Charlie Says

Perfume is a mixture of fragrant essential oils and aroma compounds, fixatives and solvents that give off a pleasant smell. Apropos it is a blend of substances made from a combination of essences, extracts of flowers, plant oils, synthetic materials or other natural sources. Perfumes are being manufactured more and more frequently with synthetic chemicals rather than natural oils.

Perfume is very popular in world culture, so much so that its uses and applications continue to expand. You can spot it everywhere around you, in perfumes, in cosmetics and in household products and today, most perfume is used to scent bar soaps.

Perfume is designed to blend with your natural body odors to create a unique subtle scent that is your signature. Top notes are scents that can be detected immediately after application as they form that critical “first impression”. Some think that, perfume is a way of expressing personality, but ironically, is supposed to make you more appealing.

The best way of choosing a perfume is to spray it onto the inside of the wrist and then rub over the area with the hand in order to raise the temperature. Perfumes that contain quality ingredients are expensive and it is very important that when you wear yours, you feel great. A huge amount of perfume is sold as presents, notably at Christmas, so the sellers have to seek packaging that will look good and appealing as a gift.

Six Fragrance Families You Should Know About

Women’s perfume is a billion dollar business and is a staple in the fragrance industry. The women’s perfume is described as a sparkling woody floral scent and is far too sweet. This is a sure fire gift winner with almost every woman. Women’s perfume is a matter of compatibility, because what one person loves another person hates.

Tip: Several online sites have a wide catalogue of women’s perfumes, so check if women’s perfume is for sale as immediate purchase or as an auction item, and use PayPal for free protection on your purchases.

Buying women’s perfume can be confusing when there are so many different options out there, but if you are overwhelmed by the available choices, a good way to pick women’s perfume is to select a fragrance family that matches your personality. There are different perfumes for different types of women.

Most women’s perfumes fit into one of six fragrance families: fresh, fruity, floral, foody, oriental, or woody (also known as chypre). Most fruity fragrances have citrus notes such as lemon, lime, orange or grapefruit, although apple, grape, cherry, peach and raspberry are also popular choices for fruity women’s perfume. Women who love fruity fragrances are usually outgoing optimists. Floral fragrances are self-explanatory. One or more flowers are the dominant notes in these women’s perfumes, with rose, jasmine, gardenia, and tuberose being the most popular. Floral fragrances are favored by feminine and romantic women. Foody fragrances appeal to women who are nurturing and affectionate. Women who prefer woody scents are likely to be free-spirited and earthy.

The use of women’s perfume still remains the attraction of men as a romance and seduction will also be the purpose of women in general and of perfumes also. Women’s perfumes are an integral part of the world of women’s fashions.

You are welcome to visit our website to get more detailed information on perfume and women’s perfume.

Are you looking for cute baby names? This article explains the meaning and history of the 50 most popular baby names in the United States this year.

25 Most Popular Names for BOYS

1 (most popular). Jacob is a biblical name, which has its origins in the Hebrew language.

Jacob means ’supplanter’ or ‘one who grasps the heel;’ this is because the biblical Jacob was born holding his twin brother’s heel.

2. Michael is a biblical name, which means ‘who is like God.’ The bearer of this name in the bible is the leader of heaven’s armies, and so is considered the patron saint of soldiers.

3. Joshua is from the Hebrew language, and means ’savior.’ In the bible Joshua was chosen to lead the Isrealites as the successor to Moses.

4. Matthew is a biblical name, meaning ‘given,’ or ‘reward.’ Matthew was one of the 12 apostles, and wrote the first Gospel in the New Testament regarding the life of Jesus.

5. Andrew is a biblical name which means ‘manly’ and ‘brave.’ In the bible Andrew was the first apostle, and is the patron saint of Scotland and of Russia.

6. Joseph is a biblical name meaning ‘addition,’ or ‘increase.’

7. Ethan is the name from the Old Testament. It means ’solid, strong,’ and ‘constancy, enduring.’

8. Daniel means ‘God is my judge.’ In the Old Testament Daniel was a prophet.

9. Christopher is a Latin name, and it means ‘bearing Christ,’ or ‘he who holds Christ in his heart.’ When Jesus was a child, Saint Christopher is believed to have carried him across a river.

10. Anthony is a Latin name which means ‘flower,’ from the Greek word anthos, or ‘priceless.’

11. William has its origins in the German language, and means ‘helmet, protection.’ This is also the first name of Mr. Shakespeare.

12. Ryan is an Irish name in origin, which means ‘little king

13. Nicholas is a Greek name which means ‘the people’s victory.’ St. Nicholas, better known as Santa Claus, is the patron saint of children and merchants.

14. David is a Hebrew name meaning ‘beloved,’ or ‘dear.’ In the Old Testament David was the second king of Israel.

15. Tyler is derived from an Old English surname which was used to denote one’s occupation as a ’tile layer.’

16. Alexander is derived from the Greek. It means ‘defender of men.’

17. John is a biblical name; owned by John the Baptist and John the apostle. John means ‘gracious,’ or ‘mercy of the Lord.’

18. James is a Hebrew name, and a derivative of the common name Jacob. James means ‘to supplant.’

19. Dylan is a Welsh name and means ’sea,’ or ‘Son of the wave.’

20. Zachary is an English variant on the Hebrew name Zachariah, which means ‘remembered by God.’

21. Brandon is an English name of a place, which meant ‘hill covered with broom;’ broom is a weed. Brandon is also a variant of the Irish name Brendan, which either means ‘prince,’ or ’stinking hair.’

22. Jonathan is a biblical name which means ‘given of God.’

23. Samuel is a Hebrew name, held by a prophet in the Old Testament. It means ‘God has heard.’

24. Christian meand ‘follower of Christ,’ and has origins in many languages and cultures.

25. Benjamin is a Hebrew name appearing in the Old Testament; it means ’son of the right hand.’

25 Most Popular Names for GIRLS

1. Emily has its origins in Latin, and means ‘industrious’ in French and German as well.

2. Emma has German and English origins, and means ‘whole,’ or ‘universal’ in both languages.

3. Madison is an English surname derived either from the name Matthew, meaning ‘gift,’ or is derived from the name Matilda, meaning ’strong fighter.’

4. Hannah is a Hebrew name which means ‘gracious,’ and ‘merciful.’

5. Olivia is a derivative of the Latin word ‘olive,’ which is a symbol of peace.

6. Abigail is a Hebrew name meaning ‘Father’s joy.’

7. Alexis is from the Greek; it means ‘helper,’ or ‘defender.’

8. Ashley is an English name that means ’she dwells in the ash tree grove.’

9. Elizabeth is a biblical name; the mother of John the Baptist in the New Testament. Elizabeth means ‘oath of God.’

10. Samantha is a feminine form of the name Samuel. Samantha means ‘listener.’

11. Isabella means ‘devoted to God’ in Hebrew. It is also supposed to be a Spanish variant on the name Elizabeth.

12. Sarah is the biblical wife of Abraham and mother Issac, the name Sarah means ‘princess.’

13. Grace is an English name meaning ‘God’s favor.’

14. Alyssa, according to the Greek tradition, means rational.

15. Lauren means ‘from the place of Laurel trees,’ which in Greek culture are symbols of honor and victory.

16. Kayla means ‘keeper of the keys,’ or ‘pure’ in both English and Greek.

17. Brianna is from Celtic, meaning ’she who ascends,’ or ’strong.’

18. Jessica has Shakespearean origins, first appearing in its modern form in the play ‘The Merchant of Venice.’

19. Taylor was an English surname denoting the occupation of tailor.

20. Sophia is from the Greek, and means ‘wise.’

21. Anna was used in the Native American Algonquin tribe to mean ‘mother,’ and also holds the meaning ‘grace’ in many languages, including Russian.

22. Victoria was the Roman goddess of victory, and the name consequently means ‘victorious.’

23. Natalie is derived from the Latin, and means ‘born at Christmas.’

24. Chloe means ‘green shoot’ in Greek. The name also appears in the bible.

25. Sydney means ‘from Saint-Denis,’ or ‘wide-island.’ The name has traceable origins in French and in English.

Monica Nelson writes articles that answer womens health questions such as what are common pregnancy symptoms, which pregnancy tests are more accurate, what are popular baby names which weightloss programs really work, and other topics of interest to women.

A thoughtfully chosen baby shower gift will be cherished, both for the sentiment attached to it, and the need it is likely to fill. Whether you prefer something unique or creative, or take the practical road, the vast collection of baby shower gifts and baby gift baskets available, will provide you with just the right idea.

Baby Shower Gift - Firm Furniture Favorites: If you want to contribute a big ticket item to the baby nursery, help with the crib, crib mattress, and indispensable items such as a changing table, will be particularly welcome baby shower gifts. In this case, however, it will be sensible to find out exactly what is needed. You will have to ascertain whether a classic, sleigh design will fit in with the nursery décor, or if a more contemporary look will be suitable. Any crib also has to meet the required safety standards. In this case, a gift certificate may even be in order, allowing the prospective parents to make their own choice.

Baby Shower Gift - Traveling Trends: Another quite expensive, must-have item for every newborn, is a quality car seat. This is a baby shower gift that will be used almost daily for a number of years. Buying from a reputable manufacturer is vital, to ensure durability and the necessary safety standards. Other items in this category, are strollers, jogging strollers, with carriers as a less costly option.

Baby Shower Gift - Bedding For A Snug Little Bundle: If you know what the theme in the nursery will be, you can assist by buying suitable bedding as a baby shower gift. Adorable bedding sets are available, to suit every possible theme and color scheme. Choose from plaids and patchwork sets, to cute characters, to animals big and small, to cars and trucks, to sea-life themes. Basic sets include sheeting, a bumper, and a quilt. More extravagant sets cover items such as curtains, lamps, wall paper borders, diaper bags, and many other extras.

Baby Shower Gift - Nursery Paraphernalia: Search for baby gift baskets with quality items no nursery can be without, such as pacifiers, bibs, soothers, lotions and potions, hooded towels, mealtime necessities, and all those little things that can ease a new parent over the bumps of the first few months. If you want to make it more personal, choose a caring collection, and make up your own bountiful basket.

Baby Shower Gift - Nurturing Little Minds: A wide variety of gift ideas target development, and the stimulation of senses. These include educational toys, textured items that encourage development of the sense of touch, and classical music cd’s and videos. One of these is the ‘Baby Mozart’ video, which will delight any baby for many hours. This baby shower gift is a useful tool for teaching new words, and creating an awareness of color and size concepts.

Baby Shower Gift - Toys And Baby-Gear Galore: Toys and adorable baby clothing are always on the wishlist of soon-to-be parents. No baby has ever complained about having too much of these! The most difficult aspect, is choosing from the vast array of styles, collections, and trinkets.

Baby Shower Gift - Pamper Exhausted Parents: While the main focus at a baby shower is on the baby, a considerate ‘extra’ may be a gift basket to perk mom and dad up, after yet another sleepless night. Use your imagination, and collect a few spoil-yourself items, such as chocolate, bubble bath, scented candles, a magazine or two, and any other pampering products. Your gift will be remembered with fondness, and gratitude for your thoughtfulness.

In the end, it is not how much you spend that matters. What is important, is the thought and care that went into the baby shower gift.

PS: Don’t miss this must-read article: Baby Nursery Theme - From Crib To Baby’s Haven With A Nurturing Nursery Theme at Cribs-For-Babies.com

Rika Susan of Article-Alert.com researches, writes, and publishes full-time on the Web. Copyright of this article: 2006 Rika Susan. This article may be reprinted if the resource box and hyperlinks are left intact.

Writing poetry is my favorite hobby, and somehow I have instilled that poetic trait in my children. I am not sure that it was intentional, but it makes me proud in any case. When my kids were babies, I would rock them to sleep, and sing to them. However, I could never remember the words to any lullabies, except for “Rock-a-bye- baby”, and something about that one never sounded right to me. I mean, really, why was the cradle in the tree, and what parent would just let their baby fall like that?

So, I would make up my own poems to sing to my children. And last night, my Kaylysa (the 5 year old) was tucking in her baby-doll, and singing a poem to the doll. It was her own version of one of the lullabies that I sang to them when they were babies, and occasionally still, if they wake with a bad dream or something. I was so impressed and proud! She was just naturally creating rhymes, and it was so adorable!

I thought that I would share a few of my favorite poems with you, and maybe you will share them with your little ones. Or be inspired to create your own.

ROCK-A-BYE

Rock-bye darlings
On the hilltop,
A gentle breeze blows,
Your cradles will rock,
The stars shine on darlings,
All through the night,
The moonbeams will keep
You snuggled up tight,
When the morning comes,
The sun will shine,
And the birds will sing For darlings mine.

HUSH

Hush my darlings, go to sleep
Sweet and quiet, your dreams I’ll keep
Hush my darlings, no more tears
I will sing away your fears
Hush my darlings, no need to cry
You’re safe and loved within our lullaby

LITTLE LOVES

Little loves, go to sleep
Tomorrow is on its way,
Happy dreams are yours to keep
As memories you made today
Little loves, drift away
To sleep with peaceful dreams
Morning will bring a whole new day
Much sooner than it seems
Little loves of mine,
The stars that are above,
Just for you they shine
To show you all my love

Catherine is a mother of three and staff writer/blogger at LikeThatName.com. LikeThatName provides a fast and fun way to discover thousands of interesting baby names, along with a supportive community and information for new parents. To read the latest articles and join our community, visit us online today!

Anyone can buy real estate with no money down. All you have to do is offer a high enough price and make sure the seller gets some cash at closing (but not yours). Do that and someone will say yes to your offer. The problem, of course, is that just getting real estate without spending your own cash isn’t all you want. You also want a deal that makes sense.

This tends to be glossed over by many who promote zero-down ways to buy real estate. If you are buying a home for yourself, so what if you get in with nothing down. You also want to be sure that it makes more sense than the alternatives (renting, waiting, lease-option, etc.). If you are investing in real estate, you want a property that will have cash flow or can be sold for a profit. With those criteria in mind, here are a few ways to do it without your own money.

No Money Down - Starting With Land

One of the easiest types of real estate to buy with nothing down is land or small lots. In many areas of the country it is common for sellers to sell these properties with a small down payment or none at all. Of course, one of the reasons they do this is because it is an easy way to get more for the land. I once bought a piece of land for cash and resold it in weeks for 30% more, because a lot of buyers could afford my terms: $250 down and $100 per month. So be sure that you are not paying too much.

“Too much” doesn’t necessarily mean paying a lot over “market value” however. It is determined by what you will do with the property. For example, if you have no other way to buy a small lot, and as a result of the easy terms offered by the seller you pay $12,000 for a lot worth just $9,000, is that too much? Not if you will later put a modular on it and make a $21,000 profit selling the package.

Now you might notice that many of the lots and parcels of land for sale are not offered with no down payment. Most sellers will at least want something at closing, even if it is only $1,000 down on an $8,000 lot. So how do these become “nothing down” deals? By borrowing for the down payment. In the above example, where you eventually make $21,000, what if you borrowed the down payment on a credit card at 18% interest, and it took a year to do the deal? Then you would make $210 less ($30 cash advance fee and $180 interest), or just $20,790 profit.

Land is also a way to get into a home with no money down. When you buy real estate this way, you can pay for the lot over a few years, and then use it as the equity necessary to get a home loan. many banks will loan you the money for a modular or stick-built home if you already own the land free and clear.

100% Financing

If you have a good credit score, you might still be able to get a 100% mortgage loan. They are getting less common now (late 2007), but I still see an occasional advertisement for them. Alternately, you might find a lender who will loan 90% and still let the seller finance the other 10% on a second mortgage, meaning none of your cash is necessary.

If you are investing in real estate, you might get 100% financing from a “hard money” lender. These lenders charge high fees and high interest, but the idea is that you use them for high -profit deals that make it worth it. Other investors may put up the money for the down payment and repair costs on a fixer upper project, if you find the right deals. This can be at a high interest rate, or for a share of the profits.

Buy Real Estate From Motivated Sellers

If you stick to properties that have highly motivated sellers, there is usually a way to buy with no money down. For example, a seller might sell his $90,000 house to you with only $3,000 down if you offer him $95,000 and a good interest rate. You can borrow the $3,000 of course (or even a little more to cover closing costs, if you want nothing at all into the deal).

Sellers have been known to take cars or other pieces of property as a down payment. They may let you buy with two mortgage notes, one for 20% and the other for 80%, one of which they’ll immediately sell to get the cash they want. To buy real estate with no money down, just look for a way to get the seller (and the lender, if necessary) what he needs - without using your cash.

Copyright Steve Gillman. To see a photo of the house we bought for $17,500, and get a Free Real Estate Investing Course, visit: http://www.HousesUnderFiftyThousand.com

The PSP has rapidly become the best-selling portable gaming system and continues to find new customers each day. It’s a system that is loaded with features and options that are sure to keep anyone entertained. One of the best features of the PSP is the ability to download free PSP games and use them instantly.

There are websites out there that advertise having “Free PSP downloads” and ask visitors to download games from their website. It sounds great at first, however there are a couple of things you need to keep in mind before you click on that ‘download’ button.

As you know many people will open up google and type in “free psp downloads” hoping to find games and movies that they can use. There are a number of different sites that advertise having “free” downloads, however this can often cause you more trouble than it’s worth.

The psp also has internet capabilities, this is great for browsing a little bit, but I would choose a computer instead. The great thing about this feature is that you can go to any hot spot and connect to internet. It is much easier to carry a PSP with you to a hot spot than to carry around your PC of course.

So in summary the reason the PSP keeps growing in popularity is the ability to use PSP game downloads. By joining a membership site you get access to all of the games for the PSP, along with movies and other files. It’s the best way to keep your PSP full of the newest and most popular games.

If you would like to learn more and get the best for yourself visit zach1201.wordpress.com

The much sought-after Chanel Logo Earrings, as with other Chanel brand fashion and perfume products, are famous for the unmistakeable Chanel logo design. This design is formed by an interlocking double-C, one C faces forwards the second faces backwards. The double C originates from the full Chanel name, “Coco Chanel”, although this full name is less commonly used now.

There are many products which bear the famous Chanel mark, for example earrings and jewelry, sunglasses, watches, and fragrances. The Chanel logo design is perfect for their range of earrings in particular. The Chanel logo is itself a work of art, attractive simple and elegant, so why not use it as the focal point of their jewelry range? Unfortunately the range has changed considerably over time and now incorporates earrings and jewelry which is seen by some as “fussy” and overly complicated, relying less on the simple logo. In fact browsing the latest catalogue online there do not appear to be any traditional double-C earrings.

In addition there are many fake Chanel products being sold online, mostly originating from China Vietnam and Thailand, which are designed to trick buyers into thinking they are purchasing original Chanel merchandise. There is a simple way to tell of course - a real new Chanel product cannot be found at discount prices. If you want a new Chanel product keep in mind that you will have to pay full price for that quality. If you are tempted by someone selling supposedly new Chanel Logo Earrings at an impossibly low price, it is very likely they are selling fakes, and you will find later that the quality of the product is not comparable.

However, if you have set your heart on Chanel Logo Earrings then do not despair - there are a number of solutions. One of the joys of the internet is the ability to see products and store catalogues from all across the globe, simply and quickly. Having access to this global market you can always locate Chanel Logo Earrings, Purses and other products which are being sold by their current owners, potentially at significant discounts when compared to new Chanel prices. This also means you may be able to find older designs which you perhaps prefer.

If you are looking for Chanel Logo Earrings - at a discount - visit Earrings.Sites-Reviewed.com and find the cheapest sellers online.

Several of the major computer manufacturers now offer ultra thin, very sleek and, above all, fantastic looking small laptops. Sony recently launched their TZ Ultraportable and in January 2008 Apple unveiled the MacBook Air. These laptops are at the cutting edge of available consumer computer technology and their unique selling point is how portable and lightweight they are. However, these are expensive laptops and the question remains - will you be getting good value for money?

The first thing to consider is exactly what you will be using your new laptop for. These ultra thin laptops maybe small, but this comes at the expense of power. They are not the most powerful laptops available because the manufacturers have had to closely pack all the components in. If you are going to be editing movies or running other power hungry applications you should go for the most powerful laptop you can get for your budget.

Secondly you should consider how much you travel with your computer, how long for and what you do with it when you do travel. These ultra portable laptops are extremely thin and particularly easy to transport, but how hard is your current laptop to carry around? For example, if you were to buy a MacBook Air you have to consider that it does not have an interchangeable battery. If you travel for long periods of time without access to power then after the battery runs out you have to wait to charge it. With a larger, more traditional laptop you could simply replace the battery with a spare one. There is a great deal of compromise in these ultra portable laptops and you need to truly assess your requirements (everything from connection ports to screen size) before committing. It may be that a laptop just ½ an inch thicker is more suitable.

Finally, there is one more important aesthetic to consider before you purchase a new laptop and that is the style factor. Ultra portable laptops are at the lead edge of personal computer technology and they look sensational. Do you want to be just another commuter with a standard laptop on the train, or would you prefer to stand out from the crowd with an laptop so compact it oozed style and design cool. The answer to that question can only be decided by you.

At Buy Macbook Air you will find a guide to the new MacBook Air, reviews and discussions about this and other thin notebook computers.

It is easy to think “my skin looks fine, I’ll worry about it when I am older”, but that is not a sound way to view the health of your skin. A proactive skin care approach is where you adopt a skin care regime to prevent premature aging of your skin before it starts, rather than having to ‘fix’ problems later.

If you think about it, why should you treat your skin any different from some other valuable asset like your car? Why do you get the car serviced? It is just because you want to spend some money, or is it because you need it and do not want expensive repair bills?

A proactive skin care approach is no different and investing in the health of your skin is the same as investing in health insurance, care maintenance, house insurance, etc. We brush our teeth several time as day, why? — not because they have holes in them, but we want to prevent the holes and avoid expensive trips to the dentist…

We take our skin very much for granted and spend little time thinking about it. Maybe because of the many Skin Cancer Ad Campaigns, we will apply sunscreen lotion when going outside, but beyond that, we don’t seem to spend much time looking after our skin.

Similarly, a proactive skin care approach takes the quality of skin care products into consideration, however to often we buy skin care by smell and how good the packaging looks. Neither of which guarantees a quality product. On the contrary, often the expensive, good looking products contain artificial perfumes, synthetic essential oils, chemical emollients, preservatives, and many other ingredients that have been shown to be toxic if used over a long period of time.

Natural Skin Care Products are the only way to approach your skin care regime. Natural products, not just natural ingredients that have been added to an otherwise non-natural base, are a great way to take a proactive step towards promoting and maintaining healthy skin.

In addition to taking a proactive skin care approach, you should also consider doing the same with your diet. Foods that can benefit the skin will also benefit other parts of your body and promote healthy body tissues.

Similarly, exercise and other physical activity will promote blood circulation to the outer layers of your skin, providing it with nutrients and oxygen that will help in promoting the health of your skin.

So, a proactive skin care approach while there is nothing wrong with your skin is the best way to prevent problems from occurring later on.

Danny Siegenthaler is a doctor of traditional Chinese medicine and together with his wife Susan, a medical herbalist and Aromatherapist, they have created Natural Skin Care Products by Wildcrafted Herbal Products to share their 40 years of combined expertise with you.

Join our Natural Skin Care Newsletter — it’s fun, free and Informative and you receive a free eBook on natural skin care.
© Wildcrafted Herbal Products 2004 - 2005

Are flexibility exercises a real pain for you? Until I discovered something called PNF Stretching, they used to be for me, too!

It means, “Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation.” Fancy words that, in essence, mean you make dramatic gains in how limber you are when you combine relaxed, passive stretches with isometrics.

Yes, dramatic gains. Believe me–I know from experience!

My martial arts students think I’m pretty flexible, but the truth is, I was never a naturally flexible athlete. If anyone has ever struggled with flexibility, it’s me! In fact, when I started practicing Martial Arts in my early twenties I was so out-of-shape I didn’t know my hamstrings from a ham sandwich!

And let me tell you, I had a tough time learning how to get loose enough just to lob a regular round kick to my own head height.

Maybe this has been you’re experience, too: I would arrive an hour before my scheduled class time, sit on the floor off to one side of the room, doing stretch after stretch after stretch until I could finally do the high kicking my belt rank required.

And the next time I came back to class, I had to do it all over again…

And again…and again…

Why Passive Static Stretching Doesn’t Work

And a curious thing-after all that stretching, instead of feeling ready to get out there and do a good workout, I always felt a bit sleepy.

The reason is obvious to me now. What I didn’t know was that all that passive exercise stretching was helping me to slow down, not warm up!

Why? Because in passive exercise stretching, lengthening of the muscles is accomplished by relaxing them, with a little bit of help from applying your body’s weight to the point where you feel the “burn.”

All that relaxation along with deep breathing during the stretch is great for winding down after a workout-or for that matter, as a cure for insomnia.

Believe me, I know how frustrating it can be to try to achieve Martial Arts flexibility that carries over into your “off hours.” And when it comes to Personal Safety, that’s where you really need it the most.

There’s Got To Be A Better Way

It was also frustrating to see other, more flexible people toss their kicks around like their legs and hips were made of rubber. I started thinking, There’s got to be a better way to get flexible!

And there is. After researching many articles and books, and videos, I discovered that Stretching isn’t just Stretching. In fact, there are several kinds of flexibility techniques:

• Passive
• Active
• Static
• Dynamic
• Ballistic
• Resistance PNF

Passive stretching is okay after a workout, but doesn’t do much to prepare you for high kicks. In fact, what I eventually learned was that most of the improvements to my kicking range came through sparring and heavy bag work.

That’s right-although you can help prevent injuries and cramps by passive stretching before a workout, it does very little to improve your high kicking ability.

So why did sparring and bag workouts work instead?

Because when you’re kicking-that is elongating the muscles involved-then suddenly contracting them with isometric resistance (by your opponent’s block, or your contact with the bag) the resistance during the stretch is what really causes the muscle to elongate!

PNF: The Key To Incredible Kicking Range

Maybe like you, I searched books, videos, and web sites until I finally learned this lesson about isometric resistance in flexibility. And if you haven’t done a ton of research yet, let me save you some time!

The answer I found was in Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation. This type of flexibility exercise is done by alternating passive with isometric stretching.

How PNF Works

Isometric flexibility is when you passively extend the muscle to the point where you start to feel the “burn,” and then contract the muscle. Introducing tension to a passively lengthened muscle sort of “tricks” the muscle into thinking it can maintain this longer length. After the isometric, the muscle will relax further into the passive stretch. Regular, continued practice of PNF stretching produces the fastest and most dynamic results for the flexibility you need to practice Martial Arts.

Try These Two Easy Stretching Exercises

These two, easy PNF exercises will get you started on a path to amazing Martial Arts flexibility.

Side Splits

Start in a traditional horse stance. Keep your toes pointing straight ahead. Tilt your pelvis forward and keep your back upright. Try to keep your thighs parallel to the ground as much as possible during this stretch!

Work your way down until you start to feel pain, and no further. Now tense your leg muscles for 3 to 5 seconds, then relax. If you are able, go down a little bit more. Tense and relax the muscles again. Do this four times. On the fourth time, try to tense and hold for 30 seconds.

Repeat this whole sequence 3 to 5 times. You should not do this before you are warmed up. The best time for the Isometric Side Splits is during or near the end of your regular workout, then do passive stretching at the very end.

Front Splits

As great as it is to be able to do the Side Splits, Front Splits is probably even better for Martial Arts. If you consider the position of your body when doing a round or front kick to the head, the Front Splits more closely resembles that position than Side Splits.

Start by extending one leg straight out in front of you. Position your rear leg so that it lines up with the front.

It helps if you support your weight with a chair off to one side. Be very careful how far you stretch the hamstring of the front leg. The ability to perform this splits isn’t only in having a limber hamstring, but also flexibility of the front thigh muscles (quadriceps).

For the isometric part of this exercise, tense both the hamstring of the front leg and the thigh muscles of the rear leg at the same time, as if you’re trying to pinch the floor with your front heel and back knee. Hold for 3 to 5 seconds.

Relax…go a little further if you can. Tense and hold again. On the fourth time, try to tense and hold for 30 seconds.

As with the Side Split exercise, repeat this sequence 3 to 5 times.

Developing great flexibility doesn’t have to be a pain–in fact, when you learn how, it’s really a lot of fun and very rewarding! These exercises will get you started on a journey toward amazing flexibility for Martial Arts practice. In no time, you will be able to kick targets at your own head level with remarkable ease.

Here’s another interesting article on sports flexibility: Stretching–Why Should I?

Marshall Buchholz is a Martial Arts instructor and school owner. He teaches the Wu Ying Tao style of Martial Arts in Salem, Oregon. Visit his web sites at: http://www.professionalmartialartsofsalem.com and http://www.learn-practical-self-defense.com