Confessions of a Yoga Teacher
March 1, 2008
The following are questions that Yoga teachers still need to answer, despite overwhelming evidence that Yoga is "the mother of all health maintenance systems." Mainstream thought is finally catching up, with the progress Yoga is making, but it has taken 5,000 years for us to get this far.
Seriously, How Can Yoga Make You Lose Weight?
Finally, some of the "Yoga and Weight Loss" studies have come in, and even, a little bit of Yoga is much better, than none, for weight control, but there are a number of reasons why. Yoga is a lifestyle change that includes a safe diet; exercise, adjusting posture, breathing, and a whole lot more. Most of the Yoga practitioners, I know, consume more water, eat more moderately, and take more care of their bodies, in comparison to the many who don’t want to leave the couch.
Aren’t you supposed to jump up and down for at least a half-hour per day to exercise enough to lose weight?
Pain and Sorrow
February 20, 2008
Patanjali in his Yogasutra describes that people are afflicted with five kinds of pain. These are - ignorance(avidya), attachment(raga), contempt(dvesha) and fear of death(abhinivesh)(II.3). However ignorance is the ground for the germination of all other pain and so long as ignorance is not rooted out through self-knowledge pain remains in one form or the other.
What is ignorance? Patanjali describes - to consider ephemeral(anitya) as eternal, falsity(ashuchi) as truth, sorrow(duhkha) as pleasure and soulless(anatman) as soul is ignorance(II.5). Things which the senses perceive have no real existence. These are ephemeral and false. These things inflict sorrow to those who believe in their reality. Hell, heaven, angels, ghosts or imaginary God have no real existence. All those religious symbols, statues of Gods and Goddesses have no real existence. The real power lies in the soul of every being. It is the illumination of souls by which everything illuminates. Things which have life and soul are real and existent. Matter which is lifeless is unreal and does not exist. Matter exists in the consciousness of living beings only.
Total Concentration(samadhi) of Mind
February 12, 2008
A true Yogi(practitioner) is one who has acquired self-knowledge and through continuous practice and detachment has been able to rest in true self, so firmly that he seldom slips down from it. Samadhi is the state where one realises the true self or soul. When true self is realised everything is realised.
There are three kinds of Samadhi - Samprajnata(conscious), Asamprajnata(supraconscious) and Jada(inert). Let us first see what Samprajnata Samadhi is. Patanjali describes - Samprajnata is achieved by following argument(vitarka), analysis(vichara), bliss(ananda) and egoism(asmita)(I.17).
When a Yogi turns away from all those things that are either seen or heard of, he begins to think about himself, like - who am I; why I am here; what to do here; what this world(samsara) is; who is God and where does He lives. In this way many arguments(vitarka) appear in his mind. In order to know the truth he reads scriptures, listens to wise people and starts analyzing(vichara) what he learnt. A true analyst always ends up with the truth. Upanishads have glorified human beings and soul(atman). atman has been described as Brahman, the ultimate reality. So after right analysis when a Yogi finds out that he himself is that glorified super being, he feels the bliss(ananda). This develops egoism(asmita) in him, as there is none greater than him. In this way and with these thoughts a Yogi enters into Samadhi and realises himself. This is the Samprajnata(conscious) Samadhi.
What is Self Mastery? - Part 4
February 1, 2008
Now, let’s cover the last component of self-mastery, which is spiritual health. Sometimes, the discussion of spiritual health is considered "politically incorrect." This is a shame, because we want to live life to the fullest and cannot ignore our spiritual side.
It is also interesting how many people try to improve their spiritual health when they have a near death experience, are diagnosed as terminally ill, or hit "rock bottom." In each of these instances, we can suddenly connect with the concepts of a moral code, after life, God, or "putting things right."
Whatever your situation, take the time to reconnect to your inner self and seek spiritual guidance for the sake of your overall health, family, and relationships. It doesn’t matter to me which religion you choose, as long as you feel, in your heart, that it is right for you. Religion should not be a dividing point for mankind, so stay away from intolerant fundamentalists.
Which brings up the act of forgiveness, which, in and of itself, is good for spiritual, mental, and physical health. Just by reconciling with our family, friends, and associates, we stop wasting energy and improve our overall health.
Yoga: A Beneficial Exercising Regimen
January 22, 2008
Yoga is an ancient proven tradition that exists for thousands of years and also one of the most ancient cultural heritages in India. The word yoga means, “to unite”. But it does not only mean contemplation but also communion and yoking all powers of the body, mind and soul to God. It is a very ancient and efficient system of disciplines and controls designed to produce the integration of the body, mind and spirit. It also achieves higher states of awareness and self-realization by methodical efforts to attain perfection. Even at the workplace, yoga has become extremely popular in many companies, worldwide. Working eight hours a day, five to seven days a week is really stressing. And yoga can just be the answer to this. Yoga reduces stress. It improves flexibility and muscle tone, increases circulation, relieves chronic pain and alleviates anxiety-related disorders. Best of all, it cultivates physical awareness, refreshes your energy, and offers a little vacation from the everyday grind.
Understanding the Different Types of Yoga
January 13, 2008
Yoga is becoming a more and more popular activity in the Western world today. The number of places holding Yoga classes is on the increase and there is a plethora of different types of Yoga. With a choice of Hatha Yoga, Ashtanga Yoga, Power Yoga, Iyengar Yoga, Bikram Yoga, Vinyasa Yoga and many more it can be easy to get confused
The article will help you to understand the difference between the most popular types of Yoga so you can choose which type is right for you.
Hatha Yoga - in Sanskrit (an ancient classical language of India) "Ha" means "sun" and "tha" means "moon". This type of Yoga is relatively slow paced, gentle type of Yoga and is a good place to start if you are completely new to Yoga and don’t know any of the asanas (poses). Like all types of Yoga, Hatha Yoga aims to unite the mind, body and spirit.
Ashtanga Yoga - this is the type of Yoga that I practice on a regular basis and means "eight limbs" in Sanskrit. It’s a fast moving, intense style of Yoga practice and is based on a progressive set sequence of asanas, synchronized with the breath. Ashtanga Yoga can be quite physically demanding as you constantly move from one asana in the sequence to the next, so you’ll find that it will improve your stamina as well as your flexibility and strength..
Yoga for PMS
January 3, 2008
Most women experience PMS symptoms at different points of their lives. PMS (premenstrual symptom) is usually characterized by anxiety, irritability, depression, craving sugary foods and feeling bloated. There are many homeopathic and nutritional solutions for relieving the PMS, but a regular yoga asana practice can be tremendously beneficial as well.
Many women experience chocolate and sugar cravings before periods. Chocolate contains magnesium, a mineral that decreases menstrual cramping and helps normalize glucose metabolism. Magnesium is also found in bananas, dried apricots and almonds, so keep that in mind when the next PMS hits.
Poses for sugar cravings:
Bow Pose ? Dhanurasana
The bow stretches and tones the ovaries, uterus, and abdominal organs. It increases the overall energy and improves the mood.
Lay face down on the floor. Bend your knees, grab a hold of the outsides of your ankles and on the inhale come up, arching your back and trying to reach the top of your head and your feet up towards the sky and towards each other. Keep drawing your feet towards each other, eventually drawing your knees together. Hold for five to ten breaths.
Modified Bridge Pose
Yoga and Pregnancy
December 25, 2007
Every woman wants to have a healthy baby. Yogic practices, when done with care, can make a woman’s body stronger and more flexible. Yoga poses tone your muscles, improving the overall balance and circulation, while making your joints more limber.
Yoga poses help you breathe and relax, which can help you adjust to the physical demands of labor, birth, and motherhood.Learning how to do ujayi breathing primes you for labor and childbirth by training you to stay calm when you need it most. If you are afraid during labor, the body produces adrenalin and shuts down the production of oxytocin, a hormone that makes labor progress. Yoga practice will help you fight the urge to tighten up when you feel the pain, and show you how to breathe instead.
The practice of meditation is extremely beneficial for you and your baby. It has been proven to slow down your heart rate, relax and focus your mind - all great for the baby.
As a general rule, avoid backbending poses, as well as extreme forward bending. Place your legs apart for seated paschimottanasana (forward bend.)
How to Find the Right Yoga Class For You
December 15, 2007
There are many types of yoga, some with more emphasis on the physical part of the practice and some with a more spiritual approach, some that will make you sweat and some where you’d spend half a class holding the same posture.
There is a type of yoga for anyone!
When choosing a class that’s right for you, you have to consider your personal preferences. It’s perfectly normal to try out a few yoga methods, until you find the system that you feel the most comfortable with.
Ashtanga is a very physically challenging practice, that is based on ethical principles.
Hatha yoga is a classical practice that is a little slower-paced, with more emphasis on held postures. It is well suited for seniors or for people who’d like a more relaxed class, with an emphasis on flexibility.
The popular Sivananda yoga system is derived from the classical hatha.
Iyengar yoga stresses precision and uses a lot of props in class. It’s excellent for people with injuries.
Bikram is hatha yoga, practiced in a heated room. Every Bikram class features the same sequence of poses (every pose held twice) and doesn’t include chanting om, which probably won’t be the most satisfying experience for those who are spiritually inclined. Excellent, if you love to sweat!
Yoga in the Office
December 4, 2007
Spending eight or more hours a day in an office chair, staring at the computer screen can cause backaches, hunched shoulders and painful neck. Try these yogic stretches a few times throughout the day to feel better in the office.
1. DEEP BREATHING
A few times throughout the day, pay attention to your breathing. Inhale and exhale deeply through the nose. This type of breath is very calming and centering.
2. HEAD ROTATION
Rotate your head towards the right side in a few large circles. Make sure that your shoulders don’t move and the only thing that moves is your head: it releases the tension of your neck muscles. Then do a few circles towards the left side.
3. SHOULDER ROTATION
Lift your shouldres up to meet your ears, then rotate them towards the back, so that the shoulder blades meet each other, and then lift them towards the ears again, through the front. Do three-five very slow circles and then reverse it and rotate your shoulders towards the front, also three-five times.
