Preventing back pain when horseback riding

The most common complaint among horse riders is back pain - particularly in the lower regions. There are many reasons for experiencing the discomfort. It is recommended to see a medical professional as soon as the pain becomes sharp or chronic, for such symptom can be an indication of a potentially more serious condition. There are ways to prevent pain from occurring. Some of these are listed below.

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Make sure saddles are aligned: The regular movement of the hip and pelvic bone affects the spine and the hips. Back pain occurs when the hips are not moving properly with the motion of the horse. The pelvic region thus absorbs the energy. Continuous abuse of this area will lead to pain. This can be prevented with the proper alignment of the saddle along with the correct riding position. When the saddle fits the rider correctly, there should never be any pressure in the pelvic area.

Try flexibility exercises: When not riding, it is best to maintain suppleness in the area and build core strength. This is especially true for women who are prone to back pain. Simple exercises using an exercise ball is extremely helpful. This serves a dual purpose of helping balance and building strength in general.

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Learn proper posture: For the most part, horseback riding maintains a steady motion. Back pain is reduced when the spine is aligned. This means keeping the back straight and in relation to the horse’s movements. This simple practice significantly reduces the risk of back and knee pain.

Remember also to ask one’s instructor for more techniques to prevent back pain.

John Covington is interested in horseback riding. To learn more, follow this blog.

Parasailing sites to explore in 2017

Parasailing is the perfect sport for people who crave adventure and travel. This adventure sport allows people to feel the thrill of flying while enjoying a breathtaking view from below. As 2017 is fast approaching, here are some places worth exploring for the next parasailing adventure.

Sydney Harbour (Sydney, Australia): Take a look at the famed Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge from above. Start the adventure at Manly Wharf to get a comprehensive view of all the landmarks in this renowned city. Witness the urbanity and the laid-back character that is characteristic of Sydney.

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Tanjung Benoa (Bali, Indonesia): Bali has been known for breathtaking beaches. Exploring them underwater is a classic way to enjoy the place. Get to know the island better by going on a parasailing trip to see great beaches from high above. Relax at the view of white sand, clear blue waters, trees and artfully cultivated rice paddies.

Copacabana (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil): Almost all of Brazil’s famous sites can be seen when parasailing in Copacabana. Take a look at the Sugarloaf Mountain, the statue of Christ the Redeemer, and even the Maracanã stadium while flying. Explore the country’s colorful culture from way up and see what makes the place worth coming back to.

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Seeing a place from a different perspective is always a great experience. These three locations have different charms and attractions. Enjoying the water and breathing in the fresh air adds to the enjoyment. Whether flying solo or with a companion, parasailing is always a worthwhile activity.

John Covington spends his spare time parasailing, horseback riding, playing video games, or watching football games. Also a music lover, he has a long playlist of Motown songs from the ‘60s. Follow this blog for more on his interests.

A Story Set In Platinum: Tracing The History Of Motown Through Museums And Musicals

Motown brought the talents of dozens of African American artists to the center stage. To this day, such artists like Marvin Gaye, The Four Tops, and Michael Jackson becoming household names. Tracing the history of this label and its sound requires either a trip to the Detroit factory that started it all or catching its spectacular telling on Broadway or West End.

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The Motown Museum still bears the prominent name of Hitsville U.S.A., alluding to its former status as the headquarters of Motown Records, one of the most America's most influential music labels that continue to boast an indelible and unbeatable legacy in music locally and across the world.

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This slice of 20th century history bears memories of the label’s halcyon days in the 1960s and 1970s. Visitors to this Detroit building can see history come alive in carefully presented memorabilia and the meticulously preserved rooms where teams of composers and musicians worked diligently on hit after golden hit, following a process that at once boasted assembly line efficiency, quality control, and unprecedented creativity.

The actual story of the creation of Motown has been immortalized in a jukebox musical of the same name. In this tribute to both the company and its greatest hits, the musical follows the intrepid Berry Gordy laying the foundation of the studio with only an $800 loan, management skills, and his relationship with his roster of musicians, as told through 66 of its greatest hits.

John Covington enjoys a wide variety of hobbies, among them listening to the distinctive sound of Motown's greatest hits. Visit this blog for more on his other interests.

The Mystery Behind The 9/11 Ground Zero U.S. Flag

An American flag set on ground zero after the tragic 9/11 attacks finally made its way home after it disappeared for over a decade. The flag, which was 3-foot-by-5-foot, was a symbolic part of history. In a series of unexplainable events, the flag went from standing on ground zero to a firehouse in Everett, Washington—which was about 2400 miles away from where it came from.

Image source: time.com

How did the flag find its way home? Looking for it was never easy, and it took a mysterious man, two years of detective work, and a TV show to solve the case.

A man identified by the name “Brian” went to Everett Fire Station 1 on November 2014. He was a Marine who served years in Iraq. After watching a show on History Channel about historical artifacts that went missing, he looked for help, claiming he had the halyard and the flag from the ground zero. He said the flag was given to him in honor of his service in the military on 2007 for Veterans Day. Brian did not want publicity or money for what was stolen. He just wanted the flag back to the people of New York.

They found the flag on a yacht. The owners thought they were being pranked that the flag they had was a historical artifact. But everyone was surprised when the flag they found, in fact, was a missing piece of history. Shirley Dreifus and Chubb Insurance then donated the flag to the 9/11 museum. The History Channel has released a documentary about the journey of the lost flag.

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John Covington is a fan of parasailing, horseback riding, and other outdoor activities. He also enjoys watching documentaries on the History Channel during his spare time. Visit this blog for more interesting reads.

Reasons to Parasail in Southeast Asia

Southeast Asia is home the world’s most well-loved beach destinations that give enough cause for Europeans and Americans alike to book their holidays early on.

The biggest scenes in beach adventure belong to the countries which have the most number of peninsulas and small groups of islands. These are incredibly plentiful in Southeast Asia.

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Any parasailing experience gets its initial draw from the sheer freshness of seeing things from a new perspective. Capturing the feeling of flying and seeing things from a bird’s eye view are exhilarating experiences. But then the majority of the world’s beaches offer nothing more than the view of the blue ocean. While this is a pretty sight, it tends to get old soon enough.

This isn’t the case in Southeast Asia. This part of the world is a product of lots of volcanic activity underneath the ocean floor. Minerals and rock formations were literally pushed out of the ocean by the forces of nature, thus explaining the formation of many small islands.

It also explains the biggest thrill of the parasailing experience here. Because of the volcanic nature endemic to the place, it is also teeming with the proper nutrients to support a bustling aquatic plant life, which is typically home to the world’s most colourful fish, a sight to behold when viewed from above.

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It also doesn’t hurt that the white sandy beaches are as breathtakingly wonderful as they are depicted in postcards. They provide the perfect backdrop for the ocean’s wonders to be seen in crystal clear view.

All of these make parasailing in this part of the planet a priority in anyone’s bucket list.
John Covington is a serious parasailing adventurer and outdoorsman. Follow this Twitter page for links to worthwhile adventures.

Sports Car ... Boat? Will The Tesla Model S Swim Into The Market?

Elon Musk is supposedly crafting a new sports car to match the vehicle in the latest James Bond movie, "Spectre." There are plans to make Tesla Model S a sports submarine car. The plans, not officially announced but posted on Musk’s Twitter page, is merely a side project and will not have any effect on other Tesla projects, such as his space rocket program. However, many financial experts are curious about the plan, stating that such an endeavor could have massive market potential. A few hours after the tweet was posted, people all around the world began spreading the word. Apparently, there is an interest for a sports car that is not only beautiful but could serve as a submarine. 

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The project, however, is most likely to be expensive, and only a few people would be able to afford such a model. Many of Musk’s followers have suggested that instead of a boat, Tesla should develop an electric motorcycle or truck instead – the focus being on saving world resources than creating a vehicle that seems to have no other purpose than to be cool. There has been no response to these suggestions. 

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It is unknown whether the plan will push through or if it does, how long it will take or who will buy such design. The plan though has sparked an interest on the exact limitations of vehicular transport and what can be done or not done in terms of car design. 

John Covington loves exotic sports cars. His other interests include horseback riding and parasailing. For more on John’s passions, follow this Google+ page.

The Greatest Motown hits of Michael Jackson

To describe Michael Jackson’s career as “successful” is an understatement. Considered one of the greatest pop artists of our time, Michael Jackson had sold over 750 million records worldwide and was one of the few artists to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice. The King of Pop earned 197 major music awards in his 45-year career, among countless other accolades. Five of his albums are among the world’s best-selling records and to this day, Thriller remains the biggest selling album of all time. What a guy, huh?

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Let’s revisit some of the King of Pop’s early hits with famed American record company, Motown.

Michael was the lead singer of his family’s popular Motown group, the Jackson 5. The pop group was one of Motown’s most successful acts, with four of their first singles topping the Billboard chart. In addition to his work with the Jackson 5, Michael launched a solo career at 13 years old under Motown’s direction. In 1971, Michael made the charts with “Got to Be There,” from the album of the same name. Another chart-topping single from this album is Rockin’ Robin, a remake of a 50s Bobby Day hit.

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Michael released another successful single in his second studio album with Motown. Ben, the eponymous ballad about a rat, became Michael’s first solo No. 1 single. The song topped both US Billboard and Australian ARIA charts and won a Golden Globe for Best Song. In his fourth and final album with Motown in 1975, Michael released the single We’re Almost There. Michael’s Motown hits are featured in 3-disc compilation box set released by Universal Motown Records in 2008.

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John Covington is an avid fan of Motown music. Follow this Twitter account for more about John and his interests.