Yoga Blog

Yoga for Back Pain

2010-08-18T19:00:00.000-07:00

As you get older, it can be a challenge to maintain perfect health. In fact, you may have heard people say that their body is beginning to creak. As people use their limbs, joints and muscles, there is definitely some wear and tear over the years. This is why it certainly pays to stay in shape. It also pays off to stretch your muscles out routinely, and acquire some sort of healthy regimen such as yoga. Far too many people misconceive yoga as a stretching practice for women and artsy men. This is not the case at all. While you may not have known it, many people choose yoga for back pain and daily relaxation.

Back pain can drive many women and men completely insane as they age. With every year, that irksome back ache may gradually get a little worse. Maybe it is a pulled muscle, or maybe it is sore in a specific area from doing the same thing wrong every day. This is where yoga for back pain comes into the picture. Yoga is a great way to fully relax your body. You get to stretch out all of your muscles, improve circulation, relieve stress and reduce back aches. However, if your aches and pains are related to a slipped disk, then you may have to seek professional assistance from a licensed chiropractor for relief.

So many people suffer from back pains due to routines and stress they encounter daily. As you may already know, stress is a major contributor to body aches and pains. When you accumulate loads of stress, your body reacts negatively to this psychological burden. This causes blood pressure to increase, muscles to ache and skin to break out. It is amazing how much stress on your mind can impact your body. This is why so many people turn to yoga for back pain, stress, and other issues in their daily lives. By practicing some simple yoga routines each day, you can really begin to improve the way your body functions.

There are countless yoga instructors and schools to consider these days. Regardless of the town or city you live in, there is likely to be one in your area. It is a good idea to speak with a professional regarding yoga for back pain before you get involved. Never try to practice something like yoga if you have certain health conditions. You have to speak with your physician first. If you are in good health, and want to try yoga for back pain at home, then you should consider one of the many yoga DVDs for sale online. Many of these offer beginner routines for people who have not practiced yoga before.

Doing Yoga with the family

2010-05-01T12:03:00.000-07:00

Yoga happens to be a type of exercise that many people find to easily fit into their schedule. There are lots of benefits to doing yoga and you’ll feel a lot better about yourself. You will be less stressed, sleep better, and lose some weight. You’ll also become stronger and more flexible. This is a great way for you to bond with your children as well. You will find that it is it just as fun and beneficial for children too. Your child may not be able to do all of the poses; however, you will be able to get the children away from the TV and active.

Your child may not have what it takes to pay attention through a whole session, but you should allow the child to join you and bond and have fun. Children love the different skills they learn, such as balancing, and being upside down is always fun. You may also want to think about allowing the child to put their own spin on yoga. They are young and it is just important that you get them interested in trying new things.

The local yoga class will offer you some tips on how to get your children involved and may also allow you to bring your child with you. In these classes, they will learn much of the same things you learn in a beginner’s class. You may even want to consider brining them to an adult class of yoga if they are of age. However, remember that it may not be appropriate if the class has members of both sexes. It’s a judgment call here, but if your child is yearning to start learning yoga, try your best to include him or her in a class.

Your child will be able to benefit from yoga at home as well. There are books and videos specially made for children and young adults to learn yoga as well as meditation. Always monitor your child to be sure he or she is being safe, and talk to your child’s doctor to be sure the yoga routine is appropriate for your child’s physical well-being. Speak with some of the parents that are in your class and ask them if their child is interested so that you can get a group of children together and show them how to properly get into yoga.

When you do yoga together, you will be able to get to know one another and bond. You will be able to see each other as friends. Yoga is a way for you to add healthy activity to your child’s life. Even if you two don’t stay with the yoga classes or routine at home, you can at least come together and find other ways to include health awareness in your child’s daily life.

Exploring the Different Types of Yoga

2010-04-26T15:03:00.001-07:00

Yoga is generally understood as a process of unification. This unification is multifaceted. In one dimension, it is a unification of the various systems that exist within the human being including the emotional, physical, mental, and spiritual systems. In total there are believed to be five different systems within human life. These are typically referred to as the koshas which are the physical, energetic, mental, subtle, and bliss sheaths. In our current understanding of yoga, we are working to unify these five bodies or layers of the human being. Another process of unification occurs between of the individual consciousness and the universal consciousness.

This unification is often referred to as Samadhi and is one of the primary transformations that occur within the practice of yoga. Observing this from a different angle, Samadhi is a transformation of perception in which disillusionments about the world are reformed so that the truth behind reality can be seen in its purest of form. Yoga, as a system, has developed into various branches through which people pursue the evolution and unification of the elements within their being. Each branch retains its own unique set of ideas and philosophies which defined the process and eventual obtainment of complete unification.

There is no right or wrong system of yoga as the each possesses their own distinct characteristics that accommodate the needs of various characteristics and personalities that exist among human beings. Each system is designed to accommodate a different personality type, and yoga has developed into a broad reaching system that can be practiced by nearly anyone who is interested in pursuing a spiritual life. A practice like Jnana yoga is ideal for someone who is philosophically minded whereas the practice of bhakti yoga is good for someone who is emotionally perceptive and inclined towards a sense of devotion. In this article we will be reviewing the more mainstream practices of yoga which are derived from the tradition of yogic spirituality. These traditions of yoga are as young as 500 years and as old as several thousand. While there are many modern practices of yoga which have been defined by various teachers, the systems we will be discussing are traditional systems which have been in existence throughout many generations.

Bhakti Yoga The first system we will discuss it is Bhakti yoga. Bhakti yoga is a practice in which the spiritual practitioner focuses on developing a state of devotion within the mind and the heart. In bhakti yoga a strong sense of faith is needed as one is expected to submit themselves to God through a process of self surrendering. The practices and techniques of bhakti yoga are therefore designed to help surrendered the ego and embrace with love the thought of the creator. The more common practices of bhakti yoga are kirtan (chanting/song), japa (mantra repetition), and meditation on the divine.

Usually the practice of bhakti yoga is advised to be practiced by those who are well connected to their emotions and also receptive of more subtle feelings within themselves and others. Emphatic love defines the practice of bhakti yoga as the practitioner devotes their whole being towards the spiritual divine. A belief in God or a higher being is vital to the practice, and without it, it is near to impossible to practice bhakti yoga. The devotion that is practiced by the bhakti Yogi is not one of slavery towards the divine. Rather, it is a relationship that is filled with love, friendship, and companionship. In bhakti yoga people view God as a friend, a lover, a father, or mother. It is through this relationship that bhakti yoga is practiced. There are many aspects of devotion for the bhakti yogi; there are many forms of God that are worshiped in yoga including Shiva, Vishnu, Brahman, Parvatti, etc. Aside from the metaphysical forms of God, a guru or teacher can also be worshiped within the practice. The primary purpose of this practice is to help in relinquishing the ego and unifying the individual being with the universal.

Karma Yoga Karma is an aspect of human life that is responsible for our thoughts, feelings, and actions. It is believed in yoga that Karma keeps the cycle of rebirth in motion as past actions and events force us to take another life in the world to balance out the inequalities that we have imposed within our spirit and the universe. Once accumulated Karmic merit is balanced or destroyed then cycle of birth and death is stopped and the spirit is return to its origins within the universal divine. The practice of Karma yoga directly addresses this primary aspect of life, works to abolish the effects of Karma with disciplined action that formulates a separation between the individual and the effects of Karma. This separation occurs through a process of disassociation in which the individual separates themselves from the benefits or losses from their actions within the world.

The practice of Karma yoga is typically based around one's Dharma or duties within the world. Dharma is determined by the actions of the individual in the past, including both the past of the current life as well as the past of previous lives. In some respects, Dharma is the most effective way for an individual to use their time on earth for spiritual progress as it is based upon the realistic capacities and potential of the individual. One of the main components of Dharma is acting in the world without thought of the benefits or losses of one's actions. The practitioner lives and acts within the world without any expectations or imposed impressions of how the future should unfold. The mind is focused on selfless service and working for the benefit of the greater good as opposed to the independent needs of the individual. In Karma yoga the practice is gradual as the individual slowly relinquishes the bonds of karma and liberates the spirit from the confines of egocentric thought processes.

Although a Karma yogi may practice techniques such as the asanas, breathing practices, and meditations, the primary focus of their spiritual practice is service and actions with the focus of selflessness and humbleness. The first mention of Karma yoga is within the Bhagavad-Gita in a dialogue between Arjuna and Krishna. In this dialogue, Krishna informs Arjuna that he can merge his consciousness with Krishna's when he surrenders his actions to the divine (which in this case is Krishna). Krishna encourages Arjuna to act and follow out his duty without worry or consideration of the benefits or losses of his actions. He informs Arjuna that acting in the name of Krishna (or divine) will provide him with the liberation that he has set forth to achieve.

Kundalini Yoga Kundalini yoga is a practice of yoga which originated from the practice of tantra yoga. Historically speaking, tantra yoga is believed to be one of the oldest forms of spirituality which is still in practice today. One of the key components of tantra yoga is the incorporation of kundalini which is considered to be the primordial force existence within each human being. The practice of Kundalini yoga was formed to control and harness the potential of the kundalini energy within the body. Unlike the other systems of yoga, kundalini yoga can be a highly unstable practice of yoga as the release of kundalini energy can lead to extreme psychological and physical disorders if not controlled in the proper manner.

Therefore, the practice of kundalini yoga is a highly advanced system which is usually only practiced by those who are well advanced in the practices of spirituality. One of the primary prerequisites of kundalini yoga is a strong mind and a healthy body without which the release of kundalini energy can be damaging or even fatal. Even a specific term in psychology known as kundalini syndrome has been developed for those who have gone into dementia because of the improper release of kundalini energy. In kundalini yoga the techniques presented are designed to help awaken the kundalini energy. Aside from its definition as the primordial energy, kundalini is also known as the serpent energy. Prior to its awakening, the kundalini energy rests at the base of the spine in the form of a spiraled coil similar to that of a serpent. When released, the kundalini energy shoots up through the spine, making its way towards the crown of the head. Depending upon the purification of the energy channels along the spinal column known as chakras, the kundalini will either reach its final destination and the head or will be stuck within one of the chakras. Usually kundalini yoga starts by purifying all the chakras. This purification helps to maintain a balance flow of prana within the body. It is believed that a balance flow of prana within the body leads to a sound state of mind and body. Once the body, mind, and pranic channels are purified, the practitioner of kundalini yoga works to release the kundalini energy. The purification process an essential quality of the practice as it helps to ensure a smooth flow of kundalini energy through the chakra system.

For both the purification of the chakras as well as the release of kundalini energy a wide variety of techniques are implemented. These include yoga asanas (postures), pranayamas (breathing practices), meditations, and mudra (gestures) specifically designed to help regulate the pranic energy and awaken kundalini. Unlike some of the other systems of yoga, kundalini yoga should never be practiced through self training. It is vital that one who is interested in practicing kundalini yoga finds an adept practitioner and teacher of this system of yoga to guide them through the process. Without such guidance, it is likely that severe physical and mental disorders will arise as kundalini energy is a highly potent element within the human body that is not meant to be tempered with unless the body, mind, and pranic channels are fully purified. There are countless tales of individuals who released kundalini yoga prematurely and found themselves in a disoriented and neurotic state. There are many books published on kundalini yoga and those who have experienced kundalini energy always advise to have a highly knowledgeable and observant teacher to guide a practitioner through the system of kundalini yoga.

Hatha Yoga The word hatha has several meanings. Typically it is divided up into two individual words, ha and tha. The meaning of these words can be interpreted as the sun and the moon. It can also be said that these two words are Beeja Mantras or primordial sounds that are responsible for composing matter. At the same time, ha represents the pranic body while tha is that of the mental body. Whichever interpretation one chooses to believe or follow, an essential component of hatha yoga is a balancing of the polarities of energy within the body (ida and pingala) as well as a purification of the mind and the body.

Most people, in a modern context, consider hatha yoga to be a practice of the physical body. While this is not incorrect, hatha yoga includes many more philosophies and techniques that address more subtle aspects of the human system. One of the essential components of hatha yoga is the element of purification. In hatha yoga purification occurs within the many aspects of the human being; there is a purification of the physical, mental, and energetic, and emotional bodies. It is believed that once all of the bodies are purified than spiritual advancement towards self liberation can occur. Unlike Raja yoga, which we will discuss later, hatha yoga does not outline a prerequisite of moral values before conducting the techniques of yoga. Rather, hatha yoga begins with the yoga postures or asanas and the energetic purification techniques of pranayama. Once a considerable understanding of these two practices is attained, more advanced techniques including Shatkarmas (body cleansing), Pranayamas (nadhi cleansing), Mudras (energy channeling), Bundhas (energy locks), and other techniques which lead towards Samadhi (self-realization) can be practiced.

Similar to most practices of yoga, hatha yoga maintains the belief that techniques such as meditation and concentration should only be practiced after the body and the mind having purified. Without such preparation it is useless to practice meditation as no benefit will be received from the practice. Hatha yoga originated from a number of texts all of which were written between 500-1500 A.D. In comparison to the other forms of yoga we are discussing, hatha yoga is the youngest of them all with its major text the Hatha Yoga Pradipika being finalized in the 16th century.
Hatha yoga could be considered to be a preliminary practice to more advanced systems of yoga, however it possesses within itself the capability to lead towards spiritual liberation. A more modest system of yoga, hatha yoga can be practiced by most people and does not require a well established mind and body to begin the practice. Therefore, it is a practice used by many who wish to use yoga as an aid towards spiritual freedom.

Raja Yoga Raja yoga is considered the Royal path and is literally translated as royal union from Sanskrit. The system of Raja yoga is derived from the teachings of Patanjali in the Yoga Sutras which were written between 100 and 300 A.D. Some may also refer to this system of yoga has Ashtanga Yoga, however Raja yoga has been the traditional terminology used for the practice of yoga guided by Ptanjali's Yoga Sutras and some distinctions separate the two from one another. Here, we are primarily concerned with the traditional system of Raja yoga which has been practiced in India since the origins of the Sutras. Raja yoga is a path of intuition and also psychic perception. Therefore these two facilities are needed in order for spiritual growth to occur. Some spiritual masters like Swami Tureyananda believe that Raja yoga is practiced after one has obtained substantial transformation through preliminary practices of yoga.

Even still some other teachers believe that the practice of Raja yoga is commenced after preliminary states of Samadhi are experienced. Therefore, Raja yoga is not a practice for the vast majority of people. In the yoga sutras, Patanjali lightly outlines the prerequisites for the more advanced techniques of yoga. The vast majority of the yoga sutras are devoted to understanding and controlling the mind including its four components of Chitta, Buddhi, Manas and Ahamkara. Considerable attention is given to how the mind works and operates as well as the various levels and dimensions that exist within the mind. The remainder of the text discusses the stages through which one experience along the path towards self-realization, and attention is given to all the various pitfalls that can arise along the way. The system of Raja yoga is generally outlined in defined within the "8 limbed path." These limbs include:

Yama- code of conduct and self restraint
Niyama- religious observances, devotion to ones practice, and discipline
Asana- formation of a stable seat for both the mind and the body
Pranayama- regulation of breath which leads to a unification and balance between the body and the mind
Pratyahara- withdrawal of the sensory organs of perception from the external environment including all five senses (six if you include the mind)
Dharana- concentration
Dhyana- meditation
Samadhi- self realization, or a super conscious state of being.
Together these eight limbs form the practice and systematic approach of Raja Yoga. Like kundalini yoga, Raja yoga requires a significant amount of guidance and direction without which many problems and ultimate failure will arise. It is therefore essential that one who is interested in practicing Raja yoga finds a teacher or guru who has perfected the system and has achieved a true state of self-realization.

Jnana Yoga The practice of Jana yoga is easily understood within the two words 'Jana' and 'Yoga' which together mean 'Union through Wisdom.' the practice of Jana yoga is a very practical system for the Western mind which usually approaches things through the intellect and rational deduction. While ultimately these two aspects are abandoned later in the path, Jana yoga begins with intellectual inquiry and rational observation. While Jana yoga encourages a belief in God or the supreme, it does not necessitate the belief and therefore it can even be used by those who are rational atheists. The techniques used in Jana yoga are primarily concerned with a process of deduction in which one observes all aspects of life.

A process of self inquiry and questioning is undertaken as the practitioner gradually removes the illusions and misperceptions of the mind as they work towards the truth of their most basic nature. The practice of Jana yoga can be understood within the simple Sanskrit phrase "Neti, Neti," which is openly translated as not this, not that. In Jana yoga one removes the various layers of the onion of their mind until they reached the core which is no-thingness or unmanifested. Jana yoga has four major guidelines which helped to lead to the practitioner towards self-realization. As Jana yoga is primarily a system of inquiry, it does not require techniques such as pranayama and asanas in order to achieve self-realization. The four guidelines of the Jana Yogi include: Viveka- Discrimination (between truth and not truth); Vairagya- Dispassion (from attachment world and the mind/body); Shad-sampat- Six Virtues (tranquility, dama (sensory control), uparati (renunciation), titiksha (endurance), shraddha (faith), and samadhana (concentration)); and Mumukshutva- longing for liberation.

Conclusion If you have read this article for the sake of finding a system of yoga to help you grow spiritually, it would be advisable to do further research into the systems that seem compatible to your needs and character. Not every individual is practicing yoga for the sake of self-realization. Each system of yoga provides its own unique benefits that evolve from the practice and therefore can be practiced without the intention of achieving self-realization. While the ultimate goal of yoga is liberation, there are many benefits of the practice that naturally occur as the body, mind, and energy within the human being are purified. As mentioned previously, if you decide to take up the practice of Raja yoga or kundalini yoga it is best to seek an experienced guide before commencing the practice. However, ultimately, every system of yoga requires a guru or adept practitioner who can direct the student through a specific system of yoga.

Each style that we have mentioned above is unique and there is no right or wrong one, or one that is better than the other. In actuality, there are thousands of different styles of yoga, yet the ones we have mentioned are the primary branches for the practical side of yoga. When choosing a practice, select one that seems to possess characteristics that are in harmony with your personality and individuality. Starting from there will give you a good relationship to your practice and make it easier to gradually introduce it into your life on a daily basis. A consistent practice provides the greatest opportunity for self-growth and transformation.

Sarah Mhyers is a practicing psychologist and psychotherapist in the United States. After completing her MS in Clinical Psychology, Sarah spent much of her time continuing here studies of psychology from and Eastern perspective of thought. She began her study of Yoga Psychology through the Tureya Foundation and Ashram http://www.tureya.com in 2005 and has been pursuing research in this field since then, applying yoga psychology in her clinical environment. Sarah is an author of free lessons, audios and videos from yoga at http://www.tureyayoga.com and contributes to the ongoing development of research in Yogic Spirituality.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sarah_Mhyers

Yoga for back pain

2010-03-17T23:25:00.000-07:00

Back pain is insidious and can be debilitating. It's also quite scary, since the spine is the nerve center of your entire body and damage to it can lead to partial or even complete paralysis. It's not something to be taken lightly, and not something to go the do it yourself route with.

That's why doing yoga for back pain is such a risk unless you've been directly prescriped to do such by a doctor or a licensed chiropractor. While yoga in general is a good idea - it improves muscle tone, increases flexibility and blood flow, and is good for your blood pressure as well - specifically doing yoga for back pain can be a risky proposition. You're not a doctor, so you don't know if your back pain is because of something as simple as having slept wrong and pulled a muscle, or if you've slipped a disc, or even if you have some sort of degenerative condition that yoga will actually exacerbate rather than help. And bear in mind, your body doesn't always register pain when you're abusing it. You may even find yourself in less pain after yoga but actually have done some structural damage. That's the last thing you want.

So now that you're properly warned, it's time to educate yourself on the different kind of yoga for back pain options there are out there. Of course, Yoga itself isn't just one particular set of stretches or poses. There are different kinds practiced in different ways for different reasons, and finding out just which one is best for your aching back or shoulders is a matter of consulting a licensed professional.

That said, most back pain is caused by improper posture. If that's the case for you, then your best starting point is Hatha Yoga, a style and technique of Yoga that focuses on posture as a means of physical purification and restoration. It was created in the 15th century by the Yogi Swatmarama, and he took the word "Hatha" as its descriptor because "ha" means sun and "tha" means moon in sanskrit. The idea was to strike a true, unencumbered balance between the two - just as that should be your goal when practicing yoga for back pain.

Of course, fixing your posture won't do much if you've slipped a disc or some other similarly gruesome injury. That's why you need to be diligent and realistic about what will work for you back pain and what will just make it worse. So remember, step one is see your doctor.

Stretching your way to Health

2009-11-19T22:56:00.000-08:00

Yoga, a traditional Indian strategy of exercise and meditation, is now one of the hottest health enhancement activities practiced by folk in different parts of the planet.

This exercise has a robust appeal among ladies since the movements and poses target suppleness, grace, slow breathing, and relaxation.

Due to its huge acclaim, thousands of books, books, mags, CDs, and other publications that varies on the theme, woman's book on yoga and health have been produced over the previous few years. Fundamentally, Yoga involves many ideas, including progressive learning and practice of postures, respiring, concentration, meditation, assimilation, restraints, withdrawal of the utilization of senses. The mastery of these ideas will apparently lead a Yoga expert to supposed religious liberation or enlightenment. There are essentially different types of yoga, from the hard routines to the more magical styles of Indian exercise.

If you are actually interested to practice the exercise, there are now many gymnasiums and health clubs that offer yoga exercises for newbs. It is often said that by practicing the numerous postures and movements of Yoga, an individual is able to take part in a technique of body purification. As a positive result, a yoga consultant is abe to continuously develop strength and staying power required for to attain perfect health. Yoga isn't just a type of exercise. It's also part of Indian philosophy. A girl's book on yoga and health would also typically provide info on other regimen, care systems, and even natural cures for common diseases. It is often said that yoga can be used to alleviate strain, headaches, colds and influenza symptoms, allergies, and stress. The girl's book on yoga and health can be extraordinarily useful if you're a lady who tries to regain confidence and clearness of mind after a dire experience or a distressful situation. Some books on yoga even target the health advantages of the exercise on pregnant ladies.

Proper respiring exercises also help in the preparation for labor and in controlling agony and post-partum symptoms. To get a yoga book of high quality, make efforts to check if it contains a definition and history of yoga. Any lady's book on yoga and health must also highlight the advantages, possible hazards, and necessities to attain the predicted results out of the exercise.

Yoga for Kids - Torment Of A Silent Mind

2009-11-17T21:56:00.000-08:00

Why is it that Yoga for children is beginning to become even more popular today than it was in days of yesterday, well kids are as much prone to suffer with stress just like adults do. How can this be a lot would ask. Kiddies pressure come from extra education wants ( like more homework ) everyone knows the significance of furthering our childs education to give them an improved chance in life but when it can destroy life then it's time to do something. Yoga for children is a precious present to give to a kid where they lay claim to confidence. Pressure put on our youngsters today can be brought on by other things like being bullied. How will we help the mind of a tortured kid, straightforward introduce them to Yoga? Yoga for youngsters help them become aware about the body and begin to know how imperative it is to keep in good condition.

Even at a young age children need to develop better body awareness and after doing this they gain control all by themselves to guide an active healthful life. Yoga has helped kids by channelling their impulses in a good fashion. Yoga moves for children differ just like that of the way adults practice. Both are exercises that help the kid to find calm, build up confidence and balance. Some youngsters take to yoga like water of a ducks back while others need to be coaxed and need guarantee and the advantages indicated to them. The secret behind getting a dubious kid to enrol in a yoga class is to elucidate how it's a preferred craze among other youngsters.

Say how much fun it can be. Explain in fine detail of the Soldier posture moves in your search to prompt the kid. Ease their discomfort if frightened to practice yoga alone. Make sure they knows they can team up with a partner, this may also help build up on their team abilities thus gaining a bonding with others.

Just to have a kid close their eyes for a time period will be task in its self. Ask the kid to visualise something that he / she are interested by or enjoy doing. Try them with the belly respiring yoga exercise while listening to relaxing relaxation music. After the session is over invite the kid to share their experience of how they felt while practicing the Yoga for Children routine. If they reveal their secret thoughts then this can only mean the child has opened up and what a major discovery that is. To have your kid share a secret will say they need to be heard.

Those silent thoughts that once uneasy your boy / girl will give you as a caring parent the understanding on how to address what was a troubled silent mind. Yoga for youngsters is the healthiest richest form of information for any kid.

Yoga Positions for Beginners

2009-11-16T17:41:00.000-08:00

Yoga is a popular type of exercise that appeals to many people because of its holistic approach to strengthening body and mind. Not only are yoga exercises good for physical health, they also address mental and emotional health, because balancing both types of health contributes to an individual’s overall well being. In terms of physical benefits, doing yoga exercises daily can help improve flexibility, posture, circulation and digestion and in terms of mental health, yoga can reduce stress by bringing calm. Yoga exercises achieve this by making use of postures, breathing and meditation intended to relax the body and strengthen the body.

While yoga attracts many people’s interest because of its health benefits, sometimes they are discouraged because of the perceived difficulty of practicing yoga positions. Indeed, yoga can be challenging and taxing because the body often isn’t used to moving in ways that it normally doesn’t. Also, if yoga positions are done incorrectly, they can actually damage the body. This is why it’s important to beginners to be supervised and to start out at a slower pace.

Yoga positions include those that are performed while standing, reclining, sitting down, bending forward, backwards, to the side, twisting, inverting, and balancing. These are a lot of different poses and it can seem intimidating at first. Yoga positions for beginners are those that are the easiest and most basic. First timers should start with yoga positions for beginners that they can handle, before they gradually work up to the more advanced yoga positions. Yoga positions on the floor are good for beginners because they don’t require as much balance and strength as other positions. One of the most common yoga positions for beginners is the siddhasana pose, a sitting pose that most people commonly stereotype yoga meditation with. It’s the one where you sit on the floor with legs crossed with hands on the knees and palms facing up. This position is good for back posture and for opening the hips. Another good basic position is baddha konasana, which involves sitting with the legs in the butterfly position, feet together and fingers interlaced around the toes. Baddha konasana is also good for the spine and hips, and it strengthens the chest.

When practicing yoga positions for beginners, remember to accompany the positions with proper breathing, which is important even if it’s not a physical body movement of the exercise. Practice these positions daily and as you become accustomed, you’ll be able to move on to the intermediate yoga positions.

Effective Gain From Yoga

2009-11-08T00:22:00.000-08:00

It is well-known that Yoga wanted to integrate the mind, the body, and the spirit. Yoga is a science which has been practiced for millenia. Yoga is experienced by over 20,000,000 USA citizens daily. The most necessary advantage of yoga is physical and psychological therapy. The aging process, which is typically an artificial condition, caused typically by autointoxication or self-poisoning, can be delayed by practicing yoga. For getting maximum virtue of yoga one has to combine the practices of yogasanas, pranayama and meditation. Yoga is all about feeling great, feel the blood steaming through your veins. Yoga helps us to get surpassing respiration which broadens the oxygen consumption to the system cells, along with the wobbly cells.

Yogic exercises cause more continual and deeper respiration which slowly but certainly burns. The loosening and drill elements of yoga have a vital personality to beat in the handling and prevention of higher blood force raised blood pressure. Yoga is meant to cut discomfort by helping the mind's agony centre rule the gate-controlling mechanism found in the spinal nerve and the secretion of ordinary painkillers in the system. Respiring exercises utilized in yoga can too cut agony. Regular rehearse of asanas, pranayama and meditation can relieve assorted illnesses like diabetes, digestive abnormalities, arthritis, arteriosclerosis, persistent fatigue, asthma, varicose veins and heart conditions. Following Yoga also ends up in larger decrease in uneasiness scores than drug care.

Back stiffness is the commonest reason to find medical assistance. Yoga has consistently been used to treat and avoid back discomfort by enhancing strength and flexibility. Practicing yoga can identify lingering agony victims with beneficial tools to dynamically deal with their discomfort and help counter feelings of helplessness and depression. Yoga is effective for all, notwithstanding of age, color, caste, creed or faith, from the healthiest to the sickest, from the wealthiest to the least wealthy, from the whitest to the darkest. Regular yoga practice can help in weight management. There are many asanas, for example the shoulder stand and the fish posture, which are particular for the thyroid gland. Fat metabolism is also increased, so fat is converted to muscle and energy.

Yogic practices that reduce hysteria have a tendency to reduce concerned eating.

The Journey Of Yoga Through Mind

2009-11-07T23:59:00.000-08:00

Yoga is a transformative art, and deceptively easy. At least, though the advanced yoga positions are in reality tough to the unpracticed, and look it, the changes that yoga can bring into one's life belie the clear simplicity of stretching muscles. Of course, we stretch muscles at the gymnasium in a heat up. So what's the real difference between yoga and regular exercise programs, including pilates.

Pilates, in fact, took some of its inspiration from yoga. Or perhaps the facet of yoga that is made from the physical exercises, the asanas. But in yoga, thru the breath, and concentrating on it inside our body, we come to a bigger experience of both our body and ourselves. We start a more conscious relationship with our individuality. We meet that unique expression of ourselves expressing physically in that moment. We'd be nearly stiff, or hurting, or distracted, than common. It's a journey of discovery, not of attempting to fit ourselves into an external concept, even if that idea is represented in that moment by the yoga pose we are attempting to do.

Desikachar writes the body can'only steadily accept an asana'. We shouldn't strain ourselves, or judge ourselves, if we can't fit into that posture. That posture is a likely end result, yes, but what we do in our practice of yoga is to take the journey. Desikachar makes another critical point [*CO]'We should stay flexible so we are still ready to react to changes in our expectancies and old concepts. The more distanced we are from the rewards of our works, the better we may be able to do this.. Giving more attention to the spirit in which we act and looking less to the results our actions may bring us - this is the meaning of isvarapranidhana in kriya yoga' The asanas are a method of preparing ourselves to more totally meet the problems of life in a way that doesn't throw us off balance, and increases our capacity to adjust to those changes that are embedded in life. They let us be more delicate and aware to what's really going on within us, and in life itself. This growing self knowledge then provides us with a more complete picture in which our replies to whatever eventualities confront us more exactly reflects what's actually present.

There's a deeper engagement that goes past the vagrancies of the mind, the self doubt, the domination of our preconceptions and expectancies, or our desire for something that should be a certain way. When we are distracted or engrossed with doubts, troubles, and fears, and even hope that's attached to an end result ( need ), the imperative energy of our full being is leaking, diffused. This is an energetic facet of self-mastery. Integral to this is the awareness of oneself as entire, and at the same time part of the wholeness that is inside everything.

Does Yoga Normalize Body Weight?

2009-11-07T23:55:00.000-08:00

Many folks are first drawn to Yoga as a method to keep their bodies fit and flexible. Others come looking for relief or help for a particular infirmity like strain or Backache. Regardless of your reason is, Yoga could be a tool in giving you both what you came for, and more. These are some reasons why more folk are practicing Yoga : one. Even in the middle of nerve-wrangling environments, Yoga helps control respiring and clears the mind of cluttered thoughts, leaving only deep physical and psychological refreshment. Two. Yoga can help normalize body weight.

For people who are either overweight or underweight, Yoga Exercises can help in attaining the required weight.

Three. The postures and movements in Yoga massage the interior organs, augmenting blood circulation and functionality, therefore, lessening the danger of sickness.

Four. Yoga increases your energy level and productiveness. 5. Yoga leads to real inner happiness and self-actualization. Meditation -one of the sides of Yoga- focuses the mind, taking it away from the distractions of the highly-materialistic world and leading it to real contentment. Yoga is a technique of learning that wants to reach the unity of mind, body, and spirit thru these 3 main Yoga structures : Exercise, Respiring, and Meditation. The exercises of Yoga are built to put a little pressure on the Glandular systems of the body, thus increasing its efficiency and total health. The body is looked on as the first instrument that enables us to work and develop in the world, a Yoga student, treats it with great care and respect. The Respiring Methods are based mostly on the tenet that breath is the source of life in the body. Set daily practice of all 3 parts of this structure of Yoga produce a clear, bright mind and a robust, able body.

Yoga positions for beginners

2009-10-17T18:31:00.000-07:00

I'm not a practitioner of yoga. Never have been, and most likely never will be. I prefer good, old fashioned cardio, resistance training and stretching for my workout routines.

That said, some folks do yoga for reasons beyond their physical health. Many do yoga as a form of meditation and relaxation, and from what I've learned from them, there's more to yoga than what meets the eye.

First and foremost, it's important not to jump into yoga and try to do advanced programs without proper preparation. If you're straining and causing yourself discomfort, then you're not going to be relaxed, you're not going to be properly stretched, and you're not going to have a good work out.

With that in mind, it's time to figure out some yoga positions for beginners. The very first one on the list of yoga positions for beginners is called the "Cat Cow Stretch," and according to the yoga entry on about.com, it goes as follows:

1. Start on all fours, bringing the wrists underneath the shoulders and the knees underneath the hips.

2. Think of the spine as a straight line connecting the shoulders to the hips. Try visualizing the line extending forward through the crown of the head and backwards through the tail bone.

3. Keep the neck the natural extension of the spine.

Next on the list of yoga positions for beginners is the Downward Facing Dog. Again, from About.com:

1. Come to your hands and knees with the wrists underneath the shoulders and the knees underneath the hips.

2. Curl the toes under and push back raising the hips and straightening the legs.

3. Spread the fingers and ground down from the forearms into the fingertips.

4. Outwardly rotate the upper arms broadening the collarbones.

5. Let the head hang, move the shoulder blades away from the ears towards the hips.

6. Engage the quadriceps strongly to take the weight off the arms, making this a resting pose.

7. Rotate the thighs inward, keep the tail high and sink your heels towards the floor.

8. Check that the distance between your hands and feet is correct by coming forward to a plank position. The distance between the hands and feet should be the same in these two poses. Do not step the feet toward the hands in Down Dog in order the get the heels to the floor. This will happen eventually as the muscles lengthen.

Beginners: Try bending your knees, coming up onto the balls of your feet, bringing the belly to rest on the thighs and the sit bones up high. Then sink your heels, straightening the legs keeping the high upward rotation of the sit bones. Also try bending the arms slightly out to the side, drawing the chest towards the thighs. Then restraighten the arms.

Using Yoga For Back Pain

2009-10-14T19:29:00.000-07:00

Most people will experience back pain at least once in their lives. This is something that may go quickly, but for the unfortunate, it can be something that comes and goes, and may stick around for months if not for years. There are things you can do, though surgery is not always an option, and for some types of back pain, even that is not helpful, or even possible. There are some exercises that help with some types of back pain, and yoga can be one of them. In fact, yoga for back pain can be quite helpful.

What you can do for your back pain is up to your doctor, and you should listen to what they have to say. Doing something wrong can make your problem worse, not better. If they say that yoga for back pain is something that would help you, you may want to listen. The great thing about yoga is that it can be very easy on the body, and there are many different things in yoga that you can do. You don’t have to do all of the moves that most classes have. You only need to do the ones that work well with your back.

If your doctor is recommending yoga for back pain, they probably have guidelines and recommendations. Yoga is about strength and flexibility. For the most part, this is going to be recommended for those that have muscle problems rather than some type of spinal injury. It might not be the best for bulging and crushed discs, but yoga for back pain can help when your muscles are messed up, tight, weak, or are refusing to relax. Some backs go out of place thanks to weak muscles, so doing yoga to help with back problems can be a preventative measure.

When doing yoga for back pain, you have two main choices. You can do it from home with the right instruction, or you can take a class. If you are going to do it from home, you want to go out and find the right DVD. You should also make sure you get the right mat to use on your floor, and any other accessories that will help you through your workout. If you are taking a class, call ahead to see what you would need, and stress that you need beginner’s classes.

Get the right clothing for your yoga for back pain sessions, and make sure you remember that your limits may be pushed. It might hurt a little as you work your way through, but stop if things are too painful. You don’t want to cause more damage than you already have in your back. What is going to happen is that you are going to build up the muscles that hold your spine in place, and that can do wonders for any back. If you find that yoga for back pain does not work for you, talk with your doctor about other exercise alternatives.

Yoga Workout Clothes

2009-09-29T01:18:00.000-07:00

Pretty much anything that you use for your normal gym workout will work for Yoga. For the first of several months that I tried it, I would simply wear soccer shorts and a T-shirt as my yoga workout clothes. A lot of other people in the class invested more seriously in yoga workout clothing, but I didn't really see any advantage to it. My clothes were as flexible as theirs, and I had no trouble doing stretches in them – at least no trouble that stemmed from the clothing I was wearing! They were also a good deal cheaper, which I viewed as a big advantage.

After I got pretty serious about it, however, I decided to pick up a few yoga workout outfits. I had to admit that in certain ways they really helped. The thing about yoga is that it requires intense and perfect concentration to do it right. Any physical discomfort should be limited as much as possible, and everything should be done to help you relax and feel at ease. Yoga workout clothes do this by covering your body more evenly in that comfortable, stretchy material. You feel comfortably encased in a warm protective layer which wicks sweat away from your skin and keeps you at just the right temperature. Because yoga workout clothes are stretchy, they don't ride up and ride down as you're stretching, eliminating one distraction that shorts have. They also start to look pretty good on you once you get fit and in shape.

My recommendations for new yoga practitioners is to skip yoga workout clothes at first. Just use whatever you have bought to wear when you go to the gym, provided that it is flexible enough or baggy enough to let you do yoga. Once you've been at it for a couple months, however, try ordering some yoga clothes. Start with one or two outfits just to get a feel for it, then decide what you like. You may find that you do better in normal gym clothes, and that is alright. Many people, however, say that they find using yoga workout clothes more comfortable. It is all just a matter of personal preference.

You also don't have to confine yourself to workout clothes for yoga just to find something good to stretch in. Aerobics workout clothes, clothes for dancing, and anything else they can be used in physical activities that involve difficult stretching work great. The motions involved in yoga are far from unique. They are used in many different forms of physical exercise, so clothing that works for those exercises will work well for yoga as well. Still, yoga workout clothes are some of the most comfortable ones out there.

Practicing yoga for back pain

2009-09-21T15:27:00.000-07:00

If practicing yoga for back pain doesn't rid you of the pain, it will certainly help to reduce its intensity and frequency. Among the few options available for back pain sufferers is physical therapy. Yoga, although not primarily a therapy, is often offered as a part of the therapy regimen and has proven effective in helping a person master, if not completely alleviate, the pain. Practicing yoga for back pain may be just what you need.

Developed in the context of Hinduism, yoga was originally practiced with the goal of uniting the body and mind. In the Hindu tradition, the soul is an invisible system of power centers located along the spine, with branches leading from these to other parts of the body and a main line, connecting each power center to the one above and below it. The system carries a spiritual energy that is inhaled. In theory, practicing yoga for back pain fills your body with this healing and vital force.

In yoga, you're not only breathing in oxygen, but a spiritual energy that surrounds you. This is life energy. In a yoga breathing exercise, you breathe from your belly, tightening your sphincter muscles with each inhalation. The energy gathers in the 'power center', located about two inches below your navel. You hold the breath for a few seconds, and when you exhale, you loosen your sphincter muscle and let the your whole body exhale the wasted and noxious energy that may be the cause of your pain.

The life energy that you gather in your belly is stored there, and it flows up and down to other power centers, located at points along your spine. You have six power centers in the body and one outside, above the skull. Two power centers are located below the belly power center, called the 'burner', in the Zen tradition, one at the base of the spine and the other in the pubic area. Above the burner are three other power centers, the heart and the throat power centers, and the spiritually-charged power center, between the eyes. Each power center absorbs life energy, but power also flows from center to center through the channels that connect these.

As you breathe, you will the power that has gathered in the burner to move from power center to power center, allowing the life force to energize one center after another. If you're practicing yoga for back pain, you'll begin to notice warmth, radiating from an energized power center and then spreading into the painful area. By infusing your body with life force and concentrating it mentally in the area of the pain, you're bathing that part of your body with healing energy.

Yoga practice aims to foster the free flow of life energy among these centers and, through their branches, to the rest of the body. Yoga postures enable this. They are somewhat unnatural postures that tend to stretch the muscles and loosen them. Although some positions may be stressful, the stress will strengthen the muscles. This is one of the results you want when practicing yoga for back pain.

You can begin practicing yoga for back pain right now. Go to some web sites on yoga and learn how you can use yoga to increase your vitality and health. Through yoga, you may be able to master that back pain yet.

Yoga For Back Pain

2009-06-20T11:59:00.000-07:00

Using yoga for back pain is one of the best ways you can make yourself feel better, stay healthier, and live a longer life. I'm not exaggerating. Chronic back pain really does put a lot of stress on the whole system, causing premature aging. When you back hurts all the time, you tend to remain less active. You feel more stressed out, which also takes a toll on your body. Basically, it all comes down to this: taking care of your back is one of the best things you can do for your health in general.

Of course, before you start doing yoga for back pain, you should check with a doctor to make sure you don't have a serious condition. Although Yoga stretching helps back pain in general, a serious back injury can be exacerbated by doing certain positions. For example, if you have a slipped disk or a rupture, you should wait until it heals before you try doing any back exercises except those given to you by a physical therapist. Otherwise, you can make things much worse. Once you know that your back is not seriously injured, however, you have the chance to enjoy the full benefits of yoga for back pain. Start off slowly, and go only as far as you can but keep doing it every day. Go up from 10 or 20 minutes to half an hour, then keep going.

Just about any yoga for back pain will help, but if you know the right poses and the right way to do than you can get even better effects. There are plenty of specific yoga poses for back pain which are designed to really work the muscles that are most at risk of getting hurt. One of the best ones is the pigeon pose. By lying on your stomach with one leg bent so that your shin is under you and facing perpendicular to your body, you can really stretch out your hip muscles. Of course, cat cow pose is also a great yoga pose for back pain. It is so good, in fact, that it is often used by physical therapists to treat chronic back pain.

I'm fortunate enough to live near a good yoga studio with reasonably affordable prices, so when I have back pain problems I can take classes. When I can not go to the studio, however, I pop in a yoga video and do my exercises at home. When you are new to the practice of yoga for back pain, it is easy to forget the basic positions or do things wrong. Having a video will help you to make sure you get everything right. It will make your exercises more effective, more enjoyable, and probably safer as well.

Yoga the Mental Body

2009-06-17T22:32:00.000-07:00

We must now deal with the mental body, which is taken as equal to mind for practical purposes. The very first thing for a person to do in practical Yoga is to split himself from the mental body, to draw away from that into the sheath next above it.

And here remember what I revealed formerly, that in Yoga the Self is always the consciousness and the auto from that the consciousness is not able to split itself. All that's above the body you can't leave is the Self for practical purposes, and your first attempt must be to draw away from your mental body.

Under these conditions, Manas must be identified with the Self, and the spiritual Triad, the Atma-buddhi-manas, is to be realized as separate from the mental body. That is the 1st step.

You must be ready to take up and lay down your mind as you do a tool, before it is of any use to think about the further progress of the Self in dumping its envelopes. Therefore the mental body is taken as the place to begin. Quiet it.

Still it. You find that they are sometimes started from inside, occasionally from without. Often a vibration from without has been responsible for a change in consciousness, and a corresponding change in the colors in the mental body.

If there's a change of consciousness, that causes vibration in the problem in which that consciousness is working. The mental body is a body of ever-changing colors and colors, never still, changing color with swift rapidity thru all of it.

Yoga is the stopping of all these, the inhibition of vibrations and changes alike. Inhibition of the change of consciousness stops the vibration of the mental body ; the checking of the vibration of the mental body checks the change in consciousness.

The color of the mental body of a Master is as moonlight on the rippling sea. Inside that whiteness of moon-like refulgence lie all chances of color, but nothing in the outer world can make the faintest change of hue sweep over its steady glow.

If a change of consciousness happens inside, then the change will send a wave of fragile colours over the mental body which replies only in color to changes instituted from inside and never to changes excited from without.

His mental body is rarely His Self, but only His tool or instrument, which he will be able to take up or lay down at His will.

It's just an outer sheath that He uses when he must communicate with the lower world.

Yoga Better Life

2009-06-09T20:59:00.000-07:00

Practicing yoga improved auditory and visible perception, by enlarging sensitivity to diverse traits of the stimuli ( e. Also, electrophysiological studies using recalled potentials have shown that during yoga practice the transmission of sensory info is helped. These studies suggest many applications of yoga practice, in activities from aviation to art. It's also possible that thru changes in cognitive factors yoga influences perception, so that though the impulse is sensed' it isn't annoying. This idea has been studied using yoga to help folks with protracted agony to willfully ignore it. Therefore , there's satisfactory research to support the concept yoga practice influences perception in other ways, with sundry applications. Perception is the method of interpretation, organization, and the raw materials' of sensation ( one ). It's also crucial to remember that while perception generally refers to sensory stimuli, this definition can be extended to incorporate the perception of scenarios.

It's fun to see folks looking at paths to concentrate at work as well as at play. Infrequently the lightest approach is the one that lifts those that are in the deepest depths of despair. Mindfulness is a tool for living that provides what I affectionately call the "p-word"--perspective.

The cognitive judgmental factors involve the way in which the subject translates incoming visible info based mostly on experience, theory and systems of judgment.

The rise in CFF following yoga might be attributed to the consequences of yoga reducing physical indications of stress, as CFF was revealed to be lower during express stressors, for example food and water deprivation ( thirteen ). The changes recommended improved auditory perception which could be a compensatory mechanism of auditory sensation in the presence of poor vision.

Try Yoga for Back Pain Relief

2009-05-19T00:28:00.000-07:00

I've experienced soreness and stiffness in my lower back for years. I've been to every kind of specialist there is, but am not satisfied with the various diagnoses I've received. Most of the doctors just wanted to put me on medication and send me away, but the last thing I want to do is become overly reliant on prescription pills. One doctor, however, did suggest that proper exercise might be the solution I was looking for, so I decided to do some research on the subject. I learned that many people did indeed have success with doing yoga for back pain relief, which is certainly encouraging news to someone in my situation.

But instead of jumping right into a new exercise routine, I had to try to figure out which poses and stretches would work best for me. The key to using yoga for back pain is being able to identify your problems so you can doexercises to strengthen those areas. I already knew that my issues were caused by years of playing sports, followed by years of sitting at a desk job for upwards of 8 hours per day. Plus, I have to admit that my mattress has seen better days. It sags in the middle and does not come close to providing enough support. Is it any wonder that I now have to turn to yoga for back pain relief?

Anyway, I obviously need exercises that will target my lower spine and the surrounding muscles. I checked a few different websites, and found lots of great programs that maximize the benefits of yoga for back pain. These exercise programs consist of simple stretches that can increase in intensity once you build up some strength and stamina. They're easy enough for beginners to do on their own, so I don't have to worry about messing anything up in that regard. In addition, I discovered many balance activities that are meant to help improve posture. Proper posture is also a critical element in eliminating minor spinal aches and pains, so I intend to incorporate these exercises into my routine as well.

Those of you who want a more intense workout will be happy to know that you can purchase DVDs aimed at people interested in yoga for back pain relief. There are many advantages to watching a DVD rather than just looking at a website, including the fact that you'll have an instructor talking you through the moves. The instructor can tell you what you're doing right or wrong, and potentially help prevent accidental injuries. For this reason, I think I'm going to go ahead and buy a couple of these DVD workouts for myself.

I'm not saying that doing yoga for back pain will be the ultimate answer for all sufferers, but I do believe that it's at least worth a try. Just be sure to do the exercises for at least a month or two before making up your mind, because it's unrealistic to expect results overnight!

Pregnancy Yoga Video

2009-04-26T00:14:00.000-07:00

The last resting pose a pregnancy yoga video frequently has at the end of the workout is superb for helping you simply relax your body. This could be a great one to help both with pregnancy pain and to prepare you for childbirth.

Having the ability to relax your complete body can be superb for helping you lose discomfort in any area of your body. Squats accompanied by kegel exercises are another great pose in a pregnancy yoga video. The best benefit of this one is to help during birth. The deep squat shown in numerous pregnancy yoga videos is regarded the birthing position in numerous countries. It is said that this actual position can shorten the birthing canal by as much as twenty p.c.. Something to bear in mind when you're prepared to give birth. These are some FAQs that may steer you in planning your yoga retreat. All kinds of folks and folk from all age groups also join a retreat. Yoga retreats are offered across the world. So, you must settle on a particular place. You can select a place you are interested in exploring. Any relaxing place that is ideal for yoga.

The venue can be near to the nature, in the country or close to the sea. It's a must that you get one particularly for newbies. In this manner, he'll have the idea on a way to guide you. It is okay if some of you don't know the other. These folks would be your top source of info, and be your mates. It'd be ideal to have Casual, cushty clothing.

Something to recollect when you're prepared to give birth.

Anything that makes the birthing process quicker is usually good. The kegel exercises a pregnancy yoga video debates are great because they buttress the pelvic floor muscles.

You'll be using these muscles during birth so making sure that they are powerful could be a great help to you. If back stiffness is a difficulty for you during your pregnancy, there's an easy pose in a pregnancy yoga video that may help with this issue. In this pose, you are on your hands and knees. You put your hands at once under your shoulders and your knees are without delay under your hips. This pose is excellent for stretching out your back and helping relieve pain of the added pregnancy weight.

I Think I Can. I Think I

2009-03-15T15:42:00.000-07:00

Example: A client of mine, a yoga instructor, decided she was happy teaching but wanted to contribute to the world on a larger level. She wasn�t happy with the quality of the yoga clothing that was accessible to her and her fellow yogis. Her vision was to design and create fun, hip and timeless yoga clothes using eco-conscious fabrics. You have to get really clear about what you want. It is crucial that you connect to your highest vision of yourself because you can�t create it unless you are clear about what it looks like. If you don�t have a vision of where you want to go or what you want to be, you will most likely NOT get there. To quote Henrietta Klauser, �If you have a connection to what you want, take the next step and write it down.� If you don�t have any idea about what you want, or how you want to be in life to bring about greater happiness, begin looking through magazines and create a Vision Board/Collage of what attracts you.

Read More

DISCOVER YOUR CORE POWER with Yoga! for May 27

2009-02-23T18:32:00.000-08:00

Yoga asanas that target the core muscles in the torso are extremely effective for enhancing strength, function, and stability of the spine and pelvis.

Most people immediately think of the “six pack of abs" when you hear the word “core." The Rectus abdominis (your six pack) is actually a superficial muscle layer that connects the rib cage and the pubic bone. Its' main function is to flex the trunk and assist in all the other functional movements of the torso. Its' great for the “look" of being strong and fit but its' not the major player when it comes down to it.

The Transverse abdominis, Internal and External Obliques are located deeper in the core of the torso, closer to the actual spine and provide the essential strength, function and stability we need for long lasting CORE POWER.

Read More

Yoga keeps me healthy: Neha Uberoi

2009-02-20T13:31:00.000-08:00

With power yoga being the mantra of the day, newcomer Neha Uberoi is also a fan of yoga and feels that it is the best stress-buster anyone can have. Says the actress, “I have been doing power yoga for quite sometime now.

This helps to tone my body and makes me de-stress completely. I do it everyday since it also keeps me thin and, of course, healthy."

But a bigger stress-buster for Neha is her gang of friends. “No matter what time I get free, I make sure I meet my friends after work. We sit together, relax and gossip over endless cups of coffee. And yes, laugh a lot together. This helps me forget all the tensions and the hard work of the day," she adds.

Read More

Hailey Yoga Center has got the bends

2009-02-12T17:46:00.000-08:00

The Hailey Yoga Center will explore the heart center and its response through a two-day, back-bending workshop. The workshop is to open the chest and help spine flexibility. Back bends help to clear the mind, free the heart and combat depression.

Taught by Boise Yoga Center's Vickie Aldridge, the workshop is open to all levels of yoga practice. Aldridge is a certified Iyengar yoga instructor with more than 30 years of yoga experience. She studied with Inengar yogis in the United States and India.

Aldridge is co-owner of Boise Yoga Center with her husband, Jerry, and also teaches yoga at Boise State University. In addition, Aldridge served on the staff of the Idaho Rehabilitation & Pain Center, where she taught yoga to chronic pain patients. She also taught yoga at St.

Read More

Yoga training for TN MLAs

2009-02-01T12:47:00.000-08:00

Chennai (PTI): MLAs in Tamil Nadu would soon be performing various 'asanas' with the state government on Tuesday announcing free yoga classes for the legislators twice a day when the assembly is in session. Minister for Youth Welfare and Sports Development, T P M Mohideen Khan, announced in the assembly on Tuesday that the Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu (SDAT) and Yoga Association would utilise the services of authorised instructors for this purpose. "The classes will be held for the MLAs at the MLAs' Hostel in the mornings and evenings on the days when the assembly was in session," Khan said. He also announced that the state would establish High Altitude Training Centres for sportspersons in places like Udhagamandalam, Kodaikanal, Yelagiri and Kalkulam for which the locations were being identified.

Read More

Stressed out? Make exercise part of your day

2009-01-24T19:48:00.000-08:00

Back and neck problems can be taken care of with exercise programs such as yoga, pilates, tai chi. There are varied dance-based fitness programs from classical to contemporary to salsa, Bollywood and belly dancing to hip hop that can provide a fun and interesting way to get your exercise.
Unfortunately we still manage to find excuses not to exercise.

I really enjoy the workouts but just don't have the time: You really don't need to block off one or more hours to get your exercise in. Whether it's just a 20-min session or walking a couple of blocks, or taking the stairs at work, it all adds to your daily exercise and that's where you can start.

I don't like working out in gyms with machines etc: If you find that you do not enjoy working out indoors or find gyms intimidating there are various other options.

Read More

New workouts

2009-01-23T18:30:00.000-08:00

Indian dance and yoga instructor Hemalayaa possesses what one could call a "beautiful" belly. But it's not flat, not a ridged six-pack, not concave — not any of the things we've been conditioned to consider as benchmarks of paunchless pulchritude. In fact, Hemalayaa's belly is more of a two-pack, with slightly rounded definition above and below the navel. Like a real person's belly, although admittedly smaller than many, or even most.

"Body size is no deterrent to achieving a better belly," Hemalayaa assures viewers in the introduction to Beautiful Belly, a workout that she hopes "has you falling in love with your beautiful belly.” That would be novel, as most women dislike their bellies (on good days ) or actively hate their bellies (all other days ). (Insert your own rant about the reasons for self-belly-hate here.

Read More

Living Well: Subtract stress and add vigor through yoga

2009-01-19T16:44:00.000-08:00

When Jenny Hayo first started practicing yoga in 1996, she thought of it as "purely an exercise option." Within two years, she was teaching classes and digging deeper.

Her appreciation of yoga as a personal methodology changed with each new mentor. Hayo realized yoga is energizing in ways beyond the workout, and said she sees no reason why the rest of us can't tap into it for stress relief and everyday vigor.

"The interesting point of modern-day yoga is it is looked at as exercise by most people," says Hayo, who teaches at 8 Limbs Yoga Center in the Capitol Hill neighborhood, plus some classes at the downtown Zum health club. "Ninety-five percent of people get into yoga that way. But no one is complaining. It puts people on the yoga mat and that's great."

In fact, Seattle P-I venture capital columnist and blogger John Cook noted earlier this month in an item about the TeachStreet free online directory that there are no fewer than 984 yoga classes in the Seattle area.

Read More

Get The Latest News On All Things Yoga With A Fresh Online Magazine

2009-01-11T21:47:00.000-08:00

AN online yoga magazine has relaunched with a fresh design, expanded editorial and a shop dedicated to ecologically sound yoga products.

The site, www.yoga-abode.com, will also host the UK's only online community for yoga fans, allowing people all over the world to create their percredited sonal profile page, upload yoga images and make friends.

It includes latest yoga news, a well-being section and a dedicated yoga travel section, including a new monthly column from Body & Soul Escapes author Caroline Sygler-Jones.

Yoga-Abode will also host a shop stocking environmentally conscious yoga products, brought together for the first time in the UK under one virtual roof. Products include non-PVC, biodegradable yoga mats, bamboo blocks and organic cotton yoga bags.

Read More

Making connections

2009-01-05T00:25:00.000-08:00

When the Newton resident wanted to help low-income women improve their health through yoga, she became a certified instructor, applied for a grant, and brought her knowledge to a number of shelters.

Now people are finding Dunwell.

In 2006, Boston Medical Center learned of Dunwell's work and asked her to join a team to study using yoga to reduce lower-back pain for low-income women. If the regimen proved helpful, patients could begin to practice yoga in their homes, cost-free. The study, which was headed by a Newton resident, Dr. Robert Saper, finished in January and was a success.

Saper, the director of integrative medicine in the family medicine department at Boston University, had been awarded a grant from the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, a division of the National Institutes of Health, to develop clinical research skills in alternative medicine.

Read More

India: does Hinduism exist? Interview with Martin Fárek

2008-12-24T18:01:00.000-08:00

My older brother was also interested in yoga and meditation practices. Together with my interest in the Sanskrit language, this is what brought me to my area of study. Religioscope - Very often, a fascination for India goes along with stereotypes in the West. Quite early in your research, you would have certainly been confronted with such issues. Fárek - Yes. When I started my research on Western descriptions of the Chaitanya Vaishnava tradition, especially Anglo-Saxon descriptions, but also those from some German and other sources as well, I found that several things were unsatisfactory. I knew the tradition from my own travels in India and from the Sanskrit sources and translated Bengali texts that I had read. I felt that the picture that was presented didn't fit at all with that tradition.

Read More

Size zero is ‘in’ as Bollywood damsels sweat it out for the look!

2008-10-21T18:49:00.000-07:00

The pretty lady has been indulging in strict exercising and yoga sessions to shed a few more kilos to fit in the �look�. However, Amrita denies to be crashing on her diet, unlike Kareena.

This one is unbelievable, shocking indeed. Grapevine has it that even Kangana Ranaut is on a diet these days. The lady has become all the more enthusiastic for yoga and is on a strict diet regime recommended by her dietician.

Quite recently, the size zero mania has hit the very talented Rani Mukerji. Sources reveal that the actress has hired none other than Kareena�s fitness trainer to have the �in� look. Now that is not gonna be easy, we must say!

So, if it is the �number one� war for Bollywood actors, our ladies aim it on �number zero�.

.

Read More

Workout of the week: Intimate Weave yoga

2008-07-22T18:11:00.000-07:00

Russell is a former Celtic singer and songwriter who began doing yoga as therapy for an injured hand 12 years ago. He used to teach at Core Power but left because he says his style was too different. Which it definitely is.

His class emphasizes four levels of yoga: the motion (physical posture), emotion (how it makes you feel), notion (related ideas and concepts) and devotion (spirituality).

Who does it? This class was small, only three women.

When: 5:30-5:45 p.m. Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.

Level: This class is not physically difficult, maybe a two on a 10-point scale, but that might be because it is so slow and deliberate.

Format: Fifteen minutes of physical/emotional/mental warm-up exercises. Then about 30 to 45 minutes of active yoga asanas, followed by 15 minutes of restorative postures.

Read More

Yoga moves for every athlete

2008-07-21T22:37:00.000-07:00

Jen Damaska, yoga instructor and owner of Elite Mind and Body, demonstrates yoga poses that stretch and strengthen the muscles athletes work the most.

SPINAL TWIST, FOR THE BACK: Begin seated with both legs extended. Cross one foot over the opposite knee. Turn the torso toward the crossed leg and gently press the arm into the knee to deepen the stretch. To deepen the stretch further, draw the extended leg's foot under the opposite hip. Exhale through the back of the body.

UP DOG, FOR BELLY, HIPS AND NECK:

Lie on the stomach. While keeping the feet and legs together, place the hands under the shoulders, in line with the pecs. Press into the hands and lift the torso off the mat, reaching the chest and chin toward the sky. Exhale through the belly.

Read More

Outdoor exercises for health, fitness

2008-07-06T15:38:00.000-07:00

FROM swinging a hula-hoop in a park to doing yoga, Pilates or dance exercises on the beach, there are many reasons that exercising outdoors from time to time can do wonders for you. Experts say exercising in natural light, getting free Vitamin D from the sunshine, and breathing in fresh air certainly is very healthy.

MetroLifestyle Fitness Center & Spa offers a wide variety of outdoor activities.

Arroyo Watch: Sun.Star blog on President Arroyo

Last May 11, the Fitness Center organized a "fitness on the beach for Moms" event, in partnership with the Pearl Farm Beach Resort.

Moms got to exercise in the calming beauty of Mother Nature. They listened to the sound of the waves, enjoyed the greenery of the palm trees and their senses absorbed the surroundings, as they experienced the sights, smell, sounds, and texture of nature while in the process of toning their bodies towards better health.

Read More

The Posing Panacea: Yoga and Science

2008-06-27T17:36:00.000-07:00

THOUSANDS OF YEARS AGO, when Hindu priests first developed yoga, they weren't setting out to find a magic bullet — just a ritual to invigorate the mind and body in their quest for spiritual enlightenment. So, they would probably be quite surprised to see what's on tap for the National Institutes of Health's first annual Yoga Week (May 19-23): Five full days devoted to the science behind the practice.

"This idea came out of the desire to create something free to learn about the benefits," says organizer Rachel Permuth-Levine, who's presenting the public event through a partnership of several institutes and offices. In particular, the aim is to showcase recent data about yoga's ability to treat various ailments.

"Part of it is palpable. Try it for two minutes and you'll feel it even if you have no experience or don't believe in it," promises Timothy McCall, a physician who serves as the medical editor of "Yoga Journal" (he'll be speaking Wednesday).

Read More

Location, And Perception, Sway Retail Success

2008-06-18T16:10:00.000-07:00

When Namaste Yoga leaves in October, it will be more likely to fill that space.

"The true commercial numbers are north," Margarella said. "It's newer. It's sexier. The access is just as good."

And those shopping centers are more likely to attract national chain businesses.

When the shopping centers were developed, owners kept the rents relatively low to fill them up quickly. It generated a mix of small-business owners and national chains, Margarella said. As they matured, owners raised the rents and common area maintenance fees, and essentially squeezed out independents such as yoga studio owner Adrienne Reed.

"The biggest problem with retail in our corridor is that the owners still want to deal with corporate people with deep pockets," he said.

Read More

Bending backwards for local charity

2008-06-03T13:58:00.000-07:00

Bikram yoga involves maneuvering the body into various positions – such as the rabbit pose, peacock in lotus and the guillotine – for at least 90 minutes in a heated room that can reach temperatures of 110 degrees.

As a yoga instructor in her Bikram Yoga White Rock studio, Jen Hanover used to practise the process about five times a week. Since January, however, she has committed to the challenge of doing it every day for one year, to raise funds for the Peace Arch Community Services Food Bank. Hanover conceived the idea for a 360-day ‘yogathon' after hearing about the food bank's need for healthy foods such as whole grain pastas, fresh fruit and vegetables, 100 per cent fruit juice and canned protein.

A stock of healthy foods is especially important considering more than 400 of the food bank's clients are children.
Read More

Bond with your kid through yoga

2008-06-02T15:52:00.000-07:00

Bond with your child in a completely new way through Mother's Day Yoga with Maritoni Tordesillas. Watch as the energetic little ones learn to be as still as the night, and even have loads of fun twisting and turning upside down-with their moms as their "playmate," no less. Indeed, trust a child to look at an hour's yoga as fun play; leave the adults to sweat through the challenging poses.

"Children are naturally flexible so the poses come to them fairly easily. It's when they turn 9, 10 or 11, when they begin to just sit in class or spend extended periods studying, that they lose their flexibility," Tordesillas said.

Open even to beginners, mom and kid alike, the Mother's Day Yoga will be held on May 10 at the Century Plaza Penthouse,

120 Perea St., Legaspi Village, Makati.

Read More

Parkite promotes holistic health

2008-05-25T00:09:00.000-07:00

New Parkite and yoga instructor Rebecca Brenner said a healthy lifestyle is not only about balancing calories and engaging in excessive exercise. She says diet is about eating the right foods. With a Ph.D in holistic nutrition, Brenner says she can help Park City residents improve their lifestyles.

"Yoga is a great way for people to turn into themselves," Brenner said. "But nutrition is just as important as yoga."

Brenner recently opened Park City Holistic Health, where she works with clients one-on-one to come up with holistically nutritious diets and exercise plans to help them improve their health, balance and energy levels.

Rebecca Brenner moved to Park City from Pennsylvania with her husband, Allen Nelson, in June. Brenner studied dance and somatic education at Indiana University of Pennsylvania and the University of Pittsburgh.

Read More

Franco finds joy teaching yoga class

2008-05-21T01:59:00.000-07:00

Yoga instructor Julie Franco said she doesn't mind her weekly drive from Gilroy to conduct a one-hour class for seniors at the Firehouse Recreation Center in east Salinas. "I love working here," Franco said. "It makes me very happy coming here."

Read More

Pa. college athletes adding yoga to training mix

2008-05-09T18:49:00.000-07:00

More college athletes in the Philadelphia region are adding yoga to their training schedules, although there has been little scientific study of whether it boosts performance.

Teams are turning to the discipline to augment their training regimens. Coaches and instructors say the benefits include improved flexibility, strength and mental grit.

Haverford has added yoga, and so have the football teams at Villanova and Princeton, the women's soccer team at Penn, women's crew at Saint Joseph's and the men's soccer team at Swarthmore.

Researchers say training with yoga appears to have little downside. But they say the question of improved performance has not undergone rigorous scientific study.

A new Yoga Journal survey indicates that nearly 16 million Americans do yoga, and about 8 percent of them are in the prime college age range of 18 to 24.

Read More

Surat set for World Yoga meet

2008-05-03T18:07:00.000-07:00

Surat is getting ready for yet another international event. The last time Pandit Deendayal indoor stadium got decorated for hosting the 3rd Asian Gymnastics championship in 2006. The same venue will be playing host to the Lakulish World Open Yoga Championship which will be inaugurated by the state governor Naval Kishore Sharma on February 22. Out of 24 members of the Indian team, 22 are from Gujarat — the highest ever participation from one state in recent years.

The event has been organised by Yoga and Cultural Association of Gujarat in association with Life Mission. Association general secretary R J Jadeja told TOI that so far, five nations including UK, US, Canada and Taiwan have confirmed their participation for the event. "As many as 24 players from each country will take part in the event.

Read More

'Every excuse in the book'

2008-04-13T18:28:00.000-07:00

We are two months into the new year when inevitably we start to slack off on our New Year's resolutions. Exercise is almost always on our resolution list and usually the first to lose momentum.

Most of us don't skip exercise because we don't care about our health. We struggle because there are so many roadblocks. Sometimes those roadblocks are legitimate, but often they fall into the category of excuses.

In her book "Every Excuse in the Book," Jeanne Murdock addresses every excuse you can imagine as a roadblock to exercise. Her book is packed with information on exercise and practical tips for getting into a solid routine. When it's time to exercise and you don't feel like it, simply find your excuse in the book and follow the advice she suggests.

Having Murdock's book as a resource is like working with a fitness coach who won't let you slack off.

Read More

Kiddie yoga helps combat obesity

2008-04-07T22:21:00.000-07:00

A UK business that aims to get kids into yoga, YogaBugs, says the exercises can combat obesity and improve the health and wellbeing of young children. [Agencies]

Fenella Lindsell reckons she has struck a winning formula linking yoga poses to tales of astronauts, adventurers and animals to help combat obesity and improve the health and wellbeing of young children.

The concept is simple. Make yoga fun and take it into day care nurseries, parties, primary and junior schools for children from 30 months to 12 years.

With pose names like Dolphin, Eagle, Dragonfly, Crocodile, Elephant and Lion it is not hard to see how young children who are naturally supple and equally inquisitive catch on quickly.

"We didn't invent the names. That was done 5000 years ago by the yoga masters," said Lindsell, a qualified yoga teacher.

Read More

Franco finds joy teaching yoga class

2008-03-31T13:45:00.000-07:00

Yoga instructor Julie Franco said she doesn't mind her weekly drive from Gilroy to conduct a one-hour class for seniors at the Firehouse Recreation Center in east Salinas.

"I love working here," Franco said. "It makes me very happy coming here."

Kripalu, town discuss tax payment

2008-03-28T17:19:00.000-07:00

STOCKBRIDGE The Board of Assessors has placed the Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health on the town's tax rolls for the first time, amid questions over whether its yoga and wellness programs are in keeping with its tax-exempt status.

The new assessment reflects an $8.44 million property valuation, and a tax bill could top $50,000. Town tax bills will be mailed in a few weeks, when the assessors finalize the town's fiscal 2008 tax rate.

However, Principal Assessor Michael T. Blay said that the matter is far from resolved, as the assessors are still evaluating information provided by Kripalu. Both sides described the matter as amicable, but Blay said that, for procedural reasons, Kripalu will receive a tax bill, which it can appeal.

"There has been so much concern about all this (tax exempt) valuation around town and how it impacts the overall town tax rate," Blay said.

Read More

Move your body to Wii Fit

2008-03-26T17:26:00.000-07:00

If you've been procrastinating on your New Year's resolution to exercise more, the Nintendo Wii console might hold the incentive you need to get moving.

Announced on Wednesday at the Game Developers Conference (GDC) in San Francisco, Nintendo's unique Wii Fit product will be available on May 19.

When used with the bundled Wii Balance Board peripheral, which looks like a regular bathroom scale, Nintendo Wii owners can exercise, stretch and do yoga with on-screen avatars – all designed to help keep you fit and lose weight.

For example, you may be asked to step on and off the wireless board in time with music or keep one foot on the board while lifting another up towards your waist.

Fun mini-games will also be included, such as using your body to ski downhill, leaning left or right to head-butt soccer balls out of a net or rolling marbles around so that they fall into a hole in the floor – without falling off the edge.

Read More

Love is in the air for Orlando

2008-03-22T20:02:00.000-07:00

Model Miranda Kerr blushed as she spoke for the first time about new boyfriend Orlando Bloom - admitting: "He's a sweetheart." The Lord of the Rings hunk was dating the stunning Victoria's Secret model in secret - but was outted when they were spotted smooching in public. Even so, Kerr blushed when asked about the romance which neither has officially confirmed. Talking to a reporter about her passion for yoga, she was asked if she ever practices with Orlando. "Ugh. Ha, ha, ha!" she stuttered, before finally managing, "Well, I'm sure he does yoga." She blushed as she then added: "He's a sweetheart and that's all I'm gonna say. Sweetheart." Asked if they spent Valentine's Day together, she laughed: "I can't tell you! "I work for Victoria's Secret - but that's my secret." The duo were in part brought together because of their spiritual beliefs.

Read More

NEWS- New Year's vows: Get fit-- for a month anyway

2008-03-19T21:15:00.000-07:00

While December is the busiest time for retailing, it's generally believed fitness-oriented businesses such as yoga studios and gyms do their biggest business in the new year. But do they?

In the four years that Michaela Curran Grubbs and Lizzie Clark have been teaching yoga downtown, they've seen class enrollments swell every January at their Bikram Yoga studio. While they've had to turn people away every January since they opened, 2008 was the first year they have had several maximum-capacity days, including one Saturday evening class were they "ended up turning away around 15 people," Clark says.

Although Clark says that they "love" the increase in business every January, she adds that they do not plan the onslaught into their budget; rather, "the rush is a wonderful bonus that certainly makes things easier come February."

Many local companies benefit as people flock to shed holiday pounds and act on their resolutions to get fit and change their lifestyle.

Read More

Cancer patients find support in Yoga

2008-03-16T11:30:00.000-07:00

MUNSTER | The Cancer Resource Centre offers free education programs and support groups for those with a cancer diagnosis and their families.It's at 900 Ridge Road, Suite J. Those interested should call to register for any educational or networking group at (219) 836-3349.Yoga meets at 10 a.m. Monday for beginners or accomplished meditators.A lecture on yoga and pain management is set for 6 to 7:15 p.m. Wednesday. Find out why the body fools the mind and how to use the mind to naturally alleviate the stress of chronic and intermittent pain. Exercises will be offered in conjunction with internal focusing techniques to manage pain. After Care breast cancer support group from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Monday. It's designed for women who have completed their breast cancer treatment. The group gives participants the opportunity to share experiences and address concerns. Wellness Support Group meets from 10 to 11:30 and 6 to 7:30 p.m.

Read More

Verena von Pfetten: Step XII Of My Spiritual Journey: In Which I Can Finally Afford Yoga

2008-03-14T19:55:00.000-07:00

When I first started writing this column, and therefore telling people that I was on a Spiritual Journey, the first thing out of everyone's mouth was, "Ooh! Fun! You can write about yoga!" People love yoga. Apparently, yoga is spirituality for the masses. But, let's be honest, how many people do you know that actually, and whole-heartedly practice yoga?

I thought so. That's because yoga is an elitist practice.

I like yoga. I've always liked yoga. I grew up doing yoga, because, let's face it, yoga is a lot easier to practice when it's funded by your parents, or when your Safeway paycheck's have nothing more, well, pressing to go towards.

In real life, as far as I'm concerned, it's unaffordable. The average yoga class in Manhattan costs about $20.

Read More

Health and Fitness: A Review of the Yoga for Runners DVD

2008-03-13T20:08:00.001-07:00

As an athlete, I enjoy running, but at times find it challenging to stay loose and flexible. I was already an advocate of yoga, but Christine gives a great intro of why runners should make yoga part of their training and lifestyle. When I first received a copy of Christine Felstead's DVD: Yoga for runners, I was a little intimidated by the amount of equipment that was listed as required. As I worked through the DVD I found I was able to use a towel, or belt in place of the yoga belt. The yoga blocks may be needed to modify some poses for some athletes. A yoga mat, is preferable, but I do most of my yoga on carpeting, and have been happy for years.

The start of the DVD focuses on posture and breathing. Two things that we all should take from the DVD and incorporate into our everyday lives.

Read More

Childlight Yoga comes to town

2008-03-12T14:37:00.000-07:00

ChildLight Yoga, founded in 1995, has partnered with Prasada Yoga Center in North Hampton to offer classes in town. Owner and director Lisa Flynn has seen a tremendous growth in interest in yoga for children as parents, school teachers, pediatricians, therapists, and the kids themselves feel and see the beneficial effects of the ancient practice.

ChildLight Yoga offers yoga classes, summer camps, yoga parties, teacher trainings and workshops around the Seacoast. For more information, please visit www.childlightyoga.com or call 781-3323.

Sign-ups

2008-03-11T19:05:00.000-07:00

Aerobics/Dance/Yoga
Leona Ford Washington Recreation Center: Looking for an Aerobics instructor. Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 5:30-6:30 p.m. The Leona Ford Washington Recreation Center is located on 3400 E. Missouri. Information: 562-7071.
Beginners Ballet classes: The MultiPurpose Center, 9031 Viscount is now offering classes for ages 4 and up Mondays and Wednesdays at 6:30-7:30 p.m. Fee: $20/month. Information: 598-1155.
San Juan Recreation Cardio Kick Boxing Class: Classes begin Mar. 4 at 6:30 p.m. and are held on Tuesdays & Thursdays from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.Fee: $20 Monthly per person Information: 779-2799.
San Juan Recreation Latin Cardio Class: Mon. & Wed. from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Classes start on Mar. 3. Fee: $20 monthly per person. Information: 779-2799.

Read More

Youth through yoga

2008-03-10T18:52:00.000-07:00

For years, yogis have practised their art to remain youthful and healthy. Meet Swami Yogananda.

Clad in a saffron robe and squatting, Swami Yogananda pulls out a thick thread and inserts it into his right nostril. A second later, the thread emerges from his mouth and he proceeds to tug alternately at each end.

No, this is not a magic trick but a yoga cleansing process to purify the breathing path from nostril to throat, called sutraneti.

Most yogis are trained to do this but what is amazing about Swami Yogananda is that he claims to be 99, has all 32 adult teeth intact, has perfect vision, can hear the softest of murmurs and has never taken medication in his life.

New Online Yoga Community at YogaHub.com

2008-03-07T19:42:00.000-08:00

YogaHub.com launches a new free interactive online yoga community chock-full of resources, yoga videos, news, articles, and more.

Los Angeles, CA (PRWEB) February 19, 2008 -- After spending more than two years developing, testing, and revising their vision to create a unique online yoga community, YogaHub.com is now welcoming visitors.

Surat set for World Yoga meet

2008-03-06T20:22:00.000-08:00

Kiddie yoga helps combat obesity

2008-03-04T22:27:00.000-08:00

A UK business that aims to get kids into yoga, YogaBugs, says the exercises can combat obesity and improve the health and wellbeing of young children. [Agencies]

The concept is simple. Make yoga fun and take it into day care nurseries, parties, primary and junior schools for children from 30 months to 12 years.

With pose names like Dolphin, Eagle, Dragonfly, Crocodile, Elephant and Lion it is not hard to see how young children who are naturally supple and equally inquisitive catch on quickly.

"We didn't invent the names. That was done 5000 years ago by the yoga masters," said Lindsell, a qualified yoga teacher.

Read More

Yoga studio presents alternative, free-form open mic

2008-03-03T19:42:00.001-08:00

A folded yellow piece of paper falls to a table, upon which hot tea is served. A girl picks it up and reads the message scribbled inside: "You are strong, loving, wise, needed, worthy. Don't forget it." The positive message on the slip of paper is one of many inside the "affirmation jar."

The affirmation jar is filled with positive energy in the form of quotes, mantras or small affirmations that remind one of the beauty within.

The jar can be found on a table inside a small room off Pulaski Drive that serves as much more than an ordinary room.

"You are a voice in this world and you deserve to be heard," reads a quote taken from the '80s television sitcom "A Different World." Ladonna Kearney and Tiffany Tunno agree and summarize the story behind not only the jar, but the existence of "The Last Word."
.

Read More

Seaside Park to offer spring yoga classes

2008-02-29T20:30:00.001-08:00

SEASIDE PARK: Registration has begun for the Recreation Department's spring yoga classes.

They run from 6 to 7:15 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, March 4 through May at the elementary school.

The fee is $65 for residents and $75 for nonresidents for one day a week, or $120 for residents and $140 for nonresidents for both days. Occasional attendees may drop in either day for $10. Loose-fitting or exercise attire is recommended, and participants may bring yoga mats. To sign up, call Lyndsay Hall at (732) 684-8689 or simply come to class.

Chelsea Michels

Fits of laughter the fitness trick

2008-02-27T18:43:00.000-08:00

Laughing is good for you, physically, mentally and emotionally. A "laughter yoga" workshop Sunday offers exercise in which you laugh out loud till your sides ache - and you feel great.

If you don't have a sense of humor, stop reading here. If you do, laughter yoga might be the class for you - exercise and laugh your way to fitness.

After a laughing fit, our sides ache. A good belly laugh exercises the diaphragm and abdominal muscles when the belly contracts. A real sustained howl even works out the shoulders, leaving muscles more relaxed.

Laughing provides a good workout for the heart and improves breathing capacity and circulation.

It's not only healthy, it's easy, it's fun, it doesn't require equipment or training, and people of all ages can do it.

Read More

Teen Yoga, Fun Park, Drama, Comedy and Rodeo Lead Spring DVD Line-Up From Empire Home Entertainment

2008-02-26T19:27:00.001-08:00

Empire Home Entertainment, the distribution division of Empire Film Group, Inc. (Other OTC:EFGU.PK - News) ("Empire Film") (http://www.empirefilmgroup.com) has a powerhouse line-up of new release DVDs for the Spring, including the suspense thriller "Fun Park," the exercise program "Teen Yoga," and six others.

Studio offering free yoga class

2008-02-25T20:26:00.000-08:00

Friendship Yoga Studio, 1231 Gilbert Court in Iowa City, is offering a free introductory class from 10:30 a.m. to noon Saturday.

For more information, visit the Web site at www.friendshipyoga.com.

Registration for the spring term will take place immediately after the free class. Classes begin the first week of March. There are two introductory classes: Tuesday mornings at 9 a.m. and Thursday evenings at 6 p.m. Both classes run for 90 minutes and cover an eight-week term.

Health and Fitness: A Review of the Yoga for Runners DVD

2008-02-24T13:05:00.000-08:00

The start of the DVD focuses on posture and breathing. Two things that we all should take from the DVD and incorporate into our everyday lives.

Read More

Stressed executives find peace in yoga

2008-02-23T23:33:00.000-08:00

From being a fuddy-duddy meditation-based form practiced largely by senior citizens, yoga is becoming increasingly popular with corporates today. A day in a corporate executives life is marked by stress, sedentary lifestyle, long hours in front of the computer, lack of regular exercise and improper eating habits. Consequently, professionals even in their 20s are falling prey to conditions like obesity, abnormal blood sugar levels, back injuries and heart problems.

"At least 50% of my clientele are company executives who come with problems of stress and stress-related injuries. Most of them are in the age-group of 26-45 and don't realise that even improper sleeping patterns affect their health," says Dr Poornima K, who combines ayurveda and yoga to offer solutions for her clients at Healing Touch.

Read More