Yoga Therapy - Boost the Immune System Through Yogic Relaxation and Yoga Therapy

Yoga practitioners develop self observation skills even during the relaxation at the end of the yoga class. Yogic relaxation exercises are many, and vary from progressive muscle relaxation to breath awareness.

There is however a systematic relaxation of the many body parts that deeply relaxes body and brain, and can infuse the body with consciousness even at a cellular level. Where attention goes, energy follows. Disconnection from the body is one cause of illness. This conscious and felt connection with more than 100 body parts during yogic relaxation, infuses the parts with life energy, also called chi, or prana.

Researchers, from Swami Vivekananda Yoga Anusandhana Samsthana (SVYASA) and Bangalore Institute of Oncology (BIO), tested yoga relaxation techniques on those living with breast cancer in second and third stage and found that the exercises were not only successful in fighting the side effects of the ailment, but also helped maintain immunity levels to fight the disease.

Yoga techniques include poses, breathing, hand positions, meditation, self study and relaxation. Singling out relaxation, there are at least ten yogic relaxation techniques to quiet the mind and relax muscle tension. Benefits from relaxing mind and body affect us physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually. They include:

Increase ability to focusIncrease ability to communicate with othersContributes to increased energy levelsIncreased self acceptance and inner peaceIncreased resistance to anticipated stress
Yoga becomes therapeutic when yoga techniques are selected and modified to suit your needs. You become deeply involved as you observe and assess the effect of the practice on your body and mind. Self-observation and self assessment can or must be an ongoing practice, to keep in touch with all aspects of our being.

In a formal yoga on the mat practice, we can develop our self observation skills by paying attention to many intricate details of our physical body. "Are my shoulders stabilized?" Or on the other hand, we may find that simply being aware of and feeling whether we are maintaining length in the spine, suffice for self assessment of the physical.

Maintaining awareness of and feeling the movement of breath while we hold a pose, also develops our self-observation skills. And on a more subtle level, awareness and self assessment of how grounded we are, or how much lightness we feel is the first step to keeping us balanced energetically when in the pose.

On deeper levels, as we remain steady in the pose, we might observe and feel how much sadness our heart holds, and/or how much determination we feel. The longer we are able to hold and breathe easily in the pose, we may observe ourselves enveloped with feelings of softness, surrender or courage.

The more we are able to connect with all levels of our being, i.e. physical, energetic, mental emotional, spiritual, the more we improve the health of our immune system and foster the sense of well being. Energy follows our attention.

What steps will you take today to infuse your physical body, mind and emotions with consciousness?

And now, I'd like to invite you to claim your free download of guided relaxation and join our community when you visit http://www.yogatogo.com

From Heather Greaves - Yoga Therapist and Body Therapies Yoga Training

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Yoga Therapy - 4 Steps to Turn a Frown Into a Healing Prayer With Yoga Therapy

Yoga therapy is a lot more than a prescription for yoga exercises. It takes the whole person into consideration at 3 levels: body mind and spirit. So if a frown has shown up once more on your face, here's a healing path you can choose to take. A "frown" is any negative feeling you experience. This self healing path turns a frown into a meaningful prayer from the heart, and calms the heart. Here are 4 ABLE steps that could be used in a yoga therapy session.

Acknowledge and Accept

What exactly are you feeling? Name it. Is it anger or hurt? Are you feeling scared or nervous? Are you worried or anxious? You may be feeling a milder form of emotion. You may have a combination of emotions. Take a moment and acknowledge all feelings and emotions.

Can you find a way to accept the situation, person or feeling? If you find this a difficult step, check to see if you are blaming or if you have guilt.

Yoga Therapy includes yoga psychology and asks us to question and change old belief systems that no longer serve us.

Breathe Consciously

Become aware of your natural breath moving in and out. You can even say to yourself, "Breathing in, I know I'm breathing in" when you breathe in. And then "Breathing out, I know I'm breathing out" when you breathe out. This allows you to be in the present moment, and to be with your body and breath, rather than dwell totally in your head.

Let Go

Let go of tension in the face, shoulders and any where you are holding tension. Relax the mouth, watch the frown dissolve as soften the face. When the mind is tense, it reflects somewhere in the body. Find that place and encourage relaxation. You could visualize being in your favorite nature spot, or see the tension leaving your body like smoke when you exhale.

Visualization is an important aspect of Tantra Yoga and it is included in Yoga Therapy.

End with Heart Connect

Place your hand on your spiritual heart. Thumb and index finger up by the collar bone. In the palm of your hand is a pool of energy. Can you feel it? To increase the energy there, and your level of sensitivity to the energy, rub the palms together a few times then place one hand on your heart. Gently close your eyes and let your attention rest right at that heart connect. Allow a prayer to arise from your heart, and feel this healing prayer in your body.

This is an example of working with the level of the mind in Yoga Therapy.

Take this healing path from a frown to your healing prayer as often as you need to. It is a self healing strategy that connects you with our heart.

And now, I'd like to invite you to free download of Perception Checklist when you visit http://www.yogatogo.com/thank-you-for-your-interest-in-the-perception-checklist

Heather Greaves - the Self Care Mentor and Body Therapies Yoga Training

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Yoga Therapy - Turn Surgery Wait Times Into a Wellness Plan For Inner Peace With Yoga Therapy

If you are waiting for word to find out what's really going on with your body, you probably feel like your life is on hold, and you have little control. Even though you may feel powerless, you do have vital control.

Use wait times to discover more about your own body mind, and accumulate precious moments of inner peace and well being. Develop a wellness plan.

Focus

What's In your control during this wait time is your choice of focus. The simple act of bringing your attention to your breathing can slow down the breathing process and draw your attention inward. Your wellness plan must include developing a relationship with your breath. Take a few moments often during the day to observe the breath. Slow it down by making the exhalations a little longer. In addition, here is a practice that deepens the breath.

Practice:

Place your hands on your hips with thumbs in the back and fingers pointing forward so your palms are parallel to the ground. Notice how this position affects your breath. If you naturally breathe deeply, 5 to 10 breaths will no doubt be enough for you to feel a difference. If you are a shallow breather and your shoulders are tight, it will take longer for the breath to reach deeper in the abdomen. Be patient.

Attitude

During these dreary wait times, could you find a way to be okay with the way things are? Acknowledge your feelings whatever they are. Stop blaming yourself or others. Listen to a guided relaxation or meditation that works for you, and find the place of gratitude within. Your wellness plan must include having a positive attitude. Learn to relax more and experience inner peace and a sense of wellbeing. Here is one way to create this physiological change.

Practice:

Once or twice a day find a quiet spot where you won't be disturbed. Turn off the phone or decide that you will let it ring and not answer it. This is your quiet time to practice relaxation. Slowly and silently repeat the following phrases to yourself. Repeat each phrase two to four times. "I am beginning to feel relaxed.... My hands and arms are heavy and warm.... My feet and legs are heavy and warm.... My breathing is slow and regular.... My heartbeat is calm and regular."

Use wait times to build a closer relationship with your body and breath, as well as to practice inducing a physical state of deep rest. In yoga therapy, practices are modified to individual needs. Make adjustments to the best of your ability and accumulate moments of inner peace and wellbeing.

And now, I'd like to invite you to claim your free download of guided relaxation and meditation when you visit http://www.yogatogo.com/

From Heather Greaves -Yoga Teacher Trainer and Body Therapies Yoga Training

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Yoga Therapy - Practice, Patience, and Persistence - 3 P's For Body Mind Healing

Are you losing patience and ignoring your practice of important routines for body mind balance? Perhaps you are about to completely give up because it's getting rough. Here are some tips for using 3 Ps, Practice, Patience and Persistence, to help body mind healing. See how Practice, Patience and Persistence connect hand, heart and head.

Practice is the doing word. It is whatever you currently do, or have decided to do, to create and maintain health for body mind and spirit. Which of the following action items deepen your body mind spirit connection: muscle tension release through stretching and movement, yoga meditation, singing, laughter, running, swimming, or something else? Repeat, repeat and repeat the practice. Come to think of it, would it really be repetition?

Action Tip: Practice daily. Ten minutes of daily practice is better than 60 minutes of practice once per week. A key to Yoga Therapy is the uniqueness of each individual. Stick with the practice that works for you.

Patience is the being word; the way you approach your practice. If your goal is worth achieving, it will take time. Do enjoy the journey. Can you allow the steps on the journey to be as exciting as the destination? Practice breathing consciously and deeply along the way, especially at tough times. This will allow you to be more aware of what is happening around you, as well as within you. And help you achieve more and more, while at the same time you slow down with Patience by your side.

Action Tip: Choose a day to slow down all your actions. Do everything twice as slow and calm your heart and increase patience. A key principle of Yoga Therapy

Persistence is the thinking word; the mindset that allows you to return to the practice day after day over a long period of time. To create a new habit it takes 90 days, and if you want to master it, a few years. If you have just begun a new habit for body mind and spirit, plan to stick with it even when you feel like quitting. If you have already stopped a practice, consider starting again. Call on your courageous spirit.

Action Tip: Commit to keeping up your practice, and make the commitment in a quiet moment when the mind is still and receptive. Another key principle of Yoga Therapy is Yoga Philosophy and Psychology which recognizes the impact the subconscious and unconscious has on our thoughts, words and actions.

Stay youthful with the 3 Ps. Practice for the hands, Patience for the heart, and Perseverance for the head.

And now, I'd like to invite you to claim your free instant access to 30 minutes of guided relaxation and other wellness tips, when you visit http://www.yogatogo.com/blog/relax

From Heather Greaves - the Self Care Coach and Body Therapies Yoga Training

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Yoga Therapy - How Yoga Teachers Can Facilitate Health and Wellness With Yoga Therapy

How can yoga teachers, holistic health practitioners, massage therapists and other health care professionals facilitate health and wellness? How comfortable are you exploring feelings and emotions, the full spectrum of your being?

1. Yoga Therapy

Yoga techniques can be applied to enhance health and wellness. Postures, yoga breathing, deep relaxation, mantras, meditation and other yoga techniques can be used as you create a safer place for the student to explore the deeper dimensions of his/her being. You'll have to take into account each student's age, culture, religion, and specific health challenge when selecting techniques. Then take it one step further by modifying those techniques according to needs.

As a yoga teacher and or holistic health practitioner, you can select both gross techniques like postures and breathing, as well as subtle ones like deep relaxation and meditation. These would all be included in your Yoga Therapy treatment plan.

2. Body Mind Spirit

Yoga psychology and philosophy are clear that the cause of illness and disease is the lack of knowledge of the true Self. We can explore body mind spirit using the specific 8-fold path (Ashtanga Yoga). This path is given in Patanjali's yoga sutra, and has what is called Outer Limbs and Inner Limbs for a full exploration that leads to the experience of the true Self.

As a massage therapist, or therapist of another discipline, you can create a safer place for the client to examine physical challenges as as explore feelings and emotions. In Yoga Therapy, this is done within the framework of yoga psychology that amongst other beliefs identifies attachment and aversion as 2 of the forces to be investigated.

3. The Yoga Therapist

The most important key to facilitating health and wellness is the therapist herself or himself. The massage therapist, health care professional, holistic health practitioner, or yoga teacher wanting to share yoga as a healing path will bring Presence, Understanding and Compassion, having practiced both outer and inner limbs of Ashtanga Yoga during the formal training required. You, the practitioner would have explored your own feelings and emotions during the training, and your ability to be Present would have increased, as would Understanding and Compassion.

Yoga teachers, holistic health practitioners and individuals with a basic understanding of yoga can become wellness educators and offer a creative student-centered approach to sharing the techniques of yoga through Yoga Therapy. They can create a non-judgemental space for students to discover their true Self as they facilitate health and wellness.

And now, I'd like to invite you to claim your free access to information on learning Yoga Therapy when you visit http://www.yogatogo.com/yoga-therapy-yoga-therapist-training-program

From Heather Greaves - the Self Care Mentor and Body Therapies Yoga Training

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Important Things You Need To Know About Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

There are tons of developments in the medical field. Several of those are towards the cure of certain conditions. There are also those that focused on the alleviation of symptoms that make individuals suffer. Furthermore, there are innovations that can help improve the well being of any individual. One notable development is the usage of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy.

Basically, this type of therapy uses oxygen inside a pressure-filled room. There are several conditions which this procedure is specifically prescribed for. It may be used to help patients who suffer from decompression sickness. This is the condition that scuba divers might develop. Decompression syndrome does not happen to all scuba divers. However, it may happen to a lot of them. Oxygen therapy allows people to effectively compensate to the needs of the body.

Those who suffer from severe infections might also benefit from this. People who have diabetes and are experiencing complications might likewise undergo oxygen therapy. Wounds that don't heal can manage to heal better and at a faster rate. Once oxygen is delivered to the cells, the body can work its way towards healing. Practically anyone who has compromised oxygen levels can take advantage of what this procedure can offer.

This works well than breathing as a person is able to receive more oxygen. Air pressure is increased for the body to be able to accept the optimum level of oxygen that the body can carry. Normal air pressure can be enough to provide a healthy person with the oxygen to support the body's functions. But once anyone has compromised physical processes, the body will require more help.

If you are worried about possible complications, these worries might be baseless. Throughout history, using oxygen therapy may be generally considered safe. Complications are quite rare. However, you have to be aware that the presence of risks is still there. These risks are quite minimal but will be worth for you to know about. When oxygen levels in the blood are temporarily increased, temporary nearsightedness might occur. The development of injuries in the ear might likewise happen. The high air pressure inside the chamber can cause this to occur. However, it has to be known that there are measures that need to be taken in order to ensure that the pressure inside that chamber is left at a safe level.

One does not need to be admitted in a hospital in order to undergo this therapy. You can be an outpatient and still be catered. These facilities are also not limited to hospitals. These may be found in certain clinics. There are also those that offer purely hyperbaric oxygen therapy to their clients. It will be totally up to you to choose which location you will be willing to receive your therapy from.

The chamber can usually fit just a single individual. You will lie down inside of that machine and wait for the air pressure to increase as the chamber will be closed off from the environment. Alternatively, there can be an oxygen therapy room that can accommodate several individuals at the same time.

Peter Z Hines is an enthusiastic writer who likes to share information on Personal Hyperbaric Chambers and hyperbaric oxygen therapy as well as related products.

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Yoga Therapy to Improve Your Three-Point Stance!

Yoga has always been known to help improve performance of athletes. Football players want to stay at the top of their game. Yoga Therapy can improve the three-point stance, which is an essential posture for all football players, especially offensive linemen and more specifically the Center.

These three simple yoga therapy tips can help improve game performance. Yoga benefits include better concentration, more agility, more strength and endurance in the muscles but beyond yoga there is Yoga Therapy. Yoga Therapy is an age-old technique that has a therapeutic approach and intention for thousands of years.

Many Yoga Therapy gurus have various definitions- one of my favorites is the easiest and most concise "Yoga therapy adapts the practice of Yoga to the needs of people with specific or persistent health problems not usually addressed in a group class." - Larry Payne, Ph.D.

In this case the "people" are football players. As an avid fan of the San Diego Chargers since I was 18, I have witnessed over the years the tearing down of the human body on the fields of pro football. Now as a Yoga Therapist, I see how the techniques I use to mend and restructure the ailing physical body can actually improve the game performance of these athletes.

We hear that every season many of the players are put on injured-reserve or are otherwise unable to play in all the games. In the 2011 NFL pre-season, a San Diego Charger, Antonio Gates, placed on the physically unable to perform list (PUP List) due to plantar faciitis (though he was recently removed from it). This could have been totally been prevented and with the proper Yoga therapy approach keep him in the game more than 60 percent of game time, enough time to give us the winning edge.

Here in this article you will find the three simple Yoga Therapy poses that can improve the three-point stance. Yoga therapy can also be a preventive measure for injury in any sport that involves the feet, the legs and torso.

The first tip is stretching your lower leg and foot in the morning before you get out of bed. This is important because while you're lying in bed, the calves, Achilles tendon, and connective tissue on the sole of the foot gets shorter. This is very simple to do just pull your toes toward your nose and hold for ten seconds then push your toes away from you and hold for ten seconds. Repeat this action ten times. Voila, healthy feet!

Secondly, You want to have a loose hip flexor. The hip flexor muscle is located across the front of the hips Navasana (Boat Pose) is really good at making the Iliopsoas strong because it demands that the muscle isometrically contract. Sit on the floor with your legs stretched straight in front of you. Rest your hands by your sides. Exhale, lean back slightly and lift your legs off the floor to about a 60-degree angle. Ideally, your feet should be higher than your head. Your weight should be resting only on your buttocks--not on any part of your spine Use your hands as you need to support until you get enough strength to hold legs up without using hands.

Finally, the Garland pose (Malasana) Squat with your feet as close together as possible. (Use a mat for support if needed). Exhaling, lean your torso into the middle of your legs and fit it snugly between your thighs; Press your elbows against inside knees, bring your palms together.

These poses improve your three-point stance and help you beat the defender off the ball. Specifically, Yoga Therapy for football players can be easy and used in the prevention of injuries. When Yoga is used in intervals to keep the muscles and the body limber and fluid, football players will be much more agile, faster and limber, keeping them in the game longer and making them faster. This is a great thing for my Chargers- my team of choice.

Marti Angel, MA
"America's Health and Expert Lifestyle Coach"

Marti is an Ordained Minister, Author, Yoga Professor, 500 RYT, Certified Yoga Therapist, Reiki Master level 3, Certified WATSU water therapist, Certified Meditation Instructor, Certified Metabolic Typing® Advisor, Functional Diagnostic Nutritionist FDN, Certified Nutraceutical Consultant, Certified Health/Lifestyle Coach, Motivational Speaker and founder of the number one alternative therapies site on the web

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