Stretching Flexibility Exercises - When Should You Stretch For Best Flexibility Gains

Flexibility exercises are a very important part of any fitness program. There are many different kinds you can choose to do or you can incorporate several into your routine. Flexibility exercises are gentle stretching movements that help to increase the flexibility and length of your muscles. They also help to increase the range of motion in your joints. They may consist of a specific set of exercises or be part of a fitness program such as Pilates or Yoga.

One of the main goals of doing stretching exercises is to lengthen the connective tissue surrounding the muscles. They should be done after you have warmed up your muscles with a few minutes of aerobic exercises. A minute or two should be spent on each stretching exercise.

These exercises are not the same as aerobic exercises or resistance training, but doing stretching exercises several times a week are a great way to keep your body flexible. They improve your posture and are particularly good for those who have back injuries.

Flexibility exercises are an important part of any fitness program. They decrease sore muscles and provide a relaxed body. It prepares the body for the stress of the exercises that are part of your fitness program.

You should always stretch after you warm up because stretching with cold muscles could cause injuries. Make sure that you stretch all of the muscles you will be using in your workout. You should also stretch after you finish your workout, to help your muscles cool down.

Check out www.1-stop-fitness.com for articles on ab machines and discount home gyms.

Must Knows in How to Hold A Pencil When Drawing and Sketching

How to Hold Your Pencil When Drawing and Sketching

When learning to draw, sometimes it's difficult to know what techniques are available to artists, which ones you should use, and which ones you should not use. How to hold a pencil seems to be trivial in nature but can make a huge difference in your drawings and sketches.

In this article you will learn a few different ways to hold the pencil and how to adopt them into your drawing practices. This is important because most people don't realize that there are more ways than one to grip a pencil when drawing and sketching. They generally pick it up like they were taught in school for writing. But writing and drawing are a lot different. So the way you hold your pencil should be different as well. A lot of problems such as hatched lines and unsteadiness originate from holding the pencil incorrectly.

The first grip is the basic tripod grip. It is the technique that they teach young children in school. It's probably the same one that you use for writing. You grip the pencil with the thumb, forefinger, and middle finger to form a tripod or triangle. This tripod is usually supported by your ring finger and pinky fingers. The grip allows the pencil to be controlled when making fine strokes and is great when applying fine details.

The fingers are in control of the pencil when using the tripod grip. It's also nice when doing the finer details because your hand can rest on the page as it lays these in.

Sometimes smudging can be a problem, but no fear, just lay down a sheet of paper to keep your drawing free from the smudges.

The problems of this grip are that it is a frustrating way to draw. A flowing line is impossible to do this way, your hatching and cross-hatching isn't done correctly and the lines become curved, the pencil pressure is off, and it's not the most comfortable.

The position that is closely related to this position is called the extended tripod grip. It is essentially the same as the basic tripod grip with the exception that the tripod is formed further up on the pencil. This benefits the artist because only a small movement of the fingers can produce greater movement of the pencil tip. One thing to remember with this is to not squeeze it too tightly.

The technique that a lot of artists use is called the overhand grip. This grip is where the pencil is held almost as if you were holding a bow for a violin. Your hand goes over the pencil and is held lightly against the fingers and the flat of your thumb.

This overhand grip is ideal for sketching with the side of the pencil and is the preferred grip among artists. It doesn't need a propped arm and the limitations are only your arm span. Not nearly as many limitations as the other grips have.

This overhand grip produces flowing, sweeping lines and is great for sketching, hatching, cross-hatching, value work, with the side of the lead. It is a huge preference for academic drawing. It's great when using a drawing surface such as an easel. One common rule in whichever grip you choose to use and whatever works for you is to never, ever choke the pencil tip. This is never a good thing to do for artists.

Just remember to use a grip that you are comfortable. There are many variations of these grips and do what you are comfortable with and you will see your drawings come alive.

Todd Harris is a master artist who is currently working as a concept art director for a multi-billion dollar corporation. He is trained in the Florence Academy Method. Learning2draw.com is a resource based website devoted to aspiring artists wishing to master figure drawing. Visit http://www.learning2draw.com to get tips, tricks, and techniques to master the human form

Leather Stretching

Because leather is so pliable, (especially wet leather) you can change its shape and size. The basic principal is to make the leather moist (not soaked) and apply heat or cold.

For example, leather specialists will use extreme heat followed by extreme cold to coax torn leather back to its original shape and position before they apply adhesive when repairing tears. A commercial stripping gun and a decent size of metal that has been in the refrigerator are recommended, no kidding! Find out the proper technique first before attempting this maneuver.

If you have shoes, for example that are a bit small, you have a couple of different options for stretching them. You can take them to a cobbler and have them stretched with an industrial strength leather stretching shoe device, or if you want to risk it you can stretch your shoes on your own.

Home Remedy Leather Stretching

I've heard stories that some boot salespeople recommend wetting your shoes with rubbing alcohol and while still wet, putting the shoes back on, as almost any wet leather will stretch. The alcohol evaporates quickly so there should not be any spotting with this leather stretching technique.

Another thing I have heard is that some people have successfully filled a quart bag with water and placed it in the shoe. Put the whole deal in the freezer and as the water freezes, it will expand right along with the shoe. You might want to try this with an old boot first to see what happens.

If home remedy solutions make you nervous, you can buy your own leather stretching shoe device. Type "stretch shoe" into a search engine for some ideas.

Sizing a Hat

If you have a leather hat that feels too snug, consider buying a hat form or wig stand that is the right size and then placing the hat on it so the hat can dry to the right size. You could also wear the hat after getting it nice and pliable, but it may not dry while on your head because of your own natural moisture. So consider the humidity and temperature that day if you try this method

If the hat is big enough to fit even though it might be tight, wait to see if regular wear creates new memory. You can always take the hat to a cobbler since they have the equipment and should be able to stretch it out for you. If you are not sure where to look, start with your local yellow pages to see if you have a hat maker locally.

Breaking-In Shoes

One of the best ways to break in a new pair of shoes is to wear them around the house for short periods of time. Just remember that since the leather is stiff, if you walk around too long you'll develop blisters. However, the natural moisture produced from your feet helps to soften and break in the boots or shoes without using stretchers.

One option that should be a last resort before heading to the cobbler is to lightly wet them with a damp sponge inside and out, taking care not to soak them. After all, leather and water are not the best of pals. Wear them for a couple hours that way.

Just keep in mind that wearing new leather boots or shoes on a regular basis will keep the leather supple and help them form to your feet. If you don't use them for a long period, wear them for a couple of hours on occasion to keep the leather soft and pliable.

As your boots begin to break in, you will see two creases - one right behind the toe of the boot and the second higher up on the foot, but below your ankle. If the boots dry out from disuse, you may have to take it easy for a couple of days when you put them on again.

You can also hand break boots by bending them back and forth a bit. Lastly, you can buy boots that do not require a long break-in or painful break-in period. Having to break-in a boot is compensation for the boot being hard.

These days, most high quality boots are made in leathers that are strong without being crippling. It is possible to buy a pair of sturdy boots that will not cause pain every time you wear them. Ask the retailer about the break in period and the quality of boot in their line.

In reality, leather stretching can be relatively easy if you take your time and think it through.

*** Hey! Want To Make Something Out Of Leather? *** Discover How To Make Leather Crafts for Fun and Profit  Leather Craft

Jake's love of leather and the constant questions drove him to write everything down.

Penis Enlargement STRETCHING devices?

Apparently having a small penis just will NOT do in the world that is today! After a wide and thourough search on the internet, I came across an rather weird looking contraption that was specifically designed to stretch your penis out to increase its length and girth! I was struck by an immense curiosity and had to investigate!!

After reading numerous articles about these alien looking devices, and talking to various individuals, I was amazed to discover that this is actually a means to a (longer) end! Being that thousands of guys out there have purchased these products, it is definately a safe and cheaper way to a happier sex life. Doctors even recommend these devices to their patients!

Most companies sell their stretching devices with pills, patches and sexual guidelines and dvds, and the going rate for these "mirracle packages" is in the $300 price range. Now for what you get, this is really not a bad price, and best of all, if you're not happy, a full money back guarantee is given on all of the top products out there!

Check out this page with a few comparrisons on these devices, or click here for a wider range of products. What have you got to lose?

A legitimate company doing research in male enhancement products

The Importance of Proper Hydration and Stretching

Whether you're taking a brisk walk or running a 26 mile marathon, hydration and stretching are extremely important to preventing injury and to maintaining optimum fitness. However, there are many myths about both these things that have crept into most people's thinking.

The number one myth about hydration is that you should let your level of thirst signal when you need to drink. This is absolutely untrue. Most athletes only replace about 2/3 of the water they lose when they follow this rule. Instead, drink fluids on a schedule. A general rule of thumb, depending on your weight and weather conditions is to drink 8 ounces of water about 15 minutes before beginning exercise and 8 ounces for each 15 minutes during your workout.

Another hydration myth is that everyone needs eight glasses of water a day. This may not be enough for some people who engage in higher intensity sports. It may be too much for sedentary people. This is because, although it is true that the average person loses 80 ounces of water a day, he or she also gains about 32 ounces of water from food. That means, in order to replace lost fluids a person only needs to drink about 48 ounces of water rather than the 64 ounces contained in eight glasses of water.

A recent study about over hydration has scared people into believing that you can get sick from drinking too much water during exercise. While this may be true in isolated cases, typically among endurance athletes, the average person will not get sick from drinking too much water unless they have an existing heart, liver or kidney problem. If you have one of these conditions, checking with your doctor about the proper amount of liquid to drink during exercise is advisable.

Stretching is another source of myths and misinformation. Contrary to popular belief, stretching will not "warm you up." Warming up is done by starting a low level of activity and working up to your desired intensity. Stretching before exercise also will not prevent injury although research has shown that it will reduce pain and muscle soreness after exercise. Only a proper warm-up routine will help prevent injuries.

Many people also believe that stretching is most beneficial when done before a workout. Actually, gentle stretching after a workout can help reduce cramping and muscular pain. Also, there is the belief that any stretching is better than none. Improper stretching can actually increase the risk of muscular injuries. It's worth taking the time to learn stretches appropriate to the activity you're planning to perform.

Jonathon Hardcastle writes articles on many topics including Fitness, Food, and Consumer Information

Door Knocker Engraving

 

An engraved door knocker makes a wonderful personalized gift or addition to your home. With a little forethought it can become a treasured family heirloom.

Over the years I have engraved scores of door knockers. Many of which were similar in style but each unique in its own way due to the message it carries.

It seems that there are a lot of choices to consider. As an engraver all I can do is offer advice and information.

First of all, think about what you would like to accomplish before you purchase your door knocker. They come in different shapes and sizes all offering differing engraving opportunities. Some are not engraveable at all. Be sure of what you are purchasing. It may be safest to purchase from the same place that is doing the engraving if possible.

When it comes to the engraving itself, there are quite a few choices to be made, for example:

Names, addresses, greetings, a combination of all of these.

Lets address the most common question, the engraving of a name.

Is it proper the engrave just the last name, the last name with an s making it plural, or the last name with an apostrophe s making it a possessive?

Any one of these would be correct given the message you want to convey.

Name only: This is always nice and is easily understood as the name of the family living behind in this home.

Names plural: Also nice as it states that more than one family member lives in this home.

Name's possessive: This method states that this residence belongs to this family.

Just to throw another cog into the wheel, How about putting the work "The" in front of the name?

The Shaylers -or- The Shayler's -or even- The Shayler Family if room allows.

I'll bet you did not think that there was so much to consider just getting a door knocker engraved. Well, there is more.

A name does not need to be used at all. You may want the street address or simply "Welcome". How about "Howdy"? Maybe "Bless This House"

Perhaps you are engraving a door knocker as a wedding or anniversary gift. Typically the engraving includes the new last name and a line with "Est. 2006" Est. being short for established.

All of these choices are very nice and are correct given the situation they are to be used in.

The words themselves are not the only choice to be made. You must also choose a font. Depending on the font used you may want all upper-case letters or mixed case letters.

A general rule of thumb is, if you are using a script or ornamental font always use mixed case (upper and lower case letters). Most just do not look right in all upper case.

Roman and block fonts look very nice in either case, all upper or mixed. The Roman and block fonts may not be the most attractive but they are definitely the easiest to read.

The shape and style of the door knocker may dictate the font and case used. A small engraving area may prefer all upper case to prevent a descender ( letters like y or g that go below the base line ) from making the words to small to read easily. All upper case has no descenders and may fill the area more uniformly.

Most engravers can advise you as to what the limitations are but again the final decision lies with the customer. I have engraved some ornamental fonts in all upper case (ugh!) because this is what was wanted.

Be sure to use a bold font that stands out well. Door knockers as a rule do not offer a lot of contrast for the engraving so thin fine letters really do not show up well at all. Here again the engraver is a great source of advice.

All in all a little planning before the purchase will make the experience a brighter one.

Bill Shayler is a professional engraver and thEe owner of Shayler Engraving. For more information or to contact Bill, please visit: www.your-door-knocker.com a web site owned and operated by Shayler ngraving.