yoga for hair growth

Though it may sound unbelievable, yoga can indeed help hair growth. This is because certain yoga poses increase blood circulation in the head and scalp, promoting hair growth. Read on to learn more aboutyoga for hair growth.

How Yoga Aids Hair Growth
Certain yoga poses rectify the root causes of hair loss. These poses reduce anxiety and stress, improve digestion and rectify poor circulation of blood in the head. All these reasons are known to cause hair loss. Yoga poses also increase the supply of oxygen and nutrients to the head, aiding hair growth. Besides hair growth, yoga also holistically improves one’s physical and mental health.

Useful Yoga poses for Hair Growth
The following yoga poses can be beneficial and aid hair growth:

• Headstand (Sirsasana)
• Pavanmuktasana (Wind Releasing Pose)
• Vajrasana (Diamond Pose)
• Shoulder stand (Sarvangasana)
• Bending straight forward pose (Uttanasana)
• Downward facing dog pose (Adho Mukha Svanasana)
• Camel pose (Ustrasana)
• Sasangasana (Rabbit Pose)
• Kapalabhati pranayama can also be effective in promoting hair growth

Massage for Hair Growth
Many hair experts advocate head massage with hot oil to increase hair growth. The best oils for this massage are Castor oil, almond oil, coconut oil and olive oil. You can even use a combination of these oils. Warm the oil a little bit and apply directly on the head and scalp with your fingertips. This gentle massage promotes blood circulation in the scalp and strengthens hair roots and follicles, which can promote hair growth. Regular oil massages can strengthen the hair and improve their overall texture and health.

Meditation for Hair Growth
Stress, tension and anxiety are common causes of hair loss. Hence, many hair experts recommend relaxation techniques such as meditation to reduce hair fall and promote hair growth. Meditation is a proven method to relax the mind and get rid of stress, anxiety and tension. Therefore, people experiencing hair loss should start practicing a suitable meditation technique to calm their mind and promote hair growth.

Conclusion
Yoga is a holistic method to prevent hair loss and promote hair growth. So, if you are experiencing hair loss problems, embrace yoga for hair growth, starting today.

yoga for beginners 

yogasanas

Benefits Of Yoga For Pregnant Women 

Yoga is an ancient Indian form of exercise with an holistic approach, meaning it tackles a person's well being as a whole - mind and body - unlike other forms of exercise. Yoga can help women get through their pregnancy with minimal discomfort. It also helps the birth and post-delivery stages.

* Yoga improves the blood circulation and minimizes the problems of water retention and edema. 

* Yoga reduces the anxiety and stress and induces a relaxing sleep. It helps women adapt to the new situations.

* It successfully expels toxins from the body and improves digestion.

* Yoga is a safe way for strengthening muscles and joints. 

* It regulates blood pressure and sugar levels in body and thus helps in preventing the risk of getting diabetes and high blood pressure during pregnancy.

* Yoga stimulates the nerves and calms the body and mind. Breathing exercises regulate the hormones and emotions. 

* Yoga improves the posture and thus helps in easing back problems which are common in most of the pregnant women.

* Regular practice of yoga stretches many ligaments throughout the pelvic, hip and leg areas, which eases labor pain.

* Breathing exercises reduce mood swings, nausea and morning sickness. 

* Yoga strengthens the abdominal muscles which take part in pushing the baby through the birth canal.

Yoga Breathing or Pranayama 

The power of breathing practice to change your state of mind is extremely strong. A breathing practice can last anything from two minutes to half an hour or more.

* Find a quiet place where you won't be distracted. If doing the exercises inside, make sure the window is open to allow plenty of fresh air into the room.

* At first practise pranayama lying down and then gradually aim to sit upright with your spine straight.

* Breathe evenly through the nose throughout the postures.

* Never strain your breathing in pranayama.

* Breathe deeply and slowly.

* Progress slowly and carefully.

* If you feel dizzy or light-headed, return to normal breathing.

* Ask a friend to stay with you when trying out a new technique.

* Do not rush things and practice all exercises as slowly as you can.

Yoga For Meditation 

Yoga precedes meditation. Any physical activity preceding meditation helps for thoughts to subside. Yoga is an excellent aid to get into meditation.

* Padmasana (Lotus Pose) Padmasana is one of the most popular poses for meditation. This asans apart from being a meditative pose, removes stiffness from the knees, improves posture and calms the mind.

* Vajrasana (Thunderbolt pose) Vajrasana or the 'Thunderbolt pose' is also one of the poses for meditation. Vajrasana speeds up digestion, makes ankle joints flexible, improves the body posture, beneficial for the reproductive organs as well.

* Sukhasana (Easy pose) Sukhasana is the simple way of sitting with the legs crossed. This asana falls in the category of Yoga for meditation. This is one of the most simple asanas and the usual way of an Indian sitting on the floor. This asana is beneficial for the hips and the spine. It brings in an inner calm, banishing anxiety.

* Siddhasana is also a simple meditative pose. It purifies the 72,000 channels in the human body through which energy passes) It is beneficial for the knees and the ankles, lower spine, pubic region, abdominal organs etc. It renders calmness of the mind

Yoga Back Bender 

Yoga back bender has two different curves on each side a steady arch at one end and a steep arch on the other end. The steep arch is meant for yoga practitioners who are more flexible.

* It helps to open the front body, shoulders and chest.

* It provides support for quieter restorative practice.

* It helps in supporting back, which otherwise gets hurt.

* Besides, it also enhances the final relaxation poses.

* Forward Bender 

Forward bender is helpful to perform difficult forward bends. It is a triangle shaped prop with several open slots along its curvature that looks like a curved ladder. It extends forward stretch into the calf muscles, so that the spine is fully expanded and straightened. Forward bender can be used for 1 and 2-legged forward bends. It effectively stretches hamstrings, calf muscles and achilles tendons.

* Whale Back Bender 

Whale back bender is a popular back bender among people. It's wide enough to support your entire back, while offering comfort to your spine as you perform a stretch. It looks like the regular back bender, but actually it is much broader than the regular ones. It helps in tractioning your spine without stressing other joints.

* Foldaway Back Bender 

As the name suggests, Foldaway Back Bender is a prop that can be folded, or can be separated to make two new props. It can be used to practice drop-backs and forward bends. It occupies less storage space, making itself the most versatile and innovative back bench.

Benefits of Rajyoga 

Raja Yoga, sometimes called the "Royal Yoga" is inclusive of all yogas, and its philosophy goes beyond the boundaries of the many styles of yoga today.

Raja Yoga is also referred to as the Mental Yoga, or the Yoga of the Mind, because of its emphasis on awareness of one's state of mind. It is through this practice of concentration that one learns to calm the mind and bring it to one point of focus.

It is at this point that we direct our attention inwardly, toward our true nature, which is Divine. You can achieve this by following the Eight-Fold Path of Raja Yoga, which includes observation of the following:

* Yamas (Abstentions): Ahimsa (non-injury), Satya (truth), Asetya (non-stealing), Brahmacharya (chastity), Apragraha (non-greed)

* Niyamas (Moral Observations): Susha (purity), Santosha (contentment), Tapas (austerity), Svadhaya (study of the scriptures), Ishvara Pranidhana (surrender to God)

* Asana: Steady pose, posture or seat

* Pranayama: control of vital energy through breathwork

* Pratyahara: Withdrawal of the senses

* Dharana: concentration of the mind

* Dhyana: Meditation

* Samadhi: Enlightenment, union with the Divine

Yoga For Great Hair 

Yoga for good hair growth there are many yoga asanas which are proved to be beneficial for hair growth.
Did you know that Yoga is good for your hair? Yes from Yoga you can get lots of good benefits and have a great mind and body. You can start with some breathing exercises to keep your hair in perfect condition.
Taking care of your hair is equally important as you do Yoga along with it. Some beauty regimen and good diet is important for you to have your hair in great shape.
Digestive imbalance and hormonal misbalance can create problems in your body system as well as have affects on your mental health.
Proper blood circulation is good for your scalp and keeps your hair good and luscious. Some asanas which keeps your blood circulation in head in proper condition are as follows: Sirsasana, Sarvanasana, and Ustrasana. But you should take expert advice to do these asanas properly.

Purna Yoga Benefits 

Purna Yoga Benefits, Purna Yoga Poses, Purna Yoga: Purna Yoga gives Yoga a positive and dynamic form. It suggests three levels of integration- the integration of the inner, the integration of the human psyche with its external environment and the integration of the psyche with its ultimate spiritual Ground.

It not just brings optimism and positive energies to the body but also to the world at large. It is this united spirituality that proficiently combines self-transcendence with love, sympathy, and reverence for all living beings. It puts together the varied aspects of yoga, needed for transformation and healing.

* Many of us have different activities that we practice in order to promote good health. To get stronger we may lift weights, for cardiovascular exercise we may do an aerobic activity, for balance and harmony we may use tai-chi, for flexibility we stretch out and meditation to find peace of mind and relax.

• Does it all- It supports the mind, body, emotions and your Spirit

• It creates both strength and flexibility

• Promotes good cardiovascular health

• Helps to create mental clarity and will relieve stress

• Will create an emotional balance

• Connects you awareness to your intuition and wisdom within

• This style is safe for all ages and body types

• Promotes healing from injuries

• Promotes an overall sense of wellness.

* Purna Yoga Benefits Purna

Yoga is the style of yoga which teaches alignment-based asana, healthy living and heart-centered meditation to help people achieve a wholeness, fulfillment and healing to life’s purpose. Purna yoga teacher training creates a way to have a life changing experience and through practice meeting the needs of today’s world.

Mantra Yoga Benefits 

Mantra Yoga Postures , MantraYoga Poses, Types of Mantra Yoga: Different people use different mantras for chanting.

The mantras could be a particular sentence or a group of sentences related to a particular spiritual meaning.

The most commonly used word for chanting is ‘Om’ which according to Sanskrit means spirit and according to hindu mythology it means emptiness.

The combination of the two derives the purpose of the mantra yoga – A calm spirit detached from the anxieties and worries of a regular life.

* Mantra yoga works a great deal on people suffering from anxiety, stress , nervousness, panic attacks and fear,

* Regular chanting of the mantras creates a sense of tranquillity.

* It also helps achieve inner peace

* The advantage of mantra yoga, as it is believed, is that it turns an unhappy person into a happy and serene individual.

* Since the most commonly chanted word is the word ‘Om’, the repetition of this word creates a physical vibration along with the mental one. This leads the practitioner to lead levels of sub and super consciousness.

* Helps focus on your inner self. * It has positive effects on the nervous system.

* This yoga relaxes the mind, body and the soul.

* Mantra yoga when practiced to extreme levels, helps attain intense points of concentration that can cure any physical or mental disorders.

* A person practicing mantra yoga benefits from regulated breath and clarity of mind.

* The spiritual benefits of this yoga are psychic intervention, control of ones own mind and thoughts.

* The relaxation of the mind enhances knowledge and the pressures of life are controlled by the thought control process.

* The most important and ultimate benefit of mantra yoga is self realization and leads an individual on the road to enlightenment.

Karma Yoga Benefits

Karma is a Sanskrit term meaning action or deed, either physical or mental. Thinking constitutes an act of mental Karma and all Karma is the sum total of an individual’s acts, in the present life and in past incarnations.

Karma does not just refer to action; it also the result of our actions. There is a latent power in Karma or action. This is called 'Adrishta'. It is that which brings in fruits of karmas to an individual.

* Through s service one mages to purify one’s heart. Egoism, hatred, jealousy, feelings of superiority and all the kindred negative traits will disappear.

* The Karma Yogi develops feelings of humility, pure love, sympathy, tolerance and mercy. Above all that sense of separateness from the Almighty gets obliterated. Selfishness is removed. The practitioner develops a tolerant and broadminded outlook to life.

* Karma takes the shape of Karma Yoga, when the practitioner acts as an instrument in the hands of the Almighty, as a participant in the cosmic activity of Nature and does the service without the expectation of fruits. The person then believes that he/she is only the instrument and that the Lord is working unselfishly, through him/her.

* A person aspiring to follow the divine path of Karma Yoga doesn't have to possess materialistic wealth. All the person needs is a peaceful mind, body and a selfless attitude, to serve humanity.

* The person following the path of Karma Yoga, known as Karma Yogi, should be free from lust, greed, egoism and anger. His/her heart should be filled with the thought of serving the poor and the helpless people, selflessly.

* Even if the person has any traces of these 'doshas', he/she should try to eliminate them immediately. In addition, he/she should not desire for name, fame or money in return of the service.

* he person, who expects respect and honor from others, cannot serve people selflessly. Moreover, a Karma Yogi should be fearless. He/she should be amiable and social.

* He / she start to feel a Oneness and Unity with all of creation. Ultimately, the individual gains knowledge of the Self and comes to comprehend the concept of “One in all and All in one."

Jnana Yoga Benefits 

Jnana yoga is not a new fangled concept in the world of yoga. You can trace down the existence of this practice to the Vedic ages and the age of Bhagavad Gita.

Hindu Lord Shri Krishna is believed to be the pioneering proponent of jnana yoga in the ancient age. However, the same practice has been modified and altered with the passing ages. Nevertheless, the flavor and the objective of this yoga have not faded over time and jnana yoga is still considered to be the path toward enlightenment.
Practicing Jnana Yoga: 
* First and foremost read the Hindu ancient holy texts like the Vedas, Bhagavad Gita.
* “I am” should be your mantra for chanting.
* Focus on “I”.
* Next form all sentences that come to your mind when you say I.
* Now leave “I” behind and fight your ego to get hold of your focus away from I.
* Meditate and breathe deep.
* Discuss with your guru
Benefits of Jnana Yoga 
Jnana yoga is awareness, not realization.
Jnana Yoga is the understanding of the laws of existence and the awareness of a means to synchronize with them.
In Jnana Yoga one ceases to be attached to forms of expression and becomes drawn to the essence, the process of insight.

Hatha Yoga Benefits 

Health Benefits Hatha Yoga, Hatha Yoga Health Benefits, Hatha Yoga: Many Eastern cultures believe that there is a strong connection between the body and the mind, and when these energies become imbalanced, it is thought that people can be left susceptible to illness, injury, and disease.

Yoga strives to connect the two through physical positions (asanas) and breathing exercises.

Some of the many hatha yoga benefits that are believed to come from this practice include:

* Improved physical health

* Stress relief

* Improved balance

* Increased strength

* Poise

* Detoxification

* Flexibility

While there are many hatha yoga benefits, it is still important to consult with your primary care provider before you begin any new alternative therapy, including this practice.

Most people are able to enjoy these great benefits with no problem, but getting a second opinion from your doctor to ensure you avoid injury or complications is never a bad idea.

Office Yoga Exercises 

Office Yoga, Office Yoga Exercises, Office Yoga Poses: Yoga is a healthy stress relieving process that you can perform at the office. Learn some tips for performing yoga at work from a certified yoga.

Exercise 1 : Arm Stretch 

* During a coffee break, try arm stretch !

* What It Is: Special attention to arms by stretching them to increase flexibility.

* How to Do: Be seated to your chair in a straight position, stretch hands in front and make fists. Push the hands forwards to stretch the forearm.

* Time to Do: Hold for 30 seconds, relax and repeat 3-5 times.

* Do It Right: Keep your head and neck balanced.

* This Exercise Benefits : Relieve stress and keeps you energetic all the day .

Exercise 2 : Shoulder Swing

* Boss is going, try shoulder swing !

* What It Is: A great way to relax shoulders and ensure smooth blood circulation.

* How to Do: Hold the left leg with right hand and place the left hand behind the back, as far as possible. Then swing shoulder from left to right. Return to starting position and repeat for the other side.

* Time to Do: Hold for 20 seconds and relax. Repeat for 2-4 times.

* Do It Right: Avoid if you have shoulder/neck injury.

* This Exercise Benefits : This exercise helps to adjust the balance of shoulder and neck muscles.

Exercise 3 : Waist Workout 

* Worried from Boss shouts, try waist workouts !

* What It Is: Makes your waist slim and trim.

* How to Do: Sit straight with hands on the waist. Sink belly in, jutting out the shoulders. Hold, release the belly, jutting chest out.

* Time to Do: Practice this for 1 minute, if you have time, for it to be effective.

* Do It Right: Your dress should be comfortable enough and do not hamper your physical movements and blood flow.

* This Exercise Benefits : Reduce belly fat and keep your waist in good shape.

Exercise 4 : Ab Side Bend

* Look as per the latest trend, try side bend !

* What It Is: Stretches the entire body from hips to fingertips.

* How to Do: Hold a water bottle with both the hands and stretch it up over the head with arms straight. Gently bend towards the left as far as you can contracting the abs.

* Time to Do: Hold for 30 seconds, come back to center and repeat to the right. Do it 5-8 times from each side.

* Do It Right: Do not jerk the bottle and try to avoid any unnecessary motion during the movement.

* This Exercise Benefits : Keeps hip’s stable and improve’s mobility.

Exercise 5 : Chair Squat 

* Wana to look great, try chair squat !

* What It Is: One of the best lower body exercises you can do in an office.

* How to Do: While sitting, lift up until your hips are just hovering over the chair, keep your arms out for balance.

* Time to Do: Repeat for 4-5 times.

* Do It Right: Always keep the knees in line with the toes.

* This Exercise Benefits : Useful to get rid of knee problems and releases stress.

Kundalini Yoga 

kundalini yoga, kundalini yoga in telugu, Kundalini Yoga Postures: Kundalini yoga is a physical, mental and spiritual discipline for developing strength, awareness, character, and consciousness.

Preaching a message of drug free living and alternative ways of getting high, the teachings of kundalini yoga became a way for anyone to experience higher states of consciousness. 

Kundalini Yoga is a physical and meditative discipline that combines postures (asanas), breath (pranayama), and the chanting of mantras. Kundalini refers to the energy that lays dormant at the base of the spine. Through the practice of yoga, this energy is raised and travels up the spine, through the chakras, creating an overall sense of well being and a heightened sense of awareness. The word Kundalini literally translates as a “coiled female serpent.”

Traditionally the techniques of Kundalini were only communicated from Master to disciple and through a long initation process. In 1969 Yogi Bhajan began teaching kundalini yoga openly to the public.

Yogi Bhajan defines yoga as such: “Yoga means a discipline of mind and body. There is nothing mysterious about it. Yoga does not explain the meaning of life... It’s aim is to develop a quality of mind which can perceive reality and acquire self knowledge.”

There are no inverted postures in Bikram yoga, unless you are in a master class. Bikram felt that most beginners could not safely do inversions, and that other poses provided the same benefits as inversions.

Why Learn Kundalini Yoga? 

* Stress breaks down the systems of the body opening it to all other forms of disease and discomfort. 

* The massive explosion in interest in yoga and mediation in the 21st century is testament to the fact that people are in need of relaxation, ways of finding inner calm, and physical well being.

* The average person is subject to as much information in 1 week as our great great great grand parents were exposed to in their whole lives. Between, iphones, blackberry's, tv, internet, the radio, not to mention advertising, the human psyche is bombarded with information at a non stop rate. Without a buffer zone for the mind, this data acts as 24/7 bombardment of emotional manipulation caussing mental overload, or what we call stress.

* This "buffer zone" of the mind can be developed through yoga and mediation. And with the advent of computers and the rise of the knowledge based economy, many of us are sedentary for hours at a time.

* Yoga is the best form of exercise for maintaining health as it rebuilds the body through stretching and strengthening exercises.

* Through the practice of Yoga and Meditation, even for a very short period of time, major improvements in physical health and mental clarity are possible. It is also a lot of fun.

Mudras And Chakra Meditation 

Mudras Chakra Meditation, Chakra Meditation Mudras, Mudra Meditation: There are different ways by which you can carry out the technique of chakra meditation and one of these is by using different mudras and sounds for each.

There are many benefits of the mudras. To the untrained meditation practitioner, mudras are often dismissed as inconsequential. In fact, the mudras have the power to harmonize all seven of our auric bodies—etheric (lower physical), emotional (lower emotional), mental (lower mental), astral, etheric (higher physical), celestial (emotional), and causal (mental). These auric bodies correspond with our chakras, from the base to the crown chakra.

The following examples demonstrate how mudras stimulate our auric bodies, serving as a means to act as an interface to integrate our physical, mental and spiritual bodies.

* Bear Grip : With palms facing each other, and right palm facing the body, hook fingers together. Thumbs rest on outside of baby fingers. Concentration.

* Venus Lock : Palms facing up, cup hands together and interlock the fingers. Sexuality. Glandular balance.

* Prayer Mudra : Palms together in prayer position. Balancing energy.

* Buddha Mudra:  For men, rest right hand in left palm, and join the tips of the thumbs. For women, reverse hand position.

* Ethereal : Awakening of latent energy. Integrating the mind and body through the stimulation of brain cells and the energy centers of the chakras

* Physical Body : Helping to maintain presence in meditation by holding a physical posture.

* Guyan Mudra :With the palm facing the sky, touch the tip of the forefinger to the tip of the thumb. Receptivity.

* Active Guyan Mudra : Bend first joint of index finger under thumb. Knowledge.

* Shuni Mudra :Touch the tip of the middle finger to the tip of the thumb. Patience.

* Surya/Ravi Mudra : Touch the tip of the ring finger to the tip of the thumb. Energy. Intuition.

* Buddhi Mudra : Touch the tip of the little finger to the tip of the thumb. Communication. Intuition.

* Jupiter Mudra : Clasp hands together and extend and join the inside of the forefingers. Remaining fingers and thumbs are interlocked. Focus energy.

Benefit Of Yoga For Back Pain

But if you have been suffering from back pain, you might reconsider. Pain relief is just one of the benefits of practicing yoga. You might also experience an improvement in your mental and emotional health that causes you to be relaxed and focused for the demands of your busy life.

* Fists Forward Bend 

Stand with feet hip-distance apart. Bend your knees and release your torso over your legs until your belly touches your thighs (or as close as you can get). Make two fists and place them in the opposite elbow creases. Relax your back, neck and head, and squeeze fists actively. Fists and bent elbows together are a central nervous system trigger that causes your back muscles to open. You’ll feel it after just a few breaths! Take 10-20 breaths here, releasing more tension from the back with every exhale.

* Wall Plank 

Stand in front of a wall at arm’s length. Reach forward from your shoulders and plant your palms on the wall, fingers wide, middle fingers pointing straight at the ceiling. Firm your fingers into the wall and draw your navel back as you lengthen the tailbone towards the floor.

Lift your ribs from the pelvis. You want to work with a natural lower back curve but an active belly. Keep length in your spine as you begin to walk the legs back, folding at the waist, and walking your hands down the wall.

Eventually you’ll come to an L-shape as seen here. If you can’t get there today without feeling pain or rounding in the lower back, bend your knees and maintain the proper spinal alignment.

As you lift the navel and lower ribs into the body, reach long through the tailbone and legs into the floor while reaching the spine, arms and head towards the wall. Repeat for 10-20 breaths, then fold into Fists Forward Fold once again. Move to the next pose after a few breaths.

* Downward-Facing Dog 

If done properly, this tried-and true asana can be excellent for spinal traction and back health. Move into the pose with feet hip-distance apart [did you know that’s only two fists-width or so?] and hands shoulder-distance apart. It’s important not to let your back arch too much, which pressurizes the shoulder joints and over-contracts the back muscles. Instead, think of lifting the navel and front ribs, providing a buoyancy in the shoulders and back.

Carve the tailbone towards the heels and press back through the inner and outer legs equally. This provides a root, a backward grounding from which you can pull and grow your spine and head forward towards the space between your hands. Even as you move the shoulders down the back and wrap your outer shoulder blades towards your armpits slightly, press long through the arms and fingers, providing a whole-body realignment and stretch. Take 5-10 breaths here, then proceed to the next pose.

* Pigeon 

We should call this pose “Angel of Mercy” for what it can do to rescue your poor aching back. It’s genius at opening the lower body muscles like hamstrings, hip rotators and the iliopsoas muscles, all which can contribute to back pain, without putting too much torque on the already tight back muscles.

This releases them by springing open the muscles beneath. It’s a must-do in my yoga sequencing. From Downward-Facing Dog, bring your right knee behind the right wrist, foot either touching the left hip crease or slightly forward.

Stretch the left leg out long behind you, knee and top of the foot facing the floor. Center your hips in space even if they don’t touch the floor.

Press your palms into the floor or a yoga block, ground your legs into the mat, and allow your legs to stretch while you let your low back curve and lift up. Draw your navel and pelvic floor muscles in and send your heart to the sky. To deepen this pose, move your front knee wider and back and creep the back leg longer. Take 5-10 breaths here, then fold forward, forearms on a block or the floor for a full-body stretch to counterpose. Return to Downward-Facing Dog, then repeat on the other side.

* Back Traction Pose 

After your last Pigeon, swing your back leg around and come onto your back, knees bent, feet under knees as if to prepare for a Bridge Pose. Grab your yoga block or if you don’t have one, a firmly-rolled yoga mat will do. Lift your hips, and place the block in the center of your hips (not low back).

The block should be the skinny way, in the same direction as your spine, not wide across the hips like your pants line. Place your hips on the block and gently walk your feet wide. Knock your knees in towards one another for one minute to stretch across the sacrum, and then walk feet and knees together.

Lift your knees over your hips until you can relax them but still stay suspended in the air. This pose will release your iliopsoas muscles even as it detoxes you and provides traction for the low back spine. After about 30 seconds or so, scoot your head further from the shoulders and rest for another 30 seconds. Return to the first variation, feet wide on the floor, knees closer, for a few breaths. To release, walk the feet under the knees at hip distance.

Engage your navel, lift your hips off the block and remove it to the side. Roll slowly down the spine inch by inch and enjoy your new spacious lower back curve and sacrum!

* Child’s Pose 

Roll over and take Child’s Pose for one minute or more. Try knees wide, big toes closer, but end with knees together for a neutral spinal stretch. If your head doesn’t touch the floor, place a yoga block or fists under your forehead so you can relax completely. Breathe slowly into your back body, expanding more nourishing energy and space on the inhale, and on the exhales, let ever more tension dissolve.

Yoga for Weight Loss 

Yoga will help you burn more calories per day and get a more lean and strong body.Yoga can support your weight loss goals by giving a healthy direction. Weight gain is the result of leading a lifestyle where you take in more calories than you utilize.
Yoga offers a good solution to this problem. Yoga tones the body in a uniformed manner, unlike any " weight loss program" which claims to decrease your butts by this much inches and waist by this much, leading to side effects. Yoga can be practiced at any age to keep the body supple.
With all the conveniences of modern life such as washing machine, car, computers we do not use as many calories as we did just a few decades ago. Another big player in the weight gain game is diet. Modern lifestyle includes an abundance of packaged food with appealing food aromas, food colors, spices, refined products and even addictive ingredients. No wonder we find ourselves facing the weight gain dilemma. How can yoga help us get out of the vicious cycle of taking in more calories than we utilize? Listed here are some of the benefits:
* Yoga is a natural exercise for everybody. We have been doing yoga right from the time we were babies.
* Yoga can give you the energy and enthusiasm to create your weight loss plan and more importantly the inner strength required to stick to the plan. Create a strategy based on clear understanding of your problem. Get help from a Sri Sri Ayurveda and Sri Sri Yoga experts.
* Yoga can support your weight loss goals by giving a healthy direction to your life energy.
* Balance your body with yoga postures. Some yoga postures, when done correctly, massage the endocrine glands and the digestive system which improves digestion.
* You can build your support group at the nearest Sri Sri Yoga class and make friends interested in a healthy lifestyle.
* Lastly and most importantly, control how much, how & what you eat with yoga. Regular yoga practice can give you a valuable and unshakeable body consciousness that will help you eat less and help you eat the right food.
* Enjoy your first steps to a more healthy and happy lifestyle, enroll yourself to a yoga class right away. Find the right teacher for your level, and get a lean, fit and strong body.

Types Of Yoga And Their Benefits 

On this planet today there are so many types of yoga being practiced today. Benefits include toning muscles, eliminating tension and easing chronic pain and open and stretch tight ones, our bodies return to their correct alignment.

* Kundalini Yoga- This one is a complete mystery to those outside it’s cult. It has something to do with “energy snakes” and wearing turbans to keep them from escaping your body. It’s pretty freaky; I’d stay away from it.

* Yin Yang yoga – Many studios don’t offer classes in this type of yoga; it’s basically a combination of Power yoga and Yin yoga. It begins with a more high intensity style of yoga, and is followed by more relaxed stretching meditative type poses. The benefits of this style of yoga are that if you like both the exercise and the relaxation sides of yoga, you can get both all rolled into one.

* Core yoga – These classes vary from studio to studio, and you can’t really do a teacher training in this. Core classes generally focus on the core muscle groups like abs, obliques, glutes, back, and hip flexors. Benefits: good stomach/core workout – a strong core improves posture, balance, and can help relieve back pain, and bring more power to arm and leg movements which stem from the core, so it’s good for athletes.

* Hatha yoga – A broad term, covering man styles of yoga; you’ll see it on the schedule of every yoga studio. It is generally more slow-paced than Power classes, but the specifics beyond that really depend on the studio. Hatha means “moving” – so it pretty much covers any style of yoga involving physical postures. There are other types of yoga (that people here don’t really know about) that doesn’t involve physical movement – but since everything that is normally considered “yoga” in North America does involve movement or physical poses, Hatha yoga basically just means “yoga”. The benefits of this style of yoga is that you never know what you’re going to get, so it could be a good way to introduce yourself to all different types of poses if you are a beginner.

* Acro yoga- Short for acrobatic. It is done with partners. It is not usually offered as a regular class, but you might see it for a special workshop (especially for valentines day since it’s yoga for partners). You can also go to a specific studio for it (but they’re pretty rare). Generally one person is the base; they lie on their back and extend their legs and arms up to the ceiling, and the person on top rests on their feet and hands, moving into various positions. The benefits: it’s fun, playful, and can build trust and communication between couples.

* Budokon Yoga- This is a combination of yoga and martial arts. It has belts like in martial arts, and involves sparring for more advanced students. It is quite physical, and is done by Jennifer Aniston, and other celebrities. It’s also hard to find, not all studios have it (most don’t). Benefits: you get the benefits of martial arts along with your yoga.

* Suspension Yoga – Also called “anti-gravity” yoga. It involves hanging from the ceiling, and helps to lengthen your body. These poses in this type of yoga make use of gravity in addition to your own body weight. Benefits: it is fun and athletic, and the lengthening part is supposed to be good for you (think inversion machines meant to lengthen your spine).

Different Types of Yoga and Their Benefits 

Many different types of yoga being practiced today, it may be to yoga with basic poses and relaxation techniques; Benefits: Relieves stress and stamina, and those who want to get in touch with their spiritual side.

* Power yoga – If you’re looking for a workout with your yoga, than this style is your best bet. This fast-paced, high-energy style of yoga combines movement with breath, and is often done in a heated room (which heightens the intensity even more). The benefit of Power yoga is that you can combine your yoga and your workout into one, since Power yoga is both a cardio and muscle building workout.

* Yin Yoga – This style of yoga is basically the opposite of Power yoga. It consists of long, deep stretches held for 3 to 5 minutes, which serve to open up your connective tissues – since connective tissues are not as elastic as muscles, you need to hold the poses longer in order to release the tension in them. The benefits of Yin yoga are that it is more of a relaxing, meditative style of yoga (they say it is supposed to “turn you inward”) as opposed to power, and it is usually done at room temperature if you’re not into the high-intensity of a heated room.

* Bikram Yoga – This style of yoga is done in very hot room, and follows a very specific set of poses. Any studio, anywhere in the world will always follow the same series of poses. It is a very formulaic, and some would even say militant, style of yoga. The benefits of Bikram yoga are that you always know what to expect (no matter which studio you do it at), and you can get very good at the poses by doing them over and over again. Bikram people say that the poses don’t change, but instead you change doing the poses; in other words, you can do them better and get more out of them.

* Moksha Yoga- This style of yoga was inspired by Bikram yoga, but is less intense, and more accessible to beginners. You may also find more variety in Moksha, as it tends not to be quite as formulaic as Bikram. Otherwise, the same holds for Moksha as above.

* Iyengar Yoga- This style of yoga was developed by B.K.S. Iyengar, and is very alignment focused. Each pose is looked at individually rather than being connected together; for example, whereas power yoga is all about flowing right from one pose into the next, in Iyengar each pose is focused on individually, and you stop to talk about it before moving on to the next pose. Iyengar yoga is very slow, and uses a lot of props like blocks, bolsters and straps. The benefits of this style of yoga are that it is good for beginners to learn poses properly, and even good for advanced students who haven’t learned their alignment properly.

* Restorative Yoga – This style of yoga is even more relaxing, and even less intense than Yin Yoga. The difference is that you are not looking for a stretching sensation as with Yin, but instead you are just putting yourself into “restorative” poses and holding them for a very long time. The benefits of this style are similar to those of Yin yoga: it is more about relaxation and meditation that about getting a workout, only to an even greater degree than with Yin.

5 Ways to Fit Exercise into Your Life 

As a women on the run I know how hard exercise is to fit into your life. But have you ever stopped for a moment to think about the importance of five easy ways to fit exercise into your life so that it makes a huge difference to your health, fitness and happiness. It is extremely important to select an exercise program that will be well-suited to your lifestyle.

An early run

Exercise is a great way to wake up your body so when you get up in the morning rather than walking straight to the shower put on your trainers and go for a brisk walk, or quick jog, for no more than 10 minutes. By the time you get into the shower you will hardly remember the 10-minute jog but your body will feel energized and ready for the day. Stretch the run to 15 or even 30 minutes when you are feeling more adventurous and you can get most of your exercise out of the way before you have really woken up!

Take the stairs

It may seem like an obvious point but if you remember to walk up the stairs every day then you will be amazed by how much good it does you. It will help to tone your thighs and bottom area and doing it four times a day is the same amount of exercise as walking for 30 minutes.

Break down exercise sessions

By breaking exercise up into small parts of the day you can fit it around your schedule and avoid having to spend hours in the gym. Do three repetitions of 20 sit-ups, push-ups or jog on the spot for five minutes. Such exercise can be a great way to de-stress at work as well as give you an energy boost.

 Easy exercise

Find something you enjoy that doesn't make you feel guilty when you miss it. In that way getting fit doesn't have to mean a gruelling exercise class or hours slaving in the gym. Next time your friend suggests lunch why not suggest meeting for a swim and then lunch after. You don't have to do strenuous lengths; instead swim slowly and chat to your friend and before you know it you have done more than enough exercise to justify a tasty lunch. Renting a bike and cycling is another great, fun activity, especially if you are looking for something the whole family can do together.

Walking

Walking is really great exercise. It tones different muscles to running ones, and in some ways it is more beneficial as puts less strain on your body. Try fitting more walking into your everyday routine on your way to work, at lunchtimes or in the evening to destress. You will be surprised at how quickly you see a difference in your body and health.

Standing Forward Bend Yoga 

Standing Forward Bend Yoga workout is a good way to start your yoga session. As it helps to stretch the muscles and warm up in preparation for the Sun Salutation Vinyasa and benefits.

Instructions Standing Forward Bend Yoga

* Bring the feet together, big toes together

* Bend the knees, draw the abs in, and fold forward from your hips

* Bent the knees as much as you need until your chest rests on thighs

* Hands on the floor outside of the feet

* Lift and widen the sit bones

* Fold and deepen over hips

* Shoulders are lifted away from ears but soften the shoulder blades down into your back

* Let the head hangs and release the back of your neck.

* Bend the knees

* Forearms or hands on thighs.

* Hands clasp behind legs or hold opposite elbows.

* Wide leg forward fold

* Gorilla Pose.

Benefits of Standing Forward Bend Yoga 

* Stretching your hips, calves, and hamstrings

* Strengthening your knees and thighs

* Improving digestion system,

* Helping to cure insomnia, headache, osteoporosis, asthma, high blood pressure

* Relaxing the mind.

Power Yoga Tips 

Power yoga is much more intense and aerobic than the more traditional forms of yoga. Is a synchronization of body movements that are maintained for long periods of time.
• Select open ground like garden, building terrace etc. as it will encourage you to practice yoga.
• Concentrate fully on each pose.
• Practice power yoga thrice a week and that too for approximate 45 minutes each day.
• Develop a proper sequence of yoga before you start your power yoga session.
• Always try to follow proper series of exercises.
• Stay comfortable and wear sweat absorbent clothes.
• It involves difficult poses, so seek guidance of professionals.
• Avoid over-exertion. Try to do slow but steady power yoga always.
• Take the help of yoga videos available in market that best suits your need.
• Do asanas that your body can perform easily. Never try to confront your body in positions that are hard to undertake & can end up with physical injury.
• Give your body time to adjust the power yoga moves. Do not rush through the asanas at the initial stages.

Yoga For Hypertension

Yoga has always been advised to people with High Blood Pressure, because as soon as the person adopts an asana (posture) his life pattern changes. The personality and diet will change and becomes a puritan. Performing asanas, a person will not want to smoke, will not eat a full lobster. 

Yoga is a combination of psychoanalysis, psychiatry and physiotherapy, keeping the blood pressure as normal as possible. Yoga For Hypertension patients gives them spontaneous energy and good things start happening to the person. Besides, yoga also clears the brain and the person performing yoga understands what he was doing and can thus correct himself as he always emanates positive energy.

Yoga is a way of life and it treats a person as one with soul. It helps bring down the high blood pressure and many related disease that may occur due to having high blood pressure. Yoga For Hypertension works as it is both a static and dynamic exercise and improves the cardiovascular efficiency in a healthy as well as a sick person. 

Yoga For Hypertension patients includes Pranayama and Savasana, which are important yogic methods to control the blood pressure. Pranayama or breath control, conscious respiration, savasana were a person adopts a dead-body-like posture and starts relaxing from the toes to the upper part of the body step by step are some yogic postures that can remove the stress and control blood pressure

Hot Yoga at Home 

Are you a fan of hot yoga.Hot yoga is believed to help the body sweat out toxins while allowing the practitioner to safely come deeper into asanas.In the various forms of hot yoga, the room is heated to warm the muscles and induce sweat.

Hot yoga can help improve range of motion, prevent injuries, and help heal from previous injuries.

The heat increases the pulse and the body burns more calories in its efforts to stay cool while exercising.

Heat dialates capillaries, distributing oxygen more effectively to muscles, glands, organs and other tissues, helping to remove toxins.

Hot yoga can also assist with weight loss, exercise and stress reduction – all in one session.

You don't need a large room in order to be able to practice hot yoga at home. You'll only need a space large enough for your mat, with a few feet in each direction beyond it.

The smaller the room you choose, the less energy and time the room will take to heat up to the desired temperature.

Many yogis use space heaters to get a room of their house appropriately hot for the practice.

The amount and type of space heaters needed depends on the size of the room, the insulation, the outside temperature, and the output of the space heater(s). Many people in Florida and in the Southwestern states practice Hot Yoga on their patios or beside the pool! If you live in a colder climate, you'll want to choose the smallest and best insulated room possible.

In order to create a nice, hot environment, try using a humidifier alongside a space heater. In addition, you can use essential oils or scented candles to help improve the atmosphere of the room. Many practitioners who do Hot Yoga at home maintain that the best room of the house for the practice is a large bathroom.

While it may seem like a waste of warm water, running a hot shower or having a bathtub full of hot water will heat and steam up the room.

The only way to find out which temperature and humidity level make your ideal Hot Yoga environment is to try a bunch of different combinations and see how each one feels.

Be sure to try each combination a few times on various days so that you don't wrongly interpret your ideal environment as awful simply because you were overtired or stressed the particular day that you tried it for the first time.

As there will be no instructor to remind you, make sure you drink lots of water before, during, and after each hot yoga session to avoid dehydration.

Yoga Tips

However, performing Yoga requires a person to follow some specific guidelines, in order to achieve best results.

There are various do's and don'ts that a person needs to follow before, while and after performing Yoga.

To know more about Yoga practicing guide, browse through the following lines.

* Yoga must energize and not cause weariness and depression.

* You must take breaks in between, if a particular step or exercise proves tiring.

* Over eating and fasting should be avoided. At the same time, you must try to avoid stale food.

* Remember, to start with your movements should be light and if you feel fatigue in between you must discontinue.

* For a person performing Yoga, the diet should be a balanced and you should eat after an interval of 4 hours.

* The most appropriate time for practicing Yoga is in the morning, before breakfast. This is because it is the time, when our mind is calm, composed and fresh and the body movements can be performed, with considerable ease and vigor.

* To get started, you need to have the urge and confidence in yourself.

* To practice Yoga, the place chose must be calm, quiet, ventilated, dust free, moisture free and also distraction free.

* Remember, you need to always begin with the easy postures and then, proceed to the difficult ones. You should follow the graded steps of Yoga.

* Before you start practicing Yoga, it is very important for you to clear your bowels and bladder as well as clean your nostrils and throat of all mucus. You must also drink a glass of lukewarm water.

* Yoga clothing should be loose and as comfortable as possible. Form-fitting cotton/Lycra pants and shirts are the best. Wait for a few minutes and then you can start.

* Like all other work outs, you must begin with easy poses, thereafter you can advance to the tough ones. Be methodical and systematic.

* You should always keep a Yoga mat, made of some comfortable materials. For lying postures use a woolen carpet and spread a clean sheet over it.