Yoga For Your Health

You may be at the beginning of your transition from the regular gym (where there are already racks of dumb-bells and weight-lifting equipment) to your home gym (where you just have your floor and a TV). And you may be wondering what will happen to your bank account and why you canceled your gym membership in the first place.

But, one thing to consider is that you may actually not need any equipment to work out with at home.

In this case, however, I may be only directing this fitness idea to the ladies. I understand there are plenty of guys reading this that will disagree and “stick to their guns” about building muscle.

Could it be that this is just a Western culture ideal to solely focus on muscle-building and definition for appearance and appearance only? Could it just be that our culture cares more about how to achieve external results to look good on the outside?

Focusing on the external appearance first before directing attention to the inner workings of the inside seems so backwards, don’t you think? At least, it seems like such a huge disconnect.

There seems to be somewhat of a lack of unity when we only lift weights to concentrate on the exterior, while there are all of our organs breathing with life on the interior. Somehow, there should be a type of fitness that connects both together as one whole body (as we all have one body in this lifetime).

That is why I really do suggest that you consider yoga as a great method of physical fitness in your home gym. I find that yoga requires no lifting equipment, no cross-trainer shoes, and nothing else but me on a yoga mat in front of my TV.

I love yoga because my breathing in and out of my lungs affects the ability for me to do easy and difficult poses alike. It makes a world of a difference in helping me stretch out the muscles I had no idea I had. The focus that yoga requires in the mind and organs gives way to such an opportunity for strength-building in the rest of the body.

What is also nice is that I happen to live in an area where there is ample natural daylight coming in from the back yard, and I have plenty of hardwood floor space as well. But, even if I lived in a shoebox of an apartment in Westwood, I could still manage to do my stretching poses, because I never have to leave the perimeter of my yoga mat. Never.

When you are lifting weights, you are exercising and building strength the exact same spot in your muscles. But, when you are doing yoga, you are drawing energy to and from various areas at the same time. So much more sweat exits your body here than if you used the machines, and the more sweat the exits, the more toxins that are carried out.

Charli Hathaway attains inner and physical ease with yoga at home. Please take a look at her favorite exercise routines to try at home.

Newly opened Anamaya Boutique Hotel and Health Resort welcomes Spring through the practice of yoga. At the Anamaya Resort in Costa Rica “Health” is a part of their philosophy. They focus on the health of the Mind, Body & Spirit of their customers as well as on the health of the planet. The resort offers gourmet organic food, spa services, retreat packages and workshops all in accordance with a healthy lifestyle. Practicing yoga is a part of Anamaya’s health regime and has a Spring Yoga Retreat from April 10 - 17, 2010 that celebrates spring and shri in all its glory.

Shri is a popular Hindi symbol that has a variety of meanings including: attractiveness, luster, light and loveliness. When you are attracted to beautiful things in life you are experiencing shri. Beautiful things attract other beautiful things which supports the idea that we are all connected to each other through the beauty of nature. Spring is a time of renewal and awakening, and it’s a time when beauty is in abundance. The perfect way to welcome spring is through Anamaya’s Spring Yoga Retreat.

The yoga retreat classes will be run by Anusara Inspired yoga instructor Daniella Cotreau CMT, RYT, BA. Cotreau’s style of yoga was founded by John Friend and is a type of the hatha form of yoga. The “Universal Principles of Alignment” and opening the heart are key aspects to this yoga practice. In class Cotreau will work along side her students giving detailed descriptions, helpful demonstrations, and clear verbal prompts.

Costa Rica is a beautiful Country and a perfect backdrop for a springtime yoga retreat and vacation. Cotreau says, “We will glorify our yoga practice with Shri. Just like the blossoming of spring - we get to blossom too.” At this retreat live musicians will accompany the two daily classes of Anusara Inspired yoga on Anamaya’s incredible yoga deck. Incredible in the sense that it overlooks the most stunning ocean view in the Montezuma area. It’s a view that you truly must see to believe.

The cost of the retreat includes a variety of added perks that will enhance your trip. Included in the package is the use of Anamaya’s facilities, 3 organic meals a day, your accommodations and your yoga classes. In addition to that you also receive entrance into the Butterfly Gardens and the Rainsong Wildlife Sanctuary, a Zip-Line adventure, and a 50% discount off a massage. The cost of the retreat varies based on occupancy and accommodations and ranges from $1495 - $2495. If you book your trip before March 10th you will receive a 20% discount.

In addition to your yoga practice, Montezuma and the surrounding area has a lot to offer. A number of exciting excursions are available like: horseback riding, scuba diving, boating, and surfing. Or if you’d like to take it easy then you can always relax on the beautiful beaches or do a bit of shopping. Anamaya resort is surrounded by rain forests which are fun to explore and is also close to some famous epic waterfalls. If you’re looking for a tropical escape then this is the perfect location.

Looking for more information on Anamaya’s Spring Yoga Retreat, then visit www.anamayaresort.com to find the best advice on accommodations and more.

For many people the word yoga conjures up something only vaguely related to the lotus position. However, it is more than just one pose; it embraces not only a physical discipline but also a philosophical basis for leading one’s life. The word itself comes from ancient Sanskrit text and roughly translates to “royal union, ” which is to say a proper balance between body and mind.

The ancient text that provides the foundation is the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. It was written over two thousand years ago and is divided into four books. They are called the Samadhi Pada, Sadhana Pada, Vibhuti Pada, and the Kaivalya Pada. It is in the Sadhana Pada that one can discover the physical aspect of yoga.

Within the Sadhana Pada one will find the eight “limbs.” These steps are known as the Ashtanga yoga. The first five limbs concern external aids while the last three address internal issues. Asana is one of the five external aids, or the third limb, and refers to discipline of the body. It stresses that the body should be kept disease-free while preserving vital energy. It is the teachings found in this book of the Sutras that give rise to what most Westerners construe as yoga.

Asana is the plural of asan which means body position or posture. Its purpose is to improve flexibility, vitality, and promote meditation. Some adherents of asana believe that practicing its positions open up the energy channels and psychic centers in the body. According to asana, any position assumed should be steady and comfortable, yet firm.

As alluded to earlier, the body should not experience any discomfort when assuming any pose. There are dozens of positions that a practitioner can strike, from beginner level to advanced.

Regardless of one’s level of expertise, there are some fundamental concepts that should be adhered to. The stomach should always be empty before commencing any exercise. The body should not experience any trembling from force or pressure. Breathing should be controlled and not erratic. Most of the exercises are not performed on a floor but rather on a mat, and at the conclusion of the session, time should be spent attaining a deep state of relaxation.

Poses can be done standing up, seated, supine, while balanced, or while the back is bent. There are a wide variety of poses and they can be classified as beginner, intermediate, or advanced level positions. Some beginner standing poses are The Downward Facing Dog, The Standing Forward Bend, and The Pyramid Pose. Seated poses such as Half Lord of the Fishes, Seated Wide Legged Straddle, and the Cobbler’s Pose are also geared towards those just starting out.

As mentioned, yoga encompasses much more than just forming your body into a specific pose. It is a philosophy that addresses not just corporeal well being but also spiritual needs as well. In fact, the first “limb” of the Sutras preaches such virtues as non-violence, truth in word and thought, and celibacy for those who are not married and monogamy for those who are.

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One of the best yoga exercises is the 12-step salute to the sun. You should do it when you first get up in the morning.  Going through it once or twice will help relieve stiffness, invigorate the body, and give you energy for the day. Amazingly, doing it again at night will help you to relax; some insomniacs find that doing as many as 12 repetitions can help them fall asleep.

1. Stand with your feet slightly apart, palms together, thumbs against your chest.
2. Inhale deeply while you slowly raise your hands above your head and bend back as far as you can, while tightening your buttocks. Hold in this position for three seconds.
3. Slowly exhale while bending forward, keeping your knees straight, until your fingers touch the floor outside your feet, or as close to this as you can reach. (Don’t worry - flexibility will come with practice.) Bring your head in toward your knees.
4. Slowly inhale, bend your knees, and if your fingertips aren’t outside your feet on the floor, place them there. Slide your right foot back as far as you can go, with the right knee an inch or so off the floor, into a lunge position. Now arch your back and bring your head back so you are looking up as far as you can.
5. Before exhaling again, slide your left foot back until it is beside the right one, and with your weight supported on your palms and toes, straighten both legs so that your body forms a flat plane. Make sure your stomach is pulled in.
6. Slowly exhale, bend both knees to the floor, bend with your hips in the air, lower your chest and forehead to the floor.
7. Now inhale slowly and look up, bending your head back, then raising it, followed by your upper chest, then lower chest. Your lower body - from the navel down - should be on the floor, and your elbows should be slightly bent. Hold for three to five seconds.
8. Exhale slowly and raise your hips until your feet and palms are flat on the floor and your arms and legs are straight in an inverted V position.
9. Inhale slowly and bring your right foot forward as in position 4. The foot should be flat on the floor between your fingertips. The left leg should be almost straight behind you, with its knee slightly off the floor. Raise your head, look up, and arch your back.
10. Slowly exhale and bring your left foot forward next to your right one. Straighten your legs and stand, trying to keep your fingertips on the floor, and try to touch your head to your knees as in position 3.
11. Slowly inhale, raise your arms up and stretch back as in position 2. Don’t forget to tighten your buttocks. Hold for three seconds.
12. Slowly exhale, lowering your arms to your sides. Relax.

That’s all there is to it.  After a few times you will start to remember the steps without having to look, and you will be able to flow along more smoothly.  You should repeat the series a few times during each session to get the most out of it.

Namaste

Most obstetricians will tell you to continue with your exercise regime while you are pregnant. It is important to keep your mind and body healthy for your unborn baby’s sake. But there are limitations on what you can do. Some workouts are just too risky to participate in but there are some that are very, very low impact, which can give you a great workout throughout your entire pregnancy. Prenatal Yoga lead by Shiva Rea is one such workout.

Undoubtedly, one of the absolute best features of the Prenatal Yoga DVD is the fact that it takes your trimester into account. The DVD is divided up into trimesters. Shiva Rea shows you the poses and then you actually get to see women in different trimesters using or modifying these poses and exercises.

This video is an incredible find for women who want to strengthen their muscles and be relaxed. It can be hard to be pregnant and locate workout videos that enable you to get the workout you would like while keeping your baby safe. It truly is a bonus to be able to view women in various stages of pregnancy performing the poses and stretches since you can be sure that they’re taking the safeguards needed for the safety of the child they are carrying and at the same time still getting the exercise they should have.

One thing you need to be mindful of is that this video might not be good for you should you be on bed rest. Simply make sure to discuss any exercise routine with your physician before beginning it, and you can be certain that it is acceptable for you to carry out certain moves and positions which are part of the yoga workout.

Among the incredible rewards of performing yoga when expecting is that you learn breathing skills. Those breathing skills will be incredibly advantageous once you go through labor. And also, the hours put into learning how to keep your muscles in control will make a big difference also.

Shiva Rea is no newcomer to yoga. She has been around for decades and really knows how to motivate even beginners. The Prenatal Yoga DVD is just one of her many yoga instructional DVDs on the market. But Rea has definitely put together a yoga routine that even novice pregnant women can use. The music and background settings are very relaxing. She can guide you through your entire pregnancy without risking your health or that of your unborn child.

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Pranayama is the fundamental building block of many exercises in yoga and relaxation methods; its literal meaning is “restraint of the breath.” Combined with activities to reduce tension, it works to control energies in the body and can help one move toward a healthier body and mind. Often, Pranayama is thought of as “control of life force” and, while it is most often used in relaxation techniques, it is also helpful in treating common problems when more intrusive medical treatments are not desired.

Giving birth is one example, where some women do not want to be given drugs that might harm the baby, so they learn controlled breathing techniques. The Lamaze system of controlling the breath teaches the woman to take deep inhalations that are held for a count of 3, followed by slow exhalations and visual concentration on one object. Women find that by using this technique they experience less pain and easier births, because their muscles have far less tension, which allows the baby to be delivered more easily.

Yoga exercises and other relaxation techniques are other avenues in which Pranayama can be of benefit; it helps to connect the mind with the body, creating deeper awareness and increasing one’s ability to access and connect parts of the brain that aren’t regularly used. Training the body and mind, which tend to function independently, to cooperate for the improvement of the whole being, is an important and vital endeavor.

Using Pranayama during yoga exercises can bring the mind and spirit into a very quiet concentration and open the path to greater enlightenment. One’s awareness and concentration can come to pinpoint focus using Pranayama, creating harmony in the whole being; but Buddhists advise that techniques should be practiced carefully and more advanced techniques should be entered into with caution. Given the correct guidance and training, however, one can find great benefit with a minimum of effort. Besides Pranayama, there are other, perhaps more convenient, ways to achieve relaxation; one example is Barber Chair Davinci Series, which many people buy to experience similar benefits.

For many the use of this technique has been found especially helpful in the treatment of many symptoms that can inhibit lifestyles such as:

* stress and anxiety-related disorders

- asthma and asthma-related conditions

* improved nervous system functioning

* and a decrease in toxic stress

It also has many benefits such as:

- calming and centering the mind

* increasing will-power

- enhancing judgment

- improving perception

* and extending life

Breathing is one of the things we do in life without even thinking about it, but it has the biggest impact on our overall well-being. It not only oxygenates the blood and brain, but also transforms the nutrients we take into our bodies into fuel. It also has a huge impact on our state-of-mind making us anxious and tense when we get too much, or calm and relaxed when we get just enough. And, each time we breathe out, we detoxify the body of the harmful carbon dioxide that can impair judgment.

In conjunction with meditation or yoga the right form of Pranayama can calm the mind and make the body receptive to treatments. Most importantly, during the day when stress, anxiety, and frustration become overwhelming simply using these breathing techniques can help one regain control and get on with their day in a productive way. As the primary source of life, breathing should no longer be taken for granted and techniques should be utilized to ensure one maximizes the benefits that come with proper control.

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There are many advantages to taking part in Yoga, but unlike other exercises there are many different yoga poses to be learned which is why I have decided to tell you about some of the main ones so that you can learn this age old art of stretching to give yourself a better body, relaxation and improve your inner strength.

As with most things you wish to learn, it is best to start off with the basics and work up to the more complex poses with time once you have mastered the easier ones. The bridge pose is a good one to begin with but you need to make sure you stretch first to avoid injury.

This one involves you making a bridge with your back arched and towards the floor hands stretched behind you keeping your feet on the ground also. You can see how this pose got its name. There are a lot of variations to this kind and to list them all would mean I could not tell you about the others!

Strengthening your core can help both in day to day activities as well as any exercise or sports you take part in. This can be achieved with many different poses that are part of yoga. One that is common is the cat pose. If you have ever seen a cat stretch you will know where this name came from.

You need to begin on all fours with your legs together and arms straight down in front of you. Slowly arch the back to point towards the ceiling and then return to the starting position.

There are some of the exercises you are able to do in a standing position. They vary as to their benefit but are all steps in the right direction. If you suffer from tight hamstrings and wish to lengthen them you will definitely benefit from the big toe pose. It is pretty much as it seems, you have to bend down and touch your big toe without arching your back.

To strengthen your legs and your ankles allowing you more flexibility also is the half moon pose. This also begins in a standing position.

You then have to keep one leg on the floor and put the arm on the same side of the body down also. While doing this keep the leg from the floor aligned with your torso and your free arm stretched upright.

Meditation is just as important as the other kinds as you need to have a healthy body as well as mind. This means allowing free flowing thought so that you don’t have bad thoughts holding you back from inner peace. There are various poses that can be taken while meditating and although some can take to them straight away others may take longer. It is not about competing to be the first if you are working as a group or with a friend. It is about you making yourself healthier both inside and out. No matter what your fitness levels are there are always yoga positions you will be able to get into and benefit from.

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Yoga has been around since ancient times when people would use it to relax and create good karma around themselves. When most of us think of the practice we often imagine people who contort their bodies into all sorts of positions that the normal human should not even attempt. The truth is that the ancient art is so much more than that.

For centuries people have been aware of the many benefits that yoga can have. With the simple implementation of a basic routine a person can find that inner piece that is often elusive in today’s hectic world. It only takes a few minutes a day to grab hold of those peaceful feelings that we are all lacking.

Most people tend to think of any workout as a chore, but the fact is that this relaxing form of exercise will soon create feelings that are nothing close to work. The atmosphere is truly peaceful and the impact on the body is amazing. It is so relaxing that people actually scramble to find time for this wonderful routine.

Yoga is truly relaxing and requires your body to be able to move freely. Wear loose fitting and comfortable clothing when starting. The last thing that anyone wants is to worry about how tight their clothing feels.

Styles:

As with other programs yoga offers a wide variety of styles and techniques. When beginning a regimen try and find a class that is led by a certified instructor. Most towns offer some sort of instruction in this ancient art and a class will help teach you the styles, postures, and techniques that are used.

Almost every style that is currently being taught depends on a solid knowledge of the basic poses that have been used throughout the centuries. With each one of them has a reason or meaning for benefiting the human form. Work with an instructor to decide the routine for you.

In a world where people are always trying to maintain a good aura, Karma yoga has become very popular. This is a type of routine that implements certain techniques and forms that will create that good energy that we all want in our lives. A majority of newcomers practice this method.

Another common regime for those who are just learning is Hatha. This is a very laid back and docile form of the art that implements slow moves and deep breathing to achieve that inner peace.

For the more adventurous sorts there is a routine that is done in a very warm and humid room. This type of hot yoga is said to help relax those weary muscles in a way that a normal workout will not allow. There are different stretches and poses that are included which reinforce this theory.

Yoga is a time honored tradition that is still being practiced in our modern society. It is an effective way of decompressing from the everyday stressors that most of us go through. After only a few sessions you will find yourself feeling like you do not have a care in the world.

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Finding the best Pilates classes often depends on your instructor. The quality of instruction will depend on the instruction your teacher has had. The type of Pilates instructor certification that your teacher has will determine this besides their own natural talent for Pilates. Finding the right Pilates classes for you means that you might have to do a little looking around.

It also means that you will have to do a lot of research about the best Pilates classes and its instructor around your house. Other than experience you have to consider a number of other things in your instructor. Your choice of classes is also vital, depends on the type of class, because each class gives you different benefits.

Possible queries

An instructor is never asked about his talent or his potential as an instructor but it becomes essential. You should know about the certification that he has acquired and from where. About the duration that he has been instructing and his experience as a Pilates instructor.

All of the instructors who are certified have not studied Pilates for long periods of time and this is primarily because the prerequisites that is required for training differs from board to board. Certain boards are insistent that an individual who has the potential to become an instructor should learn it for a particular time frame while certain other boards are very flexible and signs up a person for the course immediately even if they don’t have enough experience.

Another important question you should ask before signing up for Pilates classes is if your instructor will not teach certain people. Not all instructors feel comfortable teaching everyone, for example some instructors will not feel comfortable teaching pregnant women, and others might not be able to teach someone who has certain health complications.

Survey

The best way to tell if you will like Pilates classes is by observing one. Watch the instructor and how they interact with students. Do they wipe down the equipment after each client has used it? Most importantly you should feel comfortable with an instructor’s teaching style.

Different people prefer to exercise for different time durations. There is the good chance that you might not prefer to work out for one full hour and in that case check with the instructor if all the sessions are for the same time frame and if any sessions might suit you. Though a certified instructor may not be necessarily good, it definitely is a proof for the training he has undergone for the same.

If your instructor has had comprehensive training then they will have studied anatomy, physiology, and possibly may have had some sports science training. Training like this is important to make sure that students are not pushing themselves too much.

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A thousand years ago, the Incas of Peru found the inner bark of the pink-flowered lapacho tree indispensable for treating fever, sore throat, dysentery, snakebite, bladder and yeast infections, and even cancer. They also used its wood to make bows for hunting.

The herb suddenly rose to fame! A decade later however, the National Cancer Institute determined that the quantity needed of the cancer curing drug in pau d’arco would have too many dangerous side effects. As a result, the “miracle drug” lost its place of prestige.

In the 1950s, Brazilian researchers confirmed that this ancient medicine is indeed anti-bacterial. Among more recent investigations:

First, the research isolated the chemical lapachol in pau d’arco that they felt cured the cancer. Since then Researchers have isolated over 20 active chemicals in pau d’arco. Some feel it is a combination of several or all these together that makes it effective. Second, it has been shown that the use of the whole herb does not create the side effects that extracted lapachol causes.

Most of the chemical research on pau d’arco has been done on the wood and not the inner bark. Pau d’arco contains chemical compounds called naphthoquinones such as lapachol that may have antifungal, antiviral, and antibacterial properties, as well as significant amounts of the antioxidant quercetin.

Pau d’arco is available in health food stores in capsules, tinctures, and as dried bark. The recommended dosage is one to two capsules or one to two droppers of tincture taken one to four times per day, depending on the condition and patient.

Early reports declared pau d’arco to be useful in treating leukemia and other cancers, but the National Cancer Institute’s research into lapachol (the constituent with the most anti-tumor activity) was halted due to mild side effects. More recent lab tests in Korea determined that another constituent, beta-lapachone, kills cancer cells of the lung, colon, and prostate. Pau d’arco is some time away from being used to treat cancer, but the Incas may have been on the right track.

Dosage In tablets or capsules, 1 to 4 grams per day in divided doses–or 1 to 2 teaspoons of tincture three times a day. Consuming 1.5 grams per day or more may cause dizziness and GI upset, so consult your herbalist. Avoid pau d’arco if you’re taking anticoagulants or having surgery, or if you are pregnant or nursing.

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