Using Yogic Posture Exercises as Workout Routine

By Sanjay Johari

The word “YOGA” is derived from Sanskrit, an ancient Indian language. The literal meaning of Yoga is addition, or joining or combining. The practice of Yoga involves a set of routines and carefully controlled lifestyle which help in realizing inner potential, attaining higher consciousness level and aligning or becoming one with the all pervading consciousness or energy level. While attempting to reach the goal, there is tremendous improvement in physical, mental and emotional health.

Yogic postures, called Yogasanas, form one component of Yogic practices. By themselves these postures can bring about awesome benefits in overall fitness. There are prescribed methods of doing these exercises. Basically one has to form the body in a particular posture, hold the body in that posture for sometime and then slowly come back to what we can call the posture of rest. These exercises are characterized by absence of jerks and slow body movements.

To understand these exercises better let us compare them with dynamic exercises with which we are more familiar, such as acrobatics, gymnastics, jogging etc. These exercises are effective on muscular, circulatory and respiratory systems. There are dynamic Yogic exercises (different from Yogic posture exercises) which also stimulate nervous and glandular system. All these exercises involve speed and dynamic body movements resulting in expenditure of energy and perspiration.

In Yogic posture exercises there is deep relaxation and energy conservation resulting in freshness. This is basically a nerve culture as it relaxes the nerves. The exercise starts from the posture of rest. First lie down in this posture, calm down your breathing, calm down your nerves and calm down your thoughts. Then form the posture you have in mind with slow body movement without jerk of any kind. Posture exercises are accompanied by prescribed breathing pattern. This posture is maintained for prescribed length of time which may be several seconds to few minutes. Then come back slowly to the posture of rest. After remaining in rest for 30 seconds to few minutes, the next posture exercise is done. This pattern is repeated for as long as you wish to do the exercise. Normally exercise workout routine for 30 minutes in a day is good enough for an average person.

Doing these exercises regularly gives remarkable benefits. Generally circulation of body fluids improves and metabolic activities become more efficient. Better blood circulation ensures more thorough distribution of oxygen in the body and more complete removal of toxins. Additionally each posture benefits particular set of organs and muscles. Depending upon the need and condition of health, tailor-made set of exercises can be designed.

Many people believe that life-force flows in our nerves. When the flow of life-force is unregulated and uncoordinated it provides conditions for development of body disorders or ailments from within the body. Yogic posture exercises work very well in this area and prevent ailments. The overall body vigour and freshness are maintained. There is a balance of metabolic activities and unnecessary growths in the body are avoided.

If you are looking for general well being, life free from diseases and lifetime fitness regular Yogic posture exercises can help you. Though these exercises can be combined with other work-outs, they can by themselves provide all the workout routine you need for maintaining a good health.

Sanjay Johari regularly contributes articles to various ezines. See his site for more information on health and workout routine:
http://sanjay-j.com/workoutroutine/

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Yoga Improves Fitness: One Trial and You'll See

By Foras Aje

Interest in Yoga for fitness is increasing across the country and it is a widely accepted fact that Yoga is great for the body. What was once ridiculed as a bizarre fad is today recognized as a basic skill that many people have embraced as a way of life and a first-rate choice for physical and mental fitness.

Yoga is so popular these days that many celebrities like Madonna, Sting, Russell Simmons and Ricky Martin to name a few have become informal advocates for this form of exercise. From increased flexibility, strength, endurance to delayed aging and massaging of the internal organs of the body, the benefits of Yoga seem limitless.

I stumbled upon it personally after telling a friend in the gym several years back that “Hey man, look at apes and all, we are so similar, they don’t lift these boring weights and they are so much stronger, in fact Bruce Lee was known to NOT lift any weights but to perform several Hindu Push-ups, so there’s got to be another kind of exercise to do for fitness on the inside and out…” Well, he passed on a book on Yoga to me the next day and lo and behold, I’ve been hooked ever since.

From my own studies, research and practice, I’ve come to realize that Yoga is more than just stretching, is not only an exercise for women: (I challenge the most hard-core body-builder to hold a peacock pose for 2 minutes!!) and is quite simply great.

Many people practice Yoga exclusively and at times for days on end, that is the only exercise I perform with as much emphasis on the unique ‘Sun salutations’ as possible. I single these core warm-up routines of Yoga out as they restore flexibility to the spine and believe it when I say they miraculously endow you with strength to hold challenging poses such as the Wheel, Peacock and Crow poses for several minutes on end. I mention these poses, because being a guy, these are the main ones that enhance the muscle groups us guys are so concerned about: Arms, Chest and Abs.

I’ve also found that when combining these poses with other body-weight exercises like Hindu Squats and Push-ups, regular push-ups, reverse push-ups, pull ups and aerobic exercises, you really may not (re-phrase will not) need a gym or cumbersome equipment to get a total body workout.

Another great benefit of Yoga lies in its unique Abdominal and Breathing exercises.
These ones work. Being a former asthmatic and lethargic person, they have been an integral reason why my breathing (and singing mind you) has improved so drastically.
Moreover, they have spiritual benefits such as clearer thinking, clairvoyance and increased focus.

It is important, however, when practicing Yoga to adhere to a healthy diet, most books on the subject advocate a Vegan/vegetarian diet (which is fine by me being as I have been a vegan for several years, and this is arguably the main reason I believe I was able to cure over a decade of marring acne as well.) This simple, yet very effective discipline or sacrifice will aid you in gaining the most from Yoga as some poses do speed up detoxification and cleansing.

Now for fitness, since most Yoga poses are Isometric in nature, you may choose to combine them with conventional exercises as while the latter builds the muscles up, Yoga definitely will relax them and add tonality much quicker. This simple principle is why Basketball coach Phil Jackson brought his Yoga philosophy to the Los Angeles Lakers and in June of 2000 led the team to their first championship in 12 years; needless to say, similar methods were used in the coaching of the Chicago Bulls during their successful tenure as NBA champions under his guidance.

In addition to the points above, Jackson’s philosophy on Yoga embraces the facts that

1. Yoga strengthens and streamlines your muscles, giving you a leaner yet stronger body, with longer and toned muscles instead of short bulkier ones common to body-builders. This gives everyone from athletes to housewives, increased ability to perform their duties better.

2. Yoga calms and clears the mind for more focused thinking.

3. Yoga energizes the average practitioner while simultaneously increasing one’s flexibility.

4. Yoga offers psychological benefits in that it increases self-confidence, esteem and self-acceptance as no other exercise can.

5. Yoga tones and normalizes internal organs like the endocrine, digestive, excretory, reproductive and respiratory systems through the gentle, yet very effective poses it’s associated with.

Here are two last reasons I set aside based on their uniqueness: Sexual fitness & animal magnetism? Well, yoga gives you that…just try its breathing and abdominal exercises and inverted poses, namely the shoulder-stand and you will see for yourself what I am talking about.

So there you have it, a few of the many reasons why Yoga is so popular and with good cause. Now to improve your fitness levels beyond your imagination, why not incorporate a little bit (or heck a whole lot) of Yoga. Trust me, your body will be glad you did.

Discover proven ways of attaining improved health with the all-natural methods of a proper diet, Yoga and positive thinking. For additional information on yoga for fitness and healthy living go to: http://www.bodyhealthsoul.com

Discover proven ways of attaining improved health with the all-natural methods of a proper diet, Yoga and positive thinking. For additional information on yoga for fitness and healthy living go to: http://www.bodyhealthsoul.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Foras_Aje

Asthma Treatment and You - Overcome Your Asthma Naturally

By Foras Aje
From my very first Asthma attack at the age of seven till my last one about 5 years ago, Asthma (along with acne in my teenage and early adult years) had been a health problem that I had to deal with. Needless to say, those were some depressing years.
Depressing because I had been told my doctors, family and friends that there wasn’t a cure for Asthma, heck my pastor even went as far as to say that along with my acne, “in every thing give thanks for this is the will of God for you…”
Alas, they were all wrong.
Asthma can be cured and naturally at that. My belief is if it worked for me, it can definitely work for anyone plagued by this disease.
I was so vulnerable to this respiratory disorder that even the slightest friendly pat on the back would ignite an asthma attack characterized by wheezes, gasps, and cough spells, that could last as long as a week.
This went on till I stumbled on Drugless Healing and its abilities to alleviate so-called incurable diseases. This method of healing involves the use of Proper Diet, Exercise and mental attunements and can be applied to an Asthma treatment regimen as well for great benefits.
Let me show you how:
First of all, let’s start with its definition.
Asthma is a chronic inflammation of the bronchial tubes (airways) that causes swelling and narrowing (constriction) of the airways. The result is difficulty breathing. The bronchial narrowing is usually either totally or at least partially reversible with treatments.
That’s its definition in the medical fraternity, but based on my experiences, I will simply choose to believe that Asthma, like any other disease known to man, is a result of a clogging of the human bodily tissues which is a 99.99% consequence of eating disease/mucus forming foods, which include (but are not limited to) Animal foods such as meat, milk, cheese and eggs, Grains and their by products, processed and junk foods.
Abstinence from the products above is a must and a fact that has been in effect in several asthma treatment programs aimed at correcting respiratory health such as the "Breath Retaining Program For Asthmatics" developed by the Russian, Dr. Buteyko. Within weeks of adhering to this advice, many chronic asthmatics have been able to give up the use of ventolin inhalers.
Therefore, the first step in achieving a successful asthma treatment will simply be to make a change in your diet by avoiding mucus forming foods and adhering to consuming their direct opposites, the body healing/alkaline forming foods. These include Seasonal, Organic Fruits, Roots and Leafy Vegetables and very little nuts.
It may sound boring or unrealistic but, if curing your asthma (or any disease or condition you may have as a matter of fact) is your goal, this sacrifice is well worth it. Besides, with so many fruits and vegetables to choose from, abstinence from Acid-forming foods shouldn’t be difficult at all.
In addition to all of the facts mentioned above, based on scientific research, the human body goes through a cleansing process from twelve midnight until twelve noon, and a building program from twelve noon to twelve midnight. Therefore, what is eaten during these respective periods must be harmonious with the natural processes. That said a suggested menu plan will be
1. Fresh squeezed Fruit Juice for breakfast.
2. A mono-meal of a juicy, seasonal fruit for lunch
3. A fresh home-made salad, steamed root and/or leafy vegetables or a wise combination of all three for dinner.
Also, do not consume liquids of any kind with your meals as this practice hinders digestion by diluting the juices in the stomach. This brings about a constriction of the diaphragm, inhibiting its natural motions needed for respiration. If there is a natural thirst (as with an alkaline forming diet, thirst is minimal as an added benefit) drink only enough to quench your desire with pure distilled water at least an hour before or after your meals and certainly 2 hours at least before going to bed.
Strictly avoid the use of Microwaves (you may refer to my personal experience with them in the section of my site concerning Acne)-the source of information on this is issued at the end of Chapter 13 in the downloadable e-book, but for a brief overview of this topic the balancing of specific foods is not the only important aspect of a healthy diet, but as important is the manner in which the foods are cooked.
Other things to avoid are excessively cold drinks, excessive exposure to cold, air-conditioning, heaters (without the use of humidifiers and a cracked window for fresh air during winter times-Hint: sleep closer to the cracked window, while I lived in Minneapolis, MN for two years that was my trick to ensure I was properly ventilated at night), fans etc.
Also, avoid at all costs eating conventional fruits they are loaded with disease forming pesticides and sprays that upon consumption wreak havoc on the respiratory organs, take it from this author, I learned this the hard way!
With proper breathing techniques as offered for free on my site and a suggested adherence to the dietetic principles above, be assured that you are well on your way to curing your asthma naturally and permanently.
Asthma need not be a part of your life anymore, you, like many others can control it and make it a thing of your past.
Discover proven ways of effective asthma treatments with the all-natural methods of a proper diet, exercise and even positive thinking. Download your preview or simply print out the free information at http://www.bodyhealthsoul.com/asthma.htm
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Foras_Aje

Naturopathy

Naturopathy is an umbrella term used in most Western countries to cover a range of therapies coming under the heading of “natural medicine.”

Originally coined by the German pioneer Benedict Lust, naturopathy means, literally, “natural treatment,” and today its practitioners are generally those trained at specialist colleges in a range of skills that include acupuncture, herbalism, homeopathy, osteopathy, hydrotherapy, massage, nutrition, and diet.

Lust came up with the term “naturopathy” after he, and his fellow-countryman Henry Lindlahr, emigrated to the United States early in the 20th century. But he based his ideas almost entirely on those of a 19th century German predecessor Vincent Preissnitz, who founded “Nature Cure,” and the Austrian Dominican friar Father Kneipp. Nature Cure, and “natural hygiene,” are still terms used by practitioners who claim to follow this form of natural medicine first recommended by Hippocrates.

Training in naturopathy is becoming standard for those interested in practicing natural medicine in its widest sense. Countries such as the United Stated, Australia, Canada, Germany, Israel, New Zealand, and South Africa now run full three to four year course leading to a recognized degree or diploma.

Naturopaths hold that infections seldom occur if the body is looked after in the way nature intended and that the body will cure itself of anything as long as it takes in only pure air and water, is kept clean, and given the right food and healthy activity. But they also believe that illness is natural and that methods of cure should follow the same natural principles.

Douglas Adams is the owner of All Wellbeing.com , a website dedicated to increasing knowledge of health related issues.

For high quality health care products click here.

Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy is the use of essential oils from plants to enhance health and appearance. The term was coined by its originator, the French chemist Rene-Maurice Gattefosse.

Aromatherapy is used for a wide variety of problems, ranging from anxiety and insomnia to acne, cellulite, and aging skin.

Each essential oil has its own characteristic aroma and profile of therapeutic properties. Some oils are soothing and relaxing, others are stimulating and invigorating. Certain fragrances have an effect on a user's mental state: jasmine and neroli may lift depression, marjoram soothes anxiety, and peppermint can enhance mental concentration. But an even greater number of essential oils are physically therapeutic and possess antibacterial, antiseptic, or anti-inflammatory properties. These can be highly effective in relieving the symptoms of such common infections as colds and influenza.

There are several ways to use essential oils to reap the full benefits of aromatherapy. Choose those oils with the properties that are most suited to the effect desired, and use them either singly or in combinations of no more than two or three at a time.

On the skin essential oils are highly concentrated: always mix an essential oil with a carrier oil before applying it to the skin. Add one to three drops of essential oil to a teaspoonful of vegetable oil such as almond, soybean, grape seed, avocado, or wheat germ oil. Store larger quantities of unused oil in a bottle made of tinted glass and keep in a cool place. Apply the mixture directly onto the skin, rubbling it in gently.

Douglas Adams is the owner of All Wellbeing.com , a website dedicated to increasing knowledge of health related issues.

For high quality health care products click here.