Archive for the ‘Yoga’ category

The Connection of Yoga and Ayurveda

January 9th, 2012

Yoga and Ayurveda are intimately woven together throughout the texts of the Vedas. The Vedas are ancient Indian spiritual texts that were compiled over a period of time beginning approximately 3,000 years ago in the Himalayan region of India. These texts are considered to be divinely revealed and are comprised of oral esoteric knowledge transposed into written form. The practices of Yoga and Ayurveda are considered to be complementary modalities for living a healthy, balanced and happy life.

When practiced together, Ayurveda and Yoga techniques offer an individual many ways to increase health, well-being and vitality while living in balance with the natural rhythms that surround us. Both Yoga and Aruyveda acknowledge and respect the profound connections between our mind, body and spirit. Practicing balance and moderation are two of the primary keys of Aruyveda. This concept of balance and moderation has its roots in the Buddhist concept of Devanagari that arose during the same time period in India. Practicing Yoga asanas, meditation techniques and breathing exercises in balance with the rhythm of the day, week and time of the year is also one of the core proponents of Vedic wisdom.

One of the primary focuses of Aruyveda is eliminating toxins from the body and mind through the practice of panchakarma. According to Ayurvedic wisdom, expunging toxins from the body on a yearly basis helps to re-invigorate the body by maintaining a healthy metabolism and keeping the digestive processes efficient while reducing strain on the liver and kidneys. Ayurvedic theory espouses the belief that when the energy channels in the body or mind are blocked, disease results. Many of the traditional Ayurvedic techniques focus on unblocking these vital channels and restoring optimal energy flow. The use of stream and sweating is also employed by Ayurvedic doctors to help dissipate blockages in a patient’s energy system. » Read more: The Connection of Yoga and Ayurveda

Yoga Benefits for Women

January 9th, 2012

A common area that many women would like to improve is their stomach. It is interesting then that many eastern spiritual practices put great emphasis on the lower abdomen as being the centre of our whole body. This is in sharp contrast to the western way of thinking which treats the stomach as merely a repository for food. Unfortunately perhaps it is this lack of respect for their bellies that causes westerners to so mistreat the area. They feed it unnatural processed food and neglect the important muscles located their. Yoga for women is often the perfect counterbalance to these bad practices. It strengthens the abdomen leading to a host of benefits. Central among these are weight loss and a fewer lower back problems.

Taking care of the abdominal area is vital to staying healthy. Typically when exercising this area we just concentrate on the abdominal stomach muscles. This may make the abdomen superficially stronger but does not address the organs within. Yoga does have the effect of strengthening the abdominal muscles but it also goes beyond this as well. It also positively affects the stomach, spleen, liver and intestines which make up the abdominal organs. With well functioning organs your body is better able to gain nutrition from the food it consumes and expel the waste it produces. This is turn leads to a healthy body and assists with weight loss. Yoga not only makes the abdominal area look better it actually makes the body better as well.

The yogic postures for the abdomen incorporates all aspects of the discipline. The movements are slow and conscious. You will use proper breathing through out the postures. And you will make use of the power of sound. What is key is employing movement which is of a high quality. This is in contrast to many modern abdomen exercises which over emphasis the quantity at the cost of the quality of the exercise. On each exhalation you will gently tighten the front of the abdomen. This will help to work the effected area. Breathing is a very important part of yoga and it is important to fully concentrate on this when practicing the postures. » Read more: Yoga Benefits for Women