A Song of Life
Many of us merely exist, and think that we live. What we should regain at all costs is freshness and intensity of being. This need not involve turbulent activity. It may involve quite the opposite.
Say not, “I live!”
Unless the morning’s trumpet brings
A shock of glory to your soul,
Unless the ecstasy that sings
Through rushing worlds and insects’ wings,
Sends you upspringing to your goal,
Glad of the need for toil and strife,
Eager to grapple hands with Life-
Say not, “I live!”
Say not, “I live!”
Unless the energy that rings
Throughout this universe of fire
A challenge to your spirit flings,
Here in the world of men and things,
Thrilling you with a huge desire
To mate your purpose with the stars,
To shout with Jupiter and Mars-
Say not, “I live!”
Say not, “I live!”
Such were a libel on the Plan
Blazing within the mind of God
Ere world or star or sun began.
Say rather, with your fellow man,
“I grub; I burrow in the sod.”
Life is not life that does not flame
With consciousness of whence it came-
Say not, “I live!”
By Angela Morgan, from “The Hour Has Struck”
Healthy Mind, Body, and Spirit
Achieve a Healthy Mind, Body, and Spirit in 2006!
(ARA) – Many health and fitness experts recommend that exercise enthusiasts combine the physical fitness of their body with that of their mind and spirit. One way to ensure that you have a healthy mind, body, and spirit is through yoga and Pilates.
Yoga Philosophy and Practice: An Indian science and art, yoga dates back 5,000 years. It offers a set of physical exercises and mental techniques that align and tone the body, and focus the mind. Yoga is an individual discipline, is non-competitive, and teaches participants to consciously unite and balance the wisdom found in the body, mind, and spirit.
Pilates Philosophy and Practice: Pilates, named for its founder Joseph Pilates, is a total conditioning program that works your body by focusing on core abdominal and back muscles. It also is a mind-body exercise, which, like yoga, stresses proper breathing while strengthening and lengthening the muscles.
The benefits of yoga and Pilates are many: Participants get a whole body workout while strengthening and building endurance. You can develop better balance, coordination, posture and flexibility through building core strength. Yoga and Pilates provide improvement in circulation and increased breathing capacity while also creating an outlet for stress, physical and mental tension, and encouraging relaxation. They have proven to be effective in the relief of back pain, sports injuries and other chronic health problems.
Yoga and Pilates in the mainstream: A 2004 Yoga Journal study reported that about 15 million people in the United States practiced yoga — a 29 percent jump from the previous year. “The yoga offerings at Life Time Fitness spiked 300 percent from 2000 to 2003 alone” says Jeff Zwiefel, senior vice president, Life Time Fitness, a national operator of distinctive and large sports and athletic, professional fitness, family recreation, and resort/spa centers. “This is a direct result of our members’ interest and demand.”
Many health and fitness centers have added yoga and Pilates to their class schedules. Some, including Life Time Fitness, even offer designated yoga and Pilates studios that provide members the best environment to find harmony between the mind and body.
Along with increased demand, fitness enthusiasts are looking to combine many of their favorite high-intensity classes with yoga and Pilates. Some examples of new fusions of these philosophies include Boga (boxing and yoga), Yo-Chi (yoga and Tai Chi) Power Flow Yoga (suited for athletically oriented people seeking advanced flexibility training) and Power Stretch (which combines yoga, Pilates and Tai Chi).
It is clear that yoga and Pilates are becoming an important part of health and wellness regimens today. Because their practice incorporates physical activity with meditation and relaxation, yoga and Pilates are the perfect tools to maintain a healthy mind, body, and spirit for a lifetime.
For more information on Life Time Fitness centers, programs, and services visit www.lifetimefitness.com, or call (800) 430-5433.
Courtesy of ARA Content
Designer Dog Clothes
Some of us just to refuse to think of our dogs are just dogs. And we love dog clothes!
Cute sweaters, doggie tee shirts, dog booties, stylish bandanas, and let’s not forget little hats. These are among the items people will purchase to dress their dogs in style.
Dressing a dog is more about the owner having fun than the animal, but as long as the clothing isn’t uncomfortable, most dogs don’t mind humoring their human friends. Some even seem to enjoy grabbing the spotlight with their new look.
Internet shopping has taken the concept of dressing our dogs to new levels as websites offering all manner of “designer” dog clothing have popped up everywhere. With names like Glamour Dog, Designer Dog Wear, and Paw Printz Boutique (dot com, of course), these sites offer the tops in canine fashion for proud owners to place on their pups.
Years ago, it was not uncommon to see a dog in a knit sweater or some other cute clothing article, but today there are nearly as many clothing choices for dogs as there are for people. There are dresses and slacks, raincoats, eyewear, headwear, footwear, and every imaginable item. There is doggie casual wear, for hanging around on the beach, doggie formal wear for those special black tie occasions and even doggie wedding gowns and tuxedos for the wedding of a doggie’s dreams!
In many cases, the doggie designer clothing comes complete with a doggie designer price tag. Dog dresses at Glamour Dog dot com, for example, are listed with prices that run from $40.00 for a basic Mary Jane dress to $86.00 for prom wear! Some of these dog clothes cost more than many people spend to dress themselves. Nothing is too good for our “best friend!”
Some personal favorites include the doggie trench coat ($70.00), the various college football jerseys ($25.00), and the 100% cotton doggie bathrobe – perfect for the pooch who wants to emulate Hugh Heffner.
High end Doggie Duds can be traced to celebrities like Paris Hilton’s Tinkerbell and Anna Nicole Smith’s Sugar Pie. Both are rarely seen in public with out some form of clothing. The PR these pups bring to the industry can do nothing but make the business boom even further.
So, if you’re in the market for dog clothes that will turn heads and get your pooch noticed, designer doggie duds may be just what the fashion critic ordered. Just be sure not to combine designer labels or adorn your dog in designs that clash. After all, what could be more gauche?
