by: Michael Sanford
Yoga is an ancient proven tradition that exists for thousands of years and also one of the most ancient cultural heritages in India. The word yoga means, "to unite". But it does not only mean contemplation but also communion and yoking all powers of the body, mind and soul to God. It is a very ancient and efficient system of disciplines and controls designed to produce the integration of the body, mind and spirit. It also achieves higher states of awareness and self-realization by methodical efforts to attain perfection. Even at the workplace, yoga has become extremely popular in many companies, worldwide. Working eight hours a day, five to seven days a week is really stressing. And yoga can just be the answer to this. Yoga reduces stress. It improves flexibility and muscle tone, increases circulation, relieves chronic pain and alleviates anxiety-related disorders. Best of all, it cultivates physical awareness, refreshes your energy, and offers a little vacation from the everyday grind.
There are seven divisions of yoga. Hatha yoga is concerned primarily with the body and the asanas. Bhakti yoga focuses on the path of love and devotion. Mantra yoga has something to do with recitation and repetition of words and verses. Karma yoga is a service through action and work. Janan yoga is on the intellectual path. Raja yoga is a synthesis of Bhakti, Karma, and Janan. And Laya yoga is the secret path or known as the “Yoga of Dissolution”.
Yoga has many advantages over other methods of maintaining health, such as aerobics, athletics, gymnastics, games, and various other forms of exercise and is often described as the best form of health insurance for all from the age of seven to seventy seven or more because it has a lot to offer to everyone. The two main advantages of yoga are prevention of disorders and ailments and maintenance of health and fitness in daily life. Other advantages include supple joints, flexible muscles, relaxed and tension-free mind and efficiently working vital organs such as the heart, lungs, endocrine glands, liver, pancreas and good balance between various functions. When doing yoga, you will not need any costly equipment and materials, or playgrounds, gyms, etc. And you don’t have to worry when is the right time to do it because you can do yoga all throughout the year. It can also be practiced inside the house or in the open, just alone or if you want, in groups. The only thing you need is a thick carpet spread on the floor and covered with a clean sheet of cloth. Remember that yoga should only be practiced on empty stomach although you can do it at any time during the day.
Everyone can benefit from yoga. It will benefit you irrespective of whether you are young or old, lean or heavily built, highly educated or unlettered, rich or poor, from higher or lower middle class, busy, over busy, or retired or worker in the factory or in the field. However, this benefit may not be possible if one does not practice the correct technique of yoga or practice it irregularly. Yoga has a wide range of technique and this can fulfill needs in almost people especially those who really have the determination and the motivation to do the techniques in a regular basis. Yoga can fulfill this need irrespective of your work, or your lifestyle. This can help everyone play his or her roles more efficiently, more smoothly and more comfortably.
About the author:
For more info fitness tips please check out http://www.pilates-for-u.com/
Sri Chinmoy suggests:
“If you wish to follow the path of kundalini, my humble advice to you is to first try to awaken the heart centre. The heart centre is considerably pure. The vital or disturbing emotions will be purified by the opening of this centre.”
We should also follow the path of Kundalini yoga under the guidance of a qualified spiritual teacher. When studying Kundalini yoga we should maintain an attitude of genuine sincerity and reverence.
Richard is a meditation student of Sri Chinmoy who lives in Oxford and writes on spirituality and yoga.
Fertility yoga is a specific branch of yoga, where certain yoga poses are championed for helping with infertility as they open up pelvis and hip joints, increase blood flow to pelvis and rebalance hormones. Some poses even claim to help to stimulate ovaries.
To alleviate stress about trying to conceive, the cycle of fertility is to be mapped. When entering a fertile time, restorative poses are to be practiced, which leads to softening the abdominal area and removing tension from around the uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries thereby increasing chances of pregnancy.
Beliefs and presumptions lead us to judge that Yoga has been right there from Stone Age Shamanism. Cultural similarities between Modern Hinduism and “Mehrgarh”- a Neolithic settlement where the shamanistic culture flourished- support this presumption.
The Hindu ideals, symbols and rituals of today have been proved to have profound influence on the shamanistic culture of Mehrgarh. Ancient Shamanism and Yoga share so much of close similarity. Both practices endeavored to overcome the human status in an irresistible instinct to get dissolved in the universal spirit.
Shamanism’s primary objective was to heal the community members. It at the same time promoted religious meditations. Ancient Yoga’s goal was not at all different. In course of time yogis began to improve Yoga for enlightenment, recovery and salvation purposes rather than for mere healing practices.
Stone blocks unearthed from Indus valley bear the first evidences pointing to the antiquity of Yoga. Upon the stones, there were inscriptive illustrations of different Yoga postures. These excavated stones were identified to belong to the great Indus- Saraswathi civilization; the largest civilization ever known to have existed in the ancient world.
The oldest recorded teachings concerning Yoga are there in the Vedas. The intelligence of the Vedas was known as the Pre-classical Yoga or the Vedic. It mentions the ritualistic ceremonies that the Yoga practitioners performed to beat the limitations of human mind.
During the second century, Patanjali hoarded the essential features of Classical Yoga in his decisive compilation- “Yoga Sutra”. Post classical Yoga age made stage for the compilation of productive literary works such as the Tantra and the Hatha. These compilations were taught in schools for Yoga and began to be practised formally. So, the present day Yoga is supposed to owe its authentic origin to the post classical Yoga. Yoga traces its first cry in the United States to the 1800s.
Nowadays Yoga has popularity which any other Indian innovation hardly has. Today Yoga exercises so vast an influence up on men and ideals all over the world that no other Indian conception has achieved hitherto.
Yoga involves vertical, horizontal, and cyclical movements, which provide energy to the system by directing the blood supply to the areas of the body which needs it most. The improved blood circulation and hormone balance makes the inner physical system immaculate and the postures/various physical exercises of yoga provide shape to the external body.Yoga lends the skin a healthy glow by balancing the hormones and boosting the flow of oxygen-rich blood to our skin. This keeps the skin resilient and prevents dryness and excessive sagging.Yogic practices bring beauty of figure, graceful carriage, melodious voice, glowing face and charming smile. Asanas such as Paschimotannasana, Sarvangasana, Halasana, Dhanurasana, Veerasana, Trikonasana and ArdhaMatsyendrasana helps to sculpt our body.
Below mentioned are some of the benefits achieved through different yogic practices:
Yoga asanas along with breathing and relaxation techniques during pregnancy and labor
Simple asana
Seated Poses - Easy Pose (Sukhasana), Supine Poses - Single Leg Raises, Warm-Up Poses - Shoulder Stretches, Warm-Up Poses - Neck Exercises, Standing Poses - Standing Side Stretch Pose, Seated Poses - Hand Clenching are the few asanas recommended for arthritis.
Simple Pranayama
No previous experience of yoga is necessary to benefit from these exercises. Aqua yoga can be practiced by swimmers and non-swimmers alike but to train as an aqua yoga teacher you will need a swimming qualification. Aqua yoga strengthens and tones the body whilst relieving tensions and renewing energy. Aqua yoga makes exercising safer for many people, especially those whose weight problems, injuries, pregnancy, old age etc., as the water helps bear the body, easing wear and tear on the joints.
Benefits of Aqua Yoga
Joint, muscle, back and other musculoskeletal degeneration
Obesity
Pregnancy
Dr. R.P. Agrawal, of the SP Medical College, Bikaner, India, and colleagues evaluated the beneficial effects of yoga and meditation in 101 adults with features of metabolic syndrome. In the study, 55 adults received three months of regular yoga including standard postures and Raja Yoga, a form of transcendental meditation daily, while the remaining received standard care.
Waist circumference, blood pressure, blood sugar, and triglycerides were significantly lower, and “good” HDL cholesterol levels were higher in the yoga group as compared to controls, Agrawal’s team reports in the journal Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice.
In the second study, published online December 19 in BioMed Central Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Dr. Anette Kjellgren from the University of Karlstad, Sweden and colleagues evaluated the beneficial effects of yoga-like breathing exercises on healthy volunteers.
Fifty-five adults were advised to practice “Sudarshan Kriya,” which involves cycles of slow normal and rapid breathing exercises. The exercises were practiced for an hour daily, six days a week for six weeks, while 48 controls were advised to relax in an armchair for 15 minutes daily.
At the end of the study period, feelings of anxiety, stress and depression were significantly lower and levels of optimism significantly higher in the yoga group compared to the control group, Kjellgren and colleagues report.
Yoga induces a “relaxation response” associated with reduced nervous system activity and a feeling of well-being probably due to an increase in antioxidants and lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol, they suggest.
Yoga not only helps in prevention of lifestyle diseases, but can also be “a powerful adjunct therapy when these diseases arise,” co-investigator Dr. Faahri Saatiglou, from the University of Oslo, told Reuters Health. “We do not emphasize this point enough in our Western health care.”
SOURCES: Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice, December 2007, BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, online December 19, 2007.
Regardless of the fact that the ultimate goal is still inconclusive there is still a lot of valuable information to be learned from the studies. There was an increase in the children's flexibility following many lessons of kids yoga. In addition, a number of kids who were anxious prior to starting a yoga session left feeling much better or less anxious. Also, some children’s view of self worth was improved, although this was not as profound as some people might anticipate.
Some experts hypothesized that the outcome emerged this way because when kids are younger they experience less stress and do not usually seek enlightenment in their lives. Some experts suggest that having them learn kids yoga might have been a production of futility, given that the majority of children are naturally flexible and limber at their tender age. In addition they are carefree enough to not be tormented by the daily difficulties that we as adults find so stressful.
Needless to say, because the kids yoga research just encompassed a minor collection of female children only, quite a bit of doubt was placed upon whether or not the findings were inconclusive or whether or not they were even dependable. The size, or number of children in the control group was suggested to be too few.
Similarly, many other experts have attempted to study kids with different conditions and the effect that kids yoga might have on them. However more studies need to be conducted for this information to become helpful.
Whether or not these theories hold merit, the people who are devoted to yoga continue to have confidence that there are indeed benefits to teaching kids yoga. And of course, everyone should agree that teaching kids yoga could never result in any negative effects.
There are seven divisions of yoga. Hatha yoga is concerned primarily with the body and the asanas. Bhakti yoga focuses on the path of love and devotion. Mantra yoga has something to do with recitation and repetition of words and verses. Karma yoga is a service through action and work. Janan yoga is on the intellectual path. Raja yoga is a synthesis of Bhakti, Karma, and Janan. And Laya yoga is the secret path or known as the “Yoga of Dissolution”.
Yoga has many advantages over other methods of maintaining health, such as aerobics, athletics, gymnastics, games, and various other forms of exercise and is often described as the best form of health insurance for all from the age of seven to seventy seven or more because it has a lot to offer to everyone. The two main advantages of yoga are prevention of disorders and ailments and maintenance of health and fitness in daily life. Other advantages include supple joints, flexible muscles, relaxed and tension-free mind and efficiently working vital organs such as the heart, lungs, endocrine glands, liver, pancreas and good balance between various functions. When doing yoga, you will not need any costly equipment and materials, or playgrounds, gyms, etc. And you don’t have to worry when is the right time to do it because you can do yoga all throughout the year. It can also be practiced inside the house or in the open, just alone or if you want, in groups. The only thing you need is a thick carpet spread on the floor and covered with a clean sheet of cloth. Remember that yoga should only be practiced on empty stomach although you can do it at any time during the day.
Everyone can benefit from yoga. It will benefit you irrespective of whether you are young or old, lean or heavily built, highly educated or unlettered, rich or poor, from higher or lower middle class, busy, over busy, or retired or worker in the factory or in the field. However, this benefit may not be possible if one does not practice the correct technique of yoga or practice it irregularly. Yoga has a wide range of technique and this can fulfill needs in almost people especially those who really have the determination and the motivation to do the techniques in a regular basis. Yoga can fulfill this need irrespective of your work, or your lifestyle. This can help everyone play his or her roles more efficiently, more smoothly and more comfortably.
About the author:
For more info fitness tips please check out http://www.pilates-for-u.com/
Minggu, 27 Januari 2008
Dangers of Kundalini Yoga
Kundalini yoga is particular path of yoga, which amongst other things can offer a seeker tremendous occult power. Kundalini yoga seeks to open up the different charkas or energy centres. If an aspirant is successful he will be able to have access to these yogic powers.
Kundalini yoga is particular path of yoga, which amongst other things can offer a seeker tremendous occult power. Kundalini yoga seeks to open up the different charkas or energy centres. If an aspirant is successful he will be able to have access to these yogic powers.
The first danger of awakening the Kundalini powers is that they can be easily misused. If we open our third eye it is possible to read others thoughts and have a glimpse into the future. However this power can be easily misused, we may start to look at what people are thinking about, rather than using it for divine purposes we will use it for our own egoist uses. If we do not have purity and genuine aspiration, gaining occult powers, may just give us a tremendous sense of pride. We would enjoy showing off to other people. By doing this we do not gain any divine qualities of peace and inner happiness. When we feed the ego we become proud and this can easily lead to our downfall.
With Kundalini powers we may get distracted from our most important task of self-realisation. Outer miracles and occult powers, which come from Kundalini yoga, do not help in anyway in our spiritual path of self-discovery. To achieve lasting peace, joy and inner happiness we need to conquer the ego and learn to communicate with God, our own soul. If we only desire occult powers it will slowdown and possibly hamper our spiritual growth. For a real spiritual Master who has realised the highest consciousness the Kundalini powers often come spontaneously. However they rarely use them outwardly because they know they have little capacity to effect the transformation of man’s nature. To inspire aspirants to pursue a more spiritual life what is needed is inner spiritual realisation and not outer shows of miraculous powers.
As Sri Chinmoy says:
“Even if we use Kundalini powers for the right purpose, we won't be able to offer infinite Peace, infinite Bliss, infinite Light that way. No matter how many miracles we show, the person who sees them will be pleased for only five minutes and then he will be jealous because he does not have this power.”
There is a danger in Kundalini yoga we will waste our time. There is a good traditional Indian story, which helps illustrate this point. There were 2 brothers who were practising the spiritual life. One brother decided he would go away to practise severe austerities so he may be able to gain his Kundalini powers. After 12 years of intense practise he came back to his village. He wanted to show his brother his newly gained powers so he walked across the water on a river. His brother simply paid a boatman 1 rupee and joined his brother on the other side. On getting to the other bank the brother said. “Why have you wasted 12 years to do something which I can do for just 1 rupee.?” The other brother realised he had been foolish and not made any real spiritual progress in seeking after occult powers.
To practise kundalini yoga we need to have purity in our mind and vital. If we still cherish worldly thoughts and try to open up our energy centres it will cause tremendous confusion and our efforts will be wasted, as our energy will be directed downwards rather than upwards. If we really want to practise Kundalini yoga the best approach is to meditate and concentrate on the heart. It is in the heart where we will feel purity in abundant measure.
Kundalini yoga is particular path of yoga, which amongst other things can offer a seeker tremendous occult power. Kundalini yoga seeks to open up the different charkas or energy centres. If an aspirant is successful he will be able to have access to these yogic powers.
The first danger of awakening the Kundalini powers is that they can be easily misused. If we open our third eye it is possible to read others thoughts and have a glimpse into the future. However this power can be easily misused, we may start to look at what people are thinking about, rather than using it for divine purposes we will use it for our own egoist uses. If we do not have purity and genuine aspiration, gaining occult powers, may just give us a tremendous sense of pride. We would enjoy showing off to other people. By doing this we do not gain any divine qualities of peace and inner happiness. When we feed the ego we become proud and this can easily lead to our downfall.
With Kundalini powers we may get distracted from our most important task of self-realisation. Outer miracles and occult powers, which come from Kundalini yoga, do not help in anyway in our spiritual path of self-discovery. To achieve lasting peace, joy and inner happiness we need to conquer the ego and learn to communicate with God, our own soul. If we only desire occult powers it will slowdown and possibly hamper our spiritual growth. For a real spiritual Master who has realised the highest consciousness the Kundalini powers often come spontaneously. However they rarely use them outwardly because they know they have little capacity to effect the transformation of man’s nature. To inspire aspirants to pursue a more spiritual life what is needed is inner spiritual realisation and not outer shows of miraculous powers.
As Sri Chinmoy says:
“Even if we use Kundalini powers for the right purpose, we won't be able to offer infinite Peace, infinite Bliss, infinite Light that way. No matter how many miracles we show, the person who sees them will be pleased for only five minutes and then he will be jealous because he does not have this power.”
There is a danger in Kundalini yoga we will waste our time. There is a good traditional Indian story, which helps illustrate this point. There were 2 brothers who were practising the spiritual life. One brother decided he would go away to practise severe austerities so he may be able to gain his Kundalini powers. After 12 years of intense practise he came back to his village. He wanted to show his brother his newly gained powers so he walked across the water on a river. His brother simply paid a boatman 1 rupee and joined his brother on the other side. On getting to the other bank the brother said. “Why have you wasted 12 years to do something which I can do for just 1 rupee.?” The other brother realised he had been foolish and not made any real spiritual progress in seeking after occult powers.
To practise kundalini yoga we need to have purity in our mind and vital. If we still cherish worldly thoughts and try to open up our energy centres it will cause tremendous confusion and our efforts will be wasted, as our energy will be directed downwards rather than upwards. If we really want to practise Kundalini yoga the best approach is to meditate and concentrate on the heart. It is in the heart where we will feel purity in abundant measure.
Sri Chinmoy suggests:
“If you wish to follow the path of kundalini, my humble advice to you is to first try to awaken the heart centre. The heart centre is considerably pure. The vital or disturbing emotions will be purified by the opening of this centre.”
We should also follow the path of Kundalini yoga under the guidance of a qualified spiritual teacher. When studying Kundalini yoga we should maintain an attitude of genuine sincerity and reverence.
Richard is a meditation student of Sri Chinmoy who lives in Oxford and writes on spirituality and yoga.
Minggu, 13 Januari 2008
Yoga for Infertility
Originated in India, Yoga is a centuries-old system of exercise and relaxation, in which a series of different postures are designed to tone and strengthen all areas of body and is now used by couples in order to increase their fertility.
Fertility yoga is a specific branch of yoga, where certain yoga poses are championed for helping with infertility as they open up pelvis and hip joints, increase blood flow to pelvis and rebalance hormones. Some poses even claim to help to stimulate ovaries.
To alleviate stress about trying to conceive, the cycle of fertility is to be mapped. When entering a fertile time, restorative poses are to be practiced, which leads to softening the abdominal area and removing tension from around the uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries thereby increasing chances of pregnancy.
The practice of several asanas that aids in conception are
- Salamba Sirsasana (Supported Headstand),
- Salamba Sarvangasana (Supported Shoulderstand),
- Setu Bandha Sarvangasana (Suppported Bridge Pose) are recommended because of their hypothesized effects on hormonal balance.
- The reclining poses like Bound Supta Baddha Konasana (Reclined Bound Angle Pose),
- Supta Virasana (Reclined Hero’s Pose) are helpful as they open and elongate the abdominal area.
To overcome infertility it is advisable to focus on gentler forms of yoga like
- Hatha Yoga - which focuses on performing postures using the appropriate form and encourages breathing and meditation.
- Kripalu Yoga - which helps to increase awareness of the mind, body, and spirit through a series of easy to perform postures
- Couples’ Yoga - As postures are performed with the help of a partner, it works to bring couples together, improving communication and interconnectivity.
Benefits of fertility Yogic practices can be citied as
Physical Benefits:
- Tone and strengthen muscles that support the reproductive organs.
- Improves the total alignment of body.
- Increase energy and stamina.
- Increase blood circulation, allowing vital nutrients and oxygen to reach the reproductive system.
Mental Benefits:
- Reduced Stress that regulates the menstrual cycle.
- Improved Relationships which alleviates the emotional stress of timed intercourse and introduce more passion into sexual relations.
History of Yoga
Yoga traces back its origin to some 5000 years. The historical evolution of Yoga has drastically influenced its present beingness.
Beliefs and presumptions lead us to judge that Yoga has been right there from Stone Age Shamanism. Cultural similarities between Modern Hinduism and “Mehrgarh”- a Neolithic settlement where the shamanistic culture flourished- support this presumption.
The Hindu ideals, symbols and rituals of today have been proved to have profound influence on the shamanistic culture of Mehrgarh. Ancient Shamanism and Yoga share so much of close similarity. Both practices endeavored to overcome the human status in an irresistible instinct to get dissolved in the universal spirit.
Shamanism’s primary objective was to heal the community members. It at the same time promoted religious meditations. Ancient Yoga’s goal was not at all different. In course of time yogis began to improve Yoga for enlightenment, recovery and salvation purposes rather than for mere healing practices.
Stone blocks unearthed from Indus valley bear the first evidences pointing to the antiquity of Yoga. Upon the stones, there were inscriptive illustrations of different Yoga postures. These excavated stones were identified to belong to the great Indus- Saraswathi civilization; the largest civilization ever known to have existed in the ancient world.
The oldest recorded teachings concerning Yoga are there in the Vedas. The intelligence of the Vedas was known as the Pre-classical Yoga or the Vedic. It mentions the ritualistic ceremonies that the Yoga practitioners performed to beat the limitations of human mind.
During the second century, Patanjali hoarded the essential features of Classical Yoga in his decisive compilation- “Yoga Sutra”. Post classical Yoga age made stage for the compilation of productive literary works such as the Tantra and the Hatha. These compilations were taught in schools for Yoga and began to be practised formally. So, the present day Yoga is supposed to owe its authentic origin to the post classical Yoga. Yoga traces its first cry in the United States to the 1800s.
Nowadays Yoga has popularity which any other Indian innovation hardly has. Today Yoga exercises so vast an influence up on men and ideals all over the world that no other Indian conception has achieved hitherto.
Yoga for beauty care
Ayurveda, an ancient system of health care revealed to the rishis of India thousands of years ago, leads to positive health, natural beauty and long life. It emphasizes on the power of yoga by customizing asanas and poses according to individual’s body type and ailments thereby opening up the possibilities of enhancing natural radiance through integration of practices for inner peace.
Yoga involves vertical, horizontal, and cyclical movements, which provide energy to the system by directing the blood supply to the areas of the body which needs it most. The improved blood circulation and hormone balance makes the inner physical system immaculate and the postures/various physical exercises of yoga provide shape to the external body.Yoga lends the skin a healthy glow by balancing the hormones and boosting the flow of oxygen-rich blood to our skin. This keeps the skin resilient and prevents dryness and excessive sagging.Yogic practices bring beauty of figure, graceful carriage, melodious voice, glowing face and charming smile. Asanas such as Paschimotannasana, Sarvangasana, Halasana, Dhanurasana, Veerasana, Trikonasana and ArdhaMatsyendrasana helps to sculpt our body.
Below mentioned are some of the benefits achieved through different yogic practices:
- Asmooth and a soft skin - Facial skin becomes soft, wrinkle free, and starts glowing with radiance. The black circles under the eyes vanish and the cheeks become pink. The face is filled with a magnetic attraction.
- Along shapely neck - A corpulent neck can be given a beautiful shape and all the wrinkles on it shall disappear.
- Well formed breasts - The breasts are moulded into an attractive shape.
- A flat, fat free stomach - The extra fat of the stomach gets dissolved. Women who have gained weight due to over-eating and pregnancy are highly benefited.
- A slim and curved waist - The waist of a woman should be slim & free from excess fat, all her beauty seems to be in vain, through a particular type of asana the waist is given an attractive shape.
- A well proportioned thighs - The thighs should neither be too fat and nor should they be too slim. The thighs gain a well proportioned shape.
- Anti-Ageing - Yoga helps in slowing down the aging process by providing elasticity to the spine, firming up the skin, strengthening the abdominal muscles, eliminating the likelihood of a double chin, improving the quality of loose arm muscles etc.. The inverted Yoga postures often convert gray hair back to its natural color, delaying the onset of gray hair, there by making a person look younger.
Yoga for Pregnancy
Yoga, an ancient tradition of holistic health, is a great way to keep fit during pregnancy, to align body optimally for healthy carriage and natural delivery of baby. It promotes a tranquil state of mind which is very important for the health of the mother and the baby.
Yoga asanas along with breathing and relaxation techniques during pregnancy and labor
- Relieves fluid retention which can be common in the last months.
- Influences the position of the baby and turning it in advance if need.
- Strengthening and massaging the abdomen helps stimulating bowel action and appetite.
- Raises the level of energy and helps in slowing down the metabolism to restore focus.
- Helps in reducing morning sickness, nausea and mood swings.
- Relieves tension around cervix and birth canal.
- Focuses on opening the pelvis to make labor easier and quicker.
- It helps in postal natal care. I.e., it restores the uterus, abdomen and pelvic floor.
- Also it relieves upper back tension and breast discomfort after delivery.
- It restores body shape after childbirth.
Yoga has 5 vital tools which aids a woman in having smooth journey during pregnancy
- Yoga Exercises – These work on the reproductive organs and pelvis to ensure a smooth pregnancy and a relatively easy childbirth. At subtle level, these ensure optimum supply of blood and nutrients to the developing foetus.
- Breathing or Pranayama – Works on fitness during pregnancy. These powerful techniques ensure abundant supply of oxygen and a better life force for mother and child.
- Mudras and Bandhas – The psycho-physical stimulation of these gestures and locks have powerful effects on a woman’s reproductive organs.
- Meditation – As a therapeutic tool, meditation will helps to resolve the deepest of neuroses, fears and conflicts, which are so common during pregnancy. It brings with it an incredible awareness which helps mother connect with her child in a way that is impossible to explain.
- Deep Relaxation – Yoga Nidra (Yogic sleep) is particularly effective during pregnancy for physical and mental relaxation as well as for childbirth preparation
Yoga for Arthritis
Arthritis is decalcification and demineralization of the bones and the patient suffer from a lack of moisture in the connective tissues. Arthritis patients often gain greater mobility of the joints, relief from pain and a reduction in inflammation by practicing yoga which helps in increasing the fluid to the joints and muscles.
Simple asana
movements help increase the circulation in the joints and limbs. Slow, steady and controlled movements are recommended. The gentle stretching and strengthening movements of the asanas improve the flow of blood to the joints and strengthen the muscles, tendons and ligaments that support the joints. Yoga poses can be tailored for different joints.
Seated Poses - Easy Pose (Sukhasana), Supine Poses - Single Leg Raises, Warm-Up Poses - Shoulder Stretches, Warm-Up Poses - Neck Exercises, Standing Poses - Standing Side Stretch Pose, Seated Poses - Hand Clenching are the few asanas recommended for arthritis.
Simple Pranayama
Simple Pranayama is also recommended, which involves deep breathing, special type of Pranayama with Inhalation via right nostril and exhalation via both nostrils but creating a sound of Hmm. (Honey bee Sound) from the throat is found to be very effective in Arthritis patients.
Yogic breathing techniques improve respiration, relieve emotional tension (caused by intense pain) and flood the body and brain with a fresh supply of oxygen. This practice induces relaxation improves the sleep pattern and energy flow, resulting in less suffering for the patient.
Aqua Fitness Yoga (prenatal Yoga)
By: Ashish bhattacharya
No previous experience of yoga is necessary to benefit from these exercises. Aqua yoga can be practiced by swimmers and non-swimmers alike but to train as an aqua yoga teacher you will need a swimming qualification. Aqua yoga strengthens and tones the body whilst relieving tensions and renewing energy. Aqua yoga makes exercising safer for many people, especially those whose weight problems, injuries, pregnancy, old age etc., as the water helps bear the body, easing wear and tear on the joints.
Benefits of Aqua Yoga
Aqua yoga is beneficial for those with many medical problems, as it is gentle and low impact. Aqua yoga can be safely practiced by people with a wide range of fitness levels and physical abilities.
Joint, muscle, back and other musculoskeletal degeneration
Water provides resistance, and this resistance is used in aqua yoga to help strengthen and develop control. This is very useful in helping with some joint and other musculoskeletal problems. The weightlessness in water especially allows those with back problems to move more easily and comfortably in water. Aqua yoga helps improve flexibility and function, reduce stiffness, and strengthen the muscles around the joints, reducing strain on the joints themselves.
Obesity
Obesity puts added strain on the joints when exercising on land, so the low-impact of exercise in water really helps. Aqua-yoga helps strengthen and tone the body, and relaxes the whole body.
Blood pressureBeing in water reduces blood pressure slightly. Aqua yoga is very beneficial for people suffering from high or erratic blood pressure.
Blood pressureBeing in water reduces blood pressure slightly. Aqua yoga is very beneficial for people suffering from high or erratic blood pressure.
Pregnancy
Aqua yoga for pregnancy gives women the opportunity to enjoy freedom of movement supported in the water environment. Flexibility and mobility are increased and women are able to feel more comfortable while promoting health for mother and baby. Breathing is expanded and the circulation improves. Movements practiced in the last few weeks of pregnancy will encourage the baby into a favorable position for birth.
Studies Show Yoga Has Multiple Benefits
By: Johannes R. Fisslinger
Dr. R.P. Agrawal, of the SP Medical College, Bikaner, India, and colleagues evaluated the beneficial effects of yoga and meditation in 101 adults with features of metabolic syndrome. In the study, 55 adults received three months of regular yoga including standard postures and Raja Yoga, a form of transcendental meditation daily, while the remaining received standard care.
Waist circumference, blood pressure, blood sugar, and triglycerides were significantly lower, and “good” HDL cholesterol levels were higher in the yoga group as compared to controls, Agrawal’s team reports in the journal Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice.
In the second study, published online December 19 in BioMed Central Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Dr. Anette Kjellgren from the University of Karlstad, Sweden and colleagues evaluated the beneficial effects of yoga-like breathing exercises on healthy volunteers.
Fifty-five adults were advised to practice “Sudarshan Kriya,” which involves cycles of slow normal and rapid breathing exercises. The exercises were practiced for an hour daily, six days a week for six weeks, while 48 controls were advised to relax in an armchair for 15 minutes daily.
At the end of the study period, feelings of anxiety, stress and depression were significantly lower and levels of optimism significantly higher in the yoga group compared to the control group, Kjellgren and colleagues report.
Yoga induces a “relaxation response” associated with reduced nervous system activity and a feeling of well-being probably due to an increase in antioxidants and lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol, they suggest.
Yoga not only helps in prevention of lifestyle diseases, but can also be “a powerful adjunct therapy when these diseases arise,” co-investigator Dr. Faahri Saatiglou, from the University of Oslo, told Reuters Health. “We do not emphasize this point enough in our Western health care.”
SOURCES: Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice, December 2007, BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, online December 19, 2007.
Study Results From Kids Yoga
Many studies have been conducted in regards to teaching kids yoga and the effects it has on them. Thus far, researchers have observed more than one result as to the effects that teaching kids yoga has at an early age. The outcome of various studies have not been conclusive given that these studies differed somewhat, and were oftentimes targeted more on a single specific mood of the child. Also, a number of other loopholes were apparent within several of the studies because of limited time requirements. Varying yoga devotees speculated that the research required a longer time span as well as additional yoga sessions to experience a more realistic effect.
Regardless of the fact that the ultimate goal is still inconclusive there is still a lot of valuable information to be learned from the studies. There was an increase in the children's flexibility following many lessons of kids yoga. In addition, a number of kids who were anxious prior to starting a yoga session left feeling much better or less anxious. Also, some children’s view of self worth was improved, although this was not as profound as some people might anticipate.
Some experts hypothesized that the outcome emerged this way because when kids are younger they experience less stress and do not usually seek enlightenment in their lives. Some experts suggest that having them learn kids yoga might have been a production of futility, given that the majority of children are naturally flexible and limber at their tender age. In addition they are carefree enough to not be tormented by the daily difficulties that we as adults find so stressful.
Needless to say, because the kids yoga research just encompassed a minor collection of female children only, quite a bit of doubt was placed upon whether or not the findings were inconclusive or whether or not they were even dependable. The size, or number of children in the control group was suggested to be too few.
Similarly, many other experts have attempted to study kids with different conditions and the effect that kids yoga might have on them. However more studies need to be conducted for this information to become helpful.
Whether or not these theories hold merit, the people who are devoted to yoga continue to have confidence that there are indeed benefits to teaching kids yoga. And of course, everyone should agree that teaching kids yoga could never result in any negative effects.
Jumat, 11 Januari 2008
Yoga Positions For Beginners
For instance, yoga positions for beginners are not really as complicated as those positions designed for people who are already very flexible. Moreover, yoga positions for beginners are easy to follow so almost everyone can really execute these moves without causing injuries. If you are one of those people who have just enrolled in a yoga class, you will be given easy yoga positions for beginners during your first few sessions. Once your instructor is sure that you can handle the more strenuous stretching and bending routines, he or she will then promote you to the next level.
Getting Started
Yoga positions for beginners are actually almost similar to the regular yoga positions. You will still have to do standing, seating, supine, backbends and balancing positions. Depending on the type of yoga discipline that your yoga class instructor is following, you will most likely execute standing poses such as the adho mukha svanasa or the downward facing dog position, the utthita parsvakonasan. You could also be given the extended side angle position, the pyramid pose, the hands raised pose, the standing forward bend and the like.
For the seated yoga positions for beginners, you will most likely encounter the easy pose, the head to knee pose, the cobbler’s pose, the seated forward bend, the seated wide legged straddle and the like. Now, these yoga positions may look quite difficult at first but once you get the hand of it, it is really easy to do. Besides, since you are still a beginner, your yoga instructor will not really push you to do a more complicated pose. Just take your time and let your limbs loosen up naturally before you go on to more complicated yoga poses.
When it comes to yoga positions for beginners, the backbends and the balancing poses can be quite challenging. The bridge pose can be quite intimidating for people who have been sedentary for a long time and for those people who have accumulated fat in parts of their bodies. However, the good news is that anyone can execute this pose perfectly after a few sessions of practice. Don’t worry if you can’t get this yoga pose right even after a few sessions; you’ll get better at it with practice.
These are just very essential things; you can append more based on your own practice and understanding. When expression gets around about your rule of yoga positions for beginners facts, others who need to know about yoga positions for beginners will create to enthusiastically seek you out.
By: Swalesta
Getting Started
Yoga positions for beginners are actually almost similar to the regular yoga positions. You will still have to do standing, seating, supine, backbends and balancing positions. Depending on the type of yoga discipline that your yoga class instructor is following, you will most likely execute standing poses such as the adho mukha svanasa or the downward facing dog position, the utthita parsvakonasan. You could also be given the extended side angle position, the pyramid pose, the hands raised pose, the standing forward bend and the like.
For the seated yoga positions for beginners, you will most likely encounter the easy pose, the head to knee pose, the cobbler’s pose, the seated forward bend, the seated wide legged straddle and the like. Now, these yoga positions may look quite difficult at first but once you get the hand of it, it is really easy to do. Besides, since you are still a beginner, your yoga instructor will not really push you to do a more complicated pose. Just take your time and let your limbs loosen up naturally before you go on to more complicated yoga poses.
When it comes to yoga positions for beginners, the backbends and the balancing poses can be quite challenging. The bridge pose can be quite intimidating for people who have been sedentary for a long time and for those people who have accumulated fat in parts of their bodies. However, the good news is that anyone can execute this pose perfectly after a few sessions of practice. Don’t worry if you can’t get this yoga pose right even after a few sessions; you’ll get better at it with practice.
These are just very essential things; you can append more based on your own practice and understanding. When expression gets around about your rule of yoga positions for beginners facts, others who need to know about yoga positions for beginners will create to enthusiastically seek you out.
By: Swalesta
Yoga Types - Different Types Of Yoga
Various types of yoga are being taught and practiced in today’s world and it is very important to choose the correct type of yoga
Each type has its own philosophies and practices Some styles of yoga are meditative and focused on spiritual centeredness.
Other styles of yoga are more physical and based on poses or exercises. According to data published in 2004 in the journal Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine, an estimated 15 million American adults have used yoga at least once in their lifetime, and more than 7.4 million participated in the year prior to when the research was conducted.The varieties of poses flow one into another, always breathing through the nose.
Kundalini
Kundalini yoga aims to awaken the potential energies at the base of the spine (Symbolised as a coiled snake) and direct this energy upwards through the spine and the Chakras thus bringing about increasing degrees of enlightenment.
Jnana Yoga
Jnana yoga is yoga that focuses on knowledge. There are seven stages to Jnana, involving study, self-realization, desire, protection of the mind, developing indifference to objects, letting the world appear like a dream, non-attachment to the world, bliss and knowledge of truth.
Bikram Yoga
Bikram Yoga is the method of yoga that is a comprehensive workout that includes all the components of fitness: muscular strength, muscular endurance, cardiovascular flexibility and weight loss.
Ashtanga
Ashtanga, or power yoga is designed to build strength and endurance. It is an aggressive workout where you move quickly from one pose to another. Ashtanga is for you if you're looking for a tough, physically challenging workout.
Hatha Yoga
Hatha Yoga : Involves both pranayama (breathing techniques for life-force control) and asanas (physical postures) which are quite vigorous, and have tremendous benefits physically, as well as emotionally and spiritually. As in all Yoga pathways, the goal is not physical fitness, but rather strengthening and balancing the nervous system in order to capacitate superconscious states of awareness and energy.
Viniyoga
Viniyoga:This is commonly used as a therapeutic practice for people who have suffered injuries or are recovering from surgery. It is a gentle, healing practice that is tailored to each person's body type and needs as they grow and change.
Vinyasa
Vinyasa:Focuses on coordination of breath and movement and it is a very physically active form of yoga. It began with Krishnamacharya who later passed it on to Pattabhi Jois.
Mantras are words, phrases, or syllables which are chanted attentively and thoughtfully to attain certain goals. In the Mantra Yoga meditation one has to chant a word or a phrase until he/she transcends mind and emotions. In the process the super conscious is discovered and achieved. The rhythm and the meaning of mantras combine to conduct the mind safely back to the point of meditation- the higher consciousness or the specific spiritual focus.
By: Franchis
Each type has its own philosophies and practices Some styles of yoga are meditative and focused on spiritual centeredness.
Other styles of yoga are more physical and based on poses or exercises. According to data published in 2004 in the journal Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine, an estimated 15 million American adults have used yoga at least once in their lifetime, and more than 7.4 million participated in the year prior to when the research was conducted.The varieties of poses flow one into another, always breathing through the nose.
Kundalini
Kundalini yoga aims to awaken the potential energies at the base of the spine (Symbolised as a coiled snake) and direct this energy upwards through the spine and the Chakras thus bringing about increasing degrees of enlightenment.
Jnana Yoga
Jnana yoga is yoga that focuses on knowledge. There are seven stages to Jnana, involving study, self-realization, desire, protection of the mind, developing indifference to objects, letting the world appear like a dream, non-attachment to the world, bliss and knowledge of truth.
Bikram Yoga
Bikram Yoga is the method of yoga that is a comprehensive workout that includes all the components of fitness: muscular strength, muscular endurance, cardiovascular flexibility and weight loss.
Ashtanga
Ashtanga, or power yoga is designed to build strength and endurance. It is an aggressive workout where you move quickly from one pose to another. Ashtanga is for you if you're looking for a tough, physically challenging workout.
Hatha Yoga
Hatha Yoga : Involves both pranayama (breathing techniques for life-force control) and asanas (physical postures) which are quite vigorous, and have tremendous benefits physically, as well as emotionally and spiritually. As in all Yoga pathways, the goal is not physical fitness, but rather strengthening and balancing the nervous system in order to capacitate superconscious states of awareness and energy.
Viniyoga
Viniyoga:This is commonly used as a therapeutic practice for people who have suffered injuries or are recovering from surgery. It is a gentle, healing practice that is tailored to each person's body type and needs as they grow and change.
Vinyasa
Vinyasa:Focuses on coordination of breath and movement and it is a very physically active form of yoga. It began with Krishnamacharya who later passed it on to Pattabhi Jois.
Mantras are words, phrases, or syllables which are chanted attentively and thoughtfully to attain certain goals. In the Mantra Yoga meditation one has to chant a word or a phrase until he/she transcends mind and emotions. In the process the super conscious is discovered and achieved. The rhythm and the meaning of mantras combine to conduct the mind safely back to the point of meditation- the higher consciousness or the specific spiritual focus.
By: Franchis
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