Many adults have taken up yoga, but yoga has not gained as the same popularity with children. Child yoga can offer many of the same benefits to kids as it does to adults.
What can yoga offer your child?
A healthier body ? Childhood obesity is on the rise and one of the main reasons for it is that kids today do not move enough. Yoga is a powerful technique for children to begin moving their bodies in ways that feel good and help them look good. Even if your child is of normal weight, yoga can help her become stronger, gain endurance and flexibility. If your child is involved in another sport, a regular yoga practice is a great cross training activity and it may help him reduce the risk of injuries.
The ability to control stress ? Today’s children are under enormous stress. They are often over scheduled, they face tough competition in school, they have to deal with peer pressure, and they are trying to find their way in the world. This combination can cause children to become stressed out. Yoga can help your child learn how to relax. When your child learns how to control her breathing and relax during her practice, she can then apply this to her world when she encounters challenging situations.
Increased self-esteem ? Yoga is a non-competitive activity. Yet it does offer your child the ability to master challenging poses (especially as he gets older). Your child can feel good about his increasing ability without having to worry about how he compares to everyone else. This experience of success can help your child feel more confident in his ability to be successful in other things too.
Greater concentration ?
The breathing and inward focus that is a main component of any yoga practice can help your child learn to focus his mind more effectively. A number of studies have shown that many children who practice yoga, especially those with problems such as ADHD, are able to concentrate for longer periods
of time.
What is a child yoga program like?
The main focus of a child yoga program is on fun. Often the children will pretend to be the animal for which the pose is named. For instance, when they are doing Cat Pose, they become the cat and may even meow. If they are doing Downward Facing Dog with their butts high in the air, they will often bark, as they become the dog. The children are encouraged to fully participate in and enjoy the ‘game of yoga.’ Sometimes the instructor will create an entire story about the poses that the children are in so as to make the class interesting and to fully engage them. The children don’t realize how much they are benefiting from the practice; the only thing they know is that they are having a good
time.
Practicing yoga at home with your child.
While child yoga classes are wonderful, they are often hard to find. Depending on where you live, you might not be able to find a place to take your child. Don’t fret. There are a number of excellent videos and books that you can get which will help you become your child’s yoga teacher.
*Find a spot in your home where you have room to move freely.
*Establish an atmosphere of fun.
*Put on the video and do the poses together, hopefully with lots of giggles sprinkled in.
*Pick out some poses from a book that you can do ? have your child choose some of the them.
*When doing the relaxation exercise, talk your child through it by describing a warm, inviting place such as a quiet field near a bubbling brook with butterflies and singing birds. Use your imagination to create a safe and friendly space and help your child experience it in his imagination.
Child yoga is an enjoyable activity that can provide major benefits to your child. It will help her grow stronger physically, mentally, and emotionally ? and she’ll have a lot of fun too!
Della Menechella is a yoga and fitness enthusiast who has been involved in fitness for over thirty years. Her website http://www.beauty-fitness-yoga-source.com/ is filled with practical information about how you can make yoga and fitness a positive part of your life. Visit the site and get your free meditation e-book.
Showing posts with label Concentration. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Concentration. Show all posts
March 1, 2009
How Yoga Will Enhance Your Abilities in Other Sports
The whole idea of using one form of exercise to enhance another is not new, but it is becoming more universal. Bicycling magazines are full of articles about how riding your mountain bike will improve your road bike skills. Snowboarding magazines will show the benefits of skateboarding?no surprise there.
Every couple of years, I will laugh when I read a sports section headline stating that? A new revolutionary training idea has hit the National Football League”?fifteen or twenty 400 pound lineman are then shown taking a ballet class or step aerobics. It almost seems faddish to be unusual in your cross training. Oh well, thankfully they come and they go.
All, and I do mean all, sports use muscles. When overworked constantly those muscles will tighten and shorten. The ultimate result is often an injury if not treated properly.
Yoga is now recognized as the ultimate solution to this problem and more and more athletes are turning to it for relief, if not as part of their regular pre-training.
Since bicycle racing is my preferred sport, I peruse several national and international cycling magazines regularly. Recently, I discovered numerous ads for videos, DVD?s, and books touting the benefits of different forms of yoga for different types of cyclists. Among the disciplines discussed were Hatha, which was used for the cyclist wanting stretching techniques that were easy to use before and after a training ride or race. Ashtanga lent itself more toward the endurance athlete who would be competing in hot summer criteriums and road races.
The advantages of incorporating yoga into any training regime are many; let?s cover a few of them:
? Calming the mind brings focus and concentration to your sport of choice.
? Slow movement combined with stretching allows the athlete to be very aware of their body and it?s needs.
? Stretching lengthens the muscle and brings balance to the tissues.
? Learning balance poses increases mental and physical acuity for competitive sports.
? Post-event stretching is as old as the hills, but when only four or five yoga poses are used muscle recovery is improved, lactic acid is removed, the muscle is lengthened once again and strength is enhanced.
It doesn?t really matter if your sport is skiing, mountain climbing, football, baseball, tennis, rollerblading, hockey or poker (Hey, they get tight neck muscles, right?) there are benefits to adding yoga to your routine.
For me, the advantages were revealed with more flexibility during and after a race. My muscles rebounded quicker, with less soreness and I was able to ride again sooner without the usual pain. My race results are also better; okay, I?m still middle of the pack, but improving, which is always a good thing. Give it a try; you too, may be surprised with the gains.
In the end it?s one man?s opinion?mine.
Keith Edwin Renninson is co-owner, along with Jeffrey Forman, of Golden Years Videos, LLC a production company dedicated to offering exercise videos for those over 50 or of any age who are rehabilitating from an accident or illness.
Renninson is an avid exercise and yoga enthusiast. Now in his late 50?s; he still races bicycles and regularly skis the black diamond runs in Colorado where he lives. For many years, a bona fide gym rat, Renninson still loves to lift free weights and use exercise machines.
You can contact Renninson or read more about his company and the videos they have available at: http://www.goldenyearsvideos.com
Every couple of years, I will laugh when I read a sports section headline stating that? A new revolutionary training idea has hit the National Football League”?fifteen or twenty 400 pound lineman are then shown taking a ballet class or step aerobics. It almost seems faddish to be unusual in your cross training. Oh well, thankfully they come and they go.
All, and I do mean all, sports use muscles. When overworked constantly those muscles will tighten and shorten. The ultimate result is often an injury if not treated properly.
Yoga is now recognized as the ultimate solution to this problem and more and more athletes are turning to it for relief, if not as part of their regular pre-training.
Since bicycle racing is my preferred sport, I peruse several national and international cycling magazines regularly. Recently, I discovered numerous ads for videos, DVD?s, and books touting the benefits of different forms of yoga for different types of cyclists. Among the disciplines discussed were Hatha, which was used for the cyclist wanting stretching techniques that were easy to use before and after a training ride or race. Ashtanga lent itself more toward the endurance athlete who would be competing in hot summer criteriums and road races.
The advantages of incorporating yoga into any training regime are many; let?s cover a few of them:
? Calming the mind brings focus and concentration to your sport of choice.
? Slow movement combined with stretching allows the athlete to be very aware of their body and it?s needs.
? Stretching lengthens the muscle and brings balance to the tissues.
? Learning balance poses increases mental and physical acuity for competitive sports.
? Post-event stretching is as old as the hills, but when only four or five yoga poses are used muscle recovery is improved, lactic acid is removed, the muscle is lengthened once again and strength is enhanced.
It doesn?t really matter if your sport is skiing, mountain climbing, football, baseball, tennis, rollerblading, hockey or poker (Hey, they get tight neck muscles, right?) there are benefits to adding yoga to your routine.
For me, the advantages were revealed with more flexibility during and after a race. My muscles rebounded quicker, with less soreness and I was able to ride again sooner without the usual pain. My race results are also better; okay, I?m still middle of the pack, but improving, which is always a good thing. Give it a try; you too, may be surprised with the gains.
In the end it?s one man?s opinion?mine.
Keith Edwin Renninson is co-owner, along with Jeffrey Forman, of Golden Years Videos, LLC a production company dedicated to offering exercise videos for those over 50 or of any age who are rehabilitating from an accident or illness.
Renninson is an avid exercise and yoga enthusiast. Now in his late 50?s; he still races bicycles and regularly skis the black diamond runs in Colorado where he lives. For many years, a bona fide gym rat, Renninson still loves to lift free weights and use exercise machines.
You can contact Renninson or read more about his company and the videos they have available at: http://www.goldenyearsvideos.com
Learning Focus and Concentration Through Yoga
For many of us today, focus and concentration aren?t difficult by virtue of necessity, for others however, it is an unbearable task to achieve either.
Ancient, and modern day yogis, taught yoga as a way to gain focus and become one with yourself and the universe. Being grounded is a major goal of many westerners because, to them, it is so illusive.
Occupations, family, avocations, addiction to multi-tasking and caffeine, goal achievement, and cultural pressures are among the reasons that people in the west suffer from the lack of a focused and grounded mentality.
Yoga offers a solution that few programs can.
Whether performed in a class at a studio or quietly in your living room, yoga?s meditative quality causes your level of focus and concentration to heighten and strengthen with each session.
Here’s why; our brain functions at four levels of brainwave CPS Cycles Per Second) activity:
1. Beta 13-40 CPS: Fully active, alert, thinking and engaged with your life at that moment.
2. Alpha 7-12 CPS: A much slower rate of cycles per second; that dreamy state just before you fall asleep, the creative and thoughtful level.
3. Theta 4-7 CPS: Elusive meditative floating state before deep sleep.
4. Delta 0-4 CPS: Unconscious deep sleep.
Performing yoga enables you to decrease your brain?s activity from Beta to Alpha, to focus on the poses and your breathing. The Alpha state by it?s very nature is quiet, calm and concentrative. Your body reacts to the poses more efficiently; stretching properly and slowly revealing your inner, grounded self for confidence and strength.
In the end, isn?t that what we are all after? To discover our positive and confident inner self, to become focused, to calm the chaos, gain overall strength, balance and poise.
Concentration and focus are just two of the benefits of yoga which will come quickly to the dedicated novice, and they will become even more enhanced for the seasoned veteran. You gradually notice the advantages of a calm and focused mind in virtually everything you do at work, at home or at play. Enjoy.
Keith Edwin Renninson is co-owner, along with Jeffrey Forman, of Golden Years Videos, LLC a production company dedicated to offering exercise videos for those over 50 or of any age who are rehabilitating from an accident or illness.
Renninson is an avid exercise and yoga enthusiast. Now in his late 50?s; he still races bicycles and regularly skis the black diamond runs in Colorado where he lives. For many years, a bona fide gym rat, Renninson still loves to lift free weights and use exercise machines.
You can contact Renninson or read more about his company and the exercise videos they have available at: http://www.goldenyearsvideos.com
Ancient, and modern day yogis, taught yoga as a way to gain focus and become one with yourself and the universe. Being grounded is a major goal of many westerners because, to them, it is so illusive.
Occupations, family, avocations, addiction to multi-tasking and caffeine, goal achievement, and cultural pressures are among the reasons that people in the west suffer from the lack of a focused and grounded mentality.
Yoga offers a solution that few programs can.
Whether performed in a class at a studio or quietly in your living room, yoga?s meditative quality causes your level of focus and concentration to heighten and strengthen with each session.
Here’s why; our brain functions at four levels of brainwave CPS Cycles Per Second) activity:
1. Beta 13-40 CPS: Fully active, alert, thinking and engaged with your life at that moment.
2. Alpha 7-12 CPS: A much slower rate of cycles per second; that dreamy state just before you fall asleep, the creative and thoughtful level.
3. Theta 4-7 CPS: Elusive meditative floating state before deep sleep.
4. Delta 0-4 CPS: Unconscious deep sleep.
Performing yoga enables you to decrease your brain?s activity from Beta to Alpha, to focus on the poses and your breathing. The Alpha state by it?s very nature is quiet, calm and concentrative. Your body reacts to the poses more efficiently; stretching properly and slowly revealing your inner, grounded self for confidence and strength.
In the end, isn?t that what we are all after? To discover our positive and confident inner self, to become focused, to calm the chaos, gain overall strength, balance and poise.
Concentration and focus are just two of the benefits of yoga which will come quickly to the dedicated novice, and they will become even more enhanced for the seasoned veteran. You gradually notice the advantages of a calm and focused mind in virtually everything you do at work, at home or at play. Enjoy.
Keith Edwin Renninson is co-owner, along with Jeffrey Forman, of Golden Years Videos, LLC a production company dedicated to offering exercise videos for those over 50 or of any age who are rehabilitating from an accident or illness.
Renninson is an avid exercise and yoga enthusiast. Now in his late 50?s; he still races bicycles and regularly skis the black diamond runs in Colorado where he lives. For many years, a bona fide gym rat, Renninson still loves to lift free weights and use exercise machines.
You can contact Renninson or read more about his company and the exercise videos they have available at: http://www.goldenyearsvideos.com
February 26, 2009
How to Become Regular in Your Yoga Practice
People come to yoga looking for various things: peace of mind, stress reduction, improved concentration, and weight loss. Yoga can help you to accomplish all of this, but ?yoga works, if you work!? You have to do the practices on a regular basis in order to get the results
If you have bought some books on yoga and meditation, don?t let them gather dust while you sit around thinking that maybe one day you are going to practice. If you have purchased my electronic book, don?t let it gather ?electronic dust.?
Yoga postures and basic meditation exercises are simple enough to learn. In fact, I teach them to children and they pick them up quite easily. So, I am sure that you can learn what to do fairly easily and quickly. The big problem for most people is to establish the habit of doing the practices on a regular basis. Here are a few tips which may help you to do your yoga and meditation on a daily basis.
1. Start with Firm Determination: Yoga begins and ends in the mind. Take a determination that you are going to give yoga a fair try and you are going to practice, because it is important to you. Close your eyes, and think ?For the next three months I am going to do it every day.?
During the course of time, whenever you start thinking, ?Oh today I don?t want to do my yoga exercises?, remember your initial determination and stick to it.
2. Do it Together With some Friends: Learning how to give and share is an important part of yoga, so don?t keep ?yoga? to your self. If possible find one or two friends who would benefit from practicing yoga, and do it together with them. The good thing about practicing with others is that if a day comes when you are not motivated to do the practice, the enthusiasm of your friends will carry you along and you will do the practice with them.
3. Make a Regular Schedule and Stick to It: Yoga is not like tennis or some recreational sport which you will do if the sun is shining and you feel like doing it. To get the true benefits from yoga you have to do it every day. So, free some space in your busy schedule and ?reserve? this time for your practice of yoga and meditation.
If you get up a bit earlier in the morning, then you will have a nice quiet time to do your yoga before the rest of your neighbors wake up. In the evening, do your best to keep some time free for yoga before your evening meal.
Once you have set your schedule, stick to it as best you can.
4. Do Your Practices With A Free Mind: It is not enough to reserve time for yoga, with your body doing the exercises but you mind continuing to worry about other things. When you stop to do your yoga and meditation, you should remember that the next 30 or 40 minutes has been reserved for yoga and for your development. Don?t jump up to answer the phone, or respond to every minor disturbance. This period of time is for you.
If you begin to think about all your other responsibilities and problems, gently drop these thoughts and imagine that your problems are tucked away along with your shoes at the corner of the room, or better yet in another room. (You shouldn?t be practicing yoga with your shoes on!)
5. Be Patient: Sometimes you will feel the effects of the yoga and sometimes you will not feel anything. Don?t worry about the immediate effects, continue to practice. It takes a while before the most profound results of yoga are realized.
It took you many years to build up your present personality and physical structure. You can?t change it overnight. But the good news is that you don?t have to wait many years to change yourself because the regular and systematic practice of yoga postures and basic meditation can help you to make great changes in a period of six months to one year.
So, hang in there, start practicing, continue practicing and slowly but surely yoga will help you to realize your most important goals.
Dada Vedaprajinananda has been practicing and teaching yoga and meditation for the past thirty five years. He is the author of the ebook, “Yoga Weight loss Secrets,” and other articles, available at his website, http://www.YogaWeightLossSecrets.com
If you have bought some books on yoga and meditation, don?t let them gather dust while you sit around thinking that maybe one day you are going to practice. If you have purchased my electronic book, don?t let it gather ?electronic dust.?
Yoga postures and basic meditation exercises are simple enough to learn. In fact, I teach them to children and they pick them up quite easily. So, I am sure that you can learn what to do fairly easily and quickly. The big problem for most people is to establish the habit of doing the practices on a regular basis. Here are a few tips which may help you to do your yoga and meditation on a daily basis.
1. Start with Firm Determination: Yoga begins and ends in the mind. Take a determination that you are going to give yoga a fair try and you are going to practice, because it is important to you. Close your eyes, and think ?For the next three months I am going to do it every day.?
During the course of time, whenever you start thinking, ?Oh today I don?t want to do my yoga exercises?, remember your initial determination and stick to it.
2. Do it Together With some Friends: Learning how to give and share is an important part of yoga, so don?t keep ?yoga? to your self. If possible find one or two friends who would benefit from practicing yoga, and do it together with them. The good thing about practicing with others is that if a day comes when you are not motivated to do the practice, the enthusiasm of your friends will carry you along and you will do the practice with them.
3. Make a Regular Schedule and Stick to It: Yoga is not like tennis or some recreational sport which you will do if the sun is shining and you feel like doing it. To get the true benefits from yoga you have to do it every day. So, free some space in your busy schedule and ?reserve? this time for your practice of yoga and meditation.
If you get up a bit earlier in the morning, then you will have a nice quiet time to do your yoga before the rest of your neighbors wake up. In the evening, do your best to keep some time free for yoga before your evening meal.
Once you have set your schedule, stick to it as best you can.
4. Do Your Practices With A Free Mind: It is not enough to reserve time for yoga, with your body doing the exercises but you mind continuing to worry about other things. When you stop to do your yoga and meditation, you should remember that the next 30 or 40 minutes has been reserved for yoga and for your development. Don?t jump up to answer the phone, or respond to every minor disturbance. This period of time is for you.
If you begin to think about all your other responsibilities and problems, gently drop these thoughts and imagine that your problems are tucked away along with your shoes at the corner of the room, or better yet in another room. (You shouldn?t be practicing yoga with your shoes on!)
5. Be Patient: Sometimes you will feel the effects of the yoga and sometimes you will not feel anything. Don?t worry about the immediate effects, continue to practice. It takes a while before the most profound results of yoga are realized.
It took you many years to build up your present personality and physical structure. You can?t change it overnight. But the good news is that you don?t have to wait many years to change yourself because the regular and systematic practice of yoga postures and basic meditation can help you to make great changes in a period of six months to one year.
So, hang in there, start practicing, continue practicing and slowly but surely yoga will help you to realize your most important goals.
Dada Vedaprajinananda has been practicing and teaching yoga and meditation for the past thirty five years. He is the author of the ebook, “Yoga Weight loss Secrets,” and other articles, available at his website, http://www.YogaWeightLossSecrets.com
February 25, 2009
Yogic Way of Controlling of Thoughts
As described in my earlier article… thoughts in the mind generate because we have five senses. So broadly there are five kinds of thoughts. Again each thought may either be of pleasure or of pain. This way there are ten types of thoughts. Patanjali further describes each of these ten types of thoughts may be based on proof(pramana), or an opposite(viparyay), or an alternative(vikalpa), or forming sleep(nidra) or forming memory(smriti).
Patanjali emphasized that thoghts based on proof should be accepted, because these are directly perceived. There are six things in the world which can be directly perceived; these are sight, sound, smell, taste, touch and soul(true self). While senses perceive sight, sound, smell, taste and touch, soul(atman) is perceived in the mind through total concentration(samadhi). No seventh thing exists in the whole universe that can be perceived directly. The thought of God and heaven as separate from soul is opposite to proven thought. This is because those who are unable to realise true self or are ignorant about the greatness of true self, depend upon alternative thought or dualism where soul is separate from and inferior to God. Such people remain in constant sleep and bear in themselves all past memories which include all traditional and religious believes and practices.
In order to control thoughts Patanjali teaches - thoughts may be controlled throgh practice(abhyasa) and detachment(vairagya)(I.12). Then he describes what practice is. Practice is to stay there carefully(I.13). But where is to stay? The answer lies in his previous instruction. A seer or practitioner should try to reach or stay there in true self.
In order to practice controlling of thoughts, one has to practice eight limbs(parts) of Yoga. The eight limbs of Yoga shall be described in a later article. At present, there are numerous Yoga shops operating accross the globe and selling yogic exercises, breathing exercises and meditation practices. But these are flawed and hazardous. Practitioners shall get the benefit of exercise only. They may not achieve the aim of Yoga, which is to realise true self.
This practice should continue regularly for a long time with sincerity and confidence(I.14). The final result may come later; but once a seeker starts practicing, he feels the difference. The body and mind becomes pure and light by dispelling undesirable elements like germs and disease from the body and evil thoughts from the mind. Mind becomes pure and intelligence becomes sharp. Such a mind overcomes ignorance, bondage and fear of death.
Now let us see what detachment(vairagya) is. Patanjali teaches - to remain dispassionate and to subjugate those things that are seen or heard of, is detachment(I.15). The world constitutes of all living beings and material things and to bring this world under control is subjugation(vashikara). Subjugation is not to bring everything under control through power, but to remain dispassionate to everything. This subjugation is detachment. One does not have to run away from the society; but by remaining in the society one may subjugate everything and develop detachment. Detachment is non-attraction. One should not be attracted to those things that are seen or heard of.
We see the attractive and beautiful objects of the world. But we should not be attracted towards them. Because the world is ultimately false. Objects that are seen and thoughts relating to them are based on proof. But they are of no use in realisation of true self. Similarly we should not believe those things that are heard of only. Gods and Goddesses, heaven and hell, angels and ghosts are only heard of. So Patanjali instructs a seer should not be attracted to those things that are either seen or heard of.
Author Mr Premansu Chand, 40, is and Indian and Govt. servent. He reads scriptures and practices Yoga. He has published a book “Quest for Truth: the spiritual and yogic way” recently. The aim is to spread true spiritualism and yoga.
http://www.bookstobelievein.com/questfortruth.php
premansu_chand@rediffmail.com
Patanjali emphasized that thoghts based on proof should be accepted, because these are directly perceived. There are six things in the world which can be directly perceived; these are sight, sound, smell, taste, touch and soul(true self). While senses perceive sight, sound, smell, taste and touch, soul(atman) is perceived in the mind through total concentration(samadhi). No seventh thing exists in the whole universe that can be perceived directly. The thought of God and heaven as separate from soul is opposite to proven thought. This is because those who are unable to realise true self or are ignorant about the greatness of true self, depend upon alternative thought or dualism where soul is separate from and inferior to God. Such people remain in constant sleep and bear in themselves all past memories which include all traditional and religious believes and practices.
In order to control thoughts Patanjali teaches - thoughts may be controlled throgh practice(abhyasa) and detachment(vairagya)(I.12). Then he describes what practice is. Practice is to stay there carefully(I.13). But where is to stay? The answer lies in his previous instruction. A seer or practitioner should try to reach or stay there in true self.
In order to practice controlling of thoughts, one has to practice eight limbs(parts) of Yoga. The eight limbs of Yoga shall be described in a later article. At present, there are numerous Yoga shops operating accross the globe and selling yogic exercises, breathing exercises and meditation practices. But these are flawed and hazardous. Practitioners shall get the benefit of exercise only. They may not achieve the aim of Yoga, which is to realise true self.
This practice should continue regularly for a long time with sincerity and confidence(I.14). The final result may come later; but once a seeker starts practicing, he feels the difference. The body and mind becomes pure and light by dispelling undesirable elements like germs and disease from the body and evil thoughts from the mind. Mind becomes pure and intelligence becomes sharp. Such a mind overcomes ignorance, bondage and fear of death.
Now let us see what detachment(vairagya) is. Patanjali teaches - to remain dispassionate and to subjugate those things that are seen or heard of, is detachment(I.15). The world constitutes of all living beings and material things and to bring this world under control is subjugation(vashikara). Subjugation is not to bring everything under control through power, but to remain dispassionate to everything. This subjugation is detachment. One does not have to run away from the society; but by remaining in the society one may subjugate everything and develop detachment. Detachment is non-attraction. One should not be attracted to those things that are seen or heard of.
We see the attractive and beautiful objects of the world. But we should not be attracted towards them. Because the world is ultimately false. Objects that are seen and thoughts relating to them are based on proof. But they are of no use in realisation of true self. Similarly we should not believe those things that are heard of only. Gods and Goddesses, heaven and hell, angels and ghosts are only heard of. So Patanjali instructs a seer should not be attracted to those things that are either seen or heard of.
Author Mr Premansu Chand, 40, is and Indian and Govt. servent. He reads scriptures and practices Yoga. He has published a book “Quest for Truth: the spiritual and yogic way” recently. The aim is to spread true spiritualism and yoga.
http://www.bookstobelievein.com/questfortruth.php
premansu_chand@rediffmail.com
February 24, 2009
Yoga - The Natural Master Of All Remedies
Yoga is practised the whole world over by people wanting to free up their mind from stress/anxiety and to strengthen their concentration pattern.
Pressure from stress and a great many other disorders are some of the main reasons why people turn to yoga. And why wouldnt they when in return they gain a healthy body and a new outlook on life. Without doubt it is a force in its self to help combat anger outbursts, frustration and depression.
By practising yoga under the hands of dedicated followers then you are certain of results in banishing any displeasures you may have. Yoga is very effective in the way it takes control over those displeasures and replaces them with positive thoughts.
People are taking to such exercises because of the relaxed thinking pattern it imposes on the mind where all your cares and woes are put on hold. It also helps relieve those discomforts that come with every day life. Exercising your body in yoga movements is a satisfying master of all remedies achieved naturally.
All ages can participate in yoga. Even school children are practicing the moves to overcome their anger outbursts, in other words tantrums when not getting their own way. Remember workouts can be done at home if preferred.
In fact, yoga practiced at home can prove to be more relaxing because you are in control over your own moves unless of course you are following a routine put together on a video etc.
Exercises like the Hatha Yoga may be the best for you. For effects to take place this exercise has to be practiced consistently otherwise no results for body improvement? For the digestive system to respond accurately to your yoga actions then empty your bowels and clear your nose from mucus before practice takes place. Concentration is very important to adhere too when doing yoga; any distractions can upset the apple cart. When in practice at home there are no set times to when you start and finish. You may find first thing in the morning is perfect where no interruptions from salesman at the door
Set your self in the mood then choose which room in the house your yoga will take place and open a window for ventilation.
Peace and quiet are key features behind your WORKOUT WORKING OUT.
100% fit mind and body is what healthy living is all about. Yoga helps you claim what is rightfully yours. A content mind the natural way. http://www.want2yoga.com Move on with your life http://www.allaboutonlineeducation.com
Pressure from stress and a great many other disorders are some of the main reasons why people turn to yoga. And why wouldnt they when in return they gain a healthy body and a new outlook on life. Without doubt it is a force in its self to help combat anger outbursts, frustration and depression.
By practising yoga under the hands of dedicated followers then you are certain of results in banishing any displeasures you may have. Yoga is very effective in the way it takes control over those displeasures and replaces them with positive thoughts.
People are taking to such exercises because of the relaxed thinking pattern it imposes on the mind where all your cares and woes are put on hold. It also helps relieve those discomforts that come with every day life. Exercising your body in yoga movements is a satisfying master of all remedies achieved naturally.
All ages can participate in yoga. Even school children are practicing the moves to overcome their anger outbursts, in other words tantrums when not getting their own way. Remember workouts can be done at home if preferred.
In fact, yoga practiced at home can prove to be more relaxing because you are in control over your own moves unless of course you are following a routine put together on a video etc.
Exercises like the Hatha Yoga may be the best for you. For effects to take place this exercise has to be practiced consistently otherwise no results for body improvement? For the digestive system to respond accurately to your yoga actions then empty your bowels and clear your nose from mucus before practice takes place. Concentration is very important to adhere too when doing yoga; any distractions can upset the apple cart. When in practice at home there are no set times to when you start and finish. You may find first thing in the morning is perfect where no interruptions from salesman at the door
Set your self in the mood then choose which room in the house your yoga will take place and open a window for ventilation.
Peace and quiet are key features behind your WORKOUT WORKING OUT.
100% fit mind and body is what healthy living is all about. Yoga helps you claim what is rightfully yours. A content mind the natural way. http://www.want2yoga.com Move on with your life http://www.allaboutonlineeducation.com
Yoga and Meditation
Almost everyone has experienced the fact that when one starts concentrating his mind on any immediate object or an idea, the mind starts wandering. It is very difficult to keep the mind busy with a single thought. The ancient sages too encountered the same problems. Arjuna, in Gita had mentioned that controlling the mind is the impossible thing on the earth. Hence, he was advised by Krishna that though mind control is difficult, it can be made silent and steady by regular practice of vairagya and abhyasa. However, he has warned that yoga is very difficult for people whose minds are not steady and controlled. Pantanjali, in Yoga Sutra has emphasized these two qualities to achieve mind control. Hence these are the very qualities that make the essence of yoga.
Mind is like a disturbed pond with many impurities. First you need to stop the inflow of fresh impurities and then remove the existing impurities to clean the mind. Abhyasa is the one of the practices for purifying the mind. Dhyana is one of the sub practices of abhyasa. This is a stage that the person reaches after practicing concentration for some time. At the start of dhyana, the mind is steadier and only a single thought about the object arises in the mind. Now it is safe to say that the state of dhyana is reached. Here the mind becomes very stable like the flame of a lamp in the calm atmosphere and its contact with the object of experience becomes intense and complete.
There are two varieties of dhyana called sagunadhyana or nirgunadhyana. In the first dhyana, the stillness of mind is associated with an object of experience which can be experienced through the sense organs. The second one is completely mental. It implies complete absorption of mind into itself. Here mind is not associated with any external object. It becomes completely still in this state. This mind is supposed to remain still, silent and sensitive such that it can understand any past, present and future event that might have happened anywhere in the universe.
Kevin Pederson is the webmaster for Yogawiz that provides loads of information on basics of yoga,asanas and poses Dhyana that aim towards harmonizing your mind, body and soul.
Mind is like a disturbed pond with many impurities. First you need to stop the inflow of fresh impurities and then remove the existing impurities to clean the mind. Abhyasa is the one of the practices for purifying the mind. Dhyana is one of the sub practices of abhyasa. This is a stage that the person reaches after practicing concentration for some time. At the start of dhyana, the mind is steadier and only a single thought about the object arises in the mind. Now it is safe to say that the state of dhyana is reached. Here the mind becomes very stable like the flame of a lamp in the calm atmosphere and its contact with the object of experience becomes intense and complete.
There are two varieties of dhyana called sagunadhyana or nirgunadhyana. In the first dhyana, the stillness of mind is associated with an object of experience which can be experienced through the sense organs. The second one is completely mental. It implies complete absorption of mind into itself. Here mind is not associated with any external object. It becomes completely still in this state. This mind is supposed to remain still, silent and sensitive such that it can understand any past, present and future event that might have happened anywhere in the universe.
Kevin Pederson is the webmaster for Yogawiz that provides loads of information on basics of yoga,asanas and poses Dhyana that aim towards harmonizing your mind, body and soul.
February 23, 2009
What Makes Ashtanga Yoga Different?
Ashtanga Yoga is the type of yoga which was created and established by a master named K. Pattabhi Jois. Due to its theory containing eight different limbs, or components, it is also known as “Eight-Limb Yoga”. It doesn’t imply that the practitioner has a double set of limbs, but master Pattabhi Jois showed that the optimum path of purification is made up of the eight spiritual practices.
The basic idea is that these limbs only can be kept in balance by the appropriate application of the Ashtanga Yoga method.
The first four limbs that symbolize Ashtanga Yoga, and are considered externally correctable are (original names within double quotes):
- Moral codes or “yama”
- Self-purification or “niyama”
- Posture or “asana”
- Breath control or “pranayama”
Then there is the other set of limbs which are the internal practices:
- Sense control or “pratyahara”
- Meditation or “dhyana”
- Concentration or “dharana”
- Contemplation or “samadhi”
K. Pattabhi Jois declared that practicing these Eight Limbs as well as its sub-limbs of the external practices which contain the niyama and yama is impossible. In doing so, the body should be strong so that it can technically perform the methods well enough. If the body is weak, and the sense organs are not functioning well, practicing will never be productive at all.
This is a primary philosophy that K. Pattabhi Jois has applied, it is of prime importance for the Asthanga practitioner to learn and understand this way of thinking. This will make you confident in that the body will significantly improve and become stronger and healthier.
Vinsaya and Tristhana are performed in Ashtanga Yoga.
The Vinsaya is a style that makes Ashtanga and its fundamental principles different from the others. Vinsaya basically means the movement and breathing which is used effectively together in order to cleanse the body. Each movement done is accompanied by only one breath. Sweat is the most important product of Vinsaya. When you produce sweat, it only indicates that you are successfully applying the method. When you perform the Asanas, or postures, the body produces heat which causes your blood to “boil” and excrete the toxins outside of your body. The contaminations are found in your sweat. So the more sweat you produce, the more toxins are released. This is the natural way for the body to get rid of unwanted substances.
The poses are used to fully develop the physical strength and health of the body. It is the sequence of practices that make this possible. There are three postures used in Ashtaga Yoga.
The three are grouped on different levels:
- The first is the Primary Series which aims on aligning the body and also detoxifying it.
- The second is the Intermediate Series opening and cleansing the energy channels which comes to the process of purifying the Nervous System.
- The last series would be the Advanced Series from A to D. In this set, the grace and strength are assessed.
The Tristhana is another yoga principle which symbolizes the close union of the three places of action and attention. First is the posture, second is the breathing technique ad last is the Dristhi of the Looking Place. All these three should work altogether to perform a function.
The breathing is always controlled and synchronized with the movements, in such a way that each movement is accompanied by breath. Ujjayi Breathing is the Yoga Breathing Technique used in the implementation of Ashtanga Yoga. Applying this ancient technique is something that you should work on gradually in your daily practise. What you need to master is holding your pose longer at the same time hold your breath. This is an amazing breathing exercise that will intensify your internal fire and will toughen the Nervous System.
Both Ashtanga and Tristhana deal with the series of Dristhi. The Dristhi is defined as the point on which you acquire your focus or concentration while doing the Asana. This allows your mind to be purified and stabilized clearly.
Clearing your mind (that is sometimes compared to an over active monkey) and cleansing it is the ultimate goal in the Eight-Limb Yoga or Ashtanga Yoga.
Michael Hawkins writes books and articles about Yoga, fitness and health. A free Yoga Ecourse, that explores this exciting world of exercise and meditation, is available at his website http://www.yoga-central.net
The basic idea is that these limbs only can be kept in balance by the appropriate application of the Ashtanga Yoga method.
The first four limbs that symbolize Ashtanga Yoga, and are considered externally correctable are (original names within double quotes):
- Moral codes or “yama”
- Self-purification or “niyama”
- Posture or “asana”
- Breath control or “pranayama”
Then there is the other set of limbs which are the internal practices:
- Sense control or “pratyahara”
- Meditation or “dhyana”
- Concentration or “dharana”
- Contemplation or “samadhi”
K. Pattabhi Jois declared that practicing these Eight Limbs as well as its sub-limbs of the external practices which contain the niyama and yama is impossible. In doing so, the body should be strong so that it can technically perform the methods well enough. If the body is weak, and the sense organs are not functioning well, practicing will never be productive at all.
This is a primary philosophy that K. Pattabhi Jois has applied, it is of prime importance for the Asthanga practitioner to learn and understand this way of thinking. This will make you confident in that the body will significantly improve and become stronger and healthier.
Vinsaya and Tristhana are performed in Ashtanga Yoga.
The Vinsaya is a style that makes Ashtanga and its fundamental principles different from the others. Vinsaya basically means the movement and breathing which is used effectively together in order to cleanse the body. Each movement done is accompanied by only one breath. Sweat is the most important product of Vinsaya. When you produce sweat, it only indicates that you are successfully applying the method. When you perform the Asanas, or postures, the body produces heat which causes your blood to “boil” and excrete the toxins outside of your body. The contaminations are found in your sweat. So the more sweat you produce, the more toxins are released. This is the natural way for the body to get rid of unwanted substances.
The poses are used to fully develop the physical strength and health of the body. It is the sequence of practices that make this possible. There are three postures used in Ashtaga Yoga.
The three are grouped on different levels:
- The first is the Primary Series which aims on aligning the body and also detoxifying it.
- The second is the Intermediate Series opening and cleansing the energy channels which comes to the process of purifying the Nervous System.
- The last series would be the Advanced Series from A to D. In this set, the grace and strength are assessed.
The Tristhana is another yoga principle which symbolizes the close union of the three places of action and attention. First is the posture, second is the breathing technique ad last is the Dristhi of the Looking Place. All these three should work altogether to perform a function.
The breathing is always controlled and synchronized with the movements, in such a way that each movement is accompanied by breath. Ujjayi Breathing is the Yoga Breathing Technique used in the implementation of Ashtanga Yoga. Applying this ancient technique is something that you should work on gradually in your daily practise. What you need to master is holding your pose longer at the same time hold your breath. This is an amazing breathing exercise that will intensify your internal fire and will toughen the Nervous System.
Both Ashtanga and Tristhana deal with the series of Dristhi. The Dristhi is defined as the point on which you acquire your focus or concentration while doing the Asana. This allows your mind to be purified and stabilized clearly.
Clearing your mind (that is sometimes compared to an over active monkey) and cleansing it is the ultimate goal in the Eight-Limb Yoga or Ashtanga Yoga.
Michael Hawkins writes books and articles about Yoga, fitness and health. A free Yoga Ecourse, that explores this exciting world of exercise and meditation, is available at his website http://www.yoga-central.net
What Is Hatha Yoga?
‘Ha’ means sun and ‘tha’ means moon so in a simple language ‘hatha’ would mean the union of opposites. It can also be stated as a very forceful yoga. It deals mostly with the poses and basically more into the physical exercises in this type of yoga.
It is the best of exercising and stretching yourselves in the entire manner and provides you the best platform for making your life very beautiful and enhanced. It is the way for your spiritual realization and the important of making it an integral part of your life.
The whole meaning of this word is harmonizing your body or soul. The principle on which hatha yoga works is feeling, thinking, willing and acting. These all when come in perfect balance which makes it a perfect eternal bliss. It is a cleansing process and which helps in removing the blockages of your body and soul. It is a source of energy to remove the repetitive and constant negative energy. It purifies your mind and soul making it very important part of your cleansing.
It describes the Mudras and mental state of mind which results in the level of concentration. It also provides freedom from all the unnecessary worldly choices which would create the right impact on your body and would indirectly be positive for your soul too. This is also a state of withdrawal and the spontaneous state of meditation. Some of the several mudras in Hatha yoga are Vajroli Mudra, Sahajoli Mudra, Khechari Mudra, Shambhavi Mudra, Virpri Karani.
Kevin Pederson, the webmaster for Yogawiz ,and learning about the usefulness of yoga in office and knowing about the different types of yoga.
http://www.yogawiz.com
It is the best of exercising and stretching yourselves in the entire manner and provides you the best platform for making your life very beautiful and enhanced. It is the way for your spiritual realization and the important of making it an integral part of your life.
The whole meaning of this word is harmonizing your body or soul. The principle on which hatha yoga works is feeling, thinking, willing and acting. These all when come in perfect balance which makes it a perfect eternal bliss. It is a cleansing process and which helps in removing the blockages of your body and soul. It is a source of energy to remove the repetitive and constant negative energy. It purifies your mind and soul making it very important part of your cleansing.
It describes the Mudras and mental state of mind which results in the level of concentration. It also provides freedom from all the unnecessary worldly choices which would create the right impact on your body and would indirectly be positive for your soul too. This is also a state of withdrawal and the spontaneous state of meditation. Some of the several mudras in Hatha yoga are Vajroli Mudra, Sahajoli Mudra, Khechari Mudra, Shambhavi Mudra, Virpri Karani.
Kevin Pederson, the webmaster for Yogawiz ,and learning about the usefulness of yoga in office and knowing about the different types of yoga.
http://www.yogawiz.com
Yoga Kit - A Help For Better Yoga
There are different kinds of yoga kits which are very useful for people who are ardent yoga followers or for those who may follow it someday. These kits are segregated in different manner so as to choose as per your requirement. These kits give a helping hand to the yoga followers. As each kit would be significant to the relevant customer depending on what basic advantage that person would be getting it for. There are yoga kits for kids, beginners, basic kit, standard kit and many more. These are some of the very popular kits which help makes it a good companion for one and all.
For many of the yoga asanas you may not just be happy with what you have seen on the TV or some poses shown by your friend. This kit may give all the guidelines on how to start about with the yoga poses as well some videotapes or CDs which help you to do all the yoga poses correctly. There are ball kits which are used by people who have been doing yoga poses for a long time and would like to take to go to the next level. These are some of the best used kits which are offers some of the biggest and exercise equipment. Most of these kits include straps, yoga balls, and foam blocks, all of them help in attaining the proper pose and also the level of concentration will be helpful in creating more healthy body.
Some of the most common kits are
Basic Yoga Kit
Children?s Kit
Maternity Kit
Yoga Ball Kit
Traveler Kit
Toning Kit
Ultimate Yoga Kit
Yoga Starter Kit
Kevin Pederson is the webmaster for Yogawiz where you can find information on yoga basics, different yoga asanas, poses, yoga kits, and other accessories.
For many of the yoga asanas you may not just be happy with what you have seen on the TV or some poses shown by your friend. This kit may give all the guidelines on how to start about with the yoga poses as well some videotapes or CDs which help you to do all the yoga poses correctly. There are ball kits which are used by people who have been doing yoga poses for a long time and would like to take to go to the next level. These are some of the best used kits which are offers some of the biggest and exercise equipment. Most of these kits include straps, yoga balls, and foam blocks, all of them help in attaining the proper pose and also the level of concentration will be helpful in creating more healthy body.
Some of the most common kits are
Basic Yoga Kit
Children?s Kit
Maternity Kit
Yoga Ball Kit
Traveler Kit
Toning Kit
Ultimate Yoga Kit
Yoga Starter Kit
Kevin Pederson is the webmaster for Yogawiz where you can find information on yoga basics, different yoga asanas, poses, yoga kits, and other accessories.
Yoga for Great Tennis
You are on a tennis court and everything is looking good: your backhand is as strong as ever and your serve is impeccable. Point after point, you are winning the match. Inspired, you come back to the same court the next day and unfortunately, are faced with a different scenario: nothing works, every ball goes out and the more points you are losing, the more irritable you become. Sadly, this scenario is too familiar to most tennis players. If you are not a pro, you are likely to experience some degree of unsteadiness in your tennis game.
Yogic practices can tremendously help in making your tennis game steadier and stronger.
Meditating for just ten minutes a day can greatly improve your concentration during a stressful match and dristi (single-pointed gaze) would prevent your tennis instructor from screaming: ?Watch the ball!? For seventeenth time during a half-hour practice. Pranayama (breathing practices) increase the lung capacity, so you don?t run out of breath while your tennis partner is busy running you from one corner of the court to the other. Regular asana practice would make you more flexible, therefore increasing your reach on the court. Sun Salutations make the spine suppler, so if used as a pre-game stretch, they can greatly reduce the risk of injury.
While most yoga poses can be used as an aid for a tennis game enhancement, some poses are still better than others, as they target tennis-specific injuries and problem areas. These poses can be done both on and off the court and of course, if you?d like to see quick improvement, you should try to practice regularly.
Before starting your yoga practice, take a moment to center your breathing. Inhale and exhale deeply and fully through the nose (ujjayi breath.) Try to remember to go back to this type of breathing in between difficult points during your next match. You will notice the soothing and the centering effect of ujjayi when you are stressing out about a tie-break or about losing a game.
Inhale and lift your arms in prayer pose up to the sky. Exhale and fold forward, placing your palms on the floor, with fingertips in line with the toes. Then, straighten your legs, if you can. Inhale and look up. The spine is straight. Exhale and jump or step back into chaturanga, bending your elbows straight back. Look in front of you, not down. The elbows have to be very close the body, don?t let your tailbone stick out in the air. Keep the space between the shoulder blades broad. Hold the pose for five breaths. This pose strengthens the arms and the wrists, so you?d never have to use one of these annoying wrist machines again, because practicing chaturanga should eventually give you a better control of the racquet.
Inhale and move forward, lifting to upward-facing dog.
Your thighs should be a few inches off the floor. Gaze at the tip of your nose. Make sure that the inner elbow creases face forward, thus opening the shoulders. Hold for five breaths.
Up-dog is great for tennis elbow treatment and prevention. Because the pose opens up the shoulders, there is less pressure on the elbow joint. The pose also strengthens the spine, the arms and the wrists. It can improve your serve.
Exhale and make your way into a downward ?facing dog, pushing back, straightening the legs and trying to place the soles of the feet on the floor. Gaze at your navel. Spread your fingers wide and make sure the inner elbow creases are still rotated forward, while the middle fingers are parallel and pointed straight forward. This way you are preventing the tennis elbow through stretching the shoulder joint. Activate your quadriceps and hold the pose for five breaths.
Downward facing dog is one of the best pre-game stretches. It stretches the spine, the sides of the torso, the shoulders, the arms, the neck and the backs of the legs. If you practice downward-facing dog regularly, you should have a better reach on the court and you may feel lighter while running to the net. Your ground strokes can improve tremendously from all of this stretching. If you love this pose, you are unlikely to develop post-game cramping of the legs, because of the regular hamstring stretch. The serve should become very powerful from the shoulder opening.
From a standing pose, inhale and lift your right knee into the chest. Exhale and open your right knee to the right, placing the right sole of the foot into the inner side of the left thigh. Imagine energy, lifting through your left leg. Lift your pelvic floor in and up. Keep your torso straight and on the inhalation, lift your arms in prayer up above your head, with forearms being behind the ears to tree pose, vrksasana.
Keep your gaze steady at an unmoving point in front of you. Hold for ten breaths and repeat on the other side.
Tree pose is excellent for balance and coordination, necessary for tennis. It also strengthens the back and the torso muscles for a great serve and works on the leg muscles for ground strokes and volleys.
Yoga practice can make your tennis game steadier, through improving your strokes and helping your injuries. Most importantly, yoga can steady your mind, so you are able to get ?into the zone,? necessary for winning.
Anastasia Dorohova of Steady Bliss Yoga, is a certified yoga teacher, registered with the Yoga Alliance. Being a very experienced tennis player, she developed Yoga for Great Tennis program and is teaching ?yoga for tennis? workshops at various clubs and tennis camps. Anastasia produced and starred in two DVDS: Yoga for Great Tennis and Yoga for Tennis Elbow and Bad Knees. To purchase the DVDs and for workshop information, log onto http://www.steadybliss.com
Yogic practices can tremendously help in making your tennis game steadier and stronger.
Meditating for just ten minutes a day can greatly improve your concentration during a stressful match and dristi (single-pointed gaze) would prevent your tennis instructor from screaming: ?Watch the ball!? For seventeenth time during a half-hour practice. Pranayama (breathing practices) increase the lung capacity, so you don?t run out of breath while your tennis partner is busy running you from one corner of the court to the other. Regular asana practice would make you more flexible, therefore increasing your reach on the court. Sun Salutations make the spine suppler, so if used as a pre-game stretch, they can greatly reduce the risk of injury.
While most yoga poses can be used as an aid for a tennis game enhancement, some poses are still better than others, as they target tennis-specific injuries and problem areas. These poses can be done both on and off the court and of course, if you?d like to see quick improvement, you should try to practice regularly.
Before starting your yoga practice, take a moment to center your breathing. Inhale and exhale deeply and fully through the nose (ujjayi breath.) Try to remember to go back to this type of breathing in between difficult points during your next match. You will notice the soothing and the centering effect of ujjayi when you are stressing out about a tie-break or about losing a game.
Inhale and lift your arms in prayer pose up to the sky. Exhale and fold forward, placing your palms on the floor, with fingertips in line with the toes. Then, straighten your legs, if you can. Inhale and look up. The spine is straight. Exhale and jump or step back into chaturanga, bending your elbows straight back. Look in front of you, not down. The elbows have to be very close the body, don?t let your tailbone stick out in the air. Keep the space between the shoulder blades broad. Hold the pose for five breaths. This pose strengthens the arms and the wrists, so you?d never have to use one of these annoying wrist machines again, because practicing chaturanga should eventually give you a better control of the racquet.
Inhale and move forward, lifting to upward-facing dog.
Your thighs should be a few inches off the floor. Gaze at the tip of your nose. Make sure that the inner elbow creases face forward, thus opening the shoulders. Hold for five breaths.
Up-dog is great for tennis elbow treatment and prevention. Because the pose opens up the shoulders, there is less pressure on the elbow joint. The pose also strengthens the spine, the arms and the wrists. It can improve your serve.
Exhale and make your way into a downward ?facing dog, pushing back, straightening the legs and trying to place the soles of the feet on the floor. Gaze at your navel. Spread your fingers wide and make sure the inner elbow creases are still rotated forward, while the middle fingers are parallel and pointed straight forward. This way you are preventing the tennis elbow through stretching the shoulder joint. Activate your quadriceps and hold the pose for five breaths.
Downward facing dog is one of the best pre-game stretches. It stretches the spine, the sides of the torso, the shoulders, the arms, the neck and the backs of the legs. If you practice downward-facing dog regularly, you should have a better reach on the court and you may feel lighter while running to the net. Your ground strokes can improve tremendously from all of this stretching. If you love this pose, you are unlikely to develop post-game cramping of the legs, because of the regular hamstring stretch. The serve should become very powerful from the shoulder opening.
From a standing pose, inhale and lift your right knee into the chest. Exhale and open your right knee to the right, placing the right sole of the foot into the inner side of the left thigh. Imagine energy, lifting through your left leg. Lift your pelvic floor in and up. Keep your torso straight and on the inhalation, lift your arms in prayer up above your head, with forearms being behind the ears to tree pose, vrksasana.
Keep your gaze steady at an unmoving point in front of you. Hold for ten breaths and repeat on the other side.
Tree pose is excellent for balance and coordination, necessary for tennis. It also strengthens the back and the torso muscles for a great serve and works on the leg muscles for ground strokes and volleys.
Yoga practice can make your tennis game steadier, through improving your strokes and helping your injuries. Most importantly, yoga can steady your mind, so you are able to get ?into the zone,? necessary for winning.
Anastasia Dorohova of Steady Bliss Yoga, is a certified yoga teacher, registered with the Yoga Alliance. Being a very experienced tennis player, she developed Yoga for Great Tennis program and is teaching ?yoga for tennis? workshops at various clubs and tennis camps. Anastasia produced and starred in two DVDS: Yoga for Great Tennis and Yoga for Tennis Elbow and Bad Knees. To purchase the DVDs and for workshop information, log onto http://www.steadybliss.com
February 22, 2009
Yoga Versus Pilates - Which Should I Do?
Many have heard of yoga and Pilates. But, not everyone realizes that there are several differences between these two types of exercising regimens. In fact, yoga is hardly classified as just an exercise program. Each of these methods are quite powerful tools to allow you to feel and look better. But, they are also very different. In order to help you to make a choice between yoga and Pilates, let?s explain them a little further.
Yoga - It came way earlier
Yoga has been around for over 5000 years. It is something much more than just a way of exercising. In fact, it is a lifestyle change that many people need to take seriously. This type of program is centered on the spiritual healing of the body as well as the physical aspects. It uses a wide combination of breathing and movements to get the body back into its targeted range. Yoga is something that encompasses the entire lifestyle in ethical, spiritual and physical form.
It is important to note that yoga is centered on meditation and that the poses that are done are done to allow for better concentration and better meditation abilities.
Pilates - It’s a whole different animal
Pilates, on the other hand, is a physical healing process that uses movements and breathing to work. In Pilates, the body is taken from one movement to the next in a fluid change. This allows for continuous improvement in the body in a normal way. Pilates uses Contrology in its dance form. In this, the poses that are done are more fluid and provide for a more natural movement from one to the next.
Both of these types of programs allow for individuals to improve in their health and well being through breathing techniques. Controlled, regulated breathing is very important to the success of yoga or Pilates.
Which Should I Choose?
In order to know which of these you should choose, the best way to know which the better choice is for you is to actually give them a try. Sign up for a couple of classes and give them a try each. Which methods and processes do you feel more comfortable with? Which works the best for your lifestyle? The choice between yoga and Pilates is something that you need to make on your own.
Mike Singh is a successful webmaster and publisher of http://www.yoga-made-ez.com He provides more yoga health benefits and yoga sequences for your convenience.
Yoga - It came way earlier
Yoga has been around for over 5000 years. It is something much more than just a way of exercising. In fact, it is a lifestyle change that many people need to take seriously. This type of program is centered on the spiritual healing of the body as well as the physical aspects. It uses a wide combination of breathing and movements to get the body back into its targeted range. Yoga is something that encompasses the entire lifestyle in ethical, spiritual and physical form.
It is important to note that yoga is centered on meditation and that the poses that are done are done to allow for better concentration and better meditation abilities.
Pilates - It’s a whole different animal
Pilates, on the other hand, is a physical healing process that uses movements and breathing to work. In Pilates, the body is taken from one movement to the next in a fluid change. This allows for continuous improvement in the body in a normal way. Pilates uses Contrology in its dance form. In this, the poses that are done are more fluid and provide for a more natural movement from one to the next.
Both of these types of programs allow for individuals to improve in their health and well being through breathing techniques. Controlled, regulated breathing is very important to the success of yoga or Pilates.
Which Should I Choose?
In order to know which of these you should choose, the best way to know which the better choice is for you is to actually give them a try. Sign up for a couple of classes and give them a try each. Which methods and processes do you feel more comfortable with? Which works the best for your lifestyle? The choice between yoga and Pilates is something that you need to make on your own.
Mike Singh is a successful webmaster and publisher of http://www.yoga-made-ez.com He provides more yoga health benefits and yoga sequences for your convenience.
What is Patanjali’s Ashtanga Yoga?- Part(I)
The Sanskrit word ‘Yoga’ has two meaning, because it is derived from two roots - one is ‘yujir yoge’ and other is ‘yuj samadhou’. The root ‘yujir yoge’ means to join or to unite. Religious leaders accept this meaning because their philosophy is based on dualism. They always try to project an external God and become Gog’s representitives. By this they rule over their followers.
However the other root ‘yuj samadhou’ means to concentrate. Patanjali tried to preach that Yoga where mind is concentrated in order to realise the true self(svarup). Mind is concentrated when thoughts arising in mind is controlled through yogic practice. Total concentration(samadhi) is that state where mind is free from all worldly thoughts and a seer rests in his true self.
Patanjali’s Yoga is called ‘Ashtanga Yoga’ for it is divided into eight parts or limbs. These are - Yama(abstention), Niyama(discipline), Asana(posture), Pranayama(breath control), Pratyahar(withdrawal), Dharana(to hold), Dhyana(meditation) and Samadhi(concentration)(II.29). Yama and Niyama are the external limbs which are to be observed in social life, while others are the internal limbs which are to be practiced in order to concentrate mind.
YAMA(abstention)
There are five kinds of Yama; these are - Ahimsa(nonviolence), Satya(truth), Asteya(not to steal), Brahmancharya(to think about Brahman) and Aparigraha(not to accept)(II.30).
Ahimsa - A Yogi should give up violence and cruelty against men and animals. When one gives up violence completely in thought as well as in action and remains firm in nonviolence, animosity disappears(II.35). Then one realises the unity of all.
Satya - While leading social life, one should be truthful. He who follows truthfulness none of his actions goes in vain(II.36).
Asteya - We should not steal or plunder other’s wealth. Then we learn how to lead a modest life within our income or we learn how to increase our income. For this by remaining firm on Asteya, a Yogi receives all kinds of wealth(II.37).
Brahmancharya - A Yogi who has given up violence, is truthful always and depends upon his own wealth feels greatness. He thinks about his true self or soul(atman) and its great potential. The Upanishads describe this Atman as Brahman, the ultimate reality and truth. The task of a Yogi is to bear this highest knowledge in mind and proceed further in the practice of Yoga. By bearing knowledge of Brahman firmly one achieves vigour(II.38). This vigour makes his body and mind powerful. Brahmanchrya is not abstention from sex as believed by most people. The great saints of ancient India were married and at the same time practiced Yoga and realised the ultimate truth.
Aparigraha - Aparigraha is not to accept donations, alms or bribe. When one observes Aparigraha one comes to know how to lead life in this birth(II.39). When one does not depend upon others for a livelihood, one learns how to work and earn. Those who depend upon the earnings of others fail to realise their own potential or the potential of true self.
NIYAMA(discipline)
Niyama includes - Shaucha(ablution), Shantosh(contentment), Tapa(to heat), Svadhyay(self-study) and Ishvara Pranidhan(to bear God)(II.32).
Shaucha - It is to keep the body clean. By practicing Shaucha, body is protected and is made free from foreign matter(II.40). We should take bath regularly so that foreign matter sticking to the body are washed away. Also we should keep our environment clean so that practice of Yoga becomes fruitful.
Santosh - It is to remain content and happy. A content man achieves best happiness(II.42).
Tapa - The meaning of Tapa is to heat or to rule. By practicing Tapa, impurities in the body are destroyed and the body and senses are brought under control(II.43). Yogic exercises help remove impurities deposited in various parts of the body. While Shaucha is external purification, Tapa is internal purification. Heat generated during yogic exercise causes sweating and impurities are removed through sweating. By this body becomes fresh, active, powerful, beautiful and diseasefree. One rules over such a body and its senses and proceeds further in realising true self.
Different Yoga Masters teach different yogic exercises(yogasana). My late Master Munishvar Shiv kumar Shastri has developed an unique exercise called Chakrabhedan(circle interception) which is very useful for keeping body and mind under control. This may be practised by people of all ages.
Svadhyay - It is the reading of the self. One is nothing but a mind. So one should read his mind carefully. Through self-study one may understand one’s own self. So how one may meet one’s beloved God through self-study. This is because God is not different from one’s true self.
Ishvara Pranidhan - In order to meet one’s beloved God one should make oneself worthy of it. One should bear God or Godliness qualities in oneself. This is Ishvara Pranidhan. Through Ishvara Pranidhan one achieves Samadhi(II.45). Samadhi is the state of total concentration of mind on true self. Through Ishvara Pranidhan one achieves Samadhi, means one attains total concentration of mind on true self and meets one’s beloved God.
Other limbs of Yoga shall be described in the next article.
Author is a desciple of Late Munishvar Shiv kumar Shastri who established Muni Samaj. The desire of Author is to spread true spiritualism and yoga worldwide. He has published a book ‘Quest for truth: the spiritual and yogic way’ recently.
Premansu_chand@rediffmail.com
http://www.bookstobelievein.com/questfortruth.php
However the other root ‘yuj samadhou’ means to concentrate. Patanjali tried to preach that Yoga where mind is concentrated in order to realise the true self(svarup). Mind is concentrated when thoughts arising in mind is controlled through yogic practice. Total concentration(samadhi) is that state where mind is free from all worldly thoughts and a seer rests in his true self.
Patanjali’s Yoga is called ‘Ashtanga Yoga’ for it is divided into eight parts or limbs. These are - Yama(abstention), Niyama(discipline), Asana(posture), Pranayama(breath control), Pratyahar(withdrawal), Dharana(to hold), Dhyana(meditation) and Samadhi(concentration)(II.29). Yama and Niyama are the external limbs which are to be observed in social life, while others are the internal limbs which are to be practiced in order to concentrate mind.
YAMA(abstention)
There are five kinds of Yama; these are - Ahimsa(nonviolence), Satya(truth), Asteya(not to steal), Brahmancharya(to think about Brahman) and Aparigraha(not to accept)(II.30).
Ahimsa - A Yogi should give up violence and cruelty against men and animals. When one gives up violence completely in thought as well as in action and remains firm in nonviolence, animosity disappears(II.35). Then one realises the unity of all.
Satya - While leading social life, one should be truthful. He who follows truthfulness none of his actions goes in vain(II.36).
Asteya - We should not steal or plunder other’s wealth. Then we learn how to lead a modest life within our income or we learn how to increase our income. For this by remaining firm on Asteya, a Yogi receives all kinds of wealth(II.37).
Brahmancharya - A Yogi who has given up violence, is truthful always and depends upon his own wealth feels greatness. He thinks about his true self or soul(atman) and its great potential. The Upanishads describe this Atman as Brahman, the ultimate reality and truth. The task of a Yogi is to bear this highest knowledge in mind and proceed further in the practice of Yoga. By bearing knowledge of Brahman firmly one achieves vigour(II.38). This vigour makes his body and mind powerful. Brahmanchrya is not abstention from sex as believed by most people. The great saints of ancient India were married and at the same time practiced Yoga and realised the ultimate truth.
Aparigraha - Aparigraha is not to accept donations, alms or bribe. When one observes Aparigraha one comes to know how to lead life in this birth(II.39). When one does not depend upon others for a livelihood, one learns how to work and earn. Those who depend upon the earnings of others fail to realise their own potential or the potential of true self.
NIYAMA(discipline)
Niyama includes - Shaucha(ablution), Shantosh(contentment), Tapa(to heat), Svadhyay(self-study) and Ishvara Pranidhan(to bear God)(II.32).
Shaucha - It is to keep the body clean. By practicing Shaucha, body is protected and is made free from foreign matter(II.40). We should take bath regularly so that foreign matter sticking to the body are washed away. Also we should keep our environment clean so that practice of Yoga becomes fruitful.
Santosh - It is to remain content and happy. A content man achieves best happiness(II.42).
Tapa - The meaning of Tapa is to heat or to rule. By practicing Tapa, impurities in the body are destroyed and the body and senses are brought under control(II.43). Yogic exercises help remove impurities deposited in various parts of the body. While Shaucha is external purification, Tapa is internal purification. Heat generated during yogic exercise causes sweating and impurities are removed through sweating. By this body becomes fresh, active, powerful, beautiful and diseasefree. One rules over such a body and its senses and proceeds further in realising true self.
Different Yoga Masters teach different yogic exercises(yogasana). My late Master Munishvar Shiv kumar Shastri has developed an unique exercise called Chakrabhedan(circle interception) which is very useful for keeping body and mind under control. This may be practised by people of all ages.
Svadhyay - It is the reading of the self. One is nothing but a mind. So one should read his mind carefully. Through self-study one may understand one’s own self. So how one may meet one’s beloved God through self-study. This is because God is not different from one’s true self.
Ishvara Pranidhan - In order to meet one’s beloved God one should make oneself worthy of it. One should bear God or Godliness qualities in oneself. This is Ishvara Pranidhan. Through Ishvara Pranidhan one achieves Samadhi(II.45). Samadhi is the state of total concentration of mind on true self. Through Ishvara Pranidhan one achieves Samadhi, means one attains total concentration of mind on true self and meets one’s beloved God.
Other limbs of Yoga shall be described in the next article.
Author is a desciple of Late Munishvar Shiv kumar Shastri who established Muni Samaj. The desire of Author is to spread true spiritualism and yoga worldwide. He has published a book ‘Quest for truth: the spiritual and yogic way’ recently.
Premansu_chand@rediffmail.com
http://www.bookstobelievein.com/questfortruth.php
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