...) RELATED TO HEART AND CIRCULATION

SOLAR PLEXUS CHAKRA (FIRE) RELATED TO DIGESTION

SACRAL CHAKRA (WATER) RELATED TO GENERATIVE AND SEXUAL FUNCTIONS

BASE CHAKRA (EARTH) RELATED TO GENERATIVE AND SEXUAL FUNCTIONS

Each chakra is related to a specific area of the body, such as the head, heart, sacral area. Some add an eighth Thymus Chakra.

Even though yoga predates Hinduism by several centuries, it is often mistakenly associated with this religion. It must be emphasized that yoga is not a religion it has no creed or fixed set of beliefs. One does not need to be concerned about conflicts with one's beliefs.

The scholar, Patanjali, compiled one of the earliest texts related to yoga. He devised basic yoga theories and practices in his text called yoga Sutras as early as the 1st to 5th century B.C. Most forms of yoga practiced today are based on variations of his system often referred to as Classical yoga. Even though Americans were first introduced to yoga during the late 1800's, it didn't become popular until the 1960's, and then as part of the youth culture. In recent years, many are realizing the value yoga to manage stress, limber a stiff body, improve health and well-being and better understand oneself.

One can better decide if yoga offers something of personal benefit by considering the eight steps of Classical yoga:

1. "Restraint" - Refraining from violence, stealing, lying, hoarding and casual sex.

2. "Observance" - Attributes of purity, contentment, tolerance, remembrance and study.

3. "Physical Exercises" - The actual exercising step.

4. "Breathing Techniques" - Special breathing techniques.

5. "Preparation fo...more

yoga: When Should You Consider a Private Lesson?

...for yoga postures. This will help you expand your knowledge of yoga and stay safe.

If you do have a yoga teacher nearby, and get injured because you did not visit a class, or set up a private lesson Shame on you. Whenever, you take a private lesson with a Yoga teacher, ask questions. That is what you are paying for.

If you are new to Yoga, and have a health condition, it would be wise to inform your teacher. It would also be in your best interest to take a private Yoga session. In the case of pregnancy, you should seek out a certified Prenatal Yoga instructor, if approved by your physician.

Copyright 2006 Paul Jerard / Aura Publications<...more

Teaching Hatha Yoga - The Side Effects of Yoga Practice

...geable, internal conflicts are reduced, and you develop complete clarity through Yoga practice. The most valuable aspects of Yoga are enhanced mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual health.

Meditation is one the most important Yogic methods, because this practice eliminates confusion, frustration, and internal or external conflicts. The Yoga practitioner, who meditates on a regular basis, finds a state of bliss and a newfound self-awareness. Meditation is a complete "tune up" for the emotional and mental planes of our existence. Regular meditation sessions will yield a sound mind.

A balanced mind will functio...more

Yoga for Life

...ide new challenges and take their body to the next level, I again suggest yoga.

Yoga is one of the worlds oldest exercise disciplines, having been practiced continually for over 5,000 years. That certainly says a lot for its content.

It is interesting to note how many new disciplines borrow from, or are even based on, classical yoga. Floor Pilates should probably be named Pilates Yoga. It incorporates many classic yoga poses or asanas and emphasizes deep breathing coordinated with the movements, as well as development of the bodys core all ideas central to the practice of yoga.

If you have any exercise experience, you might be surprised to learn how many of the moves youve picked up in various classes actually come from Hatha Yoga the most common form of yoga practiced in the West.

Almost all of those stretches at the end of a typical aerobics class come directly from yoga. The childs pose (garbh-asana) is sitting on your heels with head down and back rounded and it is sooo relaxing.

On hands and knees, you would probably recognize the cat back (marjari-asana) and the table (svan-asana). And what about all those wonderful twists to release the spine: seated twist (matsyendr-asana); and the knee down twist (supta matsyendr-asana).

These are the same stretches orthopedists recommend for back pain lin...more

Free Downloadable Yoga Music