Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Pilates Vs Yoga

When people talk about the physical benefits of exercise, they tend to focus on 3S: Strength (power), Stamina, and Slimming (slimming). This article is about Pilates Vs Yoga. With these three things in mind, their training program generally contains a lift weights to build muscle and some form of aerobic activity to burn calories.

This article is about Pilates Vs Yoga. But actually there are secondary benefits that we can value, including flexibility, coordination, posture and stretching stress. This article is about Pilates Vs Yoga. Not that this is more important secondary benefit, but these days a popular trend that started to appear for the exercises are more delicate. This article is about Pilates Vs Yoga. Two of the most popular is yoga and Pilates. This article is about Pilates Vs Yoga.

Yoga course is already popular in the world for a long time to downsizing and calm the mind. Pilates itself is a newer trend and became popular in various circles.

This article is about Pilates Vs Yoga. But many people are asking about the differences between Pilates and yoga and ask which ones are recommended. This article is about Pilates Vs Yoga. In relation to the question which one is recommended, the answer may depend on your physical goals. Easily when talking about the difference between yoga and Pilates is East and West. Both systems build strength and flexibility exercises. This article is about Pilates Vs Yoga.

Yoga East based on the idea that energy moves through the body. This article is about Pilates Vs Yoga. The more freely the energy flows, the healthier and more energetic you can feel. Physical pressure would inhibit the flow of it. The goal of yoga is to maintain flexibility of the body through movement and stretching. This article is about Pilates Vs Yoga. But there is another dimension of this. Yoga also has a spiritual element in the form of meditation.

While many yoga movements that help the body, but in fact the goal is in mind. This article is about Pilates Vs Yoga. They represent a balanced and peaceful life.

Pilates on the other hand, emphasizes training as the main body. This article is about Pilates Vs Yoga. Its creator, Joseph Pilates, Pilates created it when he was looking for ways to rehabilitate injured soldiers after World War I. This article is about Pilates Vs Yoga.

Meditation Benefits

He makes unique machines with names like the Reformer and Cadillac. Using cables and trolleys and unusual body positioning, stretching and strengthening Pilate’s exercises as well as unique in its ability to improve coordination between the muscles that stabilize the body. This article is about Pilates Vs Yoga.

Pilates technique became quickly known to start from the dancers who find that exercise helps them improve balance and movement of a flexible body. This article is about Pilates Vs Yoga. Pilates techniques are better known, although more recent is a Pilates class without the tools to be more emphasis on movements and stretching exercises.

This article is about Pilates Vs Yoga. Shape is similar to yoga class, but its approach remained on the formation of the body more than mind through postures and breathing. This article is about Pilates Vs Yoga. Another class of Pilates is that using a machine similar to weight training because it uses the movement against load (typically using springs) in order to strengthen muscles.  This article is about Pilates Vs Yoga.

Yoga For Depression is Here ..

Read another article : Learning How To Meditate

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Yoga For Weight Loss Guide

Imagine being able to get access to all yoga for weight loss information for free! Here's our TOP rated yoga for weight loss sites collection.

Yoga can be put to good use for taking off excess pounds through the power of creating a state of mental and physical well being.

The basic tenets of Yoga promotes a healthy lifestyle and when combined with a calorie reduction can help to speed up your weight loss. It will increase your metabolism by increasing the caloric burning process.

All weight loss is based on using more calories than you take in. It will also allow you to increase your ability to concentrate and focus.

Your thyroid regulates your metabolism and is responsible for the chemical processes that transform food into energy. Yoga uses a series of twisting poses that will help to stimulate the work flow of the internal organs.

This will cause your metabolism to increase and burn more calories which will eventually cause you to have a lower body weight. Another side effect is that it will help to improve your circulation and increase your energy level.

The various back bends combined with the forward bends will help to stimulate the metabolism. The poses that affect the neck region can be helpful in stimulating the thyroid if the weight problem is caused by a hormonal imbalance.

Poses that will help the most for this include the camel, rabbit, plow, bridge and head stand. Going quickly between the various poses can help to accelerate the weght loss.

Beware though that those seriously overweight may find some of these poses extremely difficult and should start slowly with the easier poses and add others as they become more confident in the easier ones.

You can use standing poses to increase muscle strengthening such as the warrior. These will help to create higher endurance and increase your caloric usage.

Remember that a gradual approach is best with all Yoga practices. The long term effects on your weight loss regime will become evident and even more so the inner peace and general well feeling that Yoga will promote within you.
Read Another Article : Power of Stretching

Power Of Stretching Reviews & Tips

Here's what we found about power of stretching. Read up the info about power of stretching, and learn more about it!

Your muscles ache from a good stretch. This is quite normal and is part of the process. Stretching has seemingly been with us and particular with athletes since the beginning of time.

A very key point to good stretching is to hold the stretch for at least seventeen seconds. This is a pearl of wisdom gleaned from a ballet teacher a few years back. She said that any stretch under 17 seconds was just not effective.

The 17 second rule is exceeded in the high intensity Bikram's yoga where stretches are held for about 30 seconds. Don't forget the high level of heat that is used in Bikram's to extract that last little bit of stretch out of your muscles.

An interesting twist that is not necessary to gain benefits from stretching. But, it can't hurt, right?

So what kind of benefits can you expect from stretching? That's an easy one. Have you ever seen the movie, Blood Sport? Did you know that Frank Dux could truly stretch his body to the extreme. The actor that played him was quite elastic as well.

Great elasticity is also something you might see in well trained Spetsnaz(Russian)agents. They often work out with Russian kettlebells too. They are for superior strength gains and the ability to withstand ballistic shocks.

Why are stretching and flexibility considered important to these people? Stretching gives one the ability to have explosive power available at one's fingertips without the need to warm up. Of course most of us are not martial artists or agents. But, you'll be happy to know there are plenty of other benefits.

Let me give you an example. After learning to sit in the full lotus position for long periods of time, my ankles became very flexible. One day I was walking along and my left foot fell into a pothole. This mishap pushed my ankle sideways to about 90 degrees from it's normal position.

Amazingly, this didn't even hurt, not one bit. If my ankle hadn't been so flexible, I may have suffered a sprained ankle. At the very least, it would have hurt for days.

Key point: stretching helps us to avoid injuries. Not only that but if you do have a muscle, tendon or ligament injury it should heal faster, theoretically speaking.

Stretching actually grows the ligaments, tendons and muscles being stretched. They really grow longer over time.

Check with your physician before undertaking any type of exercise, including stretching.
Read Another Article : Best Yoga Techniques

Type Of Best Yoga Techniques

Brief and Straightforward Guide about best yoga techniques. Read the latest best yoga techniques tips.

The best technique for any person contemplating to take up yoga is not to contemplate but to concentrate - on how yoga and its techniques is escalating into a world wide epidemic where yoga exercises are helping ailing patients and others who seek peace of mind.

Understanding yoga is a lot less complicated than you could imagine but if you are thinking of taking up the practice then there are some yoga techniques you need to be aware of and apply through out the exercise.


Yoga is with out a doubt one of the most effective exercises performed to today in helping people to stay in shape and to keep fit and healthy. You will be surprised how yoga fits into your daily way of life due to the fact that is can be practiced almost anywhere and any time

People are genuinely taking more and more interest in keeping their fitness levels at a point where they are gaining a healthier lifestyle and this is all thanks to yoga. Yoga techniques are beneficial in servicing your body organs.

Muscles, joints, glands, tissues are also maintained by some techniques of yoga.
There are 5 yoga techniques which you may enjoy including into your workout these are meditation, relaxation, deep breathing, posture and movement of the joints.

Every one of these yoga functions has it own technique.

Better known as the (sandhichalana) is where the movement of joints come into play. This is performed and solely directed by yoga followers towards easing the joints. Joints are freed from stiffness by undergoing and practicing full movements which consist of hand neck and lower limb movements.

A yoga technique behind the relaxation exercise is to be able to deepen your concentration pattern which aims to help deter any interference that attracts your attention easily.

The Hong-Sau is another technique used which assists you further in focusing on the concealed powers of concentration. This is great yoga routine that can help you battle any meddling disturbances while at the same time providing you with a relaxed and calm feeling on the inside.

Each to their own on what exercise to exercise but one of the most popular is the Aum technique which stretches awareness far beyond any limitations that your body and mind creates. By maintaining an uninterrupted meditation mode you gain contentment.

Many of the techniques mentioned will not be advisable for the beginner so therefore guidance from a yoga master would be your best approach. Be sure to ask questions on different types of yoga and the techniques, this will help you decide which one to take up.

Check it out for yourself, go along to a local class in your area and watch just how many people are leaving you behind in claiming better body awareness and a content positive approach to life.
Read Another Article : Benefit Of Yoga

Benefit Of Yoga Tips

Read all about benefit of yoga.  Lots of useful and interesting information about benefit of yoga.  

Yoga, and the benefit of yoga, is generically defined as a Hindu discipline that helps unite the body and mind.

Aimed at achieving a state of perfect spiritual insight and tranquility, it is practiced in the West most commonly as physical exercise practiced as part of the discipline.

The benefit of yoga practice is nothing new.  It has been recognized for many years as the perfect discipline to help one achieve tranquility, better health, and longer life. 

Many people view the benefit of yoga as some weird discipline that involves yogi's contorted in unnatural positions, doing strange acts of the body, and living on a mountaintop somewhere in India.

 I personally remember a television documentary many years ago featuring a yogi that had his tongue split, using it to clean his sinus cavities!  Anyone interested in yoga has probably also seen images of yogi's supporting great weight with their genitals.

In this modern age, much has been learned about the benefit of yoga. Yoga practitioners achieve greater mobility, longer life, and internal happiness through their practice of the art. Yoga as we know it today is aimed at uniting the mind, body,and spirit.

The mysticism of the Hindu discipline is no longer a myth, and is reachable by all willing to learn.

Yoga practice is roughly grouped into three categories - the Yoga Postures (Asanas), Yoga Breathing (Pranayama) and Meditation. These categories embrace physiological, psychological, and biochemical effects.

In addition, clinicians have compared these results against the Western practices of jogging, aerobic exercise, and weight training, and find results comparable.

The most popular style of Yoga in the West today is Hatha Yoga.  It is designed to focuses on the physical well-being of a person and believers in the practice consider the body as the vehicle of the spirit.

Ananda Yoga, a classical style of Hatha Yoga, uses Asana and Pranayama to awaken, experience, and take control of the subtle energies within the body, and focuses on the energies of the seven Chakras.

Anusara (a-nu-SAR-a)yoga is defined as "stepping into the current of Divine Will", "following your heart", and "moving with the current of divine will." This new style, which was developed by John Friend, is defined as "yoga positions that flow from the heart."

It is heart-oriented, spiritually inspiring, and is based on a deep knowledge of outer and inner body alignment. It is based on the principles of Hatha Yoga and biochemical practices.  Students of this discipline base their practice on attitude, action, and alignment.

Ashtanga yoga could possibly be the perfect Yoga for those looking for a serious workout. Ashtanga was developed by K. Pattabhi Jois, and is very physically demanding. A series of flows, moving quickly from one posture to another, is utilized to build strength, flexibility and stamina.

This style is not good for the beginning practitioner, as it requires 6 series of difficulty.  The physical demands of Ashtanga are not for the casual practitioner beginning the journey of yoga fitness.

Bikram Yoga, named for its founder Bikram Choudhury, is practiced in a room with a temperature of up to 100 degrees. Twenty six Asanas are performed in a typical session, and focus is on warming and stretching muscles, ligaments, and tendons.

Each pose is accompanied by Kapalabhati Breath, the "breath of fire."  Practice of this style promotes cleansing of the body, the release of toxins, and ultimate flexibility. One must be in very good physical shape to practice Bikram Yoga.

These basic definitions will give the person seeking the benefit of yoga a clear-cut understanding of what is to be expected, and will help them make the proper decision to find the discipline that best suits their needs.
Read Another Article : Yoga’s Relaxation Technique

Yoga’s Relaxation Technique At A Glance

This page provides tips and guide on yoga’s relaxation technique. It's best resources for yoga’s relaxation technique.

We all know that one of the necessary things needed to keep an automobile in good condition is cooling the engine when it gets hot.

Well the same principle applies to the human body. When the body and mind are constantly overworked, their efficiency in performing their duties diminishes.

Modern social life, food, work and even play make it difficult for the modern man to use a proper relaxation technique for rejuvenation.

An observance of nature will show us that animals love relaxation and sleep. They get as much sleep as they want. Rest and sleep are essential to recharge our nervous energy as our physical, emotional and mental balance depends on the quantity and quality of these vital necessities.

They are the only things that recharge these batteries and allow for the proper elimination of metabolic wastes.

But just how can one learn a proper relaxation technique?

Only the corpse pose offered to us in Yoga can aid modern man to recapture the art of relaxation. In order to achieve this, three methods are used by the yogis. The three methods are known as physical, mental and spiritual relaxation.

Physical Relaxation Technique: We all know that every action is the result of thought originated in the mind consciously or subconsciously.

When we want to perform an act, the thought is generated in the mind, is transmitted to the brain and simultaneously, the brain telegraphs the message through the nerves, and the muscles contract. Therefore as we can send messages to make the muscles contract, we can send messages to make them relax.

This relaxation technique is known as autosuggestion. Commence autosuggestions from the toes upwards while the suggestion passes through the muscles and reaches up to the eyes and ears at the top. This is performed by saying mentally to yourself:

“My toes are hereby relaxed; my ankles are hereby relaxed…”

Mental Relaxation Technique: During mental tension one should breathe slowly and rhythmically for a few minutes and concentrate on breathing. Slowly the mind will become calm and one is able to feel a kind of floating sensation.

Spiritual Relaxation Technique: However one tries to relax the mind, one cannot completely remove all tensions and worries from it unless one goes to spiritual relaxation.
This is in itself is a slightly demanding but very rewarding practice.

Yogis know that unless man can withdraw himself from the body idea and separate himself from the ego consciousness, there is no way of obtaining complete relaxation.

So from mental relaxation, he withdraws himself and identifies himself with the all pervading, all powerful, all peaceful and joyful self, because all the source of power, knowledge are in the soul and not the body. Man can only free himself from the clutches of evil emotions by asserting his true self by stating mentally:

"I am that pure consciousness or self" This identification with the self completes the process of relaxation.

The method to be applied here is to breathe deeply and squarely in a ratio of 5:5:5 seconds while mentally chanting the mantra above. As you will observe it goes hand-in-hand with mental relaxation after the physical auto suggestions are completed.

To get the most of this practice, you should practice this after your poses, before going to sleep or even during a break or recess at work or school, or right at your desk.

I always tell people: “Hey if it is said God took a break on the 7th day after making the world, who are we as humans not to take time out to relax?”

So to recharge your energy and restore you physical, mental and emotional balance and strength, apply the methods above to learn how to relax the proper way.
Read Another Article : Breathing Exercise

Breathing Exercise What Is It

Here's the breathing exercise tips I picked up from Anne. Offers a single source on breathing exercise related issues, topics and guide.

Kapalabhati is a very important asana and it should be part of your daily practice. This pose is also known as the Fire Breathing Pose, due to intake and outlet of air, with force. The exercise purifies your lungs and nasal passage.

It is one of the powerful breathing exercises which help the entire body. It is one of a kind of the breathing exercises in Pranayama. Kapalabhati helps to make the motions of diaphragm very easy and controlled.

This helps it to discard the muscle cramps present in bronchial tubes. Lot of force is used to do this asana. While exhaling the process is very strong and while inhaling it is done very calmly. It is a very energizing technique to re-boot all your muscles.

It is a cleansing technique which emphasizes on cleaning your air passages and blockages in your chest.

This technique helps to remove the toxic air and takes in the fresh air. The breathing mainly takes place from the abdomen rather than chest which helps to remove the toxic air. Kapala means 'the skull' and bhati means 'brings lightness'.

It lightens your skull by extracting problems like sinusitis. It is an invigorating and an energizing asana as it clears your stuffy skull with fresh air. It is one of the great exercises for asthma patients and people suffering from respiratory problems.

It is useful in removing impurities from the blood. It is a very stimulating asana which can do wonders to every single tissue of your body. This asana invigorates your spine due to the breathing technique.

It clears your body from constant intake of toxins, thus detoxifying it. It is very useful for maintaining your blood pressure. The abdominal organs get strengthened due to the pressure applied on these organs while breathing and exhaling.

It increases the blood circulation due to fresh supply of blood. It also improves the bowel movement which means getting rid of the basic troublesome diseases. The abdominal area is toned with the help of the breathing technique.

A sense of calmness is achieved due to lightness of the skull. It helps you to think better and take decisions quickly. It also keeps your mind alert. It helps clear your entire nervous system which proves to be very useful in making your body fit and fine.

It is a great breathing technique to help your mind and soul. It helps to awaken your spiritual power which heals many problems you keep facing most of the times.

Warning: The reader of this article should exercise all precautions before following any of the asanas from this article and the site. To avoid any problems while doing the asanas, it is advised that you consult a doctor and a yoga instructor.

The responsibility lies solely with the reader and not with the site or the writer.
Read Another Article : Still Yoga