By Jimmie Mcdowell
 The kids are out of control, your job is a hassle and to top it all off, you have no time for yourself. If anyone told you that you could reach a state of physical and emotional bliss, you'd say they were nuts. But believe it or not, you can beat the blues with yoga!
Yoga is a great mood enhancer that requires no drugs or medications. Like all forms of exercise, yoga releases hormones that help ease feelings of stress that often lead to the blahs, blues, or outright depression. Being active keeps your mind away from negative thoughts, and allows you to gain a greater and clearer perspective on the problems you are facing. People who are depressed, or simply feeling "down", often lack the motivation to exercise. That's why yoga can be such a great option. It takes far less effort to complete yoga routine as it takes to out to a video or drive to the gym.
A word of warning; if you suffer from more than
just the occasional bout of the blues, and feel down for more than two weeks at a time, you should seek professional advice. A doctor or therapist may feel that you need a combination of medication or therapy with exercise.
When you're feeling down, it's hard to think positively. People who are depressed often lack the concentration to detach themselves from their thoughts. Yoga is a "moving meditation", so it is easier to take your mind away from negative thoughts. Our essential inner nature can be blocked by negative thoughts. Apathy, despair, doubt, hopelessness and sleeping too much or too little are all signs of depression that must be addressed. Yoga is designed to bring you closer to your inner truth, naturally helping with some of the symptoms of depression. With a focus on balance, yoga can help to restore mental stability.
There is a definite connection between mind, body and spirit that indicates people can beat the blues with yoga. No other form of exercise alone can achieve these same benefits. Certain Asana yoga postures can influence your mood and help to relieve depression, although Asana can cure depression altogether. Asana postures can help increase low energy levels and relieve lethargy. They are also helpful in opening lung capacity to allow more oxygen to reach all parts of your body, and even your mood. Ask your yoga instructor to help you learn the postures that will balance your moods.
It's also possible to beat the blues with yoga because of the calming effects yoga has on the nervous system. Proper breathing techniques are important elements to practicing yoga, as these can help curb your anxiety and quiet your thoughts, allowing you to concentrate on positive rather than negative energies. As you learn more about yoga, you'll come to understand the connection between your mind and your emotions, and you'll find that they can help each other.
If you think you may be suffering with severe depression, seek professional advice. Yoga is a drug-free alternative that can be safely practiced in conjunction with any medication or therapy your doctor orders. Some yoga routines are specifically designed to alleviate depression and taught by instructors who have been extensively trained to understand the most therapeutic positions.
Even performing the most basic yoga routines can help lift your spirits. While not physically demanding like other forms of exercise, yoga will make you feel much better at the end of a session. Try it and you'll find that you can beat the blues with yoga!
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The Legend Of Peyton Manning
By Cory Lynch
 Born in New Orleans on March 24, 1976, Peyton Manning is the son of legendary New Orleans quarterback Archie Manning and Olivia Manning. While Peyton attended high school, Archie was the color commentator for the New Orleans Saints radio station. As a youngster, Peyton would occasionally visit off-season practices with his dad. On one occasion, then Saints coach Jim Mora, allowed Peyton to work out and toss some passes to the Saints receivers. Even more unbelievable than a high school student practicing with NFL receivers is the fact that he fit in perfectly at such a young age. While attending Isidore Newman High School, Manning served as quarterback during all 3 years. At the end of his senior season, Peyton Manning was the top recruited quarterback in the nation and was named as the Gatorade Circle of Champions National Player of the Year.
Following high school graduation, Manning decided to attend the University of Tennessee where he, once again, became a star quarterback for the team. While proving his skills on the field, Peyton Manning proved that he had equal skills in the classroom. Earning a BA in speech communication and graduating with honors was important to Manning, which is why he decided to put his football career on hold until he earned his degree.
As 1998 rolled around, Manning became a candidate for the NFL draft. The Indianapolis Colts welcomed Peyton Manning as their first pick in the draft and, as they say, the rest is history. Today, Peyton Manning is the quarterback for the Indianapolis Colts where he has remained since his rookie season in the NFL.
On October 29, 2005, Manning's #16 University of Tennessee player number was retired as he, his mom, dad and wife were on hand along with a capacity crowd prior to the University of Tennessee Volunteers game against the South Carolina Gamecocks. Everyone at Neyland Stadium watched as Manning's number was unveiled in the endzone. From 1994 to 1997, Peyton Manning played at the University of Tennessee where he broke nearly every passing record and led the team to 39 victories. Prior to the game, Peyton's PeyBack Foundation held a fundraiser, which raised over $12,000.00 to be used for funding grants and events involving disadvantaged youth in Knoxville.
On Friday, February 3, 2006, Peyton Manning was recognized as the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year. This award was named in recognition of the legendary Chicago Bears running back, Walter Payton, who passed away in 1999. This award is the only one in the league to recognize a player's off-the-field community service in addition to his playing excellence. Connie Payton, the wife of Walter Payton, proudly presented the award. Fans around the nation celebrate Manning's accomplishments and achievements in football and in life.
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The Jargon of Blackjack
By Jimmie Mcdowell
 For most blackjack players, seeing an Ace is perhaps the most relieving sight that they can get when they are playing blackjack. Why? Well for one, the chances just of getting a blackjack just got higher and they have lesser worries of going towards a bust. For some people who are unable to get the sought after blackjack, they have the luxury of making the Ace card a 1 or 11. That is how flexible and advantageous an Ace brings and for most people, it is the best card to get in given situations.
Once a player gets a blackjack it is all over but the shouting. The game will not be continued in any way and the winning player will get 1.5 of his bet. But in other cases where he would not get a 10 or a face card, he will have to work his way up towards nearing the desired total of 21. In these cases, reaching the borderline total of 16 or 17 will really bring on the pressure. That is perhaps the worst case scenario other than hitting and getting a card that is 10 or more resulting to a bust.
Most gambling games have their own set of words used and for people who are planning to take blackjack a whole lot seriously, it would be best to take note of these terminologies and be ready whenever they are used in the game. They are not more on the deeper meaning words that we don't usually hear everyday. On the contrary, they are simple words which we may even hear; the only difference of that which is standing for something else at the blackjack table that people find themselves playing in.
Hit. A hit is when a player wants another card for his hand. This usually ensues in times where the current dealt cards are insufficient or not even close to the total amount of 21 that is needed to get a good standing in the game. In most cases, any total that is less than 16 or 17, depending on the player, is recommended to get more from the banker.
Stand. A term used to state that the player does not want any more cards on his part. In such cases, it would be presumed that he has good cards in tow, either close to 21 if not 21. Adding more cards may get him into more trouble hence if for instance he has a total of 16 or 17, it would be best to stand and let the others do their thing.
Bust. Simply put, your out of it! This is usually the term given for hands which go over 21 and are no longer qualified to play for the remainder of the dealt session.
Wager. This is the term used when blackjack players want to place a bet for the session at hand.
Double Down. The scenario where a player wants to double his initial bet on the first two cards. This can only be entertained prior to a draw of a new hand by the player. The amount that he can double should only be equal to what he has wagered initially.
Splitting. This usually occurs when a player has the same pair dealt to him. Once this happens, a player can split the two cards and play them separately. In the event that the split is between two cases, if a player gets a face card or a 10, it will be counted only as a 21 and not a blackjack.
Insurance. This is usually offered when a banker shows an Ace in his hand. The amount to be placed under insurance should not be more than half of the original bet. If the card not shown should turn out to be a 10 or a face card, the player wins automatically. Otherwise, the dealer would win.
Surrender. Technically there is nothing much to expound on a surrender other than a simple give up or fold as it is more commonly known. This usually happens when a player does not like the cards he gets.
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Taking Your Basketball Game To The Next Level
By Julio Trujillo
 Have you ever wondered why certain basketball players don't measure up to their potential? Players that have incredible skills and abilities but then can't make it beyond organized high school basketball are a dime a dozen. There are many possible theories out there why this is so but we feel that the reasons are few and simple. Our purpose for this article is to explain those reasons and give players the awareness they need to stand out from their peers and to make it to the level of competition they desire.
Lack of Focus
For most players it is very easy to get bored with details when it comes to fundamentals and technique. Let's admit, it's a lot more fun to play pick up games than to work on things like proper foot movement, shooting technique, ball control and etc. Because of this most players neglect to focus on small details of their game. All great players have spent countless hours in the gym working on the fine details of their game and have made the commitment necessary to learn the proper drills and fundamentals that will enhance their skills. At the High School level of competition a good player can still stand out and dominate their competition without focusing on the little things. However once they get to the next level, if they haven't developed the proper fundamentals and techniques of every facet of the game they will almost always under-perform and have serious regrets. So when you have spare time during the week, instead of organizing a pick up game start focusing on the small detailed fundamentals of your game and work on perfecting them.
Lack of Drive
Playing big time basketball requires a lot of your commitment and time. Many players think they have the passion it requires to excel at the next level when in reality they aren't even close. Liking to play lots of basketball and pick up games doesn't qualify you for having the necessary drive. Those that really have the drive give up many meaningful things in their life just to dedicate more time to sharpening their basketball skills. It's a tough thing to do because when you're young there are so many things that you want to get involved in. You want to spend time with your friends, you want to go to parties, you want to spend every waking hour with your girlfriend/boyfriend and that's just to name a few. The reality is, the game of basketball has become so competitive that if you don't make it your #1 focus and then back that up by setting your priorities around it, you'll be left in the dust. Certainly we don't feel that it's necessarily wrong to have other interests than basketball, we just want to make it clear that those players that really have the drive make basketball their top priority. Once again a player can actually do very well during high school with a lack of drive but once they get to the next level they will face the consequences.
Lack of Intensity
This is sometimes what people are referring to when they say that a player has the "it" factor. Basketball players that are intense almost always succeed because they absolutely hate to lose or perform poorly. A lot of players are extremely gifted and have tremendous skills but because they lack intensity they can never win the big games and will not be able to make it beyond High School Basketball. Some argue that intensity is something that cannot be taught or learned. They claim that it's something you are just born with. We adamantly disagree with that. A player can learn and acquire intensity if they make an effort to do so. Nobody can do it for them though and that's what is so frustrating for most coaches. You have to make the decision that you are an intense player and then you must perform with aggression and passion over and over again until it becomes a habit. Once you truly develop intensity you will play with a very aggressive attitude and you will not tolerate poor performances by yourself or your teammates. If it doesn't bother you very much when you lose or under-perform you have a lot of work ahead of you.
Lack of Confidence
If you don't think you are going to make every shot you put up you don't have much of a reason to be on the court. Great basketball players have enough confidence in their abilities and skills to take the shot when it's there. When players suffer from poor shooting or poor performance it often times has nothing to do with their mechanics or abilities and everything to do with their head. Do whatever you have to do to develop confidence in your abilities. If it requires you to spend hours and hours in the gym so be it. Also work on your mental preparation. Thinking about your shots and imaging you making them is just as important of a pre-game activity as stretching and warming up. Don't ever go into a game where you haven't spent a good ten minutes meditating about your performance. Go through scenarios in your head and imagine yourself handling them with confidence. Make yourself aware of the fact that you will miss some shots from time to time but that it won't hinder your concentration and confidence one bit. It seems silly to a lot of people and that's one reason why it doesn't get done very often but it's something all great players do.
Lack of Humility
It's one thing to be confident about your abilities but if you're so confident that you deny the weaknesses in your game you've hit a wall that will block your progression as a basketball player. Nobody is perfect. The minute you think you are so good that you don't need to practice is when you start setting yourself up for failure. If you've become better than most players in your school and in your area, rest assured that there are players all over the world that have twice the skills as you and are competing to play at the same level you are.
Summary
Good skilled basketball players exist all over the world. With the game of basketball becoming so popular and so competitive only the best of the best have what it takes to play at the next level. Although it can be very difficult players can turn themselves into stars if they have the focus, drive, intensity, confidence and humility that is required to stand out.
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