Monday, August 18, 2008
Yoga -- For Relaxation
... body as well as our brain. The exercises (called asanas and pranayamas) were developed thousands of years ago to produce beneficial results.
To have the desired effects, yoga routines must be carried out correctly. Poor yoga practices will likely produce disappointing results.
The Keys
Your attitude and your focus are the keys to making your yoga experience deeply satisfying. Entering the profound stage of relaxation and synchronization between your inner and your outer self can occur only with appropriate action.
Relaxation is actually a necessary part of every yoga routine. The body needs to relax after practicing the exercises, especially the more demanding ones. Certain asanas require an unusual positioning of the body, which can result in discomfort if the r...more
Practice Yoga for Anxiety Relief
... we determine a positive direction in life. The struggle for direction is within our minds. We must be aware of the struggle from within.
Pessimistic thought is not productive, yet there are many pessimists ruled by the dark side. For them, nothing will work because they already have the Why me attitude. Everything is against them, or so they think, and that is where the problem lies.
Unless you...more
Yoga Teacher Training: Am I Too Old to Become a Yoga Teacher?
...ruler of body, mind, spirit, and emotions. Pranayama keeps you healthy in all aspects of existence, and Pranayama governs many asana techniques. If you cannot breathe correctly, asana performance can be very frustrating - when folding, balancing, or twisting. Pranayama makes mudra (gestures), and bandha (locks), purification of the nadis (energy channels), and meditation, much more powerful.
However, Pranayama is not the only aspect of Hatha Yoga. It is just one of the many aspects mentioned within the Hatha Yoga Pradipika. Maharishi Patanjali mentions eight limbs within the Yoga Sutras. Asana is just one of the eight limbs of Yoga, but asana can be seen, and can be performed, to...more
More about the Religious Impasse of Hatha Yoga and "The New Age Movement"
... of a religious fundamentalist, the real problem is, Yoga, and all methods labeled as New Age, believe in religious tolerance. To any fundamentalist, tolerance and opening your mind is the gateway to evil.
Therefore, religious fundamentalism must label Yoga as a religion. Yoga does have historical roots with Hinduism, so this is the opportunity to label, polarize, and stir up misunderstandings.
Lets look at Hinduism a little closer. Yes, Hinduism does have multiple Gods and Goddesses, but historically, Hinduism has not forced itself on anyone. However, Hindus have been violently persecuted over their religion. It is estimated that 100 million Hindus were killed between the 11th and 18th centuries, due to religiou...more
