Sunday morning I drove down to the nearby Wockhardt hospital to see what TAI CHI was all about. We were instructed by a real-life Ninja who showed us how, with the regular practice of correct breathing, he could control the flow of Chi and survive strangulation and killer punches.
The Ninja demonstrated how Tai Chi was martial art for internal strength rather than for exterior muscle and tone. He asked a hefty looking guy from our group to come up and punch him in the stomach. It turned out that the guy was a trained boxer and was more than happy to show off his punches. However, the Ninja was unfazed - because of his training, he was able to spread the impact of the blow all over his body rather than let it overwhelm his tender stomach. “It’s about controlling your body with your mind - about chanelling your energy to produce the desired effect,” he said.
Later, we all gasped as the Ninja’s frail-looking assistant lay down with her head and shoulders on one chair, her legs on another with her abdomen unsupported and had a 70 kg man stand on her abdomen for half a minute.
The one hour workshop, however, was aimed at regular people who wanted to learn Tai Chi exercises that would help relieve stress, cure joint pains, backaches, promote fitness etc.
Just a few minutes into the demo, I realized how poorly we breathe. We barely fill our lungs to their full capacity. It’s amazing how effective a deep breath can be! Try it now if you’ve never experienced it!
The Tai Chi Fan routine is another stress buster - this involves slow continuous movements done while you are holding a red paper fan that aids coordination.
Practicing Tai Chi with its rythmic movements helps you find your center of gravity - helps you align your meridians and correct your posture, thus preventing or reducing back aches.
Practice of Tai Chi is also supposed to promote vitality in senior citizens and longevity in people of all ages and lifestyles. So I guess you have to train like a Ninja to live long like a Turtle!
If you’d like to learn more about how to stay fit with TAI CHI, call Satyajit on 9341309200 (Bangalore). They also conduct a variety of Tai Chi workshops for corporates: self defence, stress relief, flexibility…
Every morning and evening on my way to and from work, I have to venture down New B.E.L. Road. And this experience leaves me with my heart in my throat each and every time.
New B.E.L. Road is a wide, straight tree-lined road with absolutely no median. As a result, people drive like absolute maniacs with no regard for the lives of others. The traffic coming from M.S. Ramaiah Hospital toward Mekhri Circle is coming at 70 KPH, at they take up 3/4 of the road… recklessly driving at oncoming traffic and refusing steadfastly to give way.
I cannot understand this phenomenon. And it’s everyone… buses, autos, bikes and cars all drive straight at us every morning, lights flashing. How can I give way?!?!??! YOU’RE ON MY SIDE OF THE ROAD AND I AM PRACTICALLY DRIVING ON THE FOOTPATH!
And this example is only one of many that I witness every day. Each morning and evening I shake my head incredulously at people cutting off traffic to turn left from the right-hand most lane. Or overtaking from the left. Or turning into traffic without looking even once to see if someone is already occupying the lane. I am incredulous at how careless the driving has become in Bangalore. Even in the last 7 months, it has become worse than ever.
And it seems to be a brand of horrible driving particular to Bangalore, because I did not witness nearly this much insanity in Delhi. OK, Mumbai is bad, but it’s a shade better than Bangalore. And while Hyderabad is crowded, it was not nearly as bad.
Why are Bangalore drivers so bad???? What can we do to stop this activity. Delhi just recently doubled traffic fines. Would that work here? And why don’t people recognize that if they stopped driving so badly that traffic would actually decrease?
If its one of those times in life when you are feeling down and nothing seems to be going your way, here are some things you can do to make yourself feel better.
Get some exercise – Go for a jog or a walk. Spend some time outdoors in your garden or in the park.
Eat three healthy meals a day – Nothing is worse than skipping meals when you are feeling low. Make sure you eat leafy vegetables and dairy products. Avoid caffeine (it can make you feel jittery), alcohol and highly sugared or salted foods.
Spend time doing things that you enjoy - Soothe your nerves and loose yourself in your favourite music, catch the latest blockbuster, read the books you love, play the guitar.
Sleep well – Go to bed at your usual time and get up as usual. Don’t stay up too late or sleep in too much.
Play with a child or a pet – You will have fun before you know it.
Take a warm bath – Relax those tense muscles, lather up some aromatherapy bath gel and enjoy.
Get a massage – Fantastic!
Splurge on a sundae – Go to Corner House and have the Death by Chocolate. Yes, high in sugar, but works. An exception to the second tip.
Talk to a friend – Sharing helps.
Simplify – Keep your life simple. If you don’t have to do something, don’t do it.
Mom – A good cry on mom’s shoulder will help. Really!
“I cant recognise my breasts anymore… they are so HUGE.” This line is said and heard by most pregnant women.
Breasts increase as much as three cup sizes at times in pregnancy and the whole experience is not a picnic. The increased amount of estrogen and progesterone causes the breasts to swell making them tender. Although the tenderness reduces after the first three or four months.
Now the billion dollar question : will they sag?
Answer: Depends on you. Sagging is most often caused due to lack of support during pregnancy.
How can it be avoided?
NO matter how firm the breasts are, prevention is better than cure and therefore you should wear a good support bra. If the breasts are huge, try wearing a night-support bra.
A support bra is more or less close to the soft full cup bra in design but with some additional features. These features include supportive fabric, extra soft elastic, broader sides and back and a deeper center front.
For the night support you will probably find a soft stretchy cotton sports bra extremely comfy and light.
There is no rule that one has to wear the drab softy bras when pregnant. Stores these days carry lots of options for pregnancy bras which are styled. A store that i would rate 20 on 10 is Mothercare. Those pink and blue polka dotted bras are absolutely cute and they come in sets.
Now some thumb rules of bras and pregnancy:
1. Always support your breasts. They are undergoing a huge change (no pun intended) and therefore need to be looked after.
2. Always buy soft bras as the tissue by itself is tender.
3. Its crucial to be examined every six to eight weeks as the breast size changes frequent upto the 36th week.
4. Avoid using underwired bras when pregnant and nursing .. i know the whole support great support thing but then the wire may press into the delicate breast tissue and therefore can cause pain. One may not be able to identify this pain as the breasts are already tender.
For the male readers, kindly share this information with the lady as uncomfy breasts are a cause of major irritation when pregnant and and after delivery if the breasts sag.
More to come on nursing bras soon.
Last night I went with my husband to see Provoked. In case you’ve been hibernating, this movie is based on the true story of Kiranjit Ahluwalia, a Punjabi woman who entered an arranged marriage with an NRI in London, and suffered heinous abuse for the next 10 years. The abuse ended one night when she finally snapped and killed him.
I won’t give away too much of the movie, because I think you should see it (or maybe read up on it) yourself. Domestic violence is a serious issue that I think many of us don’t think about nearly often enough.
I never did until I had housemate in university whose boyfriend used to kick the sh** out of her on the regular. One day I got good and sick of it, kicked her door in and tried to break it up. I thought all she needed was one good intervention, and I was shocked later when she accepted him back.
After than confusing series of events, I went to one of my friends who worked at a domestic violence program to learn about the cycle of abuse. I think it is easy to judge women in abusive relationships without understanding them. I think we all think “this would never be me.” It took a long time for me to understand why some women stay with their abusers until it is too late. I learned all about what happens to women psychologically when they are subjected to that kind of abuse. That these women feel trapped. That the abusers break them down, break their self-esteem so that they feel in some ways that the abuse is warranted. That many times, the women do not feel they have anyone to turn to and no other options. And that most frightening of all, that at the time a woman decides to leave a man like this, or she tries to stand up to him, the man is actually at his most violent and out of control point. Because of this experience I later went on to be a rape crisis counselor.
In this day and age, abuse starts early. Girls, if you have a boyfriend who tells you what you can and cannot wear, who you can talk to, etc…. be wary. This is the early stages of control, and it is definitely not a good sign. Have one conversation with him tell him how that makes you feel. If he will not listen, leave him. And let your friends and family know about the problem. Silence is an abusers best friend. If your boyfriend hits you, he does not love you. Seriously. I do not care how many times he apologizes, or how wonderful he is afterwards. Abusers have patterns. They abuse you, then they treat you wonderfully for a while. That kind of rush can become addictive to some people, but it is not love. It is abuse.
And abuse can be psychological or physical. Someone telling you that you are unworthy or that no one else will love you is the same as being slapped or punched. It is simply your self-esteem taking the beating. And in the long-run it is just as damaging as physical abuse.
Women, if you are married and your husband is abusive, tell someone that you trust. Talking about it is the first step to getting help. If he forces you to have sex with him, that is rape. Yes, it is possible to be raped by one’s spouse, and the instances of marital sexual abuse within India are staggering. If you can trust your physician, tell him or her. Hitting or beating is never OK. Berating and name calling are not alright. If you have children it is doubly important that you get help. Children that witness abuse in the household are sadly extremely likely to grow up to become abusers themselves. It is a cycle of violence that takes it’s toll on everyone.
I think it is also important to remember that not every case of abuse is as severe as Kiranjit’s. Maybe your husband will not rape you or hold a hot iron to your face and threaten to burn your eyes out. But if he calls you fat or stupid, if he refuses to let you talk to your friends without him present (or refuses to let you have friends), if he slaps you when you argue… those are abuse. And you do not have to take it. Seek help.
If you know of domestic violence hotlines or helpgroups within Bangalore or Mumbai, please post them here. Help save someone’s life.
As I had mentioned in a previous post, I have had my share of headaches when it comes to finding adequate healthcare facilities (read: not physicians necessarily, but the places where they pratice) in Bangalore. After a midnight visit to the Manipal general maternity ward, I was given a rather rude awakening about their offerings, and I realized there was no way I could deliver my baby there in August.
Then one Sunday afternoon in March all my prayers were answered in the form of…. The Cradle.
My husband’s cousin had recommended this “boutique” maternity hospital in Jayanagar, but I was skeptical. Luckily, as soon as I walked through their doors, all my fears left me and a massive grin remained plastered on my face throughout the tour. Yes, I said TOUR! Can you imagine staff taking time out to give you a tour of any other hospital?
The lobby is inviting and sparkling clean. There is a Barista coffee shop, a small store where you can buy cute maternity clothes and toys, couches and a TV. From there, we saw a dedicated room for prenatal yoga and exercise, and the OPD with nicely decorated and perfectly equipped exam rooms. But the best was yet to come.
The patient rooms and the Labor/Delivery/Recovery rooms.
The Cradle offers only private rooms. They are extremely well appointed with central A/c, TV, food heating/cooling unit, soothing decorations (the rooms look like something you would find in a 5-star hotel, not a hospital), and reasonable attender beds. And the bathrooms… oh the bathrooms…. SPOTLESS with a huge walk-in shower with multiple jets (a must for relieving labor pain), big fluffy towels and, yes people…. lovely terrycloth bathrobes. Just like a spa!
The Cradle also offers maternity suites where the attender gets his/her own room with bed AND bathroom, complete with a private entrance so as not to disturb mother and baby when they are sleeping!!!
The LDR room is just as amazing. It, too, looks like a 5-star hotel room with soothing, homey tones and touches (drapery, a couch, no harsh lighting). But as was demonstrated to us, when it’s showtime all the necessary equipment and lighting comes out of cabinets and you suddenly have a fully functional delivery room. AMAZING!
The Cradle also has 2 operating rooms, a level 3 Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and a staff with a list of qualifications that will make your head spin. We met with the Founder and CEO Dr. Kishore Kumar. This is a man with an astounding list of qualifications (he has done Fellowships all over the world, and has now come home to India), yet he is one of the nicest, most down-to-earth people I have ever met. He answered all our questions honestly and at length, despite a probably hectic schedule… and made time for comforting small talk.
So suffice it to say I am more than happy. This is more than I would have even hoped for in the US. If you’re expecting a baby, and you live anywhere close to Jayanagar, I would really encourage you to check this place out. It might be a bit more expensive than other hospitals, but it’s well worth it. The facilities, staff and doctors will leave you feeling well taken care of.
Romance is dead. I’m 27, by the way. I have a strong sense that our parents believe our generation killed romance, and here I am boldly stating that it was not us. While I cannot hold completely responsible the current high school and college generation for skipping all the steps to hurry into naked twister, I do think it is important that we recognize some of the important features we are missing today when it comes to what we generally term as romance.
- Eye Flirting - what ever happened to that glance across the lounge, catching someone’s eye at that opportune moment, giving each other that slight yet suggestive smirk, and both of you knowing inside exactly what the other person is thinking? It moves from that first glance to a game of who catches whom looking at who now. As that sexy jazzy tune plays overhead, you feel good about the connection you established with a complete stranger, regardless of if you ever see that person again…
- The Chase - I was under the assumption that this was actually exciting - the perennial cat ‘n mouse game between two people. In most cases, mutual attraction has already been established, but one party always has to play hard-to-get, and herein lies the most delicious of paradoxes. So unattainable, yet always within reach; the chase is so real, yet deep down inside, in the realest part of your soul, you know that you will taste victory…it’s just a matter of time…sounds fun to me, so why is this a dying ritual!?
- Chivalry - Yes, we all know it is about as dead as George Bush’s sex life, but what about the small easy-to-do stuff? Opening a door for that special someone, asking them what they want to drink at the bar and ordering for them, making sure they get to sit down when there’s only enough seating for one - that’s not over the top or filmi people!
I am positive that I have certainly missed other nuances of romance that are on the verge of going the way of the dodo bird. Feel free to crumb away and tell us - what is forgotten in today’s version of romance?
Yeah, I said it! So let’s get past the initial cheap shock value of the subject heading and actually have a progressive discussion about this.
We live in a country where, paradoxically, we have the most well thought out and comprehensive piece of literature ever written in history on lovemaking and eroticism, yet even so, the subject is highly taboo. Of course, to my best knowledge, it does not cover the virtues or vices behind pre-marital sex, but the more I observe young couples in Mumbai, the more of a hunch I get that these kids are certainly doing the nasty. My fear here is not that they are doing it - in my mind, that choice is each and every person’s natural human right. My fear is that these kids are devaluing sex, demoting it to a level where, to them, it’s just one of the things you do once you are in a relationship. Now that is dangerous. Outside of the huge health implications this could pose, I believe this devaluation of our emotional and physical currency could end up irrevocably ruining the fabric of what makes us so human. Carnal instincts take over, and the rest falls by the wayside. What needs to be taught, understood, and even discussed at length is that relationships are not about holding hands, sharing ice cream and having sex for the sake of it. Going that extra distance has to mean something very special to you if you are with someone you truly value, whether you are married or not.
Just recently, I read about a particular survey where younger crowds (college students and working professionals) equated sex (all types of sex) with an act like kissing. Talk about a downgrade!
Of course, I am totally leaving out the whole “casual sex” culture here - that is a different dynamic in itself - two people with a common understanding of what they are in it for (I certainly plan on tacking casual sex as another article in itself).
Now it is quite possible that my inference from observation is totally wrong, making this whole discussion moot and a bit unnecessary - but if you have seen what I have seen, you will agree with me. Puppy love gone too far? I don’t know - but I do worry about the implications.
I wonder what you all have seen, witnessed, or experienced in your life when it comes to pre-marital sex. Do you have friends who rushed into it? Did they truly believe they were with someone that they saw a future with or was it more of a mechanical reaction to being in a relationship? Crumb away!
Ok now how many of us can acttually make out the difference between boot cut or flare or just perhaps straight fit or low waist? Come on, come on…its time to get the skeletons out of the closet now! If you can’t, need not worry your definately not alone! Here is all that you will ever know about denims….Read up now and thank me later as this article wont only leave you informed about the various styles in denims but also act as a guide inorder to find that one perfect pair!
Long Torso
Perfect Fit: If you want to show off that flat stomach go for a pair of low-rise jeans. Ideally you want a pair of jeans with a defined waist that will make your bottom half look sleeker. Long torsos should also try to wear a belt whenever possible, and go for jeans with zipper’s that are atleast 10cm long.
Avoid: Jeans with tight, stuffy crotches!
Heavy Hips
Perfect Fit: You should go for jeans with a bit of stretch so they’re comfy enough, and medium sized back pockets. Choose a jean with a low-rise waist and a slight flare to help to balance your figure.
Avoid: Styles with really big or really small back pockets and detailing across the back and big no-no to worn out denims especially when the butt region is concerned!
Short Waist
Perfect Fit: Low lying, hipster and super hipster styles will give you the illusion of having a longer upper half.
Avoid: Jeans with zippers more than 8 cm long and jeans with design near the waistline, you dont really want to attract eyes towards your short waist.
Curvicious
Perfect Fit: Go for designs with a flared leg, boot cut or pattern around the ankle area. This will help to direct attention to your calves…so make sure you’ve got some simply gorgeous shoes on as well!
Avoid: Fits that are tight around the thigh area and pointed or baggy styles.
Tall and Slim
Perfect Fit: Go for straight fits and just incase you want the attention towards your elgs go for something more flary along the outside length of the denim!
Avoid: Denims with a pointy leg. This will give only accentuate the size of your feet (and taller girls often have big feet) and make your legs look weird.
Petite
Perfect Fit: You look great in straight leg jeans, but if you’re looking to make your legs look longer, wear heels with a boot leg style, and make sure you go for dark-hued jeans.
Avoid: Styles with cuffed ends and the popular capris.
Now, don’t you agree with me that this was one of the most informative article on jeans ever? ….And as I always say…Glad to have helped!
BlackBubblegum 
It’s Woman’s Day!…and I bet all you gurls out there want to look absolutely radiant on this auspicious occasion! Most of you would be in the favour of treating yourself to a new hair cut, mani-pedis,face packs, massages, and other various costly beauty treatments!Well, thats where I come in…Am here to rescue you with these simple, amazing and all-natural “Dadi Maa Ke Nushke!” Go ahead indulge yourselves! After all, it’s your day!
Wrinkles
- Grate a ripe apricot and apply the pulp or juice on the face and neck or simply take a apricot slice and rub it all over. Leave for 20 minutes before washing off. Good for all types of skin.
- Mashed apple used as a face pack delays the onset of wrinkles.
- Massage face and neck with almond oil regularly to prevent wrinkles. Only recommended for dry skin.
- Mash a ripe banana and mix rose water to it. This delays wrinkles.
Teeth and Gums
Rubbing a slice of apple on your teeth is also helpful in getting your teeth sparkling white.
Consuming peaches strengthens the teeth and gums.
Dark Circles and Puffy Eyes
Mix together 1 teaspoon almound oil with half teaspoon fresh lemon juice.Apply under eyes (dark circles) and leave for 20-25 minutes. Done regularly the dark circles will begin to fade!
Pigmentation
Massage equal amounts of almond oil with honey. Keep 10-15 minutes before washing off.
Dry Skin
- Mix together 1 teaspoon almound oil and 1 teaspoon olive oil. Apply on face and neck. You can also massage for few minutes. Leave it for 15 20 minutes before washing off.
- Mash ripe banana well. Add equal amounts of warm olive oil or coconut oil. Use as face pack. It nourishes and moisturises your skin.
- Mix together 1 tablespoon orange juice with half tablespoon honey and apply on the face. Let it dry for 15 to 20 minutes and then wash off. You can also add 1 teaspoon of multani mutti to it. Increase the amount of honey and orange juice to get a smooth paste.
Marks and Blemishes
- Apply coconut water (from fresh tender coconut) on face and neck. Rinse off after 20 minutes. Coconut water makes all marks disappear, even marks left by chicken pox!
- Mash a few grapes. Apply on face. Leave for 15 to 20 minutes. Then rinse off for a healthy, glowing and blemish free complexion.
- Mix equal amounts of lemon juice, coconut oil and sandalwood powder. Make a smooth paster and apply on face. Let it dry and then wash off.
- Grate a papaya. Squeeze out the juice. Aplly juice regularly on face to get rid of marks.
Hair
- Heat some coconut oil. Massage well into scalp. Leave overnight. Shampoo next day. It nourishes scalp and promotes hair growth. This should be done atleast once a week.
- Amla is known as hair tonic and a hair nourisher. It also promotes pigmentation which makes the hair dark. Soak dried amla in water overnight. Use this water to rinse hair.
- Boil some dried amla pieces in coconut oil for few minutes. Cool and sieve. Massage hair with this oil regularly for think and lustrous hair.
- To give body and shine to your hair, mix together juice of 1 lemon in a mug of cold water. After shampooing put your head down and pour on wet hair for a final rinse.
Skin Firming and Tightening
- Dip a cotton wool in lemon juice and clean face.This will cleanse your skin and pores and also help in tightening.
- Mix some lemon juice with curd, fine oatmeal or besan and mashed carrots and apply on the face. Leave for 15 to 20 minutes and then wash with warm water. It is and excellent cleanser and can be used on other parts of the body.
Soft Hands and Feet
- Mix equal amounts of lemon juice and glycerine in a bottle. Apply on feet overnight and preferably wear socks for sometime. This will keep your feet soft and cracks on your heels will disappear!
- Rub a slice of lemon on your elbows regularly. Leave for 20 to 30 minutes before washing. It will soften and lighten them.
- Mix little granulated sugar with lemon juice. Gently rub on to your hands till sugar dissolves. Wash off.
- 4 to 5 teablespoon rose water mized with 2 to 3 tablespoon glycerine and 2 to 3 tablespoon lemon juice and applied on hands and elbows works wonders on them.This mixture can be made and kept in the fridge.
- Mix together 4 tablespoon pineapple juice,1 teaspoon cider vinegar and 4 tablespoon egg yolk. Mix everything well and massage on nails and cuticles with it to soften and nourish. Leave for 20 to 25 minutes and then wash off.
Pimples and Zits
Papaya makes an excellent nourishing and rejuvenating mask. Mask a piece of ripe papaya and apply on face.Leave for 15 to 20 mintues.It contains enzymes which soften and remove dead cell bringing a lustre to the face. It helps in curing pimples.
Glowing Complexion
- Applying plain fresh orange juice on your face makes your complexion rosy.
- To remove tan, mix walnut powder with a few drops of vinegar. Apply on face, scrub and wash off after 15 to 20 minutes.
- For a good scrub, mix walnut powder with a little rose water and scrub on the face in the upward direction with circular movements to removie dead cells and rejuvenate the skin.
I hope this helped in making this day even special for you! Get going! Try out these 100% safe and effective treatments!
Your A woman…Celebrate yourself!
And wishing you all a Very Happy Woman’s Day!
BlackBubblegum
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