The Sports Archives – Why Table Tennis Is Good for Your Kid’s Brain

Posted on June 18, 2019 by thesportsarchives

table tennis

Table tennis is a real sport with an estimated 900 million players playing the sport worldwide. The fact that the sport is calm, peaceful and almost injury free makes it a popular choice. Millions of people across the world indulge in this game right from disabled or retired people to school going children or business professionals. This game not only builds your hand-eye coordination but also promotes tactical thinking and strategy building. Another great advantage of this game is that it does not require a lot of space and can be enjoyed in a small room with just a table tennis table and couple of paddles.

Table tennis, also known as Ping Pong in some countries, is rated as one of the games with the highest rate of mental stimulation. It is highly recommended for kids as it has low injury risk and is less stressful.

Parents these days often get confused as to which sport they should enroll their children. With so many other options, the importance of table tennis often sidelines, but this powerful game has a lot of benefits for your kid’s brain along with many other health benefits.

So what are some of these benefits?

  1. Develops mental sharpness

Table tennis helps to develop mental acuity in a kid. According to reports, Alzheimer’s patients reported an improvement in their brain sharpness after playing table tennis consistently. Engaging your children in this game right from the start helps to keep them more mentally alert and focused. This game increases the blood flow to the brain and reduces the risk of dementia, i.e. a chronic disease resulting in memory loss.

Table tennis also regulates decision-making and problem solving skills. Kids learn the skills quickly and also benefit a lot as they need to calculate the speed and the placement of the ball coming within a second. This sport keeps their mind engaged completely.

  1. Increases mental stimulation

You cannot even afford to get distracted for a second in this game. It stimulates different parts of your brain, especially the prefrontal cortex of the brain, which is usually used during strategic planning. The aerobics and the bodily movements involved in the game stimulate the hippocampus area that enables an individual to maintain long-term memories.

Similarly, the parietal lobes of the brain, which translate sensory information, are also stimulated in the process of following the ball and then reacting to spin. With increased practice, the brain starts performing better.

  1. Develops Motor Control

Table tennis is also very beneficial for developing the motor skills in a child. The motor control part of the brain is used to coordinate movements and activities associated with different body parts. There is a high degree of speed and unpredictability in this game. A person needs perfect micro-movements, quick decision making and precise hand-eye coordination to perform well in this game. Playing table tennis regularly has shown improvement in the primary motor cortex and the cerebellum.

  1. Improves the mood

Table tennis has a drastic effect on your mood. An irritable child will quickly get composed after playing a game of table tennis for a few minutes. The reason behind this is that this sport triggers the increase of neurotransmitters which are chemicals that govern the transmission of signals and messages from and to the brain.

With the increase in the levels of neurotransmitters, depression is reduced. Neurotransmitters regulate many functions of the brain such as memory, stress, emotions and movements.

  1. Enhances memory

Table tennis helps in increasing the levels of BDNF- brain derived neurotrophic factor, a protein that promotes the healthy growth of neurons. BDNF helps in preventing diseases such as Parkinsons and Alzheimer’s. The hippocampus region of the brain constantly has an increase in the number of cells throughout a person’s life. BDNF also helps the survival of these cells and stimulates their increase.

  1. Improves Balance

Table tennis is also quite beneficial to the cerebellum area of the brain that is responsible for controlling motor movements. As a child plays this sport, the cerebellum area lights up and becomes active. Various body balance activities such as walking, running and such others are controlled by the cerebellum.

  1. Improves Decision-Making Skills

This game enables the player to make better strategies as they need to constantly adapt their plan to the opponent’s weaknesses. The player has to constantly think about their next move and make decisions quickly.

Conclusion

The awareness of this game has increased today as more and more people are getting to know about its benefits. Table Tennis is an Olympic Sport and has been regarded as one of the best games for the brain. According to Wendy Suzuki, Ph.D., professor of neuroscience and psychology at New York University has, this game is not only a fun activity but also helpful in preventing chronic conditions like Dementia and Alzheimer’s.

With so many benefits, it is best to get your kids enrolled in this game right from the start. Table tennis is not only a healthy and entertaining sport but also quite a beneficial one.

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The Sports Archives – Thinking Of Taking Up Rugby?

Posted on June 14, 2019 by thesportsarchives

rugby

https://www.pexels.com/photo/two-athletes-standing-in-a-field-1238733/

Rugby is a sport that is gaining in popularity. Whilst you may not require a lot of rugby equipment to begin playing, the equipment you need is of the utmost importance. After all, rugby is a high contact sport, and therefore it is vital that you are protected whilst playing. If you do not buy the right equipment you could end up getting seriously injured. Moreover, it is not all about being protected. After all, if you don’t have a rugby ball, how can you play the game at all? Keeping that in mind, read on to discover everything you need to know about the various items to purchase…

Protective Equipment

There is only one place to begin and this is with the protective equipment you need to purchase if you are to enjoy this game. The last thing you want is to take a trip to the hospital! There are various different rugby equipment items you will need to protect yourself. A gum shield is a must. This will protect your gums and teeth during the game. After all, no one wants to lose their teeth, do they? Aside from this, you should also consider buying headgear, as this will protect you from impact injuries that could turn fatal. Lightweight head protection proves to be beneficial in a whole host of situations, especially during scrums and tackles. Aside from this, make sure you buy pads for your upper body. These are lightweight and designed to protect your shoulder and your chest, otherwise you could end up in great pain when tackled. It is worth pointing out that all of this equipment has been designed to protect you yet it will not be detrimental to your performance, since technology has advanced to such an extent whereby you will hardly be able to tell you are wearing any extra padding or layers. Despite all of this equipment, finding a good physio, like Precision Sports Physical Therapy, is a good idea to ensure you can keep your body in top condition and recover from injuries as quickly and effectively as possible.

Rugby Ball

It may sound like an obvious purchase but of course you cannot enjoy the sport of rugby if you do not have the correct ball. It is worth noting that you will have several different types of balls on the market to choose from. There are recreational balls, which are designed for mere fun, and there are training balls and competitive match balls. It is vital to buy the right ball in relation to how it is going to be used. We’ll provide comprehensive advice on this in the next section.

Rugby Clothes and Boots

Last but not least, you need the correct clothing and boots. Let’s begin with the latter. Rugby boots are designed in order to provide extra protection to the ankle, which is why they have a higher cut. Nonetheless, if you are going to play backfield, you may want to go for a lower cut, as you will be running more. When it comes to rugby clothes, the top is almost sculpted to the body. This is to spot your opponents from gripping you. The special fabric used is ideal for a sport involving a lot of tugging and rough play. Yet the fabric is comfortable enough so that you can manoeuvre around with ease.

More Information on Buying a Rugby Ball

Read on to discover what factors must be taken into account when shopping for rugby balls…

  • Size – First and foremost, you must ensure you purchase a ball that is of the right size. A lot of people simply assume that all rugby balls are the same size. However, this is not the case. You generally have four different options to choose from. These are as follows – size 5, size 4.5, size 4, and finally size 3. The latter is suited to mini rugby i.e. under 9, under 8, and under 7. A size 4 rugby ball is for junior rugby. Those playing women’s rugby will use a ball that is 4.5 in size, whilst size 5 rugby balls are for men’s rugby. Thus, you shouldn’t find it too difficult to locate the right sized ball for you.
  • Purpose – Secondly, once you have considered the size of the ball, the next thing you need to do is make sure the ball you select is correct in relation to its purpose. You are probably thinking ‘well, surely the purpose is to play rugby?’ – However, in this instance you need to determine the type of rugby. For instance, are you purchasing a ball for a competitive match or are you simply looking to have a bit of fun? If you are merely going to play rugby for enjoyment, you can purchase a recreational ball. Nonetheless, match balls are ideal for a serious game, whilst training balls are evidently suited to training sessions.
  • Brand – The next aspect you should take into account is the brand of the ball. This is important because a well-known and high quality brand is likely to equate to a ball that is of an exceptional standard as well. There are lots of sports brands that have an incredible name in the world of rugby. This includes the likes of Canterbury, Mitre, Kooga, and of course Gilbert. If you purchase your rugby ball from one of these brands you are assured to be happy with the product you receive.
    Price – The final factor you should consider is the price of the ball. Don’t make the mistake many people do by simply going for the cheapest rugby ball you can find, as this is likely to indicate a lack of quality. Instead, assess the prices and opt for a fair deal. If you are looking to save some money, why not shop in the sale section? You will be able to pick up a ball from last season at a highly discounted rate, ensuring you still reap high levels of quality.

How to find the best place to purchase high quality rugby equipment from

When playing any sport it is imperative that you invest in equipment that is of the highest standard. After all, this ensures you feel comfortable and that your performance is enhanced. Nonetheless, we don’t all have endless pits of money to spend on such items. Thus, keeping that in mind, read on to discover some top tips for finding the best place to purchase rugby equipment from…

  • Good Sale Section – Let’s deal with the price factor first. There is no denying that rugby equipment can be very expensive. However, if you go for the cheaper items you are likely to suffer at the hands of a lack of quality. So, what is the solution? Instead, look for a company that has an excellent sale section. By doing this you will be able to purchase last season’s stock at highly reduced prices. You know that these balls, mouth guards, protective layers and so on and so forth, are still going to be of a top standard. New products and new designs have simply replaced them.
  • Good Reputation – You should also take five to ten minutes to read reviews that have been left by previous customers. This is the only way to get an honest insight into the degree of quality the company provides. You will see whether consumers think the product that was delivered to their door was as good as the one they saw on their computer screen. Moreover, you will also discover whether the company was timely with their delivery, easy to deal with and such like.
  • Product Selection – It is important to make sure the company has the full scope of rugby equipment you require. You don’t want to have to purchase rugby clothing from one store, a ball from another store, and training equipment from another. You thus need to make sure the company has everything you could possibly require.
  • Delivery Terms – The next thing you should look out for is the company’s delivery terms. This is something a lot of people overlook and they end up regretting it because they have to wait weeks and weeks for their product to arrive.
  • Brands – Last but not least, the final thing you should assess is what brands the company sells. If they sell a selection of top quality brands you can be certain that their products are going to impress as well. When it comes to rugby, some of the brands you should be looking out for include the likes of Gilbert, Mitre, Canterbury, Puma and Webb Ellis.

To conclude, from the brands sold to their reputation, if you carefully consider the five points that have been mentioned you should have no issue finding the ideal rugby store online for you.

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The Sports Archives – Skip The Gym, But Still Look and Feel Great!

Posted on June 11, 2019 by thesportsarchives

You may not think it’s possible, but you can actually skip going to them and still be as fit and healthy. Of course, you can’t just sit down on the couch with a bag of chips. Instead, you need to pick other non-gym based activities that will get your heart rate going and burn those calories. Something you can find out more about in the post below.

Running

OK, so lets deal with the most obvious choice for those that don’t want to set foot in the gym first, running. Of course, running is a fabulous activity for fitness because not only does it work most of the major muscle groups, it encourages stamina as well.

You don’t need to be put off if you haven’t got much experience with running either, as there are plenty of couch to 5K programs that can get you covering this distance in a solid jog in around a month. Just be sure to invest in the right shoes for your gait, as this can save you a lot of discomfort further down the line.

Cycling

If pounding the pavement isn’t quite your style then what about taking up cycling instead? Of course of the most significant advantage of this activity is that you get to go even faster than you would if you were running, which make it an excellent choice for speed demons!

There is such a wide range of different types of cycling to choose from as well. What this means is whether you want something more casual and leisurely, or something fast and challenging, you are likely to be able to find what you need without too much effort.

Cycling

Image here

The only real downside of cycling is that you do need to invest in the right equipment, namely a bike and helmet to start, which can be expensive. A topic you can read more about at sites like bikeradar.com. Although, if you live in a major city it’s worth noting that they have free or low-cost bike rental schemes which will allow you to try out this activity without having to spend lots of money initially.

Exercise videos

You don’t even have to leave your home to get a good workout if you don’t want, as you can in follow along with an exercise video at home. In fact, you can get these on BluRay and DVD, on Youtube, and even via app download services now.

Although, it is always smart to go to sites like healthandfitnessvitality.com where they review this most popular programs before you buy. Then you will have a good idea not only whether they will be suitable for you, but also if they are effective as well.  

Walking everywhere

Probably the most simple solution for folks wanting to be fit and healthy, but that dislike the gym is to up the number of steps they walk in a day.

Happily, this super easy to do because you can walk to work instead of drive, hike as a recreation, and even go for a stroll on your lunch break instead of sitting at your computer. All activities that will help you stay fit without having to go anywhere near a gym unless you pass it on your walking route that it!

 

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The Sports Archives – 5 Benefits of Hiring a Personal Trainer

Posted on June 10, 2019 by thesportsarchives

training and exercise

There’s no arguing with the fact that exercise is key to a long and healthy life. But how you choose to exercise is entirely up to you. While some people may prefer to go it alone, hitting the gym with a personal trainer can make a huge difference in achieving your goals. Never had a personal trainer before? Considering hiring a trainer for your fitness needs? There’s no better time than the present to commit to your health. Here are five benefits of hiring a personal trainer.

1. A Trainer Can Help Set Realistic Goals

One of the major benefits of hiring a trainer is that they can help you set realistic goals for your fitness journey. For many, it’s easy to get wrapped up in all of the things you want to achieve without realizing the steps necessary to getting there. Instead of setting goals that are too far out of reach, a trainer will understand achievable milestones that will keep you excited about the progress you are making every step of the way.

2. They’ll Meet You Where You Are

Personal trainers are skilled at understanding your fitness level—wherever that level may be. If you’re an experienced exerciser who is looking to try different workout routines and fitness techniques, they can help introduce new sports or activities to vary your workout. That said, if you’re new to exercise and not sure where to start, they can help you learn the ropes and get you started with a routine that fits your lifestyle.

3. Their Schedules are Flexible

Another benefit to hiring a personal trainer is that they can work around your schedule. Most are likely available during hours, times, and the days that are more convenient for you and your needs. Whether you want to work out in your home, early in the morning, late at night, or just want to go somewhere different to exercise, your personal trainer can work with you and your schedule to make sure you’re getting the workout you desire.

4. They Keep You Safe

It’s not uncommon for people who exercise on their own to sustain injuries due to misalignment or misunderstanding of how to properly do a routine. With personalized instruction, you can make sure you’re in proper alignment and moving safely. You won’t make the mistake of lifting weights that are out of your ability level or doing a series of lunges that leave your low back hurting the next day.

5. They’ll Keep You Accountable…and Motivated

There comes a time in any exercise schedule when you may find yourself bored with your routine or lacking your initial enthusiasm. When you have a personal trainer, they can keep you accountable, motivated, and enjoying all the ways you can strengthen your body.

Hiring a personal trainer could be one of the best investments you make in your workout. If you’ve been on the fence before, these five benefits could be the encouragement you need to take your exercise routine to the next level.

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The Sports Archives – 5 Reasons to Take Up Fishing

Posted on June 7, 2019 by thesportsarchives

If you are looking to take up a new sport, have you considered fishing? From learning a new skill to exploring new destinations, fishing offers you the chance to be at one with nature and is something that we feel that everyone should try at least once. Not convinced? Then take a look at our 5 reasons to take up fishing below.

fishing

Image pixabay

  1. You’ll be learning something new

As is the case when you take up any new hobby, you will find that fishing is a whole new world to you and there will be plenty for you to learn. Whether you are researching the best baits for river fishing or reading up on the latest equipment and technology available, that learning will never stop as this is a sport that continues to evolve with new gadgets coming onto the market regularly. This is all in addition to needing to learn the actual basics of fishing, so go grab that rod and tackle and get out there with a seasoned angler so that they can show you the ropes and get you hooked.

  1. It’s relaxing

Fishing is a relaxing pastime. It can often be a solitary pursuit and it offers the angler time with their own thoughts, in pretty surroundings, doing something that they love. It is a chance to unwind fully and completely. You can be mindful and present in that moment or take the opportunity to turn over things in your mind whilst in a rested state. Fishing tends to move at a slow pace, giving you the chance to de-stress and decompress.

  1. It’s good for your health

There are numerous health benefits of fishing. It is an outdoor sport so you will be soaking up that vitamin D and taking in lungfuls of fresh air. There’s cardiovascular exercise through unloading your fishing tackle, walking to your chosen spot and then setting up and casting on. Then there is the muscle toning and exercise whilst reeling in and landing fish. All of that time spent outdoors will have you feeling healthier and fitter in no time.

  1. It’s great family bonding time

How many of us remember times with our fathers teaching us how to fish? It is a great sport for family days out and teaches children about patience and resilience as well as the skills required to fish. Dock fishing is often the best and safest way to start this, and where possible opt for a spot with dock lights for added excitement for the kids and an increased chance of drawing the fish to you and catching plenty.

  1. You can explore

Once you have caught the fishing bug, you will find yourself wanting to fish more often and to try out new locations. Before you know it, you will be looking for the best fly fishing lodges or seeking out the latest boat excursions to take your love of fishing to the next level. Fishing uncovers new beauty spots and adds new travel destinations to your list, so you can enjoy exploring natural landscapes.  

Have we tempted you to give fishing a go?

 

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The Sports Archives – 5 Sports To Try With Your Family This Summer

Posted on June 6, 2019 by thesportsarchives

We all know that quality time spent with our children is the best thing that we can ever give them. It’s good for them and it’s good for us. Time spent together as a family builds bonds, strengthens relationships and it should also be a lot of fun. If you then throw into all of those benefits the positive gains that we get from sports and physical exercise, spending time together as a family playing sports should be a natural choice for us all this summer. However, though we are often willing, the difficulty in doing this can be in finding a sport that is appropriate for all of the family to take part in, irrespective of age or ability. This is why today we are sharing a few possibilities with you, here are 5 sports to try with your family this summer.

Badminton

Badminton is a brilliant game to play as a family, as it ticks so many boxes. It will encourage your children to learn and understand the rules of the game, along with the coordination skills required to actually play it. As it is a competitive game, they will learn how to lose gracefully and if playing doubles, how to work effectively with their teammate. This is a game that you can play in your backyard, or you can book a court for around an hour at a time at a relatively inexpensive rate. You’ll each need rackets to play and a tube full of shuttlecocks and you are then good to go. This is one that will get everyone running around so it is a great option for getting that heart rate going, as well as developing your skills in playing the game.

Cycling

Many of us take the time to teach our children to ride a bike whilst they are young. We chase round the yard holding onto their saddle as they find their balance and their confidence and then before you know it they are doing it by themselves. This is where our involvement in their cycling often ends, which is a real shame as family bike rides are a lovely way to spend an hour or two. The chances are that cycling is something that you can all do, so this is a sport where you just need to get yourselves some killer bike accessories from Bontrager and you will then all be ready to go. Choose quieter times to go out initially whilst you all get used to cycling together, or take the bikes up to a national park and have fun on the cycling trails.

Image Pixabay

Yoga

Yoga is brilliant for the mind and body, and is a perfect sport for people of absolutely any age or ability to take up. It develops core strength and flexibility whilst also improving muscle tone. You can have fun with yoga all together as a family and build it into your daily routine. If you are struggling to see how you can fit in age appropriate classes for all of you at the same time, there is a simple solution. YouTube have lots of great yoga channels and sessions for you to all try from the comfort of your own home. We would recommend starting with the Yoga with Adriene channel as she has something for everyone there.

Running

Possibly the easiest of all sports to get into, perhaps running could be the sport for you and your family? You just need to grab those running shoes and hit the pavements. You can choose to run around your local neighborhood, which is the easiest option of all, or opt for the beach or prettier landscapes. You will need to adjust your pace to accommodate everybody in the family, but you will be surprised by how quickly you all improve with regular runs. With the growing popularity of Parkrun, you could also make it a social and regular thing and run with other families.

Swimming

Whether your children are able swimmers or not, swimming is a brilliant sport for all the family. If your children are still learning, here is an opportunity to support them and develop their skills and confidence. If they are like little fish in the water, you can all have fun racing one another, practising your diving and splashing around together in the pool. Either way, you will all be sure to have lots of fun with this one.

swimming

Image Pixabay

Do you do any sports as a family currently? If not, has this list inspired you to give one a go?

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The Sports Archives – Practicing Mindfulness In and Outside of the Gym

Posted on June 1, 2019 by thesportsarchives

fitness and wellness

There’s a lot of talk about living your life “mindfully” and how it can help you be happier and healthier overall, but can it really help you with your exercise goals As it turns out, being mindful while working out is just as helpful for physical activity as it is for mental activity. Staying in the moment allows you to pay better attention to your body and tailor your workouts to accommodate the information it’s trying to relay. Let’s take a look at why mindfulness, both in and outside of the gym, is a great healthy habit to develop.

Why are you exercising?

One way to practice mindfulness while exercising is to consider the reasons you’re working out in the first place. Are you trying to lose weight or are you simply attempting to maintain a healthy lifestyle? This information can help you push forward even when you’re beginning to tire. Instead of thinking about how much you wish the workout was over, in other words, you can think of your overall goal and keep going. Keep any short-term benefits, like better sleep or lowered stress, from your workout in mind, too, and redirect your thoughts as necessary.

Build Yourself Up

Your task to stay mindful doesn’t end after the workout is complete. Instead, it’s something you should carry throughout the day. One common issue many people face is negative self-talk that worms its way inside their minds. As a result, they have trouble moving through their day confidently and happily.

Mindfulness can help with this issue by allowing you to redirect your thoughts when you realize you’re thinking negatively. Focus instead on things you’re doing right! The workout you just completed, for example, is something for which to give yourself credit.

Create a Peaceful Environment for Home Exercise

Working out at home can be a great way to stay on track with your health goals even when you’re too busy (or too financially strapped) to make it to the gym. According to House Method, you can practice mindfulness when working out at home by creating a quiet space to get your exercise in. Designate one area in your house and remove distractions from the room. This includes pets and clutter. Take this time to focus on yourself and make your health a priority.

End Everything with a Positive Attitude

When you’re done with your workout, take a moment and revel in the experience. Even if you’re a bit sore and sweaty, remember that you worked hard and did well to get to that point. It’s okay to be happy about your effort! The same goes for the end of your days. Instead of worrying about things you need to get done tomorrow, make a conscious decision to instead think about everything that went well throughout the day. Take that positivity and make it a point to remember it tomorrow.

Staying mindful can help you do well both inside and outside of the gym. Take a look at the tips above and see how they can help you feel healthy and happy.

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The Sports Archives – How to Make Yoga an Integral Part of Your Everyday Routine

Posted on May 30, 2019 by thesportsarchives

These days, it seems like everyone is talking about the importance of a regular yoga practice. But getting to a yoga studio for a 60- or 90-minute class can feel like an impossible task to add into your everyday routine. How do people do it? Is yoga really something that can be as integral as brushing your teeth? If you’ve been yoga curious, here’s how to make yoga an integral part of your everyday routine.

Wake Up on Your Mat

One of the easiest ways to make yoga a part of your life is to do it first thing in the morning. As the day wears on, you’ll likely find an increasing number of excuses for why you can’t or don’t want to get to your mat. But if you roll out of bed and start your day with a few sun salutations, you’ll avoid falling into procrastination and may just feel better about taking on everything else.

Get the Right Gear

The truth is that you can do yoga in pretty much any type of clothing. If it’s first thing in the morning, there’s nothing stopping you from practicing in your pajamas! But for some, it can be helpful to have the right clothes for the right activity. If this sounds like you, then give yourself a few new yoga outfits that you’ll look forward to wearing. If you love what’s on your body and love how you feel in it, you may be more inclined to make yoga a daily ritual.

Make It Mindful

Of course, the beauty of yoga is that it’s more than just asana—the physical poses we most closely identify with it. While some people come to yoga for physical motivations and improved balance, flexibility, and strength, others may find yoga beneficial for stress relief. Whatever your motivation, be clear with yourself for why you are coming to your mat.

Once you know why you showed up to practice, know that yoga isn’t just what happens within the four corners of your mat, or the walls of the studio or the space in your home. It can be so much more. One way to make yoga an integral part of your daily routine is to practice mindfulness. The time you spend on your mat is great for teaching you patience, presence, and kindness. Take these beliefs with you as you do other activities throughout the day.

Release the Need to Compete

Unlike other activities, yoga is not a competitive sport. In fact, comparison in yoga—with ourselves and with other people—can actually de-motivate us in the long-run. Instead of constantly comparing your arm balance with the person in class next to you, consider releasing this need to compete, instead creating more space to show up openly and with curiosity about how your practice will feel on that specific day.

Take a Deep Breath

With so much focus on the physical shape, it’s easy to overlook the fourth limb of yoga—pranayama. Although you’re breathing all day, have you taken the time to notice the quality of each breath? Are they smooth and deep or short and shallow? Just checking in to notice how you are breathing can be enough of a reminder to get you back into the present moment. And just like that, you’re practicing yoga—at your desk, on the bus, or wherever else your busy life has taken you.

Integrating yoga into your everyday routine can feel like a unique challenge. It makes you feel great, but it can be a challenge to make it to class everyday. The good news is that you don’t have to even show up on a mat to get your daily practice going. With a few of these simple tips, you’ll be well on your way to a regular yoga routine in no time.

 

 

 

 

 

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The Sports Archives – Can South Africa Erase The Ghosts Of 1999 In The 2019 World Cup?

Posted on May 29, 2019 by thesportsarchives

1999 WC Semi- Image via BBC TMS Twitter

After a gap of two decades, the World Cup returns to British soil. In some ways, the 1999 World Cup was a pivotal point in cricket history- it began a period of unprecedented Australian domination of the sport. The Aussies would probably not have even reached the semi-finals of the tournament but for that dropped catch from Herschelle Gibbs in their Super Six clash against the Proteas. As fate would have it, they progressed, and have since gone on to win four of the last five World Cups.  While Australia seem able to win World Cups at will, South Africa appear to have become the ultimate chokers and are yet to win the tournament despite having one of the best overall records in the competition.

The Super Six game between Australia and South Africa has its place in history, although it’s often overshadowed by the semi-final contested between the same two teams- often considered as the best Cricket World Cup game ever.

That Edgbaston last-four fixture saw South Africa put the Australians in. The Proteas pace attack reduced their opponents to 68/4 in 17 overs before a partnership between skipper Steve Waugh and Mr.Fixit Michael Bevan- both scoring half centuries, helped Australia cross the 200 mark.

In reply, South Africa’s openers started well and added 48 runs before introduction of Shane Warne changed the game. The Proteas were 43/0 in 10 overs when Warne started, but by the time he had finished his first spell (8-4-12-3), they had only managed to crawl to 71/4 after 25 overs.

Like Waugh and Bevan had done for Australia, Jacques Kallis and Jonty Rhodes set about resurrecting the South African innings. The current Proteas side, as has oft been pointed out by the folks at The Cricket Blog, doesn’t quite have the batting depth that squad had. With Mark Boucher coming in at 9, South Africa had a formidable lower order, marshalled by the brilliant Lance Klusener, who had rescued them from many a sticky situation previously in the tournament.

The equation came to 16 off 8 balls with one wicket in hand, but Klusener first hit Glenn McGrath for a six, and then took a single off the final ball to keep strike. With 9 needed off six, he then proceeded to bludgeon Damian Fleming for consecutive boundaries, making it just one to win from four balls.

After having done all the hard work, Klusener however had failed to finish it off. Non-striker Allan Donald backed up too far on the third delivery, but Australia missed the run-out. With the pressure potentially getting to him, Klusener went for the single on the fourth ball, but Donald, perhaps affected by how he had just missed being run-out on the previous delivery, froze and failed to respond. Klusener continued to run, but by the time Donald started to run, it was too late, and Australia ran him out at the wicket-keeper’s end.

The match finished in a draw, but this is where it got more dramatic. South Africa could’ve put Australia out of the tournament in their Super Six clash, but that dropped Gibbs catch allowed Steve Waugh to mount a rearguard and send the Kangaroos though. As a result of that win, Australia had finished ahead of the Proteas in the league table, and therefore advanced to the final.

This South African team isn’t quite in the same mould as the class of 99, but they do have their strengths- notably a strong fast-bowling attack and the in-form Quinton de Kock and Faf du Plessis upfront. They were favourites in 99, but few expect them to win this year. Will the lowered expectations work in the Proteas’ favour? We’ll have to wait and find out.

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The Sports Archives – The Greatest Ever Cricket World Cup Stars

Posted on May 28, 2019 by thesportsarchives

Greatest Cricket Stars

The 2019 Cricket World Cup is almost here as England & Wales host the 12th edition of the tournament, with holders Australia looking to retain their title from four years previous. Betfair have all the odds, whether you think you can predict the group-stage winners or outright victor, the tournament’s top run scorer or wicket taker.  But before you do, let’s take a look at some of the greatest ever World Cup stars to grace the field.

Batting

Sachin Tendulkar (India)

The former India captain competed in six Cricket World Cups between 1992 and 2011 and boasts countless records. Tendulkar lays claim to the all-time record of runs scored in the World Cup, with 2,278, as well as the most runs in a single tournament (673 in 11 innings during the 2003 World Cup). The former is a particularly enviable record, especially when you consider it’s some 500 runs more than Australia’s Ricky Ponting, who sits in second-place and managed 1,743 in five tournaments.

He reached a century of runs on six occasions, but also holds the record for the most half-century scores (21 in total and 7 in one tournament) – with the 2003 World Cup proving fruitful. Despite winning Man of the Tournament that year, Tendulkar was on the losing side as Australia were victorious, winning their third title. He recorded 152 against Namibia in the group stages and racked up 83 runs in the semi-final against Kenya.

Chris Gayle (West Indies)

Windies batsman Chris Gayle is set to participate in this year’s World Cup, his fifth and final one after announcing he will retire from One Day Internationals. The former captain will act as vice-captain to Jason Holder this year.

Individually, Gayle holds the record for the most sixes in one tournament (26 from 6 innings at the 2015 World Cup), as well as overall (37). He also recorded 16 sixes against Zimbabwe, which saw the Windies victorious by 73 runs in their Pool B game at the same tournament. In the same game, Gayle recorded 215 runs from 138 balls to take the record for the fastest double century.

As a pairing, Gayle and teammate Marlon Samuels hold the record for the highest partnership – with the duo scoring 372 runs in that demolition of Zimbabwe in the 2015 World Cup.

There’s no doubt his experience will help a young West Indies side this year and it would be great to see him add to his records.

Bowling

Glenn McGrath (Australia)

Glenn McGrath won Man of the Tournament at the 2007 World Cup, when he contributed to Australia’s success, taking 26 wickets to aid the Aussies to their fourth title.

He’s rightly considered one of the greatest bowlers in cricketing history and the records don’t lie. Participating in four World Cups during 1996 and 2007, he took a record 71 wickets and also boasts the lowest average of just 18.19 runs for every wicket taken.

In the 2003 World Cup, he famously took 7 wickets when a poor Namibia side could only amass 45 runs all-out and Australia were victorious by 256 runs. During those 7 wickets, McGrath only conceded 15 runs, setting a record that doesn’t look likely to ever be beaten.

Team

Australia

As a nation, there’s little doubting Australia’s ability as a cricketing force – they’ve won the most titles, with five. But they are the one and only nation to date to win three successive tournaments (achieving the feat between 1999 and 2007).

At the last World Cup, their score against Afghanistan, 417-for-6 was the highest there’s ever been. While it’s quite clear they lead the way as a nation, with the highest win percentage (75%, with 62 wins from 84 matches), they’ve played in every World Cup since its inauguration in 1975 and further to their successes, the Aussies have been runners-up twice and made one quarter-final.

Can they add to their tally, or even go all the way and win the World Cup for a record

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