Archive for June, 2009

Written By Azmi Adnan

It is a well-known fact that the practice of yoga relieves stress. In the current financial downturn, yoga has been the source for people who are looking for quick stress busters and tension relieve as they battle with their economic challenges. However busy you are with your current situation, the practice of yoga, even for a short period daily, will assist you in healing the stress, tension and anxiety disorders that you may have.

The key to a successful stress and anxiety relieve program is finding the right time to slot yoga into your daily schedule. Yoga, even when practiced for only 30 minutes a day consistently, will benefit you more than if you were to practice a whole long session sporadically. Once your body is attuned to the consistent daily routine and you start feeling more energetic and more focused, stress, tension and anxiety disorders will just melt away.

Practicing yoga in the morning is great if you are a morning person, because of the fresher air and the newly produced oxygen. When your mind is exercised and focused in the morning, it is in a better shape to battle with stress and anxiety when that comes in the later part of the day. I personally find the hour before sunrise as a great time to practice. This is also the perfect time because the stomach is already empty, so you need not have to wait for any consumed food to settle. At any other times, you should make sure that yoga practice is done a few hours after a meal.

Yoga when done routinely everyday will cause you to be more attentive, flexible and mobile in your muscle groups and joints, making it easier for you to continue practicing the routine the next day. Establish a regular time to practice yoga. It is preferable that it is done either in the morning or in the evening.

Practice when your body feels flexible, because there are times in the day when your body may feel stiff, which is not a good time for yoga. Some people may experience a stiff neck when they wake up in the morning or after long hours sitting at a desk which affects their yoga postures. Others may not like to practice yoga in the evening because the sudden rush of energy will affect their ability to sleep later on. Choose the best time that suits your body and make it a regular time for your yoga practice.

It is recommended that at least three to four yoga postures are done on a daily basis of up to fifteen or twenty-five minutes to keep your body and mind healthy. A healthy mind will free you from mental stress, tension and anxiety disorders. A longer session should be done several times a week to keep your body attuned to the overall benefits of yoga.

Azmi Adnan is a writer and a yoga practitioner. Subscribe to his newsletter for interesting articles on yoga at his website http://www.power-to-live.com/yoga.htm

  By Bradley White

Yoga is a wonderful all-encompassing exercise for staying healthy. Yoga’s origins hail from ancient India enhancing both physical and mental well being. In the West, the most commonly practiced branch of yoga is Hatha Yoga.

This uses postures, breathing techniques, conscious relaxation and meditation. Within Hatha Yoga there are several styles, each with a different emphasis, so it is important to try them out and decide which suits you most. Here is a guide to some of the most popular styles of Hatha Yoga:

Hatha

If a class is described merely as “Hatha”, it is likely to include a number of techniques from across the various styles, but it will be good as an introduction for the beginner – and probably not too strenuous as a start.

Vinyasa

This is also a very general term for a yoga class. In yoga, a Vinyasa refers to a movement that is synchronized with the breath. Vinyasa-style yoga is based on a sequence of movements that are matched to the breath and is more active than the basic Hatha yoga described above.

Iyengar

This yoga is best for body alignment. In each pose there is a significant emphasis on the body position and ensuring that it is correct. The classes are slower and the poses are held for longer periods of time. Frequently props (blocks, straps etc.) are used to assist correct positioning. The attention to detail in each pose in this yoga, results in maximum benefit with minimum likelihood of any injury.

Ashtanga

As a very dynamic form of yoga, the movements are carried out fairly quickly and in a set order. This style is good for detoxifying, building strength and flexibility as well as increasing stamina. It will appeal to those who prefer intense and challenging exercise. Power yoga is derived from Ashtanga yoga. The only difference is that there is no set sequence.

Bikram / Hot yoga

Here yoga is practiced in a room where the temperature is set at 95 to 100 degrees F. The heat is to assist in loosening muscles and cause sweating in order to cleanse the body. There is a set sequence of 26 poses. Usually each is performed twice and held for a certain period of time. This is a challenging and forceful form of yoga. It is preferable for those who are already fit and who have few injuries.

Kundalini

The breath is the focus in this style of yoga. The purpose is to become aware of the effect of the breath on the posture. The movements are quick and repetitive and the class may involve chanting.

Sivananda

Here great emphasis is placed on the principles of exercise, healthy foods, correct breathing, relaxation and positive thinking and meditation.

Integral Yoga

Another general Hatha-type yoga, integral yoga makes use of poses, breathing techniques, chanting and meditation.

Viniyoga

This is a gentle-flowing, therapeutic yoga practice. It focuses on developing a style for each individual according to their needs. It aims to achieve flexibility, stability of joints, healing, strength and feelings of wellbeing. Often it is taught privately for therapeutic reasons.

There are a number of other styles of yoga. All involve the aspects mentioned above to varying degrees. Many also include a definite focus on the spiritual side of the art of yoga. You can choose your style according to your needs: perhaps it is for physical challenge, perhaps therapeutic, or for relaxation or maybe general well- being.

 Try a few different classes and find your preference. You can always switch to another style as your life progresses and needs change.

Bradley P. White has been a practicing pharmacist in Ohio for 13 years. He focuses his practice on healthy living and wellness. He educates people on how to correct nutritional deficiencies to avoid illness and disease.

To get a copy of Bradley’s Free book

How To Avoid A Lifetime Of Illness and Medications visit his site at http://www.supersizeyourhealth.com/blog/st/index1.html