Learn About Yoga

Master your mind! Gain control over your body! Be relieved of your stress through the practice of gentle art of Yoga!

Pregnancy is a physical as well as mental experience. Women often becomes hyper aware of all the changes their bodies are going through. Yoga allows pregnant women to adapt to these changes more gracefully and to feel proud and a sense of appreciation for their bodies. Yoga exercises can increase flexibility, strength, circulation and balance. Many pregnant women find that regular yoga exercises help to reduce swelling, back and leg pain, and insomnia.

However, Yoga must be practised very carefully among pregnant women, as improper exercises will bring negative effect on both moms and babies. Here are some tips for pre-natal pregnancy Yoga practise:

1. The general yoga exercises are recommended for the first 2 months. You must consult your doctor and find very experienced Yoga teachers. With proper guidance, you can practice some yoga right into labor. If you new to yoga then you should start slowly.

2. Breathing exercises are beneficial if done twice a day. The breathing exercises provide more oxygen and energy both to the mother and the child.

3. Some yoga poses that can help a pregnant women dealing with the symptoms of pregnancy, ensuring smoother and easier delivery, and faster recovery after childbirth. Pregnant women should pay attention not to overstretch the body – the ligaments around the joints become loose and soft during pregnancy. The abdomen should stay relaxed at all times. Difficult and poses that put pressure on the abdomen and other should NOT be done during advance stages of Pregnancy. No any kind of pain or nausea should be felt during and/or after yoga. If this happens, you should stop yoga practise and contact your GP.

4. When carrying out standing poses with your heels to the wall or use a chair for support to avoid losing your balance and risking injury to both you and your baby.

5. Deep relaxation is crucial to give rest to body and mind, and you will benefit more from a good sleep. Deep relaxation helps the nerve system change from sympathetic to parasympathetic activity. Parasympathetic activity is associated with the restorative processes of the body, which is needed both by the pregnant woman and the child.

We also strongly recommend regular morning and evening walks. Yoga is very individual. For more great Yoga advice, and other pregnant women support services, e.g. domestic cleaning services, babysitter services, personal trainer, chef and many more great services just visit us at http://www.londonrate.com
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Written By: Amie Porter

The healing effects of yoga for the every day working woman. During the 1970s when I was a young girl, I remember my mother sitting in front of the television perfecting her yoga techniques with PBS yoga guru, Lilias. Lilias, with her breathy voice and long hair, would contort her body into painful-looking yoga positions.

After watching Lilias, I equated yoga with pain. That was my first experience with yoga. My next experience occurred 25 years later. My collegiate athlete sister took yoga and she recommended that I might enjoy taking a yoga class. What did I have to lose? I danced ballet when I was a girl, and had taken jazz and ballet classes during college so I had the flexibility for yoga. I was looking for a new form of exercise, but little did I know that the psychological benefits would far outweigh the physical benefits.

I signed up for a beginning yoga class through my local recreation district. I didnt know what to expect when I walked into class. I did notice that I was one of the youngest people in the class. I met a woman named Hilda who was in her early 70s and had been taking yoga for over 25 years. She looked fantastic. I talked to other people in the class (mostly seniors and husband/wife teams) and they took yoga for various health reasons ranging from physical therapy to relieving arthritis pain.

When our yogi walked into class, I was stunned. A short, Indian man who looked about 70 years old greeted me (I learned later that he was in his mid 80s). I was in awe of him and his yoga schtick he would perform each week became my mantra: Clear all extraneous thoughts from your head. Think good, clear thoughts. Focus! he would belt out in his thick accent. After my first class, I fell instantly in love with yoga. When I danced ballet and jazz, I always loved the stretching routines and yoga proved to be even better than dance stretches.

Yoga not only challenges me physically, but it brings about a psychological consciousness inside me that I dont receive from other forms of exercise. I take classes every week and I’m addicted. Every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday evenings I escape my hectic work world and stretch my body and mind and relieve it from the days aches and stressors. Most important, I meditate and finally relax after my long and busy day.

Yoga fits me. It fits my short, athletic, Mary Lou Retton-esque body shape and it fits my mile-a-minute mind. Not only do I enjoy the physical benefits from yoga, but yoga has become a healing elixir for my mind and spirit. I feel strong and powerful and I know what abdominal muscles look like now. Hopefully, Ill be in contention with Hilda and still be contorting my body when Im in my 70s.

About the Author

Therese Pope is a non-profiteer fundraiser by day and a freelance writer and poet by night. Her works have been published in various e-zines and literary anthologies. She is a yoga fiend with a penchant for writing with latte in hand. She resides in Sacramento, Calif.

Written By: T Pope

Although there are many types of yoga, and it may be impractical to try them all, experiencing some of the main branches — including Kundalini yoga — will give you a fuller grasp of yoga’s essence and benefits. Kundalini yoga isn’t just another practice, however. It’s often referred to as the mother of all yoga, and said to be one of the most powerful forms.

What’s more, Kundalini yoga is a little different from other practices. Most forms of yoga concentrate on the body’s poses, combined with breathing and meditation exercises. While Kundalini yoga still concerns itself with forms and poses, it places much more emphasis on breathing, chanting, and releasing a special energy we all possess unawares.

In Kundalini yoga, the special energy is likened to a powerful serpent lying asleep at the base of the spine. But practitioners can awaken the powerful serpent with the use of Kundalini techniques, releasing almost unimaginable energy.

How It’s Done

In Kundalini yoga, you’ll combine classic poses, meditation, chanting or mantras, and also coordinate your breath and movement. In this yoga, the serpent that represents energy is said to lie asleep at the base of your spine, coiled and dormant. Specifically, this region is located in the perineum area of the body. That is, it lies between the rectum and the testicles in males, and between the vagina and the clitoris in females. When awakened, the dormant masculine energy (Siva) and feminine energy (Sakti) unite to create a powerful surge unlike anything you’re likely to have experienced before.

What Can It Do For Me?

The powerful energy released by Kundalini yoga is said to do many things for the body. And yet, although it can help you physically, its primary benefits are spiritual. All the intangible energies that help to shape our lives are affected by Kundalini yoga, such as divine prosperity, and freedom from judgment. Once freed, this new energy helps to promote creativity and unconditional love. Needless to say, all these positive changes help sweep away any negative feelings, such as those associated with depression, or even long-standing resentments or jealousy.

If you would like to experience this type of amazing yoga, you’ll want professional guidance. Understanding more about how Kundalini works will help you achieve the results you seek, so a little private time with the books can help you as well. As with any yoga, it’s best to learn Kundalini from an experienced instructor, who can help you focus your energy in addition to teaching you the techniques. Having an awakened yogi nearby can be half the battle.

About the author:

Stop by http://www.YogiSutras.com for the stories of twelve ordinary people who made the transition from student to certified instructor, plus helpful yoga poses.

Written By: Anika Molugu

To clarify the science of Yoga and make it easy for the majority of people, these universal principles are desired for the physical and the mental health of individuals as well as spiritual growth. These 5 points are necessary (although you may not choose to follow the vegetarian diet, but should aspire to it.) For optimal performance as a follower of yoga, these 5 principles constitute the essence of the teachings of Yoga Spirit Center.

1. Proper Exercise (Asanas) Our physical body is meant to move and exercise. We need the natural motion of muscles and joints or disease and discomfort could result. Proper exercise should be invigorating to the practitioner while enhancing to the body, mind and spiritual life.

2. Proper Breathing (Pranayama) Yoga teaches us how to use the lungs at their maximum capacity. Controlling the breath by using a 5:2:4:2 ratio. An exhale of 5 counts, holding for 2; an inhale of 4 counts, holding for 2. Proper breathing should be deep, slow and rhythmical through the nostrils and belly. The belly rises on the inhalation and is drawn in on the exhalation. This increases vitality and mental clarity.

3. Proper Relaxation (Savasana) Yogis have used very powerful techniques of deep relaxation. It is important every day to spend time relaxing without any distractions. No TV, no radio! Find a relaxing spot in your home or outside with nature to “JUST BE!” By relaxing deeply, all the muscles the Yogi can thoroughly rejuvenate the nervous system and attain a deep sense of inner peace.

4. Proper Diet (Vegetarian) Besides being responsible for building our physical body, the foods we eat profoundly affect our mind. For maximum body-mind efficiency and complete spiritual awareness, Yoga advocates a lacto-vegetarian diet. This is an integral part of the Yogic lifestyle. You will also want to seek out organic foods for their purity.

5. Meditation (Dhyana) The most important point of all is that we become what we think. Therefore, we should maintain positive and creative thoughts; these will contribute to vibrant health and a peaceful, joyful mind. Spend 5-15 minutes per day sitting in lotus, crossed-legged pose or seated in a chair. Let the thoughts come and let the thoughts go. It would be helpful also to repeat a mantra to calm the mind. “Om” is the perfect universal sound to repeat in your head. Concentration and relaxation will increase and thoughts will slow as you feel stress free!

About the Author

Carrie holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Yoga Studies & Body-Centered Therapies. Her education began with ART, continued with Psychology, including Gestalt Therapy. Carrie has been instructing body sculpting for 2 decades. She is an initiate of Raja & Isha Yoga (Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev). She considers herself a “creatuitive” who pulls individuals inner intuitive resources to balance and nurture each soul & body. http://www.YogaSpiritCenter.com

Written By: Carrie Beisel

Chakras are vortices located in the subtle body. Ajna 1chakra is located between the eyebrows. The existence of chakras is a point of contention to some. Yogis, and Yoginis, may practice balancing their chakras, while some religious fundamentalists feel this practice borders on witchcraft. However, let’s discuss one chakra that most everyone can identify with.

Ajna chakra is referred to as the “third eye” and is sometimes called, “the mind’s eye.” Whether you believe in the existence of chakras, or not, most of us accept the concepts of intuition and insight. These concepts enable us to use self-reflection for our own advancement.

Most Yoga practitioners think only in terms of physical Yoga (Hatha Yoga), only. Yet all Yoga practitioners are aware that Yoga involves physical, mental, and spiritual aspects. Therefore, let’s use the “window of your mind” to your advantage. Visualization is commonly used by successful people to turn thoughts into reality. Although this is a mental exercise, it is a form of spiritual innovation. This is also a formula that will continually yield success in your life.

By steadily practicing positive visualization, self- analysis, and meditation, any Yoga student should be successful within any chosen path taken during the course of his or her life. You will notice that I mention “positive” visualization. Do you think that Tiger Woods ever focused on missing a putt or losing a golf tournament? Whatever you envision, can easily become your reality.

Therefore, always focus on achievement and success. You cannot afford to think of anything else. See yourself overcoming obstacles and living your dreams. This is what all achievers do.

Now, let’s take a closer look at intuition. If you are not an intuitive person, you should work on enhancing this quality. Balancing Ajna chakra might help you, and if this is not a possibility, you should keep a trusted intuitive person around you, when it is time to make important decisions.

This is not to say that intuition is the overriding factor in your decision making, but intuition always has weight. Intuition will help us seek and find the deeper truth in all matters. This allows us to develop our personal awareness of what is, what is not, and what could be.

As we continue our journey to find the deeper truth, we become much more aware of the many possibilities and opportunities we have to contribute to the common good of all.

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.

At first glance, Martial Arts and Yoga seem like opposing forces and philosophies, but these two health maintenance systems have more in common than meets the eye. For a moment, consider the similarities between Tai Chi and Hatha Yoga. Within the warm up, you notice very similar movement, philosophy, and principles.

Why does “climb the mountain” stance look so much like Warrior I posture? Is it coincidence, luck, or a common link? Why does Kundalini have movements that resemble punching, kicking, and martial arts foot work? Are Kung Fu forms an extension of Vinyasa? Each has been referred to as meditation in motion.

The place of origin, for most Asian martial arts, is agreed to be the Shaolin Temple. Apparently, the monks at the Shaolin temple had become very proficient at meditation, but had not developed a health maintenance system to sufficiently train their bodies.

In the sixth century A.D., Bhoddidharma, a visiting Buddhist monk, from India, began to teach the monks at the Shaolin temple, in Hunan Province, a form of physical health maintenance, which is believed to be Yoga. It is also said that Boddidharma was a member of the Warrior caste. Therefore, he should also have had working knowledge of Kalarippayat; an indigenous Indian Martial art.

Boddidharma is said to have reached a level of meditation that was very advanced. The body can be trained to a point, but the mind should also be trained as well. This is a cornerstone to all martial arts training. How often have we heard about the three conflicts of mind, body, and spirit?

This is why each martial arts school should encourage a Yoga class. The healing aspect of Yoga is very beneficial to all martial artists – regardless of their style. Some martial arts centers have incorporated Yoga as part of the class schedule. The reason was to attract mothers, who were hanging around the waiting area, to pick up their kids.

While there is a demand for Yoga classes among women, some martial artists, both male and female, will join in to feel the healing benefits, meditate, increase flexibility, and much more. The fact is, much like martial arts, there are many styles of Yoga.

Some are very physical and demand a lot of endurance. So, there is no end to the possibilities of where the need for Yoga can fit within a martial arts studio. After all these years, it looks like Yoga and martial arts will be together again.

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.

I suppose it was only a matter of time before the mass marketing about diet and fitness and weight loss caught up with Yoga.

After all, Yoga is certainly going through a period of resurgance – not the first, as these things typically move in cycles as does most of the market.

Typically though, when you read about Yoga, the topic is peace of mind, spirituality, relaxation, meditation, perhaps physical conditioning and strength (both physical and mental).

This time though, the debate rests squarely on yoga’s ability to shed pounds in a society that is struggling with record levels of obesity on the one hand, and a severe “thin” imageproblem held by popular celebrities on the other.

A recent study started the heated debate by claiming a link between yoga and weight loss.

Specifically, the study found that middle-age people who practice yoga tended to experience gradual weight loss over a 10-year period, while those that did not practice yoga seemed to experience fairly substantial weight gain over the same period.

Since the study was released, a constant barrage of skeptics have pointed out flaws in the research that range from self-reported results to missing many other factors that may lead people to both practice yoga and have reduced weight.

As usual, the truth lies somewhere in the middle, at least based on my own experiences.

It is much more likely that the positive factors of yoga and meditation have on your mind and body impact your self-image,nutrition choices, and overall stress level which are majorfactors in weight control. We point to many of the benefitsof practicing yoga over at: http://www.yogasuccess.com

Stress not only results in unhealthy binge eating and poor nutritional choices, but actually has physiological impacts on your body that often result in craving foods that can result in greater weight gain such as sugars, starches and carbohydrates.

In the end, what is important is that you are becoming healthier, happier, experience less stress in your life and enjoy your life to the maximum possible.

Let the journalists fight it out over who is technically right, after all, they are likely all fighting to meet deadlines and beat each other’s coverage of the story.

It’s time I took a break and go practice some meditation.

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About the Author

Yoga is the way to bring more calm, serenity, happiness, fulfillment and joy into your life. But what about losing weight with yoga – could it be true?

Written By: Jeff Smith