Published Stories

Most people start the new year with the best of intentions. They plan to start exercising regularly, yet about 80 percent of Americans fall short of that goal, says Neal Pire, owner of Inspire Training Systems and Fellow of the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM). A simple, but powerful way to stay committed to exercise is to work out in small groups that create a supportive, motivating environment, Pire says. With the ailing economy, Read More

Spices and herbs not only add flavor, color and aroma to food, but also vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Replacing salt with fragrant, tasty herbs and spices is also a simple way to cut your sodium intake. Naturally help lower your blood pressure—whether you’re hypertensive or prehypertensive— just by switching from salt to various herbs and spices,” says Dr. Susan Mitchell, a registered dietician in Winter Park, Fla. Many herbs and spices are loaded with disease-fighting Read More

Sitting for hours at a time can cut years off your life and increase your risk for a number of chronic diseases, says Dr. Michael Jensen, endocrinologist and researcher at Mayo Clinic, who has been involved in sedentary behavior research for more than a decade. A plethora of studies have concluded that sitting for too long can endanger your health. For example, an American Cancer Society study showed that sitting for more than six hours Read More

Ayurveda is one of the world’s oldest systems of medicine, originating in India thousands of years ago. In the last decade, it has become increasingly popular and many of its treatments are showing up in spas and clinics across the country. The goal of ayurveda is to bring harmony and balance to your mind and body using a number of therapies, including herbs, healthy eating, massage, body cleansing, meditation, yoga and lifestyle changes. According to Read More

For thousands of years, acupuncture has been used to reduce pain and stimulate healing in the body. In modern day treatments, very fine sterile, disposable needles are inserted into specific parts of the body called acupoints. Low electrical stimulation or heat can also be applied after the needle is inserted. In traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture is believed to balance the energy pathways known as meridians, which flow throughout the body. An obstruction in a pathway Read More

When people hear the word yoga, they likely envision the practice of stretching and strengthening the body through poses. Although this is the most popular form of yoga in the United States, it’s isn’t the only aspect of the discipline that can deliver a state of centeredness and inner peace. Other forms of yoga include breathing, meditation and chanting, which are often incorporated into yoga classes. If you’re new to yoga, shop around before you Read More

Although yoga has exploded in popularity, a lot of men are still wary of walking into a yoga class. They worry about competing with super-flexible women who contort their bodies as if auditioning for a circus act or having to chant in a strange foreign language. “I’ve heard so many stories of guys going into a yoga class and they can’t do half of the postures. They struggle and get frustrated, so they don’t go Read More