Why Tikka and ash on forehead?

We follow cerain rituals and practices, but we do not know the logic behind them.

For instance, applying tilak (sandalwood, kumkum or sindur) on our forehead stimulates our pineal gland (located near the centre of the brain between the two hemispheres) which controls the entire nervous system.

Some people put ash on their forehead: reminds us that we will also turn to ash one day.

Source:Art of living

desi but effective

Rub your hands with mustard oil and then wash them with soap. This will not only remove filth, dirt from your hands but also make them supersoft. Keep a small bottle of mustard oil on the wash basin. Hands can be washed this way as many times as needed especially after gardening, household chore or any job that makes your hands filthy. Men usually prefer to wash hands this way because they are not much interested in using various hand creams n lotions to soften their hands.

We have seen older people in our house using mustard oil to massage their head and body. Mustard oil keeps our body warm in winter, helps reduce hairfall through improved blood circulation in the scalp. It is also called bitter oil, is anti-fungal keeping away rashes and itches.

Proteins minus stress for good hair

Normally the body sheds 100 hair per day and 100 take their place. But if the body sheds more hair than it produces, it is hairloss.

The hair is comprised mostly of protein, so to encourage hairgrowth take a diet rich in proteins especially soy proteins. Soy proteins can be consumed in any of the forms:
*tofu
*soy milk
*soy chunks/granules/ flakes
*soyabeans (soaked overnight, steamed & can be eaten with other sprouts in breakfast). Grind soaked soyabean, mix water, and strain. Consume this milk which also protects against osteoporisis.
*soy flour mixed in wheatflour in the proportion 1:10 i.e. 1 kg soy flour mixed in 10 kg of wheatflour.

Other good sources of proteins are low-fat cheese, eggs, beans and yoghurt.

A diet rich in iron, calcium and silica found in green leafy vegetables, oats, dried fruits, beet root is also beneficial.

Avoid fatty foods, cold drinks, animal protein and go for amla(Indian gooseberry),nuts, seeds,raisins, coconut, olive oil on a regular basis.

In this 24/7 world, there is lot of stress; indulge yourself in hobbies, outings and exercise to keep away petty worries, tension and stress.

Low-fat diet can slow down the balding process of man!

High fat, salt, meat-based diet adversely affects the hair follicles. A recent research has shown that baldness is increasing substantially among the Japanese as they are now turning to more fatty, westernised diet. Even in India, we are increasingly consuming high-fat, high-salt and high- animal protein diet which damages the kidneys and creates acidic blood,which harm the follicles. Eating low-fat foods may not stop hairloss but can slow it down.

Stress can also make you fat!

When you are under stress, a harmone called 'Cortisol' is released by the body. This induces the liver to produce more sugar, your appetite increases and you tend to eat more, thus gaining weight especially at the middle section.

Daily exercise of your choice, taking up a hobby and pranayama for a few minutes will calm your mind keeping stress at bay.

Pranayama helps u in altitudes, in water

When you go to hill stations, there is lack of oxygen as you climb up the trekky, rugged area of the hills. This is where practice of pranayama comes to your help: you will not fall short of breath, and will be filled with energy. It is never too late, pranayam can be learnt(under the supervision of a trained teacher) even while you are planning for a holiday. Practice daily and your hard, wearisome journey can become a pleasure.

Pranayama is referred as the art of breath control. Practice of pranayam helps you in swimming, diving, floating and under-water as it helps to increase your capacity to hold breath for long, providing you good stamina.

Why do Muslims have green flag and Hindus saffron

There are historical, geographical and logical reasons:

Muslims originated from deserts and saffron colour is not visble in a desert, so they chose the green flag!

Hindus originated from forests and green flag cannot be visible in a forest, hence the saffron flag!

Do you know why Muslims bury the dead body and Hindus cremate it?

Simple, Muslims cannot cremate in a desert, so they bury. Hindus have abundant firewood to cremate in the forest.

Source: Art of living

Yoga can help you in the following ways:

Stay fit and healthy always. Daily practice asanas and pranayam that suit your time and energy. Ex. Few rounds of Suryanamaskar will keep you fully charged till the next day.

Prevent diseases. Practice important asanas, pranayam or kriyas daily. Ex. Doing jal-neti or Udgeeth pranayam will keep cough, cold, acidity at bay, clearing the respiratory pathway and bringing immunity in the changing seasons.

As a therapy. For instance, if you feel a problem in your ear, start practising "Karna shakti vikasak"(development of hearing power) or if you have started putting on flab on your waist, go for "Kati chakrasana or trikonasana.