Are You Willing To Follow Eight Yoga Exercises For the Lower Back?

EXERCISES FOR BACK RELIEF

Many people believe that rest is best for a painful back, but actually, what your back really needs when it's hurt is exercise. Regular exercise relieves back pain by strengthening and stretching the muscles that support the spine and helps to prevent future injury. This is a use it or lose it situation: the more you rest, the weaker your back gets, even if it is hurt. Studies have actually shown that you can heal your back pain faster and get back to your regular activities with just two days of rest. This article will focus on Yoga Exercises. Remember to contact your doctor before beginning any exercise program.

YOGA EXERCISES FOR YOUR BACK

A good, regular yoga practice will go far in relieving the stress and tension that sometimes cause mild back pain, and in fact, studies have shown that yoga is the number one most effective exercise for relieving back pain. However, not all yoga poses relieve back pain, and some can in fact aggravate existing pain, so it is important to know which poses will be most helpful in relieving back pain. It is best to do these exercises under the supervision of a certified yoga instructor, and if you encounter any problems with these poses, you should consult an expert. Even just one or two sessions with a yoga instructor can help, as an instructor will help you with your form and posture during poses. Here are some of the best yoga poses for relieving back pain. Each pose should be held from five to ten seconds, depending upon your level of comfort, and should be done on a mat or other soft, supportive surface.

CORPSE: Lie flat on your back in a relaxed position, arms resting at your sides, palms down, and legs lying naturally, with knees turned out slightly. If it hurts your back to have your knees turned outward, do this pose with knees bent, feet flat on the floor. Breathe in and out for a few seconds while allowing any tension to leave the body.

CAT STRETCH: Start out on your hands and knees with a flat back. Your hands should be directly under your shoulders with fingers spread. Knees should be directly under the hips. Head is held loosely so that you are looking at the floor between your hands. Inhale, and as you exhale, arch your back toward the ceiling, tuck your chin in to your chest so that you are looking at your navel, and tuck your tailbone underneath. Hold, then release back into your original position.

WIND-RELEASING POSE: Lie flat on your back as in Corpse pose. As you inhale, bend your knee, place your hands right below the knee, and draw your leg towards your chest. Your left leg should remain flat on the floor. Exhale and bring your forehead up to touch your knee. Inhale, and then as you exhale, return to your original position. Repeat with the other leg.

SAGE TWIST: Warning for this pose-it involves twisting your back, so you should take particular care not to twist too far or you risk aggravating any existing back pain. This should be a gentle stretch; twist just as far as is comfortable. Sit on the floor with both legs out in front of you. Bend your right knee, lift your right leg over your left, and place your right foot on the floor next to your left knee. Sitting with spine straight, place your left elbow on the right side of your right knee. Bend your left arm so that your left fingertips are touching your right hip, while at the same time, twisting to look over your right shoulder. This is where you need to be careful not to twist too far. Hold for a few seconds, release, and repeat on the opposite side.

PALM TREE: Stand with feet facing forward, arms at your sides, weight distributed evenly on both feet. Raise both arms over your head, interlock your fingers, and turn your hands so that your palms are facing upward. Next, place your palms on your head and turn your head so that you are looking slightly upward. Stretch your arms upwards, and at the same time, come up onto your toes if you can do so without pain. Stretch your entire body upward and hold, if you can. Some people have difficulty balancing during this pose, so just do the stretching part if you need to.

FISH POSE: Lie on your back with knees bent and arms at your side. Arch your back as far as you comfortably can and raise it off the ground by pushing the floor with your elbows. If you can, tilt your head backwards and rest the crown of your head on the floor. Breathe deeply from the diaphragm and hold pose for one minute if you can.

LOCUST: Lie face down with arms at the side, palms down, and elbows slightly bent with fingers pointing towards the feet. Raise your legs and thighs as high off the ground as possible without causing your back any pain. Hold for one second and repeat up to twelve times. This can be a vigorous exercise so you must take care to strain already injured muscles.

BENDING FORWARD POSTURE: Stand up straight with feet together and arms hanging loosely along your sides. Breathe in deeply and raise your arms straight above your head. While breathing out, bend forward and touch your toes if you can. If you can't reach your toes, grab hold of your ankles or calves. To complete the pose, you should touch your head to your knees, but this may be too difficult for many who suffer from lower back pain. Your movements during this pose should be smooth, not jerky.

Written by Shelley Hitz, Licensed Physical Therapist and Certified NASM Personal Trainer. Sign up for her free Exercise Advice journal at http://www.abs-exercise-advice.com/journal.html or read more of her articles at http://www.abs-exercise-advice.com. Get your free unbelievable abs ball workout here!

Smokey Mountain Cabins - There Is Only One!

Did you know there are no Smokey Mountain cabins for vacation rentals inside the Great Smokey Mountains National Park -- except one! It's called Leconte Lodge. Even though the National Park Service's Leconte Lodge is called a lodge, it also includes rental log cabins. These are the only cabins for vacation rentals inside the national park.

To get there, do you just hop in your car and drive up to the front door? No way! There's no road to these Smokey Mountain rental cabins. If you want to stay there, the only way in is by hiking! Talk about Smokey Mountain secluded cabins -- it's a hike of over 5 miles if you're up to it. Lots of folks do just that, as this Smokey Mountain cabins facility fills up fast during the summer. Not only does it fill up fast, you may have to wait months to get a cabin reservation.

Located at more than 6,500 feet elevation, these Smokies rental cabins are very popular. Prepare for a sponge bath. While there is running water for the toilets, there is no electricity. Kerosene lanterns will provide you with light. You won't be blow-drying your hair or watching reruns while here. It's life somewhat like it used to be many generations ago.

These Smokey Mountain cabins only have a capacity of up to fifty guests per night housed in either handcrafted log cabins or group sleeping lodges. The cabins have upper and lower double bunk beds, which are great for two couples or a family of four or five persons. Each of the larger cabin lodges can sleep from ten to thirteen persons.

For your Leconte stay, make sure you bring sturdy shoes that you have already broken in. Include more than one change of socks in case your feet get wet. Layered, lightweight clothing will give you the flexibility to add more or take it off as temperatures change. A warm sweater or jacket is advisable and a lightweight raincoat or poncho is absolutely essential. Nature shows no mercy for those unprepared for the sudden changes in weather. Summer nights can dip into the 40's, while in spring and fall, night temperatures can drop into the teens with snowfall.

No need to bring suitcases and other cumbersome luggage. A light backpack should be what you use for your necessities since personal clothing and toiletries are all you really need. Remember, it's a 5-mile hike to enjoy these very special Smokey Mountain cabins.

The Great Smokey Mountain National Park is about half in North Carolina and half in Tennessee. Leconte Lodge is located on Leconte Mountain which is on the Tennessee side in the national park. But you won't know which state you're in. Does it really matter? You WILL know that you are away from civilization in a beautiful unspoiled mountain retreat. Whether you stay in Leconte Lodge or other Smokey Mountain log cabins outside the park, once you've been there, it's easy to see why the Great Smoky Mountain National Park is the #1 visited national park in the USA.

Copyright 2005 InfoSearch Publishing

David Buster is Vice-President of InfoSearch Publishing and webmaster of http://www.bestvacationrentalsonline.com - visit the website to read more about finding log cabin rentals, vacation home rentals, condos and chalets, pet friendly lodging, places to get married, discount hotel rooms and having vacation fun.

The 5 Elemental Codes: Seeing Your World Through the Eyes of Universal Understanding (Part 1)

This article is the 1st part of an open response to a question that I encountered online a few years ago in one of the many Martial Arts Ninjutsu forums. The question (paraphrased) was:

"What are the 5-elements (earth, wind, water, wood and metal) about that I have seen mentioned in books on ninjutsu?"

As is so often the case when dealing with multiple personality types, egos, and the need for instructors to justify their positions and philosophies, the question went unanswered. What followed for several days was a sidebar discussion about the "rightness" or "wrongness" of a particular teaching model. In short, the poor student's question went unanswered.

What follows began as a brief attempt to help the student resolve his dilemma and, eventually, turned into a three-part series.The metaphysical lore of the East is, quite logically, intertwined with the arts associated with the Shadow Warriors of Japan. Often, the influences are obvious, as in the use of the Shinto ceremony of respect and acknowledgment used to open and close classes; others, like the 5-element classification systems are not as apparent.

Many of the books on ninjutsu, as well as the over-abundance of "New Age" tomes on the market, written by less-than-knowledgeable individuals, make reference to a system of classifying all that exists in the universe. This system of 5 Elements is actually 2 systems; each used to describe a different process. Unfortunately, the information is often offered in one of three ways. They are:

• 1. Light-heartedly, in an erroneous comparison with something else with a similar name

• 2. Incorrectly listed, as with this student's listing, combining the two into one

• 3. Juxtapositioning the symbolic meanings

The first system, dealt with in this article, is known as the Godai or "Five Great Elemental Manifestations." The elemental codes, in ascending order are...

...chi "earth"...

...sui "water"...
...ka (or hi) "fire"...
...fu "wind", and...
...ku the "void"

This is a system based on, and leading up to, the rokku-dai "Six Great Elements" as used in esoteric Buddhist study.

The elements of the Godai are often, quite erroneously, confused with the elements that make up the Periodic Table used in the study of chemistry in Western science. I even remember a time when I was in school and one of my science teachers, who was covering the base elements at the time, laughed quite condescendingly about how the people of the Orient believe that there are only "Five" elements and, naming the above, pointed out the "real" 81 (at the time).

In fact, the Godai elements are not meant to be used in such a detailed and destructive way as the ones of Western science. "Things" are not broken down so far that they become indistinguishable from their real form. The 5-Element code is actually a means of cataloging and grouping like concepts, aspects, strategies, energies, etc. In fact...

...the Western system can actually be reorganized and classified using the Godai system.

The Elements as Classifications of "Groups"

The five elements of the Godai, their symbolic representation, their appearance in the human being, and their use, by some instructors, in the teaching of the ninja's arts are:

Chi "Earth" - represents the firm, hard objects that appear in existence. Rocks are probably the best symbol of the earth element in nature in that they are incapable of change, movement or growth, without the help of the other elements.

In the human being, the "earth" element shows up in the body as the bones, muscles, and other tissues. In the mind, it is confidence; and emotionally it is a desire to have things remain as they are; a resistance to change. When under the influence of this chi or earth mode or 'mood,' we are aware of our own physicality and sureness of action.

As a means of self-protection, which is based, as are all of the strategies of the ninja's art of operating with natural laws, on the student's emotional level or mood when the attack starts. "Earth," as a code for Enlightened Self-Defense action, represents our desire to hold our ground and 'crush' the assailant's attack with our strength. We are calm and unbothered by their threats and we firmly resolve to stop them in their tracks.

Sui "Water" - represents elements in a 'flowing' or adaptable state. Aside from the common identification with natural water sources, plants are a good example of the "water" element in that they are, while incapable of movement, capable of adapting to their environment (i.e. turning their leaves toward the direct sun, growing their root systems in the direction of the most nutrient rich soil, etc.)

In our bodies, the 'water' element represents the blood and other fluids necessary for life. Mentally, this code represents the ability to adapt to and change our strategy, or way of doing things, if change is needed and what we are currently doing is not working. At our core, it is our emotionalism and ability to 'go with the flow.'

In the self-protection strategies of the ninja's armed and unarmed combat arts, the 'water' element identifies both our defensive adaptation to the enemy's attack and our ability to 'flow' with their actions. The feeling of being overwhelmed by their force or technique causes us to want to back up and create more space and time between ourselves and our assailant, as we attempt to cover and protect our targets from their attacking limbs.

Ka The "Fire" - as a code, this symbol represents those elements in a combustible, or energy-releasing state. It also symbolizes force and direction. Animals are a good example of the 'fire' element in that they are capable of movement and direction, though limited by primitive 'programming' or instinct.

In our bodies, this element is represented by our metabolism and body heat. Mentally, it is our directness, commitment and desire to be better than we are. Internally, from our heart come the qualities of will or intention, motivation and competitiveness as well as an outgoing or domineering spirit.

As a defensive strategy, 'fire' represents our committed spirit directed against our opponent as we take the fight to them. In reality, there is no such thing as a 'fire' technique per se - just as there are no water, earth, etc. techniques. There is only our energy level or emotional mood that causes us to move-in against the attacker.

Fu "Wind" - is the symbolic representation for elements in a gaseous state. Freedom-of-movement and an expanding nature are the keys here. Again, apart from the naturally identifiable 'things' alluded to by it, the 'wind' element is best symbolized by human beings. Human beings, in their lower or most common states of development, are capable of movement, direction and have intellect; the trait necessary for development, growth and overcoming the limiting tendencies of programming and the primitive instinct from our 'animal' nature.

In our body, the 'wind' element is our respiration and the processing of oxygen and other gasses between cells. Mentally, it is our intellectual capabilities and our ability to be 'open-minded.' Emotionally, we are carefree and not influenced by stress.

As a basis for self-defense, this element shows in our desire to evade, and stay just beyond, his reach. We naturally want to avoid any conflicts or, at least, a direct confrontation. Our strategy is reflected in our turning and evasive movements that allow us to flank him and smother his assault attempt if necessary.

Ku The "Void" - is the code for the sub-atomic or 'creative' foundation of all that is. Actually, the term "void" is probably a bad translation when compared to the definition of what this element represents. The English language word "de-void," as in the absence of any pre-determined shape or character, is much closer to defining the nature of this element.

Human beings in a higher conscious state are the representatives of this element, just as the sub-atomic material that forms the atoms that group into the molecules that form all other material things in the universe are the base example from nature.

In our bodies, the 'void' element is our ability to think and communicate with others. Mentally and emotionally it represents our creative nature, as well as our personal means of self-expression as we identify with and operate in the world around us.

As a self-protection method, the 'void' represents several tactics. They are:

• 1. Our communicating with the attacker in an attempt to diffuse the situation before it becomes physical.

• 2. The creative and spontaneous flow between the lower elements as we adapt to and alter our techniques as our emotional state changes from moment to moment. We literally 'make-up' the technique as we go.

• 3. Our ability to 'let go' of any pre-set techniques or mental chatter about "what we will do if hex," and clear our mind so that we can see and pick up the sense impressions and feelings that will tell us what he is doing or preparing to do to us.

• 4. The application of Kyojitsu Tenkan Ho or the strategy of altering the attacker's perception of truth and falsehood. Our ability to make the attacker think we are doing one thing when in fact we are doing the opposite is key here.

The Elements as a Guide for Learning Self-Protection

The Godai elements, as codes for action in a self-protection situation, serve as a guide for the student, not in learning set techniques or kata as such, but in relating to their emotional moods and responses, and their influence over the student's mental and physical options.

It must be remembered that, as human beings we have a 'natural' way of learning effectively and efficiently. A physical, hands-on approach, coupled and followed by theory leads to an emotional feeling about that which we have learned. This feeling could be good (we like it), bad (we dislike it) or neutral (we neither like it or dislike it.) Unfortunately, we deal with stress (read: fights) in just the opposite way.

First we experience an emotional response about the situation, encounter, environment, etc. Based on whether we are attracted or repelled, etc., we form a mental strategy based on what we know and what we think we can do, and finally we go into action. Though taking several sentences to describe, the actual impulse to response time takes only a fraction of a second.

Beginning students, more often than not, do not understand the defensive strategies implied in the techniques being learned, let alone have an awareness of their emotional state at any given point. The Godai then, is a model that can be used as an expedient - as an example of the Enlightened trait known as "skillful means" - to help explain the modes in which we operate, their prompters, and the possibilities available based on what the body is, and is not, capable of when under the influence of each emotional state.

In part 2 of this series, we will examine the Gogyo 5-Elemental Transformations as a guide for learning the ninja's survival, escape and evasion methods, and in gaining an understanding of the advanced strategies which can make the ninja warrior seem like a wizard and reader of people's minds.

? 1995, 2005. All Rights Reserved.

Jeffrey M. Miller is the chief instructor of Warrior Concepts International in Sunbury, Pennsylvania. He has been training in the martial and meditative arts for two-thirds of his life, with the last 21 years attempting to capture the "essence" of ninpo-taijutsu, under the guidance of Soke Masaaki Hatsumi, 34th grandmaster of the Togakure-Ryu and 8 other ancient martial lineages. In addition to teaching self-defense and personal development, Mr. Miller is a firearms instructor and wilderness survival tactician and conducts seasonal seminars on the topics. He is the author of the free e-Course "Foundations of Self-Defense Mastery" and the powerful "Danger Prevention Tactics" video. He can be reached via the academy website at http://www.warrior-concepts-online.com.

How To Take The Right Steps To Increase Your Selling Results

Steps - it is unrealistic for most salespeople to expect to make a sale in a single step. Most sales don't end after a single phone call. If you're selling a complex product or service you won't get the order after a single face-to-face sales call. There are a number of steps involved in making a sale. If you want to make more sales, more quickly, more profitably, and do it more often you need your own personalized selling model.

This model consists of all the steps beginning with the identification of a sales opportunity and ends with the customer's commitment to buy. Each step must be clearly defined and as a professional salesperson you must know each step like the back of your hand. How would you answer this question: what are the routine steps you take to generate sales for your company? If you're answer isn't quick, crisp, and concise it means you need to do some homework.

In step - there is only one major way to get in step with your customers and potential customers. The single best way to get in step with your customers and potential customers is to ask rock solid questions. Assume nothing question everything. Remember, the more experience you have the more assumptions you'll make.

People are unique and so are your customers. It's not too early to start asking your customers this question. "What are your priorities for the year 2005." Don't assume you know until you ask the question and listen to their response.

Out of step - do everything you can to be out of step with your competition. From your customers perspective you don't want to look like your competition. Do everything you can to be different. Small differences create big advantages for you.

Example, attach a small ribbon to literature whenever you send it or leave it behind. Your promotional pieces will always standout from the rest of the stuff on your customer's desk. The road to success is paved with differentiation.

Watch your step - personal and professional goals (in writing) determine who you are and establish very clearly where you're going. Imagine you are on one really giant and humongous stairway in life. If you could jettison yourself to the last step on that stairway and sneak a peek back down, what would you see? Probably lots of small steps.

One step leading to another. Always remember every step you take is moving you up or down on the stairway called life. View the steps as action plans on your way to achieving your next goal.

Step down - if the walls are starting to move in on you and you are feeling edgy and stressed you probably have too much on your plate. Translation ? you're trying to do too much at one time. When you have so much to do it makes you dizzy just thinking about it, change your focus to doing less instead of more.

Try this; write down three things that are low value time busters. Take the list and toss it away. Forget about doing these three things. Why would you even think about doing low value, time busting, time wasting, aggravating, annoying, and pain in the butt things? Try checking voice mail and e-mail less frequently. The messages will still be there.

Your life needn't be lived on a treadmill that's going full throttle 100 percent of the time. Step down periodically to enjoy the journey called life. Step down if you want a change of pace.

Step on it - time matters most. Watch your watch and keep track of your time. Don't waste your time on anything frivolous. If what you're doing doesn't add value to your customer or make you money, why are you doing it? Today is the most important day of your life!

Are you living it that way? Being busy isn't the same as being productive. Perspiring and getting results are two totally different pictures. The former feels good while the latter is good.

Step up ? and take action on all the things you are meaning to do. Procrastinators aren't born they're made from a lifetime of putting things off. Invest two hours this week to clear your desk. Create two stacks, MATTERS MOST and DOESN'T MATTER.

Take everything you've been meaning to do and put them into one of these stacks. Once done, prioritize the MATTERS MOST stack and get rid of the other one. Do first things first and always concentrate on doing what matters most.

Small steps ? it's been said that a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. My guess is the philosopher who penned that wants us to take a single small step. The first step is seldom the big one.

It is however the most important one.

Jim Meisenheimer is the creator of No-Brainer Sales Training. His sales techniques and selling skills focus on practical ideas that get immediate results. You can discover all his secrets by visiting his website: http://www.meisenheimer.com

If I Were Coaching You

If I were coaching you as a business, non-profit or association manager on how to get the biggest bang for your public relations dollar, I would sum it up for you this way.

Use the fundamental premise of public relations to produce external stakeholder behavior change ? the kind that leads directly to achieving your managerial objectives. Usually, that outside behavior change can be created in the financial, marketing, crisis resolution, reputation management and other sectors of the public relations discipline.

Thus, you do something positive about the behaviors of those outside audiences that MOST affect your organization. And you do so by persuading those important external folks to your way of thinking, then move them to take actions that help your department, division or subsidiary succeed.

The reality is, your public relations effort must involve more than press releases, brochures and special events if you expect to get your money's worth.

And that's what the fundamental premise of public relations really says when it points out that people act on their own perception of the facts before them, which leads to predictable behaviors about which something can be done. When we create, change or reinforce that opinion by reaching, persuading and moving-to-desired-action the very people whose behaviors affect the organization the most, the public relations mission is accomplished.

Happily, this kind of public relations approach can deliver results like capital givers or specifying sources looking your way; enhanced activist group relations; expanded feedback channels; new proposals for strategic alliances and joint ventures; community service and sponsorship opportunities; rebounds in showroom visits, membership applications on the rise; not to mention new thoughtleader and special event contacts.

You could easily see improved relations with government agencies and legislative bodies; prospects starting to work with you; customers making repeat purchases; promotional contest overtures, and even stronger relationships with the educational, labor, financial and healthcare communities.

Still, the question remains, who makes the blueprint really work? Will your workers be regular public relations staff? Or people sent to you by a parent entity? Or possibly a PR agency crew? Regardless of where they come from, they must be committed to you as the senior project manager, to the PR blueprint and its implementation, starting with target audience perception monitoring.

Now, simply because a PR person describes him/herself as a public relations specialist doesn't mean they've bought into the whole program. Convince yourself that your team members really believe deeply why it's SO important to know how your most important outside audiences perceive your operations, products or services. Be certain they buy the reality that perceptions almost always lead to behaviors that can help or hurt your unit.

Pore over the PR blueprint with your PR team, especially your plan for monitoring and gathering perceptions by questioning members of your most important outside audiences. Questions like these: how much do you know about our organization? How much do you know about our services or products and employees? Have you had prior contact with us and were you pleased with the interchange? Have you experienced problems with our people or procedures?

You can always invite professional survey counsel to handle the perception monitoring phases of your program, if the budget is available. But remember that your PR people are also in the perception and behavior business and can pursue the same objective: identify untruths, false assumptions, unfounded rumors, inaccuracies, misconceptions and any other negative perception that might translate into hurtful behaviors.

Here, you need a public relations goal to shoot for as you address the aberrations that cropped up during your key audience perception monitoring. And that goal could be to straighten out that dangerous misconception, or correct that gross inaccuracy, or stop that potentially fatal rumor dead in its tracks.

Of course what is a goal without a strategy to show you how to get there? Fortunately, there are only three strategic options available to you when it comes to handling a perception or opinion challenge. Change existing perception, create perception where there may be none, or reinforce it. The wrong strategy pick will taste like hot tea with too many teabags, so be certain the new strategy fits well with your new public relations goal. You wouldn't want to select "change" when the facts dictate a "reinforce" strategy.

Keep in mind that members of your target audience will likely react to a powerful message. Still, persuading an audience to your way of thinking is hard work. Which is why your PR folks must create some very special, corrective language. Words that are not only compelling, persuasive and believable, but clear and factual. Only in this way will you be able to correct a perception by shifting opinion towards your point of view, leading to the behaviors you are targeting.

Let your communications specialists review your message for impact and persuasiveness. Then, sharpen it before selecting the communications tactics most likely to carry your words to the attention of your target audience. You can pick from dozens that are available. From speeches, facility tours, emails and brochures to consumer briefings, media interviews, newsletters, personal meetings and many others. But be sure that the tactics you pick are known to reach folks just like your audience members.

It's wise to respect the fact that the credibility of a message can depend on its delivery method. So you might consider unveiling it in presentations before smaller gatherings rather than using higher-profile tactics such as news releases. Finally, please recognize that people love progress reports, a fact that will alert you and your PR team to get back out in the field and start work on a second perception monitoring session with members of your external audience. You'll want to use many of the same questions used in the first benchmark session. Only this time, you'll be watching very carefully for signs that the bad news perception is being altered in your direction.

Here's a tip for those among us who are impatient. If things aren't moving fast enough for you, try increasing the beat with more communications tactics and increased frequencies.

Yes, if I were coaching you as a manager on how to get your public relations' money's worth, I would ask only that you internalize a single reality, then build from there, as outlined above.

By all means worry about the behaviors of those key external audiences that most affect your organization, and you as a manager. Then do something positive about them by persuading those key folks to your way of thinking, moving them to take actions that help you achieve your managerial objectives.

Please feel free to publish this article and resource box in your ezine, newsletter, offline publication or website. A copy would be appreciated at mailto:bobkelly@TNI.net. Word count is 1220 including guidelines and resource box.

Robert A. Kelly ? 2004.

About The Author

Bob Kelly counsels, writes and speaks to business, non-profit and association managers about using the fundamental premise of public relations to achieve their operating objectives. He has been DPR, Pepsi-Cola Co.; AGM-PR, Texaco Inc.; VP-PR, Olin Corp.; VP-PR, Newport News Shipbuilding & Drydock Co.; director of communi- cations, U.S. Department of the Interior, and deputy assistant press secretary, The White House. He holds a bachelor of science degree from Columbia University, major in public relations.

mailto:bobkelly@TNI.net

Visit: http://www.prcommentary.com

Thirteen Values You Can Teach Through Homework

Are you a parent concerned about passing values on to your kids? Do you worry that you can't find the time, or don't know how? You don't need thirty-minute multi-media presentations! You can do it with homework. In those precious moments you spend supervising your child's homework, here are thirteen values you can subtly pass on:

1) Responsibility:
It's their homework, not yours, and it's them being assessed, not you. You'll help, but they'll do it, sans bribes and sans tantrums!

2) Integrity:
School rules regarding homework are to be kept; even though teacher isn't there e.g. "Thou shalt not "Xerox" thy friend's homework, but shalt do thine own." In other words, no cheating. They might get away with it at first, but the teacher is smart enough to catch on soon enough. Besides, they learn from doing their own work, and it helps the teacher find out where they need help.

3) Diligence:
Shoddy work won't do. They've got to pay proper attention and be thorough (it's parents' job to ensure this). Whatever's worth doing is worth doing well.

4) Punctuality:
Homework must be done, and handed in on time. Punctuality is a sign of self-respect, and respect for others. It shows how much you care.

5) Discipline:
In other words, self-control. Work comes before pleasure, so homework comes before TV/ Barbie/Play Station etc. The aim is to avoid forgetting it, rushing it later or doing shoddy work at the last minute.

6) Order:
Neat handwriting, proper arrangement of facts, careful handling of materials, stapling papers together, numbering pages etc. Work is easier when done orderly and the results are better appreciated. Order, or the lack of it, tells the kind of person you are. Orderly work earns you respect.

7) Justice:
You read right! You reap what you sow - good grades come from hard work, and following homework rules. Poor grades come from doing the opposite. Don't do it at all and you'll be penalized. And no, I won't make excuses for you to the teacher!

8) Excellence:
Your kids might not be A-students, but it's important that they work to the best of their ability. All my kids are left-handed so they all started off writing a few letters backwards. While I know that our pet isn't a "bog", and we don't sleep in a "ded", I did appreciate their efforts, and desire to complete assignments promptly and orderly. At four years of age that was acceptable. The focus here is on doing their best.

9) Self-improvement:
The more they practice, the better they get. You know they did the same thing yesterday (and the day before!), but today they're doing it better! Even mum, dad and the teacher learn to do things better everyday. It's important to always get better than you were yesterday. Never stop growing; you can never know it all.

10) Work ethic:
This deals with their beliefs about work (so don't let them hear you moan about Monday morning!). Work is a good thing, whether it's homework or any other kind. Work gets things done, and you feel good with the results. If you don't work, nothing gets done. When people don't do their work it creates problems for them, and others. So, homework is good for you. And parents, we've got to make this fun!

11) Choices:
There's always so much to do, and so little time. So we've got to choose what's important now, and leave the rest till later. The choices we make affect our lives, and we have to live with their consequences e.g. if you choose to watch TV/ go to a party/ play with a friend rather than doing homework, you will be penalized at school, get poor grades (if this is a habit) and not learn much. Kids must learn to think of the consequences of their actions.

12) Handling criticism:
We learn from our mistakes. Don't take it personally when the teacher marks your work wrong or asks you to repeat it. It's all for your good.

13) Team spirit:
Ask for help when you need it. Study with friends. No one is an island, no one knows everything. Asking for help isn't a sign of weakness but strength ? it shows you can assess your situation, and know what to do in a crisis.

These are just thirteen values you can teach at homework time (of course, not all at once!). And now that you've got the hang of it, I believe you can find some more! The key is to make the whole experience fun ? private "you-and-me" time. No judging, just nudging.

No doubt you will pass on those values and create many pleasant memories in the process.

Happy homework time!

Oma Edoja is a motivational speaker, writer, infopreneur and former award-winning schoolteacher. She is also "mom" to three kids! Oma enjoys running inspirational programs for kids and teens, and motivational workshops for adults. Visit her web logs: http://theparentingmix.blogspot.com (for parenting insights and a few laughs!) and http://omaslounge.blogspot.com (for motivation and inspiration).

Tips for Better Meditation

Meditation students often come to me and ask what they can do to improve their meditation. Success in meditation is not the result of any one single factor but depends on sustained and systematic effort over a period of time. However, there are a few tips for meditation, that will help you to improve your performance, regardless of the meditation method that you follow.

1. Prepare your body for meditation

Your physical condition has a tremendous influence on your mind. This is true for your day to day activity, but even more so when it comes to meditation. You can prepare your body for meditation by eating the right food, and by coming to meditation with an empty stomach. Eating the right food, means food which strengthens the body but doesn't have any adverse affect on the mind. If you consume products that make the mind dull or over-stimulated then it will be much harder to meditate. And whatever your diet is, when you sit down to meditate, it should be on an empty stomach. That is why one of the best times to meditate is in the morning, before you have had your breakfast. Another good time is in the evening, before the evening meal.

2. Prepare Your Mind for Meditation

Just as your body must be prepared, so must your mind. Before you start meditation you must convince yourself, that this period of meditation is your time for personal growth, and that it is important, as important as anything else in your life. When you close your eyes to meditate, you should not jump up to answer the phone, or get ready to leave your meditation due to some slight disturbance. If you convince yourself of the importance of meditation, then your example will also convince others around you and they won't disturb you during meditation. So, remember your periods of meditation are one of the most important parts of your daily routine, and treat them as such.

3. Sing Before Meditation

The Indian poet Rabindranath Tagore once said, "God respects me when I work, but He loves me when I sing." That explains the place of song and music in all the great spiritual traditions. Before you begin meditation you can sing spiritual songs, whose meaning elevates your mind. It doesn't matter if you have "good" voice or a "bad" voice, sing from the heart, and your mind will go to a point that will be the ideal starting point for your meditation.

4. Sit in a Proper Position

Remember when you were in school and the teacher looked around and saw someone slumping in his or her seat, and she said "sit up straight!" She had a good point; when the back is straight the mind is alert. Sit in a position that will keep the back straight. Sit with cross legs in a simple position, or a half-lotus or a full lotus. In addition to making the mind more alert, these positions help you to rest the various motor organs, and provide a peaceful physical base for your meditation.

In the beginning these positions may seem difficult or uncomfortable, but if you can get used to them, they will help you to deepen your meditation.

5. Follow the Meditation Instructions Exactly

Remember carefully what your meditation instructor taught you and do your best to carry it out, exactly according to the instructions. Don't experiment and make up your own method. The various systems of meditation are based on thousands of years of experience, so you don't have to try to figure out what to do. Take advantage of the age-old knowledge of the past, and you will make rapid strides towards a bright future. If you have forgotten any part of your meditation method, go and see your instructor and get a review of your lesson.

6. Be Regular in Your Meditation Practice

This is one of the key factors to success. Meditation works, if you work. If you only do meditation once a month or on whim, when you feel like it, then it will be impossible to be successful and realize the benefits of meditation: mental clarity, inner peace, love for others and spiritual awareness. Make meditation a part of your daily routine. Just as surely as the sun comes up each day, do your meditation without fail. Fix a time for it in the morning and evening and do it on a regular basis If you get into the habit of doing your practice regularly, then you have taken one of the single most important steps towards success in meditation, and indeed, in your life.

7. Be Patient

"Rome wasn't built in a day," and similarly you cannot make miraculous changes in your personality or in your spiritual life in just one sitting of meditation. Don't be discouraged if you feel that nothing is happening. Meditation is a subtle art, the changes come slowly but surely. Keep on practicing and your meditation is sure to deepen and you will indeed be successful.

About The Author

Dada Vedaprajinananda has been practicing and teaching meditation for the past 33 years. He is a senior teacher with the Ananda Marga spiritual movement and also the webmaster of the Ananda Marga website (www.anandamarga.org). Dada is also a writer, singer and songwriter and his work can be found on his website, www.dadaveda.com.

dada@dadaveda.com

Demystify the Allegorical Misinterpretation of Bad Credit Personal Loans

Every time you go for a loan, the bad credit trademark hits you where it should ? your odds at finding a loan. For bad credit personal loan, it is necessary to discover your standing as a loan claimant. Loan borrowing is promoted as a much elementary process. And so is loan borrowing for bad credit. It is amazing that loan lending companies are willing to come forward for providing personal loans for bad credit. But you can never understand a dictum unless you heard to both sides of the version. The long queue of loan lender that you see standing in front of you is not standing there without a good reason. Bad credit personal loans implies higher rate of interest. There is money to be made from people with bad credit therefore these hoards of options.

For getting personal loan approval, get a realistic view of your position in context of finding a bad credit personal loan. Your bad credit position will make it difficult for you to get a bad credit personal loan but you can still walk past the road blocks. You can still find your very own personal loans even with bad credit. Bad credit can impair your personal loan finding scenario. Bad credit can be indicted on various grounds. People get bad credit due to default in payments on credit cards, loans, or even, due to mortgage arrears. Having County Court Judgments (CCJs) held against your name also spells bad credit. A county court judgment is registered in your name not if you lose a case in the county court, but if you do not pay the fine that you have been ordered to pay within 28 days of the judgment. Any court case or any other legal impediment can cause bad credit label to attach to your credit report.

A recent study found that more than 3 in 5 consumers have negative information in their credit report, and nearly half of the studied reports contained errors. Many of the errors were serious enough to prevent the individual from qualifying for credit. Sometimes while talking a bad credit personal loan, you don't realize what you are getting into. Your loan lender will confirm you past record at repaying personal loans in order to certify your potential as a loan claimant. A credit checking company will have files on most of the adult population. So you can't escape the aftermaths of bad credit. Not having a credit file is also not an encouraging phenomenon in respect of personal loans. Not having a credit file entails no credit history at all. This is often associated as worse as having a credit history.

Anyway, CCJs and other financial problems will show up on your credit record. As a bad credit personal loan claimant you are required to know that the credit checking company will look at all of the people who live at your address before providing you with a personal loan. Now there is much more to it than being a regular credit check. This is done to discipline habitude of someone with good credit history borrowing money on behalf of someone with a bad credit history. The consequence of credit check is that if you are living with someone with a bad credit record then you could have a problem getting approval for any personal loan or financial products. Your relationship with that person is not of much consequence.

Personal loans for bad credit can be taken for any purpose. The personal loans for bad credit is generally taken in small amounts and usually for non businesses purposes like home improvement and loans for financing other products. Bad credit personal loans can be either secured or unsecured and therefore can be secured on your property also. The time span for a bad credit personal loan is usually shorter than mortgage which is about 25 years. If you don't want to go back without a bad credit personal loan gear yourself up with all the necessary information. Get your documents in order before you apply for bad credit personal loan. Also contemplate on how much you can afford to borrow your repayment plan and also inspect the current interest rates for bad credit personal loans.

Before getting an approval for bad credit personal loans it is tremendously suggested that you understand the terms credit report and credit score. Perceiving these two terms will unquestionably connote financial compensations with regard to bad credit personal loans. A credit report is a report detailing an individual's credit history. While a credit report is a statistical method of assessing an applicant's credit worthiness. An applicant's credit card history; amount of outstanding debt; the type of credit used; negative information such as bankruptcies or late payments; collection accounts and judgments; too little credit history, and too many credit lines with the maximum amount borrowed are all included in credit-scoring models to determine the credit score.

Bad credit personal loan is not a loan for people with bad credit. Bad credit personal loan is more than often a way to reform negative credit score. May be those days of bad credit are over but still there are restructuring to be done. Bad credit personal loans promote credit repair by repaying debts and regain your stand in credit report.

In spite of everything not getting approval for bad credit personal loans is a myth. So is having a perfect credit. You need to comprehend that being realistic about getting approval for a bad credit personal loan is the core of the whole procedure. There is no end to options for bad credit personal loans. The only impasse is finding the right one. Subjugate any temptations to borrow more amount than affordable for bad credit personal loans. And then you will realize the queue that you saw in the beginning, the one with all those loan lenders, is still for real.

Amanda Thompson holds a Bachelor's degree in Commerce from CPIT and has completed her master's in Business Administration from IGNOU. She is as cautious about her finances as any person reading this is. She is working as financial consultant for chanceforloans.co.uk To find a Personal loans,bad credit loans,Debt consolidation,home equity loans at cheap rates that best suits your needs visit http://www.chanceforloans.co.uk

The Best Gift to Give Yourself and Others

I'm often asked the question, "How can I best help my children, spouse, family member, staff member, friend etc. improve/change?" In fact that might be the most frequently asked question I receive, "How can I help change someone else?"

My answer often comes as a surprise and here it is. The key to helping others is to help yourself first. In other words, the best contribution I can make to someone else is my own personal development. If I become 10 times wiser, 10 times stronger, think of what that will do for my adventure as a father... as a grandfather... as a business colleague.

The best gift I can give to you, really, is my ongoing personal development. Getting better, getting stronger, becoming wiser. I think parents should pick this valuable philosophy up. If the parents are okay, the kids have an excellent chance of being okay. Work on your personal development as parents; that's the best gift you can give to your children.

If you have ever ridden in an airplane, then you might have noticed the oxygen compartment located above every seat. There are explicit instructions that say "In case of an emergency, first secure your own oxygen mask and then if you have children with you then secure their masks." Take care of yourself first... then assist your children. If we use that same philosophy throughout our whole parental life, it would be so valuable.

If I learn to create happiness for myself, my children now have an excellent chance to be happy. If I create a unique lifestyle for myself and my spouse, that will be a great example to serve my children.

Self-development enables you to serve, to be more valuable to those around you; for your child... your business... your colleague... your community... your church.

That's why I teach development skills. If you keep refining all the parts of your character, yourself, your health, etc. so that you become an attractive person to the marketplace - you'll attract opportunity. Opportunity will then begin to seek you out. Your reputation will begin to precede you and people will want to do business with you. All of that possibility is created by working on the philosophy that success is something you attract by continually working on your own personal development.

To Your Success,
Jim Rohn

Reproduced with permission from Jim Rohn's Weekly E-zine. Copyright 2005 Jim Rohn International. All rights reserved worldwide. To subscribe to Jim Rohn's Weekly E-zine, go to http://Jim-Rohn.InspiresYOU.com

Black - Fashion Constant But Do It Correctly

Fashion is changing. But one thing is should be constant - black. Nothing is boring about the newest fashion in New York and Paris. This is a great tip, which professionals know that make models look brilliant. Black is the basis for two important looks, according to Sally Singer, Vogue's fashion news director. "The interesting thing about black this season is that it's either used as a pop art basic against white, a '60s look that shows the graphic nature of black and white. (Christian) Dior did it well. ... Or, you see a mixing of textures and tones of black. Black velvet, black gauze, black silk or viscose. ... There's varying amounts of light that goes through it to make the black sometimes look gray, blueish or brownish," she says.

Another reason black is great for fashion, is its mess with fantastic jewelry. Style.com's executive fashion director Candy Pratts Price "You could wear a black beaded necklace on a black cashmere sweater, which will look very '40s, or you could also do it with silver -- the '60s -- or with pearls -- the '50s."

Black with a white skirt is a great fashion item. You can always spice it up with a beautiful thick, medieval looking belt.

It's a good time to invest in special black pieces, Vogue's Singer advises, perhaps a Pierre Cardin-inspired pea coat, which would look great against white trousers or blouse, or a pair of jeans.

One of the pieces Singer already bought for herself is a Loris Azzaro black blazer that's lined in gold lame. "That was the kind of special piece I was looking for," she says, especially since it hits on three trends: black, Russian-inspired details and a shrunken jacket silhouette. (She notes that less expensive versions of these "special" pieces are available at retailers such as J.Crew.)

The classic ballroom black dress is always an option. However, try spicing them up with the occasional yellow scarf, or shawl. You'll catch the attention of people with accessories that like. Colors that go well with black are almost endless, just go with the current colors of the season. You'll love the boundless options that you'll be able to mix-and-match when it comes to black.

Men, always own a black pin striped English tailored suit. These are in right now. They are beautiful and gorgeous. I'm not sure of any woman who doesn't love these. ATTENTION: Business professionals. Get this suit, and accessorize with a beautiful modern watch.

Have a look at some of the great options black has this season. Sleek stylish and sophisticated are black's names. Enjoy it this fashion season, especially when winter blows in.

? Brandon Wilson 2005

Fashion information and guides, along with some great fashion tips can be found at Brandon's website home. If you like handbags, Brandon has some great ideas on finding bargains on the web.

How Credit Scoring Works

The all important credit score! It determines the amount of loan you can get, it determines the interest rate at which you are charged for a loan, etc. Your credit score plays an important figure in your financial life. So what goes into making that all important score of yours? How does it increase, how does it decrease and what are the factors that go into its calculation?

Your credit score is a number that reflects on the likelihood at which you will pay back a loan. Scores range from 350 (high risk) to 950 (low risk). Credit scores do not take into consideration your income, how much savings you have or demographic factors such as gender, race or nationality. Your credit score is affected by your current debt level, your past delinquencies, your credit history and how many times your credit report is pulled up by various agencies. Your score considers both positive and negative information in your credit report. For instance, recorded late payments will lower your credit score while a good track record of making payments on time will raise your credit score. Timely payment of your bills is important to ensure you maintain a good credit score. The amount of balance you have left on your credit card, how many credit card accounts you hold and your use of revolving credit also affect your credit score to a great extent.

Your credit score and credit report is formed on the basis of your credit history and you need to have at least one account which has been open or updated in the past six months to get a credit score. If you do not meet the minimum criteria for getting a score, you may need to establish a credit history prior to applying for a mortgage.

All in all, if you can pay for all your debts in a timely and consistent manner and not take more debt than you can handle, your credit score shouldn't be able to trouble you in life. So take care and be wise with your finances.

Sameer S Panjwani is the CEO and Founder of ChoiceOfHomes.com - A Real Estate Portal for Home Buying, Selling and Renting. Website url: http://www.choiceofhomes.com

12 Ways to Reduce Postage

1. Never send a letter that weighs less than 30 gms. Five size
8-1/2x11 circulars can be mailed with a 1st class postage stamp.
By using all 10 sides with a variety of offers you have a
greater chance of receiving an order.

2. When you advertise, state the price of your product and add Plus
Postage e.g. "A DOZEN AND ONE WAYS TO REDUCE POSTAGE" $1 plus
stamp or SASE (self addressed stamped envelope). When inviting
inquiries always say "For information send SASE".

3. Advertise that you will do paid mailing. Set a competitive
price and recover some if not all of the costs involved in
mailing your own offers.

4. Write a good plan or folio; then create a good ad to sell it.
Or offer it to others on a "commission" or "all profit" basis
and fill the orders for a SASE. Your offers can then go along
for a free ride when you fill the orders.

5. Make up an interesting ad sheet. Use up some of the spaces for
your own ads then sell enough ads to others to cover the cost of
postage, printing, advertising etc.

6. Advertise a "Free Big Mail for Postage - the More Postage the
More Mail". (Big mail consists of at least one mailorder
publication plus a variety of circulars).

7. Do exchange mailing. You mail 100 of another dealer's circulars
and they will mail 100 or yours.

8. Purchase an accurate postal scale. Then you will never add more
postage than necessary OR you can use up the full value of the
postage being used.

9. Reduce postage by using Bulk Mail. Inquire at
the Post Office. This requires the mailer (U.S.) to sort their
mail by state and zip code and mail at least 200 like pieces at
one time.

10. Stamps that have not been canceled due to an error of the
postal cancellation machine may be used again.

11. Accept stamps from another country. If you can't use them trade
with a dealer from that country for stamps that you can use or
buy something from them paying them with stamps of equal value.

12. Watch mailorder publications for dealers who have new stamps to
sell at a reduced price.

Note: It is false economy to not send a SASE when making
inquiries of other dealers. You are more likely to receive
an answer much more quickly and it improves business relations.
Copyright 2004 by DeAnna Spencer
This information may be freely distributed on the Internet as long as the resource box remains intact.

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Subscribers get one free ad per week.
Subscribe today by visiting http://www.pnewsletter.com
To thank the publishers/webmasters that use my article, I offer
one free solo ad. Simply fill out the contact form on my contact
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Getting the Most Out of Your Networking Group

Here is my personal list of things to do at your networking group:

(1) Bring your business cards. Sound simple? Well, I regularly meet people at networking groups who have forgotten their cards or their cards are at the printers. Keep an ample supply in your car, briefcase, and pockets; you never know when you're going to meet someone important to your business.

(2) Wear a nametag. While attending a networking meeting, it is not realistic to expect to remember each person's name and the business they represent. If your nametag says what you do, it makes meeting you, and remembering you later, a lot easier. A nametag can also stimulate conversation about your business.

(3) Door Prizes. At many networking groups, there is an opportunity to give away a door prize. This type of promotion is two-fold. First; your product or service will get mentioned in a special way with lots of attentive people listening. Second; the winner will have an experience of your product or service and may tell others within the networking group. Note-the door prize does not have to be expensive. Regardless of the price, your business will still be acknowledged-thus, getting more exposure.

(4) Set a goal. After the guest speaker, there is time to network with others. You may want to make it a goal to network with a specific number of people at each meeting. While each person is introducing himself or herself, take note of who you want to talk to, so you can tell them about your business and ask about theirs. Remember, make it a two-way conversation.

(5) Respect others. If there is someone you want to talk to and they are engaged in a conversation, respect their time with the other person, and do not interrupt them. Stand off to the side where they can see you. Interrupting them may break rapport between you and them, and between them and the person to whom they are speaking.

(6) Have fun and be enthusiastic about your business.

Michael Losier, a Law of Attraction Trainer and author, supports people in understanding and practicing the Art of Deliberate Attraction, so they can have more of what they want and less of what they don't. Michael has been applying the principles of Law of Attraction for many years and enjoys a wonderful and rewarding life in the city of Victoria, BC, Canada. He facilitates a number of in-person Law of Attraction seminars as well as Teleseminars to a worldwide audience.

For more articles by Michael Losier, Teleclass information or to purchase the book, Law of Attraction, The Science of Attracting More of What You Want and Less of What You Don't, visit http://www.LawOfAttractionBook.com.