Everything Oprah

The Flu Shot and Vitamin D - Fighting Seasonal Flu Viruses

Nobody wants to get the flu, but many people catch the Influenza virus during the winter and early spring. The virus is highly contagious and people with the flu experience sore throat, fever, headache, aching muscles, cough and fatigue. For most people, catching the flu is an unpleasant inconvenience, but for people with weakened immune systems it can be a life-threatening event. Elderly individuals can develop serious health problems if they come down with the flu and the influenza virus is responsible for around 70,000 deaths every year. It is a good idea for those in the high-risk category to avoid public places during flu season.

Should You Get The Flu Shot?

Many children and adults receive a flu vaccination to protect them against current influenza viruses. The flu vaccine includes three virus strains that are expected to infect the population during the flu season. When the vaccine is injected into people, their immune system is stimulated and they develop immunity to the specific virus strains. Health care professionals, teachers and daycare workers choose to have the vaccination so they can avoid getting seasonal flu viruses. Students living in college dorms and international travelers often choose to get the flu vaccination. Some people experience mild flu like symptoms after having the flu shot. The vaccine contains eggs and is not suitable for people with egg allergies. 

How Effective Is The Vaccination?

It takes two weeks for the vaccination to provide a person with protection against the seasonal flu so it is important that people get their flu shot a few weeks before flu season begins. Most people get their flu vaccine in September. The flu shot is not 100% effective. The vaccination successfully prevents the flu 70% of the time. People can still contract seasonal flu viruses after receiving the flu shot, but their case of the flu is less severe. The CDC advises people with compromised immune systems to receive the flu vaccine each year. Elderly individuals and people with health problems such as diabetes should have the flu vaccination. 

How Vitamin D Supplements Can Boost The Immune System

Another great way to prevent seasonal flu viruses is to take Vitamin D3 Supplements. Vitamin D boosts the function of the immune system and those who take supplements become sick less often than those who are deficient in the vitamin. People who take daily Vitamin D supplents also recover from colds and flus much faster than people who are Vitamin D deficient. Vitamin D also helps to improve mood, relieving depression during the dark winter months. 

The History of Yang Tai Chi and the Benefits of Modern Day Tai Chi

Oprah Winfrey once aired a two part show on the benefits of Tai Chi and there are many people who enjoy the benefits of the practice. Tai Chi is more than just exercise, it is also a way to find peace and mental stability. 

The History of Tai Chi

Yang Tai Chi is a unique form of combined movement and meditation that promotes strength, balance and harmony. The ancient practice is best known as Tai Chi. Many people compare Tai Chi to yoga because of the slow and precise movements involved, but there are many differences between the two activities. The primary goal of Tai Chi is to reach a state of peace and tranquility while improving body balance and perfecting graceful movements. Yang Lu’chan developed an interpretive style of Tai Chi that is based on his martial arts education. The modern form of Tai Chi is currently practiced by people in many different countries. 

Yang Lu'chan 

Yang Tai Chi is an ancient practice that began in the 1800s when Yang Lu’chan began teaching his own spin on martial arts. Yang Lu’chan was born in 1799 and there are several different story versions regarding the history of his life. Many people are interested in finding out more about Yang Lu'chan's childhood years and adult life. One of the stories reveals that Yang Lu’chan was born into a farming family. Once his kind father realized that his son was interested in practicing martial arts, he encouraged him to begin lessons with a local martial arts teacher called Liu. After the teacher taught Yang everything that he knew, the boy desired to learn even more. He wanted to learn the secret practice of Tai Chi but the Chan San-feng family was not willing to share their knowledge of the martial art form with others.

Learning The Secret Martial Art Form

Young Yang Lu’chan was so determined to learn the secret martial art form that he began to work for one of the Chang San-feng descendants who practiced Tai Chi in the evening hours. While working for Chen Chiang-hsing, the boy learned the martial arts movements by spying on his employer. After Chian-hsing witnessed one of Yang’s impressive martial arts sessions, Chian-hsing made the decision to break tradition and teach his Tai Chi secrets to the boy. He taught the boy the ancient art of Tai Chi and Yang eventually became an expert in the art form. Yang's mentor encouraged him to become a martial arts teacher so he could share his knowledge with other eager students. While Yang was a teacher, he took the traditional moves he learned and taught them in his own unique way. He was a successful teacher and he taught his Tai Chi methods to the Imperial Guards in China. 

How The Practice of Tai Chi Spread Around The World

Lu’chan’s unique perspective on the martial arts form made him a popular teacher and his students benefited from his teaching methods. His sons continued to teach their father’s form of Tai Chi long after his death and eventually created their own Tai Chi schools. Yang's teaching methods continued when some of his son's talented students went on to open their own martial arts schools. For many generations people practiced Yang Lu’chan’s form of martial arts and following the revolution, people from all around the world began to practice Yang's form of Tai Chi.


 

Modern Tai Chi

The practice of Yang Ta Chi includes a variety of hand movements that express thoughts of harmony and balance in the world. The form of martial arts is based on a combination of slow and vigorous movements. After Yang Lu’chan’s death, some of the vigorous movements were removed from the teachings of Tai Chi and the current teachings are based on the slow and meaningful movements. The application of ancient Yang Tai Chi in its original form, took several hours to accomplish.

Today’s teachers have shortened the length of the lessons so that the average person has time to practice the form of martial arts on a regular basis. The short form of Tai Chi has become popular among fitness enthusiasts and those interested in martial arts. People who practice Tai Chi experience many physical and spiritual benefits. Tai Chi classes have become popular in countries around the world because people love the positive physical and psychological results that the martial arts classes provide.

Dr. Oz Talks About Oprah Winfrey's Health Problems During Diane Sawyer Interview

Dr. Oz recently sat down with Diane Sawyer for a special interview. The famous doctor talked about Oprah's thyroid problem and what he learned from the talk show queen over the years. Dr. Oz may have his own successful television show, but he still operates on many patients each year. The following interview video clip features America's favorite doctor. (Email subscribers can click here to view the video clip). 

Bob Greene - 20 Years Younger Book Challenge On The Oprah Winfrey Show

Celebrity health and fitness guru Bob Greene appeared on today's Oprah Winfrey Show. Oprah only has 19 more shows to go before The Oprah Winfrey Show finale! I'm a big fan of Bob Greene so I was excited to find out about his brand new book 20 Years Younger: Look Younger, Feel Younger, Be Younger! I already have two of Bob Greene's books and I plan on purchasing a copy of 20 Years Younger as well.

Oprah selected 20 of The Oprah Show Ultimate Viewers and had them take a two month long 20 Years Younger Challenge. The women were taught how to work out and eat well by Bob Greene. They also took steps to improve the appearance of their skin with Lancer Skin Care Products.

The 20 Years younger plan is based on a combination of excercise, nutrition, proper sleep and a good skin care regimen. The women who took the two month challenge lost weight, lowered their cholestorel and felt great overall. One woman lost 27 pounds in two months and there was no starvation diet involved. Whether you want to look and feel younger or you want to get healthy, the unique 20 Years Younger plan can help you to achieve your goals.