Month: November 2017

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder is also known as, “OCD.” As many of you know, OCD is often classified an anxiety disorder, in which the person affected is plagued by unwanted, intrusive thoughts. Yoga is designed to help reduce anxiety and stressful thoughts.

It should also be known that, when someone has OCD, visiting a doctor, therapist, or counselor is a step that should be taken. The time spent receiving professional counseling, and a plan of action, will be beneficial to the person, who suffers from OCD, and to their family members.

Below is a Yogic approach to lower the anxiety levels associated with OCD. The results of Yoga practice are a reflection of the time spent practicing. Usually, people take medication once a day, but practice Yoga less often. If one practices Yoga once per day, one can expect to feel positive results.

1. Asana (Yoga posture) practice is an extremely popular form of physical exercise. As Hatha Yoga and its many sub-styles have grown globally, asana practice benefits have become widely known. The type of movement can be adjusted to meet the age and fitness level of the participant.

Younger people can perform flowing movement, which causes the body to stretch and strengthen. Extreme forms of balance and muscle control help purge the body from tension, which can be caused by stress and anxiety. At the same time, Yoga practice can be modified to help a person who is in a wheelchair.

2. Mantra is sometimes forgotten, but let’s look at one purpose of mantra. If you close your eyes, close your ears, and make a sound, what are you thinking about? You can only think about the sound. This is an effective method for training the mind.

Mantra and pranayama (Yogic breathing) can be combined for maximum results. Initial suggestions, for working with mantra, are classic pranayama techniques such as: Udgeeth (Omkar japa) and Brahmari (bumble bee breath).

3. Meditation allows an OCD sufferer to train the mind to recognize unwanted, intrusive thoughts. To see the true value of an unwanted thought is to see it as insignificant. The mind processes many insignificant thoughts throughout the average day. Meditation teaches us to focus on reality.

There are many forms of meditation. One of the easiest to learn is breath awareness meditation. New students find it much easier to focus on their breath because it is the first thing they notice when they begin to sit still.

4. Yogic Relaxation techniques, such as: Stage-by stage relaxation, body scanning, relaxation through visualization, and Laughter Yoga are extremely useful for lowering stress levels and controlling anxiety. The choice of which relaxation technique to use is entirely up to the individual.

For example: Although Laughter Yoga may be very effective, some people may feel uncomfortable with it. In this case, it would be best to choose a relaxation technique that suits the personality.

Copyright 2009 – Paul Jerard / Aura Publications

Yoga is an amazing tool that can help you achieve not only a fit body, but also a peaceful mind. The amazing results of a daily yoga practice have spread like wildfire around the world with more and more people turning to yoga as the most effective and fulfilling form of maintaining a fit body and leading a healthy life. The entire world is reaping the myriad health benefits offered by this 5,000 years old ancient art and philosophy, Yoga. People practice yoga at studios all over the world, or sometimes with the help of a good yoga DVD, even in the privacy of their own homes. This ancient Eastern discipline has enormous power to change an individual’s life in a positive way. Regular practice of yoga ensures a fit and healthy body and a blessed life. The various yoga asanas provide strength to many of the body’s systems including the muscular system, the skeletal system, the endocrine system, the nervous system and even the subtle energy system.

Yoga, as a physical exercise, benefits the practitioner by offering a fit and healthy body. Yoga practice increases the level of blood circulation all throughout the body. It also improves the immune system, cardiovascular system, respiration system, digestion and lymph system. Yoga increases the red blood cell count which provides more oxygen to the cells and tissues of the body. It is the sign of a healthy body. Regular practicing of yoga also burns unnecessary fat and controls cholesterol level. So, the more yoga is practiced, the more one will develop flexibility, stability, strength and endurance.

By integrating physical activity with breathing excercises (pranayams) and mental focus, yoga creates an integrated approach to working all the physical and mental systems at once. Besides providing muscle strength and flexibility, stamina, weight loss, and radiant skin, the breathing exercises in yoga have been known to treat specific diseases including cardiovascular problems and respiratory problems. Stress is a huge factor in many physical problems including obesity, heart disease, cancer, and many nervous system imbalances. Yoga, when practiced with the right gentle yoga music can create such a sense of calm and ease, having a deeply healing effect on the human mind, body and soul. It helps the mind to relax by removing the clutter of thoughts and worries long enough to allow the healing power of the yoga to take effect. Stress is literally washed away through this practice, leading to deep healing. For people unable to attend yoga classes, try doing yoga at home with a good yoga DVD.

There are great yoga DVD options or even Audio Instruction CD options that can work as excellent guides for practicing yoga at home. Spirit Voyage is an online company which offers a wide range of yoga CDs and DVDs for yoga aspirants worldwide. These CDs and DVDs will provide detail audio-visual instructions and tips on all the yoga poses or asanas. The company also offers CDs and DVDs for various yoga forms such as Kundalini yoga, Ashtanga yoga etc. Some great yoga DVDs to try at home are: Kundalini Yoga by Gurmukh, Healthy Sexy Beautiful Kundalini Yoga by Dr. Gabrielle Pelicci, AM PM Yoga by Rodney Yee and Sun Salutations by Shiva Rea.

Yoga is often accompanied by the practice of meditation. There are actually five steps or techniques of yoga – movements of joints, postures or asanas, deep breathing or pranayama, relaxation or savasana and meditation or dhyana. Following these five steps regularly, you will be gifted with a healthy body, calm mind and awakened spirit. Meditation is a very effective intellectual or mindful part of yoga. Meditation helps to compose the mind by increasing the level of concentration. It is extremely effective at warding off stress, tension, and anxiety. The basic guideline for practicing meditations in many yogic traditions is to try them out for at least 40 days. Yogi Bhajan taught that in 40 days you will break a bad habit, in 90 days you will create a new positive habit, in 120 days you embody the positive habit, and by 1000 days you attain mastery. Tranquil meditation music can be played while meditating as the serene sound of the meditation music can create the perfect ambiance for such mindful and soulful practices.

Spirit Voyage also offers a vast collection of pure spiritual music for both yoga and meditation. It has different music sections on Kundalini yoga music, instrumental yoga music etc. The Mp3 collection, music CDs and DVDs are perfect for both beginners and regular practitioners. Renowned artists and musicians like Snatam Kaur, Satkirin Kaur Khalsa, WAH!, Deva Premal, Donna De Lory and many others have lent their beautiful voices to many of their albums. Practice yoga with this yoga music collection and lead yourself to live a happy and healthy life.

Yoga Therapy has been hailed the world over. Yuj means to unite and Yoga is Union with the Absolute Being.

Yoga is the Science of Man !

Know then thyself, presume not God to scan
The proper study of Mankind is Man !
Placed in the isthmus of a middle state
A being rudely great
With too much knowledge for the skeptic’s side
And too many weaknesses for the Stoic’s pride
He hangs between !

Yoga is a systematic study of man in his threefold aspect, as Mind, Body and Self. It is the Arts Artium or the Art of all arts and the
Scientia Scientiarum, the science of all sciences. It is based on hoary Indian wisdom and culture and is the art of living a
healthy, contented, balanced and peaceful life.

The Eightfold Path of Yoga is

Yama Conditional personal and social behaviour, according to Yogic Law
Niyama Attitutue under Yoga norms
Asana Physical Body discipline
Pranayama Breath Control
Pratyahara Senses control
Dharana Concentration
Dhyana Meditation
Samadhi Transcendental Consciousness

The first five are called Hatha Yoga, as it is culturing the physique. The last three are called Raja or Regal Yoga, as it deals with the culturing
of the psyche. The first Five represent the Psychosomatic Approach and are referred to External or Bahirangi Yoga. The latter three affects
the psyche and are known as Internal or Antaranga Yoga. It is to be noted that the Internal Yoga cannot be done without doing the External Yoga, as
purification of body is a prerequisite for Self Actualisation. ” Sareeram Adhyam Khalu Dharma Sadhanam”, the body is the vehicle for Redemption !

Yoga and TM trigger the Relaxation Response and relaxes you completely. Gone are the strains and the stresses of relativistic life.
The physical exercises called Asanas combats stress and keeps the body flexible.

The three physical states of Doing, Thinking and Being are highlighted in Yoga. All that we see is nothing but Universal Matter or Energy, the
Adhibouthika aspect of Relative Being. All minds together is the Universal Mind and this is the Adhi Daivata aspect of the Supreme. These are
all the manifestations of the Unmanifest and this is Brahman, the Absolute, transcending all relativities

The destructible aspect is called Adhibootha
He who tenants the body, the Purusha, is Adhi Daivata
Being Absolute is Brahman called
These three are the triune states of Being. ( The Song Celestial, the Geetha )

We can transcend all relativities and reach the Absolute Self, via this great Science of Cosmic Union. This is the union mystica, envisaged by the mystic traditions of all other countries

Some of the Yoga Centers in Kerala which you can visit on Kerala Tours are

Transcendental Meditation Center, Poonkunnam, Trichur

Atmadarshan Yoga-Dhama – Ayur Health Center Fort, Vanciyoour, Sreekaneteswaram & Taycaud in Trivandrum – Dr D Sreekantan Nair Email intyoga(at)yahoo.com

Yoga Holidays at Edakkad Beach Houses, Edakkad Village Beach, Kerala. Email pam(at) bodybalancefunction.co.uk

Hatha Vidya Gurukulam – Neernamukku, Vadakkethara, Pazhayannur, Trichur, Kerala.

International Vasishta Yoga Research Foundation – Calicut, Kerala, S India, 673010. vaiyoga(at) yahoo.co.in

Kaivalyam Retreat, Moolakada, Pallivasal, Munnar, Kerala, 685612

Kasi Yoga Anushtana Kendram, Tulasivanam, N Kurakkanni Jn, Varkala. kasiyoga(at) gmail.com

School of Shanti Yoga, TC 15/1572, M P Appan Road, Vazhuthacaud, Trivandrum 695 014, Kerala. santhischool(at) yahoo.co.in

Sivasoorya Divine School of Yoga, Surya, Vellayani PO, Kerala. info(at)sivasoorya.org

Thulasidalam School of Yoga, Tulasidalam Sree Rama Yogashram, Thelliyoor PO, Near Thiruvalla, Kerala. indiayoga(at)gmail.com

Yoga Vidya Peetham, Varkala Beach in Kerala during winters and Dharmasala during summers. info(at) hathayoga-meditation.com

Sivananada Yoga Vedanta Centre in Trivandrum;

Kollam Yoga Kendra, Uilyakoil, I

deal Yoga Centre Manaltheeram Yoga Centre,

Jawahar Balabhavan and Holistic Eastern Advance Research Temple (Heart) in Kollam;

Prajapathi Yoga center, Kacheripady,

Life Yoga Center, Edapally, Adithya Yoga Institute, Thrikkakara,

Pathanjali Naturopathy & Yoga Clinic, Kaloor

Kerala Yoga Centre, in Kochi, Kerala India.

You can visit these centers and feel the holistic positive energy. Enjoy the healing, divine touch of Yoga.

Guru Rattana is one of the premier teachers of yoga in the United States. She started training with Yogi Bhajan, the acknowledged master of Kundalini Yoga, in 1977. She has since written manuals about meditation and Kundalini Yoga. Guru Rattana has a doctorate degree from the University of Geneva in Switzerland and teaches regularly in the San Diego, California area. She is also very active in online teaching, reaching out to many people online that are interested in learning the basics of Kundalini Yoga.

Guru Rattana began her study of Kundalini Yoga in 1977 under the supervision of Yogi Bhajan. She has participated in more than a hundred White Tantric meditation courses and more than a dozen Khalsa womens training camps. She has also taught numerous courses for the womens training camps.

Additionally, she is a very-well traveled teacher. She has been to various territories such as Russia, Sweden, England, Germany, the Netherlands, Turkey, Italy and Portugal. She co-created and serves as lead trainer of the Kriya Kundalini yoga teacher training courses

She is a prolific writer and has authored four original highly acclaimed manuals on Kundalini yoga and meditation. These include, Transitions to a Heart-Centered World, Sexuality and Spirituality, Relax and Renew, and, Introduction to Kundalini Yoga. In addition to these, she wrote The Destiny of Women is the Destiny of the World and Your Life Is in Your Chakras. Her latest books are titled The Inner Art of Love and Gift of Womanhood. She has also written more than 200 issues of the e-zone New Millennium Being. These articles included topics, including Kundalini Yoga, but also delved into issues like astrology and spirituality.

Guru Rattana has a doctorate in Political Science from the University of Geneva, Switzerland and a masters degree from the John Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies. She has taught various courses at the New Hampshire College, Dartmouth College and the United States International University. In addition to these, she taught at Stanford University and the Institute of Transpersonal Psychology. She regularly teaches in the San Diego, California area when she is not traveling.

She also teaches online through streaming videos Guru Rattana Online. The Yoga Technology online superstore is a great site for yoga enthusiasts to visit, especially those searching for streaming videos of Guru Rattana. The website also offers Kundalini Yoga books, DVDs and CDs. Yoga Tech is the ideal website for Yoga enthusiasts. It can be accessed at www.yogatech.com.

If you often experience digestive problems including constipation, irritable bowel, acidity, heavy stomach, acid refluxes, gas, or stomach pain, yoga may just be the perfect fix for you!

Yoga is one of the most popular alternative medical treatments which are growing rapidly around the world. For people who are looking to get away from over the counter drugs, yoga offers an alternative with its holistic approach to health.

Yoga has proven itself in providing a wide variety of health benefits both physical as well as mental, including alleviation and even prevention of digestive distress. Therefore the goal of yoga is joining together body and mind into a state of balance and harmony.

There are many poses that youll find in yoga that stimulate and motivate organs such as the pancreas, intestines, and stomach. Due to this, these organs become incredibly strong and healthy. Here are some of the great benefits of doing yoga; It can add to the circulation of the gastrointestinal function, help you to increase the absorption of sustenance, reduce the level of acid in your stomach, helps to make a larger amount of mucous, help to decrease the pressures of gas, and can completely remove any constipation problems.

Part of doing yoga is learning the myriad of different positions that affect the body. The idea is to put your body into the position and hold it for a set amount of time. The theory is that each position can have a different impact on the body. For example, some postures restrict the flow of blood into certain areas of the body. Thus when the position is released, a rush of blood and oxygen enter that part of the body. This can be very effective in the digestive process.

If you want to improve your digestion, you can try some yoga pose such as Bhadrasana (the Gracious pose), Danda Mayurasana (the Peacock pose), Shashankasana (the Moon pose), Moola Bandhasana (the root lock), Uttana Mandukasana (the Frog pose), Virasana (the hero pose), Bhujangasana (or Cobra), Ustrasana (the Camel pose), and Supta Vajrasana (the Supine Diamond pose).

Another important part of yoga is yoga breathing exercises. Yoga breathing increase the blood flow to the digestive tract stimulating the intestinal action peristalsis making digestion more efficient. Yoga even calms and relaxes digestive system leading to effective elimination of toxins. Various forward bends increase the spaces in the abdomen facilitating the release of entrapped gases.

A basic breathing exercise begins by simply watching your breath. Sit down, close your eyes, and pay attention to each inhalation and exhalation. Place one hand on your stomach and feel it move as you inhale into your belly. Breathe gently and begin to inhale and exhale on a count of four. You can then increase this to inhaling for four and exhaling completely on a count of eight. Continue breathing in and out of your nose for at least five minutes, or longer if you wish.

Yoga has a lot of benefits including making you feel better about your body as you become stronger and more flexible, toning your muscles, reducing stress and improving your mental and physical well-being.