Adventures and Acclamation of Humboldt

Born in 1769 in Germany, Humboldt started exploration in around 1769 and travelled from Spain to the Amazon Rivers. In dangerous environment with uncanny conditions he travelled with many scientists to discover the unexplored parts of nature. During his travel he experienced uninhabited places in teh wild, lived with several native tribe like Maipures and Atures, studied the geography of plants and mountains and even the climatic conditions causing atmospheric disturbances.

He rediscovered the Latin America based on scientific and social research and suggested advancement in production, trade and technology to enhance them. He collected over 60,000 plant, animal and mineral specimens to study. Because of his extensive research and exploration some governments ordered arrest warrants in case of his entry in their territory like the exploration of Casiquiare Canal and Rio Negro brought suspicion within the Portuguese rulers.

He wrote a five-volume work on his life in Kosmos (Cosmos 1845-62) describing his scientific knowledge of geography and geology. In 1860 the "Alexander von Humboldt Foundation for Nature Research and Travel” was established to provide support to German scientists. It now supports foreign and local researchers in researching ventures and has also awarded 44 Nobel Prize winners. The Humboldt Prize is also given by this foundation to internationally renowned scientists and scholars.

Common human traits

Darwin successfully identified the African origins of mankind and further emphasized that the variations in humans does not constitute a few additional categories of race. He gave adaptive clarifications in order to provide explanation regarding noticeable variations in some human traits such as color of the skin. However, a number of human traits appear to give no outwardly perceptible physical advantages whatsoever. He further developed the hypothesis for sexual selection in order to provide some viable explanation for their respective evolution. These are some of the generally acceptable reasons for which Darwin is popularly known as an outstanding anthropologist today.

Most biological anthropologists almost religiously divulge in Darwinism. As a regular routine, many of them apply majority of the principles related to descent of the human species, with some minor modifications with regard to a common ancestor in their respective research undertakings. They also commonly integrate geologic, geographic, genetic, and available fossil data in order to reconstruct a plausible history of the primates, which of course also includes us, as a species. As a result, many extensive studies have been vigorously conducted to compare the human DNA sequences with those of other primates. Prime objective of this research is to look for particular aspects in the human genome which may reveal natural selection that may specially have occurred somewhere along the progression of the human evolutionary lineage. Particular genes that may evidently contribute towards some adaptive evolutionary development, found in some relatively minor human traits, have been isolated and systematically identified.

Starting his studies at the ripe age of 33years in Leipzig, Hundt received his Baccalaureate two years later. In 1487, which was the year when he received an advanced degree, he was given an appointment as the Dean for the Faculty of Arts. Following a progressive career, he was given the post of Rector at the University. During some point of his illustrious career, Hundt is said to have also served as the personal physician for Count Joachimsthal. Nevertheless, his personal interest went far beyond medicine. Thus, he earned a doctorate degree in theology in 1510 and consequently occupied a chair in this subject at the University of Meissen, a location to which the University of Leipzig was relocated after the plague.

Lifetime Contributions

The most outstanding lifetime work of Magnus Hundt is known as The Anthropoligium in short, or by its complete title of Antropologium de hominis dignitate, natura, et proprietatibus, de elementis, partibus et membris humani corporis. This extraordinary work was published in 1501 at Leipzig. It perfectly serves to expound the human body, not just anatomically or physiologically, but also religiously and philosophically. He lays particular emphasis on the belief that humans are specially created in God’s own image and thus symbolize the microcosm of a world just as it was created by God. The main point of interest is that this work contains the first ever proper use of ‘anthropology’ as a technical term.

Yogic philosophy to peace of mind

The process involves sitting in an upright position and relaxing the body and mind through breathing in and out. Focusing and contemplating follows to reach the final enlightment stage. Physical postures in yoga help in physical ailments and strengthen bones and muscles.

The meditation process helps in achieving peace of mind by calming the neurosenses and also offers health benefits to its practitioners. The idea is to get the negative feelings and thoughts out of the mind which is a self-help technique in yoga philosophy. The concentration and clarity of mind releases the creative side of a person. Research have shown that stress and anxiety levels lowers through daily practices of yoga postures and also help in controlling blood pressure and heart attack risks. The cognitive, emotional and sensory aspects of brains are also tuned with the process of meditation in yoga. Blood circulation increases and toxins are flushed out. To obtain this, it’s important to understand the structure of postures and the association of breathing with the whole body. The quality of breath also reflects the quality of mind because there is a connection between the mental and emotional state with the pace and depth of the breadth

With a lot of advantages yoga brings emotionally and physically, it is being practiced worldwide to achieve self control. Anthropologists view yoga as a trans-cultural production based on the ethnographies of yoga and the genuine insights cure doctors have to say about it.

Useful guidelines

He must take deep long breaths and then slowly exhale for a few minutes. The process will assist in recouping his body energy. It will also slowly place him on a much firmer platform. Steady relocation of body energy is the primary stage in relaxation. He must make a conscious effort to release body tension. Some simple stretching exercises will help in relaxing the muscles. He will slowly be able to analyze his prevailing surroundings in a new light. His anger will slowly fade and he will effortlessly begin to calm himself and relax.

A good question he must ask himself is if his anger is actually justified. An attempt to reason with one’s own self helps to distract the thoughts, which will also help in the initial relaxation process. Ask if the anger and rage truly make any sense and much of the anger will disappear.

If someone is stressful or overly depressed on account of a domestic problem, he can start off by wearing his favorite shorts of a light gown, turn off the lights and light a candle and his best incense. He must turn the television set off, unplug the telephone, switch off his cell phone, shut down his computer and close the door. Turning on a soothing symphony may also help. For the ultimate relaxation, filling the bathtub with warm water and sinking in for a long while will help to completely overcome his misery.

Significance of self healing

Some of the self healing methods may conveniently be used to avoid the more complicated invasive surgery procedures or pharmaceutical treatments. Self healing methods are moreover applied to permanently resolve the cause of an aliment rather simply locate some of its more obvious symptoms. When a person suffering from any ailment is encouraged or motivated to fully participate in his own well being, his will is tremendously empowered. Synchronized coordination of the body and mind towards a determined target are the basic principles of self healing. They help to unleash the blocked energy resources of the body and enable it to flow more freely throughout the patient’s body and mind.

Self massage is a relatively simple and straight forward technique for the treatment of muscular tension and pain. According to some reputable health guides, the practice of regular self massage has been found to prevent illnesses. As a form of self massage, patients can also lightly scrub the skin of painful regions with a specially designed loofah mitt. This massage will help to promote blood circulation. Visualization is another powerful procedure for healing pain. When systematically practiced, it will gradually train the mind to harness the body energy that is essential for the purpose of self healing. However, visualization techniques that can over a period of time ease muscular stress as well as guide the body to heal itself, have to be learned from a trained professional.

Approach to Pedagogical Anthropology

Pedagogic anthropology starts from an analogy of observation and research to philosophic conceptions of future destiny of man in a biological point of view. The study of congenital anomalies with respect to biological and social origin forms the concept of pedagogical anthropology. It relates to the education of man.

In the upbringing of children with the environment, school plays an important role. The innovative approach of considering education as not only imparting knowledge but realizing human potentials gave the idea to Maria Montessori in developing the concept of pedagogical anthropology. The philosophical and social aspect of the education phenomenon is derived by the conscious formation of man in keeping with the society. The anthropological aspect to pedagogy gave rise to the usage of anthropometric approaches in realizing the factors that affect a child’s education. Cerebral exercises helps in the development of brain. Even in cases of deaf and blind ones the effect of education shows tremendous result in brain development.

Pedagogical anthropology was a great influence in the 1960s which is now mostly remembered as historical anthropology of educational. It still criticizes the helplessness of pedagogics and emphasizes on the awareness of biological, social and cultural limits to development of man in the process of education. It also accumulates some aspects of philosophical anthropology as well.

During the mid 20th century many doctors and health care professional used the same standards of medical care applying the treatments using popular or folk medicine. The European anthropologists started the focus on anthropology of health and medicine in compliance with the community by publishing papers on this topic. They wanted to construct a medical concept based on science to establish cultural limits in biomedicine. The doctors began to recognize this influence of regional and ethnic forces in healthcare.

The idea was to focus on the specific popular medicine in every culture and provide a comparative study on these systems to propose the existence of as many medical systems as cultures. Under this system, the medical systems will be based on the ethnic group’s cultural history.

Application of Medical Anthropology

The application started in many areas of North and South America. Community health programs were implemented among the ethnic and cultural minorities. Evaluation of health institution and primary care services were carried out with qualitative and ethnographic features. The medical anthropologists were involved in the areas of international and community health programs, evaluation of social and cultural influences in epidemiology of pathology and resistance to innovation in therapeutic care practices.

Training was offered to health professional, psychiatrists and social workers in related medical anthropology. Now it is a formal field of anthropology offering Masters and doctorate programs. The collaboration between the medical specialists and anthropologists made ways in effective programs to improve quality of life and finding long term solutions to local healthcare.

The forensic anthropologists assist the medical and legal specialists in this regard based on available evidence. They also frequently work with forensic pathologist and odontologists and help in suggesting the age, sex, features, stature and ancestry from the skeleton.

Value of Forensic Anthropology

The science of forensic anthropology helps in the archeological excavation which includes the examination of hair, insects, plant materials and footprints. The skeletal remains found can help determine the elapsed time since death and facial reproductions. Techniques used by forensic anthropologists can also help determine the medical treatments and past injuries. The anthropologists of forensic nature can provide expert opinions in order to determine identities and specifics in crime scenes. Forensic anthropology requires thorough knowledge of human anatomy and how it varies in different populations. The advancement in this field has been categorized into specializing in police medicine, serology, toxicology, and crime scene investigation, handling of evidence, photography and foot print analysis.

The unique skeletal traits and observation patterns used by forensic anthropologists usually leads to positive identifications. The most valuable method frequently used by them is the before and after comparison of dental photo images which has revealed many positive identifications in the process. They have knowledge of excavation and mapping techniques which are valuable in recovering evidence.

The services of forensic anthropologists are usually required by law enforcement agencies and medical examiners. Their significant contributions to investigations are based on extensive training and experience. They are also major contributors in mass disaster teams.

Study of mankind

Educational anthropology basically studies mankind and his past history. His religion, customs, traditions, structures, as well as the different behavior and interaction of various human groups are all an integrated part of this distinct scientific study. Religion has practically been the central core of each and every culture which has existed in the annals of history. It has predominantly played a major role in almost all significantly important human events. The barbaric Crusades of the middle ages, the brutal Spanish Inquisition and the devastating terrorist attacks on the Twin Trade Towers are intricately related to religious groups that judge people by their own extremist standards. Drumcree Parade, Celtic Tigers and Good Friday are other examples of religious violence.

Although this may vary from culture to culture, the manner in which weaker group of people, especially the way women have been and are still treated by their male counterparts, are among the subjects extensively covered today by certain areas of educational anthropology. Selecting a specific region or a particular geographical area in order to examine the manner in which women have prospered or have been specially kept from progressing is a keen subject of interest in this field of educational study.