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.

The easiest stressbuster technique- Yoga Nidra

The one thing that the modern man of the 21st century faces in his day to day life is STRESS. It is a free commodity and by-product that we all get due to excessive mental work, which has become a way of functioning in this Hi-Tech Age. We all have to deal with stress in our routine lives and now we have become so accustomed to it. We have accepted Stress as a part of our life. But there is a way of life – minus Stress and there is a wonderful technique that helps us achieve a beautiful life – without Stress.

A little Stress in life actually adds to our functionality, as it makes us more Alert and watchful of our Actions. Hence we function with much more dexterity. But, when Stress crosses its limits and dominates every chore of our day to day lives, then it becomes very harmful and destructive to health. I know this thing particularly well as being a Currency Trader, I come across a significant amount of stressful situations every day in the ever turbulent financial markets, which never seem to be at peace with themselves.

But the good news is that I have come across a beautiful technique called Yoga Nidra that helps me in executing my day to day life and progress in my career without any stress whatsoever. The same stressful activities that used to give me a poor health, bad digestion, unsound sleep and a very bad mood, have now become so easy and fun to do, that its hard for me to believe it that its actually possible to live Stress-free in these turbulent times.

Yoga Nidra is an ancient technique derived from the Tantra. It makes us more Conscious and we enter into relaxation with that higher Consciousness. The result is that the relaxation and sleep that we enter into, is much more sound and deep. Generally, when the day is too stressful, the sleep at night also carries the anxiety, frustration, anger and repressions with it. So, the sleep is not so relaxing and we wake up in the morning feeling somewhat tired. Yoga Nidra helps us be free of all negative conditionings and gives us a relaxation that comes out of deep meditation, one feels like having a trip of paradise after each session of Yoga Nidra.

The regular practise of Yoga Nidra prepares the ground for higher levels of Consciousness. One achieves better Concentration, Focus and sharper Intelligence- all of them ingredients of unparalled success. It’s a blissful journey where the benefits start to trickle in right from the very first session. Yoga Nidra is being used actively by the Medical Community to heal psychosomatic disorders and also to aid the learning process. Modern Medical Science is coming across many benefits of Yoga Nidra, and states that its just the tip of the Iceberg.

The advantage of living in this High-Tech Age is that we do not need to go to the deepest caves of the Himalayas to learn this technique from the Tantra Yoga Gurus. Its available as a pre-recorded musical CD, its just enough to listen to it awarefully and follow the instuctions. Each session brings more joy and Bliss into our lives, and by and by we learn how to live Stress-free in our daily lives.

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.

Yoga for Relaxation

Discover the true meaning of yoga…

In taking any modern yoga class, you will find parallels to ballet. Like ballet, the promise of poise, grace and flexibility encourages much interest. Yet if yoga is like any other exercise, it is only at first glance. Underneath the coveted health and fitness benefits of modern yoga practice are the roots of a great spiritual tradition blending cultures and religions.

Unfortunately, through the westernization of yoga, we have lost an essential component of this peaceful practice. Though the ritual remains intact the meaning has gone astray. Where previously the postures of yoga practice were merely a branch of a tree; today they are viewed by western society as the tree itself. How do we bring meaning to our poses?

Modern Yoga’s Roots and Benefits

Though the development of yoga cannot be pinned to an exact year, the discovery of the Indus seals, which show figures in the classic yoga asana (posture) of lotus pose, trace yoga back to at least 3000 BCE. At this time the Vedas were being written, which today’s yoga postures are derived from. These gave birth to Vedic yoga, which accommodated the ancient Indians fixation on ritual and sacrifice. We see evidence of the importance of sacrifice in the yogic corpse posture. Lying as though we were placed in a coffin, this represents the ultimate sacrifice-that of death. Though seemingly morbid, corpse posture is one of hope when we understand that according to the Vedanta sutras, death results in liberation

Sacrifice was meant to join the material and the physical, and create the longed-for “union” that defines the word Yoga. The Vedanta sutras (vs.4:4,13-14) declare that the liberated soul is not materially motivated.. By asking us to free ourselves from the bondage of material motivation, compassion requires us to be selfless. Surely, this giving is an exercise in compassion. Even still, the modern practice of yoga facilitates this. Through postures and stillness, we alter our consciousness and therefore change our perspective. In our new realization of others as being part of the cosmic whole, we feel that in giving to them we are also giving to ourselves.

The ancient philosophy of yoga saw its postures as part of a greater whole. Thousands of years ago during the time of Astanga yoga, posture practice was one piece of a more important whole. Astanga yoga, which originated during Vedic India, was derived of eight branches; yama (control and discipline), niyama (rules, methods and principle), asana (posture), pranayama (focused breathing), prathyahara(avoidance of undesirable action),dharana (concentration), dhyana (meditation) and samadhi (contemplation). In contrast, most contemporary yoga focuses on postures and uses breath work as a small component or an afterthought. Though admittedly, the current vision of yoga over-emphasizes asana, it is extremely important and has enormous benefits. The medically studied benefits of yoga include the following: Stress reduction, improved muscle strength and tone, increased energy and flexibility, improved balance and coordination and a reduction in depression.
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Moving with Compassion

Through most of asana practice, we are unconsciously engaging in physical metaphor. Many yoga postures are named after and imitate the living world; tree pose, eagle pose, frog pose, cat pose. By developing postures that imitate the stance of animals, the vedic seers may have been seeking not only to embrace the qualities of these animals, but to formulate compassion for them.
The way that compassion serves as a partner to yoga’s goal of liberation can be understood through reading the ancient yogic texts. Understand these vedas; whether they be the Rig Veda (knowledge of praise),Yajur-Veda (knowledge of sacrifice), Sama Veda (knowledge of chants), and Atharva-Veda(knowledge of atharvan), is likelier while deep in meditation. Understanding the vedic sutras, we are permitted to experience a bliss unknown through material grasping.

In this state everyday experiences fade away and a greater perspective unfolds. Over time, meditation also allows us to become more intuitive and receptive. This opens us up to others, enhancing our compassionate nature. This experience has been discussed by Eastern sacred-text expert “H.P. Blavatsky’s in “The Voice of the Silence.” Blavatsky writes: “Compassion is no attribute. IT is the LAW of LAWS—eternal Harmony, Alaya’s SELF; a shoreless universal essence, the light of everlasting Right, and fitness of all things, the law of love eternal.”

In order to experience compassion for others we must first extend it to ourselves. Straining too forcefully in a pose is counter to compassion. Why? Yoga teaches us that we are all connected, so when we hurt ourselves this pain eventually reaches others. Instead we must strive for gentle self-acceptance, competing with nobody-not even ourselves. This is essential to a rewarding experience of yoga.

Postures for Peace

By the time of Patanjali’s yoga sutras, which were written near the beginning of the common era, we begin to see a discussion of the more practical aspects of yoga. Posture is discussed (be it mainly for meditative purposes), as is concentration of the mind during this exercise. In the Yoga-Sutra, Patanjali presents relaxation as the very essence of yoga practice. He teaches us that posture should be steady and comfortable .This sentiment is reflected in the postures (asanas) of today’s practice. The physical dimension of yogic exercise requires us to have compassion for our limits. We are never asked to push, instead only to release. Mercifully, our small efforts are graced with us connecting to a life-force that is divine and encompassing.

Asanas urge us to see our body as divine, and to nurture health in this mortal temple. Yogic adepts understand that their body is flawed, however slender and toned it may look externally. This acknowledgement leads to less judgement of other’s bodies. However pleasing to the eye a yogis shape may be, the same vedic texts that encourage the practice of yoga for health, also remind us that true “liberation” comes from being free of the cycle of rebirth-free of the physical form.

Yogic postures work in contrast to the western notion of exercise. Here we see exercise as an end, such as an end to overweight and fatigue. Yoga is different. While in most forms of exercise the physical results are the sole goal, in yoga the soul is the goal. The ancient tradition of yoga exercise stands apart in its doctrines. The ancient yoga texts insist that the mind and spirit are more important than the physical body. While many other eastern forms of mind-body fitness also encourage this awareness, no other physical practice has the ultimate goal of union with the divine. In yoga, the process of attaining this union is as important as the actual attainment.

Yoga practice is not a means to an end. It is an end in of itself. Even distinguished from vedas and sutras, the modern practice of yoga posture is a beautiful and calming pursuit. Though modern yoga practice makes little mention of the scriptures that it is based on, the experience of union and compassion can be woven into each pose. In doing this we are enhancing more than our practice, we are improving our life.

Everything You Want to Know About Yoga

What is Yoga?

Yoga is an ancient physical and spiritual discipline and branch of philosophy that originated in India reportedly more than 5,000 years ago. The word yoga comes from the Sanskrit word yuj, which means to yoke, join, or unite.

The Iyengar school of yoga defines yuj as the "joining or integrating of all aspects of the individual-body with mind and mind with soul-to achieve a happy, balanced and useful life."

Purpose of Yoga

The ultimate aim of yoga, they claim, is to reach kaivalya (emancipation or ultimate freedom).

The History of Yoga

There is no written record of who invented yoga because it was practiced by yogis (yoga practitioners) long before humans knew how to write. The earliest written record of yoga, and one of the oldest texts in existence, is generally believed to be written by Patanjali, an Indian yogic sage who lived somewhere between 2,000 and 2,500 years ago.

How Does Yoga Work?

Yoga uses asanas (postures), focused concentration on specific body parts, and pranayama (breathing techniques) to integrate the body with mind and mind with soul.

The Mind

Yoga focuses on the mind by teaching you to concentrate on specific parts of the body. The focus is internal, between your head and your body. The idea is to not fight any thoughts you have, but to let them come and go while the instructor leads you through visual imagery to help you focus on how your muscles feel. The result is to drift into a peaceful, calm, and relaxing state.

The Spirit

Yoga uses controlled breathing as a way to merge the mind, body, and spirit. The breathing techniques are called pranayamas; prana means energy or life force, and yama means social ethics. It is believed that the controlled breathing of pranayamas will control the energy flow in your body and lead to a deep, inner calm and sense of relaxation.

The Body

Yoga asanas (postures or poses) help condition your body. There are thousands of yoga poses to help condition the body.

In Sanskrit, these poses are called kriyas (actions), mudras (seals), and bandhas (locks).