Yoga for your heart

Here is a fresh viewpoint about Yoga's holistic approach toward heart health.

Are you tired of watching commercials about how your "bad diet" causes all of your heart problems? What about people who eat healthy and have heart disease?

These commercials are usually prescription drug advertisements, which profile everyone with heart disease in a negative light. They profile you as negligent, and smother you with guilt, by giving you a solution to all of your problems with a pill.

Let's face it - there are times, in life, when each of us may have to take a prescription. Pharmaceutical drugs save lives, whether we want to take them or not. Yet, there are adjunct solutions to heart health, and Yoga is one of them.

Yoga has many ways to address your heart health. Most of the Yogic methods address stress, and anxiety, that can damage your heart over time. Many people do not realize the amount of heart damage that stress causes over the long term.

In Yoga, there are healthy vegetarian diet options, which you can adopt for life. Most people will readily admit that vegetarian diets will extend your life and decrease your chances of heart attack. This does not mean that a vegetarian diet insures that you will never have a heart attack.

Sorry, there are no "guarantees by the manufacturer" on your heart. Sometimes, the heart just stops. Your heart runs on electricity, and without it, your heart will stop. Some newborn babies have congenital heart defects. In fact, the heart is a very fragile mechanism.

Yet, what if you eat a vegetarian diet and have a genetic heart defect in your family tree; are you still at risk because of genetics? Unfortunately, heredity can override the positive conditions you place on your heart. Yet, giving up is not an option, if you want to live.

Therefore, a diet with reduced, or no meat, increases your chances of heart health. If you come from a meat-eating culture, this can be difficult, but not impossible. At home, you can substitute veggie dogs, veggie sausage, and veggie burgers, for meat. There are many competing brands these days, and they offer many choices.

Even restaurants offer more vegetarian choices than they did ten years ago. At most local restaurants, you can easily order meals without the meat. Last year, I noticed many new vegetarian choices in the parks at Disney World.

Obviously, keeping your body in motion will help your heart. Yoga asanas and flowing posture sequences will help, but these methods also purge your mind of negative thoughts. With that said, practice any time you have the time.

If you are new to Yoga, please find a local instructor to teach you how to meditate, the intricacies of Yoga Nidra (Yogic sleep), and Pranayama (Yogic breathing). All of the above methods will reduce your risk of heart attack.

Weight loss with Yoga

Weight loss with Yoga is possible but also involves eating a balanced diet and performing some postured based exercises. There are cases where obese individuals have lost weight while performing Yoga, but the primary requirement is dedication. If one simply performs Yoga without a change in lifestyle, you will be greatly disappointed.

O It reduces weight in a lasting and permanent way without causing any side effect to health, beauty and physical or mental condition. O It doesn't cost to correct obesity. There is no disturbance to your normal life or a possibility of regaining the same weight even if yoga practice is discontinued.

Yoga's balanced and multi-dimensional approach to health and wellbeing, ensures that the weight loss is not just rapid, but is also natural and safe. One should always begin with warming up the body including a bit of stretching and relaxation exercises. If you lie on the floor with arms at the sides and with legs slightly apart, it is a good start.

The holistic and energy oriented Pranayama combines using the BODY, BREATH and MIND to help you lose weight and attain your ideal body. Ayama means the control of the Prana, which signifies life or breath which indeed is the key to life.

Everyone has to breathe to live. Breathing is a physical action that allows one to absorb oxygen from the air. The process also allows you to remove the excess carbon dioxide. In yoga, breathing is a vital part of the process. One should start to practice breathing in from the nose and not from the mouth. While breathing is usually accomplished with the use of chest muscles, one can also take deep breaths using the abdominal muscles. The abdomen can pull down on the diaphragm and this will ensure a deeper breath and ensure more oxygen. This movement also helps with the function of the intestine and process of food absorption.

The middle part of the chest (thorax): Put the hands on either side of the ribs. Inhale slowly inflating the sides thoroughly, then exhale and repeat several times. The process purifies blood, improves circulation and calms the heart. The upper part of the chest or collar bones (clavicle): Put hands on each side of clavicle. Contract the stomach slightly. Inhale slowly pushing the clavicle upwards, then begin to exhale pushing it downwards. Repeat several times. The process cleans and fortifies the upper chest.

Meditation is the ability to develop a stable posture and then allow the mind to concentrate. The process allows one to control the body. People, who meditate for years, have great ability to control various bodily functions like blood flow, breathing, and calming of the nerves. There are many postures for meditation. The simplest is to the Padmasana. Here you place the right foot on the left thigh and then the left foot on the right thigh. The hands should be placed on the knees. With the body straight and rigid, one should start the breathing exercises.

Rules to practice Pranayama or Yoga O Start practice not before the age of eight to ten years. O Yoga exercise is equally useful for both sexes: male and female. O Always practice in a peaceful, calm, noiseless and airy environment. O Wear clothes which are sufficient to protect the body. O Avoid wearing tight clothes.

Yoga should be done on empty stomach. Therefore eat at least 2-3 hrs before your practice. Children under the age of 12 years should be guided by an Instructor. Normal breathing should be maintained while performing yoga postures.

Prior to beginning any Yoga classes, it is important that one warm up. This means stretching the muscles of the hands and legs. While any form of stretching exercise can be done to warm up the body, one can also for briskly for 10-15 minutes to get the same result. Once the Yoga classes are complete, it is important to rest and let the body cool down. Most people will feel relaxed, agile and calm after a yoga exercise. Some describe the feeling as flying in space. Individuals who are obese or over weight should not risk jogging for fear of causing joint injury or falls. Some exercises like weight lifting can also lead to excessive damage of the joints.

O Cool down after exercising a session with slow and gentle stretches. O Consult a doctor or a yoga teacher before embarking on any yogic exercise program, especially when you are above 45 years of age, pregnant, have a personal or family history of high blood pressure or heart problem. Too much and too fast yogic practice does not provide instant results; these simply lead to injuries, aches and pains.

How Yoga Can Enhance Your Life

Although Yoga is very old, it has only recently achieved more mainstream focus. The celebrity endorsement from people such as Madonna has helped it grow in popularity.

However, Yoga is more than just the latest celebrity fad. It can hugely enhance our lives and give us many physical and mental benefits.

Yoga actually massages internal organs. Many of these including the prostate barely receive any stimulation during the lifetime. Yoga can actually massage these and reduce risk of disease or provide warning signs at the first possible instance.

Yoga features many different positions and exercises. These positions work many different ligaments, tendons and joints and hugely increase the practitioner's flexibility. They will use joints that has never really be used or effectively exercised before. Yoga also assists with lubricating joints.

Because Yoga can be quite intensive exercise, it can provide high levels of toning to the body. We have seen the likes of Madonna and how it has massively kept her in shape as she enters her fifties.

Yoga can help clean out the body of toxins by assisting with effective blood flow to all of the parts of the body.

The great thing is that all of these benefits that are offered from practicing Yoga come as a by product. Yoga offers huge benefits of harmonising the body and the mind. This can be done through meditation which helps the practitioner to achieve detachment.

Once you have taken classes for a while, the great thing about Yoga is that it can be done anywhere. As well as the long term physical benefits of Yoga, it will help you to become more relaxed and centred.

Yoga for all round health benefits

Yoga is way of exercising your body and mind. It is now a world famous and extremely popular technique but its origin makes a humble story. It was practiced by Indian sages thousands of years ago. Archaeological evidence suggests that it is at least as old as the Indus valley civilization. It was the ancient Indian sage Patanjali who proposed this method of wholesome exercise. The word “yog” means union; usually, “yoga” means union God or the divine being. The objective of a yogic exercise is to unite the individual with the divine through a series of body postures meant to control the body and the mind. Yoga in India is now a part of the everyday routine of most Indians.

Yoga in India has many benefits. It helps in cleansing the body of numerous toxins, toning the muscles, strengthening the digestive system and improving the circulation of blood. It also helps in correcting body postures. But unlike other forms of exercise like aerobics and workouts at the gym, it also promotes mental peace, freeing the practitioner from stress connected with day-to-day life. There are also those who undergo yoga purely to attain moksha or salvation.

There are eight stages that yoga consists of
1) Yamas - where one learns abstinence and restraint
2) Niyamas – where one learns to live in contentment
3) Asanas – where one learns the exercises
4) Pranayama - exercises related to breathing
5) Partyahar – exercise connected with the withdrawing of senses
6) Dhrana – where absolute concentration is achieved
7) Dhyana – the satge of meditation
8) Samadhi – achieving moksha or salvation.

Yoga is not only endorsed by its practitioners; even modern science agrees that it is a form of exercise that can help you attain all-round health benefits. As such, Yoga in India is now a vital theme of her tours and travels. There are various centers in all corners of the country- Chennai, Rishikesh, Hardwar, Shivpuri and Uttarkashi are well-known centers. Apart from these places, there are many professional instructors who have been specially trained in the field and they have their private practices. They can be easily located by searching online

Astanga Vinyasa Yoga

Astanga, or sometimes spelled ashtanga Yoga is actually taught today by a man named Sri K. Pattabhi Jois, in Mysore, India. He has brought astanga yoga to the west about 25 years ago and still teaches today at 91 years of age. Astanga yoga began with the rediscovery of the ancient manuscript Yoga Korunta. It describes a unique system of Hatha yoga as practiced and created by the ancient sage Vamana Rishi. It is believed to be the original asana practiced intended by Patanjali.

The Yoga Korunta emphasizes vinyasa, or breath-synchronized movement, where one practices a posture with specific breathing patterns associated with it. This breathing technique is called ujayyi pranayama, or the victorious breath, and it is a process that produces intense internal heat and a profuse sweat that purifies and detoxifies the muscles and organs. This also releases beneficial hormones and nutrients, and is usually massaged back into the body. The breath ensures efficient circulation of blood. The result is improved circulation, a light and strong body and a calm mind.

There is a proper sequence to follow when practicing Astanga yoga. One must graduate from one sequence of postures to move onto the next. The Primary Series (Yoga Chikitsa) detoxifies and aligns the body, purifying it so that toxins do not block. The Intermediate Series (Nadi Shodhana) purifies the nervous system by opening and clearing the energy channels, allowing energy to pass through easily. The Advanced Series A, B, C, and D (Sthira Bhaga) integrate the grace and stamina of the practice, which calls for intense flexibility.

It is best to find a trained and knowledgeable teacher to assist you through this discipline. It is an intense practice that is rigorous, six days a week. You are guaranteed to find inner peace and fulfillment with each breath you take.

Yoga for improving your figure

In presenting various Yoga asanas, I must impress on you that these alone will not make you lose weight. Yoga you see is a way of life not just a system of physical culture.You must study Yoga as a whole and let it pervade every part of your life. Let it gradually alter your way of thinking and in time it will affect your attitude towards food. For many people food is a social occasion or a means of chopping up the day. To very many others, it is a form of sheer solid comfort in times of stress or anxiety. To still others it is a hobby or a release from boredom. They don't know what to do with themselves so they eat-and grow fat.I do not suggest that you try drastically to alter your eating habits. Let Yoga gently do that for you. Practice Yoga as a complete science and very slowly adjust your eating habits according to your state of mind. By this I mean that, at the moment, maybe food is of major importance to you. It is right that you have this incentive to eat for it is necessary to take food in order to live, but many people, far too many, take far more food than they need. This results in a gradual build up of fat in the body until there you are-two, three, or even more stones overweight.It is never easy to take off weight and Yoga is not a short cut by any means, but this much I promise you. Once you have slimmed the Yoga way, you will be able to eat as you please and not gain an ounce. Yoga, in affecting the glands, establishes a rhythm in the body so that you do not feel a desire for food that you do not need. You want to eat only enough to keep superbly fit. Your new calmness of mind will make it unnecessary for you to turn to food for comfort or as a means of relieving tension or boredom. As I have said, Yoga will affect your way of life, even against your will; it will alter your attitude towards many things and one of these things is the food you eat.Having warned you that I have no magic formula dreamed up by the ancient Yogis with regard to recovering a slim, beautiful figure, let me discuss the first step in this 'battle of the bulge'. Here is a Yoga asana which will help you on your way. It is called the SIDESLIP and it should not present too much difficulty if you spend the first couple of days limbering up your torso with the following simple movements.Limbering up Exercises Stand up straight, feet together, arms raised to shoulder level. Holding your arms steady, swing them as far as possible round to the right. Twist your body to the maximum to bring your right arm as far round as you can and at the same time turn your head to look over your right shoulder so that you twist your neck to the utmost; as you turn slowly, bend your left arm so that when the swing to the right is at its height your left thumb should touch your right shoulder. Hold this position for a few seconds and then repeat the swing to the other side. You can repeat these swings ad lib but at first it is as well to limit yourself to a maximum of six if you have never taken any exercise before.Two points to remember. These swinging movements from side to side should be performed slowly and rhythmically. Emphasis is on the full sweep of the arms and the twisting of your torso to the utmost rather than on speed. Speed isn't a word used in Yoga, rather substitute the word pressure. At the extreme points of the twisting movement, you can exert a slight pressure to enhance the value of this limbering exercise. And having practiced it for a day or two you should graduate with no difficulty to a more advanced lateral twist called THE SIDESLIP POSTURE.Sideslip Posture 1. Kneel down on the floor and sit back on your heels. Raise your arms above your head, clasp your hands together and turn them palms upwards. Slide your body off your heels to the right and at the same time gently swing your arms towards the opposite side. You should not bend forward while performing this movement but move from the waist to the side only. Now raise your body off the floor, swing it slowly and gently to the other side and at the same time swing your arms over to the opposite side. Try to keep your knees together throughout the Sideslip Posture, but if you find this difficult or impossible at first, you may hold your knees apart to maintain your balance, but at all times endeavor to bring your knees together.Many people, while attempting this asana for the first time, have difficulty with stage 3, that is the lifting of the body off the floor and the swinging it to the other side. In fact some people have trouble in getting themselves off the floor at all in this position and others, if they do succeed, land with a great thump on the opposite side and have difficulty getting up from there. Be patient. This exercise is not quite so easy as it looks. Graceful, and a great favorite with women everywhere, it looks simple enough but in actual fact it requires a high degree of muscular control and concentration.Remember your head while you are doing the SIDESLIP POSTURE. It should bend the same way as your arms which you should, throughout the movement, try to press backwards as far as possible to avoid any possible sagging forward of your body.This asana is one of the finest in the entire Yoga range for slimming the waist and reducing that pad of fat which often settles on top of the hipbones. You will feel a powerful stretch from your hips to your armpits and if you do this exercise correctly you will feel rather sore in the region of your hip joints the next day. This is normal and it will prove to you that this Yoga exercise has already begun to work for you. While one side of your body is being stretched the other side is being powerfully contracted. You can feel it squeezing the fatty tissue. It also imparts a healthy massage to the organs and muscles of the abdomen and helps the torso towards a new suppleness and grace.When you can perform the SIDESLIP POSTURE at a moderate speed and with some degree of muscular control, then try to slow down the whole process so that it becomes a study in slow and gentle motion. This calls for a much higher degree of muscular control and thus the benefits of the posture are greatly enhanced. When you have perfected your movements in slow motion, regulate your deep breathing so that you lean to one side while inhaling and to the other while exhaling. Rhythm and slow motion are the final keywords in this exercise.In its perfect form, the Sideslip Posture should be as follows. Lean to the right while inhaling. Remain immobile as you complete your inhalation and hold your breath for as long as possible. When the impulse to exhale appears, do so, as you raise your body off the floor and swing it to the other side. Remain immobile as you complete your exhalation and remain holding your breath for as long as possible before inhaling again. This constitutes one round. Perform up to a dozen rounds a day, starting with four and adding two rounds per week.Like the Sideslip Posture, this next exercise is not so easy as it looks. It is called AROHANASANA or in English THE RAISED HEAD AND LEGS POSTURE. This asana wages war on that bulging abdomen. Lie flat on your back with your legs outstretched and your feet together. Lace your fingers together and place them at the back of your head just above your neck. Inhale very slowly and deeply and at the same time raise your head, shoulders, and legs off the floor, remembering to keep your knees straight. Hold this position until you have completed your inhalation. After holding your breath for a few seconds, very slowly return to the original position.Those two words 'very slowly' in connection with the lowering of the legs will catch most of you out at first. You will want to plop your legs down on the floor in a great rush, but try as hard as you can to resist this impulse. It is the easy way out and you will gain nothing from employing it. You want to reduce that abdomen don't you? Then do please remember that there is no hurry at all in this exercise and the slow s-l-o-w lowering of the legs is precisely what strengthens, tones, exercises, and reduces those flabby abdominal muscles and helps to reduce fat in this area.This is an exercise that requires a lot of patient practice before you can perform it perfectly. As it is a strenuous posture, do not do it more than twice a day for the first few days and after that very gradually increase the number of times you do it up to six.In addition to toning and strengthening the abdominal muscles and reducing excess fat, this exercise also helps to relieve constipation, so it is doubly beneficial to the would-be-slimmer. The back and shoulders are also strengthened by the slow motion lifting and lowering of the head and shoulders.A word of warning. This is not an exercise for women during pregnancy or who have any internal disorders, and people with hernia should practice it with extreme caution.For those readers who find the Arohanasana too strenuous or simply beyond you, here is a similar though much easier exercise which is called UDHITTA PADASANA or THE RAISED LEG POSTURE.1. Lie on your back with your legs outstretched and feet together. Inhale slowly and deeply and at the same time raise your right leg, keeping the knee straight until it is at right angles to your body.2. Remain thus as you complete your inhalation, hold your breath for a few seconds while keeping absolutely still, your other leg flat on the floor.3. When the impulse to exhale appears, do so, and at the same time very slowly lower your leg. Repeat with the other leg.This simple exercise may be performed once or twice a day until you feel you are ready to try it with both legs at once. This exercise, like the previous one, will help to break up fatty tissue in the abdominal area. I must warn beginners to this and the previous exercise, that they might find their abdominal muscles a little sore the day after starting as you are using muscles which may never have been used in that way before. Do not worry about the discomfort. It means that Yoga is working for you so you should welcome it as a sign that you were performing the exercise properly. Remember always to lower your legs s-1-o-w-l-y.Let us now try a standing posture for the improvement of the figure. This one will keep your spine healthy and supple, reduce abdominal fat, tone up sluggish bowels, and slim your waist. It is called THE WOODCUTTER Exercise.Stand erect, feet far apart. Stretch out your arms, lace your fingers together and imagine that you are holding a very heavy axe. Inhale slowly and deeply and at the same time slowly raise the 'axe' above your head until you are leaning back as far as you can without losing your balance. Remain in the backward bend as you complete your inhalation, remain immobile for a few seconds holding your breath. When the impulse to exhale appears, swing the 'axe' down slowly as though there were actually a log in front of you and you were chopping it up. The downward movement should be a very powerful one, but do not stop when you reach the imaginary log, but let your hands follow through your legs.Repeat this exercise six times, and do watch the following four points. Firstly that your elbows should be straight throughout, secondly that your feet should be firmly planted on the floor without moving, thirdly that you do not move your buttocks whilst you are bending down, and lastly, that all the movement should be done from above the waist. The lower half of the body should remain absolutely still.A word of warning. This is a rather strenuous exercise and I do not recommend it for women with internal complaints or people with weak hearts. This exercise should not be done during menstruation.The next posture for reducing abdominal fat is called THE TRIANGLE BEND.Stand erect with your hands clasped together behind your back. Your feet should be far apart with your knees straight. Inhale slowly and at the same time turn your torso, from the waist upwards, slightly to the right. Continue with your inhalation as you bend your head slowly until your forehead touches your right knee. Your hands should still be clasped behind your back. Remain in this position for as long as you comfortably can without exhaling and, when the impulse to exhale appears, do so, at the same time slowly straightening up. Repeat the movement to the other side, bending your head towards the left knee.That is the Triangle Bend. Repeat it twice each way at first but when you are limbered up you can perform it up to half a dozen times. Did I hear some of you say 'impossible'. I'll admit that if you are very stiff or very much overweight, the Triangle Bend may well seem so, but again I must ask you to practice it, without straining, and you will soon be pleasantly surprised at how easy this exercise really is. It reduces fat on the abdomen, waist, and thighs.And now for another posture which has a similar name. This is TRIKONASANA or THE TRIANGLE POSTURE, and you may find it easier than the previous one. It is one of the most effective Yoga asanas for reducing fat round the waistline, the hips, the upper arms, and the thighs, and it should present little difficulty even to the beginner.Trikonasana Stand erect, feet far apart, and your arms extended sideways at shoulder level. While keeping your head in the same position (that is not turning it), bend slowly to the right until your right hand touches your right foot. You will have to bend your right knee a little to do this and at the same time your left leg should remain outstretched to maintain balance. Your left arm should be gradually brought up and over your head as far as possible. Remain in this position until you have completed your inhalation. When the impulse to inhale appears, do so and at the same time slowly return to the starting position. Repeat this exercise to the other side.The most important feature of this exercise is the gradual increase of the stretch of the free arm, which should be brought over farther and farther each time you practice this exercise. It should be performed four times a day at first and, when you become more flexible, it can be performed up to a dozen times a day. The accent is on slow and rhythmical movement, as this exercise is much more beneficial to the health and the figure when performed slowly and gracefully. The breathing should also be carefully timed to coincide with the appropriate movements. Trikonasana is not a very strenuous posture but, all the same, I do not advise it for women with any kind of internal disorders or for people suffering from hernia.This being the last of the so-called 'slimming' Yoga asanas, I should like to lend a helping hand to those of you who, with the best will in the world to practice Yoga and grow slim, feel that you cannot find the time to practice. I know it isn't always easy especially if you go out to business, as the mornings are filled with rushing about, and breakfasts and bath water, and if something has to be left out-well that's Yoga isn't it? This is one of the main reasons, I find, why would-be devotees of Yoga do not pursue the subject.In view of the fact that Yoga asanas should be done on an empty stomach, it is usually convenient to perform your practice schedule first thing in the morning when you get out of bed. You may feel you are too sleepy to do them then but you will find that some of the asanas are very bracing owing to their stimulating effect on the nervous system and soon give you a wide-awake feeling. And once you have established the habit of doing Yoga postures first thing in the morning, it should become as much a part of your routine as having your morning bath or cleaning your teeth.So, starting with one of those bracing exercises, here is a ten-minute practice schedule which is not beyond the means of anyone. All you do is get up ten minutes earlier. Ten short minutes each day-so very little time to devote to Yoga, but how rich will be the rewards, so rich that I feel convinced that many of you will soon want to get up even earlier to devote yet more time to this healthful study.Ten-Minute Practice Schedule 1. Limbering up for Sideslip -1 minute2. Sideslip - 3 minutes3. Raised Head and Legs Posture - four times 2 minutes4. Leg Raising Posture 5. Woodchopper - six times 1 minute6. Triangle Bend - four times 1 minutes7. Triangle - six times 2 minutesThis ten-minute practice schedule can be varied of course, according to your individual needs and the amount of time at your disposal. There may be one exercise which you find you like better than some of the others, in which case, do spend more time on that one. The schedule I have set out is a mere indication of what can be done with a few minutes set aside for Yoga practice. Do not omit the correct breathing as you perform these exercises and if you would slim do please avoid constipation, as this is one of the worst enemies of the body and of the figure. Yoga will do wonders for your health and your appearance and for your figure, but do please give it a helping hand by watching your diet.

Ashtanga Yoga

Yoga is a philosophy of the life, which has also the eventual to create a healthy body and vibrantly spirit. The yoga of Ashtanga vinyasa is a method of the yoga which has it's origins in a known ancient document under the name of korunta yoga. Ashtanga refer specifically to eight the practical spiritual ones described by wise Patanjali in Sutra yoga. It is advisable to note that the experts of the majority of the modern externats of yoga of hatha, including pattabi jois, draw from yoga sutras de patanjali and thus practise the yoga of ashtanga. Means of yoga of Ashtanga exactly "eight-limbed yoga," as described by wise patanjali in sutras yoga.

The yoga of Ashtanga aims at purifying the body by the eight members or stages of yoga. It starts outside with yama which is the order and niyana which is the codes of conduct. They are manners that we trade and with what we can act one on the other with whole reality and ourselves at the same time. These stages cannot be practised but they are the exits morals. This way you can produce environments which supports the constructive increase. The yoga of Ashtanga concentrates on the concept that breathing is essential with the life.

Majority of people who are not able to emit decently simply the catch approximately half of their complete possibilities of lung. Help of asanas too you cut your force and cholesterol inferiors of blood and obtain a robust eye and remain in good health. In terms of mental physical form they lower the effort and the tension in our lives. The four other stages cannot be practised. These stages are about creating the superlative conditions which provide you the true meditation. The fifth stage is known as will pratyahara or withdrawal of your directions. Dhara is concentrated on you to help to concentrate you in a simple direction. Dhayna is a not stopped meditation and Samadhi is about being completely with the art of the self-portrait and to test full absorption.

Mayurasana

‘Mayur’ is a Sanskrit word and it means peacock. Thus, mayurasana is a posture which assumes the shape of peacock during the asana. In this posture one has to hold his whole body on like a stick on both his elbows. It is also known as peacock feather pose and bent arm balance.

Steps of performance

Sit on the both of your upper scales and place your knees on the ground. Now, stretch your fingers on your hands and place your palms on the ground. At that time fingers will remain stretched and pointing backward. Now, place your elbows on either side of navel and do the whole process gently. Slowly and gradually stretch the both legs together and come little forward comfortably. Now, raise the upper part of your body. After raising upper part of your body, straightens your legs like a stick and also it should keep horizontally. Keep straight your neck, chest and also head. Hold the position for few minutes. Return to original starting position with slowly folding your legs and placing the knees on the ground. Now, raise your hands from ground and sit comfortably on the soles.

Benefits of mayurasana

Mayurasana is the best exercise to awakening the Kundalini Shakti. This is an effective method for weakness of semen. It is also useful for congestion of vagina and also makes semen thick. It is also helpful for those women who have menstrual disorders. Mayurasana counters food poisoning. If one having problems with lower abdomen, it provides relief then.

Mayurasana is a good exercise for liver as well as pancreas. It is very helpful for diabetic patients also. It is best asana for strengthen arms, shoulders, abdomen and back. Mayurasana is helpful to improve balance. It develops the chest. This exercise has good effect on the expelling action of the colon. It is beneficial for obesity, constipation and piles.

Mayurasana is very regenerative and also quite stimulating. This asana is very effective for digestive organs. In this posture blood is concentrated and sent to the digestive organs and which is toned up by the intra-abdominal pressure.
The asana stimulates and enhances the pranic flow to the pericardium meridians.
This asana is a very good measure against visceroptosis and dyspepsia. After few months practice of this posture, it provides total orgasm at the time of intercourse. Mayurasana is very beneficial to cure many illnesses. It is helpful to calm the brain and helps relieving stress and mild depression.

Ayurveda for Sleep Problems

Yoga and Pranayama is an important measure to reduce work place negativity, tension, anxiety and so many other problems. Sleep problems are some of the most common problems parents face with their kids. Some children may have chronic sleep difficulties, and many children are actually going through their days sleep-deprived. Many people complain that they can't fall asleep or stay asleep, or that they are sleepy during the day, but few consider these to be symptoms of a sleep disorder. Sleep deprivation is a symptom of a sleep disorder. Some sleep disorders, such as narcolepsy, are best treated pharmacologically, whereas others, such as chronic and primary insomnia, are more amenable to behavioral interventions. Many childhood sleep problems are related to poor sleep habits or to anxiety about going to bed and falling asleep. Persistent sleep problems may also be symptoms of emotional difficulties.

Sleep problems may be caused by or the result of disorders in various systems of the body. Sleep apnea, for example, is a respiratory disorder while narcolepsy is a neurological disorder. If a person has experienced sleeping difficulties for a month or more, this is called persistent or chronic insomnia. Some children will do all they can to prevent separation at bedtime. However, to help minimize common sleep problems, a parent should develop consistent bedtime and regular bedtime and sleep routines for children. Parents often find that feeding and rocking help an infant to get to sleep. However, other medical specialties also offer treatment for sleep disorders. Regular practice of pranayam and yoga cures insomnia and sleeplessness and gives better health. If every person follows this regime, this will eradicate diseases from world.

Ayurveda on Sleep Problems:

According to the Ayurveda, sleeplessness results in laziness, tiredness, inertia, dizziness, feeling of heaviness, body ache etc. Head ache, high temperature, cough are the results of continued untimely sleep. Ayurveda also says that over sleep can cause diabetes. People having depression, schizophrenia, and similar psychological disorders have been found to improve their condition if they get enough deep sleep.

Yoga and the Heart

Although I began watching my parents practice with B.K.S. Iyengar when I was three, and joined them at age seven, it took me years to fully absorb this basic lesson. For the first 13 years of my yoga practice, my effort was directed at physically mastering pose after ever more difficult pose. In my late teens, I often practiced seven hours a day, many days in a row. Staying half an hour in Headstand and an hour in Shoulderstand would leave my neck so stiff that I could not even turn it the next day! In some sessions, I would perform 150 or so poses! By age 20, I had a repertoire of hundreds of poses, including high risk asanas rarely seen and almost never taught. I brought enormous energy to my practice, but it was more in service to my ambition and ego than to a higher and deeper purpose.

Then, helping a friend lift some crates, I ruptured two disks in my lower back. For what seemed like an eternity, I was unable to sit, stand, or walk without experiencing excruciating pain. When I could finally do asana again, I had to start from the beginning. The muscles around my pelvis, legs, and spine had seized up to protect my back, and I was stiffer than most beginners. This whole experience was a great lesson in humility, and it began the transformation of my asana practice to the much more heart-centered approach that is now the core of my teaching.

The second catalytic experience that transformed my practice was when my wife, Mirra, developed a critical illness. Three times I saw her almost die and be revived. I was once again forced to search for the deeper meanings of my life and the place my daily asana practice had in it. Watching the woman who mattered so much to me struggle for life made me question the haughty attachment I had to my body and the asanas it could do.

Assisted by the penetrating and often astonishing insights my wife had gained through her trials, I began to discover what was for me an entirely new approach to yoga practice, an approach that included yet transcended my old one. My teachers and several ancient texts had already introduced me to this kind of practice, but I suppose I was unable to heed their guidance until experience had softened my heart. And the heart was at the core of this new approach: the surrender of the brain to the heart as well as the lifting of the pelvic energy to the heart. My wife Mirra explained to me time and time again the importance of opening the heart center. Speaking from the depths of her own inner experience, she reminded me that it was the heart that held the secrets to self knowledge and the heart that was the portal to the universe within.

Now as I teach, I no longer ask students to make the performance of the postures their primary focus in yoga. Instead, I ask them to discover, explore, grasp, and then lift the awesome power of the pelvis into the heart center, giving the heart attention, energy, and nourishment. As they work in the poses, I also teach them techniques to help them enlist the intellectual, analytical abilities of the brain in the inner quest that takes place within the heart. For example, Revolved-Head-to-Knee Pose ("Parivrtta Janu Shirsasana") is an excellent way to learn this heart-centered approach, because performing the pose with elegance and openness requires you to discover and harbor the power inside the pelvis, to lift that power into the heart center, and to open the chest in a wide, resplendent expression of the heart's inner luminosity.

Yoga Can Help in Lowering Cholesterol

Yoga will surely help you get rid of the cholesterol and you will be highly satisfied when after two months you go to check the level and find them impressively low.

The main factor with cholesterol is that the fats in your body don't get burned up due to lack of physical activity or improper life style.

The cholesterol flows in the blood and an increase in its amount make the cholesterol deposit on the walls of the blood vessels. The result is clogging of the blood arteries.

Yoga, uses exercises (asanas) to relax and tone the muscles and to massage the organs, breathing techniques (pranayama) to regulate the body's energy levels, meditations to calm the mind, and relaxation postures to reduce and eliminate stress and anxiety.

The practice of yoga improves the blood and oxygen flow around the body which aids in the removal of toxins and waste. For yoga to be truly beneficial to the lowering of your unwanted bad cholesterol it must be practiced on a regular basis.

Also Yoga reduces stress hormones, which in turn lowers cholesterol. That’s why meditation is similar to yoga in its cholesterol-lowering power.

Yoga will surely help you get rid of the cholesterol and you will be highly satisfied when after two months you go to check the level and find them impressively low.

Yoga and Ayurveda

Yoga - The perfect way to perfect health

Regular practice of yoga provides us with immunity against all diseases. Lakhs of People in the west have appreciated the benefits of yoga and are now regular practitioners of this form due to the benefits it brings. Though yoga was an offshoot of Hindu philosophy and was intended to bring human beings in union with the creator, it has now been practiced primarily to improve the physical and mental health in an individual. Yoga Sutra, written 2000 years ago by Patanjali, provides us with the earliest and the most authentic treatise on yoga. He dwelt at length on all aspects of yoga and has also described the eight stages of yoga discipline.

Eight principles

1- Yamas- Restraints

2- Niyamas- Observance of austerity, purity, contentment, study, surrender of ego.

3- Asanas- Physical postures or exercises.

4- Pranayama- Breathing control.

5- Partyahara- Withdrawal of the senses.

6- Dharana- Concentration of the mind.

7- Dhyana- Meditation.

8- Samadhi- Attainment of the super conscious state.

Rules and Regulations

As yoga is a time tested and proven scientific system meant for physical, spiritual and mental excellence, certain rules and regulations are to be followed for successful results.

1- Though there is no specific time for doing yoga, morning is the best time to perform yoga. One should then stick to this time regularly and should practice regularly for 15 minutes each day, 5 days in a week.

2- The place where one practices yoga alone should be neat, clean and airy.

3- Yoga should as far as possible be practiced on an empty stomach. In case one has consumed food, he should wait for at least 2 hours before practicing yoga. Hot and spicy foods, excess intake of tea, coffee, alcohol and drugs are best avoided.

4- One should relax for 5 to 10 seconds between asanas.

5- One should be neat and clean both in person and also in his dress and should neither be tired nor under physical stress.

6- The mind should be free from worries, tension and anxiety while practicing.

7- Women should avoid practicing yoga during their menstrual periods and pregnant women should practice moderately.

Asanas

Asanas are certain body postures that an individual takes in the course of performing yoga and these form an integral part of the yoga. These asanas are designed to promote the physical, spiritual and mental well being in an individual. There are several asanas and each one has a special name, form, offer particular benefits, and have a distinct way of performing. Asanas are highly beneficial and help to overhaul, rejuvenate and bring the entire body constitution in to a state of equilibrium. We give below a few of the common asanas that are widely practiced in India.

1- Surya Namaskar. This means greeting and bowing to the sun. This is the most widely practiced asana. And all asanas usually begin with greeting the sun. This form is useful in nourishing and energizing the upper part of the human body.

2- Uttham Pada Asana. In this form of asana one lifts the legs upwards. This posture is particularly beneficial in strengthening the spinal cord.

3- Paschimothan Asana. Also called the forward bend, this completely stretches the entire back of the body. Though a bit strenuous, this is a very helpful pose for the entire body right from the skull up to the heels.

4- Bhujanga Asana. This is called the cobra pose and is done to give flexibility to the spine.

5- Salabha Asana- This is known as the locust posture and is helpful in strengthening and activating the lower part of the body from the waist downwards. And to derive maximum benefit from this posture, one should practice it after the cobra pose.

6- Sarvanga Asana. This is considered as one of the most important of the asanas. In this posture the weight of the entire body is made to rest on the shoulders. This also helps to stretch the neck and the upper back regions to the maximum.

7- Matsya Asana. Also called the fish pose, this form helps to fill the lungs with air and improve the ability to float in water. It is recommended that this asana be performed after the sarvanga asana.

8- Dhanur Asana. This pose helps to give a backward bend to the spine and all the muscles of the back from neck to the lower back. It is advised that dhanur asana be performed together with the locust pose.

9- Hala Asana. This is called the plough pose. In this form the person bends forward to the maximum. This is highly useful in providing strength and flexibility to all parts of the back and neck.

10- Shava Asana. This is called the corpse pose as the position adopted resembles the posture of a corpse. This is one of the most commonly practiced asanas and is helpful in giving relaxation to the body and mind.

Benefits

Regular practice of yoga provides immense benefits to all who practice it. Its wide acceptance throughout the world is a measure of its efficacy and the help it provides in improving the physical, mental and spiritual health in an individual. Yoga alters brain wave activities reflecting in increased relaxation and a better focused mind. It is effective in preventing heart diseases. Yoga also helps lower blood pressure. It guards against insomnia and improves memory and strengthens the muscles. It brings in psychological changes that will reflect in the overall health and well being of an individual. Yoga techniques are being increasingly used as a supplementary therapy for such diseases as cancer, diabetes, arthritis, asthma etc. It helps to kick the habit of smoking. The modern world has much to gain from yoga. Yoga is the way and the means

Yoga for pregnancy

Yoga is a low impact exercise. This is important during pregnancy in order to keep both you and your baby safe. High impact forms of exercise are generally not safe for you or your baby while you are pregnant. Yoga for pregnancy can still give you a great workout without putting you or your baby in harm's way.

Yoga teaches proper breathing techniques. This is good for both your mind and your body. The unique form of breathing that is done during yoga (in some practices called ujjayi breathing) can help calm the mind and the body. In any yoga for pregnancy video you get, there will be a focus on your breath. It can focus on how to calm your breath, how to breathe into different parts of your body and how to breathe away tension and stress. This kind of focused breathing is also great for helping you prepare for childbirth.

Yoga stretches your body. This aspect of yoga for pregnancy is great for helping you get rid of any tension and stress in your body. As your body grows and changes during pregnancy, you will have aches and pains in places that you never have before. The stretching that yoga provides can help you work out these kinks and relieve the tension in those areas that get particularly stressed. Your back, legs and feet are definitely areas that will need some extra stretching during pregnancy.

Yoga incorporates relaxation techniques. At the end of most yoga classes and videos, you will find a relaxation section. When you are doing yoga for pregnancy, this is can be an especially wonderful time to connect to your baby and to let your body fully relax. Focused relaxation is always important but even more important during pregnancy when your body is undergoing so many changes. It also gives you a chance to shut off your mind and just be. When you do this fully, there are no worries or concerns, you are simply in the moment with your baby, which is a magical and wonderful experience.

Cure Diabetes Through Yoga

Diabetes in various forms affects up to 5percent of the world population with 12 million diabetics in Western Europe alone. Of the different ways in which diabetes presents, noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) is probably the most commonly encountered genetic disease. NIDDM or Type II diabetes is multifactorial, depending also on environmental factors including obesity, sedentary lifestyles and nutritional imbalances.

Yoga has shown some beneficial results in curing diabetes. The yoga exercises that are prescribed for curing diabetes is different from hatha yoga exercise because it involves positions tailored to treat certain conditions, as well as meditation, relaxation and stretching exercises.

One of the studies conducted to cure diabetes was the one set up by the Yoga Biomedical Trust, founded in 1982 by biochemist Dr Robin Monro, and an Indian yoga research foundation which discovered that practicing yoga for 30 minutes a day for one month helped reduce blood glucose levels in some diabetics.

The yoga patients took part in one or two 90-minute sessions a week and were asked to practice at home. The classes included the specific yoga exercises of the spinal twist, the bow and abdominal breathing.

At the end of the 12 weeks blood sugar levels fell significantly in all patients in the group and were slightly raised in a control group which had not joined in the yoga sessions. Three yoga students managed to reduce their medication, including one man who had not changed his drug regime for 20 years.

It has been known for a long time that exercise is helpful for diabetics. Yoga therapy may help reduce stress levels which could play a part in maturity onset diabetes. But one drawback is that some patients would find it hard to keep up the regular sessions needed to sustain the benefit. All the patients said they would like to see these classes set up on a permanent basis but we don't have the money.

It is not necessarily the exercise component of the yoga therapy package which is most important, because there is not enough physical exercise to account for the changes, but stress reduction has a lot to do with it. Stress hormones increase sugar levels in the blood. People also benefit from the stabilization of their moods which yoga brings, an increased feeling of well-being and a feeling of being more in control, which may help with their diet control.

Breath is life

The 4th part of Raja Yoga defines all breathing techniques, which show us how to conquer the mind and therefore control the body and senses. Unless we control the breath we will never be able to control the mind and body.

Breath is life and life depends on breath. We take it for granted and rarely think about our inhalation and exhalation of air which we think happens automatically, until the time we find it difficult to breath and we have to make an effort. When we have the flu and our sinuses are blocked or are suddenly frightened by something our breath becomes short and unstable, we then realize how fundamental the breath is to our existence and how out of our control breathing has become.

Beyond this point, which is more obvious to most people, is the other more hidden problem, which is- most people are not breathing properly to benefit their mind and body on any deeper level, which in turn is causing many illnesses in our world. Watch yourself breath for a time and you will realize as you are going about your business all day, a lot of that time you are taking very quick and short breaths or much of the time you are just holding your breath while under some sort of tension. From the way you clime out of bed, the way you eat your food or the way you speak, the breath is not controlled and is being held or shortened continuously. Many clients of mine when coming for treatments say to me " Much of the time it feel as if I have stopped breathing for a long time." As this way of unconscious breathing becomes a habit due to all the pressure and stress we feel all day long, over time if not treated with better habits and yogic breathing practice of Dirgwa Swasam* it will turn into an illness or disease. Short, interrupted or breathing that is held is the root of most modern diseases.

Modern doctors in general are not trained in herbal medicine or any eastern natural cures such as Yoga or Ayurvedic medicine so they will not be looking for any signs of illness due to bad breathing habits. In the practise of natural medicine one of the first things a therapist will be looking at will be how deeply and frequently a person is breathing, during silence and when talking and how their pulse is. Do you find yourself running our of breath when talking? Do you know how you breathe when eating? From the depth of how someone breathes comes much information about what kind of health problems they may have or will be prone to in the future. If very short you will have issues such asthma or depression if very fast bone issues and nervousness.

We know we cannot live without the breath but we take it for granted that it will never stop until the day we are to leave the planet. This is true, but how we use the breath can on one hand give us maximum health and on the other side take our mind further and deeper into unknown territories. With good use of the breath we can go further into the mind and bring about many changes, which were though of as impossible before. With all the various yoga techniques and breathing practises, one can gain command of what is passing in the mind to control it and change it for healthier, kinder and more compassionate thoughts.

One of the things that happens when we do not breath correctly is that our nervous system suffers and we become quick tempered, impatient and less understanding of other people. This in turn leaves us unsure and exhausted a lot of the times thinking we are fighting the world when we are really only fighting ourselves.

The health of the mind and body will rise as the breath deepens and slows down to match the rhythm of the heart. If the heart is excited too much due to the habits and excesses of life then the breath will become uneasy and difficult, but if the heart is pleased with peace and calmness then the breath will lead you into happy times.

Remember to breath deeply and to follow the breath as you go about your daily life- this will teach you more about who you are.

Yogi Cameron

*Dirgwa Swasam is a full yogic breath, which is how we should be breathing at all times. On the inhalation the stomach comes out, the chest expands and the shoulders raise a touch. On the exhale the shoulders relax, the chest moves in and the stomach is sucked in a little.

Meditation and Yoga

Yoga is a science of proper breathing and proper blood circulation in the body. Yoga helps in keeping the body fit and healthy. There are many kinds of yoga techniques like Lom- Vilom, Bhastrika, Bhramri. Kapal Bhati. Most famous of them is Lom Vilom, which is practiced by millions all over the world. The origin of yoga comes from India where Rishis, Tapasvies (Gurus) do continuous yoga daily from thousand of years back. One of the famous Rishis and Saints was Guru Gorakh Nath, Baba Balak Nath, Vyas Rishi. Because of the yoga they used live for more than hundred years before taking Smadhi (divine departure of soul). Today most famous Guru in Yoga teaching is Guru Ramdev. He has taught it to millions allover the world. Even the doctors in are recommending yoga these days. More over one has to spent only small piece of time while performing it. It helps in proper circulation of blood, curing breathing problems, curing heart diseases and sugar diseases. But if a person is already suffering from any chronic disease like heart problem then one should consult his Doctor or Yoga Teacher for proper guidance. The best time to do yoga is in the early morning to get the best results.Meditation is done for spiritual healing and for curing stress related problems. Meditation is very good for the people who are working in very high stress environment like software, marketing, banking, teaching and medical professions. Meditation is also helpful in knowing thyself. Yoga and meditation are both complementary to each other

Everyone needs to know basic Yoga

Basic yoga is very simple to learn. There is no exercise equipment required. You jut need to spend roughly 30 minutes at the most completing all the necessary movements. All that you really need is a yoga mat and some extra space and unless you have issues of mobility, you can begin immediately. It is no secret that the human body is a highly resilient and astonishing piece of machinery. It has the ability to do things that can literally astonish us.
There are things that are bodies can do that we are not even aware of. Yoga is a great case in point. Odds are, if you have ever noticed pictures of asanas or poses for yoga, you have witnessed the practitioners of yoga accomplish things that in normal cases, you would not believe possible, yet there they are doing it.
The odds are, you have the ability to accomplish these things as well, only not immediately. Attempting any one of the advanced asanas if you have before done any conditioning can end up in severe injury. The appropriate as well as persistent practice of primary techniques of yoga is essential so that you can make these types of advanced movements achievable.
Over the 5,000 years that yoga has been in existence there is said to be in excess of 8,400,000 asanas or positions of yoga that were compiled by the masters of yoga. For the majority of novices of yoga, substantially less are needed to get started. The amount of primary yoga asans that are recommended by instructors differs yet typically there are a little more than 12 primary movements of yoga positions that are trained to beginners.
Even if a person is not so inclined to have the ability to execute the more advanced and complex types of asanas, there are numerous benefits to practicing basic yoga exercises, regardless of the school of thought you may choose to follow. The initial and most clear benefits are that of improved flexibility, balance and strength.
One of the less obvious benefits of practicing yoga is that of an increased awareness of oneself as well as that of nature. Additionally, yoga has demonstrated to provide benefits to your health such a heightened internal functions of your organs, an increased immune system, reduction of the various symptoms of numerous types of diseases as well as numerous other types of benefits. All different kinds of yogas, which include basic yoga, assists in relaxation as well as lowering stress without any fatigue and too much exertion.
Yoga Body Movements
Basic yoga involves seven main types of movements while exercising that include flexion, rotation, circumduction, adduction, extension, as well as hyperextension. Various combinations of these kinds of body movements are utilized to make the yoga positions and stances. These movements are accompanied with breathing exercises as well as various levels of concentration.
A persons breathing is also the guide in basic yoga for arriving into an asanas, as well as coming out of it. All of the various movements are ideally completed in a graceful manner. To educate yourself on how to complete basic yoga, search for an instructor that is qualified or the next step would be to search for educational videos that might help you out.

Yoga For Inner and Outer Beauty

Sometime back I read an anecdote concerning Bill and Hillary Clinton. It seems that one time, many years ago, Hillary dragged Bill to a yoga class. Bill remarked that he was the only man in the class. In many countries, that is the way it is, with women being the primary enthusiasts at yoga classes. One of the main reasons for this may be that yoga is seen as a way to lose weight and become more beautiful. Let's take a look at this and see what role yoga has to play in making someone look beautiful.

No doubt yoga can help a person to become healthy, and fit. If someone practices the postures, does meditation, and follows the yogic prescriptions for eating, sleeping, hygiene and exercise it is almost certain that he or she will end up in great shape and look better.

In fact, our concept of beauty is in large part biological and part of the evolutionary process. Clear skin complexion, for example, is an indicator of good health and for our ancient ancestors it made good sense to choose partners who were healthy and could pass on their genes to future generations.

However the beauty of a person is not just based on physical factors alone. Just as internal physical factors, such as digestion and the proper functioning of physical organs, are reflected in the outer "look" of a person, there are internal psychic and spiritual factors that play a big role in how we feel and how others see us.

Although the physical practices of yoga, such as yoga postures (asanas) are the best known part of yoga, at the heart of yoga is a moral code which defines a way of life in which a person can live in harmony with herself and with society. This set of lifestyle instructions is know as Yama and Niyama.

Yama which means "that which controls" has five parts and the main function of these five practices is to help an individual achieve harmony with his or her external environment. One of the most important parts of Yama is a practice known as Satya.

Satya is loosely defined as "truth" but in fact there is no exact English equivalent for this term. In his book A Guide to Human Conduct, my guru Shrii Shrii Anandamurti defines satya as "action of mind and right use of words in the spirit of welfare." That is, we should do whatever we can to promote the welfare of others, by keeping good thoughts in mind and by speaking in the spirit of helping others.

Someone who practices satya and always keeps positive thoughts in mind develops will power and straightforwardness. This practice is actually going on in the subconscious mind, and results in an internal effulgence or glaze known as Ojas. This inner effulgence is expressed outwardly as a vigor that definitely contributes to the attractiveness of a person. If you practice satya you will achieve a glow that cannot be duplicated or achieved with any kind of makeup!

When you are twenty years old you are helped out by Mother Nature, as the hormones of your body are helping you to blossom and enter your years of peak physical well-being. However, this help from Nature is not indefinite and also must be supported by a proper way of life.

If you practice the outer aspects of yoga (postures, diet, fasting, hygiene) then you will be able to make the most of what God has given to you in the way of a physical body. If you practice the inner aspect of yoga (meditation and balanced conduct) you will bring forth an inner effulgence and beauty that will remain with you long after you physical body begins to wind-down.

Yoga and Children

Yoga has many benefits for children. Helping their bodies build muscle and retain flexibility as they grow can give them better health going into adulthood. Yoga can also benefit a growing child’s brain by allowing them to learn to control their stress and emotions. Yoga and children is a great avenue for any child that needs help in any of these areas.

If you are planning to become a certified yoga instructor, consider getting your yoga for kids certification. Working with yoga and children will give you the satisfaction of knowing you are impacting a child in a real way. Teaching yoga to kids will be fun and interesting, and you will find it very rewarding.

Health and fitness is very important for children. Many kids today are showing signs of health problems due to a lack of exercise. A yoga and children program can combat and prevent these problems. Yoga is a fun activity, making it a great choice for children who are not much into exercise. The low impact nature of yoga gives kids the chance to get physical fitness in their routine without causing them any injury.

Children with disabilities will find yoga to be a fun and exciting activity. And the parents can take comfort in the fact that they are helping their differently challenged child improve their motor skills and overall health. Parents and children can both benefit from a class that allows kids and their parents to learn yoga together. A yoga and children program is a great choice for your child.

Ayurveda And Yoga Management

Ayurveda, the traditional Indian system of medicine holds out to the world the promise of a healthy long life. Ayurveda is the best way to teaches us to keep away these unwanted materials and toxins by creating a shield in the body. Ayurveda was first described in text form by Agnivesha, in his book the Agnivesh tantra. An ancient healing system is best for treating the urinary tract infection caused by bacteria in the urinary tract as it balances the infection-fighting properties of the urinary system. Yogic practice like like Angle Balance, Stick Posture, Supine Knee Squeeze, Pose of Tranquillity, Pose of a Child, The Cobra, Half Moon, Spinal Twist, Half, Sun Salutations, Humming Breath, are necessary to improve the digestion. Apanasana gives a mild massage to the abdominal region thereby improves digestion. Regular yogic use of abdominal respiration heals the pain of the IBS sufferers and one is advised to inhale and exhale profoundly. Aerobic drill are useful as it is warming and helps in construction digestive power. Swimming, Skating, bicycling, dancing, skating, walk, rollerblading are too recommended. Agni Sara is a drill in hatha yoga and if one practices daily will be blessed with a powerful digestive ability, provides with vitality and leads to a lucidity in thought procedure. If there is disruption in the flowing of prana or living vitality. An a descending flowing (apana), a balancing campaign around the navel it leads to IBS. Inverted postures assist in the apana releasing, profound loosening in pranayama stabilizes the samana. Meditation helps to reconcile the vitality glows and reduces the strain related problems. Thus Yogic use which includes physiological postures (asanas), breathing exercises (pranayama), and meditation treats IBS by striking at its origin reason. Ayurvedic herbs like Gokshura (Tribulus terrestris), Punarnava (Boerrhavia diffusa), Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia), Chandan (Santalum album) are the efficient normal cures. Gomukhasana , Pawanmuktasana , Ardha Matsendra Asana are few helpful yogic practices to defend UTI. Low back pain is one of the almost popular pain disorders today. It is a chronic circumstance characterized by a determined boring or steep pain per the lower backwards. Treatment in Ayurveda is to take the vitiated 'dosha' backwards to the country of balance and thereby to the country of health. Ayurvedic massage is a form of treatment for various age related and other common disorders. Some of the advantages which can be cited are pain relief, improved circulation, stress relief, better sleep, flexibility, athletic performance and emotional benefits.

YOGA For Mental Health, Mind and Body

Yoga is a system of mental and physical exercises which were originally developed in India over thousands of years.

Yoga comes in many forms specifically designed to suit different types of people. As a result, some forms of yoga have gained significant popularity outside India, particularly in the West during the past century.

Today there are many different styles with many different goals. Yoga is not a religion. It doesn't require that you fast or abstain.

The Basics.

Yoga is basically the practice of stretching for one hour. Stretching should only take five minutes, other peoples would rather spend the extra fifty- five minutes playing in an actual sport or spending time with their families and friends. Yoga is not just physical fitness training. It is an authentic holistic tradition inclusive of contemplation and meditation. Yoga injuries are unheard of. The meditation techniques are a comprehensive combination of concentration, sublimation and ideation.

Reduce Stress and Anxiety.

Yoga is an effective method to reduce stress and anxiety. See how to get started. Yoga is a union of the organ systems in the body with the consciousness in the mind. Philosophically, yoga produces a union of body, mind, and energy (or soul or spirit) to bring about a state of equanimity (calmness). Yoga is most effective in dealing with psychosomatic problems. If practiced diligently on a long-term basis it can have a significant effect on a person's health both on a preventive basis and to control and cure existing problems.

Benefits of Yoga.

Yoga has tons of benefits. It can improve flexibility, strength, balance, and stamina. Yoga is all about breathing correctly about integrating that breath into your being. Conscious Yoga doesn't call for you to force or strain your never or sinew. Yoga Slackers are a group of yoga practitioners who practice their asanas not on a mat, but suspended on a piece of 1" flat, stretchy tubular webbing (like rock climbers use) tensioned between two anchor points above the ground.

A Great help for Expectant Mother.

Yoga is an excellent way to "train" for the marathon of labor and motherhood. Practicing Yoga in pregnancy helps to strengthen and stretch muscles, release tension and maintain good posture. Yoga is more than just a form of exercise, but part of a well-rounded philosophy that dates back over 5,000 years. The practice of Yoga can help you to live a healthy, integrated life. Yoga can help liberate your true nature. Please don't use yoga to suppress it.

Is Yoga a Religion?

Yoga is not a religion, it fits with any lifestyle, and in fact yoga is one of the most valuable tools you can learn! It will improve your lifestyle! Yoga is not a competitive sport. Yoga, including postures, breathing exercises and meditation is the science of positive mental health. Practice Yoga regularly and it will strip away the obstacles that separate you from your source. Yoga practice can be invaluable in this process, as it can alleviate tension from and clear energy blocks in the body and mind. So speak to a teacher about developing a practice to suit your needs.

Hands on Process.

Yoga teaching is, to a large degree, a hands-on process. A gentle guiding touch can definitely help you fine-tune your practice. Yoga is a way of life, an art of righteous living or an integrated system for the benefit of the body, mind and inner spirit. This art originated, was perfected and practiced in India thousands of years ago. Yoga, Meditation, and other stress reducing wellness practices are critically important in today's world. By making these healing arts easily accessible, people will attain greater health, balance, and harmony in their lives.

Yoga for Kids.

Yoga for kids is an excellent way for a child to exercise and has many other benefits for a child's health. Not every type of yoga can be used as yoga for children though. Yoga is an ancient science of personal self -development that has evolved into an integrated lifestyle program. The practice of Hatha Yoga will release the physical tensions and stress so that you feel energized calm and peaceful.

Pranayam

Pranayama (Sanskrit: prāṇāyāma) is a Sanskrit word meaning "lengthening of the prana or breath". The word is composed of two Sanskrit words, Prāna, life force, or vital energy, particularly, the breath, and "āyāma", to lengthen or extend. It is often translated as control of the life force (prana). When used as a technical term in yoga, it is often translated more specifically as "breath control". Literal translations include A. A. Macdonell's "suspension of breath" and I. K. Taimni's "regulation of breath"The Qigong practice in China may also have its roots in Pranayama

Living Yoga to Calm Your Mind

For decades, the public has been aware that Yoga brings about a tranquil state of mind. Yoga principles can be applied toward every aspect of improving daily life. Yoga is much more than pictures of people performing postures - it is a complete lifestyle.

If we look at the first limb of the Eight Limbed Path, described by Maharishi Patanjali, we observe Yama (restraints). These are the moral codes of Yoga. The first among these is "ahimsa," which means no-harming.

If you spent a lifetime of non-harming, you would literally be a saint. It is nearly impossible for most of us to go a day without harming something. Our words, actions, and thoughts can cause harm to others without much effort.

For some people, it only requires them to get behind the steering wheel of an automobile. Suddenly, they become someone else. This is much like a Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde phenomenon. Robert Louis Stevenson would be astonished to see his novel come to life on a daily basis, in the form of "road rage."

Yet, what can we do about it? Non-harming is very difficult, so should we give up on the principle? No, because there is a solution to avoid harming others. Instead of looking at ahimsa as a mountain, that cannot be climbed, let's look at how we can make positive changes in our daily lives.

Stop thinking about what you cannot do. Instead, think about what you can do. The problem with any moral code is that we always approach it from the, "thou shalt not" point of view. Let's look at it from an entirely different angle.

If we are thoughtful, patient, kind, forgiving, and compassionate in our thoughts and actions, we do not have the time to harm other beings. Consider this: If you are truly and sincerely able to forgive someone with all your heart, you have created so much positive energy that you cannot hate him or her.

The positive energy arises within you, but when there is too much, it overflows to those around you. The problem is when someone does not truly forgive or when someone forgives with conditions. Conditional forgiveness is for temporary peace, but it does not solve a conflict.

When you can forgive others completely, that is a step toward inner calm. This does not mean we allow people to "walk all over us." Forgiveness should resolve a conflict on both sides. A state of peace requires two sides to work in harmony.

Kindness is easy enough to add to your life. Try smiling at other people for a day. Watch how much they change as a result of your facial gestures. This is a classic example of how one person can change his or her surroundings by doing something relatively small. A smile is a gesture of kindness, happiness, or compassion toward someone else.

It is hard to think negative thoughts, or harm someone, while you are in a state of kindness, happiness, or compassion.

Meditation Makes You Fit and Fine

Practice Meditation And Make Life Beautiful

Victims Of Fast Life

We are all becoming the victims of fast life. Thus we all say that there is simply no time to stand and stare. But with lack of time we are becoming more and more inhuman. We are moving away from humanity and thus there are so many problems in the world. To be a better person, we need to look into ourselves and find out the real "me". For this meditation can be the best option.

Meditate To Find Out The Real You

Meditation is not anything new. It has been practiced since thousands of years. The sages and sadhus are believed to perform meditation and get immense power from that. They have taught this ancient art in their transcriptions.

So, how is meditation going to help you? Well, it increases your concentration and makes you a better human being. You get time to and of course chance to look into your soul. The benefits of meditation affect your health, your emotions and, possibly, your powers of self-determination.

Managing Stress

You face a hell lot of tensions everyday and so with meditation you can get a lot of peace of mind. One of the main benefits of meditation is that it helps you learn how to manage your stress. Too much stress is a very unhealthy state to be in. Too much stress tends to lead to poor sleeping habits, which negatively impacts on every area of your life because you are exhausted all of the time. Too much stress also makes you too fat. You must keep yourself tension free. Thus, an unstressed person can eat the exact same foods as a stressed person, but won't gain as much weight as the stressed person. Weight loss and a reduction of cellulite may be other benefits to meditation.

Increasing Immunity And Defense

It is believed and proved that stress can affect the immunity and make it more complicated. Your defense system of body can get affected with stress. Hence, meditation is an important key to open up this tension situation and get rid of such problems. Doctors are finally admitting that there defiantly is a mind-body connection in regards to health. If you are generally a happy, calm person who does not overreact to every little event in your life, you are generally healthier than if you were completely stressed out. Another benefit of meditation is learning how to get a handle on your emotions. You learn to keep focused on the present moment instead of dwelling on the past or brooding over the future. You will learn that past is past and future is vast. So, why to worry?

Getting control of your emotions and your health gives you great self-confidence. This shows you that you do have some power over what happens in your life. You are not just a victim of chance events. In this writer's opinion, that is the best benefit of meditation that you can find.

With meditation you will move towards divinity and spirituality. You will learn that we are all spiritual beings on human journey and also you will get more inclined towards positives of life. You will become more forgiving and thus can remain light and stress free all the time.

We are all becoming the victims of fast life. Thus we all say that there is simply no time to stand and stare. But with lack of time we are becoming more and more inhuman. We are moving away from humanity and thus there are so many problems in the world. To be a better person, we need to look into ourselves and find out the real "me". For this meditation can be the best option.