Amish Lifestyles in a Modern World

I consider myself a normal person in the fast-paced world, probably just like you. We have our luxuries that we take for granted and never even notice we have them unless we have a power outage. Through my relationship with the Amish, and my desire to learn more about their customs and work ethic, I recently offered my services to assist one of the families of fourteen (14) on their small family farm. I was soon regretting that decision. I found myself assisting the young Amish children, ages 7 through 13, in throwing wheat sheaves onto a horse drawn hay wagon . Needless to say, the young Amish children put me to shame. I could not keep up!

I have learned that the Amish are very hard working and decent people with an unbelievable work ethic . They are trained from a very young age that if a job is worth doing it is a job worth doing right. That instilled value is what makes their products so special. They live a very simple life with minimal furnishings in their homes. It goes without saying that there are no refrigerators, televisions, computers, radios, electricity, telephones, fans, etc. What took me by surprise was finding there are no pictures, doilies, what-knots, or even couches inside their homes! An Amish home is furnished with wooden beds, handmade quilts, basic dressers, a kitchen table with a few hardwood chairs, and wooden floors without even a throw rug.

The families within this area are carried in a black buggy type carriage, which is pulled by horses. It is not unusual to see a young boy around the age of 9, controlling a team of horses pulling him around a field on a wagon or buckboard. These wagons have wooden wheels with large spokes or thick steel wheels. The wagon wheels have to be sturdy in order to carry logs to the sawmill or hay to the barn. The Old Order Amish do not use rubber on their wheels; even the hub is wood. A metal band (steel tire rim) actually rolls on the roadway. The wheels are a lot like the western wheels shown on the covered wagons except a little bit more narrow.

Amish handmade unique gift ideas for your country western home and garden decor. Rustic horse drawn buggy wagon wheels, cannon wheels, handcrafted baskets, heavy duty barn stars, quilts, fine furniture, birdhouses, and rustic furniture for your log cabin or to decorate your primitive landscape. Proudly made in the USA. Vernon Christian, dba Amish Wares, 877-644-6229. http://www.amishwares.com

Namaste Yoga - What is It?

The name, Nameste yoga, is derived from a popular Indian salutation. Nameste is translated as "I bow to you" and is used most often when a person is greeting another person or when someone is departing.

This form of yoga is one of the most beneficial types of yoga. It is loosely based on Hatha Vinyasa, which is another specific type of yoga. Hatha Vinyasa uses breathing as a guide from which the body will follow. Yoga has been found to be a very effective exercise overall, but this particular type of yoga has been known as one of the most popular for all the health benefits it gives a person. Historically, the origin of Nameste yoga can be traced back to around three-thousand years ago.

One of the most popular Nameste yoga poses is struck when a person holds both hands in a praying motion around the level of the heart. Then the person, with their eyes shut and head bowed lifts their hands up to the middle of their forehead between the eyes. This motion is repeated most often at the end of a session while a person is practicing their breathing techniques. This pose is thought to give a person a chance to disconnect from their body and feel their connection to the outside world. It should be noted that this same pose is also used to say hello or goodbye.

The specific practice of Nameste yoga is most often utilized in within other popular yoga practices. In a yoga class, for instance, the goers might greet one another respectfully in the pose and then move on to another pose as a derivative of their greeting. The group might go through the entire class and then at the end, again find themselves in the Nameste pose to respectfully say goodbye to each other.

If a person needs to find alternative ways to relax after a long day, yoga would be the activity to take on. The principles of yoga are a certain way of life, not simply an exercise class that you attend and then forget when you walk out the doors. This practice asks you to be aware of your existence in a way that allows all worries to slip away. Overall, anyone to dedicates themselves will feel the wide reach of benefits from yoga practices. People who have practiced yoga consistently have noticed an increase in flexibility, reduced signs of stress, lowered blood pressure, lower cholesterol and reduced signs of aging as well as a changed view of life. Truly, yoga can be a much needed retreat from the busy, non-stop lives we lead. If this is something that has peaked your curiosity, go give a try.

Ian Pennington is an accomplished niche website developer and author. To learn more about namaste yoga, please visit New Age Ideas for current articles and discussions.

Book Of Life

How to Lose Weight Yoga Style - The Easy Way!

When most people picture yoga, they envision half-naked fakirs doing fantastical backbends or sitting in the "lotus" pose and chanting the "Om" mantra over and over. While yoga can include backbends and lotus poses, lose weight yoga is not solely about getting tied up in knots while chanting "Om".

Yoga exercises range from amazingly simple to exceedingly complex; each of them helping you to become physically flexible while staying mentally focused. It is this mind/body connection that helps you lose weight; yoga style.

Lose Weight Yoga Style - The Mind/Body Connection

One of the best things about practicing yoga is that it puts you in touch with your body. When you do yoga, you discipline yourself and you find that you actually like it. The time you spend doing yoga and meditating sets a belief in your subconscious mind that you are capable of taking care of yourself.

People who do not practice yoga and are not in touch with their inner selves will often find themselves straying towards the refrigerator even when they are not really hungry. Yoga practitioners on the other hand, are more disciplined; they can recognize genuine hunger pangs and will only give in to the urge to eat when really hungry.

Lose Weight Yoga Style - The Muscle Factor

Some yoga poses including the plank pose helps build muscle all over your body. In fact, if you only want a way to tone your arms, shoulders, chest and abs, the plank pose itself will do that for you. The good news about building muscle is that muscle burns fat. You burn an additional 50 calories a day for every pound of muscle you put on.

If you haven't yet found an exercise program that you like, try yoga. You really can lose weight yoga style!

Vanessa Raven is a well-known weight loss consultant and the author of the popular FREE report:

"36 Potent Fat Burning Foods To Lose 10 Pounds In No Time Flat!"

Download your complimentary copy now at http://www.YouCanLose10Pounds.com and receive a FREE subscription to the "You Can Lose 10 Pounds" email newsletter!

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Kundalini Yoga for Beginners

Kundalini Yoga has been called the most powerful type of yoga, and the mother of all yoga styles. This type of yoga seeks to awaken a powerful point located at the base of the spine, called the Muladhara Chakra. Kundalini derives from a Sanskrit word: "kunda", which means "pot". It utilizes Kundalini Sadhna, the energy coiled like a serpent three and a half times around the base of the spine. Each of the three coils of Kundalini Yoga has a name. They are known as the three Gunas: Sattva, Tamas, and Rajas. The half coil is the Vikritis.

The region of the body referred to as the Kundalini region is located in different areas in men and women. In males, the Kundalini is located in the perineum, between the anus and testicles. In women, it's located between the vagina and clitoris.

Kundalini yoga is a symbol of power and equality for both sexes, although each energy is said to be different. Masculine power is called Siva, while feminine power is referred to as Sakti. These powers form the elemental source of all energy when united. Although the Kundalini region is located near the genitals, this is not where that union occurs. Instead, it happens in the brain, and is said to be the source of affection and other feelings, love, and energy. Kundalini Yoga is thought to help eliminate negative feelings like jealousy, anger, depression and sorrow.

Kundalini Yoga is said to reward people who maintain their awareness, helping them to undergo a spiritual transformation. When this energy is awakened, it's believed to produce a hissing sound, much like a serpent, as it moves from the Muladhara Chakra, to the Brahma Nadi, and then to the Sahasrara Chakra. Kundalini Yoga was introduced by Yogi Bhajan, in 1969, and includes mantras, meditation, breathing exercises, and classic yoga asanas. It's important to remember that Kundalini Yoga, despite its name, doesn't focus solely on the Kundalini poses. It also includes a heavy emphasis on breath and chant.

Kundalini Yoga's primary target is the nervous system, via the spinal cord. The theory is that the nervous system provides the primary controls for our bodies. This makes it responsible for our imaginations, intelligence, memories and thoughts. It's made up of our brain and the nerves, the most important of which is the spinal cord. Because this cord is composed of delicate tissues, it's important to have the correct care for it. Kundalini Yoga attempts to give the spinal cord this kind of care.

While it's possible to learn about the awakening of Kundalini energy through books and other information, having a good teacher is much more effective. Mastering Kundalini awakening should come from experience. After a series of trials, this awakening will take place. Just be careful not to be overly focused on getting this result, since that can hinder the actual awakening. Focusing your concentration is the best way to experience the health and spiritual benefits of Kundalini Yoga. Find a teacher and learn this fascinating technique as soon as you can.

Want to learn more about how yoga can change your life? Check out Sarah Russell's new book - The Beginner's Guide to Yoga and Meditation - at:

http://www.Mind-Body-Connection.com

Magic Of Believing Book

Yoga For Our Children - And Our Future

Does it seem to anyone else like so many things in are world are going wrong at the same time? The economy is declining, gas prices are astronomical (At times, over $5.00 a gallon where I live), the war in the Middle East, global warming... And the list goes on. It can be pretty depressing at times.

Yet, when I go to the park with my kids, there are still people laughing, playing and having a good time. Watching the pure joy in children as they slide down a slide or try to swing so high on the swing that they go over the top (Did you ever try to do that when you were a kid?) reminds me that there is still beauty and hope in our world. Children are indeed so much of our future. And the best part is, we have the chance to shape who they become. Whether you have kids or not, we all have the potential to influence them. Is there a teacher you remember from school who changed your life? Or maybe some adult who taught you something you never forgot? We all have had those special people in our lives.

What if the next generation of national leaders had a deep personal sense of inner peace and connectedness with others? What if yoga and meditation was a regular part of their lives? How might this change our world? We all impact others in our own way. You have the opportunity to share yoga with kids (part of your dharma, perhaps). I'd like to introduce you to some ways to bring yoga to kids in your community as a means of not only making some extra money, but also of changing our world.

Kids yoga programs are very popular in many communities (as well as being profitable). There are a couple of different structures that work well for these programs. In a minute, we'll talk about after-school programs, but let's start with camps. Since there's still a month left before many kids return to school, you may consider a summer camp program (It's not too late - Most parents wait until the week before a camp to register their kids). How it works is you offer a 2 to 4 hour per day kids yoga camp for a week. Each day, the kids do some yoga, holistically-oriented activities and learn some (Don't worry, you're not trying to get kids to do yoga for 4 hours!) A typical camp day will include two 20-30 minute yoga sessions, a craft activity, a relaxation walk, some yoga-type games, chanting, meditation (very brief), humming/singing, breathing practices, journaling, drawing and whatever else you can think of. The activities will vary depending on the age range (usually age groups of 6-11 and 12-15 work well). The goals are to get kids to connect with themselves, AND to have fun doing it (It's not at all to get any pose perfect). The idea is that if kids enjoy what they are doing, they will continue it later in life when they can go deeper and refine their practice. For now, our goal is fun. The next important thing is to understand why parents send their kids to things like yoga.

Parents send their kids to yoga so their kids will have an enriching activity, AND so the parents can have some time off. Remember, the parent is your customer even though their kids are the ones in class. ALWAYS aim to understand and serve your customer's needs. Emphasize that it gives parents a few hours off with the knowledge their kids are receiving a personally and spiritually wholesome experience. Cost should average about $10/hr. (i.e. A 4-hr. per day camp would cost $200 for the week). Feel free to add a materials fee, if needed. Another variation is to offer 3-day and 4-day options (the cost per day increases if a kid is enrolled for fewer days). If you have the Yoga Studio Owner's Success Program, session 7 give more details about how to set up pricing so it's sure to be profitable (see link below for more info).

But what about after the summer? Once school begins, the same activities and structure can be used for after-school kids yoga programs. The schedule generally changes from being one intensive week to being a couple of days each week after school (i.e. Tue. and Thu. 3:00-5:00). One key is that these are yoga programs. This means that parents have to sign kids up for a month at a time (or three month's at a time). You can even put them on auto-renew, if you like. Be sure you know what the local school schedules are before scheduling after-school classes. Of course, schedule these during times that you have an unused studio (or in place of unpopular adult classes).

You can get even more kids into after-school yoga if you have the space for babysitting for younger kids (A room with toys and hiring someone to watch them). Again, this gives parents the chance to drop off all their kids and get some of that coveted free time.

Use your imagination to expand on these ideas in whatever way works for your studio. Don't be afraid to try new things. But do some calculations first and figure out how many kids you need enrolled to make it profitable. If it doesn't reach this level, you simply cancel the class. Many studios have found kids programs to be very popular and profitable. In addition, it can be a draw for adults too (they come to classes because their kids are there). Whatever direction you choose, be sure to decide on your next action step right now. A small step is better than no step at all.

Please email me and tell me if you're doing a kids program. What works well in your program? I look forward to hearing from you soon. My very best to you until next month.

Namast,

Coach Al Lipper

P.S. Please let me know what other studio business topics would you like to learn more about in the future? Most of my articles come from reader and client questions. You may email me at: coach@CenteredBusiness.com

About Coach Al:

Al Lipper is a master business coach, business teacher and writer. For free resources on running a yoga studio as a successful and fun business, visit www.CenteredBusiness.com

Coach Al Lipper

Business Coach for Yoga Studios
Destiny: Success
Website: http://www.CenteredBusiness.com
Email: fcoach@centeredbusiness.com
Telephone: (805) 544-3938

Coach Al Lipper of 'Destiny: Success' helps Yoga studio business owners smoothly run and expand their yoga studio business. He helps stressed and overwhelmed yoga studio business owners who spend most their time wrapped up in daily business tasks, who can't handle any more clients, or who can't make any more money out of the yoga studio.

Coach Al helps clients find new yoga business strategies which result in generating more clients, increased profits, and more free time for the business owner. The amount invested was small compared to the results. Contact him today to discuss your yoga studio challenges at (805) 544-3938 or visit CenteredBusiness.com.

Grief Recovery Handbook

Law of Attraction - Step by Step to Attracting Job Promotion

The Law of Attraction can be used for a number of things apart from the obvious money, which everyone wants to attract more of. If you're working for a company and there is a job promotion, you can apply the law of attraction to attract that job promotion for yourself. Here are the steps.

1. Do Whatever Is Necessary To Get The Promotion

As soon as you know about the possible promotion, start to concentrate on doing whatever is necessary to make yourself stand out from others. Take your job even more seriously and try to make a perfect job of it. If possible, try to over-deliver on the outcome with whatever you're doing.

When you're doing some particular work in the company, say to yourself that your superior or the main boss, will be very pleased when they see the end-result. This is self affirmation and one technique that you need to use to apply the law of attraction.

Believe that whatever you're doing is useful and meaningful for the company. With this self affirmation and belief, you'll find yourself very motivated to do the job well. You'll feel the energy flowing out of your body.

This is how you give off your vibrations. These are positive vibrations that you are releasing and the Universe will receive your instructions and act on it.

2. Visualize The Gratitude Of Your Superiors

When you're visualizing, imagine your superiors looking at your work which you just handed to them and imagine them talking amongst themselves. Look at their smiling faces as they feel relieved that they can actually trust an employee to the work completely.

Imagine your superiors speaking to themselves that they've got no other option but to promote you since you're producing work that is miles ahead in quality compared to the others.

Visualize them writing down your name to confirm that you're going to get the promotion.

3. Imagine Getting The Promotion On The Day

Before you go to sleep every night, imagine yourself going to the company with all your colleagues congratulating you on getting the promotion and that you need to buy them dinner.

See yourself going inside your superior's room and listen to them telling you how much they appreciate your hard work in the company. Listen to their voices as they tell you about the promotion and see yourself thanking them and shaking their hands.

4. Visualize You Already Got The Promotion

Throughout the day, when you're working, believe and act as though you already got the promotion. See yourself doing the extra work and see yourself sitting on the new desk and speaking to your staff who now reports to you.

Imagine yourself with a new business card with your new title on it. Start paying attention to the projects or work which the new job requires.

Remember that you need to act as if you already got the promotion. The Law of Attraction works the quickest when you actually believe you already have what you desire.

Using the above steps, you can practice regularly with faith and know that without a shadow of a doubt, the promotion is all yours. Believe and do what is necessary to manifest your desire and get the promotion.

Download the free report "7 Reasons Why The Law Of Attraction Doesn't Work" at law of attraction report

For more "how to" reports on other topics, visit http://www.revealhowto.com - By Adrian Abel (Founder).

Create Your Day
You Have Got To Read This Book

Review Of Affirmware Sculptor 3

Affirmations are very powerful tools in manifesting ones desire and that's because the mind cannot actually distinguish between suggestions and actual reality. Millions of people around the world use positive affirmations as a goal setting and motivational tool. Jeff Staniforth an Australian Meta physical scientist has created the affirmware sculptor 3 program which he claims would help you increase the power and speed of your manifestations. A lot of things has been said about this software but here is a review of what to expect.

The program takes affirmations to a new level as it combines 7 of the best results-amplifying technologies in the same software, these technologies are tested and proven to increase the power and speed of manifestation. The software is very easy to download and he gives you step by step instructions on how to download it and on how to use it. The package also comes with some ebooks, reports and a 7 part course which help to make the entire process easier and more effective.

The good thing about this software is that you can program the message to run on your computer while you use your computer and this can have a very powerful effect. The not so good thing is that you are going to face a lot of resistance from your mind so you must be ready for that

All things considered, if you are someone who is interested in affirmations for motivation and personal growth then I highly recommend you give this software a try. By using it to create positive affirmations you would be able to turn your wishes into reality.

You can find more about affirmware Sculptor 3 by Clicking Here Now.

How To Win Friends
Power Of Positive Thinking

Believing In Religion Video

I was reading a book on advertising when the author mentioned, "All Advertising Is about Hope."

Check out one of his recommended books, Read This Book

Greg is currently creating articles on religion filled with great subjects on a wide array of topics, like religion, self help and spiritual changes in the world. His views on religious freedom are slowly changing the way people think about institutional religion.

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Crisis In Christianity

Yoga and the Economy, Part II - The Economy of Yoga

In Part I of this series, I stated that yoga, the most economical of wellness systems ever created, can help you through economic tough times. In this article, I will further this concept by looking to the words of two great yoga masters on the topic of yoga's intent and import, and then I will move to introduce three general yogic disciplines that strengthen our personal wellness economies in a time when the larger economy continues to falter.

In the world of yoga, there exists an important precept espoused by yogis of many backgrounds, and it is that yoga, the 5,000 plus-year-old practice of mind-body connection, was created not for wealthy or the privileged being but for the common householder, or everyday person. Right out of the gate, in other words, we see in yoga's roots and mission a link between itself and what is common.

A great modern yoga master, B.K.S. Iyengar, precisely defines the common, everyday life: "The life of a householder is difficult, and it always has been. Most of us encounter hardship and suffering, and many are plagued by physical and emotional pain, stress, sadness, loneliness, and anxiety. While we often think of these as the problems caused by the demands of modern life, human life has always had the same hardships and the same challenges-making a living, raising a family, and finding meaning and purpose."

Iyengar's words ring true in general, and in light of the current recession, his words might resonate quite deeply for some. They do for me. Further, as our global situation will likely worsen in 2009, common householders the world round could very well be living out the details of Iyengar's description. In what appears to be deepening global hard times for the billions of common householders walking this planet, I see, in fact, the possibility of an economic-induced, worldwide plague of suffering. It's no bad formula I am employ here, to say that when the economy is weak, the human condition has a bigger chance to be weak, too.

That sounds, admittedly, dire, and as though I am a pessimist. But I am not, so please read on.

Just as Iyengar and countless yogis throughout history pinpoint the cause and conditions of human suffering, so do they point to a solution. They, of course, point to the power of a yoga practice.

Another of yoga's great modern masters, Yogia Bhajan, writes about the power of his style of yoga on the everyday person: "It is [the] yoga which allows an ordinary person to live in this world, experience of the ecstasy of consciousness, then use this consciousness to serve humanity." Equally succinctly, Iyengar sheds light on yoga's benefits: "Yoga, as it was understood by its sages, is designed to satisfy all human needs in a comprehensive, seamless whole...Yoga allows you to rediscover a sense of wholeness in your life where you do not feel like you are constantly trying to fit the broken pieces together."

Iyengar and Bhajan remind us that yoga was created for and benefits the everyday person struggling to have a good life. Here are just a few reasons I believe why yoga helps in the struggle:

Yoga has nearly illimitable breadth and depth. It consists of eight major limbs of practice and a history so deep and rich that it is not easy to discern one major branch or style from another. One can take a lifelong yoga adventure completely on one's terms. Once you find yoga, there is no need for anything else. (How economical is THAT?)

Yoga brings documented fast results. Students report positive change after even one class.

Yoga contains no repetitive, impacting body movements: repetitive movement (running, swimming) are good aerobic exercises but do not utilize the entire body as efficiently as yoga does. Impacting movement (e.g., running, step aerobics) is in fact bad for the body long-term.

For people who are time-crunched, yoga is a perfect system since it is built on a sequence of poses and brief exercises, so it's easy and creative to build one's own sequence. Since five minutes of yoga a day can benefit us greatly, it is the ultimate time-smart wellness system.

In conclusion, there are so many yoga practices and exercises to help us everyday people 'fit the broken pieces' of our lives together that I conclude, quite easily, this: Yoga can help anyone through anything anytime.

In the next article, I will begin discussing three limbs of yoga that contain highly economical and effective exercises particularly geared for those who are struggling to start and maintain a solid practice during tough times. These disciplines are 1)exercise with breath awareness; 2) mind work; 3) and diet.

Marcia Camino is a registered yoga instructor and founder of Pink Lotus Yoga in Cleveland, Ohio. She teaches yoga to adults and children at all levels of fitness and loves to carry the message of the many benefits of yoga to all. http://www.pinklotusyoga.com

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