Yoga Poses for Insomnia : Yoga Tips for Insomnia

expertvillage asked:

Aside from yoga poses, there are several yoga tips to help with insomnia. Learn about recommendations from yogis in thisfree yoga video. Expert: Elizabeth Rose Contact: www.artanayoga.com Bio: Elizabeth Rose is a registered Hatha yoga teacher with a background in modern dance, gymnastics, martial arts, and circus arts. Filmmaker: randy primm

Yogaseekers Your Door To Start Good Yoga Exercises

Pompy asked:










With all the new television infomercials on gadgets and videos on improving one's health and wellbeing there is one strong hold on low impact exercise that not only improves your body but also improves the psychological state which give your entire being the sense of positive well being. By being involved in Yoga on a regular basis one can expect to feel better and more alive. Yoga does promote positive energies within the body which in turn will create positive energy in the mind increasing your total well being.



One of the physical benefits you will experience is increased flexibility. As most people know Yoga consist on many movements, stretches and poses which act on various joints in your body. Many of these joints are joints that are rarely used. So the stretching and use of these joints, ligament and tendons help to increase your flexibility. These movements also provide flexibility to the supporting joints, ligament and tendons. Visit now - Picmoney dot com





Yoga provides massage to all your organs and glands including the prostate which never gets external stimulation. The gent stretching of your muscles and joints when doing yoga maximizes blood flow in your body enabling your body to flush toxins, provide nourishment to your body and in turn slows aging and increases energy.



By stretching and using muscles to hold many of these positions, Yoga helps to tone the body provide correct posture and keep your body tone and firm.



Yoga is an excellent exercise which helps with all aspects of your life both mentally and physically. Yoga has been used to improve sleep, decrease pain in joints, increase energy, range of motion and also has many psychological benefits.



An exercise like Yoga through the bending and stretching of the spine builds strength, endurance and lowering the stress hormone that cause aging. The reduction of stress will reduce the acid conditions within the body and enabling your body to intake more oxygen. It also balances the nervous system helping to reduce depression and anxiety and increases your concentration and enhances your mood.



Yoga when practiced regularly puts your body in a positive healthy state. This in turn puts you mind in a positive healthy state which helps to keep your body looking and felling good. Yoga provides a continuous loop of positive well being and continual rejuvenation. The stretching also contribute to improving your posture allowing you to stand straighter with your back erect and your hamstrings fully stretched and flexible leaving you in a alert and confident state.



Yes it is true that people are living longer today but the real question is what is their quality of life? If you have the option to start now and exercise your body using a low impact stretching and toning exercise, enabling your body and mind to get into a place of optimal health and well being or to have to rely on doctors to poke and prod at you and prescribe medications after medication what would your choice be?



Hopefully as yoga grows in popularity citizens of the world will enjoy the benefits of this low impact exercise and increase the positive energy in their mind and bodies enabling them to live longer and healthier lives.







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Inexpensive Yoga Tips

DiscountTrendsetter asked:

Spring is almost here. Tune in this week episode of "The Discount Trendsetter Show" to learn some very inexpensive yoga tips

Clever Yoga Tips for Busy People

Anmol Mehta asked:


Most of us live very busy and hectic lives. If you are married, have children, have a job, you are going to be busy and even if you don't have all these commitments, you are probably busy nonetheless. Throw in other activities you may be participating in, such as higher education, a fitness routine, other hobbies & interests, sports, blogging etc., and 24 hours starts to seem like awfully little time per day. Unfortunately, what seems to often get sacrificed in keeping up with the rat race is the one thing that should not, your daily spiritual practice. So in this article I will give some handy tips on how you can get more Yoga and Meditation practice into your busy lives by doing some clever multitasking.

Of the many yoga pranayama breathing exercises there are, I think the following 2 stand apart: Breath of Fire Yoga Pranayama & Kapalbhati Yoga Pranayama. These 2 pranayamas have an encyclopedic list of benefits and what's best about them is that they are both simple to do and easy to incorporate into your daily life, specially when you are driving!

Yes that's right, driving. Obviously DO NOT do these breathing exercises if it at all affects your driving, but, generally speaking since driving is mostly automatic for most of us, it provides the perfect opportunity for getting in some additional spiritual work.

A car really is pretty conducive for such pranayama practice. You are already sitting up, so just straighten your spine (use a lumbar cushion if you need to), you have music available so put on some inspirational tunes, you have a clock to time yourself and you even have a fan to stay cool. What more can you ask for?

If you have family in the car with you, great, you can all practice together, why not :-). Both Breath of Fire pranayama and Kapalbhati pranayama are breathing exercises that activate energy pathways within you and increase your energy, so there is no risk of them making you sleepy or drowsy. Really, no significant modification is needed to practice either pranayama while driving so take advantage of this time and give it a try.

To practice Breath of Fire, begin to breathe rapidly through the nose putting equal emphasis on the inhalation and the exhalation. Allow the stomach and diaphragm to stay relaxed and simply pulse to the rhythm of the breath. It is important in breath of fire to not force the air in very deep, but instead keep it at the tip of nose and just breathe rapidly.

To practice Kapalbhati pranayama, again keep everything relaxed and simply expel the air forcefully through your nose, then allow the inhalation to take place as a simple passive recoil. As you exhale forcefully, pull your abdominal muscles in towards your spine, and as you inhale just allow them to re-expand naturally.

If there are other pranayama exercises you are doing, they too might be suitable to do while driving. So be creative and see if driving is conducive to incorporating them. So as you are getting to your physical destination continue to make progress towards your spiritual destination as well.

Standing Yoga Poses & Stretches : Basic Yoga Tips: How to Sit Down

expertvillage asked:

There is a right and wrong way to sit or lie down in yoga, and breathing is at the core. Practice sitting and lying down from a standing position withtips from an experienced yoga instructor in this free video on yoga exercises. Expert: Lynn Nicole Smith Contact: www.yogaqigongdance.com Bio: Lynne Nicole Smith is a certified yoga instructor and registered yoga teacher through Yoga Alliance. She is also a certified integral qigong and tai chi teacher and dance instructor. Filmmaker: Christian ...

5 Essential Tips for Yoga Beginners

Jay Franco asked:


If you’re just starting a Yoga practice then you probably haven’t had time to figure out some of the tips and tricks that will make it easier to get started with a regular Yoga practice. These 5 tips from experienced Yoga practitioners will help you as you start your own regular Yoga practice:



1. Buy a good mat – Your Yoga mat will help protect your joints and will also be an important part of your yoga practice. Don’t buy a poor quality mat just because it’s inexpensive. When you are sure that you are going to start doing Yoga on a regular basis then it’s time to invest in a high quality mat. It’s a better value to buy a high quality mat that will last than to buy something cheap that will need to be replaced quickly.



2. Wear clothing designed for Yoga – When you’re doing Yoga you’ll be moving in ways that can put a lot of stress on clothing. You need to have clothing that is loose enough to be comfortable but tight enough to not get in the way of your movement. You also need to wear clothing that will stand up to a lot of movement and stretching. Resist the urge to buy normal gym clothes and buy some clothes that are specifically designed for Yoga.



3. Practice at home – Even if you’re taking a class at a Yoga studio you should set aside some time to practice your Yoga at home until you get the hang of the poses. Practicing at home will also help you increase your flexibility and agility.



4. Compare Yoga studios before you commit – There are lots of Yoga studios and holistic centers that offer Yoga classes. Before you commit to one particular studio you should attend classes at three or four different places so that you can compare the prices, the class sizes, and the teaching styles to which one is the best for you.



5. Give it time – It might take some time before you are as flexible as some of the other people in the class. It also might take some time for you learn the poses and the meditations. Don’t give up. There’s always a learning curve when you’re learning something new and the other people in the class and the teacher won’t expect you to be to be perfect from the start. Join a beginner’s Yoga class at first so that you will be other people who are also just learning.

Beginning Yoga Poses : Beginning Yoga Tips

expertvillage asked:

Yoga uses the breath to connect the mind and body. Learn more tips for beginning yoga with information from acertified yoga instructor in this free yoga lesson video. Expert: Nora Forziati Contact: www.half-moonyoga.com Bio: Nora Forziati has been practicing yoga and meditation for over 20 years. She is a certified yoga instructor and owner of Half Moon Yoga and Wellness in Contoocook, NH. Filmmaker: Christian Munoz-Donoso

Yoga Positions - A Few Tips

Rebecca Prescott asked:


Yoga positions and the practice of yoga can be beneficial to your mind, your muscles, and even internal functions like your digestive system. With so many benefits, it is no wonder that yoga's popularity is on the rise. Before you take it up, though, it is a good idea to have in mind the right information to help you succeed and get the most out of the experience. Take these yoga tips into account as you begin your physical, mental, and spiritual journey.

Practice Makes Perfect

Practice your positions often. Yoga offers many benefits to your mind, body, and spirit, and these benefits may be maximized with regular practice on your own in addition to your classes and with your teacher. As a beginner, it is especially important that you practice so that you may see and feel the benefits early on. With yoga, the frequency with which you work on your positions is as important if not more so than the length of the practice sessions. Try to find a few minutes each day to do a little bit of yoga.

Make sure that you practice your poses correctly. Most anything you read, watch, or listen to about yoga will tell you to practice often, but one of the yoga tips that sometimes get skipped is that you must practice right. Make sure that each practice session extends you. Do not practice only your best poses, but also work on poses you struggle with as well. Such a practice will be more productive and give you the feeling of self-assurance that you seek with yoga.

Maximizing Your Potential

One of the more important tips for beginners is to let go of your ego. In order to fully maximize your yoga experience, you must forget about such things as impressing your teacher and classmates. One of the central ideas of yoga is self-study. To fully study yourself, you must try not to compare yourself to the teacher or other students, but instead, you should strive to maximize your own learning and improvement during each class and practice session.

Finding Yourself

During practice, remember what is important. The depths of your poses are not nearly as important as how deep you delve into yourself. In yoga, you learn about your inner attention. Be sure to use that attention when practicing and when with your instructor to get the most out of your poses even if you cannot get deeply into them physically.

Finding the Right Teacher

No number of yoga positioning tips can compete with having the right teacher. When selecting a yoga teacher, make sure you find someone with whom you feel comfortable. Your instructor should have good knowledge and work through compassion and respect for you as a person. No matter how many books you read or tapes you watch, you will never get the feedback and encouragement that you will with the right teacher.

As a beginner in yoga, there are undoubtedly times that you feel a bit lost. That is okay. Hopefully, though, with these tips you will have an idea of what you need to do to feel more successful in your yoga experience. Yoga is not a religion, but in some ways it does become a way of life, and by following these tip you can start your journey toward that way of life on the right foot.

Tips For Choosing Yoga Training Courses

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Rebecca Prescott asked:


Yoga in Western countries may have started life as a something of a hippy niche, but over the last 20 years, it has entered the mainstream at a phenomenal rate. With this popularization of an ancient Indian tradition, there has been a huge growth in organizations offering yoga teacher training. Gone are the days when students had to travel to India to gain qualifications. But the plethora of courses has created its' own problems - not least in the question of quality and whether a course is recognized by the appropriate local and international associations. The prospective student must also ask themselves a number of important questions, the most fundamental of which is the type of yoga they wish to be trained in. But also, the wider question of what direction they wish to take their training in once completed. This article will address all of these points, and help provide a framework with which students may better choose amongst the many courses offered.

There are more styles of yoga available today than there has possibly been ever. Some represent a continuation of older traditions, that are relatively unchanged. This includes hatha yoga, and styles by Desikachar and Iyengar. Others represent a synthesis of different methods, even whilst being shrouded in mystical origins. For example, some have suggested that Ashtanga yoga is not derived from the yoga Korunta, but from a synthesis of traditions that may have included early acrobatics!

Some styles of yoga are very modern, and evolved more out of an adaptation to the West. Bikram yoga is a good example of this - and perhaps a very extreme one, given that Bikram copyrighted 'his' yoga poses and they way they were taught, despite yoga being essentially in the public domain.

Most people who train as teachers in yoga do so in a discipline that they have been practising already. This does make logical sense, as it's important to be passionate about what you do for a living. There is the additional experience that people will have with a particular style of yoga that no doubt makes it easier than starting from scratch in a different style.

But other issues may come into play when choosing a yoga school. Is the style of yoga you like well supported in your area? Is there sufficient demand for that style? Understanding who these particular styles of yoga appeals to will help later on when you set up your own yoga business, as it will guide your marketing, choice of location, logo, and business identity. It's worth thinking a little bit about these things before you make a time and financial commitment to getting qualified.

Finding out whether your course is accredited nationally and internationally is an important step. There are various governing associations at different levels around the world. For example, in the UK there is the British Wheel Of Yoga. In Australia, the government keeps a list of accredited training courses through the Australian National Training Authority. For a yoga specific association, try the Yoga Teachers Association of Australia. Globally, there is the International Yoga Teachers Association, which is available in many countries. There is also the American Yoga Association, Yoga Scotland, and the European Union Of Yoga.

Each of these organizations may have different standards by which they measure courses. But they do provide a good guideline for selecting providers with a minimum level of professionalism, integrity, and quality. You could look at contacting teachers who have gone through their training to find out what they thought of the course, and perhaps go to a few of their classes to get a feel for what is being taught.

Before going into any course, it's a good idea to have some sense of the bigger picture. For example, are you looking at combining yoga with other healing modalities, such as massage, nutrition, meditation, or some combination of all of these. There are some teaching colleges that integrate yoga with other modalities, both locally and abroad in India. For the sake of continuity, and ease of integration, it may be easier to look at this before any study is actually done. It may prove easier to study with an all-in-one provider who will provide a clearer way to integrate these different aspects of health.

In some ways, this broad integration of yoga with health is more closely aligned with the true nature of yoga, according to some teachers such as Desikachar. But Indian style yoga is not the only one that offers this approach, with the Japanese ki, or Ki yoga often integrated with macrobiotics and shiatsu.

If you're interested in going more deeply into yoga training for your own personal practice, as opposed to a prelude to teaching, studying abroad can be a truly rewarding experience. If you're looking for teaching qualifications, it may be wiser to choose an institution in your own country, at least initially. Because it should be adapted to Western learning styles, the structured environment it provides will be easier to learn in.

Yoga training can be intensely rewarding, and life changing in many ways. Provided you choose a course that is accredited, in a style of teaching you like, and that has good community support, it could be the start of a great new career.

How to Start Beginner Yoga Exercises

Maurice Tate asked:


Learning yoga has many heath benefits apart from increasing your flexibility. Yoga is a lot of fun and its healthy and very calming of the mind. Just a little practice will bring you freedom and peace of mind. Yoga has been handed down over several thousands of years and has a very long tradition.

Most beginner yoga poses are easy to learn and you can get audio or video tapes that teach yoga along with the breathing instruction and teach yoga relaxation techniques at health food stores, bookstores, online and by mail order. It's probably fine to learn basic yoga poses and the yoga relaxation from a tape or booklet, but don't try the advanced yoga exercises without a skilled teacher. He or she can make corrections to your mistakes and caution you when necessary, and help you to adapt poses, if you are dong them unsafely.

It will be worth it to you to spend a little time finding an instructor who is right for you. Your doctor or other health care professional may be able to recommend a yoga instructor. Get referrals for a yoga instructor as you would for any professional you might wish to consult. Word of mouth is the best advice to find a good yoga teacher.

Yoga instructors aren't required to be certified at this date, but many now are, through many different yoga teaching programs available in the USA now. Ask prospective teachers if they are certified. A certified teacher isn't necessarily better than someone who isn't certified, but it's something to look at.

Take a class with a few different instructors as their are many ways to teach yoga. Hot yoga is a new fad, and this involves you dong yoga poses in a heated room. This allows the body to become more flexible and also the sweating purifies the body.

Although most people can exercise safely and start a yoga program, any exercise can involve some risk. If you are totally out of shape and have had no yoga experience then is is good to take precautions.

It is a really good idea to obtain a medical test before you begin your yoga program if you have any areas of concern. Discuss this with your doctor and this could include an exercise test with ekg monitoring, especially if you have cardiovascular disease, you are over 35, you have high blood pressure or elevated cholesterol levels, you smoke, or you have a family history of heart disease.

Discuss with your doctor any unusual symptoms that you experience during or after yoga or any exercise such as discomfort in your chest, neck, jaw, or arms; nausea, dizziness, fainting, or excessive shortness of breath; or short-term changes in vision.

Always warm up and cool down after a yoga session. It's good to not to exercise outdoors when the weather is too hot and humid, or too cold.

Follow these simple tips and start your yoga practice for the great benefits today.

Yoga For Women

keerthana asked:


Yoga has been gaining immense popularity due to the short-term as well as long-term benefits that it provides.

Today Many Women are spending their lifes with stress overload, due to their heavy responsibilities at home and office. This can cause exhaustion, depression, as well as numerous stress-related physical complaints. Taking up yoga can help redress the balance, by instead, engaging the parasympathetic (quietening) nervous system which produces the ‘relaxation response’.

Taking up yoga provides Fitness and Flexibility to the body and provides solutions to the Health Disorders and one can achieve an All-Round Development Of a calm, stress-free mind.

Women can take up yoga at any age and without being in top physical condition. It is a relaxing experience, not an exhausting one and carries with it an overall sense of well being. The psychological benefits of the practice are as marked as the physical changes.

Yoga Benefits Women In Every Life Stage





The Importance of Yoga



Yoga have been developed over centuries of research and experience. They have been found to be extremely effective in Increasing flexibility of the body which leads to a healthier body

Yoga also helps in losing excessing flab and weight which is a major problem which women are facing now.

Yoga routines will vary depending on the purpose for which you seek to do yoga - it may be for better fitness or for specific ailments.

Yoga can be a wonderful antidote to our stressful lives. The deep breathing, stretching, and relaxation techniques not only help release tension in the body, but can also quiet a busy mind.





Here are two simple yoga practices which keeps your mind and body relax.



1. ‘Legs up the Wall’ Pose

In this passive inversion, you can’t help but relax as it nourishes the nervous system and rejuvenates the circulation. Sit side on to a wall and then flip the legs up the wall to lie on your back. Shuffle your bottom in as close as possible to the wall. Have your arms to the side or bent up overhead. Close your eyes and stay here for anywhere between 2 – 15 minutes. Breathe deeply and slowly.



2. ‘Alternate Nostril’ Breath

I’ve coached corporate groups in this breathing technique, and after just a few rounds, people appear so much more relaxed and calm. It’s a great, quick-fix way to centre yourself at any time when you are feeling anxious – before that job interview, or difficult meeting, for example!



Sit up tall in a comfortable position on the floor or in a chair. Close your eyes and take a few deep breaths. Then place the index and middle fingers of your right hand at the point between the two eyebrows. Close the right nostril with the thumb and take a slow, gentle breath in through the left nostril, then close the left nostril with the ring finger and exhale without force through the right nostril. Inhale again through the right nostril, and then, closing the right nostril and opening the left nostril, exhale. That’s one round. Complete 5 – 15 rounds in your own time. When finished, lower your hand to your lap and breathe naturally for a few cycles before opening your eyes, and easing back into your day .



To get the maximum benefits of yoga one has to combine the practices of yogasanas, pranayama and meditation.Regular practice of asanas, pranayama and meditation can help such diverse ailments such as diabetes, blood pressure, digestive disorders, arthritis, arteriosclerosis, chronic fatigue, asthma, varicose veins and heart conditions.



According to medical scientists, yoga therapy is successful because of the balance created in the nervous and endocrine systems which directly influences all the other systems and organs of the body. Yoga acts both as a curative and preventive therapy. The very essence of yoga lies in attaining mental peace, improved concentration powers, a relaxed state of living and harmony in relationships.





Yoga and Diet.Diet also plays a vital role in yoga It is said that our level of development, mental and spiritual, is reflected in the kind of food we take.

Some of the Food to be taken for good health are Fresh fruits,vegetables,whole grains,wheat and oats. Butter, ghee (clarified butter) and all good natural plant-based oils like sesame, olive and sunflower. Dairy products like milk, ghee, yogurt and cottage cheese from dairy animals who`ve been treated well.Avoid taking meat,junk foods,alcohol,tobacco.



Yoga Meditation

Yogic meditation is a means of training the being to tune itself to the workings of the Divine Being. The central principle of such meditation is to concentrate one`s mental faculties upon the object of quest. But it requires long hours of practice for the mind to be able to attain such sustainable levels of concentration and absorption. This discipline, above everything else, is the essence of yoga meditation.



The success of yogic meditation depends largely on the sincerity and strength of the yogi behind it. It is not the duration but the intensity of the aspiring consciousness, which is more important and ultimately effective. Fatigue is to be avoided at all costs, since it weakens the power of concentration and jades the mind.



Yoga meditation puts the being of the meditating yogi in a condition of increased and conscious receptivity to the workings of yoga shakti or the power of yoga. With a deepening of this state of mind there is often a total withdrawal from the external environment.

Yoga and Woman’s Life Stages

A regular yoga practice is beneficial in every stage of life. When an individual goes through changes, such as those associated with pregnancy, menstruation, or menopause, illness or injury, yoga helps them approach life with more equanimity. Yoga practitioners with depression, eating disorders, arthritis, or bone loss find that yoga can contribute to their healing. Special sequences of poses are available for a wide variety of health conditions. A yoga practice is healing and preventative of many types of illness. It can be emotionally balancing and spiritually nourishing. Yoga can help women on a day-to-day basis by allowing time for inner focus in a culture that is often hurried and which many women find stressful.



Pregnancy Yoga

In pregnancy, yoga helps bring your whole being into balance. Taking time out from a busy life to process the changes you are experiencing is beneficial. Yoga can also help you prepare emotionally and mentally for the anticipated change in your life when you give birth. Emotions are calmed and quieted with the practice of yoga poses and breathing exercises. Breathing exercises develop your inner awareness and can help you give birth by making it easier to consciously relax the body with breath. Yoga postures help you become more adept at changing positions, which is useful in the process of labor and childbirth. You will feel more comfortable in your body which helps you feel better in pregnancy. Aches and pains of pregnancy can be diminished or alleviated with a yoga practice. You can work with your bodily changes to learn how to move ergonomically, freeing your energy with better posture. You can more easily tap into your instinctual self, which will assist you in the birth process.



If you have ever had a miscarriage, do not do yoga during your first trimester. These early months are the most vulnerable time of pregnancy. Avoid standing poses, inversions, twists, and backbends at this time. You can do forward bends, preferably gentle ones over bolsters or pillows. As you progress to the second trimester, you can vary the poses more. Twists can be done very gently in the last two trimesters. Shavasana, the relaxation pose in which you lie on your mat, can be done lying on your side instead of your back. In the third trimester, modify the yoga poses as your weight distribution changes. Your center of balance is different. Don’t put pressure on or compress the belly to keep the baby safe. The priority in prenatal yoga is not to put stress on the baby-to-be. Learn to use yoga props to adapt poses so they are easier for you to perform. Doing poses next to the wall or with a chair works well, and a prenatal yoga teacher can show you how.



The yoga pose that is considered the best preparation for childbirth is Baddha Konasana, or Cobbler’s Pose, and is also called the Bound Angle Pose. It is a hip opener that also works to open the pelvic area. Sit upright on your yoga mat or a cushion. Place the soles of your feet together and bring the heels toward your pelvic area. Your knees will splay out to the sides. You will feel work in your upper thighs, next to the groin area. Breathe and relax with the intensity so that you can release it. If your knees don’t reach the floor, you can place a pillow under each one. You can sit upright, or you can lean forward with your chest supported on a bolster or two. A third way to do the pose is reclining. Try leaning back onto a couple of bolsters with a small extra pillow for your head. The reclining version helps if you are getting up to urinate frequently at night. If you do this for 10 minutes or more at bedtime, it can help.



Pregnancy and ashtanga yoga are an especially good match since this form of yoga follows a well-defined set of movements to come into and out of poses in a way that completely absorbs the consciousness while stilling the thoughts



Yoga for Menstruation

Women are cyclic in their nature and physiology. Most sequences of poses for menstruation include supported forward bends. Forward bends quiet the brain and are perfect for this time in which one typically feels like going inward. For health reasons, it is suggested that you avoid doing inversions during menstruation. Some women also avoid standing poses or backbends at this time. Having a regular practice with a variety of yoga poses for the rest of the month is recommended for women, keeping them healthy, fit and emotionally centered. Yoga helps a woman deal with heavy or irregular menses and PMS. Special sequences exist for these and other problems. Depending on why she is having difficulty becoming pregnant, certain yoga poses may help women become more fertile.



Overall, a woman can balance her endocrine system, improve her blood circulation, develop better posture, become more toned, have better physical balance, increase her flexibility and strength, and build her immune system through yoga practice. A lifelong and daily practice will cultivate the many health benefits and spiritual growth possible with yoga throughout all stages of life.





Some women have found that a regular yoga routine will even out their periods and alleviate the anxiety and depression common at "that time of the month." Also, by strengthening the abdominal muscles, yoga has been found to decrease painful cramping.

Yoga Tips - Half Moon

pete11721 asked:

Donna Landini provides tips for her students to improve their yoga practice. In this video, Donna demonstrates Ardha Chandrasana, or Half-Moon posture. website: www.silkwindstudio.com

Secret To Breathing And Relaxing With Yoga

Jewel Kessler asked:


Turbaned gurus, sing-song mantras and bodily contortions . . . the promise of true enlightenment and omphaloskepsis (contemplation of the naval) completes the cliche. But don't knock yoga till you've tried it, and then only with respect.

Yoga means to bind together -- variously joining sun and moon, left and right, male and female, and any number of yins and yangs -- through ascetic techniques of meditation and exercise. The goal is physical and mental balance.

Indian Hatha' yoga is best known to Westerners. Double-jointedness isn't a prerequisite, but the classic lotus position, cross-legged on the floor, soles-up on the inner thigh, either comes naturally or doesn't.

Then there are more magical/mystical varieties of yoga for which people quit jobs and polite society and retreat to the Himalayas. But not everyone follows a spiritual guide beyond the Beltway; they'd rather take up the discipline at a local ashram or the Y.

Committed practitioners claim yoga leads to intuitive awareness, spiritual harmony, perfect concentration. Others use it to lose weight or quit smoking. Some just like the lift they get from yoga asanas (positions) better than breaking into a sweat with pushups. In any case, it can't hurt, if done in moderation and with proper guidance.

You don't need to fall into the stress mode of life. You can use breath to relax, rather than stress, your mind and body. Yoga helps you to relearn that natural state that your body and mind want to be in: relaxation.

Deep breathing is both calming and energizing. The energy you feel from a few minutes of careful breathe is not nervous or hyper, but that calm, steady energy we all need. Slow, steady, and quiet breathing gives a message to your nervous system: Be calm.

Whole books have been written on yoga breathing. Here is one 5-minute Breath Break. (Read through the instructions several times before you try the practice.)

1. Sit with your spine as straight as possible. Use a chair if necessary but don't slump into it. Feet flat on the floor with knees directly over the center of your feet. Use a book or cushion under your feet if they do not rest comfortably on the floor. Hands are on the tops of your legs.

2. Close your eyes gently and let them rest behind closed lids.

3. Think about your ribs, at the front, back, and at the sides of your body. Your lungs are behind those ribs.

4. Feel your lungs filling up, your ribs expanding out and up. Feel your lungs emptying, your ribs coming back down and in. Don't push the breath.

5. The first few times you do this, do it for 2 to 3 minutes, then do it for up to 5 to 10 minutes. At first, set aside a time at least once a day to do this. When you learn how good it makes you feel, you'll want to do it at other times as well.

Just as one stressful situation goes into your next challenge, relaxing for a few minutes every day gradually carries over into the rest of your daily life and activities.

What Type of Yoga Apparel Should You Include in Your Gym’s Shop?

nicole minor asked:


Yoga has proven itself to be the ultimate discipline for transforming the body, and subsequently, has become incredibly popular in recent years. Though on first glance yoga might not appear to especially strenuous, it is indeed a rigorous work out! Yoga is a discipline which is frequently enjoyed by men, women, and children, so it is important that the range of yoga apparel available in a store reflects this level of diversity.



Why Yoga Apparel is Different than Others



Yoga apparel has been specifically designed to accommodate the physical demands of a yoga workout. If yoga apparel is uncomfortable or unsuitable, wearers will not be able to get the maximum enjoyment or benefit from their workout. Our company is able to offer an incredible variety of yoga apparel, which can easily be personalized to make it specific to your company or gym. We are able to personalize yoga apparel in two different ways: embroidery and heat transfer. Whatever your requirements, we will be happy to offer you advice on yoga apparel to fit your students and your budget.



Tips for Buying Yoga Apparel for Your Gym



If you are considering stocking your gym with appealing yoga apparel, you have many options. However, it is important to keep several factors in mind to ensure that you can please your customers.



- Buy comfortable clothing – Yoga students come in a range of shapes and sizes, and our yoga apparel accommodates them all. Our yoga apparel comes in six different sizes because we appreciate that every student wants to feel comfortable when they work out. All of the yoga apparel available contains spandex, which allows the body to expand naturally without splitting or stretching the fabric.



- Buy yoga apparel which absorbs sweat – No yoga student wants to be showered in other people’s sweat, so it is incredibly important to purchase clothing that will minimize this risk. Our performance fabrics feature dry wicking capabilities with added antimicrobial treatment, which will ensure that anyone partaking in yoga or other active pursuits will stay dry and fresh throughout their workout.



- Buy Capri pants – Capri pants make for comfortable and durable yoga apparel. Men and women can wear them, and they are suitable for other activities, such as dance, martial arts, and Pilates. Our yoga pants have side vents at the opening of each leg, which makes the wearer feel much cooler. In addition, these yoga pants have a zipper pocket on the left hip to ensure that valuables stay put during poses.



- Buy a range of colors – Every yoga student has a unique skin tone and body shape. Many people feel self-conscious about buying tight yoga apparel which seems to magnify every bulge, so it is essential to provide a wide range of flattering colors to compliment every wearer. Our company offers a variety of fashionable color combinations in order to make yoga students feel more confident in their bodies.



Yoga apparel changes quickly with fashion trends. Though it is important to offer the latest designs and colors, the mainstay of your gym’s store should be affordable, yoga-appropriate clothing which makes wearers feel happy and confident about their bodies. In addition, consider adding your gym’s logo to yoga apparel, as this serves to promote unity, belonging, and support.

Yoga - Benefits of Yoga

Juliet Cohen asked:


Yoga is an ancient practice that helps create a sense of union in body, mind, and spirit. The most important benefit of yoga is physical and mental therapy. The aging process, which is largely an artificial condition, caused mainly by autointoxication or self-poisoning, can be slowed down by practicing yoga. Although yoga has been shown to be beneficial in a variety of conditions, it is not considered a therapy for specific illnesses. Yoga also strives to increase self-awareness on both a physical and psychological level. This allows people to take early collective action, such as adjusting posture, when discomfort is first noticed. Practicing yoga can provide chronic pain sufferers with useful tools to actively cope with their pain and help counter feelings of helplessness and depression. Laboratory tests have proved the yogi's increased abilities of consciously controlling autonomic or involuntary functions, such as temperature, heartbeat and blood pressure. Patients who practice yoga have a better chance of gaining the ability to control their breathing problems.

In general, yoga is a very safe form of exercise for most people. For those with specific back conditions, it is advisable to speak with one's treating physician prior to starting yoga. Yoga is dynamite to make you feel younger with heightened mental prowness. Longer life often result from following yogic ways of health maintenance. Yoga is approximately 4,000 years old and is a scientific methodology aimed at uniting the mind, body, and spirit. Yoga is believed to reduce pain by helping the brain's pain center regulate the gate-controlling mechanism located in the spinal cord and the secretion of natural painkillers in the body. Breathing exercises used in yoga can also reduce pain. Yoga has consistently been used to cure and prevent back pain by enhancing strength and flexibility. Both acute and long-term stress can lead to muscle tension and exacerbate back problems.

Biochemical Benefits of Yoga

Biochemical benefits of Yoga are as follows:

1. Sodium decreases.

2. Triglycerides decrease.

3. Cholinesterase increases.

4. Hemoglobin increases.

5. Total white blood cell count decreases.

6. Thyroxin increases.

7. Vitamin C increases.

Exercise Benefits of Yoga:

1. Rapid forceful movements.

2. Increased muscle tension.

3. Moderate to high caloric consumption.

4. Fatiguing.

5. Imbalance activity of opposing groups.

6. Boredom factor.

Physiological Benefits of Yoga

Some of the Physiological benefits of Yoga are as follows:

1. Pulse rate decreases.

2. Cardiovascular efficiency increases.

3. Musculoskeletal flexibility and joint range of motion increase.

4. Posture improves.

5. Strength and resiliency increase.

6. Immunity increases.

7. Pain decreases.

Yoga Mat – All You Should Know About a Yoga Mat

Bertil Hjert asked:


When practicing yoga, you need to make certain investments. These investments would do a lot for your flawless performance, benefits that you obtain from performing various asanas and overall health.

One of the most important investments you require to make even before you start off with your program of doing yoga is purchasing a yoga mat. This is one of the most crucial investments you need to make.

A) The mat is beneficial to you in the following aspects:

a) It prevents you from falling and provides you good amount of grip.

b) It provides you safety and it lets you perform all the asanas without any difficulty.

c) It allows you to stay away from sweat and the distraction caused by sweat while performing yoga.

d) A yoga mat provides good support for your back when you lie down.

e) The yoga mat lets you perform all your asanas just the way you should.

B) There are several things you need to consider prior to purchasing a yoga mat. This will make sure that you have made the best possible deal:

a) Learn

Try to gain sound knowledge on different types of yoga mats available. You need to know what material these are made of, what each mat specializes in and how they differ from each other.

b) Research

In order to get the best deal, you need to do a little bit of homework on your side. Try to make a good research on various shops selling yoga mats, the quality they deal in and prices each dealer offers you. Compare and then make a choice.

c) Comfort level

When choosing yoga mat you must see your comfort level. Check out whether your height and width fit well into the mat you are planning to purchase. The yoga mat should be able to provide proper grip and lay flat on the ground. Don’t buy if it sticks to your feet when you lie down.

d) Allergies

Latex yoga mats are very popular and most commonly used. However, if you are allergic to latex products, simply stay away from it.

e) Don’t fall for cheap options

Don’t purchase a yoga mat just because it offers you good amount of discounts. Purchase a yoga mat only if it fulfills all your needs and specific yogic requirements.

f) Ask your instructor

If you are learning yoga from an instructor, ask him to provide superb tips for purchasing a yoga mat. He would be the best person to provide you great suggestions.

g) Look for these basic points

Make sure that you look for the basic points when purchasing a yoga mat.

1. Health and environment safe

2. Durability and comfortability

3. Accepted by your teacher

4. Non-slippery and light and easy to roll up

h) Tests

Here are some tests that would prove useful for you when purchasing a yoga mat.

a) The Quarter test

The edge of a quarter will tell you a lot about its durability. The more the strokes, the longer will be the life of yoga mat.

b) The wet friction test

Just wet your hands and bear down laterally on the mat surface. This will let you compare wet traction.

c) The pinch test

Just pinch the mat between thumb and forefinger and you will come o know about compression resistance.

Yoga for Beginners - Useful Tips for Beginners

Dr John Anne asked:




Be certain to wear the proper clothing. Clothes should be loose so that you can do any movement properly.





Keep yourself warm while performing the corpse pose.





Have the suitable space for your yoga practice. The perfect setting should be well ventilated, have natural light and be free from disturbance and interruptions.. Practice on a carpet or a mat sufficient for you to stretch out on.





Have a central point, such as a painting you especially enjoy or a pretty plant, for balancing exercises that require a fixed look.





It is usually suggested that yoga be performed on an empty stomach, prior to a full meal or at least an hour or two after eating.





Evade stimulating poses during the evening. This comprises the sun salutation, the standing poses and backward bending poses.





Pay thought to feelings of pain. Yoga is not about competitiveness. Move through the asanas (poses) at your own pace. Never force or pull your body into any position that feels painful. Pushing yourself into a uncomfortable position is risking injury. To avoid pain, and in fact use yoga to decrease any pain issues you may already have, see our section on yoga therapy.





Pain is a indication that needs to be analyzed and understood. It may signify your body needs work in a particular area, but also that you need to carry on with caution. With yoga the benefits develop over time. Remember that muscles that have been restricted in movement or atrophied from under use over a period of years are not going to be transformed over night.





To practice the asanas (poses) does not require any special diet, but if you find out you enjoy yoga, you may find it appealing to read up on the traditional yogi diet.

Yoga Practice Tips

Rachel G Hartle asked:


Achieving the best possible results with yoga relies on you being both dedicated to regular practice and having the ability to overcome any obstacles or difficulties you may face in the course of your training. Following the correct practices thoroughly will result in the best outcome for you and your body. It is best to find motivation within yourself to dedicate yourself to a particular yoga path, and then apply yourself to it using either classes, books or any other yoga aid you may have purchased.

Simple techniques, such as meditation and basic postures can be picked up easily, however for more difficult or demanding areas of yoga it is best to establish good habits and correct practices early on, since bad habits can be harder to break the longer you continue with what you've learned. It is best to practice yoga daily so you become accommodated to it until it becomes almost second nature.

Firstly however, you must be sure you can find the dedication and motivation within yourself to embark on your yoga journey. Completing this step first will ensure a higher success rate and continued growth with your yoga experience. Be sure in your mind and heart that yoga really is important to you.

The next step is set a goal and devise your strategy for achieving it. Make a schedule for when and where you wish to practice yoga, and stick to it. Try and be realistic in your planning and make target's achievable. Plan your yoga sessions around times when there are little distractions so you can keep good focus throughout.

Finally, be patient and understanding with yourself. Sometimes you may slip from your plan. If this happens don't let it ruin your motivation, instead just resume your plan as normal.

Grab The Best Yoga Wear

Charles Cox asked:


The most important consideration in choosing the perfect yoga wear is the comfort that it gives you. Do not wear clothes that are loose because it will leave you distracted. Some people may be comfortable in wearing loose clothes in going out to the park or the malls. Later on when they do yoga, they realized that the wearing loose clothes are not so fitting at all.

Yoga wear that is too tight may not me too comfortable also because it may not give you enough space to breathe.

Yoga wear includes tee shirts, pants, sweaters and even bags. These are some things you can not live without when doing yoga. It is important that you have this kind of clothing in order to be able to perform the practice without the worries and hassles.

Students who are teenagers are very particular with yoga wear. It is something they consider as an accessory in yoga. For them, without nice clothes, they just could not practice well.

That is common to all yoga practitioners. Of course you need to have a good yoga clothing and outlook so that you will have that confidence when you make poses and exercises. It should be at the best level so that you get to perform well and not feel conscious or embarrassed when you are in the class.

Yoga wear can be costly but if you are wise and know how to choose properly, you will get the kind of yoga clothing that you have without hurting your wallet.

Check out the stores that sell all yoga wear and accessories only. Buying in exclusive yoga clothing can be advantageous so that you will not have a hard time looking around. Another advantage is that you can compare the differences of the clothes. You can tell whether it has a high quality at a fair price of if it is marked high but with proven endurance.

Yoga wear should not be costly and should not eat up your budget because yoga is not meant to be an expensive exercise. It only needs to be given a slight expense and should be fair.

If you will be wiser, you can check out the stores all over the place and compare the prices. After you find the best store that sold yoga clothing, check it out once in a while and see whether they have new freebies and discounts available.

If shopping for you is so hard and tiring, that is not a problem anymore. You can now check your favorite yoga wear online. For sure you will have a lot of choices if you check the products online. You can browse through hundreds and thousands of sites that sell yoga items. If you are acquiring lessons online, there will never be a problem because you know which sites sell the best yoga wear.

Now for the last tip in buying yoga wear, choose the ones that you think will soothe your body and give you the deep concentration you had been aiming for. Now take this, it may not be essential but yoga clothes has a lot to do with your concentration.

Elsie's Yoga Tips: Handstand Splits at the Wall

lilielsie asked:

a supplement video that goes with Episode 33 or Elsie's Yoga Class: Live and Unplugged Podcast. Just a visual look at the pose itself, for the teaching of it you have to listen to the podcast. you can subscribe through itunes!

Introduction to Yoga

Adrain Clayton asked:






When one mentions “yoga”, many images may be conjured up. Perhaps you get an image of flower children from the 60’s sitting in a circle with their legs in impossible positions chanting “Ohm” around a huge candle in a poorly lit room. Yoga is an ancient art that has been practiced for centuries. Over the years, it has risen in popularity as a way to stay fit, get in touch with one’s inner self, and keep a balance of sanity in a sometimes insane world.

While yoga did come to popularity in the 60’s with Maharishi Mahesh Yogi who popularized Transcendental Meditation (TM) in the 60's, because he was associated with the Beatles, yoga practitioners have brought the ancient practice to the forefront of wellness in recent years.

Many scholars believe that yoga dates back over 5,000 years to the beginning of human civilization. Scholars believe that yoga grew out of Stone Age Shamanism, because of the cultural similarities between Modern Hinduism and Mehrgarh, a neolithic settlement (in what is now Afghanistan). In fact, much of Hindu ideas, rituals and symbols of today appear to have their roots in this shamanistic culture of Mehrgahr.

Early Yoga and archaic shamanism had much in common as both sought to transcend the human condition. The primary goal of shamanism was to heal members of the community and act as religious mediators. Archaic Yoga was also community oriented, as it attempted to discern the cosmic order through inner vision, then to apply that order to daily living. Later, Yoga evolved into a more inward experience, and Yogis focused on their individual enlightenment and salvation.

Yoga is the most diversified spiritual practice in the world. Crossing over many cultures (including Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and the West), Yoga also extends over multiple languages such as Hindi, Tibetan, Bengali, Sanskrit, Tamil, Prakit, Marathi and Pali. The Yogic tradition continues to proliferate and spread its message of peace to this very day.

There are many different places that offer yoga classes – gyms, wellness centers, even the local YMCA. But you don’t have to join a class to practice yoga. It is just as easily done in your home or even at your desk while at work. Yoga can help bring you inner peace when you are stressed out. It can even help relieve the pain of headaches, backaches, and menstrual cramps.

As studies continue to reveal yoga's many health benefits, this centuries-old Eastern philosophy is fast becoming the new fitness soul mate for workout enthusiasts. Contemporary devotees range from high-powered execs trying to keep hearts beating on a healthy note to image-conscious Hollywood stars striving for sleek physiques. Even prominent athletes are adding yoga to their training regime to develop balanced, injury-free muscles and spines.

Yet to applaud yoga for its physical benefits alone would only diminish what this entire system has to offer as a whole. By practicing yoga on a regular basis, you may be surprised to find that you're building much more than a strong, flexible body.

Initially, the sole purpose of practicing yoga was to experience spiritual enlightenment. In Sanskrit (the ancient language of India), yoga translates as "yoke" or "union," describing the integration of mind and body to create a greater connection with one's own pure, essential nature.

Classes that have gained popularity in the United States usually teach one of the many types of hatha yoga, a physical discipline which focuses mainly on asanas (postures) and breath work in order to prepare the body for spiritual pursuits.

We will attempt to simplify the ancient practice of yoga by showing you some basic yoga positions, giving you tips on performing yoga exercises, and inducting meditation practices into your everyday life. Through yoga and meditation, you could come to a new level of enlightenment with your personal life and enhance the quality of your existence.

No longer is yoga a mysterious phenomenon. It is now simply a way to keep you healthy and aligned.

Introduction To Yoga

Proper Yoga Clothes - Essential Yoga Clothing Tips

Abhishek Agarwal asked:


Yoga clothing is an important aspect of yoga. In yoga there is no strict rule that you need to wear a particular style of clothes but what you need to wear is something that provides you comfort and ease while you do the yoga postures. Wearing the right and appropriate clothes makes you feel good while you get your body in the various postures.

It is important that the material you choose for your yoga clothing is made out of cotton fiber and is loose and stretchable so that you will feel comfortable. When you do the various body movements some of which are difficult in yoga you will find that you begin to perspire profusely. It is for this reason that you need to wear cotton clothing so that your body can breathe.

Wearing the proper clothing during yoga practice ensures that you can remain focused on your postures and will not have to experience uneasiness and become distracted. The different types of yoga clothing which are being used by most people today are shorts, sweat shirts, leotards and tights. You must decide on the right type of yoga clothing according to your size and comfort. Some of the movements in the yoga postures are fast while some are extremely slow so you need to select a good fit for yourself.

Wearing tight fitting clothing during yoga practice will prevent you from moving your limbs freely and this will cause you to loose concentration. You can do yoga anywhere like at your home, garage or even in parks but the clothing that you wear is what makes the difference.

If you live in warm places that are likely to cause you to sweat profusely while doing yoga then you need to wear clothes like shorts which allow you to feel comfortable. Leaving your body less covered will allow the excess perspiration to evaporate much more easily. Tank tops and tubes would also make ideal wear as they will allow your body to breathe and not feel sticky during the workout.

For a cooler clime or in laces which are air conditioned, wear clothes which have long sleeves or those which cover your body partly so that you do not end up feeling cold.

Covering your body in cold climate while doing yoga will give the warmth that you need. This is very essential because doing yoga in a cold climate will restrict the movements of your limbs.

Hot Yoga or Bikram yoga requires that you wear shorts which are considered the most appropriate outfit for this particular style of yoga. When you wear shorts, it allows the body to breathe air freely and makes you feel comfortable too allowing you to do the yoga with greater concentration.

Since yoga does not require that you wear a particular set of clothes, it all depends on each individual's taste and style. For the trendy people wearing colorful clothes makes them stand out and feel unique. While there are still others who want to harmonize with nature and so choose clothes that go with it. Nature lovers can choose clothes that are bright and colorful with floral designs.

Remember that the yoga clothing that you choose reflects your personality and in order to feel self confident and reassured you need to dress appropriately. The clothes that you wear can reflect on how you do your workouts. So keep this in mind before you go out in search of yoga clothing for yourself. Look for yoga clothing that fit your style.

Yoga for Happiness - Some Tips

herbalremedies asked:


How can Yoga help you find mental and emotional balance during a crisis situation? It is so easy to become upset over current events, a traffic jam, or a domestic dispute. How can Yoga help us "keep our cool," when we are being tested by real life situations? One realization that each of us should come to is that we can create a state of anxiety from within. If you watch a flock of birds, the birds who feel the most anxiety, create a state of panic within the entire flock. Humans are just as guilty of creating a state of fear within groups.

You can witness this behavior first-hand by watching any stock exchange, on any given day. Some forms of mass hysteria have caused violent behavior in the form of witch hunts, genocide, and lynch mobs. Fear can take on a sense of reality, when we collectively anticipate the worst. If we know that unjustified fear can only make a crisis situation worsen, why do we adopt it? The average person's natural viewpoint of life is to see it on the outside.

In bad economic times, people worry about food, clothing, and shelter. In truth, worrying is the problem. Many of us look for something to worry about the moment we wake up from bedtime. In this case, it is a matter of focusing the mind on what is truly important. Some people refer to this as envisioning a goal, an achievement, or success.

Some of my colleagues argue against teaching students about abundance and success. The general consensus is that Yoga students might abuse these techniques and become greedy. However, the world is in need of innovative and goal oriented people, right now.

My feeling is this world needs success more than ever. If we have enough people, who become prosperous, many of them will be charitable, as well. Here are a few ideas for envisioning your success in life. You can reflect on them, meditate on them, or visualize them, but you must act on them. Be very specific about your goals. See yourself as successful. Feel what it will be like to give to others who need your help. Write your aspirations down and be clear about what you want to accomplish. There may be some "twists and turns" in life, but do not let it bother you.

Keep your "eyes on the prize." Too many people get caught up in worrying about each hurdle in life. Let God take care of the details. Life is a big picture, not a brush stroke. If you make a mistake, do your best at repairing it and move forward.

Be ready to "turn on a dime." If you visualize a path of success, be prepared for a "long and winding road." Do not let the changes bother you, because you are navigating through unfamiliar territory. Imagine how Christopher Columbus felt when he saw "all that land." Lastly, look at an ethical example of success. If possible, do some research into how he or she made the achievements you desire.

Do not wait for someone else to show the first act of loving kindness. If you show acts of kindness, happiness will follow you wherever you go. For every action you take, there is always an equal reaction, which comes back to you.

You may ask for nothing in return for acts of loving kindness, but the Law of Karma will always bear fruit. Everyone deserves happiness. If you find yourself in the middle of a surplus, make sure you are always generous.

Meditation and Yoga Tips

TheWeatherMan2012 asked:

Meditation and Yoga Tips

How Yoga Can Change Your Life

Steven Stratton asked:


A lot of people want to live a healthier life. They want to be more flexible, be able to climb a flight of stairs without running out of breath and feel energetic all day long. The major problem is that usually people do not have hundreds of dollars to spend on a gym membership or the time it takes to dedicate their lives to working out on a daily basis. Either that or they feel uncomfortable working out in a gym environment. Being surrounded by muscular men and women can be an intimidating experience, to say the least.

The best way to alter your lifestyle is to find something you enjoy doing. It is far easier to work up the energy to do something if you are enjoying what it is you are doing. And that is really the bottom line.

For many people, Yoga is the answer to their prayers. If you have some extra money, you can join a class, but if you do not, you can always pick up a Yoga book at the nearest bookstore or library. Yoga can be done at home, too, which makes it a convenient pastime. A good Yoga matt and some Yoga blocks is pretty much all the equipment you need in order to get started, and they are relatively cheap to buy.

How Yoga Will Benefit You

Yoga will help build flexibility in your joints as well as build strength and endurance in your muscles. Stretching may not look particularly hard, but it is harder than it looks. Yoga will also teach you breathing techniques to help calm your frazzled nerves in times of stress. In today's economic environment, we need all the stress busting tips we can get.

Yoga also helps detoxify the body. Stretching muscles joints and massaging various organs will ensure that you get maximum blood flow to your organs and muscles, which in turn help your body flush out any toxins lingering in these areas.

If you are looking to work up a sweat, you can try Power Yoga, which is a form of Yoga that combines Yoga and aerobics in order to give you the best work out possible. However, if you are just starting out, it is probably a good idea to start out in a regular Yoga class, since Power Yoga is intense and can lead to injury if you are not careful.

Yoga is a safe and fun way to increase the amount of exercise you do. It will help you burn off excess fat, make you more flexible and ensure that your body has the necessary blood flow to flush out toxins.

Obviously, there are a lot of women who do Yoga, but it is also great for men to do it too. If you are a guy who loves to lift weights and build muscle, than Yoga is great, not only will it help your muscles develop, but also Yoga will prevent you from becoming stiff. What is the point of building all the muscles if you can't even straighten your arm out? With Yoga you can build the flexibility to compliment those muscles.

How to Fight Fat and Win With Yoga

Suzanne Andrews asked:


Confucius said: "Men do not mirror themselves in running water - they mirror themselves in still water. Only what is still can still the stillness of other things." In our super-busy, hectic, often frantic, overworked, overburdened world, we do not take the time to be still and hear our self breathe. To inspire is to be inspired with the gift of life and possess an extraordinary sense of well being.

With stress reaching epidemic proportions, frantic-paced overeating is becoming the fastest anti-anxiety reprieve. With the added stressers of overwhelming work schedules and the struggling demands of daily life, Americans are carrying heavier burdens and equally excessive weight. According to Sally Squires of The Washington Post - "Even our children are more obese than in any other country, tipping the scales at 4. 7 million." There are added weight loss programs, supplementary low-fat foods, a smorgasboard of diet books and yet people are gaining more weight. With busy schedules and stressfull time constraints, Americans are injesting more food and less oxygen.

The Power of Your Thoughts on your Health are Profound. Marcella Bakur Weiner, Ph.D. psychologist and Adjunct Proffessor at Marymount Manhattan College in New York affirms: "We have developed an automatic reflexive reaction: We feel stress; we turn to food. We eat and overeat. It is automatic, meaning non-thinking. We humans make choices, little ones and big ones, hundreds of times each day. Simple decisions that determine what our lives will be. And we make them in full consciousness, using our brains and hearts to do so. Our survival depends on this." "When you're in a stressfull situation, your brain goes into "fight or flight mode", signalling your body to secrete hormones that affects your organs and tissues. Susan Conrow, Physiologist and professor at Daytona Beach Community College states, "chronic stress affects every cell in our body." The power of your thoughts on your health are profound. How destructive is Chronic stress? Your heart, lungs and circulatory system are influenced by the increased heart rate. Blood flow may increase 300 - 400 percent. Blood pressure increases and breathing becomes rapid. Blood sugar rises. Your mouth and throat may become dry. Your skin may become cool and clammy because blood flow is diverted away so it can support the heart and muscle tissues. Your digestive activity shuts down. Stress can trigger heart disease Sleep disorders and yes - weight gain. When you are stressed, your body releases powerful hormones including the major stress hormone cortisol. Cortisol can cause you to crave sweets and other carbohydrate rich foods. A cycle forms. You get stressed, you eat, you gain weight. You get stressed, you eat, you gain weight. When you practice yoga breathing, you are better able to connect inner peace from your mind to every piece of your body.

The Daytona Beach News Journal reports "the integration of mind, body, spirit that practicing yoga encompasses helped saved Suzanne Andrews life." Her breathing techniques developed lungs physically powerful enough to sustain Suzanne through a recent near-death experience after a fatal medical miscalculation caused her pulse to stop on the operating table. Today, Andrews literally owes her life to regularly practicing and teaching therapeutic yoga. On January 5th, 2005, Andrews went in for a minor surgical procedure to unblock her sinuses. While on the operating table, she experienced an allergic reaction and her pulse stopped . Trapped between life and death, the doctors frantically performed CPR and tension filled the air as her lips, hands and feet turned an eerie blue. An ambulance was called where her near lifeless body was transported to the intensive medical care unit of Halifax Medical Center in Daytona Beach, Florida. Her kidneys refused to function and her veins were so constricted that doctor failed to get another IV into her after 3 attempts. After meditating for just 5 minutes, Suzanne Andrews kidneys began to function, her pulse strengthened and her veins opened up enough to get the lifesaving IV in. The cardiologist said, "I am an Indian Doctor and my patient is teaching me how great yoga is! Your strong lungs from Yoga really helped pull you through." The surgeon, Dr. Mirante added, " the positive attitude teachings of yoga played a major part in recovery." The Observer Newspaper notes, "Yoga had been hard on some people with disabilities until now. Suzanne Andrews teaches modified yoga classes for patients and employees. Not only has Andrews had personal experience with yoga, she has made an instructional DVD to help others." Yoga practice is at an all time high - The Yoga Journal reports that there are now 16 million people practicing yoga in the United States. Yoga may be new to us westerners, but it is over 5000 years old - and it can make you look and feel 10 - 20 years younger.

The Mayo Clinic September 2003 Newsletter reports, "yoga IS effective at relieving stress." According to the National Institue of Health, "regular yoga practice can help reduce anxiety, lower blood pressure, alter brain waves and assist you heart to work more efficiently. Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia demonstrated how just one session of yoga can lower blood levels of the stress hormone - cortisol. "Participants cortisol level were measured before and after they practiced yoga, then again before and after they sat quietly while reading or writing. After the yoga sessions, cortisol levels dropped. There was no drop after the resting sessions."

Surf Yoga Retreats in Costa Rica

Kelcey Parker asked:


When you first hear the words surf and yoga together, you may conjure images of a swami sitting cross-legged on a paisley longboard, coasting effortlessly through the clouds to a soundtrack of "Ohmmmm..." Not quite. Surf Yoga is a growing phenomenon amongst surfers with an interest in yoga, and yoga practitioners with a taste for the extreme.

These two disciplines go together like chocolate and peanut butter. First - the chocolate; As 9-time World Surfing Champion Kelly Slater has proved again and again, yoga is an invaluable part of any surfer's fitness training routine. Surfers yoga takes an age old system of stretching, poses, and meditation in a new direction; targeting the motions that surfers use to balance, with a focus on strengthening the muscle groups that are used for the "take off, " the "pop up," and turning manouevers like "cut backs," "hitting the lip" and "tube-riding." The mental discipline and physical benefits, combined with a heightened consciousness of body, mind and spirit, have been a key part of Kelly's success, and many other competitive surfers.

For those who have already been practicing yoga - the peanut butter to our chocolate - surfing is a new and exciting way to get a full body workout, and embodies some of the same philosophies that yoga does; oneness and harmony with natural surroundings with an emphasis on awareness through practice and personal betterment.

Surfing has two faces - the bleached blonde, pimple faced California teenager who dreams of competing in the ASP World Tour, but smokes to much weed to ever get it together to register for a contest; and everyone else. That's right! Surfing is for everyone, regardless of age, sex, race, demographic, or any other qualifiers you can attach to the sport. The truth is: surfing is a deeply personal pursuit, and not everyone gets into it for the same reason. But one thing does remain consistent for just about anyone who has been at it for a while, a deep emotional connection with the ocean, and a respect for her power, which is both awesome and humbling. With surfing, the rewards are huge; your first wave, your deepest tube ride, your longest ride. In yoga, the rewards are also huge; physical fitness and mental focus which benefits you in every aspect of your daily life. Chocolate and peanut butter.

I know what you're thinking... "Where can I find this delicious chocolate and peanut butter surfing yoga cupcake? And how soon can I gobble it up!" The answer is one you are simply going to love: Costa Rica Surf Yoga Retreats. Costa Rica has been a Mecca for surfers for years, and over the last 10 or so, several excellent yoga teachers have established themselves as surf yoga masters. It gets even better, your surf and yoga retreats are located in some of the country's most exotic destinations, nestled in tropical rainforest beach towns, where the jungle spills into the ocean and perfect waves beckon. Your packaged surf yoga retreat can be customized to include a host of other activities, like nature hikes to waterfalls, snorkeling, horseback rides on the beach, luxury spa treatments, and surfing excursions to Costa Rica's best beaches. Seven days of unspoiled natural beauty in one of the worlds most accessible and tourist friendly countries sets the stage for you to indulge in your new passion: surf yoga.

Don't worry - I'm not going to leave you hanging! I'm going to make this whole painful process easy for you. Not only am I going to drop this mouth watering chocolate and peanut butter travel nugget right into your mouth, I'm going to show you where you can get your own, so you can keep eating and eating and eating; until you explode. But first, you will need to get yourself to the sleepy fishing town of Montezuma, located on the southern tip of Costa Rica's Nicoya Peninsula. Montezuma is a quiet town, a blend of locals (Tico's), Europeans, and Eco-Tourists on a budget. Amenities like the bank and the post office are forty minutes away in the town of Cobano, and Cabo Blanco National Park is adjacent, where you can find all the howler monkeys, iguanas, exotic birds and Tarzan swinging vines you will ever need.

Contact one of these Surf Yoga Retreats and customize a package for your next vacation. Awaken your mind, rejuvenate your spirit, and nurture your body with a surf and yoga vacation. Find out for yourself why Costa Rica's mantra "Pura Vida" or "Pure Life" can be heard echoing throughout the country every day.

Yoga For Losing Weight

Paul M. Jerard Jr. asked:


With America tipping the scales on obesity, and weight-related health problems, it is more important than ever for all of us to stay fit. Many of us have already gone past the ideal weight category. We need to find our way back to a healthy, fit form. Yoga cannot entirely replace the benefits of regular aerobic activity, such as walking, but yoga can provide the basis for a healthier lifestyle.

What Hollywood and the "get skinny quick" master minds of modern marketing would have you believe is that rapid weight loss is healthy. The reality of the world we live in is that gradual weight loss of one pound, or two, per week is healthy. Gradual weight loss has the best chance of becoming permanent.

Holistic health has everything to do with balance in the body and all of the body's systems. Crash dieting and excessive / obsessive workouts only create further imbalances of the body and mind. The best way to reach a truly healthy state is to eat life-giving foods, strengthen and sooth the body, and renew the mind and spirit.

This may not be what you want to hear if you're coming here for advice on weight loss. Yes, if you are overweight or obese, now is the time to lose the weight. Extra weight increases the risk for nearly every disease, including heart disease, cancer and stroke. The simple fact of the matter is that being overweight puts stress on all systems of the body. Stress, in turn, creates imbalance, lessens immunity, and increases cellular oxidation. This is all the more reason to seek balance in the body.

To begin, make a concerted effort to increase your activity level in your everyday life. Pay close attention to what you eat and follow the yoga diet as closely as possible. By eating foods as close to their natural state as possible, you absorb the most nutrients, and gain the most positive effects from your food choices. The yoga diet is also high in fiber, which will aid in digestion from beginning to end. Once again, here we are on the topic of complete balance.

Hatha Yoga instructors must learn to adapt their teaching styles to accommodate students with a variety of health conditions. Obesity is a common, but serious, health risk factor, which has to be addressed by teachers, in a compassionate way.

Any student who walks through the door of your studio is taking a pro-active stance toward his or her health. Compassion and mutual respect are the foundation of the student / teacher relationship. Therefore, adapt and modify to meet any student's needs.

If you are a student, begin your yoga practice with a knowledgeable yoga instructor, who is familiar with your goals. Learn the proper ways to breathe and do the yoga postures. Proper yoga breathing, or pranayama, decreases stress and increases the efficiency of all bodily systems.

Circulation is improved by the breathing, and by the series of poses and stretches, performed during a Hatha yoga class. Improved circulation increases energy levels, dispelling fatigue and allowing you to be more active. After practicing yoga for awhile, you will want to take the stairs!

Yoga improves one's idea of self-worth, and that is the beginning of any path to improved health or appearance. Instructors create a soothing and comfortable, yet challenging environment, to encourage all participants to grow.

The focused meditation, awareness, and visualization, allow you to seek out a healthier mental place for yourself. This also helps you to remember your own significance. No one can really make a beneficial life change without believing they are worth it.

Certain poses stimulate the glands that help the body burn fat. The thyroid gland becomes stimulated when you perform the classic shoulder stand. Other poses that focus on the abdomen, stimulate digestion and the excretion of hormones in the pancreas.

Yoga poses also help you appear slimmer, by improving posture. When you feel better, you'll look better. The muscles in the abdomen, hips, and buttocks, are stretched and strengthened, providing a tighter, firmer core.

For students who are in shape, and in search of higher impact or more calorie-burning types of yoga, try Vinyasa yoga (a faster-paced yoga, which is sometimes practiced in a heated room.) Ashtanga yoga is another fast-paced yoga, which follows the same movements in every class.

Another option is a hybrid form of cardiovascular yoga, an adapted type of cardiovascular exercise involving yoga principles.

Copyright 2008 - Paul Jerard / Aura Publications

Relaxation For Psychic Self-Defense - Great Tips To Relax Better

Abhishek Agarwal asked:


Stress is a major factor in illness and unhappiness. It leads to disease, depression, anger, and even violence. Stress shows up in a person's aura, too. It weakens and clouds the aura, making us more vulnerable to additional negative influences and less able to regain and maintain our own health and vitality. Stress makes us less organized and less effective in everything we try to do.

Taking time to develop relaxation skills will also help improve your health, your outlook, your emotional balance, and your spiritual development. Here are some tips for how you can learn to relax and become a happier, healthy person with a strong, vibrant aura.

A word of caution. Don't expect immediate results. It takes time to develop any new skill. In this busy world, it will take time and patience to acquire effective relaxation skills. Don't give up. Don't give in. Just keep practicing until you can relax on a moment's notice.

* Read for relaxation. Learning new things, imagining the exploits of heroes, traveling to new countries and cultures, and just plain having fun are all benefits of reading. One good way to relax is to read something you enjoy. Finding the right positive material is important if you are to relax. We do not recommend the daily newspaper or gossip columns. Rather, seek uplifting, positive materials that fill you with joy and hope.

* Make time for yourself. Too often, we forget to take time for ourselves. But personal time is important to relaxation. Plan to take at least 10 minutes (30 is better) every day to do something positive just for you. Make it healthy and wholesome, though, so it really does help you develop your character and a strong healthy aura. Plan to take a hot bath or shower, get a massage, take a walk in the park, or play with your pet.

* Take up yoga. Yoga is a excellent tool for toning your body and relaxation. Unlike strenuous workouts and aerobic drills, yoga is based on balance and stretching. You become more physically and mentally flexible through yoga. And yoga helps you learn to breathe properly.

* Learn how to do deep-muscle relaxation. Deep breathing is a very effective relaxation technique. You lie down in a cool quiet place and concentrate on taking breath in, holding it, and exhaling slowly. You focus your complete attention on your breath, and think of nothing else. Combine this with deep-muscle relaxation, and it's as good as getting a massage. You tense muscles as you inhale and slowly relax them as you exhale. Do this for about 20 minutes, and you'll feel like new. Your aura will be clear and strong.

* Improve your communication skills. Having problems expressing your thoughts and feelings clearly is a stressful problem that damages relationships and emotional balance. By reading about or taking a course in effective communication, your improve your ability to connect with others and to make yourself heard. These improvements will pay off in professional and personal areas and build your confidence. Better communication will reduce stress and make you a healthier, more positive human being, thereby improving your aura.

* Identify and set your personal goals. Many people add to their own stress by drifting without purpose. If you are not clear about what you want in life, it's time to give it some serious thought. You can't take the steps to improve your life without knowing where those steps will take you. Perhaps you want to change careers or develop a new professionals skill. Or maybe you want to work toward an early retirement. You might want to work toward a life-long dream you always thought impossible. Whatever it is, know what is important for you, and then pursue it. Even a little progress will improve your health, your outlook, and your aura.

* Take up meditation. Meditation is the best tool for reducing stress. It's a form of yoga that focuses on your mental and emotional condition. You can do it anywhere and in many different styles. Do a little research to find the type of meditation that will work best for you and begin to practice. It can take a while to be good at it, but don't give up. The more you practice, the more effective meditation will be at helping you relax. When you do regular meditation, your mind is clearer. You make better decisions, and you sleep so much better that you actually need less sleep than when you don't meditate.

* Be sure to get plenty of rest. In our busy, stress-filled world, it's easy to cheat our bodies and minds by cutting back on sleep. But sleep is a necessary function that heals and refreshes us in many ways. Without enough sleep, we are easily tired and easily stressed. When you go to bed, clear your mind. Don't lie there thinking about the today's problems or tomorrow's tasks.

These are just a few of many ways to improve your ability to relax and avoid stress in your life. When you are more relaxed, you are better able to function and be more productive. You are also a happier, healthier human being. Try these suggestions and go out and do some research to find other ways that will help you learn how to leave stress behind.

Top Tips For Creating Everyday Balance

Kate Hanson asked:




Leading a balanced, healthy life means eating a healthy diet, getting enough sleep, enough relaxation time and enough exercise. Studies have shown that stress is quite literally a killer - so here are some suggestions to help you incorporate a little peace into your daily routine.

Develop a daily yoga practice

This is not only an effective, but also a cost-effective way to improve your health and reduce stress. If you haven't done yoga before, find a good class to attend at least once a week. You should be paying around $10 - $20 for this.

Create a space at home in which you can burn some relaxing or revitalising essential oils (lavender is my favourite) and do some yoga poses each morning. A yoga mat is great but not essential, so all you really need is yourself and some comfortable clothes to move around in.

My favourite new website is myyogaonline.com . For under $15 a month you have unlimited access to hundreds and hundreds of yoga and pilates classes. If you've been doing yoga for a while you could ditch the classes and just do this to save yourself a few dollars. I love it (even if my partner finds it hilarious to tease me while I'm striking poses in our teeny weeny lounge room)!

Or, treat yourself to The Yoga Deck (amazon.com). This fantastic set of cards has a range of breathing, meditation, stretching and full yoga poses for you to try. The beauty of it is that you can do one or two of the cards for a short session, or twenty of them to keep you busy for an hour or more.

Learn to belly breathe

Lately I've been learning to breathe. Yep, sounds pretty basic doesn't it? However, I found that I hardly ever exhaled fully and without realising it I was shortening my breath whenever I felt under pressure. This in turn causes stress and anxiety levels to rise. So when you're feeling stressed, try this great little exercise:

* exhale completely, really pushing the breath out, starting at your tummy and ending by emptying your lungs. You should see your tummy going in as you exhale.

* breathe in for a slow count of four, starting from your belly (you should see your belly move outwards) and ending by filling your lungs.

* breathe out for a slow count of eight, emptying from your belly right up through your lungs.

* Repeat at least five times.

This exercise has the power to dramatically calm me down and the best bit is - you can do it any time, any where and nobody has to know!

Ditch the caffeine Seriously.

You don't need it. I promise. Caffeine raises your heart rate temporarily which can make you feel jittery and will only make you more stressed. If you are tired, you are tired and guzzling caffeine can't make you function more effectively. Try getting some sleep instead! Oh and substitute it with decaffeinated green tea - which has amazing anti-cancer properties.

Make a big deal out of bedtime

If you have trouble sleeping, try making a fuss about bedtime. No, I don't mean in the manner of a seven-year-old... I mean, have a warm bath - try Be Genki's wonderful Tranquility Bath and Shower Oil. Make yourself a cup of warm milk and honey and turn off the TV. TV is stimulating and can lead to an over-stimulated brain at bed time, so try reading a book instead for an hour before bed. Burn some relaxing essential oils while you're at it. You'll drift off into a peaceful and restful sleep feeling totally pampered.

Try incorporating these simple actions into your week at least some of the time and notice the difference.

Five Benefits Of Advanced Yoga Training For A Better You

Cindy Heller asked:


Aside from the light yoga which you can perform at home using an instructional DVD or family exercise, you may want to raise your yoga training onto a higher standard through advanced yoga. Advanced yoga techniques mainly emphasize on building up the body's strength, endurance and balance. It will benefit those people with goals of enhancing the visual features and at the same time improving the capabilities of their body.

Though the advanced yoga technique seems to be a difficult task for a starter, the movements involved in performing this higher level of exercise can be easily done with proper concentration and discipline. To fully convince you to experience this elevated aerobic training, enumerated are the five good effects of practicing advanced yoga:

1. Regular practice of the movements involved in advanced yoga sessions effectively boosts the body's stamina at the same time enhancing one's vigor and flexibility.

2. Advanced yoga practices greatly help in reducing stress-related body problems and may completely prevent the practitioner from encountering any types of tension and uneasiness.

3. The techniques done in advanced yoga exercises can remove body toxins through a series of workouts using different asana postures.

4. The advanced yoga movements also enhance the practitioner's memory and sense of awareness due to the concentration required in performing the complex positions.

5. Practicing advanced yoga exercises regularly improves the body's posture and clears the body and mind from any kinds of stress and discomfort.

Adding Power to Your Yoga Exercise

There are several types of yoga postures which are considered part of the advanced yoga training. Most of these asana poses are under the classification of power yoga. Often called as athlete's yoga, the advanced yoga drills involved in the power yoga consists of stretching calisthenics and muscle strengthening aerobics. These two types of exercises are integrated with meditative breathing to create advanced yoga techniques. Some of the activities done on the advanced yoga training include push-ups, hand stands, reaching toes with the tips of the fingers and side to side body flexing.

Other than the advanced yoga poses used on power yoga, the performance is done at a faster pace. The rapid succession of the techniques focuses on increasing the concentration and perspiration in doing the aerobic exercises. Moreover, the quickness implemented on the advanced yoga practice allows the practitioner to adapt with the progressing level of movements involved in power yoga. The advanced yoga program is composed of a series of exercises with gradually increasing difficulty. A meditative breathing exercise is included between each group of heavy exercise to contemplate the effects on the body.

The intensity of the exercises performed on the advanced yoga practice is becoming popular nowadays. Several types of advanced yoga techniques such as asthanga yoga and hatha yoga offers a wide variety of exercises which builds up the body's strength, stamina and flexibility at the same time enhancing one's mental and physical health.

Yoga: Source to Inner Peace or Path to Suffering?

Sarah Maria asked:


Yoga historically was about spiritual union: it was the process whereby one could still his or her mind and experience the divine. The focus was on being able to sit comfortably so that the practitioner could engage in pranayama (the science of breath control) and meditation.

For many, however, yoga has become a health and fitness routine. This is not necessarily a bad evolution: certainly yoga asanas or postures have profound benefits, and many people have been exposed to a spiritual path after exploring yoga to improve their health.

With every positive advance, however, there is often a negative component. As yoga has become center-stage in the American health and fitness world, it can easily become just another way to try and achieve a picture-perfect body.

The problem with this is that it locates the source of happiness outside of ourselves. "I will be happy when I look like the cover of Yoga Journal"; "I will be happy when my body is more flexible"; "I will be happy when I lose this extra weight"; "I will be happy when I can do this advanced asana".

These beliefs are very subtle, and because they are cloaked in yoga-language, they are easy to miss. But they are destructive and can lead you into more suffering instead of greater peace.

The popular culture teaches us that we can only have lasting peace and satisfaction when we achieve certain things, such as money, fame, and beauty. Yoga teaches us, however, that peace and satisfaction is to be found in this moment, right here, right now.

How do you make sure that your yoga practice is leading you down a path of acceptance instead of judgment? How do you make sure that your yoga practice is helping you befriend your body instead of sculpting it into the latest fashion? Here are some useful tips:

- Let go of images of what your body and your yoga practice should look like

Yoga images can be just as harmful as other media images, depending on how we view them. It is easy to find thin, svelte, beautiful images of women plastered on yoga magazines and calendars. It is also easy to feel deficient if you don't feel good about your own body.

Remind yourself that yoga is not about developing the perfect body. Use your yoga practice to love and appreciate your body as it is, right now, and you will gradually become infatuated with the miracle that is you.

- Focus on the present moment

Our yoga practice can help us to see all the ways that we flee the present moment, or it can itself serve as an escape. Don't let yoga become an escape for you, instead, notice where you feel uncomfortable. Use your practice to uncover and address pain as well as pleasure through present moment awareness.

- Be mindful of your inner dialogue

Yoga can help us to become increasingly aware of our own inner dialogue. Do you attack yourself for not being good enough or not doing enough? Do you critique your body and your asana practice?

Or do you offer words of compassion, encouragement, and love to yourself? Do you offer nurturance and affection to yourself? Become aware of how you talk to yourself and transform your dialogue to offer love and understanding.

- Take time to meditate

It's easy to focus on asana practice, but don't neglect meditation.

Yoga historically has always been about meditation. Through meditation we can begin to access the silence and stillness that is our true nature. With regular meditation practice this stillness will infiltrate your yoga practice as well as the rest of your life.

Ultimately, when you approach your yoga as a constant-and-forever-changing-process, instead of as an accomplishment that needs to be achieved, you can experience the amazing health benefits that yoga offers, as well as the peace and tranquility that comes from cultivating self-acceptance and self-love.