Free Yoga Articles

There is little doubt that menopause is a taxing time both physically and emotionally. For busy women trying to live normal, active and fulfilling lives, it can be extremely frustrating to deal with the many symptoms of menopause, all of which can be exhausting, upsetting and sometimes unpleasant. Nevertheless, similar to menstruation and pregnancy, women are expected to solider on and keep smiling! And by and large that is precisely what the vast majority of women do when th...

Swami Kuvalyanand once said: ?Yoga has a message for the human body, for the human mind and the human spirit.? This is a truism as a healthy body is the prime requisite for success and happiness in life. People are increasingly being convinced that yoga makes for good health, contentment and happiness in present day stressful life and is not just an exercise regimen. In this article we will discuss Anuloma-Viloma (alternate breathing) pranayama. Pranayama simply means p...

If you are interested in beginning to mediation, you may wish to first try ?speed meditation? to get used to the techniques and practices. Since this only takes 15 to 20 minutes every day, you?ll find it very easy to begin the process, even if you find little time in your schedule for relaxing activities. Speed meditation has many advantages including: * Healing from physical pain * Unlocking creativity * Developing religious beliefs * Feeling a sense of serenity * Inc...

Life teaches us lot of things and yoga learns lot from life. It derives its inspiration from the basic nature of life which is in various forms such as human, animals, plants, tress, earth, sun and moon. For instance this asanas other name is derived from the Moon. In English this asana would mean Half Moon Pose. The Moon from which the name is derived is an important part of our life. It touches each individual it in its own manner. Apparently Hatha yoga talks about sun a...

Establishing an exercise routine is something most Americans know they need to do. However, many are unable to follow through on the routines they plan. Part of the reason for this is that people often plan activities that don't suit their personalities, physical condition, circumstances and location. Carefully analyzing these things before you begin a fitness routine can contribute to your ability to stick with it over the long run. Ask yourself whether you have a lot of ...

The legend of the beginning of ayurvedic medicine is that the one creator, Brahma, taught the theories and practices to one of the animal lords, who taught it to the Asvins-the divine twins. They taught this to the chief of the shining ones, called Indra. These were the deities of ancient verdict times. As mankind fell victim and suffered from ailments and disease the wise men went to Indra and were taught the ancient remedies and healing cures. This is the knowledge...

Hypothyroidism is a condition under which production of thyroid hormone is far less than usual. The purpose of thyroid hormone is to focus on the body's metabolism and when that is hit, it results in slow metabolism. Slow metabolism affects the growth, development and many cellular processes which can have adverse effect on your body. Many people are victims to this disease, women in general bear the brunt most of the times. The increasing age is another reason to be affected...

Whatever that can mean today, Yoga in plain language means opportunity or luck. For example, if you inherit a legacy totally in an unanticipated way, it is your yoga that brought it your way. It is quite a common word in its usage, meaning luck, in India. Sample this: ?He had a bad yoga; he lost his business in the storm?. Then, How Come It Came To Be Known As A Different Exercise Cult? It is quite simple. The four manifestations of yoga, Bhakti Yoga, Karma Yoga, Raja Yog...

Vrksasana is a tree pose which means you are standing with your hand raised towards the sky. Adho Mukha Vrksasana can be termed as a tilted tree pose where in your hands are supporting the entire body weight. This asana when done by beginners has to be done very carefully as balancing yourself on your hand cannot be that easy. To make it easier it would be better for you to take support of a wall, helping you to overcome your fear of falling while doing this asana. There a...

Yoga is more popular now than it has ever been. Famous entertainers and other celebrities practice it and thousands or perhaps millions of other people are also doing yoga exercises in one form or another. Yet, despite this widespread popularity, yoga is still misunderstood. Many people think that yoga is primarily a physical activity, something that they can use to get their body in shape. While it is true that yoga has a great role to play in the physical realm, yoga is muc...

Can you cleanse the body without invasive procedures, remedies or medications? Can you clear the mind without intrusive therapies? Countless people have been doing just that for thousands of years, through traditional yoga. It is difficult to consider any part of our spirit or body that is not improved by yoga benefits. Yoga is ideal for clearing the mind and lifting the spirits. Physically, it is a cleansing practice that has proven to be very effective for many diso...

A cancer specialist of San Antonio, Texas said during a seminar in the 1980s in Oklahoma City that a cure for cancer is possible by the application of Yoga. Col. Hansa Raval, M.D, pathologist with the United States said that physicians declined to recognize the cure. She further said that till she began researching the application of the non conventional modes of treatment, her work in cytotechnology which is a diagnostic branch of medicine whose objective is to pinpoint t...

Baddha Konasana (Bound Angle Pose) is also known as the Cobbler's Pose because of the similarity to a cobblers sitting position. It is an excellent asana which helps your groin and hip position. It is a forward bending asana which starts off from Staff Pose or Dandasana. You have to bend your knees by bringing the soles of the feet together. This forward bending asana is very different to the other forward bending asanas. The focus area in this asana is to open the hip and he...

Often the most effective ways to lose weight and stay fit involve some extra time and effort. Yoga positions, stretching and meditation require no specialized equipment and little more than your time and the desire to learn, relax and feel healthy. Hatha yoga is the most commonly practiced type of yoga in western civilizations. Yoga is a combination of breathing and positions that encourage harmony between the mind and body. By practicing conscious breathing and various po...

Learning yoga is the second most in thing nowadays, next of course to doing or executing the yoga exercises itself. There are many ways and measures how yoga is taught to different people across the world. There are formal classes, and those that are done online. Online classes also abound. There are basic and helpful books that generally offer simple tutorial to people who want to learn yoga. Online yoga Relaxation and a quick in touch with the mental and spiritu...

Yoga is an ancient practice of moving the body into different poses (asanas) to achieve a healthy body, an attentive mind, and a relaxed spirit. Yoga can be used to help treat many different illnesses, including diabetes. There have been numerous clinical studies that prove the benefits that yoga has for diabetics, because many yoga poses can positively impact circulation and help regulate body systems. Like with any other exercise regime, when you begin yoga, begin slowly...

Having been developed by the legendary German native Joseph Pilates, the Pilates Method of Body Conditioning follows important principles based on a well designed theoretical, as well as philosophical, foundation. Although this method of body conditioning is most often considered a form of exercise, there is actually much more depth to the Pilates Method of Body Conditioning than being considered simply an exercise. Besides being a form of exercise, the Pilates Method of Body...

Baby boomers have busy lives. If you are sandwiched between elderly parents and your children, its hard to find time to care for yourself. When it comes to meals there are far too many visits to fast food restaurants and when it comes to an exercise routine, it usually is non-existent. But there is a health crisis in America today. Sixty percent of Americans are overweight or obese. This is troubling because, the heavier you are the higher the possibility of heart problems...

Pilates exercise is a low intensity workout that combines a series of breathing techniques with stretching, and is suitable for all groups regardless of age or health. It helps improve the body's core muscles, including that in the back, abdomen, and buttocks, and also your posture, flexibility, strength and mental focus. Pilates makes use of various equipments that are designed to challenge the muscles with strength-resistance workouts, and are an integral part of Pilates...

A medicine ball is also commonly used by athletes who have sustained an injury, and seek rehabilitation. They are also extensively used by secondary schools as a fitness aid, by lifting the ball, or performing different exercises with the ball incorporated to increase the strain on a particular muscle. What is A Swiss Ball? A Swiss ball is a ball constructed of elastic rubber with a diameter of around 55 to 85 cm (22 to 34 inches). It is used in physical therapy and exerc...

People have always believed that yoga can do more for your body than just keeping it fit and flexible. Research now shows it can help weight control, lower back pain, insomnia and even heart disease. Studies indicate yoga helps with weight loss and maintenance. In a study of 15,000 adults, the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center found that those who did not practice yoga gained approximately 18.5 pounds more over a 10-year period than those who practiced for at least four...

Meditation is an art that takes a certain degree of consistency, but almost anyone can find time to meditate, no matter how busy your days may be. Meditation takes little to no preparation time if you follow a few rules, so in less than a half hour, you can meditate and continue on with your normal daily schedule. Remember, meditation is all about being relaxed. First, find a convenient and appropriate place and time for meditation. Many people choose to participate in a c...

They often say that every ?overnight success? is usually five years in the making?Well Pilates burst on the scene over the last decade like the new kid on the block who just happened to be over 90 years old. Joseph Pilates invented the ingenious exercise system due to the same reason most things get invented: necessity. Born in Germany in 1880, Joe was an extremely sickly child and in an attempt to improve his overall health and physical well-being he extensively studied E...

Many people ask how to start a home yoga practice so here is some information to get you going. First I will review the basics and then discuss how often to practice and what to practice. Remember though, the only right practice is regular practice! Don?t let your desire for perfectionism get in your way. Just show up at your mat and practice. Yoga is a life-long journey ? perhaps many lives! Environment The space should be quiet, and ideally used only for yoga. (Can be...

This is one of the basic yoga asanas which we learn initially while learning yoga. All the yoga poses help in improving your flexibility which becomes very useful in our daily life. The asana is also known as head to foot pose. Your desire to regulate your blood pressure can be done by this asana. The pressure on your head and the stretching of the muscles relaxes your brain, making you work out things more easily and calmly. The stretching and pulling tones your body and rel...

Yoga loosens up large muscles, so they aren't stressing smaller muscles and bones resulting in injuries. It also loosens up joints and improves circulation, which is good for health. The procedure is to go through a contortion which stretches the large muscles causing them to loosen up. As the largest muscles loosen up, the force shifts to smaller muscles. If the position is held too long, a small muscle could get injured. So when muscles are real stiff, a position shou...

Janu sirsasana: the correct placement of the foot With the legs stretched uniformly in front, sit up straight. Place the foot so the heel is in the right groin and the front of the foot touches the left thigh, whilst bending the right leg at the knee. Press the knee back and form an obtuse angle with the body, turning the foot so that its bottom is on the upward side. Don?t coerce yourself as initially this position will be difficult. Beneath the hips and the knees put a f...

Generally, the fundamental Pilates Method exercises were developed for one particular purpose ? to prepare the body for Pilates work by warming up the muscles and teaching movement awareness. Experts often suggest that while performing the basics of Pilates Method exercises, try to engage abdominals with a neutral pelvis. Also, picture your mind feeling hollowed out while paying much attention to breathing and exhaling deeply. Then, depress your shoulder blades as you lift...

'Garuda' means eagle and 'asana' means pose. Garuda known as king birds also happen to be the vehicle of Vishnu. Even though most of the yoga poses aims towards balance and tranquility, by the look of the asana it will be more visible. This asana would help in loosening up your joints. Stretching your muscles would help in making all the parts of your body more fit. While doing the asana sense of balance would be achieved as you are standing on one foot. It would look simi...

For the last two decades various yoga practices have been brought into the mainstream. These decades could be better termed as renaissance decades for yoga. Among age old yoga practices most objectionable practice of naked yoga or nudist yoga has been also revived. In America a good number of men and women find nudist yoga as a source of great relaxation and peace of mind. Every year, a reasonable increase in nudist yoga practitioners or seekers has resulted in a good numb...