89-year-old Yoga Instructor
Barbara Lyon on-the-job teaching yoga and interviewed in this movie by Lee Glickstein, www.speakingcircles.com.
Categories: Yoga Tags: 89yearold, instructor, Yoga
Prince Harry ‘hooked on yoga’
Prince Harry ‘hooked on yoga’
Become friends with your favourite NDTV people and shows. Start now » Boycott the Games they say…..but why?! It cost upwards of 30,000 crores of my taxpayers money…why shouldnt i reap the benefit of it??
Read more on NDTV
Yoga and its Effect on Diabetes
Yoga instructors need to work closely with diabetic students in order to maximize the health advantages from yoga. Recent findings reveal the many positive effects that yoga has on diabetes.
Yoga cannot “cure” diabetes, but there are several ways yoga can be beneficial in controlling diabetes. If medically prescribed regimens are followed by diabetic students, they can safely add yoga to their treatment. Due to the potential impact on their glucose levels, and overall body function, great strides can be made through regular committed yoga practice.
The benefits of yoga on circulation are tremendous. This is one of the reasons yoga is so healthy for people suffering from a variety of ailments. Circulatory problems, in diabetics, are the primary cause of many devastating side effects. Yoga’s focus on breathing, stretching and rotational movements, by nature, improves circulation.
Yoga also helps maintain the elasticity of blood vessels. This further assists in good circulation. In turn, increased oxygen is supplied to internal organs and the important glands of the endocrine system. When the blood vessels remain elastic, this means better heart health and decreased risk of stroke.
Back bends are especially good for the cardiovascular system. Yoga teachers should encourage diabetic students to incorporate back bends into their postures. If a student has mobility problems, because of age or obesity, consider assisted back bends with props to support his, or her, body, neck, and head.
Digestion is improved through movements and breath control of yoga (pranayama). Pancreas and liver operation is also enhanced. The rotations of certain postures also massage the glands of the endocrine system, encouraging hormone production.
Diabetics, who commit to the regular practice of yoga, will likely experience less dependence on insulin. Studies have found that significant drops in the average blood glucose levels occur in type II diabetics, when they practice yoga on a regular basis. Additional findings demonstrate an increase in nerve function.
Neuropathy is another major complication of diabetes. Neuropathies are a family of nerve disorders that often result in numbness, tingling, and sometimes, pain. Yoga has been shown to help prevent the onset of neuropathy. In diabetics with sub-clinical neuropathy, yoga can relieve symptoms.
Not least important is the stress reduction power of yoga. Through focus on breathing slowly, and deliberately, stress levels are reduced. Glucagon secretion is enhanced by stress, which raises the blood sugar. Through effective stress management, and increased balance in the body, this can be prevented and reversed.
The following sequences and poses are beneficial to diabetic students:
Sun Salutations – This sequence of poses is great for diabetics. The flowing series of movements increases blood flow to all parts of the body, improving insulin administration.
Peacock Pose (Mayurasana) – The peacock pose is said to tone up the pancreas, kidneys, and liver. Improved digestion is another benefit.
Locust Pose – The locust benefits the nerves by reducing tension. The constriction and release, in the muscles of the back, relaxes muscles. The movement also stimulates the pancreas.
Chest-Knee Pose – Also called the Knees to Chest pose, this posture provides a great deal of support for digestion. The lower digestive tract is soothed and stimulated by this posture. Lower back pain is also relieved by the stretching of those muscles. It reduces tension.
The Cobra Pose, Bow Pose, Leg Lift and Half-Moon pose are also recommended. Try abdominal pumping as a part of the student’s regimen to further stimulate the organs.
Diabetic students must remember that yoga is more than just exercise. In addition to breathing control, and muscle stretching, yoga includes behavioral modifications, and diet control, through mental discipline. The positive effects of the physical, must be tempered with enhanced mental will power. The best benefit of regular yoga practice is an increase in quality of life and happiness.
Copyright 2008 – Paul Jerard / Aura Publications
Weight Loss Yoga: Total Body Sweat and Tone
This is part 1 of you new 4 week weight loss routine. Do this routine 3 times this week. Next week we’ll be adding detox. The week after we’ll add abs. Your final week is opening and releasing tension from the hips. By week 4 you’ll be doing all 4 routines in a row 3 times a week and hopefully feeling great!
Yoga – Understanding Yoga And Its Health Benefits
Understanding yoga is not easy. In fact, anything that had been in existence for more than about thousands of years is not easy. The origins of this unique form of physical act or exercise are not very clear. However, experts feel that the origins of yoga were found either in ancient Egypt or ancient India.
As we all know, yoga has gained tremendous popularity since last few decades. The different types of postures of yoga have helped many people to promote healthy mind, body, and soul. It has been proved as an excellent means of relaxation, which proffers a sense of inner peace and balance.
These days, the art of yoga has become a never ending rage among youngsters, children and the old. With celebrities like Madonna embracing yoga for health benefits, the craze for this unique form of exercise is here to stay.
A) What is yoga?
Yoga involves a series of different postures in conjunction with stretches. This is practiced within a holistic mindset and deep concentration that results in emotional, spiritual mental, physical and health benefits.
Most people who have been practicing yoga for a long time have understood yoga as a form of meditation. The more one tends to practice this art, the more one feels enlightened and experience transforming effects. Yoga works towards gifting and developing an individual’s inner as well as outer personality. It also helps in transforming one into a good human.
B) Yoga as a way of life
Yoga can be understood as a lifestyle or a way of life. It is an art of righteous living. Experts would like to refer it as an effective system to benefit the body mind and inner spirit. This unique are was originated ancient years back.
You can find some excellent references to yoga in ‘Puranas’ and ‘Upanishads’. These were beautifully composed by Indian Aryans in the later vedic and post vedic period.
The principles of yoga were described in full fledged eight fold yogic discipline. This is explained by Patanjali in his ‘yoga sutra’. It was composed almost two thousand years ago! The eight important stages of yoga recommended by Patanjali are as follows:
These are the stages of yoga discipline:
a)Yamas – Restrains and abstentions
b)Asanas – Physical exercises or postures.
c)Pranayama – Total control over vital energy or breathing pattern.
d)Niyamas – Observances such as contentment, study, austerities, purity and surrender of the ego.
e)Dhyana – Meditation
f)Partyahara – Withdrawal of the senses.
g)Samadhi – Attainment of the super conscious state
h)Dharana – Contemplation or concentration of the mind.
C) Superb health benefits of yoga
There are several health benefits of practicing yoga.
a)Weight loss and Weight control
b)Enhances immune system and blood circulation in the body
c)Control over anxiety
d)Relief from asthma, multiple sclerosis, headaches, blood pressure and carpal tunnel syndrome.
e)Reduces arthritis pain, depression, stress, heart disease, chronic fatigue and back pain.
f)Helps in removing toxins from the body.
g)Heals several diseases and body ailments
h)Enhances concentration power and creativity; Reduces stress and tension
i)Allows better thinking, enhances flexibility and balance.
j)Leads to spiritual fulfillment.
For more Articles, News, Information, Advice, and Resources about YOGA and MEDITATION please visit YOGA TIPS and MEDITATIONBUZZ
Categories: Yoga Tags: benefits, Health, Understanding, Yoga
‘Stretch,’ by Neal Pollack
‘Stretch,’ by Neal Pollack
Stretch The Unlikely Making of a Yoga Dude By Neal Pollack (Harper Perennial; 320 pages; $14.99 paperback) The standard template for spiritual memoirs begins with an existential crisis. In Neal Pollack’s “Stretch: The Unlikely Making of a Yoga Dude,”… Neal Pollack – Yoga – Religion and Spirituality – Teachers and Centers – Existential crisis
Read more on San Francisco Chronicle
The Ins And Outs Of Chair Yoga Certification
Chair yoga is actually not a formal type of yoga, but is a gentler form of yoga which is done through sitting in a chair or the use of a chair as support while standing and doing a series of less complicated yoga poses.
Chair yoga classes can often be found in senior care centers, disabled rehabilitation centers, and some hospitals; it is also frequently recommended by some health professionals as a helpful tool for physical therapy. Chair yoga gives countless benefits such as oxygenating the mind and body for greater productivity, as well as toning the muscles. However, not just anybody can teach chair yoga, one has to be a certified chair yoga instructor as it involves the essential know-how of dealing with people having health conditions and being aware of the appropriate chair yoga for them.
One such training for chair yoga certification is offered by Lakshmi Voelker, who specializes in certifying individuals with her chair yoga programs called The Sitting Mountain Series. This chair yoga certification programs are of particular interest to some healthcare professionals including occupational therapists, physical therapists, clinical social workers, and registered nurses, as continuing education credit.
It has also been found advantageous for those people working with children, seniors, those people in wheelchairs, or anybody with physical difficulties that stop them from getting down on the floor. Lakshmi’s chair yoga certification program works with senior housing facilities, MS, Departments of Education, as well as other like organizations.
Another center who offers chair yoga certification is the Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health; the five-day chair yoga certification program is perfect for yoga practitioners, yoga teachers, healthcare providers, and others who work with people with disabilities and seniors. Participants of the program learn to adapt classical yoga poses to the chair, and enables would-be certified chair yoga teachers to teach one-hour chair yoga class with comprehensive information and confidence to their varied audience.
In a 2005 report released by the Yoga Journal, there are about 7.5 percent of adults in the United States who are now observing the primordial religious practice from India. The figure was such a huge increase of over 43 percent compared in 2002. A study also revealed that among 7 individuals who are not performing the ancient spiritual routine, 1 is very much interested to pursue within the next twelve months. With the boost in number, it follows that more are working to have yoga instructor certification.
Chair yoga certification is essential for those people, who want to teach chair yoga with complete knowledge and awareness to provide better and more effective delivery of the real benefits of chair yoga to their students, as well as become among the qualified chair yoga instructors that people recognize and respect because of their expertise.
Categories: Yoga Tags: Certification, Chair, Outs, Yoga
Tom Powers: Newest Viking Greg Camarillo leaves Miami without a pout
Tom Powers: Newest Viking Greg Camarillo leaves Miami without a pout
They just wrapped up the Brazilian Film Festival in the Art Deco section of South Beach. Now they’re gearing for the big Labor Day weekend Kundalini yoga gala, which will allow the beautiful people there to become well versed in some of the highest physical and meditative techniques.
Read more on Pioneer Press
Health Briefs
Health Briefs
Whether you are at work, in a workout class or at a health fair, would you like to show others some fun yoga poses?
Read more on Inland Valley Daily Bulletin
Yoga Mat – All You Should Know About a Yoga Mat
When practicing yoga, you need to make certain investments. These investments would do a lot for your flawless performance, benefits that you obtain from performing various asanas and overall health.
One of the most important investments you require to make even before you start off with your program of doing yoga is purchasing a yoga mat. This is one of the most crucial investments you need to make.
A) The mat is beneficial to you in the following aspects:
a) It prevents you from falling and provides you good amount of grip.
b) It provides you safety and it lets you perform all the asanas without any difficulty.
c) It allows you to stay away from sweat and the distraction caused by sweat while performing yoga.
d) A yoga mat provides good support for your back when you lie down.
e) The yoga mat lets you perform all your asanas just the way you should.
B) There are several things you need to consider prior to purchasing a yoga mat. This will make sure that you have made the best possible deal:
a) Learn
Try to gain sound knowledge on different types of yoga mats available. You need to know what material these are made of, what each mat specializes in and how they differ from each other.
b) Research
In order to get the best deal, you need to do a little bit of homework on your side. Try to make a good research on various shops selling yoga mats, the quality they deal in and prices each dealer offers you. Compare and then make a choice.
c) Comfort level
When choosing yoga mat you must see your comfort level. Check out whether your height and width fit well into the mat you are planning to purchase. The yoga mat should be able to provide proper grip and lay flat on the ground. Donât buy if it sticks to your feet when you lie down.
d) Allergies
Latex yoga mats are very popular and most commonly used. However, if you are allergic to latex products, simply stay away from it.
e) Donât fall for cheap options
Donât purchase a yoga mat just because it offers you good amount of discounts. Purchase a yoga mat only if it fulfills all your needs and specific yogic requirements.
f) Ask your instructor
If you are learning yoga from an instructor, ask him to provide superb tips for purchasing a yoga mat. He would be the best person to provide you great suggestions.
g) Look for these basic points
Make sure that you look for the basic points when purchasing a yoga mat.
1. Health and environment safe
2. Durability and comfortability
3. Accepted by your teacher
4. Non-slippery and light and easy to roll up
h) Tests
Here are some tests that would prove useful for you when purchasing a yoga mat.
a) The Quarter test
The edge of a quarter will tell you a lot about its durability. The more the strokes, the longer will be the life of yoga mat.
b) The wet friction test
Just wet your hands and bear down laterally on the mat surface. This will let you compare wet traction.
c) The pinch test
Just pinch the mat between thumb and forefinger and you will come o know about compression resistance.
