Derive the Most Out of Various Yoga Asanas with the Help of Yoga Accessories

The markets of sporting goods are equipped with a comprehensive range of yoga accessories, which enable you to practice your yoga asanas in a more comfortable manner which will further lead to derive maximum out of them.

But it is not necessary to purchase all of the accessories, rather it is recommended to opt for the necessary ones. Unlike other sports, yaga does not require different types of expensive accessories rather the only major equipment required by it is your “BODY”.

The yoga accessories play a significant role in making you to perform various yoga asanas safely, as they may prevent you from unexpected slips and slides while practicing them.

- Different types of yoga accessories:

The followings are the different types of yoga accessories, which will enable you to perform yoga in a more comfortable manner, but as discussed earlier, it is not necessary to have all of them.

a) Yoga Books

b) There is a wide range of yaga books which are considered as the perfect yoga accessories in guiding the practitioners while performing yoga.

c) Yoga Apparels

One of the most common yoga accessories is the yoga clothing which plays a significant role in the world of yoga. It is always recommended to opt for the comfortable pair of yoga apparels so as to enable free movements of your body while performing different types of yoga asanas. The various types of yoga apparels include yoga pants, T-shirts, yoga shorts, etc.

d) Blankets

There are different types of blankets available in the market which can be placed on the floor to proffer comfortability to every part of the body.

e) Benches

There are various benches available along with the cushions on their back in order to deliver comfort and relaxation while meditating. Not only this, they also proffer an excellent support to the body while performing any stretching or deep breathing asanas.

f) Straps

These yoga straps are used for yoga stretches so as to enable the performers to maintain a particular position for longer hours in order to obtain the best results.

g) Sandbags

The sandbags are generally used during the yoga asanas in order to enable the toning up of the muscles at a faster rate.

h) Yoga Balls

The yoga balls are used for various yaga exercise programs.

i) Yoga Bag

The yoga bags are especially equipped with an adequate amount of space so as to carry the various types of yoga accessories to the yoga class.

j) Yoga Mats

The yoga mats act as the center stage for all types of yoga exercises and meditations. They also enable the body to perform various asanas at an ease. They also prevent unexpected slipping and sliding of the performer while practicing.

k) Yoga DVD’s

There are different types of Yaga DVD’s available in the market, which generally guide you while practicing yoga exercises when you want to perform yoga at your own place. Basically, they act as the yoga teachers.

Though, the purchase of all these accessories is not necessary, but they are considered as the useful items in order to perform the yoga asanas at an ease and with comfortability.

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Yoga In Fayetteville

Yoga, in Fayetteville, began at Breathing Space in January 2005. Lisa Lofthouse partnered with Charlotte Sessoms, a massage therapist, to provide a unique healing environment for the Fayetteville, North Carolina community. What began as a dream of providing yoga classes and massage therapy to a small number of clients, has grown into a healing arts center where a person can enjoy not only the unique abilities of three talented massage therapists, meditation instruction, stress management classes, and beginning this year, nutritional counseling.

All the healing modalities of Breathing Space meld together into a wonderful gift to the community. A person may come seeking yaga and end up taking a cooking class, getting a massage, or enjoying a workshop on breathing techniques. The staff at Breathing Space feel that once you walk in the door your needs will be met and if they are not, we will find a way to meet those needs.

The Fayetteville community has embraced yoga at Breathing Space. The classroom holds up to 10 students, and they may range in age from teenagers to seniors. Most students come seeking development and enrichment of body, mind, and spirit. Lisa Lofthouse and Evangelin Brodksy are both 500-hour Kripalu yoga professional level instructors. Lisa came to yoga from a business and fitness background and Evangelin found yoga through dance. Therefore, even though they were trained at Kripalu, their classes are unique and each brings her own life experiences into the yoga classroom.

Kripalu yoga teaches that all you seek and all you need are within you. Through various life experiences and the continued bombardment of external stimulation, most people seek peace outside of themselves, through walks in nature, going to the movies, reading books, etc. Through yoga, you learn to bring your awareness inward, to notice how the body moves when it breathes, how moving one arm or one wrist can be felt in the shoulder or back. When you learn to dive into inner awareness, even if it is simply noticing one breath, you learn to live in the present moment.

Kripalu yoga is a path of awareness, a path of inquiry into whom and what you really are and all that you have to offer to life. When you begin to bring your awareness to breath and movement, you begin to learn how thoughts and emotions are held in the body. This holding of thoughts and emotions creates tension and through the practice of postures and breath, tension is released and a sense of ease comes into the body. When the body is relaxed and at ease, the mind slows down creating a calmer, quieter lifestyle. So what you learn in a yaga class can be taken off the mat and into your everyday life.

When the body is put into various non-habitual movements and postures and the mind is taught to breathe through these types of tensions and to stay soft and centered, a habit of letting go and simply being develops and this can be carried into every aspect of life.

Lisa and Evangelin believe that the more people come to yaga the closer we will come to creating a more peaceful community right here in Fayetteville, North Carolina. Each person who comes to Breathing Space and is touched by the peace they find and has the ability to add peace and harmony to our community. One posture at a time, one massage at a time, one breath at a time can change the world.

By: Lisa Lofthouse

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Tag : yaga,yaga mats,yaga therapy,yaga massage

Relaxing Yoga Music - Whether Performing Yoga Or Meditating, the Right Music Creates the Right Mood!

The effects of music to a person's mind and emotion has been under research for a long time. Listening to music is quite relaxing, especially before going to bed. It will allow stress-free environment, for you and let you relax and sleep peacefully.

Relax, calm yourself, focus and balance your life with a lot of diverse collection of great relaxing yoga music. They vary from serene instrumental relaxation music to many chants and kirtan and electronica.

Yoga Planet is the graceful yet modern form of yoga music and is the best for exercising and relaxing too. It provides great stress free experience to your body and soul. Gordon brothers (Buddha-Lounge, Earth Drum), along with Bobby Cochran, Alex Newman and Noah Alexander have successfully combined the multi-cultural beats, electronica, guitar, piano and vocals of Buddha-Lounge series with the peaceful environment of meditation music, creating new music ideal for Yoga.

Some of the great relaxing yaga music and nature sounds have been carefully selected to aid sleep, and provide a relaxing atmosphere for activities such as yoga, tai-chi, and meditation.

Just like rhythmic drumming can cause hypnotic effect, the sound of the vibraphone can be really soothing. The sound of ocean waves gives a great sense of relaxation and calmness. Sounds of birds and wind chimes provide a relaxing atmosphere too.

Artist like William Ackerman and Michael Hedges provide quite a soothing and relaxing yoga music as one of the yoga routine.

French duo Uman's relaxing yaga music, "The White Spirit", really take listener to an exotic, rhythmic place great for concentrating and stretching the body. There are many others including "Bridges" from Celtic-folk artists Nightnoise. The best feature about this music is the sound of acoustic guitar and violin, then there is Philip Aaberg's realling touching "Crying Smile"; and Patrick O'Hearn's "87 Dreams of a Lifetime," are great you're your body moving. Yoga Zone is a solid collection for the various physical movement.

Relaxing Yaga Music is great way of keeping ourselves relaxed and enjoy the workout even more. Many researchers like Mr. Masaru Emoto studied how sound effect water, thus showing that the water molecules do change with different sounds of music. Many botanists have also studied in great detail, about music effecting plants. It was quite amazing to find out that plants gave a good response to the relaxing music, as compared to plants with rock music (as some of them died). This shows that listening to wrong kind of music can be so harmful.

Nowadays, we can get peace with meditation, yoga, relaxing music and they have become a part of our everyday lives. This relaxing yoga music let the tensions go away from your life and regenerate the soul.

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Yoga Bag - Quality Matters!

When buying any product you have to think hard about the quality of the item. The same applies even for a yoga bag. While these bags are rather simple bags, and have very few frills attached to them, you would still be impressed with the kind of due diligence you need to exercise before you buy them. Of course, with the yoga bag's accommodating yoga mats, you might have to think really hard on the lines of the bag's quality.

Critically, all the talks of quality could go haywire when you think of the varying sizes of yoga mats. On average, yaga mats have a size of about 24", so buying a 27" yoga bag should be good enough. That said, the material in which the bag is made, also matters a lot. A yoga mat is a precious commodity, so you wouldn't want to play around with anything that compromises the peace and ambiance of it. Thus, the yoga bag should be designed and made in such a way that, it helps protect the yoga mat from all conditions.

Good quality yaga bags also consider the ease with which users can carry these bags. Often, these bags can turn out to be rather bulky units, especially when you decide to stuff them with a whole lot of other things other than a yoga mat. In such a scenario, good quality bags made for this purpose will allow you to accommodate as many things as you want in them, without really making it difficult for you to carry them.

There is one thing you may want to know about yoga bags. You normally don't have any reputed brand of yaga bags, as there are many such products. It could thus be fair in saying that the yoga bags domain, is by and large, irregularized. Whatever is the case, quality is important for these bags at all times.

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Yoga and Asthma - The Benefits of Yoga

The many benefits of yoga have long been stated by yoga gurus and teachers, but there have not been many scientific studies to prove this. Lots of yoga practitioners rave about how great they feel and how many illnesses and symptoms have improved or disappeared after months and years of yoga practice.

A recent study has shown clear benefits from regular yaga practice on asthma symptoms. The study completed this year in New York followed two groups of people with asthma and no other significant types of difference. There was a control group consisting of 20 people who did not follow the yoga practice. After a ten week period the group of 20 doing regular yoga showed an improvement of 43 percent in heart rate variability, oxygen consumption and ventilation whilst performing two tasks compared to the control group who did no yoga.

This is great news for both people who do yaga and those with asthma, to improve your medical condition after ten weeks is quite amazing and to do so without any change in medication or procedures is wonderful. This is an improvement assessable to everyone although any exercise program should obviously be discussed with your doctor first.

Yoga can be adapted to consider any disability with a good yaga teacher; it is advisable to take some classes before using any home DVDs. The study group practiced three times a week, two classes and one home session equaling 165 minutes a week. I really want this information out there to help others, as a yoga practitioner and someone with asthma, I consider yoga to be essential to my general well being and health.

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Yoga and Natural Beauty - A Match Made In Heaven

For those wanting to live a holistic lifestyle, practicing yoga and using organic beauty products are almost no-brainers, after all, both are good for your body and the planet. But yoga and organic beauty have more in common than you might think. So if your daily mat habit is leaving your skin ultra sensitive, adding gentle but effective organic products into your daily routine can help perfect your complexion while helping you maintain your holistic lifestyle. Here's how.

Allergies. Deep yaga breathing can help clear nasal passages, while practicing yoga in a heated room often can clear sinuses and make allergy symptoms more mild. Organic products are often more friendly to sensitive or allergy-prone skin, since they're not packed full of synthetic chemicals and fragrances. Try Dr. Hauschka Eye Solace or Logona Free Body Lotion.

Happiness/mood. By creating a strong mind-body connection (and a healthier, stronger body), yoga practice improves overall well-being and mood. Essential oils used in many organic products also have mood-enhancing properties, and the purer formulas in natural products mean they often have a more powerful effect. Try Farfalla Gemstone Oils or Rain Africa Essential Oil Uplift.

Aging. Yoga's ability to stimulate the body's detoxification process can go a long way to delay aging; there's even some anecdotal evidence that some yoga poses, particularly inversions, can stimulate blood flow to hair follicles and even revert gray hairs back to their natural color! Likewise, organic beauty products incorporate natural anti-aging ingredients like antioxidants and vitamins to give your skin a more youthful appearance. Try Juice Beauty Green Apple Antioxidant Moisturizer or Logona Age Protection Wrinkle Therapy.

Relaxation and stress relief. Practicing any kind of yoga is almost guaranteed to have a near-immediate impact on stress levels, relaxation, and help you sleep. Likewise, using organic products in the bath or shower, particularly those with relaxing scents like lavender and rosemary, can have an added impact. Try Dr. Hauschka Lavender Bath or John Masters Lavender Rosemary Shampoo.

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The Three Categories Of Ashtanga Yoga

Sanskrit by nature, Ashtanga means “eight limbs”. So in yoga practice, Ashtanga refers primarily to the eight limbs of yaga that is detailed in one of the greatest books of India, the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. This relaxation technique was first introduced in the public centuries ago in India, and is said to have originated from an ancient text named the Yoga Korunta. The text was interpreted by two of Ashtaga yoga’s masters, Sri K. Pattabhi Jois and Krishnamacharya.

Ashtanga yoga is in the first place a posture practice that deals primarily on the breath initiated movements experts call as Vinyasa. The breathing movements involved here are associated from one another, then speaking much of what yoga is all about – union.

Although unified, the postures of Ashtanga yoga are categorized into a number of series. There is what they call as the Primary, Intermediate, and Advanced postures; each is initiated with Sun Salutations. Standing postures govern all of these series as soon as the starting sun salutation postures are made. What is more interesting to know about each of the posture series that Ashtanga yoga possesses is that they involve certain movements that are unique from the rest. Often, the practice is closed with a finishing sequence, or the so-called back bending, such as the lotus, shoulderstand, and headstand.

For a beginner of Ashtanga yoga, it would take a number of weeks for the person to master the postures included in each series. The movements are initiated in a sequential manner, starting with those that belong to the Primary Series, which yogis refer to as the Yoga Chikitsa. These postures, if done properly, are said to help develop a calmer mind and a healthier body. It is composed of mostly hip openers and forward bends that are pretty simple for a starter to try out.

The Intermediate Series of Ashtanga yoga then involves a lot of back bends, and arm inversions and balances, as well. These poses are referred to as the Nadi Shodhana, which means “cleansing of the Nadies”. The Nadies are an energy channel that is generally subtle, but also the one from which the physical form is based The Intermediate posture series is considered as highly important in Ashtanga yoga as they are the main postures that purify and energize the body and the mind.

The Primary and Intermediate Series of Ashtanga should be performed for a number of months. Once they are mastered, they will be integrated into the body, allowing you to feel stronger than before. They also work to tone your muscles, and strengthen the various bodily organs. The Advanced Series comes in just right after the first two series are mastered. This last posture set is what yogis call as Sthira Bhaga, the ones responsible for promoting radiance.

Ashtanga yoga is valued today by many people for its athletic movements and style. Because of that, people who love order and an independent life are considered the perfect candidate for this practice.

By: Lucile Taylor

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Tag : yaga,ashtanga yaga,yaga dvd,yaga therapy

Yoga and Yoga Meditation - Benefits For the Mind and Body

Yaga is a practice of synchronizing the body and the mind through movement, breathing, and meditation that has been around for over 5,000 years. There are many different types of yoga, including Hatha, Vinyasa, Iyengar, Ashtanga, and prenatal yoga. Although the practices started in the Far East, people in the United States have seen countless benefits, both physical and mental, from practicing all these different types of yoga.

Yoga's movements promote flexibility and lubrication in the joints, muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Yoga's movements also massage internal organs and glands and tone muscles. That is, yoga is a total body workout that sends new blood and oxygen to all parts of your body- an essential part to detoxification. Yoga also benefits your endurance, energy and balance, circulatory and respiratory systems, pain tolerance, and core strength. Yoga also has the potential to positively influence your weight, posture and quality of sleep!

Mental benefits of yoga come from the harmonization of the body and the mind through meditation. Many people use yoga to decrease stress, increase relaxation, gain emotional balance, and improve concentration. Yoga also reduces anxiety attacks, blood pressure, and muscle tension while increasing self-confidence, serotonin levels, and strengthening your immune system.

So, go grab your yoga mat and start on the road to a healthier you! Although there are yoga studios, instructors and classes all over the United States, you can also practice yoga right in your living room. Yoga DVDs, books, and home programs are readily available for those who do not have enough time or flexibility to make it across town for regular classes.

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Yoga Benefits For the Mind, Body and Spirit

One of the most popular forms of exercise and fitness, yoga benefits almost everybody cutting across age groups due to its unique philosophy. The word 'yoga' comes from the word 'yug' that means to 'unite' and yoga serves to do just that. It serves to unite the body; mind and spirit into a single powerful consciousness that helps you achieve an active lifestyle among many other benefits.

Yoga Benefits

There are six different kinds of Yoga each with its unique set of benefits:

Hatha Yoga: Ideal for beginners, Hatha Yoga is also called the Yoga of postures. It includes pranayam or breathing techniques, meditation as well as different levels of Asanas as they are referred to. It includes various sub styles which include Iyengar, Ashtanga, Jiva Mukti and Kripalu, each being the same with different interpretations. This is also the best yoga for health.

Bhakti Yoga: This form of yoga is meant for people who are looking for a path to god. Also called the Yoga of devotion, it is commonly practiced amongst 'yogis' in India and its goals are spiritual and not fitness.

Raja Yoga: Also called the yoga of self control, Raja Yoga is the yoga that is based on the teachings of the Eight Limbs of Yoga and is ideal for building discipline of the mind.

Jnana Yoga: This form of yoga is centered on a man's intelligence and is also called yoga of the mind. It gives utmost importance to learning and wisdom and not so much to physical aspects.

Karma Yoga: Karma means service and Karma Yogis work towards a better tomorrow by doing good actions. This form of yoga teaches you to perform selfless service during your lifetime.

Tantra Yoga: This form of yoga is often misinterpreted as a form of sex and is much in demand. Unfortunately sex is only a small part of this yoga of rituals which is really about sacred experiences.

Each form of yoga's benefits depends on what you are looking to achieve. It is important to find a guru well versed in the kind of yoga that you want to learn. There are many commercial courses available for Hatha Yoga but for the rest, yogis are more difficult to find. Yoga has become a lifestyle statement amongst celebrities who swear by its benefits. The truth is that yoga has a very special place in today's stressful existence. In the modern day pressures, it is easy to lose oneself and succumb to depression. Yoga is a form of holistic healing that helps you become stronger in mind and body from within. Yoga benefits also include a fitter and more flexible body which helps you lead a more active and enriched life.

It is important to read up on the kind of yoga that you want to learn before embarking on this journey. For many, yoga is about weight loss while for many others, it's just the latest trend. Unless your reasons for learning or following the path of yoga are honest, it will be difficult to reap the complete yoga benefits.

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Choosing the Best Yoga DVD

When it comes to selecting the best Yoga DVD, there's no such thing as trial and error. Why not? Simply put, because they cost money and there's no point to you buying a bunch of them only to realize that you've just coughed up a couple hundred dollars and still not found something that you're happy with. And you will have to spend a bundle if you want to test drive all the yoga DVDs that are on the market today. Before investing in any yoga DVD, you need to ask yourself these questions:

What Are the Instructor's Credentials?

It is a sad fact that there will always be those who are looking for any opportunity to make a quick buck. Have you ever looked for real information regarding a so-called fitness guru and found only random sales pitches? These shysters exist in the world of yoga as well and, while they may not be able to fool a seasoned yoga practitioner, novices are often easy prey. The best yoga DVD will feature a tutor who has no problems with letting people know what their credentials actually are, and who can back up their claims. Ideally they should be certified by an accredited institution and have some prior experience teaching yoga. Given the advances in the internet, this information should not be difficult to find for a reputable individual.

What Am I Looking For?

Many people, especially novices, are under the misconception that yoga simply consists of a series of positions. While such poses, or asanas, are an integral part of yoga, there is so much more involved and the best yoga DVDs are reflective of this. Yoga is not just a physical science which targets the joints and muscles. True yoga practitioners know the value of the other aspects such as meditations and relaxation techniques. If you're going to spend your hard-earned money on a yoga DVD, you'll want the best, so look for one which covers the spiritual as well as the physical aspects. Strengthening your mind is often the key to having a having a healthy body.

What Level Am I Currently At?

The best yoga DVD will serve to teach you a lesson and, like all lessons, there are different levels. Specific DVDs are usually designed for beginner, intermediate or advanced students, and the poses being shown will have an appropriate level of difficulty. If you are new to yoga, you may be tempted to buy a DVD which caters for advanced students because that's the one which has the best reviews. Stick to your level of competency or you run the risk of damaging yourself or quickly losing interest because you won't be able to what the instructor is doing because you are too new.

How Much Am I Willing To Spend?

That depends on what you are buying, but you should always ensure that you get value for your money. The best yoga DVD for complete beginners are those which focus on light exercises as well meditation, so you can prepare yourself to eventually tackle the more strenuous poses. Advanced practitioners may be more comfortable with a complete system which involves easy preparatory exercises as well as more complex poses. Either way, an exorbitant price is not something that you should be willing to pay. Shop around so you get an idea of average prices. Get reviews and recommendations from trusted sources. Sometimes there may be older DVD which is just as good as, or even better than, the latest thing and you get a copy for a fraction of the cost.

The simple fact is that yoga has become increasingly popular over the years and there are always those who are ready and willing to take advantage of any trend. That's not to say that there aren't legitimate yoga practitioners out there who have developed excellent learning systems for the yoga student. Read the reviews, talk to other yoga enthusiasts, and you'll be in a better position to make a good decision.

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Yoga As An Unusual Healing Mechanism

Yoga has been recognized as an awfully effective type of alternative therapy. Today , many folk are taking help of this therapy to treat physical and psychological illnesses. Even in cases of serious physical disorders, yoga can be very helpful. It can be used to treat many diseases and physical malfunctions. Because of its utility to treat various sorts of physical complications, several bodies have come up in America. These bodies educate people about yoga as a valuable form of alternative therapy to the typical medicines and treatment alternatives. Yoga has changed into a rage in America due to its holistic technique. It is not the same as other treatment strategies that make use of oppressive drugs, that may later have significant complications.

This ancient practice of yoga has its roots in India. Yoga therapy makes use of various yogic mudras, asana and pranayama to restore inner balance and promote overall health. Whether you are dealing with a minor problem such as a digestive disorder or you are battled with a major problem like cancer, yoga is sure to provide you an appropriate solution.

They are various yoga postures that help in maintain ideal blood circulation levels. To add on, they even help in promoting optimal functioning of the endocrine glands. Regular yoga practice also helps in muscle training. It helps in strengthening the muscles. There are different yoga postures that work on specific muscles.

Yoga might be called as an alternative to anti-depression drugs utilized by stress stricken people. Yoga with it's relaxation asanas and pranyama actually is a great stress buster. It brings peace and tranquility to mind. As an instance relaxation posture or corpse pose of shavasna helps rejuvenate your mind. Yogic meditation offers an everlasting solution to depression and other sort of psychotic disorders.

Many folk baffled by stress use anti-depression treatments. Yoga can function as a great alternative option to these anti-depression treatments and tranquilizers. Several relaxation asana accompanied with pranayama help in relieving stress and stress. These yoga postures also help in restoring psychological peace. Take for instance the relaxation posture, a. K. A corpse pose of shavasana assists in rejuvenation of the mind. You could seek help of yogic mediation if you are depressed or dealing with other mad defects.

Other than many physical defects, yoga also helps deal with life threatening diseases, such as lethal cancer. Many folk diagnosed as having cancer have gained seriously from yoga and have managed to extend their lifespan. Though cancer can be cured in few cases only by drugs and surgeries, yoga is awfully useful to plug the overall well-being of the patient.

Yoga can also alleviate many other sicknesses, for example back trouble, headache, arthritis and high cholesterol. Furthermore, yoga is being used today as a complementary therapy along with the conventional approaches to treat diabetes and many cardio disorders.

So, all your concerns related to your health can be easily taken care of by yoga. It is a complete health care solution by all means.

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Is It Necessary To Wear Proper Yoga Clothes?

It is imperative to wear proper yoga clothes before doing yoga. Comfort is the keyword and whatever you wear should be such that it does not interfere with doing the poses or make you feel uncomfortable. Free-flowing robes are out and leotards are in. The material of the yoga clothes should also be such that it soaks up the perspiration and does not make you feel sore. Although there are no particular clothes which are a necessity to be worn while doing yoga, looking after the comfort aspect will make you do yoga with full concentration and ease of mind.

Which Fabric Should You Choose?

The range of fabrics used in the manufacture of yoga clothes is simply enormous. Starting with cotton, the material can also be as different as synthetics. You will be surprised to know that even hemp and bamboo are used to make the clothes. Depending on the environment in which you do yoga, the clothes will vary. However, in all cases, cotton is the popular choice because not only does it keep you cool but it also absorbs perspiration. You will feel happy to be in cotton shorts and a tank top as you can do the yoga poses easily.

Does Yoga Have A Particular Uniform?

Whatever clothes you use for sports activities can be used for yoga. Any store which sells sports apparel will give you the needed yoga clothes. You can wear the apparel according to the latest trends in the market. It is always the safer thing to do. But if you want to freak out, you can try something “different”. The colorful, glossy shirt you use for camping can be used as the yoga shirt and your warm-up pants as your yoga pants. In this way, you can experiment with other things as well.

What Does Tradition Say?

If you want to know about the traditional yoga clothes, then you have to understand that yoga was done by the yogis of yesteryear who wore free-flowing robes with a turban. These robes were loose-fitting and shapeless. But such types of clothes act as an impediment for doing yoga. They will tie you down and you might also unknowingly tear your outfit. With the advent of trendier clothes, you don’t have to worry about the traditional ones. The perfectly fitting clothes will help you to do yoga with peace of mind.

Overview

Yoga requires you to do a number of twists and turns. You have to also stretch your body in all directions. Unless you wear yoga clothes which are flexible, you will not be able to do the poses effectively. Therefore, perfectly fitting pants, tops or leotards are best for doing yoga. Ill-fitting or baggy clothes will only interfere with your doing yoga. You can make your clothes colorful to suit your mood. Simple clothes are better but you might try several designs if you want to. There are clothes for a person of any disposition. Even pregnant women can buy suitable yoga clothes. All you have to worry about is comfort. Whatever makes you feel content and happy is the perfect clothing for you.

By: MarkSmith01

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For Yoga Teachers - Can Your Yoga Students Find You?

This seems such an easy and obvious question, but you'd be surprised at the number of yoga teachers, and even studios, that don't provide some basic contact information for their students.

Maybe you're an independent yoga teacher, teaching at several different studios or out of your own basement. Wherever you're teaching, your yoga students must be able to find you. It's not enough to rely on the studios you teach through to find students for you. Hopefully, you'll build up a following of students who may want to come to your classes wherever you teach.

Or maybe you own a yoga studio and your students already know where you are. That's still not enough. Just because they know your address, they still need a reason to come to your class. You need to let people know what you offer for them. And what about soon-to-be students - they need to find you too.

In both cases, you must keep in touch with students to build long-term relationships, and you must make it easy for current and potential students to find you.

At the very least, the information that you need to make generally available is:

• Your studio name (if applicable)
• Your name
• Professional title; 'yoga teacher' is enough here or perhaps 'owner' or 'director' if you have a studio
• Phone number for business hours or your home phone number with the hours that you can reached
• Business e-mail address
• Web site address if you have one
• Include one line about what you do; what makes you different to other yoga teachers?; what you have to offer that other yoga teachers or studios do not?

There are various ways of getting this information to people, including:

• Business cards - these are essential; they have all the basic information there
• Phone book listing
• Website - more and more people are using the web to find yoga classes and teachers and schedules and so on
• Have flyers or large size postcards made with this information and distribute them locally
• Promotional materials such as fridge magnets or key chains

It's vital that this information gets to those who need it, or may need in the future, or who can give it to friends and family who are considering doing yoga. Getting this information out into the world is just the first step in establishing successful long-term relationships with your students, current and future.

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Advantages of Yoga For Sportsmen

More sportsmen are turning to yoga as an extra exercise routine to mend the variation in their body and to boost their performance in their chosen field of sport. Whether you are a baseball, basketball, tennis, or football player, the mind body connection in yoga is a vital component in producing peak performance.

Although correct respiring technique is the bedrock of many sports, it is usually ignored by many sportsmen. Yoga will help fix this shortage of respiring talent and develop the proper respiring method that is very much required in any game of sport. Many sportsmen are already using yoga movements as a warm up and warm down routines in their sport. Athletes in sports field like tennis and golf will notice enhancements in their swing as a result of this pliability of the muscles and joints. In any given sport, the addition of yoga as an extra routine training has been known to boost the performance of the athletes.

Most sportsmen are involved in some type of weight coaching and other training and other weight lifting that only develop certain muscle groups, while ignoring others. Yoga is ready to fix this imbalance and help to develop the muscles that have been ignored through the contraction of these muscles in the assorted poses.

Yoga is also a good workout to alleviate boredom in sportsmen who perform the same sorts of exercises year in year out by adding variety. It's also a vital component in recovering the body from hard aerobic and strength workouts. The many poses in yoga can be done in a low or high power workout according to the sportsman's desires. Overall, yoga is not just significant critical in bringing in more strength, balance and flexibleness to a sportsman, but also brings more alertness, attention and focus that is so much-needed by sportsmen in their very competitive world.

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Yoga For Recovery

Do you yoga? Do you yoga beyond the mat? Do you realize that yoga is a gateway to connect you with your heart's desire and life purpose?

Being in recovery from drugs, alcohol and eating disorders, I am very familiar with being disconnected from my body and rooted in shame and fear and all the feelings that made me feel powerless and out of control. I knew how to feel bad and yoga taught me how to feel better and to create radiance. Perhaps what the world needs now is a few more people walking around with open hearts.

Until we come inside and practice deep breathing, being in recovery can be a painful experience. If you are looking around for what might be wrong, it is not possible that you are breathing deep. Yoga helps you to reclaim your life by breathing through the anxiety, the fear of being out of control, and brings you back inside, where all is well and life is taking place one breath at a time.

Yoga is grounding. Yoga is rooted in compassion and fulfills a mission that feels larger than one's self-pity, story, or limitations. Yoga teaches you to breathe deeply through the pain, to process the emotions and to get you into action, to releace and let go and out of your own way. Yoga helps you to cultivate inner peace, to go within to harness the flow of radiant well-being, and to feel grounded in your body.

If you are struggling with an addiction, or in some phase of recovery, you may be familiar with the sensation of resistance or sabotaging. Do you think you were breathing when you chose to go against your body, or when you allow the thoughts to come in that tell you there is something wrong, do you think your heart is truly open and available then? Yoga clears those thoughts, the sacred practice of yoga asanas are a roadmap to clear away the cobwebs, to loosen the internal knots and to create space for positive development.

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Tips To Remember While Buying Yoga Mats

Yoga mats are the most essential piece of equipment in yoga. It defines your private space in the studio where you practice and above all, it provides a base to cushion your fall while doing yoga. It makes you feel comfortable and focused on your work. You will also be prevented from slipping and get a good grip. Your attention will be fully focused on holding the poses in the best possible way and will not be bothered about losing your grip or having a bad fall.

Size Of Yoga Mats

The size of the mat will vary depending on your own requirements. Children will require a relatively smaller mat. But the usual width of the mat is about 24 inches. Lengths will change starting from 60” to 75”, but the most popular ones are 68” and 72”. Smaller size mats are good if you have to travel a long distance carrying them with you. Otherwise, a bit lengthy mats are preferable while spreading out fully on it. It feels good to have your entire body on the mat and not a portion left out on the cold hard ground. A spacious mat will allow you to perform a variety of poses with ease.

The Quality Of Yoga Mats

It pays to have a good quality mat. The material of the yoga mats is very important. It also depends on the type of yoga that you do. Most of you will desire a mat which is both comfortable and durable. PVC and plastic materials are rather uncomfortable and should be purchased only when in dire need. They are also not eco-friendly. Technology has tried to bridge the gap between the environment and price of yoga mats by introducing the TPE (Thermal Plastic Elastomer) mats. They are a better option than the PVC ones. Latex is another material used for making the mats. Depending on the level of comfort, you can decide on the best mat to buy.

Price Of Yoga Mats

Most of us will like to purchase a good mat for a nominal price. But such a case is rare. Comfort comes for a high price. And you will always get mats for a cheaper price, which are anything but comfortable. Costly mats may be difficult to afford but they will be more durable and will give you a sense of stability while doing the yoga poses. Cheaper mats will wear out faster and you will have to pay more money in the long run. You might feel the pinch at first, but costlier mats are always a better option.

Yoga mats may be used while meditating or taking a sun bath also. You can even take good care of your mats by washing them with warm water or as per instructions given by the manufacturer. Drying them out in the sun after washing them is the common practice. You should remember to keep your mat clean so that you feel comfortable while doing yoga. Just take good care of your precious yoga mats and you will never feel tired of practicing yoga ever.

By: MarkSmith01

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The Short Guide to Yoga Shorts

It's true you can wear just about anything when you do your yoga practice. But the right clothing can actually help your practice by providing comfort and freedom of motion. And it doesn't hurt to be a bit fashionable in, or on the way to, your favorite yoga class. In particular, yoga shorts are made especially for yoga. They are designed to allow greater movement without showing off a little too much, as many standard workout or running shorts can. They are an especially good choice if you practice Bikram or hot yoga, because the room is heated to such a high temperature and you'll be sweating a lot! Shorts in yoga class also offer the benefit of allowing your instructor a better view of your hip, knee and ankle alignment, which can be obstructed by longer, looser yoga pants.

Styles

Yoga shorts are rapidly replacing old-fashioned gym shorts in public yoga classes. These specially designed shorts come in a variety of lengths and fit, from clingy micro-shorts to looser fitting and longer styles. They are more stylish than gym shorts and are designed for good coverage of important body parts throughout the range of yoga poses - even during inversions. In a class most of us are anyway a little more discriminating about what we wear. Yoga shorts are often made of microfibers or a Lycra blend to provide a stretch fit. They should not be too tight, or so long that they grab at your thighs as your knees and hip. These purpose-made shorts come in a great variety of colors, material, sizes, and features from a number of designers and manufacturers to fit suit anyone's taste.

Comfort

All yoga clothing should be very durable, breathe well, wick moisture away and offer great comfort. It should permit great freedom of motion so as not to hinder your practice. Yoga shorts aim to give good coverage and be snug enough not to "flash." They may be made of cotton blends, with varying amounts of cotton and spandex or some other stretchy material. Some makers of yoga clothing, such as PrAna yoga clothing use organic cotton, hemp, and even bamboo fabric. These are typically looser-fitting, and thus tend to be longer to provide good coverage (though sometimes elastic will be used at the bottom of the legs. Many people find microfiber clothing to be exceptionally comfortable, both because of their texture and because of their exceptional ability to wick perspiration from the skin to the air. Ideally, your short will fit in a way that stay close to the skin while being loose (or stretchy) enough to allow full movement of the body. For example, the Momentum Yoga Short is a loose-fitting, 3/4-thigh length short is made from a 4-way stretch cotton-lycra. Pillar Men's Yoga Short features an inside bathing suit liner made of coolmax, which provides support and keeps you dry. Shatki Wear makes some shorts that tie on the sides.

Designs in yoga shorts have become so stylish and comfortable that you really shouldn't be without a couple of pair. They are becoming a standard part of any yoga wardrobe. And besides, before long, you're going to find yourself wearing them outside of class! To help you choose from the myriad possibilities, you can look for reviews of different makes and styles at one of the yoga review websites. In fact, you should take the time to include a review of your favorite yoga articles while you are there, and help out future yogis who are looking for some shopping help. There is enough selection these days, that there is surely a pair of yoga shorts for everyone... maybe two or three pairs. Try some out and have fun in class.

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How To Become The Best Yoga Teacher With Training

The final day of graduation, the transition from being a student to becoming a yoga teacher, can be compared to a butterfly getting out of a cocoon. For a new yoga instructor, it is the marked beginning of a long quest to learn more and more about body, thoughts, mind, and spirit. Though one must always remember that the yoga teacher training should never stop with graduation.

Being a yoga trainer is to take a journey where there is constant room for improvement, indeed it a never ending endeavor towards self-improvement and being in harmony and unison with one's inner self. Many people waste their lives in the race to chase. Yoga teacher training teaches an individual to enjoy each day, as a new verse of your most favorite song, and it is also expected that every person will pass on the same message to his students.

Students after graduation need to make a constant effort not to get caught in the pursuit of the excessive nature of worldly matters which is very much possible in today's hectic lifestyle. It is more than likely that many of the trainees join the class to beat the stress and pressures of daily life and hence they always look forward to a yoga teacher who can help them to be relieved from stress and anxiety, it is also a fact that a teacher who is stressed themselves will be of very little or no help to the trainees.

One habit which can take any person in yoga instructor training a long way is the a habit of penning down a journal, in which one can include writings on one's vision as a teacher and what one has been able to achieve till now. A good student should continue to study the discipline as much as possible till it becomes their life. In your private free time, one can concentrate on independent self study on topics related to this path of inner development.

Last but not the least, the most important duty of a good yoga teacher is to help each and every trainee of his or hers, to move a little closer to the realization of their own unique spiritual identity for which they have come into this world.

By: Sherry Holistan

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Yoga Improves Your Overall Health

Yoga is an ancient spiritual tradition dating back 5000 years. But today, many people separate the spiritual yoga and the physical yoga, and focus primarily on the physical aspect: stretching and breathing as an exercise program. Yoga has many health benefits. It will improve your balance and posture. It will also improve your mood, memory, and your overall well-being. Specifically, yoga can improve your flexibility, build lean muscle, and reduce stress.

Flexibility-Stretching of your body will help your joints and muscles to become more flexible. Yoga especially helps your legs, back, shoulders, and hips become more flexible. Yoga is a serious of poses that stretch your muscles. As you do more yoga, you will feel yourself becoming more flexible. Not only will your muscles become more flexible, but your joints will be more flexible as well. Each time you practice the poses you will be able to reach a little farther. Yoga will loosen your tight muscles by releasing the lactic acid that builds up while weight training. Yoga is a total body stretch. It stretches not only the muscle, but the ligaments and tendons.

Building Lean Muscle-Yoga is a way of building muscle without the bulk. Yoga uses isometric resistance to help build lean muscle. Isometrics uses the body's own weight as resistance. This happens when the muscle does not change its length. For example, when you lift a dumbbell you are shortening the muscle, and when you lower the dumbbell you are lengthening the muscle. Isometrics does not move the added weight to make it stronger. This type of training is easier on the muscle.

In addition to yoga another good way to build lean muscle is by taking whey protein. Whey protein is dairy based, so it is easy for people to digest. It offers more pure protein than soy based proteins. There are many other benefits to taking whey protein. It also aids in the keeping your immune system healthy. But mainly, it helps build lean muscle and promotes the loss of fat giving you a lean physique. When purchasing Whey Protein be sure to buy Isolate Whey Protein solutions. They contain 90 % pure protein without the fats and carbohydrates of a Whey Protein Concentrate.

Reduce Stress-Studies have shown that participating in some kind of physical activity at least three times a week will reduce stress. Exercise releases endorphins, which naturally make you happy. Yoga helps you to relax by learning how to breathe deeply and through meditation. The concentrated stretching in Yoga releases the tension that is stored because of stress. One way to reduce stress is to breathe deeply. Yoga teaches this. The more oxygen you take in the less stressed you will be. Yoga also teaches you to meditate. Meditation also relieves stress. The mental benefits of yoga offset the stress in our life. Yoga is all about relaxation.

Yoga will increase your flexibility, build lean muscles, and reduce stress. This ancient tradition has many health benefits-inside and outside the body, emotional, disease prevention, and alleviation. There are many styles and forms of yoga. It can be an intense aerobic workout or a peaceful meditation. The stretching of the muscle to create lean muscle and taking whey protein as a nutritional supplement can have a positive effect overall on your bodies health.

For more info on whey protein, visit MyTopForm.com Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gerald_Fitz

Enjoying Healthy Relationships Through Yoga Meditation

We all know that the practice of yoga meditation can benefit us in, both the physical and the mental disciplines. And such practices have grown so vast that it has braved the test of time. A classic, so to speak.And healthy relationships through yoga meditation is achievable. And the practice of such does not only limit with meditations or flexibility, it also helps its practitioners in achieving a healthy relationship. As you practice yoga meditation, you learn how to respect your body. You learn the importance of being fit and enjoy its benefits. With this, one learns the importance of Respect, which is very vital in a healthy Relationship.

This word here is an important factor, an important key to the success of a relationship. With yoga meditation, one learns flexibility. First this term would only refer to the physical aspect. But later as the yoga meditation practitioner progresses, he slowly understands the meaning of his activity beyond its physical aspect alone. He learns that he can apply what he has learned not only in its exercise state but also in the life as well. Flexibility now becomes an applied character. So the practitioner now has a broader sense of understanding and is now capable of adjusting well, both in a crowd or in a relationship as well.

In here the yoga practitioner learns RESPECT! During the practice of yoga, one develops Mind Power! A key ingredient, to better equip a person in his/her journey through life. In here one learns how to cope, adjust and even know when to fight back in facing the challenges in life. In the relationships point of view, a yoga practitioner can apply the concept of Mind Power, by showing to his/her partner that he/she knows how to control his/her emotions, as well as the yoga practitioner knows when will be the proper time to react to a certain situation. In the practice of yoga meditation, one learns the concept of fulfillment or shared happiness as a goal, and this can be learned through shared love and thoughtfulness.

All these are basic elements needed in a relationship. These are basic elements but vitally important as well. Imagine a relationship without thoughtfulness and shared love, it's like a house built beside a riverbank. A relationship bound to be doomed. But a healthy relationship built on strong and sturdy grounds of shared love, thoughtfulness and respect is like a house built with strong foundations and elevated grounds. In here the yoga practitioner applies the concept of COMMITMENT! Balance is another factor taught in Yoga Meditation, which is very beneficial in a sound and healthy relationship. In here the practitioner knows how to weigh situations and decide wisely as well.

This concept lies in the aspect of "a balanced mind, leads to emotional and physical control as well." Your level of Awareness also enhances. A yoga practitioner here begins proper control of his well being and his partner. As a result your partner's level of Trust to you strengthens and thus you gain Respect and later Commitment begins. These three bonded together as one is a powerful foundation needed to build a strong and healthy relationship. These can all be learned in the practice of yoga.

The author of this article Rose Windale is a Health and Wellness Coach who has been successful with several natural health programs for many years. Rose decided to share her knowledge and tips through her website http://www.healthzine.org. You can sign up for her free newsletter and enjoy a healthy and happy life.

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Pilates and Yoga Mat Bags - They Are Funky and Practical - Why You Need One!

Everyone wants to stay in shape, and Pilates is able to provide the perfect way to do just that. When we head out for a workout session, there are a number of things that we need to carry when we go. Water bottles, extra changes of clothes, and the essential Pilates or Yoga mat are just a few of those very necessary items. For the mat, a Pilates or Yoga mat tote bag is needed. Other items can easily be carried in an additional gym or tote bag, but nothing fits the mat like a bag that has been made for carrying it. The Pilates mat is what makes doing the Pilates exercises safely and effectively a possibility, as they provide a non slip, padded surface.

If you are new to Pilates exercises, then you might want to buy a Yoga mat bag first, because you will definitely need a mat for maximum safety during workouts. You can choose to buy one or several different Pilates mat bags. There is a Pilates Mat bag to suit every mood! There are several different styles to choose from that include various colors and patterns. You can buy a silk yoga mat bag with Asian printed patterns if you would like. They are not at all expensive, and they are extremely fashionable and come in many designer prints. If you prefer pink cotton or a mesh yoga mat bag, then your wish shall be granted. There are so many styles to choose from. Hugger Mugger make a great collection of Yoga and Pilates mat bags.

The Pilates mat bag comes with a shoulder strap that is meant to decrease the amount of pressure that is placed on the spine. Everything about Pilates focuses on the human body. The spine is a very fragile region of the body that needs to be taken care of and maintained over the years. Too much pressure in the incorrect areas can potentially result in extreme injury that requires physical therapy and other medical treatments. Injury prevention in exercise is one of its most important facets. Without the prevention of injury, harm becomes more probable. The Pilates or Yoga mat is the back brace to all of its movements and exercises.

Other features that you will be able to find in the Pilates Yoga mat bag include extra compartments to place your money, keys, or other small and valuable items in. The Pilates mat bag is great for those who love organization. They are also wonderful for those who want to keep up with the latest and most fashionable styles. You can even find these types of bags available in leather and suede. Unique colors like gold and silver are also available. Polka dots and flowers are also no stranger to the Pilates mat bag.

Make sure that the bag that you choose to buy contains all of the features that you are looking for. This type of bag goes a long way when it comes to saving money and making room. It gives you a place to put your mat, and it can be stored away in the bag as well. They are convenient, and nifty. Staying organized has never been so easy.

Lilly Smithe has been practicing pilates for many years and loves the exercise regime. She has developed a website for pilates product reviews PilatesReviewed.com, where you can also find a great collection of Pilates and Yoga Mat Bags.

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Basic Yoga Poses For Triathletes, Cyclists and Runners

This article shows you 7 yoga asanas that efficiently help cyclists, triathletes and runners with stiff muscles.

If you are doing a lot of running or cycling, it is also common that you have stiff legs. This stiffness in the legs, ranging from the foot up to the gluteus maximus, can cause different problems as for instance the iliotibial band syndrome. Other problems that can arise from stiff leg muscles are back problems. Please check my blog for more posts about knee problems and their prevention.

These poses are particularly good for newcomers to yoga. They will help you getting more flexible leg muscles. Every asana is described with its English and Sanskrit name, so that you can find videos and pictures of the poses on the web or in a book. I mostly find the asanas on YouTube.

When your legs are more flexible, they can perform with less resistance. It will be possible to run or cycle more efficient. It will also help you to avoid overuse injuries as iliotibial band syndrome. I have noticed that when I started doing yoga or stretching, I didn't get any knee pain anymore.

It is normal for beginners to feel a light sensation of pain when trying to get into the different asanas. Don't give up! Through regular stretching you will gain flexibility and it will be much easier getting into the postures. In the end you will really enjoy them.

Triangle Pose (Trikonasana): This is a very good stretch for your hips.

Standing forward bend (Uttanasana): This pose will flex your hamstrings, gluteus maximus, medius and minimus as well as your spinal muscles. People with back injury should approach this bend very cautiously. Gravity should do the work, don't push your body into the pose. It is recommended to bend you knees if your hamstrings are very stiff. That will increase the stretch.

Warrior I (Virabhadrasana I): Warrior I is a very good posture to stretch you hip flexors, which is a weak point in many runners and cyclists. It increases flexibility in the hips, back and front groins.

Warrior II (Virabhadrasana II): This is another pose that will stretch your hip joints. It will also open the groins and stretch the inner thigh muscles.

Side Angle Pose (Parsvakonasana): Stretches the back side of the legs and opens the groin. It will also stretch the upper body. Is a very good follower to the Warrior II.

Triangle Pose (Trikonasana): A follow up of the Warrior I posture. Above all the hips are getting worked on here.

Intense side stretch (Parsvottanasana): This pose work on your hamstrings and gluteus maximus. It gives you a more intense stretch for your hamstrings than you get in the standing forward bend.

Wide stance forward bend (Prasarita Padottanasana): For stretching your hamstrings and gluteus maximus, this is a very good asana. The difference to the standing forward bend is that in this pose you have your feet wider apart. It is also called wide-legged forward fold.

To get the most of the asanas described above, stay for five deep breaths in position. By doing the poses regularly you will open up your groin and increase the flexibility in your legs and hips. This will reduce the risk of getting problems with overuse injuries. I recommend doing these asanas at least three times a week and when you have done them for 2 months we can go to the next level.

I hope these Yoga asanas will help you enjoying your sport!

Gunnar

Gunnar is a two time triathlon finisher and has a blog about triathlon training and Yoga for athletes.

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Yoga And Natural Sleep

We know about the wonderful benefits of yoga—relaxation, better circulation, increased energy, and so on. We have heard of people getting up early to practice yoga; hopefully, they are also going to bed early so they’re not cutting their sleep short. That’s because sleep has its own benefits, which are different from the benefits of yoga. Enough sleep and good-quality sleep make possible things that yoga and meditation cannot accomplish, and vice versa.

Deep stages of yoga and meditation provide access to energy and consciousness that sleep alone cannot provide. Yoga can be relaxing, energizing, peaceful, and deeply fulfilling all at the same time. It is a unique daytime experience unlike any other.

Sleep never feels like that. Unless you’re into conscious dreaming and the like, sleep rarely gives you a ‘wow’ experience. First of all, when we fall asleep, we don’t really know its happening. When we wake up, it just feels ordinary, unlike the exhilaration one can feel during yoga or meditation. So, as we do with many of the good things in life, most of us take sleep for granted.

What’s different about sleep? During deeper stages of sleep we secrete growth hormones that promote cell healing. That doesn’t happen during meditation. The body produces a dazzling array of chemicals during sleep that researchers are only beginning to uncover. It seems that the more we learn, the more questions we have.

However, there is one more important similarity between yoga and sleep. In western culture, the practice of yoga has become solely a willful practice. You use your will to practice poses. Among advanced yogis, their practice is more about grace and experiencing the flow of chi or prana (energy) in the body. Falling asleep is similar in one aspect to an advanced yoga practice. You cannot will yourself to sleep. It’s impossible. If you have insomnia, you know what I mean; or you can ask one of your wakeful friends. In order to fall asleep, you have to relax. You have to let go of your conscious mind, or sleep cannot happen.

At Savvy Rest, we think sleep is one of the most beneficial and important daily activities. Our line of organic mattresses and natural mattresses are made from the most natural materials. After all, shouldn’t your sleep be just as relaxing and healthy as any other aspect of your life?

By: Michael Penny

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Yoga Center India

Center Facilities
Benda Acupuncture and yoga center provides various types of facilities in center. Some of the specialized provided in the centre are given below.

Yoga
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.

Acupuncture
Acupuncture literally means “needle piercing” - the practice of inserting very fine needles into the skin to stimulate specific anatomic points in the body (known as acupoints or acupuncture points) for therapeutic purposes. Acupuncture involves stimulating. Apart from the usual method of puncturing the skin with the fine needles, the practitioners of acupuncture also use heat, pressure, friction, suction, or impulses of electromagnetic energy to stimulate the points.

Panchkarma
The Panchkarma Therapy of Ayurveda comprise of advanced treatment for elimination of vitiated toxic materials from the body. To bring about equilibrium in the body Ayurveda prescribes Panchkarma – a curative line of treatment that works in the principles of purification procedure. Subtly harmonizing purification and environmental toxins from the body’s tissue in a gentle and effective way and eliminate them from the physiology.

Meditation
Meditation is a mental discipline by which one attempts to get beyond the conditioned, thinking mind into a deeper state of relaxation or awareness. Meditation is a method of bringing peace and harmony into the hectic and confused lives of people.It is a practice of concentrated focus upon a sound, object, visualization, the breath, movement, or attention itself in order to increase awareness of the present moment, reduce stress, promote relaxation, and enhance personal and spiritual growth It is an effort to make life better by ensuring physical and mental well being. However, meditation bestows the best results when it is carried out voluntarily and is not a forced effort.

Pranayam
Pranayama is an aspect of Yoga that deals with regulated breathing. It is a method of controlling prana or life force through the control of the motion of inhalation, exhalation and the retention of vital energy. Pranayama has the capacity of freeing the mind from untruthfulness, ignorance and all other painful and unpleasant experiences of the body and mind. It can avert many diseases pertaining to stomach, lungs, heart and brain including Diabetes, Cholesterol, Constipation, Acidity, Respiratory troubles, Allergy, Migraine, High blood pressure etc.

Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy is an established, recognised system of diagnosis and treatment that lays its main emphasis on the structural integrity of the body. It is distinctive in that it recognises that much of the pain and isability we suffer stem from abnormalities in the function of the body structure as well as damage caused to it by disease. Physiotherapy uses many of the diagnostic procedures used in conventional medical assessment and diagnosis.

Diet therapy
Dietary therapy involves instruction on how to adjust a diet to reduce the number of calories eaten. Reducing calories moderately is essential to achieve a slow but steady weight loss, which is also important for maintenance of weight loss. Strategies of dietary therapy include teaching about calorie content of different foods, food composition (fats,carbohydrates, and proteins), reading nutrition labels, types of foods to buy, and how to prepare foods. Some diets for weight loss include low-calorie, very-low calorie, and low-fat.

Gymnasium
Gymnasium terms signifying respectively system, physical exercises practised either for recreation or for the purpose of promoting,health and development body building where such exercises are carried on.

By: Dr. Hemant Benda

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Doing Yoga Positions With the Help of a Yoga Mat

There are many yoga positions in the eight limbs of yoga. The most popular in these eight styles is the Hatha yoga. However, before you start with all the bending ensure that you are wearing the right clothes that will allow you to perform various positions. In addition, it is also advisable to use a yoga mat. This is to avoid accidents and to give you comfort while you are in a yoga pose.

Meditation is the main goal of Hatha yoga positions. To achieve this, you need to relax and free your mind. Now, you might wonder how anybody can be relaxed in such a position. This is because yoga poses allow you to focus your energy in certain chakra points. If you are still having a hard time relaxing in each posture or asana, you can use a yoga mat for added comfort.

Before we continue with the topic, let us take a pause for some reminders from experts in yoga. Professional yoga practitioners always tell us not to take each position as simply an exercise to build up or strengthen body muscles. Exercise is only part of the yoga, its main goal is to achieve overall well being. Prior to the positions that you are going to do, do it on yoga mat for safety reasons.

Now going back to the yoga practice, on your yoga mat, do a little of bending and stretching to warm up your body and loosen up some joints. If you are doing yoga in a class, the instructor, or the guru, already prepared the yoga poses that you are going to do. However, if you are going to do yoga in your home, one recommendable position for you is the savasana or corpse pose.

Savasana is the type of position that involves just lying down on the yoga mat. You can do it in between other yoga poses to relax your whole body and mind. You can also use it to cool down after the exercise. The reason why is it's recommended to people practicing yoga in their homes is because it is not complicated. It does not involve complex bending or twisting that without a proper guidance of a guru could cause some injuries.

Here are some of the commonly used yoga positions. The matsyana or the fish pose, which can relieve the body from tension. The dhanurasana, known as bow pose, which is a great stretching position. Setu bandhasana is for flexible persons and involves a lot of bending. Before trying out some of the yoga position, ensure that your yoga mat is clean from any liquids such as sweat. This is necessary in order for you to achieve the position you are aiming for.

After you are through with the yoga practice, always cool yourself down before beginning any other task. This is to put your muscles back in the relaxed state. As mentioned before, you can do the corpse pose on your yoga mat. This would return your heart rate at a normal level.

Over all, yoga poses are essential in the meditation process. If you are going to practice by yourself, always ensure your safety first. Do not do complex positions if you are not an expert or without the help of guru. Lastly, always use yoga mat to give you a grip of the supporting surface.

Robert has extensive knowledge on yoga mats, and also provides information on yoga dvds

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The Physical and Mental Benefits of Yoga

It is advocated by knowledgeable personalities and by those who have experienced it, the following benefits are certainly available if practiced regularly and sincerely:

Physical benefits

Flexibility: By turning, twisting and stretching in proper manner, will certainly make the body muscles more flexible. One can get flexibility in hamstrings, back, hips and shoulders.

Muscle tone: As the muscles gets stronger through Yoga, one can get long, lean increased muscles tone.

Strength: Many Yoga poses need you to support the body weight in a different manner, including balancing on one leg or supporting yourself with your arms. Some of the Yoga poses requires slow movement of the body in and out of poses which increases strength.

Breathing: Yoga breathing exercise called Pranayama teaches clearly how to breath properly resulting in better functioning of lungs. Pranayama, the Yogic breathing exercise , focuses the attention on the breath and teach us how to better use our lungs and thereby benefit our entire body. Some specific breathing exercise also help clear the nasal passage and have calming effect on the central nervous system that benefits us physically and mentally.

Prevention of pain: Increased strength and flexibility that is attained through Yoga, help prevent back pain especially for those who work with computers for long hours and car drivers driving through long stretches or otherwise. In fact, Yoga improves body alignment.

Mental Benefits

Stress reduction: Yoga is good for relieving mental or physical stress. Concentration which is essential part of Yoga, melt away the day to day stress while doing the Yoga and seem to bestow a lasting peaceful composure. Emphasis Yoga places on being in the moment help relieve stress as you stop dwelling about the past or future anticipations. Yoga provides the much needed break from stresses and put things into proper perspective.

Mental calmness: Yogic exercises being intensely physical, keeps the mind concentrated during the process, thereby, mental calmness descends automatically. No other thoughts can possibly engulf you. Yoga's meditation techniques help calm the mind.

Body awareness: One gets the essential awareness of his body through Yoga. Subtle changes of body movements during Yoga session or afterwards make you feel better aligned to day to day needs and better comfort. One becomes more confident about his self mentally or physically.

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