Budokon- yoga and martial art (ext)

Budokon, made in America, mixes yoga with martial arts

Mon Dec 24, 2012 10:10AM EST

By Dorene Internicola

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Budokon, a workout program developed in 21st century America, blends the ancient mind-body practices of yoga and martial arts into a program that aims to reward followers with conditioning, mindful meditation and progressively colored karate-type belts.

"Budokon is a yoga, martial arts and meditation trifecta," said Mimi Rieger, who teaches the not-so-ancient practice in gyms, studios and workshops in the Washington, DC area.

An instructor in the 3,000-year-old practice of yoga since 2003, Rieger, founder of Pure Fitness DC, is one of approximately 400 teachers worldwide who are trained in Budokon, which did not exist before 2002.

Although mainly done in the United States, Rieger said she will teach Budokon in Turkey, Denmark and Sweden next year and workshops are also scheduled in London, Germany, Korea and Japan.

She says the hybrid offers the student an intense, full-body workout as it blends the integrity of the martial arts movement with the fluidity of yoga.

"It's like a beautiful symphony of the two," said Rieger, who is among the first women to get a brown belt in the Budokon sequence of six belts: white, red, blue, purple, brown and black.

Budokon, which is Japanese for "the way of the warrior spirit," began in 2000 as the brainchild of Cameron Shayne, a martial arts expert and yoga enthusiast originally from Charlotte, North Carolina, looking to solve a dilemma faced in his own practice.

"Through martial arts I experienced meditation; both yoga and martial arts share self-reflection, but both suffered from the same disease of being stripped down to a westernized workout," said Shayne, founder of Budokon University in Miami, Florida.

A typical Budokon session begins with 20 minutes of yoga sun salutations to, as Shayne says, "lighten and open the body," followed by a martial arts segment of explosive, dance-like movement. The end is a guided meditation.

"There is no breath count; we don't stop," said Shayne, who describes the movements as snakelike. Observers will note echoes of Tai Chi.

"Modern yoga can be very angular. Our primary series is a circular, continuous transition practice," he explained.

Adam Sedlack, senior vice president of UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) Gym, a national chain of family fitness centers specializing in mixed martial arts training, believes the novice should begin with a specific practice before tackling hybrids like Budokon.

"It's more efficient to take a karate class, then a yoga class, and then a tai chi class than it is to combine them," Sedlack said, "so the individual can focus on individual skill sets. The beautiful thing about mixed martial arts is that you're learning a skill while you're working out and burning calories."

He notes that martial arts is as much about the confidence of walking down the street with your head up high as it is about learning to kick and hit.

Richard Cotton, of the American College of Sports Medicine, said Budokon can offer a challenging change for people with more advanced levels of fitness.

"If you're a yoga or tai chi purist, it (Budokon) is not that, but it is variety, and variety is rarely a problem," he said.

He points out that one needn't do Budokon, or yoga or Pilates to have a so-called mind-body experience.

"Running strength training, and certainly golf, can be a mind-body experience if you're staying in touch with your body," he said. "You can have a mind-body walk."

A few years ago Shayne began offering a separate Budokon yoga practice because some people found the martial arts aspect of his practice intimidating or confrontational.

"It became a necessity to give that audience what it was asking for," he explained.

People either love Budokon, he added, or they hate it and that's fine with him.

"I don't need a million people doing Budokon. I don't need someone who walks into class looking for a quick fix," he said. "I need people who feel it as an art."

Heart attacks - 9 factors ( ext)

Over 90 percent of heart attacks worldwide can be predicted by nine risk factors, a landmark study has found

The study has overturned the common perception that only half of the risk of heart attacks can be accounted for.

The implications are straightforward: if we implement what we know today, we should be able to avert the majority of premature heart disease cases.

Study of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in 52 countries representing every inhabited continent and enrolled 15, 152 individuals with their first heart attack and 14,820 controls adjusted for age, sex and region. In terms of ethnicity, about a quarter of the participants were European and a quarter Chinese.
The top two risk factors were abnormal lipids (the ratio of apolipoprotein B to apolipoprotein A1) and smoking.

Together, they accounted for two-third of the population attributable risk (PAR) of AMI. Both these factors also showed a graded dose-response relationship with the odds of an AMI.

The other risk factors were psychosocial factors, hypertension, diabetes and abdominal obesity. Eating fruits and vegetables, regular alcohol consumption in small amounts and physical activity were protective against AMI. One of the surprises of the study was how important psychosocial factors were, psychosocial factors were found to increase the risk of a heart attack about two and a half times.
Also noted that abdominal obesity was an important risk factor - even greater than the risk associated with smoking.

Western Europe, North America, Australia and New Zealand, and Southeast Asia. However, in countries such as China where obesity is less prevalent, the risk from obesity was far less than that associated with smoking.

The median age of first AMI in men was 9 years younger than in women. Men and women had similar odd ratio for the risk factors of smoking, raised lipids, abdominal obesity, psychosocial factors and fruit and vegetable on consumption

However the increased risk associated with diabetes and hypertension and the protective effect of exercise and alcohol, were greater in women than men.

Comparing the effects of these risk factors among the young (=55 years for men, =65 year for women) and the old, the nine risk factors accounted for a significantly greater PAR in the former.
The study findings underline the message that a healthy life style matter.

Globally, about 55 to 60 percent of the PAR can be attributed to an adverse lifestyle. And this is consistent in every region of the world, and obviously, tobacco is the biggest culprit.

The study found that eating fruits and vegetables, taking exercise and avoiding smoking could lower the risk of a heart attack by about 80 percent. These results are similar to that of the US Nurses Health Study, which found that lifestyle modification could potentially avoid more than three-quarters of the risks of coronary heart disease and strokes in women.

The risk factors of AMI are strikingly consistent across age genders, ethnicity and region.

Hidden Gardens of Telok Bahang

Last  saturday, I was invited by a friend to visit the hills of Balik Pulau and I went there with my daugther M and her BF, Y. My friend was having an idea of building villas on the existing orchards on the hills in the area. I was keen as I was looking for some investment as well as my desire to ease myself back into the nature during my twilight years.

The hills was quite narrow and steep and it needs a 4 wheeler to reach the top. The roads were narrow and winding.  We managed to get to the top of the hill and we could see alot of fruit trees ie durian , banana, jackfruits, etc. The land was very undulating and each villa  will have a 3000 flat space and surrounded by the fruit trees.  We were quite sceptical about the idea and it was not cheap to build the infra structures and also the villas.

My friend try to convinec me that it was a good investment and he took me , M and Y to Telok Bahang using the old hilly road and we passed through many fruit stalls especially durian stalls. After travelling awhile, we reach a gate which opens to a newly constructed road down hill and after opening the gate, my friend drove very slowly down hill using the new road.  The roads were winding but very well constructed and we could see that there is a villa under construction which includes a swimming pool and a baliness style villa . The roads were very carefully contructed to avoid the stones , tress and flowers. It was like opening to a whole new world . A world that is unpoluted and natural.

It was a very good concept especially these villas are sitting on selected space among nature and some of the villas can be sea facing and high enough to see the whole Balik Pulau town. I love the concept and it was really enlightening to see  that there is so much beauty and nature on the slopes of the hills.

I think this will be the future trend where the wealthy and nature lovers will look forward to a while new world. It is amazing and incredible how the infra-structure design will be while it provides you the comfort to live among nature.

Namaste.

Heart Attack - 9 factors ( Ext)

Nine Factors Predict Most Heart Attack

--> -->

Over 90 percent of heart attacks worldwide can be predicted by nine risk factors, a landmark study has found.

The study has overturned the common perception that only half of the risk of heart attacks can be accounted for.

The implications are straightforward: if we implement what we know today, we should be able to avert the majority of premature heart disease cases.

Study of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in 52 countries representing every inhabited continent and enrolled 15, 152 individuals with their first heart attack and 14,820 controls adjusted for age, sex and region. In terms of ethnicity, about a quarter of the participants were European and a quarter Chinese.

The top two risk factors were abnormal lipids (the ratio of apolipoprotein B to apolipoprotein A1) and smoking.

Together, they accounted for two-third of the population attributable risk (PAR) of AMI. Both these factors also showed a graded dose-response relationship with the odds of an AMI.

-->

The other risk factors were psychosocial factors, hypertension, diabetes and abdominal obesity. Eating fruits and vegetables, regular alcohol consumption in small amounts and physical activity were protective against AMI. One of the surprises of the study was how important psychosocial factors were, psychosocial factors were found to increase the risk of a heart attack about two and a half times.

Also noted that abdominal obesity was an important risk factor - even greater than the risk associated with smoking.

Western Europe, North America, Australia and New Zealand, and Southeast Asia. However, in countries such as China where obesity is less prevalent, the risk from obesity was far less than that associated with smoking.

The median age of first AMI in men was 9 years younger than in women. Men and women had similar odd ratio for the risk factors of smoking, raised lipids, abdominal obesity, psychosocial factors and fruit and vegetable on consumption.

However the increased risk associated with diabetes and hypertension and the protective effect of exercise and alcohol, were greater in women than men.

Comparing the effects of these risk factors among the young (=55 years for men, =65 year for women) and the old, the nine risk factors accounted for a significantly greater PAR in the former.

The study findings underline the message that a healthy life style matter.

Globally, about 55 to 60 percent of the PAR can be attributed to an adverse lifestyle. And this is consistent in every region of the world, and obviously, tobacco is the biggest culprit.

The study found that eating fruits and vegetables, taking exercise and avoiding smoking could lower the risk of a heart attack by about 80 percent. These results are similar to that of the US Nurses Health Study, which found that lifestyle modification could potentially avoid more than three-quarters of the risks of coronary heart disease and strokes in women.

The risk factors of AMI are strikingly consistent across age genders, ethnicity and region.

The meaning of FAMILY - extracts

>>F A M I L Y
>>
>>I ran into a stranger as he passed by,
>>"Oh excuse me please" was my reply.
>>
>>
>>He said, "Please excuse me too;
>>I wasn't watching for you."
>>
>>
>>We were very polite, this stranger and I.
>>We went on our way and we said goodbye.
>>
>>
>>But at home a different story is told,
>>How we treat our loved ones, young and old.
>>
>>
>>Later that day, cooking the evening meal,
>>My son stood beside me very still.
>>
>>
>>When I turned, I nearly knocked him down.
>>"Move out of the way," I said with a frown.
>>
>>
>>He walked away, his little heart broken.
>>I didn't realize how harshly I'd spoken.
>>
>>
>>While I lay awake in bed,
>>God's still small voice came to me and said,
>>
>>
>>"While dealing with a stranger,
>>common courtesy you use,
>>but the family you love, you seem to abuse.
>>
>>
>>Go and look on the kitchen floor,
>>You'll find some flowers there by the door.
>>
>>
>>Those are the flowers he brought for you.
>>He picked them himself: pink, yellow and blue.
>>
>>
>>He stood very quietly not to spoil the surprise,
>>you never saw the tears that filled his little eyes."
>>
>>
>>By this time, I felt very small,
>>And now my tears began to fall.
>>
>>
>>I quietly went and knelt by his bed;
>>"Wake up, little one, wake up," I said.
>>
>>
>>"Are these the flowers you picked for me?"
>>He smiled, "I found 'em, out by the tree.
>>
>>
>>I picked 'em because they're pretty like you.
>>I knew you'd like 'em, especially the blue."
>>
>>
>>I said, "Son, I'm very sorry for the way I acted today;
>>I shouldn't have yelled at you that way."
>>He said, "Oh, Mom, that's okay.
>>I love you anyway."
>>
>>
>>I said, "Son, I love you too,
>>and I do like the flowers, especially the blue."
>>
>
>>FAMILY
>>Are you aware that if we died tomorrow, the company
>>that we are working for could easily replace us in
>>a matter of days.
>>But the family we left behind will feel the loss
>>for the rest of their lives. And come to think of it, we pour ourselves more
>>into work than into our own family,
>>an unwise investment indeed,
>>don't you think?
>>So what is behind the story?
>>
>>
>>Do you know what the word FAMILY means?
>>FAMILY = (F)ATHER (A)ND (M)OTHER (I) (L)OVE (Y)OU

Flu and cough season - insight

I think I am starting to catch a cough and it will turn into a flu soon.  I am not sure but it seems that there are alot of people who have caught this bug and the stain have been getting worse.  I think this is possibly due to mutilation of the virus. Yes, I had experience of a serious cough many months ago and at one point of time, it was like the lung is going to come out from our mouth and it ends with tears in my eyes.

On this occasion, I took alot of herbs to bring down my body temperature including drinking a few bottles of the Rhino water.  From the past, I have refused to take western medications because it makes me sleepy and disillusion.  The best medication is actually to sleep and rest our body and let the body fight the germs. There are alot of  home remedy in the internet but it needs commitment and determination to follow the routine to rest.  However, our body is very restless and we cannot rest per se and that is why our sickness drags on for more than necessary.

One of the basic problem is that our throats gets ichy and we have to cough continuously.  To stop this re-action, we have to drink lots of water to wet our throat and use a lot of mouth waste or listerine to wash our throat.  This is a very messy task but it has to be done. Otherwise, the cough will affect our sleep and in turn, our immune system will weaken which will make the germs stronger.

This season of cough and flu is due to the changing temperature.  The day is very hot and dry while the night is cold and wet.  It often rain in the evening and at night.  This change in the temperature can easily make us caught unaware and weakens our immune system. Furthermore, in the month of December 2012, the cold dry north wind is blowing down to the warm south and this year , the winter is particularly cold and it could have result in more people catching the flu bug.

So, the better solution is to wear thicker clothing to keep warm instead of been caught in a situation which exposre our body to the cold.   This is only logical that we should be  prepared for any sudden change in the temperature so that we can adjust the thickness of our clothing when it happens.

This is some insight that I will to share with all of you and I hate coughing because it can be very irritating and messy.   For all of you , please take care.

Namaste.

Is tomorrow the end of the world ? Mayan's belief.

The belief by the Mayan civilization for thousands of years that tomorrow will be the end of the world ?  Until now, nothing changes , the horse continued to race, dances continued to be perform  and the Sun still raise from the East and sets on the West.  Nobody shed a drop of sweat on this last day of mankind.

What if it is true ?  Many of us will die with our dreams not fulfilled. It could be a nuclear explosion , the clash of the universal planets, the explosion of the earth which shattered in pieces. But, is all these likely to happen ? Or could it be for only a specific civilization or a specific area.  A Tsunami , hurricane or a big earthquake ? All these could only be in a localized region or area , how could this disasters affect the world ?

Some people will take this occasion or prediction as a chance to enjoy themselves fully or to make some money or to influence the mind of the weak and take advantage on them.  Whatever purpose, we will not know but definitely there is an ulterior motive in such predictions.

Having said the above, life is unpredictable or uncertain. Anything could happen to anyone.  Some could benefit from a change in event and some will be doomed.  Sometimes, when we say something, it just happen infront of us . Whether it is co-incidental or fated ?  It becomes the truth and the person who says it become the Saint or GOD.

In Penang, there are 1000 over Chinese temples and there are same numbers of  Deities who gave predictions on the outcome of lucky numbers over three times a week.   If there are 10 persons seeking the lucky numbers at each temple, it will be 10,000 people visiting these temples each time and in a week, there will be 30,000 people.  Imagine , if there are 30,000 prediction of numbers each week, definitely, there will be lucky people striking the jackpot.  Sometimes, by co-incidents, some temples are luckier than others and they become more famous than the others.

I apply the same concept to the Mayan prediction. Over thousand of years, everybody is waitng for this fateful day to decide whether the person who predicts it is correct or not.  Tomorrow, we will know the result . It is like whether we hit the jackpot or not.

Whatever happens, we cannot do anything about it , so why worry ? Lets keep on living and it makes no difference to us whether it happen or not. Come what may.

Namaste.