13 Famous Singers With Surprisingly Bad Vocal Habits

13 Famous Singers With Surprisingly Bad Vocal Habits Sign up successful Régine, on the other hand, has trouble hitting accurate pitches in general and tends to go sharp (higher than she intended). Listen to her last note in the song for a good example. How to Avoid Pitchy Singing Like any other skill, learning to match pitch requires practice. If you have a lot of trouble singing in tune, devote five to 10  minutes a day to practicing this. I have my students use Pitch Analyzer  and a keyboard to do this. Just open the app, play a pitch on the keyboard, and try to match it with your voice. Pitch Analyzer helps you figure out if you are flat, sharp, or just right. Nasal Singing Rebecca Black Miley Cyrus Humans can breathe (and therefore sing) through both the nose and the mouth. The soft palate, located on the roof of the mouth behind the hard palate, lifts and lowers to block off the nasal passages from the rest of the breathing apparatus. Singing with a lowered soft palate lets air out through the nose, causing a nasally tone. See this video from Miley Cyrus as an example. How to Avoid Nasal Singing Learn to lift your soft palate. If you have ever “plugged” your nose without touching it (when changing a diaper or jumping into a pool, for instance), you already know how to do this. If not, try making a really nasally sound, then doing the exact opposite. If your soft palate is all the way up, you will not sound any different if you plug your nose with your fingers. Throat Tension Katy Perry Christina Aguilera  (last note especially, at 1:53) Throat tension is not only damaging, it sounds more like yelling than singing. In these videos of Katy and Christina, the vocals often sound closer to yelling than to singing. Note the frayed, pressed tone and the lack of vibrato. If you watch closely, you will also notice that you can see both women’s necks visibly straining. How to Avoid Throat Tension There are two ways to decrease throat tension in singers. First and foremost, try to relax your throat. Work in front of a mirror or place your hand around your neck so you can feel your throat muscles better. You can also move your neck around while you sing (from side to side, as though you are shaking your head “no”) to keep it from stiffening. The second way to decrease throat tension is to focus on the fundamentals of singing. Singers throats usually tense up to compensate for a lack of proper technique. Make sure your breath support is working, your soft palate is up, your posture is relaxed, and your energy levels are high as you sing. Tongue Tension Eddie Vedder (Pearl Jam) Sarah Brightman Your tongue is a huge muscle that stretches from the front of your mouth all the way back and down, where it connects to the muscles under your jaw. If any part of the tongue becomes rigid during singing, a distinct, clogged sound emerges. The best example of this that I can think of actually isn’t a singer; it’s Kermit the Frog. If you tense your tongue and talk, you’ll find that you sound like the little green guy. For  singers, this clogged sound results in modified vowels, as well as a general distinct tone quality. Both Sarah Brightman and Eddie Vedder’s sounds are characterized by this sound. Singing with tongue tension causes vocal fatigue and can eventually lead to vocal problems, so it’s not something you should ignore. How to Avoid Tongue Tension Many people are completely incapable of consciously relaxing their tongues, even when they aren’t making sound. Start by resting your tongue on your bottom lip, so you can see it well in a mirror, and relaxing it (a relaxed tongue is fat and motionless). Once you accomplish that, put your tongue back in your mouth and learn how to sing vowels without tensing your tongue. (The mirror is your best friend.) When progressing to words, focus on moving your tongue without making it unnecessarily rigid. Jaw Tension Eddie Redmayne Kathleen Battle When singing, the jaw should be loose and free. Tensing the jaw not only makes it harder to sing, it also sounds (and looks) weird. Eddie Redmayne’s clenched, shaking jaw and matching vocals attest to this. Although Kathleen Battle (an acclaimed classical singer) still sounds lovely, it is obvious from watching her sing that her jaw is doing some bizarre and unnecessary work. How to Avoid Jaw Tension Avoid jaw tension by paying attention. Stretch it out before you sing, look in the mirror, and put your hands on your jaw to feel the muscles. If you notice yourself clenching, stop singing, stretch it out, and try again. Always make sure that you are breathing, standing, and resonating well. Just like the throat, the jaw tends to clench when your singing technique is incomplete. Damaged Vocal Chords Mariah Carey Kelly Clarkson Vocal cord abuse and overuse can damage your vocal cords. Singers who perform lots of taxing music often suffer from vocal cord damage, especially after years of performing in tours and concerts. Kelly still sounds good, but the newly acquired raspy quality and her avoidance of high notes are both red flags. In Mariah’s recording, her cloudy tone quality, squeaking, and inability to hold out notes all point to severely swollen vocal cords. Singers can even get calluses (nodes), polyps, or vocal hemorrhaging (bleeding welts) that require surgery. Adele, Sam Smith, Tove Lo, Keith Urban, John Mayer… the list of celebrity victims goes on and on. How to Avoid Damaged Vocal Chords Be kind to your voice! Don’t scream and yell, and don’t overuse your vocal cords. If you suspect that you have hurt your chords already, or if you don’t know how to sing or speak properly for your health, consult  a voice teacher or a vocal therapist immediately. If it hurts to sing or speak, consider taking a few days off and going on vocal rest (no talking or singing whatsoever). It’s amazing what good a few days of quiet can do. While celebrities sing off-key through their noses, you can learn to sing in tune, with a raised soft palate and healthy vocal cords. Find a good teacher, ask him or her about these vocal faults, and practice a little every day. Soon, you might be singing better than some of your favorite famous singers! Post Author:  Elaina R. Elaina R. teaches opera voice and singing in Ann Arbor, MI, as well as through online lessons. She received her Master of Music from  the University of Michigan, and she has a B.M. from the University of Southern California. Learn more about Elaina here! Photo by  Jana Beamer Interested in Private Lessons? Search thousands of teachers for local and live, online lessons. Sign up for convenient, affordable private lessons today! Search for Your Teacher

The Areas of Shanghai

The Areas of Shanghai The Main Districts in Shanghai ChaptersHuangpu, the Busiest DistrictShanghai’s Business District: PudongXuhui, Shanghai’s Historic CentreJing’an, the Rich and Touristy DistrictThe Minhang District, Near the CentreYangpu: The University DistrictHongkou, Shanghai’s Little TokyoChangning: The Lively District in the Centre of the CityOther Interesting Areas: Putuo, Fengxian, Chongming, Songjiang, and JinshanJiading and Baoshan: Industry, Activity, and TourismThe city of Shanghai is the perfect place to learn more about Chinese culture. With 26 million inhabitants, immense skyscrapers, and historic buildings like the Jade Buddha Temple, Shanghai attracts plenty of tourists wanting to wander its streets in search of its delicacies.To prepare for a trip to the city, you should do your research on where exactly to visit. While autumn is the best time to visit Shanghai, it’s a little trickier to say which is the best area or district to stay in when you’re there.In this article, Superprof is looking at the diff erent districts in Shanghai that you can visit, what’s in them, and why you should stay in each of them. With our advice, you’ll be able to enjoy plenty of great days in the city.Check for good Mandarin lessons London on Superprof. NingChinese Teacher 5.00 (10) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LorraineChinese Teacher £10/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors YuweiChinese Teacher 4.33 (6) £19/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JoyceChinese Teacher £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors NicoleChinese Teacher £60/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors KatyChinese Teacher £16/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors YangChinese Teacher £18/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ChengChinese Teacher £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsHuangpu, the Busiest DistrictHuangpu is one of the world’s most densely populated districts with over 95,000 habitants per km ²!Shanghai is home to many densely-populated districts. (Source: SeanSheng)I ts name comes from the river that runs through Shanghai and it’s considered to be the main district of the city. There are plenty of touristy sites including the Bund, a boulevard symbolic of Shanghai where you can find most of the banks and plenty of beautiful buildings. It’s also home to the Shanghai Museum, a beautiful place to discover.When in Huangpu, you’ll want to see the People’s Square with its active nightlife, street food vendors, and students hanging out as well as Suzhou Creek, the artistic neighbourhood, or Xintiandi, the commercial area with plenty of restaurants to enjoy.There’s also the City God Temple of Shanghai, the heart of Shanghai’s Old Town and then there’s the Yu Garden, another beautiful site to visit.Find out more about the best time to visit Shanghai.Shanghai’s Business District: PudongPudong is one of Shanghai’s newer districts but it’s also one of its biggest. This is where Shanghai International Airport is and there are tonnes of hu ge buildings still being built. There is also a largely residential area with plenty of schools.Shanghai is home to the traditional and the modern. (Source: wangchaoach)Here are some of the things you can see and do in Pudong:Jin Mao TowerOriental Pearl TV TowerWorld Financial CenterShanghai TowerCentury ParkShanghai Ocean AquariumShanghai Wild Animal ParkLarge shopping centresWith museums, parks, shopping, and walks by the river, Pudong is full of things to do and you shouldn’t miss it!Xuhui, Shanghai’s Historic CentreWith over 1 million inhabitants, the Xuhui district is a very popular part of Shanghai, especially with expats. It’s representative of modern Chinese life. The heart of this area is Xujiahui, an area of commerce that could pose a dangerous risk to your wallet.The Xuhui is also home to the French District, the FFC, the Former French Concession in the megalopolis. This is a nice little neighbourhood to visit with some of the city’s best bars and restaurants. Thi s is a popular place for expats moving to the People's Republic of China.Jing’an, the Rich and Touristy DistrictJing’an is one of the districts in the centre of Shanghai and it’s divided between Chinese culture and international inspirations. It’s very international in terms of its architecture and you can find plenty of bars and restaurants full of westerners here.There's something for everyone in Shanghai! (Source: klausdie)Jing’an means tranquillity, which you’ll see if you visit the district or live there.  The district is also home to a huge temple which gave the area its name. It’s a Buddhist temple and it’s very popular with tourists, much like the shopping centre which breaks the area’s traditional vibe. Jing’an is the perfect area to enjoy the traditional and the modern all at once. NingChinese Teacher 5.00 (10) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LorraineChinese Teacher £10/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors YuweiChinese Teacher 4.33 (6) £19/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JoyceChinese Teacher £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors NicoleChinese Teacher £60/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors KatyChinese Teacher £16/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors YangChinese Teacher £18/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ChengChinese Teacher £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsThe Minhang District, Near the CentreBetween factories and residential areas, Minhang probably won’t be the first place you think of visiting. However, this is a great area to relax with all its parks, galleries, and the old town of Qibao. The area is also home to the Jiao Tong University and the East China Normal University.Minhang could be a good place for tourists to stay as they spend an afternoon in Qibao Old Street. There are also plenty of places to shop and get souvenirs to take back home with you.Yangpu: The University DistrictYangpu is one of the districts in Shanghai city centre and is home to two of China’s biggest universities: Fudan University and Tongji University. There’s also a museum of Chinese martial arts.  However, Yangpu isn’t just a student district. It’s also home to shopping, particularly in the Wujiaochang neighbourhood and its shopping centres, restaurants, and cinemas. You can also relax in Gongqing Forest Park, a perfect place for a picnic.Find out more about budgeting for a trip to Shanghai.Hongkou, Shanghai’s Little TokyoHongkou is a popular and traditional district with a lot of unusual historical heritage. It’s also a great place to eat traditional Chinese food on a budget.  Here are some of the things you can see and do in Hongkou:Lu Xun Park and MuseumDuolun Lu Culture StreetAbattoir 1933 (shopping centre)Tilanqiao, a historic areaMagda Danysz GalleryWaibaidu BridgeArt deco architectureCheap local restaurantsThe area is still safe from property developers but this probably won’t last so make the most of your time in Shanghai and visit this area.Changning: The Lively District in the Centre of the CityTo the west of Shanghai, there’s the Changning district, a very lively part of the city that’s adapted to tourists. It would take too long to list everything you can do in Changning, but we should mention Red Town, Happiness Alley, and Shanghai Zoo.In the Gubei residential district, also known as Little Tokyo or K-Town, you’ll find a Japanese and Korean ambience with good restaurants and an energetic nightlife. You can also visit Zhongshan Park, one of the most beautiful in the city.You mustn't miss Changning. Make sure you give your self at least an afternoon, ideally a full day, to see it!Find out more about finding accommodation in Shanghai.Other Interesting Areas: Putuo, Fengxian, Chongming, Songjiang, and JinshanYou can get to every neighbourhood in Shanghai by metro including Songjiang, Jinshan, Fengxian, places that blend modernity and tradition. Don’t hesitate to dive into these three districts!Shangh ai is also home to the Putuo district whose name comes from the main road running through it which is home to the Zhenru Temple, the Jade Buddha Temple, and Changfeng Park. It’s also home to a university campus.Finally, Chongming is the biggest district in Shanghai but also the least developed. It consists of three islands: Chongming, Changxing, and Hengsha, which are accessible by ferry and tunnels. It’s the perfect place for seeing a different side of Shanghai.Jiading and Baoshan: Industry, Activity, and TourismBaoshan and Jiading are industrial areas that we recommend you visit when you’re in Shanghai. Baoshan is home to the freight port, a relaxing place, while Jiading is very industrial and touristy with Jiading old town and the Shanghai International Circuit which hosts F1 Grands Prix.While the city is wonderful, you can also take a step back from it. (Source: Hobbyfoto)You can also find Shanghai University, a museum dedicated to the Second World War, and Wisdom Bay Indu strial Park. In Jiading, you can see the 800-year-old Confucius Temple and the Jiading Bamboo Carving Museum. All of these attractions and sites are accessible via metro.Now that you know where to go when you're in Shanghai, you might want to broaden your sights to other cities like Nanjing, Shanghai, Hangzhou, and Beijing, the capital city. When you travel, keep this in mind:”There is no man more complete than the one who travelled a lot, who changed the shape of his thoughts and his life twenty times.” - Alphonse de LamartineSuperprof can also help! We’ve got plenty of other articles on Shanghai and China. You could also get help with your Chinese from a private tutor on our site.  There are three main options for Chinese private tutorials: group tutorials, face-to-face tutorials, and online tutorials.Group tutorials are similar to traditional classes with multiple students and one teacher. If you and a group of friends all would like to learn Chinese, you could look for a p rivate tutor offering group tutorials. Since there are several of you, you'll split the cost of the tutor's time, making the lessons cheaper per student per hour.Face-to-face tutorials are bespoke lessons for just one student and tend to be more expensive per hour. However, they're also more cost-effective given the fact that the tutor can focus their attention entirely on you.Finally, online tutorials are conducted over webcam with the tutor in a different place. You could even get a tutor living in China!

Teach Yourself Photography

Teach Yourself Photography How to Become a Professional Photographer without Photography Qualifications ChaptersIs it Possible to Teach Yourself Photography?Selling Yourself as a Professional PhotographerPreparing a Professional PortfolioA good photograph speaks with a loud voice and demands time and attention if it is to be fully perceived.If this quote by Ralph Gibson resonates with you, perhaps you have always harboured a desire to be a professional photographer.How will you accomplish that if you have never taken photography courses and don't have a diploma?You might argue at this point: one can train oneself to take exquisite photos, if only one has the passion and motivation to do so!We concur.Photography is perhaps the most accessible  form of art today. Everyone with a SmartPhone is in possession of a camera, and photo editing software, such as Photoshop, is widely available.(Nearly) gone are the days of alchemy, when photo paper, bathed in chemicals, became images!Today, thanks to Adobe â€" among others, we are treated to a visual feast of photographic genius from amateurs of all stripes.Still, not everyone who plies their camera as a hobby can go pro â€" become a professional photographer.Even more vexing: thanks to Pinterest, Instagram and other social media platforms, the sheer availability of photographic material works against the professional photographer.With open databases that permit free download of digital images, even commercial photographers are feeling the pinch.Why should a business contract a professional photographer when they can download the shot they want for free?The sum total of this effect is that artists now spend more time networking and promoting their products than they do cultivating and producing visual art.What a bleak vision!Nevertheless, it is an accurate one. If you are to stand out among that field of grey; that world of digital downloads with or without attributions, you will have to be uniquely creative and enterprising, in equal measures.Check out photography courses london.built like a Reflex, but smaller. The lenses are generally not interchangeable unless you invest in a higher end model. They are sturdy machines, and manage more flexibility than a compact.The bottom line: investing in even a low-end reflex would serve you better as a beginner than either a compact or a hybrid.Once you have settled on a type of camera, it is time to choose your lenses.Two parameters in particular should govern your selection:Focal length: expressed in millimeters (mm), a long focal length allows you to shoot distant subjects while a short focal length allows to photograph large subjects, such as a monument or landscape.Aperture: the greater the aperture, the more light floods the image, permitting faster image recording. A large aperture is ideal for shooting action photos, such as sports or wildlife photography; that setting is also used to capture images indoors or in low light settings.Now that you have selected your camera body and lenses, it is time to think about other accessories:filters: to change the mood of your composition, to avoid reflections, to optimise contrasts and hue...flash: to compensate for low light conditionsmono- and/or tripod: the former is ideal to stabilise your camera for action shots; the second is best to shoot portraiturea camera case: how else would you transport and protect all of that valuable gear?In this list you will note the lack of any film photography components: the mention of ISO, film speed and film, in general.ISO does apply to digital photography, but in a different way than with film photography. In fact, some photography beginners aver that the technology behind film photoshoots is much more complicated than digital!You can find photography courses near me here.Every professional photographer has an assortment of lenses, among other equipment Source: Pixabay Credit: LukasbieriFundamental Photographic ConceptsIf you have any experience at all online, you must be aware that tutorials of all types are available on YouTube and other video stre aming sites.Specifically for photography, you can view workshops on:Setting exposure: your photograph could be under- or overexposed, depending on light and contrast. The amount of incoming light is determined by shutter speed and aperture settings. For a poorly lit subject, you should set the camera to a greater aperture setting and long exposure.Night photography is generally achieved in that manner.Light concerns itself with white balance versus grey. A well-balanced white gives clear, sharp images with bright, true-to-life colours.With a digital SLR camera, you can set the white balance to multizone or matrix; spot or centerweight. Try it! See how it affects your image!Shutter speed, also known as exposure time represents the amount of time the digital sensor (or film) is exposed to light. Varying shutter speeds yields different effects: a blur around the main subject, for example.The aperture is what allows light into the camera, to capture your image. This is that mysterious-s ounding f-stop, usually expressed as f/n (number). The higher the number, the smaller the aperture; the lower the number, the greater the opening.Higher f-stops prevents overexposure of your subject!Sensitivity: This is the amount of light required for good exposure. In digital photography, the ISO index is used to express that value. A large index = high sensitivity (to avoid underexposure). Conversely, a small index = a low sensitivity (to avoid overexposure).In film photography, ISO indicates the speed of the film. Higher ISO is better for action shots and low-light conditions; lower ISO is suitable for shooting outdoors on bright, sunny days.In preparation for your grand debut as a professional photographer, or if you are at intermediate level, it would be a good idea to test these various settings out, to see what sort of effect they have on your images.Check out these online photography courses.The Fundamentals of CompositionPhotojournalists and wedding photographers; commerci al photographers and those who specialise in portrait photography: their common talent is the ability to compose an image tantamount to visual storytelling.Have you ever heard of the rule of thirds?It is one of the most useful composition tools in photography, that consists of gridding your scene into a total of nine fields â€" three columns and three lines.It seems counterintuitive, but centering your subject â€" capturing the main object you wish to photograph smack in the middle of the frame, makes your photo appear boring and without appeal.Aligning your focal point with any of the resulting four dots the imaginary grid produces places your subject off-center, giving your shot more depth and punch.The human eye is conditioned to roam from the upper left corner of a quadrant to the lower right corner, in effect creating a Z pattern, when scanning any image.Centering your subject in the middle of your frame is likely to cause an uncomfortable disturbance in this natural pattern of eye movement.If you learn how to use this golden proportion, you will have mastered one of the best tricks of professional photography!Selling yourself as a professional photographer requires some finesse and a lot of nerve! Source: Pixabay Credit: GeraltSelling Yourself as a Professional PhotographerOK, so you know all about the basics of photography. You have selected the equipment that suits your situation and experimented with it.You have watched photography tutorials and maybe even attended a workshop or two.Your photography skills are coming along nicely, and you are now ready to aim your Nikon or other DSLR towards making money.Where do you start?Not that there is any shame in it, but without an academic background in photography â€" a Level 3 certificate or a BA Honors  photography degree, you may have a hard time establishing credibility in the world of professional photography.Ideally, working with established photographers is a great way to get your name out there; to le t people know what you are capable of and how much you would charge for your services.Therefore, it would be best to gain a bit of professional experience by working with a professional photographer.You may ask around: perhaps a studio photographer is looking for an apprentice? If you are interested in commercial photography, cast around those circles.Sure, you might only carry props, brandish light meters and pose subjects, but doing so is a foot in the door to the world of advanced photography.And, imagine how experienced you will look with such apprenticeships on your CV? With such shots in your portfolio?We'll come back to portfolios in a moment...Not every established photographer will put his/her name on snaps captured by assistants.However, there are some whose trust in their protégées permit 'prentices to work the camera under counsel.If your eye for composition and your technical skills are deemed suitably impressive, s/he may even allow you to publish your work under you r own name!Another avenue into the world of professional photography rests in your hands.Your address book, social media contacts; friends and family: any one of them could  lead to your very first gig!In spite of today's more advanced communication channels, word of mouth remains the most effective form of advertising.After talking yourself up to your family, friends, coworkers and neighbours, casting a wider net is the logical next step.Attending events or visiting businesses related to the particular type of photography you wish to specialise in will enhance your chances of getting hired.If wedding photography appeals to you, visit bridal shops and wedding planners.If travel photography is more your calling, visit booking agencies and contact leisure magazines.To sell yourself and your skill at capturing images, you will have to be a bit forward. Shyness has no place in marketing!By that, we don't mean insisting on contracts, or even offering your services as a photographer upon first meeting a prospective client. That should take place only after a couple of meetings.Assertion works well; aggression will drive clients away!Finally: you have to give  in order to receive.Suppose your friend is looking for an event photographer for his parents' silver jubilee, but you are more of an expert a macro photography.Show him samples of your work: exquisite close-ups of fine jewellery, or intricate machine parts. And then, regretfully inform him he must look elsewhere for someone who knows about portraiture, group  photography  and taking casual snaps at events.You may pass on that commission, but he will remember your integrity, skill and creativity when he needs pictures of tiny things!Displaying your best shots, either on your wall or as a portfolio is the best statement of your skill Source: Pixabay Credit: RawpixelPreparing a Professional PortfolioThe very nature of photography is visual: what is the point of a carefully typed CV?That is indeed the question!As a photographer looking to establish yourself professionally, it would be better to maintain a book of sample images you created and edited yourself.You can also create an online photography album, a whole web page and a blog!Especially if you have no photography lessons to list on your resume, it would be far better to showcase your skill at imagery with images, rather than with words.Besides: isn't a picture worth a thousand words?Compiling a portfolio will communicate your passion as well as your skill and eye for composition.To help you build a most effective illustration of your skill at taking pictures, we recommend:the less is more principle: only 15 to 20 of your best shots; ones that display your versatility and creativity. If your prospect is wowed, s/he will certainly ask to see more of your work!Show your best photography: mount only quality snaps; ask friends and family to help you choose.Diversity: if you are equally adept at capturing street scenes and stunning landscap es, put  samples of each in your bookProgression: put your second-best shot in first place to give yourself a strong and lasting finish, and a lingering good impression. Your client will perceive your work as ever-improving.Keep up to date: regularly update your portfolio with fresh images, recently taken.Creating a website, either with WordPress or through a social media platform such as FaceBook will give you greater exposure which, in turn, will bring you more prospects.The more likes you amass, the more traffic your site incurs, the more credible your photography business becomes.And, while blogging, why not give tips on how to photograph, how to use Adobe lightroom, or offer photography workshops?In SummaryMastery of photography as an autodidact is a long journey, but entirely possible.Making use of online photography tutorials, joining photography societies and participating in workshops will help you develop as a photographer.Marketing yourself as a photographer of merit take s audacity, assertion and adaptability, but never arrogance!Use every outlet possible to advertise your work: blogs, websites, competitions, social media, and especially: websites dedicated to photography.Give to get: permit free  download of a minimal amount of images in return for citation when used in clients' articles or websites.Ply your camera and marketing savvy on all fronts: capture the clients you need to make your photography business grow!

How to Stay Active at Work

How to Stay Active at Work Personal Training in the Office: How to Keep Fit in the Workplace ChaptersHow to Exercise While at WorkTraining Techniques in the WorkplacePersonal Fitness Training During Your Lunch BreakLifestyle ChangesWith our jobs, personal lives and hobbies to take up our time, it’s not always easy to set time aside for exercise.When it comes to excuses for missing group fitness classes near me at the gym or deciding to miss a morning run, lack of time is one of the most common.It’s particularly difficult to schedule a workout if your commute to and from work is particularly long - some people spend up to 4 hours travelling every day.So, when you already spend 8 hours at the office, the thought of leaving your house to train is understandably uncomfortable.Luckily, there are several solutions to this problem.Here are some suggestions:Try to manage your time in such a way that allows you to work out. This may involve starting work earlier, leaving later, or exercising closer to your place of work.Find a personal trainer who can meet you close to your place of work, so you can schedule morning, lunchtime or after-work personal training sessions with them.Exercise while you work. There are lots of mini workouts you can do in the office sat at your desk, waiting for documents to print, or whilst making the tea. Staying active in the workplace will help you feel better and more alert during the day, as well as working out your body, of course! CalumDrama School Entrance Teacher 5.00 (15) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ToriSpanish Teacher 5.00 (1) £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors OliviaSchool support Teacher 5.00 (2) £21/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MarkESOL (English) Teacher 4.76 (17) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors YuweiChinese Teacher 4.33 (6) £19/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JenniferMusic reading Teacher 5.00 (1) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LouiseAutoCAD Teacher 5.00 (3) £60/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors RickyPercussion Teacher 5. 00 (7) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors NicolasGuitar Teacher 5.00 (2) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MyriamOrganic chemistry Teacher 5.00 (13) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JonathanEconomics Teacher 5.00 (9) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors Oluwakemi imoleMaths Teacher 5.00 (1) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AlexPhysics Teacher 5.00 (1) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AdamSinging Teacher 5.00 (14) £48/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ValentiniMusic reading Teacher 5.00 (2) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MilenaMaths Teacher 5.00 (5) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors RashmiEconomics Teacher 5.00 (1) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsHow to Exercise While at WorkFor anyone that works in a sedentary position such as in an office or behind a checkout, any chance of exercise may seem impossible.However, there are lots of simple and easy ways to str etch your legs and give your body a break from sitting down.Only 13% of athletes work out at or very near to their place of work.The fitness industry has become such an integral part of our lives that it has worked its way into some places of work. Having  gyms for the use of employees is growing in popularity with large companies. This gives people access to a workout space without having to spend any time travelling to gyms or health clubs.And for the businesses that don’t have fully-equipped gyms, many have dedicated exercise rooms for their employees.Company gyms mean no excuses! ¦ source: Pixabay - putevodnikSo, health and fitness training at work is possible!Training Techniques in the WorkplaceYou don’t need any equipment to be able to exercise.From brisk walking to light stretching, there are several healthy habits you can adopt that will increase your daily level of physical activity.So, let’s have a look at some simple yet effective ways you can stay active wherever you may be!Working Your Abdominal MusclesAll you need is your office chair.Sit up straight in your chair and breathe deeply and calmly whilst filling your tummy with air when you inhale.Hold each breath for a few seconds before exhaling through your mouth.Gradually, your tummy will become tighter into your body as your abdominal muscles contract.In addition to sculpting your figure, this exercise is great for releasing stress and calming yourself down.Another abdominal workout you could do is in your office chair again. Sit up straight and tense and release your abs, holding the contraction for a few seconds each time. You should be able to feel your muscles working.This exercise is a good one to do while you’re working to tone your tummy â€" and don’t forget to breathe!If you want to spice these exercises up:Sit in your office chairPlace your hands on either side of your chair and lift yourself up using only your arm strengthRepeat this exercise up to 15 times, holding each lif t for a few seconds whilst breathing normallyCalf Strengthening ExercisesThis exercise must be done when standing up, meaning you can do it while photocopying or on the phone, for example.Pull your tummy inup tall, as if someone is pulling upwards on a string attached to the top of your headStand on your tip-toes for 10 secondsIf you repeat this exercise several times a day, your calf muscles will become stronger and more toned.Stretching Your ArmsRelaxing your arms and shoulders can help a lot when it comes to managing stress.Sit up straight in your office chairKeeping a straight spine, raise your arms above your head, crossing your hands with your palms towards the ceilingBreathe slowly and push your palms upwards for 5 seconds at a timeNext, lean to the right, then relax (your pelvis shouldn’t move)Repeat this on your left sideSometimes, a good old stretch is just what you need ¦ Visualhunt - PublicDomainPicturesThis exercise helps to stretch your muscles and improves flexibil ity in your arms, shoulders and pelvis.Working Your AdductorsThis is a very simple exercise that may come in handy in a meeting or interview which is getting a bit boring.Your adductors are the muscles on the insides of your thighs - here’s how to give them a good workout:Sit in your office chairyour feet togetherImagine you’re holding a leaf between your kneesSqueeze your legs together for 20 seconds, then relaxDo this exercise three times a day and your thighs will be rock-solid in no time!Tone Your GlutesIf Summer is on its way and your posterior has been in hibernation for the winter, don’t worry, there is a way you can get it looking its best!Sit in your office chair or standTense your gluteus maximus muscles one at a timeHold each contraction for 10 secondsRepeat this 10 to 20 timesA key advantage to this particular exercise is the fact that you can do it without anyone knowing! So, do it at your desk, in a meeting, or even while you’re giving a presentation!Leg Workou tsThis exercise strengthens and tones your legs, so you can bid goodbye to orange peel skin before holiday season begins.Sit in your office chairKeeping your back straight, lift your feet a few centimetres off the ground until they no longer touch the floorKeep your abs tensed and try to hold the position for 10-15 secondsBy repeating the exercise several times a day, you’ll build up your stamina and be able to hold the pose for longerHere’s another good leg workout to try, which is particularly good for those who spend a lot of time working on a computer:Sit up straight in your chairExtend one leg, leaving the other in the sitting position, and hold this for 10-15 seconds depending on how much of a challenge you wantRepeat this with the other legDo this exercise 10 times for each legSome exercises are more suited to some types of work more than others. It’s important that you find the right one for you, or find a way of adapting some exercises so that you may still benefit fr om them.Personal Fitness Training During Your Lunch BreakIf you get enough time for your lunch break, why not use it to work out?In addition to being able to provide expert advice on functional training techniques, avoiding injury, resistance training, fitness nutrition and avoiding injury, your personal fitness instructor will also be able to give you a new, rewarding focus to take your mind off your job.It’s not difficult to find a personal trainer who can come to you. This means that you can arrange to meet them at your place of work to save you time and money on travel.Having a private fitness coach to lead a workout while you’re at work can help combat the low morale and decreased level of general wellbeing that is reported in so many office jobs.Let’s take a look at the many other advantages to using your lunch breaks for personal training:Flexibility: Your certified personal trainer will work around you and your working hours. This means that you will spend less time tr avelling and more time being productive in one way or another.Tailored Training: Whatever your fitness ability, your personal fitness specialist will carry out a full fitness assessment before you start to create a tailored training program that suits your needs and fitness goals using their exercise program design skills. So, whether its cardio endurance, Pilates, aerobic ability, or strength training you want to work on, your fitness trainer will provide a personalised fitness program that is suited to you and your career.Expert Knowledge: Your trainer will tell you that fitness programs are less effective if they’re not accompanied by an adapted nutrition plan. Personal trainers don’t just earn their living as a fitness professional either â€" they’re also highly knowledgeable when it comes to fitness nutrition, too. They’ll be able to advise you on the things in your diet you should change to achieve your fitness goals. Bear in mind that advice from a personal trainer is n’t a luxury, and becoming a personal trainer isn’t an easy feat. You must fit gruelling exams to get certified and earn your personal training certification before you start practising. This means that you can rest assured that their advice is accredited, and you will be able to use their fitness expertise to provide you with useful advice on anything from working your calves to the frequency of resistance training.Get more out of your lunch break with a personal trainer ¦ Visualhunt - Christopher CampbellRespect for Your Ability: Your face to face or online personal trainer will be able to look at your physiology and body composition and decide what is best for you in terms of workout intensity and training techniques so that they can motivate you through your session and return to work feeling energised.Wellbeing: The working atmosphere can become stressful all of a sudden. Thankfully, personal training can help you release any built-up tension that is caused by this.Lifesty le ChangesThe gentle exercises you incorporate into your working day can also become a part of your personal life. Even if you are retired, you can do these exercises at home - remember, you are never too old to get fit! If you are still in school, you can exercise between classes or during your lunch break, though perhaps not actually in class.There are two very simple ways you can keep active in your day-to-day life as well as at work.The first change you can make is ditching your car or public transport and walking instead, where possible.It could be anything from walking to work to simply leaving the office to eat your lunch in a green area rather than at your desk, for instance.The second minor change you can make is taking the stairs.This is a good workout which isn’t difficult to practice â€" there are staircases everywhere.And even if the only choice is to take an escalator, walk up the steps at it’s moving â€" you’ll be moving faster whilst also getting a good workout !

Predicting the Future 3 Simple Visualization Strategies

Predicting the Future 3 Simple Visualization Strategies Suzy S. Here at TakeLessons, were big fans of visualization. Its great for helping you reach your musical goals (or any kind of goal, at that!), as well as a method of practicing without actually needing your instrument (See: 5 Ways to Practice Without Your Guitar). On the other hand, for some musicians its all too common to mistake visualizing for well, daydreaming.   If you sit down and close your eyes, intending to memorize a piece of music, make sure to catch yourself if you start thinking of other things other (unrelated) goals, your concert tickets this weekend, or what youre going to have for dinner tonight, for a few examples. In order to really help you succeed with your visualization strategies, we found these 3 great tips over on the Classical Guitar blog that are right on the money.   Check out these strategies and focus on one at a time.   Spend a good chunk of time on the technique, and who knows you might find yourself a visualization convert: 1. Visualize the Piece This is the most basic of visualization techniques. Simply find a quiet place and visualize the piece you wish to mentally rehearse. See your fingers moving and hear the piece in your mind’s ear. At first it’s okay to move your fingers a bit while visualizing, but try to ween yourself off of that habit as soon as possible.   Since youre not allowing your fingers to go on auto pilot and finish the piece for you, this sort of visualization will greatly enhance memorization. 2. Visualize the Performance For those of us don’t play a concert every week, stepping on stage can be terrifying. Another mental rehearsal technique is to imagine yourself on stage. More importantly, imagine yourself after the performance. Imagine the feeling of success. See yourself walking on confidently and walking off after the successful performance. Capturing these feelings of success before the concert can play a critical role in building your confidence before even setting foot on stage. (This is an excellent strategy for overcoming stage fright!) 3. Think Ahead of Your Hands The final method is so effective youll wonder if you accidentally sold your soul for more guitar skills. This method should be done while playing or practicing, and is essentially thinking and looking ahead of your hands. After your left hand plays a note, your eyes should shift to the location(s) where the finger(s) will be placed next. Imagine your left hand in this new positionâ€"see it there with your mind’s eye. Unlike the physical preparation of your fingers, this practice method deals with mental preparation. For more tips, continue reading the article here. Your turn: what visualization techniques help you the most?   Share your own experiences head on over to our Facebook page and join the discussion! Want to learn more?   Sign up for email updates to learn more guitar tips and tricks! You might also like Stop Stressing: 3 Remedies for Musical Frustration How to REALLY Maximize Your Practice Time 5 Quick Fixes to Improve Your Guitar Playing

ACT Math A Lesson on Logarithms

ACT Math A Lesson on Logarithms ACT SAT Prep and College Admissions Blog What are logs in math? Do you use them to develop a foundation and build like beavers do? No, you don’t. Instead, in math, logs are the “opposite” of exponentials, just as subtraction is the opposite of addition. If I asked you what number (x) to the third power equals 8 (x3 = 8), then you would take the cube root of both sides and tell me the cube root of 8 equals 2. Now consider this: if I asked you 2 raised to what power (x) gets you 8, how would you solve it? Well, we know that x=3 because 23 = 8, as we saw from the previous problem. But what steps would you take to solve this problem, or any others like it? As I mentioned before, logs are the “opposite”, or the inverse, of exponentials. Thus, one operation can undo the other. Let’s take a look at the relationship between them. Relationship between Exponentials and Logs y=bx logb(y)=x Example 8=2x log2(8)=x ; x=3 Just as in the exponential, the base (b) is always positive and never equal to one. In both cases, a helpful way to remember the relationship is (b) is the base in both scenarios. The x and the y switch, however, as can be seen first by the (x) on the same side as the (b), and then on the same side as the (y). Another easy way to remember this is that whatever the argument of the logarithmic expression is, in this case (y), becomes the “equals to” in the exponential expression. Unless the base (b) is equal to 10, you will not be able to just plug the expression into your calculator to evaluate that logarithmic expression. Your calculator will only evaluate logs in base 10. However, do not fear! You can easily use change of base to change the logarithmic expressions to base 10. Here is how you can do that! Change of Base Property logb(y)= loga(y)/ loga(b) Example log2(8) = log10 (8)/log10(2) you can enter this in your calculator as log(8)/log(2) There are also two key properties to know regarding adding and subtracting the arguments of logs! Addition/Subtraction Properties of Logs log(xy)= log(x)+log(y) log(x/y)= log(x)-log(y) With this new understanding of logs, you have the basic tools to face the logarithm questions on the ACT! Be sure to always pace yourself, be mindful and breathe. You’ll do great.

What Can You Do to Help Your Child Improve His or Her Study Habits

What Can You Do to Help Your Child Improve His or Her Study Habits What Can You Do to Help Your Child Improve His or Her Study Habits? With a new school year underway, its a great time to examine some tactics parents can use to help their child study more effectively. There's no question that successful academic performance is dependent on work outside of the classroom; however, with so many distractions facing todays students, it can be very difficult for them to establish good study habits at home. Luckily, there are strategies parents can employ to facilitate the right environment: Get on your Child's Team: A positive atmosphere will go a long way in facilitating the right environment for your childs studies. If your child has any questions, you should be there to offer constructive advice or tips that he or she can use to solve the problem. Additionally, good effort should be followed by words of encouragement and praise. Create Rewards: A reward can serve as great motivation to get your child excited about studying. Something as simple as having study time before he or she can watch television or go outside to play can be just the incentive necessary to encourage your child to complete his or her studies and homework in a timely manner. Over time, the improved grades and self-confidence may serve as their own rewards. Set up a Study Spot: There are so many distractions in the home, including video games, television, Facebook, siblings, friends and more. It is a good idea to identify a spot in your home where your child can study and be free of these and other distractions. This might take some trial and error. Additionally, a specific daily study time (like right before or right after dinner) is a good idea to establish routine. Speak with your Child's Teacher: If your child isn't doing well in a particular subject, talk to his or her teacher. The teacher might be able to offer study tips, areas requiring more focus and other strategies to help your child make the most out of his or her study time. Sometimes these strategies are not enough. If you feel your child needs extra help with their studies, we encourage you to contact us today. Our tutors not only are skilled in their subject areas of expertise; they are dedicated to helping students get the best grades possible. Whether your child needs ACT test prep to get for ready for college or specific subject tutoring to establish good study habits, our tutors are up for the challenge. Let us help you help your child achieve their best grades through one-on-one instruction and tips, contact The Huntington Learning Center at 1-800-CAN-LEARN.

4 things that motivate teaching candidates more than money

4 things that motivate teaching candidates more than money Have you ever wondered whether your school is missing out on the best teaching candidates? At Teach Away, we spend a lot of talking to our candidates about how they can impress you - their prospective employer. But it’s just as important that we take the time to talk about what teachers are looking for in their next position, too. It's easy to forget that the hiring process goes both ways. Just as you have criteria for the perfect teacher, your candidates also have criteria for the perfect job. That’s why, to help you identify the key factors that motivate teachers to apply to a job, we surveyed over 10,000 candidates from our extensive community of international educators. Some interesting revelations came to light. One thing that might really surprise you: Money is not the be all and end all. As evidenced by the above, candidates aren’t teaching abroad out of economic necessity. In fact, financial reasons trail well behind, in third place. Of course, if you’re not offering a competitive salary, that can (and will) impact your ability to attract and recruit the best teachers to your school. So always make sure that what you’re offering is on par with other schools in your region. However, money is only a component of what drives candidates to accept a job offer. With that caveat out of the way, here’s a quick list of the things that candidates value most in a new job to help you answer the big question: How does your school measure up when it comes to offering what candidates really want? 1. Remember that teachers are motivated to explore the world. Nowadays, you need to get today’s travel-motivated teaching candidates excited about the place they’ll be relocating to. This means you’ll need to focus on creating a job posting that’s more than just a list of the things that you want in your ideal candidate. For example, what makes living and teaching in your city and country appealing? If your region offers recreational opportunities, be sure to list these in detail, in particular any nearby outdoor activities and famous scenic or cultural sights that are likely to appeal to adventurous teaching candidates. If your school is in a more remote setting, you should consider highlighting your proximity to the nearest city and public transport options that make travel accessible. One other thing: You should also consider featuring your jobs on career websites that offer resources and content for job seekers related to living in your region. 2. They’re also looking for opportunities for development and growth. Teaching candidates think long and hard about their likelihood of succeeding and having an impact at your school. As you can from the above, they assess the training and development that you offer, the resources and professional development opportunities that would be available to them and the degree of autonomy the job entails. If you can position yourself as a school who gives back to their employees and encourages growth, you’ll be sure to be inundated with high-quality potential candidates. 3. You need to offer the job perks that job-seeking teachers actually care about. A competitive benefits package is critically important when it comes to attracting and retaining top teachers in today’s job market. Perks and benefits can be a game changer when it comes to recruiting top teaching talent. Schools that can’t compete on compensation or location should bear in mind the most desirable job benefits (see below) when positioning their school to candidates. Want to know how competitive your benefits package really is? Ask your teachers! Chances are if they are active in professional networks they have a good idea of what other schools in your city or region may be offering. And when a candidate doesn’t accept what you think is an amazing job offer, try to probe a bit and see if your benefits package was enticing or not. 4. You need to craft an engaging candidate experience. A good candidate experience matters now more than ever. How job seekers perceive your hiring process influences how they feel about you as a hiring school. Is the process easy and simple? Or is it difficult, complex and frustrating? A seamless, easy-to-understand application process that provides candidates with all the information they need, and in a reasonable amount of time, is crucial to attracting the right teachers. An edited version of this article originally appeared in the June edition of International School Leader Magazine.