Wednesday, 16 May 2012

The Numerous Benefits of Yoga For Mind, Body and Spirit
The practise of Yoga has a distinct mind and body connection. Doing yoga requires the practice of precise and controlled moves, with a degree of mental commitment, while a controlled breath brings peace and inner calm.
Yoga has become increasingly popular over the last century, spreading out to the western world. The ultimate goal of a yoga meditation routine is to achieve a balanced union between mind, body, and spirit, due to its main elements of posture and breathing.
Here are some of yoga's numerous specific benefits:-
•Yoga is very effective in alleviating stress and reducing anxiety.
•Regular practice helps the attainment of greater self-restraint, a strong state of mind, and genuine sense of compassion.
•While the practice of yoga exudes a sense of calmness, it is a dynamic activity that is ever changing and evolving, allowing yoga students to achieve a heightened state of consciousness.
•Meditation is an integral aspect in yoga and it is instigated using the breath to start calming and clearing the mind. This allows for more focus, preventing the mind from wondering about present day events or activates.
•With constant practice meditation can be wondrous and uplifting. It can take us to areas of our mind that we probably never deemed possible. It can have a dramatic effect on how we view our life, and how we view others. We are all responsible for what goes on around us. When we practise yoga and meditation it will help us to realise this and stop us from blaming others when circumstances go wrong.
•Having the proper posture and having a calmer mind-set allows yoga students to achieve a healthier body and sound mind. By allowing energies to flow correctly and in the right direction it also helps in addressing many other health concerns and emotional issues.
•A sincere yoga student becomes truly genuine in their intent to change their lifestyle and their body. They have renewed energy, healthier immune and nervous system, and more vigour to deal with life's everyday events. It also encourages healthy blood circulation and regulates blood pressure.
•Yoga is a very good aid to losing weight because the movements encourage the removal of toxins from the system. Not only does it help reduce weight, it also helps to maintain your ideal weight.
•It helps the physical body to achieve strength, endurance and co-ordination.
•Yoga keeps the mind, body, and spirit connection in good balance. It also provides an avenue for mental and physical growth.
•Yoga is a safe exercise during pregnancy. Also, it can be helpful to pregnant women to improve their health for the sake of the foetus.
•Older generations can also benefit from doing yoga, as this can help their bodies heal quicker, and reduce any pains due to inactivity and poor posture.
•It contributes to the health of the spirit as it allows you to be more in touch with your inner self.
•Finally, yoga helps to rid the mind of negative thoughts that various stresses have instilled in the past.
If you are still not convinced of all these benefits and about whether yoga is for you, now is the time to try it and find out for yourself how it can heal the mind, body, and spirit.
Article  :By Jane Starr

Tuesday, 8 May 2012

5 Ways Hot Yoga Accentuates a Healthy Lifestyle
Hot yoga is practiced in a heated studio. The heat provided in professional studios helps to naturally increase the benefits of the exercise, and it also helps assist students to comfortably transition between poses. Most studios are set between 85 and 125 degrees Fahrenheit, with the higher temperatures more prevalent in advanced classes. There are five main benefits to hot yoga to consider before incorporating this program into a healthy lifestyle.
Decreased Risk of Injuries
All types of yoga classes are designed to challenge students, and instructors make individual recommendations for taking poses to the next level when the body is ready. Practicing in a heated room makes it easier to change poses and flex the body more because the warmth conditions the joints to make these asanas possible. Over time, students experience greater flexibility and muscle growth. with regular practice, they decrease their risk of injury to joints and muscles.
Pain Relief
One reason potential students are turned off from traditional yoga is that they may experience stiff and painful joints. Since the warmth is easy on the joints, it is a suitable alternative for such individuals. At the same time, hot yoga for pain relief can potentially even reverse both joint and muscle pain.
Toxin Removal
The asanas associated with hot yoga can build the body both inside and out. This particular practice increases white cells and helps to dispose of harmful toxins in the body. Students will experience fewer illnesses due to an increased immunity.
Weight Loss
Weight loss programs often advocate the use of high-intensity cardiovascular training exercises. While the regular version itself is not regarded as a high-intensity workout, it offers some weight loss potential. Hot yoga increases the body's core temperature, which helps burn extra calories throughout the day. At the same time, it also increases fat cell oxidation.
Relaxation
The activity is known for its fitness impacts, but the breathing techniques taught by instructors also makes it a potentially relaxing routine. The heat used in hot yoga classes provides further opportunities for relaxation because the body works at a more intense level. Once a hard workout is achieved, the body tends to relax after being warm for a significant period of time. This is one reason why people who practice it often feel so relaxed afterward. This type of relaxation also has the propensity to decrease anxiety levels, thereby promoting better focus and energy throughout the day.
Article By Jeremy P Stanfords