Understanding Yoga: Part 2
September 16, 2011 by svetlana
Filed under Inspired Living, Yoga and You, Yogacara Blog
Imagine you get up one morning; go to the kitchen and find no water; step outside for your morning walk and do not feel the cool breeze easing you of the burning sun; and when you finally come back home to cook something you find that there is no fire. Scary isn’t it?
Now most of you must be thinking that why did we talk about water fire and wind. Well that is because Yoga is not just an isolated entity which can come of great use without deep understanding the other pieces of the vast jigsaw puzzle.
After glancing through the basic historical context of Yoga in our previous article “Understanding yoga: Part 1” where we gave our readers a gist of the ancient texts -Sanskrit. Now it is the time to shift our attention to the second set of pointers to focus on. Imagine this set of articles as a tree, the first one being the understanding of the roots. We are gradually moving up towards the trunk, branches, leaves, flowers and fruits. Keeping this analogy in mind Yoga assumes the role of the fruit which ripens if the tree is healthy.
So to begin, it becomes very critical to understand the 4 basic elements that yoga and the entire process of union is loosely arrayed around. According to Hindu mythology and its texts, the dynamics of the earth, humans and in fact the entire universe are controlled by 4 basic elements of nature namely:
*before you begin reading the list of elements we request you to try and remember the terms in their original language for better understanding. (p.s.: it is always fun to show off a couple of words from an ancient language)
- 1. Vaayu (air): this element is generally associated with motion and dynamics. The gusts of wind help us cool down but more importantly we live because air gives us the most important aspect of our existence i.e. oxygen. The masters believed that air and wind controlled and influenced the movements of our body. From the movement of the diaphragm to the twitching of the muscles everything is said to be controlled by “ Vaayu”
- 2. Agni (fire): now, as an element we associate fire with destruction but forget to understand that fire is the source of all life. The sun keeps us warm, our body functions at a specific temperature. Even in destruction, there is a hidden aspect of construction or rather creation. The best example is the forest fire which burns the forest only to pave way for new life that hibernates below the surface. Heat is essential for all bodily functions from digestion to excretion
- Jal (water): needless to say one can survive without food for 3 weeks but without water one cannot last for more than three days. If you wish to know more about the magic of water you can read our article on the same titled “Simply water”. For the record our body is 70% water.
- Prithvi (earth): all the matter in this world is constituted from this element called earth. Modern science believes that everything in this world is made up of carbon. Ancient gurus just had a different name. We arise from this earth and end up in it too. Our hair, skin and nails are all composed of this element.
These were the 4 basic elements that the entire world is centered around but there is another element which is generally not mentioned while discussing the aforementioned components as it is not as tangible as the others. Space is the supreme part as all the above mentioned elements come together to find union in space.
Keep in mind, that yoga cannot be fully understood with a petty and typical “weight loss” or “I want to remain fit” motive. The process of exploration includes many stages, one of which is the comprehension of all important parts. The ancient masters believed that the elements discussed in the article are not just around but inside of us and understanding our relationship with the outer world was not as important as understanding our relationship with ourselves. In the coming articles we will give you secret one line mantras to explore the sweetest part of Yoga. Come back for more!
Yoga mantra: TO BEGIN KNOW YOURSELF FROM WITHIN!!!
Read “Understanding Yoga: Part 1”
This article is brought to you by YogacaraShop.com – your source for special Yoga Apparel, yoga inspired clothing, comfort clothing clothing designed according to the Colors of the Chakras and the best trendy, high quality and comfortable Fitness Apparel do visit YogacaraShop.com
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UNDERSTANDING YOGA: Part 01
August 30, 2011 by svetlana
Filed under Yoga and You, Yogacara Blog
What makes us different from other species that exist in parallel to us is that we possess the ability to answer questions related to us and our surroundings. But this intelligence has somehow stopped us from thinking that to get the right answers, the right questions need to be asked. Today many people can answer how yoga is beneficial for the body. But interestingly most of cannot answer what yoga truly is. Ok! Lets us begin with a small set of questions:
- Where did yoga come from?
- What is the meaning of the word yoga?
- Which is the text that deals with the earliest elements of yoga?
- Which language is the text written in?
- How old do you think is yoga as a practice?
Well if you do not know the answers to the above questions then think a little!! are you among the thousands people who pack their bags, roll up their mats and practice yoga every day all across the globe just because it in vogue or because a lot of celebs do it?.Question yourself. Is it possible to bake a delicious cake without knowing the ingredients that go into making it? Is it possible to read this article if you do not know the language. Much in the same way it is important to understand the elements which combine to form this beautiful art called YOGA .The true essence of yoga lies in understanding and absorbing it mentally and spiritually. To categorize yoga as just a physical practice is a crime against the beautiful art. The reason for this line of thought is the various mutants of yoga that have cropped up in the recent years. One does not mean that forms like hip-hop Yoga or power yoga are in any way bad but if one does not understand the history purpose and aims of yoga in its simples and generic form then it is impossible to reap the benefits of the new and contemporary forms of it. To begin with one needs to know what yoga is. It is not just a medium to remain physically active or fit. Yoga should be perhaps seen as a key to unlock a world where physical health and mental tranquility are not mere dreams. It is generally believed that the birth and practice of rudimentary forms of yoga predates recorded history but the Indian text which is considered to be the source of this elixir is sage Patanjali’s YOGA SUTRAS believed to have been composed and compiled in 2nd century BC. The work is divided into 4 Sections, called Padas in Sanskrit, which are as follows:
- Samadhi pada: – this section is composed of 51 sub sections called Sutras. This section outlines the problems a person faces in life in the form of evils deeds, material enticements and other worldly desires. It focuses on ways to harness the inherent energies to be able to understand the next section.
- Sadhana pada: – this section which is composed of 55 sutras deals with the dynamics of the obstacles mentioned in the first section. It identifies individual problems that do not allow one to reach the final stage and aim of yoga which isUNION.
- Vibhuti pada: – this section of the text arrays around the reader the results of constant yoga practice. Vibhuti is a Sanskrit word which means “manifestation or residue”. Composed of 56 sub sections this section delineates the forms in which a person strives towards the ultimate union after practicing yoga.
- Kaivalya pada: – this section is composed of 34 sub sections and deals with the ultimate goal of Yoga i.e. detachment. By detachment one does not refer to moral or emotional detachment but trying to free oneself from the pain that one feels after looking or experiencing the inevitable cycle of death birth and rebirth.
So it becomes very critical to know the secrets behind an art that we are following. What is being done in the world today is just a part of the entire process of yoga called “asana” which means positions. One should note that to understand yoga to its minutest details one should try to understand the elementary words of Sanskrit because the translation of a work to another language always results in a residual loss of essence which can make all the difference in understanding and adapting the work to the fullest. For more information about Yoga and its understanding watch out the same space. You will not have to search the internet or read inscriptions for the same. We will deliver everything to you. From the right yogic positions to the anecdotes which make yoga not only fun to do but great fun to read too!!
This article is brought to you by YogacaraShop.com – your source for special Yoga Apparel, yoga inspired clothing, comfort clothing clothing designed according to the Colors of the Chakras and the best trendy, high quality and comfortable Fitness Apparel do visit YogacaraShop.com
Photo credits: asterix611 ( www.flickr.com)
Yoga: A Route To Health & Vitality
January 20, 2011 by noreen
Filed under Featured, Yoga and You
Yoga definitely can help you to find your own route to health and vitality. The well-being which you get from the practice of yoga, not only has physical benefits, but also affects your spiritual and emotional aspects.
Today many of us accept yoga as an alternative medicine. But yoga is not a used as a substitute for medical care. Although, it can be of great assistance in the treatment of many conditions, it is better to consider yoga as a kind of preventive medicine rather than a treatment.
There are numerous health benefits you can get from practicing yoga as we’ve previously seen in our posts such as Nourishing Yoga: Body, Mind and Spirit. Besides the well known effect of boosting the immune system, yoga has proved to provide better concentration, co-ordination and sleep, to lower blood pressure and control cholesterol, improve flexibility and the digestive system. Compared to other forms of exercise, while practicing yoga asanas all the joints of body are used to a full extent and kept mobile, and yoga poses have a tremendous effect on abdominal organs and thoracic organs.
There is also evidences that yoga helps to treat medical conditions like allergies and skin problems, menopause, menstrual cramps, heart problems, slip disc, knee and hip problems, hypertension, acidity, anemia, depression, obesity, insomnia, Alzheimer disease to name a few.
To be more specific-
Seated postures are used to treat constipation, diabetes, arthritis, and genital diseases.- Standing poses are beneficial for improving your posture, strengthening your muscles and opening the hips.
- Balancing poses are great for improving balance and strengthen specific body parts, for example shoulders and back.
- Back bends which shouldn’t be done unsupervised, helps people with back problems, pain or injury, improves spinal flexibility and strengthens the back. It also benefits the abdominal organs, energizes the heart and soul by opening the chest.
- Inverted yoga poses are beneficial for women to normalize their menstruation cycles as corrects the displacement of the fallopian tubes or uterus if any. It also rejuvenates pituitary and thyroid glands and stimulates the nervous centers of your brain. Inverted poses can proven an effective tool in preventing as well as treating varicose veins.
- Forward bends keep your spine strong, release tension and soothe the nervous system.
- Finally, relaxation and restorative poses are also useful when you are sick, stressed or recovering from childbirth.
Some people say they feel worse for up to two weeks after starting practicing yoga. The reason for this is elimination of toxins from your body. After this initial period of body cleansing, the way you feel will considerably improve. The change you’ll feel in terms of health and vitality will be the most fulfilling, you’ll see.
*Image credits: photos by rivieramaya26, Jason Verwey on flickr
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The Health Benefits of Yoga
December 20, 2010 by noreen
Filed under Yoga and You
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This article is brought to you by YogacaraShop.com – your source for special Yoga Apparel, yoga inspired clothing, comfort clothing clothing designed according to the Colors of the Chakras and the best trendy, high quality and comfortable Fitness Apparel do visit YogacaraShop.com
Make Yoga Your Lifestyle Not Just A Workout Session
November 7, 2010 by noreen
Filed under Yoga and You
One of the great things about yoga is whoever you are- young or old, fit or out of shape, working or stay at home, man, woman or child, you can make it a lifestyle rather than just a one hour session in your day. Yoga isn’t something that has to only take place at certain locations and certain times. Part of the joy and benefits of yoga is that you can apply it to make your daily life easier, more pleasurable and stress-free where ever you are and what ever you are doing.
It’s easy to fall for the notion that you need the right yoga props, the fancy yoga apparel and the perfect atmosphere to practice yoga. But that shouldn’t be the case at all. True practice of yoga needs none of the ‘bells and whistles’ it is always portrayed with. All it needs is a sense of willingness and openness and some basic knowledge of its techniques and poses.
Stressed at work?
- It’s probably inappropriate for you to kick your shoes off, lay down your yoga mat and attempt a full-fledged yoga session at your work place. However, a few simple stretches and some controlled breathing can restore your equilibrium and help ease your stresses of the working day. Several simple warm-up exercises from your yoga class, like head & neck rolls, shoulder shrugging, stretching the arms and flexing the fingers and feet, are perfect for the workplace and can easily be done sitting in your office chair or standing up. A simple forward bend using your chair back, to relieve a stiff back from sitting or standing for a long time is a good and fairly discreet yoga pose, that will also help boost your circulation and re-energize a sluggish body and mind. Yoga eye exercises too can help rest your eyes especially if you spend long hours in front of a computer screen.
Applying yoga to your everyday life will automatically improve your posture when you sit and in turn help in reducing those tiresome aches and pains. Soon after you make it a habit, you won’t even be consciously putting the effort into practicing stretches, sitting correctly and breathing relaxed where ever you are.
Are you a mother overwhelmed at home?
- If you’re a stay at home mom or a working one doing the whole multi-tasking with managing the kids, home and not to forget husband…then it does happen to get overwhelming at times. I find that after a busy morning of getting everything going with breakfast, packing the kids’ lunches, getting them ready and off to school, I need a few moments for myself. I put my mat in the middle of the living room or in the backyard if the weather is good and lay down for a good 10 minutes just relaxing and clearing my mind. After a few yoga stretches and I find myself forgetting about everything but my yoga poses. I usually spend an hour doing this regularly and feel my mind is completely calm, my body refreshed and re-energized, ready to take on the rest of the day. Whenever something in the day starts getting to me, I take a minute – do my yoga breathing or a stretch and suddenly I have the patience to cope with my two year old’s temper tantrum in a busy supermarket.
Don’t let “I don’t have enough time” become your theme song. Make the time and if you can’t do it at home, join a class and trust me it’ll give you the serenity of mind to cope with the wear and tear of daily life.
Going on a trip?
- Yoga on the move! Ease the tension in your back and shoulders with a few roadside yoga stretches, on your long roadtrip. Or try a few travelers twists after sitting in a cramped aircraft for a while. Whether you are on the move or on a vacation, take a few minutes to practice a little yoga, maybe even just sit quiet and try and find that inner peace within yourself and you’ll see just how much a difference it can make in your life.
Yoga is a Lifestyle, Yoga is Everywhere, Yoga is You!
Related Posts:
Enhance Your Creativity With Your Yogic Practice
Boost Your Energy with Yoga
Nourishing Yoga: Body, Mind and Spirit
Yogic Eating- Food For the Body, That Nourishes the Soul
The Health Benefits of Yoga
This article is brought to you by YogacaraShop.com – your source for special Yoga Apparel, yoga inspired clothing, comfort clothing clothing designed according to the Colors of the Chakras and the best trendy, high quality and comfortable Fitness Apparel do visit YogacaraShop.com
*Image credits: photos by Jenica26, myyogaonline and lululemon athletica on flickr
The Health Benefits of Yoga
December 6, 2009 by noreen
Filed under Featured, Yoga and You
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Lead a Healthier Lifestyle by Practicing Yoga Daily
Everyone knows physical benefits of regularly practicing yoga, the increase in flexibility, improvement in muscle tone and strength as well as overall better posture. But, this 5,000 year old practice is more than just a trendy workout as it has been called. Its millions of followers are enjoying a host of health benefits. The balance Yoga brings the mind, body and spirit through body poses, controlled breathing and more importantly meditation is associated with a number of health benefits which are medically and scientifically recognized the world over.
Here’s a look at some of the Health Benefits associated with Yoga:
Circulation
Through the practice of yoga poses along with breathing exercises, Yoga improves blood circulation. By improving circulation, nutrients and oxygen are better transported throughout your body resulting in healthier organs, skin and brain.
Respiratory System
Like the circulatory system, a lower respiratory rate indicates that the lungs are working more efficiently. Yoga helps decrease the respiratory rate through a combination of controlled breathing exercises and better fitness. By learning how to control breathing during exercise, it maximizes the absorption of oxygen-rich air for your body which in turn helps reduce respiratory related health problems like asthma, bronchitis and clear the nasal passage and sinuses.
Relieves Stress
Stress is an increasing health issue nowadays. Stress causes your muscles to tense, the heart beat faster, a change in breathing patterns and the secretion of more hormones that increasing blood sugar levels as well as raising blood pressure. The concentration required during yoga practice tends to focus your attention on the matter at hand, thereby reducing the emphasis you may have been putting on the stress in your life. Consistent yoga practice decreases blood pressure through better circulation and oxygenation of the body.
Heart Disease
Several trials have found that yoga can lower blood pressure, cholesterol, resting heart rates and help slow the progression of atherosclerosis—all risk factors for heart disease. A combination of lowering heart rate and improving oxygenation to the body, both these benefits of yoga help in reducing the risk of heart diseases.
Cancer
Research has shown that patients fighting or recovering from cancer who do yoga benefit from a number of advantages. The results of a study in which women with metastatic breast cancer, attended eight weekly yoga sessions and the doctors found that the women had much less pain and felt more energetic and relaxed than others who hadn’t done any yoga. Cancer patients who practice yoga are said to gain strength, raise red blood cells, experience less nausea during chemotherapy and have a better overall well-being.
Back Pain and Arthritis
Yoga involves doing yoga poses in a slow, deliberate manner. It helps reduce spinal compression and improves the overall body alignment which reduce back pain. However, if the poses are incorrectly practiced it can make back pain worse. During a pose gentle pressure exerted on the joints which is an excellent form of exercise to relieve arthritis symptoms. Yoga physically helps loosen all the bodies muscles and therapeutic to the joints.
Menopause
Studies have shown that women who took yoga classes which use props to support the postures, reported a 30 percent decrease in hot flashes, one of the side effects of menopause. Women who took Yoga classes for longer plus reported less physical and sexual discomfort as well as reduced stress and anxiety.
Apart from these health benefits that yoga has shown to help, there are other emotional perks to be gained from a consistent yoga practice as yoga aims at achieving a balance between ones body and mind. Yoga elevates overall mood and well being of a person and is said to help battle depression and anxiety. It is also said to improve concentration, memory and through meditation techniques makes a person more calm and composed with a positive outlook on life.
*Photo credits: Photos by Mahesh Khanna, pikimota, Andreas D., Dave77459 on flickr
