Yoga Exercises For Pregnant Women
Pregnant women can definitely benefit from doing yoga. The experience is one in which you can focus on what is happening within your body, relieve the stresses from worry and anxiety as well as keep your body in shape during this time. Pregnancy is a time of great risk though, so any and all exercises performed during this time need to be done with great care. At any time that you feel that you have overdone it, stop and rest. Make sure to ask your doctor if yoga is safe for you during pregnancy especially if you have any complications during it.
Exercises You Can Enjoy And Reap Benefits From
Yoga breathing: Probably the most important aspect to the pregnant women is relaxing and relieving stress. Although it is not an exercise, it is a way of taking control of the body once again to encourage positive-ness and to increase health. The right breathing techniques can provide many benefits. Take the time to practice the most basic of techniques that yoga teaches in breathing.
Standing Yoga poses: In your first trimester, the best exercises to do are the standing yoga poses. These are basic and taught in most yoga sessions. This will help strengthen your legs and muscles and help with circulation while reducing leg cramps too.
Asanas: In the next couple of months, you can do what feels right to you. But, never push too hard. You may want to reduce the time that you spend practicing the Asanas as you do not want to overwork or tire your body.
Moderate twisting: You can do supine poses, backbends as well as some twisting as long as you are comfortable. Just ensure that you are doing these in moderation.
Word Of Caution
It is important to note that many yoga practitioners warn against practicing yoga from the tenth through the fourteenth week of pregnancy since these are crucial times in development. Also, it is important to never overstretch the abdomen during any time of the pregnancy. When twisting, do so with your shoulders and the upper back only. As for inversion poses, only do them through the seventh month is you are completely comfortable doing them. Never push too hard and yoga will be very enjoyable during pregnancy.
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Monday, January 19, 2009
What is Kid and Teens Yoga?
Kids yoga is challenging, energetic, and fun. Kids yoga when done well is truly a fun and creative approach to yoga. Using animal poses and basic stretching exercises, the classes promotes strength, flexibility, coordination and body awareness in children. It can be very helpful for children whose bodies are still developing. The poses help to instill confidence and concentration and a sense of calm.
Kids Yoga is for ages 5 and up, and it's a great way to get kids off the couch and get them involved in a regular exercise program. The yoga club should provide facilities which are well maintained, clean, and have a warm, friendly atmosphere.
Teen and older children's yoga is a blend of traditional yoga postures, and this tends to be delivered with a blend of popular music and philosophy. These types of classes are geared towards teenagers, and are open to both males and females ages 13 to 18. One teen yoga class is offered at YogaAylum as an ongoing, drop-in class, designed for any student with or without previous experience. Students will practice physical postures (asanas) that can be a great support for the maturation of the inner organs as well as the long bones of the teen-aged body. There are an increasing number of courses like this being offered.
Practiced dynamically and regularly in combination with your other daily activities, a school of yoga such as vinyasas will keep you lean and toned, and your resulting high metabolic rate will burn excess calories.
The pursuit of yoga is good for all ages, but recently it has also been used for those in pregnancy.
Practicing Yoga in pregnancy helps to strengthen and stretch muscles, release tension and maintain good posture.
Any article answering the question of what is kids yoga, would be unfinished though if it did not explain a little about the origins and nature of the art. Yoga is more than just a form of exercise; it is part of a well-rounded philosophy that dates back over 5,000 years.
Balancing of the five basic Elements and Chakras are the main keys to remove disorders through various yogic ways. There are many different schools of yoga which exist in India. For example, Patanjali's Yoga has essentially to do with the mind and its modifications. It deals with the training of the mind to achieve oneness with the universe. Patanjali students follow the tradition of Upanishads.
Hatha yoga is probably the best known around the world. Students will be oriented to meaning and practices of hatha yoga through short readings/explanations and yoga poses. Surrounded by a supportive environment focused on fitness, teen girls will be able to relax, have fun, be physically active and make new friends. Students are encouraged to respect the studio, the props, the decorations, and each other.
Some yoga courses include music making. At these courses you can feel the joy of making music in a community setting that allows you to express yourself. Remember, there is no medicine more therapeutic than self-expression. Feeling relaxed in Savasana, the power of Virabhadrasana, the exhilaration of standing upside down in Sirsasana, and even the subtlety of Kapalabhati breath work their own magic. The magic is in the direct experience.
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Yoga For Children - Antidote to Stressed Families
Yoga for Children is a wonderful antidote to the hectic lives that our children lead. Yoga can be relaxing, stimulating, and promotes well being. It provides closely controlled exercise and is enormous fun for children at the same time.
A number of Yoga for Children programmes have been created by Yoga teachers to introduce the benefits of yoga and relaxation at an early age in a playful, simple and fun way. The combination of special yoga moves, breathing exercises and relaxations will energize, strengthen, loosen and balance little bodies, while helping to calm and control and relax little minds.
Kids yoga is a wonderful opportunity for the child to learn life skills that can be implemented into their daily routine. Whether it's breathing and relaxation techniques that will help them, focus, concentrate or be calm; or postures that will help their endurance, flexibility, balance and coordination these are all very naturally a strong part of yoga.
Yoga for children is most successful if the children are encouraged to use their imagination. A dynamic, creative and stimulating approach grabs the children's attention.
Yoga for children is practiced in the United Kingdom. It is not new to Britain, with after-school clubs and classes gaining popularity in recent years as parents realize its wide-ranging benefits. What is new to the UK, however, is the method of Research on Yoga in Education (RYE), an international non-profit making organization which blends the standard school curriculum with exercises on concentration, attention and relaxation, drawn mainly from traditional yoga.
What is also claimed is that Yoga for children gives the benefit that the children may be protected from injuries and at the same time they get all the benefits of exercising the system. This is not to suggest that the other exercise including outdoor forms of exercises and sports and games are not beneficial.
Parents have expressed appreciation for the presentation of yoga in a playful manner with its presentation of actively moving exercises balanced with those that require stillness and inner concentration, all in a child-friendly way. Parents may be practicing yoga themselves, and kids are always interested in what their parents are up to.
When assessing yoga trainers for children, parents should also inquire as to the spiritual nature of the classes; some instructors take a strong religious stance, while others offer no particular religious slant, instead focusing simply on the movements and breathing.
In the best classes the kids learn balance with dozens of yoga poses, develop strength, improve coordination and enhance their flexibility all with these children's yoga exercises. Furthermore, kids develop an overall sense of strength, flexibility and well-being, while they get hold of their active lives and sometimes overactive minds. Kids get to prowl, growl and wiggle through yoga animal poses from Alligator to Zebra! Certified children's yoga instructors will introduce stretching, breathing, standing poses and simple meditation.
Kids yoga provides an answer to children who we might described as being are little bit harder to reach, although we stand firm with our belief that every child has an angel deep down inside them.
We have said that children's Yoga allows a child to deal with daily stress. What do we mean by that?
The answer is that each time a child enters a Yoga class for kids, he or she can "close the door" on negative feelings that stress overload brings. They can simply put that behind them throughout the lesson and afterward doing that tend to take a more mature perspective. Kids need a way to manage all of their stress and anxiety. It is not healthy for a child to feel so much anxiety over any given situation.
There you have it! Kids and yoga seem like a natural match. It can be immensely therapeutic for those who need it.
However, yoga can be presented well and insensitively. The best trainers recognize that kids need a practice that suits their physical and emotional needs. Luckily, many yoga schools across the nation are responding to the growing interest in yoga for the younger set in a very well managed and sensitive way.
It is a fact that to provide kids yoga a specialized training might be needed, and is in some places being made available, but patience is a key quality needed for Yoga instructors who want to embark on this path. I teach children myself, and a Kids Yoga class has to be well devised, be fun, and include games.
So, we hope that we have shown you how yoga is such a great way to relax and de-stress equally for the child and the adult.
However, did you know that there are even now some yoga practitioners who are providing training to parents in yoga from soon after birth?
By using yoga with babies, parents confidence grows in handling, playing and having fun with their babies. The classes are fun class in a system which also offers gentle post-natal yoga and tummy toning exercises for mummy!
Yoga Guide For Pregnant Women: Efficacy of Prenatal Yoga
Pregnancy is an all together different physiological as well as psychological experience for women and for particularly those who happen to be on the family way for the first time. If you are pregnant, you are very likely to suffer from occasional depression. You will be in a state of subtle excitement almost all the time. It is really difficult for you to keep yourself normal physically as well as mentally. That's when Prenatal Yoga comes handy to you.
It adds to your physical as well psychological strength for a rather comfortable delivery. In addition to that if you keep practicing yoga through out your pregnancy period, post delivery you are very likely to resume your normal activities at the earliest.
Prenatal Yoga is particularly helpful in later stage of pregnancy. I would suggest all pregnant women to do yoga exercises that would be of immense help in excess inflammation and pain in leg. This particular genre of yoga is aimed at strengthening legs, back muscles, limbs and pelvis. Once these body parts get strengthened the level of pain that you experience while giving birth would be far less than the pain you would have experienced without yoga.
But you must ensure that you learn prenatal yoga asanas from an experienced Yogi. If you have geared up to practice yoga for the first time, you shouldn't do exercises without acquainting yourself with all pros and cons of Yoga.
For pregnant women, basic yoga poses are suggested. Once they learn basic poses they are made to practice certain other asanas. Preferred yoga asanas for women on family way are as follows:
Shavasana
This Yoga posture is also known as corpse pose. In this posturu you are simply made to lie as if you are dead.
You are suggested to lie in a very motionless state. But you should continue breathing normally.
Padmasana
This posture requires you to sit while keeping your back completely erected in the
sitting duration. You are also made to put your right leg on the left thigh and vice versa.
Putting legs on opposite thighs help strengthen your hips.
Sukhasa
na
The asana demands you to keep a crouching posture while sitting. This asana is of great assistance in preventing pregnancy related disorders.
Vajrasana
This asana makes you fold your knees so that hips could be easily postured on your heels.
This is also a sitting asana. You are also required to position your hands on knees.
Your back should remain erect.
These are a few yoga postures that happen to be of great help for pregnant women. Breathing exercises of yoga may prove helpful in pregnancy. So, do yoga for a safer child birth.
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Pregnancy is an all together different physiological as well as psychological experience for women and for particularly those who happen to be on the family way for the first time. If you are pregnant, you are very likely to suffer from occasional depression. You will be in a state of subtle excitement almost all the time. It is really difficult for you to keep yourself normal physically as well as mentally. That's when Prenatal Yoga comes handy to you.
It adds to your physical as well psychological strength for a rather comfortable delivery. In addition to that if you keep practicing yoga through out your pregnancy period, post delivery you are very likely to resume your normal activities at the earliest.
Prenatal Yoga is particularly helpful in later stage of pregnancy. I would suggest all pregnant women to do yoga exercises that would be of immense help in excess inflammation and pain in leg. This particular genre of yoga is aimed at strengthening legs, back muscles, limbs and pelvis. Once these body parts get strengthened the level of pain that you experience while giving birth would be far less than the pain you would have experienced without yoga.
But you must ensure that you learn prenatal yoga asanas from an experienced Yogi. If you have geared up to practice yoga for the first time, you shouldn't do exercises without acquainting yourself with all pros and cons of Yoga.
For pregnant women, basic yoga poses are suggested. Once they learn basic poses they are made to practice certain other asanas. Preferred yoga asanas for women on family way are as follows:
Shavasana
This Yoga posture is also known as corpse pose. In this posturu you are simply made to lie as if you are dead.You are suggested to lie in a very motionless state. But you should continue breathing normally.
Padmasana
This posture requires you to sit while keeping your back completely erected in the
sitting duration. You are also made to put your right leg on the left thigh and vice versa.
Putting legs on opposite thighs help strengthen your hips.
Sukhasa
naThe asana demands you to keep a crouching posture while sitting. This asana is of great assistance in preventing pregnancy related disorders.
Vajrasana
This asana makes you fold your knees so that hips could be easily postured on your heels.
This is also a sitting asana. You are also required to position your hands on knees.
Your back should remain erect.
These are a few yoga postures that happen to be of great help for pregnant women. Breathing exercises of yoga may prove helpful in pregnancy. So, do yoga for a safer child birth.
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Yoga For Kids Presents the Key to a Futuristically Brighter Society General
Yoga for kids is generally considered not an educational formula but rather a way of showing children ways to cope with stress. In Eastern countries such as India, children receive yoga classes at very small ages, but in the West, parents make the choice whether to train their kids or not. The very good part about it results from the possibility of the children to develop self-awareness and spirituality more quickly and better than a grown-up. Yoga for kids teaches body and mind control as well as it helps create good behavioral patterns. It can be shown that yoga training does effectively decrease bullying and increase anger management for 4th and 5th grade students with whom I have personally worked. The rationale for this hypothesis was based on the first vow of raja yoga, ahimsa, that one vows to be non-violent to self and others.
Presently, some schools include kids yoga as an additional curricular activities, but most of the time classes are independent. Just like dance and karate courses, kids yoga can be easily squeezed in the child's daily program. Therapeutic studies indicate that yoga has had very good results in the case of hyperactivity or deficit disorder cases. Since with these disorders, kids constantly crave movement, kids yoga helps to the channeling of these impulses in non-destructive ways. Self-confidence, balance and calm are the great benefits to result from yoga-for-kids programs. The children learn yoga philosophy, practice yoga postures, learn breathing and concentration techniques, as well as, traditional conflict resolution strategies and dialogues.
Moreover, since yoga classes involve working in a community, children develop team skills while working to get in the poses. The anatomical flexibility specific to young age makes postures a lot easier to perform; adults on the other hand have to work a lot more to reach the mobility level necessary to practice yoga. Although the physical part is not that challenging, a major obstacle comes from meditation and relaxation, pa
rticularly because kids enter such states more difficultly. Therefore, visualization proves the best way of helping young and grown up yoga trainees get into the relaxed state of mind.The names of the postures in kids yoga classes allow children to learn them more easily. Thus, instead of performing asanas they will make a bridge, a mountain, a cat, a dog or a cobra, to name only a few. Moreover, trainers never push the practice of kids yoga to the limit of pain, as the activity wouldn't be that attractive with an extra pressure.
A comprehensive yoga program can greatly reduce violence and bullying, but, the long term lasting effects are still unclear but should be obvious at this point. The results of this intervention acknowledge yoga as an effective method for increasing anger management skills and decreasing physical outbursts of violence for upper elementary school age children during the time of implementation of a competently applied program.
This article was written to provide you with knowledge about the subject of why Yoga for Kids is so important in today's world. I appreciate you taking your time to read it. Visit my site to see focused kids and proven results.
Dee Marie has been a Master in the field of Yoga therapy for many years. Her focusted direction is to build a stronger world through early education of yoga for children. [http://www.calmingkidsyoga.org/DeeMarieBio.html]Yoga for kids
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Yoga For Kids
Life can be stressful and as adults we are quite aware of that, but most of us are not aware that our children can also feel quite stressed in their lives. As time progresses, life seems to travel at a much faster speed and as a result of this both adults and children seem to be under a great deal of pressure.
Yoga is a great way to relieve stress and to teach your children how to use yoga for stress relief can help them do deal with the pressures that they will face in life. Teaching your child at a young age will give them the stepping stones to cope with stress throughout their life as they grow and become adults.
Yoga can also help your child to develop high self esteem and also teach them how to relax so that they will not feel so overwhelmed when life throws something stressful their way. These skills will help them throughout their life and they will also learn to develop compassion and cooperation.
Yoga will help your child to improve their strength, coordination and flexibility. This will also help them to improve their concentration levels helping them to perform better at school and in sports. They will improve their sense of calmness which will enable them to deal with any situation in a more effective and efficient way.
As we get older we tend to lose our flexibility that we have as a child, and by teaching your children yoga it will help them to keep that flexibility which will benefit their health as they mature.
There are many benefits that yoga will offer your child and as well as the benefits it is also fun for them to do. Yoga instructors will often teach children the different yoga poses by playing and imitating different animals and plants. This also help to nourish the child's natural talents and it makes yoga classes fun and also very effective.
Many kids find it hard to sit still for long, they love to be on the move and love to chat rather than sit and listen. Instructors that can encourage children to have fun and make yoga exciting by allowing them to move and imitate animals are very successful at teaching children the art of yoga. The children can roar like a tiger and bark like a dog which is great fun for them and also helps to improve their self esteem and at the same time keeps them interesting and excited about attending their yoga class.
Yoga really is one of the most beneficial exercise programs for anyone, both young and old, and by teaching your children yoga from a young age they will enjoy the life long healthy benefits that yoga has to offer them.
Adults and children can both benefit from the amazing effects of Yoga. To learn more about Yoga visit http://yojo-yoga.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sheryl_Polomka [http://ezinearticles.com/?Yoga-For-Kids---Teach-Them-Young!&id=1792543 ]http://EzineArticles.com/?Yoga-For-Kids---Teach-Them-Young!&id=1792543
Life can be stressful and as adults we are quite aware of that, but most of us are not aware that our children can also feel quite stressed in their lives. As time progresses, life seems to travel at a much faster speed and as a result of this both adults and children seem to be under a great deal of pressure.
Yoga is a great way to relieve stress and to teach your children how to use yoga for stress relief can help them do deal with the pressures that they will face in life. Teaching your child at a young age will give them the stepping stones to cope with stress throughout their life as they grow and become adults.
Yoga can also help your child to develop high self esteem and also teach them how to relax so that they will not feel so overwhelmed when life throws something stressful their way. These skills will help them throughout their life and they will also learn to develop compassion and cooperation.
Yoga will help your child to improve their strength, coordination and flexibility. This will also help them to improve their concentration levels helping them to perform better at school and in sports. They will improve their sense of calmness which will enable them to deal with any situation in a more effective and efficient way.
As we get older we tend to lose our flexibility that we have as a child, and by teaching your children yoga it will help them to keep that flexibility which will benefit their health as they mature.
There are many benefits that yoga will offer your child and as well as the benefits it is also fun for them to do. Yoga instructors will often teach children the different yoga poses by playing and imitating different animals and plants. This also help to nourish the child's natural talents and it makes yoga classes fun and also very effective.
Many kids find it hard to sit still for long, they love to be on the move and love to chat rather than sit and listen. Instructors that can encourage children to have fun and make yoga exciting by allowing them to move and imitate animals are very successful at teaching children the art of yoga. The children can roar like a tiger and bark like a dog which is great fun for them and also helps to improve their self esteem and at the same time keeps them interesting and excited about attending their yoga class.
Yoga really is one of the most beneficial exercise programs for anyone, both young and old, and by teaching your children yoga from a young age they will enjoy the life long healthy benefits that yoga has to offer them.
Adults and children can both benefit from the amazing effects of Yoga. To learn more about Yoga visit http://yojo-yoga.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sheryl_Polomka [http://ezinearticles.com/?Yoga-For-Kids---Teach-Them-Young!&id=1792543 ]http://EzineArticles.com/?Yoga-For-Kids---Teach-Them-Young!&id=1792543
Yoga and Pregnancy Benefits
Yoga is claimed to be a good exercise for everyone. Yoga is also a good exercise for pregnant women and provides them with many benefits. So whether you are pregnant or know someone who is, read on to learn the many positive benefits of yoga for pregnant women.
Yoga is a wonderful exercise for pregnant women and can be safely performed throughout the entire pregnancy. Some poses may need to be modified during pregnancy and poses where the woman is lying on her back or stomach should be avoided. The pregnant woman should also avoid any position or pose that does not feel right to her.
Yoga provides many benefits to pregnant women. Among those benefits of yoga are increased flexibility, more energy and stress relief. Yoga also helps the woman prepare for childbirth. This is done by the regular use and stretching of the muscles that are used in childbirth. In addition, the relaxation and breathing skills learned in yoga will help a woman throughout the labor and delivery of her child and may also lessen some of the woman's pains and anxieties.
As previously mentioned, yoga can play an important part in a woman having a relaxed, comfortable pregnancy and childbirth experience. However, the benefits of yoga do not end there. Yoga can also help the woman to get back into shape after pregnancy and will help to ease the transition into more physical exercise. And the benefits of yoga do not only encompass the pregnant woman; yoga can assist in the mental and physical development of the growing fetus.
Yoga exercises are not the only elements to focus on when performing a yoga routine. A complete, rounded yoga routine for a pregnant woman should include not only the yoga exercises, but also proper breathing techniques, meditation, deep relaxation techniques and mudras, which are yogic gestures. All of these elements of yoga will provide the pregnant woman with many benefits to aid in childbirth.
For the benefit of the pregnant woman, yoga exercises stretch the pelvis and reproductive organs to ensure a smooth pregnancy and childbirth experience. For the benefit of the fetus, yoga exercises provide the best possible blood and nutrient supply. The proper breathing techniques, or pranayama, will aid in the pregnant woman's overall fitness during pregnancy and will supply a rich amount of oxygen for the pregnant woman and fetus.
The benefits of yogic meditation to a pregnant woman are almost self-explanatory. It helps to calm and soothe the pregnant woman, dissolving away any fears and conflicts, whether pregnancy-related or not. It is also claimed to provide the pregnant woman with an unbelievable sense of awareness that helps her connect with her unborn child.
The benefits of deep relaxation techniques are also pretty much easy to understand. Deep relaxation, or yogic sleep, relaxes the pregnant woman both mentally and physically. It also better prepares her for the childbirth experience. The last element of a yoga routine, mudras and bandhas, is yogic gestures. These gestures are believed to have influential effects on the pregnant woman's reproductive organs, as well as any pains and ailments.
By combining all of the above elements of yoga, a pregnant woman can achieve and reap the benefits of a successful yoga routine. There are many books and websites available that provide acceptable yoga poses and positions for pregnant women. But as is the case with any other exercise, a pregnant woman should consult with her doctor before undertaking a yoga routine.
Michael Russell
Your Independent guide to [http://yoga.tips-and-gear.com/]Yoga
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Russell http://EzineArticles.com/?Yoga-and-Pregnancy-Benefits&id=432378
Yoga is claimed to be a good exercise for everyone. Yoga is also a good exercise for pregnant women and provides them with many benefits. So whether you are pregnant or know someone who is, read on to learn the many positive benefits of yoga for pregnant women.
Yoga is a wonderful exercise for pregnant women and can be safely performed throughout the entire pregnancy. Some poses may need to be modified during pregnancy and poses where the woman is lying on her back or stomach should be avoided. The pregnant woman should also avoid any position or pose that does not feel right to her.
Yoga provides many benefits to pregnant women. Among those benefits of yoga are increased flexibility, more energy and stress relief. Yoga also helps the woman prepare for childbirth. This is done by the regular use and stretching of the muscles that are used in childbirth. In addition, the relaxation and breathing skills learned in yoga will help a woman throughout the labor and delivery of her child and may also lessen some of the woman's pains and anxieties.
As previously mentioned, yoga can play an important part in a woman having a relaxed, comfortable pregnancy and childbirth experience. However, the benefits of yoga do not end there. Yoga can also help the woman to get back into shape after pregnancy and will help to ease the transition into more physical exercise. And the benefits of yoga do not only encompass the pregnant woman; yoga can assist in the mental and physical development of the growing fetus.
Yoga exercises are not the only elements to focus on when performing a yoga routine. A complete, rounded yoga routine for a pregnant woman should include not only the yoga exercises, but also proper breathing techniques, meditation, deep relaxation techniques and mudras, which are yogic gestures. All of these elements of yoga will provide the pregnant woman with many benefits to aid in childbirth.
For the benefit of the pregnant woman, yoga exercises stretch the pelvis and reproductive organs to ensure a smooth pregnancy and childbirth experience. For the benefit of the fetus, yoga exercises provide the best possible blood and nutrient supply. The proper breathing techniques, or pranayama, will aid in the pregnant woman's overall fitness during pregnancy and will supply a rich amount of oxygen for the pregnant woman and fetus.
The benefits of yogic meditation to a pregnant woman are almost self-explanatory. It helps to calm and soothe the pregnant woman, dissolving away any fears and conflicts, whether pregnancy-related or not. It is also claimed to provide the pregnant woman with an unbelievable sense of awareness that helps her connect with her unborn child.
The benefits of deep relaxation techniques are also pretty much easy to understand. Deep relaxation, or yogic sleep, relaxes the pregnant woman both mentally and physically. It also better prepares her for the childbirth experience. The last element of a yoga routine, mudras and bandhas, is yogic gestures. These gestures are believed to have influential effects on the pregnant woman's reproductive organs, as well as any pains and ailments.
By combining all of the above elements of yoga, a pregnant woman can achieve and reap the benefits of a successful yoga routine. There are many books and websites available that provide acceptable yoga poses and positions for pregnant women. But as is the case with any other exercise, a pregnant woman should consult with her doctor before undertaking a yoga routine.
Michael Russell
Your Independent guide to [http://yoga.tips-and-gear.com/]Yoga
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Russell http://EzineArticles.com/?Yoga-and-Pregnancy-Benefits&id=432378
Yoga For Pregnant Women
Master your mind! Gain control over your body! Be relieved of your stress through the practice of gentle art of Yoga!
Pregnancy is a physical as well as mental experience. Women
often becomes hyper aware of all the changes their bodies are
going through. Yoga allows pregnant women to adapt to these
changes more gracefully and to feel proud and a sense of
appreciation for their bodies. Yoga exercises can increase
flexibility, strength, circulation and balance. Many pregnant
women find that regular yoga exercises help to reduce swelling,
back and leg pain, and insomnia.
However, Yoga must be practiced very carefully among pregnant
women, as improper exercises will bring negative effect on both
moms and babies. Here are some tips for pre-natal pregnancy Yoga
practice:
1. The general yoga exercises are recommended for the first 2
months. You must consult your doctor and find very experienced
Yoga teachers. With proper guidance, you can practice some yoga
right into labor. If you new to yoga then you should start
slowly.
2. Breathing exercises are beneficial if done twice a day. The
breathing exercises provide more oxygen and energy both to the
mother and the child.
3. Some yoga poses that can help a pregnant women dealing with
the symptoms of pregnancy, ensuring smoother and easier
delivery, and faster recovery after childbirth. Pregnant women
should pay attention not to overstretch the body - the
ligaments around the joints become loose and soft during
pregnancy. The abdomen should stay relaxed at all times.
Difficult and poses that put pressure on the abdomen and other
should NOT be done during advance stages of Pregnancy. No any
kind of pain or nausea should be felt during and/or after yoga.
If this happens, you should stop yoga practice and contact your
GP.
4. When carrying out standing poses with your heels to the wall
or use a chair for support to avoid losing your balance and
risking injury to both you and your baby.
5. Deep relaxation is crucial to give rest to body and mind,
and you will benefit more from a good sleep. Deep relaxation
helps the nerve system change from sympathetic to
parasympathetic activity. Parasympathetic activity is
associated with the restorative processes of the body, which is
needed both by the pregnant woman and the child.
We also strongly recommend regular morning and evening walks.
Yoga is very individual. For more great Yoga advice, and other
pregnant women support services, e.g. domestic cleaning
services, babysitter services, personal trainer, chef and many
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Master your mind! Gain control over your body! Be relieved of your stress through the practice of gentle art of Yoga!
Pregnancy is a physical as well as mental experience. Women
often becomes hyper aware of all the changes their bodies are
going through. Yoga allows pregnant women to adapt to these
changes more gracefully and to feel proud and a sense of
appreciation for their bodies. Yoga exercises can increase
flexibility, strength, circulation and balance. Many pregnant
women find that regular yoga exercises help to reduce swelling,
back and leg pain, and insomnia.
However, Yoga must be practiced very carefully among pregnant
women, as improper exercises will bring negative effect on both
moms and babies. Here are some tips for pre-natal pregnancy Yoga
practice:
1. The general yoga exercises are recommended for the first 2
months. You must consult your doctor and find very experienced
Yoga teachers. With proper guidance, you can practice some yoga
right into labor. If you new to yoga then you should start
slowly.
2. Breathing exercises are beneficial if done twice a day. The
breathing exercises provide more oxygen and energy both to the
mother and the child.
3. Some yoga poses that can help a pregnant women dealing with
the symptoms of pregnancy, ensuring smoother and easier
delivery, and faster recovery after childbirth. Pregnant women
should pay attention not to overstretch the body - the
ligaments around the joints become loose and soft during
pregnancy. The abdomen should stay relaxed at all times.
Difficult and poses that put pressure on the abdomen and other
should NOT be done during advance stages of Pregnancy. No any
kind of pain or nausea should be felt during and/or after yoga.
If this happens, you should stop yoga practice and contact your
GP.
4. When carrying out standing poses with your heels to the wall
or use a chair for support to avoid losing your balance and
risking injury to both you and your baby.
5. Deep relaxation is crucial to give rest to body and mind,
and you will benefit more from a good sleep. Deep relaxation
helps the nerve system change from sympathetic to
parasympathetic activity. Parasympathetic activity is
associated with the restorative processes of the body, which is
needed both by the pregnant woman and the child.
We also strongly recommend regular morning and evening walks.
Yoga is very individual. For more great Yoga advice, and other
pregnant women support services, e.g. domestic cleaning
services, babysitter services, personal trainer, chef and many
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Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Amie_Porter http://EzineArticles.com/?Yoga-For-Pregnant-Women&id=174391
Yoga Postures For Infertility
Yoga promotes and improves fertility. There are a few specific yoga practices that can be used for it. They have been known for a long time and there is mention of these special yoga practices in the ancient papers.
The practices include specific postures, mantras and breathing techniques. These exercises enhance fertility by stimulating hormone levels and improving blood and nutrients supply to reproductive organs like ovaries, eggs, tubes, uterus, testes and prostate. In doing this they maximize the vitality of these organs.
For older mums and dads yoga exercises can slow down the aging of organs and tissues like eggs and sperm which is detrimental for the ability to get pregnant.
Here are a few yoga postures you can do in the comfort of your own house.
1. Supported Bridge Pose :
- Lie on the back and bent your knees with feet flat on the floor ,
- Move your feet to your bottom as close as possible,
-Inhale and exhale deeply 4 times, then slowly lift your pelvis and buttocks off the floor while keeping your feet flat on the floor,
-Clasp your hands behind your back,
-Stay in this pose for a minute or two while breathing deeply.
2. Legs up on the wall pose:
-Lie on your side with your buttocks close to wall,
-Slowly inhale and exhale, then when you are exhaling turn your body and move your legs up to the wall at the same time so that you create a 90-degree angle at your pelvis between your legs and body,
-Stay in this pose for a few minutes inhaling and exhaling slowly.
3. Cobbler's pose:
-Sit on the floor with your legs stretched out,
-Inhale and exhale then while exhaling bring your feet close to your groin and push the sole of your feet against each other,
-Hold to your toes and when exhaling try to lower your knees to the ground as much as you can,
-Hold this pose for about 3-5 minutes while slowly inhaling and exhaling.
These postures, mantras and breathing techniques can be mastered by most women and no one can be harmed using it.
Yoga is a practical commonsense system that gives us tools to be healthy and fertile. It is like a health maintenance system. It minimizes the wear and tear of all body organs, including egg, uterus, and ovaries. So, yoga used holistically can increase the fertile time in your life. And that is especially beneficial for older women and men who are trying to conceive at an older age.
These yoga techniques will also balance the production of hormones in the body and stimulate ripening and releasing the egg. It has been proven that women who have been doing yoga for at least 3-4 months ovulate more often and more regular compare to women who have never done yoga before.
If you are after 35 and have a dream to have a baby, start yoga first before you rush to have invasive treatments and tests regarding fertility. According to the last research a general improvement in health before pregnancy helps nearly 50% of people to conceive despite many failures to get pregnant in the past. That means that their infertility was only due to unbalanced organ function which could have been due to everyday stress, wrong diet or lack of physical activity. And yoga could be the right tool to balance all these and achieve desirable result - the baby.
For more info please read www.YouCanOvercomeInfertility.com
Dr Irina Webster MD is the Director of Women Health Issues Program which covers different areas of Women Health.
Dr Irina Webster has a wholistic approach to medicine and her favorite area is to discover natural treatments for Women health problems and share these treatments and methods with other people. http://www.youcanovercomeinfertility.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Irina_Webster http://EzineArticles.com/?Yoga-Postures-For-Infertility&id=849562
Yoga promotes and improves fertility. There are a few specific yoga practices that can be used for it. They have been known for a long time and there is mention of these special yoga practices in the ancient papers.
The practices include specific postures, mantras and breathing techniques. These exercises enhance fertility by stimulating hormone levels and improving blood and nutrients supply to reproductive organs like ovaries, eggs, tubes, uterus, testes and prostate. In doing this they maximize the vitality of these organs.
For older mums and dads yoga exercises can slow down the aging of organs and tissues like eggs and sperm which is detrimental for the ability to get pregnant.
Here are a few yoga postures you can do in the comfort of your own house.
1. Supported Bridge Pose :
- Lie on the back and bent your knees with feet flat on the floor ,
- Move your feet to your bottom as close as possible,
-Inhale and exhale deeply 4 times, then slowly lift your pelvis and buttocks off the floor while keeping your feet flat on the floor,
-Clasp your hands behind your back,
-Stay in this pose for a minute or two while breathing deeply.
2. Legs up on the wall pose:
-Lie on your side with your buttocks close to wall,
-Slowly inhale and exhale, then when you are exhaling turn your body and move your legs up to the wall at the same time so that you create a 90-degree angle at your pelvis between your legs and body,
-Stay in this pose for a few minutes inhaling and exhaling slowly.
3. Cobbler's pose:
-Sit on the floor with your legs stretched out,
-Inhale and exhale then while exhaling bring your feet close to your groin and push the sole of your feet against each other,
-Hold to your toes and when exhaling try to lower your knees to the ground as much as you can,
-Hold this pose for about 3-5 minutes while slowly inhaling and exhaling.
These postures, mantras and breathing techniques can be mastered by most women and no one can be harmed using it.
Yoga is a practical commonsense system that gives us tools to be healthy and fertile. It is like a health maintenance system. It minimizes the wear and tear of all body organs, including egg, uterus, and ovaries. So, yoga used holistically can increase the fertile time in your life. And that is especially beneficial for older women and men who are trying to conceive at an older age.
These yoga techniques will also balance the production of hormones in the body and stimulate ripening and releasing the egg. It has been proven that women who have been doing yoga for at least 3-4 months ovulate more often and more regular compare to women who have never done yoga before.
If you are after 35 and have a dream to have a baby, start yoga first before you rush to have invasive treatments and tests regarding fertility. According to the last research a general improvement in health before pregnancy helps nearly 50% of people to conceive despite many failures to get pregnant in the past. That means that their infertility was only due to unbalanced organ function which could have been due to everyday stress, wrong diet or lack of physical activity. And yoga could be the right tool to balance all these and achieve desirable result - the baby.
For more info please read www.YouCanOvercomeInfertility.com
Dr Irina Webster MD is the Director of Women Health Issues Program which covers different areas of Women Health.
Dr Irina Webster has a wholistic approach to medicine and her favorite area is to discover natural treatments for Women health problems and share these treatments and methods with other people. http://www.youcanovercomeinfertility.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Irina_Webster http://EzineArticles.com/?Yoga-Postures-For-Infertility&id=849562
Exercise While Pregnant - Use Yoga To Calm Your Body And Mind
Sometimes it is hard to work out while pregnant. Yoga for pregnant women offers moms-to-be an excellent workout that is beneficial for you and your unborn baby. Here is a guide on safe, basic yoga exercises and stretches to practice during pregnancy.
Prenatal yoga has both mental and physical benefits during pregnancy. For one, it is beneficial because it te
aches you how to use breathing to soothe your body and mind, factors which will definitely come in handy during childbirth. Learning how to perform the techniques presented in prenatal yoga will prime you for labor and childbirth and it does this by training your body to stay calm.
Yet the benefits of yoga for pregnant women are not only limited to your physical health, as the primary purpose of yoga is to incorporate not just the body, but the mind and the spirit as well. Not only that, but simply being in a positive and nurturing environment with others who are in the same situation as you will help to give you an emotional boost right when you need it most.
There are many yoga poses particularly that are designed for use while pregnant, including the Cobbler or Tailor pose. This is a sitting pose that helps to open up the pelvis. To do this pose, you sit yourself up straight against a wall with the soles of your feet touching each other, and then softly press your knees down and away from each other. Then try to stay in this posture for as long as you can.
Another excellent prenatal yoga position is the pelvic tilt, which is a position that helps to relieve back pain. Get down on your hands and knees with your arms shoulder-width apart and your knees hip-width apart. Make sure to keep your arms straight; then tighten in your abdominal muscles and tuck your buttocks under and round your back, breathing in while you hold the position.
Now, relax your back into its relaxed position, and breathe out, repeating several times.
Finally, another good posture is the squatting position, which helps to open up the pelvis and to strengthen the upper legs. As you start to fill out during pregnancy there are types of support props that you should use to facilitate this position, such as yoga blocks or a pile of books.
You begin by standing facing the back of a chair with your feet spread slightly apart, with your toes pointed outward.Drop your tailbone towards the floor as though you were about to sit down on a chair, but rather than sitting you hold the position there. Take a deep breath in, and at the moment you exhale, push your legs up and rise to a standing position, and then repeat as you feel comfortable.
So if you are pondering how you will possibly exercise while pregnant, consider trying yoga for pregnant women. Not only will you feel great, you'll be accumulating lifelong benefits for you and your baby. This natural exercise program will reduce tension and improve your flexibility. Yoga poses are a wonderful way to enhance your sense of health and well-being, and a practice that you can always manage to accommodate into a mother's busy schedule.
For more information, check out [http://yoga.absolutenaturalhealth.com/]Absolute Natural Health - Yoga Guide or the articles at [http://www.yoga4u-now.com/]Yoga For Life. Unlock your FREE report on Alternative Medicines at [http://www.absolutenaturalhealth.com/]Everything You Wanted To Know About Alternative Medicine.
Copyright 2008 Ron King. This article may be reprinted if the resource box is left intact and the links live.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ron_King http://EzineArticles.com/?Exercise-While-Pregnant---Use-Yoga-To-Calm-Your-Body-And-Mind&id=1067766
Sometimes it is hard to work out while pregnant. Yoga for pregnant women offers moms-to-be an excellent workout that is beneficial for you and your unborn baby. Here is a guide on safe, basic yoga exercises and stretches to practice during pregnancy.
Prenatal yoga has both mental and physical benefits during pregnancy. For one, it is beneficial because it te
aches you how to use breathing to soothe your body and mind, factors which will definitely come in handy during childbirth. Learning how to perform the techniques presented in prenatal yoga will prime you for labor and childbirth and it does this by training your body to stay calm.Yet the benefits of yoga for pregnant women are not only limited to your physical health, as the primary purpose of yoga is to incorporate not just the body, but the mind and the spirit as well. Not only that, but simply being in a positive and nurturing environment with others who are in the same situation as you will help to give you an emotional boost right when you need it most.
There are many yoga poses particularly that are designed for use while pregnant, including the Cobbler or Tailor pose. This is a sitting pose that helps to open up the pelvis. To do this pose, you sit yourself up straight against a wall with the soles of your feet touching each other, and then softly press your knees down and away from each other. Then try to stay in this posture for as long as you can.
Another excellent prenatal yoga position is the pelvic tilt, which is a position that helps to relieve back pain. Get down on your hands and knees with your arms shoulder-width apart and your knees hip-width apart. Make sure to keep your arms straight; then tighten in your abdominal muscles and tuck your buttocks under and round your back, breathing in while you hold the position.
Now, relax your back into its relaxed position, and breathe out, repeating several times.
Finally, another good posture is the squatting position, which helps to open up the pelvis and to strengthen the upper legs. As you start to fill out during pregnancy there are types of support props that you should use to facilitate this position, such as yoga blocks or a pile of books.
You begin by standing facing the back of a chair with your feet spread slightly apart, with your toes pointed outward.Drop your tailbone towards the floor as though you were about to sit down on a chair, but rather than sitting you hold the position there. Take a deep breath in, and at the moment you exhale, push your legs up and rise to a standing position, and then repeat as you feel comfortable.
So if you are pondering how you will possibly exercise while pregnant, consider trying yoga for pregnant women. Not only will you feel great, you'll be accumulating lifelong benefits for you and your baby. This natural exercise program will reduce tension and improve your flexibility. Yoga poses are a wonderful way to enhance your sense of health and well-being, and a practice that you can always manage to accommodate into a mother's busy schedule.
For more information, check out [http://yoga.absolutenaturalhealth.com/]Absolute Natural Health - Yoga Guide or the articles at [http://www.yoga4u-now.com/]Yoga For Life. Unlock your FREE report on Alternative Medicines at [http://www.absolutenaturalhealth.com/]Everything You Wanted To Know About Alternative Medicine.
Copyright 2008 Ron King. This article may be reprinted if the resource box is left intact and the links live.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ron_King http://EzineArticles.com/?Exercise-While-Pregnant---Use-Yoga-To-Calm-Your-Body-And-Mind&id=1067766
Prenatal Yoga For Women
What is it? As many may know by now, or not, the word 'Yoga' is derived from an ancient Indian word which translates into "union". Yoga is a practice of poses and postures connected to the development of a person's body strength and flexibility. Different poses or postures have, in themselves, different benefits.
Although it may look easy to a stranger's eye, the alignment of postures are physically challenging
for beginners, many of them may giggle at the awkwardness of their posture. I've personally thought and still think that yoga is a slow activity yet I find myself sweating profusely than any other sport that I've tried.
Prenatal Yoga (also known as pregnancy yoga) helps a pregnant mother to 'slow down', literally. During pregnancy, there will be many changes taking place in the human (mother's) body. Hormonal changes, circulatory system changes, respiratory changes, body temperature changes to name a few.
Prenatal Yoga helps and encourages women to adapt to these changes in a positive manner - positive growth. The yoga stretches and poses help in strengthening the birthing muscles, improves blood circulation, reduces backache that are common among pregnant women, reduces anxiety and postpartum yoga quickens the recovery process.
Mental Power
Yoga itself is a physical practice but it starts and ends with the mind. Firstly, free your mind and do not think of anything else during your yoga sessions. Keep in mind that you DO NOT HAVE TO worry about chores, responsibilities and a hundred other things. The priority is me, myself and I.
Second of all, be patient. Yoga is not a get-healthy-quick scheme. Yoga is health program by means of determination, persistence and perseverance. Results may not show immediately as it varies from individuals but the one thing that is certain; the most profound results of yoga are achieved after sometime and not the early stages of practice.
Last but not least, consistent by frequency is the key of yoga. Do it every day and make sure that you do it. Yoga cannot work under 'do-whenever-I-feel-like' circumstances, the right momentum is required.
Common Techniques
There are few common techniques that are recommended for pregnancy. DO NOT ATTEMPT WITHOUT FIRST SEEKING EXPERT ADVICE - I'm merely showing what it's about.
Backbend - Known as the bridge pose, is to lie on your back and bend your knees thereby lifting our hips by the strength of your thighs. This technique or posture strengthens your spine and thus spinal flexibility.
Cat and Cow Stretch - is to pose on all fours (hands and legs) like how a toddler crawls. Keep your spine straightened as a neutral pose. Cow stretch is done by attempting to look at the ceiling by first movement of the tail bone then the spine and finally the neck. Cat stretch is the opposite movement of cow stretch, attempting to look at your abdomen/stomach by first moving the tailbone, followed by spine then neck. Repeat poses alternately.
These are good for beginners to start with. For other poses, seek appropriate instructions:
Cobbler's pose, extended triangle pose, goddess pose, half-moon pose, knee to ankle pose, pelvic tilts and one-legged pigeon pose. [http://www.markhoustonrecovery.com/addiction_families_and_the_workplace.php]Addiction Help [http://www.markhoustonrecovery.com/addiction_relpase_and_the_family.php]Relapse Prevention
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Brenda_Williams http://EzineArticles.com/?Prenatal-Yoga-For-Women&id=1318814
What is it? As many may know by now, or not, the word 'Yoga' is derived from an ancient Indian word which translates into "union". Yoga is a practice of poses and postures connected to the development of a person's body strength and flexibility. Different poses or postures have, in themselves, different benefits.
Although it may look easy to a stranger's eye, the alignment of postures are physically challenging
for beginners, many of them may giggle at the awkwardness of their posture. I've personally thought and still think that yoga is a slow activity yet I find myself sweating profusely than any other sport that I've tried.Prenatal Yoga (also known as pregnancy yoga) helps a pregnant mother to 'slow down', literally. During pregnancy, there will be many changes taking place in the human (mother's) body. Hormonal changes, circulatory system changes, respiratory changes, body temperature changes to name a few.
Prenatal Yoga helps and encourages women to adapt to these changes in a positive manner - positive growth. The yoga stretches and poses help in strengthening the birthing muscles, improves blood circulation, reduces backache that are common among pregnant women, reduces anxiety and postpartum yoga quickens the recovery process.
Mental Power
Yoga itself is a physical practice but it starts and ends with the mind. Firstly, free your mind and do not think of anything else during your yoga sessions. Keep in mind that you DO NOT HAVE TO worry about chores, responsibilities and a hundred other things. The priority is me, myself and I.
Second of all, be patient. Yoga is not a get-healthy-quick scheme. Yoga is health program by means of determination, persistence and perseverance. Results may not show immediately as it varies from individuals but the one thing that is certain; the most profound results of yoga are achieved after sometime and not the early stages of practice.
Last but not least, consistent by frequency is the key of yoga. Do it every day and make sure that you do it. Yoga cannot work under 'do-whenever-I-feel-like' circumstances, the right momentum is required.
Common Techniques
There are few common techniques that are recommended for pregnancy. DO NOT ATTEMPT WITHOUT FIRST SEEKING EXPERT ADVICE - I'm merely showing what it's about.
Backbend - Known as the bridge pose, is to lie on your back and bend your knees thereby lifting our hips by the strength of your thighs. This technique or posture strengthens your spine and thus spinal flexibility.
Cat and Cow Stretch - is to pose on all fours (hands and legs) like how a toddler crawls. Keep your spine straightened as a neutral pose. Cow stretch is done by attempting to look at the ceiling by first movement of the tail bone then the spine and finally the neck. Cat stretch is the opposite movement of cow stretch, attempting to look at your abdomen/stomach by first moving the tailbone, followed by spine then neck. Repeat poses alternately.
These are good for beginners to start with. For other poses, seek appropriate instructions:
Cobbler's pose, extended triangle pose, goddess pose, half-moon pose, knee to ankle pose, pelvic tilts and one-legged pigeon pose. [http://www.markhoustonrecovery.com/addiction_families_and_the_workplace.php]Addiction Help [http://www.markhoustonrecovery.com/addiction_relpase_and_the_family.php]Relapse Prevention
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Brenda_Williams http://EzineArticles.com/?Prenatal-Yoga-For-Women&id=1318814
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.
Email: [mailto:ntathu@yogainspires.co.uk]ntathu@yogainspires.co.uk http://www.yogainspires.co.uk
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ntathu_Allen http://EzineArticles.com/?Five-Easy-Seated-Yoga-Exercises-You-Must-Do-to-Release-Lower-Back-Pain-at-Work&id=1651360
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.
Email: [mailto:ntathu@yogainspires.co.uk]ntathu@yogainspires.co.uk http://www.yogainspires.co.uk
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ntathu_Allen http://EzineArticles.com/?Five-Easy-Seated-Yoga-Exercises-You-Must-Do-to-Release-Lower-Back-Pain-at-Work&id=1651360
Prenatal and Postnatal Yoga Specialist Training
What should be included within a prenatal and postnatal Yoga teacher training? It is agreed that anyone, who decides to become a prenatal Yoga specialist, should be a competent and certified teacher to start with. If the specialist has a medical background, this is a "big plus," as well.
When deciding to take the journey of education toward prenatal Yoga certification, one should consider the amount of continuing education involved. Much like all the specialist branches of Yoga, there is more knowledge than most of us can absorb within one life time.
At the same time, it should be recognized that prenatal and postnatal knowledge is constantly changing and improving. Since the Internet is readily accessible to a large population, knowledge is being shared in an instant.
This instant access can make it confusing at times, because we can also be sorting through erroneous information, which is wasting our time. Therefore, we have to filter information from reliable sources. Unfortunately, all of the answers to prenatal or postnatal health, cannot be found in one document, DVD, CD, certification, or a prenatal Yoga teacher course.
As a result, Yoga teachers, who teach pregnant students, must continue their educations for life. There are a number of factors to consider, within any prenatal course; but Yoga teachers who decide to pursue this path, should consider the following subjects when teaching students who are pregnant.
I. Dietary information that will benefit the mother-to-be and the baby. Much dietary information is common sense. Information about healthy eating is readily available, but we see the results of poor eating habits quite frequently.
II. Asana practices, that can be modified for each trimester. Within each trimester, postures will have to be modified. There is a misconception that the first trimester requires no safety measures. In a nutshell, during each trimester, there are specific safety precautions.
III. Meditation practices, which may be adjusted for each trimester. To focus on good thoughts is a wonderful practice for mother and child. Good mental and emotional health of the mother is critical to the baby's overall health.
IV. Pranayama (Yogic breathing techniques), which may change during the course of pregnancy. Pranayama techniques have specific roles during pregnancy and labor. Some of the relaxing Pranayama techniques can be practiced anywhere and at any time.
V. Relaxation techniques, which can help an expectant mother throughout pregnancy. As mentioned above, controlled breathing is a major part of relaxation, but stage-by-stage, or body scan relaxation sessions, are healthy practices for mother and child.
Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500, has written many books on the subject of Yoga. He is a co-owner and the Director of Yoga Teacher Training at: Aura Wellness Center, in Attleboro, MA. http://www.aurawellnesscenter.com He has been a certified Master Yoga Teacher since 1995. To receive Free Yoga videos, Podcasts, e-Books, reports, and articles about Yoga, please visit: http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org/member-offer.html
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Paul_Jerard http://EzineArticles.com/?Prenatal-and-Postnatal-Yoga-Specialist-Training&id=1756062
What should be included within a prenatal and postnatal Yoga teacher training? It is agreed that anyone, who decides to become a prenatal Yoga specialist, should be a competent and certified teacher to start with. If the specialist has a medical background, this is a "big plus," as well.
When deciding to take the journey of education toward prenatal Yoga certification, one should consider the amount of continuing education involved. Much like all the specialist branches of Yoga, there is more knowledge than most of us can absorb within one life time.
At the same time, it should be recognized that prenatal and postnatal knowledge is constantly changing and improving. Since the Internet is readily accessible to a large population, knowledge is being shared in an instant.
This instant access can make it confusing at times, because we can also be sorting through erroneous information, which is wasting our time. Therefore, we have to filter information from reliable sources. Unfortunately, all of the answers to prenatal or postnatal health, cannot be found in one document, DVD, CD, certification, or a prenatal Yoga teacher course.
As a result, Yoga teachers, who teach pregnant students, must continue their educations for life. There are a number of factors to consider, within any prenatal course; but Yoga teachers who decide to pursue this path, should consider the following subjects when teaching students who are pregnant.
I. Dietary information that will benefit the mother-to-be and the baby. Much dietary information is common sense. Information about healthy eating is readily available, but we see the results of poor eating habits quite frequently.
II. Asana practices, that can be modified for each trimester. Within each trimester, postures will have to be modified. There is a misconception that the first trimester requires no safety measures. In a nutshell, during each trimester, there are specific safety precautions.
III. Meditation practices, which may be adjusted for each trimester. To focus on good thoughts is a wonderful practice for mother and child. Good mental and emotional health of the mother is critical to the baby's overall health.
IV. Pranayama (Yogic breathing techniques), which may change during the course of pregnancy. Pranayama techniques have specific roles during pregnancy and labor. Some of the relaxing Pranayama techniques can be practiced anywhere and at any time.
V. Relaxation techniques, which can help an expectant mother throughout pregnancy. As mentioned above, controlled breathing is a major part of relaxation, but stage-by-stage, or body scan relaxation sessions, are healthy practices for mother and child.
Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500, has written many books on the subject of Yoga. He is a co-owner and the Director of Yoga Teacher Training at: Aura Wellness Center, in Attleboro, MA. http://www.aurawellnesscenter.com He has been a certified Master Yoga Teacher since 1995. To receive Free Yoga videos, Podcasts, e-Books, reports, and articles about Yoga, please visit: http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org/member-offer.html
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Paul_Jerard http://EzineArticles.com/?Prenatal-and-Postnatal-Yoga-Specialist-Training&id=1756062
Fun Yoga For Children
Why is Yoga Important for Children?
Yoga is important for a child nowadays as there are more pressures for him/her. Yoga will gently calm the child down and let him/her stretch their muscles.
Fun Yoga Moves for Children
Make yoga fun to keep your child interested. You both can do the moves together. Your child can follow you and you both can enjoy each other's company.
- First take a deep breath while sitting on a mat or carpet.
- Count to ten with your eyes closed.
- Slowly stand up and stretch your arms high to the sky for ten seconds.
- Now you are ready to yoga "work."
- Pretend you are shoveling snow outside together. Slowly move your arms in a shovel movement and throwing the snow in a pile.
- Stomp off your feet as if getting the snow off. Walk a few steps as if you are coming inside.
- Stir some hot chocolate for pretend for ten seconds with your right hand.
- Next pretend you are stirring spaghetti for dinner.
- Now take a broom and sweep the floor as you spilled a lot of noodles on the ground.
- Sit down on the floor and take a deep breath while you pretend to drink your hot chocolate slowly raising your hand to your mouth.
- Plop ten marshmallows into your hot chocolate.
- Slowly look to the left and look to the right. This will stretch the neck muscles.
- Lift hands in a praying motion and have your child close his/her eyes.
- Have child think of something happy. Sit for one to two minutes.
- Time to bake cookies in the kitchen. Burn a favorite scented candle if you would like. Pretend to be kneading the dough while sitting on the carpeted floor or mat. Next, take a rolling pin and roll out your dough. You two can quietly discuss what kind of cookies you are making together.
- Slowly stand up and pretend you are putting the flour away high in the cupboard. Next put the sugar away in a lower cupboard. Any other supplies put to the left and to the right. Now wash the countertop using slow circular motions. Switch hands and move in circular motions.
- Sit on mat and inhale for ten seconds releasing your cares away.
Summary
Spend quality time each day with your child doing fun yoga for children. You both will look forward to the quiet time spent together. By using your imaginations together you will keep your child engaged in yoga much longer.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dean_Walsh http://EzineArticles.com/?Fun-Yoga-For-Children&id=1728112
Why is Yoga Important for Children?
Yoga is important for a child nowadays as there are more pressures for him/her. Yoga will gently calm the child down and let him/her stretch their muscles.
Fun Yoga Moves for Children
Make yoga fun to keep your child interested. You both can do the moves together. Your child can follow you and you both can enjoy each other's company.
- First take a deep breath while sitting on a mat or carpet.
- Count to ten with your eyes closed.
- Slowly stand up and stretch your arms high to the sky for ten seconds.
- Now you are ready to yoga "work."
- Pretend you are shoveling snow outside together. Slowly move your arms in a shovel movement and throwing the snow in a pile.
- Stomp off your feet as if getting the snow off. Walk a few steps as if you are coming inside.
- Stir some hot chocolate for pretend for ten seconds with your right hand.
- Next pretend you are stirring spaghetti for dinner.
- Now take a broom and sweep the floor as you spilled a lot of noodles on the ground.
- Sit down on the floor and take a deep breath while you pretend to drink your hot chocolate slowly raising your hand to your mouth.
- Plop ten marshmallows into your hot chocolate.
- Slowly look to the left and look to the right. This will stretch the neck muscles.
- Lift hands in a praying motion and have your child close his/her eyes.
- Have child think of something happy. Sit for one to two minutes.
- Time to bake cookies in the kitchen. Burn a favorite scented candle if you would like. Pretend to be kneading the dough while sitting on the carpeted floor or mat. Next, take a rolling pin and roll out your dough. You two can quietly discuss what kind of cookies you are making together.
- Slowly stand up and pretend you are putting the flour away high in the cupboard. Next put the sugar away in a lower cupboard. Any other supplies put to the left and to the right. Now wash the countertop using slow circular motions. Switch hands and move in circular motions.
- Sit on mat and inhale for ten seconds releasing your cares away.
Summary
Spend quality time each day with your child doing fun yoga for children. You both will look forward to the quiet time spent together. By using your imaginations together you will keep your child engaged in yoga much longer.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dean_Walsh http://EzineArticles.com/?Fun-Yoga-For-Children&id=1728112
Health Benefits of Doing Yoga
Yoga has become one of the most popular exercises in North America over the last few years. Its popularity is somewhat of a phenomenon. Although it may be a fad, there are many reasons why it is enjoyed by millions.
The health benefits of this one exercise cover a wide spectrum, so the practitioner is sure of an overall workout within the hour. Yoga is also very suited for today's lifestyle in terms of its affect on mind and spirit - working to slow down our active minds and connect us to a deeper sense of self. It's an ideal exercise if you have limited time in your week to devote to working out.
Yoga helps you relax, tones your body and works positively on your internal organs, promoting optimum health. Yoga is known as an exercise that works on your flexibility, which is in fact core focus.
However, as you flex, you strengthen and as you flex more, you relax and release toxins and as you continue to flex and breathe you bring your focus inward and into the present moment, providing a genuine release from everyday worry and stress.
This breathing and flexing is also providing an internal massage for your organs - which is very unique to yoga. Many Yogis will also say that while moving in this meditative way you are awakening the spirit or connecting to your deeper self. This seems to be the case for anyone that has spent time doing yoga, as you become very tranquil in the process.
For this reason, Yoga differs from most other common exercises, as it is less aggressive then weightlifting, sports or running and less goal-oriented. The main purpose is in fact to dissolve our goal-oriented thoughts and just "be".
With an ever increasing workload and anxiety from our day to day living pattern in this fast paced world, Yoga is an ideal escape, or more accurately, an ideal way to discover what's more important in our lives.
Yoga offers further health benefits that include lubrication of our joints and detoxification of our bodies. If you want to get in touch with your body, enjoy a sublime moment and perhaps connect with your spirit, try some beginners yoga - the journey is far greater then the goal.
Read more of my articles : [http://www.eruptingmind.com/face-yoga-exercises/]Free Face Yoga Exercise Videos and [http://www.eruptingmind.com/communication-skills-different-types-questions/]Different Types Of Questions
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mark_David_Peters http://EzineArticles.com/?Health-Benefits-of-Doing-Yoga&id=1495890
Yoga has become one of the most popular exercises in North America over the last few years. Its popularity is somewhat of a phenomenon. Although it may be a fad, there are many reasons why it is enjoyed by millions.
The health benefits of this one exercise cover a wide spectrum, so the practitioner is sure of an overall workout within the hour. Yoga is also very suited for today's lifestyle in terms of its affect on mind and spirit - working to slow down our active minds and connect us to a deeper sense of self. It's an ideal exercise if you have limited time in your week to devote to working out.
Yoga helps you relax, tones your body and works positively on your internal organs, promoting optimum health. Yoga is known as an exercise that works on your flexibility, which is in fact core focus.
However, as you flex, you strengthen and as you flex more, you relax and release toxins and as you continue to flex and breathe you bring your focus inward and into the present moment, providing a genuine release from everyday worry and stress.
This breathing and flexing is also providing an internal massage for your organs - which is very unique to yoga. Many Yogis will also say that while moving in this meditative way you are awakening the spirit or connecting to your deeper self. This seems to be the case for anyone that has spent time doing yoga, as you become very tranquil in the process.
For this reason, Yoga differs from most other common exercises, as it is less aggressive then weightlifting, sports or running and less goal-oriented. The main purpose is in fact to dissolve our goal-oriented thoughts and just "be".
With an ever increasing workload and anxiety from our day to day living pattern in this fast paced world, Yoga is an ideal escape, or more accurately, an ideal way to discover what's more important in our lives.
Yoga offers further health benefits that include lubrication of our joints and detoxification of our bodies. If you want to get in touch with your body, enjoy a sublime moment and perhaps connect with your spirit, try some beginners yoga - the journey is far greater then the goal.
Read more of my articles : [http://www.eruptingmind.com/face-yoga-exercises/]Free Face Yoga Exercise Videos and [http://www.eruptingmind.com/communication-skills-different-types-questions/]Different Types Of Questions
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mark_David_Peters http://EzineArticles.com/?Health-Benefits-of-Doing-Yoga&id=1495890
Use Yoga to Improve Your Health and Well Being
From its Indian origins as far back as 4000 years ago, yoga has been continually practised but it is only in the present century that its use has become more widespread. Yoga has an effect on the whole person,combining the physical, mental and spiritual sides. The word 'yoga' is derived from a Sanskrit word that means 'yoke' or 'union' and thus reflects on the practises of yoga being total in effect. For many hundreds of years in India, only a select few, such as philosophers and like-minded people with their disciples followed the way of life that yoga dictated. The leaders were known as 'yogis' and it was they who taught their followers by passing on their accumulated knowledge. These small groups of people dwelt in caves or woods, or sometimes a yogi would live like a hermit. Yoga has had quite far reaching effects over many hundreds of years in India.
The basics of yoga were defined by a yogi called Patanjali who lived about 300BC. He was a very well respected teacher and commanded great influence at that time and his classification is one that is used now. He established the fact of yoga being separated into eight different parts. The first two concern a person's lifestyle, which should be serene with the days spent in contemplation, study, maintaining cleanliness and living very simply and at peace with others. Anything that involves avarice or greed or is harmful to others has to be avoided. The third and fourth parts are concerned with physical matters and list a number of exercises that are designed to promote peace and infuse energy into both the mind and the body. The remaining four sections are concerned with the advancement of a person's soul or spirit and mental faculties by being able to isolate himself or herself from outside worries and normal life, contemplation and broadening mental faculties with the ultimate knowledge known as somadhi. Mentally, this is a complete change that gives final realisation of existence. Much more recently, yoga became available in India to everyone, in complete contrast to centuries ago.
Nowadays, the practice of yoga is not restricted to India alone, with millions of people worldwide being followers. There are five different types of yoga: raja, jnana, karma, bakti and hatha. It is this last system that is known in the west and it involves the use of exercises and positions. The other methods concentrate on matters, such as control over the mind, appreciation and intelligence or a morally correct way of life. These other methods are regarded as being of equal importance by the person completely committed to yoga as a way of life. Many people have little or no spiritual feeling. However, the basic belief in yoga is the importance of mental attitudes in establishing the physical from exercise.
In yoga it is believed that the body's essence of life (prana), is contained in the breath. Through a change in the way of breathing there can be a beneficial effect on the general health. If a person is in a heightened, emotional condition, or similar state, this will have an effect on the breathing. Therefore, if the breathing is controlled or altered, this should promote joint feelings of peace or calm, both mentally and emotionally. There is a variety of exercises and each promotes different types of breathing, such as the rib cage, shoulder and diaphragm. Some of the movements and stances in use were originally devised from the observations of animals, since they appeared to be adept at relaxation and moved with minimum effort. These stances which are maintained for one two minutes, aim to increase freedom of movement and make the person aware of the various parts of the body and any stress that may be present. It is not intended that they be physically tiring or that the person should 'show off' in front of others. The aim is to concentrate on self knowledge.
It is recommended to follow some simple rules when practising yoga. First use a fully qualified therapist and practise daily if at all possible. It is always best that yoga is undertaken before mealtimes but if this is not possible then three hours must elapse after a large meal or one hour after a light meal. Comfortable clothes are essential and a folded blanket or thick rug should be placed on the ground as the base. Before commencing yoga have a bath or shower and repeat this afterwards to gain the maximum benefit. If the bladder or bowels are full it is not advisable to do yoga. Should the person have been outside on a hot or sunny day it is not recommended that yoga is practised straight afterwards, as feelings of sickness or dizziness may occur.
Yoga is believed to be of benefit to anyone, providing that they possess determination and patience. If a person has certain physical limitations then these must be taken into account with regard to their expectation but there is no age barrier. If you suffer from stress or disorder in your lives, teachers believe that you are in greater need of harmony and peace. Yoga was used in the main to encourage health in the physical and mental states and thereby act as a preventative therapy. Tension or stress was one of the main disorders for which it was used but nowadays it has been used for differing disorders hypertension, bronchitis, back pain, headaches, asthma, heart disorders, premenstrual tension and an acid stomach. Trials have also been conducted to assess its potential in treating some illnesses such as multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis and depression experienced after childbirth. Since the effects of tension are often shown by the tightening and contraction of muscles, the stretching exercises that are performed in yoga are able to release it. Also, being aware of each muscle as it is stretched encourages the person to mentally lose any stress or problems with which they have been beset. Suppleness is developed by the exercises through the use of the bending and twisting actions. This will help to maintain healthy joints, particularly for those people who lead inactive lives.
There should be no strain felt and after practise some or all of them can be done in order. As mentioned previously, it is best to check with a qualified therapist if the person is an expectant mother, suffers from hypertension, is overweight or is having their monthly period.
I have already mentioned that yoga has been used to treat some illnesses, such as rheumatoid arthritis and if a person has such a severe disorder, then a highly skilled and experienced therapist is essential. Since this form of yoga, known as therapeutic yoga, is new there is a limited number of suitably experienced therapists available. For those who wish to use yoga to maintain mental and physical health, joining a class with an instructor is perhaps the best way to proceed, so the exercises are performed correctly and any lapses in concentration can be corrected. These classes last usually in the region of an hour and are separated into sessions for beginners and those who are more proficient. Proficiency and progress are achieved by frequent practice, which can be done at home between lessons.
Most doctors now regard yoga as a type of exercise that is of benefit, although a few will recommend that patients refer to yoga practitioners. However, if a specific disorder is to be treated, it is very important that the ailment should first be seen by a doctor.
Andrew Tomkinson is an experienced writer of articles on health related subjects. He also recommends many fitness, health and nutrition products and services to improve your lifestyle and well being. Do you want to be healthier, have a better quality of life and take full advantage of the opportunities open to you? GO HERE - http://www.fitnesshealthnutrition.org
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Andrew_Tomkinson http://EzineArticles.com/?Use-Yoga-to-Improve-Your-Health-and-Well-Being&id=1531156
From its Indian origins as far back as 4000 years ago, yoga has been continually practised but it is only in the present century that its use has become more widespread. Yoga has an effect on the whole person,combining the physical, mental and spiritual sides. The word 'yoga' is derived from a Sanskrit word that means 'yoke' or 'union' and thus reflects on the practises of yoga being total in effect. For many hundreds of years in India, only a select few, such as philosophers and like-minded people with their disciples followed the way of life that yoga dictated. The leaders were known as 'yogis' and it was they who taught their followers by passing on their accumulated knowledge. These small groups of people dwelt in caves or woods, or sometimes a yogi would live like a hermit. Yoga has had quite far reaching effects over many hundreds of years in India.
The basics of yoga were defined by a yogi called Patanjali who lived about 300BC. He was a very well respected teacher and commanded great influence at that time and his classification is one that is used now. He established the fact of yoga being separated into eight different parts. The first two concern a person's lifestyle, which should be serene with the days spent in contemplation, study, maintaining cleanliness and living very simply and at peace with others. Anything that involves avarice or greed or is harmful to others has to be avoided. The third and fourth parts are concerned with physical matters and list a number of exercises that are designed to promote peace and infuse energy into both the mind and the body. The remaining four sections are concerned with the advancement of a person's soul or spirit and mental faculties by being able to isolate himself or herself from outside worries and normal life, contemplation and broadening mental faculties with the ultimate knowledge known as somadhi. Mentally, this is a complete change that gives final realisation of existence. Much more recently, yoga became available in India to everyone, in complete contrast to centuries ago.
Nowadays, the practice of yoga is not restricted to India alone, with millions of people worldwide being followers. There are five different types of yoga: raja, jnana, karma, bakti and hatha. It is this last system that is known in the west and it involves the use of exercises and positions. The other methods concentrate on matters, such as control over the mind, appreciation and intelligence or a morally correct way of life. These other methods are regarded as being of equal importance by the person completely committed to yoga as a way of life. Many people have little or no spiritual feeling. However, the basic belief in yoga is the importance of mental attitudes in establishing the physical from exercise.
In yoga it is believed that the body's essence of life (prana), is contained in the breath. Through a change in the way of breathing there can be a beneficial effect on the general health. If a person is in a heightened, emotional condition, or similar state, this will have an effect on the breathing. Therefore, if the breathing is controlled or altered, this should promote joint feelings of peace or calm, both mentally and emotionally. There is a variety of exercises and each promotes different types of breathing, such as the rib cage, shoulder and diaphragm. Some of the movements and stances in use were originally devised from the observations of animals, since they appeared to be adept at relaxation and moved with minimum effort. These stances which are maintained for one two minutes, aim to increase freedom of movement and make the person aware of the various parts of the body and any stress that may be present. It is not intended that they be physically tiring or that the person should 'show off' in front of others. The aim is to concentrate on self knowledge.
It is recommended to follow some simple rules when practising yoga. First use a fully qualified therapist and practise daily if at all possible. It is always best that yoga is undertaken before mealtimes but if this is not possible then three hours must elapse after a large meal or one hour after a light meal. Comfortable clothes are essential and a folded blanket or thick rug should be placed on the ground as the base. Before commencing yoga have a bath or shower and repeat this afterwards to gain the maximum benefit. If the bladder or bowels are full it is not advisable to do yoga. Should the person have been outside on a hot or sunny day it is not recommended that yoga is practised straight afterwards, as feelings of sickness or dizziness may occur.
Yoga is believed to be of benefit to anyone, providing that they possess determination and patience. If a person has certain physical limitations then these must be taken into account with regard to their expectation but there is no age barrier. If you suffer from stress or disorder in your lives, teachers believe that you are in greater need of harmony and peace. Yoga was used in the main to encourage health in the physical and mental states and thereby act as a preventative therapy. Tension or stress was one of the main disorders for which it was used but nowadays it has been used for differing disorders hypertension, bronchitis, back pain, headaches, asthma, heart disorders, premenstrual tension and an acid stomach. Trials have also been conducted to assess its potential in treating some illnesses such as multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis and depression experienced after childbirth. Since the effects of tension are often shown by the tightening and contraction of muscles, the stretching exercises that are performed in yoga are able to release it. Also, being aware of each muscle as it is stretched encourages the person to mentally lose any stress or problems with which they have been beset. Suppleness is developed by the exercises through the use of the bending and twisting actions. This will help to maintain healthy joints, particularly for those people who lead inactive lives.
There should be no strain felt and after practise some or all of them can be done in order. As mentioned previously, it is best to check with a qualified therapist if the person is an expectant mother, suffers from hypertension, is overweight or is having their monthly period.
I have already mentioned that yoga has been used to treat some illnesses, such as rheumatoid arthritis and if a person has such a severe disorder, then a highly skilled and experienced therapist is essential. Since this form of yoga, known as therapeutic yoga, is new there is a limited number of suitably experienced therapists available. For those who wish to use yoga to maintain mental and physical health, joining a class with an instructor is perhaps the best way to proceed, so the exercises are performed correctly and any lapses in concentration can be corrected. These classes last usually in the region of an hour and are separated into sessions for beginners and those who are more proficient. Proficiency and progress are achieved by frequent practice, which can be done at home between lessons.
Most doctors now regard yoga as a type of exercise that is of benefit, although a few will recommend that patients refer to yoga practitioners. However, if a specific disorder is to be treated, it is very important that the ailment should first be seen by a doctor.
Andrew Tomkinson is an experienced writer of articles on health related subjects. He also recommends many fitness, health and nutrition products and services to improve your lifestyle and well being. Do you want to be healthier, have a better quality of life and take full advantage of the opportunities open to you? GO HERE - http://www.fitnesshealthnutrition.org
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Andrew_Tomkinson http://EzineArticles.com/?Use-Yoga-to-Improve-Your-Health-and-Well-Being&id=1531156
Six Branches of Yoga
Yoga is an ancient tradition from the Eastern world, and these oldest practitioners tended to look at yoga as a tree with six branches. What all six have in common are the asanas (the physical positions and movements), Pranayama (the structured breathing or breath control), meditation and a strong moral code.
1. Hatha Yoga
In Indian, "ha" means sun and "tha" means moon. Hatha yoga refers to these twin energy channels in the body. Its goal is to prepare the body for the more pure state of meditation to come in the 2nd branch. Hatha yoga was brought to us by an Indian yogi attempting to purify the body to make it fit for higher meditation. Western yoga is almost completely the Hatha yoga branch, and Westerners find mental and physical comfort in the first branch alone.
2. Raja Yoga
Raja and Hatha Yoga are highly interrelated. Raja means "royal" in Indian, and in the royal tradition, this branch of yoga has eight included branches as follows:
- niyama - self discipline - asana - positions - pranayama - breath control - pratyahara - sensory deprivation - dharana - meditation - samadhi - ecstasy
Raja yoga is often practiced by religious leaders and monastery dwellers. However, anyone can find benefits in the practice of raja yoga.
3. Karma Yoga
The basic teaching of karma yoga is that what we do and how we behave today will influence our happiness and fulfilment in the future, or a future lifetime. Understanding this cosmic principle helps us to create our current environment with love and positivity in order to forestall negativity in our future. Practitioners of karma yoga lead a life of selfless devotion and service to those less fortunate.
4. Bhakti Yoga
Bhakti is a Sanskrit term meaning love of God and mankind. Practice of bhakti involves controlling and channeling emotions and having tolerance for all who come into our lives.
5. Jnana Yoga
Jnana yoga is the branch of the intellect. Practitioners pursue scholarly paths, usually those of yoga masters or other spiritual traditions. In our Western religious culture, the Jnana yoga practitioner may be likened to the Jesuit priest, the Kabala scholars or Benedictine monks.
6. Tantra Yoga
Tantra yoga prioritizes ritual as the best way to experience the divine. The Sanskrit word tantra translates to weave or loom. Rituals in everyday life lead to a recognition of the divine in everyday life which leads, in turn, to a reverent attitude in everyday actions.
Tantra yoga is the most misunderstood of the six branches. The ancient book, "The Kama Sutra" is a well-known example of this misunderstanding of the real goal of tantra yoga. It is a book of sexual positions and techniques, and in Westernized yoga tradition, tantra yoga has become associated almost exclusively with these published sexual practices. Worldwide, however, most schools teaching this branch of yoga recommend celibacy.
When finally understood by Westerners, tantra's ritualizations of everyday events appeal to them. Western civilizations tend to make rituals of everyday events anyway - births, deaths, weddings, going to church, forming clubs, and all the many various ceremonies and celebrations commonly held are all tightly related to tantra yoga rituals.
One of the best things about the six branches of yoga is that you are not limited to just one, or to a series. You can pick and choose what you want to practice when. Follow your own path using yoga as your toolbox.
Michael RussellYour Independent guide to [http://yoga.tips-and-gear.com/]Yoga
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Russell http://EzineArticles.com/?Six-Branches-of-Yoga&id=636724
Yoga is an ancient tradition from the Eastern world, and these oldest practitioners tended to look at yoga as a tree with six branches. What all six have in common are the asanas (the physical positions and movements), Pranayama (the structured breathing or breath control), meditation and a strong moral code.
1. Hatha Yoga
In Indian, "ha" means sun and "tha" means moon. Hatha yoga refers to these twin energy channels in the body. Its goal is to prepare the body for the more pure state of meditation to come in the 2nd branch. Hatha yoga was brought to us by an Indian yogi attempting to purify the body to make it fit for higher meditation. Western yoga is almost completely the Hatha yoga branch, and Westerners find mental and physical comfort in the first branch alone.
2. Raja Yoga
Raja and Hatha Yoga are highly interrelated. Raja means "royal" in Indian, and in the royal tradition, this branch of yoga has eight included branches as follows:
- niyama - self discipline - asana - positions - pranayama - breath control - pratyahara - sensory deprivation - dharana - meditation - samadhi - ecstasy
Raja yoga is often practiced by religious leaders and monastery dwellers. However, anyone can find benefits in the practice of raja yoga.
3. Karma Yoga
The basic teaching of karma yoga is that what we do and how we behave today will influence our happiness and fulfilment in the future, or a future lifetime. Understanding this cosmic principle helps us to create our current environment with love and positivity in order to forestall negativity in our future. Practitioners of karma yoga lead a life of selfless devotion and service to those less fortunate.
4. Bhakti Yoga
Bhakti is a Sanskrit term meaning love of God and mankind. Practice of bhakti involves controlling and channeling emotions and having tolerance for all who come into our lives.
5. Jnana Yoga
Jnana yoga is the branch of the intellect. Practitioners pursue scholarly paths, usually those of yoga masters or other spiritual traditions. In our Western religious culture, the Jnana yoga practitioner may be likened to the Jesuit priest, the Kabala scholars or Benedictine monks.
6. Tantra Yoga
Tantra yoga prioritizes ritual as the best way to experience the divine. The Sanskrit word tantra translates to weave or loom. Rituals in everyday life lead to a recognition of the divine in everyday life which leads, in turn, to a reverent attitude in everyday actions.
Tantra yoga is the most misunderstood of the six branches. The ancient book, "The Kama Sutra" is a well-known example of this misunderstanding of the real goal of tantra yoga. It is a book of sexual positions and techniques, and in Westernized yoga tradition, tantra yoga has become associated almost exclusively with these published sexual practices. Worldwide, however, most schools teaching this branch of yoga recommend celibacy.
When finally understood by Westerners, tantra's ritualizations of everyday events appeal to them. Western civilizations tend to make rituals of everyday events anyway - births, deaths, weddings, going to church, forming clubs, and all the many various ceremonies and celebrations commonly held are all tightly related to tantra yoga rituals.
One of the best things about the six branches of yoga is that you are not limited to just one, or to a series. You can pick and choose what you want to practice when. Follow your own path using yoga as your toolbox.
Michael RussellYour Independent guide to [http://yoga.tips-and-gear.com/]Yoga
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Basic Yoga - What You Need to Know
Basic Yoga is simple to carry out as you do not need to work on any apparatus and the whole session lasts not more than 30 minutes. All you need is a yoga mat and some space. Then it is all the resiliency of your amazing body that is in use to perform the various yoga exercises and asanas. You may have seen yoga practitioners do things that you may have thought impossible for you to do. Never fear because your body is an amazing piece of machinery that can be tuned to do wondrous feats and go into the various asanas. You may not be able to do them immediately as you will have to undergo prior conditioning before going into the advanced asanas, to avoid injury. Prior and constant practice of basic yoga techniques is necessary in order to execute the advanced asanas safely and successfully.
Over the 5,000 years that yoga has been in existence, the yoga masters has been said to have compiled more than 8,400,000 asanas or yoga positions. For beginners, they are recommended and taught not more than 12 basic yoga positions.
Even though one does not aspire to master advanced yoga positions, the benefits of practising basic yoga exercises is sill not discounted, irrespective of the school of thought followed.
Practicing basic yoga will lead to a greater awareness of oneself and of nature. One will experience improved balance, strength and flexibility. Yoga develops improved internal organ functions, an improved immune system and a reduction of the symptoms of many chronic diseases. All kinds of yoga aids relaxation and reduce tension and fatigue.
Body Movements of Yoga
Basic yoga involves seven types of body movements including circumfusion, flexion, abduction, adduction, rotation, extension and hyperextension. Combinations of these body movements are used to create the yoga stances and positions. These movements are combined with breathing exercises and concentration to consolidate the whole process. Breathing is employed in coming into an asana, holding an asana and in coming out of it. You may learn basic yoga from any qualified instructor or use an educational video as an alternative.
Alex is a full-time freelance writer and researcher on alternative health, weight loss and fitness program.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Alex_Connor http://EzineArticles.com/?Basic-Yoga---What-You-Need-to-Know&id=1762669
Basic Yoga is simple to carry out as you do not need to work on any apparatus and the whole session lasts not more than 30 minutes. All you need is a yoga mat and some space. Then it is all the resiliency of your amazing body that is in use to perform the various yoga exercises and asanas. You may have seen yoga practitioners do things that you may have thought impossible for you to do. Never fear because your body is an amazing piece of machinery that can be tuned to do wondrous feats and go into the various asanas. You may not be able to do them immediately as you will have to undergo prior conditioning before going into the advanced asanas, to avoid injury. Prior and constant practice of basic yoga techniques is necessary in order to execute the advanced asanas safely and successfully.
Over the 5,000 years that yoga has been in existence, the yoga masters has been said to have compiled more than 8,400,000 asanas or yoga positions. For beginners, they are recommended and taught not more than 12 basic yoga positions.
Even though one does not aspire to master advanced yoga positions, the benefits of practising basic yoga exercises is sill not discounted, irrespective of the school of thought followed.
Practicing basic yoga will lead to a greater awareness of oneself and of nature. One will experience improved balance, strength and flexibility. Yoga develops improved internal organ functions, an improved immune system and a reduction of the symptoms of many chronic diseases. All kinds of yoga aids relaxation and reduce tension and fatigue.
Body Movements of Yoga
Basic yoga involves seven types of body movements including circumfusion, flexion, abduction, adduction, rotation, extension and hyperextension. Combinations of these body movements are used to create the yoga stances and positions. These movements are combined with breathing exercises and concentration to consolidate the whole process. Breathing is employed in coming into an asana, holding an asana and in coming out of it. You may learn basic yoga from any qualified instructor or use an educational video as an alternative.
Alex is a full-time freelance writer and researcher on alternative health, weight loss and fitness program.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Alex_Connor http://EzineArticles.com/?Basic-Yoga---What-You-Need-to-Know&id=1762669
Prenatal Yoga For Women
What is it? As many may know by now, or not, the word 'Yoga' is derived from an ancient Indian word which translates into "union". Yoga is a practice of poses and postures connected to the development of a person's body strength and flexibility. Different poses or postures have, in themselves, different benefits.
Although it may look easy to a stranger's eye, the alignment of postures are physically challenging for beginners, many of them may giggle at the awkwardness of their posture. I've personally thought and still think that yoga is a slow activity yet I find myself sweating profusely than any other sport that I've tried.
Prenatal Yoga (also known as pregnancy yoga) helps a pregnant mother to 'slow down', literally. During pregnancy, there will be many changes taking place in the human (mother's) body. Hormonal changes, circulatory system changes, respiratory changes, body temperature changes to name a few.
Prenatal Yoga helps and encourages women to adapt to these changes in a positive manner - positive growth. The yoga stretches and poses help in strengthening the birthing muscles, improves blood circulation, reduces backache that are common among pregnant women, reduces anxiety and postpartum yoga quickens the recovery process.
Mental Power
Yoga itself is a physical practice but it starts and ends with the mind. Firstly, free your mind and do not think of anything else during your yoga sessions. Keep in mind that you DO NOT HAVE TO worry about chores, responsibilities and a hundred other things. The priority is me, myself and I.
Second of all, be patient. Yoga is not a get-healthy-quick scheme. Yoga is health program by means of determination, persistence and perseverance. Results may not show immediately as it varies from individuals but the one thing that is certain; the most profound results of yoga are achieved after sometime and not the early stages of practice.
Last but not least, consistent by frequency is the key of yoga. Do it every day and make sure that you do it. Yoga cannot work under 'do-whenever-I-feel-like' circumstances, the right momentum is required.
Common Techniques
There are few common techniques that are recommended for pregnancy. DO NOT ATTEMPT WITHOUT FIRST SEEKING EXPERT ADVICE - I'm merely showing what it's about.
Backbend - Known as the bridge pose, is to lie on your back and bend your knees thereby lifting our hips by the strength of your thighs. This technique or posture strengthens your spine and thus spinal flexibility.
Cat and Cow Stretch - is to pose on all fours (hands and legs) like how a toddler crawls. Keep your spine straightened as a neutral pose. Cow stretch is done by attempting to look at the ceiling by first movement of the tail bone then the spine and finally the neck. Cat stretch is the opposite movement of cow stretch, attempting to look at your abdomen/stomach by first moving the tailbone, followed by spine then neck. Repeat poses alternately.
These are good for beginners to start with. For other poses, seek appropriate instructions:
Cobbler's pose, extended triangle pose, goddess pose, half-moon pose, knee to ankle pose, pelvic tilts and one-legged pigeon pose.
What is it? As many may know by now, or not, the word 'Yoga' is derived from an ancient Indian word which translates into "union". Yoga is a practice of poses and postures connected to the development of a person's body strength and flexibility. Different poses or postures have, in themselves, different benefits.
Although it may look easy to a stranger's eye, the alignment of postures are physically challenging for beginners, many of them may giggle at the awkwardness of their posture. I've personally thought and still think that yoga is a slow activity yet I find myself sweating profusely than any other sport that I've tried.
Prenatal Yoga (also known as pregnancy yoga) helps a pregnant mother to 'slow down', literally. During pregnancy, there will be many changes taking place in the human (mother's) body. Hormonal changes, circulatory system changes, respiratory changes, body temperature changes to name a few.
Prenatal Yoga helps and encourages women to adapt to these changes in a positive manner - positive growth. The yoga stretches and poses help in strengthening the birthing muscles, improves blood circulation, reduces backache that are common among pregnant women, reduces anxiety and postpartum yoga quickens the recovery process.
Mental Power
Yoga itself is a physical practice but it starts and ends with the mind. Firstly, free your mind and do not think of anything else during your yoga sessions. Keep in mind that you DO NOT HAVE TO worry about chores, responsibilities and a hundred other things. The priority is me, myself and I.
Second of all, be patient. Yoga is not a get-healthy-quick scheme. Yoga is health program by means of determination, persistence and perseverance. Results may not show immediately as it varies from individuals but the one thing that is certain; the most profound results of yoga are achieved after sometime and not the early stages of practice.
Last but not least, consistent by frequency is the key of yoga. Do it every day and make sure that you do it. Yoga cannot work under 'do-whenever-I-feel-like' circumstances, the right momentum is required.
Common Techniques
There are few common techniques that are recommended for pregnancy. DO NOT ATTEMPT WITHOUT FIRST SEEKING EXPERT ADVICE - I'm merely showing what it's about.
Backbend - Known as the bridge pose, is to lie on your back and bend your knees thereby lifting our hips by the strength of your thighs. This technique or posture strengthens your spine and thus spinal flexibility.
Cat and Cow Stretch - is to pose on all fours (hands and legs) like how a toddler crawls. Keep your spine straightened as a neutral pose. Cow stretch is done by attempting to look at the ceiling by first movement of the tail bone then the spine and finally the neck. Cat stretch is the opposite movement of cow stretch, attempting to look at your abdomen/stomach by first moving the tailbone, followed by spine then neck. Repeat poses alternately.
These are good for beginners to start with. For other poses, seek appropriate instructions:
Cobbler's pose, extended triangle pose, goddess pose, half-moon pose, knee to ankle pose, pelvic tilts and one-legged pigeon pose.
The Wonderful Benefits Derived From Yoga For Women
Because women have also had a tendency to be more emotional than men, and emotional pressure and stress can have a profound effect on a woman's health. It's been proven many times that emotional distress can translate into various illnesses or physical weakness. Factor such as hormonal change can also have an affect on a woman's health. For this reason many women find yoga is an excellent solution to these health issues that to some extent are unavoidable.
As a woman progresses through her life, different issues can arise. Many women suffer extensively from premenstrual syndrome and menstrual cramps. Menopause incorporates substantial hormonal changes, and can often lead to increased levels of stress for women. Pregnancy is another major change in a woman's life, bringing with it change and stress to the body. During pregnancy it's also possible that health problems of the mother can be reflected in the health of the baby, so naturally the mother wants to be as healthy as possible for the whole pregnancy. Yoga is a great solution to these varied issues, making it easier for women to deal with these health obstacles through their lives.
It's quite common for women to prepare for the last months of pregnancy and labor using yoga. Every mother wants to deliver her baby without any type of complication, and being fit and healthy is a big part of helping that to happen. Certain yoga poses, including the cat pose and the fish yoga pose, are excellent for assisting the mother to develop both the physical strength and mental focus required for labor. Yoga has also been shown to reduce the effects of other pregnancy issues, including morning sickness. Many yoga stretches help to relax and strengthen the pelvic muscles, which makes them function more effectively during birth. And yoga breathing techniques can be used during birth to help the mother focus on the delivery rather than any pain involved in giving birth.
Having a young baby can be very tiring, so women in the postnatal period often turn to yoga to improve their energy levels and vitality. Using the fish yoga pose is great for increasing the processing of oxygen and improving relaxation. The back and neck muscles are also strengthened in this pose, and it has the added benefit of improving nervous system responses. If you're looking to spend a period of time in meditation, then the hero yoga pose is one of the best.
Another popular yoga pose is the cat pose, regardless of age or physical condition. This is because it's particularly good for increasing the flexibility of the spinal column, as well as relaxing the lower back muscles. These muscles carry the weight of the whole upper body when you're standing for long periods of time. Interestingly, the specific position used in the cat pose helps to increase kidney blood irrigation. The cat pose is often followed by the headstand, which can be difficult to master but also produces great results. Reversing gravity in the body allows many parts to rest in a way they normally never do. It's also great for relieving lower back muscle pressure and back pain.
Because women have also had a tendency to be more emotional than men, and emotional pressure and stress can have a profound effect on a woman's health. It's been proven many times that emotional distress can translate into various illnesses or physical weakness. Factor such as hormonal change can also have an affect on a woman's health. For this reason many women find yoga is an excellent solution to these health issues that to some extent are unavoidable.
As a woman progresses through her life, different issues can arise. Many women suffer extensively from premenstrual syndrome and menstrual cramps. Menopause incorporates substantial hormonal changes, and can often lead to increased levels of stress for women. Pregnancy is another major change in a woman's life, bringing with it change and stress to the body. During pregnancy it's also possible that health problems of the mother can be reflected in the health of the baby, so naturally the mother wants to be as healthy as possible for the whole pregnancy. Yoga is a great solution to these varied issues, making it easier for women to deal with these health obstacles through their lives.
It's quite common for women to prepare for the last months of pregnancy and labor using yoga. Every mother wants to deliver her baby without any type of complication, and being fit and healthy is a big part of helping that to happen. Certain yoga poses, including the cat pose and the fish yoga pose, are excellent for assisting the mother to develop both the physical strength and mental focus required for labor. Yoga has also been shown to reduce the effects of other pregnancy issues, including morning sickness. Many yoga stretches help to relax and strengthen the pelvic muscles, which makes them function more effectively during birth. And yoga breathing techniques can be used during birth to help the mother focus on the delivery rather than any pain involved in giving birth.
Having a young baby can be very tiring, so women in the postnatal period often turn to yoga to improve their energy levels and vitality. Using the fish yoga pose is great for increasing the processing of oxygen and improving relaxation. The back and neck muscles are also strengthened in this pose, and it has the added benefit of improving nervous system responses. If you're looking to spend a period of time in meditation, then the hero yoga pose is one of the best.
Another popular yoga pose is the cat pose, regardless of age or physical condition. This is because it's particularly good for increasing the flexibility of the spinal column, as well as relaxing the lower back muscles. These muscles carry the weight of the whole upper body when you're standing for long periods of time. Interestingly, the specific position used in the cat pose helps to increase kidney blood irrigation. The cat pose is often followed by the headstand, which can be difficult to master but also produces great results. Reversing gravity in the body allows many parts to rest in a way they normally never do. It's also great for relieving lower back muscle pressure and back pain.
Yoga For Women - The Best Exercises
The "WARRIOR POSE III": Start in the Mountain Pose with the heels slightly apart, big toes touching, straight legs, chest lifted, and the pelvis in a neutral position. Placing hands on hips, step back with his right foot, so that only the right toes touching the ground, all of your weight on your left foot.
Keep your right leg extended in a straight line as you begin to lean from the hip. Balance the length of the body, from the right heel to your fingertips, on the left leg until your torso parallel to the ground. Keep your weight evenly distributed through the inner and outer heel by hips level. Start with 5 breathing cycles and progress to 15.
Lift your torso and return to the mountain pose, repeat on the other side.
The "PLANK POSE", and "SIDE-PLANK POSE":
Start on your hands and knees, hands directly under shoulders, knees under your hips. Move your feet back until the legs are straight and you are balancing on your toes, feet together. Keep the shoulders back and pulled down, arms straight. This is called the "PLANK POSE".
Press the ankles together, go to the outside of the left foot, hold stacked feet, legs to the right. Lift the right direction then ceiling on them. Let your abs to support your body without clamping and crunching. Then the bottom right hand to the ground, rolling to the right and the return to the PLANK POSE. Please do not forget to repeat on the other side. Hold each breath for 5 cycles.
Harrison Collins is a SEO expert, leading in the field of web content writing, writing wide range of articles on different topics like finance, business, dating, health and many more.
The "WARRIOR POSE III": Start in the Mountain Pose with the heels slightly apart, big toes touching, straight legs, chest lifted, and the pelvis in a neutral position. Placing hands on hips, step back with his right foot, so that only the right toes touching the ground, all of your weight on your left foot.
Keep your right leg extended in a straight line as you begin to lean from the hip. Balance the length of the body, from the right heel to your fingertips, on the left leg until your torso parallel to the ground. Keep your weight evenly distributed through the inner and outer heel by hips level. Start with 5 breathing cycles and progress to 15.
Lift your torso and return to the mountain pose, repeat on the other side.
The "PLANK POSE", and "SIDE-PLANK POSE":
Start on your hands and knees, hands directly under shoulders, knees under your hips. Move your feet back until the legs are straight and you are balancing on your toes, feet together. Keep the shoulders back and pulled down, arms straight. This is called the "PLANK POSE".
Press the ankles together, go to the outside of the left foot, hold stacked feet, legs to the right. Lift the right direction then ceiling on them. Let your abs to support your body without clamping and crunching. Then the bottom right hand to the ground, rolling to the right and the return to the PLANK POSE. Please do not forget to repeat on the other side. Hold each breath for 5 cycles.
Harrison Collins is a SEO expert, leading in the field of web content writing, writing wide range of articles on different topics like finance, business, dating, health and many more.
Yoga For Women - Three Basic Breathing Exercises to Beat Stress
As a busy working woman your life is full. There are bills to pay, clothes to wash, dreams to pursue, maybe children to care for, work projects to complete and me-time to fit-in.
With so many tasks and activities to complete in a day, how do you mange to stay calm and stress-free. During the course of your day, there will be times when you feel frustrated, upset, overwhelmed and maybe lonely.
Sometimes, the full glory of life hits you right in the face and you do not know what to do.
Maybe you are going through a difficult time in your relationship and you feel drained and low on energy, or your child may be being bullied at school and you wonder how best to support her through this.
When you feel overwhelmed and concerned about personal or work matters, what can you do to keep the gremlins at bay and remain focused, upbeat and creative? How do you maintain your sense of inner calm and tranquility with so many opposing and conflicting demands made on your time?
Your breath is your link to improved health, emotional stability and well-being. Learning how to breathe correctly is vital to help keep you balanced and calm. Ancient yoga philosophy says we are all born with a set number of breaths - therefore, it makes sense to use the breath we have efficiently.
Practice the following three basic yoga breathing exercises anytime during your day, when you feel stressed, tired or exhausted. Better still, why not try waking up a few minutes earlier, picking a breathing practice and trying it out before you engage with your day. That way, you start the day on a much clearer and more focused way.
As with all yoga breathing exercises, be gentle, respect and listen to your body. If you feel uncomfortable, stop the exercise and return to normal breathing.
1. Counted Breath
Sit comfortably, with a nice straight spine and your feet firmly resting on the floor, close your eyes and take a long steady breath in through your nose and slowly breathe out through your nose. Do this for 3 more times as it helps to calm and clear your mind. Next breathe in slowly for a count of three and slowly breathe out for a count of six. Repeat this sequence of breathing in for 3 and out for 6 for 3 - 7 rounds. Slowly open your eyes and be aware of how calm and relaxed you feel.
2. Rainbow Breathing
Sit in a comfortable position, with your spine straight and body relaxed. Close your eyes and visualise a rainbow. See all seven colours of the rainbow. Choose any colour or combination of colours from your rainbow. Imagine slowly breathing in this colour/s through your nose and slowly breathing it out. Allow each breath to gradually deepen and travel throughout your body. Feel the tension in your body leave you as breathe your colour in and around and through your body. Continue with this practice until you feel ready to get up and reconnect with your day.
3. Deep Yogic Breathing Either sit comfortably, arms relaxed, nice straight spine and feet resting firmly on the floor or lie down on your bed. Place your right palm on your lower abdomen and your left palm on your upper chest, just below your collar bones. Breathe slowly in through your nose and as you do so, consciously focus on sending your breath from your right hand up to your left hand, be aware of the hands raising on the in-breath and slowly lowering on the out breathe. Repeat this deep yogic breathing for 3 - 7 more times, each time, allowing the breath to be fuller and deeper.
From personal practice and experience, I find the Deep Yogic Breathing Exercise particularly useful to help me unwind at night-time. When I go to bed, I lie on my bed, put my hands in place and just breathe slowly and deeply; my focus on my hands, moving up and down with each breathe, until I fall asleep. Try it and see how it works for you.
As you practice these breathing exercises, you will find your favourite exercise. Stick with it and see what difference it makes to your mood.
Ntathu Allen, Yoga and Meditation Teacher works with working women to inspire and support you feel the fun and joy of living in the now. She teaches you simple yoga relaxation techniques, prayers and guided meditations which empower you to live a fuller, brighter and happier life with the side benefit of helping you achieve anything you have ever desired. To find out more go to: http://www.yogainspires.co.uk and sign up for your copy of Ntathu's free monthly yoga Inspires enewsletter and regular weekly meditations and inspirations.
As a busy working woman your life is full. There are bills to pay, clothes to wash, dreams to pursue, maybe children to care for, work projects to complete and me-time to fit-in.
With so many tasks and activities to complete in a day, how do you mange to stay calm and stress-free. During the course of your day, there will be times when you feel frustrated, upset, overwhelmed and maybe lonely.
Sometimes, the full glory of life hits you right in the face and you do not know what to do.
Maybe you are going through a difficult time in your relationship and you feel drained and low on energy, or your child may be being bullied at school and you wonder how best to support her through this.
When you feel overwhelmed and concerned about personal or work matters, what can you do to keep the gremlins at bay and remain focused, upbeat and creative? How do you maintain your sense of inner calm and tranquility with so many opposing and conflicting demands made on your time?
Your breath is your link to improved health, emotional stability and well-being. Learning how to breathe correctly is vital to help keep you balanced and calm. Ancient yoga philosophy says we are all born with a set number of breaths - therefore, it makes sense to use the breath we have efficiently.
Practice the following three basic yoga breathing exercises anytime during your day, when you feel stressed, tired or exhausted. Better still, why not try waking up a few minutes earlier, picking a breathing practice and trying it out before you engage with your day. That way, you start the day on a much clearer and more focused way.
As with all yoga breathing exercises, be gentle, respect and listen to your body. If you feel uncomfortable, stop the exercise and return to normal breathing.
1. Counted Breath
Sit comfortably, with a nice straight spine and your feet firmly resting on the floor, close your eyes and take a long steady breath in through your nose and slowly breathe out through your nose. Do this for 3 more times as it helps to calm and clear your mind. Next breathe in slowly for a count of three and slowly breathe out for a count of six. Repeat this sequence of breathing in for 3 and out for 6 for 3 - 7 rounds. Slowly open your eyes and be aware of how calm and relaxed you feel.
2. Rainbow Breathing
Sit in a comfortable position, with your spine straight and body relaxed. Close your eyes and visualise a rainbow. See all seven colours of the rainbow. Choose any colour or combination of colours from your rainbow. Imagine slowly breathing in this colour/s through your nose and slowly breathing it out. Allow each breath to gradually deepen and travel throughout your body. Feel the tension in your body leave you as breathe your colour in and around and through your body. Continue with this practice until you feel ready to get up and reconnect with your day.
3. Deep Yogic Breathing Either sit comfortably, arms relaxed, nice straight spine and feet resting firmly on the floor or lie down on your bed. Place your right palm on your lower abdomen and your left palm on your upper chest, just below your collar bones. Breathe slowly in through your nose and as you do so, consciously focus on sending your breath from your right hand up to your left hand, be aware of the hands raising on the in-breath and slowly lowering on the out breathe. Repeat this deep yogic breathing for 3 - 7 more times, each time, allowing the breath to be fuller and deeper.
From personal practice and experience, I find the Deep Yogic Breathing Exercise particularly useful to help me unwind at night-time. When I go to bed, I lie on my bed, put my hands in place and just breathe slowly and deeply; my focus on my hands, moving up and down with each breathe, until I fall asleep. Try it and see how it works for you.
As you practice these breathing exercises, you will find your favourite exercise. Stick with it and see what difference it makes to your mood.
Ntathu Allen, Yoga and Meditation Teacher works with working women to inspire and support you feel the fun and joy of living in the now. She teaches you simple yoga relaxation techniques, prayers and guided meditations which empower you to live a fuller, brighter and happier life with the side benefit of helping you achieve anything you have ever desired. To find out more go to: http://www.yogainspires.co.uk and sign up for your copy of Ntathu's free monthly yoga Inspires enewsletter and regular weekly meditations and inspirations.
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