Posts Tagged ‘Yoga Lifestyle’

Why Yoga? Why Now?

Saturday, December 10th, 2011

yoga teacher trainingBy Susanna Kilty

Why is it that as technology and its instant access progresses at an epic pace, people find that they have less time than ever before? In a society rampant with multi-taskers, plugged into digital gadgets 24/7, living a fragmented life of instant gratification, communication, and consumption, is it any wonder that stress-related disorders are more prevalent than ever? With our brains over-crowded, resembling the Buddhist “monkey mind,” and with the instant availability of information at our fingertips, North Americans have become more sedentary than ever. Many suffer from the fatigue and imbalance that comes from chronic stress without sufficient recovery. In fact, as reported in an article by Michelle Trantina, 70-90% of all visits to practical physicians are due to stress related problems. In our quick-fix society, a visit to the doctor and a fix of anti-depressants or sleeping pills prove to be the solution for many. As the general public searches for answers of their own to decrease stress in their lives, they often seek out Yoga as a natural approach to stress release, and give it a go. People in Yoga practice soon discover the healing benefits of soothing mind and body, initiating the release of a constant state of overdrive.

Brain research, as reported in the work of psychologist and researcher Elizabeth Gould in an article by Jonah Lehrer, scientifically supports the harmful effects stress has on the brain. “From the brain’s perspective, stress is primarily signaled by an increase in the bloodstream of a class of steroid called glucocorticoids, which put the body on a heightened state of alert” (Lehrer 2). Glucocorticoids are toxic for the brain, and when stress becomes chronic, the hippocampus, a part of the brain essential for learning and memory, begins to deteriorate. Although the brain and human body are designed to be able to deal with stress in terms of survival, failure to deal with stress can deplete the prana stores (Vishnu-devananda 200-201) and lead the body into an alarmed state, known as flight or fight (Trantina). Because stress is such a huge part of the lives of North Americans, it is important to look at the impact it can have on people’s lives. The fact that the nervous system is under constant pressure when stress is present leads to the body producing extra stress hormones over an extended period of time. “This can wear out the body’s reserves, leaving us feeling depleted or overwhelmed. Over time the immune system weakens causing illness and fatigue, mood swings, lack of focus, and irritability” (Trantina). Many health problems stem from stress in modern society, including headaches, muscle soreness, migraines, insomnia, poor digestion, weight gain, high blood pressure, and even heart attacks. Stress can be said as one of the main factors in diminishing our quality and enjoyment of life.

In addition to living in a society where people perceive themselves to be busier than ever before, Westerners develop shallow, chest breathing, which also negatively affects health (Hewitt 68). When people begin a Yoga program, they need to learn how to breathe all over again. Deep pranayama breathing is a basic foundation to all Yoga. “Yogic breath control operates at several levels, from the exoteric boosting of vitality and health to esoteric approaches to mystical states of consciousness” (Hewitt 56). Through practice, this deep breathing begins to become habitual for Yoga practitioners, and their minds and bodies function more efficiently, dissolving tension, relaxing mind and body. “Through controlled Yoga breathing you will raise your level of vitality, clarify consciousness, tone your nervous system, brighten your eyes, put bounce in your step, feel light and buoyant, and float along with the flow of life, in harmony with Nature and the Universal Energies” (Hewitt 68). Yogic breath is the pathway to other aspects of Yoga practice, and breath control is so vital to a Yogi’s life as to elicit the philosophy that: “The yogi’s life is not measured by the number of his days but by the number of his breaths” (Iyengar 23). A simple technique that can reduce stress immediately, and be practiced anywhere, is to lengthen out the exhalation or Rechaka in relation to the inhalation or Puraka (Hewitt 72-82), working toward a ratio of 1:2. This in turn will stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system, which increases relaxation and decreases the ‘fight or flight’ response (McCall).

As newcomers stroll into Yoga classes, often as a way to deal with stress in their lives, they soon experience the benefits of pranayama breathing and stimulation of the central nervous system through asanas. Soon after beginning regular practice, Yoga practitioners report feeling less stressed and more relaxed to the point that any physical ailments connected to their stressful lives dissolve away. “Asana brings steadiness, health and lightness of limb” (Iyengar 20). Programs of asanas are designed to stimulate the central nervous system and work every muscle, organ, nerve and gland in the body, reducing fatigue and calming the nerves. By stimulating the central nervous system and maintaining spinal flexibility through Yogic postures, practitioners experience increased circulation, an increase of the supply of nutrient and oxygen to the nerves, and hence a more youthful body. According to a Chinese proverb: “Truly a flexible back makes a long life” (Vishnu-devananda xi). Asanas awaken key pressure points to increase the flow of energy and massage and stimulate internal organs to have them work more effectively. Heart disease, stroke and respiratory illness are among the leading causes of death in America (“Leading Causes of Death”), and Yogic exercise can help keep arteries clear and the blood flowing efficiently (Visnu-devananda 52).

The Yoga Journal is helpful in outlining many postures that can be presented to the Yoga practitioner as stress relieving. Some postures with the therapeutic benefits of relieving stress include; Savasana or Corpse Pose, Sukhasana or Easy Posture, Marjaryasana or Cat Pose, Bitilasana or Cow Pose, Setu Bandha Sarvangasana or Bridge Pose, Balasana or Child’s Pose, Halasana or Plough Pose, Utthika Trikonasana or Extended Triangle Pose, Uttanasana or Standing Forward Bend, and Salambia Sirsasana or Supported Headstand (“Poses: Therapeutic Focus”). According to the ancient Indian healing system known as Ayurveda, everyday stress can lead to ‘vata derangement,’ an excess of nervous energy (Levy). This imbalance, often caused by stress and stress disorders, call for Yoga practice that is calming and grounding (Halpern 3-4). This includes most of the postures listed above.

Yoga, however, is certainly not limited to breath and posture. Iyengar outlines the eight stages of Yoga as introduced in Patanjali’s work. These are: “1. Yama (universal moral commandments); 2. Niyama (self-purification by discipline); 3. Asana (posture); 4. Pranayama (rhythmic control of the breath) 5. Pratyahara (withdrawal and emancipation of the mind from the domination of the senses and exterior objects); 6. Dharana (concentration); 7. Dhyana (meditation) and 8. Samadhi (a state of superconsciousness brought about by profound meditation, in which the individual spirit (sadhaka) becomes one with the object of his meditation – Paramatma or the Universal Spirit)” (Iyengar 3). The first three stages are the outward quests or bahiranga sadhana which prepare the body for inner quests through moral and clean living, and strengthening and purifying the body through asanas. “He conquers the body and makes it a fit vehicle for the soul” (Iyengar 3). The next two stages, breath control and withdrawal of the senses, help control and clear the mind, and are known as inner quests or antaranga sadhana. The next three stages of Dharana, Dhyana and Samadhi represent the quest of the soul or antaratma sadhana (Iyengar 3-31). The Yogi looks within through deep concentration and meditation in order to find God within himself. When Samadhi is achieved through asana, pranayama, pratyahara, dharana and dhyhana by an individual who lives a yogi lifestyle: “The yogi has departed from the material world and is merged into the Eternal. There is then no duality between the knower and the known for they are merged like camphor and the flame” (Iyengar 31).

For practitioners new to Yoga, the concept of letting go through sense withdrawal, concentration and meditation can be difficult. The mind and external distractions can get in the way of the path to self-realization. One of the most difficult postures for newcomers to Yoga practice is said to be Savasana or Corpse Pose, because it involves relaxing the body and letting go of any tightness anywhere. Relaxation and meditation are often taught in Yoga classes in this posture, and once a practitioner is able to embrace the art of completely relaxing, the mind will follow (Hewitt 227). Practitioners can also be guided to meditation outside of class, whereby they set aside 20 to 30 minutes of uninterrupted time during the day to sit with a long, neutral spine and meditate on an object (Tantra or Yantra Yoga), function (drumming or dancing, for example), or sound (Mantra Yoga) (Jerard). “You can be the creator of your own manifest destiny through daily meditation and focus on changing your life for the better” (Jerard 8).

Thus, when a 21st century stressed-out person ‘gives Yoga a try’ to reduce stress and stress-related illness in their lives, they will be rewarded ten-fold and keep coming back for more. The new Yoga practitioner will soon realize that Yoga is much more than ‘exercise’ in releasing stress, and that a Yoga lifestyle of moral and clean living, combined with asanas, Yogic breathing, and the path to release and meditation, will ultimately unlock the soul and lead to a stress-free life of harmony and well-being.

Works Cited

Halpern, Mark. “Ayurveda and Asana.” Yoga Journal. (2011): n. page. Web. 11 Nov. 2011. <http://www.yogajournal.com/health/55>.

Hewitt, James. The Complete Book of Yoga. New York: Pantheon Books, 1977. Print.

Iyengar, B.K.S. Light on Yoga. 3rd. Hammersmith, London: Thorsons, 2001. Print.

Jerard, Paul. “The Meditation Chronicles: A Concise Guide to a Trained Mind.” Aura Publications. (2008): 1-26. Print.

“Leading Causes of.” FASTSTATS. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2007. Web. 10 Nov 2011. <http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/lcod.htm>.

Lehrer, Jonah. “The Reinvention of The Self.” Seed Magazine. February 22, 2006 : 1-3. Web. 8 Nov. 2011. <http://seedmagazine.com/content/article/the_reinvention_of_the_self/P3/>.

Levy, Allison Rose. “An Ancient Cure for Modern Life.” Yoga Journal. (2011): n. page. Web. 11 Nov. 2011. <http://www.yogajournal.com/health/647?page=2>.

McCall, Timothy M.D. “Yoga For Stress and Burnout.” Yoga Journal. (2011): n. page. Web. 11 Nov. 2011. <http://www.yogajournal.com/for_teachers/2365>.

“Poses: Therapeutic Focus” n. pag. Yoga Journal. Web. 10 Nov 2011. <http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/finder/therapeutic_focus/t_stress>.

Trantini, Michelle. “Yoga – A Cure for Modern Day Stress.” Mental Game Coaching Association. International Assocation of Coaches, n.d. Web. 8 Nov 2011. <http://www.mentalgamecoaching.com/IMGCAArticles/Yoga/YogaCureForStress.html>.

Vishnu-devananda, Swami. The Complete Illustrated Book of Yoga. 2nd. New York: Three Rivers Press, 1988. Print.

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The Yogic Path: The Upanishads and Yoga

Friday, March 25th, 2011

yoga teacher educationBy Faye Martins

As the various forms of Yoga continue to spread from India to the outside world, there will be more and more individuals that will be drawn to the ancient practice and become increasingly involved in not only the physical aspects of Yoga, but to the philosophical and spiritual aspects of it as well.

The farther one explores the Vedic literature or Hindi culture, the more frequently one may come across significant religious scriptures, such as the Upanishads. What are the Upanishads and are they necessary to be known by modern Yoga students?

What Are The Upanishads?

The Upanishads are part of Vedic literature and one of the most important collections of texts that belong to those that follow the dharmic religions of Hinduism, Jainism, Sikhism, Buddhism and more. While many of the texts in the Upanishads do discuss religious subjects, there are a fairly large amount which deal with secular topics including philosophy, psychology, rules of society, and guidelines for traveling along the path to unity, which is known as Yoga. The Upanishads may seem to only have religious undertones, but many scholars argue that the collections can also be seen as some of the earliest records that have shaped Indian government and society in addition to religion.

How Do They Connect to Yoga Practice?

All Yoga styles seek to achieve the same thing: Balance and unity with the body, mind, and soul. For centuries, Yogis and their students utilized the teachings of the Upanishads to further achieve greater understanding about themselves, the world, and the purpose of it all.

The Upanishads offer insight as to why one practices the stances, why one meditates during the day, and why one must balance the mind and body in order to create a more harmonious being. The Upanishads can act as a catalyst to deepen ones resolve and drive to practice the art of Yoga.

Do I Need to Study The Upanishads If I Practice Yoga?

No, although the Upanishads are incredibly rich in knowledge and give insight into Indian culture, it is not necessary to read the Upanishads for one to practice a Yoga lifestyle. Many Yoga teacher training programs briefly cover the surface of the Vedas, and some Yoga certification courses don’t discuss them at all.

One of the reasons Yoga is so appealing to many people is that it does not have one set path or direction: Yoga simply means the path to unity, and how an individual achieves that unity is entirely their own path. While some people may find guidance within the scriptures, others may find it from asana, mantra, pranayama, meditation, Nidra, or something else.

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YOGA AND CANCER

Sunday, November 21st, 2010

FORGOTTEN RESEARCH IN MEDICINE

By Peter Havasi

I have decided to write this essay about Yoga and Yoga’s linkage with cancer – an epidemic chronic lifestyle disease. I believe that cancer seems to be the most researched disease in the commercial world today; the reality is that it’s the most neglected, the most ignored, and most probably, one of the most feared topics among society in the western world today. Since I am specializing in detoxification, de-parasite, nutrition therapies, cancer prevention, and treatment – all of these belong to my main studies, as well as other related autoimmune diseases, such as Arthritis, Eczema and others. Consider my work as the missing key, or better said, the forgotten research in medicine today. I have not applied for this course to become a Yoga instructor, but to apply Yoga lifestyle to my therapy approaches.

Before we start this essay, I need to highlight that the best doctor, the best nutritionist in the world, is each one of us. This statement might be a little bit misleading, since what we eat, how we practice, and how we live, in general, depends on the information we receive. Let’s take the most absolute, ideal information technology – with its perfect communication channels.  We would realize that it is only us who hold the power to heal ourselves.

Even if we do not live in a perfect world, under ideal conditions, I still believe that people should stop being patients, and start being people. At least they should have an option to choose when their health gets too far. Why not be healthy and happy? Well, the cure is not always easy; and in relation to chronic diseases, the treatment is a long-lasting process. The best cure is the prevention when the risks are educated beforehand. Prevention is  fairly easy; we remove the toxins by changing our lifestyles, we eat better, we awaken spiritually, we start practicing, we start looking trimmer, feeling better, living longer, and save money. We get the enormous satisfaction of having it done by ourselves. How complicated is it to eat right and drink vegetable juices? In today’s world, we have the internet; the biggest library mankind has ever had. You don’t need a degree to know that! It’s cheap, it’s simple, it’s safe, it’s effective. The only reason why people aren’t doing this is due to constant commercial pressure, because people do the same as animals – searching the most convenient way. Last but not least, it requires taking responsibility.

If people were studying this topic, we would realize that there is no magic pill for cancer or heart disease; but there is a lifestyle change that prevents, arrests, and reverses, serious chronic diseases in this life and future generations.

TRUTH ABOUT GENETICS

’Common medical knowledge says you inherit certain conditions from your ancestors, that you have certain genetic predispositions’. This is only what is being told by the medical practitioners and researchers, as well as business men, selling products. The fact is that it’s a half-truth – a very misleading half-truth – forcing people to believe that there is nothing they can do. It is the biggest and most profitable tool for making people sick and making people pay. The problem with conventional ‘knowledge’ is that the masses accept it, without challenging or questioning it. This is dangerous. It does not matter what anyone says; only you are ultimately responsible for the physical manifestations you experience! Your thoughts, both directly and indirectly, affect your health. This is where Yoga comes into play. A big part of Yoga practice is mainly about meditation, positive attitude, and proper belief. The movie called, “THE SECRET,” carries a message, which has been used by the leaders for centuries. It is known for a long time that thoughts somehow indirectly affect our state of health – stories abound as to how people ‘healed themselves’ of life-threatening conditions, by applying certain thought processes.

Today’s material world tends to believe only in what has been properly measured, calculated, and scientifically proven. People should stop believing in science, since it is founded by massive corporations – mostly for a single purpose – commercial stimulation.

Nevertheless, an exception has been found at Human Genome Project, which discovered that your genes do not just express themselves according to some ancestral ‘programming’. What is interesting, what determines the way your genes are expressed, are your thoughts. It is specifically – your perception of things. Let’s take an example – If your Dad suffers from cardiovascular disease, and his father (your grandfather) died from the same condition, conventional thinking says ‘it runs in your family’. Current science now proves that ‘it runs in your family’ because your affected family, and family members, have accepted it as their fate. According to the message carried in The Secret movie – you get what you believe. Your belief becomes your reality. You are what you think. If your perception of a diagnosis of breast cancer is one of acceptance and resignation, you’ve effectively written your death sentence. You must have heard of at least one person who ‘had a fighting spirit’ and so ‘overcame’ or ‘conquered’ the same malignancy. The person was successful because of his strong belief – presented as a fighting spirit. At this stage, we come to the following:

We can literally modify the way our genes express themselves.

Yoga brings the same message to us. If I was a doctor, I could examine you and give you a diagnosis that I’ve been trained to give you. However, you have the option to accept my words as the final word on your condition, or you can choose a better ‘diagnosis’ and prognosis for yourself. Even if something ‘runs in your family’, you can decide to end it right now. You can go for that trend by being the first person free from that condition. Now, this is much easier said than done; but it sure beats the alternative. Plus, if you persist in re-programming your mind, and re-conditioning your thoughts, you will definitely see the results you desire. This takes commitment and persistence, and a stubborn determination – that no matter how things look on the outside, you will stick to your inner vision of perfect, true health – until it manifests on the outside. Can you do it? You bet! Is it going to take work on your part? Absolutely, but isn’t it worth the effort? Aren’t you worth it? You deserve to be perfectly healthy, to function the way you were created to function. So take the first step today, and decide to modify your genetic (and other) expressions.

If people would cultivate this Yoga attitude with heart and soul, you would become something special. If the mass society would cultivate this attitude, many industries would find themselves out of business, and the economic situation would probably experience another crisis. Therefore, this information is being held in secret, and it is going to be held in secret, by any means necessary. Regardless of this, Yoga belongs to one of the oldest physical and mental disciplines mankind knows. Therefore, Yoga should be studied, worshipped, and followed, with belief and respect.

Are we able to substitute the western lifestyle with the Yoga lifestyle? Can we change ourselves? Yes, we can. This world is in a constant evolution process, and people’s nature is to search for the‚ Ideal. We make mistakes, but that’s how this universe works. The end of the universe we live in is going to happen, only when all becomes perfect.

Before it comes to a massive change of believes and attitudes, there has to come an action of high intense. Only a high level of external stimulation \ irritation (understood as pain), will change the way of our thinking. Pain is the strongest education – an evolution tool that mankind,  together with the animal kingdom, can ever experience. At the present, I believe that the only long-term solution is to face the truth, change the lifestyle, and search for ways how to become more synchronized with nature, than it is now. Nature, with all its cruelty, brings ultimate solutions. Yoga is a big step for us to get closer to nature.

Conclusion

I cannot take responsibility for the health of others; however, I can show people the path. (My job is to take care of my health at the best possible level) At this stage, there is a long journey ahead of us. As you can see, there is a significant difference between a man and an animal’s lifestyle in the world today. I am afraid that a man is one of the dumbest of all animals. People started comparing thinking, slightly differently, than other animals, since modern homo sapiens species – about 195,000 to 200,000 years ago. Thanks to the sophisticated thinking, he became superior towards other species, which can be seen on an everyday basis. Man, with his technology, literally squeezes every drop of nature’s resource. With industrialized, advance technology, we stopped thinking the animal way. We stopped feeling and understanding the laws of nature, like the animals do. Suddenly,we are facing various mysterious illnesses and diseases. Many people are dying, even more suffering. The life quality is decreasing with a fast pace. (see Statistics at the end of this document). What can we do, people ask? The Doctors tell you, it’s genetics. Industry says, it’s business. I say, it’s your decision. Ultimate question, what would you do if you knew the doctor’s statement was a misleading half-truth or even incorrect?

What is cancer disease? It is very simple. It is not an illness – it’s just nature’s survival mechanism launched – due to extreme conditions. Cancer is a toxic build-up. It is a failure of respiration of the cell. It is, literally, sugars that ferment in the body. This is a problem for people who have very few bowl movements. This infrequency of bowl movements causes the inability to move waste out of the body, and to have toxicity build up in the body. Less urination, too little water, too little hydration, lack of proper nutrients, and foods that are so synthetic and chemically laced. This can only  have a negative effect.

Oxygen Association defines cancer as follows: The cause of cancer is clear. It is poor diet, lifestyle, poor mental attitude that results in a toxic build-up – that overloads the cell’s cleaning mechanism of the cells. Cancer is the manifestation of long-term nutritional, and environmental interruption, and irritation.

We haven’t been told these things? No – why? It is because cancer is a money maker. If you stop and think, you realize that cancer is something that is prevalent everywhere. Yet, they use all types of treatments, where none get well. We see people change immediately, when they change how their bodies have been formed. With those cells exchanged every 16-18 months, your stomach lining is less than 4 days, and skin 28 days. Imagine your possibilities. You can get your body to oxygenate; but you have to remove the problematic causes – or anything you try to do as positive is going to cause you to be interrupted and incomplete. So, we need to look into is the frequency of bowel movements that are needed, that we are getting the hydration we need, that we are getting the mineral content we need, so that the minerals can help to exchange everything across the cell’s wall.

Shouldn’t we all act as if we are prone to cancer, or we have the possibility to get cancer? It is very simple. It we just properly maintain our bodies, we can properly maintain these great plagues of cancer that everyone has seen. It’s just like heart disease. Heart disease doesn’t occur by luck; it’s earned. It’s about what we do or not do. It’s our actions, it’s our being lazy to maintain this vehicle that has to travelled the road we call life. People say that life is a road of very rough edges, and deep path holes, and so on. It’s not the road at all. It’s the vehicle traveling the road!

What about children and cancer? When children get cancer, let me share something with you. Let’s go all the way back to the Dad, before the sperm enters the egg. What he’s been doing to affect the DNA, and the ability to be carried completely, and the way it should be designed to be put into that egg, when that egg is fertilized. What about the mother, what she’s been eating during pregnancy? Two or three days of the wrong nutrition, during pregnancy, can change the way the child is formed for the rest of its life – for eternity. When children get cancer, it’s a prolonged thing. It started back at the responsibility of the parents. After all, the mother‘s nutrition is what forms that child. That DNA is potentiated to step up, or step back, or to be more dominant or less dominant – or should we say turned on or turned off by how much of nutrition you have? So, when children get sick, it’s not their fault; it isn’t luck that was planned parents. We need to take the responsibility for what happens to our children. If they have growing pains, their diet’s wrong. If they are constantly sick, and have a cold, they have the wrong foods going in. I see children cured all the time from chronic colds, sicknesses, and flues, as well as constant long problems, by just getting them off dairy. So imagine what could happen.  Cancer is pretty much a choice by the parent, or by the individual doing what they are doing, and not eliminating. Take charge, make your own research , check out this info by Bill Blass, Otto Warburg, and others. These people know, and they make it very simple.

Men come to the knowledge of taking responsibility, and changing their own destiny, that millions will die until that time. Are you one of those who wants to suffer?

STATISTICS

List of illnesses linked with a lifestyle; especially wrong nutrition habits.

Acid Reflux

Acne

Allergies

Anemia

Angina

Appendicitis

Arteriosclerosis

Arthritis

Asthma

Autoimmune diseases

Autism

Back problems

Bedwetting

Bowel Disorders

Bursitis

Cataracts

Cholesterol Problems

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic Depression

Claudication

Cognitive dysfunctions

Colic

Colitis

Colon Polyps

Congetive heart failure

Constipation

Crohn’s Disease

Deep Vein Thrombosis

Diabetes

Diarrhea

Diverticulosis

Ear Infections

Early sexual maturity

Eczema

Esophagitis

Fibroids

Fibromyalgia

Gallbladder disease

Gallstones

Gastritis

Gout

Gum diseases

Headaches

Hearing loss Heart Disease

Hemorrhoids

Hiatal hernia

High Blood Pressure

Hormone Imbalances

Hot flashes

Hypertension

HypoglycemiaImmune deficiency

Impotence

Indigestion

Intestinal distress

Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Joint problems

Kindey Failure

Kidney Stones

Late Menopause

Lumbar spine syndromes

Lupus

Macular degeneration

Malabsorbtion

Menopause problems

Migraines

Mood Disorders

Multiple Sclerosis

Musculoskeletal pain

Myxedemia

Obesity

Ostearthritis

Oseoporosis

Polyps

Premenstrual Syndrome

Prostate Enlargmenent

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Schyzophrenia

Senile Dementia

Sexual dysfunction

Sinus problems

Skin disorders

Spinal disk deterioration

Strokes

Tonsillar infections

Ulcers

Uterine fibroids

Vascular Diseases

Varicose veins

CANCER

Bladder

Brain

Breast

Cervical

Colon

Endometrial

Esophagal

Gall Bladder

Intestinal

Kindey

Leukemia

Liver

Lung

Lymphoma

Mouth

Oralpharyngeal

Ovarian

Pancreatic

Prostate

Rectal

Skin

Stomach

Testicular

Thyroid

Uterine

Vulvar


Author: Peter Havasi BSy (Hom., Natur.)

Health Specialist and founder of www.leoalpinum.com.

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Yoga is a Science

Thursday, November 12th, 2009

MarichyasanaBy Rachel Ulbig

Yoga is a science that has been practiced for over five thousand years. Yoga is aimed at uniting the mind, body and the spirit. Currently over eleven million Americans enjoy Yoga’s health benefits. Yoga has been proven to help a person’s everyday health benefits, their respiratory system, circulatory system and muscular system which can make for an over all well balanced person.

People practice Yoga to improve flexibility, strength, posture, breathing, stress levels and their moods. Some people think that to practice Yoga you have to be flexible like a gymnast and that they are too old or unfit to ever practice Yoga. Yoga simply improves an individual’s flexibility with series of poses called Asanas which work safely by stretching your muscles. When a muscle stretches it releases the lactic acid that builds up with muscle use and that causes stiffness, tension, pain and fatigue. Yoga also helps increase the range of motion in the joints which will increase lubrication in the joints and make you have a sense of ease and fluidity throughout the body. Yoga not only stretches your muscles but also the soft tissues of the body which include ligaments, tendons and the fascia sheath that surrounds the muscle. In one study, practitioners saw a thirty five percent improvement in their flexibility after a short eight weeks of Yoga.

Strength is also a main reason people choose to practice Yoga. All different styles of Yoga help to build muscle tone in many different ways. Downward Dog and Plank are two poses that help a person build upper body strength which becomes very crucial as people age. The standing poses help build lower body strength and poses such as Upward Dog and Chair help strengthen the lower back which in turn helps protect the organs even more. When the Asanas are practiced correctly almost all help build core strength within the deep abdominal muscles. Strong abdominal muscles are the fundamentals for great posture. Yoga increases body awareness and with the heightened awareness you are more quick to correct slouching or slumping. Breathing is a part of your everyday life that you might not think about too much considering it comes naturally, but most Americans are chest breathers and do not use the full capacity of their lungs. With the deep and mindful breathing that yoga involves the lung capacity improves which improves sports performance and endurance.

Deepening and lengthening your breath stimulates the relaxation response which helps the fight-or-flight adrenaline boost of the stress response. Most people feel less stressed and more relaxed even after their first class. Yoga’s anti stress benefits are actually biochemical responses. With yoga there is a decrease in catecholamine which are the hormones produced by the adrenal glands in response to stress. Yoga may also lower levels of hormone neurotransmitters – dopamine, norephinephrine, and epinephrine which will create a feeling of calm. Students leave the studio feeling happier and more content which may be a result from yoga’s boosting oxygen levels to the brain. Potential benefits of yoga are still being scientifically studied, such as whether yoga can slow the aging process, increase a person’s sense of self-acceptance or improve energy. Yoga is a natural way to cure what ales you and a great way to help prevent illness such as the common cold.

One way to relax the mind and body in Yoga is through breathing which is also known as Pranayama. Breathing is a necessity in everyday life but people who develop a healthy breathing habit are said to look better, get to finish more activity and have fun, and live longer lives than others. Healthy conscious breathing reduces physical and mental fatigue, chest pains, and the risk of a heart attack. Pranyama is performed by breathing in and out only through the nose which is more beneficial than breathing through the mouth because it gives you the ability to control how much air you take in and also cleanses the air as you inhale. The common cold is a miserable time that can last anywhere from two to fourteen days. Although, yoga can not prevent the common cold it plays an important role in strengthening a person’s immune system which in turn a strong immune system will have a better chance at keeping the cold virus far away. Yoga is not all about exercising but also focuses on making a person better rounded in life by promoting a person to get enough sleep, eat healthy food, drink plenty of liquid and not use tobacco. Mild exercise such as yoga can also contribute to make the body filter out the toxins. By filtering the toxins from your body it will help you have a positive outlook in life and make it easier to relax your mind and body which will help you manage emotional and psychological stress and lessen your vulnerability to the Cold virus. As we breathe in we supply the blood with oxygen which then circulates through out the entire body giving energy and nutrients to all of the muscles.

By practicing long deep breaths, conscious relaxation, and concentration you decrease the level of stress hormones and cortisol in the blood. Asanas can also enhance the circulation of blood and body fluids in the different body parts of the body to maintain the normal functioning of the immune system which will allow the body to heal by itself. If blood flow to the organs is well kept up then we could avoid many disorders in the body. Standing poses stretch and tone the lateral wall of the heart so that there is a healthy blood flow on the walls. Inverted poses help out the lymphatic system of the legs and muscles that help in pumping the blood upward by getting rest in this position. Inverted poses also help avoid tissue degeneration because it allows proper circulation of blood in the brain. Horizontal poses help to reduce blood pressure since the heart and lungs are rested, rejuvenated and well ventilated. Bending poses can improve blood supply to the myocardium and will help tone up the cardiac muscle. A proper sequence of yoga exercises will definitely help in preventing serious complications due to restricted blood flow in the body instead of taking a lot of medications.

Hypertension which is also known as high blood pressure refers to the amount of pressure in your arteries. Hypertension has no specific symptoms and is known as the silent killer. If hypertension is not detected at and early stage it could lead to arterial cardiac and renal damage. To manage hypertension you have to manage your lifestyle and a yoga lifestyle helps treat and prevent hypertension through mind and body activities. Yoga poses may help manage Hypertension but please seek doctor’s advice before starting any Yoga practices. Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) is the most common form of heart disease. Heart disease is the number one killer in the United States especially among people over the age of sixty. Most cases of CAD happen so gradually that it shows no symptoms and it usually results in death. CAD is caused by the buildup of cholesterol in the inside layers of the arteries which will slow down blood flow and the muscles will not get enough blood. Plaque also weakens the arterial wall which may lead to cracking and the formation of blood clots. Yoga improves body’s strength and flexibility which may help control blood pressure, respiration, and heart and metabolic rates. A change to the Yoga Lifestyle which includes vegetarian diet and no tobacco makes the progression of CAD slower or can make CAD patients recover much faster. Yoga also helps with stress and anxiety which are also common causes of CAD. To keep your heart in good shape and your stress under control we have to focus on the two hundred and six bones that make up our skeletal system.

The skeleton protects the softer parts of the body such as the muscles and organs. The skeleton also enables us to move, it produces blood cells in the bone marrow, acts as a store for many minerals that the body needs such as calcium and phosphorus, and gives the body its shape. Bones that make up the skeleton are living tissues that continue to grow and reshape themselves to the strains that are placed upon them. Yoga helps improve health and bring energy to the body and mind that in turn helps free all the body’s different joints which opens them up to relieve pressure on the protective cartilage and restore correct alignment of the bones. Inflammation or swelling of the joints is called Arthritis. Arthritis is from deterioration of soft tissues that cover and protect the joints. With the deterioration of the tissue the bones begin to run against each other which can cause pain. One of the causes of Arthritis is the excess of uric acid that gets deposited in the joints. Uric acid levels are higher for people who consume too much meat or alcohol.

Yoga poses can help strengthen joints which is crucial in preventing and dealing with arthritis. The spinal column is one of the most vital parts of our body because it supports the trunk and is responsible for all our posture and movements. Most people will experience back pain at some point in their lives and for some of these people this pain develops into degenerative spinal disorders. Back injuries are the number one cause of work related disability in the United States affecting both men and women of all ages. The most common back injuries are strains and sprains which are usually caused by too much stretching of the back, abrupt change in direction and colliding with another person which usually happens in sports. Some more serious back injuries include herniated disc which will cause numbness or tingling sensation in the legs and feet and muscle spasm or cramping. Osteoporosis is a back ailment that can happen without any symptoms. Osteoporosis is a result of decreased bone mass and can be due to a poor diet, smoking, excessive alcohol, lack of exercise or even hereditary. Scoliosis affects millions of people worldwide and it is an abnormal lateral curvature of the spinal column and although exercise can not stop Scoliosis alone it can help in promoting overall health and well being. The most common treatments for back pain are medication, exercise and a change in lifestyle. Physical activity such as Asanas can help strengthen and tone back muscles and the skeletal system which make your back more flexible and can alleviate pain and improve your posture.

Living a Yoga lifestyle and practicing Asanas daily have been proven to help a person better their health and to be ready for everyday obstacles in a person’s life. The above information is a brief description of how yoga can help with health benefits and everyday life such as stress, mood, body strength, flexibility, posture, and breathing. Also, briefly describes Yoga’s benefits on the Circulatory System and high blood pressure, the Respiratory System and the common cold, and the Muscles and Skeletal System and how it helps with Arthritis and Back Injuries. Yoga is not just another sport, it is a lifestyle and when you take Yoga’s lifestyle you will find all of the benefits that it has on your health as well as your everyday life.

Rachel Ulbig will soon be a Yoga teacher. She will be teaching in the Friendswood, Texas area.

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A Yoga Lifestyle is Founded on Principles

Monday, September 21st, 2009

DhanurasanaBy Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500

You read so much wonderful information about adopting a Yogic lifestyle. Over the past ten years, the news media and the medical community have both stepped forward with great praise for the benefits of adopting Yoga as a lifestyle.

While it can be agreed that Yoga is a science of life – it is also a way of life, which applies to all aspects of our existence. Some people may feel if they eat right, and exercise right, they are experiencing all that a Yogic lifestyle has to offer.

While it is true that diet and exercise are important factors in the quality of everyday life, there are many principles which are largely ignored within the Yamas and Niyamas. However, let’s look at one universal concept that is the bedrock of all forms of Yoga.

Many people know that Yoga means “union” or “unity,” but the point seems academic to many of us. The historic meaning of union has more value than the link between a chariot, driver, archer, and horses. While the war chariot was quite a formidable weapon in its day, humankind has the ability to do much more with the power of unity.

Unity within our being is what we first experience, as a result of Yoga practice. Once this is mastered, we may focus on unity with others, the world around us, the universe, or with God. Many of us overlook our ability to connect with others. Some of us would rather pursue intellectual or spiritual studies instead of connecting with people.

The point here is – if we meditate on a mountain top or in a cave, we might find complete bliss in a state of solitude. Yet most of us live in a world, where we interact with others, and put Yogic principles of unity, tolerance, and compassion into practice.

© Copyright 2009 – Paul Jerard / Aura Publications

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Yoga and its Health Benefits

Wednesday, September 9th, 2009

PadmasanaBy Teresa Summer

Just as the knowledge of yoga is vast and deep, so are its benefits. In order to enjoy a healthy body, the mind and the spirit also need to be healthy and balanced because the body is like the vehicle, the mind being the driver and the spirit being mans true identity. In order for there to be integrated development, these three forces need to be balanced. So it is of not much use when one eats healthy foods and does physical exercise but engages in negative thoughts. Even science has recognized that the mind needs to be healed before the body can be healthy. The teachings of yoga are based on a very precise understanding of the healthy functioning of the body and mind and its techniques are designed to maximise ones own potential for good health, vitality and youthfulness.

The natural state of our body is health and it has all been so perfectly designed to be able to heal and mend itself as needed. Yoga being unique among all forms of bodily culture, works systematically on all three major functions of the body which are frame of muscles, bones and ligaments; digestion, respiration and circulation and the nerves and hormones. Yoga has been designed to gently stretch and tone the body and to stimulate circulation, right down to the cellular level , so that tissues are nourished, wastes removed, vital organs returned to full efficiency and metabolism of health is restored rather than developing muscles and exhaust our strength. The slow movements and deep breathing of yoga increase the oxygen supply to the body and helps to eliminate toxins such as carbon dioxide. For optimal health of body mind and soul there are 5 principles which need to be practised. These are proper relaxation -which releases tension in the muscles and rests the whole body which leaves you refreshed. This keeps you calm and peaceful throughout your day and activities teaching you to conserve your energy leaving you free of worry and anxiety.

Proper exercise – which in yoga asanas works systematically on all body parts of the body, stretching and toning the muscles and ligaments, keeping the spine and joints flexible and improving the circulation. Here we can also release physical tension and gain new and fresh energy. Proper breathing – means breathing fully and utilizing our whole lung capacity in order to take in maximum oxygen. Through doing Pranayama you can recharge your body and control your mental state by regulating the flow of prana. Proper diet – a diet which is nourishing and well balanced, based on natural foods. It keeps the body light and supple and the mind calm, giving a high resistance to disease. Positive thinking and meditation – helps to remove negative thoughts and mental tension as well as still the mind and again gain fresh energy.

One becomes much stronger in the mind and more self confident.

On the physical level, some of the benefits of yoga through the deep stretches and massaging of organs are, an improved flexibility of muscles, better range of motion of joints, improved strength and condition of muscles and bones, improved posture and body alignment, improved digestion, circulation and immunity, enhanced function of neurological and endocrine organs, prevention and relief from chronic illnesses such as chronic pain syndromes, anxiety and panic disorders, depression, sleep disorders, chronic fatigue syndrome, high blood pressure etc.

Stress is a very big factor in modern day society and can lead to many illnesses. One of them being permanently tensed muscles. Through yoga and its relaxation techniques we can find comfort and freedom from aches and pains. Overall the body feels healthier, more energetic, less prone to disease and effects of repeated stresses of everyday life. Our range of movements is also very limited by repetitive tasks. Incorrect posture because of long hours of sitting at a desk can cause the ligaments at the base of the skull to shorten, leading to stress and pain in the lower back and sometimes all along the spine. This can also affect the hips and the pelvis. Yoga asanas are very beneficial for this and have been designed to free all the different joints in the body, opening them up to relieve pressure on protective cartlidge and restore correct alignment of the bones. By keeping muscles and ligaments healthy and posture correct, you can prevent problems of damage to joints.

Yoga asanas work like a hand slowly and gently squeezing a sponge to remove all the stale, waste bearing fluids and then stretching the tissue to allow fresh, life giving nutrients and energy to circulate to every cell. The deep breathing while holding the postures sends more oxygen to the cells and removes more carbon dioxide.

The asanas also massage all the vital organs and stimulate the digestive muscles to increase their peristalsis. While certain asanas can alleviate some uncomfortable symptoms such as indigestion, varicose veins or headaches yoga teaches us to treat the whole body as a whole, understanding that every part of the body effect the rest. So, if the mind is well and your thoughts are of positive nature then every cell in the body will be positively affected. With regular practice of yoga, on a mental level the mind benefits with increased peace of mind, improved alertness and clarity, increased ability to deal effectively with short and long term stresses, increased concentration of the mind, improved self esteem, decreased reliance on drugs, greater energy and enthusiasm for life.

In yoga we will also find 6 main cleansing processes on a much deeper level which is not commonly practised in the west. These are called Kriyas – purification or cleansing processes. Through various cleansing techniques the Kriyas are meant for cleaning of the stomach, cleaning the colon, cleaning the nasal passages, cleaning the abdominal organs, cleaning the respiratory system ( in all of these, getting rid of impurities, phlegm and excess fat) and gazing exercise for the eyes. In The Hatha Yoga Pradipika (77) it says that “There is no doubt that cough, asthma, enlargement of the spleen, leprosy and twenty kinds of diseases born of phlegm disappear by the practise of Dhauti Karma” also known as washing . By doing Basti or colonic irrigation, constipation never occurs; it increases gastric fire and cures flatulence. Neti or nasal cleaning is more commonly practised in modern day yoga and it is said that old age never comes to the person doing this cleansing practise and it removes phlegm and it also improves the vision. Tratak or cleansing the vision improves eyesight and helps to develop concentration and mental focus. Kapalabhati or diaphragmatic breathing is an exercise that purifies the nasal passages and lungs. It is very helpful to those with asthma. This exercise stimulates every tissue of the body and aids in curing consumption, removes impurities of the blood and tones up the circulatory and respiratory systems.

Yoga has proved to be very beneficial for women who go through hormonal changes associated with pregnancy, menopause and menstruation. The practise of yoga can help with alleviating the pain that goes with menstruation and can help with easier child delivery. Through massage and stimulation of the glands and organs, the hormonal and glandular system can be enhanced. The life functions of the body chemistry are regulated by the ductless or endocrine glands, secreting their chemical messengers into the blood stream. The endocrine system acts as a principal of balance – one hormone stimulates a set of responses, another inhibits it, and all act together in a complex interrelationship with each other. The endocrine system mediates the intimate relationship of body and mind – emotions such as fear or rage, love or grief; both reflect hormonal activity and influence it strongly. The headstand is the most beneficial asana for the pituitary gland. Thyroid and parathyroid are both massaged by the shoulderstand and the peacock massages the pancreatic and adrenal glands. Regular practice of asanas, pranayama and relaxation keeps the male hormones in balance and helps to relieve sexual problems and disorders.

The overall practice of yoga can also help to combat age related diseases such as impotence, prostate conditions, Osteoporosis, arthritis, cholesterol and heart conditions. Yoga improves the body’s strength and flexibility which may help to control blood pressure, respiration and heart metabolic rates. So together with a vegetarian diet and a no tobacco lifestyle, people with the above conditions may heal faster or it may make the progression of such illnesses slower and sometimes even prevent some of them. Hypertension which is a very severe form of high blood pressure and does not display clear symptoms is known as the silent killer. A complete yoga lifestyle can be very beneficial for this type of disease in treating and preventing this type of disease.

Since yoga requires deep breathing, conscious relaxation and concentration which has been proven to decrease the level of stress hormones and cortisol in the blood. Other poses in the yoga exercises can also enhance the circulation of blood and body fluid in the different parts of the body to maintain the normal functioning of the immune system. This will allow the body to heal by itself. We could avoid disorder in the body if the blood flow to the organs is well kept up. Here are some points on how yoga can be beneficial in regulating a healthy circulation of blood and nutrients in the body.

Standing poses – In these poses the lateral wall of the heart is completely stretched and toned up so that there would be a healthy blood flow on the walls.

Inverted poses – Since the body is used to standing erect all the time, the lymphatic system of the legs and muscles that help in pumping the blood upward can get rest in this position. These exercises will also avoid tissue degeneration because it allows proper circulation of blood in the brain.

Horizontal poses – The blood pressure can be reduced by performing horizontal poses since the heart and lungs are rested, rejuvenated and well ventilated.

Bending poses – When these poses are done without strain, they can improve blood supply to the myocardium and will surely tone up the cardiac muscle.

A healthy nervous system enables us to meet every event in life with calm and resilience. It keeps all the muscles, organs and tissues of the body working at full efficiency. Bundles of fibres together form the large nerves, which are stretched and purified by yoga asanas. Yoga has been shown to stabilize the response of the nervous system to stress, removing the constant muscular tension produced by the repeated alerts from the central nervous system, and calming the involuntary symptoms of threat – racing heart, sweating, and anxiety – roused by the sympathetic nervous system.

It is ignorance alone that keeps one from seeing the reality of life. Ignorance alone is the cause of all sufferings. Through the regular practice of yoga one develops skills and experiential understanding to see the reality of life and appreciate its beauty. When you see the beauty in life then you are able to admire and adore the Creator or God. You see the Divine presence everywhere including in yourself. Yoga reveals your Divine nature. You form a stronger and more loving connection with yourself which brings fulfilment and more meaningful purpose to life. It is out of this fulfilment that you are able to experience unconditional happiness and are able to share this joy with others. This too affects our health positively or negatively.

Namaste.

Teresa Summer is a Certified Yoga Teacher. She teaches Yoga classes in Port Elizabeth, South Africa.

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