Rounded shoulders and the head forward of shoulders is a fairly common posture. Exaggerate this posture as you read this. How easy is it to breathe? What is the sensation in the back of your neck? Do you feel more or less energetic? Slowly straighten again.

Lengthening the Spine

To learn how to increase height first understand through experience the role of the spinal muscles to hold us erect. This group of 3 sets of muscles run parallel to the vertebral column and are aptly named the erector spinae. Explore the first exercise again. Round shoulders, protrude the chin. Now contract the erector spinae to straighten the spine.

A long flat muscle in the front of the body, the “washboard”, runs from the pubic bone to the bottom of the sternum. It is divided into four. Let’s explore again. While sitting gently contract these muscles. Begin by breathing consciously. Then gently draw the lower abdomen in and up and continue conscious breaths. Relax excess tension. Even more gently draw the solar plexus area in and up, continue breathing consciously.

There is one more muscle to engage. It’s the strap-like muscle located on both sides of the front of the neck from the sternum and clavicle to the skull behind the ear. Draw the chin in not down, and notice the chest lift slightly. Help the ribcage to lift evenly on all four sides. Relax shoulders.

Yoga Exercise

As you enter a yoga pose, lengthen the spine. While holding the pose, lengthen the spine again. Practicing yoga exercises in this way will keep the spine safe and increase your height in and out of the pose. Who would have thought of growing taller with yoga!

Heather Greaves helps enthusiasts of natural healing learn more yoga even though their only teacher is a book. They say, To learn more about something, teach it. Since 2005 this yoga therapist and owner of Body Therapies Yoga Training has been training yoga teachers in a certified program. For more yoga tips and information visit Body Therapies Yoga Training  http://www.yogatogo.com

Breathing becomes very shallow for the person with asthma. Sometimes a wheezing or whistling sound can be heard. There might be insomnia.  Medicine is prescribed for this chronic respiratory disease. In addition to medicine complementary therapies can be helpful.

There are 2 common myths surrounding asthma.

Myth 1 – Asthmatics should not exercise.

Asthmatics too will benefit from exercise. With proper medication asthmatics can exercise normally.

Myth 2 – You’ll grow out of it.

This is apparently both true and false. Some children do “out-grow” the disease. Some adults who have asthma did not have it as a child.

As a complementary therapy, Yoga can assist breathing in several ways.

1.Yoga Postures

Positions that expand the chest creating more space for lung expansion include the Camel. If you have never done yoga, you can still practice an easy version of any pose. If you cannot sit on the floor, sit on the edge of a chair with your feet planted firmly on the ground or prop. Extend your arms behind you and hold the back of the chair. Inhale and lift your chest fully, expanding it. Then lean your head backward to a place that’s comfortable for your neck.

Stay for 6 easier breaths.

2. Mudra (Hand Position)

Interlace, no actually curl or curve all the fingers as though to make a fist with thumbs on the outside and turn the back of the left hand toward the chest. Clasp fingers together. This is called Bear Grip in Kundalini Yoga.  Pull the fingers apart with moderate pressure while exhaling and release the pressure slightly when inhaling. Take about 7 breaths. Then repeat this time with the back of the right hand toward the chest. (This is not to be used in asthma crisis.) Please not if you have High Blood Pressure begin this practice slowly.

3. Yoga Restorative techniques

To gently energize, practice restorative postures. These postures lengthen the muscles without much effort on your part. Your body is supported by bolsters and blankets. The mind becomes calmer as you notice the gentle movement of the breath. If you like, create a visualize that supports easy breathing.

4. Yoga Stress Reduction techniques

For emotional health, yoga offers regular relaxation, and a very deep relaxation technique called yoga nidra. Anger and fear and all the shades of these 2 emotions, make breathing shallow. Regular practice of relaxation techniques do even more than calm emotions. It can give us a new perspective so that issues that created stress are seen as challenges.

5. The Experience of Stillness

After a practice of yoga postures, relaxation, breathing techniques and meditation, there is a stillness within; a feeling like you have come home. You have become a friend to your body, emotions and soul.

Heather Greaves helps yoga beginners and enthusiasts learn more yoga even though their only teacher is a book. They say, To learn more about something, teach it. Since 2005 Heather has been training yoga teachers in a certified program. For more yoga tips and information visit Body Therapies Yoga Training http://www.yogatogo.com  <a href=http://www.yogatogo.com>

What does yoga mean for you? Is it synonymous with exercise, with meditation, or both? How could yoga be used for healing? What is it that is being healed?

Let’s examine three principles of Yoga Therapy and their benefits to you, and in doing so you may see the answers to those questions.

Principle 1 – Yoga Therapy is the conscious application of the many techniques and concepts of yoga to enhance health and wellness. As we human beings are multidimensional, all our levels are taken into consideration with the philosophy, psychology and techniques: body, mind, and spirit.

Benefit – If you are going through a life change, or a transition, for example, you are probably a bit fearful or anxious. Maybe you are even angry and are resisting the change. As yoga therapy is much more than a prescription for yoga exercises, other techniques are available.

A key theory in yoga is the importance of letting go, to stop the clinging. At a time of major transition understanding how to apply this theory to the best of your ability will make changes easier to handle.

Principle 2 – Yoga Therapy identifies awakening to one’s true self as the key to health and healing. What does that even mean? Yoga philosophy further states that lack of knowledge of the true Self is the source of all dis-ease and illness.

If we identify with our occupation, nationality, or status, for example, things related to our body, if these external factors are threatened, we would fluctuate,  experience imbalance that could lead to disease. When we get a hint or glimpse of our true identity, then even during the most trying of times, we will still maintain an experience of silence within, a balance of body and mind.

Benefit – Whenever there is a feeling of unease, or disquiet in the body and mind, you can see this as a signal that something is off; that there is a disconnect somewhere that needs due attention.

And further, with an understanding that the root cause of an illness or disease may remain even though symptoms have gone or are being alleviated, you know you could always dig deeper for health and healing.

Principle 3 – The uniqueness of each individual is respectfully considered. It really is different strokes for different folks. Yoga techniques of breathing, postures, mudras, etc. must be selected, adapted and modified according to your age, culture, religion, and physical condition.

Benefit – Yoga Therapy is an art as well as science. There are many scientific studies showing the health benefits of yoga exercises, breathing and meditation. If you are suffering with insomnia,for example,  you can experience more peace of mind and improved sleep through the skilful application of yoga techniques. Even if you have never practiced yoga before, the techniques carefully selected for you, will produce beneficial results when practiced with patience and persistence.

Yoga Therapy that includes knowledge of Ayurveda (yoga’s sister science) and kinesiology, offers solutions for functional and structural imbalances,  as well as the proper use of diet, lifestyle, routine, yoga and meditation.

Ayurveda teaches us how to live harmoniously with nature and each other. Understanding Ayurveda, this sister science of yoga, helps us live healthier lives and thrive with more harmonious relationships.  The essence of Ayurveda is understanding your body mind uniqueness.

When Nature is Kind

It was a natural action to sit in the shade on the beach yesterday, feel the warm breeze on our skin, the soft sand underfoot, be lost in the sound of the water, and watch as the waves came closer then move away. It was a feeling of abundance and harmony with Nature and like-minded individuals. Time was no more, even as the sun was going down.

We all knew we would get a good night’s sleep and there was spontaneous smiles at the thought. Nature was our friend.

I’d like to think we naturally gave back friendship with our appreciative hearts, off tune songs and chants, our Salute to the Sun yoga exercise, and tears of love. That in that public space where seven of us came together the harmony we created soothed Nature. Those who liked structure and those who preferred to go with the flow laughing together when the obvious differences surfaced.

Fierce Nature

The Mind thinks in opposites. So now I think of those who are experiencing the hardship of Nature’s fury: water in the wrong places or no water at all. Senses bombarded by unpleasant odors and heart wrenching scenes that seem to be everywhere.

My hope is that from time to time, their minds are able to serve them well. To recall a moment of beauty; to imagine a peaceful sunrise; or a drink of clean water. And that they are able to keep a song in their hearts.

Invitation

I invite you to make sense of your world with Ayurveda and understand your unique body mind.  Ayurveda has a wealth of knowledge that teaches the individual how to enhance the body’s healing process and restore balance. It points the individual to it’s sister science of Yoga to find the healer within through personalized yoga and meditation practices.

Yoga has been well documented to show great benefits. There are many benefits to practicing yoga including, physical, psychological and biochemical. From a holistic approach, yoga provides complete health benefits, and has done so for people from all walks of life.

Like many people who find themselves complaining about back pain, yoga and the stretching involved, can combat that pain. As you may know, yoga focuses on good posture. Good posture is one of the elements that can relieve back pain. Often chronic back pain can be due to bad posture and weakness of the back muscles and spinal column, by practicing yoga regularly, your spine and the muscle surrounding it will strengthen and help to reduce back pain.

We have been told for years about the importance of reaching and maintaining a healthy weight for our age. In order to lose weight you must speed up the rate at which your metabolism stores and burns up fat. Along with a healthy diet, yoga can not only get you to your ideal weight, but help you maintain it over time.

Yoga is not only a good alternative or addition to a weight loss program, it can also be used to help those suffering from painful conditions such as arthritis. With the different positions practiced in yoga it helps to keep joints supple and improves muscle joint mobility. This in turn with the increased blood flow to all the major organs helps to improve conditions like arthritis, at the same time improving overall health and body maintenance including lowering blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

Having looked at the benefits to the physical body, organs and joints, we should also note that the benefits to yoga are also seen from a psychological stand point. Taking the time to practice yoga daily, or a few times a week will lower stress levels and help you deal with your daily routine. Yoga has been shown to improve mood and overall happiness. it is important in a busy life to take time for ourselves. A few hours a week to ourselves will help improve our sense of well being and  help us centre ourselves so we can take on challenges that home or work life throws at us. Oftentimes in our busy lifestyle we do not take the time to spend a few hours a week relaxing and getting in touch with ourselves. Practising yoga can not only help us lower stress levels, but can also improve our overall mood. It is important to take care of yourself if your are expected to take care of others. Yoga is a good way to make an overall improvement.

As you can see, yoga is a great way to improve your overall mental and physical health. It has been practiced for centuries and used by all different types of people from around the world to improve their health and their lives. I hope after reading this article you will consider taking some time for yourself and look at yoga as a great addition to your life and health routine.

Why not register for one of our yoga classes?  We offer classes for all levels of experience from beginner to advance.