About adminDIX

Posts by :

Ritz-Carlton Launching Personal Cruise Line

Created by The Ritz-Carlton and maritime experts Douglas Prothero and Lars Clasen, in collaboration with funds managed by Oaktree Capital Management, L.P., The Ritz-Carlton will provide luxury hospitality service under a long-term operating agreement. Named The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, this venture represents a unique foray into the cruise industry for a luxury hotel operator. The first of three lavish cruising yachts in this series is scheduled to take to sea in the fourth quarter of 2019, and distinguishes Marriott International as the only provider of luxury accommodations both on land and at sea.

“The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection will have a distinctive personality and the vessels are sure to be true stand outs in some of the most glamorous ports around the world,” said Herve Humler, President and Chief Operating Officer of The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C. “This unique combination of yachting and cruising will usher in a new way of luxury travel for guests seeking to discover the world in a relaxed, casually elegant and comfortable atmosphere with the highest level of personalized service.”

Itineraries are being developed with an intent to combine the lifestyle of The Ritz-Carlton’s luxury resorts and the casual freedom of a yachting vacation. Calling at intimate and signature destinations alike, voyages will range from seven to ten days. The first ship will cruise a wide variety of destinations depending on the season, including the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, the Caribbean and Latin America. Due to the intimate size of the vessel, the yacht will call at unique locations typically not accessible to large cruise ships, from Capri and Portofino to St. Barths and the old town of Cartagena. With a relaxed pace, that includes both overnight and daytime ports of call, guests will be offered a uniquely curated destination experience.

The specially designed small capacity vessel will measure 190-meters, accommodate up to 298 passengers, and feature 149 suites, each with its own private balcony. The yacht will also feature two 138 square-meter lavish duplex penthouse suites, with modern craftsmanship and interior finishes jointly designed by The Ritz-Carlton and leading cruise ship design firm, Tillberg Design of Sweden. The onboard experience will reflect the sublime comfort and unparalleled level of individualized guest service for which the iconic Ritz-Carlton brand is recognized; a first in the cruise industry.

“The Ritz-Carlton is known for its legendary service and high standards,” said Douglas Prothero Managing Director, The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection. “We are delighted to collaborate with The Ritz-Carlton as our hospitality operator in offering the most exclusive yachting experience to be found at sea in a venture that will give new meaning to curated luxury travel,” continued Lars Clasen, Managing Director, The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection.

Helmfon a Unique Device to Fully Block office Noise

Cue the “Spaceballs” Dark Helmet jokes. The Helmfon is oversized headgear designed to block out noise and help you concentrate at the office.

Sometimes you want to block out the world so badly, you don’t mind looking totally ridiculous while you do it. While most people would probably reach for noise-isolating headphones, Ukrainian design firm Hochu rayu wants to offer you an entire oversized helmet to hide out in.

The Helmfon, brought to our attention by Designboom, looks like a sleeker version of the headgear worn by Dark Helmet, the Darth Vader knockoff from “Spaceballs.” Hochu rayu designed the conceptual prototype for workers who need a break from the hustle and bustle of the office.

Hochu rayu says the helmet can be worn on the shoulders or mounted to a wall or ceiling. It uses foam to dampen external sounds, offers a place to hold your smartphone and comes with speakers and a microphone so you can work and stay productive. Best of all, you can’t hear your co-workers chatting away.

The design company came up with the Helmfon while trying to work out ways employees can Skype at their desks without bothering their co-workers.

This isn’t the first time a company has come up with an unusual way to help you check out from the surrounding world. The head-swallowing Ostrich Pillow is one famous example, but you can also order a pop-up privacy tent called the Pause Pod.

The Helmfon is just a prototype right now, but Hochu rayu is working on product testing and hopes to offer a series of Helmfons for sale, though there’s no firm timeline for release.

 

Batman-Inspired Luxury Hydroplane Alpha Centauri

A “BATTY” engineer who spent five years building a Batman-style powerboat has won backing to bring them to the market for £120,000 each.

The hydroplane has been compared to a “Batboat” by its admirers, but designer Chris Phillips didn’t have the caped crusader in mind when he was building the craft.

Chris, 35, had always wanted to build the first ever high-speed hydroplane craft for leisure use that will be available on general sale.

Up until now the motor boats, designed to skim over the surface of the water, have only been on the market for racing.

He spent five years constructing a prototype under a canopy on his dad’s farm in Ringwood, Hants, and had to sell his car to see the project over the line.

With a marine-adapted 9.4 litre engine originally designed for American NASCAR racers, Chris spent £40,000 on producing the four-seat vessel which boasts 750 horsepower and can reach speeds of 60 knots.

The boat, named Alpha-Centauri, was only compared to something from a Batman movie after Chris sprayed it black.

He said: “It wasn’t supposed to look like Batman’s boat when I made it, but after we sprayed it black everyone was saying it and we’re embracing it.

“The design uses computational fluid dynamics in order to give a low coefficient of drag while maintaining stability at speed.”

Similar hydroplane machines have previously been the preserve of the racing circuit but Chris’s design, which includes an accelerator pedal rather than a throttle lever, is aimed at “anybody who wants to have fun” on the water.

The concept was almost never seen by the public after Chris ran out of money in the weeks before he was set to transport it from the farm to the famous Southampton Boat Show.

The engineer secured the funds after selling his prized Maserati, a move that appears to have worked after he was approached by investors who plan to help him mass-produce the distinctive looking boats.

He already has five orders and is set to make them on premises near his home in Fordingbridge, Hants.

Chris said: “This is the first hydroplane to be built for the luxury market – until now they have all been racing boats.

“It’s been designed primarily as a super-yacht toy and I am hoping this will completely change the face of power boats and allow people to show off like never before.

“It took me five years to build on my dad’s farm, but it’s something I’ve been dreaming about all my life.”

He added: “I started making models of hydroplanes when I was about eight or nine. I grew up around boats – but mostly old wooden ones – and I always found myself looking out at the the speed boats.

“I started building this prototype five years ago on my dad’s farm in a polytunnel.

“By the time it was completed I was completely out of money and had to sell my car to get it down to Southampton for the boat show.

“Thankfully that seems to have paid off. We are about to sign a significant deal with an investor so we can produce them on a larger scale, and we already have several potential buyers lined up.”

Floating Cabin House by Bio Architects

A home doesn’t have to be on wheels to move. Every day buildings expand and contract, shift and stir – even if it is only by an almost imperceptible amount. This pesky tendency has proven challenging for builders of modular homes. If you don’t know where your house will end up, how do you account for how it will react to extremes in weather? Bio Architects may have found a way with their DD16 Floating Cabin.

Built specifically to endure extreme weather and serve as a shelter to tourists and wanderers, this wood-framed cabin makes use of adaptable materials and a minimalist, lightweight design. The frame of the cabin is made from a laminated wood, siding consisting of just aluminum sheets, and polyurethane insulation.

While these choices in material may give off a somewhat spartan vibe, they actually come together to create a comfortable livable space. Upon stepping inside one finds a wooden stove, dining table, double bed, and even a shower. The home also offers up ample storage fit into little niches throughout. To top all of this off, the cabin features large glazed windows for gobs of natural light, and a completely independent water and electricity system thanks to a solar array, and an ecological toilet.

The New Audi A8 Is the Future of the Luxury Class

In its fourth generation, the brand’s flagship model again provides the benchmark for Vorsprung durch Technik – with a new design language, an innovative touchscreen operating concept and a systematically electrified drive. The Audi A8 is also the first production automobile in the world to have been developed for highly automated driving. From 2018, Audi will gradually be taking piloted driving functions such as parking pilot, garage pilot and traffic jam pilot into production.

The new Audi A8 and A8 L are being built at the Neckarsulm site and will appear on the German market in late fall 2017. The starting price for the A8 is EUR 90,600, with the A8 L starting at EUR 94,100.

Doyen of Audi style: the exterior design

Sports appeal, lightweight construction and quattro – the design of the new A8 perfectly conveys Audi’s fundamental values. It embodies sporting elegance, sophistication and progressive status. The new flagship model takes the brand into a new design era.

The hexagonal Singleframe grille dominates the sedan’s upright front end. With its low position and width, it determines all adjoining lines and surfaces. The headlight shapes merge perfectly with the Singleframe. With the optional HD Matrix LED headlights, the daytime running lights are a visual extension of the grille’s top lamella. The segmented light signature divides the headlights horizontally, creating an elegant overall impression. Substantial chrome frames surround the air inlets, with a flat center inlet connecting them.

The Side View Silhouette

The side view with the coupé-like silhouette highlights the sporty character of the new A8. Its proportions accentuate both the front and rear wheels – prominent muscular shapes above the wheels are pointers to the brand’s quattro DNA. The low shoulder line starts right up at the headlights and runs across the door handles as far back as the rear lights. A fold below the window capping also emphasizes length. The sill rises to the rear in typical Audi style and lends the new A8 a dynamism worthy of a luxury-class car.

The rear end is inclined slightly in the direction of travel, appearing to push the sedan along even when stationary. The defining element of a lighting strip extends across the entire width. It radiates high intrinsic value thanks to the embedded chrome strip. The segmented OLEDs adjoin at its ends and combine to form a signature. Another chrome strip in the lower part of the bumper integrates the trapezoidal trims of the exhaust system.

There is a choice of twelve colors for the A8, including the new Audi colors Terra Gray, Vesuvius Gray and Seville Red. The colors Impala Beige and Navarra Blue are available for the A8 for the first time. Via the Audi exclusive program, customers can also have the luxury sedan supplied in a color of their personal choice. For those who want their car to create an even more striking visual impact, there is the option of a chrome exterior package.

HD Matrix LED, laser, OLED: the lighting

Audi leads the way in lighting technology and design. In the new A8, the technologies interact intelligently with the surroundings. For example, Audi laser lighting is used here for the first time with HD Matrix LED high beams. The laser spot is identified by an X-shape shutter and is also accentuated by blue ambient lighting. The daytime running lights with the vertical segments emphasize the technical elegance of the headlights. The laser spot is activated from a speed of 70 km/h (43.5 mph) and doubles the range of the high beam.

Each HD Matrix LED high-beam unit consists of 32 small, individually controlled light-emitting diodes that project the light in two lines. This new configuration ensures that the A8 provides even more dynamic and precise illumination together with the variable-control low-beam headlights. The light cone blanks out exclusively other road users, so as not to dazzle them. The high-precision control for the HD Matrix LED high beam is based on data supplied by the front camera.

Even more efficient: engines with MHEV technology

At its market introduction in Europe, the new Audi A8 will start out with two extensively reengineered V6 turbo engines, a 3.0 TDI with 210 kW (286 hp) and a 3.0 TFSI with 250 kW (340 hp). The two V8 versions will follow: The 4.0 TDI develops 320 kW (435 hp), and the 4.0 TFSI has a power output of 338 kW (460 hp). Also appearing later on is the W12 for the A8 L, developing 430 kW (585 hp). All engines offer supreme refinement, ample performance and high efficiency. The new mild hybrid technology (MHEV, mild hybrid electric vehicle) drives down fuel consumption even further – by as much as 0.7 liters (0.3 US gal) of fuel per 100 kilometers (62.1 mi) in real driving conditions. Particulate filters for the gasoline engines will follow in 2018.

Lexus Gives 2018 CT 200h A Final Facelift

When Lexus debuted the CT 200h at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show, it introduced the compact hybrid hatchback to the luxury automobile segment. The CT 200h remains the brand’s exclusively hybrid model, with more than 300,000 units sold from Dec, 2010 to May, 2017. Sales have remaining strong in key geographic regions that include the European Union, China and Japan, where hybrid-vehicle sales continue to grow.

With this latest update, Lexus looks to build on the model’s strengths and evolve upon the CT 200h’s well-earned reputation for efficiency and reliability, armed with a freshened exterior that embodies its exciting-to-drive nature―without compromising its user-friendliness and fuel economy.

“The 2018 CT 200h has been refreshed and revitalized by enhancing its progressiveness. Despite being classified as a minor-change model, the car is more emotional and sporty than before, making it the ideal premium hybrid compact for younger customers who enjoy spirited driving, but still care about the environment,” said Chika Kako, the Chief Engineer of Minor Change CT 200h.

Exterior Design: A More Dramatic Presence

From its inception, the 5-door Lexus CT 200h combines an automotive packaging solution that compliments its owner’s active lifestyle with an exciting-yet-comfortable driving experience and interior surroundings offering the latest technology, upscale design and materials.

For the 2018 model, the CT 200h features a much more modern and aggressive front fascia, thanks to a new mesh pattern for the signature spindle grille that helps elevate the model’s sophistication. Also, the integrated bumper that ran across the grille just below the Lexus emblem is gone, as are the horizontal bars within the grille. The fog light bezels are now painted metallic grey and are surrounded by an outer frame with a triangular cross-section and sharp edges. The “arrowhead” DRLs (Daytime Running Lights) have been repositioned above the single-projector headlamps to create a sense of continuity with the side character lines of the car. Collectively, these new styling elements give the CT 200h a more modern, athletic, and yet sophisticated appearance, helping this compact 5-door command a powerful presence when seen from the front.

“We have pursued a new look by reversing the position of the LED headlight unit and DRL compared to the previous model. The result is a look that’s more aggressive than before. Moreover, the “L” motif of the DRL strengthens the Lexus signature.” said Tetsuo Miki, the Chief Designer of the CT 200h.

At the rear of the car are new “L”-signature shaped taillights that give the CT 200h a sportier, wider appearance. New wider rear combination taillights have been changed to an all-LED configuration, with brightly illuminating LED turn signals at the bottom of the assembly, strengthening the “L”-signature look, as well as making the new CT more visible from behind. The upper and lower lines of the light-emitting section of the taillights thicken as they curve outwards, accentuating the width of the taillights and providing the rear end with a strong, stable presence. Perhaps the most expressive design change to the CT 200h’s rear end are restyled rear combination lamp and the back door garnish―enveloping the Lexus badge right between the rear glass and the taillights―that adds some athletic appeal to the vehicle’s already sporty rear-end. Also, the lower part of the rear bumper is now metallic silver and black, and reshaped to enhance the vehicle’s aggressive appearance, while the rear reflector bezels have been painted metallic grey to match the fog light surrounds up front.

Fresh Interior Updates

One peek inside the cabin, and it is easy to see that the CT 200h offers among the finest interiors in its class, thanks to high-quality materials, rich surface textures and an attractive form-follows-function overall styling philosophy. Lexus Navigation System that features a larger 10.3-in. wide display screen (versus the previous-generation’s 7-in. monitor) is newly available.

An expanded available interior color palette features new combinations including striking two-tone leather in Sunflare Brown/Noble Brown, the distinctive Ochre/Light Ochre, and the lighter Chateau/Fromage; a mix of fabric and long-wearing synthetic leather in Black, Black/Red, Dark Camel/Noble Brown and Chateau/Fromage; and new all-fabric upholstery in the sporty Black/Red, the unique Dark Camel/Noble Brown and the airy Chateau. And for 2018, a total of six different ornamentation choices are available, with the addition of Sunflare Brown Film and Bamboo.

Yoga Training Will Improve Your Life

,

Our psoas major muscle, sometimes lovingly called, the “muscle of the soul”, is a core-stabilizing muscle and runs from the thigh bone through the length of the belly, connected at the lowest thoracic vertebra, around where your rib cage ends, all the way down your lower back, extending through the pelvis to attach on the inside of the upper femur. It crosses three major joints, the hip socket, the joint between the lumbar spine and the sacrum, and the sacroiliac joint- that’s a lot of coverage!

And it is responsible for so much as well. It affects our mobility, structural balance, joint function, flexibility, and not only helps you stand up straight and lift your legs to walk, research shows that this incredible part of our body, is also vital to our psychological wellbeing.

Liz Koch, the author of The Psoas Book, writes that our psoas “literally embodies our deepest urge for survival, and more profoundly, our elemental desire to flourish.” By keeping our psoas healthy, it is entirely possible to improve mental health, or if to speak in yogi terms, having the ability to create healing energy.

Part of the stress response that is in our nervous system is the contraction of the major flexors of the torso. When we go through stress, trauma, or something unpleasant, even if its just small little incident or an argument with a loved one, it is all tied together. Our body responds by tightening the gut, hunching the shoulders, holding it all in tightly as a modern response to protect ourselves. All of the things we have been holding in turns into chronic tension and contraction, and we start thinking of it as normal, we actually get used to the pain.

Because of negative social standards, we have ignored our natural way of releasing tension in our bodies and our psoas, just like animals instinctual shake to discharge tension, we used to do the same- ever heard someone say, “shake it off”? Since early age we have learned that shakes, tremors, or to show vulnerability is a sign of weakness, and that we must hold everything in so tightly instead of just allowing us to let go. If you think back of a time you were crying and very upset about something, didn’t your body automatically start to shake and tremor?

Our bodies are filled with incredible capabilities, many we take for granted or don’t even pay much attention to.

Source: Mandy Martini’s blog

Overcome Your Body Weakness with Your Mind

,

Our psoas major muscle, sometimes lovingly called, the “muscle of the soul”, is a core-stabilizing muscle and runs from the thigh bone through the length of the belly, connected at the lowest thoracic vertebra, around where your rib cage ends, all the way down your lower back, extending through the pelvis to attach on the inside of the upper femur. It crosses three major joints, the hip socket, the joint between the lumbar spine and the sacrum, and the sacroiliac joint- that’s a lot of coverage!

And it is responsible for so much as well. It affects our mobility, structural balance, joint function, flexibility, and not only helps you stand up straight and lift your legs to walk, research shows that this incredible part of our body, is also vital to our psychological wellbeing.

Liz Koch, the author of The Psoas Book, writes that our psoas “literally embodies our deepest urge for survival, and more profoundly, our elemental desire to flourish.” By keeping our psoas healthy, it is entirely possible to improve mental health, or if to speak in yogi terms, having the ability to create healing energy.

Part of the stress response that is in our nervous system is the contraction of the major flexors of the torso. When we go through stress, trauma, or something unpleasant, even if its just small little incident or an argument with a loved one, it is all tied together. Our body responds by tightening the gut, hunching the shoulders, holding it all in tightly as a modern response to protect ourselves. All of the things we have been holding in turns into chronic tension and contraction, and we start thinking of it as normal, we actually get used to the pain.

Because of negative social standards, we have ignored our natural way of releasing tension in our bodies and our psoas, just like animals instinctual shake to discharge tension, we used to do the same- ever heard someone say, “shake it off”? Since early age we have learned that shakes, tremors, or to show vulnerability is a sign of weakness, and that we must hold everything in so tightly instead of just allowing us to let go. If you think back of a time you were crying and very upset about something, didn’t your body automatically start to shake and tremor?

Our bodies are filled with incredible capabilities, many we take for granted or don’t even pay much attention to.

Source: Mandy Martini’s blog

Reach the Inner Peace of Your Soul & Body

,

Our psoas major muscle, sometimes lovingly called, the “muscle of the soul”, is a core-stabilizing muscle and runs from the thigh bone through the length of the belly, connected at the lowest thoracic vertebra, around where your rib cage ends, all the way down your lower back, extending through the pelvis to attach on the inside of the upper femur. It crosses three major joints, the hip socket, the joint between the lumbar spine and the sacrum, and the sacroiliac joint- that’s a lot of coverage!

And it is responsible for so much as well. It affects our mobility, structural balance, joint function, flexibility, and not only helps you stand up straight and lift your legs to walk, research shows that this incredible part of our body, is also vital to our psychological wellbeing.

Liz Koch, the author of The Psoas Book, writes that our psoas “literally embodies our deepest urge for survival, and more profoundly, our elemental desire to flourish.” By keeping our psoas healthy, it is entirely possible to improve mental health, or if to speak in yogi terms, having the ability to create healing energy.

Part of the stress response that is in our nervous system is the contraction of the major flexors of the torso. When we go through stress, trauma, or something unpleasant, even if its just small little incident or an argument with a loved one, it is all tied together. Our body responds by tightening the gut, hunching the shoulders, holding it all in tightly as a modern response to protect ourselves. All of the things we have been holding in turns into chronic tension and contraction, and we start thinking of it as normal, we actually get used to the pain.

Because of negative social standards, we have ignored our natural way of releasing tension in our bodies and our psoas, just like animals instinctual shake to discharge tension, we used to do the same- ever heard someone say, “shake it off”? Since early age we have learned that shakes, tremors, or to show vulnerability is a sign of weakness, and that we must hold everything in so tightly instead of just allowing us to let go. If you think back of a time you were crying and very upset about something, didn’t your body automatically start to shake and tremor?

Our bodies are filled with incredible capabilities, many we take for granted or don’t even pay much attention to.

Source: Mandy Martini’s blog

The Harder You Train the Better the Results

,

Our psoas major muscle, sometimes lovingly called, the “muscle of the soul”, is a core-stabilizing muscle and runs from the thigh bone through the length of the belly, connected at the lowest thoracic vertebra, around where your rib cage ends, all the way down your lower back, extending through the pelvis to attach on the inside of the upper femur. It crosses three major joints, the hip socket, the joint between the lumbar spine and the sacrum, and the sacroiliac joint- that’s a lot of coverage!

And it is responsible for so much as well. It affects our mobility, structural balance, joint function, flexibility, and not only helps you stand up straight and lift your legs to walk, research shows that this incredible part of our body, is also vital to our psychological wellbeing.

Liz Koch, the author of The Psoas Book, writes that our psoas “literally embodies our deepest urge for survival, and more profoundly, our elemental desire to flourish.” By keeping our psoas healthy, it is entirely possible to improve mental health, or if to speak in yogi terms, having the ability to create healing energy.

Part of the stress response that is in our nervous system is the contraction of the major flexors of the torso. When we go through stress, trauma, or something unpleasant, even if its just small little incident or an argument with a loved one, it is all tied together. Our body responds by tightening the gut, hunching the shoulders, holding it all in tightly as a modern response to protect ourselves. All of the things we have been holding in turns into chronic tension and contraction, and we start thinking of it as normal, we actually get used to the pain.

Because of negative social standards, we have ignored our natural way of releasing tension in our bodies and our psoas, just like animals instinctual shake to discharge tension, we used to do the same- ever heard someone say, “shake it off”? Since early age we have learned that shakes, tremors, or to show vulnerability is a sign of weakness, and that we must hold everything in so tightly instead of just allowing us to let go. If you think back of a time you were crying and very upset about something, didn’t your body automatically start to shake and tremor?

Our bodies are filled with incredible capabilities, many we take for granted or don’t even pay much attention to.

Source: Mandy Martini’s blog

Load More