Diets dont Work!

Here is an photograph of my local book store. If diets did work then would so many books be up there. Diets do not work. It's a lifestyle change with certain dietary changes, and plenty of exercise is that is required to get to your ideal weight and shape.





















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Taster Session

If you have ever wondered what a Sports Remedial Massage would be like but never tried it before then here is your chance... Thursday 29th of October try an hour massage for 25% off at 16 New Birggate, Leeds City Centre, above Remedy Hair Dresser...

The Modern Human

The Modern Human

Well who is the modern human? Well generally speaking I would say the vast majority of us walking this earth, certainly in the more developed worlds, where most aspire to office desk jobs would fit into that category. Not knocking your desk jobs, I’ve had one for a few years in the past. However as technology becomes great, our fitness levels become weaker. This can lead to success for your career but problems with your body.

But this is not where the problem actually starts. Well it starts first thing in the morning. Modern Human wakes up with just enough time to get a shower and jump into the car to set off to work, missing out breakfast (the all important meal of the day). Once the modern human is at work, sat in front of his/her computer that is where they sit for the following 8 hours or so. Moving out of their desk during lunch to grab a sandwich and then returning to their desk to check the facebook, myspace, bebo or some other social network on the net these days. That is if you are not on it through the day, on the sly. At the end of the day it’s back in the car for that drive home and slump on the sofa in front of the 32 inch or 50 inch plasma TV that you worked so hard for. This will probably coincide with some concoction of fast take away or microwave meal. I apologise for painting such a bleak picture of the modern human.

So to conclude the modern human tends tends to have a very kyphotic posture (rounded upper back/protracted shoulders, internally rotated humerus), an excessive lordotic curve in his lower back (anterior pelvic tilt). He also exhibits a forward chin posture, shoulder pain from all that darn typing, and he feels very restricted when he has to bend over or sit down. This can and will lead to even bigger problems down the road. Some of the biggest problems that occur when sitting in a desk day in and day out can take time to manifest, but when it happens, it can make everyday life very uncomfortable. Some of the biggest problems that will occur due to prolonged sitting and poor posture are neck pain, tension headaches and lower back pain/stiffness.

In a nutshell, modern human is in rough shape.

Modern Human in the Gym

Oh some of you are probably up in arms at this stage and probably saying that is not me I go to the gym and eat good food. Food part we’ll tackle at another stage, but lets tackle the Modern Human in the Gym. I have spent a fair time in techno savvy gyms of today and observed what goes on. Guys: Bench Press (incline, decline, regular, pec decs...), arm curls (oh the all important guns), lat pulldowns, leg presses, leg curls, crunches and more bench; Ladies: well cause they are so scared of getting big they avoid the weights section all together but spend time in spinning classes. The vast majority of these exercises promote a forward flexed position or compressive/shear force on the spine. All this just reinforces all the aberrant motor patterns that causes bad posture and eventually injury. Generally speaking due to the seated work posture all the training in the gym also happens with a rounded back which makes is just pouring fuel to the already raging fire.

Fucking STOP...

Okay the modern human has to work for a living for, the social status, the car, the house, the trophy girlfriend/boyfriend, the plasma TV, to feed your baby, and provide your children good schooling. I get that.

Remember there is only one you. So here is my plan for the modern man.

Wake up and move. Allow plenty of time for breakfast. Gentle stretch is not a bad idea. When you are work take regular breaks where possible. Basically move and visit the water station more regularly. In the gym start with a dynamic warm-up that prepares the body for movement in those areas that are less mobile, i.e., hips, scapulae, thoracic spine, and ankles. Dynamic warm-up also do a great job at stimulating your nervous system.

This goes for both modern man and modern woman; men avoid fixed machines and women do not fear the weights room, honestly it will help you get toned (strength and fat loss). Base your work-out around multi joints exercises: Front Squats, Lunges, Straight Legged Dead lifts, Dead Lifts, Glute Ham Raises, Dumbbells Bench press (this is a compromise as I know it is asking to much especially of men not to perform Bench Press), Pull-up, Rows, Over head Squats, Stability Shoulder exercises, Wood chops, Reverse crunches (these crunches help correct the trunk flexion and promotes hip flexion). Doing this in a circuit style training with very little rest, will also promote fat loss in both men and women and give you are great cardio session without spending ours on the treadmills.

While I commend anyone exercising and staying active there are some obvious flaws in some of the exercise choices. Hopefully I have shed some light in the dos and the donts. Stay tuned for videos on “how to” perform these exercises outside the gym and further information on overall appearance.

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AROMATHERAPY MASSAGE

AROMATHERAPY


Aromatherapy dates back to ancient Egypt, where plants and flowers were distilled to extract their essential oils. In the early 20th century a French chemist and perfumier, Rene Gattefosse, badly burned his hand whilst working in his laboratory.

In an attempt to cool the burn he plunged his hand into a vat of lavender essential oil that was waiting to be used in perfume. To Gattefosse’s astonishment, he found that the burn healed extremely quickly, without blistering or scarring, and he then went on to research the healing properties of other plants.

During the Second World War Jean Valnet, a French doctor, used essential oils to treat the wounds of the soldiers. A French biochemist, Marguerite Maury, further developed the idea, using essential oils as an integral part of healing massage.

How does it work?
Human beings can distinguish up to 10,000 different smells – some delightful and others nauseating. It is believed that smells enter through the cilla – the fine hairs which line the nose – and then go on to the limbic system, the part of the brain that controls our moods, emotions, memory and learning.

Each essential oil from a flower, plant, root, leaf or piece of bark contains up to one hundred different chemical components (including esters, ketones, aldehydes and terpenes) which can have a strong effect on the whole person. For example, research has shown that the smell of lavender increases alpha waves in the back of the head, producing relaxation. The smell of jasmine increases beta waves in the front of the head, producing sensations of being more alert.

What does it involve?
An aromatherapy consultation will begin with the practitioner finding out about your medical history and what you would like the therapy to achieve for you. On the basis of the information you provide, the practitioner will then mix a recipe of essential oils, which is individually designed to suit your needs.

The recipe can contain anything from four to eight different essential oils, and the practitioner will usually add three of four drops of each one to a carrier oil (normally sweet almond oil or something similar). You will be asked to undress and lie on a treatment couch whilst the massage is carried out. Therapists are particularly sensitive to their clients’ need for modesty and the client is always covered with sheets or towels throughout the massage, which are removed only over the small portion of skin on which the therapist intends to work. Aromatherapy oils do not have to be used on the skin to be effective. Instead, they can be burned in an oil diffuser (a small china pot The recipe can contain anything from four to eight different essential oils which has a space for a tea candle underneath and a flat area on top for warm water to which a few drops of oil are added). The candle warms the oil and water and releases the fragrance into the room. Essential oils can also be diluted in water and sprayed into the air, or a couple of drops can be poured onto a tissue or cotton wool and tucked under your pillow whilst you sleep.

What is it good for?
Aromatherapy can be used for a variety of physical and emotional problems including stress, anxiety, depression, fatigue, pain, insomnia, coughs and colds, burns, scar tissue, digestive problems and skin disorders.

What are the benefits?
Clients report that the process of having a gentle massage with aromatherapy oils is a wonderfully relaxing and soothing experience. Depending on an individual’s needs, essential oils can be used to soothe, uplift, energise, relax or stimulate.

What are the side effects and when should it be avoided?
Some essential oils must be strictly avoided during pregnancy, if you are epileptic, have high blood pressure or sensitive skin or intend to go into strong sunshine after applying the oils. Because of this it is vital that you consult a qualified practitioner who will take your specific needs into account before creating a recipe of oils for use on your skin. Essential oils are very strong and can cause severe irritation unless they are diluted in a carrier oil. They should never be applied to any part of the skin unless diluted first, and they should never be taken internally.


TO BOOK YOUR AROMATHERAPY MASSAGE CONTACT ME ON 08000 029 121.
TO PURCHASE YOUR OWN OILS VISIT ID AROMATICS http://www.idaromatics.co.uk/

The Photoshop Effect

The Cost of Perfection is a mere Photoshop expert:

Top Tips for Managing Back Pain

Just wanted to inform you that I have got a great e-book on my "Top Tips for Managing Back Pain" for you to download. Just visit http://theholisticsystem.com/massage.html to download your copy. It's free.

New Exercise Craze

So this is it guys. This is the latest in exercise craze to come out of State Side. You aren't working hard enough if you aren't doing the poodle curls.



So funny...