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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The Benefits of a Hatha Yoga Practice

The Western world only now understands the benefits of yoga. The greatness and efficacy of yoga and its principles are being understood around the world and more and more people are enjoying its benefits. If you want to make yoga a part of your life, there is no better way to start than with the simple Hatha Yoga.

What is it?

Hatha Yoga had its inception way back in 15th century India. The primary reason why Hatha yoga was constituted was as a means of strengthening and purifying the body. The term 'hatha' is used to denote two separate words: the sun and the moon. Hatha yoga comprises of breathing exercises and postures and poses with the view to strengthen the body of human beings. Hatha yoga is basically a slow and calm form of yoga. It is extremely suitable for those people who want to prepare themselves, their bodies and minds for a higher level of meditation and also those who want to relieve stress from their lives.

Hatha yoga asanas, postures and positions

Since yoga is now being practiced in many forms all over the world, it may become confusing for novices to understand what the different forms mean and whether they are all beneficial. The truth is that hatha yoga is the primary form of performing yoga, its postures and positions, also known as 'asanas'. Almost every yoga posture and postions can be done and practiced by everyone, including those who do not have too much flexibility or strength. If you are a beginner in yoga, it is a good idea if your hatha yoga session lasts for anything between 30 and 45 minutes. But if you happen to be an advanced yoga student, your session may easily last from 90 minutes to a couple of hours. The only requirements of practicing hatha yoga are comfortable clothing and a quiet room. You don't need any special equipment or props to practice this form of yoga. You can even do it in your hotel room if you are going on a vacation, so versatile it is!

Benefits of Hatha yoga

Yoga has many benefits to it, both physical and mental. Making it a part of your life will fill you with a new purpose and give you a spring in your steps every day. Following are the most important benefits of hatha yoga:

- Increase in strength and flexibility

- Posture correction and strengthening of the spine

- Betterment of any condition in the muscular- skeletal structure, like scoliosis, weak knees, sore shoulders and neck

- Improvement of the endocrine, respiratory, immune, digestive and circulatory systems of the body

- Improvement in attention span and concentration levels

- Improvement in muscle- joint mobility

- Alleviation of back pain

- Enhancement in grace, stamina and balance

- Decrease in stress levels

- Increase in awareness levels towards the outside world and the inner self

- Relaxation of the mind and the body

Logan Chierotti is a Denver, Colorado resident who has had experience as a real estate agent and currently works in the Yoga industry. Logan Chierotti enjoys writing about real estate, yoga, fly fishing and much more.

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End Chronic Fatigue With Three Simple Yoga Techniques

Simple techniques found in yoga can help to ease fatigue -- as a practitioner of Yoga, I'm often ask questions that pertain to Yoga. I feel most of the questions could be effectively clarified through meditation rather than from another person, but there are a few areas not often addressed with mainstream yoga techniques that I am pleased to share my thoughts and ideas about. Yoga techniques that helps to alleviate fatigue is one of them.

However, before I go into the actual yoga techniques, let me ask you a question: What is Yoga? Without over analyzing it, where's the first place your mind went? Although I personally don't associate yoga with an institutionally organized form of spirituality, I do honor the Sanskrit meaning of the word yoga, which translates into "yoke" commonly believed to refer to "Union." To me, union can have many meanings - more than the physical fitness aspect commonly associated with the word yoga.

That in mind;here are Three Yoga Techniques to ease Fatigue: The yoga techniques I'm sharing here are for everyone, even those of you who've never practiced Yoga. My reason for sharing yoga techniques that alleviate fatigue is simple, it wasn't until this year, 2011 that I gained an entirely new appreciation for the concept of fatigue. At the start of the year, I had the feeling that I was in the best shape of my life. Working out 5-6 days per week for 90 minutes at a time, and going on walks that lasted 2-4 hours on just about a nightly basis helped me think so. I had never been feeling better until I decided to clean up some of the more destructive habits, which I will not elaborate on now, from my life.

That's when disaster hit. In a matter of two weeks I was practically unable to practice any yoga techniques of any kind for even 20 minutes without tired to the core style agony - and even a simple short walk around the block was completely draining. With such a drastic drop in activity, I started gaining weight and feeling even worse about the situation.

Fast forward to now;my, things have transformed quite radically! I'm able to practice the yoga techniques I loved close to the level I was before a personal energy crisis hit. Additionally, going on walks is something that lifts me up energetically - and I feel divinely human throughout the day. What I'm about to share are the three unconventional yoga techniques that have helped me the most going from bunk and bashful to awesome:

Keep in mind, Yoga = Union - and union can mean much more;Here's the Yoga Techniques:

#1) Eat Real Foods:

Just about all of us, if we have even a small bit of common sense, would agree that infecting (the DNA of) our foods with unpredictable viruses isn't good for us. That is part of the process of genetic modification of foods. Currently, Corn, Soy and Wheat are the most commonly genetically modified foods "on the market." If you read the ingredients on just about any the packaged foods you could buy, chances are, you'll find at least one of the ingredients listed. Also, when we consume fish, poultry, and meat, rarely do we wonder just what those animals have been fed.

That being said, I decided to do something many of us would consider a tad radical - even unrealistic. I pretty much eliminated fish, poultry, meat, corn, soy and wheat from my diet. Some would think of this as vegan, but I just think of it as a way of eating that carries with it a lot of freedom. As soon as I start name calling and labeling, I'm "locked in" and that becomes part of my identity. Even thought that last bit may be besides the point, so far, I've had great results. After the second week my energy more than doubled and weight that I had gained is quickly disappearing. The e-book I wrote about eating gives an easy to follow explanation, but the important thing, in my case, is that I feel better!

#2) Just Breath:

It's not like we're never heard this before and I know the statement can seem cliche. But think about stress for a moment; As kids, growing up in the states, most of us had times of feeling carefree. As we grew physically and age-wise, into adults, much of that freedom was replaced with responsibility - even the underlying expectation that we all have to live up to a set of standards that create the need to sacrifice our freedom. While the last pat of that statement may have been vague and done with the intention to cause you to think, that doesn't change the fact that many of us are stress cases to the extent of feeling worn out.

Another way I have though of stress is as constriction, or Subtle Tightness in or around the space our body occupies. If we are always walking around with tension, it's only a matter of time before something gives. Unfortunately for many of us, as I discovered, it's often our vital energy level. There are many reasons we become stressed or tight, and what I think of as "Intentional Breathing" provides an opportunity to simply focus on breath, going in and out of the body, as well as the sensations within.

It's simple yoga technique to practice. I suggest laying flat on your back, placing the tip of your tongue gently on the roof of your mouth and breathing first into your belly, then as that fills allowing the breath to expand the ribcage. When full, simply exhale through your nose and repeat. After a (very) short time, its common to feel a greater sense of ease, less stress and greater relaxation. It's simple.

#3) Sit in a way that aligns your spine:

Of all the simple yoga techniques you would do, a reduction in internal pressure could be one of the best and most effective ways to boost your energy levels quickly. The way you posture your body has a lot to do with the way you feel as well as the way your internal organs function. Unfortunately for most of us, our posture often constricts and reduces the space our internal organs have, in turn causing discomfort, stress, constriction - even pain. Alignment is simple practice that I learned from the American Yoga Foundation. In fact, it can go hand in hand with "Intentional Breathing" if you would like it to. Since learning Alignment in 2003, I have made may adjustments to my posturing and felt a lot better as a result. Since a recent bout with fatigue, this yoga technique, being aware of my sitting posture and applying Intentional Breathing to my sitting posture has made all the difference in the world when I am sitting for an extended time.

Practicing is simple while you are sitting, elongate the back of your neck, dropping your chin towards your collarbone, allow the ribcage to "lift" so that you can comfortably breath, by default, into your lower stomach and do the best you can to identify, with your mind areas in your body where you feel tense. As you feel these areas, simply focus on your breath and do what you can to find a greater sense of comfort. You may find that with every exhale you can become more comfortable. I'm not certain exactly how you'll choose to go about practicing, but whichever you choose, I wish great results to you.

Paul Bunting enjoys Yoga, Natural Foods and Sharing. www.PaulBunting.net for more...

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The Power and Growth of Hot Yoga

At the request of President Nixon and the encouragement of his teacher Bishnu Ghosh, Bikram Choudhury came to the United States in 1973 to "heal" the bodies of the west. His sequence of 26 poses in a hot room has done more than just heal the bodies of his students. It has fueled a yoga economy like no other.

Since 1973 Hot Yoga has been the largest growing trend in the Yoga field. When studios began to open in Asia, they operated Hot Yoga classes for the first 3 years before other styles of yoga began to gain interest and popularity. This has developed into a trend that began in the West Coast USA and has been growing ever since, with studios opening internationally and inspiring new styles of Yoga such as Bikyasa, or Hot Power Vinyasa, as it is commonly known on yoga schedules.

Hot Yoga creates amazing effects in the body. Whether you seek to lose weight, detoxify the body, promote healing of injuries, open up the body from muscular restrictions, or to practice increased mind-body awareness, hot yoga provides many unique opportunities and challenges to any practitioner.

From the very beginning, Bikram targeted professional athletes and Hollywood stars whose bodies have been subjected to years of tension. Kareem Abdul Jabbar publicly stated that Hot Yoga healed his injuries, while Madonna hailed Hot Yoga before she began her Ashtanga Vinyasa practice. Since then, many other professional athletes and stars have added hot yoga to their regular training routines in order to increase strength, flexibility, stamina, balance, and focus. Hot yoga allows one to push body, mind, and spirit to the edge, enabling growth and a strong connection to one's inner-self with each practice.

Practicing in a heated room warms up the body from the inside out, allowing muscles, tendons, ligaments, joints and all body systems to retain warmth and to function at a more optimal level. Heat enables increased flexibility and range of motion with a lower risk of injury, allowing one to reach maximum flexibility in a shorter amount of time.

The Ashtanga Vinyasa system creates heat through intense breath awareness, while Hot Yoga creates that heat through modern technology. Heat in the body activates cellular metabolism, enhancing weight loss. The heat stimulates circulation, making the heart stronger. It helps bring fresh new blood and oxygen to all body parts, flooding cells with nourishment, which is vital to their healthy functioning.

In the last decade, recognizing the benefits that lie from the Bikram system as well as the Vinyasa model, a new style of Yoga has evolved; a style that combines the benefits of both of these practices. This style is known as Bikyasa - a hot yoga flow experience, combining Ashtanga principles of breath-coordinated movement, which ishow heat is produced internally, with external heat and aspects of Bikram's 26 pose sequence.

Bikram Classes are easily found in any authorized Bikram studio, though today Bikram Hot Yoga is also taught in CorePower Yoga and other studios under the name Hot Yoga. CorePower uses a different dialogue and does not restrict the class to 90 minutes. CorePower, along with many other studios around the world such as Haute Yoga out of Southern CA, Absolute Yoga in Thailand, and Bodhi Yoga international to name a few, are studios out of many who offer Hot Flow yoga classes, which are a mix of Bikram and Vinyasa - Bikyasa Yoga.

While they might not be using this term, Bikyasa is a term coined by Gabriel Azoulay, international Yoga professional who has been developing teacher training programs for large yoga brands around the world, and who has been teaching both Bikram and Ashtanga for over a decade. Bikyasa Yoga is a practice that intelligently combines silence with music, and Bikram's healing power, which is scientifically proven, with Vinyasa breath principles, which are also scientifically proven to enhance and heal the body. Bikyasa Yoga classes are found in Sumit Yoga studios throughout AZ and the world and Intentional Yoga Studios throughout the Midwest and the East coast.

Besides numerous physical benefits, heat adds an element which can challenge both the mind and spirit. Finding and maintaining focus despite the challenging environment can make one stronger and more balanced, building willpower, determination, and concentration. The body works hard, but the mind works harder, and following a hot yoga class practitioners often experience a sense of complete relaxation and surrender.

Bikyasa is an amazing practice that can lead to personal transformation on many levels. With that said, heat is not for everyone, so individuals with any concerns should speak with their physician before beginning a practice.

Gabriel Azoulay was born and raised in Jerusalem, Israel. At the age of seventeen, Gabriel moved to Durham, NC, and at the age of twenty, while attending the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, a book by Tom Robbins sparked an interest in India's religious studies. His first book on yoga, checked out from the University library was Patanjali's Yoga Sutras, from there Gabriel embarked on a yogic journey that continues to this day.

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Is It Ok to Do Yoga When Pregnant Even During the First Trimester?

Yoga is an exercise that many individuals take part in for a variety of reasons. It can be helpful to relief stiffness, reduce stress, and some women continue or begin the exercise during pregnancy. Its relaxing benefits may prove helpful in relieving stress that can come from pregnancy as the body goes through changes that may make women uncomfortable. No matter their trimester, whether first, second or third, women have found success through this practice.

Restorative yoga is a common form of the exercise for women who are pregnant, as well as those who are still trying to conceive. It is a form of restful yoga that uses props such as blocks, pillows, blankets, chairs, walls, and others to put the body into certain poses. By using these props to hold the body in a specific position, little to no exertion is required. Note that restful is not the same as sleep, however, as the stretching and relaxation can benefit the body as women go through changes throughout their pregnancy.

If you're pregnant, make sure that you inform your instructor before your class. Some classes are designed specifically for women during pregnancy, but it is still a good idea to let the instructor know which trimester you're currently in. He or she may offer alternative stretches for you that suit your condition so you do not injure yourself or the baby.

For instance, women should be aware of their shifting center of gravity during their pregnancy. Poses that you may have done with ease in the past may become more difficult as you put on more weight and you begin to show more and more. If something doesn't feel right, stop immediately. It's not worth getting in that pose at the risk of falling or getting injured. Listen to your body and do not push yourself. It's best to avoid poses that require you to stand on one foot, or that otherwise require you to balance yourself.

You should also avoid poses that put you on your stomach. Also try to avoid any twists or jumps, and do not hold your breath or breathe more rapidly. Breathe normally or practice the breathing that you'll have to do while giving birth. Do not assume any pose that will put you upside down, and after your first trimester your doctor may encourage you to avoid poses that put you on your back. It's a good idea to consult your doctor before you begin any routine to get some general guidelines.

Arianna has discovered more information on strengthening and breathing during pregnancy with restorative yoga. Take a look at your convenience at http://www.DomarCenter.com for pain and stress relief and see how it helps during a pregnancy.

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So, What Is Yoga About Anyway?

A little history...

Yoga is a combination of physical and spiritual exercises came to us through the centuries. Designed twelve thousand years ago by ancient sages of India, yoga has not lost its popularity today. Nowadays most of the exercises included in a fitness program that has a positive effect on body shape.

There are several types of yoga - hatha yoga, classical yoga and therapy yoga. The basis for all types of practices is same- strengthening of physical health, improving mental abilities, mental balance and strong-willed attitude. Yoga is is not a religious cult or way, but rather a spiritual study about how to "live" and to appreciate yourself and the whole world.

Tips for Beginners

If you want to always look neat, orderly and fun, forget about back pain and other "troubles", turn yourself to yoga practice. Do not worry if you are not physically prepared, it is important to have a strong desire and will to succeed.

Exercises in yoga are called asanas, and are suitable for people of all ages. It is recommended to start practicing yoga under supervision, and later you can continue practicing at home, following tips and guidelines achieved at class sessions.

Do not rush. It is important to feel each pose with the whole body and your consciousness. Sharp, quick movements will not provide the required result. Complex movements designed for body understanding, and this takes time. If you have never done string stretching and rapidly try to make it...? Bdoy won't be very happy about it. You will feel pain and possible injury may occur. You would not teach higher mathematics to the newborn, skipping the alphabet? At the beginning of yoga practice you are a newborn and your success depends on the step by step learning. From how to crouch to running marathon. For example, you perform a certain asana, do not rush and concentrate your senses on every movement of the body, fell every organ and muscle.

Learn how to listen to your body. If you feel tense, stop and take rest. Relax and try to smile. Gain strength, try again, and each time you will perform better. Over time you will be surprised by the abilities of your own body.

It is also important not to wait if something can be done today. Large gaps between classes can lead to unmanageable burden. But when you practice regularly, the efforts are evenly spread and taken much easier. The slow rhythm of execution of asanas helps improving stamina. No muscle ignored and holding pose strengthens muscles and improves their tone.

Interchangeably with "asanas" Pranayama is performed, i.e. breathing exercises. Yoga teaches us to monitor breathing, especially during exercise. Try to breathe only with the nose that helps to enrich the body with oxygen and increase vitality.

Also carefully chose the place for doing yoga. You do not need special equipment and clothing, perhaps a yoga mat and of course quiet environment and desire. In records stores there are plenty of music for yoga practice. Choose the kind you like. The mood should be calm and relaxing. While doing yoga exercises you will learn about positive thinking, clarity of thought and concentration. Problems and daily routine will remain in the background. You will feel the "smile" of life.

You can perfect your yoga technics perfect with my new site.

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Yoga Improves Mood, Reduces Inflammation and Relieves Chronic Diseases

As it turns out, yoga is no longer just a gentle stretching for aging hippies. Ongoing research shows that this ancient ritual improves mood, helps breast cancer survivors, reduces inflammation and counteracts fibromyalgia.

It's common knowledge that yoga improves mood and shrugs off stress, but until recently, we didn't know why. Chris Streeter, MD, and his colleagues from Boston University School of Medicine discovered that it may be because of yoga's ability to increase levels of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), an endogenous antidepressant neurotransmitter present in the brain.

They followed several healthy individuals who were divided into two groups. The first group practiced yoga over a 12-week long period, while the participants in the other group walked for the same period of time. At the end of the study, researchers evaluated psychological state of both groups and found that subjects who practiced yoga experienced a greater decrease in anxiety and more significant improvements in mood than those who walked.

"Over time, positive changes in these reports were associated with climbing GABA levels," explains Streeter. The findings of the study demonstrate that yoga is superior to other types of exercise in its positive effects on anxiety and overall mood.

Yoga reduces inflammation and helps chronically ill

According to last year's studies, yoga exercises may have the ability to improve recovery of breast cancer survivors and combat fibromyalgia:

• Conventional cancer treatments leave many women in pain, immobilized, depressed and tired. That's why Amy Speed-Andrews from University of Alberta decided to examine how a 10-week session of Iyengar yoga makes a difference in the recovery of women struggling with breast cancer. The results were impressive as 94 percent of study participants experienced improvements in their quality of life and 87 percent reported being happier. 80 percent also said they were less tired.


• Fibromyalgia is a medical disorder characterized by fatigue and chronic widespread pain. Fortunately, the journal Pain published a study comparing 53 female subjects that proved that an eight-week yoga program can combat a wide variety of fibromyalgia symptoms. Participants of the study experienced a reduction in depression (up to 42 percent), pain (24%) and fatigue (30%).

Furthermore, yoga also reduces the amount of cytokine interleukin-6 (IL-6) in the blood. This compound is associated with the body's inflammatory response and plays one of the key roles in a host of debilitating diseases. "We know that inflammation plays a major role in many diseases. Yoga appears to be a simple and enjoyable way to add an intervention that might reduce risks for developing heart disease, diabetes and other age-related diseases," says Ron Glaser, a co-author of a study that revealed the link between yoga and inflammation.

For the study, the scientists analyzed blood samples of 50 women, age 41 on average. As a result, those who had regularly practiced yoga for one or two years had significantly lower levels of inflammation than novices. They were also better able to limit their stress responses, too.

"People need to be educated about this," says Bill Malarkey, one of the co-authors of the study. "They need to be taking responsibility for their health and how they live. Doing yoga and similar activities can make a difference."

As someone who lost three years of his life to chronic disease called Candida albicans, James Schreiber decided to raise awareness of 'invisible' conditions and natural approaches for better health. Since then, he has authored dozens of articles on the cutting edge of lifestyle and diet modifications. "Life is too short to suffer from Candida, or any other illness," says Schreiber, who recently completed a beautifully illustrated guide to the Candida diet. "I'm committed through my experience, research and writing to help others live life to the fullest - not in spite of having chronic disease, but because of it."

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