Yoga akeger | 04 Jul 2008
Bhakti Yoga - The Science of Devotion
Bhakti means devotion to the Almighty. Bhakti yoga deals with devotion to God and achieving the union with him. This is the easiest of all yoga types. This branch of yoga teaches the relation between the devotee and the divine. It does not involve any technical or complicated procedures. There is no need of any intellectual capacity to master this yoga. It has appealed to the common man because it gives him a feeling security and develops a kind of reliance and dependence on the object of his devotion.
Bhakti yoga assumes that there is a higher power that has created the universe and is all-powerful. This power has the capacity to confer grace and mercy on him and thus protecting him from all the harms and evils. The devotee or bhakta is expected to make himself fit for receiving this divine grace. For this, he has to practice devotion and virtue. His ultimate goal should be to unite with this divine power and rest eternally in happiness and peace. The devotee surrenders all his motives and acts to the Divine Power. He renounces all the responsibilities towards the good or bad consequences of all his actions and ascribes it to the will of the Supreme.
Devotion and faith play a vital role in this branch of yoga. The devotee or bhakta is supposed to be highly religious, should adopt a friendly stance towards all the other living beings including animals, read religious texts, concentrate on the symbol of the Divine, think and wish well for the others etc. The beauty of this yoga lies in its simplicity. This has made it one of the most appealing of all the yoga types. Following this yoga develops the peace of mind in an individual. A peaceful individual will always think happy and prosperous thoughts and will thus lead a happy life.
Kevin Pederson, the webmaster for Yogawiz, mentions the importance of yoga and Bhakti Yoga . Bhakti yoga is a devotional branch of yoga which teaches a person to ascribe all the events in his life to Divine Will.
Tags: Bhakti Yoga, Divine YogaYoga akeger | 03 Jul 2008
Yoga for PMS
Most women experience PMS symptoms at different points of their lives. PMS (premenstrual symptom) is usually characterized by anxiety, irritability, depression, craving sugary foods and feeling bloated. There are many homeopathic and nutritional solutions for relieving the PMS, but a regular yoga asana practice can be tremendously beneficial as well.
Many women experience chocolate and sugar cravings before periods. Chocolate contains magnesium, a mineral that decreases menstrual cramping and helps normalize glucose metabolism. Magnesium is also found in bananas, dried apricots and almonds, so keep that in mind when the next PMS hits.
Poses for sugar cravings:
Bow Pose - Dhanurasana
The bow stretches and tones the ovaries, uterus, and abdominal organs. It increases the overall energy and improves the mood.
Lay face down on the floor. Bend your knees, grab a hold of the outsides of your ankles and on the inhale come up, arching your back and trying to reach the top of your head and your feet up towards the sky and towards each other. Keep drawing your feet towards each other, eventually drawing your knees together. Hold for five to ten breaths.
Modified Bridge Pose
Modified bridge pose rejuvenates and tones the reproductive organs as well as the abdominal organs, relieving carbohydrate cravings.
Lay down on your back, with the knees bent, soles of the feet hip width apart on the floor, as close as possible to your body. Arms are extended next to your body. On the inhale, raise your seat, your lower back and your middle back upwards, raising up on your toe tips. Take a yoga block and place it on its highest level under your sacrum (a flat bone that’s located right under your lower spine.) Place the soles of your feet back on the floor and interlace your fingers on the floor behind the block. Breathe for as long as you need to. You should feel a wonderful sense of release from this pose.
Poses for anxiety and irritability:
Child’s Pose
The child’s pose focuses the breath on the organ systems in the abdomen and pelvis, which helps massage and tone them. The gentle inversion of head, neck, and torso relaxes the back muscles and eases the lower back pain.
Kneel with your buttocks resting on your heels. Bend at the hips and let your torso relax on your thighs and your forehead rest on the floor. Relax your arms and hands on the floor beside you with the palms up and the fingers pointing toward your feet. Stay for ten breaths.
Upward Facing Dog - Urdva Mukha Svanasana
This pose is a backbend; it tones the abdominal organs. By raising the energy up, it also has a tendency to improve the mood.
Begin with arms bent at the elbows next to your chest, fingers pointing forward, elbows in. On an inhalation, rise up from the forehead, nose, and chin, continuing the stretch through your neck, upper torso, and lower torso until your entire pelvic basin is tilting upward and your thighs are poff the floor. Straighten the arms, broadening your shoulders down and away from the ears, stretching and curving your spine. Your weight is supported on the tops of your feet and your hands.
Poses for Bloating
Modified Wide Angle - boddhakonasana
The modified wide-angle pose reverses the effects of bloating and fluid retention in the legs and feet.
Lie on your back with your pelvis against a wall, your legs extended up the wall, and your arms resting at your sides. Open your legs into a V on the wall. Breathe easily, holding the position for 20 deep breaths.
Shoulderstand, headstand and handstand and plough pose tend to improve the mood as well. However, you should avoid practicing these inverted poses when menstruating.
Now give yourself an extra long Savasana (final relaxation pose.)
Lie on your back with your arms at your sides, palms facing up, and your feet a comfortable distance apart. Close your eyes and relax. Allow the floor to support you.
After the relaxation, meditate for a few minutes. Maybe you saved yourself a trip to GoDiva.
Anastasia Dorohova is a certified yoga teacher and a holistic health counselor,regisitered with the American Association of Drugless Practitioners. Anastasia teaches private and group yoga classes and helps her clients with their nutriion and overall sense of well-beling. http://www.steadybliss.com
Tags: Anastasia Dorohova, bloating, dhanyurasana, Yoga, yoga clothing, yoga DVDs, yoga for pms, yoga posesYoga akeger | 02 Jul 2008
Yoga Clothing Guide - Always Buy the Best Yoga Clothes
Comfortable and breathable clothes that are usually worn at the time of yoga are known as yoga clothes. They should let you to move freely in different yoga poses. Yoga tops, sweat clothes, and leotards are the best clothes that should be worn at the time of yoga practice. Loose fitting yoga clothes allow you to do different yoga poses easily.
Women should wear supportive sports bra so that they can easily perform all yoga activities. You can easily set alignment of your knees, feet and anklets by wearing shorts. Yoga clothes should be sweat absorbent that make you moist during your practice. You shouldn’t include tight fitting clothes that will prevent you from moving freely, in your yoga apparel.
You will enjoy your yoga practices with right yoga apparel. Actually yoga is a great combination of different body poses and its main motive is to make your body healthy & fit. You shouldn’t wear jeans and tight fitting shirts because they’ll not allow the body to breathe freely. You should take sufficient time to choose best yoga clothing.
Here are some prime factors that should be kept in mind while purchasing yoga apparel. Don’t choose form fitting clothes because they restrict to perform correct breathing techniques. Buy some best yoga shorts; sweat clothes, and yoga pants. You should feel comfortable whatever you choose for your yoga practices.
Sometimes you’re allowed to wear yoga shoes and socks so try to purchase comfortable shoes. With a bad set of yoga clothes you’ll not be able to do difficult yoga poses. It is true that yoga clothes should be comfortable but they should be attractive also. Try to choose best yoga clothes according to your personality.
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Tags: Yoga, yoga accessories, yoga classes, yoga clothing, yoga instructors