Monthly Archives: February 2009

Yoga Therapy In Kerala

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The term “Yoga’ has been originated from Sanskrit which means union of mind , body and spirit. Yoga can be also defined as practice of physical postures or poses. The vast field of Yoga includes techniques of breathing, meditation, body awareness, purification, and emotional stability.

Yoga has wide range of features which can very well diminish, managed and cure a particular disease by carefully selecting elements included in the Yoga traditions.

Yoga Therapy:
In the first half of the 20th century, Yoga therapy has been evolved in India. Yoga therapy is a new discipline which integrate traditional Yogic concepts and techniques with the western medical and psychological knowledge. It is a therapy without medicines and surgery without tools. Yoga therapy deals with the holistic treatment of various kinds of psychological or somatic dysfunction. The natural and innate healing resources of the body is promoted by this therapy. It also helps in restoring the proper functioning of the various systems present in our body.

Depending on the individual needs and also considering the medical accounts, Yoga therapists designs Yoga practices for the patients. They prescribes some specific regimens of postures, breathing exercises and relaxation techniques. Yoga therapy can diminish various symptoms and guard the body against various diseases which are mostly evolved due to stress. It treats various ailments ranging from back problems to arthritis to heart conditions to hyperventilation to asthma to irritable bowel syndrome to diabetes to multiple sclerosis to chronic fatigue syndrome to anxiety to hypertension.

In contrary to this, traditional Yoga is primarily concerned with personal fineness on the part of a “normal” or healthy individual. But both the techniques, however, share an understanding of the human being as an integrated body-mind system, which can function optimally only when there is a state of dynamic balance. Yoga therapy is more effective than general yoga practice as a safe means of treating medical conditions.

Advantages of Yoga Therapy:
1. Yoga therapy is good for everyone.
2. It is a modified form of all the classical Yoga practices and therefore provides same advantages the traditional Yoga practices provides but without having any risk of injury.
3. Yoga therapy keeps the body flexible and mobile and keeps the joints moving.
4. Yoga therapy helps in both preventing and curing the diseases..

Yoga Therapy in Kerala:
Kerala which is situated in the southern most part of India is renowned all over the world for its Yoga therapy. Kerala has many Ayurvedic resorts which offers Yoga therapies. Some of the famous Auyurvedic resorts of Kerala are Athreya Ayurvedic Resorts, Keraleeyam Ayurvedic Resort, Somatheeram Resorts, Kare Yoga Centre (Iyengar yoga therapy kerala) and many more.

All these resorts offers special therapies to treat various ailments depending upon the body condition. These therapies included general body massages with herbal oils, Steam bath in herb enriched steam, Dhara [with medicated buttermilk], Half body massage with herbal oils, Special head massage, Panchkarma tretmens, Slimming programs, paralysis, weight loss, Anti- aging, Yoga and mediation, Detoxification and rejuvenation therapies.

The Eight Steps, Branches or Aspects of the Raja Yoga

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The Yoga is traditionally divided into eight aspects or helps, also said Astanga.

Transcribed in the Yoga Sutra by Test Patanjali, the helps am inter-related; each of them has several facets which reveal themselves through the study of the texts and with the practice.

They progressively lead to the highest consciousness stadiums and to the spiritual life; the disciplines which constitute them are gradually have more interior.

The steps, branches or aspects of the Raja Yoga are the following:Yama: understands the moral precepts of: not violence (ahimsa) truth (satya) do not steal (asteya) chastity (brahmacarya) not avidity (aparigraha)These beginnings of rectitude are universal, and constitute the foundation of the Yoga.

The essence of the Yama is not to damage any living creature with the thoughts, the words and the acts. The translation of the concepts is only approximate: each of them has a wide meanings and applications range, which changes according to the circumstances and the personal progress level.

Niyama: they are the personal practices which must be observed: purity, cleanliness of the mind and the body (sauca)satisfied (santosa)fervour for the object of the study, perfection, burning effort (tapas)study of the himself (svadhyaya) abandon to God of all the thoughts and the shares (Isvarapranidhana). The practices of the Niyama establish the discipline of the daily life.Asana: they are the Yoga positions. The asana (sukham) come described as buildings (sthira) and cheerful.

To obtain the mastery and the perfection, a prolonged continuos effort is necessary. The body and the mind move in harmony and assimilate with the infinite. All the rivalries of the mind cease existing. Patañjali does not mention the asana with their name, but it supposes a long tradition of their practice.

Some positions are mentioned in various comments to his work and in other witnesses on the Yoga. In India, after Patañjali, the systematic and precise practice of the asana died out. In recent years thanks to the work of B.K.S. Iyengar, the wealth and the depth of the asana start being again appreciated.

Pranayama: it is the art of the Yoga respiration.He consists in the regulation and in the refinement of the inspiration, the exhalation and the apnea. Learning to audit and canalize the vital breath induces an introspective and opens the doors of the spiritual knowledge.The pranayama it is possible to learn only after reaching a good level of mastery of the asana. The breath is formed by the air raw element and from the prana, the vital strength what pervades the universe. The prana is the connection ring between the human organism and the cosmos. Since the prana is compound of energy, all the traditional witnesses on the Yoga warn practising the pranayama without a guide and before than the pupil am ready.

Pratyahara: it is the withdrawal of the senses from the outside world in the himself.The outside distractionesses are not able to exceed the threshold of the internal world.

Dharana: it is a state of uninterrupted concentration, in which the mind is constantly focussed on a point or a particular object. To reach this state, a constant practice is necessary.

Dhyana: it is the meditation.The duration of the concentration increases till the mind reaches to melt with his object and admires it ceaselessly.Subject and object become an All in one.

Samadhi: it is a state trascending further on the meditation. The psychological processes stop and the conscience is completely absorbed in the soul. It is the truth and beatitude state. Samadhi is the peak of the Yoga practice, and reaches the himself of thin. It is divided into various levels of spiritual evolution, connected to ambits away more raised away. The maximum level “Samadhi without seed” is defined: in the mind wishes are not several tracks of the shares; this state is also defined kaivalya, that is the isolation of the soul from the matter.

Corrado Vinci distributes the ebook Yoga

Basic Plus

Lecture By BK Usha Behn

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Learn From the Best at a Costa Rica Yoga School

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If you have always wanted to learn Yoga then consider the chance to learn it at a Costa Rica yoga school. Costa Rica is a beautiful place that is perfect for any vacation but is especially ideal for those who want an exotic, peaceful atmosphere where they can learn from the best in Costa Rica. If this sounds like what you are looking for here is a guide on what you can expect as you learn yoga in Costa Rica!

In Costa Rica you can learn from experienced teachers the different methods, poses and correct techniques you will need to find your inner peace and learn to let go of it all and finally learn to relax. At a Costa Rica yoga school they will not require that you have been practicing yoga for a long period of time. Beginners are welcome as all the necessary materials you will need will be provided as they are a part of your special program. Imagine being able to practice a yoga routine while looking out over the ocean and listening to the beautiful sounds of the outdoors.

Besides getting to learn and expand your yoga techniques you will find that there is a plethora of other activities you can take part in when you are not practicing yoga. You can relax on a the shores of the beach, take a hike through one of their beautiful rain forests or take part in some of the other activities your Costa Rica yoga school may have to offer. Costa Rica is also the perfect place to practice your Spanish speaking abilities. Costa Rica is also famous for their fabulous surfing opportunities. For those who are looking for more adventure outside of their daily yoga classes they can check out the intense fire dance performances that the locals may have to offer! There is something for everyone in at Costa Rica!

You can find a few different options when choosing how long you want to take yoga classes in Costa Rica with some lasting up to four weeks. There are also chances to combine activities such as yoga and learning to speak Spanish or yoga and fire dancing courses. Besides getting the chance to learn from the best that Costa Rica has to offer you will also get to stay in beautiful accommodations. You can find all the comforts of home here while you enjoy all the exotic local treats you can only come to expect in Costa Rica.

Besides getting an elite yoga experience you can also find that it can be the perfect holiday or vacation. Many friends enjoy taking a vacation together in Costa Rica as well as couples. You are able to have a room by yourself or you can share with your companions. Costa Rica is very romantic so it can be the perfect getaway for you and your significant other. At the end of your trip you will leave feeling refreshed and ready to get back to the real world after experience beautiful Costa Rica!

For an aesthetic experience about Costa Rica yoga school and Costa Rica surf camp, LaEscuela is the best place to visit. Besides, Costa Rica gives you the chance to escape from your routine life. What are you waiting for pal?

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Practice Jnana Yoga for Optimum Mental Health

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Anyone who cares about their health often focuses on keeping his or her body in peak condition. Who considers the health of the mind? A psychiatrist or a psychologist is concerned with behavior, and mental health, but how can Yoga help you?
We have all heard Yoga is a good “mind and body exercise,” but how does a Yoga student exercise his or her mind through Yoga practice. How can Yoga help you develop mental strength? Let’s look at one of the many styles of Yoga, to find answers, and acquire optimum mental health.
Jnana Yoga is the union of mind, body, and spirit, through acquired knowledge. It is true that reading will make your mind sharp, but what do Jnana Yogis read? Traditionally, Jnana Yogis read Hindu scriptures to expand their knowledge.
Yoga has been around for thousands of years. The Brahmin caste would have had more access to Yogic philosophy, and the scriptures (Vedas), than the average person, at that time.
This same parallel can be made to any holy man of any religion. Access to written knowledge, books, and Holy Scriptures was not common place, in any religion, hundreds of years ago. There was a time when the average person was forbidden to have a copy of the Bible. The early Bibles were very big, expensive to produce, and not meant for the public to interpret. Whether we like it, or not, this is a part of history.
Now, let’s fast forward to the 21st century. Millions of new computer users are accessing the Internet every year. So, how is it that more people, than ever, are disconnected from their mind, body, and spirit? We have attention disorders, multi-tasking, and many distractions to keep us far from tranquility.
Even in a Yoga class, you may hear a cell phone go off – despite the fact there are rules and a sign on the entrance of most Yoga studios. The sign might read, “Turn your cell phone off,” but people do not see it, even if it is right under their nose. Why?
Unfortunately, people do not read or pursue vital information. Cable television has hundreds of channels and the Internet has millions of sites. Do you really think the masses are trying to expand their minds by reading?
Jnana Yoga practice, and regular meditation, raises the “Level of Consciousness.” Yet it seems that prosperity seems to breed poor mental and physical health. When given the choice, children would rather play video games than watch the History Channel. Therefore, many adults must be getting in touch with their “inner child.”
Now, let’s come full circle. Entertainment is a wonderful thing, but we should be deliberate in our efforts to challenge our minds. Creativity cannot be found in games that are programmed or in viewing stories where you can easily guess the ending.
Your mind must be challenged on a daily basis by reading good quality writing and watching entertainment that is true art. The modern Jnana Yoga practitioner has much more access to education, information, art, and entertainment. However, he or she must be much more selective than ever before.
Copyright 2007 – Paul Jerard / Aura Publications

Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500, is a co-owner and the director of Yoga teacher training at: Aura Wellness Center in, Attleboro, MA. He has been a certified Master Yoga teacher since 1995.

http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org

Yoga Books: Literature of Health and Wellness, Popular Yoga Books

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Amy Lowell had once remarked, “All books are either dreams or swords, you can cut, or you can drug, with words.” Or in simple words, books are the source of knowledge in every field. When you don’t have a teacher or mentor to show the right path, books are the best friends. Yoga is a scientifically proven method to control the heart, mind and whole body. It’s a complete practical science to not only treat the incumbent ailments of the body but to prepare the body to live a healthy life. It is not always possible to have the supervision of a trained yoga teacher because of various complications. Yoga books are a great help at this juncture because of their all-important content and value.

Be it hath yoga, raja yoga or simple pranayam practice, authors try to give as much relevant and practical information as can be received from an accomplished Yoga guru. Since yoga is a practical science, authors need to make extensive research before compiling all constituents in to a book. The main feature of the yoga book has to be its relevance. The ability of author to convey the essence of the topic is also a pre-requisite.

Aasans are the most important part of yoga. They are essentially different body postures having distinct impact of each on general health of the body. They are essential to be covered in the books. Therefore, a yoga book should have a lot of illustrations, pictures and diagrams supported by simple interpretation. Pranayaam or distinct breathing exercises is also one of the most important parts of yoga. Author needs to put in details the significance and the impact of all respiratory exercises therein.

As we all know that yoga is a part of ancient Indian medical science, the important chronicles of yoga were scripted in Sanskrit language. Sanskrit is known to be very tough and complicated language. In the yoga books of present times also, some theories and concepts are mentioned in Sanskrit. Therefore, it is highly expected from yoga book author that he or she elaborates each such concept in lucid detail for the benefit of the reader.

The success of a yoga book depends on the communicability of the content written therein. The practicability of the theory put in the book is also very fundamental.

Some of the most popular Yoga Books are:

Pranayama – Its philosophy & Practice by Swami Ramdev

Yog: Its Philosophy & Practice by Swami Ramdev

Anatomy of Hatha Yoga by H. David Coulter

Ashtanga Yoga: Practice and Philosophy by Gregor Maehle

Light on Life by BKS Iyengar

For more informational and commercial lead on Yoga Books, please visit Yoga Book Store

Rajneesh Dubey is Content Coordinator for http://www.yoga.indiahandicraftstore.com. This website is an online store for the wholesale trade of multiple yoga accessories. Wholesale yoga mats, yoga bags, yoga props, yoga clothings and other items are available in our store. For all kind of wholesale Indian handicrafts, http://www.indiahandicraftstore.com can be a desired destination.

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