Archive for September, 2010

Yoga as an Art of Living

Wednesday, September 29th, 2010

By Claude Aoukar

A frequently asked question is how often should we practice yoga to get all the benefits? The answer is always and every day. It is true that an average yoga session is usually ninety minutes but what we achieve there is an art we learn to apply to anything and anywhere. From the moment we wake up in the morning to the time we lie down exhausted in bed and even when we are sleeping, something is still there. It is our heart beating which keeps us alive and this connection to life is the focus of any yoga session.

It is easy to learn asanas in a yoga session. Our body gets more flexibility after a few months of practice and postures get easier with time but physical lightness, strength and healthy neuro-muscular system could be achieved with any other physical training and is only a small path in yoga discipline. The difference between yoga and any other indoors or outdoors sports is that yoga does not end after 90 minutes, but you carry it with you home. In a Yoga class you have learned how to get connected to your breathing system and this is something you need to take care of all day long to control your stress, to control your anger at work, to control your dealing with family problems, to control your personal frustrations and discontents inasmuch you need to produce, diffuse, channel positive insight in anything you do and around you to feel simply happy.

Most people complain that nowadays with the hectic and stressful style of living they do not have enough time to exercise and wish they could devote more time for a healthier way of living. Do we really lose time when we do mudras while walking to work or sitting behind a desk? Do we really lose time when we practice some bandhas when we are stuck into traffic?

Do we really lose time when we lay down in savasana to help cure insomnia instead of turning around in the bed to find a position that you could help us fall asleep? Do we really lose time when we induce a positive concept to anything we are forced to do to earn our living?

What about simply remembering to sit correctly to relax a back pain at work, tensing the legs, rubbing the neck or cupping the eyes a few moments when hooked on the laptop? Do we really need time to include yoga knowledge in our everyday life or we do merely need to develop a willpower and faith that with simple and smooth yoga adjustments we can change things to a better way. Practicing yoga is always enjoyable and rewarding. This is the reason why It should be an art of living.

Claude Aoukar is an author and teaches Yoga. Claude’s e-Books can be found at:

http://www.aurawellnesscenter.com/store/Tapas-Cycle-E-Book.html and http://www.aurawellnesscenter.com/store/The-Stretching-Desk.html

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What Are Good Yoga Positions During Pregnancy?

Tuesday, September 28th, 2010

By Justin DiMateo

Yoga has gained tremendously in popularity in the West over the years and is practiced by many individuals around the country to relax, improve flexibility and for general well-being. It’s also been used for more specialized means such as improving fertility and helping to ensure a healthy pregnancy. As there are different styles of yoga that involve different poses, certain poses may be beneficial to pregnant women.

Some clinics offer classes specifically designed for pregnant women or women looking to improve their fertility. If this interests you, ask a local clinic or center if they have such programs, as this is a good opportunity to learn various yoga poses and ask the instructor questions.

Yoga is a good way to relax and relieve stress. Relieving stress is a very underrated part of adopting a healthy lifestyle. In a culture where hard work and dedication are given tremendous importance, many forget that stress can have several adverse health effects. When pregnant, finding a way to relieve stress can be beneficial not only for yourself, but for your baby as well.

There are various yoga poses that may be recommended for pregnant women. Chatarunga is one such pose, as is downward facing dog and cobra. Restorative yoga is a type of yoga that is not intended to put stress on the body, but rather uses props such as pillows, blocks, blankets, etc. to put the body into certain poses. Remember, though, that restful poses are different from sleep and can be more rewarding than you might believe.

When practicing yoga while pregnant, if something doesn’t feel right, stop. Do not feel like you have to walk away from a yoga session having exerted tremendous amounts of energy for it to be successful. While pregnant, taking care of your baby and your body should be your top priorities. Leave the challenging stuff for after giving birth.

The bottom line is that yoga can be a great way to restore balance, relieve stress and prepare your body for giving birth. Make sure that you find a yoga class dedicated to pregnant women, or inform your instructor that you are pregnant before class.

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How to Breathe Properly When Practicing Yoga

Monday, September 27th, 2010

By Ntathu Allen

As a yoga beginner it is vital you learn how to breathe correctly when you start yoga. Learning how to breathe properly forms one of the five core principles of yoga. The other principles are Proper exercise (yoga); proper diet (a diet which has a positive effect on the body and mind and causes the least negative effects on the environment and other animals.) Proper relaxation and Positive thinking and meditation.

Breathing is an involuntarily bodily function, which we take for granted. Unfortunately, many people do not know how to breathe properly and lose a valuable opportunity to easily improve their health and vitality. In yoga, the breath is seen as the link between the mind and body. It is this connection between the body-breath-mind which makes yoga such a beneficial and rewarding experience.

What Happens to Your Body When You Don’t Breathe Correctly.

When you learn yoga you are taught how to breathe properly. This encourages to become aware of your breath and to use your breath to bring harmony, balance and calm to the mind and body. Poor respiratory habits can lead to the build up of tension in your body, waste products have trouble been effectively eliminated, viruses and bacteria find it easier to stay in your body due to the lack of sufficient oxygen from not breathing properly.

Benefits of Correct Breathing

In yoga you are encouraged to place greater emphasis on the out breath. When you breathe correctly you promote a rich gaseous exchange in the body as you inhale rich oxygenated air and exhale carbon dioxide; plants and other vegetation take in the carbon dioxide and release oxygen. When you exhale completely you eliminate more amounts of stale air and allow a deeper inhalation, thus making more oxygen available to nourish the cells and promote cell rejuvenation. On a physical level, proper breathing helps to boost your energy, reduces tiredness and relieves tension and stress in your body. Emotionally, taking full deep breaths calms and clears the mind, improves focus and concentration. Have you noticed how better you feel when you stop and take a deep breath when you feel overwhelmed or stressed?

How to Breathe Correctly – Three Part Yogic Breath

In essence, the golden key to full and proper yogic breathing is to breath out properly before you breathe in. Have you ever watched a baby breathe and see how slowly and deeply they inhale and exhale. Most people hold their breath when anxious or stressed, this makes it harder for your body to respond and adapt. The more aware you are of your breath, the easier it becomes for you to learn how to use your breath to calm, balance or energise your mind-body.

The breath can be divided into three parts -inhalation, exhalation and retention. Your respiratory system runs from your nose to your lungs, the back of your throat, through your larynx (voice box), trachea (windpipe) and into the bronchial tubes and lungs. as you breathe in and out you bring oxygen into the body and exhale, eliminate waste matters and toxins from your mind and body. When you inhale and hold your breath (retention), you build up pressure in your lungs which means more carbon dioxide pass from your blood into your lungs; which is released as your exhale.

Learning how to breathe fully and correctly in each phrase/part of the breathing process enables you to gain a deeper connection and awareness of your body. Which forms the foundation of your yoga practice.

Ready to discover more yoga tips to help you rest and take care of yourself? Then I invite you to claim your Free Special Report “Energize Your Day – Top Ten Yoga Exercises To Jump-Start Your Day” when you visit http://www.yogainspires.co.uk

Peace and Blessings, Ntathu Allen, Yoga Teacher

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Yoga For Runners – How Yoga Can Optimize Your Running Performance

Saturday, September 25th, 2010

By Milla Krogh

Yoga and running are most often thought of as two very different types of exercise, but the truth is that they are actually a very good match. The combination of running and yoga is a great way to increase your physical shape and your performance. If you combine your running routines with yoga exercises, you can improve your running performance and your well-being. Through yoga, you learn to control your breathing, which also optimizes your performance while running. Furthermore, yoga makes you more flexible and therefore more resistant to damages while running.

While running is a good cardio workout, then yoga is more directed at building strength and flexibility. However, you can easily get your pulse up during yoga by practicing some of the more dynamic yoga types, which will definitely allow you to work up a sweat. Many runners favour Astanga Yoga because of the dynamic movements that provide strength, flexibility and endurance.

During yoga practise there is a great focus on the breath and you will learn to control the breathing process. This will be of a great benefit while running, as control of the breath will help you improve your performance. What is helpful is that you increase your awareness on the breath, keeping a slow and steady pace. Yoga usually teaches you to breathe in through the nose while keeping your mouth closed. This allows you to deepen your breath all the way to the bottom of the lungs. This allows you to increase the transportation of oxygen to the muscles, where it becomes energy. Learning to breathe deeper also increases your lung capacity which will automatically increase your stamina.

Besides getting more flexible and acquiring a better breathing control, you will also train other muscles during yoga training, which will add to your running exercise. Runners often have a tendency to have tension in the shoulders and the neck, and these tensions will be loosened up during yoga practise. Besides tension relief, yoga also helps you prevent injuries and pain. Especially the knees, the hips and the back are sensitive areas where runners often experience problems. There are certain yoga positions that focusing directly on these sensitive areas, thus strengthening them and making them better shock absorbers. Furthermore, runners who also perform yoga, are more likely to experience less pain after running, which is also a great benefit.

Learn more about the positive effects of yoga and other related topics.

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Beginner Yoga – Studio Etiquette

Thursday, September 23rd, 2010

By Roque L. Rodriguez III and Mariellen Brown

When trying out different yoga studios, be mindful of the culture of the studio. Each one is different. In general, it is never appropriate to wear your shoes inside of the studio, talk to your friends during class, leave your phone on, or ignore the teacher and start doing your own poses. The best advice is to simply be respectful of the studio, class, instructor and your own body.

When attending a yoga class, try to arrive 10 – 15 minutes early so you have time to change, set up your mat and collect whatever props you will need before the class begins. Be conscious of how many people are attending the class, you may need to move your mat to help make room for others. While eating is generally discouraged inside of the yoga studio, most allow drinks and may offer bottles of water or a water cooler. Try to be completely prepared for the class to begin, sitting on your mat, at least 5 minutes before the class starts.

When participating in the class, listen to your body as well as the instructor. If you do not feel comfortable doing a pose for any reason, you always have the option to skip the pose and do whatever resting pose is recommended. If you have personal questions for the instructor, try to save them for after the class.

“When in Rome” is a good phrase to live by when deciding what the etiquette is for a yoga class. Most yoga studios are warm, welcoming environments where the teachers are used to dealing with new students and will be a big help in guiding you through the beginning stages of your yoga practice.

Roque L. Rodriguez III is a poet and yoga instructor in New York, NY. He is currently taking the 300 hour yoga teacher training course at ISHTA Yoga NYC.

Mariellen Brown is a New York City-based designer and writer. She has recently started taking yoga classes for beginners at ISHTA Yoga NYC and is working on her 200-hour yoga teacher training certification.

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Prenatal Yoga, Postnatal Yoga and Childbirth

Thursday, September 16th, 2010

By Anthony Chiladakis

Yoga is the perfect activity for pregnant women to engage in. It not only helps prepare you for labor and childbirth, it also allows you to connect with your baby through meditation. Attending Yoga classes together with several sessions of Childbirth Education Classes can greatly help a woman prepare for childbirth.

Yoga for pregnant women includes meditation and breathing and movement exercises that help relax your mind and strengthen your muscles to make it easier for you to support your baby during labor and pregnancy. It is essentially the traditional physical and mental disciplines that help people improve the overall wellbeing of both mind and body.

Yoga poses or asanas involve a combination of breathing techniques that focus on certain parts of the body. Yoga for pregnant women involves asanas that help open the muscles of the pelvis to prepare you for giving birth. These exercises help reduce pressure on ligaments and ease lower back pain. Yoga also helps in improving flexibility, stamina and strength by helping the entire body to relax even in times of strenuous activities. This is found to be the most effective way of preparing women for painful childbirth.

By helping the mind and body concentrate and relax, Yoga for pregnant women helps ease the tension that is associated with childbirth. It becomes easier for women to go into labor with the knowledge that they are prepared for it. It is a proven fact that women who take Yoga and Childbirth Education months before giving birth enjoy the experience of giving birth whereas those who come to the delivery room unprepared often experience the most stress and pain.

Yoga not only benefits the mother, it also has positive benefits for the baby because during Yoga exercises, the baby receives higher levels of oxygen and endorphins. Yoga for pregnant woman helps improve circulation and fluid retention in the body. Asanas also help in relieving the aches and pains of pregnancy as a result of the growing weight of your baby. The best thing about Yoga is that each exercise can be tailor made to suit your needs. You can choose asanas that you are most comfortable with and you can ask your Yoga instructor to focus on specific problem areas in your body where you feel the most pain. Since Yoga helps you keep in close contact with your inner wellbeing, it makes it easier to understand what your body goes through during the entire pregnancy.

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The Concept of Yoga

Wednesday, September 8th, 2010

By Robert Shorn

In the west more and more schools teaching yoga and pranayam are coming up everywhere and people are taking to this Hindu philosophy based practice that aims at balancing the body and mind in harmony as well as elevating the consciousness to a higher spiritual awareness. Yoga consists of breathing techniques, body postures both, sitting and standing postures combined with few cleansing rituals.

A few well known yoga disciplines are:

Ananda: Means Bliss. This is ideal for those who are new to Yoga science and are getting initiated now. It consists of basics of body stretching and flexibility building asanas with no meditation or chanting.

Kundalini Yoga system: Entails breathing exercises and awakening of the inner energy in the body through breath control. Yoga as a science made its entry into the west through Kundalini yoga.

Bikram Yoga Practice: Involves 26 asanas repeated with stretch exercises and breathing techniques practiced in room with temperature up to 100 degrees to promote body flexibility.

Ashtanga Yoga: Promotes overall body control, keeping body fit and increasing the stamina through asanas that are designed to exercise each part of the body separately. It is also called power yoga as it gives better body control.

Kripalu: Control of mind and body through breathing techniques and meditation techniques.

Integral: Basic system of building body co ordination and increasing flexibility through simple exercises that do not stretch the body to limits. Ideal for beginners to yoga.

Anasura: Consists of body posture and mind control to increase spiritual awareness.

Iyengar: Yoga promotes all round well being and flexibility of the body along with treating body ailments and improving conditions with the help of props, pillows, cushions and rope etc to help with body exercises.

Though practice types may differ, all yoga systems are based on body, mind and spiritual well-being of human beings. This being the case, you can choose the system that suites your goal and helps you attain the same.

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What Is Anusara Yoga?

Tuesday, September 7th, 2010

By Jesus Smith

To follow one’s heart, or “to flow with nature” is a perfect meaning for the word Anusara. Anusara is designed to reflect a type of yoga, this really gives meaning to the word.

The Tantric philosophy is mixed with The United Principles of Alignment creating a very unique form of yoga. You do not need to be of a certain denomination to practice Anusara however, the majority of those who practice are of the Christian faith. It is a collection of movements and breathing patterns that help recognize, align with and celebrate in order to serve the one Supreme Spirit. After several sessions, you actually begin to understand your spiritual side in a more connected manner. Everything in the world around you begins to play off one another as it opens your eyes to the peace, love and joy that surrounds you. Those who practice hatha yoga differ from the practices of Anusara. Anusara focuses on the spiritual benefits of your movements, whereas hatha is more of a physical form of yoga.

In addition to the spiritual benefits acquired from practicing Anusara, many obtain mental benefits as well. Compassion is strengthened as you begin to understand the situations of people and things in your life. Truth becomes an important quality that you want to surround yourself with, which ultimately leads you to live a more honest and righteous life. Due to the aforementioned qualities, you even begin to notice that your overall friendlier. You want to be kind to people because it feels good to do so. The kinder you are, the better you feel like you are serving the supreme spirit. Goodness becomes your purpose and every aspect of your life becomes deeper. In your spiritual, philosophical and even intimate relationships are all taken to the next level.

It is possible that Anusara can conflict with Christian beliefs because the Anusara philosophy is that all the world is derived from goodness. The truest essence of all of you touch and all you see at its rawest, is nothing but good. Every problem, bad person, or negative thought is backed by underlying goodness. It’s the belief that despite everything, as the infamous Anne Frank once said, “everyone is still good at heart”. The Christian faith however, describes humans as inherently sinful. The only way that Christians can be saved from our innate sins is through the grace of Jesus Christ. He was viewed as Godly and great because of his ever-giving, ever-loving, ever-good nature. This is something the Christian faith teaches people to aspire to and work for. However, with Anusara it is claimed that everybody was born like that from the very beginning.

Anusara encourages people to set their own personal goals within their heart and about their faith and work to not only achieve them, but to surpass them. Anusara is open to every faith, no matter what religious beliefs may be, for an opportunity to experience the enlightenment of this spiritual form of yoga. It is wonderful learning experience as well as a time to improve your life by practicing Anusara yoga.

Jesus is a big fan of plasma, LCD and LED TV’s. He loves the big 60 inch monster TV’s with their beautiful crisp pictures and sound. He likes to write reviews on these types of tvs on his website. He recently wrote about the LG 32ld350 and LG 32ld350 prices.


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3 Simple Yoga Routines To Increase Height

Friday, September 3rd, 2010

By Daniel Foste

Yoga exercises stress the importance of stretching and proper breathing techniques. Yoga is great for increasing height and relaxing your mind and body. You’ll want to perform your yoga stretches in a relaxing environment where you can focus and concentrate.

Here are 3 yoga stretches that you can easily do. These exercises will help you elongate your spine, and relax your body and soul.

1. The Cobra

This first technique requires you to lay flat on your stomach, legs together and arms tucked in at your sides.

Keeping your lower body firmly on the ground, and keeping your buttocks clenched to protect your spine, slowly raise your head and upper body up into the air as high as you feel comfortable with.

This workout is great for stretching your spine and building your back muscles.

2. Dog and Cat

No props needed to perform this technique, you can leave the animals alone.

What the name of this exercise refers to is the natural body structures of the dog and cat, and how you’ll copy them each in turn to work on your spine and legs.

You’ll start on your hands and knees, stretching your body out, spine inverted, and tilting your head up.

From here you want to shift your spine position completely in the opposite direction, pulling it up, and pulling your stomach in.

Alternate between these 2 positions, holding each for several seconds.

This workout is great for increasing the flexibility in your spine and back.

3. Downward Facing Dog

The dog returns for this second exercise, which works on the spine and hamstrings, building strength and flexibility.

Starting stretched out on your hands and knees, lift your knees off the ground and as straight as you can keep them.

Your upper body should be straight as well, with your buttocks and lower back pointed up, in an upside down V position.

Hold this position for a few seconds, and then release your legs so you’re back on your knees.

Keep repeating this process.

Yoga may be a little complicated at first, but with practice you will become a yoga expert in no time.

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The Yoga Basics – Your Guide to the Practice of Yoga

Thursday, September 2nd, 2010

By Joy C. Harrison

Yoga is a great form of exercise. It can help you relax while building lean muscles. It will also help you with your flexibility. Starting a yoga practice may seem daunting, but once you know the basics, you are set. Your guide to the practice of yoga is discussed below.

Yoga is one of those rare forms of exercises where you don’t need specialty equipment. You can wear any clothes you want as long as they are loose fitting, and you don’t need shoes because you’ll be barefoot. Most people who practice yoga do recommend using a mat or blanket to make the floor poses more comfortable.

Practice your yoga in the morning to start your day off with a revitalized and alert mind. You can also do some stretching and breathing exercises at night to help induce a peaceful and restful sleep. Most beginners practice 15 minutes a day of poses and 15 minutes a day of breathing exercises.

A basic yoga session consists of set of warm up exercises, standing poses, sitting poses, twists, supine and prone poses, backbends, and finishing poses. The session will typically follow in that order as each set of exercises builds on the ones before it.

Yoga is not a competitive sport by any means. You do what feels naturally and you will find that you will be able to hold the stretches for longer amounts of time and will be able to hold them much deeper. As with all exercise programs, listen to your body and you will have an enjoyable practice. Namaste!

As a writer for Trampolines with Enclosures and Big Barrel Bat, the writer identifies dozens of products & supplies on the internet.

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