Yoga Is Good For Stress Management
By
Michael RussellYoga is very good in stress management. Research has also shown that Hatha Yoga - the type of yoga practiced in the West - if practiced regularly, has a significant impact on ones muscular strength, flexibility, balance and endurance. Studies done on a group of people, who practiced yoga, revealed that after eight weeks - on average - the flexibility of this group improved by 14% to 35%.
The body/spirit/mind union together with breathing also brings about emotional benefits. It has been reported that people who practice yoga say that they felt less stressed out and sleep better. It also enables one to handle stress better, whether it is family or work related.
So how does one get started? The first step is to have an open mind. Many people are of the mistaken opinion that one has to be flexible in order to do yoga. This is not so – less flexible individuals generally see results faster.
Next you need to join - preferably - a beginner’s class that has a qualified yoga teacher. At first you may have to try out a few different types of classes and see what suits you best - as there are many types of yoga. Generally, Hatha Yoga would be the recommended type for a beginner; as it is the most gentle and flowing type.
Sometimes you may have joined a class that may be a little bit ahead of you and this might cause you to worry whether you are doing it properly or not. Do not worry about it; all that matters is what your body feels in each stretch and how relaxed you can allow yourself to be with each pose. Remember, practice makes perfect.
It is important to understand that no two people have the same level of flexibility. If your teacher instructs you to do a particular pose and if you feel your body cannot handle it, but everyone else seems to be doing it, DO NOT force your body to do it. You might end up injuring yourself.
Concentrating on your breathing is very vital in yoga and is the key to stress management. Your teacher will tell you when you should inhale and when you should exhale when you are working through your poses. It is recommended that you breathe through your nose only, as this helps keep the body heat in and the mind focused. Practicing yoga with bare feet is generally recommended as it has a twofold purpose. One is, it will help you not to slip when you do the standing poses and second, you fully articulate and exercise your feet when you do not wear shoes.
Any type of clothing can be worn for yoga as long as it is comfortable. They should not be too big for you as it might get in the way with some postures. A leotard or bike shorts and a loose T-shirt short are fine.
Most often a yoga lesson ends with simply lying on one’s back with the arms by the side, eyes closed and taking deep breaths. This is known as the corpse position and it helps in one’s relaxation.
Michael Russell Your Independent guide to
Yoga---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FREE articles about self-help, self improvement, wellness, holistic health, and fitness. To see our full line of e-Books visit:
www.ebooks4selfhelp.com---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Get a Free Yoga e-Book & Free Report
Yoga Mats - Finding The Perfect Yoga Mat For You
By Angela Booth
Yoga is deeply relaxing, as well as energizing, and you can do it anywhere. One of the most popular questions for anyone new to yoga is: "What's the best kind of yoga mat for me?"
There are many different kinds of yoga mat from which you can choose. Many are made from polyester latex, and have a slip-resistant surface. "Sticky" mats, which have a textured synthetic surface, are also very popular. Practitioners of styles like Ashtanga yoga, and Bikram yoga often prefer to use both a sticky mat and a rug, placing the rug over the sticky mat.
Of course, you don't need to buy a yoga mat if you don't want to: can just use a thick towel, or a rug, as your yoga mat.
Your choice of yoga mat is also influenced by where you'll be exercising.
Where Will You Do Your Yoga Exercises?
If you're doing your yoga in front of the TV on a carpeted floor, you can just use a thick towel, or a folded blanket. On the other hand, if you're taking lessons at a yoga studio, it's awkward to carry a blanket, so ring the studio before you start, and ask what kind of mat they recommend.
They may even sell yoga mats. Sticky and other mats are often sold with a carrier, so you can sling the mat over your shoulder on your way to practice.
Eco Yoga Mats For a Cleaner Environment
In the past few years, environmentally conscious types of yoga mats have become popular. The older styles of mats are made from PVC (Poly Vinyl Chloride). Since the manufacture of PVC releases toxins into the atmosphere, "eco" mats have been created from materials like cotton, jute and rubber.
So the kind of yoga mat you choose is up to you. Have fun with your yoga. It's your time to refresh, relax, and be with yourself. Of the many different types of yoga mat, you'll find the perfect one for you.
Discover more about yoga at Easy Fab Yoga at http://www.easyfabyoga.com/, and Easy Fab Yog Blog at http://www.easyfabyoga.com/blog/
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FREE articles about self-help, self improvement, wellness, holistic health, and fitness. To see our full line of e-Books visit: www.ebooks4selfhelp.com
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Get a Free Yoga e-Book & Free Report
Office Yoga: Warm Up Exercises for Corporate Yoga
By Paul Jerard
Although Office Yoga practice resembles Chair Yoga routines, there is usually a difference in the mobility of the average participant. Chair Yoga is most commonly seen in senior centers, nursing homes, assisted living complexes, physical rehabilitation units and adult day care centers. On the other hand, Office Yoga is taught to the “work force,” which should be more mobile than the average senior citizen, but there are always exceptions.
What are Office Yoga warm up exercises like?
You can begin in a seated or standing posture, but most office workers should get up and out of the chair. Circular movements are good for massaging internal organs and swishing synovial fluid around the joints. Synovial fluid lubricates your joint surfaces and sends nutrients to the cartilage within your joints.
One of the most important things to remember is that slow and controlled circular movement for most joints is fine. However, the neck and knees demand special attention. The neck is not a “ball and socket” joint, so it is not designed for excessive friction. Any neck warm ups should be linear and you should avoid forcing or hyperextending your neck at all times.
The knees should avoid excessive rotation and friction. If you wish to swish synovial fluid around the knee joint, you should lift one foot off the floor and slowly move the knee forward and back. You can also move the knee in circles, with one foot off the ground, but the hip and ankles will move with it, which is fine.
Once both feet are on the ground, the knee is often the axis of movement. When performing Arm Swings, which are a common warm up exercise in Yoga class, the knee rotates along with a full body motion.
For example: When you swing to the left, the right knee bends, the right heel should rise off the floor, and there is no excessive torque put on the left knee. So the swing is controlled and you should be mindful of both knees in order to avoid excess friction, force, or torque.
Shoulder shrugs are a priceless warm up for an Office Yoga class. This is a stress relieving exercise, as well as a warm up. Many office workers have stress build up in the back, shoulders, and neck. With that said, the shoulder shrug is a preventative exercise for headaches, back spasms, and neck pain. These are just a sampling of the most common ailments office workers have from excessive sitting and typing.
© Copyright 2007 – Paul Jerard / Aura Publications
Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500, is a co-owner and the director of Yoga teacher training at: Aura Wellness Center, in Attleboro, MA. http://www.riyoga.com He has been a certified Master Yoga teacher since 1995.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FREE articles about self-help, self improvement, wellness, holistic health, and fitness. To see our full line of e-Books visit: www.ebooks4selfhelp.com
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Get a Free Yoga e-Book & Free Report
The Five Yoga Techniques That Matter
By Brandon Jurewicz
There are five major Yoga techniques that all practitioners of Yoga are required to follow. These are:
Techniques of posture
Movement of joints
Deep, controlled breathing
Relaxation
Meditation
Each technique has its own role to play in making your mind and body healthier. The different postures that a Yoga practitioner is asked to execute helps in toning the body. These postures that are carried out sitting, standing or lying vary from simple exercises to very demanding ones.
Several exercises have been worked out for the movement of joints. Some of these are stand alone exercises; the others form part of the postures. However, all these movements are gentle and aimed to make the neck, hands, arms, legs and back joints supple.
Yoga lays great stress on deep breathing. The breathing exercises are aimed to release internal energies and also to strengthen the muscles of the rib cage and belly.
Yoga, however, does not believe in exerting pressure on the body. A disciple is required to do only that much that he can do with comfort. The exercises are always followed by a state of relaxation, whose purpose is to release the tension built in the body and mind during the exercises. The relaxed state also helps you to concentrate deeply without being affected by distractions.
After relaxation of mind and body, the spirit is ready for meditation. The meditative state increases concentration and calms down the spirit. As a result, a person feels deep contentment.
This state is also described as 1 of unqualified bliss.
These techniques can be performed at any area or at any time of day. The best place, however, is a secluded place where you are not distracted by noise. Also, the sunrise and sunset hours are most suited to meditate.
Besides these five common techniques, the Yoga Gurus or Yoga seniors also perform some exalted techniques. 1 of these is Hong-Sau. This technique focuses on the latent powers of concentration and helps to ward off any surrounding distractions, which may otherwise prevent you from focusing on your target. Similarly, Aum expands your awareness beyond the limitations of body and mind.
However these techniques are helpful only when you apply them with full sincerity. Those who lack faith in these techniques can never hope to achieve bliss.
For more exercise, nutrition and dieting articles: Proven Diets
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FREE articles about self-help, self improvement, wellness, holistic health, and fitness. To see our full line of e-Books visit: www.ebooks4selfhelp.com
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Get a Free Yoga e-Book & Free Report
Yoga Mat - Choosing the Right Yoga Mat
By Jon Edings
Yoga is an extremely popular form of exercise that has origins that date to thousands of years ago. The benefits that can be achieved from practicing yoga are numerous and medically proven. But in order to gain the said benefits, a proper and efficient performance of the exercises is needed. In order to help in that aspect, it is highly recommended to avail of a yoga mat. Although yoga can be practiced without it, there are things that a yoga mat can provide for a more efficient exercise like added stability and comfort.
Getting a yoga mat is not the end of it however. It is also a key factor to avail of a yoga mat that suits the practitioner and the exercise itself. There are different kinds of yoga exercises, different kinds of people that practice them, so it only seems fitting that there are different types of mats with different purposes. While the common denominators for any type of yoga mat are that it should define a specific area of practice, provide stability and give comfort, there are also some differences that need to be taken note of.
There are mats that are double the thickness of universal style mats that can provide extra cushioning for people that choose to practice Ashtanga yoga, a type of yoga that involves jumps to change from one pose to another. There are also travel mats that can be carried and stored easily into luggage for people on the go. There are cotton mats that help with the absorption of sweat that would otherwise cause slipping. Cotton mats are ideal for practicing Ashtanga and Bikram yoga which are two of the more challenging types of yoga. There are also meditation mats that provide a comfortable seat for a more meditative type of yoga that requires a lengthy amount of time seated in one position. There are also deluxe mats that are textured to provide greater friction between the surface and the Practitioner's feet for more balance.
Not only are there many choices for a yoga mat due to purpose but there are also choices for aesthetic. Colors and materials may also vary. These options are set to suit the tastes of anyone that chooses to practice yoga. Aesthetic can also provide a certain sense of comfort. And to practice yoga in comfort is to be able to practice it efficiently since the mind is at peace with what it is surrounded by.
Choose a yoga mat wisely. Purpose and aesthetic are indirect keys to achieving efficiency in the practice of yoga and thus achieving the benefits that yoga provides.
The author is a health advocate and believes there are many ways you can increase your health and fitness levels go here to get more on yoga and equipment used Yoga Mat Reviews.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FREE articles about self-help, self improvement, wellness, holistic health, and fitness. To see our full line of e-Books visit: www.ebooks4selfhelp.com
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Get a Free Yoga e-Book & Free Report
Different Stages of Yoga
By Merry Parker
Generally, Yoga consists of and is described in eight stages astanga-yoga, (‘eight-membered Yoga’). Yama (‘restraint’) denoting abstinence from injury (ahimsa), falsehood, stealing, lust, and avarice is the first stage; with niyama (‘observance’), denoting cleanliness of body, contentment, austerity, study, and devotion to God, the second stage.
The next two stages consist of physical preparations, such as, Asana (‘seat’), a series of physical posture exercises intended to condition the body, making it supple, flexible, and healthy.
Mastery of the asanas can be calculated by one’s ability to maintain a prescribed postures for an extended period of time, without involuntary movement or physical distractions. Pranayama ("breath control") is a series of exercises intended to stabilize the rhythm of breathing in order to encourage complete respiratory relaxation.
With great benefits, Yoga is becoming very popular all over the world, including making a come back in the land of its birth i.e. India.
Pratyahara (‘withdrawal) is the fifth stage, which involves control of the senses, whereby one can centre all of one’s senses from outward objects to the mind. The first five stages of Yoga are considered external aids, while the remaining three are purely mental or internal aids.
Dharana (‘holding on’) is the ability to focus awareness of externals to one object for a long period of time, such as, focusing the mind on an object of meditation e.g. an image of a deity or some such. Dhyana (‘concentrated meditation’) is the uninterrupted contemplation of an object of meditation, beyond any memory of ego. Samadhi (‘self-collectedness’) is the final stage and a pre-condition for attaining moksha or being released from the cycle of life and death. This stage, allows the meditator to perceive or experience the object of his meditation and himself as one entity.
Though, the pre-history of Yoga is not clear, however, early Vedic texts speak of ecstatics, who may well have been predecessors of latter day yogis or the followers of Yoga. Although Yoga has been made into a separate school (‘darsan’), its influence and many of its practices have crept into other schools.
In the course of time, certain stages of Yoga become ends in themselves, notably, the breathing exercises and sitting postures, as in the school of Hatha Yoga. In a less technical sense, Yoga used for achieving union with God, in the epic poem the Bhagavadgita, is also used to distinguish the alternate paths (‘margas’) to such a union.
With the philosophy and practice of Yoga increasingly becoming popular in the West, the physical and spiritual benefits of Yogic techniques have become available through a wide variety of sectarian Yoga organisations, non-sectarian classes, and television programmes in the United States and Europe.
‘Prapti’ is the fifth power that a practitioner of Yoga can gain mastery over. Anyone, who becomes proficient in it, is able to reach distant places according to his will, in just a matter of moments. Those people wishing to expose this psychic claim as a hoax conducted experiments, only to find that 95% of the time the yogis were able to transport themselves to distant, remote places.
Next, mastery over ‘Prakamya’ shows one how to achieve whatever one desires. Like the Genie in the bottle who granted every wish and carried out every command issued by Alladin, a person who can perform Prakamya can make his every wish come true e.g. asking for Eternal Youth will ensure he is forever young.
In meanwhile, you can read yoga books or buy yoga accessories, if you are convinced it is time to become a yoga devotee. One can purchase online yoga books on meditation and spirituality, yoga audiotapes, including yoga accessories, such as, yoga mats, yoga straps, yoga blocks! from Yogabestseller.com Prepare yourself well to make yoga practice a pleasant and fruitful experience! We can promise you, it is one decision you will never regret!
Yogabestseller.com is your one stop place for all Yoga Accessories! Get massive range of Yoga books, Yoga mats, Yoga audiotapes at unbeatable prices! Buy Yoga Books, Yoga blocks, Yoga Straps, yoga meditation mats, foam blocks and many other yoga products at reasonable rates.
Visit http://www.yogabestseller.com
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FREE articles about self-help, self improvement, wellness, holistic health, and fitness. To see our full line of e-Books visit: www.ebooks4selfhelp.com
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Get a Free Yoga e-Book & Free Report
Yoga and Your Body - Health Benefits of Yoga Practice
By Jon Edings
Yoga aims to bring together the mind, the body and the spirits. People that practice yoga view that the mind and body are one and that if given the right tools, it can find harmony and find a way to heal. Practicing yoga is then considered to be a form of therapy. Awareness of posture and patterns of movement, flexibility and relaxation are only a few of the things that can be achieved with the practice. To feel fit, be more energetic, be happier and more at peace are only some of the reasons why people choose to practice yoga.
Yoga dates back to thousands of years of practice, consisting of ancient theories, observations and principles about the connection between mind and body that are now proven by modern day medicine. Research has proven that there are a lot of health benefits, whether physiological, psychological or biochemical, that can be obtained through the practice of yoga.
Some of the physiological benefits include a decrease in pulse rate, respiratory rate and blood pressure which in other words would mean that the cardiovascular and respiratory efficiencies increase which can help in the increase of immunity. Bodily functions like gastrointestinal, endocrine and excretory either normalizes or improves which can help in the normalization of weight. Musculoskeletal flexibility and joint range of motion increase which can help in the improvement of posture, dexterity, balance and the integrated functioning of body parts. In essence, gaining all of that can help decrease any pains in the joints or muscles. With the practice of yoga, endurance, energy level and even eye-hand coordination improves. Weight can also normalize.
The psychological benefits of yoga include the increased awareness of somatic and kinesthetic waves, improvement of mood and subjective well-being which subsequently increases social adjustment. With a calmer mind, concentration, memory, attention and learning efficiency can also improve.
The biochemical benefits of yoga are effects of some of the physiological benefits. Levels of glucose, sodium, bad cholesterol and triglycerides decrease while levels of good cholesterol, cholinesterase, ATP, hemoglobin, vitamin C and serum protein increase. These changes are all beneficial for a healthier body.
Apart from all of this, the benefits of yoga have been compared versus that of the benefits of regular exercise. With the slow dynamic and static movements of yoga, there is a lower risk of injury to muscles and ligaments as opposed to regular exercise routines due to the lesser effort and relaxed way of movement which subsequently makes for better energizing since breathing is not taxed. There is also a more balanced activity of opposing muscle groups, thus being able to gain a normalized muscle tone instead of getting bulky.
Yoga does not need to be for people that are extremely flexible. It can be for people that are looking to improve on their flexibility or other areas of their physical or mental health. With these many benefits, it’s no wonder why yoga has been a successful practice for thousands of years.
The author is a health advocate and believes there are many ways you can increase your health and fitness levels go here to get more on yoga and equipment used Mat Yoga Reviews.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FREE articles about self-help, self improvement, wellness, holistic health, and fitness. To see our full line of e-Books visit: www.ebooks4selfhelp.com
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Get a Free Yoga e-Book & Free Report
Office Yoga - Corporate Yoga for the Office
By Paul Jerard
Could Yoga increase office productivity? Can Yoga teachers help the corporate sector? What can Office Yoga programs do for large and small businesses? Let’s look at solutions that Yoga can offer to the business world.
The number of office workers has increased, with the invention of the personal computer.
Working excessive hours in front of a personal computer can create a multitude of back, neck, shoulder, spine, hip, and wrist problems. Muscle groups, in all of these areas, respond with tension and a variety of long-term problems - if they are ignored by office workers and management.
Forty years ago, secretaries would have been patronized for their migraines, cluster headaches, back pain, hip problems, and sore necks. Now, times are changing, and there has been much progress with ergonomics and studies which reveal new insights about the relationship of prolonged sitting to specific health problems.
A recent study, by The Medical Research Institute, in New Zealand, has revealed that office workers may be at a higher risk of developing blood clots. As most of us know, these studies are worded very tactfully, and do not jump to conclusions; however, anyone who understands body mechanics would realize that this makes perfect sense.
With that said, let’s remember that blood clots can be potentially fatal as they travel to the heart and vital organs. Blood clots can, and do, cause stroke, chest pain, and heart attack.
With larger numbers of office workers putting in extra hours of work, some “forward thinking” companies have begun to respond with office Yoga programs for their employees. Even short Office Yoga sessions can release muscle tension and alleviate the routine pains and aches, which result from prolonged sitting.
Therefore, companies, which take pro-active measures, by installing Office Yoga programs, are taking positive action toward health solutions for employees – thus, increasing productivity, while decreasing sick time, tardiness, and medical leave.
Office Yoga creates an atmosphere of decreased anxiety, less stress, positive thinking, and raises morale. Nothing is more rewarding than feeling worthy and being treated with respect. Any small company can take such action by installing an Office Yoga program.
Some companies pay a percentage for a Yoga teacher to operate an Office Yoga class, while employees pay the balance. Other companies see this as a “win-win” situation and pay for the Yoga classes in full. Regardless of how an Office Yoga program is paid for, the benefits for the corporate sector are just starting to be realized.
© Copyright 2007 – Paul Jerard / Aura Publications
Paul Jerard, E-RYT-500, is a co-owner and the director of Yoga teacher training at: Aura Wellness Center, in Attleboro, MA. http://www.riyoga.com He has been a certified Master Yoga teacher since 1995.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FREE articles about self-help, self improvement, wellness, holistic health, and fitness. To see our full line of e-Books visit: www.ebooks4selfhelp.com
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Get a Free Yoga e-Book & Free Report
5 Tips To Gaining Positive Mental Attitude (PMA) Through Practicing Yoga
By Kelly Dailey
Yoga has been practiced for 100’s of years. Today it seems like yoga is taught more for the physical benefits than the mental growth that can be gained. However, your yoga practice is a great place to develop a positive mental attitude (PMA). I want to share with you some ways to achieve PMA through practicing yoga:
1. always say thank you for the opportunity to practice yoga
2. breathe positive thoughts into every cell of your body
3. bring your mind’s eye into every pose to see your body perfectly aligned
4. let every pose unfold to you so that every practice is healing
5. allow every practice to be brand new; always with compassion
6. practice with a registered yoga teacher
Thank You
Gratitude and love are the highest emotions that when simply thought can create positive change not only in your own cells but in those of people around you. Masaru Emoto has photographed frozen water crystals which were sent thoughts of love and gratitude. Those photographed crystals are the most beautiful.
Just Breathe
We work and play all day long and are mostly unaware of our breath. To breathe is to live. Breathe life into every cell of your body with thoughts of love and gratitude.
The Mind’s Eye
The mind’s eye is about bringing awareness from your body to your mind. It’s the feedback your body is giving your mind in the most subtle way. We walk around all day and forget about how our body really feels. Practicing yoga is a time to listen and send information between the mind and body. This is a perfect opportunity send positive affirmations from your mind to your body and back again.
Unfold
Allow each pose to unfold to you without struggle; only with a gentle invitation. This will keep you free from injury – both physically and mentally. When poses contain ego your body and mind will suffer. When a pose is allowed to unfold to you the benefits are ten fold. Each yoga pose will bring thoughts of joy and accomplishment to increase your PMA.
Compassion
Be the observer in every yoga pose. Watch and listen to the balance of every pose as your body attracts what it needs. Feel compassion with every pose so that your body will be attracted to the benefits rather than to the competition. Having compassion will bring an abundance of PMA without injury to your body or mind.
Yoga Teacher
Your yoga teacher will offer a path of healing to your practice. She will demonstrate encouragement, compassion and insight to every pose. Practice with a teacher that invites your confidence and brings a constant feeling of PMA.
Thousands of candles can be lighted from a single candle and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared. Buddha
Change exceeds all expectations.
Kelly Dailey Reveal Your Prosperity (http://www.revealyourprosperity.com) has been in the sports and fitness arena for over 30 years. She is a Yoga Teacher and Personal Fitness Trainer.
She has studied extensively in the fields of nutrition, wellness and personal growth.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FREE articles about self-help, self improvement, wellness, holistic health, and fitness. To see our full line of e-Books visit: www.ebooks4selfhelp.com
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Get a Free Yoga e-Book & Free Report
Applications in Cancer Treatment
By Calvin Chin
A cure for cancer exists through the use of yoga, a San Antonio, Texas, cancer specialist said during a seminar in Oklahoma City in the 1980s.But physicians refused to acknowledge the cure, said Col. Hansa Raval, M.D., a pathologist with the United States Army. Dr. Raval said her work in cytotechnology - a diagnostic branch of medicine designed to pinpoint early stages of cancer was fruitless until she began researching the use of non-conventional methods of treatment.
The specialist said she witnessed the use of Raja yoga and meditation cure crippling arthritis, headaches and even cancer.
And even though Raval offers proof, which she said was collected during two years of study at the Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University in India, she has been dismissed by other members of the medical profession as a kook.
Yoga’s success as a treatment method is due to another hypothesis Raval proposes that 98 percent of all cancer is psychosomatic. This is not chanting or mantra reciting, the physician said. It’s not based on scriptures. It’s not a cult. It’s not biofeedback. It’s deeper than that. This is a full-proof method of meditation, a detailed understanding of what the soul is.
Raval maintains that medical schools belittle the study of non-conventional methods of cancer treatment in favor of conventional methods such as radiation, chemotherapy, and treatment through machines.
Medical schools teach students that the human being is only a body. But the mind has the power to cure the body. By definition, psychosomatic means a combination of mind, or soul and body.
The soul creates the disease, but the body suffers. If the psyche creates the disease, the only way to cure it is through the psyche. It’s a very simple formula: treating the seed of the problem. Further, studies in parapsychology all point to the treatment of illness through treatment of the soul.
The World Spiritual University, which has branches in 30 countries, teaches peace and perfection for health and happiness through the use of Raja yoga. The university gained status as a non-governmental member of the United Nations and has offices at the U.N. building in New York.
Raja yoga teaches students to search their soul world for answers on where they came from and why the cancer entered their body. They learn what role religion, stress, family and lifestyle played in the cancer.
Calvin Chin has been involved in Internet Marketing, Niche Articles Writing as well as Health Marketing for the past 6 years. You can get to know more about him from his Strategic Niche Articles Resources For Your Internet Marketing Business blog site. Feel free to contact him anytime, anyplace!
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FREE articles about self-help, self improvement, wellness, holistic health, and fitness. To see our full line of e-Books visit: www.ebooks4selfhelp.com
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Get a Free Yoga e-Book & Free Report
12 Step Yoga Therapy, As Easy As Breathing
By Carmel Baird
Yoga therapy for better health. This article briefly takes a look at how yoga can be used a a form of therapy. One example of this is the yoga breathing techniques. With regular forms of exercise, breathing does play a part, but not as much as with yoga. You learn to breath the correct way with your yoga practice and this makes all the difference to helping you stay in better health.
Yoga breathing exercises are invaluable and to get the benefits need not take hours of practice a day. You only need a few minutes and this will keep your mind and body healthy. The following is a series of yoga breathing exercises that will only take you about six minutes to complete and yet you will feel an improvement in your energy level. A word of warning, this exercise should not be performed by anyone suffering from cervical problems.
To start your yoga therapy breathing exercises.
1. Start by resting your arms on the sides.
2. Rotate your shoulders, first clockwise and then counterclockwise, five times each.
3. Bend your head as if trying to touch the shoulders.
4. Repeat it five times on each side.
5. Keep the neck erect and, while bending forward, press the chin against the neck.
6. Now close your eyes and let your mind relax.
7. Breathe normally, while remaining conscious to the inhalation and exhalation.
8. Feel the movements of your breathing.
9. Closing your eyes, take deep gentle breaths.
10.Feel the incoming air from the bottom i.e. stomach upwards to the top of the lungs.
11.Now exhale the air, letting it out first from the top and then downward from the stomach.
12.Repeat this ten times, using 'imagination of breathing in fresh oxygen'. Remember, that a standing position is best for this exercise. This technique is wonderfully de-stressing.
These breathing exercises are so easy to do, take so little time and the benefits to you can be felt for such a long time.
©2007 CTBaird. Carmel Baird invites you to read more of her articles about Yoga at YogaInfo-Online. You will find new articles posted every week at her website, each one dealing with some facet of Yoga. If you want information on locating yoga retreats for your yoga vacation, , Yoga Resources and More could have just what you want.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FREE articles about self-help, self improvement, wellness, holistic health, and fitness. To see our full line of e-Books visit: www.ebooks4selfhelp.com
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Get a Free Yoga e-Book & Free Report
Yoga Postures For Kids
By Sharon Mirin
Kids get stressed just like adults do because they are placed in demanding situations where they feel they must excel. School, athletic programs, and daily tasks will tend to stress many kids to the breaking point. All of these expectations that are placed on them afford them little opportunity to relax. Yoga Postures For Kids helps children in many areas of their life, and sometimes transports them into a whole other self.
When kids begin taking yoga classes, they are guided by instructors who want them to become in tune with their mind, body and spirit. Yoga can be likened to the phrase, “thinking outside of the box.” Through the different yoga postures for kids, children can change their behavior by going to another place, and becoming a animal, bird, or mental time traveler, if only for a short time.
Many yoga postures for kids are taught in postures, vinyasas, or yoga flows. The postures have clever names such as bridge, cobra, mountain, and cat and dog. A vinyasas is a sequence of postures, and yoga flows are vinoyasas that continuously flow form one to another. Yogoa postures for kids are not speed events and are not meant to be done to the point where any type of pain is caused.
All of the yoga postures for kids serves a direct purpose and will benefit one or more body areas.
One of the yoga postures for kids is the Sukhasana, which is a starting position that helps children focus on the breathing techniques, and it will help kids strengthen their lower back and loosen up the groin and hip areas of the body.
Two yoga postures for kids are done together, because one flows into the other. The Dog and Cat yoga postures for kids will help to increase the flexibility of the spine. The basic movement of the Dog places the child in a knee and hand crawling position, and the Cat movement is the reversal of the Dog movement. These postures require tiling of the pelvis and bending the spinal column.
One of the exciting yoga postures for kids is the Mountain, which is a three phase movement that improves posture, self-awareness and balance. This yoga postures for kids is deceptive, and kids think it will be so easy. The Mountain is done in a seemingly simple standing movement that requires a lot of movement and breathing exercises to be performed at one time.
The Uttanasana II is a forward bend or extension movement of yoga postures for kids that stretches the legs and spine, and provides rest to the heart and neck. The Uttanasana II also relaxes the mind of the child, as well as the body. Sports enthusiasts might refer to this movement as the standard, touch your toes routine.
The Trikonasana, or Triangle is one of the yoga postures for kids that will have kids moving in constant motion. The Triangle stretches the spine, opens the child’s torso, and help them improve their balance and concentration. Sports enthusiasts might refer to this yoga posture as the typical and laborious, windmill exercise.
The Warrior Ii, or Virabhadrasana II, is one of the yogo postures for kids that will strengthen a child’s arm and legs, and improve balance too. This posture helps to build confidence and improve a child’s concentration. Sports enthusiasts might refer to this yoga posture as the lunge exercise.
Read more tips about Yoga at the online guide at http://www.yoga.zupatips.com
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FREE articles about self-help, self improvement, wellness, holistic health, and fitness. To see our full line of e-Books visit: www.ebooks4selfhelp.com
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Get a Free Yoga e-Book & Free Report
Use Yoga To Get Headache Relief
By Jaks Lloyd
Well, I think that most people do, if only occasionally, mainly because of our hectic lifestyles and associated stresses.
It's all too easy to reach for the pills but why put what is effectively poison into your body if you can help it.
If your headaches are frequent, the wisest move is to consult your doctor but if they are only spasmodic then are some very useful yoga exercises that could help to drive the stress away. As soon as you start to feel a headache coming on, and obviously if it is convenient, you should begin the following yoga exercises. Any delay will make the headache more difficult to alleviate.
Yoga Position No. 1 - Balasana (Child's Pose)
Kneel down and with your feet touching each other, sit back onto your heels. Spread your knees apart as wide as your hips. Breathe in and then breathe out and while you do so lean forward so that your body is as close as possible to your thighs. Stretching out your arms, turn your palms upwards. Relax your shoulders to the floor. You should be able to feel a stretch between your shoulder blades. Stay like this for 30 seconds to a few minutes. Slowly and gently lengthen your body and breathe in and come up.
Yoga Position No. 2 - Downward Facing Dog
Kneel with your hands on the floor just in front of your shoulders, palms spread and facing forward, knees below the hips and the toes under and forward, feet slightly apart. Inhale slowly and start to lift up your knees and heels. As you do so round the tailbone away from the pelvis and by pushing forward with the hands raise your bottom towards the ceiling and tuck the top of your thighs into your groin area. Exhale slowly and as you do so straighten your legs until the knees are only slightly bent at the same time bringing the heels back into contact with the floor.
Tense the muscles of the thighs and press lightly inwards. Gradually straighten the arms using the fingers for leverage, and then close the shoulder blades against each other, slight pause before widening them and push them down towards your bottom. The back will then become straight or slightly concave. Control your head as it stays between your arms, don't just let it hang loosely. Inhale and hold for 1-2 minutes then bend the knees slowly to the floor back to the start position exhaling as you do so.
Yoga Position No. 3 - Standing Forward Bend
Stand in a relaxed position with your hands on your hips. Breath in and out, as you exhale bend forward slowly from the hips. Imagine that your body is lengthening as you lift upwards.
Keeping your knees as straight as you are able, place the palms of your hands on the floor either in front of you, besides your feet or at the back of your ankles. Breathe in and lift and lengthen your body slightly, breathe out and release a little more into the pose. Relax your head completely and stay in the pose for 30 seconds to one minute. To come up, place your hands on your hips, breathe in and straighten your spine slowly.
Yoga Position No. 4 - The Bridge Pose
Lie flat on the floor, preferably on a yoga mat. If, required, support your neck with a folded towel or similar. Bend your knees, bringing your feet as close to your bottom as possible. Exhale slowly, pressing your feet and arms down onto the floor. Push your tailbone upwards and into the pubis, firm your buttocks and lift them off the floor. Balance by putting your hands onto your pelvic area. Keep lifting until your thighs are level with the floor. Keep your knees directly over your heels, but push them forward away from your hips. Lift up your lower hips and bring in and upwards towards your naval. Stay in this pose for 30 seconds to one minute, breathe out and release, rolling the spine slowly down onto the floor.
Any or all of these poses should help you to fight off your headache.
Jaks Lloyd is an authority website builder and coach.
To read more of her articles on yoga, please visit http://www.hotexercise.com
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FREE articles about self-help, self improvement, wellness, holistic health, and fitness. To see our full line of e-Books visit: www.ebooks4selfhelp.com
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Get a Free Yoga e-Book & Free Report
Yoga for Everyone
By
Kim PaluchThe word "yoga" comes from the Sanskrit root yuj, which means "to join" or "to yoke".
Yoga is an ancient art and exercise, and an aid to self-awareness and physical well-being. Rooted in traditions that enhancing awareness of the mind, body, and spirit, yoga practices seems exotic and foreign to some--not for "them".
It is true that yoga has been around and survived for centuries outside of the United States, in a part of the world that many Americans have little connection to or awareness of. But this amazing practice migrated to the United States, among other areas, as people began to share what yoga has brought to their lives.
Before I say any more, I want to be clear on this. Yoga is for everyone; yoga benefits anyone willing to learn and experience this practice for themselves. There are no requirements. No one has to twist themselves into a pretzel, no one has to sleep on a bed of nails.
There are different forms of yoga, each emphasizing different areas of wellness and other states of being. When practicing yoga, everyone is encouraged to pay attention to their body. If something hurts, stop or back off of the stretch. The instructor will work with individuals, usually upon request, to adjust the pose so that there is the least amount of pain and maintain the integrity of the position. So, when someone is not able to perform the postures, known as asanas, they do as much as they are able, without force, without judgment. For some it may mean using props, such as blocks, straps and blankets to prevent pain and injury--the body is supported as much as possible during practice to prevent pain. For others it means breathing and using their mind to envision their bodies performing the posture.
With practice, many people learn not to over-tax their bodies, but to simply keep the body alignment each posture requires as they move toward the pose. Yoga is not about going further or bending and stretching the farthest. Yoga is a Hindu method of learning that makes use of exercises, breathing sequences and meditation. to experience enlightenment, to connect to God, and to understand your personal mind/body connection. As an exercise, yoga often practiced by some simply as an aid to healthy living.
In short, yoga is for anyone interested in improving the health of their body, alleviate stress, or simply exercise. Anything more that is gained is up to you.
Copyright © Kim Paluch All Rights Reserved.
Kim Paluch is a freelance writer and a mind-body wellness coach and consultant. She is currently working on a mind-body wellness manual, in addition to creating a new wellness e-zine.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FREE articles about self-help, self improvement, wellness, holistic health, and fitness. To see our full line of e-Books visit:
www.ebooks4selfhelp.com---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Get a Free Yoga e-Book & Free Report
Yoga Options for Managing Anxiety
By Paul Jerard
Yoga has many options for ridding your body of toxins, negative energy, stress, and daily anxiety. Yoga postures (Asanas) are most commonly known, but Yoga breathing techniques (Pranayama) are very beneficial; most can be practiced any time of the day.
The worst action you can take is to ignore anxiety. Anxiety requires a plan of action to instill positive energy within your being. If your plan of action is to take a Yoga lesson, you are “on the right path” to eliminating negative feelings.
Anxiety can lead to a multitude of health problems. Therefore, you should take action to rid your body, mind, and spirit of negative feelings, which build up from within or are a result of your environment. Within a typical Hatha Yoga class, you will learn Asana, Pranayama, and some form of meditation.
The combination of these three methods, within the span of 45 to 90 minutes, occurs in one Yoga lesson. Yoga students often practice at home, but the “home Yoga sessions” are usually much shorter.
This is fine because a little Yoga is better than no Yoga at all; especially, in the case of a person who experiences anxiety. One short Yoga session can help the mind and body lose feelings of negativity. Yet, it may require a longer session to give you relief, if negative energy is “getting out of hand.”
The study of Yoga requires your commitment to make a personal appointment with yourself. Do you have the time to take care of your health? This requires pro-active thinking on your part, because most of the world reacts to health problems.
Setting a time of the day for a Yoga lesson, at a studio, or a Yoga home practice session, is not difficult. Yet, there are other ways to practice Yoga off your mat and say “goodbye” to anxiety at the same time.
Here’s another option: Go for a 20 to 40 minute walk. You can practice the natural breath technique (belly breath), Dhirga Pranayama (Three part breath), or a walking meditation.
If the weather is rough, you can always go to an indoor facility, or a shopping mall. It does wonders for your body, and mind, to get out and stop thinking about regrets. We must all learn to put the past behind, do our best now, and plan for the future.
Yoga has a number of options for a public, which seeks relief from daily anxiety and stress. Yoga can be considered part of a coping strategy, but in the case of severe anxiety and depression, professional medical or psychological help should be sought.
© Copyright 2007 – Paul Jerard / Aura Publications
Paul Jerard, e-RYT 500, is a co-owner and the director of Yoga teacher training at: Aura Wellness Center, in Attleboro, MA. http://www.riyoga.com/ He has been a certified Master Yoga teacher since 1995.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FREE articles about self-help, self improvement, wellness, holistic health, and fitness. To see our full line of e-Books visit: www.ebooks4selfhelp.com
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Get a Free Yoga e-Book & Free Report
Yoga Retreats And Golf - Strange Bedmates Or Not?
By Rebecca Prescott
In the same way that golf is becoming more open to women players, yoga is beginning to be more appealing and acceptable for men. The discovery that certain yoga postures are an excellent way to improve your golf swing, has led to the formation of retreats that combine yoga classes with access to a high quality golf course, to create the perfect relaxing holiday.
So can yoga really help your game? Top golfers such as Jesper Parnevick certainly believe so, and he should know as he uses yoga as part of his regular exercise regime. As well as improving your general physique, the frame of mind created by yoga, which is calm and concentrated, is perfect for a good game of golf.
One of the things a golf focused yoga course will concentrate on is controlling your breathing.
The pressure and competitiveness of a golf game can cause erratic breathing, which makes playing much more difficult. Being able to release all negative thoughts and feelings using yoga techniques will allow you to be focused on the game without any destructive tension.
Physically there are many ways yoga can help your golf game. Initial courses will concentrate of increasing flexibility as a huge proportion of golfers are actually not flexible enough to achieve a really effective swing. As your proficiency in yoga increases, you will become more aware of what your whole body is doing during your swing.
There are various poses used in yoga programs aimed at golfers, and as well as flexibility, these focus on balance and correcting the posture. The repetitive nature of the golf swing can lead to a body imbalance that yoga can easily correct.
The cat pose is often used for golfers to work their spinal muscles, to increase flexibility and range of motion, and to develop a balanced stance. In addition golf programs usually include warrior poses which also work on a maintaining solid stance, whilst increasing rotation and extension capabilities at the same time.
Other postures used in golf specific yoga include the extended table pose and twisted straddle prose. The extended table will help you to keep your back straight, reducing back ache during a long game. The twisting straddle will increase a golfer's range of motion as well as improving their hamstring flexibility.
So if you are a golfer looking for the ultimate holiday where you can relax and balance your body and mind, whilst working on your golf swing, a golf and yoga retreat may be just the thing for you. Most packages include accommodation, course fees and daily yoga classes specially tailored to meet your golfing needs.
For more information on what you can expect at a yoga retreat center, click here. Rebecca presents information on ashtanga and other forms of yoga here.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FREE articles about self-help, self improvement, wellness, holistic health, and fitness. To see our full line of e-Books visit: www.ebooks4selfhelp.com
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Get a Free Yoga e-Book & Free Report
Yoga for Everyone
By Kim Paluch
The word "yoga" comes from the Sanskrit root yuj, which means "to join" or "to yoke".
Yoga is an ancient art and exercise, and an aid to self-awareness and physical well-being. Rooted in traditions that enhancing awareness of the mind, body, and spirit, yoga practices seems exotic and foreign to some--not for "them".
It is true that yoga has been around and survived for centuries outside of the United States, in a part of the world that many Americans have little connection to or awareness of. But this amazing practice migrated to the United States, among other areas, as people began to share what yoga has brought to their lives.
Before I say any more, I want to be clear on this. Yoga is for everyone; yoga benefits anyone willing to learn and experience this practice for themselves. There are no requirements. No one has to twist themselves into a pretzel, no one has to sleep on a bed of nails.
There are different forms of yoga, each emphasizing different areas of wellness and other states of being. When practicing yoga, everyone is encouraged to pay attention to their body. If something hurts, stop or back off of the stretch. The instructor will work with individuals, usually upon request, to adjust the pose so that there is the least amount of pain and maintain the integrity of the position. So, when someone is not able to perform the postures, known as asanas, they do as much as they are able, without force, without judgment. For some it may mean using props, such as blocks, straps and blankets to prevent pain and injury--the body is supported as much as possible during practice to prevent pain. For others it means breathing and using their mind to envision their bodies performing the posture.
With practice, many people learn not to over-tax their bodies, but to simply keep the body alignment each posture requires as they move toward the pose. Yoga is not about going further or bending and stretching the farthest. Yoga is a Hindu method of learning that makes use of exercises, breathing sequences and meditation. to experience enlightenment, to connect to God, and to understand your personal mind/body connection. As an exercise, yoga often practiced by some simply as an aid to healthy living.
In short, yoga is for anyone interested in improving the health of their body, alleviate stress, or simply exercise. Anything more that is gained is up to you.
Copyright © Kim Paluch All Rights Reserved.
Kim Paluch is a freelance writer and a mind-body wellness coach and consultant. She is currently working on a mind-body wellness manual, in addition to creating a new wellness e-zine.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FREE articles about self-help, self improvement, wellness, holistic health, and fitness. To see our full line of e-Books visit: www.ebooks4selfhelp.com
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Get a Free Yoga e-Book & Free Report
Yoga Tips for Managing Anxiety and Cultivating Positive Energy
By Paul Jerard
Pranayama is a wonderful method to reduce anxiety. Pranayama originates from two Sanskrit words, “Prana,” which means universal energy, and “Yama,” which means restraint.
In effect, Pranayama is the cultivation of universal energy through breath. You have the ability, within your being, to make sure the energy you cultivate is positive, with the help of Pranayama and a positive mental attitude.
There are many methods for the cultivation of Prana to choose from, but let’s start with a deep natural breath. This is the “breath of infants.” When you watch a baby in the crib, notice how the stomach rises as he or she inhales. Then notice that the navel draws to the spine on an exhale.
This is “natural breath,” but this can often feel unnatural to adults, who have unconsciously been practicing a “half breath” from the diaphragm to the nose or mouth. The half breath does not allow for complete expansion at the bottom of the lungs.
In effect, the half breath method would not be good for Yoga students, who have high blood pressure. Natural breath has wonderful blood pressure benefits, but could not be considered a cure. Why not?
Most people, who learn the natural breathing technique, will not be able to instill this Pranayama method as a regular daily habit; let alone practice it all day, and every day - especially, if the Yoga student in question has a life full of stress.
So, how many times should someone practice natural breath to reduce anxiety? To achieve tranquility, natural breath should be practiced every day, at least eight times per day for 3 to 5 minute sessions. This should yield optimum results within a week, but it must become a habit.
Another way to cultivate positive energy is to reverse the, “Why me,” mindset; how many times have you heard somebody say - “Why me?”
Let’s take a close look at “Why me,” and put a positive “spin” on it. Why are we so lucky? Why do we have Internet access? Why do we live at a time, so full of opportunities?
Many of the most optimistic people, I know, are my Chair Yoga students from within the Providence, Rhode Island area and in the Greater Attleboro, Massachusetts area.
Some of these Yoga students have ailments, diseases, and health conditions such as: Cancer, Alzheimer's disease, stroke, high blood pressure, Parkinson's, Frederick's Ataxia Syndrome, and a variety of heart problems.
To practice any form of Yoga, with such grace, and to the best of your ability, is a monumental task. When I hear anyone, who can walk, or easily stand on two feet, make statements such as, “Life isn’t fair” and “I don’t have enough time to take care of my health” - it reminds me of Russell Conwell's book, “Acres of Diamonds.”
In a “nutshell,” most people do not see how truly lucky they are. Life’s treasures are right under our noses. Those who have faced major obstacles in life are the greatest mentors, guides, and teachers any one of us could ever have.
© Copyright 2007 – Paul Jerard / Aura Publications
Paul Jerard is a co-owner and the director of Yoga teacher training at: Aura Wellness Center, in Attleboro, MA. http://www.riyoga.com He has been a certified Master Yoga teacher since 1995.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FREE articles about self-help, self improvement, wellness, holistic health, and fitness. To see our full line of e-Books visit: www.ebooks4selfhelp.com
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Get a Free Yoga e-Book & Free Report
Have You Ever Considered Trying Yoga?
By Lorna Findlay
Yoga is a type of body sculpting that can be done at home, or at the gym.
For best results, use a book or a video so you can see and watch the poses as they happen. The correct stance, the correct way to hold your body is going to make all the difference in the toning of your body. As with all types of exercise, there are beginner levels and upper levels - always look for books and tapes that fit your personal levels of fitness.
Before starting any exercise routine, you should stretch out on the floor. Stretching your muscles will help you to avoid any injuries while you are performing yoga.
The toning of your body can cause strains and pulled muscles if you are not careful to stretch and warm up your muscles before starting your routine for the day. Stretching takes just a few seconds and will save you pain in the long run.
Think about what your body is telling you. If you feel that you are too tired after a yoga routine, perhaps you should stay at the beginner levels a little longer. Yoga is going to tone and strengthen your body. If your body is not in tune, if it is not toned, you will find upper levels much more difficult to accomplish. Use lower levels of yoga until you feel completely comfortable with all the positions that you are undertaking.
One simple yoga practice is the act of sitting at the edge of your chair with your back held straight. If you do put your arms up on the desk, remember that your back position is really important. Sit with your back straight and your legs out in front of you, and your feet flat on the floor. This will be difficult for the first few minutes, but as you continue practicing over a few days, you will be able to sit better, longer, and your back will be much stronger for it.
Exercising in the home can be done in the living room, or in the basement, even in your own bedroom. What you need is a space that is about five foot square so you have a fair bit of room to move around without bumping into furniture. You can easily find space in your home by comparing what furniture you have in what area, and then putting a mat or a carpet down on the area for your comfort.
If you are going on holiday, you can use the gym or the exercise room in the hotel as an area to perform your yoga. Virtually all gyms will have a television and a vcr or dvd player. If you find a time when others are performing yoga, this will help you in keeping to your schedule. You can use the dvd or vcr player to insert your tapes and get busy performing your exercise routine.
And there you have it: I hope that this article has given you some of the information you need to start yoga.
To learn more about yoga, you will want to visit
http://yoga.ideas-and-tips.com
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FREE articles about self-help, self improvement, wellness, holistic health, and fitness. To see our full line of e-Books visit: www.ebooks4selfhelp.com
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Get a Free Yoga e-Book & Free Report
The Purpose of Yoga - Finding Direction
By Paul Jerard
One of Yoga’s benefits is that it enables the practitioner to find direction, purpose, and self-discovery. How often do you hear people say, “I need time to find myself?”
Another popular statement is, “Why am I here?” This is another example of the limits of the human mind. We cannot help it, but many of us suffer from limited thinking.
Even when you ask a crowd of Yoga students to visualize what they want - they may not be able to focus. Many people do not know what they want, but they desire everything. Take an adult or a child to a shopping mall, and you may see limited thinking, combined with unlimited desire.
When a child is confused, we find this acceptable, but when an adult is confused, with unlimited desires, and limited thinking, we have a dangerous combination. How can a man or woman be at peace when each object of our desires promises us satisfaction once we possess it?
What moral code can stand up to unlimited wanting? Schools of thought, philosophies, and religions, have guidelines for coveting and non-attachment, but mankind still pursues its desires.
This cycle is then repeated throughout life. Much like a “dog chasing its tail,” we jump from one object of desire to the next. This can even occur with non-material desires.
At an Asian arts workshop, I once met a young martial artist who wanted to understand the true purpose and meaning of God. His parents had brought him up as a Christian.
He became a devout Christian, Hindu, and a Moslem within the span of one year. When he was at any point in his religious studies, he could have found the answer to his questions, but instead he kept jumping from one religion to the next.
All he could see was conflictive thought, but he missed the universal principles of good, which exist within all religions. Years have passed by, with confusion, and he cannot piece his spiritual health together because he is still grasping at the differences between all religions. His parents, friends, and all the Holy men he has met, have told him to pursue just one religious path and he will find his answers.
The limited ability for mankind to see a commonality with his neighbor has caused conflicts, killing, and warfare. We are all connected to each other, but sometimes we see only the disconnection, or we wish to set limits on the connection.
The truth is: From birth until death, we are connected to those around us. Whether we like it, or not, we are part of nature and the universe.
In Yoga, we learn the Law of Karma. This is a universal principle and makes us aware that we must be responsible for our actions, regardless of how small they may seem at the time. It is not “rocket science” to behave well at all times.
Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500, is a co-owner and the director of Yoga teacher training at: Aura Wellness Center, in Attleboro, MA. http://www.riyoga.com He has been a certified Master Yoga teacher since 1995.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FREE articles about self-help, self improvement, wellness, holistic health, and fitness. To see our full line of e-Books visit: www.ebooks4selfhelp.com
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Get a Free Yoga e-Book & Free Report
The Purpose of Yoga - Holistic Health
By Paul Jerard
What is the true purpose of Yoga? Yoga encompasses many holistic aspects, but Yoga’s true purpose is to prevent suffering in this life. Yoga is a system, which enables a practitioner to be pro-active about his or her complete health.
Yoga instills complete empowerment within the practitioner. If we could end suffering, that would be better, but mankind seems to always find new paths for self-abuse.
Each style of Yoga will have a subtle difference from a similar style, but health is always the aim in all forms of Yoga. Superiority of method is an illusion, since all Yogic paths lead to better mental, physical, spiritual, and emotional health.
The need to sort, prioritize, and judge Yoga styles, and aspects of Yoga, is an example of our limited mental perceptions. The reality is we make these same mistakes when the mind is not disciplined and our comprehension is challenged to its limits.
It is possible to miss the entire purpose of Yoga, if the mind is not trained and tutored properly.
How many students will discipline themselves without the guidance of a Yoga teacher? How many Yoga teachers see Asana as the “Holy Grail” of Yoga?
The “monkey mind” will not be disciplined without pranayama (Yogic breathing techniques), meditation, and japa (repetition of mantra). A Yoga teacher, or student, can practice an untutored form of Yoga, but to practice without guidance is not a holistic approach.
A Yoga devotee cannot usually transcend beyond the superficial aspects of Yoga without guidance. For example: Look at the covers of most Yoga publications. If I want to sell more Yoga magazines, I have to put Yoga on display. There is a saying: “A picture is worth a thousand words,” but one picture of an “advanced” Yoga asana, will intimidate some members of the public.
How many people, in the west, think that a Yoga teacher must be thin, young, extremely flexible, muscular, and physically gifted? Most of the non-practicing public believes this, and many Hatha Yoga students believe it. Worse yet, some Yoga teachers have a narrow-minded view of Yoga, as a stricly physical recreation, similar to gymnastics.
Recently, I was addressing an audience in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, about the benefits of Chair Yoga. One member of the audience raised her hand and asked, “What is the most important physical exercise in Yoga?” My answer was that if you are only looking at the physical aspect of Yoga, Pranayama is the most important exercise, but there is much more to Yoga than physical exercise.
Even though my answer went into great length about the aspects and benefits of Yoga, a gentleman later told me than he would have imagined the Headstand (Salamba Sirsasana) was the most important aspect of Yoga. My reply was, “Did you ever take a Yoga class?” He admitted that it was the fear of doing a headstand, which kept him away from trying a Yoga class.
Now, unless Yoga teachers explain the holistic health benefits of a steady Yoga practice to the public, decades will pass by and these myths will flourish.
Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500, is a co-owner and the director of Yoga teacher training at: Aura Wellness Center, in Attleboro, MA. http://www.riyoga.com He has been a certified Master Yoga teacher since 1995.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FREE articles about self-help, self improvement, wellness, holistic health, and fitness. To see our full line of e-Books visit: www.ebooks4selfhelp.com
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Get a Free Yoga e-Book & Free Report
Yoga And Pilates - A Sensible Combination
By Kevin Pederson
Pilates highlights just a tiny aspect of the vast discipline of Yoga. Yoga includes all that Pilates comprises and a lot more. While Yoga stresses the unity of mind, body and spirit and involves a combination of physical exercises, breathing exercises and meditation, Pilates is more physically inclined; it is, primarily, aimed at promoting flexibility, increase stamina and strength, reduce stress and cure ailments. Yoga is considered not just physically therapeutic but also mentally and spiritually. People take up Yoga not just to be physically fit and energetic, but also to reduce stress and anxiety and achieve inner peace and happiness.
While Yoga is the considered most holistic approach to physical and mental well-being, Pilates refers to a physical fitness exercise system. Together with lengthening and stabilizing of the spine it is designed to achieve and maintaining perfect body alignment and posture. It primarily focuses on cultivating core postural muscles. Yoga benefits, on the other hand, are more than just a physical; they are all-inclusive. For physical and mental health, covering all aspects of breathing, relaxation, internal hygiene, diet, breathing techniques, meditation and ultimately self-realization, there is nothing like Yoga.
Benefits of Yoga
Yoga exercises and poses are not just intended to make the practitioner physically fit and strong, by bathing internal organs with rich oxygenated blood and life force energy they also set their functioning right. Further, Yoga normalizes the endocrine system, strengthens the respiratory system and enhances digestive functioning and elimination besides perking up the reproductive system.
Benefits of Pilates
On the other hand, even though Pilates is not as complete and holistic a health system as Yoga, it helps you reach more or less the same physical fitness goals as Yoga. This is achieved through a series of controlled movements and breathing regulation. Pilates is very effective, especially for aesthetic body sculpting and makes the practitioner feel and look tall, lean and svelte.
So, what is better for overall health and fitness, Pilates or Yoga? The answer is a levelheaded blend of the physical and meditative aspects of both systems. On some level, both Yoga and Pilates share the common goal of strengthening the body with the help of ones own body weight for resistance. As a matter of fact, a lot of their movements and postures are very similar. And, just like Yoga, Pilates can also be done as floor exercises if you don not wish to blow money on buying Yoga equipment or Pilates equipment. Pilates is also a lot simpler to learn and easier to understand. It also tends to give quicker results. But, finally, the choice is yours; it depends on your patience level and the goals wish to achieve. Just physical fitness and a fantastic figure or all that together with long-lasting inner peace and happiness.
Kevin Pederson, webmaster for http://www.yogawiz.com Yoga Wiz, your online guide on yoga, fitness and wellness. The unique combination of Yoga and Pilates is a perfect blend where one can enjoy the physical and meditative aspects of both systems.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FREE articles about self-help, self improvement, wellness, holistic health, and fitness. To see our full line of e-Books visit: www.ebooks4selfhelp.com
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Get a Free Yoga e-Book & Free Report
Life or Stress?
By Jenn Ryan
Any event, good or bad, causes a stress response if we are unprepared for the situation at hand. Our stress responses exist to ensure safety in our world, for our dependents and ourselves; its function is to respond to danger, not Life itself.
What is Life? Life, in a yogic context, is summed up as those things in day to day existence that bring us peace, joy, contentment and open, loving awareness. It is our basic nature to be peaceful, loving and open – not mistrustful, closed and afraid.
and largely self-inflicted by placing monumental importance on incidental things. Stress is summed up in the things that cause us to act against our basic human nature.
Let’s take a moment and look at our range of day-to-day stress: we have job stress, family/relationship stress, health stress, money stress…and an overpowering amount of media that encourages stress, keeping us on the lookout for the quick fix, hungry for possessions and terrified about the state of the world today. We drink stress like coffee, consuming several cups of the stuff per day. As such we are habituated to stress, so accustomed to being in a heightened state that our natural stress responses become dulled by overuse. Our natural state of calm awareness is affected too, dulled from lack of use.
The truth is that most of our stress comes from perceived threats to our ego and identity - not our lives. Unfortunately, there are places in the world where day-to-day living is synonymous with real stress, but for most of us, it is not.
How does this relate to yoga practice? Living in a heightened state of alert, we tend to create stress for ourselves, in order to maintain the status quo. We bring stress to our yoga practice in the form of perceived ego threats: performance anxiety, comparison to others and personal criticism. We all know what happens when we experience stress, breathing becomes shallow and ragged and the mind becomes confused. So the solution is simple - come home to the breath; regain focus on your practice, your life, or the situation at hand. This transaction applies universally, to any situation and is the most efficient, effective way to combat stress and anxiety – simply breathe.
So now I’ve identified a concern, is this something to stress about? No, but as part of being mindful and practicing Ahimsa (non-violence), it benefits us all, instructors and students alike, to be aware of how stress plays out in life, in the body and in our fundamental regulating mechanism, the breath. A dozen deep breaths will remind you that Everything is already Ok.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FREE articles about self-help, self improvement, wellness, holistic health, and fitness. To see our full line of e-Books visit: www.ebooks4selfhelp.com
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Get a Free Yoga e-Book & Free Report
Improve Your Yoga Experience With Yoga Equipment
By Kevin Pederson
Around the world Yoga is considered an enjoyable way to keep fit and healthy. And, though it has been around for ages, only recently has Yoga caught the American fancy. It is a well-rounded workout designed to tone up and strengthen muscles; at the same time it increases flexibility. Yoga is also an excellent way to shed weight and boost energy and vitality. As you start to practise Yoga or Pilates, for that matter you will notice the need for some basic Yoga or Pilates equipment and accessories.
Yoga Mats Good Yoga mats help increase balance and coordination. Most folks are not properly aligned. As a result we do a lot of what we do asymmetrically. For those intending to balance and a sense of symmetry a Yoga mat is a must. Then again, we strongly recommend a hand-woven Yoga mat. However, for those into dynamic and vigorous kinds such Power Yoga, Sticky Mats are well worth considering.
Yoga straps
The Yoga strap is highly beneficial for beginners. They are either fabricated from cotton or nylon and let you grasp your limbs, you couldn't reach. They also help you hold a pose longer. Yoga Straps are especially helpful in bound poses when the hands cannot reach each other or for asanas where you need to hold both feet but cannot reach them.
Yoga blocks
Yoga blocks are also called Yoga bricks and are useful in executing a variety of Yoga poses. Yoga blocks help in execution of poses and offer many other benefits. Some of the benefits of Yoga blocks are that they provide stability and support for proper alignment; they also help reduce the distance between the body and the ground.
Yoga cushions
Yoga cushions help practitioners establish proper spinal alignment so that the posture stays steady, straight, and comfortable. Yoga Cushions are also beneficial to pregnant women and to people recovering from surgery. With Yoga cushions, most poses can be done comfortably as you sit on a chair or using a chair to maintain balance while standing. For added support or cushioning, Yoga Cushions are also used on top of a Yoga Mat or Yoga Chair height.
Yoga balls
Yoga Balls are a versatile prop for many postures. Fabricated from durable vinyl, they help achieve the necessary balance and support for asanas. Yoga Balls effectively increase your flexibility, improve your range of motion and balance, as well as tone up the muscles. Besides, they also help shape the body and relieve of stress.
Pederson writes content for http://www.yogawiz.com/ Yoga Wiz that provides information on usage of yoga accessories like mats, yoga chairs, yoga blocks and cushions.The website explains the importance of the basics of yoga that aims towards balancing your body and soul.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FREE articles about self-help, self improvement, wellness, holistic health, and fitness. To see our full line of e-Books visit: http://www.ebooks4selfhelp.com/
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Get a Free Yoga e-Book & Free Report
The Purpose of Yoga - The Power of Knowing
By Paul Jerard
Every Yoga teacher should make it a point to practice Jnana Yoga, on a daily basis, regardless of his or her style. The practice of Jnana Yoga is the continuing education of every Yoga teacher.
Jnana Yoga is union by knowledge. A Jnana Yoga practitioner may spend his or her life in the pursuit of knowledge, scripture, and truth, but what can any of us do if we do not hold the power to make changes within mighty governments and global corporate empires?
What can you do if you see the truth, but are unable to make governments, banks, corporate giants, or health care systems respond to it. In relation to this: A modest sage once told me, “Knowing is enough.”
Knowing is enough - Is a saying that tells the poor and the middle-class to accept the truth, but we will not have the influence to make the “mighty” see the truth. A similar saying is, “Grin and bear it.”
However, we no longer have to accept the unbearable with a grin. You and I can make changes in our governments and on this planet. They may be small changes, but you can make them on a regular basis.
For the very first time, people from anywhere in the world, can communicate through the use of the Internet. An American Yoga teacher and an Iranian Yoga teacher can have a conversation about Yoga, philosophy, how to play guitar, or anything else that people do.
If you realize that most people are generally good, then you also know that many different governments have foreign policies, which are wrong. Global warming is real, health care should be for everyone, and banking practices could be made to help the poor and middle-class.
There are many illusions, which the mighty would have you believe. So many politicians want peace in an election year, but why is history so full of wars? There must be profit in the manufacturing of weapons systems because the poor and the middle-class never seem to see the benefits of war.
Getting back to Yoga, the Internet, and what you can do. There are forums and blogs full of people from around the world. As Yoga students and Yoga teachers, we have a common bond with any Yoga practitioner from anywhere. Take the time to read the threads on the Yoga forums.
You will find that people, on the other side of the earth, have the same concerns about life, as you do. Then, introduce yourself and begin to inject your own opinions.
This is the reason for Yoga forums, or any forum, for that matter. A forum is a place for people to help other people in a small way, by sharing information about their dreams, passions, hobbies, or Yoga.
One of the reasons why wars occur is that common people from different cultures, do not know each other. If you know someone well enough, you may develop a friendship, and nobody wants to quarrel with a friend.
© Copyright 2007 – Paul Jerard / Aura Publications
Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500, is a co-owner and the director of Yoga teacher training at: Aura Wellness Center, in Attleboro, MA. http://www.riyoga.com He has been a certified Master Yoga teacher since 1995.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FREE articles about self-help, self improvement, wellness, holistic health, and fitness. To see our full line of e-Books visit: www.ebooks4selfhelp.com
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Get a Free Yoga e-Book & Free Report
Yoga Tips For Happiness Off The Yoga Mat
By Paul Jerard
After spending time in a class with your Yoga teacher, for an hour or two, the commute home is much more tranquil. You left anxiety back at the door step of your Yoga class, and have discovered inner peace again. How do you capture that feeling of tranquility and “bottle it?”
Would you like to order “Yoga to go” or package some “inner peace?” If only it were that easy to package Yoga. Yet, there are some tools that will help you maintain your peace of mind, until your next Yoga class.
Music: Music, that generates relaxing and happy feelings, has the power to be particularly uplifting. Music is a great way to prevent anxiety, loneliness, and sadness. Some of the better music for Yoga can also be played when you are commuting from one point to the next.
If you shop for Yoga music CD’s, you may also want to try an audio book, in CD format, about Yoga, self-help, or self-improvement. Some of these CD’s can be played many times and can create a positive frame of mind.
Workshops: There are many Yoga, and Yoga teacher workshops to attend, so choose a workshop that sparks your motivation. You may also want to look at workshops for self-help, and holistic approaches to life, because some of these sessions will also help you create a happy and successful life.
Bathing: Take the time to enjoy a bath, instead of a quick shower; it will make you feel happy, energetic, and refreshed. Just make sure you have the time to enjoy your bath - without creating a pressure situation.
Prayer: It does not matter what your religion is. This is one of the most fundamental practices to bring happiness. Prayer is your private conversation with God. Many people pray only when they need something.
Yet, daily prayer brings happiness. Why? When you learn that God forgives, it is time to forgive yourself. Bhakti Yoga is union by devotion to God. You do not have to be a particular religion to devote yourself to God.
Yoga Books: Whenever you take a vacation, of any kind, bring at least two Yoga books, which you have wanted to read. If you have a companion, read when your significant other is sleeping. There is always time, if you are willing to be creative.
Positive Affirmations: Whenever you practice positive affirmations, you will see, and feel, the rewards. If you want self-respect, you have to think and speak well of yourself. Consider your accomplishments, and what you have done, for the people around you. Repeated positive affirmations often become reality.
Visualization: You should actually take the time to see yourself as worthy, loved, and happy. What you visualize often becomes reality.
Breathing: In Yoga, Pranayama (breathing) techniques are many. Pay attention to Pranayama practice, while you are in your Yoga classes. Many Yoga students do not learn the value of Pranayama.
Pranayama is the master of your mind. Pranayama is the fundamental link between mind and body. Pranayama will improve your health, but you should learn Pranayama from a Yoga teacher.
Kapalabhati Pranayama should be practiced daily, but Bastrika Pranayama is usually practiced daily prior to Kapalabhati Pranayama. Personally, I practice Bastrika for the first Pranayama of the day.
Meditation: There are many forms of meditation, but they all lead to the same end. Balanced thinking, harmony, and tranquility, are yours with a steady meditation practice.
You do not have to make all these changes at once, but do incorporate a few of them into your daily life, and you will be much happier.
© Copyright 2007 – Paul Jerard / Aura Publications
Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500, is a co-owner and the director of Yoga teacher training at: Aura Wellness Center, in Attleboro, MA. http://www.riyoga.com He has been a certified Master Yoga teacher since 1995.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FREE articles about self-help, self improvement, wellness, holistic health, and fitness. To see our full line of e-Books visit: www.ebooks4selfhelp.com
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Get a Free Yoga e-Book & Free Report
