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The Five Faces Of Westner Yoga

Wed, 08 Sep 2010 23:00:30 +0000

The five Faces of Westner Yoga

Yoga pertains to an entire group of spiritual and physical practices that date back as far as 3300 BC in India, an era in which anthropologists have uncovered statues depicting figures in yoga-like postures. as you can imagine, yoga’s influence on the Western world in general and here in the United States in particular, has taken place in a veritable blink-of-an-eye when you look at the whole history of yoga.

Nevertheless, there are a number of people from the past and present who have had a profound influence on the spread of yoga in the West, and probably few of greater significance than the five people listed below…

Rodney’s Yoga: gaiam.com/category/yoga-studio/yoga-instructors/rodney-yee.do

Rodney Yee was once a gymnast, a ballet dancer, and a philosophy major. What do all of these things have in common? the helped him satisfy a deep hunger for knowledge and understanding of the human mind and body. This curiosity is what led him to begin learning, and eventually teaching, his own form of yoga. Rodney has appeared on several national morning shows, and daytime television talk shows like Oprah. He owns a major yoga studio in LA, and is probably THE most well known yoga personality in America, next to Bikram.

Bikram’s Yoga: bikramyoga.com

Although he was born in India, Bikram began teaching his “hot yoga” classes in the California during the 1970s. This form of yoga, in which students perform mostly Hatha yoga poses in a heated room, may be the most popular type of yoga in the United States today.

Shiva Rea’s Yoga: shivarea.com/about

Her name sounds Indian, but Shiva is actually an American-born yoga instructor, daughter of an artist/surfer. Shiva has released several award-winning yoga videos, and has traveled the world to appear at yoga retreats and international studios. now a regular contributor for the Yoga Journal, Shiva has built a name for herself as one of the best yoga teachers in the Western world. she is widely known for her cultivation of Vinyasa yoga techniques into her own style called Prana Flow.

Patricia’s Yoga: gaiam.com/category/yoga-studio/yoga-instructors/patricia-walden.do

While many Western yoga teachers are drawn to the temptation of creating their own, unique style of yoga, branding it and watching it flourish, Patricia has remained dedicated to her Iyengar yoga roots for over 25 years. she has co-authored the Women’s Book of Yoga and Health and starred in several award-winning yoga DVDs, including the best-selling Yoga for Beginners series.

Seane’s Yoga: gaiam.com/category/yoga-studio/yoga-instructors/seane-corn.do

The extremely beautiful, talented and charismatic Seane Corn teaches Vinyasa yoga, and is the star of the hugely popular Vinyasa Flow Yoga DVD series. she has been featured on the cover of the Yoga Journal three times, and has also appeared on the covers of Natural Health, Fit yoga, Yoga Life and Healing Retreat and Spa Magazine. Many are drawn to Seane Corn’s charisma and authentic messages of change and progress. she has worked with several political and social programs to bring changes to local and global communities, including a shelter that houses and educates adolescent prostitutes, and YouthAIDS. Born in New Jersey, Seane had her first yoga experience at the Life Cafe in the East Village area of New York.

Have we left out your favorite yoga teacher? Opinions differ widely as to who has had the most influence over modern yoga. But there is no denying that the five yoga instructors above, whether you agree with their teachings or not, are have had a major impact on the way yoga is practiced and taught here in the U.S. and around the western world.

The Five Faces Of Westner Yoga

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The Five Faces Of Westner Yoga is a post from: Yoga Travel Mats

I bought a Wii fit starter kit, now my weight changed by 11lbs?

Tue, 07 Sep 2010 23:00:18 +0000

I bought a wii fit starter kit with a balance board cover and yoga mat. Now my weight is 11lbs off. help?

It's because of the gravity. If you put you balance board in a different room then your scale (i would hope your wii wouldn't be in the bathroom) then the gravity is probably different but if it makes you feel better then you can just think you magically lost 11 lbs ( :

I bought a Wii fit starter kit, now my weight changed by 11lbs?

I bought a Wii fit starter kit, now my weight changed by 11lbs? is a post from: Yoga Travel Mats

Alexandria Twp. man rides 10,800 miles to sell cleaning product

Tue, 07 Sep 2010 11:00:29 +0000

Published: Saturday, August 28, 2010, 6:06 AM ALEXANDRIA TWP. — A 59-year-old chemist and “lifetime motorcyclist” took a 10,800-mile trip around the United States and parts of Canada to advertise his new cleaning product.

“it was grueling,” said John Clarke, a resident here since 1992. “I wouldn’t say it was enjoyable. but it was very interesting.”

When his business as a freelance consultant dried up in 2007, Clarke, originally from England, needed to find a new source of income. two years earlier, he had concocted an organic cleaning solution for his step-daughter Jessie Thompson, owner and director of The Yoga Loft in Bethlehem, Pa.

“if something doesn’t exist on the market that I need or that someone else needs, I try and make it,” Clarke said. “and occasionally there’s a business opportunity.”

The yoga-mat cleaner he invented is a non-soap, anti-microbial, anti-static cleaner with aromatherapy oil among other “fairly unique” ingredients, and meets USDA organic standards.

It isn’t just for yoga mats — Clarke thinks it would also benefit martial arts uniforms, dance floors, pilates equipment and home gyms. “The whole exercise industry could use it,” he said.

He tried to sell his cleaning solution online, but with little success. at Thompson’s suggestion, he sent samples to a dozen producers of yoga mats and pilates equipment, and “they were very keen on it,” he said.

“we realized we had a good product and we’d better do something about it quick. So I jumped on my bike,” he explained.

He was on the road visiting companies from July 19 to Aug. 18, covering between 200 and 550 miles every day on his 12-year-old Triumph Spirit. Clarke’s wife, Carol, and Thompson scheduled appointments with companies for him from home.

“to go and see these people by conventional methods… would have cost a fortune,” he said.

The trip’s expenses totaled about $2,000, as he camped about one-third of the time, often staying with friends or other members of the International Brotherhood of Motorcycle Campers.Alexandria Township resident John Clarke got special permission to camp next to a giant cactus in the Saguaro National Park in Arizona. Clarke often camped during his month-long motorcycle trip around the United States and Canada to sell his new cleaning product.

He rode to Toronto, British Columbia, North Dakota, Colorado, Utah and Seattle. From Seattle he took the Coastal Highway — “about a thousand miles of hair-pin bends” — down the West Coast.

After San Diego, he headed to Austin, Texas and then home.

Clarke said companies were quite interested in his product.

“it was the face-to-face contact that was very important,” he said. “It’s very easy to blow someone off when it’s in an e-mail.”

Though he’s only making samples at the moment, he plans to contract with a local manufacturer and a packaging company, and expects to sell the cleaner in bulk for about $20 per gallon.

“I need to get some more feedback from customers,” he said, but he plans to put it on the market later this year.

He and Thompson plan to sell samples for $6 a bottle on Labor Day weekend at the Frenchtown River Fest.

Clarke’s trip gave him another idea. Years ago, wool clothing he purchased was no longer waterproof after it was dry-cleaned. So he invented a solution that would re-condition it.

While driving through Washougal (Wash.), he stopped to talk to the Pendleton Woolen Mills shirt company. “I might have another new business, who knows,” he said.

Alexandria Twp. man rides 10,800 miles to sell cleaning product

Alexandria Twp. man rides 10,800 miles to sell cleaning product is a post from: Yoga Travel Mats

Yoga – Living Without Regret

Sun, 05 Sep 2010 19:19:42 +0000

If we wish to teach our students life’s greatest lesson-that it is only love that really matters-we must start by learning to love the work of teaching. Perhaps the greatest service we can do for our students is to remind them in both obvious and subtle ways to find their true calling in life, and to provide them with tools to help them on their quest. As our students physically open their hearts while doing back bends and become more aware of their feelings from doing inversions, they cultivate the sensitivity to separate what is essential from what is merely urgent. It is only when we take care of what is essential that we can die without regret.

As yoga teachers, perhaps our central practice is to watch everything we teach-every method, every word, every action-and ask if the approach is merely a means to achieving a greater pose or a deeper breath, or is it essentially helping my student to love their life more? Are you merely teaching poses or are you teaching students to love more abundantly and die contented?”

As teachers, we must first love ourselves and our work. We can do no better than to follow this timeless advice of doing what you love, love what you are doing, and deliver more than you promise. The true passion for teaching lives only within teachers who love both their subject and the teaching. This is because they know they are living their dharma. When I feel my dharma, I have no choice but to be in love with my subject and my teaching. Then teaching is no longer a job, but a fulfilling way of self-expression that allows me to manifest the love I feel for who I am. It is a way of spreading the joy and peace of yoga and creating an inner balance that leads to bliss. When I feel this, I am living my dharma. I am fulfilled.

Mother Theresa said, “We can do no great things-only small things with great love.” The most important thing we can do for our students is to feel a great love for our teaching and our practice. If you have lost your love of teaching, it is time to learn something new. Just as married couples need to take time out for themselves and go on “dates” to restore feelings of love and joy, we need to take time to renew and refresh the love of our craft. Just as our bodies need regular asana practice to be restored, so our teaching needs regular care in order to remain healthy and vibrant. Find a teacher, take a workshop, go on a retreat. Find a mentor who truly loves yoga so that you can absorb some of that love and inspiration. Going to workshops or retreats and studying with master teachers is not indulgent, but essential.

Another way to renew our love of teaching is to remind ourselves that we are participating in the cosmic drama. As we help others embody their dharma, we are assisting the spirits that guide their lives. As we love our students and enter into the mystery of their unfolding, our teaching is filled with unexpected magic.

The greatest service we can give our students is to love our own practice–our teaching, our students, and, above all, our own self. Then, as we breathe our last, we will smile knowing that we have lived, loved, and died without regret.

If we wish to teach our students life’s greatest lesson-that it is only love that really matters-we must start by learning to love the work of teaching.

2008 Aadil Palkhivala

By: Aadil Palkhivala

About the Author:

And now I invite you to claim your Free Instant Access to an excerpt of my new book, Fire of Love: Chapter 5: Feeling, from Fire of Love.

To buy a copy- click on this link: Yoga Centers Online Store.

Yoga – Living Without Regret is a post from: Yoga Travel Mats

Using Yoga Poses To Improve Your Health

Sun, 05 Sep 2010 08:29:22 +0000

Yoga Poses are the body and mind places you are trying to achieve through Yoga that are also called Asanas. The benefits of practicing Yoga is mainly to exercise, strengthen and tone your body’s muscles and exercise your mind. It takes a great deal of willpower and tenacity to accomplish each Yoga Pose and you have to have the discipline to practice your routine of poses or asanas daily.

You may or may not know that the effort required for yoga is certainly not easy (what program ids that actually works though!), but the total body benefit is worth all the hard work. The art of practicing Yoga exercises or Asanas can and will improve your physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health. To be able to accomplish the Yoga Poses requires you to study each pose and perform it deliberately as you control your body and mind simultaneously. Learn the following different Yoga Exercises, Postures, and Poses in the following sections and then incorporate them into your routine.

Warm-Up Poses

In general, warming up depends on the particular style of yoga that you practice and your studio, class, DVD, or online training will show you the best warm up for the type of yoga you are doing.

Standing Poses – You should learn the following Standing Poses

o Virabhadrasana or Warrior Pose

o Utkatasana or Squat Pose

o Uttanasana or Standing Forward Bend

o Tadasana or Mountain Pose

o Uthita Trikonasana or Extended Triangle

o Garudasana or Eagle Pose

o Natarajasana or Dancer

o Bakasana or Crow Pose

o Chaturangsana or Plank Pose

o Purvottanasana or Back Bend

o Vasisthasana or Inclined Plank

Seated Poses – These poses can be done while sitting.

Sitting Neutral

o Vajrasana or Hero Pose

o Dandasana or Staff Pose

o Baddhakonasana or Bound Angle Pose

o Gomukhasana or Cow Face Pose

Sitting Forward

o Pascimottanasana or Sitting Forward Bend

o Paripurna navasana or Boat Pose

Sitting Back Bends

o Bidalasana or Cat Stretch

o Ustrasana or Camel Pose

o Bhujangasana or Cobra Pose

o Dhanurasana or Bow Pose

Sittting Twist

o Ardha matsyendrasana or Half Twist

Inverted Postures and Balance Poses – These poses help to increase circulation, stimulate the brain, enhance glandular system functioning, and relieve pressure on the abdominal organs helping with digestion and blood flow.

o Sarvangasana or Shoulder Stand

o Halasana or Plow Pose

o Adho Mukha Svanasana or Downward Facing Dog

o Setu Bandha or Half Bridge

o Urdhva Dhanurasana or Full Bridge

o Karnapidasana or Spider Pose

It’s recommended that people try and practice different yoga poses at home or even in the office or workplace but if you are feeling like you’re not able to complete a posture, please don’t push yourself. Yoga is not a competition so just relax, rest for a minute and try the pose again. Also remember not to try yoga poses that are beyond your capabilities. If you attempt asanas that are beyond your level you can injure yourself which is not what we are trying to achieve with yoga! You might find it helpful to get some expert guidance through popular online training websites where a professional teacher can instruct and coach you through each Yoga Pose ensuring you are doing the exercise correctly.

By: Vino Rayen

About the Author:

This article about yoga poses was written by yoga guru Vino Rayen. Vino’s website is the no. 1 online yoga training site on the net and can help you get stated in yoga today! Visit his site to claim your free ebook ‘the secret of bliss’ Now!

Using Yoga Poses To Improve Your Health is a post from: Yoga Travel Mats

Yoga for Kids

Sun, 05 Sep 2010 08:13:22 +0000

We don’t generally consider children as having stressful lives, but when you think about how busy they are and we are as well, always rushing around to school, sports, lessons and so on, we can begin to appreciate that they are under significant pressure. This can definitely have a negative effect on their lives in many areas.

Yoga can help children deal with these pressures and learn techniques to help them to face life’s challenges more easily. Yoga is a noncompetitive activity that can foster self-esteem and awareness of one’s body for youngsters. Kids can learn methods for relaxation, inner peace and self-health. This can help them develop compassion and cooperation as opposed to opposition.

Physically, the benefits of practicing yoga for children range from improving flexibility to enhancing strength and coordination. Their sense of calmness, relaxation and concentration also improve.

Many yoga poses derive their inspiration from animals and plants. When children are given the opportunity to imitate the movements and sounds of nature, it is not only very enjoyable, but it also gives them the chance to experience, for example, the power of the lion, the grace of a swan, or the grounding of a tree. This introduces kids to the true essence of yoga: union, expression and honor for oneself and others.

In teaching yoga to children, instructors have found that an interactive, multi-disciplinary approach works very well. The yoga asanas can be expanded upon to playing and imitating various plants and animals. This can be further explored with storytelling, games, picture drawing and playing musical instruments. The children can appreciate the use of their bodies and minds and how they can interact in play. Their natural tendency towards creativity and curiosity makes these classes fun and effective.

Yoga classes for children that take this multi-disciplinary approach are indeed an excellent learning experience. Kids are provided with the opportunity to explore their innate abilities across many planes: linguistic, logical, visual, musical, kinesthetic, naturalistic, interpersonal and intrapersonal.

The great challenge in teaching kids is to be able to hold their attention. Fortunately, kids love to be in motion and they love to talk. They can do both of these in a yoga class and they will love playing like various animals, trees, flowers, cobras and warriors. The instructor should allow them to let go and roar in the lion pose, bark in the dog pose, meow in a cat stretch and hiss in a cobra.

Standard lessons can be integrated into a kids’ yoga class as well. Reciting their ABC’s or practicing counting their 123’s can be a lot of fun while holding a pose. Children love the release of making sounds and their yoga classes will allow them to connect an auditory experience to a physical sensation. Providing a responsive, creative and loving environment in a yoga class will help children to discover the world on their own and is an optimal method for instruction. Their minds can be engaged as they perform animal and nature asanas to deepen their awareness. When they’re snakes (Bhujangasana), invite them to really imagine that they’re just a long spine with no arms and legs. Could you still run or climb a tree? In Tree Pose (Vrksasana), ask them to imagine being a giant oak, with roots growing out of the bottoms of their feet. Could you stay in the same position for 100 years?

The many benefits of yoga: stillness, balance, flexibility, focus, peace, grace, connection, health and well-being can be imparted to children in an interactive and pleasurable way that create the foundation for a life-long practice. Children will be given the opportunity to express themselves and learn important principles such as reverence for life and the interdependence of all beings.

By: Michael Russell

About the Author:

Michael Russell Your Independent guide to Yoga

Yoga for Kids is a post from: Yoga Travel Mats

5 Facts You Probably Didn’t Know About Yoga

Sat, 04 Sep 2010 16:58:13 +0000

There is a lot of information floating around about Yoga but still there are a lot of things about the practice of Yoga that most people don’t know. Here are 5 facts about Yoga that you probably didn’t know before:

1. Yoga is primarily practiced as a physical activity in the West but it started in the East as a much more meditative discipline. Hatha Yoga, the form of yoga that focuses more on physical movements, is the most popular and most practiced type of Yoga in the West.

2. You don’t need to do a lot of Yoga in order to get benefits from it – Even if you just practice Yoga for a half an hour a few days a week you will still get some of the benefits that Yoga offers. So don’t put off learning Yoga just because you think you don’t have enough time. Even just a little Yoga can really improve your health.

3. Yoga is equally beneficial for women and men. The press coverage of Yoga tends to show more women than men performing Yoga and the literature makes is sound like more women than men are practicing Yoga but the truth is that Yoga is just as good for men, and for kids too, as it is for women. A regular Yoga practice can benefit everyone.

4. Yoga is one of the safest exercises for pregnant women, as long as the Yoga that is practiced is adapted for women that are pregnancy. Many women find that doing Yoga while pregnant helps them prepare mentally as well as physically for the birth of their baby.

5. Yoga is one of the oldest forms of mental and physical exercise. The origins of Yoga go back more than 5000 years. Humans throughout the ages have practiced Yoga to achieve a balanced body and mind.

By: Jay Franco

About the Author:

Jay Franco has been a Yoga enthusiast since an early age. He is constantly trying to find practical ways of implementing this ancient knowledge into his Western lifestyle.

His website is: http://www.yogascienceofbreath.com

5 Facts You Probably Didn’t Know About Yoga is a post from: Yoga Travel Mats

Mudra Yoga – Redirect Sexual Energy

Fri, 03 Sep 2010 22:15:56 +0000

Diwakar Vashist asked:

Vajra is ‘thunderbolt’ or ‘lightening’. It is also the weapon of Lord Indra means ‘mighty one’. Vajra in this context refers to the vajra nadi which governs the urogenital system. It is the second innermost layer of sushmna nadi. Vajra nadi is the energy flow within the spine which governs the sexual systems of the body. In mundane life it is responsible for the sexual behaviour and this aspect has been termed ‘libido’ by Dr. Freud and as ‘organe’ by Dr. Reich. In tantric sadhana this energy is not suppressed but it is awakened and redirected. Oli mudras (vajroli, sahajoli, amaroli) are those which specifically sublimate sexual energy into ojas (vitality) and kundalini shakti.

According to Hatha Yoga Pradipika, if vajroli is well practised, even in an otherwise free lifestyle, that yogi’s attainments in life will be greater, and a greater source of vital and mental power will become available to him. A few great yogis and masters had these experiences and have, therefore, instructed their disciples in the oli mudras and other Hatha yoga techniques.

Vajroli mudra is an important practice today in the kali yuga when man’s ability and need to express himself in the material and sensual world is predominating. We have to act in the external world and simultaneously develop inner awareness. The purpose of life should be to attain a deeper and more fulfilling experience beyond the empirical sensory experience alone.

By the practice of vajroli one can learn to control the physical mechanism, but side by side with his mental control must also be developed. When the mind wanders in useless fantasy, energy is dissipated. When the mind is totally concentrated on a specific object, symbol or point, pranic movements are channelized and the bindu is maintained. In Hatha yoga the mind has to be kept on the aim of the practices in order to induce total one-pointedness.

Mudra Yoga – Redirect Sexual Energy is a post from: Yoga Travel Mats

Yoga For Pregnancy

Fri, 03 Sep 2010 00:09:03 +0000

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

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

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

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

By: Jill Borash

About the Author:

Yoga for pregnancy is a wonderful way to get low impact exercise, learn proper breathing techniques, stretch your ever-growing body and learn to relax with your baby. The techniques you learn by doing yoga while you are pregnant can even help you during childbirth and as a new mother. Get more information about prenatal yoga and doing yoga while you are pregnant at http://www.PrenatalYogaDVD.net

Yoga For Pregnancy is a post from: Yoga Travel Mats

Where Can You Find Inexpensive Yoga Teacher Training?

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 15:50:39 +0000

These days – it is not hard to find a Yoga teacher certification course, but in this economy, where do you find a fairly priced program? Some on site courses can run over ten thousand dollars. Even a low priced on site program is in the neighborhood of two thousand dollars.

The training could take from five months to two years to complete. You could also travel to India for a reasonably priced on site program, but the cost of traveling is worth factoring into your expenses.

So, where do you turn? Correspondence courses, for college education, have been around for years. Many of them are completely “on the level.” It is the same in Yoga teacher education. There are organizations, and teacher trainers, who produce correspondence courses for certification, and continuing education, of existing instructors.

Who would want to consider a distance learning course to become a Yoga instructor? Anyone who has obligations, at home, might consider such a course. Some employers will not grant you permission to take a month out of the year to train for your “dream job.”

In the current economy, employers are “holding all of the cards,” and they know it. Just mentioning training for another job will not go over well.

Many teachers of Yoga are women, who have children living at home. With that said – who will take care of their children for a month? Training at home, to become a Yoga teacher, is a viable option for anyone who has commitments.

What is the price range of an at-home Yoga teacher training course? Prices vary, but you can find reputable certification courses in the four to five hundred US dollar range.

Where Can You Find Inexpensive Yoga Teacher Training? is a post from: Yoga Travel Mats

Yoga Stretching Exercises

Wed, 01 Sep 2010 07:05:55 +0000

No one is nearly as relaxed as we would like to be. Relaxation is not something that is unattainable. When it comes to our bodies, our stress levels and our ability to enjoy life, there are a number of different things that we can do to take control. Yoga stretching exercises are one of the greatest tools we can use to help us lower our stress level so that we are able to calm down. Hundreds of thousands of people across the globe use Yoga stretching exercises for one reason or another. It does not matter whether you are using it as a way to focus and direct your spiritual energy or to simply get yourself grounded before you start your day.

Yoga stretching exercises are low-impact ways to make sure that your whole body is awakened. You will go through a gentle series of prescribed moves that you will perfect and refine every day. In Yoga, there is no competition. The only person whose progress you are supposed to be watching is your own. You will find that with a little bit of work, you will be able to get your morning started with just a few simple moves. One of the best parts about Yoga is that it is infinitely variable. You can perform it as a series of slow, segmented movements, or you can speed it up and keep it consistent in order to get your heart rate up and keep it up.

When you are getting started with your Yoga stretching exercises, remember that just like any exercise, you should start small and build up in intensity. There are some moves that should simply not be tried until you have gone through a series of simpler moves. Luckily, Yoga stretching exercises are cumulative. If you are just getting started, you will build up your practice on a firm foundation of simple moves that will grow in difficulty and complexity. Do not be concerned if you have issues like an old back injury or weak knees; there are a number of different ways to proceed through each movement, and you will find that with a little bit of work, you will be able to find the variation that works for you.

One of the most important benefits of Yoga stretching exercises is that you will learn how to breathe. The breathing you do in Yoga, like everything else, is very deliberate and controlled. You will inhale with some positions, as in the “upward facing dog”, and you will exhale with other positions, like cat. When you learn to breathe appropriately in situations like this, you will find that your breathing in general becomes more controlled and that you will find yourself with a great deal more energy.

If you are looking for a way to feel more energized and add more pep to your life, you may very well be able to do so with Yoga stretching exercises. Open your mind up to the idea that this ancient art can help you in a very modern context. To learn more about Yoga stretching exercises, visit yoga stretching exercises.

By: David Swanson

About the Author:

Find the latest information on Benefits of Yoga [http://yogastretchingexercises.com/Benefits_of_Yoga.html] as well as Yoga Moves [http://yogastretchingexercises.com/Yoga_Moves.html]

Yoga Stretching Exercises is a post from: Yoga Travel Mats

Some Benefits of Yoga

Wed, 01 Sep 2010 05:08:35 +0000

There are dozens and dozens of benefits of yoga. Here are merely three that you can consider now to help you make a decision on whether or not to start. And, there are more where these came from.

Yoga Gives You Pain Management Power

One of the greatest benefits of yoga is that it gives you the power to manage your own pain instead of having to depend on others, like massage therapist. Those who practice yoga develop a healthy body that is less prone to pain. In addition, they learn a set of poses that can deal with acute pain.

One way this works is by making the body more flexible. A good deal of the pain that we suffer from is the result of a constricted and inflexible body. Yoga will slowly stretch out your whole body and make you less susceptible to pain.

A Stronger Body and Balance

Another of the great benefits of yoga is its ability to give you fantastic balance and a strong body. Many of the yoga poses you will study, practice and master involve staying balanced. Your muscles will learn how to keep you balanced.

In addition, doing yoga strengthens your mass. This is different from increasing the size of your muscles. You can have two muscles of the same size but one can be stronger than the other.

People with stronger muscles lose more weight. This is because strong muscles burn more calories at rest than weak ones do.

Openness and Tolerance

Have you ever met an avid practitioner of yoga who was mean-spirited and close-minded? Ok, maybe you have, but you get my point. Those who practice yoga learn how to be more open and friendly.

Practicing yoga brings peace to the body, mind and soul. In addition, if you do yoga at a club, you will come into contact other people who are kind and open. Their spirit will rub off onto yours and yours onto theirs.

I have dozens of more benefits of yoga than these. In the meantime, just remember that yoga can help you deal with pain, strengthen your body, improve your balance and increase your openness to the world. Get started now.

By: Rich A Fatooh

About the Author:

Receive the Yoga Tips Newsletter. Just send a note to yogatipsforyou@aweber.com

Learn more about Yoga [http://www.yoga-your-way-to-health.com] Ever see a Yoga Swing [http://www.yoga-your-way-to-health.com/yoga/so-you-want-to-know-what-a-yoga-swing-is-10]?

Wondering what Ashtanga Yoga [http://www.yoga-your-way-to-health.com/yoga-techniques/ashtanga-yoga-and-strength-12] is?

Some Benefits of Yoga is a post from: Yoga Travel Mats

Can Zen meditation or Yoga cure high blood pressure?

Tue, 31 Aug 2010 19:36:05 +0000

Roland asked:

I read in several websites that Zen Meditation & Yoga can reduce high blood pressure and allow you to stop or reduce BP medications. Anybody has experiment that? Thanks

Can Zen meditation or Yoga cure high blood pressure? is a post from: Yoga Travel Mats

Yoga: Side Poses for Balance

Tue, 31 Aug 2010 16:02:13 +0000

Muscular imbalances that can create a rounded posture are often the result of overdeveloping the chest and abdominal areas. People tend to focus on these areas because they are in the front of the body and that is what you see in the mirror. As a result, the side of the body is often neglected.

Even the back of the body tends to get more attention that the side. Most of us experience back pain from time to time so we have that awareness. We can feel the back stretching when we do forward bends, just as we can feel the front of the body stretching in a back bend.

However, in Parighasana (Gate Pose), the side of the body is the focus. This intense lateral stretch is named for its shape, which resembles a bar used for shutting a gate. Since this pose allows a full expansion of the lungs because it opens the side ribs, it is a gateway to improved breathing. It helps to tone the waist due to the stretch of the abdominal obliques and can help provide stability for the lower back by stretching muscles deep in the back of the waist. This can be extremely beneficial if you have a stiff back and can help prevent and/or ease lower back pain.

Parighasana is excellent preparation for Parsvakonasana (Side Angle Pose) and Trikonasana (Triangle Pose) due to the fact that it opens the hips and creates length in the sides. It also can transform your breathing because you can now become aware of and feel the breath in the side of your body.

This pose also provides a great stretch for the intercoastal muscles which are located between the ribs. These muscles are often neglected and tight, leading to postural problems. The rib cage expands when the intercoastals are stretched, leading to enhanced respiration. Hence, relief from asthma, allergies and colds can be realized through the practice of this pose.

A simple awareness exercise is an excellent preparation for Parighanasana. Place your hands on your rib cage as tight to the sides of your body as you can while lying on the floor with your knees bent. Become aware of the flow of breath under your hands. Close your eyes. Feel your ribcage expand outwards when you inhale. Feel your ribs fall inwards when you exhale. Stay here for several breaths, focusing on the expansion and release of the side ribs.

With a blanket nearby, place your mat near a wall. Perform a few rounds of Cat and Cow to warm up your spine. Inhale into Cow and then exhale and arch your back up into the Cat position. Next, limber up your body by moving from Child’s Pose to Downward Facing Dog, synchronizing your breath with the movements. After a few rounds of this, rest in Child’s Pose.

Kneel on the folded blanket with your knees hip-width apart. Thighs are parallel and perpendicular to the floor and hips are directly over your knees. The lower abdomen is brought in and up as the tailbone is released down. With toes spread, press the tops of your feet, toes and shins into the blanket. Lengthen up along the spine through the top of your head upon inhaling. Upon exhaling, establish a firm foundation through the lower legs and knees.

Keep your right knee and the top of your right thigh facing upward as you extend your right leg out to the right, keeping it in line with your upper body. Try to flatten your right foot to the floor and press it down as you bring your right leg back toward your body. Keep your left thigh straight up and down and keep pressing your left foot, toes, knee and shin into the blanket.

Breathe in and extend your arms out to the sides, palms down. Keep the length in your spine as you stretch your hands away from each other. Bring the right hand to your right hip. Press the fleshy area of your right hand between the thumb and index finger into the crease where your leg joins your upper body. Lengthen the lower back by drawing the navel in towards the spine. Keep your gaze soft and forward.

Breathe out as you hinge at the hip and bend your upper body over your right leg. Reach your right hand out over the right leg and rest it wherever it lands comfortably (the thigh, shin, knee, or foot). Reach the left arm up alongside the ear with palm in. As you breathe in slowly and deeply, feel the ribcage expand in all directions. Take several slow, deep breaths. Lengthen your spine with each inhalation and let yourself go deeper with each exhalation.

Press the right hand into the right leg when you have gone as for as you can into the side stretch. Keeping your pelvis in place, rotate from the base of your spine. Keep your gaze in front of your left arm to the sky. Twist your abdomen first and then extend evenly up the spine to the crown. Feel your intercoastal muscles expand as you breathe into your left ribcage.

Rest in Child’s Pose before repeating on the other side. Parighasana may feel very different on each side. Remember to challenge yourself without straining. Incorporating this asana into a vinyasa on a regular basis will promote balance.

By: Michael Russell

About the Author:

Michael Russell Your Independent guide to Yoga

Yoga: Side Poses for Balance is a post from: Yoga Travel Mats

Why Should You Have a Yoga Monster Mat?

Mon, 30 Aug 2010 16:27:51 +0000

Have you even heard of a yoga monster mat?

Don’t worry it’s not some mat in the shape of a friendly monster for you to use at the local yoga class!

It’s just that there are mats for yoga & then there are mats for yoga!

When you start a class, at maybe a local gym or leisure centre you may only be provided with a small gym mat. This is helpful to only a small degree as it at least cushions you & saves you from having to do yoga on a cold hard floor.

However, they are not long enough for you to do a lot of the yoga postures such as the bear, warrior & bridge etc.

Then there are the yoga mats that you can pick up from discount stores & supermarkets.

They are normally just about long enough but are very thin. They cushion you to some extent but when you need to do some seated positions you find yourself having to roll them up a little so that you can sit on the rolled up bit to make sure that you get the correct spine alignment.

Also; after time, because their quality is sub-standard they will wear out & so you have to keep replacing them.

A yoga monster mat; by comparison, is much longer than most, textured, thicker & washable.

All yoga monster mats have double sided traction as well, so that you can use both sides, extending the life of the mat.

It is very important to have the right yoga mat for you as it is the only piece of equipment that is essential to your practice, other than yourself.

Yoga mats, be they thick, thin, monster, short, long or textured also come in cotton & there are eco versions too.

A lot of the decision as to which is best comes down to personal preference- but it’s always nice to have an informed choice of what there is to choose from.

I hope I’ve done that by telling you about yoga monster mats.

By: Katie S Turner

About the Author:

To read more about the importance of using a yoga mat etc check out my website at http://yogaforthenewyou.blogspot.com

Why Should You Have a Yoga Monster Mat? is a post from: Yoga Travel Mats

The Art Of Yoga Breathing

Sun, 29 Aug 2010 19:24:05 +0000

It is very beneficial to pay careful attention to the breath and to learn to control it in various ways. It is beneficial in the areas of physical health and in your practice of yoga. Apparently, the breath, the mind and the body are intricately link, that whatever you do to one will affect the other.

In yoga, it is vital to learn how to use the correct patterns of breath in order to get the most out of your yogic endeavors. Correct breath patterns must be practiced and observed before meditation and asanas. Correct breathing alone, can unwind your whole body, rid your body of unwanted toxins and rid your mind of anger, stress, tension and worry.

Do not risk harm by attempting to perform these exercises without consulting a trained yoga teacher or without seeking medical advice from a doctor. A yoga teacher can teach an appropriate breathing pattern to cater to your needs and your condition. To perform the pranayama and gain the most out of them, it is best to integrate it with the two of the three holistic approaches, asanas and meditation.

Helpful Notes

- Breathe in and out through your nose.

- Clear any blocked nostril. If your left nostril is blocked, lie on your right side for a few minutes and vice versa

- Never perform pranayam after asanas.

- If pranayam is to precede your asanas routine, set aside a time when you won’t be interrupted.

- The idea is to lead yourself to a relaxed state so do not force your breathing and never do it in haste.

Long Deep breathing

The most basic and natural of all breathing techniques is the long and deep breathing as it relieves stress and tension. It brings down toxic buildup in the mucus linings of the alveoli of the lungs, cleanses the blood and as a result of increased oxygen flow to your brain and body, your health improves in many ways.

Technique

Do sit in a comfortable manner. Relax your shoulders and chest. Breathe in, relaxing the abdomen, pushing your belly forward, expanding it. Then, as you breathe out, allow the abdomen to shrink back in, tightening your belly muscles and pushing the air out. Do this and not straining yourself. Open up and release the breath. You may put one hand on your belly to feel the abdomen expanding and contracting as you inhale and exhale. Perform in even lengths. Exhale for the same length of time as you inhale.

When To Do This:

- Before meditation

- Before going to bed

- Before a meeting, presentation or a big decision

- Before studying, before an exam, or an interview

- And whenever you can think of — in the car, at work, or while waiting in line

Alternate-nostril breathing

Alternate-nostril breathing encourages mind to heighten levels of discrimination, concentration and thoughts. It also boostmore energy and oxygen to the physical body and helps calm your nerves and improve circulation.

Before You Begin

For a more advanced technique, seek advice from a yoga teacher or an acarya (spiritual teacher). Your acarya will coach the pranayama technique that will be most beneficial to your mental and physical health and prepare you to complement the pranayama with mantra and meditation. No one should risk harm by practicing these techniques without seeking advice from a trained yoga teacher.

Technique

Sit in either Padmasana or Siddhasana. Close your eyes. Press and close the right nostril with your right hand thumb. Inhale a deep breath through the left nostril. After taking a full breath, close the left nostril with the middle, taking the thumb away from the right nostril and slowly releasing the air out, expelling the breath fully and inhale through your right nostril. After a full inhalation, close your right nostril with the thumb and release the fingers from your left nostril and exhale through your left nostril. This finishes one round. Start off with three rounds each time and gradually step up the rounds as you progress through the weeks.

When To Do This

- Do this in a well-ventilated, clean, smoke-free, dust-free, odor-free room.

- Do not perform this technique after asanas (yoga exercises).

By: Cindy Heller

About the Author:

Cindy Heller is a professional writer. Visit I Learn Yoga Online to learn more about yoga diet and yoga symbols.

The Art Of Yoga Breathing is a post from: Yoga Travel Mats

Laughter Yoga in a Nutshell

Sun, 29 Aug 2010 05:49:50 +0000

“Mirth is God’s medicine. Everybody aught to bathe in it” — Henry Ward Beecher

Laughter Yoga is an alternative healing technique that consists of exercises designed to get people to laugh for no reason, combined with simple yoga breathing techniques. It uses a blend of playful and tension-releasing laughter exercises to improve health, reduce stress, and increase feelings of well-being. Every day new studies are being published on the myriad physiological and psychological benefits of laughter, and Laughter Yoga can help anyone partake of these benefits.

Laughter exercises, even if begun by faking it, almost always lead to real laughter, especially when done in a group. However, research has shown that simulated laughter creates the same physiological response in the body as spontaneous laughter. So even if you’re faking it when you laugh, your body does not know the difference. Therefore, you don’t need to be happy to laugh and you don’t need to have a reason to laugh; even fake laughter can help relieve stress and bolster your mood.

Laughter Yoga encourages unconditional laughter: it’s possible for adults to laugh like children without the use of jokes, humor, or comedy. In a Laughter Yoga session you won’t find people sitting in a circle taking turns telling jokes or using humor to make each other laugh. Instead, a session of Laughter Yoga consists of a series of exercises which include yoga breathing, funny gestures, systematic giggling and guffawing, and improv-like activities.

A Laughter Yoga session will probably begin with rhythmic clapping and chanting of “Ho-Ho-Ha-Ha-Ha” in unison, followed by a mixture of stretching, breathing, and silliness. Some of the exercises typical of a Laughter Yoga session are the following:

- People wandering around with their hands in the air, laughing hysterically.

- People of all ages squawking like chickens.

- Men and women rotating their hips while talking gibberish.

- Improv-style exercises such as playing on an imaginary swing set; flapping your arms and squealing like a seagull; and sitting in an imaginary rocket ship getting ready for take-off.

- At one point you walk around to different people with palms pressed together at the upper chest in the Namaste greeting-place the hands together at the heart chakra, close the eyes and bow the head–or shake hands and laugh, making sure to look into other people’s eyes.

- A popular exercise is “Lion Laughter”: thrust out the tongue, widen the eyes, and stretch the hands out like claws while laughing.

- Another improv-style exercise is Airport Laughter: people pretend they’re at the airport and are late for check-in, running around with their bags.

- There’s also Regal Laughter: each person takes turns walking like a king or queen between two rows of applauding subjects.

- If the group of people has become comfortable with each other, you can come closer and hold each others’ hands or hug and laugh.

All of these seemingly wacky exercises are meant to induce laughter to help participants combat stress and boost their immune system. Laughter Yoga is currently practiced by over 250,000 people in more than 50 countries worldwide. Find a Laughter Club near you and join them.

By: Marelisa Fabrega

About the Author:

Written by Marelisa Fabrega. For more information on laughter yoga, visit her Squidoo lens Laughter Meets Yoga.

Laughter Yoga in a Nutshell is a post from: Yoga Travel Mats

Gaiam Total Body Balance Ball Kit (65cm)

Tue, 24 Aug 2010 07:40:37 +0000

Gaiam introduces the next evolution of the top-selling Balance Ball Beginners’ Kit. the Total Body Balance Ball Kit comes with a medium 65-centimeter Gaiam anti-burst balance ball, two complete DVD workouts, a pump, and a resistance band. Add it all together and you have a great way to exercise your abs, back, glutes, hips, arms, and more, while paying particularly close attention to your core muscles and balance. Users will also delight in the DVD workouts designed by fitness expert Tanja Djelevic, which is intended to challenge, sculpt, and tone your entire body. the kit is also available with small (55 centimeter) and large (75 centimeter) balance balls.

About Gaiam Gaiam was created as a lifestyle company with the vision that, given a choice, people would choose a lifestyle that is healthy and life enhancing, for themselves, their families and the Earth. the Gaiam lifestyle is a vote for individual health as well as the future sustainability of the Earth’s resources. Gaiam strives to provide customers with alternatives to traditional products by offering natural, eco-friendly or healthy versions that compare with the style, quality and price of conventional products.

Gaiam’s goal is to become the trusted source and unifying brand for Lifestyle of Health and Sustainability (LOHAS) participants. they understand that the opportunity to affect people’s lives with information and products is both a privilege and a responsibility. Gaiam believes in the concept of Conscious Commerce, the practice of making purchasing decisions based on personal values and beliefs. It takes into consideration all the aspects of our lives and the impact we have upon the planet. Research indicates this concept appeals to approximately 50 million people in the U.S. alone. Gaiam’s strategy in delivering the distinctive quality for which they are known is to partner with experts in health/wellness, eco-living and personal development to develop proprietary products that meet our customers’ needs with meaningful solutions.

the name GAIAM is a fusion of the words Gaia (the name of Mother Earth from the Minoan civilization in ancient Crete), and I am reminds us that we are all interconnected with the Earth, the air and water, and very much a part of this living system that sustains us all.

Gaiam Total Body Balance Ball Kit (65cm)

Gaiam Total Body Balance Ball Kit (65cm) is a post from: Yoga Travel Mats

Washing And Caring For Your Yoga Mat

Mon, 23 Aug 2010 23:50:11 +0000

To the avid and active Yoga practitioner, the mat eventually becomes a part of ones personal space. It becomes integral a necessary part of the actual sessions also. A Yoga mat is like a pillow in a lot of ways. Once you have used the same pillow for an extended period of time, simply picking out another pillow when it gets old is not an easy thing to do. A Yoga mat will eventually become THE Yoga mat if you use it long enough. With this in mind, we can begin to see the necessity of making your Yoga mat last as long as you possibly can. Taking certain measurements to extend its lifespan to the maximum can do this.

First, do not consider that the term “proper care” only goes into effect after the mat is dirty and worn. Proper care begins when you begin using the Mat. Wherever your Yoga space is, always make certain that the floor is clean beforehand. There are, after all, only two surfaces that your Mat should come into contact with. One is the floor, and the other is you, which brings us to the next item.

Take a shower before every session. Even the cleanest individual in the world begins to excrete certain chemicals from their pores as they engage in any physical form of exercise. The cleaner you are going into the session, the cleaner your mat will be when you are done.

With the pre-cleaning options finished, we will move on to the actual after-usage cleaning. Most mats, if properly cared for, will only need a cleaning once per month. If you notice a spot or a little dirt on it, just lightly wipe it with a damp cloth (warm water only) and then dry it with either a paper towel or a terry cloth.

However, if the mat is pretty soiled and it has been awhile since the last cleaning, fill your tub with cool water and a very mild detergent. Go very easy on the detergent always. Excessive detergent can do undetectable damage to your mat. This damage can start to become obvious over time.

Some people prefer washing their mat in an actual washing machine, however, most experts advise against this as it can put a lot of wear and tear on your mat, causing it to degenerate at a faster rate.

Remember, as long as you take care of your mat, it will take care of you!

By: Sarah Freeland

About the Author:

Yoga is a great way to strengthen your mind and body and get in shape as well as a great way to unwind after a long day. Whatever your yoga equipment needs, we have the information and resources to point you in the right direction. We have yoga music, mats, clothes, pants, yoga videos and journals as well as information on the different types, postures and the history of yoga. Yoga supplies, such as a mat and yoga shoes are a good investment for those practicing yoga. Yoga music comes in a wide variety of stylese. More info: yoga blankets

Washing And Caring For Your Yoga Mat is a post from: Yoga Travel Mats

Practicing Yoga To Grow Tall – Does It Really Work?

Sun, 22 Aug 2010 22:11:12 +0000

Penny Roberts asked:

So you think you’re a little on the short side (sorry for the pun) and you’re thinking of doing something about it, that is why you’re surfing the internet to see if there’s a natural solution to what you think is a big problem for you. Of course, you’re like most people who want to add a couple or more inches to their height, you’re thinking of getting into yoga to grow tall. You may have heard somewhere that yoga helps you grow taller and you’re doing some research to make sure before you take the plunge and get started on the hard work of learning and regularly practicing yoga.

What makes someone taller than someone else is mostly do with the length of someone’s bones, not so much the arms. And when it comes to yoga and growing tall, doing yoga does not make bones grow. Your bones cannot be stretched by practicing yoga no matter how hard you try and the only way to do that is through painful surgical procedures which is something not recommended even to your worst enemy.

Even though practicing yoga to grow tall seems to be a possibility, this is normally not because you have added a couple of inches of bone but through practicing certain yoga positions that help stretch and elongate your spine, this in turn creates space and if you develop the spinal muscles, your spine would eventually have the capacity to hold the space and because your body is now properly aligned making you hold yourself up properly, you will most likely appear taller.

Unlike most sports and exercises, yoga positions encourages your body to stretch and lengthen. So doing yoga to grow tall is not going to happen if you’re expecting to be much taller than you already are (unless you’re a teenager and you’re still growing then the growth is just natural, not something to do with doing yoga). But yoga will make you more aware of your body as a whole, how to carry yourself, how you stand and sit naturally and this factor alone will increase your awareness of your own posture and if you haven’t been walking and standing straight, after doing yoga you will. And the fact that you’re walking and standing straighter will make you appear taller to yourself and those around you. Be happy with that as sometimes it’s easier to create the illusion – I mean what is make-up for if not to create an illusion – and be healthy at the same time than opt for growth enhancers in the form of pills and other drastic surgical solutions.

After a few yoga lessons, you’ll find your posture will have improved and the straightening of your torso area feels like you’ve gained a couple of centimetres. People have reported to have gained up to 3 inches of height doing yoga to grow tall. This is usually based on the theory that if you practice yoga positions that focus on stretching you’ll soon see a development and toning of your back muscles first before the straightening and lengthening of the spine and finally, there will a gradual strengthening, thickening and decompression of the spine. All of which is supposed to make you appear taller.

So if you feel you haven’t got the best posture that you can possibly have and you feel you can improve in this area – then the possibility of the end result of you doing yoga to grow tall is you appearing a couple of centimeters taller – why not try it? It’s definitely not only going to be good for you in terms of your general fitness but also your mental and emotional well-being. But if you’re already a health junkie, doing pilates and other forms of stretching on a regular basis, therefore your posture would most likely to be at its best, practicing yoga to grow taller may not create much of a difference for you.

For those who are natural slouchers, if you’re excited by the possibility of extra inches, remember you really have to practice yoga regularly on a daily basis if possible to really see a difference. Some basic sit up yoga positions that may help are the Sukahasana (developes the lower back) and the dog and cat which works on the spine. Have fun and above all look after your body, you only have one. Stay safe!

Practicing Yoga To Grow Tall – Does It Really Work? is a post from: Yoga Travel Mats

Yoga – Do These Four Moves to Bust Your Stress Fast

Sun, 22 Aug 2010 12:06:08 +0000

Adriel Yapana asked:

I know you’re a busy person with no time for a full workout. However, when stress hits, it’s when you need it most.

Let me give you a 4 yoga mini-routine moves to help you unwind and recharge – all without having to go into gym attire.

Side Plank. This targets and firms the arms, chest, back, waist, abs and legs. On your belly with forearms on the floor under shoulders, exhale as you rotate to the right, turn left arm forward, stack legs, and extend your right arm. Hold for 5 breaths, then rotate back to the plank. Repeat on your left side.

Corpse Pose. This targets the entire body. Here’s what you do. Lie face up, legs extended, arms at the sides, palms up. Breathe deeply as you focus on and relax on one body part at a time from your legs to your head. Thoughts will come and go, acknowledge them and let them drift away. Relax in this pose for at least 3 to 5 minutes.

Cobbler’s Pose. This targets the abs, lower back, legs. Go and sit with the soles of your feet together, hands on the floor behind hips. Inhale and lift your chest without the back arching. Take 10 breathes, then relax, hugging your knees to your chest. Do this 4 times.

Child’s Pose. This targets the back,shins and the top of the feet. So begin by going on all fours then sit back on you heels. Lower your forehead to the floor, bringing your hands next to your feet, palms facing the ceiling. Rest for about 10 breaths.

Make sure you inhale deeply as you breathe throughout and during all the moves. Enjoy this mid-day stress busting yoga break.

Yoga – Do These Four Moves to Bust Your Stress Fast is a post from: Yoga Travel Mats

Yoga and the Cobbler’s Pose – Inspiration For Beginners

Sun, 22 Aug 2010 02:10:11 +0000

Aadil Palkhivala asked:

Years of sitting in chairs and cars have left most of us with chronic tightness in our inner thighs. How can we release this tightness and free up our hips and groins? This is necessary to enjoy everyday life and also to do many yoga poses, particularly the standing poses.

Badda Konasana (pronounced BUD the cone AAH sun uh) is a classic seated pose that releases the tightness in our hips and groins. It also offers us a way of centering ourselves. By sitting erect, opening the hips, dropping the head, and bringing the soles of the feet together, we become focused and calm.

Baddha means bound and kona means angle, so this is the bound angle pose. It is sometimes called the Cobbler’s Pose because this is the position assumed by cobblers in India.

This deceptively simple pose has many other benefits:

o It is good for the health of the prostate for men and the lower reproductive system for women. For this effect, hold the pose for a minimum of five minutes, preferably with your back against a wall. It is interesting to note that Indian cobblers are unique in that they have no prostate problems. This pose also alleviates sexual tension and frustration.

o For women, this pose soothes menstrual cramps and symptoms of menopause. Regular practice in the second and third trimester of pregnancy reduces discomfort during childbirth.

o It soothes the lower abdominal organs and releases tension in the bladder. It helps the excretory system remove waste from the body.

o The pelvis is the root of emotion, so when we open the groins, we allow the expression of emotion. Most creativity comes from an emotional place, not a mental place, and thus, by opening up the foundation of emotion, we allow creativity to flow more freely.

If you find yourself putting off practicing this pose or other Yoga poses, consider this story: Three men were traveling through a desert on camels. As the sky began to grow dark, a booming voice from the clouds commanded, “Get off your camels and fill your bags with rocks!” The men were tired after a long day of travel, and didn’t want to burden themselves or their camels, so they grudgingly put a few rocks in their sacks. Then they traveled on to the camp, set up their tents, and went to sleep.

In the morning, the men opened the leather sacks and discovered that, during the night, the rocks had been turned into diamonds. The men were simultaneously glad and sorry. They were glad they had put a few rocks in their sacks, but sorry they hadn’t put in more. So it is with Yoga. As you go through life, traveling in darkness and deserts, when morning comes and you have to face the day, you’ll be glad you did whatever practice you did, and sorry you didn’t do more.

Yoga and the Cobbler’s Pose – Inspiration For Beginners is a post from: Yoga Travel Mats

Real Yoga – Voyage Into the Self!

Sat, 21 Aug 2010 15:39:33 +0000

Yoga has become an interesting fitness trend in America. Incidentally, Yoga can be an excellent way to get in shape, lose weight, etc. If this is all you do with Yoga, though, you are missing quite a bit.

Yoga is another method of contacting and expressing the self through the body. If you pay attention, going through these exercises will give you a chance to become more familiar with your body. When you learn to maintain a state of deep focus (through Yoga or any other exercise), you will begin to gain deeper and deeper insights. Properly focused Yoga practice will not only make your body more limber, it will also create greater flexibility of perception. Increasing flexibility of perception is how we start to open the doors to true freedom!

So how do we use our focus to deepen our Yoga practice? There are a variety of methods, but I will give you three to start with. To have a deeper experience while practicing Yoga, you can focus on the muscles being stretched, the breath, or the feet.

Focusing on the muscles being stretched is very powerful. As you relax into the posture, you can smile into these muscles, and deepen the stretch. Sometimes (particularly for beginners) focusing on the active muscles seems to amplify discomfort. If this is the case, then you can loosen your focus to the general area of the stretch, or choose one of the other objects of focus.

Focusing on the breath is a classic meditation as well as an excellent method of deepening your practice of Yoga. Breath-work in Yoga is typically referred to as Pranayama. If you are doing a Yoga workout, switching asanas (positions) to work up a sweat, the best thing to do is mindful diaphragmatic breathing. Breathe deep into the belly and pay attention to the sensations that arise in conjunction with the breath. If you are holding a single asana for an extended period of time, you can use the same breathing method, or you can play with the breath of fire. The breath of fire is rapid diaphragmatic breathing; see if you can use your abdominal muscles to draw in a deep (not long) breath and exhale the breath quickly. Start slowly with the breath of fire, and add speed as you grow more comfortable.

The final point of focus that we will cover for Yoga practice is the feet. Focusing on the feet has a very grounding effect; it reminds you of your connection to the Earth. If any of the other methods are too uncomfortable, or if you find yourself getting distracted, you can always bring your focus back to your feet. Pay attention to your feet, and how you connect with the Earth as you transition through asanas.

Regardless of which point of focus you choose, you will gradually develop more and more mindfulness. This can transform your experience of Yoga. One of the many benefits of having an active meditation (Yoga, a martial art, walking meditation, etc.), is how easy it is to bring it into the rest of your life. Still meditation (sitting or standing) is also very useful, but the state of insight gained there is a bit more difficult to carry into your day-to-day routine.

Yoga is a powerful method for health and growth. As you develop your focus and insight in your Yoga practice, you will be able to enjoy more insight and awareness in every moment of every day!

By: Benjamin Langley

About the Author:

Benjamin Langley has been studying and training in meditation, yoga, and other sciences of the mind for over 10 years. He regularly writes and shares insights on his own blog. Come take a look: http://peacefulprosperity.com/blog

Real Yoga – Voyage Into the Self! is a post from: Yoga Travel Mats

Yoga Certification in New Jersey

Thu, 19 Aug 2010 13:20:22 +0000

Sarah Freeland asked:

Getting your yoga certification in New Jersey can improve your job prospects and health at the same time. If you feel limited in your options for work, then perhaps yoga instruction is for you. A good yoga teacher is a very valuable member of a community. You will find an enjoyable and challenging job in yoga.

Basic yoga certification is a great way to get started. Learning to teach simple yoga techniques such as hatha yoga will help you get your foot in the door and build a basic clientele for your yoga studio. Yoga certification in New Jersey offers many new and exciting opportunities for you and your new students.

There are additional varieties of yoga certification in New Jersey. Maybe you are looking for yoga teacher training that is a little more advanced. Consider acquiring training in ashtanga yoga. Ashtanga Yoga is a faster flowing, aerobic-style workout. As more people realize the healthful properties of cardiovascular exercise, ashtanga yoga grows in popularity. Get your training now and you can get in on the trend.

Once you have your yoga certification in new jersey, consider teaching a yoga workshop or two. Workshops are a great way for you to get started in the yoga business because they are less like a weekly class and more like a yoga retreat experience. Students can get to know you without making a huge commitment and that is a good way to build your clientele. A workshop is a wonderful option if you are just starting out.

Yoga Certification in New Jersey is a post from: Yoga Travel Mats

Yoga for Weight Loss

Thu, 19 Aug 2010 13:15:36 +0000

In the United States today, the cases of Obesity have become a constantly increasing cause for concern among the average population. The somewhat alarming statistics inform us that over 130 million adults (20 years old or older) suffer from extreme weight gain issues. The medical implications of obesity make this a great cause for concern. Risk factors for obesity include diabetes, high blood cholesterol, coronary heart disease, hypertension, stroke, osteoarthritis (A condition of degenerative cartilage and joint tissue), sleep Apnea, ****** cancer, colorectal cancer, endometrial cancer, kidney cancer, pregnancy complications, menstruation irregularities, urine leakage, excessive bodily hair, and depression.

Though there are many very effective weight loss programs in the United States, how do you know which ones are for you? Weight loss pills work, but as a rule are generally not the healthy alternative. Many weight loss programs are formatted particularly for someone within a certain range of obesity, so they are not right for just anyone. A lower weight target program would have adverse effects upon someone who was morbidly obese, as it would require them to work far too hard for their particular condition. The effects could be so extreme as heart attack or breathing issues. Also, if you lose too much weight too quickly, you risk having saggy skin hanging off your body, and this generally leads to depression and, occasionally, even Agoraphobia.

With all this distressing information, where is the obese person to turn for a weight loss program that works? There is one that works for all ages and weights, and that is Yoga. Yoga offers a slow and steady weight loss option that keeps the individual healthy as they lose weight. Though it is not as quick, it can be permanent.

One Yoga weight loss program is a five-stage system that has proven very popular and has had good results. This program consists of a series of cleansing techniques. These are Kunjal Kriya, which is stomach washing and lung cleaning, Basti which is colon cleaning, laghu shankha prakshalan, a process of cleaning the digestive system, Bagh, also known as the Tiger exercises, and Yoga Asans, which involves postures.

In many cases, the individual in question has more of a weight issue in one area than another. For example, one persons weight may manifest itself in the abdominal area, while another’s’ might be in the buttocks area. In these situations, the full Yoga weight loss regime mentioned above is not really necessary. Yoga does present options for those seeking to approach the issue of obesity in certain areas.

In the Abdomen, there are many options such as the abdominal lift, child pose, yogic seal pose, and the Naval Move Asana. For the arms and legs, we have the Dog Pose, the Tree Pose, and the Bridge Pose. For the chest, Yoga offers the hero pose, the spinal twist, the triangle pose and the cobra pose. For thighs and hips we have the sun salute, the dog pose again, the advanced wind-releasing pose, and the angle prose.

These are just a select few of the solutions that Yoga offers to those with obesity or weight problems. Study into the subject deeply before you actually attempt it and always consult with your family physician.

By: Sarah Freeland

About the Author:

Yoga is a great way to strengthen your mind and body and get in shape as well as a great way to unwind after a long day. Whatever your yoga supplies needs, we have the information and resources to point you in the right direction. We have yoga music, mats, clothes, pants, videos and journals as well as information on the different types, postures and the history of yoga. Yoga supplies, such as a mat and yoga clothing are a good investment for those practicing yoga. Yoga music comes in a wide variety of styles.

Yoga for Weight Loss is a post from: Yoga Travel Mats