Meditation Techniques demonstrated by Deepak Chopra

Posted on March 3, 2010
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What Kind of Yoga is Best?

Posted on July 22, 2009
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There are different forms of yoga. This type of exercise can leave you toned and supple or you may even be spiritually enlightened according to some teachers. Yoga is the latest thing. It has reshaped some of the greatest stars all the way from Madonna to Sting.

Some forms of yoga are more physical and some are highly spiritual. Yoga is extremely good for fatigue, depression, arthritis, aging, stress-related illness, migraine, PMS, back pain and mobility problems.

You must first decide why you wish to start yoga and then go about choosing the appropriate form for you.
The principles of yoga are quite simple – relax, tune out everything and stretch and you will feel better.

If you are looking to get fit these types of yoga are for you:

” Hatha yoga ”

This type of yoga is based on controlled stretching. An emphasis is placed on developing a flexible spine.
This type of yoga is excellent for all levels of fitness.

” Vini yoga ”

This type of yoga is gentle and safe and is very good for older people. It is taught by a teacher called a Desikachar and is usually taught on an individual basis.

If you really want to get physical then you should choose these types of yoga:

” Lyenger yoga ”

This type of yoga focuses on correct postures. It often makes use of ropes and blocks to maintain these postures.

” Sivananda yoga ”

This type of yoga is suitable for every age and covers a wide range of poses which range from simple to complex. ” Ashtanga yoga ” This type of yoga is known as power yoga. It is very demanding and is only suitable for those people who are very fit.

For those of you who want to get spiritual, then you would want to choose from these types of yoga:

” Raja yoga ”

This is often referred to as royal yoga. It is concerned with the mind.

” Dru yoga ”

This is group yoga which concentrates very heavily on breath work.

” Jnana yoga ”

This concentrates on the philosophical aspects of yoga and is very spiritual and meditative.

Ashtanta Yoga

Posted on July 4, 2009
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Ashtanga Yoga is a method of yoga that is taught in India by Sri K Pattabhi Jois. This style of yoga involves the synchronization of breathing with a progressive series of postures.

This is a process that produces a kind of intense internal heat as well as a drenching, purifying sweat that is supposed to detoxify the muscles and organs of the body. The result is a light and strong body, improved circulation and a calm mind.

Ashtanga Yoga Background

Ashtanga Yoga is a method of yoga that was recorded by Vamana Rishi in an ancient manuscript call the Yoga Korunta. This article was said to contain lists of a variety of groupings of asanas and highly original teachings on the subjects of vinyasa, bandhas, drishti, mudras and philosophy.

The text of this article was handed down to Sri T. Krishnamacharya by his teacher Rama Mohan Brahmachari in the early 1900’s. It later came into the possession of Pattabhi Jois when he studied with Krishnamacharya beginning in 1927. Jois has been teaching this type of yoga since 1948 from his yoga shala.

The literal meaning of Ashtanga Yoga is “eight-limbed” yoga as put forth by sage Patanjali. According to him, the path of internal cleansing in order to reveal the universal self is based on the following eight spiritual practices:

* Yama which are moral codes

* Niyama which is based on study and self-purification

* Asana or posture

* Pranayama which is controlled breathing

* Pratyahara which is sense control

* Dharana which is concentration

* Dhyana which is meditation and

* Samadhi which is contemplation

Sivananda Yoga

Posted on June 25, 2009
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Sivananda Yoga, which was named after the teaching of Swami Sivananda, is a form of hatha yoga. The training focuses on preserving the wellness and health of the practitioner.

People who teach this style of yoga must all be graduates of the training course in Sivananda Yoga. The students who take this Sivananda Yoga Teacher Training Course vary widely in age and their degrees of ability.

Unlike Ashtanga Vinyasa, which is yoga’s more athletic program, Sivananda training centers around frequent relaxation as well as emphasizing full, yogic breathing.

Method

The Sivananda training method tries to retain the body’s vitality, retard the decaying process and lessen the chance of getting a disease by naturally and simply cultivating the body. The philosophies of Sivananda training are summarized in five basic principles:

* Proper breathing or Pranayama

* Exercise or Asanas

* Relaxation of Savasana

* Diet: A vegetarian diet is recommended. The yogic diet is limited to sattvic foods and you may not have any rajasic or tasmasic foods.

* Positive thinking and meditation or the practice of Vedanta and Dhyana

A training session typically begins with each practitioner resting in Savasana. Everyone begins with Anuloma Viloma and Kapalabhati and precedes with rounds of Surya namaskara.

This is all before starting with the standard program that takes into consideration the twelve basic asanas. The average session runs for about 90 minutes.

The traditional program is usually left up to the flexibility of the instructor. This allows for some variation which is important so as not to allow sessions to become boring for the participants.

Raja Yoga

Posted on June 15, 2009
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Raja means kingly or royal. This form of meditation is based on bringing the mind and emotions into balance
or harmony so that your attention may be easily directed on the object of your meditation or on the Lord directly.

Life force is generally a movement up and down the spine so that it becomes balanced and the emotions as well as the mind are serenely content.

Awareness is then directed to move forward into a point that is located in the center of one’s lower forehead. This meditation point, which is also called the ajna, or third eye, is located about 1 half inches above where the eyebrows meet.

When the energy becomes balanced throughout your body and brain and moves effortlessly into the area of the
ajna, calmness seems to overtake your mind.

Certainly your mind is not passive but it frees itself from the meaningless worries, thoughts and clutter of
the subconscious mind.

You derive a pleasant sense of well being in this state and your mind seems to be filled with a velvety darkness.

As your consciousness courses toward your third eye, different pastel colors appear in your forehead. There are sumptuous, glorious pinks, whites, indigos, purples, yellows, blues and green that take their turn in your forehead.

As your life force becomes stronger and more concentrated you may think you see lightning, fireflies or moonlight. This whole process is getting  you ready to experience your true nature.

The person who practices raja yoga in its purest form lives in bless with the will completely surrendered to God.

Jnana Yoga

Posted on June 6, 2009
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Jnana means discernment or wisdom. Jnana yoga literally means the path of wisdom. Ynana meditation
is multi-faceted. When one uses jnana meditation, one tries to withdraw the mind and the emotions from perceiving life. The one who participates in this form of meditation tries to become tuned into reality or to the spirit.

One of the main ways that the yogi of discernment meditates, is to patiently lay aside all feeling and though until he or she feels the radiant glow of the soul dawning in the heart and mind. Transformation and enlightenment take place within the rapt meditator. One of the ways this is accomplished is through a process called neti-neti.

Neti-neti Meditation

The meaning of neti-neti is “not this, not this”.

Whenever a feeling or thought comes into your mind which is not one of the goals of the meditation or which is not of the inner self, just say “Not this, not this” and dismiss the image, sound, thought, concept or sense distraction.

Any feeling or thought is patiently dismissed time and again, if necessary, until your mind is cleared and your soul is revealed.

Remember that you should not meditate in a passive way. This state of consciousness is referred to as alertness and is an amazing application of awareness.

As you form the habit of saying “neti-neti”, you will be able to discard any doubt, worry or fear and become stablished in the realm of inner self. You will then be able to look back at fear and worries with deep insight and be able to handle them.

Dru Yoga

Posted on May 30, 2009
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Dru Yoga is a potent and graceful form on yoga. It is based on directed breathing, soft flowing movements and visualization. Its foundations were set in ancient yogic tradition.

Dru Yoga works on the body, spirit and mind. It improves flexibility and strength, creates core stability, builds a heightened sense of positive thinking, is deeply relaxing and rejuvenates your entire being.

Dru Yoga was designed to be practiced by people of all different fitness levels, different abilities and all age groups. This is a style of yoga that can quickly be picked up or you can learn more about it over your lifetime.

Dru Meditation

If it has been one of your goals to learn how to meditate in order to feel that inner calmness or to be a stress reliever, then try Dru Meditation! The Dru approach to meditation will help bring you balance no matter what or how you are feeling.

If you seem to be agitated, Dru meditation will help to bring you a feeling of calmness. If you feel exhausted, this form of meditation will give your energy.

It will bring peace to your spirit if you are feeling anxious. The most important thing that Dru meditation will do for you is to bring you to that still place within you, with its sense of achievement, fullness and deep healing properties that only meditation and yoga can bring.

If you really want to learn Dru meditation, the best way to do this is to attend a workshop or a meditation retreat in your area. If you are not able to do that, you might try a guided Dru meditation that is available on CD.

You will find that Dru meditation can help alleviate fatigue and stress and bring you focus and calm. If only you can do ten minutes daily of meditation, it will make a great difference.

Vini Yoga

Posted on May 22, 2009
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Today in the fitness industry one of the swiftest growing movements is the great art and practice of yoga.

In case you have been out of touch with what has been happening for the past couple of years, yoga is sweeping through aerobics studios and health clubs all across the United States and if finding acceptance as a fitness activity as well as a means to balance the energy of the body and reduce stress and thereby restore a feeling of calmness.

There are a variety of types of yoga. There is Iyanga yoga which is excellent for beginners. It is graceful and fluid. It is not physically demanding and therefore great for people who are not that athletically inclined.

There is also Ashtanga yoga which is extremely physical and intense. This is a great activity for strength, fitness and endurance. It is truly the mother of the “power yoga” classes.

The third kind of Hatha yoga is called Vini yoga. This type of yoga is usually performed on a one-to-one
basis with an instructor. Vini yoga is more relaxed that the two previous forms.

It is therapeutic, restorative and is based on one’s individual breath. This means that the length of a movement is determined by the ability of the individual to inhale and exhale fully.

It seems that many postural imbalances are due to breathing restrictions. Vini yoga is based on the premise that the body’s energy is more balanced if you are able to balance your breathing.

When you improve your breathing you not only improve your posture, but you improve your overall energy and
develop the sense of being centered.

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Yoga Retreat

Posted on March 30, 2009
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The idea of a yoga retreat is something new to our modern world, but it has definitely become popular with the interest people take nowadays in yoga practice. When people think of yoga, they often relate it with great physical condition, stress relief and good health, and they are right, although the complexity of this ancient art is difficult to render in one short definition. A yoga retreat is the place where the practitioner can enjoy a relaxed stress-free environment without isolating him/her from the social setting. It has in fact become a common practice for people to choose a yoga retreat instead of a popular holiday destination.

Going to a yoga retreat is not just an opportunity to feel completely stress-free, but also a chance to meet people with similar preoccupations and share experiences with other yoga enthusiasts. Lots of ads for yoga retreat corners will promise you an incredible well being and plenty of fun, but what we need to add here is that inner harmony is what matters most. If you get to a yoga retreat you have to leave not only work and stress behind, but all the negative emotions, the worries and the fears too, otherwise, you’ll feel absolutely no difference at all.

Before you choose one yoga retreat or another, it is good to check with the Internet sites of the organizers and get answers to most of your questions. Clothes, weather, local customs, facilities on the premises and many other issues have to be sorted out before you pay for your stay at a yoga retreat. For instance, you should know that the accommodation varies from location to location: it could be like camping or it may resemble resorts. The best advice can come from a yoga retreat organizer who can point out whether you need to take special stuff with you or not. Bathing suits, yoga mats and casual comfortable clothes are must-haves and there’s no need for someone to tell you to get these.

The time extent you get to spend in a yoga retreat depends on the package you select or the budget flexibility you have. Be prepared to eat only nutritious vegetarian foods and nothing like red meat at all. Moreover, tips are also given to people who want to improve their diet and eating habits so as to promote a great health condition. And last but not least, there is no surprise that in a yoga retreat you will get to practice yoga for several hours a day, so you’d better be ready for it.

Yoga Wear

Posted on March 29, 2009
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Although one could wonder why yoga wear is so important, practice shows that the comfortable clothes especially designed to be worn during yoga classes make a difference from the t-shirt and training suit you’d normally use in sports. The principle that the yoga wear concept starts from is that one’s body needs to be comfortable for the mind to reach a comfort state too. There are some features that such clothing requires above other things: first of all, yoga wear has to offer plenty of room for maneuvers, as you’ll move the body a lot while performing the postures or the asanas.

There are two possible choices of yoga wear here: you can either go for loose clothes that are usually made of cotton, or for stretchable elastic materials. The problem with the latter is that they may not absorb perspiration as well as the cotton ones and you may start to feel uncomfortable while performing the asanas. The idea is not to look great but to feel great because relaxation is the first achievement one expects and accomplishes with yoga practice. Softness is the next criterion to judge yoga wear by, never put on clothes that feel stiff when you prepare for yoga practice.

Sometimes the yoga wear has to be adjusted to the kind of exercises you are going to perform. A practice like Bikram yoga which is also called hot yoga will surely require some light tops and very comfortable shorts. As for the colors of yoga wear, light shades are considered the most welcome given the fact that they help induce a state of relaxation. It could be bothersome for the rest of the people in your yoga class if you wear a bright red top, for instance. White, pale yellow, beige, light blue, lavender and even black are suitable, but in the end it is all about personal choices.

There are stores specialized in yoga wear and they provide a wide range of apparel items and accessories such as wristbands, mats, and all sorts of other stuff. Sometimes a comparison between a yoga top and a regular top you buy from another retailer shows no differences at all, except in the price. Actually you may have the surprise to see that yoga wear is sometimes more expensive than regular clothing items. The Internet presently abounds in offers of yoga wear and you can really make some good deals if you have enough patience to look for discounts.

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