How To Survive A Hot Yoga Class

Hot yoga is not an easy task, but absolutely great in preventing arthritis, back problems, muscle dystrophy and so on. It helps to relieve everyday stress and eliminate deadly toxins from the body.

One of the most important things is to make sure that you drink plenty of water to hydrate your body well. It is recommended to drink fluids throughout the day, not just before the class. Try not to eat anything heavy at least two hours before the class. The food can make you feel nauseous during exercises. Arrive to studio 10-15 minutes earlier and try to take the spot by the door. Most yoga instructors would open the door few times during the class and let some cool air in. That helps. Also, if you come earlier you can let your body adjust to the high temperature before the class. People sweat a lot during the hot yoga classes. Sweat is a cooling mechanism of the body. It is important not to wipe the sweat off. First of all, it will make you sweat even more and secondary, any extra moves will destruct you and people around you. Position your mat the way that you can see yourself in the mirror. This way you can see if the body alignment is correct for the posture and also making eye contact with yourself in the mirror helps to maintain the balance during the standing posture series. Give yourself a smile.

It will cheer you up and destruct from the thought of giving up. Drinking water is not recommended during the class, because it is cooling the body from inside. Concentrate on your breathing all the time. Do not hold the breath. Take deep and slow breaths, rather than frequent and shallow. It will save you a lot of energy and oxygenate the body. You must inhale and exhale through your nose all the time. When you breathe with the mouth, you get dehydrated. It is absolutely normal when you feel dizzy or even a little nauseous during the class. Slow down your pace, concentrate on the breathing and try not to sit down. Getting up may make you feel even worse. If this is your first month of hot yoga and you are not able to do all the postures, but able to stay in the 105 degree room for one and a half hour, you are doing great. Keep on trying, follow my tips and you will survive and eventually enjoy the hot yoga classes.

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Yoga Classes for Beginners

If you are looking to create more balance in your body while increasing flexibility and strength, yoga classes may intrigue your interest. Yoga will teach you to stretch in ways you never thought possible. Each of the postures and poses performed through yoga has a health benefit. Quicker movements will create a heat sensation in the body. Slower movements are known to boost stamina and improve alignment. Poses are similar for all, but the ways a teacher approaches yoga may vary. Once established in a yoga program, one will find "your own practice" is similar, but can always be done in different methods which keep the movements from becoming boring. When an instructor states you are performing "your own practice", this is your niche of yoga movement which is right for you. A great thing about yoga is that there is no competition involved. Everyone does the best they can do. The beauty of it is that you are in your own personal space doing your best according to the leader's guidance.

If yoga intrigues your interest, some research may be needed to find just the right type of class for you. There are different types of yoga practices. There are two in particular known as vinvasa and hatha which are most appropriate for beginners. These formats will review the basics of yoga. As you become accustomed to the movements and stretches, and begin to understand how the process affects your body, you can graduate to more advanced types of classes. The key factor is that all of this progression is at your own pace with no pressure to move forward quicker than you are ready.

With today's online capabilities, there can be plenty of resources when searching for yoga classes in your area. Local newspapers and magazines geared toward wellness will also provide listing for yoga. If you belong to a gym or fitness center, perhaps they may offer a yoga class. Neighborhood park districts may have yoga classes, as well. Since you are just starting out, be sure you are inquiring about a beginner's class for your chance to learn the basics. If there are absolutely no yoga classes in your area, or none offered at convenient times for your schedule, rent of purchase a beginner's instructional video and take a try at following along.

Before your first class, inquire about when you would need to get started. Most likely, you will be told to dress comfortably with clothing that is breathable. You will want to have a yoga mat. These can often be rented from the class coordinators.

As for a few suggestions, refrain from large meals before your yoga classes, but eat lightly hours before. Drink fluids before or after class, only. Do not wear socks or shoes. Let your teacher know you are just beginning. Don't be embarrassed to ask for help. And, most importantly, don't wait more than a few days before you return for another class. Once you begin, you will want to keep the momentum going.

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Your First Yoga Class - What to Expect

So you've finally made the big leap into the unknown - your first yoga class is approaching. You've picked which class to go to, found out where to park and how much the class will cost, but what should you expect when you walk through the doors?

Yoga - more than just an exercise class

The mysterious first yoga class is a time of discovery. You'll discover that not every yoga practitioner is a highly committed, eco-conscious vegetarian; that designer gear will not help you into a difficult pose any sooner; and you will discover secrets about your body and your mind that even you never knew. Sound intriguing? Well that's yoga for you! It's more than just an exercise class.

Yoga teachers have got your back - there's no need to worry
Yoga people tend to be a friendly bunch. The dynamics of each yoga class and each studio differ greatly but all should be welcoming and inclusive, not judgemental. Everyone in the class is an equal in the eyes of the teacher so stop worrying about your lack of knowledge or inability to touch your toes, it simply doesn't matter.

Yoga classes are non-competitive

Don't try to keep up with other people in the class. Yoga is an individual practice and everyone is different. Even yoga teachers aren't perfect at every pose. We all have our physical limitations and part of yoga is learning to respect your body, be kind to it and don't push it further than it wants to go. Your body will open into poses when it is ready, so be patient during the early stages of your practice.

What to take to yoga classes

On a practical note, what do you take to a class? Water is a good idea, unless you are practising Ashtanga when water should not be consumed during the class. You may wish to take a small towel and, if hygiene concerns you, your own mat and an eye pillow for the relaxation at the end.

Yoga mats

Studios generally supply mats so it is not essential to buy your own; this decision comes down to personal preference. Some studios may not disinfect and update their mats as regularly as perhaps they should and practising on a stale smelling mat is not the most pleasant experience. On an environmental note, if this is your first ever experience of yoga it is probably best not to buy your own mat until you know that the practice is for you.

Studio etiquette

Stinky mats bring us on to some rather basic studio etiquette which is all too often ignored. If you use one of the studio's mats, you should clean it after the class. This only takes a moment and you will find a disinfectant spray and cloths near where the mats are stored. Please take a moment to do this; if one person cleans their mat then others tend to follow.

Yoga poses first up

The content of your class will vary depending on the style your chosen studio follows. Generally speaking though, beginners' classes focus on the asanas or poses and tend not to include any advanced breathing techniques or chanting.

If you approach your first class with an open mind, a spirit of adventure and an understanding that yoga is not a competitive sport then you will be fine. Congratulations on embarking on the first stage of your yoga journey, and enjoy!

With the Yoga Classes Directory, now you can search for local yoga classes in your area.
All yoga traditions are represented, so you can easily find a local yoga studio that offers the tradition of your choice - bikram, hatha, ashtanga or iyengar yoga classes are all listed in the Yoga Classes Directory.

Considering yoga teacher training? We've got that covered as well with yoga teacher training offers available worldwide.

What about yoga gear like yoga pants, yoga clothes and yoga mats?
You'll find a wide range of suppliers and product reviews and you can conveniently shop online.

If you're lucky enough to be having a break, you'll be able to review yoga retreats, yoga holidays and workshops as well. It's all covered in the Yoga Classes Directory.

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Beginner Yoga Class Checklist

If you're new to yoga, you might not know what to expect when you walk in the doors of a beginner's yoga class for the first time. You might not even know how to start in choosing a beginner's yoga class to attend. Here's a "how to" checklist.

1. Nail down your goals and find the right style for you.

Everyone comes to yoga for different reasons. Sometimes these differences are slight, other times they're vast.

For instance, are you interested in an intense physical workout to throbbing music, or are you on more of a spiritual path towards (quiet) enlightenment? Are you attracted to yoga because of its health benefits, and if so, is it physical or emotional health you are most interested in?

Are you interested in the philosophy and rich traditions of yoga, or are you on the other extreme and wouldn't be caught dead reciting a mantra?
Whatever your personal needs and proclivities, there's a yoga for you. If several flavors of yoga are offered in your area, do your research online or in the library to find which style would be the best fit for you.

Once you know what it is you're looking for, you can set some goals. Call the teacher of the beginner yoga class you're considering and ask if your expectations are reasonable.

2. Choose a drop-in or series beginner yoga class

A drop-in yoga class allows you to pay-as-you go. There will likely be some turnover week to week as to which students show up for class. The teacher is likely to keep this class on the mild side, because students will be at such differing ability levels.

This may be just what you're looking for if you just want a taste of yoga but don't want to buy an expensive package of classes. This may also be a good choice for you if your schedule won't allow you to attend a class every week. Keep in mind there are significant drawbacks.

One, because the class is ongoing, you will never get to start at "the beginning." You may be a little lost at first while you learn the culture of the class. Also, drop-in beginner yoga classes tend to be repetitive.
A series yoga class is different in that you buy a set number of classes and each class builds on what you learned in the previous week. A good series class is repetitive only in that there is some review each time, but then the teacher introduces new material.

You can learn much more much faster in a series class, but again there are drawbacks. First, if you miss a class it may be difficult to make up the material that you missed. Also, you will be asked to pay for the whole series up front.

Take a look at your level of commitment, your schedule and your budget and decide whether a drop-in or a series class is better for your needs.

3. Make sure the teacher has adequate training.

Yoga is now a significant contributor to sports injuries. This can be attributed to two things: students pushing themselves too hard for perfection and inadequate training of instructors.

Don't be shy in asking your potential instructor about their background. There are certifications for teaching "gym yoga" that an instructor can get in a long weekend. A three day training is just enough to make someone dangerous. That's not to say that some of the people who start with such certifications don't turn out to be excellent instructors by dedicating themselves to practice and increasing their knowledge over the course of months and years.

There are of course people who teach yoga with no formal certification whatsoever, and though it might be difficult for these teachers to get liability insurance, there's nothing illegal about it. Keep in mind that yoga is a spiritual tradition thousands of years old, and the idea of giving someone a certificate for learning a few poses and breathing techniques would have been an odd idea indeed even seventy years ago. It is one thing to wake up one morning and decide to teach yoga with little to no experience. It is quite another to teach after living for years under the tutelage of a master yogi who just doesn't believe in certificates.

As a general rule, seek out yoga teachers with at the very least 200 hours of training. In the United States there's an organization called the Yoga Alliance that offers a registry of teachers who attended training programs that meet certain standards. Someone can have the Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT) designation from the Yoga Alliance and still be a crummy teacher, but usually RYTs are a safe bet.

4. Look into additional costs of the yoga class.

Sometimes there are additional costs involved in taking a beginner's yoga class besides the registration fee. You may need to buy your own yoga mat, strap, or other props, for instance. In some classes you may need to buy certain books for study or even special clothing of a certain color.

It is important to know what the related costs are up front so that you and your bank account won't encounter any surprises later on.

I hope this checklist will help you find a beginner's yoga class that's right for you.

David Morgan is a Kripalu Yoga Teacher who offers Knoxville, TN yoga classes [http://www.yogaknoxville.com/]. Find out more about yoga for beginners [http://www.yogaknoxville.com/beginner-yoga-class-checklist-110/] on his web site and get a free relaxation recording by subscribing to his newsletter that covers yoga in Knoxville and the East Tennessee region.

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Yoga Poses for Kids

Yoga is considered as one of the best detoxifying exercises to eliminate toxins, especially from the liver and the stomach. When performed on a regular basis, yoga helps strengthen the abdominal region and relieves many digestive ailments. Numerous researches have revealed that it helps revitalize the pancreas and decreases acidity in the blood. Yoga has also been proved beneficial to the health of children. Not only does it strengthen the bones of kids, but it also increases their level of flexibility and range of motion. Yoga poses also reduce the levels of cortisol in their blood, thus protecting them against the risk of childhood obesity.

Many yoga postures aim at increasing height, and improving physical strength and mental clarity in children.
Tree pose, also known as Vrksasana, is a great yoga posture that helps develop flexibility and strength in the lower limbs. This yoga pose can be performed by standing on one foot and bringing the other foot to rest on the standing leg, preferably below the knee. The arms should be extended so that they appear like tree branches. This position should be maintained for 1 minute and one should switch to other leg to repeat the process.

Flower pose is a fun pose that helps build core strength and improves balance. This pose should be performed by sitting up nice and tall. Next step is to put the soles of feet together and put hands underneath the ankles. Lift both legs up by keeping the soles of your feet together and then return back to the starting position to complete one repetition.

Warrior pose, also known as Virabhadrasana posture, helps strengthen the torso and lower limbs. This pose should be executed by standing with feet apart and arms open like you are pretending to hold a bow and an arrow. Maintain this position for a few minutes and then return back to the starting position. Perform at least 5 sets.

Children, like adults, can benefit from yoga poses. Children can easily be over-stressed and over-worked due to school work and extracurricular activities. Yoga poses help relieve stress and promote inner peace in kids. Yoga postures help children develop positive body awareness and improve concentration. Yoga also helps kids realize and experience how they are one with nature. Breathing techniques, also known as pranayama, help increase lung function by brining more oxygen into blood stream. Purifying and rejuvenating exercises can restore health and joy in children and also lengthen their life span.

There is not much difference in the poses for kids and adults. Yoga itself is designed in a way that it benefits individuals of all age groups.

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Yoga Poses For Beginners

Yoga is very popular and people are still discovering the many benefits of doing yoga on a regular basis, when you are first starting doing your yoga poses it is imperative to take things slow. Yoga often builds upon the moves you learn from the beginning and it is important to master beginning moves before you think about moving forward.

Even though yoga is often slow and there is not a lot of high impact movement, there is still the risk of injury if you are not completing a move properly.
Knowing how to properly complete your yoga poses will help you to get the most out of your yoga experience.

The Accomplished Pose is a beginner pose and is fairly easy to complete. You simply sit on the floor or yoga mat and cross your legs, your palms will be facing the ceiling and you will be relaxed and practicing proper breathing techniques.

You want a long line between your head and bottom. You can press your bottom into the floor, while stretching your head up, this can provide the spine with an amazing stretch.

The Bound Angle Yoga Pose is something you also perform while in a sitting position, you move the soles of the feet together while transitioning from the Accomplished Pose, you are still stretching the spine in this pose and it is recommended that you place your tongue to the roof of the mouth, you should close your eyes and while they are closed you should focus on the third eye area of the forehead with your eyes.

The Boat is a pose where you will make a "V" with your body. While in a sitting position you will raise your feet and legs, you will reach out while like you are walking in your sleep and hold this position, you will lower your feet and then you can try again if you are strong enough, as you get stronger you will be able to hold this position for much longer and this can help you to build your strength and endurance.

As you learn beginner yoga poses you will be ready to move on to intermediate yoga routines and before you know it you will be completing advanced poses.

Yoga is something that many people find very addictive and this is one addiction that you will be pleased to nurture,as your body begins to change you will feel more balanced and stronger and this is often what motivates someone to stick with yoga.

Summary: Yoga is very popular and people are still discovering the many benefits of doing yoga on a regular basis,

When you are first starting your yoga poses it is imperative to take things slow. Yoga often builds upon the moves you learn from the beginning and it is important to master beginning moves before you think about moving forward.

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Peacock Pose Yoga

Yoga is probably one of the most commonly practiced exercises all around the globe. Numerous poses of yoga help increase flexibility and range of motion, and relieve the pains and the aches of the body. Not only do they help lower your resting heart rate, but they also lower blood pressure and improve lung function. Moreover, they improve your cardiovascular efficiency, stamina and endurance. Another benefit of yoga poses is that they help reduce the effects of stress on your body and keep your mind fit and healthy.

There are around 90 yoga poses. If you are a beginner, then it is important that you choose poses (asanas) you feel easy to attempt and then switch to difficult ones gradually. Peacock pose, also known as Mayurasana, is an advanced pose that should be performed in the supervision of a qualified yoga trainer. This pose confers strong, detoxifying effects on the health of digestive system, thus promoting a healthy gastrointestinal tract and protecting against the risk of colon cancer. It helps relieve the symptoms of edema and stomach ulcer, and alleviates diseases like enlargement of the glands and eczema. A recent research has shown that Peacock pose helps eliminate toxins from liver and spleen.

Peacock pose also confers many benefits on the health of women as it helps relieve painful menstruation and menstrual disorders. It helps increase blood circulation throughout the abdominal region and stabilizes glucose levels in the blood. When performed on a regular basis, this pose decreases acidity in the blood and strengthens shoulders, elbows and wrists.

You should begin this pose by kneeling on the yoga mat and bringing your forearms together. Be sure to place your hands in the direction of your feet with little finger side of the hands towards each other. Next step is to squeeze your elbows in towards each other, place your upper abdomen on arms, and straighten your legs behind you. Make sure that you hold them above the ground for 10-15 breaths at a time.

If you have medical issues such as arthritis or osteoporosis, then avoid performing Peacock yoga pose as it puts tremendous pressure on your elbows and wrists. People who have other medical conditions such as heart disease, high cholesterol levels, high blood pressure, nose infections, hernia, or ulcer should avoid practicing this pose as well.

Peacock pose is a deeply detoxifying asanas in yoga that helps release toxins from your internal system and relieves many digestive ailments. It helps tone your body and makes you feel and look healthier. Incorporate this incredible yoga pose into your workout routine on a regular basis to improve strength, flexibility and balance.

Peacock pose is an advanced pose. Beginners can try this pose but should ensure not to sprain any muscles.

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Yoga Poses - Hints and Tips for Beginners

The popularity of yoga has been growing in recent years and more and more people every day are taking it up for many different reasons. Yoga poses for beginners is something that more and more people are wanting to find out about.

Some people want to start yoga to help them try and lose weight, while others have heard about yoga's ability to relieve certain pains and ailments, such as back pain.

Pregnant ladies often want to take up yoga when they hear about the relief they can get from some of the uncomfortable symptoms of pregnancy through the practice of yoga, and they also help to prepare themselves for the actual birth of their child by practicing the breathing techniques that are practiced in yoga.
Sports men and women are starting to incorporate yoga practices into their training regimes in an effort to increase their sporting abilities.

Someone just starting out with yoga could be forgiven for thinking that all they need is themselves and some space, which is essentially true. But there are one or two considerations to give when deciding if you need any equipment.

For example, will you practice outside on the grass, on a sandy beach, or will you need a yoga mat? If you do need a mat, have you got one or do you need to buy one?
What about a drink? Do you have a bottle you can take with you to use during your session?
And then of course there is your clothes. It is very important that you feel totally comfortable in whatever you decide to wear. Although many people are fashion conscious, it is no good thinking about your top or pants, or the person in front of you, when you are trying to perform a yoga pose or position. Your mind needs to be totally free of thoughts like that so that you can give full concentration to the exercise that you are doing.

A complete beginner might be content with seeing a picture of a pose and then trying to copy it in their bedroom or at home somewhere. This is good for getting a feel of what yoga is and making up your mind if it is something you want to do, and get into.

However, someone who is serious about using yoga to improve their life in some way should really be thinking about starting with a local yoga class or finding an instructor.

Anybody with a health condition that might be affected by yoga, positively or negatively, should really consult with a doctor before getting started. Just because yoga is known for improving back pain in some people does not mean that it is ok for all people with back pain to take up yoga., for pretty obvious reasons.
Likewise, as yoga has been known to improve the circulatory systems of some people does not mean that yoga should be practiced by all people with circulatory problems.

Always stay on the safe side and consult with a qualified doctor who knows about your existing conditions.
If you're a sports person who wants to incorporate some yoga into their current training plan, you should consult with your team doctor and trainers before embarking on any yoga exercises. Even better, consult a yoga sports scientist who will be able to tell you specifically what yoga exercises to do in order to target specific parts of your body.

As with all forms of exercise, it is better to start off gently and build up over time to more advanced positions or poses and longer sessions.

If you take yoga seriously and give it some respect, it will not be long before you start to reap the benefits and be happier and healthier for it.

Read more of Elizabeth Pennington's work at Yoga poses for beginners and more yoga related subjects at Yoga Body and Mind

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Yoga For Beginners: Doing The Cobra Pose

The cobra pose provides great relief for those who suffer from back troubles due to siting in front of a computer for hours at a time. Many people who work at their computers all day do not realize that they are hunched over for much of the time rather than sitting with good posture. When doing the cobra pose in yoga, you can strengthen your back muscles, which helps to ease any back pain that you might have.

If you have never done yoga before, you'll need to practice the cobra pose until you master its form. Much like learning to play soccer or learning to swim, with yoga, you will not just jump right in and immediately become an expert at doing poses on your first try. Have patience when learning the cobra pose and all other yoga poses - your persistence will pay off.

Start the cobra pose by lying on your stomach. Take a deep breath, and keep your elbows tucked under your shoulders and your arms on the floor. Let your breath out, and prepare to put your body into the back bend position. Be sure to keep your thighs together, and extend your legs so that your toes extend outward as well.

From your position on your stomach, place the palms of your hands onto the floor against your chest. Your fingertips should be lined up with the front of the shoulders. Bring your elbows as close to your sides as you can. Then press the palms of your hands firmly onto the floor as you slowly start to elevate your chest and assume a back bend pose. You may be able to feel your spinal muscles activate as they support you.

Now, bring your shoulders toward your upper back. Take a deep breath, and be sure to position your head so that you are looking straight ahead. As you exhale, lower your body back down toward the floor. To position yourself into a full cobra pose, put your hands flat on the floor, and line your fingertips up with the middle section of your chest. Extend your legs and your feet so that your toes point outward. Carefully lift your body by putting pressure on your hands and squeezing your shoulder blades towards your upper back.

Remember that the size of the back bend doesn't really matter when you're performing a cobra pose, because you will be placing a greater emphasis on how to correctly position your legs, stomach, chest, pelvis, and arms.

The art of yoga for beginners takes some time to perfect, but with practice, the cobra pose and other poses will become easier to form. Whether you're doing yoga for weight loss or for health reasons, you'll see great benefits over time.

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Locust Pose Yoga

Yoga is an ancient art that helps unite the body, the mind, and the spirit. Not only does it promote the physical well-being of a person, but it also helps maintain good mental and emotional health. When performed on a regular basis, yoga helps decrease pulse and respiratory rates, and normalizes endocrine function and blood pressure. It helps improve musculoskeletal flexibility and increases endurance. Moreover, it decreases joint pain and improves steadiness and sleep. Yoga slows down the natural aging process and improves your mental clarity. It helps detoxify the impurities and toxins absorbed by your body tissues, hence slowing down their deterioration.

Yoga postures, also known as asanas, help achieve better health and spirituality. Locust pose (Salabhasana) is a popular yoga pose that helps improve posture, increases energy levels, improves reaction time, improves balance, and strengthens the abdominal muscles, thighs and quadriceps. Execute this yoga pose at least 3 times a week to decrease the abdominal fat and improve the strength of lower body.

In order to begin this posture, you should lie on your stomach on a yoga mat. Your forehead should rest on the mat with your arms alongside your body, palms facing up. Next step is to lift your head, upper torso, arms and legs so that only your abdomen and lower ribs rest on the mat. Maintain this position for about 30 seconds and then return back to the starting position to complete one repetition.

When performing this yoga pose, make sure that you don't over-stretch your back; otherwise it might lead to a serious back injury. It is also important that you keep your arms parallel to the floor. People having chronic back pain should perform this posture under the supervision of a professional qualified yoga instructor.

Beyond the more obvious physical benefits of Locust pose, there are many psychological benefits as well. It helps improve mood and concentration, and relieves anxiety and depression. Regular sessions of Locust pose have been shown to improve learning efficiency and increase self-acceptance. Moreover, Locust pose also improves memory and attention, making you a better person in today's outright competitive world.

Yoga asanas can restore health and lengthen life span. Sparing only a few minutes a day to practice Locust pose can bring you enormous benefits in terms of physical well-being and mental health. It makes your body more flexible and keeps you energetic, strong, healthy and fit.

Locust Pose is an intermediate pose, but can be performed by a beginner depending on flexibility.

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Yoga Exercises For a Sound Sleep

It is rightly stated, "A good laugh and a long sleep are the best cures in the doctor's book." The universal remedy for various ailments lies in a sound relaxed sleep. After the day's hectic schedule, our body and mind gets drained off and we need to recharge them with energy and vitality. Sleep provides the much-needed rest, which serves the desired purpose. Having sound sleep is not easy, as today we are living in a highly competitive world. Stress, is an unavoidable part of our lives and we are in a mad race to achieve more and more. Never ending desires and expectations make us dissatisfied and stressed.

Yoga: The ancient Indian healing art has proved to be quite effective in ensuring relaxed and sound sleep. The yoga exercises or asanas help in reducing anxiety and calming down an individual's tensed mind. They act as natural tranquilizers and soothe our mind. Apart from relaxing mind, yoga exercises facilitate our body to get rid of lethargy, tiredness, and exhaustion.

The breathing exercises -- the pranayams, help in providing oxygen to all the tissues and organs of our body and detoxifies them. Proper breathing relaxes us and induces sound sleep. Padmasana and savasana also help in calming down our exhausted bodies. What matters most, is not the duration but the quality of sleep. Our body alignment is reflected by the quantity and quality of sleep. Regular yoga exercises will help you get sound sleep at night.

Doing power yoga and ashtanga twice a week will be a good choice. Light exercises should be done before retiring to bed. Breathing exercises act as cleanser for wiping out daily clutter and chaos. A few stretching exercises relax the body and drain out tensions. A harmonious balance is established between our mind and body and we are re-energized to meet the upcoming challenges of life. The yoga breathing exercises help in relaxing the wandering active mind, and make our body composed, thereby easing our journey to dreamland.

Regular yoga exercises improve self-awareness and self-regulation, the key factors inducing sound restful sleep. The yoga exercises help you to introspect yourself, analyze every action carefully and assess the steps taken, all in a controlled and calm environment. They wash away all you tensions and worries and you are fit to retire to bed comfortably. By following yoga exercises, sound sleep will become a habit and it will no longer be an "effort thing". Sound sleep will come naturally to you. You will relish the cozy luxury of sweet slumber, shedding and discarding your worries on bed. Incorporate yoga in life, it will help you combat stress-related insomnia effectively.

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Yoga Exercise for Alleviating Asthma

Yoga exercise including the poses, inhaling and exhaling, and relaxation routines set you in charge of your mind and feelings, making you more stimulating and enabling you to inhale and exhale easier. It will also allow your lungs to work much better and improve airflow during Asthma attacks.

Asthma is an ancient Greek word meaning "panting, gasping or short-drawn breathing". It is among the most upsetting of respiratory system conditions, known to affect approximately 5% of the planet's older population and 10% of children. In this ailment, the air passages of the lungs are limited, causing tightness in the chest, bouts of coughing, wheezing, and breathing difficulties. The inflammation of the nasal airways can become long-term. Asthma is generally the result of allergies or anxiety. Yoga has come a long course to relieve and deal with asthma.

The particular exercise involves Asanas (body postures) and Pranayama (technique of breath control), among which of its physical uses are to eliminate stress-related problems, ease circulatory and respiratory system disorders like Asthma and Bronchitis, and enrich over-all health and wellness. These breathing exercises are really beneficial to fortify and relax the muscle tissues of lungs. In the course of the asthma attack this proves to be very beneficial. It reduces the nerve activity within the air passages causing less bottlenecks during the attack. It helps detoxify the air passage to breathe without difficulty. It aids in stabilizing the independent nervous systems. Thus, the typical lifestyle involved in Yoga exercise may serve as a good treatment for respiratory difficulties. A healthy diet plan can develop your resistance against cold, allergic reactions, and other ecological causes of Asthma, Bronchitis, and various chronic respiratory system ailments. It likewise encourages a non-smoking lifestyle. Tests accomplished at Yoga Therapy Centers, across the world, have shown significant results in alleviating asthma. In some cases it has also been discovered that attacks can actually be averted, without the help of medicines, just by means of yogic techniques. There's adequate research proof to establish the idea that the exercise of yoga helps make the treatment so much more positive. These days, even allopathic as well as homeopathic medical doctors have arrived at the comprehensive agreement that yoga is a great alternative cure for asthma attack.

Furthermore, based on yoga philosophy, a relaxed mind results in normal breathing and relaxed body. Thus, inhaling and exhaling exercises can without a doubt help those with asthma. Some types of yoga exercises help out with calming your entire system (including your torso muscles), and also increase the capacity of your lungs -- promoting an effective manner of inhaling and exhaling during and immediately after asthma attacks. Several special breathing techniques that would help in preventing this disease includes the most popular which is the Kapalabhati and Anuloma Viloma. Kapalabhati and Anuloma Viloma involve a mixture of deep and shallow breaths which help to trigger a nourishing flow of deep breathing. Some other yoga exercises that would relieve asthma out of your life are: Dandasana, Baddhakonasana, Upavista Konasana, Virasana, Supta Baddhakonasana, Supta Virasana, Setubandha, Sarvangasana, Adhomukha Svanasana, Uttanasana and Tadasana Samasthith.

Since yoga exercise claims that the brain is core to a diseased condition, pacifying and placating it might, by itself, help treat the disease to a large degree. The practice of yogasanas, yogic kriyas, pranayamas, relaxation and meditation calm down the whole system. This, subsequently, facilitates proper assimilation of meals and strengthens the lungs, digestive and circulatory system. In a period of time, that checks attacks and also cures the condition of asthma.

There are lots of practitioners online who offer informative advice in yoga exercise and everything else about yoga. Only a known yoga guru can provide you with the best services.

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Yoga Workouts to Help Digestion

Yoga is one of the ancient and reliable methods to lose weight and stay fit and healthy. Yogasanas or postures intend to gently work on your organs and help to maintain perfect balance between mind and body. Several asanas act subtly on the digestive system thereby eliminating the problems related to stomach. Many studies suggest that yoga is an ideal solution to many digestive problems. You can get rid of your digestive problems like acidity, acid reflux disease, and other digestive disorders in a natural way, without the use of medicines. Practicing yoga relaxes your mind and in turn reflects on the digestive system. You can see the results within a few weeks.

Among the important Yogasanas meant for digestive disorders, listed below are a few of them.

Yoga Mudrasana or Psychic Union Pose: You should sit in lotus pose or easy pose, sukhasana. While inhaling, take your hands to the backside of your body, raise your hands and hold the fingers tightly. Exhaling, bend your head and try to touch the ground with your forehead. Remain in this pose as long as you are comfortable. Relax and come to the starting point. Try to do it two to three times.

Benefits: Helps in relieving constipation, improves body metabolism.

Udarakarshanasana or Abdominal twist pose: first kneel and then you need to sit on your toes. Push the left knee towards ground. While exhaling, pass left hand over left knee, while you are holding the knee down. Now inhaling, pass your right hand over right knee and press it hard to the left. Exhaling, you need to look over your right shoulder. Inhaling, come to the starting position. You need to do it three times. Rest for a while and do the same procedure, with the other leg.

Benefits: This pose squeezes your stomach muscles and the blood flow to stomach increases. It helps to relieve constipation and other digestive problems.

Supta vajrasana or lying thunderbolt: Beginners can start with the other asana called matsyasan or fish pose. In this pose, inhale and sit on the heels. Exhale. Again while inhaling, lean back with the support of your hands, gently to the ground and rest your head on the ground. Your back and neck should not touch the floor. They will be in an arched position. Place your hands at the chest in a Namaste posture (Indian way of greeting, by joining your hands). Knees should touch the floor. Remain in this position as long as you can. Return to the start position. This is an advanced pose. If you have knee problems, you are not advised to do it.

Benefits: The abdominal stretch increases the body metabolism and helps digestion.

Breathing exercises: Apart from the above listed asanas, several breathing exercises that are a part of to yoga, benefit your digestive system. Slow and relaxed breathing helps to control your thoughts and de stress you. When you are calm and relaxed, the overall effect will be shown on your body's capacity of digestion as well.

Relaxation postures like shavaasan also help to control your thoughts, de stress your body and help you to maintain peace and stability.

Several reputed yoga teachers conduct classes. Many boot camps also offer yoga sessions once in a while.

Kya Cassiuss Victoria is a Sydney personal trainer. If you want to register with a Boot Camp Rushcutters Bay, visit Sydney Personal Trainer.

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Build Muscle Strength Through Yoga Exercises

Yoga. Just the sound of the word can turn people off. I can picture my mom with her floor mat sitting cross legged and stretching her facial muscles and believe me the memory is not one I really care to have, so believe me when I say yoga and strength training are not two things I thought really belonged in the same sentence. But I can admit when I am wrong, and I am wrong on this one. Yoga isn't what I remember and to be honest, I think twenty or thirty years ago, it didn't get a good introduction to America.

As I said, times have changed. Now most gyms offer yoga classes and they aren't just about stretching, although 'just' the act of stretching can increase your strength and fitness all by itself. Yoga is a total mind-body connection experience that can really take you by surprise as you exit the class for the first time. You will be challenged and you will use muscles that you didn't even know existed. And you will be challenged no matter what type of yoga class you take.

So with that let me also say that all yoga is not created equal. There are classes that challenge you more and are more 'athletic' as opposed to stretching and breathing. If you take bikram, vinyasa, 'power yoga', or ashtanga yoga you are in for an endurance building challenge. Those are among the yogas that will give you more of a strenuous workout and can improve your core strength and give you cardio-vascular conditioning. That is accomplished by constant motion between the asanas (poses).

Because yoga techniques generally only work with body weight the entire practice is more 'gentle' with its demands upon you. For this reason it is often used as a therapeutic method to help with healing injuries and pains. The stretching combined with strengthening can help with all sorts of injuries from repetitive strains to back pains. As with any sort of training you don't want to just jump in without checking first with your doctor or therapist, but generally speaking, because of the nature of yoga, it is complimentary to most recommended courses of action for physical therapy.

Yoga classes can be found at most gyms, but you can also find a lot of instruction and videos that can take you through routines at home. I would recommend taking a class with an instructor for anyone who is interested in getting into it, because a certified instructor can help you understand the routines better and help prevent bad habits before they can start. Form is very important in all training and yoga is no exception.

So if you are looking for something to break up your regular routine (and I highly recommend changing up fitness habits to challenge your body) think about checking out a few yoga classes. I think you will be pleasantly surprised and glad you did.

The right food choices will also make a huge impact on your quest for better health. I lost over ten pounds in the first 21 days of following the Every Other Day Diet and it was simple and easy, and I didn't give up real cheese steaks, burgers, lasagna or any of my other favorite foods. My Ideal Diet
more health and fitness info: All Health Network

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Facial Yoga Exercises - Don't Waste More Time

How many instances did you check out your sagging cheeks within the mirror this month, and take a hold of your face to provide it a 'little lift.' Just to see what you'd look like with a 'younger face?'

Maybe you are a lady and have mastered the art of having the ability to tie up your hair to the tightest point potential and help to portray the impact of a youthful face line. Whilst this action helps to lift your skin making it appear more toned and youthful. The unhappy reality it's merely a brief measure. Your sagging cheeks need facial exercises to get them into shape, they usually need them now...

What can Facial Exercising do for me?

It's no secret that facial exercises may help you to restore youth, by making your skin look extra toned and fuller. When your face starts to sag, your nose starts to develop little wrinkly folds; your face muscular tissues look akin to a baby drooling - and your different facial muscle tissue comply with closely in line. All these elements enable you to to look previous, and aged.

When your cheeks begin to drop its evident that your muscle mass within the facial area can't assist your pores and skin structure correctly, and they're missing tone. Growing old happens to one of the best of us, however those which can be in a position to catch the signs, and act now will beat the aging clock and help to turn it again just a little bit further.

Facial exercises are nice to tone and eliminate the inform tale indicators of wrinkles. If your muscular tissues are toned; they can maintain your skin, making it look a lot younger. There shall be minimal sagging, and wrinkles will maintain again for years!

Not so good in Remedies

Let's face it, in 2011 we're more egocentric, more youth obsessive, men and women struggle the identical battle with age. Everybody actually wants to be younger - it's about being contemporary faced, youthful - and flaw free. Botox, beauty surgery and photo store enhancing are ways that you would be able to assist to show again the clock. However a couple of easy facial exercises is a a lot better methodology of combating anti getting older, against pulling into your life savings and looking for the assistance of your native beauty surgeon.

Face lifts will damage interval; people who turned to the cosmetic surgeon to have a facelift typically remorse their actions. Unlike facial exercises, you actually can't flip back with a face carry! It's so apparent once you look in a crowd and observe, you can spot one of many face raise victims a mile away.

Their eyes look barely oriental as a result of their pores and skin has been dragged and tightened to the point of no return. Their lips go up at both sides, nearly as though they're smiling a forced faux smile; however they aren't!

This is because the beauty surgeon pinned again their face so much to cease the saggy neck impact and pin up that double chin. If someone had shared with them the facial exercises that would have saved them heaps of cash, while serving to to revive their facial muscle tone; boy you may wager that they would have turned to facial exercises as a substitute of the painful surgery that they've just gone through. Not solely is it painful, you actually can't lie when somebody asks you in the event you had a face carry you may simply shy away and ignore, or say yes!

I know what you're considering - Botox is just an injection? Sure you're right but it's additionally an injection that helps to freeze your facial muscles! Have you ever ever seen the TV the place the celebrities smile a smile that doesn't need to occur? They need to change their facial features however merely can't. Not because they don't have completely different emotions and feelings to change their face, just because the Botox has 'frozen' the facial muscles, and so they couldn't move their mouth for cash!

Photograph store editing is perfect to take out imperfections, however do you actually wish to must ask the photographer to edit your family picture and take out wrinkles?

Would you be shocked to learn that droopy necks, jowls, pouches and saggy cheeks actually don't need the invasion of a surgeon, or paralysing Botox injection fillers? There actually is a way to get your face lifted, your muscle groups tightened, and your youth shining back via into the mirror. It takes jiffy of your time each day, and the results are that of your plump, cheeky little face 10-15 years ago!

How?

Quite just by performing facial exercises, not any previous train the secret of youth in thumbs and fingers! Manipulated movements that help to contract your face and tone our facial muscles.

It's high time that you simply awaken your muscle tissues, and get again your youth. While you flip to facial exercises your skin seems to be rejuvenated, as if you just bought the most costly and effective facial scrub on the market. You really didn't must although because the secret of the workouts is promotion of blood move, extra oxygen to the face, plumper muscle groups on account of firming work outs. You'll have the ability to enhance your attractiveness, and assist to maintain them there as soon as again.

You don't need to purchase special tools to accompany the regime, you need yourself - your face and the time to discover ways to perform, the every day regime of facial exercises.

If you want to learn more about this method, and how to learn these exercises, you can find more information in Facial Exercises

Also if you interested in other skin related topics, have a read at my personal skin care blog Perfect Skin Club

Best Regards

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Yoga Exercises for Weight Loss

I recently attended a class focused on yoga exercises for weight loss. This was a Bikram style class combining classic yoga asanas with a heated workout space. The floor area maintains a constant temperature of 104 degrees. This workout approach is a good methodology to follow for those seeking a fitness routine based around yoga. Whether following a Bikram specific routine or other yoga discipline the following conditions are ideal as part of any weight loss program:

Heated Floorspace

A heated workout area provides immediate benefits when exercising as your body can warm up quickly. This minimizes the chance of injury and allows you to put your body into deeper poses. Yoga exercises for weight loss involve a strenuous and active workout and a heated practice area provides increased gains in flexibility and muscle development.

Oxygenated Blood

Although not immediately noticeable to the practitioner, the increased heat profile of the practice space provides a constant flow of oxygenated blood throughout a person's body. This is because it is easier to get into a deeper stretch when doing a pose. This has a positive effect on contracting the muscles more completely and the result is a more pronounced flow of blood throughout the body. That has the effect of carrying more oxygen and allows you to perform at a higher, more aerobic level. In layman's terms you can push yourself harder and you will see a weight loss benefit.

Constant Routine

One of the key things to look for in utilizing yoga exercises for weight loss is how constant the workout routine is. The class I participated was led by an instructor that moved from pose to pose, relatively constantly. A yoga pose was shown, practiced by the class and then repeated - usually 3 times. Once completed the instructor moved the class to the next pose with very short breaks occurring only every 20 to 30 minutes. This had a fairly aerobic effect simply due to the pace being practiced.

Maximum Workout with Minimal Impact

Certainly a complete and very active workout occurs using this type of exercise routine. But perhaps the greatest benefit is the minimal impact to the body's joints, ligaments and tendons. This workout, while very aerobic, did not add unneeded stress or pressure to these critical parts of the body.

I cross train regularly practicing different yoga postures with other physical fitness activities. The positive benefits described here occurred due to the fact that this was a strenuous and active workout approach. Embrace the right yoga exercises for weight loss, increased flexibility, and muscle strengthening as they play an important role in an overall fitness regimen.

Heath Jackson writes about health, wellness and living a natural life. Learn more about his approaches to sensible dieting and weight loss at yoga asanas for weight loss or Click Here for information, tips and ideas on how to incorporate yoga into your weight loss exercise routine.

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The 3 Best Yoga Exercises For Healthy Weight Loss

Yoga exercises are one of the best ways to lost weight, burn fat and get healthy. There are many excellent yoga poses and techniques to help you achieve your weight loss goals and in this article today I am going to detail 3 of these poses for you. But, before I jump ahead to the exercises, I want to first point out 3 great reasons to use yoga for weight loss.

1. No Negative Side Affects:

Yoga is a completely natural and safe way in which to get healthy and lose weight. Unlike using pills and other more intrusive methods, with yoga all the side affects you have are positive. This is why holistic sciences and alternative medicines are getting so much attention even by mainstream doctors these days.

2. Permanent Weight Loss with Yoga:

Experience of the yoga therapy programs to treat obesity have shown that weight lost from yoga has proven to be permanent. This is certainly not the case when you use pills and other gimmicks. The weight lost by those methods tends to return quickly once they are discontinued. This is not the case with yoga, as long as you maintain at healthy diet. These diets are almost always a part of the treatment in general, and these diets are such that they can be maintained comfortably throughout one's life. They are not extreme or unreasonable diets.

So when you use yoga for weight loss, the body is gently brought back into alignment and underlying causes for the weight gain, whether they are emotional or bio-chemical, are also resolved. Also, since yoga works with the body, the excess weight once shed is no longer regained when the yoga is stopped. I would though recommend continuing the yoga practice if you can, so you can continue to obtain all the other benefits that such practice bestows.

3. Yoga Weight Loss Solution is for Free:

Why pay for a solution, that is going to create bad side affects and not going to work in the long term anyway, when you can have a successful weight loss solution from yoga for FREE. Articles like this one and many websites on the web will give you plenty of information on how to practice yoga safely for achieving your weight loss goals. In addition, there are many good YouTube video channels as well, where you can get nice video demonstrations of yoga sets and yoga exercises.

Three Great Weight Loss Yoga Exercises:

Below you will find 3 excellent yoga exercises for weight loss. These exercises can be done by almost anyone, but be sure to check with your doctor prior to starting a new practice or fitness routine.

1. Yoga Single Leg Rotations:

a. Instructions:

• Lie flat on your back.

• Raise your right leg up to about 45 degrees.

• Point your feet and toes away from you.

• Do 2-10 rotations in 1 direction and then without resting rotate the same leg in the other direction (counter-clockwise).

• Repeat with the left leg.

b. Duration:

You can build up to 1 minute / leg. You can start with 2-4 rotations per leg, per direction and build up from there.

c. Benefits:

• Builds your Navel Center and strengthens and tones your abdominal muscles.

• Builds willpower and strength of character.

• Loosens and opens up the hips.

d. Practice Tips:

• To modify the exercise bend you knees or do fewer rotations at a stretch.

• Start with just normal breathing and only incorporate Breath of Fire once you feel ready.

• You can also take rest as needed.

2. Kundalini Yoga Cobra Pose:

a. Step-by-Step Instructions for Cobra Pose:

• Lie flat on the floor, stomach down and feet extended.

• Place your hands near your shoulders and then raise your upper body and torso up off the ground. The upper thighs should remain on the floor. You back should arch up.

• Turn your head up and look upwards as well. Stretching your neck.

• As a variation, you can go up and down in cobra pose. Coming up and breathing in, holding the position for a few seconds and then coming back down and exhaling.

b. Duration:

• 15 Seconds - 7 minutes.

• Start slowly and build up your time steadily from there.

c. Benefits:

• Massages all the digestive organs improving both digestion and elimination. Fixing the digestive system is one of the first steps in getting healthy.

• Very good for improving the health of the back and spine. Good for toning all the back muscles and tissue related to the vertebrae.

• Works on all the nerve junctions that lie along the spine, as well as the important psychic channels that run through the spinal cord.

• Works on improving functions of the ovaries and reproductive glands.

• Builds upper body strength. Specially the shoulders (deltoids), triceps and chest (pectoral) muscles. This is more true if you use the modified version of cobra pose where you go up and down.

d. Practice Tips for Kundalini Yoga Cobra Pose:

• Careful with your lower back! Do not over strain.

• Going up and down in cobra pose is excellent for building strong arms, shoulders and chest muscles without risking injury.

3. Yoga Bow Pose Practice Details:

a. Step-by-Step Instructions for Yoga Bow Pose:

• Start by lying on your stomach with your chin on the floor.

• Next, bend your knees and bring your heels towards your buttocks.

• Beginner Yogis: Reach back and grasp your ankles, keeping the rest of your body on the floor. Pull your heels into your buttocks.

• Intermediate Yogis: Raise yourself up off the floor as shown in the illustration above, by pressing your ankles away from you. Your chest and thighs should be raised off the floor.

• Advanced Yogis: Rock back and forth in bow pose, inhaling as you come forward, exhaling on the way back.

b. Duration:

• 15 seconds - 5 minutes.

c. Benefits:

• Excellent for your respiratory system, to relieve breathing problems and ailments such as asthma, etc.

• Good for the entire spine and back.

• Great pose for improving flexibility.

• The ultimate yoga pose to improve and perfect your digestive system.

• Good for weight loss.

d. Practice Tips for Kundalini Yoga Bow Pose:

• Progress gently towards the advanced version. For some, even the beginner version is difficult to get into, in which case just bring your heels as close to your buttocks as you can, and reach as far back with your arms as possible.

• Do not eat for at least 2-3 hours before practicing this posture, or you will be quite uncomfortable.

• Careful of your knees and back when doing this pose.

Yoga Exercises for Weight Loss Summary:

The following 3 exercises will get you started on your weight loss journey. Add to these poses over time and increase the length of your yoga practice. This is one of the ways to not just lose weight and get healthy, but also one of the best ways to increase the length of your life.

Anmol Mehta is a modern Meditation and Yoga Master. Find the Best Yoga Exercises for Weight Loss set on his huge free yoga and meditation website Free Kundalini Yoga and Guided Meditations Blog.

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The History of Yoga - A Comprehensive Global Guide

I am sure you are eager to know about Yoga history. Where was it practiced the first time, when, how and its evolution, all until it spread worldwide and is practiced everywhere and by millions of people of different sexes, ages, and races.

At first, we should know the meaning of the word Yoga. It is derived from the Sanskrit root Yog, and it means to bind or to join, as it unites the body, mind and soul.

Actually, there is no exact knowledge of its history. Experts estimated that Yoga's origin was around 5,000 years ago, and it was in India. There was uncertain evidence that its origin was in Afghanistan. However, it is certain that Yoga's origin was in the East. Archeologists excavated stone seals from the Indus valley with artifacts and evidence of Yoga existence on it, as they found figures of people doing different Yoga postures. This proves that people were practicing it in stone ages, and that its origin was in India. The Indus-Sarasvati civilization was the largest one those days, and was so modern in their times. In addition, there was evidence of Yoga in the Veda text (the oldest text used in the Indus times).

The Vedas are a collection of 1008 hymns that praises a higher power, they are on ethics, cosmology, philosophy, and science. They contain the oldest Yoga basics, techniques and rules. Therefore, we call it Vedic or Pre-classical Yoga. The Rig Veda is a sacred work by Hindu faith. Most of its myths personified the forces of nature. These times, people used to rely on rishis (Vedic Yogis) to teach them how to live in harmony.

The Aranyakas texts then followed, detailing rituals for Yogis living in the forest. This also served the beginning of India's medical tradition known as Ayurveda. Around 1900 B.C., the great Sarasvati River dried up, forcing the exodus of the Indus-Sarasvati civilization southward towards the Ganges River.

The Brahmins and Upanishads are spiritual texts, written around 600 to 800 B.C, and they were dealing with the rituals performed by Brahmin priests. The Brahmins is a text explaining the Vedic rituals and hymns.

The Bhagavad Gita (song of the blessed Lord), written around 300 B.C, is a spiritual poem on Yoga. The "Gita" is part of the eight chapters' epic called the Mahabharata. The Bhagavad Gita is a discourse delivered by Krishna (the Lord) to Arjuna (the hero) expounding on the goal of life. Between 200 and 800 B.C, Patanjali detailed all the knowledge about Yoga in 196 aphorisms (sutras). These sutras referred to as Raja Yoga. Patanjali is part of the classical Yoga, where they were still practicing thousands of yoga asanas. They considered Yoga Sutras of Patanjali is the authoritative text on classical yoga.

This was a hint about Yoga's history. It shows us how old it was, and how essential it was in old times. It also shows us that Yoga has a strong relationship with our lives, and it was there long time ago, may be since human beings exist on earth. As if, human beings cannot live without it. Actually, it is true, and you will never believe this except when you practice Yoga yourself, you will be like "How come I was living without that?" Yoga is the best way to live a normal and peaceful life.

Next, we should know about the Yoga evolution, far away from those old times and gradually to our times. We classify this into four stages, the pre-classical Yoga, the Classical Yoga, the Post-classical Yoga, and the modern Yoga.

Darren Williger is an over-caffeinated, low carbohydrate eating, yoga enthusiast who writes for CaffeineZone.com, LowCarbPages.com, and PrimeYoga.com.

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Yoga History Through the Ages

Yoga history reaches back to ancient times, to India where it is still practised today. It is traditional disciplines of the mental and physical. In Hindu philosophy there are five major branches of yoga. Raja, Karma, Jnana, Bhakti and Hatha. Hatha yoga is associated outside India with its postures and poses.

The word yoga has different meanings depending on its translation. It can mean unite, control, yoke, joining, union, contemplation and absorption as well as other words translated.

There have been many changes in the thousands of years since it began. It was first a teacher and a disciple training. Its purpose was for a gaining of a spiritual goal with self realization, to be enlightened and for the liberation of the individual soul.

Yoga remained like this without much change for a long time. Changes came about during the time of the expansion along the Silk Road, around five hundred CE.

Around this time other forms emerged with several masters who were influential with change. From this period on yoga began to move to a more social role and the teachings became movements for the improvement of society as well as spiritual accomplishment.

Again there was change around one thousand five hundred CE. Teachers were already beginning to impart their knowledge of Hatha Yoga and the physical practice, things such as breath control and postures.

The ideas of a spiritual goal and enlightenment etc, began to be overlooked and the aim of yoga was the developing of a flexible and healthy body.

In modern times it has become a money making industry around the globe. In the western world today, it is used to help improve a persons health with exercise in the form of yoga positions and poses, to make the body more flexible and to help with the control of the body and mind by the individual.

Adel is a personal trainer and has been an online marketing entrepreneur for several years, you can check his latest websites bodyweight training articles and Treadmills on Sale.

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Origin and History of Yoga

Yoga has recently assumed an extensive role in the daily lives of people. Today, people, across the world, have been taking to yoga to not only maintain good health but also establish mental stability and strength. However, it is essential that the history of yoga is known and understood before one integrates it with one's life. It is this origin of yoga from which a lot of yoga's postures and effectiveness has been derived. By knowing how yoga originated, one will be able to appreciate the real value of the regime and hence be able to get the maximum out of it. This article is dedicated to Patanjali, apparently believed to be the architect of yoga.

PATANJALI - THE FATHER OF THIS SCIENCE

It has been strongly believed that Patanjali was the father of yoga. He was the one who, approximately between 200 BC and 200 AC, established the guidelines for the science. It is through these guidelines that yoga finds its essence and core of its existence. For the ones who sincerely wish to incorporate yoga more extensively into their lives will have to sincerely understand and adopt the eight guidelines or commandments promoted by Patanjali:

1. YAMAS: Yamas are guidelines for social behaviour and moral values. There are five yamas which individually promote non-violence, honesty, lack of possessiveness, avoidance of lust and stealing habits. These five yamas play an important role in the history and origin of yoga.

2. NIYAMAS: The second guideline, as presented by Patanjali, is the Niyamas. These niyamas relate themselves with the discipline of the inner self. They promote the leading of a disciplined life.

3. PRATYAHARA: This commandment of Patanjali is an integral part of yoga as well as yoga history. It speaks about the virtues of meditation and letting oneself be free of the world and all its related issues.

4. ASANAS (POSTURES): An umpteen number of people know asanas (postures) as the only facet of yoga. It is these asanas which people perform to achieve health and stability of the body as well as the mind. If one knew how yoga originated, and also understood all of the eight commandments of Patanjali, one will be able to perform these asanas more effectively and with precision.

5. PRANAYAMA: Pranayama is the control of one's breathing. It is meant to the clear the mind and body and works as a precedent to pratyahara, i.e. meditation.

6. DHARANA: This is another form of meditation where the entire concentration is focused on one object or activity. This is performed to improve one's control over one's mind.

7. DHYANA: Here, the meditation is focused on the absolute instead of just an activity or an object. If one delves into yoga history, one would realize that such dhyana has been accorded with more relevance than some of the other forms of meditation.

8. SAMADHI: This is the stage where an individual completely submits oneself to the almighty and experiences real bliss.

These eight commandments, in the history of yoga, define the true enlightenment that one can receive by practicing yoga.

Joshua McDonald invites you to know more about health, lifestyle and fitness.

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