The Best Websites for Free Online Yoga Courses

The Best Websites for Free Online Yoga Courses Where Can You Find Free Online Yoga Lessons? ChaptersCan You Get Free Yoga Lessons?Yoga Online: Discover Yoga in Your Own HomeFind Online Yoga TutorialsThe Top 5 Online Yoga Channels“Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will.” - Mahatma GandhiYou’ll need an indomitable will if you want to do yoga, especially in the UK where it’s becoming increasingly popular.As a result, you can find yoga classes all over the country. Tonnes of people are using yoga to manage stress and personal yoga classes are great for those who like to learn at their own pace.There are a lot of benefits to learning yoga. Whether you’re a budding or experienced yogi, you can find the perfect yoga website for you and your needs! CarleyYoga Teacher 5.00 (5) £100/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LynnYoga Teacher 4.89 (9) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors GenYoga Teacher £45/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JulieYoga Teacher £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AliceYoga Te acher £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LauraYoga Teacher 5.00 (6) £70/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors UndramYoga Teacher £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LottieYoga Teacher £10/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsCan You Get Free Yoga Lessons?Yoga is like yin and yang, it’s the union of your body and mind. There are so many benefits to yoga:Increased flexibilityA yoga session includes the recommended amount of daily exerciseMore definitionCombat stress and anxietyImprove concentrationImprove your self-confidenceYoga, meditation, and relaxation all go together. (Source: janeb13)You can enjoy all these benefits without spending a penny. You just need to know what you have to do and you can learn all this through free videos online! There are a few places you can go:Free videos from a yoga instructorFree videos explaining yoga poses and asanasFree videos for beginners or videos on how to improveBrowse free yoga websites which explain how to d o yogaDownload videos that show students how to achieve mindfulnessOf course, you can’t enjoy all the benefits of yoga without regularly doing it. Even occasionally practising yoga will help you alleviate a bit of stress.During your yoga classes near me, you’ll quickly see that it’s quite a simple activity that only requires a yoga mat.You’ll need discipline to do the poses and be able to move fluidly and serenely. A yoga class, even the free ones, generally include several different parts:Breathing exercisesStretchingMeditation and concentration exercisesPosesWhere can you do yoga?Almost anywhere!However, some places are better than others:Yoga centresYoga studiosYoga schoolsDistance yoga coursesYoga villagesYoga housesYoga associationsYou can play free videos wherever you like! Of course, there’s nothing better than learning how to do yoga from the comfort of your own home, with a flexible schedule.In this article, we're going to explain why getting free yoga classes in your own home is great.Yoga Online: Discover Yoga in Your Own HomeThe first advantage of free yoga websites is that you can do yoga anywhere, any time. Whatever your reasons for doing yoga at home, you can:Ease tension and relieve back painStrengthen your spineTone your musclesImprove your flexibilityRelax your whole bodyMeditate with those around youLet go by controlling your breathingYoga videos can help you learn yoga anywhere you can get internet access. (Source: SadahamYathra)Yoga can also help you do sport. If you’re sick of group classes where nobody knows what’s going on and there are new students every session, you can choose which yoga video you want to follow as you do your daily exercises. You just need a computer, a tablet, or a smartphone, and an internet connection, of course.Yoga videos are usually presented by a yoga instructor who’ll offer something like:A sequence of posesDynamic yogaA variety of different yoga exercisesBreathing exercisesPrenatal or postnat al yoga, to strengthen the bond between the mother and the child.There’s something for everyone. Keep in mind that you need to be in decent shape even for beginner classes.Are you a complete beginner?It might be worthwhile looking at some free classes before you start. There are plenty of great YouTube channels that could help you find something perfect for you:Start learning at your own pace.Learn more about yoga for pregnant women.Do yoga to lose weight.Whatever your situation, you just need to look for a good tutor, free or otherwise!Some people do general yoga classes in groups before deciding to find their ideal tutor online. This can work for a lot of people and they can enjoy their yoga exercises even more. It can even help you lose weight!What other advantages could there be to doing yoga online?Find Online Yoga TutorialsThe best way to learn yoga for free, as we said, is with online videos and YouTube is the best place for online videos. Just type the yoga pose that you w ant to do, the name of a tutor you like, and you’ll find plenty of free videos.Being able to do yoga anywhere means that you can fit it into a busy schedule. (Source: jesslef)There are plenty of different types of yoga videos on YouTube as well as on specialised sites:Introductory yoga classesGeneral explanationsLessons focusing on a certain poseGood practices and advice for doing yogaIf you want a full yoga class lasting between an hour and an hour and a half, go to free specialised yoga websites. These are normally run by:Local yoga associationsPassionate yogisAvid tutors looking to share their knowledgeIf you already know how to do a sun salutation, the most common yoga pose, you might be interested in the range of different yoga available online:Hot yogaRaja yogaCasa yogaHatha yogaHindi yogaThere are videos showing anyone how to do yoga, pranayama techniques, and even videos on how to do certain asanas such as:Fish PoseBakasanaNaukasanaLotus positionVakrasanaTraditional yoga c lasses combine yoga and meditation with muscle toning exercises, stretching, and relaxation. The same is true when practising yoga at home: you can get private yoga tutorials from a tutor who may teach you one or several following types of yoga:Kundalini yogaIyengar yogaYoga NidraMantra yogaEach technique focuses on a particular part of the body and a particular energy. That’s why your mind and body need to be in sync and you need to focus.Some sites offer an entire week of classes for free before you have to pay for them.On Superprof, many of our tutors often offer a free taster session or trial period before you start paying. You can check out each tutor’s profile to see what qualifications and experience they have. At the end of the day, your goal is to find a tutor who’ll help you gain self-confidence, improve your well-being, and help you to relax.Discover everything you need to know about taking yoga classes online...The Top 5 Online Yoga ChannelsTo learn yoga, there’s nothing better than finding a great teacher with plenty of videos. When it comes to yoga videos, YouTube is the place to go. The best thing? It’s completely free. Here are our top 5 yoga YouTube channels.There are lots of yoga poses to learn. You should start with the easier ones. (Source: photodeinym)Tara StilesTara Stiles has plenty of great yoga videos on her YouTube channel. She’s good in front of a camera and even developed her own style of yoga, Strala yoga.She has plenty videos lasting around 30 minutes as well as shorter videos for anyone with a busy schedule looking to fit in a quick session. Videos focus on both the physical and spiritual benefits of yoga.There are also specialist videos on prenatal yoga.Yoga with TimIf you’re looking for some free resources, check out Tim’s channel. Tim Sensei has series for beginners all the way through to experts and even has month-long series so that you can watch a different video and do a different sequence every day of the month.You can choose the video based on what your goals are. If you want to strengthen your core, there’s a series on that.Looking to improve your balance?No problem!ManFlowYogaWho said yoga was just for women?Certainly not ManFlorYoga, one of the most popular YouTube channels at the moment. You’ll find videos for beginners all the way to experts that you can do in sports halls, on the beach, or even in your living room.Of course, there’s nothing to stop women watching the videos and doing some of the poses they see.Ekhart YogaEkhart Yoga’s YouTube channel is full of free videos for you to enjoy. Of course, the aim of this channel is to encourage you to go to the website and pay for the subscription.Their site has yoga classes for children, which could be great for doing with your little ones.Ali Kamenova Interval YogaAli Kamenova is one of the more dynamic yoga channels you’ll find online. She’s combined vinyasa and interval yoga and the result is a fast yoga style that ’s somehow still healing.There are videos for different levels as well as a good variety of videos in terms of length. Check it out!Finally, in addition to YouTube channels, don’t forget that the internet is full of other digital resources for learning how to do yoga. Are you ready to find inner peace and start thinking more like the most famous Tibetan in the world, the Dalai Lama?Then check out this article about taking yoga classes with a private instructor at home...

How to Handle Every Formula Calculator Challenge with Ease Using These Tips

How to Handle Every Formula Calculator Challenge with Ease Using These Tips 0SHARESShare Software calculators are easy to handle with user friendly options. Still, you face challenges every now and then, unless you keep up the utility features up-to-date and know the secret of getting the best out of them. It is not only the case with the formula evaluators, but with other kinds as well which you use for scientific calculations or mathematical expressions. Try these tips to face any online calculator challenge with ease: ü    Update your  online Formula Calculator to be foolproof in your results ü   Check whether the online installation is proper and you could use it in any last minute without a problem ü   If you go in for a hybrid type of calculator, be sure of its specific features to avoid final stage encumbrances ü   Formula evaluators are normally declarative there cannot be any obstacle in feeding the input ü   You need not concentrate on giving step by step by input ü   It gives out the final result on a fly ü   Provided your tool bar is evidently right fit with no last minute emergencies ü   If your expression calculator has the feasibility of storing various formulas , even self designed ones easily, you can pick up the stored expressions at the appropriate moment without hassle ü   Online calculators like Greater Than Less Than Calculator should also be of the  latest model to cope with your curriculum standards ü   Search the web and find out the free downloads of easy software’s   to fit into your computers ü   Make arrangements with electronic gadgets like tabs and buttons well in advance to avert embarrassing moments while using calculators like Fibonacci Sequence Calculator Online calculators are our hand tools which need maintenance, proper installation and incorporation of good features to enhance our calculating capabilities. [starbox id=admin]

The Ottoman Empire

The Ottoman Empire Essential Info on Turkey's Great Empire ChaptersWhen and Where was the Ottoman Empire?How did the Ottoman Empire begin?The Golden Age of Ottoman PowerKeeping Power: The Ottoman Style of GovernmentThe Decline of the Ottoman EmpireConclusion.We often forget about the Ottoman Empire when looking at the history of Europe in the sixteenth century. We’re often more concerned with developments in Christianity, with the rise of the Spanish, British, and Dutch empires, and with the exploration of the New World.Yet, the Ottomans were not merely a bunch of Muslim warriors with whom Europe fought for centuries. The most interesting thing about them is not the common legend of the Sultan disguising himself as a common man and prowling the streets at night â€" nor is it the endless stories of royal fratricide (the acting of killing one’s sibling) or of princes with multiple wives.Rather, the Ottoman Empire was a highly successful, culturally rich, and relatively liberal political body whose legacy is still felt today. MarkHistory Te acher 5.00 (3) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JohnHistory Teacher 5.00 (8) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MarjotteHistory Teacher 5.00 (4) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ErinHistory Teacher £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ChantelleHistory Teacher 5.00 (2) £17/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AndriyHistory Teacher £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors PeterHistory Teacher £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SerenaHistory Teacher £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsWhen and Where was the Ottoman Empire?The Ottoman Empire was centred in Istanbul, where the Sultan resided, and it lasted for just over six centuries â€" from roughly 1301 to 1922, when it collapsed after the First World War.The territory it covered was spread over Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa, in modern day Egypt, Bulgaria, Romania, Greece, Hungary, Macedonia, Palestine, Jordan, Syria, and Lebanon. It stretched f rom the south of Algeria right up to the River Danube.You may well have heard of Suleiman the Magnificent â€" who ruled in the sixteenth century between 1520 and 1566. These years are known as the Golden Age of the Ottoman Empire, at a time when he was attempting to conquer territories in Persia, Austria, and Russia.The tide changed a little for the Turkish after 1571, when the Ottoman navy took a beating at the hands of the coordinated forces of the Europeans â€" under the leadership of the Pope. After this, their influence in Europe slowly faded and, after further failed campaigns, the Empire entered into centuries-long decline.The map of the Ottoman Empire's territory over the centuries.How did the Ottoman Empire begin?Osman I is generally credited with inaugurating the Ottoman Empire â€" as it is named after him!He was a tribesman from Anatolia â€" an area of Turkey â€" whose father is thought to have led his tribe there to escape from the Mongolian Empire in the mid-thirteenth century. Whilst leading one of many tribes in Anatolia at the time, Osman’s success came through the fact that he increased his territories by attacking the Byzantine Empire  (the end of the Roman Empire) based in Constantinople (previously known as Byzantium).One hundred and fifty years later, in 1453, Osman’s Empire â€" now under the leadership of Mehmed the Conqueror â€" laid siege to Constantinople and conquered it for the first time in a thousand years. They renamed the city Istanbul â€" the City of Islam â€" and established there the seat of the Ottoman Empire.Anatolia was where the Ottoman Empire originated. MarkHistory Teacher 5.00 (3) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JohnHistory Teacher 5.00 (8) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MarjotteHistory Teacher 5.00 (4) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ErinHistory Teacher £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ChantelleHistory Teacher 5.00 (2) £17/h1st lesson free!Discover all ou r tutors AndriyHistory Teacher £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors PeterHistory Teacher £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SerenaHistory Teacher £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsThe Golden Age of Ottoman PowerFollowing the capture of Istanbul, Ottoman power enjoyed over a century of almost uninterrupted glory. The armies under Bayezid, Selim I, and Suleiman, ‘The Grand Turk’, captured territories including Syria, the Arabian Peninsula, Palestine, and Egypt.Throughout this period, Imperial Turkey flourished. However, after Suleiman â€" with the ruler, Selim II, on the throne â€" things began to change: Turks began to revolt, the Ottomans were defeated by European armies, and the dynasty’s imperial might began slowly to wane.TradeDuring the Golden Age of the Ottomans, the Sultanate took advantage of the hugely significant location of Istanbul to enhance its trading and commercial power.Istanbul has always sat at a very strategic place in the trad ing routes between east and west â€" between Europe, Africa, and Asia. The Ottomans traded with China in the far east and with Venice in Italy â€" and they benefited hugely from the flow of expensive goods, including silk, dyes, and spices, throughout Asia Minor. The Ottoman conquest of Yemen, for example, brought Turkish control of the region’s coffee, which, when sold in the Egyptian capital, made Cairo an incredibly prosperous city.Many of the Empire’s conquests were attempts to gain control of different trade routes. The Turkish navy controlled much of the Mediterranean, whilst overland they pursued trade wars with Russia. As Portugal was attempting to build its presence in the Indian Ocean, the Ottomans fought determinedly to maintain their influence there. CultureThe years under Suleiman were an incredibly fruitful time for Ottoman art. Huge developments took place in Islamic calligraphy, poetry, painting, music, and ceramics. Mathematics, chemistry, and philosophy were al l practiced, and it is thought that a lot of the surgical instruments we use now in medicine were invented by the Ottoman Turks.The architect Sinan has been credited with changing the face of the Middle East under Suleiman, whilst European artists â€" such as Titian and Bellini â€" spent time in Istanbul too.ReligionThe enmity and distrust felt between early modern Europe and the Ottoman’s was in part based on religion: Europe was aggressively Christian whilst the Turks were Muslim.Whilst the Ottoman has now been recognised as being a very religiously liberal regime, there were many horror stories at the time regarding the role of Islam. Much literature and propaganda were disseminated â€" such as Shakespeare’s play Othello â€" which spread suspicion of Islam.The Turkish were thought to have forcibly converted many Christians to Islam, and the devshirme system took prisoner twenty percent of male children from the Christians that were captured. They were converted and used as sl aves or trained in government.Suleiman, however, was both a religious and political leader. He developed lots of primary schools for religious and literacy education, and the title of Sultan included responsibilities as the protector of Islam. Unlike in most of Christian Europe, Jewish people had a very important role in Ottoman society, and they were actively encouraged to come to Istanbul.Keeping Power: The Ottoman Style of GovernmentIt is well worth thinking about how exactly the Ottomans survived for so long â€" and how their techniques of government enabled a single family to rule for nearly seven centuries!The Ottoman government was known for its strong centralisation and stability. Whilst this was a testament to the strength of the royal family, the dynastic continuity came with a murderous side â€" as royal sons plotted against each other to ensure succession for themselves.A common legend about the Ottomans is that the Sultan would often disguise himself to exit from his pa lace, Topkapi, and check on officials â€" to ensure that everyone was performing his duty correctly. He also surrounded himself with knowledgeable statesman. However, the Sultan’s word would be final.Alongside the central strength of the absolute monarchy, the Ottomans maintained power â€" and spread their reach through the conquest of new lands â€" with an incredibly strong army. This has been thought to have been populated largely by slaves â€" yet the skill and knowledge of the military and naval leaders made the Ottoman armies feared and renowned.The Decline of the Ottoman EmpireLike all great empires, the Ottomans in Istanbul finally lost their grip on power and on the people that they dominated. But, in this case, the process of deterioration continued for centuries.Lepanto, 1571A major turning point for the Ottoman Empire was in 1571 when they fought and lost a major naval battle with the Holy Roman Empire at Lepanto. Following the magnificent reign of Suleiman, this event suggested to all the world that the Turkish navy was no longer invincible.Some two hundred Turkish boats were destroyed, along with forty thousand men being killed. This number included many of their most brilliant naval officers â€" and this signalled the end of Turkish domination in the Mediterranean. Thousands of Christian prisoners were also freed.The Battle of Lepanto was a major defeat for the Ottoman Empire.Vienna, 1683After this battle, which historians think started the Empire’s decline, the Turkish seventeenth century was marred by a number of military defeats. The most significant of these was probably the Siege of Vienna in 1683, which ended in failure.This was the second attempt by the Ottomans to capture Vienna (with the first in 1529), but this particular failure halted Turkish attempts to conquer further land in Europe. This tactical decision meant that the Turks failed to accumulate further land, and the Empire started to stagnate.Other Factors for the Fall of the OttomansMilitary failures besides, there were further factors that consolidated the decline of the Ottoman Empire.European domination of the New World meant that Ottoman belligerence was less problematic for these Christians, as they became much less dependent upon the trade routes that the Ottoman’s controlled.The Ottoman policy of liberal trade meant that the Empire never really itself produced the resources it needed. Rather, its imperial strategy was characterised by what has been called ‘short-termism’: after conquest, it took the resources from the new land and moved on, rather than investing for the long term.Central political control finally weakened, with rebellion and revolt weakening political authority over all of the territories that the Empire controlled. This was exacerbated by a number of incompetent sultans throughout the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries.The Empire finally ceased to exist at the end of the First World War, which they fought on the side of the Germans. After this, The British Empire and the French divided most of what was previously Ottoman land between them â€" and it is believed that Turkey has never quite recovered.Conclusion.If you want to know more about the world's great empires, or about the Russian Empire, or the Qing Dynasty, check out the rest of our series!

Training for the HSK 1 Exam

Training for the HSK 1 Exam How Can You Prepare for Chinese HSK Exams? ChaptersWhat Exactly is the HSK 1 Chinese Exam?What Skills Will You Need to Learn for the HSK 1?How Do You Prepare for the Mandarin Chinese Test?Advice for Succeeding on the Day“Knowledge is having the right answer. Intelligence is asking the right question.” - UnknownAccording to a study on Chinese language teaching, there are around 30 million people in the world learning Chinese. When we say Chinese, we mean Mandarin Chinese, one of the many Chinese languages spoken in mainland China and the one most commonly taught to people both inside China and around the world.You may want to learn to read, write, and speak Chinese for professional reasons which means you'll need to prove your level of fluency with Chinese exams.If you've just started learning Chinese in a language school or with a tutor, why not work towards taking the HSK test to certify your level in the language?As a beginner, the first test you can take in your second language is the HSK 1 exam.  In this guide, we’l l tell you what the exam is, what you'll need to learn, how to prepare for it, and what to do on the day.Here is a course you can use to learn Mandarin London. 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 tutorsWhat Exactly is the HSK 1 Chinese Exam?The Chinese HSK is a level test similar to the TOEIC or TOEFL for those who learn English. It’s a test that attests the user’s proficiency in the language. The HSK is the official exam of the Confucius Institute (Hanban).You'll be expect ed to know some Chinese characters. (Source: Donations_are_appreciated)Just like the TOEIC, the HSK is widely recognised around the world. It’s proof of the user's proficiency without having to  do any additional tests. This official Mandarin exam is very useful if you want to travel to China or study as an exchange student.Find Mandarin classes London here.There are six levels in total The HSK 1 is the first level. The test lines up with the CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Learning, Teaching, Assessment) reference levels. The HSK 1 is the lowest level of this test and is equivalent to the A1 level.The Chinese exam lasts 35 minutes and includes two parts: listening and reading. These two parts are very important. Each part includes 20 questions and four exercises for a total of 100 points.  Don’t panic as you have three minutes at the end of the listening test to write down your answers.To pass the exam, you need a minimum of 120 points. However, the higher your score, the more you can show it off.Ready for an adventure?You’ll need to sign up to the Hanban site. Registration costs £20.What Skills Will You Need to Learn for the HSK 1?Once you’ve signed up for the Chinese test, it’s time to start practising for the big day.However, what skills will you need to learn?Make sure you learn your characters. (Source: rmac8oppo)One of the most difficult things about Chinese is learning all the Chinese characters. Each level of the HSK test has a number of characters you’ll have to learn. The more characters you know, the easier it’ll be to read and write in Chinese.You’ll need to learn a lot to reach level 6 and become bilingual.  For the time being, and to get the HSK 1 exam, you’ll need to understand some simple and common expressions.Revising VocabularyTo pass the HSK 1 exam, you’ll need to know 150 characters. To help you, we’ve provided the Pinyin transcription alongside.Here’s a small list of characters you sho uld know:? / ài / love? / ba / eight?? / bàba / father?? / beizi / cup?? / Beijing / Beijing? / ben / this??? / bù kèqi / you are welcome? / bù / no, not? / cài / dish, vegetables? / chá / tea? / chi / eat??? / chuzuche / taxi??? / da diànhuà / call? / dà / big? / de / of? / dian / point?? / diànnao / computerUnderstanding Simple PhrasesSome exercises in the HSK 1 exam require you to complete sentences with a Chinese character. This means that you’ll need to understand the structure and know the character.  Practise the different common phrases with the right vocabulary. You can use online resources to help you with this.Accustom Your Ear to the Chinese AccentKnowing how Chinese is pronounced is useful for passing the test and you should accustom yourself to the Chinese accent.  In fact, in the listening part of the exam, you’ll hear a native Chinese speaker. It would be a shame to mess this part up because you’re not familiar with the accent.How Do You Prepare for the Mandarin Chinese Test?There are a number of solutions to help you pass the test and learn all the Chinese characters you need to. With Private Chinese tutorials, group classes, Chinese lessons, and online learning, there’s something for everyone. You’ll need between 2 and 3 hours of Chinese study per week per semester.Travelling to China is a great way to learn more of the language. (Source: 3dman_eu)Taking Chinese LessonsIn most cities in the UK, you’ll find somewhere offering foreign language lessons or Chinese associations providing Chinese language education. The Confucius Institute members are some of the first places you should consider visiting.Chinese lessons will teach you what you need to know about Chinese vocabulary. Chinese teachers will also provide you with useful techniques and recommend resources like dictionaries for remembering new words and characters.Practise Your Chinese OnlineYou can also find past papers for the HSK on the internet. By familiarising yourself with the exercises on the exam, there won’t be any surprises the day you sit down to take the test.With websites and apps, there are plenty of different ways to prepare for your exam. With just a quick online search, you’ll find the perfect site or digital resource.Teaching Yourself ChineseYou can also teach yourself Chinese characters. Learning Chinese on your own is a great option for your very first steps. However, you may eventually hit a roadblock.  After all, all resources have their limits.You could always travel to China in order to practise speaking Chinese with native Mandarin speakers. It’s much easier to learn Mandarin by going abroad. You’ll also have an opportunity to learn experience Chinese culture, Chinese food, and events like the Chinese new year, etc.Get Help From a Private Chinese TutorIf you don’t want to commit to the full year of studying or would like to benefit from personalised lessons tailored to you, you can opt for private Chinese le ssons with a tutor. These allow you to choose your own Chinese programme.Unlike other Chinese language courses (like Chinese MOOCs or the Chinese A Level), you're in charge of your own language learning. If you need to focus on the spoken language, your tutor can put together a course with a lot of intensive activities on Chinese pronunciation and having a conversation.If you're struggling with Chinese grammar, they can make sure you have enough time to study the rules of the language and focus on reading and writing.For those interested in the country, your tutor can blend language and culture and teach you about Chinese history as well as Chinese Mandarin language skills. After all, you'll be the only student in the class and the language course is just for you.Advice for Succeeding on the DayAfter you’ve done all your preparation, you also need to sit the exam! Here’s some advice for doing your best on the day.Make sure you relax before taking your exam. (Source: Pexels)Take Your Time to Understand the ExerciseA lot of people lose points on exams because they haven’t fully understood the activity or haven’t paid enough attention. Make sure you don’t make this mistake. Take the time to read the instructions for each exercise. We obviously don’t mean spend five minutes on each instruction but don’t skim either.Don’t make the mistake of assuming what the exercise wants you to do without fully reading it as it may be slightly different to what you’ve practised.Read the instruction and then look at the exercise itself to make sure you’ve understood what’s expected of you. Doing this is never a waste of time.ConcentrateThis is easier said than done. The test only lasts 35 minutes. You don’t have any time to get lost in your thoughts. You’re being tested on whether or not you know the vocabulary and you need to be sure of yourself.Even if you hesitate on a question, don’t waste time being lost in your thoughts. Move on with the exercise and come back to it later. Your level in Chinese should correspond with the level of the test, so there’s really nothing to worry about.Learn to RelaxMultiple choice questions can stress some people both before and during the test. During your studies, learn to relax. This will be really useful on the day of the exam.Do some breathing exercises and relax. Knowing how to relax can help you to get the most out of your brain, especially when you’re going to need it, like during an exam!

Staff Spotlight Paige Burnette, Program Coordinator at Winterfield Elementary - Heart Math Tutoring

Staff Spotlight Paige Burnette, Program Coordinator at Winterfield Elementary - Heart Math Tutoring Staff Spotlight: Paige Burnette, Program Coordinator at Winterfield Elementary Staff Spotlight: Paige Burnette, Program Coordinator at Winterfield Elementary January 21, 2016 Paige began working for Heart in August of 2014 and this is her second year as the Program Coordinator at Winterfield Elementary. She also serves as the Office and Communications Manager for Heart. A Greensboro native, Paige graduated from UNC-Chapel Hill with degrees in Sociology and History. She is  currently working towards a MA in Counseling from Wake Forest University. While at Chapel Hill, Paige was the Co-President for Carolina for Amani, an organization that helps support orphanages in Kenya. She spent two summers working in Kenya carrying out her passion of serving others. Before joining Heart Paige worked for the YMCA as a youth counselor and then as a Site Coordinator for a Y Learning program. Paige believes that all children want to be successful in their education, and with the right tools they are capable of achieving it. Here are Paiges answers to our Spotlight questions: Favorite math moment:  The confidence students get when they  understand that  math makes sense! Who was your best teacher and why?  A teacher from high school who I had for two  AP History courses. He held me to high expectations and really challenged me to be a self-motivated learner. His classes most prepared me for life after high school! What are you currently reading?  The Short Drop by Matthew FitzSimmons.

Five Educational Facts About Valentine`s Day

Five Educational Facts About Valentine`s Day Today you might be taking your loved one out for candlelight dinner or a live show. You might also feel the pressure of such a demanding event. Therefore, we are here to ease the passage of connection and romance tonight by educating you on interesting and fun facts about Valentines Day. Share these five facts with your loved one(s) tonight over the dinner table and be sure to receive additional points from him or her. Why? By telling them some anecdotes about Valentines day you lets them know how prepared youre for this event and thus care about him or her. Now, here are our five romantic and fun Valentine facts. Fact #1. The historic figure who gave Valentines Day its name was Saint Valentine a Roman priest during the reign of Claudius II. This emperor prohibited marriage because single men were better soldiers during war times. Disobeying the Emperor Claudus edict priest Valentine performed secret wedding ceremonies. For this, he was jailed and then martyred on February 14 in the year 270 AD. Legend has it that Valentine wrote a love note to the jailor’s daughter with whom he had fallen in love. He signed his letter: “From your Valentine.” So it was St. Valentine himself who became the first valentine in history. Fact #2. Valentine cards have always been an intricate part of the Valentine’s Day festivities. The oldest surviving valentine was written by Charles, the Duke of Orleans, who sent it on Valentine’s Day to his wife after being captured in 1415. Fact #3. Physicians of the 1800s commonly advised their patients to eat chocolate to calm their pining for lost love. This is a surprising fact as these physicians did not know that dark collocate causes our bodies to metabolize endorphins. These chemicals make us feel good about ourselves and boost our immune system. Fact #4. In 2012, nearly one billion Valentine cards are were sent the U.S. each year. However, this trend is changing as the traditional mailed cards are gradually being replaced by emails, e-cards, custom-made Valentine videos, or in 2015 even Valentine Android Apps. Fact #5. There are those who belief the X symbol became synonymous with the kiss in medieval times. People who couldnt write their names signed in front of a witness with an X. The X was then kissed to show their sincerity. In our times, the text messaging technology added another twist to the X symbol: the letter O which means a hug. So the famous letter string XOXO literally means hugs and kisses. Or, in my estimation, text messengers use XOXO often to express good friendship, love or desire for the message recipient. In this sense XOXO can be considered our modern version of Saint Valentines From your Valentine signature. I hope these five facts help making your Valentines evening a memorable and express our XOXO to our parents, friends, teachers, tutors, students and users of Tutorz.com. Yes, that’s you! Five Educational Facts About Valentine`s Day Today you might be taking your loved one out for candlelight dinner or a live show. You might also feel the pressure of such a demanding event. Therefore, we are here to ease the passage of connection and romance tonight by educating you on interesting and fun facts about Valentines Day. Share these five facts with your loved one(s) tonight over the dinner table and be sure to receive additional points from him or her. Why? By telling them some anecdotes about Valentines day you lets them know how prepared youre for this event and thus care about him or her. Now, here are our five romantic and fun Valentine facts. Fact #1. The historic figure who gave Valentines Day its name was Saint Valentine a Roman priest during the reign of Claudius II. This emperor prohibited marriage because single men were better soldiers during war times. Disobeying the Emperor Claudus edict priest Valentine performed secret wedding ceremonies. For this, he was jailed and then martyred on February 14 in the year 270 AD. Legend has it that Valentine wrote a love note to the jailor’s daughter with whom he had fallen in love. He signed his letter: “From your Valentine.” So it was St. Valentine himself who became the first valentine in history. Fact #2. Valentine cards have always been an intricate part of the Valentine’s Day festivities. The oldest surviving valentine was written by Charles, the Duke of Orleans, who sent it on Valentine’s Day to his wife after being captured in 1415. Fact #3. Physicians of the 1800s commonly advised their patients to eat chocolate to calm their pining for lost love. This is a surprising fact as these physicians did not know that dark collocate causes our bodies to metabolize endorphins. These chemicals make us feel good about ourselves and boost our immune system. Fact #4. In 2012, nearly one billion Valentine cards are were sent the U.S. each year. However, this trend is changing as the traditional mailed cards are gradually being replaced by emails, e-cards, custom-made Valentine videos, or in 2015 even Valentine Android Apps. Fact #5. There are those who belief the X symbol became synonymous with the kiss in medieval times. People who couldnt write their names signed in front of a witness with an X. The X was then kissed to show their sincerity. In our times, the text messaging technology added another twist to the X symbol: the letter O which means a hug. So the famous letter string XOXO literally means hugs and kisses. Or, in my estimation, text messengers use XOXO often to express good friendship, love or desire for the message recipient. In this sense XOXO can be considered our modern version of Saint Valentines From your Valentine signature. I hope these five facts help making your Valentines evening a memorable and express our XOXO to our parents, friends, teachers, tutors, students and users of Tutorz.com. Yes, that’s you!

AP Test without the Class - by TutorNerds

AP Test without the Class - by TutorNerds Taking the AP Test Without the Class In 2015, high school students are faced with an increasing amount of competition in order to gain entrance to university or college. One of the hurdles that the majority of high school students face is how to score a 5 on their AP exams (READ: Ask a Nerd! Taking the AP Exam). Some students will use these accolades as a way to gain acceptance to college while other students will use them as a way to attempt to graduate university in four years and avoid being a 5th year senior. The cost of education in the United States continues to rise, and students who score a 3 on any of their AP exams will be able to use them for college credit. Students can, potentially, have an entire semester or more of classes under their belt prior to even starting their college career. Although the majority of students who have the opportunity to take AP classes will benefit from such an experience, some students will not have the opportunity to take classes in certain subject areas. Some students have talents that lie outside of history and math â€" the most popular AP courses offered â€" and others will live in rural or remote areas where AP classes may be severely limited if offered at all. Students who do not have an opportunity to take AP classes at school deserve a chance to be able to score at least a 3. There should be no misunderstanding that this is a substantial commitment and such students will need to conduct a substantial amount of guided self-study with the help or an Orange County AP test tutor. Getting Started 1. Students should purchase the test prep book before even considering signing up for the exam. Its important for students to do this the summer before their AP exams so they have plenty of time to determine whether they will be able to take on this responsibility by themselves. Upon purchasing a test prep book, students should take a full-length practice test and either grade it themselves using the instructions in the book or ask a teacher or educational consultant to grade it for them (READ: Ask a Nerd! Mastering AP English Language). If the student scores a 3, or even a 2, this early on they may have a chance to pass the real test without the opportunity of taking the class at school. 2. Next, students should find educational support. Students who live in urban or suburban areas may be able to find a tutor or study group with ease while students who live in rural or remote areas may find this more difficult. However, with the advent of social and educational technology, even students in the most remote areas of the US will have educational opportunities online. They should consider creating a Google+ Circle or finding a group of students throughout the US who are also conducting self-study and form a virtual study group, preferably in the same time zone. Once a test prep book and educational support has been arranged, students should find the textbook that their teacher would have used (if the class had been offered). Self-study AP students are advised to contact their teacher at school to get a good recommendation or look for the book on the College Board website. Again, with so many teachers and students connecting online, an appropriate textbook recommendation should be relatively easy to find these days. Commencing Study 5. Students who plan on prepping for the AP exam (which is given in May) starting in March are not likely to receive a score of 3 or higher. Students should view it as an independent study class and begin reading through their textbook starting in September. Students who are in an AP class will probably spend five hours a week with their teacher and peers and an additional five hours â€" or more â€" conducting self-study or working within a group. Self-study AP students should attempt to mimic this time commitment, allowing anywhere between 5 and 10 hours of self-study and time with their virtual study group as well as 5 hours of self-instruction (READ: Ask a Nerd! Grades and AP Class). This can be done with the help of a private tutor or using the test prep book as a guideline. Although it is generally better to take the full AP class, students who do not have this opportunity are still allowed, and should be encouraged, to attempt to take AP exams. With all the technological and educational online resources available today theres no reason why students in remote areas or whose talents lie outside of the core subjects should be denied the opportunity to receive advanced placement credit while in high school. AP College Board Regardless of what grade youre in, its important to finish the year strong. That being said, make sure you book your Orange County academic tutor early! Heres to a successful 2015. All blog entries, with the exception of guest bloggers, are written by TutorNerds. Are you an education professional? If so, email us at pr@tutornerds.com for guest blogging and collaborations. We want to make this the best free education resource in SoCal, so feel free to suggest what you would like to see us post about.

7 Fashionable Tech Accessories

7 Fashionable Tech Accessories Eco-Fused Waterproof CasePhoto Courtesy of Amazon.com If you have a smart phone and love being near the water, this accessory is a perfect fit for you! It is a great way to protect the super expensive phone youre holding in your hand whether youre on a boat, lounging by the pool, running around in the snow, or working at Sea World. With transparent sides it allows full normal use, including picture taking and touch-screen capabilities. These waterproof bags can fit iPhones, iPods and Samsung S4 and Samsung S3 phones. Additionally, it comes with a stylus pen that will work with the above mentioned devices and a microfiber cleaning cloth. Get more information about it on Amazon. 2. Olloclip 4-in-1 Lens Kit for iPhone $70 The Olloclip 4-in-1 LensPhoto Courtesy of Amazon.com For all of you crazy Instagrammin people out there, this accessory is about to take you to the next level! Though slightly pricey for some, it is definitely the more affordable option when it comes to taking awesome pictures. This 4-in-1 lens includes options for Fisheye, Wide-Angle, 10x Macro and 15x Macro. You also get a bonus iPhone tripod adapter how cool is that? Look for more information about it on Amazon. 3. Tablet Pillow $12-$35 The Tablet Pal 9-11 Inches Universal Holder/PillowPhoto Courtesy of Amazon.com For those of you who want to treat your iPad or tablet to a little luxury, stop here!  There are a variety of different types you can find: clunky, sleek, full-on-pillow, on-the-go, and many more. A tablet pillow allows you to prop up your tablet for a better view, rest it on your lap, or set it on the table. My favorite is the Tablet Pal 9-11 Inches Universal Tablet Holder/Pillow because of how much more sophisticated and stylish it looks compared to other brands. Tablet pillows or holders are great for when you are sick of holding up your tablet for long periods of time. Check out all of the different styles on  Amazon. 4. Boom Movement Swimmer Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker $60 Boom Movement Waterproof Bluetooth SpeakerPhoto Courtesy of Nordstrom This speaker is probably one of the coolest things I have stumbled upon. With a tail that twists and loops around virtually anything, you can use this Bluetooth waterproof speaker anywhere you need music and not worry about it getting water damage. Talk about taking shower singing to a whole new level! This speaker can be immersed in one meter of water for up to 30 minutes. Additionally, on just a two hour charge, this device will give you an eight-hour full volume playback time. By unscrewing the tail you will find a suction-cup option that will help boost the bass sound. With the Bluetooth option you can connect to your Smartphone or tablet and listen to the music you want, to your hearts content. You can find this accessory on Amazon and at Nordstrom. 5. Charger Sync USB Fabric Cable Cord $10 Fabric Cable CordsPhoto Courtesy of Etsy.com For those of you who want to have your own distinct cable cord to charge your iPhone 5/5s/5c/ iPad, then you should definitely check out these fabric cable cords. Because these handmade cords are made out of fabric, they have a longer cable lifetime and it also keeps it flexible. Do you have a pet who likes to chew on all of your cords? This is perfect for you, then, because the fabric keeps them from directly gnawing on the cord itself. Nine out of 10 reviews on this product were completely positive, and for only $10, I would totally check it out! You can find this product on Etsy. 6. Not Your Average Flash Drive $7-$100 Unique flash drivePhoto Courtesy of Etsy.com We all need flash drives. And if youre a college student you probably need two or three. However, getting a plain black one is not only boring, its dangerous. The majority of flash drives you see are black, navy, or silver. So what happens when you accidentally leave yours in the classroom? Chances are someone is just going to assume it is theirs and pick it up. This can be absolutely detrimental to your day, and possibly even your life depending on how much information you put on your flash drives. To save the day, Etsy provides a ton of different, adorable, hilarious options you could have as your flash drive to help differentiate yours from your neighbors. 7. Protect your tablet computer fashionably $10-$40 iPad cover casePhoto Courtesy of Etsy.com With all of the various activities you do throughout the day that require your tablet or laptop, it is important to have some sort of a case to help protect it from becoming scratched, or god-forbid you drop it. You should have a case that reflects your personality, and Etsy is by your side to help. However you can also find some really fun patterns on  Amazon, at  Target  and  Nordstrom and at so many other places. Look around and find one that showcases who you are! There are so many fun and unique technology accessories out there that are just waiting for you to find them. So spruce up that computer, replace that broken phone case, and carry around something that reflects your personality.