Yoga and the Great Mammogram Debate.. New My Yoga Online video Belly Dance Express.. Yoga for Kids: It's Like Eating Your Greens, But Fun.. LOOK YOUNGER! w/ Happy Face Yoga Facial Exercises..
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Yoga and the Great Mammogram Debate One of the things I've learned from my yoga practice is that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Sure yoga can help you rehabilitate an overstretched muscle, but it can also teach you had to move your body mindfully so that you never hurt that muscle in the first place. Personally, I prefer the latter scenario.
This is a lesson I take off the mat and extend to other areas of my life, too. It has helped me come to the conclusion that I should always practice yoga, manage stress, eat healthy foods, floss daily, get regular check ups at the doctor, etc. I'm a firm believer that the sooner you catch a potential health problem--whether it's a pulled muscle, a cavity, or something more serious--the easier it is to address. I'd rather spend some time in yoga strengthening the muscles around my hyperextended knee now than to have surgery to fix a knee problem later on. I'd also rather have an unpleasant little tooth filling now, than a root canal later.
Coming from that perspective, it's hard to understand why anyone would suggest fewer screenings that could catch something as serious as breast cancer, which a government task force did earlier this week. The task force changed the recommendation that women begin getting mammograms at age 40, and now suggest they get one every other year starting at age 50.
But I want to know what you think. Has yoga changed the way you approach your own health care? If you're a woman, will the new recommendation change when or how often you get a mammogram?
My Yoga Online has posted a new video with Gillian Cofsky: Belly Dance Express. Take a brief glimpse into the world of belly dance, with this quick class that breaks down and teaches some basic bellydance moves, then strings them together into a fun combination. A quick taste of belly dance to spice up your day, to enhance your femininity, and embrace your sensuality.
Belly dancing embraces organic movement that develops body awareness, tones muscles, and enhances coordination. Enjoy an online video sample of Belly Dance Express.
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Yoga for Kids: It's Like Eating Your Greens, But Fun Yoga for Kids is one of the fastest growing yoga niches out there today. It's taught in hundreds of studios across the country. A recent report from CNN featured kids that use yoga to cope with everything from ADHD to divorcing parents. But can a 4-year-old really appreciate the depth of the practice?
Who cares!? As long as it's helping them manage their stress and feel better, they're getting the benefit of the practice.
"I think the younger kids may not know exactly what they get out of it. It's kind of like when you put zucchini in their muffins and don't tell them," yoga instructor Cheryl Crawford told CNN. "They don't really know. They just know they they feel good." (See video below.)
Do you have kids who practice yoga? Have you noticed any benefits?
Google Tech Talks February, 28 2008 ABSTRACT Mindfulness meditation, one type of meditation technique, has been shown to enhance emotional awareness and psychological flexibility as well as induce well-being and emotional balance. Scientists have also begun to examine how meditation may influence brain functions. This talk will examine the effect of mindfulness meditation practice on the brain systems in which psychological functions such as attention, emotional reactivity, emotion …
Patrick introduces the basics of zen seated meditation and what to expect from your zazen practice. If you want to here more from Patrick about Zen check out his weekly podcast, Zen Is Stupid. zenisstupid.com And if you’re in Yokohama join us Wednesday evenings at 7pm for zazen sitting. www.yogagarden.jp (Music from The American Analog Set, Ulrich Schnauss, The Dining Rooms, and George Handel)
I just started yoga 3 days ago and I realize I am not very flexible and my arms are still not strong enough to support some positions that require all the weight of the body to go in the arms…I was wondering if with time it will improve and my body will become more flexible and therefore be able to do some of the hardest positions? How long does it take approximately if I practice every day for two hours….For how long should one practice in a day?
Yoga refers to traditional physical and mental disciplines originating in India. It focuses upon developing a healthy mind and body, and on attaining self-awareness. The various practices and disciplines of yoga are available to everyone, no matter what their culture or other paths they may follow. Yoga practice also involves developing awareness on a universal and personal level through the yamas and niyamas, a series of ethics and disciplines intended to cultivate living in harmony with others and in oneness with our true selves.
Yoga has been practiced for thousands of years and consists of ancient theories, observations and principles regarding the connection of the mind with the body. The ancient Indian sage systemized yoga philosophy into eight paths or limbs: yama, niyama, asana, pranayama, pratyahara, dharana, dhyana, samadhi. These limbs each express a different aspect of yoga and combined make up the path or yoga practice that unites the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual levels of our being.
Yama – Yama are ethical disciplines that relate to how we can live in a shared world with peace and integrity. Niyama – These disciplines relate to the individual and focus on living a healthy, fulfilled and masterful life. Asana – The word asana means ‘to be’, in the sense of being in a posture. The asanas were developed for the maintenance of a healthy mind and body, with each posture affecting the body, mind and emotions in a unique way and working as a pathway to balance and wellbeing. Pranayama – In the practice of pranayama, we develop breathing techniques that increase oxygen intake and strengthen lung capacity while also increasing the absorption of prana, or life force. In its simplest form, pranayama involves deep, full breathing. Dharana – Following on from pratyahara, dharana is the ability to be completely internally absorbed and focused. This practice of single-pointed concentration stills the mind and leads to profound quietness within. Dhyana – Following on from dharana is dhyana, or meditation – sitting where there is no focus, just stillness; no thoughts, only emptiness. Samadhi – In this state of absolute personal freedom there is union of the individual soul with the universal soul. It is the practice of living at one with all that is.
With regular yoga practice of yoga, you will get strength, flexibility and good health, the benefits of which flow into all aspects of life. Increased energy levels bring a new perspective on life, the increased feelings of self-love and inspiration lead us to discover talents and interests we never knew existed and problems that once seemed overwhelming become more manageable.
I am reading a few tips on the internet and I went for my first transcendental meditation session before, and felt a difference. Do you HAVE to pay in order to succeed?
I am so depressed right now, I need something positive to cheer me up and help me remain compassionate. I want to learn to meditate, I checked with the Buddha learning center today and it cost $60 for a session! I didn’t pay, of course, i want to see if there are any alternatives.
Anyone know of any good websites that offer free meditation?
This classic back-arching yoga posture offers tremendous benefits throughout the body. The positioning of the forward knee, however, requires special attention to avoid knee strain and injury. Learn special tips offered by Dr. Robin Armstrong in doing Pigeon pose safely and effectively.
Benefits of Pigeon pose / Eka Pada Rajakapotasana
*Opens hip flexor muscles (psoas, rectus femoris), groins
*Opens hip rotator muscles (gluteus medius & minimus)
*May relieves sciatic nerve tension and ease chronic low back pain
*Advanced version opens chest and shoulders
*Traditionally thought to control sexual desire, increase circulation to urinary, digestive, and reproductive systems
There was a time when the use of the words, “Yoga” and “business,” in the same sentence, would have been considered “shameful.” However, when you have a Yoga studio, pay for a lease, advertising, insurance, utilities, and more – you know this is serious business. Whether you own a Yoga studio, or are an independent contractor, your money is “on the line,” and possibly your life savings.
Many Yoga teachers, and directors, often ask me the following questions: What is my most effective way to advertise? Who should handle the marketing? What can I do about student retention? Why does a Yoga teacher need a sales letter or business plan?
As the popularity of Yoga grows, more Yoga teachers are looking for professional advice to “stream line,” market effectively, and make their Yoga businesses “recession proof.” For some Yoga teachers, Yoga has evolved from a sideline hobby to a fulltime Yoga business. Yoga students will not be happy to train and learn with you “in a closet.”
As a Yoga teacher, your economic survival is at stake. With a fulltime business, of any kind, a surprising amount of overhead will follow. When you own a Yoga studio, you have to “wear many hats.” If you are already an established Yoga teacher, you went into teaching Yoga to share the gift and practice your own solo routine more often.
Many of the most successful Yoga studios, ashrams, and wellness centers, get “insider” business and marketing advice. The surprising fact is that Yoga business coaching doesn’t have to cost as much as you think. Yoga business coaching can be handled on a “per session” basis. Many Yoga businesses save, and learn, far more than the session costs.
If this is not the case, it is time to find a different Yoga business coach or consulting service. The objective of Yoga business coaching is to help the Yoga business owner become self sufficient. Therefore, consulting is not for dependence, but to teach the typical Yoga studio owner how to fill the gaps and address priorities within a particular Yoga business.
What type of Yoga studio should seek business advice? Most Yoga businesses, of any size, can use help with a particular issue. Established Yoga studios, and Yoga teachers, usually know where they need help, but still need practical solutions. Also, established Yoga studio owners may want to “recession proof” their business or increase their market share right now.
Is this type of service geared toward new Yoga studios, as well? After years of Yoga training, and thousands of dollars, many new Yoga teachers need to recover the money they have invested in their new career as soon as possible. Yoga business consulting services will help any new Yoga studio get to the next level and put the learning curve behind.
Are Yoga business consulting and technical support services given by phone or Email? Actually, I use a combination of both methods. After a Yoga business coaching session by phone, there is a “homework assignment” for my client. Sometimes, this assignment will save my client thousands of dollars or create unforeseen revenue streams.
Sales letters, marketing campaigns, and website development can be handled by your Yoga business coach, but it is far less expensive if you learn how to take control of your own marketing campaign. Again, the objective is to have a client who becomes totally self sufficient.
However, complete marketing campaigns for Yoga studios are never refused by any responsible business coach. In any economy, coaching programs for marketing and business will save you thousands of dollars, and teach you skills that will last you a lifetime. At this point, it will be much easier for you to help your own Yoga students and clients.
The shooting at the army base at Fort Hood that resulted in 13 lives lost and 30 people wounded was a tragedy that saddened the nation. But in the last year, the leaders at the base have been experimenting with new ways--including yoga--to help soldiers deal with the stress and pressure that comes with their jobs. In the aftermath of the shooting, they hope the "resiliency campus," which in a huge facility that offers programs like yoga, aromatherapy, and video games with traditional counseling, will help troops recover from the tragedy, reported the Wall Street Journal.
"The campus ... is designed to impart a new army philosophy
focused on nurturing soldiers' body, mind and spirit," Brigadier General William Grimsley told the Wall Street Journal. "It marks a
radical shift from the philosophy under which the army operated for
years."
As a yoga student, I feel like any shift toward nurturing "body, mind and spirit" is a good one. What do you think?
