The Purpose Of Yoga

Yoga, or its ancestor, first appeared somewhere around 5,000 years ago. Since then, it has gradually evolved into the modern form. However, its "modern form" is neither completely modern, nor is it the only form of yoga. In the western world, when we speak of "yoga" we are commonly referring to Hatha Yoga, a branch of yoga introduced by Yogi Swatmarama in the 15th century. To keep it simple, Yogi Swatmarama saw Hatha Yoga, not as an end in itself, but as part of a pathway to a higher state on the yoga journey. Hatha Yoga concentrates more on the physical training, conditioning, and "preparation" aspects of yoga. So, as we talk about the purposes of "yoga", please keep in mind that we are talking only about one portion of the entire range of disciplines encompassed by the word.

We sometimes hear of someone who learned to become more relaxed by the practice of yoga. Or, maybe we have heard of someone who became more invigorated and energetic as a result of their practice. Perhaps someone else was able to play a competitive sport better than before they began practicing yoga, or perhaps they were able to lay aside the competitive aspect of their nature that had been driving them into bad health and broken relationships. We may have even heard all of these types of stories. I have! This, and all the claims made about the practice of yoga, creates a very confusing picture even in the minds of those willing to believe what they hear. For those who have doubts already, the multitude of claims can sound like those of an old-timey snake oil salesman.

Actually, research conducted by many prestigious organizations and institutions has confirmed that a regular practice of yoga can actually produce all of these effects and more. While some uncertainty exists in some areas as to exactly WHY yoga is so effective in relation to a given situation, condition, or result, the common ground seems to be that it works.

While yoga can return the same physical, emotional, and spiritual benefits as any other physical training or exercise program, it also produces a blend of positive results that allow the individual organism to integrate the effects and actions of several different systems to produce a whole overall outcome which seems to be greater than the sum of its parts. For example, the increased ability to relax may help the ability to perform, the strengthening of the physical body helps the emotional output to be brought under control. All specific benefits of yoga, when practiced regularly, work together for the overall benefit of the person.

It appears that this synergistic outcome combines the more specific benefits associated with any regular exercise program, with meditation, with deep breathing, with the "exercise" or "massage" of internal organs normally ignored by standard physical activities to produce the confusing array of "positive" outcomes mentioned at the beginning of this article.

Whatever the other positive outcomes of a regular yoga practice may be, its effect on physical and mental health in general should not be ignored. Yoga has been found to have a positive effect on such conditions as asthma, respiratory difficulties, high blood pressure, pain management, back pain, arthritis, and weight loss. Psychologically, it tends to increase self awareness, create a positive self-image, and uplift the spirits of the participant. Many who come to yoga for the first time find themselves with a "new lease on life" as one practitioner put it to me and find themselves trying new experiences, finding new friends, and taking control of a life which had, up until then, been in control of them.

Apparently, yoga has the potential of being effective in many aspects of life and health, and can, in most cases at least, mold itself to your needs. It might be said that the purpose of yoga is to serve in whatever capacity it is needed.

Donovan Baldwin is a Texas writer and a University of West Florida alumnus. He is a member of Mensa and is retired from the U. S. Army after 21 years of service. In his career, he has held many managerial and supervisory positions. However, his main pleasures have long been writing, nature, and fitness. In the last few years, he has been able to combine these pleasures by writing poetry and articles on subjects such as health, fitness, yoga, writing, the environment, happiness, self improvement, and weight loss. Learn more about yoga-4-the-health-of-it.com yoga at yoga-4-the-health-of-it.com yoga-4-the-health-of-it.com/ You can also find articles on yoga and other health related subjects at nodiet4me.blogspot.com nodiet4me.blogspot.com/ .

Raja Yoga Offers Mental Health

We need to know how to build our health of mind and assume responsibility, as we must do for our physical fitness. Just as there are physical symptoms that can be corrected by self help by applying natural healing practices, so we are also well equipped to deal with any disturbances of our psychological state of being. But we must have knowledge about methods of self help.

Yoga as a system incorporates methods of self discipline to achieve and maintain physical health through Hatha Yoga. Many of the techniques are now common knowledge amongst exponents in the West. These Ayurvedic methods of self healing are embraced in what is called Yoga Chikitsa.

Raja Yoga extends to self care of our psychological being and includes simple emotional and mind training disciplines designed to help self confidence and independence by encouraging a balanced condition of the psyche.

Self help in these matters demands that to help our own emotions we must identify with our mental self and use our thoughts to effect changes. To help our own mind we must appeal to our own directing soul that can help create different patterns of thought. And when our soul is in danger, feeling damaged, hopeless and devoid of joy in living we must appeal to a higher energy of our own spiritual being and beyond.

Any healing effort to return to a state of wholeness or wholesomeness requires energy from a higher voltage power and battery source. We are provided with a means of raising our energy levels first, by our own use of our lifeline or breathing mechanism; when receiving assistance from a therapist or when communing directly with natural energies abundant in forests, bushland, seasides and outdoors.

There are basic exercises in sensitivity and awareness of our emotions and thoughts and exercises that assist the full development of our faculties. It is this fundamental self awareness that allows us to note any symptoms of disturbance before seeking to correct them.

Although the human psyche with its seven Koshas or layers of consciousness have been the basis of Indian and Asian thought regarding the whole person, the science of psychology is only in its infancy in the western countries. Here in western medicine the philosophy to use drugs for remedial physical ill health, is applied in prescribing psychiatric drugs to relieve inner mental and emotional states. But these artificial chemicals generally prescribed for mental conditions are capable of creating far subtler and yet more powerful inner damage to our being that can extend to self harm and suicide. We need to find alternative therapies to the mental illness that is now assessed as existing in one in four people in Australia.

Raja Yoga practices have been proven already over the centuries. We have this knowledge available and its methods are based on simple, reasonable disciplines that are designed to help us feel confidently seated at the control centre of our being, free to be receptive to healthy thoughts and feelings, free to create wholesome ideas and responses and free to enjoy life in a state of inner peace. This is a simple aim and has simple demands within reach of each of us if we have the will to be in control of our lives.

It begins not with effort, but with an attitude of relaxation and doing nothing but surrendering all activity. This is best applied lying flat on the floor until you find it comfortable, closing your eyes and maintaining stillness of your body, apart from the natural movement of easy respiration.

Together with this position is a mental attitude assumed - that is a surrender not only of a need for effort, but a surrender of your body weight to the floor. Learn to trust that you are safe in yielding to relaxation. Allow yourself to trust nature and its benign aim to restore and assist you to health. Relaxation is practised with no strain or effort or thought activity. You allow yourself to feel. Try it and see how you feel. You may choose to register your feelings and any thoughts that came in the period spent in relaxation as a reminder of how pleasant a self therapy it really is.

The next is to be able to sit still as a prelude to learning the art of meditation when you reach a state of mental stillness and your thoughts are no longer an enemy.

If you find you cannot keep your mind still - if you are anxious and fearful, restless and confused, or if you have unwelcome thoughts, your concentration is poor and faculties not as sharp as before; or if you are suffering strain and fatigue or depression you will certainly find that Raja Yoga will help you greatly and bring back to life your vital thoughts and ideas that motivate your life and its expression towards health and happiness.

Sally Janssen is a writer, and Yoga teacher well known both in Australia and abroad for her skill in demonstration of the Hatha Yoga practices and her wisdom in applying the principles of Raja Yoga -the study of the mind and consciousness. More details at essence-of-yoga.net essence-of-yoga.net. Her book "Mental Fitness: A Complete Self-help Guide" explains the principles of mental fitness that can be applied by us all. The book may be found here: mentalhealthandfitness.com/blog mentalhealthandfitness.com/blog.

Open Your Heart And Access Courage With Yoga

"Courage faces fear and thereby masters it." Martin Luther King, Jr

During my first happinesslifetime.com yoga teacher training in 2004, I learned how to move into upward facing bow or wheel pose*, which is an advanced back bending, heart opening pose thought to require a great deal of strength. It's done by lifting the body up into a bow as you press your hands and feet into the floor. It was not my goal to learn this pose nor was it the objective of the course. It came to me as the result of all the increased opportunities to practice the basic postures I was learning to teach and the more challenging postures I found easier to access over time.

I had decided to take the teacher training that year because I felt stuck. Having accomplished many personal and professional goals I had set out to attain I still found that I was holding back. I was afraid to take that next step required to live more authentically and to achieve my aspirations. I wanted to make the transition from working at a family service agency and a psychological clinic to opening up my own private practice and offering the most effective methods to help people struggling with anxiety and depression.

Yoga had been my support, my friend for a very long time. My love of yoga started over 30 years ago when I took a Hatha yoga class as an undergraduate in college. Since then yoga has been calling me back to it's healing embrace again and again. At times I would turn away from my practice, thinking I was too busy or too unfamiliar with it to be consistent, but I always came back especially during difficult times when my anxiety was high or the depression I was feeling held me back.

So in 2004 I was ready to immerse myself in the practice and study of yoga. As a student of the training I had many teachers in the form of books, gurus, teachers with varying degrees of experience and my fellow students. Some teachers helped me feel stronger and more confident feeling the power that I was able to tap into through the regular practice of this ancient art. Some helped to keep me humble and become accepting of being human and making mistakes. Many teachers were extraordinarily compassionate and because of that I was encouraged to begin to let go and open my heart more and more fully and joyfully even when I felt afraid to do so.

At first I gravitated to teachers who were very strong and disciplined. My logical mind told me the strength and confidence I lacked was the key to overcoming my fear. As I felt myself get stronger I started to try the more difficult poses, my confidence lifted. Still, I wasn't able to come up into a full wheel pose. Something stopped me just short of it's full expression. I learned that the muscle power I lacked was only part of the issue for me.

During the course I was introduced to a very compassionate teacher who explained we could create a safe space in our bodies so that the heart can open with ease. Forcing an opening only causes the heart to close more. She explained one way to create safety in this pose is to bring the shoulder blades together in the back so that the blades actually act as a shield for the heart in the back of the body so the heart can open freely in the front, just naturally lifting up toward the sky. She showed us a gentle way to bring the shoulder blades together by reaching our hands around the ankles of someone standing behind us. Logically, I couldn't understand how this would help lift me into the pose but when I tried it myself I went right up with ease. Feeling triumphantly free in that moment, my heart fully open, I felt as if a wall had come down.

Having this experience showed me that my body was actually built to protect the most vulnerable part of me. I was able to relax and in a sense step out of the way allowing something natural to happen. I could feel my heart opening without force or really even trying very hard.

I began to want to live more and more of my life whole-heartedly, coming from an open heart. I began to see ways in which I was holding myself back thinking that this was the safe thing to do when in reality it was hurting me and limiting my life. Instead of trying to keep myself safe I began to work on aligning myself with integrity, compassion and trust. This was not something I was able to do on my own. Reaching out for help became a regular part of my spiritual practice.

For most of my life I treated asking for help as a crime I had no desire to commit, as a weakness that could possibly lead to more pain. In actuality I found it necessary and essential to continuing on a spiritual path. In our culture we value independence to the point of dysfunction at times. It usually takes quite a blow to our ego before we are able to admit our powerlessness and the need for help. And when we do reach out for aid something transforms inside of us opening us to all the possibilities in the universe. Paradoxically, this sort of dependence helps us to be more independent in healthier ways. We are starting to develop the courage to change.

The origin of the word courage actually comes from a Latin word cormeaning heart. Courage was what I needed more of to move into wheel pose and to move forward in my life to become the person I was meant to be.

Later that year I changed my name from my given name, Eileen to a name that had more meaning for me. I opened my own business and found a teacher that helped me cultivate effective practices shown to help with anxiety and depression. My journey isn't over yet of course. I continue in my daily yoga practice to call on the qualities of the heart to help me navigate the ups and down of my life. I still get stuck and allow fear and doubt to keep me closed at times. Only now I have less tolerance for suffering and I'm more willing to ask for help, take the steps necessary to get out of my own way and move forward coming from an open heart.

If you are feeling stuck don't let fear stop you from moving forward. Try something different, ask for the help and courage you need and allow your heart to lead you. The joy and happiness this is sure to bring is your birthright.

*Not every yoga pose is for every body so as with any exercise program check with your medical professional to make sure a practice is safe for you.

Awareness Counseling is a private practice that specializes in helping adults and families struggling with anxiety and depression using traditional therapy and mind/body methods that are intentionally designed to bring your life into balance. The result is more joy, freedom and enthusiasm for life. The founder, Elle Garfield, ACSW uses an effective combination of methods including cognitive/ behavioral, experiential, mindfulness, bibliotherapy, and Life Force yoga to help clients gain freedom from fear.
For more information go to Awareness-counseling-mi.com Awareness-counseling-mi.com or Call Elle Garfield at 248-961-4081 or email BlogThis!Share to XShare to FacebookShare to Pinterest

Meditation Trains Brain to be Kinder

According to a new study, Scientists have managed to prove what many Indian people have known for centuries; they have demonstrated that meditation is good for the brain.

During the study, which was published in the specialist journal PLOS One, researchers discovered that meditative training could produce specific measurable changes in the parts of the brain that are linked to empathy and compassion.

In the research into compassion meditation practices, researchers studied 16 Tibetan monks who had each spent many hours cultivating their meditation techniques. The monks underwent a number of functional magnetic resonance imaging brain scans during their meditation sessions, which highlighted any changes to the brain.

The meditating monks were pitted against 16 volunteers who had no previous meditation experience. These volunteers were taught basic meditation techniques just a fortnight before their brains were scanned.

The brain scans showed a number of differences between the brains of the monks and those of the volunteers. Most notable were the changes in the monks' brains, particularly in the circuits used to detect emotions and feelings.

The inexperienced volunteers were taught only the most basic elements of compassion meditation; they were initially asked to concentrate on their loved ones and send them wishes of wellbeing and freedom from suffering. After this, they were then told to generate a similar feeling towards people in general, not just specific individuals.

As part of the research, the 32 monks and volunteers were placed in a brain scanner, before being asked to begin compassion meditation or to refrain from the meditation altogether. While they were in each of these states, the subjects were exposed to either negative or positive human vocal sounds, which were specifically designed to evoke neutral vocalisations or empathic responses. The sounds used in the study included a laughing baby, a distressed woman and some background restaurant noise.

During the test, the scans indicated that there was significant activity in the insula - the part of the brain that helps the body represent emotion - when the monks were meditating and made to listen to emotional vocal sounds. The scans also showed a clear link between the strength of the activity and the intensity of the meditation.

However, journalist and yoga teacher Ruth Fowler is a little skeptical of the study. She said: "Meditation can change your life, but the kind of meditation the scientists are studying is a practise undertaken every single day for years, by, for example, Tibetan Buddhist monks, or hardcore yogis who are terrifyingly committed to mental and physical control. It's hard and it's tiresome."

She also seems doubtful over whether this study or any other research that extols the benefits of meditation will actually encourage people to take up the practice. She said: "Meditation may go on to be proven scientifically as a wonder cure for depression, but whether you'll get anyone to sit down in silence for an hour a day with their eyes closed is another matter."

Source:

Guardian

Press Association

Samantha Srillian is a freelance writer, as well as a naturally gifted lovelingers.co.uk psychic medium and psychicnation.co.uk tarot card reader. She is interested in alternative therapies, angels and tarotlines.co.uk spiritual healing

The 6 Best Abs Exercises You Haven't Thought About

Non traditional exercises that will give you flat abs:

When one think about exercises that tones and flattens the abs, abs specific exercises like crunches and sit-ups usually spring to mind. But there are lots of other exercises that are actually very effective for getting flat abs. Here we will look at 6 such exercises that will help to flatten your tummy.

Pilates

Pilates is an excellent exercise for flattening the tummy. All of the movements of Pilates originate from the core, and each and every exercise strengthens and tones the core (the muscles of your abs, lower back and hip flexors). This results in a toned and a tight tummy. It also help to increase your overall flexibility, which is never a bad thing!

Kick box aerobics / taebo

Kick-box aerobics (Taebo) is one of my favorite exercises. It strengthens the core (resulting in a flat tummy) and it is a high intensity exercise that will have you burn lots of calories and fat.

Hula hooping

Just imagine what spinning a hula hoop around your middle will do for your abs - it will tone and strengthen your ab muscles, resulting in a flat tummy. Invest in a hula hoop and get a flat tummy the fun way!

Any sport

Most sports use the core area to move, and will tone and flatten your abs as a result. Any sport that involves cardio will also help you to burn some calories, resulting in weight loss. In my opinion, the best sport to do is one that you enjoy doing, as that will greatly increase the probability of you continuing to do it.

Yoga

When you are stressed your body produces excess cortisol, that in turn leads to your body storing excess fat on your tummy (bad news if you want flat abs). Yoga relaxes you, causes you to de-stress, and will help to combat the effect of stress. Not only will this help you get those flat abs you wanted, but it will also greatly increase your quality of live.

Weight training

Weight training is one of the best ways to burn lots of fat and calories, and will give you a leaner appearance as you start to build muscle.

These exercises will all help you to get a flat tummy in the non traditional way. Just implement these exercises, together with a healthy eating plan and you will be on your way to a flat tummy.

If you want to ensure that you get a six pack, the loselovehandleshowto.com/truth-about-6-pack-abs Truth About 6 Pack Abs program might be the one for you. You should also read my 10 reasons to buy loselovehandleshowto.com/the-truth-about-abs-reasons the Truth About Abs!

What is Holistic Anyway?

You've heard the work "holistic" and most people think it's some kind of weird way of living. It is a basic philosophy of living your life in a whole body and mind manner.

In other words:

- Eat things that keep your digestive system healthy.

- Stay active to keep your muscles, heart and lungs healthy.

- Practice forms of stress relief to keep your mind healthy.

- Practice random acts of kindness to keep your soul healthy.

Be aware that your body and mind are connected whether you want to admit it or not. As a whole person you can live a holistic lifestyle. In today's world we get caught up in the fast pace of living and push some of our needs aside. Rushing here and there and grabbing something quick to eat, no time to exercise and before you know it the stress gets to you and you are exhausted.

When you get to the point of exhaustion, or stressed out, it affects your physical self. Muscle aches (you know, when your shoulders are tight and your head is pounding...), digestive ailments, and even fatigue and insomnia can be the effects of stress.

If we see a doctor because we can't sleep, he or she may give you sleeping pills. If we see a doctor for headaches and muscle pain, he/she might prescribe meds for that. A holistic doctor would be more apt to take a look at your lifestyle; i.e. your eating habits and your exercise routines, your stress level and how you are relieving that stress. Making some changes in your lifestyle might just cure some of your ailments.

Let's talk about FOOD. Greasy, processed and other high fat, high sugar foods will not keep you healthy. We need lots of colorful veggies for their antioxidant and healing qualities. We need less processed grains because the less they are processed the more nutrients they have. We need different forms of protein to keep our muscles strong. Protein can be consumed in many foods from meat to nuts.

When we eat foods with higher levels of nutrients our bodies work at full capacity to break down the foods and absorb those nutrients. Vitamins, minerals and nutrients absorbed from food go right into the cells that need them. When we eat foods that are high in fat or processed there are less nutrients and more waste for the calories ingested. Instead of absorbing nutrients our bodies absorb fat and chemicals - yuck! Fat and chemical certainly don't make us feel good.

Moving on to my favorite subject - EXERCISE. A well rounded exercise routine is the best choice. Strength training (you don't need to be a bodybuilder to practice strength training), cardiovascular exercise and flexibility are three of the important areas to focus on. We should be exercising regularly ~ daily if possible. We need to do something good for our physical body every day.

STRESS RELIEF is an important part of any lifestyle. My belief is that YOGA serves two purposes (well, much more than two, but for the purposes of holistic benefits we'll say two for now) when practiced regularly. Yoga promotes flexibility and stress relief. A yoga breathing practice alone can be stress relieving, as can a regular meditation practice. I find that breathing into my yoga poses is stress relief at its best with the added benefit of flexibility in my physical body. But find your most stress relieving practice. It might be knitting, gardening or even just soaking in a hot bath.

KEEP YOUR SOUL HAPPY by doing nice things for others. When we practice acts of kindness it makes us feel good. The littlest things can make someone happy. Random acts of kindness don't need to cost anything, simply go a little out of your way to be nice to someone - even people you don't know.

Call someone that you know is sad; volunteer at an organization that needs help: soup kitchens, nursing homes, hospitals. Hold a door for someone carrying something on a cold rainy day, or for someone not carrying anything at all. Donate some of your used clothes or blankets that you don't need any more. Reach something in a grocery store that someone can't reach or bring an older person's grocery cart back for them.

The possibilities are endless. Do something nice for someone - you will see how good it makes you feel. The idea is to live your life to the best of your abilities. This doesn't mean make the most money or have the best job or even have the most toys. Live a meaningful life. Live your life for your whole body, and all of its parts: physical, mental and spiritual.

By Kathi Duquette

Certified Yoga Instructor
Certified Personal Trainer

basic-yoga-information.com basic-yoga-information.com

How to Make Yoga Fun

Yoga can be a beneficial exercise for many women, but some may find it a bit boring. It can be an effective routine for weight loss and stress management. No matter the benefits, if there is no fun and excitement involved, many people will fail to continue to practice yoga in the long run. However, there are different steps you can take to make yoga fun, which will in turn make it more enjoyable for you.

Taking a Yoga Class

Enrolling in a yoga class can be more interesting than practicing the exercises in your home. There, you will have a chance to socialize with others while you work out, and maybe even make new friends. Most people find that having others to exercise with makes it more fun that going at it alone. It will also be beneficial to have accountability with the group of people to ensure you come to class and meet your weekly exercise goals.

Throwing a Yoga Party

Having a party with a few close girlfriends will definitely make yoga fun. Not only does it give you a chance to hang out with friends, but you all can work on your stress levels, balance, and body toning at the same time. This is a great way to open others up to the world of yoga, and its benefits for health and wellness. If you are a newbie yourself, pop in a yoga DVD or browse the Internet and print out a few positions. If you have experience, act as a yoga instructor for the night and have fun teaching your friends how to correctly form the poses.

Yoga Booty Ballet

Yoga Booty Ballet is a revolutionary way to mix yoga positions with intense dance and body sculpting moves. With this form of exercise, you can make yoga more fun by getting the mind relaxation benefits and cardio intensity training all from one workout. The routines offer various levels of difficulty, which gives it the ability to be incorporated into anyone's exercise plan. With the flexibility of the activities, you are able to tailor them to your needs and add your own style to the workout.

As you can see, yoga can make a beneficial exercise program. However, many may overlook it as an option as the activity may seem quite dull and monotonous. Finding ways to make yoga fun is imperative to help you develop an exercise routine that you will follow through with. Making it seem less like exercise and more like a fun activity will make you more willing to get up and move each day.

Surfer Body Fitness, an Online retailer who specializes in workout products from Beachbody such as surferbodyfitness.com/product_p/mdybbdvdk18.htm Yoga Booty Ballet. Visit surferbodyfitness.com Surfer Body Fitness for all of your fitness needs.