SECRETS OF YOGA EVERY DAY

Yoga makes life worth living: Ramdev

2008-06-25T04:27:00.000-07:00

Swami Ramdev recently explained the benefits of Yoga in an interview with Saaz Aur Awaaz Radio. He said that Yoga is a complete science in itself. It gives you physical or health benefits, takes care of your mental balance, helps reaching you to your inner peace.
It goes a long way in creating a balance in your family and professional life by increasing your productivity, and positivity. Yoga brings rhythm or discipline in personal, social as well as professional life. And it makes your life worth living!Yoga also has myriad spiritual benefits as it takes a person beyond his mind and body. Practice of Yoga makes a human being aware about himself. It is a path to self knowledge or what we understand as self realization.
"It is like this - if you eat sugar you will experience the sweetness and if you eat something bitter you will taste the bitterness in mouth. Similarly if you practice Yoga then you will reach your state of self knowledge," said Ramdev. In the preceding part of the interview, on being asked why he uses TV and radio media to spread the knowledge of Yoga, Swami replied, "You see my main reason for doing this is because I cannot see anyone's sorrow; I cannot bear to see tears in anyone's eyes. In spite of taking medication they still suffer.
It is just like if anyone is suffering from pain in your family you cannot bear it."He went on to describe how after taking Sanyaas, the world has become his family now. "So I wish to see every person in this world free from disease, pain and suffering. Yoga has the power to cure all kinds of diseased conditions and since God has made me an instrument to spread this wonderful knowledge I wish to see that every human being on this earth is free from suffering."
Talking about the difference between Indian and American Yoga forms, Swami Ramdev said," First of all I would say that there is nothing like my Yoga or someone else's Yoga. Yoga is a part of Indian tradition, it is an ancient wisdom taken from our scriptures.
We are only presenting it in various ways so that it reaches people."He explained that in the West Yoga is presented like a physical exercise. "I too accept that Yoga is done at physical level but it is a complete science in itself. It generally teaches 5 to 10 percent of meditation or Pranayam and 90 percent of physical exercises or Asanas."
That's why people were getting some relief with these physical asanas etc. but nobody got cured from Asthma or Arthritis or Hypertension or Diabetes with this western approach of Yoga. "So I have included 90 percent of Pranayam (breathing exercises) and meditation and 10% of Asanas (postures) in my teaching. So I see people being cured of these ailments when they come to my Yoga Camps.," Swami Ramdev ended the discourse
Source: Yoga News

Shilpa: Sexiest yoga guru

2008-06-16T06:33:00.000-07:00

Think of a yoga guru and images of a bearded, long-haired middle-aged sage clad in flowing robes comes to mind. Well, the stereotypical image of a yoga guru is about to change with Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty joining the spiritual league.

Yes, the gorgeous and svelte actress is all set to add a dash of sex appeal to this age-old science with the launch of her yoga video.

Titled ‘Shilpa’s Yoga’, the 60-minute video is shot at exotic Kerala locales and features the tinsel town beauty teaching some intense yoga moves (which she apparently learnt from Shiv Kumar Mishra). Ask her what’s so special about ‘her’ video and she says: “Sex appeal, what else? If I have glamour and I am good looking, I can’t change it. But jokes apart, the emphasis is on yoga and we’ve mentioned all dos and don’ts to be taken care of while practising.”

Here’s the sexy actress-turned-yoga instructor in a candid chat as she speaks about her fitness regime, yoga, Baba Ramdev and the size zero mania...

‘Look healthy and feel happy’
Before we talk about her video, we couldn’t help but ask her the secret of her hour-glass figure. “My idea of fitness is to stay fit outside and feel healthy inside. Sadly, in India, fitness is all about style statement; people flaunt that they are going to the gym and yoga classes, even when they aren’t doing anything.”

Shilpa went on to highlight the relevance of yoga in today’s life. “Yoga is a complete workout in itself, which helps my mind, body and soul. Moreover, there is no other form of exercise that targets these three areas together. For physical fitness, mental balance and a calm soul, this is the best option.”

“If you do yoga the right way and maintain a balanced diet, you will surely lose weight as during yoga, you sweat a lot. Trust me, you get addicted to it. So much so that if you stop it for sometime, you’ll get back to it soon,” she adds.

‘There is no competition with Baba Ramdev’
Having given all this gyan , Shilpa was more than excited to share the experience of shooting this video. “Initially I thought I am quite in shape and will easily learn yoga asanas but once I started doing them, I realised I am not fit at all. With practice I gradually learned the asanas and finally did each of them.”

Now, when the final product is out in the market, are there any intentions to give competition to yoga guru Baba Ramdev? “Oh come on, there is no competition. I am a great fan of Baba Ramdev. He is one person who single-handedly created so much awareness about yoga in India and abroad.”

‘Size zero is extremely unhealthy’
Talking about fitness, what’s her take on the ‘size zero’ mania? Surprisingly, the actress is strictly against it. “Many people say that I am original size zero but I never take this as a compliment. Size zero, to me, is something unhealthy and I am against anyone who wishes to achieve a ‘size zero’,” says Shilpa.

Stating herself to be a size 8, she adds, “Size zero is someone who is extremely thin and has a flat-chest. Mostly models strive for a figure like this, and in the endeavour they starve themselves. And those who say Kareena is a size zero are wrong; she is slim but not size zero.”

All said and done, Shilpa has once again proved that she is destiny’s favourite child. From popular Bollywood actress to reality show winner to being in the fitness business – will luck continue to favour Shilpa? After all who won’t like to have such sexy yoga guru!
Source: Health News

Yoga provides paths to self-knowledge

2008-05-28T03:36:00.000-07:00

I have always seen yoga as a way of life rather than just an exercise program. There are also many benefits from spiritual connections to dealing with stress. Yoga is considered one of the oldest forms of exercise, dating back more than 5,000 years.
There are four paths you can choose to follow in yoga practice. You can choose to do one or more. Yoga is about exploring new opportunities within your mind and body.
The first path is raja, which is the practice of physical and mental control. Raja yoga is considered to be the complete yoga practice. The first part of it is the practice of meditation, which teaches you self-awareness, concentration and breathing. The physical side is when yoga poses are performed through the movement of the breath. This path is an example of the mind body connection.
The second path of action is karma yoga. Karma yoga is about taking the yoga practice off of the mat and practicing the principles in everyday life, such as giving to and helping people without the expectation of receiving something back. The focus is on the cause and effect of our actions on individuals. A true karma yogi like myself takes their yoga practice within their hearts and expresses their love to others.
The third path is the path of devotion, called bhakti. This path involves opening your heart to a divine power through prayer, worship and ritual. It also involves living your life through a divine power belief system.
The final path is jnana yoga, the path of knowledge. This path is considered the most difficult path to follow because it integrates the lessons of all four paths to help people find the meaning of life within ourselves by meditation, questioning and contemplating experiences. The student uses their mind and body to explore the spiritual self and its connection to the world.
The path the student will take in their yoga practice will depend on what the student wants from their yoga practice. For example, some might want increased flexibility, a spiritual connection or want to practice compassion in their life.
To quote Robert Frost:
"Two roads diverged in a wood, and I,
"I took the one less traveled by.
"And that has made all the difference."
- "The Road Not Taken"
Yoga is about seeing where life, filled with many exciting adventures to learn from, will take you. Carrie Barrepski, a native of Livonia, Mich., lives in Western Massachusetts. You can learn more about Carrie at her Web site, www.carriewrites.net She can be reached at cbarrepski@carriewrites.net
Soruce: News

Wii offers up well-rounded fitness, fun for families

2008-05-26T08:39:00.000-07:00

The Nintendo Wii has already done what video game naysayers said couldn't be done -- get children and adults off the couch with active games such as Wii Sports. The innovative Wii Fit takes it a step farther by creating a virtual gym in your living room that helps families incorporate fitness, as well as the escapist fun of video games, into their daily routine.
The Wii Fit offers more than 40 activities including yoga, aerobics, strength training and balance exercises. Up to eight family members can track their weight, Body Mass Index (BMI) and center of balance, setting goals for weight loss.
Key to the Wii Fit's success is the Balance Board, an advanced peripheral that can measure a person's weight and sense movement and balance. Setting up the board to work with the Wii only requires the push of a button.
The Wii Fit is surprisingly accurate. I had the same tests done at a gym recently, and the weight measured by the Wii was only a pound off. The Wii Fit's reading of my BMI, a measurement based on height and weight, was the same as the gym's reading.
Once you've created a profile and set your personal goals, which can be password protected if you're a little sensitive about anyone else seeing your stats, you choose either a male or female personal trainer to guide you through the exercises. The personal trainer demonstrates each exercise before you start, and then talks you through it while your perform the exercise.
As far as graphics go, your personal trainer is just a simple 3D model that effectively illustrates the exercise. There's nothing fancy when it comes to visuals for Wii Fit, although the environments for the running exercises are pretty. The game uses standard Mii characters in basic, yet colorful surroundings. The music used for the exercises, akin to elevator tunes, might make you want to turn down the volume.
When you begin working on the exercises, only a few will be available to you -- one of the big negatives of the game. I'm not sure what Nintendo's rationale was on this. Did they want gamers to start off slow and work their way up to the tougher exercises? If that's the case, they are assuming that most Wii Fit players have a low fitness level and alienating gamers who are relatively fit. What's the harm in having all the exercises available from the get-go?
I found the yoga exercises to be the most challenging, maybe because I've never done yoga. The poses include the half-moon, cobra, spinal twist, warrior and sun salutation. For aerobics, the hula hoop exercise along with the running got my heart pumping. For running, you use the Wii Remote instead of the Balance Board. It measures how fast you are running in place by the bouncing movement of the remote. I was skeptical at first, but found myself out of breath after completing a race. The step aerobics, on the other hand, was way too slow and boring to have any value.
Some of the strength training exercises available include single leg extension, sideways leg lift, lunge, side plank, push up and rowing squat. All use your own body weight and are surprisingly effective. The balance games are just plain fun and include ski slalom, ski jump, tightrope walk and soccer heading. Completing exercises will earn you Fit credits that unlock additional exercises and activities.
Another odd decision by the developers is that you can't set up your own fitness program. Instead you have to go into the menu, pick one exercise, perform it and then go back to the main menu to pick another exercise. It's a waste of time. Nintendo would have served gamers better by giving them an option to choose a group of exercises and then queing them up in succession. An estimate of calories burned during a session would have been a nice addition as well.
It is possible to cheat on the exercises, but really you'd only be cheating yourself (cue the after-school special music). Old-school gamers will remember the Nintendo Power Pad circa 1988. It was played with World Class Track Meet and the idea was to get kids running in place. Instead of running, ingenious children realized they'd get the same effect -- if not better -- by slapping the pressure points with their hands while sitting on the floor. I must confess I was guilty of this. With Wii Fit while running, you can just bounce the Wii Remote with your hand to keep your Mii moving; you can also neglect the upper body movements in other exercises to keep your balance. But it defeats the purpose of the game.
Minus the few negatives, the Wii Fit does an excellent job of getting families, especially ones with younger children, focused on the benefits of exercise. It also further casts a net over nontraditional gamers, like women and older players, who won't feel intimidated by either the fitness or gaming aspects. In its attempt to reach everybody, however, it might not be as effective for those with higher fitness levels, but still offers some challenging, sweat-inducing exercises.

source:http://www.miamiherald.com

Yoga class helps cab driver relax

2008-04-29T03:00:00.000-07:00

Andrew Vollo knows what a 12-hour shift behind the wheel of a taxi can do to a guy's back. "I started driving a cab when I was working my way through Queens College," the 54-year-old says. "I drove a taxi for 15 years, and I had a lot of pain."

He started studying Tai Chi, Yoga, Nei Kung and Feldenkrais, he says, "And I also learned how to breathe properly. My pain started going away. I felt terrific. I said to myself, ‘Let me incorporate all these disciplines, and design something for the guys.'"

Now, he's offering a "Taxi Yoga" class at LaGuardia College, where he's also director of the NYC Taxi and FHV Driver Institute.

Gabreil Albarati attended Vollo's Taxi Yoga class April 12. "It was like magic, really, it was that good," the 45-year-old Yemen native said.

"I could see Gabreil was in pain when he walked in the door," Vollo said. "I could see it in his face."

"The yoga that we did, it helped," Albarati continued. "It is a good thing to go. I don't always have the time. I've driven a cab for almost two years. Most people haven't heard of yoga in Yemen."

"The class was really good," attendee Paramvir Kakania said. "I'm a young guy, 22, but I got back pain. I drive cabs on the weekends. I would go again to the class, I just have to make time. It calms you down."

"The first thing I ask the class is, ‘What are you doing in your car?' " Vollo said. "If you're sitting on your wallet, first of all, you've got a problem. You've also got to support the lumbar section of your back. Then I talk about breathing, how important it is to breathe properly. You've got to breathe from the belly. Just with those few things, it's gonna change how a driver feels in the car."

Cristian Zamfir said, "I'm getting my taxi license right now, and I never did any yoga before. I did hard sports and the gym because I was in the navy until two years ago. This helped me out a lot. I say, ‘Okay, this move is doing something!' Now I am doing some exercise at home."

"I still drive a yellow cab, by the way, on Sundays," Vollo said. "I have to keep a hack license to do this job, and it supplements my income. So when I'm out there on Sunday, you'll see me at Battery Park City doing my exercises on my break. I don't believe in ‘You're getting old' and this and that."

Resource: Yoga News

Breast Cancer Findings Implicate Alcohol; Vaccine Shows Promise

2008-04-15T01:15:00.000-07:00

Even small amounts of alcohol may raise the risk of breast cancer, a new study finds. Women who had less than one drink per day were found to have a 7 percent increased risk of breast cancer compared with those who didn't drink. Those who drank one to two drinks had a 32 percent greater risk; those who drank three or more drinks had up to a 51 percent increased risk. A woman's risk was similar whether she drank beer, wine, or spirits, researchers reported. A second study looked into possible biological mechanisms that may account for a link between alcohol consumption and breast cancer and found that two genes--ADH1B and ADH1C--were linked with a doubling of breast cancer risk. The findings are interesting, but it's "too early for use in a clinical setting or to advance a public health message," Peter Shields, co-author of the genetics study and deputy director of the Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, told HealthDay.
A separate study found that a breast cancer vaccine significantly reduced the risk of recurrence for patients who have a high expression of the protein HER2-neu, which represents about a quarter of all cases and tends to be deadlier than other types of breast cancer. The vaccine prevented mortality in breast cancer patients with low or intermediate expression of HER2-neu. "We now have something we think works in the majority of women with breast cancer who are currently underserved," senior author George Peoples told HealthDay. "It's also very, very well -tolerated, like a flu shot." Still, the findings are preliminary, and it's not a sure thing that the vaccine will reach the market.
Cereal Recalled Over Salmonella Contamination
At least 23 people in 14 states have been diagnosed with salmonellosis, caused by salmonella bacteria found in Malt-O-Meal's recently recalled unsweetened Puffed Rice and Puffed Wheat Cereals, according to the Food and Drug Administration. Malt-O-Meal voluntarily recalled these products in early April after routine testing found salmonella in a product produced in March.
Salmonellosis symptoms include nausea, vomiting, fever, diarrhea, and abdominal cramps. The bacterial illness can be serious or even fatal in young children, the frail or elderly, and those with weakened immune systems. Anyone who has eaten any of these products and experienced symptoms should contact his or her doctor immediately. Malt-O-Meal's website has a full list of recalled products.
Obesity and Heart Transplant Success
Being obese doesn't seem to affect how well patients do after a heart transplant, researchers found in a new study. The study of 430 patients who had heart transplants at Temple University Hospital in Philadelphia found no major differences in survival rates among lean, moderately, and extremely obese transplant recipients, WebMD reports. "Our results show BMI [body mass index] was not an independent risk factor for mortality in this study, and no level of BMI led to significantly worse survival," study author Abul Kashem told WebMD. "Obesity should not be a contraindication to transplantation."

Fruit Drinks or False Health Beverages?
Ask any nutritionist for some tips on a healthful diet, and the first or second thing out of her mouth will probably be, "Eat more fruits and vegetables." Beverage manufacturers know that, to consumers, fruit connotes health, which is why there are shelves and shelves of fruity drinks in your grocery store, deli, and even gym, Katherine Hobson reports. But as Consumer Reports writes in its May issue, the word fruit can be awfully misleading. The magazine goes through what you're likely to see on the label of fruit drinks, and some of it may be surprising: A fruit "cocktail" drink, for example, might contain as little as 5 percent juice (with the other 95 percent from water, added flavorings, and sweeteners).

Worried about your fruit juice consumption? Hobson explores an alternative to drinking fruit juice in the On Fitness blog.

Source: Health News

Cancer rates decrease for some groups

2008-04-12T05:04:00.000-07:00

WHEN I was in my 20s, conversations with friends often focused on relationships and career; in my 30s, more often than not we talked about children. Now I'm in my 40s, and the topic of cancer seems to be creeping into our discussions with surprising frequency.

"When I was younger, I don't remember so many people being diagnosed with cancer," says Lisa Gross, whom I've known since my children were young. "Now it seems that every other day, you hear about someone getting it."

Some of my friends worry that cancer is more common than it used to be -- that we are experiencing a cancer epidemic of sorts. It's easy to understand why they feel this way, with cases of cancer cropping up all around them and affecting people they know. But the statistics suggest otherwise.

The Annual Report to the Nation on the Status of Cancer, released in October, found that cancer incidence rates (or the rates at which new cancers are diagnosed based on the size of the population) have stabilized and, for many of the most common forms of cancer, are actually dropping. "It's a pretty favorable picture right now," says David Espey, a cancer epidemiologist with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Among men, incidence rates for lung cancer (the leading cause of cancer death in men) decreased by 1.8% a year from 2001 to 2004, and rates for colorectal cancer fell by more than 2% annually. Perhaps most impressive were the changes in the incidence of breast cancer, the second-leading cause of cancer death in women, behind lung cancer. Those rates for women dropped by 3.5% a year during this period.

Cancer experts can't pinpoint exactly what is responsible for these encouraging trends, but they have a pretty good idea of what may be influencing some of them. The decrease in lung cancer cases is clearly related to the fact that fewer people are smoking than in the past. Less smoking means less risk.

The recent decline in breast cancer cases may also be tied to a widespread reduction in risk. "The biggest driver is probably the decreased use of hormone replacement therapy in post-menopausal women," says Espey. In 2002, the Women's Health Initiative found that the long-term use of replacement therapy increased a woman's risk of breast cancer. Since the study's release, the use of the therapy has fallen substantially.

For other types of cancers, screening appears to have had an effect. Though tests for cancer are generally used to detect malignancies in their earliest stages, some can actually help avert their development. Sigmoidoscopy and colonoscopy, for example, detect polyps in the colon that can go on to become cancerous. Removing these cancer precursors during routine screenings greatly diminishes the possibility of developing cancer.

Pap smears protect against cervical cancer in a similar way. These screening tests identify pre-malignant abnormalities which, when detected and treated early, nearly eliminate the risk of cancer.

In spite of the largely encouraging cancer trends, the news isn't all good. Cancers of the thyroid, bladder and kidney as well as certain forms of leukemia and lymphoma are on the rise in women; among men, cancers of the liver, kidney and esophagus are increasing. In some cases, little is known about the cause for these upswings; in others, it is less mysterious. With liver cancer, alcohol abuse and hepatitis C infection play a role; improved diagnostic tests are probably partially responsible for the uptick in thyroid cancer, because they detect cases that in the past would not have been found.

Though overall cancer rates are falling in the U.S., the absolute number of cases of cancer is expected to rise. "We are an aging and growing population," says Brenda Edwards, associate director of the National Cancer Institute's cancer surveillance program. "There are simply more people at greater risk for developing disease."

I understand people's concerns about cancer. Several of my friends have been diagnosed with cancer in the last year or two, and sometimes I can't help but wonder if I'll be next. (A recent bout of hip pain had me convinced I had a bony tumor until my husband pointed out that the pain went away with rest -- an unlikely scenario if I had cancer.)

To curb my own worry, I force myself to step back and look at the issue more critically. I focus on the trends and the probabilities. I also remind myself that I am not as powerless against cancer as I may sometimes feel. I can take steps to dramatically reduce my risk of developing the disease, such as maintaining a healthy weight, eating right and getting screening tests. There is nothing, however, that I can do to slow the march of time. The fact remains: More than three-quarters of all cancers are diagnosed in people 55 and older. Though I haven't reached my 50s yet, I'm getting close. And, like it or not, cancer is likely to come up more frequently in conversation.

"And I thought wrinkles were going to be the worst part about getting old," says Gross.

Dr. Valerie Ulene is a board-certified specialist in preventive medicine practicing in Los Angeles. She can be reached at themd@att.net. The M.D. appears monthly.

resource:http://www.latimes.com/features/health/la-he-themd14apr14,1,5804101.story

Yoga gives over 50s new lease of life

2008-04-10T02:32:00.000-07:00

WHILE many people approaching their 50s look forward to putting their feet up, a group in Radcliffe is proving that age is no barrier to keeping fit.
Radcliffe and District over 50s yoga group is proving so popular that a new weekly class has started. Radcliffe Times reporter Gaynor Clarke went along to find out more.
SINCE it was taken up by Hollywood celebrities as the in vogue exercise, yoga has been seen as something done by lithe and slender people like Madonna and Gwyneth Paltrow.
Ordinary people soon followed in their footsteps though, and there are now millions of yoga devotees across the world.
But what many people don't know is that yoga is an exercise which can be done regardless of whether you can put your legs behind your head.
And a group in Radcliffe are proving that age won't stop them trying out the wide range of different postures.
Radcliffe and District over 50s yoga group was originally set up by Age Concern to give older people a way to keep fit. Instructor Olivia Rigby took over the class four years ago and it has been going from strength to strength ever since.
The group has around 35 members, though they do not all attend every Thursday. The weekly classes, held at Bridge Methodist Church, in Milltown Street, are so popular that Olivia has recently started a second class on Monday afternoons to cater for the demand.
And despite their increasing years and ageing bodies, members of the yoga group are determined to remain supple. The members, both men and women, are continuing to enjoy the benefits of yoga well into their 70s and 80s.
Olivia said: "As people get older, they stop doing yoga because they don't feel that they can do it to the same extent. But it does improve their flexibility and mobility. Some people do things they couldn't even do as a child. It shows them that they have a whole body, and even if they have a bad hip or a bad knee, it doesn't stop them doing everything. It's very good for all-round health.
"Yoga also helps to keep people young. They get a sparkle in their eyes and are willing to try new things. This makes sure that they don't get stuck in a rut."
The group focus on hatha yoga, which uses traditional postures held in place. It was first introduced in the 15th century and includes postures, breathing control, and meditation. Olivia incorporates other forms of yoga into the classes, using more movement than those usually used in hatha yoga. Among the postures used by the group are the triangle, warrior, cobra, and dog.
Although yoga is an exercise, Olivia is very careful to make sure that members of the group do not injure themselves. She gives advice to each person on the postures that they can do and helps to adapt them, depending on their current health. The classes also include information about diet and nutrition to help people keep fit.
Yoga is known for its benefits to both physical and mental health, but members of the class find that it is more than just the actual exercises which help them. The sessions allow them to meet new people, make friends, and discuss issues with people of the same age. Many of the regular members have become good friends and now socialise outside the classes.
Olivia said: "They are really good fun and very welcoming. They support each other. People may find themselves with a health problem which someone else has experienced, so they often give each other advice."
Among the people enjoying the yoga classes is 59-year-old Alan Howard, from Bury, who has been doing yoga for 15 years. He said: "I noticed how stiff I was before I started doing yoga. I feel a lot better now though. Yoga was able to pull me through."
Another member, Eileen Craig (63), from Whitefield, said: "It's a really comfortable, friendly environment. Yoga is harder to do when you're older but it can still be done, and this class is geared to the over 50s. It's an enjoyable form of exercise."
Jeanette Moran (60), of Radcliffe, said: "It keeps me fit and supple. My age doesn't make a difference - I still enjoy it."
Eileen Lomax (62), from Little Lever, said: "I have been doing the class for 18 months. It is gentle exercise and you can do as much as you like. You're not pushed into hard exercise. The people here are good company and it's a good environment."
The upsurge in interest in the group has led to them receiving a grant worth £1,020 from Radcliffe Local Area Partnership, to pay for yoga mats, blocks and other equipment. Some members do bring their own items, but providing them allows people to use public transport without carrying their equipment.
And to make the yoga classes even more accessible to people, the group plans to apply for funding to cover costs, such as hiring the room. Members currently pay £5 per session, but if they receive a grant, this could be reduced or made free of charge.
But the group are still determined to attract more members and improve the health of people over 50-years-old who are living in the area.
They plan to hold a series of open days to promote the yoga classes. The first event will be held from noon to 3pm today at Bridge Methodist Church, and includes a lecture and meal share.
Olivia said: "Yoga can make a real difference to people's lives. It can be adapted to meet individual health problems and absolute beginners can have a go, regardless of how old they are. It's a great form of exercise."
http://www.thisislancashire.co.uk/news/headlines/display.var.2179641.0.yoga_gives_over_50s_new_lease_of_life.php

Lack of Sleep May Expose Infants to Obesity

2008-04-08T04:44:00.000-07:00

Mothers should be very careful at the amount of sleep their newborn babies are getting, according to a new study published Monday, which found that infants who sleep an average of less than 12 hours per day may have an increased risk of being overweight in early childhood.

Researchers at Harvard Medical School recorded the sleep habits of 915 children at ages 6 months, 1 year and 2 years, using questionnaires and in-person interviews. At each visit, they recorded the infants’ length and weight and had parents report on the number of hours their children watched television or videos.

The study concluded that the more sleep infants got, the less likely they were to be overweight at age 3. Babies who slept for less than 12 hours a day were twice as likely to be overweight compared with children who slept more. Those who slept less than 12 hours per day and watched 2 hours or more of TV per day were 6 times more likely to be overweight.

According to the study, more than a third of children aged under four have a TV in their bedroom and experts have warned that a quarter of youngsters will be clinically obese by 2050 unless action is taken.

“Mounting research suggests that decreased sleep time may be more hazardous to our health than we imagined. We are now learning that those hazardous effects are true even for young infants,” Dr. Elsie Taveras, assistant professor in Harvard Medical School’s Department of Ambulatory Care and Prevention and lead author of the study said, according to BBC News.

“Getting enough sleep is becoming more and more difficult with TV, internet and video games in the rooms where children sleep. Our findings suggest that parents may wish to employ proven sleep hygiene techniques, such as removing TVs from bedrooms, to improve sleep quality and perhaps sleep duration,” Dr. Taveras added.

The study – the first to report an association between infant sleep time and children’s being overweight - was published in the Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine.
Source:http://www.efluxmedia.com/news_Lack_of_Sleep_May_Expose_Infants_to_Obesity_16084.html

Yoga-wear icon brews up new top executive

2008-04-03T03:24:00.000-07:00

Dana Flavelle
Business Reporter

The products are pricey, the number of stores is exploding and the corporate culture is, well, different. Among other things, customers are called "guests."

Iconic yoga-wear maker Lululemon Athletica sounds a lot like another global brand back in its infancy – Starbucks Corp.

Perhaps, that's why the hip young Vancouver-based firm dipped into the now mature coffee retailer's gene pool to find a new chief executive officer as the chain embarks on an aggressive expansion plan.

Christine Day, who was with Starbucks for 20 years, most recently as president of Asia Pacific, will take over from CEO Robert Meers, who is retiring on June 30, the company announced yesterday.

The parallels were not lost on her.

"It's another premium brand with an exceptional product and a tremendous culture," Day told analysts during a conference call.

"I feel quite at home."

The move, widely expected after Day joined Lululemon in January, comes as the company reported higher than expected profit and soaring sales for the fourth quarter and year-end.

The company defied both widespread weakness in the United States retail market and allegations last fall that the retailer had been made making false claims about the health benefits of wearing its seaweed-infused VitaSea clothing.

Lululemon Athletica also plans to close its four stores in Japan to focus on North America and also more promising markets in Australia and Europe, the company announced yesterday.

Japanese culture hasn't yet embraced the idea of wearing yoga pants to the office as well as the gym, the company noted. The stores account for just 1.5 per cent of sales, the company said.

For 2008, the company, which reports in U.S. currency, said it expects to earn 70 to 72 cents a share on sales of $370 million to $375 million as it opens 35 more stores in North America, develops an e-commerce site and generates sales growth in the low double digits from existing stores.

The company says it is also expanding, with new lines including swimming and cycling, and in the total market by stealing share from other athletic "mega" brands.

"There is a global trend toward healthier living, exercise and stress reduction," Meers said. "Candidly, it plays as well in a recessionary market as well as an affluent market."

The company said it plans to hire more seasoned executives in all facets of the business, from product design to merchandising, logistics and sourcing.

However, company founder Chip Wilson, who is chair and chief product designer, will remain intimately involved with the company's operations, from the look of its stores to innovations in technical fabrics, Meers said. "He is the heart and soul of the company."

Wilson, a competitive swimmer and entrepreneur, built the brand by word of mouth, a strategy the company still follows, relying on local fitness instructors to evangelize on its behalf, and fun in-store events.

For the holiday quarter last year, sales more than doubled to $105 million, while profit grew to a better than expected $14.6 million, or 21 cents a share, versus 1 cent a year earlier, the company said.

Growth came from opening 10 more stores and also 41 per cent higher sales at existing stores, the company said.

Excluding the impact of a higher Canadian dollar, same-store sales rose 24 per cent.

For the year, sales rose 84 per cent to $274.7 million, while profit grew to $30.8 million, or 45 cents a share, from 11 cents a year earlier.

Sales from existing stores, excluding the dollar impact, grew 24 per cent.

The company ended the year with 27 more stores in North America for a total of 81 stores worldwide.

Shares in the company fell 75 cents (Canadian) to close at $31.35 on the Toronto Stock Exchange yesterday and $30.80 (U.S.) on the Nasdaq Stock Market.

The stock, which went public at $18 (U.S.) a share last July, peaked briefly last October at $60.70 a share.

Day, who has a degree from Harvard Business School, said she does yoga and Pilates, and is a runner.

Source:http://www.thestar.com/Business/article/409405

Study: Six more diabetes genes

2008-03-30T23:18:00.000-07:00

By Michael Kahn
LONDON (Reuters) - U.S. and European scientists have found six more genes that make people more susceptible to developing type 2 diabetes, in a study they say may help prevent and treat the chronic condition.
The finding extends the total number of genes linked to the disease to 16 and provides clues to how the biological mechanisms that control blood sugar levels go awry when people get type 2 diabetes, the researchers said.
"None of the genes we have found was previously on the radar screen of diabetes researchers," said Mark McCarthy, a diabetes researcher at the University of Oxford, who co-led the study.
"Each of these genes therefore provides new clues to the processes that go wrong when diabetes develops, and each provides an opportunity for the generation of new approaches for treating or preventing this condition."
A diabetic's blood glucose levels tend to rise too high. Too much glucose in the blood can damage the eyes, kidneys and nerves, and lead to heart disease, stroke and limb amputations.
Type 2 diabetes accounts for about 90 percent of all diabetes cases and is closely linked to obesity and physical inactivity. The World Health Organisation estimates that more than 180 million people worldwide have diabetes -- a number likely to more than double by 2030.
In the study published in Nature Genetics, researchers from over 40 centers analyzed the genetic data of more than 70,000 people. The team turned up six genetic differences that each individually slightly raise a person's risk of diabetes.
But the risk for the few people unlucky enough to inherit all six variations is two to three times higher than the average risk, McCarthy said in a telephone interview.
"By getting a handle on the mechanisms involved in disease we can start to tackle them in a more systemic and scientific way," he said.
One of the surprising finds was the link between type 2 diabetes and a gene called JAZF1, which researchers recently showed plays a role in prostate cancer, the researcher added.
The researchers believe the genes -- which also include the CDC123-CAMK1D, TSPAN8-LGR5, THADA, ADAMTS9 and NOTCH2 genes -- are involved in regulating the number of insulin-producing cells in the pancreas, McCarthy said.
http://www.reuters.com/article/scienceNews/idUSL2889400920080330?pageNumber=2&virtualBrandChannel=0

Trantric Yoga can Make life Easy

2008-02-10T23:24:00.000-08:00

Today’s world is getting change according to the fast going life, people are trying to set their homes at another planet and doing so many new research which are not seen by any people in their dreams. These dreams are being true by healthy mind and body and this health can be getting only by good yoga practices. This is the main reason to make 435,000,000 of yoga followers (270 million of Indians, 60 million of south and North Americans, 50 millions of Europeans, 50 million of Asiatic and Australians not Indian and 5 millions of Africans) in this world. Today yoga is not coming under any religious community. Yoga is an Art and any religion cannot treat art differently.

Today yoga is very effective in improving immunity system and you can prevent yourself from different kind of diseases. If you will talk about social life then tantric yoga practices can improve relation of husband and wife. The Hindu tantras were written after the Puranas, in the medieval period, and are usually set in the form of a dialogue between the god Shiva and his consort Parvati, in which he explains to her the philosophy and myths underlying the Tantric ritual. This ritual involves reversals of normal Hindu social practices (for instance, incestuous sexual acts) and reversals of normal physiological processes (for instance, the drawing up of the semen out of the woman and into the body of the man). It also reverses the orthodox Hindu “five products of the cow,” or panchagavya (milk, butter, curds, urine, and feces) used for purification; in Tantra, these become the “five m's”: maithuna (“intercourse”), matsya (“fish”), mansa (“flesh”), mudra (“parched grain”), and mada (“wine”). Tantric adepts learn, from a guru, how to raise their psychosexual energy—the curled serpent power (Kundalini) that lies at the base of the spine—through successive focal points (chakras), until it reaches the highest chakra, at the top of the skull, and the adept experiences, within, the union of the god and the goddess. This process (sadhana) begins with a systematic visualization of the deity, limb by limb, who materializes with visual diagrams (yantras) and with magic incantations (mantras).

Mordern yoga is changing life and health of every body.

2008-02-08T01:59:00.000-08:00

Yoga means to a system of exercises practiced as part of the Hindu discipline to promote control over the body and mind. Today yoga is giving new direction to our youths. Who are base of our country to get future progress. In yoga classes, Yoga Gurus offer different courses of physical and mental disciplines for attaining liberation from the material world. Yoga is to be nourishing your body and mind effectively. Regular yoga can make your immune system strong and prevent different kind of infection.

In old age, yoga was not for all people. Yoga practices were treating as the toughest practice for human kind and only yogis were doing this. For doing yoga or meditation, they went at hills or some typical places, where they did practice several years and get good health and mind control. Gautam Buddha, Mahavir Digambar Jain and several others are the example of this kind of activities.

In modern age, every one would like to get good health but it is not possible to go at hills or Jungles. Today yogis are coming out of those places to give good education of yoga. Yoga Gurus make it too easy to learn with daily activities just giving 1 or 2 hours. Today we get on the television set or computer to see yoga guru’s videos and do yoga with them. These yoga’s videos are too popular as yoga courses and classes. With these practices, we can get good health along with bearing social responsibilities. Yoga gives us healthy connectivity between body and mind to make good decisions for his/her family or society. Yoga can be effective only with those persons who do these practices daily. Time and punctuality have a great value in this yoga practice.

If you are facing headache problem, allergy problems, skin problem or digestion then you should do yoga daily with punctuality and at time. A tremendous improvement will be seen your life.

51 Special Instructions to be healthy like Yogi

2008-02-05T21:42:00.000-08:00

“The illusory Samsaric Vasana that has arisen through the practice of many lives, never perishes except through the practice of Yoga for a long time. It is not possible on the part of one to control the mind by sitting up again and again except through the approved means” (Muktikopanishad).

“How could Jnana, capable of giving Moksha, arise certainly without Yoga? And even Yoga becomes powerless in securing Moksha when it is devoid of Jnana. So the aspirant after emancipation should practise (firmly) both Yoga and Jnana” (Yogatattva Upanishad). “Tatah kshiyate prakasavaranam—Thence the covering of the light is destroyed” (Yoga Sutras—II-52). Tamas and Rajas constitute the covering or veil. This veil is removed by the practice of Pranayama. After the veil is removed, the real nature of the soul is realised. The Chitta is by itself made up of the Sattvic particles, but it is enveloped by Rajas and Tamas, just as the fire is enveloped by smoke. There is no purificatory action greater than Pranayama. Pranayama gives purity and the light of knowledge shines. The Karma of the Yogi, which covers up the discriminative knowledge is destroyed as he practises Pranayama. By the magic panorama of desire, the essence, which is luminous by nature is covered up and the Jiva or individual soul is directed towards vice. This Karma of the Yogi which covers up the Light and binds him to repeated births, becomes attenuated by the practice of Pranayama every moment and is destroyed eventually. The afflictions and sins constitute the cover according to Vachaspati.

Manu says: “Let the defects be burnt up by Pranayama.” Vishnu Purana speaks of Pranayama as an accessory to Yoga: “He who wants the air known as Prana by practice is said to have secured Pranayama.”

“Dharanasu cha yogyata manasah—The mind becomes fit for concentration” (Yoga Sutras, II-53). You will be able to concentrate the mind, nicely after this veil of the light has been removed. The mind will be quite steady like the flame in a windless place as the disturbing energy has been removed. The word Pranayama is sometimes used collectively for inhalation, retention and exhalation of breath and sometimes for each of these severally. When the Prana Vayu moves in the Akasa-Tattva, the breathing will be lessened. At this time it will be easy to stop the breath. The velocity of the mind will be slowly lessened by Pranayama. It will induce Vairagya.

If you can suspend one inch or digit of breath inside, you will obtain the powers of foretelling; if you can suspend two inches within, you will get the power of thought-reading, for suspending the breath for three inches, levitation; for four inches, psychometry, clairaudience, etc; for five inches, moving about unseen by anybody in the world; for six inches, the power of ‘Kaya Siddhi’; for seven inches, entering the body of another man (Parakaya Pravesa); for eight inches, the power to remain always young; for nine inches, the power to make Devas to work as your servants; for ten inches Anima, Mahima and other Siddhis; and for eleven inches, you will attain oneness with Paramatman. When through great practice the Yogi can perform Kumbhaka for full three hours, then he can balance himself on his thumb. He undoubtedly attains all kinds of Siddhis. Just as fire destroys the fuel, so also Pranayama destroys the bundles of sins. Pratyahara makes the mind calm. Dharana steadies the mind. Dhyana makes one forget the body and the world. Samadhi brings infinite Bliss, Knowledge, Peace and Liberation.

During Yogic Samadhi, the flame of the Yogagni (fire of Yoga) extending from navel to the head melts the Amrita in the Brahmarandhra. The Yogi drinks this with joy and ecstasy. He can remain without food and drink for months by drinking this Yogic nectar alone.

The body becomes lean, strong and healthy. Too much fat is reduced. There is lustre in the face. Eyes sparkle like a diamond. The practitioner becomes very handsome. Voice becomes sweet and melodious. The inner Anahata sounds are distinctly heard. The student is free from all sorts of diseases. He gets established in Brahmacharya. Semen gets firm and steady. The Jatharagni (gastric fire) is augmented. The student becomes so perfect in Brahmacharya that his mind will not be shaken even if a fairy tries to embrace him. Appetite becomes keen. Nadis are purified. The Vikshepa is removed and the mind becomes one-pointed. Rajas and Tamas are destroyed. The mind is prepared for Dharana and Dhyana. The excretions become scanty. Steady practice arouses inner spiritual light, happiness and peace of mind. It makes him an Urdhvareto-Yogi. Advanced students only will get all the other Siddhis mentioned above.

The mind of a man can be made to transcend ordinary experience and exist on a plane higher than that of reason known as superconscious state of concentration and get beyond the limit of concentration. He comes face to face with facts which ordinary consciousness cannot comprehend. This ought to be achieved by proper training and manipulation of the subtle forces of the body so as to cause them to give, as it were, an upward push to the mind into the higher regions. When the mind is so raised into the superconscious state of perception, it begins to act from there and experiences higher facts and higher knowledge. Such is the ultimate object of Yoga, which can be achieved by the practice of Pranayama. The control of the vibratory Prana means to a Yogi, the kindling of the fire of supreme knowledge, the realisation of the Self.

Special Instructions

1. In the early morning, answer the calls of nature and sit for the practice. Practise Pranayama, in a dry well-ventilated room. Pranayama requires deep concentration and attention. It is always better to have the practice in a steady sitting posture. Do not keep anyone by your side to avoid distraction of your mind.

2. Before you sit for Pranayama practice, thoroughly clean the nostrils well. You can take a small quantity of fruit-juice or a small cup of milk or coffee even before the practice. When you finish the practice take a cup of milk or light tiffin after 10 minutes.

3. Have one sitting only in the morning during summer. If there is heat in the brain or head, apply Amla oil or butter on the head before you take your bath. Take Misri Sherbat by dissolving sugar candy in water. This will cool your whole system. Do Sitali Pranayama also. You will not be affected by the heat.

4. Strictly avoid too much talking, eating, sleeping, mixing with friends and exertion. “Verily Yoga is not for him who eateth too much, nor who abstaineth to excess, is addicted to too much sleep nor even to wakefulness” (Gita VI-16). Take a little ghee with rice when you take your meals. This will lubricate the bowels and allow Vayu to move downwards freely.

5. “Mitaharam vina yastu yogarambham tu karayet, Nanaroga bhavettasya kinchid yogo na sidhyati—Without observing moderation of diet, if one takes to the Yoga practices, he cannot obtain any benefit but gets various diseases” (Ghe.S. Chap. V-16).

6. Perfect celibacy for six months or one year will doubtless enable you to acquire rapid progress in the practice and in spiritual advancement. Do not talk with ladies. Do not laugh and joke with them. Shun their company entirely. Without Brahmacharya and dietetic regulations if you practise Yogic exercises, you will not get maximum benefit in the spiritual practices. But, for ordinary health you can practise mild exercises.

7. Be regular and systematic in your practice. Never miss a day. Stop the practice when you are ailing seriously. Some people twist the muscles of the face when they do Kumbhaka. It should be avoided. It is a symptom to indicate that they are going beyond their capacity. This must be strictly avoided. Such people cannot have a regulated Rechaka and Puraka.

8. Obstacles in Yoga: “Sleeping in day time, late vigil over night, excess of urine and faeces, evil of unwholesome food and laborious mental operation with Prana.” When one is attacked by any disease, he says that the disease is due to the practice of Yoga. This is a serious mistake.

9. Get up at 4 a.m. Meditate or do Japa for half an hour. Then do Asanas and Mudras. Take rest for 15 minutes. Then do Pranayama. Physical exercises can be conveniently combined with Asanas. If you have sufficient time at your disposal, you can have it after finishing all the Yogic exercises and meditation. Pranayama can also be performed as soon as you get up from bed just before Japa and meditation. It will make your body light and you will enjoy the meditation. You must have a routine according to your convenience and time.

10. Maximum benefit can be derived if Japa also is done during the practice of Asanas and Pranayama.

11. It is always better to start Japa and meditation in the early morning at 4 a.m., as soon as you get up from bed. At this time the mind is quite calm and refreshed. You can have good concentration.

12. Vast majority of persons waste their precious time in the early morning in answering the calls of nature for half an hour and washing their teeth for another half an hour. This is bad. Aspirants should try to defecate within 5 minutes and cleanse their teeth within 5 minutes. If the bowels are constipated, have vigorous practice of Salabha, Bhujanga and Dhanur Asanas for 5 minutes as soon as you get up from bed. If you are habituated to answer the call of nature, late, you can do so after finishing the Yogic exercises.

13. First do Japa and meditation. Then you can take to Asana and Pranayama exercises. Then finish the course of practice by another short sitting in meditation.

14. AS there is always some drowsiness when you get up from bed, it is desirable to do some Asanas and a little Pranayama for five minutes just to drive off this drowsiness and to make you fit for meditation. The mind gets one-pointed after the practice of Pranayama. Pranayama, though it concerns with the breath, gives good exercise for various internal organs and the whole body.

15. The general order of doing Kriyas is: First do all Asanas, then Mudras, then Pranayama and then Dhyana. Since the early morning time is suitable for meditation, you can follow this order: Japa, Meditation, Asanas, Mudras and Pranayama. This is a better way. You can follow the order which is suitable to you. After doing Asanas, take rest for five minutes and then begin Pranayama.

16. Some Hatha Yogic books interdict cold bath in the early morning. Probably the reason may be that one may catch cold or develop any complaint of the lungs, if he takes cold bath at 4 a.m. particularly in cold places like Kashmir, Mussoorie, Darjeeling, etc. There is no restriction in hot places. I am always in favour of cold baths before one starts the Yogic practices as it is refreshing and stimulating. It drives off drowsiness. It brings in equilibrium of circulation of blood. There is a healthy flow of blood towards the brain.

17. Asanas and Pranayama remove all sorts of diseases, improve health, energise digestion, invigorate the nerves, straighten the Sushumna Nadi, remove Rajas and awaken Kundalini. Practice of Asanas and Pranayama bestows good health and steady mind. As no Sadhana is possible without good health and as no meditation is possible without a steady mind, Hatha Yoga is of immense use for Dhyana Yogins, Karma Yogins, Bhaktas and Vedantins as well.

18. The maintenance of the body is impossible without Asanas or any kind of physical exercises or activities. Even an orthodox Vedantin is an unconscious Hatha Yogi. He practises some kind of Asana daily. He practises Pranayama also unconsciously because during meditation, Pranayama comes by itself.

19. Whenever you feel uneasy, depressed or dejected, practise Pranayama. You will be at once filled with new vigour, energy and strength. You will be elevated, renovated and filled with joy. Do this and try. Before you begin to write something, an essay, an article or a thesis, do Pranayama first. You will bring out beautiful ideas and it will be an inspiring, powerful and original production.

20. Be regular in the practice. Regularity in the practice is very necessary if one wants to realise the maximum benefits of Asanas and Pranayama. Those who practise by fits and starts will not derive much benefit. Generally people practise for two months in the beginning with great enthusiasm and leave off the practice. This is a sad mistake. They always want a Yogic teacher by their side. They have got the effeminate leaning mentality. They are lazy, torpid and slothful.

21. People do not want to remove Mala (impurity) by selfless service and Vikshepa by Yogic practices. They at once jump to awaken the Kundalini and raise Brahmakara Vritti. They will only break their legs. Those who attempt to awaken the Kundalini by Asanas and Pranayama, should have purity in thought, word and deed. They should have mental and physical Brahmacharya. Then only they can enjoy the benefits of awakening the Kundalini.

22. Sow the seed of spirituality in your young age. Do not waste Virya. Discipline the Indriyas and mind. Do Sadhana. When you become old, it will be difficult for you to do any rigid Sadhana. Therefore be on the alert during your teens; you will see for yourself in a short time the particular benefits you derive from particular kinds of Sadhana.

23. When you advance in spiritual practices, you must observe strict Mouna (vow of silence) for 24 hours continuously. This must be continued for some months also. Everyone should select a course of few exercises in Asana, Pranayama and meditation according to one’s temperament, capacity, convenience and requirement.

24. It is quite possible for a man to practise celibacy, albeit there are various sorts of temptations and distractions. A well-disciplined life, study of scriptures, Satsanga, Japa, Dhyana, Pranayama, Sattvic and moderate diet, daily introspection, and enquiry, self-analysis and self-correction, Sadachara, practice of Yama, Niyama, physical and verbal Tapas, all will pave a long way in the attainment of this end. People have irregular, unrighteous, immoderate, irreligious, undisciplined life. Hence they suffer and fail in the attainment of the goal of life. Just as the elephant throws sand on its own head, so also they themselves bring difficulties and troubles on their own heads on account of their foolishness.

25. Do not shake the body unnecessarily. By shaking the body often the mind also is disturbed. Do not stretch the body every now and then. The Asana should be steady and firm as a rock when you do Pranayama, Japa and meditation.

26. You must find out for yourself according to your health and constitution what sort of dietetic regulation will suit and what particular Pranayama will exactly help you. Then only you can safely proceed with your Sadhana. First read all the instructions of the various exercises given in this book from the beginning to the end. Clearly understand the technique. If you have any doubts, just ask any Yogic student to demonstrate and then practise it. This is the safest method. You should not select any one of the exercise at random and begin to practise it in a wrong way.

27. In all the exercises I have suggested Mantra ‘OM’ as the time-unit. You can have your Guru Mantra, Rama, Siva, Gayatri or mere number as the time-unit according to your inclination. Gayatri or OM is the best for Pranayama. In the beginning you must observe some time-unit for Puraka, Kumbhaka and Rechaka. The time-unit and the proper ratio comes by itself when you do the Puraka, Kumbhaka and Rechaka as long as you can do it comfortably. When you have advanced in the practice, you need not count or keep any unit. You will be naturally established in the normal ratio through force of habit.

28. For some days in the beginning you must count the number and see how you progress. In the advanced stages, you need not distract the mind in counting. The lungs will tell you when the required number is finished.

29. Do not continue the Pranayama when you are fatigued. There must be always joy and exhilaration of spirit during and after the practice. You should come out of the practice fully invigorated and refreshed. Do not bind yourself by too many rules (Niyamas).

30. Do not take bath immediately after Pranayama is over. Take rest for half an hour. If you get perspiration during the practice, do not wipe it with a towel. Rub it with your hands. Do not expose the body to the chill draughts of air when you perspire.

31. Always inhale and exhale very slowly. Do not make any sound. In Pranayamas like Bhastrika, Kapalabhati, Sitali and Sitkari, you can produce a little mild or the lowest possible sound.

32. You should not expect the benefits after doing it for 2 or 3 minutes only for a day or two. At least you must have 15 minutes daily practice in the beginning regularly for days together. There will be no use if you jump from one exercise to another everyday. You must have a particular exercise for your daily Abhyasa, which you should improve to a high degree. Other exercises of course, you can have for occasional practice along with the daily exercise. You must have Bhastrika, Kapalabhati and ‘Easy Comfortable Pranayama’ for your daily practice; and Sitali, Sitkari, etc., can be practised occasionally.

33. The Puraka is otherwise known as ‘Nissvasa’ and Rechaka is known as ‘Uchhvasa’. The mental process in Kevala Kumbhaka is called ‘Sunyaka’ form of breath regulation. Steady, systematic practice and gradual increase of Kumbhaka is known as ‘Abhyasa Yoga’, swallowing of air and living on this air alone is known as ‘Vayubhakshana’.

34. The author of Sivayoga Dipika describes three kinds of Pranayama: Prakrita, Vaikrita and Kevala Kumbhaka. “If the Prana is in the form of breath inhaled and exhaled, on account of its natural quality of going out and coming in, the Pranayama is known as Prakrita. If the Prana is restrained by the threefold means of throwing out, taking in and stopping the breath in accordance with the rules prescribed in the Sastras, it is called Vaikrita or artificial. But with great men who have risen above these two kinds of restraining breath, the sudden restraining of the vital currents directly (without inspiration and expiration), is Kevala Kumbhaka. Prakrita Pranayama belongs to Mantra Yoga. Vaikrita belongs to Laya Yoga.”

35. “That is called Kumbhaka (cessation of breath) when there is neither expiration nor inspiration and the body is motionless, remaining still in one state. Then he sees forms like the blind, hears sounds like the deaf and sees the body like wood. This is the characteristic of one who has attained quiescence.”

36. Patanjali does not lay much stress on practice of different kinds of Pranayama. He mentions: “Exhale slowly, then inhale and retain the breath. You will get a steady and calm mind.” It is only the Hatha Yogins who developed Pranayama as a science and have mentioned various exercises to suit different persons.

37. “Spread a tiger-skin or a deer-skin or a fourfold blanket. Over this spread a piece of white cloth. Then sit for the Pranayama practice facing the North.”

38. Some would take the order as exhaling, inhaling and retaining; others as inhaling, retaining and exhaling. The latter is more common. In Yajnavalkya, we find the different kinds of breath regulation mentioned in the order of Puraka, Kumbhaka and Rechaka; whereas, in Naradiya text we have them in the order of Rechaka, Puraka and Kumbhaka. The two are to be regulated as optional alternatives.

39. A Yogi should always avoid fear, anger, laziness, too much sleep or waking and too much food or fasting. If the above rule be well strictly practised, each day, spiritual wisdom will arise of itself in three months without doubt; in four months, he sees the Devas; in five months he knows or becomes a Brahmanishtha; and truly in six months he attains Kaivalya at will. There is no doubt.

40. A neophyte should do Puraka and Rechaka only without any Kumbhaka for some days. Take a long time to do Rechaka. The proportion for Puraka and Rechaka is 1:2.

41. Pranayama in its popular and preparatory form may be practised by every one in any posture whatsoever, sitting or walking; and yet is sure to show its benefits. But to those who practise it in accordance with the specific methods prescribed, fructification will be rapid.

42. Gradually increase the period of Kumbhaka. Retain for 4 seconds in the first week, for 8 seconds in the second week, for 12 seconds in the third week and so on, till you are able to retain the breath to your full capacity.

43. Common-sense or Yukti should be used throughout your practice. If one kind of exercise is not agreeable to your system, change it after due consideration or consultation with your Guru. This is Yukti. Where there is Yukti, there is Siddhi, Bhukti and Mukti (perfection, enjoyment and salvation).

44. You must so nicely adjust the Puraka, Kumbhaka and Rechaka that you should not experience the feeling of suffocation or discomfort at any stage of Pranayama. You should never feel the necessity of catching hold of a few normal breaths between any two successive rounds. The duration of Puraka, Kumbhaka and Rechaka must be properly adjusted. Exercise due care and attention. Matters will turn to be successful and easy.

45. You must not unnecessarily prolong the period of exhalation. If you prolong the time of Rechaka, the following inhalation will be done in a hurried manner and the rhythm will be disturbed. You must so carefully regulate the Puraka, Kumbhaka and Rechaka that must be absolutely comfortable and perform not only one Pranayama but also the full course or required rounds of Pranayama. Experience and practice will make you alright. Practice makes one perfect. Be steady. Another important factor is that you must have efficient control over the lungs at the end of Kumbhaka to enable you to do the Rechaka smoothly and in proportion with the Puraka.

46. Suryabheda and Ujjayi produce heat. Sitkari and Sitali are cooling. Bhastrika preserves normal temperature. Suryabheda destroys excess of wind; Ujjayi phlegm; Sitkari and Sitali bile; and Bhastrika all the three.

47. Suryabheda and Ujjayi must be practised during winter. Sitkari and Sitali must be practised in summer. Bhastrika can be practised in all seasons. Those persons whose bodies are hot even in winter can practise Sitali and Sitkari during winter season.

48. Goal of life is self-realisation. “This is brought about by means of the subjugation of the body and the senses, the service to a good Guru, the hearing of Vedantic doctrine and constant meditation thereon” (Niralamba Upanishad). “If you are really sincere and if you wish to have a quick, sure success, you must have a systematic routine for Asana, Pranayama, Japa, Meditation, Svadhyaya, etc. You must be very careful in keeping up Brahmacharya. Effective means to control the mind are the attainment of spiritual knowledge, association with the wise, the entire abdication of all Vasanas and control of Prana” (Muktikopanishad).

49. Once again I will tell you that Asana, Pranayama, Japa, Dhyana, Brahmacharya, Satsanga, solitude, Mouna, Nishkama Karma are all absolutely necessary for spiritual attainments. One can hardly obtain perfection in Raja Yoga without Hatha Yoga. At the end of Kumbhaka you should withdraw the mind from all the objects. By gradual practice you will be established in Raja Yoga.

50. Some students who are studying Vedantic books think that they are Jnanis and they ignore Asanas, Pranayama, etc. They also should practise these, till they are perfect in Shat-Sampat of the Sadhana-Chatushtaya—Sama, Dama, etc.,—the preliminary qualifications of Jnana Yoga.

51. Do not hesitate. Do not be waiting to get a Guru who will sit by your side and watch you daily for a long time. If you are sincere, regular and systematic and if you follow rules and instructions of this book very carefully, there will be no trouble at all. You will undoubtedly get success. Slight errors may crop up in the beginning, it does not matter. Do not unnecessarily be alarmed. Do not give up the practice. You will yourself learn how to adjust. Common-sense, instinct, the shrill inner voice of the soul will help you in the path. Everything will come out smoothly in the end. Start the practice this very second in right earnest and become a real Yogi.

Source-http://www.indiadivine.org/

Anulom Vilom Pranayama

2008-01-22T20:51:00.000-08:00

Procedure: Hold your right nasal with thumb, breathe in from left. Now open right nasal and close left nasal with middle and ring finger and breathe out from right nasal. Now breathe in from right nasal. Now close right nasal and open left and breathe out and in from left nasal. and so on.

Duration: at least 10 mins.

Benefits: Heart, High BP, Heart Blockage, Vat-Cuf-Pit, Arthritis, Cartilage, Bent Ligaments, Sinual Fluid Reduced, Parkinson, Paralysis, Neural Related, Depression, Migraine Pain, Asthma, Sinus, Allergy.
Tips: Breathe into Lungs not to Stomach. No organ in stomach absorbs oxygen. Do not hurry. Do it slowly. Rest whenever needed (in any Pranayama).

Detailed Method:

Prana breathed in through left nostril represents energy of the moon, which symbolizes peace, and has a cooling effect. Hence for purification of Nadis, beginning of this Pranayama has to be made by the left nostril. Close the right side nostril with the right hand thumb. Inhale slowly through the left nostril till the lungs are filled. Then close the left nostril with the second and third fingers. Open the right nostril and exhale through it. Repeat this exercise slowly in the beginning, and with practice, increase the speed. When you are able to practice this exercise for a long time, inhale with as much force as is possible for you, then exhale also forcefully. This practice of inhalation and exhalation alternatively through the right and left nostril, as indicated above with force, should be done for 3 minutes. If you feel tired, rest for sometimes and resume. Regular practice will enable you to do this Pranayama for 10 minutes. After some practice being established, this Pranayama should be done for 5 to 10 minutes daily, depending upon one’s capacity. However, in summer season it should be done for duration starting from 3 minutes and up to a maximum of 5 minutes. If you practice this Pranayama for five minutes regularly on a daily basis, the coiled energy called Kundalini Shakti lying in the Muladhar Chakra begins to awaken.This is known as Kundalini Jagran.. While doing this Pranayama, mentally repeat the mantra “OM” so the mind becomes fit for meditation.

Method to close the nostrils:

To be done by closing the nostrils one after another, close the right nostril by the right hand thumb, and likewise close the left nostril by the 2nd and 3rd fingers (Madhyama and Anamika) fingers keep the palm of the hand in front just above the Nose.

Shiva Sankalp (Vow) at the time of performing Anulom-Viloma Pranayama:
While performing this Pranayama there develops a feeling in mind that as a result of friction and churning of breath in Ida and Pingala Nadis, there is awakening in Susumna Nadi. A divine light is rising upwards from the eight Chakra to the Sahsrar Chakra.

There is a feeling that the whole body is being enlightened by a divine light.Imagine a divine light on the outside and the inside of the body and try to visualize ‘Om Kham Brahm’. Imagine that the supreme power is showering divine energy and divine knowledge, that the supreme power is filling you with divine energy. Try to get the initiation of the divine energy by yourself. A Guru(teacher) just inspires you for the divine energy and links the student to divine feelings. Actually the divine energy is showered by the supreme power himself. Anulom-Viloma Pranayama done with these kinds of divine feelings gives better results and benefits to the individual in all the spheres viz. physically, mentally and spiritually. A divine light will appear from the Muladhara - Chakra on its own and there will be Kundalini Jagran, you will feel the rise within yourself and you will be blessed with the initiation of the divine energy in yourself.

Benefits:

Regular practice of this Pranayama has the capacity of cleansing all your innumerable Nadis, which makes the body healthy lustrous and strong.
All kinds of diseases occurring due to the disturbance of ‘Vata Dosha’ like rheumatism, gout, diseases pertaining to urinary and reproductive organs are cured. Besides, regular practice of this Pranayama also cures diseases like cold, cataract, sinus, etc. which have reached a chronic stage. The three Doshas of Vata, Pitta, Kapha regularise themselves and assume proper proportions.
Blockages in the arteries of the heart are removed and the arteries become clean, making the circulation unimpeded. If this Pranayama is practiced for 3 or 4 months regularly, 30 to 40% of blockages in the arteries are dissolved and removed, preventing the phenomenon of heart attack.
Pathogenic cholesterol, triglycerides, H.D.L. and L.D.L. also get controlled, making the arterial channels clear for effective and unimpeded flow of blood in the heart.
Negative thinking is replaced by positive approach to life. It increases enthusiasm and spirit, the Sadhak becomes fearless and feels blissful.

In short, this Pranayama has the effect of cleansing the body, and the mind and cures almost all the diseases from which the Sadhaka has been suffering. If this Pranayama is practiced for 250 to 500 times a day, Kundalini Shakti turns its face upward and begin to rise above through the susumna Nadi. It means that the phenomenon known as Kundalini Jagran begins.

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YOGA AND IMMUNE SYSTEM

2008-01-21T23:32:00.000-08:00

Today pollution and other factors are changing the environment of the earth. When you take oxygen to be live. Some bacteria or dust particles are also being entered in your body. These bacteria attack at your liver and some important part of your body. If your immune system is weak then your internal system can not destroy these bacteria. And you will get infected by these bacteria oriented disease.
Just think, these bacteria may be in your body or your child’s body. If you and your family are not being able to fight with this disease then you will definitely face these disease problems. If you would like to be free from these diseases then what you will do? Take medicine….. It can not be a permanent solution of this problem. So you should go for making yourself stronger and make your immune system as strong to fight with these diseases that they can not do attack at your body.
Here is one important solution of this problem. It is well known Yoga. Yoga can make your immune system as strong that any diseases can not come near to you.
Different kind of yoga
KAPALBHATI:
Warning: Pranayama must be learnt under expert guidance and after consultation from your physician.
Sit comfortably in any meditative posture. Sit erect. Exhale through both nostrils, contracting the middle and lower abdomen portions. Release the contractions quickly and immediately follow with another forceful exhalation. Inhale passively and effortlessly. Gradually increase the frequency to about 100 strokes/minute. After the round take a deep breath and gradually exhale.
What good can this do?
• Cleans capillaries of the remotest part of the body.
• Purifies the frontal portion of the brain.
• Aid in combating asthma, diabetes, and chronic bronchitis besides other nervous disorders.
• Cleans the nasal passages.

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Short and Long Term Benefits of Yoga

2008-01-20T22:31:00.000-08:00

Today in India and whole world every one knows about the power of Yoga. Yoga can change your life for ever and its significant effects are in view as you start doing yoga. Yoga gives you several short term and long term benefits with respect to fitness and health. Yoga improves person physical, mental and emotional states and provides an overall fitness to body. For some people practicing yoga means to enhance the flexibility and fitness level while for others it is a method to develop stress free and calm mind. A healthy mind is way towards a fit and healthy body. Everyone can benefit from yoga as it has wide scope that suites every individual’s needs. One can gain tremendous benefits by practicing the appropriate techniques of yoga on regular basis. There are included a variety of techniques and methods in yoga that one should choose few among them that suites his body and lifestyle.

Yoga is so easy to do:- Yoga tends to give basic fitness no matter how old are you, what is your gender and type of work, irrespective of these things yoga provides total fitness. It helps and lets everyone play his actual role in life efficiently and smoothly. It has many advantages in comparison to athletics, gymnastics, games, aerobics and several other forms of exercises. Yoga does not require expensive equipments and materials to be remained healthy and strong. Even there is no need to go outside your home to execute various practices and gain health. One can perform yoga at home while watching television or listening songs.

Timing of doing Yoga: - At any time of the day you can do yoga as there are no restrictions that you need to do it early morning or in evening. You can also do it throughout the whole year. It is worth of value and offer variety of usefulness to everyone. Yoga prevents various body disorders, ailments and thus ensures a healthy daily life. It also provides supple joints, relaxed life, efficiently working and functioning of vital parts of body including liver, heart, kidneys and brain. The yoga exercises can render best outcomes when a person has knowledge that which practice suites him the most. Unless you are not acquainted with a specific yoga practice till then you can’t avail its true benefits.

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NO STRESS CAN BE IN LIFE...................

2008-01-14T00:45:00.000-08:00

Today Stress is the part of our life. Because we have to perform against some new challenges daily. And this stress is the main cause of every kind of Disease.

What is stress? “A physical, chemical, or emotional factor that cause’s bodily or mental tension and may be a factor in disease causation.”

How stress effect body?

Your heart rate increases

The blood flow to your brain and muscles increase dramatically.
Digestion temporarily stops to allow for more energy.
Muscle tension increases.
Memory functions are heightened.
Your breathing becomes more rapid, to get more oxygen to your muscles.

Stress and Illness

When you are constantly under stress, it raises your cortical levels. The corticosteroid hormone is very important to the body, but when we are stressed, so much corticosteroid is released it activates these bodily functions. They never quite have a chance to return to normal levels and thus causing many damaging things to occur. Stress and higher cortisol levels increase blood pressure, raise blood sugar levels, and can suppress the immune system, leaving you open to any number of other illnesses and ailments. This could mean catching more colds, but it could lead to more serious illnesses such as heart disease or diabetes.

Stress can also cause increased abdominal fat – a symptom that studies have linked to an increased chance of heart attacks and strokes. It can increase the levels of your bad cholesterol (LDL) while lowering your good cholesterol (HDL). It may also decrease your bone density and impair your cognitive performance.

How much cortisol your body releases in times of stress varies from person to person. We are all wired a little differently to respond to stressful situations, so something that may cause very increased levels of corticosteroid hormones to be released in one person may result in lower levels, if any, in another person.

Other Affects on the Body

Other than the physical functions carried on by our body, stress can damage our bodies in other ways. When we are under stress, we often tend to abuse our body. This can include poor lifestyle choices such as eating fatty and greasy foods, drinking too much caffeine or alcohol, or even abusing prescription or illegal drugs. All these can have a secondary affect on the body caused by stress.

What can Yoga do?

The management of such disorders becomes the prime aim of yoga. If one has to define yoga, it would be like that for those people who are suffering from illnesses and diseases, yoga is a means to experience health. For those people who are suffering from mental fatigue, tiredness, anxiety and stress, yoga is a means to find relaxation. For those people who lack concentration and clarity of mind, yoga is a means to concentrate. For those people who aspire for some creativity in life, yoga is a means to find that creativity. For those people who are interested in awakening and knowing their dormant nature and personality, yoga is a form of meditation. We can give various definitions of yoga, but we have to consider the physical aspect, the psychological aspect and the spiritual nature of an individual.

Indian Yoga Guru

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YOGA IS NOT RESERVE FOR ANY CAST AND RELIGION

2008-01-10T23:26:00.000-08:00

Yoga is for everybody. Yoga is usually defined as union or bound to the Divine. Yoga is not reserve for any cast and religion. Every religion person can do it and can get benefits of yoga in this fast going life easily. Yoga introduces you to truth and makes your soul near to your God. In every religion God is ideal and tells every one to follow the path of truth and achieve divine.

In every person some truth hidden some where and he/ she could not find itself. Yoga is just a way to find you and make your body and soul near to God. Some time you have every thing to spend glorious life but you could not be happy due to your personal and professional tensions. Yoga is a way to find your 100% physical and mental balance. Today it is very effective in making you successful in any challenge.

Yoga is beginning with practice of different kind of Asanas and Pranayama to gain control over the body and the prana/ life force. Once the practitioner gains control of the body and prana, he/she can start to gain control of the mind. In addition to asanas and Pranayama, practitioners should be trying to live a life in accordance with the ethical and moral foundation of yoga, while also practicing meditation.

There are four main branches of yoga; Karma Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, Raja Yoga and Jnana Yoga. Each kind of yoga has the same destination point. These are only the different way to reach at that point.

Yoga has different benefits and Today’s healthy life can not possible with out doing this practice. Yoga is effective in following functions.

Physiological benefits

· Pulse rate

· Respiratory problems

· Blood pressure dysfunctions

· Help stabilize the nervous system

· Gastrointestinal functions

· Endocrine function

· The range of motion in joints

· Endurance

· Energy level

· Immunity to diseases

· Cardiovascular efficiency

· Improve eye-hand coordination

· Reaction time

· Dexterity

· Depth perception

· Sleep

Psychological benefits

· Enhanced somatic and kinesthetic awareness

· Self-acceptance

· Self-actualization

· Social skills

· Well-being

· Concentration

· Memory

· Attention

· Learning efficiency

Biochemical benefits

· Glucose

· Sodium

· Cholesterol

· Total white blood cell count

· Vitamin C

· Total serum protein

· Hemoglobin

Stretching the muscles and performing a complete yoga workout acts as a massage, thereby ensuring the optimal blood supply to every organ.