Thursday 10 May 2007

Enjoy The Amazing Ashtanga Yoga Practice

Ashtanga Yoga is a kind of yoga which is taught by K. Pattabhi Jois. Another name for this kind of yoga is Eight Limb Yoga which started with an idea by someone name Pattanjali. It shows that eight spiritual practices are the way of purification.

Ashantanga Yoga can by symbolized by 4 limbs called Asana, Pranayama, niyama and yama. These are intended processes to purify that which can be corrected on the outside. The limbs for internal processes are the dhyana, pratyahara, and dharana.

The method that Ashtanga Yoga uses is considered to be the only one that can correct the limbs. It can be very hazardous to the mind to use this kind of yoga.

It is not achievable to practice the sub-limbs which have the yama and niyama and the Eight Limbs of the external practices according to K. Pattabhi. The body needs to be powerful enough to practice this type of yoga. If there is a frail body and the sense organs are not operating at full capacity then it will not be beneficial to practice.

This is a philosophy that K. Pattabhi Jois has applied. This is important to understand so that in doing the practice, it will ensure that the body will get better and become more fit and improved.

Two things applied in Ashtanga Yoga are Tristhana and Vinsaya.

A type of yoga called Vinsaya makes Ashtanga and its practices very different from other kinds. Vinsaya is defined by the breathing and action which can be used to cleanse internally. There is only one breath for each movement. It is vital to sweat when doing Vinsaya. The procedure is being followed properly if there is sweating. When Asanas is performed, heat is created by the body which makes your blood boil and help the toxins leave your body. The sweat has much toxins in it. As more sweat is produced, the release of toxins increases.

The health and physique of the body are increased by the poses. It is made achievable by the series of procedures. Ashtaga Yoga has three postures that are practiced.

There are varied levels that the three are ordered in.

The Primary Series is the first and its goal is to align the body and help get the toxins out.

The Intermediate Series is the second and used to clean and open the energy channels which help cleanse the nervous system.

The Advanced Series is the last which is used to measure power and grace.

Another yoga foundation is the Tristhana which symbolizes the joining of attention and action in three locations. Posture is the first, breathing technique is second and the Dristhi is the last of the Looking Place. These three need to work together to achieve a function.

Breathing techniques are harmonized and synchronous. There is only one breath coinciding with one movement. Ujjayi Breathing is the breathing procedure used throughout Ashtanga Yoga. This technique must be constantly applied after every practice. It can help to be more proficient by maintaining a pose for a longer period and hold your breath during this time. This is a great breathing exercise that will maximize the internal fire and will help the nervous system to grow stronger.

Both Tristhana and Ashtanga deal with the sequence of Dristhi. The Dristhi is specified as the time when you achieve your attention or focus while performing the Asana. This allows the mind to be cleansed and equalized clearly.

Cleansing and clearing the mind can only be done in the Ashtanga Yoga or Eight-Limb Yoga.

To find more great Yoga tips please visit:
http://www.YogaIsHealthy.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Todd_Lavergne


Wednesday 9 May 2007

You May Be Familiar With Yoga But What Do You know About Yogasana?

Many in Western society only know the part of Yoga known as Yogasana. Yogasana is the exercise portion of yoga. However, yoga is more than an exercise. It is also more than just a sport, art, education or means of healthy living. Yoga is all of these things together. In a sense, yoga is a religious lifestyle.

The abundant teaching of Yogasanas have helped many to learn useful exercise and relaxation techniques, but it loses focus on the whole meaning of yoga. Yogasana exercises become less beneficial, possibly even harmful, as a person ages. However, older people can continue to receive a great benefit from the whole of yoga. The whole form of yoga is believed to lead them to a whole harmony and union within the body and mind. Yogasana is limited to strengthening the body.

Those teaching Yogasana teach the students to achieve stability and comfort of the body parts and muscles by practicing slow, smooth muscle movements. However, if they fail to include the relaxation and meditation techniques as the student ages, the student will receive less benefit. The student will also not be able to advance into meditation.

If the Yogasana student continues to perform exercises at a rapid pace, the body will be under great pressure. As the heart rate, blood pressure and breathing increase, the muscles will be strained. The whole body will be forced to increase its workload. This is not within the intentions of yoga. Yoga seeks to regulate the heart beat, blood pressure and breathing. To achieve these, each simple posture should be performed at a leisurely pace.

When properly practiced, the Yogasana, as a portion of yoga, will reduce the body's oxygen demand, respiration and perspiration. This is the reverse of what is happening in the scenario described. While the purpose of most exercise routines is to enhance muscle power, the exercises in Yogasana should rather increase the endurance of the muscles. In fact, properly practiced Yogasana should immediately increase stamina, while most exercise routines make the practitioner feel stressed and tired.

Why do we minimize the importance of Yogasana? Because yoga, in fact, includes eight stages, and Yogasana is only one of these eight stages. To achieve what yoga practitioners believe to be supreme bliss, one must become proficient in the other seven stages of yoga as well.

Learn to experience the soothing powers and benefits of yoga by visiting http://www.hot-yoga-tips.com, a popular yoga websit ethat provides yoga related tips, advice and resources to include information on yoga for men, yoga for women, yoga for elders and the branches of yoga

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tim_Gorman

Tuesday 8 May 2007

Yogic Stress Management

Have you ever noticed that people who exercise regularly have more energy, less stress, and seem to get more done in a day than those who do not have the time for exercise? Why does exercise increase your energy level, and how is it possible to be more productive in less time?

As you know, Yoga is more than an exercise; but you will discover solutions for stress management within and any form of Yoga – even the less physical styles. In fact, Yoga is a lifestyle full of methods to relieve you from stress.

People often say they have no time for meditation, breathing correctly (Pranayama), eating correctly, good hygiene, good posture (asanas), giving to others, or praying to God. Most Yoga teachers do not cover all of these Yogic aspects, within their classes, but some do.

The masses have no time for Yoga, or improving their life, but they are full of stress, anxiety, and bad feelings, because they are reacting to life. Yoga practitioners have a pro-active lifestyle, which is much similar to the person who wakes up early to exercise, walk, or run in the early morning.

Most people are reacting to deadlines at work, and home, every day. People often worry about lack of income, finances, and their relationships, because they do not have a plan and see no solution to the never ending cycle of excessive stress.

All of this worrying, stress, anxiety, and lack of positive action, contribute to a variety of ailments, poor quality life, and premature death. So, how does a “stressed out” person begin to design a plan to change his or her lifestyle, before it “gets cut short” by stress?

There are many places to go, and the solutions do not have to take place all at the same time. Writing a list, of what bothers you, is a start. You could list the problems on the left side of your sheet and list possible solutions on the right side of the sheet.

To be honest, Yoga could be the solution to most of your problems, but you have to take action. You have to want to take action, and move in a positive direction for your complete health. Your local Yoga or wellness center probably has most, or all, of the solutions you seek, “under one roof.”

So, why does exercise increase your energy level and how is it possible to be more productive in less time? About increasing productivity: A “spark” of energy from Yoga exercise (Asanas), Sun Salutations, meditation, or Pranayama, in the early morning, will create a positive flow of energy within your body, mind, and spirit, for the rest of the day.

Some would say a coffee will do the same thing. However, if you are not exercising, excessive amounts of coffee will usually cause more stress and anxiety. The body is “screaming” for some form of exercise, if it is full of energy and you sit down all day. If you are exercising regularly, moderate amounts of coffee should be fine.


© Copyright 2007 – Paul Jerard / Aura Publications

Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500, is a co-owner and the director of Yoga teacher training at: Aura Wellness Center, in Attleboro, MA. http://www.riyoga.com He has been a certified Master Yoga teacher since 1995. To receive a Free e-Book: "Yoga in Practice," and a Free Yoga Newsletter, please visit: http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org/index.html

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Paul_Jerard


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