Yoga Paraphernalia That You Need

Hatha Yoga has been growing in popularity for quite some time now. What started as an obscure eastern spiritual practice is now the workout of choice for many people. Granted, the primary spiritual aspects are lost to most practitioners, but the physical yoga poses still offer tremendous health benefits and this has led to its popularity.

As a workout routine, yoga has many of the same characteristics as other forms of exercise. For one thing, there is the matter of proper attire as well as other supporting gadgets and equipment, the primary being the yoga mat.

Yoga Paraphernalia

The primary piece of yoga paraphernalia that you would need is the yoga mat. These poses involve getting down on the floor, often on your hands and knees. Yoga mats provide a soft cushion to support the poses. They also provide a degree of traction so that you aren't slipping while trying to maintain a pose.

A yoga mat is pretty much all you need, but there are other optional pieces of equipment. These include blankets, yoga blocks, yoga balls, and yoga traps. These are intended to assist you further in achieving the various positions, some of which can be difficult to maintain or even accomplish to begin with.

Yoga Attire

Like most forms of activity, the right clothing makes a difference. With yoga, you are moving from one position to another. It involves stretches and bending. So you don't want your clothing to interfere with the routine. You want to wear clothing that is comfortable and allows freedom of movement. With that in mind, the right clothing provides the proper balance between fit and flexibility. Not too tight-fitting, or else you won't feel comfortable. Being comfortable is important otherwise you'll be distracted and not benefit from the mental effort that is fundamental to yoga. You also don't want clothing that is too loose-fitting, otherwise you'll end up having to deal with your clothes slipping and falling down around your ankles, around your arms, or wherever. Clothes that interfere with your feet are a particular problem as so many of the poses depend on proper positioning and support of your feet.

Which brings us to a final point - that of your feet.

It goes without saying that shoes are not a requirement for yoga. There's no need to get a fancy pair of athletic shoes. In fact, most people perform yoga barefoot. But what about socks? Many people go to public places to perform yoga in groups, and for hygienic reasons often don't feel comfortable walking around barefoot. Consequently many people choose to wear socks during their routines. But regular socks aren't ideal for yoga as they don't provide the needed traction. Hence the advent of the yoga sock.

Yoga toe socks can really make a difference in your yoga routine in addition to everyday comfort. To learn more about yoga socks, visit the website ToeSocksForMen.net

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The Connection of Yoga and Ayurveda

Yoga and Ayurveda are intimately woven together throughout the texts of the Vedas. The Vedas are ancient Indian spiritual texts that were compiled over a period of time beginning approximately 3,000 years ago in the Himalayan region of India. These texts are considered to be divinely revealed and are comprised of oral esoteric knowledge transposed into written form. The practices of Yoga and Ayurveda are considered to be complementary modalities for living a healthy, balanced and happy life.

When practiced together, Ayurveda and Yoga techniques offer an individual many ways to increase health, well-being and vitality while living in balance with the natural rhythms that surround us. Both Yoga and Aruyveda acknowledge and respect the profound connections between our mind, body and spirit. Practicing balance and moderation are two of the primary keys of Aruyveda. This concept of balance and moderation has its roots in the Buddhist concept of Devanagari that arose during the same time period in India. Practicing Yoga asanas, meditation techniques and breathing exercises in balance with the rhythm of the day, week and time of the year is also one of the core proponents of Vedic wisdom.

One of the primary focuses of Aruyveda is eliminating toxins from the body and mind through the practice of panchakarma. According to Ayurvedic wisdom, expunging toxins from the body on a yearly basis helps to re-invigorate the body by maintaining a healthy metabolism and keeping the digestive processes efficient while reducing strain on the liver and kidneys. Ayurvedic theory espouses the belief that when the energy channels in the body or mind are blocked, disease results. Many of the traditional Ayurvedic techniques focus on unblocking these vital channels and restoring optimal energy flow. The use of stream and sweating is also employed by Ayurvedic doctors to help dissipate blockages in a patient's energy system.

Releasing tension and blockages throughout the energy system of the body-mind complex is complemented beautifully by a regular Yoga practice. Yoga asanas, whether they are vigorous or restorative in nature, help to release deeply-held muscular tension and increase balance and flexibility. There are even some Yoga practices that are done in a heated room further enhancing the purifying aspect of the asanas. Combining Yoga practices with the great depth of wisdom found in Ayurveda will deeply support a Yogi or Yogini in creating and maintaining physical and emotional vitality, health and well-being throughout the course of his or her lifetime.

© Copyright 2011 - Aura Wellness Center - Publications Division

Faye Martins, is a Yoga teacher and a graduate of the Yoga teacher training program at: Aura Wellness Center in, Attleboro, MA. To receive Free Yoga videos, Podcasts, e-Books, reports, and articles about Yoga, please visit: http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org/

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Reincarnation - Samsara, the Wheel of Birth and Death

Reincarnation,Samsaraor Punarjanma means "re-entering the flesh." Punarjanma is a Yogic belief shared by many religions in the world. It is a process of metempsychosis wherein the soul is able to transmigrate from one body to another. Transmigration takes place through the process of birth. At a predestined time the soul discards the body to seek rest in the afterlife before the process of entering the flesh begins again. Samsara is one of the principle beliefs of students and adherents to the teachings of the eastern philosopher Patanjali. He is said to be both the father of yoga and of the eight limbed approach to enlightenment.

Reincarnation was also a strong fundamental Christian belief until it was discarded by the Nicene council in 787AD. During the many council discussions, a decision was reached to reject the belief in reincarnation. It had proven to undermine the power and control of the priests.

Punarjanma consists of repetitive cycles of refinement. Each birth allows the soul to experience life in different races, gender and beliefs. In this way the soul can experience all aspects. When gestation is complete the birthing begins and the soul reincarnates, once again entering into a physical world where it continues the refining process, firstly as an infant then into adulthood completing the cycle as old age encroaches and death is imminent. Some believe the experience of an incarnation can even be as an animal, a vegetable or a mineral although not all exponents think along these lines.

However, all agree that every action and reaction of the soul whilst in the physical body is reflected through the body's organs of action and perception along with the senses. For example when you pick a flower, it begins to die. As you smell the flower you feel happy with the perfume that the flower provides. This is the action and reaction of the flower and you.

The soul enters the body through what is called a nadi or an energy channel situated at the crown of the head. It is of course not a physical channel but belongs to the subtle body. It is part of the seventy-two thousand energy channels or nadis which interact with the chakras enabling the soul to operate all aspects of the physical body it inhabits. The soul will complete the entry when the time is right. It will lose complete memory of its previous life and the associations it has built up during that life-time as well as in the afterlife. However, the soul will bring with it memories of vibrations if they were special. It is also believed that the soul in a new body can be reunited again with those with whom it has known in a previous life.

Fate can play its role in the cycle and that is when the soul's time as a physical being is cut short by illness or accident. We in a physical body find it hard to accept death and parting from loved ones is never easy, especially if they are infants or a loved partner. On being separated we are filled with despair and anguish. Yet, those who have lived through an out of body experience or a near death experience relate on waking, how special it was to visit friends or family, to feel love and warmth around them. They only return to the body because they hear the call of a physical loved one or have a strong desire to finish an experience. Where were they?

They were in Antarloka, a realm of the astral regions, a place believed by some to be heaven. When the soul finally gives up the physical body it is replaced by an astral body and is able to be reunited with loved ones and friends who have already made the transition. The Soul dwells for as long as necessary before the call and desire to continue the refining cycle becomes so strong, that they must again be born and continue the cycle of Samsara. There are instances when the soul cannot break the bonds of the physical world and thus remains behind to wander between both worlds.

When I resided in a village in Germany, my family and I lived in a haunted house. My kitchen was always freezing even in summer. At nights the stairs creaked as though someone was slowly ascending to the first floor. This was accompanied by long sad sighs which ended in my bedroom where it sounded as though someone was lying on a creaking bed. Then the noise on the stairs and sighing would recommence. Any guests who stayed overnight complained about the noise, so I began to make enquiries as to the reason for the disturbances in my home. I discovered that the owner of the house, on her deathbed, had asked her son to care for the hunchback that she had taken in and had lived with her for many years. As soon as the old lady died the son evicted the hunchback. I attended the funeral of the hunchback a few years later and on returning to my house the kitchen was warm and the sound of steps on the stairs ceased as did the sighs. The old lady could take her charge with her now and continue to take care of him in the Astral.

During their time resting in Antarloka souls are able to heal from any sadness and adversity they experienced in their physical life or learn to be better equipped for the adversities of a physical human life. This sounds nice and cosy; being reunited with loved ones and old departed friends all together in a friendly and free atmosphere.

Unfortunately there are other areas of the astral. These are the darker realms where unrefined dark souls are to be found. Those who have lost their way in life will surely lose their way in death. However, they will also be able to reincarnate; returning to a physical life with the opportunity for a new beginning. Then the seeds they sew in that life, through right action, will assist in their soul's evolution and refinement. Of course those who continue with their negative ways will be condemned to the lower realms forever.

Explanations in various ancient eastern scriptures tell us that there are vast universes likened to a giant wheel and upon it all creatures are subject to birth, death and rebirth. This wheel is called the wheel of Samsara. As long as duality, the 'me and mine' syndrome which states that we are separate and more important than the whole is part of our psyche, we can never get off that endless wheel of birth and death. The moment we realize our identity with the vast creator of consciousness or we understand the concept that we are part of a whole not a singular entity we immediately experience the bliss of "oneness in all." This is the feeling of vibrational Samata. Then we are free of the endless cycle of reincarnation. We have stepped off the physical wheel of Samsara. From that time we evolve through the vibrational astral spheres within a more subtle energetic level of existence and experience.

However, one of the prerequisites for this is at the time of death we must pass through that nadi or energy center at the top of the head. Unfortunately the soul being unaware of how it left the body becomes distracted by previously departed loved ones or lights which entice him to follow them. The way of correct transition from one state of consciousness to the next is forgotten. Knowledge gained in the physical life is an important and great asset in transmigration.

Knowledge gained in the physical life is an important and great asset in transmigration.

Therefore if you have knowledge as an enlightened soul you will be completely aware at the time of death. You will depart with complete awareness best described as a conscious transmigration of the soul. Repeating the vibration of a mantra is enough to guide the departing soul on its ascent, departing from this physical life through the correct channel. Instinctually you will know where to go, guided by a vibration controlled by SAMSARA. This exit is the highest physical spiritual center. In the Bhagavad-Gita, a popular holy Hindu scripture originating around 600 B.C. we read that Krishna, the teacher, advises Arjuna his student that, "Whatever object a man thinks of at the final moment, when he leaves his body that alone does he attain, o son of Kunti, being ever absorbed in the thought thereof. Therefore at all times constantly think of me. With your mind and understanding absorbed in me, you will surely become me." (8: 6-7). Perhaps not all of us want to aspire to being Krishna but a deity and prayer of choice is enough to guide us safely in this transition.

It is necessary that the Manas, the conscious mind (that part that is always chatting to us) and the subtle forces of the dying person disengage from the physical body through the spiritual nadi. The Upanishads (philosophical texts considered to be an early source of Hindu religion) explain how souls will retain a clear memory of their state for a short time after death and will enjoy the fruits of Samadhi or complete absolution from future physical reincarnations.

Is there a heaven and hell? There are areas governed by Karmic deeds and negativity that must be paid for, understood in Christianity as hell, therefore let us discuss the lower realms.

It is said that into blind darkness enter those who worship ignorance. These worlds covered with darkness are called joyless regions. These regions are where those whose natures are contaminated by evil, jealousy, anger and so on reside. Not a happy or comfortable place to end up and endure vibrational horror or hell. In the ancient books of yogic literature we read that, by the time of arrival in these hellish regions the astral body is a mirror of its sins and no longer resembles the physical body. In the ancient language of Sanskrit this body is called "Yatana-Deha". The punishment whilst dwelling in this area is not remembered by the soul when they leave the region, but it is imprinted so deeply on their conscience that they become deep vibrational attitudes and impressions influencing the next physical incarnation. They will be confronted with the same circumstances of their previous life and hopefully, although the experience may remain the same, their reaction will be more positive. The result will be a fierce aversion to the negative deeds of the previous life. Unfortunately if they ignore their conscience they are compelled to return to the hellish regions again and again.

There is no definite period between death and rebirth. It may vary from hundreds of years to a few months. There are two deciding factors; the first being the last impression before death, the second being the individual's karma which is best understood as their nature. A very sensual individual with strong cravings or one with intense attachments sometimes is born quickly longing to be with those left behind.

Unfortunately they forget that they will not be reborn with the same body as last time, perhaps not even the same gender. In cases of a violent death or a sudden unexpected death the soul will immediately incarnate resuming the thread of attachment. When I was in India with my Guru I met a family, elderly parents and a young daughter who had come to the house to ask for a blessing and the grace of the Guru. They waited for three days and in that time I was able to find out their story. The mother had given birth to the daughter late in life. At birth the newborn had what seemed to be stab wounds in her upper body. They still had not healed. As soon as the daughter was old enough to speak she asked to be taken home to her real parents. The kindly couple was very anxious to please their daughter and traveled with her to the village she told them about and made their way to the house she said she had lived in. On entering the house she recognized everything. The couple in the house then related how their teenage daughter was stabbed to death by robbers. The stab wounds were in the upper body. That is something for us all to think about. She did receive the blessing as did the parents and within a few days the wound marks disappeared.

The Vedas are holy texts said to have been recorded in the Sanskrit language somewhere between 1500-600B.C. The fourth and final portion of these profound holy texts, the Garbha Upanishad was passed in hymn form from spiritual teacher to devotee. These teachings explain that when the foetus in the womb is seven months old, the soul receives knowledge of its past and its future. This does not mean that it enters at that time as a conscious entity but it has always been associated with the foetus from prior to conception. This association comes about as the soul must ready itself for reincarnation. Karmic forces then come into play and the soul must seek the right parents and karmic cycle vibrations for its next physical experience. Therefore the circumstances surrounding your birth parents and your Karmic cycle whether positive or negative are your responsibility.

Past life memory will only be possible if we suffered a violent death or experienced a great love which will be recorded on the etheric body and we will remember on a soul level. For us here and now it is best to live in the moment, to be mindful of all our actions, to control our minds and bodies. So that, our next life may be lived in the subtle realms of the astral and we can incarnate vibrationally.
Remember living is not for today only, but for tomorrow also.

Swami Durgananda - Spiritual leader of Samata Yoga and gifted healer has been teaching yoga, meditation and philosophy around the world for over 40yrs. Swami has a profound understanding of the universe and the human condition through her articles and books she shares her knowledge with compassion and humour teaching us how to bring balance and harmony into our lives. Visit http://samatayoga.com/ for more about Swami Durgananda and Samata Yoga.

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What You Need To Know About Hard Tail Yoga Pants

Different sports require different types of apparel. You can't swim in basketball shoes, or ski in a swimsuit. If you have just decided to take yoga lessons, you will need comfortable clothes that allow you to perform the yoga postures without difficulty. However, most sports clothes are boring and bland. If you want both comfort and style, you should get yourself a pair of Hard Tail yoga pants. The roll-down yoga pants from Hard Tail are made of 90% cotton and 10% lycra. The material is breathable and it absorbs sweat excellently. The addition of lycra makes the fabric elastic and flexible, allowing you to perform various yoga postures with ease. The snug-fitting roll-down pants come with an adjustable fold-over waistband. Additionally, the combination of adjustable waistband and bootcut bottom flatters your curves. The pants come in four sizes: x-small (US 0), small (US 2-4), medium (US 6-8), and large (US 10-12). There are four color options to choose from, namely black, mud brown, charcoal, and midnight.

If yoga isn't really your thing, these awesome Hard Tail yoga pants are also suitable for other workouts, such as treadmill running or cross training at the gym, as well as regular weight lifting. You can even wear them to the mall or to the café. The breathable cotton blend fabric absorbs sweat and hence cools down your body. You can wear the pants after you have finished your workout and still feel dry and confident. You do not have to change into a new pair of pants in the locker room; you can just simply wear them until you get home. Additionally, since the fabric absorbs sweat excellently, you do not have to worry about any unpleasant body odor. Hard Tail does not only make this kind of pants for women, there are also men's yoga pants and they also come in different styles and sizes as well. Men should not buy the women's pants since they will not suit their body shape and allow them to perform yoga postures freely.

Many people say that the roll-down pants by Hard Tail are the most comfortable and flattering yoga pants ever. Other brands tend to be too long, too tight, or even too loose. The adjustable waistband allows for the perfect fit and the fabric keeps you dry and comfortable all day long. They are reasonably priced as well. You can buy a pair for as low as $49.

Hard Tail yoga pants help you to do your yoga or workouts freely and comfortably. Do not waste your money buying other yoga pants that are not as good as Hard Tail yoga pants.

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Yoga Precautions for Rheumatoid Arthritis

Yoga teachers know that pre-existing physical conditions are important when teaching students. Yet, there are a few students who may manage to slip by an orientation. Maybe they arrive late, or the staff is helping other new students, but each student should be made aware of precautions for his or her health. Rheumatoid arthritis is one of the many ailments that Yoga teachers and students should talk about before practice.

A long-term disease leading to inflammation of the joints and tissues, rheumatoid arthritis (RA) can also affect other organs. Up to 1% of the world's population is estimated to suffer from rheumatoid arthritis, with women experiencing it three times more often than men. Chronic and debilitating, those with RA may eventually require surgery to maintain movement in fingers, hands and other areas.

Can Yoga help those with RA maintain an active lifestyle? Some studies indicates yes: a study in the United Arab Emirates showed that patients who completed 12 sessions of Raj yoga, with exercise and breathing techniques, showed significant improvements in disease activity scores and health assessments. In 1994, the British Journal of Rheumatology published a study showing arthritis symptoms improving for patients who practiced Yoga and the Rheumatic Diseases Clinics of North America published two studies detailing joint stiffness and pain relief for Yoga practitioners in 2002.

Yet, even though Yoga may offer significant relief for RA, its practice should be approached with caution. The disease does not follow a steady, progressive course; instead, sufferers experience flare-ups followed by remission. Yoga practice suitable for someone in remission may be different from someone experiencing an active flare-up. RA affects joints symmetrically, in wrists, elbows, hands, shoulders, knees, feet and ankles most frequently. As the disease progresses, joints become more unstable and the patient's range of motion is restricted.

It is important not to confuse asanas recommended for those with osteoarthritis and those with RA. Multiple joints are not affected in osteoarthritis, nor does it entail ongoing joint damage from inflammatory processes. Holding poses for increased lengths of time to strengthen static muscles is recommended for osteoarthritis but should be avoided for RA. According to a structural Yoga therapy research paper published in 2006, people with moderate to severe RA should avoid "high intensity exercise; prolonged weight-bearing exercise; prolonged immobility in seated or lying positions and stretching past the comfortable endpoint of range of motion," among other lifestyle triggers.

Asanas involving pressure on the neck should be avoided, while poses like Dandasana or the Butterfly may be beneficial. Pranayama and smooth motions are well suited to Yoga practitioners with RA. Carefully evaluate whether symptoms are in remission or actively inflamed before practice.

© Copyright 2011 - Aura Wellness Center - Publications Division

Faye Martins, is a Yoga teacher and a graduate of the Yoga teacher training program at: Aura Wellness Center in, Attleboro, MA. To receive Free Yoga videos, Podcasts, e-Books, reports, and articles about Yoga, please visit: http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org/

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Back Pains And Stress (Part 4)

When dealing with back pains and stress, Yoga is probably one relaxation technique that will allow you to address both physical and mental issues at the same time. Yoga has a lot of physical and mental benefits that will greatly help you cope with the stress in your life, as well as address the back pains that you might be experiencing as a result of that. This is probably one of the main reasons why a lot of studies have shown that getting a regular and good yoga exercise is the best and most effective way to help you get some relief from your back pains.

However, it is important to keep in mind that not all Yoga exercises are good for your back pains, some of which could even aggravate the level of pain and stress that you might be experiencing if you are not able to do it correctly. This is why you need to perform the exercise under the supervision of a certified yoga instructor, or you should at least know and understand what yoga exercises and poses you should and should not do. You want to make sure that you stay within your body's limitation.

Physical Advantages

Since most yoga exercises incorporate breathing techniques with a series of poses and postures, doing yoga does have its advantages for your body. Yoga exercises allow you to strengthen and develop the muscles in your body, especially the muscles situated on your back and in your abdomen.

Since most of these Yoga poses require a lot of body and muscle control on your part, you will feel that your muscle strength in your back and abdomen will improve, especially if you are able to maintain certain postures and incorporate various movements to these exercises, thus, reducing the level and frequency of back pain that you might experience.

Yoga exercises also help the muscle stay loose instead of rigid and tight, allowing your body to avoid any physical injury, or pain that could be derived from it. By loosening the different muscles in your body, these muscles are actually relieved of the tension that they may experience during their use. Also, stretching will also help improve your body's flexibility, as well as help you maintain a relaxed state.

Mental Benefits

Having a negative perception can affect and magnify the level of back pain that you might be experiencing, which is why being able to reduce the way you perceive the pain can actually have a direct effect on how much pain you actually experience. When you remain stressed, your level of negative perception is at a high, so allowing your body and your thoughts to relax could help lower the intensity of your negative perception.

Glen Wood - The Yoga Teacher. Glen is a yoga expert whom loves to teach you how to lose your neck, shoulder and back pain with yoga.

Dedicated to unlocking the Real Secrets of Back Pain.

Free Video Reveals No 1 Secret to Losing Your Back Pain with Yoga. Go here for more information:- http://www.goodbyetobackpain.com/secrets it has the tips and guides you need to be successful in losing your Back Pain, today tomorrow and whenever you have the need. Our guides are methods that work and are in use by many former Back Pain Sufferers. If you want to learn more, join us at http://www.yogateachingwithglen.com/

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Car Yoga - Relax Your Road Rage

Driving to work today I got caught up in a lot of stop go traffic. I commute an hour each way to work. And I'll bet there are a lot of yoga readers out there that do the same. As each mile passed my tension levels built. I understand why some people just crack under stress and road rage builds up to extreme levels to where they do something stupid like act out in anger. Well, we all know what happens to you when you get caught doing that. So how do you control your road rage?

There are a thousand different ways, but this is a great time to practice breathing techniques and bust out your yoga skills. Come to peace with your frustrated self and make your environment a better place for everyone. When in doubt - Yoga out! (<---Nice ) I've inserted some video in the bottom of this Awesome Read...

Get off your Smart Phone

This is not the time to be checking your email on your phone or calling the office. No texting and telling everyone how pissed you are because you are sitting in traffic. Just relax and do some yoga. You'll be a better person when you do show up to work and you will stay happier through the day.

Breathing

Long slow deep breaths. Inhale through your mouth and exhale through your nose. Do this nice and slow. Remember you are bringing in new fresh oxygen for your brain to use. This is going to calm your angry mind and relax your tense body!

Neck Pain

When your stopped, NOT while driving (don't want you to take your eyes off the road) Roll your head around. Slowly!!! Roll your head and when you find that tight spot, stop and keep your neck position there. Don't forget to keep breathing and let that tension clear through your deep breaths.

Back Pain

Put your hands behind your head. Oh ya don't do this while driving, make sure you are still in the traffic jam. Take a deep breath. When you exhale, bend your body over your thighs or the steering steering wheel depending on how tall you are. Do the stretch over again but this time cross your arms over your chest and feel the stretch in your lower back.

Don't be bothered by people staring at you. Trust me, they are weird too. And they probably don't feel as good as you do when you do a little yoga in the car.

So I am going to plug my yoga blog now and the name of it is YogaBenefits.us You can come check it out and learn all kinds of cool stuff about yoga. Thanks for reading!

Bubba West
YogaBenefits.us - Blog dedicated to the benefits of yoga
check us out on http://facebook.com/yogabenefitspage
and twitter @yogabubba

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Interesting Facts About Tapas

Although Yoga has become a part of mainstream life, the word still conjures up visions of thin, flexible bodies in complex postures. In fact, many people who realize that everyone from cancer patients to senior citizens practice yoga still think of it as a physical discipline only. There are many forms of Yoga which yield emotional, mental, and spiritual health benefits.

The truth is that only one of Yoga's eight limbs - Asana - involves the practice of physical poses. The other seven deal with everything from meditation and breathing to morality and concentration.

It is not my intention to discuss all of the limbs, which Patanjali describes within the Yoga Sutra, but to encourage you to think in-depth about one specific sub-category of Niyama, which you may know as "Tapas."

Niyama, the second limb, is a Sanskrit word that means 'laws' or 'rules'; and its practice involves personal integrity. One of the five concepts of Niyama is Tapas, meaning 'discipline' or 'austerity'. Tapas concerns the action of keeping the body healthy and controlling the inner cravings without exhibiting them externally. Literally, it is translated as 'to burn' or 'to heat' and signifies purification or cleansing.

Interesting Facts about Tapas

• The practice of Asana (postures) and Pranayama (breathing) help to keep the physical body in shape.

• In order to fully practice Yoga, one should have burning desire to keep the body clean.

• A healthy diet and adequate sleep are necessary to keep the body pure.

• Tapas stresses moderation and purity of all things, including actions, bodily intake, and senses.

• All thoughts and actions should bring the mind closer to the Divine.

• Activities should be for the benefit of the greater good, not for selfish gain.

• Purification involves sacrifice but leads to greater gains in the long run.

• A common means of practicing Tapas is fasting, or cleansing.

• Tapas may involve striving for a spiritual, physical, or mental goal.

• Spiritual practices and inner cleansing are manifested in the outer body.

• Prayer, meditation, positive thinking, and kind words or deeds lead to purification.

• The ultimate goal of purification is union with God or entering Nirvana.

A person who adheres to ascetic practices in an attempt to achieve the level of the great teachers, such as Buddha or Jesus, is called a Tapasvi. The everyday yoga practitioner, however, need not spend long hours meditating in an ashram to benefit from Tapas. Much like the Golden Rule, it is just a healthy and moral way to live.

© Copyright 2011 - Aura Wellness Center - Publications Division

Faye Martins, is a Yoga teacher and a graduate of the Yoga teacher training program at: Aura Wellness Center in, Attleboro, MA. To receive Free Yoga videos, Podcasts, e-Books, reports, and articles about Yoga, please visit: http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org/

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Guide To Yoga Instructor Training

The environment has become very hectic and people are doing many things to get them healthy again. The idea behind this is to make sure that people can remain focused and on point when it comes to the daily tasks of the world. The stress of life can be very detrimental to people if they are not prepared for it. This is when the need for yoga instructor training is at its best.

The best thing for most people to do these days is to get into some sort of meditation that allows a person to rest. This can be summed up in one course and the idea is all about yoga instructor training in the world today. This can make a person more relaxed and give them the ability to focus on what they need to achieve their goals in life.

The smart move is to get into some sort of exercise that can make the body feel better. This means that a person will have to control all aspects of those things that cause them stress. This allows them to control the amount of stress that can come into their bodies.

There are many schools that can be used to start the training experience. Not all schools fit the same person. Each method has its own way of introducing Yoga to the world. The idea is to be able to give people a way of resting when the world is giving them so much to do. That can be a benefit in the workplace or other environments that have a high stress level.

There are many classes out there that offer this type of training for those who are interested. The ability to become a good student with Yoga is to be able to get the right yoga instructor training. Some places offer video and online instructions to give to those who would like to learn this art in the comfort of their homes. This can be good and bad for the person depending on their focus and needs.

Some people decide that they would like to enjoy the art with others in a class setting. This can be great for those who are in need of others to help in their training. Some people need to have a helping hand when it comes to the learning of new things. This can be a benefit as a connection is not only made with the Yoga, but with people as well.

Videos, internet, TV, and classrooms all give different aspects to people who are ready to learn how to do Yoga. Depending on the type of class setting that is desired, a person can take one or several of these methods. The best way of learning Yoga is by the best way that suits the person. Schooling is needed for those who do wish to be instructors.

The need for yoga instructor training is to help people to deal with the attributes of stress. Stress can come from many things, but the point is to be able to have some defense against it. This can help a person to better operate in the world.

Offering the best in Yoga instructor training and Yoga teacher training, British Colombia's school of teacher training is your stop for spiritual and physical practices.

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How to Gain Height by Doing Yoga

The question that we are trying to answer in this article is can you gain height through yoga? Yoga can be used to strengthen the body and prepare your muscles for growth. It isn't just a celebrity fad that has taken off for no good reason - it is proven to work and improves your balance and your posture too. You don't need an elaborate gym to be built in your home or invest in lots of equipment. Some people perform their Yoga routine from the comfort of their own homes and if you are seriously thinking about ways in which you can gain height then this could be something for you too.

If you think about how difficult it is to stand straight and tall without slouching it is hard to imagine that anyone could maintain this stance permanently but yoga can teach you how. You can gain height instantly by working on your posture because when you stand straight you are at your tallest. Starting from this point will give some real results quickly and help you look as though you can gain height straight away.

Yoga is also about flexibility. You need to be flexible so that you can walk around and move with ease but the more flexible you are and the less compression there is in your spine the more chance it has of elongating and therefore growing..

Here we will look at some specific yoga movements you can try that will help you gain height over time and with perseverance and are very easy to start trying. You can improve your posture and release built up tension in your back so you feel able to stand up tall without slouching and keep that posture over time.

We will look at three yoga movements in turn and describe how to carry out each one Before you start though, you should speak to your doctor to check these are right for you.

The centered movement is very easy. You sit with your legs crossed on the floor and rest your hands gently on your knees. Sit so that your spine is straight and breathe in. As you breathe in lift your arms in the air above your head. As you breathe out slowly bring them back down to their starting position.

The triangle movement is slightly different and is great for posture but also good for relieving built up tension in your back. Stand with your feet quite far about. You might want to start at three feet apart and make your way up to four. Your feet should start by both pointing forward but then turn your left foot out at a right angle and your right foot out at 45 degrees. As you inhale lift your arms in the air and as you exhale turn to look along the length of your left arm. As you inhale again stretch your upper body down to your left ankle and when you can go no further place your left hand on the back of your leg and point your right arm to the ceiling. Hold this pose for a few deep breaths and then as you inhale straighten up and come back to your upright normal position. Repeat this movement for the other side of your body.

The dog and cat can be done together and involve getting onto the floor on all fours. As you inhale you curve your spine downwards so your stomach points to the floor and your head is pointed upwards. As you reverse this position and curve your spine the other way you can enter into the cat pose.

These are some great techniques you can try when you are looking to gain height. But, what you could also try is HeightGrowth Plus Height Gaining Supplements. HG-PLUS Grow Taller Pills will help you get the maximum benefit from your exercise regime and any other changes you make to your lifestyle. HeightGrowth-Plus Height Increase Formulation is completely natural so you don't need to worry about nasty side effects, just enjoy the benefits!

The author of this article is an expert in how to gain height naturally by doing yoga exercises and stretching your spine. He has spent over 13 years studying how the human body works and in particular how to grow taller.

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Yoga Meditation for Silencing the Mind

In "The Journal of Yoga Science as Mind-Body Medicine," Leonard Perlmutter compares the human brain to technology. Just as new software can make an old computer system function more efficiently, meditation can alter the state of the mind.

Yogic Viewpoint

According to Yogic philosophy, the physical body is a projection of the unconscious mind, the place where all of the memories, experiences, and dreams are stored, as well as the addictions, fears, anger, and disappointments. The ideas and thoughts that receive the most attention create the deepest channels of communication. These pathways include creativity and healthy habits, in addition to compulsions and addictions.

As these stimuli are processed, the unconscious mind sends signals to the physical body. Depending on its interpretation, the body can then relax and function more efficiently, or it can pump cortisol and adrenaline into its system, in an effort to fight what it perceives as a threat. Although we often blame other people or circumstances for these reactions, it is our interpretation of events that creates our realities.

Training the Mind for Positive Thinking

Yoga meditation is one of the most effective ways of changing our thinking, and the style is not as important as the fact that it takes place on a regular basis. Although having a specific time of day and a particular place are helpful in creating a positive habit, they are not necessary. A simple act of mindfulness can take place on the tennis court or the carpool.

Many Meditation Methods

For people who have trouble sitting still, guided meditations, visualizations, and music with binaural beats are often good starting points. What works for one person may not work for another. Meditation classes help to provide discipline, and the sequences of poses in Yoga classes were designed to prepare the mind for a meditative state. Many people change meditation styles as they learn the art, while others integrate several different kinds of meditation into their practices.

Just as it took time and attention to integrate bad habits into our lifestyles, it also takes patience and diligence to develop new ones. By rewriting the old programs running our brains, we can silence our minds and create healthy habits of loving kindness and compassion.

Yogic Breath Awareness Meditation for Silencing the Mind

One method that most Yoga students find to be the easiest to grasp is breath awareness meditation. Breath awareness is often taught in Yoga classes; which makes one realize how wise the Swamis of the past were.

While we are living, our breath is a constant ebb and flow. We do not have to drive to the beach, or mountains, to be in touch with our breath. All you have to do is sit comfortably and breathe, without judging yourself. Just observe your breathing and relax, without trying to control inhales or exhales.

Options for Yogic Breath Awareness

Good posture is important, but sitting on the floor can be difficult, if you were born into a chair-sitting society. For this reason, consider a chair or a prop for sitting. Otherwise, you might only be able to concentrate on the pain in your back.

Closing your eyes is optional, but it does help some practitioners concentrate on their breath. The same can be said for light music. Some Yoga teachers never use music for a session, but some use it for everything. Therefore, consider music an optional tool.

Conclusion

Meditation will help you silence your mind. Many experienced practitioners forget to point new students toward the easiest meditation methods. The shortest path toward training and silencing the mind is the easiest.

© Copyright 2011 - Aura Wellness Center - Publications Division

Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500, has written many books on the subject of Yoga. He is a co-owner and the Director of Yoga Teacher Training at: Aura Wellness Center, in Attleboro, MA. He has been a certified Master Yoga Teacher since 1995. To receive Free Yoga videos, Podcasts, e-Books, reports, and articles about Yoga, please visit: http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org/

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Hemp: A Unique Eco-Friendly Fabric for Yoga Pants

When thinking about getting the perfect pair of yoga pants consider a pair made from Hemp. Its is eco-friendly, durable and unique.

What makes Hemp eco-friendly?

Hemp is a plant that grows quite fast. This makes it a sustainable resource. It requires very little pesticides and no herbicides. It can clean wastewater of excessive chemicals and unwanted substances. It is also great in weed control. Its height and density as a crop make it effective in killing weeds in farming. This helps farmers use less herbicides which makes organic certification easier to gain as well as increase the benefits of crop rotation. All of these properties help make Hemp an eco-friendly material.

What is Hemp used for?

Hemp is a very versatile fiber. It is processed in many ways. The fibers are used to make cordage, long-lasting fabrics, mulch, bedding, and paper. Canvas for sails, ropes for all purposes, and jewelry are the most common products. The seeds are used for food, are processed into milk and many other nutritional items. The oil from the seeds is used in making oil based paints, creams and in plastics.

How is Hemp Cultivated?

Basically it is grown in large fields, then cut to 2-3 cm above the soil and left on the ground to dry. After it dries the retting process begins. There are several methods, the most eco-friendly being dew retting. This is where it is left on the ground to be affected by natural moisture in dew, molds and bacteria. The less eco-friendly but more common ways are water retting and machine processing.

Why is it great for yoga pants?

As a fabric Hemp is similar to Linen in its texture. However it is often blended with other organic fibers which make it more appealing as a fabric. Hemp cotton blends are the most common. Mixing Hemp and Lycra makes a very durable, soft and stretchy fabric. While it is slightly less eco-friendly it makes a great fabric for yoga pants that can also be used outside of the realm of the studio. You want your yoga pants to be breathable, stretchy, and comfortable. Durability is an added benefit since you won't have to replace them so often. It also means you can wear the pants while doing other physical activities, like rock climbing or biking.

Why is it important to use Eco-Friendly fabrics?

We only have this one planet to live on. We need to take care of it. When people lived off the land they took better care of it. They knew that if they were going to survive the land they lived in needed to be treated properly or there wouldn't be crops next year or clean water. The big companies, especially after the Industrial Revolution were more focused on mass production than on how they were impacting the environment. That mentality has continued and now the world's resources are running out, rivers and lakes are polluted, and the forests are depleted. Everyone has the choice to say "Hey! I want to buy something that is made in an eco-friendly way. I want to preserve the planet."

Carolyn Batz; CEO Harmony Yoga Pants

If you would like to learn more about eco-friendly yoga pants and active wear visit our site at http://www.harmonyyogapants.com/
You will find a great selection of unique and comfortable yoga pants and accessories. We offer products made from organic cotton, bamboo and hemp. All products are made in the USA by fair trade companies. We make it easy to be in harmony with yourself and the planet. Namaste.

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Yoga and Meditation for Relationships

Yoga and meditation classes create lofty expectations. Yet, upon leaving a Yoga class, we are faced with the reality of life. When students are present for Yoga practice, it is a wonderful experience. However, the challenge of real life can be found outside the Yoga studio or ashram. One of the many challenges people face is managing relationships.

For some of us, there are times when relationships appear to bring more sorrow than joy; and often, that is what drives people to decide that they are simply not worth the trouble. This leads to anti-social habits for self-protection. Seclusion is not a reasonable long term answer. The answer is to take difficult relationships and make them a learning experience. Why not turn problems, with other individuals, into a constant meditative practice?

Avoiding the Urge to Control Others

It is a fact that the only person one can truly control is himself or herself. Attempts to mold, shape, and modify the thinking of others, usually results in frustration. While some people do successfully control others, it is rare to see it last for long. Additionally, the desire to control others is usually rooted in selfishness. Ironically, our deepest states of happiness, inner peace, and freedom can only be experienced if we are free from attachment, controlling, and clinging.

Finding the Observer Within

As issues, disagreements, and irritations arise - take care to observe your mind patterns. Do not judge what you see; just watch and allow these thoughts or feelings to be. By observing the mind, while in the midst of an argument or disagreement, one may gain valuable insight into underlying mind patterns, which are usually hidden from view. It is a major challenge to observe, while you are "under fire."

The simple act of observing the mind, during an argument, will promote a shift within the tone of the situation, because it prevents you from becoming identified with the thoughts and emotions of the ego. By keeping your sense of distance from internal feelings, such as indignation, irritation, and frustration, you may observe them, without becoming lost in them. This present moment awareness leads to a calmness and clarity that was not there before; and this shifts the situation dramatically.

Yogic Meditation Solutions for Conflicts and Healing Relationships

A conflict means nothing, if we cannot learn from it. You must remove anger and frustration first. As soon as it is possible, try sitting in a quiet place, and practice your favorite meditation method. Once inner stillness and calm is reached, bring back to mind the observations you made during the conflict with the other individual. Chances are good that this remembrance will bring back to memory all of the same mind patterns.

Now is the time to explore them in depth. Go deeply into the conflict, without emotion, and observe it fully; yet, continue to remind yourself that you are observing the emotions and thoughts. Do not identify with them.

This is one of the best ways to become aware of that which is hidden within you. Perhaps, deep down inside, you really do harbor resentment towards the individual; or perhaps, you really do hold them in disdain for thoughtlessness in their conduct. There is nothing wrong with these thoughts and feelings, but it is essential to become aware of them. Awareness of hidden negative emotions, and thought patterns, gradually leads to the removal of negativity and stress. In this way, all relationships become an opportunity for self-discovery and a deep consciousness of everyday life.

Unfortunately, all relationships will not be repaired by meditating on them. Sometimes, people really are selfish, deceitful, or ego driven - enough to justify putting an end to that relationship. Ending a relationship, based on a rational decision, which rises up from a higher state of consciousness (with no judgment or resentment) is much better than a relationship ended in anger, and without thought.

Conclusion

If you continually practice being conscious and aware of how your ego reacts to others, the quality of all your relationships will eventually increase. You will be surrounded by a higher quality of character. This may be due to a change in yourself or a change in the type of people that are drawn to you. Either way, better relationships are attainable through making them a part of your Yoga meditation practice.

© Copyright 2011 - Aura Wellness Center - Publications Division

Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500, has written many books on the subject of Yoga. He is a co-owner and the Director of Yoga Teacher Training at: Aura Wellness Center, in Attleboro, MA. He has been a certified Master Yoga Teacher since 1995. To receive Free Yoga videos, Podcasts, e-Books, reports, and articles about Yoga, please visit: http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org/

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Yoga Instructors Use Online Services to Build Their Business

Many small business owners find it difficult to get started especially in today's economy. But there are some useful ideas that might help to generate new clients and keep their business going. There are many traditional approaches to marketing that have been used before and that still generate new customers because, as you know, without customers your business will not grow. The trick is to keep those clients coming back. This is especially important for yoga instructors.

Traditional marketing techniques for yoga instructors include affiliation with a professional association that offers them networking opportunities with other yoga instructors to learn how they are growing their businesses. Sometimes they can collaborate with other instructors to form backup for their business as well as the opportunity to learn what is going on in their field. Networking within the community where they live or where their business is located can also lead to more clients. Examples of this include joining the local Chamber of Commerce or other weekly professional groups that may possibly generate new clients through the additional exposure offered.

Use of social media is a must in today's world of Facebook and Twitter. Referrals are always a way to gain new business and social media provide ample opportunities for people to hear about you from satisfied customers. You can also start your business on a part-time basis until you feel confident that your business will thrive full time. It is important to have a niche that makes you stand out in the world of yoga. Figure out what that is and take advantage of it.

Yoga instructors offer classes that are not only a popular form of wellness but also very popular as a means of exercise. But it is also something that you can easily put off until the next week if you don't feel like going. This means there are a lot of "no shows" that can hurt the business. Like any other similar businesses, yoga instructors rely on their classes being full. Along with that they are constantly seeking innovative methods of attracting new clients too.

One of the most important ways that a yoga instructor can thrive and keep clients coming back is to use an online appointment scheduling system for their classes. It's a good idea to have the client prepay all or part of the fee and send reminders to them about the next class or appointment. You can also use the online payment option for invoicing and payment, which will reduce your workload. It is so much easier for both you and the client to do everything online through your website. Both of these important online options are available at http://www.simplifythis.com/.

Rama Banerjee is passionate about making small businesses more efficient by harnessing web and mobile technologies, writes about SimplifyThis.com applications while improving them and adding new features. Learn new features about web appointment software, web scheduling today.

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