"Motivation" is a song performed by American recording artist Kelly Rowland, from her third studio album Here I Am (2011). The song was written by Jim Jonsin, Rico Love, Daniel Morris and Lil Wayne, with Jonsin producing the song and Lil Wayne having featured vocals. The R&B slow-jam serves as the lead single from Here I Am and was released from April 8, 2011. Upon release, "Motivation" received favorable reviews from critics generally praising the sexiness of the song. Official remixes were produced for the song, including an dubstep-inspired electronic mix by Diplo and a rap remix by Busta Rhymes, Trey Songz and Fabolous.

In the United States, the song has peaked at number one on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart where it stayed seven weeks in a row, and number seventeen on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming Rowland's second US top 20 hit (fourth top 30 overall) and her second highest performing single to date as a solo artist, behind "Dilemma". It was certified double platinum by the RIAA in May 2013.

An accompanying music video was directed by Sarah Chatfield, the director behind Rowland's previous video "Forever and a Day" (2010). It follows a number of sultry scenes where Rowland dances seductively amongst partially dressed dancers in a dimly-lit warehouse, with the entire video tinged in blue light. Rowland performed the song for the first time with Trey Songz at the 2011 BET Awards."Motivation" was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration at the 54th Grammy Awards.

Here I Am was originally scheduled for release in 2010, but was pushed back numerous times. Initially the dance-influenced "Commander" served as the album's lead single for international territories while two separate singles were serviced in the United States. "Rose Colored Glasses" for the pop format and "Grown Woman" for the urban format.[1][2] Rowland decided in September 2010 to re-enter the recording studios to work on new material for the album.[3] This, coupled with creative issues such as naming the album, led to multiple pushbacks. "Motivation" was announced as the title for the album's new lead single during New York Fashion Week.[4] It debuted online via Rap-Up magazine's website on March 2, 2011.[5]

Speaking of how the record came about, Rowland said "Motivation came about when I was in the studio with [producers] Jim Jonsin and Rico Love, and we kind of were just vibing. I told Rico I wanted something really sexy ... and he came up with 'Motivation' along with Jim. It turned into this amazing record... I played ['Motivation' for Lil Wayne] and he got on it, and it was just as simple as that."[6] Along with the single announcement, Rap-Up said fans could expect the video and a remix produced by Diplo to premiere in April 2011.[5] However, the electronic remix, produced by Diplo, premiered via Rap-Up on March 8, 2011.[7]

A 23-second sample of "Motivation", backed by slow R&B beats. The lyrics of the song, described as "racy" sees Rowland asking her partner to move his hands over her body.

"Motivation" is a R&B slow jam song written by Richard Butler (Rico Love), Jim Jonsin, Dwayne Carter and Danny Morris.[5][8][9] The racy lyrics center around Rowland asking her man to use his hands all over her body, and are accompanied by a "synth-saturated beat" produced by Jonsin.[5] In terms of instruments, "Motivation" uses sparse keyboard notes, programmed beats and pulsing synths in the chorus.[10] Wayne adds a rap verse complementing Rowland's seductive suggestions, using the kitchen and a car as metaphors for sex.[5][10] According to Scott Shetler from AOL Music, Rowland uses the lyrics to promise "to be her lover's motivation."[10] Rowland called the record a mixture between dance and mash-up.[4] When asked by MTV what Rowland thought of the song, she said,"It has that personality and characteristic to it that I don't think anybody can deny. That's why when Wayne dropped that insane verse on there ... I was like, 'You really brought that up even more.' He went into the studio and just did it. I don't think it takes much for Wayne to think. He just does it. He's so admirable."[6]

Ryan Brockington, from the New York Post, was amongst the first to review "Motivation." In his review, he said "The single is a big leap from the dance club synth pop that Kelly has been releasing the past year and it seems like she might be trying to shimmy her way back into the hip-hop world by teaming up with the Midas touch vocals of Lil Wayne."[11] Both Rap-Up and AOL Music's Scott Shetler called the song "sexy."[5][10] Becky Bain from Idolator disliked the song for not being memorable. The short review was summed up with the closing phrase, "shes going to need another hit to help promote her album when it finally is ready to drop."[8] Wesley Case from The Baltimore Sun complemented the song's sexy quality. "If this isn't the year's hands-down sexiest song thus far, it has to be in the discussion. Rowland, whose sultry voice could get a priest hot, weaving in and out of the minimal beat, and setting the table for Lil Wayne's stuttering, after-hours guest-verse. Stack the pieces together and it's an understated knockout that gets sexier with each spin."[12] Billboard ranked it number five on their "Critics' Picks: 20 Best Songs of 2011"[13]

"Motivation" was nominated for two awards at the 2011 Soul Train Music Awards including Best Dance Performance and Song of the Year.It won the award for Song of the Year and was also nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration at the 54th Grammy Awards, which was held on February 12, 2012.

Despite not being released for digital download until April 13, 2011, "Motivation" made its US chart debuted on April 2, debuting at number fifty-five on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.[14][15] In the weeks following it continued to rise thanks to urban airplay, eventually reaching number one in its tenth week on the chart, chart dated May 23, 2011.[16] "Motivation" is Rowland's first solo number one as lead artist on a US Billboard composite chart (one combining airplay and sales), although she previously peaked at number one with Nelly on his 2002 single "Dilemma."[17] It stayed at the top spot of the chart for six more weeks. In the same week that "Motivation" hit number one on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, Lil Wayne, who is featured on the single, had a total of twelve songs on the chart.[17]

Following its release, "Motivation" debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 at number fifty-five, Rowland's highest Hot 100 debut as a solo artist.[18] It reached number seventeen, Rowland's highest Hot 100 peak as a solo artist, and best chart position since "Dilemma" (by Nelly featuring Kelly Rowland 2002), which reached number one.[17] Additionally, it is the first single from Rowland to chart on the Hot 100 since her 2009 feature on David Guetta's "When Love Takes Over", which reached number seventy-six.[17] The previous two lead singles, "Grown Woman" (2010) and "Rose Colored Glasses" (2010), from Here I Am, failed to enter the Hot 100, though the latter peaked at number fifty-one on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. The producer of "Motivation", Jim Jonsin, said he was proud and confident of the song's success. "Im really happy that things are going well for her on this record. A real concern for us was to get that smash for her... Shes a friend of ours as well, so to see her win is huge."[19]

The music video for "Motivation" was directed by Sarah Chatfield, at the end of March 2011.[20] Frank Gatson served as the video's chroegrapher.[6] Speaking during Roberto Cavalli's fashion show, Rowland said she was on the look out for "womanly, sexy designs" for a "feminine sexy video."[4] She elaborated on the development of the video during an interview when MTV News' Jocelyn Vena. She told Vena, "We came up with the energy, and with Frank [Gatson] and I don't know how he sees something, but he got it... I'm so thankful I have a great team that's thinking 10 steps ahead of me. With Sarah she understood; she got the concept. It was great the way everything came together."[6] The video made its world premiere on BET's 106 & Park on April 4, 2011.[21]

The video opens in a blue hue lit warehouse, with Rowland standing in the passageway before it cuts to her walking through the building checking out the ladies and men mingling. Rowland can then be seen in a purple swim suit & coat,doing various sexual choreographed routines with her many half dressed male backup dancers. The clip then shows Lil wayne in his own scene rapping his verse to the song. He can then be seen leaning against a wall and standing on a bed with the lights flashing while Rowland is simultaneously being entertained by a male dancer as she sits upon a chair. The video then continues with the crowd entwining with each other; full make out sections between females and their male counterparts, as well as partially dressed males feeling on each other's bodies, while the females also interact with each other. After more dancing from Rowland and her dancers, the video then ends with Rowland singing her final lines, surrounded by the sexually charged crowd. Jocelyn Vena of MTV commented that the video "plays to the song's sexy themes."[6]

"Motivation" has been remixed several times, mainly by Rowland's fellow R&B contemporaries who have each put their own angle on the song. The first remix, the song's official remix, was helmed by Alternative electronic music producer, Diplo. It replaces some of the song's original instruments with electronic ones, as well as adding "rapid hi-hats"[7] Diplo also modifies Rowland's vocals, by "chopping and reconfiguring" them "over the dubstep-inspired instrumental."[7] A So So Def remix of the song features female American rapper Da Brat. The unofficial remix, features a new introduction from Da Brat, and was released online to Rap-Up.[19] R&B singers The-Dream and Jeremih also made remixes of the song, adding their own verses and "male perspective" to compliment Rowland and Lil Wayne's verses.Tyga also released a remix for his Mixtape "Well Done 2" entitled "Pussy Talkin'.[22] In May 2011, R. Kelly joined the list of singers to create their own remix for "Motivation". In his version, R. Kelly adds additional verses and references his own songs such as "Pregnant".[23] R. Kelly's remix of the song was praised by Rowland. Using her official Twitter account, Rowland said, "R. Kelly Motivation Remix is CRAAAZZZZZY!!!"[24] R&B singer Mario also added his vocals to a remix of the song.[25] On June 6, 2011, a second official remix for the song was uploaded. It replaces Lil Wayne with new verses from rappers Busta Rhymes, Trey Songz and Fabolous.[26] Rhymes has a rapid-fire "bedroom"-themed verse, while Songz sings in his falsetto and Fabolous' verse is cut short by the re-introduction of Rowland's vocals.[27] A third officially produced remix, the "Rebel Rock Remix," features on the deluxe edition of Here I Am.[28]

On June 26, 2011, Rowland took to the stage of the 2011 BET Awards to perform "Motivation" for the first time.[29] Hollywood News reported that according to social networking site Twitter, Rowland's performance of the song was the most anticipated of the evening.[30] Appearing in the middle of Trey Songz performance of "Love Faces," Rowland ascended on stage where she was joined on stage by several shirtless male dancers.[31] The performance was met with a positive reception from industry critics and fellow music entertainers, most of whom noted it as a highlight of the ceremony. Ed Masley from The Arizona Republic said that Rowland's performance was "the night's most soulful vocal [performance]."[31] Roger Catlin from TV critic website Courant.com also lauded Rowland with praising, stating that Rowland offered "a live performance with Trey Songz trumping that of her more famous "sister" from Destiny's Child, Beyonc."[32] The Los Angeles Times' Gerrick D. Kennedy praised Rowland's sex appeal, noting that her "steamy performance sent tongues wagging" and was widely anticipated thanks to the serial delays with her album Here I Am (2011).[33] Finally, MTV Rob Markman pointed out that following her performance "#kelly" began trending on Twitter. Additionally Markman said "[Rowland] received one of the loudest ovations of the night."[34]

Recording[37]

Personnel[37]

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Motivation (Kelly Rowland song) - Wikipedia

One of The Guardians Books to Buy in 2018

"The world is getting better, even if it doesnt always feel that way. Im glad we have brilliant thinkers like Steven Pinker to help us see the big picture. Enlightenment Now is not only the best book Pinkers ever written. Its my new favorite book of all time.Bill Gates

A terrific book[Pinker] recounts the progress across a broad array of metrics, from health to wars, the environment to happiness, equal rights to quality of life. Nicholas Kristof,The New York Times

Elegantly [argues] that in various ways humanity has every reason to be optimistic over life in the twenty-first century. A defense of progress that will provoke deep thinking and thoughtful discourse among his many fans.BooklistPinker defends progressive ideals against contemporary critics, pundits, cantankerous philosophers, and populist politicians to demonstrate how far humanity has come since the EnlightenmentIn an era of increasingly dystopian rhetoric, Pinkers sober, lucid, and meticulously researched vision of human progress is heartening and important.Publishers Weekly[An] impeccably written text full of interesting tidbits from neuroscience and other disciplinesThe author examines the many ways in which Enlightenment ideals have given us lives that our forebears would envy even if gloominess and pessimism are the order of the day. Kirkus Review

Praise for The Better Angels of Our Nature:

If I could give each of you a graduation present, it would be thisthe most inspiring book I've ever read."Bill Gates (May, 2017)

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Enlightenment Now: The Case for Reason, Science, Humanism ...

DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE TO HOST A BACK TO SCHOOL CAMPAIGN WITH LEARNERS IN VILJOENSKROON IN THE FREE STATE

The Department of Justice and Constitutional Development will host a Back To School Campaign with learners at Rehauhetswe Secondary School in Viljoenskroon in the Free State on 15 February 2018. The campaign seeks to encourage learners at the beginning of the academic year to invest their time and effort in their studies for them to yield positive results at the end of the year.

Despite facing a number of challenges the Rehauhetswe Secondary School managed to produce a 100% pass rate for the 2017 school year.

The event forms part of the bigger programme of the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development of creating awareness to learners about their Constitutional rights and responsibilities. During the event, the Department will also hand over educational and promotional material to the learners who will be participating in the dialogue.

Members of the media are invited as follows:

Date: 15 February 2018Venue: Rehauhetswe Secondary School, 2658 J.S. Section, Rammulotsi Township, Viljoenskroon, Free StateTime: 10:00

Issued by the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development

For media confirmations please contact: Mr Junior Kotu on 079 192 9194 / JKotu@justice.gov.za.

Enquiries:

Stephans MahlanguSpokesperson for the Department of Justice and Correctional Services079 878 7587Mediaenquiries@justice.gov.za

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The Department of Justice and Constitutional Development ...

The terms meditation and mindfulness are tossed around quite a bit these days, highlighted in studies touting their health benefits, or yoga studios declaring new ways for you to find inner peace in your busy life. The terms are often used interchangeably, and sometimes, in their simplified forms, refer to the same general thing the idea of calming your frenzied mind.

The differences between mindfulness and meditation have beendebated and interpreted in thousands of ways, and the debate likely will continue. Theyre two sides of the same coin they complement each other, and they very often overlap. At the same time, each has its own specific definition and purpose.

Much like yoga, the history of meditation and mindfulness is ancient and spiritual, originating in religion. Meditation predates even ancient times, having its origins in prehistoric religions that involved rhythmic chants, or mantras. But the earliest records of meditation can be found in the Vedas, the oldest texts of Hinduism, dating from 1700-1100 BCE. Later on, different forms of meditation began developing in Buddhism and Taoism, mainly in India and China.

Ancient meditation focused on spiritual growth and transcending emotions to live in a calm present state. After being introduced to the West in the 20th century, meditation was realigned to match the goals of a modern, secular society and it was soon used as a way to reduce stress and improve healthy living, similar to the Western worlds version of yoga.

This painting from the 1800s, "Man Meditating in a Garden Setting," depicts a man practicing traditional meditation. Wikimedia / PD-US

Though its often a fine line, heres the main difference between the two:Meditation is a large umbrella term that encompasses the practice of reaching ultimate consciousness and concentration, to acknowledge the mind and, in a way, self-regulate it. It can involve a lot of techniques or practices to reach this heightened level of consciousness including compassion, love, patience, and of course, mindfulness. So mindfulness is a type of meditation, alongside tantra, yoga, sexuality, silence, breathing, and emptiness.

Mindfulness is the act of focusing on being in the present, such as focusing completely on drinking a hot cup of tea, taking in its scent, warmth, and taste and removing overpowering emotions from the mind.

Mindfulness is a form of meditation, Lodro Rinzler, a meditation author and teacher, as well as founder of MNDFL, told Medical Daily. There are many forms of meditation, including contemplation and visualization, but mindfulness is the type where you bring your full mind to an object. Being mindful of your breath, for example, is a common form of mindfulness during meditation. Following your breath improves your awareness of being in the present. This is called mindfulness meditation, known as shamatha among Buddhists.

Rinzler adds that eating could be another way to practice mindfulness: You can be mindful of your food, truly tasting it, and when you drift off into all sorts of thoughts, returning to tasting your food that is an act of mindfulness.

The practice of meditation predates the idea of mindfulness, Rinzler explains. Mindfulness is often aligned with the time of the Buddha, in which the Buddha discovered that focusing entirely on his breath would allow him to see reality and reach meditation more quickly.

Thich Nhat Hanh (third from the right, wearing a scarf) arrives in Vietnam. Wikimedia

In the modern age, Thich Nhat Hanh, a Vietnamese Buddhist monk who is well-known for his teachings on mindfulness, introduced The Five Mindfulness Trainings to the world. One of Hanhs students, Jon Kabat-Zinn, would become famous for popularizing mindfulness as a stress reduction and health-based approach in the U.S. In 1979, Kabat-Zinn, Professor of Medicine Emeritus at the University of Massachusetts Medical School, started the Stress Reduction Clinic and the Center for Mindfulness in Medicine, Health Care, and Society to treat chronically ill patients. This jumpstarted the notion and trend of employing mindfulness as a way to live a healthier life.

Whether you want to learn all about the different techniques of meditation or if you simply want to learn how to be more mindful in your daily life to reduce stress, theres plenty of evidence to support that harnessing your mind to be in the present can improve your mental and physical health.

One recent study found that people who practice mindfulness had healthier glucose levels, suggesting that improved focus and self-control could help fight obesity and unhealthy eating habits. Mindfulness meditation was also linked to improved sleep quality among older adults who would normally be using pills. It has been associated with improved focus, reduced dependency on opioid drugs, and lowered anxiety and depression levels. But perhaps whats most remarkable is that research has actually shown that mindfulness and positive thinking had a beneficial effect on the DNA of breast cancer patients, suggesting that the effects of mindfulness meditation on the body may be far more extensive than we know.

Embarking on the journey of meditation can be difficult but if you want to start out with baby steps, take ten minutes out of each day to remain mindful when drinking tea, taking a break during work, or focusing on your breath before sleep. Theres quite a bit of power in the simple act of focusing your mind.

Originally posted here:

meditation - Medical Daily

If science and technology are left totally free, mankind can achieve an enhanced, transhuman future, rid of all pain and even free of death except by choice. At least that was the view of some 150 scientists, philosophers and engineers at the recent TransVision 2004 conference at the University of Toronto. The conference did not target only the U.S. Christian right for opposing such things as stem cell research. It challenged every faith community that believes a human being is more than just one more biological product. The weekend of Aug. 7 was organized by the World Transhumanist Association. In 2005 its conference will be in Caracas, Venezuela, where this small band of transhumanists will continue to challenge all larger faith communities to review what they have to say about a brave new world that would carry us far beyond the engineered manipulations that seemed so distant when Aldous Huxley wrote in 1932 about creating babies in test tubes.

The six-year-old W.T.A. has nearly 3,000 members, two-thirds of them in the United States. Most are male engineers, philosophers and research scientists. Co-sponsors of the Toronto conference included a number of similar organizations that exist mainly as stylish Web sites mounted by small groups with names like Betterhumans, Extrophy Institute and Immortality Institute.

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For Nick Bostrom, co-founder of W.T.A. and an Oxford University philosopher, transhumanism is a new paradigm for thinking about humankinds future that rejects the assumption that human nature cannot be changed. Transhumanists, who include computer scientists, neuroscientists, nanotechnologists and researchers working at the forefront of technological development, believe that we can and should try to overcome all our biological limitations by means of reason, science and technology. They seek complete freedom to use new technology to augment intelligence, increase human strength and beauty, bring about sustainable mood enhancements, prolong life greatly and make it possible to leave the earth and explore and inhabit space.

David Pearce, who joined Bostrom in founding the W.T.A., predicted in an article published in 1977, The Hedonistic Imperative, that with genetic engineering and nanotechnology our post-human successors will rewrite the vertebrate genome, redesign the global ecosystem, and abolish suffering throughout the living world.

Perhaps because the transhumanist message is disseminated mostly over the Internet, and perhaps also because of the W.T.A.s call for total freedom in scientific exploration and technical engineering, many of the nonmember participants in the Toronto weekend were university students preparing for high-tech careers. The conference made the faith views of the transhumanists easily accessible to these students.

The Toronto conference had just ended when it was announced on Aug. 11 that a Newcastle University team had been given a license in Britain to clone human embryos for therapeutic research purposes. The following weekend, Lux Research, a consulting company that studies nanotechnology, reported that corporations, governments, universities and others will spend an estimated $8.6 billion (U.S.) on such research and development in 2004, more than double the estimated $3-billion level of 2003. (Nanotechnology is used to build products out of components whose size is less than 100 nanometers, usually designer molecules. A nanometer is one billionth of a meter; the word is derived from the Greek root nano, which means dwarf.) The vision of the late physicist Richard Feynman, who proposed in 1959 that molecular manufacturing processes would make possible digital control of the structure of matter, is now becoming a reality in laboratories.

Because foreseeable innovations might enhance human life beyond all present constraints of disease or aging, there should be no limits whatever on new technologies, according to the self-styled transhumanists, who describe themselves mainly as avowed atheists with a libertarian bent.

The Toronto conference was their latest collective effort to win public support for their viewpoint. They talked about the creation of entities with greater than present-day human intelligence. One session looked at quantum miracles and immortality, another at a kinematic cellular automata approach to building self-replicating nanomachines. One of the few women W.T.A. members talked about posthuman prototypes debating their own design.

There was some questioning and debate amid their optimistic reports. There was both scornful criticism and tentative support of the U.S. presidents Council on Bioethics and its cautionary stance. Questions arising directly from religion fared less well. Christian resistance to some new techniques was characterized at one point as a Luddite dragging in of Trojan horses.

Yet, as a sign of some openness for dialogue, the Toronto conference began with a day described as a conversation between religion and transhumanism. This was a sequel to a similar workshop in July on a post-human-future, organized by the Ian Ramsey Centre, part of the theology faculty at the University of Oxford. In Toronto, however, many religious families were not represented, and those who did present some Buddhist and Christian reflections were also paid-up transhumanist members.

Tihamer Toth-Fejel, a research engineer with General Dynamics, identified himself as a Catholic. He noted without comment from any other conference participant that transhumanism is somewhat a product of secular humanism, which blindly rejects God, dehumanizes us into animals, claims that no objective statements can be made about morality (except the one just made), and ignores that we are intrinsically valuable because we are made in the image and likeness of God.

In The National Catholic Bioethics Quarterly (summer 2004), Toth-Fejel wrote that nanotechnology is only a tool and can be used for good or evil; the problem is that some significant opportunities made possible by precise molecular manipulationespecially within our own bodiesmay seem good but will actually be harmful to our humanity as persons. Enhancements that degrade our humanity are not good for us, because they contradict who we are as persons and, therefore, should be prohibited and discouraged. Our difficulty is in recognizing which enhancements are degrading us, discovering how this degradation occurs and, finally, finding the strength to resist the alluring promises they make.

Other questions about the limits of transhumanism arose during a presentation of work being done by the McLuhan Program in Culture and Technology at the University of Toronto. Steve Mann, a pioneer in developing wearable computers to aid vision, stressed that his main interest was not to enhance human functions but to explore how technology mediates between people and the world around them. Robert Logan recalled Marshall McLuhans law that each technical medium enhances some human function but also causes obsolescence, replicates and reverses into its opposite. As an example, computers enhance information handling, replace typewriters, replicate libraries and bring on information overload. The ambiguity of new technologies can be seen in the recent report by Britains Environment Agency that Prozac, widely used as an antidepressant, is building up in the countrys river systems and groundwater used for drinking supplies.

There are many questions to discuss, therefore, with W.T.A. members. The views expressed by James Hughes, W.T.A.s executive director, suggest the difficulties involved in joining them in a dialogue that engages their own faith. Hughes, now a Buddhist, says that new medical technology should be governed only by the principles of liberal democracy: equality, liberty and solidarity. People have the right to control their own bodies, he contends, and efforts by government to control such things as euthanasia or gene manipulation are throwbacks to the authoritarianism of the church and totalitarian states...to dogma and fear.

For Hughes, the human embryo is not a person. It is a biological product, so we must think we can use it for good ends. Engineering genes is like using any other technology, and the precautionary principleDont do anything until you understand the long-term consequencesis Luddite. We are a society that learns. Physical safety is the only ground he would accept for limiting technology. He is sure, he said in a public debate in Toronto last year, that in about 400 years there will be people with green skin and four eyes who are devout Roman Catholics.

Hughes and others do not think of their transhumanism as a religion, but they maintain their faith in their worldview with religious zeal. For Catholics, therefore, dialogue with them could amount to the kind of interfaith dialogue that Pope John Paul II discussed in Article 68 of Pastores Gregis, his summary of the 2001 synod on the mission of bishops. Such dialogue, the pope said, belongs to the new evangelization, especially in these times when people belonging to different religions are increasingly living together in the same areas, in the same cities and their daily workplaces.

Therefore, one challenge of the new evangelization, especially for Catholic lay scientists and engineers, is to enter interfaith dialogue with transhumanists and like-minded people, perhaps especially over the Internet, searching for those seeds of the Word which lie hidden among them, rejecting nothing that is true and holy in what they have to say.

The second challenge is to clarify what to bring to this dialogue. Catholic scientists and engineers, the Second Vatican Council taught, are among those whose first and special vocation is to seek the kingdom of God by engaging in temporal affairs, like nanotechnology, and directing these developments according to Gods will. Is it Gods will that everything that can be done should be done?

Near the end of Brave New World, Aldous Huxley put todays transhumanist argument in the mouth of Mustapha Mond, the authoritative state representative. Industrial civilization, Mond says, is only possible when theres no self-denial. Self-indulgence up to the very limits imposed by hygiene and economics. Otherwise the wheels stop turning. The challenge, then, is to develop counterarguments in favor of a human civilization with self-denial, with limits, with constraints. For that, there is an inescapable first question: What does it really mean to be human?

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Transhumanism | America Magazine

Motivation is defined as the process that initiates, guides, and maintains goal-oriented behaviors. Motivation is what causes you to act, whether it is getting a glass of water to reduce thirst or reading a book to gain knowledge.

Motivation involves the biological, emotional, social, and cognitive forces that activate behavior. In everyday usage, the term motivation is frequently used to describe why a person does something.

For example, you might say that a student is so motivated to get into a clinical psychology program that she spends every night studying.

"The term motivation refers to factors that activate, direct, and sustain goal-directed behavior... Motives are the 'whys' of behaviorthe needs or wants that drive behavior and explain what we do. We don't actually observe a motive; rather, we infer that one exists based on the behavior we observe."(Nevid, 2013)

What exactly lies behind the motivations for why we act? Psychologists have proposed different theories of motivation, including drive theory, instinct theory, and humanistic theory. The reality is that there are many different forces that guide and direct our motivations.

Anyone who has ever had a goal (like wanting to lose 20 pounds or run a marathon) probably immediately realizes that simply having the desire to accomplish something is not enough.

Achieving such a goal requires the ability to persist through obstacles and endurance to keep going in spite of difficulties.

There are three major components to motivation: activation, persistence, and intensity.

What are the things that actually motivate us to act? Psychologists have proposed different theories to explain motivation:

Different types of motivation are frequently described as being either extrinsic or intrinsic. Extrinsic motivations are those that arise from outside of the individual and often involve rewards such as trophies, money, social recognition, or praise. Intrinsic motivations are those that arise from within the individual, such as doing a complicated crossword puzzle purely for the personal gratification of solving a problem.

Understanding motivation is important in many areas of life, from parenting to the workplace. You may want to set the best goals and establish the right reward systems to motivate others as well as toincrease your own motivation. Knowledge of motivating factors and manipulating them is used in marketing and other aspects of industrial psychology. It's an area where there are many myths and everyone can benefit from knowing what works and what doesn't.

Source:

Nevid JS. Psychology: Concepts and Applications. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth Cengage Learning; 2013.

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Motivation: Psychological Factors That Guide Behavior

This winter, Ive been lying low. As a human, Im part of nature, not distanced from it. Winter is a season in which to be quiet, so Ive been quieter. Its a time of dormancy, so Ive slept more. Less bustle, more self-care and reflection.

In late December, a group of us gathered in circle to address wintery questions: What am I laying to rest? and What requires care-filled tending? We also shared sleep-state dreams that felt like they came from Earth herself. Our council was a great reminder of how to look after ourselves as well as what each of us needs to be aware of in the entire web of life. As a contrast to the holiday hustle that was taking place everywhere at the time, we concluded our gathering by dropping into 45 minutes of stillness during which people journalled, napped, meditated, pulled tarot cards for themselves, did energy work on their bodies, and other quiet (non-)activities. Ive carried this cave-like, nest-like sensibility throughout the season and, yes, gotten cranky when it has been interrupted or disturbed. You will have noticed that I didnt even write any blog entries.

Today is Imbolc or Candlemas, a day when a tiny spark of spring is lit, when Brigids creative flame and cleansing well may be experienced. To be honest, Id rather spend more time in the nest-like tending of the cave, yet a part of my mind is curious about whats been gestating in the deep. Hmm, that curiosity is my small spark, I guess. If I spend time with it, divine about it, hold council with it in my journal and perhaps with others in circle, what flame might it generate?

And people are calling me to stir the waters and light the fires, so to speak. Will I offer Circle Way in such-and-such place? Yes. Will I present something about justice in the tarot at so-and-so conference? Yes. Would I be able to blend circle process and the tarot at such-and-such gathering in late spring? Yes. Would I be willing to teach Reiki during so-and-so months? Yes.

So, for me, this is a moment at which one foot is still firmly planted on the stone and blanket of winters restful cavern while two or three toes on the other foot are starting to wiggle and stretch, ready to venture into, or at least point toward, what might come alive in the fields of spring and beyond. The tending wont stop, it will simply take other forms. Less lying fallow, more planting. Less snoozing, more awareness of opportunities and possibilities.

All of this calls forth questions. I plan to use them for tarot sessions for myself, for journalling, and as conversation prompts with friends and circles.

Perhaps one, some, or all of these questions resonate with you. Which one(s)? How will you interact with it/them? Perhaps the cave-tomb-womb of winter has generated very different questions through you. What are they? How will you interact with them? Perhaps theres a meeting between your questions and mine. Perhaps we can explore and enliven them together in a tarot session, in a council circle, or over tea. Whichever, please let me know. Im here. Im setting aside the blanket, lighting the fire, gathering water from the well, and opening the cave door . Will you join me? Where, when, and how shall you and I meet?

Images: The Spirit of Nurture (top) and the Dancer of Beginnings (bottom), both from the Shamans Oracle by John Matthews and Wil Kinghan.

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Fitness and health are import aspects of a persons wellbeing. People experiencing motor impairment can, and do, exercise whether its by participating in organized activities such as sports, or in solitary movement such as calisthenics or yoga. Some require therapeutic measures while others enjoy the sensations of feeling fit or the pleasure of recreation. The key is finding a way to engage in sustained movement that provides form, support, stability, movement and balance to the bodys musculoskeletal system.

Most children with Cerebral Palsy live well into adulthood. With that happy development, however, is the notion that adults with Cerebral Palsy should maintain the highest level of health and fitness possible.

If a person cultivates a nutritionally-sound, rested, and active lifestyle, they are destined for a healthier path.

Because Cerebral Palsy is non-progressive, the impairment will not advance but could improve with treatment, therapy or surgical interventions. However, the stress and strain on a persons body as it functions with impairment from day-to-day can lead to premature aging, osteoparosis and arthritis.

The aging process can be compounded by the effects of secondary conditions (i.e., pain levels due to inactivity) and unrelated health concerns (i.e., broken hip due to fall), not to mention the natural progression of the aging process.

Other health concerns that affect everyones health smoking, drug use, unhealthy sleep patterns, inactivity levels, obesity, and such should be kept at bay.

As is the case for all, a healthy dose of sleep, exercise, fitness and nutrition can thwart the advancement of disease and further disability.

As a person ages, he or she develops health concerns that might be minor inconveniences. These are a healthy part of living a long life that everyone is prone to.

An adult with Cerebral Palsy, even if he or she has a mild to moderate case, may age prematurely due to the stress and strains placed on the bodys musculoskeletal system the system that provides the body with much needed support, stability and movement is the vary system that is largely affected in individuals with motor impairment.

It is for these reasons that a person with Cerebral Palsy will need to prioritize their overall health starting when they are young. For most, early intervention and physical therapy is a staple during childhood. As a child grows, surgical interventions, adaptive equipment and drug therapy are also common.

But physical health often suffers when health insurance coverage stops, therapies are discontinued, government assistance is reduced, or education plans no longer warrant. Children transitioning into adulthood have not been conditioned to maintain physical health, much less worry about the impact of inactivity on the aging process later in life.

Granted, avoiding the pitfalls of an unhealthful lifestyle isnt going to change the physical effects of a persons Cerebral Palsy, but maintaining health and fitness will help to safeguard against premature aging. An active and healthy lifestyle that includes exercise and proper diet will be rewarded with increased mobility and dexterity later in life.

As people get older, they often develop conditions that are considered chronic as opposed to acute. An aging body is less able to respond to physical stress, which means that a variety of conditions are at play. This is true for all.

The consequences of premature aging with a condition such as Cerebral Palsy can be cause for concern. Take, for example, a person that walks with an irregular gait. Stress on the limbs may, over time, hasten the development of conditions like arthritis. When this occurs, it can impede a persons ability to ambulate. Further stresses on a persons system that are secondary such as pain levels my further accelerate physical declines. And, inactivity can lead to weight gain, diabetes and health disease, for example.

When secondary conditions are present, they can complicate a persons life in the following ways:

When a persons health becomes compromised after they have worked hard to improve their physical capabilities earlier in life, its often a source of great distress. However, its a normal part of aging for the most part, and with the right preventative health measures, functional dysfunction can be eliminated or mitigated. Proper diet, exercise, and healthy sleep patterns apply to all.

As a person approaches their overall health and well-being, its always helpful to know that there are fixes for many secondary conditions.

Just because a person has a disability or impairment does not mean he or she is unhealthy. For that reason, a person with Cerebral Palsy should seek health care that treats the whole body.

The bodys ability to rebound from injury and illness becomes strained over time. Its a part of life that everyone that is lucky enough to age will experience at one time or another. The more a person has an eye on their health, however, the healthier he or she will be. Its a personal choice with long-term ramifications.

The failure to adhere to a regular exercise program and a nutritionally-sound diet has consequences, some of which will exacerbate a persons disability. Even if a person does maintain a healthy lifestyle, some secondary conditions will develop, such as:

There are no shortcuts around maintaining a high level of health its all about engaging in an active lifestyle to the highest extent possible, eating right and maintaining healthy sleep patterns.

Often, people with Cerebral Palsy believe they cannot lead an active lifestyle, but exercise levels are relative to our abilities. Every day, people with a disability engage in sports, take part in group exercise classes, participate in therapeutic sessions, or enjoy solitary fitness regimens. Theres no reason most people with Cerebral Palsy cant find something that works for them; its a matter of finding an activity that is structured, sustainable and enjoyable.

Exercise programs that will greatly affect a persons health in a positive way help reduce stress on the heart, which helps to lengthen a persons lifespan. For adults, its recommended that 30 minutes of activity, at least five days a week, is sufficient to maintain health.

The goals of an exercise program should be to:

Some exercises that can help people maintain a high level of fitness include:

A persons impairment may also dictate daily routines to maintain spasticity, thwart contractures, or maintain muscle tonality.

It is believed that every individual should sleep a sound 6 to 8 hours a day on a consistent basis in order to take advantage of the bodys ability to heal at rest.

The other piece of the health puzzle is a balanced diet. The role of eating right cannot be overstated it helps people keep their weight at a healthy level, which is especially important if a person has significant mobility limitations. The nutrients provided by healthy foods power our bodies and our brains; they give people the energy needed to lead productive lives. Likewise, poor diet choices or unhealthy eating patterns can place undue strain on an otherwise, healthy person.

A healthy diet consists of lean proteins, fresh vegetables, whole grains, fruits, milk and a limited amount of fat. Of course, trans fats such as the ones found in snack foods should be avoided.

If a person has dietary concerns or feeding abnormalities common in individuals with oral-motor dysfunction he or she should consult with a registered dietician for suggested meal planning, diets and food preparation.

Another suggestion for maintaining health is meditation and relaxation. A simple 30-minute meditation gives people a chance to relax and reflect on the future. The health benefits are numerous, and include reducing stress, and encouraging happiness and spirituality.

Health practitioners recommend at least six to eight hours of uninterrupted sleep. But, too much sleep, or too little, combined with extremely low energy levels can be cause for concern, possibly signs of depression or anxiety.

From the time adults with Cerebral Palsy are diagnosed, therapies and medical treatment become second nature. Just because that person is an adult, to most peoples chagrin, those interventions shouldnt cease.

Ways that a person can maintain both his or her health include:

Maintaining good health can be a challenge that sometimes not within reach. There will be days when a person overeats, or decides not to exercise. Thats not unusual its human.

The best way to stay motivated is to take transgressions with a grain of salt and move on. Meeting fitness goals requires and understanding of what works for the individual its not about mimicking what works for someone else. Once a person finds the preferred balance of activities, exercise regimen, fitness routines, sleep and relaxation, and proper diet that work best for him or her, its becomes easier to maintain sufficient energy and motivation. It can actually be a reward, in and of itself.

Some tips for staying motivated include:

One factor that can hamper progress is when expectations are unrealistic. Its not reasonable to expect that a person can run a marathon after training for a week. When expectations arent realistic, it can be demotivating. If this occurs, try making smaller, attainable goals. Short-term goals, once met, can lead to long-term rewards.

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Here are our picks forTop 100 YogaBlogs.Please enjoy! Here atThe Institute for the Psychology of Eating,were on a mission to forever change the way the world understands food, body and health.

The Institute for the Psychology of Eatingisthe worlds only online school dedicated to a progressive, positive, holistic understanding of eating psychology and nutrition. Unique and revolutionary in its approach, the Institute teaches students and professionals how to effectively work with the most common and compelling eating challenges of our times weight, body image, overeating, binge eating, emotional eating, endless dieting, digestion, fatigue, immunity, mood and much more.

The Institute features an internationally acclaimed distance learningprofessional offering theEating Psychology Coach Certification Training along with well loved online programs for the public, includingTransform Your Relationship with Food.No matter what nutritional system you follow, we all have a relationship with food that profoundly impacts our behavior and metabolism.Ifyoure interested in learning more about the work we do, please check out our FREE Video Series calledThe Dynamic Eating PsychologyBreakthrough.You can sign up for itHERE.The list below forTop100 YogaBlogsis in no particular order. Theyre all ranked highly in our eyes!

Just click the box below, copy and paste!

1. YogaMint.com YogaMint helps you transform your life with a mix of yoga moves, delicious vegan and organic recipes, and uplifting meditation that will defeat stress and let your spirit soar to new heights.

2. DailyCupofYoga.com For Brian, it all began with Rodney Yee. From there, what was a personal record of his own transformation become a collaborative adventure, complete with guests writers, tips, tools, wisdom, books and tech, including a great Sansrkit glossary of terms. Definitely worth a look.

3. Spirit Voyage SpiritVoyage.com provides advice on integrating yoga into your lifestyle (ranging from herbalism to aromatherapy and even humor), material for meditation, music, and a guide to interesting yoga events.

4. Yoga Journal A wide-ranging yoga blog that tackles topics like combining motherhood and yoga, where beginners should start, and practical tips on working yoga into your daily routine.

5. My Yoga Blog Intriguing musings from a dedicated yoga practitioner. Also includes photo shoots, book reviews, and a diary of day to day attempts to follow a yoga lifestyle that may provide more insight on your own yoga.

6. AnacostiaYogi The blog of Sariane Leigh, a yoga instructor who specializes in yoga practice and spirituality from an African-American perspective. Includes several different yoga programs.

7. Starr Struck A yoga lifestyle blog with detailed examination of how to carry out some special yoga exercises. Also includes spectacular pictures and interviews of interest to yoga enthusiasts.

8. PowHow Powhow is the leading global platform for live webcam classes. Powhows vStudio Platform enables fitness, dance, music, and arts professionals to connect with their students in multiple ways. A truly great resource.

9. Yoga Lisa DC Lisas blog is about the integration of yoga and knitting (two contemplative pursuits). She uses yoga to help her reduce daily stress and stay fit.

10. Ripple of One Stone RippleOfOneStone provides advice on avoiding injury while carrying out your yoga exercises. A very unique feature is their inclusion of professional, anatomical analyses of the proper and improper ways to perform yoga poses.

11. YogaTwistOnLife A great source of both deep and homely thoughts on the topic of yoga. This blog also features many interesting links for yoga fans to peruse, plus yoga events, yoga teaching, and much more.

12. Semperviva SemperViva has tons of great advice on all aspects of yoga, including nutrition, yoga insights on other current health trends, interviews, reading suggestions and much more

13. Yoga Trail YogaTrail was created to help people to find the yoga that suits them, which led to the largest, most comprehensive directory youll find. But more importantly, Yoga Trail provides independent reviews and yoga-centric criteria for evaluating studios, teachers, training programs, or retreats.

14. The Everything Yoga ItsAllAboutYoga.com features long but fascinating thoughts from the life of a yoga practitioner, salted with inspirational notes on practical yoga exercises.

15. My Yoga Online MyYogaOnline.com reports on a wide range of yoga related products that enhance your meditative lifestyle. Clothing, footgear, mats made of recycled materials, and even yoga games are covered in depth on their blog.

16. YogaCurious At YogaCurious you will learn individual yoga movements, sequences, and relaxation techniques to improve your lifestyle in all dimensions.

17. Cowgirl Yoga Who can resist a yoga site based on Cowgirl Yoga with the motto Yeehaw and Namaste? A Montana womans guide to combining motherhood, horses, the countryside, and yoga.

18. Elsies Yoga Kula A rich source of information on yoga, alternative health practices, yoga videos, and health and wellness. They have a huge selection of online yoga classes and podcasts, as well as a gift guide for yoga lovers.

19. Five Points Yoga This is the blog of Barrett, an advanced yoga trainer with over 500 hours of experience, located in the Boston area. Breathing, music, meditation, and asana are all covered.

20. Ashtanga Vinyasa Krama Yoga at Home This blog features an in-depth discussion of Ashtanga Yoga and its technical and meditative aspects, as well as the potentially ego-building features of some yoga practices and the humbling effects of others.

21. Yoga Paws LLC YogaPaws blog deals with the calming and spiritually soothing aspects of yoga. Their articles are very in-depth with high quality photos to help guide you along.

22. AbelaYoga.com This yoga blog by abellaYoga focuses on the spirituality of yoga and the possibilty of a yogic life, and not just yoga as an exercise.

23. Ashtanga Yoga Mother Earth Yogic wisdom abounds in this blog, which tackles diverse topics such as Paleo and organic diets as a complement to yoga, yoga and modern journalism, and other food aspects of yoga.

24. Christina Sell Yoga Christina Sell discusses the yoga lifestyle, the potential and problems of yoga teaching, and various experiments with yoga under different conditions.

25. Sadie Nardini Sadie Nardini is a fabulous, fierce and fit Ultimate Wellness and Yoga expert and host of the daily yoga and lifestyle hour on Veria TV, a 24/7 national wellness channel. Shes also the author of the upcoming book, Core Strength as well as creator of the bestselling Total Transformation yoga DVDs.

26. lululemon athletica Lululemon goes into extreme detail of everything yoga. They have easily searchable subsections, including the popular ask a yogi section, plus details on food, fitness, education, music, travel, culture, dance, and many other yoga topics.

27. Yogi Times Out to empower the lifestyle of a Modern Yogi, Yogi Times hopes to inspire your healthy, mindful, conscious life. Join in the great community forum where everyone can express their passion and knowledge and share what they know.

28. True Yoga TrueYogaInc is a philosophical, inspirational yoga blog with a strong emphasis on reaching God through yogic practice. This blog also features posts about using nature to increase the effects of yoga exercises.

29. Riverflow Yoga Hot yoga is in the spotlight Riverflow-Yoga.com. But they know how daunting it can be. They focus on making their site a warm, welcoming hot yoga community and caters to all skill levels.

30. Chelsea Loves Yoga Chelsea Loves Yoga is all about building community and connecting to others through yoga. There is a special section for kids and teens, too.

31. The Yogini From Manila Jane from the Philippines shares her knowledge about Manila instructors, the different uses of yoga, talks about good yoga accessories or books, and generally discusses yoga in a friendly, accessible way.

32. Ishta Yoga IshtaYoga is unique in the fact that they provide excerpts from meditation classes. They also give great yoga pose advice, info on office yoga, and elaborate on the spiritual underpinnings of yoga.

33. Eyogaforbeginners.com EYogaForBeginners is designed to help those new to yoga make a fruitful start. This blog is loaded with step-by-step info designed to ease newcomers into the yoga lifestyle.

34. Yogijbrown J. Brown is a yoga teacher from Brooklyn who provides his insights on how to integrate the physical and spiritual halves of the practice into an empowering whole.

35. Nadines Yoga Yoga challenges are Nadines cup of tea, and her blog can be used as a guide to working yogic and Buddhist challenges into your own lifestyle for better flow and meditation.

36. Yoga Gypsy YogaGypsy is a highly instructional blog with lots of great tips on safe, stable, effective yoga moves. It is all from the perspective of a Canadian expatriate living in East Timor.

37. Spoiled Yogi SpoiledYogi rocks! This new mother and self-described spoiled brat spices her blog up with interviews, musings on the yoga community and reviews of yoga products.

38. Write on Yoga Melissa Garvey shares her insights on prenatal yoga and yoga for new mothers. She also helps instructors with advice on the ways to arrange and not to arrange yoga classes.

39. Ashtanga-Yoga-Gainesville Christine has been practicing Ashtanga yoga for the past 10 years and teaching for 5. Her blog contains yoga musings and insightful thoughts on the yoga lifestyle.

40. Curvy Yoga CurvyYoga is about yoga for those with a generous, curvy build. Anna focuses on body positivity and the way yoga can be made to fit any physique or lifestyle.

41. Bernadette Birney Bernadette Birney became a yoga teacher after realizing she wanted to be her first yoga teacher. Shes devoted herself to her yogic eduction and her blog chronicles her thoughts and insights into life and yoga.

42. YogaYak Videos, postures, relaxation techniques, breathing, meditation you name it, its covered here in free, downloadable class videos. Yes, we said free.

43. Yoga Download Exciting tips for making your yoga awesome and unlocking its potential in transforming your life, your stress levels, and your relationships. A great how to guide for living yoga rather than just practicing it.

44. Five-Minute Yoga Get inspirational reading from the thoughts of Eve Johnson, a certified Iyengar Yoga teacher, who deals with such interesting topics as stretches, psychology, yoga and aging, and much more.

45. CorePower Yoga CorePower Yoga is a yoga blog designed to help you live an extraordinary life. They cover everything from beginner yoga to inspirational quotes.

46. Gaiam, Inc. Practical advice on yoga routines for different situations (at work, at school, while hiking, etc.) is combined with excellent posts on the significance and possiblities of yoga in this richly diverse blog.

47. Alignment Yoga Scott Anderson is the writer behind Alignment Yoga. His lifestyle yoga musings are very entertaining, but its the audio and video tutorials that set this blog apart from the others.

48. Whole Life Blog WholeLifeYoga.com provides holesome, clear-sighted advice & commentary. They want you to beat stress, overcome suffering and anxiety, and unlock your full potential.

49. Aura Wellness Center Aura Wellness Centers blog provides advice on how to use yoga for specific uses. For instance, how to energize yourself if youre a runner or how to use yoga to ease physical discomfort, like nausea.

50. Yoga for Healthy Aging YogaForHealthyAging is an in-depth guide to creating a healthy, stress-free aging process using yoga to reduce the effects of arthritis and other aging related problems. The staff includes two medical doctors, a scientist and a physical therapist.

51. Yoga Tune Up YogaTuneup is a head-to-toe health and fitness system. Their blog shoes you how yoga, combined with other techniques, can create balance and flexibility in your body, while relieving pain from past injuries.

52. YogaWiz YogaWiz is a sleek, professional blog that includes many articles on the health benefits of yoga. They provide tutorials on breathing techniques, as well as advice on inducing relaxation and improving strength.

53. LexiYoga LexiYoga is a fascinating mixed bag of yoga related articles, detailing everything from yoga for singles to yoga for healing or relief.

54. Mastery of Meditation, Zen & Kundalini Yoga AnmolMehta.com is a yoga self-help blog that gives you insight into yoga for kids, ways to be happy or inspire yourself, and exercises tailored both to beginners and advanced yoga practitioners.

55. Eco Yogini Eco Yogini has been a self-professed ecoholic yogini and feminist for many years. She shares her journey with yoga on her blog.

56. SynergybyJasmine Promoting yoga, health, and a non-judgmental culture, Synergy by Jasmine is a breath of fresh air that gives both vital insights into yoga practices and ways to apply these principles in our lifestyles.

57. The Joy of Yoga Poetry and yoga abound in this blog which, despite being only three years old, is jam-packed with everything from uplifting thoughts to practical advice on how to handle yoga classes and relationships.

58. Young Yoga Masters Make yoga fun for your kids with the awesome and exciting advice on the Young Yoga Masters blog. With all kinds of tips on young yoga, this is a blog yogic parents appreciate.

59. Yoga Spy A serious yoga blog with occasional flashes of humor, Yoga Spy is what you need to get a good perspective on yoga practices, etiquette between teachers and students, and much more.

60. Is Yoga Legal? Offers insights from a lawyer yogi in how the non-judgmental process of yoga and the completely judgmental process of the law mesh, and what it means for the yoga lifestyle.

61. Karma Spot Solid advice on how to use yoga breathing and other methods to meet lifes challenges, with observations on female empowerment and how it relates to yoga.

62. Yoga Minded YogaMinded offers creative yoga solutions, from yoga while hiking to yoga for teenagers. You can read about good books on the subject, get some advice on poses, and enjoy pithy observations on yoga and life in this blog.

63. Radiant Child Yoga Children need physical and spiritual health just as much as adults, and this blog is rich with detail on how to give kids these gifts through the use of yoga.

64. YogaImmunity YogaImmunitys high quality photos of perfectly performed yoga techniques sets it apart from the pack.

65. Yoga in the Dragons Den Ashtanga yoga and philosophy make a riveting combination in Yoga in the Dragons Den. This blog is a highly thoughtful and greatly acclaimed work of a yoga enthusiast.

66. Yogi Crystal The author behind YogiCrystal started yoga in 2008. She blogs about her goal to grow and learn more on her yogic journey, while spreading knowledge and joy to others and helping them heal from their injuries through yoga.

67. Yoga Untwisted YogaUntwisted is written by Carissa, a lover of all things yoga! She started practicing yoga after a mountain biking accident and found it was a great way to heal. Ten years later, shes still practicing and now blogs about the benefits of yoga.

68. Yogapossible YogaPossible is written by Adam Hocke. Adam has been practicing yoga for over 10 years and his blog focuses on joy, suffering & the health benefits of yoga.

69.Tiffany Yoga Tiffany Cruikshank is an international yoga teacher, author and health & wellness expert who travels the globe inspiring people to live their lives to the fullest. She is known for her lighthearted attention to detail and passionate dedication to the practice

70. YogaG33K YogaG33k is written by Courtney Pearce. She helps yoginis and yogis along their path to living a more yogic and creative life. Her blog is lighthearted, whimsical and full of personality.

71. YogaDork YogaDork writes about the most unique stories in yoga, while chiming in her own perspective on the stories.

72. Yoga Brains YogaBrains was founded in 2012 by five Southern California yoga teachers, practitioners and enthusiasts as a way of demystifying the discipline of yoga and moving the conversation towards the intersection of science, comparative mythology, philosophy and contemplative practice.

73. Daily Downward Yoga TheDailyDownwardDog is dedicated to cool yoga experiences documented as the author journeys through the spiritual worlds of yoga and meditation. She hopes to share the benefits of yoga for people over 40, including the relief of back pain sufferers everywhere.

74. Ups and Downs of a Yoga Mom ChicagoNow is about the ups and downs of a yoga mom. The authors goal is to help take the isolation out of parenting. She accomplishes that through sharing her yogic journey.

75. The Veganasana TheVeganAsana is one womans adventures in veganism and yoga. Her blog is full of inspiration for not just yoga, but for life.

76. One with Life Stephanie Spences One With Life blog is about the tales of a traveling yogini. Her blog is an expression of the love of yoga and the love of life.

77. Movement Georgie Abels blog combines life, yoga, beauty, rock climbing and overall movement into a web of beautiful vignettes. Highly recommended.

78. Kat Saks Yoga Kat is a certified Vinyasa Yoga teacher who invites her students and blog readers to uncover and express their most powerful and authentic self. Her blog helps you in every aspect of your yoga journey, from cultivating an at home yoga practice, to building a yoga music playlist.

79. Flowtation Devices FlowtationDevices is written by Jennifer, whose blog mission is to share her practice experience in dance and yoga, while fulfilling her desire to grow with the world around her.

80. Elephant Journal Elephant Journal is one of the Internets leading yoga blogs. Nuff said.

81. Connect to the Sky Connect to the Sky is written by Bram Levinson, an enthusiastic yogi since 1999. His blog is his way of sharing with the world and communicating the shift that yoga provides.

82. Alive in the Fire Alive in the Fires tagline is being at home within the self, and all her posts are about careful asana practice, giving hugs, letting go and living green.

83.Yoga Healer This is the blog of Cate Stillman, who gives you effective, practical life skills for vibrant health and an awake life. She delivers top information about yoga, Ayurveda, eating green, and how to move gracefully at any age.

84. Yoga Lunchbox Welcome to New Zealands premier online yoga magazine, published by Kara-Leah Grant in the wake of her insatiable curiosity for the human experience. She believes in the power of yoga to transform lives physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually.

85.Ashley Josephine Yoga This is a blog for the modern day woman looking for a little more balance in life. Here, Ashley has created a bite-size series of yoga videos to give you a taste of the studio in your own home. She teaches with a mind/body/soul approach to help you Live the Life You Were Born to Live.

86. Reflections Yoga Studio The Reflections Center for Conscious living is a great place for practicing yoga and meditation in New York City. Home to teacher trainings and other Rad Workshops. Definitely worth a look.

87. Body Divine Yoga Written by a certified yoga instructor and therapist, Body Divine Yoga is a wonderful look into yogic philosophy at work in the modern world, or as guru B.K.S. Iyengar put it, discovering that: the needs of the body are the needs of the divine spirit which lives through the body.

88. Yoga Earth This collaborative community of health-conscious consumers and ambassadors exists in the world to share the best in nutrition, yoga, and eco-design. Their blog hosts great interviews with yoga practitioners all over the world.

89. Do Yoga With Me! This site is dedicated to sharing the gift of yoga with people of all walks of life. They offer full-length yoga classes, as well as yoga poses, and everything is 100% free! Classes include advanced poses, breathing techniques and anatomy videos. They also offer guided audio meditations and great blog.

90. Green Yoga Welcome to the online home of the northern California operation known as the Green Yoga Association, out to inspire eco-compassionate living through yoga. They also offer great getaways and a highly followed newsletter for your enjoyment and education.

91. Kathryn Budig Kathryn trained and taught in LA for 8 years and now travels the globe, sharing her zeal for life, yoga and food as Womens Health Magazines yoga expert. Shes also the co-founder of Poses for Paws, an organization dedicated to raising money for animal shelters through yoga.

92. Marianne Elliot Zen peacekeeper and storyteller, human rights advocate and author, Marianne spent time serving the UN mission in Afghanistan with a focus on human rights and gender issues. She is a profound teacher and advocate for the benefits yoga brings to the body and mind.

93. MindBodyGreen MindBodyGreen has evolved quite a bit in the last three years. While most people know is as a wellness resource, few know how much yoga goes on here! Check out their pose instructions, articles and interviews from best in the yoga world.

Were always open to suggestions. Feel free to email us and post your favorite Raw Food Blogs in the comments below!

Warm Regards,The Institute for the Psychology of Eating Institute For The Psychology of Eating, All Rights Reserved, 2014

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Top 100 Yoga Blogs | Psychology of Eating

This page helps beginners, or seasoned yogis, understand the basics through foursteps or stages, each with a series of three classes. The first stage, Learn the Yoga Basics,teaches the beginner student fundamental yoga principles, such as how to do the most basic yoga poses that are a part ofalmost all classes, including sitting cross-legged (sukhasana), sitting with legs straight (dandasana), sitting on your heels (virasana) and doing a flow called sun salutations (nurya namaskar).

The second stage, Learn the Yoga Fundamentals: Core Stability,teaches you how to properly activate your core(bandhas) and how integrate your breathing (pranayama).

The third, Learn the Yoga Fundamentals: Strength and Stretch,takes you through a series of classes that help you understand how to strengthen your core and maintaing core stability while strething and doing yoga. And the fourth, Learn the Yoga Fundamentals: Take the Next Step,challenges you with more demanding poses and sequences. All four together provide a fantastic foundation for anyone who wants to further their understanding of yoga and their body.

The three videos in this series are either for students who are brand new to yoga or those who have done yoga but would like to learn how to make it more comfortable or understand how to get the best out of a yoga class.

The three videos in this series teach you how to use your breath and deep core muscles to establish stability around the pelvis and lower back, then shows you how to maintain your core connection while doing yoga.

The three videos in this series show you how to progressively strengthen your core muscles, including your pelvic floor, transverse abdominis, multifidus and psoas, while learning how to stretch key muscle groups in the body.

If you choose to spend some of your valuable time doing yoga, you might as well make sure that you are maximizing yoga's benefits. This next series of classes are more challenging, making it harder to maintain the principles that you learned in the earlier classes. If you're ready, go for it! There's nothing like pushing the edge!

Rachel takes you through a more challenging sun salutation, focusing on alignment principles and breath. Her clarity, precision and good nature will help you through this class, and you may learn a few things too!

Anastasia challenges your core stability even more, with a more challenging pose sequence where she mixes quite a few core strength poses with great releases for the lower back and hips. Even though this class will push you, it will be deeply satisfying your whole body over.

Our beginner series ends with a class that will send you off into the yoga world with gusto and all of the tools that you need to practice safely and effectively in whatever class you do. Anastasia works you harder in this full-length class, while also taking you through some nice back and hip releases.

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Yoga For Beginners | DoYogaWithMe.com