The Heart Chakra

The Heart Chakra is associated with the color green or pink. This love center of our human energy system is often the focus in bringing about a healing. Thus, the words “Love Heals All” have great truth. Hurtful situations that can effect our emotional being are divorce or separation, grief through death, emotional abuse, abandonment, adultery. All of these are wounding to the heart chakra. Physical illnesses brought about by heartbreak require that an emotional healing occur along with the physical healing. Learning to love yourself is a powerful first step in securing a healthy fourth chakra. The “wounded child” resides in the heart chakra. 

Chakra Four – Associations

• Color – green, pink


• Sanskrit Name – anahata


• Physical Location – center of chest


• Purposes – emotional empowerment


• Spiritual Lesson – forgiveness, unconditional love, letting go, trust, compassion


• Physical Disfunctions- heart conditions, asthma, lung & breast cancers, thoracic spine, pneumonia, upper back, shoulder problems


• Mental and Emotional Issues – love, compassion, confidence, inspiration, hope, despair, hate, envy, fear, jealousy, anger, generosity


• Information Stored Inside Heart Chakra – connections or “heart strings” to those whom we love


• Area of Body Governed – heart, circulatory system, blood, lungs, rib cage, diaphragm, thymus, breasts, esophagus, shoulders, arms, hands

The above excerpt was taken from an ariticle written by Phylameana lila Desy  Phylameana lila Desy is certified in Usui Shiki Ryoho Reiki and the Science of Intuition from the Holos Institutes of Health. She embraces holistic healing as a way of life.

It just so happens that Anahata is one of my favorite Asanas.  Anahata can be done by starting in Downward Facing Dog.  From Downward Dog, put your knees on the mat and then take your hands and stretch them all the way out in from of you, moving them as far as you can until you end up with your chest (heart center) and underside of chin on the floor.  If the chin is not possible then you can rest your forehead on the mat.   I love the liberating feeling this gives me in my heart center and it’s a great stretch for the front side of the body.

Please share and comment please.

Namaste,

Marne

The Throat Chakra

The Throat Chakra is associated with the color sky blue. This chakra is our will center. The healthfulness of the fifth chakra is in relation to how honestly one expresses himself/herself. Lying violates the body and spirit . We speak our choices with our voices (throats). All choices we make in our lives have consequences on an energetic level. Even choosing not to make a choice such as in repressing our anger (not speaking out) may manifest into laryngitis. We have all experienced that “lump in our throats” when we are at a crossroad of not knowing how to speak the right words in any given situation, perhaps even stuffing our own emotions. A challenge of the throat chakra is to express ourselves in the most truthful manner. Also to receive and assimilate information.  Seek only the truth.

Chakra Five – Associations

• Color - blue


• Sanskrit Name - vishuddha


• Physical Location - throat, neck region


• Purposes - learning to take responsibility for one’s own needs


• Spiritual Lesson - confession, surrender personal will over to divine will, faith, truthfulness over deceit


• Physical Dysfunctions- sore throat, mouth ulcers, scoliosis, swollen glands, thyroid dysfunctions, laryngitis, voice problems, gum or tooth problems, TMJ


• Mental and Emotional Issues - personal expression, creativity, addiction, criticism, faith, decision making (choices), will, lack of authority


• Information Stored Inside Throat Chakra - self-knowledge, truth, attitudes, hearing, taste, smell


• Area of Body Governed - throat, thyroid, trachea, neck vertebrae, mouth, teeth, gums, esophagus, parathyroid, hyperthalemus.

The above excerpt was taken from an ariticle written by Phylameana lila Desy.  Phylameana lila Desy is certified in Usui Shiki Ryoho Reiki and the Science of Intuition from the Holos Institutes of Health. She embraces holistic healing as a way of life.

I like the way she says “seek only the truth”.  Similarly, the truth will set you free right?  Herbal Tea is especially good for the throat Chakra.  Singing or screaming can exercise this area and so can “Lion’s Breath” which is a somewhat loud roar done in yoga class…typically in downward dog while sticking the tongue all the way out to the chin.  The teacher will commonly tell you when to do this…it maybe will happen once or twice a yoga class.

Please comment and share.

Namaste,

Marne

The Solar Plexus Chakra

The Solar Plexus Chakra is associated with the color yellow. This is the area which defines our “self-esteem”. The personality that develops during puberty is housed in this chakra….otherwise known as the “EGO”. Anyone experiencing dysfunction of the third chakra is having difficulty obtaining or maintaining his/her own “personal power”. This intuitive chakra is where we get our “gut instincts” that signal us to do or not to do something. Strong self-esteem is a required for developing intuitive skills. 

Chakra Three – Associations

• Color – yellow


• Sanskrit Name – manipura


• Physical Location – solar plexus


• Purposes – mental understanding of emotional life


• Spiritual Lesson – acceptance of your place in the life stream. (self-love)


• Physical Dysfunctions- stomach ulcers, intestinal tumors, diabetes, pancreatitis, indigestion, anorexia/bulimia, hepatitis, cirrhosis, adrenal imbalances, arthritis, colon diseases


• Mental and Emotional Issues – self esteem, fear of rejection, oversensitivity to criticism, self-image fears, fears of our secrets being found out, indecisiveness


• Information Stored Inside Sacral Chakra – personal power, personality, consciousness of self within the universe (sense of belonging), knowing


• Area of Body Governed – upper abdomen, umbilicus to rib cage, liver, gallbladder, middle spine, spleen, kidney, adrenals, small intestines, stomach

This excerpt was taken from an article written by Phylameana lila Desy.

The Solar Plexus Chakra is located between your chest and abdomen.   This area, as the author has noted it is related to your intuition.  My intuition is very strong and it has served me well on many occasions.  Here’s how to increase and activate this area.  Focus on this sun for a moment. You may never have paid attention to this area of your body before…focus on this area and then think about the brightness of the sun.  This can be done in seated mediation or during your yoga practice.   Or…just sitting as you are right now in front of your computer.   This sun represents your inner strength, your intuition, and all your inner resources.  Allow your sun to glow brighter and stronger each time you pay attention to it.  Remember this area when you’re feeling insecure.  Use it to heal that aspect of your Ego and develop your intuition.

Please comment and share.

Namaste,

Marne

Do’s and Don’ts of a Yoga Class

Dos and Don’ts

Don’t…

• have a big meal right before class. Try eating lightly a few hours before class starts.


• drink water during class, but have some before and after.  It’s ok to take a sip if you need it, but the concept is to not put out your “fire” that you’re cultivating in yoga.


• wear shoes or socks during class.


• feel competitive or compare yourself to others during class.

Do…

• review yoga etiquette so you feel very comfortable entering an unfamiliar situation, download my guide located on the offer page.


• tell the teacher it’s your first class (you probably won’t be the only one).


• ask the teacher for help if you need it.


• look around and follow what other student are doing, especially if the teacher does not demonstrate every pose. However, keep in mind that you may be looking at more advanced students, so do not compare yourself to them.


• familiarize yourself with some beginners’ yoga poses before you take your first class.


• come back in a few days for your next class!

Comment and Share please~

Namaste,

Marne

Overview of Yoga Styles

There are many different styles of yoga being taught and practiced today. Although all of the styles are based on the same physical postures (called poses), each has a particular emphasis. Here is a quick guide to the most popular types of yoga that can help you decode the schedule at your gym and figure out which class is right for you.

HATHA

Hatha is a very general term that can encompass many of the physical types of yoga. If a class is described as Hatha style, it is probably going to be slow-paced and gentle and provide a good introduction to the basic yoga poses.

VINYASA

Like Hatha, Vinyasa is a general term that is used to describe many different types of classes. Vinyasa, which means breath-synchronized movement, tends to be a more vigorous style based on the performance of a series of poses called Sun Salutations, in which movement is matched to the breath. A Vinyasa class will typically start with a number of Sun Salutations to warm up the body for more intense stretching that’s done at the end of class.

ASHTANGA & POWER YOGA

Ashtanga, which means “eight limbs” in Sanskrit, is a fast-paced, intense style of yoga. A set series of poses is performed, always in the same order. Ashtanga practice is very physically demanding because of the constant movement from one pose to the next. In yoga terminology, this movement is called flow.  Ashtanga is also the inspiration for what is often called Power Yoga. If a class is described as Power Yoga, it will be based on the flowing style of Ashtanga, but not necessarily keep strictly to the set Ashtanga series of poses.

IYENGAR

Based on the teachings of the yogi B.K.S Iyengar, this style of practice is most concerned with bodily alignment. In yoga, the word alignment is used to describe the precise way in which your body should be positioned in each pose in order to obtain the maximum benefits and avoid injury. Iyengar practice usually emphasizes holding poses over long periods versus moving quickly from one pose to the next (flow).  Also, Iyengar practice encourages the use of props, such as yoga blankets, blocks and straps, in order to bring the body into alignment.

KUNDALINI

The emphasis in Kundalini is on the breath in conjunction with physical movement, with the purpose of freeing energy in the lower body and allowing it to move upwards. All asana practices make use of controlling the breath. But in Kundalini, the exploration of the effects of the breath (also called prana, meaning energy) on the postures is essential.

BIKRAM/HOT YOGA

Pioneered by Bikram Choudhury, this style is more generally referred to as Hot Yoga. It is practiced in a 95 to 100 degree room, which allows for a loosening of tight muscles and profuse sweating, which is thought to be cleansing. The Bikram method is a set series of 26 poses, but not all hot classes make use of this series.

ANUSARA

Founded in 1997 by John Friend, Anusara combines a strong emphasis on physical alignment with a positive philosophy derived from Tantra. The philosophy’s premise is belief in the intrinsic goodness of all beings. Anusara classes are usually light-hearted and accessible to students of differing abilities. Poses are taught in a way that opens the heart, both physically and mentally, and props are often used.

JIVAMUKTI

This style of yoga emerged from one of New York’s best-known yoga studios. Jivamukti founders David Life and Sharon Gannon take inspiration from Ashtanga yoga and emphasize chanting, meditation, and spiritual teachings. They have trained many teachers who have brought this style of yoga to studios and gyms, predominantly in the U.S. These classes are physically intense and often include some chanting.

FORREST

Headquartered in Santa Monica, California, and gaining popularity around the U.S., Forrest Yoga is the method taught by Ana Forrest. The performance of vigorous asana sequences is intended to strengthen and purify the body and release pent-up emotions and pain so that healing can begin. Expect an intense workout with an emphasis on abdominal strengthening and deep breathing.

KRIPALU

The name Kripalu is associated both with a style of hatha yoga and a yoga and wellness center in Stockbridge, Massachusetts. Both were founded by yoga guru Amrit Desai, who came to the United States from India in 1960. Kripalu is a yoga practice with a compassionate approach and emphasis on meditation, physical healing and spiritual transformation that overflows into daily life. Kripalu also focuses on looking inward and moving at your own pace.

INTEGRAL

Integral yoga follows the teachings of Sri Swami Sachidananda, who came to the U.S. in the 1960s and eventually founded many Integral Yoga Institutes and the famed Yogaville Ashram in Virginia. Integral is a gentle hatha practice, and classes often also include breathing exercises, chanting, kriyas, and meditation.

MOKSHA

Moksha Hot Yoga was founded in Toronto, Canada in 2004 by yoga teachers Ted Grant and Jessica Robertson. Though a relative newcomer, Moksha has quickly gained popularity as over 30 affiliated studios have since opened worldwide, including in Canada, the United States, Switzerland, and the Caribbean. A set series of about 40 poses done in a hot room, Moksha Yoga is designed to be both accessible and challenging, supporting life-long health.

SIVANANDA

The first Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Center was founded in 1959 by Swami Vishnu-devananda, a disciple of Swami Sivananda. There are now close to 80 locations worldwide, including several ashram retreats. Sivananda yoga is based upon five principles:

1. Proper exercise (Asana, focusing on 12 poses in particular)

2. Proper breathing (Pranayama)

3. Proper relaxation (Savasana)

4. Proper diet (Vegetarian)

5. Positive thinking (Vedanta) and meditation (Dhyana)

OTHER STYLES

Other yoga styles that are growing in popularity include Laughter Yoga and Christian Yoga.

This article was written by Ann Pizer.  Ann has been the About.com Guide to Yoga since 2004. She is a Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT) with the Yoga Alliance. Ann began doing yoga while living in New York City as an antidote to the stress of big city life. Though she was neither particularly flexible nor fond of group exercise, she quickly found herself hooked and has been sustained by her practice ever since.

Thanks to Ann, she has easily outlined the different styles of yoga.  At some point, you may want to try all of them.  My personal training is based in Ashtanga, Forrest, and Vinyasa, although I’ve dabbled in some of the other ones.  Yoga is yoga is yoga…they are all based around the same principles.  So the different styles that have come about come from each teacher’s different perspective on yoga.  There is no one better style than the other, they are just different variations.  So, enjoy exploring a few different styles and be open to what each one brings up to you.  If you’re particularly adverse to a style of yoga, that may be something to look at.  For example, I have a hard time in Iyengar classes because they tend to hold poses for a long time and they are VERY detail oriented.  As a person, I tend to like movement and I don’t get too concerned about perfecting the pose.  So for me, Iyengar could be a great practice in patience!

Comment and Share please~

Namaste,

Marne

What to bring to a yoga class or equipment

Basic Equipment

Clothing: Comfortable, breathable clothes are recommended for yoga. You probably want to wear a shirt that is a little bit form-fitting, since in many yoga poses, your head comes below your hips and your shirt can slide down. Any exercise pants or shorts will do, although it’s best not to have super slick lycra-type pants since this may cause you to slip in some poses.

Shoes: Yoga is most often done barefoot, which is great news for those of us tired of packing a bulky pair of athletic shoes for after work trips to the gym. Yoga studios will often request that you leave your shoes near the entrance.

Mats: In gyms and yoga studios, it’s commonplace to use a yoga mat, also called a sticky mat. The mat helps define your personal space, but more importantly, it creates traction for your hands and feet so you don’t slip, especially as you get a little sweaty. The mat also provides a bit of cushioning on a hard floor. Most studios have mats for rent, usually for a dollar or two per class. The disadvantage to these mats is that lots of people use them and you can’t be sure how often they are being washed. Yoga mats can be purchased for as little as $20, and many studios will allow you to store your mat with them if you become a regular.

Optional Equipment

The following yoga props come out of the Iyengar tradition. Iyengar style yoga teaches that having the proper alignment in the poses is the most important thing. Until the body becomes open enough, students should use props to bring the body into alignment to achieve maximum benefit and avoid injury. Iyengar’s use of props has been adopted by many other styles of yoga. The props are usually provided for students to use during class and there is no need to buy your own unless you are beginning a home practice.

Blankets: Yoga studios often have stacks of blankets available for students to use during class. Grab yourself one or two blankets at the beginning of class. The folded blankets are props to sit and lie on during class. For instance, sit cross-legged and put a blanket under your sit bones to elevate the hips above the knees. They come in handy for all sorts of things during class, and if it’s chilly you can use them to cover yourself during final relaxation at the end of class.

Blocks: Like blankets, blocks are props to make yourself more comfortable and improve your alignment. Blocks are great for standing poses in which your hands don’t reach the floor.

Straps: Straps are particularly useful for bound poses if your hands do not reach each other, and for poses where you need to hold onto your feet but cannot reach them.

Ann Pizer wrote this article and has been the About.com Guide to Yoga since 2004. She is a Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT) with the Yoga Alliance. Ann began doing yoga while living in New York City as an antidote to the stress of big city life. Though she was neither particularly flexible nor fond of group exercise, she quickly found herself hooked and has been sustained by her practice ever since.

Keep in mind that props are commonly used in many of the different types of classes.  I would get your own yoga mat to start, because you might be doing yoga at home.  However, I wouldn’t necessarily go out and buy the other props.  Most yoga studios provide the props for you to use and do not expect that you have your own.  I have my own props in my house because I like to have them on hand for my yoga practice at home.  There are other types of props that I’ve seen in yoga including yoga socks (rubbery type of socks that you wear on your feet) and special sweat-absorbing, mat-length towels to put on your yoga mat as you practice.  I think both of these are unnecessary, and honestly, I think the socks look really goofy.  Feel your feet!  Go barefoot.  Connect with the earth.  The towels might be useful because it does get pretty sweaty in most classes, but if you have the right clothing on you should be fine.  I would recommend bringing some type of towel with you.

Please comment and share!

Marne

Fish Oil – Why it’s good for you.

Here’s my interview with Marc, an expert at Fish Oil and why it’s good for you.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=AXRCiaZRu70

For more information, visit his website at www.highqualityfishoil.com

Chakra Basics

What is a Chakra Exactly?

Chakras are our energy centers. They are the openings for life energy to flow into and out of our aura. Their function is to vitalize the physical body and to bring about the development of our self-consciousness. They are associated with our physical, mental and emotional interactions.

The Chakra’s, pronounced (Sha-Kra), are located throughout the body.

The Seven Major Chakras are:

1. Root Chakra


2. Sacral Chakra


3. Solar Plexus Chakra


4. Heart Chakra


5. Throat Chakra


6. Third Eye Chakra


7. Crown Chakra

Look for more on Chakra’s in my upcoming posts.

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Root Chakra

The Base or Root Chakra is associated with the color red. This chakra is the grounding force that allows us to connect to the earth energies and empower our beings. Focusing one’s attention on the color of cherry or red can help bring our energetic body “down to earth” and in alignment with our physical body when we find ourselves spacing off. 

Chakra One – Associations

• Color – red


• Sanskrit Name - muladhara


• Physical Location – base of the spine


• Purposes – kinesthetic feelings, movement


• Spiritual Lesson – material world lessons


• Physical Dysfunctions- lower back pain, sciatica, varicose veins, rectal tumors, depression, immune related disorders


• Mental and Emotional Issues – survival, self esteem, social order, security, family


• Information Stored Inside Root Chakra – familial beliefs, superstitions, loyalty, instincts, physical pleasure or pain, touch


• Area of Body Governed – spinal column, kidneys, legs, feet, rectum, immune system

The above excerpt was taken from an article by Phylameana lila Desy.

Do you know what type of imbalance you have in your Root Chakra?  Too much leads you to feel materialistic and greedy, but not enough makes you feel fearful and nervous.  I sometimes feel nervous for no reason, yet after seated meditation, I’m always feel more calm and centered.  This because the Root Chakra is located at the base of your spine.  So when you connect that point with the earth, you immediately feel more centered.  The color of the Root Chakra is Red, so if you’re feeling out of balance, you could add things that are red in color, which is the color of the Root Chakra when yours in under-active.   Balance anoveractive Root Chakra with blue.  Wear clothing with those colors to help bring back you balance until you feel in line again.   You could also eat foods of the needed color to help bring back your balance. Tomatoes or red peppers help with an under-balance and blueberries help an overstimulated root chakra.  Wear or carry with you gemstones of the color you need for balance. Red stones include garnet or rubies, while blue stones could be sapphire or aquamarine.

Please comment and share your experiences.

Namaste,

Marne

Sacral Chakra – lower abdomen

The Sacral Chakra is associated with the color orange or red-orange. I usually visualize the Sunkist orange that has been dyed to attract the produce buyer, or the orange red of an evening sunset when I’m focusing on spinning my second chakra. This chakra often offers us the opportunity to lessen our “control issues” and find a balance in our lives, teaching us to recognize that acceptance and rejection are not the only options in our relationships. The process of making changes in our life stream through our personal choices is a product of second chakra energy. A well-functioning second chakra helps one to maintain a healthy yin-yang existence. Chakra Two – Associations

• Color – orange


• Sanskrit Name - swadhisthana


• Physical Location – lower abdomen to the navel


• Purposes – emotional connection


• Spiritual Lesson – creativity, manifestation. honoring relationships, learning to “let go”


• Physical Dysfunctions- low back pain, sciatica, ob/gyn problems, pelvic pain, libido, urinary problems


• Mental and Emotional Issues – blame, guilt, money, sex, power, control, creativity, morality


• Information Stored Inside Sacral Chakra – duality, magnetism, controlling patterns, emotional feelings (joy, anger, fear)


• Area of Body Governed – sexual organs, stomach, upper intestines, liver, gallbladder, kidney, pancreas, adrenal glands, spleen, middle spine.

The above excerpt was taken from an article written by Phylameana lila Desy.

The second Chakra is located in the abdomen, sexual organs and lower back. Think of a line parallel to the floor drawn from a point a couple of inches below your navel and extending backwards through your body.  This second Chakra dictates pleasure, including food and sexual desire.  Emotions and by extension, relationships are also part of this chakra. An unbalanced sacral chakra can result in violence or addictions.  This chakra also governs the willingness to accept change. A balanced sacral chakra assists in healthy attitudes towards food, sex, and emotional needs.  With an open second chakra you will enjoy satisfying emotional relationships. The location of this chakra makes it clear that it also rules the reproductive system.

Sit in meditation or while doing your yoga practice and focus on this area.  Think of the color orange.  (The Chakra’s are like a rainbow with Red being the root and getting lighter as you go up).  I’ve seen some people create a circular motion around this area with their hands, but not touching the body.  Try both, just seated in mediation and then with the hand movement.

Once you begin opening your chakras, be sure to open all of them (in order if you can). Having only one or two open can lead to imbalance in health and spirit.

Please comment and Share your experiences.

Namaste,

Marne

How to Manage Less Than Graceful Moments in Yoga

You finally got up the nerve to take yoga. Then, just as you manage to get into a pose, the unthinkable happens. What now?

The mind and body are curious and wonderful things. Sometimes we can control both. Sometimes, the body seems to have a mind of its own. Many people experience embarrassing moments in yoga class. In most classes, the lights are low and other participants are focused on their own mind/body connection. You probably noticed the moment much more than anyone else.

Belched or Passed Gas
Sometimes air is expelled from the body when shifting from one pose to the next. These are natural body processes. Nurses often ask about and celebrate gas in certain circumstances, but most people in yoga class do not exactly feel like cheering if gas happens to them.

•You may wish to simply acknowledge the gas; some have a delightful sense of humor and can break a somber mood when they break wind, or you may wish to ignore it.
•The people next to you probably had their embarrassing moment in a previous class.
•You may wish to avoid eating one to three hours before class.
•The Mayo Clinic offers practical information about what foods tend to cause gas. A gluten free diet might also help people with IBS symptoms, including gas.

This article was written by Katrena Wells.

I agree with Katrena when she says that you shouldn’t eat for at least a couple of hours before a yoga class. Yoga should be done on an empty stomach because blood will be going to all parts of your body and you don’t want to be digesting food during class.

Also, it really disturbs the peace of others if you are letting some gas go in a yoga class. A silent but deadly fart is one of the worst experiences I think of a yoga class. Also, as one of my teachers, Ana Forrest used to say…move your “*hit!” and she meant literally! Try taking some Smooth Move tea or fiber the night before a yoga class so you have a good bowel movement in the morning. If your bowels are empty, you ate lately at least 2 hours before the class starts, you should be ready to go with your yoga class and you’ll feel great during it.

In my opinion, if you let one go, ignore it. Unless of course you hear laughter, then it’s time to fess up.

Comment or share please!

Eat Pray Love Video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=iZzmqHJ0gPU

Has anyone seen this movie yet with Julia Roberts?  I absolutely loved the Eat, Pray, Love book written by Elizabeth Gilbert.  For some reason I had a hard time getting into the book and put it down the first time.   Did you have the same experience?  The second time I picked it up I couldn’t put it down.  It was at least two to three years later; the second time around for me.  I wonder if I was more mature and ready to read the book.  What a wonderful experience, and I could relate to this book in many ways.  I too traveled to India seeking - something - enlightenment, love, peace?   I definately found yoga and meditation!

Share and comment please.

Health Benefits of Yoga

If you’re looking into practicing yoga but wondering about its health benefits, here’s a quick look at what yoga can do for you.
When I first heard about yoga, I thought that it was just a meditation practice reserved for highly spiritual people. But when I started to practice it, I was amazed at all the benefits I was getting: physically, emotionally and mentally.

For someone who is on a lifetime quest to be healthy and fit, yoga will always be on my list of top exercises.

The first time I tried doing yoga, my primary motivation was to lose weight. I had been slender all my life but, after giving birth to my babies, my body just wasn’t the same.

I was desperate to get back my pre-pregnancy shape and I tried doing everything I could to achieve it. I went to the gym and spent hours on the treadmill. I tried buying DVD workouts from dancing to kickboxing. Nothing worked and I was tired from running after what seemed like an elusive goal.

Peace and flexibility

The first time I stepped on a yoga mat, I immediately felt peace and I knew it was what I’ve been looking for. The first thing we were asked to do was to do salutations while taking a deep breath.

Have you noticed how we rarely take deep breaths during our busy day? With yoga, it’s all about taking deep breaths. And every time you do it, it feels real good. It instantly calms and energizes your body as it brings more oxygen to your lungs.

Yoga also loosens up your joints and improves your flexibility. With every pose, your body is stretched, releasing all the stress in every nook and cranny.

The little aches and pains you used to complain about will disappear and you’ll notice how you feel more light and relaxed. If you’re a mom like me who needs to carry heavy babies, you’ll find that you have even more strength in your arms and back to carry them.

Fitness and weight loss

I’m sure you must be thinking, “That’s all good. But can yoga help me to lose weight?”

The gentle types of yoga are good for developing strength and flexibility. But when you move to more intense levels such as Bikram Yoga and Power Yoga, you’ll be in for a tough workout.

It might look easy when you watch it, but when you’re actually doing it, yoga can really challenge your body and push your physical limits.

It’s scary at first when you try to bend a little lower or stretch a little farther. But if you try, you’ll be amazed at what your body can do.

Get ready for some serious sweating especially in heated yoga. That is actually a good sign that you’re burning excess calories and flushing out the toxins in your body too.

Depending on how consistent you practice, you can lose a lot of weight with yoga and keep it off permanently. The key here is consistency.

You won’t see results overnight, but the weight loss and health benefits happen slowly but surely.

Focus and clarity

Aside from weight loss, two of the best health benefits of practicing yoga are developing your focus and gaining clarity.

It comes as a natural consequence of your practice. When you are performing a pose, you have to focus your mind on your breathing or on that part of your body, nothing else.

As a result, your usually hectic and busy mental activity is forced to halt and your mind is trained to just focus. You learn how to be still.

And when you’ve been used to a fast paced lifestyle, just this act can feel very calming and liberating at the same time.

When you learn how to focus, you also gain clarity and you’ll find that handling daily problems and stress becomes easier, if not non existent.

Every yoga practice is different and you may even find that you experience more benefits than what I mentioned here. Overall, yoga is a worthwhile practice that you can adopt in your daily lifestyle. You lose nothing but you have everything to gain.

The author of this article is Jami G.

This is a great article by Jami G! Notice how she stated that when she went to the yoga mat for the first time she felt peace. YES! I think we can all immediately connect to the peace, love and joy that’s already within us. We just need a moment to recognize it. A moment to take a breath.

Comment and share please!