|
|
| Getting Slim and Trim With Yoga Yoga’s power to create a state of mental and physical well being may also be put to good use for taking off excess weight. Yoga promotes a healthy and balanced life style and when combined with a calorie burning program may show exceptional results. 
Practicing yoga will also increase your metabolism, increasing the calorie burning process, but you should not see it as an immediate results method. By following the rigors imposed by yoga you will gain a holistic, long term solution to balance your life style and keep off any excessive weight. In addition to loosing weight you will also experience an increased ability to concentrate and focus, higher resistance to stress factors and an all round healthier way of living. _1_svg_med.png)
Metabolism is regulated by the thyroid, a component of the endocrine system. It is responsible for the chemical processes in your body that transform food into energy. Yoga uses a series of twisting poses that stimulate the work flow of the internal organs, thus boosting metabolism to burn more calories and reduce your body weight. Improved local circulation is another direct effect of using yoga postures and this leads to a healthier, more energetic body. When the calorie intake is lower than the calorie output your body will start burning fat cells to acquire the necessary energy. A perfectly healthy and strong metabolism takes this process even further and you will see better results than traditional weight loss formulas. Different back bends, combined with forward bends, are used to stimulate metabolism. Poses that affect the neck area, where the thyroid gland is situated, are especially useful is the weight problem is caused by a hormonal imbalance. These poses can be those of the camel, rabbit, plow, bridge and shoulder stand. Moving quickly between a series of poses can accelerate the process. For people who are significantly overweight some of the bends may prove to be a difficult task to accomplish. They should gradually increase the difficulty of the postures until they are confident enough to go to more complex exercises.  Muscles can be strengthened by using standing poses, such as the warrior. A higher endurance and increased caloric output will also result from using standing poses. Energize the body and increase your metabolism even more by using Kapalabhati and Ujjayi Pranayama. A proper diet should also be followed to support the holistic weight loss system. Try to consume food rich in fiber, vegetables, whole grains and less high fat and processed food items. Balance is essential in all maters concerning your food and no excess should be made. Do not totally eliminate certain food items from your menu and remember that diversity is the key to an equilibrated and satisfactory diet. A gradual approach is essential with all yoga practices. Results may not be spectacular and immediate, but this is one of the best long term weight loss methods available. In addition to weight loss you also benefit from an increased protection against adverse factors as well as a general feeling of well being and inner peace. Paths To Power ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Yoga Weight Loss Secrets: Lose Weight With Yoga Why Wait Any Longer? Use the Power of Yoga To Make Your Weight Loss Breakthrough Click this link for more details, today! ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Runner's Yoga - It's not just for Runners! Finally, you can have Total Mind-Body Fitness with one short routine. Flexibility. Strength. Focus. Balance. And Stress Relief. All in 30 minutes - no gym, no video, no equipment required. Click this link to find out more today! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Are These Five Exercises The Fountain Of Youth? Millions of Americans are suffering from obesity. Along with that comes a huge lack in energy. Can these five exercises developed by Tibetan monks over a thousand years ago and brought to the West in the 1930's by a British Colonel be the answer to what we are all looking for?
The Five Tibetans or Five Rites are a blend of 21 Hatha Yoga movements blended into five exercises. They were brought to the west in the 1930's when a retired British officer came to the United States and then traveled to India and finally to Tibet to find relief from a crippling disease. At 77 he returned to the United States and began teaching the Five Rites to small and select groups of students. Most of his students guessed his age to be in the mid forties. All of them had no idea of the crippling disease he suffered from years earlier. Years later his work would inspire Peter Kelder to write a short book describing the exercises. It was called “Ancient Secret of the Fountain of Youth.”
The word Yoga means the union of the human soul to the universal soul. Hatha Yoga poses are not really exercises, but movements that purify and balance the endocrine, nervous and circulatory systems. Hatha Yoga is used by healers through out the world to effectively treat disease and lack of energy. In eastern philosophy the seven chakras or energy vortexes are the pumps or valves that regulate the flow of healing energy through the body. The speed of the chakra spin or pumping action is the key to vibrant health. The Five Rites speed up the spinning of the chakras. The chakras are not physical and we decide when to open and close these energy valves during our lifetime based on what and how we are thinking. Some things we just wish to filter out. Some things we just “store away”. Other Doctors and Healers have recognized this as Dr. Richard Schulze says: “The one and only cause of any disease, physical or emotional is blockage...”
The Five Rites can be done in as little as ten minutes a day. You should start slowly and work your way up to 21 reps for each.
Rite 1. Stand erect arms outstretched, horizontal to the floor. Spin around clockwise until you become slightly dizzy.
Rite 2. Lie flat on the floor face up. Extend your arms along your sides and place your palms of you hands against the floor. Raise your head off the floor, tucking the chin against the chest. As you do this lift your legs, knees straight, into a vertical position. Let the legs extend over the body but do not let the knees bend. Then slowly lower both the head and legs, knees straight, to the floor.
Rite 3. Kneel on the floor with the body erect. Place your hands against your thighs. Incline the head and neck forward, tucking the chin against the chest. Then throw the head and neck backward, arching the spine. Breathe in deeply as you arch the spine.
Rite 4. Sit down on the floor with your legs straight with your feet about twelve inches apart. With your trunk erect, place the palms of your hands on the floor alongside the buttocks. Then tuck the chin forward against the chest. Now, drop the head backward as far as it will go. At the same time raise your body so that the knees bend while the arms remain straight. The trunk of the body will be in a straight line with the upper legs, horizontal to the floor. Then tense every muscle in your body. Finally, relax and return to your original sitting position. This is the most difficult of the five.
Rite 5. Lie face down on the floor. Support yourself with your hands palm down on the floor and your toes in a flex position. Keep your hands and feet straight. Start with your arms perpendicular to the floor, and the spine arched, so that the body is in a sagging position. Now, throw the head back as far as possible. Then, bending at the hips, bring the body up into an inverted “V”. At the same time bring the chin forward, tucking it against the chest.
Students have reported such amazing results as more stamina and energy, dramatic weight loss and improved flexibility and strength. The body will rid itself of toxins and waste and your circulation will improve. Most experience results within two weeks. About the Author: Marty Meshek is a natural energy and cleansing specialist. He owns and operates the website yoga.jazib.com dedicated to cleansing and natural energy boosters. A full description of the five rites can be found there. Article Source: www.NewAgeArticles.com ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Self Enrichment, Self Improvement Products ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | |
| Simply Yoga By: Shirley Marotta I titled this article Simply Yoga because I want to give you a down to earth, everyday view of yoga. You really don't have to stand on your head, or tie yourself in knots to perform yoga and it's great for your body, mind, and spirit. What I give you here is taken from my own personal experience with yoga.
Yoga Stretches
Whenever the subject of yoga comes up most people think you have to be flexible to do it. The beauty of simple yoga stretches is that you don't have to be flexible to gain the benefits of it. For those of you that are out of shape and want to change that, yoga is a good way to start.
The advice that all yoga teachers pass on to their students is, do not push your body beyond its limits, it is not supposed to hurt. Start with simple stretches, when you feel a slight pull in your muscles, and I mean slight, that's where you stop and hold the posture for a few seconds and slowly come out of the posture. Find the yoga postures that you feel most comfortable doing and with time you will discover improvement in your flexibility.
If getting up and down from the floor is difficult you can do Chair Yoga. This is especially good if you are recovering from an illness or injury. It doesn't matter what kind of shape you are in you can do Chair Yoga. It's even great for those of us that are stuck sitting at a desk all day. You are already in the chair why not take a quick 5 minute break and do some Chair Yoga.
Yoga and Health
Your body was designed for movement. Muscles need to be put to work and need to be kept reasonably flexible. Yoga can warm up the body before performing strenuous exercise or sports activities, this helps prevent injury.
Yoga is a wonderful stress reliever. Stress is the leading cause of most health issues these days. You have a stressful job, family situations, even just thinking about the world's events can stress you out. Carrying all that stress day in and day out causes health issues, headaches, high blood pressure, insomnia, just to name a few. All these left unattended build into bigger health issues. Yoga can relieve stress, therefore, the issues that result from stress are relieved as well. Yes, it's simply yoga and its simplicity is the key that makes it so easy to incorporate into your daily life.
Everyday Yoga
I know every day sounds like a time consuming task, but it really isn't, trust me.
Did you know that the simple stretch you do each morning when you wake up can be considered a yoga move? That's the best and easiest time to incorporate yoga into your day. You can do it while still in bed, there are many yoga postures that are traditionally done on the floor that can also be done on your bed, how comfy is that! When your feet hit the floor first thing in the morning you can also do a few standing yoga stretches.
I urge you to get a good book of yoga postures and try the ones you feel most comfortable doing once a day in the morning or evening (a great time to release those tensions of the day). Even better to do it both morning and evening it's a wonderful start and end to your day.
You don't have to perform an hour long routine every day, but just one, two, or three of your favorite yoga postures will get you going on the way to better health. Progress begins with one small step at a time, remember it's simply yoga and its simplicity will produce wonderful benefits for your body, mind, and spirit. www.livingwordsofwisdom.com www.livingwordsofwisdom.com/chair-yoga.html Article Source: www.NewAgeArticles.com --------------------------------------------------------------- Are You Ready To Live a 100% Stress-free Lifestyle In Just 30 Days?" Check out Brandon Lam's Yoga for Stress Relief
--------------------------------------------------------------- Close Your Eyes & Open Your Mind - Introducing Spiritual Meditation In His Book, Yoga Monk Dada Nabhaniilananda, Who Has Taught Meditation For More Than 30 Years Takes The Reader Well Beyond Relaxation And Stress Management. He Answers Common Questions, Explains Clearly How Meditation Works And Gives A Simple Technique. --------------------------------------------------------------- Introducing Hatha Yoga It is that, but it is also much more. Hatha yoga practices are more spiritual than physical, more subtle than gross, more a means of understanding than an exotic way to relieve stress or limber up the body.
The sages who developed hatha yoga designed it as a way to gain conscious control of our life energies, a way to go within, to harmonize the external so the innermost Self could be encountered. To them, it was about states of consciousness, about living a divine life, and it was a preparation for meditation.
As you perform the asanas, concentrate on feeling the energies within the nerve currents. Sensitize yourself to knowing when the body has been in each position long enough to tune the nerve currents involved. Then shift smoothly into the next asana. It's like a dance, a deliberate, fluid dance. During all postures, inhale using the diaphragm, not the chest muscles. Do not stretch unduly or force the body. Relax into the poses. Don't worry if you can't perform them all perfectly. In time, you will find the body becoming more flexible and supple. Free the mind of thoughts and tensions. You will be more aware, more alive, more serene.
While there are many more complex hatha yoga routines, these twenty-four asanas provide a balanced system for daily use. For the simple purpose of quieting the mind in preparation for meditation, this is all you will ever need. For best results, hatha yoga should be taught personally by a qualified teacher. These instructions and drawings are meant only as a rudimentary aid. For more elaborate regimens, inquire at a recognized school specializing in hatha yoga.
The scene of hatha yoga has a spiritual purpose - to balance physical and physic energies in preparation for meditation. It is not only meant to make us young, beautiful or creative, but to aid us in quieting the mind, body and emotions that we may awaken enlightened consciousness & know the Self within.
By: Ann Marier -
Source: http://www.articlecircle.com/ - Free Articles Directory
About the Author For More Article Of This Author Visit :: http://www.thearticleinsiders.com/ --------------------------------------------------- Yoga Pants For Exercising And Beyond It seems that the most popular “running around” pants are also yoga pants. Many of these closely resemble wide legged jogging pants but are often made of natural fiber such as cotton or hemp and are a thinner material for ease of movement.
Other popular styles of yoga pants include capri, knee length, straight leg, “boot” flair, and even tight fitting or bloomer style pants. With all the fancy names it can be confusing exactly which pair to choose. For the summer, capri pants are always comfortable and the knee length yoga pants fit much like gauchos. These types of pants are comfortable like jogging pants but look stylish. They can be perfect for around the house, when running out for milk, or picking the kids up from school.
Straight leg yoga pants are probably the most popular style for every day wear. The straight leg design is flattering for most figures and many have a wide elastic waist that stays in place. The alternate waist band is often a draw string; drawstring pants tend to feel more comfortable at a low rise or ultra-low rise position. Also some yoga pants have a roll down waist, which can be particularly comfortable for people who will be gaining weight through pregnancy or losing weight through exercise.
Yoga Pants for Exercise
Yoga pants are of course intended for exercise. When used for their intended purpose trying the pants on is essential as they must feel comfortable in many positions. The yoga pants should be loose fitting enough to allow a complete range of movement without cutting into the skin or restricting the legs in any way.
A tee shirt in soft comfortable material pairs well with yoga pants for exercise. Wearing velvet hooded sweat shirt, a sweater, or small fitting hooded sweatshirt will look the best while traveling to or from lessons. These will also compliment the yoga pants for running errands.
Shoes are often not worn in class, however, en route to lessons or general running around athletic shoes will complement the total outfit. Sometimes casual sandals such as crocks or flip-flops will look nice with the capri style or wide legged yoga pants.
By: Ann Marier -
Source: http://www.articlecircle.com/ - Free Articles Directory
About the Author For More Article Of This Author Visit :: http://www.thearticleinsiders.com/ --------------------------------------------------- Yoga and Meditation - The Power of Our Mind & Body What is Yoga and Meditation? For many people working on an exercise program or starting one, flexibility and reducing stress are major priorities and one of the best ways to begin being flexible and to help reduce stress is Yoga and Meditation.
If you are like me then you may be thinking like I did when I first heard about Yoga and wondering how you are going to bend over backwards or end up looking like a pretzel with a head attached to it. It wasn’t until I tried a very basic routine that I discovered how great Yoga makes me feel. The stretching is a bit difficult at first but you feel so relaxed at the end of a session that you end up wanting to continue learning and remaining consistent with your workouts.
Yoga comes from the East and it is a name for a group of stretching and breathing exercises that can have a tremendous positive effect on your mind and body. You do not need any special equipment except for a mat or a place to work where you will not slip as you move along the exercises. I highly recommend investing a small amount of money for Yoga blocks because the will help you when you have to stretch. A good Yoga kit should not cost you more than twenty dollars and it will include a mat, 2 blocks and a stretching band.
There are many ways that you can learn how to practice. If you enjoy working out in your home then you can buy a book or you can use a DVD to learn how to perform Yoga. You will be able to mimic the moves as well as understand the proper breathing techniques by listening to the instructor. It is very helpful to watch it a few times before you begin to make sure that you are comfortable before attempting the moves because once you begin, you will take your cues from the audio instruction and not the visual since you will be looking up, down or away from the screen. (This took me a few tapes to figure out.) Also, if you belong to a health club, many of them offer Yoga classes and this will help you learn because you will be able to see firsthand what you are supposed to be doing and if the class is small enough, the instructor may be able to correct your posture when you are not getting it right. There are plenty of independent Yoga instructors in most areas but it can be a bit pricey at 10-20 dollars per lesson or about $100 per month for an unlimited membership.
As you progress through your diet and exercise plan, I want you to seriously consider giving Yoga a try. Yoga has been practiced for thousands of years and will continue to be used by people for their health and harmony. Source: http://www.articlecircle.com/ - Free Articles Directory
About the Author Have you had problems staying fit just like I have? Do you want to know what I finally realized to get me started on the right path? I want to share this important information with you so that you can succeed and meet all of your fitness goals. For a free copy of "The Secret to Diet & Exercise" - How One Word Can Change Your Life, please visit http://diet.webinforesource.com/. | | Yoga – A Cure For Modern Day Stress By: Michelle Trantina As we walk the tightrope between modern life and our animal instincts, the human race strives to find balance. In our bodies, our minds, our environment, in our lives. With our brains over-stimulated and our bodies more sedentary than ever, many of us suffer from the fatigue and imbalance that comes from chronic stress without sufficient recovery. A yoga practice is an excellent way to soothe nerves that are in a constant state of overdrive. Yoga can help give us the ability to live healthy amidst hectic schedules and bustling environments. Why does it seem that as technology evolves at such epic pace we have less and less time at our disposal? Now more than ever we need to slow down, quiet our minds, take a deep breath...
Stress has become a chronic aspect of life for many of us; and it takes its toll. The nervous system senses continued pressure and remains slightly activated, producing extra stress hormones over an extended period of time. This can wear out the body’s reserves, leaving us feeling depleted or overwhelmed. Over time the immune system weakens causing illness and fatigue, mood swings, lack of focus, and irritability. Stress is implicated in many health problems from migraines and insomnia to lupus, MS, eczema, poor digestion, weight gain, high blood pressure, and heart attacks. In milder situations a little stress can keep us on our toes and help us to rise to a challenge. However, in today’s world chronic, unreleased stress has become prevalent and is taking a tremendous toll on our bodies as it diminishes our enjoyment of life.
In city living the constant noise, electricity, radiation, radiowaves, electromagnetic rays, and infra-red which surround us, create an ever-present stimuli that haggars the central nervous system. We do not yet know long term effects of this “white noise.” We may not consciously be aware of it, but our bodies register all that is going on around us. In our jobs and lifestyles we are often engaged in many tasks at once and feeling that we are constantly on the go, and that even when we do have a moment to spare we can’t seem to truly relax.
What is Stress?
In a challenging situation the human brain responds to stressors by activating the nervous system and specific hormones. The hypothalamus (located in the center of the brain) signals the adrenal glands to produce more of the hormones adrenaline and cortisol, and release them into the bloodstream. Heart rate, blood pressure, and metabolism increase, blood vessels open wider to allow more blood flow into large muscles groups, making our muscles tense and putting the brain on high alert. Pupils dilate to improve vision. The liver releases a dose of stored glucose to increase the body’s energy. Sweat is produced to cool the body. This chain reaction of physical effects happens to prepare the human being to react quickly and effectively, enabling them to handle the pressure of the moment. Cortisol is a natural steroid that raises your blood sugar level (so the muscles have plenty of fuel) and suppresses inflammation, but it also suppresses the immune system. The adrenal hormones are catabolic, which means they foster biological processes that burn energy and break down cellular structures. If you activate the adrenal glands over and over again without sufficient recovery in between, your body becomes depleted and exhausted.
Stress is necessary for the human to remain self-sufficient; to survive. In the jungle, ancient man conjured stress hormones when needed to fight a bear or a tiger, or to survive extreme weather conditions. With a concrete defensive action stress hormones in the blood get used up entailing reduced stress effects and symptoms of anxiety. In modern life some stress situations sharpen us; clear the cobwebs from our thinking, and stimulate faculties to attain our true potential. Each stage of human evolution happened by adapting in order to survive extreme conditions and stressors in our environment, as at this time the body is prepared to act with increased strength and speed while the mind is sharp and focused. Stress and a human response to stress is necessary.
However, what we need now is to learn to adapt to our new world, to handle the increase in milder but consistent stress in a better way and to learn to release before it affects us in a negative manner. When we fail to counter a stress situation these chemicals and hormones remain unreleased in the body and bloodstream for a long period of time. This leads to a long list of symptoms such as tense muscles, unfocused anxiety, dizziness and rapid heartbeat, and compels the mind-body to in an almost constant alarm state in preparation to fight or run away (known as the fight or flight response).
Accumulated stress can increase the risk of both acute and chronic psychosomatic illnesses, and cause everything from headaches, irritable bowel syndrome, frequent cold and fatigue, to diseases such as hypertension, asthma, diabetes, heart ailments and even cancer. Many medical doctors and psychologists go as far as to say that 70 – 90 % of visits by adults to primary care physicians are for stress related problems.**
How Yoga Affects Stress
Enhance the body’s natural functions:
To recover from the exhaustion associated with chronic stress, we need to do things that turn off the adrenal hormones and promote secretion of anabolic hormones. Certain yoga poses, such as inversions help to stimulate glands in the brain (Pituitary, Pineal). Moving into the ALPHA state is very important. The alpha state is considered the ideal waking state, where we reach the pinnacle of our creative thought process while the body is in a healing cycle. Alpha state is often attained during savasana; final resting pose in yoga practice.
Yoga’s smooth, deep, symmetrical breathing, twists, stretches and balancing postures help to enhance the body’s natural functions, keeping the spine, house of the nervous system supple, enhancing flow of fluids in the spine and stimulating glands and circulation of blood and lymph throughout the rest of the body. Muscles are lengthened and toxins are released. Pranayam (breath exercises) and poses such as cat where we roll along the spine with breath can help to flush and clear the lung tissue.
Yoga innately helps us to create balance; to know our bodies, to recognize when we are not balanced both on and off of the mat. On a purely physical level hatha yoga creates strength, flexibility, grace. Part of Yoga’s philosophy is to take the approach of strengthening and healing the body in the process of healing and cleansing the mind. Yoga views the body as having many layers. Asana (physical yoga postures) affect the body but also these deeper layers, en route to creating a whole, balanced self. Hatha yoga practice creates unobstructed energy flow.
Release Tension:
Stressed out individuals tend to carry a great deal of physical tension in their bodies. Yoga helps to unlock and release these tensions before they can accumulate over time and become chronic physical and psychological conditions. As we release physical blockages, toxins, and limitations from the body we also do so in mind, spirit, and emotions. The benefits of yoga postures (asana), breathing (pranayama), and meditation (dhyana) include increased body awareness, release of muscular tension and increased coordination between mind-and body which leads to better management of stress and cultivates an overall feeling of well being
During the resting poses in yoga such as child’s pose, abdominal tension is released. This allows internal organs to unwind promoting deep breathing and enhancing digestive and reproductive functions. This deep rest affords the central nervous system much needed time in ‘para-sympathetic’ mode (relaxed calm state, free of the “flight or flight” stress response) in order to recover and rejuvenate. Creating focus through a series of specific bodily poses also helps us to truly take our mind off of work and other stressors.
The Breath:
In normal conditions the body follows a natural breath pattern that is slow and fairly regulated. Under stress when the body shows symptoms such as tightening of muscles, distractions, anxiety, hyperactivity and angry reactions, breathing becomes quick and shallow. One tends to hold one's breath frequently. With restricted breathing inflow of oxygen is diminished. Lungs are unable to exhale the stale airs and residual toxins build up inside the body. Stiff muscles restrict the circulation of blood that so even less oxygen comes in and fewer toxins are removed. This in turn affects the healthy regeneration of cells and can accelerate aging and disease. Medical studies show that the oxygen-starved cells are the major contributing factors in cancer, immunity deficiency, heart disease and strokes. Breathing also affects our state of mind and consequently makes our thinking either confused or clear. Lengthening and deepening breath in yoga creates a more balanced state of being. A change in breath pattern creates a change in the metabolic process, emotions, endorphins, internal chemical reactions, and the release of specific hormones. Mind affects body; body affects mind.
Mind Body Connection:
The sensitivity that comes through a yoga practice helps to develop a level of skill in cultivating, observing and choosing one's posture, breath, emotions, and diet more wisely. As we practice we learn to listen with our bodies. Whenever we experience an emotion, our bodies register this emotion and mirror it. The next time you get angry, stressed, or afraid, stop and notice exactly what is happening in your own body in that moment. Which muscles got tense? How has your breath been affected? How did your posture change? Is your heart beating faster? What affects you and why? Are you able to notice it as it happens?
Over time yoga helps us to let go of unwanted emotional and physical patterns. Yoga practice is great for providing recovery and can also help you deal with stressful circumstances without having such a strong negative reaction. The mindfulness – mind-body awareness cultivated with yoga practice allows us to realize emotions as they arise; sensing what is the cause of the emotion and how that emotion affects the body/mind. As Patanjali says in his Yoga Sutras**, “Yoga quells the fluctuations of the mind." It slows down the mental loops and patterns of frustration, regret, anger, fear, and desire that can cause stress. No matter what age, we can release past traumas, feelings of guilt or inadequacy, denial, patterns of feeling unable to communicate or connect, patterns of addiction, (all of which lead to more guilt and denial). We need to clear out these patterns in order to stay freshly alive or else there is an accumulation, a blockage, both physical and mental. We need to continually release these psycho/somatic holding patterns. As we release blockages, toxins, and tightness physically, we also do so in mind, spirit, emotions.
Awareness from the inside out and from the outside in are necessary. They are one in the same. Through a regular yoga practice we develop a balanced state on a consistent basis and this translates into our lives off the mat. We become better equipped to handle everything that comes our way in life; to handle life with more grace, ease, and presence, from a more objective point of view. By staying open we keep on top of the game, in the moment, able to truly enjoy each day to the fullest. The way we deal with coworkers and friends or family will innately be transformed. The very way we perceive things around us and who we are as a person from moment to moment will be transformed. Our sense of self-perception is the root of our own life. From here the world around us takes shape. As we become more aware of ourselves we are able to be less judgmental, more open, more honest, and take things less personally. True wisdom comes from within, from self knowledge and a clear eye.If you learn to quiet your mind, you'll be likely to live longer, and fuller, with better health. Yoga and meditation offer some of the same benefits as antidepressants-without the side effects.
It is no wonder yoga has soared to such heights of popularity. Through yoga practice we begin to find a sense of wholeness. We become more aware. We create balance in our bodies, in our minds, in our lives. As we evolve individually and come closer to an open, authentic state of being, we also evolve as a species, creating a better world for us all.
http://yoga.jazib.com About the Author: Michelle Trantina is a certified Hatha Yoga Teacher. She is the co-founder of My Yoga Online and My Yoga Music. She can also be seen in the national Yoga television series Namaste on HDTV and CityTV. To learn more about Michelle Trantina and My Yoga Online, visit yoga.jazib.com and yoga.jazib.com Article Source: www.NewAgeArticles.com | | Here’s What Yoga Can Do For You... By: Dave Klein You want to have a full life. You want to feel well. You want lots of energy, vitality, power, and stamina. Am I right so far?
Well, the great news is that all these can be yours. Yoga applies age-old secrets to everyday life in a modern, fast-paced world. Its practical application can restore your lost youth, put new zest into your every step, and empower you to fully enjoy a sense of health, energy and creative living. All this will do wonders for your future happiness...
Sounds good, huh? Well let me tell you a little about yoga...
Yoga is an ancient health-art developed and perfected over the centuries by wise men in ancient India. Yoga is not a religion, a metaphysical doctrine, or a philosophy. It is not magic, although the amazing improvements it can make in your health, your appearance and your youthfulness may often seem magical, even miraculous...
There are many different types of yoga. Contrary to popular belief, not all types of yoga involve difficult positions and postures, uncomfortable exercises or strenuous diets...
Yoga can take years off your face and years from your body, and add years to your life. There are certain secret methods by which the Yogis keep the flexibility and "spring" of early youth in their joints and muscles and limbs well into the declining years...
It is a common sight to see, in the crowded, colorful streets of Bombay or New Delhi, Yogis well into their seventies and even their eighties, with the straight, graceful posture of a boy, walking with the elastic, springy step of youth... with firm, healthy bodies, their hair dark and glossy and un-streaked with grey. Firm, unlined faces ... clear, un-dimmed eyes...
Not only does yoga make you look and feel years younger, and years healthier, but it lends your body superb health. It works like magic because it enables the body to realize its full potential of great health...
You know that Nature has built into your body certain certain "defense mechanisms" for self-repair, natural safeguards against disease. Well, modern yoga helps the body's machinery function smoothly, efficiently, and at peak performance...
Yoga encourages your body to derive every last possible atom of nutritive value from the food you now eat (so different from the natural diet of your ancestors) ... to get every second of refreshment and rest from your sleep ... to attain regularity, relief from little aches and pains, the ability to sleep deep and wake refreshed that can make the difference from feeling "pretty good" to feeling "terrific"!
Yoga assists all your muscles and bones and organs to operate at their maximum potential. Yoga stimulates into peak performance the hidden abilities of your body to throw off the attacks of disease that affect so many people we know and love...
Do you suffer from insomnia and stress? Have you lost your appetite? Do you find it hard to relax? Do you smoke too much, feel "worn out" by the afternoon, find as you grow older that you cannot enjoy full life and day to day vitality?
Yoga has the amazing power to relax and refresh you, soothe your nerves, calm your mind, give you the serenity and strength and inner stamina that is part of the "Magic of the East".
Yoga prevents the premature grey in your hair, the ugly wrinkles in your face....
Yoga tightens those sagging muscles that give you that "tired look." It puts new zest in your appetite, brings back the sparkle in your eyes, and gives that wonderful sensation of feeling "fit as a fiddle"...
If these benefits are important to you (and you’d be crazy if they weren’t) then its time you learnt about yoga! About the Author: Dave Klein is the author of http://yoga.jazib.com a site completely dedicated to yoga. Visit httpp://yoga.jazib.com to find out how you can start applying yoga to your life to achieve maximum health and energy. Article Source: www.NewAgeArticles.com --------------------------------------------------------------------- Office Yoga: From Cubicle to Infinity Utilize The Healing Power Of Yoga At The Office. Boost Your Energy, Burn Calories, And Feel Young And Alive Again. Click the link below for more information. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Everything Laughter Yoga: Learn To Laugh For No Reason! Learn A Revolutionary Method Of Simulated Laughter Exercises. Laughter Is The Best Medicine! Improve Health, Boost Happiness, Improve Social Skills. No Yoga Experience Or Sense Of Humor Necessary. Practiced Worldwide. As Seen On The Oprah Winfrey Show. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Guide To Yoga Supplies And Props Whilst yoga can be practised without any props or special equipment, sooner or later most people decide to invest in some supplies for their home practice. Equipment can generally be divided into two categories. First, there is the basic equipment. This can include things like mats, blankets, and perhaps eye bags. The next tier in terms of priority might include straightforward supportive tools, such as belts, bolsters, and blocks. Finally, there is a range of specialized tools that can give very precise support to the positions for which they were designed. This article will discuss some of the different yoga supplies available, and what poses they are generally used for.
Yoga mats could be classed as essential, except that they can be substituted by a large towel, or a cotton rug that isn't slippery. The most important thing it does is help facilitate a student's grip as they move through, and hold, different asanas. It is much easier to use a proper mat compared to a towel or rug, but if you are short of funds, you can certainly make do. Mats are generally inexpensive, with 'sticky mats' being the cheapest. There are higher quality synthetic mats, but even these can be bought for the cost of a restaurant meal. Generally, it is suggested that mats be hand washed, but I have washed mine in a machine with no problems.
Cotton mats tend to be used in some Indian yoga centers, and are also available on the internet. There are also 'ecological' mats, made out of rubber, or other natural materials. These are quite popular with yoga practitioners who are sensitive to their effect on the environment.
Blankets can be used in relaxation at the end of a session, or to provide gentle support when doing some poses such as shoulderstand and headstand. Blankets tend to be thin and lightweight. This is especially important when they are used to support the neck in the above mentioned asanas.
Eyebags are usually made of satin, and filled with an organic, lightweight material like linseed. They are used in relaxation.
Props were introduced by B.K.S. Iyengar, although they are used in many different disciplines now. The reason was that it made it easier for beginners and those with physical limitations to experience the benefits of some postures they may not yet be able to do. They can also help students become more aware of the subtleties of a pose, by allowing the body to align as it should. The props that particularly help with this are blocks, belts, bolsters, chairs, wall ropes, and special props developed for specific poses.
Bolsters are excellent for certain floor poses, and are often used to support the back. Blocks are typically used in standing poses, are and very useful when students are not yet flexible enough to reach the ground. This is particularly true in standing poses that involve twists. Belts are used in a variety of poses, including foward bends, and others that help keep the arms in the correct alignment. These are not usually expensive items, and are worth having on hand. They may allow you to really spend a lot of time in a particular pose.
The most expensive yoga supplies tend to be the very specialized props that can be used in headstand and backbends. They are certainly not crucial, in that you can use cheaper props to gain support in those poses. But they may offer particular benefits that are worth the cost to those than can reasonably afford them.
Good yoga props can make a home practice more enjoyable. It is particularly gratifying to be able to extend one's ability in a pose, and practicing at home certainly provides the luxury of time sometimes not available in a class. Props, in this instance, would be very beneficial. But whether you need anything beyond the basics, a mat, is an individual call. Source: http://www.articlecircle.com/ - Free Articles Directory
About the Author | |
| Self Enrichment, Self Improvement Products | |
|
|