Yoga Mats – Make The Yoga Experience Much More Enjoyable

You can do yoga without a yoga mat but let’s face it, who wants to? It is so much more comfortable and enjoyable performing yoga on a mat. A yoga mat is the first accessory that most people practising yoga will purchase as it is the basic requirement for yoga. Not only does a mat let you enjoy yoga more it also enables you to perform the positions effectively to give you the optimum results.

By using a mat when practising yoga in your home will help you to keep motivated with your yoga as it makes your sessions more real. It sets the scene so to speak to make your home yoga sessions as real as if you were attending classes.

If you do attend yoga classes then it is also nice to take your own mat along with you rather than using the class mats. Yoga mats allow you to have your specific space to perform your positions and give you some comfort and protection.

There are different types of mats available including meditation mats, sticky mats, universal style mats and deluxe yoga mats.
If you are not using a mat during yoga you may find that your feet may slip and you might slide in some poses. Deluxe mats are textured that are great for preventing you from slipping during yoga poses.

Sticky mats will stick to the floor and will not slide around which makes it much easier for you while doing your poses and not have to worry about pulling your mat back into place.

When you are enjoying your yoga session you don’t want to have to worry about sliding or slipping and you don’t want to have to worry about your mat slipping or lifting so choose a mat that will solve these problems for you so that you can enjoy the full yoga experience.

Yoga mats come in a variety of colors so I am sure you will find one just right for you!

By: Sheryl Polomka

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Yoga In India

An exercise routine that has taken the world over was discovered in India around 3300 BC. When the Indus valley civilization was uncovered, many seals with figures in yoga poses were discovered. So it had flourished in the Indus valley.

Learning yoga has become an attribute for every Indian. At some point of time they are certainly affected by yoga. A few asanas learnt can keep you healthy for a very long time. They strengthen the digestive system. Increase the blood flow to various parts of the body that keeps you fresh and pepped up all day long. Investing a few hours in this exercise is a long-term assuredness of being healthy.

Many prefer to learn yoga from Rishis (holy men) as they perfect the asana and are able to help the learner perfect it. A wrong bend or a wrong posture can do much harm than good. Hence it is very important to learn the right posture.

As Yoga has been founded in India, it has spread over the centuries. Today you do not have to go to remote villages to learn the exercise from a meditating Rishi (holy man). Instead there are many instructors that are trained in the field to help you practice. It is best prescribed on an empty stomach and after a good rest.

Yoga finds its mentions in the Upanishads and the Puranas that have been composed by the Aryans in later half of the Vedic period. Hence it must have been pursued by Kings, Royals and most of the people as an exercise routine where cardio and weight training were unheard of.

There are 8 stages described by the teachers of Yoga:
Yamas – where one learns to abstain or restrain 2) Niyamas – here one studies to give up the ego and live in purity and contentment 3) Asanas – here are the exercises of healthy living 4) Pranayama – Breathing exercises 5) Partyahar – where the senses are withdrawn 6) Dhrana – complete concentration is achieved 7) Dhyana – from concentration, meditation is the next step 8) Samadhi – the super conscious state is achieved. To reach this stage many years of practice is needed.

And once you attain all the eight then Moksha that is redemption is said to be yours.

By: Jennie Gandhi

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Yoga And Stress Relief

If one is an average person coping with average problems, here is what one is doubtlessly up against: The day is too short. One has to rush to work in the morning and double back home at night, fighting one’s way through crowds and traffic snarls. Bills must be paid, expenses budgeted, meals cooked, chores taken care of after hours – the spouse and children bring their problems; the house-hold absorbs all of one’s energy; family life makes endless demands on one’s emotional and physical resources.

The same holds true for the work-world: In the course of any single day one is up against a dozens of unforeseen complications - there are delays, disappointments, errors, misunderstandings, irritations and similar minor crisis. And then if ever a major crisis looms. All at once one feels driven beyond one’s capacity.

And all this amounts to Stress…

Different people have different ways of responding to all the stress. Some panic, others lose their temper or become paralysed. The physiological reactions vary too, but chances are they will manifest themselves in symptoms such as headache, insomnia, backache, nervous ticks, hives, stomach upsets, etc.

Keeping the tensions up, letting them begin to feel insoluble; and the body protests by escaping into psychogenic illnesses- illnesses that are very real indeed, but whose causes are mental rather than strictly physical. Next come the perpetual frowns, the wrinkles, the greying hair; a general sense of defeat and of growing, old before one’s time.

Yet none of this mystery is inevitable, if one only makes up their mind not to let it get an insidious hold of them. That’s where the practice of Yoga can be of such enormous help. Consider yoga to be a tool that will help banish fear, and the fear of fear. Think of it as a key to spiritual freedom. Yoga and stress relief go hand-in-hand.

As for the spiritual and mental results of Yoga practice, these soon become manifest in a fresh ability to make the most of ones inner resources. While one’s powers of relaxation increases, there follows improvement in concentration.

Once one learns to live without stress, one discovers his own optimum potential and is on the way to live up to it. One’s relationship with others will grow more harmonious and satisfying too.

By: Jennie Gandhi

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Home Grown Yoga

One positive that has resulted from our troubled economical climate is a sense of increased awareness. Many people are starting to look closer at their bank accounts to see where their money is going and looking for ways to save on expenses. As a result, a common renovation these days is the addition of an in-home gym. Not only do you save the monthly club fee, but also the extra gas and time spent going back and forth.

Along the same lines, and gaining in popularity, is the home yoga studio. Instead of trekking down to the neighborhood gym before and after work, just open the door to your own little studio, right in the comfort of your own home. Here are some ideas to help get you started setting up your own yoga space.

Find the perfect location: This can be as simple as transforming an extra bedroom or den, or using a portion of your existing rec room. If none of these options are available, you may consider renovating an attic or loft space over a garage. Whatever space you choose, it should be flat, have natural light and be fairly sound-proof.

Preparing your space: Remember, this is a place where you will be closing yourself off, and when you're practicing you need to feel separate from the rest of the house. Completely rid your room of clutter and any distractions that may interfere with your ability to focus.

The floor should be completely level, and preferably composed of hardwood, bamboo, tile or cork. You should have enough room to stretch out 360 degrees without bumping into anything.

Paint your walls with a non-toxic paint in a pleasing color that is easy on the eyes and produces calming effects. Attach full-length mirrors to the walls, in direct view of where you will be practicing.

Allow natural light to flow in wherever possible, but have a dimmer on your light switch for those evening practices. Avoid harsh fluorescent lighting – it can be hard on your eyes and is not conducive to yoga practice.

Get yourself a small combo TV/DVD for your yoga tapes, and set it up in a place where it can be easily viewed without twisting. A small stereo is also handy for soothing background music.

If possible, allow for a separate temperature control in your yoga room, and keep it at a comfortable 75 to 85 degrees F to help keep your muscles warm and flexible. If you're practicing hot yoga, you may want the temperature as high as 105 degrees F.

Depending on your preferences, here are some supplies you may want to keep on hand: yoga mat, blanket, towel and drinking water, candles, and meditation pillows.

Keep the room clean and stow these articles away in baskets or a cupboard. Decorations should be sparse and limited to objects that have special significance. You may want to include a couple of bamboo or other similar plants.

Above all, try not to use the room for anything other than its intended use. This is your sanctuary; the place where you set aside time just for your practice of yoga. In the end, your room should feel calm and inviting – the perfect escape for complete relaxation.

By: Dena Davis

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Yoga Benefits For Your Healthy Body And Mind

Yoga is practiced by a lot of people. They all know that it is good for their body and mind, but do they know what is the real benefits of Yoga ?. There are a lot of benefits for practicing Yoga, in this article I will only covers few important benefits of Yoga.

First of all, the benefit is divided into two categories. Benefits for your Body and benefits for your mind.

Yoga Benefits for Your Body

- Muscle Tone : by practicing Yoga, it will make your muscle tone more better. Helping you to maintain posture and balance when stretching.
- Flexibility & Awareness : with Yoga, your body will become more flexible, it will increase your reflect a lot and you will be able to do a lot of posture without having any difficulties.
- Cleansing your internal organs : Yoga could help you cleaning various vermin that reside in your organs. For example, it will help your body to process the food you eat more effectively.
- Strength : The strength of your body will also increase, you will also feel more stronger than before. Your physical ability will greatly increase.
- Weight : Doing yoga is also can make you control your weight into the suitable weight for your body. It really helps you to prevent disease like diabetic, gout, etc.

Yoga Benefits for Your Mind

- Stress : Yoga will make you more relaxed, and make your mind peaceful, that will help you to decrease your stress greatly.
- Tension : Some people have a higher tension than others, practicing yoga will definitely calm your mind. It will help you to decrease your Tension.
- Blood Pressure : Blood pressure will also be affected by practicing Yoga. Yoga will make your blood pressure more stable, it could decrease your blood pressure if it is high.

Those above are the few benefits of Yoga, Yoga world is bigger than everyone thinks. Yoga also could help you to relieve your back pain or even diabetic. There are also Yoga Therapy, it could help people to treat some disease like carpal tunnel syndrome. There are even Yoga for disabilities. Yoga is an exercise that help us a lot in our daily life. Remember there are still a lot of benefits in Yoga.

By: KnowYourInnerSelf

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Free Yoga Exercises Online

Yoga in Sanskrit stands for union and it denotes a union or balance between the spirit, body and mind so there is a state of harmony. There's probably no older system for man's personal development than this ancient practice. This has been practiced for almost five thousand years, and it is a certain form of body conditioning that is known to place an emphasis on strengthening the mind and the body, while at the same time stimulating the soul.

Yogi and Yogini refer to male and female practitioners of yoga respectively. In Indian philosophy, there are six orthodox systems and this system is one of them, being a practice that ensures health for the body and the mind. It is a vast subject and contains a great deal more than just sitting around in a lotus position just chanting along in unison.

Yoga, by its very own nature, is very appropriate to address certain back problems like all of those that originate from postural alignment conditions and it is also listed among the best stress busters that you are able to find. People who have cancer practice this in addition to other therapies as it makes them feel good. Many experts recommend the morning before breakfast as the best time for practicing it.

Some of the styles of this discipline are listed below: The Raja yoga is referred to as the kingly form where meditation is the main practice. It is one of the four main paths of yoga where different methods help control the mind, senses, energy and body. Kundalini Yoga: The main component here comprises of the kriyas which are special set of exercises that promise instant results and these are very safe and non-stressful to practice. Hatha Yoga - This is a good system made up of postures called asanas and combining breathing control called pranayama. This is the foundation for all modern posture based types of yoga. The Sahaja yoga is based on the experience of self realization that resides within each individual. This is a unique way of meditating. Moksha hot yoga is an exclusive method which has the combination of healing yoga and the basics of conventional yoga and this is practiced in an especially heated room.

Yoga is becoming more and more popular among all age groups from kids to adults. The reason for the popularity of yoga is that it is not something that is not performed on you but it is something that you perform. Pregnant women can increase endurance and flexibility as it is considered to be one among the best activities that you perform during your pregnancy. Among soldiers this practice is fast gaining popularity as they can improve their stamina, mental focus and flexibility. This was reported by Fit Yoga as well as the Associated Press. This is not just a physical exercise but also a discipline where inner harmony and a sense of well being is the aim.

By: Gugu Maseko

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Practising 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.

By: Juliet Cohen

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The Advantages Of Yoga Exercises For Women During Pregnancy

Yoga exercises, or asanas, are various types of modes or positioning or moving your body. There are diverse yoga exercises that can provide substantial benefits to women's health particularly in times of pregnancy. Broadly differing in the range of style as well as implementation, these types of exercises smoothly stretch as well as effect all different parts of the body.

Around the time of pregnancy, yoga exercises provide a smooth way to keep a healthy balance in life. The exceptional effects of these types of yoga exercises while a women is in pregnancy show the effectiveness of yoga which helps to ensure a lower hazard of pregnancy, natural childbirth as well as an easier transition to the body shape in post-pregnancy period. This articles points out different factors that show benefits through the use and practice of yoga exercises while a woman is in pregnancy.

Yoga exercises have the ability to assist in relieving contractions and edema which typically happens through the last phases of pregnancy. These kinds of exercises assist in affecting the position of the baby and turning it in advance as needed. With the assistance of exercising, the muscles of the abdomen become stronger which in time promotes healthy and regular bowel movements.

Yoga exercises also help in elevating the energy level through the process of lowering the rate of a persons metabolism, which in turn, helps to restore a persons attentiveness as well as their calmness. Symptoms of mood swings, nausea, and morning sickness can help in being alleviated through the use of Yogic pranayama. These types of various exercises also assist in discharging the tension that occur in the birth canal as well as the cervix areas.

These assorted yoga exercises provide health benefits in differing ways. For instance, meditation assists in focusing a persons mind, which eventually helps the focus of a pregnant woman on the opening of the pelvis during the time of labor. At the time of post natal care, yoga exercises are known to be very useful.

These types of exercises assist in rejuvenating the uterus, pelvic floor, and abdomen while offering help in alleviating discomfort of the breast and tension in the area of the upper back. The practice of pranayama or better understood under the description of yogic breathing exercises.

This type of exercise ensures an ample supply of oxygen as well as an increased quality of life for the woman who is pregnant as well as her child. A devoted commitment to the practice of pranayama guarantees a high quality supply of oxygen and the prana or energy that is taken from the air to the baby developing within the expecting mother's womb.

There are other kinds of yoga exercises such as Bandhas as well as Mudras which provide the psycho-physiological affect on a women's reproductive organs. Then again, yogic nidra is a technique that is essential to acquire deep relaxation without the loss of conscious awareness.

Yogic nidra similarly with many other types of yoga exercises can furnish potential advantages particularly in the initial stages of pregnancy during which the women's sleep is typically broken as well as being inconsistent. The significance of yogic nidra is recognized at this point in time with it's providential contribution that features total body relaxation of mind, body as well as spirit.

By: Korbin Newlyn

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Benefits Of Yoga - Both Emotional And Physical

The art of yoga has been mainly designed to focus on the total wellness of an individual. When a person gets involved with yoga they will certainly learn new types of lifestyle ideas as well as new ways of approaching life within the world. Yoga has the ability to improve your health in numerous different ways.

In addition, you will also increase your level of strength as well as become more flexible, improve your balance as well as educating yourself to release your stress and add to your vitality. Yoga can also be a pleasant way to lose weight.

Through the practice of the numerous yoga positions, better known as asanas, heightens your flexibility through working on your joints as well as your muscles, ligaments and tendons. You will begin to notice a substantial improvement in how flexible your body will become as you persist in your practice of yoga. You will be pleasantly surprised with the benefits of yoga for instance the increased muscle tone and the lowering of body fat.

Yoga is great for completely messaging your internal organs as well as the glands of your upper body which includes those that infrequently get stimulation needed. Through the use of messaging your organs as well as your glands yoga assists your bodies defenses to resist diseases from harming your health.

A substantial benefit of doing yoga is the added blood flow that happens throughout your physical body which adds to the strength of your health. The added flow of blood substantially helps your body's natural ability to lower toxin substances as well as delivers added nourishments through your body.

Yoga for the Mind

One of the most profound benefits of yoga that happens is the capability of putting your internal mind as well as your body into a state of harmony, mainly through the use of meditation. Meditation gives you the ability to clear your inner mind and provides much needed inner peace. The meditation aspect of yoga can assist in taking away stress that is unhealthy from both your body and your mind. There are negative aspects of stress that effects your endocrinal, emotional as well as physical systems.

Yoga has been utilized to treat many different ailments. Some of these are; depression, headaches, backaches, assorted addictions, constipation, high blood pressure, indigestion problems, obesity as well as other types of health problems.

Various studies have demonstrated that the advantages of practicing yoga include providing people with the means to have a degree of control over an assortment of body functions such as the temperature of their body, the level of their blood pressure, their internal heart rate, brain waves, their metabolism rate as well as their respiratory function.

Lowering The Level Of Pain

An added advantage of doing the practice of yoga is yoga's capability of assisting in the reduction of pain and by helping a persons brain to regulate a significant mechanism that is located in their spinal cord and by augmenting the production and release of pain reducing substances that are made within your body. The routines that yoga uses for breathing also can furnishes much welcomed pain relief.

If you have back pain which clearly nobody wants then first check with your physician to learn if yoga may be appropriate for your personal situation. Yoga has been demonstrated to help relieve back pain through improving your flexibility as well as your strength. By practicing yoga on a consistent basis you will end up in good physical shape and you will also end up appreciating the physical as well as the emotional advantages of yoga.

By: Korbin Newlyn

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Yoga Tours & Retreat

Yoga is an exercise that help us to maintain our body healthy. By doing some poses, breathing technique and meditation, we could achieve our healthy life.
Yoga is not all about achieving healthy physical body, but also make our mind healthy and always Fresh.
That is why it is not all about doing the exercise, but also meditation to achieve peacefulness in our mind.

Because of that, There are few companies that established retreats or tour about Yoga.
A lot of people do not even know that there are even a retreats in Yoga.
In Yoga Retreats, people are able to practice Yoga while also having a holiday.
We could visit a lot of places around the world, that is good for our Yoga training also.
Usually this places contains beautiful scenery and it is also peaceful, a right place to do meditation in order for our mind to be refreshed.

For example of this places are : Bali, Costa Rica, Japan , Hawaii, New Zealand, India, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Europe, Etc.
Each of this place has their own Uniqueness and Specialty. For example in Bali, this place is known as Gods Island ( Pulau Dewata [ Indonesian Language ] ). This place is located in Indonesia. It is known as its Beautiful Scenery. A lot of people from other country came to this place, because of its beauty.

So, by taking Yoga Retreats, we are not mainly doing the practice of Yoga. We could also enjoy the places we are visit. That means we are doing Yoga Exercise while having a holiday, that will makes our mind more Fresh. With that, We could achieve a Healthy Body and Mind.

By: KnowYourInnerSelf

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Yoga Benefits For Anxiety Relief

Stressed out individuals carry a great deal of physical tension in their bodies. In these cases the natural unblocking effected by yoga postures are helpful. When one rests between postures, abdominal tension is released from the body promoting deep breathing. The benefits of yoga postures (asana), breathing (pranayama), and meditation (dhyana) include increased body awareness, release of muscular tension and increased coordination between mind-and body. It helps in better management of stress and ensures an overall feeling of well being.

Yoga is an ancient practice of controlling body and mind which originated in India a few thousand years ago. It is a practice by which there occurs a physical and mental harmony. The Yoga that is practiced all over the world is actually called 'Hath Yoga' a component of the wholesome Yogic practices. There are many sections in yogic practices which have got different implications.

Yoga has considered internal purification of the human body in depth. The shuddhikriyas (Cleansing Process) have been planned with a view to have total purification of the body before various samskaras are made thereon for baking the body in the fire named Yoga so as to turn the body into a ripe vehicle. The organs where there can be a lot of impurities require these shuddhikriyas. The internal organs, which come into contact with the external matters regularly, need to be purified.

If you are pregnant, you are very likely to suffer from occasional depression, anxiety disorders or panic attacks They should let you move freely in different yoga poses by telling you the benefits and also the dangers.

Supported Bridge Pose (you may want to place a folded blanket under your shoulders to give your neck some extra support and protection):

Lying flat on the floor, belly up, bend your knees so that your feet are as close to your buttocks as possible. Make sure your feet are placed firmly on the ground. Inhale and on the exhale lift your pelvis and buttocks up, off the floor. Your thighs and inner feet should stay parallel to each other. Move your arms underneath you for extra support and clasp your hands together. Lift your pelvis and buttocks up until your thighs are parallel to the floor. Make sure your knees are directly above your heels.

Lifestyle changes can help you control your anxiety. Identify all the things that may be contributing to the problem. Some causes may be in our control to remove others may not. Meditate for a deep detachment from everything external. This will reduce the suffering of anxiety. Meditating on oneness with everything will reduce fear and bring solitude and comfort.

Here are a few simple and basic asanas that help relieve stress:

Savasana:

It is also known as the corpse pose and is happens to be a a stress reliever.

Makarasana:

Makara means crocodile. While performing this asana the body assumes the shape of a crocodile. It is as effective as Savasana.

Balasana:

This is also known as the child's pose. While doing this asana you have to bend forward in such a way that your back is gently rounded.

By: sam nickel6

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The 5 Benefits Of Yoga Mats

Home exercises and routines done in the home are popular these days. Especially for floor exercises and floor routines, there is a special pad that is used by most exercise enthusiasts – Yoga mats. These mats that usually look like carpets come in a variety of colors. These may look simple but these have significant benefits to the user. Knowing these significant benefits will enable you to appreciate more this tool.

The mat when looked at is just a piece of material that at one glance you can tell that it is just used for lying or just used to mark your area where you will do your exercises. Needless to say, there are also benefits you can derive from this and even discover some use of the mat other than for lying down or just a platform for doing exercise routines.

Here are the 5 benefits derived from using the mat during your usual exercise:

1.The mat provides good anchorage and grip. Your feet stay firmly on the floor and the hands will not slip giving you utmost precision in doing your routines. Some routines require quick movements and some needs a very steady position to ensure utmost result. The mat provides these benefits for the user. You can feel and see the difference when doing the exercises on the floor or on the mat itself.

2.It provides safety. The material that most mats are made of prevents slips while doing the exercises. Safety while doing your exercises is one most important benefit it gives. Because your feet can stand firm or you hands can position steadily while doing a routine exercise, slips and slides are prevented. Also it prevents sprains, unnecessary muscle stretching and even accidents while doing your exercise.

3.After that strenuous physical activity, you can relax on the mat and do Yoga without the hassle of the floors with sweat all over. The absorbent property of the mat material gives this benefit.

4.It provides great support for the back when lying down. Floor exercise routines done by lying done comes easy and without strain when done on the mat. Thus, back pains due to strained back muscles are prevented or even injuring the spinal cord is prevented.

5.The mat provides for overall comfort for you to perform all your exercises and routines the way it should be. With the 4 benefits above, obviously, using the mat will give you the assurance of a perfect routine performed when you desire it.

Now that you already know the benefits you can get from this wonder exercise buddy, it would be a very good investment to purchase one. Knowing these benefits can give you the feeling of satisfaction and worth of the money spent to purchase this tool.

By: Xtreme Body Fitness

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The 5 Uses Of The P90x Yoga Mats

The Yoga X is not just an ordinary relaxing yoga. It involves extreme yoga moves such as extreme stretching and bending of all the body parts. It also involves some activities that may test your balance. Standing on one leg is the most common type of a balancing situation in yoga.

As a yoga enthusiast, you might be afraid that your limbs might split at the seams when you try the P90X Yoga stretch. This is natural especially to those who are just new with the Yoga. You might feel that you are ready to fall anytime with just one little false move.

The fear that you might feel while doing the Yoga may take away your focus on the activity and adding to the chances of accidents and injuries. You can overcome these fears and injuries if you are going to use a thick Yoga mat in your every Yoga session. The following are some of the uses of the P90X Yoga Mats.

1. The Yoga mats or the black mats can be used as Yoga mat in your every yoga session. Using this mat will surely take away your fears of falling on the floor because you have a cushion for your protection. This won’t cause any slipping of your feet while doing the most extreme yoga stretch or balancing moves.

2. This mat can be used in Plyometrics to support your knees and it gives a little extra cushion on your feet. Kneeling on a hard surface can cause some injuries on your knees so proper cushion offered by this mat can be helpful.

3. You can use this mat on any exercises that include too much jumping activities. The cushion material of this mat can withstand the torture of the jump-intensive training programs.

4. This yoga mat can be used as a comfortable sleeping mat. When you are tired of your days work you can just lay this mat down and it will give you a comfortable sleep. The not so thick cushion of this mat will let you feel like you are using a comforter or a thin foam mattress.

5. This mat is designed for performance, and to give comfort, safety, by providing shock-absorbing surface for any physical or extreme P90X workout. This yoga mat is thicker and denser than ordinary mats so it can be used on hard or soft surfaces in providing a soft and safer landing for your extreme workouts.

The Yoga mat can serve several purposes other than being a mat for Yoga exercises. The main purpose of using this multi-functioning mat is for your safety. You must use a yoga mat to prevent some injuries or accidents from happening. So the next time you want to do one of the P90X Yoga, you must first secure a Yoga mat of good condition.

By: Xtreme Body Fitness

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Six Uses Of The P90x Yoga Blocks

Yoga is one way of relaxing and enlightening ones mind. You may try yoga for relaxation but you may also use it as a form of exercise. The P90X included yoga in its program. The Yoga X in this program is a higher form of yoga that uses extreme yoga moves that work on you balance, elasticity, and endurance. These extreme yoga moves may require special yoga gadgets like yoga mat, yoga blocks, and many more.

The mat is useful in the floor exercises of yoga. The Yoga blocks are very essential in some of the yoga routines. This block is made with high-density, closed-cell foam and usually measures 4” by 6” by 9”. The following are some of the possible uses of the P90X Yoga Blocks in and out of the yoga sessions.

1. You can use this block as a headrest when you are doing a floor or mat yoga exercise. This gives proper cushion and less tension on the head while doing or maintaining an extreme yoga position. Lying on a yoga mat without a block as headrest develops strains on your neck so this one is very useful in that position.

2. You can kneel on it. This block can serve as a perfect cushion for your knees while on your yoga session. This block does not easily deform even if your whole body is centered on it. It is made of special closed-cell foam so it can withstand your weight and its elasticity let this block to retain its original shape after you release its load.

3. You can sit on this block while doing a yoga meditation. The comfort of sitting in this block helps you endure longer yoga sessions. You will feel like you are doing you meditation on your bed.

4. You can use this block to support your back when doing back bends and stretches. Using this block as a support lessens the potential of incurring injuries or accidents. You can put this block below your back when doing slight bending while lying on the yoga mat.

5. After your yoga session, your yoga block still remains useful. You can use it as a pillow substitute. This will surely give you a comfortable sleep after hours of yoga session.

6. You can also use this block as a footrest while you are comfortably sitting on your sofa while watching TV. You can also use this special footrest on your bed when you are going to sleep.

The Yoga block is very important in doing any yoga activity. This block gives you comfort and safety while engaging on your favorite yoga. The use of this block intensifies you’re your extreme yoga and you tend to endure more of it because of the comfort offered by the block.

By: Xtreme Body Fitness

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Yoga Poses - Types Of Yoga

Yoga is a perfect practical system of self-culture. It is a science, which aims at the harmonious development of the body, the mind and the soul. Yoga aims at controlling the mind and its modifications. It is consists of ancient theories,Halasana observations and principles about the mind and body connection, which is now being proven by modern Science.

Yoga Pose: Cat/Cow

Tell your kids to get on the floor on all fours. Have your kids arch their backs upward. This is cat pose. Then instruct them to go into a backbend. This is cow pose.

Yoga Pose: Eagle

The kids should stand with feet flat on the floor. Then they should wrap their arms around each other so that the fingers of the right hand touch the palm of the left. To complete the pose, they should wrap the right leg around the left, tucking the toes around the ankle. Repeat on the other side. Look at this picture of eagle pose to see how to do this yoga pose properly. If they experience difficulty, simply have the kids flap their wings and squawk for a few seconds to release tension.

Forward Bends

This type of yoga basic position helps stretch your lower back and hamstrings. Forward bends also release tension in your back, neck, shoulders, and increase the flexibility in your spine. They often promote a sense of calmness. I find forward bends particularly challenging since I have a considerable amount of stiffness in my neck due to an old gymnastics injury. This is the type of yoga basic position where I often use a prop such as a strap or block.

Back Bends

They open your chest, rib cage, and hips. They strengthen your arms and shoulders, while simultaneously increasing flexibility in your shoulders. They help relieve tension from the front of your body and hips and they also increase spinal stability. You should always do back bends as a complement to forward bends in order to maintain balance in your body

Hatha Yoga Poses

Hatha yoga poses have remained in practice since their development in 15th century India. Hatha yoga poses are designed to support relaxation and the "contemplation of one reality." When used effectively alongside proper breath control and meditation, the postures are believed to lead to superior mental and physical health, as well as vitality. Classic Hatha yoga poses such as the shooting bow posture, salutation posture, and half moon posture are still used regularly in yoga classes of all kinds.

Twists – You can perform twists to stretch and strengthen your back and abdominal muscles, increase the flexibility of your spine and improve your circulation. Twists improve the functioning of your internal organs by providing them with a fresh supply of blood as you twist and release your body.

Standing poses – Standing poses are often used as warm up or as a starting point for other poses. Standing poses are beneficial for strengthening your legs, opening your hips and improving your sense of balance.

Inversions – Inversions are excellent poses to perform to improve your blood circulation, quiet your mind and improve your overall health. Inversions are also believed to reverse the ageing process and reduce the effect of the gravity on your body.

Relaxation and restorative poses – It is important to take time to perform relaxation or restorative poses at the end of each yoga practice. You can use this time to relax your body and mind and allow energy released by the poses in your practice to move freely throughout your body.

By: samnickel2

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My Experiences With Bikram Yoga

There are a lot reasons why you should beginn to practice Bikram Yoga. The advantages of Bikram Yoga can totally change your life. It is amazing how Yoga can trigger your life and change your perspectives.

Bikram Yoga is widely known as the “hot yoga”. It was also called the Bikram Method Yoga. This intents to build your mental and physical strength. Improving your flexibility and balance is ivery mportant and covered by Bikram Yoga.

Bikram yoga has roots in Hatha yoga which was designed to heal the mind and the body.

Bikram Choudhury was the founder of Bikram Yoga. He was a founder and a yoga practitioner. He developed Bikram Yoga after he met an injury in a weightlifting accident. He was so determined that he had discovered some healing benefits in practicing some exercises. Many people have proven the benefits of Bikram Yoga so the practice was passed on and many people continued to practice this wonderful type of Yoga..

Some people practice Bikram Yoga for healing purposes and physical therapy. This type of Yoga was proven helpful in bringing holistic benefits to those who believed and practiced it.

In fact, there was a patient who suffered from a knee injury. He tried to practice Bikram Yoga and just six weeks after continuous practice, his knees started to feel better. Some troubles and pains that he suffered from were all disappearing.

In order to be successful with the healing process of Bikram Yoga, you need devotion in practicing it.

There are some people who don't believe in the benefits of Bikram Yoga. Bikram Choudhury developed Bikram Yoga with the help of some scientists. The scientists from the University of Tokyo University Hospital proved that Bikram Yoga has medical benefits. Some of its benefits include the repairing of tissues and helps in curing chronic ailments.

The findings and benefits were presented at the International Medical Conference in the year 1972. It was stated that this type of Yoga has the ability to affect the body internally.

The poses and pressure replenishes the cells and the flushing toxins in our body. It also oxygenates blood throughout our body keeping it clean and healthy.

While Bikram was on his research at Tokyo University, he discovered that the healing process takes place when all the body systems are functioning well, conditioned and strengthened. If the body is weak, applying the practice and healing method will be very difficult to obtain.

Bikram has come up with twenty-six posture exercises which are to be practiced every single day. In doing so, treatment in the body can be easily obtained. Some poses are accumulated with the combination of the western and eastern disciplines in Yoga which focuses on the stretching of the muscles, tendons, organs, nerves, glands and ligaments.

The different postures have connections and each of it precedes a posture that's helpful in treating the body effectively.

Anyone who prefer to* do yoga can use Biktam Yoga. It chooses no age at all. This type of yoga works with a tourniquet effect which includes balancing, stretching and creating pressure which is all done at a same time to keep a good blood flow to all the parts of the body.

Thanks to Bikram Choudhury, we can now have solutions to some of our medical problems. Always remember that dedication and devotion to Bikram Yoga is the main ingredient to staying healthy.

By: Oliver Hetzel

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How Yoga Exercises Can Help With Weight Loss

Yoga Exercises for Ideal Weight and Ideal Shape

What is ideal weight? How can you tell whether or not you are at your Ideal weight? And is your ideal weight realistic for your body type or based on some unattainable ideal flaunted in fashion magazines? Is your image of ideal weight more about an ideal shape – one which may not have any bearing to the actual shape of the body you were born into?

Is ideal weight or shape a personal, inner-referenced experience, or something determined from outside yourself? Is it something you can feel or is it based on the opinion of others, or cultural, societal ideals, or tables that tell you what your ideal weight should be in relation to your height, weight or fat percentage?

Yoga is a training ground for inner-referenced awareness, starting in Hatha Yoga, with attention to the body in various Yoga postures, and moving beyond this to naturally meeting your attitudes toward yourself and your life. For this reason, from a Yogic perspective, ideal weight is not seen as a specific, measurable number or amount relative to height, age or fat percentage, or any other means of determining your weight from a source outside yourself.

This would mean deeming outside sources as experts over and above yourself, with these outer sources determining what is acceptable for you and your body. This is disempowering because it robs you of the opportunity to exercise your inner knowledge; your inner wisdom.

Yoga is all about cultivating your internal evaluation and motivation system, based on how you feel and what you deem appropriate and desirable. Added to this is an inner strength and willpower generated through Yoga practice.

In Yoga ideal body weight and shape are considered natural byproducts of health. For this reason, the question of what is ideal body weight naturally leads to a broader question of what is health and how to cultivate it. The order of importance in the process of moving toward ideal weight is health first, which determines how you feel and extends to how you look. This offers a sustainable solution: the stronger your feeling of health and wellbeing, the stronger your self esteem.

This, in turn, makes you less likely to allow criticism (your own, or other people's) of your body, based on unrealistic ideals, to undermine your ability to focus on attaining good health. In good health, your attractiveness and beauty shine through. And once you have achieved good health, you may discover that you are within a healthy weight range.

By: Michelle Spencer

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Yoga For Corporate Stress Management

One of the best privileges in a job is congenial working conditions. This is accentuated with recreation facilities and most corporate structures include a yoga centre which is believed to be the best way to beat stress. Stress is a normal by-product of ambition. Determination in achieving corporate goals is necessitated for personal satisfaction. The stress derived from this source has to be channelised. Yoga believes in the process of cleansing.

Breathing exercises are not actually required to be practiced in seclusion. Anulom and Vinolum are simple deep breathing techniques that help you quiten the rushes in your mind and help you to solve a problem calmly. A steady breathing habit is the best way to ease cramps and bad back posture. Again yoga leads to mediation in a very aware form. Keeping the body tight is again a corporate culture and yoga helps you loosen and form a better posture that relieves the nerve points.

Classes can be tailored to suit specific problems like obesity and joint pains. There are yogic kriyas for blood pressure and kidney ailments. Being agile is again about balance that comes by practicing yoga. One could always invest in good yoga mat and yoga attire for such sessions. Daily occurrences of tension headaches, anger and stress can be beaten with yogic postures. Yoga increases flexibility which is impossible in sedentary jobs.

Yoga directs the mind towards positive thinking and helps in the process of digestion and hence detoxification occurs naturally. Hatha yoga is mostly used as a corporate stress management tool, as this helps in the troika conditioning of the mind, body and soul. Physiological and Psychological cleansing happens through hatha yoga. Stress is normal but the inability to manage stress manifests itself in a physical problem.

It is ideal to get a medical report done and share the same with the yoga instructor. The instructors are trained and will help you solve the condition after allocating specific yoga techniques. Laughter yoga has a lot of meaning and is the best way to relax. One must look forward to the yoga class as this is the best way to nurture oneself with the goodness of health. The daily grind seldom lets us heed to health problems and corporate houses that are realizing this need for employees have to be appreciated.

By: Jennie Gandhi

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Teaching Hatha Yoga

The yoga of Hatha is a specific structure of yoga presented by swatmarama of yogi. Hatha has just combined two tha "terms" of Sanskrit of meaning "ha" the moon of sunlight and significance. Language "ha" is referred to the solar nadi (pingala) in the significant system and the "tha" the lunar line. Hatha is mainly a yoga which prepares the system for the religious route by the intermediary of the physiological exercises and breathing, and asceticism. The yoga of Hatha is the almost important part of yoga, that which is worried simply with the manner with the manner. It prepares and conditions the system so that the psyche can practise the meditation without obstacles more or less.

The yoga of Hatha, like forces rather than an additional rehearse, is completely a tiring manner and of round not to the explanation. The yoga of Hatha is one of the two branches of yoga which concentrate on the physical culture, the other being yoga of Rajah. The yoga of Hatha tries to balance the spirit and the body by the intermediary of the maintenances and the physical exercises, ordered breathing, and to calm spirit by relieving and the meditation. The yoga of Hatha is basically a handbook scientifically to take its system by stages of the order on a level to which the a-acute direction on unmanifested the brahman is potential. The yoga of Hatha is a passage in advance of role.

Most hatha yoga classes do not discuss faith or appeal. In fact, praying and religious increase are not shrouded in detail, because there have been many conflicts over faith. Yet, the concepts and benefits of appeal are comprehensive to all religions. Praying is better for religious health and motive. Making calm moment for a brief meditation is something really few folk do. Meditation can assist us in many ways, but psychological direction too brings about an original country of consciousness, and the motive to have constructive changes. Regular use will assist you curb your emotions and therefore head a more rewarding living.

By: Juliet Cohen

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Practising 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.

By: Juliet Cohen
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A Beginners Guide To Yoga

Many people are crazy about yoga. The reason most people practice yoga is that it makes them feel better and feel more in shape. The different poses and postures make their body flexible and healthy. Yoga for most is the best natural way to relax and unwind. If you are interested in keeping your body in shape, this might be the best exercise for you.

Did you know that yoga could help fight certain illness that may come your way? There has been research that proved yoga helps you to control anxiety, reduces asthma, arthritis, blood pressure, back pain, multiple sclerosis, chronic fatigue, epilepsy, diabetes, headaches, stress, and more.

Yoga has a lot of benefits and advantages. All in a day's work, it can reduce tension and stress. Of course, after a heavy day, you will feel that your muscles have been stuck up and you will feel wasted.

If you do practice yoga, you may see an increase in your self-esteem. It is important to gain confidence so that you may face people without worry.

Yoga is good for the body in increasing your muscle tone, strength, stamina, and flexibility. If you are too heavy, or conscious about your body shape, yoga can help you lower your body fat and help you stay in shape. Yoga exercises can burn excess fat and give you the desired figure that you want.

If you need time to relax and forget your responsibilities, then yoga will be good for improving your concentration and can enhance your creativity. Yoga helps you to think positively because it can help keep you free of your anxieties. If you have a fresh mind, you can easily think good thoughts.

Your body needs to relax often. Sometimes, at the end of the workday, you can feel exhausted. After some of the hardest days, we may not find time to unwind because troubles at work are still on our mind. Yoga helps you to clear your mind and create a sense of calmness and well-being.

Yoga exercises help you improve your blood circulation. Your organs and veins need to be exercised for them to function properly. Yoga can help stimulate your immune system, which can help keep you free from diseases.

Some people practice yoga to get enlightened. They believe that yoga will help them lift their spirit and keep them relieved. Yoga works differently for people, be it spiritual, emotional, psychological, mental, or physical.

Many people think that yoga is only for spiritual, or religious, people. But that myth is wrong. Even if you are not religious, you can do yoga. You will see and feel the difference, and at the same time find out how it works for you.

Due to the pressure and demands of life, we are stressed out and forget the essences of our lives. We tend to lose touch with the ones we used to spend time with, even ourselves.

We find ourselves rushing most of the time with deadlines and hassles at our jobs. This leaves us little time for our minds to wander and have that physical awareness.

These are a few things that yoga can provide. Occasionally, dedicate some time to relax and unwind, which only yoga can do.

By: Dan Levy

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Healing Power Of Yoga

Discover Yoga's Healing Power

There are several medical conditions that can be improved by practicing yoga. It can be used to lessen the negative effects of infertility, lung disease, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, insomnia, cancer, high blood pressure, and joint pain. The beneficial effects of yoga practices are well recognized not only by the yoga community but also by medical doctors.

One of the main elements that lead to an illness is stress. Being responsible for a huge number of sicknesses, this item, which we develop in our minds, can be reduced through a good usage of yoga techniques. Here are just some of the problems that are related to an over active stress response: depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, some types of diabetes mellitus, cardio-vascular disease, several autoimmune diseases, irritable bowel syndrome, colitis, reproductive problems, and an aggravated suppression of the immune system.

The response of the sympathetic nervous system can trigger stress in our metabolism. The reaction to various outside stimuli is also known as the “fight or flight” response – the mind and body, faced with an endangering or disturbing element, prepare for one of the two options. Physically, this is manifested through an instantaneous heart rate increase, together with a high ascent of blood pressure. Breathing gets shallow and the muscles tense in anticipation to the following action. Internally, this response reduces the blood flow to internal organs and processes that are not essential in that particular moment (such as digestion and elimination) are shut down. This state of increased awareness and readiness is beneficial on a short term, preparing our body to react to the outside interventions and stimuli. Both in a “fight” and in a “flight” situation, the body is physically and mentally prepared to act. The problem arises when long-term exposure to similar stress takes place. This “fight or flight” response is only meant to help on short periods of time – the longer it is activated the less resources will the body have to function normally.

There is a natural countermeasure for the “fight or flight” response. It is called the parasympathetic nervous system or the “relaxation response.” It is automatically activated when the elements that caused the stress are gone but it is also possible to increase its effects by breathing deeply and relaxing your muscles. By increasing the length of this process we allow our body to recover faster, enabling it to eliminate the harmful effects of stress in a prompt and efficient manner.

Yoga highlights the idea that by using breathing and relaxation techniques you can reduce the harmful effects of stress factors on your body. A lessened “fight or flight” response can also be achieved by looking at adverse factors as challenges rather than threats. This approach allows your mind to focus on finding a solution, rather than creating an abrupt response. Another concept employed by this technique is that of acting versus reacting, of taking initiative versus responding to outside factors.

The positive effects of yoga during a healing process are undeniable. However, these techniques should only be used as a form of support and the healing shouldn’t rely solely on them. The best results are achieved by combining yoga with traditional and modern medicine and by addressing a problem both from a mental and physical point of view.

By: The Yoga Master

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What Is Hatha Yoga?

Have some Hatha Yoga

. Hatha yoga is known as the 5000 year old system which was used to increase the healthy body, mind and spirit. People who do Hatha Yoga combine the stretching exercises of asanas into their practice. It includes the mental concentration and breathing techniques

The Lotus position from Asanas is being used in practicing Hatha Yoga.

The goal of applying Hatha Yoga is just the same as using other kinds of Yoga. It aims to blend the human spirit with the peaceful spirit of the Universe. With this practice, the person doing the Yoga exercise increases their spiritual, mental, physical and emotional health and aspect.

Doing Hatha Yoga gives you peace and keeps your environment and the world as one. In doing yoga, including all types of yoga, concentration is the root or main ingredient for a successful yoga

All other types of Yoga have some similarities in one way or the other. The main focus of Hatha Yoga is to prepare the body to give in so that the spirit will be able to absorb and accomplish its mission. The spirit is responsible in lifting and enlightening. When the spirit is enlightened, the mind is relaxed and it throws away all stress and pain. The body does too.

Too many people get confused because they do not understand that if your body is not healthy and unfit; your spirit cannot successfully accomplish the task. So the goal of Hatha Yoga is perfect to apply if your spirit is weak.

Hatha Yoga will help encourage your body to move and advance positively to a level in which the spirit will be able to work properly. Your spirit and body needs to respond positively so that the mind will be able to keep up with a good concentration.

When people hear of the word Yoga, Hatha Yoga will come to their minds first. Hatha Yoga is popular and it is the popular branch of Yoga. In fact, the other style of yoga such as the Kundalini, Ashtanga, Bikram and Power Yoga has originated from Hatha Yoga.

Hatha Yoga is known as the vehicle for the soul. It is responsible for driving the body and the spirit into the universe. Just imagine soaring to the universe and feel no gravity at all. That is just so relaxing and tempting.

Concentration is something that is hard to maintain and recover. If you find yourself easily distracted by outside forces, Hatha Yoga might work to fight it.

The best thing about practicing Hatha Yoga is that it helps you find out for your self that there is a divine light that shines in you. Not only does it enlighten you but it can help you become stronger, relaxed and flexible.

The exercise involved in doing Hatha Yoga allows the spiritual energy to flow through the open energy channels. This will be possible if the mind, body and spirit is working good and has harmony. Of course maintaining a healthy body is the most important of all. If your body is weak, your mind and spirit is affected too

When you practice Hatha Yoga, you can easily cope up with stress and relieve some pain and tension. Sometimes, work leaves you wasted and exhausted so you need to relax once in a while. Hatha Yoga is the best remedy to release that pain and tension.

By: The Yoga Master

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Yoga Relaxation, Shavasana Or The Corpse Pose.

Activity is the law of life and it is carried out at the expenditure of energy produced by a certain amount of wear and tear of all the organs of the body, and particularly at the expense of the voluntary muscles. During waking hours we perform all sorts of co-ordinated movements which are dependent on the contraction and relaxation of opposing sets of muscles and thus a certain amount of recuperative time is given to the muscles which are relaxed. If the contraction of a muscle is prolonged too long or carried out more frequently than a muscle is accustomed to, we feel a sensation of fatigue which is due to the accumulation of waste products of contraction. In the relaxed position of a muscle the circulation of the blood is not obstructed.

The constant supply of blood energizes the muscle by giving up its oxygen to it and in exchange carries away the products of metabolism, or renders them inert. The chief advantage of relaxation is that it gives in a minimum time a maximum amount of renewed strength. Sleep is a great energizer as all the voluntary muscles are then at rest and recuperative processes go on unconsciously. During sleep, the subconscious mind, not being under the control of consciousness, wanders away from the body. If we could obtain the same relaxation which we get in sleep by resting at will, the sub-conscious may be made to remain in the body and vitalize and control the activity of all the involuntary organs in the body.

Technique: Lie supine, i.e., flat on the back with the hands and legs fully extended. Keep the feet apart by about nine inches with the toes directed outwards. This position helps to relax the muscles of the lower extremities. Keep the hands close to the body with the palms pointing upwards and with the fingers slightly flexed. The face should be turned sideways by rotating the head on its own axis. This will help to relax the muscles of the neck. To relax the face muscles let the jaw drop down by keeping the mouth slightly open. Keep the eyes closed and the body quite motionless. The relaxation of the trunk-muscles is dependent on correct breathing. The muscles of the thorax and the abdomen normally begin to relax during expiration and maximum relaxation is reached during the suspensionary period occurring between the respiratory cycles. It is not possible to suspend breathing for a long time. A short inspiratory effort followed by a prolonged expiratory one will maintain the relaxation of the trunk-muscles for a longer time than their contraction in a short inspiratory effort. Even in this relaxed position of the body the muscles still remain alert for any stimulus that they may experience, because the vitality of the muscles in the form of voluntary nerve-force is still present. The next effort should then be directed towards devitalizing the muscles so as to completely relax them in the true sense. To achieve this, the nerves supplying the muscles must be made non-Impressionable to both, the afferent (in-going) and efferent (out-going) stimuli. To begin with, try to devitalize a group of muscles at a time. Devitalizing should be carried out in the following order. First the lower extremities, then the upper extremities, neck, face and lastly the trunk. The thought of devitalizing a particular group of muscles must synchronise with deep inhalation which helps to draw the vitality of the part (Prdna) upwards and this Is made apparent by a sinking feeling in that part. This makes the muscles non-impressionable to afferent impulses. Keep steady the vitality thus withdrawn at a point near the root of the nose by directing the gaze there with the eyes closed, and then slowly exhale.

This prevents the generation of a reflex impulse froih the brain and in the absence of this the devitalized part remains completely relaxed. By this process not only are all the voluntary muscles relaxed, but at the same time that concentration of the mind is achieved which is so highly prized by spiritual culturists for developing further the more advanced and spiritual stages of Yoga. When success in relaxing the muscles of the different parts of the body has been achieved, then an effort should be made to relax the muscles of the whole body at the same time. This is the true aim of Shavasana. With perfect relaxation of all the muscles of the body, the breathing becomes slower and shallower and the body becomes like a corpse. Whether the body is perfectly relaxed or not can be tested by telling some one to lift after a stipulated period either the forearm or a leg to a certain height and then let it go. If the body is in a truly relaxed condition, the limb raised will fall to the ground like a dead-weight. Retain the pose from three to six minutes taking into consideration the fact that in this pose the time seems abnormally long.

This pose, if rightly practiced, is extremely refreshing after any kind of exertion and is so soothing to the nerves that sleep is often induced during its practice. This tendency to go to sleep should be checked very determinately. As a therapeutic measure Shavasana should be practiced to reduce high blood pressure and for the cure of neurasthenia.

By: Chaker Saaf

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The Role Of Yogic Exercises In Building Muscles For All Ages.

After the age of 45 when one is not generally accustomed to taking any physical exercises the practice of Yogic asanas may prove rather discomforting at first. The rigidity of the muscles begins to manifest itself after that age. Certain muscular movements produce a discomforting sensation of stretching of the muscles. The spine loses its elasticity after the age of 45 and its bending in all directions plays an important part in all the Yogic asanas. Yet this ought not to deter an elderly person from undertaking the practice of Yogic physical culture. These obstacles can be easily overcome if the asanas are practiced in stages. The latter, however, are not mentioned in the Yogic literature of old. They help in reaching the final pose, and they also give a preliminary training to the muscles concerned in maintaining it. The Yogic seers were only concerned with the final pose, no matter how it was achieved. It may take a longer time for an elder person to reach a perfect pose but it would be worth it.

Regularity and persistence should be observed in practicing the exercises but on no account should the asanas be done hurriedly or violently. If you are pressed for time, reduce the number of repetitions of each exercise and the retaining time of the pose. "Women should suspend all the Yogic exercises during the periods of menstruation and of pregnancy. Whichever set of asanas is selected for practice never change its order and adhere to that set tenaciously, till you have mastered all the exercises of that particular group. Try to do the whole set at one sitting, and endeavor to retain the final pose for a longer and longer period every day. The time of retention can be easily measured mentally by counting number by repeating mantras of one's selection, or by concentrating on one's own respiratory rhythm. These essentials should be kept in mind if one wishes to reap the maximum benefit from the practice of asanas. The asanas also have a spiritual significance and prepare one for the practice of the further and more advanced branches of Yoga.

By: Chaker Saaf

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Beginners Guide To Yoga : Part 5 Basic Yoga Positions For Beginners

The Basic Yoga Positions for Beginners

Yoga positions for beginners are so easy to learn. If you have not experienced any yoga session or have not seen one, that is not a problem.

Practitioners have talked about the unification of the mind, body and spirit. They claimed that this will be acquired through the practice of yoga exercises and techniques.

If it is your first time to hear of yoga, you will of course wonder how these exercises are done and how it looks like. Since you are a beginner, you will also definitely ask what kind of positions will be best for you.

Yogis have believed that the mind and the body are bonded into a unified structure. This belief has never failed and changed through time. Yoga has extensively performed an amazing procedure of healing oneself through harmony. This can be successfully done if you are in a proper environment.

With the great effects of yoga, the doctors have been convinced that yoga has some therapeutic results and can be recommended for people who have illnesses that is hard to cure.

If you have some illness that has been with you for a long time, you can practice the yoga positions for beginners and apply it to yourself.

If you want to practice the yoga positions for beginners, you must believe that yoga is effective and will help you to be cured or be refreshed.

Yoga is not just a recent application. It has been practiced and applied a long time ago and up to the present, the people are benefiting a lot from it.

Investigations and researches have been implemented to prove that yoga can be helpful in the healing process.

Therefore, it has been proved that the yoga positions for beginners are extremely effective and useful when it comes to maintaining a high level of joint flexibility. Although the yoga positions for beginners are just simple and basic, it can slowly bring up a healthy lifestyle and bring more when it is practiced over and over again.

The yoga positions for beginners are very interesting and exciting to perform. Beginners will never find it hard to keep up with the exercises because it is just simple. The technique of yoga gives a very big contributing factor to our internal glands and organs. It also includes the parts of the human body which is barely stimulated.

If you want to learn the yoga positions for beginners, you can learn it easily at home or at school where yoga is taught.

Some basic yoga positions for beginners include standing poses, seated poses, forward and backward bends, balance and twisting. These yoga positions for beginners are not that far from those who are used to practicing yoga. Only that the extreme poses and positions are handled at the latter part of the exercise.

The time duration in executing the positions are also lessened because a beginner cannot fully cope up with a longer time exposure in practice. Rest is required of the beginner so that he will not be drained easily to prepare the body for further positions.

Since you are a beginner, the most important thing you should understand is self discipline. Yoga is not just doing yoga and executing the poses. If you haven’t mastered the basics yet, do not jump into the complex stages and positions because you will not feel the essence of executing the yoga positions for beginners.

By: The Yoga Master

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