Learn About Yoga

Yoga is a science. That is something to grasp. Yoga is a science, and not a vague, dreamy drifting or imagining. While it is true the west has been familiar with the practice of yoga for a relatively short time, yoga is not a new discipline , and it has been studied and practiced in many countries during the last century. Yoga is an applied science, a systematized collection of laws applied to bring about a definite end.

It takes up the laws of psychology, applicable to the unfolding of the whole consciousness of man on every plane, in every world, and applies those rationally in a particular case. This rational application of the laws of unfolding consciousness acts exactly on the same principles that you see applied around you every day in other departments of science. Yoga uses many of the techniques that are used in more modern and lately developed psychological or even medial physical exercise disciplines.

As one ages he learns that by looking at the world around you, how enormously the intelligence of man, co-operating with nature, may quicken “natural” processes, and the working of intelligence is as “natural” as anything else. The yoga way not only combines this feeling of cosmos but also works beneath the surface to strengthen the unity of man with the universe. We make this distinction, and practically it is a real one, between “rational” and “natural” growth, because human intelligence can guide the working of natural laws; and when we come to deal with Yoga, we are in the same department of applied science as, let us say, is the scientific farmer or gardener, when he applies the natural laws of selection to breeding. The farmer or gardener cannot transcend the laws of nature, nor can he work against them. He has no other laws of nature to work with save universal laws by which nature is evolving forms around us, and yet he does in a few years what nature takes, perhaps, hundreds of thousands of years to do.

This can b done by applying human intelligence to choose the laws that serve him and to neutralize the laws that have a negative effect on the goal of the farmer. The farmer brings the divine intelligence in man to utilize the divine powers in nature that are working for general rather than for particular ends.

Yoga is something that can make a real change in peoples lives, we have seen this many times, from the physical practice of yoga to the philosophical implications, through the knowledge of the science of yoga, all that is yoga combines into a bigger, complete discipline that is beneficial for humanity. For some calling yoga is a way to allow this to pass as a acceptable means of physical development, for others it seems like it contradicts the very spiritual nature of yoga, the different faces of yoga, as its different uses sometime creates the illusion of one single use.

About the Author:

John Furnem is a dot com veteran, specializing in human resources and work psychology he has written articles about relief and stress management. John currently writes Stress Relief and Yoga articles for ZupaTips.com

Written By: John Furnem

Yoga is a science of health and spirituality that originated many thousands of years ago in India. The ancient yogis sought to harmonize the body, mind and soul in an effort to achieve health, long life, and ultimately, enlightenment. Thus, the Sanskrit word yoga means union with or to join. This union with the divine is achieved through the disciplined practice of specific exercises, meditation and breath work.

Yoga is essentially a lifestyle, dealing with all the aspects of our being. The physical postures, or asanas that are widely perceived as yoga, are just one aspect of a very profound science of life. The Eight Limbs of Yoga, articulated by C.E. Patanjali in the Yoga Sutra, describe the eight aspects of a yogic lifestyle. These aspects guide the yogi on a path self-development to harmonize the body, mind and spirit and attain enlightenment.

The Eight Limbs of Yoga

The first limb, yama, focuses on one’s behavior in the world and attitude towards those around him or her. The five yamas are: ahimsa or nonviolence, satya or truthfulness, asteya or non-stealing, bramacharya or non-lust, aparigraha or non-possessiveness.

The second limb, niyama, refers to one’s behavior and attitude towards oneself. There are five niyamas: sauca or cleanliness, santosha or contentment, tapas or austerity, svadhyaya or study of the sacred text and of oneself, and isvarapranidhama or living with an awareness of the divine.

Asanas or physical poses are the third limb. Asanas are designed to bring strength, vitality and relaxation to every bodily system.

Pranayama, or breathing exercises, encompass the fourth limb. Through disciplined regulation of the breath–the duration of inhalation, retention and exhalation, one strengthens and cleanses the nervous system. The result is increased life-force and a calmer mind.

The fifth limb is prathayara or withdrawal of the senses. One’s focus goes inward, losing awareness of what is going on outside of oneself.

Dharana, or concentration is the sixth limb. One trains the mind to focus without distractions.

Dhyana, or meditation is the seventh limb. In meditation one practices constant observation of the mind, stilling the mind in order to heighten one’s awareness and oneness with the universe.

The final limb, the ultimate goal of yoga, is samadhi or enlightenment. It is the achievement of oneness with the universe in which one experiences a state of peace, utter contentment and completion.

Yoga as it was designed and practices by the ancient yogis encompasses all these aspects of the self and of life. It is a spiritual path and a lifestyle meant to lead the student towards health, self-knowledge, and union with the divine.

The ancient yogis sought to harmonize the body, mind and soul in an effort to achieve health, long life, and ultimately, enlightenment. Visit WayofYoga.com to find out how you too can do the same.Yoga is a lifestyle choice and health decision http://www.wayofyoga.com

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Written By: Dayna Schueth

Many people buy books on yoga and meditation, but never get into the regular practice of these methods. It is not only true for yoga, there must be millions of self-help and self-instruction manuals of all types gathering dust on shelves around the world. So if you are in this position, dont feel bad, you are not alone!

But it is not enough to feel content knowing that others, like you, are also hesitating in doing things that will improve their lives. It is possible to break out of the procrastination phase and actually start doing something. It is all a question of attitude and approach.

What should be our attitude? We should remember the words of a Chinese sage who said that the journey of 1000 miles begins with a single step. Instead of thinking how hard it will be to reach the end of the journey, start with the single step. And keep taking those single steps until you arrive at your destination.

Remember the old fable of the tortoise and the hare? The hare got off to a quick start in a race with the slow moving tortoise, but he lost his sense of urgency and, after a while, went to sleep. The tortoise just plodded along until he reached the finish line and was the unexpected victor in the race.

I have seen some yoga students get off to a quick start and they began by practicing everything for a while and then lose interest and fade away like the sleeping hare. The best students are those who start off slowly but keep continuing for a long time.

So what does this mean for you? Open your instruction book, whether it is for yoga or for language learning or anything else that will improve your life, and commit yourself to a few minutes of reading and practice each day.

In the case of yoga, do one exercise. It will take only a few minutes. You can surely do it. For meditation, sit for a few minutes in silence, and dont worry about the results. Once you do it for a few days, gradually add a bit more. Do another yoga exercise and extend the time of your meditation to a few more minutes.

For meditation, it is best to build up to 30 minutes per session. 30 minutes? Yes, 30 minutes, because the longer you sit the deeper you will go. But if you are not ready dont try to sit for 30 minutes right from the start. Do a few minutes but do it regularly and extend the time gradually.

So, your attitude should be to take everything one step at a time and to start practicing, today itself, keep practicing and keep adding a bit to the practice on a day-by-day basis. Continue in this slow but steady pace, and you will, like the tortoise, win the race.

About the Author:

Dada Vedaprajinananda has been practicing and teaching yoga and meditation for the past 35 years. He has taught around the world, is the author of The Wisdom of Yoga, Yoga Weight Loss Secrets and numerous magazine articles. You can read more of his articles at his website: http://www.YogaWeightLossSecrets.com

Written By: Dada Vedaprajinananda

We all want to feel loved, open, free and peaceful. We all desire to let go of the ideals and expectations of the world and be simply still. What if you had permission to be anything your heart wanted you to be? What if there was no right or wrong way of doing yoga poses, just simply YOUR way. The way that feels good for your body, mind and spirit. That is yoga to me.

Theres a smorgasbord of yoga labels all around us. Each having its own fancy term or cool yoga gear. Its a bummer to see yoga magazines or videos with the same types of bodies representing yoga. This sends a message to the world that yoga is about looking a specific way. Instead of getting lost in the confusion, I chose to start really looking at my responsibility in this. Most of my clients share with me that they dont feel comfortable going to a yoga studio. One, they dont look like a yogi, two they might not do the poses perfectly, and finally, they dont know where to even start. So many labels to choose from, so little time!

This is a very common experience with the people I teach or know. It is extremely challenging to go to a studio and relax when immediately you have to get your legs in lotus position. How uncomfortable is that? Yikes. Or you are so busy doing power yoga that you forgot to breathe or relax, feeling sore as you walk out the studio. Since I have experienced both being uncomfortable as a student and teacher I feel it is my duty to spread some of my truth around.

There is no label or box to fit yoga in. When I first began teaching yoga, I felt as if I had to be a certain way. Speak in a particular soft tone, and know all the right terminology. Ive realized its the total opposite. The more authentic I am, which means, giving myself permission to be Jenny, giggling, hugging, singing, sharing, being as transparent as possible, gives the student permission to choose to do the same.

Yes, poses are a part of yoga, and they do wonders for your body! But yoga is not about the poses or how long we can balance. The body listens when its given an opportunity to connect with your true self, and not edit what comes out.

Releasing the need to force your body into poses that hurt and allow yourself to explore what DOES feel good. To make your yoga practice, like life, all about you.

Instead of wishing for the world to change their box on what yoga should be, I decided to create and be the difference. Teach yoga from my heart, and allow it to guide each class. Whenever I share with my students that its perfect to be exactly the way they are, my eyes well up. It feels good to share what I have yearned for in a yoga class.

If you feel uncomfortable going to a yoga studio, you are not alone. Listen to your heart, and listen to what your body is sharing with you. Start investigating and asking around for guidance on what form works for you. You are worth it. Give yourself permission to BE yourself no matter what. That is yoga.

Jenny Ward is the owner of PLAYWARD. PLAYWARDS mission is to celebrate the magnificence of being alive. Jenny is a licensed coach, speaker, author and PLAY ACTIVIST! www.playward.com jenny@playward.com

Written By: Jenny Ward

The following are questions that Yoga teachers still need to answer, despite overwhelming evidence that Yoga is “the mother of all health maintenance systems.” Mainstream thought is finally catching up, with the progress Yoga is making, but it has taken 5,000 years for us to get this far. Seriously, How Can Yoga Make You Lose Weight?

Finally, some of the “Yoga and Weight Loss” studies have come in, and even, a little bit of Yoga is much better, than none, for weight control, but there are a number of reasons why. Yoga is a lifestyle change that includes a safe diet; exercise, adjusting posture, breathing, and a whole lot more. Most of the Yoga practitioners, I know, consume more water, eat more moderately, and take more care of their bodies, in comparison to the many who don’t want to leave the couch.

Aren’t you supposed to jump up and down for at least a half-hour per day to exercise enough to lose weight?

Maybe the masses have been “brain washed” into thinking that you have to feel the pain, suffer, starve, and have a near death experience, to lose weight. Depending upon your size, the average person, in a moderate Hatha yoga class, is burning in the neighborhood of 200 calories per hour. There are Vinyasa Yoga classes, that will burn more calories, with much more flowing and active movement. Just remember, that your safety is top priority, and you will be fine.

There are also Yoga classes where you can feel the pain, heat, and suffer. This is great for those who feel the need to “pay for their sins.” Maybe this is considered “penance,” for years of consuming excessive pizza, burgers, and buffets. If you feel you must suffer, you may even find a Yoga teacher who missed his or her calling as an interrogator.

If you search hard enough, you will find a Yoga class for every niche. More moderate Yoga classes look easy on the outside of the class, but I have seen many people find them to be a challenge, on the inside of the class. The real benefit of steady Yoga practice is training for longevity. Long-term practice will yield optimum health benefits in mind, body, and spirit.

Couldn’t you just invent a Yoga pill?

This has been the ultimate dream of “couch potatoes,” but every time a weight loss pill comes out, there is a down side. Just look at the health problems that resulted from fen phen and ephedra. This should wake people up, but someone will always put their life at risk, no matter how many warning labels are printed.

In summary, the benefits of Yoga practice have always existed, through steady and safe practice. Seek out a safe teacher and go from there. Never push yourself to the point of strain. Moderation is key, so it is wise to avoid extremes.

About the Author

Paul Jerard, is a co-owner/director of Yoga teacher training at Aura Wellness Center. He has been a certified Master Yoga teacher since 1995. He is a master instructor of martial arts. He teaches Yoga, martial arts, and fitness to children, adults, and seniors. Recently he wrote: Is Running a Yoga Business Right for You? For Yoga students, who may be considering a new career as a Yoga teacher. http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org

Written By: Paul M. Jerard Jr.

Practitioners of yoga talk about a unification of the body, mind and spirit acquired through practicing the yoga exercises and techniques.

One of the fundamental beliefs that yoga practitioners share is that the mind and body are a unified structure. This structure can find its harmony and it can heal itself when given a proper environment. Many doctors recommend yoga for helping a wide variety of health conditions.

Yoga is not a recent philosophy and has been practiced for thousands of years. Studies have been done in order to establish the areas in which people can obtain health benefits by an extended practice. The information obtained suggests that yoga may impart improvements in physiological, psychological, and biochemical health.

From the physiological point of view, prolonged yoga practices can help pulse rate, respiratory and blood pressure dysfunction, contribute to stabilizing the nervous system, normalize gastrointestinal functions, normalize endocrine function, increase joint range of motion, increase endurance, enhance energy levels, increase immunity to diseases, improve cardiovascular efficiency, improve eye-hand coordination, reaction time, dexterity skills, depth perception, sleep, and more.

The studies of psychological benefits suggest that yoga can contribute to enhancing somatic and kinesthetic awareness, self-acceptance and self-actualization, social skills, well-being, as well as improving concentration, memory, attention, mood, learning efficiency, symbol coding, etc.

As for the biochemical benefits of yoga, there have been reports of decreases in glucose, sodium, cholesterol, total white blood cell counts and increases of vitamin C, total serum protein, and hemoglobin. Studies have also revealed that yoga exercises are effective at increasing joint flexibility and lubrication of joints, ligaments and tendons. Another interesting aspect has to do with the fact that yoga is one of the very few techniques which contributes to massaging all the internal organs and glands. This includes the glands that are hardly ever stimulated in this way, such as the prostate. The stimulation and massaging of the internal organs proves to be beneficial when it comes to preventing disease.

These ancient and efficient techniques ease the detoxification of the body. While stretching the muscles and performing a thorough massage, yoga ensures the optimum movement of blood and fluids that your body needs. Consequently, toxins are eliminated from your body and certain undesired processes, such as aging, can be delayed.

All the benefits presented above come in addition to the most important aspects provided by yoga practices; the harmony and synchronization between body and mind, strengthening your meditation and balancing your emotions.

About the author:

Is your current exercise program and diet meeting your health needs? Ask our excellent natural physicians your pressing health concerns. Get your free report, read articles, and more. Visit http://www.MyWebND.com today.

Written By: Dr. Tara Barker ND

One of the essential things about yoga, together with the positive attitude, is the diet. It is highly recommended to perform your yoga session after about 2 hours from a main meal. Many specialists agree that what we eat is reflected both in our appearance, as well as in our health state. In other words, it is important to mind the things we consume, in order to prevent illnesses and discomforts.

However, the question related to what does healthy food mean, remains a constant reason of inquiry for many people. According to reliable studies, a very diversified diet represents the ideal food for any human organism. However, fruits and vegetables, containing fibers and vitamins should be a permanent component of your daily meals. Furthermore, everything that can be defined as natural food is recommended, when it comes to preserving your state of well being.

Despite the fact that many people try to eat as little as possible, as they believe food can produce them harm, you have to keep in mind that your body needs nutrients, in order to properly function. Nevertheless, do not exaggerate when eating, even if you are consuming healthy food, because it will not have the same beneficial effect on you. Try to stop eating once you are not hungry anymore, or, even better, stop before reaching the full saturation state. By doing this, you will discover that the state of fatigue, which we sometimes experience after eating, is considerably diminished, while your energy level goes up substantially.

Another issue related to eating is how often should a healthy person eat? Should we have three meals a day? Should we avoid having dinner, in order to prevent becoming overweight, because we do not move sufficiently during the night? Or is it better not to have lunch, so that you do not have to deal, in the middle of the day, with the unpleasant sensation of fatigue, which we experience after serving a consistent meal? Well, the right answer to all these questions would be to eat whenever you are hungry, as your body needs to be fed in order to function at the standards you desire, but, nevertheless, pay attention to what and how much you are eating.

More than a simple energy source, food can be a way of purifying one’s body and soul, which is why, together with the variety of exercises, yoga trainers encourage the practitioners to keep a wise diet, based mainly on natural food. This way, their body is protected from the danger of contracting toxins and it is prepared, at the same time, to find the synchronization with the soul and mind, which is actually one of the main goals of yoga practices.

As a final remark, when carrying out constant yoga practices it is important, in order to reach your goals, to meditate both on what you are doing to your own body, as a direct consequence of the food you are eating, and to what level you respond to your soul’s and mind’s needs.

About the author:

Kirsten Hawkins is a yoga enthusiast and teacher from Nashville, TN. Visit http://www.onlineyoga411.com/ for more information on all styles of yoga and yoga and spirituality resources.

Written By: Kirsten Hawkins