Yoga Equipments- Buy the Right One to Ensure Comfort!!!

Yoga Equipment, Tools, and Props may not be required when practicing Yoga but they have always been useful aids to practitioners. Take note that it is essential to feel relaxed and comfortable when doing the poses. Basic yoga equipment comprises of equipment like mats, blankets and eye bags. Then the second type of yoga equipment that includes supportive tools like belts, blocks and bolsters and even specialized tools that provide support for the designs they were designed for.

Types of Yoga equipments:

When you start practicing yoga, you may be tempted to run out and spend hundreds of dollars on all the "right" equipment. Pause a moment, and think about what you really need for a meaningful practice.

1. Yoga mat: Buy a good quality sticky mat. This will be the staple of your practice, and you should ensure that the mat is nonslip, is sufficiently thick for your personal comfort level, and is long enough for you to stretch out on without too much head or foot overhang in corpse pose.

2. Bags: You may also want to invest in a yoga bag. These are bags specifically designed to accommodate a rolled-up sticky mat and other accoutrements to and from class. Look for one that has a comfortable shoulder strap and extra room for keys, wallet, towel, and water bottle.

3. Balls: Yoga done using a stability ball helps you improve balance and flexibility. The size of the ball is important. Choose the size you are comfortable with.

4. Bolsters: If you find it difficult to reach the ground during some floor poses, bolsters could be useful. They offer support to your back. Bolsters are helpful additions to reclining and sitting poses. By alleviating the pressure on the back, they help increase the practitioner's sense of relaxation and ease the physical stress on the body. Bolsters should be tested for the appropriate level of thickness and dimensions for your body type.

5. Blocks: Blocks are solid foam or wood pieces that are helpful for beginners, especially, to achieve standing asanas by helping relieve the pressure that comes from placing the hand (or head) squarely on the floor. By raising that surface a few inches, you can relieve the pressure on the working muscle group and get more out of the pose. Look for solid construction in blocks, and make sure their planes are straight and even, to prevent wobbles and subsequent falls.

6. Straps: Straps are typically one inch wide (some are slightly wider, others more narrow) and several feet in length. They help with reclining and stretching poses where the hands can't quite meet, or where the foot is just out of reach. Using a strap can help you get the benefit of the pose without risking a strain injury. Make sure your strap is long enough to be useful, and is one long piece, rather than a stitched or linked-together piece that might rip after repetitive use.

7. Inversion slings: An inversion sling helps stretch the muscles of your lower back and provides a pulling force that gradually stretches your spine. You may also use it to stretch your muscles in the shoulder, chest and groin.

8. Yoga ropes: If you are a serious yogi, you may want to invest in wall-mounted yoga ropes. You can use them to strengthen yourself and be flexible. You can use it to enhance traditional and modified yoga postures.

9. Yoga blankets: can be used in a number of ways--as a wrap in meditation, as a covering for warmth in corpse pose, as added stability for seated poses. Look for a colorful blanket in a pattern or texture that's aesthetically pleasing to you, and a material that isn't scratchy or uncomfortable. Also, make sure the blanket you select is washable, especially if you'll be using it in group classes.

10. Meditation cushions: are helpful in achieving a comfortable seated posture for minutes on end, which is necessary for a meaningful meditation practice. There are many varieties and types. As with bolsters, make sure the cushion you select fits your body type and is comfortable and well-made. Here, too, you may want to inquire about a removable, washable cover for the cushion.

Summary:

When deciding to purchase yoga equipment in an online store or shop it usually wise to have a look at the gear they are selling and check price points. There are a number of kits that you can buy for yoga. With yoga growing more popular the amount of equipment that can be got is greatly increasing. Now that it is recognized as a great way to improve health and fitness more people are willing to part with their money to buy the right kit.

The use of Yoga equipments also lessen out the stress and strain from doing your yoga positions. There is a yoga accessory out there that will support your muscles and refrain you from any muscle injury.

Tantric Yoga- The Path of Self Transcendence through Ritual Means

It is a well-known fact that Yoga, as a generalized art, is the practice of perfecting some aspect of an individual’s existence. This could comprise the physical well being, spiritual formation, or mental ability or mental perfection. The distinction between forms of yoga, though each one is practiced in a different manner, is not so much as the format that you utilize but the source, which you seek to alter or perfect. Some Yoga techniques are for mental reasons, some for physical, and some for spiritual. However, some techniques actually are meant for more than one of these aspects, some for three. The variety of Yoga techniques is truly endless. Nevertheless, there is one form that is likely sought after more than the rest. Though prized and desirable, this technique is also the most difficult to learn and master. This particular format is known as Tantric Yoga.

Some self-styled “gurus” or teachers have presented Tantra to the unknowing world as just some sort of sacred sex, and that has led to the misunderstanding of this spiritual concept. Tantra, in fact, is more than that. It is a way of life. While sexual Tantra is concerned with the union between an individual and a partner, the purest form of Tantra is concerned with unifying the male and female essences within a person.
The origin of the pure Tantra dates as early as the Indus Valley civilization. Its main aim is to harmonize the male and female aspects within an individual in order to achieve creative wisdom and most importantly, spiritual regeneration. One way to reach that goal is through Tantric Yoga.

“Tantra” means expansion, while “Yoga” means concentration. Hence, Tantric Yoga pertains to concentrating on expanding one’s energy in order to achieve the goals of Tantra.

A true perception of Tantric Yoga:

Tantric Yoga is not just exercise. It is more like a philosophy of life. It may be based on different beliefs, which include Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and the New Age movement. Tantric Yoga acknowledges that the whole universe is an expression of either the Spirit, the Cosmic Mother known as Shakti, or the divine life force, depending on what belief it is based on. It is difficult to master because one cannot just learn it from the books. A Tantric yogi must be devoted to one’s guru in order to master it.

Tantric Yoga Involves Meditation:

A Tantric Yoga meditation session typically goes like this. A guru sits calmly, his mind freed of impure thoughts and desires. Using imagination and feeling, the student then gathers his or her own life force. This is moved up from the tailbone to the neck through the spine, and continues to rise until it reaches the forehead. The collected life force is then directed out of the forehead to form a body of light and energy that will expand until it is as large as a human being.

This imaginary body of light and energy actually represents the Tantric yogi’s soul and essence. Tantric Yoga directs love towards it before moving it back to the forehead, then all the way back down to the base of the spine. When the light has returned inside, the Tantric yogi feels enlightened and spiritually awakened.

A good Tantric yoga student must have faith, purity, courage, and devotion to his or her guru. Tantric Yoga beliefs can be so imbued within a devoted student that this type of Yoga can also be a way to overcome negative habits such as smoking, drinking, and overeating. It is certainly a good way to maintain physical, mental, and spiritual health.

Summary:

Tantric Yoga deals with expanding all levels of consciousness, whether waking, dreaming or sleep states, in order to unveil and realize the Supreme Reality. The practice of Tantric Yoga involves breathing exercises (pranayama), contemplation, visualization and the repetition of mantras. Through these practices, one can learn to identify the factors which influence thoughts and feelings and to transcend obstacles to evolution resulting from intolerance, ignorance, selfishness and an attachment to our animal nature. Thoughts and feelings are refined while peace, harmony and order are restored within one's self.

Yoga Certification- A prerequisite for Yoga Trainers

Who would have thought, Yoga, a simple, ancient Indian approach to holistic life would make everyone else in the world stand up on his or her heads, twist their torso, stretch limbs and breathe easy without any side effects? Today Yoga is a universal holistic approach for the mind, body and soul continues to fascinate humanity. However, how many of us are ready to accept that it works only if performed in its original state? Obviously one needs to have the proper methods of training oneself towards it. Thousands of years ago it was done perfectly. However, some of its techniques were twisted down the years. A few practitioners are aware of the correct methods and have Yoga schools for teachers. This now comes with proper Yoga Certification. It is necessary; as there are cases where doing wrong asana (exercises) have landed people in hospitals! Therefore, if you are a teacher aspirant you could train and get proper Yoga

Certification in the select places

Since Yoga has become so popular today, there are many short-term courses, workshops for learning yoga. Some choose programs, which they can use in combination with doing other exercise forms. For such people Yoga Instructor Certification is a good idea. Yoga is more effective when combined with other exercise. For such teachers courses can be taken any where in the world. In India, too such workshops are open and provide yoga instructor certification. Most of these courses are done in camps where everyone gets to meet and stay together and workout together. This is a good way of learning as one can learn 24 x 7.

Benefits of Yoga Certification:

Yoga certification enables one to teach the right method of doing asana, working out diet, and specific exercises for specific ailments. The government of India also recognizes some of the Yoga institutes where one can learn under experts are trained and obtain official qualification to spread the knowledge. As Yoga is getting popular in rest of the world, a proper teacher can get students who can benefit.

Only that person can teach who is aware of training the mind, body and soul in alignment before imparting it to others. There are four types of yoga- karma, bhakti, jnana and raji. Besides these, there are others, which focus on personal development.

By doing a specific yoga teacher certification one can specialize in a particular technique.

The advantages of doing a proper course (for at least 2 years) include an all rounded training program, theory, practical, learning medicines, combining with other exercises, meditation etc. Further than these are advanced courses which include Ayurveda, leaning from sutras, pranayam, cleansing techniques also. Learning process also includes a research project. Today learned teachers are paid good salaries too.

How to Find a Yoga Certification Program:

If you practice only Bikram Yoga, your choice of a training program will be clear-cut. However, you practice vinyasa or hatha yoga, you will have a lot more choices. The most obvious place to start looking is at your favorite yoga center. Many yoga studios offer teacher-training programs, but take a good look at the curriculum before you sign on. With trainees paying thousands of dollars in tuition, yoga teacher training has become a moneymaking operation. So make sure any program you consider is Yoga Alliance certified. This will guarantee that your certificate will be of value when you are finished, and also that you will spend a specified number of hours studying asana, teaching technique, anatomy, and philosophy.

You should also talk to your favorite yoga teachers about where they received their training. If you live in an area with no teacher-training programs, consider doing an intensive program at a yoga institute or ashram elsewhere. The Yoga Alliance website spells out their standards for certification and can help you identify Registered Yoga Schools in your area.

Summary:

If you have gotten hooked on yoga and have been practicing regularly for a few years, you may feel that you'd like to complete a teacher certification course. Even if you do not plan on teaching, a good training program will deepen your practice and increase your knowledge of anatomy, philosophy, sequencing, and alignment.

Yoga Accessories- A Step for Modern Yoga

Over a period, commercialization crept into the yoga arena. The number of yoga teachers and yoga institutes imparting the knowledge of yoga increased by leaps and bounds. Yoga became popular because it delivered results at three levels, physical, mental and spiritual. Yoga was no more a part of Indian traditions and her ancient wisdom.

But with changing times, yoga accessories began to sprout and took the modern world by storm, along with the benefits of yoga. Any industry has to be run by the norms of the business world. Competition, craze, colors, quality, and advertisement- all began to play their parts. The accessories promised that they will help one to achieve the maximum results and benefits of yoga sessions. And who is not fascinated by a fit body, free from illnesses and attractive yoga attire!

The great thing about yoga is that you do not need a lot of equipment and accessories in order to do a yoga session. However, there are a number of equipment and accessories available that can help you do yoga.

Yoga accessories includes yoga mats, yoga gear, yoga CDs and DVDs and yoga books. As none of this is really essential, you can choose which yoga accessories you would like to purchase.

Yoga accessories are available in health food shops, meditation shops, and new age shops and over the internet. You can even find yoga accessories in department stores and supermarkets. They used to be quite hard to find, but as yoga has increased in popularity so has the availability of yoga accessories.

Here are some of the most important Yoga accessories you will need in your regular practices.

1. Yoga mats

A Yoga mat is an essential accessory for Yoga practice, whether it is a standard non slip mat, ultra sticky or even an Indian Yoga rug mat. This is because it is essential to have a good surface that supports postures and is safe to work on. By far the most popular style is the sticky-mat. It is so called because it grips the floor and does not slide.
The beauty about having one's own mat is that that just by laying down on it; you get immersed and attuned to your yoga space. It sharpens the focus and awareness to what you are about to do and helps create just the right mental state for a session. Yoga Mats are really one of the more useful yoga accessories though not considered absolutely essential by some.

2. Yoga blocks

Yoga blocks are simple tools that help you ease into difficult poses by strengthening, stretching, and aligning your body without strain. They open up the possibilities of letting your body stretch and enter more deeply into your practices with safety and confidence.

A Yoga block shortens the distance between you and the floor, providing a stable anchor point thereby reducing strain. You can use it to ground your lower hand in a standing pose, to space the hands in the peacock pose, or to support your hips in the bridge pose

3. Yoga straps

Yoga straps help you grasp your limbs that are normally out of reach. They also help you hold poses longer, greatly increasing flexibility. Yoga Straps normally come in three lengths, 6', 8' and 10'. They also come in different buckle styles on sturdy 1-1/2 inch cotton webbing that adjust easily and hold securely.

4. Yoga blankets and rugs

Yoga rugs provide a bit more cushion than sticky mats. They are perfect for absorbing perspiration for the hot styles of Yoga. In order to avoid slipping on hardwood floors, it is advisable to place a sticky mat beneath your rug. Yoga blankets are a versatile accessory that functions as a prop.

5. Yoga bags and totes

The unique shape of a Yoga bag provides an interesting challenge when it comes to transporting your gear. Fortunately, you have mat bags, carriers and totes to solve this problem, from the practical to the luxurious. Nowadays, Yoga bags are available in all sizes, styles and colors. These are among the most practical of Yoga accessories.

Summary:
 
Although yoga does not require too much accessories, the usefulness of yoga accessories cannot be doubted as it will make you more relaxed and secure. There are a few requisite yoga accessories that you cannot do without, especially clothing such as upper body wear and pants. The next is a yoga mat for practicing the various yoga poses, and then there are the yoga shoes or socks. Other like a bag for yoga mat, DVDs for self study and water bottle are optional, including yoga props.

Yoga Clothing- Be comfortable as well as Enjoy Yoga!!!

The right yoga clothes will make your exercises a lot more enjoyable. The practice of yoga is a combination of various body poses. The goal is to promote a healthy and fit body. The question still remains - what should I wear?

It would help, if you knowing what you shouldn't wear. Don't wear anything that will restrict bodily movements. The obvious items including jeans, dress shirts will not allow the body to relax and breathe freely. As simple as it is, make sure that you take the time to use the proper clothing.

Yoga Clothes Advice

There are certain important points that must be looked out for in yoga clothes. The following are some of these:-

1.   The yoga clothes must be loose-fitting. They must have a smooth enough flow to move with the body as it moves.

2.   It is very necessary that yoga clothes must be as natural as possible. Cotton is a very good choice, and it can be blended with other fabrics to add to its strength. Also, cotton allows the body to breathe. Cotton blended with hemp is also a very good choice.

3.   It is also important that yoga clothes must not be in too bright colors. That can distract from the meditative approach of the science. Go for whites and pastel colors, at least for the tops.

4.   Short and long clothes do not matter. Most people are quite comfortable practicing yoga in their shorts, but there is no harm if long pants are worn, provided that they do not obstruct the movements of the body.

5.   If possible, go for the Prana yoga clothing. These clothes are made of natural fabrics and they are mostly kept seamless. The advantage is that they completely move with the body, and do not restrict movement in any way.

Types of Yoga Clothes:

Here are some of the things that you should look for in yoga clothing so that they work well for you and make you feel good about yourself and your practice.

1. Yoga Pants

There are many types of yoga pants. Some are long and go down to your ankles; others stop just below your knees. Often they are relatively formed fitting. These types of pants have the benefit of allowing your instructor to see your alignment so she can make any necessary adjustments to your form.
If you aren’t comfortable in pants that are so revealing, you might enjoy wearing loose, cotton trousers. They offer freedom of movement without being too tight.

Whatever pants you choose, make sure that you can bend and move freely in them. Also be sure that there are no bulky ties at the waist that might be uncomfortable when you are lying in a prone position.

2. Yoga Shorts

Yoga shorts are a very good choice if you practice Bikram or hot yoga, because the room is heated to such a high temperature. They are a good bet in the warm summer months when long pants might be too warm. They also help you more easily check the proper alignment of your lower body because you can see your knees and ankles.

The yoga shorts should be long enough to cover your derriere and they should not ride up. Form fitting shorts usually don’t move too much, so they may be just right for you.

3. Yoga Tops

Yoga tops should allow you to move freely without having them fall in your face. Tee shirts should be short enough so that your lower body is not hidden, so you can more easily check your alignment. Yoga tops come in many bright and attractive colors. You might also have fun wearing shirts with characters such as Yoga girl on them.

4. Yoga Shoes

Most people do not wear shoes during their practice. However, they might be useful if you practice outside in a park, on a beach, or someplace where you would not want to take off your shoes and socks. Yoga shoes look very similar to other athletic footwear, except that the soles allow for considerable flexibility in your foot and the tops of the shoes are very lightweight. Some popular brands include Puma yoga shoes and Adidas shoes for yoga.


5. Jacket

Many people might not think that a jacket is an important part of yoga clothing, but I beg to disagree. I think it is absolutely critical to take a jacket with you to your yoga class. Bringing a jacket with you gives you an option of covering up during the relaxation period if you are feeling chilly. Feeling warm and comfortable allows you the pleasure of letting your body relax fully.

Summary:

So yoga clothes should be functional, comfortable, and give you the freedom to totally enjoy your practice. Have fun with them and enjoy wearing the ones that make you feel good!

Yoga Techniques- Relief from Stress & Anxiety

IF you're practicing yoga, understanding and applying techniques properly is very important. Yoga can be an important part of an overall campaign to improve your health, since exercise is a big part of preventing disease and staying healthy. It's one of the most effective methods, since it puts little strain on the body, and provides many other health benefits. It's also easy to practice yoga wherever you are, since it requires no special equipment. You can do it at home or away, at whatever time you choose. Many people prefer yoga as their method for living a healthy, happy life.

Yoga can help you maintain good internal health, including good circulation, healthy organs, glands and other tissues, as well as providing strength and flexibility to muscles, connective tissue and joints. It's also been said to help relieve stress and improve concentration. Many people also use yoga as a way to attain spiritual fulfillment.

There are plenty of yoga techniques available. However, there are a few that are very effective, no matter where you are or when you'd like to practice.

Different Yoga Techniques for perfect Yoga:

Here are five basic yoga techniques that form the foundation of many others. They are: relaxation, posture, meditation, joint movement, and deep breathing. Every technique performs its own function in concert with the others, to produce the desired effect.

1. Relaxation: Relaxation is composed of a number of other yoga techniques to help you improve your concentration, allowing you to focus your attention more effectively. It can also help reduce stress and anxiety. For instance, the Hong-Sau is a technique meant to help focus your latent powers of concentration, and to develop your Divine Consciousness. The familiar Aum technique uses simple repetitive sounds to expand awareness beyond the body's limitations. Remember that one of the main objectives of yoga is creating a satisfying feeling of relaxation. It's important to find out how to effectively release your tension, allowing you to feel better and to be healthier.

2. Posture: You will of course need to be able to perform the right exercises and learn the right postures that will give your body the right tone and these exercises will often require you to sit, stand or even lie down. The better you are with these techniques, the more comfortable you will feel with different yoga postural exercises, and even if the postures require you to perform difficult poses, the proper yoga techniques will help you gain mastery.

3. Meditation: Meditation is one of the Five techniques of Yoga. It is the practice by which there is constant observation of the mind. It requires you to focus your mind at one point and make your mind still in order to perceive the 'self'. Through the practice of Meditation, you will achieve a greater sense of purpose and strength of will. It also helps you achieve a clearer mind, improve your concentration, and discover the wisdom and tranquility within you.

4. Joint Movement: In Sanskrit, the movement of the joints is referred to as "sandhichalana". This yoga technique, as the name implies, focuses on the joints, which undergo full movements. It's important to remember that this applies to all joints, from the hands to the neck and lower limbs.

5. Deep Breathing: Yoga breathing is one of the most important aspects of a successful yoga practice. Well, first of all you need to acknowledge that by the process of breathing we provide our bodies with the necessary amounts of oxygen that we all require in order to thrive. Moreover, the breathing process is vital because it is an efficient way of getting rid of the by-products of metabolism our bodies generate. Deep breathing leads to stronger lungs and to a healthier heart & Relaxation of the body and mind.

Though you can perform yoga techniques at any place, it is much better to perform them in quietude as well as in seclusion and even choosing times of the day such as sunrise and sunset is most recommended. And, if you are lucky enough to have mastered the five main yoga techniques, you could even go on to become a guru or senior and learn other techniques as well.

Summary:

Yoga is an ancient form of exercise wherein participants use certain postures in combination with dedicated breathing techniques to improve physical and emotional health. Unlike many other forms of exercise, yoga connects mind and body in a journey towards overall health. There are many forms of yoga techniques in practice today. Deciding what technique works best for you is a very personal choice.

Yoga techniques, when done properly, will bring you a sense of peace and vitality that can last for a lifetime.

Yoga Diet – Healthy Food is the key for perfect Mind & Body

The Yoga Diet is one the Five Principles of Yoga. You will soon notice that eating properly will aid your health and make you feel fit and cleaner. The Yoga Diet is a perfect complement to Yoga Exercise. Despite the fact that the Yoga Diet is not a diet in the common sense of the word, you will probably lose considerable weight by just eating only healthy foods. Even if you do not want to become a vegetarian, following these basic Yoga Diet rules as it will make you feel so much better.

About Yogic Diet:

The yogic diet is mostly a vegetarian kind of diet. That consists of mostly pure and natural foods that are raw and easily digested and these foods support health. Yoga diet products the digestive and assimilation greatly. The common nutritional requirements are divided into five basic categories, proteins, carbohydrates, fats, minerals, fats, and vitamins.

You should have certain knowledge of dietetics in order to balance your yogic diet. Eating foods that are picked right from nature, grown in rich fertile soil that is preferably organic which are grown without chemicals or pesticides, cooked, if ever strictly according to the traditional yoga diet recipes will promote a better supply of your nutritional needs. And, keep in mind that packaging, refining, and cooking destroy much food value.

Yogis believe that the flesh of the dead animals is inferior by its nature. All natural yoga diet products like fruits, vegetables, nuts, and whole grains have different proportions of those essential nutrients. As a great source of nutrition, those yogic diet food groups are easily digested into the body. However, the second hand sources are usually more difficult to assimilate and so are much less valuable to the organism.

The healthy motto of the yogic diet is eating to live not live to eat. It is only right that we understand that the sole purpose of eating is supplying our bodies with the life force or in sand script, prana, the vital energy. Therefore, the greatest nutrition of the yoga seeker is the simple yogic diet consisting of natural and fresh foods.

However, the original yogic diet is even more selective than what we have mentioned above. The yogis are concerned with the side effects that the foods have on the human mind and the entire body. They then avoid food that are over stimulating and prefer the foods that keep the mind in calm and peaceful state and leave the intellect sharp. A seeker that seriously accepts the path of the yogic diet should avoid meat fish, eggs, onion, garlic, beverages like coffee, tea, and soda pop, herbal tea is the exception. You should not have alcohol and drugs of course.

Any change in an individual yogic diet should be made carefully and gradually after thoughtful consideration. A person may begin by substituting bigger portions of vegetables, seeds, and nuts until at last all the so called flesh products are excluded from your diet. The yogic diet allows you to maintain a healthy health standard, keep your mind crystal clear, and your intellect sharp.

Yogis call it as a Sattvic Diet:

Sattvic Food

* The purest diet

* The most suitable one for any serious student of yoga.

* Nourishes the body and maintains it in a peaceful state.

* Calms and purifies the mind, enabling it to function at its maximum potential.

* Leads to true health; a peaceful mind in control of a fit body, with a balanced flow of energy between them.

Sattvic foods include:

* Cereals

* Whole meal bread

* Fresh fruit and vegetables

* Pure fruit juices

* Milk

* Butter and cheese

* Legumes

* Nuts

* Seeds

* Sprouted seeds

* Honey and herb teas

Summary:

In Yoga, the Sattvic diet is considered to be a very important issue for the holistic health of a Yoga practitioner. The Sattvic Diet does bring about peaceful behavior, while nourishing the body and mind.

Never “play at” being superior, because you are eating healthy or practicing Yoga. This is a big “turn off” to those who would benefit from eating a Sattvic diet and healthy living.

Eating healthy, and practicing Yoga, is a personal choice. It is also true that no one can be forced to eat healthy. You will do more damage than good by making an issue over dieting, even if you are right.