Tuesday, July 29, 2008

The Yoga of Menopause

It’s big news when a favored medical treatment – HRT for menopausal women – is found to be harmful. But it’s no news to readers of Susun Weed. She’s been blowing the whistle on both scientific and alternative treatments of menopause for nearly two decades. Read on to find out more! Susun maintains: “Menopause is not a ‘pathology’, but a passage to power. Like puberty, menopause is a natural – and healthy – change. Wise women the world over herald menopause as a health-promoting event. They see hot flashes as ‘power surges’ and menopause as an intense spiritual journey. Most treatments – including ERT, HRT, isoflavone, and progesterone creams – disrupt this process and can do severe damage to a woman’s health.”

MENOPAUSE IS ENLIGHTENMENT

The energy aspects of menopause are of special interest to me.

As a long-time student of yoga, I was struck by the many similarities between menopausal symptoms and the well-known esoteric goal of "awakening of the kundalini." Though the ideas presented in this section may seem strange or difficult to comprehend, they contain powerful messages about menopause, which lie at the heart of the Wise Woman approach.

Kundalini [is] the root [of] all spiritual experiences ... Kundalini is a special kind of energy known in many cultures, including Tibetan, Indian, Sumerian, Chinese, Irish, Aztec, and Greek. Kundalini is said to be hot, fast, powerful, and large. It exists within the earth, within all life, and within each person. Psychoanalyst Carl G. Jung called kundalini anima. Kundalini is usually represented as a serpent coiled at the base of the spine, but women's mystery stories locate it in the uterus - or the area where the uterus was, if a hysterectomy has occurred. During both puberty and menopause, a woman's kundalini is difficult to control and may cause a great number of symptoms.

East Indian yogis spend lifetimes learning to activate, or wake up, their kundalini. This is also called "achieving enlightenment". When they succeed, a surge of super-heated energy goes up the spine, throughout the nerves, dilating blood vessels, and fueling itself with hormones. As kundalini continues to travel up the spine, it changes the functioning of the endocrine, cardiovascular, and nervous systems. Not just in yogis, but in any woman who allows herself to become aware of it. Menopause is a kind of enlightenment. Hot flashes are kundalini training sessions.

TAKING HORMONES? THESE HERBS ARE FOR YOU

More and more American women are using herbal remedies to help them with menopausal problems. Those who do take ERT (estrogen replacement) or HRT (hormone replacement) may be surprised to discover that herbal medicine has a lot to offer them as well.

Herbs for women on ERT/HRT include those that alleviate side-effects as well as those that counter problems caused by the hormones.

Herbal Helpers Counter Side-Effects

Water retention is the symptom most often cited for dissatisfaction with hormone replacement. Herbal tinctures and tea, such as dandelion or cleavers, and ordinary foods can not only relieve the distress, they will go to the root of the problem and help prevent recurrences.

Dandelion root tincture (Taraxacum officinale) strengthens the liver and helps it process out the excess hormones you are taking. When the liver works well, the kidneys work better, and tissues no longer bloat. A dose is 10-20 drops in several ounces of water or juice 2-3 three times a day. If you have any digestion problems, take your dandelion before meals; otherwise, anytime is fine. You can safely take dandelion daily for months or years if you need or want to.

Cleavers herb tincture (Galium molluga) tells the lymphatic tissues to get moving. Relief from edema is usually rapid when 20-30 drops are taken in several ounces of water or juice. Repeat up to six times at hourly intervals if needed. Cleavers is especially helpful for easing swollen, sore breasts.

Foods that relieve water retention include (in order of effectiveness): asparagus, nettles, corn (and corn silk tea), grapes, cucumbers, watermelon (and watermelon seed tea), parsley, celery, black tea, and green tea.

Headaches are the second most common side-effect of hormone use. Unfortunately, they are common among menopausal women not taking hormones, too. Herbs that help relieve headache without a drug-like action - such as dandelion, yellow dock, milk thistle, burdock, garden sage, skullcap, and St. John's/Joan's wort - are generally considered safe to take with hormones.

Chinese herbalists say headaches are caused by liver stress. My favorite liver-strengthening herbs are dandelion, yellow dock, milk thistle seed, and burdock. I use one at a time, a 15-25 drops of the tincture several times a day, for two weeks. If symptoms continue, I switch to a different herb.

A strong tea of garden sage leaves (Salvia officinalis) offers immediate relief from headaches and helps prevent future ones. It also reduces night sweats. Tinctures of skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora) and St. Joan's/John's wort (Hypericum perforatum) ease pain and relieve muscle spasms. Use 5-20 drops of skullcap and a dropperful of St.J's at the very first sign - no, the very first thought - of a headache. Repeat the doses every five minutes until pain free. Skullcap can be quite sedative, especially in large doses.

Herbal Allies to Prevent Problems Caused by Taking Hormones

Breast cancer risk is increased 20% in women who use ERT for five or more years. Use of HRT for five or more years increases breast cancer risk by 40%. Each five years of continued use increases the risk. In addition, women who take ERT are far more likely to get uterine or endometrial cancers. All women on hormones increase their risks of lung and ovarian cancer, too. Nourishing herbs such as red clover, and foods such as beans and yogurt, offer easy ways to stay cancer-free.

Red clover blossoms (Trifolium pratense), when dried and brewed into a strong infusion (one ounce herb steeped an a quart of boiling water for at least four hours) prevent cancer by providing phytoestrogens that counter the cancer-promoting effects of oral hormones. Usual dose is 2-4 cups a day. The infusion tastes like black tea and can be flavored with mint if you like.

Since uncooked beans and unfermented soy contain anti-nutritional factors that may promote bone loss and dementia, soy "milk" and tofu are not recommended. Miso and tamari definitely help to prevent breast cancer but soy isoflavones may promote it.

Yogurt helps build powerful immunity. Women who eat a quart of yogurt a week have 700% less cancer than women who eat no yogurt.

Dry eyes afflict more than 9% of women using ERT and over 7% of those on HRT. Risk increases by 70% for every year of continued use. And the longer a woman uses hormones, the greater her risk. Herbs such as oatstraw, chamomile, and chickweed can help relieve and prevent this problem.

Oatstraw infusion (Avena sativa) cools and moistens your eyes from the inside out, builds strong bones too. Use one ounce of dried herb in a quart jar; fill to the top with boiling water and cap tightly. Let steep four or more hours. Dose is 2-4 cups a day. Refrigerate after straining.

Cucumber slices ease dry eyes; so do chamomile tea bags.

The ultimate ally for women with dry eyes is fresh chickweed (Stellaria media), applied as a poultice to the closed eyes. Leave on for five minutes, or until the plant material feels warm (it will heat up). Repeat as needed.

Stroke and heart attack are actually increased by use of ERT/HRT, though modern medicine has long proclaimed the opposite. Every major double-blind study done to date has created a larger and larger gap between ERT/HRT's supposed ability to help cardiovascular health and its actual results. Protect your heart with nourishing and tonifying herbs and foods such as motherwort, hawthorn, and cherries.

Motherwort (Leonurus cardiaca) tincture helps the heart. The Japanese claim it is their secret of longevity. A dose is 5-15 drops, twice a day. Motherwort also relieves hot flashes, calms tachycardiia, and eases anxiety. It's an all-in-one remedy for menopausal women.

Hawthorn (Crataegus oxycantha) flowers, leaves, and fruits are all used to maintain heart health and control fluid build-up in heart tissues. A dose is 20- 30 drops of tincture 2-4 times a day, or a cup of tea with meals. This widespread shrub is considered one of the finest heart tonics in the world.

Cherries are even better than apples at keeping the doctor away. Dried cherries and cherry juice, even tincture of cherries.

More than three-quarters of the women in America over the age of fifty have refused ERT/HRT. If you want to join them, taper off your dosage slowly, while continuing to use nourishing and tonifying herbs such as dandelion, motherwort, red clover, oatstraw, and seaweed.

THERE ARE MANY TYPES OF ESTROGENS

Women make estrogens.
Plants make estrogens and estrogen-like compounds.
Chemicals, especially organochlorines, act like estrogens (xenoestrogens).

Pharmaceutical companies make estrogens from substances such as horse urine, wild yam roots, and petrochemicals. Tamoxifen, used to treat and prevent breast cancer, is a type of pharmaceutical estrogen.

Women make at least thirty types of estrogen, including estradiol, estrone, and estrace. Estradiol is the strongest; it is turned on at puberty and turned off at menopause. Estradiol is positively linked with breast cancer; other human estrogens are not. Anything that reduces the amount of estradiol a woman produces (such as pregnancy, lactation, early menopause, and late puberty) also decreases her risk of a breast cancer diagnosis.

Phytoestrogens counter the detrimental effects of estradiol by competing for the same receptor sites.

Estradiol is a strong estrogen and is metabolized by the long path. The other estrogens our bodies make are weak estrogens and are metabolized by the short path. Alcohol turns off the short path. Phytoestrogens are weak hormones and hormonal precursors. Phytoestrogens in foods are metabolized by the short path. Phytoestrogens appear to protect tissues from the cancer-causing effects of estradiol, xenoestrogens and pharmaceutical hormones. Phytoestrogens in foods prevent cancer and promote health; phytoestrogen supplements and processed soy fake-foods may do the opposite. Breast cancer occurs four times more often in women whose urinary output of phytoestrogen by-products is low compared to women whose urinary output is high.

Phytoestrogens are common in food. They are concentrated in seeds (grains, beans, nuts, berries) and roots. The exceptions to the rule that plants don't contain human hormones: French beans, rice, apple seeds, licorice, and pomegranate seeds contain the "weak" estrogen estrone.

To get the greatest benefit from phytoestrogenic foods and herbs remember:

Isolated phytoestrogens are not as safe as those "in matrix."
To make use of plant hormones, you need active, healthy gut flora.
Herbs and foods rich in phytoestrogens need to be used in different ways.
Phytoestrogens may have different effects on women who do not have their ovaries.

Plants contain many types of phytoestrogens; additionally, they contain minerals and other constituents which help our bodies modify the phytoestrogens and so we can use them safely. Red clover is mineral-rich and contains all four of the major types of phytoestrogens: lignans, coumestans, isoflavones, and resorcylic acid lactones. It is the world's best-known anti-cancer herb. In general, foods and herbs rich in phytoestrogens, with the possible exception of licorice, show anti-cancer abilities. Isoflavone, however, when isolated (usually from soy) has the opposite effect: in the lab it encourages the growth of breast cancer cells (endnote 32 in New Menopausal Years).
Plant hormones, including most phytoestrogens, can't be used by humans. But we can convert them into ones we can use - with the help of our gut bacteria. When women take antibiotics, their excretion of phytoestrogens plummets. Get your gut flora going by eating more yogurt, miso, unpasteurized sauerkraut, homemade beers and wines, picked-by-your-own-hands-and-unwashed fruits and salads, sourdough bread, and whey-fermented vegetables. (See Nourishing Traditions by Sally Fallon for whey-fermented vegetable recipes.)
Plants which are exceptionally rich in phytoestrogens are regarded as powerful herbal medicines. Plants which are good sources of phytoestrogens are regarded as foods. While food can certainly be our medicine - a practice I advocate - it is also true that medicines are more dangerous than foods. Foods rich in phytoestrogens are different than medicinal herbs rich in phytoestrogens. They have different places in my life.
- I eat phytoestrogenic foods daily in quantity.
- I use phytoestrogenic food-like herbs regularly (not daily), in moderate quantity.
- I take phytoestrogenic herbs rarely, in small amounts, for a limited time.
Phytoestrogenic foods are the basis for a healthy diet and a long life. The first food listed is the highest in phytoestrogens. The best diet contains not just one but many choices from each list:
- Whole grains (rye, oats, barley, millet, rice, wheat, corn)
- Edible seeds (buckwheat, sesame, sunflower, pumpkin, amaranth, quinoa)
- Beans (yellow split peas, black turtle beans, baby limas, Anasazi beans, red kidney beans, red lentils, soy beans)
- Leafy greens and seaweed (parsley, nettle, kelp, cabbage, broccoli, kale, collards, lamb's quarter)
- Fruits (olives, cherries, grapes, apples, pears, peaches, plums, strawberries, blackberries, raspberries, salmon berries, apricots, crab apples, quinces, rosehips, blueberries)
- Olive oil and seed oils. Garlic, onions and their relatives leeks, chives, scallions, ramps, shallot
Phytoestrogenic food-like herbs are generally considered longevity tonics. For optimum effect, use only one from the list below and to stick with it for at least three months.
- Citrus peel, dandelion leaves and/or roots, fenugreek seeds, flax seeds, green tea, hops, red clover, red wine.
Phytoestrogenic herbs are usually too powerful for long- term use. From the list below (which is in alphabetical order), it is safest to use only one herb at a time, and use it only when needed, although that may mean daily use for several months. More information about these herbs, including specific dosages and cautions, is in New Menopausal Years the Wise Woman Way.
- Agave root, black cohosh root, black currant, black haw, chasteberries, cramp bark, dong quai root, devil's club root, false unicorn root, ginseng root, groundsel herb, licorice, liferoot herb, motherwort herb, peony root, raspberry leaves, rose family plants (most parts), sage leaves, sarsaparilla root, saw palmetto berried, wild yam root, yarrow blossoms.
Most of the warnings about phytoestrogenic herbs center on their proven ability to thicken the uterine wall in animals who have had their ovaries removed. This could encourage cancer, just as taking ERT encourages cancer of the uterus by stimulating cell growth. Women without ovaries are probably safe eating phytoestrogenic foods, but may want to use phytoestrogenic herbs - especially ginseng, dong quai, licorice, red clover, and wild yam - in small amounts and only for short periods.

FURTHER NOTES ON PHYTOESTROGENIC PLANTS

Recent studies indicate black cohosh does not suppress luteinizing hormone, has no estrogenic effect, and contains no compounds related to estrogen. Red clover flower heads contain many hormone-like flavonoids, including isoflavone, daidzein, genistein, formononetin, biochanin, sitosterol, and coumestrol, a particularly strong phytoestrogen (six times more active than the one in soy). Red clover contains all four major estrogenic isoflavones; soy has only two of them. A cup of red clover infusion (not tea) contains ten times more phytoestrogens than a cup of soy beverage, is richer in calcium, has less calories, and contains no added sugars.
Researchers in Australia report a million lambs a year are aborted after sheep eat clover on pasture. Yet red clover is renowned as a fertility enhancer. What's up? Stephen Buhner, author of The Secret Language of Plants, says clover plants make blood-thinning compounds (which cause abortion) when overgrazed, but don't otherwise. Plants, it turns out, can fight back.
When unfermented soy takes the place of animal protein (meat and milk), its anti-nutritional factors can create brittle bones, thyroid problems, memory loss, vision impairment, irregular heartbeat, depression, and vulnerability to infections. Unfermented soy is high in hemoglutin, which causes clumping of red blood cells and may increase risk of stroke. It is also impressively rich in aluminum (up to 100 times more than is found in the same amount of real milk). Eating tofu more than once a week doubled the risk of Alzheimer's in a small group of Japanese men studied for thirty years.
Human gut bacteria can cleave a sugar molecule from wild yam's steroidal saponin, producing diosgenin. Labs make progesterone from diosgenin, but our bodies can't. Diosgenin itself has a weak estrogenic effect. According to Australian herbalist Ruth Trickey: "A more probable explanation [for the observed effects of wild yam] ... is that [diosgenin] interacts with hypothalamic and pituitary hormones and ... initiates ovulation."

Susun Weed
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Woodstock, NY 12498
Fax: 1-845-246-8081

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About the Author

Vibrant, passionate, and involved, Susun Weed has garnered an international reputation for her groundbreaking lectures, teachings, and writings on health and nutrition. She challenges conventional medical approaches with humor, insight, and her vast encyclopedic knowledge of herbal medicine. Unabashedly pro-woman, her animated and enthusiastic lectures are engaging and often profoundly provocative.

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Arthritis Patients Try Yoga

Doctors strongly suggests people who have been diagnosed with arthritis to keep on regulating their body functions by exercising. In doing so, the deterioration of their joints won’t be as grave. By exercising on a daily basis, a person diagnosed with arthritis combats the bacteria that are slowly inflaming his joints and tendons.

Normally, hospitals recommend arthritis patients to sign up for an arthritis exercise fitness programs. These programs encourage them to walk for a good solid hour three times a week. Other exercises include weight lifting. It is an arduous task but in doing so, this benefits the patient to be stronger. Studies show that by exercising, the arthritis patient continues to be dependent and function on a normal state. As opposed to those who mope around and dwell on the fact that they have arthritis, they eventually became immobile and seek out the help of others to do simple personal activities such as getting out of bed, taking a shower and dressing. Yoga, brought to mainstream attention by pop icon Madonna, is an alternative exercise arthritis patients can consider. Yoga requires the use of special postures such as stretching and aligning the body. By doing so, the body is strengthened and that is what a person with arthritis must be aiming for. Yoga also uses breathing and meditation. This helps the mind to be focused and also relaxes the individual. People of any age and background have fun with yoga. As it turns out, people with arthritis are also recently discovering the thrill from this body-bender. It not only calms your thoughts, it also tones the muscles. Jessica Alba, watch out! Here are some tips for a person who has arthritis but does yoga.

1. If it is hard for you to sit in a cross-legged posture, simply wrap your legs around your head. Yoga can be customized. As long as the person is comfortable in doing the activity and is doing it properly, there are no specific rules that must be followed. Yoga is not the army. The goal of yoga is to relax your body but at the same time also tone your muscles without straining it too much.

2. People wonder whether yoga can help alleviate arthritis symptoms. At the moment, a study was conducted on the matter. Its results were published in a Western medical journal. The study involved 17 participants with arthritis. The group showed a decrease in the pain that they were feeling after participating in yoga. Yoga not only enhanced their strength and flexibility, it also gave them a better sense of well-being. It also made them feel powerful and not weak, as what most arthritis patients often convince themselves as.

3. If you feel sore after participating in a yoga class, do not worry. That is normal. Since the class required you to use a lot of your muscles, feeling pain at your joints and tendons does not mean something is off. It only means that you conducted yoga in the right way.

4. Find a good yoga class. Some people buy a video and try to do it by themselves. This is not advisable. One needs an experienced instructor in order for the person to show the proper way of doing the activity. This lessens the risk of obtaining an injury.

5. Because of the popularity of yoga in the United States, there are various styles to choose from. Choose one that is right for you. Do not push yourself too hard. If it is difficult, then try another style. People with arthritis has to take classes that approach the subject matter in a gradual manner. 6. Arthritis patients must also seek the advice of their doctors on whether the yoga style they chose is appropriate for them. Also, he must discuss the limitations he might experience with his yoga instructor.

Note: This article may be freely reproduced as long as the AUTHOR'S resource box at the bottom of this article is included and and all links must be Active/Linkable with no syntax changes.

About the Author

Charlene J. NubleFor All the things you need to know about arthritis, please go to: Arthritis Exercise

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Friday, July 25, 2008

Yoga - Yama and Niyama

Yama and niyama may be respectively called the negative and positive aspects of behaviour.

Traditionally, ten yamas and ten niyamas are found mentioned in texts such as Trishikhibrahmanopanishad (Mantra part), Darshanopanishad, and Yoga Yajnyavalkya. In other authoritative texts like the' Yoga Sutra, VishnuPurana only five yamas and five niyamas have been mentioned. On the whole, the yamas may be said to have greater importance. As explained in the Manusmriti "one must always follow the yamas without any exception; one gets ruined if he follows the niyamas alone, ignoring the yamas."

1) Ahimsa (Non-violence): This is the foremost among the yamas. It implies an absence of the attitude to harm others in any manner. This has been very highly spoken of in Jainism as well as in ChristianIty.But it is very difficult to bring this yama into practice in day life. A judge, for example, who is the custodian of law and order, or a warrior on the battle-field,or butcher, cannot go to the extreme of not causing any one.

More importance should here be given not to the fact of killing or harming others, but to the attitude involved in the act. Thus the executioner whose lot it is to hang those who are sentenced to death,is never charged with murder of anyone, although his actual act involving killing of a human being may not different from the act of a murderer. But if he hangs anyone without the proper orders of a competent authority, his act may be treated as murder. Thus, whether an act involves killing, does not have much importance.
The attitude involved is, in fact, what is most important. The definition of ahimsa in yoga is more rigorous than the ordinary sense of the term. It means excluding from one's behaviour not only such acts as would involve killing or physically offend others, but also the acts of offending others through speech or even thinking ill about anyone.
A yogi exhibits ahimsa by his very nature. He does not have to think every time that he has to refrain from himsa, because it is harmful.

2) Satya (Truthfulness): This means being truthful in thought, speech and action. One can be extremely truthful in this way, only when one has overcome greed and ambition. But most of us are greedy ,end ambitious, and hence we often deceive others whenever our interests are served by deceit. Honesty and simplicity are two qualities that are a "must"for one who aspires for making any progress on the path of yoga. Honesty is not only necessary for a student of yoga. but it is something most essential for every individual in society.
The student of yoga comes to look upon the whole world as a single family, and his dealings with every human being are therefore full of love and honesty.

3) Asteya (Non-theft): "Steya"in Sanskrit means enjoying or keeping with oneself what rightly belongs to others, i.e. stealing, or theft. A student of yoga, who is a man of vairagya, is never expected to steal anything from anywhere, because he has a fecling of love for all. How can such an individual ever think of robbing others of their belongings, or gathering wealth or objects of enjoyment? One thinks of robbing others, or exploiting them, only when there is no love, and there is some selfish motive. Vairagya, which puts an end to all selfish activities, greed and ambition, causes an individual to renounce the very idea of enjoying at the cost of others, and such a man retires spontaneously from all activities which may deprive others, knowingly or unknowingly, of the fulfilment of their needs.
The needs of a yogi are indeed very few, and he does not have to exploit others in the slightest manner in order to make his own life possible.

4) Aparigraha (Non-gathering): This means not going after accumulation of wealth and objects of enjoyment. We usually long for increasing our belong ings infinitely, because we are greedy. An aspirant of yoga has, however, to turn his mind away from greed,and be concerned only with the fulfilment of his primary needs. Accumulation of wealth causes distraction-it keeps one's mind tied down to the enjoyments that are imagined to go with amassing wealth.
It causes a lot of strain to gather wealth, and it causes strain too to keep it safe. And all this is nothing but distraction for a student of yoga who is truly a man of vairagya, which in the true sense of the term, involves renunciation not only of unnecessary belongings, but of the very idea of desire and attainment in any form.

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Dhayana - Controlling the Mind

Human mind has ever been a thing of great concern to the philosophers, thinkers, and masters of yoga.

Guided by the maxim "healthy mind in a healthy body", we have tried to show in the earlier chapters how yoga practices involving control of muscles and breath can help to make the mind healthy and peacefu1. In the present chapter we shall inquire into those yoga techniques which are useful in tackling the mind in a direct manner. A questions that we must answer at the outset would be why should the mind be made silent at all? An answer to this question is found in the Amritabindupanishad, where in it is said that, "the mind has two parts: one impure, the other pure.

The impurities of the mind are made by desire and passion. Mind itself is thus the cause of bondage and liberation; it binds the individual when it is overtaken by desire for enjoyment, it makes for mukti when it becomes peaceful and silent". We shall first try to understand here the nature of mind according to yoga, before proceeding to see how it is made silent. As explained by the great Shankaracharya (VivekaChudamani), the mind (which is known in Sanskrit as antahkarana) gets four different names according to its functions: it is called manas for the activity of resolving and doubting; buddhi, when it comes to a decision or judgment about anything; it derives the name asmita from the fact of consciousness of its own existence; and lastly, it comes to be known as chita by the event of remembering previous experience. It is customary to compare the mind to a river.

Just as a river is nothing but a huge mass of innumerable drops of water, mind is a vast collection of thoughts and traces of past experience. Water is observed to flow always to a lower level; so, too the mind, which always gets attracted towards one or other object of enjoyment.
Traditionally it is believed by all the branches of Indian philosophy (except perhaps the solitary example of the Charvaka school of thought) that the mind of every individual is, at any time, full of traces of experience gathered in all the past lives through which one has passed. According to this belief, one's mind at the very moment of birth, may be looked upon as a vast river of samskaras gathered over countless past lives.

Many samskaras out of that vast collection are supposed to be wiped out due to enjoyment of their fruits in the present birth, but many more are also being continually added throughout the present life, due to the various acts one does from birth till death. This is known as the law of karma, which states that the various events one comes across in the present life are the fruits of what one had done in past lives, and secondly, that the mind of an individual contains, at birth, the whole collection of past samskaras. It may be pointed out that science seems to disbelieve both these statements.Whether the mind is full of traces of past experience at birth or not, it is true that the mind of most of us is ever engaged in activity that is the outcome of desire to be something or to obtain something. As explained in the Mahopanishad, "mind is always unstable, and it is almost impossible to get rid of the instability of the mind, because it is a quality as basic to the mind as is heat to fire.

When the mind becomes devoid of this instability, it attains moksha." Our mind may be compared to a horse that is free to run wherever it likes. Like an uncontrolled horse, the mind of an individual always runs from one object of enjoyment to another. We find the mind to be continuously engaged in some kind of thought. Whenever it is not engaged in any event actually happening. it either remembers some past event or contemplates some future event. It is at very rare movements that the mind may be found to be still. We find a very lucid description of the mental activity of an individual in the Kathopanishad. It is said that, "the body is like a chariot of which intellect (buddhi) is the charioteer. Mind works like the reins; the senses are the horses, the objects of experience being their field of operation. The individual endowed with mind and senses is the enjoyer of all that happens.

The senses act like bad horses out of control of the charioteer when the mind is not steady. When right knowledge is attained by steadying the mind, the senses act like good controlled horses. Such an individual reaches the other shore of samsara, that is the highest state."Yoga philosophy recognizes five factors as being basic to the mental activity of an individual. These are called the five kleshas, because 'they are the root cause of human misery and sorrow. They are named respectively avidya, asmita, raga, dvesha, and abhinivesha. Avidya means false knowledge or ignorance of one's own nature in relation to the objects of experience. Various schools of Indian philosophy are observed to have different views regarding what avidya means, but they all agree that it is a fundamental fact underlying human behavior. Asmita means the ego feeling.

According to the yoga view, the soul is, in fact, completely different from the body. But due to avidya, it starts taking the body to be its own, or rather, it gets identified with the body, and thus gets affected with pleasure and pain. Asmita is thus an immediate consequence of avidya. The next three kleshas are also looked upon as consequences of avidya (e.g. see Yoga Sutra). Raga means liking for pleasurable experience, that is, the desire for enjoyment. Dvesha is the opposite of this, namely, aversion for pain. The last, klesha, indicates the desire to live, i.e. the fear of death.Yoga philosophy thus tries to derive all human behavior from these five innate and universal tendencies. It is believed that these five basic tendencies are present in the mind of an individual right from the moment of birth.

They are the motivating agents which guide the behavior of an individual in various situations. These five innate tendencies are looked upon as impurities of the mind. Their presence in the mind makes for unsteadiness and instability. The mind can, therefore, become steady and peaceful only when these impurities are completely washed away.

There are two ways of making the mind clear of impurities, namely, Pranayama and Dhyana.

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Wednesday, July 23, 2008

Hissing Cobra-Yoga

Stand with your feet hip-width apart. Inhaling, circle your arms overhead, and bring your palms together. Interlock your fingers, with index fingers pointing up.

Benefits Forcibly gets rid of stale air and toxins in the bottom of the lungs Focus Keep your chest as low to the ground as you can for as long as you can before arching your body. Hiss as loudly as you can for maximum benefit.
Once in the extended forward position with your arms locked, keep lengthening and stretching through your abdominal muscles as you hiss. Sit on your heels on the floor. Lean forward and stretch your arms out in front of you, palms flat on the floor. Inhale. Exhaling strongly through your mouth (making a hissing sound), slide your chin and chest forward along the floor. Keep your hips low.
Push up with your arms, and support your body on locked elbows; drop your head backward, arch your back, and stretch through your abdomen. Continue hissing until you empty your lungs completely. When you run out of breath, inhale while you sit back on your heels, arms extended in front of you, palms flat on the floor. Repeat Hissing Cobra 6 more times, hissing as you slide forward and inhaling as you sit back on your heels.
Do not take any extra breaths in between. Sit back on your heels with your arms outstretched and your head on the floor. Rest, and notice how clean your lungs feel. Star Stretch- Improves Circulation to the Abdominal Area.
The act of consciously tensing and releasing your muscles makes you more aware of the difference between the two and of how good relaxation can feel. Benefits Improves circulation to the abdominal areaReleases tension across the abdomen, chest, and back to make breathing easier and deeper Focus Focus on extending and tensing every muscle, even those of your face.
As you tense your muscles, visualize your body as being as taut as a guitar string. As you release the tension, visualize yourself as being as soft as a rag doll. Lie on the floor on your back with your arms and legs spread wide, palms facing up your body should resemble the shape of a starfish.
Inhale deeply, then exhale. Hold your breath for 7 counts as you stretch and lengthen through your arms, pressing the backs of your hands into the floor. Leave your legs soft. Release and relax. Inhale, then exhale. Hold your breath for a count of 7 as you stretch and lengthen through your legs while pointing your toes to the floor. Leave your upper body soft. Press your lower back to the floor, and tighten your abdominal muscles and buttocks. Release and relax. Inhale, then exhale.
Hold your breath for 7 counts as you stretch through your right arm and left leg diagonally through your body, pointing your toes and fingers.Release and relax. Inhale, then exhale. Hold your breath for 7 counts as you stretch through your left arm and right leg diagonally through your body, pointing your toes and fingers. Exhale and relax. Inhale, then exhale. Hold your breath for 7 counts, as you stretch through your arms and legs. Flatten the backs of your hands and your back to the floor, and tighten every muscle in your body, including those of your face. Relax by practicing 3 Full Yoga Breaths .

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Paschimotanasana Yoga

Purva and paschima are the Sanskrit words for the east and west.

In the context of the human body purva means the front side or the ventral side, paschima meaning the dorsal or back side. Tana means to stretch. Thus the name of this asana indicates that in it the back side is stretched. It is also called Paschimottana because the back side faces up (uttana). A third name often given to it is Ugrasana, ugra meaning fierce. This posture is highly talked about in the yoga texts.

The description of it in the Shivasamhita as follows: "Keeping the legs straight in front of the body and holding the feet fast with the hands, the forehead is placed on the knees. This is called Paschimottana. One who masters it and practises it every day makes the vayu (air) flow through the dorsal path."Making the vayu flow through the dorsal path has a great significance in connection with the arousal of the dormant spiritual power called Kundalini. This asana is very important for that because of the stretching influence on the lower back where the Kundalini power is said to reside. Sitting on the seat, the legs are kept straight in front of the body with the heels on the ground and toes pointing upward. The hands are kept on the thighs with the palms facing downward.

The hands are then advanced slowly forward, at the same time bending the trunk forward, and without allowing the knees to be raised even slightly, the toes are grasped with the hands. The forehead is then lowered on the knees. Many people find it impossible to achieve this in the beginning because there is much strain on the hamstring muscles (on the inner side of the knees). But these muscles can be trained to bear the strain within two to three weeks by subjecting them to a steadily increasing stretch every day for a few seconds. If one fails to grasp the feet with the hands on the first day, one should take the hands as near the feet as possible, and remain in that state for a few seconds.
The hands may then be brought back to the starting position, and after relaxing for a few seconds the procedure may be repeated again.There should be no haste and no feeling of undue strain. When one starts grasping the feet with the hands without raising the knees, the head should be kept on the knees and the elbows should be kept on the ground by the two sides of the knees.

The duration of the final pose may be increased gradually from a few seconds to begin with, to one minute. This posture exercises the muscles of the limbs and the back, especially the base of the back by stretching them, and improves the tone of the organs in the abdominal cavity. This influence on the abdominal viscera can be enhanced by contracting the anus and pelvis with a deep exhalation during the final pose, and hulding the breath out. This asana helps to reduce the fat accumulated on the belly.

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Monday, July 21, 2008

Yoga for Neck Pain

Everyone gets a stiff neck sometimes. Often yoga can help. Of course, before you do anything, it’s important to know if your neck pain is the sign of something more serious.

Yoga for Neck Pain

Everyone gets a stiff neck sometimes. Often yoga can help. Of course, before you do anything, it’s important to know if your neck pain is the sign of something more serious. Make sure to see your doctor if:

Your neck pain persists for more than three days or keeps coming back.
You suffer from neck pain after a fall or accident.
Pain radiates from your neck down your arms or legs.
Neck pain is associated with nausea or dizziness.

Yoga Exercises for Neck Pain

If you determine you simply have a stiff neck, specific yoga exercises will help strengthen muscles and increase flexibility in the neck. Even gently exercising your neck helps lubricate and speed nutrients to the area. Here are a few exercises for your neck that are particularly helpful.

Neck Stretches

Follow these steps when practicing neck stretches:

Start in seated position (cross legged)
Sit up tall, reaching up through the top of the head
Draw shoulders back
Exhale, drop chin towards chest, keeping elbows and shoulders pulled back
Inhale, raise the head back to center
Do this five times, then on the last exhale, drop the chin and stay in this position for three breaths, breathing through the nose
Inhale, raise head back to center
Exhale, slowly drop right ear towards right shoulder
Inhale, raise head back to center
Do this five times, then on the last exhale, drop the ear towards the right shoulder and stay in this position for 3 breaths
Inhale, raise head back to center
Repeat on left side

Half-Circles

Rolling your head around in a full circle—as some people do to "loosen" their neck muscles—can actually cause more damage, so avoid it. The neck is not a ball and socket joint and is not meant to move around in circles. However, half circles in the front can be done instead. To do this, first drop your chin to your chest. Move your chin towards the right shoulder then back to your chest. Then move your chin towards the left shoulder and back towards the chest. Repeat this movement three to five times.

Shoulder Moves

Hunch your shoulders as high as possible, then let them relax completely. Repeat this movement 5-6 times. Next, roll your shoulders in a backwards circular motion (lifting shoulders up, squeezing them back, dropping them down and then bringing them forward again). Repeat this motion 5-6 times, then move your shoulders in a forward circular motion. All these shoulder movements help to relax the muscles in your neck and upper back. Many of us hunch our shoulders unconsciously much of the time. Notice how they feel when they are relaxed and try to keep them this way.

Chest Expander

Stand up with your feet close together. Bring your hands behind your back and interlace your fingers. Tuck your tailbone in, so you don’t arch your low back too much. As you inhale, lift your hands away from your tailbone. Squeeze your shoulder blades together and you lift your arms and stay in this position for 3-4 breaths. On your next exhale, lower your arms back down. This exercise helps strengthen the muscles in your upper back and relieve tension in your upper back and shoulders.

Arm Lifts

Bring your arms straight out in front of you with your palms facing each other. As you inhale, reach your arms overhead, bringing your arms next to your ears, if you can do so without any pain. As you exhale, bring your arms back down in front of you. Repeat 4-8 times. This helps to relieve tension and build strength in the muscles in the upper back.

Press It

Place the palm of your hand against the back of your head and gently press while resisting with your head. Hold for a count of ten. Repeat with your palm on your forehead. Now place the palm of your right hand against the right side of your head and press, again resisting the movement with your head. Repeat on the left side. This exercise helps to strengthen the muscles in your neck and makes them less prone to strain.

Prevention is the Key

There are many things you can do in your every day life to prevent neck pain in the future.

1) Improve your posture

Sit and stand, so your head is properly aligned over your shoulders. Many of us tend to drop our head to look down at what we are reading or writing or have our computer situated in a way that forces us to tip our head forward. But, poor posture isn't just how you sit and stand. It's how you hold your body when you function—moving, sitting, standing, bending or lifting. It’s how you hold your body while you are active or inactive. To maintain good posture: Sit up straight and tall, raise your chest up, relax your shoulders down and pull your head back so that your ears are directly over your shoulders, not in front of them.

2) Hold the phone

Rather than propping the phone between your head and shoulder—which can strain the soft tissues in your neck and the muscles in your upper back—hold the phone in your hand. Or better yet, buy a headset or speaker phone.

3) Check that pillow

The wrong pillow is a common cause of neck pain. But rather than taking someone else's advice, try different ones and find one that works best for you. Any cervical pillow that provides support to the neck ligaments can be very helpful. Avoid pillows that push your head forward. You may also want to try a cervical roll, which is designed to slip under your neck while you’re sleeping, reducing strain on neck joints.

4) Make your workspace work for you

When you read or write at a desk, prop your books or papers up so your head doesn’t have to tilt down. While typing at your computer, install a copy holder that's flush with the screen. Keep your computer monitor at eye level. At least once an hour, get up and walk around and stretch your neck and back.

5) Manage your stress

Pay attention to your stress level. Excessive stress can lead to tight and knotted muscles, particularly in the neck and shoulders area. Taking a yoga class is a great way to not only relieve stress, but to also learn how to manage your stress levels throughout the day.

Following these simple tips will help to keep your neck and upper back pain-free and functioning well. To learn more tips and exercises to help your neck and upper back feel their best, visit: www.yogatg.com/ys-upperbackneck.html

About the Author

Nancy Wile, Ed.D. is the founder of Yoga To Go (www.yogatg.com) – a yoga organization that provides simple and effective yoga programs for busy people around the world – and the Yoga Education Institute (www.yogaeducationinstitute.com) – a yoga teacher training organization.

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Yoga As Part Of An Anti-Aging Plan

Can yoga be an effective part of an anti-aging plan?

While the topics under discussion are obviously yoga and having or making an anti-aging plan, it has become obvious over the last few years that anything done to improve personal health, increase flexibility, optimize the cardiovascular system, improve strength, increase the efficiency of organs and glands, and/or keep a person mentally alert and feeling glad to be alive has a place in any anti-aging plan.

Even though my contention is certainly going to be that yoga can produce all the effects mentioned, and maybe more, some people will simply not be attuned to donning a leotard, lighting candles, chanting to the tunes of other-worldly CD's, and attempting to bend their bodies into positions they know they cannot attain anyway!There will be people interested in the aging process who are genuinely willing to do a lot to create an effective anti-aging plan but who are just not interested in yoga. While I cannot address each possible consideration in such a short article which is dedicated to the specific topic of yoga, I can say that any exercise program or regular activity can produce many similar physical results. Regularly challenging the mind, by puzzles, by learning new skills, or by placing oneself in social situations rather than withdrawing from them can certainly help maintain not only intellectual vigor but encourage physical activity and help defend the body against the effects of an unrestrained aging process. Attention to proper nutrition is valuable in this process as well.

In fact, there is no reason why anyone should not, or would not, use all of the above suggestions as part of an anti-aging plan whether they practice yoga or not! Yoga, while effective in this plan is not the only thing that someone should be doing, nor should they wait until they are "old" to begin the process. In fact, the sooner the better. Starting a child on a path that includes health, fitness, intellectual stimulation and growth, and a love of life and the people around us is a means of insuring that the child will, as Mr. Spock says, "Live long and prosper."

To speak in generalities about yoga as part of an anti-aging plan is a simple task. It produces physical fitness, encourages overall health of mind and body, helps keep the intellect stimulated, helps with the removal of toxins from the body, increases flexibility, helps improve the effectiveness of the immune system...the list goes on.

However, what can be said specifically about yoga and aging? After all, those comments are just words that I have placed upon a page.

Well, others have placed such words as well, and have been applauded by the medical community as well as the general public. For example, in their acclaimed book "YOU: The Owner's Manual: An Insider's Guide to the Body that Will Make You Healthier and Younger", authors Michael F. Roizen, Mehmet Oz, who are concentrating on the physical side of life, applaud the daily practice of yoga as it relates both to life and to aging. The authors are both MD's. Dr. Roizen has provided health care to eight Nobel Peace Prize winners and more than 100 Fortune 500 CEOs and CFOs, and countless others. He has been in the Best Doctors in America since 1989. Dr. Oz is professor and vice-chairman of surgery at Columbia University. He is also medical director of the Integrated Medicine Center and director of the Heart Institute, New York Presbyterian/Columbia Medical Center.

Below is an excerpt from an interview conducted by WebMD.com. Dr. Roizen is speaking in response to a question about the daily practice of a short yoga program:

Physical activity has three major components:

Any activity -- such as walking.
Strength building activity -- such as lifting weights.
Stamina activity -- such as any activity that gets you to sweat in a cold room.

Yoga constitutes two of those, that is, any activity and resistance activity because you are holding a body part in a position that gains strength.

All of these activities decrease aging of your arteries, decrease aging of your immune system, make your hormone system youthful and increase muscular skeletal strength, keeping your bones and muscles stronger. By keeping your immune system younger, this little activity of five minutes a day helps prevent cancer and immune dysfunction, which prevents things like infections and many forms of arthritis.

"Additionally, the regular practice of yoga breathing throughout a full yoga workout can assist with improvement in cardiovascular health, while it is possibly a good idea to include some sort of cardio specific activity. Regular practice of yoga creates a state similar to meditation which has been shown to improve mental acuity and reduce stress, a major player in aging. It obviously increases flexibility and improves balance. Regular practice of yoga can improve the functioning of internal organs and glands, and aids in digestion.

Also, despite the arguments against yoga earlier in this article, No special clothing is required, nor does any specific type of atmosphere need to be created. I travel a lot, and have often done my yoga routine in my underwear on a small strip of floor beside the bed while my wife watched the news on TV. While setting the stage properly can assist with some of the concentration and attitude that makes for a more highly effective yoga session, it can be done anytime, anywhere, by anybody.

Nor is the ability to convert yourself into a pretzel required. The goal of any yoga practitioner is to do what he or she can to achieve the posture or movement. The people shown in pictures are the ones who have gotten to that point generally after years of practice, and, as in any activity, some are just going to be better at it than others. Regularly doing what you CAN do to the best of your ability will return positive results.

My recommendation? It's obvious. I believe that yoga can be an effective part of an anti-aging plan even if it is not the only part.

About the Author

Donovan Baldwin is a Texas writer. He is a University of West Florida alumnus, a member of Mensa, and is retired from the U. S. Army. Learn more about yoga at http://yoga-4-the-health-of-it.com/ .

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Saturday, July 19, 2008

Practising Ashtanga Yoga

Yoga is a philosophy of the life, which has also the eventual to create a healthy body and vibrantly spirit.

The yoga of Ashtanga vinyasa is a method of the yoga which has it's origins in a known ancient document under the name of korunta yoga. Ashtanga refer specifically to eight the practical spiritual ones described by wise Patanjali in Sutra yoga. It is advisable to note that the experts of the majority of the modern externats of yoga of hatha, including pattabi jois, draw from yoga sutras de patanjali and thus practise the yoga of ashtanga. Means of yoga of Ashtanga exactly "eight-limbed yoga," as described by wise patanjali in sutras yoga.

The yoga of Ashtanga aims at purifying the body by the eight members or stages of yoga. It starts outside with yama which is the order and niyana which is the codes of conduct. They are manners that we trade and with what we can act one on the other with whole reality and ourselves at the same time. These stages cannot be practised but they are the exits morals. This way you can produce environments which supports the constructive increase. The yoga of Ashtanga concentrates on the concept that breathing is essential with the life.

Majority of people who are not able to emit decently simply the catch approximately half of their complete possibilities of lung. Help of asanas too you cut your force and cholesterol inferiors of blood and obtain a robust eye and remain in good health. In terms of mental physical form they lower the effort and the tension in our lives. The four other stages cannot be practised. These stages are about creating the superlative conditions which provide you the true meditation. The fifth stage is known as will pratyahara or withdrawal of your directions. Dhara is concentrated on you to help to concentrate you in a simple direction. Dhayna is a not stopped meditation and Samadhi is about being completely with the art of the self-portrait and to test full absorption.

About the Author

Juliet Cohen writes articles for http://www.health-disease.org/ . She also writes articles for http://www.makeup-care.info/ and http://www.hairstyles-picture.com/ .

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Hatha Yoga

This article provides useful, detailed information about Hatha Yoga.

Patanjali collected the yoga knowledge available in 2 A.D. and wrote a treatise called ‘Yoga Sutra.’ The yoga of Patanjali has 8 limbs to be practiced in sequence. They are Yama (restraint), Niyama (observance), Asana (posture), Pranayama (breathing), Pratyahara (withdrawal of senses), Dharana (concentration), Dhyana (meditation) and Samadhi (ecstasy). The end of yoga after Samadhi would be the union of individual consciousness with the universal consciousness.

In the modern age, yoga has come to mean basically ‘Hatha Yoga,’ ‘Ha’ meaning sun and ‘Tha’ meaning moon unites in Hatha Yoga. It is the symbolic union of active and passive energies, the opposites. The Hatha Yoga aims to unite harmoniously the body, mind and spirit, and create a healthy, supple and strong body and a relaxed, stress free mind.In the late 19th century, T. Krishnamacharya, a yoga teacher in Mysore Palace in south India, was the source of most modern Hatha Yoga. His disciples B.K.S. Iyengar, K.Pattabhi Jois and Indira Devi, and his son T.K.V. Desikachar, were instrumental in setting up their schools and spreading Yoga throughout the world, particularly in America.Each one has its own name, but it is only a matter of stress rather than substance. They are Ashtanga Yoga of Pattabhi Jois, Iyengar Yoga of B.K.S. Iyengar, Vishnu Yoga of T.K.V. Desikachar, Bikram Yoga of Bikram Choudhry, Sivananda Yoga of Vishnu Sivandandam, Integral Yoga of Swami Sachidananda and Ananda Yoga of Swami Kiriananda.Yoga as an exercise is vastly different from calisthenics or aerobics. In yoga the body does not do any movement, but holds different postures that are designed to direct the life energy to all parts of the body. The respiratory and pulse rate drops. The endocrine system increases activity.The benefits of yoga are many. It helps in managing many illnesses for which there are no cures. It helps in building a supple and strong body. But its major contribution is in relaxing the body and mind, relieving stress and rejuvenating the energy level. Positive thinking and feel-good factors increase amongst practitioners of yoga. The degree of concentration in yoga students is very high.With some amount of commitment and regular practice of Hatha Yoga, there will be a substantial difference to the quality of life in the modern age.

About the Author

Bikram Yoga provides detailed information on Yoga, Bikram Yoga, Hatha Yoga, Pilates Yoga and more. Bikram Yoga is affiliated with Cheap Yoga Mats.

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Pilates Yoga

This article provides useful, detailed information about Pilates Yoga.

Though referred to as yoga, the Pilates exercise regime has no connection with it and works on entirely different approaches. The common factor between yoga and Pilates programs is their emphasis on mental focus and breath control during exercise. Some refer to Pilates as ‘yoga with movement,’ and others as ‘yoga with machines.’

George Pilates, a German, was a sickly child who managed to improve his health with dedicated exercise programs. As a nurse during the First World War he was looking after the internees. He developed his system of exercises during this time. In 1926 he and his wife opened an exercise school in New York and never looked back. Now it is the top method of keeping fit. Initially, many dancers flocked to his studio to get a supple, strong and balanced body. Now his system has over 500 centers throughout the United States.His basic approach to exercise was maintaining correct posture while exercising, with particular reference to the spine. The muscles that support the spine, like the back and stomach muscles, get a good workout. He uses breathing techniques to keep the mind focused and increase efficiency. The movements flow from the spine and posture, and balance predominates.Initially he used the help of some springs. Now over the years many Pilates machines have been developed. These use springs, pulleys and weights, and over the years have become very complicated.The Pilates exercise program is sweeping over the United States with so much enthusiasm that there are long waiting lists in most studios. There is an acute shortage of trained instructors.There are three pieces of equipment that are used with Pilates exercise - Reformer, Cadillac and Wunda chair. Individual studios have come up with their own specific machines also. But it is not always necessary to use equipment. There are programs, though limited in effect, that can be done on a simple mat.The merger of yoga techniques with Pilates exercise enhances its effect and appeal to the public.

About the Author

Bikram Yoga provides detailed information on Yoga, Bikram Yoga, Hatha Yoga, Pilates Yoga and more. Bikram Yoga is affiliated with Cheap Yoga Mats.

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Tuesday, July 15, 2008

Using Yoga and Meditation To Discover Your Hidden Talents

Most of us quietly drift through life with the nagging feeling that we have much more to offer, that we have more strengths than we have demonstrated to our friends and family. With Yoga and Meditation, you can change this dissatisfaction to joy, happiness and great achievement, with as little as 15-minutes each day.

Do you feel as though there is something missing from your life?How about the nagging feeling that you have been just floating through life so far, yet to make the sort of difference you envisioned as a child?It's common to have the "gut" feeling that we are capable of much greater things in our lives, but to lack clarity on how we can realize such accomplishments.

Now is the time to change all of that by using yoga and meditation to become directed by inner strength and passion rather that external influences.

Face it, the vast majority of decisions in our lives are directed by others. You would be correct in arguing that we don't have someone else telling us what to do every single hour of each and every day, but through leaving our lives to chance and by following a short-term, tactically driven lifestyle, we really control very little about the direction of our life.

No wonder that as each year passes we seem to drift further and further away from the key characteristics of someone in control of their life: happiness, health, meaningful relationships and a fulfillment that can only be achieved through alignment with your inner passions.

LOOKING WITHIN TO FIND OUR GREATNESS

As we move through life we become better and better at "tactical living". We get better at making short-term decisions related to short-term goals, fooling ourselves into thinking we are making giant leaps of progress when in fact, we are moving further away from inner-directed greatness.

We chase job after job, business after business with the hope of gaining more money - but for what?We deal with health problems with an ever-growing list of substances from alcohol and drugs to painkillers and sleeping pills, yet we fail to recognize the underlying cause of such ailments.

Relationship seeking becomes an essential part of our life, each subsequent relationship is designed to overcome the limitations of the first and satisfy our ego giving us that short-term fix that eventually leads to the very thing we hope to prevent - loneliness, unhappiness and unfulfilling relationships.

Through all of this "tactical living", we become lost, adopting outward beliefs, impressions and values to help make the many decisions we must make each day.

What if we could harness the power of strength, passion and inner spirit that exists today, deep inside of us?With yoga and meditation you can open up your inner resources to work in your favor, overcome the conflict that often exists between your decisions and your inner values.

I first started yoga and meditation to relax, to simply re-capture a portion of the day for myself and I have to admit, the insight gained into my own strengths and passions is a powerful effect I had not earlier planned.

After just a few months of practicing yoga and meditation, two important things happened:

1. It became easier to relax and let my sub-conscious thoughts make their way to the surface. We all have a powerful sub-conscious that is capable of directing your life, the key is to understand what the messages are.

2. Through the process, many people soon begin to experience new feelings of self-respect, a like for themselves achieved through greater understanding and self-awareness. Quite simply, you can't like someone you don't know, and most of us go through life not really knowing who we really are. In fact, this lack of knowing what is deep inside us scares us enough to cover it up entirely.

Success in relationships, health, social situations, career, finances are all embedded within us, by choosing to understand and leverage our internal strengths and talents, we can live the lives and impact society as we secretly know is possible.

Adopting just 15-20-minutes of yoga and meditation each day will open your conscious mind to your sub-conscious strengths and talents making you virtually unstoppable.

About the Author

Join The World's Top Achievers Reach Inner Strength, Happiness, Fulfillment and Live Their True Potential by Discovering The Secrets of Yoga and Meditation.

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Understanding the different types of Yoga

Confused about the different types of Yoga? Read this quick guide to find out what's right for you.

Yoga is becoming a more and more popular activity in the Western world today. The number of places holding Yoga classes is on the increase and there is a plethora of different types of Yoga. With a choice of Hatha Yoga, Ashtanga Yoga, Power Yoga, Iyengar Yoga, Bikram Yoga, Vinyasa Yoga and many more it can be easy to get confused

The article will help you to understand the difference between the most popular types of Yoga so you can choose which type is right for you.

Hatha Yoga - in Sanskrit (an ancient classical language of India) Ha means sun and tha means moon. This type of Yoga is relatively slow paced, gentle type of Yoga and is a good place to start if you are completely new to Yoga and don't know any of the asanas (poses). Like all types of Yoga, Hatha Yoga aims to unite the mind, body and spirit.

Ashtanga Yoga - this is the type of Yoga that I practice on a regular basis and means eight limbs in Sanskrit. It's a fast moving, intense style of Yoga practice and is based on a progressive set sequence of asanas, synchronized with the breath. Ashtanga Yoga can be quite physically demanding as you constantly move from one asana in the sequence to the next, so you'll find that it will improve your stamina as well as your flexibility and strength..

Power Yoga - this is a western interpretation of Yoga and is based on Ashtanga Yoga. A Power Yoga class may not necessarily stick to the exact sequence of poses like Ashtanga Yoga does, but it does involve practicing a series of poses without stopping and starting.

Iyengar Yoga - This type of Yoga is based on teachings by B.K.S Igengar and concentrates on the correct alignment and form of the body. Unlike Ashtanga Yoga, there is an emphasis on holding each pose for a long period of time rather than moving constantly from one pose to the next. Iyengar Yoga uses props such as blocks and straps to help align the body into the different poses.

Vinyasa Yoga - Vinyasa means breath synchronized movement and is another fast paced type of Yoga, with an emphasis on breathing. A practice typically starts with sun salutations and moves on to more intense stretching. Throughout the practice each pose is balanced with a counter pose.

Bikram Yoga - otherwise known as Hot Yoga, is practiced in a room heated to 105 degrees, with a humidity of around 40%. Generally a sequence of 26 different poses is practiced during a Bikram Yoga class and the hot temperature helps to loosen muscles. Due to the high temperature most people sweat a lot during the class and this helps to cleanse the body of toxins.

If you're just starting out or have never done any Yoga before, I recommend trying a few different types of yoga to find out what you like best.

Remember, there's no rule that says you have to stick to one type of Yoga. I like Ashtanga Yoga best, but I also go to occasional Iyengar and Hatha Yoga classes for a bit of variety.

About the Author

To find out more about the different types of Yoga visit the Free online Yoga Guide

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Thursday, July 10, 2008

Aqua Fitness Yoga (Pregnancy Yoga)

Aqua yoga for pregnancy gives women the opportunity to enjoy freedom of movement supported in the water environment. Flexibility and mobility are increased and women are able to feel more comfortable while promoting health for mother and baby. Breathing is expanded and the circulation improves. Movements practiced in the last few weeks of pregnancy will encourage the baby into a favorable position for birth.

Aqua Yoga is a series of yoga exercises done in water developed by Franзoise Barbira Freedman that combines the therapeutic and afloat nature of water with the stimulating and balancing of yoga. In short it takes the principles and movements of yoga and adapts them to the environment of water. With the release of gravity the body is able to find the most advantageous stretching.Aqua Yoga combines slow stretching with the use of breathing and relaxation as the water provides resistance for the muscles to work against. Aqua yoga is a natural and all-encompassing way to promote and sustain fitness and health. It offers a gentle and easily available way to enjoy movement and breathing using the supportive element of water. Many aqua yoga exercises are classical yoga postures adapted to water. You feel virtually weightless in water, so that stretches that might be difficult on the ground can be accomplished without strain. Aqua yoga is the perfect combination of the benefits that yoga and swimming can bring.No previous experience of yoga is necessary to benefit from these exercises.

Aqua yoga can be practiced by swimmers and non-swimmers alike but to train as an aqua yoga teacher you will need a swimming qualification. Aqua yoga strengthens and tones the body whilst relieving tensions and renewing energy. Aqua yoga makes exercising safer for many people, especially those whose weight problems, injuries, pregnancy, old age etc., as the water helps bear the body, easing wear and tear on the joints.Benefits of Aqua YogaAqua yoga is beneficial for those with many medical problems, as it is gentle and low impact. Aqua yoga can be safely practiced by people with a wide range of fitness levels and physical abilities.Joint, muscle, back and other musculoskeletal degenerationWater provides resistance, and this resistance is used in aqua yoga to help strengthen and develop control. This is very useful in helping with some joint and other musculoskeletal problems. The weightlessness in water especially allows those with back problems to move more easily and comfortably in water. Aqua yoga helps improve flexibility and function, reduce stiffness, and strengthen the muscles around the joints, reducing strain on the joints themselves.

Obesity puts added strain on the joints when exercising on land, so the low-impact of exercise in water really helps. Aqua-yoga helps strengthen and tone the body, and relaxes the whole body.Blood pressureBeing in water reduces blood pressure slightly. Aqua yoga is very beneficial for people suffering from high or erratic blood pressure. Pregnancy Aqua yoga for pregnancy gives women the opportunity to enjoy freedom of movement supported in the water environment.
Flexibility and mobility are increased and women are able to feel more comfortable while promoting health for mother and baby. Breathing is expanded and the circulation improves. Movements practiced in the last few weeks of pregnancy will encourage the baby into a favorable position for birth.

About the Author

Ashish Bhattacharya worked in a Mauritius Spa Hotels.For more related information kindly visit: http://www.shantiananda.com/spa.html

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Yoga And Sex: Kundalini Yoga Favors Sexual Energy For Mental Strength

While most of the religious practices prefer ascetism and sexual abstinence as a way to uplift soul, Kundalini yoga considers carnal indulgence as a medium to increase self exploration. This practice of yoga lays great emphasis on leading a healthy sexual life. Kundalini yoga suggests to “feel sex” instead of “merely performing sex.”

Kundalini Yoga-- This age old yoga practice is quite wary of other ancient religious practices for gaining elevated spiritual state. While most of the religious practices prefer ascetism and sexual abstinence as a way to uplift soul, Kundalini yoga considers carnal indulgence as a medium to increase self exploration. This practice of yoga lays great emphasis on leading a healthy sexual life.

Kundalini yoga suggests to feel sex instead of merely performing sex. According to this Yogic philosophy there could no better way to mutual exploration process than act of copulation. This yoga vehemently condemns the widespread connotation that sex is an impediment in attaining higher state of being.

Kundalini yoga practice is basically termed as fiery practice as it requires you to be very active. It doesn't help you in gaining increased level of sexual prowess but also contributes to your worldly success by providing you with required mental peace and energy. The concept of kundalini says that spinal sexual energy is potent enough to offer great mental strength and wisdom.

The energy associated with kundalini concept is said to be of most powerful kind that flows in an energy canal inside the body that is known as Shushumna. Along with it there exists an additional canal in men and women. In women this additional channel of energy is termed as Pingala while men possess Ida canal of energy.

The kudalini suggests male and his female partner to first attain equal level of energy before going for copulation. For that they are first directed to get indulged in various tantric yoga meditations and asanas that help them attain complete rejuvenation as well as higher level of being. And energy gained after undergoing these Tantric Yoga practices happens to be unmatchable. Equipped with incredible energy and elevated physical and mental state a couple could experience optimum sexual pleasure and mutual exploration.

The hallmark of kundalini Yoga lies in its philosophy of strong connection between carnal indulgence and spirituality. But many people find it too difficult to get accustomed with refraining from orgasm that is not a preferred kundalini practice. According to the concept avoiding orgasm could result in increased level of kundalini energy in the body.

Kundalini's way of masturbation results in great physical and mental relaxation. Like other yoga forms kundalini is also gaining world wide popularity. You can also opt for kundalini for above mentioned advantages, but I would suggest you to take up kundalini practices in consultation with an expert tantra yogi only.

About the Author

The author writes articles on different topics. To get more yoga articles visit http://www.therealyoga.com/

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Monday, July 7, 2008

Yoga Videos: Trikonasana, Bikram and Ashtanga

Full Spectrum Yoga for Beginners : Full Spectrum Yoga Trikonasana

Bikram Yoga

Ashtanga yoga

Friday, July 4, 2008

Yoga-Your Path To Peace With Food

Several months ago, I attended a conference in Florida to work with a wonderful group of people in the medical and related health fields. We were all together because of our interest in different ways to treat the obesity epidemic. After the conference, a number of us decided to take a break and sit outside to enjoy the afternoon sun. We talked about many topics, including our children, the work we were doing, how some of us loved doing yoga, and, of course, food. Being the only nutritionist in the group, the conversation eventually turned, as it often does, to dieting and weight control.

Several of the women had been on and off Weight Watchers for years. It is a terrific program and the women liked going to the meeting for the support and encouragement, as well as the flexibility and difference food choices they can make. One woman's story really struck me:

She said she had once lost 40 pounds on this program, and during this time was also regularly doing yoga. She also found herself able to get into the meditative practices of yoga, which are quite difficult to attain. She also enjoyed practicing many of the postures, or asanas. More importantly, she said that during this time, she was experiencing such confidence in herself that she was able to drive past fast food places without feeling the need to stop and get something to eat. She sounded as though this was a very peaceful time for her, not just with her weight, but in her life.

Unfortunately, as often happens, the woman eventually gained back all of the weight (along with a few additional pounds) and she stopped practicing yoga. I found the combination of the two (practicing yoga and losing weight) quite interesting and I spoke to her about this. I suggested that she worry less about the "food" part and consider adding the yoga back into her life. Most of us have a very good idea of what it means to "eat healthy," what we need to do in order to lose weight. Folks who have been to Weight Watchers are well-educated as to the various acceptable choices they can make, and which foods they can prepare. The woman admitted she did already knew all of this.

I suggested that she focus on rebuilding time for yoga first. The meditation, the postures, and the different yoga sequences would make her feel at peace with her body. Yoga always gives me a sense that, regardless of my weight, I can feel good in my body. Yoga is not just about being flexible in your body. It's about increasing flexibility, building strength and endurance, physically AND emotionally.

I know that once this woman starts practicing yoga again, she will be able to permanently lose the weight. Not focusing on food while focusing on increasing activity improves one's overall health and well-being.

Being at peace with your body enables you to become at peace with food so much more easily!

Sustainable Living Articles @ http://www.articlegarden.com

About Leeann Simons:
For additional information on becoming At Peace With Food', free healthy lifestyle tips, and access to interesting reading and nutritional links, visit www.AtPeaceWithFood.com/freetips.html

Yoga For Total Calmness

The known benefits of practicing yoga are both physical and mental. Physical benefits are the results of a well toned and stronger body together with improved vitality. It also improves our metabolism rate and overall health.

For mental benefits, yoga teaches us how to focus on breathing while we look and feel younger. It improves our athletic performance too.

Consistent practice of yoga with meditation help to control ailments such as diabetes, blood pressure, digestive problems, arthritis, arteriosclerosis, chronic and heart problems. Laboratory tests have even proved the yogi's increased abilities of consciously controlling autonomic or involuntary functions, such as temperature, heartbeat and blood pressure.

According to medical scientists, yoga therapy is successful because of the balance created in the nervous and endocrine systems which directly influences all the other systems and organs of the body. Yoga acts both as a curative and preventive therapy. The very essence of yoga lies in attaining mental peace, improved concentration powers, a relaxed state of living and harmony in relationships.

Through the practice of yoga, we become aware of the interconnectedness between our emotional, mental and physical levels.

I have practiced yoga for more than ten years now and I find that not only does it give me wonderful physical workouts; it also provides me with a completely different outlook in life. It does not matter how tired I may be going into class, I always look forward to it and I come out a changed person when the session ends. I feel refreshed and renewed, like every cell in my body is sparkling.

Many activities and workouts can get our bodies in shape and toned, but yoga provides much more than just a workout. Holding yoga postures actually wrings toxins out of our body and the yogi breathing infuses the body with energy.

We need to breathe deeply to bring oxygen to all our cells, rid the body of toxins and energize us, but we also use breathing to help us turn inward in meditation. Peace of mind is important to us and so is staying calm during the day.

BENEFITS

Physicians and scientists are discovering more and more new health benefits of practicing yoga. Studies show it can relieve the symptoms of several common and potentially life-threatening illnesses such as arthritis, arteriosclerosis, chronic fatigue, diabetes, asthma and obesity.

Asthma

Studies conducted at yoga institutions in India have reported impressive improvements in asthma. It has also been proved that asthma attacks can usually be prevented by practice of yoga.

Respiration Problems

Patients who practice yoga have a better chance of gaining the ability to control their breathing problems. With the help of yogic breathing exercises, it is possible to control an attack of severe shortness of breath.

High Blood Pressure

The relaxation and exercise components of yoga have a major role to play in the treatment and prevention of high blood pressure and hypertension. Breathing and relaxation exercises in yoga have been proven to control blood pressure, thus reducing the intake of medication for high blood pressure.

Relief of Pain

Breathing exercises used in yoga can also reduce pain because our muscles tend to relax when we exhale. Lengthening the time of exhalation can help produce relaxation and reduce tension. Awareness of breathing helps to achieve calmer, slower respiration and help in relaxation and body pain.

Arthritis

The easy stretches with deep breathing exercises relieve the tension that binds up the muscles and further tighten the joints. Yoga is relaxation and exercise rolled into one – the perfect anti-arthritis formula.

Weight Reduction

Regular yoga practice helps in weight management because it improves our metabolism. It is able to overcome anxiety and thus solving the problem on anxious eating. Yoga deep breathing increases oxidation or burning up of fat cells. Yogic exercises induce more continuous and deeper breathing which gradually burns, sometimes forcefully, many of the calories already ingested.

Mental Performance

Experts suggest that the regular practice of breathing through one nostril may help improve communication between the right and left side of our brain. This increased brain activity is associated with better performance and doctors even suggest that yoga can enhance cognitive performance.

Mood change and Vitality

People who participate in yoga over a period of time claim a positive effect on outlook and energy level. stretching and breathing exercises in yoga have been seen as a beneficial effect on mental and physical energy.

Sustainable Living Articles @ http://www.articlegarden.com

About Janice H.:
Janice H. is an author who does lots of research into health and nutrition. She is working towards her mission: Leading People To Ageless Living. Visit Janice's Blog at: www.stayyoungsecret.com/blog to immediately improve your life and receive your FREE e-Report.

Thursday, July 3, 2008

Kriya Yoga - Learn The Secrets To Kriya Yoga

Discover the techniques behind kriya yoga and learn more about how to perform kriya yoga

Kriya Yoga is a process of mental purification that teaches meditation through techniques.

The fundamental belief of Kriya Yoga is that all of us are miniature version of the whole cosmos, a microcosm or an evolution of a new world within the microcosmic world.

The followers of Kriya yoga also believes that the most holy supreme creator is a part of us hiding beneath our body, and activating every action through the breath.

The name Kriya is meant as any work “kri” is being done by the power of the indwelling soul “ya”.

The different cosmic forces controlling, air, fire, water and earth also controls the different activities that we do, namely, religious activities, relationship with everyone and everything, food, pregnancy, and everything performed by the human body.

Yoga on the other hand is the conjoining of these correspondences between microcosms and macrocosms. It is the full acceptance and belief behind the union and interaction of the individual self and the supreme self.

The study and science of Kriya yoga has a divine origin and was not created by human means and intellect.

The modernization for this ancient yoga meditation method has begun in the 1860’s with Babaji and has been handed down to the present Kriya yoga lineage of masters directly through the Master to disciple method of teaching.

The disciplined path of Kriya Yoga consists of many different kinds of teaching with different angles to it. One looks at it as a process of beginning with self introspection through breathing controls.

It is also believed in Kriya yoga that that by enlightening the three qualities of light, vibration and sound simultaneously with proper concentration, posture and breathing through application of a series of techniques, a Kriya yoga disciple is able to penetrate the deepest levels of the unconscious mind.

Through this they can communicate with their inner gods and obtain a fulfilling calmness within them.

Read the rest of this krisya yoga article by going to

http://www.yogaexercisesportal.com/The-Evolution-Of-Kriya-Yoga.html

About the Author

To pick up a free 5 part report on yoga, learn yoga exercises and yoga positions. To get this free yoga report visit http://www.yogaexercisesportal.com/

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Enjoy Yoga with a Good and Comfortable Yoga Mat

Tips on Yoga Pilates Mat

Yoga is known to be a very relaxing exercise. It is popular not just a Hindu ritual but also a proven way to stay fit and healthy. It is more than just a form of meditation but more like an exercise regimen for many people around the world. But like all other exercise, there are equipments used in the practice of yoga. And probably one of the most important equipment for exercising yoga is the yoga mat.

A yoga mat can either be a big and thick towel, a rug or you can also buy a special yoga mat from sport shops. Most yoga mats that you can find around are made of cotton or polyester latex. There are premium made mats and there are regular mats as well. There are also a choice of natural mats and synthetic yoga mats. It is important though that you know how to choose the yoga mat that's right for you. This is essential in a comfortable and relaxing practice of yoga.

There are different things you need to consider in choosing the right yoga mat for you. The first and foremost thing that you should keep in mind while choosing a mat is what type of yoga you practice. Now, there are different yoga mats intended to be used for the different yoga styles. If you are practicing a yoga style that requires jumping from one form to another, like the Ashtanga yoga, you need a mat that are really thick and can provide you a good cushion. If while doing yoga, you sweat a lot, you need a mat that has the capability to absorb it and the best choice would be a cotton yoga mat. Other considerations to make when choosing a yoga mat are more of your personal choices. Of course you have the final say in choosing the color and the make of the mat. There are some people who prefer natural yoga mat made of hemp to feel closer to nature. But since these types may cause allergies to some people, you should also give this a careful consideration. You should also consider the place where you do your yoga exercise. If you're doing your exercise in a slippery tiled floor, you should always buy a sticky yoga mat to avoid slipping.

The practice of yoga would not be complete without the proper tools and equipment. You should always remember that in any exercise, it is important that you are comfortable while doing it. It is a key to enjoying and relaxing while doing the exercise you've chosen. And since yoga mat is a very important part of the yoga practice, you should choose the right mat for you.

About the Author

Jeff Dodd is an expert in Yoga Pilates Mats. Come visit us at http://www.total-yoga-pilates.com.

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Wednesday, July 2, 2008

Ayurveda yoga teacher training Program

Ayurveda and yoga not only complement each other but both sciences actually embrace each other as they share similarities and fundamental principles on many levels. Ayurveda and yoga should go together to achieve optimal health, peace, and longevity.

The ancient science of Ayurveda and Yoga offer the knowledge and wisdom to individuals to live in complete holistic health. When combined together for the prevention and treatment they compliment conventional medical therapies excellently and can play an invaluable role for healing and rebalancing the physiological, energetic, and psychological patterns that underlie its development.

Ayurveda- Ayurveda is the ancient art of healing; originating in India it has been in practice for over thousands of years. Ayurveda aims to integrate and balance the body, mind, and spirit. This balance is believed to lead to contentment and health, and to help prevent illness. According to Ayurveda all the ailments and sufferings are due to the disharmony and disequilibrium of the doshas. Ayurveda views a person as a unique individual made up of five primary elements. The elements are ether (space), air, fire, water, and earth. When any of these elements are present in the environment, they will in turn have an influence on us. These primary elements combine to create various physiological functions. Ether and air combine to form what is known in Ayurveda as the Vata dosha. Fire and water are the elements that combine to form the Pitta dosha. The water and earth elements combine to form the Kapha dosha. According to Auyurveda we are all made up of unique proportions of Vata, Pitta and Kapha. These ratios of the doshas vary in each individual; and because of this, Ayurveda sees each person as a special mixture that accounts for our diversity.

Yoga-Yoga's history has many places of anonymity and ambiguity due to its oral transmission of sacred texts and the secretive nature of its teachings. But the roots of Yoga can be traced back to more than 5000 years.

Literally meaning union, yoga seeks to unite the individual soul with the Universal Soul not through any religious rites but through a sustained effort to control one's mental and physical faculties.

Yoga is about creating balance in the body through developing both strength and flexibility. This is done through the performance of poses or postures, each of which has specific physical benefits. The poses can be done quickly in succession, creating heat in the body through movement or more slowly to increase stamina and perfect the pose.

Physically yoga helps in cleansing the body of toxins, muscle toning, improving blood circulation, correct body posture and the like, at the intellectual level it is said to help the practitioner transcend the unrealities of a worldly life and be in communion with the Supreme Being.

The Relationship Between Ayurveda and Yoga

Yoga and Ayurveda are two paths intertwined in a close relationship. Ayurveda, which means "knowledge of life," is the ancient art and science of keeping the body and mind balanced and healthy. Yoga is the ancient art and science of preparing the body and mind for the eventual liberation and enlightenment of the soul.

Ayurveda and Yoga have their origin in the Vedas, and thus share the same fundamental philosophical aims. Ayurveda’s predominant current aim is the treatment of disease, whilst Yoga has aimed at spiritual development. For communities following these lifestyles, the diet and lifestyle regimen propounded by Ayurveda was, and to some extent still is, the foundation for an all round sense of well-being. Yoga too was traditionally practiced in the context of an Ayurveda lifestyle. Besides sharing a philosophical foundation, both systems have many similarities in relation to attitude, nutrition, diet, hygiene, exercise, cleansing practices, as well as spiritual practices. Ayurveda and yoga not only complement each other but both sciences actually embrace each other as they share similarities and fundamental principles on many levels. Ayurveda and yoga should go together to achieve optimal health, peace, and longevity.

Training Programs-Ayurveda yoga teacher training Programs consist of

A study of the building blocks of yoga: asana, pranayama, pratyahara (sense withdrawal), dharana (concentration) and dhyana (meditation) along with the study of Yoga Sutras.

Learning and developing the ability to concentrate and stilling of the mind through meditative practices

Knowledge of how to use Yoga & Ayurveda for symptoms of "disease", chronic illness, injury as well as psychological states

In-depth study of the healing art of Ayurveda

Adjustments to the more subtle mental and spiritual energies utilize tools such as yoga, meditation, and mantra.

Focuses on diet, daily routines, the use of herbs, and natural cleansing protocols

Approach to intention, intuitive awareness, attentiveness to energy, and yogic stances and breathing

The principles and practices of massage therapy, develop an authentic healing presence

About the Author

Ashish Bhattacharya is an exponent of Destination Spa Mauritius gives expert advice on yoga,ayurveda and is specialist in Ayurvedic Spa Mauritius.

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