6 Simple Yoga Stretches for Daily De-Stressing
We have a tradition at the Behance office called the “four o’clock stretch,” where we step away from our desks to do a few simple stretches and recharge. When energy is waning mid-afternoon, it’s pretty incredible how a little deep breathing and muscle movement can completely re-invent your mood. Below are a few of my favorite “office-friendly stretches.” They don’t require any special clothing, equipment, or training – just a willingness to take a break from hunching over your desk.
Mission - Surya Namaskar - Sun Salutation
Surya Namaskar or the Sun Salutation is a most complete series of postures. It is a very good exercise which takes only a few minutes to do and serves as a warm up routine before the practice of yoga asanas. It is one of the best home exercises requiring little space, only eight by three feet. Be sure to have enough space to lie down, and enough clearance to stretch the arms above the head while standing.
Why yoga is good for absolutely everything...
Aquarius talks to Dubai-based yoga instructor Elaine Kelly, who conducts the annual yoga fest at Dubai Internet City, about the benefits of this ancient art form. Can yoga balance the body’s hormonal system? “Hormone imbalance can affect a women at any stage in her life, but the time when this is most likely to happen, and have prolonged side effects as a consequence, is during menopause. As the body prepares for this change, the endocrine system, which produces and regulates the hormones in the body, can become erratic, sending the body on a roller coaster ride. This is when the women will experience menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes, mood swings, and irregular periods.
Slideshows - Bedtime Yoga
Yoga For Bedtime Whether you are a night owl who would rather be a morning bird, have trouble falling asleep at night, or just need a little extra help relaxing before going to sleep, doing a little yoga before bedtime can help. This routine—which you can do in bed—will put your body and mind to rest, helping you to sleep soundly through the night so you can wake up rested and fresh for the morning. No sleeping pills required! First things first. Get ready for bed.
4 Yoga moves for a slimmer middle on Shine
Belly fat gets a bad rap, but there are all sorts of problem spots that can take up residence on your torso. From bra bulge to just-above-your-bikini-line pooch and everything in between, these 4 poses target your tummy while firming up your chest, shoulder and back muscles, too. And with no equipment required, they're easy enough to do at home-or, hey, even at the beach or by the pool! Get a metabolism that soars
77 Things You Never Knew About Yoga
Whether you’re an accomplished Yogi or a bright-eyed newbie – check out these fascinating yoga facts – you’ll be amazed at what you never knew! Following the amazing success of Elizabeth Gilbert’s “Eat, Pray, Love” meditative travelers are trading in sun, sea, sand vacations for more introspective trips. The author found inner-peace and true love through yoga and meditation via New York, India and Bali.
Smile Into Your Organs:
“A smile is an inexpensive way to improve your looks” Charles Gordy I love the idea that smiling is used as a healing and meditation practice by many ancient cultures. Taoists believe that holding a smile on your face and directing it inwards towards your organs and inner body, is the key to good health and longevity.
10 Yoga Poses to Fight Depression and Anxiety
The mind, body and spirit are all connected and when a person suffers from mild depression or anxiety, the body is out of balance. Yoga is a series of stretches that helps bring balance to the body; not just focusing on the body’s health, but also on the mind and spirit. Always consult a physician or counsellor if you are having ongoing feelings of depression or anxiety and before trying any new exercise program.
Hakula: Learn the Natural State of 'Fearlessness'
The Natural Fear-Free State of Calm… Hakula, is the natural state of optimal human performance. It is the opposite of the tunnel-vision-fear state many have experienced, because it creates a feeling of calm, and enables the greatest perspective and flexibility of behavior and response.
Six Steps to Meditation
This meditation lasts 15 to 20 minutes. It is a meditation of SIX steps. Each step will take roughly two and half to about three minutes. I will first explain to you all the steps and then you can start.
Yoga Basics: Your guide to Asanas, the Yoga Postures and Poses
Asana is defined as “posture or pose;” its literal meaning is “seat.” Originally, there was only one asana– a stable and comfortable pose for prolonged seated meditation. More than just stretching and toning the physical body, the yoga poses open the nadis (energy channels) and chakras (psychic centers) of the body. Yoga poses also purify and help heal the body, as well as control, calm and focus the mind. The different categories of postures produce different energetic, mental, emotional and physical effects. When holding a yoga posture, make sure you can breathe slowly and deeply, using Dirga or Ujjayi Pranayama.
Lucid Dreaming/Using
Dream stabilization[edit] Once you are able to dream lucidly, you may find that it is difficult to stay in the dream; for example, you may wake instantly or the dream may start “fading” which is characterized by loss or degradation of any of the senses, especially vision. Alternatively, a new lucid dreamer could easily forget that they are in a dream, as a result of the shock of the sensation.
Deep Relaxation Meditation - Fragrant Heart
This guided meditation helps you to relax. As you move your awareness through your body you are guided step by step to be aware of your breath, to focus on muscle groups and to deepen into relaxation. This guided meditation is suitable for anyone who may be feeling anxious, or tense, or experiencing a lot of stress in their lives.
