Yoga For Hair Loss

Yoga For Hair Loss



One of the most worrying problems of people living in the Middle East is – hair loss. While one of the most obvious culprits seem to be the desalinated water (the hard tap water contains high levels of chlorine which weakens the hair and causes hair fall), the extreme heat and constant exposure to air conditioning does not help either. And a fast paced lifestyle and increasing stress levels tend to fuel the fire. But to our rescue, (apart from our favourite hair dressers), is yoga! Coupled with good nutrition and sufficient sleep, you can work your hair to a healthier mob.

Start with a quick warm up, and 3 long deep breaths to center your energies.

Downward Facing Dog (Adho Mukho Svanasana):
Lie down on your stomach, and place your palms on the mat, near your ears. Keep your toes pointed downwards so your heels face the sky. Now, exhale and pushing your palms firmly on the mat, lift your body so that your hips point to the sky, like an inverted ‘V’. Keeping your hands exactly where they are, now gently put your heels on the mat (if you can) so that you can feel a nice stretch on your hamstrings.

This pose strengthens the arms, increases blood circulation to the head thereby stimulating the nerves of the scalp.

Forward Bend (Uttanasana):
Stand straight on your mat. Inhale and raise your hands above your head. Bend forward completely pushing your buttocks back till your palms touch the floor (or wherever they reach). If you are uncomfortable, you can slightly bend your knees. Stay in this pose for 5-8 breaths. Then gently inhale bringing your arms above your head, raising your upper body erect. Remember to rise up from the hips, without straining your muscles. And use a gentle flow at all times.

Apart from getting the blood circulation rushing to your head, this pose stretches your hamstrings, and muscles of the abdomen.

Vajrasana:
Kneel down on the mat. The top surface of your feet must touch the mat and your heels face upwards. Now gently place your buttocks on your heels. Now place both your palms on your knees, facing downwards. Close your eyes and relax in this pose for 5-10 breaths.

This pose relaxes the mind and improves digestion, which is an integral part of your overall wellbeing. That is why this pose is a part of this routine.

Pawan Mukhtawasan:
Lie on your back, and place your palms on your knees. Exhale and pull your legs to your chest, using the strength of your thighs rather than your arms. When you inhale loosen your grip, and allow your legs to move completely away from your tummy. Do this for a few breaths at your own pace. Let your breath guide your movement. Hold this position for some time. Close your eyes, and take a few deep breaths in and out.

This pose also aids better digestion, by relieving any gas built up in the stomach and abdomen. It is also a great pose for relaxing the back and the tense muscles of the neck and thighs.

(Shoulder Stand) Sarvangasana:
Lie down on your back with your legs extending outwards. Place your palms along your back and hips for support and slowly raise your legs either by first folding them at the knees or by lifting them straight, and then raise your body while pointing your toes to the ceiling. Your elbows should be touching the floor and your back should be supported by your hands. All your weight should be on your shoulders. Make sure you breathe slowly and lock your chin into your chest. Hold this pose for as long as you are comfortable. To return to the lying position, slowly lower your body. Do not fall back to the lying position.

Note: Do not do this pose if you suffer from any neck or spinal injuries. If you do have high blood pressure, perform this exercise only under supervision.

This pose is known for activating the thyroid glands and helps the head to get its supply of blood, which in turn helps hair growth. Since the proper function of the thyroid glands is required for the smooth functioning of the entire body (including the digestive, nervous and reproductive system, regulating metabolism and the working of the respiratory system and mitigating hair fall), this pose is a must for those suffering from hair fall due to hormonal imbalance.

Apart from these asanas, incorporate a diet of hair-friendly foods like prunes (great source of iron!), eggs, (loaded with essential nutrients such as proteins, Vitamin B12, iron, zinc and Omega 6 fatty acids), carrots (rich in vitamin A), walnuts (provide Omega 6 fatty acids, zinc, B vitamins and iron), and always stay hydrated.

You Must Make NOW

Health Resolutions You Must Make NOW



So you partied hard to ring in the New Year and nearly one month later, are feeling the side-effects! The waist seems to have gone out of shape, some of the clothes don’t fit you and suddenly you are left wondering what you did wrong despite watching what you eat. At times, it is hard for you to lose weight and harder to maintain that loss. Especially, if you are resorting to fad diets as a weight loss solution, the kilos will be harder to shed. The only way is to skip fad diets to get rid of holiday weight gain and head towards healthier options with guaranteed weightloss that can last for a long time.

Losing weight comes to a very simple equation: if you eat more calories than you burn, you will end up gaining weight, and if you eat less calories than what you burn, you will lose weight.

SO WHY DON’T WE LOSE WEIGHT

It all comes down to the fact that our bodies react differently to calories and food over time. If you lose a kilogram or so for the first week of your diet, this doesn’t mean that you will keep on losing a kilogram every week. Eventually, this weightloss will decline and you will need to cut more calories and incorporate exercise in your daily routine for weightloss results.

For a healthy weightloss with guaranteed results, you should follow a balanced diet that includes all the food groups - grains, milk, proteins, vegetables, fruits, oils with suitable quantity of macro (carbohydrates, proteins and fat) and micronutrients (vitamins and minerals).

Here are some tips that will make you lose weight in a healthy way.

1) Aim for your daily caloric intake to be slightly less than or equal to your metabolism, a deficit of 500 calories per day will make you lose 1 kg per week.

2) Choose your food wisely.

3) Make 50 per cent of your carbohydrate intake per day as whole grains. They will make you feel full as they are high in fibers, will regulate your blood cholesterol and sugar, and will provide you with a variety of vitamins and minerals.

4) Go for lean proteins, choose lean cuts of red meat, turkey breast, chicken breast, and incorporate beans and peas, which are high in proteins, in your meals.

5) Go for low fat or skimmed dairy products, milk, yogurt…

6) Choose healthy oils and use them in moderation, such as olive oil, canola oil, fish oil… which are rich in omega 3 and omega 6. Cut down on butter, margarine and fried foods.

7) Eat a lot of fresh vegetables (4-5 cups a day), they contain lots of vitamins, minerals and fibers, in turn making you feel full, especially if you consume them before your main meal.

8) Drink 8-10 cups of water per day. Drink a cup of water whenever you feel hungry, sometimes your brain mistakes thirst for hunger.

9) Stop eating before you feel full; it takes the brain 20 minutes to realise that the stomach is full.

10) Keep a journal to record what you are eating on a daily basis; this will make you monitor the quantity and quality of your food intake.

11) Incorporate exercise in your daily routine, go mostly for cardio exercise to burn this excess fat, and then try some weight lifting exercise to maintain your muscles.

Losing weight in a healthy and sustainable way doesn’t happen overnight; it requires patience and commitment and cannot be executed with extreme diets that leave you starving and weak and that promise fast results. The above powerful ways will help you achieve lasting weightloss and develop a healthy relationship with foods...................

Get Healthy Lips

how to get healthy lipssssssssssssssss........

The colour of your lips primarily depends on your complexion, but fair people can also develop dark lips if they smoke excessively or consume too much of tea or coffee.

Navin Taneja, director of National Skin Centre, India, offers these tips that could help you improve the appearance of your lips.

* Having one or two cups of tea or coffee in a day does not matter, but consuming too much of it should be avoided.

* If you are a smoker, quit and apply Vaseline on your lips regularly to prevent dryness.

* Protect your lips from the sun. Wear lip balm with SPF 30. It makes them soft too.

* Hydration of lips is very important. Eat lots of vegetables, fruits and fluids.

* Superficial exfoliation of the lips can be also done. One can use salicylic acid-based lip balms.

* Don’t get permanent tattoos on lips..........