Infographic: Fountain of Youth (22 Ways to Live Longer)

Did you know that if you drink six cups of coffee, shop and party a lot and use Twitter and Skype, you will potentially live longer?

This really fun infographic explores some unusual and off-beat ways to slow down aging and maintain youthful vitality and vigor in various areas of your life.

Although some of the tips are pretty well known already (like cooking with turmeric, including sweet potato, tofu and asparagus in your diet, walking and owning a pet), a few are surprising. And, what is really interesting is that a study is cited for each tip.

Related:
10 Superfoods that Make You Look Younger

Infographic Source:  Bittoper.com

Infographic: Redefine the Role of Yoga

Infographic: Eight Limbs of Yoga (Ashtanga) 

Many of today's top weight loss experts agree that before you can successfully and permanently lose weight, and maintain that weight loss, you must first restore your general health.

More and more of those same weight loss, nutrition and fitness gurus agree that focusing on just one aspect of health is not enough; that optimal, natural wellness necessarily includes not only a healthy physical body but also a healthy mind (emotions, thoughts, spirit).

The eight limbs of yoga, known as Ashtanga Yoga, as outlined by Patanjali, is an integrated system of exercises and practices designed to promote control of both the mind and and the body, and train the consciousness for a state of perfect spiritual insight.  In this sense, Ashtanga Yoga is a complete path to natural health and wellness, addressing mind, body and spirit.

This infographic from TrueWellnessGroup.com and Rakesh Sethi (Wellness Speaker, Author and Ayurvedic Practitioner), illustrates and briefly describes the eight limbs of Ashtanga Yoga (Niyama, Asana, Pranayama, Yama, Dhyana, Samadhi, Dharana and Pratyahara).

Rakesh Sethi is the author of Health + Happiness = Wellness, in which he reveals why one solution does not fit everyone and explains why each individual needs to discover how his or her unique physical, mental ad spiritual composition operates, and then utilize that knowledge to achieve natural wellness.

Infographic source and article:  Ashtanga Yoga: What is It and its Role in our Wellness.

Related:
How Yoga Transforms Your Body
The Eight Limbs of Yoga
Yoga Health Benefits
What is Yoga?
Yoga Starter:  What's Your Style?

Infographic: The 8 Limbs of Yoga

Traditional Yoga Practice:  Eight Limbs [Infographic | Image]

Practicing yoga asanas (postures, poses) is an excellent way to improve one's general physical health.

A regular yoga practice builds strong, lean muscles and bones, improves flexibility and coordination, heals aches and pains, relieves stress, aids in weight loss, and protects against chronic disease.

But there is more to yoga than just reaping the health benefits by practicing the postures.

In his book, The Deeper Dimension of Yoga: Theory and Practice, Georg Feuerstein, Ph.D, writes:

"Yoga is much more than a system of physical exercises - it is a profound path of self-transformation that encompasses a range of teachings, practices, and sacred text that can help us cultivate wisdom, balance, and inner freedom, as well as physical heatlh."

Dr. Feuerstein notes that the real power of traditional yoga lies in the domain of mind training and self-transformation.

Indeed, traditional yoga (as opposed to "fitness" yoga which is popular in the West and considered a reductionist form of traditional practice) is a spiritual practice that entails the "Eight Limbs of Yoga" (aka Ashtanga Yoga).  These are beautifully and simply illustrated and briefly described in this infographic/image:

1.  Yama  (self-restraint: spiritual conduct and truthfulness, non-greed, non-theft, and non-injury)
2.  Niyama (right personal conduct, dedication and self-study, austerity, purity and contentment)
3.  Asana (control of the body through postures and movement)
4.  Pranayama (control of the breath and life force by mastering breathing techniques)
5.  Pratyahara (control of the senses)
6.  Dharana (steadying the mind and emotions)
7.  Dhyana (connecting with one's spiritual self through meditation and contemplation)
8.  Samahdi (bliss and liberation)

Related:

Yoga Health Benefits
What is Yoga?
Yoga Starter:  What's Your Style?
Redefine the Role of Yoga
Meditation Styles
The Body on Meditation

Infographic/Image Source:  Unknown - please contact us for proper credit ~ thank you!

Infographic: Weight Loss 101 What's in a Pound?

It seems that we hear about a new diet, dietary aid or plan every day.

Many of  the most popular and trendy diets are very specific in terms of which foods can or cannot be eaten, in what combinations, when and how they must be prepared.  Additionally, there is a whole array of supplements and fat burners on the market that all promise to promote weight loss.

With so many different diets and approaches that are currently out there, its easy to not only become confused but also to get lost in the sea of often very conflicting information and forget the basics of weight loss.

This infographic entitled "Weight Loss 101 What's in a Pound?" explains some of the ABCs of weight loss.  That is:

A.   A pound of fat equals 3,500 calories;

B.   In order to lose weight, you must create a calorie deficit;

C.   A caloric deficit is created by decreasing the number of calories eaten or increasing the number of calories burned through physical activity and exercise.

The infographic also illustrates how many minutes of of walking or running it takes to burn off the calories in some common foods, such as pizza, donuts and chocolate bars.  Suggestions for dealing with cravings and cheating, as well as benefits of a regular fitness routine are also covered.

Related:
10 Common Weight Loss Mistakes
Portion Control
Fiber and Weight Loss
hCG Weight Loss - Rapid and Effective


Infographic Source Exercise TV (website has been shut down as of the date of this post)

Infographic: Top 10 Spices with Health Benefits

Infographic: Top 10 Spices with Health Benefits

The current trend of avoiding processed, prepared, convenience and fast food and instead preparing (yes, cooking!) meals at home from fresh ingredients without all of the chemicals and additives gives us a wonderful opportunity to use various herbs and spices.  For eons, herbs and spices have been known to have various health and healing benefits, with some being particularly potent for certain ailments and conditions.  

This infographic illustrates ten common spices and herbs that are thought to be among the most beneficial to health in terms of being both preventive and curative.  Some of them, like parsley, are also have powerful detoxification and cleansing properties.

✿ Chili Peppers
✿ Cinnamon
✿ Cloves
✿ Coriander
✿ Garlic
✿ Ginger
✿ Oregano
✿ Parsley
✿ Thyme
✿ Turmeric

Related:
10 Herbs that Heal
5 Cancer Fighting Spices
6 Anti-Inflammatory Herbs

Infographic Source and more information:  Healthy Way to Cook

Yoga: Strike a Pose [Infographic]

This infographic, adaped from Show Me How: 500 Things You Should Know - Instructions for Life from the Everyday to the Exotic, illustrates 27 of some of the more common and popular yoga poses (asanas) and includes a color code for beginners, pregnant women and intermediate practitioners.   Printed out, it serves as a great reference guide.

Yoga: Strike a Pose from Show Me How by Laruen Smith and Derek Fagerstrom

Show Me How by Lauren Smith and Derek Fagerstrom is a revolutionary re-imagining of the reference genre, partly a how-to guide, partly a graphic art showpiece and partly pure inspiration - wordless, highly informative step-by-step procedurals allowing readers to learn how to do hundreds of useful tasks.

Related:
What is Yoga?
Health Benefits of Yoga
Yoga Starter:  What's Your Style?