A Healthy Spiritual Heart

As we become educated in the ways we can live healthier lives by consciously caring for our physical heart, it is equally important to be educated about taking care of our Spiritual Heart. The heart, both physical and spiritual are linked together as one in mind, body and spirit. Many believe humans are the connection between heaven and earth. We are the only warm-blooded mammals with our heart exposed because we walk upright on two legs, while all others walk on four legs protecting their hearts. Caring for our spiritual heart can in turn make our physical heart healthier.

What is the Spiritual heart? Some say that it is the link to our soul. As a healthy physical heart keeps our body alive, a healthy spiritual heart keeps our spirit alive. It has wisdom, an intelligence that knows the broader perspective of our life's purpose. The spiritual heart feels the emotions. It connects us to our passions, our heart's desires. The spiritual heart gives our lives purpose and meaning.

The spiritual heart operates much the same way as the physical heart. Both beat on their own, without us having to think about it. The electrical impulses of the physical heart constantly manage the heartbeat, exercising the heart muscles so life giving blood is cleansed and pumped through our bodies. The electrical impulses of the spiritual heart are constantly opening us up to the wisdom of our spirit, circulating the energy of our emotions and guiding us to live life with a deeper, richer purpose. When the physical heart becomes out of sync or when there are blocks in the passage ways, a heart attack occurs.

What do we do to prevent physical heart attacks? We strengthen the heart muscle by exercising to increase the pulse rate and follow this with relaxation. We eat foods that keep the passages open and flowing. The same is true for preventing a spiritual heart attack. We can strengthen the heart muscle by practicing meditation, prayer or quiet time, making the mind, body spirit connection. The "food" that keeps the channels open is the feelings and sensations we feel as these emotions surface. If we block our feelings and don't allow them to surface, it will cause a "blockage" in our heart, much the way blockages occur in our physical heart when we don't properly care for it. Asking the spiritual heart to cleanse the judgment, anger and resentment helps us feel more compassionate and loving.

Most importantly, when our channels are open, we are able to stay conscious and open to follow the wisdom and guidance of the spiritual heart. This in turn gives us the courage to take the steps necessary to express the True Nature of our Divine Self. Practicing these physical and mental exercises on a daily basis will lead to a healthier, happier life physically, emotionally and spiritually.

The Mental, Physical and Spiritual Health Benefits of Nature Photography As Your New Hobby

The primary reason you should take up adventure nature photography as your new hobby is that it promotes physical health and wellbeing. Physical health is important in all of our lives, and often it is difficult or mundane to force yourself to exercise in a repetitive routine. Many Americans suffer from obesity and a lack of physical activity is the cause for this disease. Taking up an active hobby such as adventure nature photography helps promote physical exercise in a unique and interesting manner. When I began gathering nature pictures and taking little hikes with my son in 2004, I weighed in at over 270 pounds. I was seriously out of shape, but now I weigh in at a trim 180, and have lost 90 pounds doing something fun and exciting.

Another important reason you should consider adventure nature photography is mental and spiritual health. Thousands of people suffer from anxiety and depression all over the world, and this is often caused by a lack of perspective in what really matters. If you take up adventure nature photography as your new hobby, the cares and concerns of work, school and the everyday stressful tasks of life will begin to melt away as you focus on the beauty and peaceful creation all around you. When you consider the way that God takes care of his creation, and that nature does not stress and worry about money or about what is going to happen tomorrow, we can then possibly begin to believe that he will, in his own way and time, take care of us even more than he does the animals and flowers in nature.

One of the greatest benefits of becoming an adventure nature photographer is that it will give you an interesting reason to spend more time with your friends and family. Loneliness can lead to depression and anxiety, and having a friend or a loved one to share a nature photography experience with helps to build and strengthen your relationship. Husband and wife, as well as parent and child relationships, are critical in all societies and cultures; as family is the primary building block of all our lives. I often will consider going to the mountains by myself, and when I picture doing this in my mind I think to myself, "I would be lonely going on my own", so I will ask my wife and kids if they want to go with me.

Although you may be concerned that you will not be able to hike if you are seriously out of shape or have another physical disability. You can begin by walking and hiking just a little at a time (such as walking in your back yard or neighborhood), and this will help you to build strength and endurance. Then again, you may be concerned that nature photography will be too expensive and you simply will not be able to afford a camera or equipment. However, quality point and shoot digital cameras are fairly inexpensive in today's market and you can obtain a high resolution digital camera that is easy to use and operate for less than a hundred dollars.

In conclusion adventure nature photography is an exciting hobby, which promotes physical health and vigorous exercise in an interesting way. When you have an interesting hobby such as nature photography, your focus will begin to see God's provision for creation and this helps you to mentally shift from monotonous daily routines, thus relieving stress and anxiety. Quality friend and family relationships are critical in all of our lives, and often an interesting reason to spend quality time together is all that we need. So, If you suffer from physical, mental or even spiritual health issues; and would like a way to spend more time with family and friends, you should consider adventure nature photography as your new found hobby.

How Balanced is Your Physical and Spiritual Health?

Our health covers many areas of our life. To name a few they are physical, spiritual, emotional, mental, relationships, and living. I am going to discuss the physical and spiritual areas of health.

We know it is necessary to eat and exercise properly to maintain a healthy body. One Corinthians 3:16 reminds us that we ourselves are God's temple and God's spirit lives in us. With this in mind, we want to be careful of the food we eat.

Have you ever noticed how some foods we eat have different effects on us? I like my Friday night piazza like many people and a quick stop at a fast food restaurant. Of course, after indulging, I am ready for a nap.

I also know certain foods energize me. When I feel energized, I am more alert and want to do more.

Daniel tells us in 1:8 he resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine. Daniel decided long before he had to make a decision what to eat to be committed to the Lord's ways. He had a belief and did not waver from that belief.

The result after ten days of eating only vegetables and drinking water Daniel and his friends looked healthier and better nourished than the men who ate the royal food. When Daniel and his friends were called before the king, they were much wiser than all the magicians and enchanters the king had in his kingdom.

We can be good examples of energized Christians by following one Corinthians 10:31, "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God."

Just as we engage in healthy eating for our physical body, we want to be careful of what we put in our hearts and minds.

People see the outward appearance. God sees deep in the crevices of our heart. This is what matters to Him. What do you want God to see?

Solomon reminds us in Proverbs 4:23 that our hearts are the wellspring of life. A wellspring is a source of continued supply. What are you putting in your heart? Is it anger, revenge, or hatred? These thoughts will overflow and come out in your speech and actions.

Let us fill our hearts with love, forgiveness, compassion, and hope. Solomon tells us a cheerful heart is good medicine but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. Our words should be uplifting and encouraging to others and ourselves. A kind word can lift up and change someone's perspective on life.

Choosing the Best Type of Yoga for You

Yoga does offer various types of health benefits from muscles toning to spiritual enlightenment. There are different forms of yoga and each kind will focus more on one element or another although every type of yoga is still based on the basic principle of improving the wellbeing through physical, emotional, and spiritual exercise. If you want to pick up yoga, it is essential to evaluate your fitness goals first to determine which type of yoga is actually the right one for you. If a person wish to be more inclined towards relaxation and spiritually aware, then you should practice a different form of yoga than a person who wants to become physically fit and improving the muscle tone. In short, all the types of yoga will aid to reduce stress and increase flexibility but there is probably only one type of yoga that will suit you best based on your fitness goals.

If a person wants to become physically fit, increase your flexibility, and improve your muscle tone, then Hatha yoga will be the best for you. This type of yoga is the most usual form of yoga where it uses the types of techniques and positions that most people associated yoga with. The practitioner will mainly focus on stretching and developing the flexibility. Although Hatha yoga is not the most strenuous form of yoga but it will definitely work wonders in improving your flexibility as well as helping you to reduce stress.

There is also another type of yoga for one who is looking for a more strenuous workout but still want to experience the emotional and spiritual benefits of yoga. The most strenuous form of yoga is known as the Ashtanga yoga. This kind is absolutely great for people who want a more challenging workout that will assist to tone their muscles and improve their physical health. Ashtanga yoga uses the most stimulating poses and movements to enhance your physical fitness level.

For one who is more focus the emotional and spiritual fitness, there is a form of yoga that will help you to reach your goals soon as well. Jnana yoga focuses a lot on the spiritual and philosophical aspects of yoga. Thus, it is able to help the practitioner to reach deeper into the spiritual level. Jhana yoga other than assist one to develop spiritually and emotionally, it does assist to relieve stress as well. With this, it will allow you to live a more balanced and fulfilling lifestyle.

Spiritually New You With Yoga

You might be wanting to acquire and maintain a perfectly-toned body? Or do you want to be one with your mental, physical and spiritual self? Could it be you're feeling a personal crisis and seek a new life? This is your best choice, yoga and meditation!

Yoga is equally a physical as well as a mental activity. The poses you do stir up your muscles (including muscles that are usually taken for granted), which strengthens and tones them. The postures simultaneously give you better respiration, which leads to easing your stress, or at least, enabling you to manage it. The postures and sequences are deliberate and gentle, and in combination with breathing methods that lead you to relax and facilitate your meditation.

Yoga as Exercise

Those who don't know about yoga see it as merely an activity to combat stress. What they don't appreciate yet is the help yoga gives in toning your entire body, that the various positions enable you to resume your earlier shape or have the one you wish, as well as increase your flexibility and power.

Indeed you get the benefits similar to other types of exercise: helps you lose weight, increases your energy, and gives you balance and suppleness. Your heart rate gets much better with the positions and breathing exercises that influence your internal organs and glands and put your metabolism at a steady level.

Yoga builds up your physical, mental and spiritual strengths. Since it is concentrated on unity, your improvement is for body and mind and spirit.

Regular Yoga Practice

More often than not, those who've made yoga a daily habit have it as a regular component of their existence. Yoga aficionados claim acquiring emotional gains from habitually practicing yoga too!

When you go into a regular yoga habit, a lot of your body, mind and spirit requirements are met and satisfied. A number of people perceive Yoga to be merely an exercise for the body. More often than not, those who go into yoga are in it for stress relief or management, and in order to advance their emotional welfare.

Yoga positions give you a toned body, and meditation and yoga breathing techniques give you rest and enhanced perceptions.

Thus, you see now that there are countless possible gains from doing yoga regularly. These are just some and the more evident gains you will get. You'll see your muscle tone improve, your energy increased, your body acquires flexibility and you lose weight. You will discover how to meditate successfully and learn the way to right breathing. And which brings out an entirely new you, in mind, body and spirit.

Why Good Nutrition and Physical Fitness Is Vital to Good Health?

Health, nutrition and fitness are the three interrelated areas that determine an individual's sense of happiness and well being.

Health

Health involves the physical, mental and spiritual levels of the individual. A physically healthy person is one who can carry out normal daily physical activities and respond to emergencies with out undo fatigue or pain. The health part of health, nutrition and fitness is achieved through a balanced program of good nutrition, healthy physical activity, continuous education and mental activities, and social and spiritual activities. Your choices of the food you eat and your physical activities affect both your short term and long term health (how you feel now and in the future). You may be getting plenty to eat, but if it is not a proper balance of choices from all five of the basic food groups you may be adding fat to your body without generating the energy to burn the calories and energy to the cells to carry out their functions. Healthy physical activity helps burn off any excess calories you consume, and keeps muscles and joints flexible and strong. Your efforts of continued education (reading, attending seminars, as well as attending formal education classes), and spiritual activities (social activities, attending devotional services, meditation, etc) provides you with a sense of accomplishment and well being. An important part of good health is being physically fit and maintaining proper body weight. Maintaining good health requires following a nutritional diet, and exercising to build and maintain muscles, and to burn of any excess calories.

Nutrition

The nutritional health part of health, nutrition and fitness deals with the food we consume to maintain our health and provide energy to carry on our daily lives. Nutrition is the process of nurturing or being nourished; the total of all the processes that a plant or animal uses to take in and process food substances to maintain a healthy life. A healthy nutrition life style requires a balanced diet of food selected from the five basic food groups, fruits, vegetables, naturally calcium rich dairy products or calcium enriched products, whole grains, and protein (lean meat fish, peas and beans). Other nutritional factors should also be considered. Most fruits and vegetables are better if they are consumed raw because heating destroys some of the healthy nutrients. Steaming and broiling food is better than boiling or frying foods. Preparing fresh fruits and vegetables is better than processed or prepared foods.

The prepared foods generally contain more salt (sodium) than necessary and other flavor enhancing substances. Some of these additives do not add any nutritional value to the food and may even be harmful to your health. More nutritional factors to consider are the variety of the fruits and vegetables in our diet. Nutritional data shows that dark green vegetables (romaine lettuce, kale, broccoli, etc.), and orange vegetables (carrots, sweet potatoes, pumpkin and summer squash) provides more nutritional value than some of the less colorful vegetables. Here are even more nutrition facts. Some foods contribute to burning fat. Green tea contributes to fat burning by increasing the body's metabolism and increasing energy level. Foods high in protein are more difficult to digest so they require more calories in the digestive process. Good nutrition practices may not be sufficient for some people they may require unique supplements such as CoEnzimeQ10 or others.

Physical Fitness

Physical fitness part of fitness, health and nutrition is the ability to carry out daily activities, enjoy leisure activities and have a healthy immune system to resist disease and infection. Developing and maintaining good physical fitness requires a balance of good nutrition and varied physical exercise. There are there elements to physical fitness: specific fitness the ability to perform daily functions related to work or recreation, general fitness the ability to enjoy leisure time and a sense of peace with the environment, preparedness the ability to over come or avoid emergencies.

There also three factors in achieving good physical fitness good nutrition, physical exercise and restful (sleep). The nutrition maintains the health of the cells and provides the energy to perform the exercises. Physical exercise may be used to accomplish work to earn a living, participate in athletic events, develop and maintain healthy cardiovascular system, or control body weight. Physical fitness and how physical fitness is achieved varies depending on individual. If a person is involved in an occupation that requires vigorous activity and has good nutrition possibly no other exercise is needed to maintain a fit body.

However, even people who are who work hard at their occupation may need additional cardiovascular exercise to keep their heart and blood vessels in optimum condition. People whose profession does not require vigorous physical exercise special effort is required to achieve and maintain physical fitness. A good nutritional diet is the obvious starting point. Some easy things are use stairs rather than elevators, park a little farther from the office or store entrance, throw away the television remote, change channels the old fashion way, and walk to near by offices or neighbors rather than using the telephone. These efforts will help, but more vigorous physical exercise is needed for good physical fitness.

For cardiovascular health a routine of physical exercise over a period a minimum of 20 minutes three times per week is required. The best and generally most convenient cardiovascular exercise is walking. Another good cardiovascular exercise is swimming. Swimming will also help in building and toning muscles. The other factor in developing and maintaining physical fitness is strength exercise to build and tone muscle and to burn fat. Strength exercises are good for weight management because they stimulate muscle growth even after the exercise has been completed. This means that the body continues to burn fat for an extended period of time.

Mental Health

Mental health, as it applies to health nutrition and fitness, is the way we think, how we feel and how we act as we interact with our surroundings. Our mental health contributes to our relations with other people, how we make decision, make choices and how we cope with stress. People with good mental health are able to control their emotions, feelings and behavior. Keeping the mind active through reading, playing games, and an active social life contributes to good mental health.

Spiritual Health 

Spirituality can be defined as sensitivity or attachment to religion, or as a state condition of being spiritual. Some people ignore or overlook the importance of spirituality in relation to health nutrition and fitness, because they relate spirituality only to religion. Through out history man has struggled with the concept of spirituality. Basically spirituality is the struggle to become the most perfect person or individual. The path to achieve this goal may be through seeking external help through religion of some form, or internal through meditation and study of both present and past human interactions. The above is based on personal study, experiences and observations through out my life.

Buddha's Middle Path For Healthy Epigenetics and Spiritual Growth

In his childhood and youth, Siddhartha Buddha lived in luxury, indulging in many pleasures. Later he became an ascetic, giving up that worldly life to find spiritual enlightenment. He then came to the Middle Path between the two. From the Middle Path he experienced desire, but neither gave in totally to these indulgences, nor did he totally renounce them for torture and suffering. This would be, epigenetically speaking, the best time of his life.

Our Emotions Are Our Sixth Sense

Our emotions guide us from one experience to another like a radar detector. Our first five sences give us input about our world, and our emotions then let us know whether this is where we want to be or what we want to be doing.

When we are joyful, and at peace we are totally in synchrony with our Inner Self. Otherwise, we are not. When we desire to go to a training and don't have the necessary money, we realize that more money would be helpful and our desire is transmitted to our Inner Self for manifestation, and growth. If we are bored with our jobs, we come to desire more stimulation and this is amplified to our Inner Self for expansion and manifestation. With each desire, we have an opportunity for growth.

Dr. Bruce Lipton explains that we are a community of 70 trillion cells all working in harmony. Each of those cells is able to make a decision whether to move toward something or to move away from something in its environment. This is our gift as well. The difference is that the single cells make chemical decisions and we are given emotions for those decisions.

When we are in harmony, and experiencing mostly good and happy emotions, our physical resources gather for growth, health and reproduction. Our spiritual resources will gather for those things as well and support the physical. When we are unhappy, stressed or fearful or angry, our physical resources move to the back of our brain and to our muscles and bones for physical response and resources are taken away from growth, health and reproduction.

This causes epigenetic changes. Our cells will change when resources are abundant or lacking.

It is up to each of us to decide whether to do physical harm to our bodies by ignoring our emotions, or whether to grow in a healthy and joyful manner by paying attention to them.

Vibrationally Align your Frequency and Allow Effortless Growth

Others will seldom change for your benefit, so if you are not happy, it is up to you to change your frequency. Your boss in this economy is not going to be talked into giving you more money so that you can go to the training you desire, and he's probably got more on his mind than your interest in your job.

So, what is it we can do?

Every desire has a vibrational match to our non-physical Inner self. Pain or suffering occurs when our Inner and physical self are not aligned. Wait. No cure is possible while your alignment is off. Becoming active right away will probably result in a lot of effort paddling against the current. Wait and ask your Inner Self for direction.

The best way to realign is to ask your Inner Self for help because your Inner Self, your non-physical self can already see the best outcome. Your Inner Being focuses on the answer, and becomes the answer vibrationally or energetically. You simply need to find that vibrational match. You will know you're there when you're feeling happy and inspired. This is when your Inner Self will allow your manifested desires to enter your life.