Alcohol can be both a tonic and a poison for the body.

Alcohol can be both a tonic and a poison for the body.



In recent years, debate has been heated about alcohol's impact on health. Some researchers claim that moderate drinking actually makes you healthier than those who do not drink. "Moderate drinking," as defined by the U.S. Department of agriculture and the dietary guidelines for Americans, is no more than one drink per day for women and no more than two drinks per day for men.

One drink is considered to be 12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine, or 1.5 ounces of spirits (hard liquor). Each of these contains about 12 to 14 grams of alcohol.

The active ingredient in alcoholic beverages is ethanol, a molecule that directly affects the stomach, brain, heart, gall bladder and liver. It also affects levels of lipids and insulin in the blood.
The Benefits

If consumed moderately, alcohol can lower a person's chances of having a heart attack, ischemic (clot-caused) stroke, or other forms of cardiovascular disease. This effect is found in both men and women.

Alcohol raises levels of the "good" cholesterol, HDL, which provides protection against heart disease.In addition, moderate drinkers (as opposed to non-drinkers or heavy drinkers), are more likely to be at a healthy weight, get 7 to 8 hours of sleep at night and exercise regularly, according to a 1985 national health interview survey.

However, not everyone is an optimum candidate for these benefits. The benefits of alcohol consumption are found to be most applicable to older people who are at high absolute risk of coronary heart disease and ischemic stroke and at low risk for injury, cirrhosis, and other alcohol-related diseases. In contrast, men and women under the age of 40 who have relatively low absolute risk of dying from alcohol-related diseases but a high absolute risk of dying from injury, experience raised risks from even relatively low alcohol-consumption.

In a nutshell, for men in their forties and postmenopausal women, the benefits of light-to-moderate drinking begin to outweigh the risks and continue to do throughout their sixties, seventies, and eighties.

So, while alcohol may protect a 16-year-old boy from cardiovascular disease, his initial chances of dying of a heart attack as a teenager are exceptionally small. For him, alcohol-related traffic accidents are more likely at his age and therefore make moderate alcohol consumption a larger risk than benefit.

For this reason, the debate over the benefits of moderate alcohol consumption is crucial. Everyone reacts to alcohol different based on drinking patterns, experience, genetics, health conditions and personality. Heavy drinkers are advised to lower their consumption levels, whereas non-drinkers are advised not to begin drinking without first speaking to a physician.
The Risks

Despite the possible benefits of moderate drinking, many people do not stop at just one or two drinks.According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, 14 million Americans meet the criteria for alcohol abusers or alcoholism.

Even with moderate drinking, alcohol can disrupt sleep, cloud judgement, or interact dangerously with a variety of medications, including acetaminophen, antidepressants, painkillers and sedatives. Moderate drinkers are even at risk of the addictive qualities of the drug, especially if they have a family history of alcoholism.
A person's Blood Alcohol Content is the amount of alcohol present in the blood. When police administer breathalyzer tests, they are taking a sample of air from deep within the lungs, which provide a reliable estimate of a person's BAC if blood cannot be drawn.

Alcohol is a depressant drug. It begins to affect you immediately once it is ingested. The following chart provides a synopsis of effects cause by rising BAC:
BAC Effects Blood Alcohol Content Effect on the Body
0.02 Slight mood changes
0.06 Lowered inhibition, impaired jugement, decreased rational decision-making abilities
0.1 Legally drunk, deterioration of reaction time and control
0.15 Impaired balance, movement and coordination, difficulty standing, walking, and talking
0.2 Decreased pain and sensation, erratic emotions
0.3 Diminished reflexes, semi-conscious
0.4 Loss of consciousness, very limited reflexes
0.5 Death

To determine your BAC, count the number of drinks you have had (Remember that 1 drink = 12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine, or 1.5 ounces of hard liquor) and reference the charts below. There are two charts, one for men and one for women, since women reach higher BACs while consuming the same amount of alcohol as men due to differences in body water and fat percentages.
BAC chart for Men Men
Approximate Blood Alcohol Percentage
Drinks Body Weight in Pounds
100 120 140 160 180 200 220 240
0 .00 .00 .00 .00 .00 .00 .00 .00
Only Safe Driving Limit
1 .04 .03 .03 .02 .02 .02 .02 .02 Driving
Skills
Significantly
Affected Possible
Criminal
Penalties
2 .08 .06 .05 .05 .04 .04 .03 .03
3 .11 .09 .08 .07 .06 .06 .05 .05
4 .15 .12 .11 .09 .08 .08 .07 .06
5 .19 .16 .13 .12 .11 .09 .09 .08
6 .23 .19 .16 .14 .13 .11 .10 .09 Legally
Intoxicated
Criminal
Penalties
7 .26 .22 .19 .16 .15 .13 .12 .11
8 .30 .25 .21 .19 .17 .15 .14 .13
9 .34 .28 .24 .21 .19 .17 .15 .14
10 .38 .31 .27 .23 .21 .19 .17 .16 Death Possible
Subtract .01% for each 40 minutes of drinking.
One drink is 1.25 oz. of 80 proof liquor, 12 oz. of beer,
or 5 oz. of table wine.


BAC Chart for Women Women
Approximate Blood Alcohol Percentage
Drinks Body Weight in Pounds
90 100 120 140 160 180 200 220 240
0 .00 .00 .00 .00 .00 .00 .00 .00 .00 Only Safe Driving Limit
1 .05 .05 .04 .03 .03 .03 .02 .02 .02 Driving Skills
Significantly
Affected Possible
Criminal
Penalties
2 .10 .09 .08 .07 .06 .05 .05 .04 .04
3 .15 .14 .11 .10 .09 .08 .07 .06 .06
4 .20 .18 .15 .13 .11 .10 .09 .08 .08
5 .25 .23 .19 .16 .14 .13 .11 .10 .09
6 .30 .27 .23 .19 .17 .15 .14 .12 .11 Legally
Intoxicated
Criminal
Penalties
7 .35 .32 .27 .23 .20 .18 .16 .14 .13
8 .40 .36 .30 .26 .23 .20 .18 .17 .15
9 .45 .41 .34 .29 .26 .23 .20 .19 .17
10 .51 .45 .38 .32 .28 .25 .23 .21 .19 Death Possible
Subtract .01% for each 40 minutes of drinking.
One drink is 1.25 oz. of 80 proof liquor, 12 oz. of beer, or 5 oz. of table wine.
Short-term effects
Although alcohol may give you a feeling of happiness and aroused senses, the drug suppresses the central nervous system - leading to slurred speech, slowed reactions, and, ultimately, unconsciousness. During intoxication, a person's blood pressure, pulse, and respiration decrease as the circulatory and nervous systems slow down.

Even in small doses, alcohol can inhibit REM sleep, leaving you tired and groggy, and also cause the damaging and death of brain cells and the cells that support them by providing energy and nutrients.

In addition, the immune system is impaired for up to 72 hours after a night of heavy drinking, weakening the body's ability to fight off disease and sickness. Drinkers often experience more colds for this reason. Some drinkers also experience malnutrition, since alcohol blocks the absorption of essential nutrients in the body. One of these nutrients is folic acid, which helps build DNA and contribute to proper cell division. Alcohol blocks its absorption and also deactivates the nutrient in the blood. Therefore, doctors suggest drinkers take 600mg of folic acid daily to counteract this and lower cancer risk.
Long-term Effects

Heavy alcohol consumption can adversely affect every organ in your body. There is a very long list of diseases and disorders associated with heavy drinking, and a few of them are:

* seizures
* stroke
* hemorrhaging
* hypertension
* cardiac disorders
* alcoholic hepatitis
* stomach, oral, breast, liver, and colon cancer
* anemia
* bone marrow suppression
* ulcers
* pancreatitis
* osteoporosis
* sexual dysfunction
* sleep apnea
* liver damage

The abuse of alcohol, even short-term through binge drinking, is associated with serious risks and dangers. Those who choose to drink should always monitor their level of consumption and blood alcohol content and make sure to always be in a safe place while drinking. Also, speak with a doctor about vitamins and other supplements you could be taking to help counteract the effects of alcohol on your body.

Why Its Different, Why It Can Be Better

Sex After 35 - Why Its Different, Why It Can Be Better



As couples approach the middle years, our bodies, lifestyles and sexual responses change. Both men and women have physical, psychological and hormonal changes which are normal, gradual and subtle. The changes can even improve a couple's sex life!

For women, some of the changes are caused by menopause, which occurs when female hormones decrease, bringing a halt to menstruation. On average, that happens in the early 50's. But the process often begins in the early to mid-40's and spans four or five years. During this premenopausal period, a woman's vaginal tissues may become thinner, drier and slower to lubricate. She may lose protective fatty tissue in the pubic area while gaining weight elsewhere. Once pleasurable, intercourse may now feel uncomfortable, even painful.

Not understanding these natural physical changes, she may complain that her husband is being too rough and withdraw from sex. Her husband may mistakenly believe she has lost interest in him.

Men go through hormonal changes too. Testosterone, which influences a mans sex drive, reaches its peak between 20 and 30 and gradually decreases thereafter. A French study of 1408 healthy men ages 20 to 60 showed up to a 25 percent decline in testosterone over four decades. This is why products such as Natural Sex work for some since, they often result in more free testosterone in the body). Primarily as a result of reduced blood flow, a middle-aged mans erections are not as firm as when he was young.

However, none of these changes should interfere with a full sex life. For example, if a woman has vaginal discomfort, the solution may be as easy as a shift of position during intercourse or use of an inexpensive, over-the-counter water-soluble lubricant. A 40-year-old man's softer erections don't prevent him from reaching orgasm.

Indeed, experts say the changes themselves can actually enhance the relationship and make for better sex - if the couple discovers ways to capitalize on them. Here's how to have the best sex after 35:

Reset the pace. "Sex in the young is fast and furious," says Dr. Herant Katchadourian, professor of human biology at Stanford University. "It ignites and fizzles out like fireworks." A man in his 20's achieves orgasm within two to five minutes after intercourse begins; his female partner may take 20 minutes or more to reach her peak of excitement. "While she's still warming up, it may be all over for him," says marriage, family and child counselor Bernice Itkin of San Francisco.

But as a man ages, the tempo changes from allegro to largo. Because of a normal slowing of blood flow and changes in muscle tone, men in their 40s or 50s require more time to reach a climax, and their orgasms are less forceful.

Now a man's timing more closely matches the woman's. He may become more in tune with her interest in slow, sensuous seduction. With this kind of synchronization, it's no coincidence that women respond enthusiastically. According to a 1994 University of Chicago study, women in their 20s are least likely of all age groups to achieve orgasm during intercourse. Women in their early 40s are most likely - and by a wide margin. By concentrating on how he is increasing his partner's pleasure, a man can increase his pleasure as well.

Take action. "A young man can get an erection at he drop of a hat - or bra," says Judith Seifer, president of the American Association of Sex Educators, Counselors and Therapists. But after 35, he may be turned on less by what he sees than by his partner's kissing and caressing. The University of Chicago study found that 51 percent of 25-to-29- year-old men became excited when they watched their wives undress. By the mid- 40s, the percentage dropped to 40. Once couples learn to pay less attention to what they see and more to what they do, says New York City sex and marital therapist Shirley Zussman, their sex lives improve dramatically.

Balance the seesaw. When they were first married, the man remembered, he always took the sexual lead, pulling his wife close and whispering his desire to make love. But now, 20 years later, she often makes the first move.

Again, hormonal changes are bringing the couple into closer balance. Men and women both produce testosterone and estrogen, but the proportion of each changes over the years. The male's shifting levels of estrogen and testosterone may make him more willing to follow than to lead, happy for his partner or wife to set the pace. And as a woman's estrogen declines and her testosterone becomes proportionately greater, she may become more assertive.

Dare to experiment. As partners become older, more experienced and more trusting of each other, they may become less inhibited in their views of what constitutes satisfying sex. "When we were first married, I couldn't have imagined myself saying 'Touch me there,'" one woman says. "The scenario has changed now, but it's not that we're all that different. It's that our relationship just got deeper."

Says Zussman, "It's a time for new ideas, or a new look at old ideas. "Cuddle up in front of a warm fire. She recalls one 40-ish couple seeking to put more zest into their relationship. "Do you ever shower together?" Zussman asked. The two looked at each other. "We used to," the wife said sheepishly. "Try it again," the therapist suggested. They did - and it worked.

"Intercourse isn't everything," Zussman says. "It's like the old travel slogan: getting there is half the fun."


Achieve more from less. The University of Chicago survey showed that nearly half of 25- to 29- year-olds said they made love at least two or three times a week, including 11 percent reporting four times or more. By the early 40s, the number had fallen to 30 percent. The largest proportion, 45 percent, reported sex "a few times per month" (possible due, in part, to fatigue and the demands of child-rearing). Yet more than any other group, men and women in their 40s considered themselves emotionally and physically satisfied by their lovemaking.

As the frequency drops, couples should realize that each encounter can become more special, a moment to be anticipated and savored. In a secure relationship, there is less emphasis on how often, and more on how good. "I find that people in their 40s or so remember this moment or that moment, whereas to the younger ones, it may be all a blur," says Zussman. "When it's no longer an everyday thing, it means more."

A gratifying sex life after 35 calls for a series of adjustments. Some people confront them poorly: the 45-year-old male who skitters off after a 21-year-old cocktail waitress, the middle-aged woman who flirts to prove that her allure hasn't faded. But for couples, who understand the normal and inevitable changes, and meet them together, sexual pleasure can be greater than ever. Their sex lives will be rich in their 40s, 50s - and far beyond.

(Source: Readers Digest sometime in 1995)

Pregnancy Test Kit & Pregnancy Symptoms

Pregnancy Test Kit & Pregnancy Symptoms


Q. What are the symptoms of pregnancy?
A. The first pregnancy symptom is the missing period. It is called as Amenorrhea. For a woman who has a regular menstrual period and has had unprotected sexual intercourse and if her menstrual period fails to occur on the expected date, it must be concluded that she is pregnant. Many women experience breast fullness and discomfort just prior to menstrual period. If pregnancy occurs, these symptoms persist and are increased. The breasts become fuller, firmer and more tender. Occasionally they throb and the nipples tingle. In about half of the pregnant women some degree of nausea or vomiting occurs. It usually occurs about two weeks after the first missed period.

Q. How do you know if you are pregnant?
A. The best method to know if you are pregnant is to go for a pregnancy test. Symptoms may not always confirm pregnancy and also symptoms might appear quite late, say after 6-7 weeks. You can do a pregnancy test at home with the help of a pregnancy test kit.

Q. What is a pregnancy test kit?
A. A pregnancy test kit is a very simple strip that lets you know your pregnancy status by testing your urine. It is available in brand names such as Velocit or Pregcolour. It works by detecting the presence of "hCG" (human chorionic gonadotrophin) hormone that is formed after the fertilisation of the ovum with a sperm. The card has two windows at two ends:
1. test window where you put 2-3 drops of urine for testing,
2. result window, where the results appear.
The test window and the result window are connected by a blotting tissue that is smeared with a chemical sensitive the hCG.

Q. When and how to do the pregnancy test?
A. It is generally recommended to do the pregnancy test on the first day of the missing period or any day after that. If you do the test before the expected date of the periods, the result might not be 100 percent correct, since the level of hCG in the urine might not be significant enough to affect the test result.
To conduct the test, buy a testing kit such as Velocit from any chemist shop.
It is generally recommended to do the test with the first morning urine sample. Although you can do the test any time during the day with a fresh sample, the first morning sample gives you the best result.
Collect urine in a clean container and put 2-3 drops of urine on the test window provided. The urine starts moving towards the result window through the blotting tissue. Within 5 minutes, if you get one red colour band appearing in the result window, pregnancy is negative. If there are two parallel red colour bands appearing, pregnancy is positive.

Black Magic and Evil Eye

Black Magic and Evil Eye

Magic has probably been practiced since the beginning of recorded history. It evolved out of a need to explain and control an environment that was often hostile and deadly. The world, the sky, the stars and planets, birth, illness, and death were but a few of the many things that puzzled early humans. These must have seemed mysterious and controlled by unknown, powerful forces. Efforts to explain the world's mysteries, and to find ways to control at least some of them, gave rise to many magical practices and rituals to manipulate the weather, the movement of animals, fertility, illness, death, and other seemingly uncontrollable forces. In the process of exploring and explaining their world, people began to evolve a primitive science, which would eventually lead to a greater understanding of astronomy, medicine, chemistry, and other natural sciences.

Over the thousands of years that magic has been evolving it has taken on many different forms, including shamanistic magic, which involves leaving the body and communing with otherworldly spirits and teachers; tribal magic, which is practiced by more primitive cultures to influence spirits associated with the tribal group and to counter evil sorcery directed at them; voodoo, a mix of West African religions, Christianity, and local beliefs present in the West Indies at the time of the slave trade; witchcraft, originated as a synthesis of various folk religious practices and mythologies from the Middle Ages; and Satanism, the worship of the devil.

Magic is practiced in many different forms including thaumaturgy, sympathetic magic, and divination. Thaumaturgy is associated with miracle working that rises above the laws governing the physical nature of reality and is most notably found in such practices as giving blessings, performing magical healing, and in curses designed to bring harm to another. Sympathetic magic is based on the principle of "like producing like." For instance, in voodoo this would take the form of a voodoo doll representing someone whom the user wishes to harm by placing pins into the doll with the expectation of causing pain and/or death to that person. It may also be used to drive away evil by creating a representation of that evil and then doing something to it to destroy or send it away. Divination is yet another form of magical practice in which one seeks to look into the future. Diviners, those who seek to foresee or foretell the future, may use a variety of methods including cards, bones, the entrails of animals, runes, or other devices. Reading one's horoscope is a form of divination that relies on the movement of the stars and planets to guide one's intuition and behaviors in daily life.

Black magic is a type of magic that is often used to bring harm to another person. It is strongly associated with the devil and was thought to be practiced by witches who had made pacts with the devil during the Salem witch trials of 1692. It is used to call forth the powers of darkness and evil in an attempt to control natural forces through the use of spells, incantations, and other means. White magic is the opposite of black magic, and is not thought to cause harm to others. It can be hard to distinguish between the two, however, as both seek to control natural forces and both are thought to have the potential to bring harm, even when the harm is unintended (as in the use of a love charm to control another's feelings). While many people do not believe in black magic, there are also many who do. For believers, either practicing the magic or being the recipient of an evil spell, hex, or other form of harm is very real.

Witchcraft has seen a resurgence in the twentieth century with neo-pagan, Wiccan, and Dianic traditions spreading throughout the United States, Europe, South America, and Australia. Black magic is also still practiced in many traditional cultural groups around the world including the United States, where it may be seen among voodoo practitioners, brujos, and others who practice the black arts. Evil Eye is an old and fairly widespread superstition found in the Mediterranean and Aegean areas as well as among Hispanic population groups in the United States, Mexico, Central, and South America. It goes by many names including mal occhia in Italy, ayin harsha in Arabic cultures, and mal de ojo in Hispanic cultures. It is also known as bad eye, narrow eye, the look, and the wounding eye. A person with this power can cause another person harm merely by looking at them. This belief is felt in some cultures to be tied directly to the heart, and a person with the evil eye is often covetous or jealous of something that belongs to another. It is believed that anyone can have this power, though it is often ascribed more to elderly women. The possessor of the evil eye may not be aware that he or she possesses it, and any harm that is inflicted is usually unintentional. For those who use it intentionally, the evil eye is linked to witchcraft, sorcery, and black magic.

Among Hispanic cultures, mal de ojo is a folk illness caused by evil eye that can cause a child's blood to heat up and can lead to a variety of physical problems, including diarrhea, upset stomach, fever, vomiting, and inconsolable crying. Treatment requires the services of a traditional health practitioner, who may use prayer or other approaches to resolve the illness. Evil eye can be counteracted using a variety of methods and devices, including amulets worn around the neck and certain magical practices and prayers. As with black magic, belief in the evil eye is a problem that is sometimes encountered by modern health practitioners. In such instances the practitioner needs to recognize the patient's beliefs, and possibly include elements of traditional remedies along with modern medical approaches to treat the symptoms. Often, however, belief in such powers can keep people from seeking needed medical attention.

Black magic

Black magic or dark magic is type of supernatural magic that draws on malevolent powers. It is used for malevolent acts or to deliberately cause harm in some way. It is alternatively spelt with a 'K' (magick), this term is also known as black magick, dark magick, the dark arts of magick and dark side magick





In modern times, people who believe in or claim to practice magic use the term to describe the harmful magic that they consider taboo, as opposed to the good white magic that they do profess to practice.

Black magic would be invoked to kill, injure, or cause destruction, or for personal gain without regard to harmful consequences to others. As a term, "black magic" is normally used to describe a form of ritual that some group or person does not approve of. Not everything that is called black magic truly has malevolent intentions behind it.

Magic like this is used to directly harm one's opponent in role playing games like Final Fantasy, for example. The opposite of dark magic is white magic. Since the words "black magic" have a negative connotation in American TV-Y rated TV shows, this phrase is used instead of "black magic" on Magical DoReMi.
Magic wand
Magic wand

Black and White magic

The differences between black magic and white magic are debated. Several theories compare and contrast the two branches; these theories include the All as One theory, the No Connection theory, and the Separate but Equal theory.

* All as One: All forms of magic are evil, or black, magic. This view generally associates black magic with Satanism. The religions that maintain this opinion include most branches of Christianity[citation needed]

, Islam[citation needed] , Judaism[citation needed] , and Hinduism[citation needed] . Some people on the left-hand path would agree that all magic, whether called "white" or "black," is the same. These people would not contend that all magic is evil so much as that morality is in the eyes of the beholder -- that any magic can have both good and bad consequences depending on who judges those consequences. In this school of thought, there is no separation between benevolent and malevolent magic because there is no universal morality against which magic can be measured.

* Dark Doctrine: Black magic refers to the powers of darkness, usually seen from a Left-Hand Path point of view. This may or may not contrast with White magic, depending on the sorcerer's acceptance of dualism.

* Formal Differences: The forms and components of black magic are different, due to the different aims or interests of those casting harmful spells, than those of white. Harmful spellcasting tends to include symbolism which seems hazardous or harmful to human beings, such as sharp, pointed, prickly, caustic, and hot elements combined with very personal objects from the spell's target (their hair, blood, mementos, etc.). This distinction is primarily observable in folk magic, but pertains to other types of magic also.

* No Connection: Black and white magic are both forms of magic, but are completely different from the base up and are accomplished differently, even if they achieve similar effects. This stance is the one most often presented in fiction, including the Harry Potter series. In such books, the two classes of magic-users are portrayed as being both ideologically and diametrically opposed.

* Separate but Equal: Black and white magic are exactly the same thing, differentiated only by their end goals and intent. According to this theory, the same spell could be either white or black; its nature is determined by the end result of the spell. The majority of religions follow this belief[citation needed]

, as does the remainder of fiction that does not follow the No Connection theory[citation needed] .

* Magic as a Tool: In this ideology, which is becoming increasingly popular[citation needed]

, magic is simply a force or aspect of the universe; a tool. It is neither good or bad, and the responsibility for it's consequences are entirely on the user. Just as a hammer is neither good nor evil, but it can be used to inflict harm or build a home, depending on the inclination and intention of the person who uses it.

[edit] Black magic in various religions

Black magic is regarded as dangerous and potent in all religious beliefs[citation needed] . Christianity is a prominent example of this, which of course entails a history of segregation, purging and witch hunts. In the Christian faith, black magic is regarded as the work of The Devil, and the agents of darkness[citation needed] . Eve is the believed reason for magic entering the world, as Sammael the fallen opened her eyes to the secrets of existence, and thus forbidden magical secrets entered the world[citation needed] , hence why women have been widely subject to prejudice throughout History[citation needed] . In the Pagan faith, magic is considered only as good or as evil as the intent for which it is cast[citation needed] . Black magic is a heresy in Paganism, as even using it in vengeance against an enemy is considered un-pagan and an exploitation of the powers we possess. When Goddess' or God's powers are invoked for harmful practices, this is considered an offence against them, and the promulgation into darkness. Women here are honoured in this particular faith and for these practices, unlike in Christianity. Magic is encouraged to better one's or those around that person's life.

Top 10 Marriage Myths

Marriage Myth 1: Marriage benefits men much more than women.

Fact: Contrary to earlier and widely publicized reports, recent research finds men and women to benefit about equally from marriage, although in different ways. Both men and women live longer, happier, healthier and wealthier lives when they are married. Husbands typically gain greater health benefits, while wives gain greater financial advantages.

Marriage Myth 2: Having children typically brings a married couple closer together and increases marital happiness.

Fact: Many studies have shown that the arrival of the first baby commonly has the effect of pushing the mother and father farther apart, and bringing stress to the marriage. However, couples with children have a slightly lower rate of divorce than childless couples.

Marriage Myth 3: The keys to long-term marital success are good luck and romantic love.

Fact: Rather than luck and love, the most common reasons couples give for their long-term marital success are commitment and companionship. They define their marriage as a creation that has taken hard work, dedication and commitment (to each other and to the institution of marriage). The happiest couples are friends who share lives and are compatible in interests and values.

Marriage Myth 4: The more educated a woman becomes, the lower are her chances of getting married.

Fact: A recent study based on marriage rates in the mid-1990s concluded that today's women college graduates are more likely to marry than their non-college peers, despite their older age at first marriage. This is a change from the past, when women with more education were less likely to marry.

Marriage Myth 5: Couples who live together before marriage, and are thus able to test how well suited they are for each other, have more satisfying and longer-lasting marriages than couples who do not.

Fact: Many studies have found that those who live together before marriage have less satisfying marriages and a considerably higher chance of eventually breaking up. One reason is that people who cohabit may be more skittish of commitment and more likely to call it quits when problems arise. But in addition, the very act of living together may lead to attitudes that make happy marriages more difficult. The findings of one recent study, for example, suggest "there may be less motivation for cohabiting partners to develop their conflict resolution and support skills." (One important exception: Cohabiting couples who are already planning to marry each other in the near future have just as good a chance at staying together as couples who don't live together before marriage).

Marriage Myth 6: People can't be expected to stay in a marriage for a lifetime as they did in the past because we live so much longer today.

Fact: Unless our comparison goes back a hundred years, there is no basis for this belief. The enormous increase in longevity is due mainly to a steep reduction in infant mortality. And while adults today can expect to live a little longer than their grandparents, they also marry at a later age. The life span of a typical, divorce-free marriage, therefore, has not changed much in the past 50 years. Also, many couples call it quits long before they get to a significant anniversary: Half of all divorces take place by the seventh year of a marriage.

Marriage Myth 7: Marrying puts a woman at greater risk of domestic violence than if she remains single.

Fact: Contrary to the proposition that for men "a marriage license is a hitting license," a large body of research shows that being unmarried — and especially living with a man outside of marriage — is associated with a considerably higher risk of domestic violence for women. One reason for this finding is that married women may significantly underreport domestic violence. Further, women are less likely to marry and more likely to divorce a man who is violent. Yet it is probably also the case that married men are less likely to commit domestic violence because they are more invested in their wives' well-being, and more integrated into the extended family and community. These social forces seem to help check men's violent behavior.

Marriage Myth 8: Married people have less satisfying sex lives, and less sex, than single people.

Fact: According to a large-scale national study, married people have both more and better sex than do their unmarried counterparts. Not only do they have sex more often but they enjoy it more, both physically and emotionally.

Marriage Myth 9: Cohabitation is just like marriage, but without "the piece of paper."

Fact: Cohabitation typically does not bring the benefits — in physical health, wealth and emotional wellbeing — that marriage does. In terms of these benefits, cohabitants in the United States more closely resemble singles than married couples. This is due, in part, to the fact that cohabitants tend not to be as committed as married couples, and they are more oriented toward their own personal autonomy and less to the well-being of their partner.

Marriage Myth 10: Because of the high divorce rate, which weeds out the unhappy marriages, people who stay married have happier marriages than people did in the past when everyone stuck it out, no matter how bad the marriage.

Fact: According to what people have reported in several large national surveys, the general level of happiness in marriages has not increased and probably has declined slightly. Some studies have found in recent marriages, compared to those of 20 or 30 years ago, significantly more work-related stress, more marital conflict and less marital interaction.

Yoga FAQ

What is Yoga?

Yoga is a psycho-physical discipline developed in India with roots going back about 5,000 years. The direct translation of the Sanskrit word "yoga" is "to yoke"-or create union. Traditionally the goal of yoga is to create union with the true self, though many schools in the U.S. tend to focus on the physical union between breath, body, and movement. These days, and most especially in the U.S., the focus is often on improved physical fitness, mental clarity, greater self-understanding, stress control and general well-being. Spirituality, however, is a strong underlying theme to most practices. The beauty of Yoga is in its versatility. Practitioners may chose to focus only on the physical, the psychological, the spiritual, or all of the above.

What is Vinyasa Flow?
Hatha yoga is a general term for the physical side of yoga, i.e.: doing postures. Vinyasa is a style of hatha yoga, and is literally translated as "to place in a special way". In the Vinyasa flow style of yoga the movement between postures is deliberate, and flowing from one posture to the next. There is a balanced focus on building strength and flexibility, so classes can often be quite challenging and/or vigorous- though can always be modified for a variety of practitioners.

What is Ujjayi Breathing?
Ujjayi is a breathing technique that makes a continuous whispering sound in the throat. The throat is slightly constricted which reduces the volume of air that passes though the pharynx, thereby increasing the velocity. Ujjayi breathing allows approximately. 8 times more oxygen into the body than the average persons normal breath. Oxygen flushes out environmental toxins or debris from prior injury, such as scar tissue, and carries nutrients in. Oxygen-rich blood also creates healthy blood cells and cellular regeneration and in turn nourishes all of our vital organs. Practicing this technique also generates internal heat and the sound gives the mind and the ears something to focus on. It is our constant reminder to breathe, to energize and cleanse the body in every moment, to be present.

It is essential that you learn and practice this breathing technique. If you are unclear in how to practice Ujjayi breathing- please request more detail from any Yoga Centered instructor.

Why build heat and/or heat the room?
Incorporating heat into your yoga practice is beneficial for many reasons. When the body warms, tight, blocked, or injured spaces become loose and more pliable for reshaping. The practitioner is able to go deeper into each posture more safely and effectively. Circulation pathways begin to re-open and the oxygen from Ujjayi breathing can move more deeply throughout the body. The combination of a heated room and Ujjayi creates a mentally and physically transformational yoga experience. At Yoga Centered, we heat the room mildly between 80-90 degrees.

Uddiyana Bandha & Mula Bandha? What?
Please read the information posted on our bulletin board.

What does Namaste mean?
The following is my favorite translation: Namaste is an ancient Sanskrit understanding. "I honor the place in you in which the entire universe dwells. I honor the place in you which is of Love, of Trust, of Light, and of Peace. When you are in that place in you, and I am in that place in me, we are One." -Unknown

How often should I practice yoga- and can I practice every day?
Any yoga is better than no yoga and a little bit everyday is better than a lot every once in a while. To see and/or feel significant physical and mental changes, however, you should practice for 1-1.5 hours AT LEAST three times/week. Because yoga does not break down the muscle tissue as happens in other fitness activities such as weight-lifting or running, it is not necessary to take a day off from practice. You can practice everyday, as long as you feel healthy. You should be conscious of modifying your practice when needed due to energy level and/or physical fatigue.

Is yoga spiritual or religious?
At Yoga Centered students are given the space to make that choice for themselves. Most of our classes focus on the physical aspects of breathing and moving through yoga postures. However, we hope to provide the freedom and the space for the more personal or spiritual aspects of yoga to unfold naturally on an individual level. Our bodies hold on to every physical and emotional experience we've had throughout our lives and they can physically create blocks and barriers that are reflected on non-physical levels. As we work through these barriers physically, using heat, movement and breath to internally open, reshape and cleanse the body, it makes sense that we are doing the same on many levels- emotionally, spiritually, etc. We encourage you to recognize your yoga practice a way of life. As you practice patience, acceptance, awareness, as your mind and body opens and releases physical and emotional tensions, as you become more in-tune and aware of your physical and emotional reactions in challenging postures, allow what you learn, these effects/elements and practices to be a part of your entire life - with strangers, friends, family, partners and yourself.

I'm not flexible...can I do yoga?
Yes! You are a perfect candidate for yoga. Many people think that they need to be flexible to begin yoga, but that's a little bit like thinking that you need to be able to play tennis in order to take tennis lessons. Come as you are and you will find that yoga practice will help you become more flexible. This newfound agility will be balanced by strength, coordination, and enhanced cardiovascular health, as well as a sense of physical confidence and overall well-being.

Ocean Breath Ujjay

1. Inhale and exhale deeply through the mouth.



2. On the exhales, begin to tone the back of the throat, slightly

constricting the passage of air. Imagine that you are fogging up a pair

of glasses.

3. Once you are comfortable with the exhale, begin to apply the same

toning of the throat to the inhales. This is where the name of the breath

comes from: it sounds like the ocean. It also sounds like Darth Vadar.

4. When you are able to control the throat on both the inhale and the

exhale, close the mouth and begin breathing through the nose. Continue

applying the same toning to the throat that you did when the mouth was

open. The breath will still make a loud noise coming in and out of the

nose. This is Ujjayi breath.

5. Now start to use this breath during your practice. If the teacher

tells you to move on an inhale, make it an Ujjayi inhale. If you need a

little something extra while holding a pose, remember this breath.

Another way to think about Ujjayi Breath is to visualize your throat as a

garden hose, with the breath passing through like a trickle of water. If

you put your thumb partially over the opening of the hose, you increase

the power of the water that is coming through. This is the same thing you

are doing with your throat during Ujjayi breathing. The air that comes in

through your constricted throat is a powerful, directed breath that you

can send into the parts of your body that need it during yoga.