...Most people do yoga to be flexible and strong. Some do it to be in shape, some do it to firm their bodies or simply slim down. Some do it as a 'springboard' to change their lives in a positive way.

My Story: I stumbled upon doing hatha yoga in a college gym many years ago. It was in the mid 1970s.

The yoga session consisted of half an hour of unfamiliar postures and me trying to flex, move and hold as instructed. I just followed the instructor and as was suggested by him, pushed myself reasonably hard (but not too hard) to align to the postures. I was a little uncomfortable, but not too much. I suppose it seemed a little strange, but I liked it.

The end of the yoga session. As the thirty minute session concluded, the lights were dimmed and we closed by laying on our backs in the corpse pose or `savasana for 10 delicious minutes of a guided `letting go. At the very end we were gently prompted to arise to a sitting position where we slowly 'reanimated'. Then on that spring evening, I walked out of the gym towards home, feeling quite relaxed...

I had `an experience'! In the five minute walk back home, the relaxed feeling kept deepening and at the same time I became very energized. I stopped under a tree in the courtyard to reflect on what was happ...more

Beginners yoga For Pregnant Women

...s position for about 3-5mins.

Sukhasana: This is a simple squat on the floor. This asana not only straightens the back but is also an ideal preventive against menstrual disorders in the pre-pregnancy and post-delivery periods.

Shavasana: Also called the Corpse pose, you have to lie on the back and spread the hands and legs like a corpse. Keep the neck in a comfortable position. Breathe normally and concentrate on each part of your body starting from the toes upward.

Always end your exercising session with this asana to relax the body. Relaxation means undoing tensed muscles and therefore it is synonymous to reduction of pain.

-Breathing exercises are beneficial if done twice a day. The breathing exercises provide more oxygen and energy both to the mother and the child.

Some yoga poses that can help a pregnant women...more

Insights into the Benefits of yoga

...d, and soul. The intent is to create a sense of balance and harmony, both internally and externally. The emotional calmness associated with meditation works to reduce stress, which is considered by many as one of the root causes of physical illness. The primary goal of yoga is to empower the individual to transcend the physical world and to achieve a sense of enlightenment or self-realization. For those interested in understanding and fully realizing the oneness of all things, a commitment to the principles and practice of yoga will undoubtedly unlock the secrets of the cosmos in all their wondrous glory.<...more

yoga and Mental Self-Reconciliation

...ga therapy.

Why is this type of yoga so hard to find? yoga has been introduced on a massive scale to cultures who measure everything for results, pounds, inches, and calories. This mind-set has made Power yoga and Hot yoga popular, even when middle-aged and inactive students should be more cautious.

How do you calculate mental or spiritual health? The truth is - these two aspects of heath are just as important as physical health. It is easy to spot a person who has a severe mental illness, but you would be hard pressed to notice milder forms. yoga can be an aid to many of the mild forms of m...more

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