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Dance Drama In city to promote the dance reality show Aajaa Mahi Vay, Shweta Tiwari, Vineet Singh and participants talk to Ashima Sehajpal and Manpriya Khurana about the show… Been there, done that An actor in a saas-bahu saga, participant of a reality show and now a judge of a dance show; Shweta Tewari, aka Prerna of Kasauti Zindagi Kay has done it all. But of all the experience she’s had, she feels her recent profile of a judge is the most challenging one. "As a judge you have a huge responsibility on your shoulder. Careers and aspirations of people depend on your decision. Every time, reasons have to be justified for deducting marks which is just not as simple as it seems to be", avers Shweta. So how does she rate herself as a judge? She answers, "We often hear judges say, something was missing in the performance that made them give a participant less marks, but that ‘something missing’ is rarely specified and I make it a point to reason out things really well." All praises for the reality show, she believes that the show will make couples realise the weaknesses in their relationship. "Often we come across situations where we have to tell the couple that one is better dancer than the other. A couple’s love and bonding comes to the fore, when both of them make effort to master a dance step and results are pleasing." With no dancing background, Shewta made it a point to do her homework before playing the judge on the dance show. "I always knew people would question my credentials as a judge, so before taking up the job I did my homework by reading a lot of books on dance and watched an umpteen number of dance CD’s." After gaining popularity among audience for her character Prerna, she is positive about playing any other character on television with much ease. "I am an actor and its my job to adapt to any character, so getting typecast is out of question." Having grown as an actor, she credits her maturity to the hectic television schedule, "Television has taught me a lot. Today I am a trained actor and can give perfect shots in the first take and cram scripts just after a read, so getting into a character is not a big deal." And all that this actor wants to do now is, experiment.
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Guru mantra
Deepika Gupta, a final year student learnt the basics of yoga by attending yoga classes but now prefers doing the same watching CDs. She does not need to take any special classes now, with television providing the requisite information. On how her choice is better than learning the nuances from a yoga guru, she opines, "After experimenting with both the means, I realised that it is the individual and not the means of learning yoga that makes a difference." Deepmala Mishra, a student of BCA also have mastered yoga by watching CDs, the latest one being Shilpa Shetty’s. "Such videos give you a lot of liberty in terms of time," she says. Besides the Bigg Boss babe, an audio record of yoga in Hema Malini’s voice, Bollywood hunk John Abraham’s fitness CD for men are quite popular among youngsters. Ditto for women and the creditgoes to Bipasha Basu, who is being seen giving tips on fitness to women. "John and Bipasha ‘s CD hit the market before Shilpa’s but then it was she who set the trend. Even four months after the release of the CD, the demand hasn’t dropped," adds Sri Niwas Tiwari, manager Music World.
CD ka side effect We also enquired from Anil Juneja, yoga guru about the consequences of learning yoga from CDs and he gave us his honest opinion. “Every person has a different metabolism rate and it can be risky if one follows the usual regime without considering whether that would suit his body type or not. For basic fitness tips, the CD’s do provide useful information but then, they can cause side effects as well.”
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Step
out Do bungee jumping and become a human yo-yo high up in the air
Travel, accommodation, food and local transport is far cheaper in Nepal than in Southeast Asia – the next most accessible adventure destination for those of us living in the Indian subcontinent. As Indians we also benefit from Nepal’s policy of having SAARC rates for citizens of countries that are members of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation. A large number of travellers from Europe, Britain and the US will be doing the jump along with you, but you will pay less than them! The jump is offered at an adventure resort called The Last Resort about three hours’ drive from Kathmandu. You can make a day trip in which you are driven to the resort from Kathmandu, do the jump, have lunch and get dropped back to Kathmandu. Bungee jumping can be done by anyone, provided you don’t have hypertension, heart problems and bone dislocation or fracture. If you have suffered a minor dislocation or fracture, that doesn’t rule you out. Tell the sales office staff about it. They will ask some questions about when and how it happened and then tell you whether it’s safe for you or not.
Once you sign up to do the jump, you are in the hands of the bungee master. Bungee Nepal has an excellent safety record. They make the bungee cord themselves and the bungee master makes the decision on when to retire a cord. The first thing the bungee master does is to weigh you and write your weight on the back of your hand with a marker pen. He has to calculate how much friction he must put on the cord (this is done by passing it round knobs in a box next to the launch pad) to enable it to retain enough elasticity to make you go up and down like a yo-yo ball. The lighter you are, the simpler the calculation. And the lower you are in the order of jumping! As the lightest person in a group of over 30 persons, I was the last to jump!
You will be strapped into a leg harness attached to the bungy cord and the bungee master will take you onto the launch pad. He will make you stand with exactly half your feet jutting out over the edge. He will raise your left arm and point out the scenery on your left, he will raise your right arm and tell you to wave to the others who are sitting in the observation area on the right; then he will raise your chin and ask you to look at the distant mountains. And then he will do a countdown of five and say that magic word, ‘Jump!’ Remember that no one is ever pushed off. You jump of your own free will and, if you do feel you cannot do it, you can withdraw at any stage. Conquer your fear!
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No time for kids
There’s no time for a baby right now.” However, the stunner added she would love to have kids in future. “I would love to one day, but for right now it wouldn’t be right to have a kid because I don’t have the time,” the Mirror quoted her, as telling. “My schedule is so crazy, I am going to London next month for a couple of weeks to do my BFF show in London, so I have a lot of work cut out for me.” Paris was out at a party in Hollywood’s glitzy Roosevelt Hotel for US fashion magazine Nylon. Meanwhile, Paris Hilton’s My New BFF, a reality show in which she tries to find a ‘new best friend forever’ in London, starts on MTV at the end of September.
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Mum Victoria threw a costume party with birthday boy Romeo, who turned six, in batman outfit, and Cruz dressed as power ranger at Universal Studios, reports The Sun. Fellow Spice Girl Geri Halliwell, 36, also attended the birthday bash with two-year-old daughter Bluebell. Supermodel Klum joined in with daughter Leni. Gwen Stefani’s husband Gavin Rossdale turned up with his son Kingston, but again left it to the kids to dress up.
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Tom Cruise seals the ‘killer’ deal
The signing of the contract with UA for the big-screen adaptation was revealed by Preston and Italo journo Mario Spezi to Corriere della Sera. The movie will be based on their reconstruction of eight grisly double homicides, believed to have been committed single-handedly between 1968 and 1985 in and around the Italian Renaissance gem. “It’s the biggest movie deal in my life,” Variety magazine quoted Preston as telling the leading Italo daily in a front-page story. — ANI
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Out of the box Beauty is all about breaking the stereotypes I WISH I was tall, if only I had long hair, tall dark and handsome (TDH) men are perfect. Enough! It's time we broke the stereotypes and value what we have. There are umpteen examples to prove that theoretical images of beauty are just illusions. Yesteryears superstar Smita Patil was once rejected because she was dark. Rekha, was shown the door because she didn't fit into the stereotype. Bipasha Basu is not traditionally beautiful, yet she is Asia's sexiest woman. Healthy or fat, short and dark is actually beautiful. We tell you the how and why? Thin or malnourished? PLEASE stop hankering over that reed thin figure. It's nothing more than distorted concept of beauty. Healthy, curvy and voluptuous is how a woman should be. As Arvind Singh, a software engineer, says, "I don't think that ultra-thin women look attractive. It's the Drew Barrymore look that appeals." Fair is boring WHY are we obsessed with fair skin? Umpteen number of fairness creams and lotions are a testimony to the fact. Huh? It is almost impossible to look sexy without the dusky complexion. Queen Sheeba, Nephrodite and Cleopatra were included in the list black and beautiful. As Antara Mitra, a contestant of Junoon puts it, "In India 70 per cent of the people have dusky complexion but still we go for fairness. I have seen most of the international beauties deliberately going for tan treatments." Cute, not short IT'S actually pretty and petite. And not short. Who wants to look like a lamp post when one can be called cute and cuddly? But still it's not uncommon to find people taking to steroids and substances or even wearing pencil heels and standing on toes all day long to gain those extra inches. Right from our very own Divya Dutta to the international diva Kylie Minogue. These women barely stand a few inches above five, and they turn heads more than anyone we know of. In fact the girl of Kareena Kareena fame, Kulraj Randhawa, says, "Beauty is not about physical appearance. It's in your mind. You need to start love yourself and that's more important." M & B effect ABOUT men, this one is the mother of stereotypes. Reinforced time and gain by not just Mills and Boons but all the teenage classic, the image of tall, dark and handsome men. If dark in men is so valued then why so many fairness creams for men? Haven't we seen short men cruising their way through women's heart with their wit and charm? Tom Cruise is neither tall nor dark. Professions deceive! WHICH woman has not fancied the larger than life image of men in uniform? Masculine, dashing and glamorous professions like merchant navy and flying. But the flipside of being with these men would do you well. As Neelima Malhotra, a medical student puts in "Majority of these uniformed charmers are notorious for their skirt chasing characteristics." So which girl would want to go through the insecurity of being with too handsome a man all her life? Rapunzel craze THE ONE reinforced by all daadis and nanis, the concept of 'long is beautiful' applies here too. Long hair is actually unmanageable, does not look sleek and requires all the time in the world for maintenance. As Sheena Singh, an arts student says, "Short hair chic and easy to manage." So, next time you wish for something bookish that does not even hold true in the three dimensional world, just think twice and wish for something worthwhile. What about having a magic wand or Aladdin's lamp?
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Live(r) fit Prof Y. K. Chawla, head of Hepatology Department, PGI, on liver diseases Alcohol has become the underlying cause for serious liver disease like alcoholic hepatitis and cirrhosis for those habitual drinkers. Alcohol is the main cause for liver damage not only in adults but also in youngsters and women too. If a person crosses the permissible limit, after about 10 to 15 years, his/her liver gets affected. Loss of appetite overtly jaundiced with yellow eyes, vomiting, withdrawal symptoms and swelling in different parts of the body, which are indicative of alcoholic hepatitis. In case a person does not give up liquor completely, alcoholic hepatitis develops into cirrhosis. Sign of liver damage Liver damage is not really visible till the time the damage is permanent. So, keep a tab on the amount of alcohol that you consume every week or month and if the result is worrying, visit a doctor. If you don't, it will lead to permanent liver damage. Age group that gets affected Those who get hooked to liquor at an early age (13-14 years) do not realise the damage they are causing to their health and it is only by the time they approach 40, the symptoms of the disease start appearing. It is mostly people in the age group of 40 to 50, who are affected with liver diseases due to alcohol. How to prevent Unlike other organs, the liver has the ability to regenerate after suffering damage. Unless you are suffering from something as serious as cirrhosis (a chronic liver disease), going off alcohol will make your liver get back in its healthy form. So, if you abstain from alcohol for two years, your liver will almost repair itself.
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As summer ends and the long nights draw in, many people returning home from work have nothing to look forward to, but a Seasonal affective disorder (SAD). Now scientists have identified changes in the brain that occur with the seasons, which could explain the origins of the disorder and the mood fluctuations to which it gives rise. Brain scans taken at different times of year have revealed variations in the concentration of a protein responsible for transporting the brain chemical serotonin between cells. They show that serotonin levels are higher in spring and summer and lower in autumn and winter. When the findings were compared with meteorological data, they found the levels were lowest on days when there was least sunlight. The findings, published in Archives of General Psychiatry, confirm that sunshine equals happiness. People who live in sunnier climes are more outgoing and optimistic than their northern cousins. The more northerly the latitude the greater the unhappiness. SAD is said to be unknown in people living within 30 degrees of the equator. Brain scans of 88 individuals taken over a period of four years showed the levels of the protein transporter varied according to the time of year. "The higher the binding potential value, the less serotonin circulates in the brain. Higher values in winter may explain ... symptoms such as lack of energy, fatigue, over-eating and increased duration of sleep," the researchers write. These findings have important implications for understanding seasonal mood changes in healthy individuals. — ANI
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Fit ‘n’ fine Sachin Kalra Contrary to popular belief, fitness is not about being thin, having a small waist and bulging muscles. It is a combination of various elements that enable us to live a healthy life. And when we talk of fitness, it involves workout of the complete body and mind. And if you want to be fit, work on these areas of physical fitness. Cardiovascular fitness A good cardiovascular fitness helps you to keep fit, as it helps with fat metabolism, improved delivery of oxygen, faster removal of waste products and decreased levels of stress. To achieve fitness, try to exercise for at least 30 minutes a day for 5 days a week. Brisk walking is one kind of moderate activity. You can also perform vigorous exercise like running, for at least 20 minutes a day for 3 days a week or more. Muscular strength Strength is defined as the ability of a muscle to exert force to overcome resistance. Of all the components of physical fitness, muscular strength is directly related to the amount and type of exercise that the body undergoes. Weight training or strength training are the only methods of increasing muscle mass and one should strive for a minimum of three, 20-minute sessions per week to increase muscle strength. Muscular endurance
Flexibility Often thought to be less important than strength, or cardiovascular fitness, flexibility is defined as the ability of joints to move through a full range of motion and the ability of muscles to relax, stretch and lengthen. Good flexibility is important to balance muscular strength and prevent stiffness and soreness. Stretching can be done as part of strength training and aerobic exercise, as when you exercise, you repeatedly shorten your muscles. To counter this effect, you need to stretch slowly and regularly, which makes you more flexible. Perform stretches for all of the muscles and remember to relax and stretch slowly, holding each stretch for at least 30 seconds. Body composition This fitness component is the ratio of lean body mass to fat. Lean body mass represents the weight of water, muscle, bone and internal organs whereas body fat represents the remaining fat tissue and is expressed as a percentage of total body weight. Body composition can be measured through the Body Mass Index or BMI. Recommended body fat percentage for men is 13-18 percent and for women is 19-24 percent. To reduce your body fat, exercise regularly (as outlined above) and follow a healthy diet that is low in calories, added fat and added sugar. Stability and balance Balance and stability are two components of fitness that are generally overlooked in many fitness plans. Stability and balance are associated with your body’s core muscle strength — the muscles in your lower back, pelvis, hips and abdomen. These core muscles provide the support system for almost any activity or motion your body makes. So whether you create your own fitness-training plan or work with a personal trainer, make above-mentioned plans a part of your overall exercise regime and they can help you live a longer and healthier life. (The writer can be contacted at kalrasachin@hotmail.com)
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Meet
the couples of Aajaa Mahi Vay, from our very own city
beautiful, Tahira Bhasin and Jashanpreet Singh. A show where real
life couples play reel life couples. We catch up with yet another
jodi, Maanika Dhanda and Manit Joura, who have a city connection as
well. Says Maanika, "I was born in Chandigarh, brought up in
Ludhiana and I can speak fluent Punjabi." As for, Manit Joura,
his grandparents stay in the city.
All
credit to Baba Ramdev and his lissome figured star student, Shilpa Shetty
for transcending the definition of yoga from a fitness mantra to a fad.
Shilpa’s perfect assanas and pranayams in her CD made the
hottie, popular yoga guru of many viewers. The CD was certainly a big hit
and so is the concept of mastering the art of yoga or other fitness fundas
through visual and audio mediums.
Loveleen
Saini, a student of bio technology has her reason. "I always had a
hitch while trying out different assanas in a class of so many students. I
didn’t feel comfortable and was not even able to do the exercises in the
required manner and felt CD’s would serve the purpose.
This
time I am going to share with you my experience of doing the fourth
highest bungee jump in the world. If you want to do it too, just travel
next door to Nepal.
The
jump is done from a steel suspension bridge 160 metres above the Bhote
Kosi river. It is intimidating because of the height and because of the
raging water and the boulders. But it is also said to be one of the
world’s most scenic bungee jumps – because of the greenery of the
gorge, the river and the mountains on the horizon.
Paris Hilton has rubbished rumours that she’s pregnant with boyfriend Benji Madden’s child, insisting that she’s too busy to start a family. While chatting with a top Los Angeles-based showbiz website Hollyscoop, the socialite said: “You know right now I’m just focusing on my business. A lot of traveling around the world.
David and Victoria Beckham’s son Romeo celebrated his birthday in a super hero style dressed as batman, with the guest list including the likes of Heidi Klum, Geri
Halliwell.
American actor, director Tom Cruise and film studio United Artists have been able to obtain the rights to the serial-killer thriller The Monster of Florence. Cruise himself will possibly star and produce the movie, revealed the author of the bestseller, Douglas Preston.
Muscular endurance, unlike
strength, is the ability of a muscle to make and sustain repeated
contractions over a period of time. To improve muscular endurance try to
perform at least three, 30-minute sessions each week that include
exercises such as calisthenics, pushups, sit-ups, pull-ups, and weight
training for all the major muscle groups.