Arthritis Pain: How to Manage On Your Worst Days

 

Arthritis often causes excruciating pain. Many people are unable to complete their daily activities because of the pain of arthritis. Fortunately, you can keep your pain under control even on your worst days. Below is a list of tips that will help to keep a natural hold over the worst kinds of pain.

 

Yoga

Many who have arthritis avoid doing any type of exercise because they believe it will worsen their pain. However, exercise has not been shown to worsen arthritis pain. In fact, it can help reduce your pain. Yoga is one of the exercises that is often recommended to people who have arthritis. Many studies have shown that people who practice yoga typically have fewer aches and pains and are able to bounce back from join pain and illness faster. Some people also find yoga more enjoyable than other forms of exercise since it can be done at any pace. In order to get the most out of any exercise, you must consistently do it. Keep in mind that pain relief is not the only benefit that can be reaped from doing yoga. Stretching and moving all your body can help alleviate depression and reduce stress.

 

Soaking In Warm Water

Warm water therapy has been used for hundreds of years for pain of all kinds. One of the reasons this treatment has stood the test of time is because it really works. Warm water helps increase circulation as well as decrease pain and inflammation. It is important for you to keep the water warm and not hot. The ideal temperature of the water is between 90 and 100 degrees Fahrenheit. You may also want to consider putting some magnesium sulfate crystals in the water. Magnesium is a mineral many people are lacking and is essential for bone health. Studies have shown that soaking in warm water with magnesium may boost magnesium levels by up to 35 percent.

 

Extra Virgin olive Oil

You may not have to look any further than your kitchen cabinet to find a helpful remedy the pain for arthritis. Extra virgin olive oil has been shown to work in a similar way as over-the-counter pain relievers. It helps inhibits COX-1 and COX-2, which are two enzymes. You simply need to apply the olive oil directly to the affected joints. Rub it in with your favorite lotion to get your tendons and joints more mobile.

 

You don’t have to let arthritis pain stop you from doing the things you love. Extra virgin olive oil, warm water, and yoga can help you get rid of your pain. You may also want to see one of Nexus’ pain specialists or a Utah pain treatment center to work out the best plan for you. Mix these natural remedies with the medicine you may already be taking and soon you’ll be pain free.

 

Categories: Arthritis, hands, movement, muscles, old age, soreness, tendons, Water

Let Your Hands Speak For You! Must-Have Manicure Tips for Every Woman

 

The story your hands tell…

Did you know that you can tell more about a woman’s age by her hands than her face? That means you should take as much care of your hands as you do of your face. After all, you do more with your hands than with your face (unless you are constantly making faces), so they need a lot more care to get that ageless look.

 

Right then… Let’s get to it!

Here are those tips:

 

• Filing

Just because those girls in the movies are constantly filing their nails doesn’t mean you should. Your nails may look tough, but they are actually very delicate. As a result, rough files will cause your nails to constantly crack and break, and that’s not a good look. So what you want to do is get a crystal glass nail file. Yes, you will pay a little extra for it, but you get those perfectly shaped nails and best of all…no peeling.

Oh, and by the way, never file the side of your nails. Remember they are weaker than they look and the sides are the weakest part.

 

• Peeling off the skin

I know that skin along the nail can be quite irritating, but whatever you do, don’t give in to the temptation of peeling it off. You see, that skin actually protects the nail, so if it is getting flaky, make sure to moisturize it regularly, and insist that they push back the skin gently when you get a manicure done.

 

• What’s in your nail polish?

Just like with your skin, you need to be careful about what you put on your nails. Read the ingredients in your nail polish to make sure there is no toluene, formaldehyde or dibutyl phthalate (DBP). All these are harmful to your nails and there shouldn’t be any traces of them in your nail polish.

 

• Always apply base

No matter how much of a hurry you are in, always make time to apply base. Darker shades are preferable to protect your nails from turning color (yellow nails, like yellow teeth, show aging you know). Also you will be able to apply darker colored polishes without having to use a lot of it.

 

• Don’t forget your top coat

Top coat gives a beautiful finish to your ‘paint job’ and makes your hands look elegant, overall. You should get the thin, quick drying kind so that the polish doesn’t look all chunky and stuck on. Top coat also helps your polish last longer, and some have the UV filters that protect your polish from changing color.

 

• Watch what you eat

You know that saying ‘garbage in, garbage out’? It applies to what you eat as well. Your diet will reflect on your hair, skin and nails, so please watch what you eat. Vitamin B has been shown to make nails stronger, along with applying garlic on your nails. Remember to consult a professional on how much of the vitamin you should take.

 

To know more about skin and hair care tips, visit this site - http://aquilah.com/

 

The post Let Your Hands Speak For You! Must-Have Manicure Tips for Every Woman appeared first on .

Categories: apply base, hands, hands speak, manicure tips, nail polish, nails, nails remember, nbsp, skin

Let Your Hands Speak For You! Must-Have Manicure Tips for Every Woman

 

The story your hands tell…

Did you know that you can tell more about a woman’s age by her hands than her face? That means you should take as much care of your hands as you do of your face. After all, you do more with your hands than with your face (unless you are constantly making faces), so they need a lot more care to get that ageless look.

 

Right then… Let’s get to it!

Here are those tips:

 

• Filing

Just because those girls in the movies are constantly filing their nails doesn’t mean you should. Your nails may look tough, but they are actually very delicate. As a result, rough files will cause your nails to constantly crack and break, and that’s not a good look. So what you want to do is get a crystal glass nail file. Yes, you will pay a little extra for it, but you get those perfectly shaped nails and best of all…no peeling.

Oh, and by the way, never file the side of your nails. Remember they are weaker than they look and the sides are the weakest part.

 

• Peeling off the skin

I know that skin along the nail can be quite irritating, but whatever you do, don’t give in to the temptation of peeling it off. You see, that skin actually protects the nail, so if it is getting flaky, make sure to moisturize it regularly, and insist that they push back the skin gently when you get a manicure done.

 

• What’s in your nail polish?

Just like with your skin, you need to be careful about what you put on your nails. Read the ingredients in your nail polish to make sure there is no toluene, formaldehyde or dibutyl phthalate (DBP). All these are harmful to your nails and there shouldn’t be any traces of them in your nail polish.

 

• Always apply base

No matter how much of a hurry you are in, always make time to apply base. Darker shades are preferable to protect your nails from turning color (yellow nails, like yellow teeth, show aging you know). Also you will be able to apply darker colored polishes without having to use a lot of it.

 

• Don’t forget your top coat

Top coat gives a beautiful finish to your ‘paint job’ and makes your hands look elegant, overall. You should get the thin, quick drying kind so that the polish doesn’t look all chunky and stuck on. Top coat also helps your polish last longer, and some have the UV filters that protect your polish from changing color.

 

• Watch what you eat

You know that saying ‘garbage in, garbage out’? It applies to what you eat as well. Your diet will reflect on your hair, skin and nails, so please watch what you eat. Vitamin B has been shown to make nails stronger, along with applying garlic on your nails. Remember to consult a professional on how much of the vitamin you should take.

 

To know more about skin and hair care tips, visit this site - http://aquilah.com/

 

The post Let Your Hands Speak For You! Must-Have Manicure Tips for Every Woman appeared first on .

Categories: apply base, hands, hands speak, manicure tips, nail polish, nails, nails remember, nbsp, skin

Let Your Hands Speak For You! Must-Have Manicure Tips for Every Woman

 

The story your hands tell…

Did you know that you can tell more about a woman’s age by her hands than her face? That means you should take as much care of your hands as you do of your face. After all, you do more with your hands than with your face (unless you are constantly making faces), so they need a lot more care to get that ageless look.

 

Right then… Let’s get to it!

Here are those tips:

 

• Filing

Just because those girls in the movies are constantly filing their nails doesn’t mean you should. Your nails may look tough, but they are actually very delicate. As a result, rough files will cause your nails to constantly crack and break, and that’s not a good look. So what you want to do is get a crystal glass nail file. Yes, you will pay a little extra for it, but you get those perfectly shaped nails and best of all…no peeling.

Oh, and by the way, never file the side of your nails. Remember they are weaker than they look and the sides are the weakest part.

 

• Peeling off the skin

I know that skin along the nail can be quite irritating, but whatever you do, don’t give in to the temptation of peeling it off. You see, that skin actually protects the nail, so if it is getting flaky, make sure to moisturize it regularly, and insist that they push back the skin gently when you get a manicure done.

 

• What’s in your nail polish?

Just like with your skin, you need to be careful about what you put on your nails. Read the ingredients in your nail polish to make sure there is no toluene, formaldehyde or dibutyl phthalate (DBP). All these are harmful to your nails and there shouldn’t be any traces of them in your nail polish.

 

• Always apply base

No matter how much of a hurry you are in, always make time to apply base. Darker shades are preferable to protect your nails from turning color (yellow nails, like yellow teeth, show aging you know). Also you will be able to apply darker colored polishes without having to use a lot of it.

 

• Don’t forget your top coat

Top coat gives a beautiful finish to your ‘paint job’ and makes your hands look elegant, overall. You should get the thin, quick drying kind so that the polish doesn’t look all chunky and stuck on. Top coat also helps your polish last longer, and some have the UV filters that protect your polish from changing color.

 

• Watch what you eat

You know that saying ‘garbage in, garbage out’? It applies to what you eat as well. Your diet will reflect on your hair, skin and nails, so please watch what you eat. Vitamin B has been shown to make nails stronger, along with applying garlic on your nails. Remember to consult a professional on how much of the vitamin you should take.

 

To know more about skin and hair care tips, visit this site - http://aquilah.com/

 

The post Let Your Hands Speak For You! Must-Have Manicure Tips for Every Woman appeared first on .

Categories: apply base, hands, hands speak, manicure tips, nail polish, nails, nails remember, nbsp, skin

Let Your Hands Speak For You! Must-Have Manicure Tips for Every Woman

 

The story your hands tell…

Did you know that you can tell more about a woman’s age by her hands than her face? That means you should take as much care of your hands as you do of your face. After all, you do more with your hands than with your face (unless you are constantly making faces), so they need a lot more care to get that ageless look.

 

Right then… Let’s get to it!

Here are those tips:

 

• Filing

Just because those girls in the movies are constantly filing their nails doesn’t mean you should. Your nails may look tough, but they are actually very delicate. As a result, rough files will cause your nails to constantly crack and break, and that’s not a good look. So what you want to do is get a crystal glass nail file. Yes, you will pay a little extra for it, but you get those perfectly shaped nails and best of all…no peeling.

Oh, and by the way, never file the side of your nails. Remember they are weaker than they look and the sides are the weakest part.

 

• Peeling off the skin

I know that skin along the nail can be quite irritating, but whatever you do, don’t give in to the temptation of peeling it off. You see, that skin actually protects the nail, so if it is getting flaky, make sure to moisturize it regularly, and insist that they push back the skin gently when you get a manicure done.

 

• What’s in your nail polish?

Just like with your skin, you need to be careful about what you put on your nails. Read the ingredients in your nail polish to make sure there is no toluene, formaldehyde or dibutyl phthalate (DBP). All these are harmful to your nails and there shouldn’t be any traces of them in your nail polish.

 

• Always apply base

No matter how much of a hurry you are in, always make time to apply base. Darker shades are preferable to protect your nails from turning color (yellow nails, like yellow teeth, show aging you know). Also you will be able to apply darker colored polishes without having to use a lot of it.

 

• Don’t forget your top coat

Top coat gives a beautiful finish to your ‘paint job’ and makes your hands look elegant, overall. You should get the thin, quick drying kind so that the polish doesn’t look all chunky and stuck on. Top coat also helps your polish last longer, and some have the UV filters that protect your polish from changing color.

 

• Watch what you eat

You know that saying ‘garbage in, garbage out’? It applies to what you eat as well. Your diet will reflect on your hair, skin and nails, so please watch what you eat. Vitamin B has been shown to make nails stronger, along with applying garlic on your nails. Remember to consult a professional on how much of the vitamin you should take.

 

To know more about skin and hair care tips, visit this site - http://aquilah.com/

 

The post Let Your Hands Speak For You! Must-Have Manicure Tips for Every Woman appeared first on .

Categories: apply base, hands, hands speak, manicure tips, nail polish, nails, nails remember, nbsp, skin

Let Your Hands Speak For You! Must-Have Manicure Tips for Every Woman

 

The story your hands tell…

Did you know that you can tell more about a woman’s age by her hands than her face? That means you should take as much care of your hands as you do of your face. After all, you do more with your hands than with your face (unless you are constantly making faces), so they need a lot more care to get that ageless look.

 

Right then… Let’s get to it!

Here are those tips:

 

• Filing

Just because those girls in the movies are constantly filing their nails doesn’t mean you should. Your nails may look tough, but they are actually very delicate. As a result, rough files will cause your nails to constantly crack and break, and that’s not a good look. So what you want to do is get a crystal glass nail file. Yes, you will pay a little extra for it, but you get those perfectly shaped nails and best of all…no peeling.

Oh, and by the way, never file the side of your nails. Remember they are weaker than they look and the sides are the weakest part.

 

• Peeling off the skin

I know that skin along the nail can be quite irritating, but whatever you do, don’t give in to the temptation of peeling it off. You see, that skin actually protects the nail, so if it is getting flaky, make sure to moisturize it regularly, and insist that they push back the skin gently when you get a manicure done.

 

• What’s in your nail polish?

Just like with your skin, you need to be careful about what you put on your nails. Read the ingredients in your nail polish to make sure there is no toluene, formaldehyde or dibutyl phthalate (DBP). All these are harmful to your nails and there shouldn’t be any traces of them in your nail polish.

 

• Always apply base

No matter how much of a hurry you are in, always make time to apply base. Darker shades are preferable to protect your nails from turning color (yellow nails, like yellow teeth, show aging you know). Also you will be able to apply darker colored polishes without having to use a lot of it.

 

• Don’t forget your top coat

Top coat gives a beautiful finish to your ‘paint job’ and makes your hands look elegant, overall. You should get the thin, quick drying kind so that the polish doesn’t look all chunky and stuck on. Top coat also helps your polish last longer, and some have the UV filters that protect your polish from changing color.

 

• Watch what you eat

You know that saying ‘garbage in, garbage out’? It applies to what you eat as well. Your diet will reflect on your hair, skin and nails, so please watch what you eat. Vitamin B has been shown to make nails stronger, along with applying garlic on your nails. Remember to consult a professional on how much of the vitamin you should take.

 

To know more about skin and hair care tips, visit this site - http://aquilah.com/

 

The post Let Your Hands Speak For You! Must-Have Manicure Tips for Every Woman appeared first on .

Categories: apply base, hands, hands speak, manicure tips, nail polish, nails, nails remember, nbsp, skin

What are the benefits of hand massage for your wellbeing?

 

When you are taking a break from your busy life there are many things you can do to relax and unwind. A massage is one of the most popular ways to unwind, but have you thought of the benefits that a hand massage gives you after a manicure?

 

A manicure is good for your nail health, as it helps prevent infections and makes sure you have healthy cuticles.  As well as making your hands look good, one of the best parts of a manicure is the hand massage afterwards! After a manicure, a soothing hand massage can bring relaxing wellness benefits.

 

Improved Circulation – the masseur rubs the top of your hand starting from the tips of your fingers, improving the circulation in your hands by opening blood vessels. Circulation to the hands is very important, particularly if you use your hands a lot on a computer or other repetitive tasks. Improving circulation to the hands by massage can help prevent repetitive strains like RSI and Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS). It can also release strains and sprains in the hand from over-exercise or exertion. It achieves this due to increased blood flow in your hands, which in turn increases the amount of oxygen in your muscles, tendons and skin. The increased oxygen is essential for healthy hands.

 

Pain Relief – If you use your hands frequently, or suffer from bad circulation, you may experience cold or aching hands. A soothing hand massage can relieve this by releasing tight muscles and joints. Additionally, if your hands ache from over-exercise, a good masseur will be able to relieve this for you and leave your hands feeling light and supple; possibly even improving your grip.

 

Considering how often we use our hands, a hand massage provides a complementary therapy essential to all-round wellness. If you can’t use your hands effectively your wellbeing will suffer; this is why a regular hand massage is good for holistic health!

 

The post What are the benefits of hand massage for your wellbeing? appeared first on .

Categories: circulation, hand, hand massage, hands, massage, nbsp, soothing hand

What are the benefits of hand massage for your wellbeing?

 

When you are taking a break from your busy life there are many things you can do to relax and unwind. A massage is one of the most popular ways to unwind, but have you thought of the benefits that a hand massage gives you after a manicure?

 

A manicure is good for your nail health, as it helps prevent infections and makes sure you have healthy cuticles.  As well as making your hands look good, one of the best parts of a manicure is the hand massage afterwards! After a manicure, a soothing hand massage can bring relaxing wellness benefits.

 

Improved Circulation – the masseur rubs the top of your hand starting from the tips of your fingers, improving the circulation in your hands by opening blood vessels. Circulation to the hands is very important, particularly if you use your hands a lot on a computer or other repetitive tasks. Improving circulation to the hands by massage can help prevent repetitive strains like RSI and Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS). It can also release strains and sprains in the hand from over-exercise or exertion. It achieves this due to increased blood flow in your hands, which in turn increases the amount of oxygen in your muscles, tendons and skin. The increased oxygen is essential for healthy hands.

 

Pain Relief – If you use your hands frequently, or suffer from bad circulation, you may experience cold or aching hands. A soothing hand massage can relieve this by releasing tight muscles and joints. Additionally, if your hands ache from over-exercise, a good masseur will be able to relieve this for you and leave your hands feeling light and supple; possibly even improving your grip.

 

Considering how often we use our hands, a hand massage provides a complementary therapy essential to all-round wellness. If you can’t use your hands effectively your wellbeing will suffer; this is why a regular hand massage is good for holistic health!

 

Categories: circulation, complementary, hand, hand massage, hands, massage, nbsp, soothing hand

6 Fat-Blasting Moves that You Can Perform Anytime, Anywhere

Fitness is pretty much a luxury for working mums – who has time for a full-blown workout? That said, there are moments during your day in which you may have the time for the odd move or two. According to wellness expert and busy mum Sarah Bregel, ‘On most days, for example, I spend a while in the kitchen waiting for things to bake or boil or for my picky eater to just get on with it! So it makes sense to burn a few extra calories during all the waiting and standing around, right?’ So here are some fat-blasting moves to help you take care of your wellbeing while you’re taking care of business.

 

1. Chair Dip: Bregel notes, ‘This tricep-sculpting move can be done using a chair or slightly raised surface, such as a sidewalk curb. Start seated on whichever surface you are using, hands at your sides. Keeping your elbows pulled in toward your body, press your feet into the ground and grip the edges of the chair or surface with your hands, leaving the rest of your body suspended. Use your arm strength to push your body up and then dip down toward the ground, bending your knees and elbows only. Repeat this for a set of 15.’

 

2. Lunge: ‘You don’t need anything for this move other than the weight of your own body,’ says Bregel. ‘Place your hands on your hips and take a big step out with your right foot, dropping your left knee to the ground. Then press off the front foot to come back to starting position. Repeat with the left foot, this time dropping your right knee to the ground. Keep alternating legs until you complete 15-20 lunges. Then try another set!’

 

3. Jumping Jack: Bregel asserts, ‘Simple and old school as it may seem, a jumping jack is still a great way to get your heart pumping. Make sure you have a little space for this one. Jump your feet out as wide as you can as you swing your arms up overhead. Jump feet back together, bringing your hands back down to your sides. Keep tension in your arms and legs…Keep jumping for about two minutes.’

 

4. Chair Pose: ‘This yoga-based move is great for sculpting legs and buns and even engages core muscles if done correctly,’ Bregel explains. ‘Bring your feet and knees tightly together. Keep drawing them in as you sink your butt down as if sitting in an invisible chair, and reach your arms up overhead. Tuck your tailbone in instead of arching your back to engage the muscles of your core and make this move more challenging. Hold the pose for 45 seconds to a minute.’

 

5. Counter Push-up: Bregel comments, ‘The kitchen counter is where this one gets done the most for me. It’s a great alternative to the standard push-up. Place your hands on a windowsill or counter, a little wider than shoulder width apart. Putting your weight into your arms, take a few steps back so that your body is on an angle. You should be on your toes, in an incline push-up position. Bend your elbows, bringing your body closer to the counter or surface, then straighten your arms and press your body away. If this is too challenging, take a step closer to take some of the weight off of your arms. Try two sets of 12.’

 

6. Calf Raises: Bregel instructs, ‘Position your hands flat on a counter or up against any wall. You are just using the surface to stabilise your body, so be sure not to lean in toward it. Come up onto your tip-toes as high as you can, then tap your heels to the ground. Come up and down like this quickly until fatigue. Trust me; it wont take more than about 30 seconds to feel this in your calves — and maybe even throughout your legs as whole.’

Categories: arms, blasting moves, body, bregel, chair dip, hands, jumping jack, jumping jacks, lunge, nbsp

6 Fat-Blasting Moves that You Can Perform Anytime, Anywhere

Fitness is pretty much a luxury for working mums – who has time for a full-blown workout? That said, there are moments during your day in which you may have the time for the odd move or two. According to wellness expert and busy mum Sarah Bregel, ‘On most days, for example, I spend a while in the kitchen waiting for things to bake or boil or for my picky eater to just get on with it! So it makes sense to burn a few extra calories during all the waiting and standing around, right?’ So here are some fat-blasting moves to help you take care of your wellbeing while you’re taking care of business.

 

1. Chair Dip: Bregel notes, ‘This tricep-sculpting move can be done using a chair or slightly raised surface, such as a sidewalk curb. Start seated on whichever surface you are using, hands at your sides. Keeping your elbows pulled in toward your body, press your feet into the ground and grip the edges of the chair or surface with your hands, leaving the rest of your body suspended. Use your arm strength to push your body up and then dip down toward the ground, bending your knees and elbows only. Repeat this for a set of 15.’

 

2. Lunge: ‘You don’t need anything for this move other than the weight of your own body,’ says Bregel. ‘Place your hands on your hips and take a big step out with your right foot, dropping your left knee to the ground. Then press off the front foot to come back to starting position. Repeat with the left foot, this time dropping your right knee to the ground. Keep alternating legs until you complete 15-20 lunges. Then try another set!’

 

3. Jumping Jack: Bregel asserts, ‘Simple and old school as it may seem, a jumping jack is still a great way to get your heart pumping. Make sure you have a little space for this one. Jump your feet out as wide as you can as you swing your arms up overhead. Jump feet back together, bringing your hands back down to your sides. Keep tension in your arms and legs…Keep jumping for about two minutes.’

 

4. Chair Pose: ‘This yoga-based move is great for sculpting legs and buns and even engages core muscles if done correctly,’ Bregel explains. ‘Bring your feet and knees tightly together. Keep drawing them in as you sink your butt down as if sitting in an invisible chair, and reach your arms up overhead. Tuck your tailbone in instead of arching your back to engage the muscles of your core and make this move more challenging. Hold the pose for 45 seconds to a minute.’

 

5. Counter Push-up: Bregel comments, ‘The kitchen counter is where this one gets done the most for me. It’s a great alternative to the standard push-up. Place your hands on a windowsill or counter, a little wider than shoulder width apart. Putting your weight into your arms, take a few steps back so that your body is on an angle. You should be on your toes, in an incline push-up position. Bend your elbows, bringing your body closer to the counter or surface, then straighten your arms and press your body away. If this is too challenging, take a step closer to take some of the weight off of your arms. Try two sets of 12.’

 

6. Calf Raises: Bregel instructs, ‘Position your hands flat on a counter or up against any wall. You are just using the surface to stabilise your body, so be sure not to lean in toward it. Come up onto your tip-toes as high as you can, then tap your heels to the ground. Come up and down like this quickly until fatigue. Trust me; it wont take more than about 30 seconds to feel this in your calves — and maybe even throughout your legs as whole.’

Categories: arms, blasting moves, body, bregel, chair dip, hands, jumping jack, jumping jacks, lunge, nbsp

Have You Tried the Power of Lunges in Your Routine?

In much the same way as you shouldn’t eat the same foods at every meal, no matter how healthy they are, you shouldn’t do the same exercises every time you do a workout. It’s all too easy with a weight and fitness routine to get into a rut, but if you keep going over the same exercises day in day out, you will actually find that they become less beneficial for your wellness and wellbeing as time goes on.

 

Next time you hit the gym, try to mix it up a bit with some of these great new lunge-based exercises, to increase your chances of building some great, noticeably toned legs.

 

To try lunge variations, you should – of course – start by making sure you are able to do a basic lunge properly, with good form. To do a basic lunge you should stand with your hands on your hips and your shoulders back. Step forward with one leg and then lower your body until your right knee is bent at 90 degrees, making sure that you shift your weight forwards onto the front leg. Pause and then stand up again, stepping back in to the centre.

 

Now it’s time to mix it up and start increasing the complexity of your lunges. One way to do this is by grabbing a pair of dumbbells and holding them down by your sides, with the palms of your hands facing each other. Stand up tall and make sure that your feet are about hip width apart. Step forward onto your right leg and lower your body down into a lunge. As you lower in to the lunge, curl your dumbbells up to both shoulders. Then, as you step back into the starting position, uncurl the dumbbells again, back to their starting position. This added bicep curl will help you to tone your arms whilst also increasing the toning of your legs due to the extra weight.

 

For the next move, hold a dumbbell vertically up to your chest, both hands cupping it. Step backwards with your right leg and lower into what is called a reverse lunge. Pause and then return to the start.

Categories: basic lunge, fitness, hands, legs, lunge, nbsp, starting position, step, time

The Three Sex Moves Men Can’t Get Enough Of

It’s assumed that men will enjoy any kind of sex, good or bad, and to a certain extent this is kind of true. Men are wired to be more easily gratified in the bedroom than women, but there are ways that men prefer to be turned on and when pressed, these are their favourites. There are specific moves that women perform that drive men wild – here are the top three techniques and positions they enjoy the most, and the good news is that they’re really easy to learn.

Let him watch you

Men are turned on by visuals, so letting him watch you move in a way that’s guaranteed to excite him is a sure fire way to get him aroused. Some men say that watching a woman climax is the ultimate form of arousal for them, and it’s such an easy thing for a woman to do! Few women realise that they can use the discrete masturbatory techniques they normally hide to turn their partner on, but you won’t be disappointed when you do. Next time that you’re in the mood and your partner isn’t feeling it, slip into some sexy lingerie and set yourself into a position he can clearly see, with your legs bent and begin touching yourself. As he sees you getting more aroused, the effect will wear off on him as well. You can guarantee that he’ll be interested in having sex in no time at all!

Stand up your man

Men loved to be stroked, fondled and handled by a woman who knows what she’s doing, so take control of the situation in the bedroom and turn each other on in the process. If he’s having trouble getting an erection, rub a small amount of lubricant or oil onto your hands and place one of your hands firmly around the base of his penis. Slowly and gently work the other hand up from the base to the head in a circular way. Caress the head of the penis with your palm, then begin from the base and start again. You can also pay attention to his testicles if he’s sensitive in this area, as well as the perineum which many men enjoy being stroked or having light pressure being applied to. You may find it arousing for him to gently rub this area with your thumb or forefinger as you stroke the shaft of his penis.

Take matters into your own hands

Hand jobs are one of the best things you can do for your partner, and if you do it right he won’t be disappointed by your efforts! Two hands are always better than one, so begin by lubricating your hands and clasping them around his penis, with your fingers interlaced. Move your hands firmly but gently in one long twisting motion, then repeat it on the way down. When he’s got an erection, you can clasp your hands at the top of the shaft and gently pulse your hands to increase and release the pressure around the head. Finally, when he’s ready to climax, you can help him along by continuing the pressure trick but with your hands around the penis entirely, not just the head, and stroking the underside of his penis as well. He won’t be able to replicate it in the same way himself and so it will be a mind-blowing trick that you can add to your sexual repertoire to really turn him on.

Categories: gently, hands, hands firmly, head, men, penis, Sex, techniques, turn

How to Use the Kama Sutra For Sexual Inspiration

What do you get when you cross the Kama Sutra with the Olympics? The sexual experience of your lifetime! Try these amazing sex positions and boost your wellness and wellbeing.

 

To have sex like a swimmer, lie flat on your stomach, legs apart, and put your arms up above your head like you are doing a butterfly stroke. Have your partner lie on top of you, entering you from behind. This gives great access to the g-spot and c-spot, and you can alter your legs, bringing your feet closer together for a tighter fit.

 

For a more gymnastic approach, lie on your back and bend your knees up towards your head. If you’re feeling super flexible, you can straighten your legs and then bring them behind you so that your toes touch down onto the floor, using your hands to support your back. Then your partner kneels and enters you, allowing for very intense and deep penetration. Your partner can hold onto your hips for extra stability.

 

If wrestling is more your style, lie down on your side and have your partner do the same, facing one another. Scissor your legs through his for some intimate, up-close action. You can then grind against his pelvis, making slow circular motions with your hips until you reach orgasm.

 

For an equestrian-inspired sex session, try a twist on the missionary position. Put your right leg over your partner’s right shoulder while he is entering you in the traditional way, and put your other leg down on the mattress. Switch legs when you want to change the sensation. The best thing about this position is that your partner’s hands are free to roam all over your body.

 

Trying all of these positions will make a fun little sex-Olympics in your own bedroom.

Categories: hands, kama, kama sutra, legs, nbsp, Olympics, partner, positions, sutra

Lose Those Love Handles Fast: Five Easy and Quick Ways

They may be called love handles, but nobody really loves them. If you walk into any gym up and down the country, you will find that a bigger priority than general wellness and wellbeing is often to lose those pesky love handles, and this can be achieved through weight loss and fitness, but it is a tricky task.

 

Love handles is a name used for the deposits of extra fat that sit around either side of your abdomen. They can seem very tricky to get rid of, but there is hope if you follow these exercises. These can be done individually or (for best results) in a circuit, one following the other and then a rest in between circuits.

 

The first move is a ‘bicycle’ move, and to do this you need to lie on your back with your legs up in the air at a 90-degree angle. Put your hands behind your head, and then reach your right elbow to your left outer thigh (diagonally opposite. Then do the same with the other elbow and outer thigh. Repeat this 20 times. You should feel a strong burning feeling.

 

Russian twists are also great for love handles. Do this by sitting on the floor and then lowering your upper body so that you are only balancing on your bum. Lift your legs up and then bring your hands to your hips. Do around 15 to 20 reps of this.

 

Mountain climbers are also really useful for trimming off those love handles. Start in a push up position. Keep your back totally flat and then bring your right knee into your chest. Then do the same with your left knee. Do this for 30 seconds, alternating knees each time.

 

If you do all of this, and mix in a good bit of cardio, you can wave goodbye to those love handles once and for all.

Categories: handles, hands, legs, Lose, love, nbsp, outer thigh, ways

Sex School: What Does It Teach You?

Carrie Bradshaw did it, sexual researchers have done it, and now you can do it. ‘It’ refers to sex classes to improve your skills on everything from hand jobs to erotic massage. In today’s sexual revolution, grown-up sex education is becoming increasingly popular. They give you the chance to refine your technique and improve your skills in the bedroom for a better sex life overall. And it’s not just sexy singles opting for this form of education; couples are taking the leap at working on their sex life in a proactive way. These classes are popping up in major cities all over the place, and they’re causing quite a stir. People feel more confident when they’re informed, and there’s nowhere where that counts more than in the bedroom. Sex school could be the answer to every question you’ve ever had about sex, or even as just a way to stay abreast of the latest trends and tricks in sex. Learning about sex can also be embarrassing for people, so this creates a neutral and unbiased environment for your sexual education. But what are the best tips to take from this kind of class? We’ve compiled three of the best to begin your journey into the (not so) unknown.

Tap into all your senses

Exploring your partner and your own body sensually is important for pleasure in the bedroom. Try blindfolding yourself to take the emphasis off the visual, and then let them touch and talk to you while you’re blindfolded. You may find it useful to touch them with something other than your hand, such as a feather or a silk scarf. Becoming a sensory explorer and seeing your partner in a different way, and having them explore your body in more ways than just looking at it, makes for a more intimate and arousing experience. It’s important to take the importance off of looks and place it on other more sensory experiences, which is what sex boils down to after all.

Touch “everything but”

Imagine being incredibly aroused but not being able to act on your urges – the sexual tension would be through the roof. That’s what some of these classes teach – to do this deliberately and experience a heightened orgasm as a result of your efforts. Begin by touching everything except your partner’s genitals, starting with a feather-light touch and lightly touching parts of the body to heighten the sensitivity. Keep going until your partner can’t wait anymore, then move on to sex – you’ll be amazing by the reaction.

Use both hands

When you’re giving your partner a handjob, you shouldn’t be afraid to use both hands. Get your hands well lubed up and slippery, then experiment with different sensations such as using your palms to apply light but firm pressure, and stroking up and off in one swift motion then immediately sliding your palms downwards slowly. You want to mimic penetration as best you can. Try lubing up your hands and lightly gripping both hands around the penis, gently turning them in opposite directions as you slide them up and down. There are multiple ways to arouse your partner in this way; in fact, you shouldn’t be afraid to ask your partner what they like and then practice it with them.Take a little class of your own in your bedroom and talk about what turns each of you on, then act on it – it could be the best bit of education you’ve ever had!

Categories: Advice, bedroom, Couples, Education, hands, partner, Sex, sex life, sex school, sexual

About.com Yoga

Our in-depth look at the sun salutation sequence continues with ardha uttanasana. And here’s the thing about this pose: your hands do not have to be on the floor. Use block under your hands or bring them to your shins if that allows you to draw your shoulders back and get a nice straight spine. When you do this pose correctly, it feels really amazing.

Categories: draw, hands, pose, shins, shoulders

What Are The Best Yoga Poses to Cleanse Your Mind?

Do you feel tired, heavy and bloated? There is a complementary therapy that could help improve your wellness and wellbeing in this regard: yoga. Yoga can help to shed toxins and restore your energy. As you twist, breathe, balance and cleanse your body, the yoga restores your natural energy flow and gives you an automatic detox.

 

There are some yoga positions that are best to help you cleanse your mind, and the first of these is the child’s pose. To do this, curl up and then spend a few minutes making your breath deeper and deeper. Yogic breathing is called Ujjayi breathing, too – when you breathe in and out of your nose, keeping your lips sealed.

 

When you feel calm and ready, move on into downward facing dog position. Stretch out your arms in front of you and place them on the floor. Curl your toes underneath you and push your bottom up towards the ceiling. Hold this position and take ten deep, calming breaths.

 

Next, move on to the revolved crescent lunge. To do this, you need to inhale and lift your right leg up as high as you can and then step down between your hands, pressing up into a high lunge. Move your hands together to your heart, and then twist to the right, putting your left elbow onto the outside of your right knee – this is the revolved crescent lunge. Take ten deep, yogic breaths. Release your hands and place them back on the mat in the downward facing dog pose.

 

The mountain pose is a bit like downward facing dog, except that you walk your feet up to the top of the mat, closer to your hands. Inhale as you press up into the mountain pose, and hold it for a few breaths.

 

If you practise all these poses regularly, they will help to improve your circulation and make you feel better, fitter and stronger overall.

Categories: breaths nbsp, Cleanse, crescent lunge, downward facing, facing dog, hands, mind, mountain pose, nbsp, poses, revolved crescent, yoga

The 6-Week Workout: It’s Time to Get Motivated!

The first thing you need to do when exercising is find your motivation. Do you want to up your fitness levels? Lose weight? Enhance your emotional wellbeing? Whatever your wellness goal, fitness trainer and qualified exercise scientist Damien Kelly has issued a challenge: use it. Kelly instructs, ‘Whatever it does for you, I want you to use this motivation to make over your fitness in the next six weeks. You’ll be doing [my] program three times a week and the intensity and challenge will increase as you get fitter from week to week. Simply choose the number of circuits required for each week and work as intensely as you can for each and every workout.’ Challenge accepted? Alright then, let’s take a look at Kelly’s six-week workout.

 

1. 20 straddles and 20 alternating stepping lunges: Kelly says, ‘For the straddles, stand to one side of a low bench and hold the front of the bench with both hands. Staying soft through your elbows and knees, and keeping your hands planted, jump up and over the bench to the other side, landing lightly. Every jump is one rep.’ For an easier variation, move your hands to the back of the bench. Then, for the stepping lunges, all you need to do is take a big step forward, lunge your back knee to the ground and then step back again. You should aim to do 10 reps on each leg.

 

2. 50 skips + 10 prone up and downs: ‘For the skips, you can use alternating feet or jump with both feet together,’ Kelly notes. ‘Land lightly and simply rotate your wrists to spin the rope. For the prone up and downs, assume a push-up position on your hands and toes and then drop down from your hands to your forearms, one after the other, and back up again. This works your core. Your aim is to reduce any hip rotation as you move up and down. Down and up is one rep.’

 

3. 60 punches + 10 jumps: Using a punching bag or something similar, punch 60 times with your wrist in a neutral position and keeping mobile through your hips. Kelly adds, ‘For the jumps, you can jump onto a low platform or step or you can simply jump in the air. You can jump with both feet simultaneously or lead with one leg. Aim to land softly, and, if using a platform, step off between reps – don’t jump off.’

 

4. 400m standing cycle + 15 reverse crunches: On your bike, choose a firm resistance and pedal the entire distance whilst standing. Kelly advises, ‘For reverse crunches, lie on your back on a mat, hands palms down beside you. Raise your legs so they are vertical. Keeping the rest of your body still, squeeze through your abs and push your feet up towards the ceiling, raising your tailbone off the ground. Slowly lower and repeat.’

 

5. 10 burpees + 10 sit-ups: Burpees may sound like your kid’s cute way to describe passing gas, but they’re a great exercise. Kelly coaches, ‘For the burpees, begin in a standing position. Then squat down and place your hands on the ground in front of you. Jump or step your feet out behind you so your body forms a straight line from head to toes. Jump or step your feet back in towards your hands and stand up. That’s one rep. For the sit-ups, begin sitting upright, then lower back until your mid-back brushes the ground, then raise again to upright. Engage your abs throughout to ensure they are the primary muscles working.’

Categories: Circuit Training, Feet, hands, jump, kelly, motivation, reverse crunches, sit ups, Six Weeks, stepping lunges, week, week workout

7 Secret Erogenous Zones that Will Drive Your Partner Wild

As a man, there are certain female body parts that you really love to explore, but there’s more to your partner than her vagina, breast and bum. Sure, these are great area, but if you want to enhance your sexual health and wellness as a couple, there are other avenues to try that could really work for both of you. According to sex education correspondent David Strovny, ‘The largest amount of nerve endings may be packed into those areas, but she has pleasure sensors all over her body, and getting her in the mood may be as easy as stimulating some of these often-neglected parts. Incorporating touching these places into foreplay and sex, or just giving her some pleasure after a hard day, will definitely earn you some brownie points.’ So, which body parts deserve a little more attention?

 

1. Hair: Strovny explains, ‘Maintaining their gorgeous locks isn’t the only reason women go to their hairstylists so often. The process of wash, cut, colour, and styling can actually be quite a stress reliever. Running your hands gently through her hair is a sure-fire way to send tingles down her spine. Let your fingers massage circles from her temples to the nape of her neck and she’ll be putty in your hands.’

 

2. Inner thighs: ‘Touching her inner thighs without venturing into the vaginal area will make for an excellent tease that is sure to get her revved up,’ Strovny assures. ‘Use your hands and mouth to caress and kiss the insides of her thighs, getting excruciatingly close to her ultimate pleasure spot, but pulling back before going all the way.’

 

3. Pelvis: As with her inner thighs, paying attention to your partner’s pelvis, without giving into the urge to slip down to her vagina while you’re so close, can work wonders for her sense of sexual wellbeing. Strovny recommends, ‘Prolong the sensation by leaving the region to focus on another body part for a while.’

 

4. Feet: If rubbing the feet of another man’s wife is an offence punishable by being thrown out a window – a la Pulp Fiction – then it’s not hard to see how a good foot rub can have a certain intimate and sensual appeal. ‘Do it right and grab some massage oil or lotion,’ Strovny advises. ‘Don’t forget to pay some attention to her toes, ankles and the sides of her feet too. Some women really enjoy having their toes sucked, but others find it repulsive, so asking first is a good idea before putting them in your mouth.’

 

5. Earlobes: Whether you touch, kiss or lightly bite her earlobes, trust me, she’ll appreciate it. Strovny points out, ‘These delicate, soft lobes are very sensitive and most women thoroughly enjoy the sensation of having a man’s lips on them. You can nibble around the outside of the rest of her ear as well, but for courtesy’s sake avoid jamming your tongue inside her ear.’

 

6. Palms: You often use your hands to please your partner, but what about stimulating her hands? Strovny comments, ‘The palm of a woman’s hand is an innocuous spot to focus a little attention on without making people around you uncomfortable. Tracing your finger along her palm will give her delightful shivers and make you appear sensitive and attentive.’

 

7. Behind the knees: This probably isn’t the area you’d think of when stimulating your partner, but it’s actually rather sensitive. ‘Gently caressing the back of the knee under her skirt while the two of you are in a public place will make her ready to get busy once you get home’ Strovny adds. ‘Don’t forget to pay some more attention to this special spot once you’re alone too.’

Categories: attention, behind the knees, earlobes, hands, nbsp, palms, partner, strovny

How to Exercise and Tone up in Time for Diwali Celebrations

During Diwali, some gyms may be closed, and even if they are not, your wellness and wellbeing may not seem like a priority. Don’t worry, though, there is plenty that you can do to keep up your levels of fitness during Diwali. There are simple exercises that you can do to stay toned, healthy and fit this Diwali, so make sure that you take 20 – 30 minutes out of your day and carry these out before starting your celebrations. This break from routine may be fun and invigorating and help to reinvigorate your interest in fitness.

 

Rope jumping is a great way to start. This is a simple and yet very effective exercise, and it has a phenomenal calorie burn. Jump ropes are very cheap and easy to get your hands on and when you are jumping over a rope then your heart rate will rocket and you will burn fat easily. This exercise is high impact and quick – if you alternate between slow and fast skipping, then this will give you the best fitness boost and calorie burn.

 

Kickboxing is another great way to go. You don’t need boxing gloves or class routines – you just have to get going.

 

If it’s strengthening that you are after, then burpees may be the way to go. You should do 50 – 100 burpees as quickly as possible, in as few sets as possible. To do a burpee, start at a standing position, squat down, drop your hands down onto the ground and then jump back up onto your feet and get into a push up position. Do a push up and then jump your legs forward until they are between your hands, and then jump into the air, bringing your knees up to your chest and your hands in the air over your head. Do this as many times as necessary.

Categories: calorie burn, Diwali, exercise, fitness, hands, jump, nbsp