Women’s Health Blog

Todays society is much faster paced that ever before. People have more stress problems which lead to more health problems, mental and physical. There are more concerns with toxicity in the food we eat and the air we breathe. Millions of Americans today live a sedentary lifestyle, which is associated with obesity. The body, the cavities of our soul, was not meant to deteriorate in such a way that leads to disease. Yoga was developed over 5,000 years ago in India and it included spiritual beliefs, physical techniques, and scholarly philosophy.

There is a growing trend to practicing Yoga for many different reasons, which include attaining the yoga body or physique, relaxation and peace of mind, or to prevent injury and ailments. Americans mainly practice Hatha Yoga, which focuses on postures and stretching the body.

Yoga, which is derived from the sacred Sanskrit language of India, meaning *union* or *to yoke or harness*. Yoga is a way or path to transcendence and liberation from the self and the ego by purifying the mind and body. Practicing yoga leads to a union with the mind and body or the individual and universal consciousness. In other words, yoga is the union with the Individual Self and the Universal Self. Yoga predates all other religions and has influenced and inspired many other traditions and philosophies. Yoga is better understood as a union of the physical, physiological, mental, emotional, and intellectual bodies, which leads to a purposeful and balanced life.

There is simply no other discipline quite like yoga because it utilized the body, mind and spirit, all in one practice. Yoga is indeed a spiritual path that is based on ancient sacred philosophy, but one does not need to make an ethical decision when practicing yoga, rather finding your own path is wholly accepted. The holistic benefits of yoga are suitable for the young or old, sick or well, with any religious background. The secrets of yoga are inwardness, concentration, and purification of mind and body with cleansing thoughts and food. Indian philosophy states that within man is the spirit that is the center of everything. *Internal equilibrium is the basis and the ground for the higher illumination,* The cultural Heritage of India (Vol. I) – published by The Ramakrishna Mission Institute of Culture, Kolkata, India

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Yoga is a challenging discipline for the beginning to the advanced person. The asanas, or postures are slow and steady and are not meant to be painful, but this does not mean that they are not challenging. Never extend yourself too much to cause discomfort. With practice, you should see yourself relaxing into the stretches with ease.

Nevertheless, for beginners there are a few tips when practicing yoga. Release all thoughts, good or bad before you begin. Turn off your phone and dont answer the door, you need peace and quiet. Make sure you take a warm, relaxing shower and that you wear comfortable clothes that will allow you to stretch easily. You can use aromatherapy that will relax and help to clear you thoughts. You will want to purchase a yoga mat so you can rest on the pad and not slip and slide on the floor. Make sure your shoes and socks are off and that your hair is either comfortable pulled back or no, whatever feels better. Turn the lights low (or you can do it in the sunlight), whatever suits you. You may want to turn some relaxing music of nature, perhaps the beach. Belts or ropes are used to grab your legs and pull them into a better stretch, which should feel delicious. Blocks are used to prop yourself up and sit better or for standing postures.

Without the prop support, you may not be able to attain some postures. Just remember that although the postures are important, performing them absolutely perfectly is not the goal. Yoga is not just an exercise; it includes the mind and intelligence and the reflection in action. These tools make it easier for you as a beginner in yoga, but you will find that eventually you will not need them. Some people prefer taking a yoga class so they are guided properly. There is nothing wrong with this, but keep in mind that only you can take your mind and spirit as far as it was meant to go, alone.

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Yoga is a 3,000-year-old, Hindu discipline of mind and body that became known in Western society with the hippie generation of the Sixties and early Seventies. Its image as a mystic practice is disappearing as fast as the stressful aspects of the Eighties are appearing.

As an effective method of stress management, yoga is spreading into the business world, the helping professions, nursing and old age homes, and is used in the treatment of alcoholics, hyperactive children and youngsters with learning disabilities. Yoga centers are getting stiff competition from adult education classes of community colleges, boards of education and parks and recreation departments.

The meaning of yoga is union of the body, mind and spirit with truth. There are many kinds of yoga to study, and there can be endless years of practice for the willing student.

Hatha Yoga is among the most popular forms in the west. It emphasizes the practice of postures, which stretch and strengthen the body, help develop a sense of balance and flexibility, as well as body awareness and mental concentration. All forms of yoga incorporate the practice of proper breathing techniques for relaxation, to rest the mind from its constant chatter, to experience an internal calm, and to energize and purify the body.

As stress levels in society reach new heights, Raja Yoga, the yoga of meditation, is growing in popularity in Western society, while others, such as Krya Yoga, the yoga of cleansing, and Mantra Yoga, the yoga of chanting, not surprisingly, have little appeal for newcomers.

Stretching and toning, though beneficial, aren’t the primary reasons people turn to yoga. Newcomers are hoping that yoga will provide them with a means for handling stress and diffusing tension. The difference between exercise and yoga is that yoga has a meditative quality.

A lot of people are exercising for the psychological benefits and trying many of the Eastern activities, like yoga and tai chi. Yoga seems to have a calming effect on people.

And the techniques work on children as well as adults. When your children are quarreling, ask them to stop what they’re doing, raise their arms over their heads, lean forward and breathe deeply to help diffuse their anger. It definitely helps them to cool it.

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Back in the eighties, people were belting out the tunes to Alphavilles Forever Young. The song talks about enjoying life for as long as you can and making sure that you get the most of your experiences. Little did the young ones then realize that this could be the theme to their lives right now.

They now moan about turning another year older and looking as weathered as their leather moccasins back then. Age is an inevitable part of life, and if you just learn to embrace it, youll realize that feeling old is just a state of mind. How you feel deep down is a major factor that interferes with your health and youth. If you want to defy the aging process, you must be in sync with your bodys needs. Basically, your body, mind, and spirit must be harmonious with your desires. When your physical, mental and spiritual states are congruent with what you want, you often achieve those desires effortlessly.

The secret for better aging is to feel good about yourself and treat the symptoms that come naturally when you grow older. You dont have to just live with these symptoms and feel bad. You have to embrace what you have and feel good about yourself. Avoid your obsession with aging, and youll be surprised just how much weight youve lifted off your shoulders.

You should feel that same person 20 or so years before. What matters is not how you look on the surface, it is who you truly are deep down. This may sound like too much of a cliche, but then again, this became a cliche for good reason. Inside, you still have the same dreams and many of the same interests. In fact, aging has only had its rewards. The years should have taught you to be more confident and happier in your own skin. You may constantly obsess about the fine lines and deep crevices you see in front of the mirror, but has this done anyone good?

Here are just a few things to remember every time you see your age go higher:

1. Feeling beautiful is not about the age. In fact, its 99% attitude. You are a unique person, and there is so much about you to love.

2. Do not believe in what the media portrays as beautiful. If you read through each and every fashion publication there is, youll soon realize that no woman is good enough.

3. Never think youre too old to do anything. Enjoy those rock concerts and go to parties with friends. Dont let other peoples opinions or your own fear of looking silly change you in any way. Let them knit sweaters while you make your mark on society.

4. Learn to express your emotions and get over them as soon as youve gotten the chance to blow off steam.

5. Find love through your friends, partners, and family. Share good times with them and establish connections. Never surround yourself with people who think less of you. They can only be toxic to your existence.

Life is an adventure. Be bold enough to enjoy whatever life throws your way. The secret is to reclaim your life and enjoy yourself more. This is the only way to look and feel forever young.

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