Totally Nude Yoga

Where I live, we have a local Yoga studio. And I drive by it quite frequently. Nonetheless, I've never had any desire to explore the art and technique of yoga, regardless of the health benefits it may offer. I understand that it promotes health, vigor, and a tranquil state, but, for now, I will beg off.

And, you know, nude yoga, or even watching nude yoga, doesn't interest me anymore than non-nude yoga.

Here's a link to a fairly humorous review of the Totally Nude Yoga & Tai Chi DVD. I have to admit, I almost want to buy this thing to see how funny it might be, based on what the reviewer had to say.


Should you actually know something about Yoga if you choose to engage in it?

Keeping Bones strong through Exercise

I went to a lifeline screening a couple of months ago and it was one of the best things I ever did. I got to find out my glucose levels are just a bit too high and that, in most regards, I am reasonably healthy. However, one thing that was very surprising was the result of a heel bone density test. Apparently, my result was just on the borderline. Which I found amazing. I am not a little guy. In fact I am fairly muscular and until recently tipped the scales at 240 lbs.

But it just goes to show that everyone should pay more attention to their health. That includes diet (I wonder if I wasn't getting enough calcium in my diet) and it also includes having regular checkups and screening.

Now that I've raved a bit about the intrinsic value, I believe, of lifeline screening, here's a link to an article prepared by the lifeline company. One of its basic points is to highlight the value of resistance training (weight training) and enaging in exercise, particularly weight-bearing, to keep the bones healthy and strong.

How Does Exercise Strengthen Bones?

Are there health benefits to Drinking - Is it healthy?

For many years, the argument regarding the potential health benefits of alcohol has seesawed back and forth. At varying points, it has been declared that moderate alcohol consumption may have the effect of reducing stress and, potentially, decreasing the risk of certain impairments for which stress and anxiety are risk factors.

Most recently, those arguing in favor of moderate alcohol consumption have argued in favor of red wine, a source of the antioxidant chemical, resveratrol. Of course, from a dietetic standpoint, it may be best to limit one's consumption of red wine to meals and to use a wine that is dry to very dry. Reason: to limit the intake of sugar. This is probably wise for all individuals as higher glucose levels contribute to higher insulin resistance levels in a sizeable portion of the population. And, for diabetics, a reduction in carbohydrate consumption, particularly sugar and highly refined carbohydrates, is practical advice.

Aside from obtaining resveratrol in one's dietary intake, are there other health reasons for consuming wine? Possibly. According to a CNN article, (The health pros and cons of drinking), wine drinkers may have a lower future risk for dementia, heart disease, and certain types of cancer.

But are these potential benefits outweighed by the risks of alcohol consumption? Possibly, as well. Alcohol puts pressure on the liver and dehydrates the skin. It also has the potential to increase the risk of breast cancer and to lower bone density levels. And, it is specualted, about a third of adults will have a risk for becoming dependent on alcohol.

A new source of information for those who need assistance

Here's a link to a new blog, attached to a site that offers information on the federal government's disability benefit programs. The blog, like its parent site, is focused on providing information about the social security disability system and on answering specific questions about the core nature of the system: how an individual goes about filing for disability benefits, what to do when a claim gets denied, how to go about the act of submitting an appeal to the social security administration, and what the various criteria is for getting benefits awarded.

Currently, there is a meltdown occurring in the U.S. Social Security System, which includes both the retirement program and the lesser-publicized disability program. As many news stations and newspapers have reported in recent months, an untenable and unacceptable situation has developed in which individuals who become disabled and unable to work now find themselves unable to obtain relief from the program that is designed to assist them. The reason for this development, however, is not necessarily related to any chief factor other than the fact that the social security administration is underfunded, to the extent that it does not have a workforce of sufficient size to carry out its mandated responsibilities.

Social Security Disability Blog