Living as they do in a conservative, Muslim-dominated society where pre-marital sex is a religious taboo, many Pakistani women are going under the knife for hymen reconstruction surgeries to regain their lost virginity before marriage.

Just look up advertisements in English newspapers or websites or the walls of shops on busy street corners in cities like Lahore, Karachi and Islamabad, offering women a chance to shroud their past with a recreated hymen - and you’ll know.

For instance, the website www.hopepk.com. offers help for a number of sexual diseases, and vaginoplasty and hymen repair are at the top. Post an online inquiry or call up 0092-3234195732 - a cell phone number with the Pakistani ISD code and 323 refers to Warid Telecom phone service.

The address of the hospital where the operation will be performed is divulged only when the customer is given a date. The website says it has two doctors - Sarfaraz Ahmed, a graduate of King Edward Medical College, Lahore, and Yasmin Sarfaraz, a gynaecologist and a member of Royal College Ob/Gyn London, who performs hymenoplasty.

“The result is an immediate decrease in the size of vaginal muscles, resulting in more friction during intercourse,” claims the website.

Classified as cosmetic surgery, hymenoplasty was exported from Britain to Pakistan, where many women have been divorced instantly for not conforming to the notion of the blushing, untouched spouse.

Re-virgination, as the process is also known, is performed at $500, or Pakistani Rs.40,000, and is usually resorted to by upper class women in cities.

Doctor Syed Rizwanul Haq says he runs www.noorclinic.com that has loads of content on sex and related problems available in Hindi and Urdu. Among other things, it offers e-books on sex.

Then there is the Nasim Fertility Clinic in the middle-class locality of Johar Town in Lahore.

When a journalist seeking to gather details about the surgery called its owner Farooq Nasim, the doctor first refused to have even heard of hymenoplasty. But then the journalist took help from a woman colleague, Nida (name changed), to help him breach Nasim’s wall of caution.

Nida after fixing up the appointment walked into the clinic. “We charge only Rs.40,000; abroad, the operation costs $2,000 or more,” the doctor told Nida.

Image credit: AP

It is not necessary even to register names. And such benevolence helps pull in customers. Nasim claims to have restored 300 hymens in the last two years.

Likewise when Nida called Javed of the www.noorclinic.com, he asked her to meet him at the Bio-Test Clinic, 681-Shadman I, Lahore.

After undergoing stringent security and identity checks, she was taken to his office. He was candid. “We have to be cautious because ours is a conservative society. I don’t think the maulvis (clerics) have any inkling about this phenomenon; otherwise they would have kicked up a ruckus.”

He said he had performed hymenoplasty on 100 girls in the last two years; the number being relatively less because he advertises only on the website.

Image credit: AP

Source: IANS

Flat abs tops the list of most of our New Year resolutions. And with the entire celebdom going the bikini and the underwear way, we bring you the top ten ways you can work your way into flat abs.

1. It’s not just about the abs…
People have this misconception that the best way to strengthen their abs is to drop to the floor and do a thousand crunches. When it comes to abdominal strength, you shouldn’t train the body in isolation. Core strengthening and Pilates is a good option because the focus is the core. It doesn’t just work the abs in isolation; you’re also using your arms and legs, back muscles, and glutes.

2. Go the cardiovascular way:
Start with a warm up of 5 to 10 minutes, then proceed to your fat burning zone for minimum 20 minutes, 5 minutes cool down. Weave this in 3 times a week.

3. Weight training burns calories:
Weight training aids in burning calories. If you want to do cardio and weight lifting together, 20 minutes of cardio work out is good enough. Three times a week for weight lifting is ideal to keep muscles working to maximum capacity without soreness and fatigue. As a rule of thumb, 48 hours should elapse between sessions.

4. Work your way into eating right:

A common mistake that most of make is that we do not balance our exercise regime with our diet. We indulge in over eating with the thought that it would get burnt when we exercise. Reports tell us that its 80% diet control and the rest is proper exercise, getting sufficient sleep and managing your stress. Eat every three hours and incorporate some lean protein and complex carbohydrates in your diet. Incorporate ‘good fats’ into your diet.  Watch your portion sizes. Chew your food thoroughly to allow maximum absorption of the nutrients and to allow your body to feel satiety. Avoid distractions while you are eating. When you eat, pay attention to what you are putting into your mouth. Feel every sensation, be aware of the textures of the food, smell the aroma and be thankful and have gratitude when you eat. You will find you enjoy your meals more and eat a lot less!

5. Exercise Intensity:
According to new research studies, interval-type training has a prolonged fat burning effect and thus results in easy six pack abs.

6.  Good Posture:
Poor posture is a big problem, So it is always recommended to stand up straight. With your shoulders back and chest up, the abs will put themselves in. So you should have a good posture. For better posture while standing, align your ears over your shoulders, shoulders over hips, hips over knees, and knees over ankles. Keep the front of the shoulders open like a shirt on a hanger, instead of a shirt on a peg. Draw your navel to your spine and keep your weight even on the balls of your feet and heels. And try to work on your posture when you are in the move.

7. Tank up on the water:
There is no fixed rule that you should drink “This Amount” of water. Always stay hydrated. Drink 8-10 glasses of water and more when you exercise. This will regulate fat burning and body metabolic process too.

8. Set Realistic Expectations:
You cannot expect to have an six pack or bikini abs over night. Set realisitc expectations.  And your genes are play a role in your body shape, for better or for worse. Learn to push your body, but push it to realistic expectations.

9. Get enough sleep:
Get seven to eight hours of sleep every night. Sleep is a very important quotient of your weight loss programme. In addition to repairing your muscular system and rejuvenating the body, sufficient sleep decreases the stress hormone, cortisol. 

10. Add Variety To Your Workout:
Do remember that you can meet your fitness goals even without going to a gym. Take a walk at nearby park. Stand straight in a cocktail party and exhale to draw the navel to the spine. Or in a mood to go kickboxing or swimming! Learn a new workout to keep your mind agile.

Not many couples are able to act out their sexual fantasies even if they are pro in the sack. The problem-How to share your wild thoughts? What would your partner think about you? How would he/she react? Will they comply or not?

Such questions and many others flood the minds of many sexually active adults who want to explore their wildest of sexual dreams, reports Fox News.

While sharing lewd, obscene, or sensuous scenes with your partner can pose to be a big problem, it also has an upside- not only can you divulge your sexual desires but could even get a sneak peek into your lover’s libidinous thoughts as well.

So if you want to spice things up by sharing it all, sex and relationship expert Dr. Yvonne Kristin Fulbright’s guide will prove a saviour for you.

And she says that before taking the plunge and share, you should first ask yourself the following questions: 

1. What’s my motivation?

Why do you want to share this fantasy? What turns you on about sharing? Do you hope the sharing can be a form of foreplay or something more? Are you hoping that your fantasy will be fulfilled? Will it be advantageous to your relationship to share, revving up sex for the both of you?

2. Will sharing diffuse my own pleasuring?

Many lovers like to have a few tricks up their sleeves in bed, and their private fantasies are often what makes or breaks the sexual moment. Whether it’s getting through a sex act or working your way to orgasm, will sharing take away from how your fantasy benefits you now? Will you be able to enjoy having the cat out of the bag?

3. Am I in the right kind of relationship for sharing?

Not every relationship can weather such intimate sharing. You need to be in a secure, trusting relationship. Your sexual union should be able to provide you with the support and safety needed to get over any nervousness and anxiety, and to field any reactions. Lovers need to make each other feel accepted and emotionally safe. This includes being able to refuse a request to act out a fantasy without putting the other down.

4. Can my partner handle my fantasies?

Some lovers can’t handle hearing about certain sex acts, especially if they involve “who” you”re fantasizing about. Partners who are sex negative or uncomfortable with sexual intimacy in general are not going to be the best candidates for such sharing. So consider what your lover may be open to and which types of fantasies may cause more harm than good.

5. Am I ready to hear my partner’s fantasies?

Lovers tend to expect reciprocity when sharing fantasies. It’s usually not a one-way street, so you have to consider how you might react to your partner’s fantasies. Can you go there? How can you provide the same safety you’re hoping for?

After the self-questioning comes the sharing part, so think long and hard about when to open up. And don’t expose a fantasy after a hot romp, for it may not be received as well as one meant to arouse desire.

Let your partner know that you want to share something and explain your reasons for wanting to share.

Finally, remind your lover that your relationship means more than any fantasy. Your partner should not feel undesirable at all.

Source: ANI

There are hundreds of fad diets and weight-loss programmes that promise quick and easy weight loss, but in most cases, the weight lost comes back. “The basic foundation of every successful weight-loss programme still remains a healthy diet combined with exercise. You have to change your lifestyle to lose weight and then keep it off,” says nutritionist Ishi Khosla.

Some sustainable ways to lose weight and keep it off is eating a wide variety of nutritionally dense foods and following the five basic principles of healthy eating.

1. Know when to stop eating

Inactive men need about 1,800 calories and women up to 1,600 calories a day. Eating 300 to 400 fewer calories a day will help you shed 2 kg in a month, but to ensure you don’t have deficiencies, opt for nutritious foods that are low in calories, such as vegetables and wholegrains and legumes.

2. Get moving now

There is no getting away from it. Do at least 45 minutes of exercise at least five times a week. “It’s a myth that exercise makes you hungry and you end up eating more and putting on weight. In fact, exercise pushes up the basal metabolic rate and makes you burn up more calories through the day, even when you are not exercising,” says Dr Parmeet Kaur, chief of dietetics, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS).

3. Don’t fall for fad diets

Fad diets don’t work for long as they usually exclude certain types of foods, or at times, entire food groups. “Fad diets are not balanced and deprive people of important nutrients, creating a nutritional gap. They are also difficult to follow and cause people to give up and gain weight again,” says Khosla.

4. Cut back on fat and sugar

The best way to keep weight off is to make small dietary changes, such as avoiding — but not totally giving up — fried foods and desserts, that often contain more calories than the rest of the meal without the nutrition. Replace desserts with plenty of vegetables, fruits, and legumes; eat small, single servings of foods high in fat or calories; choose low-fat or double-toned milk products and reduced fat cheeses; ration edible oils and have a mix of them; choose roasting or steam foods as a cooking option; avoid sugary drinks, including sweetened fruit juices; and avoid alcohol. “People end up drinking a lot of calories, so it is important to keep track of what you are drinking too,” says Khosla.

Most packaged food labels list the amount of nutrients and calories the food gives you, so do read up. “But don’t follow labels blindly, as sugar-free may have fructose, which is worse with insulin resistance than glucose,” says Khosla.

5. Avoid diet pills

Diet pills available over the counter do not make a big difference to how much you lose or how long you can keep the weight off. However safe they may claim to be, never have them without prescription. “Diet pills are needed only for the morbidly obese or those who have hormonal imbalances and should never be had without prescription as they can cause side effects, such as high blood pressure, even in healthy people,” warns Khosla

How do you go about getting that flat tummy - or even that six pack? Well, the abs are probably the hardest part of your body to get into shape. There are people who seem to spend most of their lives working out. What they get is an impressively large chest, bulging biceps and muscle rippled legs. But they still have that little paunch. Well, you need a two-pronged attack to deal with your abs. Remember whatever you eat tends to go on your tummy. So, if you are walloping down 3,000 calories a day you are going to need to burn them and some more to get a fit body. Junk food and alcohol and other fizzy drinks tend to lie on your stomach area and are very hard to shift. So, watch your diet which is cardinal rule number one.

Get rid of the fat

You could get a six-pack SRK would be proud of but if it’s hiding under a layer of fat there’s little point in having it at all. We suggests shedding any excess pounds by incorporating plenty of cardio vascular exercise such as running, swimming or cycling into your workout so that everyone can see the results of your good work.

Sit up straight

Remember the endless times your mum nagged you to sit up straight. Well, she did it for a good reason. When you sit up straight, it helps prevent your stomach muscles from getting lazy and flabby. Try holding your stomach flat while sitting at your desk during the day to give your waist a real workout without sweating it out at the gym. Sitting on a swiss ball is also a great way to tone up the stomach with minimal effort as you have to use the muscles to keep your balance.

Crunch it

To get that defined line of muscle running down either side of your stomach you need to work your Rectus Abdominis muscle. Perform your repetitions of the crunch which involves laying on your back and using your stomach muscles to bring your knees up to touch your elbows.

Tone up your obliques

A hint of a muffin top is all it takes to ruin a perfect outfit. Work on your obliques - the muscles which run down your sides toned up by doing as many cycle twists as you can manage. Simply lay on your back with your elbows bent so your hands are touching either side of your head and twist and lean forward while simultaneously lifting alternative keens so the knee and opposite elbow touch

Attention to your diet

Try to increase your metabolic rate. Eat more regular during the day. Eat six to eight times a day but small meals! This gives you energy and stops the big reload of junk food when hungry. Eat at least two hours before bed. Food dos not sit well in your stomach at night. Because your body is inactive there is no way for your food your have eaten to be burned off, and that food may be turned into fat

Kundalini means kund (depth) and alini(awakening/energy). It translates into the vast resource of energy within all of us, lying deep inside, waiting to be awakened. The only thing any layperson would know about Kundalini yoga is the fallacious concept that is meant to awaken the sexual prowess. In this powerful age of branding, it was promoted as such. And in the process, it got shrouded in awe, fear with a cloak of mystery.

Kundalini arousal, particularly partial arousal, is more prevalent than usually imagined. It is a process that is more commonly addressed in occult/esoteric circles than scientific writings; indeed it could be said that medical science shows little appreciation of, nor understanding of, kundalini.

Yoga Guru, Sartak Raje says, “In Sanskrit, Kundalini literally means, `That which is coiled`. This coiled serpent is believed to be lying at the base of our spine and can spring awake when activated by spiritual disciplines. Here, the spiritual discipline being, practicing Kundalini Yoga. A poetic way of describing the word `kundalini` is “the curl of the lock of hair of the beloved”. It is a metaphor describing the flow of energy and consciousness which already exists within individuals.”

Although Kundalini is very much a physical form of yoga, the main benefit is derived from the inner experience. Most popularly known as the `Yoga of awareness`, Kundalini yoga awakens the unlimited potential already existing in all human beings. When this energy is awakened in the body, it gives the individual enhanced intuition and mental clarity and creative potential.

When and where does Kundalini start?

Spontaneous Kundalini arousal whether full or partial is often associated with a history of meditation, yoga or prayer. The energy release begins in the lower part of the body and moves upwards. It often starts in the feet, but many say that it starts with the lower chakra that is located near the perineum. The order and progression of the energy through the chakras varies with each individual.

This internal transfer of energy, which can be extremely powerful, is accompanied by many different feelings, usually new to the recipient and is therefore bewildering or even frightening.

There are many ways to awaken the kundalini, the sexual path is just one of them. The many ways are Hatha yoga, Raja yoga, Bhakti yoga, Gyan yoga and the path of tantra
Kundalini Chakras

A chakra is thought to be an energy node in the human body. The seven main chakras are described as being aligned in an ascending column from the base of the spine to the top of the head. The chakras are thought to encourage the physical body and to be associated with interactions of both a physical and mental nature. They are considered as prana, which is thought to flow among them along pathways called nadis. The seven chakras reflect how the unified consciousness of man is divided to manage different aspects of earthly life.

The power of Kundalini

The power of Kundalini involves two kinds of energy. One which is the air energy, which is referred to as chi, or ki, or prana, and then there`s also the Kundalini Shakti energy or the energy of cosmic consciousness. If the sadhak has his third eye opened, he can actually see the prana particles in the air. There are lots of tiny swirling comets that seem to wink in and out of existence in all the materials around us. These tiny swirling comets are prana particles. The prana or Chi energy needs to be directed and exaggerated by human thought. One can change it, direct it and also alter it.

The power of Kundalini Shakti is very different because the sadhak cannot tell it what to do. The sadhak can only request the Shakti to rouse, but its impossible to control the Shakti energy. The Kundalini Shakti possesses its own intelligence that is infinitely wiser than any human being.

Beneficial or adverse effects.

The kundalini process is usually unrecognized and unexpected, and often results in apprehension, anxiety, panic and fear: “utterly paralyzing waves of panic/anxiety for which there is no obvious cause” as Yoga guru, Sartak Raje puts it.

The traditional attitude is that one should not seek kundalini unless one is “pure”. Certainly it would seem unwise to unleash great energies within the body if they cannot be controlled, and it is always better to guard against tampering with something that is not fully understood. Care must be taken while treading this path, as when shakti climbs up the different chakras, it is in a wild state and it can encounter the demonic aspects of consciousness.

Benefits:

If practiced regularly, Kundalini can strengthen the nervous system, balance the glandular system, and harness the energy of the mind and emotion as well as the body.

Better functioning of your body :Kundalini Yoga, in combination with the right lifestyle changes, will put your digestive, nervous, lymphatic, cardiovascular, glandular and all other systems in proper working order.

Emotional balance: This attribute helps you to be the master of your life and not allow subjective mental states to cloud your ability to make clear decisions and act in accordance with your true values.

Increases sensory awareness:The ability to touch, taste, feel and see with sensitivity, and to put your perceptions into the framework of knowledge you can use.

Enhances intuitive power :The sixth sense is a gift we all posses. Kundalini Yoga works on your higher brain centers, and gives you the nuance to compute the particulars of any situation and to arrive at a set of certainties you can bet on. Stronger intuition also alerts us of dangers and we do not attract negative forces.

Kundalini in the world’s religions

Kundalini as a spiritual experience is thought to have parallels in many of the mystical traditions of the world’s great religions. Many factors point to the universality of the phenomenon. The early Christians might have referred to the concept as ‘pneuma’, and there are some recent parallels in contemporary Christian charismatic ‘Holy Ghost’ phenomena. Religious studies also note parallels in Quakerism, Shakerism, Judaic davening (torso-rocking prayer), the swaying zikr and whirling dervish of Islam, the quivering of Eastern Orthodox hesychast, the flowing movements of tai chi, the ecstatic shamanic dance etc.

There have been many examples of great men whose Kundalini was awakened. Gandhiji and Einstein are two examples.

Source: India Syndicate

What is Pilates?

A form of exercise designed by a German gymnast Joseph Pilates at the beginning of the 20th century during the time of the first World War. These exercises were specifically designed for war veterans, prisoners of war and those injured to regain their fitness.

At the time of its inception, these exercises were collectively called Contrology because they were an involvement of mind over muscle. A focal point for these exercises are the core postural muscles that help in balancing the body by giving support to the spine. They are governed by six principles: centring, concentration, control, precision, breathing, and flow.

The six principles

Centring

The focus is on the central part of the body - between the lower ribs and the pubic bone.

Concentration

When doing these exercises one needs to concentrate to the maximum to attain full benefits.

Control

The exercises involve complete muscular control.

Precision

Accuracy in the form of proper alignment is of utmost importance and has to be maintained throughout the Pilates workout.

Breath

Usage of breath is vital for proper results. It is important that the breathing technique be correct.

Flow

Fluidity of motion is characteristic of Pilates.

Advantages of Pilates

- The exercises can be done by just about anyone. There are exercises tailored to the need of any kind of individual

- The exercises do not involove that many repetitions (reps)

- All parts of the body are involved in an exercise, no part of your body is idle. Because of this all parts of the body get effectively worked.

- The exercises help in toning the body and make it look graceful.

- The exercises help in building flexibility.

- Since the focal point of the exercises is the central part of the body, that is abdomen, back and elbow floor, the chances of straining the neck, arms and legs is less. Pilates is excellent for those who want flat abs.

- Pilates helps improve posture owing to the emphasis on the core muscles of the body.

- Your energy levels are on the rise from the beginning of the exercise regimen.

- Provided your intake of calories is lesser than what you burn off, practice of Pilates is a very effective means of losing weight.

Equipment

Reformer

The most popular of Pilates equipment is the reformer. Designed by Pilates himself, the machinery that comes in metal or wood helps develop good alignment, core strength and stability.

Magic circle

A 13-inch diameter ring also a creation of Pilates is made of flexible metal or rubber and can by used to find out which muscles are being deployed and which muscles aren’t. To a minor extent, the circle is used as a means of providing resistance.

Pilates fitness balls

Unlike the reformers and the magic circles, these fitness balls are not a creation of Joseph Pilates, but nevertheless have become popular in all forms of exercise and not just in Pilates. They are 55-75 cm in diameter. They are great to use to exercise your core muscles by either trying to sit on them or recline on them, and are used in many Pilates exercises.

Toning balls

They are colourful balls and come in various weights and colours and like fitness balls these small ones are also used by many Pilates practitioners for toning muscles.

Exercise bands

There are two kinds - ribbon bands and tube bands - and these are used for stretch and strength exercises.

Foam body rollers

Light rollers that are used as an aid in Pilates exercises that also double up as massagers and are great to relax on.

Pilates trivia

- As a child, Joseph Pilates was always sick and took on the learning of various exercises to improve his health. He also watched the gaits of animals. So perservering was he that he was fully fit by his teen years and posed as a model for anatomical charts.

- Joseph Pilates has authored two books on Pilates - Return to Life through Contrology (written in 1928) and Your Health: A Corrective System of Exercising That Revolutionizes the Entire Field of Physical Education (written in 1934).

- A combination of Pilates and Yoga works great for your body without giving you an overly-muscular look.

- In the early days, Joseph Pilates designed Pilates equipment using old beds and springs.

- Pilates is great for pregnant women.

Famous names who practice Pilates

Madonna, Kate Winslet, Sandra Bullock, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Martina Navratilova, David Beckham, Uma Thurman, Sigourney Weaver, Tiger Woods, Jennifer Aniston, Drew Barrymore, Julia Roberts, Melanie Griffith, Sharon Stone, Jodie Foster, Hillary Swank, Hugh Grant, Gwyneth Paltrow, Susan Sarandon.

Source: India Syndicate