Energize Your Body & Soul with these Different Types of Yoga

The term Yoga is commonly used to refer to the practice of physical postures or poses, which in reality is only a small part of the more complex ancient discipline that is – YOGA.

Yoga is a school of thought, originating from India  and includes physical, mental and spiritual practices to bring about a complete balance in a person for their well being. Over the years, a number of different types of yoga philosophies have developed, which  more stress on the physical, mental or spiritual aspects more than the others. Recently in the United States the most common style of Yoga adopted focuses purely on the physical benefits of yoga in the form of Power Yoga. Some people find that the physical practice of yoga becomes a gateway into a spiritual exploration, while others just enjoy a wonderful low-impact workout that makes them feel great. Whatever you are looking for, there is a Type of Yoga to suit your needs.

Here’s a look into the most popular types of Yoga-

Classic Yoga’s

Hatha Yoga
The most popular form of yoga in the western world. Hatha yoga is often practiced solely for its physical benefit. It uses asanas, which are the physical postures or poses of yoga. This 15th century form of yoga is believed to purify the physical body and bring strength in order to lead to the purification of the mind.

Along with Asanas (poses), Hatha yoga includes breathing exercises (Pranayams), meditation and purification procedures known as ‘Shatkriyas‘. Hatha yoga is not just about stretching as many people mistake it for, it develops both strength and flexibility and each pose has specific physical benefits. Hatha Yoga with its many modern variations is the style that many people associate with the word “Yoga” today.

Ashtanga Yoga
Also known as Patanjali’s Ashtanga Yoga or Raja Yoga, is one of the earliest types of yoga. Started around 5000 BC, Ashtanga yoga follows an eight fold path formulated by Patanjali also known as the eight limbs of yoga mainly- Yama (moral code towards others); Niyama (personal discipline);
Asana (ashtanga yoga postures); Pranayama (yoga breathing); Prayahara (withdrawal of senses); Dharana (concentration); Dhyan (meditation); Samadhi (salvation).

As you see out of the the 8 limbs, only one involves the physical performance of yoga postures. Each of the limbs builds off each other in order, with an aim of achieving a healthy and fulfilling life. The benefits of this yoga practice is more than just the physicality found in Hatha yoga, it applies to everyday aspects of life and is more of a complete way of living rather than a short practice.

Karma Yoga
Many people are familiar with the term Karma, but how many know that it’s a type of yoga. Karma or ‘discipline of action’ is the conscious practice of those actions that bring the most amounts of good and the least amount of evil as it is believed the result of that action will reciprocate yours. This discipline of yoga dates back to before 800 BC and is a spiritual path that dedicates actions to God.

Jnana Yoga
Jnana yoga is a type of yoga that focuses on knowledge. Jnana Yoga includes knowing oneself that leads to self-realization, control of the senses, developing an indifference or detachment from objects, concentration, attainment of tranquility and ultimately bliss.

Pranayama Yoga
The literal meaning of the Sanskrit word Pranayama is ‘restraint (ayama) of breath (prana)’. It is the practice of breath control and breathing techniques. Since air is considered the breath of life or vital force responsible for life, it’s control into the various parts of the body especially the mind is said to help attain higher states of awareness. On a scientific level pranayama techniques are believed to be beneficial in treating a range of stress related disorders, asthma and oxidative stress.

Swara Yoga
Swara yoga focuses on controlling and manipulating the flow of breath in the nostrils. The word swara means “the sound of one’s own breath” and this form of yoga involves studying the nostril’s breath flow at all times of the day and seasons. It uses Pranayama or ‘breath control’ exercises as a part of a more precise and extensive focus on nose breathing.

Modern Yoga’s

Iyengar Yoga
Developed by the living yoga master B.K.S. Iyengar (now age 91), this modern adaptation of Patanjali’s Ashtanga yoga and Hatha yoga, uses props such as belts, cushions, blankets and blocks as aids in performing asanas (postures). This style of Yoga is said to promote strength, icrease flexibility, endurance, balance and stamina through coordinated breathing and poses that require precise body alignment. Iyengar Yoga is one of the most popular types of yoga taught today.The poses are performed at a slow pace and are generally held longer than in other styles of yoga making it especially good if you’re recovering from an injury.

Power Yoga
The American interpretation of ashtanga yoga aimed at a physical workout is what has come to be known as Power Yoga. This fitness approach to yoga is a sweat-producing, muscle-building series of yoga asanas (poses) that flow into each other without the usual pauses between the poses practiced in traditional yoga. Power yoga is also breath-synchronized and the fluent movements from one pose to another create an almost aerobic workout feel. Power yoga’s popularity as a way to workout has made is a common option in the gyms of America.

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* Photo Credits: photos by lululemon athletica, myyogaonline, milopeng, apolaine on flickr

For the best trendy, high quality and comfortable  Fitness clothes and special Yoga Apparel do visit YogacaraShop.com

7 Steps to Healthier Living

An Apple a day, keeps the doctor away? That’s so yesterday! Here are 7 science backed, bonafide steps that promise to boost brain power, nick your chances of heart disease and make your skin glow. Introduce these 7 steps in your lifestyle today and say hello to a new lease on a better, healthier life.

1. CHOOSE FISH

It was once noticed that Latino seniors used hospitals less, yet live longer and die less of heart diseases, cancer or stroke. How come? It’s believed that their diet, which includes a lot of fish may be the answer. You see, fish oil contains Omega-3 fatty acids, which help produce blood platelets and reduce inflammation. Three grams a day can reduce risk of a heart attack by 50%, lower your triglycerides, tackle less-than-perfect cholesterol score, ease pain from arthritis, help prevent cancer, super-charge the brain and make your skin glowing and wrinkle-free. Studies have shown that women who took fish oil when pregnant or lactating boosted their children’s IQ. Include fish such as salmon, mackerel or halibut into your daily diet or else take non-contaminating fish oil supplements.

2. BEND YOUR BRAIN

Playing some mind games could make you smarter, healthier and add a few candles to your birthday cake, say experts. Keeping your mind stimulated boosts memory and brainpower while slashing your risk f developing dementia nearly by half according to a study conducted at the University of New South Wales, Australia. Pick up a book of brain teasers, try to memorize phone numbers, mentally tally tge cost of your groceries as you put it into your shopping cart, or play trivial pursuit with family or friends…anything that challenges your brain will help keep it in prime condition.

3. MEDITATE

Odds, are you already know about the calming effects of meditation, but did you know- A daily dose of ‘Om’ and calming yoga can significantly improve your health. A study of 2,000 seniors found that those who did relaxation exercised daily had 87% fewer heart attacks than is normal for their age group, 55% fewer cancerous tumors and 87% fewer nervous disorders. According to experts, meditation reduces stress by many levels and lowers blood pressure. Consequently, you live a calmer life which allows you to feel healthier and look younger. So don that comfortable yoga apparel and fit atleast a 10-15 minutes of silent meditation time into your daily routine where by you sit in a comfy position and focus on nothing but your breathing.

4. CATCH SOME ZZZs

Been burning the midnight oil many days in a row? Bad idea! Skimping on the zzzs and not getting enough sleep messes with your body’s repair mechanisms, not allowing them to repair any damage and release growth hormones that aid in cell turnover that keeps you looking young and feeling fresh. Sleep deprivation pr lack of sleep puts you at a greater risk for obesity, depression, sallow skin, dark circles and heart problems. Catch a good 7-8 hours of sleep every night to function the best.

5. GO GREEN

Green Tea that is! It’s soothing, tastes great and is packed with good-for-you antioxidants. It was found that green tea gulpers, who drank more than five cups of the stuff a day, had a 26% lower risk of death due to cardiovascular disease, compared to those who drank less than one cup a day. A daily cup of Green tea has been found to erase some of the negative effects of ageing (thanks to the antioxidants in the brew) which means you’ll look younger for longer. All of these benefits have been found to be stronger in women, which is one more reason to go put that kettle on and get brewing.

6. KEEP MOVING

Taking a walk, dancing, working in the garden…in short being active are must dos  for everyone. The benefits are endless! Physical activity in the form of exercise, yoga, jogging, aerobics and so on benefits your mood, promotes self-efficacy and lowers chances of developing heart and blood pressure problems. Six months of regular aerobic exercises reverses the loss of brain tissue that occurs with age.  An those who don’t walk take twice as many sick days as compared to those who walk briskly everyday.  Exercise sweeps white blood cells (key immune system components that are stuck on blood vessel walls) back into circulation. So move that behind! Take the opportunity to scope some great workout clothes and work up to the standard recommendation of 5 times a week for at least 30 minutes.

7.  BE OPTIMISTIC

It turns out, “Don’t Worry, Be Happy” is more than just a classic sing-along. Positivity is a BIG plus health-wise. Studies have found that ‘negative’ brain activity results in a weakened immune system and pessimists were reported to have poorer physical as well as medical functioning. Try looking at the glass half full for a change. Consciously battle your inner critic and replace negative thoughts with a feel-good thought. It may take time to re-train your inner critic, but soon your optimistic self will shine and life will start looking and feeling a lot better.

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* Images Credit: Photos by (from top -bottom) adactio, Betsssssy, longtrekhome, neilbetter, knittinging, adria.richards, Only Sequelon flickr

Heal Yourself Through Color

The Ancient Indian philosophy of “Chakras” or energy centers of the human body and the colors that represent them are revolutionizing a hot new trend today. Dressing in the colors of the Chakras is said to stimulate our Chakra centers and help cure the imbalances or the problematic area of our bodies. To better understand color therapy here’s a brief look into the 7 Chakras or Energy centers and what they represent.

According to traditional Indian medicine and also noticed in the Greek writings of Plato, it is believed that the body has 7 main energy centers, which are connected to major organs and glands that govern other parts of the body. Each of these main energy centers are referred to as ‘Chakra’ – a Sanskrit word which means wheel and symbolizes a wheel-like spinning vortex of life force energy. For your body to stay healthy, it is said that all the 7 chakras need to be balanced. If our surroundings are healthy and positive, we receive positive energy and feel good. This balance of inner physical, mental and emotional energies can also be achieved through light and its colors which physically affect our glands and hormones and have an influence on our feelings.

The 7 Chakras and their colors are-

1. Root Chakra  - RED

Sanskrit name: Muladhara

Location: Base of spine and in the region of the pubic bone. Includes genitals and reproductive organs.
Symbol, Color and Sound: Muladhara (Root/Base Chakra) is symbolized by a lotus with four petals. Red is the color of energy, vitality and power. Sound “lam”.
Influences: Sexuality, mentally it governs stability, emotionally – sensuality and spiritually it influences a sense of security.

2. Sacral Chakra – ORANGE

Sanskrit name: Swadhisthana, Svadisthana

Location: Sacrum, below the navel near the lower abdomen.
Symbol, Color and Sound: Lotus with six petals. Color orange used to increase immunity. Sound “vam”.
Influences: Physically, Svadisthana is related to reproduction, mentally it governs creativity, emotionally it  is responsible for joy and spiritually influences enthusiasm.

3. The Solar Plexus Chakra – YELLOW

Sanskrit name: Manipura

Location: Above the navel, stomach area
Symbol, Color and Sound: lotus with ten petals. Yellow is the color of intellect and it’s used for mental stimulation. Sound “ram”.
Influences: Physically, Manipura influences digestion, mentally – personal power, emotionally – expansiveness and spiritually- all matters of growth.

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4. The Heart Chakra – GREEN

Sanskrit name: Anahata

Location: Center of chest
Symbol, Color and Sound:Lotus flower with twelve petals. Colour green is the color of balance an healing. Sound “yam”.
Influences: Physically Anahata is related to circulation, emotionally – unconditional love for the self and others, mentally – passion and spiritually – devotion.

5. The Throat Chakra – BLUE

Sanskrit name: Vishuddha, Vishuddhi

Location:Throat region, parallel to the thyroid gland
Symbol, Color and Sound: Lotus with sixteen petals. Color blue helps to communicate your emotions properly. Sound “ham”.
Influences: Physically Vishuddha influences communication, emotionally- independence, mentally – fluent thought and spiritually associated with a sense of security.

6. The Brow Chakra – INDIGO

Sanskrit name: Ajna (also known as the third eye chakra)

Location: Forehead, in between the eyes.
Symbol, Color and Sound: lotus with two petals. Color indigo will help you to connect with spiritual self. Sound “om”.
Influences: Physically Ajna governs co-ordination, emotionally it deals with clarity on an intuitive level, mentally it influences intuition and spiritually it  brings a sense of trust.

7. The Crown Chakra – VIOLET

Sanskrit name: Sahasrara

Location: Top of head. Connects to the central nervous system via the hypothalamus and the thalamus.
Symbol, Color and Sound: Lotus with one thousand petals. Color violet has a cleansing power and inspires the spiritual nature.

Influences: Physically Sahasrara impacts knowingness and wisdom, emotionally it deals with beingnness, mentally  it brings forth universal consciousness and unity.

The trend of wearing colors according to the Chakras to stimulate these energies is more than just a fad. With thousands of years of history many believe that colors help us achieve a balance of mind and body.

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Working It Even When You’re Working Out

Fitness and work outs are designed to make you feel good right? So, what better way to feel good than to look good while you sweat it out.

Wearing the right workout clothes has more to it than just the ‘feel good’ factor. While studies have suggested that you are more likely to have a better workout if you are happy with your outer appearance, wearing the appropriate fitness apparel is about function. Designed for freedom of movement and comfort while performing the activity, workout clothing is both functional and practical. Doesn’t mean it can’t be trendy and chic, right? If the celebrities can work it, so can we. Personally, sporting some trendy fitness gear just motivates me to sweat it out harder. We’ve compiled a short list of workout apparel essentials to have no matter what your fitness routine.

Pants: A very important piece, you want to look for pants that move with you and do not restrict movement in any way. Fabric blends of stretchable spandex and soft cotton are ideal as exercise wear as it stretches and moves comfortably while recovering its shape.If you prefer full length (great for autumn and winter) pants go for a style slightly flared and not too tight at the knee. Cropped pants or capris are great not only to show of those toned legs but for leg focused activities like running, jogging, yoga and jumping rope.

Tanks and Tees: For your upper body too, look for tops that don’t restrict the movement of your arms. Tanks and t-shirts in breathable fabrics that wick moisture easily are great as active-wear. The choices for styles of tops are endless from, sleeveless tanks, cropped shirts to t-shirts and hoodies.

A Good Support Bra: When you’re doing the jumping around and exercise routines, a good bra is highly essential. Sports bra’s true to their name offer serious support and are the best for work outs. Comfort is of utmost importance here and for that your bra has to be well-fitted. If you’ve got the body you can just opt for the ‘meant to be seen’ body shaping sport tops that saucy yet, serious.

Shoes: This piece of your workout gear needs some cushion or shock absorbency in it. Sports shoes are plentiful but can be priced a bit on the higher side. Keep them aside for workout’s only and one good pair shoes, you can hold onto for a couple of years making them well worth the investment.

Jackets: A drop in temperature is no reason to abandon your outdoor fitness routine. With some stylish yet functional outerwear, you can keep you toasty, even when the wind starts blowing. Hooded terry jackets are good for keeping warm and offer stretch for range of motion, not to mention a great addition to your wardrobe for layering.

Welcome To Comfort In Style Magazine

Welcome to Comfort In Style Magazine by Yogacara. We are excited to get started since this site has has been in the pipeline for some time now. This will be our platform to share a host of articles and posts on fashion, style, industry news, trends, inspirations and so much more. We are still in the process of getting our site up and beta testing but please do stay tuned.