Even during vacations we are still attacked by outside stressful factors which can ruin a very promising vacation. Vacation stress is a rather antagonistic expression but it is real and it can cause serious upset. There are countless reasons to get angry during your vacation: poor services, bad weather, high prices, noisy tourists, annoying insects and the list can go on an on. Yoga offers several methods of reducing the effects of such negative elements in the form of meditation, sakshin, pratyahara and pranayama.
Every cloud has a silver lining; so consider that this article on yoga to be the silver lining to the clouds of articles on yoga. It is this article that will add more spice to the meaning of yoga.
It is not necessary that only the learned can write about yoga. As long as one ahs a flair for writing, and an interest for gaining information on yoga, anyone can write about it.
Meditation is also a recommended practice when vacation stress factors become active. Meditation helps you prepare for any potential stressful situations and is invaluable during and after these obstacles are gone. A detached state of consciousness that allows you to get a better understanding of the realities around you is referred to as sakshin. Pratyahara is a state of peace obtained by reducing to a minimum all outside intereferences. The mind gets calm and relaxed, focusing towards the inside of your own body. By using pranayama you are able to calm yourself in almost any difficult situation by regulating your breathing and thus harmonizing the energies in your body.
Continue Read The Article Here : Taking The Stress Out Of Vacations With Yoga
Sunday, December 03, 2006
Wednesday, November 29, 2006
The 8 Physical and Mental Types of Yoga
There are a lot of different types of yoga today, so if you are starting out and feeling confused, you are normal.
It is best to start with a type of yoga that is appropriate for your own level of fitness, physical and spiritual goals and health condition.
The 8 most common types of yoga are described in this article and briefly explained to help guide you in choosing the best type of yoga that you can start with.
Physical-Focused Types of Yoga
Iyengar Yoga: Iyengar yoga is focused solely on body alignment and executing precise movements. Yoga accessories such as blocks and straps are normally used by beginners who are not as flexible as the experts.
Yoga accessories help assist all sorts of people to be able to do the poses comfortably.
Because of its attention to details and the flexible modification of poses, Iyengar yoga is often considered a good form of exercise for people with neck or back pain, as they are likely to benefit from the random movement in the poses.
Practicing Iyengar yoga will give you a good knowledge on the classics in yoga poses so that whatever other style you eventually practice, you will have the basic fundamentals on how to do each position.
In Iyengar yoga the teacher focuses more on alignment and inner awareness. This awareness starts with the body and expands to other parts of the self as one continues to practice regularly
Ashtanga Yoga: Ashtanga yoga is commonly called "power yoga" because it is focused on a powerful flowing movement.
The movements include pushups and lunges, which deals with strength and stamina. Ashtanga yoga is best for people who have a strong back, or have successfully overcome back injuries and are looking for more challenging practice.
Athletic people such as runners, cyclists and gynmasts who wish to add more balance and concentration to their routines are also fans of Ashtanga yoga.
Continue Read Full Article Here : The 8 Physical and Mental Types of Yoga
It is best to start with a type of yoga that is appropriate for your own level of fitness, physical and spiritual goals and health condition.
The 8 most common types of yoga are described in this article and briefly explained to help guide you in choosing the best type of yoga that you can start with.
Physical-Focused Types of Yoga
Iyengar Yoga: Iyengar yoga is focused solely on body alignment and executing precise movements. Yoga accessories such as blocks and straps are normally used by beginners who are not as flexible as the experts.
Yoga accessories help assist all sorts of people to be able to do the poses comfortably.
Because of its attention to details and the flexible modification of poses, Iyengar yoga is often considered a good form of exercise for people with neck or back pain, as they are likely to benefit from the random movement in the poses.
Practicing Iyengar yoga will give you a good knowledge on the classics in yoga poses so that whatever other style you eventually practice, you will have the basic fundamentals on how to do each position.
In Iyengar yoga the teacher focuses more on alignment and inner awareness. This awareness starts with the body and expands to other parts of the self as one continues to practice regularly
Ashtanga Yoga: Ashtanga yoga is commonly called "power yoga" because it is focused on a powerful flowing movement.
The movements include pushups and lunges, which deals with strength and stamina. Ashtanga yoga is best for people who have a strong back, or have successfully overcome back injuries and are looking for more challenging practice.
Athletic people such as runners, cyclists and gynmasts who wish to add more balance and concentration to their routines are also fans of Ashtanga yoga.
Continue Read Full Article Here : The 8 Physical and Mental Types of Yoga
Sunday, November 26, 2006
Yoga History 101
When you practice yoga, it is, of course, not necessary to have a full understanding of yoga history in order to fully benefit from your practice. A brief understanding of the history behind yoga, however, may increase your spiritual practice and inspire you to find out more about the tradition behind the discipline.
The first writings about yoga were written in Sanskrit in early religious manuscripts in India called the Vedas. The word ‘yoga’ has many meanings. The root of the word is ‘yug’ which means ‘to hitch up’, referring to fastening horse bridles to a carriage. But yoga also means ‘to actively put to use’ or ‘yoke’ or ‘join’. Today, it is agreed upon that yoga is a method of joining or a discipline. Men who practice yoga are called yogi or yogin and women who practice yoga are called yogini.
Continue Read Full Article Here : Yoga History 101
The first writings about yoga were written in Sanskrit in early religious manuscripts in India called the Vedas. The word ‘yoga’ has many meanings. The root of the word is ‘yug’ which means ‘to hitch up’, referring to fastening horse bridles to a carriage. But yoga also means ‘to actively put to use’ or ‘yoke’ or ‘join’. Today, it is agreed upon that yoga is a method of joining or a discipline. Men who practice yoga are called yogi or yogin and women who practice yoga are called yogini.
Continue Read Full Article Here : Yoga History 101
Saturday, November 25, 2006
Bhakti Yoga – The Science Of Devotion
Bhakti means devotion to the Almighty. Bhakti yoga deals with devotion to God and achieving the union with Him. This is the easiest of all yoga types. This branch of yoga teaches the relation between the devotee and the divine. It does not involve any technical or complicated procedures.
There is no need of any intellectual capacity to master this yoga. It has appealed to the common man because it gives him a feeling security and develops a kind of reliance and dependence on the object of his devotion.
Bhakti yoga assumes that there is a higher power that has created the universe and is all-powerful. This power has the capacity to confer grace and mercy on him and thus protecting him from all the harms and evils.
Continue Read Full Article Here : Bhakti Yoga – The Science Of Devotion
There is no need of any intellectual capacity to master this yoga. It has appealed to the common man because it gives him a feeling security and develops a kind of reliance and dependence on the object of his devotion.
Bhakti yoga assumes that there is a higher power that has created the universe and is all-powerful. This power has the capacity to confer grace and mercy on him and thus protecting him from all the harms and evils.
Continue Read Full Article Here : Bhakti Yoga – The Science Of Devotion
Thursday, November 23, 2006
Is Yoga For You?
Yoga is the most popular and fast growing exercise trend of all. Over the last few years this form has really taken off and more and more people are choosing it among all other forms of exercise. Yoga is healthy and it is fun. Your entire body will get a total workout and a great stretch when you use yoga each day.
If you are ready to take your life in a whole new direction, one that is healthy and well balanced then toga is probably for you. There are enough different kinds of yoga out there for you to try that you are sure to find one that suits both your fitness level and your pain tolerance.
There is an idea floating around among the populace that yoga is a painful experience. This is simply not the case. Yoga, if done correctly, can stretch your muscles but not hurt them. There are different forms so that everyone can find just the right kind of yoga for them.
Continue Read Full Article Here : Is Yoga For You?
If you are ready to take your life in a whole new direction, one that is healthy and well balanced then toga is probably for you. There are enough different kinds of yoga out there for you to try that you are sure to find one that suits both your fitness level and your pain tolerance.
There is an idea floating around among the populace that yoga is a painful experience. This is simply not the case. Yoga, if done correctly, can stretch your muscles but not hurt them. There are different forms so that everyone can find just the right kind of yoga for them.
Continue Read Full Article Here : Is Yoga For You?
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
Yoga And The Breath
Your yoga practice and the way you breathe are intertwined. You won’t fully experience the benefits of yoga without first learning how to breathe properly.
Different types of yoga practice call for different types of breathing, so it is important to note from the beginning that there is no one right way to breathe in yoga. If, in your yoga practice, your goal is total relaxation then your breathing should reflect that. This means long deep breaths meant to slow your heart rate and allow you to fully relax into the yoga pose. Here are a few tips:
* The diaphragm is where the breath originates in yoga and in everyday life. When you breathe in, your stomach puffs slightly because your diaphragm is filling with air. When you breathe out, your stomach flattens as your diaphragm empties itself of air. When you breathe, be sure that your stomach is moving, that you aren’t restricting this movement in any way.
Continue Read Full Article Here : Yoga and The Breath
Different types of yoga practice call for different types of breathing, so it is important to note from the beginning that there is no one right way to breathe in yoga. If, in your yoga practice, your goal is total relaxation then your breathing should reflect that. This means long deep breaths meant to slow your heart rate and allow you to fully relax into the yoga pose. Here are a few tips:
* The diaphragm is where the breath originates in yoga and in everyday life. When you breathe in, your stomach puffs slightly because your diaphragm is filling with air. When you breathe out, your stomach flattens as your diaphragm empties itself of air. When you breathe, be sure that your stomach is moving, that you aren’t restricting this movement in any way.
Continue Read Full Article Here : Yoga and The Breath
Sunday, November 19, 2006
The Shoulder Stand
This pose is considered to be one of the best yoga asanas and it is very popular with yoga practitioners. However, this pose must be accompanied by deep breathing, otherwise it will not be more than an acrobatic looking position. The shoulder stand pose was also adopted by gymnasiums and sports training facilities and it can be performed both by men and women with maximum efficiency.
Begin the pose by lying on your back, with the legs straight and close together and the arms parallel with the torso. Raise your legs towards the ceiling, and point your toes upward. Let the weight of your body rest on the neck muscles and on the deltoid muscles of the shoulders. Support the back and legs into the vertical position by allowing your hands to give the lower back the balance it requires. While going into the pose breathe deeply.
Read Full Article HERE : The Shoulder Stand
Begin the pose by lying on your back, with the legs straight and close together and the arms parallel with the torso. Raise your legs towards the ceiling, and point your toes upward. Let the weight of your body rest on the neck muscles and on the deltoid muscles of the shoulders. Support the back and legs into the vertical position by allowing your hands to give the lower back the balance it requires. While going into the pose breathe deeply.
Read Full Article HERE : The Shoulder Stand
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)