Yoga - A Philosophy Of Body And Mind
By
Anne ClarkeIt is claimed that the practice of yoga is capable to satisfy virtually all personal, philosophical, and spiritual human needs. Between many professionals in this fine art of fitness, there is a collective understanding that yoga is philosophy, and science as well as an art form. Many people use yoga classes, home exercise instructions, etc. as a primary form of exercise.
Practitioners find yoga relaxing and refreshing, and it shapes your body while serving your personal physical needs. In addition, there are mental advantages of which you may or may not be aware. As far as the spirituality behind the art of yoga, it caters to the personal spirituality of virtually anyone. Perfect for relaxation, it is a great time to meditate or pray. Many people refresh their bodies, minds and spiritual strength every day with the scientific, philosophical art of yoga. Yoga is designed to cultivate a direct channel between the mind and body for benefits in your life and personal, overall well-being.
Yoga is a science, and it is claimed that in the practice of which a balance between the physical and the mental state of person can be achieved. Yoga experts teach that the art of yoga will develop a balance that creates a personal state of optimal health and well-being. In accordance with the philosophy of yoga, in order to have the very best health and exercise, you must have a natural diet, plenty of fresh air, and exercise, as well as a keen mental awareness.
More and more people are finding that yoga is key to a more blissful life. This is quite a compelling persuasion to begin yoga as a regular practice in your day to day routine. If you could have happier day-to-day experiences, a better physical appearance, healthier relationships, a heightened sense of confidence and spirituality, and be healthier in general all because of one simple, philosophical, scientific, and artistic physical practice - why not try it? When I began to use yoga as a major part of my regular morning exercise routine, I found I felt more refreshed, more lucid, and I was easily able to turn my focus to my tasks for the day. I even began to feel more productive. That is just one testimony from my own personal experience, but mine is by far not the only testimony of gratitude.
This is truly an art form of exercise that is much more than a fad. In whatever manner current yoga students, teachers etc. happened to stumble upon the wonderful philosophy of yoga - the philosophy of combining the sciences of a type of exercise which connects the physical as well as the mental components of the individual - their collective praise of it is virtually always consistent. This is a type of exercise that can truly improve your life overall! If you are trying to decide what sort of exercise will be best for you, consider yoga - and you may never turn back.
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Enhancing Yoga Experience With Music
By
Igor IvanovFor thousands of years people new about music influence. Loud rhythmic drums became a symbol of war, and can be always heard in military marches. It energizes you, raises your work attitude, it gives you power. Classical music relaxes people, let's their consciousness to float away.
Music is played everywhere, in restaurants, pubs, cafeterias, and yoga classes too. Consciously or subconsciously we understand the importance of it. Music sets our mood. Very often you can see people on rock concerts jumping around, yelling, but this never happens on classical or new age concerts. Music can make you angry, sad, or peaceful.
Modern scientists found out that frequencies beyond our comprehension make our mood. We can hear sounds only with frequencies between 16 and 20'000 Hz. Low and ultra-low frequencies set our mood and influence our subconsciousness. Sounds that we hear very often are carriers of that low frequencies, this is just the way musical instruments work.
Usually people meditate either in silence or listening to some chorus or mild music, for example violin. Sometimes I prefer silence, sometimes I do not. Silence allows you to be on your own, concentrate on what you want, but it is much more difficult to cut of all external influences in silence.
Music allows our consciousness to concentrate on certain physical irritant, but leaving our subconscious mind not disturbed. Our mind "floats away" and it is easier to be in meditation while listening to something. The problem I found with chorus and instrumental music is that sometimes artists go a bit higher in tunes, sometimes lower, pace of different tracks may vary, and it all can disturb you from your meditation. Regular music faces a lot of "filters of consciousness". Sometimes we start being led by the music, and it may ruin the entire meditation experience.
Natural music has a bit different properties. There is no rhythm, there is no intention put in it, and therefore no information carried with it. These are just sounds of birds, water or wind. Natural sounds are classified as "pink", "gray" and "red" noises that do not stay in our consciousness, but go into subconscious mind without almost any "filter". But there is no much use of this "not filtered" music, if is has no information in it.
Astra systems studies influences of music on human body and mind.
Special audio-files were created after a lot of studies. Mainly they consist of birds singing, rustle of leaves, sounds of water, and minimal instrumental music. The difference from regular sound tracks is that these sounds were modulated with special apparatus in an ultra-low frequency range. This music does not disturb you, you can not be led by it. Influencing directly your subconsciousness, your body is stimulated to relaxation, and your mind is stimulated to get in sync with certain frequencies that can be found in human brain during meditation. Apparently, these frequencies can be also found in Nature.
Different studies showed that, for example, healers' brain activity during their sessions corresponds with so called "Waves of Shcumann". These waves are found in ionosphere of Earth. By synchronizing brain activity with Natural frequencies healers get into resonance with that waves and gain amazing powers of healing other people.
To learn more about special audio-files that will help you enhance your yoga experience please visit
http://www.astra-systems.net/eng. Getting in sync with the Universe can change your entire life!
Demonstration versions are available only at cost of $5!
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Using Yoga To Improve Your Health And Save Your Time
By
Linda GoldsboroughYoga is no more a mere fad in the West, but a way of life. People in the west have certainly awoken to the benefits of yoga and are supposed to be more adept and regular than the place where Yoga originated-India. Yoga, thus has become the panacea for all illnesses.
The word Yoga is derived from Sanskrit word 'Yuj', meaning to unify. While yoga seems on the surface like any other fitness regime, it is very different, as the aim of Yoga is to harmonize the practitioner's body, mind and spirit together.
Inhaling and exhaling that forms at the grass root level, first stills the body and tense muscles and enables the mind to achieve stillness or a time when thoughts cease to exist.
Yoga asana or postures depict natural actions like boating or rowing to the posture a peacock assumes, a lion assumes etc. these postures, along with breathing in and out are known to create certain vibrations in your body, that bring out the overall vitality of the spirit.
The famous Surya Namaskar or salutations to the Sun-the giver of light, energy, warmth, wisdom and the sustainer of Life on Earth, is supposed to be refreshing, rejuvenating, bringing instant nimbleness to tense muscles, thus enabling us to kick start the day! From the head to the toe, including the spinal cord, the arms and legs, are flexed. Surya Namaskar is known to be a natural detoxifying ritual, toning the digestive system, preventing constipation, improves the lung capacity, boosts memory, by toning the nervous system, ensures balanced functioning of the thyroid glands, improves circulation and thus rendering a glow to the skin, prevents premature graying, makes one lithe and graceful. A ten minute ritual can add decades of health and years to your life!
Bhastrika is a highly effective practice where the practitioner kneels and brings the arms to either side, inhales while raising the hands and exhales forcefully while bringing them back to the sides. This practice has the dual benefits of forcing out the accumulated phlegm from the head and also toning abs. the posture of sitting in Vajrasan (kneeling by bending the feet outwards) aids in quick digestion too.
The ancient practice of grinding herbs by rolling the pestle in circular motion has been incorporated in Yoga, and is good for the shoulders and tummy. Simhasana or kneeling with the tongue protruding out is supposed to clear the throat of coughs. Kapalbhatti, which includes only deep exhalation, is supposed to clear the head of phlegm, thus preventing sinus.
Exercising to the tune of music in a gym may be good for your muscle, but Yoga can be truly exhilarating to the mind as well.
To discover more about fitness for busy people, please visit
http://greathealthguides.com/keepingfit-----------------------------------------------------------------------
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Deciding When To Do Yoga
By
Scott HughesWhether you are just starting yoga or you have been doing it for a while, you may need to decide when during the day to do your routine. Most people who have practiced yoga for a long time have probably changed the time they do it each day. We all adjust our daily schedules now and then. Let's explore some of the different times of day you can do yoga.
Morning - You can do yoga in the morning if you want. Doing yoga in the morning will help wake you up fully and prepare you for the day. Also, assuming you usually shower in the mornings, you can use your morning shower to wash off after practice. Unfortunately, if you have to go to work early in the mornings, you will probably need to get up earlier. Also, you may have trouble squeezing in breakfast with your practice. You want to eat when you wake up before doing yoga, but you also probably do not want to do it immediately after eating.
Afternoon - Trying to do yoga in the afternoon may not work if you have a busy schedule. You may not find time for it. Even if you do find time, you may find yourself feeling rushed and stressed during your yoga practice, which may ruin it for you. On the plus side, doing it in the afternoon may help you avoid doing it when you are tired in the morning or at night. Many people find that they are at their physical and mental peak during the afternoon. Also, afternoon yoga may act as a stress-relieving break from your daily activities.
Evening and Night - You can do yoga during the evening or at night. This would probably include any time from when you get home from work until you go to bed. By waiting until nighttime, you can do your it without having to worry about your daily chores and getting to work on time. On the downside, you may feel tired at night, which can negatively impact your yoga routine. Also, if you are worn out from the day, that may cause you to skip your practice. Some people may also find that doing yoga at night hinders their ability to fall asleep.
Obviously, the best time for you to do yoga depends on your personal schedule and preferences.
People who take classes at a studio or gym may be have less options because they have to go at the set time of the class. Although, many studios and gyms offer at least some selection between different classes during the day. People who do it on their own at home will have more leeway in choosing the time.
With the options you do find for yourself, try to choose the time that will help you get the most out of your yoga practice. You want to be at peak condition to perform yoga, but you also do not want the practice to disrupt the rest of your day.
Whatever you do, good luck and have fun!
Scott Hughes owns and manages OnlineYogaClub.com which is an
informative website about yoga. You can discuss this article and other topics related to yoga at the
Yoga Forums. It's completely free, and you can ask any questions that you have about yoga.
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5 Reasons Why You Should Start Practicing Yoga and Meditation
By
Dada VedaprajinanandaThe practice of yoga and meditation has become increasingly popular in the past few years, but I am sure that there are many people who are still asking themselves, "What's in it for me?" So, if you have been wondering whether it would be worth your time to start practicing yoga and meditation, I would like to give you five good reasons why it would be a very worthwhile activity for you.
1. Yoga and meditation will improve your health
Yoga postures put gentle pressure on the internal organs of the body and help them to function properly. In particular the postures help your digestive system to work smoothly and thus avoid problems such as constipation, acidity and indigestion, which are common conditions that can lead to more serious problems later on. Meditation and deep relaxation can be just what you need to lower your blood pressure. Thus, yoga postures plus meditation is a great combination for maintaining and improving health.
2. Yoga and meditation will help you to overcome bad habits
What's a "bad habit?" It's something that you are doing continually, and something that you know is harming you but you can't stop it. Are you smoking now? Maybe you thought it was good when you started, but you would now like to stop. The trouble is that it is not so easy to quit smoking or a similar habit once it has become established.
This is where yoga and meditation can help you out. The yoga postures help you to become
more relaxed and mentally balanced. Meditation can help you to concentrate your mind and build up your will-power. Once you become internally balanced and have a stronger will power, it will become possible for you to break any habit, even one that you have been troubled by for many years.
3. Yoga and meditation will help you to lose weight
Obesity is one of the biggest health problems of the modern era. Our lives have become more sedentary and our food sources have changed over the last 100 years and this why many adults and even children are now overweight.
Although this is a life-style problem, it is something that can be dealt with. The surest way to lose weight is to get more exercise and to control what you are eating. This is of course, easier said than done. But yoga and meditation can help you out. There are some yoga postures that are helpful in weight loss programs. Similarly, the mental strength that you can get from both yoga postures and from meditation can help you to gain a better control over your diet and this can result in healthy and permanent weight loss.
4. Yoga and meditation will bring you inner peace
You may be earning a lot of money and you may have a lot of social prestige but is physical or social wealth the goal of your life? Whatever material or social wealth you have, if you are not contented, satisfied and at peace with yourself then you will not be a happy person.
The goal of meditation is to help you find the inner core of your being. Who are you? Is it the name and address on your identity card? If you start meditating you will find that deep within you is a pool of infinite love and peace. This is the real you. If you can reach this place, then you will find peace and contentment; it is guaranteed!
5. Yoga and meditation will make you a wiser person
Every one of us has made mistakes that we regret. There is nothing we can do about the past. We can't go back in time and not make the mistakes. But what we can do is to build up our capacity to see what has permanent value and what is transitory. When we attain this state of discrimination, then we will not do actions that we will regret later on.
Meditation helps a person to go beyond the "chatter" of the mind and attain a state of wisdom that will always be of help. Wisdom does not mean stuffing your mind with "facts" but it does mean to have a mind that will choose a course of action that brings about the welfare of everyone.
I have a list with many more reasons why yoga and meditation are helpful, but I thought I would start off with these five reasons. So, if any one of these items are interesting for you, then why not see for yourself, and start practicing yoga and meditation?
Dada Vedaprajinananda is a senior yoga teacher with the Ananda Marga
Meditation Society. He is also the editor of the Life Weight Loss website where you can find more articles on health, weight loss, self improvement and spirituality. You can visit the directory at
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How To Lose Belly Fat Using Yoga
By
Tristan BaileyIf you are looking for new ways to lose belly fat you may want to use yoga as part of your exercise routine. As well as helping to reduce abdominal fat, yoga is also a great way to both reduce stress and exercise the body which is useful if you want to become fit and healthy.
There are many different yoga positions that exercise the stomach muscles. These yoga positions are called asanas and some are more advanced than others. You need to assess your own skill and comfort level before trying certain asanas. If you are unsure you should start with one that seems easy and then work your way up once you have improved your strength and flexibility.
Pavan Muktasan
To perform this exercise you need to first lie on your back. If you have a yoga mat or towel you can use it to cushion your spine. You need to bend both knees to your chest so that your thighs are touching your stomach and hold your knees in place with your hands. Lift your head up until your nose meets your knees. Take a deep breath and hold this position for thirty seconds and then slowly release. You can also perform this exercise with one leg at a time.
Bhujangasan
To perform this exercise you need to first lie on your stomach. Then you need to place your hands on your back at the bottom of your spine. Using only your back muscles (not your hands) you need to slowly raise your upper torso off the ground until your head is upright and hold this position for thirty seconds. Although you are using your back muscles to perform this exercise it will still help to reduce belly fat and flatten your stomach.
The Bow
This exercise is similar to the Bhujangasan and requires the same starting position but instead of just lifting your upper torso you also need to curl your legs upward. Then you need to bend your knees (while keeping them together) until your feet are near your head and then hold your ankles with your hands while pushing with your legs so that only your stomach is touching the floor. Once you have made a circle with your body you need to hold this position for thirty seconds and then slowly release.
Paad Pashchimottanasan
To perform this exercise you need to first lie on your back with your legs straight and arms extended into the air in front of you. Once all of your limbs are extended from head to toe, point your palms forward and put your hands together. Then you need to contract your stomach muscles to sit up while keeping your back straight and hands in front of you. As you bend forward, hold your toes with your hands while keeping your head between your arms so that it touches your knees and hold this position for two minutes before releasing.
While these yoga exercises can help you lose belly fat, you may need to practice and train your body so that it becomes more flexible until you can perform the more advanced positions. Its always a good idea to warm up first before you attempt any of these exercises and you should use a yoga mat to help cushion your body.
To find out the
best stomach exercises just go here:
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Can Yoga Help Cure Insomnia?
By
Terence RobertsMany people suffering from insomnia are looking for ways to overcome their problem, or at least get some relief from it. While a visit to your doctor is an absolute must, there are some everyday activities and habits that can also help. In most cases you'll want to look for some kind of natural treatment. On hearing the words "natural treatment for insomnia", most people immediately think of herbs, but there is another, very useful, natural treatment - yoga.
Yoga is a great way to relieve stress and lessen the effects of insomnia, or not being able to get to sleep or stay asleep at night. Getting regular exercise and following a regime of vigorous yoga, such as power yoga or Ashtanga, at least three times a week, can help to allow the body to relax and to drift off to sleep more easily.
However, you must be careful when to do your yoga exercises. Exercising within the three hours before bedtime can cause overactive blood flow and increased brain activity that can stimulate the body to stay awake, so plan your exercise early in the day.
Following the three part breathing technique, commonly used in yoga, helps to clear the mind of the day's stresses and thus help with sleep and relaxation. The alternating nostril breathing technique called Nadi Sodhana is a great way to alleviate stress. It allows the body to absorb oxygen to promote positive energy and relaxation to relieve nervous tension, depression and other stressful mental and physical situations.
Some Yoga positions have been reported as very effective for helping people affected by insomnia. One of these, called Happy Baby, can be done in bed; it will relieve tension from the lower back and hips as you hug your knees or feet while lying on your back.
Another very useful position is the Corpse Pose, where the person lies flat on their back gently breathing - this is one of the final poses during a Yoga class to instil relaxation. Yet another is the Supported Forward Bend, where one inhales, exhales and then bends from the hip without arching the back, moving one's head from side to side, slowly raising one's knees to one's chest to support muscle release and give a calm feeling through the body.
For experienced yoga participants - or adventurous first timers - posing in the Shoulderstand and following through with the Plow also increases blood flow to encourage a restful feeling in the person by stretching the muscles out.
Lying on the floor, crossing your leg over your body and gently pulling it across to the other side of the body while breathing out is referred to as the Opposite Side Twist.
All these positions encourage and train the muscles and body to react to daily stresses and to encourage a healthy rested body. Yoga promotes circulation, and the removal of toxins, body chemicals and stress, which can help with relaxation and ultimately with sleep. With the release provided by yoga, the body is allowed to rest, which in turn will provide a more soporific feeling and the possibility of a cure for the problem of insomnia.
Terry Roberts is a professional linguist and translator with a variety of interests. To read more about insomnia, its causes, symptoms and treatments, visit his website at
Facts About Insomnia.
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Using Yoga To Improve Your Health And Save Your Time
By
Linda GoldsboroughYoga is no more a mere fad in the West, but a way of life. People in the west have certainly awoken to the benefits of yoga and are supposed to be more adept and regular than the place where Yoga originated-India. Yoga, thus has become the panacea for all illnesses.
The word Yoga is derived from Sanskrit word 'Yuj', meaning to unify. While yoga seems on the surface like any other fitness regime, it is very different, as the aim of Yoga is to harmonize the practitioner's body, mind and spirit together.
Inhaling and exhaling that forms at the grass root level, first stills the body and tense muscles and enables the mind to achieve stillness or a time when thoughts cease to exist.
Yoga asana or postures depict natural actions like boating or rowing to the posture a peacock assumes, a lion assumes etc. these postures, along with breathing in and out are known to create certain vibrations in your body, that bring out the overall vitality of the spirit.
The famous Surya Namaskar or salutations to the Sun-the giver of light, energy, warmth, wisdom and the sustainer of Life on Earth, is supposed to be refreshing, rejuvenating, bringing instant nimbleness to tense muscles, thus enabling us to kick start the day! From the head to the toe, including the spinal cord, the arms and legs, are flexed. Surya Namaskar is known to be a natural detoxifying ritual, toning the digestive system, preventing constipation, improves the lung capacity, boosts memory, by toning the nervous system, ensures balanced functioning of the thyroid glands, improves circulation and thus rendering a glow to the skin, prevents premature graying, makes one lithe and graceful. A ten minute ritual can add decades of health and years to your life!
Bhastrika is a highly effective practice where the practitioner kneels and brings the arms to either side, inhales while raising the hands and exhales forcefully while bringing them back to the sides. This practice has the dual benefits of forcing out the accumulated phlegm from the head and also toning abs. the posture of sitting in Vajrasan (kneeling by bending the feet outwards) aids in quick digestion too.
The ancient practice of grinding herbs by rolling the pestle in circular motion has been incorporated in Yoga, and is good for the shoulders and tummy. Simhasana or kneeling with the tongue protruding out is supposed to clear the throat of coughs. Kapalbhatti, which includes only deep exhalation, is supposed to clear the head of phlegm, thus preventing sinus.
Exercising to the tune of music in a gym may be good for your muscle, but Yoga can be truly exhilarating to the mind as well.
To discover more about fitness for busy people, please visit
http://greathealthguides.com/keepingfit-----------------------------------------------------------------------
FREE articles about self-help, self improvement, wellness, holistic health, and fitness. To see our full line of e-Books visit:
www.ebooks4selfhelp.com-----------------------------------------------------------------------
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Diabetes - Yoga Management
By
Dr Rajesh NairYoga is a way of living that has a beneficial effect on diabetes. Diabetes is a lifestyle related condition due to an imbalance in handling a glucose load. It is a state in which the pancreas does not functions normally, no sufficient insulin is produced and so, the body is not capable of managing its food intake properly. As a result, the body's metabolism gets disturbed.
A yogic treatment like Asanas (poses), Pranayama (breathing techniques), and Dhyana (meditation) restores the normal functioning of the pancreas and other glands of the endocrinal system. When these glands begin to function properly, the body chemistry becomes normal, the individual is fully cured of the diabetic disorders and his health is restored to normal.
a) Asanas :
Asanas like Sasangasana (Rabbit Pose) and Janushirasana with Pashimotthanasana (Head-to-Knee with Stretching Pose) provide stimulation and rejuvenation to the cells of the pancreas and other endocrine glands by way of compression. Compression of these glands, followed by relaxation, causes an increased volume of highly oxygenated blood to reach the cells, bringing nourishment that rejuvenates atrophied cells.
The calmative effects by the practice of Savasana (Dead Body Pose),at correct intervals, also contributes to the reversal of this so-called chronic, incurable disease.
b) Pranayama :
It reduces the drug requirement, develops a sense of well-being and normalization of the insulin / Glucose ratios.
Alternate nostril breathing has calming effect on nervous system, which reduces stress levels, helping in diabetes treatment.
Yogic exercises enhance digestion and help the pancreas and liver function more normally, regulating blood sugar levels
c) Dhyana :
Stress hormones increase sugar levels in the blood. By regular meditation one can manage stress by bringing balance between Sympathetic and Parasympathetic nervous systems.
Concentration on pancreas during the meditation practice has shown positive effects on sugar levels.
It
results in a stabilization of moods and increases a feeling of being more in control which may help in diet control.
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The Most Effective Use Of Yoga Chairs
By
Swalesta AriHave you ever wondered if what you know about yoga chairs is accurate? Consider the following paragraphs and compare what you know to the latest info.
Think about what you have read so far. Does it reinforce what you already know about yoga chairs? Or was there something completely new? What about the remaining paragraphs?
Yoga chairs are of course, chairs used for exercises for yoga, a fitness craze that has been sweeping across the ranks of senior citizens and people with low general mobility. Before we can discuss any further, we should first discuss the exercise for which yoga chairs are used.
It is the gentlest form of yoga. It makes use of chairs (basically any sturdy chair that does not move). The student uses the chair for support, to stand on, or for sitting- whatever a particular exercise demands at a certain time.
It is not a traditional form of yoga and consequently may not be seen as "real" yoga by some practitioners. The Asanas, or yoga stances and exercises are by and large, derived from Hatha Yoga.
The use of chair in yoga is widely practiced in retirement homes, adult day-care centers, and senior fitness centers. This has led to the perception that it is only for senior citizens and that it was developed only for them.
On the contrary, anyone can practice yoga with chair if they are so inclined. There are students of all ages and all the spectrum of capabilities who use the practice to be able to reap some of its benefits. Conditions helped by chair are numerous, from depression to hypertension, from vertigo to carpal tunnel syndrome.
Between Yoga Chairs and Asanas
Chairs are used in the facilitating of the Asanas the students take. These are particularly important for practitioners who suffer from disabilities or mobility problems.
These will help the student keep balance, prevent them from exerting undue effort, and keep them from experiencing strain that they would otherwise feel if they were to eschew the use of them. Many Asanas can be adopted to make use of a chair.
These are often used with yoga mats in order to perform some Asanas. However this is not the case in many classes as some classes are composed primarily of students with movement problems so severe that they have trouble getting off of a floor from a prone or supine position. In these classes, stances that involve sitting are most likely to be practiced.
Specialized yoga chairs are available that claim to have benefits but some of these claims are spurious and unproven. Care should be taken in purchasing a specialized chair as they may cost hundreds and hundreds of dollars and not give back any concrete benefits to the user.
These are just very basic things; you can add more based on your own experience and knowledge. When word gets around about your command of facts, others who need to know about yoga chairs will start to actively seek you out.
In order to get more valuable information on yoga make sure visits
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Deciding When To Do Yoga
By
Scott HughesWhether you are just starting yoga or you have been doing it for a while, you may need to decide when during the day to do your routine. Most people who have practiced yoga for a long time have probably changed the time they do it each day. We all adjust our daily schedules now and then. Let's explore some of the different times of day you can do yoga.
Morning - You can do yoga in the morning if you want. Doing yoga in the morning will help wake you up fully and prepare you for the day. Also, assuming you usually shower in the mornings, you can use your morning shower to wash off after practice. Unfortunately, if you have to go to work early in the mornings, you will probably need to get up earlier. Also, you may have trouble squeezing in breakfast with your practice. You want to eat when you wake up before doing yoga, but you also probably do not want to do it immediately after eating.
Afternoon - Trying to do yoga in the afternoon may not work if you have a busy schedule. You may not find time for it. Even if you do find time, you may find yourself feeling rushed and stressed during your yoga practice, which may ruin it for you. On the plus side, doing it in the afternoon may help you avoid doing it when you are tired in the morning or at night. Many people find that they are at their physical and mental peak during the afternoon. Also, afternoon yoga may act as a stress-relieving break from your daily activities.
Evening and Night - You can do yoga during the evening or at night. This would probably include any time from when you get home from work until you go to bed. By waiting until nighttime, you can do your it without having to worry about your daily chores and getting to work on time. On the downside, you may feel tired at night, which can negatively impact your yoga routine. Also, if you are worn out from the day, that may cause you to skip your practice. Some people may also find that doing yoga at night hinders their ability to fall asleep.
Obviously, the best time for you to do yoga depends on your personal schedule and preferences.
People who take classes at a studio or gym may be have less options because they have to go at the set time of the class. Although, many studios and gyms offer at least some selection between different classes during the day. People who do it on their own at home will have more leeway in choosing the time.
With the options you do find for yourself, try to choose the time that will help you get the most out of your yoga practice. You want to be at peak condition to perform yoga, but you also do not want the practice to disrupt the rest of your day.
Whatever you do, good luck and have fun!
Scott Hughes owns and manages OnlineYogaClub.com which is an
informative website about yoga. You can discuss this article and other topics related to yoga at the
Yoga Forums. It's completely free, and you can ask any questions that you have about yoga.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
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www.ebooks4selfhelp.com-----------------------------------------------------------------------
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Excellent Form of Physical Exercise for the Wheelchair Bound
By
Christine GrothThere are many benefits of yoga. It helps strengthen your muscles, increases your body's flexibility, improves mobility, increases stamina, and is advantageous for the working of all your vital organs. Moreover, regular yoga promotes positive thinking, a stress free and disease free existence and a happier life whether you are a normal person or confined to a wheelchair.
In fact, sitting in a wheelchair all day can be extremely taxing for the muscles over the long haul. But wheelchair yoga can help you strengthen your muscles and allow you to feel healthier and fitter. Typically, yoga is an ancient Indian form of meditation, but it has seen dramatic rise in popularity in the United States within the last 10-15 years. Known for its flexibility in style, yoga incorporates breathing techniques with bodily contortions and stretches. Nowadays, wheelchair yoga has become quite popular and specifically designed yogic exercises are helping wheelchair users to make the best of their physical limitations and begin to lead to a fuller life.
Wheelchair yoga is designed keeping in mind the physical limitations of people confined to the wheelchair, while helping them to carry out these exercises any time and any place they choose. There are many benefits to practicing wheelchair yoga. Not only will you start feeling stronger, healthier but your muscles, joints, and tendons as well as your vital organs will start functioning better and with more vitality.
Wheelchair yoga also helps you to gain spiritual, physical, and mental benefits. If you are depressed about your physical condition, you will begin to feel calmer, more in control of your life and generally begin to experience a sense of well-being that will aid you in overcoming day to day limitations.
When practicing wheelchair yoga, you will not feel stiff or lack of energy. In fact, some of the more positive effects of wheelchair yoga include increased muscle and mental strength, decreased levels of anxiety, nervousness, and stress. You will sleep better, feel stronger and experience a surge in confidence and self-esteem levels.
The exercise postures and movements are selected carefully during wheelchair yoga sessions and the emphasis is on comfort, ease, and simple poses for every wheelchair bound individual. More and more physiotherapists recommend yoga as a supplementary physical therapy to patients who are disabled, thereby helping them to connect and respond to their own body better.
Wheelchair yoga exercises are even designed for participation of caregivers and are organized in comfortable room where a group of wheelchair yoga enthusiasts can relax and have fun while exercising. And depending on your requirements, wheelchair yoga can be practiced in several different positions including sitting, standing or lying on the floor.
The Internet offers much information on wheelchair yoga and both studio and private lessons are available for you. The cost of a typical lesson could be anywhere from $20 to $50. Let wheelchair yoga help you take charge of your life and general well-being and you'll be glad you did!
© CG Groth Inc 2007
The "Daycare Diva", Christine G. Groth, is the creator of "The Guide to Instant Daycare Profits". To learn more about this step-by-step program and to sign-up for her FREE "How to Start a Daycare" tips and articles, visit
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The Health Benefits Provided by the Practice of Yoga
By
Darren WilligerYoga is about the unification of both the mind as well as the body. People who practice yoga believe that both the mind and the body are one. If this union exists and is perfect then along with the proper tools and environment, a body will be perfectly able to heal on its own.
These claims may seem unfounded but they are not. Medical studies have proved that yoga actually has its health benefits. After completing a yoga class a lot of people agree that they tend to feel full of energy, happy and peaceful at the same time. How can yoga promote these feelings and help the body heal on its own?
Yoga allows you to be more aware of what your body can do as well as its movements and alignment. Back pain is one of the most common reasons why people tend to seek out medical attention. Due to the fact that yoga started in India, you can't find a person who complains of back pain in the entire country. Yoga is capable of curing and preventing back pain by enhancing strength and flexibility at the same time. It also helps people who suffer from arthritis because it provides relief to aching joints and provides joint lubricants at the same time. It also tends to relive tensions in muscles as well.
Yoga has its physiological and psychological benefits. Yoga improves the lives of asthma sufferers because it stops them from developing attacks on their own without using medicines. Yoga can also help in controlling respiratory problems because it teaches people how to control their breathing. It also lowers blood pressure and heart rates. It improves lung efficiency and improves other situations like chronic fatigue, diabetes and digestive disorders.
The onslaught of aging can also be relatively slowed down through yoga. Aging is the result of autointoxication. By keeping the body clean, flexible and well lubricated helps reduce the deterioration of cells. Yoga also helps in weight reduction and it stimulates sluggish glands to. Practicing positions that focus on your thyroid gland can also have certain positive effects on the body metabolism too.
The medical community agrees with a number of these benefits and funding is currently ongoing to see the efficient of Yoga in the treatment of insomnia and multiple sclerosis. Studies of yoga effects on other conditions are also being conducted.
Many psychological benefits are also associated with yoga. Yoga has been known to help in the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorders. Yoga also helps in the reduction of stress, anxiety, depression and tension too. People tend to experience a feeling of well-being through yoga and they also feel invigorated and better about life too. These people also have higher energy levels and a better knowledge of whom they are and what they are capable of.
Other benefits include improved memory, attention, concentration as well as social skills and acceptance of self. It also lowers sugar, cholesterol and sodium levels while increasing hemoglobin and Vitamin C levels.
Darren Williger is an over-caffeinated, low carbohydrate eating, winemaking enthusiast who writes for
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Thought-Provoking Wisdom
By
George CarterWhen someone asks, "What is peace?" it's one of those questions that can be answered either thoughtfully (which tends to be lengthy) or by rote (which tends to be shorter). A similar question we encounter is, "What is Yoga?"
Well, my answer to both is along the lines of, "It's where you find it, not where someone tells you it is." That is to say, it's largely a personal answer. As for this Essay, the object is to express what 'peace' is to me. Maybe this will help you find it for yourself.
I would say that a global concept of peace is well described in a speech given by John F. Kennedy at American University's commencement in 1963. I remember it well from my youth, and it still rings true today...
"...What kind of peace do I mean and what kind of a peace do we seek? Not a Pax Americana enforced on the world by American weapons of war. Not the peace of the grave or the security of the slave. I am talking about genuine peace, the kind of peace that makes life on earth worth living, and the kind that enables men and nations to grow, and to hope, and build a better life for their children - not merely peace for Americans but peace for all men and women, not merely peace in our time but peace in all time... I realize the pursuit of peace is not as dramatic as the pursuit of war, and frequently the words of the pursuers fall on deaf ears. But we have no more urgent task... World peace, like community peace, does not require that each man love his neighbor, it requires only that they live together in mutual tolerance, submitting their disputes to a just and peaceful settlement... So let us not be blind to our differences, but let us also direct attention to our common interests and the means by which those differences can be resolved.
And if we cannot end now our differences, at least we can help make the world safe for diversity. For in the final analysis, our most basic common link is that we all inhabit this small planet. We all breathe the same air. We all cherish our children's futures. And we are all mortal...'When a man's ways please the Lord,' the Scriptures tell us, 'he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.' And is not peace, in the last analysis, basically a matter of human rights: the right to live out our lives without fear of devastation; the right to breathe air as nature provided it; the right of future generations to a healthy existence?..."
Now, I suppose this pretty well covers peace in the global or geopolitical sense, but what about for us as individuals? How can we unify or tie this all together? I've always preferred a return to principles ("back to basics") type approach to most questions as a way to keep it simple.
What I mean to say is that Yoga can tie it all together and is a great way to find peace in your life. So, for me 'peace' as an individual boils down to stillness of mind. When we are able to tame our wild, active minds and experience stillness within we have found and experienced peace. We can all do it but it sure takes a lot of practice. Stillness of mind is our goal in our Yoga practice and it's hard to find, especially for us folks in the west. That's why B.K.S. Iyengar calls Savasana the most difficult pose in all of Yoga to perform correctly. Let's all remember that and be sure we respect Savasana as the counter pose to our day's practice. Namaskar
Copyright 2007 George Carter. All rights reserved.
George Carter has been teaching and seeking to help others with special needs and is committed to helping others to improve their lives through Yoga principles. He continues his daily personal practice and studies regularly with Bob Metzler and his teaching practice is heavily influenced by the teachings of B.K.S. Iyengar. He is also editor for L7 Lifestyles newsletter for Lotus7 Yoga and Pilates located in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA. Sign up for more yoga and pilates articles at
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Let the Universe Breathe You
By
Megan McDonoughI felt an asthma attack coming on this morning as I was teaching yoga. It came at the worst possible moment, just as I was getting ready to lead the final relaxation. I had been neglecting to use the steroid inhaler that keeps my asthma in check. When I feel good, I forget that I need it. When I have difficulty breathing, I remember too late to take it, since it needs time to work. It's like having a leaky roof. Can't fix the roof when it's raining...no need to if it isn't.
Short of breath, I wondered how I would be able to lead the guided relaxation before the final meditation. Really, who can relax with an out-of-breath asthmatic rasping out instructions?
I started beating myself up for forgetting my medicine, while at the same time wondering how I could gracefully escape the room to use my emergency inhaler, which leaves me shaky and jittery.
Silence filled the room instead of my usual calm speaking voice.
Then the words came. As is usually the case when I'm leading relaxation, I wasn't sure what was going to come out of my mouth. Then this thought arose and I spoke it into the room: What if the universe was breathing you instead of you trying to breathe?
Instead of you inhaling, what if the universe was exhaling into your body everything you need in this very moment? Instead of you exhaling, what if the universe was inhaling out of you all the stuff that clogs you up?
Breathing in, you are filled with whatever you need. Breathing out, you give up to the universe whatever is not serving you.
What would happen if you led your life without feeling that you needed to fix anything, go anywhere, or be anybody? What if you trusted that the universe was always right there for you, cleansing and providing? What if you were an empty vessel, breath moving through you, your essence merging with the universe?
Mind you, I'll be much more diligent about taking my medicine now. The universe has, after all, provided the inhaler as well as the relaxation that ended my asthma attack today.
Try an experiment today. Imagine that every decision and every action (or every indecision or non-action) is exactly the right response. The wind blows when it blows, and is still when it is still. You make a decision or you don't. All striving falls away.
How perfect is that?
Megan McDonough helps you get clear in body, mind and spirit so you can get the results you want. Along with teaching yoga, she's the award-winning author of Infinity in a Box, a marketing consultant for mind/body organizations, and a corporate trainer. She's taught at the famed Kripalu Center, the largest site for yoga and holistic health in the United States and is on the faculty of the Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy Advanced Training.
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Creating a New You With Hot Yoga
By
Thomas TAre you looking for a way to improve your health and the overall quality of your life? Hot Yoga may be exactly what you have been seeking. Hot Yoga has become very popular and for good reason; it is one of the best ways to relieve the stress in your life and get into shape.
Also known as Bikram Yoga, Hot Yoga consists of 26 yoga poses, which are done in a heated environment. Also included in the routine are two breathing exercises. Each breathing exercise is performed twice within the workout time. Hot Yoga was especially designed to help you get into shape and improve your health.
The purpose of the high humidity and heated room is that it lowers the risk of muscular injury and increase body flexibility. The high room temperature of between 95-105 degrees helps you to burn calories and tone muscles, as well as boost your immune system. Hot Yoga has been shown to improve your metabolism and flexibility, as well as detoxify the body, and strengthen all of your muscles and joints.
Not only does Hot Yoga increase your body's ability to burn fat and build muscle; in addition, this form of Yoga helps to oxygenate blood, tissues, glands and organs. Increased humidity helps to detoxify your body and build your immune system.
Along with these many benefits of Hot Yoga, the routines also help to relieve stress in your muscles making them less stiff and sore. If you suffer from back pain or chronic muscle pain and stiffness, this could be the perfect way to eliminate this pain from your life while helping to heal your body of any other illnesses you may have.
Hot Yoga is also a great way to help prevent illness. This form of Yoga is not just to heal, but to prevent as well. Stress is one of the biggest killers, and Hot Yoga can help reduce stress while it is eliminating your body of poison toxins.
If you are really looking at creating a new you, Hot Yoga is definitely something you will want to look into. It is the one change you can make to your life that will offer you several advantages at the same time. Lose weight, tone muscles, and improve your health all at once while ridding your life of unnecessary stress.
Hot Yoga has become so popular because it works.
Thomas T is the owner of Yoga-Instruction.NET. Free information about Yoga Instruction:
http://www.yoga-instruction.net/yoga-instruction.aspBikram Yoga:
http://www.yoga-instruction.net/bikram-yoga.aspHot Yoga:
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Relax And Rejuvenate With Office Yoga!
By
Maria WardAre you spending too many hours hunched over your computer? Did you just get off the phone with a difficult client? Have you become entrenched in office politics? Are you nervous about an important meeting or presentation? Have you been concentrating on a difficult subject for too long of a time period? Instead of stressing out and causing your body to go into a fight-or-flight type of chemical reaction, which over time may lead to a feeling of dis-ease or worse, take a couple of minutes to release some tension.
Office yoga can be done at your desk, in the break room, at the copy machine, or wherever you are comfortable. There is no need to change your clothing or fix your hair afterwards and you only need a couple of minutes to leave you feeling more centered, alert and feeling good.
Please remember that all movements should be comfortable. You want to feel the tension releasing and the muscle lengthening; however you should never push yourself to the point where you feel pain. If you have any physical limitations, be sure to make proper modifications. An integral part of yoga is to be present in your body and be aware of how you are feeling, so put your problems aside, at least temporarily, and be present in the moment. (It is amazing how perceived problems sometimes just seem to work themselves out when we get out of our own way.)
Here are a couple of simple stretches that you can do without leaving your desk:
Grounding & Centering:
From a seated or standing position, lengthen your spine so your head is over your heart, your heart is over your hips (if you are sitting, your feet should be flat on the floor - if you are standing your hips are over your knees and your knees over your ankles) and take several long, slow, deep breaths. Inhale through your nose and let your belly expand, then exhale through your nose and allow your belly to contract as if you were pulling your navel to your spine. *This posture will hereinafter be referred to as neutral position.
Side Stretches:
From a neutral position, take a deep breath in and bring both arms overhead. Clasp your left wrist with your right hand and use your right hand to assist in a stretch of the left side as you bend to the right. Hold for a couple of breaths, come back to center and then repeat on the opposite side. Exhale as you allow your arms to return to your sides.
Neck Rolls:
Starting in neutral position, bring the chin to the chest. Inhale and bring the right ear to the right shoulder. Exhale and bring your chin back down to your chest. Inhale and bring your left ear to your left shoulder. Exhale and bring your chin back down to your chest. Repeat several times on each side and return to neutral position.
Shoulder Roll Sequence:
Roll both of your shoulders several times forward and back. Ultimately bring your arms behind your head so that your hands are clasped and supporting the base of your skull. Lengthen your spine and open back by turning your chin toward the ceiling, being gentle on your neck and squeezing your shoulder blades together. Hold for several breaths. (*This will help off-set some of the postural distortion caused by a computer monitor that is too low or hours of looking downward to do paperwork, however, avoid the spinal extension portion of this stretch if you suffer from a bulging or herniated cervical disc.) Then lengthen the spine back to center and gently bring your chin down to your chest using your hands to apply a pressure that is comfortable for you. Hold for a couple of breaths and then return to neutral.
Spinal Twist:
From a seated position with a long spine, reach both hands to the right side of the chair (holding onto the arm of the chair is ideal) and allow the lower, middle and upper back to twist to the right. Look over your right shoulder. Elongate your spine as you increase the twist and make sure to breathe deeply in this pose. Come back to center and repeat on the other side. (*This pose is very nourishing to the spine but in the event of a spinal injury or if you are in your second or third trimester of pregnancy this should be practiced with due care.)
Back Roll Up:
From a standing position with feet about hip width apart, bend the knees - keeping the knees pointed in the same direction as the toes - and place your hands on your quadriceps. Starting at the lower back, inhale and roll the spine up, one vertebra at a time, neck is last. Repeat several times.
Standing Forward Bend:
From a standing position with feet about hip width apart, lengthen the spine and bend forward, coming out of the hips. Hold onto your elbows and lean forward. Hold this stretch at the level that you are comfortable. It is okay to bend the knees if you are less flexible. Otherwise try to straighten the legs and lengthen through the spine. You should feel a lengthening of the muscles of the back of the legs (the hamstrings). You may also feel a release of tension in the upper back. Gently shake your head to allow a greater release. Make sure to breathe fully and deeply as you are nourishing the brain in this inverted pose. If you would like to increase the intensity of the hamstring stretch, grab the back of your legs or even your ankles and pull your torso toward your legs. Remember, first lengthen the spine and then bend.
Quad stretch:
From a standing position, shift your weight to the left leg. Bend the right leg behind you, trying to touch the heel to the buttocks. Your right knee should be pointing toward the floor. You will feel a stretch in the front of the right leg (the quadriceps). Hold the stretch and take a couple of breaths and repeat on the other leg.
Try to take a couple of minutes, several times a day, to incorporate some stretching and relaxation into your daily grind. It will leave you feeling refreshed, revitalized and more productive.
Maria Ward is a yoga instructor and Licensed Massage Therapist located in Miami, FL. Additional information and articles may be located at
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Yoga Is For Everyone - Women, Men, Young, Old, Rich, Poor, Homemaker, Or Athlete
By
Robert WeinerYoga is a 5,000 year old exercise system that works to improve your overall health and well-being. If you talk to any yoga instructor, you will hear the phrase, be in harmony with yourself and your environment. Yoga enforces the use of your total being; mind, body, and spirit.
Through yoga exercises, you learn to stimulate the organs within your abdomen, improve the circulation throughout your body, and apply pressure upon the glandular areas of the body. All of this coupled with specific breathing and meditation techniques, gives you the ability to focus on your surroundings and feelings.
There are many aspects of yoga, but one of the good things is that yoga is an exercise regimen that anyone can practice. It does not matter how old you are, or young and it certainly does not matter if you are male, female, rich, poor, homemaker, or professional athlete. Yoga is an ancient practice that benefits every age and body. For women, practicing yoga can help in weight loss, muscle building, and toning. One excellent benefit of yoga is that women can even practice the art while pregnant. Yoga has been proven to prepare the muscles used most during birth and aid in breathing preparation for labor.
Men often think that yoga is only for women - this is just not true. Yoga works to reduce every day stresses, enable men to relax, and help increase levels of power, flexibility, and stamina. Seniors benefit from yoga as well, often times the art of yoga will aid in improvement of ones attention span and memory. Yes, yoga is even beneficial for children, the exercises aid in strengthening their growing bones, improves blood circulation and breathing methods, as well as being a relaxing and calming form of exercise.
Yoga has many benefits and aids in improving a wide variety of health issues. People who practice yoga improve their overall health and lifestyle while experiencing better memory, more stamina, and a sturdier balance. Yoga is a form of therapy for a variety of ailments and afflictions such as high blood pressure, circulation problems, arthritis, breathing disorders, and many others.
There are 6 basic types of yoga these are called Hatha, Bhakti, Raja, Jnana, Karma, and Tantra. We will touch on a few of these and explain what these areas involve.
Tantra involves using specific rituals to find the sacred aspect in every part of your life. Many people hear Tantra and think of sex, while this is a part of it, sex is not the entire aspect of this form of Yoga.
Jnana involves using the mind and focusing on intelligence, wisdom and gaining knowledge.
Karma is an area of yoga that believes that your actions are a direct reflection on things you have done in the past. It promotes doing selfless service and freeing yourself from a negative and selfish future.
As you can see, yoga touches a wide variety of health and life aspects.
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Top 5 Benefits of Group Yoga Practice
By
Anmol MehtaRunning a Yoga studio gives me a great deal of insight into the benefits of group yoga practice. From these observations, I have compiled below the top 5 benefits I see from doing such practice. This is by no means disparaging a home yoga practice. I am, as everyone knows, a huge fan of having a daily personal practice. In fact, for serious practitioners a daily home meditation and yoga practice is a must. In this article I am simply pointing out the best of what I find in doing a group yoga practice.
1. ENERGY!!:
Without a doubt a group kundalini yoga class a has different level of Energy. It is palpable and easily noticeable. This energy serves to uplift and inspire all that are participating. This is most common feedback I get from students after a class. This energy not only helps all the yogis during the class, but, persists even after the class to keep your level of being raised. In fact, there are some classes where this energy is so high and so good that afterwards I can feel the after glow that it creates in everyone present. It is quite common that you enter the class feeling lethargic and down and leave the class fully charged and vitalized.
Interestingly, recently after a Gentle Yoga and Meditation class, a new student approached me and confessed that during the period of meditation, which we do after finishing our Kundalini Yoga practice, he saw fields of blue energy approaching him from all directions. If you have not participated in a group Kundalini Yoga class, I suggest you find one in your area and get ready for a memorable experience.
2. More Consistency & Intensity:
As I have said many times, one of the hardest things about a yoga and meditation practice is consistency. Many people know the well documented benefits of these giants of spiritual sciences, but, still not a significant percentage establish a strong regular practice. This is where group yoga practice can be especially helpful. Just get yourself to class. That's all. Don't allow the mind to deter you with its endless excuses.
The mind and body are probably going to resist your practice, because they are loosing their grip over you as a consequence of it. By practicing Yoga and Meditation you are allowing your spirit to emerge, which will then govern your life and usurp the strangle hold that the mind and body have been asserting on you. So just make it to class. Once you are there, you will be surprised how much you will be able to do. In a class atmosphere you will not only do your practice, but, you will do it with greater intensity. This will go a long way in helping you integrate yoga and meditation into your lifestyle and helping you to create a consistent deep daily spiritual practice.
3. Learn from Each Other's Experiences:
After each Kundalini Yoga & Meditation class we have a question answer period. During this time students get to ask and discuss common issues and problems they are running into. In addition to this, the students also often discuss amongst themselves their experiences and thoughts on Kundalini Yoga, Meditation, Living a spiritual life etc. This is a great way to make progress on the spiritual path. One can learn much from the knowledge another has acquired and a group class really facilitates this.
4. Share Resources:
Music, books, DVDs etc. are all valuable components for your yoga and meditation practice and practicing in a group allows you share these resources with each other. Give, give and then give some more. That should be your attitude in life and you tend to find more of that in those who have discovered their spiritual dimension. Thus, I find a group yoga class a great collection of fantastic people always willing to give and share their resources with others.
5. Make Friends With Like Minded People:
Yoga and meditation practice not only give you great benefits, but, in exchange require that you live up to a higher standard. This often means making changes to your social life and people you associate it. It all happens quite naturally actually. In the extreme case it can even lead to changes to your life partner or just changes to your friends and acquaintances.
What a group yoga class provides is an opportunity to befriend and share your life with those who are living at a similar wave length as you. Generally, you and your fellow yogis will have a similar high value system and will gravitate towards wholesome, holistic living. These important commonalities often lay down the foundation for great friendships to emerge.
Anmol Mehta is a Yoga Teacher & Zen Expert. His extensive site,
Free Guided Meditation Practice & Chakra Kundalini Yoga Exercises, offers
Free Yoga Breathing Exercises. You will also find articles & lively discussions on the
Free Guided Meditation Practice, Kundalini Yoga Poses & Zen Meditation Blog.
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Discover Yoga - A Gift For The Rest Of Your Life
By
Louise DewarI'll start not at the beginning, but with the good stuff. I think my connection to Yoga is like other people's connection to chocolate or their favourite morning latté. I just feel better for doing Yoga, and like chocolate, I want more!
Yoga is a journey between you and your body - it's never boring, you don't need expensive equipment and you can practice anywhere, any time. It's individual, it's not competitive. It's never judgmental. It's constantly humbling. It's constantly exciting. Your body feels more alive, more elastic, more open - physically and emotionally. I'm taller now, I've added two inches to my reach, my "old age" arthritis has gone, my Morton's Neuralgia has disappeared, and a nagging neck pain for over 30 years has dissipated.
None of this is instant, but all of this is certainly possible for you too. True, I'm a disciplined, organized person and made Yoga a priority in my life. While working 12 hours a day in advertising I went to three classes a week and made a point of stretching at least 20 minutes a day. The benefits surfaced after about two months.
HUNCHED OVER MY WALKER
I'm also moderately active - love to walk, play tennis and golf - however, it all began when my husband commented that my shoulders were rounding, and I was not walking upright. I saw the slippery slope at only age 58 to where I was hunched over my walker at 78! This was NOT going to happen to me. The day I saw my bent back in the mirror, was the day I took control of my body and made it my mission to become more mobile.
STRETCH OR SNAP
Imagine a piece of gum in the summer heat - it's runny, and it's so pliable. Imagine a piece of gum on an ice cold day - it snaps. Quite simply, that's exactly the benefits of Yoga on your body - you can bend, reach, twist and breathe so much more easily. It's a choice you make about your body's future years - do you wish to be fluid, or brittle?
You are either born flexible or not. I am not the least bit flexible. If you have ever seen Yoga on TV, or in a magazine, those pretzel like poses are unachievable for most of us. Ignore those pictures and ignore those people who look like performers from Cirque de Soleil. Focus on increasing your mobility which can be so easily be achieved.
A great Yoga class reaches every single part of your body - it begins to hum in good health, it becomes more elastic through stretching, it sighs with relief because your breathing is deep, and all parts have been stretched. Trust me, it's addictive to push your body a little further, pull on those tight ham strings just a little more. There is no pain in Yoga, but there is always a little more stretch. When I began Yoga at 58 I could not touch my toes - now in a standing forward bend I can put my hands flat on the ground, that's an amazing feeling and an accomplishment!
HOW TO FIND THE RIGHT YOGA CLASS
Look for a small Yoga studio that teaches Hatha Yoga. Unless you've done Yoga for years, start with a beginner class, or what's called gentle Hatha. Often you'll see level 1, level 2 and advanced classes advertised. That really is referring to how mobile you are. Your Yoga instructor is key, and it may take several classes to find the right fit. I would look for a teacher who walks around the class, looks at your body, makes slight hands-on adjustments and repeatedly mentions "no pain", and gives you options for various poses. If the teacher is doing the poses and not observing you, then he/or she has their own agenda and is not mindful enough to instruct you properly.
Just as there are all kinds of crazy diets out there are all kinds of crazy Yoga classes. Remember, it's YOUR body, find a class that's sensible and mindful, and does not have you doing head stands - that's plain dumb at our age. We want to hold our grandchildren effortlessly, swing a tennis racquet or golf club with more motion, glide our shoulder blades back and sit with a straight spine. In fact, if you ever hear a Yoga instructor say "now we are going to prepare for a head stand", just say "no"!
YOUR YOGA EQUIPMENT
Most studios will provide a mat, or sometimes called a "sticky mat". If you incorporate Yoga into your life then you'll want to buy your own mat for obvious hygiene reasons. Studios also supply straps and blocks - all excellent props to assist you in a pose. I have my own flexible strap that I use every day to stretch out my ham strings and to open up my shoulders. But any tie will do. The average cost a of Yoga classes in North America ranges from $14 to $20 - most studios have drop in classes or passes. I suggest trying drop-ins until you find an instructor that you click with, and a class that's right for you.
REVIEW YOUR YOGA GOALS
Why Yoga? You won't loose weight, it's not a calorie burner, and it's not instant. If you are the type that's want immediate results, the magic bullet, those 20 lbs dropped, then don't even try Yoga. However, if you want a gift for life, an hour where you can reconnect with your body and the pure joy of feeling your body shift in micro movements, then Yoga will take you until the end of your days. I can't promise you you'll be pain free, (although at 61 I do not have a single joint pain or a single complaint) but Yoga wakes up your body like no other activity- just like that hit of chocolate. I guarantee that every day you'll want to honour your body and celebrate all it can do. Becoming more mobile is addictive!
To learn more about how easy it is and how Baby Boomers can benefit greatly from Yoga go to
http://www.helloboomers.com.Louise Dewar is writing for
Hello Boomers Magazine, sharing her personal point of view from a female baby boomer's perspective.You can contact Louise directly by email at
writerlouisedewarDELETE@gmail.com (please remove DELETE)
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Exercising Your Stomach With Yoga
By
Juzaily Ramli and Tommy Lehmann
As you would already know, yoga is one of the major parts of any wellness routine. Practicing yoga can help you to reduce stress while at the same time exercise your body. You can also incorporate yoga in your stomach exercises which target the midsection. In yoga a number of positions or asanas exercise your stomach muscles. Do remember that in yoga there are several more advanced positions or asanas. As such you should always start with the easier ones first before working your way to the more complex positions. Asses your skill and comfort level before you try a certain asana. Don't take any risks. Start with one that is simple and work your way up to ones that are more complex once you have the strength and flexibility. And as always, with any exercise routine, do consult a professional before you begin and always spare some time for warm up to avoid any injury.
Pavan-Muktasan
This is a stomach exercising asana. First lie on your back. You can opt for a towel or a mat to cushion your spine. Now bend both knees up to you chest until your thigh touches your stomach. Next, hug your knees in place and lock your fingers. Then lift up your head until your nose touches your knees. Take a deep breath and hold this position for thirty seconds. Now slowly release and lower yourself back to the starting position. You can also opt to do this exercise one leg at a time.
Bhujangasan
For this exercise, you start by lying on your stomach. Next place your hands underneath your shoulders. Now, raise your upper body off the ground by using your back muscles. Raise yourself until your head is upright. You must make sure not to push with your hands, as you want your back muscles to do the work. Hold yourself in this position for about thirty seconds before slowly lowering yourself back to starting position. Now in this exercise, even though you are making use of your back muscles to do all the work, this asana will help you to reduce your belly fat and helps to flatten your stomach.
The Bow
This is somewhat similar to the previous asana. You start with lying on your stomach. The difference is that in addition to curling your legs upward, you will also lift you upper torso. First bend your knees so that your feet come towards your head. With both hands, grab your ankles and pull with your hands while at the same time pushing with your legs. Do this so that only your stomach is on the floor. You should feel like you're making a circle. Keep your knees together throughout. Now hold this position for thirty seconds and then slowly release and return to your starting position.
Paad-Pashchimottanasan
Ok, this next asana is not as complicated as the name sounds. However, you do need to be flexible to be able to perform this asana. Start by lying on your back and having your arms overhead and legs straight. Extend all your limbs. You are now straight from head to toe. Next place your palms flat pointing up to the ceiling, and put your hands together. Now, contract your stomach muscles so that you can sit up, while keeping your back straight and your heads still over your head. Then, bend forward and grab your toes, placing your head in between your arms. Your face will touch your knees. Hold this position for about two minutes and then slowly release.
As you can see, yoga can help you to achieve that lean stomach that you've always wanted. Practice these asanas and you'll be on your way to a fitter and slimmer tummy.
Juzaily Ramli and Tommy Lehmann own a blog that provides free
stomach exercises for all. Feel like losing some of that stomach fat but don't have the time to do it? Check out
stomach exercises for busy people.
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Yoga Styles For Beginners
By
Jeffrey MeierYoga is a fundamental form of exercise, combined with elements of meditation and relaxation that help to create better circulation throughout the body. This art of stretching and muscle strengthening has been around for many centuries in the East; however, it is now catching on in the Western Hemisphere. And of course, as soon as the West gets its hands on anything alterations are sure to be made. So now we have a variety of new styles of yoga that many people are taking part in, in addition to the traditional styles. So why don't you join me as we explore some yoga styles. Who knows, you might learn a thing or two!
Why Choose Yoga?
Before we get into these yoga styles, let's look at the art of yoga and why many people are switching from more rigorous exercise plans to this calming style of exercise. The reason people are switching over to yoga is because they are finding that, like meditation, yoga provides a calming energy that cannot be achieved through normal exercise. Yoga is based on meditation and breathing, and is very spiritual in nature. Its plan is essentially to get your blood circulating though the body more easily, training your muscles to strengthen slowly and healthily, and calming your mind in the process.
Some are finding that as their jobs become more and more stressful, they need something to completely counteract the stress, and for many, yoga is the answer. As more people seek yoga for relief, more yoga styles are also being sought. I have provided a few of the different styles you have to choose from.
Yoga Styles
Ananda Yoga - Ananda Yoga is a class that helps you learns to quiet your body before meditation. You work to move your energy to your brain by aligning your body. Then you control your breathing to calm yourself for your meditative practice. This is great for a person who is not only trying to start as a beginner yoga participant, but also beginner in meditation.
Bikram Yoga - This is one of the more popular yoga styles, especially in the Chicago area, because of it takes on the style of a comprehensive work out, focusing on muscular strength, endurance and cardio exercises. The class was started by Bikram Choudhury, an Olympic gold medalist in weight lifting in the 1960s, who wanted to incorporate yoga into an exercise routine. His style of yoga is said to encourage flexibility, detoxification, and prevention of injuries. And it is unique because it is practiced in a heated environment for increased circulation.
Hatha Yoga - This is one of the more easy-to-learn styles of yoga and is more popular in the West than East. It incorporates several styles of yoga, including Asanas, Pranayama, and Dhyna, to help create a system that gives you a toned body and a sense of enlightenment at the same time. This is one of the yoga styles that are better known for its ability to relieve stress. And it is useful in teaching the novice yoga participant the basics of the skill.
Yoga for Health - This style of yoga is very specific and only offered at the A.R.E. Center in Virginia Beach by a revered yoga instructor of over 30 years. This high energy yoga class was designed to help build strong blood circulation throughout the body and is a wonderful way to warm the body and lift spirits. This class is held for free on the beach every Sunday morning when weather permits, and is loved because it provides beautiful sunrises, crashing waves and leaping dolphins, along with stretching and toning. The class lasts 2 hours and can be very challenging initially, but over time, after you adjust to the level of energy required, you won't want to miss a class.
There are tons of resources available to help you get started on your yoga experience. And with the numerous available yoga styles out there, you are guaranteed to find a class that best suits you. And who knows, you might become so comfortable in the class that you decide to instruct your own and become one of the pioneers of the many new yoga styles to come!
Jeffrey Meier of Jam727 Enterprises at
http://www.Jam727.com offers information articles on a wide variety of subjects including Yoga at
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