Don't Quit Smoking! Immediately Part III

The ultimate stage Staying off

Hey, are you still with me?? Good. You have made it.

The changes you feel :
You will find a lot of changes in you. Improvements mostly. You feel more umm.. lets say Able. You have more stamina, you can walk faster, you cough less, perhaps your palpitations have stopped, you feel better with yourself. Medically, there are a thousand ways in which you have helped yourself and others.

one laughable change that I noticed was change in my body odor  funny, try sniffing your armpits and notice the difference.

now What??

now you have to protect yourself against a relapse. There is nothing much new to this. The keystones are the same as those for Strengthening Your Resolve.

There are likely to be some psychological effects e.g. depression, anxiety, mood disorder, increased appetite, maybe weight gain etc. but if you have prepared your grounds well, you will be able to overcome these.

If you have consulted a counselor/ friend/ medical worker, continue reporting your progress to them. You will find them co-operative, understanding and encouraging. If you are using any medicines / substitutes, do so under medical supervision and your doctor will wean you off them slowly.

What you really need at this tentative stage is the environment. You need to be around people who dont smoke, who don tolerate smoke, who dont even tolerate the smell of smoke. You need to be in no-smoking zones.

also, this is a very good time to begin some aerobic exercises or better still Yoga. sounds funny, huh? But the truth is, the worst times to control are the ones when you are by yourself. When you are with others, you can stay off. There are enough excuses as well as your pride to keep you off. But alone is the testing time.

This is when you need to occupy yourself with Physical exercises. The reason you can reach out to smoke when you are reading or watching TV, but you wont if you are working out.

I never said that quitting is easy. Its hard, very hard. But since you know that by now, you are prepared for it.

also, now you begin to notice the smell of smoke. You will find yourself getting intolerant of cigarette smoke.

You will notice how, if someone smokes in your apartment or office, the smell can linger on for days. It is also the time to turn into an evangelist and induce others to stop smoking.

Are you ready to quit smoking?

We can take this quit smoking journey together and make real progress to a healthier life.

This concludes Part two of the Don't Quit Smoking Series

Dina Karim Teacher Yoga

The Purpose of Yoga: The Big Picture

Why has Yoga become so popular? Newspapers, and local news reporters, often ask Yoga teachers this question, but what is the underlying truth? The fact is: Yoga classes are a sanctuary for Yoga students, from the every day stress and anxiety, which everyone feels.

There are so many matters for us to be frustrated over. Relationships, work, traffic, finances, children, personal history, and the fear of losing something, are just a few of the factors, which can trigger a panic attack. Our minds are racing around all day, and do not rest from worry, even when we sleep.

How do we stop the cycle of worry? How do we learn to calm down? One way to make progress is to practice Yoga in local classes, but you will learn to take your Yoga practice anywhere. You can breathe, sit up straight, walk in good posture, and be mindful at any time.

now consider this: How many problems can you solve at once? You may be able to multi-task, but in reality, you must solve problems one at a time. As a result, you can write a list today and prioritize tomorrows challenges. You can even add hourly deadlines to them, if you wish.

This method will give you the big picture. You will notice that you stop worrying, when you start solving. too many people worry about the small stuff. Take organized action, and let God handle the details. people who continually take action are a very small minority, so you will be in good company, as you progress toward positive solutions and objectives.

Lastly, accept that Rome was not built in a day. Do not stress yourself over goals, objectives, and progress. Yoga teaches us that each day is an adventure to look forward to. Do what you can, and move forward - even if it is just an inch at a time.

Copyright 2007 paul Jerard / aura Publications

paul Jerard, E-RYT 500, has written many books on the subject of Yoga. He is a co-owner and the Director of Yoga teacher training at: aura Wellness Center, in Attleboro, MA. http://www.riyoga.com He has been a certified Master Yoga Teacher since 1995. To receive a Free Yoga e-Book: "Yoga in practice," and a Free Yoga Newsletter, please visit: http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org/index.html

Integral Yoga Teacher