Ashtanga Yoga Poses - What's the Point, Really?

Ashtanga Yoga Poses - What's the Point, Really?

"Ashtanga yoga poses" is a frequently search phrase on Google. There are two very different ideas about that term ashtanga yoga today though, so the website you land on might not be quite what you're looking for. The Sanskrit word Ashtanga means "eight limbs" (ashta means eight, and anga means limb), referring to the traditional system of yoga comprised of 8 essential, interconnected parts.
But the term ashtanga yoga has also gotten attached to a modern exercise system that focuses heavily on part, the yoga pose. Yoga poses, though, are only the tip of the iceberg in yoga. If you don't go very far beyond them, you simply AREN'T DOING YOGA.

How many limbs do you have?

The first steps in astanga yoga are the yamas and niyamas. If you've read anything about yoga, I'm sure you've heard about these morals and ethics. Yogis seemed so obsessed with them... Come on though, who doesn't know that we should be good people? Step three though... now we're getting into the good stuff... those yoga poses! If Jennifer Aniston keeps looking younger everyday with them, then I definitely want to do yoga too! Yeah, we've all heard about step 4 too... the BORING yoga breathing... Ok, five minutes of that is enough. I know how to breathe...

But what really comes next?

After these first four step, yoga gets very hazy for most people. Even most yoga teachers get pretty new-age flakey when they start to talk about the higher levels of yoga. It seems that the lack of student interest in the higher stages of yoga is rivalled only by the lack of enthusiasm by teachers to educate about them. But guess what... It's in the higher four stages, where yoga actually begins!

What's the point of the first four limbs then?

We all know the saying, "you need to crawl before you can walk." The first four limbs are "yoga crawling" so to speak... preparation for the higher stages. But one of the biggest yoga delusions people have is thinking that, because they can contort their body into all sorts of extreme positions, they are "advanced" in yoga.

The ashtanga yoga poses are indeed great tools for improving and maintaining our physical health. They even help ground us a lot on the mental and emotional levels too. But transforming from someone who is deeply attached to their possessions, emotional dramas and relationships in this world, into someone who is able to detach from all these things and experience the real joy of being part of this miracle of life, requires a journey to the higher yoga mountain peak.

If we don't want to go there, then perhaps our yoga teachers haven't done a good enough job to inspire us... to let us know what we're missing, and why we need to set our sites a little higher. If we don't outgrow our attachment to the Ashtanga yoga poses, then we'll be stuck in that land of preparation forever. The question is, what exactly are we preparing for?

Office Yoga - Corporate Yoga for the Office

Office Yoga - Corporate Yoga for the Office

Could Yoga increase office yoga productivity? Can Yoga teachers help the corporate sector? What can Office Yoga programs do for large and small businesses? Let's look at solutions that Yoga can offer to the business world.

The number of office yoga workers has increased, with the invention of the personal computer. Working excessive hours in front of a personal computer can create a multitude of back, neck, shoulder, spine, hip, and wrist problems. Muscle groups, in all of these areas, respond with tension and a variety of long-term problems - if they are ignored by office workers and management.

Forty years ago, secretaries would have been patronized for their migraines, cluster headaches, back pain, hip problems, and sore necks. Now, times are changing, and there has been much progress with ergonomics and studies which reveal new insights about the relationship of prolonged sitting to specific health problems.

A recent study, by The Medical Research Institute, in New Zealand, has revealed that office workers may be at a higher risk of developing blood clots. As most of us know, these studies are worded very tactfully, and do not jump to conclusions; however, anyone who understands body mechanics would realize that this makes perfect sense.

With that said, let's remember that blood clots can be potentially fatal as they travel to the heart and vital organs. Blood clots can, and do, cause stroke, chest pain, and heart attack.

With larger numbers of office yoga workers putting in extra hours of work, some "forward thinking" companies have begun to respond with office Yoga programs for their employees. Even short Office Yoga sessions can release muscle tension and alleviate the routine pains and aches, which result from prolonged sitting.

Therefore, companies, which take pro-active measures, by installing Office Yoga programs, are taking positive action toward health solutions for employees - thus, increasing productivity, while decreasing sick time, tardiness, and medical leave.

Office Yoga creates an atmosphere of decreased anxiety, less stress, positive thinking, and raises morale. Nothing is more rewarding than feeling worthy and being treated with respect. Any small company can take such action by installing an Office Yoga program.

Some companies pay a percentage for a Yoga teacher to operate an Office Yoga class, while employees pay the balance. Other companies see this as a "win-win" situation and pay for the Yoga classes in full. Regardless of how an Office Yoga program is paid for, the benefits for the corporate sector are just starting to be realized.

Yoga Moves and Exercises For Kids

Yoga Moves and Exercises For Kids

Yoga is very effective and powerful way for kids to build up strong and healthy body. It requires no tools and can be practiced anywhere to develop patience, self-understanding and confidence. Yogis are approached to learn yoga in order to strengthen imagination and enhance creative thinking skills of kids. Yoga poses are integrated with other games and adventures for all children.
Benefits Of yoga For Kids

Kids get enormous benefits from yoga. It enhances physical flexibility, wisdom, strength, coordination, concentration, calmness and relaxation. Kids develop an intimate relation with natural world and inner-self while doing yoga, exercise and playing any game of liking. Marvelous inner light surfaces in kids in practicing yoga asanas. Pose of lion gives child an experience of power just like a behavior of the lion, sense of aggression and the time to retreat. True meaning of union, expression and honor for oneself in the delicate web of life is made known to kids through yoga.

Children gain control over bodies and minds. Kids strike poses from nature and animals like pose of a snake, a tree and dogs. They move their bodies in fun to bring unity to their own lives. Self-discipline is learnt by doing slow down poses, holding postures, breathe in a different way. The children, parents and grandparents practice yoga asanas together to create a feeling of closeness in children with their loved ones. Meditation and breathing techniques of yoga help them to calm down and focus on studies in a better way.

Kids face school pressure, incessant lessons, video games and competitive sports and yoga lessen stress. They have bustling pace in their lives which affect them profoundly and is not good for kids. These pressures are countered by the yoga techniques to bring inner fulfillment, relaxation and self-health importance. It encourages self-esteem, body awareness, compassion and fostering cooperation which is a great gift for kids.

Yoga Poses For Kids

Light and simple techniques are taught to kids in a laughing way just to take it as if it is a funny game to play with. Begin yoga by sitting in circle and chanting 'OM' to feel strong vibrations generated in a group. It is also practiced by telling them an interesting story to take their minds away to far off places. Make them to feel like flying in a plane because children love to spread their wings while playing any game.

Most of the asanas are named after animals to make kids to follow those animals. There are some easy postures like Svanasana, Bhujangasana, Tadasana can be practiced by kids. They love to follow postures of tree and monuments like Tadasana, Trikonasana, Virabhadrasana make them strong like a warrior and vigilant like eagle. Garudasana and Bhujangasana make them feel like cobra and posture named Natarajasana make them to enjoy like a poised and beautiful dancer dancers. Paschimottanasana is a good stretching posture to get relaxed.

The Basics of Yoga

Basics of Yoga

The purpose of Yoga is mental, physical and spiritual development meant to create harmony in the mind and body. The dictionary definition is that yoga is a system of exercises practiced to promote control of the mind and body. Yoga originated in India and is thought to be 5000 years old. It is classified into eight limbs. Mental and physical exercises make up four of the limbs, with meditation comprising the other four limbs. In yoga, breath is the most important part of health since it is the life source. Many people think yoga is just stretching. Basics of Yoga is more about creating balance between the mind and body using strength and flexibility.

A typical yoga routine can last anywhere from twenty minutes to two hours. It consists of poses, which can be done quickly to create heat in the body, or slowly to increase stamina. The difficulty of the routine can vary from simple breathing exercises, while doing light stretching, to full blown strenuous workouts.Basics of Yoga, For best results, daily yoga workouts are recommended. While performing basic positions has an immediate effect on well-being, strength and flexibility, it takes years of daily practice to achieve the deep stretches that many people strive for.

Basics of Yoga can be learned in a gym setting by a yoga teacher, or at home from yoga books. No equipment is needed other than perhaps a mat to sit on. There should be plenty of flat floor space to stretch out on and enough room above the head to raise the arms. Yoga is best done on an empty stomach while wearing loose-fitting comfortable clothing.
The health benefits of yoga are numerous. Yoga aids in sleep and digestion. It can make people look and feel more youthful. It increases overall well being and help the mind achieve a state of relaxation. It makes the body more flexible. It also strengthens the immune system and decreases chronic pain. Basics of Yoga, stimulates and massages the internal organs, which helps keep away disease. The stretching of muscles and joints encourages optimum blood flow to all of the organs, which in turn has the effect of flushing out toxins. In terms of weight loss, yoga helps to speed up metabolism and that aids in burning calories. Yoga also helps to strengthen and tone muscles.

Anyone can do yoga, regardless of age. Women who are pregnant or nursing can do yoga, as well. It is important to consult a physician prior to beginning a yoga regime if injuries, spinal problems, or other medical conditions exist. There are no side effects of doing yoga. Beginners may experience soreness and fatigue.Basics of Yoga, It is important for beginners not to stretch too much too fast.

Yoga should not be confused with Pilates. Yoga focuses on flexibility and toning the entire body.Basics of Yoga, It has a greater emphasis on mental and spiritual enhancement. Pilates is more geared towards toning the core and improving posture with less emphasis on flexibility. Pilates has more of an emphasis on the physical than spiritual. There are classes that combine the principals of both into one class called "Yogalates".

Times to Get in a Shape From Bikram Yoga Teacher Training

Bikram yoga teacher training are quite famous among people these days. The benefits gained from Bikram yoga courses can simply change your life. It is pretty wonderful courses which can light up your life and modify your perspectives by learning Bikram classes.
Bikram Yoga is generally well-known as the hot yoga. It was also knows as the Bikram Method which aims to construct your mental and physical strength. And enhancing your flexibility and stability is one of the uniqueness enclosed by this early art.

Bikram yoga teacher training has line in Hatha yoga which was first intended to heal the mind and the body. It has developed his exclusive style after experiencing an injury in a weightlifting mishap. These days, almost everyone is also looking to get more about Iyengar.

The Iyengar style of yoga is famous for great learning great features and the exact position of postures, as well as the use of props such as blocks and belts. It's also goes without saying that part of Iyengar's achievement is due to the value of teachers, who has complete 2-5 year training program for degrees.

Ashtanga yoga is a system of yoga that is transmitted to the modern world as well very quickly. Ashtanga yoga also involves with the breath at the same time with a progressive series of postures and it is also a process of producing powerful internal heat as well which remove the effect from muscles and organs.

So anyone who really wishes to do yoga can use Bikram Yoga training, because it does not have any age restriction at all. And also works with great an effect which includes balancing, stretching and creating force which is all completed at a same time to maintain a good blood flow to all body parts.

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