Archive for January, 2007

By Carmel Baird

One of the most well known and popular form of exercise is yoga, and its popularity has increased the most dramatically recently, in particular over the last decade or so. It matters not what age, fitness level or health situation that applies to you, yoga will have advantages and benefits.

Where To Find a Yoga Class?

If you are looking to sign up for a yoga class but don’t know where to go or where to start first, the best idea is to go to your local gym and ask the instructors or the manager of the gym if they know or have any information that you could use to get you started. Odds are that you will find your answers here, and you will be able to get as much information as you need helpfully and friendly.

However, if you do not find the answers that you are looking for, in regards to your yoga class questions or, if you simply want more information, why not do a search on the Internet.

The Internet can be incredibly useful mainly because it allows you so many search options and does it all with speed that allows you to quickly and easily browse through a multitude of options, allowing for a quick response to all of your questions.

Due to the popularity of yoga, you should be able to find a yoga class near you, in fact you should be able to find an entire location, such as a yoga school for instance, where all they do is teach and practice yoga.

In fact, if possible, you will want to take your yoga class at this type of school, because they are specifically designed around the art of yoga, and so you will feel confident they will have fully qualified instructors. You may find at your local gym, they have yoga classes but the instructor may not be as qualified as the instructors at the special yoga studios.

Regardless of what you end up doing, the most important thing to remember is that of the health benefits and advantages you will be receiving from participating in yoga.

Yoga is quite easily one of the most beneficial forms of activity that you can participate in, as the rewards you will reap, are more life-long and fulfilling than practically any other exercise.

Yoga Class

Please visit our site YogaInfo-Online for great resources, information, hints and tips for all things Yoga and catch up on the Yoga Learning Center

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If you are searching for Yoga in Attleboro, MA; stop by and take a class with us.

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Attleboro Yoga & Pilates Classes – February Schedule
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Dear Yoga & Pilates Enthusiasts,

Below is our February 2007 – Yoga / Pilates Class Schedule:

Monday: 6 PM – 7 PM Beginner / Gentle Yoga
Tuesday: 6 PM – 7:15 PM Vinyasa Yoga
Wednesday: 6 PM – 7 PM Pilates/ Body Sculpt
Thursday: 6 PM – 7:15 PM Beginner / Gentle Yoga
Saturday: 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM Yoga / Pilates Body Sculpting

Aura Wellness Center
21 Park St.Suite 202, 2nd Floor
Attleboro, MA 02703

Phone: 508-222-0092

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Attleboro Yoga Training: http://www.riyoga.com
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By Michael Russell

Yoga has become an increasingly popular form of exercise and meditation the last several years. Many people look at yoga as just that, though. But yoga encompasses more than simply exercise and meditation. This article will “enlighten” you to some facts about yoga.

Yoga started out in the East as a spiritual practice focusing on meditation, but in the West it is normally seen as a physical practice, for the benefit of staying healthy and in shape. Hatha yoga is the variation of yoga that describes exercise. It is estimated that around sixteen million North Americans practice this form of yoga. These yoga classes focus on breathing exercises, physical exercises and meditation, which are especially beneficial for people with back, heart, or breathing problems.

In studies, yoga has helped young and old people alike who have heart problems. The studies have shown that yoga helped to lower blood pressure and increase resistance to psychological stresses. Yoga aids to improve physical flexibility, strength and endurance, which is particularly beneficial to people with back problems. The yogic breathing and meditation assists those people to better manage their back pain.

A male who practices yoga is referred to as a yogi or yogin, whereas a female who practices yoga is called a yogini. The word yoga means to yoke and it can loosely be translated as “to join” or “unite”. It can also be taken to mean as “union” or a method of discipline. Yoga is believed to be made up of eight limbs: the asana (postures), pranayama (breathing), dharana (concentration), dhyani (meditation), yamas (restraints), pratyahara (withdrawal of senses), niyamas (observances) and samadhi (absorption). The goal of traditional yoga is to achieve samadhi, which is a state of inward enlightenment.

Most people who practice yoga today are involved with the limb asana. They use these physical postures to increase physical strength and flexibility, while purifying the body at the same time. These asanas or postures are known as the increasingly popular hatha yoga. The word hatha can mean forceful or willful and can be translated into “ha”, which means “sun” and “tha” meaning “moon”. Hatha yoga is the physical exercises and postures of yoga that allows the free-flow of energy throughout the body, as well as creating balance and inner peace and harmony.

When some people picture someone doing yoga, they have an image of a person sitting cross-legged with their eyes closed, thumb and fore finger pressed together, chanting the word “Om”. What is Om and what does it mean? Repeating the word Om is a mantra; it is a vibration of the universe around us. Everything has a pulse and ancient yogis created Om to represent that universal pulse. Chanting Om at the beginning and end of a yoga session brings the person a sense of connection to the entire universe and is meant to be soothing and uplifting.

Yoga is beneficial no matter how much or how little of it you can fit into your weekly schedule. It is recommended to start practicing yoga two or three times a week for an hour each time and work your way up from there if possible. However, any time that you can find for a yoga session will work too. Nothing special is required to begin a yoga session. The only things that are needed for a yoga session are your body, mind and comfortable, well-fitting workout clothes. Then you are ready for your first yoga experience!

Michael Russell

Your independent guide to Yoga

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Attleboro Yoga & Pilates Classes – February Schedule
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Dear Yoga & Pilates Enthusiasts,

Below is our February 2007 – Yoga / Pilates Class Schedule:

Monday: 6 PM – 7 PM Beginner / Gentle Yoga
Tuesday: 6 PM – 7:15 PM Vinyasa Yoga
Wednesday: 6 PM – 7 PM Pilates/ Body Sculpt
Thursday: 6 PM – 7:15 PM Beginner / Gentle Yoga
Saturday: 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM Yoga / Pilates Body Sculpting

Aura Wellness Center
21 Park St.Suite 202, 2nd Floor
Attleboro, MA 02703

Phone: 508-222-0092

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Attleboro Yoga Training: http://www.riyoga.com
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By Donovan Baldwin

Yoga, or its ancestor, first appeared somewhere around 5,000 years ago. Since then, it has gradually evolved into the modern form. However, its “modern form” is neither completely modern, nor is it the only form of yoga. In the western world, when we speak of “yoga” we are commonly referring to Hatha Yoga, a branch of yoga introduced by Yogi Swatmarama in the 15th century. To keep it simple, Yogi Swatmarama saw Hatha Yoga, not as an end in itself, but as part of a pathway to a higher state on the yoga journey. Hatha Yoga concentrates more on the physical training, conditioning, and “preparation” aspects of yoga. So, as we talk about the purposes of “yoga”, please keep in mind that we are talking only about one portion of the entire range of disciplines encompassed by the word.

We sometimes hear of someone who learned to become more relaxed by the practice of yoga. Or, maybe we have heard of someone who became more invigorated and energetic as a result of their practice. Perhaps someone else was able to play a competitive sport better than before they began practicing yoga, or perhaps they were able to lay aside the competitive aspect of their nature that had been driving them into bad health and broken relationships. We may have even heard all of these types of stories. I have! This, and all the claims made about the practice of yoga, creates a very confusing picture even in the minds of those willing to believe what they hear. For those who have doubts already, the multitude of claims can sound like those of an old-timey snake oil salesman.

Actually, research conducted by many prestigious organizations and institutions has confirmed that a regular practice of yoga can actually produce all of these effects and more. While some uncertainty exists in some areas as to exactly WHY yoga is so effective in relation to a given situation, condition, or result, the common ground seems to be that it works.

While yoga can return the same physical, emotional, and spiritual benefits as any other physical training or exercise program, it also produces a blend of positive results that allow the individual organism to integrate the effects and actions of several different systems to produce a whole overall outcome which seems to be greater than the sum of its parts. For example, the increased ability to relax may help the ability to perform, the strengthening of the physical body helps the emotional output to be brought under control. All specific benefits of yoga, when practiced regularly, work together for the overall benefit of the person.

It appears that this synergistic outcome combines the more specific benefits associated with any regular exercise program, with meditation, with deep breathing, with the “exercise” or “massage” of internal organs normally ignored by standard physical activities to produce the confusing array of “positive” outcomes mentioned at the beginning of this article.

Whatever the other positive outcomes of a regular yoga practice may be, its effect on physical and mental health in general should not be ignored. Yoga has been found to have a positive effect on such conditions as asthma, respiratory difficulties, high blood pressure, pain management, back pain, arthritis, and weight loss. Psychologically, it tends to increase self awareness, create a positive self-image, and uplift the spirits of the participant. Many who come to yoga for the first time find themselves with a “new lease on life” as one practitioner put it to me and find themselves trying new experiences, finding new friends, and taking control of a life which had, up until then, been in control of them.

Apparently, yoga has the potential of being effective in many aspects of life and health, and can, in most cases at least, mold itself to your needs. It might be said that the purpose of yoga is to serve in whatever capacity it is needed.

Donovan Baldwin is a Texas writer and a University of West Florida alumnus. He is a member of Mensa and is retired from the U. S. Army after 21 years of service. In his career, he has held many managerial and supervisory positions. However, his main pleasures have long been writing, nature, and fitness. In the last few years, he has been able to combine these pleasures by writing poetry and articles on subjects such as health, fitness, yoga, writing, the environment, happiness, self improvement, and weight loss. Learn more about yoga at http://yoga-4-the-health-of-it.com/ You can also find articles on yoga and other health related subjects at http://nodiet4me.blogspot.com/ .

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Attleboro Yoga & Pilates Classes – February Schedule
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Dear Yoga & Pilates Enthusiasts,

Below is our February 2007 – Yoga / Pilates Class Schedule:

Monday: 6 PM – 7 PM Beginner / Gentle Yoga
Tuesday: 6 PM – 7:15 PM Vinyasa Yoga
Wednesday: 6 PM – 7 PM Pilates/ Body Sculpt
Thursday: 6 PM – 7:15 PM Beginner / Gentle Yoga
Saturday: 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM Yoga / Pilates Body Sculpting

Aura Wellness Center
21 Park St.Suite 202, 2nd Floor
Attleboro, MA 02703

Phone: 508-222-0092

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Attleboro Yoga Training: http://www.riyoga.com
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How to Become a Certified Hatha Yoga Instructor
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FREE Yoga Report. FREE Yoga Newsletter.
Bonus: Free Yoga e-Book, “Yoga in Practice.”

http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org/docs/Yoga-in-Practice-eBook.pdf

Visit: http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org
Affiliates: http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org/signup.html
Sister Blog: http://yoga-teacher-training.blogspot.com/
On-Site Training: http://www.riyoga.com
——————————————–
FREE CONTENT: If you are a Yoga Teacher, Yoga studio, blogger, e-zine, or website publisher, and are in need of quality content, please feel free to use my blog entries (articles) – Please be sure to reprint each article, as is, including the resource box above. Namaste, Paul
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By Michael Russell

Yoga is one of the six longest surviving classic systems of Hindu philosophy in the world, which originated from ancient India some 5000 years ago. The term yoga comes from the sanskrit word “yuga”, which means union. Yoga masters (yogis) believed that the union of all aspects of an individual: body, mind and soul and the reunion of all opposites: mind and body, stillness and movement, masculine and feminine, sun and moon would lead to an inner illumination, the ecstasy of the true knowledge of reality.

Yoga practitioners designed physical and mental exercises to achieve this union. Physical exercises include yoga postures called asanas, which the yogis claimed to have maintained and perfected for millennia. Asanas are performed to purify and strengthen the body and control and focus the mind. It aimed to improve blood circulation and functioning of specific organs in the body. It also served as stable postures for prolonged meditation and often practiced in conjunction with the mental exercises, which include breathing techniques (pranayama) and meditation. Yogic breathing techniques and meditation are powerful tools to quiet, calm and discipline the mind and energize, harmonize and balance the body.

Yoga would not have survived thousands of years had it not been beneficial to its devotees. Medical research has confirmed that yoga is indeed helpful in alleviating problems concerning high blood pressure, pain management, backaches, sleep problems, diabetes, digestive disorders, arthritis, chronic fatigue, asthma, obesity and heart conditions. Hence, it is not unusual to see more and more people adhering to the doctrines of yoga. As the results of Roper Poll stated, that at least 11 million Americans do yoga routines occasionally and 6 million perform it frequently.

With so many people adhering to the yoga system, as can be due to the notions cited above, equal number of people might think that yoga is only for unhealthy, sick and disturbed people suffering form mild to severe and chronic disorder or disease. Or in some extreme cases, yoga might be perceived as something other-worldly and non-practical activity as can be due to the perversions of the media and entertainment industry labeling yoga with some negative remarks. Contrary to most misconceptions, people of all ages could perform the yogic exercises, though cautions should be kept in mind. And of course, yoga doesn’t need any serious preparations. All that is needed is a vacant space with flat floor surface large enough to stretch out on, a mat or towel, enough overhead space to fully raise the arms and loose and appropriate clothing. Yoga should be done with an empty stomach, preferably three or more hours after meal. And there’s nothing more important than mental and spiritual readiness.

Yoga is such a powerful exercise, that proper precautions are prerequisites to its use. Hence, noted are the following: people with disabilities severe, acute or chronic health conditions should first consult their medical practitioner and yoga instructor to keep away from any dangers that might arise. Although there is no age requirement, certain poses and techniques vary according to the abilities of the practitioner, thus, it is better to consult a qualified yoga trainer for advice.

Michael Russell Your Independent guide to Yoga

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Attleboro Yoga & Pilates Classes – February Schedule
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Dear Yoga & Pilates Enthusiasts,

Below is our February 2007 – Yoga / Pilates Class Schedule:

Monday: 6 PM – 7 PM Beginner / Gentle Yoga
Tuesday: 6 PM – 7:15 PM Vinyasa Yoga
Wednesday: 6 PM – 7 PM Pilates/ Body Sculpt
Thursday: 6 PM – 7:15 PM Beginner / Gentle Yoga
Saturday: 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM Yoga / Pilates Body Sculpting

Aura Wellness Center
21 Park St.Suite 202, 2nd Floor
Attleboro, MA 02703

Phone: 508-222-0092

——————————————–
Attleboro Yoga Training: http://www.riyoga.com
——————————————–

——————————————–
How to Become a Certified Hatha Yoga Instructor
——————————————–
FREE Yoga Report. FREE Yoga Newsletter.
Bonus: Free Yoga e-Book, “Yoga in Practice.”

http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org/docs/Yoga-in-Practice-eBook.pdf

Visit: http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org
Affiliates: http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org/signup.html
Sister Blog: http://yoga-teacher-training.blogspot.com/
On-Site Training: http://www.riyoga.com
——————————————–
FREE CONTENT: If you are a Yoga Teacher, Yoga studio, blogger, e-zine, or website publisher, and are in need of quality content, please feel free to use my blog entries (articles) – Please be sure to reprint each article, as is, including the resource box above. Namaste, Paul
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By Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500

What can a Hatha Yoga teacher offer in the way of a fitness program? Is it too late for bad health habits to be corrected by Yoga?

Large numbers of “Baby Boomers,” who were born between 1946 and 1965, are coming to grips with the concept of aging. Regular doctor visits and lab tests reveal more cases of high blood cholesterol, blood pressure, and blood sugar levels in many Baby Boomers.

Some Baby Boomers are doing their best to live a more pro-active lifestyle, joining Hatha Yoga classes, Pilates classes, walking, and consuming a more moderate diet.

Yet, being pro-active about health is a rarity in western society. “Big Gun” medicine, in the form of prescriptions, is called upon to correct years of negligent health habits. The problem with western medicine is that the public expects miracles from it and ignores the side effects.

What can a Hatha Yoga teacher offer for those who are interested in improved fitness? Hatha Yoga teachers offer many things, including exercise where students learn to bear their weight. This Yogic weight bearing exercise is good for middle-aged Yoga students, right now, and when they become seniors, as this will help increase bone density.

Hatha Yoga is also excellent for flexibility, but the “flip side” of flexibility is strength. Holding a Yoga posture (asana), longer than 20 seconds, will help you develop strength, without gaining size. How else can you explain an average- sized woman, over 60 years of age, who can balance on her hands?

Some Hatha Yoga instructors also teach Sun Salutations and Vinyasa Yoga. These flowing movements are good for cardiovascular heath, even when done slowly, or with a chair as a prop. Just holding some Yoga postures (asanas) will raise the heart rate.

For those students who have had a heart attack, or who are at risk of having one, the heart could easily be monitored during practice. Heart rate monitors are the size of a wrist watch, and look like one. The cost of a heart rate monitor is affordable from $30 to $153 US dollars.

Therefore, Hatha Yoga teachers can offer improved strength, flexibility, and cardiovascular health. When we think of these physical health benefits, it is hard to remember that Hatha Yoga teaches us so much more.

Hatha Yoga also teaches us moderate dieting habits. I was interviewed by a local paper reporter, who did not care to hear about the three Gunas. Yoga teachers know that dieting is one of the most important components of good health. If you go to any health club, the staff will tell you that your diet is very important for optimum physical health.

Pranayama (proper breathing) techniques are the most important part of physical health. Pranayama helps you every day and in times of extreme stress.

Many Yoga students are only aware of how their muscles feel, when considering the physical aspects of Yoga postures (asanas), during practice. A competent Yoga teacher will remind you to open your awareness about your vital organs, which are being massaged, and your body is feeling benefits at the skeletal level during asana practice.

It is never too late to correct bad habits, and Hatha Yoga offers help for most of the ailments, which trouble mankind.

© Copyright 2007 – Paul Jerard / Aura Publications

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Attleboro Yoga & Pilates Classes – February Schedule
——————————————–

Dear Yoga & Pilates Enthusiasts,

Below is our February 2007 – Yoga / Pilates Class Schedule:

Monday: 6 PM – 7 PM Beginner / Gentle Yoga
Tuesday: 6 PM – 7:15 PM Vinyasa Yoga
Wednesday: 6 PM – 7 PM Pilates/ Body Sculpt
Thursday: 6 PM – 7:15 PM Beginner / Gentle Yoga
Saturday: 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM Yoga / Pilates Body Sculpting

Aura Wellness Center
21 Park St.Suite 202, 2nd Floor
Attleboro, MA 02703

Phone: 508-222-0092

——————————————–
Attleboro Yoga Training: http://www.riyoga.com
——————————————–

——————————————–
How to Become a Certified Hatha Yoga Instructor
——————————————–
FREE Yoga Report. FREE Yoga Newsletter.
Bonus: Free Yoga e-Book, “Yoga in Practice.”

http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org/docs/Yoga-in-Practice-eBook.pdf

Visit: http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org
Affiliates: http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org/signup.html
Sister Blog: http://yoga-teacher-training.blogspot.com/
On-Site Training: http://www.riyoga.com
——————————————–
FREE CONTENT: If you are a Yoga Teacher, Yoga studio, blogger, e-zine, or website publisher, and are in need of quality content, please feel free to use my blog entries (articles) – Please be sure to reprint each article, as is, including the resource box above. Namaste, Paul
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By Keith Edwin Renninson

When writers refer to ancient forms of exercise like Yoga they often use the noun “discipline” to describe them. In this instance, it is meant to describe “a field of study.” And in the long run isn’t that what discipline is?

We look to learn how to discipline ourselves in many areas of our lives and often that examination involves techniques that give us confidence. Confidence in turn gives us strength and a positive outlook on challenges in our lives.

Yoga is one such discipline; it builds physical strength, mental strength and stability in areas outside the exercise.

When I started performing Yoga on a regular basis I found I felt better mentally and physically. Discipline in other areas of my life became less difficult because I used the same Yoga techniques to achieve self-control. Discipline is a muscle and needs exercising regularly just like any other part of our bodies.

Yoga forces us to see each part of our body as a separate, yet integral part of the whole and thus, must be taught how to remain flexible and strong so as to contribute to the overall health of our body. The different pose each target different individual muscles in the arms, neck, legs, and back to bring them into alignment through slow stretching, balance and strength moves.

The same mental disciplines can be applied to other aspects of our lives and aid us in decision-making. Indecision can paralyze us and keep us from moving forward in our occupations or avocations. The confidence gained through Yoga enhances and strengthens your mental processes in work and play.

If you need to face a particular challenging decision in a relationship, you can apply Yoga principles to evade: denial and avoidance of the problem altogether; making a decision that doesn’t empower you to move forward; choose a hasty decision that will cause more difficulties or create a angry situation that solves nothing and may perpetuate the problem.

Yoga was first used by the ancient Hindu yogi’s of India to obtain self-control and elevate their consciousness to an enlightened state of awareness. When you apply that philosophy to your world outside Yoga, you can add meditation to achieve a calm mind to work your way through a problem at work or home.

When you think about it, Yoga has been around for thousands of years and is still a viable solution to staying healthy, physically and mentally; there must be some positive rewards to the practice that keeps attracting followers. Not only do you acquire good health, but also the strength to tackle other situations that require discipline and mental fortitude.

In today’s modern and fast paced life, we often need to reign in our habits surrounding food, drink, emotions, relationships, money and spirituality to achieve balance. When our lives are out of balance, it’s just like a tire on your car that needs balancing, it vibrates through the steering wheel telling you it is wearing poorly and won’t last as long as it should.

Our bodies are the same, when they need balance they often fall ill with poor blood pressure, a heightened sense of stress and unhappiness, and bad eating habits that throw our systems into a tail spin of obesity. Yoga will help you balance your mental and physical accounts and the rest of your life will take on a new sheen as well.

If you are lacking discipline in your life give Yoga a try for several months, easing yourself into the poses with a class twice a week and see if you don’t feel better and have more energy. The discipline to attend the classes and the discipline learned in each class will enhance your life in many ways.

Any way you look at it, it’s just one man’s opinion…mine.

Keith Edwin Renninson is co-owner, along with Jeffrey Forman, of Golden Years Videos, LLC a production company dedicated to offering exercise videos for those over 50 or of any age who are rehabilitating from an accident or illness.

Renninson is an avid exercise and yoga enthusiast. Now in his late 50’s; he still races bicycles and regularly skis the black diamond runs in Colorado where he lives. For many years, a bona fide gym rat, Renninson still loves to lift free weights and use exercise machines.

You can contact Renninson or read more about his company and the videos they have available at: http://www.goldenyearsvideos.com

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Attleboro Yoga & Pilates Classes – February Schedule
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Dear Yoga & Pilates Enthusiasts,

Below is our February 2007 – Yoga / Pilates Class Schedule:

Monday: 6 PM – 7 PM Beginner / Gentle Yoga
Tuesday: 6 PM – 7:15 PM Vinyasa Yoga
Wednesday: 6 PM – 7 PM Pilates/ Body Sculpt
Thursday: 6 PM – 7:15 PM Beginner / Gentle Yoga
Saturday: 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM Yoga / Pilates Body Sculpting

Aura Wellness Center
21 Park St.Suite 202, 2nd Floor
Attleboro, MA 02703

Phone: 508-222-0092

——————————————–
Attleboro Yoga Training: http://www.riyoga.com
——————————————–

By Alan Kintel

Pilates refers to a physical fitness exercise system that focuses mainly on developing the core postural muscles (i.e., abdominal and back) along with lengthening and stabilizing of the spine in order to achieve and maintain perfect body alignment and posture. It was formulated by Joseph Pilates more than 80 years ago by taking inspiration from the ancient Yoga postures.

Although Pilates is not as complete and holistic health system like Yoga, it seeks to reach more or less the same physical fitness goals as Yoga through a series of controlled movements and breathing regulation. It is particularly effective for aesthetic body sculpting and makes you feel and look tall, lean and svelte.

Pilates basically represents the adaptation of certain yoga exercises for performing them using an exercise gear, the Pilates machine, for specific and limited purpose – i.e., core strength development, perfect body alignment and posture. The Pilates machine makes these exercises much easier to learn and more fun to perform. Pilates is a dynamic form of Yoga, you can say. Similar to yoga, the emphasis in Pilates is on concentration, control, breathing and precision. And just like in yoga, one’s own body weight is used for resistance and strength development.

However, Pilates highlights just a tiny aspect of the vast discipline of Yoga, which encompasses what Pilates comprises plus much more. Yoga lays emphasis on uniting the mind, body and spirit. It involves a combination of physical exercises, breathing exercises and meditation and is aimed at promoting flexibility, increase stamina and strength, reduce stress and cure ailments. Yoga is considered therapeutic not only for the body but also for the mind and spirit. People practice Yoga not only to feel more physically fit and energetic, but also to reduce stress and anxiety and achieve inner peace and happiness.

Yoga is the most holistic approach to physical and mental well-being known to mankind. It is not just a physical exercise program – it is a complete system for physical and mental health, covering additional aspects like proper breathing, relaxation, internal hygiene, diet, meditation and ultimately self-realization. The Yoga exercises are meant not only to make you physically fit and strong, they are also designed to set right the functioning of the internal organs by bathing them with rich oxygenated blood and life force energy. Yoga regulates the endocrine system, strengthens the respiratory system, improves digestion and elimination and perks up the reproductive system.

So, what should you be doing for overall health and fitness – Pilates or Yoga? The answer is a sensible combination of the physical and meditative aspects of both. Both, on some level, share the same goal of strengthening of the body using your own body weight for resistance. In fact, many of their movements and postures are strikingly similar. And, similar to Yoga, even Pilates can be performed as floor (mat) exercises if you don’t want to spend money on buying Pilates equipment. Pilates is relatively easier to learn and simpler to understand and tends to give faster results. But ultimately the choice is yours depending upon your patience level and the goals you have set for yourself: just physical fitness and a svelte figure or all that plus long-lasting inner peace and happiness.

Alan Kintel is a writer that concentrates on helping people better themselves, for cutting edge information you NEED to know check out his website at http://someofthebest.info

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Attleboro Yoga & Pilates Classes – January Schedule
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Dear Yoga & Pilates Enthusiasts,

Below is our January – Yoga / Pilates Class Schedule:

Monday: 6 PM – 7 PM Beginner / Gentle Yoga
Tuesday: 6 PM – 7:15 PM Vinyasa Yoga
Wednesday: 6 PM – 7 PM Pilates/ Body Sculpt
Thursday: 6 PM – 7:15 PM Beginner / Gentle Yoga
Saturday: 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM Yoga / Pilates Body Sculpting

Aura Wellness Center
21 Park St.Suite 202, 2nd Floor
Attleboro, MA 02703

Phone: 508-222-0092

——————————————–
Attleboro Yoga Training: http://www.riyoga.com
——————————————–

By Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500

Why are more, and more, students, over 40 years of age, discovering Hatha Yoga classes for the first time? What can Hatha Yoga do for a “couch potato?” What can Hatha Yoga offer the active person, who is over 40? Let’s take a closer look at each of these issues for the deeper answers, which Hatha Yoga contains.

There are many styles of Yoga, and Hatha Yoga is just one of the nine main styles from India. Hatha Yoga has many sub-styles, such as: Vinyasa Yoga, Restorative Yoga, Iyengar Yoga, Kripalu Yoga, and many more. Before we go too deeply into this subject, please realize that outside of India, the most common form of Yoga is Hatha Yoga.

Why are more students over 40 discovering Hatha Yoga classes for the first time?

Recently, I’ve seen an influx of Yoga students, at our Attleboro Yoga Studio, who have been inactive for decades, but decided to make a “life change” to improve their health. As a result, they become physically active in Hatha Yoga classes and continue to practice their Yoga training at home.

Some of our new Yoga students arrive, due to a physician’s referral, but many have researched Yoga. Their research caused them to make an independent decision to improve their health on a mental, physical, spiritual, and emotional level.

As we approach middle age, body weight is harder to get rid of than it ever was. As a result, this extra weight can bring us many health problems and diseases.

In fact, shedding 10 or 20 pounds of body weight may just extend your life span. Heart problems, high blood pressure, diabetes, some forms of cancer, and more diseases, prey on those of us who carry extra pounds around.

So, we are not considering living at a nursing home for an extra decade, but increasing our odds to have an active and quality life to the end.

What can Yoga offer the active person, who is over 40?

For those of us who have been exercising for decades, we realize there is a flaw in the “No pain, no gain” theory. Premature joint wear is the biggest problem. For most of us, recognizing the difference between muscular and joint pain comes with age.

Therefore, the new fitness motto for middle age should be, “Work smart, not hard.” This requires a bit of research, as to which style of Yoga is most suited to your body and then finding a compassionate Yoga teacher. One class can tell you if the style is to your liking. As for Yoga teachers: It is easy to recognize a Yoga teacher who is abusive from one who is not.

However, some people are very attracted to a Yoga teacher who will “push them.” Be careful if you fall into this category. A Yoga teacher is not a coach, whose goal is to push you to the next competitive level.

It is fine to have goals in life, but take the time to research your individual needs. Make sure the Yoga teacher, and the Yoga style, you choose will fit into your lifestyle. Yoga’s principles are more about training for longevity than training for a short-term gain.

© Copyright 2007 – Paul Jerard / Aura Publications

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Attleboro Yoga & Pilates Classes – January Schedule
——————————————–

Dear Yoga Enthusiasts,

Below is our January – Yoga / Pilates Class Schedule:

Monday: 6 PM – 7 PM Beginner / Gentle Yoga
Tuesday: 6 PM – 7:15 PM Vinyasa Yoga
Wednesday: 6 PM – 7 PM Pilates/ Body Sculpt
Thursday: 6 PM – 7:15 PM Beginner / Gentle Yoga
Saturday: 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM Yoga / Pilates Body Sculpting

Aura Wellness Center
21 Park St.Suite 202, 2nd Floor
Attleboro, MA 02703

Phone: 508-222-0092

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Attleboro Yoga Training: http://www.riyoga.com
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By Foras Aje

One has to crawl first to walk.

This fact is especially true in regards to keeping fit, as anyone who knows anything about fitness and exercise knows that you have to start somewhere AND slowly, and the same principle applies to Yoga.

When I mentioned to my friend that I practice Yoga, she asked me for clues on the best yoga tips for starters and how to apply them for maximum efficiency.

In no particular order, I gave her this list:

1. Get a good Yoga Mat.

2. Get some nice Yoga apparel

3. Make sufficient space in her room.

4. Get a metronome for accurate timing needs.

Now, I handed her information on the very core of yoga tips for starters, in fact the very core of Yoga itself (and in some circles, Martial Arts AND Indian Wrestling. These babies are called the Sun Salutations.

Besides being an essential element in yoga tips for starters, they are quite indispensable as they stimulate and balance all the systems of the body including the endocrine, circulatory, reproductive and digestive system.

Other Poses for Yoga tips for starters include the following:

1. The Shoulderstand.

2. The Bridge Pose

3. The Fish Pose

4. The Head to Knee Pose

5. Backward Bending Poses

6. Twisting Poses

7. The corpse pose.

Purposely, I ommitted the mentioning of the abdominal and breathing exercises, for now, till I felt she would be ready to learn and use them in her yoga routine.

I also stressed that for using yoga tips for starters, she perhaps may only need to practice mainly the afore-mentioned sun salutations for time constraints and all. I mean 24 reps of them IS a workout friends.

So, if like my friend you are in need of assistance with getting started with yoga, it is my hope that these tips will come in handy to aiding you in striking your favorite yoga pose.

Om,

Foras Aje is an independent researcher and co-founder of BodyHealthSoul LLC. Stop by His Yoga for Beginners Blog today for more information on beginner yoga exercises

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Attleboro Yoga & Pilates Classes – January Schedule
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Dear Yoga Enthusiasts,

Below is our January – Yoga / Pilates Class Schedule:

Monday: 6 PM – 7 PM Beginner / Gentle Yoga
Tuesday: 6 PM – 7:15 PM Vinyasa Yoga
Wednesday: 6 PM – 7 PM Pilates/ Body Sculpt
Thursday: 6 PM – 7:15 PM Beginner / Gentle Yoga
Saturday: 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM Yoga / Pilates Body Sculpting

Aura Wellness Center
21 Park St.Suite 202, 2nd Floor
Attleboro, MA 02703

Phone: 508-222-0092

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Attleboro Yoga Training: http://www.riyoga.com
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By Peter Curtis

There are a lot of people who are crazy about yoga. The reason why most people do yoga is that it makes them feel better and in shape. The different poses and postures make their body healthy. Yoga for most is the best way to relax and unwind. If you want to keep your body in shape, this might be the best exercise for you. Did you know that yoga is good to fight certain illness that may come? There had been researches which proved that yoga helps you to control anxiety, reduces asthma, arthritis, blood pressure, back pain, multiple sclerosis, chronic fatigue, epilepsy, diabetes, headaches, stress and many more.

Yoga has a lot of benefits and advantages. All in a day’s work, it can reduce tension and stress. Of course after a heavy day, you will feel that your muscles have been stuck up and you will feel wasted. If you do yoga, your self esteem will be higher. It is important to gain more confidence inside and out so that you can face people with no worries. Yoga is good for the body in increasing your muscle tone, strength, stamina and flexibility.

If you are too fat and conscious about your body figure, yoga can help you lower your fat and keep your body in shape. Yoga exercises can burn excess fat and give you the desired figure that you want. If you need time to relax and forget your responsibilities, yoga will be good to improve your concentration and enhance your creativity. Yoga helps you to think more positively away from all anxieties. If you have a fresh mind, you can think of good things and apply it easily. Your body needs to relax once in a while. Sometimes, work can leave us wasted and exhausted. During the heavy days, we may not find time to unwind because work is still on our tail. Yoga can help you create a sense of calmness and well being.

Yoga exercise helps you improve a good circulation. Your organs and veins need to be exercised for it to function properly. Yoga can help stimulate your immune system and keep you away from diseases. If you have a good immune system, you can be sure that you are free from sickness. Some people do yoga to be enlightened. They believe that yoga will help them bring up their spirit and keep them relieved. Yoga works differently for people be it spiritual, emotional, psychological, mental and physical.

People think that yoga is only for spiritual people. But that belief is wrong. Even if you are not that religious, you can do yoga. You will see and feel the difference at the same time find out how it works for you. Due to the pressure and demands of life, we become stressed out and we forget the essence of life. We tend to lose touch with the ones we used to spend time with, even ourselves. We find ourselves rushing most of the time with the deadlines and hassles we need to keep up with. This leaves us a small time to wander and have that physical awareness. These are the few things that yoga can provide. Once in a while, find time to dedicate a part of it to yourself to relax and unwind which only yoga can give.

Peter Curtis is a full time aerobics instructer in Las Vegas. In his spare time he writes articles andguides for various website and online publications. You can visit one of his website about the Yoga here. http://www.aerobics-exercise.com/Yoga.html

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Attleboro Yoga & Pilates Classes – January Schedule
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Dear Yoga Enthusiasts,

Below is our January – Yoga / Pilates Class Schedule:

Monday: 6 PM – 7 PM Beginner / Gentle Yoga
Tuesday: 6 PM – 7:15 PM Vinyasa Yoga
Wednesday: 6 PM – 7 PM Pilates/ Body Sculpt
Thursday: 6 PM – 7:15 PM Beginner / Gentle Yoga
Saturday: 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM Yoga / Pilates Body Sculpting

Aura Wellness Center
21 Park St.Suite 202, 2nd Floor
Attleboro, MA 02703

Phone: 508-222-0092

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