Perception is the process of interpretation, organization, and elaborating the `raw materials of sensation (1). Sensation involves sensory receptors and pathways, whereas perception is a cognitive process. The actual perception of a sensation depends on factors such as what has been learned, memories, and emotions. It is also important to remember that while perception usually refers to sensory stimuli, this definition can be extended to include the perception of situations.
Recordings of middle latency auditory evoked potentials (AEP-MLRs) have shown that the practice of ujjayi pranayama modifies the AEP-MLRs components in two ways. A specific component (the Na wave) has reduced latency and increased amplitude during pranayama practice (2). These results suggest that this practice facilitates the processing of auditory information at mesencephalic and diencephalic levels. A similar result was also seen during the practice of meditation on the syllable Om (3), where subjects who had more than ten years of meditation experience, showed an increase in the Na wave amplitude and a decrease in its latency while mentally repeating (Om). No such effect was seen when the same subjects mentally repeated `one, during a control session, for comparison.
These electrophysiological data are corroborated by neuropsychological studies. Previous studies on meditation have shown significant changes in perception, attention and cognition (4). Brown and Engler in 1980 (5), reported that meditators were found to be more sensitive to subtle aspects of color and shading of the Rorschach test inkblots, than they had been before meditation. Two studies on the Critical Flicker Fusion Frequency have shown that perceptual sensitivity is not restricted to subtle aspects of the stimulus alone, as detection of a high frequency flickering stimulus was found to improve following yoga training (6,7). A study on the degree of a visual geometric illusion, based on Mller-Lyer lines showed that a combination of focusing and defocusing yoga visual exercises reduces optical illusion more than focusing alone (8). These studies were conducted on adult subjects with varying durations of yoga training. It was reported in a recent study on Critical Flicker Fusion Frequency and optical illusion on children who practiced yoga for a shorter duration of 10 days that there was also a significant improvement following the practice of yoga (9). To perceive an optical illusion with minimal error and for accurate depth perception the spatial component of visual perception is necessary (10). The decrease in the degree of optical illusion perceived over a short period would be mainly due to cognitive judgmental factors, but not retinal or cortical factors as generally understood (11). The cognitive judgmental factors involve the way in which the subject interprets incoming visual information based on experience, hypothesis and strategies of judgment. Hence the training through yoga to focus and defocus might have influenced the cognitive judgmental factors of the subjects, to significantly reduce the degree of optical illusion perceived. Critical flicker fusion frequency (CFF), on the other hand, assesses the temporal component of perception of a visual stimulus (12). The increase in CFF following yoga could be attributed to the effects of yoga reducing physiological signs of stress, as CFF was found to be lower during specific stressors, such as food and water deprivation (13). This showed that both spatial and temporal components of visual perception are modified following yoga practices.
Hence the electrophysiological data as well as the visual, neuropsychological studies cited above have shown that yoga practice improves diverse aspects of auditory and visual stimuli in normal volunteers.
An interesting difference in auditory perception (based on AEP-MLRs) were also seen in congenitally blind children (14) and adults (15) compared to those with normal sight. The changes suggested improved auditory perception which could be a compensatory mechanism of auditory sensation in the presence of poor vision.
The effect of yoga has been observed on the perception of situations. Examples of a change in the way persons perceive situations was observed in two separate groups of subjects. A study on 69 aged persons (above 60 years of age), staying in an old age home, showed that after 6 months of yoga practice there was a reduction in their feelings of depression, based on the Geriatric Depression Scale suggesting a favorable change in the wy they perceived their circumstances (16). Another study on ten patients with breast cancer (stage 2 and 3), showed reduction in depression and anxiety (using Becks Depression Scale, Spielbergers State and Trait Anxiety Inventory), after practicing yoga for 6 months. Hence yoga can probably have positive effects on both sensory perception and on the way situations or circumstances are perceived (17).
Finally, there may be more ways of perceiving the world than we know about. As the renowned sensory neurophysiologist, Vernon B. Mountacastle said: Each of us lives within..the prison of his own brain. Projecting from it are millions of fragile sensory nerve fibers, in groups uniquely adapted to sample the energetic states of the world around us: heat, light, force, and chemical composition. That is all we ever know of it directly; all else is logical inference (18). Yoga may allow an advanced practitioner to develop `siddhis or special powers, which may hence allow such a person to have a different, possibly `expanded perception of the world.

Perception is the process of interpretation, organization, and elaborating the `raw materials of sensation (1). Sensation involves sensory receptors and pathways, whereas perception is a cognitive process. The actual perception of a sensation depends on factors such as what has been learned, memories, and emotions. It is also important to remember that while perception usually refers to sensory stimuli, this definition can be extended to include the perception of situations.
Recordings of middle latency auditory evoked potentials (AEP-MLRs) have shown that the practice of ujjayi pranayama modifies the AEP-MLRs components in two ways. A specific component (the Na wave) has reduced latency and increased amplitude during pranayama practice (2). These results suggest that this practice facilitates the processing of auditory information at mesencephalic and diencephalic levels. A similar result was also seen during the practice of meditation on the syllable Om (3), where subjects who had more than ten years of meditation experience, showed an increase in the Na wave amplitude and a decrease in its latency while mentally repeating (Om). No such effect was seen when the same subjects mentally repeated `one, during a control session, for comparison.
These electrophysiological data are corroborated by neuropsychological studies. Previous studies on meditation have shown significant changes in perception, attention and cognition (4). Brown and Engler in 1980 (5), reported that meditators were found to be more sensitive to subtle aspects of color and shading of the Rorschach test inkblots, than they had been before meditation. Two studies on the Critical Flicker Fusion Frequency have shown that perceptual sensitivity is not restricted to subtle aspects of the stimulus alone, as detection of a high frequency flickering stimulus was found to improve following yoga training (6,7). A study on the degree of a visual geometric illusion, based on Mller-Lyer lines showed that a combination of focusing and defocusing yoga visual exercises reduces optical illusion more than focusing alone (8). These studies were conducted on adult subjects with varying durations of yoga training. It was reported in a recent study on Critical Flicker Fusion Frequency and optical illusion on children who practiced yoga for a shorter duration of 10 days that there was also a significant improvement following the practice of yoga (9). To perceive an optical illusion with minimal error and for accurate depth perception the spatial component of visual perception is necessary (10). The decrease in the degree of optical illusion perceived over a short period would be mainly due to cognitive judgmental factors, but not retinal or cortical factors as generally understood (11). The cognitive judgmental factors involve the way in which the subject interprets incoming visual information based on experience, hypothesis and strategies of judgment. Hence the training through yoga to focus and defocus might have influenced the cognitive judgmental factors of the subjects, to significantly reduce the degree of optical illusion perceived. Critical flicker fusion frequency (CFF), on the other hand, assesses the temporal component of perception of a visual stimulus (12). The increase in CFF following yoga could be attributed to the effects of yoga reducing physiological signs of stress, as CFF was found to be lower during specific stressors, such as food and water deprivation (13). This showed that both spatial and temporal components of visual perception are modified following yoga practices.
Hence the electrophysiological data as well as the visual, neuropsychological studies cited above have shown that yoga practice improves diverse aspects of auditory and visual stimuli in normal volunteers.
An interesting difference in auditory perception (based on AEP-MLRs) were also seen in congenitally blind children (14) and adults (15) compared to those with normal sight. The changes suggested improved auditory perception which could be a compensatory mechanism of auditory sensation in the presence of poor vision.
The effect of yoga has been observed on the perception of situations. Examples of a change in the way persons perceive situations was observed in two separate groups of subjects. A study on 69 aged persons (above 60 years of age), staying in an old age home, showed that after 6 months of yoga practice there was a reduction in their feelings of depression, based on the Geriatric Depression Scale suggesting a favorable change in the wy they perceived their circumstances (16). Another study on ten patients with breast cancer (stage 2 and 3), showed reduction in depression and anxiety (using Becks Depression Scale, Spielbergers State and Trait Anxiety Inventory), after practicing yoga for 6 months. Hence yoga can probably have positive effects on both sensory perception and on the way situations or circumstances are perceived (17).
Finally, there may be more ways of perceiving the world than we know about. As the renowned sensory neurophysiologist, Vernon B. Mountacastle said: Each of us lives within..the prison of his own brain. Projecting from it are millions of fragile sensory nerve fibers, in groups uniquely adapted to sample the energetic states of the world around us: heat, light, force, and chemical composition. That is all we ever know of it directly; all else is logical inference (18). Yoga may allow an advanced practitioner to develop `siddhis or special powers, which may hence allow such a person to have a different, possibly `expanded perception of the world.

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Your body’s health is a complex system of mini-systems, just like a global village of its own – there are hills and valleys, eruptions and frozen areas, streams, oceans, and there are sometimes swamps. These areas of stagnation don’t need to be treated with disdain – rather, they can be held as hidden treasure lands able to give forth fertile, recoverable items that are usable and actually add to the richness of the whole system. The trapped energy in stored fat or tension can be released thru deep breathing, allowing the normal cleansing functions to harmonize themselves more quickly. With this attitude, let’s talk about your internal Riverway and the water treatment process that your body performs.

Get friendly with your highways and byways – the lymphatic system is responsible for transporting wastes, returning filtered blood particles, and transporting the immune response (lymphocytes). It is your internal shower – the ongoing action of the liquidy part of blood (plasma) “leaking” into the spaces in between the cells – like water permeating a sponge, the lymph is meant to go everywhere – grabbing up and carrying along extraneous or foreign particles and cells, flowing all the waste products toward the main water filtration stations (lymph nodes). The patrol brings the invaders to the station and a battle may ensue. We may realize our immune system is responding to an alarm because the warriors (lymphocytes) multiply and do the body’s main defending in the node areas, making them swell when we fight a cold or other diseases.

The blood is pumped by the heart, but the lymph is pumped mostly by muscle contraction, along with the respiratory diaphragm movement. When we do deep, complete breathing, exercising and sweating, we add to the body’s ability to cleanse itself of toxins and waste products – we pump the lymph along its Riverway. The branch of yoga studying the breath is called Pranayama, prana being the Sanskrit word for Life Force or Vital Energy.

We all seem to realize it’s important to take our cars in for regular tune-ups, repairs, oil changes, radiator coolant flushes, gas and air filter changes, etc. But what about our bodies? Who changes the air filter in our lungs? and cleans out the oil filter in our gall bladder? or flushes out the blood cleaning mechanism in our spleen, kidneys and bladder? The intelligence of the human body is so elegant that, merely using our breath, we accomplish the minimum cleansing program. The diaphragm is beautifully situated where all the filtering organs are latticed into its movement, and they benefit greatly from the repetitive squeezing and releasing of cellular elements.

Our global village is ecological, too, in that it will reuse anything sitting around too long, So all the garbage (unused sugar, fat, protein) sitting around in your backyard (or front porch..?!) will be held in a hydro-culture (ground substance) waiting to be sent out as waste or turned into useful calories. If it sits too long in one spot, the sediment of the river’s flow is deposited in hard immobile impactions (colon) or soggy, swampy pools (edema), making ripe ground for holding disease pockets. The largest organ of elimination is the skin, so it’s important to perspire AND to exfoliate (dry skin brushing). We also eliminate thru the colon, bladder, and the lungs. When one organ isn’t working efficiently or being given an opportunity to contribute, the other organs have to take over the extra toxic waste. This can, for example, lead to skin eruptions when the colon is not moving at least 1-3 times a day. Most people need to DRINK MORE WATER. Formula (your weight divided by two = how many ounces per day you need)

It is important to always eliminate whatever we can no longer use. Once we have assimilated and absorbed, transformed and integrated something into ourselves, we are meant to harmoniously and efficiently get rid of all the parts that are not useful or no longer need to be held in reserve. Another intrinsically elegant element in our design as human beings, is the metaphor of our physical and emotional lives. Once we can let go of our habits, grudges, or unneeded negative reactive patterns, we can breath easier in our daily lives.

Your internal organs depend on your deep breathing and muscle tone in order to be squeezed, re-oxygenated, flushed, and efficient in their functions. They also depend on the muscles that hold them up from gravity – the hammock or sling that is the bottom or pelvic floor for the abdominal cavity – the PC muscle group (pubococcygeus). Re-discovered in this century by Doctor Kegel, the diamond-shaped area where this group of muscles weaves the base sphincters together is also known in ancient yogic studies as Muladhara, or the Root Chakra. Learning how to hold or lock (Muladhara Bandha) and elevate the internal hammock is a Pranayama technique developed for increasing Vital Force. Once activated, it flows from the base of the spine up to the crown, and charges up each one of the neural plexes (chakras) as it moves. With this, the body has an abundance of energy for cleansing, relaxing, and rejuvenating all the internal organs. It creates a flow of electro-magnetic activity that harmonizes and reconnects the breaks in the continuous circuitry.

Yogis and the ancient Chinese have known that in order to be self-sufficient and isolated in the mountains, the body needed to be flexible, efficient, sensitive, and sturdy. They designed physical techniques for internal cleansing that needed to be done either manually or by one’s own body’s mechanisms. Using the anal sphincter lock and upward draw, the indigenous Polynesians and Egyptians drew sea water into the colon, for a natural enema effect. In order to gain instead of losing energy during love-making, tantric practitioners use these recycling techniques for preserving sexual energy. Pumping the base chakra with specific breathing and visualizations are meditative techniques that can lead to full-blown spiritual visions and inner blissful states. Most of us are not going to practice in that way, nonetheless, we can learn a great deal from this approach. Engaging the muscles of the Root or Base Chakra physiologically creates pressure on the cerebral-spinal fluid and repercusses along the dura mater and throughout the spinal column to the brain. Thus, massaging the perineum with our isometric exercise, we can affect the entire brain system. This brings a profound state of heightened relaxation, and is the basis for tantric yoga abilities – for the woman, to become full body and multi-orgasmic, and experience the Valley orgasm more easily – for the man, to sustain an erection all night long, controlling ejaculation, and also to become full body and multi-orgasmic. Extended states of bliss are said to be youthening and harmonizing to the brain and hormones. (Shorter periods of excitement and pleasure are equally as valuable, says my housecat).

Here’s an interesting and alternative way to massage your own internal organs – Standing comfortably, let all the air out of your lungs and belly, and while trying to keep it out, allow your belly to move in and out – feel the swishing inside as you move all the viscera around with your muscles during the exhale (Uddhiyana Bandha & Nauli’s). This kind of plunging action also occurs when you activate the perineal area with the Kegel contraction, known as an Upward Draw in Taoistic studies. First, you have to find your Pelvic Floor. Since ultimately, you will be elevating, or pulling the muscle more inward and up into the torso, there are no outward signs that it is contracting. All other muscles should be relaxed – isolate this group completely.

Find the urethral sphincter by starting and stopping the flow of urine. Only do this initially to ensure you are using the right muscles. For women, you could insert your finger slightly into the vaginal opening, and squeeze as though you would pull it up into the vaginal canal. For men, watching to see the reaction of the penis moving slightly, you can determine if you are activating the right group of muscles. At first, just “chewing gum” style will suffice (clench, release, clench, release). But that is only half of the fibers (short twitch). The endurance and tensile strengthening (long twitch) comes from holding and sustaining the clench, and actually increasing the grip force and drawing the muscles upward.

Most people think that Kegels are for women after childbirth, but they are actually FOR EVERYONE! MEN IN PARTICULAR can benefit because of the increased circulation to the prostate gland. Because men tend to be more yang, they are holding a contracted sphincter, and women being more yin, will become more and more flaccid. Thus, men need to use the exercise as a way to elasticize and relax the area, bringing fresh blood, vigor and sensitivity. And of course, women need to tone and strengthen, activate and juice up the area, making more and more of the cells alive and available.

Enjoy creating the inner fire you will begin to sense as you develop your inner yoga – feel a surge of vital force moving from a deep place, rising thru your body. This is simply your own physiology responding to your intention to pump energy. It WORKS!

Pelvic Floor Exercises for Women AND Men

Use abdominal breathing.
Count to 10 for one cycle. As you exhale (1,2,3,4,5), begin to squeeze the pelvic floor tight, and as the exhale continues, increase your sense of drawing the base upward inside the body (6,7,8,9,10) like a freight elevator, slow and strong and weighted. Then slowly Inhale and release the muscle, allowing it to slowly lower and fully relax. Allow the sensation of a slight bulging out when you reach the “ground floor”, the way a freight elevator drops slightly lower and then returns to neutral. The relaxation phase IS THE MOST IMPORTANT FOR THE MAN. Attempt to fully isolate the pelvic floor and avoid using any abdominal or buttox muscles.
Do 15 cycles 3X a day to improve tone.

Isometric and resistive exercises promote: circulation, activation, elasticity, responsiveness, strength, and endurance. These are sometimes called the Love muscles and will activate all functions of this area. Any muscle that you exercise and put your conscious intention into, will respond better, faster, longer, stronger, and more often.

Perineal release thru massage or activation thru pelvic floor exercises has been shown to have a dramatic effect on vaginal tone after birth. It also affects the elasticity of the opening, allowing for the possibility to avoid an episiotomy. After such a procedure, sustaining one’s Internal Yoga practice will have a strong impact on recovery of all functions in this area.

Poor tone of the urogenital diaphragm has been shown to be related to: incontinence, hemorrhoids, organ prolapse, constipation, premature ejaculation, impotence, lower libido, non-lubrication, prostate disease, PMS.

Marci Javril, Vital Energist, is a Certified Somatic Therapist, spiritual counselor and movement therapist. She gives tutorials in Lymphatic Clearing and Abdominal Integrity, including internal organ release and detox. Ms. Javril also coaches interested people in Pregnancy & Infant Massage, and Post-Surgical Intervention. Her work focuses on the art & science of rejuvenation, enriched by many years in the performing arts and in depth studies in Kriya Tantra Yoga. Marci has been in private practise since 1984 and can be reached for consultations at (866)-551-0062 or (310)-306-9838. See credentials on web site: http://VitalEnergyCenter.com or contact by email: MJavril@VitalEnergyCenter.com
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There are a lot of yoga schools all over the world. Before, yoga was only applied and practice in India but now, looks like it has evolved. Almost all the people in the world know the word yoga although there are some who don’t have a clear picture of it. Yoga for many people is an exercise and a means to concentrate with the mind and soul.

It is a great advantage that free online yoga was offered to the people. They say that the web is the easiest way to gain, search and acquire knowledge. Almost everything is learned from the web and it is no wonder why the people get hooked on it.

Free online yoga chooses no one in particular. Everyone is a candidate in learning yoga. All you need to do is to have your own computer and get hooked on to it.

If you want to learn from the basics, the net has the resources on how to learn it the easy way. As long as you know how to understand and read, you are capable of learning yoga.

It is an amazing breakthrough that yoga is taught in the web. Free online yoga saves you from going to a yoga class. It saves your time, money and effort. Plus, you can freely do it at home without any one looking at you if that is what you prefer.

If you want to have the free online yoga, there are some certain requirements that you need.

Now you will wonder if free online yoga is really advantageous. If it is, then why are all the people going to schools and bringing their mats on their backpack if they can acquire it at home.

Of course not everybody has their own personal computer. If you have a computer, it’s as easy as connecting to the web and browsing the net.

There are a lot of web sites that offered free online yoga. You can search from a variety of sites and be sure not to leave off any.

Some sites that offer free online yoga will only ask you to register. You will just have to fill up some important information like your state address, name, age and gender. These information is important in giving you the information you need. The age is something they need to consider because not all practices are suitable for all ages. For example for the older ones, they cannot perform a lot of stretching and bending. This is important why you should fill up correct information.

In choosing the best site to have your online free yoga, you should make sure that the things they teach you are all correct because some yoga practices can lead to disaster and disorders.

There are some sites that do not really teach the right and recommended yoga. They just want to be part of the trend that is why they imitate the original sites. Practicing the wrong yoga poses and positions entail a lot of risk in your health. So this thing must be handled properly.

Although free online yoga is displayed on the net, it does not mean that you have to trust it easily.

Practising Yoga Can Help You Achieve Success and Well-being

It is widely known that engaging in exercise is an essential part of a wellness routine. With yoga the physical movement becomes a vital part of helping you to realize your dreams, desires and intentions. It gives you energy and vitality that will help you to be able to begin and subsequently complete your projects.

Its simplicity and almost immediate benefits have made it one of the most fashionable alternative exercises of the new Millennium. Normally known for its relaxation benefits, yoga can boost your energy levels in as little as just 10 minutes.

In simple terms the deep stretches and graceful movements help to unblock energy, improve muscle tone and increase your general stamina. As well as improved energy levels, When practised regularly enthusiasts say you will experience greater sexual vitality and better self-discipline.

Yoga cleanses and enlarges your chakra centres. Chakra or energy center is a term used in Pranic healing, an ancient Hindu system of energy healing. “Prana” means life energy and is also closely associated with the term “aura.” Aura is a non-physical body that consists of energy, which exists along with our physical body. The aura that covers our body is said to have seven layers pertaining to the physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual aspects of an individual as manifested by energy.

So practising yoga opens you up to new, creative ideas so that you can hear your inner voice to receive guidance loud and clear.

Yoga also allows an unsettled mind to become quiet so that it can meditate and hear the voice of Divine guidance.

Although those new to yoga may feel intimidated, this need not be the case. If you are embarrassed there are always DVDs and other resources which you can use to practice in the comfort of your own home. This can be beneficial as you can tailor your progress to fit in with your own schedule, interests and fitness levels. Taking the time to find a local centre can also help as they can assist you by helping you to enrol on a suitable class. Through repetitive practice yoga will help you to receive direction of your thoughts and feelings and also increase your energy levels in ways which will give you the equivalent of having more hours in your day.

Under the Law of Karma every action and thought of a person has its Karmic effect upon the future. The thoughts of a person are like seeds which can direct you towards growth. As the old saying goes, “You reap what you sow,” and in practising yoga will help yourself to get back in touch with thoughts that can blossom into the fruits of your future life. In the long-term, the breathing and body exercises will help detoxify your mind of tension and strain, creating calm and an inner sense of peace.

SelfHelpHub is a website created to provide the latest recommended self development tools, resources and tools to help you achieve success and well-being. To get your free exercise DVD and motivation software go directly to Self Help Hub Free Resources Page.

Melanie Mills writes self development articles to help you achieve success and well-being.

Proponents of yoga argue that it has a multiplicity of techniques to counter that cause and, unlike drug therapy, attack the cause, not just the symptoms. It offers, they say, a holistic approach to health and fitness. Many professional athletes, looking for the edge have turned to yoga as a supplementary form of training. They have found that yoga aids their state of mental and physical relaxation between training sessions, and their crucial build-up to big meets, where a competition is usually won or lost in the mind.

Starting Yoga ~ Why You May Want To Consider Yoga

Although most people have heard about Yoga, not so many know much about it. Many people just think of Yoga as flexibility training. Yoga is actually much more than that. It consists of all-around mind and body fitness training. Together your mind and body affect everything you do, so Yoga can help you with practically anything.

Yoga takes a holistic approach to mind and body health. That means that Yoga does not separate the training of the mind from the training of the body. Yoga sees the mind and the body as inseparable parts of a whole.

Yoga mainly trains the mind and body through poses and postures, also known as asanas. This training will help improve your blood circulation, flexibility, strength, stamina, and concentration. After practicing Yoga, you will feel invigorated and peaceful. That along with the stress relief can help you perform your daily chores and other work.

Whether you are an office worker, an athlete, a stay-at-home mom, or a grocery store cashier, you will find that the practice of Yoga helps you do your job. You do not have to just think of Yoga as an end; Yoga is also a means. It will enable you to do what you do better and more contentedly.

Long-term Yoga practice will make you a happier person. It can help prevent future injuries and illnesses, as well as provide relief for current injuries and illnesses.

Before starting Yoga practice, you want to make sure that you consult with your doctor. You want to consult with your doctor before starting any new exercise routine. This is especially important if you have any medical conditions.

Once you consult your doctor, I suggest that you at least try out Yoga. The worst that could happen is that you find you do not like it. If it does not work for you, then you can stop at anytime.

If you decide you want to start Yoga, you have a few options. You can try to find a class at a local gym or Yoga studio. If you want a cheaper and more convenient option, you can get a Yoga DVD which will guide you through your Yoga workouts at home. The advantage of a Yoga DVD is that you can do it at home on your own time. However, going to a class will allow you to ask questions and will allow the instructor to provide you with personal tips that cannot be provided in a prerecorded DVD.

Scott Hughes owns and operates Online Yoga Club at OnlineYogaClub.com. If you have any Yoga-related questions or if just want to discuss Yoga, you can do it for free at the Yoga Forums.

Talk to anyone who practises yoga and they will quickly extoll an endless list of yoga benefits. It seems beginners quickly become converts. They believe it is the key to good health and happiness in today’s world – a common goal for most people. But probably the greatest advertisement for yoga is the fact that it seems to have graduated from the weird and alternative ranks into a position of fairly wide community acceptance.

Yoga For Total Health And Well Being

The most important benefit of yoga is physical and mental therapy. Physical benefits are the creations of a toned, flexible and strong body, improves respiration, energy and vitality. It also helps to maintain a balanced metabolism and promotes cardio and circulatory health and relieves pain.

For mental benefits, yoga teaches us how to focus on breathing while we look and feel younger. it helps us to perform better in games and sports too.

Consistent practice of yoga with meditation help to control ailments such as diabetes, blood pressure, digestive problems, arthritis, arteriosclerosis, chronic and heart problems. Scientific tests have proved that yoga has the ability to increase the control of autonomic or involuntary functions like temperature, heartbeat and blood pressure.

The results of scientific research on yoga is, there is a creation of balanced in nervous and endocrine system which benefits all the other function of the body system. Yoga acts both as a curative and preventive therapy. The very essence of yoga lies in attaining mental peace, improved concentration powers, a relaxed state of living and harmony in relationships.

Through the practice of yoga, we become aware of the interconnectedness between our emotional, mental and physical levels.

I have practiced yoga for more than ten years now and I find that not only does it give me wonderful physical workouts; it also provides me with a completely different outlook in life. It does not matter how tired I may be going into class, I always look forward to it and I come out a changed person when the session ends. I feel refreshed and renewed, like every cell in my body is sparkling.

Many activities and workouts can get our bodies in shape and toned, but yoga provides much more than just a workout. Holding yoga postures actually wrings toxins out of our body and the yogi breathing infuses the body with energy.

We need to breathe deeply to bring oxygen to all our cells, rid the body of toxins and energize us, but we also use breathing to help us turn inward in meditation. Peace of mind is important to us and so is staying calm during the day.

BENEFITS

Physicians and scientists are discovering more and more new health benefits of practicing yoga. Studies show it can relieve the symptoms of several common and potentially life-threatening illnesses such as arthritis, arteriosclerosis, chronic fatigue, diabetes, asthma and obesity.

Asthma

Studies conducted at yoga institutions in India have reported impressive improvements in asthma. It has also been proved that asthma attacks can usually be prevented by practice of yoga.

Respiration Problems

Patients who practice yoga have a better chance of gaining the ability to control their breathing problems. With the help of yogic breathing exercises, it is possible to control an attack of severe shortness of breath.

High Blood Pressure

The relaxation and exercise components of yoga have a major role to play in the treatment and prevention of high blood pressure and hypertension. Breathing and relaxation exercises in yoga have been proven to control blood pressure, thus reducing the intake of medication for high blood pressure.

Relief of Pain

Breathing exercises used in yoga can also reduce pain because our muscles tend to relax when we exhale. Lengthening the time of exhalation can help produce relaxation and reduce tension. Awareness of breathing helps to achieve calmer, slower respiration and help in relaxation and body pain.

Arthritis

The easy stretches with deep breathing exercises relieve the tension that binds up the muscles and further tighten the joints. Yoga is relaxation and exercise rolled into one – the perfect anti-arthritis formula.

Weight Reduction

Regular yoga practice helps in weight management because it improves our metabolism. It is able to overcome anxiety and thus solving the problem on anxious eating. Deep breathing in yoga improves oxidation and burning up of calories. Yogic exercises induce more continuous and deeper breathing which gradually burns, sometimes forcefully, many of the calories already ingested.

Mental Performance

Experts suggest that the regular practice of breathing through one nostril may help improve communication between the right and left side of our brain. This increased brain activity is associated with better performance and doctors even suggest that yoga can enhance cognitive performance.

Mood change and Vitality

People who participate in yoga over a period of time claim a positive effect on outlook and energy level. stretching and breathing exercises in yoga have been seen as a beneficial effect on mental and physical energy.

Janice H. is an author who does lots of research into health and nutrition. She is working towards her mission: Leading People To Ageless Living. Visit Janice’s Blog at: http://www.stayyoungsecret.com/blog to immediately improve your life and receive your FREE e-Report.

There is a growing trend to practicing Yoga for many different reasons, which include attaining the yoga body or physique, relaxation and peace of mind, or to prevent injury and ailments. Americans mainly practice Hatha Yoga, which focuses on postures and stretching the body.

Yoga, which is derived from the sacred Sanskrit language of India, meaning *union* or *to yoke or harness*. Yoga is a way or path to transcendence and liberation from the self and the ego by purifying the mind and body. Practicing yoga leads to a union with the mind and body or the individual and universal consciousness. In other words, yoga is the union with the Individual Self and the Universal Self. Yoga predates all other religions and has influenced and inspired many other traditions and philosophies. Yoga is better understood as a union of the physical, physiological, mental, emotional, and intellectual bodies, which leads to a purposeful and balanced life.

There is simply no other discipline quite like yoga because it utilized the body, mind and spirit, all in one practice. Yoga is indeed a spiritual path that is based on ancient sacred philosophy, but one does not need to make an ethical decision when practicing yoga, rather finding your own path is wholly accepted. The holistic benefits of yoga are suitable for the young or old, sick or well, with any religious background. The secrets of yoga are inwardness, concentration, and purification of mind and body with cleansing thoughts and food. Indian philosophy states that within man is the spirit that is the center of everything. *Internal equilibrium is the basis and the ground for the higher illumination,* The cultural Heritage of India (Vol. I) – published by The Ramakrishna Mission Institute of Culture, Kolkata, India

The Yoga Korunta emphasizes vinyasa, or breath-synchronized movement, where one practices a posture with specific breathing patterns associated with it. This breathing technique is called ujayyi pranayama, or the victorious breath, and it is a process that produces intense internal heat and a profuse sweat that purifies and detoxifies the muscles and organs. This also releases beneficial hormones and nutrients, and is usually massaged back into the body. The breath ensures efficient circulation of blood. The result is improved circulation, a light and strong body and a calm mind.

There is a proper sequence to follow when practicing Astanga yoga. One must graduate from one sequence of postures to move onto the next. The Primary Series (Yoga Chikitsa) detoxifies and aligns the body, purifying it so that toxins do not block. The Intermediate Series (Nadi Shodhana) purifies the nervous system by opening and clearing the energy channels, allowing energy to pass through easily. The Advanced Series A, B, C, and D (Sthira Bhaga) integrate the grace and stamina of the practice, which calls for intense flexibility.

It is best to find a trained and knowledgeable teacher to assist you through this discipline. It is an intense practice that is rigorous, six days a week. You are guaranteed to find inner peace and fulfillment with each breath you take.

Yoga’s Eight Fold Path to Enlightenment

While many consider Yoga to be a form a physical exercise, it is also known to be an exercise in spiritual development. Most would agree that the true goal of Yoga is to provide the individual with the means to achieve inner peace and balance. To achieve these lofty goals, students are encouraged to become familiar Yoga’s eight fold path. The eight fold path consists of eight disciplines; Yama, Niyama, Asana, Pranayama, Pratyahara, Dharana, Dhyana, and Samhadi.

The first fold, Yama, advises students to engage with the world from a moral standpoint, and is actually broken down into five distinct elements. The first element, Ahimsa, teaches the student to respect the world around him. The second, Satya, teaches that one should be honest with themselves and with others. The third, Asteya, teaches not to steal from another. The fourth, Bramacharya, advises against overindulgence of any form. The fifth, Aparigraha, teaches the student to live a simple life that is not distracted by material things.

Niyama, or the second fold, is considered the path of self restraint and consists of three distinct elements. Shaugh, the first element, teaches students to keep the body and mind clean and pure. Santosh, the second element, teaches the student to be happy and contented with the task at hand and to give an honest effort in all endeavors. Tapa, the third element, suggests that certain pleasures must be given up in order to attain one’s goals.

Asana is the third of the eight fold path, and it is concerned with physical training and building stamina. Asana is made up of 84 yoga poses, which are focused on developing strength, increasing health, and preparing for meditation. This stage is as much about physical conditioning, as it is mental or psychological discipline. Pranayama, the fourth fold, concerns controlled breathing. Proper breathing is important for mastering true relaxation and self discipline. The proper way to breathe while practicing yoga is to breathe in, and breathe out while pausing in between.

Pratyahara is the fifth of the eight folds, and is concerned with the individual’s control of sensory stimulation. The intent is to induce a sense of inner peace and quiet, by tuning out external stimulation. Dharana is the sixth fold, and it is primarily concerned with focusing one’s concentration on meditation. When a meditative state has been attained the student is then on to the seventh step, Dhyana. The final step, Samhadi, is attained when all previous steps have been completed and the individual experiences a true oneness with all things. The student is, as of this point, in tune with the universal flow. Namaste!

Brodi Saatpha has been practicing Yoga for many years, and one day hopes to attain true enlightenment. When she is not teaching others how to discover inner peace, she writes for yoga-insight.com an inspiring online magazine dedicated to educating and informing people about the history of yoga, yoga chants, yoga retreats and more.

Yoga Helps Fight Mid-Life Bulge

Yoga practice helps middle-aged people lose weight and keep it off, suggest new studies published in the online journal Alternative Therapies In Health and Medicine.

Researchers at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center surveyed 15,500 men and women to assess their weight and yoga histories between the ages of 45 and 55.

For purposes of the study, regular yoga practice was defined as practicing at least 30 minutes once a week for four or more years.

20-Pound Gap

Statistics showed that the subjects who were of normal weight at the age of 45 and did not practice yoga consistently gained about 10 pounds, while those who performed regular yoga routines lost 3 pounds during that same 10-year period — a difference of 13 pounds.

There was a wider gap between people who were overweight at the age of 45. The non-yoga group gained about 14 pounds, while the yoga group lost 5 pounds — a difference of almost 20 pounds.

It is not likely that yoga’s fat-fighting potential is due to the physical activity itself, according to the study’s lead author, Alan R. Kristal, DrPH.

“During a very vigorous yoga practice you can burn enough calories to lose weight, but most people don’t practice that kind of yoga,” he notes.

Body Awareness a Factor

“From my experience, I think it has to do with the way that yoga makes you more aware of your body. So when you’ve eaten enough food, you’re sensitive to the feeling of being full, and this makes it much easier to stop eating before you’ve eaten too much,” Kristal explains.

“Most people practice yoga in a way that’s not aerobic enough to burn a lot of calories, so it has to be some other reason,” adds study co-author Denise Benitez, owner of Seattle Yoga Arts.

“People who regularly practice yoga develop the inner resources to stay with a little bit of discomfort,” she says, hypothesizing that those inner resources help people to stay with the discomfort that is caused when they deny themselves junk food.

In order to accurately measure the effects of yoga on weight maintenance and loss, these preliminary findings will need to be replicated, Kristal cautions.

Yoga Tips

The following tips for enhancing one’s yoga practice, offers Benitez, may be particularly helpful for those who wish to maintain or lose weight:

1. Practice in a room without mirrors and pay more attention to your internal experience than to your outer performance.

2. Learn to feel sensations more and more subtly, so that you become deeply involved in and curious about small movements — sometimes called micro-movements.

3. In your poses, find an edge for yourself where you are challenged but not overwhelmed. At this edge, practice maintaining a clear, open and accepting mental state.

4. Give yourself permission to rest when you feel overworked.

5. Pay close attention to what you are saying to yourself as you practice, and make an intentional effort to appreciate your own efforts and innate goodness.

6. Go to class faithfully, arrive early, and talk to a few people before class begins.

7. Buy your own yoga mat and bring it to class.

8. Realize that the development of qualities like patience, discipline, wisdom, right effort, kindness, gratitude and many others will arise from your yoga practice. These qualities create a steady and soft mind.

9. Find a teacher who offers a balance of gentleness and firmness and whose teaching inspires you to practice from your highest self.

10. Recognize that simply attending class is a major statement of courage, self-care, and positive momentum. Realize that you are inspiring others as you become more true to your deepest desires.
Rita Jenkins is a health journalist for Daily News Central, an online publication that delivers breaking news and reliable health information to consumers, healthcare providers and industry professionals: http://www.dailynewscentral.com