The Many Health Benefits of Yoga

Yoga has been practiced for centuries for health, exercise and meditation. Beginners should be taught by a trained expert to reduce risks of injury or torn muscles. Yoga classes can be found locally at YMCAs, gyms, and exercise classes. The benefits of Yoga are extraordinary, and many classes are being offered in communities all over. There are numerous physical, emotional and also mental benefits to these exercises.



Increased flexibility and range of motion is one benefit you will notice from Yoga. Your joints and ligaments receive increased lubrication through this increased motion and flexibility. Research has found the non-strenuous positions benefit other parts of the body as well

Muscle tone improves and is stimulated with strengthening moves and repeated motion. Strengthening and stretching increases Blood supply to the body's organs and muscles. Toxins are flushed out through this process and nourishment is provided to the cells.

An Added bonus is the autonomic nervous system and pulse rate are stabilized through meditation; also decreased respiratory rate, blood pressure is also decreased, and improved cardiovascular function as well as improved dexterity and reaction time. Better sleep, an increase in endurance and energy and altogether better body parts function are what people notice as a result.

A better frame of mind and less mood swings are also reported by individuals who begin to practice yoga. They also noticed better social adjustment as well as an improvement in concentration, better memory and a greater attention span. Many have noticed that there was a decrease in hostility and their learning ability and depth perception also improved.

A calmer attitude and mind that lasted all day was one of the benefit reported. This also leads to less stress and anxiety, which ultimately reduced weight gain. Practicing Yoga has many benefits for the body and mind. This translates into health improvement, a calmer mind and spirit, and a more flexible body. Practicing yoga helps to maintain normal weight and have fewer arthritic and joint problems.

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Learning Yoga For Your Good Health

For many of us, cranking out a ten-minute mile on a treadmill or pounding the floor of the racquetball court can mean major joint pain. Fortunately, you can cover all three of your major exercise types (aerobic, anaerobic and stretching) through a low-impact activity like yoga.

Yoga is an ancient Indian practiced designed to promote relaxation, health and flexibility. By using a series of poses and breathing techniques, yoga also works on the practitioner's balance, strength and overall health.

It has been shown to reduce blood pressure, lower cholesterol levels, diminish back pain and improve cardiovascular health. Depending on the type of yoga you do, yoga can be an aerobic, anaerobic or stretching exercise or all three.

Essentially, yoga tones and stretches all your joints and muscles. Not only does this unique form of exercise deliver physical benefits, it also reduces stress while promoting relaxation. When it comes to aging well, yoga is one of the best activities you can do.

Some types of it are more strenuous than others, so before you sign up for a class or purchase a yoga DVD, you may want to make sure you're choosing a yoga program that's right for you. Keep reading to learn about the five major types of yoga:



Integral Yoga: This is a basic and very gentle form of yoga with a set pattern of postures. The emphasis is on pose control, relaxation and deep meditation. Integral yoga is perfect for beginners.

Ashtanga Yoga: You may see Ashtanga yoga listed as "power yoga." This type of yoga moves fast and focuses on a continuous flow of movement through the traditional yoga poses. By incorporating strength, aerobic exertion and flexibility, Ashtange embodies all three types of exercise.

Kundalini Yoga: This form of yoga is extremely spiritual and tends to focus predominantly on breathing exercises, chanting, relaxation and meditation.

Iyengar Yoga: Iyengar yoga focuses predominantly on positioning and poses that are precise and correct. Using wooden blocks, buckets or straps, Iyengar concentrates on alignment and the actual structure of a pose. Though slow and steady, Iyengar is not recommended for yoga beginners.

Bikram Yoga: Also known as "hot yoga," Bikram yoga is typically done in a room heated to anywhere from 80 to 100 degrees. Vigorous and intense, this form of yoga may be too much for those suffering from respiratory problems, high blood pressure or cardiac issues.

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Popular Health Trend - Yoga

When you feel tired or under too much stress, you can try yoga to relax yourself. Yoga has become one of the most popular health trends around.

Yoga has become so popular in recent years, and it's easy to overlook the fact that it is actually one of humankind's oldest activities. It is believed that yoga is originated from shamans in Indus Valley over 5000years ago.

Shamans were regarded as the holy men of early human civilization. It is said that they can communicate with the spirit world to find solutions to problems facing their people. Over time, these shamans developed a system of mental and physical exercises to expand their consciousness, and thereby give a new perspective on the problems of daily life. These exercises formed the foundation of modern yoga.



For thousands of years yoga was practiced mainly in India. The exercises of yoga were incorporated into three of the Indian religions: Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism. Technically, yoga is not a religion; it is a method that can be used by anyone to pursue their own religious (or non-religious) goals.

Siddhartha, the founder of Buddhism, practiced yogic meditation, and meditation is still a central part of Buddhism today.

Yoga was practically unknown to the West until the 1960s, when popular culture began to show an interest in Eastern religions. People began to look at yoga as a way to find peace of mind in a world that was anything but peaceful.

Since the 1960s yoga's popularity has grown steadily. Nowadays, Westerners practice all kinds of yoga. There are even yoga classes for people in their 70s!

In fact, there are so many people who want to learn yoga that yoga schools across the United States are having difficulty keeping up with the demand. Judging by its popularity, yoga is as useful for solving the problems of today as it was for solving the problems 5,000 years ago. [http://www.ebookslife.com]Leading eBooks Company

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Improve Health With Yoga in Chairs

It is never too late to start a yoga practice. Forget the pictures you see in ads and TV that show 23 year old dancers and gymnasts doing pretzel-like yoga postures. Sure, there are young people taking fast moving classes that focus on difficult poses. But the majority of people taking yoga classes are middle aged and older. And the fastest growing student population for yoga is seniors.

To accommodate this growing segment, more and more classes are being offered to suit the needs and desires particular to older adults. Generally, these classes are called Yoga in Chairs or simply, Chair Yoga. The obstacle to yoga for older people is the frequent getting up and down off the floor, and sitting cross-legged on the ground for extended periods of time. Back problems, knee and hip replacements, arthritis, and fatigue combine to make it difficult to do. Chair Yoga overcomes this difficulty by featuring most of the same postures traditionally taught, but done either sitting in a chair, or using the chair as a balance and support. These classes are not yoga simplified, but yoga adapted.

Chair Yoga offers increased range of motion in the spine and joints, strengthening of muscles, improved balance, better breath control, relaxation and lessening of physical and mental tension, and improved concentration. Exactly as any other yoga class does. Even if you haven't exercised in a long time, or especially if you haven't, you will begin to feel these and other benefits after just a few classes. Ageing creates more of a need for the gifts of yoga, not less. Using the chair as a base, allows older people, or people with physical limitations, to carry on a full yoga practice the same as the 23 year old with both knees behind the head.

A common concern among seniors is that yoga will conflict with their beliefs and traditions. Yoga does have a focus on contemplation and inner peace that can be spiritual for some, but it is not religious in and of itself. There is room for all types of believers and non-believers in a yoga class. A class for older people in particular will focus on the physical aspect of practice and the breath. There will be relaxation and quiet. And there will be time for questions and sharing. Perhaps some soothing music will be played; maybe there will be a chance to chant the sound OM at the end of class-- if you feel like it. The chant of OM is just the traditional way to end a yoga class. It is a bow to history and tradition.

Yoga in Chairs classes can be found in churches, senior centers, through community education, and at yoga studios. Look for ads, fliers, and talk to your friends and family and find the teacher and the location that is right for you. Take a friend with you to practice. Make it a social occasion, and enjoy improving your health in a group of like- minded people who share your interests and concerns. Making yoga a part of your life will be one of the best things you have done for yourself.

Susan Lasch owns and operates East Aurora Yoga in the village of East Aurora, NY. A certified yoga teacher through the Sivananda Organization, she is also a registered yoga teacher(RYT) through the Yoga Alliance. Visit http://www.eayoga.com for more information about yoga and classes offered.

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Yoga Just For You - Fun Exercises For Every Day

Intrigued by yoga? This article will help you to discover a new fulfilling life: discover your body's innate wisdom with some easy yoga exercises that everyone can do.

Here's an essential point about yoga: it's much more than exercises. If you think of yoga only in terms of "getting some exercise" you're missing the point. Yes, yoga IS exercise, but it's also an entire system of wisdom.

Yoga Helps You to Trust Your Body, because Your Body is Wiser Than Your Mind

Neuroscience is discovering what yogis have known for thousands of years. Your body's wisdom, that instinctive intelligence Dr Candace Pert described in her book Molecules of Emotion, knows what's best for you. It's better than your forebrain in deciding what you should eat, and how you should exercise.

You already trust your body. You know to follow your gut - your instinct.

Let's look at two simple exercises, which will help you to get in touch with your body's wisdom. They're both easy and fun, but don't treat them lightly.

Mountain Pose - Tadasana - Be Right Where You Are

Stand straight, with your feet hip-width apart, and your arms completely relaxed, as they drop from your shoulders towards the ground.

Push your tailbone down slightly to straighten your pelvis, and feel your spine lift upward.

Press your shoulder blades downwards without straining. This will open your chest.

Breathe normally.

Relax, and be aware of your body, and your breath; maintain the pose for a minute or two.

Easy Post - Sukhasana - Just Sitting and Being

Basically, in Easy Post you're just sitting cross legged. You'll need a cushion.

Place your cushion on the floor, and sit toward the front of it so that your hips are higher than your knees. Straighten your legs, and then cross them. Ideally, your knees will be close to the floor; as you continue to practice, your hips will open more, making this easier.

Rest your hands lightly on your knees. As in Mountain Pose, press your shoulder blades downwards to open your chest.

If you can't achieve this pose with a cushion on the floor, sit on a chair with your feet together on the floor.

Breathe normally, and relax. Be aware of your body, by scanning it with your mind and consciously relaxing those areas which are tight. Stay sitting for a minute or two, or as long as you wish, getting in touch with your body.

Mountain Pose and Easy pose seem simple, and they are. They're also complex, as you'll discover, in that they help you to become aware of your body. As your awareness grows, you'll come to discover your body's wisdom - this is the gift of yoga.

Discover yourself with yoga, a gentle form of stretching. Yoga strengthens both your body and mind, and is suitable for anyone, from children to seniors. Visit Easy Fab Yoga Blog at http://www.easyfabyoga.com/blog/ for daily yoga information, tips, and inspiration.

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Two Easy Yoga Exercises to Beat Stress

Looking for ways to beat stress? Yoga makes it easy. Even five minutes spent doing yoga will give you stress relief. In these tough times it's only natural to feel stress. However constant unrelieved stress will lead to health problems. It's vital that you spend some time each day getting rid of the stress hormones in your system and discovering relaxation.

Even if you are new to yoga, a few simple stretches will relieve your stress and improve your mood. This is a great gift you can give to yourself as well as to your loved ones. New to yoga? The easiest way to learn yoga is to take a class at a yoga studio. However you can also learn basic yoga from an instructional CD or DVD, or even a book. When you're using yoga to relieve stress, it's vital that you don't get hung up on your technique. With yoga it's not important how perfectly you perform an exercise, but that you focus on your body rather than on the thoughts whizzing around in your brain.

Here are two easy yoga exercises which will help you to relieve stress.

1. Downward Facing Dog Pose - Calms Your Mind and Relieves Mild Depression or Agitation

If you own a dog you know where the name of this exercise comes from. Each time your dog gets up from a rest he takes pleasure in this luxurious stretch -- you can do the same thing. Begin this pose on your hands and knees and then lift your knees from the floor. Straighten your knees but don't lock them and lift your tailbone towards the ceiling. Maintain the pose for several breaths, or even longer. You can stay in this pose for up to five minutes if it feels comfortable.

2. Seated Forward Bend: Calms Your Mind and Relieves Mild Depression or Agitation In Seated Forward Bend, you fold your body up like clothes pin.

Sit on the floor with your legs straight. Take a deep breath and bend forward from your hips, reaching out to hold your toes, and then folding your body on to your legs if you can. Don't strain to do the exercise - just stretch as far as is comfortable - and BREATHE.

Maintain the pose for several breaths or even for up to five minutes if you wish. The above two exercises are a great way to relieve stress. You can do them at any time of the day or evening, even in the office. Just close your office door.

Discover yourself with yoga, a gentle form of stretching. Yoga strengthens both your body and mind, and is suitable for anyone, from children to seniors. Visit Easy Fab Yoga Blog at http://www.easyfabyoga.com/blog/ for daily yoga information, tips, and inspiration.

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Five Basic Yoga Exercises to Do Sitting on Bed to Help You Sleep

Many people have difficulty falling asleep. If you're mind is racing, full of ideas and lists-of-things-to do tomorrow, it can be hard for you to switch off and rest. To function properly during your day, it is vital you give your body and mind a chance to rest, repair and heal from the day's busyness. You deserve a good nights' rest.

The gentle art of yoga is the ideal way for you to unwind after a busy day.

Practice these basic yoga exercises to calm and clear your mind and help you fall asleep easily.

1. Neck Stretches

Sit on the edge of your bed relax your arms and shoulders. Inhale. Slowly exhale through your nose and lower your head forward to rest your chin on your upper chest. Feel the back of your neck relax and soften. Inhale and return your head to centre. Slowly exhale and lean your head back. Let the jaw relax and be aware of the gentle stretch on your throat. Breathe slowly and deeply. Slowly return head to centre. Repeat this stretch 3 - 5 times in each direction.

2. Still sitting on your bed, slowly breathe in and raise both shoulders to your ears. Squeeze them tightly and relax them as you breathe out. Repeat 3 - 5 times. Each time, allow your shoulders to relax a bit more.

3. Shake your hands for 30 - 60 seconds. Breathing fully and deeply as you do so. Make sure your jaw is relaxed and feet resting comfortably on the floor.

4. Brush/stroke down your left arm with your right hand. Switch and repeat on the opposite arm.

5. Lie on your stomach, fold your arms and rest your cheek on your arms. Observe the raising and falling of your abdomen as it expands and contracts with each breath. Stay in this position and take 3 - 5 rounds of deep abdominal breathing.

At the end of these yoga exercises, slowly return to normal breathing and lie down in your bed.

With practice, you will soon find it easier to fall asleep and have a good night's rest.

Ntathu Allen, Yoga and Meditation Teacher works with women who want a richer, more fulfilling life for themselves and their families. She teaches you easy yoga postures, meditation practices and relaxation techniques to help you live a healthier, wealthier and happier stress-free life. 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. The newsletter contains a goldmine of tips, techniques and strategies you can use to become healthier, wealthier and happier.


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Five Easy Seated Yoga Exercises You Must Do to Release Lower Back Pain at Work

Do you spend the majority of your day sitting down in front of a computer or answering the phone?

Perhaps, like me, you are a self-employed entrepreneur and depend on the internet to market your business.

Sitting in the same position for lengthy periods of time, typing and looking at a computer screen, places a lot of strain on your body, particularly your lower back muscles. Weak abdominal muscles, tight hamstrings, being overweight and lack of regular exercise all contribute to lower back pain.

If you sit at your desk and do not stretch your body, when you stand up have you noticed your back muscles are sore, stiff and achy?

Back pain is the third most common reason for consulting a doctor in Britain and is closely related to poor posture, stress and tension.

If you have ever suffered from back pain you will know how painful and deliberating it can be. As a child, I remember my father spending days flat on his back, unable to move or go to work due to lower back pain. Given today's economic climate and rising food and fuel prices you can not afford to be in the same position.

Five Easy Seated Yoga Exercises To Release Lower Back Pain At Work

Yoga is great exercise for bad-back sufferers.

The following five seated exercises can be done at your desk, without any equipment or changing your clothes. They will give your body an overall stretch and help to release stiffness and tension in your lower back.

Aim to do these simple yoga stretches at least three times during your working day. Please consult your GP before you start these exercises and take care to listen and work within the limits of your body.

1. Seated Trunk Twist

Sit comfortably on a chair, feet flat on the floor, raise both elbows up to shoulder height, clasp the hands together.

Inhale and as you exhale slowly twist to one side. Make sure you twist from the base of your spine and keep the back straight throughout the stretch.

Inhale and slowly come back to centre. Repeat in the opposite direction.

Repeat the sequence 3 - 5 times each direction.

2. Seated Cobra

Sit near the edge of your chair. Feet flat on the floor. Hands resting on your lap. Lengthen your spine, slowly arch your back and lilt your head back. Relax and take three deep breathes. Slowly return body back to centre.

3. Seated Cat Stretch

Make sure you have space in front of you. Sitting on chair, bend forward and hold your ankles or shins. Arch your back, relax and repeat 3 - 5 times

4. Upward Arm Stretch

Raise both arms above your head. Place your left hand on your right wrist. Gently stretch to the right. Keep your body strong and straight. Breathe into the stretch. Switch sides and repeat.

5. Seated Spinal Twist

Still sitting, cross your left leg over your right knee. Place your right hand on the crossed knee. Gently turn your body to the left and look behind you. Allow your shoulders to be relaxed as you relax and breathe into the pose. Inhale. Release your arms and legs; return to centre. Exhale. Switch legs and repeat on the opposite side.

Regular practice of these five simple yoga exercises throughout your day. They will help to release tension and soreness in your lower back plus, you will feel more comfortable, fitter and at ease in your body.

Ntathu Allen, Hatha Yoga Teacher designs personal yoga exercise programmes for beginners. She helps you learn easy yoga postures which improve your flexibility, breathing practices to release stress and meditation techniques to soothe and calm your mind. To find out more go to: http://www.yogainspires.co.uk and sign up for your free monthly yoga and health newsletter, "Healing for the Soul," full of wellbeing and holistic healing tips and; yoga exercises to energize and nurture your soul.


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5 Yoga Breathing Exercises You Can Do Everyday

Breathing correctly is essential to staying in good health. Are you doing everything that you can to improve your breathing? Most people don't even realize how shallow and fast their breathing normally is and that illnesses can result from not getting enough oxygen.

There are many Yoga breathing exercises that are done in repetitive patterns to help improve health and mental clarity. If you want to start breathing more deeply and being more aware of your breath and how it affects your health you can do these 5 Yoga breathing exercises every day:



1. Long Deep Breathing - This is usually the first Yoga breathing exercise that is taught to beginners because it's the easiest to do. Long Deep Breathing mainly consists of building an awareness of the contraction and distention of the diaphragm during breathing. People that aren't used to Yoga breathing might have a little trouble doing Long Deep Breathing at first but once you have done it a few times it will become second nature.

2. Breath of Fire - Breath of Fire is primarily a Kundalini Yoga technique that focuses on pulling in oxygen and then rhythmically pumping it out without tensing the abdominal muscles, chest or rib cage. Breath of Fire is similar to the action of a bellows that is used to stoke a fire, and it's usually the second breathing technique that is taught in Yoga.

3. Bastrika - Bastrika is a Hatha Yoga breathing technique that focuses on breathing in a very light, fast and rhythmic way. Bastrika is similar to the Breath of Fire except that the Breath of Fire stresses a much deep inhalation. Bastrika breathing can also raise your metabolism.

4. Kabalabati - This type of breathing is used primarily to cleanse the body, specifically the chest. It is supposed to get rid of stress and tension in the chest and throat and also is supposed to clear the body of mucus.

5. Alternate Nostril Breathing - This is a very common Yoga breathing exercise where you inhale through one nostril, hold the breath, and then exhale that breath out through the other nostril. This type of breathing is usually done to bring balance and oxygen to both sides of the brain. Alternate Nostril Breathing promotes creativity, mental clarity and alertness.

Jay Franco has been a Yoga enthusiast since an early age. He is constantly trying to find practical ways of implementing this ancient knowledge into his Western lifestyle.
His website is: http://www.yogascienceofbreath.com

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3 Simple Yoga Exercises For Ripped Abs

Core abdominal training and power is perhaps the most important aspect of physical fitness, and yoga is an excellent science to help target and develop this region. According to yoga, the abdominal area is governed by the Solar Plexus Chakra, called the Manipura Chakra in Sanskrit, and this chakra is responsible for not just providing the body with the physical energy it needs, but is also responsible for your willpower and strength of character.

Yoga abdominal exercises work on many dimensions of your being. They not just tone and strengthen the stomach muscles, but they also open and balance the Manipura Chakra mentioned above. Thus, not only is your core strength and power improved, but, also your willpower and strength of character developed. In this article I will give three excellent yoga exercises for developing this all important center.

1. Single Yoga Leg Lifts:

Lie on your back with your hands underneath your buttocks palms facing down. The hand position is to support your lower back. If you feel pressure or discomfort in your lower back, go ahead and roll more of your arms underneath you, this will give even more lower back support.

Now lift your left leg up to ninety degrees in a slow, smooth motion keeping it as straight at the knee as possible. Inhale as you lift you lift up, then exhale and bring the leg back down. Next repeat this exercise with the right leg. Continue in this fashion, lifting alternate legs to ninety degrees for one to three minutes.

Take a break in between if you need to. Remember never to overdo anything when it comes to yoga. Slow and steady is the golden rule.

2. Double Yoga Leg Lifts:

Once you complete your single leg lifts take a short break and then try the same exercise but this time lift both legs together is a smooth motion to ninety degrees and then back down. Again try to keep the legs as straight as possible. Keep the hands underneath the buttocks as above to support the lower back.

3. Criss-Cross Legs:

You will find the above two exercise really target the central abs, and this exercise will attack the obliques, which are the stomach muscles that line the side of the abdominal. For this exercise, again remain on your back with the hands underneath your buttocks palms facing down, then raise your legs twelve to eighteen inches above the floor and keeping the toes pointed begin to rapidly criss-cross them.

By criss-cross here, I mean that let the legs cross over each other at the ankles, where fist the right leg crosses over the top of the left, and then the left crosses over the the top of the right. This action will really work the stomach muscles and is excellent training for abdominal strength and toning.

Summary:

So there you have three excellent exercises for toning and strengthening your abdominal muscles and activating the Solar Plexus Chakra. These exercises also provide the added benefit of helping your digestive system and is an excellent set for those who are just starting out their yoga practice.

Anmol Mehta is a modern Yoga & Meditation master. His massive website offers the ultimate [http://anmolmehta.com/blog/2008/09/24/meditation-techniques/]Guided Meditation Techniques guide, a powerful Third Eye Meditation and free [http://anmolmehta.com/blog/2008/02/28/free-yoga-videos/]Yoga Exercise Videos.

This article is available for reprint on your website and/or newsletter, provided it is not changed and you include the author's signature.

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How to Lose Weight Yoga Style - The Easy Way!

When most people picture yoga, they envision half-naked fakirs doing fantastical backbends or sitting in the "lotus" pose and chanting the "Om" mantra over and over. While yoga can include backbends and lotus poses, lose weight yoga is not solely about getting tied up in knots while chanting "Om".

Yoga exercises range from amazingly simple to exceedingly complex; each of them helping you to become physically flexible while staying mentally focused. It is this mind/body connection that helps you lose weight; yoga style.

Lose Weight Yoga Style - The Mind/Body Connection

One of the best things about practicing yoga is that it puts you in touch with your body. When you do yoga, you discipline yourself and you find that you actually like it. The time you spend doing yoga and meditating sets a belief in your subconscious mind that you are capable of taking care of yourself.

People who do not practice yoga and are not in touch with their inner selves will often find themselves straying towards the refrigerator even when they are not really hungry. Yoga practitioners on the other hand, are more disciplined; they can recognize genuine hunger pangs and will only give in to the urge to eat when really hungry.

Lose Weight Yoga Style - The Muscle Factor

Some yoga poses including the plank pose helps build muscle all over your body. In fact, if you only want a way to tone your arms, shoulders, chest and abs, the plank pose itself will do that for you. The good news about building muscle is that muscle burns fat. You burn an additional 50 calories a day for every pound of muscle you put on.

If you haven't yet found an exercise program that you like, try yoga. You really can lose weight yoga style!

Vanessa Raven is a well-known weight loss consultant and the author of the popular FREE report:

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Hard Hitting Facts on How to Lose Weight With Yoga

Yoga has been touted over the years for the many things that it can do for you. Many people don't realize though it can also have a hand in help you lose weight. Yoga is defined as the union of a person's own consciousness with their universal consciousness. This in easy terms is becoming aware with themselves and things that unite their body, mind, and spirit together. Once people realize and reap the benefits of it they never seem to ever stray from it.

Losing weight is never an easy thing to do, but there are ways to make it easier and one is the use of yoga. To lose weight you must eat right and exercise to burn calories, but that doesn't mean that you can use other ways to get it done. Holding poses for a number of minutes will actually improve muscle strength and posture. Many people think that you must go to the gym and work out for an hour or two each day. This just isn't the case all the time. If you corporate a yoga workout with your everyday routine you will see a noticeable improvement in the months ahead. It takes time just like anything that you want in life.

Stress is a very important element in our lives that can cause us many problems when we talk about our weight. Yoga is used to reduce stress and in turn helps us lose weight by lowering our stress level. When we are less stressful, we tend to eat less and feel better about ourselves. Our self esteem gets higher and we have an easier time taking weight off. As you use it as a part of your weight loss program you're more likely to keep it off because you are losing small amounts. If you lose big amounts with your diet, it usually tends to be harder to keep off. This is why losing weight should be taken slowly and worked at. There are no quick fixes when we talk about weight loss.

If you're just starting out in yoga and weight loss it's probably best to take a night class at a local college or recreational center. Most cities have some wonderful programs that will show you how yoga and weight loss can work hand in hand. Don't get discouraging if you don't see success with the weight loss right away. It will take time and you shouldn't be in any rush. Remember it took time to become overweight so it will take time to lose it.

This is a great vehicle to lose weight and become more attune with your body and the world around you. People are now starting to realize that yoga can be used for more things than just meditation and it's really growing a following. The more time people take to learn the proper way to use it the more benefits they are seeing from it. Just like anything that has been around for a very long time many misconceptions will be out there about it.

Jeffrey Meier at Jam727 Enterprises at http://www.thearticlehome.com blog offers even more detailed information on a wide variety of topics.

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Yoga Can Help You to Lose Weight

We all know that yoga is good for your health and well-being, but does how does it tie into weight loss? After all, it isn’t aerobic exercise so can it really help to shed pounds?

A recent study conducted by the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle, WA investigated the effects of yoga on weight, which is the first study to investigate the role between the two. More than 15,000 participants were asked to recall their physical activity patterns and weight history between the ages of 45 and 55. The study found that during this period, most people gain about 1 pound each year. The people who practiced yoga at least 30 minutes once a week for four or more years gained 3 pounds less weight than the non-yoga participants.

This is not necessarily staggering results but it gets better! Both men and women who were overweight at the beginning of the period and who started to practice yoga lost about five pounds, while those who were yoga free gained an average of 14 pounds within the next ten years. Now that is news! Imagine what the results would be for people practicing yoga 2-3 times a week.

The researchers have not concluded why the yoga participants lost more weight especially when most of them were not in advanced levels. More studies are needed at this time to give us more insight into the topic.

Participating in regular yoga classes and even getting good enough to venture into some advanced classes, has so many benefits. Here is what yoga can do for you.

• Physical Benefits: Creates a toned, flexible, and strong body...yes, it helps to build muscle which will also help to improve your metabolism. It also promotes cardio and circulatory health.

• Mental Benefits: Helps you relax and handle stress more easily. Teaches you to quiet all that chatter in your mind so you can focus on how you want to direct your energy. Encourages positive thoughts and self-acceptance. This alone can do a lot for those emotional/stress eaters out there.

• Spiritual Benefits: This is a nondenominational value that helps to build awareness of your body, your feelings, and the world around you. It also helps you to learn patience, forgiveness, and the value of gentleness. We all could use some regular reminders of this!

So why not join a yoga class? It can add so many benefits to your life and now you can add weight management to the list! Take action and sign up for an introductory class today!

Meri Raffetto is a Registered Dietitian and a recognized professional in the area of nutrition and wellness.
Learn about her online Balance Weight Loss Program and sign up for her free monthly newsletter to receive nutrition tips, inspirational stories, and healthy recipes.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Meri_Raffetto http://EzineArticles.com/?Yoga-Can-Help-You-to-Lose-Weight&id=81559

Lose Weight With Yoga Exercises

The aims of yoga exercises are to prevent sore muscles and relieve chronic aches and pains, to improve joint mobility through the safest possible sort of stretching, and to aid in producing a high level of relaxation after a bout of exercise.

Here are a few tips about yoga exercises and on how they have become effective in helping people lose weight.

(a) Yoga exercises must be done systematically

In order to lose weight effectively and to avoid possible health problems, each yoga exercise must be described and performed in different levels of increasing difficulty.

You are not expected to achieve the most advanced level on the first day, or even in the first weeks or months. Continue doing one intermediate step of yoga exercise each day until you can move comfortably on the next.

(b) Yoga exercise can be done to good advantage more than five times a week

It can even be done as often as three times a day if time permits. The yoga exercise drains very little of your energy reserves. You will be working toward the day when you can hold the final position of each exercise for one minute.

The more frequently you do yoga exercise, the more rapidly you will progress, although three times a week is sufficient for gradual improvement in losing weight.

(c) Yoga exercise must be performed easily and gently

It must be done without jerking, bouncing, or sudden movements. Do not hold your breath at any time.

When the yoga exercises are performed easily and in the proper manner, they provide an ideal cooling down activity starting from the more vigorous parts of the fitness program. They will leave you invigorated but relaxed.

In summary, yoga exercises can help you lose weight and stay in shape without creating sore muscles and damaged tissues. They have been designed to help people lose weight even for those who can no longer exert effort in a strenuous exercise program.

To learn more tips for losing weight naturally, please go to http://www.burn-fat-lose-weight.info/

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Anthony_Lee http://EzineArticles.com/?Lose-Weight-With-Yoga-Exercises&id=305217

Yoga Can Help You to Lose Weight

We all know that yoga is good for your health and well-being, but does how does it tie into weight loss? After all, it isn’t aerobic exercise so can it really help to shed pounds?

A recent study conducted by the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle, WA investigated the effects of yoga on weight, which is the first study to investigate the role between the two. More than 15,000 participants were asked to recall their physical activity patterns and weight history between the ages of 45 and 55. The study found that during this period, most people gain about 1 pound each year. The people who practiced yoga at least 30 minutes once a week for four or more years gained 3 pounds less weight than the non-yoga participants.

This is not necessarily staggering results but it gets better! Both men and women who were overweight at the beginning of the period and who started to practice yoga lost about five pounds, while those who were yoga free gained an average of 14 pounds within the next ten years. Now that is news! Imagine what the results would be for people practicing yoga 2-3 times a week.

The researchers have not concluded why the yoga participants lost more weight especially when most of them were not in advanced levels. More studies are needed at this time to give us more insight into the topic.

Participating in regular yoga classes and even getting good enough to venture into some advanced classes, has so many benefits. Here is what yoga can do for you.

• Physical Benefits: Creates a toned, flexible, and strong body...yes, it helps to build muscle which will also help to improve your metabolism. It also promotes cardio and circulatory health.

• Mental Benefits: Helps you relax and handle stress more easily. Teaches you to quiet all that chatter in your mind so you can focus on how you want to direct your energy. Encourages positive thoughts and self-acceptance. This alone can do a lot for those emotional/stress eaters out there.

• Spiritual Benefits: This is a nondenominational value that helps to build awareness of your body, your feelings, and the world around you. It also helps you to learn patience, forgiveness, and the value of gentleness. We all could use some regular reminders of this!

So why not join a yoga class? It can add so many benefits to your life and now you can add weight management to the list! Take action and sign up for an introductory class today!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Meri_Raffetto http://EzineArticles.com/?Yoga-Can-Help-You-to-Lose-Weight&id=81559

Yoga And Losing Weight

When we talk about yoga, it might not be the first thing anyone thinks of when they're trying to find an activity to help them lose weight. But again - though the results may not be as fast as with other types of exercise, the long term benefits of yoga - when we talk about losing weight and overall benefits are great.

Yoga is a system which is thousands of years old, conceived in India, but now practised worldwide. Some athletes are, wondering how something as gentle as yoga can cause you to lose weight or increase your fitness level. The fact is that it can, and at the same time, it can increase your concentration and sense of well being. There is really no reason not to take up yoga, if you are at all attracted to the idea. Choose a beginner's yoga class at first, and go slowly - it can be harder than you think. Yoga is about putting yourself into a variety of different positions, some more challenging than others. The goal is to do it slowly, and work up a sweat - the idea is to take those few positions and to do them perfectly - as precisely as you possibly can. That way, your body is being trained in a precise skill and discipline, and the position itself can have various benefits for your health and your mind, as well.

All the different positions have their own benefits. For losing weight, positions that bring the chin down to stimulate the thyroid gland are very helpful - such as the classic shoulder stand. However, yoga in general is helpful for weight loss because it makes you more conscious of your body, of how you hold yourself and how you stand, while it also tones your muscles and makes your body more flexible, easier to move. Even before you start losing weight, yoga can make you look as if you're thinner and more attractive by getting you to stand up straighter.

Yoga is also used to treat girls with eating disorders such as anorexia. There are many reasons why yoga is effective. First, anorexic girls feel anxious if they can't exercise, as many of them used over-exercising as a means of weight control. Once they are in treatment, of course, they can't be allowed to jog or do other exercise that might prevent them from making progress with weight gain. Gentle yoga is different, though. Practised in a low-impact setting, it can provide some exercise without making an already emaciated girl thinner. Yoga also eases the anxiety of these girls, and it makes them more conscious of their bodies. In fact, it does the same thing for people with the opposite type of eating disorder - binge eating or compulsive overeating. As a matter of fact, that condition and anorexia are not as different as you might think. Yes, one causes overweight and the other can bring on starvation, but both stem from a fundamental discomfort with the body and underlying emotional issues. Yoga can help with all of these issues, and if you are looking to lose weight, it can be a great choice for you.

Michael Russell
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Russell http://EzineArticles.com/?Yoga-And-Losing-Weight&id=177548

Tantra Yoga

Tantra Yoga is unity by controlling sexual energy. When you consider the main Indian Yoga styles, Tantra Yoga is probably the most controversial of them all. So what is the problem? Is it our “sexual hang-ups” or is it something more? What is the origin of Tantra Yoga? Is it all linked to the Kama Sutra or is there more to it?

Since Tantra Yoga uses many components of the classical Yoga styles such as mudras, pranayama, asanas, meditation, Bhakti, Yantra,and Kundalini, there are many similarities to other forms of Yoga practice. Some Yogis say that Tantra Yoga is the hardest Yoga to define, but there is a fundamental difference.

The major difference is Tantra Yoga accepts and embraces the power of “desire.” Tantra Yogis are not trained to avoid desires that arouse the senses. This is a stark contrast from the many other forms of Yoga, which train their students to renounce desire. This is the foundation of the division between Tantra Yoga and the other classical Indian styles.

The origins of Tantra Yoga and the Kama Sutra date back to the Fourth Century A.D. The author of the Kama Sutra was Vatsyayana Mallanaga, who is somewhat of a mystery in the history books. There are no other traces of him to be found. He did write the world’s most famous sex manual to date.

Northern India seems to be the birth place of Tantra Yoga and it appears to have migrated further north to Tibet, and China, before going global. Many contemporary Tantra Yogis practice Tantra Yoga of Tibetan or Indian origin. Tantra Yoga practitioners focus on the opposites and dualities within the universe such as, male and female, Shiva and Shakti, or Yin and Yang.

At different points in time, ritual Tantric sex has been considered common place within certain Tantra followings. However, it is not as common place as some might think. There is also a common belief that Tantric sex is always intentionally prolonged. This is not always the case and sometimes Tantric sex takes it own natural course.

Lastly, it should be noted that the Kama Sutra might have been considered a “racy classic” at the time of its writing, and during conservative points in history. However, by today’s standards, the Kama Sutra would offend the masses much less. Some of the entertainment, at this point in time, has managed to make the public more callous than we should naturally be. Entertainment of the present day is sometimes comparable to that of the Roman coliseums in the past.

Tantra Yoga is a good example of the cycles and evolutions of morality within human history. Whether we think Tantra Yoga and the Kama Sutra are right or wrong, the current moral code will change with time, but we may not live long enough to see it.

© Copyright 2006 – Paul Jerard / Aura Publications
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Raja Yoga

Raja Yoga, known as the king of yogas, is one of the six branches of the overall system of yoga. The other branches are Karma Yoga, the yoga of action, Bhakti Yoga, the yoga of faith in and love of the Divine, Jnana Yoga, the yoga of knowledge, Tantra Yoga, the yoga of ceremony and Hatha Yoga, perhaps the best known of all in the West, the yoga of exercise. All are means of achieving spiritual enlightenment, but each caters for different temperaments in the aspirants.

Raja Yoga is the yoga of meditation, in which the aspirant strives for enlightenment primarily through the practice of meditation. It is best for those of a contemplative nature. Meditation is a means of stilling the mind and so opening it to cosmic or divine energy. It consists of the repetition of a mantra, which is a sound or a series of sounds, which have spiritual power. This article will be examining the purpose of Raja Yoga and the states of mind involved. It should consequently show the great benefits, both in the material and in the spiritual worlds, of Raja Yoga.

Purpose of Raja Yoga

Raja Yoga, formed into a definite system by Patanjali 5,000 years ago, concerns itself primarily with the stilling of the mind to allow for Cosmic openness. This is achieved by sitting in a cross-legged position repeating a mantra, a word or words having spiritual power. This can be as simple as the word "Om", through the more complex "Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna, Krishna, Hare Hare" to the Guyatri mantra, which is several lines long. At first, one is aware of many thoughts in the mind, but if one does not become attached to them, does not concentrate on them, but, instead concentrates on the mantra, gradually one will find that the thoughts become less and less forceful until it is the mantra which occupies the mind. At this point, the practitioner achieves detachment and can watch any more thoughts, which bubble up in the mind but not become attached to them. After a while, the thoughts are stilled and the yogi can begin to feel the first glimmerings of being at one with the Creator.

States of The Mind

Raja Yoga deals primarily with the modification and control of the mind. It posits that there are 5 states of mind, ranging from the primarily material to the primarily spiritual state. These are:

- the Kshipta state, in which the mind is chasing all over the place. That is the state in which most people live their lives and one in which the mind isn't centered in the present, but is continually dealing with past and future situations as well.

- the Mudha state, in which the mind is less unsettled, but is still forgetful and foolish in a spiritual sense.

- the Vikshipta state, in which the mind often gets distracted when concentration of the mind in meditation is attempted

- the Ekagra state, stemming from the Sanskrit word "ek" meaning "one', which is when the mind becomes one-pointed as a result of the repeated practice of concentration

- the Niruddha state in which the mind is fully controlled and in which spiritual enlightenment, called "Samadhi", is reached and one is fully conscious of one's unity with the Creator.

Reaching the Niruddha state is the primary purpose of Raja Yoga, but it has practical benefits in the material world as well. Practitioners experience much greater mind control and can work more efficiently because they can better concentrate on the task at hand. In addition, everyday life becomes more pleasant, because they are much more aware of the here and now and much less distracted by thoughts of the future or of the past.

Michael Russell
Your Independent guide to [http://yoga.tips-and-gear.com/]Yoga
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Russell http://EzineArticles.com/?Raja-Yoga,-The-Royal-Road-to-Enlightenment&id=381263

Bhakti Yoga

Bhakti Yoga, the most direct path to Cosmic Consciousness, to awareness of the Absolute, is the yoga of love and pure spiritual devotion to God, Who is Love. It is the yoga of blissful exhilaration, of purest love. In Bhakti Yoga, the devotee is the lover and the deity, the Divine, the Godhead, is the beloved. Bhakti Yoga causes its devotees to be fully aware, to be fully and ever conscious, of the fact that all is the manifestation of the Divine. It causes the veil of ignorance, the veil of the sense of separateness from the Divine, to fall from the eyes, from the consciousness, of the devotee. It makes the devotee aware of the fact that ego and material consciousness are of no importance whatsoever. Why be egotistic of the petty materialistic body or mind, when of far greater value is awareness of the Cosmic Mind? By overcoming the pull of the ego, of petty personal concerns, the devotee is able to become enthralled in the feeling of being united with God Consciousness.

The doctrine that "God is Love and Love is God" is the base of Bhakti Yoga. It is the bliss of love that will enable the devotee to transcend petty concerns, because the bliss of love will make them seem as unimportant as they really are. What drives the devotee is the feeling that his Self is separated from the divine and the consequent desperation of his wish to achieve union, or, better put, the consciousness of union (for union is always there - it is just that the devotee has forgotten that, that he no longer feels it before practicing Bhakti Yoga) with the divine. When upon his quest for reunion with the Godhead, when filled with love for the Divine, nothing else matters for the devotee, not food, not sex, not wealth, not any earthly pleasure or even responsibility. His love makes his quest by far the most important consideration.
Bhakti Yoga is the fastest way, indeed the most direct way, of attaining God Consciousness. This is because love is the strongest emotion an aspirant can feel and it puts other considerations, even knowledge of the scriptures, into second place. All types of yoga, all forms of knowledge, are based on true faith, true devotion, on true Bhakti Yoga. For without love for the Divine, one hasn't the motivation to make the sometimes incredible efforts to achieve consciousness of the Divine. No amount of intellectual training, no amount of physical training, can achieve this one its own, without love. Love is the highest thing there is and the religion of love is Bhakti Yoga.

The Divine is immanent in all things. The Bhakta, however, may, according to his temperament and experience, find the Divine in one or in another form, but the fact is that all forms of the Divine are magically present in all things. In the bliss of love, the devotee achieves God Consciousness and when that happens, the form, the Divine and the devotee become one. For the reality is that all are One: The devotee and the deity, the subject and the object, the known and the knower.

Michael Russell
Your Independent guide to [http://yoga.tips-and-gear.com/]Yoga
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Russell http://EzineArticles.com/?Bhakti-Yoga,-The-Yoga-of-Love&id=382743

Karma Yoga

The Definition of Karma

Karma is the sum of all our acts, both present and past. It is not only action, but the result thereof. It is important to understand that all actions have results, not only in the material plane but also in the spiritual world. Even though, as a result of a wicked action, one gets pleasure in this life, one will have to pay the penalty for that action in a future one and the cosmic law is the law of balance - as you sow, you shall reap. There is a hidden power in Karma called 'Adrishta', which causes the individual to be affected by the fruits of Karma.

What Makes Up Karma

Man has a threefold nature. He is composed of Iccha, which is desire or feeling, Jnana, which is knowing and Kriya, which is willing. These three make up a man's Karma. Desire, thought and action are all components, which make up the thread of a person's Karma. Karma is the fruit of desire, thought and action and can cause either pleasure or pain. The truth is that it takes multiple incarnations to reap the fruits of a person's Karma. It is only after all the negative fruit have been reaped, that a person can achieve consciousness of the Godhead in this life and union with the Godhead after death, not having to suffer any more incarnations. This state yogis call Samadhi.

What Karma Yoga Is

Karma Yoga is the devotion of all actions and their results to the Lord, in whatever way you picture Him/Her. It is the Yoga of being conscious of the Divine while doing all actions, realizing that all everything comes from the Lord and is of the Lord. It is not being attached to the results of action and being in equanimity whether the results of your actions are successful or not.

It is practiced by serving humanity selflessly and is action, which purifies the Antahkarana (the heart and mind) in preparation for achieving consciousness of the Divine. Karma Yoga is service without attachment or egoism.

Although all actions cause Karma and all actions on the material plane are made up of both good and bad Karma, you cannot avoid Karma by doing nothing at all. What causes bad Karma is egoistic actions, done with the idea of achieving personal benefit. Action done without the idea of benefit is liberating, producing good Karma. Action done with the consciousness of the actor being an instrument of the Lord, as being a part of Nature's cosmic activity, is liberating. Karma produced this way becomes Karma Yoga. It frees you from the bonds of Karma and allows you to enjoy peace. It prepares the yogi for knowledge of the Divine.

Karma Yoga allows the yogi to be a better Adhikari (spiritual aspirant), a better student of the Holy Scriptures (Vedanta). Unless the heart and mind are pure, study (or Jnana Yoga) becomes a vehicle for empty debate. This debate has more to do with the egoism of the debaters, than any sincere desire to get at absolute truth. Impure persons might know the scriptures, but the scriptures remain on the lips; they are not taken to heart. It is only through selfless service that the aspirant can purify the mind enough to properly understand and fully take to heart the Holy Scriptures of Vedanta.

Michael Russell
Your Independent guide to [http://yoga.tips-and-gear.com/]Yoga
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Russell http://EzineArticles.com/?Karma-Yoga---The-Yoga-Of-Selfless-Service&id=382739

Jnana Yoga

Jnana Yoga is the yoga of intellectual inquiry, using the mind to come to the profound realization that our God-Self, the consciousness that we are in reality a manifestation of God, is beyond and behind our mind. However, we should not fall into the mistake of thinking that we can discover God through the use of the mind alone. To achieve Cosmic Consciousness, what can be called Self-realization, we must continually ask "Who am I", in other words, am I just this material body and material mind, or am I in fact an integral part of something greater. That something greater is considered by yogis to be God, the presence of which everything and everyone is made up, whether or not the individual realizes it or not. The purpose of Jnana Yoga is to come to just that realization, in a way in which the small mind cannot impose limitations.

One of the great features of yoga is that there is a yoga for every type of personality or character. For those who are contemplative, there is Raja Yoga, the yoga of meditation. For those who are very action oriented, there is Karma Yoga, the yoga of selfless service. For those who are very emotional and who are inspired by feelings of love for the Divine, there is Bhakti Yoga, the yoga of love. For those who like ceremonies and are inspired by them, there is Tantra Yoga, the yoga of forms. Finally, for those who are very physical, there is Hatha Yoga, the yoga of movement and the one which is best known outside of India.

However, there are still others who are driven by the need to understand and for them there is Jnana Yoga, the yoga of the intellect. This understanding takes the form of reading, understanding and accepting the message in the Hindu scriptures, which date back from before the Bible was written and which some sages believe gave inspiration to the writers of the Old Testament. These scriptures espouse the philosophy of Vedanta, the philosophy of the Vedic scriptures, the scriptures, which Hindus accept.

It must, however, be firmly understood that Jnana Yoga is not just an intellectual exercise. We may learn about the omnipresence of God through the Vedic scriptures, but to actually experience the feeling of God, the aspirant has to perform some exercise that will transcend his limited intellect. This is done through meditating on the question "Who am I". The point of this exercise is eventually to come to the realization that "I" transcends the limitations of the body and is really a part and an expression of the universal "I", or God.

Thus, it can be seen that Jnana Yoga helps the aspirant by first appealing to his intellect, valuable for those who are very intellectually oriented, but then it helps the aspirant transcend his limited intellect by becoming aware of the Cosmic Intellect that forms and permeates everything. He focuses on the question of "Who am I" and by so doing, achieves the realization that the small I is really a part of the universal I. His intellectual exercises can be considered as the sugar, which coats the substance of his eventual God-Realization.

Michael Russell
Your Independent guide to [http://yoga.tips-and-gear.com/]Yoga
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Russell http://EzineArticles.com/?Jnana-Yoga---Intellectually-Becoming-God-Conscious&id=385269

Hatha Yoga

Hatha Yoga originated in the 15th century in India as part of a program of purification of the body incorporated along with meditation. Hatha is the Hindu word for "sun and , while "Yoga" is the word for "yoke" or uniting of body, mind and environment. Hatha Yoga places great significance on achieving balance between physical, mental, spiritual and emotional states in harmony with earth, water, sun and moon.

Basic Tenets of Hatha Yoga Program

The basic tenets of the Hatha Yoga Program is comprised of several aspects:
Asana which focuses on posture similar to the postures of T'ai Chi and Chi Gong
Prayanamas where subtle energy control is the focus, a very important aspect of Hatha Yoga
Chakras which are the centers of energy
Kundalini which encompasses muscle force
Kryas which promotes the mastering of kundalini techniques
Shakti, the sacred force
Nadis which are channels
Mudras, which are symbolic gestures similar to those in T'ai Chi.

Shatkarma, purification, begins with freeing up the mind by freeing up the body through holistic lifestyle, yoga practice daily and metaphysical re-adaptation.

Self-Improvement Through Hatha Yoga

Within asanas, also known as "sun signs", movements are performed and practiced that rely on focused mental concentration in order to achieve maximum benefits. Practitioners of Hatha Yoga find a new sense of physical balance and strength as a result of consistent use of asanas. Thus, Hatha Yoga retards the aging process by infusing mind and body with continual renewal of strength and balance. Most people who practice Hatha Yoga find that it's necessary to also take inventory of their dietary and lifestyle predilections. This is a very natural emanation of alterations to a less healthy lifestyle.

Benefits of Hatha Yoga

The benefits of Hatha Yoga are a sense of wholeness and overall good health. Through the balance of mind and body effected by Hatha Yoga, a new harmony evolves from within and allows the individual to experience less stress and tension as a result. Yet, the adaptability to Hatha Yoga lifestyle is relatively easy because of the simplicity of its core fundamentals.

Meditation and Hatha Yoga

Meditation is an element of nearly all religions, holistic programs and cultural lifestyles. Meditation is also one of the oldest forms of self-recognition. Discovering the wealth of knowledge, ideas and inspirations within the unconscious mind is often obliterated by details stored in the conscious mind. This creates a conflict in the body when conscious messages block out unconscious messages intended as metaphysical protection from conscious deliberate negative actions. Quieting the mind sufficiently in meditation also requires the body to be receptively postured for best results. This is the basis of Hatha Yoga.

Lessons of Hatha Yoga for All Ages

Teaching children from young ages to adapt to the holistic program of Hatha Yoga creates a permanent direction for mental stability and good physical health. It is also the very best time for the practice of Hatha Yoga to begin. Those who choose Hatha Yoga in their senior years may find several of the asanas, i.e., the candle, the Lotus Position, physically challenging. For this age group, modified asanas are taught.

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Essential Yoga Clothes and Hot Yoga Apparel

Yoga apparel is available in a huge range of different fabrics: from cottons and synthetics to the more unique, such as hemp and bamboo. Yoga apparel is definitely not limited to just the studio anymore. Yoga clothes popularity makes sense, given that the clothing is so comfortable. Yoga clothing selection tips: comfort is always the main consideration. The clothing can be purchased from many retailers, including a huge selection online. In general yoga apparel does not specifically offer advantages over other types of athletic wear and students shouldn't feel obligated to spend a lot of money on designer-brands. There are many good lower price clothes that will suit you just fine.

Eco-Friendly Yoga Clothes

There are many companies offering eco-friendly and organic yoga apparel as well as the new technology enhanced microfiber yoga apparel which will help to wick sweat away from your body. When choosing your yoga clothing think comfort and moveability first. The basics of clothing for men include the same requirements as for women: comfort, flexibility and sometimes modesty. When it comes down to it, though, the clothes that you choose is a personal preference. As yoga gains in popularity because of its rejuvenating mind- body effects, the clothing and apparel popularity also increases - especially for its comfort and functionality. Because yoga students come in a myriad of shapes and sizes - you will find many choices. For quality discount yoga apparel have a look at the Danskin yoga collection, or something similar. When choosing your yoga apparel, look for specific pieces that really say something about who you are.

Yoga Pants

Yoga pants are usually made of a lightweight and stretchy material (such as rayon) that moves with your body. There's usually a drawstring waist, so that even if your weight fluctuates, your pants will still fit. Some pants also feature a wide elastic waistband for fit and comfort, so this is really a matter of taste. I prefer the drawstring over the elastic waistband as it gives me a little more room for comfort. Traditionally, colors are black and grey, but it is possible to find yoga pants in other colors. Many store are now offering pants in red, yellow, blue, green, pink and other colors. It's definitely not too uncommon to see people wearing their yoga pants, tops or shoes while running errands or even while hanging out with friends. Some students may prefer hemp pants because their pure, organic qualities which aligns with the wholesomeness of yoga.

Yoga Tops / Yoga Shirts

While yoga pants are often quite plain, tops provide an opportunity for yogis to express their personal style. Tops more frequently have patterns or designs, unlike pants. Yoga is more comfortable and more rewarding when you have the right clothing: tops are women's yoga apparel that are considered to be essential for the ultimate yoga experience. Like yoga pants, yoga tops are generally form-fitting and generally made of stretchy soft material. If you're busty, you may want to look for a yoga top with a built-in bra for added support - it will also help support you while performing difficult poses and is an excellent choice.



Your Yoga Resource http://www.dreampublishers.com/healing/yoga/
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Brett_A_Simpson http://EzineArticles.com/?Essential-Yoga-Clothes-and-Hot-Yoga-Apparel&id=1766899

Pilates Outfits - Pilates Made More Comfortable With the Right Clothes

Pilates is currently one of the most popular physical fitness methods that is suitable for both men and women. The moves help strengthen your muscles, improve your flexibility, and teach control and balance while improving your physical and mental well-being. Achieving those benefits can be made easier by wearing appropriate clothing suitable for the exercise. Therefore, make sure that you have the right Pilates outfits in your closet before you begin your first session.

Pilates clothing: the basics

Pilates clothing provides you with more comfort while doing the necessary moves and poses. The fit is very snug and comfortable since the clothes are made of jersey and cotton-soft materials that allow you to move freely. Often times, the most basic of Pilates outfits consist of a top or a shirt along with a pair of loose shorts or pants. In some cases, you can be provided with a jacket or a sweater especially when the weather is cooler. Most outfits are also designed to look sporty or casual so you can also have the option to wear them when you need to go out and run errands or for other types of exercises and sport that you are interested in.

The fit is comfortable and snug

If you are buying your Pilates outfits, make sure that they feel comfortable and soft against your body. Choose clothes that are made of light and soft fabrics that follow your movements. And since you are likely to sweat, choose an outfit with sweat-absorbent or wicking fabric so sweat won't stick to your skin. Clothes made of cotton are among the best choices.

As for the fit, your clothes should be snug but comfortable on your body. If you want to wear sweaters or other cover-ups while doing your moves, something a little loose can be appropriate or you can choose something that is more snug for more freedom in movements.

Important information

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Stylish Women's Yoga Clothing and Fashion Wear

In today's cutting-edge and highly competitive world, it is important to de-stress yourself in order to survive. Thus, yoga continues to gain popularity since it is not only a great way to fight stress but a means to improve health, lose weight and maintain emotional balance as well. Yoga is a combination of meditation and movements in the form of yogic dance and/or exercises, referred as asanas, as well as poses.

Traditional Yoga Clothing

The traditional clothing for yoga is comprised of white loose-fitting or shapeless clothes along with turban. Since yoga requires a lot of stretching, your movements cannot be limited by your outfit. As you work on meditation and relaxation, you should not be plagued with worries about tearing your outfit with all the necessary movements and stretching required for yoga.

Yoga Wear That Hugs The Body

How you look may not be a priority for yoga but it doesn't mean that you can't look good as you work on feeling good about yourself. With all these factors in mind, clothing designers have taken yoga to another level by designing yoga fashion wear that hugs your body without losing comfort, durability and flexibility. Made of soft, lightweight, stretchable but durable materials, yoga clothing has become trendy yet comfortable.

Loose Fitting Yoga Pants

Loose-fitting yoga pants remains to be a favorite for women but they now come in a variety of colors to choose from. Shorts are also available as an alternative to yoga pants or yoga jeans. These bottoms can be paired with shirts and tank tops that come in a wide range of styles and color to enhance your yoga experience. Matched with stylish hoodie or sweater, you can easily transform your yoga clothing into fashionable casual wear to enjoy a cup of coffee with friends.

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Best Clothes For Your Yoga Class - Some Tips

Yoga is fast catching up as one of the most popular forms of exercise today. Many people are turning to yoga because they feel it can help them to become physically, mentally and spiritually strong.

Yoga can be done by anyone no matter their age and lifestyles. There are different types of yoga which can suit anyone who wants to pursue it. There is certainly no restriction when it comes to yoga. Many people take to yoga because of the benefits it brings to their body and mind over a period of time.

When someone is inclined to start a course on yoga what they need is comfortable clothes to wear so that they can do the postures or asana with ease. Wearing proper clothes helps people to move their limbs freely. So when you look for clothes to wear while practicing yoga keeps in mind the word comfort. It is necessary that we should feel comfortable in the clothes we wear when we practice yoga.

When you are out shopping for yoga clothes keep these points in consideration. The most important thing is comfort. In Yoga you are going to be doing different types of postures which would need you to move in all sorts of awkward movements. The clothes that you wear should in no way restrict or hinder your movements. The clothes that you wear should allow you to move your body parts easily to suit the various stretches and twists that you would be performing.

Pure organic cotton is the best material that would be ideal as it provides maximum comfortable. Pure organic cotton allows the body to breathe freely while you do the postures. It is also necessary that the clothes you wear while doing yoga should be able to absorb the sweat so that you do not end up feeling sticky and moist while working through the postures.

You will find that there are many different kinds of yoga clothes in various attractive and appealing designs. When you shop for yoga wear you will be surprised to find that they have clothes in so many different materials. But what you should keep in mind is to get the right kind of apparel that gives you the right body fit.

You should also consider the cost aspect when buying your yoga clothes. Do buy clothes that are more practical than those which look trendy and expensive. So find a pair of yoga pants that is inexpensive and yet comfortable and attractive to look at. You can also look for clothes that can be worn for everyday activities when you are not practicing yoga.

See that the clothes you get for your yoga classes serve a number of purposes and that which are not only cool looking wear but also inexpensive. If you look shop carefully then you will be able to find clothes that are not only trendy to look at but also the do not cost you much. Make sure that when you buy yoga clothes that they are from a reputed manufacturer as some can shrink after their initial machine wash. Avoid buying yoga apparel that come cheap as they are sure to go out of shape soon. Look for clothes that have been made from organic cotton materials as these are guaranteed to maintain their original shape no matter after how many washes. Wearing a good sport bra will help provide the support you would need while you do the yoga postures. They should not only be appropriate but they should also make you feel comfortable.

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Proper Yoga Clothes - Essential Yoga Clothing Tips

Yoga clothing is an important aspect of yoga. In yoga there

is no strict rule that you need to wear a particular style of

clothes but what you need to wear is something that provides you comfort and ease while you do the yoga postures. Wearing the right and appropriate clothes makes you feel good while you get your body in the various postures.

It is important that the material you choose for your yoga clothing is made out of cotton fiber and is loose and stretchable so that you will feel comfortable. When you do the various body movements some of which are difficult in yoga you will find that you begin to perspire profusely. It is for this reason that you need to wear cotton clothing so that your body can breathe.

Wearing the proper clothing during yoga practice ensures that you can remain focused on your postures and will not have to experience uneasiness and become distracted. The different types of yoga clothing which are being used by most people today are shorts, sweat shirts, leotards and tights. You must decide on the right type of yoga clothing according to your size and comfort. Some of the movements in the yoga postures are fast while some are extremely slow so you need to select a good fit for yourself.

Wearing tight fitting clothing during yoga practice will prevent you from moving your limbs freely and this will cause you to loose concentration. You can do yoga anywhere like at your home, garage or even in parks but the clothing that you wear is what makes the difference.

If you live in warm places that are likely to cause you to sweat profusely while doing yoga then you need to wear clothes like shorts which allow you to feel comfortable. Leaving your body less covered will allow the excess perspiration to evaporate much more easily. Tank tops and tubes would also make ideal wear as they will allow your body to breathe and not feel sticky during the workout.

For a cooler clime or in laces which are air conditioned, wear clothes which have long sleeves or those which cover your body partly so that you do not end up feeling cold.
Covering your body in cold climate while doing yoga will give the warmth that you need. This is very essential because doing yoga in a cold climate will restrict the movements of your limbs.

Hot Yoga or Bikram yoga requires that you wear shorts which are considered the most appropriate outfit for this particular style of yoga. When you wear shorts, it allows the body to breathe air freely and makes you feel comfortable too allowing you to do the yoga with greater concentration.

Since yoga does not require that you wear a particular set of clothes, it all depends on each individual's taste and style. For the trendy people wearing colorful clothes makes them stand out and feel unique. While there are still others who want to harmonize with nature and so choose clothes that go with it. Nature lovers can choose clothes that are bright and colorful with floral designs.

Remember that the yoga clothing that you choose reflects your personality and in order to feel self confident and reassured you need to dress appropriately. The clothes that you wear can reflect on how you do your workouts. So keep this in mind before you go out in search of yoga clothing for yourself. Look for yoga clothing that fit your style.

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Choosing The Right Wear For The Exercise

Picking up a dress to wear for performing yoga movements is simple. We just need to be choosy about the quality of our clothing.

For performing any physical exercise, one should first and foremost be comfortable with the clothes that they wear. Baggy clothing is not the suitable type. It may feel comfortable for shopping and other outing, but, it may perturb in the middle of performing an exercise. In addition, it'll droop over our body and will tend to distract others.

Snug clothing will not give much of a comfort as it will be too fitting. Such a taut dressing will not allow easy stretching and may cause suffocation, and hinder the flow of respiration.

The dress code for yoga may be normal fitting casuals like tracks, t-shirts, etc (other than skirts or saris) along with satchels. These will make us feel at ease and comfortable, without any botheration.

Learning pupils, who are in their teens and those who practice yoga, are very conscious about their dressing. They are very particular about how they show themselves at that place.

A good comfortable dressing is a need for everyone, as, it not only enhances one's poised mannerisms and self-esteem, but it also avoids discomfited and humiliating situations. Our impression matters. Anyone who practices these physical movements should neither wear too loose or too fitting dresses. The casuals should make us feel at ease.

Opting for a proper dress for the physical movement might be expensive, but money matters remain in how economical we choose and where we shop it. Though the cost might be found a little high, the price is reasonable when the quality and standard of the clothing is taken into consideration.

Buy dresses for yoga, in shops that are exclusively sell yoga dressings and garnishes. These exclusive shops will have better variety and choice to choose from. Higher the price, better the quality.

For anything that is beneficial, a little investment is needed. Same is the case with dresses for yoga. After all, yoga is more economic as compared to other workouts.

If we are too particular about the cost, we should go up and down and search all the shops and the cost contrast with the costs of other shops. If the person masters the tactics of marketing, he or she can opt for shops that offer reduction in prices or ones that offer a deal.

Nowadays, with advancement in technology, online shopping has become convenient and quite famous among people. It is also considered reliable by many. For those who are too lazy and weary to go out and shop, or shopping is not in his or her list of likes, they can simply choose a comfortable dress of their choice, from the sites in the net that exclusively sell dresses for yoga, order them and buy them.

Against all odds, if you want to feel comfortable and get more involved and focused in the physical movements you perform, without getting distracted, it is better to opt for one that fits you and makes feel at ease.

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Meditation For Beginners

Yoga is one of the most complete disciplines there is for both physical and mental health and is a good starting point with meditation for beginners.

With a history stretching back for centuries, yoga combines mental and physical well-being with its wide-ranging practices involving exercises for the body, improvements in digestion and the elimination of waste and toxic substances, deep breathing and meditation.

One of the key things that yoga practice does for you is to increase the oxygen content in your blood stream. The yoga breathing techniques with deep, controlled inhalation and respiration bring fresh, oxygen-containing air into your lungs where the exchange occurs and the oxygen passes into your system, a nutrient for all of your vital organs, including your brain.

Yoga puts such importance on breathing that it even specifies breathing exercises specifically for the left and the right nostrils. By breathing in through the left nostril for example, you direct oxygen-enriched blood to the opposite side of your brain, that is to say the right side, where you typically do your creative and intuitive thinking. If you want to develop your logical thought processes, then yoga suggests that you breathe through your right nostril to get your left half of the brain into action.

Incidentally, either exercise will also develop the cross-brain communication as well as you work towards overall brain fitness.


Yoga for thinking as well as doing

Yoga also extends into the realms of philosophy with its concepts such as mindfulness, a technique designed to develop calmness and relaxation. This technique is built on the notion of putting mentally interfering concerns and stresses at a distance to prevent the polluting effect that these things can have on mental well-being. Mindfulness also positively enhances other faculties such as the ability to focus constructively, to take better decisions more quickly and to do this in a relaxed mental state. If you think back to the last time that you had to take a decision under pressure, you'll see what a valuable tool this can be.

These benefits extend into more energy and a more positive outlook. Yoga practitioners often speak of mental stability and performance that they never knew before starting yoga, with the reduction in the number of mood swings that often reduce a person's capability to function effectively.

When you consider that the number of mood changes per day can attain 200 on a regular basis, you can see that this can represent a wasteful and unnecessary distraction. This positive spiral of mood stabilization, positive thoughts and focus then brings yet more advantages, such as the easier memorization of information.

No artificial additives

In common with a number of other activities shown to enhance mental health, brain fitness well-being and self-esteem improvement, it is the better quality blood arriving in the different areas of the brain that results from the practice of yoga and that stimulates. Yoga truly is a great starting point with meditation for beginners.

Felix Nutter

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