4 Yoga Asanas to Help You Burn Fat

1.Ushtra Asana
Kneel down with your heels facing the ceiling, toes turned outward and arms hanging loosely by the sides. Breathe in. Raise arms gently to shoulder level, then higher, and finally backwards such that your palms touch the heel of the corresponding foot. Stretch your neck letting your head fall backwards. You will feel the stretch in your spine. Gently push the pelvic region forward, improving upon the curve of the spine. Breathe normally. Breathe in and return to the starting position. Repeat two to three times. Each time try to hold the stretch as long as you comfortably can.
Why it works
This asana stretches your entire upper body — the neck, chest and stomach. These places house the lymph glands such as the thymus, tonsils and the spleen. They are primarily responsible for filtering out bacteria and other waste from the blood. Inefficient lymph glands lead to inefficient drainage and collection of fat. Ushtra Asana mobilises the lymph glands, hence preventing cellulite. The increased blood circulation and faster cell rejuvenation within these regions helps bust existing cellulite, slowly but surely.

2.Virya-stambhan Asana
Stand with feet spread wide apart, toes pointing straight ahead. Turn the right leg at a 90 degree angle. Then bend the right knee. Hold your right wrist with your left hand behind your back, bend to your right and gently attempt to touch your big toe with the tip of your nose. However ensure that as you bend, your right knee or right thigh doesn't come in way of your right shoulder. Hold this position for up to 30 seconds. Inhale and slowly return to the start. Repeat the exercise with your left leg. Repeat the asana two to three times.
Why it works
This asana really stretches the inside of your thighs. Rising back from the bend strengthens the thighs, exercising them is similar to working with weights in a gym. This helps burn fats in the thighs. It also exercises the lymph nodes present in the groin area and improves the blood circulation in lower region, thereby busting cellulite pockets.

3.Purna Shalbh Asana
Lie on your stomach. Make a fist. Position it under your thigh, elbows straight. Breathe in. With the support of your folded fists, lift up both legs without bending them at the knees. Tighten the back of thighs and buttocks, holding on to the final pose for as long as possible. Relax the tightened thighs and buttocks. Breathe in. Now, holding your breath, gradually lower the legs to the ground. As your legs touch the ground, release your breath and breathe normal. Repeat two to three times, each time trying to hold on to the final pose for as long as possible.
Why it works
Lifting the legs and trying to hold them for a long time requires strength. As you try harder, the fuel required to get that energy is generated by burning up the fat in thighs and buttocks.

4.Paschimottan Asana
Sit down with your legs outstretched in the front, touching each other, your arms to your sides. Keep your spine erect and raise both your hands above your head, while the inside of your arms touch your ears. Exhale and pull the stomach in and bend forward, stretching your hands towards your toes. Now try to hold your toes with your fingers and subsequently with practice, try to touch your forehead to your knees. Hold this final pose for as long as possible, after which you inhale and gradually come back to the starting position.
Why it works
As your body bends forward, your entire back area (considered your west side in yoga) is stretched. The bending movement affects every part from the heel's tip to the neck (inclusive of the hamstring muscles, buttocks, waist, back and the medulla oblongata).
This extreme stretch works the major muscles of the back, along with the skin. The stretch causes better blood circulation within the region and prevents build up of fat. The skin too is stretched leading to better elasticity and over time can aid in reducing the dimpled look that cellulite is characterised by.

Top Fifteen Beauty Foods

Natural foods containing healthy nutrients can help you achieve more radiant skin and hair. Natural ingredients tend to be absorbed well and contain actual antioxidants and enzymes in their purest, and most potent form.

To get the list of top 15 foods that can make you beautiful naturally, click here.

Ayurvedic Approach to Treat Infertility

According to Ayurveda, preparing for conception can be easily compared to the process of farming. Just like the health of a crop depends on the quality of soil, seed, timing of sowing, and amount of watering it gets, the health of a baby depends on the health of its parents. For a pregnancy to be healthy and successful, a couple needs to take care of the following four essential factors: Sperm/Ovum (Seeds), Uterus (Soil), Nourishment (Water), Time for Conception (Timing of Sowing). Reproductive health, in both men and women, depends on the health of the reproductive tissue or shukra dhatu. In women, shukra creates the ovum as part of the monthly cycle, and in men the semen is formed due to sexual stimulation. The shukra is created as part of a long chain of metabolic transformations. It starts with the digestion of food, then goes on to transformation of food to nutrient fluid, blood, muscle, fat, bone, bone marrow, and finally, to shukra tissue. Healthy shukra tissue, then, according to Ayurveda, depends on the health of all the other tissues in the body.

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Sushruta-The great Indian Ayurvedic Surgeon

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Top ten foods to help you remain slim!!!

Here is a list of ten foods that can help you control your weight:

1.Blueberries: Not only are they a rich source of antioxidants but also reduce ageing and help in keeping off abdominal fat.

2.Asparagus: Being a natural diuretic, it helps to shed water weight. Asparagus also contains phytochemical glutathione, which has antioxidants and cancer preventing properties.

3. Apples: Rich in fibre, they keep you satisfied for longer, which is the key to maintaining a healthy weight.

4. Eggs: High in proteins, eggs are good for long lustrous hair. Being a good source of Vitamin B12, they help break down fat too.

5. Yoghurt: A rich source of good bacteria, it strengthens and stabilises the immune system. These probiotics can also work to improve the functioning of our GI tract.

6. Green tea: Aids digestion, detoxifies the body, making the skin glow. It also helps burn calories.

7. Salmon: It is a rich source of Omega 3 fatty acids that help burn fat and add glow to the skin. 8.Cinnamon: Reduces cholesterol levels in the body and regulates blood sugar, making it extremely beneficial for those with type 2 diabetes.

8. Indian Gooseberry: Indian Gooseberry is a good source of chromium, which helps in boosting our body metabolism.

9. Almonds: High in alpha linoleic acid, they can speed up the metabolism of fat as they contain good fat.

10. Soya bean: Contains choline which breaks down fatty deposits and blocks fat absorption.

Food For The Brain.....

Like our body, our brain, too needs proper nourishment to perform at its optimum level. Here are some of the important foods that our brain requires to perform at its best:

1. Water: Each and every function of our brain is electric in nature. And water is a good conductor of electricity. So, a hydrated brain always performs better than a partially dehydrated brain. One should have about 8 glasses of water every day to enable the brain to perform at its maximum potential.
2. Oxygen: Generally, after a big meal, people feel sleepy, because the oxygen needed by the brain is being utilized by the body to digest the food. Hence, it is advisable to have smaller meals at frequent intervals. Also Deep Breathing Techniques and Yogic Breathing Techniques like Pranayama, help in improved oxygen utilization in the brain.
3. Protein: Protein is needed by the brain for making the neurotransmitters, which are responsible for transmitting the impulses within the brain, i.e. they are messengers that carry message from neuron to neuron.
4. Carbohydrate: Carbohydrate is required by our brain as it enhances the absorption of tryptophan, an essential amino acid.
5. Fat: Our brain cells are covered by myelin sheath, which is made up of fat and omega-3 fatty acids.
6. Vitamins and Minerals: Vitamins such as B complex and minerals such as magnesium and manganese produce energy, vitamins A, C and E preserve memory, while sodium, potassium and calcium facilitate the thinking process of the brain.
The three neurotransmitters, vital for brain functioning, found in our food are:

1. Acetylcholine: Responsible for memory, found in egg yolk, peanuts, meat, milk, milk products, fish, broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower.

2. Dopamine: It is responsible for movement, attention and learning. Dopamine-rich food includes fish, nuts and soy products.

3. Serotonin: A hormone of happiness. Lack of it can cause depression and an excess can induce sleep. Food sources are pasta, starchy vegetables, cereals and bread.

Healthy cooking tips for living long and healthy life!!!

A balanced diet comprising of healthy and diverse foods is key to promoting good health. Eating healthy food promotes good health and unhealthy food habits lead to a diseased body. Foods contain vital nutrients that aid our body’s metabolic function. However, a lack of consumption of these nutrients or feeding upon the wrong kinds of food leads to an accumulation of toxins within the body, resulting in chronic diseases in the long run. Based on experiences and traditions, our ancestors have used foods and plant materials to treat various kinds of illness. Obesity, high blood glucose levels, high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, and many such health issues usually need medications. However, along with medicines, some dietary modifications are a must. These diet changes will help you in the long run, irrespective of whether you are suffering from any ailment or not. If you are looking for a website dealing with healthy cooking, you can check recipes right here.

Tips for healthy cooking:

1. Reduce consumption of fat, especially saturated fat and cholesterol. Choose low-fat cheeses and milk or low-cholesterol dairy and egg substitutes whenever possible. Choose chicken, turkey, fish over red meat. Use low-fat, low cholesterol margarine instead of butter for cooking. Choose olive oil or polyunsaturated vegetable oils over tropical oils.

2. Choose a dietary pattern in which your caloric intake is consistent with energy expenditure. Keep your activity level high and limit intake of high-carbohydrate foods.

3. Increase consumption of complex carbohydrates and fiber by choosing whole-grain foods, cereals, green salads, vegetables and fruits.

4. Reduce intake of sodium by choosing foods low in sodium content and by limiting the amount of salt added in food preparation and at the table.

5. Avoid eating stale food even if it has been well preserved in the refrigerator, as it could be loaded with germs.

6. Vitamin C is good for the bones, skin, and blood. So, remember to eat a citrus fruit every day.

7. Iron deficiency is the commonest but not the only cause of anemia. Therefore, if you are anemic, consult a doctor for the diagnosis.

8. If you are vulnerable to dental cavities, then choose foods lower in sugar content and limit the frequency of consumption of foods high in sugars.

9. Women should increase consumption of foods high in calcium, including low fat dairy products, fishes like salmon, sardines and mackerel, spinach, oysters, etc.

10. Too little calories can slow down the bodys metabolism, thereby decreasing the absorption of vitamins and essential nutrients too.

11. If you tend to overeat always, eating salads before your main course will fill you up in advance, thereby making you eat less.

12. Breakfast cereals can provide just the right amounts of carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals as we start the day.