The Spine Lengthens in Two Directions
By Jonathan Fitzgordon
Energetically life revolves around the spine. Our nervous system is the body's information gatherer, storage center and control system. Its function is to collect information about external conditions in relation to the body's internal state, to analyze this information, and to initiate the proper response. The Central Nervous System (CNS) includes the brain and spinal cord, which is housed inside the spinal column. The Peripheral Nervous System (PNS) connects the CNS to other parts of the body, and is composed of nerves that emanate from the spinal column. The skeletal alignment of our spine is the key determinant of our access to the body’s energetic resources.
To unlock this energy we must balance the curves of the spine and lengthen them in two directions; the sacrum and tailbone move down, and the lumbar spine and everything above extends up. We want to learn to lengthen the spine, while maintaining all of its natural curves in order to pull the spinal column to its maximum length.
In order to visualize a healthy lengthening of the spine we need to understand the muscles that are involved in this action. Your pelvic floor is a group of muscles called the levator ani, the elevator of the anus. Energetically this muscle moves upward into the core of the body. Your buttocks muscle, the big gluteus maximus, is a muscle that wraps down the leg to extend it. Energetically it flows downward to the earth. These muscles (levator ani & gluteus maximus) have specific functions that work in opposition to each other. Unfortunately this is rarely the environment in which we live because we tend to overuse the buttocks and under use the pelvic floor and as a result the spine can begin to suffer.
Overuse of the buttocks tends shuts down energetic movement through the spine. In standing the gluteus maximus should not be working. In walking it works to take the leg back. Unfortunately, our posture usually shifts the buttocks into a different role. If your legs are underneath your pelvis the butt can do less. If the thighs begin to sink forward as they do in most people, the quadriceps (big thigh muscles) and the buttocks begin work to provide stability. This false sense of stability results in the butt gripping and its energy moving upwards. Releasing the buttocks opens the possibility for one of the body’s most important features: toning the tail. Toning your pelvic floor creates the upward energy that allows for the sacrum and the tailbone to move down. If the idea of toning your pelvic floor doesn’t make sense you can try to feel it in many ways. Holding in your pee, gently engaging between the anus and the genitals and lastly if all else falls squeeze the anus to get a sense of movement at the base of the pelvis. Ideally you will feel a shift in the bones as well as the muscles. Your coccyx (tail) bone at the very base of the spine should move forward ever so slightly towards the pubis or front of the pelvis as the sacrum lengthens down. Add to this a gentle tone of the abdominals and a lengthening from the back of the throat (hyoid bone) and the neck pulls the spine up into its full extension at the top.
The key aspect of this is that though the spine is moving in two directions to find its length, the muscular action is all about lifting or lengthening up.
When the relationship between the buttocks and the pelvic floor isn’t harmonious the spine will only lengthen in one direction and the nervous systems access to everything below the lumbar spine is diminished.
Jonathan FitzGordon is the creator of the FitzGordon Method Core Walking Program. You can find more information at http://www.fitzgordonmethod.com or visit his blog at http://www.fitzgordonmethod.blogspot.com
Jonathan has been practicing yoga since 1995 and has been teaching since 2000, having studied with some of the yoga community's leading teachers. In addition he is a Level II Reiki (healing art) practitioner.
The FitzGordon Method is uniquely influenced by the Universal Principles of Alignment as created by John Friend of Anusara Yoga. The program synthesizes years of inquiry and practice and was born out of FitzGordon's personal and professional experience with changing neuromuscular patterning through self-awareness and repetition. The program's philosophy rests on the rock solid belief in our ability to change and evolve as we age.
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Yoga As An Effective Treatment For Back Pain
By Jez Heath
About 90% of us will suffer from some for of lower back pain during our adult lives. When this happens many of us as back pain sufferers will be given treatment advice that doesn't really treat the underlying causes of our back pain, focusing instead on simply trying to manage the symptoms with painkillers and other drugs.
But clinical studies have found that most forms of low back pain respond well to conservative (non-surgical) treatments. These simple treatments can really address the causes of the pain and provide lasting relief.
Exercise is nature's cure
As counter-intuitive as it may seem at first, one of the most effective treatments for lower back pain is exercise - regardless of the underlying cause of the back pain. Exercise is crucial to build and maintain a healthy cardiovascular system as well as being essential for the development of muscle strength. This has particular importance in relation to lower back pain because a leading cause of back pain is weak or unbalanced development of muscles in the back, abdomen or legs. Clearly avoiding exercise when we suffer from back pain is only going to further weaken our muscles and make us more susceptible to back pain.
Exercise treatment for lower back pain focuses on the extensor and rotator/oblique muscles in the back to build strength and support for the spine. At the same time we need to build abdominal muscle strength to build our flexion strength in balance and proportion to our extension strength. Finally back pain exercises should help us to build suppleness in our hamstrings to aid the unrestricted motion of our hips and pelvis since restricted movement of the pelvis increases the strain on the lower back.
Yoga is the natural cure for back pain
Because of the gentle nature of yoga and its effectiveness in building muscle strength and flexibility, a regular yoga practice is ideal for the prevention and treatment of lower back pain. Those of us that are not particularly strong or supple are likely to benefit the most from yoga as a cure for lower back pain.
Specifically tailored routines of yoga postures, can be effective in treating axial and referred back pain, slipped and damaged spinal disks as well as radicular back pain including sciatica and piriformis. Although all of these types of back pain respond well to gentle extension of the back, through back bends, the first step in using yoga exercise as a cure for back pain is understanding the type of back pain from which we are suffering. Different types of back pain respond to different yoga poses so only by understanding the cause of our back pain can we apply the correct cure. But more importantly, we need to know which exercises to avoid so we can prevent further injury, for example, if we are suffering from a slipped disk then we should avoid flexion of the back (forward bends).
Getting started with yoga to cure back pain
Of utmost importance when using yoga to treat back pain is finding suitable instruction. First you need to find a school that teaches the right kind of yoga. Many yoga schools in the west teach a dynamic or flowing form of yoga known as Vinyasa. The constant movement of this type of yoga means that you enter and exit poses very quickly which is not really suitable for the lower back pain sufferer. To avoid further injury, yoga poses should be entered and exited slowly allowing for gentle movement so we can check our correct alignment and notice pain that may be an indicator of further injuries to soft tissues in the back. Ashtanga, Power yoga, Viniyoga and Bikram yoga are all types of flowing Vinyasa yoga and may not be suitable for the effective treatment of back pain.
Once we have found a yoga center that teaches the right style of yoga we need to check out the teacher. We need to find a teacher that is experienced in practicing and teaching yoga, because their knowledge of designing a yoga routine and describing each pose is an essential part of our yoga experience. Ideally we should look for a teacher who is experienced in treating back pain so they can tailor the routines to our specific condition, abilities and needs.
To find out more about the causes of lower back pain and how yoga can help relieve lower back pain visit http://www.DispelBackPain.com With a degree in Ayurveda traditional Indian medicine and a master degree in yoga therapy, Varun Veer provides a wealth of information on a quick and natural end to back pain.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Jez Heath is helping real people learn yoga online so they can make the commitment necessary to improve their yoga and their health - mind, body and soul. Learn how yoga streaming video can help you transform your life
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Yoga - The Fitness Mantra
By Abhishek Lodha
'Yoga' in Sanskrit means 'to unite'. Now days it is being said that "yoga is the new mantra for fitness and health." It is an age old practice of meditation and helps in keeping the mind calm and peaceful. These days everybody is becoming health conscious. The concern of staying fit and healthy is fast spreading like wild fire among the older age group people of all age groups.
Everybody is on the look out of remaining healthy, being active and self independent. Yoga is possibly the best option for them.
All human beings undergo certain emotional waves like anxiety, stress, depression, ill-health and anger. Yoga can well transform these emotional traits into peacefulness thus enabling an individual to enjoy good and vibrant health and a feeling of love towards all living as well as non-living creation. The techniques of yoga need to be followed meticulously in order to achieve good health, stay fit and reach the goals.
There are three main aspects of yoga. They are:
1. Poses or Asana - There are a number of yogic poses or 'asanas' that imparts flexibility to the body, reduces the excess fat, strengthen the muscles and even gives a natural glow to the human body. More importantly there are also many asanas which helps in improving the entire blood circulation and functioning of certain specific organs within our body. But it must however be remembered that asanas or yogic poses needs to be chosen and worked out after keeping in mind the specific needs of the body. It can be done by consulting a professional for better results.
2. Pranayama or Deep Breathing - One of the most important aspects of practicing yoga is Pranayama or deep breathing. This is the only way of strengthening the delicate body parts, enhancing blood circulation and also purifying the entire body energy. Apart from these, it is also an effective tool to attain mental peace and thus harmonize both the body and the soul. Pranayama includes deep inhalation, holding back the breath within and then exhalation. If the proper technique is not followed, then it may not draw any effective result.
3. Meditation - A unique method to calm down the mind's restlessness, meditation, since the ancient Vedic ages, is believed to be an effective tool to waive off all sorts of anxiety, stress and restlessness. If practiced under stressful situation, meditation just works wonders. Meditation helps in controlling over reaction and sudden emotional outbursts. Both the practices of mediation and Pranayama, rejuvenates our body - physically as well as mentally.
Benefits of Yoga:
1. Helps in reversing the aging process.
2. Provides excellent balance and strength.
3. Strengthens the leg muscles.
4. Strengthens the bones and prevents them from fractures.
5. Increases the activeness and range of motion.
6. Body becomes more flexible.
7. Resistant power of the body increases.
8. Helps in the recovery of a number of chronic diseases.
9. Maintains and stabilizes blood sugar.
10. Blood circulation increases.
11. Increases the body's metabolic rate.
12. Conditions of bad hip, back and spine problems show miraculous improvement.
"You are never too old to do Yoga."Yoga and its practices do not know any age. But it is important that one should always consult the house physician or a yoga specialist before starting. However, Pranayama or the Deep Breathing is the most recommended and safest form, which anybody can start off with.
Abhishek is the owner of MysticBoard. The website has an exclusive section on Meditation and Mind Control which lets you learn, share and discuss ways of remaining fit and healthy. couple of softwares have also been launched which focuses upon the ways of controlling mind.
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Why I do Yoga
By Devidas Varga
Most people do yoga to be flexible and strong. Some do it to be in shape, some do it to firm their bodies or simply slim down. Some do it as a 'springboard' to change their lives in a positive way.
My Story: I stumbled upon doing hatha yoga in a college gym many years ago. It was in the mid 1970’s.
The Yoga session consisted of half an hour of unfamiliar postures and me trying to flex, move and hold as instructed. I just followed the instructor and as was suggested by him, pushed myself reasonably hard (but not too hard) to align to the postures. I was a little uncomfortable, but not too much. I suppose it seemed a little strange, but I liked it.
The end of the Yoga session. As the thirty minute session concluded, the lights were dimmed and we closed by laying on our backs in the corpse pose or `savasana’ for 10 delicious minutes of a guided `letting go’. At the very end we were gently prompted to arise to a sitting position where we slowly 'reanimated'. Then on that spring evening, I walked out of the gym towards home, feeling quite relaxed...
I had `an experience'! In the five minute walk back home, the relaxed feeling kept deepening and at the same time I became very energized. I stopped under a tree in the courtyard to reflect on what was happening to me.
How to describe the experience of the moment? The leaves on the trees and the blue sky looked so rich and vibrant. I looked around at people that passed me by and they looked so soulful. OK, so the world was different, no... that could not be. Something was going on in me that enabled me to see the world in a new way. I felt very AWAKE, I felt very AWARE...
There was this organic joy that exuded out of me. I felt like I was grounded in my body, my body was grounded into the earth and my spirit was soaring. All this from my introductory Yoga class. I recognized that through this experience, my entire BEING was telling me how much it resonated with the Yoga practice. I recognized that Yoga would be my practice of honoring the innerness of me and cultivating myself as I journeyed through this world.
My ongoing yoga experiences: Rarely have I had such intense experiences like that again. However, there have been thousands of subsequent supporting experiences in the years that have passed which on a daily basis reinforce the continuity of my practice. I set aside my practice at the same time most days or when I can fit it in, that generally being a thirty minute session, five days a week.
What are more of the benefits and experiences that I (and others) commonly have?
Physical: I can better handle the pressures of my day job, or my other responsibilities. I just have extra energy or clarity or I have bursts of energy throughout the day and after work find I may not need to rest. My body feels lighter (it is lighter) and when I bend or exert myself, I feel the difference. Maybe others perceive me in a more favorable light as well.
Mental: I have more energy so I have more energy to think. Sometimes during a session as I mull over a problem or issue, a shift happens and the answer appears. Sometimes during the day the answer appears that might not have otherwise. I see relations between at first seemingly unrelated events and ideas. By sinking into the postures, the stress of the day dissolves. It can be a great transition from work to the rest of the day. Or from awakening to beginning the day.
Emotional: I feel strengthened and relaxed and notice that my feelings are more buoyant. It is easier to connect and relate to my friends and community. Maybe sometime during the day I have an experience that I would not otherwise have of seeing and connecting with the uniqueness of someone, or have an experience of clarity or gratitude.
Spiritual/Energetic: Sometimes there are moments where I sense a wonderful depth inside of me.
Devidas Varga is a yoga enthusiast and publisher of TakeTimeYoga.com, which is all about how to begin yoga. He has maintained a practice of yoga and meditation for 30 years, living in Ashrams in India and the United States for a decade. He has immersed himself in many styles and promotes the life affirming effects yoga offers.
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Yoga in Your Home
By Devidas Varga
Thinking of practicing Yoga at home? You are not alone!
Many people have a flourishing practice of Yoga at home for the following three reasons:
1) Time Crunched: While taking classes locally is a good idea, sometimes our schedule is so busy we cannot spare that extra time it takes to travel to and from a local studio. It’s challenging enough to set aside the time to do the practice!
2) No Local Yoga Studio: Depending on where you are located, there may not be a yoga studio. Or if there is, their schedule does not work for you or you do not 'connect' to the instructor or class sufficiently.
3) Least expensive: With a DVD/Book or two, plus a mat, you could be have a great yoga practice without paying for ongoing Studio classes.
Yoga `Newbies’ can begin almost immediately by using DVD’s and Books created for the beginner. Here are some of the advantages:
1) Variety of Styles and Sessions: If you have a few beginner Yoga DVD’s and books you will have a choice of routines and postures to focus on, depending on what you feel like using at the time. If your collection of instruction material spans yoga styles, you can take your time and compare and contrast them and figure out what style best suits you.
2) Access to Yoga Masters: Although there are many fabulous teachers in local studios, this is a great way to experience the instruction of Yoga Masters while in the intimacy of your own home. You can see them and practice along with them up close. You can pause and rewind when needed.
3) Specialty needs: Maybe you have a need to focus on Pre or Post Natal, or Yoga for Kids or Yoga for Seniors.
4) Occasionally take Studio Classes: Even if your main practice is at home, when traveling or on vacation you can take take classes at yoga studios as those opportunities occur. Or take classes from visiting Yoga teachers.
Devidas Varga is a yoga enthusiast and publisher of TakeTimeYoga.com, which is all about how to begin yoga. He has maintained a home practice of yoga and meditation for 30 years, living in Ashrams in India and the United States for a decade. He has immersed himself in many styles and promotes the life affirming effects yoga offers.
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Yoga and Stress
By Dr Peter Lind
Stress affects functions in all parts of the body. In particular, hormones can be vulnerable to the damaging influences of chronic stress. The adrenal glands are the first line of defense against stress (the “fight or flight” response), and can be fatigued with constant demand. You will experience high and then eventually very low levels of cortisol and DHEA. When this occurs, other hormones may also be thrown off balance, creating their own set of symptoms and problems. You have to manage your stress if you want to remain healthy.
Yoga is relaxing and can create energy needed for reducing stress. It involves an awareness of slow, controlled breathing and stretching and posing the muscles of the body.
A study conducted by the Center for Integrative Medicine of Thomas Jefferson University showed that a one hour session of yoga lowered cortisol in participants with no previous yoga experience, and after seven consecutive days, a significant decrease was seen.
A recent report in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine states thatpracticing yoga may boost a neurotransmitter associated with anxiety and depression.
Researchers at Boston University School Of Medicine and McLean Hospital followed eight people who practiced yoga regularly, using MRS (magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging) to measure gamma-aminobutyric acid, or GABA, in their brains. GABA is a chemical messenger (the most prevalent one in the brain) whose function is to reduce the activity of the neurons to which it binds. That is, it inhibits over-excitation. After an hour of yoga, a 27 percent increase in GABA levels was found. Eleven control subjects who had read for an hour showed no increase.
Practicing yoga can be a very important part of your physical stress recovery plan. It is inexpensive, easy to do, and is not “stressful” on your body. It will reduce stress hormones, relax your mind, and de-stress your body. Try yoga for your health.
Dr Peter Lind is a practicing chiropractor utilizing newly developed procedures and protocols to remove the affects of stress on the body. He continues helping hundreds of people on his website http://www.stress-less-living.com
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How to Get Started with Yoga Classes
By Darren Williger
You just need to have the intention to start a Yoga class, nothing more. You do not have to be flexible or sportive to practice it. It does not need any special equipment or a place; neither a specific age range, you just have to join in a class under the supervision of a professional yogi to give you the instructions you need to proceed in the class. You can then practice it on your own at home, but this should be after getting used to the poses and the techniques, and performing the exercises on your own as if you are under the professional yogi's supervision.
On regular practicing, you will notice your body getting so flexible. You should choose the Yoga style and teacher that suit you, your needs, abilities, limitations, current condition, and the class schedule. On deciding the most compatible class for you, you should put into your consideration that there are so many different styles of Yoga, ranging from the gentle to the vigorous ones.
You should make sure that your teacher knows all about your health condition and your level of fitness. So that during the class the teacher will be aware about the postures, you might be unable to perform or might be harmful for you if you performed them. Do not force yourself into any movement or pose, do as far as you can, do not push yourself so far, this may be dangerous and may cause you injuries. Do not take the class as a challenge and try to do what your mates are doing, because they might be more flexible than you are, and do not worry mastery will come with practice. On practicing Yoga, you should wear comfortable stretchable and loose clothes. You also have to take off your shoes and any stockings, and if you will practice it at home, you should be in a dim lightened, quiet and peaceful room. This will help in relaxation of your body, exactly as if you are going to bed at night. In addition, remove your contact lenses, your watch, and any accessories, tie up your hair, and turn off your mobile phone or any device functioning with waves. You should not attend the class on a full stomach, if you had your lunch or any meal; you have to stay at least an hour before attending the class, and do not eat after being done with your class by 1/2 an hour. Use a non-slip mat that is long enough for your body to lie fully stretched on it. Make sure that you do a warm-up session; this makes your muscle to be ready for the stretches. Anyways, your teacher will take care of that, because any professional trainer always does the warm-up before any exercise.
You will notice that you are becoming relaxed and calm during the class. Try to attend a yoga class at least twice a week, if you can, make it more. Any Yoga class usually last from 60 to 90 minutes.
This was a brief about Yoga. Now it is up to you, start searching for a good class next door, try the net, the ads on the newspaper, or ask about those in your country club. If you are having a friend or a relative who is concerned with Yoga or any kind of sport, you can convince him to join it with you. A mate will encourage you to stick to it and never miss any class. Once you decide on a specific class. Put it on your schedule and stick to it. I am sure once you try it, you will never live without it.
Darren Williger is an over-caffeinated, low carbohydrate eating, yoga enthusiast who writes for CaffeineZone.com, LowCarbPages.com, and PrimeYoga.com.
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The Six Branches of Yoga
By Darren Williger
There are so many techniques for Yoga, classical ones date back to 5,000 years ago. You should get to know a general idea about Yoga and its branches. Now, I am going to give you a summary about each branch, and trust me the more you know the more eager you will be to read more about it.
Yoga has six branches, and they are Hatha; Bhakti; Karma; Raja; Tantra; Jnana. Let us take a quick look at each, to know the difference between them, also to know what they can offer to us.
The most popular branch is Hatha, and it is the path of physical Yoga or Yoga of postures. It includes physical poses "Asana", breathing techniques "Pranayama", and Meditation. It unites the body and soul, and brings the body to be healthy, and the mind to be clear and free from any stress.
Bhakti is the path of heart and faith, or Yoga of devotion. It enables the yogis to discover the real humanity in everyone and to look to the things from every dimension, therefore, he will be able to love, accept and tolerate anything and everything easily. It teaches the person to appreciate love and life, persists to devote himself to God.
Karma considers your present state is a subsequence of your past state, or the events into which you had been. It is the path of service, which refers to action's energy. It helps you to forget all the negatives in your life, by choosing and living a positive future while you are practicing this branch of Yoga. This makes you live a good life, by speaking good, thinking good, doing good; …….., and so on, a complete change of your life to the good side, which will definitely be in your favor and your surrounding's favor, too.
Raja means "royal", and known as "King of Yogas". It focuses on meditation and contemplation, and it is based on the eight limbs of Yoga (will be discussed later). It provides self-respect; by concentrating on that, the universe exists for the self. On giving the self the centrality, you will have respect for the self, for others and for all the creatures surrounding you.
Tantra is ritual. Many people do not understand what Tantra Yoga is about; they think it is some sort of a magic spell for wizards. Moreover, most of the people categorize this branch as sexual, which is far away from the truth. It is the knowledge of Tattva (the truth), and Mantra (mystic syllables). It uses rituals to understand and concentrate in everything we do, including sex, that is why people get confused with this and being all about sex, but it is about all the actions in our life.
When you experience it, you will notice an improvement in your awareness all the time, whether you are awake or even asleep. However, it might be so interesting and appealing to you, but Yoga practitioners must be of certain category, they must be pure, devoted, courageous, dedicated to his Guru, faithful, dispassionate, truthful, and above all own humanity and cosmic love.
Jnana is the path of Yoga of the mind, as it concerns wisdom and knowledge. It ameliorates your intelligence and wisdom. In addition, it provides you with an open and bright mind to study your spirit.
Now, after knowing the main idea of each branch, you can decide what branch you are interested in the most. Read as much as you can about the one you chose. Register yourself in the class next door. You can also practice it at home; just get the exercise instructions from the net, a book or a videotape.
Darren Williger is an over-caffeinated, low carbohydrate eating, winemaking enthusiast who writes for CaffeineZone.com, LowCarbPages.com, and PrimeYoga.com
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How to Get Started with Yoga Classes
By Darren Williger
You just need to have the intention to start a Yoga class, nothing more. You do not have to be flexible or sportive to practice it. It does not need any special equipment or a place; neither a specific age range, you just have to join in a class under the supervision of a professional yogi to give you the instructions you need to proceed in the class. You can then practice it on your own at home, but this should be after getting used to the poses and the techniques, and performing the exercises on your own as if you are under the professional yogi's supervision.
On regular practicing, you will notice your body getting so flexible. You should choose the Yoga style and teacher that suit you, your needs, abilities, limitations, current condition, and the class schedule. On deciding the most compatible class for you, you should put into your consideration that there are so many different styles of Yoga, ranging from the gentle to the vigorous ones.
You should make sure that your teacher knows all about your health condition and your level of fitness. So that during the class the teacher will be aware about the postures, you might be unable to perform or might be harmful for you if you performed them. Do not force yourself into any movement or pose, do as far as you can, do not push yourself so far, this may be dangerous and may cause you injuries. Do not take the class as a challenge and try to do what your mates are doing, because they might be more flexible than you are, and do not worry mastery will come with practice. On practicing Yoga, you should wear comfortable stretchable and loose clothes. You also have to take off your shoes and any stockings, and if you will practice it at home, you should be in a dim lightened, quiet and peaceful room. This will help in relaxation of your body, exactly as if you are going to bed at night. In addition, remove your contact lenses, your watch, and any accessories, tie up your hair, and turn off your mobile phone or any device functioning with waves. You should not attend the class on a full stomach, if you had your lunch or any meal; you have to stay at least an hour before attending the class, and do not eat after being done with your class by 1/2 an hour. Use a non-slip mat that is long enough for your body to lie fully stretched on it. Make sure that you do a warm-up session; this makes your muscle to be ready for the stretches. Anyways, your teacher will take care of that, because any professional trainer always does the warm-up before any exercise.
You will notice that you are becoming relaxed and calm during the class. Try to attend a yoga class at least twice a week, if you can, make it more. Any Yoga class usually last from 60 to 90 minutes.
This was a brief about Yoga. Now it is up to you, start searching for a good class next door, try the net, the ads on the newspaper, or ask about those in your country club. If you are having a friend or a relative who is concerned with Yoga or any kind of sport, you can convince him to join it with you. A mate will encourage you to stick to it and never miss any class. Once you decide on a specific class. Put it on your schedule and stick to it. I am sure once you try it, you will never live without it.
Darren Williger is an over-caffeinated, low carbohydrate eating, yoga enthusiast who writes for CaffeineZone.com, LowCarbPages.com, and PrimeYoga.com.
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Back Pain Yoga Is Definitely More Fun And Interesting That You Can Imagine!
By Sky Joe
Yoga is increasingly becoming a popular treatment for back pain, as it helps to unite body, mind and spirit through postures and breathing. As it tones, strengthens and stretches while also helping you manage stress, it's a wonderfully integrated workout. And you don't have to be an Olympic athlete to do it.
Currently, there are nearly 200 hatha yoga postures, with different variations that come with inspiring names such as "the hero" or "the warrior". Their primary goal is to make the spine supple, the muscles toned and to enhance circulation throughout your organs, tissues and glands. Through stretching and alignment, the poses make your body more balanced and flexible, which is essential in maintaining a pain-free back.
Like all forms of exercise, you will need to check with your practitioner to ensure that yoga is safe for treating your back pain. In most cases, your practitioner is likely to recommend yoga as it addresses some of the most common and basic back pain problems.
When you are starting out, it's advisable that you joined a beginner yoga class. This is because coordinating the stretches, poses and breathing can be tricky at first, so it's best to be under the guidance of a professional yoga teacher.
Typically, there are two main types of yoga classes for you to choose from. The first type, Iyengar, involves holding the poses for a long time in order to bring your bones, muscle and tissue into alignment or balance. It's a static, exact and focused exercise. Taking a very different approach, but with the same goals, Ashtanga yoga involves continuous movement and breathing during which you can really work up a sweat. There are different sets of poses in Ashtanga yoga that you learn in a particular sequence, but many people don't move beyond the first set.
You should understand that the type of yoga you decide to do depends on your own needs, tastes and the advice from your doctor. There are also some conditions other than your back that you need to consider before trying yoga. One of them is pregnancy. Because of the deep stretching and breathing in extreme positions, yoga works a lot on your internal organs and it can have profound effects. So back pain yoga is not recommended in the first three months of your pregnancy.
For more information on effective back pain remedies, quick cures for back pain or fun back pain exercises, you can visit this site: Back Pain Clinic
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The Four Stages of Yoga Evolution
By Darren Williger
There are four stages of Yoga evolution, until we came to practice it nowadays. The stages are Pre-classical Yoga, Classical Yoga, Post-classical Yoga, and Modern Yoga.
Pre-classical Yoga
The Upanishad (Gnostic texts) appeared between 1800-1500 B.C. It contains 200 scriptures, which explained the transcendental self, (atman) and its relationship with the reality (Brahman). Karma principles originated with the Upanishads.
Vyasa was a great sage in 1400 B.C, he had categorized the Vedic hymns into four texts we use nowadays, and they are:
1.Sama Veda (knowledge of chants)
2.Yajur Veda (knowledge of sacrifice)
3.Rig Veda (knowledge of praise)
4.Atharva Veda (knowledge of Atharvan)
Rishabha was a great Yoga teacher in 1200 B.C; he had started the Jainism tradition, and this is due to the liberation of the spirit.
Again, an urbanization began along the Ganges River in 1000 B.C. Lord Buddha spread the Buddhism which focuses on meditation and ethics, ignoring physical postures. Buddhism is somehow similar to Hinduism. A few years later, the Buddhism canonical scriptures were structured.
Jaimini was a disciple of Vyasa; he had composed Mimamsa Sutra (Hinduism text) in 300 B.C.
However, emperor Ashoka converted to Buddhism and widely spread it.
Classical Yoga
When Yoga became widely spread, and due to it different forms, people thought about standardizing it. Therefore, in the second century, Patanjali composed a seminal text, Yoga Sutra and Classical Yoga. At these times the 195 sutras in Yoga Sutra, used in Raja Yoga (the eightfold Yoga path).The eightfold Yoga paths are:
1.Yama (restraint)
2.Niyama (observance of purity, tolerance and study)
3.Pranayama (breath control)
4.Asana (Physical exercises)
5.Pratyahara (preparation for Meditation)
6.Dhyana (Meditation)
7.Dharana (concentration)
8.Samadhi (is the absorption in the sublime).
Patanjali supports studying the sacred scriptures as part of the Yoga practice, which became Classical Yoga's distinct feature. Yoga Sutra main characteristic is its philosophical dualism. Patanjali believed in the importance of prakriti (the matter) and purusha (the spirit) separation to purify the spirit. Which differs from the Vedic and Pre-classical Yoga believes in the importance of body and spirit union. The Patanjali presented Yoga far from the traditional non-dualistic Yoga, and prepared it for the Post-classical Yoga. After the Paranjali, Yogis focused on the Meditation and neglected the Asanas. Then, by time, Yoga masters shifted their thoughts to health, maintenance and longevity, and this was by introducing new Yoga techniques, which they believed affect the body biochemistry and make it immortal.
Post-Classical Yoga
Here is the rise of prolific literature, the different branches of Yoga including Hatha and Tantra, and the rise of many holistic schools for Yoga. This one relies on appreciating life and accepting the present moment.
Modern Yoga
It arrived to the United States in the 1800's by many Gurus. One of these Yoga gurus is Swami Vivekanada, who was a Ramakrishna student, and his teacher commissioned him to attend the Parliament of Religions in Chicago. Later on, he traveled around the U.S and spread Yoga traditions.
This was Yoga history and evolution, "interesting isn't it?" it shows us how important the Yoga is in all times. As if, it is in the human beings instincts, and as if, we are born with its love. Yoga is essential for all the human races to keep up a good health and life.
Next, we will list other Yoga gurus, who are the main founders of the Modern Yoga, and they are the cause of its spread worldwide, and its evolution, by introducing and developing new techniques and molding it to become so ideal to practice in our present time.
Darren Williger is an over-caffeinated, low carbohydrate eating, winemaking enthusiast who writes for CaffeineZone.com, LowCarbPages.com, and PrimeYoga.com.
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Namaste Yoga For Healing And Health
By Rich A Fatooh
Namaste yoga comes from the Indian greeting. The word means "I bow to you" and is often used when either greeting someone or when departing.
Namaste yoga is beneficial as is any other kind of yoga. It is based on that Hatha Vinyasa style of yoga, and with this type of yoga, the breath is the guide and the body then follows in time.
Yoga is a wonderful exercise, and this kind of yoga is just one of the many different types of yoga that you can choose to participate in. History would relay that this system of healing dated back about three thousand years ago, Namaste yoga is a kind of Thai massage with roots that can be traced back in India.
The tell-tale Namaste yoga pose is to hold the hands in a praying fashion at the heart, and with eyes closed the head is bowed. In addition, the praying hands can start out at the third eye, which is in the center of the forehead. Then while bowing the head, the hands are brought down to the heart. It is often practiced at the end of a session because the mind and body are relaxed and detached. This is also in keeping with the fact that it is a gesture used in saying hello or goodbye.
Generally, the Namaste yoga practice is used in conjunction with other yoga practices. For example, a group could, as a sign of respect, hold the hands to together and bow the head to each other. Then, the group could proceed to do the sun salutation or any other yoga poses. Then, when the session has come to an end, the group again can use the Namaste yoga bow as a conclusion to the class.
I have a tendency to do too much and yoga is all about relaxing into the poses. The core of Namaste yoga is combined with the principles of Gautama Buddha, a guru from India and the father of Buddhism. The core of yoga is combined with the principles of Gautama Buddha, a guru from India and the father of Buddhism.
As with any kind of yoga, it should be remembered that it is a way of life, rather than just something you do to stay flexible and in shape. That's not to say that if you are not serious about yoga then you shouldn't do it. Of course, everyone can benefit from it. However, if you are interested in Namaste yoga you are likely not just looking to get in shape. Since properly performing the various yoga positions is difficult, it requires daily practice until you are able to perform with minimal difficulty.
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Yoga Cure for Hypertension
By Singh Vineet
Hypertension, the extensive problem found in all age groups has created a panic throughout the world, as its proper and harmless cure is still not confirmed even by the physicians of the modern world. Hypertension in its definition means a condition where the blood pressure is higher than the normal.
There are several causes of hypertension but the major ones are:
• Hormonal imbalance (increased secretion of epinephrine)
• Food habits (Excessive intake of oily foods)
• Age factors (narrowing of the arteries due to deposition of fat in them making the arterial wall narrower thereby which in turn increases the flow of blood)
Hypertension has drastic consequences like:
• Strokes
• Heart Attacks
• Heart Failure
• Arterial aneurysm
• Renal/Kidney Failure
It is true that hypertension could be controlled through intake of several allopathic drugs like - ACE inhibitors, terazosin, propranolol, amlodipine, bendroflumethiazide etc. though there are several hundreds besides them. But it is mostly found that there are always some side effects associated with them.
The burning question! Is it fully curable? The answer for this is same for all deadly illness –
Every disease is curable but...? The statement continues. Anyway in this article I would like to focus how to control the problem of hypertension through Yoga practices.
Hypertension is mainly caused by improper working of arteries and heart which is ultimately controlled by our brain impulse. So if we are able to calm our brain it’s possible to calm our body parts too. Yoga provides a unique technique to handle this. Practices of several Yoga asanas (Postures) and Dhyana (Meditation) has proved beneficial to several high blood pressure patients.
Postures includes bending of legs and sitting in a fixed position, slow movement of neck in circular directions, lying on the floor over the front and bring legs closer to back etc., this relaxes the muscles which ultimately strengthens the blood vessels.
The other technique includes Meditation which is considered to be the best weapon against hypertension, this is one of the most ancient technique used for managing stress and other mental disorders. But some recent studies have shown that meditation even help in control hypertension because hypertension is caused by more or less a mental disorder. Meditation or Dhyana involves severe concentration of mind over one point, in order to do medication bring yourself in a relax able posture you like, after that concentrate your mind (Not eye, as we found in many books / articles which focus our eye over one object, it is entirely different phenomenon used to sharpen memory and has nothing to do with mental ailments) over any object with eyes shut. Practice this method in several body postures regularly and ultimately you will find your mind in calm position thereby helping in coping with your Hypertension.
Now-a-days several modern health organizations are promoting yoga for treating the hypertension and launching campaigns and workshops for the people to follow several Yoga guidelines in its treatment against Hypertension.
Author is a contributor writer for Health. To get the latest books on yoga log on to – www.aggarwaloverseas.com
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Yoga Poses On The GO
By Krista Figular
Yoga orginated in India 5000 years ago. Yoga is all about poses, breathing exercises and meditation. Yoga poses provide benefits such as strengthening and toning muscles as well as, relaxing your body and mind. The mental attributes yoga provides is astounding to the people who begin a yoga program. The physical, mental and spiritual benefits of yoga are powerful. If you are looking for a make over for your life, starting a yoga program promises results for your physical and mental well being without a doubt!
Today's hectic lifestyles demand versatile exercise programs that can be done anywhere and at anytime. That is why yoga's flexibility makes it a popular choice for those with active and overloaded schedules. These poses can be practiced throughout your day to reduce stress, tension and stiffness, clear the mind, increase mobility, and maintain a balanced body. There are simple and effective Yoga poses that take only a few minutes for you to practice.
There are many different Yoga poses you can practice quickly, anywhere you choose and still reap the excellent benefits for your body and mind.
Mountain Pose(Tadasana)The Mountain Pose is a great pose that you can practice easily and privately without any difficulty.
Stand straight with your weight distributed evenly on both feet. The base of your big toes touching and heels slightly apart. Lift and spread your toes and the balls of your feet and place them down softly on the floor. Lengthen your tailbone toward the floor and your pelvis towards the navel. Press your shoulder blades into your back then widen them across and release down your back. Arms are down and relaxed at your sides. Center your head, chin parallel to the floor. Soften your throat and eyes. Breathe easily through your nose and out through your mouth. Stay in this posture for 30 seconds to 1 minute as often as you can throughout the day. This is excellent for posture and your feet will feel better at the end of the day.
Simple Yet Effective Yoga Stretches For Relaxing Your Body
There are many simple yoga poses and yoga stretches that you can practice while sitting at your desk or in your office. You don't need too much room, the size of a yoga mat is sufficient enough for practicing. If you have a cubby instead of an office, still there are some poses and stretches you can do which will relief tension, loosen you up and help you feel more refreshed.
Half Lord of the Fishes Pose (Ardha Matsyendrasana)
Start by crossing one leg over the other and grasping the outer thigh of the top leg with the opposite arm. With your free arm, grasp the back of your chair and twist until you feel a comfortable stretch. Exhale and twist a little more with every exhalation. Stay in this pose for 30 seconds to1minute. Then repeat with the opposite side as above. This pose energizes the spine, stimulates digestion, loosens the shoulders, hips, and neck, relieves menstrual cramps, fatigue and backache.
Another good stretch to ease tension in your neck is to slowly touch your ear to your shoulder. Try not to raise your shoulder's to your ear but stretch your ear down to the shoulder. Now you can touch your chin to your chest and then back up to stretch the base of your skull to your shoulder blades. Do this slowly while breathing through your nose and out through your mouth. This is an excellent stretch to relieve stiffness of the neck. You can easily perform this stretch at your desk, at a red light, bathroom break wherever you choose.
Never try to overstretch any yoga pose you don't feel is comfortable. The more you practice the more flexible you will become. Deepening the poses comes with repetitive practice. Sit up straight, spine lengthening on your chair with both feet on the floor in front of you hip distance apart. Hands on your thighs and breathe for as many breaths as you like. Lift your arms overhead and grab your left wrist with your right hand. Bend to the right on exhalation, stay there for 3-5 breaths deepening to a comfortable stretch on exhalation. Inhale and bring arms up vertical over your head. Repeat to the other side. This is a refreshing stretch and relieves stiffness and tension.
Continue sitting on the edge of your chair and fold over your thighs. If you can place palms on the floor or you can grab your ankles/calves. Try to get your head lower than your hips. Breath evenly. Slowly roll up one vertebrae at a time. This is excellent for relaxing the spine after a long day sitting before the desk or computer.
Before you begin yoga at the office or anywhere, always try to sit quietly for a few moments to gain concentration and focus. Always remember to inhale and exhale slowly and deeply. Breath in through your nose and out through your mouth. Yoga poses and stretches should be done slowly and with control. Remember to listen to your body, do not overstretch or force any poses.
All poses and stretches should be comfortable and never cause pain. Practicing yoga has infinite benefits for your physical body, such as toning and strenghtening, as well as providing peace of mind. You can be busy and still practice yoga anywhere and anytime!
By Krista Figular, RN
Krista Figular is a Registered Nurse who writes and publishes content for the http://www.healthe-minds.com
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Hot Yoga For Detoxification Benefits
By Sandra Kim Leong
Hot yoga or bikram yoga is gaining popularity as the new way to detoxify and to remove toxins from your body. For this method, you just need to think of yoga as if you are in a sauna. In fact, it is thought so effective for cleansing purposes that some natural health treatment centres are including it as part of the regimen for chronic liver diseases like hepatitis C.
Your skin is one of the best waste disposal systems in nature. While it is different from your waste-extraction organs like kidneys or livers, your skin is an equally effective organ for removing waste, especially toxic wastes. It does this through sweat.
Hence, hot yoga provides the perfect channel for detoxification to happen. You would be tapping the ability of your skin to convert toxins that come from various fats into simpler and water-soluble compounds that can be easily removed. At high temperatures, you will begin to sweat. Amonia and urea is eliminated as well as sugars and salts.
When you do hot yoga, exercises are performed in a room heated to temperatures of around 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Once inside, you go through a program of specified postures in a vigorous but very aerobic workout. The internal heat generated by the yoga exercises combines with the external heat of the room to make you break out in torrents of sweat.
On its own, yoga is already a powerful healing regime. When you do yoga exercises, you are working out every muscle in the body, making them strong, supple, and flexible. Aside from being able to help in cardiovascular problems, yoga is also excellent for people suffering from arthritis, stress reduction, and a host of other body conditions.
Every posture in the hot yoga for detoxification exercise is complemented with proper breathing techniques to assist you in reaching the maximum limit of the movement. Thus, you may notice that apart from the regular Bikram yoga exercises, you are also trained in the proper breathing techniques. Proper breathing techniques is vital in detoxification and cleansing.
By boosting circulation and metabolism through deep breathing and yoga posture, hot yoga accelerates the result of any detoxification program. Additionally, you also get to learn the techniques of meditation. You learn to relax your mind, thus addressing stress toxins. In conclusion, bikram yoga or hot yoga for detoxification is a powerful means to achieving balance between mind, body and spirit.
Do you have constipation, bad breath and weight that you need to lose? Reap benefits from detox cleansing. SGain access to free research and special reports by Sandra Kim Leong on colon and liver cleansing, juice fasting and on detox diet here at http://www.Detox-Cleansing-Diet.com
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Knowing The Yoga Exercise Ball
By Albert Lee
Where did the Yoga exercise ball originate?
The exercise ball, or usually considered as the stability ball have been all around since 1963. It originated in the European region of Italy. When the American Physical Therapists first laid their eyes on the stability ball being used, they were within the Swiss units of physical therapy.
Thus, these stability balls were considered as "Swiss Balls." Nevertheless, all the Swiss balls during that period were made exclusively in Italy.
Still, without due regard to this fact, the Americans have nicknamed the stability ball as the Swiss Ball for several decades. The first exercise ball to be introduced and used in the Aura Wellness Center in the United States was produced by the Gymnic Balls located in Italy. Many other brands of stability ball have slowly gained recognition. However, many still appreciate the old Gymnic Ball brand.
Whatever brand they are though, many common references were made regarding these balls. They are usually called exercise balls, stability balls and balance balls. Physical therapy, Yoga, Pilates and other workout techniques use them to blend in with the routines. Health clubs and many professional and elite athletes practice with them in order to develop coordination.
Who can be benefited by using the Yoga exercise ball?
Beginners of Yoga classes are those who are primarily benefited by the usage of the Yoga exercise ball. They can use the Yoga exercise ball to stabilize themselves in many of the poses they would be required to perform.
The wheel posture or the Chakrasana is a pose that could not be held by everyone. However, with the use of the Yoga exercise ball and a handy wall, it is made possible for everyone to perform it. Beginning students of the Hatha Yoga can achieve the benefits endowed by the Chakrasana for several minutes with the use of the Yoga exercise ball.
The Chakrasana is one pose that can be a fantastic way to improve a person's daily posture by refining the spine's elasticity. This posture also helps in gently stretching out the kidneys, liver, pancreas and most especially, the heart.
However, Yoga students who have high blood pressure are not advisable to perform this posture, categorized as an exercise inversion. Further, students with problems in their backs and spinal columns must obtain permission from their doctors and be under a proficient Yoga teacher's guidance in order to perform this posture.
For tips to reshape your body with the exercise ball, visit http://www.exerciseballworkout101.com
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What Exactly is a Yoga Swing?
By Christopher J
Yoga has become one of the fastest growing exercise industries. Through the system of stretches you can incorporate many tools and props into your routine. One type of prop is a yoga swing. If you are intrigued by yoga and interested in becoming more educated on what yoga, and particularly what a yoga swing, can do for you continue on.
The Yoga Swing
Your basic yoga swing is constructed using an over head pull up bar, six individual handles that are attached to nylon rope and either a cushion or nylon sling. The swing has adjustable heights beginning at your feet level, then mid-level, and an overhead setting.
Now you can suspend the yoga swing. You can use a sturdy extension spring and hang it from an optional pyramid shaped support structure that can be made from either hardwood or aluminum poles. All of the handles and the pelvic sling can be adjusted for the perfect height. Using a spring with the pyramid support structure allows you great maneuverability. This flexibility gives you the ability to get into any position that you would like.
You can choose a posture or movement that requires you to be completely off the ground, or you can use the sling and rope handles in conjunction with one arm or leg so that you are only partially suspend. It just depends on what position you need to accomplish.
Using a swing is a great addition to your regular yoga routine. It allows you the choice of suspending forward or backwards during an inversion. It will also give you the ability to rotate your trunk or flex while being inverted. These types of stretches will strengthen your muscles, and increase your joint mobility in your spine.
A yoga swing can be a great way to get the most out of your yoga routine but it can also be a great source of recreation for both adults and kids. Whether you are just beginning to learn about yoga, or you are a veteran you should certainly consider adding a swing to your workout routing. It will immediately have a dramatic effect on your workout. It gives you the ability to accentuate all the postures and positions which in turn strengthens your body and dramatically increases your flexibility.
Now is a great time to seriously learn about a yoga swing. There is a tremendous amount of enjoyment to be had by yourself and the whole family. Bring some health into your home today.
Christopher Jay has much more information available at Yoga Health Benefits .com Yoga swings, supplies and plenty of information are available. Come and visit us today.
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Reduce Your Stress with Yoga Breathing Exercises
By Sydney Heiden
You can reduce your stress levels with simple yoga breathing exercise. Most people do not pay any attention to their breathing. It just comes natural. The lungs just operate and they bring oxygen into the body. Along with the heart, the lungs put oxygen into the bloodstream. Under normal conditions, the natural breathing pattern is slow and regulated. However, during periods of stress, the body tightens the muscles and breathing becomes shallow. It is common to hold your breath when you are stressed.
Because of the reduced breathing, the supply of oxygen is reduced and toxins start to build up.
This results in stiff muscles and causes the supply of oxygen to be reduced further. It is a viscous cycle, and impacts all parts of your nervous system, including your brain. Medical studies have shown that stress, and the reduced oxygen intake it causes, are a leading factor in cancer, heart disease, strokes, premature aging and other diseases.
Breathing also affects our ability to think clearly, by increasing the oxygen that gets to our brain.
A small increase in the oxygen flow into your lungs will help fight off flues and colds. By using proper yoga breathing exercises, you can increase the oxygen to your lungs and help remove toxins and improve your health. Proper yoga breathing techniques can change your metabolic rate and improve your emotions by releasing endorphins and internal chemical reactions. It will greatly reduce the stress in your life and help eliminate the effects of stress.
Yoga breathing exercises improve your mental health. A healthy mind will help generate a healthy body. A healthy body helps to generate a healthy mind. It feeds on itself. Just as stress feeds on itself in a negative way, good health will feed on itself as well.
It is no wonder that yoga is quickly becoming one of the most popular exercise methods in America. It doesn’t take of lot of time, equipment or space to get the benefits from yoga. In fact, yoga breathing exercises can be practiced any time any where. So the next time you start feeling stressed out, just take a deep breath and let the yoga breathing exercises eliminate stress in your life.
Sydney Heiden is a practitioner of yoga and founder of Yoga and Meditation for Beginners
For more yoga tips and information, go to her website, www.Yoga.Cool-Home-Stuff.com
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Try Yoga To Relieve Your Stress
By Sydney Heiden
It seems that the more we multi task, the less we get done. We are all trying to accomplish too much, and as a result, we seem to suffer more and more stress levels in our lives. Yoga exercise can help us balance our lives; everyone knows how it can improve our cardiovascular system, strength our muscles and improve our flexibility. But equally important, yoga can reduce our stress level and help us improve the quality of our life, by helping us to truly relax to a deeper level.
High levels of stress develop the fight or flight syndrome. This stored stress will result in an increased heart rate and blood pressure. It will also cause our muscles to tense and will release glucose to increase the body’s energy. These thing will help the body fight off its natural enemies or will allow you escape. If we aren’t allowed to strike out or run away, we store this stress. This increased blood sugar level can result in diabetes, the increased blood pressure can cause stokes and heart attacks. And if you deplete your body’s reserve you end up exhausted, resulting in your body being subject other diseases.
Many doctors believe that up to 90% of all diseases are caused by stress. Doctors have stated that the best way to restore your body’s natural ability to ward off diseases is to relax and get more rest. Yoga exercise is one of the best stress reducers know to man. Yoga has been around for over 3,000 years, and in that time, there has not been a better method developed to lower your stress levels.
Yoga exercise will loosen your tight muscles, which will help rid your body of the toxins that are poisoning your immune system. It will increase your flexibility and will help increase your movement, reducing your pain from swollen, stiff joints. The deep breathing exercises will increase the oxygen in your blood stream, which helps remove the toxins and allowing your muscles to rejuvenate. Yoga will help reduce your stress levels and greatly improve your health.
Yoga exercise reduces stress by enhancing the body’s natural functions. Certain yoga poses help to stimulate glands in the brain which helps the body heal itself. The stretching exercises help the spine maintain its correct position and increase it suppleness. Yoga exercises can help reduce the aches and pains that can make such a huge difference in our health and outlook.
So, the next time you start getting stressed out about some situation, just relax. It will help the situation seem less stressful and will improve your health. And the best way to relax is with yoga. For 3,000 years, yoga has helped people reduce stress and improve their health, and yoga is still helping people reduce stress.
Sydney Heiden is a practitioner of yoga and founder of Yoga and Meditation for Beginners
For more yoga tips and information, go to her website, www.Yoga.Cool-Home-Stuff.com
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Yoga Ball Exercise
By Sydney Heiden
One of the best things about yoga is you really don’t need any specialized equipment to get all of the major health benefits. Because yoga is traditionally practiced barefoot, you don’t need shoes.
If you are working out on a carpet, you don’t even need a mat.
This is not to say that you never need any additional equipment. Some people have found that using an exercise ball is beneficial to their yoga program. Yoga balls have been used for years for physical rehab, but now they are being used in all types of different exercise programs.
Typically, stability balls have been used for abdominal exercises such as stomach crunches, but they can be used for almost any exercise. The theory behind the exercise ball is simple; the body is unstable when it is sitting on the ball and the core abdominal muscles have to work harder to keep the body upright. As a result, you get a more complete workout when using the ball.
It is easy to understand how you change your traditional stomach crunch into a ball stomach crunch, but how can you adapt your yoga exercise to yoga ball exercise? Actually, it is pretty simple. You assume the traditional yoga poses while sitting or leaning on the exercise ball. For some exercises, the yoga ball will make the exercise easier by giving you more support. For other exercises, it will actually increase the energy required to assume the proper pose. As a result, you get increased muscle strength. You also have to concentrate harder to achieve the pose, which results in clearing your mind of your cares and troubles, helping to relieve stress.
Some people swear by their exercise ball, other people swear at them. So obviously, using a yoga ball for your exercises is not for everyone. You just have to try it, you may like it.
Some facts to keep in mind before using an exercise ball for yoga. Not all balls are created equal.
Some are larger than others; some are made out of stronger material. The most expensive exercise ball is not necessarily the best.
Be sure you get the proper size ball for your body. Check with the local sporting goods store, they should be able to help you find the right size ball for yoga exercises. If you are just starting out with a ball, you probably do not want to inflate the ball to its maximum. Less air pressure will help make the ball more stable, making it easier to maintain your balance. When you get comfortable using the ball, you can increase the air pressure, making the ball less stable and increasing the core muscle workout.
You can even find videos now that show how to use the exercise ball for yoga. But remember, it is not necessary to incorporate yoga ball exercises into your workout. You can still reap all of the benefits from yoga without using the exercise ball. However, it can add variety to your workout and increase the exercise you get for your core muscle group.
Sydney Heiden is a practitioner of yoga and founder of Yoga and Meditation for Beginners For more yoga tips and information, go to her website, www.Yoga.Cool-Home-Stuff.com
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Yoga Visualization for Empowerment - Action and Contentment
By Paul Jerard
For a Yoga practitioner to achieve Samadhi, his or her heart must be true. On top of that, his or her mind would have to be disciplined. This would require much time and a coordinated effort, but most people do not take a calculated approach to life. Most people want or wish for “things” without focus or action.
It is much easier to sit on a couch, and want to lose 20 pounds, than to change your lifestyle toward better health. It is much easier to buy lottery tickets than it is to invest your money wisely over time, and still give to charity. It is much easier to wish for better health than it is to practice Yoga.
Here is an example: It has been estimated that five percent of all people are successful in life. How do you measure success? People who take action have a much better chance to find success than those who do not. In life, success is a state of bliss, happiness, or gratification. Success is Santosha (contentment and inner peace), which means “appreciating what you have.” The person who is content with knowledge, peace of mind, good health, a happy family, and good friends is “truly rich.”
These are people who wake up happy with their lives. What makes them happy; are they rich? Some of them are, but all of them sleep at night without guilt and look forward to success each day. They are giving people who enjoy the company of good friends, family, and associates.
When we realize that the best things in life are free, we are rich. To visualize the good in our lives is the beginning of a change toward empowerment. If we choose to think otherwise, we become slaves to pessimism.
© Copyright 2007 – Paul Jerard / Aura Publications
Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500, has written many books on the subject of Yoga. He is a co-owner and the Director of Yoga Teacher Training at: Aura Wellness Center, in Attleboro, MA. He has been a certified Master Yoga Teacher since 1995.
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Yoga Visualization for Empowerment - Introduction
By Paul Jerard
Within Yoga practice is a secret, which should be easy enough for the public to grasp. Meditation and visualization could advance all of human kind. The power of visualization is enough by itself, but meditation teaches us to focus on one thought at a time. This is such a challenge, that most of the public would rather practice Yoga postures, and forget about meditation.
If you have practiced Yoga for one session, you realize that Yoga postures are much easier to focus on than it is to control your mind. Many people feel very uncomfortable trying to harness their minds. No wonder the ancient Yogis compare the mind to a monkey. The mind is restless and resists the concept of self-mastery.
Yet, the ancient Yogis were also concerned about combining Yogic meditation, with visualization, for egotistical purposes. It has commonly been thought that some people would misuse this aspect of Yoga for acquiring material, power, and fame.
The ancient Yogis had nothing to fear, because a Yoga practitioner would need much practice to reach Samadhi (The eighth limb of Yoga - Complete Meditative absorption); there are many levels of Samadhi.
However, Samadhi, and the eight limbs of Yoga, described by Patanjali, are largely ignored by many Hatha Yoga practitioners around the world. Many Hatha Yoga practitioners have developed a “ranking system” for Yoga. Ask most students what advanced Yoga is, and they will mention a difficult Asana (Yoga posture).
It is not their fault, because their Yoga teachers think the same thing. Many Yoga teachers do not really understand the concept of Samadhi, and they do not reflect on the Yoga Sutras.
© Copyright 2007 – Paul Jerard / Aura Publications
Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500, has written many books on the subject of Yoga. He is a co-owner and the Director of Yoga Teacher Training at: Aura Wellness Center, in Attleboro, MA. He has been a certified Master Yoga Teacher since 1995.
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Yoga To Grow Taller?
By Michael William Ward
People who take up yoga can noticeable grow taller due to the fact that they are able to hold themselves better and their spine stretches. Now that’s an interesting fact for you!
Yoga is one of the fast growing activities in the world and provides everybody with so many benefits no matter if you are a female or male. Yoga is really about creating balance in the body through developing both strength and flexibility. This is done through the performance of poses, each of which has specific physical benefits. There are many different types of yoga but all provide you with unbelievable results.
• Do you want to become more flexible, stronger and fitter? Due to the breathing techniques used and the fact all your joints receive full range of movement, you will not be waking up sore any longer. Yoga will make you feel like a new person.
• Want to improve your posture? Yoga can realign your body in new ways and not just make you grow taller!
• Yoga makes you look and feel better! Why? Your muscle tone becomes more firm and your complexion begins to radiate
• Want to find out more about your body and how it works? You will learn how your conscience and unconscience mind can either support or harm you, and as you get more involved into yoga you will develop more wisdom.
• Having trouble sleeping? Yoga can be a very deep relaxing form of activity and your muscles will become so relaxed and less tense that you will find you will be sleeping better in no time.
In order to get started today and practicing yoga you must be aware that there are so many different types of yoga systems. Do your research and choose which one will benefit you the most. Below is a brief listing of just a few types of yoga systems that are offered around the world today.
Hatha -
Said to be the basis of all types of yoga systems as it includes many of the different physical movements in all systems of yoga. Hatha yoga is a very calm and meditative form where yoga is practiced more slowly involving lots of control and grace throughout your body.
Bhakti -
Leads you to an emotional path of surrender where it deals with love and devotion. Lots of emphasis is placed on the love of god, love of god in man and surrender to gods will.
Karma -
Want to take the path to selfless action? Karma yoga makes it clear that us as humans must always work in harmony with the greater power which controls and runs the universe. ‘All actions and rewards are given to the divine’.
Kunalini Yoga -
It focuses on the psychic energy centers within the spine and much different to most of the religious systems around the world. It is said that when one becomes aroused the potential energy becomes a conscious driven force and the person can result in a state of super consciousness and bliss. When two people have mastered their self by relaxing their body tensions and being able to release their energy blocks then because they have reached the same level they can come together and form a whole.
So don’t wait any longer today, join a yoga class in your local area today and you will never feel better!
Michael Ward is the business owner of Australias leading fitness equipment store called Unbeatablefitness.com.au. If you visit http://www.unbeatablefitness.com.au you will find one of Australias largest fitness product range and all at the best prices money can buy. http://www.unbeatablefitness.com.au aims to provide fitness equipment for everybody no matter on their budget at hand. Not only do we provide equipment but also fitness advice as the team at http://www.unbeatablefitness.com.au all have long term experience in the fitness sector ranging from weightlifting, cardiovcascular training to the martial arts! Check out our prices and you wont be dissapointed. For more information contact us at admin@unbeatablefitness.com.au
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