Egg free chocolate is important to those who are allergic to the proteins that are found in eggs. Basically, the bodys immune system overreacts to those proteins, and when that happens the person can suffer a potentially really serious reaction. Those who live with these allergies have to be aware of the ingredients of everything that they put in their mouths, and food labels have to be read very carefully to make sure that products are completely egg free.

Egg free chocolate is no different, and since chocolate is a favorite food of many people, the demand for the candy without egg is incredibly high. Fortunately, it is a requirement that all foods have to be labeled with all ingredients for the safety of consumers. There have also been required changes to food labels that make them easier for consumers to understand. For example, some labels have the ingredient ovoglobulin on them. Unfortunately most people do not know that the ingredient comes from egg protein. Those who are looking for egg free chocolate will be in all kinds of trouble if they eat candy with that ingredient in it.

Whenever egg protein enters the digestive system of someone with the allergy, the body switches the immune system into overdrive and it thinks that the ingredient is a dangerous invader. Tons of antibodies are created to the protein, and these are the guys that fight the invaders. They trigger the release of chemicals into the body called histamines. When a person has this happen to them in hugely excessive amounts, it can affect the respiratory system, the skin, the cardiovascular system, and the gastrointestinal tract. The reactions can happen within minutes to hours after consuming the offending foods.

Some of the symptoms that an allergy sufferer might be rashes, eczema, redness and swelling of the skin, trouble breathing and wheezing, stomach cramps, nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, and shock. The shock is a severe reaction known as anaphylaxis, and if it is not treated within minutes, the person can quickly die.

Finding egg free chocolate used to be really difficult, but now that the Internet is completely accessible to the majority of people, it has become much easier. There are many user friendly websites online that cater to the nutritional needs of those with different kinds of food allergies. The websites display all important information about the foods in easy to see formats, and customers can shop right online for egg free chocolate and anything else that they may need!

To learn more about egg free chocolate, visit http://www.allerneeds.com/egg-free.html.

Imagine building a house without some of the essential materials. Well it simply wouldnt work, it would be leaky, drafty, insufficiently insulated, and would probably collapse during the first storm.

Our cells are no different to a house. They all have a blueprint (DNA) and are meant to be constructed according to the plan. However when the body makes a request for a particular nutrient to complete the cell construction, it gets a message that the reserves are empty or being held only for the key organs, needed to keep you alive.

One of those essential nutrients are Essential Fatty Acids: Essential because our body cant make them, so we need to get them from food. Essential fatty acids (EFAs) are necessary for;

- Normal brain and nervous system function
- Visual acuity and cognition
- Hormone and prostaglandin regulation
- Healthy placental growth
- Brain and liver development in the foetus

The central nervous system starts to develop 21 days after conception; because of this it is essential that the mothers reserves are optimal before conception.

EFAs are also very important for;

- The health of breasts and mammary glands
- Growth of the uterus in the mother

EFAs can protect against SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome) and post natal depression and have been found to be effective in the treatment of endometriosis, heavy periods, cramping and mild depression. Deficiency has been linked to male infertility and can lead to congenital malformations and spontaneous abortions.

Omega 3 and 6 are known as EFAs. Omega 6 is readily available in food (nuts and seeds and vegetable oils) but Omega 3 is harder to come by and the need for Omega 3 increases during pregnancy and lactation.

Omega 3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA), are the building blocks of membranes of all cells in the body, and precursors of eciosanoids, hormones important in the prevention and treatment of many diseases, especially in women.

For example period cramps a.k.a. dysmenorrhea, stem from disturbed balance between anti-inflammatory and pro-inflammatory hormones. By increasing the intake of omega 3 fatty acids your period cramps can vanish.

I speak here from first hand experience. As a teenager, I couldnt leave the house without a Ponstan (a painkiller) on the first day of my period.
When I learned at college about omega 3s I started taking the supplement every day and within 2 cycles I never had to use Ponstan again, my cramps were gone.

Studies have shown that omega 3 fatty acids;

- Facilitate pregnancy in women with infertility problems by increasing uterine blood flow.

- Promote fetal growth by improving placental blood flow.

- Lower the risk of premature birth, by increasing the length of pregnancy and birth weight.

- Facilitate the childs brain development.

- Prevent preeclampsia (high blood pressure in pregnancy).

- Prevent postpartum depression.

- Prevent menopausal problems.

- Prevent postmenopausal osteoporosis.

- Prevent breast cancer.

- Lower bad cholesterol (LDL) and increase good cholesterol (HDL). This is especially
important for women receiving hormone therapy, which can increase bad cholesterol.

Buyer Beware

When buying Omega 3 Fish oils, you need to make sure the product;

1. Contains antioxidants to prevent the oil from oxidizing and going rancid
(a.k.a. lipid peroxidation).
2. Has been tested for mercury, dioxin and polychlorinated biphenyls (PBCs), and
meets the established safety limits.

Fish that live a long time (e.g. swordfish, shark & tuna) have a longer time to accumulate environmental toxins. Try to make sure your fish oil comes from wild sardines or wild salmon.

What we all need to be mindful of, is, the ever increasing demand for the ocean fish reserves. Studies have shown, worldwide, the demand for wild fish is now greater than the ocean can supply and projections suggest complete reliance on aquaculture (farmed fish) by 2050.

A solution to this problem is oil from Krill, an abundant zooplankton found in the Antarctic waters. Krill is eaten by whales and other fish. It possesses a fatty acid profile comparable with fish oils. It is a more sustainable solution comparable to fish oils.

How much do you need?

The recommended therapeutic dose of Omega 3 (RTD) is 1000mg three times per day, with food. Never have them on an empty stomach, as they wont absorb properly.

How do you store it?

In the fridge.

If you get fishy burps, you can put it in the freezer and have the capsules frozen, this way they will thaw out in your small intestines instead of your stomach.

Food Sources

Deep sea fish, wild salmon, red snapper, wild trout, herring, halibut, sardines, walnuts, almonds, nuts, seeds, flaxseed oil (only 20% gets converted into the active form), grass fed meat, hemp seed oil.

References

1. Arthur, R.Omega-3 Sources. The Journal of Complementary Medicine, May/June 2009 Vol 8 No 3.
2. Saldeen P, Saldeen T. Women and omega-3 Fatty acids. Obstet Gynecol Surv.2004 Oct;59(10):722-30; quiz 745-6.
3. Keene, I. 2008. Natural Fertility Prescription, Australian Natural Therapeutics,Switzerland.

Leading Fertility Naturopath Iva Keene publishes the Ultimate Fertility ezine with tips to get you pregnant ASAP. Get your free Fertility advice at http://www.natural-fertility-prescription.com

If you are in the business of producing medical products, then you know that the industry is heavily regulated one. There are specific government criteria that must be met when it comes to packaging and shipping, and so those who are wise consult with a medical package testing service to make sure they are in compliance. Here’s more about what a medical package testing service does.

Environmental Testing Lab

In a lab environment, testers can simulate the rigors of air, land, and truck shipping and determine if a manufacturer’s packaging is designed to withstand the effects of extremes in temperature and humidity. Using environmental chambers, the lab will accurately be able to duplicate actual conditions and will make precise cause and effect measurements: does the packaging degrade, corrode, leak, or tear under the actual conditions it will face during shipping? A packaging tester will be able to do these tests and then make recommendations for changes in design, if needed, based on the findings.

Vibration Testing

Environmental conditions such as temperature and humidity levels are not the only factors that affect materials during shipping: constant exposure to low and high levels of vibration may wreak havoc as well. A variety of different sized testing devices are used under controlled conditions to simulate over-the-road, rail, and flight vibrations. Packaging may definitely be affected when its contents settle due to vibrations or other similar disturbances. Rips in plastic may be a result or the integrity of the seals may be compromised. The contents themselves may be harmed by normal transit vibration if the packaging that is meant to protect them fails.

Variety and Flexibility of Service

A good medical packaging testing company should be equipped to test virtually any kind of container that is commonly used in the industry. These may include, but are not limited to:

Metal and plastic drums and jerricans
All kinds of boxes such as fiberboard, plastic, and metal
Bags made from paper, plastic, and textile materials
Composite packaging combining any two or more materials
Solid and liquid IBCs
Infectious substances packaging

There really is no way of knowing whether or not medical packaging will be able to withstand the normal stresses of transportation without putting it through a rigorous testing process. Determining any problems with packaging before mass production will save a manufacturer both time and especially money, and will assure that the finished product is in compliance with any government regulations which may apply.

For the very best service in medical packaging testing worldwide, contact the experts with over 20 years’ experience and the state of the art facilities to do the job right: Ten-E (http://ten-e.com). Art Gib is a freelance writer.

It is the dream of many people to have a fit body and gain muscles within the shortest time possible. Many people acknowledge the relevance of lifting weights in order to build muscles. However a number of them only want to hold nice muscle tone and a good attractive body, but not being extra muscular like the case of competitors. So they plan on lifting light weights and using high repetitions. In the long run, it never works.

For you to hold nice muscle tones, one will have to make sure that every muscle is approached right. Therefore, there is a need to lift heavy weights and force the muscles to different workouts, in order to enhance growth. Once one reaches a point of satisfaction on the muscle size, there is a need to cut the body fats in order to ensure that the muscles show up well and they look toned up. There is a need for solid commitment and great knowledge to achieve this nice muscle tone and an attractive muscular body. This article gives you some muscle building tips that are just a single route to weight training.

Train using Free Weights

Machines are the main adventures in the gym; however they do not serve all purpose. There is a clear need of free weights especially at the beginning of exercises. It is wise to first give free weights a priority since they provide the right momentum in body building programs. This is the reason why barbells and dumb bells are commonly used in every gym and they are the most experienced during any workout. Free weights provide a muscle with stability and gives balance and control for that respective muscle when training.

That means that, one can work out more muscle parts as an addition to the targeted ones during training. This gives rise to striations, bumps, and definitions all over and individual’s body instead of the expected one huge lump of muscle. Due to the extra stimulant, which is created on the muscles, there is a faster growth of muscles as a result of this. If you doubt this, just ask yourself as to why, even with machines, free weights in the gym have never grown obsolete and the answer will convince you of their relevance.

Employ Compound Exercises in your program

Compound exercises have been seen to work wonders for many bodybuilders. These are exercises that have an involvement of 2 or more movements of the joints. The essence behind their major achievement is based on their maximizing ability in utilizing more joints, meaning that greater muscles mass is involved. In the process, the worked up muscles develop drastically and heavier weights can be well lifted. As a result more muscle growth is enhanced and a better toning is achieved.

If you have been in the dark on what compound exercises are available, have an overview. Squats, Chin ups, Dead lift, Dips, Barbell Press, Bench press, Lunges, and Bent-Over workouts are some of the exercises termed as compound and give positive results.

Dane Fletcher is the world-wide authority on bodybuilding and steroids. He has coached countless athletes all over the world. To read more of his work, please visit either http://www.BodybuildingToday.com or http://www.SteroidsToday.com

When it comes to good health, there is nothing quite as important as being properly hydrated. Fitness experts agree that drinking natural water during a workout keeps the body and the mind active and refreshed. As 84 percent of the human body is made of natural water it makes sense that fluids lost through exercise need to be replaced and the fastest way to replenish is through drinking natural water.

Natural water is nature’s lifeblood. Water moves easily throughout the body picking up toxins and other unwanted chemicals that have been introduced into the body from food and beverage consumption. Water replaces itself within tissue makeup and flushes out the body’s waste material.

Drinking natural water is a great way not only to stay properly hydrated so that muscles do not cramp up during or after exercise, it also opens up the flow of blood throughout the body allowing the greatest benefits of exercise to take effect.

As sweat is released through pores in the body it cleans out the system and rejuvenates the body freeing the build up of stored sugars and fat. By drinking natural water the body flushes out these unwanted materials and revitalizes the entire body to give a greater benefit to any exercise program.

Additionally, a healthy body and mind can be gained from drinking eight, eight once glasses of water per day. Brain function relies on proper and regular hydration and studies have shown that people who drink lots of water have quicker and sharper intellects than those that drink soft drinks of energy drinks that spike brain activity and then crash after the effects of the caffeine and sugar stimulants ware off.

Natural water on the other hand stimulates brain function along with promoting a healthy body and proper hydration of the body actually makes it healthier and less susceptible to illness and disease. Drinking natural water when a person experiences a headache has been proven to alleviate the stress and pain of headaches, but when regularly drinking the recommended daily requirement of water most headaches can actually be prevented.

The human body is a miracle of varied systems that are designed to run at their peek levels when properly lubricated with natural water and nutrition from organically grown fruits, vegetables and meats in limited quantities. Water is nature’s best resource for maintaining a health mind and body. Drinking natural water prevents illness and disease while promoting health organs, muscles and tissues in the body.

Icy Peaks (http://icypeaks.com) bottles natural water at its source from springs at the base of the Grand Tetons. Art Gib is a freelance writer.

This procedure is primarily for people whose bodies have undergone drastic changes such as pregnancy, massive weight loss, and muscle damage. Such changes can impact the appearance of the upper and lower abdomen, leaving stretched skin and loosened muscle rather than a smooth, tone looking stomach.

If you have excess hanging skin that drapes over your stomach, cellulite, stretch marks, and weak abdominal muscles, you might be a good candidate for a traditional tummy tuck. This surgery helps tighten muscle and skin of both the upper and lower abdomen, and helps give the stomach a flatter, more youthful appearance.

The plastic surgeon makes an incision that runs horizontally across the stomach to the tops of the hip bones and below the bikini line. The navel is also cut away and removed temporarily for replacement at the end of the procedure. The muscle is exposed and repaired if weak or separated. The skin is then pulled tight and excess is cut away while the remaining is sewn into place. The navel will then be repositioned.

Recovery from a traditional tummy tuck can be uncomfortable and painful. It generally requires two to three weeks break from work and a few months break from more rigorous activities such as exercise and sports.

Most people require a friend, relative, or nurse to assist them with the first few days of recovery, which may be particularly difficult. Though the recovery can be somewhat difficult, pain medication will be prescribed to control any discomfort.

Mini Tummy Tuck

This procedure is for people who are in reasonable shape and have only a minor amount of fat and sagging skin that needs to be addressed. If you do not have a significant amount of excess, hanging skin (preferably none at all) and few stretch marks, this might be the ideal surgery for you.

Mini tummy tucks focus on sculpting and fine-tuning the lower abdomen only and is often performed on stomachs that are just starting to age or are only slightly bulging. The surgery is most often performed under local anesthesia. The plastic surgeon will create the incision in a concealable area, generally below the bikini line.

The length of the incision will vary depending on the individual case, but it is much smaller than what is required for a traditional abdominoplasty. The procedure is then performed much in the same way as the traditional, except that everything is on a smaller scale and the navel is usually left intact. Liposuction may be used for maximum results.

Recovery from mini tummy tucks is often much gentler than the more extensive traditional counterparts. You will still need one to two weeks rest and time off work, but there is less discomfort and most patients can begin to care for themselves much sooner.

Another variation of the procedure is the extended version. This surgery not only addresses issues of lax abdominal muscle and skin, but excess skin on the flanks and hips as well. It is often performed on those who have undergone considerable weight loss and are left with excess skin.

This procedure usually requires a short hospital stay and a more extensive recovery period than the mini or traditional tummy tuck surgeries. A plastic surgeon can help you decide whether or not you are the best candidate for either a mini or a full traditional or extended abdominoplasty. There are also other procedures, techniques, and combinations of surgery they can recommend for you to achieve your desired results.

Seattle tummy tuck surgeon can dramatically improve your body proportions and create a sculpted, contoured abdomen and. Improve your body’s overall profile and get a slimmer look and feel. To schedule a consultation, visit http://www.cosmeticsurgeryforyou.com

If you’ve been thinking about going on a raw food diet to lose weight you would be choosing the healthiest way on the planet to diet. Not only can you lose a lot of weight on a raw food diet but you will find that you feel better than you have ever felt. I know that’s true because I lost weight fast a decade ago when I first started eating my food uncooked. I started on a raw food diet immediately after I got a breast cancer diagnosis. I wasn’t grossly overweight but I wanted to lose ten pounds.

Those ten pounds disappeared so fast it actually scared me. But I found that by eating a lot more fruits and vegetables, nuts and seeds that I could easily maintain the loss and maintain a good weight for me – all my ailments including breast cancer, fibromyalgia, arthritis, irritable bowel syndrome went away – digestive problems and acid reflux and many other ailments just disappeared. It was a miracle to say the least and after ten years I am still in prefect health weighing 106 pounds.

I know many others who have lost weight eating raw foods. And they have the added benefits of vibrant health. They are vibrant, healthy glowing and full of energy. Raw foods give you tons of energy and for me — I only need five hours of sleep at night. That gives me many more hours to use every day.

I always feel good and charged. I still eat only raw foods. I make lots of delicious raw recipes and desserts – raw apple pies, blueberry pie, lemon tortes and all sorts of candies and cookies. All uncooked and every bite healthy.

Raw foods are the natural way to lose weight and those who try them find they never want to go back to the standard American diet. They are bursting with energy and with the newly found weight loss find they enjoy physical activities and are able to do so much more. I play tennis, hike, fast walk and work out in a club.

You can design your own weight loss plan you do not have to invest in any plans, programs or supplements. You can start today by going to your local farm, farmer’s market, whole foods market or produce department in your regular grocery store and stock up on greens, fruits and vegetables. Then get nuts and seeds like sunflower seeds. You can make pates out of seeds and various raw desserts out of nuts or to snack on- nothing roasted. Of course you can do more than this short article can get into but it’s really easy.

Why not think about starting a raw food diet today to lose weight and to feel good once and for all. It’s a perfect weight loss diet. Thousands of people are eating raw foods and enjoying vibrant, superior health too. You can be one of those lucky people too. You can do it!

For my raw food diet cure and secrets – how I used it to help cure my breast cancer, arthritis, fibromyalgia, acid reflux, digestive & sleep issues, headaches, pain, weight loss, etc. see a nurse/raw food expert’s http://www.RawFoodDietCure.com and my easy raw food recipes http://www.RecipesRaw.com

The economy, career insecurity, mortgage repayments, debt and energy prices are some of the leading causes of stress affecting people around the world today.

Holidays are very important to our physical and mental well being. Whether the vacation is a weekend getaway or a full two-week vacation from everything stressful, make the most of it by doing nothing. Pay your bills before leaving home so you don’t have to worry about calling or going online to pay them while trying to relax. That’s the purpose of a vacation after all…to get away from it all. On the beach or an amusement park ride is not a good place for a cell phone or blackberry, leave those at home.

Sunshine

Sunshine can improve one’s mood, ward off depression, aid in sleep and even improve your sex life. Not only does the sun provide the skin with a healthy glow, it provides nutrients that essentially have a positive effect on many areas of life. Moderate sun exposure can raise vitamin D levels, reduces stress and helps our bodies recover from jet lag more quickly.

Fresh Air

Many people spend far more time indoors than outdoors. Sometimes this is not by choice. Demanding work or class schedules are leading reasons people spend most of their time indoors. Fresh air helps cleans our lungs better than any air purifier system available on the market today. Having the ability to breathe more easily increases the amount of oxygen provided to our cells. Increased oxygen means increased energy to do the things we need or want to do.

Play Time

Most adults do not take the time to play and enjoy themselves. Vacations provide a great opportunity to just let go and enjoy your time, whether on the beach or a theme park tour. Adults often ask how children have so much energy. Often the answer is simple – they take the time to play and enjoy life unlike their adult counterparts. The next time you take time for a vacation, make time to play and enjoy it.

Creativity

Don’t stick to a normal schedule when you’re on vacation! It is your vacation, your time off. Go to bed late and sleep late, enjoy breakfast in the afternoon or dinner at midnight. Be creative when planning one day to the next. Plan activities you enjoy. Don’t be worried about what others may think of your creative efforts, just enjoy your vacation.

Freedom

Vacations provide many forms of freedom – freedom from the 9 to 5 daily grind, the commute, the office and best of all freedom from your alarm clock. Vacation time means no stressful schedule to maintain. Plan your vacation but do not make daily plans that take you out of your realm of relaxation. Vacation plans should include things you enjoy doing, not things you feel you need to do.

Relaxation

Brooks Gump, Ph.D., assistant professor of psychology at Oswego said, ‘We concluded that skipping vacations could actually be dangerous to your health. Vacations have a protective effect because they help you reduce your load of stress, or at least allow you to take a break from the everyday stressors of the workplace.’

Researchers and doctors have assessed stress related illnesses for years and the majority of them have come to the same conclusions – vacations are an essential part of maintaining good mental health as well as good physical health.

Vacation Locations Around the World

The British enjoy spending their vacation time in various locations in Spain and Europe. The Balearic Islands, Canary Islands, Spain, Hungary and Italy are some of the more popular vacation destinations. Low-cost airlines throughout Europe allow the opportunity for Europeans to plan shorter, more frequent vacations and weekend getaways, flghts to Malta have come down in price in recent years for example.

Florida, the Caribbean and other coastal areas are some of North America’s most popular vacation destinations. Theme parks around the United States are great destinations for overnight or weekend getaways. Many adventurous vacations are also available throughout the United States and Canada.

Guides for European locations are available with Tribune, including one for Malta at http://www.yourmalta.com

Do you suddenly feel your self-esteem is shaken by economic conditions that you cannot control? Are you tired of watching world leaders and hoping for leadership? Have you noticed that your Yoga practice helps build self-confidence, but wondered why? The following tip will help you build or maintain self-confidence in any economy.

In most Yoga classes, students learn the value of positive affirmations. Let’s be honest, most people practice affirmations every day, but are not consciously aware of it. Anyone who wakes up each morning, looking for a problem, unconsciously seeks negative affirmation.

You cannot control the world economy, stock markets, or the decision process of world leaders, but you can control the thoughts that run through your mind. It starts with the power of affirmations. If you are going to program your mind for self-confidence, you have to repeat a phrase to yourself over and over again.

Your positive affirmation does not have to be very complicated; nor does your affirmation have to be a Sanskrit mantra given to you by a genuine Swami, after a pilgrimage to a sacred place. Here is an example of a simple, but effective, positive affirmation: “I deserve love, respect, and admiration.”

Why is this affirmation such a simple, yet powerful, affirmation? So many people believe that they should not have anything good happen to them. They sincerely believe they should be sad, pessimistic, and unsuccessful.

When you attend a Yoga class, make sure that you learn about the power of affirmation and mantra. Related to this, prayer is also a powerful form of affirmation. In Hatha Yoga classes, outside of India, it is unlikely that your teacher will ever discuss the power of prayer.

The reasons for this difference are simple. As Hatha Yoga left India, it evolved into a “mind / body” exercise. The separation of religion and government is so deeply rooted into western democratic societies, that the mention of prayer has become “politically incorrect.” Hatha Yoga teachers, in western societies, often teach students of multiple religions within the same class.

Make no mistake about it, anyone, of any religion, can increase his or her spiritual growth through the practice of Yoga. Yoga, of every kind, will enhance your mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual health.

Self-realization and transformation are natural by-products of Yoga practice. Yoga practitioners, who continue to maintain a steady practice, will increase their self-confidence, and train their minds for balanced thinking.

Copyright 2009 – 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

Have you noticed a need for a stress management workshop in your local area? Maybe your students have requested one from you or a local business has offered you the opportunity to present a workshop. There is no time like the present to plan one.

After all – Yoga has so many effective techniques to help reduce stress levels, that you should not have any difficulty with postures, Yogic breathing (pranayama), relaxation techniques, or meditation. Yet, what tips can you offer students to carry into their everyday lives?

Every Yoga technique you teach is ineffective, until a student takes his or her practice into daily life. The following are six tips that will help your students reduce their stress levels on the very first day.

1. Wake up a few minutes earlier, with a song of thankfulness in your heart. Thank God for the day, your family, your friends, and your daily activities. Be grateful, even if you have experienced disappointment at times. A positive frame of mind sets the tone for the day.

2. Allow yourself the pleasure of having breakfast at the kitchen table. Be mindful of every moment. If it is possible, enjoy the company of your family at breakfast. Too many families are on the go and never seem to have a chance to share time with each other.

3. If you travel by car, listen to relaxing music or invest in an interesting audio book. It is inevitable that you will see drivers who will cut you off. Therefore, your primary focus should be on the road, but enjoy your commute and take the time to learn, when possible.

4. Take the time to recognize daily stress triggers at work, school, or activities. The process of stress trigger identification process, allows you the opportunity to consider whether it is worth carrying around with you. For example: You meet a rude driver in another car. Do you let it bother you for the rest of the day? You have the option to “drop the ball,” and you do not have to pick it up.

5. Forgive yourself for not being perfect. In Yoga, we often talk about “non-judgment.” The one person we judge the harshest is usually oneself. Do not expect to be a saint. It is always good to aspire toward sainthood, but forgive yourself and forgive others, too.

6. Give any help you can to those in need. You cannot give away everything, but how much do we really need? Be moderate in your lifestyle, and you will see many opportunities to help those around you.

Copyright 2009 – 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

There are many reasons why an instructor or intern would take a Yoga teacher training course online, or through correspondence. The following is a short list of reasons why established teachers and potential interns would consider online, or correspondence, Yoga teacher training programs.

1. Yoga instructors need non-contact continuing education units (CEUs) for existing Yoga teacher credentials. Continuing education is part of their re-certification requirements. CEUs keep educators up-to-date with the many changes in sports medicine and information about teaching students who have special needs.

2. Some interns take continuing education courses for their primary field, but are allowed elective credits for a related field, such as Yoga. These Yoga teacher interns often work in fields, such as medicine, Ayurveda, fitness, physical education, physical therapy, psychology, or social work. In this case, some of them are applying Yoga education toward their CEU requirements in their primary fields.

3. If one lives in a remote location, such as an island or a rural area, there may be no on-site Yoga intensive training near your home. In such cases, your intensive training may be precious, and well spent time, but the journey to your destination may create other hardships, with respect to extra expense and time away from obligations.

4. When we think of obligations, we might consider relationships, children, a spouse, or a job, which falls into this category. When considering Yoga training, some potential interns throw their hands into the air and exclaim, “I’m just too busy!”

This is a simplified response to overwhelming responsibilities. It is likely, that we enjoy our family, friendships, and our daily work, but a requirement of four weekly intensives, or more, per year, may be a stretch for most of us. Correspondence courses are self-paced, which means you fit your schooling into your scheduled time.

5. Affordability may be the most logical reason of all for joining a distance learning program for Yoga teachers. Each correspondence course is designed to guide you toward specific aspects of Yoga. Yet, spending all of your savings, or taking out a loan for your education, may not be necessary.

Online and correspondence courses usually cost a small fraction of a face-to-face training. On average, distance learning for Yoga teachers, costs only 5% to 20% of the cost of an onsite course. The cost of travel, housing, meals, hidden fees, books, educational materials, lost wages, and shutting your Yoga studio down for four weeks, can add up.

When considering your Yoga education, you should weigh up all of the factors and choose the option which best suits your needs. Each of us lives in a different set of circumstances. Yoga correspondence courses allow you to enjoy your life as it is, right now, and expand your knowledge in the best possible way.

Copyright 2009 – 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

How can Yoga help someone with establishing and maintaining good relationships? Successful relationships require mutual effort from both sides. Whether a relationship is with someone at work, at home, or with a friend, there is a need to maintain a stable connection. If there is an emotional connection, such as love or romance, this can be complicated, but Santosha can still be applied.

What is Santosha? In the Yoga Sutras, Santosha is one of the listed Niyamas (moral observances). The Niyamas could easily be identified as virtues. Within the Yoga Sutras, Maharishi Patanjali reveals Santosha and its value in daily life.

Santosha is often described as a state of contentment. If you can maintain a state of contentment, you can find happiness, and you can remain happier for longer periods of time. We should be pro-active in our cultivation of contentment, in order to release the mind from the burdens of pain.

Yet, how does this apply toward cultivating successful and healthy relationships? Practice complete acceptance of friends, co-workers, associates, and family members. In other words: Accept each individual for who he, or she, is, without pre-conditions.

Do not hold anyone to your expectations. To accept people for who they are is extremely difficult for some people. Relationships often fail because of pre-conceived expectations. Many people go out on a “first date” with a pre-qualifying list of requirements for a prospective partner to fulfill.

While it is true that each of us has expectations in regard to the pursuit of a “soul mate,” it is also true that you cannot change people to suit your requirements. This concept applies to every relationship we have. You can choose your spouse and friendships carefully, but you must accept what you cannot control.

A passive state of mind will also help cultivate your work, business, and family relationships. Patanjali points us toward the appreciation of life’s difficulties. It is easy to embrace joy, happiness, and bliss. On the other hand, life can be full of suffering, pain, and sorrow.

Santosha teaches each of us to accept and learn from the difficult experiences we will encounter in life. Know that life will change, and we should be happy with what we have at this moment. When we stop the outer world from affecting our inner-being, we have found true happiness.

It is hard to believe that one Niyama can be so valuable, but contentment, and the resulting states of happiness, will serve a Yoga practitioner like a flashlight down a dark path. Light gives us vision and focus. With the help of Santosha, a dark path that we were once lost on, can become an adventurous journey.

Copyright 2009 – 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