Striving4Zen

Type of Yoga	Personality
Ashtanga	Type A, competitive with yourself, high energy, can't sit still, strict, rigid, likes order, likes knowing the right and wrong way to do things, needs to move in order to de-stress
Anusara	Scientific, interested in body alignment and how your body moves internally, introspective, creative, likes to use props, in touch with your emotions

Type of Yoga	Personality
Bikram	Type A, extreme, over the top, needs discipline, loves heat, loves to sweat, craves order and strictness
Iyengar	Strict, rigid, interested in body alignment, likes to be told the right and wrong way to do things, likes to use props
Kripalu	Easy-going, slow-moving, meditative, spiritual, introspective
Kundalini	Meditative, slow-moving, spiritual, likes to be physically and mentally challenged, likes to focus on breath and chant, interested in the chakras and awakening the energy (kundalini) that resides in the base of the spine
Jivamukti	Spiritual, meditative, creative, likes to move, needs to de-stress, likes to be physically and mentally challenged, likes to chant
Vinyasa	Creative, spontaneous, up for a challenge, likes to move quickly, likes to sweat

Labels: anusara yoga, benefits of yoga, bikram, jivamukti, yoga

Anusara (a-nu-sar-a), means “flowing with Grace,” “flowing with Nature,” “following your heart.”

Developed recently by John Friend, anusara yoga is described as heart-oriented, spiritually inspiring, yet grounded in a deep knowledge of outer- and inner-body alignment. Each student's various abilities and limitations are deeply respected and honored, and in an Anusara class the instructor asks you to literally move from your heart.

Anusara yoga's remarkable growth is due in large part to its uplifting philosophy, epitomized by a "celebration of the heart" that looks for the good in all people and all things. Consequently, students of all levels of ability and yoga experience are honored for their unique differences, limitations, and talents.

The practice of Anusara Yoga can be broadly categorized into three parts: Attitude, Alignment, and Action. The principle aspects that define Anusara are:

• a belief that all beings are intrinsically good
• a vinyasa-style practice that emphasizes heart-opening through backbending and physical alignment, including the use of props
• an emphasis on bringing the lessons learned in yoga class into daily life

Labels: anusara yoga, benefits of yoga, living holistically, mind-body, yoga

Wrinkles are a fact of getting older, but there are several actions we can take to slow down the signs of aging. Living a healthy lifestyle, avoiding cigarettes, and wearing sunscreen will prevent you from aging prematurely, and standing on your head could also help keep your skin looking fresh.

Yoga poses that involve positioning your feet over your head, known as inversions, allow blood to flow to your head and improve circulation. Performing inversions can help relieve headaches and depression, increase upper-body strength, and also naturally reduce your wrinkles if practiced regularly. Don't just take it from me; here's what Countess LuAnn de Lesseps (of The Real Housewives of New York) said about her skincare regimen.

I do a yoga headstand every morning. I don't do Botox. Headstands are great for getting the circulation going and giving tone to your muscles in the face.

Source

Labels: aging, benefits of yoga, blood flow, botox, headstand, holistic healing, inversions, skin care, wrinkles

In case you hadn't yet read the recent Harvard Mental Health Letter, they've nicely rounded-up the latest medical research on yoga.

The short take?

Yoga helps lower stress and can ward off depression. Good news, though no giant surprise. But here's something: It also makes you tougher. In a study of "stress response" that Harvard calls "intriguing," researchers compared various study populations' sensitivity to pain: "The yoga practitioners had the highest pain tolerance and lowest pain-related brain activity during the MRI." I give Urdhva Dhanurasana all the credit.

Source

Labels: benefits of yoga, depression, stress, study, yoga

Magnesium and calcium

Magnesium and calcium are both sleep boosters, and when taken together, they become even more effective. Plus, by taking magnesium, you cancel out any potential heart problems that might arise from taking calcium alone. Take 200 milligrams of magnesium—lower the dose if it causes diarrhea—and 600 milligrams of calcium each night.

Wild lettuce

If you've suffered anxiety, headaches, or muscle or joint pain, you might already be familiar with wild lettuce. It's also effective at calming restlessness and reducing anxiety—and may even quell restless legs syndrome. When using a wild-lettuce supplement, take 30 to 120 milligrams before bed.

Hops

Beer fans will no doubt be familiar with the calming effect of hops, the female flowers used in beer making. For sleep purposes, though, this extract has been widely used as a mild sedative for anxiety and insomnia. Take 30 to 120 milligrams before climbing under the covers.

Aromatherapy

Lavender is the trick here, as studies have proven that it aids in sleep. It's also a cheap, nontoxic way to slip into a peaceful slumber. Find a spray with real lavender and spritz it on your pillow before bedtime. Or buy a lavender-filled pillow.

Melatonin

Melatonin is the hormone that controls sleep, so it's no wonder that it naturally induces sleep. Although some experts recommend taking higher doses, studies show that lower doses are more effective. Plus, there's concern that too-high doses could cause toxicity as well as raise the risk of depression or infertility. Take 0.3 to 0.5 milligrams before bed.

Yoga or meditation

Choose gentle yoga or stretching, not vigorous power or ashtanga yoga, which could energize you instead. Try easy yoga stretches in bed followed by simple meditation. Close your eyes and, for 5 to 10 minutes, pay attention to nothing but your breathing.

L-theanine

This amino acid comes from green tea and not only helps maintain a calm alertness during the day but also a deeper sleep at night. However, green tea doesn't contain enough L-theanine to significantly boost your REM cycles. Besides, you might then wake up to go to the bathroom. Instead, buy a brand called Suntheanine, which is pure L-theanine. (Other brands have inactive forms of theanine that block the effectiveness.) Take 50 to 200 milligrams at bedtime.

Valerian

Valerian is one of the most common sleep remedies for insomnia. Numerous studies have found that valerian improves deep sleep, speed of falling asleep, and overall quality of sleep. However, it's most effective when used over a longer period of time. One caveat? About 10% of the people who use it actually feel energized, which may keep them awake. If that happens to you, take valerian during the day. Otherwise, take 200 to 800 milligrams before bed.

Source

Labels: benefits of yoga, calcium, hops, l-theanine, magnesium, melatonin, natural products, natural therapy, sleep, valerian

The twisting motion of this pose helps to stimulate the liver and kidneys.

Get into the pose:

• Sit tall on the floor with your legs extended straight in front of you.

• Keeping the left leg strong, bend your right knee and put the foot on the floor with the heel as close to the right sitting bone as possible.

• Rotate your torso to the right and wrap your left arm around the right thigh.

• Place your right fingertips on the floor just behind your back.

• Continue to gently increase the rotation as your spine becomes more supple and flexible.

• Repeat on the opposite side.

Source

Labels: benefits of yoga, seated twist, yoga, yoga pose

1-Legged Seated Spinal Twist can help get things moving in your belly. It's also a great pose to do after sitting for a long period of time. Bend one knee and cross your opposite elbow over to the outside edge of your knee and look over your back shoulder. As you breathe, continue to deepen the twist. Stay here for five breaths or more, then do the other side.

If you're bloated, having gas pains, or are constipated, bend both knees into your chest and give yourself a big hug. This is affectionately called Wind-Relieving Pose, if you catch my drift. It'll help to massage your abdominal organs.

Another great stretch for digestion is Wide-Legged Forward Bend. This is great at helping relieve gas pains and that uncomfortable bloated feeling.

This is a pretty intense stretch when it comes to aiding digestion so ease into this one called Wide Squat. If you're bloated, this pose can bring relief, but you may want to do this in private.

Thanks!

Labels: benefits of yoga, bloating, digestion, gas, yoga

The Pentagon is seeking new ways to treat troops suffering from combat stress or brain damage by researching such alternative methods as acupuncture, meditation, yoga and the use of animals as therapy, military officials said.

"This new theme is a big departure for our cautious culture," Dr. S. Ward Casscells, the Pentagon's assistant secretary for health affairs, told USA TODAY.

So far this year, the Pentagon is spending $5 million to study the therapies. In the previous two years, the Pentagon had not spent any money on similar research, records show.

Some military hospitals and installations already use alternative therapies, such as acupuncture as stress relievers for patients. The research will see whether the alternatives work so the Pentagon can use them more, said Army Brig. Gen. Loree Sutton, head of the Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury. Many of the treatments have been used for centuries, Sutton said, "so it just makes sense to bring all potential therapies to bear."

Her office issued a request for research proposals this year on therapies ranging from art and dance, to the ancient Chinese healing art of qigong or a therapy of hands-on touching known as Reiki.

Friedl said research will include how meditation can improve emotional resilience; how holding and petting an animal can treat PTSD and how acupuncture pain relief can relieve headaches created by mild brain damage from blasts.

Some soldiers who suffer from PTSD are reluctant to share their experiences in traditional psychiatric therapy, said Col. Charles Engel, an Army psychiatric epidemiologist. He said those soldiers may be more willing to use acupuncture and other alternatives if they are effective.

Initial research this summer with combat veterans showed that acupuncture relieved PTSD symptoms and eased pain and depression, Engel said. "Improvements were relatively rapid and clinically significant," he said.

About one third of sailors and Marines use some types of alternative therapies, mostly herbal remedies, according to a survey conducted last year. A recent Army study shows that one in four soldiers with combat-caused PTSD turned to herbs, chiropractors, acupuncture or megavitamins for relief.

Full article...

Labels: acupuncture, alternative treatments, benefits of yoga, Pentagon, PTSD, Reiki, stress, study

A.K.A. Supta Vajrasana

1 - Kneel on the floor
2 - Knees together, feet apart, sit your bum down between your heals
3 - If it's too intense at this point, bring your feet together and sit on your heals (skip remaining steps)
4 - If your bum is on the floor comfortably, lean back
5 - Elbows first, lower your back and head to the floor
6 - Grab opposite elbows over your head
7 - Relax totally for 2-5 minutes

Benefits

1. This stretches the thigh muscles and the abdomen.
2. The stomach is stimulated.
3. It strengthens the thighs.
4. Helps those suffering from constipation.

Source

Labels: benefits of yoga, Reclining Hero, Supta Vajrasana, yoga pose

Cold hands and feet are most often caused by poor circulation or stress. Inverted poses such as Downward Facing Dog, Bridge, Plow, and Legs-up-the-wall pose simultaneously relax the body and improve circulation by dilating blood vessels, so blood can flow more easily to your extremities. To really feel the heat, take full, even breaths as you hold each pose for up to a minute.

Source

Labels: benefits of yoga, circulation, downward facing dog, stress, yoga

Adho Mukha Svanasana
adho = downward
mukha = face
svana = dog

Labels: benefits of yoga, downward facing dog, yoga