Yogasanam

Mom and Baby Yoga

2011-11-05T06:43:00.000-07:00

Mom and baby yoga classes are popular with the newborn set. These classes are usually geared to accommodate babies aged six weeks to crawling. If there are no extenuating circumstances, your doctor will probably give you the ok to exercise six to eight weeks after you give birth and you can give postpartum yoga a try.
What to Expect

In most mom and baby yoga classes, moms place a yoga blanket, usually covered with a blanket from home in case of spit-up or other spills, at the top of their yoga mat. Feel free to bring a couple of small toys too. In an ideal world, the baby will lie on the blanket happily for the duration of the class. This rarely happens. The nice thing about a mom and baby class is that you are totally free to pick up your baby and feed her, rock her, change her diaper, or walk her around the room if she cries. Conscientious teachers will also often hold the baby for you so that you can get a little yoga in.

Will My Baby Like Yoga?

This depends a lot on the personality of the baby. Some delight in the new sights and stimulation of the classroom environment and are perfectly content to look around and take it all in. Others are freaked out by the very same stimulations and may cry a lot at first, but eventually get used to it, so don't give up if the first class doesn't go well. A few babies may snooze happily through the whole thing.

What’s In It For Me?

Hopefully a little bit of a workout. Some classes are very gentle and/or focus a lot on playing little games with the babies (such as singing Wheels on the Bus). But dedicated yoga studios tend to offer more workout and less playtime. You will also get out of the house to a nonstressful environment where you will meet other new mothers. The value of this should not be underestimated. Plus, it's never too early to start your kids doing yoga!

Contact

2010-10-28T22:23:00.000-07:00

Acharya C.V.Usman
Post Box No. 60830
Dubai-U.A.E
Mobile No.+971505475779

Yoga for sex life

2010-06-24T00:15:00.000-07:00

According to Yoga philosophy, sex is a very natural function, extremely necessary in an affectionate relationship and also vital for the persistence of the human race on the earth. A branch of yoga called Kundalini Yoga is specifically concentrated about sex and asana for harnessing the sexual power. Yoga through its various asanas and breathing techniques help one redefine one's sexual life. It is also very necessary in relieving stress and relaxing one's body, preparing one for a healthy sexual life and relationship. Read on to explore more…

How Is Yoga Beneficial In Your Sex Life?
Yoga is very beneficial in improving your sex life. Here are few reasons…

Improved sensitivity
Yoga helps in improving one's sensitivity. Its breathing exercises help a person overcome his anxiety and participate in sex with a fresh vigor. When a person is relieved from tension and stress, he/she will actively participate in sexual activity. Other than this yoga helps in improving better understanding of self and surrounding leaving a person more understanding and emphatic about other's need.

Better orgasms
Yoga helps in achieving better orgasms. Most importantly, it helps in a strengthening one's pelvic floor muscles and sex organs. Several Yoga asana are also helpful in harnessing better sexual powers. As Yoga also helps in relieving stress, it also enables to liberate muscle strain, which in turn helps in gaining flexibility.

Enhanced energy level
Yoga is very helpful in accumulating energy. Several yoga asana are extremely beneficial for energy harnessing as well as gaining more endurance and fortitude. Body with endurance can retain long in sexual activity without getting tired. Thus yoga provides one with more energy to deal with sexual activities.

Improved Fitness Level
Yoga makes one feel more active and fit. It also makes one aware of his potential capacity. Apart from giving vigor and endurance, it helps in improving posture coordination and balance. The muscles are also greatly toned during yoga and respond more positively during intercourse leaving a better experience with sex.

Knowing And Experimenting More Positions
Yoga helps in knowing about several sex positions. However many of them can't be performed with a stiff and flabby body. Later toned muscles and flexible body achieved through yoga help you experiment with these positions also.

Yoga asana beneficial for sex
Lotus posture
Uddiyana Bandha
Halasana,
Matsyasana
Supine Pelvic Posture.
Viprita Karani
Sarvangasana
Sirhasana

Yoga and obesity

2010-06-23T23:36:00.000-07:00

Abdominal fat is a common problem with most women. The fat in this region differs from the fat elsewhere in the body. There are more receptors for the stress hormone cortisol. This hormone levels rise and fall with varying situations but can remain at an elevated level if you are under constant stress. High cortisol levels can lead to increased fat deposition in the abdominal area. Yoga helps in tackling fat in the abdominal and other regions. It has also been known to influence eating disorders. By bringing a balance of emotions, you can be relieved of depression, anger and anxiety.

A yoga regimen can help you rebuild energy, improve bone density and tackle disorders such as Anorexia. Beauty fitness with yoga is a reality since regular practice of yoga helps a woman remain agile and slim. Asanas such as Paschimotannasana, Sarvangasana, Halasana, Dhanurasana, Veerasana, Trikonasana and ArdhaMatsyendrasana can help you sculpt your body.

Yoga Beginners Guide (Video)

2010-06-23T23:03:00.000-07:00

This excerpt from the Complete Beginner's Guide DVD by Jason Crandell is the perfect way to unravel stress and gain energy throughout your day.

Types of Yogas

2010-06-23T04:57:00.000-07:00

“Each soul is potentially divine. The goal is to manifest this Divinity within by controlling nature, external and internal. Do this either by work or worship or psychic control, or philosophy – by or more or all of these and be free. This is the whole of religion.”

-Swamy Viviekanada.

There are altogether 40 types of yoga. They are:

1.Abhava – Yoga: The unitive discipline of nonbeing, meaning the higher yogic practice of immersion into the self without objective support such as mantras; a concept found in the puranas of Bhava-Yoga.
2.Adhyatma – Yoga: The unitive discipline of inner self; sometimes said to be the Yoga characteristic of the Upanishad.
3.Agni-Yoga: The unitive discipline of fire, causing the awakening of the serpent power (Kundalini-Shakti) through the joint action of mind (manas) and life force (prana).
4.Ashtanga-Yoga: The unitive discipline of the eight limbs, i.e. Raja-Yoga or Patanjali-Yoga.
5.Asparsha-Yoga: The unitive discipline of “’nonconductor”, which is the npndualist Yoga propounded by Gaundapada in his Mandukya-Karika; cf.Sparsha-Yoga.
6.Bhakti-Yoga: The unitive discipline of Love/devotion, as expounded, for instance, in the Bhagavad-Gita, the Bhagavata-Purana, and numerous other scriptures of Shaivism and Vaishnavism.
7.Buddhi-Yoga: The unitive discipline of the higher mind, first mentioned in the Bhagavad-Gita.
8.Dhyana-Yoga: The unitive discipline of meditation.
9.Ghatastha-Yoga: The unitive discipline of the “pot” (ghata), meaning the body; a synonym for Hatha-Yoga mentioned in the Gheranda-Samhita.
10.Guru-Yoga: The unitive discipline relative to one’s teacher.
11.Hatha-Yoga: The unitive discipline of the force (meaning the srpernt power or Kundalini-sakti), or forceful unitive discipline.
12.Hiranyagarbha-Yoga: The unitive discipline of Hiranyagarbha (Golden Germ) who is considered the original founder of the Yoga tradition.
13.Jaba-Yoga: The unitive discipline of mantra recitation.
14.Jnana-Yoga: The unitive discipline of discriminating wisdom, which is the approach of the Upanishad.
15.Karma-Yoga: The unitive discipline of self-transcendent action, as first explicitly taught in the Bhagavad-Gita.
16.Kaula-Yoga: The unitive discipline of the Kaula School, a Tantric Yoga.
17.Kriya-Yoga: The unitive discipline of ritual ; also the combined practice of asceticism (tapas), study (svadhyaya), and worship of the Lord (ishvara –pranidhana) mentioned in the Yoga-sutra of Patanjali.
18.Kundalini-Yoga: The unitive discipline of the serpent power (kundalini –sakti), which is fundamental to the Tantric tradition, including Hatha-Yoga.
19.Lambika-Yoga: The unitive discipline of the “hanger”, meaning the uvula, which is deliberately stimulated in this yogic approach to increase the flow of “nectat” (amrita) whose external aspect is saliva.
20.Laya-Yoga: The unitive discipline of absorption of dissolution of the elements prior to their natural dissolution at death.
21.Maha-Yoga: The great unitive discipline, a concept found in the Ypga-shikha-Upanishad where it refers to the combined practice of Mantra-Yoga, laya-Yoga, Hatha-Yoga, and Raja-Yoga.
22.Mantra-Yoga: The unitive disciplines of numinous sounds that help protect the mind, which has been a part of the Yoga tradition ever since Vedic times.
23.Nada-Yoga: The unitive discipline of the inner sound, a practices closely associated with original Hatha-Yoga.
24. Pancadashanga-Yoga: The unitive discipline of the fifteen limbs (panchadashaanga): 1. moral discipline (yama), 2. restraint (niyama), 3. renunciation (tyaga), 4. silence (mauna), 5. right place (desha), 6. right time (kala), 7. posture (asana), 8. root lock (mula-bandha), 9. bodily equilibrium (dshasamya), 10. stability of vision (dhrik-sthiti), 11. control of the life force (prana-samrodha), 12. sensory inhibition (pratyahara), 13. concentration (dharana), 14. meditation upon the self (atma-dhyana) and 14. ecstasy (Samadhi).
25.Pashupata-Yoga: The unitive discipline of the Pashupata sect, as expounded in some the Puranas.
26.Patanjali-Yoga: The unitive discipline of Patanjali, better known as Raja-Yoga or Yoga-Darshana.
27.Purna-Yoga: The unitive discipline of wholeness or integration, which is the name of Sri Aurobindo’s Yoga.
28.Raja-Yoga: The royal unitive discipline, also called Patanjali-Yoga, Ashtanga-Yoga, or Raja-Yoga.
29.Samadhi-Yoga: The unitive discipline of ecstasy.
30.Samkhya-Yoga: The unitive discipline of insight, which is the name of certain liberation teaching and schools refered to in the Mahabharata.
31.Samnyasa-Yoga: The unitive discipline of renunciation, which is constrasted against Karma-Yoga in the Bhagavat-Gita.
32.Samputa-Yoga: The unitive discipline of sexual congress (maithuna) in Tantra-Yoga.
33.Samrambha-Yoga: The unitive discipline of hatred, as mentioned in the Vishnu-Purana, which illustrates the profound yogic principle that one becomes what one constantly contemplates (even if charged with negative emotions)
34.Saptanga-Yoga: The unitive discipline of the seven limbs (sapta-anga), also known as Sapta-sadhana in the Cheranda-Samhita 1. Six purificatory practices (shat-karma), 2. Posture (asana), 3.seal (mudra), 4. Sensory inhibition (pratyahara), 5. Breathe control (pranayama), 6. Meditation (dhyana) and 7. Ecstasy (Samadhi).
35.Shadanga-Yoga: The unitive discipline of the six limbs (Shad-anga), as expounded in the Maitrayaniya-Upanishad: 1. breathe control (pranayama), 2. Sensory inhibition (pratyahara), 3. Meditation (dhyana), 4. Concentration (dharana), 5 examination (tarka) and ecstasy (Samadhi).
36.Siddha-Yoga: The unitive discipline of adepts, a concepts found in some of the Tantras.
37.Sparsha-Yoga: The unitive discipline of contact; a Vedantic Yoga mentioned in the Shiva-Purana, which combines mantra recitation with breath control; cf. Asparsha-Yoga.
38.Tantra-Yoga: The unitive discipline of the Tantras, a Kundalini-based Yoga.
39.Taraka-Yoga: The unitive discipline of the “deliverer” (taraka), a medieval Yoga based on light phenomena.
40.Yantra-Yoga: The unitive discipline of focusing the mind upon geometric representrations (yantra) of the cosmos.
According to the scriptures, Yoga is mainly classified in various systems of branches. They are:

•Jnana Yoga - Union by Knowledge
•Bhakthi Yoga - Union by Love and Devotion
•Karma Yoga - Union by Action and Service
•Raja Yoga - Union by Mental Mastery – the path of will
•Hatha Yoga - Union by Bodily Mastery (Principally of breath)
•Mantra Yoga - Union by Voice and Sound
•Yantra Yoga - Vision and Form
•Laya and Kundalini - Union by Arousal of Latent Psychic Yoga
•Tantric Yoga - A general form for the Physiological discipline. Also union by harnessing sexual energy.

Bow

2010-06-23T04:52:00.001-07:00

The bow works all parts of the back simultaneously, increasing strength and suppleness in the spine and the hips. While holding the pose, the arms are held taut, and this helps to stretch the beck, leg, arm, and shoulder muscles.

1. Lie on your front with your forehead on the floor. Bend your knees and reach your arms back until your hands can grip your ankles.
2. Inhale. Raise your head, chest, and legs and attempt to straighten your legs. Hold the pose for 10-30 seconds while breathing normally. Exhale as you release the pose. Repeat three times.

Spinal Twist

2010-06-23T04:48:00.000-07:00

Side-to-side mobility is usually the first type of flexibility to be lost as our bodies become older. This posture stretches the spine, helping it to regain this mobility . As the vertebrae are mobilized, the roots of the spinal nerves and the nervous system are toned and provided with an increased blood supply. Work both sides of the body equally to gain the full benefit of the exercise.

1. In preparation for the Spinal Twist, sit on your heels. Knees and feet should be together, and the chest faces forwards.

2. Gently shift your buttocks down to the floor on the left side of your legs. Keep your back straight and centered over the buttocks.
3. Bring your right knee in close to your chest, and gently lift it over your left leg; place the right foot flat on the floor by your left knee.

4. Keeping your body straight and upright, turn your body to the right and place your right hand flat on the floor. Raise your left arm and stretch it up above your head.

5. Twist your body to the right and look over your shoulder. Carry your left arm around your right knee, clasping your right ankle. Hold the pose for k30 seconds. Repeat on the other side.

Wheel

2010-06-23T04:44:00.001-07:00

The Wheel may look difficult, but it is worth working at slowly and systematically, as it can bring great strength and flexibility to the spine and back muscles.

1. Lies on your back, bend your knees, and put your feet flat on the floor, near your buttocks, hold your ankles.

2. Put your hands flat on the floor behind your shoulders with the fingers pointing towards your shoulder blades.

4. Lift your hips, arching your entire spine and dropping your head back. Only your hands and feet remain planted on the floor. Aim to hold this posture for 30 seconds.

Camel

2010-06-23T04:41:00.000-07:00

The Camel enables you to exercise all of your back muscles and extend your spinal column, by bending your back fully. It is very useful for increasing spinal and hip flexibility.

1. Begin the posture by sitting on your heels. Keep your knees close together and your calves parallel with each other.

2. Place your arms behind your body with both palms flat on the floor. Lean back so that your weight rests on your hands.

3. Drop your head backwards. Raise your hips and arch them forwards; walk your hands inwards to clasp your heels. Keep your back arched throughout.

Inclined Plance

2010-06-23T04:37:00.001-07:00

Immediately after a forward bend, counter-pose the movement by stretching the spine back the other way in the Inclined Plane Position. This pose also serves to strengthen the shoulders, arms, and wrists.

1. Sit on the floor with your legs straight, feet flexed, and your hands flat on the floor behind you. Allow your head to drop back.

2. Inhale as you raise your hips. Hold the position for about 10 seconds, keeping your knees straight. Exhale as you lower your hips and bottom to the floor.

Butterfly

2010-06-23T04:33:00.001-07:00

This sitting pose remedies poor posture by stretching and strengthening the muscles of the legs and the back. Start the pose by sitting up straight and looking ahead.

1. Bend your knees and draw the soles of your feet together.

2. Holding your feet with both hands, ease them in further towards your body. Gently bounce your knees to the floor.

3. As an advanced variation, bend your arms and use your elbows to push your knees gently towards the floor. Keep your back straight

Fish

2010-06-23T04:30:00.000-07:00

Tuck your arms close in under your body. Tilt your head back until the crown rests on
the floor. Inhale and arch your chest upwards.

Bridge

2010-06-23T04:18:00.001-07:00

The Bridge is a backward bend. Perform after the Plough to provide a complementary stretch of the thorasic and lumbar regions.

1. Starting from the Corpse Pose, bend your knees and place your feet flat on the floor.

2. Place your hands on your back with your fingers pointing towards your spine. Lift your hips high. Hold this pose for 30 seconds.

Plough

2010-06-23T04:14:00.000-07:00

The shoulder stand leads into the plough, a position in which your feet touch the floor behind your head to create a powerful forward bending of the spine. The plough increases overall flexibility, but it is particularly effective for relieving tension in the upper back and shoulders. As in the shoulder stand, the chin rests on the neck and massages the thyroid

1. Supporting your back, inhale deeply, and then exhale as you lower your legs.

2. When your feet touch the ground, lay your arms on the floor with the palms down. Hold for 30 seconds. Slowly roll out of the position.

Shoulders Stand Cycle

2010-06-23T04:08:00.001-07:00

Purpose:The shoulder stand cycle strengthen the muscles, improves spinal flexibility, and balances the thyroid gland. This gland, in the neck gives energy, equalizes the metabolism, controls body weight, removes poisons from the blood, and produces a radiant complexion.

This posture stretches your upper back muscles . Before starting, reach over your head to ensure that you have plenty of room behind you.

1. Lie on your back with your arms by your sides and your palms facing down. Make sure that your feet are together.

2. Keeping your back on the ground, inhale as you raise your legs to an angle of 90 from the floor.

3. Place your hands on your buttocks with the fingers pointing towards the spine. Exhale, and raise your body by walking your hands up your back until you rest on your shoulders.

4. Breathing normally, hold the pose for at least 30 seconds. To come down, exhale and drop your feet halfway to the floor behind you. Place your hands flat on the floor below your back, and then slowly unroll your body.

Neck Exercise

2010-06-23T04:05:00.001-07:00

Relax your neck muscles by combining these four exercise. Sit cross-legged and practice each set of neck exercises at least three times.

Yoga for headache management

2010-06-23T03:54:00.000-07:00

Headaches can be caused by eyestrain, indigestion, allergies, sinusitis, exhaustion or poor posture. Types of headaches vary according to the cause and so do the remedies. Migraines and cluster headaches can be helped with yoga, but you must have the supervision and approval of your doctor.sun salutation execise will help you manage headache...

The Sun Salutation is a 12-part warm-up exercise. It limbers up the body and mind in preparation for the ensuing yoga session. Each of the 12 positions brings a different vertebral movement to the spinal column and is tuned to the inhalation or exhalation of the breath, thereby instilling a feeling of balance and harmony. The positions follow on from one another, making this Salutation graceful to perform. Attempt to do at least six sequences at the start of every session.

PRAYER POSE
Stand up straight with you feet together and your arms by your sides. Take a deep breath, and then exhale while bringing your palms together at chest level.

ARCH BACK
Inhale and stretch your arms up over your head. Arch your back, so your hips come forwards, and stretch as far as is comfortable.

BEND OVER
Exhale as you stretch forwards and bend down into the third Sun Salutation position. Bring your hands down to the floor, and place them next to your feet, with the palms downwards. Your hips should be kept as high as possible. If necessary, bend your knees so you can touch the ground. Tuck your forehead in towards your knees.

LEG BACK
Inhale as you stretch your right leg back as far as possible and bend your right knee, lowering it to the floor. Stretch your head and look upwards. Your hands should stay in the same position throughout the movement.

PUSH UP POSE
Retain the breath. Bring your left foot back, next to your right foot. Keep your spine straight and do not let your head or hips drop.

LOWER CHEST TO THE FLOOR
Exhale, Lower your knees to the floor and your chest straight down between your hands, without rocking your body. Bring your forehead to the floor (a beginner may need to lower the chin instead).

ARCH YOUR CHEST
Inhale as you slide your body forwards and bring your hips down to the floor. Arch your chest towards and tilt your head back. Slightly bend your elbows into your body.

INVERTED 'V'
Exhale, tucking your toes under, and raising your hips to come into the inverted "V". Do not move your hands or feet as you come into position.

LUNGE FORWARDS
Inhale as you bring your right foot forwards and place it between your hands, dropping your left knee to the floor. Raise your head and look up to the ceiling.

FOREHEAD TO KNEES
Exhale as you bring your left foot forwards and place it next to your right foot, so that the tips of your fingers and toes form a straight line. Raise your hips and stretch them upwards, keeping your hands in the same position. If you cannot straighten your legs fully, allow your knees to remain slightly bent, but keep your hips up throughout. Bring your head down as far as possible and tuck it in as close to your knees as you can manage.

STRETCH BACK
Inhale and then stand up, stretching your arms over your head as you straighten your body. Stretch your arms back, arch your chest and hips, and keep your feet together.

RETURN TO START
Exhale and straighten up, lowering your arms to your sides. Now take a deep breath and prepare to begin another Sun Salutation sequence.

Factors considered

2010-06-14T00:26:00.000-07:00

You do not need special equipment to practice yoga.
Although you can buy foam yoga mats, a towel on a carpeted floor will do just as well.
For practicing indoors, you will need an open space, clear of furniture.
The room should be comfortable heated and free from disturbances.
Try to practice yoga every day.
At the same time, be gentle. Do not force yourself.
A yoga session should be a joy.
Set aside a time when you will not be disturbed and you will not have to rush. Morning practice helps loosen up stiff joints after sleep. Evening practice relieves the tensions of the day.
Whenever you practice yoga, avoid eating for at least two hours beforehand.
Many of our regular daily activities tend to emphasize the use of one part or side of the body. To achieve a healthy and harmonious balance, it is important to keep all parts of the body equally strong and flexible. Yoga exercises make each group of muscles work equally on the left and right sides of the body to achieve equilibrium.

Yogic Exercises for stretching

2010-06-14T00:12:00.000-07:00

Sunwheel stretch
This exercise really focuses on upper body stretches to open the chest and loosen the shoulders. The movements wake up the whole of the upper spine and dissolve tightness in the neck, shoulders and arms - this is particularly helpful if you spend a lot of time sitting at a desk or driving a car. These movements also create more space in the abdomen, so that your digestive system has room to function and your baby has room to grow.

Sit with knees a comfortable width apart and feet firmly planted on the floor. Tuck your coccyx under so that your pelvis is level - imagine that the pelvis is a bowl of water and you don't want to spill any of it. Stretch up through your spine from the base to the crown, with your neck long and shoulders relaxed and down. Breathe in deeply to open and lift the chest. Hold the lift as you breathe out, drawing your shoulder blades together with arms relaxed and then pushing the palms down toward the floor with fingers spread wide, to end with straight arms. Repeat, pushing down against imaginary resistance with each breath out and relaxing your hands as you breathe in.
Repeat, but this time start with your elbows bent and hands pointing up as you breathe in - this is so that you create a greater push downward as you breathe out. Make your movements graceful and rhythmical, rather like a seated dance.
Then, on each breath out, push strongly away from you to the sides, with your palms at shoulder level (the picture shows mid-push; you finish the push with straight arms). Engage the muscles around your spine and the back of your waist as you push. Relax as you breathe in. Repeat rhythmically.
On an out breath, stretch your palms to the sides with arms raised as high as you can, engaging your upper arms and muscles. Finally, repeat the arm movements in reverse order, moving down until your arms are beside you. Repeat the whole sequence several times.

Yoga:The Science of Breath

2010-06-14T00:02:00.000-07:00

B.K.S. Iyengar

We are all born as composites of nature (prakriti), the elemental aspect of our being; energy (vishva chaitanya shakti), commonly called prana, and absolute consciousness (prajna). Together, matter, energy and absolute consciousness create action and stability, motion and mobility, understanding and creativity.

The prime driving force of our existence is the vishva chaitanya shakti, a cosmic energy that exists in everything. It acts as a hidden force within us that simultaneously engulfs everything outside us. Ancient yogis understood the essence of prana, studied it and devised methods and practices to master it. These practices are called pranayama.

Pranayama' is a compound word comprising 'prana' and 'yama'. It also means maintenance of prana in a healthy state at all ages and in all circumstances.

Prana makes the body function, creating potency and power. It acts as a bridge connecting matter and consciousness, helping prajna to discover prakriti (nature) and chitta (soul). It uncovers the veil (ahamkara) between prakriti and purusha (man), so that matter (bhutas), energy and absolute awareness become one.

The prana latent in us helps absorb the cosmic energy through inhalation and release the drawn-in breath through exhalation. When the cosmic energy is inhaled in full, prana manifests as individual energy or vyaktika shakti. This individual energy is then released through exhalation to merge with the cosmic energy. Pranayama helps you regulate the rhythmic intake of vishva chaitanya shakti, its utilization, and the release of vyaktika shakti.

The building blocks of pranayama are inhalation (puraka), exhalation (rechaka), retention after inhalation (antara kumbhaka) and retention after exhalation (bahya kumbhaka). For the microcosm that is our body, puraka is the generative force, kumbhaka the sustaining force, and rechaka the destructive force that removes toxic substances. Physiologically, the practice of pranayama helps tone the cells, sinews, tendons, ligaments, and stimulates the heart muscles with proper circulation and ventilation. Psychologically, it takes consciousness to an optimum level of efficiency.

To practice pranayama, your senses have to build up passivity and receptivity so they can properly receive shakti in puraka and release it in rechaka. With time, the sadhak (seeker) becomes adept in the use of his senses. He uses the ears to control vibrations in puraka-rechaka. He feels with the skin the pleasant sensation of the breath's touch and learns to control the flow. The roof of his palate notices the coolness or hotness of breath and the sadhak uses this as a guide to regulate breathing. The nose receives and smells the fragrance of both vishva chaitanya shakti and vyaktika shakti.

The body is a temple whose door (dwara) is the nostril. The soul (antaryami) resides in the innermost chamber. Just as you have to travel from a temple's outer chambers through the inner chambers to reach the sanctum sanctorum, in the same way the breath has to penetrate the various sheaths (kosha) of the body to reach the antaryami. The outermost chamber of our body is the anatomical (annamaya kosha), represented by the element of earth (prithvi). Next is the physiological (pranamaya kosha), represented by the element of water (apa). Then comes the mental body (manomaya kosha), represented by the element of fire (tej). This is followed by the intellectual body (vijnanamaya kosha), represented by the element of air (vayu). Finally, you reach the conscious body (chittamaya kosha), represented by the element of ether (byom).

To reach the antarayami, you have to move from the elements (panchbhutas) and the external senses (bahya indriyas) to the conscience (antakarna), which is called the dharmendriya. When you open the gates of the dharmendriya—which, according to the Yoga Sutra is dharma megha samadhi—you reach the self.

Each inhalation (puraka) has to move from the outer to the inner, and each exhalation (rechaka) from the inner to the outer chambers. The breaths meet at the kumbhaka, where the universal merges with the individual in the sanctum sanctorum.

Before practicing pranayama, you should know that your respiratory organ contains different paths for breathing. Learn to trace these paths. As you use the intelligence of your sight to avoid accidents on a road, you must utilize the intelligence of your consciousness to breathe on specified avenues formed by nature.

In pranayama with open nostrils, the entry path for inhalation is the passage underneath the sinus bones or the cheekbones. The path for exhalation is the lower eyelid above the cheekbones. When you use fingers to modulate the breath flow, the inhalation touches the surface of the septum and exhalation touches the nostril's inner membranes.

While doing pranayama, the sadhak has to create mental dikes so that the breath does not gush in or out, but is allowed to slip in gradually through the windpipe, the trachea, the bronchial tubes and the cells of lungs. Inhalation is not just gasping in air but receiving air. Similarly, exhalation is not expelling but releasing the breath. You must remain passive. Even if there is slight force, it pricks like needles and the breath remains at the surface and does not reach the depth of the lungs.

When you retain the breath, you are helping the source of life to energize your cellular system. Through the vehicle of prana, the cosmic energy that is drawn in reaches the cells and draws out all toxic elements. The vitiated air must, therefore, be released consciously and carefully.

Eye Exercise

2010-06-13T23:50:00.000-07:00

Exercising the eyes releases any build-up of tension and aids relaxation. When practicing, keep your head still and move only your eyes.
Look Ahead
Stare at your thumb, then look into the distance.
Relax and repeat.
Move eyes
With wide, look from side to side 10 times, then up and down 10 times, and then diagonally 10 times.

Yoga for Children

2010-06-13T23:18:00.000-07:00

Believe it or not, Yoga is becoming a popular exercise choice for children. Evidence shows that it greatly benefits a child’s growth.

Physically, Yoga develops a child’s strength, stamina, flexibility and coordination. Yoga also relieves body stress and helps reduce the risk of getting injuries when doing physical sports. In general, Yoga develops a stronger and healthier body.

Although the physical Benefits are obvious, Yoga enhances a child’s personality as well. Beyond physical endurance, Yoga more importantly develops a child’s self-esteem, confidence, creativity, and imagination. Moreover, kids get to meet new friends when attending Yoga classes, further developing their social skills.

Several Yoga programs designed for kids have mushroomed all over the United States. Some schools have even begun integrating it in physical education classes. Yet, despite the diverse options, parents considering children’s Yoga may not know where to begin.

There are different kinds of Yoga programs designed for kids. They range from serious sessions to playful classes. It is important for the parents to find a class that their child will feel comfortable in. Yoga requires a child’s trust in order to let his defenses down. Shana Meyerson, founder of Mini Yogis Yoga Los Angeles, recommends that parents let their kids attend a trial session before enrolling them for a class. It is important for the teacher to be loving, gentle, nurturing, and to exercise a great rapport with the students. It is therefore advisable for the parents and the child to get to know the teacher first before deciding.

Yoga with school aged children balances quiet and active poses with game playing, singing, storytelling, drawing, simple breath meditations and rest. Children can easily follow the teacher’s instructions by learning the names of different body parts, their locations and function. As children learn the names of the postures and movements they develop a yoga vocabulary. They can use their yoga poses to play games, take on the qualities of different animals or use their imaginations to make up stories about animals on a farm, climbing a mountain or trekking through a jungle. They can each assume the role of leader and teach their classmates a yoga posture or breathing exercise. Their yoga improves very quickly.

Pre-teens and teens learn about anatomy and physiology in greater depth. We discuss how muscles and joints allow bones to move; how yoga and meditation affect digestion, immune and neurological functions and the nervous and glandular systems; how yoga and meditation can help them study for exams and cope with the stress and pressures of daily life. The classes are physically challenging and provide a complete workout for young bodies.

Yoga Therapy “empowers the soul to empower the body so that the child can grow with a feeling of wholeness” and reach her/his full potential. Early intervention enhances the healthy and natural development of infants and toddlers. However,it is never too late to reap the benefits of Yoga Therapy.

Yoga for Women

2010-06-13T22:30:00.000-07:00

Stress, hormonal changes, and self-development are among the reasons why Women should stay healthy. A Woman's capability to handle stress, whether emotional or physical, highly depends on her health. The hormonal changes associated with Menopause, Pregnancy and Menstruation can cause Women to suffer from Premenstrual Syndrome, Menstrual Cramps, headaches, and other symptoms. She also needs to stay healthy to be able to cope with Pregnancy and Menopause, together with the symptoms. Women have also been under the pressure to look good over the centuries. Nowadays, a large number of Women would do almost anything to be thinner.

Yoga, an ancient science, can help Women cope with health issues and help them develop the state of their body and mind. It can help alleviate the pain that goes with Menstruation, manage stress, and ensure an easier delivery among other benefits. Yoga poses are also designed to tone and exercise the muscles of the body to eliminate excess fat, and make it more flexible and stronger. The following are common health issues and changes that Women undergo and the Yoga poses that can help them through:

Meditation

What is Meditation?

To understand what true meditation is, consider a lake. When the surface of a lake is still you can see to the bottom clearly. When the surface is agitated by waves, this is impossible. The same is true of the mind. When it is still you may see and experience inner calm.

Meditation involves a subtle act of "letting go" - and it is not something that you can learn through sheer hard work . Some women benefit greatly from this kind of preparation , where as others can slip into meditative state comparatively easily without it .

When & where to Meditate?

If meditating inside, choose a warm space, free from noisy distractions and clutter. If outside, choose a place where you feel safe and relaxes, and there is little extraneous activity to disturb you. You can practice meditation at any time of day or night, but try to the get into a daily routine to make it easier to train your mind.

Comfortable Cross legged Position:

A comfortable sitting pose is very important if you are to meditate properly without distraction. Sit with your legs crossed and your spine erect. You should hold your shoulders straight, but relaxed. Children find this pose easy, but adults may need some assistance. Place a cushion under the buttocks to relieve any tension in the lower back.

Hand Positions:

The following positions are all suitable for meditation. Aim to hold your hands as comfortably as possible. This ensures that you remain relaxed while meditating . Resting your hands on your knees or in your lap also helps to hold the spine straight and shoulders erect.

Hands cupped - Place one hand on top of the other, palms upwards, and lay them in your lap.

Hands clasped - Clasp your hands gently by interlocking your fingers,. Lay your hands in your lap.

Chin Mudra - Use your thumb and first finger to form a circle. Rest your hands on your knees.

Regulate your Breath:

Breathing is a key element in meditation and concentration. Begin with 5 minutes of deep abdominal breathing, to provide your brain with plenty of oxygen. Then slow your breathing right down, keeping it rhythmical, inhaling for 3 seconds and then exhaling for 3 seconds.

If your mind Wanders:

At first you will find that your thoughts tend to jump about. Do not try to force your mind to be still, as this will set additional brain waves in motion, hindering your meditation. Allow it to wander, and then gently command it to become calm. Focus your energy and your attention inwards by concentrating on an uplifting mental image.

Yoga for Men

2010-06-13T21:54:00.000-07:00

Men are supposed to be strong and goal oriented and to identify physically and mentally with sports. But what many men discover is that the stereotype of a strong, independent male is very isolating and doesn't really work. They begin to look inward and begin to move toward relationships with themselves and with others.

Yoga is all about relationships between the body and the breath, the muscles and the skeletal structure, between your physical self and your emotions, your mind and your body, yourself and your community. It gives men permission to stop and listen to their inner voice. Since men are more into sports and other physical activities, practicing Asanas will help offset any physical irregularities that they may acquire from such tasks. Like in sports such as golf or tennis, there is a tendency that some muscles are used more than their respective symmetrical counterparts (i.e. right and left arms, legs, etc.) Asanas help by loosening tightness in the muscles, bringing the body back into its natural alignment.oga brings the body back into balance, into its natural alignment.

Yoga, with its full spectrum of poses-prone, supine, backward bending, forward bending-can teach someone where imbalances and physical weaknesses are and can help strengthen the body. Yoga can help enhance an athlete's performance in his sport by teaching how to breathe properly, how to relax and how to gain flexibility.