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Asanas, or yoga poses, are the key feature of modern yoga practice. Glancing though media sources reveals hundreds if not thousands of different asanas. Each style of yoga has favorites, and new poses inspired by fitness and gymnastics are added frequently. While it's impossible to pin down an exact number of poses, understanding the basics about yoga postures will give you a rough estimate of just how many exist.
The chakra system -- starting at the base of the spine and going up the spine to the top of your head -- houses the seven main energy centers of the body. While Western medicine has nerve centers,Eastern medicine has chakras. When the chakras become unbalanced or blocked, it is believed that this can affect the overall energy in the body. Each chakra represents a specific area of the body and deals with the mental, physical and emotional characteristics of that area. To balance the chakras, exercises can be performed that are specific to each center.
Advanced power yoga poses are all about maintaining core strength and balance. Do advanced power Yoga poses with help from an experienced Yoga professional in this free video clip.
Curve up like a snake in Cobra, exult like a choreographed Shiva in Lord of the Dance, stand tall and rooted in Tree. Yoga poses have colorful names in English to evoke the shapes and movements of a routine. In their original Sanskrit, some names are more finely layered, alluding to stories from ancient scriptures that demonstrate how to live a moral, balanced life. Call it Adho Mukha Svanasana or Downward-Facing Dog, you still have to get your heels on the ground.
Kemetic yoga is a system of practice and philosophy based on ancient Egyptian systems of enlightenment and self development. This yoga style involves a practice of physical poses and flowing movement combined with deep breathing and meditation. The main difference between Kemetic yoga poses and yoga styles originating in India is that movement is created by flowing in and out of a pose, rather than by moving from one pose to another. Some Kemetic yoga poses do not appear in other yoga systems, and some poses vary slightly from those in other yoga systems.
The word raja means royal, and this type of yoga helps you reach a new level of enlightenment. Raja Yoga is also called Mental Yoga and it is one of the six orthodox schools of classical yoga. This branch of yoga focuses on more than just the physical practices of yoga. Besides these, Raja Yoga emphasizes self-restraint in your everyday life and intense meditation to reach an advanced state of self-realization and awareness.
Tennis is a sport that requires concentration and focus in addition to athletic agility. As a tennis player, you run the risk of developing injuries due to muscular imbalances, weaknesses or overuse. Because of the nature of the sport, your body loses symmetry due to one side being utilized more than the other. You also run the risk of developing tennis elbow, which occurs when too much strain is placed on the elbow joint due to weakened shoulders and upper-back muscles. Yoga helps decrease your risk of injuries as well as enhance your overall balance. In addition to physical benefits,…
Pilates and yoga have become popular forms of exercise to combat stress, to increase flexibility and to gain strength. As you take these different classes, you'll notice that they share some of the same poses. Even though there are shared poses and other similarities, how you use the poses and the underlying principles in Pilates and yoga are different.
The 5,000-year-old practice of yoga has a broad range of health and fitness benefits. Sometimes those benefits are outweighed by risk factors that make yoga more likely to cause injury than wellness. Yoga is safe and effective for healthy individuals but may be contraindicated for those with certain illnesses and other risk factors. Contraindicated yoga poses can be classified as posing either mechanical or physiological risks.
Performing yoga just after you wake up is a great way to start your morning. Besides the obvious physical benefits of stretching sleepy muscles and getting your blood flowing, specific yoga asanas can also raise your energy level, reduce stress and prepare you for the day.
Your quadriceps, located on the front of your thigh bone, are large muscles that assist with nearly every movement you do -- from picking up a heavy box to chasing after your kids. In yoga, strong quads enable you to hold difficult poses longer and to relax tight areas, such as your hamstrings, during simple poses like Uttanasana. If you are looking to strengthen your quads, there are two standing poses you'll want try.
The postures of hatha yoga, known as asanas, are designed to increase strength, endurance and flexibility. Over many generations, these asanas acquired simple names for convenience, including The Wheel, Downward Facing Dog and The Lord of the Dance. Familiarizing yourself with the names of these poses and their descriptions allows you to move through classes more easily; when your instructor calls for Cat and Cow, you'll know exactly what to do.
Moksha yoga is a form of hot yoga founded in 2004 by two yogis in Toronto that was designed with social consciousness in mind. The practice of Moksha yoga involves a series of poses that are done in a room heated between 95 and 105 degrees Fahrenheit. Although similar to Bikram, the sequence and variations of Moksha poses vary according to the instructor and class style.
Symmetry refers to equal distribution and balance, and symmetrical poses allow you to focus on your body as a whole. A person holding a symmetrical pose, such as standing with both feet on the floor, toes pointed forward, hands on hips, has the appearance of strength and stability. Asymmetry, however, does not mean "off balance." Instead, it refers to a lack of proportion between two or more parts of a whole. A person leaning in one direction may not appear symmetrical, but her weight distribution may compensate for her posture, so she may still be in balance. Asymmetrical poses cause…
Many people suffer from back stiffness and pain due to prolonged periods of sitting, improper lifting or poor posture. Stretching and increasing circulation to your back through yoga might be the remedy you've been seeking. By focusing on developing balance and strength, certain yoga poses can help stimulate circulation to your back and spine, which might help alleviate chronic back pain, according to Gaiam Life. If you experience pain or strain during these poses, stop and seek medical attention if necessary.
The best hand position for a deadlift is going to have a few important qualities. Find out about the best hand position for a deadlift with help from an experienced personal trainer in this free video clip.
Baptiste Yoga is all about finding the power and the strength within you. Find out about Baptiste Yoga poses with help from one of the leading health and fitness professionals in the state of Utah in this free video clip.
There are certain really amazing Yoga poses that you can do from practically anywhere. Find out about amazing Yoga poses with help from one of the leading health and fitness professionals in the state of Utah in this free video clip.
Yoga terms and poses will all seem a lot easier once you get more experience with the craft. Find out about Yoga terms and poses with help from one of the leading health and fitness professionals in the state of Utah in this free video clip.
Certain Yoga poses are really great ways to give your arms a good workout. Find out about Yoga poses for your arms with help from one of the leading health and fitness professionals in the state of Utah in this free video clip.
Yoga poses and chakras are a very important part of eastern traditions. Find out about Yoga poses and chakras with help from a certified personal fitness trainer in this free video clip.
Symmetrical and asymmetrical Yoga poses are different in a number of very interesting ways. Find out about symmetrical versus asymmetrical Yoga poses with help from a certified personal fitness trainer in this free video clip.
Certain yoga poses are great for strengthening the area of your body known as the quadriceps. Learn about not one but two yoga poses for strengthening the quadriceps with help from an experienced fitness professional in this free video clip.
The most beneficial yoga poses all typically work out and relieve stress in your lower back. Find out about the most beneficial yoga poses with help from a health and fitness professional in this free video clip.
Knitting isn't just a great way to pass the time - it can also be useful to get into a truly peaceful mental state. Find out about knitting as meditation with help from a knitting and crafts professional in this free video clip.
The Earth’s poles create a magnetic field surrounding the planet. Magnets have their own poles that point toward the Earth’s poles. Using the Earth’s magnetic field, you can determine the positive and negative sides of a magnet. Determining the polarity of a magnet can teach you about the concept and demonstrate the Earth’s magnetic field.
In Yoga you can breathe in a few different ways depending on your preferences and what you're trying to accomplish. Learn about the different types of Yoga breathing methods with help from a certified Ashtanga Yoga instructor in this free video clip.
Breathing is very important in Yoga, and should always be done in the correct or proper way. Learn about the right way to breathe in Yoga with help from a certified Ashtanga Yoga instructor in this free video clip.
In "Pokemon HeartGold," the Ruins of Alph are a series of caves home to the mysterious Unown Pokemon, which come in shapes that resemble the alphabet. When you examine the stone panels behind ruins in some caves, you see a puzzle made from Unown characters, resembling the alphabet. Solving these puzzles and following the instructions unlocks rooms behind the stone panels that have items and messages that describe the history of the Unown.
Choosing how to decorate the space in which you plan to meditate is a highly personal decision. There are no strict rules of what is right or wrong; however, your meditation area should be a sacred and private place, devoid of interruptions. If you don’t have the luxury of being able to dedicate a room solely to your practice, you can set aside a quiet corner of a room or use an outdoor space for your meditation area.
More companies are trending toward a less restrictive corporate work environment because they are finding that employees are happier and work better when they have a sense of freedom, fulfillment and well-being at work. One way of accomplishing this is for employees to make meditation a regular part of their workday. Through meditation, employees can take a moment to relax and breath their stresses away. Meditation sessions can be completed in a matter of minutes, and employees can walk away feeling invigorated and ready to tackle new obstacles.
The five senses, sight, smell, hearing, taste and touch, are the abilities that allow us to perceive and understand the world around us, using memories as a reference. There are many games to play that challenge and trick our sensory perception. Some sensory perception games are designed to help develop and test the senses, and others are used to measure sensory development and memory in children.
Stress is a normal part of teenage life, whether because of peer pressure, applying to competitive internships and colleges, or dealing with family life. You probably know that meditation helps you relax and take a break from everyday life. But you might be surprised to learn that meditation also helps you take control of your moods and decisions. When you meditate, your brain activity changes; you feel less anxious and can tackle problems with greater confidence.
Tibetan Buddhist Healing is an ancient discipline based on the belief that illness is part of a cycle of thinking that causes increasing suffering. Tibetan Buddhism offers a variety of methods by which one can be released from the mental causes of illness. Tibetan Buddhists honor the Medicine Buddha. Tibetan Healing Meditations include sadhanas, mantras, meditations before Tibetan thangkas and Tonglen Practice.
Rune essence is a raw material found in "RuneScape," a free massively multiplayer online role-playing game, or MMORPG, hosted by Jagex Ltd. Players with the runecrafting skill can turn rune essence into low-level runes, or stones used to cast magic spells. You can mine this essence for your own use, purchase essence from other players, or sell it on the open market.
The Chinese described magnetism in their ancient Literature and referred to magnetite as the "loving stone" because it attracts other compounds to it. Magnets influence all chemicals and compounds, but some are more strongly influenced than others, especially certain metals and organic compounds.
Mandalas are sacred circles, symbolic of spirit and a representation of a spiritual journey toward enlightenment to Tibetan Buddhists. Buddhist monks create sand mandalas using colored sand. The work is considered a sacred process, and the mandalas are destroyed once they are complete. This destruction represents the temporary and impermanent nature of existence. When completed by Buddhist monks, the mandala is dedicated to a specific deity, and the symbols within the work represent a three-dimensional space where a deity resides. You need not be a Buddhist to appreciate, use or color a mandala. The form is adaptable to other belief…
Puja is essentially a form of spiritual worship. In Hindu, it's customary to worship the deity (or deities) that you feel best influences your life. By engaging in an act of reverence towards a specific god, spirit or other divine entity through a ritual of song or prayer, you can make a spiritual connection with the god or goddess of your worship. The Goddess Kali is the liberator of souls. Performing Puja in her honor will release you from the self-limiting beliefs of the ego.
If you're a business owner looking for ways to offer nonmonetary benefits to your employees, providing a meditation space may be an appropriate option. A meditation space is a dedicated area, typically an enclosed room, where employees can temporarily escape from work pressures during breaks or before starting their work shift. Although meditative space in the workplace isn't a common employee benefit in Western countries, it may offer a number of advantages.
The cello is a bowed string instrument that contains four strings. As a member of the violin family, it is larger than the violin and smaller than the double bass. A cellist holds a bow in his or her right hand that he or she runs back and forth across the cello strings. The musician places his or her left hand on the strings around the neck of the cello. The cellist moves his or her left hand up and down the neck, applying pressure to the strings to create different notes. Knowing how to hold the cello and where…
Scientists have used magnets to explore the biological processes of many living things. Biologists have utilized magnetic interference upon the navigational capability of birds (such as the homing pigeon) to better understand the various tools that avian creatures use for migration. Creatures from lobsters to cattle and even bacteria seem to be influenced by magnetism. Simple organisms, such as the brown planaria, show influence from the magnetic field strengths of neodymium magnets. Influences that could have important implications for medical science.
The question of which side to wear a bracelet comes up often, because of the rumors that there are certain meanings attached. In other words, where someone wears a bracelet communicates a message. Ultimately, it really is not true, unless the wearer believes it. There are no hard and fast rules, so the advice is to wear the bracelet where it's comfortable.
Zen is the Japanese pronunciation of the Chinese character for "meditation." It is the principle of completely accepting the realities of life and being fully aware of one's connection with the world and its inhabitants. If you want to adopt these ideals in your daily life, there are some things you can everyday to reduce stress and gain a balanced and healthy perspective on life.
Lemurian quartz comes from Brazil, Russia, Tibet, Zambia and the United States. Crystal practitioners claim Lemurian quartz that comes from Brazil develops a pink tinge when worked, and from the Ural Mountains of Russia it develops a blue tint. Some believe that inhabitants of the ancient land of Lemuria left messages in the quartz for those who would find them in modern times.
Light intensity is measured in two ways. In the United States and other non-metric countries, a unit of light intensity is called a foot candle. In countries that use the metric system, the unit of light intensity is a lux. It's important for building managers and ergonomic engineers to know the lux level in a building so workers can avoid potential health issues, such as eye strain, that come with too little light.
The mind's eye is that place where you picture images in you brain when you close your eyes. It is the dream center that allows you to visualize your hopes and dreams. It can also bring your fears to life. To find the mind's eye you only have to think hard and imagine. Modern neuroscientists have even done studies that suggest visual images are created in one particular region of the brain. Being able to visualize something and actually see with accurate detail is a positive life skill.
Light boxes are used to treat a variety of medical disorders, including seasonal affective disorder, Parkinson's disease and neonatal jaundice. The efficacy of using light boxes as a medical treatment varies. Prescription light therapy may be issued by medical professionals and performed at a hospital. However, if you are using light boxes at home or for photography, consider the intensity of the light and how you want to use the box to determine your best options.
According to practitioners of ayurvedic medicine, each person is composed on varying degrees of the three doshas: vata, pitta and kapha. Vata is generally associated with lightness or air, pitta with fire and kapha with water and earth. Balance is achieved through nutrition, leisure and other aspects of a person's lifestyle that are believed best for each dosha; these best characteristics are usually the opposite of the particular dosha's primary characteristics. For example; a person with a high kapha dosha can become lethargic and lazy if he is out of balance. To regain or maintain balance, he should keep himself…
Calcite contains almost pure calcium, one of the world's most common minerals. Certain colors of the stone are more common in some countries than others. Native Americans revered it as a holy stone given to them by ancestors. The stone can be easily scratched with a knife or coin. Calcite has many purposes in industries including pharmaceuticals, construction, agriculture and alternative medicine.
Your body's core, made up of muscles around your abdomen, back and pelvis keeps you stable and upright. A strong core helps children sit up straight, run, walk and bend. Fun activities that strengthen core muscles teach healthy habits that will benefit your child all of his life. Preschoolers can copy these core strengthening activities as you model the correct movements.
