Boost your metabolism

Partner yoga is a great way to get creative and enjoy practicing yoga. It allows you to connect with your partner-physically and mentally. You can workout together with you spouse, friend or anyone else. What is great about working with a partner is that you can do the same pose at the same time, intertwine a pose to create a new pose or just support each other during a routine.

Partner yoga also helps increase your strength because it allows you to use your partner's weight to increase resistance. It also helps you with proper alignment, balance and concentration. Besides, it great fun.

1. Chakrasana

Lie on your backs, bend your knees and place the feet flat on the floor. Press the feet into the floor for support, inhale and lift the hips up, rolling the spine off the floor. Place the palms underneath the shoulders and press and straighten the arms to lift the shoulders and head off the floor. Hold the position for 30 seconds.

Benefits: This asana strengthens and tones the muscles of the abdominal region and helps regulate the digestive function. It also acts as a natural stimulant for the thyroid and pituitary glands.

2. Sarvangasana

Lie on the mat and raise your hips and legs to a 90 degree angle. Make sure only your upper backs are in contact with the mat and hold hands for balance. Your legs should act as support for one another. Now, one of you can bend your knees to further stretch the hamstrings and support the other better.

Benefits: This asana helps you in cure ailments related to bronchitis, asthma, heavy breathing and shortness in breath. It also aids digestion.

3. Ekpadhalasana

Lie in a supine position on the mat. Hold hands for balance and raise your legs to a 90 degree angle. Make sure only your upper backs are in contact with the mat. Now that you legs are up, slowly bring your opposite towards the floor. Hold that position for 10 seconds, return to the starting position and repeat with the other leg.

Benefits: The Ekpadhalasana variation tones and strengthens your leg muscles, improves sense of balance and helps sharpen.

4. Matsyasana

Lie down in a supine position on the floor, keeping your forearms in place and puffing up your chest. Drop the crown of your head back to the floor to open your throat. Hold the position for 20 seconds. To come out, press into your forearms and raise your head off the mat.

Benefits: This asana is excellent for strengthening your lower back muscles, abdominal muscles and boosting the respiratory and digestive systems.

5. Bhujangasana

Place two mats on the floor and lie down in a prone position. Place your hands on the sides, just next to your chest, with your palms firmly pressed on the floor. Using your hands for support, slowly lift your torso off the ground and looking up to the ceiling. Feel the stretch in your back. Hold the position for 30 seconds.

Benefits: This move stretches the muscles in the shoulders, chest and the abdominal area. It also firms up and tones the buttocks while stimulating the organs in the abdomen.

How to Publish in Biomedical Journals

As an EMWA member, you probably reckon you're pretty good at writing. Well, this is an advantage when it comes to preparing publications, but it's not the whole story. Peer-reviewed journals have their own rules and conventions, and you need to understand them. One difference from regulatory writing is that you do not have a captive audience. If you want to get published, you must first persuade the reviewers and editor to accept your work. So, here is a 10-point plan to help you get published. Please note that although I have used the term "author" for simplicity, many of the roles could apply to professional writers or author's editors.

1. Choose the right journal

Consider the implications of your research, your intended audience and the message you want to communicate. Ask colleagues which journals they read and respect. Browse back-issues to understand the journal's scope. Check that the format you have chosen is acceptable (e.g., don't send a review to a journal that only publishes original research).

2. Keep the journal and your intended audience in mind as you write

Ask yourself, "Why would these people want to read my paper?" Check for specific instructions about length and format and stick to these.

3. When you've finished writing, read the Instructions to Authors again

Few things exasperate editors more than authors who ignore their instructions. Although ground-breaking findings are unlikely to be rejected because of a few typos, paying attention to detail usually pays off. The CONSORT guidelines provide an excellent checklist for the components of randomised trial reports and many journals ask authors to adhere to these. Get the latest version from www.consort-statement.org.

4. Start gathering the things you need for the submission package as soon as possible

By the time you come to submitting a paper, you will either be fed up after umpteen revisions or facing a deadline. Either way you will want to submit as quickly as possible. Check the items you will need (such as authors' signatures, copyright permissions) and have them ready at the pre-final draft stage to avoid last-minute stress.

5. Remember what the reviewers and editors will have to do

Most journals want everything double-spaced with wide margins on numbered pages. This is to help reviewers and technical editors mark their suggestions and queries on the paper. 

6. Facilitate masked review

Put author details on a separate title page (start the abstract on the next page). Do not include authors' names in headers, footers or file names. This will assist journals that remove author details before sending papers to reviewers.

7. Write a good covering letter

• Use headed paper to indicate where you work.
• Get the editor's name right: sending a letter to the previous editor does not inspire confidence.
• Describe, very briefly, what you found and why this will interest readers. 
• Briefly explain the key message and implications of your findings.
• Tell the editor why you are submitting to his journal.
• Show an understanding of the journal's readership and/or previous related publications. 
• Consult the Instructions to Authors for necessary wording, e.g., that the paper is not being considered for publication by other journals.

8. Submit your paper 

But only after having read the Instructions to Authors yet again to check that you've included all the bits and pieces.

9. Wait!

Journals usually acknowledge receipt of submissions and may assign a reference number for further correspondence. Once you have received this acknowledgement, all you can do is wait. A few journals (notably the pay journals and electronic ones) aim to make a decision in a couple of weeks. For the rest, decision-making usually takes from 3 to 6 months. 

Four things can happen to your submission:

• Outright rejection
• Rejection with an invitation to make major changes and resubmit 
• Acceptance conditional on responding to reviewers' comments
• Unconditional acceptance.

If your submission is rejected

Read the reviewers' or editor's comments carefully after the initial disappointment has worn off. Put them away for a couple of days, then read them again and decide, with your co-authors, whether to change the paper. 

Re-submitting to the same journal is not usually worthwhile. However, if you feel your paper has been completely misunderstood, or you are able to answer major criticisms, it may be worth appealing against a decision. In most cases, though, it is better to submit elsewhere.

If you get a conditional acceptance

Virtually all acceptances are conditional on the authors responding to the reviewers' comments. Remember that you do not have to make all the changes the reviewers suggest, but you do have to answer all their concerns. If you are unwilling to change something, you must give convincing reasons. 

After you have revised your manuscript, prepare a response describing what you have done. If reviewers number their comments, use this system for your response. If you have rejected a suggestion, give the reasons. 

If you come across errors or feel inspired to make changes not suggested by the reviewers, you should identify these in the response. In most cases, editors are happy to accept these, since it is easier to make changes at this stage than after typesetting. However, if you have had a conditional acceptance, count your blessings and don't rewrite your paper completely.

Some journals return revised papers to the reviewers, in other cases the editor decides whether the paper is now acceptable. Sometimes journals send papers to another reviewer, e.g., a statistician. Whichever applies, you will get a response to your revised submission. In some cases, you will be asked to make further changes. The same rules apply. 

When the paper is acceptable to the journal, you will get a final acceptance letter. Keep this in case you want to cite your work elsewhere before it is published, since many journals require evidence that a paper is "in press".

If you get an unconditional acceptance

CELEBRATE!

10. After your paper has been accepted

The next time you see your paper will be as proofs, but before it is typeset it will undergo technical editing. Editors of specialist journals may do this themselves, but in larger establishments this is done by sub-editors who are experts in preparing papers for printing and good at picking up errors and inconsistencies, and putting things into house style. 

Journals usually expect a rapid response to proofs, so make sure you keep the editor informed of any changes to the corresponding author's contact details. You can usually mark all changes on the proofs but it may sometimes help to add a covering letter. 

After you have returned the corrected proofs, sit back and wait for publication day. Or start writing your next paper!

Social networking 'leads to sex faster'

Facebook, texting and other social networking tools make new couples to jump into bed faster, reveals a new US survey.

According that third annual sex survey by Shape and Men's Fitness magazines, nearly four out of five women and three of five men say that digital intimacy leads to having sex faster, reports a foreign news agency.

However, only 38 percent of women said they have actually slept with a date any sooner because of online intimacy.

Smart phones and laptops are the new toys that lead to the bedroom, it said, with nearly 80 percent of women and 58 percent of men saying social media tools leads to sex faster.

Moreover, texting is the topmost way lovers keep in touch, with men texting 39 percent more often than calling and women 150 percent more.

As many as 65 percent of those polled said they had been asked out by text and 49 percent through a Facebook message.

And as soon as the relationship clicks, 72 percent of women reported scouring a current partner's ex-girlfriends' Facebook pages.

Even in the heat of passion, some people just can't get enough of their digital devices, the survey found.

When a call or text comes in during sex, five percent of respondents said they glance to see who is calling and one percent said they stop to answer the phone.

And when the spark is extinguished, digital dumping is the new way to break up, with 43 percent of women and 27 percent of men reporting getting a text along the lines of "It's not you, it's me."

For the heartbroken, the Internet keeps hope alive, with 81 percent of all respondents saying they won't de-friend an ex on Facebook and 75 percent admitting to constantly checking a former sweetheart's page.

Workplace myths debunked: 9 things you should never assume at work

We often make bad assumptions and then become disappointed when situations don't work out.

My job completes me - It's not your whole life, avoid the Work, Sleep, Repeat cycle or else your sense of self will erode any time your job disappoints you, reports the New York Daily News.

Your Money columnist Carolyn Kepcher, author of the best-selling book 'Carolyn 101,' tells you the top nine areas in which it's important to maintain a healthy sense of reality:

My boss reads my mind - Lobby for your promotion and take the initiative of talking to your boss about it. Many workers make the mistake of not engaging in any self-promotion at all - and then suffer the crushing disappointment of not receiving a pay raise, or a promotion.

Co-workers are friends - Although you may find friends at work, it's very important to draw boundaries. Unlike friendships or romances gone awry, you have no choice but to see your co-workers every single workday.

Salaries are set fairly - It's your responsibility to negotiate for a higher salary. Employers will pay what they feel they need to pay to hire and keep an employee, and nothing more.

H.R. is here to help me - They will help you, but their true job is to protect the organization. There are certain areas in which it may be best not to seek the H.R. department's assistance, such as using them as a shoulder to cry on for your every workplace woe.

You aren't indispensable - Millions of workers learned that their jobs are not as secure as they once thought. Being valuable is realistic, feeling irreplaceable is not.

My personal life is my business - only as long as something that reflects poorly upon your employer. For example, you're probably not free to bad-mouth them on Facebook. Even if you do not face disciplinary action, your future career will take a hit.

I'll sue - Don't be naive. Filing a lawsuit alone takes a lot of money. Even if you are right, sometimes your only decision is whether to stay or to go. Righting wrongs can be a very costly mission.

My bosses are cool when i slack off - Do not take your job for granted. While you're accepting their pay, it's important to honour your end of the bargain, or expect them to reward your poor attitude by bestowing your job to someone who actually wants it. (ANI)

31 Ways To Make a Girl Smile

1. Tell her she is BEAUTIFUL

2. Hold her hand at any moment even if its just for a second.

3. HUG HER FROM BEHIND!!!!!

4. Leave her voice messages to wake up to.

5. Wrestle with her Visit Us @ www.MumbaiHangOut.Org

6. don’t go hang out with you ex when shes not with you, you might not relize how badly it hurts her.

7. If youre talking to another girl, when you’re done talking, walk over and hug her and kiss her….let her know she’s yours and they aren’t.

8. Write her notes or call her just to say “hi”

9. Introduce her to your friends . . . as your girlfriend.

10. Play with her hair.

11. Pick her up (she loves it)

12. Get upset if another guy touches her and she doesn’t like it

13. Make her laugh

14. Let her fall asleep in your arms.

15. If she’s mad at you, kiss her.

16. If you care about her, then TELL HER(don’t be afraid to)

17. Every guy should give their girl 3 things: a stuffed animal(she’ll hug it every time she goes to sleep),

jewelry (she’ll treasure it forever), and one of his t-shirts (she’ll most likely wear it to bed) or sweatshirts sprayed with

his cologne!! and flowers or something occasionally.

18. Treat her the same around your friends as you do when you’re alone.

19. Look her in the eyes and smile.

20. Hang out with her on weekends

21.Kiss her in the rain (girls love this)

22.Kiss her just for the hell of it

23. If your listening to music, let her listen too. =)

24. Remember her birthday and get her something,even if its simple and inexpensive, it came from YOU. it means ALL the world to her.

25. when she gives you a present on your birthday, Christmas, or just whenever, take it and tell her you love it, even if you don’t (it’ll make her happy.)

26. Always call her when you say you will, it may not seem like it, but it does hurt her and makes her think you don’t care so call even if you can only talk for a minute. Girls don’t necessarily have to have hour long conversations every night but its nice for us to hear your voice even for a quick hello.

27. Give her wat she wants

28. Recognize the small things . . . they usually mean the most.

29.DONT hug her friends or your friends that are girls cause she’ll feel left out.

30.hang out with her whenever you are free and u should be free to hang wit your girl friend all the time

31.If u care about her…SHOW her!(totally)

HIV test before marriage

The Kerala Women's Commission (KWC) has asked the state government to pass resolutions and, if necessary, a law to ensure that all those who get married undergo an HIV test.

'This is an issue that is affecting the entire humanity and hence adequate measures have to be taken to safeguard all,' KWC chairperson Justice (retd) D. Sreedevi said.

The commission made the request in the wake of several cases where men got married in spite of knowing that they were HIV positive.

KWC submitted an annual report with the recommendations to the state government last week. The panel also asked the government to support the children of the HIV affected.

According to the Kerala State Aids Control Society (KSACS), a total of 55,167 people have been infected by HIV/AIDS in the state.

The HIV prevalence rate in the general population is 0.26 percent, which is less than the national average of 0.34 percent.

The KWC expects that with the budget session of the Kerala assembly scheduled for the first week of next month, their demand will be considered by the government.

Ten Career damaging Habits ...

If you have been following the news, a recent news item said that loyalty among the top management was at an all time low .. That there were trust issues as far as top management was concerned especially with the high rate of switching jobs ...for greener pastures   Today's article in a way deals with some such career mistakes Ten career-damaging behaviours to avoid. "O, how full of briers is this working-day world!" is the famous Shakespearian quotefrom `As You Like It'. External pressures, thorns, obstacles and difficulties aside, how many of us are responsible for unwittingly hampering our chances of career successthrough our own misplaced and misguided attitudes and behaviours.   Below are ten common faux-pas that can ruin a career and should be avoided at all costs. 1. Poor Time Management Missing deadlines, failing to abide by agreed timelines, arriving to meetings late and generally disrespecting approved schedules is a surefire way to lose credibility and professional respect.   Try to value each and every minute on the job and recognize the inefficiencies that arise from procrastination and slovenly time management and the impact these have on the organisation as a whole. 2. Failure to Deliver on Promises A promise made should be a promise kept if your professional credibility is to remainintact. Avoid making promises you cannot deliver on. Unless you are known as someonewho can be strictly depended on to follow through and deliver on time you are likely to bepassed over for promotions and key assignments. When you do need more time or resources for an assignment communicate the requirement formally and professionally and manage the situation to show you are in control and will not be sacrificing on quality of delivery. 3. Poor Accountability Accountability, a close reactive of honesty is an essential character trait in today's workplace. Avoid becoming known as the sour apple who usurps all credit and circumvents all blame. If you have made an error, admitting to it in a timely manner avoids an unnecessary escalation, earns you the confidence and respect of those around you, and indicates professionalism, honesty and maturity. 4. Poor interpersonal skills All research indicates that emotional intelligence and people skills are an essential ingredients for success in life and at work. Whether it is suppliers, clients, superiors, colleagues or subordinates you are dealing with the quality and success of that  relationship will be largely predicated by how personable you are and how pleasant you are to interact with. If you have a reputation as someone who is difficult to work or interact with, chances are people will start to avoid you and your success at mobilizing people or resources to further your goals will be severely diminished. 5. Poor team skills A good team-player is able to work cohesively within a team framework and contribute,collabor ate, communicate and challenge to meet specific goals within that framework. Inability to see beyond one's self, work well with everyone, find the good qualities of others in the team, communicate persuasively and effectively, listen actively and attentively, give and welcome input, offer encouragement and assistance where needed and show respect, patience and courtesy inevitably leads to marginalisation and failure to meet personal and professional goals. 6. Lack of ethics or professionalism Conducting personal business on the job and any other activities that show flagrant disrespect for company time, resources and property are both unethical and unprofessional. Chatting endlessly on the job, office gossip, wasting office supplies, laying about important work-related matters, back-biting the boss, spreading office secrets, routinely bringing personal matters to the workplace all fall under this category. 7. Lack of initiative Complacency is a surefire road to professional mediocrity. To succeed it is essential that you continue to show enthusiasm, stretch the limits, be proactive and test the boundaries in the interest of innovation. Take responsibility for your personal and professional growth and continue to build momentum in your training and profession development activities. If you chose to simply lie low and casually bide your time while others race ahead in their careers you will most probably be overlooked for promotions and plum assignments and your skills may well eventually become redundant. 8. Inability to Handle Pressure Every job entails a certain amount of stress and pressure and failure to recognize and handle the strain may lead to a pronounced and sustained decline in performance.   Learn to recognize stress and cope with it professionally and effectively.   Take breaks and holidays when needed, learn to manage stress and cope with pressure so that it is not an ongoing problem for you. It may be that the pressures mounting on you are due to poor time management or delegation skills or weakness in a certain area in which case developing your skills in these areas is highly advisable. 9. Lone Ranger Syndrome Team skills are essential in today's marketplace as is getting along with others  and communicating your accomplishments regularly and professionally.   Do not try to isolate yourself and excel quietly in private as chances are your performance will not get the exposure and credit it deserves.   Personal marketing and effective relationship management are key to career success.   Aim to regularly and professionally communicate your private coups to your manager and others in a position to help your career advancement and do not assume your great work and personal victories will automatically get noticed and given the credit they deserve. 10. Stasis You may well be in your comfort zone and doing very well there but if you don't challenge yourself in pursuit of further growth and development and continuously move forward and upward you may lose your equilibrium sooner than you expected.   Have a vision in mind as pertains to your career and formulate a clear strategy and timeline for getting there which you can regularly benchmark and measure yourself against. Continuous learning, development and self-improvement is a necessity not a luxury for today's ambitious professional and it is imperative that you keep abreast of the latest trends, tools and technologies in your field and not risk losing ground to the star performers who take personal growth more seriously.