12 Great Reasons To Start Alternate Nostril Breathing
“I rest well. I sleep peacefully, and I awaken with joy” Louise Hay Your nose is exceptionally clever. Simply by practising a few rounds of alternate nostril breathing (pranayama) for a few minutes each day, you can help restore imbalances in your brain – improve sleep – calm your emotional state – boost your thinking – calm your nervous system. How impressive is that! Another interesting fact about your nostrils, is that you don’t breathe through them equally all the time. Left nostril for calming – right nostril for energy: Your nose is directly linked to your brain and nervous system. Breathing in through your left nostril will access the right “feeling” hemisphere of your brain, and breathing in through your right nostril, will access the left “thinking” hemisphere of your brain. Yogic breathing, the perfect relaxation tool: I happen to believe alternate nostril breathing is up there, as one of the most therapeutic calming rituals. 12 benefits of alternate nostril breathing: Caution:
10-Minute Yoga Supersets: Better than Another Hour of Yoga
This year, after 15 years of yoga practice and transforming my body, I found myself hitting a plateau. Though my practice regularly involves power moves like jumping forward into Crow Pose and holding Warrior Pose for a long time, my muscle tone seemed to be stuck on autopilot: never decreasing, but never really going to that next level, either. My body, it seems, has become accustomed to the level of my practice. To move past the plateau, I could have just started practicing more. I know what some of you are thinking: “This chick owns a yoga studio and practices a ton … I don’t have that much time.” The magic word here is “supersets” Bodybuilders and exercise physiologists have known about the benefits of the superset technique for years, and it’s time we brought it onto the mat. In yoga we often do one repetition of any given pose — say, Chaturanga (Pushup Pose) — then move on. So instead of staying at the yoga studio for another hour, add a 10-minute superset three times a week.
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Yoga Journal: Yoga Poses, Classes, Meditation, and Life
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. 1. Begin with the Lotus position, sitting crossed legged with hands resting on the knees, palms up. 2. 3. 4. 5. & 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. Slowly wake up the body, wiggling the toes and fingers. Focusing on breathing and practicing yoga poses can calm momentary anxiety and depression by giving the mind a peaceful focus and re-energizing the body.
Yoga Poses to Detox, Cleanse, and Improve Digestion
Detoxes, cleanses, you name it: People love to start each new year with a clean slate. If you are looking to kick off 2013 on a healthy, fresh, positive note, try yoga. In the practice, each new breath is a new moment: You can re-start any time, all the time. Yoga helps you to remain in the present, moving forward, never looking back. The right yoga routine can also help you detox your body and mind. Photos: Vera Boykewich
Yoga XTC Gallery: Asanas Organized into Categories
alphabetical • categorical • index (sanskrit / english)
Yoga Sequence For Stronger Legs | POPSUGAR Fitness
Whether sporting leggings with sneaks or high heels, here's a 14-pose yoga sequence to make your tight pants as proud as J Lo's and Jimmy Fallon's. Share This Link Copy Source: Getty This workout is all about the thighs, hips, and booty. 1. Stand with your feet slightly wider than your hips. 2. Release your hands to the floor, walking them away from you as you press your belly toward the floor.Relax your head, staying here for five breaths. 3. Walk your hands back to the feet, and lower your right shoulder in front of your right knee. 4. Bring your gaze forward, and rock your weight from side to side to gain enough momentum to rise up while holding your knee in the bound position. 5. WIth your arms holding the bind around your right knee, slowly hinge at the hips, folding forward as far as you can. 6. Pressing into the left foot, rise up with your bent right knee, and release your arms. 7. 8. Release hold of your foot, lift the torso as you swing your right knee forward. 9. 10. 11. 12.
Strengthen Your Lower Back
By Sharon Tanenbaum By toning the muscles in your back, you can relieve and prevent pain. The Routine If the phrase “Oh, my aching back” is part of your vernacular, you’re not alone.
