FIT ZONE

FIT ZONE

By Bharat Thakur*


It’s all in the mind.

Out of the million inhabiting every corner of the world, there are only a few who catch our eye and appear to be different from the rest. Something about their personality seems to draw us to them and makes us want to believe every word they say: whether true or not.

What is it about some people that make them so charming? Usually it has nothing to do with looks. How a person on the outside does not affect his inner true self. It is all about how you carve yourself mentally and emotionally. You need to control your mental and emotional being. You may do numerous asanas to work on different parts of the body, but you reap the true benefits of yoga when you are also able to work on your mind and your attitude. After all, in the words of the great sage Patanjali, “yohag chitt varitti nirodah” or Yoga is a technique of control of mind.
The eight-fold path to yoga or Ashtang yoga comprises yama, niyama, pratyahara, asana, pranayama, dharana, dhyana and Samadhi.
The first three yama, niyama, pratyahara help one to gain control over mind. They teach the basic principles of leading a good and peaceful life, something that we often choose to ignore and hence make our lives complicated. Having a set of values to abide by, good physical mental hygiene and control over senses makes one strong and fearless and source of inspiration for others. You will become so independent that you will not be affected by the world around you. You will not have to look any where for solutions to problems. The solutions will come from within.
You will have not to depend upon anyone for happiness. You will be the source of your happiness. If you look at the world around you, this is what most people lack and this also what only a few possess that makes them charming and magnetic.
A good leader is one who has the clarity of mind and control over his senses. Trataka helps in balancing the nervous system and develops a strong will power, memory and concentration. Nadi Shodhana Asana balances and harmonises the flow of energy in the body. Moorcha Pranayama takes this balance to a higher-level cutting out distractions from the outside world and helps attaining high state of mental tranquility.

NADISHODHANA PRANAYAMA
· Sit in any meditative posture.
· Bend forefinger and middle finger of your right hand.

Close your eyes and practice deep breathing.
· Close right nostril with thumb place ring finger between eyebrows and inhale through left nostril to count of 15.
· Exhale slowly through left nostril to count of 20.
· Do the same for 10-15 times.
· Now close your left nostril with ring and little fingers. Place thumb finger between eyebrows and inhale and exhale through right nostril.
· Do it for 10-15 times.

TRATAKA
Part A.
Raise your arm keeping fist clenched and thumb at eye level.
Focus on the tip of thumb without blinking.]
Now, keeping the eyes focused on the top of the thumb, move the arm to one side.
Now move to the other side.
Repeat 3 to 5 times.
Part B
Now, rub the palms of both hands together till they feel warm.
Place the palms over both eyes and feel the warmth spread from the palms to the eyes.
Feel the eyes relax and focus for a minute on the soothing darkness.
Hold the position until the warmth of the palms has been transferred to the eyes.
Repeat three times.

MOORCHCHA PRANAYAMA

Sit in the comfortable meditation asana(Preferably padmasana)
Keep the head and spine straight.

Relax the whole body.

Observe the breath until becomes slow and deep, then slowly inhale through both nostrils with ujjayi pranayama, while gently and smoothly bending the head slightly back.
Perofrm Shambavi mudra (eyes steady looking in the void and keep the mind focused in the heart.)
Keep the arms straight by locking the elbows and pressing the knees with the hands.
Retain the breath inside for as long as is compfortable.
Exhale slowly while relaxing the arms. Close the eyes and bring the head back to the upright position.
Relax the whole body for a few seconds, keeping the eyes closed. Expereince the lightness and tranquility in the mind and body.

Source: Saturday EXTRA, The Tribune, November 7, 2009

Image: http://www.yogatohealth.com

NOBEL PEACE PRIZE 2009

YES, YOU CAN

Don’t Think You Cannot,
Think You Can.

Dear Friend,

You can start to maximize your mind power simply by understanding how your mind works and how you store and access information. In fact, you are gifted with the ability to develop your brain in order to become able to do more, have more and be more.
In other words, you must know how your mind works and how it accesses information effortlessly, how to programme your mind. You have to remain conscious of the fact that your mind is like an air traffic controller and takes in any information and directs it according to its current knowledge.

Without your being aware, new information is stored the moment it comes in – each time you access it, the more hard-wired it becomes.
One thing should never be lost track of – mind and body constantly interact. It is your mind which regulates even your breathing pattern which you are always unmindful of. It is your mind which actually ensures that what your heart does not skip a beat. You can have an idea of the immense power of mind whenever you perform a habitual but complex task without conscious effort on your part. For example, when you multiply two figures, you draw upon your memory of multiplication tables. It is done easily and effortlessly, because you had had to repeat them as a child for countless times to get them by heart.

In other words, keep doing a thing till you get mastery over it. Your mind has infinite potentiality. It is simply your will to do a task which matters. Never think that anything is impossible. With a positive mind you can readily access the information you have stored. Training and exercise are tools to programme your mind and a way that can use it when it is needed.

It is power of mind that has done wonders by winning the most coveted prize in the world, the Nobel Peace Prize for the US President, Mr. Barack Obama. The committee attached “special importance to Obama’s vision and work for a world without nuclear weapons” and said he had created “ a new climate in international politics.” Head of the Norwegian Nobel Committee Thorbjorn Jagland said Mr. Obama was honoured “for his extraordinary effort to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples,” and added that it was “ a unanimous decision”. The committee said it was seeking to encourage Mr. Obama’s ideals rather than recognize concrete results. The jury, in fact hailed Mr. Obama’s “extraordinary” effort in international diplomacy and to hasten nuclear disarmament.
Wishing and working for your success.

THINK YOU CAN

You have powers
You never dreamt of
You can do things
You never thought
You could do.
There are no limitations
In what you can do
Except the limitations
In your own mind
As to what
You cannot do
Don’t think you cannot.
Think you can.

(Source: Competition Success Review)

Images: www.myspace.com/295131947

http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/06/22/former-deputy-national-security-advisor-twitter-founders-should-get-nobel-peace-prize/

blogs.crikey.com.au/.../

DEEPAVALI GREETINGS

A Happy & Prosperous Diwali to You All












Deepawali or Diwali is certainly the biggest and the brightest of all Hindu festivals. It's the festival of lights (deep = light and avali = a row i.e., a row of lights) that's marked by four days of celebration, which literally illumines the country with its brilliance, and dazzles all with its joy. Each of the four days in the festival of Diwali is separated by a different tradition, but what remains true and constant is the celebration of life, its enjoyment and goodness.




Historically, the origin of Diwali can be traced back to ancient India, when it was probably an important harvest festival. However, there are various legends pointing to the origin of Diwali. Some believe it to be the celebration of the marriage of Lakshmi with Lord Vishnu. Whereas in Bengal the festival is dedicated to the worship of Mother Kali, the dark goddess of strength. Lord Ganesha, the elephant-headed God, the symbol of auspiciousness and wisdom, is also worshipped in most Hindu homes on this day. In Jainism, Deepawali has an added significance to the great event of Lord Mahavira attaining the eternal bliss of nirvana. Diwali also commemorates the return of Lord Rama along with Sita and Lakshman from his fourteen year long exile and vanquishing the demon-king Ravana. In joyous celebration of the return of their king, the people of Ayodhya, the Capital of Rama, illuminated the kingdom with earthen diyas (oil lamps) and burst crackers.









The Significance of Lights & Firecrackers


All the simple rituals of Diwali have a significance and a story to tell. The illumination of homes with lights and the skies with firecrackers is an expression of obeisance to the heavens for the attainment of health, wealth, knowledge, peace and prosperity. According to one belief, the sound of fire-crackers are an indication of the joy of the people living on earth, making the gods aware of their plentiful state. Still another possible reason has a more scientific basis: the fumes produced by the crackers kill a lot of insects and mosquitoes, found in plenty after the rains






From Darkness Unto Light...


In each legend, myth and story of Deepawali lies the significance of the victory of good over evil; and it is with each Deepawali and the lights that illuminate our homes and hearts, that this simple truth finds new reason and hope. From darkness unto light — the light that empowers us to commit ourselves to good deeds, that which brings us closer to divinity. During Diwali, lights illuminate every corner of India and the scent of incense sticks hangs in the air, mingled with the sounds of fire-crackers, joy, togetherness and hope. Diwali is celebrated around the globe. Outside India, it is more than a Hindu festival, it's a celebration of South-Asian identities. If you are away from the sights and sounds of Diwali, light a diya, sit quietly, shut your eyes, withdraw the senses, concentrate on this supreme light and illuminate the soul.













10 Reasons to Celebrate Diwali



1.Goddess Lakshmi’s Birthday: The Goddess of wealth, Lakshmi incarnated on the new moon day (amaavasyaa) of the Kartik month during the churning of the ocean (samudra-manthan) , hence the association of Diwali with Lakshmi.






2. Vishnu Rescued Lakshmi: On this very day (Diwali day), Lord Vishnu in his fifth incarnation as Vaman-avtaara rescued Lakshmi from the prison of King Bali and this is another reason of worshipping Ma Larkshmi on Diwali.





3. Krishna Killed Narakaasur: On the day preceding Diwali, Lord Krishna killed the demon king Narakaasur and rescued 16,000 women from his captivity. The celebration of this freedom went on for two days including the Diwali day as a victory festival.





4. The Return of the Pandavas: According to the great epic ‘Mahabharata’, it was ‘Kartik Amavashya’ when the Pandavas appeared from their 12 years of banishment as a result of their defeat in the hands of the Kauravas at the game of dice (gambling). The subjects who loved the Pandavas celebrated the day by lighting the earthen lamps.





5. The Victory of Rama : According to the epic ‘Ramayana’, it was the new moon day of Kartik when Lord Ram, Ma Sita and Lakshman returned to Ayodhya after vanquishing Ravana and conquering Lanka. The citizens of Ayodhya decorated the entire city with the earthen lamps and illuminated it like never before.





6. Coronation of Vikramaditya: One of the greatest Hindu King Vikramaditya was coroneted on the Diwali day, hence Diwali became a historical event as well.





7. Special Day for the Arya Samaj: It was the new moon day of Kartik (Diwali day) when Maharshi Dayananda, one of the greatest reformers of Hinduism and the founder of Arya Samaj attained his nirvana.




8. Special Day for the Jains: Mahavir Tirthankar, considered to be the founder of modern Jainism also attained his nirvana on Diwali day.









9. Special Day for the Sikhs: The third Sikh Guru Amar Das institutionalized Diwali as a Red-Letter Day when all Sikhs would gather to receive the Gurus blessings. In 1577, the foundation stone of the Golden Temple at Amritsar was laid on Diwali. In 1619, the sixth Sikh Guru Hargobind, who was held by the Mughal Emperor Jahengir, was released from the Gwalior fort along with 52 kings.


10. 17.10.2009. Barak Hussain Obama, the President of USA becomes the first president of USA to celebrate Dewali with people of Indian Origin in USA. Barak Obama has been selected by Nobel Prize Foundation for Nobel Peace Prize for the year 2009.

P.K.Keshap

An adaptation of greetings received from Upasana Malik of Yahoo group- Hum aur Tum.

NOBEL PEACE PRIZE

I CONGRATULATE YOU ON YOUR SELECTION

FOR NOBEL PEACE PRIZE.

THE PRIZE IS IN ANTICIPATION OF GOOD WORK

FOR THE WORLD, SIR.

IT IS A HOPE OF THE PEOPLE OF THE WORLD

- RICH AND POOR.

THEY TRUST YOU.

Image: http://www.portlandart.net/archives/2009/04/interview_with_4.html

Think & Act

If the dream is big enough,

the facts don't count

- Cynthia Stewart-copier

Nothing in life is to be feared.

It is only to be understood
- Marie Curie

Constant success shows us but one side of the world;

adversity brings out the reverse of the picture
- Charles Caleb Cotton

Life is a grindstone,

and whether it grinds you down or

polishes you up is for you alone to decide.
- Cavett Robert

Life is a comedy for those who think,

Life is a tragedy for those who feel.

Images from: www.knowhat2do.com/ and http://www.persuasive.net/think-it-act-it-become-it/

(Source: http://www.competitionreview.com/index.asp)

MIND POWER

MIND MACHINE

FOR QUICK AND FAST LEARNING

Break your mental prisons.

Open your inner Mind for grand success in Exams or Competitions.

Use One of the World’s No.1 Mind Machine for Deep Sleep, Self-healing, Relaxation, Meditation, Business/Job Stress Busting and success in Exam/Boards/Competitions like Xth, XIIth, B.A/B.Sc./B.Com/M.A/M.Com/MBAS/MCA/IAS/IPS/IRS/PO/TOEFL/IELTS/GMAT/SAT/GRE/AIEEE/PMT etc. Member Parliament(M.P) are using.

Image from: emmaprescott.com/?p=388

www.mindpowerca.com/

THE WAY TO SUCCESS

Need to have a clear vision of one's

own past, present and future.

To wish all to happen well and

to have expectations of utility and usefulness.

Know well thy wishes and

prepare yourself to achieve at any cost.

Make others realise

what you visualize.

Realise the needs and capabilities

of those etending their helping hand

and, conduct yourself to the full.

As we have great confidence,

so should avail of others

confidence in us.

Have a firm vision of

what you can achieve.

Your goal should be your aim

with no distraction.

Adjust yourself

to any new environment.

Do things with honesty, sincerety and

integrity.

Differentiate between

essential and non-essential

BELIEVE IN YOURSELF,

BE TRUE TO YOURSELF.

THINK, PLAN AND ACT.

CONTROL, ORGANIZE AND DIRECT YOUR MIND

TO ACHIEVE YOUR GOAL.

WHAT THE MIND CAN CONCEIVE AND BELIEVE,

IT CAN ACHIEVE.

THE SUCCESS IS SURELY YOURS.

Sincerely yours

Prof Keshap

Image from: www.ferris.edu/honors/success/

ANYWAY

ANYWAY

People are Unreasonable, illogical and self centred.

Love them anyway.

If you do good, people will accuse you of selfish ulterior motives.

Do good anyway.

If you are successful you win false friends and true enemies.

Succeed anyway.

The good you do today will be forgotten tomorrow.

Do good anyway.

Honesty and frankness make you vulnerable.

Be honest and frank anyway.

People favour underdogs but follow only top dogs.

Fight for underdogs anyway.

What you spend years building only be destroyed overnight.

Build anyway.

People really need help but may attack you if you help them.

Help people anyway.

Give the world the best you have, and you will get kicked in the teeth.

GIVE THE WORLD THE BEST YOU'VE GOT.

Images:

dlibrary.acu.edu.au/.../gehall/Human_Quest.htm

www.waynebesen.com/blog/2007_12_09_archive.html

MAHA-MARTYUNJAYA MANTRA

Om trvambakam yajamahe
Sugandhim pushti vardhanam
Urvaarukamiva bandhanaat
Mrityormuksheeya maamritat

MEANING

We worship the 3-eyed One (Lord Shiva) who is fregrent and nourishes well all beings, may he liberate us rom death for the sake of immortality even as the cucumber is severed from its bondage (to the creeper).

BENEFITS:

The Maha-martyunjaya Mantra is a life giving Mantra. In these days, where life is very complex and accidents are everyday affairs, this Mantra wards off death by snakebite, lightening, motoraccidents, air-accidents and accidents of all descriptions. Besides, it has a great curative effect.

Again, diseases pronounced incurable by the doctors are cured by this Mantra, when chanted with sincerety, faith and devotion. It is a weapon against diseases. It is a Mantra to conquer death.

Image: comment.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user...

Positive Personality: TALENT

Positive Personality: TALENT

TALENT

Everyone has talent.

What is rare is the courage to follow

the talent to the dark place where it leads.

-Erica Long-

Source: http://womennetworking1.blogspot.com/2009/08/talent.html#

Image: www.ehponline.org/docs/2007/115-12/forum.html

COMMON SENSE

If you have

an ounce of common sense

and

one good friend

you don't need an analyst.

Joan Crawford

Link

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Positive Personality: Learning

Positive Personality: Learning

Learning

Anyone who stops learning is old,
whether at twenty or eighty.
Anyone who keeps learning stays young.
The greatest thing in life is to keep your mind young.


Henry Ford

INSPIRATION

Friends World Wide

THANKS GOOGLE

GOOGLE SAVED ME FROM THE TRAP

Dear Friends,

Recently, I received an invitation, an original excerpt of which is given below:

"We are GYO( GLOBAL YOUTH ORGANIZATION FOR HUMAN RIGHT) California, USA. We are inviting you to a Global Combined Conference taking place from 17th to 20th November 2009 in Anaheim Convention center California, USA and from 24th to 27th November 2009 in Olympic Stadium Hall Dakar Senegal, west-Africa.

Organizing Committee will provide round Trip Air tickets and accommodation for the period of participants Stay in The United States, to all registered participants.

Delegates will only be responsible for their own hotel booking in Africa were the second phase of the events will be held. If you are a holder of an international passport that may require visa to enter the United States/Dakar Senegal you may inform the conference secretariat at the time of registration, as the organizing committee is responsible for all visa arrangements."

In reply to this invitation, taking it genuine, I gave the sender my consent to attend the event and enquired that how will they reimburse my and my group’s expenses incurred for attending the events. The emails sent by me were not delivered to the addressee. It caused a sense of suspicion in my mind. I searched for Global Youth Organization sites. But I was surprised to read that the emails were a trap. They were fake. The sender asks the attendee to pay a hefty sum of money for booking the hotel in Africa and do not respond. I am thankful to Google for this help.

Believe In Your Heart

Believe in your heart that

something wonderful is about to happen.

Love your life.

Believe in your own power,

in your own potential,

and your own innate goodness.

Wake every morning with the

awe of just being alive.

Discover in each day

the magnificent,

awesome beauty in the world.
Explore and embrace life

in yourself and in everyone

you see each day.

Reach within to find your own "specialty".

Amaze yourself and rouse

those around you to the potential of each new day.

Don't be afraid

to admit your less than perfect;

this is the essenceof our humanity.

Let those who love you help you.

Trust enough to be able to take.

Look with hope to the horizon of today

for today is all we truly have.

Live this day well.

Let a little sun out as well as in.

Create your own rainbows.

Be open to all your possibilities,

all possibilities and miracles.

Source: An e- mail from http://in.mc953.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=vinod3369@yahoo.co.in

HAPPINESS @ Work-1

GEMS OF ANCIENT WISDOM

The Right Career
TODAY, the workplace looks like a battlefront with burnouts, low work satisfaction, ‘meager’ salaries and office politics.

While many of us are miserable at work, there are many others who make sure that the ones around them are in constant turmoil.

In recession-hit times, one may not get to move to the ‘perfect’ workplace.

Plus, characters who disturb one’s peace can be encountered in every office.

So, if you can’t choose your colleagues and cannot move to a better job, what can you change?
“Be the change you want to see,” said Mahatma Gandhi.

To guide us on this path of change are the words of sterling personalities of yesteryears and many incidents from the scriptures.

Small changes in your thought, action and speech will lead to a happier you and a better work environment as happy workers translate into a better workforce.

HAPPINESS @ WORK

As each man’s special aptitude is known
Bid each man make that special work his own,
Wrote saint Thiruvalluvar in his “Thrikkural”

If given a choice, choose a job that gives you job instead of the one that pays more or has more takers.

Instead of becoming an Emperor or as a King, Suddhodana planned, his son, prince Siddhartha, chose knowledge over money and became the Buddha.

On being asked why Mirza Galib, unlike his ancestors, chose the pen instead of the sword, Ghalib said, “To polish the mirror and show in it the face of meaning – that too is a mighty work.”

There is nothing better than having a job you love and getting paid for it. This way, one will look forward to Mondays and will never be late for work.

You will put in your 100 per cent and a little ‘extra’ without expecting to be compensated for it.

– Sai R.Vaidyanathan

(Source: Jobs and Careers published by The Tribune on 2nd September, 2009.