Kundalini Energy and Panic Attacks

A disorder called Panic attacks will affect approximately 1.7% adults which relates to about 3 million people in the United States today, (medicinenet com). Unfortunately, the onset of panic attacks is most prevalent in teenagers 15 to 19 years old.

Panic attacks are a type of anxiety disorder that is sudden and unexpected and can be disabling. It is also often unprovoked, however, it is believed that panic attacks are brought on by a major life stress but can be inherited in some instances. It is not known exactly what triggers a panic attack.

During the 1970's, those experiencing panic attacks and sought treatment for some of the symptoms as in feeling a possible heart attack, extreme sense of fear, an overwhelming feeling of losing their mind, difficulty breathing, nausea and dizziness were often misdiagnosed in those days.

Physicians thought more along the lines of mental illness instead of an anxiety disorder. Sometimes episodes of panic attacks would be frequent and other times not quite so often. This reinforced the idea that it was all in their imagination for physicians. This in turn often made the patient reluctant to seek help and suffered quietly.

Recent advances have helped the situation. Treatments include psychotherapy and medications or both. Some of the well known medications are Klonopin, Paxil and Xanax.

It is important to work with your physician for these treatments. However, a new form of treatment is emerging.

This treatment is called Kundalini Awakening. This treatment also helps depression.

This is basically a rich source of psychic energy in the unconscious. Being described as a coiled serpent at the base of the spine, Classical Literature called it Hatha Yoga Kundalini.

It is important to note that this is how yogins explain Kundalini, it's network of channels and chakras, or micro motions in the brain. And, a latent form of spiritual energy, or Kundalini energy, lies at the base of the spine.

This energy is released by realization or spiritual advancement. Meditation, religion or spiritual practices releases this energy.

The very symptoms of a panic attack are the symptoms of Kundalini Awakening. Historically, the terrifying rush of feelings people experience, have tried to be stopped, either by the person themselves, or physicians with medications.

Through the concept of Kundalini Awakening, these so-called panic attacks are actually manifestations of the micro-vibrations that are being stimulated. Instead of fighting these symptoms, it's important to give in to them and let them flow. In this way, recovery is then possible as there will be no fear of the symptoms.

Meditation is a way of releasing those fears. Understanding that internal energy is causing the heart palpitations and other symptoms, the patient will not fear they are dying or freaking out.

As the Kundalini Awakening is happening or just after an awakening, the person will feel a sense of wonder, strong feelings of peace, emotional joy or reverence, a strong feeling of love or contentment and a heightened sense of consciousness. Some have even reported seeing a white light.

Basically it is considered that all Yoga is Kundalini Yoga, but specific terms like Kundalini Yoga will be used by some individuals. No matter, because it the end you are still awakening the kundalini with yoga.

There are 6 stages in Kundalini Awakening. 1, Prana-flows in Ida; 2, Prana-made to flow in Ida; 3, Prana-made to flow in Sushumna; 4, Kundalini energy is awakened; 5, Kundalini-leads upwards and finally Kundalini-rises to Sahasrara.

This gives the reader a basic understanding of Kundalini Awakening. It is essential to investigate other resources and instructors in the knowledge, training and and process of Kundalini Awakening in order to understand the spontaneous awakening that often happens when alone, so you can take control or be prepared of the so-called Panic attack.

By working through personal issues and adjusting their way of thought has controlled panic attacks better than traditional medicine.

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4 Forms of Exercise That Will Improve Your Flexibility

Flexibility can have a multitude of benefits in your day to day life. Whether you are waking up every morning feeling very stiff, or are prone to injuries from as something as simple as reaching up to the kitchen cupboard, improving your flexibility is likely to make life better for you.

1. Manual stretches are extremely effective at improving flexibility. Not only is it simple to start doing, it is also very beneficial. No specialist training or equipment is required. They are ideally done very morning and evening, and are great for proving a revitalising effect on weary limbs. If you stretch regularly, you will notice improvements to your overall flexibility in a matter of weeks.

2. Yoga is probably the king of stretching exercises. It has been practiced for thousands of years, and for good reason. It is an all round, natural activity. It has various different exercises and is suitable for people of all ages and conditions. You will likely need classes to learn as some of the poses are very tricky, but you can start of doing mild stretches and work your way up through the difficulties.

3. Martial arts feature a good range of all round stretching activities. Martial arts also have the added benefit of building self confidence and strength. These forms of exercises are more suitable for the young, and will definitely require tuition which costs money.

4. Pilates is very effective and actually does not feel like much of a strain when you are doing it. A very relaxing low effort form of stretching that gets good results. As well as improving flexibility, it also strengthens muscles all over the body.

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Avoid Overdeveloped Mirror Muscles

Training for muscular balance is important, not only for aesthetics, but for stability and balance to prevent injury, correct posture and to have a full body training program. A common overall imbalance is between the front and back of the body.

The muscles of the front body: the chest, biceps, abs and quads, become overdeveloped. Especially in comparison to the neglected back body muscles: the upper back, triceps, lower back and hamstrings.

The front body muscles, or "the mirror muscles," are trained more frequently. It could be because they're the muscles we can see in the mirror the most. The back of the body muscles are also more challenging to train. The exercises can be a little boring. They're just not as fun as bicep curls and bench press! Without equipment, especially for the lats, you need to be creative!

Exercise Tips for Training the Back of the Body

The Back

The muscles of the back must be trained regularly. They are "pulling muscles," and should be kept strong in a functional sense (opening doors, moving furniture) but also because they're big muscles, and a weak looking back is noticeable.

If you have access to a cable machine, pull up bar, and resistance tubes, then in combination with barbell and free weight exercises, you should have no trouble training.

If you have no equipment or just a set of dumbbells there are still plenty of exercises but creativity may come into play to prevent boredom.

Dumbbells

-Some back exercises for the back are: bent over one arm row, or two arm row, and reverse flies. You can do these exercises alternating, holding only one dumbbell, lying over a bench, seated on a ball, or standing.

-Make sure the weights are heavy enough. Hold two smaller weights or place the weight and/or some cans from the kitchen in a durable tote bag.

Body Weight

-The best bet is pull ups and chin ups on a bar. If you do not have a bar use the monkey bars at a park, or even a very sturdy tree branch. Many people can't do a pull up. It is a very tough exercise. In this case try to make it assisted by either having someone hold your feet/foot, or by lightly supporting your feet on a chair or stability ball. Another alternative is to hold the "top" position of the exercise for as long as you can.

-"T-Flies" are not going to get you ripped but they will keep your back muscles activated and healthy. To do this one bend forward at the waist so that the back is very straight. Look down and with straight arms, slowly "flap." Each time your arms come up to as high as they can go, really focus on squeezing your shoulder blades together. When they come all of the way back down, focus on stretching the back and shoulder muscles forward.

-Holding yoga poses create effective isometric exercises. Try Ashtanga yoga for a killer full body strength, cardio and power training workout.

Training your lats and rhomboids will develop your upper back to achieve balance and body symmetry

Kaleena Lawless
Personal Training Specialist
kalisthenixfitnessblog.com kalisthenixfitnessblog.com

The Fitness and Happiness Connection

In a recent Time Magazine cover story titled Why Exercise Won't Make You Thin, author John Cloud presented evidence to support the theory that the more you exercise, the hungrier you get and the less likely you are to lose weight. His arguments seem to be aimed at getting people to give up exercise altogether. Unfortunately, the article provided very little insight into the positive connection between exercise and happiness.

Even if a person's eating habits prevent weight loss, there's no denying that exercise is an important component of good health. It's well documented that aerobic exercise can make you feel happier because it increases the body's production of endorphins, which are chemicals that give you a feeling of well-being and even euphoria. Exercise can also help you sleep better, fight mild cases of depression and boost your self-esteem.

Finding time to exercise isn't always easy, but for people who have desk jobs that require hours of inactivity, it's critical to find a few hours a week for exercise. Creating a fitness plan is one way to make sure you stay motivated to exercise on a regular basis. A good fitness plan should include these three components of well-balanced exercise: aerobic exercise, strength training and flexibility training.

Aerobic Exercise

This type of exercise gives the heart a workout. It consists of physical activities that quicken the pulse and breathing for at least 20 minutes. Biking, running and swimming are great forms of aerobic exercise. Team sports such as tennis and basketball will also give you a good aerobic workout, as well working out on machines like treadmills, elliptical machines and exercycles. You can avoid boredom in your fitness plan by switching between different forms of aerobic exercise.

Strength Training

Besides the heart, other muscles in the body also need a workout. Strength training with weight machines and free weights can tone the muscles of the arms, legs and torso. Yoga and Pilates can also be used for strength training. Another advantage of training to build muscle is that it can help prevent the loss of bone mass and slow down the onset of osteoporosis.

Flexibility Training

Being flexible can help prevent injury and can help improve performance for aerobic activities. Stretching on a regular basis is one of the best ways to stay flexible. Most gyms offer flexibility and stretching class and there are also DVDs that can be used to learn how to properly stretch. Besides stretching, many activities promote flexibility, including karate, dance, gymnastics, Pilates and yoga.

A well-balanced fitness program should include several sessions per week of each of these three types of exercise. Remember that you don't have to be a top competitor in a sport to benefit from it - it enough just to participate on a regular basis. Besides looking and feeling better, you'll gain a sense of accomplishment by taking on new challenges. Investing time in a fitness program is one of the best ways to ensure happiness and a sense of well-being.

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Tips On Getting The Most Out Of Corpse Pose In Yoga

Shavasana, or corpse pose, is usually done at the end of most yoga sessions. It is a deceptively simple posture, as there is no twisting, or stretching or anything that is usually associated with the asanas. However, corpse pose is an important part of the restorative yoga postures. And it is considered one of the most difficult postures to do correctly.

Shavasana is more about being than doing, and as such it touches on the fundamentals of what yoga is trying to achieve. The sequence of asanas beforehand has helped train the body and mind for this period of relaxation, and in the corpse pose we integrate the experience we have just had with yoga into our conscious and subconscious mind.

There are many restorative postures, or variations in yoga, but shavasana allows the most relaxation. Its benefits include:

* increase our energy levels

* great for stress

* good for normalizing blood pressure after exercise

* good for stress symptoms in breast cancer and prostate cancer sufferers

* good for people who don't get enough sleep, or who suffer insomnia

Corpse pose should be done lying flat, but still providing some support to the lumbar and cervical areas of the spine. Some people use a narrow, flat pillow for their head, whereas others just lie on the yoga mat without any props - do what feels most comfortable for you.

If the floor slopes, you should lie with your head in the downward sloping area, to facilitate blood supply to the brain. Your feet should be spread a little apart, with the arms and thighs slightly spread out, in an open and relaxed manner. Your palms and forearms should face up.

Try and start shavasana with your body mildly stretched out, so you feel elongated. This is recommended because the muscles of the torso, arms, and legs lengthen when they relax. The aim of shavasana is not to move until you are ready to get up. This helps quieten the motor neurons of the brain, and induces a feeling of greater relaxation, or 'letting go'. If you are positioned well, with enough space to allow your torso to relax and lengthen, you won't need to move until you finish.

You can either breathe through the abdomen or through the diaphragm. It is recommended that you practice abdominal breathing unless you are either an intermediate or advanced student of yoga. Breathing through the abdomen is the most relaxing, and diaphragmatic breathing is more of an energizing technique. It uses the chest and abdomen without interrupting the relaxation of the rest of the body. If you tend to breathe through your chest habitually, you should avoid this type of breathing, as you will tend to have a restricted type of thoracic breathing that is counterproductive to the aims of yoga generally, and corpse pose particularly.

Breathing through the abdomen during shavasana should not be forced. It should be relaxed and natural. But start 'where you are', and let your breathing settle as the experience of the posture deepens. The rate of breathing will slow down the more you become relaxed.

Try not to fall asleep during corpse pose. When we sleep, the motor neurons in the nervous system become more active, and the idea with the relaxation postures is to quieten them.

Start practicing shavasana for 3 to 5 minutes, then build up to 15 as your personal limits allow.

Come out of the corpse pose slowly, wiggling your toes and fingers, bringing the arms overhead to stretch them, and stretching down to your toes. Then roll over to one side, and slowly sit up when you're ready. If you have low blood pressure, you may need to turn onto the left side first before sitting up to avoid dizziness or fainting.

References: H.D.Coulter, Anatomy Of Hatha Yoga

yogatohealth.com/Restorative_Yoga_Poses_-_The_Art_of_Active_Relaxation.html Corpse pose is one of the restorative yoga poses. Learn more about them here. Rebecca runs this yoga site with information on yogatohealth.com asanas and more.

Five Reasons to Become a Yoga Teacher

Some Yoga teacher training interns have no intention of teaching, while others cannot wait to get their business cards printed. Some want to give, and others want to open a business as an independent contractor or own a Yoga studio.

There are as many reasons to become a Yoga teacher, as there are to attend a class. Below are five of the most common reasons why students decide to become a Yoga instructor.

Yoga Teacher Training as a Life Quest: Some interns are looking for a challenge. The type of challenge could be physical, mental, or emotional. A competent Hatha Yoga instructor should learn mental, physical, spiritual, and emotional self-discipline from his or her foundational training.

Giving back to the Community: Social workers, counselors, nurses, physical therapists, chiropractors, and school teachers commonly study Yoga to give their students, clients, and patients the gift of Yogic knowledge for self-maintenance.

The above-mentioned professions attract "givers." These are people, who help or guide others, to self-manage their lives. Yoga, in all of its forms, will guide a practitioner to a life with less suffering. As simple as it sounds, less pain and suffering is a blessing.

Self-Mastery: Some teachers make the claim that Yoga is not a self-improvement system. Yoga is an art, science, practice, lifestyle; and every modern self-improvement system has borrowed Yogic techniques. If Yoga is not a self-improvement system, it is the mother of all self-improvement systems.

Healthy Lifestyle: Yoga gives us a realistic view of holistic health. It is really hard for us to be perfect. Diet and exercise can challenge us every day, if we set unrealistic goals. Have you ever met a person who was irritable because of a demanding diet? Hatha Yoga offers a path of moderation for exercise and diet.

Teaching Yoga as a Craft: Some graduates cannot wait to work for themselves. Maybe they had employers, who did not appreciate their talent, experience, or intelligence. Some Yoga instructors teach two classes per week, while others teach more than one class per day.

Conclusion:

Yoga gives us a better quality life, and we decide to share this knowledge with others.

Whether a teacher identifies with one of the above-mentioned categories, or not, is unimportant. If a Yoga teacher's heart is in the right place, that is all a student could ask. Safe Yoga classes, led by one who demonstrates loving kindness, patience, compassion, and tolerance, is the ultimate objective of the teacher trainer.

? Copyright 2011 - Paul Jerard / Aura Wellness Center - Publications Division

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.org Yoga Teacher Training at: Aura Wellness Center, in Attleboro, MA. He has been a certified Master Yoga Teacher since 1995. To receive Free Yoga videos, Podcasts, e-Books, reports, and articles about Yoga, please visit: yoga-teacher-training.org yoga-teacher-training.org/

Consider Yoga As Part of Your Core Exercise Routine For Sculpted Abs and a Flatter Stomach

There are several, traditional core exercises that have proven results, when it comes to sculpted abs and a flatter stomach. These include ab crunches, leg lifts, squats and lunges. There are other ways to strengthen your core muscles, and Vinyasa or Ashtanga yoga is a great alternative for those that are tired of crunches or Pilates. Even though Pilates focuses on the core muscle group from the pelvic muscles to the abdominals and the diaphragm, this kind of yoga is a great alternative for strengthening the core muscle group without a boring and strenuous exercise routine.

There are many different types of yoga, but Vinyasa is a general term that relates to breath-synchronized movement through a series of yoga poses. Sun Salutations are a part of warm up and stretches muscles prior to a more intense workout. Ashtanga and Power Yoga include a series of poses that are more physically demanding and faster paced. It includes a flow of poses that are usually done in a particular order, with constant movement from one pose to the next pose, exercising and stretching a different set of core muscles.

When it comes to sculpting the abs and getting a flatter belly, a good overall body workout is helpful, including cardio routines or strength training. Any exercises that build muscles can cause you to burn more calories and have additional muscle strength. When it comes to the best core exercises, it is a matter of focused stretching and contracting of the muscles, along with deep breathing exercises, that yields some of the easiest and best results and this is what makes Vinyasa or Ashtanga such great choices.

Consider some of the Vinyasa yoga poses that require balance, focus, concentration and proper form. They push muscles to a working position without straining. These yoga poses are even more effective when you add deep breathing to the count of 10, for each pose that you assume during your yoga workout.

When you consider some of the best yoga poses for core muscle conditioning, there are a few to master. There are so many yoga poses that learning the sequence can be a fun and interesting way to do add variety to your core workout routine.

Sun Salutation warm-up, stretching yoga poses are done in the following sequence:

Tadasana, Urdhva Hastasana, Uttanasana, reposition for the Uttansana again and then move into the Downward facing dog, Plank position, drop to your Knees, Chest and Chin, Cobra, Downward facing dog, Uttanasana, Urdhva Hastasana, and finally Tadasana. The sequence is repeated on the other side. These beginner yoga poses are easily found in a number of places on the Internet and many people may already know them from yoga classes.

Following the Sun Salutations, the following effective core poses are part of a fun and effective core training workout:

Cat-Cow Stretch, then Hands and Knee Balance, followed by Downward Facing Dog, Plank Pose, Side Plank Pose, High Lunge, Half Moon Pose, Awkward Chair Pose, Eagle Pose, and finally, the Boat Pose. Try taking deep a breath and holding it for 10 counts between poses.

Who says that core exercises can't be fun and interesting? Consider mastering these yoga poses for core strengthening and more sculpted abs and a flatter stomach.

Dominique Rogers is a fitness enthusiast and author. For more information on superbabs.com/exercise-tips-for-the-best-core-workout core exercises, visit her at SuperbAbs.com SuperbAbs.com

Sleeping Positions With Yoga Movements For a Snore-Less Sleep

When you next go on a long bus or train or plane trip, take a look around your fellow passengers and you'd be amazed at all the positions they sleep in. From which you could predict that they'll wake up groaning at their aching bodies from the contortions they went the night through!

Are you aware that you can still revise the way you sleep so you could really get a good night's rest? Snoring and breathing through the mouth are usually the outcomes of a congested nose. Yoga has postures that concentrate on putting the body systems aligned and in synch, thus enabling you to find a new sleeping position from which you could get that restful slumber the whole night.

Take note of these three positions to avoid, before considering those that Yoga can help you with:

Flat Back Sleep: A stiff corpse-like position where the limbs are kept straight usually has you waking up in the mornings with pain in the lower back. This is because, for several hours you "locked" your knees and hips, thus the leg weights pulled the bones and muscles of the lower back out of their proper placement. The vertebra and lower back discs are thus burdened unnecessarily, resulting in that wake-up pain.

Belly Sleep: Sleeping face down on the mattress with your face turned to one side for breathing twists the neck. This will also put a lot of weight on the fragile nerves from the skull to the upper spine. Those who sleep in this position awake amid a puddle of spit and convulsive neck muscles.

Side Sleep: Among these three, this position is the "safest", as far as back muscles and bones are concerned. Still, it's not safe from pain. The weight of your body converges on the shoulders to the neck and result in extreme pain and muscle spasms in the upper back, shoulders and neck.

Here are alternative ways of sleeping that, in union with yoga practice before bedtime, would send you to soundless slumber. In the meantime, the following positions, in conjunction with pre-bedtime Yoga, can grant you deep sleep with no more snoring:

You can revise the Side Sleep position with simple items and thus, guarantee ideal total body symmetry and avoid compression on the neck. Put a rolled-up beach towel or cylindrical pillow a foot long and 8-9 inches round facing your pillow. You will get additional support for the cervical bones not to bend over the side and control your neck all night long. Another sample is sleeping between two pillows acting as a "hug pillow." This position gives your shoulder joints room and keeps the arm bone weight from gripping the brachial nerves under the collar bones.

A lightweight blanket or towel firmly in place between your knees the whole night, despite tossing and turning all night would maintain the space between the hips. So you get to prevent the lower back or hip bones from mis-aligning. You also get to avoid bruising between your knees. Don't be fazed by additional articles crowding you in bed and adjust to the hug pillow or knee blanket. The sound sleep you'll be experiencing from then on will be all worth it.

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Yoga Sutras of Patanjali - A Brief Introduction

For most people the word "yoga" brings to mind the image of a model that appears on the cover of a yoga magazine in a pose that is almost impossible to get into for an average practitioner. Yoga is commonly practiced as a routine which helps in improving physical fitness and sometimes as a means to stress management. There is growing awareness that it can be effectively used as therapy in treating a variety of ailments, including hypertension, diabetes, heart conditions etc. Those who have been practicing yoga for a while can attest to the physical and physiological benefits that the practice brings.

While all the above mentioned benefits are certainly desirable, most people are ignorant about the true meaning and purpose of yoga which is "the ability to control the fluctuations of the mind". This brief and succinct definition was provided to us by Sage Patanjali, more than three thousand years ago, in the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. In the Sutras, Patanjali has provided a very scientific and practical exposition of the philosophy and practice of yoga. One very important section of the book describes what is commonly called "ashtanga yoga" or the Eight Limbs of Yoga which provides practical guidelines for achieving the goal of controlling the mind.

Today, most people practice what is called Hatha Yoga which includes physical postures (asanas) and some breathing techniques (pranayama). As you can notice from the eight limbs which are listed below, asana and pranayama are only two of these eight limbs and help establish a strong foundation toward achieving the objectives of yoga. However, to develop a fully integrated practice and achieve the final objectives of control over the mind, one needs to include in their routine all the eight limbs in some form.

Overview of Yoga Sutras

The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali (YSP) are one of the six philosophical streams of Hindu schools of philosophy and a very important milestone in the history of Yoga. The book is a set of 195 aphorisms (sutras), which are short, terse phrases designed to be easy to memorize. Though brief, it is an enormously influential work that is just as relevant for yoga philosophy and practice today as it was when it was written. The sutras are divided into four chapters (pada) as follows:

Samadhi Pada: The first chapter provides a definition and the purpose of yoga. Various approaches that can be used to achieve its objectives are provided.

Sadhana Pada: The second chapter contains the practical approach to achieving the goals of yoga. In this chapter the author gives a description of the eight limbs called Ashtanga Yoga, which is how the yoga sutras are sometimes referred to.

Vibhuti Pada: The third chapter focuses on some of the supernatural powers that an adept yogi may be able to attain.

Kaivalya Pada: In the fourth chapter the nature of the mind and mental perceptions, desire, bondage and liberation and what follows it are discussed.
The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali are also sometimes referred to as "Raja Yoga" or the "Royal Yoga".

Definition of Yoga

In sutra 2 of the first chapter, Patanjali has defined yoga as

"Yoga is the restraint of the modifications of the mind-stuff"

- translation by Swami Vivekananda

In subsequent sutras, Patanjali explains that once the mind is properly restrained, then the "seer" or the "soul, the true self" can rest in its own true nature. Further, as long as the mind is not under control, it continues to assume the form of the "vrittis" or the perturbations in the mind and these become the cause of human suffering. In simpler terms, what this definition tells us is that we can be peaceful and happy when we can control the mind; else, the mind continues to control us and we stay in a state of suffering.

Ashtanga Yoga (Eight limbs of Yoga)

The eight limbs of yoga as defined in the second chapter are as follows:

Yamas (self restraints): The yamas are guidelines for how to interact with the outside world at a social level. The five yamas are: Ahimsa (non-violence), Satya (truthfulness), Asteya (non-stealing), Brahmacharya (abstinence), Aparigraha (non-hoarding).

Niyamas (observances): The niyamas represent guidelines for self-discipline. The five niyamas are: shoucha (cleanliness), santosha (contentment), tapas (austerity), swadhyaya (study of the scriptures and self-study), and Ishwara pranidhana (surrender to God). Together, yamas and niyamas provide an ethical and moral code to be followed so the aspiring yogi can establish an adequate moral foundation for his/her spiritual journey.

Asana (posture): Asana refers to the seated posture which should be steady and comfortable so the yogi can sit and meditate for long periods of time.

Pranayama (breath control): Pranayama, which literally means stretching or expansion of prana, the vital life force, involves breath control and helps train and prepare the mind for dharana (concentration).

Pratyahara (sense withdrawal): Through pratyahara one gains the ability to withdraw the senses from their objects thus achieving perfect control over the senses.

Dharana (concentration/focus): Dharana involves focusing the mind on a single object of concentration for long periods of time.

Dhyana (meditation): When there is an uninterrupted flow of the mind toward the object of focus, the yogi enters the state of meditation.

Samadhi (total absorption): Finally when even the self-awareness of the mind disappears and only the object of meditation shines through, it is called the state of samadhi. It is only in the highest stage of "Samadhi", called the "nirbeeja Samadhi" (seedless Samadhi) when the mind is fully under control and brings the yogi to a state of perpetual peace and tranquility.
The main focus of Patanjali is controlling the mind and subduing the fluctuations of the mind, called 'chitta vrittis'. Once the mind is calm and peaceful, one gets established in his own true nature.

For an English translation of all the 195 sutras by eight different authors, please visit the Yoga Sutra Study blog (link below). In addition, the original text in the Devanagari script (the script of the Sanskrit language), English transliteration as well as an audio rendition of each sutra is also available.

Subhash Mittal
919-926-9717
After working in the telecom industry for over 40 years (including both India and the US), I decided to call it quits and retired in 2005 in favor of pursuing my deep interest in Yoga. I had completed my yoga teacher training in 1996 from the Satchidananda Institute in Yogaville,VA. As time went by, I realized that I was deeply committed to learning more about yoga as well as teaching others so they could derive the benefits from their yoga practice. Currently I devote my time studying yoga and also teaching several classes during the week.

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Yoga For Beginners - Improve Your Mind, Body and Spirit

Yoga for beginners is for everyone all ages, shapes and sizes. You first start out in Yoga as a novice and progress upwards until you are a master in the art.

In my opinion I call it an art as Yoga for beginners is about a combination of exercise combined with meditation and therefore it is much more than just running on a treadmill or lifting some weights. In fact the exercises associated with Yoga are not in the modern sense traditional, you don't need to go down the gym but I would advise those of you newbies to go to a qualified instructor to start with. Exercises involve postures and balance plus controlled breathing as opposed to strength and speed or aerobic type training in other disciplines.

It is important for me to point out the fact that there are many different types of Yoga out there. They all have the same aim in mind and that is to improve mind, body and spirit. Some emphasize more or less on different on the main areas such as meditation, nutrition or exercise. The most common form in the Western world is Hatha Yoga. This has come about due to the fact it is the most applicable to our western culture and westerners associate more readily with the methods involved.

I would suggest before beginning Yoga you briefly investigate the different varieties and pick the one that most matches in with your lifestyle.

If you don't have a local class you can go to then Yoga for beginners can be learned through instructional DVDs, books and multimedia as well as online. So it is easy to start. You don't really need any equipment. Although a good yoga mat or yoga blanket is recommended. When you are ready to begin find a quiet spot in your house and follow the exercise plan you have decided upon. Can't be easier than that!

Some people prefer relaxing music when practicing their yoga meditation and exercises. Normally yoga is done without shoes or socks on but there are special socks you can buy that don't slip if you prefer. All forms of Yoga give benefits to health. They combine the elements of exercise through postures, controlled breathing exercises and meditation as previously mentioned but you need to be clear what Yoga is ultimately about. Regular practice is great for strengthening mind and body.

Beginners of Yoga, will find almost immediate benefit when starting and this can very often be seen within the first two weeks or even less. Most people are surprised by the quick results they achieve within such a short time.

Yoga for beginners is like everything else that involves movement of the body. You should always start with a gentle warm up. Stretching gently is also important. Find a place where you won't be disturbed. The length of time required varies and can depend greatly upon the level you are on. I personally use on average around 1/2 hour a day. When you do it is up to you. For me the best time is first thing in the morning but this is not always possible in the week so after work is my usual time.

To get the most out of Yoga it should become part of your lifestyle. Many beginners in Yoga find it helps them to unwind and relax. They find it invigorating and calming. It also improves their body's suppleness and muscular tonality.

There is yoga for kids, yoga for pregnant women so it really is practically for everyone. If your aims are to lower your stress and have more energy, improve your body strength and much more then I would urge you to contemplate Yoga for beginners is where you should kick off.

If you would like more free information on beginners Yoga go to yogaforbeginnersonline.com Yoga for Beginners and subscribe to my newsletter.

How Yoga With Toning Will Influence Your Body Weight and Shape

Just as Positive Reinforcement is a proven method of child discipline that works far better than nagging and punishment, so yoga is a method of building on the strengths from within yourself, that are actually already there. Who was ever able to successfully achieve a goal without believing in it and dreaming it first? A borrowed vision is no recipe for success, although a friend or mentor to encourage and guide you along the road that you already are embarking upon can be very beneficial. Some might argue that we have a willpower muscle that needs toning. By working from the inside out through harnessing your inner strengths and building up your core muscles, you can be sure that your whole being will remain warm to the whole vision of shaping up, until you reach your goal body weight and shape.

Yoga helps you to lose weight through your mind. It's more about how you think than losing weight, because if you are counting calories, you will be carrying guilt and stress. It's this stress and guilt that you need to lose. People also lose weight by improving their posture, digestive system and eliminating toxins.

Doing yoga will give you a healthy body awareness and through gentle movements and stretching, you will be able to discover a new level of comfort in your own body without all the huffing and puffing that so many training methods demand. You will be able to find a place of calm and peace, so that you will have the power to believe in yourself enough to give your body the attention it needs. It will even give you a high, replacing the need to comfort eat and quietly focusing the mind.

Yoga toning will gently guide you through different levels, depending on your health, age and capability, making it a safe training method. As your strength, flexibility and muscle tone improve you will find a greater self-confidence and improved posture that will give you a better body shape that's guaranteed to look good!

Yoga is a wonderful way to get into shape and to look good with all the many emotional and physical benefits. The postures tone organs and develop long, lean muscles. The practice of forward bends, back bends, lateral poses, twists, and inversions balances and works every muscle, bone, joint, and organ in the body. Weight-bearing yoga poses, crucial for healthy bones, provide one of the best exercise systems known to man. Flexibility and strength of the muscles and range of motion in the joints greatly increase. Stamina and endurance also improve. Enjoy seeing excess fat give way to toned muscles, but more importantly, enjoy the new confident you who believes in yourself. By finding like-minded people at a yoga class and carrying on in your own home with the use of a good yoga dvd, you won't look back!

Christine Hulme is passionate about living well. With her husband, she has produced the Yoga Tone DVD as a means of helping people of all ages to get back into shape so that they can enjoy life to the full. They have been successfully producing DVDs for many years of a highly professional quality. For more information and special offers click on the link. yoga-tone.com/ez101 yoga-tone.com/ez101

You, Yoga and Meditation

If one unites these three exceptional forces together, it becomes more powerful than any known power to mankind, to achieve a state of purity of the soul and a stillness of the mind is the holy grail of all mystics. It is nirvana to the initiated. The major question is, can ordinary people attain this state?

The answer is yes but, it is not necessary for one to achieve this state of mind, every yoga practitioner sets out their own personal goals.

Whether it is to become healthier, fitter, or more self confident, or maybe just to keep an interest in exercising after reaching a certain age where it is not possible to continue with previous more robust training.

Because yoga is so versatile in all it's movements, not even the elderly or infirm are precluded from taking part in some form or other of yoga practice. It is advisable though to seek professional medical knowledge about certain sickness or infirmity one might have before taking up the practice of yoga.

Yoga and meditation go hand in hand. It is all part of the one rope with many strings, and only when all the strings are joined together, does the rope become stronger and unbreakable, only then does one become whole and the mind and body are united as one.

For meditation to be really effective, one must practice the method diligently and daily. It is only through training the mind to accept closure on all things that are depressive and negative, to how one should be in the quest to reach a better level of health, fitness and more understanding in the motivation of ones life.

In today's modern world it is so easy to lose touch with ourselves.

We become consumed with other peoples targets and goals, that our own life becomes owned by outsiders, who only want to use us and then discard us when we no longer fill their needs.

Each and every one of us are put on this world for a particular purpose, and that purpose is to be the very best WE can be.

That does not include being slaves to other people, we should never be slaves to anyone, not even ourselves.

The most effective way to avoid all these pitfalls of negativity and depression is to start focusing on the person who really matters and that is ourselves.

We can begin our new focusing right now by starting a yoga and meditation program with only one aim in mind, finding our inner peace, where our whole attitude changes to one not of negativity, but to one of self confidence, and motivation to becoming a whole self fulfilled person.

Once we begin to feel this change so also will one feel the power of life and the force of achievement. Remember we are the rope that has many strands and though, right now they are disjointed, we and only we have the power to unite them all, this is and always will be our challenge, our destiny.

As a black belt third degree master of Kenpo Karate, I would like to say that Yoga has been my inspiration and guide through all my active sports life. novouniversal.com/index.php?c=5&n=1000&i=1591790905&x=The_Essential_Qigong_Training_Course_100_Days_to_Increase_Energy_Physical_Health_and_Spiritual_Well_Being Yoga Spirit Health I am now getting on in years, but I would not go one day without practicing my yoga combined with my karate katas. It is never too late to change your way of life. Do it now. Find your real self.

Mind-Body Training

One of the biggest hurdles to effective training is our own mind. Too often we get so caught up in the hectic thoughts in our head that we get distracted from what is really important. Understanding the connection between the body and the mind is a big step in overcoming this and allows us to fully focus on better training habits.

The more we train, the stronger our bodies get. But training the mind is a concept that we usually don't often consider. The benefits of a trained mind, however, can be very helpful in our physical training practice.

The business of daily life can be extremely distracting and often make it quite difficult to realistically remain centered. Ideally we hope that the benefits from the training we do can see us through times when we are unable to train.

Unfortunately, the motivation to train can be severely drained by the problems of the world and the stress they bring. This stress can do a lot of damage to us before we even notice it, such as creating hurdles that hinder the motivation to train. The effect of stress on the mind is something that we may not be fully aware of.

Most of the time we don't even realize the effect stress has on the mind because we are so distracted by the stress to begin with. It scatters our attention and gets us worrying about irrelevant things. We end up with so much to deal with it seems as if there is no time to train.

At the same time stress creates tension in the body. This can another host of difficulties since the proper flow of circulation and energy becomes restricted. Internal blockages manifest as aches and pains in the body. As we lose the precision control over our muscle systems during workouts we can become prone to accidents or injury. When this happens our training suffers, leading to further problems.

The difficulties in the world today are very distracting. It almost seems as if the rules have changed and we are struggling to determine if there are, in fact, any rules at all. One thing we need to be able to count on is our own body and mind. We need to be able to focus on our training.

In order to focus on what we are doing we need to become one with the action we are performing. In Japan there is a word shoshin which means "beginner's mind." This concept is one of imagining you are starting your training over from the beginning.

As a beginner, the first time you do something you have to concentrate on it in order to do it correctly. You must pay full attention to the practice or it can quickly become ineffective or even dangerous. The action of paying attention to what you are doing brings your mind into alignment with your body. Once you become comfortable and adept at that practice it is much easier for your mind to disengage from the action and become distracted by other thoughts.

The idea of shoshin is to retain the mindfulness of the beginner even as the practice becomes routine. In this manner you are able to keep your mind focused.

In addition to the beginner mind, we also want to cultivate something the Japanese call mushin which means "no mind." This concept is one of being fully conscious yet not attached to the any specific thought. It leaves the distractions behind and allows us to see things as they truly are.

From mushin we are able to deal with everything in its proper time and place. If we are able to cultivate mushin then whatever we are doing becomes the most important thing and we are fully and completely engaged in it. From a training point of view this is the method for gaining the maximum benefit from the time we spend working out.

The most helpful practice to cultivate both shoshin and mushin is meditation. Many people hesitate at this suggestion, because meditation can conjure up all sorts of strange behavior. Fortunately the meditation practice I am talking about is simply taking a few minutes a day to sit in silence and allow the mind to settle down. This practice is not about stopping thoughts. Instead, it is simply putting some space between the thoughts and allowing them to calm. It is not always easy, but this type of training is vital because when the mind is distracted, there is no connection to the body.

When there is no connection, the mind tends to become overly attached to the body causing reactions to become hesitant and unbalanced.

In just the same fashion as our physical workouts, the more we train our mind the sharper it becomes. Like sharpening the blade of a sword, the more we practice, the clearer our mind becomes, allowing us to focus more completely on our physical training.

Training the mind in this way can be quite a challenge. There are many distractions and until meditation becomes an integral part of what we do it is easy to let it slide. While we may understand the concept of meditation intellectually, putting aside time to practice is often difficult. Nevertheless, the clarity of thought that meditation provides is something vital to our training that we should not be without. It brings us fully into the present moment.

The practice of meditation needs to be something we realize is an important aspect to our training as a whole even when we feel that it is not doing anything for us.

If sitting meditation is simply not possible there are certain physical arts that can assist in reaching the meditative state through a form of moving meditation. Tai Chi, Qigong and Zen Yoga all incorporate meditation into their practice and can be of great benefit.

When we exist fully in the present moment we are embodying our trained selves. Like moving in stereo, the body and mind become a single flowing entity. By following the same rhythm, each compliments the other. We are able to react without thought or hesitation. Our reactions are perfectly appropriate depending on the situation, neither too strong nor too weak. This is the true meaning of body and mind connection.

The study of shoshin and mushin will enable you to spend less time on your thinking so that you will be able to train more. This is invaluable to anyone who truly wants that subtle edge to excel at their physical workouts.

Aaron Hoopes is the founder of Zen Yoga - Website: artofzenyoga.com artofzenyoga.com

Aaron writes the Wandering Sage Wisdom Blog
wanderingsagewisdom.blogspot.com wanderingsagewisdom.blogspot.com

Books by Aaron Hoopes
-Perfecting Ourselves: Coordinating Body, Mind and Spirit
-Breathe Smart: The Secret to Happiness, Health and Long Life
-Zen Yoga: A Path to Enlightenment through Breathing, Movement and Meditation
-Catch the Cat - ebook for children
-Update:Japan - travel guide

DVD by Aaron Hoopes
-The Zen Yoga Daily Warm-Up DVD

CD by Aaron Hoopes
-Inner Sunrise Guided Meditation CD

Can I Use Weights For Cardio?

There is a popular philosophy amongst the fitness community that we do not necessarily need cardiovascular activity for heart healthy benefits and weight loss. Personally speaking I know weight training can be the ultimate workout but I also see the benefits of cardio. Ultimately I think different things will work for different people and I want point out a few points on this topic.

Fitness is a lifestyle and as we change, so do our interests and exercises. No matter how we are moving our bodies whether it's through dance, cycling or yoga we are living actively. It's important to find workouts to enjoy and look forward to. If it happens to be running, weight training or both it's important to pursue your interests.

Weight lifting is very technique dependent while cardio is a little more foolproof. Resistance training strengthens bones and prevents injuries like no other but it can be hard on joints and increase the risk of carpel tunnel syndrome. Many cardio activities like swimming, the elliptical trainer and walking are not as demanding on the joints and supporting ligaments.

Cardio offers a more sustained period of exercise. I have always believed you should be doing one thing, or the other. Not cardio and weights at the same time. If someone lifts heavy enough to have to rest in between sets, the heart rate is not elevated for 20 minutes at a time, which is minimum for heart health and weight loss. On the other hand, if you are lifting 15-20 reps and hardly resting at all in between sets, you are moving your body like any other cardio and wasting lifting sessions by not lifting heavily enough to stimulate change in the muscle.

In the case of weight loss and toning I think the answer is body type dependant. If you have a lot to lose, start with cardio and weights. If you are already thin and want to tone out, stick with just weights.

It's always best to do what you like and even more importantly, what actually works to change your body. If you love to lift it is definitely possible to skip the treadmill with properly designed programs. If you don't want to give up your morning jog, you don't have to!

Kaleena Lawless
Personal Training Specialist
kalisthenixfitnessblog.com kalisthenixfitnessblog.com

Best Exercises to Lose Weight and Fat

With over 20 years of exercise at least six days per week under my belt, I am ready to share with you the answer to weight and fat loss. You do not have to think about it and try to figure out what really works anymore because what you need to know is right here.

Stop watching the infomercials on weight loss products. Stop buying pills that are unhealthy for your body. Stop spending your money on happinesslifetime.com weight loss programs that are extremely expensive and eventually do not work. Start to move your body, in different ways and tighten up your body while losing weight.

What has been proven to me, with the results that I am getting right now and I am thrilled with, is called muscle confusion. The concept is about changing your exercise routine so your body does not plateau, or get comfortable with what you regularly do. If you go for a run everyday for a year or longer, your body can only change so much because it expects that same movement over and over again. With muscle confusion, you are literally confusing your body and the results you always wanted will happen almost instantly.

For instance, here is an example of one week of exercises that work for me. On Monday I will jog on a treadmill or outside for 3 miles and get a good cardio workout. On Tuesday I will do a workout centered around weights and building muscle including abdominals. On Wednesday I will do a sculpting class such as yoga or Pilates to elongate, strengthen and stretch my body. On Thursday I will go back on the treadmill and do three more miles on more of an incline. On Friday I will do another sculpting class that includes weights of three or more pounds. And on Saturday I will take a kickboxing class for a fun way to do cardio again and end my week with full energy while taking Sundays off. Week two would be different in maybe changing the treadmill to a stationary bike or a elliptical machine.

The point is to constantly change it up. Cardio is important, but weight training and sculpting is just as important and will really help you see the results you always wanted. The best part about this concept is that you will never get bored because you are always changing your exercise routine and that means you will stay dedicated to it for life.

Written By: Cristina Pierce

Yoga and Pilates tools for your sculpting routine: wholemindandbody.com/newstore/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=2&zenid=a6573f63a9134a0b84c2add2555d9d98 wholemindandbody.com/newstore/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=2&zenid=a6573f63a9134a0b84c2add2555d9d98

Exercise equipment for your cardio routine: wholemindandbody.com/newstore/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=58 wholemindandbody.com/newstore/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=58

Proper Yoga Clothes Can Make All the Difference

Yoga clothes and yoga mat are the key stuffs to exercise yoga whatsoever classes it is. As surviving in nowadays world requires you to own incredibly vigorous lifestyle, you can find anxiety from many things quite easily.

Yoga can be trained both at home and at classes in health centers. In the other hand, your selection about the clothes you choose to wear will determine that you are really made or broke your yoga experience.

What to Dress in

When you own to determine right yoga clothes, you have to determine whichever that comfortable and form fitting wear. Sweat pants work fine for clothes as long as they aren't too big.

T-shirts can be good option of clothes as long as they fit your body correctly. On the contrary, the better selection of clothes is tank tops or even just a sports bra if you're a woman or you have to wear no top at all if you are man.

What Not to Dress in

While you are selecting yoga clothes, you should never consider wearing jeans, sweatshirts and shoes. Jeans are constricting and are perhaps the most unfit clothes.

As yoga exercise will require your body to breathe suitably, sweatshirts will become bad option of clothes because they are too warm and don't allow you working the breathing workouts appropriately.

Final Tips

After picking out proper yoga clothes, you have to also make certain that you have a appropriate yoga mat and will be a lot better if you possess personal instruction or yoga DVD's instruction.

By wearing appropriate clothes, you will be able to perform yoga workout routine contentedly and soon feel that you are fitter and healthier than before. For more tips, click here for recommend you to proper yoga clothes [yogamastertrainer.com/yoga-clothes/yoga-clothes-finding-the-one-that-wont-get-on-your-way-while-exercising/].

If you liked the above articles, Alice Young invites you to visit her website for you to learn more about yoga, click here Yoga Master Trainer [yogamastertrainer.com/].

The Truth About Christian Yoga

As Yoga has grown, outside of India, so have the many contemporary styles. Among the contemporary styles is Christian Yoga. Just mentioning the words, Christian and Yoga in the same phrase, could start a controversy, depending upon who is listening.

Some fundamentalist Christians will state that Yoga and meditation are evil. To go a bit further on this issue, they point to the traditional roots of Yoga, in India, and the connection to Hindu beliefs. They claim that the millions of Yoga practitioners in the world are being indoctrinated into the Hindu faith.

Let's look at Christian meditation. This practice began when monks read from the scriptures. In fact, many ministers, monks, brothers, and priests, continue to meditate. So, is meditation evil?

Some point to the meaning of the word Yoga. Yuj is the root word for Yoga, and there is a much deeper meaning. The Yuj, or Yoke, was used to tie two wild horses together to a chariot. To think about this a little deeper, the Yuj held together two wild horses, a chariot, a driver, and an archer, to create an ancient weapon, which worked in complete unison.

Most often, you will hear Yoga means "union." In the spiritual sense, there is the union of your soul with God. Now, is that evil? Most Christians are counting on seeing God in the after life.

Now, evil might be considered mischievous, morally depraved, wicked, or vicious. Intolerance is not accepting or respecting different cultures, opinions, or practices. Intolerance often leads to hate crimes, pogroms, witch hunts, wars, and holocausts.

Christianity is a living philosophy, based upon love, peace, tolerance, forgiveness, equality, and inclusion. The principles run parallel to Yogic philosophy. If you do not believe it, please take a look at Matthew 22:36-40. Below are those five verses, according to the King James Version of the Holy Bible.

36: Master, which is the great commandment in the law?

37: Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.

38: This is the first and great commandment.

39: And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

40: On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

A point worth mentioning: Love, peace, tolerance, forgiveness, equality, and inclusion, should be a part of every religious leader's daily life. If you find yourself in the midst of intolerance and hate, you may want to consider going to a religious center, which is more in line with your moral values.

On the other hand, if you suddenly find your Yoga class has turned into a cult following, and it is leading you away from God, you should also consider changing your surroundings.

In our hearts, we feel right and wrong. In our minds, we know right from wrong. Anyone who teaches hate and intolerance is a danger to the rest of the world.

© 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. aurawellnesscenter.com 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: yoga-teacher-training.org/index.html yoga-teacher-training.org/index.html

My Yoga Demon - A Yogi Laughs at Himself!

"A master asked his disciple, 'What is the sound of one hand clapping? Speak! Speak!' "

The Blue Cliff Record

[Often, a riddle is assigned to a meditation (zazen style) student. These koan, so called, are highly respected and profoundly meaningless - explaining why zenists, yogis, and the like are neurotic, crowding L.A.'s shopping malls, eating lots of ice cream.]

"Help in three-ten! Help in three-ten!"

I do not hear - I listen. I awaken; so does the universe, because no such thing as the sound of only one hand clapping exists; all things arise in mutual relationship. Living in a world of quiet harmony and peaceful equanimity, I often find myself in the living room of my apartment overlooking Laurel Canyon shortly after the Los Angeles sun rises through a haze of smog and fumes. I sit in a half-lotus position on a blue mat, dressed loosely in yoga whites. This morning kicks-off with ten repetitions of Pranayama breathing. Inhaling beautiful, golden-white energy deep into my lungs slowly, slowly, ... I hold and release. The movement is precise; my chin drops into a center cleft between the clavicle bones while mastoid muscles on both sides of my neck melt into the upper trapezoids, and I have mastered expanding the floating ribs without raising or tightening my shoulders. Upon its release, I hold my breath, bottoming out before inhaling again.

A few feet away sits a plastic bottle of mineral water. The clear liquid is purity inspected, fortified using thirty-six essential minerals and vitamins and contains "green tea;" that's New Age yoga-speak for caffeine - enough G-force raging through the circulatory system keeps one buzzing and meditating for seven days and nights, eyeballs plastered against the wall, hair follicles standing on end - but not mine. After thirty years of koan, meditation, and green tea, well, green tea is murder on hair. I might drink coffee or soda pop or eat a sugar donut, however, I am a knowledgeable shaman, a disciplined yogi if you like - the vehicle is pure and I don't wish to risk feeding baser instincts. The mineral water is called Yo-Go! It awakens this shaman, ears popping, and focuses the senses on such koan as One Hand Clapping, and I also find it useful for cleaning tough lime deposits off shower walls.

"Help, somebody! Help in three-ten!"

After holding each inhalation and exhalation for an extended length of time and polishing off a bottle of Yo-Go!, I channel my spirit guides. Our business together is esoteric, very spiritual. My special field of Eastern practice is subtle energy healing and we are in the process of saving the world. I am in the process of knocking back my second bottle of Yo-Go! and my consciousness is expanding nicely. It is divine in the midst of the mundane. I now contain enough New Age rocket fuel coursing through my vascular system to blast-off for yet unexplored dimensions. I feel the urge to leap up and rip - gracefully - into my first of a series of eighteen asanas (yoga postures).

Momentarily I rise from the mat, yawn, and step to my window overlooking a private courtyard of lush, overgrown banana palms, and next to those a row of potted plants burgeoning under the shade of the palms' rubbery leaves. The sun begins its daily arc from east to west. All is right with the world and I smile to myself ... "Help in-" and slam the window.

This happens: only a muffled noise, a desperate plea in the distance of an otherwise beautiful universe. Taking it to the blue mat, I assume a Mountain posture, standing feet together, buttocks tightly protecting the sacral nerve center, hands at my sides, shoulders back and relaxed with my stomach just a touch forward. This places the center of gravity over my hips. I am organic - growing out of God's aspect called the earth, a piece of the planet. I am a mountain. The Sanskrit word for mountain is tada. I repeat the word, tada, several times. However, bursting full of Yo-Go!, purity inspected, and fortified using thirty-six essential minerals and vitamins, and containing green tea, the word escapes more like a preparatory drum roll - tuh duh! - and I feel my feet will fly into a crotch grabbing, Michael Jackson dance.

Immediately I jump to the Extended Triangle posture: feet spread, arms outstretched like airplane wings and I am now bending to my right until the hand on the end of my straight right arm rests behind my heel. My left arm is reaching above my head and I stare at it. I must meet the position, that is, maintain the position until yoga and I are one. 'Yoga' means 'to unite'. Nothing exists - no thing exists. The universe is empty of 'selfness' - 'thingness'. In a void of dynamic change filled only with relationship, momentary position is everything - I do not look - I see the Great Void, through which Brahman creates itself as numerous aspects of mundane fingers pointing to the divine. Existence is transcendently integrated because each aspect transcends itself to become the whole, and the whole's virtue to become itself is present in each aspect. In the end, the mundane and the divine are one.

"Help in three-ten!"

Her voice is weakening. She's old, tired, and spends days pasted in a chair watching television. She's nursing a bad hip and is tied to the whisky bottle. That's why she periodically falls out of the chair. A gentleman friend of hers visits every day. He delivers the good-juice and is no great shakes. He drives a lemon yellow Buick with a tennis ball stuck on his radio antenna - a real sport. Last week he collapsed in a drunken stupor downstairs by the mailboxes until the paramedics arrived.

"Can you breathe?"

"Urp."

"Breathe for me, old timer, or their gonna throw yuh's in a box and nail it shut."

He sputtered and spit-up. "No hospital, please."

"Yuh want I should let you die here? You'd like that."

"No hospital, no-"

He's a distinguished appearing gentleman retaining most of his hair and a silver mustache. She can still snatch an older Adonis because she used to be a knockout - the Coca-Cola Girl of 1945.

Time was she'd invited my wife up to her place for tea. The old lady brimmed full of life before Cutty Sark became an appendage. That afternoon she sat Ann on the sofa balancing tea and pound cake. Her ancient eyes lit up and she driveled incessantly, as if she hadn't a visitor in eons. Above the sofa hung a glass shrine containing Coca-Cola memorabilia: bottles, painted serving trays, calendars, all with her pictures on them - her supplication to the gleaming, toothy American dream. "Oh my, yes, I was very popular, what with the U.S.O. dances and armed services tours. You know," she spoke with a glint in her eye and a hushed tone, "they used to pin my pictures up on the barracks. I gave that Betty Grable gal a run for her money! You're cute too, dear."

Afterwards, Ann ran off at the mouth, breathless. "Youngbear! She's famous!"

"That's nice." Yogic training dictates that I practice non-attachment and deep compassion simultaneously - very profound. "I'm going to the mall and score a double-scoop of Rocky Road in a cone."

"No. really! She's got a giant poster of herself drinking Coke out of a glass bottle with some army Major So n' So from the forties. A glass bottle, no cans, and she's wearing a jacket with padded shoulders and a hat with a feather in it and everything!"

A week later, Ann managed a chance meeting with the Coca-Cola lady downstairs at the mailboxes. The old girl stood weaving, buttressing the wall with her nose, disoriented, whiskey aromatic at eleven o'clock in the morning, and she saw Ann. "Well, now, if it isn't little Mrs. Yogi Bear." Ann felt betrayed; her illusory faith in the material world shattered.

***

Lunging my left leg forward, I stop when the knee aligns above the left foot and my thigh is right-angled. This throws the balance forward and must be counteracted by keeping the right leg stretched straight behind my right hip. My arms are both thrown into the air and my upper torso is twisted completely in line with my left leg. Very good - this is called The Warrior posture. My eyes are fixed forward while I wait patiently, uniting with yoga, becoming one with *extreme pain in the quadriceps (thighs) and deltoids (shoulders). I wonder why it is called The Warrior posture; with my arms extended above my head, my torso completely open to any and all attacks, I would name it The Certain Death posture.

Yoga is more than an exercise; it is a state of flexible energy existence. Our bodies are mindful energy. They function as separate units from the mindful energy outside of them due to a boundary of tension. Practicing asanas unites inner and outer energy by forcing us to use our energy to meet outside energy by breaking down the separating wall of tension. That tension is memory, it is history. As long as we remain human we will keep and maintain our bodies, however, the more flexible our energy boundaries become, the less tension we sustain between our selves and the rest of the universe; we feel united. Each of us carries a limited history of movement. Yoga interrupts that familiar history expanding the energy movement territory. Some yogis are able to extend their energy at will meeting with outside energy and actually "reading the energy map" of other people. At the moment, I am not reading energy. I am fighting intense pain in my left knee as the tendons stretch beyond human endurance. No more Yo-Go! and this session is turning rugged.

"Help in three-ten!"

Being an enlightened shaman means coming to a meaningful understanding of generosity's virtue. I must save my yogic bliss for a later time. The Coca-Cola lady needs help up from the floor. I shake off The Warrior position and hobble across my room. Down the corridor, between my apartment and the elevator landing, Neanderthal man struggles through a series of evolutionary anthropological postures to stand once again upright. I opt for the stairwell to the third floor, knowing that Adonis rode the elevator earlier. He left while he could still walk and now the elevator reeks of urine, Aqua Velva, and Ripple. It's their plot to die together, a grotesque Romeo and Juliet - double cirrhoses of the livers. It will be a conclusion with no respect, no love - prolonged suicide.

I approach the screen door to three-ten peering into tomb-like darkness. The death chair, a mummy blanket strewn across it, sits empty. Her television blares afternoon soap opera. Pictures hang crooked and walls are stained nicotine yellow. Liquor bottles grow scattered in groups, half empty or full, depending on your point of view, and sticky. Trash overflows. The stench of rotting flesh wafts a perfume of finality. Gawd, she's dead. Then I see her behind shadows, sprawled on the carpet: a sack of bones showing blue veins; a piece of meat holding two cavernous eyes; a tubercular vision by Edvard Munch.

It wasn't so horrible that she called Ann, "Mrs. Yogi Bear." It's sad, her life a tragedy. And those eyes wide open and staring at me, frozen. The Coca-Cola lady raped by Western culture and cast out as corporate refuse because her teeth no longer twinkled. I feel no attachment, yet, strangely, I feel compassion. Above the chair hangs an old tin-serving tray with her likeness illustrated on it. She's smiling and young and the bottle of cola in her beautiful, perfect, feminine hand is only a dime. She lays, head propped against the chair where she's fallen, flesh loose and gray, and those eyes. "Don't just stand there. Help me!"

All compassion takes a hike. An experienced yogi knows when to change game plans, to go with the flow as it were.

"I need my chair! I need a drink! You gonna help me, or what?"

"No. I was just checking."

"Creep! Yoga creep!"

"Fine. Have a nice day. Someone will be along and pick you up."

***

Occasionally a fresh point of view is called for. At times like these, the yoga practitioner must clear his mind like a painter distances himself from his canvas. I stand back by my window and breathe. Just breathing. That's all there is. In and out and in... A tree outside my window! A sturdy oak blowing in the wind, it's leaves gently rocking back and forth. This will be fine for five minutes, and if a bird lands in it, maybe seven or eight.

"Help in three-ten!"

I am on the mat sitting in The Hero posture. Both of my legs are bent at their knees, calves straight behind me, and I am sitting on my heels. Again, my arms are overhead, this time palms up and fingers interlocking. My knees and the tops of my feet are being crushed into bone meal and colors float in front of my eyes.

I can't help her, cannot heal her. I am a powerful healer but not a panacea for the world's problems. She's too old. What if I picked her up the wrong way? I might break a bone, smash her vertebrae. My knees and feet have had it.

Back at the window, across the street, city workers shatter asphalt with jackhammers. That's interesting. If it's an election year, perhaps they'll paint lines. I wonder why they wear blue jeans two sizes too large. Do they know they're showing every time they bend over?

Okay, fine! I'm a neurotic, non-compassionate, lousy yogi! Is that what this is all about? I spy on traffic below. It's mid-day and cars are inching along. This is Southern California. Half the cars are Mercedes convertibles, the other half Hondas. I move slowly to the telephone and dial 911 emergency. "There's an invalid upstairs who needs help getting back into her chair."

"What's the apartment number, sir?"

"Help in three-ten!"

"Got it, sir."

***

No more yoga now. An old lady's life is at stake. I've got to supervise the paramedics, make certain they find the right apartment. What if she dies? Poor thing. I jog down to the mailboxes and wait. They pull up, a deafening siren and flashing lights. Two men wearing starched white shirts jump out, and carrying oxygen they race past me up the stairs.

See, I'm compassionate. I called them. Now, how about it? A little peace in my life? I wait the long wait until her screen door clacks shut and the starched shirts ride down in the elevator. Leaping stairs two at a time, I press my nose against the Coca-Cola lady's screen. She's pasted in the chair watching television, and then she notices me. "I'm glad you're alright. I was worried about you and being compassionate-"

"I don't recall saying, 'Hey, Yogi Bear, call the paramedics!' " A vein pulses out of her forehead. "Idiot! Do you know what this is going to cost me!"

***

The Head on Knee posture requires absolute concentration. While sitting straight up on the mat, the left knee is bent bringing the left foot into the groin. The right leg is straight and flat resting calf and hamstring muscles on the floor. Stretching arms overhead, one bends over the right leg - keeping the left foot tucked into the groin - bringing the head down to the right knee and grabbing the bottom of the right foot with both hands. One slip of focus and a week in hospital traction is the only way the head can be separated from the knee; yoga is called the 'gentle' art.

Back at my window, the blood flow normalizes and my morning workout, which has taken all day, is over. I watch the cars, wondering how many people suffering aches and pains and injuries live unaware of that which the east has bestowed upon us: Yo-Go! and yoga for a pain-free, stress-free existence. Ann's key turns in the lock. When she pops open the door, I notice a bit of commotion outside. "What's the hap's Ann?"

"The Coca-Cola lady just passed away."

"These inexplicable happenings, these things we dare not fathom," I said. "May peace and harmony be her reward. I'm going out for a quick pint of Rocky Road ice cream."

END

*Note: Clearly, true hatha yoga practice is accomplished without pain. It is not a battle. It takes place in that silence between the notes of music and never over-stretches a tendon. Yoga grows slowly, using patience and awareness of one's body. If, dear reader, you find yourself being injured in yoga class, politely seek a different instructor. Y.B.

Youngbear Roth's in-depth resume' may be viewed iayt.org/site_Vx2/profile/detail.aspx?AutoID=&UStatus=&ProfileNumber=&LS=&AM=&Ds=&CI=&AT=&Return=../../site_Vx2/about/advisory.htm&id=18835 with a mouse click here. 818-985-3976 or

Things to Do in the Summer (For Kids)

As the summer holidays approach the major thing that's on the mind of a child is, "What's next? What will I do this summer?" This thought has to be catered to, by considering that each child is unique and a different individual than the other one. So the most important thing to know is what interests a particular child. It could be art, games, traveling etc.

This is important, as in a school, all children learn the same curriculum as the other, but what distinguishes them is the different level of interests they have and whether or not these have been encouraged in their growing years. Considering this, the summer vacation is the best time to hone their skills, which in the future will help them stand out as different and versatile individuals. There are numerous activities from which one can pick and choose depending upon their age and interests some of them are as follows:

Gardening: This is seen to make children realize the importance of trees and other flora, giving them a personal introduction to the beauty in nature, while making them appreciate the environment.

Camping: Hike to some place with your kid and camp their, along with this you can teach them how to click photographs or ask them to voice record every sound around the camp side. This is good training for your child's observation and travel skills.

Crafts: A child could make a craft each day which could help them to explore their creative sight. Craft and art books and guides are available at most stationary stores and on the internet.

Summer Sports: You should introduce this concept where a child is required to explore a new sport and then learn it. This idea of summer games for kids is inexhaustible and continuously enjoyable.

Treasure Hunt: Design a treasure hunt for your kids with the help of a string of interesting clues, one leading to the other, a prize at the end.

Zoo visit: If your kids haven't visited a zoo take them to one in your city. It again expands their horizon by allowing them to observe other species in nature.

Scrapbook: Ask them to make a scrap book of every thing they do this summer. This not only hones your child's creative skills but also evolves their thought processes and finally becomes a lover memoir of his/her young days.

Reading books: This is a great habit but parents face a problem with young children here. The problem is that children are bored with reading in school. To initiate them into this habit, ask them to compare a book and the movie adapted from it. This makes reading a fun activity.

Perspective drawing: Ask your kids to draw their own home. This again does good to their thought processes.

Learn a foreign language: This would provide them an insight on a different culture apart from their own and also equip them better for their future in the world.

Go to a concert or a cricket match: This would make them enjoy their holidays to the hilt and also understand concepts like team spirit, determination, hard work, etc.

Visit a national park: This will make them realize how different animals survive in a jungle. It is great insight into life not only for kids but for all.

Make their own band: If the kids are interested in music encourage them to make their own. They could build their own band and 'jam'. This is great fun and more productive than being pinned to the television all summer.

It is exposures such as these, along with an education that finally make children well rounded individuals.

So if you are looking out for some interesting summeractivitiesforkids.net summer activities for kids or want your child to join some yoga classes do visit these links. You can also check out for some cool meanings in the kidsdictionary.net kids dictionary

The Health Benefits of Yoga - Part 1

I started writing this article to sum up the health benefits of yoga, but soon realized that the list of benefits would be a million miles long. I wouldn't be able to do the subject justice in a short article that sums up the general benefits of yoga. In fact, the minute I started researching the topic and saw the massive amount of positive effects on your body and mind that yoga can make, it made me want to run out to class right away even just to have that moment of elation just as I leave the yoga studio with my body exhausted and my mind at ease.

Lets start with the most obvious. Flexibility. Of course this is going to improve with the practice of yoga. Your tight muscles will hold you back at first and even protest most of the way through your first few classes, but soon you'll start to feel them give in and work with you. You'll be able to feel your deep breathing allow your muscles to relax further and further into the stretch. Over time you won't believe what your muscles are capable of and you'll be craving getting deeper into each pose than in your previous practice.

Your strength will also be challenged in the practice of yoga. You won't turn into the muscle man you see pumping iron in front of the mirror, but we've all seen what yoga has done for Madonna's arms. If us common folk can see a quarter of that definition we'd probably all be satisfied. Many yoga poses require that you support your own weight during or through one pose to the next. At first even downward facing dog will make your shoulders burn. Unlike traditional weight training, yoga uses your own body as resistance and your muscles begin to learn how to precisely control your movements. Your muscles become long, lean and toned - and who doesn't want that, right?!

Another physical benefit you'll achieve in yoga is that you'll begin to really breathe.

When the Breath wanders, the mind is unsteady, but when the Breath is still, so is the mind still." - Hatha Yoga Pradipika

It's not often that we think of our breathing in everyday life. In yoga class, you're trained to breath fully, deeply and consciously. The idea is that yoga breathing exercises gets more oxygen to your blood and to your brain. You'll use more of your lungs than you do normally and feel the difference between normal breath and fully yoga breathing exercises.

Check out this balanceyogasite.com Balance Yoga Guide and the myhomegymfitnessequipment.com Home Fitness guide for more information.

12 Questions You Should Ask When Choosing a Yoga Teacher Training Course

So, you've made the decision to become a yoga teacher. Perhaps you've been a yoga student for years, and have decided to take the next step. Maybe you just want to take your practice a bit deeper, and think that teacher training will help your self-development. You might have been made redundant and want to change career. Whatever your reason, there's not been a better time to train as a yoga teacher.

Teaching yoga is a growing industry, as there's a stressed out nation out there and more people than ever are turning to yoga to help them cope. Yoga teachers around the country have reported higher numbers in their classes this year than in previous years. I've found that corporate Dru yoga and well being classes are in great demand, as when stress levels rise, so do back problems and absenteeism. Companies are looking for experienced, grounded yoga teachers to work on the factory floor and in the office.

It's estimated by the British Wheel of Yoga that half a million people regularly practise yoga in the UK, and the number of yoga teachers is growing by 10% per year. But we're all different. Some of us like a more physical, dynamic style, like Sun Power, Power Yoga, Teach Yoga or Chi Kri schools, others prefer something more gentle, which suits all fitness levels, like Anusara, Dru Yoga or FRYOG. Some want a deep philosophy intensive in an ashram environment, as experienced in the Sivananda training, or the spiritual focus offered by Kundalini. Others want to fit their yoga training around families and jobs, and chose schools like triyoga, British Wheel, or Appleyoga. Some want to study close to home, others want to retreat to a beautiful environment like Snowdonia or the North of Scotland and make a holiday out of their training. So what's out there, and how should we choose?

After talking to people from many UK yoga schools, I've shortlisted 12 questions which should help you find the perfect training course for you. After all, the schools are all quite different, and are suited to different sorts of people. It's not a case of one being better than another, just finding the one which reflects your needs and aspirations best.

The top twelve questions:

What makes your course different from all the others?
Where is your course held in the UK?
Is it accredited with Yoga Alliance or a similar body?
How many years has your school been established?
How many students do you have currently training, and how many active graduates do you have?
Is your school worldwide? If so, in which countries is your course also available?
How qualified are your tutors? Do you have specialists in other relevant fields (eg osteopathy, medicine, sports science) on your teaching team?
How big are your classes, and what's the ratio of students to tutors?
What's the structure of your course? (Weekends/intensive/5 day modules etc) How long does it last?
How much does it cost? Are there any flexible payment plans? If so, what?
What support do you offer for your yoga teachers once they've finished the course?
Do you offer postgraduate trainings eg pregnancy yoga?

So, when you're ready to choose your yoga school, arm yourself with these questions and make note of the replies. Becoming a yoga teacher is a once in a lifetime activity, which will make a difference to potentially thousands of people, so take your time in choosing the right yoga school for you!

Jane Clapham is a yoga teacher trainer, and teaches yoga, meditation and sound courses in the Dru Yoga centre in Snowdonia. She also leads meditation retreats and holidays in the celtic mountains of Wales and worldwide. Contact her at