Using Yoga for Weight loss

In today's society carrying excess weight is becoming the norm rather than the exception.  Lifestyles are increasingly sedentary, peoples diet is becoming increasingly processed and fatty and food contains more and more calories, additives and preservatives.  Children prefer television over playing with their friends, which is perhaps a direct reflection on parents who prefer television over socializing or even making time for their children.  This only scratches the surface of the social move towards a sedentary and unhealthy society which is making more and more people fat.

  Yoga is a discipline designed to make the body strong and flexible and enhance the overall health of the digestive system as well as the hormonal and circulatory systems.  It also assists us in controlling mental stress and achieving peace and clarity of mind.  Yoga also has strong spiritual benefits which will see you becoming more content with yourself and more comfortable with who you are, all aspects which will lead to emotional stability.  This mental component is often neglected in a physical approach to weight loss, but it is critical and should not be overlooked.  So called "Comfort food" is a frequent problem for people who yo-yo diet(rapidly lose and gain weight) and the ability to be happy with your health and who you are reduces the need for this.

  Yoga is based on deep and controlled breathing which is a method for enhancing our oxygen intake.  This allows oxygen to travel to the fat cells in our body and assist in their processing.  One has to ask given the benefits why more people don't practice Yoga?

  Many people think of Yoga as a passive or mystical discipline - something for hippies - not them.  This is a shame as Yoga improves the physical body as well as our mental health.  While it is practiced by a great many people in Eastern Populations only about 2% of the population in the United States has clicked on to the many benefits.

  Yoga considers all the aspects that contribute to obesity - not just the physical but also the mental and spiritual reasons behind them.  regular Yoga is not only relaxing but it does bring the body back towards it's ideal weight and at the same time enhance strength, flexibility and stamina.  Yoga nuts tend to end up slim, agile and efficient in everything they do and what's more it is suitable for people of all ages.

  A more active form of Yoga, Kundalini, was introduced to America in 1969 by Yogi Bhajan.  It is a more active form of Yoga combining different methods of breathing, meditation and movement to compensate for the fact the American population has been conditioned to see exercise as requiring sweating.

  Yoga can also be used to resist the temptation of snacking between meals.  techniques learned from yoga can be used to suppress impulses such as that we think of as hunger between meals(if you eat proper meals you cannot be hungry between them - merely bored or restless).

  Yoga is not just a method of losing weight, it is actually a method which restores a natural balance to our body and moves us towards our natural state.  This has an interesting consequence with weight.  It we are overweight then yes, regular Yoga will cause us to lose weight.  However if we are at our ideal weight we will not drop weight, and if we weight too little we will gain weight until we are at our biologically natural size.

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Yoga as a Form Of Corporate Stress management

In a corporate environment one of the things that makes a critical difference for employees is a relaxed congenial environment.  The headquarters of Google is one of the most productive places in the world and every idea that comes out of the Google thinking tank seems to be another winner, yet this is achieved in a building that is filled with slides, relaxation equipment, staff libraries, canteens and even beds.  The message is clear - we care about the results not about how long or hard you work.  Not surprisingly the results come and the staff are happy to work long hours in a relaxing environment knowing that they will not be harshly judged by their co-workers for taking a relaxation break.  In less ideal environments the opposite of this is often true with stress levels high because every decision, every move, everything could have the future of a company hanging on it.  Successful businesses recognize that this stress is not productive and that if it can be reduced the level of accomplishment will rise proportionately.  Google is the extreme of a trend that has been developing for a long time - providing recreation facilities inside corporate buildings.  One of the most successful and popular is a Yoga centre.

  The stress of the modern corporate world is usually a counterproductive thing, it puts people on a knife-edge and frequently leads to mistakes that a calmer more relaxed person would not make.  Yoga is known to be one of the most effective forms of stress relief.  Yoga is a special type of discipline that can be utilised on a number of different levels, places and situations.  A perfect example is the Yoga breathing exercises such as Anulem and Vinolum.  These are used to calm the thought process and allow you to maintain focus when overwhelmed with too much information or too many thoughts and problems at once.  And because they are merely a deep and focused way of breathing they can be performed sitting in a chair, standing in an elevator or even while driving a car.  Cramps and bad back posture are also often treated with nothing more than a steady breathing exercise with some quite spectacular results in some cases.

  The simplicity of being taught to breath properly may strike some corporates as strange.  Nobody teaches us to breath, or sit or even stand.  These are simple things that we spend our whole day doing, yet at no point in our lives are we actively taught them.  Incorrect posture when sitting is a very serious problem if you are in front of a monitor all day, but simply learning the correct way to breath can align your body properly and solve many of the problems associated with this bad posture.  If you take deep breathes and focus on them your body is pulled in to shape by this most natural of human movements.

  Where specific problems such as Obesity or joint pain are present, a Yoga class can be specially tailored to address them.  Blood pressure problems and ailments of the kidney can be treated with Yogic Kriyas.  Poor agility is a result of poor balance and this issue is frequently confronted and quickly overcome with a range of balance-enhancing Yoga exercises.  Some people who have reported daily occurrences of problems like anger, tension, hypertension, stress and headaches have achieved very good results simply from using Yoga to it's full potential.  The increased flexibility that Yoga provides is a godsend for people in sedentary job environments.

  The mental advantages of Yoga are also quite clear.  Yoga has an ability to redirect our thinking to a more positive frame.  The most common form of Yoga used in corporate stress management is Hatha Yoga because it is a particularly potent form of physiological and psychological cleansing.  In any environment stress is a normal occurrence, what differentiates a successful person from an unsuccessful one (and by extension a successful business from an unsuccessful one) is how we deal with that stress.  Hatha Yoga, and Yoga in general provide executives with the tools they need to deal with stress on a daily basis.

  Some businesses will go as far as getting a staff medical done and passing the results on to a Yoga instructor who will formulate a customized program for an individual based on their health needs.  Different Yoga techniques deal with different problems and a qualified instructor will be able to find those best suited to an individual's personal situation.  Through recognizing Yoga's ability to deal with the individual needs of employees and incorporating it into part of the daily work schedule businesses are creating a happier work environment and being rewarded by their employees by increased productivity and a greater loyalty and appreciation of their employer.

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Why Yoga is Important For An Office Worker

Yoga and office workers don't usually mix, but they should.  When you work in an office you will usually be spending a lot of time hunched over a keyboard and sitting in a seat.  It can also be an environment that is prone to produce a whole heap of stress and very few outlets to release it.  In this article we examine how these things are bad for your general health and how Yoga can help.

  Let's start with a little bit about what Yoga is.  At it's simplest level it is a very effective form of exercise.  It involves flexing the body into static poses and holding them which is a fantastic method of increasing blood flow and circulation through various choke points in the body.

  Yoga also puts a lot of emphasis on the correct patterns of breathing which allows you body to get the most benefit from each breath of air we take.  Expanding from this we take care to un-clutter our thoughts when we are performing Yoga and the more advancement someone makes with the discipline the more focussed and calm they will become.  Have you ever told someone to take a breath to calm him or her down?  With Yoga it is the same principle.

  So how does this all help our office worker?

  An office environment is usually neither a calm nor a healthy place.  Most office workers will spend the majority of their day stuck in a chair and often staring at a computer screen or hunched over paperwork or a keyboard.  This causes a lot of tension to well up, particularly in the back and shoulders.  The legs are also often denied a supply of fresh blood by the long hours spend sitting down.

  Yoga forces the body to move in ways it would not usually do in an office environment.  This can be a very effective way of clearing choke points and allowing circulation to resume it's normal flow.  The blood takes valuable supplies of oxygen and nutrients with it wherever it goes and without these supplies the organs cannot operate properly.  The more starved the organs become the sicker we will become, so clearly restoring blood flow to the areas that are being deprived of it is an important health priority.

  Did you know that most diseases are directly caused or antagonized by stress?  It's true, and it's a much more serious problem than most people ever know.  In an office environment this is even more so.  The pressure of deadlines, the constant activity and the need to constantly be on the move are all primary factors in escalating stress levels.

  imagine for a moment - stopping.  Forget about all the things that you need to get done in the next week.  Forget about the rent payment and the assignment you have to finish.  Forget about your boss and your family and concentrate on one thing.  Breathing.  Yoga is as much a mental discipline as it is a physical one and it will teach you to clear your thoughts and focus on the activity at hand.  While you will certainly benefit from the health benefits of Yoga, the mental benefits can be truly life changing.  People who learn Yoga usually deal with stress better and are able to calm and centre themselves when there is turmoil all around them.

  If you think these benefits would make your life easier then you owe it to yourself to start learning Yoga as soon as possible.

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"Do You Know Your Yoga?" The Quiz

This is a short quiz to see if the ideas you have about Yoga are correct.  Yoga is a very broad description that takes in a number of different types and styles so the questions and the explanations given for the answers are equally broad.

Question One:  What is Yoga?

a/  An Exercise Program.
b/  A Meditation Program.
c/  A Healing Program.
d/  All of the above.

  If you answered (D) then you get a tick.  Well done.  Yoga can be any of these things and often is all of them at once.  At it's simplest level it is an exercise program which, when practised regularly will increase strength and flexibility in the body.  Because of the speed that positions are changed and the emphasis on static exercise many Yoga classes put an emphasis on breathing and directing energy and thought to different parts of the body.  This aspect of Yoga is where it most closely resembles a Meditation program, though exactly what meditation means in each person's individual case is going to be different depending on him or her.  Finally, Yoga is most definitely a form of healing.  It allows the increased flow of blood, which carries oxygen and nutrients to all parts of the body, greatly accelerating the healing rate.  The stretching actions are also good for healing tissue injuries providing they are done to the right depth.  Overextending can lead to re-damaging an injury, so it's important to know your limits.  Yoga can also be a fantastic pre-emptive healing strategy and this is why Prenatal yoga classes are so popular.  They prepare a women's body for childbirth and because of the strengthening of the specific muscles women who undergo prenatal Yoga find it much easier to recover and get back into shape after a birth.

Questions Two:  Yoga Exercises are________?

a/  Fast.
b/  Slow.
c/  Static.
d/  All of the above.

  Yoga is usually a static exercise regime so (C) is your answer here.  However an argument can be made for (B) because the movements between exercises are also part of the Yoga equation.  Often an exercise will involve a long slow stretch, gradually pushing a little further, but ultimately the stretch needs to be held for a certain amount of time to gain it's full benefit.  Fast exercise programs are all about getting the heart and blood pumping, whereas Yoga is about releasing blockages and getting the blood flowing to all parts of the body.  This difference is quite important and a key element in the success and popularity of Yoga.

Question Three:  Do You Have to Do Yoga In Classes?

A/  Yes.
B/  No.

  The answer is no (B) - of course you don't.  Yoga is something that can be a fantastic group activity, but it doesn't need to be.  You are quite capable of doing Yoga sitting in your bedroom and no-one will ever know.  Other people go to the part to do Yoga in the sun with some friends.  Others will do Yoga in an airport between stopovers.  How and where you do Yoga is up to you.  What's fantastic is you don't need much room, and all it takes is a little time to work through your routine.  Also, if no-one sees you doing it, nobody is going to know, unlike going for a run you won't be panting like a dog or sweating like a big at the end of a session.

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The Universal Appeal of Yoga

Yoga has been practiced for 400 years and is a system of exercises which are very easy and effective at increasing a persons overall health ad well-being.  Yoga instructors and students alike will often talk about phrases like "being in harmony with oneself and surroundings" and indeed this is a primary goal of Yoga, to achieve a unity of body, mind and spirit in a oneness with the world around us.  Yoga will teach a person to stimulate internal organs including the likes of the prostate, which is practically never exercised by any other discipline.  It will teach you to apply pressure upon glandular areas of the body and it will combine this with meditation and breathing techniques that will grant you the ability to turn your concentration inward to examine your feelings and thoughts.

  There are a number of different aspects in Yoga, but one of the most appealing is that this is a set of exercises that anyone can enjoy and benefit from.  It does not require any expensive equipment or a special setting, it can be practiced by anyone, man or women, rich or poor, young or old, healthy or ill.  Perhaps it's greatest appeal has always been that it is a set of beneficial exercises that anyone can do at any time and in any place.  Yoga is even a safe form of exercise for pregnant women and prenatal Yoga classes are often recommended to expectant mothers.  A specially tailored prenatal yoga class will help prepare a women, physically and mentally to become a mother.  It gives her a number of useful tools for coping with labour and the strengthening of the body means that the recovery period after giving birth will be much shorter.

  There is a preconception amongst many men that Yoga is a female pastime, but this couldn't be further from the truth.  Yoga provides numerous benefits to men:  decreasing stress, assisting in relaxation and increasing power, stamina and flexibility across the board.

  Senior citizens can get a number of benefits from a yoga course and are often the first to praise the mental advantages such as an increased attention span and a better memory both long and short term.

  Even young children will benefit from a Yoga regime by stronger bones, increased circulation and a better disposition resulting from breathing exercises and the relaxation of the exercise.

  Regardless of the person Yoga has a number of lasting benefits and will aid in a wide variety of different health issues.  Regular practitioners of yoga will live an overall enhanced lifestyle, are more likely to have a strong memory and better stamina combined with a stronger sense of balance.  Even late starters can use Yoga to combat a range of health disorders from Blood pressure to arthritis to breathing orders.

  It's no wonder when you consider all the different benefits of Yoga how very popular it is, and the fact that it is a regime of exercise that is open to everyone is one more big advantage of it.  It means that families can stay fit and healthy together and include everyone from the youngest child through to the oldest family members.  The exercises can be performed at varying levels of difficulty and intensity, which means that two people at completely different levels of strength and flexibility can go through the same motions and both benefit.

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The Three Chief Benefits Of Yoga

Four thousand years ago Yoga was practiced in India, today it is popular all over the world and in numerous different styles and forms.  Not only is the popularity of this form of exercises remarkable, but so is the results and benefits that people are getting from Yoga every day.  The benefits can be broadly split into three different groups - physical benefits, mental benefits and spiritual benefits.  Which benefits are most important to an individual will vary based on their preconceptions and motivations, but anyone can experience beneficial results in all three areas from a prolonged use of Yoga.

Physical Benefits

  The first types of benefits are those purely on a physical level.  Yoga is at it's core a group of exercises.  Some disciplines will use these exercises to prepare the body for a deeper meditative process, but they will still experience physical benefits from performing them as exercises.  The deep breathing exercise has immediate health benefits due to increasing the intake of oxygen into the system.  This oxygen is transported by the blood to our organs and tissues, which will become sick without sufficient oxygen and nutrients.  Frequently these tissues and organs are starved of nutrients due to a number of reasons including poor air intake or quality, bad circulation or disease within the body.  Yoga increases the oxygen intake, removes blockages in the circulation to ensure it's safe delivery and also stimulates the lymphatic system to aid in the removal of toxins from our system, leaving our bodies auto immune system more free to deal with invading disease or viruses.

  Beyond this internal health which many people take for granted, Yoga will also greatly increase a persons balance, flexibility and muscle strength.

Mental Benefits.

  Many people see this as the most import benefit that we can gain from Yoga.  It will of course depend on what your priorities are but the mental benefits of Yoga are certainly impressive.  The ability to focus on ones breathing has a natural consequence of allowing extraneous thoughts to melt away and a state of calmness to be introduced.  This is not a feat to be taken lightly as it provides a valuable skill in the ability to remain calm amidst turmoil.  A mother can use this when everything happens at once in the home, a businessperson can use it to focus on a single task despite everyone around him being panicked or a soldier can use it to block out the bullets and noise and focus on an important task.
 
  Yoga also requires a high level of discipline from those practicing it - both the discipline required to perform the exercises themselves and the discipline needed to stick to a regular exercise regime.  Again this is something that comes surprisingly easy to people once they have mastered the basis of the Yoga breathing exercises.

Spiritual Benefits

  Generally newcomers to yoga will not understand these benefits for some time.  There are a number of benefits that can fall into the 'spiritual' category.  Yoga itself is built around a philosophy that includes it's own set of ethics, but these are seldom taught as part of Western Yoga practise.  Instead the spiritual benefits we talk about tend to be a persona acceptance of yourself and contentment with your place in life.  For some people it goes beyond that but discussing spiritual feelings is always difficult to do so broadly.  Overall the level of spiritual satisfaction you get is likely to depend on your own personal beliefs.

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The Different Motivations And benefits Of Yoga

There are many different reasons for taking up and practising Yoga.  For one person they may be ill and looking to rejuvenate themselves.  Another will want to maintain and improve their current level of health.  Some people like the mental challenge...and for some it is a physical challenge that can be overcome.  Some people may use Yoga as a relaxing form of stress relief.  The great thing about Yoga is that all these people are going to find what they are looking for and so much more.

  Yoga has a long list of benefits, both physical and mental, associated with it.  Yoga can assist in recovery from a heart attack through it's blood lowering and distressing effects.  There has been a considerable amount of research done into heart patients and Yoga, most notably by Dr Ornish who is now also a best selling author.  Dean Ornish has no reservations in recommending Yoga both as a way of recovering from heart attacks and also avoiding future heart problems.  Yoga has also been reported to be very beneficial to people with diseases such as Multiple Sclerosis due to it's ability to assist with balance and muscle tone.

  Yoga gently works muscle groups around the back and spine of spinal injury sufferers and because it puts very little stress on the muscles while still working them thoroughly it is a fantastic way of strengthening this part of the body.  Regular Yoga for back pain sufferers can result in complete restoration of their range of movement.

  As we age most of us become frailer and less co-ordinated in our movements, but Yoga can help us age more gracefully by ensuring we are always in control of our body and mind.  In fact most Yoga sessions are filled with a slightly older crowd who recognize the ongoing benefits it gives them.

  Yoga is also a strength building discipline that allows even progression in the arms, the legs and the trunk or core of the body.  Many of us take strength for granted until it fails us, but increasing your physical strength will benefit you not just with lifting heavy objects, but also in everyday tasks like getting groceries or mowing the lawn.  It even makes it easier for us to move ourselves!

  As well as strength Yoga will greatly increase the range of motion we are able to achieve, particularly in the spine and joint areas.  Once again this is often something we take for granted unless it is missing.  The act of reaching up to put something in a cupboard is natural to many of us, but for others it can cause a jolt of pain down their back, they simply cannot move their arm through the range of motion needed to reach up, or when they do their grasp is not strong enough to grab anything from the cupboard.

  It's important not to just focus on the physical benefits of Yoga because the mental benefits are at least as impressive.  Simply put Yoga will focus and sharpen your mind.  Each posture is performed with a focus and an awareness of your body and your breathing.  This is not a gym session with mind numbing reps or chatter between exercises.  Whatever you are doing during a Yoga session is done with absolute focus on the movement, the body, the breathing and the moment.  Breathing is something that most of us do wrong most of the time.  We are accustomed to taking shorter, quicker breaths, but with Yoga the breathing is deeper and fuller.  These deeper breaths will make the mind calmer and more focused.  Yoga enthusiasts often describe this calmness as a sense of well-being.  The deep breathing also makes it easier to release the stress and negative thinking that accumulates in us.  Just as the physical blocks are removed through increased blood circulation during the exercises, so the mental blockages are removed by clarity of thought.

  Yoga is not a discipline you simply know or do not know; it is an ongoing learning process.   There are a huge number of different postures and each posture has a number of different variations on how it can be performed.  This never-ending sea of options keeps the body stimulated and engages the mind constantly.  Behind the postures and exercises themselves there is a complex philosophical system based in the writings that Yoga derives from.  Not many people think of a complete code of ethics including steadfastness, truth, self inquiry and an opposition to stealing, harming others and hoarding when they think of yoga, but these ethical issues are a central part of the system on which Yoga was founded.

  The different postures, breathing exercises and the deep philosophy of Yoga all lead to the same end - a deep contemplation.  Because Yoga relaxes both the body and the mind tension and stress are greatly reduced.  This is highlighted during a Yoga class by pauses for us to get in touch with how we are feeling and reacting.  Ending the class in a point by point contemplative meditation performed on the back is common.

  Yoga is an exercise, but it is also a meditative process, a code of ethics and a confidence and character building course all rolled into one.  It's no wonder the group of people who attend the classes are so diverse.

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The Effects And Benefits Of Different Types Of Yoga

The origins of Yoga are about 4000 years old and based in a Far Eastern spiritual practice designed to realize ones own Divine Nature.  In the western world today it is mostly seen as a form of exercise although all forms of Yoga are still based in the three traditional techniques of Eastern Yoga.  These three fundamentals of Yoga are the Asanas (Sanskrit for Postures), the Pranyama (the Sanskrit for breathing or breath control) and meditation.  Yoga increases the strength of your muscles, your flexibility, helps you relax and calm yourself and centre your thought.

Different Types Of Yoga

Raja Yoga:  

This form of Yoga focusses on achieving unification or oneness ( Samadhi ) through the ahstangas of Yoga (Yama, Niyama etc).  Anyone competent enough to achieve the goal of Samahdi through this method is believed to be a Raja(King of Yoga).  A most famous example is Swami Vivekananda.

Bhakthi Yoga: 

 In Bhakthi yoga a person seeks to reach the ultimate state of oneness or attunement through the sheer power of devotion and faith.  Bhakthi does not concentrate on the traditional methods of pranyama, yogasnas or mudra, and instead preaches attention to a loving god, unquestioning devotion to god's will and a sharing of gods love towards humanity.

Jivamukti Yoga:

 In 1986 Sharon Gannon and David Life developed the Jivamukti Yoga method because they believed that traditional western Yoga practices focussed only on the physical aspects of Eastern Yoga and not the spiritual.

Ananda Yoga:  

This discipline is a preparatory one for entering a state of meditation.  Gentle postures, correct body alignment and focus on breathing are all used towards the end of preparing the Yogi for a meditative state.

The Effects Of yoga

    There are a number of different paths that are intended to lead a person to a higher state or realization of Moksha(the oneness with ultimate reality).  It refers to a gradual 'yoking of the self' through strong spiritual discipline so that each subsequent session of Yoga brings one a little closer to a full state of acceptance of themselves and their place in the universe.  The ego is seen as an aspect which limits our ability to accept our place in the universe and something which is gradually toned down.  The traditional yoga Margas, or path to salvation, would involve a long and dedicated apprenticeship to a Yoga Guru.

The Benefits Of Yoga

  Yoga has a number of specific benefits.  One of the most well known and commented on is an increased level of flexibility.  Yoga will work through all the muscle groups and grant increased range of motion through the attention it plays to some muscle groups which are often overlooked by other exercise programs.  Yoga also works the internal glands and body organs in a thorough manner.  This is a very impressive ability when we consider that Yoga can act on glands and organs such as the prostate which are unlikely to receive any regular external stimulation.

  Another advantage of yoga is a toning of the muscles.  Excess flabbiness is shed from muscles which have become flaccid and weak.  The circulation is greatly improved by the poses of Yoga which will assist the body by clearing knots and blockages.  This, combined with the valuable skill of learning to breath properly result in an increased flow of blood to the vital organs and about the body.

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Learn Yoga - Step by Step

The benefits of Yoga are well know to everyone who has ever tried the discipline but if you are new to Yoga let me recap.  Yoga is a fantastically popular and effective way of strengthening you physically as well as mentally and spiritually.  This last 'spiritual' aspect may turn some people off, but it's not something that needs to be associated with religion.  Really the best alternate word for the spiritual strength of Yoga is contentment or happiness.  It allows you to be a calmer person and more happy with yourself.  Put like that it sounds pretty great doesn't it?

  So you've probably heard a little about Yoga and wondered what it's all about.  you probably have a few preconceptions and maybe an image of an old man with a long beard sitting in the lotus position springs into your head in automatic association with the word.  Let's go through step by step what you can expect in a typical Yoga session.

Step One:  The Introduction and Preparation.

  Most Yoga classes begin in a standing position.  There are both mental and physical reasons for this and they are closely connected.  The standing position is the most natural Human position there is.  Leonardo Da Vinci produced a famous scientific picture of the symmetry of the human body when it is in it's natural standing position.  The outstretched arms and legs can have a perfect circle drawn around them and this is true of everyone regardless of their height or weight.  What this means is that a standing pose comes naturally to us - we are not worried about getting it wrong and we can concentrate of the state of the body.  Breathing exercises will be a key part of the warm up stage for your routine.  This is the only time in your life you will be 'taught' to breath and it's a skill which allows people to restore calm to their bodies and thoughts.

Step Two:  The Main Routine

  This is the art of your Yoga session which will vary the greatest depending on what forms of Yoga you are learning.  While the individual exercises you will be doing are going to be quite different, the nature of them will be very similar.  This will mean moving into certain poses and positions and holding those poses to allow the body to stretch out muscles and muscle groups that in many cases haven't been given much attention during the week.  Some Yoga teachers will talk to you about energy points of chakra's.  These are important junctions in your body where congestion occurs and stretching them out allows energy to flow freely around your body.

Ste Three:  Ending the Session

  While the main session is about releasing pent up energies, this stage of your Yoga workout is all about allowing that energy to flow around your body.  Many people have trouble with thinking about some strange mystic force that is flowing through you and driving it to certain parts of your body.  If you are one of them just mentally substitute the word 'energy' with the word 'blood'.  We know that the job of blood is to carry nutrients and oxygen around our body, and we know that if any part of our body is lacking in this supply that we will become ill, so it's not a huge stretch to think of blood as the mystic energy force that brings health around our body, and exercises such as Yoga as being the method of ensuring the smooth and successful flow of that blood.

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Is Yoga The Perfect Exercise?

Is Yoga the perfect form of exercise and relaxation?  Let's make a list of what our ideal type of exercise would do.  Firstly it would be simple enough that anyone could do it, but have enough variations and different methods that it would maintain the interest of someone who had been practicing it for years.  It would need to be easy to learn so that people could pick up the basics quickly and stat seeing the benefits as soon as possible.  To be a perfect form of exercise it would need to be capable of keep our body in good shape all by itself.  It would help with weight loss, circulation and increasing the strength of the muscles.  It would stimulate the lymphatic system as well as the blood flow and help the body dispose of waste products, improving the overall immune response system.  It would also have benefits that went beyond health - the sharpening of the mind and an increased sense of well being and contentment.  Ideally it would be an exercise form that required no expensive equipment and that could be practiced practically anywhere, alone or in a group.

  This is quite a demanding set of prerequisites for a perfect form of exercise.  Let's see if Yoga measures up to these standards.

  Yoga is a discipline that has it's routes in India.  The documents that modern Yoga is based on are hundreds of years old, and the principles behind these documents were practiced long before that.  It is a low impact form of exercise that has been tweaked and customized by literally thousands of different teachers and enthusiasts.  The are numerous resulting 'styles' of Yoga, but they all have the same core background and beliefs.  What we refer to as Yoga in the West is usually the physical component of an entire life philosophy that has it's own beliefs and code of ethics built in.

  The physical focus of Yoga is on poses and slow movements that are low impact and usually use nothing more than our own body.  Sometimes props and supports are used to assist the body in achieving and holding a particular pose.  The poses can vary greatly in their degree of difficulty and even the same pose can have many different stages or levels.  The perfect example is a simple forward stretch.  One person may be able to stretch out past their knees, another may be able to reach their ankles and somebody else may be able to touch the floor.  This level of progression allows us to see a physical difference in our flexibility level as we practice Yoga more regularly.  And because Yoga does not require any special equipment we are not refined to set class times and can practice Yoga anywhere and any time the fancy takes us.  We can even do breathing exercises to clear the mind while sitting at a work desk.

  Yoga has some incredible health benefits which stem from controlled breathing and increased blood flow.  Our bodies organs simply do not operate at peak efficiency unless they are receiving the oxygen and nutrients that they need.  The waste products from our muscles and organs are carried away by the lymphatic system.  Both systems can develop chokepoints and blockages that different Yoga poses will address and correct.  The result is a better more regular blood pressure, a more efficient immunity system and a optimal digestive process.

  Because Yoga movements are slow and simple, the focus on correct breathing has a pronounced mental affect on the body.   It provides us with an enhanced ability to focus, and to un-clutter our thoughts.  This is a valuable edge in modern life and its importance should not be under estimated.

  Finally many regular Yoga enthusiasts will tell you that there is a spiritual side to Yoga, how far this affects an individual will probably depend on their beliefs before they begin practicing Yoga, but it can perhaps be thought of most accurately with a greater comfort and connection with your own body.  The increased acceptance of yourself, and comfort with your own being results directly in more happy people.

  So, it looks like Yoga does indeed check all the boxes and can be thought of as a perfect exercise form.

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How Yoga benefits the Circulatory System And Why This Is Important

The circulatory system is an essential part of what keeps us going.  It is also referred to as the cardio-vascular system and consists of the heart and the blood vessels.  The hearts job is to pump blood to different parts of the body and this blood carries vital nutrients and oxygen to the different organs.  It travels via the blood vessels.  The heart is divided into four compartments that each have a different role.  The compartment on the upper right is responsible for collecting the incoming impure blood from all over the body and moving it on to the lower right compartment.  The lower right compartment sends the blood on to the lungs for purification.  The purified blood is then returned to the heart - this time in the upper left ventricle from where it is moved into the lower left compartment and then back out as fresh, pure blood to the remainder of the body.

  The blood is primarily carries through main arteries that are thick tube like structures leading from the heart around the body.  The arteries branch into many sub arteries which in turn will divide into thin-walled capillaries.  The capillaries interact with the organs directly and due to their thin walls they pass oxygen and nutrients to the organs and tissues that need them the most.  The used resources are ejected from the tissue and back into the capillaries to be fed on through specialized veins to return the impure blood back to the heart to start the entire process once more.  This is a difficult job as the pressure has decreased this far from the heart so the veins are assisted by valves to regulate the flow.

  The important thing to understand about the way the circulatory system is set up is that it has two main parts, the blood system and the lymphatic system.  It is the job of the lymphatic system to remove waste from the circulatory system.  The two different systems run almost side by side but while the blood system has a pump - the heart - the lymphatic system does not have a single organ designed to power it's operations.  This job falls to the muscles, which pump the lymphatic system by contracting and expanding.  This is of course where Yoga comes in.

  Yoga is a discipline unique in it's combination of focus on body, mind and spirit.  The body component is taken care of with a series of poses and postures, which are designed to clear blockages in the circulatory system and ensure that everything is flowing as it should at an even regular rate.  It also flexes the muscles and strengthens them very efficiently over time with a minimal amount of 'grunt'.  This strengthening and constant working of these muscles pumps the lymphatic system and makes out body many times more efficient at the removal of waste matter.  As a result people who practice Yoga regularly can expect that they will have a greatly enhanced immune response system and be able to deal with infection and disease better than their non-Yogi counterparts.

  Furthermore the benefits start before this.  Yoga sessions will usually being with a series of standing exercises emphasizing long slow breathing exercises.  These breathing exercises are common to all forms of yoga and force us to concentrate on our breath and it's pathway trough the body each time we take a fresh breath.  The exercises are designed especially so that people are not restricted in where and when they can practice them and ideally would use them instead of our slower shallower normal breathing pattern.
 
  Because the breaths are longer and deeper the oxygen intake is increased.  Combined with the enhancing effects that the exercises have on the regularity of circulation in the blood system the oxygen is much more efficiently transported to the muscles of the body.  If these muscles, along with our other organs and tissues are not receiving the oxygen and nutrients we need then we starve them and become ill as a result.

  As you can see Yoga is of great assistance to the complex and interlocking system of circulation.  It recognizes the basis and importance of the system and helps to being it back into balance.

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How To Get The Most From Yoga

Yoga is an ancient art that has been refined and modified by many great teachers across the ages.  It now comes in so many different styles and techniques and different people may find different versions of Yoga more suitable for them.  This is because Yoga is a very personal exercise routine with strong emphasis on looking within oneself in order to achieve personal balance and wellbeing.  Regardless of which individual version of Yoga you practice there are a number of things that apply to Yoga universally rather than to individual branches of the discipline.  If you want to get the most from your Yoga session you will learn to understand these things and develop them into your Yoga routine.

  You will find that much of your time performing Yoga is spent in a sitting or lying position, however the beginning of a Yoga session is usually a standard standing pose.  The standing pose is the most natural position for a human to find themselves in, yet we spend remarkably little time practising standing correctly.  If you begin your Yoga session with a standing pose you are free from the stress of having to take on an unaccustomed position and this allows you to focus on other fundamentals of the Yoga Discipline.  For instance you can concentrate on regulating your breathing and feeling the full healing benefits of each breath.    The standing pose is so natural to us that we don't need to pay it any conscious thought and can focus on our breath entering the body and flowing through us.  The standing pose is also beneficial to bringing the body into alignment and centring ourselves both physically and spiritually.  Leonardo Da Vinci produced a famous diagram showing the perfect symmetry of the human body when it is in it's natural standing pose and this position has always been the most natural for us to find our centre and balance.

  The bulk of a Yoga session is spent in placing our body in positions or poses that stretch and activate the body.  These poses are entered into gently and gradually so there is no risk of injury.  Many poses have a number of different levels so we can get more and more benefits from them as our body becomes more used to them.  This is perhaps best demonstrated by a simple forward stretch.  When a gym teacher tells a pupil to touch their toes the pupil is performing the same exercise whether they can reach forward and touch the floor or whether the stretch only goes as far as their knees.  The only difference is the level of incline.

  The forward stretch is also a perfect example of how the natural movements of Yoga are used outside of a Yoga class or session - in this case in stretching and warming up before sports or other physical activities.  Most children who's coaches take them through a stretching routine before a game of football have no idea that many of the poses are borrowed directly from a Yoga session.

  The key to enjoying and benefiting from this main phase of the Yoga session is to pace it to your level.  As with the child who can only forward stretch to knee level you do not need to perform the exercise at the highest level from the first time you experience it.  Find your comfort zone and then move a fraction beyond it.  Then each new session try and maintain that level and push a little further if possible.

  The end of a Yoga session is also an important stage.  This stage usually consists of a group of restoration and restorative poses and positions that are designed to allow the energy to flow back through your body.  A good Yoga session releases pent up energy in your body and allowing this energy to flow freely to all parts of the body is a critical part of gaining the maximum benefits from Yoga.

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Frequently Asked Questions about PreNatal Yoga.

When you are pregnant everyone has an opinion and an important skill to learn early on in the pregnancy is to be able to listen to these opinions, comment politely and then make up your own mind.  There are as many different ways of having and raising children as there are children, and once your child is born you need to do what works for you and your family, not what worked for someone else.  This doesn't mean you should ignore advice that is given to you.  Usually it will be being dished out by women who have been there and done this before, and knowing what works for others is often a good indicator of what may work for you.  Ultimately however the decision is going to be up to you, and so you will learn to collate the collective advise and filter the wisdom from the opinion.  One of the pieces that you will find almost universally recommended by those who have tried it is Pre Natal yoga, but a lot of women get nervous about the idea of starting an exercise program when their bodies are going through so many changes.  This article deals with some of the most common questions that will be asked about Pre-natal Yoga.

Question One:  Why Should I Do Yoga While I Am Pregnant?

  There are numerous benefits of Yoga for pregnant women, physical, mental and also spiritual.  In a nutshell Pre-Natal Yoga is designed to give you a toolbox of techniques and methods for dealing with your pregnancy, your labour and even the stressful times of the first few days, weeks and months after the birth.  People who complete Prenatal Yoga are better equipped to deal with the babies delivery itself as well as the recovery period after the birth.

Question Two:  Is It Safe To Learn Yoga During Pregnancy?

  It is perfectly safe to start Yoga during your pregnancy provided you begin your class with a qualified Prenatal Yoga teacher.  Prenatal Yoga is specifically designed for pregnancy because there are exercises and techniques in a regular Yoga session that are not appropriate for a pregnant women.  It's also recommended to wait until after the first trimester is complete before you commence a Yoga class as this first trimester is a time for babies to grow and develop, whereas later they will be increasing with size in preparation for the birth and the mother needs to take advantage of the opportunity Yoga presents to ease this process.  Talk to your instructor about your pregnancy before the class begins so you can be sure that they understand anything unique to your pregnancy that may require exercises to be modified(for instance women carrying twins are encouraged not to do squatting exercises).

Question Three:  How Will Yoga Benefit Me Physically?

  Yoga is a discipline which is designed to regulate the blood flow and breathing as well as strengthen the body in general.  All of these factor in the benefits to pregnant women.  Blood flow is of course critical in ensuring that your body is getting all the nutrients and oxygen to all the organs that need it.  It's possible for baby to get greedy and hog these resources, or the opposite could happen and the baby is deprived of what is needed to grow.  The increased strength will help deal with the delivery by strengthening the pelvic floor muscles.  This can potentially shorten the duration of labour and it will definitely decrease the time it takes for the vaginal passage to recover from the birth.  There is even strong evidence that the increased blood flow to the skin will assist in avoiding and/or recovering from stretch marks.

Question Four:  Should I keep doing Yoga after the Birth?

  Why not?  You will keep getting all the benefits discussed above and more.  You will probably want to go to at least one standard yoga class, as these can be quite different than the prenatal Yoga.  Of course life can be quite hectic with a new baby so the opportunities to attend formal classes are probably going to be few and far between.  Luckily one of the biggest benefits of Yoga as an exercise regime is that it doesn't require specialized equipment, so it's possible to do in the comfort of your own home during those few precious moments when your baby is asleep.

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Frequently Asked Questions On Yoga

Yoga has been around for an incredibly long time and over that period different practitioners have added their own refinements and styles into the basic Yoga discipline.  There are so many different styles now it is nearly impossible to count, but they all stem from the same core philosophy and methodology.  Unfortunately the multiple different styles often lead newcomers to the exercise discipline to become very confused as to what they are doing and what they can hope to achieve with Yoga.  In this article we answer some of the common questions.

What is Yoga?

  This question is the most common from newcomers.  Most people have a general idea but they are not sure where Yoga fits into the world.  Is it an exercise?  Is it a philosophy?  Is it a form of physical therapy?  Is it a spiritual process?  The answer is that to different people Yoga is all of these things.  At it's core it is a group of exercises and poses which are very low impact and work by strengthening the body and increasing it's flexibility through static exercise.  This means that each pose will 'stretch' a certain area and the body benefits from this stretch by increased blood flow and energy release.  Many of the exercises release tension from areas of the body that regular activities do not cater to.  Because Yoga is performed slowly and with a strong emphasis on correct breathing patterns there is also a strong mental and spiritual element to the exercise.  It is seen as a way of cleansing mind, body and spirit.

Do I Need To Be Religious To Get The Most Out Of Yoga?

  As mentioned above Yoga is different things to different people.  There are many people in the world who perform Yoga purely for it's spiritual benefits.  There are many others who perform Yoga purely for the physical benefits associated with it.  What you get out of Yoga will depend largely on your mindset, your openness to new ideas and your ability to let yourself fall fully into a meditative state.  For some people this is very difficult at first, but that is still not going to prevent them from getting the physical benefits associated with Yoga classes.  You will find that even if you do not have any strong spiritual base you will still benefit from an increase in your self-confidence and personal contentment.

Where Can I Do Yoga?

  Practically anywhere.  Many people practice Yoga in their homes every day.  Others will go to the local park and practice Yoga with a group of friends.  To begin with it's a good idea to inquire at your local gym about Yoga classes, many of them will be holding Yoga every day.  Even if they aren't they will be able to tell you where the best place to learn Yoga is.  Some local councils sponsor Yoga classes in their area in recognition of the benefits to people who exercise regularly.  One of the big advantages of a Yoga based exercise regime is that there is no expensive equipment to buy and then store around your house.  Some poses are assisted by cushions to support the body, but in general the only thing you need is your body.

I'm Not Very Fit - Is Yoga For Me?

  Yes.  Very much so.  One of the fantastic things about Yoga is that the exercises and poses you will learn can be adjusted to your level.  Fitness isn't usually a problem because the exercises are slow and often static, but your body will become better at performing them over time as your strength and flexibility improves.  Knowing your limit and ensuring that you don't 'ease up' out of habit gain the best benefit.

  Hopefully you will now have a good understanding of what yoga is and why you should be doing it.  Remember that Yoga is something that once learned can be practiced anywhere you like and as often as you like.  Indeed, this is one of the key components of Yoga's popularity.

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Different Yoga Poses and Asanas

Classical yoga has developed over time to include many different styles for a range of situations, needs and preferences.  However the majority of Yoga styles still fall neatly into either the therapeutic or the meditative category.  Both categories have many hundreds of different Asanas,(poses or positions) and all of these are designed to benefit both the body and the mind.

Yoga takes the five 'prayer' positions and uses a corresponding yoga position to activate the seven chakras in the body.  A Chakra is a type of energy field or is sometimes thought as a key position in the flow of energy throughout our body.  Each different type of Yoga and each different Yoga position will have a different chakra as it's core emphasis.  All of these positions, which we tend to think of nowadays in Western Yoga as exercises, were in fact originally the preparation for the Yogi to enter a state of meditation.

  The actual positions or poses of Yoga are known as Asanas and they may seem complicated or difficult to a new Yoga student.  It's important not to forget that all of the basic positions of Yoga are designed to improve the bodies strength and flexibility, and as these characteristics are improved it also makes the positions more comfortable and easier to settle into.  The deep stretching that is the basis of most Yoga positions is beneficial for trauma disorders, tendonitis, carpal tunnel syndrome and tennis elbow amongst others.

  Before you begin you may find it beneficial to attain a basic knowledge of the philosophy and theory behind Yoga, however this is not a requirement or essential to your success.  It does assist with being comfortable settling into and performing the poses associated with Yoga, and it should be remembered that if you cannot do this then you will probably not benefit from Yoga.

  There is a common misconception about Yoga that it is only for the tremendously flexible who can contort themselves into weird and wonderful positions.  Chanting is often also associated with a Yoga class in people's preconceptions.  Neither of these ideas is true.  The Yoga positions are generally quite easy to get into but they do have several different depths in many cases.  This means that a completely beginner can move into a position and still benefit from it at a great level after many years of Yoga.  There are some advanced positions that a beginner should probably not bother themselves with.  Just as you are not going to compete with top marathon runners on your first day jogging, but can still get benefits, you are also not going to be able to ease into some of the positions that an instructor is capable of.  Likewise if you are pregnant or perhaps have an injury such as a bad back you should inform your Yoga instructor before you begin.  There are some positions that can actually be detrimental to certain conditions.  Twist exercises with a recurring back injury is one of these.

  Yoga is something that is most beneficial in a comfortable environment, as the muscles will stretch better when they are still warm.  It's important to learn the discipline to enter and leave each new pose or position slowly.  Not only does this help avoiding injury but also the movement from one pose to another is often part of the program.  Don't hold the poses and positions longer than is natural for you either.  As you become more used to practicing the Yoga positions each day the benefits will allow you to hold a position with more ease for longer periods of time.

  When practised correctly the benefits of Yoga are many.  Lubrications of the joints, ligaments and the tendons will result directly from performing the exercises best suited to you.  Posture will increase dramatically and you will also experience a sense of wellbeing.  There is also a deeper spiritual level to Yoga (it actually has it's own philosophy and code of ethics) that you will move closer towards and enhance each time you stretch and go through the breathing exercises.

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Common Mistakes and Misunderstandings About Yoga?

Yoga is a very popular form of exercising and spiritual balancing, but it is also very often understood by a lot of people.  This is almost inevitable when you consider the incredible popularity of Yoga as a discipline and the many different strands that Yoga has.  Quite often people have experience with one type of Yoga but not another, and as such they will base their overall impression of Yoga on what they have seen.  It is like people basing their impression on Germans on the most famous German they know - Adolf Hitler, or more recently the portrayal of George Bush internationally as the only example of an American anyone knows.  The truth is that Yoga can be very different depending on who you learn it from and how they perceive Yoga.  This article looks at some of the common misconceptions.

Misconception Number One:  Yoga is a form of exercise.

  Well yes it is, but so is walking.  I can walk from my couch to my table and I can hardly claim to have done my exercise for the day.  The truth is that exercise is just the beginning of what yoga is.  It's closer to a combination of exercise, physiotherapy, psychology and spirituality all rolled into one.  As you come to master Yoga you will need to become more and more mentally strong, and most importantly disciplined.  If you can discipline yourself to do regular Yoga sessions, and maintain your discipline to do each pose for the prescribed time, and do it properly, then you will naturally become a very disciplined and organised person.  For some people this transcends to a spiritual level because they are so efficient and clearing their thoughts while meditating.

Misconception Number Two:  Yoga is for Hippies.

  As previously mentioned Yoga can be a very spiritual experience if you become good enough at clearing your thoughts and concentrating whilst performing the exercises.  But you certainly do not have to begin with any spiritual belief.  Yoga believes in aligning the body and the mind and the spirit through achieving inner balance.  What that means to you is probably going to depend entirely on what your beliefs already are.  For some people it will be a spiritually freeing experience, for others it will be an effective way of distressing and achieving a level of calmness of thought.  Still others will claim that these things are one and the same.

Misconception Number Three:  Yoga is a fad.

  Recently there have been some very hyped up Yoga courses making big claims about what Yoga can achieve.  These are easy to associate with other 'fad' exercise crazes.  However Yoga is not something new and is based in documents that are hundreds of years old which describe exercises and poses that were probably being performed for generations before that.  An individual style of Yoga may come and go, but as long as people are still stretching before a game of football then Yoga will still be being used.

Misconception Number Four:  Yoga is too slow to help me lose weight/gain tone etc.

  This one is way off the mark, but we have been somewhat trained by the weight loss industry that weight loss, and toning our body is all about hours in the gym and fast high impact exercise.  That's simply not true.  Yoga can help with weight loss and in particularly toning for a number of reasons.  Firstly the exercises, while low impact and performed either statically or slowly - are still exercises.  While you use them you are using your muscles, and in many cases you are using muscles and muscle groups that regular exercise programs ignore.  The second way that Yoga can be of benefit in a weight loss program is that it will increase your mental strength and allow you to be more disciplined with your food consumption.  When it comes down to it excess weight is a result of excess eating and not enough physical exercise to burn off those calories.  Have you ever noticed how some people can eat donut after donut and not put on any weight at all?  It seems unfair, but it's a natural result of the state of their body.  Usually these people will be quite 'sinewy' and this muscle allows them the metabolise food faster.  That's the third benefit of Yoga in weight loss, as your muscles develop your body will actually become more efficient at consuming foods and processing them into nutrients and waste.

  Hopefully we have now gone some way to explaining away the various myths associated with Yoga.  It is such a broad topic that it is very much a case of Yoga being what you make of it.

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Can Yoga Provide A Solution To Soaring Crime Rates?

Crime and Yoga are not often two words that are used together in the same sentence, and that is part of the reason that they are combined in this article.  When you think of a stereotypical criminal, someone who does Yoga just doesn't spring to mind.  We think of criminals as being angry, or at least very active, while Yogi are seen as calm and sedentary.  Really the two are so far apart that it's hard to consider that someone who regularly undertakes Yoga classes could ever become a criminal.  Perhaps Yoga should become compulsory to fight the crime rate?  Here's why:

  Yoga classes begin with a simple standing exercise - the exercise is this:  Breathe.  You can spend a significant part of a Yoga class concentrating on the simple action of taking a deep breath, breathing it in and feeling it's life giving force extend to all the far reaches of the body, and then exhaling it just as deeply and completely.  This simple act of concentrating of breathing has an unparalleled ability to focus our mental concentration.  It allows us to clear away unwanted or disturbing thoughts and restore ourselves to a central balance.

  The calming and focussing benefits of a Yoga breathing exercise can, quickly and easily clear away the types of distractions and temptations that can lead to a criminal act, at least an impulsive one.  Imagine the potential of that on habitual criminals - the ability to take a moment before committing a crime, focus their thoughts and realize that it is not the best course of action and should be avoided.

  Most domestic violence is a direct result of too much stress and strain in a relationship.  Statistics show that the arguments that lead to an incident of domestic violence are almost always of the 'little things'.  The final straw being a little thing rather than a big important issue.  Let's insert the ability to calm ourselves, sharpen our mind and rationalize into that situation.  Domestic Violence is a result of people 'snapping'.  Uncluttering the mind and calming oneself would mean that people never got to that point.

  Other forms of violent crime are similar to domestic violence - they occur when tension rises up over time until one person snaps and throws a punch or pulls a knife.  With the right self-calming tools at their disposal these criminals would be far less likely to offend.

  Of course, all that assumes that the criminal does not want to commit a crime and only does so due to a failure to see an alternative when a certain set of circumstances present themselves.  They are hungry and can take a loaf of bread so they do, or they feel threatened, unappreciated or disrespected and see striking out as the only options.  Yoga would not benefit the kind of calculating mind that makes a career of criminal activities because each crime is carefully pre-meditated.

Or would it?

  Most people know of the physical side and have at least heard of the mental and spiritual benefits of yoga, but few know that the exercises that form the basis of Yoga are only the Western Worlds interpretation of Yoga.  Traditionally Indian Yoga includes an entire philosophy on how to treat each other and live our lives.  If criminals also followed this component of Yoga it would be possible to see crime disappear.  One can only dream...

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An Introduction To Bikram Yoga

Most people have a passing knowledge with what Yoga is, or think they know about what it sets out to achieve.  But until you have tried Yoga it is impossible to know whether you have the type of personality that can truly excel under it's influence.  Yoga, quite simply can be a life changing experience and the discipline and mental strength that result from it can completely change your perspective and world view.

  One method of Yoga which is currently very popular is know as Bikram Yoga.  Bikram Yoga, often referred to as 'hot yoga' follows the Bikram Yoga Method.  As with all Yoga it has multiple goals - to build your inner strength as well as your outer physical strength.  A vital component of Bikram Yoga is the flexibility and balance required to perform the exercises and it is believed that this comes from mental strength as much as physical practice.  The roots of Bikram are in Hatha Yoga, which is a healing form of Yoga that strengthens both body and mind.

  The founder of Bikram Yoga was Bikram Choudhury, a yoga practitioner and innovator.  After a weightlifting accident Bikram Choudhury was determined to recover and set about investigating the healing ability of practicing certain types of exercise.  The result was Bikram Yoga, which so many people found to be an effective method of healing that it's tenants were recorded and passed on as a new form of Yoga.  Those who practise Bikram Yoga purely for it's healing benefits are plentiful, but there is also a strong holistic component, which is a key reason behind using Bikram Yoga for many of those who are regular users.

  They key to success with Bikram Yoga is to develop the mental strength required to discipline yourself in it's use.  If you can master this side of the Yoga then the physical benefits will be forthcoming.  They have been proven by scientists including a group from the Tokyo University Hospital.  The medical benefits are beyond question and have been shown to improve chronic ailments as well as greatly assist in the treatment and recovery of tissue injuries.

At the 1972 International Medical Conference the findings were presented and it was concluded that Bikram Yoga had the ability to assist in the recovery of internal tissue.  The explanation given was that the positions practised by Bikram Yoga replenish cells and assist in the lymphatic system flushing toxins from the body.  In addition to the toxin drain the cells are assisted by higher oxygen flows during and after exercise.

  Bikram showed that to get the best benefits from the exercise a healthy and well balanced body was important.  Where the body is weak Bikram Yoga will have less affect in the healing process, which relies on correct balance and circulation.

  Bikram demonstrated 26 exercises and recommended a regime, which was to be practised every single day in order to best treat the body.  Each posture exercise was developed based on a background of both Eastern and Western Yoga disciplines.  They all focus on the movement and pressure on muscles, nerves, ligaments glands and organs.  The exercises are meant to be performed together and in sequence, because they are all inter-related to each other.

  Bikram Yoga is low impact and can be performed by people of all different ages.  The important component is the discipline required to perform the posture exercises every day for maximum benefit.

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4 Secrets To Finding The Right Beginner Yoga Class For You

When you are new to Yoga you are probably going to be uncertain as to what to expect when you first enter a beginner Yoga Class on your first day.  Most people are uncertain about what they should even be looking for in a beginner Yoga class, so this article will let you in on the four secrets to finding the right class for you.

Secret Number One:  Decide on what you want to achieve before choosing a style.

  The number of different reasons for taking up Yoga is usually at least as high as the number of new people in a Yoga class.  Broadly people will be looking for one of three things - physical health, mental health or spiritual health.  All three are important and all three are realistic goals in a Yoga class.  Whatever it is you are trying to achieve through Yoga there will be a class and style that is suitable for you.  You can research in a library, online or even by asking various Yogi and this will hep you find the Yoga that will get the best result for you.

  It's worth actually setting some solid goals and many newcomers are surprised at how willing a Yoga instructor is to talk over these goals with them and discuss whether they are realistic or an alternative may be better suited.

Secret Number Two:  Join a class-by-class program

  These are sometimes referred to as drop in classes, or pay as you go.  These are a good way of getting a feel for Yoga.  There will be a regular turnover of other students in the classes and the contrasting level will mean the instructor will keep the classes at a relatively mild level and give everyone a taste of many different aspects of Yoga.

  The advantage of this method is of course that you are not committed to an expensive series of classes and you can get a taster for Yoga and see what types of Yoga interest you.  You will also quickly learn whether the goals you set earlier are realistic for you, or even too low and need expanding upon.

  Your next step will be to choose a series of classes in the areas that you found most suitable from the drop in classes.  These classes will build on each other from week to week and you may find yourself behind if you miss a week.

Secret Number Three:  Ensure that you are being taught by someone who knows what they are doing.

Surprisingly enough considering the relatively low intensity and the many physical benefits, Yoga has begun to regularly show up on the statistics for sports injuries.  Two key causes are identified.  Firstly students pushing themselves too fast too soon, and secondly instructors with inadequate training or appreciation of the individual level of their students(large classes are sometimes to blame for this).

  When you are considering a new class don't be embarrassed to ask your Yoga instructor what their qualifications and background are.  Many 'instructors have nothing more than a three day training course in 'gym yoga' and many people put this in the 'enough knowledge to be dangerous category'.  Traditionally a student would train for many years under a guru before they would be considered fit to pass on even the simplest of Yoga techniques to another novice.

  The Yoga Alliance is a United States organisation that features a register of teaches who have completed 'appropriate' training.  This means having completed courses that meet a certain standard.  A nice rule to work by is that less than 200 hours of instruction would mean a part time Yoga education.

Secret Number Four:  Be aware of hidden costs.

An unpleasant surprise that can put people right off Yoga is turning up to the first class and finding that there are expenses that they haven't allowed for.  Some studio's require each student to have their own mat, a special strap or other props.  Some classes will work through a book which you are obliged to buy and some classes will have a dress code ranging from specific colours to specific articles of clothing.  Being unaware of any of these things and being refused your first class because of them can be very off-putting.

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3 Ways Yoga Can Benefit The Businessperson

The lot of a modern businessman is a stressful one and there is always so much to do.  It would take a pretty compelling set of reasons to convince a successful businessman (or even an unsuccessful one) to add something else to an already packed schedule, so why would he even think about regular Yoga classes.  In this article we examine the three main benefits of Yoga and how they apply to the busy businessperson.

Benefit Number One:  Physical Health

  All business-mans ultimate goal is to become wealthy isn't it?  Have you ever heard the saying that your health is your wealth?  Believe me it is true.  No matter how much money you have you cannot benefit from it if you are dead and personal health is often neglected in today's busy corporate world.  But the question is not whether one can afford the time for exercise to become healthy; it is whether they can afford not to.  Health is a shifting scale - you are not either healthy or dead.  It's important to think about how much your level of health affects your work.  A healthy body will allow you to concentrate more, work harder and increase the time you spend productively.
 
  Yoga is the perfect way for a businessman to look after their physical wellbeing.  Because the exercises are so incredibly low impact they can be performed even by the most out of shape person, and the more regularly they are performed the better that person's health will become.  Yoga is a very efficient method of releasing tension and stress.  During a workday certain blockages develop around the body and many of our vital organs do not get the full amount of oxygen and nutrients that they need to function at peak efficiency.  Yoga stretches different muscles groups in certain ways that will lead to these blockages being released and the blood flow bringing the bodies organs all the oxygen and nutrients they need.

  Yoga's health benefits are both immediate and long term.  In the short term blood flow is increased and the body functions better because it is achieving the nutrients it requires.  Tension is also released from muscles and the bodies lymphatic system is able to more effectively deal with waste products.  In the longer term these will be ongoing benefits and the digestive system will also function more efficiently, which has innumerable health benefits.  The general balance, co-ordination and flexibility will also be greatly enhanced.

Benefit Number Two:  Mental Health

  Have you ever considered the importance of a breath?  We know that when someone stops breathing they die, and even this simplistic understanding should tell us how important it is to breath.  But breathing properly is often ignored.  It is vital not only for the numerous health benefits, but also for the strong mental advantages it allows us.

  Yoga sessions will usually begin with a standing, breathing exercise.  The simple process of taking in a deep breath and releasing it slowly is incredibly calming and the basis of the breathing exercises that are a vital backbone to the Yoga discipline.  The key to this breathing is that it draws our attention to the one simple action of breathing.  We become very aware of the life giving benefit of a deep and controlled breathing cycle and are able to achieve a level of calmness that we often don't seek out in our everyday lives.  That calmness itself is a stepping-stone to achieving focus.

  The ability to focus is probably the single most important primary skill in a work environment.  There is always so much going on around us and so much that needs to be done that it is difficult to focus on the single task we are doing because of the multitude of things 'in the back of our mind'.  Regular Yoga teaches techniques to quickly clear the mind of all these other distractions and then focus our mental efforts on a single task.  It is also a great provider of personal discipline.  The self-discipline that is learned from focusing on the body and becoming master of oneself is a key benefit of Yoga.

Benefit Number Three:  Happiness

  Happiness is a goal that is often sacrificed in the short term in exchange for some mystical point in the future when everything will come together and be okay.  Yoga doesn't move you any closer to that mystical time, but because you develop such a strong sense of self and connection with yourself, it is common to become more content with your current situation.  You will find that the more you practise Yoga the more you will be comfortable spending time alone as well as amongst other people.  Your sense of self worth will increase and you will perform better in social situations.  This is perhaps the most important gift that Yoga will give to you.

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