Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Tips to buy a good helmet

Step 1 : Select helmets that fit snugly all the way around.

Step 2 : Find helmets with strong straps with two rings to fasten them. Snap fasteners can unsnap in an accident.

Step 3 : Buy a helmet that's a bright color such as red, white, yellow or orange.

Step 4 : Consider a helmet made of a reflective material or one that has reflective tape on the back and sides.

Step 5 : Purchase helmets that are free of defects such as cracks, loose padding, frayed straps or exposed metal.

Step 6 : Look for the "Snell" approval sticker inside; the Snell Memorial Foundation puts helmets through rigorous safety tests

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What's the big deal? It's just an ugly plastic (it is plastic, right?) shell that goes over your head, is uncomfortable, claustrophobic, causes hair loss, blocks traffic sounds and stops cops from catching you, right?

Actually, all of that is wrong.

All of the attributes associated with helmets in the previous sentence are myths. Pure fiction. Helmets, in fact, can be extremely comfortable and airy, do not cause any physical problems in prolonged use, do not obscure your sense of traffic in any way and do not stop the cops from catching you, either. The origins of motorcycle helmets lies in the aviator style caps and goggles early motorcyclists used to wear. For one simple reason. It would keep flying debris out of the eyes, and hair manageable and clean. In time they evolved, and gained a protective function as well. How does it work? The helmet has a hard outer layer - polycarbonate, fibre glass or composites - meant to absorb and spread impacts. It resists penetration by sharp objects and the shell disperses the forces of the impact. Between your skin and this shell is an energy absorbing layer, usually polystyrene, that is designed to gather this energy and self-destruct, transferring as little force as possible to the head.

The polystyrene is covered with a comfort-oriented layer of fabric, which is sometimes removable for washing. Add a good, scratch resistant visor and a secure retention system, and you have a helmet. To buy a good one, be prepared to spend some time hunting for one at the shop. You're looking for the tightest helmet you feel comfortable in. The foam and the comfort lining shrink in time, and the more snug the helmet is, the longer it will do its job well. Holding the helmet by the straps, you should pull it down over your head. If the fit is right, you should feel a gentle, but firm pressure from the helmet evenly all over the head. The cheek pads pushing your cheeks up slightly is normal. Now adjust the straps and fasten the helmet. Wag a vigorous no sign with your head, if the helmet does not move seamlessly with you, it isn't snug enough. Wear the helmet for ten minutes or so. If you have never worn a helmet before, some aches in the neck area will go away once you get used to it. Serious ache means you need a lighter helmet. When you remove the helmet (not sliding off your head easily is normal; push up rather than roll up and back at the same time), look for redness of skin or signs of pressure points. If the lining is pressing a specific area, it will give you a headache later. You want an even fit.

The one thing to ensure is that there is minimal contact between your ear and the helmet. On long rides, this will give you a really painful earache. Once you find your fit, all you have to do is pick a graphic design you like. Don't be tempted by the simplicity of pattern less helmets. Dark hues, unadorned helmets can be hard to spot in traffic, unless it's stark white. Go for a nice pattern of your choice and a colourful helmet, ideally with reflective elements to make you more visible at night. Among the features, look for effective and lots of venting for Indian conditions. They might look gimmicky, but a properly vented helmet can feel cool even on a really hot day. Some Indian helmets come with fake vents, so be sure that it actually has vents. Now that you have a helmet, the job isn't all done. Helmets need to be treated like fragile objects. If it's always banging against stuff and keeps being dropped, when you do need it to protect your head, it will fail. Also, they are not meant to be family heirlooms, to be passed down the generations. Even the best helmets in the world come with a printed "discard after five years" sign. Our helmets should be good for about two-three years with careful use. Cleaning a helmet requires nothing more than mild soap, a clean, soft cloth and very little time. A clean face shield is essential. We wipe our shields every time before we head out. That's at least twice a day.

Some of the better brands (this is not a comprehensive list) in India [ Images ] are Bieffe, GP One (both made by Steelbird), AGV(made by Forma Sports), Studds is an evergreen brand as are Vega and Aerostar. Of these, the GP Ones have the best fit, AGVs have the best venting and brilliant faceshields while Vega's helmets are well-priced. Prices wise, decent helmets start at about Rs 500 and go up to Rs 2000 for Indian ones, while imported ones (good brands: Shoei and Arai) can touch Rs 25,000. Needless to say, helmets save more motorcyclists from serious head injuries every day. Studies across the world suggest a forty per cent lower chance of serious head and neck injuries due to helmet use in motorcycle accidents.

Thursday, July 23, 2009

Masters' words about Meditation!


Swami Satyananda Said: " Yoga is meditation and meditation is yoga - Never forget it". Yoga and meditation can both be seen as processes and goals." According to Swami Chinmayananda: " Meditation has been glorified as the most sacred vocation. Humans alone are capable of the highest effort, by which they can hasten their own evolution. In preparing ourselves for meditation, we should first acquire the ability to look within. You must learn to go about your daily routine and uninterruptedly watch the mind…Let it be a silent observer of the workings of your inner life and estimate the motives, intentions and purposes that lie behind your thoughts, words and deeds. " Meditation has often been misunderstood as thinking or contemplation. But it is not so, As Swami Bhajananda (Former Editor of the journal Prabuddha Bharat and trustee of Ramakrishna Mission) says: " Meditation is not an entirely independent discipline but a stage in concentration common to almost all spiritual paths. In every path, the aspirant begins with a large number of thoughts in the mind. These gradually become reduced, and the aspirant reaches a stage when there exists only one thought in the mind. " Self realisation is possible when science blends with spirituality.. As Vethathiri Maharishi a spiritual teacher says: " Meditation is a scientific method of enhancing the capacity of the mind. It fixes the mind on one's magnetic force, enhancing the ability to focus. This is the key to self realization. " As Osho says: " The whole purpose of meditation is to make you aware of your kingdom, to make you aware of your highest potential. " Dr. Adam Burke ( a research psychologist & an assistant professor at San Francisco State University) has been studying brain wave patterns and states of mind during meditation states. He says: " Meditation is the study of attention. Attention is cognitive phenomenon. Meditation is the capacity of the brain to attend to something over a period of time. "

Swami Vivekananda :
Meditation has been laid stress upon by all religions.

The meditative state of mind is declared by the Yogis to be the highest state in which the mind exists.

The soul of man is like a piece of crystal, but it takes the colour of whatever is near it.
Suppose a red flower is near the crystal and the crystal takes the colour and forgets itself, thinks it is red. We have taken the colour of the body and have forgotten what we are. All the difficulties that follow come from that one dead body. All our fears, all worries, anxieties, troubles, mistakes, weakness, evil, are from that one great blunder — that we are bodies. This is the ordinary person. It is the person taking the colour of the flower near to it. We are no more bodies than the crystal is the red flower."

EACH SOUL IS POTENTIALLY DIVINE.
THE GOAL IS TO MANIFEST THIS DIVINE
WITHIN, BY CONTROLLING NATURE, EXTERNAL
AND INTERNAL.

DO THIS EITHER BY WORK, OR WORSHIP, OR
PSYCHIC CONTROL, OR PHILOSOPHY, BY ONE,
OR MORE, OR ALL OF THESE—AND BE FREE.

THIS IS THE WHOLE OF RELIGION.
DOCTRINES, OR DOGMAS, OR RITUALS, OR
BOOKS, OR TEMPLES, OR FORMS, ARE BUT
SECONDARY DETAILS.

The Bhagavad Gita : The Sixth Chapter

Make a habit of practising meditation and do not let your mind be distracted. In this way you will come finally to the Lord who is the light-giver, the highest of the high.

Buddhism :

The gift of learning to meditate is the greatest gift you can give yourself in this life. For it is only through meditation that you can undertake the journey to discover your true nature, and so find the stability and confidence you will need to live, and die, well. Meditation is the road to enlightenment.

Try this yoga pose!

Health woes? Try this yoga pose!

The cat stretch or marjariasana is quite a miraculous pose. It is one of those cure-all poses that are suggested as therapy for most ailments: spinal problems, diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, skin problems, all respiratory ailments, urogenital problems and digestive disorders. It is also used as therapy for emotional issues like depression, anger management and lethargy.

A soothing pose that may be used exclusively to de-stress oneself, it is suggested as one of those poses which may be done first thing in the morning, as you wake up. It is also one of a few poses allowed during menstruation, since it helps contain cramps.

The pose is easy to negotiate and can be done at any level of practice, from beginners to the advanced levels. It has minimal contraindications and works at various levels inside the body. It also offers a super rest-break between more difficult poses and relieves stiffness you may feel in difficult back-bends. The pose also offers many variations, so it remains challenging.

In a two-part series, yoga acharya Shameem Akthar, trained with the Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Center, Kerala, takes you through all the different ways you can do a relaxing, healing cat stretch in yoga.

Catch more of Shameem's yoga writings and information about her upcoming workshops at jaisivananda.blogspot.com.

This article only attempts to enthuse readers towards yoga practice and complement your existing practice. Yoga is best learnt under the personal guidance of a teacher.
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Marjariasana (Cat stretch, stage I)

Sit on your heels. Lean forward to place your palms flat on the ground in front of you, so you are now on your fours. Inhale raising your head towards the ceiling, caving in your spine. This is the first stage of the classic cat stretch and the stage from which you move into all the other variations mentioned. Dropping your spine and curving must be mastered well before moving into the following stages.

Benefits: It is the safest among yogic asanas, with multiple benefits of de-stressing, improving lung capacity, rectifying postural defects (posture impacts breathing). It also boosts immunity by impacting the immune gland at chest.
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Marjariasana (Cat stretch, stage 2)

Get into position (stage 1). After curving your spine, exhale deeply, drop your head and move your chin down so it is locked between your collarbone thus arching your spine. Your breath may also be held for a few seconds if you do not have chronic problems like asthma, heart conditions or high blood pressure. Stiffen your arms and legs simultaneously to extend and deepen the pose further.

Combine the first stage and this one to complete one round. Do up to five to nine rounds for general health.

Benefits: The spinal arch makes your back flexible. The chin lock hikes metabolism due to the pressure applied on the thyroid. The downward head position sends a gush of blood to the brain. Arms and legs get toned if you are able to stiffen them while doing the chin lock.
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Vyagrasana (Lion-roaring pose)


In this version of the cat stretch (also referred to as the lion-roaring pose), go on your fours, in the classic cat stretch or majariasana. Inhale. Exhale, bend your right leg inwards at the knee, simultaneously bending your head towards it. Try to reach your knee with your nose, or your chin to your knee. Inhale, release lifting your right leg back and up (as shown in the photo alongside).

This is one round. Do up to five rounds for your right leg. Rest in the majariasana. Repeat entire exercise for your left leg.

Benefits: Works out the leg from toes to hip joint. Tones and shapes legs. Gives a powerful traction to the spine too.
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Marjariasana (Cat stretch, variation)

Sit on your fours as in the first stage of the cat pose. Place your palms flat on the ground, and then your elbows. Inhale and walk your knees backwards a bit . Then exhale to dip your chest as shown, placing either your chin or forehead on the ground between your hands. Breathe normally in the final stage, staying for as long as comfortable.

Benefits: It is an extremely soothing, powerful relaxation pose. It caves the abdomen in, toning it. The upper back gets a soothing, healing stretch, as does the rest of the spine.

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Tone your limbs with yoga!

The cat-stretch is an ideal pose in which to rest between two strenuous poses in yoga. It also is a great way to relieve the muscles that have become tensed with more intense back-bends. It also prepares you for more difficult poses.

The first part discussed the therapeutic value of this pose, but this pose also has tremendous `cosmetic' benefits.

The up-down movement of the neck works the delicate neck muscles, firming them and preventing sagging at the neck and face. The pressure on the thyroid, caused by the neck lock, also massages the thyroid, aiding weight loss by hiking metabolism. The stiffening of the arms and legs between the two movements of each cat stretch, in all its variations, tones the limbs marvellously.

Difficult and stubborn spots at the hips, thighs, upper arms, inner legs, waist are toned. In advanced variations of the cat-stretch, even the body's balance is challenged. This intensifies the work-out even more. Also, the brain's cerebellum, the two hemispheres are worked out, creating inner harmony and emotional balance.

In the second and concluding part on the cat-stretch or marjariasana, yoga acharya Shameem Akthar, trained with the Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Center, instructs you on other variations of this cure-all pose.

Catch more of Shameem's yoga writings and information about her upcoming workshops at jaisivananda.blogspot.com.

This article only attempts to enthuse readers towards yoga practice and complement your existing practice. Yoga is best learnt under the personal guidance of a teacher.

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Marjariasana (Cat-stretch, variation)

Go on your fours in the classic cat-stretch, palms down, on your knees. Look ahead. Place right hand out in front. Release, placing left hand out in front. This is one round.

Do up to ten rounds.
Benefits:
Works out the hips. Challenges the balance and creates inner equilibrium.

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Marjariasana (Cat-stretch, variation)

Go on your fours in the classic cat-stretch. Look ahead. Stretch right leg behind. Breathe normally throughout. Release right leg back and repeat for left leg. Do up to five rounds.

Benefits: Same as above, more enhanced.
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Marjariasana (Cat-stretch, variation)

Go on your fours in the classic cat-stretch. Look ahead. Hold right hand out in front. Then lift right leg out behind, as shown. Hold for a few seconds, breathing normally.

Take care to maintain balance since this pose also challenges your sense of balance. Rest hand and leg back and repeat for left leg. This is one round. Do up to five rounds.

Benefits: As listed above.