How you can Apply the Principles of Yoga to Any area of your Life

November 4, 2009 by  
Filed under Yoga

Yoga is a physical demanding workout which can develop in you physical, emotional and spirtual strength. Studies demonstrate that yoga creates more peaceful, well-balanced people who are more able to deal with the difficulties that come up in their lives. Well balanced people are much better at attracting wealth and happiness into their lives. Increased power, flexibility and sense of balance are also great physical advantages to practicing yoga.

Even after only a short time of practicing yoga I have seen my flexibility, strength and balance improve. It has also helped me to develop a deep connection to the source of my power. Yoga has taught me where to find the source of my power and how to use it to bring clarity, vision and purpose into my life.

The Core Power of Strength

Your back and abdominal area is where your core strength lies. These are the muscles you engage and develop in order for you to develop strength and balance throughout your body. In yoga, your focus needs to be on engaging your core strength in order for you to complete many of the postures. This is the source of your power.

Power from your core will spread out out through your whole body. Yoga teaches you how to tap into and engage this power. It was when I started to use the power of my core that I noticed that it was my core that provided me the strength to do most everyday tasks. Focusing in on it, I could easily radiate that power out within my body to the areas I needed to perform the certain tasks.

I began to see how the power of my core could be used to be the source of power for all things not just physical tasks. It made sense to me that the powerful energy that radiated out from my core could be used to help me be successful in visualizing, decision making and in creativity.

Experiencing life through your core allows you to make pure and right decisions. Your head is far too sensible and your heart is too emotional. Your gut will always converse to you in truth and perfect balance. ‘Listen to your gut’ is a powerful piece of advice. This is the part that connects to the true source of power right in the center of your being.

During times of tough decisions turn directly to your core, it will clearly instruct you as to what you need to do It never lies, it is never wrong and you will feel the strength of your core decision radiating outwards to keep you balanced and strong.

When I operated from the place of my core, great things happen. Things fall into place perfectly with seemingly no effort on my behalf. My creativity opens up and my work is fueled by the strength and passion of my core.

Stretch a little Deeper Each Time

Only stretch from the level you are at when getting into a posture. Stretch a little deeper so that you feel a slight challenging discomfort but never go to far so that you cause some damage. Moving at this pace will give you steady improvements each week. You are not going to increase your flexibility to yogi status in one go- that’s wrought with much danger. Just small increases in your stretch will bring to your eventual goal in a more knowledgeable, safe and peaceful way.

When you are progressing to the actualization of your goals, take it steady. Stretch a little deeper each time so that you feel a little uneasiness but not too much that it shatters you and puts you out of the game.

Your Breath Helps you to Maintain Focus and Stay Calm

To assist you in your poses you have to know how to breathe. When you pay attention to your breath, you notice that when a pose or posture becomes difficult, your breath sharpens, increases or disappears. You have to make sure you breathe evenly and deeply through each posture. This will help you to relax and settle into the posture.
Your breath is the most central aspect of any stance or anything in life- obviously, as long as you’re breathing you’re doing okay, right? During the challenging times of your life, the first step is to remember to breathe correctly. This will bring to you the clarity you need to relax, and the strength you need to reach a little further will follow.

Let Go

Yoga is all about learning to let go and experiencing your body. Experiencing your body will allow you to challenge it and take it to a whole new place. When you release yourself to the posture your whole body and mind will relax which will allow you to increase your flexibility and create a whole new flow of energy.

In life, you have to learn to let go of everything you are holding. All your stresses, problems and stories. Just let them go and allow yourself to relax, gain strength and create a whole new flow of energy.

To attain wealth and happiness in your life you have to develop a healthy mind and body. Yoga is such an empowering way for you to balance and strength your whole self. Learn to use the principles of yoga to bring about dramatic improvements in all areas of your life.

Caroline Makepeace is an expert at living a life of wealth and happiness. You can sign up for her free weekly inspirational newsletter at her blog

Article Source: How you can Apply the Principles of Yoga to Any area of your Life

Is YOGA The Mother of All Stop Smoking Programs!

November 3, 2009 by  
Filed under Yoga

Yes, it is not exaggerating to say that the boss of all stop smoking programs is the Indian origin practice of bodily postures – a set of which together is popularly known as ‘Yoga’. Its relevance to every aspect in a common man’s life and its effectiveness in gifting the doer what he started it for has rolled in plenty of people from all around the globe into it. And the ball is rolling and only getting bigger by day.

There will also be a yoga instruction centre in your city if you find the right way to find it. You will be told over there, first thing, that Yoga, when followed regularly and in the right way, is the most rewarding stop smoking program. It works above and over all stop smoking medications, stop smoking aids, stop smoking hypnosis, stop smoking pills and stop smoking drugs!

And the good news is that you, looking frantically for a stop smoking program, need not learn by rote the hundreds of postures (known as Aasanas in Sanskrit language) to just quit this one deadly consumption. There exists in Yoga, a particular set of Aasana, called the Pranayama, only learning and practising which suffices. The results of this miraculous science are best reaped when practised early in the morning (even before sunrise if possible) after brushing the teeth and having a glass of water.

However, they can be performed whenever an urge becomes stronger. Two types of pranayamas exist and are listed below. They can all be comfortably practised at home if you do not wish to attend classes. Perform them one after the other, slowly in the beginning then picking up pace as days pile up.

Kapalabhati:
Sit in a meditative pose and keep the spine, neck and head straight. Close the eyes and keep the palms resting on the knees. Then, while exhaling contract the abdominal muscles sharply, raising the diaphragm and forcing the air out of the lungs. Inhalation should be passive and silent, while exhalation forceful, brief and audible. Gradually increase the speed. Return to normal position slowly.

Bhastrika:
This is the climax part of the stop smoking program. Squat on the floor, straighten the back and close the eyes. Close the right nostril with the right thumb and exhale. Immediately inhale through the left nostril. Then close the left nostril, exhale and inhale through the right. Repeat alternatively, and slowly return to initial speed.

The above are not only useful as effective stop smoking program, but have been scientifically proven for curing several diseases like bronchitis, tension, depression, insomnia and high blood pressure.

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Article Source: Is YOGA The Mother of All Stop Smoking Programs!

Yoga Has It All and Does It All

November 3, 2009 by  
Filed under Yoga

Yoga’s benefits are becoming more and more known in the western world. A lot of people think of yoga as acrobatic poses. There’s that pose that you’re not sure if you’re going to come out okay from. Or there’s the one that just doesn’t look humanly possible. How about the one that involves doing a push up which is hard enough just to do never mind hold.

Fortunately there’s good news. Those poses are for when you become more flexible and stable and there’s easier poses that you can begin with that anyone can do.

Yoga is not just for toning up and becoming more flexible though. Yoga is good for you physically, mentally, and spiritually. It’s a tri-factor of health.

Increased energy and vitality, a calmer outlook on life, and a connection to the real you can all be expected from practicing yoga. It’s really something you can’t afford to not do if you are looking to be healthier and happier.

Yoga for the body

Yoga helps in many areas of physical fitness including flexibility, strength, muscle toning, and better breathing which means it creates a toned, flexible, and strong body. This obviously will help you to get up that extra flight of stairs or push yourself a little harder on the treadmill.

It improves respiration by learning how to breathe properly while doing the poses. Not a lot of people know how important breathing is but it can affect how you feel and look, your resistance to disease and even your life span.

There are poses that help your thyroid. That’s right, there are several yoga postures that “massage” your thyroid and when you do these yoga postures the thyroid gland will feel relaxed, cleansed and cared-for. Your thyroid makes hormones that regulate your metabolism. So if your thyroid is not healthy, then your metabolism is not healthy. And since your metabolism is the rate at which you burn calories, when your metabolism is “off” you won’t have the energy you need for a happy life and it will be almost impossible to lose weight.

You’ll feel and look stronger and eventually be able to do those poses you thought were out of reach.

Increased flexibility and strength can help prevent the causes of some types of back pain. Many people who suffer from back pain spend a lot of time sitting at a computer or driving a car. That can cause tightness and spinal compression, which you can begin to help with your yoga. It also will help with your alignment which will prevent many other types of pain.

Yoga for the mind

Yoga is excellent for stress relief. If you’ve ever done meditation then you know that concentrating on something whether it is listening to a sound or staring at an object focuses your mind and helps you let go of all the worries and problems that can plague it. So concentrating on your pose and most importantly your breath is an excellent form of calming yourself.

Yoga also gives you a heightened awareness of your body. Not the awareness of how much fat is hanging over your shorts but the movements your body makes or the muscles used to make those movements. The reason for this is the slow transition between poses. Knowing and appreciating what your body can do leads to greater self confidence and self esteem.

Yoga for the spirit

Just as the concentration of focusing on your breathing and pose helps with calming you down, it can also help get you to another level of spirituality or connection to that area of your life.

Yoga is a Sanskrit word. It means union with God. This union is a conscious union. We are all united with God but we are not aware of it. When we practice Yoga, we become conscious of our union with God through our stillness and awareness.

Once you feel that oneness, once you connect with yourself you will begin to understand your beliefs and what feels right to you. You’ll recognize truth for what it is and I can attest that there’s nothing better than that.

For an excellent book on the many ways yoga can help you go to gnani yoga by clicking here and start feeling the benefits today.

There are so many natural ways to improve our overall health. For some ideas check out my website at www.manifestconnection.com and check out the health page.

Article Source: Yoga Has It All and Does It All

Grounding Yoga Poses for Stress Relief

November 1, 2009 by  
Filed under Yoga

Each pose is a challenge to be met, and a lesson in release. There are several “grounding” poses which will help increase your focus and calm you during your day. You don’t have to be an experienced yoga practitioner to reap the benefits of these poses. Remember to focus your energy downwards. Be conscious of the earth beneath you, in all its rhythms.

1) Mountain Pose – Stand with your feet no more than shoulder width apart, hands loose by your side. Relax your shoulders and neck. Your knees should be slightly bent, not locked. Close your eyes, and let gravity take hold. Focus on the feeling of the floor beneath your feet as your weight sinks downwards, and braces you. As with all yoga poses, inhale fully and slowly, and exhale completely.

2) Tree Pose – Start in mountain pose. Slowly let your right foot travel up the inside of your left leg until the arch braces against the inside of the knee. Your free hip should be turned out. You can bring your hands, palms together, to heart center, or raise them over your head. This is a balance move, but I find it very grounding because of the focus on the standing leg, and the controlled breathing. Slowly lower your leg, and switch to the other side. Keep your breathing steady.

3) Forward Fold – This basic pose loosens the tension in your back. Start in mountain pose, and slowly raise your arms over your head. Dive down, and let your whole body relax. Allow the arms to dangle loosely, and feel the feet plant into the floor. Inhale deeply, and as you exhale let your body relax just a little more, folding inwards, head towards the floor.

4) Warrior Pose – There is just something about this pose that feels powerful, yet at the same time it is very meditative. Extend your right leg into a forward lunge, but don’t go too deep. Your torso should face the side of the room, but your gaze is over your knee. Your arms are lifted, right arm in front extending over your bent leg, left arm in back. Sink into the lunge. Remember to breathe.

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Lose Your Weight With Yoga

November 1, 2009 by  
Filed under Yoga

Are you tired of weight loss pills, surgery and dieting to reduce your weight? Then why can not you shift towards yoga which is a natural and safe manner to lose your weight.

We all knew that busy schedule of life has made a gap between people to communicate and it is really very hard to find time for exercise that is so people are shifting towards diet-pills to lose their weight which is seen to have many side effects.

Experts recommended yoga as a best solution for this problem because yoga tones your body in uniform manner. It can be practiced in any age to keep your body fit and fine.

Yoga is an effective way from ages to maintain healthy body as it rid extra flab from body. Some of the yoga asana stimulating lethargic thyroid glands to increase hormonal secretions to reduce weight.

* Bikram Yoga: It is a kind of yoga that most celebrities and athletes prefer as it helps to burn the calories to lose weight. Bikram yoga is beneficial for aerobic, cardiovascular and fat –burning.
Bikram yoga is tough exercise as it takes your time to speed up. But slowly and steadily you feel relax of this kind of exercise. This exercise reduces your weight as well as your stress level. It helps to build self control, concentration and patience.

* Yoga asana like Halasana, Paschimottanasana, Dhanurasana and Veerasana etc are specially meant for weight reduction. It helps you to reduce flab from your body.

* Regular yoga asana of sun salutation (Surya Namaskar) helps to lose your weight. It is beneficial for lungs and also relaxes your mind.

* Vaman Dhauti and Shanka Prakshalanaare some kriya’s which helps in weight reduction. Vamun Dhauti is known as the practice of vomiting water. It is believed that washing up of the entire track starting from the mouth to the digestive system whereas Shankar Prakshalanaare means conch cleaning out .In both techniques salt water is used to cleanse whole body system.

* If you are a thyroid patient, you will abnormally gained weight then do Saryangasana and Matasyasana for checking hormonal secretion of thyroid gland. Sarvangasana means a pose for all parts of the body like lungs, heart and thyroid. Matasyasana relieves the stiffness of neck, spine, arch and your back.

* Ashtanga Yoga: In this type of asana it focuses on synchronizing the breath with a series of different, complicated postures. Do this asana regularly and within a week you feel your body and mind to be healthy and strong.

What you should not do:

• Do not eat on regular timings at regular interval.
• Do not eat carbonated drinks and junk food.
• Do not break your routine of yoga.

• Try not to consume anything between two major meals. Try to maintain a time difference of at least of 4 hours between two major meals.

So for what you are waiting? Adopt yoga in your life style which is better solution for you to remain positive, active and stress free rather then doing dieting, taking weight loss pills, etc

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Article Source: Lose Your Weight With Yoga

Learn The Art of Ashtanga Yoga

October 27, 2009 by  
Filed under Yoga

Ashtanga yoga is for persons who desire to build up strength, stamina and some body flexibility and is a tricky and smooth type of Hatha Yoga, which brings the body, mind and spirit into wonderful alignment and function.

Yoga routines may have diverse relaxation exercises, on the contrary they all have the intent of cushioning the shock of contact with the surrounding reality and practitioners moreover claim that specific postures such as abdominal twists gently massage internal organs including the kidneys to improve their effectiveness while forward bends can accelerate the digestive processes to aid ease upset stomach troubles.

Ashtanga yoga uses ordered postures, or asanas, connected together by the breath and is moreover referred to as Flow Yoga or Vinyasa (series of poses), and focuses less on alignment than Iyengar yoga, and props are used less frequently.

Ashtanga Yoga is completed as part of a progression hastily moving from one posture to another and once the standing poses are completed, you’ll be sufficiently warmed up to start the sequences that are unique to each series.

The practice of Ashtanga is with a predefined set of postures always in the same order combined with particular breathing exercises and since Ashtanga comprises a sequence of yoga postures, the performer is likely to experience very tough routine after a body warming routine that is designed to activate ones muscles.

Used throughout the Ashtanga series, it keeps the breath steady and controlled and draws the minds attention inward, facilitating meditation in motion and with a quiet mind and a healthy body the practitioner is prepared for meditation and eventually samadhi, the union of the soul with the divine.

It consists in discovering a marvellous truth roughly ourselves: We are not simply a particular body, mind, or personality, however the very foundation of all bodies, minds, and personalities-in fact, of all animate and inanimate things in the universe and penetrating deep into our mind and heart, we learn to go beyond our commonplace limitations and determine that we are enormously huge, surpassing even Nature itself.

Pattabhi Jois (1915-2009) was the master of the Ashtanga Yoga method and was responsible for Ashtangas transmission to the west and according to Pattabhi Jois, defects in the external practices are correctable.

Vinyasa Yoga is a practice that uses postures in a smooth approach, involving each posture with a breath and translates as linking and the method in addition implies the linking of the movement to the breath.

Hatha Yoga is a wide-ranging phrase that describes yoga classes that largely consist of yoga postures and also employs the use of pranyama and mudras to enhance spiritual project and attain self-realization.

Ashtanga Yoga is a relvolutionary Yoga technique which is experiencing huge demand. To learn more about how to practise this new form of Yoga check out http://ashtangayogadvd.wordpress.com/

Article Source: Learn The Art of Ashtanga Yoga

Benefits of Yoga 2

October 25, 2009 by  
Filed under Yoga

Yoga is an ancient science which was practiced some 5000 years ago not in any gurukul but on a battlefield. Indian epic Mahabharata says yoga lessons were first imparted by Lord Krishna to his pupil Arjuna the third pandava.

The main benefit of yoga is to help reduce stress; according to health experts 80 percent of illness is caused by stress. Yoga help the body induce the opposite effects, reduce blood pressure, heart rate and improve circulation to remove the toxic wastes from our bodies.

Yoga is the ultimate workout for your body and soul. Some people think of yoga as stretching, which is not entirely true. Yoga is so much more than just sit on your mat and “stretch” so to speak.

The benefit of yoga practice goes far beyond the actual time you spend in the poses. One of the most common reasons why people begin practicing yoga is to improve their health and well-being.

Yoga helps us in developing better control of our breathing habits. It also teaches us what the right posture for the body should be. Knowledge of both these things is critical to keep the stress levels down.

A daily dose of yoga can work wonders for the diseased body and for the troubled mind as well. There is nothing so good as a session of meditation, which can help ease out the stiffness of the body and the mind.

The best way to achieve core strength is by incorporating Yoga and/or Pilates into your movement program. Not only will you benefit from the physical improvements to your body, but also both Yoga and Pilates have a phenomenal positive effect on stress, emotion, and relaxation and build a body of muscle elegance.

Yoga offers postures or asanas that can work every joint, muscle, ligament and tendon of the body. When done together, in the correct order and under knowledgeable guidance, these seemingly unrelated postures work in harmony to massage all the internal glands and organs of the body in a thorough manner.

Read About Beauty Tips Read Also About Gout Diet Plan and Health Benefits of Yoga

Article Source: Benefits of Yoga 2

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