Practicing Hot Yoga While Coping With Diabetes

Diabetes is a health condition in which there is too much sugar in the blood. In type I diabetes, the body does not produce insulin, which regulates blood sugar. In type II diabetes, the body produces little insulin or cannot use it properly. Both conditions are a result of the pancreas not functioning properly. Diabetes can lead to serious health problems such as blindness, kidney failure and even death.

Some people believe that hot yoga can lessen or reverse diabetes by causing the pancreas to function normally so that body is producing enough insulin and using it properly. Certain poses stimulate the pancreas and cause it to function better.

This type of yoga is done in a room heated 80 to 105 degrees. The exercise area has about 40 percent humidity. The heat and humidity cause practitioners to sweat more, which causes the body to release toxins and become healthier.

Blood sugar levels for diabetics are sometimes affected by the amount of stress a person is experiencing. Hot yoga relaxation techniques reduce stress in the body, which in turn can lower a person's blood sugar level.

Due to the high temperature during hot yoga exercises, it is important to be properly hydrated before starting the poses. It may be necessary to drink water during practice. Water should definitely be consumed after class to rehydrate the body.

It takes a while to adjust to the exercise setting. Beginners should not try to hold the poses the same length of time as more experienced people in the class. Less experienced practitioners should not attempt to do the entire routine at first.

Because of the heat involved in the exercise, there is a risk for heatstroke and other health complications. Those who already have conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes or asthma are at even higher risk of having medical problems in hot yoga classes. It is a good idea for healthy people to consult a doctor before starting a class, but it is very important for people with health problems to talk with their doctors first. A person should only select classes taught by experienced, knowledgeable instructors.

There is some evidence that yoga relaxation in general is beneficial to the body and typically improves overall health. It is known to reduce blood pressure, improve flexibility and increase mental calmness. People may experience some improvement in their blood sugar levels because they will have less stress.

Author is a freelance copywriter. For more information about hot yoga classes, please visit http://www.hotyogaexperience.com/.

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Starting to Use Yoga in Your Life

Yoga is a practice that helps a person become more aware of their body. Many people have begun to seek a healthy way of life through medicine, herbal remedies, and physical training. But what yoga can offer is more than just the physical portion of your body. It helps to focus the mind as well, and because your body and mind are linked together, the two must work as one to achieve well-being.

If you've never experienced yoga before, you may be wondering what to look for when searching for your yoga experience. There is more to it than just opening a phone book and finding the closest studio or teacher, you should also consider what you want out of the experience.

A style to match

There is more than one style of yoga as there is to any method of teaching. Some of the methods can be more challenging, offering obstacles and difficulties for your mind and body to overcome while teaching you method and relaxation. Other styles rely on the smoothness and graceful moves that orient themselves around rhythmic breathing. There are even some that orient themselves around vigorous movement linked with breathing, offering a more active experience.

All of the techniques teach you how to center your body for balance and focus the mind through breathing and feeling. Depending on your physical preference, you may want to seek a physically relaxing style, or even a more active style, but both will help you learn how to become one in body and mind.

Locations

Finding a studio always depends on where YOU are. Not all cities offer all the various yoga styles, but most will provide a few studious. Online, you can easily find a studio near you. Always check the studio out before you join. Make sure the people are friendly and the location practices cleanliness (healthy body, healthy mind).

The right mentor

Once you've found a studio that you like, you need to make sure the teacher is a good mentor. Anybody can claim the title of "teacher," but there is more to it than title. Yoga is an awareness that orients itself around balance and being at peace with one's self, and the teacher needs to reflect the qualities they are teaching. Friendly on the outside and inside is important. (You don't want to learn from someone that is calm until...) Get to know your mentor, and see if you are going to feel comfortable learning with them. Remember that a sense of humor is a must, as it helps to shed stress, and bring levity to any situation. If the teacher has an ego, they will find it difficult to teach balance to others. They may put themselves before the needs of their class, and ultimately fail to teach.

You can find recommendations and referrals online at the Yoga Alliance website. Some teachers will be certified through the alliance and you can read their biographies and philosophies.
The benefits of yoga are numerous, as you will find your center, helping with balance, healing, and overall health in body and mind. It is about learning, not just through the physical practice, but watching and studying as well.

Safety is always important, don't push yourself too hard too fast as you'll only hurt yourself, which is exactly what yoga is designed to prevent. Listen to your body and understand its limitations. Patience with yourself is important. Remember to take care of yourself, both mind and body.

Dr. Jared Kohler, Capitol Hill Chiropractor & the Founder and Director of The Vital Energy Center, is a genuine, dedicated, and fantastic chiropractor!

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Yoga for Helping Teenagers to Cope

Many teenagers, today, struggle with a degree of anxiety and depression unknown to previous generations at the same young age. There is a great deal of pressure on teenagers from their parents, teachers, and work obligations. In addition, there is a substantial amount of peer pressure surrounding many teens - both at school and during extra-curricular activities. Some of these causative factors of anxiety and depression have not changed much from generation to generation. However, the contemporary context of a fast-paced, insular and impersonal world, with a distinct lack of family and community structure, in addition to an unclear set of expectations and ethics, can increase the physical and psychological isolation and vulnerability of teens.

This sense of isolation, both emotionally and physically, can increase a teen's sense of anxiety, sadness, confusion, anger, and hopelessness. The practice of Yoga helps to enfold teenagers into a community of people, who are looking at the glass half-full, instead of half-empty. There is also a strong underlying ethical code guiding most Yoga practitioners. The intrinsic message of service, hope, and ethical behavior creates a strong foundation for teenagers - the lack of which may be one of the causative factors contributing to depression, anxiety, and a sense of hopelessness. If a teenager practices Yoga with other teenagers, some of the isolation endemic to our contemporary culture will be penetrated, and he or she will begin to share time with other teenagers of like-mind.

The physical practice of Yoga asanas, breathing exercises, and meditation will help to support a healthy and balanced nervous system. If a teenager has been stressed-out for a long period of time, his or her nervous system may be in overdrive, and operating in a state of hyper-vigilance at all times. The teen may have a difficult time focusing on his or her school work and may even have difficulty sleeping well. A keyed-up nervous system is exhausting for the body because of the extra amount of cortisol and adrenalin that is constantly being released into the blood stream. Eventually, the teen's serotonin level will begin to fall from too much cortisol and adrenaline. As serotonin levels fall, depression usually ensues.

Yoga asanas, breathing exercises, and mediation practices all help to calm down an overactive nervous system and help the mind to quiet and focus. The physical postures of Yoga are incredibly effective at releasing stress and tension, as well as increasing muscular strength and flexibility. With regular practice, Yoga will also help to balance the parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous systems, finally turning off the flight-or-fight mechanism. Eventually, a teenager, who practices Yoga regularly, will be less vulnerable to depression and anxiety. He or she will also be more connected to a healthy community of peers, that will be striving to take care of themselves, and give back to the community.

© 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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Challenges of Teaching Kids Yoga

There are a number of challenges inherent in teaching kids Yoga. Quite frankly, the challenges could be endless! These challenges could range from protests about stomachaches and sore arms to not having the correct clothing. There may also be a lack of Yoga mats or the room may be too hot or too cold. The challenges will be similar to the same kind of issues a teacher would run into trying to teach kids chemistry or how to avoid dangling modifiers, with a P.E. twist of course.

Some of these challenges may be averted with proper preparation. You may want to arrive ten minutes early in order to set the room up and adjust the temperature. You may also want to make sure there are enough Yoga mats for all the students. Additionally, it may be helpful to let the kids know that they will be practicing Yoga on a specific day and to bring their workout clothes to school with them.

As you commence a Yoga class with a group of kids you may hear, "This is dumb. This is boring. This is too hard. This is girls' stuff." One of the primary ways of overcoming the kids' resistance to participating in a Yoga class is to make it fun and to earn their respect, both for the practice and for you as a teacher. Depending on the age of the children you are instructing, a brief introduction about Yoga's many benefits may be in order. Teenagers' curiosity will be piqued if you give them some background on how beneficial Yoga has proven to be over several thousand years. Teenagers will also be particularly impressed by the challenges of Ashtanga, Power, and Vinyasa Yoga. Once they succeed at successfully completing a challenging power Yoga routine, their resistance may come down a notch.

Spiritual Precautions

If you are teaching Yoga in a public school setting, it is important to keep in mind that there is a very strict division between church and state. The values and virtuous qualities that are espoused in Pantajali's Yoga Sutras may still be taught to the children, just not in a spiritually demonstrative context. In other words, putting a statue of Ganesh in the front of the room may create more obstacles with the school administration than Ganesh is able to remove! If you are teaching Yoga in a private school or health facility, you may want to check with the administrators or the facility manager to find out what level of spiritual discussion is appropriate for that venue.

© 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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Treating Yourself to a Yoga Retreat Holiday

Yoga retreat centers are growing increasingly popular as they offer a way for people to feel more relaxed and healthy at the same time. In modern life, the daily routine can often leave us feeling stressed and out of sorts. It is important to learn how to effectively combat high levels of stress. Without doing so, you may be more susceptible to a variety of health concerns, including various diseases and even possible heart problems. Learning how to relax can also help you to be more productive when you return home.

There are now yoga retreats and holidays offered in locations all over the world, including locations in Mexico, such as Oaxaca. One of the most appealing aspects about combining a vacation or holiday with a yoga retreat is that you can choose many elements about your retreat to personalize it for your needs. For instance, you can choose to go away for a weekend or you can opt for a longer getaway. Such options will allow you to choose a yoga retreat that will suit your needs accordingly.

When choosing your yoga retreat center, there are numerous factors that should be taken into consideration to ensure that you will benefit the most possible from your getaway. One of the first elements to be considered is where you will travel. There are many excellent yoga centers throughout the world where you can learn more about practising yoga while also enjoying a getaway. The El Neem center in beautiful Mexico is quickly becoming a popular getaway because of the beautiful surroundings. After you have narrowed down your choice of where you would like to travel, it is also important to look into the reputation of the center. If you are new to yoga, it is important to look for a center that offers introductory or beginner classes. This is usually not an issue as most professional yoga centers offer an array of programs to suit people of all skill levels. If you are not certain, be sure to discuss this with the yoga retreat center you are considering in advance.

Even if you are not experienced in practicing yoga you should not allow this to deter you from enjoying the immense benefits of attending a yoga retreat. You can be certain you will not be the only person in attendance who is not advanced in yoga. The goal is to learn more about practising yoga so that you can become better attuned to your inner self while also reaping the tremendous health benefits. After you have attended a yoga retreat and learned more about meditacion or meditation you will likely find you are more in touch with your espiritual or spiritual side with increased understanding of the world as a whole.

It is also important to look for a yoga retiro or retreat that offers the specific type of yoga that interests you. Many centers offer various types of yoga instruction, including the practice of Tantra and Chakras yoga. Be sure to ask about this ahead of time so you can be certain of the type of yoga program that is offered and that it will match with your goals and needs.

Attending a yoga retreat offers the unique opportunity to enjoy a relaxing holiday getaway while at the same time soaking up the benefits offered by yoga practice. Whether you want to improve your flexibility, tone your body, gain spiritual understanding or learn effective methods for relaxation, a yoga retreat center can help you to learn how to live a more meaningful life.

Agama Yoga Mexico Retreat (retiro de meditacion y espiritualidad) is a perfect alternative health holiday and beach vacation for budget travellers wanting 1 week/1 month in depth intros to Hatha, Kundalini, Chakras and Tantra.

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Kids Yoga for Healing Injuries

Kids Yoga can be utilized for healing injuries. Of course, this depends on what kind of injury we are talking about! A pulled hamstring is very different from a severe head concussion. Many minor injuries, strains, sprains, aches, and pains can be alleviated by a regular practice of Yoga. Yoga classes that are geared for kids incorporate the same traditional standing and sitting poses as adult Yoga classes. Many minor injuries can be addressed and healed by a consistent Yoga practice. In the case of serious injuries such as a concussion, broken bones and so on, please consult with your family physician before enrolling your child in a Yoga class.

Yoga is an incredibly therapeutic system of physical postures and exercises for strengthening, stabilizing and balancing both the body and mind. Many injuries arise because of the misalignment of the spine, overuse of a particular group of muscles and weakness in one or more parts of the body. Yoga postures help to strengthen, stretch and balance the entire body in such a way as to ameliorate current injuries, speed up the healing process of these injuries and prevent future injuries.

For example, if a child has injured his shoulder during wrestling practice or her hamstring during ballet practice, practicing Yoga postures will help to gently stretch and strengthen the compromised muscles and ligaments. Gentle exercises will help to bring fresh blood and nutrients to the areas that are injured speeding up the recovery process. Yoga asanas will also help to balance and strengthen the entire body so that a particular set of muscles is not overused and more vulnerable to future strains and sprains. Overuse of a specific muscle or group of muscles on a repetitive basis is one of the primary causes of minor muscles injuries.

Yoga can help children to improve the level of their overall health by strengthening all of the core muscle groups and increasing their level of flexibility so that minor injuries may be avoided in the future. If a child is contending with a more serious level of injury, it is best to get the approval of your family doctor before engaging in any new exercise regime, including Yoga. If your doctor gives you the "green light," you may still want to consider a few private Yoga lessons with a certified Yoga instructor in order to safely initiate a therapeutic Yoga practice for your child. A certified Yoga instructor will be able to help your child learn how to practice a series of Yoga postures safely in order to enhance and support the healing process.

© 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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Power Yoga Teacher Training Courses

Power Yoga is considered to be a contemporary form of Ashtanga Yoga and can be a very intense workout. Yoga teachers can benefit from taking a Power Yoga teacher training course, as aspects of this particular form of Yoga can be added into an already established practice. Power Yoga workouts can often attract new students who otherwise might not be interested in Yoga. That is because it is a very cardiovascular and aerobic workout, with emphasis on strength and flexibility. People that are already in great shape might find that it helps to improve their bodies, therefore adding to their overall fitness levels.

In order to grow a Yoga practice, teachers must not be static. The practice of Yoga has evolved over time and teachers have been at the forefront of that movement. A Power Yoga teacher training course can be a great asset to an already established practice. Beginners may also be attracted to it because it is more of an Americanized version of Yoga - meaning that there isn't a lot of chanting or meditation. The focus is more on the actual physical body instead of the spiritual one. For many people that are just getting into Yoga, it can be a more accessible way to practice.

In order to gain real perspective on Power Yoga, aspiring teachers should know how to do the poses correctly, with the correct posture and breathing techniques. A teacher training course can help teachers create routines and establish a rapport with the students in the class. It will also help educate teachers on how to work with and around injuries. All of those are core aspects to becoming a knowledgeable and evolved Power Yoga teacher.

The power of Yoga as a recognized workout is a momentum that is best kept moving forward. Becoming an informed Power Yoga teacher requires some time and dedication, but doing so can help to improve your connection with Yoga, therefore helping your students do the same. Change through growth and forward thinking can help us on our journey through life. Finding and then taking the right Power Yoga teacher training course can greatly expand your understanding and help to deepen your connection to the practice of Yoga.

Regardless of which style one has roots in, Yoga certification in more than one style helps teachers become well-rounded in their knowledge. Power Yoga instructor courses contain knowledge regarding safety, alignment, adjustments and assisting. The Yogic subtle body and some Sanskrit training are a plus, when shopping for the right Yoga course.

© 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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A Practical Approach To Yoga Off The Mat

Yoga off the mat is an oft-used term. The idea is to extend one's practice outside the studio by incorporating Yogic elements into everyday life. Have you ever been at Whole Foods and noticed your line-neighbor in an asana? Now, that is what we would call extreme off-the-mat practice, which is absolutely encouraged if you can stand a stare or two. However, for most of us, the principle is about incorporating Yoga skills into everyday life.

While the premise seems simple, some students may shy away from yoga off the mat practice; which happens when we apply yogic principles to life. However, many people, for one reason or another, only engage in Yoga as a physical exercise and want little to do with its roots or meditative machinations. Even if you instruct more secular minded students - or those with deep faith in a particular religion - there are ways to promote "Yoga off the mat." After all, no matter what your religious affiliation - or lack thereof - the skills taught in Yoga class can be applied to everyday interactions from the boardroom to the classroom.

Knowing Your Limits

Pushing one's limits happens all the time. A first time student enters class expecting to breeze through, only to discover that Yoga isn't as easy as the models make it look. Even experienced yoga practitioners still feel the burn when it comes to certain asanas.

Yet, in class, we learn how to train our minds to accept what our bodies are saying. Perhaps most importantly, we teach our students to identify their limits. As yoga instructors, we're constantly reminding, "just because someone else is doing the most challenging variation, doesn't mean you have to!" The message in that "mantra" is a lesson everyone, at some point in their life, should work on - as it leads to greater self-discipline, which results in heightened awareness and understanding of others.

Healthy Breathing

In Sanskrit, the word for breathing (pranayama) translates to "extending life force," which is the goal of 99.9% of people living on the planet today. Elemental to the practice of yoga, pranayama is also the essence of every human being. When one learns to notice their breath and observe its calming effect - healthy things happen. Stay on your students' cases about breathing; remind them that breath is the core human function. If you make it a class focus, the proper breathing habits will become intrinsically manifest in all your students - both inside and outside the studio.

Remember, not all of your students want to explore the spiritual side of yoga - and that's all right! However, it doesn't mean you can't guide them to off the mat practice. Good luck and Namaste!

© 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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How to Measure Progress in Yoga Practice

The practice of Yoga has many notable health benefits, a fact that has been well established for thousands of years. These benefits range from a deeper emotional understanding and awareness, a calmer mind and a number of positive physical changes. In fact, all of those positive attributes are just a few of the reasons people turn to Yoga. However, some people want results that can be actively measured and seen, not just felt. There are a number of ways that progress can be measured within a Yoga practice.

Physically, there are a few ways to measure the forward progress and positive momentum of practicing yoga regularly. One of the simplest ways is to take note of body fat measurements. People often find that Yoga can help to minimize body fat. This is not an overnight process and sometimes the changes can't be seen until the next time a body fat measurement is taken, but it is a benefit that can be attributed to yoga. (And a healthy diet!) The body's ability to stretch and bend, along with notable improvements while breathing are more noticeable physical benefits.

Of course, it is important to note that Yoga is also good for calming the mind. And that can be one of the many positive attributes people have found attractive about Yoga. Poses and breathing inspire a concentration that can help to relieve stress along with physical aches and pains. It should also be noted that different types of Yoga practices can elicit progress that can be seen sooner rather than later, and vice versa. Students and teachers should have a clear view of the types of progress they want to take away from a practice, but should also be open to the idea that other beneficial effects from Yoga can and do occur.

Overall, the ability to measure progress in Yoga practice is something that students and teachers can keep track of, although the results are not often readily seen. Instead, they can be felt and expressed in other ways, not just physically. Yoga is more than just another fad workout program. It is an enduring form of exercise and way of life that has been proven to be largely beneficial for those that take the time to practice.

Perhaps the most significant measurement in Yoga is one that cannot be checked by instruments. When you ask someone how they feel, they're answer isn't based on numbers. They might say they feel great, good, pretty good, fair, or worse. Yoga makes you feel good or better and that's a measurement too.

© 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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How to Introduce Yoga to Children

There are many benefits to the regular and dedicated practice of Yoga. Some of these benefits range from improved strength and flexibility to a better sense of balance and concentration. All of these benefits will also help children, particularly in a school setting. There are so many children, today, who are struggling with their weight and an inability to focus on their schoolwork. As we all know, the obesity epidemic is becoming more and more serious, both in the adult and child populations. The number of children, who are being diagnosed with ADHD, is also at very high levels. Yoga is a great tool for addressing both of these issues.

One of the very best ways to introduce children to the practice of Yoga is by having FUN! A serious practice of Yoga asanas, with a complex introduction to Vedantic philosophy, is not the way to introduce children to Yoga, especially not very young children. Children love stories, and modeling their behavior after characters in stories. If you introduce a short series of Yoga poses, based on some animals from a creative story you just told to them, they will love it!

For example, a dog may be a prominent character in your story. You may want to introduce a series of Yoga poses, with an opening stretch to the moon, with the children's hands raised over their heads, and then go into Downward Facing Dog for a good initial stretch. As you flow with them through a series of Yoga poses, you may want to have them act out a story, linking the poses together as the characters move through the plot line. As the story comes to a close, so does the Yoga class. It is a great idea to have them finish the class with 3-5 minutes of meditation; just enough time for the children's minds to settle and focus, but not so long that they get bored.

Before you introduce Yoga to children, it is important to make sure that the children in your class do not have any special physical limitations or requirements. If some of them do, make sure that you can accommodate them within the context of the Yoga class you have created. Most children will benefit greatly from regular exercise, Yoga included. An added benefit of Yoga is that it is easily accessible to most children. Yoga asanas are often used as physically and emotionally therapeutic tools to help children become more aware of their bodies, lose weight, improve social skills, and focus their minds. If Yoga asanas are presented creatively in a story-context, the children will not even know they are exercising!

© 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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About Ayurveda - A Historical Look

Ayurveda is possibly the oldest system of traditional healing still practised today. The practice originated in India 5000 years ago and has become popular all over the world. If you have doubts regarding what is Ayurveda, read on to know more on the topic.

Ayurveda is based on bringing the mind, body and soul in balance and a life style incorporating appropriate diet, exercise and spiritual practices like meditation and mantras is prescribed to bring about harmony in life.

History of Ayurveda

Ayurveda is possibly the greatest gift of physical and spiritual healing given by India to the world. It is thought to be divine in origin and taught to Acharya Ved Vyas by Lord Brahma.

The oral traditions in Ayurveda were gradually penned by seers and sages in treatises, some of the foremost of which are the Atharva Veda, Sushruta Samhita and Charaka Samhita. Ayurveda evolved into the Athreya School for Physicians and The Sushruta School for Surgeons covering eight branches of medicine.

The Basic Tenets of Ayurveda

Ayurveda propounds that there are five elements in nature: Akash (space), Prithvi (Earth), Vayu (air), Jal (Water) and Fire (Agni). The five elements combine in the human body in various proportions to reflect as Doshas - the three doshas Pitta, Vata and Kapha reflect in different people in different strengths and the predominant dosha is the deciding factor in the line of treatment. The treatment serves to bring the doshas in balance.

Vatta Dosha controls the joints and muscles, heart, respiratory system and those parts of central nervous system controlling fear, pain and anxiety.

Kapha Dosha affects the physiognomy, immunity levels and the emotional tendencies of greed, forgiveness, love and calm.

Pitta Dosha controls the digestive system, rate of metabolism, intelligence and the emotional tendencies of jealousy, anger, intelligence and understanding.

How Ayurveda Works

Ayurveda works on the principle that toxins accumulate in the body and cause an imbalance of doshas. The three toxins in Ayurveda are:

* Ama: This is sticky sludge formed as food gets digested. It is a waste product and must be eliminated to keep the digestive system efficient.

* Amavisha: Ama if not eliminated, turns into its more toxic form, Amavisha. Amavisha makes the excretory system sluggish and the toxins further aggravate the imbalances in the body.

* Garavisha: External toxins in the form of harmful microorganisms, trace metals and impure air harm the body. These fall under this category.

Diet and Ayurveda

Yoga works on the principle that you are what you eat. As per the dosha of the patient being treated, an appropriate diet may be prescribed.

* Diet for Vata Dosha: Cereals, clarified butter, whole grains, onions, garlic, okra, turnips, all sweet fruits

* Diet for Pitta Dosha: All fruits and vegetables, sprouts

* Diet for Kapha Dosha: Dry food cooked without oil, salads, and dried fruits.

Perception about Ayurveda varies - there are many cases where Ayurvedic treatments have been very effective and there are critics who are against such unconfirmed medical practices. That being said, Ayurveda has been around for ages, and this medical practice is a key part of India's heritage.

For more information about What is Ayurveda in India, Please visit our website About Ayurveda

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The Advaita Prana Mat Is An Effective Acupressure Tool

The Advaita Pranamat is an effective acupressure tool that promotes self-healing, relaxation and revitalization that restores the energy flow of your body. It is almost a reflexology mat that stimulates the pressure points combining ancient wisdom, bio design and modern technologies.

Reflexology is the practice of applying pressure to the feet and hands using specific thumb, finger and hand techniques without the use of oil, cream or lotion based on a system of zones and reflex areas that reflect an image of the body on the feet and hands with a premise that such work effects a physical change in the body.

By stimulating the body's acupressure points the Pranamat Eco helps in boosting the body's natural energy flow. It has been skilfully designed to "wake up" your body and direct blood flow to the organs that need it the most. The tiny lotus spikes stimulate active nerve Centre and intensify the local blood flow and lymph circulation. Thus, by simply lying down on this modern "bed of nails", you give your body a chance to heal itself and regain energy.

Regular use of Pranamat can help you to relax and stimulate a quicker self-healing process of your body, releasing endorphins to promote a sense of wellbeing at the same time. The Pranamat can help with upper & lower back pain, neck ache, stiffness, low blood pressure, muscle cramps, headache, stress, muscular tension, arthritis, insomnia, and cellulite. It is also ideal for those who are practicing yoga and sports regularly as it induces deep relaxation, healing and harmonizes the body.

By working specific reflex points on the feet, this Advaita eco mat improves circulation and lymph flow, cleanses the body of impurities and revitalize energy, these wills encourage the body to restore naturally its own healthy balance. Additionally, Reflexology can bring soothing stress relief and relaxation to the mind, body and spirit. The treatment can be pleasurable and extremely relaxing to receive, as well as invigorating and energizing. Once you get used to your Pranamat, you will start using it regularly and enjoying the benefits.

Although you can use Pranamat clothed, it offers maximum benefit when used on bare skin for about half an hour 3-4 times a week. The 'spiky lotuses' stimulate the points, the 'awakened feeling it gave and yet how amazingly comfortable the Pranamat is to use.

Pranamat Eco is created with 100% natural materials, such as coconut fibre and pure linen. All the materials of Pranamat Eco are natural, eco-friendly products making it the only acupressure mat on the market that can claim superior design, superior quality and eco-components.

This eco friendly Advaita prana mat will become part of your routine once you begin to enjoy its benefits and get used to this. It these helps heal and invigorate and relax the body at the same time too.

This eco friendly Advaita prana mat will become part of your routine once you begin to enjoy its benefits and get used to this. Prana Mats will help heal and invigorate and relax the body at the same time too.

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Choosing the Best Yoga Mat

Having the best yoga mat may be the most important thing to your practice no matter if you are just starting out or becoming more serious with yoga. With all the options available in the market, it is better to learn the basic functions that a mat should have before investing your money in it. One main consideration when buying a mat is its material. Most of the yoga mats that are available all over the world are made of organic cotton or polyester. There are high quality mats available online and at local retailers. There are also several synthetic and natural yoga mats available.

You should have the knowledge of some important things before choosing a yoga mat which will help you in choosing the best mat possible. You should always keep in mind that there are different kinds of yoga mats for different doing a different type of yoga exercises. Each type of mat intended to be used for a variety of yoga styles. If you are doing a yoga style in which you want to jump from one form to another like in Ashtanga yoga then you will need a really thick mat which will provides you cushion and stability. If you sweat a lot doing yoga then you may need a mat that can absorb. Other considerations in the selection of mat are more of your personal choices. There are many people who favor natural mat made of hemp to feel closer to nature. But as these types can cause allergic reactions to some people, you should be very careful consideration this. You should also consider the place where you do your yoga. You can get a sticky mat to prevent slipping, if you do your yoga on a slippery floor.

Most users will find an intermediate yoga mat as the best option but the problem comes with its thickness. Several manufacturers referred to their ¼-inch thick mats as a standard size mats. Eventually, never buy a mat based only on the marking of the manufacturer. Yoga mats can be found in almost every color and size and it completely depends to your choice to choose a color or size of a mat. It is obvious if you are not a very strong and big build person then you don't need a very large mat and for choosing a color for your mat it completely depends on your choice.

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The Yoga Sutras Relationship to Yoga Today

Yogic philosophy had its beginnings within early Vedic civilization. This was a very advanced civilization that inhabited the regions now known as India and Pakistan. Their Sanskrit scriptures, known as "The Vedas", were heavily linked to the Hindu religion and gave rise to the texts on which modern-day Yoga philosophy is based.

Although written records of Yogic philosophy exist, many of the traditions were passed down orally from teachers to students over thousands of years. Hatha Yoga - the style from which modern practices arise - is largely based on Patanjali's Yoga Sutras, a text in which he explains the eight limbs of Yoga still recognized today. Vedic sages started with the first step and progressively practiced each one for years before reaching the culmination of all eight: Self-realization.

1. Yama - social conduct

2. Niyama - individual conduct

3. Asana - physical poses

4. Pranayama - breathing techniques

5. Pratyahara - withdrawal of the senses

6. Dharana - concentration

7. Dhyana - meditation

8. Samadhi - ultimate state of super consciousness, or enlightenment

Patanjali also described nine obstacles to the practice of Yoga that are just as relevant in the 21st century as they were thousands of years ago:

• Illness

• Self-doubt

• Lack of attention

• Lack of mental effort

• Lack of perseverance

• Over-indulgence

• Misunderstanding or false knowledge

• Laziness

Toward the end of the 1800s, Swami Vivekananda taught Patanjali's principles under the name of Raja Yoga. While Patanjali's Sutras were the major scriptures in the development of Yoga, other texts were also important:

• Upanishads - metaphysical concepts leading to ultimate truth about reincarnation and karma

• Bhagavad Gita - philosophy of Yoga in Hindu epic poem meaning "song of the blessed one"

• Gorraksha Paddhati - description of energy centers and explanation of chanting "OM"

• Hatha Yoga Pradipika - dissertation on the union of Hatha and Raja Yoga

Although the poses of Yoga date back before the Hatha Yoga Pradipika, they were not widely practiced by the public in India until the early 20th century. In 1946, Paramahansa Yogananda introduced the Kriya style of Yoga in his book, "Autobiography of a Yogi". In 1948, Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga was introduced and became the system from which many Hatha Yoga systems in the United States were patterned during the 1960s.

Final Summary

Although the philosophy of authentic Yoga is about a way of living, Yoga today is often used to describe the physical practice of poses for the sole purpose of exercising and improving health. To reap the true benefits of the practice, practitioners would need to find a class that embraces the original teachings of the ancient Vedic texts - along with asana, pranayama, and meditation.

Let's be honest with ourselves. Most practitioners are too busy for the traditional Yoga teacher training. Going through long apprenticeships and levels of dedication as a formal student within a specific lineage with one Guru is a thing of the past. Do you have 10 years to leave your family and live in a monastery or an ashram? Can you leave your job behind?

For these reasons, Yoga will continue to grow with online education and Internet networking. It is up to us as Yoga teachers and practitioners to look deep into the Yoga Sutra, Vedas, and writings of the past. In this way, we can pass the torch to the next generations of teachers, who will surely be more advanced in their ability to absorb the Yogic teachings of the past.

© 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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Practice Yoga at Home

Life is getting tough and hectic day by day. Busy work schedules, travelling, hectic and unhealthy lifestyle, unhealthy eating habits, etc all lead to many health problems even at an early age. It has become difficult for people to find time to visit a yoga retreat or meditation retreat and practice yoga there.

People find it difficult to manage time for work out and therefore just give up the idea of workout. This has led to many health problems and increasing number of youngsters complaining about However you can now continue with your lifestyle and schedule and still workout at your home and lead towards a healthy life. You can now practice some yoga moves at home that will help to relax your body and mind and get rid of any health problems.

Here are some moves/yoga poses you can practice at your home. To practice some very simple asanas of yoga at home you just need a couple of things:

Yoga Mat, Yoga DVD and of course time. Working out for 20-30 minutes a day will prove very beneficial to you. You might spend this time in travelling if you join some class but if you decide to practice it at home you can utilize this time. If you do not much about this form of exercise then you can learn it by watching a yoga DVD. For your convenience we have jotted down following some exercises that you can practice at home.

Pranayam/ Breathing Exercise:

This is the basic exercise in yoga. It is a breathing exercise and a sort of meditation as well. Reading the next few steps will help you practice this move.

1. Dress up in your yoga attire. Sit in an upright posture on your yoga mat.

2. Sit upright with your legs folded and your spinal cord should be straight. Do not bend or lean.

3. In this exercise you need to observe your breath. Using your index finger and thumb, first close your right nostril with thumb and inhale from your left nostril. Now close your left nostril with your index finger and exhale breath from right nostril.

4. Repeat this a couple of times.

Cat Pose

1. Get on the floor in cat position that is with your palms and legs touching the floor.

2. Your hand should be exactly below your shoulder and your fingers stretched apart.

3. Now slowly bending your knees place the hands on the hips.

4. Now breathing in pull your chin towards your chest. Exhaling your breath look upwards to the ceiling and stretch your back.

Palm Tree Move:

1. Standing straight at your place, place your arms straight just besides you touching your body.

2. Now lock the fingers of your hand together, and face your palm upwards to the ceiling.

3. You also have to look up at your hand.

4. Looking upwards at your hands try to balance on your tiptoes. Hold for 10 seconds.

These are some simple yoga moves for meditation, back and complete body. These poses are not difficult, however, it needs a bit practice.

Now you don't have any reason to shy away from working out and blaming it on your schedule. These simple moves can be practiced at home and you can keep adding to it by learning new moves. Get started now and live a healthy life.

Eric Mayars is expert in providing information related to Yoga Retreats and other services like Seva and meditation retreats.

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Yoga Poses to Balance the Kapha Dosha

The term "dosha" arises from Ayurveda and is translated to mean a person's physical and emotional constitutional nature. There are three doshas: Vata, Pitta and Kapha. An individual is comprised of a combination of these three constitutions. When any one of these doshas is out of balance, an individual can experience disease and a general sense of being unwell physically and/or mentally. Both the systems of Ayurveda and Yoga help to balance each dosha for optimal health. Ayurvedic doctors will recommend a combination of Yoga exercises, daily massage, dietary guidelines and herbal medicines to restore a healthy balance and rejuvenate a Yogi or Yogini's overall sense of well-being.

Physically, an individual whose primary dosha is Kapha in nature will have thick hair, glowing skin and large eyes. He or she will also generally sleep regularly and have steady digestion. Emotionally, Kaphas are reputed to be loving, loyal, thoughtful, supportive, steady and kind. Kapha individuals do well with routine. When a Kapha individual is out of balance, he or she may become lethargic and too weighted down with possessions, jobs and relationships that have long outlived their usefulness. Kaphas can be very stubborn and resistant to change, which may prevent the individual from really creating the life of his or her dreams. Kapha individuals are often prone to low energy levels and depression.

Yoga poses that help to balance and invigorate an individual whose constitution is primarily Kapha in nature are vigorous standing poses, backbends, arm balances and practices employing ashtanga-based Yoga sequences. When a Kapha dosha person is out of balance, his or her energy may become stagnant. Practicing Yoga asanas and breathing exercises that generate heat and increase circulation throughout the entire body will help to dissipate the lethargy that Kapha individuals often experience.

Before practicing vigorous standing Yoga poses, backbends or arm balances, it is imperative that a Yogi or Yogini warm-up with several rounds of Sun Salutations, preferably while practicing Ujjayi breathing. There are many online sources that offer detailed descriptions of a variety of Sun Salutations including both Surya Namaskar A and B. After warming up well, a Kapha individual may want to focus on flowing from one pose to the next through a challenging vinyasa practice. Linking the poses together through a vinyasa sequence while practicing Ujjayi breathing will invigorate the entire body, helping to enliven and balance both the body and mind of an individual whose primary dosha is Kapha.

© 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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Teaching Yoga to Children's Sports Teams

Just 40 years ago, it was common to see children playing sports like baseball, soccer, and football in vacant lots. These unorganized games were competitive, but they had no adult intervention or supervision. This "adult free" atmosphere had positive and negative benefits. As children, we learned to sort matters out amongst ourselves without competitive adult coaching. On the other hand, there were times when we could have used a sage for guidance.

Children today are more involved than ever in organized sports: according to CNN, an estimated 41 million kids play competitive sports in the U.S. today. Speculation that competitive, organized sports have replaced unstructured play seems obvious, but is this negative?

Team sports offer a number of benefits, including physical activity in a time of increasing childhood obesity, learning teamwork, sharing and self esteem. However, early "extreme specialization," or focus on one activity to the exclusion of all others by parents hoping for scholarships or professional athletes, is a big problem. Such focus can lead to burn out and sports injuries, giving children a negative experience. Teaching Yoga to children's sports teams offers a great way to diversify play time and even help prevent injuries.

Teaching Yoga for a kids' sports team helps them improve concentration and agility, and done together as a group, is an excellent "team building" exercise. Yoga is non-competitive, so the team members practice cooperation and working together as they stretch. Asanas that reinforce the muscles used during team play can be incorporated into practice and building core strength is beneficial to all sports. Yoga includes everyone- there are no "benchwarmers" during practice.

Yoga for a team is typically done once a week. Some poses can be incorporated into a warm up or cool down before and after every game as well. Leading the children through Yogic breathing can help them relax and focus, giving a great opportunity for a coach or parents to talk about strategy or goals for the team. Learning these relaxation skills is excellent for times that children get angry or upset during a game; they can be reminded to "do their breathing" and move past their anger.

There are no special styles or poses that are recommended for sports teams, beyond typical adaptations for children's Yoga. Keeping the practice short and sweet will hold attention spans, and children will learn to work at their own pace. Some studios that offer children's Yoga have offered one free team Yoga practice, to demonstrate benefits to sometimes-skeptical coaches. Adopting Yoga for stress relief and exercise early in life will be a tremendous benefit to these children, as they become adults with healthy habits.

© 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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What Has Hot Got To Do With Hot Yoga for Beginners

Ever since its birth, the great Indian art of yoga (rather, science of yoga) has gone through massive transformation. From restricted access to a selected few to percolating down to the masses, from one school of Gurus to thousands, from preaching in one country to a hundred, yoga has seen and undergone much more than what monkeys went through to evolve into so called "us" as we stand today. The evolution and transformation that yoga has suffered / rejoiced through the thousands of years could bewilder Patanjali if He is still studying the progress of yoga in human civilization from some parallel plane of existence. There may be a number of modern aspects the inclusion and perpetuation of which He may question (like yoga fashion), but will certainly smirk at the face of those who ask, what's 'hot' got to do with yoga!

Mankind has associated words like peace, tranquility, spirituality, transcendence, union with soul etc with the art of yoga. On the other hand the word 'hot' has been associated with the sun, the equator, volcanoes, soup, beach wear etc. When you try and merge the meaning of the two together to get some harmony, you can come to insane conclusions like 'yoga in the equator', spirituality in beach wear, or even, union with one's soul through volcanoes... mix and match, and more insanity follows. But if you are really enthusiastic about the true relationship of 'hot' with 'yoga', please visit the nearest Bikram yoga studio. As you enter a room-sized oven with semi-clad people baking in it in place of chicken, you will get a fair idea of what 'hot' has got to do with 'yoga'.

We owe the development and spread of Hot yoga to Bikram Choudhury who introduced the world to performing yoga asanas in a hot room, where the temperature is somewhere close to or, beyond 105ºF and humidity is maintained at 40%. The asanas can be performed in a fast pace or, slower depending upon the level of training and stamina of the learner. It is always suggested to start with a slower pace so that the heat does not bake your brains while you are too enthusiastic to enjoy the benefits to follow. A series of 26 asanas and two breathing exercises are practiced during the sessions. Intake of water some time before the session is a must to avoid fatigue.

Bikram Yoga For Beginners can be a challenge. While learning the asanas and correcting the postures can be hassle enough, piling on the added heat and sweat can make it worse. A lot of care and caution has to be practiced in the initial stages to keep the enthusiasm high and health intact. The advantages of Bikram Yoga or, Hot yoga are many. Besides the usual benefits that yoga has to offer, practicing in hot rooms can help people loose weight and get a better and enviable shape faster than any other tried and tested methods... another point to explain what's 'hot' got to do with yoga!

Sanki Linkon is a renowned yoga expert who offers yoga lessons online. In this article he discussed the various postures of Yoga For Children, especially the benefits of Yoga For Meditation.

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Can Yoga Help Seniors With Memory Loss?

Can Yoga help seniors maintain memory? Ancient Yogic texts indicate that "memory is holding on to that which has been known." The ability to retain, assimilate, and recall data about past and present events varies among different people, but the issue is of special concern to senior citizens. It is a life quality issue that we might find unimportant, until it happens to us.

Research has shown that stress and unhealthy lifestyles affect memory, and the Alzheimer's Association predicts that Alzheimer's alone will reach epidemic proportions as the baby boom generation ages. Although the loss of memory results from a variety of inter-related factors, there is some good news.

At one time, scientists thought the brain fully matured during childhood, but recent technology has shown that it can develop new neural pathways at any age. Neuroscientists say, "Neurons that fire together wire together." When the brain repeatedly involves the same thought or action, it can rewire itself.

It is little wonder, then, that Yoga is becoming popular among seniors. Sanskrit manuscripts expressed many of the ideas that run parallel to modern medicine and the western scientific community is just beginning is just beginning to recognize many Yogic concepts, which are listed below.

• Yogic practice revolves around the idea that purification burns away old ideas and habits, leading to new ways of behaving and thinking. In Hindu philosophy, the burning away of old habits and perceptions, known as samskaras, prepares the mind for new ways of thinking and behaving. This ancient teaching is very similar to the neuron theory in contemporary science.

• The disciplines of controlled breathing, meditation, and physical postures taught in old Yogic philosophy serve in today's studios as effective ways of increasing the flow of fresh blood and energy to the brain.

• Deep breathing increases energy (the flow of prana) and oxygen to the body's cells, promoting good memory.

• Inversions provide the brain with an increased supply of blood and oxygen.

• Meditation improves focus, clears the mind of negative thinking, and reduces rumination. A mind that is free of worry and anxiety leads to a better memory.

• Chanting, japa, mantra and kirtan, restores vital life energy (prana) to the body, refreshing the brain and enhancing memory. The OM vibration and mantras work in much the same way.

The theory of neuroplasticity, meaning the brain's ability to produce new cells, has one drawback. New brain cells need a stress-free environment in which to thrive. Amazingly, Yogis figured this out long ago. With systematic practice, Yoga has the potential to preserve the mind's ability in the 21st century - much the same as it did thousands of years ago. For seniors, this is good news.

© 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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