Archive for March, 2009

As we practice yoga poses we want to do also inversions. Most common inversions are the Headstand and the Shoulderstand. But there are not only those two poses which are the inverted asanas. Any posture in which the head is below the heart is called an inversion. Whether you stand on your head, bend forward or bend back, if your head is below your heart, you are performing an inversion.

This also means that Downward Facing Dog, Standing Forward Bend and Fish pose are also inversions; although those poses are mild in comparison to a Headstand. The Camel pose can also be an inversion if you bend back far enough. Remember – inversions are not for everyone! Your intentions should be clear when you perform any yoga posture. If the risks may outweigh the benefits there is no logical reason why you should practice any pose which can harm you.

Contraindications for practicing inversions: If you have any of the following conditions, please omit inversions or work with a qualified and experienced teacher who will never put you at risk and tried to modify your practice. Anyone who has high blood pressure, heart related problems, eye issues, neck problems, epilepsy, previous stroke or sinus problems should never practice Headstand or Shoulderstand, and omit other mild inversions or be adjusted by the yoga teacher.

During any stage of pregnancy yoga should be practiced in a prenatal yoga classes specifically designed for that purpose or privately with a qualified pregnancy yoga teacher. During menstruation Headstand and Shoulderstand preferably should be omitted and other milder inversions should not be hold for long, but because of the controversy about the inversions during menstruation it is your personal choice. Let your body guide you.

If you are a yoga teacher explain to your students why the inversions can be dangerous for them if they have any of the condition mentioned earlier. Why not stand on your head when you have pain in your neck or neck injury? What first thing will come to your mind as you there? Ouch … my neck! Can my small neck carry my whole weight as I am inverted?

Most students put lots of weight on their head and neck instead of shoulders. Use your common sense and listen to your body. Intuition will never let you down. Why omit headstand if I have high blood pressure? Because the danger is when your blood pressure increase from 100/60 mm Hg while standing on your feet to 150/110 mm Hg or even higher when you go for headstand.

Ms Barbara is a Certified Yoga trainer and also a Teacher in Physical Education. She is a member of REPs as Advance Instructor level 3 She has been learning, practicing and teaching many styles of yoga for around 10 years. Her classes vary in dynamics and strength, depending on the level of students. Some classes may be very gentle and meditative, while other very powerful and strong.

For more information about the author check

http://www.yoga-london.org.uk

Written By Ntathu Allen

If you are a busy mum, how do you relax at the end of your day? What do you do to look after yourself and care for your body? Do you take time-out for yourself or are you so busy caring for your family that you don’t have energy or the time for “me-time?”

You may even be wondering, how can I relax and have me-time with so many demands made on your time.

With so much activity going on in your life, what can you do to relax, to find time for yourself?

Constant rushing, multi-tasking and caring for others takes its toll on your health. Over time, your ability to effectively manage your work load and meet family and other life commitments is effected. You may constantly feel tired, exhausted and stressed. Failure to rest and relax leads to stress related symptoms such as migraines, high blood pressure and in some cases depression

With so much at stake, it is vital you make time to care for yourself. In the long run, the more quality time you invest in yourself, the greater your capacity to give your best to friends and loved ones.

Five Fast and Effortless Ways To Unwind and Relax At the End Of A Busy Day

When the pressure is on try the following five easy-to do yoga relaxation exercises to help you unwind, boost your energy and relax at the end of the day.

1. Give yourself a hand and finger massage. Gently massage your fingers and thumbs. Take time to really enjoy your mini-hand massage, if you have a favourite hand cream or even warm olive oil, use it to add a bit of luxury to your evening.

2. Shake and flap your hands, vigorously for 2 – 5 minutes. This is a wonderful way to get rid of excess energy. Make a dance with your hands and shake them up in the air, behind you and below your knees.

3. Stroke down your arms and upper body, this is a loving way to release blocked energy from your body. Stroke down each arm and your chest at least 3 – 5 times.

4. Practice the yoga pose – the seated forward bend. Sit on the floor, legs straight out in front of you, back straight. Stretch your arms overhead, exhale and bend forward, place your hands on your feet, shins or thighs. Inhale, and as you exhale press your chest down towards your legs and press the backs of your knees into the floor. Take 5 – 7 rounds of deep breathing in this pose. Slowly come up and sit still for a few moments.

5. Sit comfortably, straight back. Close your eyes. Relax your facial muscles. Gently breathe in and out through your nose and whisper the word “peace.” Do this 3 to 6 times. As you say the word, feel the peace inside you as you relax and breathe.

So, next time, you come home from work, or had a long day caring for your children, spend a few minutes and practice any one or all of these simple yoga relaxation exercises. You will feel relax, calm and ready to have a restful evening.

Ntathu Allen, Yoga and Meditation Teacher works with working women to inspire and support you feel the fun and joy of living in the now. She teaches you simple yoga relaxation techniques, prayers and guided meditations which support you to live a life fully alive and energised.

To find out more go to: http://www.yogainspires.co.uk and sign up for your copy of Ntathu’s free monthly yoga Inspires enewsletter and regular Quick and Easy Yoga Solutions for Stress Relief and Relaxation.
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Email: ntathu@yogainspires.co.uk

http://www.yogainspires.co.uk

Written By Frances M Smith and Nicola Baum

I have practiced yoga for over twenty years in four different countries. I have had some great teachers and some not so great teachers. I have had to travel to other areas to attend the classes that I could not get in my own area. This always took time that I did not have which took me away from my family and work.

I do believe that attending classes is the best way to become competent at yoga. Mainly because a good teacher will help you physically to get the poses (asanas) right and will align and shift your body into the pose. This hands on approach by the yoga teacher helps to move you forward quickly and smoothly. It is the practice of yoga between classes that moves you even faster. And if you are anything like me, it is the practice at home I find difficult to keep up without a guide.

I still own about a dozen videos for practicing yoga, yet the video machine died years ago. I also have quite a few DVD’s filled with classes that take time to get through and the constant need to stop the DVD player or fast forward to the next exercise takes away from my enjoyment of the exercise.

I have tried to exercise with books but find them frustrating as well. I have tried yoga cards which can be organised into a program suited to myself. These seem to be a great idea but the illustrations can get confusing and when I have next gone to a class realize that I have spent time learning a pose wrongly.

I needed something I could travel with and use quickly and easily. So I started putting together a routine on my computer that was easy to get through and suitable to take anywhere I was going. After a while I shared it with my business partner and we decided it was such a great way to get the exercise we needed that we created an ebook for others who also want to keep up their exercise without having to move furniture or go through DVD’s that are too long and boring.

Classes are essential to becoming competent at yoga as is a really good teacher. If you find yourself at a class where the teacher is not giving you what you feel is needed. Stop going there and find another class and teacher that does. A good teacher is hands on, literally, and will physically help you get into the aligned position the asana requires to get the most from the exercise. Do not pay to join a class until you have had a few trial runs with the teacher first.

Between lessons keep up your yoga by yourself, it is not just for your physical body it is also for your emotional self. Yoga helps your mind to calm and thoughts to flow more readily which helps in every way in your busy life.

Nicola Baume and Fran Smith at Daretobe Publications, share many other great tips on your health and fitness in their new eBook “Yoga For a Busy Life” – an easy to follow introduction to basic yoga poses at http://www.daretobepublications.com/wellness/yoga-for-a-busy-life