Blog Archive



Video

Mom and Baby Yoga

Mom and baby yoga classes are popular with the newborn set. These classes are usually geared to accommodate babies aged six weeks to crawling. If there are no extenuating circumstances, your doctor will probably give you the ok to exercise six to eight weeks after you give birth and you can give postpartum yoga a try.
What to Expect

In most mom and baby yoga classes, moms place a yoga blanket, usually covered with a blanket from home in case of spit-up or other spills, at the top of their yoga mat. Feel free to bring a couple of small toys too. In an ideal world, the baby will lie on the blanket happily for the duration of the class. This rarely happens. The nice thing about a mom and baby class is that you are totally free to pick up your baby and feed her, rock her, change her diaper, or walk her around the room if she cries. Conscientious teachers will also often hold the baby for you so that you can get a little yoga in.
Will My Baby Like Yoga?
This depends a lot on the personality of the baby. Some delight in the new sights and stimulation of the classroom environment and are perfectly content to look around and take it all in. Others are freaked out by the very same stimulations and may cry a lot at first, but eventually get used to it, so don't give up if the first class doesn't go well. A few babies may snooze happily through the whole thing.
What’s In It For Me?
Hopefully a little bit of a workout. Some classes are very gentle and/or focus a lot on playing little games with the babies (such as singing Wheels on the Bus). But dedicated yoga studios tend to offer more workout and less playtime. You will also get out of the house to a nonstressful environment where you will meet other new mothers. The value of this should not be underestimated. Plus, it's never too early to start your kids doing yoga!

, | | edit post

Contact


Acharya C.V.Usman
Post Box No. 60830
Dubai-U.A.E
Mobile No.+971505475779

| | edit post

Yoga for sex life


According to Yoga philosophy, sex is a very natural function, extremely necessary in an affectionate relationship and also vital for the persistence of the human race on the earth. A branch of yoga called Kundalini Yoga is specifically concentrated about sex and asana for harnessing the sexual power. Yoga through its various asanas and breathing techniques help one redefine one's sexual life. It is also very necessary in relieving stress and relaxing one's body, preparing one for a healthy sexual life and relationship. Read on to explore more…

How Is Yoga Beneficial In Your Sex Life?
Yoga is very beneficial in improving your sex life. Here are few reasons…

Improved sensitivity
Yoga helps in improving one's sensitivity. Its breathing exercises help a person overcome his anxiety and participate in sex with a fresh vigor. When a person is relieved from tension and stress, he/she will actively participate in sexual activity. Other than this yoga helps in improving better understanding of self and surrounding leaving a person more understanding and emphatic about other's need.

Better orgasms
Yoga helps in achieving better orgasms. Most importantly, it helps in a strengthening one's pelvic floor muscles and sex organs. Several Yoga asana are also helpful in harnessing better sexual powers. As Yoga also helps in relieving stress, it also enables to liberate muscle strain, which in turn helps in gaining flexibility.

Enhanced energy level
Yoga is very helpful in accumulating energy. Several yoga asana are extremely beneficial for energy harnessing as well as gaining more endurance and fortitude. Body with endurance can retain long in sexual activity without getting tired. Thus yoga provides one with more energy to deal with sexual activities.

Improved Fitness Level
Yoga makes one feel more active and fit. It also makes one aware of his potential capacity. Apart from giving vigor and endurance, it helps in improving posture coordination and balance. The muscles are also greatly toned during yoga and respond more positively during intercourse leaving a better experience with sex.

Knowing And Experimenting More Positions
Yoga helps in knowing about several sex positions. However many of them can't be performed with a stiff and flabby body. Later toned muscles and flexible body achieved through yoga help you experiment with these positions also.

Yoga asana beneficial for sex
Lotus posture
Uddiyana Bandha
Halasana,
Matsyasana
Supine Pelvic Posture.
Viprita Karani
Sarvangasana
Sirhasana

, , , , | | edit post

Yoga and obesity


Abdominal fat is a common problem with most women. The fat in this region differs from the fat elsewhere in the body. There are more receptors for the stress hormone cortisol. This hormone levels rise and fall with varying situations but can remain at an elevated level if you are under constant stress. High cortisol levels can lead to increased fat deposition in the abdominal area. Yoga helps in tackling fat in the abdominal and other regions. It has also been known to influence eating disorders. By bringing a balance of emotions, you can be relieved of depression, anger and anxiety.

A yoga regimen can help you rebuild energy, improve bone density and tackle disorders such as Anorexia. Beauty fitness with yoga is a reality since regular practice of yoga helps a woman remain agile and slim. Asanas such as Paschimotannasana, Sarvangasana, Halasana, Dhanurasana, Veerasana, Trikonasana and ArdhaMatsyendrasana can help you sculpt your body.

| | edit post

Yoga Beginners Guide (Video)


This excerpt from the Complete Beginner's Guide DVD by Jason Crandell is the perfect way to unravel stress and gain energy throughout your day.









, , | | edit post

Types of Yogas


“Each soul is potentially divine. The goal is to manifest this Divinity within by controlling nature, external and internal. Do this either by work or worship or psychic control, or philosophy – by or more or all of these and be free. This is the whole of religion.”

-Swamy Viviekanada.

There are altogether 40 types of yoga. They are:

1.Abhava – Yoga: The unitive discipline of nonbeing, meaning the higher yogic practice of immersion into the self without objective support such as mantras; a concept found in the puranas of Bhava-Yoga.
2.Adhyatma – Yoga: The unitive discipline of inner self; sometimes said to be the Yoga characteristic of the Upanishad.
3.Agni-Yoga: The unitive discipline of fire, causing the awakening of the serpent power (Kundalini-Shakti) through the joint action of mind (manas) and life force (prana).
4.Ashtanga-Yoga: The unitive discipline of the eight limbs, i.e. Raja-Yoga or Patanjali-Yoga.
5.Asparsha-Yoga: The unitive discipline of “’nonconductor”, which is the npndualist Yoga propounded by Gaundapada in his Mandukya-Karika; cf.Sparsha-Yoga.
6.Bhakti-Yoga: The unitive discipline of Love/devotion, as expounded, for instance, in the Bhagavad-Gita, the Bhagavata-Purana, and numerous other scriptures of Shaivism and Vaishnavism.
7.Buddhi-Yoga: The unitive discipline of the higher mind, first mentioned in the Bhagavad-Gita.
8.Dhyana-Yoga: The unitive discipline of meditation.
9.Ghatastha-Yoga: The unitive discipline of the “pot” (ghata), meaning the body; a synonym for Hatha-Yoga mentioned in the Gheranda-Samhita.
10.Guru-Yoga: The unitive discipline relative to one’s teacher.
11.Hatha-Yoga: The unitive discipline of the force (meaning the srpernt power or Kundalini-sakti), or forceful unitive discipline.
12.Hiranyagarbha-Yoga: The unitive discipline of Hiranyagarbha (Golden Germ) who is considered the original founder of the Yoga tradition.
13.Jaba-Yoga: The unitive discipline of mantra recitation.
14.Jnana-Yoga: The unitive discipline of discriminating wisdom, which is the approach of the Upanishad.
15.Karma-Yoga: The unitive discipline of self-transcendent action, as first explicitly taught in the Bhagavad-Gita.
16.Kaula-Yoga: The unitive discipline of the Kaula School, a Tantric Yoga.
17.Kriya-Yoga: The unitive discipline of ritual ; also the combined practice of asceticism (tapas), study (svadhyaya), and worship of the Lord (ishvara –pranidhana) mentioned in the Yoga-sutra of Patanjali.
18.Kundalini-Yoga: The unitive discipline of the serpent power (kundalini –sakti), which is fundamental to the Tantric tradition, including Hatha-Yoga.
19.Lambika-Yoga: The unitive discipline of the “hanger”, meaning the uvula, which is deliberately stimulated in this yogic approach to increase the flow of “nectat” (amrita) whose external aspect is saliva.
20.Laya-Yoga: The unitive discipline of absorption of dissolution of the elements prior to their natural dissolution at death.
21.Maha-Yoga: The great unitive discipline, a concept found in the Ypga-shikha-Upanishad where it refers to the combined practice of Mantra-Yoga, laya-Yoga, Hatha-Yoga, and Raja-Yoga.
22.Mantra-Yoga: The unitive disciplines of numinous sounds that help protect the mind, which has been a part of the Yoga tradition ever since Vedic times.
23.Nada-Yoga: The unitive discipline of the inner sound, a practices closely associated with original Hatha-Yoga.
24. Pancadashanga-Yoga: The unitive discipline of the fifteen limbs (panchadashaanga): 1. moral discipline (yama), 2. restraint (niyama), 3. renunciation (tyaga), 4. silence (mauna), 5. right place (desha), 6. right time (kala), 7. posture (asana), 8. root lock (mula-bandha), 9. bodily equilibrium (dshasamya), 10. stability of vision (dhrik-sthiti), 11. control of the life force (prana-samrodha), 12. sensory inhibition (pratyahara), 13. concentration (dharana), 14. meditation upon the self (atma-dhyana) and 14. ecstasy (Samadhi).
25.Pashupata-Yoga: The unitive discipline of the Pashupata sect, as expounded in some the Puranas.
26.Patanjali-Yoga: The unitive discipline of Patanjali, better known as Raja-Yoga or Yoga-Darshana.
27.Purna-Yoga: The unitive discipline of wholeness or integration, which is the name of Sri Aurobindo’s Yoga.
28.Raja-Yoga: The royal unitive discipline, also called Patanjali-Yoga, Ashtanga-Yoga, or Raja-Yoga.
29.Samadhi-Yoga: The unitive discipline of ecstasy.
30.Samkhya-Yoga: The unitive discipline of insight, which is the name of certain liberation teaching and schools refered to in the Mahabharata.
31.Samnyasa-Yoga: The unitive discipline of renunciation, which is constrasted against Karma-Yoga in the Bhagavat-Gita.
32.Samputa-Yoga: The unitive discipline of sexual congress (maithuna) in Tantra-Yoga.
33.Samrambha-Yoga: The unitive discipline of hatred, as mentioned in the Vishnu-Purana, which illustrates the profound yogic principle that one becomes what one constantly contemplates (even if charged with negative emotions)
34.Saptanga-Yoga: The unitive discipline of the seven limbs (sapta-anga), also known as Sapta-sadhana in the Cheranda-Samhita 1. Six purificatory practices (shat-karma), 2. Posture (asana), 3.seal (mudra), 4. Sensory inhibition (pratyahara), 5. Breathe control (pranayama), 6. Meditation (dhyana) and 7. Ecstasy (Samadhi).
35.Shadanga-Yoga: The unitive discipline of the six limbs (Shad-anga), as expounded in the Maitrayaniya-Upanishad: 1. breathe control (pranayama), 2. Sensory inhibition (pratyahara), 3. Meditation (dhyana), 4. Concentration (dharana), 5 examination (tarka) and ecstasy (Samadhi).
36.Siddha-Yoga: The unitive discipline of adepts, a concepts found in some of the Tantras.
37.Sparsha-Yoga: The unitive discipline of contact; a Vedantic Yoga mentioned in the Shiva-Purana, which combines mantra recitation with breath control; cf. Asparsha-Yoga.
38.Tantra-Yoga: The unitive discipline of the Tantras, a Kundalini-based Yoga.
39.Taraka-Yoga: The unitive discipline of the “deliverer” (taraka), a medieval Yoga based on light phenomena.
40.Yantra-Yoga: The unitive discipline of focusing the mind upon geometric representrations (yantra) of the cosmos.
According to the scriptures, Yoga is mainly classified in various systems of branches. They are:

•Jnana Yoga - Union by Knowledge
•Bhakthi Yoga - Union by Love and Devotion
•Karma Yoga - Union by Action and Service
•Raja Yoga - Union by Mental Mastery – the path of will
•Hatha Yoga - Union by Bodily Mastery (Principally of breath)
•Mantra Yoga - Union by Voice and Sound
•Yantra Yoga - Vision and Form
•Laya and Kundalini - Union by Arousal of Latent Psychic Yoga
•Tantric Yoga - A general form for the Physiological discipline. Also union by harnessing sexual energy.

, , | | edit post

Bow


The bow works all parts of the back simultaneously, increasing strength and suppleness in the spine and the hips. While holding the pose, the arms are held taut, and this helps to stretch the beck, leg, arm, and shoulder muscles.

1. Lie on your front with your forehead on the floor. Bend your knees and reach your arms back until your hands can grip your ankles.
2. Inhale. Raise your head, chest, and legs and attempt to straighten your legs. Hold the pose for 10-30 seconds while breathing normally. Exhale as you release the pose. Repeat three times.

, | | edit post

Spinal Twist


Side-to-side mobility is usually the first type of flexibility to be lost as our bodies become older. This posture stretches the spine, helping it to regain this mobility . As the vertebrae are mobilized, the roots of the spinal nerves and the nervous system are toned and provided with an increased blood supply. Work both sides of the body equally to gain the full benefit of the exercise.

1. In preparation for the Spinal Twist, sit on your heels. Knees and feet should be together, and the chest faces forwards.

2. Gently shift your buttocks down to the floor on the left side of your legs. Keep your back straight and centered over the buttocks.
3. Bring your right knee in close to your chest, and gently lift it over your left leg; place the right foot flat on the floor by your left knee.

4. Keeping your body straight and upright, turn your body to the right and place your right hand flat on the floor. Raise your left arm and stretch it up above your head.

5. Twist your body to the right and look over your shoulder. Carry your left arm around your right knee, clasping your right ankle. Hold the pose for k30 seconds. Repeat on the other side.


, | | edit post

Wheel


The Wheel may look difficult, but it is worth working at slowly and systematically, as it can bring great strength and flexibility to the spine and back muscles.

1. Lies on your back, bend your knees, and put your feet flat on the floor, near your buttocks, hold your ankles.

2. Put your hands flat on the floor behind your shoulders with the fingers pointing towards your shoulder blades.

4. Lift your hips, arching your entire spine and dropping your head back. Only your hands and feet remain planted on the floor. Aim to hold this posture for 30 seconds.

, | | edit post

Camel


The Camel enables you to exercise all of your back muscles and extend your spinal column, by bending your back fully. It is very useful for increasing spinal and hip flexibility.

1. Begin the posture by sitting on your heels. Keep your knees close together and your calves parallel with each other.

2. Place your arms behind your body with both palms flat on the floor. Lean back so that your weight rests on your hands.

3. Drop your head backwards. Raise your hips and arch them forwards; walk your hands inwards to clasp your heels. Keep your back arched throughout.

, | | edit post

Inclined Plance

Immediately after a forward bend, counter-pose the movement by stretching the spine back the other way in the Inclined Plane Position. This pose also serves to strengthen the shoulders, arms, and wrists.

1. Sit on the floor with your legs straight, feet flexed, and your hands flat on the floor behind you. Allow your head to drop back.


2. Inhale as you raise your hips. Hold the position for about 10 seconds, keeping your knees straight. Exhale as you lower your hips and bottom to the floor.

, | | edit post

Butterfly

This sitting pose remedies poor posture by stretching and strengthening the muscles of the legs and the back. Start the pose by sitting up straight and looking ahead.

1. Bend your knees and draw the soles of your feet together.

2. Holding your feet with both hands, ease them in further towards your body. Gently bounce your knees to the floor.


3. As an advanced variation, bend your arms and use your elbows to push your knees gently towards the floor. Keep your back straight

, | | edit post

Fish



Tuck your arms close in under your body. Tilt your head back until the crown rests on
the floor. Inhale and arch your chest upwards.

, | | edit post

Bridge

The Bridge is a backward bend. Perform after the Plough to provide a complementary stretch of the thorasic and lumbar regions.

1. Starting from the Corpse Pose, bend your knees and place your feet flat on the floor.



2. Place your hands on your back with your fingers pointing towards your spine. Lift your hips high. Hold this pose for 30 seconds.

, | | edit post

Plough

The shoulder stand leads into the plough, a position in which your feet touch the floor behind your head to create a powerful forward bending of the spine. The plough increases overall flexibility, but it is particularly effective for relieving tension in the upper back and shoulders. As in the shoulder stand, the chin rests on the neck and massages the thyroid


1. Supporting your back, inhale deeply, and then exhale as you lower your legs.

2. When your feet touch the ground, lay your arms on the floor with the palms down. Hold for 30 seconds. Slowly roll out of the position.

, | | edit post

Shoulders Stand Cycle



Purpose:The shoulder stand cycle strengthen the muscles, improves spinal flexibility, and balances the thyroid gland. This gland, in the neck gives energy, equalizes the metabolism, controls body weight, removes poisons from the blood, and produces a radiant complexion.

This posture stretches your upper back muscles . Before starting, reach over your head to ensure that you have plenty of room behind you.

1. Lie on your back with your arms by your sides and your palms facing down. Make sure that your feet are together.

2. Keeping your back on the ground, inhale as you raise your legs to an angle of 90 from the floor.



3. Place your hands on your buttocks with the fingers pointing towards the spine. Exhale, and raise your body by walking your hands up your back until you rest on your shoulders.

4. Breathing normally, hold the pose for at least 30 seconds. To come down, exhale and drop your feet halfway to the floor behind you. Place your hands flat on the floor below your back, and then slowly unroll your body.

, | | edit post

Neck Exercise




Relax your neck muscles by combining these four exercise. Sit cross-legged and practice each set of neck exercises at least three times.

, | | edit post

Yoga for headache management


Headaches can be caused by eyestrain, indigestion, allergies, sinusitis, exhaustion or poor posture. Types of headaches vary according to the cause and so do the remedies. Migraines and cluster headaches can be helped with yoga, but you must have the supervision and approval of your doctor.sun salutation execise will help you manage headache...


The Sun Salutation is a 12-part warm-up exercise. It limbers up the body and mind in preparation for the ensuing yoga session. Each of the 12 positions brings a different vertebral movement to the spinal column and is tuned to the inhalation or exhalation of the breath, thereby instilling a feeling of balance and harmony. The positions follow on from one another, making this Salutation graceful to perform. Attempt to do at least six sequences at the start of every session.

PRAYER POSE
Stand up straight with you feet together and your arms by your sides. Take a deep breath, and then exhale while bringing your palms together at chest level.

ARCH BACK
Inhale and stretch your arms up over your head. Arch your back, so your hips come forwards, and stretch as far as is comfortable.

BEND OVER
Exhale as you stretch forwards and bend down into the third Sun Salutation position. Bring your hands down to the floor, and place them next to your feet, with the palms downwards. Your hips should be kept as high as possible. If necessary, bend your knees so you can touch the ground. Tuck your forehead in towards your knees.

LEG BACK
Inhale as you stretch your right leg back as far as possible and bend your right knee, lowering it to the floor. Stretch your head and look upwards. Your hands should stay in the same position throughout the movement.

PUSH UP POSE
Retain the breath. Bring your left foot back, next to your right foot. Keep your spine straight and do not let your head or hips drop.

LOWER CHEST TO THE FLOOR
Exhale, Lower your knees to the floor and your chest straight down between your hands, without rocking your body. Bring your forehead to the floor (a beginner may need to lower the chin instead).

ARCH YOUR CHEST
Inhale as you slide your body forwards and bring your hips down to the floor. Arch your chest towards and tilt your head back. Slightly bend your elbows into your body.

INVERTED 'V'
Exhale, tucking your toes under, and raising your hips to come into the inverted "V". Do not move your hands or feet as you come into position.

LUNGE FORWARDS
Inhale as you bring your right foot forwards and place it between your hands, dropping your left knee to the floor. Raise your head and look up to the ceiling.

FOREHEAD TO KNEES
Exhale as you bring your left foot forwards and place it next to your right foot, so that the tips of your fingers and toes form a straight line. Raise your hips and stretch them upwards, keeping your hands in the same position. If you cannot straighten your legs fully, allow your knees to remain slightly bent, but keep your hips up throughout. Bring your head down as far as possible and tuck it in as close to your knees as you can manage.

STRETCH BACK
Inhale and then stand up, stretching your arms over your head as you straighten your body. Stretch your arms back, arch your chest and hips, and keep your feet together.

RETURN TO START
Exhale and straighten up, lowering your arms to your sides. Now take a deep breath and prepare to begin another Sun Salutation sequence.




, , | | edit post

Factors considered


  • You do not need special equipment to practice yoga.
  • Although you can buy foam yoga mats, a towel on a carpeted floor will do just as well.
  • For practicing indoors, you will need an open space, clear of furniture.
  • The room should be comfortable heated and free from disturbances.
  • Try to practice yoga every day.
  • At the same time, be gentle. Do not force yourself.
  • A yoga session should be a joy.
  • Set aside a time when you will not be disturbed and you will not have to rush. Morning practice helps loosen up stiff joints after sleep. Evening practice relieves the tensions of the day.
  • Whenever you practice yoga, avoid eating for at least two hours beforehand.
  • Many of our regular daily activities tend to emphasize the use of one part or side of the body. To achieve a healthy and harmonious balance, it is important to keep all parts of the body equally strong and flexible. Yoga exercises make each group of muscles work equally on the left and right sides of the body to achieve equilibrium.

| | edit post

Yogic Exercises for stretching

Sunwheel stretch
This exercise really focuses on upper body stretches to open the chest and loosen the shoulders. The movements wake up the whole of the upper spine and dissolve tightness in the neck, shoulders and arms - this is particularly helpful if you spend a lot of time sitting at a desk or driving a car. These movements also create more space in the abdomen, so that your digestive system has room to function and your baby has room to grow.



  1. Sit with knees a comfortable width apart and feet firmly planted on the floor. Tuck your coccyx under so that your pelvis is level - imagine that the pelvis is a bowl of water and you don't want to spill any of it. Stretch up through your spine from the base to the crown, with your neck long and shoulders relaxed and down. Breathe in deeply to open and lift the chest. Hold the lift as you breathe out, drawing your shoulder blades together with arms relaxed and then pushing the palms down toward the floor with fingers spread wide, to end with straight arms. Repeat, pushing down against imaginary resistance with each breath out and relaxing your hands as you breathe in.
  2. Repeat, but this time start with your elbows bent and hands pointing up as you breathe in - this is so that you create a greater push downward as you breathe out. Make your movements graceful and rhythmical, rather like a seated dance.
  3. Then, on each breath out, push strongly away from you to the sides, with your palms at shoulder level (the picture shows mid-push; you finish the push with straight arms). Engage the muscles around your spine and the back of your waist as you push. Relax as you breathe in. Repeat rhythmically.

  4. On an out breath, stretch your palms to the sides with arms raised as high as you can, engaging your upper arms and muscles. Finally, repeat the arm movements in reverse order, moving down until your arms are beside you. Repeat the whole sequence several times.


, | | edit post