All posts by Sumana Rao

Don't worry about the people in your past; There's a reason they didn't make it to your future.
How to prepare for opportunities that you will get?

How to prepare for opportunities

“The biggest obstacle in our lives are the one that mind creates”

Every opportunity that we get in our one life can take us towards our goal. One opportunity that we get can make a difference between an extraordinary life and mediocre one.

We all get many opportunities life, we miss some and can take some. Sometimes it depends on the circumstances in our life to pick or not to pick an opportunity. Most times we hesitate to take advantage of an opportunity that is staring at us.

What we always don’t think or realize is – we all have one life and if we miss opportunities then we may not get another one. Yes, it is hard to make decisions that can change our lives for better as we don’t know where it takes us. However, if we don’t pick an opportunity we may regret for not taking a decision.

How to prepare to exploit opportunities?

1. Look for an opportunity: Opportunities don’t last forever. When there is one, take steps to make sure you don’t miss out on something that can change your life for good. Or at least give it a try and see how you feel.

2. Saying yes often: When opportunities come around say yes and give it a try. When you get a chance to exhibit your talent grab it. Give it a try, negotiate & if you don’t like the experience you can always look for something else. It is not easy, but who knows – you may achieve success!

Instead of sitting and worrying on day to day to life – if you get an opportunity to travel and if you can afford why not? You may not get a chance to travel again to same place. Explore new places, try new things & find your inner peace!

3. Try new things: Be open to new ideas and be open to it. It is like trying new food. You may initially hesitate but once you know how good the food and what benefit you get then you won’t hesitate to try it again.

4. Risk and opportunity: Always remember – opportunities and risk always go hand in hand, they go together. The best opportunity is always the riskiest one. Starting a business is not everyone’s cup of tea. But if you have insight, goal and hardworking and, if an opportunity is waiting for you then take some risk in your life. It is a combination of risk and opportunity where, don’t forget money is also involved. We have examples of people opted for such risks and made it a success in life.

5. Meet and talk to people: Develop a friendly attitude that boosts your people circle. When you develop your network, it gives exposure to more and more opportunities. When you talk to people they may share their vision, ideas or may become your guide/mentor for a successful and happy life.

6. Don’t be afraid and don’t hesitate: Opportunities don’t come often in your way. One need to be very fast to grab it before it goes to someone else. Discuss with your friends, partners, family members and decide. Don’t forget that there are other people who wait for ‘that kind of opportunity’ and you may lose out.

7. A positive attitude helps: Don’t imagine negative or setbacks before you proceed. If so, you won’t be able to take risk and go nowhere in life. Success often depends on positive attitude and energy with which you can win heart of many people. Positive attitude gives confidence to you as well as to the people (in you) who provide opportunity for you!

8. Focusing and sticking to goal: When you are not focused, or don’t know what is your focus in life, then you will not recognize the opportunity in your hand. Understand what you want to do in life and take it to that direction. If you know your goal, then stick to it. Focus, determination and sticking to the goal always will give more opportunities and, you will feel that opportunities are created for you when you start seeing them in many numbers. If you know what you want out of life, your mind will focus in on that and be on the lookout when an opportunity arises.

Don’t be passive in life. Be creative and curious that helps you to understand the opportunities of life for better. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes in life. Getting scared to do anything is a step to failure in life. Remember by doing mistakes one will learn and gain experience. Whether it is right or wrong, looking for an opportunity and exploring new things in life helps you to grow and be a better person. Opportunity comes for prepared mind as it can recognize it.

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Reference: www.werindia.com

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Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on: May 19, 2017
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Social media and online safety

Social media and Online Safety of Kids

Kids would love to own social media and especially teens would love to have at least one social media account. According to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry there are nearly 60% of teens are on social media (in US alone). And while being online is a good way to keep in touch with friends, it’s important for parents to be proactive about Internet safety.

Unfortunately, there are people who can use your child’s personal information to steal identities, bully them or begin an inappropriate relationship. The family meeting now involves discussions on Internet safety for kids — what parents expect from their children in terms of responsible Internet usage, and discussions about common-sense precautions that will keep kids safe online.

What goes online, stays online: Children often get drawn into peer drama, blowing up the social media sphere with arguments and snarky commentary. Bully behavior may crop up, leaving kids feeling vulnerable and alone. Kids may be quick to take a video and post it online without thinking through the consequences. Parents can do a lot to explain that what goes online stays online.

For parents: Did you know?

  • 17% of teens say they’ve been contacted online by someone they didn’t know in a way that made them feel scared or uncomfortable
  • 30% of teens say they’ve received online advertising that was inappropriate for their age
  • 39% of teens admitted to lying about their age to gain access to websites.

Help protect children from online dangers by following these safety tips:

  1. Keep your child’s profile private so that only family and people you know see photos, important dates and other information.
  2. Make sure they’re not posting personal details, including phone numbers, home address, and the name of their school or other types of identity.
  3. Only allow them to publish photos and videos that do not jeopardize their safety or their integrity.
  4. Make sure they choose a strong password that cannot be guessed, and that it gets changed every three months.
  5. Never allow them to accept friend requests from people they do not know.
  6. Keep an open dialogue with your children. Ask them to let you know if they’ve received private messages from a stranger, or from someone at school who is teasing, harassing or threatening them. Those could be signs of cyber-bullying or even a sexual predator.
  7. Kids should post only what they’re comfortable with others seeing.
  8.  Social media services and websites change their privacy policy and settings from time to time. You need to keep up to date, and it is a good idea to check each of these every few months to see if there have been major changes. If there are changes go to your child’s account and make necessary changes or help them to make changes.
  9. Remind kids that once they post it, they can’t take it back. Even if you delete the information from a site, you have little control over older versions that may exist on other people’s computers and may circulate online.
  10. Tell your kids not to impersonate someone else : Let your kids know that it’s wrong to create sites, pages, or posts that seem to come from someone else, like a teacher, a classmate, or someone they made up.

Mobile Safety and Social Media: Internet safety for kids includes mobile. More children have access to the Internet from their phones, tablets and handheld gadgets than ever before. Mobile access also means that kids have the ability to very quickly move to new social media sites before you will ever see the evidence on the family computer. Setting firm rules about joining new sites is key, as is keeping communication open. Ask why your child may feel the need to jump into a new social media site, whether it is to get away from bullying behavior or simply to be a part of a newer, kinder, gentler online community.

Social networking sites, chat rooms, virtual worlds, and blogs are how teens and tweens socialize online; it’s important to help your child learn how to navigate these spaces safely. Among the pitfalls that come with online socializing are sharing too much information or posting comments, photos, or videos that can damage a reputation or hurt someone’s feelings.

Reference: https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/

Image credit: https://www.flickr.com/photos/lupuca/8720604364 

Image credit: Children at school https://www.flickr.com/photos/lupuca/8720604364 CC BY-SA 2.0

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on: May 18, 2017
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Benefits of Indian Martial Arts

Benefits of Indian Martial Arts

Here are few benefits of Indian Martial Arts:

1. Cardiovascular Health: One of the most important exercise benefits associated with martial arts is an improvement in your cardiovascular health.

2. Weight Loss: Weight loss is another great benefit associated with martial arts.

3. Increased Muscle Tone: By participating in martial arts, you can greatly improve the amount of muscle mass you have in your body.

4. Improved Reflexes: In order to be a good martial artist, you must have very fast reflexes. Research has found that by participating in martial arts, you not only improve you reflexes.

5. Improved Mood: Researchers have found that participating in a regular exercise routine is one of the best ways to improve your mood. Performing martial arts is not only a good way to relieve stress and frustration, but may actually help to make you happier.

6. Concentration and focus: Martial arts focus on opponent and self defense mechanism. Practicing ancient art only increases brains activity, boost memory, helps in concentrating, focusing and learning.

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Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on: May 12, 2017
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Mardani Khel: “Manly Sport”

Mardani Khel: “Manly Sport”

Mardani Khel is an armed method of martial art created by the Maratha. This traditional martial art of Maharashtra is practiced in kolhapur.

This martial art is considered to be a manly sport, which traces its history to Maratha warriors, includes 14 ways to wield a sword, sticks and other weapons. Like all good martial arts, it also teaches you the weaknesses of the human anatomy in attack mode.

The Kolhapur civic body started a program to train girls and women in this art for self-defense.

The use of weapons such as swords, katyar (dagger), lathi-kathi (bamboo sticks), veeta (darts), bhala (javelin) and dand and patta (long-bladed swords) continued but the moves were made more stylish and less lethal. The popularity of this defense art is increasing.

Pari-Khanda: “Armour & Sword“ It is style of sword and shield fighting from the state of Bihar. This art is created by the Rajput. Pari-khanda steps and techniques were used by villagers to defend their village and birth place. These moves are also used in traditional Chau dance.

Kathi Samu: “Sword fight” is very old Indian martial art originated in Andhra Pradesh and was used by mastered of the royal armies of Andhra Pradesh. The martial art is also known as Sword Fight or Daal Fariya. The swords used for Kathi samu are of various types. Besides the long, curved sword, they also use a Limcha, used in the wars earlier, and Pata, a sword with a wooden cover.

Both Pari-Khanda and Kathi Samu – teaches self defense skills, attention to surroundings, good attitude and helps in building muscle strength and healthy movement of the body.

Reference: http://indianmartialstudies.blogspot.com

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Lathi: “The Stick”

Lathi: “The Stick”

Southeast Asian Martial Arts Weapon. Lathi is an ancient armed martial art of India. It also refers one of the world’s oldest weapons used in martial arts.

Lathi or stick martial arts practiced in Punjab and Bengal region of India. Lathi still remains a popular sport in Indian villages.  Lahti is actually a 2-5 foot stick usually made out of bamboo. This long bamboo weapon is often combined with a shield.

Other weapons such as the sword and knife are occasionally used by Lathi Khela students. A practitioner is known as a lathial.

It is a fitness regime for many villagers in North East India. They also perform various acts like Baoi Jhak (group fight), Nori Bari (mock fight with sticks), Fala Khela and Dao Khela (mock fight with sharp weapons) and Chhuri dance to music, in the presence of hundreds.

These groups may also learn the arts of dao khela (knife fighting) and fara khela (sword fighting), both of which are preserved today in the form of mock-fights.

Matches are generally one-on-one, but the art also includes mock-group fights or baoi jhak.

In lathi the center of energy is the heart chakra, and practitioners fight in a more upright position. It helps mind to focus, strengthens muscles and shoulder. Quick action helps in achieving active movement of the body.

Do you know? Rich farmers and other eminent people hire lathial for security and as a symbol of their power. The Lathi is used mainly for crowd control.. It is also known for the infamous “Lathi Charge” where policemen charge as a group while swinging Lathi in order to disperse protesters, etc.

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Thang Ta: “The Art of Sword and Spear”

Thang Ta: “The Art of Sword and Spear”

Thang Ta is popular term for the ancient Manipuri Martial Art also known as HUYEN LALLONG. Manipuri martial arts with swords and spears, is a strong yet gracefully sophisticated art. It is a life style rather than sport.

Concept: The art of the battle and the use of weaponry, when its warlike engagements were over, developed into a system of wielding objective elements in organic relationship with the cosmos.

The body itself became a space where the tensions and dynamics of creation was worked out in a system of movements reflecting the essence of these creative forces.

The whole world of the dynamic cosmos was recreated within the world of the body of man.

The Thang Ta is also form of Life style. It can be practiced in three basic supplementary ways – religious, demonstration and combat.

  • The physical aspect of combat of Thang Ta: Breath control, meditation, medicine, politics and ethics
  • Lifestyle: Helping others and doing good to the society
  • As a martial art: It helps in concentration, defense, protection and teaches devotion and to believe in faith
  • Health of mind: It teaches high ethical standard: For example – not to harm a weak opponent and forgive the person (in the battle).

Reference: http://www.newsgram.com/

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Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on:
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Musti Yuddha: "Art of Eight Limbs"

Musti Yuddha: “Art of Eight Limbs”

It is an unarmed martial art from Varanasi (Benares) in north India. It was almost went to extinction and now gaining importance. It is unarmed martial art from originated in this holy place.

In Varanasi, Musti-yuddha  was not a sport, but a way to  fight with the anti-social elements. Similar to Southeast Asian kickboxing styles it makes use of punches, kicks, knees and elbow strikes & head buttes although punches tend to dominate.

Matches were once held regularly in Varanasi but were eventually banned because of the fights which often broke out among the boxers’ supporters. Illegal bouts continued but became rare by the 1960s.

The additional thing which needs to meant here is that the training of Musti-yuddha  is a spiritual training, as well as  physical  workout. Traditionally, the art of hand to hand combat in India was divided into two main categories: Musti-yuddha  and Malla yuddha.

Sanskrit, mallayuddha  literally translates to “boxing match”.  Strictly speaking, the term denotes a single pugilistic encounter or prize-fight rather than a style or school of wrestling.

This art was known as the “art of eight limbs” as there are eight natural weapons to fight with: fists, elbows, knees and feet.

Technique used in this ancient martial art are punches, kicks, knees and elbow strikes. This style is a complete art of physical, mental and spiritual development.

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Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on:
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Gatka: “Short Cudgel”

Gatka: “Short Cudgel”

Gatka is an ancient martial art which has been thoroughly battle-tested and has existed in northern India for many thousands of years.  Gatkais weapon-based Indian martial art basically created by the Sikhs of Punjab.

It is a physical as well as a spiritual exercise. Both these aspects of the person are developed to a high level during the learning phase in this ancient art.

Although it uses the sword as its primary weapon, many other weapons are available to the Gatka master.

It is a complete martial system which uses spiritual, mental and physical skills in equal portions to help one fully competent in defending themselves and others.

There are many weapons used in Gatka like, Stick, Talwar, kirpan and kataar. The attacking and defense methods are based upon the positions of the hands feet and nature of weapons used.

In addition to giving the student defensive skills, it also helps the individual with other aspects of their life: makes the mind alert and responsive, maintains the body in a near perfect condition and makes soul fearless, compassionate and tranquil.

Gatka also aims at the coordination of mind and body through the meditation of spiritual verses of Gurbani, a holistic system by which the character and moral attitude of a student is shaped.

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Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on:
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