<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<rss version="2.0"
	xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/"
	xmlns:wfw="http://wellformedweb.org/CommentAPI/"
	xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/"
	xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom"
	>

<channel>
	<title>Improve Your Posture</title>
	<atom:link href="http://improveyourposture.com/blog/?feed=rss2" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" />
	<link>http://improveyourposture.com/blog</link>
	<description></description>
	<pubDate>Wed, 03 Feb 2010 00:11:54 +0000</pubDate>
	<generator>http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6</generator>
	<language>en</language>
			<item>
		<title>SPINAL ALIGNMENT IS IMPORTANT FOR NECK AND UPPER BACK COMFORT</title>
		<link>http://improveyourposture.com/blog/?p=54</link>
		<comments>http://improveyourposture.com/blog/?p=54#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 04 Feb 2009 01:13:45 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[WEEKLY POSTURE TIP]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://improveyourposture.com/blog/?p=54</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Have you ever caught your reflection in a window or mirror and noticed that your head was leading the way?  A head that hangs forward is the most common posture/spinal misalignment problem and the source of much pain and discomfort.  Neck misalignment can exaggerated by many everyday activities, including reading books and newspapers, wearing bifocals, talking on the phone, watching television in bed, working at a computer, and leaning over a desk.
]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><span>SPINAL ALIGNMENT IS IMPORTANT FOR NECK AND UPPER BACK COMFORT </span><span>  by  Janice Novak, M.S., Author of <em>Posture, Get It Straight!   ImproveYourPosture.com</em></span><span> </span></p>
<p>Get Your Head Straight</p>
<p>Have you ever caught your reflection in a window or mirror and noticed that your head was leading the way?  A head that hangs forward is the most common posture/spinal misalignment problem and the source of much pain and discomfort.  Neck misalignment can exaggerated by many everyday activities, including reading books and newspapers, wearing bifocals, talking on the phone, watching television in bed, working at a computer, and leaning over a desk.<br />
<span id="more-54"></span><br />
<strong>A Real Troublemaker</strong></p>
<p>A head that hangs forward is the most widespread posture/spinal misalignment problem, and one that causes far more problems than you might think.  The reason is that a head is heavy.  The average human head weights 10 to 14 pounds, the same as a bowling ball.  It’s supposed to rest directly over the shoulders in the body’s center of gravity.  When it hangs forward even slightly it is no longer in the center of gravity, and the muscles in the neck and upper back have to work hard all the time just to hold your head up.  Every half inch that your head is held in front of your shoulders puts an additional twenty pounds of strain on those muscles.  This starts a chain reaction.</p>
<p>Most of the work is done by the upper part of the trapezius muscle, a large, diamond-shaped muscle that runs from the base of the skull out to the shoulders and down to the middle back.  When the head hangs forward, the upper traps are constantly under tension to hold that heavy load.  Over time, they become very thick and tight.  When touched, they feel like cement.  <em>This causes stiffness and pain in the neck and upper back.</em></p>
<p>Because the upper trap is continually contracting, the nerves that pass between the neck bones to serve the arms and upper body get squeezed.  The result can be <em>neck pain, numbness or tingling in the arms and hands</em>, or <em>tension headaches.  </em>(Tension headaches, the most common type of headache, are often suffered by people whose work requires them to bend or lean forward, such as assembly-line workers, hairdressers, and dentists and dental hygienists.)</p>
<p>While the upper section of the traps become overdeveloped, the middle and lower parts weaken because they don’t have to work at all.  The imbalance causes tremendous <em>discomfort in the upper and middle back.</em>  </p>
<p>The splenius cervicus, long, think muscles that run between the skull and middle back, become stressed and strained and are often felt as <em>“hot spots” between the shoulder blades. </em></p>
<p>When your head hangs forward, unless you want to look at the floor all day, you have to lift your face by arching your neck.  This puts pressure on the cartilage, disks, and joints of the neck.  Over time, it increases the chance of “wear-and-tear” arthritis.  The constant compression of the disks, nerves, and joints also reduces the flow of blood to the area, cutting down on the oxygen and nutrients that reach the tissues.</p>
<p>The forward head posture is a major contributor to temporo-mandibular joint disorder (TMJ), which causes <em>pain or clicking noises when you open and close your jaw.  </em>TMJ occurs when the hinged joint that connects the lower jawbone to the skull, and the supporting muscles, become inflamed or injured.  When the head and jaw are thrust forward, as in the forward-head position, gravity pulls on the jaw and eventually the joint doesn’t fit together properly.  TMJ can be relieved by realigning the head over the shoulders and relaxing the neck muscles.</p>
<p>Forward head posture can lead to tension headaches, neck pain and stiffness, osteoarthritis in the neck and even bone spurs.</p>
<p><strong>EVERYDAY ACTIVITIES THAT CONTRIBUTE TO THIS:</strong></p>
<p>Reading books/newspapers<span> </span>sewing/knitting</p>
<p><span>Working at a computer<span> </span>crafting/scrapbooking</span></p>
<p><span>Working at a desk<span> </span>cooking</span></p>
<p><span>Washing dishes<span> </span>driving</span></p>
<p><span>Watching television<span> </span>raking/shoveling</span></p>
<p><strong>Centering Your Head Over Your Shoulders</strong></p>
<p>Once you’re aware of the head-forward problem, it’s not difficult to correct.  It just takes some attention.  Lifting the front of your rib cage slightly not only begins to straighten the upper back, this little movement also moves your head  back closer to your body’s  center of gravity.  From a side view your ear and shoulder should be in a straight line.  When you re-position your ribcage, you dramatically change what goes on in your neck joints.  They fit together the way they are supposed to once again.  It will also take immediate tension off your upper back and neck muscles.  The following exercise will help re-train your neck muscles and joints.  Whenever you think of it throughout the day, gently pull your head back over your shoulders.</p>
<p><strong>Neck Glide    </strong></p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p>1. Brings the head back to the center of gravity; greatly relieves neck strain.</p>
<p>2. While standing or sitting, lift the front of your rib cage and simply pull your head back over the middle of your shoulders.  Think of trying to touch an imaginary wall with the back of your neck.  Don’t tip your head back.</p>
<p>3. Hold for ten seconds.  Do this many times throughout the day.</p>
<p><strong>Putting Your Head in Its Place</strong></p>
<p>1. Do this whenever you catch yourself with your head hanging forward; for example, whenever you catch yourself leaning over a desk, computer, or reading material.</p>
<p>2. Sit in a chair, but don’t rest against the back.  Lift your rib cage up.  Pull your belly button toward your spine.</p>
<p><span>3. Stick your chin forward then gently pull back your head and neck.  Don’t tip your head back or arch your neck.  Instead, pretend you’re trying to touch the back of your neck to an imaginary wall behind you.</span></p>
<p><span>4. Keeping your head high, feel the back of your neck gently stretch, and your upper back flatten.</span></p>
<p><span>5. Push down on your knees with your hands to help your back become as erect as possible.  Hold for five seconds.  Repeat several times.</span></p>
<p><strong>Neck GLIDE WITH RESISTANCE</strong></p>
<p>1. Slide your bottom all the way to the back of the chair seat.  Lift your rib cage up.  Pull your belly button toward your spine.</p>
<p><span>2. Place your hands at the back of your head. </span></p>
<p><span>3. Gently, press the back of your head into your hands, using your hands as resistance.</span></p>
<p><span>4. Hold for 3-5 seconds then relax and repeat.</span></p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://improveyourposture.com/blog/?feed=rss2&amp;p=54</wfw:commentRss>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>HOW TO LOOK THINNER INSTANTLY</title>
		<link>http://improveyourposture.com/blog/?p=20</link>
		<comments>http://improveyourposture.com/blog/?p=20#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 10 Apr 2008 17:51:44 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[WEEKLY POSTURE TIP]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://improveyourposture.com/blog/?p=20</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[How to Look Thinner Instantly
How can you look thinner, have your clothes fit better, and project more confidence? Here&#8217;s the secret.
By Colette Bouchez
WebMD Weight Loss Clinic-Feature
Reviewed by Louise Chang, MD
Psst &#8230; Hey! Wanna know a secret? Here&#8217;s how to look up to 10 pounds thinner, have your clothes look better, and ooze confidence with every [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>How to Look Thinner Instantly<br />
How can you look thinner, have your clothes fit better, and project more confidence? Here&#8217;s the secret.<br />
By Colette Bouchez<br />
WebMD Weight Loss Clinic-Feature<br />
Reviewed by Louise Chang, MD<br />
Psst &#8230; Hey! Wanna know a secret? Here&#8217;s how to look up to 10 pounds thinner, have your clothes look better, and ooze confidence with every step you take. And you might just get rid of your tension headaches and lower back pain while you&#8217;re at it. Sounds like a bad late-night infomercial, right? It&#8217;s not. You may actually achieve these things if you pay attention to an often neglected area of body conditioning &#8212; your posture.<span id="more-20"></span><br />
&#8220;You would be amazed at what a difference making a few simples changes in how you hold your body can make in not only how you look, how your clothes fit, even how young you look,&#8221; says personal trainer Sue Fleming, creator of the Buff Fitness line of DVDs and books.<br />
Posture expert Janice Novak agrees. &#8220;We spend a lot of money on our clothes, our hair, our makeup, but without good posture, your midsection can look at least a couple of inches wider than it is &#8212; and because you are also pushing your gut forward you are creating a potbelly that might not otherwise be there,&#8221; says Novak, director of ImproveYourPosture.com and author of the Posture: Get It Straight series of books and DVDs.<br />
What&#8217;s more, she says, your posture influences how others see you.<br />
&#8220;They did some research about 10 years ago at the University of Louisville where 60 people were asked to rate the appearance of two women in a series of pictures &#8212; in some they were slumping, in others they were standing up straight . Consistently, viewers rated the women who were standing up straight to be younger and more attractive,&#8221; Novak says.<br />
In fact, she says, when subjects looked only at the bodies of the women, (their heads were masked) the researchers found that the woman who weighed more &#8212; 125 pounds, compared to the 105-pound model &#8212; was perceived as thinner and more attractive simply because she was standing up and taller.<br />
Personal trainer Jessica Bottesch isn&#8217;t surprised. &#8220;When you slump over, you lose inches in your height, so you are taking whatever your body mass is and scrunching it down, making yourself look shorter and wider,&#8221; says Bottesch, co-owner of Empower Personal Training studios in North Carolina.<br />
But, Fleming says, &#8220;when your body is in alignment, your head is sitting squarely on your shoulders, and your shoulders are pulled back with your core muscles pulled in, you not only increase your height and stretch out your body mass, making you look thinner, but you&#8217;re also projecting an image of confidence, of being more alert, and more youthful &#8212; all of which makes you look more attractive.&#8221;<br />
Posture and Your Health<br />
If vanity isn&#8217;t enough motivation to get you to stand taller, experts say posture can also affect your health.<br />
How to Look Thinner Instantly<br />
How can you look thinner, have your clothes fit better, and project more confidence? Here&#8217;s the secret.<br />
Posture and Your Health continued&#8230;<br />
&#8220;Low back pain, shoulder pain, neck pain, tension headaches, trigger points in neck or shoulders, sometimes tightness and stiffness &#8212; all of these problems can occur when our skeleton is thrown out of alignment via bad posture,&#8221; Bottsech says.<br />
In a study presented at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America in 2006, doctors found that the typical &#8220;slouch&#8221; is linked to higher rates of wear and tear on the spine, which is often a contributing factor to chronic lower back pain.<br />
In another study published in the journal Headache, researchers found that people whose posture caused their heads to jut forward had more frequent, longer, and more severe headaches than people who maintained a correct posture.<br />
But even if you don&#8217;t experience any short-term health consequences, you may not be off the posture hook.<br />
Over time, studies show, faulty body alignment can lead to actual skeletal damage, including degeneration of the disks and joints, and even a breakdown of cartilage that can leave you achy and less mobile in your later years.<br />
This may be particularly important for women at risk for osteoporosis. In a study published in the journal Bone and Mineral Research in 2006, researchers found that posture that continually causes the head to jut forward (known as hyperkyphotic posture) was linked to a higher risk of fractures in women aged 47-92 &#8212; independent of bone mineral density or even a history of fracture.<br />
The Big Slump: Why Our Posture Is So Bad<br />
Right now, you&#8217;re probably remembering all those times Mom whispered in your ear &#8220;stand up straight&#8221;. And of course, she was right. But if you&#8217;re also thinking poor posture is only about what goes on when you&#8217;re standing, you&#8217;re missing much off the message. Novak says slumping when we&#8217;re sitting is by far the more serious problem.<br />
&#8220;Over the last two decades we&#8217;ve become a nation of professional sitters, and what&#8217; I&#8217;ve experienced dealing with posture over the last 20 years is that most of the problems people experience are actually linked to the positions they assume while working on computers,&#8221; Novak says.<br />
Hunching over your keyboard, she says, causes muscles in the upper back to stretch and the corresponding muscles in the chest to tighten. This, in turn, pushes the head forward and the ribcage down.<br />
Assuming that posture day in and day out can cause you to not only slump every time you&#8217;re at your desk, but eventually, even when you&#8217;re standing, Fleming says.<br />
&#8220;Actual structural changes can begin to take place so that ultimately you&#8217;re slumped over all the time and standing up straight can actually become painful and difficult,&#8221; Fleming says.<br />
Exercises to Improve Posture: The 1-Minute Solution<br />
Although changing your posture may seem like a daunting task, experts say real change can come about fairly quickly. Novak says you can begin the process in less than a minute, with an &#8220;instant&#8221; realignment technique for joints and bones.How to Look Thinner Instantly<br />
How can you look thinner, have your clothes fit better, and project more confidence? Here&#8217;s the secret.<br />
Exercises to Improve Posture: The 1-Minute Solution continued&#8230;<br />
How&#8217;s it done? &#8220;From either a standing or sitting position, simply lift your sternum, (the breast bone in the center of your chest) up just an inch or two. It will dramatically change what is going in with your posture instantly,&#8221; says Novak, who details several other similar techniques in her new DVD.<br />
What&#8217;s going on, she says, is that you&#8217;re lifting your rib cage up off of your midsection and stopping the curve in the back that takes place when you slump forward. More important, she says &#8220;it helps you get your head back over your shoulders where it belongs, plus it takes the stress off of the back and neck muscles.&#8221;<br />
Novak says doing that one other move each time you find yourself slumping forward will net you some real change in your day-to-day posture in as little as 3 weeks&#8217; time.<br />
&#8220;If you also add in a motion where you squeeze your shoulder blades together towards your spine, and tuck them down as if you were trying to put them in your back pocket, you&#8217;ll begin to strengthen the back muscles that will give additional support to your posture, so you may even see results sooner,&#8221; says Novak.<br />
If you want to boost your posture even more, Bottsech says, try exercises that build core and upper back strength, so your midsection can be well supported.<br />
&#8220;When your core and your upper back are strong, it not only makes it easier to stand up tall and straight, but it also helps overcome some of the health-related problems created by the muscle imbalances of poor posture, including lower back pain and neck pain,&#8221; says Bottsech.<br />
To help get you started, Bottsech offers these three simple core strength and posture exercises. Be sure to check with your doctor first if you have any back, neck, or spine issues. And if any exercise causes pain or is extremely difficult, stop and consult a physician or a personal trainer before continuing.<br />
Pelvic Tilt: Lie on your back with knees bent and feet on the floor. Place a folded towel under your lower back. Engage your abdominals by drawing your navel toward your spine as you press your lower back into the towel. Hold 5 seconds. Repeat 10-15 times.<br />
Arm Sweeps: Sit on the floor with knees bent, heels touching the floor and toes lifted. Extend arms to each side and rotate your body, lifting the right arm toward the ceiling as the left arm touches the floor behind you. Reverse and lift left arm toward the ceiling while right arm twists to touch the ground behind you. Repeat 10-15 times.<br />
Cross-Over Crunch: Lie on the floor with knees bent, feet flat on the floor. Place one hand behind your head for support. Engaging your abdominal muscles, slowly lift head, neck and shoulders, and bring left elbow to right knee. Lower slowly and repeat on opposite side. Repeat 10-15 times.<br />
Article Link: http://www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/features/how-to-look-thinner-instantly</p>
<p>WebMD Home Health &amp; Fitness Center Health &amp; Fitness Feature Stories<br />
EMAIL A FRIEND</p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://improveyourposture.com/blog/?feed=rss2&amp;p=20</wfw:commentRss>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>WEEKLY POSTURE TIP:  Posture &#038; Breathing</title>
		<link>http://improveyourposture.com/blog/?p=19</link>
		<comments>http://improveyourposture.com/blog/?p=19#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 21 Feb 2008 15:28:17 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[WEEKLY POSTURE TIP]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://improveyourposture.com/blog/?p=19</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Did you know poor posture can decrease breathing capacity by as much as 30%?  That means there&#8217;s 30% less oxygen getting to your brain and other cells.  Try this next time you hit a mid-afternoon drop in energy and alertness.
-Whether sitting or standing, lift the front of your ribcage up slightly, as if a string [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Did you know poor posture can decrease breathing capacity by as much as 30%?  That means there&#8217;s 30% less oxygen getting to your brain and other cells.  Try this next time you hit a mid-afternoon drop in energy and alertness.</p>
<p>-Whether sitting or standing, lift the front of your ribcage up slightly, as if a string were attached from your breastbone to the ceiling.  This movement repositions your ribcage to were it should be and gives your lungs more room to pull in oxygen.<span id="more-19"></span></p>
<p>-Next, inhale deeply through your nose.  Think of pulling the air all the way down to the bottom of your ribcage.  You should feel your lungs inflate and your ribcage expand.</p>
<p>-Exhale through your mouth.  While exhaling, let all your tension go.</p>
<p>-Repeat 3-4 times.</p>
<p>We extract the most amount of oxygen from the we breath in the bottom half of our lungs.  It is where your lungs are physically biggest with more blood vessels to pick up incoming oxygen.  Unfortunately, too many people are shallow breathers and pull oxygen into only the top half of their lungs.</p>
<p>Breathing deeply not only oxygenates your bloodstream more efficiently, it also calms the nervous system and neutralizes the harmful effects of stress on our systems.</p>
<p>-</p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://improveyourposture.com/blog/?feed=rss2&amp;p=19</wfw:commentRss>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>JANICE NOVAK&#8217;S WORKSHOP &#038; SEMINAR TOPICS</title>
		<link>http://improveyourposture.com/blog/?p=18</link>
		<comments>http://improveyourposture.com/blog/?p=18#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 08 Feb 2008 20:09:03 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://improveyourposture.com/blog/?p=18</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[POSTURE, GET IT STRAIGHT!
Look 10 Years Younger &#38; 10 Pounds Thinner
Posture is important because it affects how you look, how you feel, and how others perceive you.  Poor posture is the #1 cause of back and neck discomfort and can lead to a lifetime of annoying aches and pains.  By improving your posture, you improve [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>POSTURE, GET IT STRAIGHT!<br />
Look 10 Years Younger &amp; 10 Pounds Thinner</p>
<p>Posture is important because it affects how you look, how you feel, and how others perceive you.  Poor posture is the #1 cause of back and neck discomfort and can lead to a lifetime of annoying aches and pains.  By improving your posture, you improve the health and comfort of your spine.  By standing tall you can stop the rounding over that occurs as we age, causing you to shrink in stature.  And last, but not least, your posture conveys a lot of info to the outside world about your mental and emotional state, as well as confidence level.  In this workshop, you will learn very specific exercises to straighten your shoulders, flatten your upper back, strengthen lower back and all 4 layers of abdominal muscle.  You will learn tips and techniques that will improve alignment immediately.  We will discuss back-friendly ways to adjust your computer workstations or desk; how to adjust your car seat to help your posture, beneficial sleeping/resting/reading positions and much more!</p>
<p>************************************************************************</p>
<p>OSTEOPOROSIS WORKSHOP: Building Better Bones</p>
<p>There is an estimated 25,000,000 Americans who have osteoporosis and another 34,000,000 people with bone density low enough to be at risk for fractures.  Even women in their thirties, when given bone density scans, are already showing significant bone loss due to poor eating and lifestyle habits.  Bone loss doesn&#8217;t begin in your 60&#8217;s or 70&#8217;s but can actually start in your teens.  This workshop is filled with practical information that women and men of every age need to know to help build stronger bones and/or regain lost bone mass.  We will discuss the latest research findings on foods that are best for your bones as well as ones that are worse; substances that can weaken your bones on a daily basis; which forms of calcium and magnesium are best absorbed; other important nutrients like vitamin D, K and trace minerals; which forms of exercise are the best bone builders; which tests are available to assess bone density, and much more.</p>
<p>******************************************************************</p>
<p>JOINT HEALTH WORKSHOP<br />
How To Have Stronger, Younger, Healthier Joints</p>
<p>The human body contains 143 joints.  Strong, flexible joints are needed for almost every activity we do - walking, lifting, bending, etc.  Unfortunately, studies show that at any given time, 1/3 of all adults, worldwide, are experiencing some sort of joint pain.  When your joints hurt, even simple movements become painful and that greatly lowers quality of life.  The good news, is, your joints were meant to last a lifetime and studies are showing that you CAN reduce pain and restore your joints to a stronger, healthier condition.  In this workshop, we&#8217;ll talk about:  various causes of joint pain; treatments currently available; pros and cons of taking prescription drugs to mask pain; latest research information on nutrients that can help repair joints; results of a breakthrough study on gelatin; simple joint lubrication movements for hips, knees and shoulders to sooth those achy joints; a few important stretches to help relieve joint compaction and increase range of motion and a simple technique that&#8217;ll align joints and cut down on wear and tear.</p>
<p>************************************************************************</p>
<p>ABSOLUTELY ABDOMINALS:<br />
MidSection MakeOver</p>
<p>We all have four layers of abdominal muscles, each with fibers running in a different direction.  This criss-crossing pattern shapes your mid-section and supports the lower back.  There are many reasons why the abs can weaken and lose shape:  past pregnancies, abdominal surgery, sitting for hours a day at a desk, to name a few.  In this workshop, we will:<br />
Strengthen ab muscles and re-shape waistline, without getting on the floor<br />
Check for overstretched abdominal connective tissue.  If you have this, common abdominal crunches will only serve to weaken muscles further.<br />
Do a simple technique that will correct this problem<br />
Regain control of abdominal muscles that have been cut from surgery.<br />
Strengthen abdominals from the inside out &amp; relieve lower back discomfort.<br />
Learn Anywhere/Anytime exercises that fit into even the busiest of schedules<br />
Discuss how to get rid of bloating and water retention<br />
Don&#8217;t waste your time doing traditional abdominal crunches.  Come and learn how to strengthen and flatten your abdominals quickly, effectively and in a very functional way.  Come prepared to exercise and bring a mat.</p>
<p>*****************************************************************</p>
<p>HIPS, THIGHS &amp; OTHERWISE</p>
<p>If you&#8217;ve noticed hip/thigh/butt spread, you are not alone and this workshop is for you.  We have become a nation of professional sitters, causing lower body muscles to weaken and sag.  In this workshop, you will learn: my famous ‘10 Minute Miracle Exercise&#8217; series to strengthen lower body muscles quickly and, in the process, increase metabolism and bone density; decrease 2 inches off saddlebag area in 2 weeks; trim inches off lower body by getting rid of excess water weight; breathing technique to stimulate fat metabolism; acupressure points for lymph circulation and drainage.  If you don&#8217;t have time/money/inclination to haul yourself to a gym several times a week, you will love these powerful and effective techniques.  Come prepared to exercise and bring a mat.</p>
<p>*****************************************************************</p>
<p>WOMEN, WEIGHT &amp; HORMONES:<br />
METABOLISM MAKE-OVER<br />
7 Strategies For Fighting Fat After 40</p>
<p>Are you finding that fat is collecting around your mid-section and that no matter how well you watch what you eat or how much you exercise that weight is not budging?  If this is your story, then your inability to lose weight probably has more to do with your hormone levels than anything else.  Until you discover and correct any imbalances, trying to lose weight will be like shoveling sand against the tide.  Fluctuating hormone levels at mid-life very much affect weight gain.  It is not only the level of hormones but the ratio that&#8217;s so crucial in determining how much and where you gain body fat.  In this workshop you will learn 7 key strategies for fighting fat and losing weight, including:  which hormones can make you fatter; why hormone ratios are important; why you are gaining weight around the middle; what HRT or birth control pills have to do with weight gain; which food choices make this worse; how to have your hormone levels checked reliably; what steps need to be taken to safely break the vicious cycle of hormone related weight gain; and how to help your body begin to lose weight again.</p>
<p>******************************************************************</p>
<p>PERIMENOPAUSE, MENOPAUSE &amp; HORMONE HEALTH<br />
Information Every 40+ Woman Should Know For Health &amp; Balance</p>
<p>Perimenopause actually starts around the age of 35 for most women and can last 10-15 years.  Common symptoms include:  fatigue, mood swings, weight gain, water retention, depression, sleep disturbances, joint aches, hot flashes, migraines, fibroids, and exaggerated PMS.  These symptoms are not &#8220;in your heat&#8221;.  They are real and irritants you don&#8217;t need to live with.  If you are experiencing any of theses symptoms, it is probably because you have a hormone imbalance going on.  In this workshop, we&#8217;ll talk about how to get your hormone levels measured - blood test vs. saliva test and what to do with the results.  We&#8217;ll discuss the latest research findings on traditional HRT and what that means for you.  We&#8217;ll talk about safer alternatives to traditional HRT; synthetic vs. bio-identical hormones; the use of herbs for relieving symptoms; which vitamins and minerals are need in greater quantity and guidelines for choosing a well balanced multivitamin and mineral supplement. Learn some simple ways to restore health and balance.</p>
<p>*****************************************************************</p>
<p>IS YOUR WAISTBAND TOO TIGHT TODAY?<br />
6 Strategies to Win The Battle Of A Bulging Belly</p>
<p>Have you ever found that in the a.m. your pants fit fine but by mid-afternoon, the waistband squeezes you like a tourniquet?  Or that no matter how many crunches you do, your stomach still hangs out?  Getting rid of a potbelly is much more than just doing abdominal exercises.  In this workshop, you will learn the main causes and 6 strategies for getting rid of belly bloat.  Wear comfortable clothes as we will do a few ab exercises designed to strengthen all 4 layers of abdominal muscle so that you no longer have to waste your time on crunches.</p>
<p>************************************************************************</p>
<p>THE ART OF DE-AGING<br />
20 Simple, Scientifically Proven Things You Can Do Right Now To Peel Years Off Your Biological Age</p>
<p>Your chronological age is the number of years lived.  That is a fixed number and cannot be changed.  Your biological or body age, however, is measured by how well all of your organs and body systems work.  And there are many things you can do to affect your biological age.  You have more control over how your body ages than you may think.  Research has shown us that you can peel years off your bio age.  In this workshop, you will learn 20 simple, scientifically proven things you can do right now to decrease your body age.  Help yourself look better, feel younger and age with health and vigor.</p>
<p>************************************************************************</p>
<p>FIT &amp; FABULOUS IN YOUR 40&#8217;s, 50&#8217;s and Beyond</p>
<p>Researches are predicting that lifespan for people who are now in their 40&#8217;s and 50&#8217;s is anywhere from 90-100 years.  The goal is to live longer and be healthy enough to enjoy it.  You can&#8217;t change your chronological age but you CAN shave years off your BioAge.  Studies show you can be 50 and have the physiology of a 30 year old, (and vise versa), depending on how well you take care of yourself.  What you do now greatly affects future health and well-being.  Nothing beats good health!  In this workshop, we&#8217;ll discuss simple steps to help make you as healthy as possible; how to shave years off your biological age; dumb health mistakes even smart women make: 10 easy metabolism boosters to get rid of extra weight; what tests to ask for at your yearly physical; how to stop the stress to belly fat cycle; how to look and feel your best, plus more.</p>
<p>************************************************************************</p>
<p>THYROID INFORMATION WORKSHOP</p>
<p>Are you one of the millions of Americans who suffer from low thyroid function?    Fatigue, weight gain, depression, anxiety, arthritis, rising cholesterol levels,  foggy thinking, inability to focus, thinning hair, skin, digestive problems, abnormal blood pressure, reduced sex drive, and heart palpitations are only some of the symptoms for low thyroid.  In this workshop, we&#8217;ll discuss:<br />
How low thyroid function can make any illness worse.<br />
The 5 things that need to be measured (but usually never are)<br />
Why the most commonly prescribed hormone may not be helping you at all.<br />
Different treatment options<br />
How thyroid malfunction can be the source of joint aches and pains, including fibromyalgia<br />
Foods that can help or hinder thyroid function<br />
Commonly misunderstood rules for when and how to take thyroid meds.<br />
Environmental triggers<br />
New TSH recommendations from The Amer. Assoc. of Clinical Endocrinologists<br />
If you are someone who currently takes thyroid medication but are still gaining weight and still have a variety of symptoms, there&#8217;s more you need to know.<br />
Info you need to discuss with your doctor<br />
Once your thyroid function is tested and treated properly, your quality of life may improve dramatically.  You deserve to feel strong, be healthy, and live fully.<br />
This workshop is a source of information only and should by no means be considered a substitute for the advice of a qualified medical professional.</p>
<p>*****************************************************************</p>
<p>ARE YOU A CARBOHYDRATE ADDICT?</p>
<p>Do you crave starches, snack foods, and sweets and find the more you eat, the more you want to eat?  Is your snacking out of control?  In this workshop, we will discuss a two week plan that will STOP your cravings (no kidding!), help you lose weight and help keep your insulin levels balanced.  Overcoming carb cravings is not a matter of willpower but a matter of biology.  Learn how you can stop the vicious cycle of food craving and weight gain.  No hype - just the facts.</p>
<p>************************************************************************</p>
<p>TURNING BACK THE CLOCK!<br />
Super Nutrition for Health &amp; Wellness</p>
<p>Research is showing us that we can set back our biological clock, like rolling back the miles on a car&#8217;s odometer.  Unlike the age reflected on your driver&#8217;s license, your biological age (how well your body actually functions) can be radically altered.  What you eat every day influences your body&#8217;s health and risk for disease as well as it&#8217;s aging process.  This workshop will show you how to stay younger and healthier longer by giving your body exactly what it needs!</p>
<p>*********************************************************************</p>
<p>VITAMINS &amp; HERBS:  FACTS AND FALLACIES</p>
<p>Confusion abounds about vitamin supplements.  Do you need them?  Which ones are best?  How do you choose?  In this workshop, you will learn the 7 guidelines that determine if a supplement is well balanced or a waste of money. (The instructor DOES NOT sell any supplements).   Also, we&#8217;ll discuss what current research says about:  antioxidants, phytochemicals, anti-aging nutrients, colloidal minerals, chelated minerals, sustained release formulas, and herbal preparations such as St. John&#8217;s Wort, Ginkgo, Ginseng, Echinaccea, &amp; DHEA.</p>
<p>************************************************************************</p>
<p>JUST BREATH!<br />
Techniques To Increase Health &amp; Well-Being</p>
<p>Scientists are studying and beginning to understand what ancient civilizations knew long ago - that breathing in specific ways can have amazing and powerful healing benefits on mind and body.  Breath work is the single most powerful thing you can practice for improving energy levels, health and well-being.  In this workshop, you will learn a complete course of 8 ancient breathing exercises that will:  neutralize stress by reprogramming your nervous system; increase energy and vitality; increase brain function; improve immune response; decrease depression and anxiety; strengthen connection between body, mind and spirit; awaken creativity and intuition and actually help strengthen your back and abs from the inside out.  The simplest and most powerful technique for optimum health of mind and body is absolutely free and literally right under your nose.</p>
<p>**********************************************************************</p>
<p>STRESS-BUSTING STRATEGIES FOR BUSY PEOPLE</p>
<p>Do you have too much stress in your life?  Stress not only causes a multitude of physical and emotional problems, but it will age you quicker and more efficiently than time itself.  In this workshop you will learn:  the damaging effects of stress on your nervous system; how to keep stress from ageing you; one minute stress busting techniques that can easily fit into your busy day; breathing techniques to calm the nervous system; ways to decrease stress hormone levels; how different types of foods, colors, surroundings, and even music can increase or decrease stress.</p>
<p>************************************************************************</p>
<p>ANTI-STRESS FOODS<br />
Learn How To Counteract The Harmful Effects of Stress</p>
<p>Simply defined, stress is any physical, mental or emotional strain placed on your body.  In this day and age, who among us is not stressed?  Every day we deal with jobs, kids, spouses, houses, the economy, terrorism, etc.  Stress can be very damaging because, among other things, it uses up your vitamins and minerals at a rapid rate.  Stress left unchecked can deplete us and grind us down.  In fact, all the symptoms associated with stress - irritability, racing heart, headaches, high blood pressure &amp; insomnia actually have been found to be deficiency symptoms of all the nutrients depleted.  In this workshop, you will learn which nutrients are depleted and which foods can counter-act and reverse the harmful effects of stress.  We&#8217;ll discuss simple stress reduction techniques that can easily fit into your day.</p>
<p>***********************************************************************</p>
<p>HEART HEALTH FOR WOMEN</p>
<p>Heart disease is the #1 killer of women.  In fact, heart disease kills ten times more women each year than breast cancer.  Symptoms are different for women than men so many symptoms are ignored or go unrecognized.  You have the power to control, prevent and, in some cases, reverse heart disease.  In this workshop, we&#8217;ll discuss all the things you need to know:  signs, symptoms and risk factors of a heart attack; hormones and your heart; foods that can help prevent and reverse heart disease; nutrients that are particularly helpful for heart health; exercise and the 4 numbers you need to know that could save your life.</p>

<span class="slashdigglicious">
<a href="http://slashdot.org/bookmark.pl?url=http%3A%2F%2Fimproveyourposture.com%2Fblog%2F%3Fp%3D18&amp;title=JANICE+NOVAK%26%238217%3BS+WORKSHOP+%26%23038%3B+SEMINAR+TOPICS" title="Slashdot It!"><img src="http://slashdot.org/favicon.ico" height="16" width="16" alt="[Slashdot]" /></a>
<a href="http://digg.com/submit?phase=2&amp;url=http%3A%2F%2Fimproveyourposture.com%2Fblog%2F%3Fp%3D18&amp;title=JANICE+NOVAK%26%238217%3BS+WORKSHOP+%26%23038%3B+SEMINAR+TOPICS" title="Digg This Story"><img src="http://digg.com/favicon.ico" width="16" height="16" alt="[Digg]" /></a>
<a href="http://reddit.com/submit?url=http%3A%2F%2Fimproveyourposture.com%2Fblog%2F%3Fp%3D18&amp;title=JANICE+NOVAK%26%238217%3BS+WORKSHOP+%26%23038%3B+SEMINAR+TOPICS" title="Reddit"><img src="http://reddit.com/favicon.ico" width="16" height="16" alt="[Reddit]" /></a>
<a href="http://del.icio.us/post?url=http%3A%2F%2Fimproveyourposture.com%2Fblog%2F%3Fp%3D18&amp;title=JANICE+NOVAK%26%238217%3BS+WORKSHOP+%26%23038%3B+SEMINAR+TOPICS" title="Save to del.icio.us" onclick="window.open('http://del.icio.us/post?v=4&amp;noui&amp;jump=close&amp;url=http%3A%2F%2Fimproveyourposture.com%2Fblog%2F%3Fp%3D18&amp;title=JANICE+NOVAK%26%238217%3BS+WORKSHOP+%26%23038%3B+SEMINAR+TOPICS', 'delicious', 'toolbar=no,width=700,height=400'); return false;"><img src="http://images.del.icio.us/static/img/delicious.small.gif" width="16" height="16" alt="[del.icio.us]" /></a>
<a href="http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fimproveyourposture.com%2Fblog%2F%3Fp%3D18" title="Share on Facebook"><img src="http://www.facebook.com/favicon.ico" width="16" height="16" alt="[Facebook]" /></a>
<a href="http://technorati.com/faves?add=http%3A%2F%2Fimproveyourposture.com%2Fblog%2F%3Fp%3D18" title="Add to my Technorati Favorites"><img src="http://technorati.com/favicon.ico" width="16" height="16" alt="[Technorati]" /></a>
<a href="http://www.google.com/bookmarks/mark?op=edit&amp;output=popup&amp;bkmk=http%3A%2F%2Fimproveyourposture.com%2Fblog%2F%3Fp%3D18&amp;title=JANICE+NOVAK%26%238217%3BS+WORKSHOP+%26%23038%3B+SEMINAR+TOPICS" title="Save to Google Bookmarks"><img src="http://www.google.com/favicon.ico" width="16" height="16" alt="[Google]" /></a>
<a href="http://www.stumbleupon.com/submit?url=http%3A%2F%2Fimproveyourposture.com%2Fblog%2F%3Fp%3D18&amp;title=JANICE+NOVAK%26%238217%3BS+WORKSHOP+%26%23038%3B+SEMINAR+TOPICS" title="Stumble it!"><img src="http://www.stumbleupon.com/favicon.ico" width="16" height="16" alt="[StumbleUpon]" /></a>
</span>]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://improveyourposture.com/blog/?feed=rss2&amp;p=18</wfw:commentRss>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Media Appearances</title>
		<link>http://improveyourposture.com/blog/?p=15</link>
		<comments>http://improveyourposture.com/blog/?p=15#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 05 Dec 2007 17:48:16 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[In The News]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://improveyourposture.com/blog/?p=15</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Check Back Soon










]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Check Back Soon</p>

<span class="slashdigglicious">
<a href="http://slashdot.org/bookmark.pl?url=http%3A%2F%2Fimproveyourposture.com%2Fblog%2F%3Fp%3D15&amp;title=Media+Appearances" title="Slashdot It!"><img src="http://slashdot.org/favicon.ico" height="16" width="16" alt="[Slashdot]" /></a>
<a href="http://digg.com/submit?phase=2&amp;url=http%3A%2F%2Fimproveyourposture.com%2Fblog%2F%3Fp%3D15&amp;title=Media+Appearances" title="Digg This Story"><img src="http://digg.com/favicon.ico" width="16" height="16" alt="[Digg]" /></a>
<a href="http://reddit.com/submit?url=http%3A%2F%2Fimproveyourposture.com%2Fblog%2F%3Fp%3D15&amp;title=Media+Appearances" title="Reddit"><img src="http://reddit.com/favicon.ico" width="16" height="16" alt="[Reddit]" /></a>
<a href="http://del.icio.us/post?url=http%3A%2F%2Fimproveyourposture.com%2Fblog%2F%3Fp%3D15&amp;title=Media+Appearances" title="Save to del.icio.us" onclick="window.open('http://del.icio.us/post?v=4&amp;noui&amp;jump=close&amp;url=http%3A%2F%2Fimproveyourposture.com%2Fblog%2F%3Fp%3D15&amp;title=Media+Appearances', 'delicious', 'toolbar=no,width=700,height=400'); return false;"><img src="http://images.del.icio.us/static/img/delicious.small.gif" width="16" height="16" alt="[del.icio.us]" /></a>
<a href="http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fimproveyourposture.com%2Fblog%2F%3Fp%3D15" title="Share on Facebook"><img src="http://www.facebook.com/favicon.ico" width="16" height="16" alt="[Facebook]" /></a>
<a href="http://technorati.com/faves?add=http%3A%2F%2Fimproveyourposture.com%2Fblog%2F%3Fp%3D15" title="Add to my Technorati Favorites"><img src="http://technorati.com/favicon.ico" width="16" height="16" alt="[Technorati]" /></a>
<a href="http://www.google.com/bookmarks/mark?op=edit&amp;output=popup&amp;bkmk=http%3A%2F%2Fimproveyourposture.com%2Fblog%2F%3Fp%3D15&amp;title=Media+Appearances" title="Save to Google Bookmarks"><img src="http://www.google.com/favicon.ico" width="16" height="16" alt="[Google]" /></a>
<a href="http://www.stumbleupon.com/submit?url=http%3A%2F%2Fimproveyourposture.com%2Fblog%2F%3Fp%3D15&amp;title=Media+Appearances" title="Stumble it!"><img src="http://www.stumbleupon.com/favicon.ico" width="16" height="16" alt="[StumbleUpon]" /></a>
</span>]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://improveyourposture.com/blog/?feed=rss2&amp;p=15</wfw:commentRss>
		</item>
	</channel>
</rss>
