Yoga Lifestyle For Health And Happiness

What is yoga lifestyle? It is virtually impossible to separate philosophy of life from yoga. Progress in yoga depends not only on your efforts on the mat. Equally important is to consider what you do off the mat during the rest of the day. Each moment unfolds in your situations requiring your response. You may respond in a positive way or negative way. Even not responding is an action. Yogic lifestyle involves integrating your, mind body and soul to perform karma that takes you towards good health, peace of mind and ultimate freedom. Most of us are caught in the whirlwind known as human life;

A man sacrifices his health in order to make money. Then he sacrifices money to recuperate his health. And then he is so anxious about the future that he does not enjoy the present; the result being that he does not live in their present or the future. He lives as if he is never going to die; and then he dies having never really lived.....Dalai Lama

Why to waste this precious life? For sorting our life's problems, coping with stress and taking care of health is a challenging task. This task becomes easier if we can take a holistic view of our life and adopt yoga lifestyle as a way of life.
Yoga lifestyle is based on universal truths or principles of good ethics and spirituality. These principles are as valid today as they were thousands of years ago. Yoga is not limited to yoga poses, pranayama or meditation only. Yoga is a way of life which can be easily incorporated in to your daily lives.
  As a beginner, you may find various facets of yoga philosophy difficult to understand.

• First we need to understand the various concepts of yoga lifestyle. All these concepts are closely integrated, one attribute complements others.
• Second step is to practice the action steps to realise our yoga goals.
• However, if any of the action steps do not conform to your established beliefs, leave it at that and proceed further. With sufficient practice you will find your way.

Yoga Lifestyle: Getting Started

Setting Chief Goal of Your Life

Without a definite aim there can be little progress. The chief goal of life has to be well defined. This will enable you to know your destination and enable you to channelise all your energies in a single direction. All your other material and spiritual/ yoga goals must align to this chief goal. Also remember that for a serious yoga practitioner the goal is already defined, realisation of union with the divine.

Selecting Your Yoga Path

Once you know your yoga goals, you have to select the path to be followed. Each person is having a unique temperament, health/ fitness levels and spiritual awareness levels. You need to chart your own yoga path under guidance of an experienced teacher. For adopting yoga lifestyle, you may choose to focus on hatha yoga, japa yoga, karma yoga or bhakti yoga. Your every action on any of these paths is interlinked. All your actions must be synchronised to achieve your gains with least effort.

Aim for Continuous Improvement

Yoga practice needs a disciplined approach and self control. Procrastination is its worst enemy. You have to force yourself for first 40 to 50 days to do yoga regularly till yoga practice becomes a part of your life. Make yoga as No. 1 priority in your life, even if do yoga for half an hour daily. Start yoga NOW and do it daily. Progress in yoga is slow. Regular practice ensures steady and continuous progress.

Introspect and Improve Life

Intense and continuous introspection can help you to first identify your limitations before you find fault with others. Be a continuous observer of your thoughts and actions. You need to improve yourself before setting out to reform the world.

Creating An Integrated Personality

You have to mould your life as per yoga lifestyle to become an integrated personality with solid character. The constant efforts to increase sattva guna, strong belief in positive values and practicing one's Dharma give rise to an inner integration. This integration results in better concentration of mind and meditation.

Practice Spiritual Living

Spiritual growth is one of the main aims of yoga practice. A spiritual person realises that whole cosmos is manifested closely inter related and interdependent. Spiritual living provides you with an austere yoga lifestyle where you do not waste energy on mundane issues and instead work for making significant impact in this world through your actions.

Simplify Life

We have lost the joy of living life while keeping up with the fast pace of modern life. Slow down a bit. When was the last time, you could spare free time to analyse where your life is heading? Review your needs and look around yourself how to simplify your life as per yoga lifestyle.

Realise Your Infinite Potential.

Each one of us is born with infinite potential but we forget this reality and get bogged down with multitude of problems many of which are just imagination of our mind. Our soul is a mirror image of supreme consciousness. Our senses and ego diminishes the light of soul limiting our power of awareness and discrimination. Pray to God, surrender to God and open your heart to let His infinite Grace nourish your soul. It is in your hands to open the door. God loves each one of us.

Freedom From All Fears

Fear is one of the most damaging human emotions which is propagated by lack of self confidence. Fear of any kind will sap your energy and reduce your working efficiency. Fear of loss of property, fear of death and fear of illness are some of the common fears. Once you start realising that everything in this world is being manifested as per Gods great design. Divine love will help to overcome all fears.

Let Go of Ego

Ego is how we perceive reality as we move around in this world. Ego is false and we have to realise our true inner self. Ego is this false self which creates an impression that it knows everything. All problems in life are seen and tackled as perceived by our ego. You need to let go of the ego but it will require tremendous effort to identify our ego and then to get over the ego. It means you need to understand our true self and see the world without passing through the prism of our ego.

Forget about Guilt Trips

Get rid of all guilt trips. Guilt is powerfully negative emotions that affect one psychologically. Do your best in a given situation and do not let other to make you feel guilty. Remember, nobody is perfect and you are bound to make mistakes. If you have positive attitude and your intentions are clear do not worry at all.

Overcome Fear Of Death

Most of the people carry a strong fear of death. Non living things never die. Whoever takes birth has to die. Worrying too much about life after death, or existence or non existence of soul takes away the joy out of living. Death is a certain phenomenon not in our hands, but living life to the fullest is in our hands.

Human Life Is Precious

Human body is an amazing but perishable gift given by God to you. You are lucky to get birth in the human form. You have finite time in this birth; do not waste your life by running after unreal things. Utilise this birth to work relentlessly for betterment of life and ultimately achieve salvation. Do not waste time. Engage in noble deeds.

Religion Or Spirituality

Practice of any religion without developing spiritually does not make any sense. Spirituality is also possible without following any religion. We can say that if God exists, He is there for whole cosmos. Therefore spirituality is universal. Spirituality can be our direct link to the creator, the supreme intelligence.

Selection of a Guru

You can learn yoga asanas and pranayama from a yoga teacher. But a Guru is required to assimilate the life concepts required for daily living. A Guru is an enlightened soul who will guide you in your quest to realise the divine. Selection of a Guru is must for faster spiritual progress. Till you find a Guru, get guidance from spiritual texts and epics written by enlightened souls to formulate your yoga lifestyle.

Get Inspired

Yoga lifestyle does not mean to put on robes of a monk and become a sanyasi. Dream high and achieve your dreams. Yoga practice will help you to understand the true meaning of life and provide you with the necessary discipline, strength and will power to live an inspired life.

Understand Maya Or Illusion

Maya is the illusory power which takes us away from God realisation. It means that we get attached to things, desires and physical world. We are in fact getting an illusion of permanence whereas nothing in this world is permanent. All this is transient. Only the energy of the soul is divine and permanent.

Search for Happiness

One of the chief cause of human suffering is due to unsatisfied desires. Happiness is possible when you have set clear well defined goals and your mind and body works in harmony to achieve these goals.

Seek and You Shall Find

How to find God? We are too small a entity to perceive the power or concept of God. God can be experienced only. Once you start on the path towards unification with the supreme creator, you will find your own path provided you have 100 per cent faith and determination.

Universal Brotherhood

Yoga philosophy believes that all persons are created equal and no discrimination must be made based on country of residence, sex, age or religion. The soul in all humans is derived from the same source and God wants us to work for common good.

Harmony

Yoga lifestyle provides perfect harmony between your mind and body. Maintain harmonious relations with your colleagues at work and family members at home. This will reduce your stress levels promote co-operation and improve efficiency.

Do yoga with complete faith and dedication to get the benefits. Adopt yoga lifestyle and lead an activelife.

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How to Practice Yoga Poses or Asanas

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Yoga postures are designed to cleanse, tone and purify the body, which in turn affects the mind and your ability to practice pranayama and meditation without distraction. Not to mention of the other many health benefits like:

• Improved flexibility, stamina, strength and balance.
• Better functioning of your nervous and endocrine systems and internal organ.
• Enhanced quality of your breathing.

Tips to follow when practicing yoga poses:

• Choose poses that seem appropriate to your mood and energy level.
• Begin with gentler poses and work up to stronger ones.
• Breathe evenly through the nose throughout the postures.
• Never rush into and out of a pose.
• Never strain in a pose - if it hurts, stop.
• Don't habitually practise in front of a mirror. Focus on how the pose feels, not what it looks like.
• The postures should be both steady and soft.

Explore the different Yoga Asanas

How to Practice Yoga Breathing or Pranayama

In yoga breath is said to be the interface between the physical body and the mind. The power of breathing practice to change your state of mind is extremely strong. A breathing practice can last anything from two minutes to half an hour or more.

Tips to follow when practicing Breathing or Pranayama:

• Find a quiet place where you won't be distracted. If doing the exercises inside, make sure the window is open to allow plenty of fresh air into the room.
• At first practise pranayama lying down and then gradually aim to sit upright with your spine straight.
• Breathe evenly through the nose throughout the postures.
• Never strain your breathing in pranayama.
• Breathe deeply and slowly.
• Progress slowly and carefully.
• If you feel dizzy or light-headed, return to normal breathing.
• Ask a friend to stay with you when trying out a new technique.
• Do not rush things and practice all exercises as slowly as you can.

Explore the different Pranayamas

How to Practice Mudras

Mudras are positions (mostly of the hands) that affect the body's energetic system and the flow of prana (life energy) within it. Mudras are easy and safe to learn and use. The best time to practise Mudras is during the sitting phase after a posture and breathing session.

Tips to follow when practicing Mudras:

• Don't try hard - simply allow your fingers to touch lightly.
• Allow your mind and body to be still and quiet.

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Benefits of Yoga

Basics of Yoga Stages of Yoga Benefits of Yoga Yoga Articles Yoga Diet Yoga Mudras Pranayama Yoga Bandhas Yoga Poses Useful tips for yoga Surya Namaskar Yoga FAQ

Physical Benefits:

Yoga has both its preventive and therapeutic cures over ailing mind and body. Yoga improves all the problems associated with the body, like:

• increases flexibility in muscles and various muscular joints,
• strengthens the spinal cord,
• recovers back aches,
• improves muscular skeletal conditions, digestion and elimination,
• stimulates glands and endocrinal system,
• improves heart condition,
• proper blood circulation,
• recovers breathing disorder,
• boosts immune response,
• decreases cholesterol, diabetes,
• maintains blood pressure level,
• increases the stamina and
• maintains a balance and grace all over.

Psychic Cure:

 

Yoga releases stress, fatigue which has become the seat of all disorders in a modern life. It relieves the body from any kind of muscular strain or chronic strain, refreshes the body from fatigue, stress and body aches, helps to relax the body and mind, increases concentration and awareness, and frees the spirit. 

Yoga as a Life Saving Tool: 

 

Doctors around the world have echoed that Hatha yoga can relieve a number of potential life threatening diseases like arthritis, arteriosclerosis, chronic fatigue, AIDS, diabetes, asthma, obesity etc.

Yoga Higher Than Other Exercises:

 

Daily yoga is considered to be higher than mere performing of exercises. Yoga helps one to establish integrity among his outer self as well as his inner. If the postures are done correctly then yoga breeds a positive effect both in the inner and outer selves of an individual. Exercises like walking, jogging, cycling, swimming, biking can only look after the physical development of the body, whereas, yoga brings peace of mind, refreshes the body, releases stress, brings in good health, relaxation and happiness.

Yoga is For All: 

 

Yoga bends over all human beings of all ages with positive and happy effect.

• For children yoga is fun which enhances better memory, better concentration level, physical fitness and discipline of mind. 

• For teenagers, yoga helps them to restore their youthful energies into constructive work. 

• It creates a positive vibe around the youngster thereby preventing any negative influence and helps him to regain his inner strength. 

• In old age, yoga plays a vital role in recovering severe ailments and any muscular complications. 

• During pregnancy, yoga helps a mother to cope up with the stress and fatigue thereby resuming her energies and happiness. Yoga also promotes good health to the child in her womb. 

• Yoga is helpful in modern living as it counteracts numerous problems of modern existence. 

• Daily performance of Asanas will uplift physical condition of a man and regular meditation increases his power of concentration and other latent spiritual powers.

Internal Transformation: 

 

Besides, healing all physical disorders, yoga also heals the grossness that exists inside a mind and soul. It helps in releasing them thereby maintaining a harmony all through the body. It helps a man to strike a balance between his physical, mental and spiritual selves.

Establishes a Unity With The Divinity:

 

While your body remains in tune with your selves (physical, mental, spiritual) you start to establish a harmonious relationship with your inner self, thereby gaining a complete knowledge of one-self. This is what yoga aims at – Complete ‘self-development’ and total ‘self-realization’. Thus the mind is purified to be immersed in complete self-knowledge which results in perfect and virtuous living that every man craves for.

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Ten Good Reasons to Practice Yoga

Yoga Articles > Ten Good Reasons to Practice Yoga

• Yoga is not just for athletes, popstars and supermodels! Yoga is for everyone: young or old, male or female, healthy or sick. Yoga can always be adapted to your individual needs, whatever your circumstances.

• Even if you are facing many challenges in life, it is easy to start doing yoga and you will experience instant benefits, such as stress-relief. Furthermore, once you begin to practice regularly, yoga will help you to live your life with renewed positivity and enthusiasm.

• Yoga is safe. Where other forms of exercise might put a strain on your heart, muscles and joints, yoga, practiced properly (with awareness to your physical limitations), is a completely harmless form of exercise.

• Yoga needs no special equipment. While there are a few props that might make your practice more comfortable, the only thing you need in order to do yoga is you.

• Yoga both tones the respiratory system and helps you to breathe more fully, deeply and easily (thus increasing your oxygen intake), which in turn, will improve your physical and mental well-being.

• Yoga improves the efficiency of your body systems, aiding digestion, the assimilation of nutrients and the elimination of toxins.

• Yoga improves the quality of your sleep so that, when you wake up, you feel refreshed and full of vitality.

• Yoga gives energy and helps you to channel your energy effectively so that you don't waste it on tension, stress and negativity.

• Through practicing yoga techniques, you experience a genuine sense of outward tranquility, which eventually helps you achieve a deep state of inner peace, too.

• Yoga is FUN!

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What is AYURVEDA?

Simple Definition

Ayurveda is a wholistic system of medicine from India that uses a constitutional model. Its aim is to provide guidance regarding food and lifestyle so that healthy people can stay healthy and folks with health challenges can improve their health. There are several aspects to Ayurveda that are quite unique:

1. Its recommendations will often be different for each person regarding which foods and which lifestyle they should follow in order to be completely healthy. This is due to it's use of a constitutional model.
2. Everything in Ayurveda is validated by observation, inquiry, direct examination and knowledge derived from the ancient texts.
3. It understands that there are energetic forces that influence nature and human beings. These forces are called the Tridoshas.
4. Because Ayurveda sees a strong connection between the mind and the body, a huge amount of information is available regarding this relationship.

Origin

Ayurveda is an intricate system of healing that originated in India thousands of years ago. We can find historical evidence of Ayurveda in the ancient books of wisdom known as the Vedas. In the Rig Veda, over 60 preparatison were mentioned that could be used to assist an individual in overcoming various ailments. The Rig Veda was written over 6,000 years ago, but really Ayurveda has been around even longer than that. What we see is that A yurveda is more than just a medical system. It is a Science of Life. We are all part and parcel of nature. Just as the animals and plants live in harmony with nature and utilize the Laws of Nature to create health and balance within their beings, we, too, adhere to these very same principles. Therefore, it is fair to say that Ayurveda is a system that helps maintain health in a person by using the inherent principles of nature to bring the individual back i nto equilibrium with their true self. In essence Ayurveda has been in existence since the beginning of time because we have always been governed by nature's laws.

Meaning

Ayurveda is made up of two Sanskrit words: Ayu which means life and Veda which means the knowledge of. To know about life is Ayurveda. However, to fully comprehend the vast s cope of Ayurveda let us first define "Ayu" or life. According to the ancient Ayurvedic scholar Charaka, "ayu" is comprised of four essential parts. The combination of mind, body, senses and the soul.

Mind, Body, and Senses

We tend to identify most with our physical bodies; yet, in actuality, there is more to us then what meets the eye. We can see that underlying our physical structure is the mind, which not only controls our thought processes but helps assist us in carrying out day-to-day activities such as respiration, circulation, digestion and elimination. The mind and the body work in conjunction with one another to regulate our physiology. In order for the mind to act appropriately to assist the physical body, we must use our senses as information gatherers. We can think of the mind as a computer and the senses as the data which gets entered into the computer. Smell and taste are two important senses th at aid in the digestive process. When the mind registers that a particular food is entering the gastrointestinal tract, it directs the body to act accordingly by releasing various digestive enzymes. However, if we overindulge the taste buds with too much of a certain taste, such as sweet, we may find that the ability of the mind to perceive the sweet taste is impaired; and thereby the body becomes challenged in its ability to process sweet foods. Maintaining the clarity of our senses is an essential part in allowing the mind and body to integrate their functions and help in keeping us healthy and happy individuals.

SOUL

Ayurveda also sees that before we exist in physical form with the help of the mind and senses that we exist in a more subtle form known as the soul. The ancient seers of India believed tha t we were comprised of a certain energetic essence that precluded the inhabitance of our physical entity. In fact, they hypothesized that we may indeed occupy many physical bodies throughout the course of time but that our underlying self or soul remains unchanged. What we see to help illustrate this concept is what transpires at the time of death. When the individual nears the time to leave the physical body, many of his/her desires will cease to be present. As the soul no longer identifies with the bod y, the desire to eat food or indulge in a particular activity that used to be a great source of satisfaction for that person drops by the wayside. In fact, many individuals have been documented to experience the sensation of being "out of their bodies." These are just a few examples of how we are made up of these four components that we call life. 

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