Over the years, I have studied a lot of information about health and fitness. I have generally been skeptical of what I have read about supplements that tout themselves as “miracle” cures for all kinds of different problems.

I have benefited from using the following supplements:

Flaxseed oil – helped me overcome digestive system problems that I was having a number of years ago

Vitamin B-12 – after doing a vast amount of research when I came down with Bell’s palsy, I used very high amounts of Vitamin B-12 to help treat my condition. God granted me a speedy recovery with minimal lasting damage.

Vitamin C + E + Antioxidants – I came across information several years ago that suggested increasing antioxidant intake shortly after hard exercise to decrease the soreness. I have been using this protocol for some time now and have found a dramatic decrease in the soreness that I experience after hard exercise or other strenuous physical activity.

Vitamin D – I read quite extensively about the benefits of increased intake of this vitamin before trying it to help me recover from upper respiratory conditions. I have found increased vitamin D intake to be of great value in dealing with colds, sore throats, etc.

Copyright © 2011-2024 by Rajesh Gandhi. All rights reserved.

I first began weight training in my late teens. Because I wanted to be an ice hockey player, I trained intensely for some time and received some encouraging benefits as a result.

Over the years, I have continued to weight train. I do not remember, however, ever quite attaining fully the same levels of strength that I had in my early 20s.

This year, I have been weight training consistently once or twice a week for much of the year. It has been very encouraging to see my strength levels on many exercises increase.

I praise God that He has given me renewed strength at such a high level that I am now approaching strength levels that I had in my early 20s in some exercises! The added strength has made some of my daily tasks easier, and I hope to add more strength still.

Copyright © 2011-2024 by Rajesh Gandhi. All rights reserved.

I have been using stretching exercises for more than 30 years now. Over those years, I can attest to having benefited greatly from those exercises.

I have used a series of stretching exercises numerous times after long car and plane trips and other activities that have caused stiffness in much of my body. The relief and lessening of fatigue has often been dramatic after taking just 10 or so minutes to stretch out.

I once stepped off a curb unexpectedly because I was not paying attention to what I was doing. Although my back was twisted awkwardly, good flexibility in my hips, back, and trunk saved me from experiencing a potentially serious injury.

Similarly, I have stretched my back out carefully a number of times when it has been sore and received quick and lasting relief.

By regularly stretching my calves a few years ago, I recovered from an injury to my heel that had troubled me for some time.

Through a series of stretching exercises that I have done regularly for many years after hard exercise, I have been able to limit soreness after such activity.

Regular stretching is an inexpensive and highly effective way to better your health. I highly recommend such a program.

Copyright © 2011-2024 by Rajesh Gandhi. All rights reserved.

I was first exposed to techniques of progressive relaxation in a required class for my undergraduate major in Fitness Instruction. Though I tried and tried to learn how to relax my muscles thoroughly, I did not quite become proficient enough in the class to earn an A for the class (I got a B+).

In the more than two decades since I took that class, my ability to relax muscles in various places of my body has increased immensely. Through intensive study and practice, I have acquired valuable proficiency in progressive relaxation that I am confident has helped me to be healthier than I would have been otherwise.

I used to have many colds when I was younger. Many years ago, I got bronchitis, and my doctor said that it would probably take weeks for me to get over the illness. In part through the relaxation techniques that I had learned, I was able to get over that illness in a week or so!

When I took voice lessons a number of years ago, I used what I had learned about relaxing muscles (and some other techniques) to attain a fair amount of ability to relax my jaw and throat muscles. As a result, I was able to improve my singing ability noticeably, especially my range.

Through learning to identify unnecessary tension in my eye muscles, I have seen a fair amount of improvement in my vision over the past couple years. Although my unaided vision is not such that I can do without my glasses completely, I am thankful for being able to do without them for greater periods.

Many years ago, I injured my right shoulder and neck by falling asleep with my right arm extended overhead. Apparently, the injury was caused, ironically, by some muscles relaxing in that position in such a manner that it damaged my shoulder and neck. I had to keep my arm in a sling for a few days after that happened.

I have tried for years to get the muscles in my neck and shoulders to relax properly with the hope that I might yet recover fully from the damage from that injury. Recently, praise God, I have experienced vast improvement in my ability to relax my neck, head, and shoulders, and that improvement has decreased the damage from that injury in a noticeable way!

I suffered a bout of Bell’s palsy a few years ago that caused some minor but lasting damage to the left side of my face, including my left eye. I am certain that the limited lasting damage to my face that I have had resulted in part through my being able to learn to relax muscles in my face that were affected by the palsy.

I thank God that in the past year or so, He has granted me more recovery from some of the damage from the Bell’s palsy by allowing me to relax some affected areas more thoroughly than I have ever been able to before. I hope that there may yet be more healing in the future.

Although learning progressive relaxation techniques is certainly not a cure-all, I can attest to much benefit that I have received from the skills that I have acquired over the years at relaxing many of the muscles of my body. I think that many people would experience similar improvements in their health through their learning and using progressive relaxation techniques.

Copyright © 2011-2024 by Rajesh Gandhi. All rights reserved.