Archive for the ‘Yoga’ Category
Be Happy by being Healthy
Everyone is interested in being happy and healthy! These tips will definitely help you feel better about yourself. Remember that staying healthy does not have to be complicated. You don’t need to spend money, buy books, or invest in crazy fitness machines! Sit back, relax, and read these tips.
1. Be aware of your breath. People hold their stress in different places. Being aware of your breath will allow you to relax and release some stress. Try taking slow and deep breaths.
2. Get out in the sun. You will get all the Vitamin D you need from the sun. If you get ten minutes of sun a day (without sunscreen) you will be all set. Try to get sun in the morning because it is not as harsh as afternoon sun.
3. Drink water every day-are bodies are 60-70% water! Not only does water get rid of toxins, but it also carries nutrients. It is important to stay hydrated, and sometimes when you are hungry, you may actually be thirsty. Try adding a little maple syrup, lemon, or lime for flavor.
4. Exercise. You can walk, run, or go to the gym. Thirty minutes of exercise a day is great. You might like to try yoga, pilates, or tai chi. Find a friend to exercise with, and they will also help you to stay motivated.
5. Laugh. Laughing will make you feel good, and it also relieves stress.
6. Fresh fruits and vegetables are very important. Fruits and veggies are low in calories and a great source of vitamins and minerals. When possible, choose organic for the following reasons: they are not genetically modified, are higher in nutrients, and are not sprayed with conventional pesticides. Try to incorporate superfoods (foods with many health benefits) into your diet such as flax seeds, spirulina, olives, avocados, blueberries, cacao, bee pollen, aai, maca, aloe vera, and noni fruit.
Remember, stay positive. You are meant to have a wonderful life, so enjoy YOUR life.
How Best To Apply Cubicle Feng Shui In Home And Office Decoration
Applied to a regular work cubicle, feng shui design can positively influence your life: there may be a better salary, a healthier body and a more rewarding personal life. Such accomplishments may seem specious but they are the sheer and real consequence of the ancient art of energy – drawing space arrangement. The work surfaces are just as important as windows, entrance and corners for the optimal cubicle feng shui design. Though it may sound unbelievable to a newbie to the principles of feng shui, the very location of the waste basket and the position of the lighting fixtures have a word to say in how harmonious and fulfilled you are professionally and personally.
At the moment, cubicle feng shui redecorations have attained an incredible popularity in the United States and the Western countries in general. For business meetings and deals, feng shui could be ruining or enriching, depending on whether you benefit from the bounty of cubicle feng shui arrangement or not. Therefore, the first impression one makes when going into your office will influence the business friendship in every way. Thus, focusing a good energy flow in the entrance area is crucial to the success of your business; this is the place where the energy enters the cubicle like a sanctuary and changes the visitor’s perception in a good way.
Cubicle feng shui design removes the clutter, creates more room and lets you breathe freely while letting you to enjoy the hours you spend at work. The clutter alleviation is not positive only from a psychological point of view, as it also enhances the drop of meaningful energy in the space. Feng shui practitioners will often indicate the fact that a cluttered cubicle only makes you look for more things, and therefore elude tons of precious time. Then, there comes color, an aspect that must not be forgotten in the cubicle feng shui decorating. Choose colours that bring harmony and a salubrious feeling so that you may be able to work productively and efficiently.
Creativity also needs to be stimulated and you can achieve this by including some vibrant spot of color on the desk, on the walls or in a corner you lay the eyes on when working. Such aspects of cubicle feng shui design make the efficiency of work to significantly increase with minimal effort. You may consult a cubicle feng shui guidebook or manual in order to see how to integrate plants in the decorum too. Yet, do not consider the art of stimulating the natural chi in the environment as an elixir or solve – all solution. There will be impediments and ups and downs to experience at work or at home, you just have to imbibe the lessons and steer on as harmoniously as possible.
Some Information on How to Do Yoga
A body-mind-spirit harmony is what yoga means, and to achieve this means a lot more than just meditation. In Sanskrit, the word means union. It has the distinction of being the oldest personal development technique known. This age old science and philosophy treats the person by looking at him as a whole so there is the physical, the mental and the spiritual that comes up for making better and strengthening.
A Yogi is a male Yoga practitioner and Yogini is a female practitioner. In Indian philosophy, there are six orthodox systems and this system is one of them, being a practice that ensures health for the body and the mind. This is not just a case is of sitting in a lotus position and chanting in unity but is a huge subject and if you understand it can become a research for your entire life.
Back problems and others arising from bad posture can be cured by yoga and it also reduces stress. People who have cancer practice this in addition to other therapies as it makes them feel good. Before the first meal in the morning is the best time to practice this discipline.
Some of the styles of this discipline are listed below: Raja Yoga: This literally means kingly yoga and is one of the four main paths of yoga. The practice of this yoga is meditation and methods that help in controlling the body, mind, energy and the senses. Kundalini Yoga is not stressful and is a safe method which brings about immediate results by practicing kriyas or special exercises. Hatha Yoga – This is a good system made up of postures called asanas and combining breathing control called pranayama. This is the foundation for all modern posture based types of yoga. Sahaja Yoga is another very unique meditation method that is based on the actual experience of self realization which can occur within each and every human being. Moksha Hot Yoga – This is another form of yoga performed in a heated room, combining the foundation of traditional yoga with the precision of therapeutic yoga.
Yoga is excellent for the young and old alike. Today even children are encouraged to do yoga. It is very popular and it is good for health. The reason for the popularity of yoga is that it is not something that is not performed on you but it is something that you perform. Women are encouraged to perform it as it is one of the best activities that you can do during the time that you are pregnant. It is very gentle on the body which will help your to build up flexibility and endurance. Yoga is becoming popular among soldiers who are keen in working on their stamina, mental focus and flexibility as per Fit Yoga and the Associated Press. The crux of the matter is that this is not just a physical exercise routine but a discipline that provides an overall sense of wellness and inner harmony.
Dog Yoga; The Next Big Thing
You’ve seen it on talk shows and news programs, read about it in newspapers and on the internet and heard about it on the radio; health and fun friendly Dog Yoga! This unique way of bonding with your pet while exercising has certainly taken America by storm. And there’s no reason it wouldn’t! Not since people first started taking their dogs for walks has there been such an entertaining way to exercise with your canine friend. Dog Yoga, finally a way to strengthen the connection between you and your pet while improving your health!
In the last few years, Dog Yoga has become more and more popular! In cities like New York City, Scottsdale, AZ and Hollywood, CA, Dog Yoga has certainly made an impression! Formal classes as well as informal classes have been created to teach more people about the benefits of Dog Yoga.
As instructional Dog Yoga courses have gained popularity over the years, the need for an instructional Dog Yoga DVD became very evident. Before the release of the first and only instructional Dog Yoga DVD; Amy Stevens’ Yoga4Dogs, Dog Yoga fans were forced to rely solely on classes. Often times these classes only included limited instruction by self-taught instructors.
Dog Yoga enthusiasts had a problem; they were denied the freedom of doing the workout routines in the comfort of their own homeon their home court and their dog’s. While there are many traditional Yoga DVDs available for at home instruction, before Amy Stevens’ released Yoga4Dogs, there was not a Dog Yoga instructional DVD. This was an exciting way for users to really bond with their dogs and get some exercise all in the comfort of their living room!
It’s easy to see why Dog Yoga has its appeal. We all love dogsespecially our own dogs. Dog Yoga is a way to really connect with your dog. It is special because you are not doing it alone, nor are only helping your dog into the yoga positions. The two of you work together in order to achieve greater harmony with each other as well as get some exercise too.
Dog Yoga is great for all dogs. Little dogs, medium sized dogs and larger sized dogs can all participate in Dog Yoga. And the best part is; you can do it with them. No dog or human need be left out. Dog Yoga is great for everyone and every dog.
Where it is that Dog Yoga was inspired by traditional Yoga, there are some similarities to the positions. However, Dog Yoga is unique because it caters to positions that both humans and dogs can benefit from. Whereas traditional Yoga does not allow canine participation, Dog Yoga is great for all.
Amy Stevens’ Yoga4Dogs is the perfect way to enjoy the benefits of Dog Yoga. Amy offers step-by-step instructions that make it easy to follow along with right in the comfort of your own home! Enjoy Dog Yoga and create a strong and lasting connection with your pet.
Enhancing Bhaki Yoga with Kiiera Viv
Yoga is the combined practice of stretching, meditation and strengthening exercises. There are many benefits of practicing yoga and that includes mental, psychological, physical and emotional. Bhakti yoga is also called devotional yoga, it is the path for those seeking emotional fulfillment. Focus and additional energy can be provided by adding a new health product called Kiiera Viv. This is all natural, healthy and improves both mental and physical function. Viv comes in powder form that is just added to your water and is delicious as well as healthy.
Bhakti practitioners use meditation that includes visualization, feeling the presence of their god before them. Spending their time in meditation and sharing their deepest thoughts and concerns, they believe that this communing with their god and it brings about a deep state of awareness.
The people who practice this believe it transforms their being and they experience a oneness between themselves and their god. It is thought to bring about an improvement in their character. They have more frequent periods of high consciousness. Greater practice brings about greater reward, which for them is a more permanent relationship with their god.
The Bhakti practitioner believes this is not a static relationship, they must continue to strive to attain more dimensions of love. It is an ever changing relationship and they report it a delight.
Nothing else is life is as attractive to them. They will refuse food, sex, sleep, relationships, attachments and responsibilities. All of these normal life experiences are meaningless as they seek a glimpse of their god. The bakhti yogi is searching for the pure love and devotion of their god.
Bhakti is actually a religion of love for a divine being. This is a system of devotion and love with specific traditions and ways of meditation. This type of yoga stresses a balance between love and understanding, and devotion with reason.
There are no special criteria for the practice of bhakti. Some find external aids can help develop an attitude of love such as pictures of saints or an altar to serve as an inspiration. This practice stresses the resulting outcome more that the achievement process. Whatever factors or principles he uses to help achieve the oneness with their god is a perfectly acceptable way to reach a higher level of consciousness.
Bhakti practitioners point to other people who have singled out love as the highest expression of their deity. They recognize the daily attitude of practitioners in dealings with others. Are they fair, loving and compassionate?
Different forms of bhakti depend on desired outcome by the practitioner. Some seek material gain and so they would practice Sakamya bhakti. If freedom from disease is what they are seeking there is another type of meditation, and yet another if he seeks to become a minister.
Other forms of bhakti relate to the desired outcome. In other words, if an individual desires material gain they would practice Sakamya bhakti. Or if he was seeking freedom from disease there is another type of meditation, and the ministry would require a different type. Bhakti yoga practice is not only complex but also simple at the same time. On the outside it appears their only goal is the oneness with their god and a loving experience as a result of a higher consciousness. On a different level they are able to request certain desires or goals that are not really the purest form. These individuals focus more on the human desires.
After Pregnancy Weight Loss, Do’s and Dont’s
It’s hard to get into an exercise routine when you’re taking care of young ones. Lots of new moms vacillate from starvation to binging or spend a ton of cash on an expensive weight loss program or gym membership. Here are the top 5 do’s and don’ts to keep you on track for losing pregnancy weight.
When you first start to cut out bad foods from your diet it’s hard to go cold turkey. If you are setting up your new eating plan after having a baby for losing pregnancy weight, you can slowly introduce healthy recipes for you and your family. From time to time, you can reward your efforts with your favorite guilty pleasure but make sure you stick to eating healthy.
Indulging in your favorite sweet or salty treat every now and again helps to keep you sane and in a postive mindset, but remember not to let your reward backfire on you. Paying attention to what you’re eating can help when losing the pregnancy weight, so make sure you snack more often on a handful of almonds and a small glass of apple juice than of a bag of chips and a can of Coke.
Talk to others who practice Yoga and they’ll tell you there’s not much that can compare to a good stretch. Stretching before exercise is important. Stretching enables your muscles to be more flexible. This will reduce the risk of injury.
Losing the belly, post pregnancy, strengthening the abdominals, and toning arms are hard work. Stretching is important and will help protect your muscles from the demands you put on your body during exercises, or even just running after your toddler.
Incorporating an exercise ball for crunches or rubber resistance bands for curls are two ways to enhance your workout and burn unwanted fat. Resistance training can be a great help in losing post pregnancy weight by toning muscles, which in turn burn more calories.
Parents can find that it is hard to get a full nights sleep with little ones. Sometimes scheduling nap time during the day, or sleeping when your child sleeps can be very beneficial. Too much sleep deprivation can have an adverse effect on your weight loss efforts and cause your body to hang on to unwanted post pregnancy weight.
One of the benefits of a healthy lifestyle is that you look great and have more energy. A happy mom makes a happy home and a healthy mom results in a healthy family. These five helpful tips will keep you focused and remind you to enjoy the process as you successfully lose that pregnancy weight.
How not to Lose your Head when Losing your Tummy
As a new mom you have the joyful but demanding task of looking after your baby and somewhere in the busy mix of family life and responsibilities, you have to find a way to lose the pregnancy weight. Starting your weight loss plan to lose your tummy is the easy part. It’s committing to your plan that can put a strain on reaching your goal. Adding these 5 spicy tips to your plan may just do the trick to keep you motivated to stay in the game.
1. Yoga – This is a popular exercise for moms who are keen to lose the tummy and get toned and lean. Yoga comes in various traditions so find one that suites your tastes and sign up and get stretching. If you like saunas and don’t mind sweating, you should try a 90 minute session of Bikram Yoga to burn the baby fat and sweat out those toxins from your body. Or you can join a Yin Yoga class for deeper stretching and challenge your muscles with its longer duration of the poses. No time to leave the house? Then rent or buy a Yoga DVD and workout at home.
2. Kickboxing – A fun way to lose your tummy and spice up your workout sessions is Kickboxing. It’s a welcome alternative to the treadmill and unlike the treadmill or stationary exercise bike, you get a total body workout. Kickboxing also increases your stamina, strength and flexibility. You can ease into these high-intensity workouts by building up your endurance with some low-impacts aerobics.
3. Herbal Tea – Instead of the vanilla lattes and the diet Pepsi colas, why not drink some herbal tea? Relax with a soothing cup of Green, White or Oolong tea. All of which are high in anti-oxidants and can help you lose your tummy. Herbal teas are a healthy alternative to satisfying your caffeine fix without the high sugar or fat.
4. Beef is Good – Losing your tummy by eating right can be tricky, especially when you have to ensure that you are eating a balanced diet. Lean meats, especially beef is a good source of protein that is also high in iron, zinc and B vitamins. Making a conscious effort to eat lean meats and to watch your portion sizes is the smart way to keep your dietary saturated fat low and your weight off.
5. Laughter – Laughing really is the best medicine when stuck in the stressful chore of losing pregnancy weight. Rent a comedy or play some games over dinner with friends. Laughter releases endorphins just like your morning jog and can take your mind off your bodies weight gain and loss.
Life is what you make it and so is losing the pregnancy weight. Jazzing up your workouts to keep things fresh will make your transition to lose your tummy from “flab” to “fab” more fun and less of a chore.
4 Ways to Stay Keen to Lose your Tummy
Fall is a wonderful time to curl up with a good book and sip some hot cocoa on a rainy night but don’t forget about your fitness resolution to lose your tummy. New moms need to remember as the seasons change so does our eating habits. These Four Fall Fitness tips will help you lose the pregnancy weight fast!
1. A Few Tricks can Get you A Treat
As nature’s awe-inspiring collage of fall colors signals the on-coming winter, it’s hard not to notice a change in the local produce available at the farmers market. From orange pumpkins to golden butternut squash and red apples, fall produce is an excellent and delicious source of fiber, vitamins and antioxidants. Fiber keeps you satiated longer because it takes longer to break down and digest. So the trick is to include these foods into your meal plans to maintain a healthy balanced diet. In doing so, you will treat your body to a good dose of nutrients and fiber to keep you full, which will help you to lose your tummy.
2. Watch your Favorite TV show
Everyone loves getting back into the swing of things and its no surprise TV networks start their new series when fall comes around. Instead of eating a bag of Doritos on the couch during your favorite sitcom try exercising! Pick a few nights of the week and organize a floor routine around your shows. Sit-ups, crunches, stretches and even a few free weight exercises will fill up that 30-minute TV time slot and you’ll be rewarding yourself while still working hard to lose your tummy.
3. Fall and Winter Activities
Fall ushers in the many outdoor fall and winter activities that you and your family can benefit. The beauty of taking part in a sport outdoors is that your focus is no longer on the exercise you’re doing but the people you are with and the environment that surrounds you. Hiking in the fall and snow shoeing in the winter with the family is a fun way to burn the calories and lose your tummy outside the confines of a gym or your home.
4. Join a Fitness class
Fall is the season to start losing your tummy by taking advantage of the new autumn fitness programs at your local community center. The great thing about community centers is that they serve the need of the public and are inexpensive. Find a class that fits your interest and fitness level. From Total Body workouts to Classic stretch classes, signing up for one or more of the many fitness classes offered could be the breath of fresh air you need for your workout routines.
Autumn is the prefect season to renew your commitment to lose your tummy and find yourself again. Spice up your meals with healthy fall recipes that will nourish your body and help you lose the pregnancy weight. Make use of being indoors with a workout with the TV or go outdoors and soak up the beauty of autumn with a bike ride or brisk walk with the baby in the park. Healthy living is a way of life not just a diet or a dress size. Keep these tips in mind and enjoy life.
Try power yoga and get slim!
Power yoga is a high-heat, high-energy workout produced by a combination of dynamic breathing and strong flowing movements. Yoga helps the flow of energy into the body, releases tension from joints, builds muscle strength, and even cleans the body of toxins.
Like all exercises you should never overdo the yoga positions. Overdoing these exercises will put needless strain on your muscles and joints. Because of this danger you should only practice yoga under the supervision of a qualified yoga instructor. Teenage girls should make sure to follow the guidance of an instructor as their bodies go through changes which affect how they should use yoga.
Usually women face the problem of obesity after delivering their first child. Being overweight is disastrous for women in more ways than one. In addition to the physical dangers of being overweight, the mental anguish of being overweight also play a big role in a woman’s life. One easy – tear free – way to reduce weight is to practice yoga regularly. When you exercise you should make sure to burn as many calories as you consume to maintain your figure.
Surya Namaskar Asana (sun exercise) This is the most recommended yogic exercise to fight overweight and stimulate the muscles of the whole body. This asana involves various bending forward and backward movements.
The practice of Surya Namaskar should be considered a complete and full anaerobic workout. This exercise stretches all major muscle groups, improves blood circulation, and strengthens both your upper and lower body. How to slim your back – Two recommended exercises to strengthen back muscles and remove excess fat from thighs and hips are Yog Mudra and Paschimottan Asana.
Yog Mudra- Also known as ‘the symbol of yoga’. Sit in the Padmasana position keeping the spinal column upright. Place hands behind the back and grab the wrist of one hand with the other hand. Inhale. Now lean forward gently and slowly without straining or jerking the spinal column, exhaling, until the forehead touches the floor. Stay in this position as long as you feel comfortable without breathing.
Yoga as a weight loss program
Obesity has become a worldwide health hazard and majority of people, male and female, of every age carry extra weight on their bodies, which not only develop physical disorders but also mental ailments, especially in women. Yoga has come to the rescue for obese persons.
Some exercises that are highly beneficial for reduction of fat from stomach are covered in yoga. Remember, you should not attempt any of these on your own unless you have been shown and guided by a certified yoga master or guru.
Power Yoga or Ashtanga Yoga are the original postures designed by Patanjali, the sage who initiated yoga over 300 years ago. The word Ashtanga means eight-fold path: Ashta means eight and Anga means limbs. The eight limbs of yoga include:
Some of the more common words in yoga mean the following Asana – ability to retain a posture Asetya means decent with good morals Aparlgraha one who is devoted to God Brahmacharya means have the ability to control emotions Ishware Pranidhana is one who is faithful and accepts God Niyama (Saucha) one who practices of good hygiene and cleanliness Pranayama- ability to control the 5 senses such as sight, smell, touch, hear and taste Santosha is one who is not greedy but content Satya means true or honesty Tapas – making an effort Svadhyaya is to teach one’s self Yama (ahinsa) is the yoga word for non violence
O Dharana means concentration. O Dhyana means meditation. O Samadhi means that unites with God. O And finally Yogasana.
Obese individuals need to take some responsibility for our own health. They just eat too much , even the medical experts believe that overeating is perhaps the biggest cause of obesity. Even under-12s can be prescribed anti-obesity drugs – despite the medication only being licensed for adults – if the problem is bad enough.
A leading American pediatric endocrinologist says one of the best, and easiest, ways parents and their children can avoid the serious health consequences of obesity is by drinking at least six to eight glasses of water each day.
Naturopathy mentions integration of several ways to cure obesity such as vomation, laxative, taking enema for easy digestion, nasal wash for purification, intake of more water, sunbath, steam bath, fasting, habit of regular exercise, kunjal kriya, kati snan (hip bath), mud pack on abdomen and massage
