Thursday, January 10, 2008 

Packing for the Perfect Trip: Luggage Tips and Reminders

Call it luggage; call it baggage - suitcases, duffels, trunks, carryons, checkthroughs -- every traveler has bags to lug around. Here are some tips for happy toting, no matter where your journey leads.

Too many bags, or too few? The more items of luggage you have (and the smaller they are), the easier it is to lose track of one or more if them. On the other hand, if you jam everything into a couple of huge bags they'll be impossible to lift, and the loss of one bag could put a big dent in your vacation. Try to find a happy medium.

Carryon luggage. Even though your carryon may fit the scanner at the security checkpoint, it still may not fit in the overhead or under seat storage areas. Check with your airline before you fly for specific maximum dimensions -- some aircraft fit larger bags than others. You are usually allowed one carryon bag plus one personal item such as a purse or briefcase, and shopping bags do count towards your allowance. The Federal Aviation agency has useful information on this and other related topics at http://www2.faa.gov/index.cfm/apa/1079

Stowing strollers. Parents often ask about checking strollers before they fly. Strollers and infant carriers can be taken to the gate, and checked as you board the plane. The item(s) will be waiting for you when you disembark.

Visibility at the carousel. Sometimes it seems that everyone buys their luggage at the same store, and half a dozen people scramble for the same bag when it emerges at baggage claim. Distinctive luggage tags, stripes of colored adhesive tape, and/or colored baggage straps (available at all luggage stores) all help make your bags unmistakable.

Label your luggage inside and out. Every bag should have a luggage tag. The airline will supply a paper tag if you need it. Include some form of identification inside the bag, too, in case you lose the outer tag.

Checked baggage inspection. As we mentioned in a recent article, the transportation Safety Administration (TSA) now inspects all checked airline luggage. In many cases, the luggage goes through a scanning device, but at some airports all luggage must be hand-inspected. The TSA asks that you not lock your bags, as the locks will be removed if they have to inspect your luggage by hand. If you just want to hold the zippers closed, even a simple twist-tie will work. To reduce the possibility of casual theft, buy plastic cable ties at the hardware store -- you'll need a stout scissors or clipper to open them, though (round-nosed scissors are now allowed in carryon luggage). To read more, visit the TSA's consumer web site at http://www.tsa.gov

Split your contents between several bags. If you lose a bag, the airline usually returns it to you within 24 hours, but what happens if your cruise ship departs a few hours after you land? Divide your belongings between several bags, so if one bag is lost, everyone still has at least a few items to wear when your ship sails.

Create an inventory. Make a complete list of the contents of each bag and carry the list on your person as you travel. If a bag is lost or items are missing, the list will make a loss claim much easier. To be even safer, leave a copy of the list at home, too.

Rolling; rolling; rolling. How did we travel before the days of wheeled luggage? A new set of wheeled bags may be one of your most savvy investments. Tall people should beware of short wheeled bags with short handles, though -- they can be murder on your back.

Copyright Jennifer Marx, PassPorter travel Press. All Rights Reserved.

This article may be distributed freely on your web site and in your ezines, as long as this entire article, copyright notice, links, and the resource box are unchanged.

about the Author: Jennifer Marx is the author of over 40 print books, including the award-winning, best-selling PassPorter Walt Disney World guidebook. She is married to author Dave Marx and mom to two kids who love Disney. Read more of Jennifer's articles on disney and general travel at http://www.passporter.com and in the popular Disney discussion forums.

Yoga Asanas Positions Routines

 

Golf Mind - The Power Of Mental Golf Visualization

Actually, the term "visualization" is a misnomer. With this technique, you will be using more than just your visual golf faculties. When you do power Golf Visualization, besides seeing what you desire, you will also hear it, smell it, taste it, and feel it.

Whatever you think about most often, expands in your golf game.

So if you are constantly worried about not having a consistent swing, you will get more life experiences of not having a consistent golf swing. Focusing your golf mind on opportunities to improve your swing will get you a thousand times further than worrying about not hitting the ball consistently.

But power Visualization is more than just positive thinking. It's about putting your mind and body in the ideal place first, and then flooding your subconscious with a colorful experience of your golf game as you want it.

The more relaxed you are, the more open your subconscious is to receive the messages you want to send it. And the more senses that you involve in your power Visualization, the more of an impact it will have.

Let's say that you wanted to have a pro golf swing. The meaning of a "pro golf swing" is too vague a term. What kind of pro swing do you want? You need to be absolutely specific. You want the same swing with the driver as Tiger for example.

And once you have that decided, you're going to power Visualize it. You are going to see yourself walking up to it. Your are going to feel how smooth and perfect the outer body feels. You can yourself seeing in the same set-up position like Tiger, seeing yourself in the same position at the top of the backswing etc. You get the point.

Here's another important characteristic of the subconscious mind: it can't tell the difference between your outer world and your imagination. Meaning that if you visualize an event in great detail and with a lot of emotion, your subconscious mind will believe that it's really happening.

And the more times you practice power Visualization properly, the more "real" it will seem to your subconscious. this is key because once it believes your visualization to be a fact, it will feel tension when your current outer reality doesn't match up. It will then go your assistance by sending you ideas, opportunities and motivation to transform your outer world.

Action Plan for power Visualization:

Step 1: Decide what part of your golf game you want to visualize.

Step 2: Lay or sit down in a comfortable position. Listen to relaxing nature sounds with subliminal affirmation.

Step 3: Take a deep breath, hold it for a count of three, and as you exhale, say the number 10 to yourself. Take another breath, hold it for a count of three, and as you exhale, say the number 9 to yourself. Repeat this until you get to the number zero.

Step 4: Now visualize your goal. Don't view it from the third person. put yourself there. Use all of your senses. Experience in vivid detail how this goal looks, feels, tastes and sounds like. Smell the grass on the golf course. The more specifics you can add, the stronger the effect. You will know that you are doing it correctly when you start to feel excited. This is caused because your subconscious mind honestly thinks that this event is happening. It causes you to feel joy.

Step 4: Once you have visualized as many details about the goal as you have the time for, and the amazing golf mind video is over you can start to come back to full awareness. Take a deep breath, hold it for a count of three, and as you exhale, say the number zero to yourself. Continue this process until you get back to ten. Hold your breath once more, and this time as you exhale, say the following phrase out loud: "I am now fully awake, energized and refreshed." Done correctly, you will feel energized and refreshed.

Andy discovered a secret mental golf technique that is successfully used by the top tour pros. Tiger is said to use subliminal mental golf training since he was 13.

You can watch a free video and get a free subliminal mental golf audio to improve your short game instantly here: http://www.amazinggolfmind.com

Exervo Yoga Mat

 

The Purpose of Yoga- Yogic Walking for Anxiety

Lets look at more solutions, which Yoga can give you, for anxiety and stress management. All of these solutions will take a bit of practice, and in some cases, you may need the guidance of a competent Yoga teacher.

after pranayama (Yogic breathing techniques), there are still a large number of techniques to choose from. The next one that comes to mind is asana (Yoga Posture). In a typical Hatha Yoga class, you will learn asana on a mat, but you can learn to practice good posture all day long.

You can practice good posture in a chair, when eating a meal, standing, and walking. You can even use pillows to sleep in good posture. Most people prefer to multi-task these days, so Yogic walking is a wonderful way for those of us, who just have to do many things at once. This is not to be confused with walking meditation, which is an entirely different technique.

Put on good walking shoes, comfortable clothes, and begin to walk your course. Always watch the road, but keep your spine straight, and your gaze should be at eye level, while you visually take in the world around you. Close your mouth and breathe only through the nose. Breathe naturally, and do not force your inhales or exhales.

As you continue to walk, maintain your personal pace, and be mindful of your posture. The recommended time for Yogic walking is, at least, 20 minutes. Once breathing is natural, and not strained, some practitioners of this method practice walking meditation or silent Japa (Prayers).

This is a complete mental, physical, and spiritual practice, but you must pick a safe course and be ready to react to traffic, animals, and other pedestrians. just because you meditate, or practice Japa, is not a reason to ignore people who wave or say hello.

Some people carry dog snacks for dogs and squirrels - while others may stop and chat to friends in the park. To accept life, people, animals, and the changes around us, without judging everything, is a treasure of life. If you can avoid judging everything, while you go for your walks, your health will change for the best in a multitude of ways.

Yogic walking is good aerobic exercise and prevents many diseases, anxiety, and depression. Your heart, vital organs, bones, joints, connective tissue, and muscles will benefit from Yogic walking. You may control, or lose weight, by practicing Yogic walking.

Maybe you were only looking to reduce your anxiety levels, but you are now convinced that Yogic walking is the way to go. Talk to your physician and get advice, which is specific to your body. Choose your course wisely and have fun.

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 e-Book: "Yoga in Practice," and a Free Yoga Newsletter, please visit: http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org/index.html

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