Learn About Yoga

Nowadays, yoga is widespread and is new forms are continuously being developed today. Millions of people around the world enjoy yoga every day or week, depending on circumstances into this activity.

Of the so many forms of Yoga, Hatha yoga is by far the most common form, which involves both breathing control, physical exercise and postures combined. These exercises allow optimized blood circulation and improves flexibility, stamina, strength and vitality.

It is also a form of peaceful mediation that contributes to self-awareness and gives an extra energy that creates general wellbeing.

It should be easy to locate somewhere to practice your yoga as there are centers in most cities in the Western world. If you prefer, there are plenty of ways to enjoy yoga at home. With books, DVDs or videos to suit your need.

Aside from Hatha Yoga, there exists another kind of Yoga. it is known as Dahn Yoga.

It is also referred to as Dahn Hak or Dahnak. It started as an early form of Korean instruction program that aimed to teach the participants on how to expand and widen both the body and mind. For hundreds of years it vanished only becoming resurrected in the 80’s in Seoul, finally arriving in the US in 1991.

Dahn yoga also educates participants on the principles and concepts on how the energy acts or moves in the body. It also teaches that ageing and weakening of the body is caused by stress. And removing stress will, without doubt, improve health and prolong life.

Dahn yoga works by encouraging those taking part to communicate fully with their body, thus enriching their lives to the full.

Allied with the body’s natural healing ability, this is enhanced through stimulating energies that connect the physical body to the conscious mind.

Through deep stretching, breathing methods and meditation, Dahn Yoga promotes physical, mental, and spiritual healing and to connect us into our spiritual selves. It promotes body relaxation and the discovery of inner consciousness.

It gives a life away and free from stress and anxiety and a life which has self-control and enhanced concentration.

Through meditation and breath work, energy is accumulated in the body and as a result, functioning of the internal organs and systems in the body is enhanced.

With the integration of the body and mind, latent abilities are realized and goals set are more easily achieved. In addition, Dahn Yoga practitioners sometimes volunteer to teach and train without payment, promoting individual and community health, well-being, happiness and peace.

About the author:

(c)2006 Martin Haworth has a useful website with lots of information for those new to yoga as well as extended information for experts. Check it out at Make the Most of Your Yoga

Written By: Martin Haworth

The Principle of Balance is most important thing, My research Study based on the balance of senses for balanced Brain. How our senses are responsible for level concentration, Balance of Brain & flow of Hormones? How we can control, manage & enhance our power of senses for sound brain functioning.

Yoga is strongly associated with Brain. One of the supreme meaning & essence of yoga is to “CONTROLLING our six SENSES” & “BALANCING” them.

It is an natural phenomenon that our senses get attracted towards the external subject in outer World (sound, smell, test, etc.) and hence we need to redirect them on a single point in our mind. In yoga this redirection process of senses is called as “PROCESS OF RESTRAIN”.

Process of Restrain helps us to increase CONCENTRATION and reduces instability of Brain, and can provide balanced resource to the internal body requirements.

When our senses travel in the outer world they find there-self subject (e.g. nose finds smell, Ear – Sound, etc.) & get linked with them. Then the mind becomes fickle & inconsistent and sometimes it get carried away by the senses as by itself.

The WAVY nature of the mind is highly dependent on the instability of senses. While using Process of Restrain, you asked to close your eyes so that you will not able to communicated with the outer world of color & light. You asked to shut your ears to avoid the outer noise. You asked to control, maintain & normalize your breath to control your impulses. This is in order to prevent the increase in Nervousness, Anxiety or restlessness in brain and to gather all senses together in the brain.

To stabilize the restless brain processes it has to be settled & manage in a single point to enable, restore & rejuvenate your concentration level. As it gets set on a single point, your concentration power increases “LEVEL OF CONCENTRATION MAKES YOUR FOCUS MORE BROADER & WIDER” that’s why ‘Michael Shumaker’ sees critical turns as simple one, That’s why ‘Sachin Tendulkar’ sees a small cricket ball as a bigger one. More the Balance of senses means more the balanced flow of hormones & balanced responses form the Brain.

As level of concentration increases, it turns resultant & senses get managed more effectively & impact-fully, then neither the Brain nor the body will create any problems.

Our intensity of Sixth Sense determines the speed & flow of – transaction of brain cells, heart beats, Breathing & Blood Circulation, more the imbalance in these three, more the effects in Brain processing system. Sixth Sense & it’s Intensity can be controlled, Increased and reduced using the Process of Restrain.

The best solution for the internal problems, imbalance or brain processing problems is to maintain the BALANCE in these 6 senses. More the IMBALANCE less the positive effects.

Now lets focus on thoughts generated by brain. Brain can control our flow of thoughts, by using the process of restrain to regulate & normalize them in right direction.

In Brain, To think and imagine is a function of a conscious mind & the unconscious mind controls & determine the way we behave.

All our emotions are linked with it and our problems are related to our behavior & behavior is also linked with our senses. (you can’t concentrate when your sense of smell is running in kitchen.)

Most of the problems are related to the emotional conditions or produced by the emotional conditions rather than physical one. For instance, intensity of depression causes overeating or over addiction of many or specific thing and then more problems arise. So, it’s obvious that balanced brain processing will have balanced emotions.

For Instance – Arranging the matchstick stylishly can turn into the artistic design.

But single stick isn’t attractive. Similarly, our brain can produce effective things in brain itself and in the systems that are connected with brain just by managing & balancing our 6 senses together; ultimately we are balancing brain processes.

Conclusion is that, controlling and balancing the senses can provide overall balance in the brain and on and in the body.

In most of the meditations, they are using derived supreme concept form yoga i.e. process of restrain for better results. Balance your senses today.

Thanks for your time & consideration

About The Author

Nilesh Gore – ng411002@rediffmail.com http://www.brendynamics.com/gr

Written By: Nilesh Gore

The practice of Yoga has been used for centuries to promote a sense of physical and spiritual well-being. Although the origins of Yoga are shrouded in mystery, it is generally accepted to have begun at the dawn of civilization some 5000 years ago. A number of respected scholars have suggested that Yoga grew out of the shamanistic culture of Mehgarh, located in the region now known as Afghanistan. In fact, many facets of Hindu culture have their roots in Mehgarh.

The principle goal of the practice of Yoga is to assist practitioners in the transcendence of the human condition. It was an attempt to discern the order of the cosmos, and to apply those principles to daily living. Yoga has been linked to the Indus-Sarasvati civilization, which was one of the oldest and most advanced of the ancient cultures. This civilization also gave birth to some of the oldest scriptures ever discovered in modern times. The Vedas are considered by many as a form of divine revelation, and contain many references to a higher power and to the practice of Yoga.

On the physical plain, Yoga has shown incredible promise in treating and managing many illnesses. The practice of Yoga has a number of physical benefits for practitioners. It facilitates flexibility, and assists in the lubrication of joints, tendons, and ligaments. Many of the poses and positions work to massage the organs, thus stimulating the body’s detoxification process. The physical benefits of Yoga are often considered secondary to the spiritual development. Yoga has the incredible ability to bring into harmony the physical and the spiritual elements of the individual experience.

Meditation also plays a significant role in Yoga. By combining intense meditation with specialized physical exercise, practitioners are able to achieve a unity of body, mind, and soul. The intent is to create a sense of balance and harmony, both internally and externally. The emotional calmness associated with meditation works to reduce stress, which is considered by many as one of the root causes of physical illness. The primary goal of Yoga is to empower the individual to transcend the physical world and to achieve a sense of enlightenment or self-realization. For those interested in understanding and fully realizing the oneness of all things, a commitment to the principles and practice of Yoga will undoubtedly unlock the secrets of the cosmos in all their wondrous glory.

About the author:

Brodi Saatpha has been practicing Yoga for a number of years. When she is not striving to transcend reality, she writes for yoga-insight.com – an enlightening and refreshing website with information about the history of yoga, yoga certification, worldwide yoga retreats and more.

Written By: Brodi Saatpha

Are you looking for a healthy mindset, fitness, spiritual guidance, holistic health, self-improvement, success, or just more oxygen? Yoga can deliver all of these, but I doubt you find all of this “under one roof.” The reason is that there are many kinds of Yoga, and some ashrams, or Yoga schools, will address some of the above-mentioned needs as priorities.

Do you ever wonder why some people are so successful in life? I am not talking about someone who has “everything handed to them.” What I am referring to is someone who has taken the time to know what they want from life, pursues it, and then attains it. This comes from self-analysis, meditation, and goal setting skills.

Do not confuse yourself with someone else’s dreams or expectations of you. You must know your particular strengths, weaknesses, passions, and desires to move forward in your Yoga practice. Remember when you were a child and adults asked you, “What do you want to be when you grow up?”

If you are not sure, you should compile a list of ideas. Here are some things to consider when deciding “how to find yourself” and “where to go from here.”

What is your concept of happiness?

Please be honest with yourself and go after your dreams. You cannot abandon responsibility, but you can make small changes in your lifestyle. Wake up each day and pursue your goals with happiness in your heart.

What are your real passions, obsessions, and desires?

These are ideas you think about all the time. Listen to your heart; the answers are within. They should not cause harm to anyone and should be morally sound. Whatever they are, they will keep you going when you have any doubts. This is your fuel for daily motivation.

What does any of this have to do with Yoga?

Everything – Yoga is a daily path of self-discovery and self-improvement. Yoga literally means “Unity,” and applies to all things. If you know yourself, you can help yourself. Help usually starts from within. Most of us have to ask for help, and you must know when, and who, to ask.

Seek and find the Yoga that will help you find yourself. Yoga’s many branches are over 5,000 years old. They are the origin of many self-improvement and health maintenance systems. Achievement is realized by habits. You alone, have the power to create or change your habits.

About the author:

Copyright 2005 – Paul Jerard / Aura Publications

Paul Jerard is the director of Yoga teacher training at Aura in RI. He’s a master instructor of martial arts and Yoga. He teaches Yoga, martial arts, and fitness. He wrote: Is Running a Yoga Business Right for You? For Yoga students wanting to be a Yoga teacher. http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org

Written By: Paul M. Jerard Jr.

Yoga mats are a basic part of every practice. What you might not realize is that there are several types of yoga mats that you can choose from.

Sticky Mats – These yoga mats offer a covering for your practice area, as well as some stability for you when doing poses. They are thin, lightweight, and come in a variety of colors. Some of them have guide marks on them to illustrate proper hand and foot placements. In order for these mats to be sticky and prevent you from slipping and sliding, you need to sprinkle them with a small amount of water and let them air dry. You can use these mats for most types of yoga

Ultra Double Thickness Mats – These yoga mats are basically sticky mats that are ultra thick. They provide both stability and cushioning which is useful in certain poses. They can be a great choice for Astanga practitioners who often jump from one pose to another. I personally love the ultra thick mats because of the extra cushioning they provide. It is the only type I take with me to classes.

Travel Mats – This type of yoga mat is great to throw in your suitcase or carryon luggage when you are on the go, so you can practice no matter where you are. Travel yoga mats are very thin. You would use one either on a carpeted floor or on top of a towel or blanket on a floor that isnt carpeted.

Cotton Mats – These yoga mats are excellent for those types of yoga that traditionally cause you to sweat a lot such as Astanga or Bikram. Because they absorb sweat, they help keep you from slipping and sliding during these heat-producing practices. They work best when they are sprinkled with a small amount of water. The damp mat gives you a good amount of traction so your hands and feet stay where you place them. Many of them have lines in the patterns, which can help with your body alignment.

Cotton mats also provide cushioning. They can substitute for blankets by helping to bolster your body during certain asanas. Some people use cotton mats over sticky mats during their practice.

Yoga Mat Bag – A yoga mat bag is a great accessory for carrying your yoga mat or mats to class, work, or anywhere else you need to go. Many have extra space where you can put your keys, water bottle, and tee shirt. The bag protects your mat and helps make it easier for you to transport your yoga gear.

Now that you know about the different yoga mats that are available and what each one does, you choose the right mat or mats for you.

About the Author

Della Menechella is a yoga and fitness enthusiast who has been involved in fitness for over thirty years. Her website http://www.beauty-fitness-yoga-source.com/ is filled with practical information about how you can make yoga and fitness a positive part of your life. Visit the site and get your free meditation e-book.

Written By: Della Menechella

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

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

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

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

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

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

About the author:

This medical article is written by Grojan Fabiola during one research session on lowering blood pressure in a natural way, that will be using yoga. So, if you want to find out more about how to lower blood pressure, especially in a natural way, please click this link.

Written By: Lower Your Blood Pressure by Practicing Yoga

Hypertension is a common disease nowadays, which, if it’s not treated corectly can cause many damages to the other organs of the body. People who suffer from high blood pressure need to lower blood pressure in order to neutralize the effects of hypertension on their body.

Changing their life style and sometimes taking medicines is recommended for the people who need to lower blood pressure.

It is very helpful in the treatment of hypertension the yoga lifestyle, which can really help you lower blood pressure. Yoga exercises, called asanas, involve stretching and moving the body into various positions. During these exercises any tightness or tension observed in the body should be consciously relaxed. Yoga practice offers stress management techniques, which are essential to lower blood pressure. There are many yoga asanas, maybe hundreds or even thousands, but only certain asanas can help you lower blood pressure.

The most efficient for lowering blood pressure are the forward bends, which have a pacifying effect on the brain, the nervous system, the blood circulation to the brain, and they also help you reduce the stress. All these lower blood pressure. Furthermore, these asanas slow down the pulse rate, so they lower blood pressure.

They are also helpful to lower blood pressure the sitting asanas, such as Upavista Konasana, which remove the tension from the ribs and the intercostals muscles, and also help you breathe easily. Many hypertensives have difficulties in breathing and these asanas help them in this matter and they also lower blood pressure.

Other helpful asanas are the supine poses, like Supta Baddhakonasana, which relax the abdominal region and have a calming effect on the nerves, facts that lower blood pressure.

There are also recommended for those who need to lower blood pressure, the inversions, such as Halasana and Setubandha Sarvangasana, which have a refreshing effect on the nerves and reduce the sympathetic tone very fast. Usual practice of these asanas regularizes blood pressure, so lower blood pressure when it’s abnormally high.

At these previous asanas you can add the pranayama and the Svanasana, which relax the mind and senses, and stabilize the blood pressure, so lower blood pressure in case of hypertension.

About the author:

This medical article is written by Grojan Fabiola during one research session on lowering blood pressure in a natural way, that will be using yoga. So, if you want to find out more about how to lower blood pressure, especially in a natural way, please click this link.

Written By: Grojan Fabiola

We all know that yoga is good for your health and well-being, but does how does it tie into weight loss? After all, it isn’t aerobic exercise so can it really help to shed pounds? A recent study conducted by the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle, WA investigated the effects of yoga on weight, which is the first study to investigate the role between the two. More than 15,000 participants were asked to recall their physical activity patterns and weight history between the ages of 45 and 55. The study found that during this period, most people gain about 1 pound each year. The people who practiced yoga at least 30 minutes once a week for four or more years gained 3 pounds less weight than the non-yoga participants.

This is not necessarily staggering results but it gets better! Both men and women who were overweight at the beginning of the period and who started to practice yoga lost about five pounds, while those who were yoga free gained an average of 14 pounds within the next ten years. Now that is news! Imagine what the results would be for people practicing yoga 2-3 times a week.

The researchers have not concluded why the yoga participants lost more weight especially when most of them were not in advanced levels. More studies are needed at this time to give us more insight into the topic.

Participating in regular yoga classes and even getting good enough to venture into some advanced classes, has so many benefits. Here is what yoga can do for you.

* Physical Benefits: Creates a toned, flexible, and strong body…yes, it helps to build muscle which will also help to improve your metabolism. It also promotes cardio and circulatory health.

* Mental Benefits: Helps you relax and handle stress more easily. Teaches you to quiet all that chatter in your mind so you can focus on how you want to direct your energy. Encourages positive thoughts and self-acceptance. This alone can do a lot for those emotional/stress eaters out there.

* Spiritual Benefits: This is a nondenominational value that helps to build awareness of your body, your feelings, and the world around you. It also helps you to learn patience, forgiveness, and the value of gentleness. We all could use some regular reminders of this!

So why not join a yoga class? It can add so many benefits to your life and now you can add weight management to the list! Take action and sign up for an introductory class today!

About the Author

2005 Meri Raffetto

Meri Raffetto is a Registered Dietitian and a recognized professional in the area of nutrition and wellness. Learn about her online Balance Weight Loss Program and sign up for her free monthly newsletter to receive nutrition tips, inspirational stories, and healthy recipes.

Written By: Meri Raffetto RD, LDN