Yoga Beginner Blog

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Yoga is said to be the oldest practice of self-development known. It started in India which dates back about 500 years ago. By exercising Yoga, one can gain information and benefits on the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual well-being. Moreover, it encourages the individual to focus on his or her capabilities as well as self-awareness.

There are several methods of Yoga. This includes physical postures, breathing control as well as meditation. But most of the time, people engage in Yoga to shape up and to improve one’s health and well-being. Only a few are really into pure mediation and reflection without doing or performing the Yoga asanas.

It is said that Yoga is not a series of steps to be followed but an evolving process. Through time, one who practices it is cleansed and aware of his being. As a result, he perceives life as excellent and does well on many aspects.

Through Yoga, one can practice or improve his body. Furthermore, he can practice controlling his breath and knows self-control. He or she also attains or has the capability to direct his mind and to interact with the object of his concentration. But, one must be dedicated enough in order to achieve these goals and have its corresponding benefits.

Yoga has become a common practice nowadays and has influenced millions around the world. Different classes and groups are found in various cities and regions. The most common form of Yoga is Hatha yoga. This kind of yoga involves breath and body coordinated. Through physical exercise and harmonized breathing, a certain relief and blood circulation is improved.

This can increase one’s vitality, strength and flexibility. Hatha yoga is only one form of Yoga. There are still many other kinds aside from that. Some are quick aerobic Yoga workouts while some are strong precise styles for the fitness conscious people. There are also styles for those who prefer gentle and focuses more on healing.

Yoga is open to all people of different ages, faiths and lifestyles. One need not pay for a personal tutor or attend a prestige Yoga class. There are books and references which you can use if you want to learn Yoga self-taught.

But, you must choose a kind or form of Yoga that is apt for you and your lifestyle. It is also vital to know your own qualities so that your learning is guided. It is because each kind of Yoga has its own unique form of meditation.New forms of Yoga are also developed nowadays.

In addition, there are videos and dvd’s available in the market to guide you as a beginner. There are also supplies sold and available when you are already applying or performing the physical activities involved in Yoga. There are videos like Yoga for athletes, yoga for couples, yoga with grace and strength and yoga workout for beginners.

There are various supplies and equipment that can be used while you are into a Yoga session. Equipments like yoga mats, yoga belts, yoga straps and blocks. There are mats that provide support when you are already into the exercise.

hese mats protect and serve as a cushion for you when you are performing on hard floors. They are accompanied with Yoga straps as well as blocks that aid you in your Yoga workout.

In addition, it is advised that you pick clothing that will not prevent you from moving freely. In this way, you can stretch and optimize your flexibility skills.

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The Osho ashram founded by Bhagwan Rajneesh is located in Koregaon Park near Pune. The Ashram is spread in a 32 acre gorgeous campus with cool ambiance. It is a resort for Meditation and yoga. The place is best suited for spiritual development and relaxation from stressful, tedious and tiring living. Everybody at ashram are free to do anything like resting, swimming, yoga, meditation and so on.

Osho believed that meditation is of fantastic value in life therefore, he devised a new kind of meditation techniques, known as ‘Active Meditation techniques’, which is done for rejuvenation and to get rid of stressful life. Six different meditations done here are very effective and are the best antidote for relieving stress and tension. Osho Kundalini meditation, Osho Nadabrahma meditation, Osho dynamic meditation and Osho Nataraj meditation are some of the techniques taught here. These meditations are conducted on a daily basis and extend for a period of one hour.

The Osho commune
People are assigned with new names once they join the Osho commune. Titles are also attached to their names; men are called ‘Swami’, while women are given the title of ‘Ma’. Maroon robes are necessary for day time activities and white robes are wore during the meditation in the evening. Some of them also wear a necklace of 108 rudraksha beads with an attached photo of Bhagwan Rajneesh.

The ashram is opened all through the year. It does not provide any accommodation facilities. The out-stationed visitor can book rooms in the hotels located nearby the Ashram. For making any kind of inquiries, reception is working from 9 am to 3:30 pm everyday. Commune counselors are available inside the premises to get guidance on different kinds of meditations and other programs. All kind of communication facilities such as Internet, fax and phones are available in the Ashram.

Technorati Tags: Ashram, Osho, Pune

A swollen ankle can be caused by excessive fluid retention in feet or due to some external injury inflicted. An undetected ankle break can also lead to a swollen ankle which can be really painful. Some other major causes for a swollen ankle may be due to insect stings and allergic reactions. Ailments like diabetes, nephritis and hypertension are also causes of swollen ankles. A pregnant women is more susceptible to this condition if she is having a high blood pressure, due to which excessive fluid gets retained in the ankle, thereby causing a swollen ankle. So what to do for swollen ankles? Let’s figure out some solutions!

What to Do for Swollen Ankles and Feet?
Identify the cause (if any) from the above mentioned ones before you ponder on what to do for swollen ankles. If there is a swelling in the ankle, here are a few tips on swollen ankles treatment to mitigate the swelling:

Avoid sitting on your feet or standing in a particular posture for a long time. Sit in a place and gently go your feet muscles by placing your feet over a small stool.
Drink a lot of water but at the same time, avoid laxatives and diuretics as they drain your body of fluids.
Use flat footwear in your limited movements. Avoid wearing any high heeled footwear which may increase the swelling.
Take some ice cubes. Crush them and wrap a cotton cloth around it and apply the cloth at the swollen location for a few minutes. Repeat the procedure again until some relief is felt.
Limit the salt intake in your daily diet and consume diets with food containing lots of water (like leafy green vegetables) and fruits.
Avoid any kind of hormone replacement therapies and contraceptives when there is a swelling in the ankle. If a swollen ankle is caused due to some medical ailment, contraceptives and hormone replacement therapies can lead to further complications.
One can use ankle wraps such as crepe bandage to reduce the swelling in the ankle. These wraps reduce the discomfort felt by the swollen ankle by cushioning the foot when walking. Ankle braces may be used for severe swellings.
In cases of excruciating pain due to swollen ankles and feet, doctors may suggest anti inflammatory drugs, steroid injections and analgesics to reduce the swelling.

What to Do for Swollen Ankles During Pregnancy?
Swollen ankles during pregnancy is not an abnormal condition. This is usually caused because a woman’s body undergoes a lot of hormonal changes during this period. The uterus grows in size and pressurizes the pelvic veins which can lead to a slow blood flow rate from legs to the heart. Due to this, there is a fluid shift and excess fluid gets retained in legs, feet and ankles. Here are some tips for pregnant women:
Pregnant ladies are advised to give light exercises to their feet, like rotating ankles. When sitting, it is better to sit with feet up and when lying down, better to keep the legs elevated. Standing or sitting on feet or sitting with crossed feet is strictly advised against.
Avoid wearing tight fitting clothes or jewelry. Instead wear loose fitting clothes which help the body to be free of any constraints.
When sleeping, remember to keep pillows below the legs. Or sleep with legs kept in an elevated position.
Summers can give a hard time to pregnant ladies. And the atmospheric heat can further aggravate a swollen ankle in pregnancy. So apply ice packs more often to the swollen area.
Bathing in lukewarm water with Epsom salt is one of the best therapeutic baths for a pregnant lady. Also massaging swollen ankles with essential oils will help in reducing the swelling.
Physical activity is a must for pregnant women. Pregnancy exercises like daily walks, yoga or a few swim laps can help the woman maintain the right fluid balance in the body.
If the swelling persists and is causing additional symptoms like puffiness on face and around eyes during pregnancy, it might indicate a possibility of preeclampsia (high blood pressure and detection of protein in urine). In such cases, immediate medical attention must be sought!

What to Eat for Swollen Ankles?
Eat a lot of juicy fruits and leafy green vegetables that contain sufficient potassium content. Banana is the best choice when it comes to swollen ankles. It is because bananas have a high potassium content which reduce unwanted fluid retention and regulate the salt levels in the body. Tomatoes and spinach are vegetables which are packed with potassium. Limit the intake of salt in the daily diet as salt is one of the major causes for fluid retention in the body.

Hope this article has answered your question ‘what to do for swollen ankles?’. Any minor swelling in any part of the body is a clear indication that something is not right. An ankle swelling can be caused by an ankle sprain or a stress break or a prolonged ailment. Now that you know what causes swollen ankles, do not ignore such painful symptoms (like ankle pain when walking). If the swelling subsides within a couple of days, then there is absolutely nothing to worry about. But if it persists, it is better to visit a doctor at the earliest!

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Abstract

Agricultural Production has entered new era of competitive-low-cost production oriented enterprise. The cost-benefit ratio choose the mode of Farming. Global marketing needs some changes at base level. Farmers have to be cost conscious and need new strategies of mixing various farming option like Agriculture, Horticulture, Livestock husbandry and Floriculture activities. A new model for incorporating all these fields in an eco-friendly mode is discussed. Appropriate mixed technology in tune with natural resources, is needed at the moment in India. An agricultural mission for efficient resource management, bridging gap between current farm yield and potential Farm yield is needed. Use of bio-technology and bio-informatics for identification of economically viable cropping options and combinations is a must. We should talk of eco-conducive-germplasm-base instead of high productive – germplasm, uncompetable to our natural resources(Wani,2008)

India with 1.09 billion people and 60% of them dependent on agriculture can not be leveled with USA who has merely339 million people and only 0.7 of them dependent or agriculture.

The horticulture sector of J&K state is most vibrant sector for economic development. The per capita income of J&K is 324 US dollars which is more than national average. The monthly expenditure of J&K is also higher than national average. The urban /rural differences are lesser due to horticultural earnings of the farmers. The increased income from horticultural crops has resulted in diversification of cereal land to horticultural crops. Various features of horticulture in J&K have been presented in this review (Table) Area under horticultural crops have increased from mere 12 thousand hectares in 1953-54 to 221 thousand hectars as on date. Most of the denuded forest area, high altitude rice, wheat and maize lands have been diversified to more remunerative horticultural crops.

The per unit land profits from horticultural crops is more than the cereals. With increased environmental degradation and low water availability, the diversification to horticultural plantations is on increase. Our overall productivity of 1.2 tons per hectare was very low in 1953-54 It too has increased to around 4.95 t/hac. Thus, our horticultural development has shown both vertical and horizontal expansion. Various factors favoring horticultural productivity have been analyzed. A strength and weakness constraint analysis have been applied and shown in graphics, & tables As shown in tables the average productivity of apple in 2004-05 has increased to 10.12 t/h-1, which is marginally higher than China, double than national average and 1/3rd of that in USA (Table 8).

Thus, we need more advanced technological application for increased productivity of apple in J&K. All quantitative and qualitative traits have to be exploited through second generation biotechnological tools and molecular and nuclear techniques. New germanium propagation using DNA identification and mapping systems are needed to increase our 20% A grade quality fruits to around 40% superior quality fruits. Perhaps new ladder hedge system of orchard management as in USA needs a try to combine ornamental lawn hedge with horticultural apple hedges. Various developments of Indian horticulture have been summed (wani,2008). Various projects, schemes and options have been discussed and presented A new mechanization and research use is suggested to have bio safe and marketable fruits at international level.

The horticulture sector in India has an vital role in economic development of rural poor. Livelihood options and cultural development are key factors related to horticultural development. India has a variety of horticultural crops including fruits, vegetable, roots, tubers, flowers, ornamental plants, medicinal, aromatic plant species and other plantation crops. India is the second largest producer of fruits after China and contributes 11% of all vegetables and 15% of all fruit production in the world. Majority 65-70% of fruits and vegetables produced in India are consumed domestically. Two percent of fruits and vegetables are being processed. Out of the total production only 1%is being exported Post harvest losses account to 20-30% of the stored fruits. The major contributor to Yucky domestic product of J&K is horticulture (Wani, 2007, Wani, 2008, a,b,c).

As per medical recommendations of 120 g fruits and vegetable per person per day, our national demand works out to 63.million tones. Horticultural global market share for India may be around 15%. We dominate markets in Sri Lanka, Maldives, Nepal and Bangladesh. Our share is relatively less in countries like Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Isreal, Kuwait, Pakistan, Oman and Brunei. With enhancing trade in SARC countries, we may have more opportunities of expansion in domestic Asian markets. Thus a thrust towards horticultural export orientation is linked with peace and union among SARC countries. We share cultural, religious and food habits, thus our products could be preferred over others. This needs proper Post-harvest and market – led extension and outreach system. Given proper attention we may capture markets of Japan, Hong Kong, China and other countries too.

Research Review

Various investigations on use of organic fertilizers, orchard management, disease and agronomic practices have been reported (Srivastava et al 2004). Growth responses of caladium cultivars, influence of gibberelic acid and thiourea on growth and flowering, crop duration, planting density etc. have been reported, Nazki et al (2005), Ahmed & Ali, (2004). Evaluation of pomegranate cultivates (Mir et al 2007), Genetic divergence studies (Verma et al 2006), azotobacterization of mango in Jammu region (Kerni & Gupta, 1986) russeting (Chib, 1990. Fruit cracking (Muttoo et al, 1999) & post-harvest measures (Ahmed et al, 1999).have been investigated.

Various experimentation on floricultural crops like gladiolus, dutch iris, (Khan et al, 2002), fruit drop (singh et al, 2002) have been concluded.The annual reports from RRL Jammu, SKUIAST J&K and other ICAR projects give details of research projects, investigation methods and new knowledge developed in the horticulture sector in Jammu and Kashmir state.. On the basis of these research reviews, the major problems and their solutions can be assessed as follows.

A review of Annual Report of SKUAST-J 2007-8 shows that many research options in post harvest technology have been successfully tested.Tomatoes,Guava and Papaya quality parameters under strorage have been standardized to reduce losses (.Liddhoo,2008,Sharma et al,2008.) The extent of parasitism on cole crops,okra hybrids and advanced stidies on Knol khol, Brinjal, Broccoli, Tomatoes and other horticultural crops have been initiated.Among ornamental crops studies on Gladiolus pathogens is the prominent one to reduce losses of cut flowers. New variety of Marigold to replace existing variety, Pusa Narangi is on cards.The Brunella nava and B.cento varieties of lilium yielded more cut flowers. Many experiments at Sartingal and Gwari farmas of Jammu Division on apple sprays and other investigations on pear, peach, apricot, pomegranate and walnut cultivators has been described. (Annual report,2007-8)

The varietal trails and post-harvest tests on peca nut and strawberry are reported.(SKUAST-J Annual Reports 2007-8)The Chandhlar Strawberry cultivator has been rated as best for Jam. A 20% unripe fruit mix does not alter the jam quality. This can serve as a major post –harvest mechanism to reduce the existing losses. A refrigerated van facility for strawberries has helped its marketing and various studies on fumigation of Litchi with sulphur dioxide has helped to increase shelf life. Anar fruit borer was detected on other fruit crops too signifying thrust on pest and insect management.

FICCI Suggestive Measures

For more aggressive development of horticulture in J&K state, FICCI has stressed for development of:
Marketing facilities
Employment and income generation options
Setting of export promotion zones.

Export thrust on strawberry, mushroom and cumin seed, berries, wild fruits and indigenous vegetables is needed. The local horticultural germanium needs investigative and innovative projections. As local germanium is well suited to our environment and needs less water. The new market options for organic fruits produced in J&K need prioritization and certification under WTO regulation.International bio safety measures,Grading and packaging of available fruits, initiatives for development of new varieties of fruits like kiwi fruit, wild apricot, black cherry, broccoli and mushroom are the suggested ways to development of this sector.

The options for air transport, cargo from Leh, Srinagar and Jammu to centers of consumption like Delhi, Chandigrah & Mumbai need exploration. The agro-based industrial set ups using low grade apple for juice, shampoo, biofuels and use of available horticultural and flouriculture wastes for marketable commodities as gift packs, scents, ornamentals, dehydrated flowers, perfumes and bio-fuel are discussed (wani, 2008).

Development of Horticultural Markets

In the recent past department of Horticulture Plotting and Marketing J&K has established Fruit and vegetable markets within the state. The department is in the process of strengthening three main operating markets of Nowpora (Sopore),Parimpora (Srinagar) and Narwal (Jammu). So far multipurpose grading, packing and auction sheds have been constructed at Nowpora Sopore. Further 17 satellite markets have been established within the state. Market information service has been introduced to collect and disseminate market intelligence through NET connectivity within and outside state. A regular agricultural marketing news as Zariye Khabernama has been started in Kashmir Door Darshan.

Some of the problems faced by the Horticulture sector:

Lack of storage facilities
Lack of Processing and value addition units
Low productivity of especially under rained and low input conditions
Premature fruit fall/ dropping
Low cost packages and transport difficulties especially cold chain mechanization.
Heavy post-harvest losses and low promotional efforts for market led extension services
Low germplasm propagation infrastructure
Organic premotion

The present fertilizer consumption in J&K is 38.3 kg/ha as compared to 170 kg/ha in Punjab. In contrast the estimated quantity of nutrients mined by crops in Kashmir is 48 kg/ha. Thus we have better options for organic fruit production in J&K.

Agro-techniques developed by SAUS
Fruit /vegetable nursery under poly-house.
Spray schedule for apple and other fruits
Leaf testing for fertilizer evaluation before utilization
Dehulling of walnut
Walnut rejuvenation and propagation technology
Apricot solar dryers
Orchard management through use of polinizers and bee-farming

Table 2. New Varieties developed by SAU

Crop No. of varieties released Name of varieties Salient features of genotypes
Apple 5 Shreen Yielding 50-60 kg/tree, scab resistant, small medium size jucy fruits.

Firdous Yielding 50-60 kg/tree, medium crisp, sweet slightly acidic fruits.
Akbar High yielding, medium size, red, color fruit.
Lal Ambri
Sunheri
Walnut, Hamdan, Semi-dwarf, 15 kg/ha, 14g nut with 54% shelling.
Suleiman Semi-dwarf, 30kg/ha, 21g nut with 52% shelling.
Almond 4 Mukhdom Medium size nut with 7 q/ha yield
Parbat Small kernet with 5 q/ha yield
Waris Late bloomer, medium size kernel, 5-7 q/ha yield potential.
Shalimar Mid bloomer, smooth kernel with yield potential 5q/ha.
Capsicum 1 Nishat Darl green, better shelf life, moderately resistant to disease, 50% advantage over California wonder.
Chilies 1 SC-107 Yield advantage of 60% over local varieties.
Turnip 1 Nageen-1 Suited forvalley during rabi season and for hilly area during summer.
Carrot 1 Chaman-1 Early maturing, tender, tastey. Yield potential of 25-26 tonnes/ha.

Table 3. Strategies for development

Most of the fruit crops are rain-fed, need development of irrigation facility in the form of drip/ sprinkler irrigation

Site specific nutrient management technique need to be adopted to improve and economise fertilizer use in fruit and vegetable crops

Development of cost effective, eco-friendly crop production and plant protection technologies free from all hazardous chemicals with minimal hurt to soil, water , air, plants and animals

Diversification of fruit cultivation, cultivation of dry fruits in rainfed areas
Use of local genotypes of wild fruits like nuts, berries etc.
Production of fruits, vegetables and flowers in off-season and creation of facilities for making off-season products thereof

Rejuvenation of sick and unproductive horticulture units such as orchards, fruit nurseries and processing units etc.
Promotion and popularization of hybrid technology in vegetables.
Establishment of tissue culture laboratories and green houses for mass multiplication of disease free planting material, tubers/ corms and seeds

Degraded soils of the fruit crops where crops are growing for decades due to soil erosion or in soil chemical change, need to be given attention to ameliorate it.
Establishment of modernized fruits and vegetables processing/preservation units.

Table 4. Infrastructure facilities needed for post harvest

management of horticulture industry in J&K state

A.Genral for all Fruits and in all districts

Improvement in Road Connectivity:
Creation of pack House facilities in the production area
Provision of precooling and storage facilities:
Enforcement of Grading act.
Efficient Transport facilities.
Alternate packaging material.
Value addition centre for fruit and vegetable processing.
Fruit Insurance scheme.
Fruit mandies at district level.
Market Information system.
Provision of facilities for walnut processing.
Provision of Facilities for processing of saffron.
Facilities needed for cut flower trade.
Medicinal and aromatic plants. Promotion and livelihood options.
Creation of necessary cold storage at airport.
Establishment of quality control laboratory.
Technological awareness of the farmer.

B. For walnut trade

Walnut is an vital nut crop grown in the state of J&K. the state produces 86263 tones of walnut form an area of 61723 hectares with the productivity of 1.39 tones/ha and had monopoly in the export to many countries of the world. Walnut cultivation is common in Badrawah, Poonch, Kupwara, Baramulla, Bandipora, Ganderbal, Budgam, Srinagar, Anantnag and other hilly areas of J&k.

Walnut are consumed as luxury snacks as well as commercially used for preparation of bakery products, chocolates, ice cream, ornaments, oils, confectionary and salad products. Shells are sued in glue and plastics and for making solutions for cleaning and polishing metal surfaces.

Constraints in walnut trade.
(a) Awareness of maturity indicies
(b) Method of harvesting
(c) Non-scientific de-hulling.

Post Harvest bottlenecks
(a) improper storage, drying, grading practices at farm level.
(b) Lack of awareness about sanitary conditions to handle nuts.
(c) Lack of integrated handling system to manage the nuts.
(d) Non adoption of international standards of grades.
(e) Lack of processing/ storage facilities/ orchard management.

C. Apple post harvest measures needed..

Apple is an vital principal crop of J&K state. The state produced 1041417 MT of apples from 100702 ha of orchard area during year 2005-2006.The state contributes 57% of national production of apples, while as Himachal Pradesh contributes 24%. The state produces early, mid and late season cultivars of apple. The commercial apple varieties are Red Tasty, Golden Tasty, Ambri, White Dotted Red, Royal Tasty kulu Tasty, Hazratbali, Benoni..

Post harvest handling of apple encapsulated many management decisions and proceses that are involved in harvesting, handling, storage, packing and transport of apple fruit necessary to provide consumer with an acceptable end product. The characteristics of apple which determine its acceptance in market place are size, shape, colour, texture, flavour, juiciness, freedom from blemishes and bruises. A proper export oriented packaging, sanitary evaluation and eco-friendly shall improve its consumer acceptability under WTO regime.

D. Cherry postharvest options needed.

Cherry is vital fruit crop of the valley which is being marketed outside the state. In Kashmir cherry is the first fruit crop which comes to the market and fetches excellent prices. The quality of fruit is excellent in cool climate. Cherries after harvest are to be pre-cooled , stored packed and carried under refrigerated conditions to the terminal market. The fruit transport under refrigerated conditions remain healthy for a longer period, compared to the fruits stored under ambient conditions. Storage, packaging, transport and preservation is needed at local level.

For export of horticulture produce we have to integrate production activities with post harvest management. Infrastructural facilities for Pre-cooling, packaging, grading ,processing centers, refrigerated vans, cold storage, cargo handling facility at airport, laboratories for pesticide residue analysis, excellent road connectivity, market promotion through IT network, credit facility for exporters and awareness programmes are essential pre requisites for export of horticultural produce from the state.

Table 5. Major Problems in Horticulture

Low productivity:

Poor quality planting materials & its inspection mechanization.
Low disease diagnostic appliances
Poor orchard management.
Low capital- small farmer – holdings
Poor technological applications
Poor post-harvest handling, industrial base.
Poor quality control measures and laboratories.
Marketing network modernization
Poor data base and electronic use.
Poor infrastructure.
New Options Needed
Germplasm base, analysis, collection of materials across the state.
Standardization of rootstock for all vital crops.
Development of horticultural cropping systems for all districts.
Certification and quality control laboratories.

Table 6. Current Schemes for promotion of Horticulture
Horticulture Technology Mission

Mini Mission I

In order to provide technology support, this mini mission aims to supply of Nucleus/Basic Seed and Planting Material of Horticultural crops. Standardization of Production and Protection Technologies, and Technology refinement and training through on-farm trials. The “Indian Council of Agricultural Research” is the nodal agency implementing the programes under this mini mission.

Mini Mission II

Department of Agri. & Cooperation is the nodal department for the mini mission. The mini mission primarily aims at increasing the production and productivity of the horticulture produce in the region through integrated implementation of various governmental programmes based on compact area Development approach.

The major components of this mini mission are:
Area expansion
Creation of water sources.
On-farm water management.
Production of planting materials
Transfer of technology through training, front line.
Demonstration, publicity and training of trainers
Popularization of Organic Farming and Use of Bio-fertilizers
Promotion of popularization of agricultural equipments
Promotion of integrated pest management
Establishment of plant health clinics
Establishment of tissue/ leaf analysis laboratories.
Entrepreneurial development of women farmers.

Base line survey to identify the amount and type of the work being contributed by the women in the field of horticulture and other agricultural activities, their role in the choice making process and problems faced by them in farming.

Table 6. Marketing of Major Horticulture Products

S.No Product 2004-05
(Lac Tons) 2005-06
1. Apples 10.93 11.52
2. Cherry 0.074 0.08
3. Pears 0.40 0.42
4. Walnut 1.005 1.083
5. Almond 0.135 0.143
6. Others 0.002 0.0

Table 7. Export of Fresh Fruits out of J&K

Year Production (Lakh MT) Exported (Lakh MT) %age of fruit exported % increase in export
2000-01 8.372 5.016 59.91 -
2001-02 10.008 6.467 61.78 28.92
2002-03 10.457 7.053 67.45 9.06
2003-04 11.657 7.624 65.40 8.09
2004-05 12.176 8.194 67.29 7.47

Table 8. Export of Walnut outside the Country

Year Quantity Exports Foreign Exchange earned (Lakh INR)
In-Shell
(in MT) Kernell
1999-00 508 4485 60.55
2000-01 597 7145 109.94
2001-02 987 6415 117.78
2002-03 656 6976 121.23
2003-04 300 6001 99.30
2005-05 257 5417 92.82

Table 9. Key Result Area: Enhancing Productivity of fruit crops

Technorati Tags: Development, Future, Horticultural, J&kIndia, Past, Present

Yoga has a deep hidden philosophy of life that harmonizes body, mind, and soul. The term was originated from a Sanskrit word ‘Yuj’ that means ‘union’ or ‘joint’. As the name suggests so does the traditional spiritual activity reflects the right life’s philosophy.

Yoga took birth as a form of spiritual attainment during the Golden Age. It dates back to nearly 26,000 years ago or the time of ‘Sat Yuga’ that we commonly refer to as. It was founded by Sage Patanjali in the city of Rishikesh that is now considered to be the city of Yoga. It is a gorgeous holy city situated at the foot of Himalayas on the banks of River Ganges.

This traditional activity is also found in the pages of Bhagavadgita and Upanishads. Infact it forms an integral part of the Hinduism that practices certain activities to ensure freedom from negativities and attainment of spirituality. Many intellectuals and known people in the ancient age are credited for spreading the divine message of yogic activities in order to attain the supreme goal of life. It is the Hindu religion that has paved path for the endearing acceptance of yoga worldwide.

It is also believed that during the Golden Age when Yoga was introduced, Indian society also witnessed the birth of a new community known as Buddhism. Both yoga and Buddhism follow the same beliefs and principles and work in synchronization for a common supreme goal.

The basic principle of yoga is purification. It is believed that human body is filled with many impurities and negativities that really hamper the peace of mind and greatly affects the purity of the inner soul. The fantastic yogis of the country have learned the influence of impurities on human mind and hence they took way of yoga to get way with a pure body and mind. This purification of body, mind, and soul is the actual philosophy that helps attain real wisdom and spiritual liberalization.

In the modern era, yoga has become an indispensable part of Indian culture and tradition. Everyone across the country tries and takes out some time for yogic activities from their busy schedule. This helps them relives daily pressure and keep their mind at ease. It also helps to improve working capacity, offer a positive approach, and inculcate moral values. Apart from this, yoga is a perfect remedy for various diseases and ailments like diabetes, digestive disorders, arthritis, chronic fatigue, and heart conditions.

To sum up, yoga is a divine pathway to a healthy and pure body, mind, and soul.

Technorati Tags: Indian, Society, Tradition, yoga

Our children today are inundated to a lot of stress factors. There is homework that they do daily,
the competition from other kids, after school game activities and on occasion over-scheduling.
And just like us adults these kids need something relaxing to turn to and that could be Yoga.

Yoga for kids helps them develop better body control, it also delivers to them excellent self
control, flexibility and coordination.

Yoga for kids has been shown to help adolescents who are hyper active to slow down and to brighten up
those attention deficit ones. adolescents today crave movement and sense stimuli that can
help them balance their inner flow.

Yoga for children helps them channel these urges in a positive way.

The asanas that seem to work perfectly with kids are the warrior pose and the tree pose. These two asanas helps instill in them cool, self-confidence and balance.

The trick to get them to do these poses is to go beyond just doing the proper poses, you have to get them to reckon about what the real posture means.

Let them reckon that they truly are what the poses are symbolizing, Let them be like the postures, –say strong and confident like a warrior
is.

Yoga with partners is also a excellent way to build up trust with your children. It develops their team skills and encourages a closer bonding.

Some youngsters have distress closing their eyes and focusing on their exercises. One thing that allows a child to relax is visualization. Let them imagine something that they really delight in and let them imagine being like those things.

You may also have them concentrate on belly breathing first and have them listen to soothing and relaxing music.

Then question them to imagine their favorite spot in the house or let them imagine that they are in outer space floating, or let them visualize that they are at the beach, playing their favorite sport or doing
the best activity that they like.

Sometimes for young adolescent males letting them reckon of a model helps them relax, but this is sometimes hard to do because they become unresponsive when these kind of issues are discussed. Just stick to the imagination thing if this technique is too complicated for you.

Every day at the end of each relaxation exercises, encourage the adolescents to share their own experiences. Question them to tell to the group what it was like to be in their imagined surroundings.
Question them to share what place have they imagined they where in.

Another method is to make a guided imagination by telling them a tale with a relaxing theme of some sort.

As you know children have the most extraordinary imagination, they visualize all sorts of things. And at this point in meditation it makes them feel cool. So when doing yoga for children let them reckon that they are walking in their favorite place.

You can even let them reckon that they are butterflies in a gorgeous field. The main thought in here is to give a sense of peace and feeling of oneness with nature.

Yoga for kids should be taught more often and in different places. It is necessary to teach kids the meaning of union of mind, body and spirit.

There is such a abundance of knowledge we can offer our children with the practice of Yoga.

Technorati Tags: Adolescents, yoga

Airlines in India In the recent past have grown manifold. The rapid growth of Indian economy has resulted in a positive effect on the airline industry in India. The arrival of low cost airline carriers in India has spiced up the whole affair. Suddenly the air travel is no more the limited to the rich and the mighty. Now it has become a middle class’s vehicle and revolutionized the way a common Indian traveler used to travel. Here is a brief view of domestic airlines in India. This includes premium airlines as well as low cost airlines in India.

And the major domestic airlines in India to look for in the future are:

Air India
Air India’s is one of the older airlines in India worldwide network today covers 44 destinations by operating services with its own aircraft and through code-shared flights. Vital destinations covered by Air India are Bangkok, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Osaka, Singapore, Tokyo, Seoul, Nairobi, Frankfurt, London, Paris, Birmingham, Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Doha, Dubai, Jeddah, Muscat, Riyadh, Kuwait, Los Angeles, Chicago, Newark, New York, and Toronto.

Air India’s fleet consists of thirty eight aircrafts. These include 12 Boeing 747-400, 1 Boeing 747-400, 2 Boeing 747-300, 19 Airbus 310-300, and 4 Boeing 777-200.

Jet Airways
Jet Airways is one of the premier private airlines in India. Jet Airways operates over 320 flights daily to 43 destinations in India and currently controls about 40% of India’s aviation market. Jet Airways became the first private airline of India to glide to international routes. Jet Airways has won many awards in recognition of standards of its service and has also received the ISO 9001:2000 standards certification for its In-flight Services and has set high standards for Airlines in India.

Kingfisher Airlines
Kingfisher Airline is a private airline based in Bangalore, India. The airline is owned by Vijay Mallya. Kingfisher Airlines started its operations on May 9th, 2005 with a fleet of 4 Airbus A320 aircrafts. The airline currently operates on domestic destinations and is one of the most aggressive player among the airlines of India.

Indigo
Indigo presently has a fleet of four aircrafts and plans to expand its fleet and network in a phased manner. By the end of 2006, IndiGo is aiming at 6 aircrafts and 12 cities and has plans to expand its fleet to 15 by December of 2007. IndiGo has proposed to serve around 30 Indian cities with a fleet of 40 Airbus A-320s by 2010. IndiGo will have fleet of only one type of aircraft, the Airbus A-320 that has a capacity of 180 passengers.

Air Deccan
Air Deccan is the first airline in India to operate as full low cost carrier. It is a part of Deccan Aviation Private Limited, India’s largest private heli-charter company.
Presently, Air Deccan covers 57 destinations in India, which is more than any other airline in India. Air Deccan has massive expansion plans.

Author Bio:
Jane Thompson is an expert author and the webmaster of Air Deccan section of http://www.zoomtra.com/. The website having details of various domestic flights India and hotels in India.

Technorati Tags: Airlines, India

The practice of yoga interests many people today. This discipline is known for its health benefits and particularly in the fight against stress. All you need to see is the number of centers that offer yoga classes in your are which helps you to know that there is a real enthusiasm for this practice. Yoga is based on various postures and also meditation. Yoga can help a person feel excellent about yourself as you fight stress and discomfort. There are different types of yoga that exist. One of the most practiced is the Prana Yoga which is based on techniques of meditation and breathing. This has the effect against stress and provides a feeling of well being.

As for now, everyone can manage some extra free time from there busy schedule. In this time, you can relax if you want to or you can do yoga. Yoga simply means to feel the comfort. To feel the comfort you must have peace of mind and the clothes you wearing are also a major factor. Yoga clothing is a special type of clothing because the clothes you wear will make you feel free. There are many brands in market that offer high quality yoga clothing. Some of the huge brand names are Hardtail Forever, Beyond Yoga & Manduka. These brands are offering very comfortable high quality yoga clothing; pure cotton, sustainable, perfectly tailored to any kind of exercise or simply for pleasure.

Some of the yoga clothes are (comfortable and suitable for any kind of movement):
Comfortable trousers with elastic and adjustable
Chemise cut in the style of Kurta (Long shirt)
Kurta fitted with a collar
Hardtail Pants

Hardtail pants are an ancient tradition and are very well loved because they provide a very comfortable cut and allow freedom of movement quite optimal. The size is unique because the trousers are very large. The trousers adopt naturally the size of the person wearing it.

Technorati Tags: Clothing, yoga