Ujjayi

There is sure to be a grin on your face once you get to read this article on yoga. This is because you are sure to realize that all this matter is so obvious, you wonder how come you never got to know about it!

So after reading what we have mentioned here on yoga, it is up to you to provide your verdict as to what exactly it is that you find fascinating here.

Quality is better than quantity. It is of no use writing numerous pages of nonsense for the reader. Instead, it is better to write a short, and informative article on specific subjects like yoga. People tend to enjoy it more.

Also known as the loud breathing technique, the Ujjayi is performed by breathing through both nostrils while keeping the glottis closed to a degree. This technique is used in order to increase your control over the activity of your lungs. It also functions as a method of clearing the throat. The name comes from the fact that the air passing through the partially closed glottis makes a constant and fluent sound. Yogis try to eliminate nasal sounds and to keep the constant flow of air and sound on a harmonious tone.

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Establishing a Strong Foundation - Beginner Poses in Yoga

Yoga is a family of ancient spiritual practices originating in
India. It is one of the six schools of Hindu philosophy. In
India and across the World, Yoga is seen as a means to both
physical health and spiritual mastery. Outside India, Yoga has
become primarily associated with the practice of asanas or
postures of Hatha Yoga.

Like many things in life, yoga poses are cumulative. Beginner
poses provide a foundation for later yoga poses. Though the only
way to adequately learn a pose is from an instructor, although
some can be described as examples.

The base for all standing poses is the "Mountain Pose," which
strengthens your thighs and improves your posture. Stand with
your big toes touching and evenly distribute your weight
throughout your feet. Press your feet into the floor, while
tightening your thighs to raise them. Draw in your belly, tuck
in your tailbone, stack the shoulders above the pelvis, and
widen your collarbones. You might want to practice against a
wall to feel how the pose aligns.

The "Staff Pose" is the foundation for all seated poses and can
be thought of as a seated version of the Mountain Pose. This
pose strengthens legs and improves bodily alignment. Sit with
your legs straight in front of you, engage the thighs, and flex
your feet (your heels might leave the floor). Lengthen your
spine and stack your shoulders over your hips. You might want to
start while sitting on padding, and if your hamstrings are too
tight, you'll have to bend your knees some.

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Sequence of Poses in a Yoga Session

There is a rhythm in the practice of yoga that offers amazing beneficial results, when used correctly. Performing the asanas in the right order is essential to finding this rhythm and allowing your body to naturally flow from one stage to the next, without interruptions or abrupt leaps. The beginning pose should be the Corpse pose, which should then be repeated between other asanas and as a final relaxation method. The standard yoga pose - the easy pose - is perfect as an energy recharger. It is also a good position for meditation, but, while allowing your mind to gain strength, try to mind the position of your back, which should not be arched.

Aiming high is our motto when writing about any topic. In this way, we tend to add whatever matter there is about yoga, rather than drop any topic.

Continuing with the warm up exercises, try to relax your neck muscles. This is important because the neck is the upper point of the central energy line of the body, which is represented by the spine. The shoulder lifts are the natural following exercise. Supplementary you may also try some eye exercises, which improve overall eyesight strength and prevent tiredness. To further prepare for the more difficult asanas you can attempt to practice the sun salutation pose, which will stretch all the body muscles. Leg raises will tone your leg muscles, giving you more endurance and improved flexibility, while the head stand pose is also good for resting specific organs in your body - such as the heart. Another variation of this pose is the shoulder stand, which is also beneficial to the spine and lower back muscles.

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Yoga: The Most Effective Scoliosis Exercise

Scoliosis is a condition in which a person has side-to-side spinal curves in addition to the normal curves through which the lower portion of the human back curves inwards. The most effective remedy for such a condition is Scoliosis exercises. Although many exercises help in reducing the Scoliosis-related problems, yoga is considered the best Scoliosis exercise. Yoga postures are helpful since they enable us to stretch our body and you get relief from back pain.

The most effective yoga exercises for the treatment of scoliosis-related problems include the Crocodile twist, the Supine knee chest twist, the passive back arch and the one leg up-one leg out posture. These exercises are very helpful in raising one's lowered shoulder and reducing the back pain.


The Passive back arch scoliosis exercise has been found to be helpful in not only reducing scoliosis-related pain, but also the problems related to condition called pectus excavatum (sunken chest). Pectus excavatum is generally caused due to tight muscles across one's chest and back and soft bones in the rib cage and spine.


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Yoga For Relaxation

People practice yoga for a variety of reasons. Many yoga practitioners are interested in the health benefits that come from regularly performing the routines. Others want a state of harmony between inner and outer self. Still others practice yoga primarily to relax.

A State of Harmony

The profound relaxation available through yoga includes a state of clarity of mind, and of harmony with and understanding of the world. If such a state of relaxation is your goal, you will need to use most of the yoga techniques available. Pay special attention to breathing, diet, correctly performing the exercises, and meditating.

The deep, prolonged breath one learns through yoga helps the brain stay oxygenated, which contributes to mental clarity. Diet influences the structure of our body as well as our brain. The exercises (called asanas and pranayamas) were developed thousands of years ago to produce beneficial results.

To have the desired effects, yoga routines must be carried out correctly. Poor yoga practices will likely produce disappointing results.

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What Makes Ashtanga Yoga Different?

Ashtanga Yoga is the type of yoga which was created and established by a master named K. Pattabhi Jois. Due to it's theory containing eight different limbs, or components, it is also known as "Eight-Limb Yoga". It doesn't imply that the practitioner has a double set of limbs, but master Pattabhi Jois showed that the optimum path of purification is made up of the eight spiritual practices.

The basic idea is that these limbs only can be kept in balance by the appropriate application of the Ashtanga Yoga method.

The first four limbs that symbolize Ashtanga Yoga, and are considered externally correctable are (original names within double quotes):

- Moral codes or "yama"
- Self-purification or "niyama"
- Posture or "asana"
- Breath control or "pranayama"

Then there is the other set of limbs which are the internal practices:

- Sense control or "pratyahara"
- Meditation or "dhyana"
- Concentration or "dharana"
- Contemplation or "samadhi"

K. Pattabhi Jois declared that practicing these Eight Limbs as well as its sub-limbs of the external practices which contain the niyama and yama is impossible. In doing so, the body should be strong so that it can technically perform the methods well enough. If the body is weak, and the sense organs are not functioning well, practicing will never be productive at all.

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Yoga Helps A Great Deal In Lowering Cholesterol

Are you worried for having some extra cholesterol in your blood? Well, many people are fighting hard battle against the increased cholesterol levels. For, they are much vulnerable to heart diseases much like the heart patients. But I have got a very easy and natural remedy to control your high cholesterol.

Some time back, I had a cholesterol level above the normal range and I used this alternative technique to reduce my extra cholesterols. Well, the technique being discussed here is none other the age old technique of keeping fit. That is YOGA.

Yes, Yoga helped me a great deal in reducing my high cholesterol levels. Now I am perfectly fit and rocking. So, if you have also found high cholesterol in your blood don't get stressed as stress will only harm you further. The tensed brain and heart needs more blood so the heartbeat and blood circulation will
increase and will create more problems to your arteries.

Yoga has solved the problem of cholesterol for many people. It has been acclaimed by all for its simple nature and mode of exercises, which any one can do quite easily.

Yoga is a kind of exercise based on the unification of body, mind and spirit. There are meditations associated with it. There are different kinds of exercises under the yoga program that are used for various problems in your body. Some of them are to keep your mind and body in sound health.

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