Yoga and Animal Welfare The True Path to Peace and Harmony

Twenty-first century is the age of technological advancement. But this is definitely not a period of harmony with oneself or with other species on earth. Both are intricately connected.

We can find true peace within ourselves only if we are compassionate, empathetic towards other species. Ahimsa or nonviolence is an integral concept of yoga. The ability to love all and not harm any species is the true path to yoga and self-realization.

Yoga is just not about physical fitness. We follow a specific diet to improve physical fitness; the same rule applies to improve our mental health. Yoga diet includes organic food grown in harmony with nature.

A short note on history of yoga will tell us how yoga and animal welfare is connected. Patanjali is considered to be the father of yoga. Many do not know that Lord Dattatreya is the guru of Patanjali. Lord Dattatreya left home at an early age to roam the forests, and lived on a simple diet. One of his charming traits is he loved all animals. He was always found in the company of four dogs and a cow.

In these distressing times we find that we are accelerating extinction of plant and animal species. Violence against any living form harms the sacred unity and balance. We come across various species of animals and birds. We have our obligations towards them. When this is felt, our every act becomes harmonious. We have to give equal importance to our feeling aspect of our mind as we have for the intellectual one.

For more information on Yoga, Yoga for Beginners, Yoga Diet, Meditation, Yoga Therapy, Yoga and Animal Welfare, Animal Therapy, and Yoga of Beauty visit web site: http://yogaforharmony.googlepages.com/yogaforharmony

By Suchitra Srinivasan

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Different Types of Yoga For You to Try

Yoga has become on of the most popular methods of losing weight and keeping fit in all parts of the world. Now there are different types of yoga which involves various postures and rules. But all of them aid in the well being of the humans and keep them fit both mentally and physically. Here you will get to know about different types of yoga.

Anusara

This is basically the newest form of yoga which was introduced in the year of 1997. The postures of this type of yoga are quite complicated at times but the spirit is playful and joyous. The message that is sent through this yoga is all about opening the heart and endeavor to connect yourself with the divinity.

Ashtanga

This type of yoga is explained in the book of Patanjali. He was from ancient India and there are two main constituents of this yoga. There are five Yamas and five Niyamas which aid in the spiritual upliftment along with the physical fitness.

The five yamas are Ahimsa, Satya, Asteya, Brahmacharya and Aparigraha. The five Niyamas are Shaucha, Santosha, Tapa, Swadhyaya and Ishwar-Pranidhan.

The methods of this yoga focus mainly on the limbs. This improves the flexibility of the body and also increases blood circulation. This is not suggested for the beginners but for the athletes who are looking forward to increasing their stamina.

Bikram

This is a stream of yoga which involves activities and postures that can work wonders in increasing the muscular strength and flexibility of the cardiovascular system. This is helpful for those who are overweight and wish too loose weight in a method that is devoid of any side effects.

This method was introduced by the great Bikram Choudhury who was a weight lifter and showed his magic in Olympic 1963. The unique fact about this yoga is that it can be practiced even when the temperature of the environment ranges between 95 degrees to 105 degrees.

Regular practice of Bikram yoga will prevent your body from getting injured easily.

Hatha

This is the easiest form of yoga which has gained immense popularity in the foreign countries like United States. This involves the basics of yoga which can be learned and practiced by everybody. It has asanas, meditations, pranayamas and kundalini. This is a method which will calm the mind and increase the fitness of the body.

It even increases the longevity of a man and helps people to manage the stress. This is extremely helpful for those who lead a life that is overloaded with work stress. It takes few minutes to practice a complete set of Hatha yoga everyday and the effects are wonderful.

These are few of the yoga styles and there are many more which are equally effective and good for health.

By April Kerr

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6 Ways Yoga Increases Energy

Have you ever known someone who just lights up a room? What is it that they have that attracts others? Some celebrities have 'it', babies are born with what seems an infinite amount of 'it.' It is their human energy. They are putting out an energy that is inviting to others and equally infectious. Other people may be doing the opposite, not intentionally; but other peoples negative energy does have a negative effect on you. Notice how beautiful features on a tense scowling face pushes you away. Conversely, less than perfectly formed features showing acceptance and joy with the warmth of a smile are equally contagious. I remember working with celebrities who were considered beautiful, and some became more beautiful over time, while others became downright ugly because their inner energy magnetized their outer appearance. Since the 3rd millennium, B.C., the Chinese called this vital energy, 'Chi, stating that all matter, animate and inanimate, contains this. Chi is seen as the basis of life. Yogi's practice manipulating this energy through breathing, physical exercise and meditation techniques. By directing focus on achieving more Chi, more energy through energy producing breathing techniques, integrated with easily attained Yoga poses, you feel an instantaneous feeling of youthful vigor.

1. Exercise

Some people have told me they're too tired to exercise - but a study involving over 6800 people in 70 studies found that exercise increased energy and reduced fatigue - and not just in healthy people - people who had cancer and heart disease also benefited with an energy boost. However YOU have to exert the energy to make it happen. There are three kinds of people in this world, those who make things happen, those who watch things happen and those who just wander, what happened? Unfortunately, some of my patients fall into the 'what happened' category after years of mistreating their body. Your muscles were meant to be exercised, your brain is nourished through stimulation and your energy source is the connection of your mind, body and spirit. I just saw a patient today who had never exercised in her life. She is 54 years OLD, is on 16 medications, has had a recent heart attack, diabetes, depression, and high blood pressure. All this was preventable if she treated her body like the temple it is. Instead she is wondering 'what happened.'

2. Nutrition

Yoga motivates you to treat your body like a temple for your soul to reside in. If you filled a Mercedes with regular fuel, how would it run? Your body is a first rate machine and needs premium fuel to run at its best. Eating excess fat is like sludge in an engine; it will slow down and stop running. Yoga's inspirational message helps you treat your body with the respect it deserves and rewards you with more energy.

3. Empower Yourself

Yoga encourages mindfulness so you think before you eat. When this becomes a habit, you lose weight and the practice of self control becomes easier and even enjoyable because you know you are in charge of your health. When you are in charge of your health instead of your health in charge of you, a new found energy rises in your spirit.

4. Relax

Confucius said: Men do not mirror themselves in running water - they mirror themselves in still water. Only what is still can still the stillness of other things.

In our super-busy, hectic, often frantic, overworked, overburdened world, we do not take the time to be still. Yoga offers peaceful meditation to help you boost your energy to achieve your goals. So stop and hear yourself breathing. Breathing requires one to breathe in the breath of life - to inspire is to be inspired with the gift of life and possess an extraordinary sense of well being. What a blessing.

5. Get Enough Sleep

Yoga can help alleviate anxiety and help you sleep soundly. A former client of mine, Myra, a hospital dietician and college professor stated she hadn't slept well in 2 years, but once she practiced my yoga techniques, she finally got a long awaited and well deserved 8 hours of uninterrupted sleep.

6. Yes You Can

Yoga with meditation teaches gratitude and a positive attitude. A Gratitude attitude has a way of transforming your way of looking and acting in everyday life. Your gratitude speaks volumes about the direction, concerns, and qualities of your life. Yoga unites a feeling of gratitude with a physical connection to wellness in a seamless, effortless way to achieve the desired state of being appreciative while giving thanks for the natural life forces that surrounds us. Connecting with nature instills a sense of wonderment and admiration towards the universe. The more we appreciate nature, the more it rewards us by allowing us to relax, unwind and be spiritually linked to this extraordinary planet earth.

By Suzanne Andrews

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Yoga Poses Techniques for Beginners to Veterans

In philosophical terms yoga means a refined rejuvenative reunion with self, a journey of self-discovery. The intimate practice of yoga offers a diverse range of poses and postures for physical, mental and spiritual growth. The yoga poses are essential forms of meditation, used for calming the mind, strengthening the body and assisting in improvement of blood circulation. No matter what level of expertise, each pose delivers different benefits to the mind, body and soul of the individual.

Poses for yoga beginners

When first practicing yoga, it is important to start off slow as it is likely you will not have the flexibility of someone who has been practicing for years. Basic poses will be introduced, mainly for stretching purposes and to establish the body into the yoga mind frame. You must remember that yoga is not a competition and everyone has different abilities. For some, the poses and postures may occur naturally whilst others will have to work at achieving them.

The various basic poses for beginners include standing poses, to help align ones body and maintain good posture, as well at seating poses, for hip and back strength. Forward and backward bends are performed for an increase in balance, flexibility and to help release tension in the body. Balance plays a large role in yoga poses and it is necessary to establish and maintain this before engaging in further positions.

Listen to your body and do what it is capable of, do not push yourself so hard that you experience pain. When your body says no more, it means no more! Advanced poses will come naturally depending on the amount of time you practice. It is important to establish a routine that your body will become used to over time. These basic poses can be learnt with guidance from professionals at yoga schools or retreats; however alternatively you are able to practice them by yourself in the comfort of your home.

Poses for the veterans

When practiced traditionally, yoga is a 6 day a week exercise. Once introduced to the yoga, many find it inescapable and integrate it as a regular activity in their daily lives. Those who practise yoga regularly will experience increased flexibility and toning of muscles. This allows for more advanced poses to be undertaken.
Advanced poses often involve contorting the body to resemble animals, stances, objects or natural formations. For these demanding poses, the mind must work in conjunction with body movements. It is essential for accomplished yoga individuals to have a strong ability to control and balance the body as is required by the majority of these difficult poses. Here, yoga allows for the creation of peace as well as mental and spiritual awareness, escapism and deep levels of meditation.

Yoga veterans would find it beneficial to attend specified workshops or yoga retreats to further develop their skills. These learning forums allow yoga experts to interact, share and develop challenging, new poses which can be added to their daily routines. Accredited and fully trained professionals will assist you in taking your yoga practice to inspiring heights and profound depths.

By Sheridan Hammond

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Yoga in Practice The Yama For Peaceful Co Existence

Within Patanjali's Yoga Sutras, you learn many things, such as the Yamas and Niyamas. Yet, the moral ethics found within the Yamas and Niyamas are not always easy to apply to your daily life. The following is an example of using one Yama and applying it to your life.

Some of us may work, socialize, or live with people who have very difficult personalities. For example: How do you handle someone, who sees compassion and a willingness to negotiate, as weakness? If you are trying to negotiate with him or her, you are in the way. This person has needs, wants, and desires. If you speak in terms of logic, it sounds like an unknown language to him or her.

This personality envisions victory over perceived enemies and uses negotiation as a form of deception. How can you reason with someone who will lie, cheat, and steal from you? If you have the ability to see reality, and your vision is not distorted, you still hold some valuable cards.

A self-centered personality will not bother to open dialogue with you, unless you have something of value. Take the time to see his or her hidden agenda. All is not lost when you see each matter as it truly is.

This situation could possibly become a very basic form of carrot-and-stick negotiation. The carrot is a positive reinforcement, and the stick is negative reinforcement. You really have no choice but to use this tactic, because this person would like to beat you with a stick rather than negotiate with you.

You do not have to resort to any form of conflict, but you have to make a difficult person aware that there are potential consequences for the wrong action. At the same time, he or she should realize there are rewards for the right action.

If you are an even handed person, you may see negotiation as an art form, but you have to adapt to each situation. When negotiating with someone, who is always looking for your weakness, you might consider resorting to the art of influence. To initially offer concessions will likely be misunderstood and possibly seen as a gateway to victory.

One way to influence this person is to paint a picture of a gateway to loss. Even if this is an illusion, a bullying personality will usually back away from the potential to lose, and opt to take the gentler route of playing at negotiations.

So, which Yama would you be practicing in the above-mentioned circumstances? Which Yama would teach us about loving kindness, mercy, and non-violence? You would be practicing Ahimsa, the Yama of the non-harming with our thoughts, words, or actions.

? Copyright 2008 - Paul Jerard / Aura Publications

By Paul Jerard

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