วันอาทิตย์ที่ 31 พฤษภาคม พ.ศ. 2552
Yoga for Healthy Living
Regular practice of yoga exercises can offer you physiological, psychological as well as spiritual benefits. Some of the yoga benefits include:
1. Increases physical stamina and enhances body flexibility
2. Strengthens your spinal cord and relieves you from back aches
3. Improves blood circulation
4. Strengthen your immune system
5. Helps to maintain blood pressure and cholesterol level in the body
6. Improves concentration
7. Reduces stress and depression by providing mental relaxation
Making yoga exercises as part of your lifestyle helps to cure or prevent diabetes, digestive disorders, arthritis, arteriosclerosis, chronic fatigue, asthma, varicose veins, headaches, hypertension, insomnia, thyroid problems, obesity, cardiovascular disorders, and much more. Yoga is a natural way to cure most of your illness. The effect of yoga will be more, when it is practiced in the right way. To maximize the yoga benefits, you have a wide range of yoga accessories available in the market today.
At Tupelo Super Store, you can find the best yoga accessories. Hand-crafted in India, their OM Sutra product collections are designed to be attractive and durable. You will find high-quality yoga accessories, like cotton yoga rug, cotton blanket, yoga bags, bolsters, and pillows.
The cotton yoga rug available at Tupelo Super Store helps to maintain your poses without slipping. It absorbs sweat and can be washed easily. Select from one of the yoga bags available in different colors and designs to carry all your yoga accessories. The Chakra Yoga Kit from Tupelo Super Store is all you need to keep your yoga accessories safe and organized. Made from heavy cotton twill fabric, it features two side pockets, an outer pocket, and a carry handle for user convenience.
To get comfort and softness when you practice restorative yoga exercises, you can choose from the high-quality cotton blankets available at Tupelo Super Store. Select from one of the large, round, or rectangular bolsters that helps you maintain your posters. Give the ultimate relaxation to your eyes by using the aromatherapy silk Eye pillows that are filled with natural flaxseeds and scented with Nilgiri oil to soothe your eyes.
Choosing the right yoga accessories will help you practice yoga exercises properly. If you are a regular yoga practitioner, then it’s time to get one of equip yourself high-quality yoga accessories from Tupelo Super Store to fully enjoy the yoga benefits.
Yoga Bag Styles
Yoga bags are becoming very popular now. With yoga mats coming in various thickness, the type of yoga bag that you purchase must fit your mat. So what kind of yoga bag should you get?
Yoga bags come in four main varieties. The main difference among yoga bags is how the yoga mats are placed into them.
Tube Type Yoga Bag
The tube type of yoga bag has an opening on its end. It is generally a round duffle bag with a drawstring opening on the ends. In order to put your yoga mat into these bags, you must roll the yoga mat into a diameter that is smaller than the bag. This yoga bag is best suited for the thinner mats. You will also have alot of trouble placing a sticky yoga mat into this type of bag because you need to slide the full length of the mat into the bag.
Canvas Bag Type Yoga Bag
The canvas bag yoga bag is exactly that. It is a long shopping bag with an opening at the top. These types of bags generally have a simple closing mechanism like a snap, button or tie. With these bags one just opens up and puts the yoga mat in. This is best suited for large thick mats and is probably the easiest bag for the sticky mat.
Purse Type Yoga Bag
The purse type yoga bag is more stylist and usually looks like a long purse. It general has a zippered closure which runs almost the entire length of the bag. The opening is also at the top and placing the mat into the bag is fairly easy.
The Outside Strap Yoga Bag
This bag holds the yoga mat on the outside. They use two straps that secure the rolled up mat to the bag on the outside. This is the most versatile bag as it can carry any size and thickness yoga mat. However, the drawback to this bag is that the yoga mat is on the outside of the bag. So if you have an ugly yoga mat you might want to use one of the other bags.
How to find the Right Yoga Bolsters
Yoga has been part of our lives when it comes to tension and stress relief. Through yoga we gain a deeper knowledge and understanding of oneself. It also serves as a great tool to stay healthy and prevent certain diseases.
Yoga through the years of repeatedly usage has become a popular alternative medicine. Today it is now used to cure chronic diseases and ailments in the different body systems. It includes the nervous, circulatory, endocrine, respiratory, digestive, reproductive and the musculoskeletal system.
Yoga can be practiced by anyone, including the elderly and those that have or suffers from certain injuries. The use of specific yoga equipments can help people who are not perfectly capable of doing yoga. The use of yoga Equipment can help you achieve the maximum physical and mental results of your practice.
One of the best examples of yoga equipments is the Yoga bolsters.
Yoga bolsters are being used in various styles of yoga like the Bikram, Ananda and Kripalu yoga. These are yoga form that needs much of your yoga bolsters for they instill more use of extensive yoga poses.
Yoga bolsters provide support for the back, abdomen and legs. Yoga bolsters also aids in the proper alignment of the body and the stack of spinal vertebrae.
It is also and effective way to cushion and relieve tension in your lower body and upper body, the neck and the abdomen when doing your poses.
It aids yoga master in doing supine and passive yoga positions. Putting your yoga bolsters on top of your mat provides added cushioning and support to your lower body and makes your yoga session more comfortable.
Yoga bolsters are light and can be easily carried and stored at the corner of your room. It can easily fit in to your drawer or a closet without taking much space.
Yoga bolsters also comes in a variety of size, shapes, colors and materials which is designed to fit your need and preference.
Different sellers offer cylindrical, rectangular, Zafu, and a lot of other types of Yoga Bolsters.
Sometime people buying yoga bolsters are quite confused on whether to buy cylindrical or rectangular yoga bolsters.
So here are some brief discussions on the difference between this two. But if you are into yoga class and like the yoga bolsters that you are using then you can buy the type you use.
Cylindrical bolsters are a larger and much more firm that the rectangular yoga bolsters.
Cylindrical yoga bolsters are heavier than the rectangular ones, owing the fact that they have different respective filling materials with different weights.
You can do most things equally well with either kind of Bolster, but the different shapes do have marginal advantages for certain poses.
Yoga Bolsters are used for comfort in different positions, and come in a variety of shapes and sizes to provide that extra level of comfort and support. Placed under knees, ankles, or neck, these Bolsters help to relieve muscle strain during difficult poses.
The round bolsters and Rectangle Bolster props, supports and encourages your body to stretch, relax and open the areas that need it most.
What ever kind of bolsters that you need, I am sure that you will be able to find one that will suit your needs.
If ever nothing would fit you in yoga store, make one of your own or find somebody who can make them, giving you a much more flexibility and customization in getting the yoga bolsters that you like.
Five Most Common Yoga Practices
All of this statement makes it hard to really make a full realisation of what yoga is.
So what is yoga?
Yoga goes far beyond just mere exercises full of awkward routines. Yoga is the union of mind, spirit and body. Yoga comes from the Hindu philosophy used to attain spiritual insight and harmony.
What is yoga?
Yoga as a rule refers to the general use of a system of exercises that is practiced as part of this discipline.
The word is derived from the Sanskrit "yeung", which means to join. A yoke as used on oxen is closely related, but also the same root gives us "join", "junction", "junta", "adjust", "joust", and "juxapose" to name a few.
There are many institutions of yoga all of which have their own unique practices and beliefs. But in this article we have listed down the five most common yoga practices.
However, schools and paths have been established with many different variations that aren't listed here.
HATHA: this is the most popular variety of yoga and one that has been commonly taught for years. So what is yoga for them? For them it is perfecting the mind by way of perfecting the body.
With this technique many asanas or postures, breathing techniques and meditations are used.
ASHTANGA: this yoga is another popular type they are much faster than the other schools. What is yoga for ashtanga's?
For them yoga can be considered as a type of aerobic yoga for they instill quick and smooth transitions between poses.
KUNDALINI: This school is focused on awakening and focusing what is known as
kundalini energy. Kundalini energy is most easily compared to life energy that lies dormant in our bodies. It is commonly represented by a coiled snake.
MANTRA: this type of yoga is focused on calming the mind and body through the usage of words and sounds. The well known 'om' chant is commonly heard in this school.
TANTRA: This type of school is well known by way of its focus on sexual spirituality. They also focus on kundalini energy, although their intent for awakening it is much different from the Kundalini practice.
Yoga is a very diverse practice, no matter which school you choose. People young and old can gain many benefits from regular yoga practices, and asanas can be adjusted to fit physical limitations and other complications.
If you want a break from treadmills, weight rooms, or the pool, take a look at yoga. Not only are you striving towards physical well being, you are striving towards spiritual well being as well.
Traditionally, yoga consists of eight fundamental paths which are Karma Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, Jnana Yoga; Hatha Yoga; Purna Yoga; Tantra Yoga; Maha Yoga and Ashtanga or Raja Yoga. In the western world, the term yoga often refers to Hatha yoga and its postures, movements, and breathing techniques.
The ultimate goal of yoga is the attainment of liberation from worldly suffering and the cycle of birth and death. Yoga entails mastery over the body, mind, and emotional self, and transcendence of desire. It is said to lead gradually to knowledge of the true nature of reality.
วันอาทิตย์ที่ 12 เมษายน พ.ศ. 2552
Relax, when it comes to Yoga, we have you covered!
What are the Health Benefits of Yoga?
Benefits of yoga for flexibility-
Age is nor bar when it comes to yoga. Elderly people and arthritis patients are extremely worried about flexibility. But the fact is that even people with such condition can make use of yoga in everyday life and can benefit good health. The muscles can be safely worked out by various yoga poses and the range of motion can be increased. Yoga increases the natural lubrication of body and softens all the body tissues. Thus, Yoga health benefits can be observed and enjoyed in very short period of time.
Benefits of yoga for strength-
Some fusion forms of yoga like the power yoga and asthanga yoga offer more health benefits and they are vigorous. They tone the muscles. The iyengar yoga lays less stress on movements with precision in poses. These are good to give strength and stamina benefits.
Benefits of yoga for posture-
With flex and strength the posture improves. Further the core strength gets developed with standing and sitting postures. Another important benefit of yoga comes with increase in alertness.
Benefits of yoga for better breathing-
All the yoga asana and the yoga postures are well structured with breathing techniques. This is important to improve the lung capacity and increase the blood flow in the body. With improvement in endurance the performance also perks. Yoga lays stress on deepened and lengthened breathing technique.
Benefits of yoga for reducing stress and increasing calmness-
Even a beginner can feel the difference in his/her first yoga class. Numerous yoga styles make particular meditation technique to calm the mind. Some other yoga forms focus on breath. Yoga is popular on account of its anti-stress benefits.
Benefits of yoga for concentration-
It’s true that with absorption of yoga in life the concentration improves and the mood swings arrested. Yoga has tremendous effect on depression and anxiety. Yoga is said to ease some of the obsessive compulsive disorder.
Benefits of yoga for heart-
Even studies support that yoga is capable in alleviating cardiovascular diseases. It reduces heart rate and control blood pressure. People can get benefited with yoga and they can control hypertension, stroke, cholesterol etc. some studies even show the anti-oxidant effect of yoga for better health.
Benefits of yoga for other ailments-
In the west the researchers has found the benefits of yoga on account of its therapeutic effects. Yoga benefits arthritis, asthmas, back pain, insomnia and even in sclerosis too.
Other health Benefits of yoga -
Yoga builds memory. It also slows down the aging process and boosts energy level. On a spiritual level too the awareness increases. Yoga practitioners opine that even on personal front yoga works miraculously.
With practice of these yoga practices one can witness and benefit all the good health. It infuses entirely in one’s individual’s life.
History of Yoga- an Overview
The history of yoga is believed to be as old as civilization. The prehistoric roots and its gradual evolution and development are testimony to this fact. Ancient yoga derived from Indian asceticism to uniting in the “cosmic one.” Yoga history could be traced in the Upanishads, Vedas and even in Brahmanas. The yoga history was also illustrated in the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali.
How yoga derived its name?
The history of yoga is recorded in our scriptures and it’s continuously evolving in recent times. Though yoga has evolved with changes in techniques and methods but the essence and goal remains the same. The word yoga derived from Sanskrit word “Yuj”, meaning to “unite”.
History of yoga in Indus valley civilization-
The archeological excavations of ancient civilization shows that even before 3000 BC yoga had evolved. The artifacts and the “Yogi glyptic” are testimony to the fact. The various yoga postured relic’s depicts, some of the noteworthy yoga postures in them.
History of yoga in Vedic period –
With evolution of Vedas the foundation of Hinduism was laid. The Vedas hold the ancient yogic teachings and hence is known as Vedic yoga. While some vague references of history of yoga could be found in the Vedas but practices could be found in the Brahmanas. The Rig Veda mentions yoga’s practice as yoga was essential with Vedic ritual. This dates back to 900 BC.
History of yoga in the Upanishads-
This period is also knows as pre-classical yoga period. The Brihadaranyaka Upanishad makes the reference of yoga meditation and is clearly reflected in 900 BC to 400 BC. The Mahabharata and the Bhagavad-Gita (oldest Yoga scripture) shows the yoga history in 500 BC and 200 BC resp. Even in Buddhism, the importance of yoga meditation and various yoga postures have been mentioned.
History of yoga in the Patanjali “Yoga Sutra’s”-
This period is also known as the Classical period of yoga. The main attempt of Patanjali was to define and normalize classical yoga form and is known as Patanjali eight fold path of yoga (Eight Limbs of Classical Yoga).
Post classical yoga-
Numerous sovereign yoga schools were developed during this period after the Yoga sutra period, hence the name Post classical yoga. The human body became filed of study along with the meditation which was missing is the previous years. A new system with numerous yoga exercises was developed. And thus Hatha yoga, Raj yoga and other branches emerged.
Modern yoga and its history-
The Chicago summit and the famous lecture of Swami Vivekananda became a turning point with the introduction of Yoga to the Western world. Thus various yoga schools emerged and more and more people learnt this yogic form of exercise.
Yoga today in modern world-
Yoga has gained immense popularity in recent years. Yoga has become a health movement. The westerner’s views and spirituality has changed a lot. Yoga’s has become a mandatory fitness regime. Yoga has evolved into more modern form like power yoga or Zen yoga.
Yoga has revealed through its long history. The vast oceans of Yogic literature and the motivation and drive makes all follow the true Yogic path.
