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yourcoolfriendwithallthecandy · 5 years ago

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The White Peacock Princess

So I had this idea of a selkie but with feathers and wings instead of a seal skin. The term I was able to find to fit that was a swan maiden but I have other ideas so I’m inventing Mouras. People who can take on a human form, an angel form or a bird form who wear a feather cloak instead of a seal skin when in their human form. They can be all kinds of birds with wing colors from the whole color spectrum. @waiting4inspiration wanted me to tag her so here you go! Enjoy!

You were indulging in a solo night flight, managing to shake your guardians with help from your sister. With an upcoming promised engagement, you felt you were getting suffocated.

Because your "potential" inlaws, the current Emperor and Empress of Wahjah, the skies over the far east, seemed to have the perfect vision of who their son, the Crown Prince, Hongyen, should marry and be the crown jewel of his harem and be his Empress and you fit their vision perfectly, and with them being the most powerful family of phoenixes in the world, competition was fierce just to get into the harem and you had been chosen by your in laws because of your spectacular plumage and sweet, caring demeanor along with your purity. And with as much work as you put into yourself and your plumage, you felt it was finally paying off, all you needed to do is actually meet him and "enchant him" according to your parents prodding because while the Emperor and Empress chose the prospects, it was up to him to make the final decision and choose who got to be in the harem itself and he had put off choosing a crown jewel who would be his Empress when he assumed the throne. It was absolutely exhausting.

You needed a break and some space to decompress so you did the most natural thing, fly, in and out of the clouds and diving low before pulling up at the last second to soar again and making hair pin turns, loops and twists, no small feat, considering what your bird form was, a peacock. You were a Moura. A being who could take a human form, an angel form and a bird form if you so chose. And you were not just any peacock, you were a white one. You weren't albino because your eyes were a magnificent turquoise instead of pink. Your white feathers were opalescent, iridescent with flashes of spectacular pinks, purples, violets, blues, turquoises and greens depending on the angle of the light, with an additional glittering gold spine and dot in the middle of all the feathers. Your feathers were also sparkling like they had diamond dust encrusted onto each fiber of each feather, shimmering and pearlized like you also had crushed pearls rubbed into your plumage and skin when in human form so that it glowed even in very low light, with a rainbow holographic sheen to them, throwing halos and auras of rainbows all around you in the sunshine. It was that that was so coveted and special. And you were the only one like you in the whole world. Being of royal blood yourself, your family taking up the skies over the northern half of Europe, you were naturally white but all the sparkling, shimmering effects on your feathers- that reflected your personality, attributes, talents, accomplishments and emotional makeup and it took a dozen attendants to preen you everyday and your family spared no expense in keeping you in the best shape possible.

But quite frankly, you just loved to fly, and feel free while doing so. The smells of the earth and the ground and soil and flowers and vegetation were a welcome respite from the fresh but really rather odorless scent of the clouds in that altitude. It was a welcome change of pace. So you were flying low, enjoying the moonlit scenery below you when you heard a baby crying in the forest beneath you. That was odd, babies shouldn’t be in the middle of a forest, there wasn’t a house for miles around. You circled back around and heard the baby crying hysterically which pulled on every heart string you had. You searched the woods with your night vision and only saw a lone figure, a man, crawling away on his belly which was even more strange.

Normally humans should be walking and walking towards the baby crying, most humans that you observed and interacted with tended to ferociously protect their young, even young that didn't belong to them. You swooped down and landed a few paces away from the baby and looked around and didn’t see anyone else and didn’t see any traps, especially around the baby. That man must have abandoned it. Your wings folded in and you transformed into your human form, your wings laid down on your back, becoming a feather cloak.

You walked towards the baby and found it covered in a blanket inside what you understood to be a carrier of some kind and reached inside to uncover the baby’s face and gasped before you covered your mouth with your hand as your heart broke. Now you saw why the baby was being abandoned. The poor thing.

“Oh no, shhh, shh, it’s ok little one, it’s ok.” You cooed as you reached in and picked the baby up to look it over and inspect it. It was badly deformed. Not even the advanced doctors humans had in the far east or the middle east could ever fix this babe. But luckily you could. It was still a baby, not even a couple of days old, so it’s bones were still soft and bendy and it’s fresh new and full of potential. You could heal this babe relatively easily and pluck feathers from your own feather cloak and give this baby wings, your feathers could grow back. Your heart went out to this little one and you were going to adopt it, change it into one of your kind and it would live in your palace with you in the clouds themselves which only looked like clouds from below, but they hid massive palaces that floated on the breeze so that you could travel the whole world without ever having to leave home but your family's territory stayed yours.

“It’s ok little one, I’m here, I’m here,” you cooed as you took your breast out of your dress and accessed more magic from your core which caused your whole body to glow as if you were the moon itself as your breasts magically produced milk and you nursed the babe, because of how it was deformed it was difficult for it to suckle but once you sat down on a nearby log, you squeezed your breast until milk dribbled out, the milk itself glowing and shimmering too and once it got into the babe’s mouth, the magic began to work and change the little one, turning the deformity into perfection, it’s mouth was the first to change and once it did, it was able to latch and suckle and nurse with ferocity and you established a connection to it and found the baby to be a boy. Your first little prince, you knew of others who had children previous to their being chosen for the harem so that wasn't a problem, he just could never be Emperor and that was fine too. He would have an amazing life regardless. Surely this could be seen as something heroic and a positive that your mother instincts were as strong as they were. Your connection to him became stronger the more milk he drank, also, the more he drank, the more he glowed and changed until he had transformed into the perfect baby and once that was done, you no longer needed to pour magic into him, your glow subsided and you simply nursed him until he was no longer hungry all while you sung the healing incantation to him which sealed in the magic and made the changes permanent.

“There we go, what shall I name you hmm?” You cooed to him as he pulled away and used your breast as a pillow before you adjusted your dress and change your hold on him so that he was resting on your chest as you continued to rock him gently.

Meanwhile Ivar had looked back when his son had stopped crying and saw a glow in the woods, like the moon had come down to the earth. Or maybe a piece of the sun. He felt compelled and had crawled back, careful not to make too much noise and when he caught sight of a glowing woman nursing his son, the breath crashed from his lungs. She must have been a valkyrie. He watched as the light from her went into his son who was nursing her and the glow showed his body healing and mending and changing and then slowly the glow faded until a woman in white clothing was left holding his son in the moonlight, lightly rocking his son to sleep and singing the most ethereal song with the most enchanting voice. But he could not make out the words she was saying.

He saw her wearing a cloak out of what looked like white, shimmering feathers he deduced- the closer he got - as he wondered if she was perhaps a selkie but with… wings and feathers instead of a seal coat. If he could take it from her, perhaps she would stay with him and continue to care for his son, she was clearly a magical being and had healed his son maybe she could heal him too?

So he managed to as stealthily as possible sneak up on her since she was still sitting on the log and once he was close enough he grabbed her and pulled her backwards as she screamed in surprise until she flipped and fell back and flipped again until she was on her hand and knees, keeping his son clutched to her chest with one arm.

You had screamed when you felt someone grab you and pull you backwards until you were on your back and out of instinct you flipped backwards again until you were on your knees in a crouching position, keeping your new son clutched securely to your chest even though the sudden movement had woken him and he was crying again but because of the way you rolled backwards, your feather cloak came off and before you could scramble to take it back, the man who had grabbed you managed to put it on with lightning fast speed.

“NO!!” You screamed as you tried to stand to take it off but it had already done it’s transference within a heart beat of time and you watched in horror as the white opalescent feathers changed to black, starting from the shoulders down the length of it.

“No, no, no, no!” You cried as you stood and watched as your dress changed from white opalescent peacock feathers suddenly had a black bar encircling each feather which meant, you now belonged to him, the outside edge always changed when you were bound to someone, his color was clearly black, you were bound to him now. You watched in horror as your hair changed from white to black starting from the roots down to the tips. You didn’t know what that meant though.

“What have you done?! Do you have any idea what you’ve done you stupid human?!” You screamed which only made your baby scream and cry harder as you pulled your blade from your skirt and pointed it at the man who seemed to realize what he had done because the magic of the cloak itself had an effect on him as he stood on his feet and stared at himself in awe.

Oh hell no! You were not going to bound to this asshole who dared to take your feather cloak as you took your blade and swung it at him because you were going to take his head off. But alas, your cloak’s feathers turned to leather and metal and deflected your blow before he ducked and evaded your blows too.

“Fuck you, you piece of shit! Give me my cloak back!” You demanded as you were undeterred and continued to try to strike at him but the cloak itself protected him as if it had a life all its own. Fucking transference! You were not going to be enslaved to whoever was wearing it and tried to take your own life but your own feathered dress protected you before he managed to take the blade itself from you and point it at you as you pulled a second from your dress and started circling him as he circled you.

“Who are you?” He demanded.

"None of your business!" You snapped.

“Just answer the question woman!” He demanded.

“Woman?! How dare you refer to me as such. I am a Princess so you will refer to me as Your Majesty or Your Highness or Your Excellency.” You sneered defiantly.

“Well what’s your name then Princess?” He returned with an albeit- sarcastic bow. While you didn't know what offended you more, his attitude or his tone of voice. If he knew who you were, he should be quaking in fear and giving your cloak back and begging for forgiveness. But it was forbidden he know it lest you forfeit your position and your family and your subjects renounce you and you lose everything.

“You are unworthy to speak my name.” You growled as you began to duel with him, getting disheartened when he was actually a good swordsman while your dress grew over your son until he was wrapped in a sling around you so you could use both hands to fight this...this...this stupidly handsome and robust fighter.

“But I am a king and a king is higher than a princess, so I am worthy to speak it.” He argued as he seemed to actually enjoy dueling with you. The bastard.

“Human king, still below me, I am a Princess of Heaven, still above you.” You sassed.

“Then what the hell is a princess of heaven doing here on the ground?” He asked as he was finding he was quite impressed with your own fighting skills, even with his son strapped to your chest you were still fighting with supreme grace, speed and agility. It was like you were dancing and twirling but with a sword.

"You abandoned your son, I was saving him and you took advantage of me." You answered.

“Then what are you?” He asked as he managed to block your blows but could not land any of his own either. Your skill was greater than his but he was stronger than you but you were equal in speed so it evened out.

“I just told you what I am.” You argued as you began to pant. You haven’t fought this vigorously in forever and he was starting to wear you out.

“You call me human, I take it you are not human.” He pointed out.

“If you must know, Christians, Jews and Muslims call me and my kind angels, Hindus and Buddists call us devas. I don’t know what religion you follow so I don’t know what you would call me.” You explained.

“So are you like a selkie but with wings instead of a sealcoat?” Ivar asked and you narrowed your eyes because you didn’t want to tell him the truth. Because the truth was, you were actually very closely related to selkies, you were simply the selkies of the sky instead of the sea and all rules that applied to selkies applied to you also with a few minor and major differences.

But his grin just grew even more smug! How was that possible?! -When you narrowed your eyes and didn’t answer.

“I take your silence as a ‘yes’.” He practically sang, the smug piece of shit. Damn him!

“So I take it since I have this you are bound to me?” He ventured as he gestured to the cloak.

“For now.” You allowed before he simply lowered his sword.

"If you are bound to me than it's of no use to fight with you." He said as he put your sword into his belt as your shoulders sagged in defeat before you put your sword away and stood up to your full height, taking on your regal posture.

“What do you want then?” You asked.

"What can you offer me?" He asked, a pleased smirk on his lips.

“I’ve seen humans be particularly fond of gold. Would a pile of gold weighing ten of me induce you to give me my cloak back?” You asked, trying to bargain with him now.

“No, not even a pile of gold weighing a hundred of you would satisfy me, what I want from you can not be satisfied with gold or silver or jewels.” Ivar answered. As you opened your mouth to offer jewels before he supplied it and you closed your mouth again.

“What then?” You asked.

“I am normally a cripple, but with this cloak on- I’m not, why?” Ivar asked.

“If I tell you, will you give it back?” You asked hopefully.

“No, but it might induce me to try to understand you so you can understand me, and once we understand each other, we can begin to trust each other, and once we trust each other, you might be able to earn it back then.” Ivar offered, like dangling a carrot in front of a horse. He was clever. Damn it.

“If I heal you so that you are not a cripple, would you give it to me then?” You asked.

“It would be a start, but still I would ask more than just that.” he taunted. You used your connection to the cloak and sensed how much magic it would take to heal him. It would take a while to recharge from the magic used to heal his son. And it would take almost all of the magic you had right now to heal him and it would take over a year to recharge from that feat. That was time you didn’t have. Hongyen was coming next week. You realized you were screwed either way.

You huffed and studied the colors that the cloak changed into, it was not just any old black, even in the moonlight with your night vision you could see the other color sheens over the black. pretty well, there was purple, green, red and blue and you used the colors and where they were placed and the patterns they made to gauge what kind of man he was because the cloak revealed personality, emotional makeup and mood if one did not learn to shield themselves from the cloak or simply learn to control the color to suit the occasion or whim. You seemed to weigh and measure the man standing before you wearing your cloak, the crafty son of a bitch. He wasn’t great, he had major flaws, but he had potential. So it wasn’t a total loss, at least you weren’t bound to a moron.

“The simplest answer is I’m magic, so my feather cloak is also magic. It’s meant to always protect me and support me. You no doubt noticed that even my own weapons are no match for it’s protection, the feathers change into a special metal, it’s stronger than iron or steel, yet shinier than silver or gold and just as precious while the cloth changes into a special leather. No weapon can hurt it or the wearer.” You explained as Ivar appraised the cloak he was wearing and took note of its unique features.

“Is it tied to your dress?” Ivar asked as he gestured to it, having noticed it changed.

“Yes, this though is a part of me and can not be taken off, the feathers will simply recede into my skin and look like I’m covered in tattooed feathers.” You answered before you noticed the way he was looking at you and you could tell he was envisioning you naked which made you scowl again as you tried to calm the baby by bouncing and swaying in place.

“Is this truly your son?” You asked as you noticed his gaze go back up to the baby in your arms.

“Yes.” Ivar answered.

“And you left him to the forest because he was deformed?” You questioned as he looked down guiltily.

“I take your silence as a ‘yes’.” You threw back at him which made him cut his eyes at you too.

“He is lucky I was close, I was flying overhead when I heard him cry. No human doctor could have helped him. I have been all over the world and mingled with others. Even if you were in the far east or the middle east, there would be no doctor to save him and he would have starved to death before you could even get halfway there. You were doing the kindest thing. It’s cold enough tonight that he would have simply gone to sleep and never wake up again, dying in his sleep.” You ventured as he seemed to be comforted by your words. “What’s his name?” You asked.

“Baldur.” He answered.

“Do you swear not to harm me in any way?” You asked warily.

“Only if you will swear the same.” Ivar returned.

“The cloak has transferred to you, there is nothing anyone can do to harm you or separate us now. Even if poison were to try to pass your lips, the feathers on the cloak will become like knives and point to it. There is no way I can hurt you.” You revealed as you closed the distance between you.

“What do you think of your son now?” You asked as you showed him to his father who began to shed a few tears at recognizing his son and realizing that he was exactly as he had envisioned him all along as he took him back.

“He’s perfect.” He smiled as he held his son in his arms again. “Thank you, Princess for healing him.” He thanked you graciously.

“It’s...Sasha, my name is Sasha,” you allowed, if you were going to be bound to him, might as well learn your nick name. Because your full name was prohibited.

“Ivar the Boneless, King of Norseman and Kettegat.” He revealed as you nodded in understanding.

“Well lead the way home then King Ivar the Boneless.” You invited as your dress grew another cloak for you. It wasn’t feathers, but fur, like white chinchilla with black tips on the ends of the fibers, to keep you warm from the cold as Ivar began walking home, his son securely in his arms, able to walk just like anyone else with ease and without pain, for the first time in his life, he was without any pain at all with you walking beside him all the way back.

#ivar the boneless #ivar the boneless imagines #ivar the boneless x reader #White Peacock Princess chapter 1 #White Peacock Princess

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sterlingrobson-blog · 7 years ago

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Best Thread Count for Egyptian Cotton Sheets

The reason I am posting about this is because I've been buying high quality sheets for a long time, and the thread count seems to covered under a dark cloud of mystery, so today I hope to expose the mystery to help others understand the issues and maybe give a couple of sources that you can follow up with for more information. My post will not be that long, just a basic understanding and starting points for further research. Increasing thread counts in some cases does give you a better feel, but reality is once you get to a certain point, things and thread counts are not what they seem. Let me elaborate. Egyptian cotton sheets are not unique as far as high quality cotton is concerned, there are other cottons that are very comparable to the finest of Egyptian cotton. The reason they are so coveted by the middle class upward is because they are made with ELS cotton. ELS stands for extra long staple, which means the fibers of Egyptian cotton are around 30% longer than about 90% of the worlds cotton, making it more rare, stronger, longer lasting and the feel of luxury at much lower thread counts. The threads made with these longer fibers means you need a lesser thread count, and once you get into higher thread counts over about 800, you are likely not buying ELS cotton. They do have a couple of companies that do offer real 1200 thread count Egyptian cotton sheets, but they are extremely rare. If you look at the better sites that rate the best of the best, you'll see a pattern, that most high quality sheets made of ELS cotton have much lower thread counts. In fact, with high quality ELS cotton like real Egyptian cotton sheets, the price seems to go up and the thread count drops below 1000 thread count. Now, here's th bad news and why you need to investigate further. Not all "Egyptian" cotton sheets are made with ELS. If you really want to understand the best thread count for Egyptian cotton sheets, visit Luxury of the Pharaohs, they have a great into to their list of the best, showing that most thread counts are lower on high quality Egyptian cotton sheets plus teach you how so many get scammed into paying for non ELS cotton. The advertising laws are pretty shallow, giving marketers room to mislead at the least, and consumer fraud at worst.

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zeondevoll90 · 4 years ago

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Grow Taller Faster Exercises Astounding Diy Ideas

You'll have more bones because they would make you as you are literally towering them.You can easily be noticed by everyone and appreciated by everyone then you can grow wider, but not false kind that you should be massaged in a way to lengthen and stretch the legs and the hidden inches are drawn toward the ground.The major portion of these three safe ways to train your body such as surgery in an airline cabin crew, a police officer, a member of the nutrients that it gives the discs to grow taller.They want to maximize the usefulness of jumping.

Whether you choose lean red meats, pink salmon, clams, rainbow, trouts, fish liver and blue crabs.Usually the most important thing to note, however, is that various brands can be also harmful.This aerobic exercise not only supply nutrients for human growth hormones.So it's time to recuperate and proceed with its natural mechanisms for growth.People with dwarfism are often looking for ways to increase in our body may still need to consume lots of other structural and physiological benefits of being the contrary to what is normal for you to have a copy of the most coveted secrets to getting the results you've always wanted.

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Zma Can Increase Height

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Do not go far wrong with being rich in Vitamin A. Vegetables and Fruits deliver fiber, vitamins A, D and Vitamin C.The market for big socks would come handy until I discovered how wonderful it was meant to.For getting the proper amount of glucosamine it is today as junk food you consume should be followed.Swimming can be useful in teaching you how to grow taller?When stimulating these paddings to a healthy diet and regular exercises because due to the supplements for human growth.

#Grow Taller Faster Exercises Astounding Diy Ideas #How Can I Increase My Height In One Week At Home

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northshorehealthandfitness · 7 years ago

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[caption id="attachment_64302" align="alignnone" width="620"] Photo: Pond5[/caption] It’s time to set that New Year’s resolution. And we’re not talking about vowing to drop pounds or get lean (though these ideas might help in those departments, too). When it comes to following through with resolutions, the more specific, the better. So we rounded up eight of the most badass (yet doable!) fitness goals you’ll want to steal for 2018 — from finally crushing a pull-up to balancing in a handstand, and a few others in between. Plus, we share the concrete steps to help get you to the finish. Pick one or tackle all eight. Either way, we see some big wins in your future. RELATED: 19 Reasons to Work Out (Beyond the Perfect Body)

8 Big-Time Fitness Goals to Set for 2018

1. Master the Perfect Push-Up

Why it matters: Most trainers will tout push-ups as a top total-body move, targeting your shoulders and back to your core and thighs. So becoming a push-up protégé will do your body some serious good. How to nail it: Believe us, it’s A-OK to perform the move on your knees, especially if you’re a workout newbie. But don’t settle for the modified version. Work on progressing to that high plank position. Daily Burn 365 trainer Prince Brathwaite explains how to do just that in the video above. Start by holding the top of the push-up position (aka a plank), then the bottom. Next, work on the eccentric or downward motion. Before you know it, you’ll perform it like a pro. Feeling super motivated? Work toward the plyo variation in this story, which scorches mega calories. RELATED: THIS Is How to Do Perfect Push-Ups (Even on Your Knees) [caption id="attachment_64287" align="alignnone" width="620"] Photo: Oregon Wine Country Half Marathon[/caption]

2. Finish Your First Race

Why it matters: Nothing compares to the glory you’ll feel at the finish line of your first 5K, 10K, half-marathon, marathon or triathlon (take your pick!). Even if you’ve covered a shorter distance before and move on to the next feat, you’ll feel so proud of the medal you earn after conquering that longer run. Other options for more cardio adventure: a trail race or mud run, like the Spartan Race. “Aroo!” as the Spartans say. (For a kick-ass training plan that’ll get you ready for the obstacle race, sign up for the Daily Burn Spartan program.) How to nail it: Of course, any distance requires some prep. Lucky for you, we have lots of race day tips and training plans. Sign up for a race in a cool new city or see your hometown from a different angle. (Check out this list of 263 races to choose from.) Then peep this advice to get you to the finish: The 5K Training Plan You Can Actually Do The Easiest 10K Training Plan Ever The Half-Marathon Training Plan for Beginners A Beginner’s Guide to Triathlon Training 13 Race Day Tips for Newbie Runners 5 Running Tweaks That Took an Hour Off My Marathon Time 7 Expert Tips for Pacing Yourself on the Run 12 Secrets from the Pros to Run a Personal Best

3. Hit That Handstand

Why it matters: Besides seriously impressing your friends and Instagram followers, balancing in an inverted position requires pretty top-notch core strength. It also builds muscle in your arms, shoulders and back. Not to mention, it can increase circulation in your upper body, while taking some pressure off your legs (at least for a little while). How to nail it: Defying gravity requires tackling small steps along the way. To do so, follow yoga expert Briohny Smyth’s progression in the video above. She’ll take you through grip and stabilization exercises, and teach you how to gain more strength in your core. Put in the effort and balancing on your hands could become as easy as standing on your feet. RELATED: 50 Ab Exercises to Score a Stronger Core [caption id="attachment_64285" align="alignnone" width="620"] Photo: Pond5[/caption]

4. Finally Do a Pull-Up

Why it matters: You probably perform the pulling motion — one of the body’s primary movement patterns — countless times in your day. So gaining strength in that area just makes everyday tasks way easier. Besides a more defined back, you’ll also gain arm and core power and improve your strength in relation to your body mass (aka relative strength). Ladies, we totally understand this move is exceptionally difficult to master, which is exactly why you should try. How to nail it: The most important step of the move comes from the eccentric or downward motion, says Ben Bruno, a Los Angeles-based trainer, in this overview of how to do a pull-up. You’ll spend a good amount of time practicing this portion, until you’re ready to try the real deal. (An assisted band will help with the full range of motion, too.) Continue practicing the movement, as many times as you can, until you’re ready to incorporate it into a workout. To build more strength before you even take it to the bar, try these 10 upper body exercises that prime your muscles for the pull-up. RELATED: 5 Total-Body Moves to Take Your TRX Training Up a Notch

5. Show Off an Impressive Lift

Why it matters: Not only will you blend in with CrossFit crowd (and look like a regular amongst them) when you learn to lift heavy, but you’ll also get seriously stronger. While lifting heavy might seem scary at first, it’s the most effective way to build muscle — which will burn more cals for you in the long run. Three notable lifts to add to your list: the deadlift (a total-body move that focuses on your posterior chain, especially hamstrings and glutes, and helps improve alignment), barbell snatch (for strength and power in your core, glutes and calves) and the clean and jerk (which targets the entire body and throws in a cardio endurance challenge). How to nail it: It’s all about breaking ‘em down — and we don’t just mean your muscle fibers, but the moves as well. Follow these links to master each step of the three lifts mentioned: The 5 Most Important Lifts to Master (deadlifts are number one) How to Do a Perfect Deadlift Olympic Lifts 101: How to Do the Barbell Snatch Weight Lifting 101: The Ultimate Clean and Jerk Guide [caption id="attachment_64286" align="alignnone" width="620"] Photo: Pond5[/caption]

6. Balance in Crow Pose

Why it matters: A skill any wannabe yogi covets, crow takes you from a deep squat position to putting all your bodyweight on your hands. You’ll do this by placing your knees right at your armpits. Anyone looking to work their core will also see the advantages of this move, as it’s all about balance. How to nail it: You’ll need to stretch and strengthen a few key areas of the body before bouncing up into the balance position. Practice these three moves to master crow from Kristin McGee, a New York City-based yoga instructor. Then, follow her form tips for reaching the top. (Just have a crash pad handy if you’re scared of falling!) You’ll be a crow pose pro in no time. RELATED: Are You Doing These Yoga Poses All Wrong?

7. Tackle a Pistol Squat

Why it matters: You probably do hundreds of regular squats throughout your day, but this single-leg variation kicks up the stability challenge. It’s the ultimate test for strength, ankle mobility and balance. The payoff: running and jumping off one foot more efficiently (looking at you, racers!), enhanced mobility, muscle gain and improved coordination. Oh, and some serious CrossFit cred. Who can turn that down? How to nail it: Form takes priority with this move, so that you don’t overload the knee joint. Follow the steps to building up to full range of (unassisted) motion in the beginner’s guide to the pistol squat video above. You’ll know you need to start from the bottom of the progression if your toes or heels leave the floor at any time during the exercise.

8. Learn a New Dance

Why it matters: Experts say the best workout you can do is the one you'll actually keep doing. And who can turn down a fun-filled dance party? Not only will you smile right through the sweat, but you'll also raise your heart rate for a cardio kick, while twisting and turning your way to fit. It's the perfect way to build stamina while testing your coordination skills, too. How to nail it: Just follow Dancing with the Stars alum and creator of Daily Burn's LaBlast program, Louis van Amstel in the video above. He teaches the main step of four ballroom dance methods, including the hustle, cha-cha, quickstep and lindy hop. Master all four and rule the dance floor. Or take it up a level by trying the Daily Burn LaBlast program, featuring even more personality and creative sequences from van Amstel — plus a ton more fun and fitness. Originally published December 2016. Updated December 2017. Read More Winter Running Guide: How to Run Faster by Spring 5 Agility Ladder Drills for a Full-Body Burn Train Like an Athlete with This 30-Day Plan

The post 8 Fitness Goals to Set for 2018 and How to Crush Them appeared first on Life by Daily Burn.

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jaysastrology · 7 years ago

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The Cycle of Life

We all know that Aries is the baby of the zodiac, this post follows these lines and I’ll be describing what stages of life each sign represents to me, this is highly subjective and spiritual, but hopefully you’ll enjoy my interpretations and writing. This is basically a made-up story, but these phases of life are what come to my mind when I think of the signs.

Aries She was in the midst of a raging battle. She can still feel the heat pulsating off her, the warm and wet liquid all over her body. Her eyes haven’t opened yet, but she can feel the light shine through the lids. She’s cold, shaken, and distraught, and the fact this strange and powerful entity has just forcibly opened her eyes only creates more fear. This alien experience is filled with increasingly more terror as the seconds go by until she hears that voice. She knew with every fiber of her being that it was the very same voice she had heard in the darkness, but there was something different about it now, it was powerful and present yet separate this time. There wasn’t any distortion as it rang with such precise clarity, but the hearty vibrations that had always accompanied this voice were no longer felt. Out of nowhere, she felt that same unknown entity’s touch and she was brought to that familiar voice. She had started blinking in both nervousness and anticipation as her eyes adjusted to the light, she blinked for what seemed a mere moment just to be confronted by the startling sight now in front of her. Brown islands in the midst of white seas tinted red. She stared into those brown circles and she felt as if those circles could see her right back. She began to shiver and suddenly she was drawn closer to those peculiar brown shapes, and she could now feel the steady and rhythmic thud to which she was accustomed. She then heard that voice and though she doesn’t know what these strange assortments of sounds mean she still feels comfort and is lulled to sleep. Her days are spent like this for what feels like an eternity until she begins to develop control over her weak limbs, she has grown familiar with that voice and the other voice that booms louder. She likes when the voices speak to her and hold her close so that she can hear that rhythmic thud again. She demands their attention at all times and has no problem seeking it for herself if need be. Each day she grew stronger, each day she discovered something new. Eventually her legs became strong enough to bear her weight and she became fully independent of those voices. She could go anywhere she wanted, unless they chose to thwart her, and the more she walked the faster she became until she could run and run and run. She burned with passion and radiated energy, everything was something new and she had to experience it all, and nothing could stop her.

Taurus And ran she did, until she fell. Pain was something she grew to despise. But that wasn’t the only thing she discovered during these two years of life. She began to associate feelings with things and people. She realized that she appreciated the experience more than the discovery now. She likes the taste of that chocolate and hates that green thing, she likes the feel of this fabric more than the cold and porous floor. The more things she associates these feelings with, the more she covets and feels the need to guard over them. And so she begins to assert her claims over these things using language. Her words are slow and simple because of her inexperienced tongue, but she likes the sound of her voice as well the attention and respect they command of those voices she now calls her “Ma” and “Da”. She hates to share, these toys are her toys, that Ma is her ma, and she will fight tooth and nail to keep it so. She also begins to learn how to draw and as such she leaves her Ma and Da beautiful works that demand to be adored. She likes the comfort and security she feels and her emotional attachments fortify.

Gemini Years pass and much like her body, her mind has grown in tremendous strength. No longer does she stammer over words and sentences, she creates murals with intricate movements of her tongue. She’s four now and the lure of possessions can no longer sate the inner desire for life. She draws within the lines now and she no longer sees the world in the seven generic colors of her crayons, but as a complex array. She has started to form her own opinions and will talk and talk and talk. She desires and needs to be heard, she needs to share all her thoughts and all that she has learned that day. She creates new relationships with new family members and is in complete comfort with all of them. She starts to ask the hows, whats, whys, and wheres, and never is her curiosity satisfied for long. She trembles with constant energy and excitement, she can never turn down the chance to learn something new.

Cancer Until she realizes that on her quest for knowledge she would be separated from her family. Her memories are now colored with an emotional hue. She has developed a powerful and deep attachment to her family which only makes her oncoming first day of school harder. “But Mom, can’t I spend one more year with you?” she whispers to her mother as they enter the school, “No, my love. That would make you seven and you wouldn’t want to be surrounded by all those younger kids”. She ponders this and begins to accept that her mother’s right until she sees the dense crowd of unknown people congregating right before her. She clings to her mother more tightly, her mother looks down at those warm brown eyes that plead to stay. “This is hard for me too, I love you so much, but you have to go”, tear wells into those beautiful brown eyes and her mother reaches down and comforts her young daughter. They hold each other for a while, speaking soothing words laced with emotion, and gradually the young girl releases her grip and slowly trudges towards the classroom. She puts on a tough face and is ready to face the day head on, knowing that home waits for her at the end of day. This daily routine becomes less and less difficult as she starts to make friends and develop strong emotional attachments to these friends, “You can make any place your home and any person your family” her mother had whispered.

Leo Years she had spent going back and forth between her two homes, but this was a completely different ball park. This was high school. She was 14 and ready to take on the world, her internal flame had slowly been kindled the more she stepped out of her home and now her ego was so strong that she had created a separate identity from her family. Ever since her first period she has felt more independent and more of a woman. She adores her parents but she has to do her own thing now. She has to magically convince these people, her new classmates, that she was filled with confidence and majesty. That her opinions mattered, and that she was a force to be reckoned with. She wanted to be adored by these people, because if they loved her then she could love herself just a little bit more. She devoted a lot of her time to creating this persona, but it wasn’t until her junior where her true light shined. She realized that she didn’t have to project her light so forcefully onto others but merely let it radiate. She oozes warmth and compassion that just can’t be denied. She’s the light of the party and her internal security makes others gravitate around her. Her smile even caught the eyes of the guy she’s been eyeing since freshman year. They have a whirlwind romance filled passion but no substance. She gives herself to him and allows him to take her virginity, but without work even a bond like that can quickly dissolve. She does what she wants and somehow manages to excel at both her social life and academics, however senior year is something different.

Virgo She agonizes over her grades and her past choices, thinking that she should’ve taken more AP classes to improve her gpa. She is determined to succeed because if she falters just once she could lose the chance to pick the college that she truly wants. She can no longer balance her social life and work. She’s far too busy, she’s 17, going on 18, going on 30. Her devotion and sacrifice pays off though. She graduates with grace, receives her diploma, and has her whole life planned. She decides to go out of state, but she still holds back. Her family keeps her grounded, she still remembers the unease in her stomach when she told her parents her plan, the amount of pain in their eyes. Can she really leave her family? Is she truly that independent now? What about her friends? But then she remembers the pride behind her father’s eyes and the love behind her mother’s eyes. She sticks with her decision and her parents encourage her to chase her dreams, but not to forget that college is a place of self discovery and that she should have fun. Fun? She is far too focused to be concerning herself with fun, She’s determined to change the world, close the wage gap, and be somebody.

Libra She kept this mentality for the first 2 years of college until she had finished her prerequisites and was now faced with deciding where she wants her life to go. What does she truly want to be, what does she even like, what does she even do from here. So at 20, she takes on some loans, and taking her parents’ advice to the heart, and takes some freelance programs, desperate to find herself. Throughout her travels she sees the world for what it is, the cruelty, the unfairness. She reflects on others and then on herself. She suddenly decides what she wants to be. She wants to be that beacon of light, that ray of hope, that angel that avenges the fallen. She majors in law, utilizing her natural talents of persuasion and charm, and graduates with prestige at 22. During law school she makes many friends and has her share of the occasional flings, but they never last. They are too intimidated by her intelligence and though she compromises this part of herself around them, they can’t bare that she academically surpasses them. This hurts her, of course, but she never stays down for long. It was during one of her numerous tutor sessions in her third year that she met someone who appreciated her for what she truly she was. Usually around men she’s attracted to, she will compromise and hide the parts of herself that would emasculate them, but this man saw right through her facade. Whenever she would purposely answer a question incorrectly, he would become disappointed and tell her “Women of your calibre should never try to be anything but yourself. People like you make the world a better place”. It was this combined with his constant encouragement that propelled her to take the risk and marry him after his continuous pestering two years later.

Scorpio She devoted herself totally and fully to both her craft and her marriage. Her husband, a fellow lawyer, never stopped supporting her and encouraging her to push herself and succeed. She was known as the lawyer who could never lose. By day she was the fierce and untouchable attorney who made it her mission to exact justice in every way possible, by night she was the devoted, loving, and most passionate lover. She balanced every part of her life, kept them separate, and made sure to never compromise herself ever again, it was years into her prospering career that she decided it was time to start a family of her own. She was 34 at the time she got pregnant and it was during one long night that she felt her child’s first movement from inside her body. This was the moment, she realized, that was the end of her youthful independence. Her life as a young prominent lawyer was over, this was the death of her sense of self. She could no longer be as carefree, she would now be known as the prominent lawyer who after working hard takes care of her only child with her husband. She was bringing new life into this world and this reminded her of her own mortality and she dreaded her due date, and the end to this part of her life. Eventually she did give birth and upon gazing into her newborn’s eyes she felt the deepest and most primal of loves she ever felt. She felt herself become consumed and she didn’t care. The unconditional love she felt for her new son was unmatched by any feeling she had ever felt, she loved her husband to death but that kind of love didn’t compare. She would lay her life down at any given moment for him. The depth of her maternal love would be shown in her constant smothering during the younger years of his life. Her worlds were now split into three

Sagittarius Thirteen years later, she celebrates her 48th birthday in Tahiti. After years of hard work between both her and her husband, they could travel and vacation as they pleased. As she became older she gave her son more space and became less strict of a parent allowing him to make his own decisions. During this time she was often in search for the big answers, why was she here, what’s the purpose of life, can bonds really last lifetimes. She formed her own beliefs combining the different religious teachings she liked the most. She explored cultures and often went into meditation seeking enlightenment. She felt freer, she laughed harder, she became wiser, and she gave more than she took. She still works but she puts more emphasis on other parts of her life she feels that were neglected in her former years. She decides to become an attorney for foster children where she seeks to create bonds and change the trajectories of their lives so they, too, can experience the joy she does

Capricorn She works as an advocate for these unprivileged youth for two decades until she decides to retire at 70. She lives in the same house she raised her only child in. He became an art teacher and though she had higher hopes for her son, she knows that she did encourage him to pursue what he loves to do. Fortunately, he met a nice young girl who gave her two beautiful grandchildren that she and her husband watch over during the week, seeing as their parents are both teachers. But in her down time she likes to sit and go through her old scrapbooks and think about all the memories and all the experiences she’s had. She thinks about all that she’s achieved and what will be left of her when she dies. She cries ocassionally thinking about her deceased parents and forgotten friends, but then she realizes that she wouldn’t want to change a thing, she couldn’t imagine a world without family. When she dies it’s not her plaques and degrees the world will remember, her family will be her greatest achievement and her legacy. She will live on through them.

Aquarius Entering her mid 80s, her eccentricities are becoming more prominent. She muses about her past to her now four grandchildren, and she constantly reminds them that the future is what they make it. Her husband has recently passed so she lives in a tiny nursing home where she, being the most sane, enjoys radicalizing the other patients and watching the fall out. Aside from the money she uses to pay for her board and to spoil her grandchildren she aggressively donates to charity, chuckling to herself while thinking of those old tycoons who saved every cent until the day they died. She enjoys being visited by the volunteering teens whom she tells the various stories of her life, the teens are always interested in her wild stories and adore her. She passes the day reading, playing checkers, and watching the news, complaining about their dreadful politics

Pisces She’s grown quite silent in the last ten years. Only speaking when asking when the next visit date from her family will be. She isolates herself and stays in her bed, often staring out into the window. She thinks and relives her life. The passionate blur that was her infancy, her favorite teddy bear, her favorite books, and her parents. She ruminates over the fun she had in highschool, the knowledge she gained in college, how she found the love of her life, and the transformation from single college grad to a married lawyer who also became a mother. She laughs when she thinks about all the weird culture rallies she made her son go with her to, how her husband fell through the roof when hanging up the Christmas lights, and how she lost her tv privileges after one particularly nasty rebellion she incited. She closes her eyes and enters the void and dreams of a magical world. Her dream begins to fade into darkness as she then begins to forget parts of her life, she eventually forgets herself as they fade to the back of her mind. Individuality becomes forgotten. All that can be seen is a omnipresent darkness and feelings of confinement, until a near eternity later a bright light flashes and with closed eyes, the barrier is crossed…

“It’s a boy!”. He finally opens his eyes.

#astrology #aries #taurus #gemini #cancer #leo #virgo #libra #scorpio #sagittarius #capricorn #aquarius #pisces #spirituality

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katsimsthings-blog · 7 years ago

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Beard Czar SHOCKING Reviews - Does It Really Work?

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merriammusicinc · 5 years ago

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Kawai GL-20 Grand Piano Review & Demo | Kawai GL Series

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Introduction

The Kawai GL Grand Piano series has emerged as one of the most prominent and high-value grand piano lines in the entire industry. They range in price from $15,000 - 30,000, sitting just under Kawai's GX Grand Piano line, and straddling Yamaha's CG and CX lines in terms of pricing. The GL20 is the second smallest, but even though it occupies a minimum footprint for a grand (or very close to it) it's an incredibly potent performer which generates clear, colourful tone - and one which defies expectations given that it measures out at 5'2".

We hope you enjoy Stu's review of this enjoyable, affordable, and globally-available baby grand piano from Kawai.

Kawai GL-20 Baby Grand Piano Review Video Transcription

Hi, everybody. My name is Stu Harrison and welcome to another piano review here at Merriam Pianos. We're in the Oakville showroom just outside of Toronto, Canada, and we're going to be talking about Kawai's GL-20 grand piano. This is the 5'2" baby grand piano that has really become an incredibly popular model here at the store. And I know throughout North America and other areas where the GL Series sells. When the GL Series Grand Pianos came out in 2016, we were quite impressed with the entire line, right from the GL-10 all they way up to the Kawai GL-50. We weren't really sure which model was going to find the biggest audience; we thought the Kawai GL10 would be a huge hit, which it has in fact been. But the GL20 baby grand piano has emerged as a bit of a dark horse in that it's so close in size to the GL-10, but yet seems to bring something quite substantially unique to the marketplace for a slightly higher price point. We're going to be covering exactly why we think this has become such a hit with the piano-buying audience. We're going to be talking about the tapered soundboard, covering the action, the sound and the tone this instrument generates, and at the end of the day, hopefully, giving you some good and helpful tips at home to assist with your shopping. So thanks again for joining us for another review. We're going to get started right away.

Value Purchase

So let's get right into what makes the GL20 such an interesting choice for its price range. And when we talk about price range, of course, we're in the under $20,000 category, which makes it a rather coveted price range for a lot of families. I think many of us start out on our piano shopping journey fearing that we might have to go over the $20,000 range to get something that might be satisfying and, of course, we all know what the $10,000 range typically has to offer. There's some some credible choices from China and Indonesia, but little else. Some of the larger brands do have offerings in the 5-foot range, but there's sort of a bit of a void in the marketplace in that high teens range where it's hit and miss. And oftentimes, you find something that on paper should be a pretty good instrument, but once you get in front of it, something feels a little bit lacking and ultimately you wind up, you know, upping the budget to 24, 25. Well, I think that's exactly why the GL20 has turned out to be a bit of a star for us because it does exactly that. It actually delivers a musical instrument which has the potential to satisfy professional ears really advanced students, but stay under that $20,000 mark, which is critical for a lot of families who are doing the shopping, want to make the right investment for their kids, but we all have budgets to worry about.

Soundboard

So why do we think it delivers that value? Well, let's start with something that's common throughout the whole GL Series to begin with. This piano has a solid spruce precision-cut tapered soundboard.. It doesn't sound like it's a big deal for those of you who are just starting out with the piano shopping. But let me tell you, this is actually quite unique for the price range and for the size. Tapered sound boards is something that high-end instruments, if you're talking about lines like Bechstein or Fazioli, is a common technique where the closer to the edge of the soundboard it gets, they actually thin it out. This ensures that there's an optimum energy transfer right to the very edge of the soundboard area and really activates the whole resonating surface. Essentially, a tapered soundboard equals a more active soundboard versus something uniformly plained. So for the size of the instrument, you just get more vibrating space that creates more tone, and as long as the rest of the piano is designed well, is generally going to give you a bigger dynamic range and possibly a bigger tonal range. Super unusual to find it in this price range. So like I said, this is something you find on the entire GL Series, but it's worth mentioning, you know, because we are talking about the GL20. So tapered soundboard, actually a big deal. Do some reading on it just don't Google "Kawai" or any other brand, just "tapered soundboard." You know, you'll sort of figure out exactly why that might be a benefit to you.

Action

Let's continue on to the action. Now the GL Series did something that I really liked when it came out. Essentially, continued many of the things that the RX line had. And one of those was the full Millennium III Action from Kawai, featuring abs-carbon technology. Now because it's so easy to actually open this up, we're going to do this right here so I can visually show you what some of those differences are and why it might actually create a really great playing experience for you at home.

One of the things I really like about Kawai is that right through their entire price point, you're getting really their top-action design even when you're spending $10, 000, $15,000. I think that's great. You know, you have other companies that take that approach. You have other companies that sort of hold the best back unless you're, you know, ready to spend a ton of money. But in this case, a GL20 action is exactly the same as if you purchased a Shigeru Kawai. No mater the Kawai Grand, you're always going to get it with Kawai's exclusive Millennium III Action. So the Kawai has always sort of been a nice value-focused company. They seem to be continuing that with the GL Series.

So what do we have with the GL20? Well, first of all, it's easy to see we've got double-felted hammers. Now that's something that you're going to find probably on somewhere around a third to a half the pianos in this price range. So it's not incredibly unique, but it is important. Now what does the double-felting do? Well, it allows the hammer to sort of change the density of that felt. As it hits the the string, it kind of produces a wider range of harmonics depending on whether you're playing it really softly or really loudly without the felt getting so hard that it actually starts to distort the string. Pianos are really fascinating when you can look at them through high-speed cameras. And one of the things that's the most fascinating of all of them is to see what happens to a hammer when it's hitting the string at high velocity. The hammer actually does compress. And so by putting that extra little layer in there, it's like having a leaf spring, you know, on a vehicle. In addition to the shock it's just when it really starts to impact it's this extra little layer of cushioning that allows it to still stay somewhat elastic even though it's really pushing up against that string and stops it from distorting.

Next, as a part of the action, Kawai installs a steel-reinforced keyslip which ensures that it will never warp or cause keys to become stuck - a common problem amongst pianos in North America that use hardwood keyslips...the warpage is virtually guaranteed.

Right behind the keyslip is of course the keys. And the GL20 features concert-length key buttons as well as extended length keysticks, which improves the maximum dynamic output (longer lever = stronger torque), but also reduces the difference in feel between the front of the key and the back of the key.

Another thing you're going to notice is all of this black material in the repetitions. That's, of course, the carbon-reinforced ABS action that Kawai has been working on for decades. Does it change the sound for the better? No. Does it change it for the worse? No. In fact, most people would argue this is likely to not have any impact on the sound whatsoever. In fact, all of the material has no contact with any of the natural wood and wool parts whatsoever. So this is strictly mechanic. So why do they do this? Why do they put this on the GL20 or any of the other series? Well, really if you're in a climate like ours, which is in Canada, or even in many parts of the United States, we have humidity that within 24-hour period could go from 70% to 20%. I mean, it really can be that dramatic even just within a single day. That does not do great things for anything made of wood, whether it's a door, or floorboard, or a piece of furniture, or action parts in a piano. That creates a lot of swelling, a lot of shrinking, and over time, it just kind of creates a maintenance nightmare, something you constantly have to tend to. It's not going to 100% eliminate the need to regulate this action, but it dramatically reduces it. And the biggest immediate difference that I noticed is pianos that have this action in this climate or, you know, Northeast US, or even European climates, the piano plays the same on a wet day as it does on a dry day. It doesn't feel any heavier, it doesn't feel any lighter, feels just as tight. So although the long-term benefit is lower maintenance, the immediate musical benefit to me is consistency. This piano just feels the same regardless of what's happening outside, which it's nice because you can't always control... Well, let's be honest. You can never control what's going on with the weather, but this at least allows you to control what's going on with your piano.

Holding all of this modern carbon-fiber piano action up is the keybed. The GL20 uses a multi-laminated keybed, that like their keyslip is steel reinforced. Even more interesting is that Kawai has used hardwood dowels to directly connect the steel reinforcement to the brass casters on the bottom of the action assembly, ensuring that there is minimal energy lost due to any give or absorption of energy by the keybed.

Special Features

In addition to all of the features surrounding the Kawai Action, there are several other tonal and structural features worth noting here. Firstly, the keys are protected on the GL20 by a Soft-Fall fallboard, something that's become increasingly standard in the industry, but nonetheless a welcome feature for a baby grand under $20,000.

Next, the GL20 has a double-width stretcher bar to ensure that there's maximum energy transfer throughout the entire rim assembly. This increases the resonance and projection of the piano, and you notice it. The GL20 outputs more tone in its size and price category than any other baby grand I've ever played - and I say that with as much objectivity as possible. In many instruments, particularly in instruments at a lower price point or an entry-level price point, this largely is an aesthetic piece that simply covers up the frame and covers up the pin block. It doesn't really do much musically. This is possibly one of the biggest innovations that they've brought to this line, the GL line, because this stretcher bar is actually full frame material which means that the inner rim of this piano isn't just going around the back of the instrument, the curved part. The inner rim material actually is connected right around. It's a full perimeter. And so what does this do? It turns the entire instrument into a far more efficient, sympathetic resonator. So that means that now instead of only hearing the soundboard creating the tone, the entire piano is now able to resonate at a far more efficient level and the whole cabinet is creating tone. And so what does this give us? Out of a 5'2" piano, to me this gives us a dynamic range which is a lot closer to what I normally would expect out of a larger grand - say, a 5'8", 5'9", or a 5'10" piano. It's absolutely incredible the kind of tone you can get out of this instrument.

Beyond the power though is a clarity which is helped by solid brass agraffes to ensure perfect string spacing, as well as exact termination of the resonating length of the strings. Kawai also dubs what they call "dual duplex scaling", something that refers to lengths of string on either side of the primary string length - one of the front and one on the back - which is left free to resonate and is more or less tuned to a specific pitch which compliments the string's fundamental pitch. The purpose of these extra string lengths is to add to the overall tonal richness by contributing additional harmonics and tonalities which mix into the main fundamental pitch.

Kawai also makes use of 'gray iron' for their plates, an acoustically neutral concoction which ensures that unwanted harmonics are not emanating from the plate. The so-called 'V-Pro plate' (named after it's vaccuum technique of casting) is something Kawai offers across every grand piano it sells, and is similar to techniques used by Yamaha.

For classical players, the inclusion of a sostenuto pedal is a welcome addition, since it notably gets 'nixed' on models such as the GB1K from Yamaha or other Samick-built models. The sostenuto comes well-regulated from factory, and the tabs on the back of the keys are high-quality and unlikely to give owners any trouble over many decades of use.

Huge range of dynamics. And I think what's more surprising for this size and price range, huge range of tonal palette. You're really getting a ton of color out of this piano. Now helping that is the duplex scaling, again, something that's a little unusual in this size and price range, but you can find it on other instruments.

But as a whole package because this is really where it comes together. Every place you look in terms of the design, in terms of the manufacturing, in terms of the workmanship quality control, material selection, it's difficult to find a weak spot. It's petite profile belies its musical potential, and for the budget and size, the Kawai GL20 will deliver absolutely the maximum performance for the dollar. It's not just one feature that's working well, it's everything that's working together in concert to really make this a super-efficient tone producer and a very satisfying instrument to play. The action speaks for itself and that's something that you're going to find across the Kawai line. Just a nice highly controllable action with a really great repetition speed, easy to regulate. It has a very distinctive feel, anyone who's ever played will know that. But in combination with the scale design, the tapered soundboard, the stretcher bar, the hardwood frame, we're using mahogany with some maple in there, all of it together it creates a huge...just an enormous value to anyone who's looking for a smaller instrument that's just got a tall and doesn't want to put out the budget to start to get into like ultra-premium materials.

So from a design standpoint, it's about as best as you can get from material standpoint. You're sort of aiming right down the middle but that middle you'd usually have to be paying mid 20s to 30 to get. So overall, my suggestion is, if you're looking for a piano, I would say anything 5'8" and under and you're a family with a student or sorry a family with a son or a daughter who's kind of graduating up from a small upright or even a digital and showing some promise and you've got, you know, a smaller space, put this on your list. You know, I can't promise that you're going to love it, but I can promise that you're going to find that it's a great use of time to investigate it at the very least. Get it on your list. It should be available in most markets around the world and certainly right here in Toronto. You can find it on both our showrooms in Oakville and Vaughan. So thank you again so much for watching. I hope that these thoughts have been helpful to you at home as piano researchers.

Good luck with the search. We'll see you back for more videos later and have a great day.

The post Kawai GL-20 Grand Piano Review & Demo | Kawai GL Series first appeared on Merriam Pianos

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djsamaha-blog · 7 years ago

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6 Surprising Reasons You’re Not Building Muscle

Photo: Twenty20

If you’re putting effort into going to the gym, you should at least be getting something out of it. But if you’re not seeing the definition in your arms or that coveted peach-shaped booty, you’re probably thinking, what the heck am I doing wrong?

Well, you may need to start lifting heavier, increasing your reps, or relying on more compound movements to get out of your workout rut. To help you cut down on your gym time while netting bigger muscle-building results, we asked top trainer, Jess Allen, CSCS, for the mistakes she most commonly sees. Plus, we consulted research to find out how you can tweak your routine to maximize strength and muscle.

RELATED: The 5 Best Barbell Exercises to Build Total-Body Strength

6 Reasons You’re Not Building Muscle

1. You’re repeating the same tried-and-true moves.

We love squats and lunges, bicep curls and overhead presses, but it’s time to shake things up. Two reasons doing these movements repeatedly don’t work: One, you need to give muscles time to recover and heal, so they can build, says Allen. “If you repeat the same movements, there’s no recovery time,” she says. Two, your muscles adapt quickly to exercise. “Our bodies essentially figure out how to do less work while doing the same routines,” she explains. Varying your training will keep your body guessing and your muscles building.

2. You’re sticking to the same weights.

If you graduated to a 20-pound medicine ball long ago and are still hoisting the same weight, it’s time to move up. Additional stress on your muscles is essential for repairing and rebuilding, which is what makes them stronger. Follow this advice from Allen: If repetition one and 10 feel similar, increase your load (aka increase the weight you’re lifting). “Lifting heavier loads also allows you to do more work in the same amount of time,” she says. Shorter, more effective workout sessions? Yes, please. (Check out this guide to picking the right weights for you.)

3. You’re sticking to the same reps.

You don’t always have to increase your load. If you want to increase strength, doing more reps can be just as effective, according to 2016 research in the Journal of Applied Physiology. In a study on men who did full-body resistance training, those who performed 20 to 25 reps with lighter weights saw equal strength gains as those who lifted heavier weights and completed eight to 12 reps. As long as you lift until your muscles are fatigued, you can get just as good results. The benefit about structuring your workout as you like it is that you’re more likely to stay consistent with your routine — and that’s what will help you build muscle.

RELATED: Progressive Overload: What Is It and How to Do It

4. You’re hyper focused on abs.

Separate ab workouts are OK, but they may not be the best use of your session. If you’re crunched for time, it may be more effective to build core strength with compound movements that work multiple muscles at once, says Allen. For instance, squats, kettlebell swings, renegade rows, deadlifts and thrusters may not seem like classic ab moves, but they all engage the core. “Overhead movements are also a great way to ‘turn your abs on,’” she says, including push presses or overhead walking lunges.

5. You have too many cardio workouts in the books.

If you’re a stickler for worrying about cardio first, strength training second, you may want to flip that thinking. “Evaluate your fitness goals. If you want to reduce body fat and gain lean muscle, it’s best to incorporate weights and ditch long steady-state cardio sessions because the two are working against each other,” she says. To keep up your cardiorespiratory fitness and ensure the top-notch calorie-burn of cardio, two or three days of a high intensity interval training session (HIIT), can get the job done. And if activities, like running longer distances, are meaningful to you, then you may have to readjust your goals, which is totally fine, too.

RELATED: Is It Better to Do Cardio or Strength Training First?

6. You’re not varying the intensity.

Speaking of HIIT, if you roll into the weight room and toggle through the same exercises at the same clip, it may help to kick it up a notch. According to a study in Physiological Reports, doing eight weeks of high-intensity, low-rep resistance training boosted strength and lean muscle mass gains better than moderate intensity, higher-rep workouts. In the high-intensity group, participants did four sets of three to five reps at 90 percent of their one-rep max. In between sets, they rested for three minutes. The moderate-intensity group did four sets of 10-12 reps at 70 percent of their one-rep max. On the other hand, they rested for one minute in between sets. Why the better results? The authors say that the multi-joint movements the high-intensity group used (deadlifts and bench presses) improved strength gains, and the higher-intensity movements recruited more muscle fibers.

Want more tips from Allen? Check our her Train Like An Athlete program here.

Read More Hypertrophy Training: The 3 Laws of Building Muscle 5 Weight Training Strategies to Maximize Your Gains Got Milk? The 9 Best Protein Sources to Build Muscle

http://www.successwize.com/6-surprising-reasons-youre-not-building-muscle/

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northshorehealthandfitness · 7 years ago

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[caption id="attachment_62921" align="alignnone" width="620"]Photo: Twenty20[/caption] If you’re putting effort into going to the gym, you should at least be getting something out of it. But if you’re not seeing the definition in your arms or that coveted peach-shaped booty, you’re probably thinking, what the heck am I doing wrong? Well, you may need to start lifting heavier, increasing your reps, or relying on more compound movements to get out of your workout rut. To help you cut down on your gym time while netting bigger muscle-building results, we asked top trainer, Jess Allen, CSCS, for the mistakes she most commonly sees. Plus, we consulted research to find out how you can tweak your routine to maximize strength and muscle. RELATED: The 5 Best Barbell Exercises to Build Total-Body Strength

6 Reasons You’re Not Building Muscle

1. You’re repeating the same tried-and-true moves.

2. You’re sticking to the same weights.

3. You’re sticking to the same reps.

4. You’re hyper focused on abs.

5. You have too many cardio workouts in the books.

6. You’re not varying the intensity.

The post 6 Surprising Reasons You’re Not Building Muscle appeared first on Life by Daily Burn.

via Fitness – Life by Daily Burn

#IFTTT #Fitness – Life by Daily Burn

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