Remember as a kid, how you used to run and jump and play all day?  part of what you were doing involved Plyometric exercises.

Plyometric exercises involve using simple yet effective movements to build power and speed.  There are no weights used in plyometric exercises because of the intensity.  Only body weight is required.

Still a little foggy about what it is?  Think about playing tennis.  The movements needed to change direction in a second and hit a ball hard enough to return it across the net are both plyometric movements.  Other movements that fall into this category are jumping on one foot through a maze, jumping squats and jumping on and off of a box.

While they may seem like simple exercises, plyometrics are actually demanding.  Your body needs to be in good shape before attempting them.  To prepare your muscles for the impact, participate in regular weight training to build strength in muscles and bones.  Moving in so many unpredictable ways can cause injuries to joints, ligaments, tendons and muscles.

Before you begin any plyometric training, be sure to stretch properly.  A muscle that is not stretched is a disaster waiting to happen.  Get the body warmed up first so that muscles are easier to move without injury.

You can perform plyometrics for any muscle in the body that you want to improve.  The most common muscles that are targeted are the leg muscles.  Most sports and exercise classes use the legs considerably because they are the largest muscles in the body.  The goal is to teach your muscles to respond quickly without any problems.

Know that you can handle the training before participating.  If you have problems with your knees, jumping up and down on a box or winding through a maze of cones is not a good idea.  Plyometric movements are high impact.  Even for the conditioned body it is recommended that you start slow and simple and not at an advanced level right away.

Prepare your area for doing plyometrics.  Use a soft surface like a mat or cushioned floor to absorb most of the shock.  Also wear shoes that have sufficient support for all areas of your foot.  Hard surfaces can cause injuries to your body.

The everyday athlete can also benefit from using these techniques to better their performance.  Find a personal trainer who is familiar with plyometrics to show you the ropes and give you a good workout.

Who says that exercise has to be grueling or boring?  More and more people are getting into the dance craze.  Dancing is a way to let loose and have fun while learning a new step or remembering steps that you knew a long time ago.

Dancing can be used to get regular physical activity into your daily routine.  Exercise keeps the body younger for longer.  Muscle mass increases and bone health improves.  Because you have to learn and remember the different steps of the dance, your brain is also getting a workout that builds new synaptic pathways and increases brain power.

Ballroom dancing is just one form of dance but it combines different dance techniques.  It features dances done by partners and can be slow or fast depending on the type of dance you are performing.  Modern ballroom dancing includes Latin dances, as well as American-style dancing that features a lot of dips, turns, and quick movements.

Dancing has many benefits for the body, mind and spirit.  First of all it is a low-impact form of exercise that provides a weight-bearing component.  You can strengthen your bones and muscles as you twirl.  The entire body gets a workout.  Doing many of the steps requires certain positions for the arms and legs which mean the abs are engaged the entire time.

Over time, you develop stamina as you get used to the movements and the time it takes to complete the dancing class.  Well-conditioned muscles are more flexible and give a slender look to the body.

So what are you waiting for?  Keep the mind young, the body firm and the spirit high with a little ballroom dancing.

What is Reiki?

Reiki is a healing therapy that works with modern medical techniques, hence the name “complementary”. Reiki uses hands-on techniques to channel energy from the Reiki master to the client and thus heal them.  With this form of healing, it is not only the energy of the receiver but also the energy and balance of the Reiki healer.

Reiki healing works to restore the energy flow or ki (pronounced chee) within the body.  Stress can obstruct the flow of energy throughout the body.  If there is disease going on in the body, energy flow or ki can be low and the body can still be out of balance.  The Reiki healer introduces energy from a limitless divine source into the body of the client to aid in healing the body.

This form of healing was originally started in Tibet.  A renewed form of the healing technique was developed by a Japanese Buddhist and named Reiki which means universal life force energy.

A Reiki master is familiar with the energy flow of the body and how they can tap into and change that energy with their own energy through the laying on of hands.  Through Reiki training, practitioners learn about how to channel that energy through intention. When this intention is strong, a Reiki healer can affect changes in the body of an individual even from far away without physical contact taking place.

Reiki masters use their training to benefit the body in many ways:

* Better sleep patterns
* Lower blood pressure
* Pain relief
* Boosting immune system function
* Emotional and spiritual growth
* Detoxification
* Unblocking ki energy

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There are two other elements which are considered essential while training for the correct execution of techniques in Aikido: The Ki or flow of energy and the Budo or martial way of practicing each technique with dedication and absolute commitment.

Once the participants or aikidokas have made the commitment to their training, their first lesson involves learning how to fall appropriately. They need to know how to absorb the effects of the various techniques which will be experienced. This is followed by different exercises which are done in a free-standing method of solo body movements. With these the aikidokas learn how to appropriately shift their weight and balance, as well as fundamental disciplines behind each individual technique.

Although many people think of Aikido as one of the ultimate martial arts, it is an art more thoroughly based on religion and harmony. Aikido uses joint locks, manipulation of weight, and various throws in order to achieve its purpose.It’s a very effective martial art, which were the intentions of Ueshiba from the start.

There are differences in what many think, and there is no real unified belief or philosophy in the martial art of Aikido.†While it is indeed rich in heritage and religion, its belief system revolves around harmony and peace of the spirit. With the achievement of a higher spiritual power, Ueshiba always believed the human body was capable of anything. Although he wanted revenge, he still took a stand by stating Aikido wasn’t about fighting. It was a way to reconcile with the world, making every human being one giant family.

When considering the many martial arts one can choose to practice, Aikido is still on of the most popular choices in the United States today. Aikido is so rich in both tradition and history, yet it is newer than most others. This art originally started in Japan at some point in the 1940s.

Aikido’s founder, Morihei Ueshiba (often known as Great Teacher or O Sensei) was born on December 14, 1883. Growing up in modern Japan, he was witness to much violence, including some local vandals attacking his own father. It was at this time he decided to grow strong enough to seek revenge for his father’s sake, spending as much time as possible training in martial arts. He received numerous certificates in jujitsu, fencing and spear fighting during this time of intense physical training.

Even with all of his achievements he felt there should be more to it. Turning to religion, he hoped to find some greater sense of significance of life. Yet he did not stop his training of martial arts during this time. Ueshiba founded the martial art of Aikido by joining his religious beliefs with his intense trainings in martial arts. This style was known as aikibudo until around 1942, when he chose to go with the name of Aikido. It was the incorporation of jujitsu, aiki-jujitsu along with spear and sword fighting.

The fundamental requirements for the practice of Aikido are dedication and respect in regards to the techniques and principles of the art. Other than these requirements, anyone of any age or strength can participate in the practice. There are no limits except those you impose upon yourself.

The movements related to the techniques of Aikido are derived from movements used while wielding the Japanese sword or spear fighting arts. The bokken (replica sword) and the jo (a stick) are used in practice as aids to enhance the understanding and skill required for fluid use of techniques.

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The Zone Tone method only has 2 steps:
1. zoning in on the appropriate muscle group before exercise
2. continuing that focus for maximum toning results

With the Zone Tone method, you don’t need heavy weights to get your muscles to grow. As you progress with your exercise, your focus and squeezing technique will as well. Before you even pick up the weight, the level of tension on the muscle can be equivalent to five or ten pounds of weight.

Learning proper form and technique when lifting weights is very important. For one thing, lack of form can cause injury. Swinging the weights is not safe or correct. Lifting heavy weights to build larger muscles is a common misconception. Using weight machines when you are just starting out doesn’t encourage proper technique. The machine does most of the work for you, which doesn’t teach you the proper form. The opposite happens when you use free weight. During these exercises you can learn what your body and your muscles are supposed to be doing Here is how it works. This exercise method stresses the importance of anatomy.

You know where your hands and feet are located, but what about the quadriceps muscle or the bicep femoris? Zone Tone hinges on knowing the precise location of all muscle groups you will be working.

Let’s say you are about to do military presses with free weights. Military presses work the deltoid (shoulder) muscles and the pectorals (chest muscles) to a smaller extent. Before you even lift the weights into starting position, fix your mind on the deltoid muscles. This is where the work of lifting the weight will be concentrated.

The second step is to squeeze that muscle group as if you were already lifting the weight. This action will prepare you body and your mind to the exercise that you are about to do. While still squeezing, lift the weights into position for military presses and begin the exercise. Focus on the deltoids for the entire exercise.

The Zone Tone method is easy to understand and learn, and the benefits are tremendous. Your muscles will work smarter to give you the definition you desire.

The Zone Tone method of weight mentally prepares you and your muscle groups for the work that is about to come. Have you ever lifted weights before and just gone through the motions because you thought that was how it was done? Do you avoid free weights?
The Zone Tone method for proper weight training demystifies all of that. There is more to weight training than just lifting the weights. Some people lift on a consistent basis but still don’t see the results that they want to achieve. Some look worse than when they started. One reason could be that the person lifting weights is not in the zone. The Zone Tone method shows you how to get maximum results from your weight training.