Yoga - What Exactly Is It?

By Kevin Sinclair

The practice of yoga was developed by an Indian Hindu by the name of Patanjali way back in the year 300. The word itself means discipline and the whole purpose of yoga is to stretch the muscles, increase the levels of concentration and to strengthen the body in general. It is also a great way to relax and de-stress your body.

There is little wonder that such an ancient form of discipline has turned out to be so popular amongst athletes and modern day entertainers. However, yoga can be practiced by anyone as an occasional simple exercise routine or on a regular basis as a total way of life.

The people who take part in yoga are known as yogis and many of them use this form of discipline to reach a high level of consciousness. They respect the fact that there are certain things they should not be or do such as being greedy, hurting others, lying and stealing and they adhere to things they should do like being clean, feeling content each day, having self control, and leading a studious and devoted lifestyle.

Yogis train themselves how to have physical control over their bodies by taking full and deep breaths. This is considered by them to be a life force and they count their lifespan in the amount of breaths taken and not in the years of their age.

Yoga is different from other exercises as it assists the body to become more flexible as well as improving ones strength. Due to this, some of the yoga exercises and positions known as asanas can look a little strange. You may feel at first that you need to be some kind of contortionist to perform the exercises, but this is not case - you just need to completely relax. Yoga allows you to ease into the stretches gently and you are not required to force yourself into any position. The regularly used expression no pain no gain simply does not apply when practicing yoga. You simply do the best you can at the time and at some point in the future you will find yourself doing more.

Balance is demanded by all yoga positions and as you are unlikely to be able to get this right when thinking about whatever it was you watched on TV last night, you need to learn how to concentrate on what you are doing. Once you have perfected this art, you will discover that you can concentrate on other things much better too.

You will find yoga exercises copy nature and many yoga poses outline the shape of creatures such as the cat, cobra, crab, dog, eagle and tortoise.

For instance, in the cobra pose, you would ask yourself just what it would feel like to actually be a cobra. You lie on flat on your stomach with your forehead resting on the floor and as you breathe in, slowly roll your head backwards whilst supporting your body with your hands. Keep that position and then come back down slowly, all the time moving as a snake would do.

All yoga exercises have been carefully thought out to encourage serenity and strength and every move affects a gland, a muscle or a nerve center.

With yoga you can choose to perform particular exercises to get rid of certain types of back pain or leg pain experienced from jogging. You can also use yoga as preparation for a skiing trip or even to help you overcome your feelings of fear or depression.

The many asanas of yoga, how to do them and the way in which they can work for you can be found in any good yoga book. Do you remember doing handstands and cartwheels in the past? There you go - you may well have already done some yoga without ever even knowing it!

Kevin Sinclair is the publisher and editor of My-Personal-Growth.com, a site that provides information and articles for self improvement and personal growth and development.

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How Big A Part Does Concentration Play In Yoga Practice?

By Michael J Mckay

One of the most important aspects of yoga practice, rated even more highly than yoga moves themselves, is the ability to concentrate. Concentration is placed so highly because it in itself promotes relaxation by preventing our ever wandering minds from 'flitting' onto subjects/matters that have been affecting us throughout the day. These jumbled thought-processes disallow us from focusing.

By concentrating on focusing our thoughts and actions on our breathing, we can purge these chaotic influences that are constantly present which by definition cause an increase in our stress levels. The majority of people don't understand how powerful concentration is in bringing about a state of total relaxation. We need to attain this state to effectively practise our yoga techniques.

We are not talking about forced concentration here, as this would deviate from that which we wish to achieve in our yoga quest. We seek relaxed concentration, whereby our thoughts are returned to a clear mind, unburdened with the usual worry or concerns in our lives. We must cast these aside and allow our mind time to relax and recover.

As with all things the more we practice our yoga techniques, the ever lessening amount of time in concentration is required to bring about the required relaxed state. During these times our mind becomes increasingly relaxed, to the extent that even when we are not performing yoga our minds and bodies are relaxed. This is the physical and mental state which we should be in, and for which we essentially practice yoga.

There are varying yoga techniques, whose teachers apply methods to help you concentrate and attain that state which releases the damaging things in our lives. Their techniques may be superficially different but there aim is identical.

It is common knowledge that damaging effects on our emotions will without doubt have similar negative effects on our physical bodies. It follows that whatever you believe is what you will receive, and having a chaotically unfocused mind will without doubt have detrimental effects on our overall health. It will also prevent us from practicing yoga effectively!

Initially, new yoga devotees will find it very difficult to maintain the required level of concentration for any prolonged period of time; our minds are week and unfocused; this is expected. As mentioned earlier, practice makes the process a lot easier thus the more we practise yoga the quicker we will be able to enter that essential relaxed state of mind. It will eventually become so easy to achieve the desired state that you will not even feel as though you need to concentrate to achieve this state.

That is the natural state of mind that you should be aiming for. It will improve your yoga experience and shape your life for the better.

Start your yoga training today and see the great, long-term health benefits you will receive.
Take action now by clicking here to discover the most effective way to dramatically improve your physical and mental well-being forever.

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Yoga Practice For Teens To Reduce Anxiety And Boost Self-Esteem

By Thaddeus Johnson

Doing yoga for teens would be a great way to help them in dealing with anxiety and boosting self-esteem. The yoga poses can be effective in relaxation and enhance their physical abilities. Recently, yoga has been introduced to young children and teenagers as a form of therapy and physical exercise. There are a number of yoga websites offering articles, techniques, classes, and testimonials on the benefits of the children that participate.

The teenage years

One of the most important and difficult times in a child's life is the teenage years. In school, it is the period of wanting to "fit in" accompanied with peer pressure. They will usually have lots of homework and if they are into extracurricular activities such as sports, band, or drama, a significant amount of time is required for that. For some, this can be too much of a challenge. Life at home may also have its challenges with parents and siblings.

The question to be asked is, "what activity/activities are available to help teens through difficult situations they may encounter?" For the most part, teens have support from friends, school activities and family. But where do they turn when the support is not readily available to them when they need it most?

Yoga benefits

Doing a low impact style of yoga, such as Iyengar, would be the best way for kids to experience calmness and empowerment. Each pose is performed gently and consciously with much attention given to breathing, expansion, and balance. In this process, it will enable the teen to focus on self that will help release tension, frustration or even anger and transform those energies into a more relaxed state.

The poses are excellent for boosting self-esteem in that it challenges the individual's ability to stay in balance, both in mind and body. Significant results may be attained through each session. Yoga exercises are not easy to do as some individuals may realize but with continued commitment, teens will be taking great strides towards self-fulfillment. With that level of confidence, teens will be able to handle trying situations differently and effectively.

Place of comfort

Yoga is not a cure-all by any means but it is a safe and alternative way for teenagers to find a place of comfort. Finding that place is far more intriguing and beneficial than doing drugs or being caught in unfavorable situations. Yoga is not for everyone but for those who embrace its importance, it will improve their quality of life in the days and years to come.

Where to find yoga classes

Parents, you might be able to find classes in your neighborhood or in your local newspaper. Keep in mind that not all yoga studios will have programs specific to teens. Probably the best avenue to do a search would be online. The age of the world wide web has made accessing information on any topic quick and easy.

From the web you will be able to narrow your search specific to your needs without even leaving your home. Though, if a studio were found, it would be wise to visit and observe the practice. Take the time to get as much information that you will need from the class instructor to insure it will be a match for your child.

About the author: Thaddeus W Johnson is a writer who enjoys providing online shoppers with valuable information for purchasing and the benefits of shopping online. Discover great savings on products such as yoga t-shirts, affordable clothing and much more.

C 2008 Thaddeus W Johnson

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Practice Yoga as a Lifestyle and Enjoy Every Day

By Paul Jerard

Starting your day off with a short Yoga session, can change your outlook for the entire day. Yet, there are some people who manage an eternally optimistic view of life and have never consciously practiced Yoga. If, or when, they visit a class, they will find themselves surrounded by like-minded positive energy.

How many people do you know who really enjoy life? Take the time to observe their common qualities. You will notice how they look forward to each day. They wake up each morning, anticipating the best possible day. Passion for life fuels positive energy and creates a long-term state of enthusiasm.

In Yoga, positive visualization, and positive affirmations, are taught in order to create a healthy frame of mind. One could naturally be an optimist, but it is nice to have the formula for optimism so close at hand. A Yoga class can also help on those occasions when we feel less motivated.

Once the mind is positively charged, we can look forward to each opportunity the day presents to us. This is in stark contrast to those who see life as an endless trail of tasks, with problems around every corner.

Unfortunately, the negatively-charged mind will drain itself of energy and naturally, work toward draining the energy out of anything surrounding it. You can recommend Yoga, but a pessimist is very uncomfortable when surrounded by enthusiasm, optimism, and self-improvement.

If it is possible for a pessimist to continually practice Yoga over the course of months, you will begin to see a change in him or her. It will not happen instantly, but he, or she, will begin to anticipate opportunities in life. You may even notice that goal-setting skills will follow this person's new found positive outlook on life.

Yogic breathing techniques, (Pranayama), are unconsciously practiced by everyone. Have you observed people sigh, yawn, or huff for natural reasons? Some people, who have never heard of Pranayama, take a deep natural breath every time they feel stressed.

In Yoga classes, we practice Pranayama to link the mind and body. Pranayama helps us be more present in our practice, but it can be a life saver, and a mood changer, in daily life. Try to focus exclusively, and purposely, on drawing out a natural breath, if you are near a conflict.

Once you have managed to breathe slow, steady, and smooth, during a crisis, you will notice that you are not swallowed up into the conflict. Your opinions should be even-handed, and constructive, as a result of Pranayama.

In Yoga, this is a form of breath awareness, which is nice to learn in a classroom setting, but much more valuable, when applied toward daily life situations.

© Copyright 2008 - Paul Jerard / Aura Publications

Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500, has written many books on the subject of Yoga. He is a co-owner and the Director of Yoga Teacher Training at: Aura Wellness Center, in Attleboro, MA. http://www.aurawellnesscenter.com He has been a certified Master Yoga Teacher since 1995. To receive a Free Yoga e-Book: "Yoga in Practice," and a Free Yoga Newsletter, please visit: http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org/index.html

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5 Important Yoga Tips For Everyone

By Raj S. Gupta

Tip #1: Why are you practicing Yoga?

The first step is to figure out why you want to practice Yoga. What are your goals? Do you want to practice Yoga daily, weekly or bi-weekly? Does your schedule allow for a few minutes everyday, or you can take a 2 hour class once a week? Are you completely clear about your purpose for doing Yoga? Answers to these questions will help you determine what style of Yoga would best fulfill your goals. There are many styles to choose from and many types of teachers to learn from. Yoga studios and fitness gyms offer a variety of classes to fit your unique needs.

Tip #2: Talk to your doctor or other competent medical professional

This is probably, the most important step for you to take before starting any Yoga program. As with any exercise program, including Yoga, the advice of a professional is important for your safety. Yoga can be enjoyed by the vast majority of people provided they are aware of the limits of their capabilities. Many postures many not be suitable or even dangerous in certain circumstances. A pregnant woman doing an inverted body pose for example, could expose herself to significant risk. The advice of your doctor cannot be stressed enough depending on your unique condition. If you have a specific condition, find out from your doctor if Yoga may worsen your current condition. You may want discuss the program an organization offers with your doctor, and determine your suitability with it. You could also bring a book with the postures and show it to your doctor and discuss whether they are appropriate for your condition. A DVD or video would also be good to show your doctor.

Tip #3: The correct Yoga style

Nowadays there are so many styles of Yoga to choose from, and this could be a good thing. Everyone has a different taste and goal for practicing Yoga. Some may want a style that focuses on heavy physical activities, and others may want to enjoy a style that incorporate a particular philosophy that resonates with them. You can educate yourself on several Yoga styles, or even try a few, then pick one that you like and that you feel you can stick to for the long term. The whole idea here is that the style should be enjoyable to you so you can continue to invest your time practicing and keep reaping the benefits of your practice.

Tip #4: Don't compare yourself to anyone

Yoga is a personal journey, based on your current level and capabilities. You don't have to compare yourself to anyone. Your teacher may be an advanced practitioner, and many students would like to be like him or her. They may try to overstretch and force themselves into a posture which may be beyond their capability at the moment. This is not advisable as it can lead to serious injuries. Regardless of how far you are comfortably in your posture, you will gain the benefit of the posture. By continued practice you may reach the perfection in the posture depending on your physical condition. Always follow the advice of your instructor and the steps involved in the posture. Remember never to imitate other students or your teacher and force yourself beyond your capacity into a posture.

Tip #5: Be patient and be persistent

Patience is a great virtue. Don't be discouraged if you are not getting the benefits you expected right away. You need to maintain your practice and make it a part of your life as a normal routine such as brushing your teeth. Almost everyone doing Yoga would agree that they enjoyed benefits after their first day of practice. If you are new to Yoga, you will also enjoy these benefits. There are however, some postures that require a little more work to get them right, and you may not be happy with your results. Don't worry, in time you will get there. Every time you practice Yoga, you get better and better. Being consistent is the key to progress in Yoga. For many people time is a big factor, preventing them from being consistent. Find a regular schedule and stick to it.

About The Author: Raj S. Gupta teaches how to eliminate daily stress through a highly effective Yoga Program that is completed in only 7 Minutes. He has also written a FREE Ebook titled "27 Important Yoga Tips For Maximum Benefits" To download your FREE copy visit http://www.7MinuteYogaProgram.com

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Nude Yoga - Would You Try It?

By Colette Halberstadt

Nude yoga is not a mainstream yoga form. It ignites great contradiction and controversy by way of challenging individual's ideas and customary ways of thinking. Although naked yoga is not suited to everyone, those practicing the art find their naked yoga classes an approach that aids in further developing and advancing their experience and unity of mind, body and soul.

So why substitute nude yoga as an alternative to the 'normal' everyday yoga class, and what really is the difference? In fact, the yoga poses are not any different to what you would find at your more common Hatha yoga or Bikram yoga classes, but you would be performing the usual poses completely naked. Although this may make many of us almost have a heart attack at the very thought, naked yoga is naked for a number of reasons. Firstly, not only does it strip away competition and superficiality allowing you to focus more on your yoga than on what people around you are wearing, it also aids in developing self esteem for those individuals aspiring to become more comfortable with their body image. Performing yoga positions naked can also provide you with greater motion and flexibility as well as allowing you to achieve proper alignment during poses.

So how do you know if you are suited to this form of yoga and what should you be aware of prior to seeking out a naked yoga class? Generally speaking, the people that benefit from and enjoy nude yoga are individuals that enjoy trying out new things, aspire to improve their body image, want to learn more about yoga and most importantly understand that nudity in yoga has a very different meaning to that of sexuality and sexual behavior. It is very important to gather information about nude yoga centers or classes in your area prior to booking a session. Nude yoga should be run by a qualified yoga practitioner that is devoted to creating a safe and non-threatening environment. The atmosphere should be non-sexual in nature and the atmosphere should be a comfortable and relaxed one. In certain nude yoga classes lights are dimmed, clothes are removed as part of a yoga ritual and focus is always kept on the yoga practice and not those practicing around you. There are certain nude yoga classes that do not follow these guidelines and are groups that have changed the art into a sexual experience. If you are seeking yoga with a hint of sexuality, rather seek out information regarding tantric yoga or classes for couples in your area than joining the first group that you stumble on.

Wrapping up, Nude Yoga is not for everyone but for some it can aid in allowing one to accept one's body in a natural state and improve the body, mind and soul unity experience desired from yoga practice. I know that for many, even with understanding the benefits of Naked Yoga, the only time they may come close to a 90 minute class of naked yoga would be in the form of an embarrassing and shocking nightmare. The idea here is that you should choose a yoga class that suits you best and allows you to benefit from the art in a setting that makes you the most comfortable, whether it be naked or not.

Find health spas and more articles on Health and Wellness at: http://healthspaguru.com

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The Art Of Yoga Breathing

By Kenneth Koh

It is very beneficial to pay careful attention to the breath and to learn to control it in various ways. It is beneficial in the areas of physical health and in your practice of yoga. Apparently, the breath, the mind and the body are intricately link, that whatever you do to one will affect the other.

In yoga, it is vital to learn how to use the correct patterns of breath in order to get the most out of your yogic endeavours. Correct breath patterns must be practiced and observed before meditation and asanas. Correct breathing alone, can unwind your whole body, rid your body of unwanted toxins and rid your mind of anger, stress, tension and worry.

Do not risk harm by attempting to perform these exercises without consulting a trained yoga teacher or without seeking medical advice from a doctor. A yoga teacher can teach an appropriate breathing pattern to cater to your needs and your condition. To perform the pranayama and gain the most out of them, it is best to integrate it with the two of the three holistic approaches, asanas and meditation.

Helpful Notes

- Breathe in and out through your nose.

- Clear any blocked nostril. If your left nostril is blocked, lie on your right side for a few minutes and vice versa

- Never perform pranayam after asanas.

- If pranayam is to precede your asanas routine, set aside a time when you won't be interrupted.

- The idea is to lead yourself to a relaxed state so do not force your breathing and never do it in haste.

Long Deep breathing

The most basic and natural of all breathing techniques is the long and deep breathing as it relieves stress and tension. It brings down toxic buildup in the mucus linings of the alveoli of the lungs, cleanses the blood and as a result of increased oxygen flow to your brain and body, your health improves in many ways.

Technique

Do sit in a comfortable manner. Relax your shoulders and chest. Breathe in, relaxing the abdomen, pushing your belly forward, expanding it. Then, as you breathe out, allow the abdomen to shrink back in, tightening your belly muscles and pushing the air out. Do this and not straining yourself. Open up and release the breath. You may put one hand on your belly to feel the abdomen expanding and contracting as you inhale and exhale. Perform in even lengths. Exhale for the same length of time as you inhale.

When To Do This:

- Before meditation

- Before going to bed

- Before a meeting, presentation or a big decision

- Before studying, before an exam, or an interview

- And whenever you can think of --- in the car, at work, or while waiting in line
Alternate-nostril breathing

Alternate-nostril breathing encourages mind to heighten levels of discrimination, concentration and thoughts. It also boostmore energy and oxygen to the physical body and helps calm your nerves and improve circulation.

Before You Begin

For a more advanced technique, seek advice from a yoga teacher or an acarya (spiritual teacher). Your acarya will coach the pranayama technique that will be most beneficial to your mental and physical health and prepare you to complement the pranayama with mantra and meditation. No one should risk harm by practicing these techniques without seeking advice from a trained yoga teacher.

Technique

Sit in either Padmasana or Siddhasana. Close your eyes. Press and close the right nostril with your right hand thumb. Inhale a deep breath through the left nostril. After taking a full breath, close the left nostril with the middle, taking the thumb away from the right nostril and slowly releasing the air out, expelling the breath fully and inhale through your right nostril. After a full inhalation, close your right nostril with the thumb and release the fingers from your left nostril and exhale through your left nostril. This finishes one round. Start off with three rounds each time and gradually step up the rounds as you progress through the weeks.

When To Do This

- Do this in a well-ventilated, clean, smoke-free, dust-free, odor-free room.

- Do not perform this technique after asanas (yoga exercises).

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The Benefits of Yoga

By Conrad Raw

Yoga is a discipline for self-development that is more than 5000 years old. There are many types of Yoga, but most include physical postures, breathing control and meditation. Stress reduction techniques include mental imagery, stretching, controlled breathing and physical movement in the form of postures. The goal of any Yoga discipline is to improve flexibility and obtain peacefulness in the body and the mind. This will have the over all effect of leaving you with the ability to deal with everyday stress in a more productive way.

Understand that Yoga is not a cure-all. It can help with certain medical problems such as depression and combined with a healthful diet, aerobic exercises and medication, has benefits in a reduction in some cardiovascular disease and blood pressure levels. Yoga is an important part of the Hindu religion and is a way of life for them, but it doesn't necessarily mean that you would need to change your life style in order to reap the benefits of Yoga.

One of the most popular Yoga discipline in the U.S. is Hatha Yoga. Hatha Yoga is designed to increase flexibility and to calm the mind. It focuses on poses or postures along with controlled breathing. In a Hatha Yoga class, you will probably learn a number of poses that induce stretching and twisting. Some poses are meant for calming the mind as well as increasing flexibility like the Viparita Karani pose or the legs up the wall pose. The Cat Cow stretch will have you on all fours on the floor with your wrists underneath your shoulders with the knees underneath the hips. This pose will increase spinal flexibility and strengthen the stomach muscles.

Hatha Yoga is called the Yoga of postures and includes relaxation exercises designed to open the nadis or energy channels which will allow the energy to flow freely through the body. Other poses are designed to relax internal organs, which can prevent diseases such as hypertension or high blood pressure and diabetes. Hatha Yoga requires concentration on postures, called asanas and pranayama or controlling the breath.

In Hatha Yoga, mastering a comfortable pose where you will be able to keep that pose for a certain length of time is important in the practice of real meditation. The more poses you can master, the better you are able to develop inner meditation techniques. Also mastering the breath is important because controlled breathing will eventually allow the balancing of the right and left hemispheres of the brain.

Conrad Raw is an expert in practical techniques for personal and spiritual development. He is the author of "Forbidden Secrets Of Personal And Energetic Development." He travels the world to learn and teach and is the founder of Greater Human Potential, a website devoted to bringing you easy to learn techniques to increase your human evolution. Visit his website for a free newsletter filled with tons of great tips and advice.

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Yoga For Better Sleep

By Nancy Wile

The ability of yoga to reduce muscle tension, slow your heart rate and calm a racing mind provides the perfect recipe for a good night's sleep. There is growing evidence that small behavioral changes in the evening can make a big difference in getting a restful sleep. A recent study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that participants who made modifications, like learning relaxation techniques, improved their sleep more than those who took drugs.

Certain yoga exercises will help your body and your mind relax more and prepare for sleep. Here are a few postures and exercises that are particularly helpful:

1) Supported Standing Forward Bend

This gentle yoga posture helps relieve tension in your neck and shoulders while quieting your nervous system.

Steps:

• Fold a blanket and place it on a chair

• Stand facing the chair (about 1 to 2 feet away) with your feet parallel and a little wider than hip width apart

• Fold forward from your hips (keeping your back flat - reaching forward with your chest)

• Place your forehead on the blankets

• Place your hands towards the back of the chair with your forearms resting on the chair (you can also hold onto opposite elbows with your forearms touching the top of your head)

• Let your arms, shoulders, head and face relax completely

• Breathe slowly and deeply through your nose for 12-15 breaths

• Slowly come back up, using your hands to help push you back up

2) Legs Up the Wall

This gentle yoga postures triggers the relaxation response, slowing the heart, breath and brain waves.

Steps:

• Place a mat or blanket flush against a wall

• Sit with your right side next to the wall (legs out in front of you)

• Lean onto your elbows

• Swing your legs up the wall as your head moves away from the wall

• Place your hands at your sides and close your eyes

• Move your head from side to side 4-5 times

• Relax your belly and breathe deeply into your belly - breathing through your nose

• Stay in this position for 2-3 minutes

• Bring your knees to your chest and roll onto your side

• When you are ready, come back to sitting

3) Child's Pose

Child's pose relaxes the back and neck, while gently stretching your spine. It also provides a gentle massage to abdominal organs leading to greater relaxation.

Steps:

• Kneel down and sit back towards your heels as much as you can

• Fold forward from the hips, bringing your upper body to your thighs and your forehead to the floor

• Place your arms on the floor next to your legs with your palms up

• Breathe into your belly, allowing it to expand into your thighs as you inhale and relax as you exhale

• Remain in this position for 8-10 breaths

• Raise your upper body and return to kneeling position

4) Diaphragmatic Breathing

Traditional yogic breathing provides a natural stress release and helps the heartbeat to slow down as the diaphragm stimulates the vagus nerve.
Steps:

• You can start sitting or lying on your back. Since you are trying to sleep, start on your back.

• Place your hands on your belly

• Begin breathing slowly and deeply through your nose

• Breathe into the lower part of your lungs first, allowing your belly to rise on inhale, fall back on exhale

• Allow your belly to naturally rise and fall with breath (no pushing)

• Focus completely on your breath, letting go of other thoughts or distractions.

• Complete 10-12 breaths, then let your breath become natural again

5) Manage your stress

Pay attention to your stress level. Excessive stress can lead to tight and knotted muscles, as well as a racing mind. Taking a yoga class is a great way to not only relieve stress, but to also learn how to manage your stress levels throughout the day. Yoga teaches you how to find peace in every day life, as well as during more stressful times.

To learn tips and yoga exercises for better sleep, visit: http://www.yogatg.com/ys-stress-headache-1.html

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Yoga in Practice - The Organized State of Mind

By Paul M. Jerard Jr.

There are many methods for organizing thoughts, but the oldest of them is the science of life, which we call Yoga. The mind could be easily compared to any other structure or machine. For example: Have you ever tried to work in a messy office or operate a machine which is not maintained? The clutter within, and around it, creates a lack of productivity.

Our state of mind is affected by clutter from within, and, of course, by unorganized surroundings. If you stop to clean, production comes to a halt, but taking the time to clean up an office will result in more productivity. After that, you will need to develop a maintenance system to prevent excessive clutter from getting out of hand, repeatedly.

The mind operates within parallel circumstances, when compared to an office. This is why we should also take the time to practice Yoga and meditate daily. It is true that we will not be producing, while we are practicing Yoga, or meditation, but we are very productive after our session.

Spare time seems like a distant memory to many of us, since the world became computerized. We clearly understand the dog who tries to catch its tail. No matter how hard the dog tries to spin in a circle, the tail is always out of reach.

Yet, time has not really changed at all. Time still runs at the same pace. Taking the time out of your day, for a Yoga session, allows you to organize your mind. You come back to your daily tasks refreshed, renewed, and happy. How can a little Yoga or meditation session have this much impact?

The truth is - any perceived objective must be accomplished in steps. To build a house, you need equipment and it must arrive in the proper sequence. If the roofing shingles arrive first, you cannot build a foundation with them.

This is a major key in life: Do not worry about the whole project, but look only for the solution to solve the next step. In the case of organizing the mind, the first step is to contemplate each solution - one at a time. If you have time, after a Yoga class, make a habit of writing ideas on paper, or enter them on your PC.

The act of writing about a perceived solution will more likely result in taking positive action. Rather than, finding a solution, and then forgetting it. The world's greatest inventions required a person to think, write it down, refine the concept, and take positive action toward the objective.

When the mind is in a state of clutter, all of the great ideas, within, are usually forgotten. The solution is to make a daily Yoga appointment with yourself. If you want to start soon, but cannot attend a regular class, set up a five to twenty minute session, to begin with. Just a short Yoga session, per day, will result in more organized thinking.

Copyright 2007 - Paul Jerard / Aura Publications

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Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500, is a co-owner and the director of Yoga teacher training at: Aura Wellness Center in, Attleboro, MA. He is an author of many books on the subject of Yoga and has been a certified Master Yoga teacher since 1995. www.yoga-teacher-training.org

Regular Practice of Yoga Exercises

By Roberts Baird

Present-Minded Awareness Breath

The regular practice of yoga teaches us that there is only the present moment, that time is a concept that exists solely in the imagination. The tendency to drift into past memories and future plans takes you away from yourself, making you insensitive to what is going on around you every moment of the day.

Practicing the Present-Minded Awareness Breath will help you learn to stay in the present, so that you can put all of your energy into working toward your goals. By keeping your energies on what you can do in the present, you get on with your life and reduce your worries about the future.

Benefits

Improves focus, concentration, and awareness of the need to stay in the moment

Focus

Practice moving your arms as slowly as you can, until you have the body and breath coordinated. Observe; stay in the moment of simply "being." Bring yourself back into each moment of each day, no matter how trivial your task.

1. Lie on the floor on your back with your arms at your sides, palms facing up, and legs extended, feet slightly apart. Inhaling, raise your arms above your head.

2. Exhaling, bring your arms down to the floor at your sides, while bending your right knee to your chest.

3. Inhaling, raise your arms overhead, palms facing up, while straightening your right leg parallel to the floor.

4. Repeat by slowly raising and lowering each alternate leg 6 times with the corresponding arm movements.

5. Release and then draw your right knee to your chest. Loosely interlock your fingers around your knee.

6. Inhale slowly, and exhale 112 times longer than your inhalation.

7. Repeat for a total of 7 slow breaths, then change legs. Repeat this breath with your left leg drawn into your chest.

8. Release your leg and lie quietly. Enjoy the feeling of being in the moment.

Uncover the truth from hatha yoga for caring you and your family. Also here you will get lots of benefits of yoga and supplements for curing many yoga positions yourself at your home itself.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Roberts_Baird

Basic Yoga Sessions - What To Expect?

By Sara Valencourt

Attending a yoga class for your first time can be a scary experience. It can seem a bit intimidating with all of the unusual yoga poses and the unknown yoga exercise apparatus. Despite all the near impossible yoga positions, keep in mind why you first became interested in taking yoga. It has become a favorable and accessible practice that allows even the most inexperienced student to enjoy more flexibility and strength without all of the extreme motion that is well-known in other forms of exercise.

A usual basic yoga session consists of a short introduction to your fellow students who may also be acknowledging fears as to why they came. Do not get discouraged. With the assistance of your yoga teacher you will be gently and slowly be guided through each of the yoga poses (asanas). The duty of a yoga teacher is to guide you to get the best of a yoga pose both internally and physically. In a basic yoga session, the yoga poses that you go through will teach you about self awareness through a guided meditation.

To get the most of your yoga practice, it is best to find an intuitive yoga instructor. If the instructor does not ask the students if you have any injuries or accidents, leave immediately. This is an example of a careless teacher.

You have many options available to you if you decide to take your first basic yoga session. Local gyms and community centers are an excellent place to start as many of them offer yoga classes. Since yoga has become obtainable to everyone from the youngest child to the seniors you are sure to find a class that will suit your schedule and level of experience. Keep in mind that yoga is not competitive. The basic yoga session is about being open to your mind, body and spirit. Yoga will help you develop a better knowledge with yourself and your surroundings.

About the author: Sara Valencourt is making its mark on the internet. She is a regular contributor of essays related to yoga at YogaHub.com. Want to find out more information? Visit http://www.yogahub.com.

Article Source: http://www.Free-Articles-Zone.com

Yoga Secrets To Improving The Mind And Body

By Chris

Learn more about why yoga can have such a benefit on the mind body and spirit. Discover the aspects to the many different types of yoga Before you begin to learn yoga you must first decide what you are hoping to learn from yoga. The simple fact is yoga can provide many benefits on the body and mind.

If fitness is the sole aim of why you wish to practice yoga then you will leave your mind closed of to the benefits that it can have on you mentally. If you decide to perform yoga for the sole reason of gaining spiritual enlightenment and the positive effects it can have on you mentally then the fitness aspect may not be exploited to its full potential.

What I would recommend and believe everyone who is interested in taking up this practice is to enter it with an open mind. Learn the basics to yoga first and then as you become more adapt to the postures, poses and mental side that it teaches then and only then will you begin to expand and reap the full benefits of yoga.

Many practitioners of yoga often talk about it uniting the mind, body and spirit through the practice of yoga exercises. I am not saying this is a false statement as I do belive that it can reap those benefits, but many people who enter into yoga for the first time have a perception that they will gain this enlightenment and benefits instantly.

Where as the truth is that it takes many years of practice and dedication to reach these levels. When you start performing yoga for the first time you will begin to notice a difference, but it is essential that you take it a small step at a time. There is a reason that yoga is the oldest existing (what I like to call) mind and body system around, this is due to the fact that it helps to aid in providing a great level fitness, has known health benefits and can help in improving a persons mental state.

One of the main reasons why yoga has such a huge benefit on the body is because it stretches the muscles therefore when you perform a yoga workout it would have a similar effect of a massage which will ensure that the ideal blood supply can be reached by every organ.

The beauty of yoga is that there are many different forms which gives everyone the chance to find what one suits them best. Don't just set your mind on one type of yoga, try out a few different routines, see which one suits you best.

Different forms of yoga can effect different people in many different ways. So make sure to find out which type will provide the maximum benefit on your mind and body. Yoga can be a very strenuous exercise so make sure that you do not push yourself to much when you start of. This can result in an injury. So take your time to build yourself up and when you feel extremely comfortable then begin to push yourself more.

Below are a list of the most common yoga practices

Ashtanga (Also known as power yoga) - Perfect for the person who wants a very hard workout session. It concentrate less on meditation and more on tough physical exercise.

Iyengar - This is a classical form of yoga and is seen as the best starting block for beginners. Many props are used in this yoga style.

Bikram - Must be carried out in a room that is over 38C or higher. There are 26 postures that are carried out in a specific order.

Hatha - Very chilled out form of yoga which focuses on poses that flow from to another at a very easy pace.

Kundlini - Includes mantras, visualizations, guided relaxation and meditations.

Kripalu - A flowing and meditation orientated. There are 3 stages and the person will perform from stage one to stage three.

Sivananda - This type of yoga consists of a series of 12 poses

Viniyoga - This form helps to develop strength balance and healing. This is probably the most ideal form of yoga for elders, beginners and people with muscle injuries

Raja-yoga - This is aimed at people who are capable of intense concentration

Bhakti-yoga - Helps a person to gain focus on self surrender when in the face of the divine

Mantra-yoga - This is a meditation like yoga which focuses on the verbal repetition or can be mental to empowering sounds such as (om and ram)

The top five are the most commons forms of yoga. Remember if you do decide to try yoga out, take your time, do not push yourself to hard at first, enter into it with an open mind and find out what type of yoga suits you best.

Article Source: http://www.searchfreearticles.com/

About the Author: Get your hands on five free yoga lessons that will to teach you new yoga postures and more about the yoga exercise, go now to http://www.yogaexercisesportal.com/. If your interested in finding out more about meditation then visit http://meditation.yogaexercisesportal.com/meditationarticles.html

Yoga Positions - A Few Tips

By Rebecca

Use the tips to get the best out of your yoga positions. Whilst we need to practice, a little knowledge can go a long way. 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.

Article Source: http://www.searchfreearticles.com/

About the Author: If you'd like to learn about 6 beginner asanas, click here: http://www.yogatohealth.com/6_Beginner_Asanas.html Or if you're pregnant, check out these prenatal yoga exercises: http://www.yogatohealth.com/What_Prenatal_Yoga_Exercises_and_Poses_Are_The_Best.html

Yoga for Beginners: The First Step of Yoga Practice

By Paul M.

Maybe your doctor, chiropractor, physical therapist, or best friend told you Yoga would be good for you. You have heard so much about Yoga; it seems that Yoga is a "cure" for almost anything. The more you hear, the more confusing it is to understand what Yoga is all about.

Should you go out and buy a Yoga book? What would be the best Yoga book to buy? If you visit the local book store, you see hundreds of Yoga books, CD's, DVD's, card decks, and kits. Should you buy a copy of the Yoga Sutras by Patanjali or buy one of the "for dummies" Yoga books?

Below is an overview of Yoga, which may help you decide your path of Yogic study. There is no right or wrong path of Yoga study, but be selective when you choose a Yoga teacher, Yoga book, or Yoga class.

You should first realize that there are many styles of Yoga. There are nine major styles of Yoga; many more styles exist, as well as many sub-styles. The nine major styles of Yoga are Bhakti, Hatha, Jnana, Karma, Kundalini, Mantra, Raja, Tantra, and Yantra Yoga. Each style emphasizes unity of body, mind, and spirit.

The literal meaning of Yoga is "union" or "unity." If we can unify the body, mind, and spirit in harmony, we can achieve tranquility. One of the main purposes of Yoga is tranquility through improved health due to a holistic approach to life.

India is the birth place of Yoga. There are many written works about Yoga, but the origin of Yoga dates back thousands of years. Yoga is the "mother" of most of the world's health maintenance systems. Asian martial arts, with an origin from the Shaolin temple, and Pilates, can trace their ancestry back to Yoga.

The "higher forms of Yoga" are said to be Bhakti, Jnana, Karma, and Raja Yoga. Each of these four styles is a complex subject, within themselves, and I cannot do them justice by a summarization.

Hatha Yoga sub-styles are the most prolific outside of India. Most new Yoga practitioners will learn a Hatha Yoga sub-style first. Hatha Yoga, and its many sub-styles, primarily emphasize physical health, which will likely result in improved mental health. Most Hatha Yoga classes, outside of India, do not approach spiritual health.

Nevertheless, Hatha Yoga is seen by fundamentalists as an "export of Hinduism." In some rare instances, this may be true, but most Hatha Yoga teachers are content to teach improved health for body and mind.

Therefore, when you choose a book, or local Yoga teacher, be aware that the Yoga teacher or Guru is a guide - but you have a right to know which direction you are being guided to. The Yoga practitioner learns to expand his or her mind and make independent decisions "along the way."

Yoga is non-threatening to religion. If a Yoga instructor teaches intolerance, of any kind, that is not Yoga. Unity is not sectarianism. We have to learn to appreciate diversity, and we should never tolerate prejudice. Prejudice and intolerance are often the cause of crime and wars.

On the "Grand Scale," the goals of Yoga are the end of suffering, tranquility, and world peace through unity.

Copyright 2007 - Paul Jerard / Aura Publications

Article Source: http://www.searchfreearticles.com/ About the Author: Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500, is a co-owner and the director of Yoga teacher training at: Aura Wellness Center in, Attleboro, MA. He has been a certified Master Yoga teacher since 1995. http://www.riyoga.com