7 health and fitness myths that could disrupt your training goals

BelfastTelegraph.co.uk

The fitness industry really is full of a lot of bad information, and it makes it harder and harder for us to make informed choices about what we should and shouldn't do to help us work towards our goals.

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The fitness industry really is full of a lot of bad information, and it makes it harder and harder for us to make informed choices about what we should and shouldn't do to help us work towards our goals.

So, once again, to help you make the best choices when it comes to what to believe when it comes to your training and nutrition, here are seven more myths that really need to stop:

High-fat diets have had their fair share of fads (Bulletproof Coffee, anyone?) and the idea of "eat fat to burn fat" has been knocking around for some time. Although a high-fat diet may be more preferable for some people, there has been nothing to show that it is a superior method for losing weight.

As calorie balance is the number one determining factor for weight loss, when you consider that a gram of fat has over double the calories of a gram of protein or carbs, a high-fat diet can easily see the calories add up very quick. Not necessarily ideal for those of us trying to shift some pounds.

You may have heard that cardio on an empty stomach is a great way for tapping into the body's fat stores - after all, if you've no fuel, it has to come from burning fat, right?

Research, however, indicates that fasted cardio is actually no more beneficial for losing weight than when training in a fed state.

Worse still, it may actually put us at a greater risk of losing muscle (particularly high intensity type training)- not great news for improving body composition.

Despite what some say about anything over 30g of Protein in a single meal simply being passed out of the body, the truth is that more protein just takes more times to be digested, absorbed, and used.

The length of time for digestion depends on the overall quantity of food in that meal. When you consider than protein itself is tougher to digest, as well as the effects of fibre, carbs, and previously eaten meals on the rate of digestion, a hefty intake of protein in a single meal can take over 10 hours to be digested and passed into our bloodstream.

Just because it's over 30g doesn't mean our bodies won't use it.

Both carbs and fats have been (falsely) argued as having negative effects on the body, and protein is no different.

It's long been said that a high protein intake is bad for the kidneys, whereas there is actually no published evidence to support this. Although those of us with an existing kidney condition should more likely be cautious of a high protein diet, intakes of up to 1.27g per lb of bodyweight have been shown to have no adverse effect on healthy kidney function.

As protein is essential for muscle growth and repair, it is a huge consideration for those of us who train - 0.8g per lb of bodyweight is a great minimum target to aim for.

Starvation mode is believed to be when the body ceases its ability to lose weight, and starts gaining it despite eating a low calorie intake. However, because calories in vs. calories out is what matters when looking at weight loss/gain, our bodies cannot suddenly just start gaining weight if we were truly in a calorie deficit.

If we are seeing weight gain, it is likely because we not in a deficit, as we are eating more than we realise (often from finding a very low calorie diet too hard to stick to,) or, more likely, because we are burning less calories than we think.

Due to the fact that our metabolism slows when we lose weight (as a lighter body requires less calories to run it,) and we move around less as we eat less (to conserve energy,) our energy output drops, making it harder to create the deficit we need to achieve further weight loss.

It once again boils down to calorie balance.

It's long been believed that there is a golden "window or opportunity" after a workout for us to kickstart muscle growth and refuel the body, but there is very little research to actually support this claim.

What's more, if we are to only look at one single meal, we overlook the nutrition we provide our bodies with across the course of the rest of the day. What we eat across 24 hours will have a much bigger impact on our bodies than what we eat within 30 minutes of training.

A warning typically touted by those who have experienced pain or injury while performing either squats or deadlifts. Despite being two of the biggest full-body exercises, there is nothing inherently dangerous about either exercise when performed correctly and through a full range of motion.

Pain is usually as a result of poor technique, or by letting your ego get the better of you when putting weight on the bar. It is important to remember though that not everyone is suited to every exercise - there's many different reasons why we might find a certain exercise isn't right for us, and if an exercise causes us pain, either a correction in technique, or an appropriate substitution should be considered.

Want more tips to help you work towards your health and fitness goals? Make sure to check out the Facebook page for daily advice and guidance.

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7 health and fitness myths that could disrupt your training goals - Belfast Telegraph

WASHINGTON -- The Army has more obese Soldiers than ever before, and to address the problem, senior Army leaders discussed a holistic approach that includes vegan options at dining facilities and box breakfasts at fitness centers.

Currently, one in 20 Soldiers fails the Army Physical Fitness Test annually and 13 percent of Soldiers are clinically obese, according to statistics from the Army Surgeon General's Office that were presented Monday at the 2017 Medical Symposium. The conference was hosted by the Association of the U.S. Army in San Antonio, Texas.

"I do think that we've been recognizing that what we are doing has not been working," said Michael McGurk, director of the Research and Analysis Directorate at the Army Center for Initial Military Training. "Holistic health and fitness is a radical change -- radical departure. It is going to cost the Army money, time and people. And we've got to be willing to give that up to make the changes that we need."

The Army's new campaign plan, called "Holistic Health and Fitness" focuses on improving the Soldier selection process, physical performance, performance education, and transforming and improving Soldier fitness/training centers.

Tim Higdon, Healthy Army Communities program manager, said one suggestion is to have fitness centers provide box breakfasts so that Soldiers in a time crunch will not need to choose between having breakfast and working out. Higdon said HAC is also planning to attempt innovations such as requiring 15 to 50 percent of vending machines to have healthier options, while others will be 100-percent comprised of healthy items. Vegetarian and vegan options may also be added to dining hall menus.

"It's about action and what we could do next to improve the overall health of our communities," Higdon said.

Healthy Army Communities has identified eight demonstration installations to test some of the new measures: Fort Belvoir, Virginia; Fort Meade, Maryland; Fort Riley, Kansas; Fort Sill, Oklahoma; Fort Benning, Georgia; Fort Huachuca, Arizona; Redstone Arsenal, Alabama; Fort Bliss, Texas; USAG Italy, and USAG Humphreys, South Korea.

McGurk noted that the Army has not changed its physical fitness test since 1980. He said the field manual for Army Physical Readiness Training, FM 7-22, is now being rewritten with a new name, Holistic Health and Fitness.

"Wearing the uniform that says 'U.S. Army' is a privilege and an honor and there [are] responsibilities," McGurk said. "And one of them is a baseline level of fitness and capability which I think we need to maintain."

Command Sgt. Maj. Michael Gragg of TRADOC said five installations and eight fitness centers will transition to meet the new initiatives. At those locations, sports performance, nutrition and PT training classes will take the place of recreational activities, and will take place during non-peak fitness hours. Units can use the facilities for training and Soldiers who need additional PT time can also take courses.

Col. Matthew Garber, director of the Rehab and Reintegration Division at the Office of the Surgeon General, said that new emphasis will also be placed upon decreasing the impact of muscular skeletal injuries on readiness. Looking at the entry standards and alternative training methods could help decrease preventable injuries during physical training. He also said it is important that Soldiers suffering from muscular and skeletal injuries have access to treatment.

"When you do get hurt, we know it's vital that you get seen early to prevent a chronic problem from developing," Garber said.

Retired Brig. Gen. Peter Palmer said to achieve a truly holistic approach to health and fitness, the cognitive aspect of training must be studied.

"The key challenge here is if we're going to really talk human performance, we've got to understand how we actually perform, Palmer said. "And that's why I emphasize the brain portion."

In another panel discussion, Maj. Gen. Brian Lein, commanding general of the Army Medical Department Center, discussed the possibility of artificial intelligence aiding the work of Army medics in the battlefield. Lein said that the Army is already experimenting with virtual reality in training situations at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. There, simulations with frames of cockpits and armored vehicles simulate emergency medical situations. Lein said the Chinese already have an A.I. system for medical providers.

"That's never going to replace the anxiety and the stress of a real patient bleeding to death in front of you," Lein said. "But the closer that you can get to virtual reality, the better off we're going to be."

Surgeon General of the Army Lt. Gen. Nadja West noted that each facet of the combat medic process -- from training to veterinary assistance for military working dogs -- plays interdependent roles. She said each role has an integral part in assuring the Army's warfighters are fit for battle.

"What keeps a Soldier of a free country reliable in battle?" West said. "I would say this, in addition to great leadership, great training ... (It is) the fact they know if they're harmed or injured, someone will be there to render aid in any way that they can."

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Army launches holistic health and fitness initiative - United States Army (press release)

Dear Doctor: I'm living with Crohn's disease. Even though I feel fine, my wife is certain that it has caused me to be vitamin B12 deficient. If you could explain the signs of a B12 deficiency, it may put her mind at ease and get me off the hot seat.

Dear Reader: When you have Crohn's disease, a portion of your digestive tract is chronically irritated or inflamed. Symptoms include pain or cramping in your abdomen, diarrhea, fever and weight loss. The cause of Crohn's disease, one of a group of disorders known as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), is not known at this time. However, changes in diet and the use of medications to reduce inflammation, along with bowel rest, can help relieve symptoms.

The reason your wife is concerned about your levels of vitamin B12 is that Crohn's disease can cause the tissue of the bowel to thicken, become scarred or develop ulcers. Any of these may cause the bowel to lose the ability to properly absorb nutrients. When the disease is located at the far end of the small intestine, where vitamin B12 absorption takes place, maintaining healthy levels of that vitamin can indeed become an issue.

We need about 2.4 micrograms of B12 per day for our bodies to carry out functions like making red blood cells, keeping our nerves healthy and making DNA. Sources of B12 include fish, meat, poultry, eggs, milk and other dairy products, with liver and clams delivering a particularly hefty dose of the vitamin. It's also added to some breakfast cereals and is available as a supplement.

Although most people in the United States get enough B12 through a balanced diet, up to 15 percent of Americans have some degree of deficiency. Some older adults lack adequate hydrochloric acid in their stomachs to properly separate B12 from food. That means that when the contents of the stomach reaches the end of the small intestine, B12 is not available in a form that can be absorbed. In individuals like yourself, whose bowel is chronically inflamed, absorption in the small intestine can become compromised, even with proper digestion in the stomach.

Symptoms that can indicate a vitamin B12 deficiency include feeling weak and tired for no apparent reason, mental confusion or "fogginess," a decline in balance, the onset of depression and even signs of dementia. Other indicators may be poor appetite, unexplained weight loss, ongoing constipation and nerve problems like prickling or tingling in the hands or feet. In extreme cases, a deficiency of vitamin B12 can lead to megaloblastic anemia, which can cause extreme fatigue, dizziness and pale skin.

If these symptoms sound familiar, your family doctor will measure your B12 levels via a simple blood or urine test. Should a deficiency be found, treatment may include a diet of foods rich in B12, regular B12 supplements or, in a severe case, B12 injections. And considering that long-term B12 deficiency can cause nerve damage and other serious problems, we would also prescribe a "thank you" to your wife.

Send your questions to askthedoctors@mednet.ucla.edu, or write: Ask the Doctors, c/o Media Relations, UCLA Health, 924 Westwood Blvd., Suite 350, Los Angeles, CA, 90095.

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Crohn's disease can be a factor in B12 deficiency - Hanford Sentinel

The U.S. military has great interest in more comprehensive measurement and tracking of metabolism, both for optimizing the performance of warfighters under demanding physical conditions and for maintaining the health and wellness of forces during and after their military careers. While sensors for making metabolic measurements have existed for decades, they are expensive, cumbersome instruments primarily intended for clinical or professional use. MIT Lincoln Laboratory, in collaboration with the U.S. Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine (USARIEM)and the Marine Expeditionary Rifle Squad has undertaken a research effort to create a low-cost personal metabolic sensor and an associated metabolic fuel model. The Carbon dioxide/Oxygen Breath and Respiration Analyzer (COBRA) enables individuals to make on-demand metabolic measurements simply by breathing into it.

Besides assessing performance of soldiers in the field, the COBRA can be applied to broader purposes, such as training athletes for high-endurance activities, guiding weight loss by quantifying the impact of dietary and exercise regimens, or identifying nutritional imbalances, says Kyle Thompson, a member of the development team from Lincoln Laboratorys Mechanical Engineering Group.

Since the early 20th century, scientists have been using indirect calorimetry (IC) to calculate individual energy expenditure and metabolic rates. This method measures the ratio of carbon dioxide to oxygen in exhaled breath, which can be used to measure the levels of carbohydrates and fats being used by the body to meet metabolic energy needs. Information about energy expenditure rates is valuable for setting reasonable physical standards within the military. For example, limits on the distance and speed of foot marches can best be established by quantifying metabolic workloads of soldiers. The Soldier 2020 program is currently employing metabolic energy measurement to help establish job-related fitness requirements.

For high-performance athletes or active-duty soldiers, optimally matching nutritional intake to the demands of a specific activity can improve performance and increase the likelihood of successful mission completion, says Gary Shaw, principal investigator on the laboratorys COBRA team. Physically demanding tasks can lead to glycogen depletion, which has a negative impact on performance. By tracking energy expenditure in real-time, soldiers could detect and avoid the onset of low glucose levels associated with glycogen depletion as well as other metabolic complications, such as heat stress.

While existing mobile IC sensors can make physiological measurements, they are expensive and complex to calibrate; consequently, their application has largely been limited to clinical studies, high-performance athletics, and field testing with small groups of subjects over limited periods of time. The COBRA sensor is smaller, simpler to use, and less costly to manufacture than existing IC sensors, enabling the measurement of individual energy expenditure for dozens of soldiers in a military field unit throughout the day. Lincoln Laboratory researchers hope to use such measurements to refine the personalized metabolic fuel model for individuals, track nutritional needs, and assess the impact of training on the individuals metabolic efficiency and endurance.

The COBRA system is a breakthrough technology that promises to provide performance comparable to $30,000-$40,000 sensors at a fraction of the cost and with ease of use that makes personal ownership feasible, Shaw says.

USARIEM is currently testing and evaluating the COBRA sensor by comparing the COBRA measurements against those collected by laboratory-grade instruments. Once the sensor performance has been benchmarked in the laboratory, USARIEM will conduct small field studies to measure energy expenditure and nutrient consumption associated with different training exercises. Following successful field measurements, low-rate production of the COBRA sensor may be pursued in order to study energy expenditure and performance across dozens of soldiers over days of activity.

Beyond its use in studies of the performance of soldiers and athletes, the COBRA sensor and associated metabolic model can be applied to the management of the general populations metabolic health. It is anticipated that the COBRA sensor and metabolic model can be used to tailor dietary and exercise regimens for managing weight, inferring blood glucose and glycogen storage levels, and creating public databases on metabolic wellness and trends. This information could be used by clinicians and patients to aid in controlling obesity, which affects over one-third of Americans, and to provide a non-invasive indication of chronically high blood glucose, which is associated with the development of type-2 diabetes. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly half of the adult population in the United States is either diabetic or pre-diabetic.

There are several promising avenues for the COBRA sensors future. The researchers have applied for a patent and plan to conduct single-subject experiments to demonstrate how the sensor can be used in assessing nutritional imbalances. The laboratory will also seek opportunities to collaborate with other researchers interested in using COBRA as a tool in clinical studies, including those concerned with weight loss and endurance training.

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Monitoring metabolic energy expenditure, health, and fitness with a breath analyzer - MIT News

TEMPE, Ariz., Aug. 1, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --Mountainside Fitness and Sonora Quest Laboratories have collaborated to offer a select menu of wellness screens and health profiles to Mountainside Fitness members, empowering them to take control of their health by ordering certain lab tests on their own. These tests are available through Sonora Quest Laboratories' My Lab ReQuest service which, per Arizona law, allows consumers to order lab tests from a licensed clinical laboratory without physician orders.

Mountainside Fitness members will have the opportunity to order any of the following tests through this partnership:

"Health and wellness are the cornerstones of the Mountainside Fitness organization. To be able to provide expanded services, which include blood testing, to our members is just another example of how we want to continue to support their health and fitness goals," noted Tom Hatten, founder and CEO of Mountainside Fitness.

Hatten added, "Health insights that were once only available to top-level athletes, we can now offer to our members. Sonora Quest Laboratories will arm our customers with inside information on their health that will allow them to optimize their training at our facilities."

Christina Noble, VP of Business Development with Sonora Quest, said, "As Sonora Quest continues to empower consumers to take more control over their own health, we are proud to partner with Mountainside Fitness and provide a solution that allows their members to play a more active role in managing their health. In this new era of personalized health care consumerism, My Lab ReQuest gives consumers more choice and flexibility in a convenient, efficient and confidential way."

Mountainside Fitness is a home-grown success story that was started by an Arizona State University student with a small fitness center in Ahwatukee in 1991. The founder turned his sweat equity and hands-on operational efforts into a successful health club with 14 locations around Greater Phoenix and more than 60,000 active members. Just recently, Mountainside Fitness opened at the award-winning and stunning Marina Heights development along Tempe Town Lake.

About Mountainside FitnessMountainside Fitness is Arizona's premier and privately owned health club currently operating more than 14 locations & 75,000 active members in the Phoenix Metropolitan area. Established in 1991 by Valley native Tom Hatten, Mountainside Fitness is proud to offer guests more than 80 group fitness classes per week, state-of-the-art fitness equipment, on-site childcare, complimentary towel service and a wide range of amenities with friendly service, at an affordable price. Mountainside Fitness is dedicated to helping members achieve their goals by offering a team of committed professionals, beautifully appointed full-service locker rooms, the option for executive treatment with personal lockers and laundry service, complimentary Wi-Fi, and the M Caf - an all-natural juice bar serving fresh juices, tasty smoothies, and healthy snacks. To learn more about Mountainside Fitness, visit mountainsidefitness.com or download the mobile app--search on iTunes or Google Play for Mountainside Fitness.

About Sonora Quest LaboratoriesSonora Quest Laboratories, a joint venture between Banner Health and Quest Diagnostics (NYSE: DGX), is part of the nation's largest integrated laboratory system with approximately 3,100 employees serving more than 23,000 patients every day throughout Arizona. Sonora Quest Laboratories is the market share leader in clinical laboratory testing in Arizona, performing more than 60 million diagnostic tests per year. Sonora Quest Laboratories offers a local comprehensive test menu which encompasses routine, molecular, prescription drug monitoring, cytogenetic, and pathology testing services. Ninety-eight percent of all testing is performed at our primary testing facilities located in Tempe, Tucson, Flagstaff, Prescott and Yuma. Sonora Quest Laboratories is accredited by the College of American Pathologists (CAP) which is the gold standard in laboratory accreditation, helping laboratories to maintain accuracy of test results and ensure accurate patient diagnosis. This accreditation ensures the highest standard of care for all laboratory patients as CAP inspectors examine laboratory staff qualifications, equipment, facilities, safety program and records, and overall management. http://www.sonoraquest.com.

MEDIA CONTACTSSonora Quest Laboratories 480.998.2600Gabby Soto, rel="nofollow">gsoto@lavidge.com

Mountainside Fitness 480.495.3806Jennifer Parks-Sturgeon, rel="nofollow">jparks-sturgeon@rosemoserallynpr.com

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The practice of Zen meditation or Zazen is at the heart of the Zen Buddhist experience. Originally called Dhyana in India, Zen meditation is a very simple yet precise method of meditation, where the correct posture is imperative. The Room

Before starting your meditation, you need to find a quiet and peaceful place where you will not be disturbed. The room where you will practice in should not be too dark or too bright, too warm or too cold.

There are different ways that you can practice Zen meditation. Traditionally, only the full lotus position or the half lotus position is used. If you lack flexibility, it is also possible, yet least recommended, to practice Zazen kneeling or to sit on a chair.

Zazen is practiced sitting on a zafu, a thick and round cushion, in the full lotus (Kekkafuza in Japanese) or half-lotus position (Hankafuza in Japanese). The purpose of this cushion is to elevate the hips, thus forcing the knees to be firmly rooted to the floor. This way, your Zazen will be a lot more stable and also comfortable. Additionally, you need to have a zabuton, which is a rectangular mat that is placed under the zafu to cushion the knees and legs.

Ideally, its is recommended that you buy a zafu but, as a beginner, you can fold up a thick blanket to work as a zafu. Zafus are usually around 13-14 inches in diameter but can be found in a variety of sizes. You can also utilize a thick blanket as a homemade zabuton.

For the half-lotus position, put either foot on top of the opposite thigh, and place the other foot on the floor underneath the other thigh. For the full lotus position, put each foot on the opposite thigh with the line of the toes matching the outer line of the thighs. It is important to push the sky with the top of your head and to push the floor with your knees.

These postures might seem uncomfortable and unnatural for most beginners, but with practice, your legs and hips will become more flexible, your mind will relax, and you will find the posture to be quite comfortable.

If these postures are too uncomfortable, try sitting in seiza, the traditional kneeling position used in Japan for regular sitting in daily life. If that posture is also too uncomfortable, you can use a meditation bench. You can also sit on a chair without using the backrest.

The important point of this posture is to keep the body upright and well balanced; try not to lean in any direction, neither right nor left, neither forward nor backward.

Whatever the position you choose to adopt, make sure that your back and neck stay as straight as possible. Pull your chin in a little to erect the neck and try to push the sky with the top of your head. Do not be too tensed or too relaxed while you do this; try to find balance in your posture. Keep your mouth closed during zazen; your teeth should be together, and your tongue should be against the roof of your mouth just behind your teeth.

Traditionally in Zen, the eyes are kept open during meditation. This prevents the meditator from daydreaming or becoming drowsy. Without focusing on nothing in particular, direct your vision about one meter in front of you on the floor. Your eyes will naturally come to rest in a position that is half opened and half closed. When doing zazen in a soto dojo (meditation hall), the meditator sit facing a wall in order to avoid distracted by external movement. It is suggested to do the same at home.

The position of the hands during Zazen is the same for the full lotus, half lotus, seiza and chair positions. This hand position is called the Cosmic Mudra or Hokkaijoin in Japanese. First, put your left hand on the right one, and palms turned towards the sky. Now, make an oval by touching the tips of the thumbs together so that your thumbs touch each other and form a somewhat straight line. The tips of your thumbs should lightly touch each other. Both of your wrists should rest on your thighs; the edge of your hands should rest against your belly. Keep your shoulders relaxed.

There are two reasons for this hand position. First, shape of the hands harmonizes the condition of our minds. The meaning of the mudra is beyond duality. Secondly, if your mind is somewhere else when you sit, naturally the shape of this oval becomes distorted. This can be a signal for yourself that something is wrong with your meditation and for your teacher so that he can correct you.

Zen breathing cannot be compared with any other, and it is a fundamental part of the Zazen practice. The correct breathing can only be achieved through the right posture. During Zazen, breathe quietly through the nose and keep the mouth closed.

Try to establish a calm, long and deep natural rhythm. You should focus on exhalation while inhalation is done naturally. Zen breathing and martial arts breathing are similar, and they can be compared to the mooing of a cow or the roaring of a tiger.

As with breathing, the mindset is essential in the practice of Zen meditation. The right state of mind emerges naturally from a deep concentration on the posture and breathing. During zazen, it is normal to have images, thoughts and emotions coming up to the surface, appearing from the unconscious mind. Do not pursue them or fight escape from them. The more you try to get rid of them, the more attention you give them, and the stronger they become. Try not to attach to them. Just let them go without judgement, like clouds in the sky.

So, as soon as you become aware that you are interacting or grasping on thoughts, immediately bring back your concentration to your posture and breathing; your mind will settle down naturally.

With experience, you will have less and less thoughts during Zazen, and your mind will come to rest more easily and more quickly.

As Zen master, Taisen Deshimaru said: By simply sitting, without looking for any goal or any personal benefit, if your posture, your breathing and your state of mind are in harmony, you will understand the true Zen; you will understand the Buddha's nature.

Now its time to start Zazen. To avoid distraction, it is recommended that you practice facing a wall, as you would do in a training hall (dojo) or a monastery. Place your zafu on your zabuton so that, once sitting, your body is about one meter away from the wall. If you are using a kneeling bench or a chair, also try to position yourself a meter away from the wall.

Once you have taken the position that is the most comfortable for you, take a few deep breath. Close your hands into a fist with your thumbs inside your fingers and the back of your hands on your knees, with the fingers up. Now, slowly balance your body from left to right three or four times.

Next, do gassho. Place your palms against each other as if in prayer, and bend forward a few seconds as a sign of respect for the Buddha and the Buddhas teaching or Dharma. Finally, place your hands in the Hokkaijoin position, and keep your back and neck straight (push the sky with the top of your head) and start Zazen. As a beginner, it is advised to practice for 15 to 30 minutes. A good way to keep track of timer during zazen at home, instead of checking time constantly, is to use a meditation timer on your phone. I would recommend two timer: Enso for iOS and Undo for Android.

Once you have finished Zazen, do gassho again. Remain sitting on the cushion calmly and quietly for a few moments; don't hurry to stand up. Try not to talk for a few minutes after completing Zazen.

*These images were respectfully taken from the highly recommended book "How to Practice Zazen" by Gudo Nishijima and Joe Langdon.

Learn more about Zazen (video): How to do Zazen?

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ZEN BUDDHISM | Practice | Zen Meditation Guide (zazen guide)

Followers of a self-proclaimed Buddhist guru in Taiwan are handing over tens of millions of dollars in membership fees and donations to his organization each year, former members of the sect have told The News Lens.

Master Miaochan (), founder of Rulaizong (), is netting yearly membership proceeds of NT$72 million (US$2.4 million), coupled with monthly donations of as much as NT$86 million (US$2.8 million), the former members say.

The organization, which claims to practice Zen Buddhism, was founded by Miaochan in 2004 and is understood to have about 80,000 followers across Taiwan. Followers of Miaochan credit anything good that happens in their lives from job promotions to finding love to the protection and blessing of their master. They claim the leaders healing powers include curing people who have suffered strokes and those diagnosed with early-stage cancer.

Members pay NT$1,000 to NT$2,000 (US$33 to US$66) in monthly fees to the organization. The leader claims the contributions will help him bring salvation to his believers and the donations are collected at their 24 large-scale prayer sessions held each month. It is at these prayer sessions where Miaochan makes appearances, and members are encouraged to attend at least one session every month.

A local bank, Yuanta Bank, offers members the Rulai Card, which automatically deducts NT$2,000 from cardholders' accounts as donations to the group every month.

Josh, a former member who now works to convert people out of Rulaizong, believes that at least 800,000 people have participated in introductory sessions and paid the base member fee of NT$300.

From that fee alone, Miaochan has made at least NT$24 million over the past 13 years, he told TNL.

Every week, up to 5,000 people wearing the iconic purple T-shirts gather at Tianmu Sports Park in Taipei just to get a glimpse of their spiritual leader, who claims to be a living Buddha on par with Jesus Christ, the Prophet Muhammad and Siddhartha Gautama.

Miaochans real name is Liu Jin-lung (). According to the Rulaizong website, he became a Buddha in 1998 and established Rulaizong to spread his views. Rulaizong claims it now has 110,000 members, although John, a source close to Miaochan, says this does not account for the 30,000 people who have left the organization.

Prior to founding his own organization, Miaochan was a high-ranking disciple under a different Zen Buddhism teacher, Master Miaotian (). According to blog posts written by his former classmates, he left after being accused of overcharging people who were buying cubicles for cremation urns from Miaotians organization. He was not charged but his reputation was damaged, they say. While Rulaizong claims to accept anyone who is interested in joining, former members told TNL that the organization does not welcome Miaotian followers.

Chen, a former teacher at Rulaizong the organization is understood to have 30 paid head teachers, and over 80 volunteer teachers was a member for five years and had access to the Tainan prayer centers monthly meetings.

Miaochans greed knows no bounds, Chen says.

Chen says a large amount of money is also donated into a provision fund. While Rulaizongs official stance is that donations are voluntary, Chen told TNL that is not the case. Teachers push members to make donations telling them,Only then can our Master help you remove bad karma.

At the end of each year, the head teachers of the organization's 30 prayer centers will ask members to contribute more donations, Chen says.

In addition to a monthly donation of NT$10,000, Chens family was asked to contribute NT$100,000 at the end of each year.

John, the former member close to Miaochan said donations given at the prayer session start at NT$1,000, but he has seen people dropping up to NT$5,000 in the boxes.

At the prayer sessions, Miaochans followers practically climb on top of each other just to get their money into the collection box, John says.

Chen adds that very little of Rulaizongs income is used to maintain the organizations daily operations.

Drinking water and photocopy machines in the Tainan prayer center, for instance, are sponsored by members, and rental fees for parking at the prayer centers are also paid for by members, according to Chen.

John says that in addition to the more than NT$300,000 collected at each of the 24 larger prayer sessions held each month, further income is generated for Rulaizong and its leader through the collection of bus fares for the shuttles to the prayer stadiums.

After the money is collected, John told TNL, I carried all of the cash back to Miaochans apartment in suitcases. Bus money from Taipei, Taichung, Tainan, everywhere.

Chen says that whenever the master is unhappy, the director of Rulaizhong will gather well-off members generally company executives to contribute funds for buying presents for Miaochan. However, no one has ever seen any of these presents.

The only present anyone has seen is that NT$3 million (US$99,000) jade pendant Miaochan wears, Chen says.

Unlike other Buddhist foundations like Tzu Chi or Foguangshan, Rulaizong does not publicly disclose its financial records. For the past 10 years, the organization has also been collecting separate donations for building a "prayer stadium, but neither the amount collected or the location of the stadium has ever been made public.

When contacted for comment, Rulaizong referred TNL to a September 2014 statement which states that Rulaizong is a non-profit organization registered with the Ministry of the Interior. All funding for the organization comes from donations by members, and donations are used for teaching Rulaizong beliefs.

The statement goes on to state that Rulaizong hires internationally accredited accounting firms it is unclear which firm to audit its accounts and the group also reports its financial accounts to the Ministry of the Interior.

Absolutely none of the donations go to private accounts. Rulaizong was set up as a center for meditation, we ask that the public respect that and give us a quiet space to meditate, the statement concludes.

The organization did not respond to further questions.

As to where the public could make complaints if they suspected a scam, a spokesperson for the police told TNL that jurisdiction over religious organization came under the Department of Civil Affairs.

The police doesnt really get involved in religious affairs. These complaints should go through the Department of Civil Affairs, the spokesperson said.

However, an official in the Department of Civil Affairs told TNL that only the police or other investigative authorities had investigative powers over fraudulent organizations.

If evidence could be provided then investigative authorities will be able to open a case against the group, said the official.

An official with the Ministry of Justices Investigative Bureau Public Affairs Office says that religious affairs are difficult to investigate, especially since money given to religious organizations are usually donations.

If someone feels they have been scammed, they could bring a case to a district prosecutor, who might investigate the charges, the official told TNL.

Neither agency was aware of complaints being lodged against the group.

Chen and John never thought of lodging reports with the Taiwanese authorities after they left. We didnt know anyone we could go to, they tell TNL.

All of the money is being given to Miaochan and Rulaizong willingly, so a fraud charge would never hold up in court, Josh told TNL. Rulaizong is nothing more than a scam.

If any of his followers question the cash flow of the organization, they are told that this is the Buddhas secret and to continue to meditate and believe in their master, the former members say.

Followers are encouraged to report back on any developments in their private lives, part of an intricate system of control that helps prayer center teachers monitor individual members.

The teachers will know if members have received a promotion, found a new job, recovered from an illness or the like. They then report on these happenings to core members of Rulaizong, who eventually report back to Miaochan himself. Teachers also monitor each other and report on their movements to the leader.

Hes a control freak. If your toilet breaks he wants to know, John says.

According to John, head teachers who form the core of the organization and spread Miaochans teachings have been forced to move into the same apartment with Miaochan so he can keep watch over their comings and goings. Miaochan also tends to separate spouses who both teach at his centers, sending them to job postings in different regions of Taiwan, he says.

Many of the teachers quit their normal jobs to work for Rulaizong and are completely dependent on their leader to pay their salary, but live in constant fear of Miaochan.

According to John, Rulaizong teachers cannot count on a stable income, since Miaochan makes cuts whenever he feels his influence waning. The former employee says he had his salary slashed in half after three months of working for Miaochan. Barely able to support himself, John stopped making donations to Rulaizong, and after another three months, he was fired.

Head teachers and members who are fired or leave the organization are immediately ostracized. John says he had 4,000 Facebook friends while still a member of Rulaizong. After he left, 3,600 people unfriended him.

Moreover, subject to strict control from Miaochan and under pressure to maintain member numbers, head teachers threaten and bully members who begin to lose faith in the organization.

Chang Chia-lin (), one of the first people to start opposing Miaochan on PTT, Taiwans main internet forum, says that intimidation and threats are rampant within individual prayer centers. Members who wish to leave, Chang says, are usually told they will have a bad karma explosion bad luck for the rest of their lives.

Chang was the only former member willing to be named in this article.

Rulaizong members are notorious for pestering everyone they know into participating in the weekly meetings. Even after being turned down, some will continue to call and text in a bid to increase the organization's membership.

Despite the requests for donations and payments, Miaochan appears to have been successful in continuing to attract and retain believers.

Lim Tai Wei, a senior lecturer at Singapore Institute of Management and a research fellow at National University of Singapores East Asian Institute says Taiwan is ideal for religious proselytization because its freedom and democracy allows it to accommodate all religious practices.

Democratization that occurred after a period of authoritarian rule reinforced the process and outcome of new religions, Lim said via email.

According to the researcher, Rulaizong appears to have roots in Tathagata Buddhism, a concept which refers to the idea that Siddartha experienced enlightenment and others will follow suit by imparting the methods.

Since Taiwan is traditionally a majority Buddhist and Taoist country, accepting sects with differing interpretations like Tathagata, or Rulaizong is a smoother process, Lim says.

Rulaizong members are taught to constantly hold Miaochan in their minds. This way, they are told, their master can help guide them through any difficulties in their lives. During meditation, believers are told to hold an image of their master in their minds eye and say the phrase, Thank you master, praise master ().

Teachers tell followers to thank their master for everything good or bad that happens in their lives. Unlike other major Buddhist organizations like Tzu Chi (), which provides humanitarian relief during disasters and encourages recycling, followers of Rulaizong are told not to be involved in charitable work as helping others only interferes in their karma and does not help build character.

Members close themselves off from their friends and families, neglecting normal life and getting completely taken up in the practices of their religion, Josh says. They spend time meditating instead of working, and many of the members he knew had changed jobs multiple times.

Rulaizongs core belief that believing in Miaochan can help solve difficulties is also deeply problematic, says Josh. He gives an example of a young woman who decided to ride her scooter home during a typhoon instead of calling a taxi because she believed that holding the image of Miaochan in her mind would keep her safe. The woman reached home safely. However, Josh asks, would Rulaizongs teachers take responsibility if she had an accident?

If believers start to question these teachings, they are told that their self-conscious is too strong, and suspicious members are eventually shunned and forced to leave.

Josh says he left the group after three months because of the idolatry of Miaochan and members ignorance of true Buddhist teachings.

Lim, the Singapore-based researcher, says that Taiwans democratic and free environment also means there is a possibility for resistance or opposition in religious discourse, narratives and institutions.

Chang joined Rulaizong for a few months in 2012, but began to grow wary as the requests for money increased and he was told not to ask questions about Miaochans background.

He did some digging on Miaochans past and now believes the leader is a charlatan. In December 2014, Chang began writing blog posts debunking Rulaizong and its leader, leading a wave of anti-Rulaizong blogs and Facebook pages.

Chang, who now works in Holland, calls Rulaizong a spiritual growth promotion enterprise. Miaochan relies on a group of people with great marketing skills to spread his beliefs, Chang says, but in reality, Miaochan himself has no such great knowledge.

Chang points to Rulaizongs weekly report that was recently canceled. The report was compiled by Rulaizong members from recordings made by Miaochan, articles quote the leader verbatim. If you read these articles, you start to notice he does not make much sense, Chang says.

Chang began parodying these articles, which, he says, led to the cancellation of the weekly report.

As Changs parodies began to garner attention on PTT, others who had experiences with Rulaizong started to come forward as well. An anti-Miaochan group on Facebook, which uses the handle @brainwashingasshole and has 2,000 likes, allows people to submit anonymous complaints about the group and its members. Chen and John both tell TNL that many of the anonymous submissions are actually from current members, and some of the more revealing submissions are factually accurate.

Lazer Lotus, another parody Facebook account, was set up in 2014 and is the brainchild of Tsai. Tsai went to a Rulaizong introductory session while still in university, where he marveled at the ridiculous teachings being shared by members of the group.

The meeting compelled him to set up his own religion to counter Rulaizong, complete with its own backstory and core teachings. Tsai later used Lazer Lotus as a platform to run for student council representative for his university department. His election promise a strong belief in the second law of thermodynamics, among others led him to become a sensation on PTT, and his Facebook page gained 9,000 followers.

Tsai, who is now serving in the military, does not have the time to manage the page but he hopes Lazer Lotus can be a platform to reveal the truth about Rulaizong.

Even with the increase of opposition to Rulaizong on the internet, the group still continues to have a hold on its believers.

Tsai and Chang agree that Taiwans superstitious culture is a key reason Rulaizong has managed to capture the hearts and minds of so many Taiwanese people.

Groups like Rulaizong that claim to be Buddhist appeal to people who are at a low point in their lives, and since Taiwanese will pray to any god, they easily believe in people like Miaochan, Tsai says.

On the other hand, Josh says that it is the lack of critical thinking skills in Taiwans education system that makes Taiwanese so easy to brainwash. When I look at Rulaizong, what I see is not a scam, but Taiwans sorrow, Josh says.

Ultimately, Chang and Tsai both say that stricter control over religious groups is needed in Taiwan.

Without a religious law, even the lawyers that are members of Rulaizong know that no legal action can be taken against the group, Josh says. The group will just continue to function in the gray areas of the law.

Editor's Note: The names of several former Rulaizong members have been changed to protect their identity.

Editor: Edward White

Continue reading here:
An Almighty Con? Taiwan's 'Purple Shirts' and their Master - The News Lens International (press release)

Here's a collection of Zig Ziglar quotes to pump you up with motivation and enthusiasm.

If you've been on the self-development arena for a length of time, I believe you would have encountered Zig Ziglar's name or even be familiar with his motivational products.

I've gathered some of his best quotes here for you to digest.

You'll find many of these quotes very motivational and inspiring. I hope you'll be inspired and motivated to go after your goals and life plans!

Don't become a wandering generality. Be a meaningful specific.-- Zig Ziglar

Don't let the mistakes and disappointments of the past control and direct your future.-- Zig Ziglar

Duty makes us do things well, but love makes us do them beautifully.-- Zig Ziglar

Every choice you make has an end result.-- Zig Ziglar

Failure is a detour, not a dead-end street.-- Zig Ziglar

For every sale you miss because you're too enthusiastic, you will miss a hundred because you're not enthusiastic enough.-- Zig Ziglar

If you don't see yourself as a winner, then you cannot perform as a winner.-- Zig Ziglar

If you learn from defeat, you haven't really lost.-- Zig Ziglar

If you wait until all the lights are "green" before you leave home, you'll never get started on your trip to the top.-- Zig Ziglar

If you want to reach a goal, you must 'see the reaching' in your own mind before you actually arrive at your goal.-- Zig Ziglar

It's not what you've got, it's what you use that makes a difference.-- Zig Ziglar

I've got to say 'no' to the good so I can say 'yes' to the best.-- Zig Ziglar

Life is too short to spend your precious time trying to convince a person who wants to live in gloom and doom otherwise. Give lifting that person your best shot, but don't hang around long enough for his or her bad attitude to pull you down. Instead, surround yourself with optimistic people.-- Zig Ziglar

Many marriages would be better if the husband and the wife clearly understood that they are on the same side.-- Zig Ziglar

Money won't make you happy... but everybody wants to find out for themselves.-- Zig Ziglar

People don't buy for logical reasons. They buy for emotional reasons.-- Zig Ziglar

People often say that motivation doesn't last. Well, neither does bathing - that's why we recommend it daily.-- Zig Ziglar

People who have good relationships at home are more effective in the marketplace.-- Zig Ziglar

Positive thinking will let you do everything better than negative thinking will.-- Zig Ziglar

Remember that failure is an event, not a person.-- Zig Ziglar

Sometimes adversity is what you need to face in order to become successful.-- Zig Ziglar

Statistics suggest that when customers complain, business owners and managers ought to get excited about it. The complaining customer represents a huge opportunity for more business.-- Zig Ziglar

Success and happiness are not matters of chance but choice.-- Zig Ziglar

Success is the maximum utilization of the ability that you have.-- Zig Ziglar

Success means doing the best we can with what we have. Success is the doing, not the getting; in the trying, not the triumph. Success is a personal standard, reaching for the highest that is in us, becoming all that we can be.-- Zig Ziglar

The greatest good we can do for others is not just to share our riches with them, but to reveal theirs.-- Zig Ziglar

The person who will not stand for something will fall for anything. -- Zig Ziglar

The real test in golf and in life is not in keeping out of the rough, but in getting out after you are in. -- Zig Ziglar

This I do know beyond any reasonable doubt. Regardless of what you are doing, if you pump long enough, hard enough and enthusiastically enough, sooner or later the effort will bring forth the reward.-- Zig Ziglar

There has never been a statue erected to honor a critic.-- Zig Ziglar

Unless you have a definite, precise, clearly set goals, you are not going to realize the maximum potential that lies within you.-- Zig Ziglar

You are the only person on earth who can use your ability.-- Zig Ziglar

You can have everything in life that you want if you will just help enough other people get what they want.-- Zig Ziglar

You cannot climb the ladder of success dressed in the costume of failure.-- Zig Ziglar

You cannot tailor-make the situations in life, but you can tailor-make the attitudes to fit those situations.-- Zig Ziglar

You don't pay the price for success. You pay the price for failure.-- Zig Ziglar

You need a plan to build a house. To build a life, it is even more important to have a plan or goal.-- Zig Ziglar

You were born to win, but to be a winner, you must plan to win, prepare to win, and expect to win.-- Zig Ziglar

Your attitude, not your aptitude, will determine your altitude.-- Zig Ziglar

You've got to 'be' before you can 'do', and you've got to 'do' before you can 'have'.

What you get by achieving your goals is not as important as what you become by achieving your goals.-- Zig Ziglar

When you do more than what you are paid for, you will soon be paid more for what you do.-- Zig Ziglar

Winning is not everything, but the effort to win is.-- Zig Ziglar

Back to Inspirational QuotesReturn from Zig Ziglar Quotes to Homepage

Link:
Motivational Zig Ziglar Quotes - great-inspirational-quotes.com

Compiled by Catherine PulsiferBorn: November 6, 1926

A successful American author and motivational speaker.I first startedlistening to Zig Ziglar tapes and reading his books back in the 1980's.His motto is: "You can have everything in life that you want if you will just help enough other people get what they want."His books and speaking engagements have done just that, helped millions of peopleworld wide.We especially like his thought, "People often say that motivation doesn't last. Well, neither does bathing - that's why we recommend it daily."

"If you learn from defeat, you haven't really lost."

"

"You were born to win, but to be a winner,you must plan to win, prepare to win, and expect to win."

"Failure is a detour, not a dead-end street."

"If you don't see yourself as a winner, then you cannot perform as a winner."

"Sometimes

"What you get by achieving your

"It's not what you've got, it's what you use that

"Where you start is not as important as where you finish."

"It was

"Every

"You cannot perform in a manner inconsistent with the way you see yourself."

"When you are tough on yourself,

"

"For every sale you miss you're too enthusiastic, you will miss a hundred because you're not

"Life is too short to spend your precious

See the original post:
Zig Ziglar Quotes - Inspirational Words of Wisdom

476: Should you be better than others? Dr. Kristin Neff

Hi everyone and welcome to The Ziglar Show, planet earths source for inspiring your true performance. Im your honoured host Kevin Miller and today we have episode 476 where Tom Ziglar and I talk with Dr. Kristin Neff. She is here because my wife Teri had to watch Kristins TED talk for her doctoral studies and asked me to watch it with her. That talk now has over 800 thousand views.

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Welcome to The Ziglar Show, episode 475. I am your host Kevin Miller. Today we have Mr. Zig Ziglar, bringing us a message on the opportunities we have, but the reality it will take hard work and overcoming. If you dont want a normal life of mediocrity, youll have to step out of the crowd. And that is the main message and doing that is hard. Harder than we realize.

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Welcome to The Ziglar Show, Im your inspired host, Kevin Miller. Today Tom Ziglar and I bring you Dr. Paul White. Heres the story - ever heard of The Five Love Languages book by Gary Chapman? Its been a bestselling book for over two decades, and I mean a true bestseller. As of today its sitting at #11 in AmazonOVERALL. I would tell you its a must read for anyone and everyone, period.

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Welcome to The Ziglar Show, Im your host Kevin Miller and today we have episode 473 and I bring youMr. Zig Ziglar. He comes with a fairly brief message that has one point: making a dramatic turn around for the good when the circumstances are in the dump.

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Welcome to The Ziglar Show, this is episode 472 and Im your honored host, Kevin Miller! Today we discuss the main things you need to address if you have any desire to start a business, or even if youve started one already, we address the issues many people miss that end up handicapping them later. Our guest is Christy Wright, bestselling author of Business Boutique, just released in April 2017.

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