Pilates has to a lesser degree become a new craze in the fitness industry. But what exactly is this exercise? What is the science and philosophy behind this program? It was created by Joseph Pilates first as a way for returning soldiers and veterans from World War 1 who were bed ridden. It was designed to allow those soldiers to exercise even though they were stuck in a bed.

Yoga is about connecting mind and body and Joseph Pilates has stated that it is very much similar to that yoga philosophy. Weight lifting is about strengthening your muscles but is done by shortening and strengthening. It focuses on lengthening and strengthening. From my personal experience after my first session I noticed better balance and overall looseness. This form of exercise focuses on increasing balance, flexibility, while strengthening your core. It also an aerobic workout meaning it increases oxygen to the cells. Weight lifting is an anaerobic exercise which means lack of oxygen. Anaerobic is usually short and intense.

What I found extremely funny in my first session is I as an 18 year old kid couldn't do what many 60 year olds were doing. It goes to show you that consistency is clearly key in promoting longevity. Much like yoga focuses on breath, the movement between poses and movements so does Pilates. To incorporate this fitness routine is highly recommended. Some benefits you will notice fairly quickly is relaxation (I personally believe through the mind-body connection), improved flexibility and balance.

How do I find a good pilates instructor?

While it is good to get DVDs on this amazing fitness routine I would recommend going to a class. There are usually classes at the local ymca or jcc. Research on the internet and get some books on the subject. Maybe take a class at the local community college.

There have been many famous people who do this form of exercise and still continue to do so. Those include:
1. Hugh Grant
2. Julia Roberts
3. Jennifer Aniston
4. Patrick Swayze (one my favorite actors by the way : ) )
5. Lucy Lawless

This list is not to try and sell you on this movement program only to convey that it is alive and well. It will surely increase vitality and create an overall feeling of well being.

So you have your new juicer and are ready to make all the vegetable juicing recipes you can. Before you buy lots of different vegetables to juice, you need to know some basics that will help you break into a vegetable juicing diet.

You must integrate vegetable juice into your diet with baby steps. Juicing allows you to absorb more nutrients because the vegetable juice is already removed for the pulp for your intestines to take them in. However, not all vegetable juice can be digested that easily, especially the green leafy vegetable juice that is very rich. It is better to use vegetables that are easy to consume first, such as celery, zucchini, beets, carrots, and cucumbers.

Use recipes that are based on a combination of these. After a while, when there are no issues with digestion, slowly add in some dark greens like broccoli, lettuce and spinach. Eventually, you should have no problems with almost all vegetables.

It is not a good idea stick with the same few vegetable juicing recipes that you enjoy. Try out juicing recipes that include vegetables you may not like. Reduce the amount it calls for if you need to and use other fruits and vegetables you like to mask the taste. That way, you won't get too used to a narrow diet. Your body may have a difficult time adjusting to changes in your eating habits otherwise. You also insure that you are getting a many vitamins and minerals. I would suggest using your favorite juicing recipes every 3 days or so, and the other days to try new things.

Many people don't like to deal with the taste of vegetable juice because it is may be too rich in nutrients and too bitter. If it is bitter, then sweeten it a little! Add some carrots and beets. Alternatively, you can use apples, grapes and other fruits to give it an enjoyable taste. If it's too dense, dilute it with water.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a chronic neurological disorder that produces symptoms such as confusion, decreased dexterity, insomnia, lack of motor coordination, memory loss, shaking, stiff muscles, and tremors. Stem cells are an undifferentiated group of cells, which, depending on their surrounding conditions, are capable of developing into other types of cells such as liver cells, kidney cells, brain cells, or any of the other 260 different types of cells that make up the human body.

When Dr. Mehmet Oz appeared on Oprah Winfrey's show in March 2009, he showed a section of the human brain where lines are not present in a person who has Parkinson's disease. He believes that stem cells could be placed in that area to regenerate the damaged brain. He predicted that the use of stem cells to treat Parkinson's disease would begin in about eight years. What he obviously does not realize is that a clinic in Mexico has been using placental stem cells derived from placenta (afterbirth) to successfully treat Parkinson's for 18 years! That's about how long actor Michael J. Fox (known in the early '80s as Alex P. Keaton on the hit show Family Ties) has been living with the illness.

Since Mr. Fox is an advocate for stem cell treatment, it surprises me that he hasn't taken advantage of treatments offered in other countries. Maybe he doesn't know the treatment is available. But it is, and ISCI founder Rita Alexander is a first-hand witness of the results seen in patients who have been treated for cancer, cerebral palsy, dermatomyositis, diabetes, hepatitis C, HIV, immune deficiency, kidney disorders, multiple sclerosis, migraines, muscular dystrophy, Parkinson's, retinitis pigmentosa, rheumatoid arthritis, spina bifida, and stroke. Rita has personally received several treatments to relieve the debilitating effect of rheumatoid arthritis.

James Devlin is a resident of Hawaii, but his paradise became a nightmare 15 years ago when he was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. Unwilling to accept the reality of continual mental and physical decline, he sought answers around the world to stop the disease from taking over his brain and his life. His symptoms were the standard Parkinson's package including stiff muscles, decreased dexterity and coordination, insomnia, memory loss, confusion, and tremors in his arms which made it difficult for him to feed himself. Normal daily activities such as dressing, eating, and writing became increasingly challenging. James was prescribed a long list of medications to manage the increasing number of symptoms. Two and a half years ago, he found the road to recovery from PD at the International Stem Cell Institute (ISCI).

When Rita first met Mr. Devlin, he was very stiff and rigid, battling constant tremors as he made his way through the airport. When he returned to the clinic six months after his first placental stem cell treatment, his body was relaxed, he walked with ease, the excessive tremors were gone, and a big smile replaced the vacant facial expression he had just a few months before. After several additional stem cell treatments, James Devlin has been able to eliminate all Parkinson's medication and spends his days surfing in paradise. At 67 years old, he enjoys a 75 percent recovery.

Unfortunately, not everyone is physically and financially able to travel to Mexico. That is why Rita Alexander started ISCI in April 2008. She wishes many more people who are suffering with Parkinson's disease knew there were stem cell treatments that could change the course of their lives. ISCI assists with patient education, pre- and post-treatment support, travel logistics, and financial matters regarding treatment. Her goal is to help people access treatment that is already available and to bring the treatment to the U.S.

For more information about ISCI or to arrange a consultation or schedule an appointment, please visit http://www.iStemCelli.com or contactRita Alexander, Executive Director at International Stem Cell Institute, at 800-609-7795.