Beginners Yoga Retreat - Five Mistakes to Avoid When Booking Your Trip

What could be nicer than a few days spent relaxing and chilling on a yoga vacation, away from friends, family and colleagues? Just you and the other yoga vacationers...

If you are a yoga beginner, chances are you have heard other yoga student's talk about their latest yoga trip and how much they enjoy practicing yoga whilst taking time to relax and unwind. Before jumping in and booking your first yoga retreat, take a few moments and make sure you avoid committing the following mistakes. It can make all the difference between having a truly wonderful holiday or the holiday from hell.

Five Mistakes to Avoid When Booking Your Trip

1. Do your homework. There are many different types of retreat to choose from. Are you looking for a traditional family holiday package with a yoga class or two thrown in or do you wish to combine your vacation with yoga? There is a difference. Are you looking for a very structured timetable of yoga classes available or would you prefer a more relaxed approach and have the choice of whether or not to attend a class? Would you like to have the opportunity to attend a retreat where they offer different styles of yoga? Are you looking to go deeper into your existing practice or even try out a new style of yoga? Some retreats offer one type of yoga whilst others offer a range of styles.

2. Location. They say location is everything. This holds true for your yoga vacation. Do you fancy practising yoga by the sea, up in the mountains, in a hot country, do you like the sun or do you prefer a cooler climate? Are you good at mixing and trying out different cultures or would you prefer to go on a retreat where the environment and cultures are similar to what you know?

3. Karma Yoga. Some retreats expect you to take part in Karma Yoga activities. Basically Karma Yoga is voluntary work, selfless service you do around the retreat. For example you help out around the retreat as part of your daily schedule. This may involve assisting in the kitchen, sweeping and cleaning the temples, welcoming new guests or shopping. If you are looking for a hands on retreat this may be ideal for you. But if you prefer to have a complete break from domestic duties then obviously you may not enjoy your vacation if you end up cooking/serving lunch for 50 people.

4. Extra Therapies. Most retreats offer you massage and other complementary therapies. When making your enquiries, ask if all therapists are qualified and insured. Check if you have to pay extra for complementary therapies or if they are included as part of the overall package. Some retreats allow you to have, for example, two free therapies and you pay for any others. Don't be caught short and miss out on the opportunity of trying out a new massage therapy.

5. Clothing. Whilst this may sound silly. Check out what style of clothing is allowed on your retreat. Some retreats are very traditional and would expect you to cover up and wear tee-shirts and long pants; even if you travel to a hot climate, because of local customs. You may be discouraged from practicing yoga in shorts or a bikini. Likewise, if you are going on a more spiritual retreat, you may be expected to cover your hair if you are a woman. Rather than assert your independence when you get there, it is far better to find out what the local customs and dress code of your retreat is beforehand.

At the end of the day, a yoga retreat vacation is supposed to offer you the chance to rest and unwind and let go of stress. You want to enjoy your holiday and come home rested, so spending time checking out the above mistakes will help you have a happy and relaxed yoga holiday.

If you are looking for a quick and easy way out of your current crazy hectic lifestyle and wish to regain calm and balance in your home-work life then claim your FREE special report Yoga Exercises And Relaxation Techniques To Help You Start Your Day In A Calm and Peaceful Way on http://www.yogainspires.co.uk guaranteed to help you start your day on a positive, peaceful vibe.

Blessings From Ntathu Allen, Yoga and Meditation Teacher. Visit me for further support and encouragement on your personal wellness journey on http://www.yogainspires.co.uk

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Hatha Yoga For Chronic Back Pain - Separating Fact From Fiction

So many myths surround Yoga and back pain that Hatha Yoga teachers should inform the public as to what they should realistically expect from a regular practice. Chronic back pain is a very real ailment, while some health professionals hold to the belief that many cases are psychosomatic.

There is room for debate here; as many of us know the possibility of psychosomatic pain does exist. One theory is that psychosomatic back pain is a result of repressed emotions. A medical professional may feel the combination of a patient's personality type, and the lack of physical evidence in an MRI or X-ray, makes this person prone to have psychosomatic back pain.

On the other hand, fibromyalgia was misdiagnosed in the past, and many patients were sent home, after being told their pain was "all in their heads." The wide variety of potential problems with the spine, and the fact that the spinal structure is so complex, make it possible for an expert to miss a visible cause of back pain.

It has been said that four out of five Americans will experience back pain at some point in their lives. The reasons are numerous. We have become a "chair sitting" society. At the same time, there are degenerative disc diseases, arthritis, muscular problems, spinal nerve disorders, and herniated discs to be considered.

Hatha Yoga cannot solve every problem, but asana practice can assure a student that muscular balance will be restored. Some medical experts are of the opinion that muscle imbalances are the source of most forms of "real" back pain and sciatica. In the case of a muscle imbalance, the stronger muscles will pull in one direction, while the weaker muscles on the opposite side, "give way."

This structural imbalance of the spine, as a result of uneven pressure from opposing muscle groups, causes the bones and joints to become misaligned. To elaborate on this a little further - the spine is at the very center of the physical stress between opposing muscle groups, which cause this structural imbalance.

Hatha Yoga offers more to students than asana practice. For instance, pranayama (Yogic breathing) offers a method for establishing a mind/body connection. Some new practitioners do not see the long term value of pranayama. For example: Pranayama, alone, will calm the mind and make a person feel refreshed.

For those, who have difficulty in understanding this concept, my suggestion would be to try a supervised pranayama practice, with a competent Yoga teacher, guru, or swami. Within one hour, anyone who is new to the practice of pranayama should become a believer.

In addition to pranayama and asana, we also have meditation. Once again, my suggestion would be to seek out a competent Yoga teacher for guidance in meditation.

All of the above benefits and techniques should be found within a single class. It may require some searching on the part of the person who is experiencing back pain. Yet, the time spent searching for a competent source of information, is small in comparison to the chronic physical back pain one is experiencing.

© Copyright 2010 - Paul Jerard / Aura Publications

Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500, has written many books on the subject of Yoga. He is a co-owner and the Director of Yoga Teacher Training at: Aura Wellness Center, in Attleboro, MA. He has been a certified Master Yoga Teacher since 1995. To receive Free Yoga videos, Podcasts, e-Books, reports, and articles about Yoga, please visit: http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org/index.html

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Become the Best Possible Yoga Teacher in Five Easy Steps

The more we know, the more we realize how much more there is to learn. In Yoga, and in life, each day is a new lesson. Some interns think that, the material they learn in a 200 hour Yoga teacher training will be the "end all" to their education.

After a month into teaching, most of us of us develop a method for expanding our continuing education. The following five tips will help any Yoga teacher gradually reach maximum potential, while living a multi-faceted life.

1. Determine your exact direction. This may depend on the needs of your students or your own quest for personal growth. Whether you are considering training toward the 500 hour level, or becoming a Yoga teacher specialist, you want to draw up a plan to stay on course - without getting "side tracked."

2. Move forward with purpose. Do you think you can make a habit of studying Yoga for one hour per day? It seems reasonable enough. Imagine how much you could learn in one year. After one year, you will have 365 hours of independent study - in a direction that you can apply toward your student's needs, your personal growth, or both.

3. Take a realistic look at the pace of your progress. Even when we have a deep passion for Yoga, we must realize that independent study is not a race. Not everyone can study for seven hours per week. Some will study more, but most will study less. It is best to set a steady pace and enjoy life along the way.

4. Reflect back on your progress. It is easy to start a journey, but many can become discouraged along the path. Stop to think about how much you have accomplished. If we invest just four hours of study per week, we have 52 hours of study after three months. Your own continuing education program is a big help to students who depend on your knowledge.

5. Make continuing education a regular part of life. Education, in a subject that we find fascinating, is stimulating, and makes life worth living. As Yoga teachers, we realize that we are students for life. There are many benefits that come with a Yoga teaching position. The lifestyle is healthy. The continuing education stimulates your mind. Your students adopt a less stressful lifestyle. You feel the rewards of watching your students improve their lives.

Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500, has written many books on the subject of Yoga. He is a co-owner and the Director of Yoga Teacher Training at: Aura Wellness Center, in Attleboro, MA. He has been a certified Master Yoga Teacher since 1995. To receive Free Yoga videos, Podcasts, e-Books, reports, and articles about Yoga, please visit: http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org/index.html

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The History of Yoga - Why It's Much Longer Than Many People Think

The history of yoga begins in India around four thousand years ago. While many people have heard about yoga only recently, yoga has been around for much longer than many people think. What many people use yoga for in the modern world is only the tip of the iceberg of what yoga is all about.

When you are researching the history of yoga you may find that many of the beneficial properties of yoga that were true many years ago, are also true today. Yoga has been used to increase strength and flexibility and this is what many people find happens to their body today. Yoga also has a distinct breathing pattern that can help you to feel relaxed and you may find that yoga can actually decrease the stress you are feeling in your present day life.

The history of yoga has changed over the years and has become more modern. This has helped people adapt their lifestyle around this practice. Many people today use yoga as a means of exercise and this is a great way to keep your body in shape. If you have a limitation that prevents you from doing traditional exercise, yoga may be a great alternative and the moves are normally slow and this helps many people use yoga as exercise.

Some people just hate the thought of a traditional cardio workout and yoga allows you to go slow and move at your own pace. If you are interested in learning more about the history of yoga, there are many resources on the internet that can help you learn how to practice a much older form of yoga. You may find that there are many things that you can learn about yoga and maybe even incorporate these new findings into your daily life.

The history of yoga will include more information about the mind, body and spirit connection. This is something that is often not represented fully in a gym class setting. You may want to take a class and learn about the strength training part of yoga and use an at home online resource to incorporate the other important aspects of yoga.

The history of yoga is a very long one and many people do not know this. Yoga is much more than an exercise and you may want to explore this further if it interests you. Incorporating all of the aspects of yoga can help you to get more fulfillments out of the entire yoga process.

Now Pay Close Attention

Yoga is something that should not be taken lightly. While it can help you attain physical strength and a calm and centered mindset, there are things you must be wary of when first starting out.

Know more about the history of yogaand be filled with information, details and tips to follow along from beginner poses to the most advanced poses out there by visiting: http://www.YogaGuideReview.rev-u.com.

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Introduction to Yoga Breathing Exercises to Reduce Stress and Worry in Your Life

After a fast and furious day at work, do you ever arrive home tired, stressed and exhausted? Does your head ache; your body feel tense and your mind cluttered and full?

If your life is anything like mine then the chances are, once at home, your evening is equally demanding as you prepare dinner, listen to your children, look over their homework, squeeze in a phone call to your parents and/or friends as well as think about all the outstanding tasks to do at work before tomorrow's team meeting.

Breathing exercises form the essence of yoga. The Sanskrit word for breath is "prana", which is also another word for energy. Proper breathing is an essential part of relaxation. The way you breathe impacts upon your health, your emotions and energy levels.

Have you noticed that when you are tense your breath is fast and shallow or you may even hold your breath when stressed? Conversely, when you are angry your breathing is rapid and sharp or; when you are sad and depressed your breath is uneven and slightly jumpy. However when you are relaxed, happy and joyful your breath is slow and even.

During your day, you are often so busy that you do not have time to think about how you are feeling. You probably spend a vast portion of your day on autopilot and not aware of the effects that stress is having on you. By the time you arrive home, your body is stiff, tense and tight from holding stress.

Learning to breathe correctly helps you to reduce the wear and tear of stress on your body. Breathing correctly oxygenates the blood which nourishes your mind, body and soul.

Yoga encourages you to be more conscious of what is happening inside your body. Combined with yoga breathing exercises you develop a heightened sense of awareness and sensitivity about yourself and your immediate environment. As you learn how to breathe correctly you are empowered to stay calm, to return to your centre and refocus your energy when going through a stressful situation.

To conclude, learning how to breathe fully offers you a simple way to calm your nervous system and increase oxygen levels and blood supply to the internal organs, all of which can lead to a deeper sense of calm, inner peace and balance.

Breathing correctly is a beautiful skill you can use anytime during the day when you feel overwhelmed, confused, in pain or anxious and you want to feel calm and relaxed.

If you are looking for a quick and easy way out of your current crazy hectic lifestyle and wish to regain calm and balance in your home-work life then claim your FREE special report Yoga Exercises And Relaxation Techniques To Help You Start Your Day In A Calm and Peaceful Way on http://www.yogainspires.co.uk guaranteed to help you start your day on a positive, peaceful vibe.

Blessings From Ntathu Allen, Yoga and Meditation Teacher. Visit me for further support and encouragement on your personal wellness journey on http://www.yogainspires.co.uk

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Five Popular Questions Yoga Beginners Ask About Yoga Breathing Exercises

Are you aware of your breath? Chances are, unless you have a background in performing arts, you probably take your breath for granted and don't realise the power of your breath. However, when you practice yoga you will notice that your yoga teacher pays a lot of attention to your breath and will regularly remind you to tune in and be aware of it.

Breathing correctly and practicing breathing exercises form an integral part of your yoga practice.
As a yoga teacher I receive many inquiries from potential students about breathing exercises; why are they included in a session and the benefits and purpose of using your breath correctly.

Here are the five most popular questions I am asked by new yogis about yoga breathing exercises.

1. Should I breathe through my nose or my mouth? This is one of the most popular questions I am asked. Generally speaking, in yoga, breathing is done consciously through your nose. Your nostril is lined with tiny filters. When you breathe in through your nose, these tiny filters cleanse your in breath of dust, pollen and other airborne germs and pollutants. Your mouth does not have this protective filter, which means if you breathe in through your mouth you may have a dry mouth and pick up all kinds of airborne germs.

2. What is prana? Yoga philosophy teaches you that your breath is your life. Learning to breathe correctly enhances the quality of your life. Breathing is the most important function of your body. It is the source of energy. "Prana" is your life force and is the energy which flows through your whole body. It is the physical manifestation of your breath and is instrumental in all you do. When you breathe well you have more energy and vitality. Some Eastern schools refer to prana as chi or ki.

3. What is "pranayama" - what does it do? Pranayama is a Sanskrit word and means "control of the breath/prana". The purpose of pranayama is to increase your physical and mental health. Pranayama is the term given to yoga breathing exercises, for example Alternate Nostril Breathing.

4. What is the connection between my breath, mind and body? Your breath is your connection between your mind and your body. Have you noticed that when you are stressed, upset or tired, you tend to hold your breath and your breath is short, shallow and maybe rapid? When stressed, friends may advise you to "take a deep breath". By being aware of how you are breathing, you are more able to control your emotions and changes in the way you feel.

5. What are yoga breathing exercises? Yoga breathing exercises are specific exercises you practice as part of your daily yoga practice or during a yoga lesson. There are many different types of exercises but their purpose is always the same, to increase your vital energy, to cleanse the body and calm, clear and steady your mind. These exercises are an ideal preparation for meditation.

Learning how to breathe well is vital to ensure you get the most of your life, improve your health and live well. Take a deep breath in now and slowly release it. Repeat this three to five times and see for yourself just how great you feel.

If you are looking for a quick and easy way out of your current crazy hectic lifestyle and wish to regain calm and balance in your home-work life then claim your FREE special report Yoga Exercises And Relaxation Techniques To Help You Start Your Day In A Calm and Peaceful Way on http://www.yogainspires.co.uk guaranteed to help you start your day on a positive, peaceful vibe.

Blessings From Ntathu Allen, Yoga and Meditation Teacher. Visit me for further support and encouragement on your personal wellness journey on http://www.yogainspires.co.uk

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Yoga For the Nurturer

To generalize all women want to protect and nurture. It may be our own children, other members of our immediate or extended family, our pets or our friends!

Even though yoga was "invented" and practiced by men for 1000's of years nowadays it has a huge female following. There is really no mystery why- women need the benefits that yoga can bring.

As nurturers let's take a few minutes this month to calm our minds & nerves, open the chest, abdomen and pelvis, lower high blood pressure, stimulate abdominal organs and improve mobility in digestive organs, help relieve the symptoms of mild depression, PMS and menopause by breathing easy in a restorative yoga pose - Reclined Bound Angle Pose.

You will need: an open floor area, 3 pillows or bolsters and a blanket.

Steps

1.) Sit comfortably on the floor placing pillow #1 behind you.
2.) Lie back on pillow #1, if it's too low to the floor try folding it in half or adding a folded blanket on top.
3.) Bring the soles of your feet together letting your knees fall out to the sides.
4.) Place pillows #2 & 3 under the knees on each side.
5.) Cover yourself with a blanket.
6.) Relax arms out to the sides with your palms up towards the ceiling.
7.) Close your eyes and breath deeply until relaxed, try starting at 1 minute and work up to 5 minutes.
8.) To come out of pose slowly roll over onto one side for a few minutes and then gently push up to seated.
9.) Making a mental note to bring this deep breath into the rest of your day & enjoy!

This article by Gaylene Thoeny, a 500hr Registered Yoga Teacher, Personal Trainer, Lifestyle Manager, Yogi and mom. Go to http://www.groundinglifestyle.ca for more information. Gaylene specializes in creating a grounded life on and off the mat.

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Eye Yoga Exercises - A Means to Relieve Eye Strain

From time immemorial yoga has been considered as an effective way to exercise the mind and provide a fulfilling spiritual experience. It enhances the body's general physical health. Well, you do not have to believe in everything there is to say about yoga, especially the whole thing about spirituality. Nevertheless, it is a matter of fact eye yoga exercises are an excellent means of exercising your eyes, relieve strain, and improve your eyesight.

The eye is one of the most delicate parts of the human body and if you do not use it properly you lose it. Tension in the eyes is one of the reasons you might experience poor eyesight or blurred vision. Lack of exercises, exposure to polluted air or hazardous radiation (e.g. from a Cathode Ray Tube Monitor) may hinder proper functioning of the eyes. The eyes are affected such that ciliary and suspensory ligaments weaken leading to a condition referred to as muscle atrophy. The eyes lose elasticity and become rigid. Eye yoga exercises can be utilized to attain optimum use of the eye's muscles and all their functionalities

A unique aspect of eye yoga exercises is motionlessness of the body. You need to be laid flat and still, head static, eyes open, spine erect and hands resting on your knees or just the lower region of your body. In eye yoga exercises, the only part of the body allowed to move is the part being exercised - the eye. This allows your brain to focus its resources on the eyes and this enhances effectiveness of the eye yoga exercises.

In the motionless state of the body, allow your open eyes to wander about in different directions but in a consistent pattern. Control your breathing while avoiding tension at the same time. Focus on the movement of the eyes. Look upwards then downwards. Identify an object or a point upwards you can see with your raised eyes without overstretching. Do this four to eight times making sure each time you raise your eyes you are able to clearly spot the object or point.

Now look downwards, again without moving any other part of your body (not even the head). While looking down identify a spot you can see clearly without causing your eye muscles to strain. Do this four times and look at the point you identified every time you lower your eyes. All this time keep your breathing under control. During eye yoga exercises, also remember to blink a little to allow your eye muscles to relax and refocus.

In order to fully work out the entire muscle structure of the eye one must also incorporate the look right, left, and diagonal eye yoga exercises. Focus your eyes to a chosen angle and keep on alternating from left to right in order to contract and extend the eye muscles. Then do the same for the diagonal axes. Repeat the eye yoga exercises four times and incorporate frequent blinking. Finally close your eyes to help relax the eye muscles.

Are you tired of wearing your glasses and contacts, only for your vision to continue to get worse? Want to restore your vision to 20/20 naturally, without undergoing any risky surgeries? If so, check out this Vision Improvement Website. If you are serious about regaining healthy & natural eyesight, then check out this Vision Improvement Website.

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Chair Yoga For the Office

Learning to practice Yoga while sitting in a chair has a multitude of benefits for anyone of any age, shape, size or and fitness level. Chair Yoga is sometimes called Office Yoga. It is a wonderful alternative for anyone who sits at a desk long hours and needs a way to stretch those tired muscles, particularly the back, neck, shoulders and hips, without leaving the office station... and you get all the benefits of regular yoga without ever having to change your clothes or get up or down off of the floor.

Taking a Chair Yoga break, even a five minute break, can increase efficiency and effectiveness while at work and clear the mind. If you can do this several time during the day, even for a few minutes, you will be happier in your body and your mind will defog.

Here are a few easy seated yoga stretches for the back:

1. Push or roll your chair away from the desk so that you are back as far as you can go with your arms straight and your hands resting on the edge of the desk. Your head is between your arms and you drop your shoulders down away from the ears.
Press your hips back and your chest forward a bit more to make space between the vertebrae.
Hold for several deep breaths and then look up and lift the torso up to sitting.

2. Come forward to the front of the chair, with your feet firmly planted. Reach you arms back to the back of the chair and hold on. Press the front of your torso forward. Look up, but keep the shoulders down neck comfortable in this back bend. Hold for a few deep breaths.

3. Again, come forward to the front of the chair, separating you feet wider than your hips. Place your elbows on your thighs. Press the elbows and the hips back toward the back wall and look straight ahead for a lengthened spine. Then tuck your chin and look down between the legs of the chair as you release the neck. Come up slowly, one hand on one thigh and then the other to draw you up.

Sit back in your chair and let those stretches settle in.

Chair Yoga DVDs may be purchased which then can be slipped into your computer to help guide you. Some of them are segmented so that you can focus on the particular body part you need to stretch, such as the shoulders, the neck or the wrists.

Chair Yoga for Boomers, Practice Yoga While Sitting, Chair Yoga, Office Yoga, Easy Seated Stretches for the Back,Promote efficiency and effectiveness at work and clear the mind, Chair Yoga DVDs.

Chair Yoga for The Office
by
Angelena Craig

Angelena Craig is a professional level Kripalu Yoga Instructor with fifteen years of teaching experience. She was the founder of Beacon Light Yoga Center of Boston and has trained thousands of beginning and more experienced yoga students.

As a teaching consultant for the Massachusetts Department of Housing of Finance she created her Chair Yoga program primarily for seniors. She then produced Chair Yoga DVD, "Angelena's Yoga Using a Chair" to make this easy to follow program more accessible to anyone of any size, shape or fitness level in a format that can be used in the comfort of the home or the office.

In 2008 Angelena opened her new business The New Aging Movement, how to stay young while growing older. She offers private and group Yoga classes and Wellness workshops in Sarasota Florida and in the Boston area and each winter leads a yoga retreat to Jamaica, WI.

She may be reached at http://theNewAgingMovement.com

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The Benefits of Yoga For Martial Artists

When you consider yoga, at first you might think that it is the polar opposite of the martial arts. With all the peaceful breathing and slow movement into calming stretches. The postures and meditative quality of yoga is peaceful and relaxing but when you examine further the benefits that yoga imparts on it's practitioners you quickly come to realize those benefits are perfect for martial artists of many styles.

Those benefits include increased flexibility, improved focus, the ability to stay calm and breath control, all very important and extremely beneficial to martial artists.

Let's take a look at those benefits one by one.

Increased flexibility seems like a no brainer but what many people don't realize is that with increased flexibility there are no only performance benefits but also a reduced chance of injury. By developing and remaining flexible you greatly reduce the chance of pulled muscles, sprains, injuries to ligaments, joints and tendons. Not to mention that light stretching also helps with recovery from training stress.

Next is improved focus, by quietly focusing on stretching and proper postural alignment you increase both your level of concentration as well as your awareness of proper posture. Both crucial components to performing at a higher level in the martial arts.

Then comes the ability to remain calm. In the martial arts, and especially in competition, the ability to remain calm will have a dramatic impact on your ability to perform when things aren't going your way. You'll need to keep your wits about you and the benefit of controlling your stress level and remaining calm will definitely come in handy.

Lastly is breath control. This is probably one of the best benefits that you can gain that will dramatically improve your endurance and ability to maximize your use of oxygen so that you don't gas out by holding your breath. Something that commonly occurs when you are stressed and lose focus during practice but even more so during competition. The importance of maintaining breath control and being aware of your breath so you don't inadvertently hold your breath which tires you out a lot faster.

Naturally there are some martial arts like Brazilian jiujitsu and Judo whose practitioners will gain the most out of practicing Yoga as well. The postural training and breath control will lend itself very well to these arts. But there are many other styles that will still benefit greatly as well. Even combat sports like MMA and Muay Thai stand to gain from this practice.

Access a Growing Resource of FREE Jiujitsu Techniques, Strategies and Reviews. Subscribe to the Jiujitsu Universe Blog and receive a FREE copy of The Fundamentals of Brazilian Jiujitsu ebook!

Go to Jiujitsu Universe at http://www.jiujitsuuniverse.com.

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Yoga Philosophy For the Modern Day Parent - How to Encourage Your Child to Achieve Gold

Every child matters. As a mother and Yoga Teacher with three bright, creative teenager daughters I would like to share my view on how important it is for us, as parents, to encourage our children to shine and believe in themselves.

Do you remember how you felt when your first child was born? Were you excited, proud, nervous, scared or happy? I am sure you experienced a range of emotions -even if your baby was unplanned or your life wasn't working for you as you planned - I am sure you still wanted your baby to have a good start in life and to be happy and successful?

Parenting is a challenge. Every child matters and yet every child is different. I have genetically identical twins and an elder daughter and I am forever amazed at just how similar yet so different and unique each child is. As a parent, it is our responsibility to ensure we do all we can to encourage our children to grow and fulfil their potential.

However, if life isn't going right for you and you lack financial, emotional and practical support, what can you do to ensure you care for yourself as well as provide a secure and safe home for your child? If you do not have support and feel isolated and alone, especially during the early days of being a parent, who do you call upon to guide and care for you and your baby?

From a yogic perspective you are never alone. Yoga philosophy encourages you to view the wider universe as your home, to strive for union, a deeper connection with yourself and ultimately to develop a more loving humane relationship with others.

How is this possible, especially if your life experiences to date have been one of abuse and neglect? How do you learn to care and nurture yourself so you can give your best to your child? Is it possible to be a "good parent?" to give to someone else what you are not able to give to yourself?

Rather than beat yourself up, yoga teachings encourage you to view your current situation through the eyes of a witness, to pay attention to every negative thought and emotion; to breathe through your pain and discomfort and most important of all - to trust. It is a challenge to surrender and see the good in every situation, especially during those early days of parenting or even if, like me, your children are fairly independent teenagers and you have a good grounding in yoga teachings. There are days when life just sucks and you do not know what to do to turn things around.

Learning to release your attachment to the outcome, to try and plan and control all your desires and dreams, closes the door to new experiences and opportunities for you and your child. As you learn to accept the inevitable, to go with the flow and accept all experiences as neither good nor bad, but as an opportunity to grow then you truly embrace the hidden power of love and are giving your child the best start in life.

If you are looking for a quick and easy way out of your current crazy hectic lifestyle and wish to regain calm and balance in your home-work life then claim your FREE special report Yoga Exercises And Relaxation Techniques To Help You Start Your Day In A Calm and Peaceful Way on http://www.yogainspires.co.uk guaranteed to help you start your day on a positive, peaceful vibe.

Blessings From Ntathu Allen, Yoga and Meditation Teacher. Visit me for further support and encouragement on your personal wellness journey on http://www.yogainspires.co.uk

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Yoga Nidra - The Most Comfortable Meditative Technique Ever

Do you often find it very tiring to sit in the common postures of meditating? Do you often feel like sleeping when it comes to meditating? Then here is a meditation package just fit for your needs. Better call it sleeping and meditating personified!!

YOGA NIDRA -basically a YOGIC WAY OF DEEP SLEEP! it has been known for thousands of years by the sages and yogis. Of the three states of consciousness of Waking, Dreaming and Deep Sleep, Yoga Nidra refers to the conscious awareness of the Deep Sleep state. The state of Yoga Nidra, conscious Deep Sleep, is beyond or subtler than the imagery and mental process of the Waking and Dreaming states.

It is a wonderful tool to enhance awareness and free oneself from mounting stress levels. It supports the unique personality of an individual and helps to develop the inherent creative potential. When practiced regularly, this comfortable meditation technique enhances the capacity of learning, develops confidence, strengthens will-power, lowers stress, and improves focus and attention. Students often complain of depression, frustration, lack of good sleep, lack of concentration, headaches, lethargy and lack of interest in studies. These are outcomes of the intense mental stress that a student undergoes in these competitive times. The practice of Yoga Nidra can help students unwind from stress and be proactive, aware and relaxed.

Thus, now when your mind tells you that you are sleepy when you decide to meditate, then give it a second thought and try to achieve both ends by this unique package of yoga and meditation!

Develop a stress free life by practicing yoga nidra. Also get a free demo of this beautiful ancient technique of yoga meditation.

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Yoga and Back Pain - Stretch Your Spine With 4 Simple Yoga Postures

Practicing yoga at home is the ideal way to maintain your interest in yoga and remind you of the benefits of regular practice. If you suffer from backache then it is essential you stretch your back on a daily basis. This will help you to maintain flexibility of your spine and provide relief from pain.

If you are a yoga beginner and wish to practice yoga at home, then it is a good idea to ask your yoga teacher for a simple yoga sequence that you can do at home between classes.

When you practice at home, make sure you listen to your body and work within your own limits. Remember to focus on your breathing, to move on the out breath and to take your time to move into a pose and to release from the posture.

If you can, it is a good idea to practice in front of a mirror, purely for the benefit of making sure your body is in alignment. As you become more familiar with yoga then it becomes easier for you to have a "felt sense" of what is going on in your body and to be more aware of how you feel in a pose and make any minor adjustments so you are balanced and aligned.

If it is not possible for you to ask your yoga teacher for a simple yoga sequence then the following four yoga poses can be safely done at home.

Four Simple Yoga Poses to Practice at Home to Stretch Your Back

1. Child Pose. Sit on your heels and stretch forward with your head to the floor. Stretch your arms out in front of you and breathe deeply in and out. Slowly place your arms, palms up, next to your feet. Completely relax for 5 - 10 breaths.

2. Cat Pose. Kneel on all fours with your arms straight and your back parallel to the floor (like a tabletop). Breathe in, lift your head and allow your waist to lower towards the floor. Keep your arms strong and straight. Hold this position for 3 - 5 breaths then slowly hunch your back and let your head relax down. Keep your palms flat on the floor and arms strong as you try to get your chin towards the top of your chest. Stay in this position for 3 - 5 breaths and slowly return your body back to centre with a flat back.

3. Downward Facing Dog. From Cat Pose, keep your hands pressed flat against the floor beneath your shoulders. Tuck your toes under and breathe in. As you breathe out, lift your hips and stretch your legs, keeping your heels down. Keep pressing your palms into the floor. Relax your shoulders but keep your arms strong. Stay in this position for 3 - 7 breaths. Slowly come out of the pose and return to the Cat Pose and then rest in the Child Pose.

4. Supported Bridge. Lie on your back with your knees bent and your feet flat on the floor. Have your feet hip distance apart and lengthen your back towards your buttocks. Breathe in and press your lower back into the floor. Breathe out. Lift your tailbone and continue to raise yourself up into an arc. Keep your feet flat on the floor and keep pressing them into the floor whilst lifting your thighs and stomach as high as you can comfortably go. Clasp your hands underneath your back and interlace your fingers. Straighten your arms. Keep your chin tucked in. Stay focused on taking 3- 7 rounds of deep yogic breathing. Exhale, release your hands and slowly come out of the pose, one vertebra at a time from the top of your shoulders all the way down to your hips. Gently hug your knees to your chest and curl up tight like a ball.

Take your time when you practice this simple yoga sequence. Listen to your body and remain soft in the poses as you breathe slowly and deeply into the base of your spine. Over time your back will feel looser and lighter as you continue to gently stretch your spine.

If you are looking for a quick and easy way out of your current crazy hectic lifestyle and wish to regain calm and balance in your home-work life then claim your FREE special report Yoga Exercises And Relaxation Techniques To Help You Start Your Day In A Calm and Peaceful Way on http://www.yogainspires.co.uk guaranteed to help you start your day on a positive, peaceful vibe.

Blessings From Ntathu Allen, Yoga and Meditation Teacher. Visit me for further support and encouragement on your personal wellness journey on http://www.yogainspires.co.uk

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Yoga Retreats - A Stress Free Vacation

When was the last time you went on a holiday and came back refreshed, energised, and full of life and totally rested?

Have you ever spent ages planning and deciding where to go for your annual holiday only to return home bloated, overweight, stressed and tired from rushing after the children, eating heavy lunches and staying up late drinking in the bar. A vacation is supposed to be a time of enjoyment, however, how many times have you returned home totalled de-stressed and revitalised?

If you are looking for a chance to unwind, let go of stress and feel energised, then a yoga holiday may be just what you are looking for. To ensure you have the best time ever, here are seven tips to consider so your yoga holiday goes smoothly.

Five useful tips to a stress free yoga holiday

1. Take your time and do your research to make sure you choose the right sort of retreat. The beauty of a yoga holiday is that it gives you the chance to have a relaxing holiday whilst doing more of an activity you love.

2. Take your time to relax and savour the energy of the retreat. The whole idea of going on a retreat is to give you space to rest, relax and unwind.

3. Don't feel pressurised to join in. Naturally, on a retreat there will be plenty of opportunities for you to take part in formal and informal yoga classes. It would be nice to try out a class or two, however, if you just want to go and sit quietly and meditate every day or go for walks and practice yoga alone under the stars, then check before you book to see if you can do this.

4. Remember you are what you eat. Most retreats cook and prepare raw, vegan or vegetarian dishes. If you are a staunch meat eater, you will be surprised at how light and energised you feel after a few days of not eating meat. However, if the thought of not having any meat as part of your daily diet freaks you out, then make sure you find out when you book if meat dishes are included.

5. Decide whether to go alone or with friends or family. Like any other holiday, the people you travel with or even meet whilst there can make or break your holiday. If you know you are going on a retreat for a quiet relaxing time, then make sure, if you are going with a travelling companion, that you share similar values and ideas of what to expect and how you will spend your time. There is nothing more irritating when you want to sit quietly and mediate in the morning than to be constantly interrupted by questions and comments from your friend.

A yoga vacation is the ideal way to relax and re-energise your mind, body and spirit. To get the most out of your yoga holiday and return home stress free and refreshed then book a place which suits your desires for a stress free time. I would love to receive a postcard of you resting whilst on your yoga trip.

If you are looking for a quick and easy way out of your current crazy hectic lifestyle and wish to regain calm and balance in your home-work life then claim your FREE special report Yoga Exercises And Relaxation Techniques To Help You Start Your Day In A Calm and Peaceful Way on http://www.yogainspires.co.uk guaranteed to help you start your day on a positive, peaceful vibe.

Blessings From Ntathu Allen, Yoga and Meditation Teacher. Visit me for further support and encouragement on your personal wellness journey on http://www.yogainspires.co.uk

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Yoga Home Practice - Ten Top Tips For Practicing Yoga Safely at Home

If you enjoy going to your regular yoga class, chances are you would like to develop a home yoga practice. A home yoga practice allows you to spend more time practicing yoga, maybe develop your own personal yoga sequence, focus more on a particular pose or even share what you learn with your partner or children.

If you have never practiced yoga by yourself at home, without your teacher you may feel slightly overwhelmed and not sure what to do. You may wonder if your sequencing is correct, if your technique is in alignment or have trouble remembering how to do certain poses. All these are perfectly natural responses. Despite all your fears and apprehension, deep down you still desire to build a yoga home practice as you enjoy feeling healthy and happy about yourself.

To support your yoga home practice, the following ten easy tips will ease you gradually into your home practice.

Ten Top Tips for Practicing Yoga Safely At Home

1. Find a quiet comfortable space. Somewhere you can safely stretch and move your body. You may have to move furniture around or practice at a time when the house is quiet and you are less likely to be disturbed.

2. Make sure you practice on a non-slippery surface. If you haven't got a yoga mat (some teachers/classes supply mats as part of the lesson) then try and purchase one or at least lay a blanket or soft covering on the floor.

3. Write down your sequence. If you are still getting used to yoga, then it is a good idea to write down a few poses to remind you what to do. There are no hard and fast rules. However, try and include a forward bend exercise (such as Seated Forward Bend Pose), a back bend pose (e.g. Cobra Pose), a twisting pose, a simple spinal twist, a standing pose (e.g. Triangle Pose) and a balancing pose, such as Tree Pose.

4. If you are pressed for time, it is far better to spend 2 minutes and give one pose your utmost attention than to rush and cram 5 poses into the space.

5. Start your yoga practice with a simple relaxation pose, such as Child Pose or the Corpse Pose. Take a few deep breaths whilst in this pose and allow your breath to settle.

6. Gently stretch out and with grace and awareness move through your sequence.

7. Take your time to get into the pose. If you are practicing a standing pose make sure you start off by re-aligning your body in the Mountain Pose then gracefully move into your posture.

8. If you haven't developed a sense of your body and how it feels in a posture, then use a mirror to check your technique.

9. Stay attuned with your breath and allow it to flow softly and gently through your body.

10. Relax and enjoy your practice. Smile and at the end of your sequence rest for a few minutes in the final Relaxation Pose.

Well Done! The ability to listen to your body, to respond to your desire to feel fitter and more alive are essential tools to guide you safely through your home yoga practice.

If you are looking for a quick and easy way out of your current crazy hectic lifestyle and wish to regain calm and balance in your home-work life then claim your FREE special report Yoga Exercises And Relaxation Techniques To Help You Start Your Day In A Calm and Peaceful Way on http://www.yogainspires.co.uk guaranteed to help you start your day on a positive, peaceful vibe.

Blessings From Ntathu Allen, Yoga and Meditation Teacher. Visit me for further support and encouragement on your personal wellness journey on http://www.yogainspires.co.uk

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Information on Yoga - What is a Yoga Retreat?

Are you struggling to make time for yourself and looking for a way to relax, release stress and generally regain control over the demands on your time? Do you ever wonder if there is more to life than rushing to work and collapsing at night in bed, tired and exhausted?

Would you like to be able to wake up and feel alive, elated and happy? In fact when was the last time you had a good night's sleep and woke up rested and revived? Do you remember how good you felt when you came home from your last summer vacation, would you like to regain that energy and sense of ease in your life again?

A yoga retreat offers you an opportunity to take time out of your busy schedule and relax. If you are considering going on a yoga retreat here are three ways it can help you to relax, unwind and release stress.

Three Ways a Yoga Vacation Can Help You Relax and Release Stress

1. There are many different types of yoga retreats. Some are more structured than others and offer you a full timetable of yoga classes, workshops and daily meditation or discussions with teachers running the retreats. Others are more laid back. They cater for a wider range of people who are interested in experiencing other forms of relaxation classes, such as Pilates, chi chong, or tai chi as well as yoga. Most retreats will offer you a choice of different types of massage and complementary therapies. This combination offers you an ideal way to allow your body to unwind and relax your mind. For some people a retreat offers a chance to deepen your yoga practice and experience other styles of yoga and work with other yoga teachers. For instance, at home you may generally attend a strong Ashtanga Class yet on the retreat choose to do a gentler Yin Yang Class.

2. Most retreats pride themselves on being held in quiet surroundings, often close to nature, maybe by the coast, near woodland or if it is a city retreat, there will be a quiet garden. Being out in the open, especially if you can practice yoga relaxes your senses. Sounds of nature, the wind, birds or waves are sounds often forgotten as you hurry about in your normal day to day routine.

3. Most retreats offer you wholesome, fresh and wherever possible organic foods. For most people this may be your first opportunity in a long time to actually sit down and eat a healthy, freshly prepared home cooked meal without distractions and having to clock watch. This action alone offers your digestive system a chance to rest and recover from your usual hastily prepared meal. In addition, at a retreat, you get a chance to sample foods and meals that you may not necessarily eat at home and in some cases, you can talk with the cook and find out how to cook and prepare these meals.

A retreat offers you an opportunity to take a complete break away from the hustle and bustle of your everyday life. Set in quiet and peaceful surroundings your senses are refreshed, your body is given the chance to stretch and relax and your mind given a complete rest from the demands of work and home.

Whilst at the retreat you can allow your mind and body to rest, rejuvenate and re-align. Given the fast pace of daily living, it can be hard for you to find the time and have the energy to rest and let go of stress. All of this is possible when you go on a yoga retreat.

If you are looking for a quick and easy way out of your current crazy hectic lifestyle and wish to regain calm and balance in your home-work life then claim your FREE special report Yoga Exercises And Relaxation Techniques To Help You Start Your Day In A Calm and Peaceful Way on http://www.yogainspires.co.uk guaranteed to help you start your day on a positive, peaceful vibe.

Blessings From Ntathu Allen, Yoga and Meditation Teacher. Visit me for further support and encouragement on your personal wellness journey on http://www.yogainspires.co.uk

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The History Yoga in Early India

Yoga found it's roots in ancient India. To practice yoga is to focus on enhancing both physical and mental discipline. There are many different schools of yoga; some of which I will briefly describe in this article.

A sage named Patanjali is believed to be the founder of Yoga by many people. He defines yoga as a practice that inhibits changes in the mind. Patanjali's texts have influenced one of the most followed schools of meditation called Ashtanga Yoga (Eight-Limbed Yoga). Here are the eight limbs:

1. Yama - Devoid of lying, violence, covetousness, sensuality and being possessive.

2. Niyama - content, study, purity, austerity and belief in god.

3. Samadhi - to merge the conscious mind with the object of meditation.

4. Dhyana - Intensely contemplating the nature of meditation.

5. Pranayama - to stop (restrain), breath control.

6. Pratyahara - Remove the senses from external stimuli.

7. Asana - seated meditation.

8. Dharana - Focusing on one object.

These eight rules are practiced in almost every Raja yoga school of meditation. For those that practice this school of meditation the diversity of the world is not seen to be an illusion. The world is still there and very real. Once a student has reached the highest levels in one of the Raja schools they realize there are many selves discovering themselves independently rather than a single universal self.

Yoga is often practiced along with other religions such as Buddhism. The Buddha himself incorporated yogic ideas into his sermons. His philosophies are very different than the ones which showed up in early Brahminic texts. The Buddha believed that being in a meditative state is not the end but one must reach a certain mental state in order to become enlightened. In other words a complete cessation of thought is not the end goal because there should be a certain awareness going on in the mind.

Yogacara Buddhism is a philosophy that developed in the early days. The whole idea behind it is a path leading to the bodhisattva through means of yogic practice. The end goal in this school of Buddhism is to reach enlightenment.

A person practicing yoga might have their sight set on many different goals depending on what school they are practicing. One person might be trying to achieve a healthier life while the next is striving to achieve Moksha (Mukti). Moksha means a release from the endless cycle of dying and being reborn (reincarnation). Someone who has achieved Moksha is also believed to be devoid of the suffering and limits that the physical world once placed on them.

Dee Braun, a single mom of 6, is a Cert. Aromatherapist & natural health practitioner. Click now to visit Natural Holistic Health Blog which offers info on more natural home remedies & healing techniques for common health, emotional ailments & conditions at http://www.Natural-Holistic-Health.com/

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Writer's Block - Four Benefits of Using Yoga to Overcome Writer's Block

As a writer, have you ever experienced writer's block? Or lost the ability or desire to produce new work? Like most professions, there will be days, moments or even weeks, where you feel unable to sit down and write. Maybe you are going through a bad patch in your relationship, or recovering from a bout of flu; perhaps you are in serious debt and the associated stress and worry causes you sleepless nights so in the morning you are too tired to write.

Learning how to work with writer's block, how to continue writing even though life gets in the way can make a big difference to your sense of worth as a writer. As a creative person, when you write you feel energised, alert, alive and in the flow. You are doing what fulfills you and everything else takes a back seat. When the energy is blocked, your creativity zapped and your mind full of other more worldly pursuits, your writing suffers and emotionally you feel stuck and in some cases, give up writing altogether.

Rather than go down that route, have you thought of using yoga as a way to help you overcome writers block? If you have never thought about this, here are four of the many benefits gained from using yoga to help you release your creativity and inspire you to write.

Four Benefits of Using Yoga to Overcome Writer's Block

Yoga is a form of exercise which has become very popular in today's health and wellness market. The practice of yoga has many health benefits and these include emotional, physical and psychological benefits.

1. Yoga strengthens your body and supports your desire to be healthy, vibrant and well.
As you practice yoga, your body gets stronger, toned, supple and you feel more agile, which means you are motivated to adopt regular healthy living habits. A strong, healthy body builds up your resistance and makes it easier for you to overcome stressful situations which may impact upon your ability to write.

2. Yoga encourages you to have me-time and nurture yourself.
If you lead a busy life, a weekly 60 - 90 minute yoga class offers you the ideal opportunity to switch off, relax and reconnect with your inner core. As you practice yoga you let go of tension and worries and leave your practice feeling nurtured and positive.

3. Yoga energises and motivates you when you feel tired.
The mixture of stretching, deep relaxation and breathing exercises, leave you feeling energized, alert and relaxed. If you have been writing for a few hours or have to fit writing in at unsocial hours e.g., late at night when your family is in bed, then a few yoga stretches will revitalize you.

4. Yoga encourages you to stay connected to your inner heart song and to listen and meet the needs of your soul. Meditation exercises help to calm and clear your mind and remove the incessant negative self-talk, which can block your creativity.

As you can see, the practice of yoga has many subtle benefits which you can use to help overcome writer's block and keep you feeling healthy and well at the same time.

If you are looking for a quick and easy way out of your current crazy hectic lifestyle and wish to regain calm and balance in your home-work life then claim your FREE special report Yoga Exercises And Relaxation Techniques To Help You Start Your Day In A Calm and Peaceful Way on http://www.yogainspires.co.uk guaranteed to help you start your day on a positive, peaceful vibe.

Blessings From Ntathu Allen, Yoga and Meditation Teacher. Visit me for further support and encouragement on your personal wellness journey on http://www.yogainspires.co.uk

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Hatha Yoga For Beginners - Six Simple Steps to Enjoy Your First Yoga Class

As a yoga teacher it is always a pleasure when potential students phone up and inquire about attending yoga classes. If it is their first class many students are nervous and anxious. Can you remember what it felt like to be a yoga beginner? Do you remember how you felt? Were you nervous, excited or just glad to have a quiet space to rest and relax?

To get the most of out of your first Hatha yoga class take a few minutes to read and digest the following six simple steps.

Six Simple Steps to Enjoy Your First Yoga Class

1. Smile and be happy. You have made an important investment in yourself. Your life is full and there are lots of demands on your time and energy. The fact you have made the decision to start yoga sends a subtle signal to your brain that life is about to change. You are taking the first step to regain control over your time and care for yourself.

2. Let friends and loved ones know when you are going to your class. Remind them not to phone you as you will not be able to answer during your class. Your class can last between 60 - 90 minutes and after the class you may not feel like speaking to anyone straight away.

3. Check in with your yoga teacher before you attend the class. Have a telephone conversation or send her an email. If you have any particular concerns talk them over with your teacher and make sure all your questions are answered.

4. The night before your class, check you have loose comfortable clothing, tracksuit, warm top, a blanket and yoga mat. Some yoga teachers will supply you with a blanket and/or yoga mat. But if you decide to continue your practice then it is more hygienic to buy your own yoga mat. Plan your route, check out how long it will take to arrive, check out parking or bus/train timetables. The last thing you want is to be hassled about how to get to your yoga class. Aim to arrive at least 10 minutes before the class starts so you can complete an initial medical/lifestyle questionnaire and familiarize yourself with your surroundings.

5. On the day of your yoga class, try not to eat a heavy meal at least 60 - 90 minutes before your class. If coming straight from work, then a light snack, for example fruit and a glass of water can be eaten. By all means bring a light snack to eat after your class.

6. Once you arrive at your yoga class, remember to take your shoes off and leave them in the designated place. Most yoga studios/classes do not allow outdoor shoes into the yoga space.

7. Introduce yourself to your yoga teacher. Smile at your fellow yogis and relax and smile as you roll out your mat.

Well done. You have taken the first step in taking a positive step towards caring for yourself. Yoga is a life line, a gift you give to yourself. So take your time and enjoy your gift to the max.

If you are looking for a quick and easy way out of your current crazy hectic lifestyle and wish to regain calm and balance in your home-work life then claim your FREE special report Yoga Exercises And Relaxation Techniques To Help You Start Your Day In A Calm and Peaceful Way on http://www.yogainspires.co.uk guaranteed to help you start your day on a positive, peaceful vibe.

Blessings From Ntathu Allen, Yoga and Meditation Teacher. Visit me for further support and encouragement on your personal wellness journey on http://www.yogainspires.co.uk

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ntathu_Allen

Yoga Home Practice - Six Simple Benefits From Practicing Yoga at Home

Have you noticed how alive and relaxed you feel after your yoga class? If you look around the studio, you will notice how calm, soft and radiant your fellow yoga students look.

Regular practice is the key to a long and healthy post yogic glow. However, even with the best will in the world, it can be difficult for you to keep up with attending more than one class a week as home and work commitments, travel and cost of attending all add up and get in the way of regular practice.

One way around this is to set up a yoga home practice. There are many benefits from practicing at home. Here are six of the more popular benefits.

Six Simple Benefits from Practicing Yoga at Home

1. You can practice at a time that is convenient to you. You may be an early riser and find 20 minutes of yoga and/or meditation is all you need to energise and prepare you for the day. Alternatively, an evening practice allows you to gently unwind and release the build up of tension in your body so you get a good night's sleep.

2. You can practice a new pose in your own time. Your yoga teacher may have introduced a new yoga pose and you want to spend more time exploring and working with that pose. In a class setting that may not be possible. However at home you can practice and go deeper into new or existing poses.

3. You can experiment with poses. The beauty of yoga is it allows you scope to explore and become aware of your body. When you practice at home, away from the eyes of others, you may feel more able to relax deeply into a pose. The deeper and longer you spend in a pose, the more aligned and expansive you become.

4. You can encourage other family members to join you. Your partner may wish to accompany you to yoga, or join a class of his own. If your partner sees you practice at home, he can get an idea of what is involved. People have lots of unusual ideas regarding yoga, so by observing how you practice gives your partner a better insight.

5. If you have children, practicing yoga is the best way to introduce your child to yoga. They may not understand or take up yoga. But the mere fact they see you meditating or practicing has a positive impact on them.

6. If you feel tired or stressed during the day, whether at home or at work, a few minutes of gentle yoga stretches will revive and perk up your spirits. This helps you to concentrate and focus better at work and at home can diffuse a potential domestic argument.

Practicing yoga at home adds another dimension to your yoga journey. Your health improves, you feel more alive, energised and in control of your health and personal wellbeing - best of all, you have that post yogic glow which makes you look and feel younger and radiant.

If you are looking for a quick and easy way out of your current crazy hectic lifestyle and wish to regain calm and balance in your home-work life then claim your FREE special report Yoga Exercises And Relaxation Techniques To Help You Start Your Day In A Calm and Peaceful Way on http://www.yogainspires.co.uk guaranteed to help you start your day on a positive, peaceful vibe.

Blessings From Ntathu Allen, Yoga and Meditation Teacher. Visit me for further support and encouragement on your personal wellness journey on http://www.yogainspires.co.uk

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Hatha Yoga For Beginners - Five Easy Ways to Choose the Right Style of Yoga For You

Astanga Yoga, Hatha Yoga, Sivananda Yoga, Bikram Yoga, Iyengar Yoga, Yin Yang Yoga, Power Yoga, Viniyoga Yoga, Online Yoga....what style of yoga is best for you?

If you are a yoga beginner you could quite easily be so overwhelmed by the types of yoga on offer that you end up not starting a class.

Yoga is a journey and as such there are many styles of yoga designed to meet the needs of all tastes and interests. If you are looking for a more strenuous work out then you gravitate towards a more physical practice, such as power yoga or alternatively, you may prefer a more spiritual incline practice in which case Sivananda yoga may be more suitable for you.

When deciding what style of yoga to choose from, bear in mind the following factors.

Five Easy Ways to Choose the Right Style of Yoga

1. Talk to friends or if you do not know anyone who practices yoga, then go online and see what information you can find. There are numerous online yoga information sites offering you clear practical and extremely useful information about all aspects of yoga. Some online sites offer you membership and the chance to watch online videos showing different yoga styles.

2. If you hear of a yoga class that appeals to you, contact the yoga teacher. Phone her up, or send her an email. When she responds, use the time to see how you feel about the teacher. Ask yourself is she approachable, do you feel she is listening to you? Is the teacher confident and does she know what she is talking about? Don't be afraid to ask questions and find out about her personal yoga practice, her teaching qualifications and experience. If your teacher has recently qualified, how do you feel about that?

3. Be open. Yoga is a journey. Give yourself space and time to adjust to fitting in a new activity. If your life is busy and you have a packed daily schedule, it may take you a few weeks to remember to schedule in your weekly class. Make sure you choose a class that is convenient and easy for you to get to and is held at a time that is convenient for you.

4. Some yoga schools offer you a free trial. If they do make sure you take advantage of the offer. There is nothing wrong in making the rounds and trying out different free trial classes just to get a feel of the teacher and class. However, somewhere along the line, you will have to make a decision and choose a class. There is of course no reason why you can't choose two different styles of yoga and commit to them.

5. Why not decide to go straight into the deep end and book a yoga retreat vacation? Some yoga retreats offer a variety of yoga styles. That way you can be sure of road testing the different styles which may help you decide what type of yoga is more suited to your temperament and goals.

Take your time. There is no need to rush into signing up for a yoga class. Yoga has been around for thousands of years so you know when the time is right you will attract and attend the yoga class which is just right for you.

If you are looking for a quick and easy way out of your current crazy hectic lifestyle and wish to regain calm and balance in your home-work life then claim your FREE special report Yoga Exercises And Relaxation Techniques To Help You Start Your Day In A Calm and Peaceful Way on http://www.yogainspires.co.uk guaranteed to help you start your day on a positive, peaceful vibe.

Blessings From Ntathu Allen, Yoga and Meditation Teacher. Visit me for further support and encouragement on your personal wellness journey on http://www.yogainspires.co.uk

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How to Flatten Your Tummy With Flow Yoga

Do you want to know a way to lose that belly fat? Yoga has become a popular way to lose weight and burn body fat. Yoga will also help you to reduce stress, which is known to cause weight gain. It will improve your muscle tone, flexibility, and strength. Flow Yoga is the best yoga exercise to lose weight. Some of these exercises are Ashtanga Yoga, Hot Yoga, and Power Yoga. You should do 30 minutes of Yoga each day for it to work. Here are some yoga poses that will help you lose weight, flatten your tummy, and reduce stress.

Trikonasana:

Put your palms and feet on the ground and your head facing your feet. Your body should be in a V shape. Bring your left foot to your left palm. Then raise your right palm from the ground and point at the ceiling. Now twist your head to look at the ceiling. Lower your head and arm and put your palm back on the ground. Step back with your left foot and return to your V shape position. Repeat this process with the opposite side.

Ardha Kapotasana:

Sit down on your heels with your legs folded under you. Straighten one leg out behind you. Lay your palms in front of your body and rotate on your front leg so your heel is away from your groin area. Inhale while stretching all the way back so you are facing up. Hold this position for 30 seconds. Return to the position you started from. Repeat this same process with your opposite side.

Ardha Sarvangasana:

Lay down on your back. Lift your legs up straight until your weight is on your upper back and shoulders. Support your lower back with your hands while your elbows rest on the floor. Hold this position for 10 deep breaths. Return back to your starting position. Repeat the process.

Suryanamaskar:

Start with your feet together and your palms together near your heart. While raising your arms above your head, inhale and stretch backwards slowly. Next exhale and bend forward and touch the ground in front of your feet with your head touching your knees. Inhale and step back with your right foot and stretch your back so you are looking straight up. Exhale and step back with your left foot matching the right one and form the V shape with your body. Keep your head down looking down at your feet.

Keep exhaling and put your head, chest, and hands, feet, and knees on the ground. Then inhale and stretch back so you are looking straight up. Now exhale and go back to the V shape with your head looking straight down. Inhale again and bring your left leg in close with your foot between your hands on the ground and stretch back so you are straight up. Exhale again and bring your feet together with your head touching your knees. Inhale again and straighten up your body while raising your arms above your head and stretch back slowly. Return to your starting position and repeat.

Yoga should be done in conjunction with cardio exercises to get maximum belly fat loss results. It has been proven that people who do Yoga have less unhealthy eating habits. The deep breathing with this exercise helps improve your mood and reduce your stress levels.

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Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=David_J._Young

Kriya, a Spiritual Yoga Experience

People seeking a deeper spiritual meaning in their lives have found Kriya yoga. Yogananda brought Kriya yoga to the West in the 1920's. He established the Self-Realization Fellowship as a total yoga experience that addressed the spiritual as well as the physical, all most other western yoga disciplines concentrate on.

A Kriya yogi, as described by Yogananda, mentally moves his life energy around the six spinal centers - the medullar, dorsal, lumbar, coccygeal, cervical, and sacral plexuses. These each relate to the twelve zodiac signs. This subtle energy revolution progresses his evolution, and it is said that this 30 seconds of Kriya is equivalent to a year of natural spiritual growth.

Kriya yoga is based on Kundalina yoga and includes similar asana and meditation methods. Kriya adds some spiritual and esoteric guidelines. It does have its detractors that point out Kriya does not maintain your power comes from within, but that you need a teacher, or guru, to release your spirituality. Although it sounds like an admirable goal, Kriya's attempt to eliminate obstacles begs the question, are the obstacles there for a reason? Is the guru the right person to decide how and when to remove them? It is very important to go into Kriya yoga with a strong sense of self. Never allow another to hijack your self-determination!

Advocates of Kriya yoga believe they can achieve self-realization faster by combining three other yoga methods:

1. Karma yoga is concentrated on the movement of the soul, both out in the world and the inner actions of the mind.

2. Bhakti yoga aims to achieve peace with all the elements of your life through the power of love. It is often stated as "oneness with all creation and cosmic consciousness."

3. Jnana yoga is concerned with intellectual discipline leading to wisdom gained from spiritual knowledge giving freedom of the mind.

Thus, Kriya joins the three into a single discipline. It highlights the relationship between breath and mind. Breath control is self control. Breath mastery is self mastery.

Preparation is the first step in Kriya yoga. The body is prepared with a Hatha yoga exercise routine. For beginners or the less flexible, other alternative preparation routines are provided.

Mind preparation comes next. Here you focus your mind by studying general conduct, analyzing your overall health, cleanliness and purity. You may even study your relationship to certain metaphysical principles. These reflective studies help to prepare the mind for later techniques intended to refine and improve the nervous system.

Mantras are taught in Kriya meditation in order to tune the mind and body to a single frequency. Again, the detractors point out, one must be careful that YOU are the chooser of the destination and your mind isn't being controlled by another, even a trusted other.

Although one of a handful of more controversial yoga paths, Kriya yoga has helped many attain spiritual levels they couldn't quite reach with other methods. It may be right for you, but go into it with your eyes open and your protection activated.

Michael Russell Your Independent guide to Yoga Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Russell

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What is there to be conscious about? Don't our bodies almost move automatically? The signal get's sent so fast from the brain that we hardly notice that all our bodily movements happen simultaneously and without much effort, depending on the activity. Aren't we lucky to be able to have such an easeful system working for us? Do we notice when something doesn't feel quite right? Or we feel a little shot of pain and then it disappears? If we keep taking our bodies for granted it will eventually get your attention.

How long do we ignore the aches and pains that seem to creep up on us, seemingly "all of a sudden?" I am certainly guilty of this, thinking it will go away, it was a fluke, or plain disregard it. There's too much to do! Being a wife, mom, teacher and friend is time consuming. Don't we all have too much to do? And in the meantime our bodies are screaming for our attention. We really need to start listening. We really need to notice sooner than later that our bodies need nurturing and tlc. If we choose to overlook the signs, we are headed for deep trouble, making it even more difficult and a longer road to healing. There's been so many times when I just reached for something and my back would go out or I put on my seatbelt and a rib would go.

Practicing Hatha Yoga has made me super aware of my body. I feel everything! The good part is that because of this acute awareness, I can address the issue right away and recover quicker. I try to analyze the source of the pain, what may have triggered it and then explore ways to modify my movements to allow healing to take place. Sometimes this involves a chiropractor and/or massage, icing and /or heat, and not expecting myself to do what everyone else is doing in my classes.

Over time, practicing hatha Yoga develops more awareness so that you no longer have to force yourself onto an asana(pose), that asana becomes a practice in alignment, ease, and how everything feels while holding it. Each class is a journey to deepen the awareness and connection between body, mind and spirit, and a lesson in humility. When we realize that the body is limited and constantly changing, that the mind is limited and constantly changing, we can then be o.k. with that and be more accepting and loving towards our bodies. Make every movement a conscious one, on and off the mat. Every turn, twist, every step we take has a purpose, to guide us to a higher awareness of our bodies and ultimately ourselves.

To learn more about my mission, my philosophy and the yoga classes I offer please visit http://www.anandislivingyoga.com/

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Anandi_Martinez

7 Important Tips for Yoga Success

Yoga has been proven to relieve stress by using exercises that unify the mind, body, and spirit. If you are new to yoga, these seven tips will start you on the road to a more centered life.

1. Talk to your doctor and explain what type of yoga poses you intend to practice. Show your doctor pictures of the poses for illustration. Your doctor may rule out specific poses if you have high blood pressure, glaucoma, a history of retinal detachment, or heart disease. Make sure you follow your doctor’s recommendations.
2. Find a yoga class that best fits your abilities. Talk to prospective teachers, and decide whether of not you can handle a program before you sign up. It’s very important to take it one step at a time. Try a few beginner classes before you attempt more vigerous classes. Don’t move ahead too quickly. Allow your body to adjust to your exercises.

3. Listen to your body and be aware of your physical abilities. You don't want to hurt yourself. Make sure the instructor understands your level of experience and any limitations you may have. Don’t allow anyone to push you ahead too quickly. Remember, this is supposed to be fun and relaxing.

4. If you can’t find a class that meets your needs, you can always practice yoga at home. There are many books, programs, and tapes available to help you get started. Search for the best products on the Internet and read reviews. Talk to others for recommenations.

5. Why not try private lessons? You can book some one-on-one sessions with a teacher in your area. Most yoga instructors offer private classes or can help you design your own program. This is a good way to get started. You can always take group lessons or practice at home after you’ve had private lessons and learned the basics.

6. Find a yoga buddy. It’s nice to practice with someone and it will help reduce injuries. It’s also a great way to keep up your enthusiasm and interest.

7. Eat lightly before practice. Wait at least two hours after meals before yoga class or practice. An empty stomach is best, but don’t let yourself get too hungry to think. You won't be able to focus on the poses or enjoy yourself during the relaxation or meditation exercises.

Now it's time to grab your mat and a towel and get the most out of your yoga exercises.