Gateway to spiritual enlightenment

How do you know if a thick yoga mat is right for you? To answer this question you first need to consider the type of activities you will be doing and your personal preference. For instance, do you plan on keeping your mat at home, or will you be transporting it? Below you’ll learn some of the benefits for purchasing a thick yoga mat as well as some reasons you may want to select one that is thinner and more light weight.

Choosing a mat can be an important decision because you will be spending a lot of time with it. Selecting a thick yoga mat can have benefits when it come to providing extra cushioning and stability. If you are new to yoga exercise, it’s essential to have proper yoga equipment because you may not be ready for the strain certain poses create on your body. Since you want to be as comfortable as possible during your workouts there are a variety of different mats to choose from. Extra thick mats which are also known as extra double thickness mats are preferred by Yoga Ashtanga practitioners because of their frequent move changes. A good quality thick yoga mat will measure 1/4 thick. Watch out for cheap knock off’s that claim to be 1/4, but really measure less.

Thick yoga mats are supportive especially when you are doing prolonged kneeling, standing, stretching, or laying down. Yoga practitioners use these mats in their classes because there are many exercises that require you hold a certain pose. On the other hand a thick one may be too bulky if you like to transport it and take it with you. If this is the case a travel mat may be a more logical choice. These types are perfect for travelers, or taking to the beach. Since they are less bulky and thinner they can be folded up, shoved in a bag and taken where ever you go.

You’ll also want to make sure you get a yoga mat that is the proper length. A longer mat can provide you with a comfortable sitting area for meditation posturing as well as working out. You’ll want to make sure that the mat you choose can accommodate your body so you don’t slide off. Selecting an extra long 74? inch size can give you plenty of surface area to cushion you during yoga or pilates workouts.

With the soaring popularity in a global scale, yoga has evolved into a fixed discipline for the union of body, mind as well as spirit. It can better fulfill contemporary people’s demands and it can be performed either at home or in the classroom, making it accessible to lots of people. And numerous yoga equipment are emerging into the market to aid with the exercises since it is getting much more higher profile.

Needless to say, before taking part in any level of yoga class, it is imperative that you should do some research so as to figure out which one fits you the best. You can choose the suitable yoga equipment either from online stores or from the yoga training center where you attend as long as you have made up your mind to buy. You can gain lots of yoga information on the internet, in books or even some other yoga studios.

With regards to must-have yoga equipment, you might take your instructor’s opinion into consideration. First of all, choose comfortable clothing since you perform lots of demanding yoga poses with its help. On the contrary, you do not need to spare any attention to shoes since yoga is often done barefoot. For those people who have to sit or stand for a long time period, I think it is truly fantastic news. Yoga mats are also vital since some exercises are done sitting down. Other common yoga equipment comprises of blankets, blocks, straps, etc. In case that some students can not perform certain postures, blankets can assist them to raise a part of the body or to reach a specific position. Likewise, blocks are also applied to maintain the body appropriately especially when the students cannot touch the floor. These are usually greatly in use where students can not achieve a special position.

A yoga business can come in any shape and size. And this is great! Because each studio owner and teacher brings their own gifts to their business, their own teaching style, philosophy and even a little je ne sais quoi. But there are a few ingredients that lay the foundation for every successful yoga business. If any one of these ingredients is missing, a pot brimming with potential morphs into a recipe for disaster.

So let’s get down to it, because I much prefer the savory scent of success to that of dried out dreams, don’t you?

Success Ingredient #1: Mindset

There are certain characteristics of successful yoga business owners (teachers, you are the owner of the business of yourself!) that must be present. Not every yoga practitioner should be a business owner. You must have:

• a strong desire to help people
• communication skills – a love of talking with people
• ability to step outside your box to grow your biz and challenge yourself
• willingness to invest money in learning new skills (both yoga training and business training)

Check yourself on these, and be honest. Being in business for yourself means facing your fears on a day to day basis, making missteps, and allowing yourself to be uncomfortable. But because of that, having a your own business is the most rewarding self-growth vehicle out there. Homework: Journal why you decided to choose teaching yoga as a career. What was it about teaching? What was it about yoga? Why did you feel you needed to open a studio? Pick up a book by a passionate teacher for inspiration (for ideas on great books email me, I’ve got plenty.) Reconnect with your own passion through writing, and then review this every day for the next week. Use it to guide your interactions with students in a new way.Success Ingredient #2: Excelling At Your Craft

Do you offer the absolute best yoga training in your area? If you own a studio, are your teachers friendly, welcoming, and good at what they do? Teaching yoga means you are guiding your students on a very personal journey. Are you, or your teachers, up to that task? Personal here is the key word. Because a teacher can have great technique, but if she is not making a connection with her students on a very individual basis then the student in not getting what they paid for.

Ensure that you are investing in furthering your and your teachers’ education, not only in technique, but also in self-study. Be a leader to your students by practicing what you teach (so many studio owners I talk to “can’t find the time” to practice yoga themselves!) If it’s not important enough for you to make the time, how can you be authentic with your students in encouraging them to further study? You can’t. Another check of yourself here, because this may be where you are experiencing an energy disconnect with your yoga business. But there’s a simple (not easy, but simple!) answer…you must continually invest time, energy and money into your own yogic studies if you want your students to do the same. Homework: commit to attending someone else’s class two times this week. Choose a continuing education workshop to attend within the next month. Meditate tonight before you do the homework under #1.

Success Ingredient #3: Business Skills

Ah, here we go. So many yoga business owners get the “yoga” part but not the “business” part. And that’s ok! All the information you need to be successful is out there, if you start implementing it authentically and consistently. Are you willing to invest the time in finding it? Are you willing to invest the money in acquiring help and guidance to make you profitable?

Marketing is fairly simple if you follow these steps:

• find out who the likeliest people are to visit your class
• uncover what their biggest needs are
• offer solutions specific to their needs
• get in front of them to let them know how you solve their problems

Of course, there are more advanced steps that you can do once you’ve done these, to take yourself to the next level. But if you are doing the steps above consistently, you will be profitable, I guarantee it. Where business owners falter sometimes is understanding the strategies associated with how to do each of these steps. Again, this takes some research, or if you’re ready to really step it up, hire someone to help you skip the mistakes and accelerate your growth. Homework: pick one thing on your marketing to do list and focus on it until you’re consistent. If it’s your newsletter, pick the day each week or month that it will be sent and schedule out content for the next 3 months. Read a book about newsletters. Research some articles online. The key here is to pick one thing and do it til your consistent, before you start on the next thing.You may have caught the theme I’ve woven throughout these success ingredients. Here it is: the most successful business owners, myself included, understand the value of investing time and money so that they are constantly learning, growing, and improving their skills. In fact, every successful entrepreneur I know consistently reads books, attends workshops of admired teachers, has a coach (or two!) and hires consultants when needed. They do this in the three areas I’ve mentioned: to improve their mindset, further their craft and to acquire business knowledge. It’s a must. If you model the behavior of other successful people, you will be successful yourself!

Prasara yoga is a new style of yoga that blends elements of traditional asana, or poses, along with elements of movement, or flow. Most modern forms of yoga concentrate on one of two aspects: asana, the actual poses, or vinyasa, transitional breathing between poses. Prasara yoga integrates both of those aspects, and expresses them through dynamic movement.

Prasara yoga is comprised of 5 basic forms, known as flows. Each flow is carefully designed to strengthen and tone a specific area of the body, while all 5 flows work seamlessly together to strengthen the overall core of the body, improving balance, flexibility, and muscle tone. Rather than trying to hold asanas for extended periods of time, emphasis is instead placed on coordinated breathing and fluid transitions between each flow.

Progressing through all 5 flows takes only 15 minutes, but provides a complete, low impact, total body workout. Although prasara is more athletically challenging than other forms of yoga, each flow is designed with 3 levels of difficulty: beginner, intermediate, and advanced. The beginner flows can be completed by people of all ages and skill levels, while intermediate is best suited for people who have prior experience in other styles of yoga. Advanced level is obviously the most challenging workout, but certainly attainable to anyone with enough practice and dedication.

Prasara yoga is a unique form of yoga in that it focuses on movement and flow in addition to asana and vinyasa. Structure, breathing, and movement are the defining elements of prasara; these elements work together in synergy to promote a healthier, more balanced body.

Yoga has gained a lot of popularity all across the world and people are now constantly searching for certified yoga teachers who can help them practice the asana. A career in Meditation therefore has a good scope and this is why many students are opting for training courses which are provided by different institutions.It is now easy to become certified yoga training teacher as there are a number of institution that offer such courses. Before taking up yoga as a profession, you need to make sure that you are dedicated and would need to incorporate yoga in your lifestyle.

If you wish to enroll for yoga training course then you can contact a studio in your city. Most of these studios offer regular classes only and there are limited studio that offer certified courses. Once your training is complete the studio may hire you to conduct their classes.The most popular option is to learn yoga through retreats. Enrolling for these courses can be quite expensive as they take you to exotic locations and teach you the asana for a number of weeks so that you can became proficient in it. Once your training is complete they provide you with the yoga teacher certification that can help you to get a job as a yoga teacher easily.

Another way to become a trained yoga instructors is by enrolling for home courses. There are many institutions that offer online yoga courses so that the aspiring teachers can stay at home and study the course. So there are various options available to the people now and they can choose the one that suits their requirement. While joining yoga retreats can be very expensive, the home courses are provided at very low prices. However, before joining any of the course for yoga training certification, make sure that the institution is recognised.

Once you have received your yoga teacher certification you can apply for job as yoga teacher. Many people also start their own yoga studio which is becoming very popular these days. When you finish the course then make sure that you practice yoga regularly and include it in your lifestyle as well. It can help you to get a healthy mind and body and allows you to help others be healthier as well. There are a number of different institutions that offer yoga courses and you can contact them to get your yoga teacher training and to get the yoga teacher certification.

Prasara yoga is a fresh and innovative spin on yoga that incorporates the posing and breathing aspects of traditional yoga and links them together through sequences of dynamic movement. The result is a challenging-but exhilarating-workout that can quickly transform your body from flabby and out of shape to healthy, energetic and toned. Learning the basics of Prasara is easy, and provides several benefits to your body and overall health.

Increased Flexibility and Range of Motion

As ligaments and tendons are stretched they become more limber, allowing for a wider range of motion. Stretching during asanas loosens up your joints and releases lactic acid that has built up in your muscles. This helps relieve any muscle pain or stiffness, especially useful for people who suffer from chronic back pain or arthritis.

Increased Strength

There are 5 basic forms in Prasara yoga, and each one is designed to target a specific muscle group. Sequencing through the forms works out the legs, back, abdomen, and upper body. The beginner forms are all low-impact, making them an ideal introduction to people who are just beginning yoga.

Healthy Heart

Because you are constantly in motion between asanas, Prasara yoga provides a great cardiovascular workout. This leads to improved heart function and circulation, lowering both blood pressure and heart rate. Practicing yoga keeps the heart healthy and in shape, lowering your risk for heart disease, hypertension, and diabetes.

Increased Mental Clarity

Yoga has been shown to have several benefits to mental health. Concentration, memory, and balance all improve. Stress and anxiety levels are decreased, which leads to increased energy levels and a more positive mood.

Spending as little as 15 minutes a day practicing Prasara yoga can yield some fairly dramatic results in a short amount of time. The added element of movement makes workouts more efficient and provides some wonderful benefits to your heart. Get started today in the hottest new trend in yoga and start working towards sculpting the body of your dreams.

Yoga, though known all over the globe,is not yet that popular as a defense against common illnesses and a protection of the immune system.

Our immune system is an intricate structure that causes bewilderment to the numerous bacteria, toxins, virus and parasites habitually attacking the body. A strong immune system speaks of a healthy body, thus its efficient functioning is vital to our health.

A breakdown in the immune system is caused by many variables. These could be inadequate exercise, poor diet, anxiety, external and internal toxins(food), or undue consumption of alcohol. A deteriorating immune system could be restored by yoga and brought back to its regular efficiency.

Yoga can benefit the immune and other systems of the body in various ways – enhanced blood and oxygen circulation, making for smooth transport of energy around the body, bolstered lung power, recharging of internal organs, relaxing of nervous system and enhancing immune response, to name a few.

The thymus gland is the place in the immune system which is the entry point for germs or infectious agent. It lies between the heart and breast bone and in charge of producing the T-cells. This is a group of cells crucial in the body’s defense against invasion by foreign organisms.

The yoga positions that emphasize chest opening, upper back bends and deep breathing provide stimulus for the thymus. Among these are the cobra, fish, bow, bridge, pigeon and boat.

Upside-down postures like shoulder stand, head stand, plow and legs up the wall facilitate the course of lymph and immune cells all over the body through increased passive movement of the lymph system. The lymph is the watery material formed when interstitial fluid enters the lymphatic system. It’s not like the blood that gets pumped into the body, instead its flow depends on the constriction of skeletal muscles. It is critical in carrying oxygen, food and water to the cells and removal of waste products out of the body.

Another organ in the immune system with similar function of taking out undesirable substance from the blood and guarding against infection is the spleen. Along with lymph nodes and other secondary organs of the immune system, the spleen is triggered by twisting yoga positions and hip openers. Postures like the seated twist, prayer twist, bound angle, seated angle and pigeon all serve to motivate these secondary organs.

Regular performance of yoga improves circulation of blood and oxygen throughout the body, which is a vital function of the immune system. Oxygen is essential to the body cells’ operation of their basic roles. So an improved flow of oxygen results in improved transport of energy from nutrients to cells, thereby providing greater ammunition to the immune system against germs.

The relaxed positions of yoga, together with deep pranayama (meaning directed and controlled breathing) assist the nervous system and bolster immune reaction.

Through its effects of stress reduction, massage and stimulation of internal organs, harmonizing and strengthening the nervous system Yoga has a very important role in holding back the onset of viral infections and common illnesses like colds and flu. In this way, Yoga serves to balance the immune system besides providing it strength to combat illness.

Traditional yoga styles like Ashtanga, Lyengar and Shivananda are already known to regular practitioners. However, the newer styles like TriYoga or Viniyoga would still confuse many people as to which would serve fitness or spirituality needs. Knowing the various styles and their focus on physical challenge or relaxation would prove helpful.

Hatha Yoga is the ‘mother of all’ yoga styles since current styles have evolved from this. Simultaneously, it is performed by a combination of the asanas with breathing exercises and cleansing practices (pranayama and shatkriyas) and meditation and deep relaxation. By long practice, the poses are held for long periods under an atmosphere of meditation.

Anusara Yoga highlights an attitude that upholds life and in adjustment to the heart. This style is based on the principle of proper alignment and that a joyful and receptive performance enhance the positive outcomes of the asanas.

Ashtanga-Vinyasa Yoga is a vibrant and strong style with a focus on breathing, that works with six specific sequences of poses and some elements of movement to connect the poses, thereby making a transition between the static traditional positions.

Bikram Yoga is made of a series of 24 positions and two pranayamas or breathing techniques intended to improve strength, balance and flexibility. This style stands out from the rest with its venue of a room that’s heated up to 40 degrees Celsius, to cause more sweat for flushing out body toxins. Which came up with ‘Hot Yoga’ as the more popular term for this style.

Integral Yoga, from its term, integrates the asanas, breathing styles, meditation and deep relaxation into one complete procedure with a spiritual bent.

Popularized for its wide use of props of chairs, belts, blocks, etc. is Iyengar Yoga, which puts so much attention on particularities and focus on correct alignment. Newcomers are instructed in detail and also provided with basic information as to its health benefits.

Jivamukti Yoga comes from the Sanskrit definition of jivamukti, “liberation of the soul.” This style has a spiritual inclination and is more traditional than others and is performed in particular progressions of asanas that are held for a long time, going on segue from one to the next in an energetic and flowing manner. Vegetarianism and awareness of the environment are promoted attitudes.

Kripalu Yoga, or its alternative term, Amrit Yoga is a mutually healing and mystical style. A gentle practice, its goal is to calm the mind and develop an attitude of open acceptance of the self and one’s performance.

On the contrary, Kundalini Yoga is energetic and strong, aiming to stir the force of the serpent Kundalini, found at the base of the spinal column. This style also holds the asanas for long periods and emphasizes breathing techniques.

Power Yoga is a easy, dynamic and precise offshoot of Ashtanga style. The aim of this style is to increase staying power, energy and good health. It’s said to be ‘about feeling good, not just looking good.’

Sivananda Yoga integrates the tenets of exercise (asana), breathing (pranayama), relaxation (savasana), vegetarian diet and meditation.

TriYoga is a mixture of asanas, pranayama and mudras (sacred hand gestures) with fluid segues of strings of asanas.

Viniyoga is among the curative styles, centered on synching breathing and movements. Asanas are held for long periods too, but these are adapted to the practitioner’s age and health condition.

Vinyasa Flow style is made of instant asanas which progress from one to the next in certain easy movements harmonized with breathing techniques. These ‘flows’ are designed for better vitality and flexibility, putting the mind at rest and creating spiritual awareness and healing. This style is an adaptation from the traditional Ashtanga-Vinyasa yoga styles.

There are many different types of Yoga that do certain things for the body. One of those things that Yoga is used for is to boost fertility. When you are trying to conceive it can be a very stressful time in your life. One of the ways that Yoga is a benefit to you is through its calming effect that it can have on the body. In one study that has been conducted by Harvard it is shown that women who are trying to have a baby are three times more likely to conceive if they have participated in fertility focused Yoga classes than those who did not. It is also shown that it is more effective if both the mother and father to be participated in the class.

One way that Yoga is used it to reduce the stress on the body. When a woman has stress it can interfere with a woman’s menstrual cycle and delay ovulation as well as reduce a males sperm production. The emotional release of Yoga can ease stress and anxiety making your chances of getting pregnant higher. Certain Yoga positions can focus on increasing the energy flow to your reproductive organs. There are also other Yoga positions that can be used after intercourse to give you greater chances of being pregnant such as the legs up on the wall position that will help the sperm remain in the best position for a greater chance at becoming pregnant.

Another way that Yoga can be used to help in getting pregnant is by correcting irregular hormone levels that could be limiting your fertility. Some positions can also improve glandular functions, which also helps normalize hormone production. By taking Yoga alone will not make you pregnant, but by combining it with medical treatment it will help in getting your mind and body ready for pregnancy, as well as relieve any stress that could be blocking you from being fertile. It is always important to talk to your OBGYN to see if they have certain instructors that they will recommend for using at times when you would like to increase your fertility chances.

Yoga has been quickly catching on as a workout routine for women during pregnancy, and an even faster growing trend is yoga being used to treat pregnancy induced back pain.

If you decide to participate in any physical activity while pregnant, it is important to talk to your doctor while trying to figure out a safe exercise plan for you and your baby before even beginning, and as your body changes throughout your pregnancy, you will want to continue to consult with them pertaining specifically to your activity.

That said, you will need to identify the kind of back pain you are experiencing and where. Back pain during pregnancy can be different for everyone, and other factors such as hormone levels, body type and stage of pregnancy will not only affect this but should also be taken into account for safe yoga practice.

You should consult your doctor as well as a yoga or fitness expert to find the appropriate level for you. Keep in mind that if an exercise feels wrong, you should not ever do it–especially during pregnancy.

Common back problems related to pregnancy include lower back pain and sciatica. Lower back pain remedy moves usually serve to take pressure off the low vertebrae by opening up the hips: cobbler’s pose, child’s pose, pigeon pose, and warrior II are some common poses used to treat lower back pain throughout all three trimesters. The cat-cow stretch can help to position your baby for birth. Additional caution is recommended when performing twists.

By the third trimester, you should not try to overwork yourself, as certain poses done earlier in or before pregnancy can prove to complicate birth or even endanger the baby. That said, you should cut down on reps and omit certain poses from your routine, and really try to get back to some of the more basic work that may feel like a lot now, anyway. However, if you can continue to do some yoga, it can help you stay in tune with your body in a way that can make childbirth much easier for you and the baby.