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Showing posts with label YOGA. Show all posts
Showing posts with label YOGA. Show all posts
Sun Salutation ~ Surya Namaskar
The Great Master of Yoga, BKS Iyengar, turned 93 Today!
BKS Iyengar has dedicated his life to the study, practice and teaching of yoga. He has made this amazing art, science and philosophy accessible to all people. BKS Iyengar's Words of Wisdom:
“The body is your temple. Keep it pure and clean for the soul to reside in.”“The beauty of a lake reflects the beauty around it. When the mind is still, the beauty of the Self is seen reflected in it.”
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“Yoga teaches us to cure what need not be endured and endure what cannot be cured.”
“Yoga, an ancient but perfect science, deals with the evolution of humanity. This evolution includes all aspects of one’s being, from bodily health to self-realization. Yoga means union – the union of body with consciousness and consciousness with the soul. Yoga cultivates the ways of maintaining a balanced attitude in day-to-day life and endows skill in the performance of one’s actions.”
“The body is your temple. Keep it pure and clean for the soul to reside in.”♥♥♥♥♥♥
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“When you inhale, you are taking the strength from God. When you exhale, it represents the service you are giving to the world.”
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“The rhythm of the body, the melody of the mind & the harmony of the soul create the symphony of life.”
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“Illuminated emancipation, freedom, unalloyed and untainted bliss await you, but you have to choose to embark on the Inward Journey to discover it.”
♥♥♥♥♥♥“Change leads to disappointment if it is not sustained. Transformation is sustained change, and it is achieved through practice.”
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“It is through your body that you realize you are a spark of divinity.”
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“Yoga teaches us to cure what need not be endured and endure what cannot be cured.”
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Quotes from his autobiography, Light on Life:
“The practice of yogasana for the sake of health, to keep fit, or to maintain flexibility is the external practice of yoga. While this is a legitimate place to begin, it is not the end… Even in simple asanas, one is experiencing the three levels of quest: the external quest, which brings firmness of the body; the internal quest, which brings steadiness of intelligence; and the innermost quest, which brings benevolence of spirit.”
Yoga - The Elixir For Stress And Fatigue
Yoga could be the answer, the elixir to regain your energy and improve your mood.
But yoga is not a miraculous cure-all. You still have to put some work to get it. Lack of exercise, as weve been taught since gradeschool, makes us prone to illness and other health problems.
Yoga is an exercise involving stretching movements (called asanas) that can slowly release and extend the body, which gives or increases elasticity, limbering and force; breathing exercises (called pranayama) intended to purify the body, relax the nervous system and emotions; and a directed relaxation to remove body tension and encourage a positive feeling. Other yoga groups have activities comprising of meditation and chanting. Yoga effects so many good results on your body, soul and state of mind. These are but a few of the best advantages to your body from frequent yoga practice.
You get improved bearing from frequently doing yoga. Regularly doing the yoga sequences makes you detect your stature. The different asanas, like the mountain pose or tadasana all function in unison and have the effect of you desiring a tall and straight bearing with chest out and shoulders back.
Yoga loosens up your joints and ligaments causing their elasticity. Greater importance is put on the gentle body stretches and your regulating your inhale-exhale motions, with which yoga enables your muscles and joints to expand their movements more. Another asana, the triangle pose enlarges and extends the entire side of your body, especially accenting the area of your hips. The rock-the-baby pose, on the other hand, widens the outer area of the groin and relaxes the joints of the hips.
Your blood gets to flow more smoothly and and move around your body completely. The asana sequence called the Sun salutation lets your blood and energy make an even and easy transmission all around your whole body.
Yoga has a tranquilizing effect on your nerves. Frequent yoga practice incites parasympathetic nerves that helps relax and calm you.
But yoga is not a miraculous cure-all. You still have to put some work to get it. Lack of exercise, as weve been taught since gradeschool, makes us prone to illness and other health problems.
Yoga is an exercise involving stretching movements (called asanas) that can slowly release and extend the body, which gives or increases elasticity, limbering and force; breathing exercises (called pranayama) intended to purify the body, relax the nervous system and emotions; and a directed relaxation to remove body tension and encourage a positive feeling. Other yoga groups have activities comprising of meditation and chanting. Yoga effects so many good results on your body, soul and state of mind. These are but a few of the best advantages to your body from frequent yoga practice.
You get improved bearing from frequently doing yoga. Regularly doing the yoga sequences makes you detect your stature. The different asanas, like the mountain pose or tadasana all function in unison and have the effect of you desiring a tall and straight bearing with chest out and shoulders back.
Yoga loosens up your joints and ligaments causing their elasticity. Greater importance is put on the gentle body stretches and your regulating your inhale-exhale motions, with which yoga enables your muscles and joints to expand their movements more. Another asana, the triangle pose enlarges and extends the entire side of your body, especially accenting the area of your hips. The rock-the-baby pose, on the other hand, widens the outer area of the groin and relaxes the joints of the hips.
Your blood gets to flow more smoothly and and move around your body completely. The asana sequence called the Sun salutation lets your blood and energy make an even and easy transmission all around your whole body.
Yoga has a tranquilizing effect on your nerves. Frequent yoga practice incites parasympathetic nerves that helps relax and calm you.
our body's internal organs are spurred into positive action by yoga. The seated spinal twist and other positions transport new oxygen to your internal organs. The lateral twisting postures take nourishment to the base of the spinal nerves and the sympathetic nervous system causing greater elasticity to your spine.
Yoga helps in the proper functioning of your breathing system. Breathing exercises in yoga trains your respiratory system to function properly. Improved breathing results in enhanced zest and energy.
Now you understand that yoga benefits your body and your health? Good health makes you positive towards a good life.
Source ArticleSnatch
Prenatal Yoga
Prenatal yoga is an excellent form of exercise to utilize while going through your pregnancy. If you have never exercised before or are looking for a form of exercise to implement while pregnant, prenatal yoga is your answer. Because of yoga's natural ability to reduce stress level and help with various aches and pains, practicing prenatal yoga will help with all the minor or major aches and pains women experience while being pregnant. Prenatal is one of the only forms of exercise that can give you ways of coping with your pregnancy pains as well as labor pains. Because prenatal yoga deals with breathing techniques, you are learning a method of breathing you can incorporate into your routine when going through contractions. Many women have said that the breathing they learned while practicing prenatal yoga exercise helped immensely in the delivery room. When it comes to your labor, it can be scary, so knowing right away a way to help decease your pain is a great advantage given to you by prenatal yoga.
Even if you have never practiced yoga before becoming pregnant, you can practice prenatal yoga as a method of exercise during your pregnancy. Because prenatal yoga doesn't require any fast paced movements, it is perfectly safe for you and your baby. In fact prenatal yoga will help you to stretch out any stiffness and lower back pain you may be experiencing. Through a series of poses and postures specific to prenatal yoga, you will stay fit and feel great through out your pregnancy. Again this form of exercise is perfectly safe and harm free.
During your pregnancy most women want to stay in shape and do what is the absolute best for their baby. Prenatal yoga is just the form of exercise to use. There are prenatal yoga classes at your local gym you can utilize. There are also exercises DVDs that are strictly for prenatal yoga. There are certain poses and postures you can practice during prenatal yoga that are specific to the trimester you are in. If you decide to partake in a yoga class that is not a prenatal yoga class be sure to tell the instructor that you are pregnant right away to be sure you are not going to be over exerting yourself during the exercise routine.
Of course before beginning prenatal yoga or any form of exercise it is important to consult your doctor. If you are a high risk pregnancy or supposed to be on bed rest, prenatal not any other type of exercise is recommended. After your pregnancy is over yoga is still a great way to feel fit and stay healthy. There are many different types of yoga other than prenatal yoga that can be very beneficial to you and your health, physically, mentally and spiritually. Be sure to give yourself the proper amount of time after giving birth before picking up with your exercise routine if you aren't sure what the right amount of time is consult with your doctor.
Source Article Snatch
Benefits of a Yoga Practice
To date there are still researches being conducted on the benefits of yoga, particularly those that had raised some questions. Accordingly, more than 900 studies have been conducted and published on the advantages of yoga. The worldwide web by itself can already point out these common positive results, like better health condition, reduction of fat or weight, ease of body aches and pains and a fulfilling rest.
Even just one, among the many benefits, would inspire you to do yoga regularly or at least, make it one of your goals,. Yoga, translated is defined as "union," which explains its all-embracing view of health and wellbeing. Now if you wish to see any or all of the positive effects of yoga performance you must take the wholistic perspective of it. Individually, yoga is not miraculous; however, it will set the groundwork for your new direction in your life.
A yoga habit enables you to relax enough to recharge and confront the next day's stress with ease. Meditation is one basic element of yoga that lets you clear your mind off those anxiety-driven thoughts. You could do with precisely just this - to close each day with some relaxation and get into a really good night's sleep and wake up reinvigorated. Thus you are able to wake up completely rested and recharged, with a new perspective and focus. This focus you can direct towards whatever you might want to accomplish for the day, or as a long-term goal, like a promotion, your own business, a new house.
Additional energy, stimulation and focus will surely hone your physical and mental skills or interests. Or you can harness these recharged and focused energies to putting harmony into your professional and personal life, and enable you to share more effective time with the people you value.
The different poses change your metabolism and can result in you shedding of those unwanted pounds. The stretching movements result in toned muscles for you, thus, the body you desire to have would soon become yours. Nothing can top that for morale-boosting, I'm sure!
The yoga positions have not just physical effects. These postures increase the span of your limbs, invigorate your glands and internal organs, coming up with hormonal balance for you. Hormonal balance results in mental and spiritual balance for you.
Constantly performing yoga slowly erodes any thought of quitting. A growing inspiration, energy and direction mixed with the yoga meditation breathing methods can help you break negative habits like smoking.
Yoga grants you not only physical advantages. These advantages you get from yoga practice could be the motivation to transform your life. These numerous positive results have encouraged increasing numbers of people to practice yoga.
Take note that if you want yoga to work for you, you must work on it too. You will need to commit a regular time for performing yoga. Yoga as a habit could be the stimulus you just need to take your life on the path that you choose.
Even just one, among the many benefits, would inspire you to do yoga regularly or at least, make it one of your goals,. Yoga, translated is defined as "union," which explains its all-embracing view of health and wellbeing. Now if you wish to see any or all of the positive effects of yoga performance you must take the wholistic perspective of it. Individually, yoga is not miraculous; however, it will set the groundwork for your new direction in your life.
A yoga habit enables you to relax enough to recharge and confront the next day's stress with ease. Meditation is one basic element of yoga that lets you clear your mind off those anxiety-driven thoughts. You could do with precisely just this - to close each day with some relaxation and get into a really good night's sleep and wake up reinvigorated. Thus you are able to wake up completely rested and recharged, with a new perspective and focus. This focus you can direct towards whatever you might want to accomplish for the day, or as a long-term goal, like a promotion, your own business, a new house.
Additional energy, stimulation and focus will surely hone your physical and mental skills or interests. Or you can harness these recharged and focused energies to putting harmony into your professional and personal life, and enable you to share more effective time with the people you value.
The different poses change your metabolism and can result in you shedding of those unwanted pounds. The stretching movements result in toned muscles for you, thus, the body you desire to have would soon become yours. Nothing can top that for morale-boosting, I'm sure!
The yoga positions have not just physical effects. These postures increase the span of your limbs, invigorate your glands and internal organs, coming up with hormonal balance for you. Hormonal balance results in mental and spiritual balance for you.
Constantly performing yoga slowly erodes any thought of quitting. A growing inspiration, energy and direction mixed with the yoga meditation breathing methods can help you break negative habits like smoking.
Yoga grants you not only physical advantages. These advantages you get from yoga practice could be the motivation to transform your life. These numerous positive results have encouraged increasing numbers of people to practice yoga.
Take note that if you want yoga to work for you, you must work on it too. You will need to commit a regular time for performing yoga. Yoga as a habit could be the stimulus you just need to take your life on the path that you choose.
Source Article Snatch
Healing Effects of Yoga
Yoga is an exercise practiced by many for a variety of reasons. A variety of health conditions have been mentioned as being helped by practicing yoga such as asthma, back pain, diabetes, arthritis, high blood pressure, etc. Many turn to this exercise for pain management, while others practice it for the mental performance benefits that it offers. Self-awareness is a common theme among those who practice yoga, as the exercise promotes the mind-body relationship.
There are several types of yoga with each offering various benefits. Some practice what is referred to as hot yoga (Bikram yoga), which is designed to sweat out toxins while the individual assumes certain poses. The room temperature during hot yoga is increased to around 85 to 120 degrees Fare height during this exercise. The body sweats out toxins while the individual must focus his or her mind to stay focuses during the exercise. Those seeking stress relief, weight loss or who want to boost their immune system may turn to this form of yoga. Pregnant women are often discouraged from participating in hot yoga.
Restorative yoga allows the body to be completely at rest while assuming certain positions. Note that rest is different from sleep, however. To assume poses in this type of yoga, props are used. This may include pillows, blankets, blocks, chairs, walls, etc. The props hold the body in position during the pose. This form of yoga, as well as others, helps to trigger the parasympathetic nervous system (PNS). The PNS balances the body and brings it into equilibrium. Stimulating it may help to improve heart rate, blood pressure and stimulate the immune system and has positive effects on the endocrine system.
Restorative yoga helps many patients relax, which is why many turn to it when experiencing infertility or going through fertility treatment. This may be a troubling time in the lives of many experiencing infertility, so finding a way to relieve stress, anxiety and depression is often important. This form of yoga may help individuals achieve a more hormonally balanced body as well.
It is important that women who are pregnant inform the instructor that they are pregnant prior to beginning the class unless they are taking a class dedicated to pregnant women or those wishing to improve fertility. Women who are pregnant may be discouraged from assuming certain poses while pregnant such as those that require twisting, inversion, are stressful to the abdominal region or require balancing.
There are several types of yoga with each offering various benefits. Some practice what is referred to as hot yoga (Bikram yoga), which is designed to sweat out toxins while the individual assumes certain poses. The room temperature during hot yoga is increased to around 85 to 120 degrees Fare height during this exercise. The body sweats out toxins while the individual must focus his or her mind to stay focuses during the exercise. Those seeking stress relief, weight loss or who want to boost their immune system may turn to this form of yoga. Pregnant women are often discouraged from participating in hot yoga.
Restorative yoga allows the body to be completely at rest while assuming certain positions. Note that rest is different from sleep, however. To assume poses in this type of yoga, props are used. This may include pillows, blankets, blocks, chairs, walls, etc. The props hold the body in position during the pose. This form of yoga, as well as others, helps to trigger the parasympathetic nervous system (PNS). The PNS balances the body and brings it into equilibrium. Stimulating it may help to improve heart rate, blood pressure and stimulate the immune system and has positive effects on the endocrine system.
Restorative yoga helps many patients relax, which is why many turn to it when experiencing infertility or going through fertility treatment. This may be a troubling time in the lives of many experiencing infertility, so finding a way to relieve stress, anxiety and depression is often important. This form of yoga may help individuals achieve a more hormonally balanced body as well.
It is important that women who are pregnant inform the instructor that they are pregnant prior to beginning the class unless they are taking a class dedicated to pregnant women or those wishing to improve fertility. Women who are pregnant may be discouraged from assuming certain poses while pregnant such as those that require twisting, inversion, are stressful to the abdominal region or require balancing.
Yoga and the Economy
It is fall 2008. We have a new president-elect, the holiday season is in our presence, and snow is falling here on a beautifully thick gray day in Midwest America. Normally, based on these factors-being an especial lover of gray late-autumn days--I would say things are good.
But things are not good. We are riding a wave of a recession whose dark-lit story seems by experts' observations to be in its early chapters. We've all heard the fears, the fallout, the collapses, and the numbers, and we all expect to hear much more. Even if we generally dwell on the sunny side of the street, these are comparatively dark days.
Enter yoga and the economy. Yoga, the most economical of wellness systems ever created, can help humans through economic hard times. Now, more than ever when millions of people practice yoga worldwide, the power of steadfast yoga can help raise spirits and bring back a universal balance.
First, know that you are an economy in and of yourself. When a nation's economy is strong, the force of humans contained within it functions at a generally higher, smoother state than in a weaker economy. Likewise, when you are healthy in diet, exercise, and mind work (e.g., mental-emotional wellness exercises), you can be said to be a strong economy of one. These three broad realms of yoga practice and principle-diet, exercise, and mind work-are also the foundation of basic human wellness.
It is when one of these personal Big Three falters for you that it is time to take stock, make a plan, and take action. Even if you are eating well and exercising regularly these days but have more stress than you had before the economy started plummeting, you are at risk of personal economy downturn.
Consider the impact our nation's economic crisis, which threatens basic survival, has made on personal wellness. Retirement fund loss, heavy unemployment, and high anxiety of high prices at the store and the pump have touched our lives directly or indirectly, but most likely both. If you are worried about your retirement from 401K fallout or know someone who is, or if you are angry that your brother lost his job at GM or lost a job yourself, or if you are anxious that good, healthy food is so much more expensive than it used to be or worried how your community's much less fortunate are going to get enough food in the coming four weeks, this message is for you: Turn to yoga.
Turn to yoga. Or, if you are already a regular practitioner, turn to yoga more: more often, more intensely.
Yoga means unity. Just like the air you breathe, what happens to you happens to me. Your unemployed friend is your concern. Conversely, your efforts to keep yourself healthy in this recession can become your friend's hope. By keeping yourself up in these hard times, you help keep up the lives of those around you. This is yogic fact, or at least yogic modus operandi.
So use yoga's Big Three to get strong and stay strong. Be the government of your own economy. And don't give up on governance. Keep injecting your economy of one with yoga just like a government would inject its economy with recovery plans. Tap into the infinite resources within you to create a brighter day for you, for others.
But things are not good. We are riding a wave of a recession whose dark-lit story seems by experts' observations to be in its early chapters. We've all heard the fears, the fallout, the collapses, and the numbers, and we all expect to hear much more. Even if we generally dwell on the sunny side of the street, these are comparatively dark days.
Enter yoga and the economy. Yoga, the most economical of wellness systems ever created, can help humans through economic hard times. Now, more than ever when millions of people practice yoga worldwide, the power of steadfast yoga can help raise spirits and bring back a universal balance.
First, know that you are an economy in and of yourself. When a nation's economy is strong, the force of humans contained within it functions at a generally higher, smoother state than in a weaker economy. Likewise, when you are healthy in diet, exercise, and mind work (e.g., mental-emotional wellness exercises), you can be said to be a strong economy of one. These three broad realms of yoga practice and principle-diet, exercise, and mind work-are also the foundation of basic human wellness.
It is when one of these personal Big Three falters for you that it is time to take stock, make a plan, and take action. Even if you are eating well and exercising regularly these days but have more stress than you had before the economy started plummeting, you are at risk of personal economy downturn.
Consider the impact our nation's economic crisis, which threatens basic survival, has made on personal wellness. Retirement fund loss, heavy unemployment, and high anxiety of high prices at the store and the pump have touched our lives directly or indirectly, but most likely both. If you are worried about your retirement from 401K fallout or know someone who is, or if you are angry that your brother lost his job at GM or lost a job yourself, or if you are anxious that good, healthy food is so much more expensive than it used to be or worried how your community's much less fortunate are going to get enough food in the coming four weeks, this message is for you: Turn to yoga.
Turn to yoga. Or, if you are already a regular practitioner, turn to yoga more: more often, more intensely.
Yoga means unity. Just like the air you breathe, what happens to you happens to me. Your unemployed friend is your concern. Conversely, your efforts to keep yourself healthy in this recession can become your friend's hope. By keeping yourself up in these hard times, you help keep up the lives of those around you. This is yogic fact, or at least yogic modus operandi.
So use yoga's Big Three to get strong and stay strong. Be the government of your own economy. And don't give up on governance. Keep injecting your economy of one with yoga just like a government would inject its economy with recovery plans. Tap into the infinite resources within you to create a brighter day for you, for others.
The Many Forms Of Yoga
Mention yoga and many people assume it is a uniform practice. In truth, there many different forms of yoga that can be practiced and each has a different approach.
What are the many different forms of yoga? To grasp them, you will first have to understand that some forms of yoga are more popular than others. For the sake of this article, we will be discussing the most popular forms of yoga, so that you may find these types at a local fitness club in your area. Those yoga classes that you are likely to come across include: Hatha, Vinyasa, Ashtanga, Iyengar, and Bikram.
Let's start with the one that is gaining a lot of attention lately: Bikram. Bikram yoga is also known as "hot yoga," and since its inception people have been yearning to learn these exercises. This movement was first begun by Bikram Choudhury many years ago with the intent that it would become an intense form of yoga. Bikram is done in an extremely hot room (usually 95 to 100 degrees), which helps to loosen tight muscles. In addition, the high heat will cause a person to sweat profusely (sweating cleanses the body). Usually, this class will contain around 10 poses, though some contain all 26 poses. Another popular form of yoga is Hatha, and you are sure to find this one near you as well.
Hatha is really quite a generalized term. Hatha encompasses many different forms of yoga, though a Hatha course will usually move at a slow pace. In many ways, Hatha is the best introductory yoga course. Also, you will find that Vinyasa is another form of yoga that beginners will enjoy due to the breath-synchronized movements and slow poses. In great contract to Hatha and Vinyasa is Iyengar ... though this type of yoga is closer to its true roots. What are the different types of yoga poses involved in Iyengar?
Iyengar is really based upon bodily alignment. Those that practice this form of yoga do so in order to hold various poses for long periods of time. There are also many props that will be used in an Iyengar course (blankets, blocks, straps), and these courses are highly addictive. As you can see, there are many sorts of yoga that you can easily take part in.
What are the many different forms of yoga? To grasp them, you will first have to understand that some forms of yoga are more popular than others. For the sake of this article, we will be discussing the most popular forms of yoga, so that you may find these types at a local fitness club in your area. Those yoga classes that you are likely to come across include: Hatha, Vinyasa, Ashtanga, Iyengar, and Bikram.
Let's start with the one that is gaining a lot of attention lately: Bikram. Bikram yoga is also known as "hot yoga," and since its inception people have been yearning to learn these exercises. This movement was first begun by Bikram Choudhury many years ago with the intent that it would become an intense form of yoga. Bikram is done in an extremely hot room (usually 95 to 100 degrees), which helps to loosen tight muscles. In addition, the high heat will cause a person to sweat profusely (sweating cleanses the body). Usually, this class will contain around 10 poses, though some contain all 26 poses. Another popular form of yoga is Hatha, and you are sure to find this one near you as well.
Hatha is really quite a generalized term. Hatha encompasses many different forms of yoga, though a Hatha course will usually move at a slow pace. In many ways, Hatha is the best introductory yoga course. Also, you will find that Vinyasa is another form of yoga that beginners will enjoy due to the breath-synchronized movements and slow poses. In great contract to Hatha and Vinyasa is Iyengar ... though this type of yoga is closer to its true roots. What are the different types of yoga poses involved in Iyengar?
Iyengar is really based upon bodily alignment. Those that practice this form of yoga do so in order to hold various poses for long periods of time. There are also many props that will be used in an Iyengar course (blankets, blocks, straps), and these courses are highly addictive. As you can see, there are many sorts of yoga that you can easily take part in.
Should Christians Practice Yoga?
Relatively new to the list of controversial health topics is the practice of yoga by Christians. Though its Hindu origins are widely understood and agreed upon, the Christian community offers conflicting opinions about yoga's spiritual relevance in the United States today. Those who simply view yoga as an effective way to improve flexibility and reduce stress are met with criticism by those whose stance rings loud and clear: the practice of yoga is spiritually dangerous and should not be taken lightly.
In the West, yoga has introduced itself to the American people as a secular, neutral practice. Yoga is known to improve physical fitness, reduce stress and help relieve chronic pain. The flexibility achieved through yoga reduces a person's risk for injury and can even elongate a person's figure. "America's Next Top Model" winner Eva Pigford claims that she grew two inches after intense yoga training. The deep breathing techniques associated with yoga are also linked to efforts in smoking cessation and migraine relief.
Yoga comes from the Sanskrit term for "yoke" or "union." Historically, the practice aimed to produce an experience of union with Brahman, the impersonal god of Hinduism. Prana is the Hindu label for universal energy, which through yoga is concentrated from the air and distributed throughout the body through various breathing techniques. Through hatha yoga and tantric yoga, prana is allegedly transferred from one individual to another. In other forms of yoga, the pinnacle of enlightenment is called "Kundalini arousal." In Hindu mythology, Kundalini is the serpent goddess who rests at the base of the spine and when aroused, travels up the spine to activate prana. Many adept at manipulating this force are commonly referred to in the United States as shamans, witch doctors or psychics associated with the pagan or occult world.
But yoga's Eastern roots are not the sole cause for controversy. Many Christians in opposition to yoga share the same opposition to any energy healing practice that holds the pantheistic view that everything in the universe is divine. Therapies such as Reiki, Quantum-Touch and Chakra balancing fall into this category. If man is divine, man is his own god and can heal himself. This view removes the separation between God and man, which Christians call sin. Without sin, man would be in no need of Jesus Christ, the Savior. It is the Christian belief that only through God's son Jesus Christ can a man be reconciled to God. The conflict between yogic ideology and Christianity by now should be quite obvious.
Where does this leave Christians who want the physical benefits of yoga without the potentially dangerous spiritual ramifications? Laurette Willis, a well-known author and speaker in the Christian community, left "New Age" practices and developed a deep breathing and stretching program called PraiseMoves, which many have labeled "the Christian alternative to yoga." Improved flexibility can come from any general but comprehensive stretching program, or through classes in gymnastics or ballet. Christians who feel "strong enough in their faith" to practice yoga without succumbing to Eastern religious influence are encouraged to research instructors before they begin a program, and to fully understand which form of yoga the instructor is teaching.
No matter where a person falls on the spectrum of belief, personal motives should be addressed. What void does yoga fill? For some, yoga is only exercise. For others, stress relief. To the Christian opposed to yoga because of its connection to energy healing, yoga is blasphemous and profane. It is the Christian belief that God offered the free gift of salvation through his son Jesus Christ and through Him alone comes healing and true peace. Accepting the free and eternal gift of salvation may not improve your physical flexibility, but for many Christians, the peace found through Christ is all the stress relief and enlightenment they need.
In the West, yoga has introduced itself to the American people as a secular, neutral practice. Yoga is known to improve physical fitness, reduce stress and help relieve chronic pain. The flexibility achieved through yoga reduces a person's risk for injury and can even elongate a person's figure. "America's Next Top Model" winner Eva Pigford claims that she grew two inches after intense yoga training. The deep breathing techniques associated with yoga are also linked to efforts in smoking cessation and migraine relief.
Yoga comes from the Sanskrit term for "yoke" or "union." Historically, the practice aimed to produce an experience of union with Brahman, the impersonal god of Hinduism. Prana is the Hindu label for universal energy, which through yoga is concentrated from the air and distributed throughout the body through various breathing techniques. Through hatha yoga and tantric yoga, prana is allegedly transferred from one individual to another. In other forms of yoga, the pinnacle of enlightenment is called "Kundalini arousal." In Hindu mythology, Kundalini is the serpent goddess who rests at the base of the spine and when aroused, travels up the spine to activate prana. Many adept at manipulating this force are commonly referred to in the United States as shamans, witch doctors or psychics associated with the pagan or occult world.
But yoga's Eastern roots are not the sole cause for controversy. Many Christians in opposition to yoga share the same opposition to any energy healing practice that holds the pantheistic view that everything in the universe is divine. Therapies such as Reiki, Quantum-Touch and Chakra balancing fall into this category. If man is divine, man is his own god and can heal himself. This view removes the separation between God and man, which Christians call sin. Without sin, man would be in no need of Jesus Christ, the Savior. It is the Christian belief that only through God's son Jesus Christ can a man be reconciled to God. The conflict between yogic ideology and Christianity by now should be quite obvious.
Where does this leave Christians who want the physical benefits of yoga without the potentially dangerous spiritual ramifications? Laurette Willis, a well-known author and speaker in the Christian community, left "New Age" practices and developed a deep breathing and stretching program called PraiseMoves, which many have labeled "the Christian alternative to yoga." Improved flexibility can come from any general but comprehensive stretching program, or through classes in gymnastics or ballet. Christians who feel "strong enough in their faith" to practice yoga without succumbing to Eastern religious influence are encouraged to research instructors before they begin a program, and to fully understand which form of yoga the instructor is teaching.
No matter where a person falls on the spectrum of belief, personal motives should be addressed. What void does yoga fill? For some, yoga is only exercise. For others, stress relief. To the Christian opposed to yoga because of its connection to energy healing, yoga is blasphemous and profane. It is the Christian belief that God offered the free gift of salvation through his son Jesus Christ and through Him alone comes healing and true peace. Accepting the free and eternal gift of salvation may not improve your physical flexibility, but for many Christians, the peace found through Christ is all the stress relief and enlightenment they need.
Yoga: Instant 10-minute Yoga - New Form of Yoga
Yoga began in India 3,000 to 4,000 years ago. The word yoga comes from the Sanskrit language and means, to join or integrate, or simply union. Yoga started, as far as we know, as part of India's philosophical system, but not everyone practiced yoga, and it has never been a religion.
About 5 million people in the United States do some yoga. Dance and stretching exercise classes usually have parts and pieces that come directly from yoga. If you ever go to a physical therapist, he or she may give you therapeutic exercises that are yoga postures.
There are several types of yoga. The yoga you may have seen on TV or taught at your local Y or an adult education class is called hatha yoga, or physical yoga. Sometimes it's known as the yoga for health. You may also find yoga being taught in a hospital or medical setting. Many health professionals today feel yoga can be part of a treatment plan.
Hatha yoga has three parts: a series of exercises or movements called asana (poses or postures in English), breathing techniques of all kinds, and relaxation.
Do you drag yourself out of bed on Monday mornings, exhausted before you've even begun the week. Or maybe you can't enjoy your evenings, because work drains you of every ounce of energy.
Don't worry, you can boost your energy levels and balance your body with a new form of yoga - dynamic yoga.
Its simplicity and almost instantaneous benefits have made it one of the most fashionable alternative exercises of the new Millennium. Normally known for its relaxation benefits, dynamic yoga can boost your energy levels in just 10 minutes.
It includes some of the most basic yoga postures. You can try each of them individually, or in succession, but none of them should be rushed. However, you should feel the benefits after just ten minutes.
The deep stretches and graceful movements help to unblock energy, improve muscle tone and increase your general stamina. When practised regularly, say enthusiasts, you will experience improved energy levels, greater sexual vitality and better self-discipline. In the long-term, the breathing and body exercises will help detoxify your mind of tension and strain
, creating calm and an inner peace.
About 5 million people in the United States do some yoga. Dance and stretching exercise classes usually have parts and pieces that come directly from yoga. If you ever go to a physical therapist, he or she may give you therapeutic exercises that are yoga postures.
There are several types of yoga. The yoga you may have seen on TV or taught at your local Y or an adult education class is called hatha yoga, or physical yoga. Sometimes it's known as the yoga for health. You may also find yoga being taught in a hospital or medical setting. Many health professionals today feel yoga can be part of a treatment plan.
Hatha yoga has three parts: a series of exercises or movements called asana (poses or postures in English), breathing techniques of all kinds, and relaxation.
Do you drag yourself out of bed on Monday mornings, exhausted before you've even begun the week. Or maybe you can't enjoy your evenings, because work drains you of every ounce of energy.
Don't worry, you can boost your energy levels and balance your body with a new form of yoga - dynamic yoga.
Its simplicity and almost instantaneous benefits have made it one of the most fashionable alternative exercises of the new Millennium. Normally known for its relaxation benefits, dynamic yoga can boost your energy levels in just 10 minutes.
It includes some of the most basic yoga postures. You can try each of them individually, or in succession, but none of them should be rushed. However, you should feel the benefits after just ten minutes.
The deep stretches and graceful movements help to unblock energy, improve muscle tone and increase your general stamina. When practised regularly, say enthusiasts, you will experience improved energy levels, greater sexual vitality and better self-discipline. In the long-term, the breathing and body exercises will help detoxify your mind of tension and strain
, creating calm and an inner peace.
Power Yoga
When people hear the word yoga, they immediately think, “serene”, “gentle”, and “calm.” Indeed, yoga is perhaps one of the most solemn forms of exercise there is. Most practitioners do it for the mental benefits as much as the physical advantages it provides. For yogis that want to take it to the next level, there is the more intense and dynamic Power Yoga. Power Yoga routines are more vigorous than traditional ones. They have a faster pace of movement and a freestyle quality to them. It was the introduction of Power Yoga in the United States that spurred the popularity of yoga in the first place. Because of this variation’s emphasis on fitness, more people began to incorporate yoga routines into their exercise regimens.
Doing Power Yoga increases the strength of the body. An amazing amount of muscle control and endurance is involved because poses are held longer. The shifting between poses is seamless, so flexibility is developed as well. In addition, Power Yoga promotes overall physical fitness, as it encourages better circulation and clears out toxins from the body.
Power Yoga is also said to have natural healing properties, especially for a person’s mental health. Despite the rigorous nature of the exercise, a high level of concentration is required of the people who practice it. Power Yoga is considered a form of trance exercise because people have to be aware of every movement of their body. Similar to conventional yoga routines, Power Yoga movements lessen stress and anxiety levels for people who do it.
Source: http://www.amazines.com/
Doing Power Yoga increases the strength of the body. An amazing amount of muscle control and endurance is involved because poses are held longer. The shifting between poses is seamless, so flexibility is developed as well. In addition, Power Yoga promotes overall physical fitness, as it encourages better circulation and clears out toxins from the body.
Power Yoga is also said to have natural healing properties, especially for a person’s mental health. Despite the rigorous nature of the exercise, a high level of concentration is required of the people who practice it. Power Yoga is considered a form of trance exercise because people have to be aware of every movement of their body. Similar to conventional yoga routines, Power Yoga movements lessen stress and anxiety levels for people who do it.
These natural healing benefits are helpful for people with different disorders and diseases, such as asthma, bronchitis, insomnia, and hypertension. Power Yoga is also a viable weight-loss tool, as the high level of activity involved in the exercise allows people to burn calories faster. In addition, this form of yoga also promotes self-discipline; a trait that every weight watcher has to learn and practice.
Like most alternative health practices, Power Yoga is most beneficial when done in tandem with traditional medical techniques. Also, a Power Yoga practitioner must make the right lifestyle choices in order to maximize the natural healing capacity of the exercise.Source: http://www.amazines.com/
Yoga's Many Health Benefits
Yoga and its Benefits
You're never too young or too old to reap the health benefits of yoga. Find out how all types of yoga can improve your health.
Yoga, the Sanskrit word for "union", is a practice that uses posture and breathing techniques to induce relaxation and improve strength, and its health benefits may surpass those of any other activity. Whether you practice yoga to relax, stretch, breathe, meditate, or simply because it's in fashion, you may not realize the numerous health benefits of yoga. And while there are many different kinds of yoga, ranging from the more gentle hatha yoga to the more strenuous, like Bikram yoga (which is performed in a 105°F room) or power yoga, every form of yoga improves your health from head to toe. Here are some of yoga's many health benefits.Benefits of Yoga to Your Bones, Muscles, and Joints
- The physical benefits of yoga are myriad. Yoga keeps your body strong, as it involves all the muscles in your body to hold and balance yoga asanas (poses). The various yoga postures strengthen your feet, legs, hands, abdominals, lower back, legs, and shoulders.
- Yoga's stretching and breathing exercises improve your flexibility, helping joints, tendons, and muscles stay limber. People suffering from osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis will see a noticeable improvement in their stiffness, pain, and other arthritic symptoms by practicing yoga poses and postures.
- Yoga improves your endurance, especially the more athletic forms of yoga such as ashtanga yoga, power yoga, vinyasa yoga, and Bikram yoga. These rigorous yoga practices follow a specific sequence of poses (asanas) that become more challenging as you progress. Unlike the more gentle hatha yoga, the forms of ashtagna yoga, power yoga, vinyasa yoga, and Bikram yoga require you to keep your body in constant motion between poses, resulting in a strenuous cardiovascular workout and improved core strength.
- Hatha yoga can relieve chronic back and neck pain, since the poses and postures gently stretch and strengthen your back and neck muscles.
- Yoga is often prescribed to help heal various injuries, including repetitive strain injuries, knee and back injuries, pulled hamstrings, even minor skin burns. Of course, you should consult your physician before using yoga as a treatment for any injury!
- Yoga is an excellent weight-bearing exercise that can improve your bone density. This is particularly beneficial for women approaching menopause, since yoga can help ward off osteoporosis, or thinning of the bone.
Benefits of Yoga to the Cardiovascular System
Yoga has tremendous health benefits for your heart. Most notably:- The gentler forms of yoga lower your blood pressure because the asanas (yoga poses, postures, and yoga positions) keep blood flowing evenly throughout your body while you focus on your breathing.
- People suffering from hypertension can benefit from yoga tremendously, as hatha yoga can lower your heart rate and blood pressure.
- Many practitioners claim that yoga has also lowered their cholesterol.
- Power yoga is an excellent form of cardio conditioning, which strengthens core muscles while it keeps blood and oxygen circulating throughout your body.
Benefits of Yoga on Mental Health
- Yoga benefits anyone's mental health by helping him or her relax, and it is an effective form of psychological therapy. Yoga reduces anxiety and stress, resulting in better health, better mood, and better concentration throughout the day. Yoga has been used to help treat a wide variety of emotional and mental disorders, including acute anxiety, depression, and mood swings.
- Even children can benefit from yoga. Those with attention deficit disorder and hyperactivity can learn to relax and get control by using yoga breathing and yoga asanas.
- Because yoga is a form of meditation, it results in a sense of inner peace and purpose, which has far-reaching health benefits.
- Yoga has been used to help heal victims of torture or other trauma.
Benefits of Yoga on Other Health Conditions
- Do you have frequent headaches? Yoga can rid you of tension headaches and migraines because yoga circulates blood and oxygen to your head, which can often prevent headaches from starting.
- A regular yoga practice helps boost antioxidants throughout your body, resulting in a stronger immune system and improved ability to heal quickly from disease or injury.
- Yoga can help you lose weight and maintain a healthy weight throughout your life. Power yoga is a vigorous form of yoga that burns calories, resulting in weight loss.
- Many women going through menopause report an easing of symptoms when they begin practicing yoga.
Benefits of Yoga in Everyday Life
- Yoga can help cure insomnia, as regular yoga practice leads to better and deeper sleep.
- Yoga can help fight fatigue and maintain your energy throughout the day.
- Yoga is an effective treatment for a variety of autoimmune diseases because it can reduce the symptoms these diseases often cause, such as stiffness, malaise, fatigue, and weakness.
http://www.yogawiz.com/
Yoga Central – Intense Side Stretch Pose
This is the latest article in our yoga central series and today we will be looking at a pose known as intense side stretch pose or Parsvottanasana. We will look at how to properly carry out the pose, the benefits you can get from it and anything that you need to consider before beginning. Please read the entire article before trying the pose.
The Asana
We have put together instructions on how to carry out the pose correctly however there are also a number of modifications that can be done to make the pose easier as well as deeper. These modifications will be found lower in the article.
1. Begin the pose by standing in mountain pose. As you exhale step your feet apart so that they are around a metre apart. Place you hands on your hips and turn your right foot 90 degrees to the right so that it is pointing out. At the same time also turn your left foot to the right, about 45 degrees. Make sure the heels of both your feet are lined up and as you exhale turn the right thigh out so the centre of the right knee cap is in line with the right ankle.
2. Now exhale and turn the body towards the right and at the same time square the pelvis with the front of your mat. As the left side of the hip turns you will need to press down with your left leg to keep the left heel grounded. Also press the thighs inwards as if you are holding a block between them. Press your shoulder blades against your back, lengthen the body and slightly arch your upper back.
3. As you exhale bend the body forward from the groins until it is parallel with the floor. Place your finger tips on the floor. If you cannot do this then rest your hands on blocks either side of your right leg. Press the thighs back and lengthen the body forward.
4. In this pose the front-leg hip tends to lift up toward the shoulder and swing out to the side, which shortens the front-leg side. Make sure your soften this hip towards the floor and away from the shoulder.
5. Hold this pose for a short time with the body and head parallel to the floor. Then if you can bring the body closer to the right leg. However don’t bend from the waist to get this lowering. As you gain experience you will get more flexible and be able to rest the body on the right leg. Hold the pose for 15 to 30 seconds then come back to the middle with an inhalation and repeat for the other side.
Tips and Precautions
If you are suffering from any back problems or you have high blood pressure then you should avoid the forward bend in this pose. You can go through steps 1 and 2 as above buy make sure your practise it near a wall. Then when you bend forward parallel to the floor you should place your hands on the wall and press against it.
To really get the maximum out of this pose when you have lowered the torso you can place your hands together behind your back. However if you find this difficult at first you can cross your arms behind your back and hold each elbow with the opposite hand.
Benefits and Focus
There are a large number of benefits to this pose and they include the fact that it can calm the brain as well as stretching out the spine, shoulders, wrists, hips and hamstrings. This pose will also strengthen the legs and stimulate the abdominal organs. Practising this pose will help to improve your posture and your balance as well as aiding your digestion. Therapeutically it can be beneficial for people with flat feet.
Source: http://www.articlecity.com/
The Asana
We have put together instructions on how to carry out the pose correctly however there are also a number of modifications that can be done to make the pose easier as well as deeper. These modifications will be found lower in the article.
1. Begin the pose by standing in mountain pose. As you exhale step your feet apart so that they are around a metre apart. Place you hands on your hips and turn your right foot 90 degrees to the right so that it is pointing out. At the same time also turn your left foot to the right, about 45 degrees. Make sure the heels of both your feet are lined up and as you exhale turn the right thigh out so the centre of the right knee cap is in line with the right ankle.
2. Now exhale and turn the body towards the right and at the same time square the pelvis with the front of your mat. As the left side of the hip turns you will need to press down with your left leg to keep the left heel grounded. Also press the thighs inwards as if you are holding a block between them. Press your shoulder blades against your back, lengthen the body and slightly arch your upper back.
3. As you exhale bend the body forward from the groins until it is parallel with the floor. Place your finger tips on the floor. If you cannot do this then rest your hands on blocks either side of your right leg. Press the thighs back and lengthen the body forward.
4. In this pose the front-leg hip tends to lift up toward the shoulder and swing out to the side, which shortens the front-leg side. Make sure your soften this hip towards the floor and away from the shoulder.
5. Hold this pose for a short time with the body and head parallel to the floor. Then if you can bring the body closer to the right leg. However don’t bend from the waist to get this lowering. As you gain experience you will get more flexible and be able to rest the body on the right leg. Hold the pose for 15 to 30 seconds then come back to the middle with an inhalation and repeat for the other side.
Tips and Precautions
If you are suffering from any back problems or you have high blood pressure then you should avoid the forward bend in this pose. You can go through steps 1 and 2 as above buy make sure your practise it near a wall. Then when you bend forward parallel to the floor you should place your hands on the wall and press against it.
To really get the maximum out of this pose when you have lowered the torso you can place your hands together behind your back. However if you find this difficult at first you can cross your arms behind your back and hold each elbow with the opposite hand.
Benefits and Focus
There are a large number of benefits to this pose and they include the fact that it can calm the brain as well as stretching out the spine, shoulders, wrists, hips and hamstrings. This pose will also strengthen the legs and stimulate the abdominal organs. Practising this pose will help to improve your posture and your balance as well as aiding your digestion. Therapeutically it can be beneficial for people with flat feet.
Source: http://www.articlecity.com/
Patanjali Yoga Sutra - Strategy To Explain The Basic Teachings Of Yoga
Patanjali Yoga is the experience of control and calm persistence of thought in the mind with consciousness raised. Consciousness is a reflection of the true soul in your mind. Consciousness is life in the universe of pure subtle where it meets your selfishness in your physical life. Your mind is impure, like Looking Glass, which reflects the thoughts of selfishness updated with information from the senses of sight, smell, taste and hearing. Your selfishness is impure consciousness.
Pure Soul can not be tested before having a clear conscience. You can not experience consciousness, until you are free of all selfishness. You can not free from selfishness, until your selfishness is free from memory, thoughts in mind. You can not free from the memory of thoughts in mind, until you pacify the memory of thoughts in mind.
Memory thoughts in mind can not be at peace until you become free of negative thoughts and violent. You can not get rid of negative thoughts and violent, until you cleanse your karma actions. Basic Teachings of Patanjali Yoga Sutra start with self-regulation through practice not to be violent, do not be dishonest, not to commit any act of corruption, not to be immoral and not be greedy. Basic Teachings of Patanjali Yoga Sutra also call the practice of moral satisfaction with the thoughts and feelings of control, self-learning and devotion to the creative source.
Patanjali Yoga Sutra accepts you as you are. It does not interfere in your area or any belief lifestyle. It changes from your heart and not from your physical lifestyle. Basic teachings of yoga are prolonged action your source into eight stages. It forbade not doing anything, not accepted and understood in your thinking mind. It requires much patience and practice and faith in it. I practiced for 10 years dedicated to more than 10 hours per day to reach eighth stage of Samadhi. I did not know that my experience of Samadhi is real or mere perception in mind.
I will try to share my experience of happiness in Samadhi, in another article at this website. Different people have different experience according to his destiny. The stage of Samadhi experience does not come to work, but as his blessing.
In first step, Patanjali Yoga is the way to the experience of his actions as good effects that it has reached today. And self-regulation through practice not to be violent, do not be dishonest, not to commit any act of corruption, not immoral and not be greedy. To remain conscious on this self-regulation is enough. Patanjali Yoga Sutra calls these basic teachings of Yamas. It helps to pacify the negative thoughts and increasing positive thoughts. These physical actions becomes tasteless itself, the perfection of the practice yamas.
In the second step, Patanjali Yoga Sutra is the average experience of his actions as good effects it has with the health body and mind. It involves the practice of moral values such as purity in thoughts, contentment in thoughts and feelings of control, self-learning and dedication to the creative source. Patanjali Yoga Sutra calls this teaching basic Niyama. It helps to dispel the sense of control, thoughts and increasing positive thoughts. These actions become natural impulse itself, the perfection of the practice of Niyama.
In the third step, Patanjali Yoga is a way to directly experience the physical and practice to control his movements in a fixed position. It helps keep body and mind healthy. It helps to understand the context of the spirit world through the living body.
In the fourth step, Patanjali Yoga is the experience of breath and out and the practice of listening to its sounds. It helps to understand the physical and mental life absolute.
Fifth step, Patanjali Yoga is a means of direct experience to take his body, senses and thoughts on a desired object and the practice of listening to its sounds.
In the sixth step, Patanjali Yoga is a means of direct experience to take his body, senses and thoughts on some vital practice and listen to its sounds. It contributes to the experience of control of thought and conscience.
In the seventh step, Patanjali Yoga is a means of direct experience with its subtle selfishness of his life and practice to become aware of it.
Eighth step, Patanjali Yoga is a means of direct experience in the conscience and practice to be confused with a soul.
Source: http://www.articlecity.com/
Pure Soul can not be tested before having a clear conscience. You can not experience consciousness, until you are free of all selfishness. You can not free from selfishness, until your selfishness is free from memory, thoughts in mind. You can not free from the memory of thoughts in mind, until you pacify the memory of thoughts in mind.
Memory thoughts in mind can not be at peace until you become free of negative thoughts and violent. You can not get rid of negative thoughts and violent, until you cleanse your karma actions. Basic Teachings of Patanjali Yoga Sutra start with self-regulation through practice not to be violent, do not be dishonest, not to commit any act of corruption, not to be immoral and not be greedy. Basic Teachings of Patanjali Yoga Sutra also call the practice of moral satisfaction with the thoughts and feelings of control, self-learning and devotion to the creative source.
Patanjali Yoga Sutra accepts you as you are. It does not interfere in your area or any belief lifestyle. It changes from your heart and not from your physical lifestyle. Basic teachings of yoga are prolonged action your source into eight stages. It forbade not doing anything, not accepted and understood in your thinking mind. It requires much patience and practice and faith in it. I practiced for 10 years dedicated to more than 10 hours per day to reach eighth stage of Samadhi. I did not know that my experience of Samadhi is real or mere perception in mind.
I will try to share my experience of happiness in Samadhi, in another article at this website. Different people have different experience according to his destiny. The stage of Samadhi experience does not come to work, but as his blessing.
In first step, Patanjali Yoga is the way to the experience of his actions as good effects that it has reached today. And self-regulation through practice not to be violent, do not be dishonest, not to commit any act of corruption, not immoral and not be greedy. To remain conscious on this self-regulation is enough. Patanjali Yoga Sutra calls these basic teachings of Yamas. It helps to pacify the negative thoughts and increasing positive thoughts. These physical actions becomes tasteless itself, the perfection of the practice yamas.
In the second step, Patanjali Yoga Sutra is the average experience of his actions as good effects it has with the health body and mind. It involves the practice of moral values such as purity in thoughts, contentment in thoughts and feelings of control, self-learning and dedication to the creative source. Patanjali Yoga Sutra calls this teaching basic Niyama. It helps to dispel the sense of control, thoughts and increasing positive thoughts. These actions become natural impulse itself, the perfection of the practice of Niyama.
In the third step, Patanjali Yoga is a way to directly experience the physical and practice to control his movements in a fixed position. It helps keep body and mind healthy. It helps to understand the context of the spirit world through the living body.
In the fourth step, Patanjali Yoga is the experience of breath and out and the practice of listening to its sounds. It helps to understand the physical and mental life absolute.
Fifth step, Patanjali Yoga is a means of direct experience to take his body, senses and thoughts on a desired object and the practice of listening to its sounds.
In the sixth step, Patanjali Yoga is a means of direct experience to take his body, senses and thoughts on some vital practice and listen to its sounds. It contributes to the experience of control of thought and conscience.
In the seventh step, Patanjali Yoga is a means of direct experience with its subtle selfishness of his life and practice to become aware of it.
Eighth step, Patanjali Yoga is a means of direct experience in the conscience and practice to be confused with a soul.
Source: http://www.articlecity.com/
So Many Different Yoga Styles, But Which One Is Right For You?
You might be surprised to learn that there isn't one style of yoga practice so you'll need to learn some more about the different styles in order to decide which one is right for you. In this article we'll take a closer look at four practice styles: hatha yoga, vinyasa, ashtanga and power yoga to help you on the way to your decision.
1. Hatha yoga
Hatha yoga is often used interchangeably with the word yoga and classes are usually slow-paced involving stretching, some simple breathing exercises and some seated meditations. If you are a beginner then this is a good place to start so that you can spend time learning the basic techniques.
If you are looking for a calming and relaxing experience then hatha yoga is probably right for you. If you'd prefer something more energetic then you should consider vinyasa instead.
2. Vinyasa
Vinyasa means breath-synchonised movement and in these classes the teacher will ask you to move from one pose to another in time with your breath. The poses all flow together in a fluid movement.
Vinyasa classes offer a lot of variety due to the vast number of poses, although most will include the Sun Salutations. The speed of the movements is very much dictated by the teacher, so if you find that a class is too fast for you look for a different teacher. In order to appreciate vinyasa you need to have a teacher that you are comfortable with as their style will shape the class, keep looking until you find someone you connect with.
3. Ashtanga
Ashtanga is a series of poses which realign the spine, detoxify the body and build strength, stamina and flexibility. There are 75 poses in all and they can take anywhere between an hour and a half to two hours to complete. You start with sun salutations and then move to standing poses, seated poses, inversions and backbends before finishing with relaxation.
You can learn ashtanga at a teacher-led class, and then when you are happy with the order of the poses you can either practice on your own or in a mysore class where you practice at your own pace but have a teacher for guidance.
Ashtanga is a very athletic form of practice and is very popular. If you like a sense of order then this style will appeal to you.
4. Power yoga
Power yoga is often used to describe vigorous, fitness-style classes, which are based on ashtanga but don't follow the same series of poses each time. The classes focus on strength and flexibility and are popular in gyms and health clubs.
If you already quite fit and enjoy exercise rather than meditation then this style of yoga may appeal to you.
There are many different styles of yoga practice from the slow meditative style of hatha yoga through to the structured approach of ashtanga and the vigorous but often changing power yoga. Start out with a class suitable for beginners to that you can learn the poses and then move onto the style of yoga that suits you best in order to benefit from this wonderful form of exercise.
Source: http://www.articlecity.com/
1. Hatha yoga
Hatha yoga is often used interchangeably with the word yoga and classes are usually slow-paced involving stretching, some simple breathing exercises and some seated meditations. If you are a beginner then this is a good place to start so that you can spend time learning the basic techniques.
If you are looking for a calming and relaxing experience then hatha yoga is probably right for you. If you'd prefer something more energetic then you should consider vinyasa instead.
2. Vinyasa
Vinyasa means breath-synchonised movement and in these classes the teacher will ask you to move from one pose to another in time with your breath. The poses all flow together in a fluid movement.
Vinyasa classes offer a lot of variety due to the vast number of poses, although most will include the Sun Salutations. The speed of the movements is very much dictated by the teacher, so if you find that a class is too fast for you look for a different teacher. In order to appreciate vinyasa you need to have a teacher that you are comfortable with as their style will shape the class, keep looking until you find someone you connect with.
3. Ashtanga
Ashtanga is a series of poses which realign the spine, detoxify the body and build strength, stamina and flexibility. There are 75 poses in all and they can take anywhere between an hour and a half to two hours to complete. You start with sun salutations and then move to standing poses, seated poses, inversions and backbends before finishing with relaxation.
You can learn ashtanga at a teacher-led class, and then when you are happy with the order of the poses you can either practice on your own or in a mysore class where you practice at your own pace but have a teacher for guidance.
Ashtanga is a very athletic form of practice and is very popular. If you like a sense of order then this style will appeal to you.
4. Power yoga
Power yoga is often used to describe vigorous, fitness-style classes, which are based on ashtanga but don't follow the same series of poses each time. The classes focus on strength and flexibility and are popular in gyms and health clubs.
If you already quite fit and enjoy exercise rather than meditation then this style of yoga may appeal to you.
There are many different styles of yoga practice from the slow meditative style of hatha yoga through to the structured approach of ashtanga and the vigorous but often changing power yoga. Start out with a class suitable for beginners to that you can learn the poses and then move onto the style of yoga that suits you best in order to benefit from this wonderful form of exercise.
Source: http://www.articlecity.com/
How 30 Minutes Of Yoga Each Day Can Have A Positive Impact On Your Life
Yoga is one of the world's most ancient forms of exercise and it carries a certain air of mysticism about it. You might be put off by some of the shapes and poses and think that yoga is far too complex for you to master. But yoga doesn't have to be that difficult and even the basic postures and poses can have immense benefits.
In this article I'll talk about just four of the benefits that yoga has to offer. We'll look at why yoga is a great form of exercise, how it can improve your concentration, how it can help you fight certain illnesses and finally how it can make you feel enlightened.
1. Yoga is a great form of exercise
You probably think of exercise as running or aerobics; something that gets your heart rate up and makes you sweat. Yoga does that too. You might not believe it but the combination of breathing techniques with moving between postures can burn fat while increasing muscle tone, strength, stamina and flexibility.
If you follow the guidance correctly yoga is a safe exercise for people of all shapes, sizes and ages and can even be beneficial during pregnancy.
2. Yoga can help you fight illnesses
Yoga postures can help you improve your circulation. In order for your organs to function properly they need to be exercised and yoga can help you do this. By stimulating your immune system you can give your body the defenses it needs to fight illness and keep you fit and healthy.
Yoga has also been proven to help you control illnesses such as arthritis, blood pressure, back pain, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy and many more.
3. Yoga can help you to relax
In our busy lives we often rush from one activity to another and forget to take time for ourselves. A yoga session can help to create a sense of calm and well being and this in turn will make you feel more relaxed and less stressed. You'll have time to yourself to focus on you and to forget your responsibilities.
One side effect of yoga is enhanced creativity and improved concentration. If you think that you are too busy to set aside half an hour for a yoga session then you should give it a try. You'll be even more productive afterwards and will achieve more in less time.
4. Yoga can lead to enlightenment
Many people believe that yoga helps them feel enlightened and that it affects them at a spiritual level. It affects people in different ways but you should see benefits whether they are physical, spiritual or emotional.
Regular yoga practice will offer you so many benefits, from making you feel fitter and healthier, to building up your immune system and from improving your concentration to improving your emotional and mental state. Take action today by enrolling in a yoga class or buying a yoga DVD; set aside just 30 minutes each day to focus on you and reap the positive benefits tomorrow.
Source: http://www.articlecity.com/
In this article I'll talk about just four of the benefits that yoga has to offer. We'll look at why yoga is a great form of exercise, how it can improve your concentration, how it can help you fight certain illnesses and finally how it can make you feel enlightened.
1. Yoga is a great form of exercise
You probably think of exercise as running or aerobics; something that gets your heart rate up and makes you sweat. Yoga does that too. You might not believe it but the combination of breathing techniques with moving between postures can burn fat while increasing muscle tone, strength, stamina and flexibility.
If you follow the guidance correctly yoga is a safe exercise for people of all shapes, sizes and ages and can even be beneficial during pregnancy.
2. Yoga can help you fight illnesses
Yoga postures can help you improve your circulation. In order for your organs to function properly they need to be exercised and yoga can help you do this. By stimulating your immune system you can give your body the defenses it needs to fight illness and keep you fit and healthy.
Yoga has also been proven to help you control illnesses such as arthritis, blood pressure, back pain, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy and many more.
3. Yoga can help you to relax
In our busy lives we often rush from one activity to another and forget to take time for ourselves. A yoga session can help to create a sense of calm and well being and this in turn will make you feel more relaxed and less stressed. You'll have time to yourself to focus on you and to forget your responsibilities.
One side effect of yoga is enhanced creativity and improved concentration. If you think that you are too busy to set aside half an hour for a yoga session then you should give it a try. You'll be even more productive afterwards and will achieve more in less time.
4. Yoga can lead to enlightenment
Many people believe that yoga helps them feel enlightened and that it affects them at a spiritual level. It affects people in different ways but you should see benefits whether they are physical, spiritual or emotional.
Regular yoga practice will offer you so many benefits, from making you feel fitter and healthier, to building up your immune system and from improving your concentration to improving your emotional and mental state. Take action today by enrolling in a yoga class or buying a yoga DVD; set aside just 30 minutes each day to focus on you and reap the positive benefits tomorrow.
Source: http://www.articlecity.com/
Beginners Yoga: Tips On How To Dominate Tension
Stemming from India's complex spiritual traditions, yoga has the reputation of unifying body, mind and spirit. However, today, many people choose it for non-religious reasons. It is an exercise regimen that is gentle enough for almost anyone.
The term is a derivation of a Sanskrit word that means union. In its more common usage, the term refers to the poses or asanas that are one of the means to achieving a sense of well being. The poses combine stretching with controlled breathing. There may also be meditative segments and guided imagery.
The best approach is to establish a consistent schedule of practice. Though most people think of yoga as involving extreme poses, variations are available so beginners who are not fit or flexible can still participate. All one needs is a mat, some comfortable clothing, and a teacher. Many options are available. These range from classes at community centers to events at yoga studios
It may take some experimenting to find the class that best suits one's body because they vary in intensity. A good place to start is in Hatha classes where the poses are simpler and the pace slower.
People who suffer from asthma or PMS may find relief through yoga. Stress reduction is another problem that can be addressed through practicing the asanas. One reason is that the required breath control takes focus. The mind is forced to relinquish its attachment to other thoughts. The body becomes relaxed and positive energy returns.
Here is one asana anyone can try now as long as the back is healthy. It is called the cat pose. It increases familiarity with the body's center and helps with coordinating movement and breathing. Begin on all fours, preferably on a padded surface so that there will be less pressure on the knees. Make sure the hands are straight down from the shoulders and the knees are straight down from the hips. Rock forward and back gently to find the place where the spine is straight and the body is balanced. Inhale. On the exhale, pull the abdominal muscles up and curve the spine. Drop the head so there is a single semi-circular line running from the base of the spine to the top of the head. Inhale and release the pose.
Though yoga requires consistent and serious effort, the rewards for perseverance are great. Not only does the body become stronger, the mind also gains strength and a sense of calm.
Source: http://www.articlecity.com/
The term is a derivation of a Sanskrit word that means union. In its more common usage, the term refers to the poses or asanas that are one of the means to achieving a sense of well being. The poses combine stretching with controlled breathing. There may also be meditative segments and guided imagery.
The best approach is to establish a consistent schedule of practice. Though most people think of yoga as involving extreme poses, variations are available so beginners who are not fit or flexible can still participate. All one needs is a mat, some comfortable clothing, and a teacher. Many options are available. These range from classes at community centers to events at yoga studios
It may take some experimenting to find the class that best suits one's body because they vary in intensity. A good place to start is in Hatha classes where the poses are simpler and the pace slower.
People who suffer from asthma or PMS may find relief through yoga. Stress reduction is another problem that can be addressed through practicing the asanas. One reason is that the required breath control takes focus. The mind is forced to relinquish its attachment to other thoughts. The body becomes relaxed and positive energy returns.
Here is one asana anyone can try now as long as the back is healthy. It is called the cat pose. It increases familiarity with the body's center and helps with coordinating movement and breathing. Begin on all fours, preferably on a padded surface so that there will be less pressure on the knees. Make sure the hands are straight down from the shoulders and the knees are straight down from the hips. Rock forward and back gently to find the place where the spine is straight and the body is balanced. Inhale. On the exhale, pull the abdominal muscles up and curve the spine. Drop the head so there is a single semi-circular line running from the base of the spine to the top of the head. Inhale and release the pose.
Though yoga requires consistent and serious effort, the rewards for perseverance are great. Not only does the body become stronger, the mind also gains strength and a sense of calm.
Source: http://www.articlecity.com/
Laughter Yoga
The brainchild of Dr. Madan Kataria, a Physician from Mumbai, India, launched the first Laughter Club at a Park on March 13, 1995, with merely a handful of persons. Today, it has become a worldwide phenomenon with more than 6000 Social Laughter Clubs in about 60 countries.
Laughter Yoga combines Unconditional Laughter with Yogic Breathing (Pranayama).
Mission - World Peace
The goal of Laughter Yoga is to bring good health, joy and world peace through Laughter. Laughter is universal with no language and cultural barriers. Laughter Yoga Clubs are fast growing into a worldwide community of like-minded people who believe in unconditional Love, Laughter and Fellowship. Every first Sunday of May is celebrated as World Laughter Day. In the year 2000, nearly 10,000 people laughed together in Copenhagen, Denmark to set a Guinness Book Record.
Participants of Laughter Yoga report significant general health improvements. Many have felt a reduction in the frequency of respiratory infections like common cold and flu, and some others reported overcoming depression, relief/cure from chronic medical problems. With people's committed participation, Laughter Yoga has helped many people become healthier.
The concept is gaining popularity in companies and corporations in India, Denmark, US and many other countries. It is a powerful force for improving staff performance at the workplace. This was recently confirmed by studies in India and the USA, that showed a substantial stress reduction and enhanced productivity by the staff after just three weeks of Laughter Sessions.
Laughter Yoga combines Unconditional Laughter with Yogic Breathing (Pranayama).
Mission - World Peace
The goal of Laughter Yoga is to bring good health, joy and world peace through Laughter. Laughter is universal with no language and cultural barriers. Laughter Yoga Clubs are fast growing into a worldwide community of like-minded people who believe in unconditional Love, Laughter and Fellowship. Every first Sunday of May is celebrated as World Laughter Day. In the year 2000, nearly 10,000 people laughed together in Copenhagen, Denmark to set a Guinness Book Record.
Life Changing Experience
Throughout India, thousands of Laughter Yoga Clubs meet every morning in public parks. Most Laughter Club members proudly report that they have not missed a day in five years or more. They say it makes them happy, healthy and energized - effecting a transformation in their lives. The Laughter Yoga session each day, results in positive energy that makes it easy to cope with stress of daily life and saves them from depression. In fact, the impact of laughter is so profound that many practitioners claim they no longer need anti-depressants. The sustained positive emotions keep them coming back for more.Participants of Laughter Yoga report significant general health improvements. Many have felt a reduction in the frequency of respiratory infections like common cold and flu, and some others reported overcoming depression, relief/cure from chronic medical problems. With people's committed participation, Laughter Yoga has helped many people become healthier.
Scientifically Proven
Clinical research on Laughter Yoga methods, conducted at the University of Graz in Austria; Bangalore, India; and in the United States has proved that Laughter lowers the level of stress hormones (epinephrine, cortisol, etc) in the blood. It fosters a positive and hopeful attitude. It is less likely for a person to succumb to stress and feelings of depression and helplessness, if one is able to laugh away the troubles.Laughter Yoga in Schools
In India, Laughter Yoga has been introduced in many schools of Surat, Baroda and Bangalore. The school schedule includes ten minutes of Laughter in the Morning Assembly, followed by five minutes of Laughter Session in the classrooms both at the beginning and at the end of the day. This routine has shown that the mood and atmosphere gets energized. Teachers and students are happier together, with a more positive outlook, and improves communication, discipline and attendance. Academic results have also shown improvement. Outside India, Ithaca College, New York and in Minnesota in the United States are fast becoming popular with the college students.Laughter Yoga and Business World
Scientific research reveals that Laughter can help resolve many major issues at the workplace, yet, till now there has been no reliable and effective system to deliver laughter. Humor was the only tool available, but it is not reliable and seldom leads to continuous hearty laughter. Laughter Yoga is a breakthrough laughter delivery system that can enable a person to laugh continuously for 15 to 20 minutes with short breaks of Yogic Breathing. Many Laughter Yoga professionals have presented sessions to the business community, with positive results.The concept is gaining popularity in companies and corporations in India, Denmark, US and many other countries. It is a powerful force for improving staff performance at the workplace. This was recently confirmed by studies in India and the USA, that showed a substantial stress reduction and enhanced productivity by the staff after just three weeks of Laughter Sessions.
Seniors and Laughter Yoga
Laughter Yoga is being practiced by Seniors in many aged care facilities in Canada, USA, Israel and Europe. There is a distinct rise in life expectancy with improvement in health care, and advancement in medical technology. In fact, ten years from now the number of older people would have almost doubled. Faced with age and age-related troubles, Seniors find their physical and mental faculties on the decline. Since the cognitive abilities in seniors are compromised due to senile dementia and Alzheimer's Disease, they find it difficult to comprehend humor. Therefore, Laughter Yoga is the ideal form of exercise routine that can help them to get complete health benefits of Laughter.Laughter Yoga and Cancer Patients
A significant number of Laughter Club members around the world suffer some kind of cancer, and laughter has brought a new hope in their lives. Many have reported that regular Laughter Sessions have benefited them tremendously. Cancer is the next biggest killer after Depression and Heart problems. Scientific research has proved that laughter has a profound impact on the immune system that influences the course of survival of cancer patients. Laughter Yoga has been effectively implemented in many Cancer Hospitals, helping the patients and their caregivers, cope with pain and trauma. Swedish Cancer Hospital in Chicago, USA, conducts Laughter Yoga regularly during the chemotherapy sessions.Laughter Yoga in Prisons
Laughter Yoga is being practiced in several prisons in India, Europe and USA. British actor John Cleese visited Mumbai Prison in the year 2001 during the making of a documentary for BBC, on Human Expressions. He found that laughter had a profound impact on the prisoners, and the atmosphere in general lightened. With the rise in crime all over the world, the prisons are overburdened with prisoners, harboring negative emotions and thoughts. Laughter Yoga is a great method of dissipating negative feelings of anger and frustration. Many prisoners in India have found Laughter Yoga an effective tool to release their negative emotions. There have been positive changes in prisoner attitude, better prisoner-staff relations and reduced violence.Laughter Yoga with Physically and Mentally Challenged
Laughter Yoga has made a major difference in the lives of many people with physical and mental disabilities in India, Canada, USA and Portugal. In fact, in Bangalore, India, the introduction of Laughter Yoga for the mentally and the physically challenged children has revealed a marked improvement in their motor and expressive skills besides control of hyperactiveness. Many such people who come to these sessions in wheel chairs have shown tremendous improvement in their physical condition and mental health. Laughter Yoga has also been introduced in many schools for the Blind, and among the deaf and mute children, to help them cope with their disabilities and generate a more positive attitude, that will help them to enhance their wellbeing.
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