Yoga Reports

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Yoga

Historical Health And Fitness Trends

Many people nowadays may probably be living a toxic and always busy lifestyle. However, this should not hinder any one from targeting a goal to be healthy and fit. In fact, there are numerous health spas and gyms that can be found everywhere offering services and facilities for people who want to be fit and healthy. Included in the services are popular trends in health and fitness that aids in the overall improvement of a persons well being.

During the early part of the 20th century in Germany, Joseph Pilates has developed one of todays hottest trends in health and fitness. The program of Pilates entails improving the central postural muscles which are essential in balancing the body and in supporting the spine. Also, Pilates is aimed at teaching proper breathing, aligning the spine and strengthening the muscles. In brief, Pilates works on the good physical and mental condition of the body.

In America, at the height of economic depression during the 1920s, the art of pole dancing was developed. Pole fitness is one of the forms of this pole dance which some people nowadays are utilizing for their health and fitness regime. A pole is used in firming and conditioning the arms, thighs, abs and back. The program incorporates combination of jazz, ballet, acrobat and gymnastics.

In the early part of 1970s, Hot Yoga or Bikram Yoga was developed by Bikram Choudhury. This synthesized form of the traditional yoga is focused on the bodys overall wellness. Hot yoga involves deep stretching to prevent injury and relieve stress. Every muscle, organ and joint of the body is stimulated and restored its healthy condition. In this form of yoga, a participant is required to stay warm by wearing layers of clothing or switching a rooms heat on.

During the 1990s in Colombia, Zumba was developed by the choreographer Alberto Perez. This physical fitness program combines international and Latin music and dance for a more enjoyable exercise. Aside from being entertaining, Zumba is perfect in polishing the bodys shape as it helps boost metabolism or the rate of burning calories in the body. Balance and posture are also improved with the programs basic steps.

Kettlebells, also called girya are exercise tools looking like a cannon ball with handle of a large iron bowl with handle. They surprisingly make a person on a workout session to feel lively and comfortable while exercising. This revolutionary equipment helps improve the muscle mass in many key areas of the body such as back, thighs and abs. This fitness program is also effective in increasing the fat burning rate of the body for a slim waist.

Speaking of burning calories, another fitness trend called Spinning is utilized to effectively shed 900 calories. In fact, Spinning is one of the intense workouts for fitness. Spinning involves loud and thumping music while sweating out on a stationary bike.

Tai-chi is a fitness trend popular which has its origin from the Far East. This workout is executed on a standing position while moving in a very slow and methodical fashion, the body is twisted and the limbs are raised or lowered. A soothing and quiet music is used while doing this program.

Safe Yoga For Seniors

Yoga has become a popular means of exercise for older adults. And no wonder. It makes their bodies fitter and their minds calmer. Seniors benefit from improvements in balance, stronger muscles, reduced joint pain and more energy.

Modifications should be made to the various yoga poses for seniors with ostoporosis and joint problems. Instructors should be knowledgable about these necessary modifications.

Here are some pointers for older adults to consider when participating in yoga:

* Keep proper spinal alignment with each pose.

* Avoid poses that require forward flexion (bending forward at the waist).

* Move slowly and gently from one pose to the next.

* Poses should feel comfortable and steady.

* Rest when needed.

* Use a chair or wall for balance exercises as required.

Following is a short list of the vinyasas, or yoga pose sequences suitable for a participant with osteoporosis or joint problems:

* Corpse Pose. Begins breath work and decompresses the spine. Breathing is used for inward focus. Use a pillow or bolster as needed.

* Supine Shoulder Press. Strengthens the shoulder girdle and stretches the front of the shoulder. Coordinate with breathing. Use a pillow under the elbows if needed.

* Rib Lift. Strengthens back muscles and stretches the front muscles. If you are weak in this area use the bolster for support.

* Supine Bridging. Strengthens core muscles and stretches the front thigh muscle. Vary with heel raises or leg raises. Place a yoga block between thighs for support.

* Cobra Pose. Stretches anterior muscles. Move carefully throughout the full range of motion.

* Warrior 2 Pose. Strengthens legs and opens chest. Use chair for support if needed.

* Legs Up The Wall Pose. Decompresses spine, improves circulation and promotes relaxation. Maintain good posture. Use blankets or bolsters as needed.

Yoga has many benefits to offer senior citizens. Some of the regular moves, however, aren’t suitable for older adults, especially those with joint problems or osteoporosis. The modifications are small and don’t take much away from the original move. Making a few safety changes to your yoga program will reduce injury and allow you to reap all the outstanding benefits of yoga practice.

Yoga Tourism

Yoga Therapy has been hailed the world over. Yuj means to unite and Yoga is Union with the Absolute Being.

Yoga is the Science of Man !

Know then thyself, presume not God to scan
The proper study of Mankind is Man !
Placed in the isthmus of a middle state
A being rudely great
With too much knowledge for the skeptic’s side
And too many weaknesses for the Stoic’s pride
He hangs between !

Yoga is a systematic study of man in his threefold aspect, as Mind, Body and Self. It is the Arts Artium or the Art of all arts and the
Scientia Scientiarum, the science of all sciences. It is based on hoary Indian wisdom and culture and is the art of living a
healthy, contented, balanced and peaceful life.

The Eightfold Path of Yoga is

Yama Conditional personal and social behaviour, according to Yogic Law
Niyama Attitutue under Yoga norms
Asana Physical Body discipline
Pranayama Breath Control
Pratyahara Senses control
Dharana Concentration
Dhyana Meditation
Samadhi Transcendental Consciousness

The first five are called Hatha Yoga, as it is culturing the physique. The last three are called Raja or Regal Yoga, as it deals with the culturing
of the psyche. The first Five represent the Psychosomatic Approach and are referred to External or Bahirangi Yoga. The latter three affects
the psyche and are known as Internal or Antaranga Yoga. It is to be noted that the Internal Yoga cannot be done without doing the External Yoga, as
purification of body is a prerequisite for Self Actualisation. ” Sareeram Adhyam Khalu Dharma Sadhanam”, the body is the vehicle for Redemption !

Yoga and TM trigger the Relaxation Response and relaxes you completely. Gone are the strains and the stresses of relativistic life.
The physical exercises called Asanas combats stress and keeps the body flexible.

The three physical states of Doing, Thinking and Being are highlighted in Yoga. All that we see is nothing but Universal Matter or Energy, the
Adhibouthika aspect of Relative Being. All minds together is the Universal Mind and this is the Adhi Daivata aspect of the Supreme. These are
all the manifestations of the Unmanifest and this is Brahman, the Absolute, transcending all relativities

The destructible aspect is called Adhibootha
He who tenants the body, the Purusha, is Adhi Daivata
Being Absolute is Brahman called
These three are the triune states of Being. ( The Song Celestial, the Geetha )

We can transcend all relativities and reach the Absolute Self, via this great Science of Cosmic Union. This is the union mystica, envisaged by the mystic traditions of all other countries

Some of the Yoga Centers in Kerala which you can visit on Kerala Tours are

Transcendental Meditation Center, Poonkunnam, Trichur

Atmadarshan Yoga-Dhama – Ayur Health Center Fort, Vanciyoour, Sreekaneteswaram & Taycaud in Trivandrum – Dr D Sreekantan Nair Email intyoga(at)yahoo.com

Yoga Holidays at Edakkad Beach Houses, Edakkad Village Beach, Kerala. Email pam(at) bodybalancefunction.co.uk

Hatha Vidya Gurukulam – Neernamukku, Vadakkethara, Pazhayannur, Trichur, Kerala.

International Vasishta Yoga Research Foundation – Calicut, Kerala, S India, 673010. vaiyoga(at) yahoo.co.in

Kaivalyam Retreat, Moolakada, Pallivasal, Munnar, Kerala, 685612

Kasi Yoga Anushtana Kendram, Tulasivanam, N Kurakkanni Jn, Varkala. kasiyoga(at) gmail.com

School of Shanti Yoga, TC 15/1572, M P Appan Road, Vazhuthacaud, Trivandrum 695 014, Kerala. santhischool(at) yahoo.co.in

Sivasoorya Divine School of Yoga, Surya, Vellayani PO, Kerala. info(at)sivasoorya.org

Thulasidalam School of Yoga, Tulasidalam Sree Rama Yogashram, Thelliyoor PO, Near Thiruvalla, Kerala. indiayoga(at)gmail.com

Yoga Vidya Peetham, Varkala Beach in Kerala during winters and Dharmasala during summers. info(at) hathayoga-meditation.com

Sivananada Yoga Vedanta Centre in Trivandrum;

Kollam Yoga Kendra, Uilyakoil, I

deal Yoga Centre Manaltheeram Yoga Centre,

Jawahar Balabhavan and Holistic Eastern Advance Research Temple (Heart) in Kollam;

Prajapathi Yoga center, Kacheripady,

Life Yoga Center, Edapally, Adithya Yoga Institute, Thrikkakara,

Pathanjali Naturopathy & Yoga Clinic, Kaloor

Kerala Yoga Centre, in Kochi, Kerala India.

You can visit these centers and feel the holistic positive energy. Enjoy the healing, divine touch of Yoga.

Yoga For Kids – What To Do And How To Do It

With evolution of humanity, our lifestyle has changed over the years. Todays generation is under lot of pressure and stress. The life has become immensely hectic and tiresome for youth as well. The lifestyle changes have affected the kids also. It has been seen in recent surveys that kids are under lot of stress in comparison with the previous generations. There are many factors that have caused such strain, like school, study, peer pressure, never-ending after school curriculum, interest and hobby classes and over scheduling for coaching and many more. All these add-up to a level where they are draining themselves so much that they seek expert assistance. Yoga in such a scenario is the only way out for kids, to de-stress them and keep them energized to follow their dreams in the long run.

Not only giving them a total de-stress mantra, Yoga poses also let them understand and build better body awareness, right from their initial years. Yoga teach the kids with many other subtle human behavior which is needed in the long run and forms the base of their overall character, such as self-control, tolerance, suppleness and coordination.

With constant practice kids are sure to take such characteristics beyond the class and into their daily lives. There are many asanas and poses to deliver effective results. For example – by doing breathing exercises such as three-part breath or camel pose one really can feel the difference in behavior. It builds them and helps retain them better than the grown-ups even, through the lifes vivid situations.

Besides, developing their innate qualities, Yoga is a great way to get hyperactive and attention-seeking kids to change their behavior and become well-mannered and calm. These kids mostly do such activities because they long for movement and stimulus (sensory/ motor). Yoga poses direct their impulses and energies in a positive manner.

Effective yoga poses for kids

Few immensely effective Yoga-Asanas that works particularly well for the kids are warrior pose and Tree pose. Children are, by doing these pose, gains confidence, balance and calm. However, Yoga is not restricted to just performing the poses, it transform your entire lifestyle and ought to go beyond the classes. The children are required to understand the benefits and the meaning of these poses. When they understand the meaning behind the poses, it then helps them become like the poses. For example – the Lion pose- it helps make behavioral changes in us, it is meant to encourage us to become strong and confident like Lion.

Other Yoga Asanas for Kids that work effectively:

Forward Bend or Extension – Uttanasana II
Half Shoulderstand – Ardha Sarvangasana
Dog and Cat
Downward Facing Dog – Adho Mukha Svanasana
Head to Knee – Janu Sirshasana
Mountain – Tadasana
Sit/Easy Position – Sukhasana
The Bridge – Sethu Bandhasana
Triangle – Trikonasana
Warrior II – Virabhadrasana II
The Cobra – Bhujangasana
The Corpse – Savasana

Yoga Establishment With The Help Of Parivartana

II. Uttarakalamrita: Kalidasa of Uttarakalamrita a classical writer completely differs with Mantreswara and also introduced some precious knowledge about the exchange of houses which brought dramatic considering and bringing in practice. His suggestions are as below:

(a) When ninth and tenth lords exchange their position (provided they are not the owners of eighth and eleventh houses as well) they create a Raj Yoga and bring wealth and prosperous to the concerned native.

(b) There are three pairs of lords which are very important to be carefully noted and properly examined in a birth chart:

(i) Lords of ninth and tenth houses from Ascendant.

(ii) Lords of ninth and tenth houses counted from ninth house of birth chart (This means the author favour exchange of fifth and sixth lords also).

(iii) Lords of ninth and tenth houses reckoned from tenth house of birth chart (which means the author allows parivartana of sixth and seventh house to be good).

(iv) There are four sets have been considered viz. Lords of Rasi and Amsa occupied by a planet and Ascendant lord (b) Lords of tenth and ninth (c) Lords of 5, 3, 4 and 7 (d) Lords of 2 and 11: When they occupy each others house they bestow on the native the following blessings viz. (a) prosperity, (b) elephants, horses or like that, (c) happiness and children, (d) wealth.

(v) If any one of the following three interchanges of houses take place in a birth chart, thus constituted parivartana yoga do come in existence, viz. (a) eighth lord occupying twelfth or sixth (b) sixth lord occupying eighth or twelfth, (c) twelfth lord placed in eighth or sixth. Here vide (a) to (c) as above the concerned planets should at the same time be free from such relation with other planets.

Above mentioned yogas of parivartana when found to be present in any birth chart, bestow on the concerned native a great kingship, fame, name and wealth.

III. Jataka Yogavali: An author Venkatesa Sharma who in his later life became known as celebrated Venkatesa Daivagnya and wrote a grantha Sarvartha Chintamani, some 375 years ago, has written a classical work Jataka Yogavali and has given us some Privartana Yogas due to the interchange of certain houses. The Parivartana Yogas though they are very few, but clearly hint how cautious we should be to look other favourable conditions also for materializing the yoga phala.

(i)CHAPA(bow) YOGA: Interchange of signs between lords of second and tenth house whilst the Ascendant lord is exalted, will resultProfessionally the status of the native is comparable to a king. He is treasurer or a commander.

(ii)SIVA YOGA: Lord of fifth placed in ninth, ninth lord placed in tenth, whereas tenth lord placed in fifth house. Effects of this yoga are: the native engages himself in high undertakings, gets lordship over vast areas, wins battles, professionally positions himself as a commander, controls over his senses and has the vast knowledge.

(iii)KAAR MUKHA YOGA: Interchange of signs between lords of Ascendant and tenth, whilst amsa lords of tenth and Ascendant falling in one and the same sign and there is Jupiters aspect on either first or tenth lords.

Effects: The native would be leader amongst learned people, highly courageous, very intelligent, charitable, enjoying life in high walks and very important personality in the community. The yoga phala materializes after nine years of age.

IV) INDRA YOGA: Whilst there is exchange of signs between lords of fifth and eleventh houses, the Moon should stand in fifth house. Effects: The native will has reputation for a very long period. He will be highly courageous having status like a king. He will enjoy life in high walks and will be liked by king.

(v) AMARAKA YOGA: Exchange of houses between lords of seventh and ninth provided both the lords are quite strong. Effects: The native will possess long hands, lotus like eyes. He will be well-versed in law, having a magisterial post, praised by public, interested in pilgrimages, has happiness from wife and will be enjoying greater happiness after age of 50 years.

(vi) SRIMANTHI(wealth) YOGA: If there is interchange of houses between lords of ninth and tenth provided Ascendant lord is with one of the above lords duly aspected by Jupiter. Effects: The native will be having highly charitable nature and all kinds of prosperity. He will be highly respected and be learned. He will have full span of life.