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Eight Limbs of Yoga

The art of right living and the foundations of yoga philosophy were written down in The Yoga Sutra of Patanjali, approximately 200 AD. Compiled by Maharishi Patanjali in the Yoga Sutras, the Eight Limbs of Yoga are a progressive series of steps or disciplines that purifies the body and mind, ultimately leading the Yogi (one who practices Yoga) to enlightenment. While the physical part of yoga is certainly of significance, the eight conventional limbs of Yoga practice have meditation of God as their underlying principle. The practice of yoga is both an art and science, which creates unification of the body and mind with the spirit.

The main objective of Yoga is to help the practitioner cultivate an awareness of self. In other words, it is about making balance and creating calmness to live in peace, good health and harmony. Yoga describes the inner workings of the mind and provides eight steps to control its restlessness to enjoy the lasting peace. Each part ultimately brings completeness to the individual. They tend to find their connectivity to the divine. Being a different individual, a person can emphasize one branch and then move on to another according to their understanding. These are the eight limbs of the system found in the famous Yoga Sutras of Patanjali.

Eight Limbs Of Yoga

Yama
It is known as Moral observances for interactions with others. Broken down into five wise characteristics, they tell us about our fundamental nature that of being compassionate, generous, honest and peaceful. It teaches the directives of Ahimsa (non-violence), Satya (truthfulness), Asteya (non-stealing), Brahmacharya (celibacy) and Aparigraha (non-covetousness)

Niyama
It is known as Moral observances for interactions with yourself. The word itself means rules that are prescribed for personal observance. The niyamas are far more than an attitude, and are more intimate and personal. The directive include Shaucha (internal and external purity), Santosha (contentment), Tapas (austerity), Svadhyaya (study of religious books and repetitions of Mantras) and Ishvarapranidhana (self-surrender to God, and His worship).

Asanas
It is the practice of physical postures and is the most commonly known aspect of yoga. The practice of moving the body into postures helps in improving health, strength, balance and flexibility. On a deeper level, the practice of asana, which means staying or abiding in Sanskrit, is used as a means to calm the mind and move into the inner essence of being.

Pranayama
It controls the energy, in order to restore and maintain health and to promote evolution. Pranayama is the measuring, control, and directing of the breath. It further provides perfect relaxation and balance of body activities are realized.

Pratyahara
In yoga, the term pratyahara implies withdrawal of the senses from attachment to external objects. It is most commonly known for sensory inhibition.

Dharana
Immovable concentration of the mind is the underlying principle of Dharana. The essential idea is to hold the concentration or focus of attention in one direction. The mind needs to be stilled in order to achieve this state of complete absorption.

Dhyana
Dhyana focuses on Meditation. It means worship, or profound and abstract religious meditation that involves concentration upon a point of focus with the intention of knowing the truth about it. The concept holds that when one focuses their mind in concentration on an object the mind is changed into the shape of the object.

Samadhi
It is the final step in the eight-fold path of Yoga. It means pleasurable fascination of one's individual consciousness in the essence of God. Samadhi means to bring together to merge. In this state, the body and senses are at rest, but the faculty of mind and reason are alert. You need to control the feelings of Avidya (ignorance), Asmita (egoism), Raga-Dvesha (likes and dislikes), Abhinivesha (clinging to mundane life).

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Yama

Yama can be taken to have different meanings, in different contexts. It may mean "to rein, curb, or bridle, discipline or restrain" In the present context, it is used to mean "self-control, forbearance, or any great rule or duty". Yama can also be interpreted as "attitude" or "behavior". Certainly a particular attitude can be expressed as discipline, which then influences our behavior. Patanjali's Yoga Sutra mentions five different Yama i.e. behavior patterns or relationships, between the individual and the outside world.

Ahimsa (Harmlessness)
The word 'ahimsa' literally means not to injure or show cruelty to any creature or any person, in any way whatsoever. Ahimsa is, however, more than just lack of violence, as adapted in yoga. It means kindness, friendliness, and thoughtful consideration of other people and things. It has to do with our duties and responsibilities too. It could even mean that we must fight if our life is in danger. Ahimsa implies that in every situation, we should adopt a considerate attitude.

Satya (Truthfulness)
Satya means "to speak the truth". However, it is not desirable to speak the truth on all occasions, for it could harm someone unnecessarily. We have to consider what we say, how we say it, and in what way it could affect others. If speaking the truth has negative consequences for another person, then it is better to say nothing. Satya should never come into conflict with our efforts to behave with ahimsa. The Mahabharata, the great Indian epic, says: "Speak the truth which is pleasant. Do not speak unpleasant truths. Do not lie, even if the lies are pleasing to the ear. That is the eternal law, the dharma." Please note that this yama does not mean speaking a lie. Keeping quiet and saying lies are two different things.

Asteya (Non-stealing)
Asteya is the third Yama in yoga. Though the word per se means "to steal", this behavioral pattern means exactly the opposite i.e. to take nothing that does not belong to you. It also means that if you are in a situation where someone entrusts you with something or confides in you, you should not take advantage of him or her. You are to refrain from taking that which is not yours by right of consciousness and karma.

Brahmacharya (Sense-control)
Brahmacharya is a movement toward the essential truth. It is used mostly in the sense of abstinence, particularly in relation to sexual activity. Brahmacharya suggests that we should form relationships that foster our understanding of the highest truths. If sensual pleasures are part of those relationships, we must take care that we keep our direction and do not get lost. We need to avoid relationships that make us deviate from finding the eternal truth. On the path of serious, constant search for truth, there are certain ways of controlling the perceptual senses and sexual desires. Brahmacharya does not necessarily imply celibacy. Rather, it means responsible behavior with respect to our goal of moving toward the truth.

Aparigraha (Neutralizing the desire to acquire and hoard wealth)
The last yama in yoga is known as aparigraha, a word that means something like "hands off" or "not seizing opportunity." Aparigraha means to take only what is necessary and not to take advantage of a situation or act greedily. We should only take what we have earned. If we take more, we are exploiting someone else. In addition, unearned rewards can bring with them obligations that might cause problems later on.

Yoga Sutra
The Yoga Sutra describes what happens when the five behaviors outlined above become a part of a person's daily life. For instance, if we become kind and considerate, our presence will create pleasant and friendly feelings in people around us. If we remain true to the idea of satya, everything we say will be truthful and we will become reliable. The Yoga Sutra also states that a person who is firmly anchored in asteya will receive all the jewels of this world. Such a person may not be interested in material wealth, but he or she will have access to the finest things in life.

The more we recognize and search for the meaning of the essential truth, the less we will be distracted by other things. Certainly, it requires great strength to take this path. The Yoga Sutra teaches that the more faith we have, the more energy we have. At the same time, we also have more strength to pursue our goals. So the more we seek the truth in the sense of brahmacharya, the more vitality we will have to do so.

Parigraha is the increasing orientation toward material things. If we reduce parigraha and develop aparigraha, we are orienting ourselves more inwardly. The less time we spend on our material possessions, the more we have to spend on investigating all that we call yoga. We will learn to enjoy what we have rather than constantly seeking things we don't have and never getting satisfied in life. It is a scientific fact that the more money and material possessions we have, the more stressful we become.

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Niyama

Niyama is the second limb or constituent of Yoga, which means laws or rules. It contains the five internal practices of Niyama (observance). Niyama can be described as the rules that need to be observed by individuals, at the personal level. It can be divided into five directives - Sauca, Samtosa, Tapas, Svadhyaya and Isvarapranidhana. The niyamas are more intimate and personal, as compared to the yamas. They refer to the attitude that we adopt toward ourselves, as we create a code for living meaningfully. The practice of Niyama helps us maintain a positive environment and gives us the self-discipline and inner-strength necessary to progress along the path of yoga. Read on to explore more on the five niyamas of yoga.

Five Directives Of Niyama

Sauca
This is the first Niyama or rule of yoga and stands for cleanliness. However, in Patanjali's Yoga Sutra, Sauca has a deeper meaning, with both inner and outer aspects of a person included in it. Outer cleanliness refers to personal hygiene, while inner cleanliness indicates maintenance of a healthy body and mind, with positive thinking. Cleanliness of mind is achieved by the removal of mental impurities, such as jealousy, pride, anger and so on. On the other hand, the purity of body is attained not only by cleaning one's body parts, but also by consuming nutritious foods and following a vegetarian diet.

Samtosa
This is the second rule of Niyama and stands for contentment. It also means accepting the truth 'as it is'. Yoga sutra teaches us that instead of grieving or complaining about the things that have gone wrong, we should accept the truth and learn from it. It aims at helping a person attain a state of calm and happiness, irrespective of what is going on in the outer world.

Tapas
'Tapas' means the strength of being unaffected by opposites, such as heat and cold, hunger and thirst, sitting and standing, etc. It also refers to the activity of keeping the body fit, or to confront and handle the inner urges without outer show. Tapas also signify cleansing the inner debris existing in the body, through asanas and pranayama. 'Tapas' deals with correct eating habits and breathing patterns. The main purpose of this rule is to make our mind pure and clean.

Svadhyaya
The fourth Niyama in yoga is Svadhyaya, which means becoming close to oneself, through meditation and self-exploration. The name itself explains the meaning - 'Sva' meaning self and adhyaya meaning 'inquiry' or 'examination'. It refers to knowing more and more about oneself, intentionally. This rule teaches us to give up destructive tendencies. It teaches us to be centered and non-reactive to the dualities, to burn out the unwanted and self-destructive tendencies.

Isvarapranidhana
Isvarapranidhana, the fifth rule of yoga, is also known as 'Celebration of the Spiritual'. The simple meaning of Isvarapranidhana is to lay all your actions at the feet of God. Yoga Sutra teaches us to accept the fact that we will not always get what we wish for, in life. We should only be concerned with putting all our efforts in a specific task. As to the end result, it should be left to God. This rule also instructs us to spend some time, each day, in recognition and realization of the omnipresent force (God), which is larger than us and is guiding and directing the path of our life at all times.

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Yoga Asanas

Asanas can be described as the third one in the eight limbs of Yoga. Asana, which literally means staying or abiding, is basically a specific body position, attained by following certain steps. It is through asanas only that a human being achieves the unity of body and mind, which is the essence of yoga. Yogic asanas, commonly known as postures or posse in the west, are created for the purpose of improving the overall health and well-being of a person.

When a person is performing an asana, there is a corresponding balance between his movements and stillness. Patanjali, in his famous Yoga Sutra, says that each posture of yoga reflects a mental attitude, whether that attitude is one of surrender to the Almighty, strengthening of the will or creation of a physical prayer with the body. Through the performance and practice of different asanas, we revitalize as well as invigorate our body, mind and soul.

Types Of Asanas

Standing Asanas: The standing asanas bring elasticity in joints and muscles and build up stamina and physical stability of a person. The beginners should always start with standing asanas, as they constitute the most basic training of yoga practice.

Forward Bending Asanas: In this type of asanas, the posterior half of the body is stretched. Such asanas prepares you to proceed and bring consistency in the development of physical and mental pliability.

Sitting & Supine Asanas: The asanas that involve sitting upright or supine extending positions help in preparing a person, physically and mentally, for pranayama.

Inverted Asanas: These asanas give strength, mental balance and emotional stability to a person and also help him/her get rid of everyday stress and pressure.

Abdominal & Lumbar Asanas: Abdominal and lumbar asanas are known to tone and massage the abdominal organs and strengthen the pelvic and lumbar areas.

Twisting Asanas: Such type of asanas help tone the internal organs of a person and also tranquilize the mind. They consists of lateral stretching and twisting of the spine

Back Bending Asanas: These asanas are the opposite of forward bends. In forward bends, the posterior spine is extended, whereas in back bends, the anterior spine is extended and stretched. This, in turn, brings physical and mental sharpness.

Balancing Asanas: Balancing asanas are believed to help strengthen the arms and wrists of a person. They also exercise the abdominal organs, making the body feel light.

Benefits of Asanas

The main purpose of yoga asanas is to restore and maintain the practitioner's well-being, both spiritually and physically.

Regular practice of the asanas helps improve health, strength, balance and flexibility.

The asanas are used as a tool to calm the mind and help a human being discover his/her inner essence.

The different poses offer the practitioner the opportunity to explore and control all the aspects a person's mind and body - emotions, concentration, intent, faith and even the unity between physical and ethereal body.

The various asanas in yoga also provide us a way of exploring our mental attitudes and strengthening our will.

Yoga asanas help a person in creating a balance between his/her material world and spiritual experience.

The physical benefits from asanas include muscle flexibility and strengthening of almost all the body parts.

The asanas lead to a better functioning of respiratory system and also help control blood pressure.

and other issues related to the functioning of the circulatory system

Practicing yoga asanas on a regular basis reduces the stress levels as well as the health problems related to stress.

Apart from building the stamina of an individual, the various asanas also improve his/her concentration level.

All those who are trying to lose weight will find the various asanas of yoga to be quite helpful.

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Pranayama

Pranayama is the fourth limb of Ashtanga Yoga. It can be described as a breathing exercise that promotes proper breathing. The technique of Pranayama is used to measure, control and direct the breath of the practitioner. The aim behind the technique is to restore and maintain the health of a person and promote evolution. Pranayama controls the energy within us, teaches us the proper way to breathe. With the breathing technique, we increase the capacity of our lungs, bringing more oxygen supply to the body to function well. It is the science of breath control.

Pranayama is derived from the following words: Prana - "life force" or "life energy" Yama - "discipline" or "control" Ayama - "expansion", "non-restraint", or "extension" . It consists of series of exercises, especially projected to meet the body's needs and keep it in vibrant health. The deep and systematic breathing through Pranayama helps in reenergizing our body. However, Pranayama should be done only with proper preparation otherwise, it might result into nervous breakdowns. It is part of a process in Yoga and breath control is a spiritual practice of cleansing the mind and body. Therefore, it should be done appropriately and with proper guidance and preparation.

The Four Stages Of Pranayama

Arambha: This is the initial stage wherein the person's interest in Pranayama is awakened

Ghata: This is the second stage where the three sariras gross, subtle and causal merges to cover the soul.

Parichay: The stage where the yogi gets familiar with the knowledge of Pranayama

Nispatti: The final stage of Pranayama allows the yogi goes beyond his physical body, and unites with the supreme

Breathing is an autonomic function of the body. The process is performed even without concentrating on it. It is a normal part of our life, though many at times we fail to pay attention to it. Here are some reasons why Pranayama is important:

Benefits of Pranayama

Pranayama prevents one from acquiring diseases by reducing the toxins and body wastes from our body.

It also plays a vital role in maintaining the digestive system and helps in one's digestion.

The proper way of breathing helps in improving one's metabolism and health condition.

Pranayama develops and improves the concentration level as well as focus.

It banishes stress and relaxes the body. It also gives tranquility, calmness and peace of mind because of controlling one's breathing.

Pranayama offers a better self-control that also involves control over one's physical body.

It improves the concentration thus, making it easy for an individual to handle temper and reactions.

It allows mind to function clearly, avoiding arguments and wrong decisions.

Last but not the least, Pranayama leads to spiritual journey through a relaxed body and mind.

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Pratyahara

Pratyahara, which means withdrawal of the senses, is the fifth limb of Patanjali's Ashtanga Yoga. The etymology of Pratyahara states that it is derived from two Sanskrit words: prati and ahara, where prati means away or against and ahara meaning food, or anything taken into ourselves. So, Pratyahara literally means "to withdraw oneself from that which nourishes the senses." In yoga, the term pratyahara implies withdrawal of the senses from getting attached to external objects. Pratyahara is the stage at which an expert learns how to control the "tentacles" of consciousness, which are known as indriyas in Sanskrit. Once through this stage, the person is able to see in subtle and the subtlest layers of multidimensional space, and to exit of his material body into them and to settle in them, accustoming himself to their subtlety, gentleness and purity.

Types of Pratyahara
There are two types of Pratyahara - Indriya Pratyahara and Prana Pratyahara; these two further lead to two subsequent types of Pratyahara - Karma Pratyahara and Mano Pratyahara.

Indriya Pratyahara implies Withdrawal Of Senses, or sensory inputs into out physical being. Since five senses create sensory overload, Indriya Pratyahara thwarts the collection in the mind.

Prana Pratyahara suggests Withdrawal Of Prana (vital energy of the body), as prana is what that drives the senses. To stop the dispersion of prana, we are required to control its flow and harmonize it.

Karma Pratyahara implies Control Of Action, which actually entails not just control of motor organs, but also right action or work.

This finally leads to Mano Pratyahara which suggests the Withdrawal of Mind. It is consciously practiced by withdrawing attention from anything that is unpleasant, and distracting for the mind, such as, by withdrawing attention from the senses, and directing it inwards.

Practices In Pratyahara
Pranayama is one of the most common practices for Pratyahara. While doing Paranayama, the person withdraws from the external on its own, and brings his focus inwards towards his breath. His connection with the external senses and stimuli get detached steadily. Besides Pranayama, another practice is to concentrate on Ajna Chakra or the third eye - the point between the eyebrows.

Another common technique to facilitate the development of Pratyahara is to first reduce physical stimuli, and then concentrate on one sense, say hearing. It's natural tendency of the mind to roam between the sensory inputs. In this situation, when there are no longer major sensory inputs, and the mind gets tired of hearing, it is compelled to turn inward. In the advanced stages, the electrical currents, which pulsate through the nerves and even the reflex muscles, are turned off by the practitioners. This may be achieved through Pranayama.

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Dharana

Dharana is the sixth limb of Ashtanga Yoga. The word 'Dharana' simply means 'unbending concentration of mind'. Working with complete focus and concentration is something that satisfies every individual at the maximum. Each of us, feel a sense of frustration, when we are not able to focus. The inability to focus may be because our minds were racing with ideas, judgments, worries, songs, or even memories. The main idea underlying Dharana, is the ability to focus on something (uninterrupted both by external or internal distractions).

Dharana is a form of meditation that can be called receptive concentration. With the help of Dharana, a set of conditions are created that helps the mind focus in one direction and object, rather than concentrating in many directions, thereby diverting the mind. The term 'Dharana' is given to both the practice of deep concentration and the state in which you achieve deep concentration. Ideally, 'Dharana' should be performed at every moment of the day to gain utmost control of both body and mind.

Benefits Of Dharana
Dharana aims at setting up the mind, by focusing it upon some stable entity. One good method to start it is by rolling the eyes upward and downward, in one direction to get the concentration. Any object selected for practicing has no role to play in the meditation process. The object is only used to stop the mind from wandering - through memories, dreams, or reflective thought - by intentionally holding it obsessively upon some static object. This ability is a movement toward perception of its true nature and not an escape from reality.

Dharana helps in channeling one's thoughts on a certain thing. It makes sure that you reach a level of awareness in anything you do, by focusing on every step you take. Dharana can bring richness to one's life. With the help of deep contemplation and reflection, one can create the right conditions. Dharana works with the objective to achieve the mental state, where the mind, intellect, and ego are controlled. The mind becomes purified by the practices. It becomes able to focus efficiently on one subject or point of experience. Dharana also helps in the cessation of fluctuations in the mind.

The practice of Dharana, at the time, when you are struggling with anger, restlessness or expectation would help in balancing those struggles. Dharana is the practice of training the mind, to concentrate and focus, in such a way, that we can possibly avoid frustrations. Concentrating our attention on one point allows the mind to be stable and calms the disturbance of activity, to which we are used to. The point of concentration can be anywhere within our body or outside. Therefore, maintaining a fixed and focused concentration, throughout the practice, gives consistency and clarity to the thoughts.

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Dhyana

Dhyana Yoga forms the seventh constituent or limb of the ancient science of Yoga. It is derived from the Sanskrit root "dhyai" which means, "to think of". The literal meaning of Dhyana is Meditation. It concentrates upon a point of focus, with the intention of knowing the truth about it and is the thought and meditation of spiritual things. While practicing Dhyana Yoga, we meditate on a single flow of idea. The purpose is to withdraw all senses from various objects of interest. The focus is laid upon on one object.

Dhyana Yoga produces a state of tranquility. Its objective is to cleanse the subconscious, develop concentration, clear the mind, and bring about various stages of unified communion with God. Practising Dhyana Yoga allows the person to calm his mind and allow him/her to look at the outside world without any distractions. This enables him/her to reach a heightened level of awareness. Meditation, consciousness, and experience, are all but a single unity. There are different forms of Dhyana Yoga and it is very important to remember the three things given below.

One-pointedness of mind is the first thing, that means controlling its movements.

Secondly, setting bounds to one's life to help achieve this, this means doing actions after weighing and measuring them.

The third thing is the evenness of vision or state of level-headedness, which means having the nobility and decency to think in terms of the whole world.

Benefits Of Dhyana

Dhyana Yoga is a system that, in the form of meditation, tranquilizes the body and mind.

In the process of meditation, we calm the mind that leads to the realignment our inner self to the right path.

Meditation leads to have lesser thoughts that give rise to lesser worries, which in turn results in spending a simple life.

It enables us to contemplate on important things that we are connecting with the inner self.

It also cut shorts too many distractions from our life.

The mind becomes so occupied with a particular subject that it concentrates deeply in the object to find the underlying differences, making a connection of the mind to a particular object.

While practicing Dhyana, the consciousness of the practitioner flows in the subject and helps in becoming one with the same. The mind is totally observed in the point of focus while concentrating on the same.

On physical level, Dhyana Yoga helps each cell in the body to refresh and regenerate itself.

It also facilitates digestion and makes respiration more efficient as well as improves circulation and quality of blood.

Moreover, it improves your ability to analyze your emotions objectively, and the way you react in certain situation.

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Samadhi

Samadhi is a physical and mental state of body which denotes higher levels of concentrated meditation, or dhyana. Hindu and Buddhist scriptures consider Samadhi a precursor for enlightenment. It is part of Ashtanga Yoga. When one becomes absorbed in it, personal identity vanishes. In the moment of Samadhi nothing mundane exists.

Total Independence
Literal meaning of Samadhi is 'to bring together, to merge.' When in Samadhi, we are assimilated with the object of our choice. We blend and become one with it. It becomes an identity without differences, and a liberated soul enjoys pure awareness of this pure identity. The final stage of Samadhi terminates at the instance the soul is freed. The absolute and eternal freedom of an isolated soul is beyond all stages. It is beyond the boundaries of time and place. Once freed, the soul does not return to bondage. It is free for ever.

Union with Object of Contemplation
Samadhi refers to the union with the object of contemplation. Here, the centre of the meditation and the meditator become one. It is like the union of function and structure. The polarity of viewer and viewed becomes irrelevant. Difference between self and non-self becomes undistinguished. The object being contemplated and the process of contemplation cannot be segregated now.

Stages of Samadhi
A Samadhi is of several stages, leaning on whether one is uniformed with the object while yet conscious of it. It is important whether one has transcended the object of meditation and is resting in the experience of being independent. It is seen whether one is associated with any aspect of consciousness. This is important in deciding the state of meditation one is in.

Power of Concentration
One has to gather the art of concentration to do a Samadhi, for the latter is just not possible without the former. A person cannot just simply sit down and say that he is going to do a Samadhi. It is not something to flaunt in that way. All the person can do is to create the right conditions to help bring about the state of meditation. He must try and get his mind free of all worldly attachments and concentrate on that omnipotent, omnipresent power.

Let Your Mind Settle
Without gaining top-notch concentration, meditation is just not possible. You must allow things that are going on in the mind to settle so that it becomes quiet. If the mind is too busy responding to external stimuli, it would not be possible for it to enter the state of meditation. If your mind is not ready for meditation and you force it, that could be detrimental.

Doing Asanas
Yoga Sutra suggests various asanas (postures) which help one to prepare for Samadhi. These asanas influence mental activities and create space in the crowded schedule of the mind. These asanas create the atmosphere required for meditation. And the Samadhi is just a step ahead of the state of meditation.

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Yoga Types

Yoga is considered the essence of a healthy life. A person practising Yoga on a regular basis not only ensures a healthy lifestyle, but also attains the much desired peace of mind. It is the greatest stress-buster and a remedy for curing a number of chronic ailments. Yoga is broadly divided into eight types. Most of them involve the use of different poses (Asanas), meditation and breathing exercises (Pranayams). In this section, we have discussed the eight prominent types of yoga, their technique and their benefits on the health of the practitioner.

Bhakti Yoga
Bhakti Yoga emphasizes on the love and devotion to the Almighty. The individual performing this type of Yoga concentrates on the existence of Almighty. He/she learns to show love, compassion to the creatures co-existing with him/her, apart from keenly worshipping the Lord. Bhakti Yoga can be practiced in a number of ways, such as praising the God by singing, chanting slogans, reading religious books, listening to prayers and by watching religious movies.

Hatha Yoga
Hatha Yoga was founded by Yogi Swatmarama in the 15th century in India. This type of Yoga is all about the combination of two extremes - 'ha' (the Sun, regarded as the positive current) and 'tha' (the Moon, regarded as the negative current). It involves the performance of physical postures (Asanas), breathing exercises (Pranayams), meditation, mudras and purification procedures known as 'Shatkriyas'.

Jnana Yoga
The Yoga of true knowledge, Jnana Yoga aims to detach the person performing it, from all the temporary things of the life. The person doing it attains tranquility, control over his/her mind, sense, faith, ability for concentration and the endurance to withstand the play of opposites by Mother Nature. By practising Jnana Yoga, the individual stays single-minded in all situations and attains self-control.

Karma Yoga
As the name suggests, Karma Yoga is the dedication of all the actions (karma) and their fruits to the Almighty. This type of Yoga purifies one's heart, and helps attain the knowledge of one's own self. The aim of a Karma Yogic (one, who performs Karma Yoga) is to provide selfless service to the poor and the needy, without expecting money, fame, power, respect and honor in return of the service.

Kundalini Yoga
Kundalini Yoga aims at drawing the untapped energy (Kundalini), coiled at the base of the spine, by using a set of technique that uses the person's mind, senses and body. Apart from the physical postures (Asanas), the person performs meditation, chants mantras in order to awaken each of the seven chakras of the body. The Asanas are coordinated with the hold of breath control.

Mantra Yoga
Mantra Yoga, as the name suggests, makes use of mantras to attain a peace of mind and increase the concentration power. The mantras are chanted by the person in a thoughtful way, in order to attain certain goals. Mantra Yoga helps eliminate a number of disorders, including psychosomatic ailments and the problems of anxiety, stress and tension. It boosts the person's self-confidence as well.

Purna Yoga
Known as integral Yoga, Purna Yoga offers wisdom and techniques for the unison of the body, mind and soul. It emphasizes the Karma of your everyday life. It involves meditation, pranayams and the performance of alignment-based Asanas. Purna Yoga is an improvisation of the traditional systems of Yoga.

Raj Yoga
Raj Yoga is the best way for the complete and holistic healing of one's mind and soul. This type of Yoga helps a person to alleviates himself/herself from the emotional and mental conflicts. Also called Astanga or eight-limbed Yoga, Raj Yoga helps the person to be in harmony with the co-existing creatures and the environment.

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Bhakti Yoga

Bhakti Yoga, as the name suggests, is the spiritual practice of loving devotion or 'Bhakti' to the Almighty. It lays emphasis on the love and devotion of a devotee to the God. Highly religious though, Bhakti Yoga should be adopted by every human being, living in this world of infidelity and rage, because it helps one to develop a positive attitude towards life. An individual performing this Yoga concentrates on the existence of the Almighty. It develops the peace of mind of the person. With a peaceful mind, it becomes possible for the person to live contented. He/she expresses the emotion of compassion and love for the other creatures co-existing with him/her. Hence, Bhakti yoga is beneficial to lead a healthy and peaceful life.

There are no fixed ways to perform Bhakti Yoga. It varies from person to person. It involves anything that talks about God. Some may resort to religious books, religious movies that emphasize the power and existence of God. Others may simply chant the name of the Almighty and think about the God all through the day. Singing prayers is another way to practice this Yoga. Meditation also finds place in Bhakti Yoga. In order to surrender themselves to the God and thus develop a close relationship with Him, some people go on pilgrimage, which is another way to perform Bhakti yoga.

The beauty of Bhakti Yoga lies in its simplicity. There is no need to master any particular technique, which has made Bhakti yoga as one of the most appealing types of Yoga. While practicing this type of Yoga, the individual seems to do the things positively. Moreover, whatever an individual does, while practicing Bhakti Yoga, proves beneficial for him/her or the people around him/her, in the long run. When he/she resorts to Bhakti Yoga, the environment is charged with pure energy. Since, Bhakti Yoga has appealed to many people. It gives them the confidence that the Almighty will always be there to protect them, when they face any kind of adversity in life.

An important thing to consider, when a person is interested in following the path of Bhakti Yoga, is that he/she should be emotionally bonded with the object of the faith in the Almighty. In most of the cases, people suppress their emotions, which often reflect in the form of physical and mental ailments. Bhakti yoga is beneficial for them, who want to release their suppressed emotions. Moreover, Bhakti Yoga brings the purification of inner self. People practicing this type of Yoga are able to enhance the quality of their life. It banishes all the unpleasant emotions of hatred, lust, anger, greed and purifies the heart with the only thought of love and devotion to the God.

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Hatha Yoga

Introduced by Yogi Swatmarama in the 15th century in India, Hatha Yoga is one of the prominent types of Yoga. Hatha Yoga is the origin of many other styles of Yoga, including Power Yoga, Bikram Yoga, Kundalini Yoga and Ashtanga Yoga. The word 'hatha', derived from Sanskrit, means the combination of the opposites - ha (meaning Sun) and tha (meaning Moon). It unites the positive (Sun) and negative (Moon) currents in the system. It is mainly concentrated on the third (Asana) and fourth (Pranayams) in the Eight Limbs of Yoga. It aims to attain a balance between the body and mind, through the physical postures of Asanas, purification procedures (Shatkriyas), poses (Mudras), yogic breathing (Pranayams) and meditation. It also aims to pacify the mind through relaxation and meditation techniques.

During Hatha Yoga, Asanas are performed to improve the overall health. The regular practice of Asanas grants the practitioner with the improvement in his/her overall health. The postures make the body feel relaxed for long time after they are performed. The muscle flexibility and bone strength are improved, by performing Asanas. Apart from the physical postures, Pranayams also form an important part of Hatha Yoga. Yogis in the ancient times believed that the control to one's mind could be unlocked by controlling one's breath. Hence, the practice of Hatha Yoga can help you identify your hidden physical and mental strengths. Meditation is another part of Hatha Yoga, which rewards the practitioner with some non-physical benefits such as the increase in his/her concentration power.

By the regular practice of Hatha Yoga, one can ensure overall physical and mental health. The branch of Yoga helps the person to reduce the risk of various kinds of physical and mental ailments. The individual tends to feel more relaxed during stressful situations, after performing Hatha Yoga. Apart from toning the internal organs, the physical postures of Hatha Yoga help prevent diseases such as diabetes, hypertension and arthritis. Muscular-skeletal problems such as scoliosis can be prevented by doing Hatha Yoga. The physical postures also improve blood circulation, immune system and stimulate endocrine glands. On the other hand, Pranayams help prevent breathing problems like asthma and bronchitis.

Hatha yoga is beneficial for people of all ages. Children, adults and elderly people can enjoy the benefits of Hatha Yoga, alike. The Asanas and Pranayams are gentle, but highly effective forms of exercises. Patience, calmness and determination can help you garner the benefits of Hatha Yoga, effectively. It is the best bet to lead a life free of anxiety, stress and tension. If you are in search of inner-enlightenment, Hatha Yoga is the answer for you. The relaxation exercises will help in opening up the energy channels, thereby allowing the free flow of spiritual energy within you.

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Jnana Yoga

Jnana Yoga is the Yoga of true knowledge, which incessantly strives to know and understand the difference between the real and unreal, the permanent and the temporary. The holistic path of Jnana Yoga was described as a straight, but steep course, by Sadananad in his Vedanta-Sara, a 15th century text. Jnana Yoga preaches that there are four means of salvation. According to Jnana Yoga, the person should be able to detach himself/herself from everything that is temporary, after following the holistic path. It also aims to attain tranquility, the control of the mind and the senses, endurance, faith and the ability for perfect concentration.

It is a popular belief that Jnana Yoga is based on the Hindu philosophy of nondualism. Contrary to the assumption, the holistic path of Yoga also finds its place in many branches of Buddhism, including Zen, Islamic Sufism and some branches of Christianity that follow the Gospel of Thomas. Jnana Yoga emphasizes on the use of mind to surpass or discern the mind. It aims to explore knowledge. There are the Eight Limbs of Yoga in Jnana Yoga. The person, who follows this holistic path, attains self-discipline, hears the truth and reflects upon it. There is an urge in the person to attain freedom from whatever is temporary.

The 'liberation' is attainted through knowledge, rather than following rituals and ceremonies. However, not everyone is knowledgeable. Knowledge is limited to the special few people, who are prepared for sound examination and clear judgment of the nature of consciousness. This knowledge is attained only if the person goes through conclusions of the seers by reading scriptures, accumulated through millions of years. The knowledge, thus accumulated, is examined by the individual in the light of his own intelligence and then comes to his own realization. After going through this rigorous process of Jnana Yoga, the person seeking the knowledge ultimately gains insight, the ability to discriminate what is true, and what is untrue.

The benefits of Jnana Yoga are manifold. The person, who follows this holistic path of Jnana Yoga, attains tranquility, which is the art of remaining calm even in the face of adversity. Self-control in one's own self is attained by following Jnana Yoga. Another benefit of following this holistic path is cessation, or keeping one's self abstained from the actions that are irrelevant to the maintenance of the body and the pursuit of inner-enlightenment. After a significant period, the person even attains endurance. He/she is remains unruffled by the play of the opposites in Nature, such as heat and cold, pleasure and pain, praise and censure. Apart from this, the person remains single-minded in all the situations. He/she also becomes able to increase his/her concentration power.

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Karma Yoga

Karma Yoga is the consecration of all the actions and their outcomes to the Almighty. Known as the Yoga of action, Karma Yoga purifies the heart, for the reception of the Divine Light and attainment of the knowledge of one's own self. The ultimate aim of Karma Yoga is to provide selfless service to humanity, without any ego. People performing Karma Yoga serve the needy, without urging to bear fruit for all their actions. It is one of the most popular types of Yoga, which cannot be done without dedication, determination and altruism.

Karma takes the shape of Karma Yoga, when the practitioner acts as an instrument in the hands of the Almighty, as a participant in the cosmic activity of Nature and does the service without the expectation of fruits. The person then believes that he/she is only the instrument and that the Lord is working unselfishly, through him/her. He/she surrenders all the actions and their fruits to the Lord. He/she attains the knowledge of the Self. Ultimately, the person is released from the bonds of Karma.

A person aspiring to follow the divine path of Karma Yoga doesn't have to possess materialistic wealth. All the person needs is a peaceful mind, body and a selfless attitude, to serve humanity. The person following the path of Karma Yoga, known as Karma Yogi, should be free from lust, greed, egoism and anger. His/her heart should be filled with the thought of serving the poor and the helpless people, selflessly. Even if the person has any traces of these 'doshas', he/she should try to eliminate them immediately. In addition, he/she should not desire for name, fame or money in return of the service.

A jealous person can never be a Karma Yogi. He/she should be humble, free from meanness, miserliness, harshness, hatred and jealousy. He/she should be a soft-spoken person and should never use any harsh words. The person, who expects respect and honor from others, cannot serve people selflessly. Moreover, a Karma Yogi should be fearless. He/she should be amiable and social. He/she should never differentiate people in terms of their caste, creed, color and gender. The Karma Yogi should have the feeling of love, compassion and mercy and should have perfect adaptability and tolerance.

Karma Yoga purifies the heart. It releases the Karma Yogi from the ties of the kindred and indulges him/her into activities of selfless social service. Bad qualities of egoism, jealously, superiority and hatred are completely removed from the mind of the person, when he/she follows the path of Karma Yoga. The person gets a broad outlook on life. He/she attains the knowledge of the Self and realizes the concept of 'one in all' and 'all in one'.

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Kundalini Yoga

Kundalini Yoga is an ancient form of Yoga, which creates a communication between the mind and the body by making use of a set of technique that involve the mind, senses and body. In Sanskrit, the word 'kundalini' literally means 'something that is coiled'. The life force, lying dormant in the seven chakras in the body, is regarded as a coiled up serpent and Kundalini is the untapped energy (prana), 'coiled' at the base of the spine that can be drawn up through the body, by awakening each of the seven chakras.

Kundalini Yoga focuses on the practitioner's psycho-spiritual growth and the body's potential for maturation. The enlightenment of the seven chakras of the body occurs, when the untapped energy (Kundalini) reaches the Crown Chakra. The type of Yoga is often represented as a snake, coiled at the base of the spine. Hence, the role of spine and the endocrine system are given special consideration by this type of Yoga. Kundalini Yoga also pays special attention to the breath and the movement of the person performing it.

Kundalini Yoga consists of Asanas that are performed in conjunction with a specific breath, which intensifies the effects of the particular poses. The purpose of such a control of breath is to freed the energy in the lower part of the body and allow it to move freely, in the upward direction within the body. The sequences of Kundalini, known as kriyas, consist of repetitive movements, done by holding a pose, while breathing in a specific way. The entire thing is done in a rapid pace, so that the person gets the full benefit of Kundalini Yoga.

Apart from the kriyas, Kundalini Yoga also involves the performance of meditation as well as the chanting of mantras. Pranayams and mudras are also done, while performing the Kundalini Yoga. All these focus on a specific area of the body. Since all theses are included in it, Kundalini Yoga is considered physically intense. According to the Yoga gurus, the stretching exercises included in Kundalini Yoga are not merely gymnastic exercises. In fact, the bodily postures, expressive movements and utterances are beneficial for the health in a number of ways. Apart from increasing the breath control, it aids in improving the concentration of the practitioner.

Kundalini Yoga is sometimes referred to as 'the yoga of awareness'. This is because the different methods of breath control, the chanting of mantras, mental focus and various types of Asanas (typically with cross-legged position, with the spine positioned straight) together awaken the Kundalini within the body. By doing Kundalini Yoga, the infinite potential energy in the body is raises, with stimulates the higher centers, thereby giving the practitioner the enhanced intuition and mental clarity.

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Mantra Yoga

Mantra yoga is the chanting of mantras - words, phrases or syllables - in an attentive and thoughtful way, to attain certain goals. It is a form of meditation, in which one has to chant the mantra until he/she transcends his/her mind and emotions. In the process, the person discovers his/her super conscious. Studies suggest that the mantras possess unique healing potential, when they are chanted at a specific time. They are a tool to achieve stillness. The mantra should be discarded immediately after attaining the tranquility.

There are certain things to be considered, when following the path of Mantra Yoga. The first and foremost thing is the time, during which the mantras should be chanted. You should ensure that the mantra is recited only at the designated time. The second thing is correct pronunciation. Pronunciation is given immense priority, because not all the intended effect would come, if the mantras were not pronounced correctly. The third thing is the place, where they are recited. You should chant the mantras at a peaceful atmosphere, free of any external noises.

The mantra can be chanted in three ways. The first way is called 'baikhari', which can be chanted in a loud manner. This type of chanting is advantageous for removing unwanted thoughts from the mind, to make the meditation process easier. The second method of chanting is called 'upanshu', which involves the recitation of mantras in a very low voice, audible only to the practitioner. The third method is neither loud nor too low. It is called 'manasik', which involves the repetition of the mantra in mind. A subtle form of chanting mantras, the manasik method is used only by advanced practitioners.

Mantra Yoga is highly beneficial for improving the overall health and mental stability. It is a way to garner knowledge about the universe and find the unison of body, mind and soul within one's self. Mantras help keep the individual away from the drudgery of everyday life, the material world and deviates the focus towards the essentials of life, which are nothing but a healthy body and a peaceful mind. By chanting the words in absolute concentration, you can control your wavering mind, thereby increasing your level of concentration.

Apart from giving you a peace of mind, Mantra Yoga helps you eliminate psychosomatic disorders. It helps banish nervous tension and sedimentary problems. The holistic path of Mantra Yoga helps you to get closely acquainted to your own self. Due to the increased stability of mind, you will lead a peaceful life, which is free of tensions, anxiety and stress. Mantra Yoga is the ultimate way to achieve peace and tranquility. It increases your feeling of security and boosts your self-confidence. It eliminates negative behavior as well. It is an ultimate cure for various addictions, because it purifies you from within.

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Purna Yoga

An improvisation over the traditional Yoga systems of India, Purna Yoga or Integral Yoga is the art, wherein, people are taught to loving their own self by living from the heart. Just as the name suggests, 'Purna' which means 'complete', the Yoga aims at attaining a union of the body, mind and the spirit. It was thought that the traditional Yoga system revolved more around salvation and next life, rather than the present one. On the other hand, Integral Yoga lays more emphasis on the importance of Karma in our day-to-day lives.

Purna Yoga gives Yoga a positive and dynamic form. It suggests three levels of integration- the integration of the inner, the integration of the human psyche with its external environment and the integration of the psyche with its ultimate spiritual Ground. It not just brings optimism and positive energies to the body but also to the world at large. It is this united spirituality that proficiently combines self-transcendence with love, sympathy, and reverence for all living beings. It puts together the varied aspects of yoga, needed for transformation and healing.

Purna Yoga revolves around alignment-based asana, meditation and pranayama, along with nutrition and yogic living. According to the Integral Yoga the ultimate goal of life is complete self-integration. This self-integration involves other important elements like action, love, wisdom and peace. The yoga of love or devotion (Bhakti yoga) is perfectly right in affirming love as the fulfillment of life and as an essential ingredient of salvation. It is important to note that Purna Yoga does not separate love from wisdom and selfless action. Love in its spiritual essence is an attribute of wisdom.

Integral yoga points out that knowledge is inseparable from love and action, but that action is not merely a means to self-purification resulting in salvation. The main stages of Purna Yoga include aspiration for the Divine, surrender of the individual soul to the Universal Soul and rejection of all obstructions to the path of total transformation. The realization of the Divine is the first step of Purna Yoga. This can be attained through constant practice of concentration, meditation or prayer. Once a person has attained the realization of the Divine, the next step would be to extend this realization beyond entities of the subjective self.

Herein, the person realizes that the Divine is omnipresent, and that human beings have come from a common origin. The third stage of Purna Yoga comprises of a true recognition with the 'Transcendental Divine'. It is thence that a person realizes that the Divine is not restricted within the being of a single individual and is neither within any other constituents of existence. The ultimate goal of a person is to reach the higher consciousness, known as the 'Supramental Consciousness' to attain liberation of the soul.

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Raja Yoga

An important branch of Yoga, Raja Yoga is a one stop solution for complete and holistic healing. Raja Yoga possesses the positive power of influencing the life of human beings. Apart from harmonizing with all spheres the physiological system, it also transforms the physical, mental, emotional, intellectual, occupational, social and spiritual being of a person. Raja Yoga also helps an individual to alleviate himself/herself from all emotional and mental conflicts. It brings lasting peace and satisfaction in one's life. One of the most prominent benefits of Raj Yoga is that it heals a person from the inside. However, the benefit of Raj Yoga is not just limited to the mind and body of a person, but it also brings harmony with other human beings and environment, at large. Raja Yoga is sometimes referred as Astanga or eight-limbed yoga. This is because there are eight aspects to the path to which one must attend. To know more about the eight limbs of Astanga Yoga, read through the following lines.

The Eight Limbs Of Astanga Yoga

Yama
Yama is the first limb of Ashtanga Yoga and comprises of the behavioral norms that need to be followed, to attain tranquility of the mind. It mainly comprises of directives such as Ahimsa (non-violence), Satya (truthfulness), Asteya (non-stealing), Brahmacharya (celibacy) and Aparigraha (non-covetousness). These are essential for eradicating the element of fear and anger from the body.

Niyama
Niyama controls the emotional aspect of a person, with the help of mental exercises to train the mind. Its directives involve Shaucha (internal and external purity), Santosha (contentment), Tapas (austerity), Svadhyaya (study of religious books and repetitions of Mantras) and Ishvarapranidhana (self-surrender to God, and His worship).

Asana
Asan or posture is a means to attain integration of mind and body, by means of physical activity. Contrary to the popular belief, asanas are not exercise, but activities which help to transmit the positive energies to the crown chakra. Apart from providing numerous physical health benefits, the various asanas aim to bring unison of the mind and the body with the spirit.

Pranayama
Just as the name suggests, (prana, which means life energy and yama, which signifies control), pranayama is a way by which one can attain life force energy control, through breathing. The main goal of pranayama heads towards the awakening of the kundalini shakti at the muladhara chakra. It is through breathing regulation that one can attain control over the life energies.

Pratyahara
Once the above four limbs have been achieved, Pratyahara aims to attain the withdrawal of the senses of perception from their objects. It should not be linked to be the same as that of concentration or meditation. Instead, it aims to bring the awareness to reside deep within oneself, free from the senses and external world.

Dharana
Dharana focuses on concentration and one-pointedness of the mind. For attaining an ideal concentration level, you need to follow the factors such as retention of breath, Brahmacharya, Satvic (pure) food, seclusion, silence, Satsanga (being in the company of a guru), and not mixing much with people. Concentration on Trikuti (the space between the two eyebrows) would help to control the mind.

Dhyana
Dhyana focuses on the importance of meditation. The basic of this limb is to involve oneself in quiet activity that will help you leads to Samadhi. Social exclusion, less talk, no demands, no violence and limited eating and sleeping all contribute to Dhyana.

Samadhi
Samadhi can be described as enlightenment. To attain Samadhi, you need to remove obstacles which come as Avidya (ignorance), Asmita (egoism), Raga-Dvesha (likes and dislikes), Abhinivesha (clinging to mundane life).

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Yoga Gear Guide

Practicing yoga doesn't require any special equipment, but there are a few things that can make your asanas more beneficial and productive. Before starting a yoga class, you must know about the required gear so as to get the maximum benefit out of the yoga poses and exercises. So, given here is a complete Yoga gear guide to help you maximize your Yoga experience.

Invest In Comfortable Clothing
Comfortable clothes are necessary, especially when you have to do various body movements. Wear clothes that are stretchable, breathable, can absorb sweat, and offer your freedom of movement.

Get The Right Mat
Yoga poses are usually performed on mats, which are available in different sizes and materials. While you purchase, just make sure that the mat is not slippery and has in-built handles for carrying. Yoga mat should be of adequate size so that you can perform all types of poses without any space problem.

Purchase Yoga Gloves
To prevent hands and feet from slipping, yoga gloves make the right investment. Yoga gloves are available for both feet and hands; they are designed to prevent slipping on rugs, carpets and yoga mats. It is also for better grip as some people get sweat in hands, making them slippery.

Buy Yoga Props
Certain yoga poses or exercises call for props to help you perform them. Yoga block, also called yoga brick, is a prop that is used to give extra support and help modify exercises to your level of fitness. Generally blocks are made of wood, but are also made of foam. Yoga wedge, made out of wood, but generally of foam, are used to help ease pressure to your joints, while performing poses of Yoga. Back bender is another support item for your back. Benders are usually made from wood, but sometimes come in metal; they support your back during backbends and other back exercises. Bolsters, available in round and rectangular shapes, are also helpful in supporting various poses.

Purchase Yoga Video CDs
If you have made your mind to do yoga at home, buy a good video CD of Yoga. You can get yoga videos for almost every level of fitness, from beginner to advanced. These videos are helpful as they allow you to follow the instructor at your own pace. Moreover, you can pause the video to ensure you're doing the right movement.

Take Stretching Straps
Stretching Straps is another item that is useful for exercises that require stretching (legs and arms). It would enhance your stretching exercise. Besides, you may avert any kind of injury caused by pressure of muscles.

Lastly, you require a tote bag to carry all your gear in. Once you've arranged for Yoga gear, you're ready to practice yoga poses without any kind of problem.

Back Bender
Yoga back bender is a great yoga gear that is used for supporting backbend poses. It allows you to completely relax into the pose and soothe nervous system, due to non-attachment of the body. It helps you to expand the front body (your chest and lungs) when lying on it for more effective breathing. With the help of the bender, your shoulder can be rolled down close to the floor, while your spine gets full support by the bender's curve.

Yoga Blocks
Like other Yoga props, blocks are helpful in making oneself more comfortable and improve body alignment. Yoga blocks, also known as yoga bricks, are foam or wooden blocks that are used to aid in the execution of various poses.

Yoga Clothes
Like all other activities, Yoga also needs to be practiced in clothes which are specifically deigned for the physical demands of Yoga. Wearing right apparel is very important in yoga, as practice entails performing different types of body postures, ranging from the very simple to slightly complex.

Yoga Gloves
Along with other gears, yoga gloves are also the important yoga gear while doing yoga. Available for hands as well as feet, Yoga gloves are exclusively designed to reduce slippage while practicing Yoga. In the 'foot glove', there is a provision of cutout for the big toe whereas the other toes are grouped together.

Yoga Mat
Perhaps the most important requirement for practicing Yoga is the Yoga mat. Yoga mats helps one to execute all Yoga postures in comfort. The idea behind using Yoga Mats is that they form safer landing grounds and provide cushioning. Other major reason of using mat is that it provides traction for your hands and feet, which prevents you from slipping when you attempt to do a Yoga posture.

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Yoga Back Bender

Yoga back bender is a great yoga gear that is used for supporting backbend poses. It allows you to completely relax into the pose and soothe nervous system, due to non-attachment of the body. It helps you to expand the front body (your chest and lungs) when lying on it for more effective breathing. With the help of the bender, your shoulder can be rolled down close to the floor, while your spine gets full support by the bender's curve. Yoga back bender has two different curves on each side - a steady arch at one end and a steep arch on the other end. The steep arch is meant for yoga practitioners who are more flexible. Usually Yoga back benders are made of lightweight wood, however some back benders are made of metal also.

Benefits of Yoga Back Bender
Yoga back benders offer several benefits. Its most common benefits are listed below.

It helps to open the front body, shoulders and chest.

It provides support for quieter restorative practice.

It helps in supporting back, which otherwise gets hurt.

Besides, it also enhances the final relaxation poses.

Types of Yoga Back Benders
Apart from the regular back benders, there are a few back benders discussed here.

Forward Bender
Forward bender is helpful to perform difficult forward bends. It is a triangle shaped prop with several open slots along its curvature that looks like a curved ladder. It extends forward stretch into the calf muscles, so that the spine is fully expanded and straightened. Forward bender can be used for 1 and 2-legged forward bends. It effectively stretches hamstrings, calf muscles and achilles tendons.

Whale Back Bender
Whale back bender is a popular back bender among people. It's wide enough to support your entire back, while offering comfort to your spine as you perform a stretch. It looks like the regular back bender, but actually it is much broader than the regular ones. It helps in tractioning your spine without stressing other joints.

Foldaway Back Bender
As the name suggests, Foldaway Back Bender is a prop that can be folded, or can be separated to make two new props. It can be used to practice drop-backs and forward bends. It occupies less storage space, making itself the most versatile and innovative back bench.

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Yoga Blocks

Like other Yoga props, blocks are helpful in making oneself more comfortable and improve body alignment. Yoga blocks, also known as yoga bricks, are foam or wooden blocks that are used to aid in the execution of various poses. These blocks are helpful in providing stability and support to the body into difficult poses by strengthening, stretching, and aligning body without strain.

Yoga blocks can be used under hands, feet or seat to intensify stretches safely and accomplish the right position. In the initial stages of learning, people are not so flexible and using blocks offers them adjustability. Yoga blocks are best for standing poses, in which one hand is flat on the ground, like Ardha Chandrasana. Blocks can be used to sit in postures such as Virasana.

Yoga bricks are available in different sizes, shapes and material. They are called bricks because they look like bricks mostly available in 4" x 6" x 9" size. Their smooth edges are not only easy to grip, but also provide the required comfort. These blocks are usually light in weight, easy to carry along and require little maintenance. Yoga blocks are usually made of foam, however, are also made of cork, which make them durable and eco-friendly. The latest type of Yoga blocks are ergonomically designed block, which resemble the miniature dumbbells - two small foam blocks separated by a pole-like grip.

Benefits of Yoga Blocks
Yoga blocks don't only help in execution of poses, but also offer other benefits.

They provide stability and support for proper alignment of the body.

They help in reducing the distance between the body and the ground.

They help to modify poses to the flexibility level of the body.

They improve the body movement without causing strain.

They enable the person to hold poses more comfortably and also for a longer time.

They reduce the risk of pulled muscles or other such injuries.

They are really useful for expectant mother, or during menstruation, as they help to lessen the amount of energy used to perform Asanas.

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Yoga Clothing

Like all other activities, Yoga also needs to be practiced in clothes which are specifically deigned for the physical demands of Yoga. Wearing right apparel is very important in yoga, as practice entails performing different types of body postures, ranging from the very simple to slightly complex. So, Yoga clothes should be comfortable enough to allow free movement of various body parts in all poses or positions.

Types of Yoga Clothing
Yoga pants, Capri, pajamas, t-shirts, shorts, unitard, etc, are advisable clothing for practicing Yoga. The fabric of clothes should be light-weight and sweat absorbent. Loose pants, Capri, shorts and pajamas are really comfortable. Another thing to look for in clothing is stretchability. Since different Yoga poses require different body movements, it is recommended to wear stretchable clothes which allow free movement of body parts. Ladies are advised to wear sports bra. Yoga clothing is available in all sizes and colors in the markets.

Unitard is another type of clothing which requires special mention. It's tight-fitting garment of stretchy material that covers the body from the shoulders to the thighs. It has long sleeves & legs reaching down to the ankles which provide coverage, support and comfort while performing Yoga. It is usually made of durable, lightweight organic cotton/spandex with double-layered front and back panels and single-layer arms and legs. Available in different colors and sizes, Unitard is very comfortable and facilitates better movement of body.

Yoga Clothes Buying Tips
There are some points which should be considered while buying clothes for practicing Yoga.

The clothes you choose should be absolutely comfortable and they should facilitate free movement of body parts.

Prefer buying stretchable clothes made from light cotton material as they will help the free body movement.

You can opt for shorts as it allows free movement of knees, ankles and feet.

Ladies are recommended to wear sport bras, to avoid unnecessary strain on the breasts.

Look for sweat-absorbent fabric, as it will absorb perspiration easily and also facilitate breathing space.

Though Yoga is conventionally performed barefoot, you can use breathable socks or gloves to avert germs.

Tips To Remember

Before leaving for your yoga class, make sure to wear your yoga clothes and try out few poses wearing them. If there are some alterations or modifications required, made them before leaving, so that you feel comfortable in the class later.

It is also important to look good in class as it will make you feel more positive which will help in giving you more energy & confidence.

Avoid wearing ornaments to Yoga class as they might cause hurdle in performing different Yoga postures.

These are few tips which will help you to pick the right clothing for Yoga.
But along with these tips, make sure that you do regular practice of Yoga, as only that will give you a healthier and better life.

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Yoga Gloves

Along with other gears, yoga gloves are also the important yoga gear while doing yoga. Available for hands as well as feet, Yoga gloves are exclusively designed to reduce slippage while practicing Yoga. In the 'foot glove', there is a provision of cutout for the big toe whereas the other toes are grouped together. Thus, it looks like a mitten. Yoga gloves are made of lightweight, breathable cotton, and lycra. Lycra allows the gloves to stretch. Thus, Yoga gloves help in reducing serious injury while practicing the asanas.

Types of Yoga Gloves
There are many imported brands of yoga gloves available in the market, such as Wrist Assured Fitness Gloves and Fingerless Gloves. As your palms are the most sensitive part of your body, so the weight-bearing poses might become uncomfortable for you. In this case, you can use the Wrist Assured Fitness Gloves. These gloves are specially designed for joint protection and comfort; they are stylish, durable and comfortable. These gloves will help you get back on your hands without any discomfort & pain. So, don't let wrist pain interrupt your yoga practice. These gloves are little expensive in comparison to ordinary gloves.

Benefits of Yoga Gloves
Yoga gloves are of immense help. Read further to know about benefits of using Yoga gloves:

They help in protecting your hands and feet from slipping while doing poses like Adho Mukha Asana.

They are exclusively designed to work with yoga mats, carpet and rugs.

They help in warming up the body before practice, especially during cold winter workouts.

As these gloves are made out of lightweight cotton and lycra, they allow the hands to stretch.

If used properly, yoga gloves can be a vital tool to help avoid serious injury.

They also protect you against germs and bacteria. So, don't forget wearing your yoga gloves before starting your yoga practice.

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Yoga Mat

Perhaps the most important requirement for practicing Yoga is the Yoga mat. Yoga mats helps one to execute all Yoga postures in comfort. The idea behind using Yoga Mats is that they form safer landing grounds and provide cushioning. Other major reason of using mat is that it provides traction for your hands and feet, which prevents you from slipping when you attempt to do a Yoga posture. Besides safety, Yoga Mat also helps to distinguish your own personal space.

Types of Yoga Mats
Yoga mats are made up of a variety of materials including closed-cell PVC, mesh, cotton, rubber, etc. They are also available in different sizes, colors and thickness. You can choose the one depending on your need & liking. Whatever type of Yoga Mat you choose, make sure that it provides the traction and support which is a must while doing yoga practice. Before buying yoga mats, you must know about the different kinds of Yoga Mats available in market. This would give you an idea that which mats would serve you best.

Ashtanga Yoga Mat
Ashtanga Yoga Mat are tightly woven Yoga Mats made of cotton. These mats are ideal for Ashtanga Yoga, Bikram Yoga, or any other sweaty Yoga practice. These mats are specially designed to absorb sweat or water, and have extra cushioning, which helps for better stability for Standing Postures as well as Sitting Postures.

Utopian Yoga Mats
Utopian Yoga Mats are perhaps the best mats for Yoga, found in market today. These mats are exclusively designed for Yoga and have all the necessary features like cushioning, durability, and stability. Compared to other ordinary yoga mats, the Utopian Yoga Mat easily disappear body impressions on its surface, restoring its actual form faster. The negative point about these mats is that they're heavier in weight and are pretty expensive than other ordinary Yoga Mats.

Other Types of Yoga Mats
Universal Yoga Mats are the most commonly used Yoga Mats. These are liked by every one from Yoga students to instructors. These mats have sticky surface and are lightly textured to give a smoother & softer feel while practicing yoga. Then there is Deluxe Yoga Mat, which is a more improved form of the Universal Yoga Mat. Travel Yoga Mats are ideal for traveling as they are light weighted, highly portable and fit easily in luggage bag.

Other Usability & Care
Yoga Mats can be used for other purposes as well. Such as, whenever you meditate or when you want to take sun bath in your garden, these mats will help you relax on them. These yoga mats can be cleaned by using warm water and grease cutting soaps. They can be dried out in air or sun. Yoga mats should be washed before initial use. Thereafter they can be washed whenever required, depending on their use.

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Yoga Poses

Yoga comprises of some simple and effective body movements, which strengthen one's back, tones the stomach muscles, and reallocate body weight. These body movements are known as asanas, or poses. The Asanas have evolved over centuries and work wonders in keeping the body healthy and the mind peaceful. If performed in a right manner, these Yoga poses or positions help to tone muscles, lubricate joints and massage the body. Not only this, the asanas also enhance body endurance and increase flexibility. These postures bring physical and mental stability, along with health and vigor; they exercise the nerves, glands, ligaments, and muscles.

To accomplish each yoga pose, you require willpower, perseverance and daily practice. There are numberless poses and postures in Yoga. But before trying and performing any posture, you should keep certain things in mind.

You should know your body limits. If your body does not allow a particular Yoga posture, then do not push your body for it. Otherwise, your may get hurt in the process.

The best thing to do is, learn from an experienced teacher. Or you can always refer to books learning Yoga poses or Yoga Asanas. Videos could be of great help.

By daily practicing, you will improve on the poses or positions of Yoga. It is not something that you will gain in the very first class.

Every yoga position has its own benefits, sometimes specific physical and mental benefits.

According to your needs, you can practice a particular Yoga pose.

Before starting a Yoga session, it is important to do some basic stretches to warm-up and to avoid strain.

Yoga Postures

Sanskrit Name     English Translation

Adho Mukha Svanasana - Downward-Facing Dog

Adho Mukha Vrksasana - Handstand (Downward-Facing Tree)

Ajali Mudra - Salutation Seal

Ardha Chandrasana - Half Moon Posture

Ardha Matsyendrasana - Half Spinal Twist

Baddha Konasana - Bound Angle

Bakasana - Crane Pose

Balasana or Garbhasana - Child's Pose

Bharadvajasana - Bharadvaja's Twist

Bhujangasana - Cobra Pose

Chakrasana - Wheel Posture

Chaturanga Dandasana - Four-Limbed Staff

Dandasana    - Staff pose

Dhanurasana - Bow

Eka Pada Rajakapotasana - One Legged King Pigeon

Garudasana - Eagle Posture

Gomukhasana - Cow Face

Halasana - Plow

Hanumanasana - Monkey (named after Lord Hanuman)

Janusirsasana - Head to Knee Forward Bend

Kakasana - Crow Pose

Krauncasana - Heron Posture

Kukkueasana - Cockerel Pose

Kurmasana    - Tortoise Pose

Makarasana - Crocodile Posture

Matsyasana - Fish Posture

Matsyendrasana - Lord of the Fishes

Mayurusana - Peacock Pose

Natarajasana - Lord of the Dance

Padahastasana - Standing Forward Bend

Padmasana    - Lotus Pose

Paripurnanavasana - Full Boat Posture

Parivrttaparsvakonasana - Revolved Side Angle

Parivrttatrikonasana - Revolved Triangle

Pasasana - Noose

Pascimottanasana - Seated Forward Bend

Prasaritapadottanasana - Intense Spread Leg Stretch

Pavana Mukta Asana - Wind releasing Posture

Salabhasana - Locust Posture

Sarvangasana - Shoulder Stand

Shavasana / Mrtasana - Corpse Pose

Sethubandasana - Bridge, Half Wheel

Siddhasana / Muk-tasana /Guptasana - Perfect Pose

Simhasana - Lion Posture

Sirsasana - Head Stand

Sukhasana    - Auspicious Pose

Suptabaddhakonasana - Reclining Bound Angle

Suptapadangusthasana - Reclining Big Toe

Suptavirasana - Reclining Hero

Surya Namaskar - Sun Salutation

Svastikasana - Prosperous Pose

Tadasana / Samasthiti - Mountain Pose

Trikonasana - Triangle

Upavistakonasana - Open Angle

Urdhvadhanurasana - Upward Bow, Backbend, or Wheel

Urdhvamukhasvanasana - Upward-Facing Dog

Usthasana - Camel Pose

Uttanakurmasana - Upside-Down Tortoise

Utkatasana    - Chair

Uttanasana - Standing Forward Bend

Utthitahastapadangusthasana - Raised Hand to Big Toe

Utthitaparsvakonasana - Extended Side Angle

Utthitatrikonasana - Extended Triangle Posture

Vasisthasana - Side Plank

Viparitakarani - Legs-up-the-Wall

Vajrasana - Thunderbolt Pose

Virasana - Hero

Vriksha - Asana   Tree Pose

Adho Mukha
Adho Mukha Svanasana is also called Downward Dog or Down Dog posture. The name comes from the Sanskrit words, adho which means downward, mukha which means face, svana which means dog and asana meaning pose.

Ardha Sarvangasana
Yoga is one of the oldest form physical disciplines in existence. There are numerous types of asana that are performed in Yoga, one of them being Ardha Sarvangasana. It is the Queen of all the asans.

Asanas at A glance
Yoga asanas bring wonderful health benefits. They let you feel the power of your body and the importance of keeping it healthy. When done in right way, Yoga is just fun and relaxing. You feel good, feel the blood surging through your veins, and the energy pulsating through your nerves.

Bhujangasana
Bhujangasana is one of the most important Yoga poses. It is also referred to as the 'Cobra Pose'. The asana concentrates on strengthening the back and arms, by stretching the spine.

Dog & Cat
Yoga is an ancient meditation art from India. Practiced since ages in the country, it aims to bring the perfect blend of spiritual intelligence and physical fitness in one's life. The art focuses on bringing one's soul and body together, to give him repose, peace and self-enlightenment.

Janu Shirshasana
The term Janu Shirshasana has been derived from the Sanskrit words 'Janu', meaning 'knee', and 'Shirash', meaning 'head'. As the name suggests, the asana focuses on the two body parts. As you perform Janu Shirshasana,

Savasana
Savasana is the name used to describe the posture that is generally performed at the end of a yoga session. The main aim behind this asana is to provide relaxation to the body after a strenuous session and help it cool down.

Setubandhasana
The term Sethu Bandhasana has been derived from the words 'Sethu', whch means bridge, and 'Bandha', which means lock. It literally means 'constructing a bridge' and mainly comprises of building a sort-of 'bridge' with the body,

Sukhashana
Sukhasana, also termed as the 'easy pose', is one of the simplest postures of yoga. For undertaking this posture, a person is required to sit cross-legged on the floor, in a certain position.

Tadshana
Tadasana, with 'tada' meaning 'mountain', is regarded as one of the most beneficial postures in yoga. Though it seems to be quite simple, a person has to undergo lots of practice to attain the perfect tadasana posture.

Trikonasana
The term Trikonasana has been derived from the words 'trikona', which means triangle, and 'asana', which means posture. In other words, in the asana, your body is stretched in such a way that a triangle-like shape is formed.

Uttanasana
The term Uttanasana has been derived from three words - 'Ut, which means 'intense', 'Tan, which means to stretch and extend, and 'asana', which means posture. In short, it is yoga posture that involves intense stretching of the body muscles.

Virabhadrasana
The word Virabhadrasana is a conjunction of two words Virabhadra and Asana which literally means the posture of a warrior. Virbhadrasana, as the name suggests is very similar to the position that a warrior holds.

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Adho Mukha Svanasana

Adho Mukha Svanasana is also called Downward Dog or Down Dog posture. The name comes from the Sanskrit words, adho which means downward, mukha which means face, svana which means dog and asana meaning pose. Adho Mukha Svanasana helps in building power, flexibility and alertness. This is the first pose which some people learn as they begin to do yoga. Adho Mukha Svanasana is often classified as inversion posture since the head is lower than the pelvis.

Starting The Adho Mukha Svanasana
In this pose, the body forms a triangular pyramidal shape, resembling a dog stretching after a nap. Doing this posture, you prepare your body for standing poses. It helps in warming-up the muscles at the beginning of yoga practice. While executing different styles of yoga, this posture is repeated. It is many times done during a yoga class as it provides a transition between poses, particularly in Surya Namaskar and vinyIasa flow yoga. Make sure that before starting this asana you should know the exact posture required for this asana.

How To Perform Adho Mukha Svanasana
Lay down on your stomach. Spread your fingers & place the fingertips on the floor, lining up with your shoulders. Your middle fingers should be facing each other. Your feet are hip-width apart. Turn your toes under. Move into the initial posture, with an exhalation. In this position, the heels are lifted high while the buttocks are elevated. The arms and the legs are extended. This posture can be assumed by keeping the back straight, or by pushing up into the pose. You can also allow the back to form a curve as you straighten your arms and then let the buttocks raised.

Make sure while making this pose that the weight should be equally distributed between the left and right legs as well as the left and right arms. As you rotate your "sit-bones" in the upward position, bring the spine forward between your shoulder blades. Your heels should move towards the floor when you elevate your sit-bones. While doing this movement stretching from the middle of your back legs will be stretched & will move in the upward position and also downward position.

Purpose of Adho Mukha Svanasana
The aim of this pose is to stretch the spine while keeping your legs straight and your feet flat on the ground. The most important thing is to work on lengthening the spine. Don't let your shoulders crawl up by your ears, try to keep them down. There should be equal distribution of weight between hands and feet. Remain in the same pose for a few breaths. Repeat it several times along with inhaling and exhaling of breath. Make sure that on a deep exhale your hips are pushed upward and the body should form an inverted V-shape. Legs & arms must be straight.

Benefits of Adho Mukha Svanasana:

It stretches the shoulders, legs, and spine.

It builds strength throughout the body.

It also provides an overall body stretch.

It helps in relieving fatigue and gives freshness to the body.

It is helpful in increasing blood flow.

It helps to strengthen the immune system.

It calms the mind and lifts the spirits.

It also improves digestion.

It strengthens arms, legs, and feet.

It is a great preparation for standing poses.

It helps back to be less stiff.

It lessens stiffness in heels and legs.

It helps to open up the shoulder blades.

It stretches the back of the body, especially hips and hamstrings.

It helps to relieve the symptoms of menopause.

It may relieve menstrual discomfort, but make sure that in this head should be supported.

It is helpful in preventing osteoporosis.

It relieves some headaches and insomnia.

It may be useful in chest opening.

It is recommended for people suffering from high blood pressure, asthma, flat feet, sciatica, sinusitis, etc.

Cautions For Adho Mukha Svanasana

Don't do this asana, if you are suffering from Carpal tunnel syndrome

It should also be avoided in Diarrhea.

It should not be done for extended periods during menstruation.

Do not do this pose in the late Pregnancy.

If you are suffering from high blood pressure or headache, it is recommended to support your head on a block.

In case of sensitive or injured wrist, Adho Mukha Svanasana should not be tried or if tried it should be modified accordingly.

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Ardha Sarvangasana

Yoga is one of the oldest form physical disciplines in existence. There are numerous types of asana that are performed in Yoga, one of them being Ardha Sarvangasana. It is the Queen of all the asans. Just as the name 'Sarvang' suggests 'all parts', the asan is essentially concerned with all the parts of the body. A unique pose, Ardha Sarvangasana ensures rejuvenation of the whole system. It is also referred to as The Shoulder Stand, Candle Posture and Pan Body Posture.

In this form of asan, the entire weight of the body lies on the shoulder blade. The exercise proves to be beneficial in strengthening the abdomen. It also helps in proper thyroid functioning. Ardha Sarvangasana can be done two times a day - once in the morning and then in the evening. In the following lines, we have mentioned the exact steps needed for performing Ardha Sarvangasana, its benefits and people who should not do the exercise.

How To Do Ardha Sarvangasana

The first step would be to lie flat on the back. Then, with the help of your hands, lift your legs up into air.

The position of the hands should be such that it should be on the lower back. Make sure that your elbows and lower arms rest on the ground.

The weight of your body should be on your shoulders and from mid to upper back, but not on the neck.

Once you have attained the desired posture, hold at the posture and breath deeply for 5 to 10 minutes. Increase the duration of holding the posture, gradually, over time.

At the time of coming down, slowly lower your legs. In the process, do not forget to keep them straight. This would mean a little workout for your abdominal muscles as well.

Make sure that in the process of doing the asan you face no jerks.

For the beginners, it is not possible to attain the correct posture, as the abdominal muscles are not strong enough. In that case, the best bet would be to allow the legs to come forward towards the face.

To attain best results, performing Matsyasan immediately after it.

Benefits Of Ardha Sarvangasana

Helps in proper thyroid functioning

Strengthening of abdomen

Stretches upper back

Increases blood circulation

Encourages relaxation

Accentuates the flow of blood and energy to the brain

Stimulates mental functions

Enhances memory and concentration

Relieve from some headaches

Cures dyspepsia, constipation, appendicitis, other gastro-intestinal disorders and varicose-veins

Supplies large quantity of blood to the spinal roots of the nerves

Stops loss of hair or premature greying

Enhances facial complexion

Helps alleviate rheumatism

Cures malfunctioning of the sexual organs

Sublimes emotions of depression and neurasthenia

Treats problems of insomnia

Who Should Not Do The Asan
There are some specific requirements for an aspirant to perform Ardha Sarvangasana. He/she should be in the best of health, before trying the asan. People suffering from cervical spondylitis, low back pain, inflammation of the throat, blocked sinuses and high blood pressure should not perform the asan. Also, people with heavy hips should not attempt the asan, as the entire weight of the body is borne by the shoulder blade.

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Yoga Postures at a Glance

Yoga asanas bring wonderful health benefits. They let you feel the power of your body and the importance of keeping it healthy. When done in right way, Yoga is just fun and relaxing. You feel good, feel the blood surging through your veins, and the energy pulsating through your nerves.

Here are some popular Yoga postures at a glance. So just have a quick look at these Yoga positions.

Shirshasana (Head Posture)
It increases blood circulation to brain. It promotes hair growth and quality sleep.

The posture looks imposing to beginners and is extremely powerful. Place your mat into a comer, kneel down and place your interlocked fingers in the comer close to the walls. Keep your head into the hollow of the palms, rise off the knees and take a step or two towards the comer. Raise one leg and place it in the comer against the wall. Ask a friend to help you if you are doing it for the first time. Just pull the other leg up. Keep the posture for about 15 seconds and then come out the headstand, lowering one leg at a time.

Sarvangasana (Shoulder Stand)
It helps regulates the thyroid and sex glands. It also vitalizes the nerves and purifies the blood. Neck muscles are also strengthened.

Lie on your back. Inhale while raising your legs and spine till the toes point to the ceiling. Your body now rests on the shoulders and the back of the neck. Hands are placed on the center of the spine between the waist and the shoulder blades, thus supporting the body. Keep spine and legs straight. Stay in the position for two minutes and then slowly come out of the posture.

Sukhasana (Easy Position)
This posture helps gain awareness on breathing and body, strengthen lower back and open the groin and hips.

Just sit cross-legged with hands comfortably on knees. Focus on your breath while you keep your spine straight. Push the sit bones down into the floor. If you find hard sitting hard sitting on hard ground, sit on a cushion or block. This will strengthen your back and hips. Do a few times the exercise of inhaling and exhaling air.

Tadasana (Mountain Posture)
The posture benefits your balance and self-awareness.

Stand with legs together, hands at your sides, eyes looking straight. Raise your toes, open them, then put them back down on the floor. Tilt your pubic bone a bit forward. Raise your chest slightly up and out. Raise your head up and lift the base of your skull toward the ceiling. Push into the floor with your feet and raise your legs, first the calves and thereafter the thighs. Inhale and exhale the air.

Trilokasana (Triangle Posture)
The posture benefits the spine, opens the torso, improves balance and concentration.

Sit with your feet spread apart. Turn your left foot to the left and the right foot inwards. Raise both arms so they are parallel with the floor. Ensure that your left knee is aligned with your left ankle. Stretch outward to the left, tilting the left hip down and the right hip up. Pivot your hands, till your left hand comes to rest against the inside of your calf. Repeat the process with your right hand. Process of inhaling and exhaling continues through the asana.

Virbhadrasana (Warrior Posture)
It strengthens legs and arms; improves balance and concentration and builds confidence.

Stand with feet together and hands at side. Stretch your feet apart. Turn your right foot to the left. Gradualy bend the left knee till the thigh is parallel with the floor. Keep the knee either behind or directly over your ankle. Raise your arms over head and slowly lower them. Focus on a spot in front of you and inhale/exhale.

Bhujangasana (Cobra Posture)
It benefits adrenal glands, uterus, liver and back muscles. People suffering from gas problems find it very beneficial.

Lie down on your stomach. and place the hands on the floor beside the pectoral muscles. Put the hands, palms down, under the shoulders on the floor. Take in the air, without lifting the navel from the floor. Stretch your body as much as possible. Retain the breath and then exhale. Repeat the process two to seven times.

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Bhujangasana

Bhujangasana is one of the most important Yoga poses. It is also referred to as the 'Cobra Pose'. The asana concentrates on strengthening the back and arms, by stretching the spine. A backward bending asana, it is beneficial for the chest and the heart, apart from having many physical and psychological benefits on the health. On the completion of the asana, the person doing it appears like a hooded cobra, with a raised trunk, neck and head. Read on to get complete information on the technique to do Bhujangasana, its health benefits and the people who should not attempt to do this asana.

How To Do Cobra Yoga Pose

To start the pose, lie down on your stomach, on a flat surface, say, floor. Make sure you relax all the muscles completely. Rest your forehead on the floor.

Now, put your legs together and position your arms below the corresponding sides of your shoulder, close to your body. The hands should be placed beside your chest.

Now, start inhaling slowly. Keep inhaling and then raise your upper body (trunk), including your chest and head, to the maximum extent possible. Raise your trunk slowly, without creating any jerk. Do this just as a cobra raises its hood.

By doing the above step, you will gradually feel the bending of the vertebrae one by one and feel the pressure traveling downwards from the cervical, dorsal and lumbar regions and lastly to the sacral regions.

While doing this, your head and chest should be positioned upwards.

In order to attain the full form of Bhujangasana, known as Poorna Bhujangasana, raise your legs, bent at the knees, backwards and try to touch the toes to the back of your head.

In order to release the posture, get back to the original position, by exhaling slowly and bringing down your trunk smoothly down to the floor.

You may repeat the exercise for five times.

For the beginners, taking the help of their arms to raise the upper body is beneficial.

Health Benefits Of Bhujangasana

Relieves muscular tensions

Stimulates the endocrine system

Strengthens and increases the flexibility of spine

Tones up superficial muscles of the back

Relieves pain in the back

Strengthens the abdominal muscles

Effective in curing constipation

Tones up the abdominal viscera

Gives good appetite

Effective for women in toning up their ovaries and uterus

A natural remedy for amenorrhoea, dysmenorrhoea, leucorrhoea and various other utero-ovarine troubles

Who Should Not Do Bhujangasana

Bhujangasana is strictly not recommended for pregnant women.

People suffering from hernia, intestinal tuberculosis or hyperthyroidism should not perform this asana.

People suffering from peptic ulcers should avoid doing Bhujangasana.

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Dog & Cat Pose

Yoga is an ancient meditation art from India. Practiced since ages in the country, it aims to bring the perfect blend of spiritual intelligence and physical fitness in one's life. The art focuses on bringing one's soul and body together, to give him repose, peace and self-enlightenment. The art consists of mudras (postures) and pranayams (breathing techniques) which together form an art of meditation meant for valuable source of knowledge, stamina, spirituality and health. There are several asanas or poses in yoga, one of them is the dog and cat poses.

How To Do The Dog & Cat Pose

This Yoga begins on your hands and knees. So get down on your knees and hands like a toddler.

Set your legs apart and put your hands just in front of your shoulders.

Start inhaling deeply.

As you inhale deeply, incline your tailbone and pelvis upsides.

Try your best to let your spine curve go downward as much as you can. Simultaneously check out that your stomach is low.

Now gradually lift your head up and smoothly stretch out your body.

Hold on this dog position for few seconds.

Now gradually exhale your heart out, simultaneously reversing the spinal bend, slanting your pelvis downwards, stretching your spine upwards

Gradually draw your chest and stomach in.

Hold on this cat position for few seconds.

Reverse again and again.

Benefits Of The Dog & Cat Pose

This Yoga increases the flexibility of spine.

It also helps in removing the stiffness of shoulder and neck.

It helps in achieving right posture for the body.

It also aids smooth functioning of digestive tract.

It helps in contracting the bulging tummy flab.

It is also beneficial in managing stress.

How Not To Do The Dog And Cat Pose

Curve your spine in the right manner. Never let it slant or bent in the wrong direction.

Stretch the entire back and shoulder properly and pay heed on tucking your tummy in. Never ever leave your back half stretched and tummy sagging.

Do not inhale or exhale at a go. Gradually intake and exhale air.

Never exert yourself, do the entire yoga at your own pace.

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Janu Shirshasana

The term Janu Shirshasana has been derived from the Sanskrit words 'Janu', meaning 'knee', and 'Shirash', meaning 'head'. As the name suggests, the asana focuses on the two body parts. As you perform Janu Shirshasana, one of the legs is folded at the knee, while the other one is stretched out at the front. As for the head, it rests on the knee of the stretched leg. One of the most important asanas (postures) of yoga, Janu Shirshasana is mainly aimed at helping the body stretch properly. Apart from enhancing the flexibility of the body, the asana helps open up the back as well as the hamstrings.

Instructions

Sit on the floor, with both the legs extended in the front.

Now, bend one of the legs, at the knee, bringing the heel of the foot as close to your groin
as possible.

Keeping your back straight, turn your body slightly, in such a way that you face out over the leg extended in front of you.

Start breathing in, while raising your arms above your head, at the same time.

As you start exhaling, start moving your torso forward, slowly and gradually. Again, make sure to keep your back straight

Try to lift your tailbone and roll forward on your sitz bones, making sure not to bend at the hips.

Extend and straighten up your spine, all the while breathing in.

Now, begin exhaling and roll forward slowly. At this point of time, using thigh muscles will help your move a bit faster.

Move forward to the extent that you feel comfortable and then, lower your arms and hold your foot with both the hands.

Stay in the position for 2 to 5 minutes, depending upon your capability and comfort.

Now, start pulling yourself back, while exhaling all the time.

Slowly come back to the original position, straighten up and repeat the asana with the other leg.

Tips

While performing the asana, you may place a pillow under the bent knee, for comfort.

Throughout the asana, try to keep your spine as straight as it is possible for you.

In case you are a beginner, you can make use of your hands for the purpose of placing the soles closer to the perineum.

Those who are not able to touch their knee with their head can start lowering the torso, gradually, every time they exhale.

Benefits

One of the most noticeable benefits of Janu Shirshasana is that it helps make the back as well as the hamstring quite flexible.

Those who are suffering from kidney problems will find this asana to be very beneficial.

It has been seen that Janu Shirshasana helps stimulates the liver and the spleen.

Practicing the asana, on a regular basis, will prove beneficial for those who suffer from constipation and indigestion.

For all those who are experiencing enlargement of the prostrate glands, Janu Shirshasana can provide relief.

The asana is believed to contribute towards the strengthening of shoulders, legs and knees.

Janu Shirshasana not only helps provide relief from joints pain, but is also beneficial for the people affected by obesity. In fact, it is especially helpful in reducing flab from the stomach and hips.

Caution

While performing the asana, make sure not to overstretch your muscles.

The asana should not be performed by those who are suffering from chronic or recent neck, back problem, high BP or heart problem.

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Savasana

Savasana is the name used to describe the posture that is generally performed at the end of a yoga session. The main aim behind this asana is to provide relaxation to the body after a strenuous session and help it cool down. Apart from that, the asana is also used, in general, to help a person relieve stress, pressure and anxiety. It can even help calm down the mind, to quite an extent. It has been seen that most of the people drift off to sleep while doing Savasana and fail to attain the 'conscious' part of the posture.

Instructions

First of all, you need to sit in the Dandasana. Sit flat on the ground, with your back straight and your legs stretched out in the front.

Bend you knees lightly and then gradually lean back onto your elbows, in the process lying down evenly along your spine.

When your back is parallel to the floor, straighten out the legs as well. Moving one of the legs at a time, carefully place them on the floor. Try to place your legs the center of the back of the thighs and calves.

Start to relax slowly, first letting your feet fall out to the sides and then, turning your arms outwards. Rest the arms, on your sides, in such a way that the palms face up.

Stretch the back of your neck and try to rest your head on the center of the back of the scull.

Now, draw your shoulders away from your ears and let them fall back in a comfortable position.

Close your eyes and take several deep breaths, feeling your body become relaxed and the tension go away.

Let go of your body completely and allow your breath to become soft, regular and quiet.

Aiming at one of the parts of your body, let it begin to relax and then move to the other parts.

At the end of the asana, stop relaxing consciously and let you body remain in the peaceful mode, for a few minutes.

Tip

While performing the Savasana, you need to concentrate on the specific body part that you want to relax. Imagine that the muscles as well as the skin of the part slowly relaxing and the stress easing away from them.

When you are doing the asana, if you find yourself getting drowsy at any point of time, increase the rate and depth of your breathing. It will help you overcome the state of drowsiness.

Benefits

One of the most important benefits of the Savasana is that it helps refresh as well as rejuvenate the body as well as the mind of a person.

Savasana is the perfect asana for those who are feeling too much pressure in their life and need to calm their mind.

All those who are prone to anxiety will find the asana to be quite beneficial.

After doing the asana, you will not only feel to have gained a new energy, but also achieve perfect harmony between the mind and the body.

It has been observed that Savasana helps stimulates blood circulation and also exercises inner organs.

The asana is beneficial for people suffering from nervousness, neurasthenia (a general worn-out feeling), asthma, constipation, diabetes, indigestion, insomnia and lumbago.

Practicing Savasana regularly can help a person improve his focus and concentration power.

Caution

Never ever perform this asana under glaring light.

Make sure the surface, on which you are lying down, is firm and flat.

Resist the urge to yawn at any stage of the asana.

At any point of time while performing the asana, do not keep your hands under your head or on your chest.

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Sethu Bandhasana

The term Sethu Bandhasana has been derived from the words 'Sethu', whch means bridge, and 'Bandha', which means lock. It literally means 'constructing a bridge' and mainly comprises of building a sort-of 'bridge' with the body, mostly making use of hips and legs. Sethu Bandhasana is mainly meant to help the body relax and get rid of stress. The yoga asana also helps strengthens the muscles of the buttocks, apart from the back and hamstrings and is great for invigorating and refreshing tired legs. It even stimulates the thyroid gland and the lungs, if practiced on a regular basis.

Instructions

First of all, you need to lie down on your back, on a smooth and firm surface, mostly the floor.

Now, bend both the knees, while placing your feet flat on, and parallel to, the floor.

Keep your legs and feet hip-width apart and parallel to each other.

Your arms need to go to the side of your body. Keep your palms facing downward and have your fingertips lightly touch the heels.

The arms should be placed down in such a way that area between the shoulder blades lifts from the ground gently.

As you inhale, put down pressure into your arms and shoulders, thrusting with your feet, so as to life your chest fully, raising the spine upwards.

Now, take a couple of slow and deep breaths and hold the position for 5 to 7 breaths.

Exhaling your breath, return to the original position and gradually, roll the spine back to the floor.

Tip

While performing the Sethu Bandhasana, make sure not to clench your buttocks, rather move your knees away from you and press down into your heels, to bring the spine upwards.

Benefits

The bridge pose that you attain as a part of the Sethu Bandhasana has been know to help build core as well as the lower body strength.

The pose can help a person open the front of the thighs and hips very easily, bridging flexibility.

The bridge pose is believed to invigorate as well as fuel the nervous system and endocrine system.

On attaining the pose perfectly, a person experiences the tension ebbing away from his shoulders and the lower back.

Apart from increasing the elasticity of the body, the bridge pose helps strengthen the abdominal muscles.

In case you are suffering from headaches, backache insomnia, fatigue, or anxiety, you will find the asana to be very beneficial.

Sethu Bandhasana is very good for those who have the problem of high BP, sinusitis, asthma and osteoporosis.

Caution

Sethu Bandhasana is meant to be performed in combination with proper teaching from a qualified Yoga teacher. So, please do not try this asana at home, on your own.

Sethu Bandhasana should not be performed by those who have undergone knee or neck injury. It is also not recommended for pregnant women.

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Sukhasana

Sukhasana, also termed as the 'easy pose', is one of the simplest postures of yoga. For undertaking this posture, a person is required to sit cross-legged on the floor, in a certain position. Throughout the asana, you need to concentrate on your breathing and let your body relax completely. Sukhasana can provide the best start to yoga beginners and can also be practiced by those who cannot do siddhasana, padmasana and other difficult postures. You can also use it to attain relaxation between two complex postures.

Instructions

Sit down on a flat and smooth surface, preferably the ground.

Stretch both the legs in front of you.

Keep your hands on the side, making sure to have the palms resting on the ground. Fingers should be together and point forward.

First fold the left leg slightly, at the knee, followed by the right leg.

Now, join the soles of the both the feet and hold the legs at ankle by the hands.

Moving slowly, start bringing the legs towards yourself. Continue doing so till the time the legs reach under the perineum.

At this point of time, your knees should remain on the ground, while your body should be erect and your gaze directly in the front.

Keep your hands on your knees, in gyana mudra (you have to hold the index finger against tip of thumb, having the other three fingers straight).

Hold the position for 4-5 minutes.

Now, gradually loosen your legs and come back to the original position.

Tips

Whenever your practice the asana, especially in the initial days, you will feel a slight stretch
under the thighs. It is perfectly normal. However, if you experience any pain, discontinue it and refer to your yoga teacher.

Benefits

Sukhasana is believed to aid tuneful, but controlled stimulation of the erotic processes as well as the creative imagination of a person.

Indulging in the asana, after you have undergone a stressful and tiring day, will help you get over the exhaustion and make you feel refreshed.

In case you are stressed out mentally, either from too much work or too monotonous work, practicing Sukhasana will provide you with mental peace and calm.

The asana has been found to be very beneficial for strengthening the lumbar region of the body.

Practicing Sukhasana will help you achieve a state of composure and harmony, by eliminating all the unnecessary anxiety.

Throughout the posture, the backbone remains in the ideal position, making the asana beneficial for those who are suffering from back pain.

Sukhasana is one of the simplest postures in yoga and can be undertaken by almost anyone, with hardly a few exceptions.

The asana helps makes the waist and lower region of a person quite flexible.

Caution

Sukhasana should not be undertaken by those people who have had a recent, or suffer from chronic, knee or hip injury or inflammation.

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Tadasana

Tadasana, with 'tada' meaning 'mountain', is regarded as one of the most beneficial postures in yoga. Though it seems to be quite simple, a person has to undergo lots of practice to attain the perfect tadasana posture. The asana is believed to provide not only physical, but mental benefits as well. It helps a person improve his posture and also promotes confidence as well as happiness. A basic yoga posture, Tadasana can also be used as the starting point for other asanas that are performed in a standing position.

Instructions

Stand on a firm ground, with your legs and feet joined together.

Keep your hands at your sides and look in the front.

Now, balancing yourself on the heels, raise your toes and hold it for 5-10 seconds.

Bring the toes back on the ground and move forward your pubic bone, just a bit.

Lift your chest up and out, in moderation.

Next, you need to raise up your head.

Lift the base of your skull, towards the ceiling, lengthening your neck in the process.

Putting pressure on your toes, lift your legs up, first the calves and then your thighs.

Keeping your breath steady, remain in the position for 1-2 minutes.

As you inhale, feel the breath is coming up through the floor and going into your legs,
followed by stomach and up to the head.

While exhaling, feel your breath going down, right from the head to the stomach and into your feet.

Now, come back to the original position slowly and repeat the process.

In the next repetition, along with your legs, raise up your arms as well, stretching them and taking them over your head.

Again repeat the inhaling and exhaling exercise and in the latter one, put down your arms as well.

Tip

Always make sure to create a rhythm between the flow of your breathing and the raising and lowering of your arms.

Benefits

The most important and the most basic benefit of Tadasana is that it helps improve the posture of the body.

If it is the flexibility of ankles, knees or hip joints that you want, then this asana will serve your needs perfectly.

Tadasana has been know to helps strengthen the oblique muscles of the person, preventing hernia in the process.

Practicing the asana on a regular basis will help impart suppleness to your spine.

Tadasana not only helps improve your balance, but is also good for those who want to increase their height.

In case you are suffering from visceroptosis or pain in the backbone, this asana will prove to be beneficial.

Tadasana helps improve the respiration and digestion of a person, along with promoting proper elimination of waste.

This asana helps a person gain proper control over his muscular movement.

Indulging in Tadasana, on a regular basis, strengthens the entire nervous system of the body.

Caution

Tadasana should not be performed by those who have complaints of a reeling sensation.

All those who are prone to low blood pressure or are suffering from headache should not perform the asana.

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Trikonasana

The term Trikonasana has been derived from the words 'trikona', which means triangle, and 'asana', which means posture. In other words, in the asana, your body is stretched in such a way that a triangle-like shape is formed. As your perform the Trikonasana, your entire body weight comes to rest on the calves of the bent legs, along with the muscles of the hand that is resting on the floor, strengthening both of them in turn. Other than that, a number of muscles are stretched well, which results in an improvement in their functioning. The asana also improves balance and concentration.

Instructions

Stand straight on a flat and firm ground.

Stretch your legs outwards, maintaining a distance of 2½ feet.

Now, move your left foot outwards, at an angel of about 90 degrees.

Bring the right foot inwards, at an angel of about 45 degrees.

Start inhaling and raise your arms till the time they are parallel to the ground.

Now, as your start exhaling, turn your head towards the left.

Focus your gaze down your left arm, towards the stretched out fingers and ensure that your
left knee is in alignment with the left ankle.

Take a deep breath and start stretching your body towards the left side, lowering the left hip and raising the right one, as far as you feel comfortable.

Now, spin around your arms. You need to let your left hand go down, coming to rest on the
floor, along with left foot. As for the right hand, it should be pointing straight up.

Turn around in a way that your gaze focuses on the right hand.

Stay in the position for 1-2 minutes, while taking deep breaths.

Exhale once more and slowly start lowering your arms.

Bring your hands to rest on your hips.

Now, turning on your heels, bring your feet in front, once again.

Repeat the asana with the right leg.

Tips

Throughout the asana, make sure to keep your lower back completely straight.

Whenever you twist your body while performing the asana, ensure that you do not twist along the hips as well.

Benefits

Trikonasana has been known to help strengthen the legs as well as the back of a person.

While doing this asana, you stretch the groins, hamstrings and hips, thereby increasing their flexibility.

Trikonasana helps open up the chest and shoulders of a person and also increases the lateral flexibility of the spine.

Performing this asana on a regular is believed to help strengthen and stimulate the kidneys as well as the abdominal region.

Trikonasana, since it develops the muscles along the spine and strengthens neck muscles, alleviates backaches and neck pain.

Indulging in this asana, on a regular basis, goes a long way in removing fat from the waist and thighs.

Trikonasana is especially beneficial for those who are suffering from constipation and indigestion.

This asana helps stimulate appetite and also brings relief from stiffness in the legs and hips

Caution

You should not perform this asana if you are suffering from back or spinal injuries.

In case you are afflicted by low pressure, headache or diarrhea, this asana is not for you.

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Uttanasana

The term Uttanasana has been derived from three words - 'Ut, which means 'intense', 'Tan, which means to stretch and extend, and 'asana', which means posture. In short, it is yoga posture that involves intense stretching of the body muscles. One of the postures of hatha yoga, Uttanasana enjoys immense popularity in the present times, one of the reasons why so many of its variations have been evolved. In this asana, you are required to start from the Tadasana pose and then hinge forward, bending at the hips and letting the head hang. Apart from stretching the legs and spine, Uttanasana is believed to calm down the mind as well as the body.

Instructions

First of all, you need to stand in the Tadasana posture (mountain pose).

Now, start inhaling and raise your arms, taking them over your head.

As you exhale, start bending your hips.

Bring your arms forward and then take them down, along with the torso, so they are
touching the floor.

Now, take your hands behind your legs and join them together.

Remain in the position for 7-8 breaths.

Now, bring your hands in the front and start twisting your torso upwards, pulling yourself.

Keep your head hanging down till you are completely straight.

Repeat the procedure 4-5 times.

Tips

While performing Uttanasana, make sure that you do not put much pressure on any one body part. If you encounter great difficulty in bending your torso with the knees straight, bend them a bit.

Instead of locking your hands behind the legs, you can use them to hold the ankles or even leave them on the floor, while doing the asana.

Benefits

Uttanasana helps provide a complete stretching exercise to the entire back side of your body.

It has been observed that this asana helps rejuvenate the spinal nerves of a person and also
tones the kidneys, liver, and spleen.

Those suffering from depression would find Uttanasana to be quite helpful, as it helps make the mind peaceful and calm.

Practicing this asana helps improve the flexibility of various body parts, including the spine, hips, sciatic nerves, tendons and ligaments of legs.

By soothing the brain cells, Uttanasana helps revitalize and invigorate the nervous system.

This asana has proved to be beneficial for people suffering from anxiety. It also improves eyesight and hearing.

Uttanasana improves blood circulation in the legs and also increases the suppleness of the hamstrings.

This asana provides nourishment to the facial skin, scalp, and even the hair roots.

Caution

In case you suffer from back pain or suffer from the problem of varicose veins, Uttanasana is not meant for you.

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Virabhadrasana Pose

The word Virabhadrasana is a conjunction of two words Virabhadra and Asana which literally means the posture of a warrior. Virbhadrasana, as the name suggests is very similar to the position that a warrior holds. It is basically particularly compelling asana, full of emblematic and vigorous physical power. The entire Virabhadrasana is performed in three stages - Virabhadrasana I, Virabhadrasana II and Virabhadrasana III. The entire asana is meant to increase the strength, courage, endurance and confidence of the performer.

Instructions

Stand straight and balance your body weight on both your legs properly.

Now, give mountain pose to both your feet together and hands at the side.

Try keep your feet your feet 4 feet apart. Balance your body properly

Now turn your right foot about 45 degrees to the left. Hold on this position.

Then try to rotate your left foot 90 degrees to the left, so that it is positioned directly to the side.

Now try to bend your left knee until your thigh becomes parallel to the ground

Make sure you keep your knee either behind or directly over the ankle. Hold and balance yourself at this posture.

Now gradually raise your arms over your head

After you have both your hands straight upwards, gradually pull down your left arm and bring it parallel to the ears and pointing ahead.

Make sure while your left hand is pointing forward, your right hand takes a posture aiming back.

Now develop your focus on a particular point in front of you and breathe gradually.

Take approximately 5 deep breaths at this position.

Gradually bring your hands and legs to the normal position.

Repeat few times.

Tips

Balancing your body in a proper way is one of the most important aspects of Virabhadrasana.

Do not over exert yourself, gradually perform the steps and complete one motion before
switching to the other.

Do not slant your body at unusual angles while doing the Virabhadrasana.

Keep your breathing in control and inhale and exhale gradually.

Benefits

Virabhadrasana brings flexibility to the entire body.

It helps in strengthening the lower torso and stimulates abdominal organs.

It also teaches your body balancing and coordination of body parts.

It also improves circulation and respiration process in the body.

Virabhadrasana is also good for improving concentration.

It also improves posture and energizes the entire body.

It is beneficial in carpal tunnel syndrome, flat feet, infertility, osteoporosis, and sciatica.

Virabhadrasana is known to increase stamina.

Caution

Avoid Virabhadrasana if you had a recent or chronic injury to the hips, knees, back or shoulders.

Patients of hypertension should also not perform this Asana.

Do not perform Virabhadrasana if you are suffering from diarrhea.

People with spondylitis and slip disc should also not perform Virabhadrasana.

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Yoga Benefits

The benefits of Yoga are numerous. In terms of energy Yoga is like a universe in itself. Some of the important Yoga benefits include anti-ageing, balance and flexibility of body, increase in knowledge and wealth, improvement in mental health and development of personal and social values. This is not the end of story; Yoga also helps in improving strength, sexual life and reducing weight. Yoga makes you feel good. Yoga is relaxing. It's energizing. It's strengthening.

Healing benefits of Yoga are so great that you feel better at the end of every Yoga session than before you began and life runs effortlessly when you keep up a steady discipline than when you don't. Yoga enhances your understanding of life. Yoga changes an individual's perspective about life. After coming in the fold of Yoga a person finds himself taking up a broader view of life. Yoga helps a person to know who he is, how life works, who is God and so on. One starts looking at things differently, with less confusion. It helps in more peace of mind, better health, more keenness for life, and an ever-growing sense of internal well-being.

As one practices Yoga, positive effects of Yoga begin to show. The sense of feeling good envelops around the individual. This feeling is so natural and so genuine that it goes entirely in an individual's life. In this way it helps clarify deepest cravings, motivations and aspirations, thereby restoring confidence, hope, meaning and rationale to life. We all like feeling good, peace of mind, being joyful, peaceful, animated and calm. There can't be two opinions about this. But the sad part is that most of us know that we are not feeling as good as we should.

The driving force of yoga is aimed at the monumental, life-changing discovery of who and what you actually are. This is precisely how yoga works, how it makes you feel good. Yoga helps you experience the truth. The truth- which, you discover is goodness. The implications of knowing the truth is massive. Thus Yoga gives you the strength to unravel the truth with which you will begin to live with security, confidence and inner psychological peace. Such great are the benefits and properties of Yoga. Yoga changes your life.

Anti Aging
In the present times, very few people retain their strength and vitality till the middle age. More and more people we come across look much older than they actually are.

Balance
Most of us suffer from problems of asymmetry and imbalance. The irregularity and imbalance create a lot of stress and strain in our body. At times, it also leads to injury, pain, or just simple discomfort.

Flexibility
What comes to your mind when you think of Yoga? Stretching, isn't it? Half of you must have run away from the yoga, with the thought that your body is unfit, too old or maybe too inflexible to perform Yoga.

Personal Values
With an ever-increasing cut throat competition in the present times, personal values seem to be inexistent. People are so engrossed in attaining material success that they fail to realize the host of inappropriate values and principles that have made home in both the mind and heart.

Love
Yoga can play a definitive role in fine-tuning our love life. Our emotional well-being depends on how we interpret various events of life and react to them. In other words, feelings and emotions manifest in one form or the other in our body and life.

Mental Health
Yoga has tremendous positive effect on our mental health. Before moving ahead to describe the benefits Yoga bring, let us define what mental health is.

Social Values
Yoga and social values are two sides of the same coin and go side by side. Social values are a set of philosophy that an individual carries throughout his life.

Strength
Yoga is a like a blessing for those who love to have fit body. It is extremely beneficial in strength and endurance building. Sages and saints from centuries in India have performed this miraculous art to achieve a stress free temper and disease free body.

Yoga & Beauty
Yoga is the art of meditation aimed at training a human soul the consciousness for a state of perfect spiritual insight and tranquility. It is basically achieved through the three paths- the path of actions, knowledge and devotion.

Yoga Healing
Yoga is an ancient art of meditation in India. It is considered that a regular practice of Yoga is very beneficial for achieving healthy body and sound mind.

Yoga & Knowledge
Yoga is an ancient art that focuses on the spiritual enlightenment and physical fitness of a human being. This art has derived its principles from the 'Patanjali Shastra' and focuses on the concept of healthy being and healthy living.

Weight Reduction
Yoga is an effective way to gain and maintain a healthy body. This ancient Indian meditation art is a great way to get rid of extra flab from the body.

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Anti-Ageing Benefits of Yoga

In the present times, very few people retain their strength and vitality till the middle age. More and more people we come across look much older than they actually are. Talking about aging, there are several factors that leads to ageing (apart from age) - misuse of the body, over-exaggeration of the mind, non-nutritious foods, poor posture while working, sedentary lifestyle, and so on. However, you would be happy to know that our body has the unique ability to renew or regenerate at the cellular level. The best way to attain this would be by practicing yoga regularly.

Benefits Of Yoga In Anti Ageing

Practicing Yoga = Fit Body = Active Mind = Glowing Skin = Anti Ageing

Yoga acts positively in maintaining the health of the human body. One of the most prominent benefits of Yoga is the ability to be young once again. Apart from revitalizing the mind, Yoga rejuvenates the body as well. People, who constantly practice Yoga, have found immense benefits from it and feel better than what they felt in their younger years. There is a very famous concept in Yoga philosophy. According to it, a person's age is determined by the flexibility of his spine, not the number of years he has lived.

Yoga helps in slowing down the aging process, by providing elasticity to the spine, firming up the skin, removing tension from the body, strengthening the abdominal muscles, eliminating the likelihood of a double chin, improving the quality of loose arm muscles, correcting poor posture and so on. Thus, of the numerous benefits of Yoga, anti-ageing is an important one. All you need is patience (remember, there is no one day benefit policy!!) and the determination (you need to be strong willed to practice everyday) to practice Yoga.

Yoga increases the mental competence in a person, making him/her feel younger. It possesses the power to fight the internal as well as the external diseases and dangers. This is the key to help an individual to live longer. There are various types of Yoga, of which Hatha Yoga basically aims at making people live long. Some of the anti-ageing properties of Yoga are long life, increased resistance to diseases, increased vitality, and rejuvenation of glands, looking young, improvement in vision and hearing and many other mental and emotional benefits.

Remember, there is no magic potion that can extend the longevity of life. If there is any key to longer healthy life, it has to be Yoga. One can successfully extend the period of life by constantly following Yogic practices. Even the tiniest detailing of ageing, such as gray hair can be dealt with Yoga. By practicing inverted Yoga postures, you can turn back gray hair to its natural color. These practices also delay the onset of gray hair, thereby making a person look younger. Even people with the inability to get up on their own, can enjoy replenished flexibility and freedom from joint pain, by practicing Yoga.

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Balance & Yoga

Most of us suffer from problems of asymmetry and imbalance. The irregularity and imbalance create a lot of stress and strain in our body. At times, it also leads to injury, pain, or just simple discomfort. If you are also one amongst the sufferers, do not worry. Just turn to Yoga. Yoga creates symmetry throughout your body, making you stronger, flexible and balanced. It also draws a balance between the mental urge to push, control and be assertive, with the impulse to yield, submit and be passive. Practicing the various asans, concentrating and meditation improves the overall being of an individual.

Benefits Of Yoga
Improvement in balance is one of the major benefits of Yoga. Improved balance is referred not only to the sharp physical coordination, but also to the balance between the left and right, front and back and high and low aspects of one's body. As far as balance of the body is concerned, hardly few of us have proper balance. We may be stronger on one side, but definitely fall short of strength when it comes to the other side. The same is also seen, while turning or twisting the head. Whilst we can easily twist or turn on one side, the other is always a problem. Also, though most of can bend forward with ease, bending backwards is a big problem.

Yoga helps us attain hormonal balance, by producing a nice positive charge. This is important from the female point of view, especially for pre-menopausal and menopausal women, who want to find ways to balance their hormones naturally. To attain good balance, you need not be physically strong, but also have the mental agility to focus on your posture. There are a number of asanas that aim at achieving balance in the body. One of them is 'Tadasana' or mountain pose, which requires you to stand straight with your legs slightly apart and eyes closed. It would help you realize, which side of your body is more powerful and where do you tend to concentrate your weight on.

After performing 'Tadasana', you can perform the one-legged stand. This is generally done to achieve center balance. The longer the duration of the pose, the better are the chances of improving balance. Another effective asan is the 'Vrksasana' or tree pose. It strengthens the leg and calf muscles, making it easier to balance the body. 'Matsyasana' or fish pose asan is also beneficial for postural alignment. In this particular asan, you lie down on your back forming an arching. This helps in the curvature of your spine, making it more flexible and longer. However, before performing any of the asan mentioned above, you should learn the proper techniques from a trained instructor. Remember, proper Yoga practice ensures not only physical balance, but also emotional and spiritual balance.

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Flexibility & Yoga

What comes to your mind when you think of Yoga? Stretching, isn't it? Half of you must have run away from the yoga, with the thought that your body is unfit, too old or maybe too inflexible to perform Yoga. However, you will be surprised to know that age plays little or no role in improving flexibility. You can enhance the flexibility of your body at any time. The asanas or yoga poses safely stretch the muscles, thereby releasing the lactic acid that builds up with use. This results in the release of stiffness, tension, pain, and fatigue from the muscles.

Benefits Of Yoga
Yoga and flexibility go hand in hand. It increases the range of motion in joints and also the lubrication in the joints. The result is enhanced fluidity throughout your body and a sense of ease and comfort. Apart from stretching the muscles, it also stretches the ligaments, tendons and the fascia sheath that surrounds the muscles. The best part of yoga is that it acts on those joints as well, that were never really moved, leave alone exercising. It helps get rid of muscle soreness and promotes faster recovery. Instead of feeling weary or tired out after performing yogic asanas, a person feels much relaxed and enthusiastic.

Constant practice of Yoga will result in enhanced flexibility. A body part, which was rigid at the beginning of learning Yoga, would experience a remarkable flexibility in all parts, with regular practice. If done in a correct form, Yogic stretching helps develop the entire body. With stretching, the body develops a sense of harmony and balance. Also, with increased flexibility many tensions and conflicts are erased on their own. The more flexible a body, the better it is for that individual as it saves the body from unnecessary torture and pain.

The pain and stress we feel while stretching are nothing, but blocked, jammed, misplaced and misused energy. Increased flexibility opens these energy blockages and releases the energy circulation. Know for sure that neglect is the root cause of all pains. Problems of toothaches, backaches and headaches are all symptoms of such neglect or abuse. These need to dealt with rather than ignored.

Remember, the healthier you are, the less concerned you will be with your body, the liberated will be your mind to rediscover itself. At first, yoga makes you more sensitive and more conscious of your body; otherwise, due to neglect, misuse and abuse. However, once you take the first step, of caring for the body, your awareness as a whole also increases. Our body is just like an instrument, which keeps us worried, when not running properly. Yoga has that power to set right, every wrong which confronts our body. Thus, Yoga helps in making the body more flexible and athletic.

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Yoga & Personal Values

With an ever-increasing cut throat competition in the present times, personal values seem to be inexistent. People are so engrossed in attaining material success that they fail to realize the host of inappropriate values and principles that have made home in both the mind and heart. Right from frustration, to persecution, to insecurity, we all seem to nurture a variety of ills in our day-to-day living. Thinking bad about a person, wishing evil for someone or even doing something wrong are activities everyone indulges in, at one point of time in their life or the other. When we witness such situation, the first question that comes to mind is - where are the personal values of a person?

Personal Values
Personal values are those values, which an individual develops and lives by all through his/her life. They define the character of the person and develop his/her personality. Remember, your personality is the way people see you. However, coming back to the present scenario, it seems like no one today is bothered about how they conduct themselves or what do they live by? Changing one's lifestyle is the best way to deal with the situation and the one of the preeminent ways to achieve it would be to introduce Yoga in out day to day lives. The benefits of yoga, in terms of renewing our personal values, have been proven time and again.

Benefits Of Yoga
Yoga plays a vital role in reviving the true spirit of living. It helps in developing and attaining personal values, by reducing a variety of mental ills. Yoga enhances the personal values in individuals by avoiding the element of fear from our lives. It is our constant fear, some valid while others purely imaginary, that makes us succumbs to the wrong side. However, by practicing yoga on a daily basis, we gain a control of our mind, which results in control of the thoughts and the actions as well. Yoga controls the emotional aspect of a person, with the help of mental exercises, thus helping an individual achieve Santosh or contentment.

The other aspect of Yoga is that it makes an individual accept faith in life. It effectively replaces pessimism and the varieties such as cynicism and suspicion with an appreciation of life. Through Yoga, a person achieves a willingness to be at peace with himself and the world, and thus attains poise, serenity, contentment, patience and assurance. However, one should understand that Yoga is a continuing process and a life long thing, not just something you do for a while and stop. It would help a person gain an agile life and not just momentary mental agility. Remember, values are like lighthouse - you can either use it to guide you, or go against it and allow yourself to be smashed by the rocks!!

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Yoga & Love

Yoga can play a definitive role in fine-tuning our love life. Our emotional well-being depends on how we interpret various events of life and react to them. In other words, feelings and emotions manifest in one form or the other in our body and life. If you have better inner feelings, nice thoughts will automatically come to your mind. And these will translate into romantic actions. Herein lies the importance of Yoga which could make you more effective in expression of love. So practice Yoga and feel the free flow of love.

Sensuality
Yoga enhances the power to feel sensual pleasures. It creates an awareness of your body and helps you feel moments in better way. You learn to feel and adjust to the smallest sensations during yoga practice. It teaches you to savor all the sensation in your body. This sensual awareness benefits you in your daily life and even accompanies in those private moments. Sensual awareness takes your mind away from the thoughts which worry you, thus helping you enjoying your love life.

Gaining Confidence
Practising Yoga helps one lose extra weight. Feeling fit would help you feel more confident, which could make you more attractive for the persons of opposite sex. A fit person, of course, is liked by everybody, for he can usually do thins in a better way than the people who are benefit.

Lessening Tiredness
Yoga makes you feel energetic. So you are in better position to feel the stirrings of arousal. Feeling too tired after returning from office makes you less inclined towards love life. Yoga practices greatly improve sleep quality for chronic insomniacs. It is an exercise which connects the dots of love, and helps bonds to develop.

Improving Intimacy
When you are better physically, you are more aware of the happening around you. You are better equipped to reciprocate the advances of your partner. This automatically translates into better love life. Your emotional awareness gets transported to your inner room. You become more connected and sensitive to your partners.

Stimulation of Life
Yoga stimulates people mentally, emotionally and spiritually, as well as physically. This state increases their sense of self worth, and lessens ways of abusing bodies, like overeating, smoking and drinking. This again results in better physical and mental state, and the cycle begins.

Fall in Love with Yourselves
Thanks to Yoga, you are more aware of your body, which makes you fall in love with yourselves. This helps you get rid of negative things in life like negative self talk, draining relationship, careers without passion and purpose, tension in body, stress in the mind, and unhealthy habits and addictions. This results in better love life with the partner too.

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Yoga & Mental Health

Yoga has tremendous positive effect on our mental health. Before moving ahead to describe the benefits Yoga bring, let us define what mental health is. Mental health is human ability to face and solve problems and select the correct alternative that results in happiness of mind. Theoretical and philosophical aspects of yoga endow one an impartial and healthy outlook towards life.

Tackling Anxiety
Anxiety has become any omnipresent mental problem in today's world. Severe anxiety could lead to health-related problems like palpitations, fatigue, nausea, difficulty in breathing, restlessness, and even head and chest pains. Yoga asanas aid in healing the problem after treatments like psychotherapy and some anti-anxiety medication. Yoga helps one develop a stronger state of mind, thus overcoming fears and preventing the dangers of anxiety. Asanas assisting nervous system should be practiced in this stage. Thanks to Yoga, one can gain better self-awareness and cultivate focus of the mind.

Tackling Depression
Depression is continuous stage of mental sadness. Though simple depression can be treated easily, major depression lasts for a longer time, and is dangerous. It could have serious symptoms like being fatigued physically and mentally, change in appetite, feeling of intense fear or melancholy, irritability, loss of interest in usual activities, changes in sleeping patterns, feelings of guilt and hopelessness, hallucinations, and recurring thoughts of suicide or death. Yoga is handy in curing one of this problem. You can practice Yoga as a supplement to the treatment. It helps reduce stress and creates a peaceful state of mind.

Yoga Exercise
Psychologists recognise that moderate exercise is good for depression and anxiety. Yoga practice provides one with such exercise. Yoga postures are developed to promote physical strength, flexibility and balance. Any Yoga posture has cardio/heart benefits associated with it. Heart rate is frequently up while performing these postures. Between various yoga postures, you also get rest periods. So practicing Yoga postures becomes much easier than doing conventional exercise.

Role of Yogic Philosophy
Practising yoga changes our perceptions of the world. It alters our attitude towards the achievable goals and approach towards success and failures. Yoga philosophy teaches us not to be depressed in frustrations. Several Yogic theories are important in this regard.

Role of Niyamas and Yamas
Niyamas and yamas help establish adequate personal adjustment and social adjustment, thus reducing to a large extent the effect of depression. By systematically practicing Yoga, one can imbibe in oneself the yogic values like curbing ego and desires in equality. Yogic exercises divert one's attention from frustrating experiences. Yoga has several methods of tackling mental disorders. Yamas and Niyamas provide the person a basic discipline for his overall adjustment with his environment. Asanas and Pranayamas change positively his emotional make-up. Thanks to Yogic ways, one can develop soud approach towards life.

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Yoga & Social Values

Yoga and social values are two sides of the same coin and go side by side. Social values are a set of philosophy that an individual carries throughout his life. Yoga possesses great power to build those values that go a long way in making a person complete. With the help of Yoga, you can tackle any tricky situations that you may face in your daily life. The biggest virtue of Yoga is that the individual is in full command of his own. He is in love with himself as well as others. He is admired by every one for his social values and positive behavior which comes from yoga.

Development Of Social Norms
We all have a wish to be good & admirable, but it is not easy at all. Sometimes we become so obstinate, demanding and imperative that it is hard to get along with the words like good or admirable. If an individual is able to fight these irritants, he can become less difficult to deal with. Yoga can be really helpful in this regard. The social effects of person's changed behavior upon colleagues, clients, superiors, inferiors, public officers and service specialists could be awesome. Thus, the universally accepted social norms of society can be developed in an individual with the help of Yoga.

Change In Personality
Person becomes easier to deal with and even others want to be like him. With these positive qualities, one becomes more admired and desirable individual. When you change your attitude, others also tend to change and respond in the same vein. Yoga accelerates the sense of duty in us and also makes us responsible human beings. Hatha Yoga has such a strong power that after some weeks of practice, everyone notices a change in practitioner's attitude and behavior. In fact the practitioner fails to recognize himself as the change is so big & fast.

Get Spiritual Knowledge
Along with realizing his own self, Yoga helps an individual to understand the issues around him/her. Continuous yoga practice increases self-knowledge of the person. Yoga practices, including breathing and posture exercises, help in attaining and maintaining relaxation, physical and mental health. The person gains spiritual knowledge through Yoga, making his understanding vast about the nature, self and other matters related to society. He is now a more refined and clear-minded individual.

Know Yourself
Person should have awareness of the processes and happenings going around him. But it is not possible, if one does not know himself/herself. Knowing your self at rest, at peace, and as a being, is a legitimate kind of knowledge, but unfortunately it is lost in the desire of fulfilling our worldly needs. The value of discovering one's own self as it is, rather than what it is going to be or should be is a kind of knowledge which is gained through yoga. Your experience of this world will become nicer and life will become easier. Thus, Yoga has the power not only to increase your physical, but also mental attributes.

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Yoga & Strength

Yoga is a like a blessing for those who love to have fit body. It is extremely beneficial in strength and endurance building. Sages and saints from centuries in India have performed this miraculous art to achieve a stress free temper and disease free body. Yoga through its different asana helps in developing a better coordination between different body organs along with your mind and your soul leaving you feel extremely fit and fine. Apart from providing you with vigor and activeness, yoga is also helpful in healing the diseases persisting in your body thus leaving you with more strength and endurance.

Yoga: The Strength Booster
It is human tendency to feel heavy, exhausted, drained and weak after work. At times, it feels like the entire body has been kept in a churner and crushed with vigor. It is then life seems very difficult. To overcome such a feeling, many physical trainers suggest of yoga. It is a very proven fact that Yoga makes one feel strong and light. After a regular practice of yoga for few months one starts feeling twice as stronger than before. Yoga makes an obese person handle his weight with more efficiency than losing out due to pressure of his body weight.

How Does Yoga Help In Improving Strength?
Yoga can tremendously help you in increasing your strength. If one regularly, it can actually help you improve your golgi tendon reflex threshold i.e. your capacity to limit a contraction well short of the point at which your tendons would be hurt. Regular stretching through yoga helps you improve your endurance and enhance your muscles ability to let go more efficiently without collapsing to the response of stretched tendons.

Yoga In Body Coordination
Yoga through its various breathing techniques ensures that the entire body cells get proper oxygen. This process enhances the burning of fat cells and ensures improvement in immunity and activeness. Yoga is also greatly effective in developing endurance of the body by proper coordination of all the body parts and smooth functioning of all the organs. Yoga also helps in toning muscles and providing flexibility to spine. Yoga also improves your emotional quotient and works to improve your mental turbulence. Overall, yoga works as a strength booster not only on physical but also on mental level.

Power Yoga: Yoga To Improve Strength and Endurance
Power yoga is westernized form of vinyasa-style yoga which focuses on a dynamic approach of fitness and exercise. It is generally modeled closely to the Ashtanga style of practice. The entire focus of Power yoga is on developing strength and flexibility. As the power yoga is not based to follow a set series of poses, it may vary from practitioner to practitioner. A simple ten minutes of power yoga daily helps you develop great strength and endurance.

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Yoga for Beauty

Yoga is the art of meditation aimed at training a human soul the consciousness for a state of perfect spiritual insight and tranquility. It is basically achieved through the three paths- the path of actions, knowledge and devotion. Though yoga is always popularly recognized with fitness and health concerns, the art of Yoga hardly untouches anything on earth. Be it health, weight loss, devotion, concentration, spiritual enlightenment, ego-shedding or beauty, yoga is effective in each of them. Many famous personalities in the health and beauty industry swear on the names of yoga. Read on to explore that how yoga can redefine your beauty.

Yoga: The Real Aura Of Beauty
Yoga is a wonderful art that brings a perfect blend of physical strength and gracefulness in your life. Also, the beauty attained through Yoga is not an artificial and temporary achievement like cosmetic surgery and other such means. Yoga helps you lose all the flab in a right manner to the right extent. Apart from this the enlightenment achieved through yoga brings a shine of confidence over one's face. Yoga also acts as a stress buster which is in it self a very wonderful method to avoid ageing. The flexibility attained through Yoga also makes one feel good and thus look good.

How to attain beauty through yoga?

The first and foremost principle of Yoga is that until you do not feel good, you can't look good. Thus yoga through its asana like Sukhasna and Shavasana aims to provide complete relaxation to your body.

Yoga helps you gain physical fitness, helps in the healthy maintenance of mind and body. It also acts in removal of toxins from the body and increases flexibility of your body making you look younger. The Dog and Cat Pose of Yoga is certainly helpful in gaining flexibility and vigor.

Yoga helps improve the efficiency of the immune system. Through regular Pranayams like
Kaplabhati and Anulom- Vilom, you can easily avoid little daily problems of health. Yoga is equally active in thyroid and weight loss leading to perfect shaping of the body and thus making you beautiful.

The perfect oxygen dose which we get through various Yoga Asanas and Mudras also helps in skin glow.

Regular yoga brings contentment in your life which reflects on your face.

Yoga helps you in delaying ageing. A regular yoga practitioner remains young and active for quite longer than others who do not practice yoga.

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Yoga Healing

Yoga is an ancient art of meditation in India. It is considered that a regular practice of Yoga is very beneficial for achieving healthy body and sound mind. Yoga is also quoted to be very beneficial in the treatment of various ailments. Ayurvedic practitioners in India also suggest yoga as a part of their medical treatment. Yoga helps in enhancing your health and sense of well-being. There are several asana suggested in Yoga that actively works upon your body to help you achieve a perfect balance between your body requirements and energy produced. By balancing the hormonal production and organ functioning, yoga helps in healing several diseases. Here is a list…

Yoga has been used for disorders such as:

Acid Stomach -Yoga is very helpful in treating digestive ailments like acidity and indigestion.

Addictions- Several addictions like alcohol and drugs can be overcome with the help of yoga.

Asthma - As yoga focuses on breathing techniques, it is very helpful in treatment of Asthma and other breathing ailments.

Backache - Many Yoga postures focus on right posture and flexibility of spine leading to big relief from Backache.

Bronchitis - Yoga is also a great reliever from allergic bronchitis. It helps in clearance of breathing passages in the respiratory system.

Cancer - Yoga is said to be very beneficial in treatment of many types of cancer. Though it is difficult to prove medically, there are many claimants which support the fact.

Cold - Simple cough and cold can be easily treated through cold. In fact regular practitioners of Pranayams can easily prevent you from regular cold and cough.

Constipation - Various Mudras of Yoga help in relaxation of digestive bowel leading to relief from constipation and other such ailments.

Depression- Yoga is a big reliever from depression. It soothes you anxiety and pacifies your heart.

Diabetes - Though yoga can't completely cure diabetes. It is very helpful in managing insulin in your body.

Eyestrain and Headache - Eyestrain and headaches are common problems suffered by everybody. Yoga has a solution to all this.

Heart Disorders - Yoga is very helpful in relieving hypertension and other heart ailments.

Insomnia - Yoga helps one relieve from tension and anxiety leading to relief from insomnia.

Menstrual disorders- Menstrual disorders are a common problem with almost all the woman. Yoga provides relief to it.

Obesity - Various mudras of Yoga are very important in reducing fat and obesity.

Sexual debility-Yoga has also proven effective in treatment of Sexual debility and several related diseases.

Points to keep in concern

Regular practice of Yoga is mandatory to achieve any positive result.

It is always beneficial to do yoga under a trained yoga instructor.

Apart from yoga abide by the food chart that is required for treatment of that particular disease.

Diseases like diabetes and heart disorders are not completely cured by yoga. Yoga helps in temporary management of body to go well with these ailments.

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Yoga & Knowledge

Yoga is an ancient art that focuses on the spiritual enlightenment and physical fitness of a human being. This art has derived its principles from the 'Patanjali Shastra' and focuses on the concept of healthy being and healthy living. Sages and saints have practiced this art for centuries in India. The basic concept behind yoga is developing the understanding self and the motive of one's existence. Yoga also greatly helps in improving concentration and increasing grasping capacity. Read on to know more…

Yoga: A Source Of Enlightenment
Yoga apart from self enlightenment also helps in developing the understanding of surroundings, which is very necessary in order to spread the real and divine knowledge of the universe. Besides the pleasure of discovering one's inner self and of enjoying one's self as it is something that can't be explained in words. Yoga makes us capable enough to recover our souls which are lost in the mad rush of fulfilling earthy desires. Through the attainment of good health along with physical and mental relaxation, yoga makes one capable of perceiving the legitimate kind of knowledge about life, its purpose and self regulations. The theory and practice of Yoga is thoroughly based on spiritual blend of superpower and self.

Yoga of Knowledge: Gyana Yoga
Gyana Yoga is the blend of Knowledge and devotion. The Gyana Yoga emphasizes on the realization of God in every nook and corner of our existence. It is basically a spiritual path to knowledge. However it is not blind way of following some preaching, it is entirely based on self realization of supreme spirit. According to Gyana yoga, the knowledge without humbleness and the devotion without divine knowledge is always incomplete.

According to Gyana Yoga, the only way to attainment of the divine knowledge is deep enquiry and constant observation up on the eternal truths. Study of sacred books and yoga philosophy makes one understand the real meaning of life and spiritual existence. Gyana Yoga emphatically condemns arrogance and egotism in devotion and knowledge. It talks about the perfect blend (yog) of knowledge as well as devotion.

How Can Your Achieve Divine Knowledge Through Yoga?
The attainment of divine knowledge is a very difficult task. Though if the pursuit is done with a constructive mind and pious soul,it certainly becomes attainable. Hereare the steps through which you can achieve divine knowledge through yoga...

Viveka- Developing undersatbding of good and evil. It is actuall thr supreme stage of wisdom.

Vairagya- A state of complete awareness of ephemeral nature of world and detachment of earthy pleasures.

Shad Sampat- It is the satge of development of six vital faculties present in every human body. It leads to salvation.

Sama and Dama- Getting above humanly desires and achieve complete control of senses.

Uparati- The state of ultimate satisfaction

Titiksha- Capacity of endurance above all earthy pains.

Shradha- Development of intense faith

Samadhana- Complete devotion to knowledge

Moksha- Freedom from the cycle of life and death

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Yoga for Weight Reduction

Yoga is an effective way to gain and maintain a healthy body. This ancient Indian meditation art is a great way to get rid of extra flab from the body. From ages, this art has been a popular method of fat reduction and weight control. In fact some asana of yoga are specially meant for weight reduction only. Yoga is also a preferred method for weight reduction as it is sans any kind of side effect. Yoga directly influences the metabolism of body by acting upon several hormonal secretions in the body. Apart from weight reduction, yoga also helps in achieving a better muscle tone and vitality.

Yoga: The Perfect Way Of Weight Reduction
Yoga is said to be the best way of weight reduction because it has no side effects on your body. It won't make you anorexic or ultra slim. It is simply meant to proportionate your body weight in accordance to your height and lifestyle. The mechanism of Yoga in your body is simple yet extremely effective. It acts on the metabolism of your body as well as on your fat cells. The deep breathing in Yoga increases the oxygen intake to the cells of your body, including the fat cells which burn in contact of oxygen. Apart from this yoga makes one overcome from anxiety which is the major reason for overeating. Some of the Yoga asana also helps in weight control through stimulating lethargic thyroid glands for increasing their hormonal secretions, thus reducing weight.

Weight reduction through Yoga

What to do

There are various Yoga asana like Paschimottanasana, Bhujangasana, Halasana, Dhanurasana, Veerasana, Trikonasana, Ardha Matsyendrasana which are specially meant for weight reduction. Following few of them regularly will certainly help you lose flab.

Incase you are a thyroid patient and you have abnormally gained weight. You must go for

Sarvangasana and Matasyasana for checking on the hormonal secretion of your thyroid gland.

Regular Yoga asana done with Sun salutation (Surya Namaskar) is also very helpful in weight reduction.

Regularly practicing Pranayamas for example Kapalabhatti, Anuloma-Viloma and Bhastrika not
only help in weight reduction but equally helps in achieving a better muscle tone and endurance.

Other than the regular practice of the Yoga, you must abide rules of eating healthy and fat free meal.

Kriyas for cleaning the body namely Vaman Dhauti, and Shanka Prakshalana also help immensely in weight reduction.

What not to do

Do not relish on junk food and carbonated drinks.

Do not eat on irregular timings at irregular interval.

Do not consume anything between two major meals. Also maintain a time difference of 4 hours two major meals.

Do not break your regularity of Yoga.

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What Is Yoga

In the present time, more and more people, especially the Westerners, are resorting to Yoga to find cure for chronic health problems and attain a peace of mind. They are also curious about knowing what exactly is Yoga and what are included in it. Although many of us are well aware of the heath benefits of the physical activity, not every one knows about the origin and exact definition of Yoga. It is a popular belief that Yoga merely includes stretching and warm up exercises. Of course, yoga involves stretching, but includes many other things beyond that.

Originated in ancient India, Yoga typically means 'union' between the mind, body and spirit. It involves the practice of physical postures and poses, which is sometimes referred to as 'asana' in Sanskrit. As the name suggests, the ultimate aim of practicing Yoga is to create a balance between the body and the mind and to attain self-enlightenment. In order to accomplish it, Yoga makes use of different movements, breathing exercises, relaxation technique and meditation. Yoga is associated with a healthy and lively lifestyle with a balanced approach to life.

The oldest physical discipline in existence known to humankind, Yoga brings stability to the body and the wavering mind. It increases the lubrication of joints, ligaments and tendons of the body. Studies in the field of medicine suggest that Yoga is the only form of physical activity that provides complete exercise to the body, because it massages all the internal organs and glands. This in turn reduces the risk of many diseases. Yoga can create a positive permanent difference to the lifestyle of anybody practicing it on a regular basis.

Yoga is the perfect way to ensure overall health and physical fitness. Through meditation, breathing exercises (called pranayams); you can banish all your stress and lead a healthy life. In fact, it is one of the best remedies known to humankind, for curing chronic ailments that are otherwise difficult to be cured by other medications. People suffering from backaches and arthritis are often suggested to do asanas that concentrate on providing exercise to the muscles at the strategic locations. Pranayams are the best exercises to increase the capacity of lungs capacity.

The amazing thing about Yoga is that its positive effects on the health and mind are visible over time. Another specialty about Yoga is its wide choice of asanas. Depending upon the stamina and overall health, you can choose from the mild pranayams, asanas to high intensity asanas. It is a medication without the actual use of medicines. Moreover, no visible side effects are associated with the practice of Yoga on a regular basis. All you need to know is the most appropriate exercises meant for the structure of your body, while choosing the asanas of the activity. In addition, you need to know the right way of performing the asanas, because any wrong attempt can cause sprains and injuries.

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Yoga Tips

Deriving its philosophy from the Indian metaphysical beliefs, Yoga aims to strike a balance between mind and body and attain self-enlightenment. One of the oldest physical discipline in existence, it makes the use of movement, breath, posture, relaxation and meditation to establish a healthy, lively and balanced approach to life. Yoga brings stability and relaxation to the mind and helps the individual to have a clear thinking. Apart from its cognitive benefits, Yoga serves as the best medium to enhance the beauty and the being of a person. However, performing Yoga requires a person to follow some specific guidelines, in order to achieve best results. There are various do's and don'ts that a person needs to follow before, while and after performing Yoga. To know more about Yoga practicing guide, browse through the following lines.

Tips For Practicing Yoga

The most appropriate time for practicing Yoga is in the morning, before breakfast. This is because it is the time, when our mind is calm, composed and fresh and the body movements can be performed, with considerable ease and vigor.

To get started, you need to have the urge and confidence in yourself.

To practice Yoga, the place chose must be calm, quiet, ventilated, dust free, moisture free and also distraction free.

Before you start practicing Yoga, it is very important for you to clear your bowels and bladder as well as clean your nostrils and throat of all mucus. You must also drink a glass of lukewarm water.

Yoga clothing should be loose and as comfortable as possible. Form-fitting cotton/Lycra pants and shirts are the best.

Wait for a few minutes and then you can start.

Like all other work outs, you must begin with easy poses, thereafter you can advance to the tough ones. Be methodical and systematic.

Remember, to start with your movements should be light and if you feel fatigue in between you must discontinue.

Yoga must energize and not cause weariness and depression.

You must take breaks in between, if a particular step or exercise proves tiring.

For a person performing Yoga, the diet should be a balanced and you should eat after an interval of 4 hours.

The quantity of food should be such that it satisfies your appetite. Generally, the ratio composition of meals should be - grains and cereals (30% of the calorific value), dairy products (20%), vegetables and roots (25%), fruits and honey (20%) and nuts (5%).

Over eating and fasting should be avoided. At the same time, you must try to avoid stale food.

While performing Yoga, your breathing should be long and deep. You must remember to keep your mouth close and inhale and exhale, only through the nose.

You should always keep a Yoga mat, made of some comfortable materials. For lying postures use a woolen carpet and spread a clean sheet over it.

Remember, while doing yoga, you should not get a feeling of pain or discomfort. If you do, you are not doing it in the right manner or you need to adjust your pose to suit you better.

If you are a beginner, do not just impinge on doing the tough tasks. Remember, you need to always begin with the easy postures and then, proceed to the difficult ones. You should follow the graded steps of Yoga.

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Yoga in The West

Yoga is basically a primeval Indian art. It is meant for the enlightenment of spiritual intelligence and achievement of physical fitness. It is a precious resource of knowledge, endurance, spirituality and fitness. Yoga aims to bring a 'union or merger' of one's soul and body for perfect repose, peace and self-enlightenment. Yoga basically has its origin from the 'Patanjali Shastra'. It is completely based on the metaphysical thinking of Indian culture. It is now that yoga has become equally popular with west. Sages and Saints from various parts of India have been practicing this wonderful art since centuries.

Introduction of Yoga To The West
Yoga has now become a very popular activity in the west from last few decades. Very famous Hollywood artists confess their love and passion for this art. Basically, yoga came in contact with the west during the times of Plato and Aristotle who paid ample acknowledgments to Indian values in their arts. These contacts were furthered by Alexander's arrival in India in the third century B.C. The formation of Asiatic Society quite later boosted up the concept of Indian mysticism in west which also included the wonders of yoga. The Yoga was formally introduced in the west through Sanskrit to English or Hindi to English translations of Indian epics.

Progress of Yoga In West
Modern Yoga gained momentum in the west after late 1800's after the famous disciples of Swami Vivekananda and other great gurus traveled to west and came in contact of the people of west who also inclined towards this art. Germans were the first people to explore the beauty of the Sanskrit language and Vedic mystery. Scholars like Max Mull immensely contributed in making Indian philosophy popular in west. With time several yoga masters went to west from India and brought popularity to this art in the west. Hatha Yoga then became the most popular form of Yoga in the west.

Hatha Yoga: The Most Popular Form of Yoga In West
With time Hatha Yoga has become the most popular form of Yoga in West. The Hatha Yoga has derived its meaning from 'Ha' of Sun and 'tha' of moon. It is popularly called forceful yoga because it seems to require all the physical exercises of yoga popularly known. It is said to be very balancing form of yoga aimed to balance to opposite forces in the body. The entire art of Hatha yoga is based on basic features of yoga, breathing techniques, postures and energizing the subtle channels. It also aims to increase concentration and balance the energy level in the body.

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Bikram Yoga

Bikram Yoga is the name of the style of yoga that has been developed by the renowned guru Bikram Choudhury. It is also known as Hot Yoga or Fire Yoga. Ideally practiced in a room heated to 105°F (40.5°C) temperature, with a humidity of 40%, it is intended to warm up and stretch every joint, muscle, ligament, tendon, vertebrae and organ of the body, down to the cellular level. Scientifically and methodically designed by Bikram Choudhury, Bikram Yoga is the most demanding, yet a powerful and exciting sort of Hatha Yoga. With the help of this yoga, fresh blood and oxygen moves to all areas of the body and all of the body systems feel rejuvenated and resorted. Every cell of the body is revitalized, reorganized and refreshed, leading to a healthy body and a healthy mind. The classes of Bikram Yoga are guided by specific dialogue, including 26 postures and two breathing exercises. Each class lasts approximately 90 minutes.

Benefits Of Bikram Yoga

Bikram yoga, which is done in a hot room in order to avoid injury, allows deep stretching of the body and promotes release of toxins.

The uneasiness experienced during the initial moments of doing the yoga rapidly disappears and helps in developing the ability to control one's mind.

With the help of Bikram yoga, overall mental, physical and emotional health is improved.

The yoga gives mental relaxation and also works on the respiratory, circulatory, and nervous systems of the body.

Bikram yoga helps in reshaping your body, restoring flexibility as well as in toning, strengthening, and lengthening your muscles

The yoga helps strengthen your spine, reduces the risk of sports injury and relieves you from pain.

Bikram yoga helps in raising energy levels and reduces your weight, by balancing the
metabolism.

The yoga gives a soothing effect and diminishes the effects of stress on the mind and body.

Practicing Bikram yoga increases balance, coordination, focus and concentration ability of a person.

The yoga is also good for the kidneys and it helps in controlling chemical imbalances of the system.

Bikram yoga plays a vital role in improving constipation, colitis, spondilitis, menstrual disorders, hip and back pain.

The yoga gives cardiovascular benefits and improves the working of the immune, muscular, digestive and reproductive systems.

Bikram yoga strengthens the stomach muscles and helps with arthritis, knee problems and even gout pain.

The yoga promotes better sleep, helps in the improvement of posture and increases body awareness.

Apart from clearing your mind, the benefit of Bikram yoga is also seen in making your skin glow and calming your soul.

The yoga helps you build mental strength and teaches you to hold your mind in a meditative state.

Bikram yoga ensures healthy and balanced functioning of the skeletal, muscular, circulatory, nervous, digestive, elimination, respiratory, endocrine and mental systems of the body

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Special Category => மருத்துவ மற்றும் அழகுக் குறிப்புகள் - Health & Beauty => Topic started by: MysteRy on May 09, 2012, 02:17:02 PM