Posts Tagged ‘With Yoga’

Finding One’s Self With Yoga

Thursday, October 13th, 2011

yoga teacher trainingBy Jenny Park

“I’m sick of it all,” she boomed. “The spiritual succor, Oprah’s wisdom, even that perky barista has taken to judging my sugar-laden latte with eye rolls! I’m telling you right now: I am done with all this organic-living and ‘finding me’ nonsense!”

Thus began my friend Carol’s diatribe moments after she realized her search for spiritual sanity ended up drowning her in a torrid sea of self-help. I lent a compassionate ear, acknowledged her present anti-esoteric space, and refrained from suggesting she start a juice detox or pop into a yoga class. After all, she was already teetering on the new-age edge.

After our exchange, I thought about yoga as a method for self discovery, and how we, as yoga instructors, can promote the emotional benefits of yoga to a demographic of people who are beginning to experience self-help fatigue.

While it’s true that yoga has come a long way in public perception, many people still file it away under esoteric curiosities. If you’re looking to crack the stained-glass Sanskrit ceiling and prove to the spiritually skeptical that yoga isn’t just some silly new-age machination, which promises lots but delivers little, it’s important to choreograph a class that highlights the real-world emotional benefits of yoga and minimizes the spiritual aspects. You don’t have to eradicate the non-physical parts of yoga, but why not consider re-packing the messages?

For example, instead of talking about chakra alignments, discuss tangible ideas, like balancing home and work; it’s a universal issue that resonates with a wide variety of people – regardless of spiritual outlook. Refrain from waxing poetic about ancient ideas of inner balance, and as a substitute, highlight the many studies and reports that explore yoga as it relates to business people, athletes, parenting, and even prison inmates who are now in programs that use yoga as a way to combat stress and violent tendencies.

Seva – or service – is a main tenant of yoga, and sometimes that means learning how to impart the more emotional, self-exploratory benefits of practice in a less esoteric way, thereby attracting a wider range of people who can connect with — and grow through — yoga.

Remember, not everybody bonds with their inner self in the same way; but there is a decent chance that if things are kept secular, you may be able to teach more people how to find themselves through yoga. Good luck, and as always, Namaste.

© Copyright 2011 – Aura Wellness Center – Publications Division

To see our selection of Online Yoga teacher training courses, please visit the following link.

http://www.aurawellnesscenter.com/store/

FREE Yoga Report. FREE Yoga Newsletter. FREE Yoga Videos. Free Podcasts. Bonus: Free Yoga e-Book, “Yoga in Practice.”

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!

 

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Questionable Yoga Accessories

Tuesday, August 30th, 2011

online yoga courseBy Gopi Rao

The expression, “to gild the lily” means to take something that’s already beautiful, and give it unnecessary trappings to make it even better. In America, gilding the lily is a way of life. We have become so used to the commercialization of so many of our activities, that we barely notice any more when we are the target market. Yoga, due to its increasing popularity, has become such a focus. Below, please find some accessories that marketers have tried to pair with Yoga, that not only fail to improve practice, but can actively hinder it.

Essential oils

The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) found, in a 2007 study, that lavender and tea tree oils can mimic estrogens, causing some extreme effects, such as young boys developing breast tissue. Use these oils with care and constraint.

Boot cut, floor-grazing pants

These pants are certainly more flattering than tapered, slim fit pants. However, stepping on the cuff, and falling over, is much more common in these styles. Select your pants for a close, comfortable fit.

Toe Rings

Wearing toe rings, during exercise, can be harmful if the foot swells. In addition, asanas, which bend the toes forward, can cause the toe ring to cut into the flesh of the toe. In India, where toe rings are commonly worn, doctors see many such foot injuries, and amputations are common. Toe rings, and other jewelry, should always be removed before practice.

Incense

A 2008 article entitled, “Incense Smoke: Clinical, Structural and Molecular Effects on Airway Disease,” in Clinical and Molecular Allergy Journal, lays out the dangers of incense smoke. Cigarettes produce particulates at a rate of about 10 mg per gram burned; incense produces more than 45 mg per gram burned. The authors of the article, and researchers, found inhaled incense smoke pollutants to cause respiratory system dysfunction, and to be indicated in allergic contact dermatitis. Incense smoke can also trigger asthma attacks.

Black Henna

Henna, a flowering plant, can be used to temporarily stain skin, nails, or hair with designs. However, “black henna,” a product illegal in the United States, can be made from the dried indigo plant or from para-phenylenediamine, an ingredient in black hair dyes. The “tattoos,” produced with black henna, can result in chemical burns and in future allergic reactions to printer ink, perfumes, chemical hair dyes, textile dye, sunscreen, photographic developer, and some medications.

Temptations, to make Yoga more glamorous, abound. Before buying an expensive or potentially dangerous accessory, consider what you really need for practice: an open mind, a willing body, and a simple space.

© Copyright 2011 – Aura Wellness Center – Publications Division

To see our selection of Online Yoga teacher training courses, please visit the following link.

http://www.aurawellnesscenter.com/store/

FREE Yoga Report. FREE Yoga Newsletter. FREE Yoga Videos. Free Podcasts. Bonus: Free Yoga e-Book, “Yoga in Practice.”

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!

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Improve Your Life with Yoga

Thursday, July 14th, 2011

yoga certificationBy Dr. Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500

Although the virtues of Yoga have been recognized in India for thousands of years, western medicine is just beginning to do the clinical research needed to scientifically document its benefits. Introduced by Swami Vivekananda, to the United States, in the late 19th century, Yoga became well known, more than a half century later, in the 1960s – when pop culture icons, such as the Beatles, introduced it to their fans.

What was then associated with a hippie culture has now become a part of mainstream life, as baby boomers continue to wage a war against aging, and younger generations embrace a more holistic way of living.

Anecdotal evidence supports the general consensus that Yoga improves lives – physically, emotionally, and spiritually; and studies have shown that it has a positive impact on the body and the mind. It lowers stress, improves the immune system, tones the body, balances the endocrine system, and creates a general state of wellbeing.

Evidence from some of the latest studies validate these claims:

• Recently, a six week study at a British university showed that employees, who practiced Yoga, were more resilient to stress, and recommended that employers provide classes to their employees.

• A pilot study of 11 depressed people, who were resistant to antidepressants, was done to see if participants felt better after practicing Yoga for eight weeks. Ten participants completed assessments, and nine of them reported an improvement in symptoms. Preliminary results warranted following up with a randomized, clinical study.

New medical and scientific research is currently taking place to determine the efficacy of Yoga in dealing with various aspects of the following conditions:

• Atrial fibrillation

• Cardiovascular disease

• PTSD

• Bipolar depression

• Breast cancer (numerous studies)

• Ovarian cancer

• Chronic back pain

• Stress reduction

• Insomnia

• Epilepsy

• Fibromyalgia

• Arthritis

• GERD, or gastroesophageal reflux disease

• Pediatric headaches

• Metabolic syndrome

• Smoking

• Blood pressure

With new medical information available every week, it seems that the number of randomized clinical trials, measuring the effects of Yoga on physical and mental health, is growing each year. In January 2011, Dr. Timothy McCall, a medical doctor and Yoga teacher, listed 54 health problems – with references – that have been shown to benefit from Yoga.

If that is not evidence enough, other studies suggest that Yoga helps to control weight, improves sexual function, and increases energy. There is little doubt that the asanas, meditation, and breathing techniques, involved in a serious Yoga practice, are capable of improving lives.  Life with Yoga is much better than life without Yoga.

© Copyright 2011 – Aura Wellness Center – Publications Division

To see our complete selection of Yoga teacher training courses, please feel free to visit the following link.

http://www.aurawellnesscenter.com/store/Teacher-Courses/

FREE Yoga Report. FREE Yoga Newsletter. FREE Yoga Videos. Free Podcasts. Bonus: Free Yoga e-Book, “Yoga in Practice.”

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!

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Open Your Heart And Access Courage With Yoga

Friday, February 4th, 2011

yoga teacher trainingBy Elle Garfield

“Courage faces fear and thereby masters it.” Martin Luther King, Jr

During my first yoga teacher training in 2004, I learned how to move into upward facing bow or wheel pose, which is an advanced back bending, heart opening pose thought to require a great deal of strength. It’s done by lifting the body up into a bow as you press your hands and feet into the floor. It was not my goal to learn this pose nor was it the objective of the course. It came to me as the result of all the increased opportunities to practice the basic postures I was learning to teach and the more challenging postures I found easier to access over time.

I had decided to take the teacher training that year because I felt stuck. Having accomplished many personal and professional goals I had set out to attain I still found that I was holding back. I was afraid to take that next step required to live more authentically and to achieve my aspirations. I wanted to make the transition from working at a family service agency and a psychological clinic to opening up my own private practice and offering the most effective methods to help people struggling with anxiety and depression.

Yoga had been my support, my friend for a very long time. My love of yoga started over 30 years ago when I took a Hatha yoga class as an undergraduate in college. Since then yoga has been calling me back to it’s healing embrace again and again. At times I would turn away from my practice, thinking I was too busy or too unfamiliar with it to be consistent, but I always came back especially during difficult times when my anxiety was high or the depression I was feeling held me back.

So in 2004 I was ready to immerse myself in the practice and study of yoga. As a student of the training I had many teachers in the form of books, gurus, teachers with varying degrees of experience and my fellow students. Some teachers helped me feel stronger and more confident feeling the power that I was able to tap into through the regular practice of this ancient art. Some helped to keep me humble and become accepting of being human and making mistakes. Many teachers were extraordinarily compassionate and because of that I was encouraged to begin to let go and open my heart more and more fully and joyfully even when I felt afraid to do so.

At first I gravitated to teachers who were very strong and disciplined. My logical mind told me the strength and confidence I lacked was the key to overcoming my fear. As I felt myself get stronger I started to try the more difficult poses, my confidence lifted. Still, I wasn’t able to come up into a full wheel pose. Something stopped me just short of it’s full expression. I learned that the muscle power I lacked was only part of the issue for me.

During the course I was introduced to a very compassionate teacher who explained we could create a safe space in our bodies so that the heart can open with ease. Forcing an opening only causes the heart to close more. She explained one way to create safety in this pose is to bring the shoulder blades together in the back so that the blades actually act as a shield for the heart in the back of the body so the heart can open freely in the front, just naturally lifting up toward the sky. She showed us a gentle way to bring the shoulder blades together by reaching our hands around the ankles of someone standing behind us. Logically, I couldn’t understand how this would help lift me into the pose but when I tried it myself I went right up with ease. Feeling triumphantly free in that moment, my heart fully open, I felt as if a wall had come down.

Having this experience showed me that my body was actually built to protect the most vulnerable part of me. I was able to relax and in a sense step out of the way allowing something natural to happen. I could feel my heart opening without force or really even trying very hard.

I began to want to live more and more of my life whole-heartedly, coming from an open heart. I began to see ways in which I was holding myself back thinking that this was the safe thing to do when in reality it was hurting me and limiting my life. Instead of trying to keep myself safe I began to work on aligning myself with integrity, compassion and trust. This was not something I was able to do on my own. Reaching out for help became a regular part of my spiritual practice.

For most of my life I treated asking for help as a crime I had no desire to commit, as a weakness that could possibly lead to more pain. In actuality I found it necessary and essential to continuing on a spiritual path. In our culture we value independence to the point of dysfunction at times. It usually takes quite a blow to our ego before we are able to admit our powerlessness and the need for help. And when we do reach out for aid something transforms inside of us opening us to all the possibilities in the universe. Paradoxically, this sort of dependence helps us to be more independent in healthier ways. We are starting to develop the courage to change.

The origin of the word courage actually comes from a Latin word cormeaning heart. Courage was what I needed more of to move into wheel pose and to move forward in my life to become the person I was meant to be.

Later that year I changed my name from my given name, Eileen to a name that had more meaning for me. I opened my own business and found a teacher that helped me cultivate effective practices shown to help with anxiety and depression. My journey isn’t over yet of course. I continue in my daily yoga practice to call on the qualities of the heart to help me navigate the ups and down of my life. I still get stuck and allow fear and doubt to keep me closed at times. Only now I have less tolerance for suffering and I’m more willing to ask for help, take the steps necessary to get out of my own way and move forward coming from an open heart.

If you are feeling stuck don’t let fear stop you from moving forward. Try something different, ask for the help and courage you need and allow your heart to lead you. The joy and happiness this is sure to bring is your birthright.

*Not every yoga pose is for every body so as with any exercise program check with your medical professional to make sure a practice is safe for you.

Awareness Counseling is a private practice that specializes in helping adults and families struggling with anxiety and depression using traditional therapy and mind/body methods that are intentionally designed to bring your life into balance. The result is more joy, freedom and enthusiasm for life. The founder, Elle Garfield, ACSW uses an effective combination of methods including cognitive/ behavioral, experiential, mindfulness, bibliotherapy, and Life Force yoga to help clients gain freedom from fear.

For more information go to www.Awareness-counseling-mi.com or Call Elle Garfield at 248-961-4081 or email egarfield10@gmail.com today.

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Know the Benefits of Yoga

Tuesday, January 4th, 2011

yoga teacher certificationBy Ankit Kumar Pandey

Yoga is likely one of the the majority primary must retain system stricken and fit. That is likewise extreme and potent treatment to different eternal illnesses. Performing yoga with standard groundwork is rated to rejuvenate overall fantastic thing about figure. Plenty yoga performers have outstanding wellbeing and fitness enhancement principally with regards to removal in quite a few ailments which don’t own hard medical answer. There are many infirmities which don’t experience everlasting therapy in medicinal answer, however through yoga, they may be cured effectively.

Yoga is definitely such an crucial supply of care that supports marry thoughts, physique along with the spirit attention. A few yoga experts say that the correct yoga cure to mind and body can have potent result to them. it will develop the relation to each other. A few critical conditions such as cancers that will as yet don’t experience medical solution is said to be curable by way of working towards yoga. More, this can be the yoga that helps you wait focused on your body’s frame of mind, situation and model using change. Yoga works body grow to be bendy and relaxed of stress-stricken nature. Applying yoga, in all its spirit can make physique repaired, energetic, contented and soothing.

Yoga is often a technologies which happens to be professionally recognized as an essential therapeutic having realistic medicinal solution to several conditions. The technology with yoga is founded on thesis, values and observation that will in concert focus on mind and body and their own reference to one another well. It is exactly medically validated that yoga carries most health benefits and different poses of yoga provides it really is main value to giving health benefits to physique. Yoga makes sure ultimate equilibrium within mind and body. Distinct yoga poses has some health benefits placed on psychological, psychological and biochemical fronts.

Yoga leads to great flexibility to joints with physique which includes those which will be in no way comforted although performing many practice. This task offers utmost lubrication to joints, ligaments and tendons in the physical. To induce versatility to whole parts of the body is definitely one of the best suitable virtues associated with yoga. Its been observed that with carrying out yoga, parts of body feel supreme versatility including many issues which have certainly not been acted about. Additionally, yoga could be the ultimate basis that massages whole body such as domestic glands and body systems. Yoga backs more desirable overall performance associated with organs and glands that for this reason enhance their own immune method.

The negative effect in performing yoga have corresponding outcomes about wellbeing and fitness as to numerous blood amount to total perhaps the body system. The numerous blood course for this reason achievements flushing out toxic substances out of system thereby presenting it then finished nutritional consumption. This subsequently rewards physical with regards to delayed ageing, clear blood, grit and revitalized force in every parts of whole body. More, this can be the yoga that helps matching from the muscular tissues. Muscles which have emerge as flimsy and sagging might efficiently just be bettered by way of constant practice in yoga.

As said before, in case yoga is finished via meditation, it d cause harmony that will help thoughts set up reference to system. Afterward, the whole system occurences stress free and revived ardor for all times. Lastly, also there have been several physical effects by means of yoga that happen to be blessing on show.

Yoga can cure almost everything and when you talk about yoga you can can’t forget Baba Ramdev Yoga and Bikram Yoga. There are most popular yoga.

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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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What is the Best Yoga Mat?

Saturday, July 10th, 2010

By Frances Solen

Whether you’re starting out or getting more serious with yoga, having the best yoga mat can be vital to your practice. With all the available options in the market, it’s best to find out the key features the mat needs to have before you invest your money in it.

One of the major considerations in buying a mat is the material it is made of. Basically, there are plastic mats and there are eco – friendly yoga mats.

PVC mats

Plastic mats are made of Polyvinyl chloride (PVC), tagged as the worst kind of plastic ever made. Just imagine all sorts of harmful chemicals and toxic agents were used to produce a single PVC mat. Then imagine having to inhale all those toxic fumes when you’re in child’s pose or downward dog.

Studies have shown that certain agents used to manufacture PVC mats may cause cancer and even brain damage. Not to mention, these mats don’t decompose when you throw them away. They can end up clogging landfills and causing further damage to the environment. Suffice it to say, this is not the kind of mat that is best for you.

Eco yoga mats

On the other hand, eco friendly mats are made of natural rubber from rubber trees.

Since they are made of natural materials, they are biodegradable and they completely decompose after you dispose them.

More than that, most eco mats are also built to be durable and comfortable. Though they are pricier than the standard plastic mat, most eco mats have better quality and more features than their PVC counterparts.

Of course, their rubbery smell is not the best in the world. But this minor flaw can often be overcome with a good airing or thorough cleaning. Even if you do inhale this unpleasant smell, at least you can be sure it’s just irritating your senses and not harming your body.

The best eco friendly yoga mat

If they are better than PVC mats, then what is the best eco friendly yoga mat?

The best eco mat is one that is suited to your body’s needs, your lifestyle and the kind of yoga you practice. There is no perfect mat but if you study their features as well as flaws, you may find one that is just right for you.

Read reviews and comparisons of the top eco-friendly yoga mats such as Jade Yoga Mat, Manduka eKO, and Prana Yoga Mat.

Some offer more cushion and more space while others provide more traction. Remember to evaluate your needs first and match it up with these mats’ features so you can decide which one is the best suited for your yoga practice.

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Yoga – Eccentric Mechanism For Replacing Drugs

Saturday, May 22nd, 2010

By Charu Mehta

How about beginning a day with the blessings of ancestors? One biggest gift and blessing to the new generation is the art of living with Yoga. This ancestral and traditional way of exercising is not only making the body free from various diseases, but is also making it possible for the people to avoid drugs and other medicines. The universally accepted benefits of this art form is making it popular and is also being recommended by the medical professionals for minimizing the use of medications in curing diseases.

Yoga! It is not just a way to exercise, but it helps to improve immune system too. This fact is known since ages. The exercising techniques and the various postures used to perform this kind of art are externally easy and can be done anywhere anytime. Some efforts to learn such exercises can actually pay in the long run. It helps to maintain body weight, body shape, decreases the probability of heart diseases like stroke and blood pressure and also helps in curing diabetes and asthma.

Health Benefits of Yoga

Among so many disorders affecting people worldwide, blood pressure, increased cholesterol and heart attack are very common problems. It has been found that people suffer from such troubles due to multiple factors like unhealthy eating habits, environmental factors or may be due to stress. Performing some basic exercises of this art can reduce cholesterol and prevent blood pressure and heart attacks.

It has been medically proven that Kapalabhati Prayanam helps to strengthen the diaphragm and due to its extensive breathing techniques, it purifies blood and increases blood circulation all over the body. It works like a magic for asthmatic and blood pressure patients.

Obesity

Obesity! It surely scares everyone globally now. Yoga mountain pose is a complete set of postures from standing to sitting and involves all muscles of the body. It tightens the thigh muscles, stiffens up the knee caps and calf muscles of the body. This can facilitate people in keeping their body toned up and free from extra fat.

Poor Concentration

People who often complain about poor concentration, lack of interest and stress can now benefit from these yogic exercising principles. The art of deep inhalation and exhalation in numerous postures helps to meditate and keeps away all those negative symptoms and distractions.

Personality Development

A hump back and lean body often reflects a non-confident and inferior structure. People who lack tone and confidence in their work often feel depressed which enhances a great inferiority complex in them. Practicing such art form can help them in building confidence and making their body immune against various diseases. This can even assist them in handling extreme work pressures, thereby performing better in the professional fronts.

Diabetes

Diabetes is another ailment that is affecting every second person, even the children. Yoga acts as miracle for the patients of diabetes. It helps to regulate the release and production of many hormones like insulin and thus regulates the blood sugar levels. So, when a simple art form has so much to offer, then why not introduce this effective technique in the daily schedules from today.

Charu Mehta is a free lance content writer from past two years and has written almost 3900 live articles for different clients. Her experience in this industry has helped her to sharpen the skills and expertise in this field. She has the potential to write on any subject or theme and endow clients with all what they want.

Personal URL: charu.freelancer@gmail.com

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Opening Your Heart With Yoga

Monday, January 25th, 2010

By Gaylene Thoeny

If you have taken or seen a Yoga class you may have heard “Lead with your Heart Center” (or something else similar). The Heart Center in Yoga refers to the Heart Chakra. The Heart Chakra is the 4th of 7 Chakras (or Energy Centers in the body). These centers are often used as reference points in Yoga, Chinese Medicine, Thai Massage or other traditional healing methods.

We are referring to the area of the body in and around the heart and lungs, including the shoulders, upper back and chest. This area is known as the domain of human intimacy – and is associated with love, acceptance, forgiving, devotion, understanding, acceptance, peach, harmony, contentment, compassion and relationships. I feel the most important of all this is self-love, we can’t love and care for others if we don’t do the same for ourselves first!

The best thing we can do for ourselves is to open up the heart chakra, increasing blood flow to the heart, lungs and the rest of the body. This also can bring us better posture, bigger lung capacity, better circulation, making us feel better and making it possible to pass on these great feelings to others.

A simple way to open up the heart Chakra is a Chest Expansion:

1.) Starting in a neutral standing position or mountain pose

2.) Reaching out palms back behind each other

3.) Imagine that you are holding a giant beach ball behind your back

4.) Squeezing the shoulder blades together

5.) Inhaling into the expanded lungs

6.) Gazing gently up and forward and closing our eyes

7.) Taking as many breaths in and out as you feel comfortable

8.) Releasing arms down to your sides

This can be repeated as often as is comfortable. Also a great pose to use after driving, sitting at a desk or anything that makes us prone to hunching forward.

This article by Gaylene Thoeny, a 500hr Registered Yoga Teacher, yogi and mom. Go to http://www.groundingfitness.ca for more information. Gaylene specializes in yoga and lifestyle management. Creating a grounded life on and off the mat.

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Boost Your Immunity With Yoga

Thursday, December 24th, 2009

By Tamara Tangney

We are living an era that is obsessed in “quick fixes” instead of making us responsible for our own health. For example: If we are depressed, take a pill instead of resolving the issue that is making us depressed is the more accepted way to go. There are many factors that weaken the immune system that flu shots and other vaccines can not resolve.

• Toxins in the environment and/or food (cars and processed foods mainly)

• SAD (Standard American Diet, which is a poor diet rich in processed foods)

• Excessive alcohol intake (Which is promoted by our society)

• Lack of exercise (Excessive screen time and our love for our cars)

• Stress (Our current economic situation is not helping with this!)

There is good news. We can take charge of our lives by strengthening our immune system. A strong immune system not only leads to less occurrences of illness, but also helps prevent more extreme manifestations of illness. A few of the ways that yoga positively impacts the immune system include:

• Stimulating the Lymph Nodes

• Improving circulation

• Improving oxygen flow, thus aiding the transfer of energy from nutrients to cells

• Improving the flow of the sinuses and flushing out mucous from the lungs

• Increasing lung capacity and mobility

• Massaging the internal organs

• Relaxing the nervous system

Pigeon Pose (Eka Pada Rajakopatasana) and Eagle Pose (Garudasana) are both effective in charging up the Lymph System.

In Pigeon Pose, the pressure of the heel of the foot on the groin stimulates the lymph nodes to “release their juices”, thus cleansing them out and making them work more efficiently. Eagle Pose stimulates the lymph in the armpits and the groin as the arms and legs are crossed at the elbows and knees respectively.

Ujjayi Breathing promotes cleansing of the upper respiratory tract, increases lung capacity, lowers blood pressure and relaxes the sympathetic nervous system (fight or flight).

Sun Salute A & B (Surya Namaskara A & B)

These two sequences create “heat” in your body by, increasing blood flow, oxygen flow, heart rate and muscle strength. They are energizing sequences that produce similar cardiovascular results as running with out the injuries. If you are new to yoga, try practicing Sun Salute A every day for one month. Once that is mastered, add Sun Salute B to receive the full immunological benefits of these sequences.

Cows Face Pose (Gomukasana) Stimulates the lymph nodes in the groin and armpits, increases lung capacity and mobility, massages internal organs and calms the nervous system (when bent forward). Bonus: Your body looks like a cow’s face when in the full pose!

Bow Pose is a backbend with extra benefits! Your upper and lower back muscles and chest is opened by grabbing your ankles and “pushing away” from your hands with your feet and legs. Your internal organs are massaged by rocking back and forth in the full posture.

Corpse Pose (Shavasana) is the most important pose in yoga. Honor your self by quieting your mind. Freeing your self from tension and stress for even a few minutes every day will increase your sense of self and give you power to fight off illnesses.

Tamara Tangney is a yogi, ice hockey player, health enthusiast and mother and frequently writes about new ways to incorporate yoga and healthful eating into one’s life. For more information about yoga and fitness, visit http://www.chickswithkick.com

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