One positive that has resulted from our troubled economical climate is a sense of increased awareness. Many people are starting to look closer at their bank accounts to see where their money is going and looking for ways to save on expenses. As a result, a common renovation these days is the addition of an in-home gym. Not only do you save the monthly club fee, but also the extra gas and time spent going back and forth.
Along the same lines, and gaining in popularity, is the home yoga studio. Instead of trekking down to the neighborhood gym before and after work, just open the door to your own little studio, right in the comfort of your own home. Here are some ideas to help get you started setting up your own yoga space.
Find the perfect location: This can be as simple as transforming an extra bedroom or den, or using a portion of your existing rec room. If none of these options are available, you may consider renovating an attic or loft space over a garage. Whatever space you choose, it should be flat, have natural light and be fairly sound-proof.
Preparing your space: Remember, this is a place where you will be closing yourself off, and when you're practicing you need to feel separate from the rest of the house. Completely rid your room of clutter and any distractions that may interfere with your ability to focus.
The floor should be completely level, and preferably composed of hardwood, bamboo, tile or cork. You should have enough room to stretch out 360 degrees without bumping into anything.
Paint your walls with a non-toxic paint in a pleasing color that is easy on the eyes and produces calming effects. Attach full-length mirrors to the walls, in direct view of where you will be practicing.
Allow natural light to flow in wherever possible, but have a dimmer on your light switch for those evening practices. Avoid harsh fluorescent lighting - it can be hard on your eyes and is not conducive to yoga practice.
Get yourself a small combo TV/DVD for your yoga tapes, and set it up in a place where it can be easily viewed without twisting. A small stereo is also handy for soothing background music.
If possible, allow for a separate temperature control in your yoga room, and keep it at a comfortable 75 to 85 degrees F to help keep your muscles warm and flexible. If you're practicing hot yoga, you may want the temperature as high as 105 degrees F.
Depending on your preferences, here are some supplies you may want to keep on hand: yoga mat, blanket, towel and drinking water, candles, and meditation pillows.
Keep the room clean and stow these articles away in baskets or a cupboard. Decorations should be sparse and limited to objects that have special significance. You may want to include a couple of bamboo or other similar plants.
Above all, try not to use the room for anything other than its intended use. This is your sanctuary; the place where you set aside time just for your practice of yoga. In the end, your room should feel calm and inviting - the perfect escape for complete relaxation.
Home Grown By Enesco
Oh sure, they get a kick out of seeing a mock volcano experiment or some other flashy science demonstration, but when it comes right down to actually learning the principles involved, well, that's a different story. But don't despair. There's still a hands-on learning approach that will teach the necessary knowledge while retaining the fun of those wacky science experiments that sometimes go awry.
What exactly am I talking about? Educational science kits, that's what.
Sales for children's educational science kits are on the rise, and with good reason. They are becoming a great blessing to children, teachers and parents. Many homeschoolers are investing in these kits in order to give their children that hands-on experience many public school students get in the classroom, and more.
Good science kits consist of tools which encourage exploration through activities that make learning fun. They are filled with activities to engage young imaginations and build creative minds and critical thinking skills.
The types of science kits available are nearly endless. There are kits for learning about plants, animals, chemistry, electronics, robotics, geology, even the weather. They come fully equipped with all the materials required. And these kits are designed for specific grade levels.
For example, most first graders are required to learn about the senses. The My Senses Kit encourages children to conduct experiments exploring the five senses. Included in the kit are a stethoscope, a telescope and a prism. When making a decision about which kit to buy, keep in mind that there is more to these kits than meets the eye (no pun intended). They're chock-full of great learning tools and experiences for your young student.
The Mini Ant Factory is also good choice for the very young. Measuring 8? by 8 1/2?, it provides great lessons in responsibility. Of course, if you are worried about ants running all over your house you might prefer The Bug World. This kit includes a net, a magnifying glass, charts, and no ants, at least not indoors. Both of these kits teach students all about ecology and the insect world. Bugs not included, but we're sure that won't be a problem for your budding entomologist.
If your student is a little older, he may be interested in electronics. Science kits are tools that can help both children and adults decipher the world of electronics by introducing some basic knowledge. Electrical science kits are great because you usually end up with a device that can be used over and over for both fun and practical uses.
One example is the Short Wave Radio Kit. You can learn about electronics as you build a radio. When you are done you have your very own short wave radio. There are other kits that teach how to build telephones, cameras, doorbells, and even kites and simple rockets. These kits are not only fun to use, but they also teach the scientific principles involved in how they are made and why they work.
Commercial science kits are attractive and can be convenient resources. They are perfect for those who have trouble rounding up all the stuff for experiments. These kits are comprehensive, high quality learning tools. Many science kits are supplemented by very clear teacher's and student's manuals, as well as worksheets.
Science kits are particularly helpful for children who have not had concrete experience with science. They are packed with materials to help children enjoy learning about science and how scientists work. Science kits are filled with activities to engage young imaginations and build creative minds and critical thinking skills.
Science Kits are indeed inexpensive, fun, and educational science experiments in a box. They are an excellent way to give our children hands-on science time in our homeschooling activities. Science kits are popular with the students and reinforce scientific concepts through experiential learning.
How do people come up with all of these ideas for science kits? Are their developers mad scientists with too much time on their hands? Hardly. Science kits are based on sound theory and backed by real-world testing. The kits are a result of years of working with teachers, scientists, museums, and students. Science kits are high-quality science and technology related educational products for children of all ages. And they are teacher-friendly. They are great education aids that make science fun.
Science kits are also a great choice for multi-sensory learning. If your child is one who learns by doing, science kits are the perfect tools to use to teach. Let's face it. Books can only take a child so far. Science kits can take him or her to the next level with hands-on activities that he or she will really enjoy.
Science Kits are a truly unique, scientific, fun way to get kids loving science. These comprehensive, high-quality science kits are perfect for redefining science and engaging minds and hands in worthwhile play. The science kits are curriculum in and of themselves.
Learning science can be a wonderful experience. Most public and private schools have lab equipment so that students can gain the hands-on experience they need, although the variety of the equipment and quality of the instruction they receive varies greatly. Homeschoolers, however, rarely have access to such equipment.
That is why it is so important to invest in educational science kits. They can give your child that hands-on experience that will help to prepare him/her for college, work or both. Who knows, maybe your child will one day become famous for developing some wild and wacky scientific demonstration. Better yet, perhaps he or she will make a significant scientific contribution that will improve the lives of mankind for generations to come.
Both Dena Davis & Lisa Lee are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Dena Davis has sinced written about articles on various topics from Internet Marketing, Yoga Practice. Searching homes for sale in Delwood Austin has never been easier. The professional realty team at DavisCompany.com can help you find the perfect. Dena Davis's top article generates over 1300 views. Bookmark Dena Davis to your Favourites.
Lisa Lee has sinced written about articles on various topics from Breastfeeding, Yoga Practice and Home Schooling. Lisa Lee is co-owner of http://www.BestHomeEdToys.com , specializing in educational toys, games and learning products, with an emphasis on the home schooling family. L. Lisa Lee's top article generates over 720 views. Bookmark Lisa Lee to your Favourites.
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