Fit and Youthful Life

Guest Author: Paul M. Jerard Jr.


Truthfully, there are no reasons why any of us cannot be, or do, what we want, as long as you are not hurting anyone. You should always strive to be the best you can be. However, you may find that many people create obstacles, in front of themselves, to avoid success.

This is truly ironic that we hold ourselves back from making achievements, and teaching Yoga is just one of many goals that are not fully realized. Below is a list of common reasons why many good Yoga practitioners do not pursue their goal of becoming a Yoga instructor.

“I am too old to teach Yoga.”

Actually, age is not a factor. There are many styles of Yoga; and the most common, outside of India, is Hatha Yoga and its many sub-styles. Although Hatha Yoga is the Union of physical mastery, it has many gentle and vigorous styles.

There is a need for mature, passionate, safety conscious, and gentle Yoga teachers. The world’s population is aging and Yoga students are living longer. Who would have thought that hospitals and religious centers would seek out Yoga teachers ten or twenty years ago?

Therefore, Yoga is becoming readily accepted by mainstream society and does not have to apply to any one particular religious group. Some of the old barriers that prevented the masses from being exposed to Yoga are gone.

“Dancers, Martial Artists, and Gymnasts perform better Yoga asanas than I can.”

Yoga is not dance, martial arts, or gymnastics. This is not to take away the importance of any of the above-mentioned arts. After all, I am a martial artist, and I was originally introduced to Yoga in a martial arts setting.

Being a little more flexible than the average person is a gift. However, it doesn’t serve as a top priority for teaching Yoga. The best Yoga teachers are those who can communicate, and those teachers usually have to struggle to excel at Yoga.

Yoga teachers who are naturally flexible think that everyone else should be, as well. This is not always the case, as there are skeletal limitations within some Yoga students. This is not to say that they cannot increase, or improve, their flexibility, but each person’s body is unique.

“Teaching Yoga costs too much money.”

This is true in some cases; however, you can shop around for the best course at the most affordable price. Some onsite Yoga training facilities have Seva Programs, where you can work for partial tuition. This is much like a college, where there are scholarships for students who perform tasks around the campus. There are also a variety of Yoga correspondence courses, which allow flexible study hours, little or no travel, and no extra expenses. My wellness center offers such a Yoga course, and we have interns and graduates worldwide.

“I only want to teach Yoga to a few students and I don’t want to go into the Yoga business.”

Many Yoga practitioners feel this way and that’s fine. This is not a problem because if you are teaching a few friends, as a hobby, it is not necessary to go through the certification process.

If your circle of friends starts to expand, it would be wise to get some type of liability coverage. There are a number of liability insurance programs to choose. You could purchase a sports, Yoga, or home liability policy to cover your specific needs.

You should also learn as much as you can about safety, anatomy, physiology, and kinesiology. The reason I mention this is so that you do not hurt your Yoga students. The compassion and knowledge to become a safe Yoga instructor is very important.

“I have a good paying job and teaching Yoga may not support my family.”

Like all start up small businesses Yoga cannot offer “instant bundles of cash.” You would want to build your business as an independent contractor first. In our Yoga teacher course, you will find 16 ways to grow your business, with little or no overhead. When you build up enough accounts, the decision, as to whether or not to open your own independent Yoga studio, will be clear.

This has been a radical job change for all of us, who go into teaching Yoga full time, but you do not have to take any sudden or financial risks. Growing your own Yoga business can start on a part time basis and later develop into full time, if you get the right guidance and take the proper steps.

Bear in mind that the business and marketing information in our Yoga course is current and “field tested.” This information is specific to Yoga instructors and contains successful methods used, with regard to return on investment.

Right now, there are a lot of Yoga studios that “flounder” economically, because the owners have insufficient business or marketing skills. Within this kind of climate, it is not hard to get your market share of Yoga students within your geographic area.

Lastly, there are so many reasons to avoid progress, you could create a book of excuses, but the reason to succeed at anything is your passion. If you are passionate, safe, and knowledgeable about Yoga, this is an excellent starting point for anyone who wants to become a Yoga teacher.

© Copyright 2005 – Paul Jerard / Aura Publications

Guest Author: Everett Sizemore


Yoga pertains to an entire group of spiritual and physical practices that date back as far as 3300 BC in India, an era in which anthropologists have uncovered statues depicting figures in yoga-like postures. As you can imagine, yoga’s influence on the Western world in general and here in the United States in particular, has taken place in a veritable blink-of-an-eye when you look at the whole history of yoga.

Nevertheless, there are a number of people from the past and present who have had a profound influence on the spread of yoga in the West, and probably few of greater significance than the five people listed below…

#1 Rodney Yee

Rodney’s Yoga: http://www.gaiam.com/category/yoga-studio/yoga-instructors/rodney-yee.do

Rodney Yee was once a gymnast, a ballet dancer, and a philosophy major. What do all of these things have in common? The helped him satisfy a deep hunger for knowledge and understanding of the human mind and body. This curiosity is what led him to begin learning, and eventually teaching, his own form of yoga. Rodney has appeared on several national morning shows, and daytime television talk shows like Oprah. He owns a major yoga studio in LA, and is probably THE most well known yoga personality in America, next to Bikram.

#2 Bikram Choudhury

Bikram’s Yoga: http://www.bikramyoga.com

Although he was born in India, Bikram began teaching his “hot yoga” classes in the California during the 1970s. This form of yoga, in which students perform mostly Hatha yoga poses in a heated room, may be the most popular type of yoga in the United States today.

#3 Shiva Rea

Shiva Rea’s Yoga: http://www.shivarea.com/about

Her name sounds Indian, but Shiva is actually an American-born yoga instructor, daughter of an artist/surfer. Shiva has released several award-winning yoga videos, and has traveled the world to appear at yoga retreats and international studios. Now a regular contributor for the Yoga Journal, Shiva has built a name for herself as one of the best yoga teachers in the Western world. She is widely known for her cultivation of Vinyasa yoga techniques into her own style called Prana Flow.

#4 Patricia Walden

Patricia’s Yoga: http://www.gaiam.com/category/yoga-studio/yoga-instructors/patricia-walden.do

While many Western yoga teachers are drawn to the temptation of creating their own, unique style of yoga, branding it and watching it flourish, Patricia has remained dedicated to her Iyengar yoga roots for over 25 years. She has co-authored The Women’s Book of Yoga and Health and starred in several award-winning yoga DVDs, including the best-selling Yoga for Beginners series.

#5 Seane Corn

Seane’s Yoga: http://www.gaiam.com/category/yoga-studio/yoga-instructors/seane-corn.do

The extremely beautiful, talented and charismatic Seane Corn teaches Vinyasa yoga, and is the star of the hugely popular Vinyasa Flow Yoga DVD series. She has been featured on the cover of the Yoga Journal three times, and has also appeared on the covers of Natural Health, Fit yoga, Yoga Life and Healing Retreat and Spa Magazine. Many are drawn to Seane Corn’s charisma and authentic messages of change and progress. She has worked with several political and social programs to bring changes to local and global communities, including a shelter that houses and educates adolescent prostitutes, and YouthAIDS. Born in New Jersey, Seane had her first yoga experience at the Life Cafe in the East Village area of New York.

Have we left out your favorite yoga teacher? Opinions differ widely as to who has had the most influence over modern yoga. But there is no denying that the five yoga instructors above, whether you agree with their teachings or not, are have had a major impact on the way yoga is practiced and taught here in the U.S. and around the western world.



The Real Youth Potion

Guest Author: sunshine03


Yoga, the ancient practice of postures, breathing and meditation, is gaining rising popularity of yoga nowadays. Exercising yoga has many psychological and spiritual effects.

Some measure the soaring popularity of yoga by the skyrocketing sales of yoga books, classes and equipment. Others note that yoga classes are overtaking traditional aerobics classes in popularity in health clubs throughout the nation. Yoga has grown in popularity likely because people have realized the benefit of low-impact activities and the need to keep an active lifestyle.

Yoga strives to increase self-awareness on both a physical and psychological level. When you achieve the yogic spirit, you can begin knowing yourself at peace.

Yoga helps you to move better and feel better. It stretches muscles and joints and can result in improved posture, energy levels and overall health. The regular practice of yoga can promote body wellness by gradually increasing overall flexibility. By easing muscles and joints into various postures, tension is released and the body becomes less rigid. The key to gaining real benefit from yoga is consistency of practice and maintaining just the right level of difficulty.

Yoga has positive effect on outlook and energy level. Yogic stretching and breathing exercises have been seen to result in an invigorating effect on both mental and physical energy and improved moodYoga, the ancient practice of postures, breathing and meditation, is gaining rising popularity of yoga nowadays. Exercising yoga has many psychological and spiritual effects.

Some measure the soaring popularity of yoga by the skyrocketing sales of yoga books, classes and equipment. Others note that yoga classes are overtaking traditional aerobics classes in popularity in health clubs throughout the nation. Yoga has grown in popularity likely because people have realized the benefit of low-impact activities and the need to keep an active lifestyle.

Yoga strives to increase self-awareness on both a physical and psychological level. When you achieve the yogic spirit, you can begin knowing yourself at peace.

Yoga helps you to move better and feel better. It stretches muscles and joints and can result in improved posture, energy levels and overall health. The regular practice of yoga can promote body wellness by gradually increasing overall flexibility. By easing muscles and joints into various postures, tension is released and the body becomes less rigid. The key to gaining real benefit from yoga is consistency of practice and maintaining just the right level of difficulty.

Yoga has positive effect on outlook and energy level. Yogic stretching and breathing exercises have been seen to result in an invigorating effect on both mental and physical energy and improved mood.

The yoga practice has certainly gained some popularity during recent years. This interest in yoga has also been fuelled by the advantages that are associated with the practice of yoga. Indeed, Yoga is an excellent means to achieve total body conditioning..

The yoga practice has certainly gained some popularity during recent years. This interest in yoga has also been fuelled by the advantages that are associated with the practice of yoga. Indeed, Yoga is an excellent means to achieve total body conditioning.



Look 10 Years Younger

Guest Author: Jay Franco


Yoga has been in the world since more than 5000 years. Every year more and more people are discovering its advantage and have started practicing to enjoy health benefits. We can say that the world today is swept by the true fitness mantra yoga. With changing times more advanced and fusion type of yoga has evolved which makes use of asana and meditation and breathing techniques. One can benefit from these forms and enjoy good health. Here are discussed some of the yoga health benefits:-

 

Benefits of yoga for flexibility-

Age is nor bar when it comes to yoga. Elderly people and arthritis patients are extremely worried about flexibility. But the fact is that even people with such condition can make use of yoga in everyday life and can benefit good health. The muscles can be safely worked out by various yoga poses and the range of motion can be increased. Yoga increases the natural lubrication of body and softens all the body tissues. Thus, Yoga health benefits can be observed and enjoyed in very short period of time. 

 

Benefits of yoga for strength-

Some fusion forms of yoga like the power yoga and asthanga yoga offer more health benefits and they are vigorous. They tone the muscles. The iyengar yoga lays less stress on movements with precision in poses. These are good to give strength and stamina benefits.

 

Benefits of yoga for posture-

With flex and strength the posture improves. Further the core strength gets developed with standing and sitting postures. Another important benefit of yoga comes with increase in alertness. 

 

Benefits of yoga for better breathing-

All the yoga asana and the yoga postures are well structured with breathing techniques. This is important to improve the lung capacity and increase the blood flow in the body. With improvement in endurance the performance also perks. Yoga lays stress on deepened and lengthened breathing technique. 

 

Benefits of yoga for reducing stress and increasing calmness-

Even a beginner can feel the difference in his/her first yoga class. Numerous yoga styles make particular meditation technique to calm the mind. Some other yoga forms focus on breath. Yoga is popular on account of its anti-stress benefits.

 

 Benefits of yoga for concentration-

 It’s true that with absorption of yoga in life the concentration improves and the mood swings arrested. Yoga has tremendous effect on depression and anxiety. Yoga is said to ease some of the obsessive compulsive disorder. 

 

Benefits of yoga for heart-

Even studies support that yoga is capable in alleviating cardiovascular diseases. It reduces heart rate and control blood pressure. People can get benefited with yoga and they can control hypertension, stroke, cholesterol etc. some studies even show the anti-oxidant effect of yoga for better health. 

 

Benefits of yoga for other ailments-

In the west the researchers has found the benefits of yoga on account of its therapeutic effects. Yoga benefits arthritis, asthmas, back pain, insomnia and even in sclerosis too. 

 

Other health Benefits of yoga -

Yoga builds memory. It also slows down the aging process and boosts energy level. On a spiritual level too the awareness increases. Yoga practitioners opine that even on personal front yoga works miraculously.

 

With practice of these yoga practices one can witness and benefit all the good health. It infuses entirely in one’s individual’s life.

Guest Author: Spyros Kapnias Garudananda


Yoga is a healing system of theory and practice. It is a combination of breathing exercises (pranayama), physical postures (asana), deep relaxation (yoga nidra) and meditation (dyana), practiced for more than 5,000 years.

 

While Yoga evolved as a religious practice in Hinduism, in the Western world has grown as a form of purely physiological, psychological, mental and spiritual practice. Most of the yoga practices in the western yoga have little or nothing to do with Hinduism, but are simply a way of keeping all levels of the human being, fit and healthy and this is only a part of the broad view of yoga. Through the practice of yoga, we become aware of the interconnection between our spiritual, mental, emotional and physical levels. Gradually this awareness leads us to an understanding of the more subtle areas of our existence.

 

Yoga practice prevents specific diseases and maladies by keeping the energy meridians (nadis) open and life energy (prana) flowing. Yoga is considered a mind-body intervention that is used to reduce the health effects of generalized stress.

 

Laboratory tests have proved the yogi’s increased abilities of consciously controlling autonomic or involuntary functions, such as temperature, heartbeat and blood pressure.

 

Yoga acts both as a curative and preventive therapy. According to medical scientists, yoga therapy is successful because of the balance created in the nervous and endocrine systems which directly influences all the other systems and organs of the body.

 

Regular practice of poses (asanas), breathing exercises (pranayama), deep relaxation (yoga nidra) and meditation, can help such diverse ailments such as: acidity , allergies, Alzheimer disease, anaemia, anger, anxiety, arthritis, asthma, back pain, bronchitis, cancer, carpal tunnel syndrome, chronic fatigue, colitis, common cold, constipation, depression, diabetes, epilepsy, eye problems, facial wrinkles, gastro-intestinal disorders, headaches, heartburn, haemorrhoids, hepatitis, high blood pressure, hypertension, immune-deficiency, impotence, menopause, menstrual cramps, migraines, multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, nervous tension, obesity, osteoporosis, prostate, enlargement, sciatica, skin problems, sleep apnoea, slipped disk, sterility, stiffness, stress, insomnia, intoxication, thyroid problems, kidney stones, stuttering and stammering, urinary tract disorders for women, vaginal infections and many more…

Benefits for the Physiological Level (Annamaya – Pranamaya Kosha)

 

Increasing flexibility. Cure and prevent Arthritis - The yoga poses (asanas), act upon the various joints of the body, including those joints that we never really use. By practicing yoga poses we can experience a remarkable increase in the flexibility of the joints, ligaments and tendons. Yoga is exercise and relaxation combined and this is the perfect anti-arthritis formula. Yoga’s slow-motion movements and gentle pressures, reach deep into strained joints. Also, the easy stretches in conjunction with deep breathing exercises relieve the tension that binds up the muscles and further tightens the joints.

 

Cure and prevent back pain – Back pain is the most common reason to seek medical attention in the West. Yoga has consistently been used to cure and prevent back pain by enhancing strength and flexibility.

 Massaging to all the internal vital organs of the body – Research has shown that yoga poses are the only form of activity that massages all of the internal glands and organs of the body and this promotes good health and well-being.

 

Complete detoxification – Yoga poses (asanas) helps to gently stretch the muscles and joints allowing the optimum blood supply to various parts of the body. This helps to flush the toxins out of the body. This leading to benefits such as delayed in ageing, providing energy and a remarkable zest for life.

 

Excellent toning of the muscles – Yoga practice can stimulate the muscles that have become flaccid and weak.

 

Provide balance in the nervous system – yoga is a great form of mediation in motion and that can balance the nervous system.

 

Reduction of stress – Because yoga practice is a slow and gentle form of exercise combined with breathing exercises, it can relieve body stress.

 

Cure and prevent respiration problems and asthma

Various studies have confirmed the beneficial effects of yoga for patients with respiratory problems. Physicians have found that the practice of asanas in combination with breathing exercises and meditation makes the treatment of asthma more effective. It has also been proved that asthma attacks can usually be prevented by yoga practice, without resorting to drugs. Patients who practice yoga have a better chance of gaining the ability to control their breathing problems. With the help of yogic breathing exercises, it is possible to control an attack of severe shortness of breath without having to seek medical help.

High Blood Pressure (hypertension)

The yoga postures, yogic breathing (pranayama) and the deep relaxation techniques (yoga nidra), which are basic components of yoga, have a major role to play in the treatment or prevention of high blood pressure and reduce the need for high blood pressure medication for people suffering from it.

 

Pain Management

 

Concentration during yoga postures, breathing exercises, deep relaxation techniques and meditation can also help reduce pain. Yoga is believed to reduce pain by helping the brain’s pain centre regulate the gate-controlling mechanism located in the spinal cord and the secretion of natural painkillers in the body.

 

Weight Reduction

Yogic practices that reduce anxiety tend to reduce anxious eating. Regular yoga practice can help in weight management, for the reason that some asanas stimulate sluggish glands, to increase their hormonal secretions. There are specific asanas, such as the shoulder stand (Sarvangasana) or the fish pose (Matsyasana), which are targeted on the thyroid gland. This gland has a great effect on our weight because it affects the body’s metabolism rate. Fat metabolism is also increased, so fat is converted to muscle and energy and we have better muscle tone and a higher vitality level.

Also, the practice of “yogic breath” (yogic deep breathing) increases the oxygen intake to the body cells, including the fat cells. This causes increased oxidation or burning up of fat cells.

 

Benefits for the Psychological Level (Pranamaya – Manomaya Kosha)

 

Self-awareness

Yoga practice increases the self-awareness. The yoga practitioner learns to act instead of reacting. They start to control their feelings and learn to be conscious, living the moment, the Now and not in the past or in the future.

   

Self-confidence

Self-confidence, or low self-confidence, is something, which Yoga seeks to eliminate through the practices. Someone with low self-respect cannot do their work properly or becomes easily tired, irritable and haggard. One who practices yoga starts to believe deeply in themselves and in the incredible potentials, which they have inside. 

Vitality and Change of Mood

Everyone who practices yoga over a period of time, reports a positive effect on both their outer appearance and energy level. Yogic postures with breathing exercises have been seen to result in having an invigorating effect on physical energy and improved mood.

 

Benefits for the Mental Level (Manomaya – Vijnanamaya Kosha)

 

Mental balancing

A common breathing (pranayama) practice in yoga is the “alternative nostrils breathing” (Nadi Shodhana Pranayama). Electroencephalogram (EEG) studies of the electrical impulses of the brain have shown that breathing through one nostril, results in increased activity on the opposite side of the brain. The regular practice of alternative nostrils helps to improve communication between the right and left side of the brain.

 

Benefits for the Spiritual Level (Vijnanamaya – Anandamaya Kosha)

Self-knowledge

Yogic philosophy and practice lead to increased Self-knowledge. This experienced knowledge is merely the spiritual side of yoga practice, which has as a goal to cultivate the “Observer” and increase the knowledge of the nature of the Self.

Knowing the Self, the Observer, which is a genuine kind of knowledge, tends to get lost in the hectic pace of our daily lives and pursuit of desires. The discovering of the Self, inside us, is indeed the most precious spiritual value in our life.



Longevity and Health Now

Guest Author: Smith Bob


There are many benefits of yoga training. Yoga training is one of the most popular forms of exercise and staying fit techniques practiced all over the world today. The benefits of yoga are endless. What is so great about yoga training is that can benefit your life not only physically but also mentally and spiritually. The benefits of yoga on each of these three areas add and enrich your life in many ways. Yoga training is a great way to get adds balance to your life, physically, mentally and spiritually.

The benefits of yoga training in the physical aspect are first it improves your balance. Yoga training, depending on the type you are practicing, is a series of different poses and postures. Utilizing and practicing these poses and postures during your yoga training allow you to increase your level of balance. Balance it said to be a good indicator of health. Some of the other physical benefits of yoga are that it helps you to keep a balanced metabolism as well as a strong, toned and flexible body. Yoga training deeply enhances your flexibility. You may walk into a yoga class not being able to touch your toes, and after attending a series of classes you will see a noticeable difference in your level of flexibility. Some other benefits of yoga in the physical aspect are it helps increase your circulation and cardio health. Yoga training also helps you to feel and look younger.

There are also many mental benefits of yoga training. One of the most important mental benefits of yoga is that it helps you to relax. Many individuals have high stress levels and find it hard to relax because of the stress in their lives. Yoga training, can seriously deplete the level of stress you experience because of the nature yoga training is practiced. Yoga training is all about focusing your energy on the present and where ever else you want it to go. Which is another of the mental benefits of yoga? Yoga training focuses on breathing; the focus on breathing allows you to put aside any feelings of stress and anxiety. In fact you can even use the breathing techniques you have learned in yoga training in other areas of your life. For example if you are having a stressful day at the office utilize your yoga breathing techniques to release some of the tension you are experiencing. One of the most vital benefits of yoga on a mental level is that it helps with self acceptance.

There are many spiritual benefits of yoga as well. On a spiritual level yoga training allows you to become one with yourself. Through out life we can become detached from certain areas of ourselves; yoga training allows you to reconnect with yourself. Being able to do this is perhaps the greatest of the spiritual benefits of yoga. Another of spiritual benefits of yoga is that helps you to gain awareness of your body and your feelings. Theses and so much more are the benefits of yoga training.



Look Young Again

Guest Author: Abhishek Agarwal


One of the oldest known techniques which helps in the all round development of a person is Yoga. Yoga has been around for ages dating back as far as 500 years. Yoga practices helps in the well being of a person by making him or her mentally, emotionally, physically and spiritually sound. Yoga also helps a person achieve a sense of self awareness because it helps enhance the person’s capabilities.

There are many parts to Yoga which include meditation, physical postures or asana and breathing techniques. Most people only do yoga for their physical well being and to remain healthy. Very few take up meditation to contemplate upon the truth without doing the yogic postures.

Many people mistake yoga for a series of steps which have to be followed but actually yoga helps you to evolve so that as you practice you will soon find that your inner system is cleansed and you become more aware of your inner self. This changes the perception of the person and he sees everything in new light.

Yoga postures help you to gain perfect health and strength. You can also learn to breathe correctly and learn and gain self control. Mastery over the mind can be achieved and concentration improves. To achieve focus and mind concentration total dedication is needed so that you can achieve what you set out to do.

Yoga is one of the most popular forms of therapy which many all over the world are taking up. Many people relate to Hatha yoga when they hear the word Yoga in general as it is this form of yoga which is highly popular and practiced by many all. Hatha yoga involves techniques which include physical exercises and controlled breathing techniques. Through harmonious breathing and postures one can achieve a well balanced body.

The benefits of hatha yoga are it improves your strength, vitality and gives greater flexibility. There are many other forms of yoga other than Hatha yoga like aerobic yoga workouts which are fast and demanding and still other forms which fitness conscious people follow. The gentle forms are for people who need healing.

Yoga is universal and does not cater to the needs of any faith, lifestyle and can be practiced by people of any age group. You do not have to attend a class to learn yoga or be instructed personally through a teacher. You can learn yoga through self taught books.

Choose the form of Yoga that you think would suit you and your lifestyle. There are various kinds of meditation techniques so you need to choose one that you think would be apt for you. Different variations of Yoga are being developed today.

For beginners, the use of videos and DVDs which are available are an ideal way to learn the art. There are videos and DVDs on Yoga for couples, athletes, yoga with grace and strength and yoga or beginners.

The various supplies that you would need to practice yoga include Yoga mats, yoga belts, yoga straps and blocks. The yoga mats give you perfect support while you move into various postures. The very purpose of the yoga mats is to provide adequate cushioning and protection when you are doing Yoga on hard floors. Along with yoga mats, yoga straps and blocks help in your workout. Another essential supply that is very important for yoga is buying the proper clothing which will help you to stretch freely and allow you to be more flexible.

Guest Author: Alien


Yoga today is essentially a way of life that integrates the means of harmonizing the body, mind, and spirit. It is all about a series of postures, breathing exercises and meditation Yoga and meditation are increasing their popularity with the stress filled and health conscious among the people all over the world.

Yoga today is becoming very popular, as people know the benefits of yoga and it helps them to feel better not only in them, but also to maintain their body shape.

There are different yoga poses and breathing exercises in yoga today for making the body healthier.

Yoga today is one of the best ways for relaxing the body and mind and also to maintain your body in good shape.

Benefits Of Yoga

The benefits of yoga are numerous. It has both preventive and therapeutic benefits. And the most important benefits of yoga are physical and mental benefits to the body and the mind.

The health benefits of yoga with a regular practice of yoga poses, breathing exercises, and meditation are:

Yoga today helps in combating illnesses, and there are some reliable researches proving that yoga aids in controlling certain illnesses such as headaches, arthritis, stress, anxiety, blood pressure, asthma and many more.

Yoga today also helps in reducing the stress and tensions. After getting out of a busy day, your muscles are tensed and may feel that your self-esteem will increase with a regular yoga practices.

This type of confidence boosting is very essential as it helps people as a means of reducing the stress in their routine busy lives.

Yoga today also helps to improve muscle tone and increases your energy, stamina, strength and flexibility. It also helps those people who feel themselves as out of shape by a regular practice of yoga. Practicing yoga can burn up your body’s excess fat and provides you a much-improved body shape or figure.

Yoga today also helps people to improve their concentration and enhances a person’s creativities particularly when they are in a need of relaxation and stop thinking about the stressful effects in life such as self-responsibilities.

So, practicing yoga regularly makes yoga practitioners to feel that it is easier to think more positively and there will be a much more fresher outlook on life. A sense of calmness and well being can be obtained through practicing yoga.

The yoga exercises can improve the blood circulation in the body. By yoga practices, the immune systems can be stimulated to help prevent us from diseases. A good immune system will help us to avoid getting sickness and diseases.

Many people are practicing yoga today in order to be progressive. Some people consider that yoga helps in bringing their spirit and keep them relieved.

Most of the people consider yoga as a practice only for spiritual people. However, it is not true. Yoga today can be practiced by all groups of people irrelevant to their caste, age or gender.

These are just a few things that the yoga practices and yoga today can provide. Its potentials are eternal.

Guest Author: Alien


Let’s look into the history of yoga and the reasons behind people practicing yoga. Yoga could be the best choice for you, when you are fascinated in getting body fitness, decrease stress, or desire to move into your deeper, spiritual side. It is more essential for you to know the basics and history of yoga before practicing yoga techniques.

Getting an idea about yoga doesn’t need to know all the words or their meanings to practice yoga. It requires only having a little knowledge about the subject. The benefits of yoga can be achieved only when meditation and physical exercises are combined. The beauty of yoga is it can be carried out all in one exercise program.

Yoga – Art of Discipline

Yoga is an art of discipline. It offers a way to have a union between your mind, body, and spirit. Yoga is exactly in the middle between physical exercises and meditation. In tough physical exercises, the body is physically strained and is tuned up. It will not take a lot of thinking to undergo an exercise routine.

Meditation in contrast, the body will do nothing; every thing will be with calming and relaxing your mind and reaching your inner spirit. People in these days, with stressful society are seeking out a means of becoming fit physically and spiritually. Yoga is becoming popular as it binds the two, physical and mental aspects, jointly into a comfortable package in the middle.

Yoga is the physical discipline of sitting in one position for long periods and the mental discipline of quieting your mind and eliminating all the disturbances and tensions from the mind and brings you peacefulness that the regular physical exercises are unable to provide you.

A good practice of yoga can give you a spirit of calm and peacefulness that physical exercise can’t. It also provides you a healthy feeling because meditation on its own can’t offer you. Yoga being in the middle and maybe due to benefits of regular practice of yoga, it is becoming popular and a way to help you to enhance your physical well being and bring peacefulness to your world.

Origin of Yoga and Yoga Practices

Yoga is originated in India over 5,000 years ago. The strange words of yoga come from the sanskrit language. Nobody knows the originator of yoga. It’s one of the mysteries such as the inventor of the wheel. The only facts that come to know are that it developed into a tradition and was regularly practiced by the people around 500 B.C.

Hatha yoga is one of the styles of yoga that the westerners of today are practicing. It is a very good style of yoga to start on the path of yoga. When it is invented, all students were practicing yoga and searching for the divine inside of them. They were all practicing yoga and looking for the god and the divine meaning for their life.

The same is happening with students of yoga, today, searching for their spiritual inner self, and guidance from the divine. Most modern styles of yoga are traced back to the yoga sutras.

These yoga sutras were written by patanjali somewhere between 300 BC and 100 AD. Nobody knows exactly when they were designed and created, but the yoga sutras, yoga practices and philosophy are clearly explained and they are just as applicable today as they were then.

Guest Author: Richard Morrisson


Yoga can be defined as a physical and mental exercise that helps in increasing will power of people. Most of the people believe yoga is a spiritual exercise, which enlightens the spirit and purifies the heart. For example: Doing yoga can help you increase patience and get relief from worries. Yoga has to be practiced in a peaceful environment. Most of the people prefer practicing yoga in natural surroundings. Some people prefer practicing yoga at meditation centers. Whatever may be the place, people should concentrate on the type of clothes they wear for yoga. Yoga Clothes play an important role in yoga practice. 

Clothes people wear during yoga should give them maximum comfort and help them to ease body movement. Yoga Clothes unlike ordinary clothes are made of special material.

It’s good if people wear Yoga Clothes that are loose, i.e. clothes like shorts, leotards, sweat pants, camisoles, vests, etc. Men and women generally prefer shorts when practicing yoga. Shorts allow people to see the alignment of their foot, knees and ankles. Yoga Clothes for men comprise of yoga shirts and pants. Yoga shirts need to be light and comfortable. All yoga shirts are made of natural materials and preferably are seamless. In fact that’s true with most yoga clothing. Yoga pants can be used for practicing yoga, martial arts, aerobics, dance, and exercise. Yoga pants fit easily around the waist, and permit stretches.  

Women should wear yoga shorts along with a yoga bra. Yoga Clothes should be comfortable, sweat absorbent and breathable. Women prefer stretchable cotton pants when practicing yoga. These cotton pants fit loosely around the hips, and have a flattering leg finish. Hard tail cotton pants are easily available and these pants are made of cotton Lycra blends.

Pants are usually pre-shrunk with a mix of 90% cotton and 10% Lycra. These pants are available in varying colors, and are ideal for women with varying waist sizes. People should always wear clothes that are good for all yoga exercises. They should check for yoga clothes that are form-fitting, i.e., clothes they select should be suitable and well adjusted irrespective of yoga movements.