Finding Balance through Yoga

Author: Darius Herrera

Yoga is an ancient science that aims to create a balance between the body, mind and soul, thereby curing physical mental and spiritual disorders that are caused by this imbalance. In common language, yoga means union; it's a union of the individual consciousness with the super-consciousness. To be exact, yoga aims at reminding the individual of this union that already exists and has merely been forgotten. To put it simply, yoga is experiencing and knowing what already exists, not inventing anything new.


At the physical level, yoga can create a balance and harmony among the various organs and systems of the body, allowing the healing powers inherent in the body to work and cure physical ailments. At the mental level, yoga is the harmony between mind, heart and hands or between thought, speech and action. At the spiritual level, yoga aims to destroy the individual ego that stands between the individual and the cosmos, thus attaining to the ultimate truth.


Yoga is basically a set of systematically devised physical exercises that lay emphasis on balance and posture. Combined with breathing exercises they have the capacity to cure almost any ailment of the body and mind. The underlying concept of yoga is to create the situation in which the human body can function at its optimum capacity.


Yoga Asanas or positions are simple and effective body movements that massage the muscles lubricate the joints and tone the whole body. Yoga postures help to keep the body healthy and the mind peaceful. Asanas exercise the nerves, glands, ligaments, and muscles. These exercises increase flexibility and balance in the body.


Yoga poses refer to the sequence of exercises which is extremely important to get the best results. They are scientifically graded to move from the simple to the complex, to cure the body first and then move on to mental and spiritual goals.


Though it is best to begin yoga practice under the guidance of a trained yoga teacher, you can now learn to do these exercises at home with the help of videos and yoga software. Once you have learned the basic exercises you can make it a part of your daily routine. It's best to fix a time and place for doing yoga so that you can be regular and reap rich benefits from it. After some time you will see a sea change in yourself. Your body will become shapely, attractive and healthy; you will have a positive attitude and your worldview on life will become beautiful. You will feel blessed!


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Yandara Asana Yoga for the Aspiring Yogi

Author: Alex Mc Stafani

As a yoga practitioner, you are already familiar with the body, mind, and spiritual benefits of yoga. It's likely you have experienced revitalization and lifestyle changes whether you have practiced for only a short time, or have been an avid practitioner for years. Yoga is growing in popularity in the Western world because of its physical and spiritual benefits and many people new to the practice seek out qualified instructors to guide them in self-practice. If you have ever aspired to share the benefits of yoga with others as a certified asana yoga instructor, the Yandara Yoga Institute provides the training you need to become Yoga Alliance Certified. You can become a confident and inspiring teacher in the art of yoga while attending either a 16- or 21-day training retreat.


Yandara Yoga Teacher Training emphasizes teaching methods that focus on becoming a safe, effective and inspirational yoga instructor. With expert training in teaching skills, including effective communication skills, posture correction and demonstration skills, students will learn the basics of practicing and teaching yoga. Learning to perform and demonstrate the asanas with precision and alignment is essential to successful yoga teaching, as is the ability to effectively communicate with others. Yandara offers this training and more to help future yoga instructors successfully teach the practice of yoga to other students.


Yandara yoga teacher training retreats comply with the 200-Hour Level of the Yoga Alliance Standards for registered yoga teachers with 180 hours of contact instruction with a teacher trainer and 20 hours of non-contact, independent study. Successful completion of the program will result in the award of a teaching certificate issued by the Yandara Yoga Institute. Upon certification, you are then qualified to teach yoga in a variety of community settings or independently.


The course is broken down into techniques, teaching methodology, anatomy and physiology as it pertains to the practice, philosophy, ethics, and lifestyle, practicum, and electives drawn from categories such as natural diet and health. Participants are immersed into the yoga lifestyle with many hours spent perfecting the precision of asanas, as well as the inclusion of quiet reflection time.


Yandara Yoga Institute is a beautiful oceanfront retreat located on the Pacific side of the Baja Penninsula in Mexico. Meals and accommodations are included in tuition. Anyone interested in yoga is welcome to attend teacher training, providing they have at least six months of yoga practice. Yandara encourages people of all ages, body types, and walks of life to attend, as the practice of yoga is not selective. Becoming a yoga instructor can enrich your life while enriching the lives of those you teach. No further experience or education is required other than the desire to make a difference. Bringing inner peace, relaxation, and self-confidence to others is a very rewarding endeavor.


Yandara also offers shorter retreats for yoga practioners with a desire to reconnect with their inner self, rather than intensely studying and training to become an instructor. Week-long retreats that include accommodations, daily yoga practice, breathing workshops, and spa services are on-going. If you've never experienced the benefits of yoga or are just beginning to explore yoga, and would like to take the opportunity to revitalize your inner spirit, a Yandara retreat is the perfect way to show yourself love and liberate your spirit.


All teaching staff at Yandara are committed to the yogi lifestyle and possess years of experience and practice. The goal of Yandara is to completely immerse students into the natural lifestyle and benefits that come from practicing by promoting inner peace. Mastery of the principles and practice of yoga, as well as the ability to effectively communicate them to others is required for successful yoga instructor certification.


Learning the proper techniques, the principles and practices of yoga, and the ability to inspire others is just the beginning. You could be looking for personal fulfillment or even a career change, in which case Yandara Yoga Institute is fully committed to supporting you and your endeavors. The combination of nature, seclusion, and expert support make an ideal environment for learning and self-exploration. Training programs are offered year-round but don't wait to fulfill your goals. The experience could be life changing for you and for others.Yandara.com offers yoga certification emphasizing yoga practice, teaching skills, organizing a class, creating confidence and making postural corrections. Visit us online to learn Hatha Yoga with Iyengar-based precision alignment, emphasizing heart-felt energy.

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Using Yoga Techniques to Cure Insomnia

Author: healthinfo

Insomnia is a condition characterized by an inability to fall asleep or stay asleep and receive decent quality rest. It can develop at any time during a person's life and will either fall under the primary insomnia category whereby it occurs on its own with little known cause, or under the secondary insomnia category whereby it is a result of another condition (such as arthritis) because they cannot sleep through the symptoms.

In the 1960s, the ancient Indian practice of yoga spread throughout the Western world. It was popularized by the Beatles and over the next forty years its many health benefits would become common knowledge. Yoga involves combining calm thought and specific breathing with certain bodily movements and held poses to bring the body into union. Most of us know that yoga relaxes the mind and makes the body more flexible, but many remain unaware that it can also be beneficial to insomniacs.

You see, yoga as a whole stimulates the brain and can improve cognitive functions such as memory and concentration. It does this by improving circulation to, from and around the brain which also improves the function of the part of the brain that controls sleep. It improves our circadian rhythms (natural biological processes that occur over a 24 hour period) and helps to define them, so we feel sleepy when it's time to sleep at night, and awake during the day. Yoga poses also cause the body to flush out toxins that might be keeping us awake, such as an excess of caffeine, or even something as simple as a cold virus that has our nose blocked, making it hard to sleep comfortably.

Yoga is the perfect choice of exercise for an insomniac, because it doesn't require raising the heart rate or getting out of breath. Doctors recommend you don't do any exercise in the three hours before going to bed because it will wake your body up, but yoga will not do this. If you are considering taking up yoga then there's no need to consult your doctor, but you should try to find a reputable yoga class and qualified teacher to learn how to do it properly. This will also allow you to personalize your yoga experience and ask your teacher to teach you the poses and breathing exercises that specifically help with insomnia, rather than following a generic yoga DVD. Just some of the poses and exercises that could help you to get a better night's sleep include:

- The Sukhasana: a yoga pose which is done cross legged to promote healthy breathing

- The Ananda Balsana: a pose which relaxes the hips and lower back

- The Halasana: perhaps the most relevant to insomnia, this pose involves deep breathing and concentration

- The Three-Part Breath: a breathing exercise that is beneficial when done right before attempting to sleeping

Although it may not be obvious at first, many people will find that their insomnia is caused by an underlying factor such as stress, anxiety or depression. Yoga has been shown to have a positive effect on all of these conditions. Therefore, rather than going to your doctor for stupefying sleeping pills and addictive beta-blockers it's a much better idea to improve your posture and flexibility at the same time as your insomnia, with a natural approach such as yoga.



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Back Pain Relief Using Yoga

Author: Harry Ayala

The back is a well-designed body part that is made up of bones, muscles, nerves, and soft body tissues. It is a very important part of the human body because the bones of the back acts as a supporting frame for the back and the whole body. The back muscles work with abdominal muscles to keep the body upright and mobile. However, because of the stress of everyday life, many individuals tend to overwork or overuse their back muscles, which then leads to back pain. This condition may hamper performance and affect everyday. Common symptoms of back pain may include spasms, stiffness, pain, numbness, and sometimes pain in the leg area and depends on the cause of pain and its severity. Back pain is one the most frequent health complaints that are received by doctors in the United States. However, individuals experiencing back pain should not despair because of the availability of many methods and medication that may give back pain relief. One of the most popular alternative back pain treatments is the ancient Indian meditative exercise called yoga.

Not long ago, the primary treatment for chronic back pain was sufficient rest and the use of painkillers. Nowadays, doctors are encouraging their patients to manage pain and illness by engaging in activities like yoga. Many medical researches suggest that yoga is one of the most effective treatments for body pain. Yoga has gone from a spiritual discipline practiced by many in the Far East into a mainstream exercise routine that is taught in many fitness gyms around the world. Other than back pain relief, many medical researches also show that yoga helps strengthen one's bones and muscles, reduce stress, and promote moments of relaxation. Yoga works by building strength, improving flexibility, and reducing joint and muscle pain.

Other proven benefits of yoga include:

-Increases muscle strength, endurance, and stamina;

-Develops muscles in the abdomen, legs, and arms;

-Release of physical tension;

-Helps maintain good and proper posture;

-Serves as a good warm up for athletes; and

-Improves an individual's overall performance


However, not all forms of yoga can be used for back pain relief. When the back is injured or hurting, slow-paced and gentle stretches and poses should be practiced. Some yoga posses and stretches may aggravate back pain and lead to serious injuries. A type of yoga called Viniyoga is adapted from yoga that gives emphasis on precise deep breathing and slow stretches. Another type of yoga called Iyengar yoga, focuses on accurate bodily alignment. Students of this practice use different props like straps, blocks, blankets, and many more. This type of yoga works best with individuals who have little mobility and need some support.

Individuals who want to engage in physical activities like yoga should consult doctors and other health professionals before taking yoga classes. Certain injuries to the wrist, back, and ankles may prevent some individuals from practicing yoga postures and positions. Furthermore, yoga should be practiced with care and precaution. Some people have reported injuries that were acquired by executing yoga postures without focus, or by attempting difficult positions without working on them gradually or by not having proper supervision. Oftentimes, beginners complain of muscle soreness and fatigue after engaging in yoga. These effects may disappear with continuous practice. Yoga is a great way to strengthen the body and improve overall health.

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Prenatal Yoga Poses - The Benefits

Author: Ashley J Michaels

It's time for you to learn about one of the best ways to keep yourself in shape during your pregnancy: yoga poses. Yoga is not just for die-hard enthusiasts any more... it's for everyone who has a desire for both fitness and peace of mind. Keeping your body fit can be a task at any point in time, but more so during pregnancy. You don't only have to think about injuring yourself while you exercise but also the possibility of doing harm to your baby. That's why adopting pregnancy yoga poses is such a good idea.

The advantages of practicing pregnancy yoga poses are numerous. As with any type of yoga, you can look forward to increased flexibility and some level of stress relief. However, the benefits include so much more. Did you know that pregnancy yoga postures can actually help in preparing for labor? It does this by stretching and strengthening the muscles used in childbirth. The breathing techniques which make up a part of the yoga regimen also aid in relaxation and can go a long way towards alleviating some of your anxieties.

Of course you don't have to stop doing the poses once you've had your child. Yoga is something that can be done by anyone who is interested in their overall well being. Since most of the postures you would have become accustomed too are so gentle, they are a good way to transition into more strenuous exercises so you get back into shape after your pregnancy. Plus, continued peace of mind can never be a bad thing.

There are certain poses which are a bit more suitable for pregnancy: yoga postures which do not put too much strain on the body. These involve:

Breathing exercises: Ask any pregnant woman and she'll tell you that pregnancy places more stress on the body. Breathing techniques can help to alleviate the tension that an expectant mother may feel. Proper breathing not only increases the amount of oxygen in the body but by concentrating on the movement itself you can put yourself into a state of deep relaxation.

Standing poses: Many pregnant women experience some level of back and leg pain. Standing yoga postures improve circulation in the lower body while also strengthening the muscles so they can deal with the added weight of that precious bundle of joy you're carrying. These are best attempted during your first trimester. During your pregnancy, yoga poses which include moderate twisting can also help to alleviate some of the lumbar discomfort.

You may be wondering about the inversion poses and whether you should try them. A skilled instructor will be able to determine what is right for you depending on your level of comfort. A good prenatal yoga DVD instructor will tell you exactly what you need to know. Please, for heaven's sake, do not attempt inversion poses unless you are instructed by a certified trainer. You may consider putting a halt to some particular poses after your seventh month though. It is often difficult to balance properly after this point and you run a great risk of hurting both yourself and your unborn child.


Ashley J Michaels is a yoga practitioner and home economist. For excellent Prenatal Yoga DVD Reviews please visit http://pregnancyyogadvd.net/

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How you can Apply the Principles of Yoga to Any area of your Life

Author: Caroline Makepeace

Yoga is a physical demanding workout which can develop in you physical, emotional and spirtual strength. There are numerous studies out there that show that people who practice yoga are calmer, more at peace and better able to deal with the challenges that surface in life. Living a life of wealth and happiness involves you being a well balanced and strong person. Increased strength, flexibility and sense of balance are also great physical advantages to practicing yoga.

I have been practicing yoga for a short time and have already seen dramatic improvements in my flexibility, strength, balance and in my ability to connect to the source of my power. Yoga has taught me where to find the source of my power and how to use it to bring clarity, vision and purpose into my life.


The Power of your Core Strength

Your back and abdominal area is where your core strength lies. These are the muscles you engage and develop in order for you to develop strength and balance throughout your body. In yoga, your focus needs to be on engaging your core strength in order for you to complete many of the postures. If your core is strong you are better able to balance and hold your postures.

Power from your core will radiate out through your whole body. Yoga teaches you how to tap into and engage this power. After learning this through yoga I could see how it was my core that gave me the strength to complete most tasks every day. Knowing what to focus on I could easily utilize that power to send it to the areas of my body that needed it to perform each particular assignment.

I began to see how the power of my core could be used to be the source of power for all things not just physical tasks. It made sense to me that the powerful energy that radiated out from my core could be used to help me be successful in visualizing, decision making and in creativity.

existing through your core allows you to make authentic and right decisions. Your head is far too rational and your heart is too emotional. Your gut will always speak to you in truth and perfect balance. 'Listen to your gut' is a powerful piece of advice. Your gut speaks truthfully to you as it is the part that connects right to the center of your being; the source of true power.

During times of tough decisions turn directly to your core, it will clearly instruct you as to what you need to do It never lies, it is never wrong and you will feel the strength of your core decision radiating outwards to keep you balanced and strong.

Great success will occur when you live through this space. With what seems like no effort from you, things will fall easily into place. Creativity will freely flow and your work will be fueled by the strength of the energy and passion that comes out from your core.

Gains are made through tiny, eeper Stretches each time

When you are doing a posture you must only move from the level that you are at. From there you only want to move a little deeper so that you feel a slight discomfort and not pain. You don't want to cause damage so don't move too far. Moving at this pace will give you steady improvements each week. You are not going to increase your flexibility to yogi status in one go- that´s wrought with much danger. Just small increases in your stretch will bring to your eventual goal in a more knowledgeable, safe and peaceful way.

Apply this principle to the attainment of any goal. Stretch a little deeper each time so that you feel a little uneasiness but not too much that it shatters you and takes you out of the game.

Your Breath Helps you to Maintain Focus and Stay Calm


Your breathe will help you to move through and maintain a posture. Notice that in times of difficulty your breath becomes shallow, races or even disappears. This will only sieze your body and not allow you the oxygen adn calmness of mind to compelte your task. You have to make sure you breathe evenly and deeply through each posture. This will help you to relax and settle into the posture.

Your breath is the most important factor of any posture or anything in life- obviously, as long as you´re breathing you´re doing okay, right? During the tough times of your life, the first step is to remember to breathe correctly. This will bring to you the clarity you need to relax, and the strength you need to reach a little further will follow.

Learn to Let Go


Yoga is all about learning to let go and experiencing your body. Experiencing your body will allow you to challenge it and take it to a whole new place. When you release yourself to the posture your whole body and mind will relax which will allow you to increase your flexibility and create a whole new flow of energy.

In life, you have to learn to let go of everything you are holding. All your stresses, problems and stories. Just let them go and allow yourself to relax, gain strength and create a whole new flow of energy.

Yoga is such a beneficial form of exercise both for your mind and body. It will allow you to grow in strength, stability, flexibility and calmness of mind and spirit. Healthy mind and body equals a healthy life full of wealth and happiness.


Caroline Makepeace is an expert at living a life of wealth and happiness. You can sign up for her free weekly inspirational newsletter at her blog

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