with Shiva and Vishnu. It symbolises time and space, the capacity to release the past and start afresh. The same symbology applies to Buddhism and Jainism. In Fact, the chapter on snake is the first chapter in the Sutta Nippata or collection of discourses. It speaks of a monk who transforms or sheds his passions like a snake sheds its skin.
In esoteric yogic teachings, the kundalini shakti is represented as a snake. This shakthi which is dormant is represented as a coil of three-and-a half times at the base. With practice, this energy uncoils and rises up the pranic channels upwards. All yogic practices are ultimately aimed at kundalini arousal. However, nowadays due to branding, people mistake it to be a form or akind of yoga.
In the higher or shakti practices one has to be careful to do it after lot of purification and preparation. This is not something one does after picking up the basics from a book or a weekend workshop.
By practising the sarpa kriya one can release the energy blocks stored in the upper back region as well as relieve muscular tension. It is preliminary to any of the more complicated kundalini practice as safe when done gently with awareness. It is excellent to ease shoulder pain and stiffness caused by prolonged computer/desk work.
The Technique: Lie in makarasan. In this asana, one lies on one's belly. Now interlock your fingers behind your back. Breathe in and come up gently bringing your torso up; thenbreathe out and come down. Do this thrice. This is sarpa kriya. WHen the position is held, it is called sarpa asana

Inverted Asanas for longevity

Asanas that give you joy
Inverted asanas are the essence of asana practice. They reverse the natural gravitational force. The body goes upside down; the head and the shoulders become the base of the body and not the legs.
Inversions actively reverse the internal organs, massage, renew and bring real joy. They efficiently remove toxins, slow down ageing and make those extra years of your life healthy and happy.
The biggest obstacle is fear which can be overcome when you learn from an experienced and competent yoga teacher. As a preparation for the body and mind, one has to practise for a year with commitment the semi inverted asanas such as adho mukha svanasana, prasarit padottanasana, viparita karani and ardha halasana.
To achieve the active reversal effect, you must stay in an asana for at least five minutes. With the guidance of a teacher, you will become aware of how to perfectly ground your head or shoulders and balance the rest of your body on them. Props such as a wall or a chair and folded blankets must be used to avoid strain.
Inverted asanas are Sirasansa (head-stand), Sarvangasana (shoulder-stand), Halasana (plough), Karnapidasana (blocked-ears posture).
Sirasana or the head-stand is considered the “king of Asanas”. The ancient yogis believed that “Amrita”, the nectar of immortality is increased, bestowing health and longevity. This asana reverses blood pressure in the head increases, while it decreases in the legs. The brain and all the organs get soaked with oxygenated blood. An experienced practitioner can adjust well to the internal changes.
Sarvangasana is called the “Queen of Asanas,” It follows Sirsasana.Sarvangasana for Longevity This asana actively reverses organs in the thorax and abdomen and strengthens the neck and the spine. Beginners may start with Sarvangasana using a wall or chair for support. Sirsasana creates heat and makes you more alert, while Sarvangasana cools and calms you down
Caution
Do not practise these asanas when you have uncontrolled BP, eye, ear problems, dental problems, cardiac problems, cervical spondylosis, back injury, headache, diarrhea, hernia, during menstruation and pregnancy.
Benefits
  • Refreshers the brain, heart and lungs and controls negative emotions.
  • Enhances functions of pituitary, pineal, thyroid and adrenal glands.
  • Improves concentration, memory, eyesight and hearing.
  • Slows down ageing and reverse the ill effects of ageing.
  • Relieves asthma, bronchitis, sinusitis, thyroid problems, diabetes, ulcers, haemorrhoids, varicose veins, constipation, depression, insomnia, water retention urinary problems, menstrual and menopausal symptoms.

Flawless skin with yoga


Sirsasana (head stand): Place the forearms on the mat in front of you with fingers interlocked. Place the crown of your head on the mat between the interlocked hands. Slowly raise your hips and lift your knees off the ground and straighten your legs, keeping your toes on the floor. Transfer the body weight slowly from the toes on to the head and arms, maintaining a steady balance. Lift your feet off the ground. Bending the knees, gradually raise the calves in a controlled movement. Slowly straighten your knees until the legs are in line with the trunk. Now your whole body is straight in one line.

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Kapalbhati Kriya:
Kapal means forehead and bhati means light. So if you do this kriya regularly, it brings a glow to the face. It's a purification technique to clean the naadi's and also calm the mind. It opens up all the blockages from the lungs and also strengthens the nervous system and tones the digestive organs. Sit in any comfortable posture with your back and neck straight in chin mudra and eyes closed. Exhale through nostrils forcefully and while exhaling, push your abdomen in forcefully. Inhale naturally. Repeat this kriya for 5 minutes. For better results, you can do it for 10 minutes.

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Viparitakarani Kriya:
Lie down on your back. Raise your legs to 90 degrees, keeping the knees straight. Raise your hips and the trunk off the ground by supporting the body with the hands at the waist. Keep your elbows as close to each other as possible. Close your eyes and relax. Hold it for as long as possible. Breathe normally.

Kapol Shakti Vikasak:
Sit straight on the heels. Take a deep breath through your nose and exhale completely through your mouth. Close both your nostrils with your thumbs with all the fingers pointing outward and joined together. Inhale deeply through your mouth and puff up your cheeks. Hold your breath and put your chin against your chest. Now hold position as long as you can. Repeat at least 10 to15 times.

And relax

Stare at strangers You can crowd out stress hormones by forcing your brain to focus on just one specific situation. For 10 minutes at a time, study everything-the TV, the lager on the tap or a girl's tattoo. This is called "mindfullness", which means you are keeping your brain active. You could also call it loafing, but that wouldn't sound quite as Zen-like, would it?

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