Time management is one of the most difficult skills to master. Finding the time to work, eat, relax, spend time with friends and still have time to keep your body in good condition can be rather daunting challenge. The importance of keeping fit in this mad schedule can prove to be important, as it not only helps you maintain a good physique, but also provides a bunch of health benefits. A healthy heart, active blood circulation, better respiration among many others. This means that it is very necessary and important to ensure you stay active, even if it's just three to four days a week.
Tips for easy “on the go” workouts
Working out can be a mundane activity that comes as a second nature to you and not affect your other activities. Here a few ways to achieve this:
As evident from the above factors, a workout doesn’t have to be expensive, elaborate or time consuming. You can get in the right physical condition with just a little effort.
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Yoga is an ancient art that dates as far back as 2000 b.c and has the primary goal of interfacing the soul, the spirit and the body. The type of connection that happens by practicing yoga and the person practicing this gains physical and also mental. as well. This happens when the body is taken to a level that cannot be reached by only one factor. This single property of yoga has made victims of reoccurring and ongoing backache make the practicing of yoga part of their process of treatment.
As evolution has progressed, so too has yoga, giving rise to several forms of yoga, which are practiced all around the world today. One of the most popular and most widely practiced forms of yoga is Hatha yoga. This type of yoga has proven to be very much effective and enjoyed by those who practice it, making it one of the most popular forms of yoga despite its relatively young age. The success of Hatha yoga can be attributed to its simple nature and many health benefits.
Health benefits of Hatha yoga
Hatha yoga confers and provides many health benefits to those who practice it. Some of these benefits include:
A simple practice like Hatha yoga has been observed to have the above mentioned benefits and many more, like: Better posture, Improving core strength and many others. Thanks to the simple nature of the practice and easy nature to learn and practice. This has made Hatha yoga one of the most widely practiced form of yoga.
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Energy is an essential requirement in life, literally every activity requires energy. We workout, energy; we travel, energy. Everything we do requires energy, some in large quantity and other in a little quantity. Since all activities require energy, it is imperative to play a role in helping the body replenish its energy reserves. When energy reserves are low, the output of both the physical and mental activities are usually diminished. This leads to a decrease in productivity of individuals. In situations where physical energy is required, energy replenishment is of the utmost important. There are ways through which energy can be acquired, these activities help amplify the effects of such replenishment techniques.
Activities to aid rapid energy replenishment
These techniques have been proven to be very effective in replenishing energy and facilitating rapid recovery where needed. They have a proven track record and are mostly employed by athletes as they need rapid energy replenishment more than most. However, these techniques can be applied by regular people like you and me. These techniques include:
With all these techniques performed in the right order and at regularly scheduled intervals, energy generation and recovery is bound to be at its best.
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We all have that moment when we feel tired and exhausted, sometimes due to stress or excessive working hours, or as a sign of you being ill, and may be due to aging, but here are a few things you can do to regain some of your lost energy or strength.
Firstly if you regularly feel extremely exhausted it is advisable to meet your doctor and have a checkup done to verify if you are ill. And if you begin to feel tired after you have started a new medication, tell your doctor or your pharmacist what is going on to be on the safe side.
When you feel exhausted the last thing on your mind will be to get some workout in, but it has been proven to give that strength boost you need, since it gets your heart racing and blood pumping, and improving the working state of your blood vessels and respiratory organs and muscle tissues.
One good exercise you could try is the art of yoga, it involves stretching the muscles in the body to relieve the body of tension, giving you that relaxing feeling as you gain a clearer mind and an over boost in both energy and confidence.
Most times, the reason you feel tired and exhausted is due to the fact you are dehydrated. Lack of water in the body system causes a decrease in attentiveness and focus. You tend to use more energy to do even the usual things you do such as the little work you do around the house. To know if you are well hydrated when you urinate, your urine should be clear or at most a bit yellow-colored or having a straw color, if not you should get water to drink.
Being tired sometimes means that the sugar level in your blood may be low, in that case, you need to eat something. Most people don’t eat as much as they need to, maybe due to work, trying to meet up to that deadline. But it is advisable to eat little meals at intervals, to balance your sugar level. When doing this be mindful of the meal size to avoid gaining weight.
It is also beneficial if you incorporate fish to your meal plans, as it is great for the heart and the fish oil containing omega-3 may grant boosts to attentiveness, increasing reacting time and vigor.
When you are overweight, it takes more energy to work. Getting the extra weight off provides massive boosts in energy levels, improves moods and life quality.
Sometimes the reason you get tired while working is that you are doing it when your energy not at the peak. For some, its in the morning, and for some in the afternoon, and some at night. It will be best if you do the most taxing work at the time when you get that massive burst of energy and getting to know your body clock, to avoid getting exhausted easily.
And lastly, you will need to get the optimum amount of rest needed for you to perform without crashing. Timing your bedtime and your waking time to suit your body needs and maybe planning some nap times to refresh your mind and body, giving you the boost in energy you need to work.
]]>Do you get a burning sensation sometimes around your buttocks? A searing pain which travels down the back of your legs? If this is your case, well I am here to offer you good news. The answer is, Yoga!
You may think that staying sedentary is the best course of action. However, yoga instructors will tell you otherwise! Actually, moving your body slowly, gently and calmly may be one of the best ways to ease your pain. Before going ahead with the yoga poses I will show you, make sure you seek your doctor's advice first.
WHAT IS SCIATICA?
Sciatica is a term used to describe any irritation of the sciatic nerve. Basically, sciatica irritations can be traced to two different reasons. One is the Piriformis Syndrome (muscle related); the other is caused by the compression of the spine (bone related).
These are some yoga poses which can help you overcome sciatica:
Locust Pose
Cow Face Pose
Bridge over Block Pose
Baby Cobra Pose
Fire Hydrant Pose
Cupping is one of the most ancient and widely used treatment today. Throughout history it has been practiced by millions of people, from all over the planet. Nowadays, this procedure is mostly associated with traditional Chinese medicine, however it has been used in Egypt and Greece, both bastions of knowledge in their respective continents, for millennia. In more recent history, cupping has been one of the most famous alternative medicine procedures in Soviet Union, a state which famously discouraged unconventional approaches to any aspect of life. Despite this, cupping proved so useful and effective in battling flue, cold and respiratory complications, that even today, after the fall of USSR, this method has been passed down to next generations, now living in separate countries.
With the rise of alternative medicine in western world, cupping has not gone unnoticed. Today it is one of the most popular procedures available on market of alternative medicine and is being pursued by wide clientele, ranging from office workers to athletes and celebrities. Surely, something practiced by such outstanding individual as Michael Phelps, most decorated Olympian to ever grace swimming pools, the man that had best of medical advice available to anyone and was a peak of human physical performance, cannot be ignored.
So, what is so special about this particular treatment that made it stand through centuries of medical innovation and so enticing to millions of people? At its basis cupping has always been associated with purifying yourself, literally sucking ills and evils out of your body. The treatment itself is so simple and harmless that for most of the history people were comfortable enough to practice it on themselves, without supervision. During the procedure preheated jars (made out of variety of materials, but with strong preference to glass and bamboo) are placed on patient’s body. The suction effect is created when the jar and the air inside begin to cool off, which usually takes couple of minutes. This is most common type of this procedure and is usually referred to as “Dry Cupping”. Second type of this procedure is known as “Wet Cupping”, only difference being that a small cut is made on the body, which is then covered by heated jar. In this case, suction effect causes small amount of blood to rise to the surface and be removed. This is done to remove destructive toxins from your blood flow.
Apart from therapeutic effect provided by cupping, the relaxation received from the procedure must not be underestimated. In fact, it is one of the main reasons of its popularity. When performed by professional, cupping can be as relaxing as a massage session. As massage, cupping can be extremely useful in battle against many negative effect of sedentary lifestyle. Tense muscles, back pains and feeling of being tired all the time is something that everyone encounters at some point in their life. Our bodies are poorly designed for office work and resorting to the art of cupping will alleviate most of these ills, along with improving your blood flow, relieving stress and precipitating inner healing.
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Did you know Acupuncture and Yoga are the time tested treatments that date way back into history? Former originated in China some 5000 years ago and the latter originated in its neighboring country India, approximately 2500 years ago. Both these ancient practices serve the common purpose of improving the body and the mind. These two modalities complement each other and practicing them together has been proven to be highly impactful.
Yoga and acupuncture are more than just poses and needles. Yoga brings together mental, physical and spiritual disciplines. It increases productivity, decreases stress, improves mood and helps bring a state of mindfulness and self-compassion. On the other hand, acupuncture is a component of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). In this very thin needles are inserted into a person’s body with the aim of balancing energy. Acupuncture also plays part in the cure of some illnesses and helps boost well-being.
Yoga and Acupuncture have quite a few similarities between them. Both create and ensure smooth flow of free-flowing energy within the body. In TCM there are 14 meridians, the energetic pathways in the body. Stagnation of energy in meridians results in pain, fatigue, emotional stress etc. Along these pathways are hundreds of acupuncture points. Acupuncturist stimulates these points to ensure smooth flow of energy back to body’s core bringing it back into balance. Yoga helps stretch and widen the meridians increasing the flow of the energy.
When practiced together they are not only mutually beneficial but also enhances each other’s outcome. Based on Asian philosophies Yoga and Acupuncture focuses on releasing the stagnation of energy and its flow in a directed manner. Acupuncture uses needles to release blocked energy and promotes the ‘rest and digest’ state. Certain yoga poses help vasodilation and increases heart rate. Both of which encourages better circulation to alleviate pain. Houman Danesh, M.D., the director of integrative pain management at The Mount Sinai Hospital says, “Of course, you won't be pain-free overnight. It's best to treat these practices like you would PT. The effect is cumulative. You'd likely need bi-weekly sessions of acupuncture for six weeks before seeing changes, and between three and six weeks of yoga to start feeling the effects.”
George Zarnowski, founder of the Elevated Yoga Studio says, “When combined, acupuncture can complement yoga, further nurturing, deepening and balancing participants.” Apart from increased circulation to relieve pain few other collective benefits of Acupuncture and yoga are increased flexibility, they strengthen the mind-body connection and they help bring a person in the present moment.
“Acupuncture is a similar pursuit as yoga: to open you up to your spiritual life," Zarnowski says. Amalgamation of these two therapies maximizes the body’s ability to heal naturally. Take your yoga practice to next-level by incorporating acupuncture with it.
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Every day we face scenarios that throw us in the whirlpool of stress. Deadlines that weren’t met, disappointing people that count on you, a broken phone, a difficult week at work, or a family bad news. Stress is everywhere and it is unavoidable. To escape its harmful effects it is important to manage stress.
Stress depletes us of all our energy, it sends us into a semi-panic state. It also has a tolling effect on our health. Be it cardiovascular diseases, heart failure, skin conditions or hair loss, stress is associated with all. Yoga provides us with a way to cope. The opposite of stress is relaxation, Yoga helps to achieve just that.
It is a mind-body practice bringing together mental and physical disciplines to achieve the state of peacefulness of body and mind.
Yoga is not just twisting your body into shapes that make you look like a human pretzel. Studies show that yoga effectively targets stress by lifting your mood. It helps you to calm, relax and manage stress and anxiety. It also enhances your sense of well-being, self-compassion, and mindfulness. Beth Shaw, Founder/President of Yoga fit Training Systems said, "The benefits of yoga include decreased stress and tension, increased strength and balance, increased flexibility, lowered blood pressure and reduced cortisol levels,". Neck, shoulders, and back are the parts of the body that tend to carry the most stress. Yoga helps relax these tensed muscles in the body.
Our nervous system has two parts. Parasympathetic Nervous System that deals with our ‘rest and digest’ response and Sympathetic Nervous System that deals with our ‘fight or flight’ response. In stressful conditions the ‘flight and fight’ state ramps up. If we want to get de-stressed we need to harness ‘rest and digest’ state. Yoga helps to make this transition possible. Practicing certain breathing patterns in yoga aiming to make us control our breathing helps to slip into ‘rest and digest’ state giving relief to mind and body.
Along with stress reduction, yoga has many other benefits like better sleep, reduced cortisol levels, lower blood pressure and heart rate, reduced anxiety and muscle tension, increased strength and flexibility and slowed aging process. With these apparent physical benefits, there are many psychological and spiritual benefits too.
Yoga helps you de-stress by relaxing your body, by relaxing your mind through meditation, by helping you breath more effectively, by helping develop a connection between mind and body and finally by helping you release emotional energy. Researches have shown people feeling a little better just after a single class of yoga.
When you think about stress relievers, yoga might not be the first thing that crosses your mind but it is the best and one with innumerable benefits stress-relieving activity. All you need to do is make yoga a part of your routine.
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Yoga is one of the best exercises for strengthening your core muscles. While the poses seem deceptively slow and simple, they all engage the abdominal region and develop balance, strength and (through the years) washboard abs.
This is especially true for the more advanced yoga poses that require lifting the legs, such as the Sirsasana (Headstand), AdhoMukhaVrksasana (Handstand), and Sarvangasana (Shoulder stand) gives abs a serious workout. Even standing poses like the Trikonasana (Triangle Pose) and Virabhadrasana II (Warrior Pose II) will engage the obliques.
BENEFITS OF ENGAGING YOUR CORE MUSCLES
Aside from having a bikini-worthy belly, strengthening your core muscles will improve your posture, relieve back pain, and improve digestion. On a spiritual level, the core muscles correspond to the third chakra and your creative energy.
It’s important to pay attention to your posture and engage all muscles when you do your yoga poses. Just “going through the motions” won’t condition your core area.
For example, when you do Roll downs or Star Gazing poses, be sure to tuck in your tailbone and abdomen. When you raise your shoulders and stretch the spine, also engage your rectus abdominus.
Just like people who lift weights will move up to heavier dumb bells, try to increase the difficulty of your yoga poses. After perfecting the plank, make it harder by elevating your feet on a stability ball. There are many yoga moves that you can do with the ball, which will force you to engage your muscles to maintain your balance.
Adding a “twist” to your yoga workout – and we mean literally twisting your torso – strengthens your obliques and let you stretch your back muscles. This is great for losing the love handles and relieving backaches.
Start your yoga session (or any exercise routine!) with core conditioning. Even just five minutes of simple abdominal exercises will bring up your body heat and get you ready for your workout.
While there are a lot of core exercises to pick from, a good guideline is to start with those that engage your inner thighs and pelvic floor and then move up. Even saying “Ha!” as you exhale with enough force to fog up a mirror if you were standing in front of one will engage your transversus abdominis.
To take your ab conditioning to the next level, squeeze a ball or yoga block between your thighs. This engages both the leg and the abdominal muscles even more as you go through different moves.
These are just some ways yoga works your core. Try different kinds of yoga routines so your muscles are engaged in different ways (and you also don’t get bored!), don’t give up and always challenge yourself, and you’ll soon see a difference in the way you look and how you feel.
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Regular exercise improves your health and your mood – everyone knows that. But for some people, even moving around can be challenging. People with disabilities, seniors, post surgery, or disease need to take it easy. The answer: chair yoga.
WHAT IS CHAIR YOGA?
Chair yoga is a very simple and gentle yoga practice where you perform the movements while using a chair. This gives additional support and balance, so you can complete the session and pay more attention to learning the right posture and practicing correct breathing.
Chair yoga can also help people who have a hard time getting on and off the floor, such as those with arthritis or joint pain. “I didn’t think I could ever do yoga because I had trouble bending my knees,” says 70 year old Anna. Through chair yoga, she was able to follow the exercises. “Now my knees are stronger and my balance is better. I rely on the chair less and less, but I am glad I used it or I would have given up on yoga before I could really feel its benefits.”
Chair yoga is also useful for sneaking in a couple of minutes of exercise while you’re at the office. You can’t lie down on the floor during your lunchbreak without attracting attention, but you can do a few chair yoga poses to calm your mind in the middle of a hectic day. “I like to do chair yoga when I’m feeling stressed and irritable,” says Beth, an advertising executive. “I can do it in my cubicle or in a conference room, and it helps steady my breathing and recenter myself.”
CAN CHAIR YOGA BE APPLIED TO ANY POSE?
Yes! Practically every yoga pose can be tweaked to include the support of a chair. For example, wen you do a mountain pose – which involves standing with your feet flat on the floor and your knees bent at 90 degrees and arms raised – you can keep the chair next to you for extra balance. Other poses such as the Forward Fold can be done while you’re sitting down or holding the back of the chair.
Sit down in the chair. From there, you can do a simple Cow Stretch (hands on your knees, then hunching your back and then extending your spine). Or you can raise your hands while you inhale, and then bring your arms down in a modified UrdhvaHastasana. Other simple exercises are the Chair Forward Bend (just lean down and touch your toes) and Chair Extended Side Angle (touching the floor with one hand, then twisting your torso while the other hand reaches up to the sky).
These Chair Yoga poses – and many more like them – can stretch your spine, engage your core, and loosen your back muscles. Just pay attention to your breathing and posture, and try to hold your poses instead of rushing through them.
Chair yoga won’t make you burn fat or lose weight, but it still gives you a number of benefits. You will boost blood circulation, improve balance, engage different muscle groups, and improve your mood and focus.
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Have you ever felt like you need to destress and need to get rid of the depression or some of your anxiety you may have from everyday life? Well, maybe yoga is the right avenue for you. Yoga is a modern day exercise that many people have taken up. Yoga usually focuses on breath control and meditation. Yoga is usually practiced for health and relaxation. According to the Havard mental health news letter (https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/yoga-for-anxiety-and-depression), a wide range of yoga practices may help reduce the the impact of exaggerated stress responses. This can be helpful in relieving anxiety and depression. You may be asking yourself just how exactly is exercising or practicing yoga going to help me with my anxiety or depression? Well, Yoga can function as a self soothing technique. Self soothing techniques help a person to stay calm and regulate a person's body.
Some other examples of self soothing techniques are meditation and exercise. By reducing what a person may consider stress. Yoga can modify and control the whole stress system on a person. For example, Yoga may lower a person's heart rate and blood pressure. Which makes yoga a natural stress relief. You can relieve your stress without putting anything into your body . For example , vitamins, herbal supplements and teas that may have toxic chemicals i n them. According to the Harvard mental health
newsletter(https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/yoga-for-anxiety-and-depression), There was a study done at the University of Utah that provided some insight on the effects of yoga on the stress response of people. By looking at the participants' responses to pain researchers discovered many of things. For example, it was discovered by the researchers that people who have a poorly regulated response to stress are also more sensitive to pain. According to the study their subjects of study were 12 experienced yoga practitioners, 14 people with fibromyal, and 16 healthy volunteers. When the people with fibromyal were given painful thumbnail pressure, they perceived pain at lower pressure levels compared with the other subjects. MRIs of the different subjects that were being studied also showed they also had the greatest activity in areas of the brain associated with the pain response.
However, the yoga practitioners had the highest pain tolerance and lowest pain-related brain activity during the MRI. over all the study proved that yoga can help a person regulate their stress and pain responses. Yoga practices can be hard on the body for people who have stiff joints or limited mobility. But it is proven according to this study that yoga can help a person out with stress and anxiety. Before you decide to start a yoga practice you may want to consult with a doctor to make sure yoga is the right choice for you and the benefits will help you with you stress and anxiety.
]]>Iyengar yoga is form of Hatha yoga developed in the 1970s by B.K.S Iyengar. The poses and breathing exercises have been carefully developed over a decade using the principles obtained from the teachings of the Yoga Sutras of an Indian philosopher called Patanjali, who lived 1700 years ago. His teachings state that the ultimate aim of yoga is to reach a stage of freedom of the mind, body and soul, which culminates in a peaceful existence exempt from mundane ties to this world B.K.S Iyengar systematically classified and amplified over 200 classical yoga poses from beginner to extremely challenging. Although he passed away at the age of 95, his son Prashant and daughter Geeta carry on the family tradition as accomplished Iyengar Yoga Instructors.
Iyengar Yoga is based mainly on three important principles.
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• Technique
• The body movement and alignments must be accurately performed along with pranayama or breath control
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Sequence:
This refers to the order in which the Asanas are performed. This in correlation with the related breath control ensures maximum effectiveness.
This deals with two issues, the amount of time spent on each alignment during a specific pose as well as the amount of time spentpracticing said pose.
These key points help to get the body and mind to move and work in perfect harmony creating a heightened sense of clarity and calmness.
What can You expect During an Iyengar Yoga Class?
An Iyengar Yoga class generally consists of breathing exercises, and the practice and subsequent perfection of simple asanas before attempting any complicated postures. Unlike other forms of yoga Iyengar Yoga implements the use of props to facilitate accurate alignment of the body.Typical postures practiced during a class include: back bends, upright poses, forward lunges, inverted postures, and restorative poses. Students gradually increase the difficulty of the poses as they become more physically able and spiritually enlightened. The asanas performed are safe and have a minimal impact on joints making it perfect for young and old alike
Many students swear that despite the gruelling workout, they leave their classes feeling energised and uplifted on every level imaginable.
Who Can Teach Iyengar Yoga?
Classes can only be taught by Iyengar certified Yoga instructors, a title which can only be acquired through years of intense and rigorous training as well as many years of experience. They must also pass an internationally recognized global assessment. So great is their ability that they are able to identify minute errors in body alignment and make adjustments based on each individual students’ progress.
Iyengar yoga is beneficial for the following main reasons:
It improves the general well being of an individual on every level, i.e. physical, emotional and spiritual.
It greatly improves the functioning of the mind.
There is a pronounced decrease in ailments especially those that are either stress or hormone related.
The poses help to correct any postural deformities.
A significant improvement has been noticed amongst people who suffer from mental ailments such as depression and anxiety.
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Yoga is a mind-body exercise that originated in India. The benefits of yoga are well-known, ranging from physical to mental health improvement. The exercise is becoming more popular among persons looking to improve their fitness levels.
There are several forms of the yoga exercise. This includes gentler forms that virtually anyone can practice, to more intense poses reserved for more experienced persons.
With arthritis patients suffering from joint pain and stiffness, and yoga being touted as the cure to somany joint related woes; is it really possible for arthritis patients to benefit from this activity?
The answer is a resounding yes.
Below are 3 ways yoga helps arthritis patients:
Practicing yoga can help increase muscle strength if done properly and consistently. Many people who suffer from arthritis complain about muscle weakness. This is especially true among the elderly who experienced a gradual loss of muscle strength with age. This weakness occurs as a result of less usage of the muscles. It has been proven time and again that not using muscles will result in muscle loss or reduction.Practicing yoga helps to release built up tension in the muscles, thus helping to maintain muscle strength and promote growth.
One of the most common symptoms experienced by arthritis patients is joint pain. The stiffness and inflammation in the joints make it very painful and uncomfortable when the slightest pressure is applied. Yoga is well- known for its ability to reduce inflammation and stiffness within the joints. Patients are advised to choose gentler stretches to ease joint inflammation, as more intense stretches might have the opposite effect and aggravate the already inflamed joint. In order for this to be effective, the exercises need to be practiced consistently.
Contrary to popular belief, not all yoga exercises are for the purpose of relaxing joints and muscles. There are a variety of poses for all activity levels, including cardiovascular exercises. Persons suffering from arthritis often experience decreased muscle strength as well as reduced physical energy and endurance. Because of this, physical activity is especially important for these persons. Arthritis patients have a variety of yoga exercises to choose from to increase their activity level, and thus their endurance level. However, it is recommended that these persons consult their physicians before partaking in any intense forms of exercises.
While arthritis can be a very physically limiting exercise, all hope is not lost for patients. The most common symptoms experienced by arthritis sufferers include reduced muscle strength, joint pain and inflammation, and lower endurance levels. There are various forms of yoga exercises that address each of those issues. Beginners are encouraged to start with gentler forms of yoga exercises and then ease into the more intense forms, especially for the purposes of building endurance. Despite the many benefits of practicing yoga, arthritis patients are still expected to contact a health professional before beginning any form of physical exercise.
]]>Yin yoga is a style of yoga that isn’t as well-known as other varieties, and subsequently less popular and less frequently practiced (especially in the West). Also sometimes called “Daoist yoga”, this type of yoga (or at least the concept of it) has been around for thousand of years despite its lack of widespread use. It is similar to other types of yoga in that stretching and deep breathing are core actions, but it differ in that involves targeting the body’s deep connective tissues rather than the superficial tissues; it is also said to help focus the body’s natural energy.
Generally, yin yoga poses are considered to be more passive than the more dynamic poses seen in the more well-known types of yoga. All in all, there are only about three dozen or so main poses associated with yin yoga, and many of them involve relaxing into the pose in order for the stretch to reach more deeply into your muscles.
Another major part of yin yoga is holding these poses for extended periods of time; most people will hold a pose for several minutes, while others have been known to hold certain poses for over twenty minutes. According to many people who study and practice yin yoga, the time spent holding these poses is not dissimilar to mediation; while relaxing into the pose, both your body and mind can rest and find balance.
Many yin yoga poses emphasize areas of your body that encompass a joint or form some important connective purpose in your body; your hips and spine in particular are common focus points for yin yoga position, many people report having better flexibility and more mobile joints after even just a single yin yoga sessions.
And while the slower pace of yin yoga encourages a more meditative mindset and for you to connect with your inner self and find balance, there are many physical benefits in addition to finding inner peace and increased mindfulness.
Yin yoga is particularly good for increasing and maintaining your flexibility and mobility, especially as you age and your joints become stiffer and less mobile. It’s also good for increasing your overall physical stamina, as well as lowering your heart rate and blood pressure. Yin yoga is also great for reducing stress and easing the tension that your carry in your body from all the worries you accumulate during the day. There are also some cases where the practice of yin yoga has seemed to help people suffering from migraines.
The practice of yin yoga can also help with your meditation skills, thanks to the way holding poses for extended periods of time encourages you to center yourself and find your inner balance.
In general, yin yoga is recommended for practice by those wishing for a deeper experience, both physically and mentally, and many current practitioners suggest practicing both yin yoga and yang yoga (which covers many of the more well-known and dynamic types of yoga, which tend to be more fast-paced and focus on different areas of the body) in order to get as full and meaningful yoga experience as possible.
]]>In the strictest sense of the word, scoliosis is defined as an abnormal curvature of the spine. However, for persons who actually suffer from the condition, there is much more to it than just a curved spine. Scoliosis patients experience a variety of symptoms, including headaches, shortness of breath and back pain; chronic fatigue, digestive issues and mood swings. The list of symptoms goes on and on…
Some patients opt for corrective surgery to fix the issue, though, in some cases, the condition is not severe enough to warrant surgery. Others opt to wear corrective equipment recommended by doctors to reduce the pain caused by the condition.
One alternative method of easing the pain and discomfort of this condition is yoga. This form of exercise is widely used for muscle pains and relaxation. Since scoliosis causes the body to take an asymmetrical shape, this results in some muscles being overworked and others being underutilized.
So how does yoga help?
Yoga is known for its ability to strengthen muscles that are not being used regularly. Conversely, it is also well known for its ability to stretch overworked muscles, thus reducing existing tension. With these functions, yoga has the ability to restore some semblance of balance in the patient’s body alignment.
In addition to that, there are some special yoga poses geared towards scoliosis patients. These exercises aim to stretch the spine, which results in less pressure on the vertebrae and surrounding bones and tissues.
What are some of the benefits?
Yoga provides a few noteworthy benefits for scoliosis patients. These include:
Special yoga poses for scoliosis focus on elongating the spine. This helps to bring the spine back to the center of the body, and is a major step to reducing pain.
The imbalances that occur from scoliosis cause some muscles to be over- utilized and others to be under- utilized. Yoga poses for scoliosis focus on strengthening those muscles that are not being properly used; they also focus on stretching and relieving tension in those muscles being overused.
Scoliosis causes some abnormal rotation in the body. In many yoga poses, it is possible to reverse this condition, especially when doing twist exercises. This results in improved alignment and overall balance.
Scoliosis patients generally suffer from shortness of breath. The unusual position of the body tends to make breathing deeply more difficult and sometimes painful. Yoga exercises focus on deepening breathing. This results in relaxation. With consistent practice, patients will become more aware of their breathing and will learn to breathe through the usual discomfort to gain the benefits.
Overall, the benefits of yoga are widely recognized. Anyone can benefit from adding yoga in their daily routines. Persons living with scoliosis can gain a number of benefits from practicing yoga. From strengthening the spine to improving breathing techniques, special yoga poses for scoliosis have the ability to change a patient’s life.
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These days we’re all living fast-paced lives that sometimes seem full to bursting with stress, and it can be hard to find a good way to help ease that tension and find inner balance. Restorative yoga is becoming increasingly popular for the way it can help you find peace, relaxation, and balance amidst the chaos of everyday life. And while not as dynamic and complex as other varieties of yoga, restorative yoga nevertheless offers a great many potential health an wellness benefits.
What sets restorative yoga apart from other styles of yoga is its overall simplicity. Unlike other yoga styles that rely on performing a multitude of different poses in order to bring about relaxation and stress relief while also increasing flexibility and muscle strength, restorative yoga instead involves just a few simple poses that are held for a time, with no strenuous muscular contractions at all; occasionally props are used in order to help you to better relax and rest while holding these poses. Restorative yoga can be particularly helpful to anyone who is chronically ill or recovering from an injury or illness due to how simple and relaxing it is (with minimal strain on your body).
Some of the more common poses for restorative yoga include seated forward folds, light twists, gentle back-bends, and other various low-impact stretches. These poses are chosen for their simplicity, how they can stretch your muscles without straining them, and how they can be held for a few minutes of a time to encourage relaxation and relieve tension in your muscles and joints. The practice of restorative yoga also features deep breathing techniques, which can help to lower both your blood pressure and heart rate while also encouraging a more relaxed and peaceful state of mind.
Some potential benefits from restorative yoga include (but are not limited to) enhanced flexibility, increased relaxation throughout your body, and boosts to the immune system and nervous system. You will also find it easier to achieve peace of mind and inner balance, and possibly even experience elevated and enhanced moods.
The nervous system in particular benefits from restorative yoga, thanks to the deep breathing and slower paced exercise (especially the long stretches and bends) triggering your parasympathetic nervous system, which can help to relax your body and relieve the effects of stress on your body (particularly the stress associated with your flight-or-fight response, which can be harmful to your body in the long-term if it activates too frequently due to a stressful work or home environment).
Restorative yoga is also good for increasing mindfulness, thanks to the slow tempo of exercise and way the smooth and easy exercises encourage you to relax both your body and mind, as well as seek out your inner balance. The meditative state that many people an achieve during restorative yoga sessions can also help with introspection and self-awareness, and potentially even help with a heightened awareness of your physical body and its connection not just to your own mind and spirit but the rest of the world as well.
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Yoga is, by definition, a form of exercise consisting of a series of different postures and poses that are intended to increase flexibility, muscle strength, and mobility as well as enhance your overall physical, mental, and spiritual wellness. These poses range in difficulty and complexity; some of them can be quite intense, while others are more relaxed. And while some people might not feel like yoga is the right type of exercise for them, we feel that everyone should consider trying it, since the potential health benefits are well worth the effort expended.
Yoga has been shown to reduce your overall stress levels, and in doing so can reduce your heart rate and blood pressure. Part of this comes from the smooth and methodical motions inherent to practicing yoga, but other factors include the deep breathing exercises that are also crucial to the process as well as the almost meditative feeling that accompanies certain poses (particularly when they are held for extended periods of time). This can also help to calm your mind and relieve stress and anxiety, making yoga a beneficial form of exercise for mental health as well as physical well-being.
Yoga is also good for exercising and strengthening all the muscles in your body, which makes it preferable to some other types of exercise that focus only on specific muscle groups) which can result in those muscle groups being over-trained and your body developing a muscle imbalance). Routine yoga practice can also help to loosen tight of tense muscles that are overworked, which can help increase your overall mobility and comfort when in motion.
Yoga has also been proven in increase balance and stability, thanks to the way that most yoga poses require the use of your core muscles as well as stabilizing muscles. Additionally, performing (and holding) certain yoga poses requires not just good balance and muscle strength, but also focus and concentration. Therefore, yoga can also help increase your ability to maintain your balance but also your overall awareness of yourself and your physical form.
Yoga has also been shown to help increase circulatory health by encouraging the flow of blood throughout all portions of your body; this healthy flow of blood is crucial to making sure your muscles and organs get the oxygen and nutrients that they need to function properly, so any increase in circulatory health is always beneficial.
Yoga can also, as mentioned, help increase your flexibility and mobility. But the benefits of this increased physical capability go farther than one might think: the more limber and athletic you are, the less likely you are to injure yourself during physical activity. Therefore, the routine practice of yoga can actually reduce your risks for injuries such as pulled and torn muscles as well as sprains and strains.
Overall, yoga has the potential to be incredibly beneficial for anyone who tries it, both physically and mentally. That being said, one session might not be enough to decide whether or not yoga is right for you; you might need to visit a yoga studio a few times to get a feel for it. Also, there are many different schools of yoga, and each one utilizes its own unique styles and poses; it might take you a few tries to find the right type of yoga for you, but we encourage you to not give up when searching for the right type of yoga for you.
]]>I am sure you have heard of Reiki many times during your search for well-being and longevity. It is a practice that has been around for many years, but no one fully knows or understands what it is.
Reiki is a spiritual healing art that is based on ancient Japanese healing beliefs. Although the practice is spiritual, it has no religious foundations or beliefs attached to it. Neither is Reiki a therapeutic massage as we know it. Rather, Reiki involves a series of movements from the practitioner that effectively guides and stimulates the life energy in your body.
Reiki is based on the understanding that every person has a healing energy of their own. This energy can be strengthened and stimulated to initiate self-healing and balance of mind and body. This energy should be free-flowing to allow for healing and balance to take place. Reiki effectively releases any blockages of this energy in the body.
After a Reiki session, some people report feeling more relaxed and less anxious. This is due to Reiki’s ability to create the ideal environment for self-healing of the body, mind, and emotions.
What is a typical session?
Before an actual session takes place, the Reiki Practioner will schedule a consultation with the client. At the consultation, the client will give details about any problems or issues they wish to address and also discuss what outcomes they want to attain from the session. The actual session will take approximately 60 to 90 minutes in duration with the client in a comfortable position. Clients can be seated, but preferably resting on a massage table on their backs. During the session, clients will be fully clothed with their shoes removed. It is advisable to wear loose, cool and comfortable clothing for the session.
Unlike a therapeutic massage, the Reiki practitioner will not always touch you. A session can be performed with hands-on or hands-off treatment. Hands-on treatment involves very light touches from the Practitioner, and hands-off treatment entails the Practitioner holding their hands over the body. You will need to state your preference to the Practitioner before the session starts.
The session can start at the client’s head or feet with the Practitioner using standard Reiki hand position to initiate the flow of the energy. The client may feel a tingling or warm sensation during the session, although many reports to feeling nothing at all. Overall, the client should never feel uneasy and should always feel relaxed and invigorated.
What does it treat?
Many people use a Reiki treatment to reduce stress and anxiety. It is a great practice for overall wellness and balance. Reiki will not cure any diseases or illness, however, it does allow the body to create the ideal environment in the body for healing. Many clients suffering from major illnesses or who are recovering, use Reiki in combination with their traditional medicines to strengthen the healing process.
Many people that have experienced a Reiki session often go on to becoming Practitioners themselves. Anyone can learn the techniques to move the energy on a Reiki course. This has a great advantage as they are then able to initiate the energy flow themselves anytime they need it.
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People that practice yoga may be familiar with yoga nidra. Those new to the practice have probably never heard of it before. Yoga nidra has been practiced by yogis and rishis in India since ancient times.
Yoga nidra started to become popular in the west in the 20th century. It is described by Satyananda Saraswati as the practice of relaxation, where the state of mind between wakefulness and sleep opens phases in the mind.
Yoga nidra is a practice of meditation and relaxation. It involves the student finding a state of consciousness between a sleep state and an awake state. It should feel as if you are in a dream-like state. The student following the practice of yoga nidra by shutting down the other senses and only uses the sense of listening. The state of dream-like consciousness is achieved by following a set of instructions. While in meditation the concentration and focus on a single thing are used to attain the meditative state.
What are the benefits?
Practitioners of yoga nidra report feeling more relaxed, restful and overall well-being. Due to the deep relaxation of the dream-like state achieved during the practice, students also report that the practice eases insomnia, reduces stress, relieves anxiety and eases chronic pain. Also, students report a heightened awareness and clarity, as well as a new determination to change bad habits and behavior patterns.
How is yoga nidra different from meditation?
When looking at the benefits mentioned above, you may think “What the difference?”. Here is a list of a few differences between yoga nidra and meditation.
Meditation is characterized as follows:
Yoga Nidra is characterized as follows:
How does yoga nidra work?
The practice of yoga nidra takes the student through several stages to relax physically, mentally, and emotionally. The stages are as follows:
Each step takes the student in a deeper altered state of consciousness.
Practicing yoga nidra will allow you to quickly see changes in your life and allows you to ease into changing bad habits. For more focus, relaxation and less anxiety, give yoga nidra a try.
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The greeting
If you are not a native of India, you will not know how to speak Hindi. However, we have all heard the word ‘Namaste’ somewhere. Many people that practice yoga would have heard or even said it sometime during their practice. But does anyone, who is not a native of India, truly know what it means?
As mentioned previously, Namaste has its roots in Hindi. ‘Nama’ means bow, ‘as’ mean I and ‘te’ means you. Therefore, a direct translation is ‘bow I you’ or ‘I bow to you’. It is a respectful greeting used mainly in India and Nepal. It can be used for hello and goodbye.
The gesture
The greeting is used in combination with a gesture. The gesture signifies the acknowledgment of one soul by another soul. It is believed that each person possesses a divine spark that is situated in the heart chakra. The Namaste gesture involves the placing of your hand together as if in prayer and putting them in front of your chest at the heart chakra. Your eyes should be closed and head bowed. You can also place your hands in front of the third eye, which is in the center of your forehead and bring then down toward the heart chakra as you bow your head.
Hands are placed together to signify the flow of the divine spark and love we all have. You surrender tothe divine in the heart by bowing your head. And closing the eyes also signifies this surrender, but further acknowledges the other soul. Closing your eyes takes away the distraction of the physical being and allows you to focus on the soul. Practitioners of mediation will recognize this gesture as well, this gesture is used in meditation to help go inside the heart chakra. When this greeting and gesture is shared between two people, it is the same as a quick meditation.
The significance in yoga
People that regularly practice yoga will be familiar with the greeting and gesture. The greeting is usually done at the start of a class and again once it has ended. If not at the beginning, then certainly at the end, as it is at the end of the class that you are more relaxed and the mind not as active. Also, the room is more peaceful. These elements allow you to be more open the divine spark.
]]>As the 21st century progresses more and more individuals are becoming aware that simply losing weight is not enough to obtain a wholesome body and mind. For this reason,society has turned towards yoga for a complete and holistic solution to one’s health
One of the famous positions is called the Sun Salutation which is a male centred pose aimed at warming up the body. Its lesser known counterpart is called the Moon Salutation or Chandra Namaskar The primary objective of performing the moon salutation is to cool down and quieten the body. This is achieved via a series of sequential movements or ‘poses’, resulting in optimal mindfulness of both the body and soul. These poses redirect energy without any significant change in body heat, thus creating a pleasant cooling effect. Yoga differs greatly from typical exercise, in that it incorporates centred breathing and balance (both literally and figuratively). The Sun salutation honours the Yang or masculine aspect of our lives. The moon salutation is all about the journey through the mind.It involves deep introspection and honours the Yin aspect of our existence, which has a more female touch.
The main destination of the Moon Salutation is enlightenment of the mind, but an attractive lesser benefit is its ability to dramatically aid weight loss and tone flabby skin, especially in problematic areas such as the abdomen, thighs and arms. The use of steady breathing helps to combat chronic stress, and reduce high blood pressure.
Moon Salutations have the maximum effect when performed during the phase of a full moon, the most powerful lunar phase.
Urdhva Hasatana: While inhaling stretch out your hands and keep them pointing upwards.
Standing Crescent Pose: This movement should be performed while exhailing. Tilt your body towards your right, stretch as much as possible while contracting in tummy.
Goddess Pose: Keeping your feet apart with toes pointing outwards, squat with an upright posture. Bend your arms at a90degree angle.
Trikonasana: While inhaling, face both feet to the right withoutstretched arms. Lower the right hand towards your ankle and extend your left arm. Inhale and rotate the chest to the sky.
Parsvottonasana: Exhale, and extend both hands and feet as far apart as possible. Extend your left arm over the right side of your body while gracefully facing upwards.
Skandasana:Inhale and bring your right hand over your shoulders and onto to the floor.
Parsvottonasana:Exhale, take a small step, inwards with your right foot, left leg straightens, straighten your hips and fold your body over your left leg
Trikonasana: Inhale, readjust your feet and keep your arm extended. Turn your entire body to face upwards while exhaling.
Urdhva Hasatana : Inhale, bring your feet back in, lift your arms up keeping them stretched as far apart as possible
Lastly repeat the above procedures but with opposite directions.
It might seem daunting at first, so try to first observe an expert performing these poses before you try it for yourself.
]]>Ever thought of how yoga is helpful or benefits kids? Well, yoga is a Hindu spiritual discipline, which includes simple medication, breath control, and the exercise of specific bodily postures and it's widely practiced mainly for health and relation. It has a tremendous impact on the kid's health and bodies as such it's advisable to involve your child in the practicing of Yoga. The following are some of the benefits of yoga that your child is missing.
Kids benefit from yoga physically in numerous ways. Firstly, when involved in yoga, they experience enhanced flexibility, strength, coordination, fitness, and body awareness. Normally, kids are involved in stressful activities during the day which are often neglected. For example, pressure from parents, school works, games and many others. Through, yoga they learn to master calmness and relaxation of the body effectively avoiding stress-related problems.
Yoga assists kids to create or develop an intimate relationship with their environment and surroundings. This is because as they can exercise they get to connect more deeply with their inner self. Additionally, it allows the kids to also interact with each other as they exercise and providing them an opportunity to make friends with other kids.
Yoga is also known to significantly improve the confidence of kids suffering from low self-esteem by enhancing their expressiveness. Daily interaction with their peers in Yoga classes provides them a chance to share and connect with each other. It, in turn, lays a foundation for lifelong friendships that will continue to strengthen as they grow. Moreover, they get to share their experiences besides having a good time with their peers. Therefore, it is safe to say, that Yoga's intricate benefits include sharpened minds that enable them to cope with life challenges and how to react to different situations in life.
Yoga also helps the kids to make a connection between the microcosm of their environment and the microcosm of their bodies. During a typical Yoga session, they will be asked to stretch, balance, breathe or stand tall and strong. This way it helps them relate to other living things further improving their growth into wholesome adults.
Yoga enhances a child's self-awareness as they are able to discover what they can or cannot do. They learn to discern between what he/she can do and what their limitations. It's become common for many kids, through yoga, to discover their talents which they may otherwise have never known. Such discoveries only serve to improve the quality of life they lead.
In conclusion, Yoga, as illustrated here is tremendously beneficial to kids and should be encouraged to aid in their growth and development. It is, therefore, arguably important to teach kids how to do yoga since the impact on their lives is undoubtedly very critical. Yoga will help mold them into wholesome adults who've matured not only physically, but also emotionally and spiritually.
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Research suggests that prenatal yoga can have many desirable effects on a pregnant woman. Many mums-to-be seek a new way to incorporate exercise and healthy practices into their pregnancy and prenatal yoga is a great way to do just that. Although we are told it is good for us, it can be interesting to know just what benefits you can look forward to when taking prenatal yoga classes, so let’s take a closer look.
Yoga teaches you to control your breathing technique and eliminate external distractions to draw your focus internally. Learning to control your breathing can help you to calm your nerves and reduces stress to make your pregnancy experience a more positive one. Yoga can also help you get prepared for labour by developing deep breathing strategies. Yoga instructors can talk you through the best breathing techniques in labour and help you include your breathing strategy in your birthing plan.
Yoga is proven to relief common prenatal conditions; it noticeably decreases headaches and nausea as well as having positive effects on carpal tunnel syndrome. By exercising regularly you are contributing to your body’s health and well-being as well as that of your unborn child. Yoga also helps to increase blood circulation which in turn, reduces swelling, a common side effect of pregnancy. Yoga can work wonders on your baby body confidence and help you feel the best you throughout your pregnancy. On top of its relieving effects, it can also prevent problems during pregnancy and birth. Yoga is proven to reduce preterm labour's risk and the risk of intrauterine growth restriction; a condition which impacts the growth of the child.
During pregnancy as the mothers bump grows, more strain is put on their lower back and hips. Their upper back, neck and shoulders are also tense as their breasts grow and become heavier. Yoga can help to relieve the tension and pain caused by these growth changes. The exercises also help to develop strength and stamina to help your body better carry the weight and relieve the strain on your body.
Pregnancy can be a positive experience, but some mothers report feeling lonely and ostracised due to their condition. They feel they cannot socialise in the way they used to. Joining a prenatal yoga class can introduce you to a whole new group of likeminded mama’s-to-be who can help you through your pregnancy. You can develop a support network of friends in a similar situation to yourself who can share tips and give advice about all aspects of pregnancy, birth and parenthood.
Yoga calls on you to focus on your body and feel part of the changes taking place. The time spent in quietude channelling your energy inwards is time focused on your child; building a nurturing relationship even before birth. You will naturally feel more relaxed and will get better sleep resulting in a happier you and a happy mum means a happy baby. Yoga promotes a healthy developing environment for your child.
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The process of chanting is nothing new. Those of us who grew up attending a church of some denomination (whether it be a Christian mass, a Jewish Shabbat, et cetera) are quite familiar with the back-and-forth repetition or reciting of hymnals. A large group of people in particular use these chanting methods to reach a form of transcendentalism, commonly referred to as "Om", "Ohm", or "Ahm" (which is typically how it is pronounced).
This type of rhythmic chanting, commonly seen state-side in Yoga classes and meditation parlors, is actually a practice that has been around since the early beginnings of Ancient Hindu religions. Om, generally speaking, is aspect of meditation where individuals chant a specific sound (oohhhmmmmmm), which helps to calm the mind by continuing to focus on a specific word or phrase. If you're familiar with Seinfeld at all, George's dad says "Goosfaba" in order to calm himself down. Invariably, it doesn't work. However, with proper practice, it can lead to a point of quiet being, less daily stress, and a potentially better outlook on day-to-day activities.
To better understand chanting and Om in general, taking a look at its roots is important. The practice of chanting for meditational purposes begins with ancient Hindu religion. The Hindu religion sees Om as a sacred sound and a spiritual icon. It is a way to reach what is known as transcendentalism", or a place of higher being. A mental state where, even the most aggressive of contrivances have no bearing or meaning on the physical world. Most refer to this state as "nirvana". Chanting helps one to achieve this state of being.
The practice of chanting is also commonly found in Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism (an ancient Indian religion), and Sikhism (another, even older, Indian religion). Aside from ancient religions, chanting is commonly found in most modern yoga studios. In religions and yoga studios, the practice of chanting has a focus on the number three. When chanting, Om is separated into three syllables, with each syllable representing a different symbol: A - the past, H - the present, and M - the future. Chanting these will allow one to calm one's mind and focus on those three syllables and their respective meanings.
These chants also hold other meaning and value in other yoga circles. For some, the AHM focuses on the 3 divine powers: starting from creation to preservation and lastly the transformation. Even still, others who practice AHM chant in honor of the three essences of the spirit: omniscience, immortality and joy.
In the Hindu religion, Om is the representation Hindu Trimurti (the trinity of the most supreme divinity), and the union of the 3 gods, M for Shiva U for Vishnu and A for Brahma.
The origin of chanting Om is first mentioned in Upanishads (collection of ancient Sanskrit texts that contain some of the central concepts/ideals of Hinduism) and associated with the idea of "cosmic sound". It is also found in Aitareya Brajmana (collection of sacred Indian hymns) - three versions of the sound represent the three stages of cosmic creation and celebrated creation of universe. And, in early Upanishad and Vedic text, it refers to Om as a "tool for meditation"
In general, the idea behind practicing Om is for centering a person. It also helps to make stress go away, return the individual to a "perfect" or "pure" state through chanting, a.k.a. a mantra. Through practice and meditation, it is believed that a better, more carefree, and potentially healthier life.
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There are different paths of yoga which each focus on various aspects of self-exploration and understanding.
Hatha Yoga
This path focuses on the physical postures of the body and our awareness of our internal state. The physical motions aim to cleanse our body and prepare us for meditation whilst making us aware and in control of our own emotions
Karma Yoga
Dubbed a ‘yoga of action’, this path focuses on putting positivity out into the world through selfless acts towards others and doing God’s work on earth. The ideology of Karma suggests that the positivity you put out will come back around to you.
Mantra Yoga
This path uses the repetition of root word to establish a centre consciousness and align our bodies.
Bhakti Yoga
This path focuses on all-surrendering devotion towards God through acts of unceasing worship. The ancient Hindu tradition is a path to salvation.
Jnana Yoga
This path is known as the ‘path of wisdom’ and is centred around the idea that intelligence achieves spiritual liberation and awareness.
Raja Yoga
The highest path of yoga strives to create a union with spirit. The path practices scientific methods of meditation to achieve an awareness of inner self and a union with the Cosmic Spirit.
The Eightfold Path
Devised by the ancient sage, Patanjali. This path provides eight steps to reaching god-realisation and absolute spirituality. The eight steps are;
The westernised concept of yoga eradicates the ancient principles of the practice. Yoga is essentially a religious and spiritual practice which aims for the yogi to reach a state of absolution both through body and soul to become one with their God or a higher power.
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Basically put Yantra are types of ancient Hindu design which are known for helping people to be able to concentrate better and achieve the goals they have set but are struggling with. The special diagram has been created to help people to focus and meditate. The actual term was taken from a Sanskrit root work known as ‘yam’. This root work is known to support object essence and the ‘tra’ part of the word is derived from ‘trana’. Together as Yantra the word symbolises birth, rebirth and liberation. Think of a Mandala Buddhist, which is a type of visual aid for meditation. Yantra is the same equivalent but Yogic.
Yantra differs from Mantra due the fact it serves as a specific form that can be touched and seen. With Mantra it’s an image you create in your mind. The Yantra is made by amalgamating different patterns and forms that are able to enhance the minds focus. To create Yantra you have to be accurate so that it is able to activate the visual part of your brain.
Different shapes and designs have different energy patterns that can be used to aid meditation. As well as shapes there are also concentric figures including the lotus and points. These figures signify macrocosmic evolution when they come away from the centre where as towards the centre they symbolise microcosmic involution. The human form itself is seen as being perfection and a great tool to use for internal awareness.
Dots and bindus symbolize concentration which if at the centre can increase unity. That point when expanded into a chakra or circle allows users to create a blissful void. Triangles symbolise feminine energy and represent the sex organs. Upward pointing triangles signify spiritual aspiration at its highest form.
6 pointed stars are two of the triangles put together symbolising unison and creation. The square is the outside limit of each Yantra and their symbolic meaning is the earth element. The lotus symbolizes both variety and purity as well as freedom from interference helping you to clear your mind.
Common Yantra benefits are as follows:
Yantras are able to help people to get rid of the feelings of inadequacy and fight competition and resentment that can hold them back. By using them to meditate users are able to attract well-being, luck and abundance. They are often used to get rid of negative energy so that the user can feel at peace and in harmony with the world and themselves.
In order to get the benefits from Yantras you must look at it daily and chant specific prayers. By giving the Yantra your devotion you are able to change your minds pattern to enable you to achieve your dreams.
You should also offer gifts of incense and flowers at least weekly to benefit in full.
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Many many years ago it was the energies from the universe and each person in it were noted and the energies were shown to be heightened under certain circumstances. The sexual energy was first noted as a way to reach enlightenment which is against most western religious cultural teachings. Tantra on the other hand was discovered 1400 years back and when refined and taken apart through practices could be harnessed to allow sexual energy to give spirituality.
The actual word is derived from two different Sanskrit words. The first is Tanoti which means to grow, liberate and expand. By using Tantra practices a person is able to gain awareness of their soul allowing it to expand beyond physical limitation. The practice creates sexual energy and harnesses it for a purer more energetic body and mind. Both male and female energies are combined and harnessed by merging souls or alone to create a path for energy to become a higher power. The rewards of the practice are bliss and enlightenment.
Unlike other similar paths the Tantra is different because it is able to enlighten the soul and body to a point where high enlightenment can be achieved in art, music, visualisation and much more. Tantra is a lifestyle and although in the west some see it as being a type of sexual yoga it was never meant to be a basis for just increasing sexual performance although this is one benefit. It is a way of using sexual energy to succeed in other areas through enlightenment.
Texts recorded in Hindu traditions state that the lifestyle was something that was revered by gods and goddesses because of their ability to improve numerous aspects of life. As energy is seen as being the essence of both current physical life and spiritually it’s commonly practiced even today to increase the perceptions of energy and spirituality.
In some practices the male energy is associated with immortality and life giving however feminine energy is often subdued as it is seen as an obstacle. For this reason it was once thought that women were unable to achieve the highest Buddhism goal of Buddhahood. It was never just kept within monasteries and was used throughout numerous villages by people in all walks of life including female professionals. Rather than shunning the idea of sexual energy in some practices people achieve the highlighted state through family rather than a sexual partner.
Moving away from Buddhism which is an icon for masculinity Tantra was something that women were also able to partake in thanks to worship becoming commonplace of female idols. Women are seen in this type of practice as being just as worthy and female idols were held in highest regard. These practices are still used today all over the world. Purification of the body and mind through mantras and meditation as well as special energy excersises are the main goal. Those more advanced perform sexual rituals; however the majority do not need physical contact to take place.
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The roots of Ayurveda are found in the Indian sub-continent, where the learned men did research and developed this globally recognized alternative medicine. The goodness of the Ayurveda medicine has been demonstrated for centuries and it is still considered the best medicine for keeping the soul, mind and body healthy. The Ayurveda works on the principle that the body and mind are totally joined and the mind has the capability of regaining and healing the body. So, Ayurveda is basically the science of life that makes the human knowledgeable and aids in leading an active and healthy life through awareness building.
Foundation of the Ayurveda
Ayurveda recognizes the uniqueness of each individual and works on the notion that there is no one size fits all method. The diet and the lifestyle routine working for one person may not show any improvement in the other. Ayurveda believes in the virtue of avoiding. It lays down certain parameters to regulate the physical and emotional health by following which, one can remain vibrant and healthy. The Ayurveda methodology considers changes in food and lifestyle the most important therapy. The simple dietary changes and exercise can remove the imbalance in the body.
The three musketeers
The Ayurvedavisualizes the world in the purview of three essential doshas viz. vata, pitta and kapha. The doshas are considered as combinations that resolve our personality disorders. Each dosha has a different role to play and helps in maintaining the physiological functions of the body.
1)Vata Dosha- This dosha is made up of air and space. It is the most profound of all and since it is invisible, it is identified by the traits of coldness, roughness, dryness and mobility. The Vata energy is the one that rules the physical movement, blood circulation and breathing in the human body. It exists in the nervous system. The person with this type of dosha is creative, easy learners and fun loving. The humans having this dosha suffer from dry skin problem and have low tolerance to cold weather. The irregularity of this dosha might lead to feelings of stress and anxiety. The diet plan of people suffering from this dosha should include fruits, dairy items, rice and nuts followed by yoga, swimming or walking. Since it is the most difficult to control, avoiding its imbalance is mandatory to maintain the rhythm.
2)Pitta Dosha- The pitta dosha is a combination of fire and water. The fire stays in the liquid form of acid and enzymes. The dosha is responsible for the digestion and regulation of the metabolism. The dosha in control, leads to higher level of intelligence and understanding. On the contrary, its imbalance leads to frustration, irritability, anger which further leads to liver, acidity and inflammatory problems. The dosha dominant individual has low tolerance to hot weather so they are advised to consume products that have soothing and cooling effect on body like water, fruits and vegetables
3)Kapha Dosha- The mix of earth and water is the energy responsible for the management of growth in the human body. The dosha is responsible for maintenance of the immune system and hydration. The people of this dosha are affectionate beings and are very faithful and reliable. The imbalance of the dosha causes asthma, sinusitis and respiratory troubles and can make the person insecure and jealous. The balance should be maintained by avoiding packaged foods, adopting a healthy lifestyle with physical activity to avoid weight gain.
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Life is completely unpredictable and any kind of sudden spiritual crisis can distress us. The Upanishad mentioned the concept of Kundalini, which stands for “circular”, meaning that the energy of the human body lies like a snake at the bottom of the spine. This energy gets activated and flows in the upward direction through the seven energy centers lying in our bodies which results in spiritual awakening of consciousness known as Kundalini awakening. This sudden change can result in happiness for some and depression for others. The awakening is not based on any culture or religion; it comes naturally to certain human beings which raises their level of consciousness.
Reason for the Awakening
The topic of kundalini awakening has been present in the world from the 8th century, which means that the experience of enlightenment has been felt by many. The possible logic behind its awakening includes traditional practices like meditation. It is said that a regular yoga practitioner has the ability to activate their kundalini. Although it is not mandatory that only yoga can activate the chakras.The enlightenment can be achieved while doing rigorous work, by the use of drugs, through sexual involvements, accident or any trauma, different life events and yoga training.
How to detect the Kundalini awakening
Every individual has different kundalini awakening experiences based on their emotional, physical and mental wellbeing. The advancement of the seven chakras through the body leads to dissimilar awakening and experience, till the time it reaches the head. Once the chakras reached the top of the head it leads to the ultimate attainment of consciousness. The physical changes are also felt by many as signs and symptoms resulting due to kundalini awakening. These include:-
i) Severe flow of energy in the body or feeling of electrocution
ii) Automatic tremors, shaking, tingling, itching sensations all over the body and particularly in hands and legs.
iii)Feeling of extreme heat or cold sensation as if energy is getting transported through the chakras.
iv)Impromptu practice of yoga asana.
v)Severe craving or disorientation of sexual desire sometimes directing to orgasm
vi)The individual sees images and hears sounds of a particular chakra.
vii)Severe headache which might lead to migraine attacks.
viii) High blood pressure and unsteady heartbeat.
ix)The feeling of being away and lonely from the society.
x)Lack of responsiveness to light, touch and sound.
xi)Experience of severe pain all over the body, especially the back and neck area.
xii)Poor diet or pangs of frequent eating.
Advantage of Kundalini awakening
When the spiritual enlightenment takes overwhat one experience is pure bliss. The person becomes peaceful from inside and looks at the universe with more positivity. The awakening leads to improved levels of intelligence with a finer sense of sound, sight and color. There is a feeling of serenity that sets in the individual and improves the psychic abilities of the person. The stimulation slows down the ageing and makes the person more creative. The individual feels more empathy and spiritual connection. The positivity that one experiences attracts people and situations based on their own thoughts.
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