Archive for May 15th, 2008

Written By Tania Bloch

Yoga is a unified approach to self-development which is designed to balance and harmonize physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health and well-being. While some practitioners of Yoga display extreme flexibility, the heart of Yoga is less dramatic and can be practiced by people of all ages and all levels. Yoga has its roots in the Hindu culture of India. However, the practice of Yoga is nonsectarian promoting health and harmonious living. The word “Yoga” means to join together” or “unite”. Thus, Yoga is a process of integrating and balancing body, mind and spirit. Many of us live in a disjointed manner as our physical, mental, emotional and spiritual needs struggle with each other creating frustration and confusion rather than fulfillment.

To achieve this union, Yoga combines physical postures, movements, mental concentration, deep breathing, meditation, relaxation and good nutrition. In practicing Yoga, the body is consciously moved with utmost care into various specific poses (asanas) accompanied by deep rhythmic breathing. The word “asana” comes from a word that means “easy”. The purpose of the posture is to bring you to “ease” in your body through a combination of stretching, holding, breathing, balance, resistance and mindfulness.

Various poses may help reduce and in some cases relieve various physical symptoms. These symptoms include arthritis, asthma, breathing disorders, back/neck problems, chronic fatigue syndrome, diabetes, headaches, heart disease, infertility, insomnia, pain, PMS, menopause and weight management.

Yoga benefits both the external and internal physical body. Muscles develop tone and strength while flexibility, balance, coordination and energy levels are increased. Glands, nerves, tissues, internal organs and the nervous system are affected in a positive and healthy manner.

One of the muscles Yoga benefits is the heart. Increasing blood volume through the heart reduces blood pressure. Typically in the West we increase blood flow through aerobic exercise. However, certain inverted postures e.g. shoulder stands, and headstands cause more blood to pass through the heart when upside down. Other postures use and squeeze the muscles by crossing the legs, arching the back, kneeling and twisting. Using muscles in this manner demands oxygen from the blood and circulatory system. Yoga improves blood circulation bringing more oxygen and nutrients to every cell, tissue and organ. Poor circulation leads to under-oxygenated, malnourished, polluted cells and as a result poor organ function.

The poses, accompanied by deep breathing, stimulates regeneration and rejuvenation retarding the aging process. The manner in which these movements are performed is an essential element. Yoga is never goal-oriented, forceful, judgmental or competitive but rather a process or life-long journey. In essence, Yoga is a positive approach leading to enhanced fulfillment, self-awareness, peace and quality of life.

http://www.beeunlimitedyoga.com

Tania Bloch, M.A. / C.Y.T

Written By Bertil Hjert

Yoga has been declared as an excellent method to combine meditation and exercise in order to attain the maximum benefits for physical as well as mental health. The art helps you to bring your body and mind in good harmony.

Joining a Yoga class is extremely beneficial. These classes are beneficial when it comes to learning certain challenging poses.

If the yoga teacher plays an important role in learning the postures in the best and most beneficial way, you need to be really careful when it comes to choosing one for yourself. There are bad instructors as well as good instructors. You need to take certain points in to consideration when choosing the best for yourself.

Remember that a yoga instructor will always show you certain signs and hints. These signs will let you know about the abilities and experience of the coach. Here are some signs to watch out for:

- Signs to watch out for

a) A good teacher will observe and then welcome the students prior to starting the class. The instructor would appreciate the student for who they are, their unique skill and abilities. In general, you would find a positive attitude toward the yoga class.

b) There are several challenges one needs to face while learning yoga. Some of the postures of the yoga class would be quite challenging. Hence, people suffering from injuries, including minor ones should be extremely careful. These questions are usually put forward by a yoga instructor at the beginning of the class. The instructor would also check for the injuries of other problems prior to beginning the class.

c) Once, the physical examination is over, the teacher will keep in mind, the poses that are opt for the students who are well, for those who have certain injuries or health related problems.

d) A skilled instructor will definitely explain and demonstrate a particular pose. He or she would specially emphasis on the challenging ones in order to make the students understand about these poses from the starting till the end.

e) If your coach is skilled and veteran, then he will make it a point to explain you the poses clearly and in a variety of ways. Sometimes, students are unable to perceive a pose correctly in a particular way.

f) A good instructor will know exactly how to teach. He or she will notice even subtle weaknesses and errors and know how to correct them gracefully. If the teacher is skilled enough, he or she will definitely understand that you are putting in your 100% to the class and will encourage you gently to perform in a better way.

g) Once the class ends, a yoga instructor will definitely ask the students about how they are feeling.

h) Make sure that your yoga instructor ends the class with Savasana or Dead Man’s pose. Good meditation poses will enhance yoga.

i) At last, the instructor will thank the students for attending the class just as he welcomes you in the beginning.

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