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Grooming Tips
For a good haircut, most men can avoid salons stylists and go directly to the familiar red, white, and blue striped pole barber shop. You'll be able to communicate your needs with the barber and not turn yourself over to someone who wants to create something that you don't want. The barber doesn't need a lot of dialogue, but you could show him a picture of the style you like.

When the barber is finished, look in dual mirrors to see the back. That way you'll walk out knowing exactly what the back looks like. The barber shop is probably one of the best deals for men. It's reasonably-priced, efficient, and the banter is often lively.

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Man riding a bike If you are an active man, either at work or at play, you should practice techniques that help tired and over-used muscles relax. These techniques can improve your range of motion, shorten recovery time, and even soften scar tissue from past injuries. Your tools are your two hands. A self-massage will help reduce tension and draw out the lactic acid build-up that causes muscle soreness.

The following exercises are done on the floor while sitting on a towel. Before you begin, make sure that your hands are quite warm. Heat helps loosen tight muscles.

Start by relaxing your feet. Rest one foot over the thigh of the other leg. While holding the ankle of the raised foot, rotate the foot clockwise, gradually going from smaller to larger circles. Now reverse the motion. Do this several times in each direction.

Hold your foot on the sides with both hands. Start to stroke lengthwise up and down your sole while keeping your thumbs pressed deeply into your instep. Then do a few small circles, repeating the same pattern.

Man jogging Move up to the lower leg and calf. Bend your right leg and hold the bottom of your calf with both hands. Allow your thumbs to meet at the calf, fingers pointing down, while the rest of the fingers wrap around the leg. Apply pressure with your thumbs and glide your hands up the leg to the back of the knee and repeat.

Place your thumbs together at the top of your calf. Using pressure, slowly pull your thumbs away from each other. Drop your hands down an inch and repeat the same motion until you come to your ankle.

Now you are ready for the quadriceps. Place one hand on your thigh, with your fingers pointing down. Put the other hand across the hand on the thigh to increase pressure. Slowly slide your hands down the thigh until they reach the knee. Since this muscle area is large, repeat the motion at a slightly different angle.

Hold the thigh between both hands, thumbs side by side, and fingers wrapped around the leg. Move thumbs in a circular motion and slide your hands toward the knee--then repeat. Taking the time to help your body relax through massage will ultimately create a more vibrant, energetic you.



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