By Paul M. Jerard Jr.
 During the course of a week, Yoga teachers may work with students who have a variety of physical ailments. Among those ailments are the many forms of heart disease and heart conditions. There are many differences, and many causes, of heart problems.
Some heart problems are caused by risk factors, such as: Lack of exercise, poor diet, smoking, obesity, and a combination of these conditions. At the same time, high stress levels and genetics can also play a role in poor heart health.
While physical forms of Yoga can change the lack of physical exercise factor, how can it be a remedy for all of the other factors mentioned? When looking into the personal histories of dedicated Yoga students, there is one common denominator: All of them make a commitment to a healthy lifestyle.
If a Yoga student has a poor diet, or smokes, but keeps practicing, he or she will eventually give up bad habits. If a student is obese, years of Yoga practice usually will change his or her approach to life and diet. Some people eat without
thinking. Yoga teaches us to be mindful of every action.
In the case of stress levels being too high: Everyone has stress, but Yoga teaches students to cope and to think clearly. The job that sends you over the edge today may be the cause of your hyper-tension tomorrow. Knowing this, one might ask how much more can he, or she, take before the job becomes a health risk.
Yet, how could Hatha Yoga compensate for genetic heart conditions? No form of Yoga can change a lineage of heart disease, but a healthy lifestyle should be able to extend your life, beyond the age of relatives, in your bloodline. In this case, a strict vegetarian diet may be a matter of necessity.
There are some people who will never change their lifestyles; even if, they know the consequences. Doctors deal with this every day, and it can be discouraging. One of the greatest gifts of life is the ability to change for the better. Practicing Hatha Yoga does not require you to turn your life upside down, but you have the power to eliminate health risks by priority.
Luckily, Hatha Yoga gives you all the tools for clarity of thought. It is up to you to take action for your sake and for those who love you. Time spent meditating will give you rational thought and life-saving solutions. The physical postures will develop a body that is the best it can be. Yogic breathing techniques require time and practice, but the rewards are inner calm and a method for coping with high stress levels.
To maintain one's heart is a matter of choice - even if our ancestors did not leave us the best of genetic score cards.
Copyright 2008 - Paul Jerard / Aura Publications
Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500, is a co-owner and the director of Yoga teacher training at: Aura Wellness Center in, Attleboro, MA. To receive Free Yoga videos, Podcasts, e-Books, reports, and articles about Yoga, please visit: http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org/member-offer.html
Health
Food for the immune system
By Roberto Garabell
 The body of persons is composed of a large number of components that allow for the body to fulfill their functions perfectly without any problems, but for the elements of the body retain an appropriate status, people must do certain things so that the body are good and this task is to consume about appropriate food for the body, which will benefit the conditions, and do not deteriorate, so between all the components of the body is worth noting the immune system, which by be one which recognizes the foreign particles and protects the body from different external factors that can impair the health of people, deserves special attention and therefore make the consumption of foods that strengthen it.
In response to earlier in this article mentioning some of the largest and most beneficial foods that can be consumed for maintaining the immune system under the best circumstances, in such a way to bring in the body are presented in smaller quantities any kind of viruses or bacteria that may affect the functions or conditions to have a good health.
Among the foods that help raise the defenses of the immune system, it is worth noting that the results generated the following foods:
The yogurt and kefir: the action of these are used mainly to prevent infections, it must be borne in mind that to achieve adequate results, the milk of which are derived these must come from a pure and organic milk, which does not filing of any chemical, or hormones, which gives the high presence of microorganisms that will increase the defense of the immune system.
The garlic: it has a great capacity to eliminate the causative agents of different tumors and infections. It should be noted that consumption of the same must be done so moderate, as the excess consumption means of overloading the liver works.
Spinach: this made a large number of organic components, which provide better conditions to the immune system.
All citrus: citrus apart from possessing vitamin C, has a large number of substances that enhance the immune system, including citrus orange highlights. Citrus fruit is highlighted by providing the body and more precisely to the immune system such as vitamins C, B-1, B-2 and P, besides a large amount of carbohydrates.
The sesame seeds and sesame, this combined with spinach is an excellent way to stimulate the immune system.
We must take full account of all foods that contain vitamin E, as this increases the immune response, so, vitamin E is the main source of wheat germ oil, soya, olives, grain cereals whole seeds of grains, most vegetables that this green leaves and nuts.
It is also noteworthy that the immune system will be affected by the consumption of foods such as animal fats, sugars, coffee, soft drinks such as cola and everything that possesses chemical.
Author is webmaster of http://www.healthy-u.org and you can read more articles related to Food and Nutrition on this website.
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