Yoga Exercise For Health

Yoga Exercise is an excellent way to improve your health. Many people think of yoga as a great way to improve their flexibility and loosen up their joints. Other people use yoga to increase their body strength and balance. And still other people use yoga to cleanse their mind and improve their mental health. It is amazing that yoga can be used to improve so many different areas of their life. Thousands of people use yoga for their health every day.

Yoga has been practiced for thousands of years, and has been used to balance the mind, body and spirit. Yoga users believe that when these areas of your life are in balance, the mental and physical health will improve. When you use yoga for health, it will bring harmony and healing into your life.

For years, there has been a lot of skepticism that yoga was good for your health, but now the mainstream medical community has conducted scientific study of the health benefits of yoga and has proven that yoga exercise does improve your health. It has been shown that the body, mind and spirit do work together and when each is improved through yoga, your mental and physical health improved.

Yoga is a great exercise for almost everyone. It doesnt matter what your age, both young and old can practice yoga. It doesnt matter what type of physical shape you are in, both beginners and seasoned pros get benefits from yoga exercise. It also doesnt matter if you are overweight, yoga will help you trim off the excess pounds without stressing out the rest of your body.

Yoga exercise is a great way to get stress relief while you are at it. Any exercise will help with stress relief by helping you relax. But it seems that yoga helps you relax faster and more completely than any other type of exercise.

Part of the stress relieve is the result of getting additional oxygen into your bloodstream from the breathing exercises. The oxygen helps the body get rid of toxins.

Yoga is also a great exercise if you have joint injuries. The easy stretches help to limber up the joints and will increase your flexibility. The stretches also help to build your muscle strength when you maintain your balance during the various yoga poses.

Keep in mind, when you first start using yoga exercises, you need to start off slow and easy. Remember, the teacher has been practicing yoga for years and has much more flexibility than you do. Just do what you can, and the next day stretch a little more, eventually, you will get to where you have a lot more flexibility than when you started. Remember, if you overdo it and hurt yourself, you will never get the health benefits that yoga will provide for you.

By Sydney Heiden

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Yoga For Inner and Outer Beauty

Sometime back I read an anecdote concerning Bill and Hillary Clinton. It seems that one time, many years ago, Hillary dragged Bill to a yoga class. Bill remarked that he was the only man in the class. In many countries, that is the way it is, with women being the primary enthusiasts at yoga classes. One of the main reasons for this may be that yoga is seen as a way to lose weight and become more beautiful. Let's take a look at this and see what role yoga has to play in making someone look beautiful.

No doubt yoga can help a person to become healthy, and fit. If someone practices the postures, does meditation, and follows the yogic prescriptions for eating, sleeping, hygiene and exercise it is almost certain that he or she will end up in great shape and look better.

In fact, our concept of beauty is in large part biological and part of the evolutionary process. Clear skin complexion, for example, is an indicator of good health and for our ancient ancestors it made good sense to choose partners who were healthy and could pass on their genes to future generations.

However the beauty of a person is not just based on physical factors alone. Just as internal physical factors, such as digestion and the proper functioning of physical organs, are reflected in the outer look of a person, there are internal psychic and spiritual factors that play a big role in how we feel and how others see us.

Although the physical practices of yoga, such as yoga postures (asanas) are the best known part of yoga, at the heart of yoga is a moral code which defines a way of life in which a person can live in harmony with herself and with society. This set of lifestyle instructions is know as Yama and Niyama.

Yama which means hat which controls has five parts and the main function of these five practices is to help an individual achieve harmony with his or her external environment. One of the most important parts of Yama is a practice known as Satya.

Satya is loosely defined as ruth but in fact there is no exact English equivalent for this term. In his book A Guide to Human Conduct, my guru Shrii Shrii Anandamurti defines satya as action of mind and right use of words in the spirit of welfare. That is, we should do whatever we can to promote the welfare of others, by keeping good thoughts in mind and by speaking in the spirit of helping others.

Someone who practices satya and always keeps positive thoughts in mind develops will power and straightforwardness. This practice is actually going on in the subconscious mind, and results in an internal effulgence or glaze known as Ojas. This inner effulgence is expressed outwardly as a vigor that definitely contributes to the attractiveness of a person. If you practice satya you will achieve a glow that cannot be duplicated or achieved with any kind of makeup!

When you are twenty years old you are helped out by Mother Nature, as the hormones of your body are helping you to blossom and enter your years of peak physical well-being. However, this help from Nature is not indefinite and also must be supported by a proper way of life.

If you practice the outer aspects of yoga (postures, diet, fasting, hygiene) then you will be able to make the most of what God has given to you in the way of a physical body. If you practice the inner aspect of yoga (meditation and balanced conduct) you will bring forth an inner effulgence and beauty that will remain with you long after you physical body begins to wind-down.'

By Dada Vedaprajinananda

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Yoga Poses For Easy Weight Loss

Want to lose weight the easy way? Yoga is a perfect solution for weight loss, and no, you don't need to tie yourself up like a pretzel to do it.

Many yoga studios offer special classes for people who want to shed a few pounds. If no special Weight Loss Yoga classes are available in your area, any beginners class will be suitable, in forms like Hatha and Bikram Yoga.

As with any exercise routine, see your doctor first. Yoga is perfectly safe, but your instructor will want to know if you have challenges like high blood pressure, arthritis, or weak knees.

When you go to a yoga studio for the first time, tell the instructor what your health challenges are, and she or he will offer modified poses for you during class.

How Yoga Helps You to Lose Weight

Unlike other forms of exercise, yoga isn't primarily an exercise routine; it's a way of achieving balance by uniting your mind and body with your spirit. The word yoga comes from a Sanskrit word meaning, o tie, unite, balance.

So while the goal of any yoga practice isn't explicitly to lose weight, this is one of the effects. Overweight is a sign that your system is out of balance, yoga brings it back into balance.

If you suspect that you're overweight because you have emotional issues, yoga will help you resolve them. You don't have to do anything special. As you practice, the poses releases deep emotions buried in your body's tissues.

Many yoga practitioners find themselves spontaneously laughing, or weeping - this is just blocked energy releasing. Yoga is a great way to release stress.

Yoga Poses for Weight Loss

You can turn any of your favorite poses into a weight loss routine.

Here's an example:

After a Sun Salutations warmup, go on to:

* A standing pose, like Warrior Pose; then

* A sitting pose, like Forward Bend; then

* A complementary pose like the Camel; and

* A Twist; and

* End with Corpse Post

Create your own routines, according to the time you have to spare. Just ten minutes twice a day will set you on the path to harmonious weight loss with yoga.

By Julia Denham

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Tantric Yoga Combines The Elements Of Mind Body And Spirit

Most of the different types of yoga will combine the physical, mental and spiritual elements of the body in one way or another, with the ultimate goal being a renewed awareness of the body and an overall greater health and fitness level.

Tantric yoga takes this process to a whole new level, by focusing on the spiritual health of the body through additional meditation and lifestyle choices. Tantric yoga can include a number of different sciences, including astrology, physics, chemistry, psychology and mathematics to bring about a greater enlightenment to enhance your everyday life.

Increased Consciousness on Many Levels

Tantric yoga will focus on consciousness at many different levels to realize a persons being in a whole new, supreme way. It begins with a session of meditation to purify the mind, and will include the visualization of love and devotion being directed to a central body of light, which is your soul. The ultimate goal of tantric yoga is to renew your mind and spirit through a profound spiritual awakening that comes through these meditation sessions. It is thought to be the transferring of energy to higher levels, for maximum spiritual growth and whole body wellness.

One of the elements of tantric yoga that is extremely important is the cessation of bad habits like overeating, smoking and excessive drinking. All of these behaviors are damaging and destructive to your physical body, making it important for you to stop them as you are striving for ultimate spiritual and physical renewal. There are methods involved in tantric yoga that will allow you to increase your consciousness and give up some of these bad habits that you have hung onto up to this point.

Increased Popularity in the United States

While tantric yoga has been quite popular in eastern cultures, it has grown in popularity within the United States as well. For those that are hungry for a spiritual workout as well as a physical one, tantric yoga can offer many far-reaching benefits. In addition to many of the other physical benefits of other types of yoga, tantric yoga can increase sexual function and stamina.

It has also been shown to improve the function of the prostate in many men who practice this type of yoga regularly. If you are considering a type of yoga, and are looking for more than simply your basic workout, tantric yoga might offer just what you are searching for. Not only will you receive physical and mental benefits as you would with other types of yoga, you may enjoy a spiritual awakening as well.

By: Ann Marier

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Asana Yoga Poses Or Something Else Find Out!

FIRM AND PLEASANT CORPORAL TECHNIQUE

Asana is any position that is firm and pleasant (sthira sukham asanam). This is the broad and laconic definition from the Y?ga S?tra, chapter II, 46. According to this definition, the number of asanas is infinite.

Another definition, this one attributed to Shiva, confirms that of P?ta?jali: there are as many Asanas as there are human beings on the face of the Earth.

Others, however, limit the number of Asanas to 84,000, of which 840 are the most important and, of these, only 84 are considered fundamental. In the current book, we present 2,000 asanas. It is the largest compilation yet achieved in the history of Y?ga in the world.

But, what is an asana after all? Asana is the corporal technique that, for many people, is the most prevalent stereotype of Yoga. This is due to the fact that, among all the techniques of Y?ga, the only one which is photographable, filmable and able to be demonstrated in public is ?sana. It is possible to photograph yoganidra, film pranayama or demonstrate mudra but it is of little. As a result of these facts, this anga has ended up being the one which is most well-known.

?sana is corporal technique, yes, but it is not exclusively corporal. It has nothing to do with gymnastics or physical education. Its origins are different, its purposes are different and the methods of executing it are different. This is why, in Y?ga, we do not need many things that are fundamental in Physical Education like, for example, muscular warm ups. In Ancient Y?ga, we do not use this before executing ?sanas. For those who are interested in a comparative study of Yoga and Physical Education and their distinctions, we will recommend one of our books (Everything About Y?ga) so as not to repeat an explanation that has already been published elsewhere.

In order to economize on words, people tend to refer to asanas exclusively through a corporal prism. Yet, any technique does not deserve the name asana unless it incorporates other elements.

If it is physical exercise, it is not Y?ga. In order for a technique to be considered an ?sana, it must have the following three elements:


1.Position;
2.Coordinated breathing; and
3.Interior attitude.

The position needs to be:
a)stable;
b)comfortable; and
c)aesthetic.

The breathing needs to be:
a)conscious;
b)profound (abdominal and complete); and
c)with rhythm.

The interior attitude needs to have:
a)localization of consciousness throughout the body;
b)mentalization of images, colors and sounds; and
c)bh?va (deep sentiments or reverence).

by Marcello Oliveira

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Yoga Exercise Improves Blood Glucose Control

Yoga exercises strengthen your body and make it more flexible. Yoga also calms your mind and gives you energy. In active sports or strenuous exercises, you use up energy. In yoga classes, students report that they feel tranquil after a class, yet have more energy. Slow and steady motion is the key to going into or coming out of the postures. You hold a yoga pose for several seconds or even minutes and give attention to full, quiet breath. Your yoga instructor will always encourage you to relax as the exercises are being done.

You gently place your body into a yoga posture. Done correctly, there's very little chance of injury or muscle stress. A particular asana is not repeated dozens of times, nor are you ever encouraged to push yourself too much.

A yoga session is designed for balance. You stretch to the right and then to the left. You bend back and then forward. You learn to recognize when one side is stronger or more flexible than the other. Thus harmony and balance are achieved with yoga practice.

People of all ages can practice yoga exercises. They are easily modified to meet your needs and physical condition. Don't be put off by the difficult looking postures you may see in a yoga book. A skilled teacher can adapt most asanas by using chairs, cushions, even a wall or other props. A yoga practice can be tailor-made just for you. If something is really impossible for you to do, just forget it. Never compete with yourself or others. Yoga is a stress-free but powerful way to exercise.

Yoga is good for increasing your flexibility and relieving stress, but it doesn't take the place of aerobic exercise. You should still do regular, aerobic exercise, which increases your cardiovascular fitness, helps you lose weight, and, for people with non-insulin-dependent (type II) diabetes at least, improves blood glucose control.

Proponents of yoga exercise argue that it has a multiplicity of techniques to counter that cause and, unlike drug therapy, attack the cause, not just the symptoms. It offers, they say, a holistic approach to health and fitness. Many professional athletes, looking for the edge have turned to yoga as a supplementary form of training. They have found that yoga aids their state of mental and physical relaxation between training sessions, and their crucial build-up to big meets, where a competition is usually won or lost in the mind.

By: Ann Marier

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Yoga An Exercise For Everyone

Many adults enjoy and are aware of the rewards of yoga. Yoga stretches tight muscles, builds body awareness, improves endurance, and calms the mind and body. But yoga is now attracting a younger audience who is finding out that yoga can be a fun way to exercise and relax.

Yoga may not look like other forms of exercise to most people, but they are amazed at how the seemingly simple poses can work out so many different areas of their body.

Why Yoga is Different

For people lacking in confidence about their body image, some group activities can backfire causing people to further disconnect from their bodies and actively resist taking care of themselves. Yogas emphasis is on self-acceptance which makes it more appealing, a less intimidating way to get active. Yoga stresses a nonjudgmental emphasis on body awareness.

Yoga is not a competitive sport- there are no winners or losers. Yoga can give less confident people that much-needed support from their peers. If someone in a class has difficulty with a particular pose, often others in the room help them out. Yoga offers many people an opportunity to just relax. Just getting to be without having to achieve anything in particular- is a huge relief to many people.

The Added Benefits of Yoga

Traditional sports tend to emphasize strength and speed over flexibility. Many adults overlook the importance of stretching. Additionally others use weight training to develop major muscles while ignoring the supportive and opposing muscles which are equally as important. Yoga can help correct these imbalances. It helps build endurance and flexibility, thereby improving athletic performance. Yoga can also enhance your ability to concentrate and focus, and improve your posture. Chest-opening postures and inverted poses strengthen arms, shoulders and back muscles, which teach you how to carry yourself with more self confidence.

Yoga can also teach you how to stay calm centered and focused in the midst of distraction and to let your body relax. This is an important skill for anyone who is experiencing transitions- physical, emotional, intellectual in todays fast paced world. Yoga often becomes an outlet for working out peoples emotions. It can help you take control of you frustration and find alternative ways to deal with it rather than reacting right away.

? Copyright.Fitness-web.com, All Rights Reserved.

By: Michael Gray

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Yoga Exercises Healthy Lifeline With The Yoga Experience

Yoga Exercises - Healthy Lifeline With The Yoga Experience



No debate can arise from Yoga Exercises or is questionable on just how powerful yoga can be. Yoga has proven to give beneficial rewards to millions of people in helping them to keep in shape while at the same time assisting them to lead a healthy lifestyle. Your health and yoga is a match made in heaven. Yoga Exercises and the people who practice regular routines are finding it easier to cope with stress on top of easing body aches and pains.

Times have changed dramatically from the days of yesterday - in the days gone by life was a struggle for families - but some how they coped with the illnesses that plagued and terrorised their well being. In those days you never seen a jogger a treadmill or come to think of it any form of exercise like yoga. The only thing that the modern world has in common from the days of the notorious Jack the ripper is the plague. Citizens today are plagued by stress brought on by pressure from work commitments to running the home and much more. Why do we put up with the torment of coping like the people of yesterday who were a lot less fortunate than ourselves - where their options to help reduce any health risks were zilch?

Yes changes have dramatically altered but in our best interest where health matters is a major concern.

Yoga Exercises do go back to ancient times but why did so many poor unfortunate urchins die from cholera etc while trying to pick a pocket or two. The answer to that is there was no awareness programme administered on how to stay healthy and fit. (Which may have helped save lives?) Could this be the reason why so many children have been introduced to Yoga Exercises by their parents in the 21st century?

Yoga exercises for children start with simple and easy moves - yoga moves and poses for kids are normally named after animals to make it more fun as well as interesting. For example the butterfly pose is very popular among the children - this exercise includes where the child will sit with their knees bent leaning down towards the floor and the soles of the feet slightly touching. Parents are becoming more involved with health maintenance procedures in keeping their children fit and healthy.

By enlisting your kiddies to join local yoga classes you have just thrown them a lifeline where they will learn more on body awareness. One of the main reasons for introducing a child to the world of yoga is - obesity.

Some children take to yoga exercises like a duck to water and pick up quickly on the understanding as to why they are performing such exercises. But then you have those who struggle to come to terms with their exercise and have no idea to what rewards can be gained. What really matters is - as long as the kiddies are enjoying themselves then that is one rewarding result in itself.

Later in life when the child is fit and healthy - it is then that you will find the child`s perception of the whole yoga experience will answer their question as to why mummy and daddy did what they did and that was to send them to practice yoga exercises.




By: Kacy Carr

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Beginner Yoga Poses

Starting yoga may be confusing to you at first with all the different positions that is taught. When you start yoga class the instructor can go over the different names with you to help you learn the beginner yoga poses. Yoga is a great way to stretch your muscles safely and it is useful to everyone, even women who are pregnant. If you have had a sports injury or work injury yoga may be a great form of exercise to get you back on track and help you heal faster.

Yoga Poses

Your instructor will go over some beginner poses with you if you are just starting yoga. Here are the names of these poses.The Rabbit Pose teaches you techniques to relieve neck and head pain as well as back pain.

Birds Wing pose is great for beginners, intermediate or advance. Other poses you will hear are Happy Baby pose, Standing Yoga Mudra, Downward Facing Dog Plank, Cat Cow Pointer Sequence, Cobra pushup with Roll, Saw, Reclined Twist, Twisted Root, Teaser Prep, The Curl, Prone Gluteals, Swimming, Warrior I, Warrior II, Bridge with Roll, Cross Legged Sit and Stretch, and Chair.

The yoga poses you will learn are going to teach you many things, including how to reduce and handle stress, understand life and be in touch with your inner feelings, help your body to be balanced. This doesn't happen after one session. You should be prepared to continue yoga on a regular basis in order to get the full result of yoga and what it is intended to do. Each pose will show you a different way to handle your life and balance your body. In order to use yoga to its full potential make sure you practice it regularly and without stopping. If you cannot join a class there are CD's and DVD's available that will teach you all about beginner poses.

By Karlise Amerson

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Finding Yourself Through Yoga Classes

There are a variety of vedic books on yoga that inform the reader how to recognize their own destiny in life, but when an individual joins a yoga class, then they are able to get a much better understanding of what yoga really represents. Yoga is self realization of finding your own self and getting it all together basically.

Sometimes an individual may be in the middle of an environment that is completely full of negative energy, which may be caused by their spouse, room mate, co-worker, parent, or friend. For the individuals' very own health they should remove themselves from this type of situation, but often times they are drawn to this person simply because they care for them. For a situation such a this the true source of negative energy within this personal needs to be located, then it needs to be addressed.

One of the many benefits of the practice of yoga is empowerment and in the Bhakti Yoga empowerment is a type of ritual that a guru gives bestows an enlightened presence to bless the mind and soul of a student that has been devoted. There are times when a student has been so devoted throughout life that a deity is called upon to bless and nurture the student, then as a result of this blessing the student is able to help and teach others. In some parts of the world today, this type of empowerment is still practiced today.

Students to learn how to overcome their obstacles that get in their way each day instead of becoming overwhelmed with them. They need to learn how they can draw on the source of power within themselves when they feel alone and learn that the most powerful tool to empowerment is through power. The constant pursuit of knowledge, especially with the many sources available with modern technology is a source of empowerment. Finally, building your own natural talent to the best of their ability will build your self esteem and become a source of empowerment as well.

Yoga classes are devised to teach students how to survive mental, emotional, and physical hardships when faced with them. While these students are prepared for these types of situations, they become role models for others who would become overwhelmed when faced with the same obstacles. These students are capable to keep a positive attitude due to the fact that they have had the motivation in the past to change themselves.

Many individuals find that contentment is unreal or that it is simply a fantasy, but for individuals that practice yoga know that everything that brings them true contentment is right in front of them such as their family, friends, health, and what ever is close at hand. The true purpose in life must be felt within ones heart and our natural talents are our own destiny. If an individual purchases something at the store, then they will not be happy with it, but if the individual makes something with their own skills and talents, then they will truly be happy and content.

By Victor Epand

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Laughter Yoga Exercise for the Funny Bone as Well as the Body

Yoga has been practiced in the United States for more than 100 years. Americans liked its original form not only for the exercise component, but also because it helped relieve the stress that seemed to be an integral part of the modernization of this country.

Being Americans, they also adapted the original form to suit their lifestyles and different needs. Now they are embracing a new kind of yoga - one that was developed in its birthplace, India, but which is proving to be very appropriate for the American way of life. This new form is called Laughter Yoga.

Origins of Laughter Yoga
Laughter Yoga was developed by Dr. Madan Kataria, who became excited about research showing a connection between laughter and healing. In 1995 he started a laughter club, where people met to tell jokes to get each other to laugh. It didn't take long, though, for the jokes to evolve into sexist comments that offended some of the participants. Dr. Kataria did more research and discovered that the human mind can't tell the difference between real and faked laughter, so he came up with the idea of laughing for no reason.

Dr. Kataria's wife, Madhuri, a yoga teacher, suggested adding yogic stretching and breathing exercises to the sessions. And Laughter Yoga was born.

Laughter Yoga in the United States
Currently there are about 60 Laughter Yoga instructors scattered around the U.S. (with about a third in California). Their sessions involve traditional yoga stretches and breathing, but also include a lot of activities that are just plain silly, like imitating animals and telling jokes in gibberish. Using a fake language instead of a real one eliminates the chance of offending someone, and the use of gibberish helps people relax and start laughing.

In the beginning people may feel self-conscious and the laughter is usually forced, but it doesn't stay that way for long. Eventually everyone loosens up. It does seem that, when it comes to laughing, fake it until you make it works well.

Benefits of Laughter Yoga
According to the American School of Laughter Yoga, this kind of yoga is being used for a lot more than stress relief and improved flexibility. People like it because it can help them manage their anger and deal with depression. And unlike many other forms of yoga, which tend to appeal to introverts and loners, this one encourages people to interact with each other, which can help improve their social skills and self-confidence. It's also recommended for those who are dealing with physical challenges; the exercises are gentle, and the laughter helps people take things less seriously.

Laughter Yoga teachers emphasize that having a sense of humor is not a prerequisite to enjoying their style of yoga. You don't have to be a normally happy person, or even arrive at the sessions in a good mood - although you'll probably leave that way. Laughter Yoga is designed to be useful for a wide range of personality and body types.

Where to find classes
Laughter Yoga classes are being taught in many states. The American School of Laughter Yoga has a directory of locations, and if you can't find a group (called a Laughter Club) in your area, they offer online training, books, CDs, and DVDs. There's also a certification program for Laughter Yoga instructors.

Laughter Yoga is fairly new to the United States, so how popular it will eventually become remains to be seen. But there's no denying the fact that laughter can help us loosen up, handle stress better, and in some cases even heal our illnesses. If Laughter Yoga can contribute to some of those benefits - and it seems that it already has - it may have a bright future here.

By Peggy Adamik

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Yoga Poses are Therapeutic!

The entire subject of yoga in relation to health is about various postures. For every disease, it can be wildly claimed that there is a posture prescribed. Ask any yoga enthusiast/teacher and he will not only vouchsafe for it, he will promise cure and give you proofs of cures!

And many a times, he is not wrong and his stories are believable.

Many postures in yoga are tricky and difficult at least in the initial practicing stage. When it is done effortlessly, that means you are perfect in that posture. And over a period of time, it is possible. The result of practice of any yoga posture on the first day is certainly joint pain. Keep up the practice and be regular. Good results are assured.

Slowly and steadily your body will also increase its capacity of resistance. Mentally you will become more stronger. Don't be in a hurry- after all, it is your body and your precious bones are at stake.

It is well known that yoga postures not only relate to body fitness, they give path to spirituality as well. It tones up muscles and many internal glands. You will feel the flow of the vital energy and the importance of correct breathing! Any yoga exercise session starts with warm up exercises and poses like eye exercises and neck exercises, shoulder shifts and shoulder exercises.

Every Yoga pose, for example delivers concrete benefits. It is not possible to give the names of all the postures and related benefits on this web page but let us examine some asanas and their benefits, with anatomical focus on their therapeutic applications.

Tree Pose, for example, strengthens thighs, calves, ankles and spine; stretches the groins and inner thighs, chest and shoulders; improves sense of balance; relieves sciatica and reduces flat feet.

A mention may be made about some more important poses. Cat-Bidalasana, Mountain-Tadasana, and standing poses like Triangle-Trikonasana, Hands to Feet Pose-Pada Hasstana, Mountain-Tadasana, Standing Stretch-Ardha Chandrasana, sitting poses like Easy pose-Sukhasana, Lotus-Padmasana and many Inverted Postures and Balance Poses!

All these postures prove what meticulous care the ancient masters of yoga took to formulate these poses. Yoga postures take in to care of every part of the body and its movement in all possible directions. And every pose is related to the spiritual aspects as well. All these achievements were possible only because they had perfect understanding of the body in relation to the Spirit!

To read more articles on yoga, yoga postures and yoga tips visit http://www.therealyoga.com/


About the Author

The author writes articles on different topics. To get more yoga articles visit http://www.therealyoga.com/

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Standing Yoga Poses

Several of the most effective poses are the standing positions. They provide superior stretching of the muscles and they have recognizable effects on the speed and efficiency of the nervous system. Most standing poses manage to enhance the asanas and they offer you an increased opportunity of mastering equilibrium, both physical and mental. In the following paragraphs we will take a look at two of the most significant standing poses, the Mountain pose and the Triangle pose.

The mountain pose (known as the Tadasana) got its name from a number of defining properties that share the symbols of the mountain. The pose benefits from a high level of relaxed strength and a sense of invulnerability. Very like a mountain, the person practicing this pose will be surrounded by tranquillity and will feel a heightened impression of balance. The clarity and profound vision offered by this pose permit you to go deeper in your inner emotions and unite with your inner self on a very deep level. The mountain pose is achieved by placing the heels slightly apart, so that toes are parallel. Carry out a back and forth rocking movement on your toes and slowly come to a complete stop. Raise the ankles in order to consolidate the pose while also tightening the leg muscles. Thrust your tailbone towards the floor while lifting your pelvic area towards the navel. Your arms should be resting near your body while you are pushing your shoulder blades backwards.

The clear-cut positive effects of the mountain pose made it the basis of many other poses. Tadasana implies that the practicing yogi has to discover the meaning of balance and stillness before progressing further. For this reason, the mountain pose is one of the best ways to connect with your inner emotions while uncovering the subtle ways of yoga. The energy channels of the mountain pose traverse your whole body, following the spine, from the back of the neck and on towards the legs.

The next significant standing pose is the Triangle pose, or the Trikonasana. This comparatively easy pose has a satisfactory stretching effect on the spine, giving it a good lateral motion that complements the stretching of alternate forward poses. The straightness of the knees is essential while performing this pose, as this will allow your movements to be fluent and to stretch all the targeted muscles and organs. Bending to the left and right needs to be done gradually and fluently. This is one of the yoga poses that is good for providing the foundation for the next levels of postures, which are more advanced and harder to perform. The stimulation of the spinal nerves is also useful and it improves complete body flexibility.

In order to enjoy the full advantage of the triangle pose you have to position your body properly. Your feet have to be spread apart while you are pointing to your toes. Try to alternate the pointing motion from your left foot to your right one while keeping a constant rhythm and perfect balance. After you extend your arms parallel to the floor you should breathe in deeply, allowing the energy to reinforce your movements. While exhaling aim to execute a slight bend to either left or right while sliding your hand down your foot. This motion requires a lot of flexibility in the lower back muscles area, so a good warm up session is completely essential before attempting the triangle. Yogis who try this pose often notice the sensation of a lighter body, joined with a feeling of mild warmth in the stretched muscles.


About the Author

To find out how yoga can be beneficial for you, check out http://www.infoaboutyoga.com

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Trying Yoga for Back Pain Then Pick the RIGHT Poses 2

I went over in detail the use of the shoulder stand sequence as ?the? Yoga exercise for back pain in part one of this article. Now let?s go over the rest of the applicable poses shall we.

FORWARD STRETCHES:

Wind Relieving Pose (Vatayanasan):

Lie down flat. Now take a deep breath and hold it. Now fold your right leg at the knee and press the folded leg against the abdomen. Make sure to keep the alternate leg straight while doing this. Now, switch legs and to conclude this use both legs at the same time. 5-15 Seconds

Plough Pose (Halasana):

Lie flat on your back on your blanket. Keep the hands, palms down near the thighs. Without bending the knees, slowly raise the hips and the lumbar part of the back and bring down the legs till they touch the floor or go as far as you can. The key here is to get as deep a stretch for the lower back as possible. 5-15 Seconds

Forward Bend (Paschimothanasana):

Lie flat on your back on the blanket, with arms overhead on the floor. Keep the legs and thighs firmly on the floor. Stiffen your body. Slowly raise the head and the chest and assume a sitting position. Now exhale till you are able to catch you toes, ankles or heels. You may even bury your face in between your knees. 5-15 Seconds

BACKWARD STRETCHES:

Inclined Plane Pose (Purvottanasana):

Rest on your hands on heels, keeping the body straight. 5-15 Seconds

Bow Pose (Dhanurasana):

This pose is hailed as the best backward bending exercise. Lie Prone on the blanket. Relax the muscles. Now bend the legs over the thighs. Catch hold of the right ankle with the right hand and the left ankle with the left hand firmly. Raise the head, body and knees by tugging at the legs with the hands so the whole body rests on the abdomen.

Wheel Pose (Chakrasana):

Lie down. Bend the arms and legs. Raise the body and rest on the hands and feet. Tuck your head firmly in between your shoulders. 5-15 Seconds

Spinal Twist: (Ardha Matsendrasana):

-Sit on the floor with both legs out in front of you.

-Bend your right knee, lift your right leg over your left, and place your right foot on the floor next to your left knee.

-Sitting with spine straight, place your left elbow on the right side of your right knee.

-Bend your left arm so that your left fingertips are touching your right hip, while at the same time, twisting to look over your right shoulder.

Since this actually involves a twisting of the back, make sure you go only as far as it is comfortable. As a matter of fact, it is advised that depending on the severity of your case, you only go as far as the poses allow you to at any time. 5-15 Seconds

Corpse Pose (Savasana):

This is the relaxation pose. From experience, after the spinal twist above, if you immediately get into this pose, there is an indescribable feeling of relief from tightness in the back. You ought to try it out for yourself.

-Lay motionless on your back with the arms and legs slightly extended.

-Breathe deeply in counts of 5 that being in a ratio of 5:5:5 (inhalation-retention-exhalation)

-Lay as such for as long as you desire and you could mentally send relaxation messages to your body parts such as ?My ?.. is hereby relaxed? (filling in the space with whatever body part. Remember to start from the toes working upwards.)

Other factors to keep in mind when I say try ?yoga for back pain? are that Yoga involves the consumption of a healthy diet. This brings to mind Hippocrates? quote: ?Let your foods be your medicine??

That considered, do make sure your diet is primarily made up of the right stuff, raw and cooked fruits and veggies.

This will relieve constipation and this reminds me of a true experience with my father years back. He had suffered a severe back pain for weeks and an alternative health consultant told him to eat a meal of plain fruit on a given night and 2-3 hours afterwards, he was instructed to drink a laxative tea. After a really good bowel movement the next day, the pain magically subsided. That said you may want to try this tip as well.

It is my hope that all these pointers above will come in handy in your use of yoga for back pain relief-with the right poses. So go on and give it a shot today.

Foras Aje is an independent health researcher and founder of Bodyhealthsoul.com For more Yoga tips and information on Yoga for beginners stop by his website today.

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Yoga Exercises What Has Cannabis Got In Common With Yoga

What has yoga exercises and cannabis got in common - well that is simple they both relate to joints. Cannabis is smoked in a joint and yoga exercises help relax the joints. Let us focus on the how the natural way is the legal way to ease troubled minds, aches and pains.

The Natural way comes with no prison sentence.

Yoga exercises - moves and postures are easily practiced but most importantly should be supervised under the guidance from a master in the field of yoga. Tutorial videos are quite popular among the housebound. People with an illness that prevents them leaving the house can still follow the thousands of Yogis world wide by practising yoga exercises in the comfort of their own home.

One of the top reasons for why yoga exercises are performed on a wide scale is due to stress related concerns. Anxiety and sufferers of depression have seen the difference in themselves after learning yoga. Doctors are now referring their patients to join local yoga classes. Doctors realize that this is a safe natural mental medicinal medication which can ease symptoms of different types of illnesses and disorders. (Depending on the illness)

For beginners who are attending a class for the first time you can expect your yoga exercises to be light movements. This may entail short workouts on twists, balance, sit up poses and different other moves. You may also find that there is a time limit on how much you do in the first few stages of your yoga exercises due to you being a novice.

Once you have become familiar with what ever type of yoga you have chosen to practice - it is then you will begin to notice the change in your whole approach towards practice sessions. Yoga and the people who exercise this exercise become very devoted to an extent that it becomes a passionate piece of their life and why wouldn`t they when it helps them to keep in shape and lead a healthier life

Remember what is on the inside needs as much nurturing like that on the outside - in other words muscles joints and internal organs. There are many types of yoga exercises carefully structured to loosen the bones taking away stiffness or any other discomforts that can cause bouts of stress. By practicing yoga exercises on a regular basis you will notice the flexibility of how the body alters in a very relieving manner.

If you are not sure of the type of yoga that best suits your needs then talk with a yoga master. The Practice of yoga exercises due to health matters should not go ahead until you speak with your doctor - this goes for any exercises you intend on taking up.

Yoga is not a cure and has no magical powers where you regain sight after years of living in darkness nor can it cure the deaf from their world of silence but one thing it can do is work MIRACLES on the mind. This is done by positive thoughts inserted into the mind by your own way of thinking where you take what is rightfully yours and that is contentment.

By: Kacy Carr

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Do You Need A Yoga Exercise Mat

One of things I like best about yoga, you dont need any specialized equipment. If you are exercising on carpet, you dont even need a mat. However, a yoga mat is a great piece of equipment to have, and some people wouldnt even think of trying yoga exercise without using a mat.

Yoga mats come in a variety of types, styles and thicknesses. A typical yoga mat has a sticky surface to help with friction when obtaining your poses. Some yoga mats are thicker than others, and these can really help when you get on your knees.

Yoga mats come in a multitude of colors and patterns, so you can express your personality (and find your mat when its time to pack up and leave the gym). This isnt George Orwells 1984, you arent stuck with the same color and pattern as every other yoga mat. If fact, you can even have your T-shirt match your yoga mat.

If you are just starting out, you really dont need a yoga mat, especially if you are working out at home. Most gyms will lend you a yoga mat or rent one to you. But if you are serious about yoga exercise, you should invest in a good quality yoga exercise mat as soon as you can. After all, do you really want to use a mat that some one else has sweated on?

The great thing about a yoga exercise mat, they are inexpensive. It is possible to buy a pretty good yoga mat for $15 to $20. Of course, you can spend a lot more for a mat, but it really isnt necessary.

The type of yoga mat you purchase depends on several factors, including what type of yoga you practice. If you are using the more active and fast pace exercises, you may want thicker mat. You may also find the thicker yoga exercise mat useful if you are suffering from joint problems.

By Sydney Heiden

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Headstand and Inversion Yoga Poses A Primer

Headstand (salamba shirshasana) is one of the yoga poses that are considered inversion poses. Inversion poses involve any asanas that lift the feet above the head. Other inversion poses that are well known include shoulderstand (salamba sarvangasana) and half shoulder stand (viparita karani). But even lying on the floor with your legs on a chair is an inversion pose.

The concept behind inversion poses is expressed in yoga texts as viparita karani. Viparita karani is translated as meaning 'opposite process'. This simply means facilitating a different perspective. From the purely physical point of view, this different perspective in inversion poses is literal - in terms of looking at the world from a different physical viewpoint - as well as involving the body being supported in a different way.

But as yoga is more than simply physical exercises, there are other processes that are assisted. A lot of yoga is designed to help us change mental habits as well as physical habits. Through increasing our ability to adapt to change, instead of being stuck in old habitual responses, we increase our capacity for growth and transformation. This applies in all areas of our lives.

There is a theoretical concept in yoga about why inversion postures help. Ayurveda considers that many of the body's impurities are in the lower abdomen. When we raise our feet above the head, gravity is assisting us to move these impurities towards what the Ayurvedic system calls agni, or 'fire'. Agni particularly relates to our 'digestive fire', and is thus located above our lower abdomen.

So, by being upside down, and by using the deep and slow breathing typical of yoga, we help 'burn off' the impurities that were previously stuck.

Improved circulation is a more readily apparent and less 'esoteric' benefit of inversion yoga poses.

Whilst inversion postures have many health benefits, the ability of an individual to receive those benefits depends as much on their capacity to comfortably hold these sometimes difficult postures. For example, headstand and shoulder stand should simply not be done if people are pregnant, have neck pain, high or low blood pressure, neck injuries, or are menstruating. And neither of these postures should be attempted without the appropriate preparatory postures. Otherwise the risk is there that an injury, or stiffness, particularly to the neck area, will result.

Likewise, if doing these postures is very uncomfortable and difficult, more benefit will be derived from doing either the modified versions, or simply working on other yoga poses that strengthen these areas.

There are several important prerequisites for getting the most benefit fro inversions. The first one, a strong neck, I've mentioned. The others are a strong back and abdominal muscles, and the capacity to breathe well whilst in the posture. The latter is going to get better with practice, both of yoga itself and the inversions. It is also somewhat tied into having a strong back. Our back and stomach muscles will provide the support to hold the legs straight, which inturn opens up the thoracic cavity, and increases our ability to breathe well whilst upside down!

Tips for Doing the Inverted Postures

For Half Shoulder stand:

* Lengthen the exhale * Don't lock the chin * Keep your weight not on the head but on the wrists and elbows * Don't try to pull your torso (and legs) into the vertical like in full shoulder stand if you have difficulties with your neck. By doing so, you're placing more pressure on your neck. * Make sure you do the appropriate balancing postures afterwards. These include shalabhasana and bhujangasana

For Shoulder stand:

* Don't worry so much about keeping your elbows and arms parallel. This will create more tension in your neck if you're not proficient in this posture. * Do the appropriate balancing postures. These are the same as for half shoulder stand.

For Headstand:

* Don't ever make adjustments whilst in headstand. If you feel your alignment is not quite right, come down and do it again. * Never do this posture first up, or without the prerequisite postures. It will lead to stiffness in the neck at best, and injury at worst. And the negative effects can build up over time. This posture is never done traditionally without preparation, and there is reason for this. * Use a wall for support as a learning stage * Support your head with all of your fingers, including the little fingers and thumbs * Finding the right position for your head will make sure weight is distributed evenly, and ensure you don't have to overly press down with your elbows to compensate * Think of the support for the whole body as being distributed evenly across both elbows and the head * Don't hold your weight too much on the back of your body. It will place too much pressure on your neck. * Don't use props that allow the neck to be free. It will lead to the neck muscles contracting * Use the balancing postures. Shoulder stand is the traditional, but Mohan recommends half shoulder stand instead * Rest your neck before doing the balancing postures, however. Lie down with your legs bent. * Other balancing postures include chakravakasana, dvipada pitham with the arms, and shalabhasana

There may be fears or a sense of limitation about doing inversion poses that will be confronted. Sometimes, it's best to start an asana gradually. Shoulder stand comes with a few variations that you can use to build up strength and flexibility, as well as overcome any fear based feelings about the posture and your ability to do it.

Overcoming the fear, and finally being able to do a difficult pose that you thought you couldn't, can create positive psychological effects. When we prove to ourselves that our fears don't bind us, that we can move beyond our limitations, we are more able to make changes in other areas of our lives where before we thought it just wasn't possible.

References: A.G.Mohan, Yoga for Body, Breath, and Mind

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How Yoga Exercises Can Help With Weight Loss

Yoga Exercises for Ideal Weight and Ideal Shape

What is ideal weight? How can you tell whether or not you are at your Ideal weight? And is your ideal weight realistic for your body type or based on some unattainable ideal flaunted in fashion magazines? Is your image of ideal weight more about an ideal shape - one which may not have any bearing to the actual shape of the body you were born into?

Is ideal weight or shape a personal, inner-referenced experience, or something determined from outside yourself? Is it something you can feel or is it based on the opinion of others, or cultural, societal ideals, or tables that tell you what your ideal weight should be in relation to your height, weight or fat percentage?

Yoga is a training ground for inner-referenced awareness, starting in Hatha Yoga, with attention to the body in various Yoga postures, and moving beyond this to naturally meeting your attitudes toward yourself and your life. For this reason, from a Yogic perspective, ideal weight is not seen as a specific, measurable number or amount relative to height, age or fat percentage, or any other means of determining your weight from a source outside yourself.

This would mean deeming outside sources as experts over and above yourself, with these outer sources determining what is acceptable for you and your body. This is disempowering because it robs you of the opportunity to exercise your inner knowledge; your inner wisdom.

Yoga is all about cultivating your internal evaluation and motivation system, based on how you feel and what you deem appropriate and desirable. Added to this is an inner strength and willpower generated through Yoga practice.

In Yoga, ideal body weight and shape are considered natural byproducts of health. For this reason, the question of what is ideal body weight naturally leads to a broader question of what is health and how to cultivate it. The order of importance in the process of moving toward ideal weight is health first, which determines how you feel and extends to how you look. This offers a sustainable solution: the stronger your feeling of health and wellbeing, the stronger your self esteem.

This, in turn, makes you less likely to allow criticism (your own, or other people's) of your body, based on unrealistic ideals, to undermine your ability to focus on attaining good health. In good health, your attractiveness and beauty shine through. And once you have achieved good health, you may discover that you are within a healthy weight range.

By Michelle Spencer

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Poses And Postures

Yoga has become a very popular form of exercise, however, some styles focus primarily on physically working the back, for instance: the most important Yoga poses in this case will differ from others, remaining the most important Yoga poses for another kind of Yoga. There are also very difficult one might focus on in other styles of Yoga designed to stretch and strengthen other specific parts of the body, and many that work the entire body, treating the body as left and right equals yin and yang.

There are specific Yoga poses for the floor parts of Yoga exercise, as well as the more familiar standing Yoga poses.

One of the most basic kinds of standing Yoga poses one will learn in Yoga is what is called the tree balance. In this balance you will:

1) Prepare as always by checking the posture and lifting through the torso, pushing your shoulders down.

2) Hold your eyes on one object diagonally or straight forward for the entire pose.

3) Stand with your feet together.

4) Lift up onto the balls of your feet.

5) Rock your weight back, onto your heels.

6) Strengthen the right leg shifting all of your weight and lift your left leg slowly up so that your foot lays flat, toes down, resting on your right inner thigh.

7) Your arms slowly lift up to what is called the prayer position: both palms meeting directly above the top of the head?the full body in perfect alignment. Meeting above the crown chakra and lengthening all the way through the body.

The benefits of practicing this posture are many. It will result in remarkably noticeable balance and grace.

The posture requires balance, focus and concentration?all the basic guidelines of Yoga?both spiritual and physical are involved in Yoga poses. The tree balance is one of the many Yoga poses where the key is to relax and clear your mind. Not thinking about the difficulty of the pose itself?releasing tension?that is the mental aspect of several complex positions?without which many Yoga poses would be virtually impossible to hold.

This is one of the most well known Yoga postures. However, there are many. Including, as I mentioned before, many floor Yoga poses. Focus and breath?this is how you remain in any of the Yoga poses.

One example of the floor Yoga poses is the snake:

1) Lay flat on your stomach with your hands on your shoulders.

2) Lift up by straightening the arms and focus up?as though your eyes were also a part of the arch.

3) Focus on pushing the pelvis down towards the floor?arching your back.

4) And keep your shoulders down, as with virtually all Yoga poses.

Remember, all Yoga poses are meant to be held. You do not just reach the posture. Instead you reach it and remain there?thirty seconds, a minute etc. Holding, breathing, the asana, and the pranayama, this is how the balance is earned. In all Yoga poses you will find that you can stretch further and further each time. There are many other yoga poses and techniques out there?go find the perfect kind of yoga for you!

Anne Clarke writes numerous articles for websites on gardening, parenting, recreation, education and d?cor. Her background includes teaching and gardening. For more of her articles about fitness and health, please visit Yoga Positions.

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Improve Health With Yoga in Chairs

It is never too late to start a yoga practice. Forget the pictures you see in ads and TV that show 23 year old dancers and gymnasts doing pretzel-like yoga postures. Sure, there are young people taking fast moving classes that focus on difficult poses. But the majority of people taking yoga classes are middle aged and older. And the fastest growing student population for yoga is seniors.

To accommodate this growing segment, more and more classes are being offered to suit the needs and desires particular to older adults. Generally, these classes are called Yoga in Chairs or simply, Chair Yoga. The obstacle to yoga for older people is the frequent getting up and down off the floor, and sitting cross-legged on the ground for extended periods of time. Back problems, knee and hip replacements, arthritis, and fatigue combine to make it difficult to do. Chair Yoga overcomes this difficulty by featuring most of the same postures traditionally taught, but done either sitting in a chair, or using the chair as a balance and support. These classes are not yoga simplified, but yoga adapted.

Chair Yoga offers increased range of motion in the spine and joints, strengthening of muscles, improved balance, better breath control, relaxation and lessening of physical and mental tension, and improved concentration. Exactly as any other yoga class does. Even if you haven't exercised in a long time, or especially if you haven't, you will begin to feel these and other benefits after just a few classes. Ageing creates more of a need for the gifts of yoga, not less. Using the chair as a base, allows older people, or people with physical limitations, to carry on a full yoga practice the same as the 23 year old with both knees behind the head.

A common concern among seniors is that yoga will conflict with their beliefs and traditions. Yoga does have a focus on contemplation and inner peace that can be spiritual for some, but it is not religious in and of itself. There is room for all types of believers and non-believers in a yoga class. A class for older people in particular will focus on the physical aspect of practice and the breath. There will be relaxation and quiet. And there will be time for questions and sharing. Perhaps some soothing music will be played; maybe there will be a chance to chant the sound OM at the end of class-- if you feel like it. The chant of OM is just the traditional way to end a yoga class. It is a bow to history and tradition.

Yoga in Chairs classes can be found in churches, senior centers, through community education, and at yoga studios. Look for ads, fliers, and talk to your friends and family and find the teacher and the location that is right for you. Take a friend with you to practice. Make it a social occasion, and enjoy improving your health in a group of like- minded people who share your interests and concerns. Making yoga a part of your life will be one of the best things you have done for yourself.

By Susan Lasch

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Yoga on Your College Campus

Quite unlike the stereotypical high impact aerobics that are often a mainstay of college gyms, more and more campuses across the country are recognizing the benefit of incorporating a variety of different exercise programs to keep students interested and fit.

One of the newest trends sweeping colleges is incorporating yoga into their fitness regime. Regular yoga exercise yields a wealth of benefits, many of which are of extreme interest to college students.

Forget about heading to class panting for breath. Hatha yoga, one of the most popular schools of the exercise, leads you through relaxing and strengthening stretches, long twists, calm and quiet yogic breathing, and positive meditations.

When you walk out of the gym from your yoga workout, chances are you will feel significantly more aware, awake, and refreshed.

Yoga practices are also said to help clear the body of toxic energy and thought patterns.

The calming techniques of yoga need not only be experienced in the gym. Yogic breathing techniques can be done before and during a test, hand and neck exercises can be done at your desk or in the library, and you can do any number of poses even in your cramped dorm room, without bothering your roommate.

Yoga is also something you can jump right into. One of the main aspects of yogic exercise is to only go as far as you can, but to push yourself to that edge. Not having the pressure to go into a pose (or asana) into its fullest extension helps the beginners not feel out of place.

As everyone's body and life experiences are different, so are their points of openness and flexibility. Some poses will come almost naturally at times, while others are slow ground to be conquered. This allows you to set goals in your practice as well, moving further and further into the poses, until you finally attain your goal.

While it may take some time to get completely used to a regular yoga practice, it is more definitely a departure from normal exercises, and has a much lower risk of injury and joint strain than high impact exercises. Even if its just for a few minutes a day, you will feel the benefits of yoga almost immediately, and wonder how you manged without it.


By Tiffany Garden

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Using Yoga to Decrease Depression and Stress

Did you know that regular exercise can ease the symptoms of depression and stress? I know it's tough to get out of bed when you are depressed, let alone exercise and that lack of motivation is symptomatic of depression. When you are stressed it's usually because you are overloaded and adding exercise to an already busy schedule isn't easy. Luckily, one form of exercise, yoga, can ease the symptoms of depression and stress and while ideally, you would find a good beginner's class, you don't even have to leave your house to try yoga postures. Yoga has gotten very popular - you'll easily be able to find a DVD or book on yoga.

How Yoga Reduces Depression and Stress

Yoga postures or asanas help to detoxify the body by manipulating blood flow to areas of the body. The physical movement also causes the release of hormones and neurotransmitters that can elevate your mood and reduce stress. These postures are designed to move the life force of the body so that is does not become stuck and manifest as blocked energy or depression.

Have you ever taken a deep breath to calm down? The breathing exercises that go along with yoga will reduce stress and create a sense of well being. While yoga postures alone will help alleviate stress and reduce symptoms of depression, if you want a more powerful yoga experience you can incorporate breathing exercises into your routine. The humming bee breath and victorious breath exercises help with depression while baby's breath can have an extraordinary calming effect. To add breathing, you'll need to leave the house, since you will need a yoga expert to teach you the proper breathing methods. Perhaps after trying these postures for a few days you'll decide to find a class.

To reduce depression and eliminate stress a restorative yoga class, preferably one with meditation before and/or after, is ideal. Some yoga styles such as ashtanga can be physically intense and that's not what you are going after to reduce depression and stress. You may have to try more than one class until you find one that fits for you. Ideally, you'll practice yoga for at least 20 minutes a day, three times a week. While yoga can be very effective in combating stress and depression, the positive effects of yoga will be negated if you are otherwise mistreating your body.

Specific Yoga Postures to Ease Depression and Stress

Here is my list of yoga postures that help me when I am depressed or stressed. Each posture is linked to a site with directions for performing it properly. Do not be discouraged by the seemingly short list of poses. The entire sequence can easily take you 20 minutes or longer - yoga isn't about rushing through poses - it's about slowly holding poses and concentrating on proper form and breathing. Remember, it's the journey, not the destination.

Suryanamaskar or Sun Salutation

The sun salutation is a series of 12 very graceful poses. The combination of movements with the corresponding breathing is very beneficial physically and emotionally.

Simhasana or Lion Pose

The facial expressions in this posture will lighten your emotions - simha means he powerful one.

Ushtraasana or Camel Pose

The camel pose offers a relaxing stretch.

Balasana or Child's Pose

The child's pose is very peaceful pose that also promotes a feeling of safety.

Sarvangaasana or Shoulder-Stand Pose

The Should Stand benefits the entire body and as such is one of the most beneficial yoga poses.

Savasana or Corpse Pose

Don't be thrown by the name. Designed to quiet the body as well as the mind, this is perhaps the most relaxing of the yoga poses.

By S du Plessis

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Yoga to Lower High Blood Pressure by Gardon Cameron

Yoga attempts to unify the body, mind and spirit and to heal one is to heal all. Yoga makes use of a whole range of stretching positions to align, center and ground the physical body - balancing the mind and relaxing and uplifting the spirit.

The healing power of yoga has been known for centuries and in India, yoga is used to treat many diseases and conditions. Many, many people have achieved a lower blood pressure by using yoga and by adapting to its benefits.
Yogas power lies in the way it combines body, mind and spirit - synchronizing them to one entity instead of three separate ones. This allows for healing to be received and accepted.

Learning Yoga
It's not hard to learn yoga although it may look like it is at first. It's really more about the state of mind you achieve during the stretches than about the stretches themselves. There are several styles of yoga and all provide the same healing benefits.

If you are a novice who wants to learn yoga for blood pressure treatment then the Hatha Style is best. It's the commonest in the west and an easy in route for a beginner. Hatha poses are gentle and easy on the body and each class starts with a mediation session. The breathing techniques and patterns used in yoga help to promote relaxation and will lower BP in the process.

Lowering Your Blood Pressure with Yoga
Yoga lowers high blood pressure by encouraging you to relax using deep and correct breathing. Most of us do not breathe properly - we breathe from our chest not from our lower diaphragm. Yoga teaches you both the correct way to breathe and also different types of breathing techniques.

Yoga meditation will teach you to properly and fully relax. Being able to mediate is something we can all do but for many it will be hard at first to make their minds go quiet and passive. Keep trying - practice makes perfect.

If you really want to lower your blood pressure through yoga then you have to practice it every day for at least fifteen minutes each time. Be patient. Persevere. The benefits are worth it.

Once you learn to control your mind, you will be able to control your blood pressure!

By Gordon Cameron

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Yoga Poses

If you have observed from a distance people doing yoga poses, you would think they are latter day contortionists. You could be wrong, they are wise people who have realized well in time how easily and relatively inexpensively they can keep their bodies healthy, literally fit as a fiddle.

Yoga poses are the best way to maintain the body flexible, supple and toned up without exerting any force on the body. There is a certain subtlety in this ancient eastern system of body maintenance which keeps one in tune with nature.

Modern lifestyle takes its toll in terms of physical and mental health. Hypertension and diabetes are common ailments and the beneficiaries are pharma firms. Resources that should be spent on other productive channels are wasted in shoring up a tiring body that becomes an open invitation to premature aging and a host of diseases.

Yoga has many dimensions The word yoga means union. It meant a whole set of physical, mental and spiritual exercises developed by ancient Indian yogis as a means of realizing God and being united (?yuj? in Sanskrit, meaning ?being yoked?) with Him. The yogis were performing rigorous routine of meditation in forests and mountains and being scantily clad, they devised indoor exercises now known as ?yoga poses? or ?yogasanas? to keep their body healthy and light and make it a willing instrument of their meditation.

Over the years, yoga poses (postures) got separated from the rest of the mental and spiritual practices and has become popular as fitness yoga. Nevertheless, people who practice yoga poses derive benefits of yoga like a focused mind, self-discipline, a composed temperament and a healthy view of life.

The great repose There are a hundred yoga poses. They have interesting names like Red Indians who named themselves Sitting Bull or Galloping Horse. The poses bear names like The Boat, Crow, Peacock, Lotus and so on. The last mentioned is the pose in which the Buddha is shown seated. It is the pose developed by yogis for their meditation. Legs withdrawn and feet resting on the thighs, hands placed on the thighs turned upward with thumb and forefinger closed, the spine and neck held erect, eyes lightly closed and the normally outgoing mind gathered and centred within ? this is the ultimate pose of repose without and within.

But yet, before we could attain that inner repose, we have to slowly master the body through various poses and by regulation of breath which is called pranayama. Regulation of breath is said to energise the body and gradual slowing down of breathing is said to reduce the frequency of thoughts which is the necessary prelude for meditation.

The yogi among bats There is the familiar joke about bats in a cave. They were all hanging upside down as their wont. But one bat was seen standing on his feet. When the other bats asked him why, he answered, ?I am practicing yoga!? That bat is the counterpart of the people who delight in doing the headstand, a difficult but a very effective pose for stimulating blood circulation in the entire body. Its modified and easier version, the ?all limbs pose? is also recommended for all ages.

In a way, yoga poses are for people who want to be and dare to be different and pursue what their inner being and instinct of the body prompt them to do. It is by treating the body with respect and dignity, not by pumping iron and straining the muscular and nervous system. In the latter case, we see these people breaking down in health when they stop doing these heavy-handed exercises.

Tips for the beginner Starting practice of yoga poses is easy. But some words of caution would be necessary.

?Please do not learn from the books. One should not be one?s own Guru (Teacher) in matters of Yoga asanas, pranayama or meditation and one might end up worse than before. Look for qualified, committed, professional teachers. ?If you suffer from any ailments or bodily disabilities, obtain medical advice from your physician and from your yoga instructor as to what poses would fit in with your physical condition. ?Age is no bar for practice of yoga poses. You do not have to be a stripling to do it. ?Your yoga instructor will tell you what kind of yoga accessories and props you need. Your dress should be comfortable enough to allow you to stretch and bend freely. ?Like all other physical exercises, yoga poses should be done on a very light stomach and never after a meal. ?Fix a particular time for your domestic practice to develop regularity and discipline ?Such a discipline does not go with habits like smoking and drinking which have a depleting effect on the physical system

The final test The ultimate test of any exercise regimen is: Do you feel fresh and energetic or tired and exhausted afterwards? Yoga poses pass this test in flying colours.

On the whole, regular practice of yoga poses tempers and tunes up the body, disciplines the mind and trains the will to apply itself to self-improving habits and style of life and lifts one?s perspectives to a higher and nobler level of existence.

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Try These Yoga Poses for Jet Lag

Jet lag appears definitely to be one these things: A Condition resulting when travel across time zones leaves a person feeling ?out of sync? with local time at his or her destination. That considered, to get you 'back in sync', one highly recommended solution will be Yoga

What, with the poses balancing effects on the body (namely the inversions), yoga helps immensely to deal with the effects of jet lag, of course when used correctly.

The two main poses will be the Shoulder stand (and its counter poses) and if possible, the Sun Salutations.

In regards to the latter choice, the Sun Exercises, these are definitely a wise choice in that they stimulate and balance all the systems of the body including the endocrine, circulatory, reproductive and digestive system.

The main benefit one can look to attain from using Yoga for Jet lag will be restoration and balancing which it brings about as one executes the use of some of its poses.

This perhaps reiterates why using the shoulder-stand yoga pose for jet lag as previously mentioned may indeed be a great and wise choice as this pose as well affects all the bodily organs. By pressing the chin-lock, it stimulates the thyroid gland, balancing the circulatory, digestive, nervous, reproductive and endocrine systems. It tranquilizes the mind, alleviates stress and psychological disturbances. It is indeed a panacea, a cure all

One can also try the yoga-esque Hindu-Push-ups as this helps drain the brain of unwanted ?debris? and the incorporation of the Yoga Relaxation Pose does just as its name suggests, relaxes the entire body while simultaneously relieving stress and speeding up the elimination of metabolic wastes.

It's safe to say Yoga has something for everything and everyone so for Jet Lag; you will do very well to strike some Yoga poses!

In Friendship,

Foras Aje is an independent researcher and co-founder of BodyHealthSoul LLC. Stop by His Website today for more on Healthy Living Tips and information on Yoga for Beginners.

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Yoga Your Way to a Stress Free Life

Yoga can be an appropriate exercise for people of all ages due to the combinations of movement and meditation. Yoga involves flexibility, balance, controlling of your breathing, strength, and physical posture.

There has been a debate on how long yoga has been around. Some say yoga has been around at least 5,000 years, while others say it is closer to 10,000 years. Yoga started gaining notoriety, in the 1960's, due to the Beatles association with Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. Over the past few years, more and more men on the east and west coasts have taken up yoga as a form of exercise and meditation.

There are many new variations of yoga that have sprung up over the years. You can now find fertility yoga, Thai yoga, prenatal yoga, bikrum yoga, power yoga, and fusion yoga that combines yoga with another form of exercising.

By practicing yoga, you will find that there are many benefits associated with it. You will find that you have more flexibility, which golfers and tennis players will find the greatest benefits from practicing yoga. You will also find that you will have a greater endurance for running and bicycling. For those that run or cycle in marathons, practicing yoga can greatly benefit you with this.

Yoga can also help increase your muscle strength and balance, which is a great attribute to consider as we age. For those that have high-stress jobs, yoga is a great way to relieve stress.

You can expect to sit on the floor on a mat for those of you who choose to take yoga classes. The mat is used as a personal area for you to be able to participate in the exercises in the class. Often classes start with gentle breathing exercises, gentle stretches or even short meditations. This will depend on the instructor.

You will be lead through a various group of poses and positions throughout the class. As the class proceeds, the exercises will become more vigorous. There are some poses and positions that can be too difficult for your body to maneuver, and you will not want to force your body into a position because you could injure yourself in the process. If you are unable to use any of the poses or positions in the class, your yoga teacher should help you modify the pose to accommodate you for the pose so you can get the most out of your yoga experience. You will be surprised in the ways that your body can actually move in ways that you did not think it could.

While yoga injuries are rare, there are instances where injuries have occurred during a yoga session. Most injuries are due to repetitive motions rather than more serious injuries. Most of these injuries often occur due to pushing too hard to keep up with the rest of the class. The most common yoga injuries are injuries to hip flexors, wrists, hamstrings, and shoulders. It is suggested that you do not use yoga exercise videos due to the fact that you could do a pose or position wrong, and you will have a higher risk of injury.

You can combine yoga with Pilates so that you can strengthen your whole body and reduce the risks of injury even further.

Yoga Class Etiquette

* You will not want to be late. By coming in late you will disturb the others because Yoga classes are done in a quiet serene setting.

*Do not leave early. By leaving early, you will miss the last pose of the class, the savasana. The savasana pose is the resting pose of yoga. By missing this pose you would be cheating yourself of the whole yoga experience.

* Go barefoot. Taking off your shoes during yoga classes keeps you from slipping around on the floor and your body becomes allowed to get the feedback from the ground.

* Dress comfortably. You will want to wear loose-fitting clothing so that you are comfortable while doing the poses in class.

* Consult your teacher. You should let your teacher know of any limitations of movement, injuries or any preexisting problems.

The Glossary of Yoga

* Asana is a pose used during a yoga exercise.

* Hatha Yoga is form of yoga that is gentle and slow-paced. Hatha Yoga may appear on class schedules as Yoga I, Restorative Yoga or Lite Yoga.

* Vinyasa yoga is defined as synchronized-breathing movement. Vinyasa yoga is a more vigorous style of yoga. Vinyasa yoga could be named Power Yoga or Challenge Yoga on class schedules.

* Ashtanga is a type of Vinyasa yoga that uses a succession of poses during yoga classes.
* Bikram yoga is a branded name of yoga that is done in a heated room that has a temperature of 95 to 100 degrees. The idea behind Bikram yoga is to promote sweating profusely to rid the body of toxins. Bikram yoga will be available at Genesis Health clubs in 2007 and Yoga Central offers Bikram Yoga Classes that uses the heat from the movements of the body rather than heat from a room.

* Thai Yoga Therapy is a one-on-one session that combines stretches with yoga positions that are applied to your body.

* Prenatal Yoga uses poses that are adapted for pregnant women.

* Fertility Yoga is based on a theory that yoga impacts the stress levels and general health of women. By using this theory, Fertility Yoga can help women become pregnant.

* Namaste roughly means The divine in me recognizes the divine in you. The word Namaste is a Hindu salutation that is very similar to the Hawaiian salutation Aloha.

By Karen Barnes

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Why Zen Yoga Poses Can Improve Your Health

Zen yoga poses are part of an Oriental system that combines the practice of asanas with Traditional Chinese and Japanese Medicine. Postures are categorized according to the primary meridian they affect. A meridian can be understood as similar to a blood vessel, in that it has an energetic structure that corresponds with the human body, but which is instead a channel for energy to circulate (instead of blood).

The alignment of these exercises with specific meridians is what makes zen yoga such a powerful healing modality. In fact, teachers of this Oriental system emphasize its' capacity to help treat the basic causes of illness.. This article will explore what is meant by that, and provide some illustration on how zen yoga poses can be adapted to an individual's problems.

Meridian exercises work by facilitating the natural flow of energy in areas where we experience blockages and stagnation. We may feel those areas of blockages as stiffness, aching, tension, pain, or simply a feeling of being uncomfortable. Zen poses open up their primary meridians, and as a result, they dispel 'ill' energy, and allow healthy energy to flow instead.

A little background on meridians may be helpful. There are 12 meridians, and they are named after different organs of the body. So, we have the Lung meridian, large intestine meridian, Heart constrictor, triple heater, liver, gall bladder, spleen, stomach, heart, small intestine, kidney, and bladder.

It's important to note that although these meridians each have an energetic relationship with the organ after which they are named, they are not just referring to the organ when we speak about them. Their primary meaning is an energetic reference, to a type of energy that runs along a specific channel, which just happens to be associated with a physical organ as well. So, when Oriental practitioners and yoga teachers talk about a particular meridian being out of whack in some way, this definitely does not mean that our organs are! I emphasize this because a lot of people tend to get alarmed by some of the terminology, and it just stems from a misunderstanding of the context in which it is being used.

By understanding how important the energetic aspect is in Oriental philosophy, it is easier to understand how they look at the symptoms of disease, illness, or any problems we feel in our bodies. Instead of focusing on the symptom itself, Oriental diagnosis looks at what is going on in the meridians, and a healing approach is based on this, instead of a rigidly defined solution for a set of symptoms. What this means in practical terms, is that one person's ideal solution to a bad back, or a stiff neck, may be very different to another's.

The good news is that you don't have to know a lot of theory to do zen yoga successful. And neither do you need to understand the intricacies of Oriental diagnosis to apply zen yoga exercises for your own specific problems. Masunaga offers this useful guide: first find the exercise which is hardest to do... and then look for another one which is the easiest... If doing the easiest exercise causes an improvement in the performance of the most difficult one, or relieves a ... symptom, it is effectively reinforcing the Ki [energy in the Kyo [deficient meridian.

Masunaga was a leading shiatsu teacher in Japan who organized meridian exercises into a system that people could use themselves. He actually wrote that the best way to learn about zen yoga poses, was to practice them! Zen yoga seems more difficult in theory than it is in practice. It's actually a very fun, playful and gentle style of yoga that can readily be adapted to any level of fitness and health. Like tai chi, it has great health benefits, which can be explored in more detail through classes or publications.

by : Zen Imagery Exercises by Shizuto Masunaga

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Inversion Yoga Poses Another Perspective

Headstand (salamba shirshasana) is one of the yoga poses that are considered inversion poses. Inversion poses involve any asanas that lift the feet above the head. Other inversion poses that are well known include shoulderstand (salamba sarvangasana) and half shoulder stand (viparita karani). But even lying on the floor with your legs on a chair is an inversion pose.

The concept behind inversion poses is expressed in yoga texts as viparita karani. Viparita karani is translated as meaning 'opposite process'. This simply means facilitating a different perspective. From the purely physical point of view, this different perspective in inversion poses is literal - in terms of looking at the world from a different physical viewpoint - as well as involving the body being supported in a different way.

But as yoga is more than simply physical exercises, there are other processes that are assisted. A lot of yoga is designed to help us change mental habits as well as physical habits. Through increasing our ability to adapt to change, instead of being stuck in old habitual responses, we increase our capacity for growth and transformation. This applies in all areas of our lives.

There is a theoretical concept in yoga about why inversion postures help. Ayurveda considers that many of the body's impurities are in the lower abdomen. When we raise our feet above the head, gravity is assisting us to move these impurities towards what the Ayurvedic system calls agni, or 'fire'. Agni particularly relates to our 'digestive fire', and is thus located above our lower abdomen.

So, by being upside down, and by using the deep and slow breathing typical of yoga, we help 'burn off' the impurities that were previously stuck.

Improved circulation is a more readily apparent and less 'esoteric' benefit of inversion yoga poses.

Whilst inversion postures have many health benefits, the ability of an individual to receive those benefits depends as much on their capacity to comfortably hold these sometimes difficult postures. For example, headstand and shoulder stand should simply not be done if people are pregnant, have neck pain, high or low blood pressure, neck injuries, or are menstruating. And neither of these postures should be attempted without the appropriate preparatory postures. Otherwise the risk is there that an injury, or stiffness, particularly to the neck area, will result.

Likewise, if doing these postures is very uncomfortable and difficult, more benefit will be derived from doing either the modified versions, or simply working on other yoga poses that strengthen these areas.

There are several important prerequisites for getting the most benefit fro inversions. The first one, a strong neck, I've mentioned. The others are a strong back and abdominal muscles, and the capacity to breathe well whilst in the posture. The latter is going to get better with practice, both of yoga itself and the inversions. It is also somewhat tied into having a strong back. Our back and stomach muscles will provide the support to hold the legs straight, which inturn opens up the thoracic cavity, and increases our ability to breathe well whilst upside down!

Tips for Doing the Inverted Postures

For Half Shoulder stand:

* Lengthen the exhale
* Don't lock the chin
* Keep your weight not on the head but on the wrists and elbows
* Don't try to pull your torso (and legs) into the vertical like in full shoulder stand if you have difficulties with your neck. By doing so, you're placing more pressure on your neck.
* Make sure you do the appropriate balancing postures afterwards. These include shalabhasana and bhujangasana

For Shoulder stand:

* Don't worry so much about keeping your elbows and arms parallel. This will create more tension in your neck if you're not proficient in this posture.
* Do the appropriate balancing postures. These are the same as for half shoulder stand.

For Headstand:

* Don't ever make adjustments whilst in headstand. If you feel your alignment is not quite right, come down and do it again.
* Never do this posture first up, or without the prerequisite postures. It will lead to stiffness in the neck at best, and injury at worst. And the negative effects can build up over time. This posture is never done traditionally without preparation, and there is reason for this.
* Use a wall for support as a learning stage
* Support your head with all of your fingers, including the little fingers and thumbs
* Finding the right position for your head will make sure weight is distributed evenly, and ensure you don't have to overly press down with your elbows to compensate
* Think of the support for the whole body as being distributed evenly across both elbows and the head
* Don't hold your weight too much on the back of your body. It will place too much pressure on your neck.
* Don't use props that allow the neck to be free. It will lead to the neck muscles contracting
* Use the balancing postures. Shoulder stand is the traditional, but Mohan recommends half shoulder stand instead
* Rest your neck before doing the balancing postures, however. Lie down with your legs bent.
* Other balancing postures include chakravakasana, dvipada pitham with the arms, and shalabhasana

There may be fears or a sense of limitation about doing inversion poses that will be confronted. Sometimes, it's best to start an asana gradually. Shoulder stand comes with a few variations that you can use to build up strength and flexibility, as well as overcome any fear based feelings about the posture and your ability to do it.

Overcoming the fear, and finally being able to do a difficult pose that you thought you couldn't, can create positive psychological effects. When we prove to ourselves that our fears don't bind us, that we can move beyond our limitations, we are more able to make changes in other areas of our lives where before we thought it just wasn't possible.

References: A.G.Mohan, Yoga for Body, Breath, and Mind

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10 Yoga Exercises to Ease Back Tension

We are busier and more stressed as a society than ever these days, and like a large number of people, I tend to retain most of my stress in my neck and back area. This results in a tense back, and oftentimes, back pain. Yoga is a highly effective method of back pain relief, and definitely, helps relieve the stress held in this area. In fact, there have been studies that show that regular, proper yoga exercise is one of the most effectual methods for pain and tension relief in the back.

Here are ten exercises that have shown tremendous benefit to the back tension so many of us struggle with. These exercises reach all the areas of the physical back, as well as help us mentally relax, which assists in preventing further inflammation. Try these poses, and remember to breathe while doing them!

Corpse - Do this exercise by lying flat on your back in a relaxed position; rest your arms at your sides, hands facing the floor, legs lying normally, with your knees turned outwards slightly. Breathe normally for a few seconds while allowing the tension to be released.

Cat Stretch - Assume the position of a cat (get on all four!) and start out by keeping your back as flat as the tension will allow. Make sure that your knees are lined up with your hips. Inhale, then exhale, and as you are breathing out, arch your back up, tuck your chin to your chest, and push your tailbone underneath all at the same time! After holding this position, release to the flattened back and repeat.

Wind-Releasing - For this exercise, lay in the same position as the corpse pose. This time, as you breathe in, bend your knee, grab your leg right below your knee, and bring it into your chest. Keep your remaining leg on the floor, lying flat. Breathe out and bring your head up to touch your knee. Finish up by inhaling, and then return to original position during the exhale. Repeat exercise with the opposite leg.

Sage Twist - Keep this exercise a gentle stretch, as it could be painful if taken too far or done too harshly. While sitting on the floor in normal fashion, bend your right knee, lift your right leg over your left, and put your right foot on the floor next to your left knee. Straighten your spine as you sit, take your left elbow and put it on the right side of your right knee. Take your left fingertips to touch your right hip, and at the same time, twist and look over your right shoulder. This is the point in the exercise to be cautious not to overdue this stretch, so as not to hurt yourself. Hold this position, then release and do it again with the opposite side.

Palm Tree - With your feet forward, stand with your arms to your sides, and your weight even on your feet. Raise your arms above your head, interlock your fingers, and turn your hands to face upwards. Then put your palms on your head and turn your head to look slightly upward. Stretch your arms up, stepping up on your toes at the same time. Try to stretch your body upwards as you are doing these moves, then tries and hold.

Fish Pose - For this pose, lie flat on your back with just your knees bent and keep your arms at your side. Arching your back, bring it off the floor with only your elbows. Have your head tilted backwards and put the crown of your head on the floor at the same time. Breathe deeply from your middle and hold for one minute.

Locust - This one is a little different; you will be lying face down. Arms at your side, hands facing down, bend your elbows a little with your fingers pointing towards your feet. Bring your legs as high up as you can without causing any pain to your back. Be careful with this one not to overdo it!

Downward Dog - Beginning on all fours with your hands directly under your shoulders, walk hands a few inches forward, and spread your fingers wide, keep your palms flat. Bring hips upward, forming an inverted V, pressing shoulders away from ears. Keep your feet apart a ways, and the knees slightly bent. Breathe deeply and hold.

Crowe - This one is done by starting out at the original position in the Downward Dog exercise. Only instead of only walking a few inches forward, walk your feet forward until your knees meet up with your arms. Bend your elbows, lifting your heels off the floor, and then put your knees against the upper arms. Keep your toes on the floor during this, and hold this pose for a few breaths.

Lunge - Once again, begin in the Downward Dog position. Step forward with your right leg to the inside of your right hand. Let your left knee drop to the floor and lift up your chest. Keep your back straight, your right knee in line with your ankle, and place your hands on your knee. Breathe and hold. Then return to the Downward Dog position, switch legs and then repeat the exercise.

By Bessie Blanco

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Can You Lose Weight With Yoga

Yoga is revered for its power to relieve stress, increase flexibility, and build muscle tone. It is not, however, well known for promoting weight loss. So you might be surprised to learn that it can actually help us burn calories.

Traditional yoga is not an extremely active pursuit. It works our muscles, but we rarely break a sweat just by holding a pose (unless it's really hot in the room). But the muscle-building effects of yoga do allow us to burn calories more efficiently. So if we participate in a good aerobic workout, we will see greater results than we would if we weren't doing yoga.

Yoga can also give us the discipline we need to stick to a diet and exercise program. It enhances the relationship between the mind and body, giving us the motivation to take better care of ourselves. Lack of motivation is a frequent problem among those who want to lose weight, so this is a very important benefit.

New Incarnations of Yoga

Those who want to lose weight solely through yoga might find what they're looking for in non-traditional yoga classes. There are a number of yoga styles that can give us the traditional benefits of yoga and a cardiovascular workout at the same time. These include:

* Vinyasa yoga - This type of yoga is based on movement from one pose to another while practicing yoga breathing techniques. Sun Salutations are frequently used, but other poses are usually included as well. This is sometimes done in a hot room to increase sweating.

* Ashtanga yoga - Ashtanga is a complex style of yoga that includes six different series of poses. Each serious is more complex than the previous one, so it is important to start at the beginning and work your way up.

* Power yoga - This is an Americanized version of yoga. It combines faster, more active movements with traditional yoga breathing techniques.

These types of yoga are more likely to increase our heart rate and work up a sweat than traditional yoga. While they may not give us as much of a workout as aerobics, they combine weight loss and cardiovascular benefits with the muscle building and flexibility training of yoga. And for those who do not have the time to participate in two separate workout programs, they can be great options.

Other than being forms of exercise, yoga and aerobics seem to have little in common. But traditional yoga can enhance the effects of more intense workouts, and these newly popular styles of yoga can give us the best of both worlds. If other workout routines have left you disappointed, adding or switching to yoga might be the answer you're looking for.

By Kanye Robin

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