Breathing is one of our basic non-voluntary bodily functions, and is our connection to life itself and we also have control over it, so if we learn to breathe correctly we can actually maximize our health and energy levels.
The correct breathing exercise can be done by anyone you don?t need to know anything about yoga and it is a quick an easy way to look and feel better instantly.
Lets look at correct breathing and its benefits.
As we have control over it, in yoga philosophy it is believed that if we can breathe correctly we can energize our bodies and our lives. This fundamental believe in correct breathing is seen as the basic cornerstone of yoga and other forms of exercise such as Ti Chi ? They all base their exercise regime upon correct breathing.
Below we will look at how to use the basic Yoga principle of Pranayama?Control of the Breath to reenergize your whole body.
Breathing correctly why it?s so important
In many languages to breath has the same basic root as the word soul, spirit, and essence. The ancient Yoga Masters believed that if you can control your breathing, i.e. breath correctly you can enhance your life.
In Yoga the Yogis call the life energy Prana, and the Buddhists, Chi, but whatever you wish to call it, it is the energy that surrounds all life, all of creation and in the yoga philosophy we need it to derive the maximum from our lives
In Yoga it is believed that the breath holds more than just air, but also the energy of life. Therefore, by breathing correctly we not only take in a necessary dose of oxygen, but we also receive life energy at the same time, that acts as an energy boost to the whole body.
Breathing correctly to energize your body
The 20th century Yoga Master, Paramhamsa Yogananda taught through his organization, the Self-Realization Fellowship, a series of re-energizing exercises that focused on correct breathing that if performed each day, were believed to keep you fit, active, alert and energetic.
Correct breathing is one of the basic building blocks upon which all yoga exercises are based upon.
In yoga it is stressed that when you were feeling tired, or need some energy and general body re-charging, a correct breathing exercise can instantly give you a boost of energy.
Breathing correctly
Stand upright, with your arms straight out to your sides at shoulder level.
Exhale with the double breath, with your knees bent slightly and then bring your arms (still extended) to the front until your palms touch.
Then with a double inhalation this time, bring your arms back out, straightening your legs as you do so - and then tense the entire body upwards in a wave fashion.
Now, relax the body downwards in a wave in reverse order with another double exhalation. Repeat this exercise 5 times. To help you understand this, and to do it correctly, double breathing must be a short and long inhalation through the nose and a short and long exhalation through the nose and mouth.
The double breath will allow you to inhale and exhale more deeply and to provide oxygen to the blood, and at the same time take in a dose of life energy.
To practice the double breath, you should begin by inhaling strongly through the nose immediately with a short, defined inhalation followed directly by a long, profound inhalation - completely filling the lungs.
When doing so visualize the energy going into every cell of your body and filling you with energy.
Without pausing, exhale twice through the nose and mouth with a short, then a prolonged exhalation - making the sound: “Huf, Huffffffff.”
Try to visualize as you are breathing correctly, the life energy flowing into your body with every breath reenergizing your soul.
The positive benefits of correct breathing
If you practice only this exercise daily, you will gain positive benefits that will help you look and feel better.
Not only will you feel fresh and alert, you will also have exhaled by breathing correctly, many toxins and negative particles produced through our respiration process.
You will as a consequence look and feel healthier, you will be alert, and gradually you will come to sense the life energy that breathing correctly can give you.
This is a simple exercise that can be done by anyone even if you don?t want to practice yoga itself, correct breathing will give you health benefits with very little effort.
For more health tips articles and free magazines
For more information on yoga, breathing correctly and other simple methods to make you look and feel better visit
http://www.net-planet.org/health
February 23, 2009
Yoga in Practice: The Impact of Yoga Teachers on Society - Part 1
In the West, there was a time when practicing Yoga was kept secret. When I was a child, it was considered, ?a bit strange.? During the 50?s and 60?s, Yoga practice was associated with being part of counter culture movements, such as living the life of ?beatniks? or ?hippies.? Interestingly, I was told by a school teacher that I would some day grow up to be a beatnik.
Well, time has passed and Yoga has ?come out of the closet? in a giant wave. Yes, Yoga has gone ?Global.? The world society, as a whole, has been affected positively by Yoga classes and Yoga teachers.
Let?s look at some of the ways Yoga teachers, Yoga classes, and the many styles of Yoga have gently changed the world today. There is much more to Yoga than ?meets the eye,? at first glance. In fact, there is a Yoga style for every need, purpose, and personality.
When you consider the number of Yoga students, who want to change their lives on the physical level, union by physical mastery (Hatha Yoga) is easy for most students to grasp.
This is why you are seeing so many people gravitate toward Hatha Yoga, but I predict that Bhakti Yoga, Jnana Yoga, Karma Yoga, and Raja Yoga will become more popular in the near future. So, there is much more to Yoga, beyond exercises; but let?s continue with the benefits Yoga teachers make available in a typical Hatha Yoga style
Pranayama, or breathing techniques, are commonly taught in many Yoga classes. Yoga students learn to take control of their lives and regulate their health, just by breathing correctly. This is a form of preventative medicine, when you consider proper breathing as a practical deterrent to panic attacks, high blood pressure, chest pains, and many more stress-related ailments.
Yoga and Ayurvedic medicine address dietary needs based upon your ?dosha? or constitution. If a Yoga student wants to pursue this subject further, he or she can take a dosha test and develop a sensible, practical, and moderate Ayurvedic diet.
Kriyas or Shatkarmas are traditional Yogic cleansing techniques for detoxifying the body. Detoxification is needed more than ever - with so many unnatural foods available. At the very least, students of Yoga should be consuming eight glasses of quality water per day.
? Copyright 2006 ? Paul Jerard / Aura Publications
Paul Jerard is a co-owner and the director of Yoga teacher training at: Aura Wellness Center, in North Providence, RI. He has been a certified Master Yoga teacher since 1995. He is a master instructor of martial arts, with multiple Black Belts, four martial arts teaching credentials, and was recently inducted into the USA Martial Arts Hall of Fame. He teaches Yoga, martial arts, and fitness to children, adults, and seniors in the greater Providence area. Recently he wrote: Is Running a Yoga Business Right for You? For Yoga students, who may be considering a new career as a Yoga teacher. http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org/index.html
Well, time has passed and Yoga has ?come out of the closet? in a giant wave. Yes, Yoga has gone ?Global.? The world society, as a whole, has been affected positively by Yoga classes and Yoga teachers.
Let?s look at some of the ways Yoga teachers, Yoga classes, and the many styles of Yoga have gently changed the world today. There is much more to Yoga than ?meets the eye,? at first glance. In fact, there is a Yoga style for every need, purpose, and personality.
When you consider the number of Yoga students, who want to change their lives on the physical level, union by physical mastery (Hatha Yoga) is easy for most students to grasp.
This is why you are seeing so many people gravitate toward Hatha Yoga, but I predict that Bhakti Yoga, Jnana Yoga, Karma Yoga, and Raja Yoga will become more popular in the near future. So, there is much more to Yoga, beyond exercises; but let?s continue with the benefits Yoga teachers make available in a typical Hatha Yoga style
Pranayama, or breathing techniques, are commonly taught in many Yoga classes. Yoga students learn to take control of their lives and regulate their health, just by breathing correctly. This is a form of preventative medicine, when you consider proper breathing as a practical deterrent to panic attacks, high blood pressure, chest pains, and many more stress-related ailments.
Yoga and Ayurvedic medicine address dietary needs based upon your ?dosha? or constitution. If a Yoga student wants to pursue this subject further, he or she can take a dosha test and develop a sensible, practical, and moderate Ayurvedic diet.
Kriyas or Shatkarmas are traditional Yogic cleansing techniques for detoxifying the body. Detoxification is needed more than ever - with so many unnatural foods available. At the very least, students of Yoga should be consuming eight glasses of quality water per day.
? Copyright 2006 ? Paul Jerard / Aura Publications
Paul Jerard is a co-owner and the director of Yoga teacher training at: Aura Wellness Center, in North Providence, RI. He has been a certified Master Yoga teacher since 1995. He is a master instructor of martial arts, with multiple Black Belts, four martial arts teaching credentials, and was recently inducted into the USA Martial Arts Hall of Fame. He teaches Yoga, martial arts, and fitness to children, adults, and seniors in the greater Providence area. Recently he wrote: Is Running a Yoga Business Right for You? For Yoga students, who may be considering a new career as a Yoga teacher. http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org/index.html
What is Patanjali’s Ashtanga Yoga? (Part-II)
Patanjali’s Ashtanga Yoga has eight limbs(parts). In my earlier article, Yama and Niyama have been described briefly. Yama and Niyama are external limbs of Yoga; these are to be practised while leading social life. The rest six limbs - Asana, Pranayama, Pratyahar, Dharana, Dhyana and Samadhi are internal limbs of Yoga. While practicing these six limbs one concentrates one’s mind on true self and realises the divine truth. In this article Asana and Pranayama have been described.
Asana(posture)
Asana is a posture of the body by which the body rests on a plane surface. For different actions man chooses different postures. For Yoga one should choose a comfortable posture by which one may concentrate mind on true self. For choosing a posture Patanjali describes - posture should be motionless and comfortable(II.46). So in Yogasana one rests one’s body in a comfortable and static posture so that all other succeeding limbs are practiced easily and one reaches upto the last limb i.e. Samadhi.
Different Schools of Yoga teach different Yogic exercises in the name of Yogasana. These Yogasana should be included in Tapa, a type of Niyama. In Tapa a practitioner imparts warmness or heat to the body through the practice of Yogic exercises and thereby the body becomes strong and diseaseless. Tapa and its exercises is external limb of Yoga; however the third limb of Yoga i.e. Asana is internal limb. Through Yogasana which involves exercise of the body, one cannot be motionless or feel comfortable. So in these postures one cannot enter into Samadhi. In true Asana rests one’s body comfortably and rises up above the gross mind, body and senses and realises the true self.
So for a motionless and comfortable Asana one should lie on a plane surface on one’s back with hands and legs streched. This is called Sukhasana. In this posture all the six internal limbs of Yoga may be practiced well. A human being may be partitioned into four - body, Prana(breath), mind, and bliss(soul). If any one of these is brought under control, others will come under control automatically. In Asana, body is kept motionless and as a result Prana(breath) and mind are brought under control. When everything is brought under control and becomes motionless, one feels the bliss of soul or true self.
Pranayama(breath control)
For common understanding Prana(life) is breath or breathing air. But in reality it is more than the air we breathe. It is the life force that moves out and moves in and these movements are expressed through the exhalation and inhalation of air. When this life force goes outside it mingles with the universal life force of all living beings and when it moves in, it touches every living cell in the body. The body functions because of this life force. The energy of this life force is unending. Through our numerous births this Prana works from birth till death. Body does not depend upon food solely, but it depends upon Prana solely. There are people who do not take food for months and years; but still they are able to work and live.
In reality body, Prana and mind are one. When any one of these three becomes motionless, the other two become motionless. In Sukhasana when the body is kept motionless for half an hour, Prana and mind become motionless. When Prana is motionless there is no inhalation or exhalation or breathing takes place in a very subtle manner. This is Pranayama. Patanjali teaches - after one rests in Asana, there is cut off in the movements of inhalation and exhalation and this cut off is Pranayama(II.49). This can be scientifically explained also. When the body is in motion, the rate of metabolism in the body is higher and so one breathes in quick succession. Conversely whe one is in rest the rate of metabolism is less and one breathes after a long pause. Again, when mind is restless, one breathes quickly and when mind is calm, one breathes normally.
Different Schools of Yoga, which teach to control breathing forcibly, only follow unscientific and impure Pranayama. By forcibly withhelding breath, one keeps carbon dioxide inside for a longer period and this may be fatal to the body cells. In pure and true Pranayama one has to do nothing. One should lie in Sukhasana and keep mind on the movement of breath across the nostrills. In this way body, mind and Prana become motionless naturally and become one. In Pranayama one concentrates mind and gives rest to this overworked Prana.
Author is a desciple of Late Munishvar Shiv kumar Shastri and practices Yoga as taught by him. His aim is to spread true spiritualism and yoga. Those who want to read more about spiritualism based on the Upanishads and Yoga based on Patanjali’s Yogasutra should go through his book ‘Quest for Truth: the spiritual and yogic way’.
http://www.bookstobelievein.com/questfortruth.php
premansu_chand@rediffmail.com
Asana(posture)
Asana is a posture of the body by which the body rests on a plane surface. For different actions man chooses different postures. For Yoga one should choose a comfortable posture by which one may concentrate mind on true self. For choosing a posture Patanjali describes - posture should be motionless and comfortable(II.46). So in Yogasana one rests one’s body in a comfortable and static posture so that all other succeeding limbs are practiced easily and one reaches upto the last limb i.e. Samadhi.
Different Schools of Yoga teach different Yogic exercises in the name of Yogasana. These Yogasana should be included in Tapa, a type of Niyama. In Tapa a practitioner imparts warmness or heat to the body through the practice of Yogic exercises and thereby the body becomes strong and diseaseless. Tapa and its exercises is external limb of Yoga; however the third limb of Yoga i.e. Asana is internal limb. Through Yogasana which involves exercise of the body, one cannot be motionless or feel comfortable. So in these postures one cannot enter into Samadhi. In true Asana rests one’s body comfortably and rises up above the gross mind, body and senses and realises the true self.
So for a motionless and comfortable Asana one should lie on a plane surface on one’s back with hands and legs streched. This is called Sukhasana. In this posture all the six internal limbs of Yoga may be practiced well. A human being may be partitioned into four - body, Prana(breath), mind, and bliss(soul). If any one of these is brought under control, others will come under control automatically. In Asana, body is kept motionless and as a result Prana(breath) and mind are brought under control. When everything is brought under control and becomes motionless, one feels the bliss of soul or true self.
Pranayama(breath control)
For common understanding Prana(life) is breath or breathing air. But in reality it is more than the air we breathe. It is the life force that moves out and moves in and these movements are expressed through the exhalation and inhalation of air. When this life force goes outside it mingles with the universal life force of all living beings and when it moves in, it touches every living cell in the body. The body functions because of this life force. The energy of this life force is unending. Through our numerous births this Prana works from birth till death. Body does not depend upon food solely, but it depends upon Prana solely. There are people who do not take food for months and years; but still they are able to work and live.
In reality body, Prana and mind are one. When any one of these three becomes motionless, the other two become motionless. In Sukhasana when the body is kept motionless for half an hour, Prana and mind become motionless. When Prana is motionless there is no inhalation or exhalation or breathing takes place in a very subtle manner. This is Pranayama. Patanjali teaches - after one rests in Asana, there is cut off in the movements of inhalation and exhalation and this cut off is Pranayama(II.49). This can be scientifically explained also. When the body is in motion, the rate of metabolism in the body is higher and so one breathes in quick succession. Conversely whe one is in rest the rate of metabolism is less and one breathes after a long pause. Again, when mind is restless, one breathes quickly and when mind is calm, one breathes normally.
Different Schools of Yoga, which teach to control breathing forcibly, only follow unscientific and impure Pranayama. By forcibly withhelding breath, one keeps carbon dioxide inside for a longer period and this may be fatal to the body cells. In pure and true Pranayama one has to do nothing. One should lie in Sukhasana and keep mind on the movement of breath across the nostrills. In this way body, mind and Prana become motionless naturally and become one. In Pranayama one concentrates mind and gives rest to this overworked Prana.
Author is a desciple of Late Munishvar Shiv kumar Shastri and practices Yoga as taught by him. His aim is to spread true spiritualism and yoga. Those who want to read more about spiritualism based on the Upanishads and Yoga based on Patanjali’s Yogasutra should go through his book ‘Quest for Truth: the spiritual and yogic way’.
http://www.bookstobelievein.com/questfortruth.php
premansu_chand@rediffmail.com
Yoga Videos - Guidance And Counseling Towards Better Living
In this rush hour and hectic life every one is looking for peace and tranquility which becomes harder day by day. Many of us do not know the correct way to find relaxation which can be one of the very strenuous tasks to look for. Knowing yoga is very important and getting to learn from a proper yoga instructor is also very important.
Everyone may not have the time or money to invest in yoga classes which happens on an everyday basis. They can buy a yoga video or DVDs to suit their needs which can be very useful for them. These videos are very beneficial for all kind of people. It can be used by an amateur to anyone.
Different video for different people depending upon their needs and wants can be used. There are different types of yoga videos which can be used for all the different purposes such as in office, while traveling, during pregnancy, stress relief, relaxation techniques, for different cures, a yoga structure for your good health, yoga for the new learners, the basic yoga, complete yoga workout, yoga for strength, yoga to remove your diseases.
By trying such kind of different videos it would help many people who can’t travel much and can easily learn all the new things about yoga by getting these fantastic yoga videos or DVDs. It becomes an essential part of workout to let you remain fit and fine for the better part of your life. It spurts up ones passion for life due to the stress which is removed and the different relaxation techniques makes things easier.
Kevin Pederson, the webmaster for Yogawiz http://www.yogawiz.com, where you can find all the information on yoga by buying yoga videos or DVDs, which is very useful for all .
Everyone may not have the time or money to invest in yoga classes which happens on an everyday basis. They can buy a yoga video or DVDs to suit their needs which can be very useful for them. These videos are very beneficial for all kind of people. It can be used by an amateur to anyone.
Different video for different people depending upon their needs and wants can be used. There are different types of yoga videos which can be used for all the different purposes such as in office, while traveling, during pregnancy, stress relief, relaxation techniques, for different cures, a yoga structure for your good health, yoga for the new learners, the basic yoga, complete yoga workout, yoga for strength, yoga to remove your diseases.
By trying such kind of different videos it would help many people who can’t travel much and can easily learn all the new things about yoga by getting these fantastic yoga videos or DVDs. It becomes an essential part of workout to let you remain fit and fine for the better part of your life. It spurts up ones passion for life due to the stress which is removed and the different relaxation techniques makes things easier.
Kevin Pederson, the webmaster for Yogawiz http://www.yogawiz.com, where you can find all the information on yoga by buying yoga videos or DVDs, which is very useful for all .
What is Chair Yoga?
Chair Yoga is a gentle form of Yoga. With so many types of Yoga available, here is one that most of us can practice. Inversions and complicated maneuvers are not necessary in a Chair Yoga class.
All it takes is the motivation to get started. Most Chair Yoga classes don?t use a Yoga mat, but the main prop used is a chair. This helps with balancing poses, and most common Yoga postures can be modified for the chair.
We have one particular Chair Yoga class, in Pawtucket, RI, that uses both chairs and Yoga mats. Within this type of Yoga class, you can cover standing, seated, supine, and prone postures. Most of our classes use the chair only, due to the difficulty of getting up, or down, on the floor.
Chair Yoga sessions are most commonly seen in senior centers, assisted living complexes, nursing homes, adult day care centers, and physical rehabilitation units. Clients can learn any number of Yoga postures, breathing techniques, meditation, and stage-by-stage relaxation, with the aid of a chair.
Standing postures, such as Triangle and Warrior variations, can be practiced seated, or standing, with the aid of a chair. You can practice Sun Salutations or Vinyasa, (flowing postures), from seated or standing positions.
Contrary to popular opinion, Chair Yoga is not for seniors only. Most of us take our good health for granted. The physically handicapped have no age boundaries, and they are very enthusiastic students.
Due to trauma, or a debilitating disease, at any time, any one of us could become physically handicapped. Most of us drive cars every day, and there is always a risk of an auto accident.
Some younger family members of seniors, and the physically handicapped, get involved in classes and private sessions. When family members participate in a class, or private session, it is always a good quality time for everyone.
Chair Yoga teachers must continually educate themselves, be knowledgeable of body mechanics, use of props, and a variety of ailments. This field requires teachers with compassion and the patience to help those who are doing their personal best.
It is also a field with growth opportunities; as the population is aging, there are not enough Chair Yoga teachers to go around. Some estimates indicate there are 1.5 million, or more, Yoga practitioners, over the age of 55, within the United States. Therefore, the demand far outweighs the supply of Yoga teachers for this particular field.
Paul Jerard is a co-owner and the director of Yoga teacher training at: Aura Wellness Center, in North Providence, RI. He has been a certified Master Yoga teacher since 1995. He is a master instructor of martial arts, with multiple Black Belts, four martial arts teaching credentials, and was recently inducted into the USA Martial Arts Hall of Fame. He teaches Yoga, martial arts, and fitness to children, adults, and seniors in the greater Providence area. Recently he wrote: Is Running a Yoga Business Right for You? For Yoga students, who may be considering a new career as a Yoga teacher. http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org/index.html
All it takes is the motivation to get started. Most Chair Yoga classes don?t use a Yoga mat, but the main prop used is a chair. This helps with balancing poses, and most common Yoga postures can be modified for the chair.
We have one particular Chair Yoga class, in Pawtucket, RI, that uses both chairs and Yoga mats. Within this type of Yoga class, you can cover standing, seated, supine, and prone postures. Most of our classes use the chair only, due to the difficulty of getting up, or down, on the floor.
Chair Yoga sessions are most commonly seen in senior centers, assisted living complexes, nursing homes, adult day care centers, and physical rehabilitation units. Clients can learn any number of Yoga postures, breathing techniques, meditation, and stage-by-stage relaxation, with the aid of a chair.
Standing postures, such as Triangle and Warrior variations, can be practiced seated, or standing, with the aid of a chair. You can practice Sun Salutations or Vinyasa, (flowing postures), from seated or standing positions.
Contrary to popular opinion, Chair Yoga is not for seniors only. Most of us take our good health for granted. The physically handicapped have no age boundaries, and they are very enthusiastic students.
Due to trauma, or a debilitating disease, at any time, any one of us could become physically handicapped. Most of us drive cars every day, and there is always a risk of an auto accident.
Some younger family members of seniors, and the physically handicapped, get involved in classes and private sessions. When family members participate in a class, or private session, it is always a good quality time for everyone.
Chair Yoga teachers must continually educate themselves, be knowledgeable of body mechanics, use of props, and a variety of ailments. This field requires teachers with compassion and the patience to help those who are doing their personal best.
It is also a field with growth opportunities; as the population is aging, there are not enough Chair Yoga teachers to go around. Some estimates indicate there are 1.5 million, or more, Yoga practitioners, over the age of 55, within the United States. Therefore, the demand far outweighs the supply of Yoga teachers for this particular field.
Paul Jerard is a co-owner and the director of Yoga teacher training at: Aura Wellness Center, in North Providence, RI. He has been a certified Master Yoga teacher since 1995. He is a master instructor of martial arts, with multiple Black Belts, four martial arts teaching credentials, and was recently inducted into the USA Martial Arts Hall of Fame. He teaches Yoga, martial arts, and fitness to children, adults, and seniors in the greater Providence area. Recently he wrote: Is Running a Yoga Business Right for You? For Yoga students, who may be considering a new career as a Yoga teacher. http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org/index.html
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