July 18, 2008

Need power? Try Core Power Yoga

Core power yoga is an energetic yoga exercise that physically and mentally challenges to help connect to inner power without stopping and accompanied by a heated, climate controlled Vinyasa. It heals, detoxifies and stimulates the body and mind through balance and intention.

Power yoga has created a dynamic, challenging program that combines strength, sweat and spirituality. It recognizes power in different levels; first is the physical power which develops the body's strength and improve health; second is the mental power or the will to concentrate on the practice; and last the spiritual power which is the power behind the physical and mental power.

Core power yoga is the Western version of the Indian Ashtanga Yoga. The term was was given by Beryl Bender Birch, an Ashtanga Yoga teacher. It has been brought to the west by followers of Sri K. Pattabhi Jois, a renowned Sanskrit scholar who inspired Western Yogis with his Ashtanga Yoga Style and philosophies.

There are three programs in power yoga. "Core Power" is designed to strengthen abdominals and back and includes both abs-focused Vinyasa power yoga poses and variations of muscle-toning moves. "Unlocking Athletic Power" will develop flexible strength with an emphasis on abs, back, hips and pelvis. "Soul of Strength" on the other hand is a fast-moving power yoga program with a distinct "mid-body" emphasis and some very challenging moves.

Yoga sessions are done in a heated room and composed of different cardiovascular exercises intended to develop strength and flexibility, increase stamina, improves the ability to focus, release tensions and remove toxins through sweating.

Core power yoga practice also requires the execution of yoga poses. Poses are done in a fast pace, some poses are even held longer than the required five breaths. This practice can increase physical endurance and ability to focus on any task for a long time without breaking the concentration.

What is the difference between core power yoga and other exercises?

Core power yoga is a vinyasa style that has a unique program offering and focuses on core strength, balance and flow to build a solid practice based on strength and spirit. It offers diverse classes like Hot Yoga, Yoga Sculpt, Bootcamps, Teacher Trainings and Mat Pilates. Moreover, it provides better instructors that are personally involved in students' progress, strong and forceful leaders who pays more attention to the students needs. Also the teachers of this exercise work with the students to personalize their programs and creating a sense of belonging and community. And lastly, it provides quality facilities equipped with a unique top tier amenities and a balance aura.

This exercise also offers great health benefits; this lengthens and stretches the muscles and at the same time it builds stamina, strength and lean muscle and mass. It also increases body heat that kills some bacteria and creates a finely tuned state of consciousness of the workings of the body. The focus of core power yoga is on the coordination of the breath movement, connecting the body, mind and spirit to the warmest level.

Core power yoga is best to those who want to improve their performance in their chosen sports like cycling, football, swimming, skiing, surfing, running/athlete, martial arts and other team sports. Some training grounds in sports practice this exercise in transition for aerobics.

Core power yoga can reshape your body and mind!

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July 17, 2008

Chakra Meditation

The energy chakras:

The Chakras means wheels are considered as the energy centers existing in the human body. They are located in important parts of human body as one's head or heart. Chakras are the psychic organs which produce and distribute energies into human being. Chakras are mostly passive in most of the people, who lack the intuitive and psychic power. The organs within the aura of these Chakras are the trigger control and thus have a direct impact of the properties of that Chakra. With the conscious and concentrated practice of distinct Chakra meditation techniques, one can accomplish the supreme bliss, enlightenment by activating their enormous energy fields.

The names of Chakras and their locations:

There are seven Chakras in all, located throughout the human body. Each Chakra has its own unique attributes and characteristic feature. The Chakras start from the bottom to the top. The first and original Chakra is known as the 'Root' Chakra, this locates at the base of the spine and regarded to be the survival instinct. The second Chakra is just below the Belly Button commanding emotions and sexuality. This is known as the 'Sacral' Chakra. The third Chakra is called as 'Solar Plexus' Chakra which represents vitality, desire and power. This Chakra is located at the Belly button. The fourth Chakra is known as the 'Heart' Chakra. This Chakra, which controls love, home and compassion, is located at the centre of the chest. The fifth Chakra is known as 'Throat' Chakra, the location of which is at the throat. This has the connectivity to communication and creative angle. The sixth Chakra is known as 'Third Eye' Chakra. This chakra denotes clairvoyance, intuition and psychic senses. This is located in the middle of forehead. The last and the highest in the location as well as the ultimate enlightenment Chakra is known as the 'Crown' Chakra. This is placed at the top of the head. This is supreme Chakra which stands for highest level of understanding and cosmic consciousness.

How to practice Chakra meditation?

Before one takes up to Chakra meditation, it is necessary to understand how the basic five fundamental universal elements operate. Through Chakra meditation these five elements are aligned with the help of body Chakra. The systematic Chakra meditation indicates the progressive movement of one's concentration through these Chakras, with the awareness of the nature of these Chakras. While starting the practice of Chakra meditation, one is to go by the posture recommended for this purpose. You will sit erect with your spine in line with earth center. Visualize a vertical spiraling reflex of vibrant energy through your spinal column. This energy is magnetizing and polarizing your hollow core embracing and dancing around the spinal column.

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July 9, 2008

Yoga for women

Emotional pressure and stress have a pronounced effect on every woman's health. It has been proven that emotional distress often translates into physical weakness and different illnesses. There are many other factors that affect women's health such as hormonal changes, which are far more pronounced than in the case of men. Yoga offers an excellent solution to most of these issues that are unavoidable.

Different stages in a woman's life may bring various problems. There are issues associated with menstrual cramps and the premenstrual syndrome that affect many women around the world. The noticeable hormonal changes that accompany menopause are another reason why women have to cope with increased stress levels. One of the major changes in a woman's life is associated to pregnancy. This is a stage in which every health problem may be reflected on the health of the baby, so it is vital for the mother to stay healthy throughout the whole pregnancy process. Yoga offers various solutions to all of these issues, enabling women to get passed these inherent obstacles.

Yoga is often used by women to prepare for the last months of pregnancy and labor. A fit and healthy mother has better chances of delivering the baby without any complications what so ever, so the importance of yoga practices becomes even bigger. Different yoga poses such as the fish yoga pose or the cat pose help the mother develop both the physical and mental strength and focus that will greatly help during labor. Regular yoga practice can lessen the negative effects of various pregnancy problems such as morning sickness. Stretching poses also help the mother relax and strengthen the pelvis muscles, which will function easier during birth. Breathing techniques are invaluable during birth as they allow the mother to focus on the delivery rather than having to fight off the associated birth pain.

Women in the postnatal period or those that just want to improve their vitality and energy levels can try some of the following poses. The fish yoga pose, for example, helps women increase oxygen processing and increases relaxation. This pose is also known to strengthen back and neck muscles, while also improving the responses of the nervous system. The hero yoga pose is one of the best if the woman is looking for a period of time dedicated to meditation.

The cat pose is one of the most frequent ones to be used by women, regardless of age or physical condition. It is excellent for increasing spinal column flexibility and relaxing the lower back muscles, which carry the weight of the whole upper body while standing. The specific position of the cat pose also favors an increased kidney blood irrigation. This pose can be followed by the head stand, a slightly more difficult pose, but which also produces some beneficial results. This pose allows certain parts of the body rest as they do not have to function to maximum capability due to the reverse of gravity. Women may specifically benefit from this pose as it relieves back pain and lower back muscle pressure.

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June 29, 2008

Yoga for Business People: Mind-Body Connection

A rising number of business people are finding the mind-body connection.

Yoga, meditation, and other Eastern-born exercises are finding a growing audience among harried business people craving inner calm. Classes are offered at health clubs, company fitness centers, corporate retreats and spas.

Ideas that once were left-of-center are finding greater acceptance with the public support. Mind-body executive fitness is a hot topic right now.

Lynn Doody, owner of Zen Fitness wellness programs in Chicago, notes that, whereas in the past most of her clients pursued traditional cardiovascular and weight-training exercise, most now incorporate mind-body applications into the regimen.

There's just a general awareness, and non-conventional health care is a little more available.

No need to convince Mark Frantz. The 40-year-old vice-president at Merrill Lynch & Co. had learned in 15 years of trading commodities to manage stress and anxiety. He ran a few times a week, worked out at the gym, and worked at reducing stress in other conventional ways.

But he still ground his teeth at night, massages were temporary Band-Aids, and even while running he'd tense his muscles. He wanted more. He sought "a different quality of life."

What he found was yoga and meditation. At home, on an airplane, or for 10 minutes behind closed doors at work, Mr. Frantz can shut out distractions with deep breathing, yoga poses, imagery and other relaxation techniques.

He still runs, but '(yoga and meditation) forces you to focus on what's going on in the moment and to be aware of what your body is telling you. It relaxes you, brings your heart rate and your blood pressure down.

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June 25, 2008

Jazz Up Your Jazzercise With An Aerobics Stepper

Are your aerobics workouts starting to get bland and boring? Are you feeling like the benefits you were reaping at the beginning of your program are starting to fade? Perhaps it is time to kick up your workout by adding an aerobics stepper to the mix. You have a couple of options if you decide you want to try out an aerobics stepper. You can sign up for a step class, where they will probably have the equipment and an instructor to show you how to use it. The other option is to purchase your own aerobic stepper and a video, and learn how to use it in the privacy of your own family room.

If you go for the second option, you will be shopping for an aerobics stepper for home use. This piece of equipment can run anywhere from $30 for a basic model, to $100 for a deluxe style. If you are a beginner, a basic model can work for you, but keep in mind that it won't be too long before you will want to intensify your workout. The best way to do this is to raise your aerobics stepper. The basic models usually don't come with an adjustable option, and raising an aerobics stepper with household items will usually result in you flat on your back in your family room, wondering why you didn't pay the extra bucks for an adjustable model. Spending a little extra in the beginning to get a more versatile aerobics stepper may ultimately save you money - and unnecessary pain.

How To Use Your Aerobics Stepper

As you run through your aerobics step workout, be vigilant about your posture. Your back should remain straight, your head should be up and your shoulders should be back. As you step up, make sure that your entire foot is firmly placed on the platform. When you step down, keep your feet close behind the aerobics stepper to avoid strain on your back by lunging backwards. Before you begin your workout, you should do some warm-up activities, and make time for a cool down at the end. Because the aerobics stepper will intensify your workout and raise your heart rate, the warm-up and cool down are essential to keep your heart and muscles working properly.

The aerobic stepper can give you a great workout that intensifies your aerobic activity and provides additional toning to your leg and buttock muscles. Have fun with your new workout program, and enjoy a leaner, meaner you!

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June 8, 2008

Yoga Clothes for the Entire Family

Yoga is a relaxing form of exercise that combines deep stretching with meditation. To perform these stretches most people are comfortable in specially designed yoga clothes. Yoga clothes are different from most other exercise attire because they are snug fitting cotton material except around the calves; most yoga pants are loose around the calves or ankles.

Because yoga is so relaxing and uses stretching to naturally regulate mood, yoga is also often associated with organic or natural fibered products. Yoga clothes will use combinations of ultra soft all natural cotton and hemp products to give the wearer a one of a kind feel. Most yoga clothes will look like most other athletic or leisure clothing - comfortable and fashionable. Yoga clothes can also be found in velvets or synthetic blends for every day wear.

For Women

Yoga clothes are available in the largest selection for women. There are several varieties of stylish tops including tank tops, sport strapped tops, long fit tank tops or tee shirts, and more depending on the brand. The key with yoga clothes is always comfort.

Yoga bottoms for women are also comfortable and fashionable. Most yoga clothes are straight lines and slight flairs. Yoga bottoms are no exception; most of the pants are straight legged with a slight flare at the ankles. The yoga capris are also straight legged but they will usually flare at or just below the knee.

For Men

Men's yoga clothes will usually consist of long shorts (just below the knee), straight legged pants, tee shirts, and tank tops. These are usually made of pure cotton or hemp materials. Also because comfort is very important they are washed to be ultra soft.

Men's yoga clothing also extends to outer wear, there are hooded sweatshirts and fleece jackets that are practical for exercising or practicing yoga poses. The colors are usually very neutral for men and can coordinate with his existing wardrobe.

Kids

Though few babies will practice yoga poses, there are yoga clothing options available for babies and kids. Perhaps it is mire of a fashion statement to have mommy-and-me outfits. For babies there are ultra soft one piece body suits; many have a picture of a yoga pose on the front of the one piece.

Baby yoga pants are very comfortable for children, whether crawling or beginning to learn yoga poses for them selves! The materials are all natural and most children find yoga clothing more comfortable than other types of sports wear.

Yoga clothing is soft, comfortable, stylish and available for every member of the family. Yoga is also practical for an entire family, the gentle motions are ideal for mental and physical well being.

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