There is alot of medical data that talks about the positive effects of fasting, however because we are not used to not eating for long periods of time, it can be quite confusing and intimidating for some people to accumulate all that data and actually put it into practice. Here I will cover the effects of fasting and how it will help you.

Hours, days, months and finally years go by where we just mindless put whatever we feel like into our bodies. We hardly think twice about what we eat and how it plays on our system. For as long as we crave it and it tastes good, that's usually all that matters. With this mindset, one cannot imagine how much the digestive system and the body as a whole goes through. Most of the things we eat are probably not very healthy for us and provide little if not no nutritional value at all.

Fasting comes in when we decided to put the breaks on our eating habits and jump start our whole system. By fasting you are not only giving your body a break but you are also becoming more aware of your body and what you put into it. It has a very profound detoxifying effect as it gives the body an opportunity to flush out everything that it doesn't need. This also creates a change in a persons energy levels, making them feel more grounded and calm.

The saying "You are what you eat", really comes to surface as you realize the change in the way you feel and look. After a few hours of not eating make sure you break your fasting with fresh and healthy foods that are easy to digest. Keep yourself well hydrated and indulge in various food types.

While fasting you may notice changes in your moods and emotions, this is where your mind and your body together change the notion that your food controls you, instead it controls the food. It is very healthy practice to fast a few days in a year and give your body a break from everything. It further helps you appreciate your body and create deep feelings of self love.

One must always eat to live and not live to eat, as that is when true living really happens. Stay healthy and stay happy. Happy Fasting!

Sometimes, we may be in situations that makes us feel uncomfortable or unhappy. When we experience such emotions they need to be properly digested or released. For instance, if I am angry at someone or something, the feeling of anger if not released will accumulate in my physical body. Since I have done this once, I will continue to repress my feelings of anger until one day when I will feel physically unwell and be diagnosed with some serious type of disease or sickness.

Whenever we are physically unwell be sure that its is caused my some emotional or mental imbalance or block that manifested itself in physical form. That is one reason why they always say, express how you feel and avoid keeping negative feelings inside, no matter how big or small they may be. At the end of the day, it's going to be your health on the line.

This is where the beautiful practice of Journaling comes in! Some people simply because of their personality or social surroundings may not be willing or able to express themselves in this manner. In such an instance, all it takes is a piece of paper and a pen and simply start writing everything out. As you keep writing about the incident, the people involved, the feelings involved and your current state, you start to release and get alot of things out of your system that you realize does not need to be there. As you write, you can start to forgive and let it go. It is a great tool for personal development.

This technique is a very powerful form of releasing any negative or unwanted feelings or energies. You may write one page or you may write a book, whatever it is just keep writing and get out all that you do not need. You may also write about all that you desire and how that would make you feel, simply watch how the energy shifts and the healing takes place.

Happy journaling....

Cupping is an ancient Chinese form of therapeutic massage, also known as ba guan. It is an effective means of moving stagnant qi (chi or energy) and invigorating the system. The technique involves the strategic fixing of shall glass jars at various points on the skin using a pump to create a vacuum. The suction created increases the local circulation of qi and blood, and dispels cold and dampness from the body.

Cupping is suitable for joint stiffness and pain and for relieving swelling. It is often practiced in conjunction with acupuncture and massage. A lot of hollywood celebrities are now enjoying this treatment too.

Champissage (Indian Head Massage) has been used in India for centuries to banish headaches, muscle tension, eye strain and stiff neck. It remains as popular as ever today, especially amongst Indian women who believe that a regular head massage, along with natural vegetable oils, keeps the hair healthy, shinny and really strong.

Traditional Indian head massage combines physical massage with the more subtle form of chakra or 'energy center' balancing. With its firm yet gentle rhythm, the massage helps unknot blockages, relieve tension and rebalance the body's energy with powerful effects. Advocates swear that just 30 minutes a week makes life brighter and better. The real beauty of the technique however rests in its simplicity - it can be done anywhere as long as there is a comfortable chair and a willing pair of healing hands.

I FORGIVE YOU. 3 simple words. But what does it really mean to forgive? Do we REALLY forgive or do we still hold on to different types of ill feelings and resentment for years inside us just because we cannot let go of the pain? Forgive and forget? But how can we forgive if we cannot forget?

Forgiveness is a word that most people do not understand. Yet it is a word that we are taught ever since we are kids, by our parents, teachers and practically every religious book we have ever read. So.. what does it really mean to forgive? and why is it so important?

Forgiveness means that even though what happened to you is not ok, you are willing to let go of toxic or negative feelings associated that person or event. When you do not forgive someone, you hurt nobody but yourself. You believe that you are a victim and for as long as you believe you are the victim, you will always be nothing but that. When you choose to hold on to those negative feelings, you create stress in the body and mind, which in turn is the root cause of most diseases and disorders, for which there is really no logical reason for you to live with.

You can start by first forgiving your parents, your friends, your partner/s, and everyone around you, until you reach a point when you can start forgiving yourself. Forgiveness happens when you face the truth. It will hurt, but it is the only way you can make room in your life for pure unconditional love, that can heal you wholly and completely. By forgiving yourself you can forgive others and receive forgiveness, and only once that's in place can everything else around you change.

You know you have forgiven someone when you think about that person, hear their name or see them and no longer have an emotional reaction. When someone can touch what used to be a wound and it no longer hurts, then you know you have truly forgiven.

Heal yourself and shed all those negative emotions and watch how all your aches and pains start to vanish. It's the law of the universe, the Law of Attraction.

Crystal Therapy is performed by placing gemstones and crystals on various parts of the body to facilitate healing. Different gemstones and crystals have different energy vibrations/frequencies and its these vibrations that provide the healing effect. Different gemstones have a different effect on the body and mind. They can be used directly to the place that is experiencing discomfort or can be placed on the respective chakras. They can also simply be carried or worn as jewelry.

People are instinctively attracted to stones that their bodies need. This is usually the first step in the healing process. If you are faced with having to deal with any type of physical or mental disease or disorder, holding on to gemstones for that particular issue is prove to be quite helpful to you. The healing process will speed up significantly and you will experience an over all calm and inner peace.

They are also fabulous to give away as gifts.

For those interested in the history of crystal healing, research states that the practice of using gemstones for healing originates from Egypt thousands of years ago. Others believe it is even older, beginning in the ancient civilizations of Atlantis or even Lemuria. Most major religions of the world also tend to talk about different stones and its significance to man. Where ever it began, the one thing that is most important is that the benefits of these nature's gifts has helped heal civilization through all age of time.

Go grab some crystals for yourself today and see the difference. Here are some suggestions:

• Amethyst: sedative energy, stability, strength & peace.
• Aquamarine: courage, intellect, protection.
• Citrine: positive energy, warmth, joy, optimism.
• Garnet: commitment, devotion, love, stability.
• Jade: harmony, peace, confidence.
• Lapis Lazuli: knowledge, wisdom, perfection.
• Malachite: loyalty, fidelity, reasoning ability.
• Peridot: healing, protection.