Let's Dance to Health

Let's Dance to Health

Dancing can be magical and transforming. It can breathe new life into a tired soul; make a spirit soar; unleash locked-away creativity; unite generations and cultures; inspire new romances or rekindle old ones; trigger long-forgotten memories; and turn sadness into joy, if only during the dance.

On a more physical level, dancing can give you a great mind-body workout. Researchers are learning that regular physical activity in general can help keep your body, including your brain, healthy as you age. Exercise increases the level of brain chemicals that encourage nerve cells to grow. And dancing that requires you to remember dance steps and sequences boosts brain power by improving memory skills.

There has been some promising research in this area, according to Rita Beckford, M.D., a family doctor and spokesperson for the American Council on Exercise. For instance, a 2003 study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that ballroom dancing at least twice a week made people less likely to develop dementia. Research also has shown that some people with Alzheimer's disease are able to recall forgotten memories when they dance to music they used to know.

Whether it's ballet or ballroom, clogging or jazz, dance is great for helping people of all ages and physical abilities get and stay in shape. There's even chair dancing for people with physical limitations. A 150-pound adult can burn about 150 calories doing 30 minutes of moderate social dancing.

Benefits Abound

Like other moderate, low-impact, weight bearing activities, such as brisk walking, cycling or aerobics, dancing can help:

• strengthen bones and muscles without hurting your joints
• tone your entire body
• improve your posture and balance, which can prevent falls
• increase your stamina and flexibility
• reduce stress and tension
• build confidence
• provide opportunities to meet people, and
• ward off illnesses like diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, osteoporosis, and depression

So if you're tired of the treadmill and looking for a fun way to stay fit and healthy, it might be time to kick up your heels!

Dipping and Turning

Dancing is a great activity for people age 50 and older because you can vary the level of physical exertion so easily, according to Marian Simpson, a retired dance instructor and president of the National Dance Association.

For instance, people just getting back into dance or physical activity can start out more slowly, then "step it up a notch" by adding things like dips and turns as they progress, says Simpson. The more energy you put into a dance, the more vigorous your workout will be.

Although some dance forms are more rigorous than others - for instance, jazz as opposed to the waltz - all beginners' classes should start you out gradually. Ballroom dance, line dancing, and other kinds of social dance are most popular among people 50 and older. That's because they allow people to get together and interact socially, while getting some exercise and having fun at the same time. Dancers who have lost partners can come alone and meet new people, since many classes don't require that you attend as a couple.

If your doctor hasn't restricted your activity in any way, you're ready to rock, says Beckford. If you haven't been active or seen the doctor in a while, ask yourself the following questions:

1. Has your doctor ever said you have a heart condition and that you should only do physical activity recommended by a doctor?
2. Do you feel pain in your chest when you do physical activity?
3. In the past month, have you had chest pain when you were not doing physical activity?
4. Do you lose your balance because of dizziness, or do you ever lose consciousness?
5. Do you have a bone or joint problem that could get worse from a change in your physical activity?
6. Is your doctor currently prescribing drugs (for example, water pills) for blood pressure or a heart condition?
7. Do you know of any other reason why you should not do physical activity?

Source: Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PAR-Q), Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology, Inc., 1994

You should make an appointment to see your doctor if you answer "yes" to any of the questions above.

Choosing a Groove

If you don't know what kind of dance you might like, the best thing to do is experiment. If you used to dance and are getting back into it, you can pick up where you left off. Some adults decide to resume ballet classes after years of having had them as children.

If you take a class, give it some time before deciding you don't like it, recommends Colleen Dean, program coordinator for the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance. Try going with a friend and keep with it for at least a month. You can find dance classes at a dance school, dance studio, health club, or community recreation center. Some YMCAs, churches, or synagogues offer group dance classes followed by a social hour.

Here are some forms of dance you might want to explore:

• Square dancing
• Swing (traditional or West Coast, which is more technical)
• Line dancing, which can be done to country, rock, pop, or salsa music
• Folk dancing, which can reconnect you to your ethnic roots or introduce you to a whole new culture
• Ballroom
• Belly dancing
• Salsa
• Flamenco
• Jazz
• Tap
• Modern
• Clogging (double-time stomping and tap steps)
• Contra (square dance moves in lines with men and women switching places)

Where to Boogie

Some dance schools or dance halls hold social dances that are open to the public on certain nights of the week. Often, you can take a class before the dance begins.

You also can join a dance club that meets regularly at different places, or join an amateur or professional dance troupe.

Jim Maxwell, 61, helped form a dance troupe seven years ago that performs at local retirement communities, nursing homes, and community events in the Northern Virginia area. The 37 members, who perform clogging and Irish dance routines, range in age from 9 to 62. The group gives Maxwell and his fellow cloggers an opportunity to perform a useful community service while having fun and staying fit.

"We get the benefits of physical activity, but we also serve our community," says Maxwell, who started dancing because he needed physical activity but hated to exercise. To help recruit people for the troupe, Maxwell began teaching clogging, tap, and Irish dance to all ages at local recreation centers. He now teaches six classes.

"Dancing is a lot of fun, and I like performing," says Maxwell. "[Plus], we actually do things for people. It's not just exercising as an indulgence."

Doing Your Own Thing

If you're afraid you have two left feet or are short on time, you can do your own thing just by turning on some music and dancing around the house. Or turn a night on the town into a dance party by finding a hot spot with a good dance band.

You also can "sweat to the oldies" or sashay around your living room with dance videos that you can buy or rent from your local library or video store (check to see if they're available). So crank up the volume and shake a leg. Once you start dancing, you might not want to stop!

Anthrax

Anthrax
Anthrax is an acute infectious disease in humans and animals that is caused by the bacterium Bacillus anthracis and is highly lethal in some forms. Anthrax is one of only a few bacteria that can form long lived spores. When the bacteria’s life cycle is threatened by factors such as lack of food caused by their host dying or change of temperature, the bacteria turn themselves into more or less dormant spores to wait for another host to continue their life cycle. On breathing, ingesting or getting anthrax spores in a cut in the skin these spores reactivate themselves and multiply in their new host very rapidly. The anthrax spores in the soil are very tough and can live many decades and perhaps centuries and are known to occur on all continents except Antarctica. Anthrax most commonly occurs in wild and domestic grass eating mammals (ruminants) who ingest or breathe in the spores while eating grass. Anthrax can also be caught by humans when they are exposed to dead infected animals, eat tissue from infected animals, or are exposed to a high density of anthrax spores from an animals fur, hide, or wool. Anthrax spores can be grown outside the body and used as a biological weapon. Anthrax cannot spread directly from human to human; but anthrax spores can be transported by human clothing, shoes etc. and if a person dies of anthrax their body can be a very dangerous source of anthrax spores. The word anthrax is derived from the Greek word anthrakis, or "coal", in reference to the black skin lesions victims develop in a cutaneous skin infection.

Mode of infection



Anthrax can enter the human body through the intestines (ingestion), lungs (inhalation), or skin (cutaneous) and causes distinct clinical symptoms based on its site of entry. An infected human will generally be quarantined. However, anthrax does not usually spread from an infected human to a noninfected human. But if the disease is fatal the person’s body and its mass of anthrax bacilli becomes a potential source of infection to others and special precautions should be used to prevent more contamination. Unfortunately inhalation anthrax, if left untreated until obvious symptoms occur, will usually result in death--treatment was started too late.

Anthrax is usually contracted by handling infected animals or their wool, germ warfare/terrorism or laboratory accidents.

Treatment and prevention


Direct person-to-person spread of anthrax is extremely unlikely; but a patient’s clothing and body may be contaminated with anthrax spores. Effective decontamination of people can be accomplished by a thorough wash down with anti-microbe effective soap and water. Waste water should be treated with bleach or other anti-microbal agent. Effective decontamination of articles can be accomplished by boiling contaminated articles in water for 30 minutes or longer and using common disinfectants. Chlorine is effective in destroying spores and vegetative cells on surfaces. Burning clothing is also effective. After decontamination, there is no need to immunize, treat or isolate contacts of persons ill with anthrax unless they also were also exposed to the same source of infection . Early antibiotic treatment of anthrax is essential–delay seriously lessens chances for survival. Treatment for anthrax infection and other bacterial infections includes large doses of intravenous and oral antibiotics, such as fluoroquinolones, like ciprofloxacin (cipro), doxycycline, erythromycin, vancomycin or penicillin. In possible cases of inhalation anthrax exposure to unvaccinated personnel early antibiotic prophylaxis treatment is crucial to prevent possible death. If death occurs from anthrax the body should be isolated to prevent possible spread of anthrax germs. Burial does not kill anthrax spores.

If a person is suspected as having died from anthrax every precaution should be taken to avoid skin contact with the potentially contaminated body and fluids exuded through natural body openings. The body should be put in strict quarantine. A blood sample taken in a sealed container and analyzed in an approved lab should be used to ascertain if anthrax is the cause of death. Microscopic visualisation of the encapsulated bacilli, usually in large numbers, in a blood smear stained with polychrome methylene blue (M'Fadyean reaction) is fully diagnostic. Full isolation of the body is important to prevent possible contamination of others. Protective, impermeable clothing and equipment such as rubber gloves, rubber apron, and rubber boots with no perforations should be used when handling the body. No skin, especially that which is has any wounds or scratches, should be exposed. Disposable personal protective equipment is preferable, but if not available, decontamination can be achieved by washing any exposed equipment in hot water, bleach and detergent. Disposable personal protective equipment and filters should be burned and buried. Bacillus anthracis bacillii range from 0.5-5.0 um in size. Anyone working with anthrax in a suspected or confirmed victim should wear respiratory equipment capable of filtering this size of particle or smaller. A National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) approved high efficiency-respirator, such as a half-face disposable respirator with a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter, is recommended. All possibly contaminated bedding or clothing should be isolated in double plastic bags and treated as possible bio-hazard waste. The victim should be sealed in an air tight body bag. Dead victims that are opened and not burned provide an ideal source of anthrax spores. Cremating victims is the preferred way of handling body disposal. No embalming or autopsy's should be attempted without a fully equipped bio hazard lab and trained and knowledgable personnel.

Delays of only a few days may make the disease untreatable and treatment should be started even without symptoms if possible contamination or exposure is suspected. Animals with anthrax often just die without any apparent symptoms. Initial symptoms may resemble a common cold – sore throat, mild fever, muscle aches and malaise. After a few days, the symptoms may progress to severe breathing problems and shock and ultimately death. Death can occur from about two days to a month after exposure with deaths apparently peaking at about 8 days after exposure. [7] Antibiotic-resistant strains of anthrax are known.

Aerial spores can be trapped by a simple HEPA or P100 filter.[citation needed] Inhalation of anthrax spores can be prevented with a full-face mask using appropriate filtration. Unbroken skin can be decontaminated by washing with simple soap and water.[citation needed] All of these procedures do not kill the spores which are very hard to kill and require extensive treatment to eradicate them. Filters, clothes, etc. exposed to possible anthrax contaminated environments should be treated with chemicals or destroyed by fire to minimize the possibility of spreading the contamination.

In recent years there have been many attempts to develop new drugs against anthrax; but the existing supply still works fine if treatment is started soon enough.
Prevention can also be accomplished through early detection. In response to the anthrax attacks of October, 2001 utilizing the United States Postal Service(USPS), the USPS has installed BioDetection Systems(BDS)in their large scale mail cancellation facilities. BDS response plans have been formulated by the USPS in conjunction with local responders including fire, police, hospitals and public health. Employees of these facilities have been educated on Anthrax, response actions and prophylactic medication. Because of the time delay inherent in getting final verification that anthrax has been used, prophylactic antibiotic use should be started to possibly exposed personnel as soon as possible.

The ultimate in prevention is vaccination against infection but this has to be done well in advance of exposure.

Why are some people left handed?

Why are some people left handed?



A person who is left-handed primarily uses his or her left hand, more so than the right hand; a

left-hander will probably use the left hand for tasks such as personal care, cooking, and so on.

Writing is not as precise an indicator of handedness as it might seem, because many left-handed

people write with their right hand but use their left hand for other tasks.

"Because lefties do it right!" "Because left handed people are the only people in their right minds?"

Why are some people left handed?

This question is definitely not a no-brainer.

Two theories predominate in the debates that rage on as to why a mere 4% o the population is

left-handed. Most authorities agree, to the relief of many a mother of a left-handed child, that

if the child prefers using the left hand, and functions well with it, there is no need to correct

this "condition."

One theory centers on the two halves of the brain, i.e. the left half and the right half, each of

which functions differently. Medical science believes that the left half of the brain

predominates over the right half. The stem of this theory is the fact that nerves from the brain

cross over at neck-level to the opposite side of the body, and nerves from the other side of the

brain reciprocate. The end result is that the opposite sides of the body are supplied by the

opposite sides of the brain.

The predominant left half of the brain, which graciously supplies the right half of the body,

theoretically renders it more skillful in reading, writing, speaking, and working, and makes most

people right-handed. "Lefties," however, are the product of an inversion, whereas the right half

of the brain predominates, and they work best with the left side of their bodies.

Theory number two trickles down to the asymmetrical nature of the body. Examples of the

asymmetry, which flows from head to toe, are that the right side of our faces differs slightly

from the left, that our legs differ in strength, or that our feet vary in size. One aspect of

this asymmetry is that for most people the right hand is stronger than the left.

There is no doubt that all exist in a "right-handed society," which manufactures most basics,

including scissors, doorknobs, locks, screwdrivers, automobiles, buttons on clothing, and musical

instruments for the 96%. Left-handed people compensate for this snobbery of sorts, by being

members of an elite society, which includes many of the greatest geniuses, including

Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, and The Useless-Infomaster.

Left-handed people think quicker when using both sides of the brain


Researchers in Australia have found that being left-handed is linked with quicker thinking when

carrying out tasks such as playing computer games or playing sport. The study, published in the

journal Neuropsychology, shows that connections in the left and right-hand side of the brains are

faster in left-handed people.

Rudraksha

Rudraksha is commonly used to mean the seeds of the rudraksha tree, Elaeocarpus ganitrus and some other species of Elaeocarpus.


The Rudraksha is a large evergreen broad-leaved tree which grows in the area from the Gangetic Plain to the foothills of the Himalayas. Rudraksha trees are also found in middle areas of Nepal. Rudraksha seeds are covered by an outer shell of blue color when fully ripe, and for this reason are also known as blueberry beads. The blue colour is derived not from pigment but is structural.Rudraksha is also used for treatment of various diseases in traditional Indian medicine.


In Sanskrit rudraksha literally means "the eye of Rudra" or "red-eyed", from rud, "to cry," and aksha, meaning "eye". In one story by Śaivites, God himself (Śiva) shed a tear, on viewing the misfortunes of humanity. This single tear became the first Rudraksha tree, and a sign of his compassion. In another story, while destroying the asura fortress of Tripura (mythology), the seeds from Lord Siva's eyes emerged to form rudraksha. Rudraksha literally stands for the eyes of Lord Shiva implying that it was "pleasant to the eyes of Lord" (Shiva), and hence it is named in his honour. The seeds have been traditionally considered sacred, and are said to have diverse mystical powers, including being an amulet against evil.

Rudraraka beads are the material from which sacred garlands (108 beads in number) or rosaries are made. In essence, rudraksha is a Saivite rosary. They are used for japa mala. Rudraraka is a common aid to worship in Śaivism. Rudraksha mala are worn by Hindu monks, and many devotees wear a single bead hung from their neck. The use of rudraraksha can distinguish denomination amongst Hindus. Some Vaishnavites use beads made of tulsi while Saivites use rudraraksa. One Vaishnavite text, the Padma Purana, declares that the 5th Rudraksha (which represents Rudra or Shiva Himself) is the most important for wearing on the earth. [1] In Tantric Buddhism rudraksha beads are sometimes used for the practice of wrathful deities.

In ancient Indian culture, yogis divided food into three categories - Positive Pranic, Negative Pranic and Neutral/Zero Pranic. When the Rudraksha mala is being held above the foods, it will allegedly rotate clockwise for positive Pranic, anticlockwise for negative Pranic and in a pendulum action for zero Pranic foods.

There are different varieties of Rudraksh available, and these are classified according to the number of grooves in the Rudraksh: Pachamukhi (5 faces), Dwi Mukhi (2 faces), Eka mukhi (1 face) etc. Each one has its own particular properties when worn by an individual. Rudraksh is capable of holding the energy of the person who is wearing it, unlike Spadika (which has only a cooling effect on the body) or any other seed. There is a prevalent myth that Rudraksh should not be worn by consuming non-vegetarians, couples, or women during menstruation - but this is spurious. Anyone can wear it any time.

The Rudraksh seeds are brittle in nature and so it should be protected from chemicals and toileteries. Wearing Rudraksha mala cleanses a person's aura.




Origin & Myths


Rudraksha has its etymological origin in the Sanskrit words, Rudra and Aksha. Rudra is another name for Lord Shiva, and aksha means teardrop. Mythological tales have it that the Rudraksha plant was born out of Lord Shiva’s tear drops. Ancient scriptures, such as Shiva Purana, Padma Purana and Srimad Bhagavad mention the greatness and wonderful powers of Rudraksha. For thousands of years, they have adorned the bodies of sages and saints leading a fearless life in far-flung frontiers, seeking enlightenment and liberation.


According to the Ayurvedic medical system, wearing Rudraksha can have a positive effect on the heart and nerves, and relieve the wearer from stress, anxiety, depression, palpitations and lack of concentration. It is also known for its anti-ageing effect, and electromagnetic and inductive properties. People with high blood pressure have been found to have benefited from the use of Rudraksha seeds.

While all types of rudrakshas are considered to be auspicious,each has its distinct nature and boon-giving ability as follows: 14-mukhi Rudraksha is said to awaken the sixth-sense organ by which the wearer foresees future events. It is supposed to be a very powerful antidote for Saturnine miseries and provides miraculous cures for several ailments. Fourteen face (Chaturdasha mukhi) Rudraksha are the best known remedy to cope with Vedic astrology's "Sade Sati" or Saturn lunar transits.

5-mukhi Rudraksha is the form of Rudra named Kaalagni. By wearing its mala the wearer’s mind is supposed to remain peaceful. It is accepted that the wearer of 5-faced Rudraksha mala never suffers untimely death

Music therapy

Music therapy is the clinical and evidence-based use of music interventions to accomplish individualized goals within a therapeutic relationship by a qualified professional who has completed an approved music therapy program. In other words, music therapy is the use of music by a trained professional to achieve therapeutic goals. Goal areas may include, but are not limited to, motor skills, social/interpersonal development, cognitive development, self-awareness, and spiritual enhancement.

Music therapists are found in nearly every area of the helping professions. Some commonly found practices include developmental work (communication, motor skills, etc.) with individuals with special needs, songwriting and listening in reminiscence/orientation work with the elderly, processing and relaxation work, and rhythmic entrainment for physical rehabilitation in stroke victims. The idea of music as a healing modality dates back to the beginnings of history, and some of the earliest notable mentions in Western history are found in the writings of ancient Greek philosophers. Robert Burton wrote in the 16th century in his classic work, The Anatomy of Melancholy, that music and dance were critical in treating mental illness, especially melancholia


Music Therapy for Healthy Children and Families

We've all experienced the power of music. Music can evoke emotions, memories, and spiritual or social connectedness, as well as provide a means of expressing feelings and a sense of safety, security and comfort to young children. Music especially provides a fun way for children to learn. It is the one medium that cuts through the boundaries of age, culture, disability and disease.

Traditionally music therapists have worked in institutions such as hospitals, nursing homes, prisons, state hospitals, and schools for children with special needs. But as the public has become more interested in "alternative" health care, the benefits of music for relaxation and stress reduction have been recognized and promoted. As more research is demonstrating the benefits of music on brain development, music therapists are now bringing their work and expertise into the mainstream.

There are endless ways you can bring music into your child's life (and your own life) to enhance well-being and quality of life. Let's begin with pregnancy.

Music Therapy for Pregnancy

Music Therapists are specially trained to teach pregnant women how to use music for relaxation and as a reminder of visual imagery. Music can be a means of changing a woman's perception of pain during labor and delivery, thus eliminating or reducing the amount of anesthesia that is used during the birth process. The music therapist can often accompany the pregnant woman through labor and delivery.

During pregnancy, music can also be used for the baby. Prior to birth, babies may respond to music while in the womb. From personal experience, my son always kicked the exact spot on my abdomen that my guitar was touching. He would kick to each strum that I played on the guitar. It seemed that he became more active when he heard and felt the music. My daughter had a different response. She became quieter, less active when she heard and felt the music. They both continued their same womb responses after birth. Thus my son needed quiet to go to sleep and my daughter needed quiet music.

Lullabies

It is no mistake that lullabies from around the world all have a similar tempo. The tempo of a lullaby matches the tempo of the human heartbeat. Lullabies can be used to comfort crying babies and help them feel secure when going to sleep. When we sing lullabies to our children, we are nurturing them and communicating our love. Incorporating lullabies into a bedtime ritual can help children make the difficult transition into sleep. Lullabies can also be used if a child wakes up at night, has a nightmare or is sleeping away from home. With a lullaby in the background, babies and children can feel even more emotionally secure and safe when being held close to your body while you gently dance around a room or rock slowly in a rocking chair.

Crying is Musical

As parents, we become "in tune" with the sound of our baby's cry. We know when it is our baby crying and if the cry is communicating hunger, a wet diaper, feeling tired or feeling pain. A baby's cry is the beginning of speech and language. As amazing as it may seem, the cry is quite musical and the beginning of singing and discovering our voice. Each cry has a specific musical pitch and is held for a specific length of time (like singing). Eventually the cries become vocal sounds, squeals and babbling. Parents have often found that by exactly imitating their baby's vocal sounds the baby will begin to make more vocal sounds. Before you know it, you're having a conversation with your baby in "nonsense" sounds. Even very young babies are aware that you are communicating with them. They love the attention. This is the beginning of learning how to talk and how to have a conversation. Eventually the sounds become familiar - da, ba, ma etc. These sounds can be incorporated into familiar songs. Instead of singing the words to a song, you can sing ba ba ba, or da da da or ma ma ma, or that old standby, la la la. You might be surprised to find your baby singing along because the "words" are familiar. Soon your baby will combine these syllables into words that will be used to communicate thoughts and feelings.

Drumming for Children

In my experience of working with children as young as 6 months, I have yet to come across a child who is not able to play an instrument to the beat of a song, even if it is for only 2-4 beats. The drumbeat is the human way of imitating the heartbeat. Remember that a mother's heartbeat is what a baby has heard and felt for the first nine months while in the womb. We never lose our response to this comforting sound. Even Alzheimer's patients will respond to the beat of a drum when nothing else will reach them.

Children love to move to the beat of a drum. You can use different rhythms to indicate how to move. Play fast and children can run. Play very slow steady beats for big steps, softly for tiptoeing, silence for stopping, or make up your own. Doing this type of activity with children helps to develop listening skills, sound discrimination, awareness of starting and stopping (this could become part of safety awareness), as well as develop gross motor skills. You can do the drumming and have your child do the movement or better yet reverse it. Children don't have a lot of opportunities to be in control. Let your child have the drum and you can do the movement. They quickly become aware of their "power" in a very positive way. They also learn about rhythm by doing this. This is a great activity for rainy days.

Music for Relaxation

Calm, quiet music can be used to reduce stress and enhance relaxation. The relaxed state induced by music is reflected in changes in brain-wave patterns. Simply having relaxing music in the background can change the way you feel. You can play relaxation music in the morning to reduce the stress of the morning routine. I sometimes like to play it around dinnertime when I'm tired, hungry and stressed. I find it helps to calm the children as well as me. Relaxation music can be used to reduce anxiety prior to surgery or in a medical situation where you feel anxious. Studies have shown that blood pressure is more stable when this kind of music is used before, during and after surgery. Relaxation music can be used when you have difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep. There are relaxation and guided imagery tapes for children who feel stressed or are having difficulty sleeping.

Music for Education

Music can be used to teach and improve speech and language. Music incorporates rhythm, pitch and words, which are all part of speech and language. Both sides of the brain are used with music, so information can be learned through music and eventually transferred into speech and language.

Popular songs can be used to teach children different skills. I taught my children how to spell their names by changing the words to the song "BINGO" For example: There is a boy who has black hair and Tyler is his name T Y L E R (repeat) etc. As you already know, most children learn the alphabet by singing the alphabet song.

Learning to play an instrument can provide a sense of self-esteem as well as help to develop important skills. Reading music helps develop reading skills, eye hand coordination and math skills. Playing an instrument develops fine motor coordination, and if the instrument is a wind instrument, oral motor skills can become more developed. A recent study of preschoolers showed that private piano lessons enhanced their spatial-temporal reasoning.

Listening to music helps to develop the brain. Research conducted by a group of neuroscientists found that listening to Mozart enhances spatial-temporal reasoning in college students. A recent article in the New York Times revealed a proposal by the governor of Georgia to spend over $100,000 of state money to provide every newborn a CD of classical music, due to the positive effects on brain development and spatial and mathematical skills.

Music to Enhance Relationships

Singing or playing music together as a family or with friends can be a fun way to enjoy being together. There are many songs for young children that have hand motions or movements. You can do the motions hand over hand with your child. They love the physical touch, the play, the eye contact and most of all the love that comes from being with their parents. As a family, you can go to concerts or other performances together or make your own music at home.

Music to Express Emotions

As children grow older and listen to more music, they begin to have preferences for certain kinds of music. Music may become part of a person's identity during adolescence. We all have favorite songs that we identify with. These songs may express an emotion that we feel or talk about an experience that we are coping with. Music is an expression of emotion and the words an expression of thought. Keep in touch with the music that your child listens to. Periodically join your child in listening to his or her favorite music. Ask why the song is important, what are the favorite lines of the songs. This is a way to communicate with your child and get a sense of things that you might not know about your child otherwise.

Music for Special Needs

As mentioned, music therapists are now providing services for the general public. Children with special needs utilize a large portion of our services. Music therapy uses music as a vehicle to achieve nonmusical goals. When a child has special needs, music may be one of the most powerful ways to reach her and to help her to function at her maximum potential.

healthy and nurtritous salad

Salad is a light meal - or part of a larger meal - consisting of mixed vegetables (usually including at least one leaf vegetable) or fruit, often with a dressing or sauce, occasionally nuts and the possibility of meat/fish/cheese on the side. It is usually seen as a healthy dish, although not always low in calories, salt, sugar, or fat due to the dressing that is often added.

The word "salad" comes from the French salade of the same meaning, from the Latin salata, "salty", from sal, "salt". (See also sauce, salsa, sausage.)

healthy and nurtritous salad that is extremely high on roughage, vitamins and minerals. Interestingly, this dish is very filling.

Ingredients:

10-12 Salad leaves

1 small cabbage (shredded)

1 Onion (Thinly sliced into rings)

1 Cucumber (Sliced into rings)

2-3 Carrots (peeled and thinly sliced)

1 Radish (peeled and thinly sliced)

1 banana (cut into rings)

1 Guava sliced

1 apple thinly sliced

1 tomato (thinly sliced into rings)

2tsp lemon juice

Salt to taste Chaat masala to taste

Method:Take big plate and arrange salad leaves. Add shredded cabbage, onions, carrot, cucumber, and radish. Now arrange tomato, banana, apples, and guavas. Sprinkle salt and chaat masala. Pour lemon juice.

The Wiggles - Fruit Salad

http://youtube.com/watch?v=VPrcuNvtNUk

Blood donation

Blood donation is a process by which a blood donor voluntarily has blood drawn for storage in a blood bank or for subsequent use in a blood transfusion.


Blood donations may be scheduled at local centres, or at times a "blood drive" will occur. These are events where a blood bank or other blood collecting organization will set up in a convenient location—such as a shopping centre, large employer, university, high school, or a local church—for people to stop in without appointment during their daily routine to donate blood. Sometimes a bloodmobile is used to run a blood drive. Usually a modified recreational vehicle, it is an easy place to run a blood drive because it is already set up for the process of blood donation
Process

The process of giving blood involves screening the donor, the actual donation, and a brief recovery period. This applies to both whole blood donations and plasmapheresis, or donating only one's plasma (see "Donation" below).

Before arriving at the donation site

In the days prior to donating blood, it is important that donors prepare themselves for a process that can temporarily weaken the body. Donors should check their local blood bank's guidelines, as requirements and recommendations vary. Many blood banks recommend that potential donors drink extra water and fluids before donating.[1][2][3] It may be advisable to avoid caffeinated beverages before donation.[3] Eating well is also important, and can reduce the risk of reactions to donation.[1][2] Eating foods high in iron (which has many dietary sources) is also a good idea; low hemoglobin levels may make a donor temporarily ineligible.[1][2][3] This is especially true for women who have menstruated recently, because of iron loss in the menses.[4] Some countries require donors to observe a limited or full fast before donation because of specific screening methods; in particular, some countries will discard blood taken too soon after a fatty meal.
Screening

Western countries typically impose screening for blood donor candidates. In the past, it was the practice in America and other countries to separate blood donations on the basis of race, ethnicity, or religion, or to exclude certain groups from the donor pool on those bases. Currently, in the United States, these practices have been eliminated, and donor attributes are considered only in terms of their likelihood to affect the probability of transmission of disease. All blood products in the U.S. are labeled as coming from either "paid" or "volunteer" donors, with paid units being more likely to transmit infection. (Several other countries avoid paid donations altogether for this reason.)
Blood donation at the Royal Melbourne Hospital during the 1940s.
Blood donation at the Royal Melbourne Hospital during the 1940s.

Other donor characteristics are also taken into account: starting in 1985, the American Red Cross and Food and Drug Administration policies prohibit accepting blood donations from gay/bisexual men, specifically from any "male who has had sex with another male since 1977, even once,"[5] or from IV drug users or recent immigrants from certain nations with high rates of HIV infection. The inclusion of men who have sex with men on the prohibited list has created some controversy; the FDA & Red Cross cite the public policy need to protect the blood supply from HIV & similar diseases as justification for the ban, while others believe the ban to be discriminatory, since sexually active heterosexuals are not categorically banned and all donated blood is screened. Policies vary in other countries; for instance, Australia formerly had a similar ban, but now only prohibits donating blood within one year after male-male sex (longer than the typical window period for HIV blood screening tests performed on donated blood).

Similarly important donor eligibility requirement in the US is related to concerns about variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (vCJD): persons who have spent long periods of time in countries where "mad cow disease" is found[6] are not eligible to donate. As part of the screening interview, blood donors are questioned about past residency in countries on the exclusion list, tracing back as far as 1980. The list of countries of residence that may disqualify a potential donor includes most of Western Europe (with stronger restrictions on those with past residence in the United Kingdom), Turkey, and all of Eastern Europe except Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, and the Baltic countries (those formerly part of the Soviet Union). From 1980 through 1996, if a person visited or resided in country on the exclusion list for a time that adds up to five years or more, the person is not eligible to donate; if a person spent time that adds up to three months or more in the United Kingdom, they are indefinitely deferred. This set of rules affects members of the US Armed Forces and others, who lived at least six months in certain European countries or 3 months in the United Kingdom from 1980 to 1996, who are therefore prohibited from donating blood.[7] A similar policy with regard to vCJD applies in France, Quebec and in the rest of Canada.[8]

When a donor arrives at a donation site, they typically fill out a consent form as well as answer an extensive questionnaire to help determine their eligibility. Questions include the donors' age, weight, most recent donation, current health, and various risk factors such as tattooing, drug use (recreational or performance enhancing), residency abroad, recent international travel, and sexual history. Answers are associated with the donor's blood, but not name, to provide anonymity.

Often the blood hemoglobin concentration will be checked next, typically performed by a phlebotomist. While various tests exist, the most common ones are:

* hematocrit: done in some places. requires a centrifuge. A measurement of no less than 38% allows donation to continue.
* colorimetric hemoglobin test using a hemoglobin photometer: a machine-read result from a chemical reaction on a testing strip.
* copper sulfate screening test (aka "float test"): measures the specific gravity of the donor's blood by placing a drop into a copper sulfate solution. The solution is calibrated so that a hemoglobin concentration of in >12.5 g/dl (the cut-off in the U.S. for donation) sinks.

All blood is later tested for diseases, including STDs. If a disease is found, the donor will be notified and their blood discarded. Individuals are discouraged from using blood donation for the purpose of anonymous STD screening. Blood may also be tested for additional infectious diseases such as West Nile Virus, when and where these diseases are prevalent.[9]

[edit] Donation
Disinfect, insert the cannula, pull out the cannula, dress the wound.
Disinfect, insert the cannula, pull out the cannula, dress the wound.

The blood donation itself happens next. The donor lies supine on a cushioned bench and extends an arm. The inner elbow is disinfected, and a cannula is inserted into the medial antecubital vein. The donor often has a tourniquet wrapped around his or her arm, or may be prompted to squeeze a ball repeatedly, to help speed the process. Blood flows from the vein, through the needle and a tube, and into a special collection bag which is placed on a small scale to measure the amount of blood withdrawn. After the bag is sufficiently filled, several test tubes are drawn from the same needle to be used for disease detection. Typically, around 450 millilitres, about a U.S. pint, is drawn during the blood donation process.
A relatively large-bore needle is used for whole blood donations.
A relatively large-bore needle is used for whole blood donations.
A mechanical tray tilts the bag to prevent congealing, and displays current volume and flow per minute.
A mechanical tray tilts the bag to prevent congealing, and displays current volume and flow per minute.

Apheresis

Rather than donating whole blood, a donor sometimes has the option to donate only some blood components while retaining others. This process is known as apheresis, and is more involved, time consuming, and requires more specialized equipment. The benefit is that more of the desired components can be concentrated and removed, and the donor is usually able to donate significantly more frequently than if whole blood had been removed. In some cases, the usefulness of the removed components is not as sensitive to blood type considerations.

The typical method of apheresis is to draw whole blood from the donor, then centrifuge the blood to separate its components (see apheresis for more information). The desired components (e.g. platelets, plasma) are removed and then the remaining components are returned to the donor.

"Double red"

A recent innovation in apheresis is the "double red" donation, which extracts two units of red blood cells instead of the single unit of an ordinary whole-blood donation. This provides several benefits to both the donator and the blood bank. The donator can make the same red-cell contribution with half the visits, and the return of plasma to the body leaves the donator better hydrated. The process takes somewhat longer than a standard donation (about 35-45 minutes), but is much shorter than a regular apheresis visit. The blood bank receives twice the usual red-cell donation in each visit. Because more red cells are removed from the circulatory system, donors must meet some additional health requirements for a double-red donation.[10][11][12]

Recovery

Once the donation is complete, the donor is given a bandage or gauze to stop further blood flow and is normally allowed to leave. Beverages and snacks may be provided to restore blood volume and blood sugar, and to settle the stomach. Often donors are encouraged to sit down for a few minutes to return to normality, as lightheadedness and faintness may occur. In some countries, stickers are worn by donors to show the donor's pride and to encourage others to give. The entire process, from screening through recovery, takes about one hour. The actual blood donation takes between four and fifteen minutes for whole blood donation. Donors are discouraged from heavy exercise or lifting for several hours.[13] Plasma volumes will return to normal in around 24 hours, while red blood cells are replaced by bone marrow into the circulatory system within about 3-5 weeks, and lost iron replaced over 6-8 weeks. This recovery process can be accelerated by eating foods high in complex carbohydrates, iron, and other trace minerals. Due to the timeframe required for iron replacement, donors are eligible to donate whole blood approximately eight to twelve weeks after the previous donation, the exact period varying by country. In the USA, the waiting period for the "double red" apheresis donors is 112 days.[11][12]
Storage

Cryopreservation of red blood cells is done to store special, rare red blood cells for up to 10 years. The cells are first incubated in a 40% glycerol solution which acts as a cryoprotectant ("antifreeze") within the cells. The units are then placed in special sterile containers in a deep freezer at less than -60°C.
Donors for babies

A tiny percentage of adults may donate blood to small children in emergency rooms, newborn babies, and fetuses. To ensure the safety of blood transfusion to pediatric patients, including those in whom the immune systems are not fully developed, hospitals are taking every precaution to avoid infection and prefer to use specially tested pediatric blood units that are guaranteed negative for cytomegalovirus (CMV),[14] because the consequences of CMV infection for newborns or low weight infants may be severe or even fatal. Additionally, for pediatric patients with certain disorders or in emergency, when there is no time to perform crossmatching, only O/Rh negative blood can be used for neonatal transfusion.[15] Due to these specific restrictions, to be recognized as a baby donor an adult must test negative for cytomegalovirus, and some blood collection agencies such as the Red Cross also require baby donors that they be blood type O-negative.[citation needed] Since only 7% of US adults are O-negative and as few as 15% of adults do not carry CMV, only 1% of adults may qualify as baby donors. Other restrictions (body weight, HIV status, vCJD, etc. ) reduce the fraction of potential baby donors to less than 1 in 200. If an adult was not exposed to measles, mumps, rubella, or chicken pox, that amplifies the person's status as a baby donor.

Newborn babies that require multiple surgeries often need up to 20 units of blood in their first few weeks.

Complications


The finger prick and needle insertion typically cause only minor discomfort. Phlebotomists may, however, experience difficulties in obtaining enough blood from some donors.

During or shortly after the donation, hypovolemia may occasionally lead to a drop in blood pressure, with some donors experiencing light-headedness, nausea, or fainting. In some cases this may necessitate cancelling the donation, restoring blood volume with an intravenous infusion, or placing the donor in a Trendelenburg position (on a stretcher tilted "legs up"). Beverages may be given to replenish blood volume further, and the donor may have to remain in a horizontal position for a while under monitoring. Most blood banks encourage donors to rest for several minutes after donation (often while eating and drinking) to let them adjust to the loss of blood and reduce the risk of these problems.

In less than 1% of cases, improperly inserting the needle is followed by bruising of the arm in the weeks afterwards.[16]

Negative medical reactions to blood donation are rare, and blood bank staff are trained to handle them.

Benefits

Donating blood may reduce the risk of heart disease for men[17] and stimulate the generation of red blood cells.

In patients prone to iron overload (e.g. due to hemochromatosis), blood donation prevents the accumulation of iron. However, at this time the American Red Cross does not accept people with hemochromatosis to donate blood for other people.[18] On the other hand, the Australian Red Cross Blood Service does accept blood from hemochromatosis as they recognise that there is no disease to the blood[citation needed].

The amount of toxic chemicals (e.g. mercury, pesticides, fire retardants) circulating in the blood stream is reduced by the amount contained in given blood.[citation needed] Anecdotally, elderly people in good health have reported feeling invigorated by giving blood on a regular basis