Athena Atalanta

After a long spell of rain
It's magical outside
As if the fairies haunt
Places not yet dried.
The tables sparkle magically
Against the shimmering sun, they shine.
The fairies make them shine for me
And the magic is all mine,
Mine alone, as noone else
Can see my secret shrine.
The fairies trust in me alone-
The magic is all mine.

source: Poemhunter

A Typical Beach

The sky is a splendour of azure
beside the wispy, waspy clouds
White and curling gently
on the breeze...

The sand is a honey-gold yellow
which sparkles in the sun
Waiting, beckoning brightly
around the trees...

The trees are a glory of moisture
even when it's dry
Green, wide leafed and healthy
in the shade...

The birds are calling shrewdly
and the howling cry
Makes no little child
even slightly afraid...

The sea is an inky turquoise
armed with salty waves
Always moving, never stopping
even at night...

The sun is a dot in the distance
creating light and heat
Showing the beach who brings the people-
the sun so bright!



source: poemhunter

Beginner's Guide to Martial Arts Supplies and Uniforms

Martial arts supplies and uniforms are available in various sizes, styles, and brand names. If you're new to martial arts, you should be especially careful when choosing a uniform because everyone's body shape, height, and figure are unique. Be sure to buy the type of uniform that will fit you comfortably and provide the flexibility you need during training and workouts. This beginner's guide will help you find the uniform and martial arts supplies that are right for you.

Martial Arts School Requirements

Before buying a uniform or other martial arts supplies, find out what your school, or dojo, requires. The traditional color for karate uniforms is white with white, black, or brown belt colors; however, some schools require specific colors or special patches that distinguish their school from others. Some dojos might limit you to only one particular uniform color while others might offer a variety of choices. It really depends on the school.

Also, become familiar with uniform terminology so you'll know which style to buy. There are varying styles for different types of martial arts. Karate uniforms are called "karategi" or "karate gi." Judo uniforms are called "judogi." There are also specific uniforms for taekwondo or jujutsu. Uniforms worn by practitioners are often called "dobok." You can use the terminology related to your particular martial arts interests to search for uniforms or martial arts supplies online.

Sizing Your Martial Arts Uniform

Your uniform size should correspond with your height, but his may vary from one brand name to the next. It's a good idea to know your height and even the measurements of your hips, arms, waist, and legs before you start shopping. If shopping online, some stores might offer measurement and size charts for martial arts supplies and uniforms. If purchasing a uniform made of 100 percent cotton, be sure to buy pre-shrunk material or buy a slightly bigger size in case the material shrinks in the wash.

uality vs. Weight of Material

Martial arts uniforms are available in a variety of materials and styles, but not all are equal. Uniforms made of 100 percent cotton are the most popular choice for two reasons: cotton breathes and it absorbs sweat. Polyester/cotton blends do not absorb sweat that well, but are usually less expensive. If you're concerned that a cotton uniform will wrinkle too easily, don't worry. During practice, the wrinkles will usually work their way out anyway!

Another feature to consider is the weight of the material. Uniforms come in lightweight, medium, or heavyweight fabrics. Read the weight of the uniform on the packaging or tag, as described in ounces. Heavier materials are usually priced higher, but beware of manufacturers' labels that claim "heavyweight" material when it really weighs the same as another brand that's lower in price.

Lightweight uniforms, which are the least expensive, usually weigh about 6 ounces, and work great for beginners who aren't sure if they're going to stick with martial arts classes. Medium uniforms weigh around 10 ounces and work great as far as absorbing sweat and providing flexibility. Heavyweight uniforms weigh about 14 ounces and are also called "Master karate uniforms."

Article Source: EZINEPRIME - FREE WEB CONTENT and ARTICLES

The TouchStone

Author: superadmin | Filed under: Inspirational, Inspirational Stories

When the great library of Alexandria burned, the story goes, one book was saved. But it was not a valuable book; and so a poor man, who could read a little, bought it for a few coppers.
The book wasn’t very interesting, but between its pages there was something very interesting indeed. It was a thin strip of vellum on which was written the secret of the “Touchstone”!

The touchstone was a small pebble that could turn any common metal into pure gold. The writing explained that it was lying among thousands and thousands of other pebbles that looked exactly like it. But the secret was this: The real stone would feel warm, while ordinary pebbles are cold.

So the man sold his few belongings, bought some simple supplies, camped on the seashore, and began testing pebbles.

He knew that if he picked up ordinary pebbles and threw them down again because they were cold, he might pick up the same pebble hundreds of times. So, when he felt one that was cold, he threw it into the sea. He spent a whole day doing this but none of them was the touchstone. Yet he went on and on this way. Pick up a pebble. Cold - throw it into the sea. Pick up another. Throw it into the sea.

The days stretched into weeks and the weeks into months. One day, however, about midafternoon, he picked up a pebble and it was warm. He unknowingly threw it into the sea before he realized what he had done. He had formed such a strong habit of throwing each pebble into the sea that when the one he wanted came along, he still threw it away.

So it is with opportunity. Unless we are vigilant, it’s asy to fail to recognize an opportunity when it is in hand and it’s just as easy to throw it away.

source: iFeelOkay

Six Tips Guaranteed To Improve Your Tennis Game

Tennis puts stress and strain on your body. Tennis puts stress and strain on your nerves as well when you try to master it. Tennis can be difficult to master when you don't practice or you can't afford to join a pricey tennis club. Taking private tennis lessons can be very costly. Plus, it may feel like you spend most of your lessons retrieving tennis balls rather than hitting them. Despite these set backs, your tennis game can improve if you follow these six tips.

Buy a graphite racquet. If you don't want to spend any money on a new racquet and think that your parents' old wooden relics are just fine, think again. A wooden racquet simply cannot generate the power of the newer graphite models so you will be constantly underpowered when using one. Plus, the head on the newer racquets are much larger so it makes hitting the ball that much easier. Besides, there are graphite racquets out there starting around $20 that are fine for getting started.

Hit against a board. While these are getting hard to find, there are tennis courts that have a board set up against the fence. Before thinking about playing a match, try hitting against the board to improve your accuracy. Once you can hit 8-10 balls without missing, you are ready to start playing some matches with real people.

Keep moving. Tennis is not baseball. Tennis is a sport that demands constant movement in order to succeed. You have to move towards that ball the moment you know where it is heading. Being out of position is a common mistake for beginners so improve your chances for success by always moving. Once you hit a shot, move back towards the center of the court behind the baseline. Don't wait for the next shot ... move!

What about my tennis strokes? There is a constant debate over a one-handed versus two-handed backhand. Use the one-handed backhand because it takes less time to be in the proper position for this shot. Plus, you will have a wider variety of angles and less prone to having the ball fly into you while you are preparing for the shot.

Article Source: EZINEPRIME - FREE WEB CONTENT and ARTICLES