Ayurvedic and Yoga Concept of Mental Diseases and Stress

Ayurveda is a "science of life and longevity", a traditional system of medicine of India which considers the mind to be one of the three pillars (tristhuna) on which life depends. The concept of mind (manas prakriti) is both broad and illuminating. Mind is built from different aspects. Buddhi, the intellect is the digestive system of the mind as it discriminates between different aspects of mental 'nutrition'. Manas is that which conceptualizes, analyzes and interacts between our inner sub consciousness and our experience of the outer world. Ahamkara is our 'I' maker and identity former that personalizes every experience. Tarpaka kapha relates to memory. Chitta that is considered to be consciousness and awareness. Prana connects these different aspects into antahakarana, the inner active.

It describes three primary qualities of mind or gunas as Sattwa, Rajas and Tamas. Satwa (equilibrium, evolution, intelligence) characterized by lightness, awareness, delight and lucidity, is pure, free from malady and cannot distorted and disturbed in any way. It activates the senses and is responsible for the perception of knowledge. Rajas (activity, agitation) which is most active of the gunas, characterizes motion and stimulation. All wants, wishes, aspirations and erratic-mindedness are a result of the effects of rajas guna. Tamas (inertia) which characterizes heaviness and immunity, produces disturbances in the process of perception (way one thinks) and activities of the mind. Hallucinations, laziness, apathy, sleepiness and drowsiness habits are due to it.

According to Ayurveda there are three fundamental mind types or mental doshas, called Vata, Pitta and Kapha, which embody different combinations of the five elements air, ether, fire, water and earth. Psychologically Vata governs feelings and emotions as freshness, nervousness, fear, anxiety, pain. Pitta arouses anger, hate, and jealousy. Kapha is responsible for the emotions of attachment, greed, and long-standing envyAyurvedic treatment aims to rebalance your doshas according to your constitution (also known as your Prakriti), resulting in a healthy body and sound mind.
Yoga is a Sanskrit (an ancient Indian language) word which means union of the mind, body and soul. It is an exercise in self-discipline which combines postures with breathing techniques and meditation. When regulary practised it strengthens nervous system, takes one to a deep state of relaxation and tranquility thereby helping people to face stressful situations more positively. The postures stretch limbs and exercises soothe muscles, organs and nervous system while the breathing technique helps to focus and relax at the same time and meditation ensures an overall feeling of well being resulting in a better management of stress.

The principle of yoga is that essential thoughts and messages are delivered more effectively when the body is relaxed and the brain is well-oxygenated, helping the body and mind to work more successfully while feeling less tired and less stressed.

Three main components of Yoga are Asanas, Pranayama and Dhyana

Asanas (Postures) :

Natural unblocking effected by yoga postures are helpful to relieve stress out of the individuals who carry a great deal of physical tension in their bodies. It is a form of a slow exercise together with a controlled breathing exercise which promotes a relaxed feeling or eases stress. Savasana, Makarasana, Balasana are few asanas to be practiced to relieve stress

Prayanama (A breathing technique) :

In this technique an individual do slow and steady breathing - like inhaling through his one nostril and exhaling through other. Besides there are fast breathing movements like intake of air through nostrils and exhaling through mouth at fast pace, this way air is passed properly through blood capillaries and the person feels himself in light mode and he feels that there is no burden over their mind and soul.

Dhyana (Meditation) :

A person sits in a posture usually in relaxing mode and concentrate his mind over one point with eyes closed. The mind is concentrated up to an extent when an individual feels that he has no interaction with the surroundings, in fact the mind reaches in a neutral stage thereby relieving mental exhaustion. Meditation restores the body to a calm state, helping the body to repair itself, and preventing damage due to the physical effects of stress

Article Source: http://www.wzooka.com

Costa Rica Yoga - The Ultimate in Yoga Practice!

For an absolute breath-taking vacation, look no further than the lush, tropical landscape and calming, sandy beaches of Costa Rica. This beautiful country is the home to many fantastic resorts, hotels, and beach properties and is a very popular destination for travelers with specific interests in many areas; however, one specific interest that goes hand in hand with Costa Rican holidays is yoga, the ultimate in physical and mental workouts.

Costa Rica yoga is very popular for many reasons, but mainly because of the calming tropical landscape that surrounds the student. Since yoga is a calming practice for the mind, body, and soul, many visitors prefer Costa Rica yoga over practicing in other countries. Most hotels in Costa Rica offer yoga classes within their means, sometimes at extra cost. However, you will find that practicing Costa Rica yoga is completely different to practicing yoga in a busy city studio back home.

In addition to there being a wide variety of hotels and resorts that offer yoga within their services, there are a few resorts that actually specialize as Costa Rica yoga retreats, which include many opportunities for yoga practice every day and is inclusive in the price. This is a great way for yoga beginners to start their vacation with beginner classes and move up the yoga ladder through the course of their stay, or for intermediate and advanced yogis to expand their horizons by learning new techniques while enjoying the Costa Rican culture and landscape.

Costa Rica yoga is a truly amazing experience for people of all ages and backgrounds! Many Costa Rica yoga resorts offer training packages for groups, which makes for great team building opportunities or family vacations. Also, for those interested in teaching yoga, there are package deals for potential teachers to learn the art of instructing from Costa Rica yoga masters. All in all, a Costa Rica yoga vacation is definitely an unforgetable experience!

Article Source: http://www.hallofarticles.com

Dont get Sleep?….Yoga could be your answer!

Its 5 in the morning...good time for Yoga!

Its 5 in the morning...good time for Yoga?

Science Daily reports that Meditation may be an effective behavioral intervention in the treatment of insomnia, according to a research at Sleep 2009, the 23rd Annual Meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies.

Results indicate that patients saw improvements in subjective sleep quality and sleep diary parameters while practicing meditation.

Sleep latency, total sleep time, total wake time, wake after sleep onset, sleep efficiency, sleep quality and depression improved in patients who used meditation.

According to principal investigator Ramadevi Gourineni, MD, director of the insomnia program at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Evanston, Ill., insomnia is believed to be a 24-hour problem of hyperarousal, and elevated measures of arousals are seen throughout the day.

”Results of the study show that teaching deep relaxation techniques during the daytime can help improve sleep at night,” said Gourineni.

The study gathered data from 11 healthy subjects between the ages of 25 and 45 years with chronic primary insomnia.

meditationParticipants were divided into two intervention groups for two months: Kriya Yoga (a form of meditation that is used to focus internalized attention and has been shown to reduce measures of arousal) and health education. Subjective measures of sleep and depression were collected at baseline and after the two-month period.

Both groups received sleep hygiene education; members of the health education group also received information about health-related topics and how to improve health through exercise, nutrition, weight loss and stress management.

Article Source: http://www.articledirectorylive.com

Building Motivation For Yoga And Its Benefits

The purpose of any true spiritual path is to raise our consciousness to the point of allowing us to directly perceive the spiritual dimension. Being spiritual means to recognize one's spiritual identity and practically see the transcendental essence of all others. It also means to see that we are all parts and parcels of God and to respect each other in that light. That is one of the goals of Yoga. But how can we be convinced that there even is a God?

This comes by a reawakening of our higher consciousness and the perception of our spiritual identity. It is through the process of yoga and the path of Sanatana-dharma that we can reach this higher awareness and perceive exactly who we are. The Yoga-sutras of Patanjali comprise the essence of yoga practice. However, yoga itself is a deep and serious process, and there are a variety of forms of yoga that can be performed. There are four main types of yoga depending on the yoga positions. There is:

Jnana-yoga, the path of intellectual development and understanding what is real and what is not.

Karma-yoga is the path of right action, detachment from the fruits of one's labor, and dedicating our activities for a higher and spiritual purpose.

Astanga or Raja-yoga is the path of inward meditation and the attainment of higher states of consciousness through various practices.

Bhakti-yoga is the path of raising our consciousness, and developing our devotion and love for God and decreasing our attraction for the various aspects of the temporary material energy. There are additional forms of yoga, but they are often considered branches of these four paths.

However, in the preliminary stages, yoga is, essentially, for controlling the flickering nature of the mind, and for developing one's finer qualities and expanding one's consciousness from material to spiritual awareness. It is explained that Yoga is the process of completely calming the movements of the mind, which include perceived knowledge, misconception, imagination, sleep, and memory. When these are stabilized, then it can be called yoga, which offers the opportunity for the seer to become established in his own essential and fundamental nature. Yoga is the attempt to realign our Selves with the Supreme Self, God.

When you progress in yoga you can feel the unwanted burdens of the mind fall away, such as anxiety, anger, greed, envy, hate, discontent, etc. Then other qualities like peacefulness, tranquility, contentment, and blissfulness will be felt. These are qualities everyone is trying to find and are some of the many things that can be accomplished with yoga, at least on the elementary level. As you make further progress, you may enter into the deeper levels of understanding and transcending the mind and gradually go so far as to attain realizations as to what your own spiritual identity is and what your relationship is with the Absolute. Becoming free from material life and regaining one's spiritual identity is the goal of all yoga.

But in spite of all these benefits many people find it difficult to take this path. This is only because of the lack of exercise motivation. But once you start performing Yoga on a regular basis, it will itself keep you motivated. The benefit of motivation from Yoga practice is what makes Yoga so different from all other health maintenance systems. Yoga can become a lifestyle because there is no torture.

Why do most diets fail? Why do most exercisers quit? Lack of motivation is the reason for diet and exercise failure. People already know they should eat better, walk more, exercise, and drink more water, but they need to maintain their level of motivation, without "burning out."

In Yoga practice, positive energy is all around the classroom. Positive energy creates exercise motivation and creates powerful visions of success. The next step is to believe the powerful visions of success, which you see. Some people have a fear of success. Maybe they inherently feel a lack of self-worth, but Yoga also works on improving this aspect of life. It is normal for people to feel apprehensive about change, but change is often one of the gateways to success.

So we can say that consistency acts as the key as far as the benefits of yoga are concerned and we have to take care of the yoga positions. We can't benefit from yoga if we are not consistent with our routine. If we fail to do so, then it is very difficult to get the positive results and yoga can't be blamed for it. Another beneficial technology is hypnosis i.e. Hypnotherapy.

Hypnotherapy has proven to be very helpful in keeping us motivated. Self hypnosis is based on the formula of auto suggestion and visual imagery, and it works on deeper levels than one can imagine. Self hypnosis for motivation converses with your unconscious mind, and urges it to alter self-perception and self-image.

Unknown to us, our unconscious is largely responsible for the way we think and react; if we train it to think along a different line, your accompanying behavior will change too. You will want to understand the true potential that lies within us, and by using hypnosis you can tap into that potential. Through gentle affirmations such as "I can do it" along with positive visual immagery, hypnosis CDs can retrain your mind into believing that everything is possible, and nothing is impossible. This simply means that yoga in conjunction with hypnosis can help us to move towards success more quickly.

Article Source: http://www.articlesarticles.net

Yummy And Playful Acro Yoga

Let’s admit the truth; many of us don’t know what Acro Yoga is. Meet Richard Baimbridge who has mastered the art of Acro Yoga, which is an amalgamation of yoga, massage and acrobatics. Richard Baimbridge has been almost all over the world and collected years of experience from India’s eastern philosophies, New York’s Jiva Mukti, and the monasteries of China. He got trained at the Shanghai School of Acrobatics, which was a big honor because he was the first foreigner to join. He opened a school for yoga and martial arts in China. It still runs today, but is headed by Zhang Lou Mei. Richard Baimbridge, who has made a name for himself all over the world, is back in his hometown Mexico. He is teaching at Davannayoga on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6:15 pm and Saturday mornings at 10 am. He is also leading AcroYoga classes at Arbol de Yoga on Mondays and Wednesdays at 8 pm. He speaks English, Spanish and Mandarin, thus language cannot be a barrier in this learning experience. Take a chance, and try out new yoga therapy which Richard claims to be “yummy in its playfulness” and assures that you and your partner will love the experience of partner yoga and massage.

Are you aware of the consequences when government restricts people from bearing children? The answer is black market. In china you will find thousands of cases of missing children, and the number keeps increasing each year because there is still a demand for boys in some rural areas. The strict family planning policies in China have given birth to a serious issue; a flourishing business of selling children. Such strict laws are only adding to the crime rate and forcing even ordinary families to become insensitive because of their desires.

Join Spanish Classes at Bucerias Bilingual Community center. Classes are starting from April 20th, Monday to Friday from 9 to 10:30 am. You can go for an individual assessment and interview on Friday April 17th. BBCC needs English teachers for the local kids, so if you have the skills apply here. The classes will be small, and everyone will work and learn in teams and groups. This will add to the learning experience. Jorge (Spanish teacher) will ask students questions and make them answer in Spanish. This way, pupils will learn to form sentences, meanwhile grammar and pronunciation will also be corrected.

The International Fireworks Arts Symposium is right around the corner. If you’re a tourist or a vacationer, then you’re lucky because this festival is visiting Puerto Vallarta after a year. You might want to take your cameras to the festival and experiment taking pictures from every angle. Not only will this festival offers a beautiful sight to delight in, it can also be a good opportunity to photograph and preserve the beauty. Whether you have the photographic skills or not; doesn’t matter. You might just discover your hidden talent.

Get more information on rental properties in Puerto Vallarta, also abbreviated as PV or contact www.pvrpv.com at the following numbers. Their Mexican office number is 322.222.0638. In case you are calling from the USA or Canada, call on their local Vonage number 206.388.3703. For more details visit www.pvrpv.com which has been successfully servicing the tourists & local community for the past four years. They have an experienced staff that may help you with rental properties in Puerto Vallarta.

Article Source: http://www.aword2thewise.com

Slowing Down The Aging Process Through Yoga and Weight Loss

Yoga is a sort of exercise. Yoga assists one with controlling various aspects of the body and mind. Yoga helps you to take control of your Central Nervous System (CNS) and more. Enjoying yoga on a daily scale will build you up, which you will notice changes (Good changes), such as a boosted self-esteem. Your body will feel stronger also.

For more than 5000 years, people have enjoyed yoga. Yoga derived from the India nations, which many believed that the act has helped millions of American citizens take control of their body and mind. Yoga has proven to reduce stress, which promotes the nervous system helping it to stay strong. Yoga when enjoyed on a regularly scale is a great method to help you with many pressures. Yoga combines spirituality, exercise, positive thinking, breathing and so on to help you enjoy healthy aging.

The Pros and Cons in Yoga:
Yoga is a valued practice for many people worldwide. Yoga incorporates fitness, health, gymnastics, and training in a set of rules. Yoga helps you to maintain or loose weight. Yoga is a stress reducing machine. Yoga will train your mind, since it teaches you to control your thoughts through meditation and breathing. Breathing right is essential to yoga’s creators. When you practice yoga, it keeps you in contact with your inner self. You learn to balance your mind and body, which leads to good health. Your emotions are controlled as well, which means fears, doubts, and other negative influences will not take control of your life. Rather you will have control. As you practice yoga, you will feel comfortable with you and the people around you. The world will become yours, since you learn to communicate effectively and stop sweating the small stuff. The cons in yoga, includes that some types of yoga training is not right for everyone. Another con inside yoga is that you sometimes have to modify the workouts to benefit your body type and to withhold the workout suited for your strengths. This is not a con necessarily, but it can be if you have to figure out where beginners start.

How to get started:
The first thing you should do is see your family doctor. Make sure you are able to enjoy the type of yoga you choose. When your doctor approves of your choice of yoga steps start out slowly. Guide your way into mediate exercising. Yoga will put you in connection with your spiritual side, so prepare to find a new you. When you first start yoga, perhaps you would benefit from joining groups that practice yoga. The group sessions may inspire you to continue your journey to healthy aging. Having support is essential for all of us, which yoga groups can become your support team. If you cannot find a group in your area, visit your local library. You can also purchase books that train you how to enjoy yoga. Videos are available as well.

Where do I go after I’ve trained in yoga?
After you have taking the steps to get started, you will need to find a quiet area that makes you feel comfortable. You want to avoid interruptions while practicing yoga.

When will I notice the change in me?
Like everything in life, you will not notice a change in you right away. It takes time to notice or feel the changes. If you do this like your suppose to do on a regular basis you will see some changes gradually. Keep in mind that yoga is teaching you how to control your mind, body and emotions. Work with yoga and yoga will work with you.

Article Source: http://www.articledirectorylive.com

Costa Rica Yoga - The Ultimate in Yoga Practice!

For an absolute breath-taking vacation, look no further than the lush, tropical landscape and calming, sandy beaches of Costa Rica. This beautiful country is the home to many fantastic resorts, hotels, and beach properties and is a very popular destination for travelers with specific interests in many areas; however, one specific interest that goes hand in hand with Costa Rican holidays is yoga, the ultimate in physical and mental workouts.

Costa Rica yoga is very popular for many reasons, but mainly because of the calming tropical landscape that surrounds the student. Since yoga is a calming practice for the mind, body, and soul, many visitors prefer Costa Rica yoga over practicing in other countries. Most hotels in Costa Rica offer yoga classes within their means, sometimes at extra cost. However, you will find that practicing Costa Rica yoga is completely different to practicing yoga in a busy city studio back home.

In addition to there being a wide variety of hotels and resorts that offer yoga within their services, there are a few resorts that actually specialize as Costa Rica yoga retreats, which include many opportunities for yoga practice every day and is inclusive in the price. This is a great way for yoga beginners to start their vacation with beginner classes and move up the yoga ladder through the course of their stay, or for intermediate and advanced yogis to expand their horizons by learning new techniques while enjoying the Costa Rican culture and landscape.

Costa Rica yoga is a truly amazing experience for people of all ages and backgrounds! Many Costa Rica yoga resorts offer training packages for groups, which makes for great team building opportunities or family vacations. Also, for those interested in teaching yoga, there are package deals for potential teachers to learn the art of instructing from Costa Rica yoga masters. All in all, a Costa Rica yoga vacation is definitely an unforgetable experience!

Article Source: http://www.hallofarticles.com

Yoga For Stress

Yoga provides a holistic approach to manage stress. It combines several stress management techniques such as breathing, meditation in addition to hatha yoga.

Stress is the byproduct of the present day competitive work environment and unhealthy life style.

A little bit of stress can be productive, and helps to perform better, however, too much stress over a prolonged period can be unhealthy for the mind and body.

Everyone reacts differently to stress depending upon the skills they have to handle the situation and how they perceive that particular stressful situation.

Too much stress often leads to physical, mental and emotional problems.
Stress is the silent killer and affects almost all spheres of life such as health, energy level, work related performance and yet so little is done in this direction to cope with it.

In fact, stress when persists over a period of time become the most dangerous factor behind most of the psychosomatic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, migraine, digestive disorders, ulcer and even cancer, etc.

Stress is the second biggest cause of employees’ sickness absence days in the UK. According to the Health and Safety Executive UK, “The cost of stress to Britain’s economy is around 6.7 million working days lost per year, costing society around £4 billion”.

Stress is costing an estimated £13B ($20B) per year in Europe according to a study by the European Commission. The cost of stress related illnesses is constantly increasing around the globe.

Modern medicine can’t provide effective treatment to the stress because the real problem doesn’t lie inside the physical body. It originates from the mind, and then disturbs our energy level and finally appears on our physical level in the form of a disease.

Yoga provides holistic and effective approach to manage stress. The major benefit of yoga is that it combines the practices of several stress management techniques such as breathing, meditation, visualization in addition to holding yoga poses.

The approach of yoga to manage stress is multidimensional. It not only helps on physical level but also releases stress at the level of mind and improves the energy level of a practitioner. Yoga is a complete approach towards managing stress.

The gentle yoga helps in releasing stress at physical level as stiffness of joints can be improved. Breathing exercises such as kapalabhati and alternate nostril breathing bring balance at energy level. Regular practice of meditation helps to eliminate stress at the level of mind.

People fail to realise that things don’t happen of their own; we have to make them happen. If we want to stay healthy, we need to ensure that we stay stress-free by exercising regularly such as swimming, dancing or adopting a holistic approach through yoga.

If we don’t take care about our own health then who will? Issued in public interest by celebrity trainer Subodh Gupta.

Subodh Gupta is the author of numerous books on yoga, weight loss and stress management. He has been interviewed by various TV channels and his views and articles appear regularly in magazines and newspapers in India and the UK.

Subodh Gupta is based in London and conducts yoga, weight loss, nutrition and stress counselling sessions for a number of celebrities.

Article Source: http://www.entirearticle.com

Thai Massage: The Ancient Practice Of “Passive Yoga”

In August of 1997 I was stranded in Bangkok for a week due to unforeseen complications involving a work permit. August is technically during monsoon season in Thailand and the skies over Bangkok would occasionally open to sudden downpours, causing the streets to become rushing rivers of brown water that reached up to my shins, but vanished in a matter of minutes, thanks to the city’s efficient drainage system. During my time in Bangkok, in between quests for a working bank machine, trips to the travel agent, Internet café and the odd Buddhist temple, I took the time to treat myself to several Thai massages. Since the Asian Financial Crisis was in full swing, exchange rates were particularly good, providing prices that enabled even a spendthrift like me to splurge on luxuries I would normally balk at. The Thai Baht equivalent of $3 for a half hour’s massage or $5 for a full hour was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up. Mind you, these were massage clinics and schools in the backpacker district surrounding Bangkok’s famous Khaosan Road, and were either open-air street side affairs or glass-fronted shops with an open-plan layout similar to what you find in a hairdresser.

What I read about Thai massage in the information provided at the clinics was that it is an official branch of Traditional Thai Medicine combining Eastern systems like Indian Ayurveda, traditional Chinese medicine and yoga. What I experienced was a far cry from the almost sacred New Age atmosphere of pampering and essential oils one finds at many Western massage therapy establishments. The Thai massage practitioners were mostly stout middle-aged women with powerful arms, who chatted loudly with each other while working on their clients. For me this was no problem, as I was looking for something to relieve and invigorate my muscles after long days spent pounding the hot pavement, rather than a luxurious urban oasis overflowing with white towels and windchimes.

One thing that’s great about Thai massage is the informality and simplicity of it all. It works best if the client is fully dressed (but shoeless), so there is no question of modesty, and no oil is used, so you won’t emerge from your treatment feeling greasy and in need of a shower. The often-used moniker “Thai yoga massage” is a very accurate description for only containing three words. Getting a Thai massage feels very much like practicing “passive” yoga while receiving a particularly assertive massage. Pressing and massaging muscles with palms, fingers, knees and elbows, combined with the manual stretching of limbs at the very capable hands of a trained Thai massage professional leaves one feeling pretty great, even if some of the techniques can be a bit uncomfortable when being applied. It may be advisable to let the therapist know when you feel some discomfort, but I was young, foolish and brave and thought I’d like to get the “full experience” my Thai massages had to offer, which in hindsight were occasionally a bit painful. So when asked, “do you have pain?” I stubbornly shook my head and lied.

Some years later, as part of my own massage education, I took a two-week course on Thai massage and learned the basic techniques and philosophy behind the practice. Known in Thailand as nuat phaen boran or nuat thai, Thai massage works along the concept of promoting wellness by stimulating “sen” or energy lines, taken from traditional Chinese and Indian medicine, but the results felt by the recipient of the massage are decidedly less esoteric. The patient lies upon the floor instead of a table like in most Western massage systems and is at times made to sit up, stretched, pulled and prodded in what comprises an invigorating experience and an end result which is radically different from your typical spa massage.

These days, Thai massage is becoming well known throughout the world and clinics providing Thai yoga massage are springing up all over. For a wonderfully unique massage experience, Thai massage is heartily recommended.

Article Source: http://www.happy-living-articles.com

Lower Your Blood Pressure by Practicing Yoga

If you didn’t know by now, yoga asanas can help you in the treatment of high blood pressure, and help you lower blood pressure. Yoga asanas make stable your blood pressure, so lower blood pressure when it’s abnormaly high. Asanas have favorable effects on the nervous system. By practicing certain yoga asanas you can not only lower your blood pressure, but also reduce the effects of hypertension on the other organs of the body.

There are a few categories of asanas which are recommended to lower blood pressure: forward bends, sitting, supine and inversions group.

Forward bends have the best effects on high blood pressure, so they can help you the most to lower your blood pressure. These exercises have a calming effect on the brain, the blood circulation to the brain is normalized, and they help you reduce the stress from the sense organs, things that lower blood pressure. So, the brain, the sympathetic nervous system and the sense organs are relaxed, the cardiac output and the pulse rate decelerate at the same time, and blood pressure stabilizes, so it lowers blood pressure when it’s high. Other asanas which have beneficial effects on the nervous system and help you lower blood pressure are Uttanasana and Adhomukha Svanasana , which have to be practiced with the head resting on props, so the blood circulates more freely into the aortic arch. These help you lower blood pressure.

Baddhakonasana and Virasana are some of the sitting asanas which can be practiced in order to get a lower blood pressure by the hypertensives , which in most cases are hard breathing. These poses eliminate the tension from the ribs and the intercostal muscles, so they help you to breathe with no difficulty, and lower blood pressure.

Other poses which help you lower blood pressure are the supine poses, like Supta Baddhakonasana which, by relaxing the abdominal region, and so the entire body, bring calm on the nerves.

Inversions asanasas such as Viparita Karanti and Halasana revitalize the nerves, assure the control over the lungs and diaphragm, so if you practice these exercises constantly, you will get a lower blood pressure. There are also useful the Svanasana and pranayama, which provide the control over the automatic nervous system. As the senses and the mind are chilling, the blood pressure stabilizes, and in case of hypertension it leads to a lower blood pressure.

Article Source: http://www.getfreereports.com/home

History of Yoga

Yoga is a union of body, mind, and spirit. The history of yoga is long and steeped in tradition. Yoga is an ancient system of health and fitness which originated in India. The word yoga has its first mention in the Rig Veda, the oldest of the sacred texts. Those that study Yoga estimate it's age to be four thousand year.

The history of Yoga can be divided into four main periods which are the pre-classical period, classical period, post-classical period and modern period. In the history of yoga, the book is called the yoga sutras. The history of yoga would not have been completed in the classical stage of yoga.

The word Yoga literally meant the Yolk that joins something together, such as an ox to a cart. The idea is that yoga unites all aspects of being into one.

What most people envision to be Yoga, those contortionist postures, is really only one small aspect of a much larger field of practices. The methods of yoga includes ethical disciplines, physical postures, breathing control and as well as meditation.

The 20th century witnessed a renaissance of yoga that caused a globalization of this ancient tradition. Modern approaches to yoga have created a clear delineation between the Hindu religion and the practice of yoga. Through the practice of yoga, an individual can gain information about physical, emotional, mental and spiritual well being.

Over the long history of yoga, different schools have emerged, and there are numerous examples branches and philosophies that have spawned. Ultimately, all agree on one common element the fundamental purpose of yoga is to foster harmony in the body, mind, and environment.

Today yoga is accepted as a comprehensive exercise to promote control of the body and mind. More than just a means of being fit and trim, yoga can help you live a healthy, whole, and empowered life. In recent decades, yoga has greatly and swiftly evolved. Yoga is the most diversified spiritual practice in the world. The living tradition of yoga now recognizes no borders as it continues to spread globally.

Article Source: http://www.articleretreat.com

Building Motivation For Yoga And Its Benefits

The purpose of any true spiritual path is to raise our consciousness to the point of allowing us to directly perceive the spiritual dimension. Being spiritual means to recognize one's spiritual identity and practically see the transcendental essence of all others. It also means to see that we are all parts and parcels of God and to respect each other in that light. That is one of the goals of Yoga. But how can we be convinced that there even is a God?

This comes by a reawakening of our higher consciousness and the perception of our spiritual identity. It is through the process of yoga and the path of Sanatana-dharma that we can reach this higher awareness and perceive exactly who we are. The Yoga-sutras of Patanjali comprise the essence of yoga practice. However, yoga itself is a deep and serious process, and there are a variety of forms of yoga that can be performed. There are four main types of yoga depending on the yoga positions. There is:

Jnana-yoga, the path of intellectual development and understanding what is real and what is not.

Karma-yoga is the path of right action, detachment from the fruits of one's labor, and dedicating our activities for a higher and spiritual purpose.

Astanga or Raja-yoga is the path of inward meditation and the attainment of higher states of consciousness through various practices.

Bhakti-yoga is the path of raising our consciousness, and developing our devotion and love for God and decreasing our attraction for the various aspects of the temporary material energy. There are additional forms of yoga, but they are often considered branches of these four paths.

However, in the preliminary stages, yoga is, essentially, for controlling the flickering nature of the mind, and for developing one's finer qualities and expanding one's consciousness from material to spiritual awareness. It is explained that Yoga is the process of completely calming the movements of the mind, which include perceived knowledge, misconception, imagination, sleep, and memory. When these are stabilized, then it can be called yoga, which offers the opportunity for the seer to become established in his own essential and fundamental nature. Yoga is the attempt to realign our Selves with the Supreme Self, God.

When you progress in yoga you can feel the unwanted burdens of the mind fall away, such as anxiety, anger, greed, envy, hate, discontent, etc. Then other qualities like peacefulness, tranquility, contentment, and blissfulness will be felt. These are qualities everyone is trying to find and are some of the many things that can be accomplished with yoga, at least on the elementary level. As you make further progress, you may enter into the deeper levels of understanding and transcending the mind and gradually go so far as to attain realizations as to what your own spiritual identity is and what your relationship is with the Absolute. Becoming free from material life and regaining one's spiritual identity is the goal of all yoga.

But in spite of all these benefits many people find it difficult to take this path. This is only because of the lack of exercise motivation. But once you start performing Yoga on a regular basis, it will itself keep you motivated. The benefit of motivation from Yoga practice is what makes Yoga so different from all other health maintenance systems. Yoga can become a lifestyle because there is no torture.

Why do most diets fail? Why do most exercisers quit? Lack of motivation is the reason for diet and exercise failure. People already know they should eat better, walk more, exercise, and drink more water, but they need to maintain their level of motivation, without "burning out."

In Yoga practice, positive energy is all around the classroom. Positive energy creates exercise motivation and creates powerful visions of success. The next step is to believe the powerful visions of success, which you see. Some people have a fear of success. Maybe they inherently feel a lack of self-worth, but Yoga also works on improving this aspect of life. It is normal for people to feel apprehensive about change, but change is often one of the gateways to success.

So we can say that consistency acts as the key as far as the benefits of yoga are concerned and we have to take care of the yoga positions. We can't benefit from yoga if we are not consistent with our routine. If we fail to do so, then it is very difficult to get the positive results and yoga can't be blamed for it. Another beneficial technology is hypnosis i.e. Hypnotherapy.

Hypnotherapy has proven to be very helpful in keeping us motivated. Self hypnosis is based on the formula of auto suggestion and visual imagery, and it works on deeper levels than one can imagine. Self hypnosis for motivation converses with your unconscious mind, and urges it to alter self-perception and self-image.

Unknown to us, our unconscious is largely responsible for the way we think and react; if we train it to think along a different line, your accompanying behavior will change too. You will want to understand the true potential that lies within us, and by using hypnosis you can tap into that potential. Through gentle affirmations such as "I can do it" along with positive visual immagery, hypnosis CDs can retrain your mind into believing that everything is possible, and nothing is impossible. This simply means that yoga in conjunction with hypnosis can help us to move towards success more quickly.

Article Source: http://www.happy-living-articles.com

Building Motivation For Yoga And Its Benefits

The purpose of any true spiritual path is to raise our consciousness to the point of allowing us to directly perceive the spiritual dimension. Being spiritual means to recognize one's spiritual identity and practically see the transcendental essence of all others. It also means to see that we are all parts and parcels of God and to respect each other in that light. That is one of the goals of Yoga. But how can we be convinced that there even is a God?

This comes by a reawakening of our higher consciousness and the perception of our spiritual identity. It is through the process of yoga and the path of Sanatana-dharma that we can reach this higher awareness and perceive exactly who we are. The Yoga-sutras of Patanjali comprise the essence of yoga practice. However, yoga itself is a deep and serious process, and there are a variety of forms of yoga that can be performed. There are four main types of yoga depending on the yoga positions. There is:

Jnana-yoga, the path of intellectual development and understanding what is real and what is not.

Karma-yoga is the path of right action, detachment from the fruits of one's labor, and dedicating our activities for a higher and spiritual purpose.

Astanga or Raja-yoga is the path of inward meditation and the attainment of higher states of consciousness through various practices.

Bhakti-yoga is the path of raising our consciousness, and developing our devotion and love for God and decreasing our attraction for the various aspects of the temporary material energy. There are additional forms of yoga, but they are often considered branches of these four paths.

However, in the preliminary stages, yoga is, essentially, for controlling the flickering nature of the mind, and for developing one's finer qualities and expanding one's consciousness from material to spiritual awareness. It is explained that Yoga is the process of completely calming the movements of the mind, which include perceived knowledge, misconception, imagination, sleep, and memory. When these are stabilized, then it can be called yoga, which offers the opportunity for the seer to become established in his own essential and fundamental nature. Yoga is the attempt to realign our Selves with the Supreme Self, God.

When you progress in yoga you can feel the unwanted burdens of the mind fall away, such as anxiety, anger, greed, envy, hate, discontent, etc. Then other qualities like peacefulness, tranquility, contentment, and blissfulness will be felt. These are qualities everyone is trying to find and are some of the many things that can be accomplished with yoga, at least on the elementary level. As you make further progress, you may enter into the deeper levels of understanding and transcending the mind and gradually go so far as to attain realizations as to what your own spiritual identity is and what your relationship is with the Absolute. Becoming free from material life and regaining one's spiritual identity is the goal of all yoga.

But in spite of all these benefits many people find it difficult to take this path. This is only because of the lack of exercise motivation. But once you start performing Yoga on a regular basis, it will itself keep you motivated. The benefit of motivation from Yoga practice is what makes Yoga so different from all other health maintenance systems. Yoga can become a lifestyle because there is no torture.

Why do most diets fail? Why do most exercisers quit? Lack of motivation is the reason for diet and exercise failure. People already know they should eat better, walk more, exercise, and drink more water, but they need to maintain their level of motivation, without "burning out."

In Yoga practice, positive energy is all around the classroom. Positive energy creates exercise motivation and creates powerful visions of success. The next step is to believe the powerful visions of success, which you see. Some people have a fear of success. Maybe they inherently feel a lack of self-worth, but Yoga also works on improving this aspect of life. It is normal for people to feel apprehensive about change, but change is often one of the gateways to success.

So we can say that consistency acts as the key as far as the benefits of yoga are concerned and we have to take care of the yoga positions. We can't benefit from yoga if we are not consistent with our routine. If we fail to do so, then it is very difficult to get the positive results and yoga can't be blamed for it. Another beneficial technology is hypnosis i.e. Hypnotherapy.

Hypnotherapy has proven to be very helpful in keeping us motivated. Self hypnosis is based on the formula of auto suggestion and visual imagery, and it works on deeper levels than one can imagine. Self hypnosis for motivation converses with your unconscious mind, and urges it to alter self-perception and self-image.

Unknown to us, our unconscious is largely responsible for the way we think and react; if we train it to think along a different line, your accompanying behavior will change too. You will want to understand the true potential that lies within us, and by using hypnosis you can tap into that potential. Through gentle affirmations such as "I can do it" along with positive visual immagery, hypnosis CDs can retrain your mind into believing that everything is possible, and nothing is impossible. This simply means that yoga in conjunction with hypnosis can help us to move towards success more quickly.

Article Source: http://www.articlesarticles.net

How Yoga Helps To Improve Lovemaking?

Yoga helps in a number of ways. It relieves stress and gives mental peace. It keeps us fit and healthy. It also helps in improving lovemaking. Our great ancient yogis, sages and seers have recommended the sensible blending of sex and yoga to experience the divine ecstasy. There is no sex stimulant or aphrodisiac as efficacious and regarding as the yogasanas. For prolongation of sexual union and ecstasy the following asanas and bandhas are of special interest –

Padmasana (Lotus pose) - The padmasana is a basic and versatile pose symbolizing man’s spiritual growth, evolution, purity and peace. Padma means lotus. It is called padmasana because it is in imitation of lotus more in nature than in appearance. This posture is classic for meditation and pranayam.

Techniques –

• Sit erect on the floor with both your legs stretched in front.
• Bend the right knee folding the leg and put the foot high on the left thigh.
• Bring the left foot similarly and place it high on the right thigh.
• Both the knees should touch the ground and keep both the heels near navel. Keep the soles of the feet up turned.
• Spread out the arms and place the palms on the knees. Make a loop of the index fingers joined and stretched.
• Change the legs after some time. Now, keep the left leg first and then the right leg. It helps in developing the legs evenly.
• In the beginning you may feel pain in your knees and ankles, but practice makes it comfortable even for longer sessions.

Effects

• In this posture pelvis gets richer blood supply and tones up coccygeal and sacral nerves.
• It keeps the mind alert and steady and ankles and knees supple.
• For pranayama it is the best and the mind grows calm and clear.
• The erect spine makes one’s concentration strong and lasting. It helps in the awakening of Kundalini as it can be maintained for hours at a stretch without any discomfort.
• This pose also helps in removing constipation. During this meditative pose the production of carbon dioxide is reduced to the minimum.

Mula bandha - Mula literally means the root, source, foundation of the basis. In it, the portion between anus and scrotum is contracted and raised. This prevents apaana escaping from the lower body and draws it up to unite with prana.

Techniques –

• Sit in padmasana or siddhasana. Stretch your hands and fingers in Gyana Mudra
• Inhale deeply and retrain it. Press the chin against the chest in chin lock.
• Contract the region of lower abdomen between the anus and the navel towards your spine and pull it up towards the diaphragm.
• Now, contract and pull upwards the abdominal muscles and remain in the posture for a few seconds.
• Release the grip and sphinec and abdominal muscles, remove the chin lock. Exhale slowly and evenly.
• Repeat the cycle 3-5 times.

Effects

• It prevents apaana escaping from the lower body and draws it up to unite with prana.
• It increases sexual retention power and gives a person of great moral and spiritual power.
• It helps much in awakening the dormant kundalini by preventing the dissipation of pranic energy and changing it into a physical force.

Disclaimer: This article is not meant to provide health advice and is for general information only. Always seek the insights of a qualified health professional before embarking on any health program.

Copyright © Nick Mutt, All Rights Reserved. If you want to use this article on your website or in your ezine, make all the urls (links) active.

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The Keys to Using Yoga to Get Rid of Abdominal Weight

Whenever anyone says or gestures that they want to lose weight, most of the time, they point to their guts saying “I wanna lose all this!” Obviously, abdominal weight loss is a goal for many people.

However, what most people might not be aware of is that-of all exercises-Yoga actually can help immensely for weight loss in the abdominal region.
There are specific poses, that target excess weight in the abdomen and coupled with a customized diet, those seeking abdominal weight loss would find success in using these yoga exercises. Let’s go over them, shall we?

Abdominal Weight Loss: Yoga Poses to Use.

1. The Sun Salutations: These are a combination of poses that serve as a warm up-routine for a Yoga session or class. They are very similar to the popular calisthenics exercise known as burpees. However, they differ in that they have a spiritual significance included as a result of executing them. Due to the forward and backward bending motions involved, after performing a few to several rounds on a daily basis, you are bound to notice a marked loss of weight in you abdominal area and the added bonus of muscular tone.

2. The Bow Pose: This simple pose involves laying flat on your belly and grabbing your ankles with both arms while simultaneously lifting your head up high. When performed correctly, you should be resting on your abdomen. Needless to say, it is a pose commonly recommended for weight loss and the prevention and correction of chronic constipation.

3. The Peacock Pose: This is slightly more challenging. The objective is to balance your abdomen on your conjoined elbows while simultaneously raising your legs and head of the floor. Naturally, merely attempting it speeds up abdominal weight loss and detoxification of the visceral organs and the preparatory stage could suffice as the actual execution of the pose till the mastery of it is achieved.

4. The Abdominal Lift: This is not a pose, per-se but is a specific exercise that involves you exhaling your breath and pulling the diaphragm in while holding the breath out. This is a specific abdominal exercise for weight loss, spiritual rejuvenation and detoxification.Now friends, there are other poses such as the shoulder-stand, the forward-bending pose, the spinal twist and the wheel pose that also target increase in muscular tone and weight loss in the abdominal regions, however from practice the 4 above will perhaps be the most effective.

Do note though that if you are female and pregnant or in your menstrual period, some of these poses might not be the best to execute. Moreover, since these poses-besides helping with abdominal weight loss-aid tremendously with detoxifying, it is advised that one eats a proper and healthy diet to augment the actions of these poses.

Other fantastic exercises for abdominal weight loss include your intense Aerobics, the use of the ab-wheel, basic sit-ups, windmills etc. So empower yourself with these tips and information to achieve your goal for weight loss. Lose that gut starting today.

Article Source: http://www.articles2use.com

Thai Massage: The Ancient Practice Of “Passive Yoga”

In August of 1997 I was stranded in Bangkok for a week due to unforeseen complications involving a work permit. August is technically during monsoon season in Thailand and the skies over Bangkok would occasionally open to sudden downpours, causing the streets to become rushing rivers of brown water that reached up to my shins, but vanished in a matter of minutes, thanks to the city’s efficient drainage system. During my time in Bangkok, in between quests for a working bank machine, trips to the travel agent, Internet café and the odd Buddhist temple, I took the time to treat myself to several Thai massages. Since the Asian Financial Crisis was in full swing, exchange rates were particularly good, providing prices that enabled even a spendthrift like me to splurge on luxuries I would normally balk at. The Thai Baht equivalent of $3 for a half hour’s massage or $5 for a full hour was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up. Mind you, these were massage clinics and schools in the backpacker district surrounding Bangkok’s famous Khaosan Road, and were either open-air street side affairs or glass-fronted shops with an open-plan layout similar to what you find in a hairdresser.

What I read about Thai massage in the information provided at the clinics was that it is an official branch of Traditional Thai Medicine combining Eastern systems like Indian Ayurveda, traditional Chinese medicine and yoga. What I experienced was a far cry from the almost sacred New Age atmosphere of pampering and essential oils one finds at many Western massage therapy establishments. The Thai massage practitioners were mostly stout middle-aged women with powerful arms, who chatted loudly with each other while working on their clients. For me this was no problem, as I was looking for something to relieve and invigorate my muscles after long days spent pounding the hot pavement, rather than a luxurious urban oasis overflowing with white towels and windchimes.

One thing that’s great about Thai massage is the informality and simplicity of it all. It works best if the client is fully dressed (but shoeless), so there is no question of modesty, and no oil is used, so you won’t emerge from your treatment feeling greasy and in need of a shower. The often-used moniker “Thai yoga massage” is a very accurate description for only containing three words. Getting a Thai massage feels very much like practicing “passive” yoga while receiving a particularly assertive massage. Pressing and massaging muscles with palms, fingers, knees and elbows, combined with the manual stretching of limbs at the very capable hands of a trained Thai massage professional leaves one feeling pretty great, even if some of the techniques can be a bit uncomfortable when being applied. It may be advisable to let the therapist know when you feel some discomfort, but I was young, foolish and brave and thought I’d like to get the “full experience” my Thai massages had to offer, which in hindsight were occasionally a bit painful. So when asked, “do you have pain?” I stubbornly shook my head and lied.

Some years later, as part of my own massage education, I took a two-week course on Thai massage and learned the basic techniques and philosophy behind the practice. Known in Thailand as nuat phaen boran or nuat thai, Thai massage works along the concept of promoting wellness by stimulating “sen” or energy lines, taken from traditional Chinese and Indian medicine, but the results felt by the recipient of the massage are decidedly less esoteric. The patient lies upon the floor instead of a table like in most Western massage systems and is at times made to sit up, stretched, pulled and prodded in what comprises an invigorating experience and an end result which is radically different from your typical spa massage.

These days, Thai massage is becoming well known throughout the world and clinics providing Thai yoga massage are springing up all over. For a wonderfully unique massage experience, Thai massage is heartily recommended.

Article Source: http://articles.sites4.info

Apparels specially designed for yoga and sports

Running, tennis, soccer and many of the other commonly played sports. Wearing proper apparel is very important be it for yoga or running or skiing or any other sports. Yoga needs to be practiced in the clothes which make you comfortable in performing the different types of body postures which demand the free movement of different body parts. There are different types of yoga apparel for women like yoga pants, Capri, pajamas, t- shirts, and shorts which should be light weight and sweat absorbent. Also, different body movements make it compulsory for you to wear stretchable and comfortable clothes so that your body can move freely. Unitard is a type of clothing which is tight fitted made of stretchy material that covers your body from shoulders to thighs. It has long sleeves with legs reaching down to the ankles which can be helpful in providing good coverage, support and comfort in performing yoga.
Sports apparel in general needs to be handpicked because you need to be focused at your sport, not your clothes. Your sports apparel should be so comfortable that they become your second skin. Sports like baseball, basketball, soccer, football, swimming, running, trekking—all need their own types of apparel according to the needs. Running apparel consist of the cotton dresses which hang on to the moisture in order to avoid friction matched with comfortable shoes that can help you in the long run every time. The fitness apparel is the best ones for gymnastics and aerobics. While a physical workout multicolored tights and leotards come out to be more comfortable.
Like the other sports golf also has a particular dress code which includes a trouser and a t-shirt in order to ensure you maximum satisfaction and comfort while taking a golf shot. You can also choose chinos, hats and different fashion caps for this purpose. The most important thing that you have to keep in mind while choosing an performance apparel is the climate or the weather, otherwise you will be uncomfortable and will not be able to perform in the best possible way. Like if you have to go on jogging then you will need different sets of clothes for both winter and summer. In summers you will need light weight clothes whereas in winters you will need heavy jackets to wear.
During your workout the most important thing to be considered are the shoes and the socks you will wear. As you will sweat more during any kind of sports you need soft and sweat absorbing socks. If there is extra padding done in your sports socks then it can help your feet to be nice and dry. There are socks that are specially made for more performance during an athletic event. These performance socks keep you comfortable which can help you achieve better in every way. The quality of these socks is the best specially designed to keep your feet dry for special athletic recreations. These socks are the foot garments which can feature both the cuts and materials that are specially designed in order to keep the person’s feet comfortable under different conditions. The athletic socks are meant for hiking, skiing,

Article Source: http://www.articles4y.com

Yoga in Fayetteville

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Article Source: http://www.articles4y.com

History of Yoga

Yoga is a union of body, mind, and spirit. The history of yoga is long and steeped in tradition. Yoga is an ancient system of health and fitness which originated in India. The word yoga has its first mention in the Rig Veda, the oldest of the sacred texts. Those that study Yoga estimate it's age to be four thousand year.

The history of Yoga can be divided into four main periods which are the pre-classical period, classical period, post-classical period and modern period. In the history of yoga, the book is called the yoga sutras. The history of yoga would not have been completed in the classical stage of yoga.

The word Yoga literally meant the Yolk that joins something together, such as an ox to a cart. The idea is that yoga unites all aspects of being into one.

What most people envision to be Yoga, those contortionist postures, is really only one small aspect of a much larger field of practices. The methods of yoga includes ethical disciplines, physical postures, breathing control and as well as meditation.

The 20th century witnessed a renaissance of yoga that caused a globalization of this ancient tradition. Modern approaches to yoga have created a clear delineation between the Hindu religion and the practice of yoga. Through the practice of yoga, an individual can gain information about physical, emotional, mental and spiritual well being.

Over the long history of yoga, different schools have emerged, and there are numerous examples branches and philosophies that have spawned. Ultimately, all agree on one common element the fundamental purpose of yoga is to foster harmony in the body, mind, and environment.

Today yoga is accepted as a comprehensive exercise to promote control of the body and mind. More than just a means of being fit and trim, yoga can help you live a healthy, whole, and empowered life. In recent decades, yoga has greatly and swiftly evolved. Yoga is the most diversified spiritual practice in the world. The living tradition of yoga now recognizes no borders as it continues to spread globally.

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What can Yoga do for you?

From its Indian origins as far back as 4000 years ago, yoga has been continually practised but it is only in the present century that its use has become more widespread. Yoga has an effect on the whole person,combining the physical, mental and spiritual sides. The word 'yoga' is derived from a Sanskrit word that means 'yoke' or 'union' and thus reflects on the practises of yoga being total in effect. For many hundreds of years in India, it was only a privileged few people, such as philosophers and other like-minded people with their disciples that followed the way of life that yoga dictated. The leaders were known as 'yogis' and it was they who taught their followers by passing on their accumulated knowledge. These small groups of people dwelt in caves or woods, or sometimes a yogi would live like a hermit. Yoga has had quite far reaching effects over many hundreds of years in India.

The basics of yoga were defined by a yogi called Patanjali who lived about 300BC. He was a very well respected teacher and commanded great influence at that time and his classification is one that is used now. He established the fact of yoga being separated into eight different parts. The first two concern a person's lifestyle, which should be serene with the days spent in contemplation, study, maintaining cleanliness and living very simply and at peace with others. Anything that involves avarice or greed or is harmful to others has to be avoided. The third and fourth parts are concerned with physical matters and list a number of exercises that are designed to promote peace and infuse energy into both the mind and the body. The remaining four sections are concerned with the advancement of a person's soul or spirit and mental faculties by being able to isolate himself or herself from outside worries and normal life, contemplation and broadening mental faculties with the ultimate knowledge known as somadhi. Mentally, this is a complete change that gives final realisation of existence. Much more recently, yoga became available in India to everyone, in complete contrast to centuries ago.

Nowadays, the practice of yoga is not restricted to India alone, with millions of people worldwide being followers. There are five different types of yoga: raja, jnana, karma, bakti and hatha. It is this last system that is known in the west and it involves the use of exercises and positions. The other methods concentrate on matters, such as control over the mind, appreciation and intelligence or a morally correct way of life. These other methods are regarded as being of equal importance by the person completely committed to yoga as a way of life. Although people may have little or no spiritual feeling, the basic belief of yoga is the importance of mental attitudes in establishing the physical from exercise.

In yoga it is believed that the body's essence of life (prana), is contained in the breath. Through a change in the way of breathing there can be a beneficial effect on the general health. If a person is in a heightened, emotional condition, or similar state, this will have an effect on the breathing. Therefore, if the breathing is controlled or altered, this should promote joint feelings of peace or calm, both mentally and emotionally. There is a variety of exercises and each promotes different types of breathing, such as the rib cage, shoulder and diaphragm. Some of the movements and stances in use were originally devised from the observations of animals, since they appeared to be adept at relaxation and moved with minimum effort. These stances which are maintained for one two minutes, aim to increase freedom of movement and make the person aware of the various parts of the body and any stress that may be present. It is not intended that they be physically tiring or that the person should 'show off' in front of others. The aim is to concentrate on self knowledge.

It is recommended to follow some simple rules when practising yoga. First use a fully qualified therapist and practise daily if at all possible. It is always best that yoga is undertaken before mealtimes but if this is not possible then three hours must elapse after a large meal or one hour after a light meal. Comfortable clothes are essential and a folded blanket or thick rug should be placed on the ground as the base. Before commencing yoga have a bath or shower and repeat this afterwards to gain the maximum benefit. If the bladder or bowels are full it is not advisable to do yoga. Should the person have been outside on a hot or sunny day it is not recommended that yoga is practised straight afterwards, as feelings of sickness or dizziness may occur.

Yoga is believed to be of benefit to anyone, providing that they possess determination and patience. If a person has certain physical limitations then these must be taken into account with regard to their expectation but there is no age barrier. Teachers believe that people suffering from stress or disorder in their lives are in greater need of a time of harmony and peace. Yoga was used in the main to encourage health in the physical and mental states and thereby act as a preventative therapy. Tension or stress was one of the main disorders for which it was used but nowadays it has been used for differing disorders hypertension, bronchitis, back pain, headaches, asthma, heart disorders, premenstrual tension and an acid stomach. Trials have also been conducted to assess its potential in treating some illnesses such as multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis and depression experienced after childbirth. Since the effects of tension are often shown by the tightening and contraction of muscles, the stretching exercises that are performed in yoga are able to release it. Also, being aware of each muscle as it is stretched encourages the person to mentally lose any stress or problems with which they have been beset. Suppleness is developed by the exercises through the use of the bending and twisting actions. This will help to maintain healthy joints, particularly for those people who lead inactive lives.

There should be no strain felt and after practise some or all of them can be done in order. As mentioned previously, it is best to check with a qualified therapist if the person is an expectant mother, suffers from hypertension, is overweight or is having their monthly period.

I have already mentioned that yoga has been used to treat some illnesses, such as rheumatoid arthritis and if a person has such a severe disorder, then a highly skilled and experienced therapist is essential. Since this form of yoga, known as therapeutic yoga, is new there is a limited number of suitably experienced therapists available. For those who wish to use yoga to maintain mental and physical health, joining a class with an instructor is perhaps the best way to proceed, so the exercises are performed correctly and any lapses in concentration can be corrected. These classes last usually in the region of an hour and are separated into sessions for beginners and those who are more proficient. Proficiency and progress are achieved by frequent practice, which can be done at home between lessons.

The majority of doctors regard yoga as a type of exercise that is beneficial, although some do recommend patients to refer to yoga practitioners. However, if a specific disorder is to be treated, it is very important that the ailment should first be seen by a doctor.

Article Source: http://www.articlegoldmine.com