Knowledge And The Relevance Of Yoga Poses
Knowledge And The Relevance Of Yoga Poses |
- Knowledge And The Relevance Of Yoga Poses
- The Usefulness Of Yoga Accessories
- The History of Yoga and its Path to Enlightenment
- 7 Health Ailments Eased By Healing Meditation
- Yoga Meditation -Works With Various Levels Of Mind To Experience Peace And Spiritual Joy!
- How Meditation Can Change Your Life
- Tips On Purchasing Your Perfect Yoga Outfit
- Exploring Free Online Yoga Programs
- Meditation For Muppets - A Newbies How-To Guide
- Unusual Meditations Techniques you've never heard of!
- Meditation Trains Brain to be Kinder
- Dahn Yoga Helps Improve the Health of Self and Others
- Meditation Course: Simple and Beneficial Course for Children
- Yoga Types - Which One is Right for You?
- benefits and techniques of meditation
- Types of Meditation - No Head Stands Or Crossed Legs For Me
- Back Pain and Meditation Part 5
- Meditation For Beginners
- Yoga Today - Modern Yoga Practice
- Fitness Trend: Yoga
- Study Explores Benefits of Ilchi Lee Meditation
- The Potential of Using Yoga for Weight Loss
- The Advantages of a Meditation Chair
- Altruism | Does Enlightenment Mean Doing Good or Just Being Good?
- What is the Deal with Meditation?
| Knowledge And The Relevance Of Yoga Poses Posted: 13 Jan 2012 07:00 AM PST Article by Cindy Heller Although yoga is not a high-impact exercise, it can provide strength as well as suppleness to the body but you can cause injury to yourself if the poses are not correctly done. Through an in-depth knowledge, you can avert possible injuries. The correct breathing techniques as in other form of exercises are essential to yoga postures to avert unnecessary injuries. The most glaring is to withheld your breathe in between changes of yoga positions. Yoga is similar to weight lifting, you need to inhale and exhale while doing the poses and holding it only when you are done with the exercises. Normal yoga poses are unlike those that you found in television where they contort their body to make you squirm as yoga postures are done with little strain. Do not overstretch yourself and if you are uncomfortable with the poses, do not carry on as you might be heading for a serious injury. Yoga should be done at a certain pace as you will want to be with the flow and keep your muscles tension free. Going through the yoga positions too fast is not healthy as it will strain your muscles and hurt yourself. Practicing from a qualified teacher rather than through self learning such as self-help books or self taught videos are better as you can then the yoga poses correctly, thus avoiding hurting yourself. It can be done at a gym or one-to-one coaching. A knowledgeable yoga teacher can assess your skill level and offer the right supervision saving you a lot of times and unnecessary headaches. As yoga is very healthy and beneficial, it is better to learn the postures correctly from the beginning. Asanas or yoga positions can be difficult if not carry out correctly. After picking up from a qualified yoga teacher, you can then supplement through self-help books and self-taught videos. The yoga book by Dharma Mittra called the Asanas:608 poses is one of the most complete book. Video is more comprehensive than book as there are movements to guide you instead of interpreting from the pi! ctures. With video, there is voice to guide you so you can learn all the poses with minimal misunderstanding. The advantages that you can derive from a qualified yoga teacher is that the yoga poses is performed before you so there will be no ambiguity and at the same time, he/she can rectify your mistakes instantly. With yoga teachers, they can design the courses to suit you and even for those with special needs such as pregnant women. As well as, you can use the yoga classes to network with friends thus increasing the joy of attending practices. Generally picking the right postures is essential to yoga so that you can enjoy the full benefits of it. The numerous yoga postures are listed below:1. Sukhasana which is a fundamental yoga pose. This type of yoga will assist in focusing and breathing technique as well as building the lower back and hips2. Dog and Cat which is another basic pose and it is actually two dissimilar poses.3. Sethu Bandhasa, also known as the bridge is done by lying on you back and with your knees upward and hands by the side. For beginners, yoga can educate you on the relevance of our day to day movements such as sitting, lying down, crouching or even stooping. With certain changes, basic yoga are like those positions that you do daily without noticing and there are many benefits to gain. As beginning yoga has been endorsed by medical society for its mental and physical benefits, physicians usually recommend it to their sick patients as it encourages curing and respite from the illness. You can progress from beginning to more difficult poses by certain adjustments. Yoga is adopted from observing the many daily movements and they can give you the full benefits of the workouts that you won't be able to get from it otherwise. Yoga poses is progressive, you can pick up the more difficult poses gradually and with supervision from a qualified yoga teacher, you will be able to pick the correct poses. As yoga is also a mild and developing exercise, it can be don! e irresp ective of your age. With more confidence, you can then go on to pick up more difficult poses. While doing yoga poses, you can feel the improvement in your joints as well as look better and an improved self esteem. What you need is consistency and self discipline to follow through all the poses. About the AuthorCindy Heller is a professional writer. Visit free yoga exercises to learn more about benefits of yoga and yoga techniques. 
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| The Usefulness Of Yoga Accessories Posted: 13 Jan 2012 06:00 AM PST Article by Cindy Heller Although yoga does not require too much accessories, the usefulness of yoga accessories cannot be doubted as it will make you more relaxed and secure. There are a few requisite yoga accessories that you cannot do without, especially clothing such as upper body wear and pants. The next is a yoga mat for practicing the various yoga poses, and then there are the yoga shoes or socks. Other like a bag for yoga mat, DVDs for self study and water bottle are optional, including yoga props. One of the most essential yoga accessories is the clothing and it should not be too tight or too loose as you will not want it to interfere with your yoga exercises or leave you unfocussed. The upper body wear should be just right and usually they are made with a combination of cotton or Lycra as these materials are ideal for yoga for they provide comfort and pores for circulation Another is the lower body wear and for warmer climate, it can be just shorts so that you won't get too hot while practicing. During colder weather, you can wear pants but they should not be too loose and distract your exercises. Except for t-shirt and pants, you should leave your jewelry and watched at home to avoid getting in the way of your yoga practices. Other necessary yoga accessories are the yoga mat as it will cushion you against the hard flooring and it should be hygienic as your body and head will be in contact with it. Other consideration is that it will provide friction between your body and the mat as you will perspire during the exercises so as to ensure that you do not slip and get yourself hurt. In addition, the yoga mat should be tried out and it should also be easily maintained and wash so as not to add to your stress level. As the yoga mat will be rolled up after practices, it should be able to lay flat when you need it and not too sticky when you are doing the poses. Those staying in colder countries should ensure that the yoga mat remains flexible after it is out in the cold climate or when ! you need to place it in your car trunk. Also check the sturdiness and lifespan and it is neither too light nor heavy. For those mindful of the environment, it is essential that it can be recycled or reused. Most of the time, yoga is done barefoot or just with a pair of cotton socks but yoga shoes can provide the comfort that you need. Yoga shoes are different from the usual exercises shoes in that it has slim soles to provide suppleness and the top part of the shoes is lighter so as to ensure air circulation. In addition yoga shoes are vital as bacteria and germs will not form and also when you need to share yoga mat. On the other hand it can avert injuries like stepping on jagged pebbles or ants bite. With the yoga shoes, it will help ensure that you do not slip when you are carrying out certain postures. Yoga socks can be used in place of yoga shoes as wearing them is like putting on gloves for your feet but some would choose to use toe socks that is accompanied by non-slip rubber dots to provide friction and those are feasible choices besides yoga shoes. The optional yoga accessories like a bag for your yoga mat so that you can transport then back and forth from your yoga classes and with provision for change of clothes, keys or wallet. Yoga DVDs can help you to revise the moves that you have practiced and other like yoga props to assist you in the various poses. Water bottles can be useful but not necessary as you will perspire profusely during the exercises, as a result releasing toxins. With the replenishment, it will replace lost fluids and remove the excess toxins. In addition you will be dehydrated after practices so a fresh, rejuvenating bottle of water will lighten you up. Shopping for yoga accessories can be done at yoga specialty retailers and it is better to shop there than just any retailers as they will have a wide ranging items and knowledgeable sales staffs to guide you. Also it can be done online but the drawback is that you will not get to test the items,! on the other hand, it provide a relaxed ambience and convenience without stepping out of your house. About the AuthorCindy Heller is a professional writer. Visit free yoga exercises to learn more about tantric yoga and tantra yoga. 
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| The History of Yoga and its Path to Enlightenment Posted: 13 Jan 2012 05:00 AM PST |
| 7 Health Ailments Eased By Healing Meditation Posted: 13 Jan 2012 04:00 AM PST Article by Bruce Channers Do you suffer from skin conditions such as psoriasis? Are you battling blood pressure and heart disease? Do have trouble controlling your anxiety? If you suffer any of these conditions then you should add healing meditation to your arsenal of health and wellness tools. However, these health ailments are not the alone ailments that benefit from healing meditation. There are numerous health conditions that can be alleviated through the use of healing meditation. Following is a listing of common health ailments that can be alleviated through healing meditation: 1. Psoriasis: Psoriasis is a skin disease that produces scaly red patches on the skin. It can be painful and embarrassing. Sufferers can also have painful flare-ups. Healing meditation can help to reduce the frequency and intensity of these flare-ups and clear up their skin patches. 2. Heart Disease and High Blood Pressure: According to the American Heart Association, Heart Disease is still the #1 cause of death for both women and men. Heart Disease is the result of a variety of factors including genetic predisposition, diet, and weight level. Combined with a proper diet, daily exercise, and heart disease drugs, healing meditation can help alleviate the effects of heart disease and reduce blood pressure. 3. Anxiety: At one time or another we all experience anxiety. Some people experience extreme anxiety on a daily basis which can even attack their immune system. Anxiety can also increase blood pressure. Blood pressure is known as the silent killer so it is critical to minimize the amount of anxiety you experience. Healing meditation can alleviate stress in your mind, soul, and body. 4. Arthritis and Fibromyalgia: Arthritis and Fibromyalgia sufferers deal with pain on a daily basis. Sometimes this pain can be crippling. Healing meditation can decrease the stress on muscles and joints. This reduces the pain sensations that these sufferers experience. Healing meditation can also help reduce inflammation thus reduci! ng pain. 5. Premenstrual Syndrome: PMS can stop an otherwise healthy person dead in their tracks. Devastating headaches and painful menstrual cramps can be reduced through healing meditation. The meditation helps minimize stress and relaxes muscles which can be a most welcome effect for many PMS sufferers. 6. Asthma, Emphysema, and other Respiratory Ailments: If you are ill with these ailments then you know that breathing can be a chore. Your lungs can close up on you causing you to cough, gag, and have trouble breathing. Healing meditation is focused on breathing. You learn to breathe deeply and slowly. You open your lungs so that they can use their full capacity more effectively. 7. General Health: Healing meditation is a whole body experience. Every ounce of your body and mind benefits from meditation. This yields a positive attitude which further enhances your well being. Practicing meditation is a win-win experience for anyone. You can enjoy the benefits of meditation regardless of your age, gender, or skill level. So stop and set aside time each day to meditate. You can ease any health ailments that you have to deal with every day. Healing meditation will lift your spirits as well which is key if you want to conquer your health condition. About the AuthorTo learn how to maximise the health benefits of meditation, please go to:www.OnlineMeditationGuru.com Morning Mantra Shri Ganesh 
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| Yoga Meditation -Works With Various Levels Of Mind To Experience Peace And Spiritual Joy! Posted: 13 Jan 2012 03:00 AM PST Article by Nishanth Reddy Yoga meditation is described to be an art and science of systematically, observing, accepting, understanding, and training each of the levels of our being, such that we may coordinate and integrate those aspects of ourselves, and dwell in the direct experience of the center of consciousness. The Yoga of today is not actually a separate part of Yoga Meditation, simply because for a fact Yoga is meditation. However, to differentiate Yoga Meditation to the now popular belief that Yoga is all about physical postures, Yoga Meditation is a complete process unto itself and only a small though useful part of which relates to the physical body. In Himalayan tradition of Yoga Meditation, one systematically works with the senses, body, breath, the various levels of mind, and then goes beyond to the center of consciousness. The science of yoga meditation as taught by the Himalayan sages, is already a complete science that has been divided into smaller pieces over time, each having individual parts that has sometimes unfortunately been cut out from the whole Yoga Meditation and has been given separate names and taught as unique systems of meditation. Yoga Meditation of the Himalayan tradition involves a broad range of practices and not only deals systematically with all levels, it is also holistic. These practices include: Meditation Regardless of what object is used, such as breath, a visualize image, an internal point of focus, or a religious symbol, meditation evolves in stages. * Gross objects. Yoga meditation may start with concentrating on identifiable objects or words. * Subtle objects. Second would be to shift to their non-objective form, such as light or sound which constructs the object * Bliss. Third would lead to the subtler, joy-producing essence or meaning of the object, or * I-ness. Moving still deeper into the being-ness or existence itself. Yoga meditation is systematic, moving inward from gross, to subtle, to subtler, and to subtle-most. Attention moves inward progressively, from the most ex! ternal t o the very core of the being. ContemplationWhether it is a reflection on the universal picture or an aspiring verse from the sacred texts of one's religion, contemplation also evolves. One of the focuses of Contemplation in the Himalayan tradition is Mahavakyas or great Contemplations. The stages that contemplation evolves are: * Thought. Contemplation may start with a verbal thought or process. * Reflection. Second is to deepen to quiet reflection * Intuition. Later bring intuitive wisdom, and * Knowing. Then lead to a formless knowing. Like meditation, contemplation also moves inward, following the steps of moving inward from gross, to subtle, to subtler, and to subtle-most. As the more external, gross, verbal way recedes, it leads to the very core of our intuitive being. Prayer Although Prayers might be different for people of different cultures and religions, prayer also evolves through stages: * Repetition. Prayer may start by being repetitive and standardized in a traditional way * Relationship. Then shifting to a more verbal and spontaneous inner relationship * Feeling. Then developing to a deeper, non-verbal feeling of love and devotion and * Communion. Transforms into still deeper communion. Prayer also moves inward, progressively from the most external to the very core of our being. Prayers for strength, or for spiritual awakening, gradually come to completion. Mantra Whether the Mantra is of a particular religious significance, such as a short phrase or a spiritual language such as Sanskrit, or a seed syllable not of any particular religion or language, it also evolves through stages. Mantra usage deepens with practice: * Spoken. It may be spoken first externally or internally * Heard. Later heard or attended to internally * Feeling. Then later experienced as a syllable-less feeling, or * Pervasive awareness. Finally experiencing pervasive awareness that leads to its source. Mantra like the other practices of Meditation, Contemplation, and Prayer, also moves inward. The root meaning of Yoga Me! ditation lies in the meaning of the word Yoga itself, which comes from "yuj" meaning to join, to bring together the aspects of yourself that were never divided in the first place. Although some principles of Yoga Meditation are contained within various religions, Yoga meditation is not a religion. About the AuthorNishanth Reddy is an author and publisher of many health related websites. For more information on meditation, yoga meditation, methods & techniques of mediation, visit his website: Meditation Info Guide The Greatest (Mightiest) Classical Music Pieces Ever Composed [HD] 
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| How Meditation Can Change Your Life Posted: 13 Jan 2012 02:00 AM PST Article by Ailsa Svetloff Current research estimates that the average person has over 60,000 thoughts per day, 90 percent of which are replications of our thoughts from yesterday. Moreover, people spend almost half their time worrying, and 90 percent of those worries never come true. On the other hand, most of us can remember those glorious moments when we experienced unbound love, sparks of wisdom and understanding; the moments when we felt total harmony with the world around us and harmony within ourselves. If we could only manage our restless mind and apply it with greater efficiency in the present moment! Learning and practicing meditation can set us free from unnecessary worries and enrich our perception and senses. Although various meditation traditions and techniques exist around the world, they can be roughly divided into four broad categories: concentration meditation, reflective (or insight) meditation, mindfulness meditation and creative meditation. Concentration meditation: Concentration meditation is the basis for all other kinds of mediation. Concentration is vital for overcoming distractions and maintaining mental focus. Imagine pouring water freely on a flat surface; it will instantly become a shallow patch of water that will turn stagnant in the points of depression. But if you channel this same water in one direction and keep it under pressure, it can carry tremendous power. The mind works similarly. Let it roam freely, and it will have little power, it will simply fill the available space. However, the concentrated mind can become a powerful carrier of our intentions. Through the ability to concentrate, the mind can acquire greater calm, stability and clarity so that confusion, anxiety and lack of attention become problems of the past. Further, concentration is used in the other major kinds of meditation - mindfulness, reflective, and creative. In addition, the power of concentration can be applied for developing physic abilities. Reflective Meditation: Reflecti! ve medit ation can be defined as disciplined thinking. You choose an idea, situation, or question and focus your contemplation on it. When your mind wonders, you bring it back to the subject of your reflection gently but firmly. This kind of meditation is traditionally used for gaining greater insights into the nature of death, life, the meaning of life, or the question of your own mental quest, be it relationships, a scientific puzzle, or daily problems. The secret to gaining revealing insights is your ability to direct your attention repeatedly to your chosen theme and staying open to whatever arises in your mind from that experience. Mindfulness Meditation: Mindfulness is a state of awareness in the present moment, when your mind is relaxed and conscious of your experience, including thoughts and feelings, sensations and breathing, and accepts everything with an attitude of non-resistance and equanimity. Thus, you can experience everything fully without self-criticism or clinging to your personal identity and importance. The majority of our problems arise from our lack of awareness and mindless actions in our lives. The practice of mindfulness can help us improve focus and concentration, enhance the quality of our communication, manage stress, increase our efficiency and build self-confidence. Creative meditation: While concentration and mindfulness bring more focus and awareness into our lives, creative meditation helps us to transform and apply the habits of the mind with greater efficiency. Creative meditation can help us with developing and strengthening particular qualities of our nature. It can also invite more possibilities and potentials into our lives. For example, creative visualization, one of the most used methods of creative meditation, can assist us with fulfilling personal desires, such as succeeding in professional life or attracting happiness. Our subconscious mind does not discern between imaginative and real-life stimuli. Although an impression may last on! ly secon ds, the subconscious mind can trigger similar emotional, mental, and psychological reactions repeatedly. Thus, by bringing desirable emotionally charged images into our awareness we can exercise productive control over our imagination and influence the positive qualities of our mind. We all know that we can train our physical body and gradually develop stamina and flexibility by exercising regularly. The same rules are true for the mind; numerous studies have demonstrated that it is possible to develop greater intelligence, creativity, and other mental capacities. With the diligent practice of meditation, your mind will become more clear, composed and powerful, and you will be able to apply it to any task or activity with mindfulness and superior efficiency. About the AuthorLearn Meditation is your source for meditation techniques and products that can help you reduce stress and anxiety, improve your health and wellbeing, increase brain power and relax. 
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| Tips On Purchasing Your Perfect Yoga Outfit Posted: 13 Jan 2012 01:00 AM PST Article by Cindy Heller Yoga is a special form of meditation to give you the serenity that you need in this chaotic world. During yoga practice, you should be able to relax and meditate with absolute comfort. To do this, you will want to be dressed in the most comfortable clothes that would allow you to do those challenging stances and positions. Therefore, some basic guidelines will be drawn out to assist you in purchasing your perfect yoga outfit. Comfort Comfort is the main concern that one should be bear in mind when choosing clothes for yoga in yoga clothing. The clothes that you wear should allow you to move every joint of your body freely without the fear of hindering blood flow. Loose clothing is good choices but it has the tendency to slide down when doing those bending positions. Thus, a good yoga outfit should provide easy motion and capability to leave parts of the human body move in different postures and positions. Afterall, Yoga needs one to perform plenty of twisting and stretching; performing these steps in unfit yoga clothes could akin to make suffer. Elastic materials like spandex are better choices because they allow you to move freely without any part of the outfit getting in the way. Pure cotton is another material to consider as it allows the body for breathing in proper manner and offers a lot of comfortable. Wearing a sports bra that is comfortable enough for those moves for woman Look out shoes with rubber soles and are as flat as possible for comfort. FootEase is a good brand of Yoga footwear that relieves sore, cold or aching feet. The unique shoes put in herbs and rice that improves the circulation in the feet. Sweat Absorbance Yoga may seem like a gentle kind of exercise but, keeping your body in challenging positions will surely make you break out into a sweat. Therefore, it is good to choose fabrics that are made of cotton which breathes and absorbs sweat. As doing different types of yoga produce heat, it can cause the body to sweat. One can start feeli! ng moist and sticky in case of Yoga clothes are not sweat absorbent. So, it is recommended to people to buying only yoga clothes that easily absorb sweat. One should select pure cotton as it keeps the human body cool and easily absorb sweat from the body. Right Fit Yoga is not just about moves, it is about how you see yourself in a positive way. Donning on clothes that make you look good is also a consideration. Choose stylish yoga outfits with color that suits your personality to make you feel good when doing the moves. It is vital that clothes to do yoga must be perfectly fit for body figure. Take heed; it is not necessary that anyone wear a specific form of fitting yoga clothes that it will fit for one. One should take some time for deciding which type of yoga clothes will fit the best. It is the preferred choice if one top is bit fit for body. Shorts would also be good as it allow you to see your knees, feet and ankles in proper alignment. Due to the numbers of yoga postures, in which head moves toward lower the hips that can be go ahead to top sliding down. There are many types of yoga clothes that are many features in nature. One can wear these clothes to do yoga and is better to wear before going to the yoga class. Value For Money And Attractiveness Tank tops are favorites that are made of materials that breathe and with designs that are trendy and appealing. Semi-fitted or spandex pants allow comfort while covering full range of motion movements. Pants come in many different cuttings and designs. You can opt from Capri, to boot cut, to leggings and many more. Plus sizes are available for the big people. It offers an individual a good feeling during workout. An individual can perform exercise with more confidants. One should be practical while purchasing clothes for yoga. Never let clothes designer makes order one selections as the selections might not necessary fitting for your body structure. Note that valuable yoga clothes does have a guarantee at all. O! ne can p urchase comfortable yoga clothes as per budget. If you are practicing yoga outdoors, it would be good to wear a snug-fitting hat that provides enough protection against the sun's rays. A cap with a wide front brim and a tail at the back would protect your face and nape from the harmful UV rays. It is very common that outfits alter their shape after washing them. If this appears with clothes for yoga, it can hinder exercise, as shapeless yoga outfits will get in the order of the different poses and postures. Therefore, it is good that one buys only clothes that are constructed from organic materials. Conclusion Yoga is centered at giving you a healthy body and peaceful mindset. Dressing right, while doing yoga is necessary. If you did yoga dressed in ill-fitting and uncomfortable clothes, you just might not be able to achieve the right effect of yoga. Take heed that yoga is supposed to make you calm, unmindful of your surroundings. Invest in the right yoga clothes to get the desired results of yoga. About the AuthorCindy Heller is a professional writer. Visit varicose vein cures to learn more about buying yoga shoes or finding a yoga spa. 3 of 5. How to Meditate, Yoga, Meditation 
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| Exploring Free Online Yoga Programs Posted: 13 Jan 2012 12:00 AM PST Article by Nikki Davila So many people seem to be interested in free online yoga classes. Some may just be curious while others may not be able to afford full yoga classes yet. If you are in search of free classes, there are a couple of things that you should have in mind first. Yoga Benefits We all have been told that yoga is one of the best sports for just anyone, but what exactly you can benefit by practising yoga? To put it short, it improves your physical strength and flexibility and keeps your organs and systems functioning properly. It also calms and relaxes you and relieves pain and stress. In the end, yoga ultimately leads people to physical, mental and spiritual harmony. In other words, yoga can help you achieve overall health and change the way you respond to life situations and conditions. Free Online Yoga Instructions The usual idea we have with yoga is that students have to sit in front of teachers who demonstrate yoga techniques. You can actually enjoy this same kind of instruction for free online. Some yoga websites will let their users or members watch actual demonstration videos online. Users then just have to follow instructions to get the right way of performing a technique. In some cases, some individuals may prefer written and illustrated instructions from web pages or free newsletters. Different Types of Yoga You can not just pick and use any free online yoga material. You have to find out first which kind of yoga you are most comfortable with. You may for example prefer Hatha yoga over Ashtanga yoga or Kundalini yoga over Bikram yoga. Different forms or kinds of yoga will teach you different techniques. Free yoga videos can be for either beginners or more advanced students. Check the level before downloading the material. Otherwise, you might get into techniques that are not good for you to handle on your own. In some cases, a free yoga program may only teach you yoga techniques up to a certain point, and you need to find out for yourself whether free pro! gram is fully geared or will leave you hanging. Yoga Teachers Just as there are different yoga disciplines, there are also a great number of yoga masters. This is especially true online. Since authenticity is a little difficult to check on the internet, some scam artists may even pose as yoga masters. Do a little research on where exactly your free material comes from. This can protect you from injury and help you achieve the goal of yoga better. Self-Discipline You may be looking at a real master execute some great yoga moves but he is not looking at you. This means that you have to monitor yourself to be certain that you are being serious and careful in performing yoga techniques. You also have to be sure that you know how to follow instructions. You might be the type of student who cannot learn well without actual classroom instruction. Some free online yoga materials can be just as good as the paid ones and can truly change your life. You need to be sure though that you have the right materials and the commitment to practice yoga techniques on your own. About the AuthorIf you are serious about undertaking free online yoga class, you may like to get started with our free yoga videos. You can also check out this related article about benefits of yoga. 
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| Meditation For Muppets - A Newbies How-To Guide Posted: 12 Jan 2012 11:00 PM PST Article by Michael Cheney Meditation - What is it? What isn't it? Why do it? Meditation can be more energising than sleep if you do it in the right way. You don't need to be some far East mystical guru to practice the art of meditation. You can do it no matter where you are and it can only take 5 minutes. But it does take practice. The way I look at meditation is that it's like recharging your cell phone. When your cell phone starts running low on juice it tells you. An icon flashes or it beeps when it's really close to 'dying'!. So what do you do? You go and plug it into the wall and charge it up again. TIME TO RECHARGE Now think about this - if you continue using your cell phone whilst simultaneously charging it then it may never reach its full energy levels again. So what most of us do is when we charge our cell phone we just leave it somewhere for a few minutes and don't touch it. Your cell phone is left alone to recharge and get back to full energy levels to serve you again. It's the same with your mind and body. If you try to bulldoze through the entire day without ever stopping to take a break you are doing yourself no favours whatsoever. GET A BIG BREAK IN LIFE BY TAKING SMALL ONES I never used to grasp this concept. I thought taking breaks and chilling out were for wimps! But now I realise that when I recharge my batteries throughout the day it's like awaking and starting afresh. Seriously - I can do just 30 minutes meditation and afterwards have more energy than I had right at the start of the day! By incorporating meditation into my daily routine my batteries are always full and I'm able to maintain high levels of momentum in my life at all times. I can work through from 06:30 to 11PM at night in this way and not feel overly tired. I also still have energy to do two hours' exercise in this time as well - another great way to increase your energy levels and maintain your momentum. The key here is to remember the PURPOSE of why you are meditating throughout th! e day - don't just take time out to chill out for no reason. Like everything in life - when you attach a purpose to it meditation becomes dramatically more powerful and can aid you even more. I now set aside various times throughout my week for different meditation-purposes. Sometimes I meditate to purely relax and de-stress. A MEDITATION MENU? Other times I meditate and focus on being more creative and producing new money-making business ideas. On occasions I will meditate with the sole purpose of designing a better future for myself. But the lesson here is that your meditation and restful periods must have a purpose. When you get a purpose behind your resting times then you can actively design them to be more effective and also start to measure their outcomes for you and tailor them accordingly. However are you going to know if you had a great meditation or a mediocre meditation if you never set a purpose and standard for it in advance? Above all else when it comes to resting time and meditation I would say just go with the flow. There are so many books, courses and DVDs out there that it can become overwhelming. JUST HAVE FUN All you need to remember is that you are using this tactic to empty your mind of worrying or annoying thoughts and focusing on the positive about yourself and the restful during your life at this time. Being too hyper-aware of a particular meditation-technique can be off-putting when really all you need to do is slowly control your breathing and let your mind zone out. Sound easy? It is! That's the secret! About the Author"How To Get What You Want In No Time, Every Time" - grab your FREE Momentum Masterclass Audio from http://www.MomentumDoctor.com YOGA FOR HAMSTRINGS 
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| Unusual Meditations Techniques you've never heard of! Posted: 12 Jan 2012 10:00 PM PST Article by Elise Lebeau, M.Sc. Meditation is a very personal thing. When my Empath and Intuitive skills went "live", I was overwhelmed with information and soooooooooooooo many people recommended meditation. But I hated meditation...No kidding! Just sitting there, trying not to think of pink elephants. It was like a refined form of torture and, worst of all, oh so boring... The answer came from one of my Spirit Guides one day. He suggested I try a mediation that involved watching movies. Huh? Does that count, I wondered... Since then, my guides have come up with all kinds of unusual meditation techniques that work for me, and now I love it. Since I am an engineer, things make sense to me when they have a purpose. In my life, meditation is an processing activity, like a computer that needs some time to open up Word or to connect to the Internet. Computers also needs processing time when turning off, to cleanly organize all the new data that has been created. When I meditate, I keep my left brain out of the way so that my right brain can process all the information I've been receiving (the right brain handles creative, intuitive and abstract data). When I'm done, my mind-computer is responsive again and I'm not just staring at the little hourglass, waiting for the processing to complete before I get my answer! These are my two favorite meditations techniques. Try them out and feel free to tweak them! Remember that meditation is supposed to feel good. The Movie Meditation: 1) Select a movie and set your intention to "meditate" while you are watching it. 2) As soon as you start watching, your brain will do what needs to be done to start processing. Even if you don't know what that involves, your brain does! Just like your brain knows how to keep your body functioning while you think of something else. Movies are great because they keep your left brain busy, leaving the right brain free to go in processing mode. This is a lot easier than trying to turn down ! your lef t brain! 3) After the movie, take a moment to "reboot" your mind-computer. Do you get a message? What thoughts pop into your mind? This is a great time for profoundly creative ideas to come up so make sure you're listening! And take notes, if you feel so inclined! They'll be priceless! The Cat Meditation You know how some people take "cat naps"? A few minutes here and there and they're all refreshed! I've noticed that processing doesn't have to be done all at once in a gruesome 1 hour session. Your brain always knows where it left off processing and it can continue at any time! The Cat Meditation is a series of very short meditations (and by short I mean that 5 seconds is enough!) that you can easily do without needing to stop the flow of your day. Over time, I have found that I was yearning for longer processing time without ever having to force it. 1) In the Cat Meditation, you're actually turning down your left brain for a brief period. This is different than the Movie Meditation, where you keep your left brain busy in order to facilitate processing. To do this, just imagine a blank screen in your mind. Like you're watching a movie screen but the movie hasn't started yet. 2) Keep it short! For most of us, it won't be long before you start seeing thing (or hearing things) on your blank screen. By then, your left brain has started being active again so you're done!tip: If you can't keep the screen blank (it's ok, I had a hard time with that at first), try counting to 10. Your left brain might be more willing to stay quiet if you give it a little something to do at first. 3) Here are some great ways to practice this:- Do a Cat Meditation while reading a book each time you turn a page- Do a Cat Meditation while watching TV on the first commercial (mute the TV first!)- Do a Cat Meditation when you get in the car every morning- Do a Cat Meditation when you start to brush your teeth! Enjoy! About the AuthorElise Lebeau, M.Sc. is a Professional Intuitive. She provides a fast-paced, result-oriented approach to intuition. Embrace YOUR intuition with the online, interactive Applied Intuition Program. All it takes is 5 minutes for 20 days, for less than the cost of a book! 
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| Meditation Trains Brain to be Kinder Posted: 12 Jan 2012 09:00 PM PST Article by Samantha Srillian According to a new study, Scientists have managed to prove what many Indian people have known for centuries; they have demonstrated that meditation is good for the brain. During the study, which was published in the specialist journal PLOS One, researchers discovered that meditative training could produce specific measurable changes in the parts of the brain that are linked to empathy and compassion.In the research into compassion meditation practices, researchers studied 16 Tibetan monks who had each spent many hours cultivating their meditation techniques. The monks underwent a number of functional magnetic resonance imaging brain scans during their meditation sessions, which highlighted any changes to the brain.The meditating monks were pitted against 16 volunteers who had no previous meditation experience. These volunteers were taught basic meditation techniques just a fortnight before their brains were scanned. The brain scans showed a number of differences between the brains of the monks and those of the volunteers. Most notable were the changes in the monks' brains, particularly in the circuits used to detect emotions and feelings.The inexperienced volunteers were taught only the most basic elements of compassion meditation; they were initially asked to concentrate on their loved ones and send them wishes of wellbeing and freedom from suffering. After this, they were then told to generate a similar feeling towards people in general, not just specific individuals.As part of the research, the 32 monks and volunteers were placed in a brain scanner, before being asked to begin compassion meditation or to refrain from the meditation altogether. While they were in each of these states, the subjects were exposed to either negative or positive human vocal sounds, which were specifically designed to evoke neutral vocalisations or empathic responses. The sounds used in the study included a laughing baby, a distressed woman and some background restaurant noise.During the test, the scans indicated t! hat ther e was significant activity in the insula – the part of the brain that helps the body represent emotion - when the monks were meditating and made to listen to emotional vocal sounds. The scans also showed a clear link between the strength of the activity and the intensity of the meditation. However, journalist and yoga teacher Ruth Fowler is a little sceptical of the study. She said: "Meditation can change your life, but the kind of meditation the scientists are studying is a practise undertaken every single day for years, by, for example, Tibetan Buddhist monks, or hardcore yogis who are terrifyingly committed to mental and physical control. It's hard and it's tiresome." She also seems doubtful over whether this study or any other research that extols the benefits of meditation will actually encourage people to take up the practice. She said: "Meditation may go on to be proven scientifically as a wonder cure for depression, but whether you'll get anyone to sit down in silence for an hour a day with their eyes closed is another matter."Source:GuardianPress Association About the AuthorSamantha Srillian is a freelance writer, as well as a naturally gifted psychic medium and tarot card reader. She is interested in alternative therapies, angels and spiritual healing. Gayatri Mantra (27 Repetitions) 
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| Dahn Yoga Helps Improve the Health of Self and Others Posted: 12 Jan 2012 08:00 PM PST Article by Larry Rosenberg Courses in yoga, the union of body and mind, continue to increase in popularity in the United States. Many different yoga systems are available, although they usually share the features of stretching, posture, breathing, relaxation and meditation. While most Americans think of yoga as coming the Indian cultural or Hindu traditions, there is a yoga with more-than-5,000-year-old roots in Korea, In its modernized holistic fitness training version, 30 years old, it is called Dahn Yoga and can be learned and practiced at the 120 Dahn Yoga & Health Centers in 15 metropolitan areas of the U.S. Sister Dahn organizations operate in Canada, South Korea, Japan, United Kingdom, Germany, Russia and Brazil. Worldwide, there are 600 centers, with around 1,000,000 people using Dahn Yoga and related Brain Education methods daily. The originator of Dahn Yoga is Ilchi Lee. Dahn Yoga is an integrated body-mind-brain system of exercises for improving the body's health, the mind's capability, and the spirit's connection. From practicing Dahn Yoga, the results tend to be individual health. But it is natural for Dahn Yoga practitioners to share what they have learned, directly or indirectly, with others - family, friends, workplace, and community. Here is a prime example of the dual set of benefits - self and others - that Dahn Yoga often produces: Linda is in her early 50s, a school teacher in the Midwest. She started to exercise at a Dahn Yoga Center in the Midwest, originally becoming a member to make her middle-aged body more flexible. But soon she found out that Dahn gave her many more benefits. As Linda put it, "In the first year of practicing Dahn Yoga regularly, m life changed completely. Yes, I achieved my original goal - my body became more flexible. But in addition my overall health condition improved a great deal. Specifically, my headaches disappeared and my lower back stopped aching. My body posture became straighter and my shoulders more relaxed. I was feeling happier too. W! hen I di d not feel pain, I was still able to concentrate better on the tasks I was doing. My concentration improved tremendously. Projects at home and work were completed faster and easier." With work often being the most stressful place in people's lives, the positive effects of Dahn Yoga are usually observable there. This happened to Linda, who stated, "Being a schoolteacher exposes me to a lot of stressful situations. But after practicing Dahn Yoga, I became better able to handle even high stress levels around me. I have learned to choose my emotions and am no longer overtaken by them. My reactions have changed. I am quieter and calmer. The relaxation techniques taught at Dahn Yoga have helped me to become a better teacher, co-worker, friend and family member." As if these individual benefits from doing Dahn Yoga were not enough, people like Linda often report that they feel compelled to share their new health and well being with others. For Linda as a school teacher, this meant to teach selected Dahn Yoga exercises to her students. As she explained, "I began teaching my students (6th and 7th graders) to have good posture and relax their bodies. Before class or tests, we would do a few minutes of exercises and their concentration is improved. Since doing these Dahn Yoga exercises, my students' performance went up remarkably. I have taught my students to use more of their brain potential, which is more possible after they relax their bodies by doing Dahn Yoga techniques. Their confidence levels have increased as they were able to perform successfully after doing the Dahn Yoga exercises, many of them for the first time in their lives." Seeing in the workplace the positive results generated by everyone practicing Dahn Yoga can in turn elevate the self-confident and self-esteem of the instructor. According to Linda, "My confidence level was raised from sharing Dahn Yoga exercises with students and colleagues. I started much more to believe in myself. Speaking in public was always a challenge ! for me. Since practicing Dahn Yoga, my speaking anxiety has disappeared. I now actually enjoy public speaking because by sharing my experience I can help others. I have more to offer my students now that I have been doing Dahn Yoga. I have become a much better teacher." Another aspect of life that emerges for many Dahn Yoga practitioners is that they want to give more to the community. In Linda's case, this led her to a unique volunteering experience. As she expresses it, "I am teaching Dahn Yoga exercises to developmentally disabled adults, as part of an outreach program organized by the nonprofit Dahn Foundation. This is a very rewarding personal experience. It feels good to share Dahn Yoga methods in order to add to people's health and happiness. I have found something that I will continue to do when I retire - teach Dahn Yoga and spread health, happiness and peace to other people. Thanks to Dahn Yoga training, I have truly found my life purpose." About the AuthorLarry Rosenberg is associated with Dahn Yoga & Health Centers, which has been developed by Ilchi Lee. NYTV - Episode 1 
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| Meditation Course: Simple and Beneficial Course for Children Posted: 12 Jan 2012 07:00 PM PST Article by Bertil Hjert A meditation course would benefit you a lot when it comes to leading a good, healthy and stress free life. Children particularly can achieve maximum benefits when they practice it at a tender age. You would be surprised to know that as soon as a child learns to speak, it is ready to perform a simple sort of meditation. As the children grow, different types of variations are added to these meditation courses. This will keep growing as they become mature. Many children start meditation from the age of 3. There are several families across the globe that encourages there children to take part in different meditation courses. Meditation is helpful when the children are studying. This helps in enhancing the concentration of the child. This also provides good amount of relaxation, enhances mental agility and also helps the child in absorbing good amount of information. This is especially helpful in exams and other study related processes. A child can enhance the ability of gathering self knowledge. This fills a child with self esteem and enhances the level of contentment. Children who meditate are more likely to enhance mental agility, endurance and intelligence. The creativity of these children is known to be more creative as compared to those who do not meditate. Experts believe that the difference between success and failure is the ability to concentrate. Most of the spiritual and meditation practices let a child to concentrate his mind without the need to try to concentrate. These things come naturally and spontaneously. Meditation is also extremely helpful in dealing with the pressure of the hectic lines. Most children have to spend these days due to the pressure of studios and other expectations of parents and loved ones to make it big in exams. There are several ways to teach meditation to your child: First is the easiest and the most commonly adopted way, you can hire an instructor who would teach your child how to meditate. Second, tr! y to ask your child to make a huge list of positive thoughts and phrases. The child needs to focus on these phrases and thoughts. You can even record these phrases in your child's voice. Third, teach your child, the breathing pattern where he needs to concentrate. Let him breathe in, breathe out and then again breathe in. Let him lie still and relaxed with his eyes closed. Let the child learn to relax while meditating. Teach him how to solve different problems in life. Let him focus on the breathing pattern. There are certain things you need to keep in mind, when teaching the child how to meditate: a) Never force your child to meditate when he does not want to. b) When he meditates, try to meditate with him. This will enhance his curiosity and interest in the act. c) Try to help the child when he wants it badly. This will enhance his self-esteem and confidence. d) As a parent, you need to trust the intuitive understanding of your children. Try to be flexible enough to adjust the method of meditation according to age and the personality of your child. About the Author For more Articles, News, Information, Advice, and Resources about MEDITATION and YOGA please visit MEDITATION BUZZ and YOGA TIPS Spring Rainstorm White noise 
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| Yoga Types - Which One is Right for You? Posted: 12 Jan 2012 06:00 PM PST Article by Sarah Russell With all the different types of yoga in existence today, choosing the right one can be hard for a beginner. It's important to choose the variety of yoga that's right for you in terms of fitness level, your spiritual and physical goals, and you health. Here are a few of the most common types of yoga to help you pick the best one for you and your situation. Iyengar Yoga: This type of yoga focuses on precise movement and the alignment of the body. It often uses straps, blocks, and other props to help less flexible beginners perform the same movements as experts. These items can also help people with injuries adapt movements to their individual bodies. This allows everyone to perform yoga poses with comfort.This type of yoga pays a lot of attention to detail, but poses are flexible and can be modified, making it a good choice for people who suffer from neck or back pain. Adjusting the poses can also help people with other injuries. Iyengar Yoga is a good choice if you'd like to get a good basic knowledge of classic yoga poses, giving you the fundamental for other types of yoga later on. Teachers of Iyengar yoga are likely to focus on inner awareness and alignment. Inner awareness begins with the body, but then moves to other parts of ourselves as we continue with practice on a regular basis. Ashtanga Yoga: This type of yoga has also been referred to as "power yoga". This is because flowing, powerful movements are a big focus of this discipline. Lunges, pushups, and other stamina- and strength-focused movements that aren't usually associated with yoga may be involved. People who are looking for a more challenging practice, or are looking to build strength after overcoming injuries, particularly to the back, may wish to practice this type of yoga. If you're already fairly athletic, but want to add more balance to your routine than running, cycling, or working at the gym can provide, Ashtanga Yoga may help you. It can help you improve your concentration, and build muscles you do! n't norm ally use. Bikram Yoga: This yoga type is also called hot yoga. This is because its chief feature is being performed in an extremely warm room. Heat can help tissues to stretch, making this kind of yoga a good tool for increasing your flexibility. However, if you have a heart problem or other cardiovascular disease, the warmth of the room in which Bikram Yoga is performed can be dangerous, because it places extra strain on this system. Viniyoga: This type of yoga links breathing and flowing movements into individually adapted exercises. If you have a back problem or neck injury, this variety of yoga might be a good fit, as it's easily adapted to each person. Raja Yoga: Designed to liberate the mind through meditation, this type of yoga works well for people who are interested in engaging in intense concentration. Bhakti Yoga: A form of devotional yoga, this practice focuses on the surrender of the self in the face of the divine. Mantra Yoga: Known also as the "yoga of potent sound", this practice focuses on the liberation of the mind via the repetition of sounds which have power. "Om" is the most familiar, but other mantras include "ram" and "hum". There are plenty of different types of yoga to pick from. Before you join a class, talk to your teacher and find out his or her philosophy of yoga and beliefs on the subject. This will help you decide if the type of yoga is a good fit for you. About the AuthorWant to learn more about how yoga can change your life? Check out Sarah Russell's new book - The Beginner's Guide to Yoga and Meditation - at: www.Mind-Body-Connection.com 
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| benefits and techniques of meditation Posted: 12 Jan 2012 05:00 PM PST Article by Rama Thinnavelli healthy mind lives in a healthy body.Your happiness depends on your mind and it depends on your body. Without physical health you can't be completely happy, and without mental happiness you can't be completely healthy. Health is a positive state; not just the absence of a negative one.AstralProjection,Meditation,Manifestation,Sleep,Lucid Dream,Esp ChakraPsychic Creativity,Dna Endorphin,Health,Motivation,Prosperity,RelaxationWeightLoss,Hypnosis,Memory,Telepathy all are secrets of complete health. Meditation: Meditation is a discipline in which one attempts to get beyond the conditioned, "thinking" mind into a deeper state of relaxation or awareness. It often involves turning attention to a single point of reference. Meditation is recognized as a component of almost all religions, and has been practiced for over 5,000 years. It is also practiced outside religious traditions. Different meditative disciplines encompass a wide range of spiritual and/or psychophysical practices which can emphasize different goals - from the achievement of a higher state of consciousness, to greater focus, creativity or self-awareness, or just simply a more relaxed and peaceful frame of mind. Benefits of Meditation: "Monolithic" sensation, calm but alert generation of Alpha brainwaves reduced breath rate lower blood pressure reduced heart rate reduction in high frequency spectrum heart rhythm variability increased metabolic activity increased forced vital capacity decreased agglutination of red blood cells reduction in stress hormone productionMeditation Techniques:If you explore the world of meditation, you will find that there are many meditation techniques. Besides the classical techniques, almost every meditation teacher invents some of his own. The multiplicity of meditation techniques and methods causes some confusion for people who are new to the subject. They do not know where to start and which method to follow. There are many meditation techniques and methods to choose from. Everyone extols the method he! or she follows. They do so, because this is what they know and have been practicing. One's method may not necessarily be appropriate for someone else. That's why there are so many techniques. Most people, especially in the West, associate meditation with relaxation of the body and mind. Actually, many who arrive to meditation, do so because of their need to find some relaxation in a world full of tension. There are various Indian meditation techniques, Buddhist meditations, Zen meditations and other Eastern or Western techniques. Even guided imagination and creative visualization are a certain type of meditation. You can now learn and practice meditation wherever you are, not just in the exotic Far East.click here for more About the Authorgood writer Matthieu Ricard: Habits of happiness 
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| Types of Meditation - No Head Stands Or Crossed Legs For Me Posted: 12 Jan 2012 04:00 PM PST Article by Suzanne Early There are various types of meditation, from meditation for beginners, through to free guided meditation and self meditation. Ahhh, if only I could get the internal chattering to stop and both eyes to stay shut!Some types of meditation are silent, some are accompanied with a sound like OOOOMMMMM, to help focus your mind and breath, so it doesn't wonder off to compile your grocery list! I have tried learning meditation but didn't have much luck, for this very reason. It is very hard to quieten the mind and my mental grocery list ended up being quite long! Learning meditation is a very healthy thing to do. Your mind eventually enjoys switching off and your body can relax, taking some time out to rest and heal. There are different types of meditation positions you can use. Some sit on the floor or use a meditation chair, with back straight and feet on the floor. Others lay down to do their meditation exercises...sometimes with a meditation timer, so they don't nod off for hours - now there is a tempting thought!Visualisation is also popular. Women visualise themselves as well and healthy. Whilst doing their meditation exercises, they see themselves in their mind as complete and with great health and happiness. So how does this relate to symptoms of breast cancer? By learning meditation, it allows your body and mind to slow down and feel the moment, tuning into your health. Mindful meditation allows you to meditate, yet be fully aware of what is around you. Deep and spiritual meditation or massage, is thought to help bring you into balance, boasting your immune system and helping with fatigue and emotional moods that may come with breast cancer. My meditation tips would be to lock the door, turn off chattering radios and tv's, wear loose clothing, be in a place you feel relaxed to be in, put your meditation timer on, and whilst doing deep belly breaths, repeat a phrase or word to help prevent your brain from wondering off. Choose one of your favourite meditation positions, play some quiet! gentle music if you prefer, and try very hard to not compile your mental grocery list! About the AuthorSuzanne Earlyhttp://www.early-detection-for-breast-cancer.com/health-diet-fitness.htmlSuzie likes to share down to earth, easy to understand information on breast cancer basics, with warmth and sensitivity. Having a friend with breast cancer and a career in Adult Education, Suzie wants to raise awareness so women will be encouraged and empower themselves, becoming proactive in their breast health. Early detection is key! 
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| Back Pain and Meditation Part 5 Posted: 12 Jan 2012 03:00 PM PST Article by Glen Wood - The Yoga Teacher Back Pain and Meditation Part 5 It is good to meditate when you feel inspired. Early mornings can bring that inspiration, as the best moments of the mind are early in the day, when the mind is calmer and fresher (the time traditionally recommended is before dawn). It is more appropriate to sit when you are inspired, for not only is it easier then as you are in a better frame of mind for meditation, but you will also be more encouraged by the very practice that you do. This in turn will bring more confidence in the practice, and later on you will be able to practice when you are not inspired. There is no need to meditate for a long time: just remain quietly until you are a little open and able to connect with your heart essence. That is the main point. The meditation instructions and techniques mentioned here require few words but demand unlimited after thoughts. You can not evaluate their effectiveness unless you try them.But you can also practice meditation easily on your own. You can find everyday opportunities to meditate wherever you happen to be. You can also make meditation as formal or informal as you like -- whatever suits your lifestyle and situation. Some people build meditation into their daily routine. For example, they may start and end each day with an hour of meditation. If you're short on time, all you really need is a few minutes. You feel swept away on a sea of quiet relaxation. This pleasant experience may be light sleep state hypnosis, not meditation at all, and thus does you little more good than taking a nap. Meditation means that you are relaxed as if sleeping, but your consciousness is fully and intensely awake. Therefore, if you meditate with your eyes closed, the room must remain brightly lit, so that a significant amount of light passes through the eyelids. Besides the traditional meditation methods, read about a different approach to meditation where you will be presented with some intense ideas to meditate upon. Ideas from ancient texts and mod! ern theo ries such as from Bhagavad Gita, Isavasyopanishad, Gaia theory, TES (Time Energy Space) Hypothesis, and Energy concept etc. These ideas will help you attain a cosmic perspective for life and will prove to be an excellent source of meditation. Apart from meditation, you will find a great collection of valuable tips to make your life stress free. There are tips on yoga, natural foods, relaxation, neck exercises, inspiration, motivation, health, illness, computer problems, reducing stress in office etc. This ongoing list of tips will help you make your busy life stress free. About the AuthorGlen Wood - The Yoga Teacher, dedicated to unlocking the Real Secrets of Back, Neck and Shoulder Pain. To help you further with your back, neck and shoulder pain you need to sign up for your FREE "Yoga and You" report at http://www.YogaTeachingwithGlen.com TAI CHI - THE GENTLE ENERGY 
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| Posted: 12 Jan 2012 02:00 PM PST Article by Alex Lee For complete beginners, Meditation could be very confusing, boring and discouraging chore to do. To the western cultures, sitting quietly without a word for a long period of time is not something you learned from school or from your parents, unless your parents are Buddhist. More and more westerners are introduced to the great benefits of Meditation, but find it too difficult to do. Although there are a lot of scientific evidence of the benefit of Meditation published and made available now, most people know Meditation from movie or books picturing an Indian Yogi with long beard meditating naked under a big tree, spending most of his life time. Meditation is very difficult if done without a guidance from good and competent instructor. You could always buy the latest version of Introduction for Meditation book, but at the end of the day, you will become the dummy yourself. Learning how to sit in a very uncomfortable half-lotus or full lotus position itself will take about 3 weeks to get used to it. Lots of people just quit before they even start to learn Meditation. Is sitting position important at all? Do we need to sit like those Shaolin Master or Himalayan Yogis to get the full benefit of Meditation? The answer is Yes, but the most important thing is to sit in a very comfortable position, where you can sit with your spine straight. This will ensure the energy flows freely from your Kundalini up to your Crown Chakra. For those who are not sensitive enough and would like to "feel" the flow of energy, it is advisable not to lean on the chair. Beginners are advised to choose Meditation technique which is based on Energy, such as Reiki or other healing technique. Why? Using energy based technique will make it easier for beginners to follow and "feel" the process. This way, Meditation will not become boring and will keep the beginners from falling asleep during meditation. For those who learn Meditation without any energy initiation process, it is almost impossible to access Divine ! Energy, simply because none of your Chakras are activated. It's almost like trying to make a call from your cellular phone from Amazon jungle, you simply could not get the access. Once you are attuned to the frequency of Divine Energy, you could access the energy just by will.What happen during the initiation is your 7 major Chakras and Divine Chakras are activated to enable you to access the Divine Energy. Meditating will never be the same again. You simply sit in a comfortable position, close your eyes, and Divine Energy will pour in through your Crown Chakra. This process will give you a wake up call and the sensation is very overwhelming. Most beginners, no matter how insensitive they are, will feel the bliss, the flow of Energy so overwhelming, from their Crown Chakra, filling up their heads. This energy then clean the Crown Chakras as well as the Third Eye Chakra in the middle of their eyes. After that, the energy will go down to the Throat Chakra, balancing and cleaning it. Well balanced, active and clean Throat Chakra will help you to communicate better. The energy then will go down to activate, clean and balance Heart Chakra. Heart Chakra is where compassion and unconditional love resides. The more active, cleaned and balanced the Heart Chakra, the more compassionate the person is. From Heart Chakra, the Divine Energy will go down through Sushumna and activate Solar Plexus, Sex Chakra and Root Chakra. These last three Chakras are closely related to your worldly success. The more active, clean and well balanced these three Chakras, the more success you are in materialistic world. After all, meditation is not all about spiritual. These are the "other" benefits of doing meditation with Divine Energy. You will get all the benefits of traditional Meditation practice with a lot more bonuses, cleaning and activating your Chakras, your Energy Centers. Those days of meditation with boring traditional exercise are long gone. About the AuthorAlex Lee is the founder of Divine Love & Light Meditation Technique, a very simple meditation technique, making it easy for Everybody to experience deepest state of meditation in just a matter of seconds. For more information on Divine Love&Lights Meditation go to Self Healing Meditation Techniques The Gift Of Metta - Loving Kindness - Pass It On 
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| Yoga Today - Modern Yoga Practice Posted: 12 Jan 2012 01:00 PM PST Article by Sarah Russell Yoga is a form of exercise derived from ancient Hindu practice. It strengthens and stretches the body using poses called asanas. It can also help reduce stress, and help people find inner peace. It's used by some modern Hindu practitioners as an aid towards attaining enlightenment. It's important to remember that yoga is more than just a series of exercises. It applies to the body, but also to the mind and spirit. Yoga derives from philosophies meant to help practitioners attain harmony and spiritual insight. The word is derived from a Sanskrit term meaning to join. The same word may also be related to the word referred to the yokes worn by oxen, and may be the ancestor of our modern words "junction" and "juxtapose".There are many different schools of yoga, each with its own beliefs and practices. Here are the five most common types of yoga. Remember that there are plenty of other options that aren't listed here. Hatha Yoga is the most popular school of yoga, and has been taught commonly in the West for a number of years. This type of yoga focuses on the perfection of the mind through the perfection of the body. It uses many breathing techniques, meditative techniques, and asanas. Ashtanga Yoga is another popular type of yoga. It's performed much more quickly than most other schools, and is almost a form of aerobic yoga. Smooth, but speedy transitions between poses are a focus. Kundalini Yoga focuses on the awakening and focusing of what's called kundalini energy. This energy is frequently referred to as a type of life energy lying dormant inside us, and may be represented by a coiled serpent. Mantra Yoga is based around the discipline of calming body and mind using sounds and words. You may be familiar with the chant of "om". This is a common mantra used by this school of yoga. Tantra Yoga is famous, or infamous, for its focus on spirituality through sexuality. Like Kundalini Yoga, this school also focuses on kundalini energy, but has a different intent and d! ifferent methods for awakening it. No matter which school you choose, you'll find that yoga is a rich and satisfying practice. It can benefit most people, no matter what their age, if practiced regularly. Asanas may be adapted to deal with injuries and other physical limitations, making yoga a worthwhile form of exercise for people who can't do other types. There are traditionally eight fundamental paths to yoga: Karma Yoga, Jnana Yoga, Hatha Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, Purna Yoga, Tantra Yoga, Ashtanga or Raja Yoga, and Maha Yoga. However, in the Western world, when you hear yoga mentioned, it's usually in reference to Hatha Yoga. In Hindu practice, yoga's ultimate goal is liberating the soul from the cycle of death and rebirth, as well as from worldly suffering. Through yoga, it is believed to be possible to master the mind, body, and emotions, and to transcend desire. About the AuthorWant to learn more about how yoga can change your life? Check out Sarah Russell's new book - The Beginner's Guide to Yoga and Meditation - at: www.Mind-Body-Connection.com kathryn budig yoga 
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| Posted: 12 Jan 2012 12:00 PM PST Article by Jessica Vandelay Yoga originated in ancient India. In Sanskrit, the word yoga means "union" but in recent years the term "yoga" has become synonymous with the practice of physical postures and poses for improved health, fitness and spiritual awareness. There are many different types of yoga. Hatha, vinyasa, ashtanga, power yoga and iyengar are a few. According to a recent study, "Yoga in America," in Yoga Journal, 15.8 million American adults practice yoga. The study also found the number of people interested in trying yoga tripled from 2004 to 2008 to an estimated 18.3 million. Many yoga poses and postures involve stretching of the muscles but the main focus is to create balance through strength and flexibility. There is also a focus on breathing techniques. Physical benefits of yoga are many, such as reduced stress, better sleeping habits, lower heart rate, and increased strength and flexibility. Many gyms and health facilities offer yoga classes for beginners to expert for affordable prices. Less affordable ways to learn yoga are yoga studios. It is also popular to do yoga at home with a yoga DVD. Some popular DVD yoga instructors are Rodney Yee, Alan Finger, Ali McGraw and Richard Freeman. For more yoga DVD recommendations, read fitness magazines like Fit Yoga, Shape and Men's Health. Basic yoga equipment includes loose-fitting, breathable clothes and a yoga mat with a sticky bottom for traction. These items are usually fairly inexpensive and because of the mainstream popularity of yoga can be found at discount retailers like Wal-Mart and Target. For more advanced yoga practice, blocks for alignment, straps for certain bounding poses and blankets are often used. Yoga practitioners across the country have started using yoga as a means for community outreach. The New York Times recently reported yoga practitioners reaching out to the homeless, troubled teens, prisoners and people in substance abuse programs. One program called YogaHope in Boston, Mass., focuses on teaching restora! tive yog a at women's shelters. The Times also reported that golfers are turning to yoga to promote better control of the body and mind, which helps the golfers improve their swings. Read more about how yoga can improve your golf swing in golf magazines like Golf Magazine. Celebrities have long been enthusiastic about yoga and promoting it. Some celebrities who practice yoga according to O, The Oprah Magazine are Madonna, Ricky Martin, Jennifer Aniston, Sting and Meg Ryan. Celebrities often practice yoga because it results in slim-yet-athletic bodies. Because celebrities often promote their love of yoga, celebrity magazines like People Magazine feature stories like "Get Fit Like the Stars." Women's Health magazine recently featured Maroon 5 frontman Adam Levine talking about his yoga practice. About the AuthorFor more magazine articles on yoga, visit http://www.magazines.com/ncom/mag?view=0&btn=D&l=20&search=yoga Jessica Vandelay is a free-lance writer in New York City. 
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| Study Explores Benefits of Ilchi Lee Meditation Posted: 12 Jan 2012 12:00 PM PST BEST Life Media, publisher of the Award Winning Brain Wave Vibration, and other books on health and wellness and the mind-body connection, is pleased to announce the results of a recent study concerning the Brain Wave Vibration meditation method. In a study appearing in Volume 2012 of Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Article ID 234713 a team including researchers from the University of London and the Korea Institute of Brain Science report the results of their assessment of the comparative effects of Brain Wave Vibration, Iyengar Yoga and Mindfulness training on mood, well-being and immune function. Created by author and world-renowned meditation teacher, Ilchi Lee, this unique form of meditation is based in a combination of Korean tradition and modern understanding of the human brain. Brain Wave Vibration is a moving meditation involving movements of the head, neck and body and is designed to relax mind and body. It is considered most beneficial when practiced in combination with other yoga exercises. A previous study showed how Brain Wave Vibration has positive effects on regulating stress, but the current study looks more deeply at the benefits of the practice. Participants in the University of London study practiced the method as part of a 5-week program and experienced mental benefits, comparative to Mindfulness training, and physical and emotional benefits, comparative to Iyengar yoga. Brain Wave Vibration was introduced to many people with BEST Life Media's 2008 publication of the Ilchi Lee book by the same name. Since that time many people have reported benefits from practicing Brain Wave Vibration, which the study now documents and supports. For example, the researchers noted evidence of "[a]n improvement in sleep [that] has been a common anecdotal report by Brain Wave Vibration practitioners, as has increase in energy and vitality." In effect, Brain Wave Vibration was unique in its benefits to depression and sleep latency in study participants. The researchers concluded that the results of this first controlled trial for this unique form of mind-body training were sufficiently provocative to warrant further investigation. For more information on this study or the book Brain Wave Vibration, please visit www.brainwavevibration.com Read More @ Source 
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| The Potential of Using Yoga for Weight Loss Posted: 12 Jan 2012 11:00 AM PST Article by Jamie Jefferson Let's face it: a lot of people have a severe misunderstanding of yoga. For every one person who knows how effective yoga can be in maintaining a positive outlook, improving posture and digestion, staying in good health, and maintaining a high level energy just to get you through the day, there are probably a dozen skeptics who think it is all just new age baloney. Maybe we can't convince everybody that yoga is much more than ineffective hippie stuff, but if we can summarize the concept of the traditional yoga culture real quick, it might just be a start. A Brief History of Yoga It's not clear exactly when the practice of Yoga first began in India, but it may have been as early as 3300 BC. There are five major branches in yoga: Raja, Hatha, Jnana, Bhakti and Karma, but Hatha yoga is probably the only one we really need to discuss in relation to health and fitness. Yogi Swatmarama, a fifteenth century Indian sage, developed Hatha yoga as a way to prepare oneself for intense meditation, by first subjecting oneself to intensive physical training. Whether or not a person's end goal is enlightenment, the physical benefits of the practice have proven to be effective. Yoga for Weight Loss Even if you believe in the potential yoga has to keep your body healthy, you may still be asking "Is yoga really all that effective in helping one to lose weight?" Let's start by saying that Hatha yoga is an intensive, low impact exercise, involving lots of stretching and conditioning that helps the blood flow more smoothly, and which aids in healthy digestion. One of the main goals of yoga is to maintain the intestinal organs in order to improve digestion and minimize the amount of undigested food or waste in our bodies without having to resort to invasive cleansing routines. A low-intensity yoga session will not burn as many calories as other workouts. An average woman may burn 150 calories in a one-hour Hatha yoga session and 300 calories from! walking briskly for one hour. Ashtanga Yoga and Power Yoga, on the other hand, will burn about 300 calories per hour and Vinyasa Yoga (also known as flow yoga) can burn even more. If you are just starting out with Yoga and plan to keep your routine slow and steady to start, the quickest way you are going to see weight loss results is to combine your yoga practice with a healthy diet plan and an aerobic exercise. Still, it's important to understand that weight loss is about a lot more than calories. Yoga can really give you a better relationship with your body, which can really help you on the weight loss journey. As you deepen your understanding of the way the mind and body relate to one another through a dedicated Yoga practice, don't be surprised if your mindset and habits begin to change, which, in turn, can make it much easier for to make healthy changes in your body. Why ARE Yogis so Thin? One of the reasons yoga masters are so thin is generally because of their diet. The traditional yogi diet is strictly vegetarian and free of caffeine, however, you can still learn how to eat well from yoga without becoming a monk. Here are some simple rules for those of us not willing to give up on hamburgers and coffee just yet: The Yoga Diet for the Everyday Yogi - Drink lots of water - Eat lots of vegetables and fruit - Eat spicy foods and red meat only in moderation And that's it. A healthier diet plus intensive Hatha workout sessions, and you are sure to see results, both in your body and your mind. If you want to ramp up your weight loss and calorie burning, try Power Yoga, which can give you an aerobic exercise, too. Starting your Yoga Routine What you'll need to start yoga will be some comfortable clothes (nothing fancy, just some old sweats will do), and a mat. (Some yoga schools provide yoga mats.) You can easily take a couple lessons and just practice yoga at home, but one of the greatest motivators for an! y exerci se program is to be a part of a group, sharing knowledge with one another and pushing each other to really dedicate the time and energy it takes. About the AuthorJamie Jefferson writes for Momscape.com, where you can learn more about Yoga for Weight Loss and learn about diet recommendations. 
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| The Advantages of a Meditation Chair Posted: 12 Jan 2012 11:00 AM PST Article by Keira Adams Among the most difficult aspects of meditating is discovering the perfect seated posture, since your legs often fall asleep during an extended period of meditating. Although there are meditation cushions to be had, there are many people who choose to use a meditation chair instead. If you examine a meditation chair, the first thing you'll discover is that it doesn't seem that different from a kitchen chair. It has four legs and a back. But what it does better is help make you more comfy by molding to your body, which keeps cramps at bay and allows for total relaxation. The stuff that makes this happen is known as buckwheat hull. It adapts to your form, thereby offering a more solid seat due to the ergonomic design which stops the user from slumping throughout the most focused periods of meditation, because it's tilted somewhat forward. A good illustration of a meditation chair is the Seagrass. This product was conceived by a meditation practitioner who found that it was quite challenging to meditate when seated in a lotus pose. This chair permits you to cross your ankles or feet and draw them up if you're weary of laying them on the floor. As well, it allows for appropriate support of the backbone so you won't go through any back pain following the session. The Chinese meditation chair is possibly the most ancient model as it has been in existence for hundreds of years. It does not possess ergonomic characteristics such as the ones we use these days, however it boasts an especially wide base so that you have enough space to cross your legs. It doesn't come with any padding, however you'll be able to quickly take care of that. One more type of meditation chair is the Tilt Seat, also called the kneeling chair. The great thing about this meditation chair is that it doesn't place pressure on the knees and could also be utilized as a table. It's possible to comfortably read a book if you lay a pillow on the floor. There are more meditation chairs to be had and they ! are avai lable in assorted sizes and shapes. An alternative for those who desire something larger is the meditation bench. With the greater surface area, those who favor the lotus position can sit without placing pressure on the legs. Something like it is known as the cane chair. While picking out the perfect meditation chair, you are advised to take into account your body size and height, as well as your need for comfort. Do not overlook back support because this will also help to enhance your posture. The beauty of meditation chairs is that they're lightweight and moveable. They could effortlessly be stashed away in a closet after you're finished, or it's possible to purchase styles that harmonize with your interior design. The meditation chair is configured to keep you relaxed and comfortable during the time that you're in session. If you're committed to enhancing your health and fighting stress, purchasing a meditation chair will certainly be a wise investment. About the AuthorKeira Adams writes about women's wellness and stress management. Want to learn more about meditation techniques? Visit Meditation Techniques: Relax Your Mind, Reduce Your Stress at http://www.meditation-info.com. 
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| Altruism | Does Enlightenment Mean Doing Good or Just Being Good? Posted: 12 Jan 2012 11:00 AM PST Enlightenment Means Being AltruisticAltruism and Living a Good LifeOne of the more interesting debates in the spiritual landscape is whether or not Enlightenment stops at "being", or if living a truly enlightened life, includes "doing". In other words, can the enlightened life be defined as simply being in the state of Oneness, with no trace of the ego, or should the definition of an enlightened life include doing good and being altruistic? Is focusing on "being" enough? Is it ok to stumble upon the state of non-duality or the One Self and then retire to the mountains to rejoice in this discovery? Or is it incumbent upon those who have discovered this great Truth to then be of service to others? In the article, the 5 Principles of Living a Good Life, I detailed the 5 principles I follow, which I feel are key to enlightenment and living an awakened and good life. These 5 principles are the following…
The above 5 principles were not forged overnight, but they came forth after being on the spiritual path for many years. Although in the list above I included affection, I did not specifically say that doing good or altruism was a necessary part of the process. In other words affection can be taken as more passive in nature, while going out there and doing good is more active in nature. To this list and article, I received a very interested response from my friend Steve Cohen. He is indicating that the "doing" should be made a part of leading an enlightened life and altruism should be added to the list of 5 principles that are essential for enlightened living. Of course, I am all for altruism and doing good flows naturally when your heart is full of love and compassion. The enlightened, free of the burden of self centered desires are loving and giving, and in this state goodness flows from them, but is it ok for them to just reside in "being" and not engage consciously and actively in "doing"? That is the question being put forth. Here are Steve's very insightful thoughts on this subject: I wanted to share a few thoughts on living an enlightened life, which have been bubbling inside since I read the yoga sutras a few years ago and started to focus on the spiritual journey. My thoughts didn't crystallize into something I could articulate until I read your 5 Principles For Living an Enlightened and Good Life article and subsequent meditation. I was also at the same time preparing a teaching f! or a mon thly service that I lead and my focus this month is on seeking balance between "being" and " doing" using analogies from the Joseph story in the bible. During recent meditations a realization flowed through that all of the originally articulated enlightenment principles are "being" focused. I wanted to suggest an additional essential principle for leading an enlightened and good life that focuses on "doing". Altruism. For this purpose, I define altruism as taking actions with the primary intent of benefiting someone other than oneself. I believe that part of living an enlightened and good life is coming to the realization that we are all part of the whole and then acting for the benefit of the whole (including another Self in the whole) rather than simply for the benefit of your Self. If enlightenment is defined as awakening to the realization of non- dualism and to the fact that we are each one with others and with divine nature, then it seems to me that altruism is a logical and essential result of this enlightened realization. I also favor the word integrity over honesty as a more nuanced word for enlightened living. To me, integrity encompasses honesty of thought and consistent follow through in actions; however, I think this is just word choice preference and we mean something similar in how we use these words. I guess at some level of enlightenment it is all being focused being in the present with "what is", but something in my gut tells me that an even higher level of consciousness would be to be doing from that place of enlightened being in the present and that would truly be the epitome of an enlightened and good! life. The journey continues. Obviously, one can't encompass all of life in 5 words, but I thought you might be interested in considering these observations. I continue to very much enjoying your course materials and appreciate the work you have undertaken to compile them. Steve Cohen Summary of Altruism and Enlightened Living:So what do you think? Is is sufficient to be enlightened, and live your life in love, peace and harmony, in just "Being", or is it essential to go out there and do good and be altruistic? If the world is all an illusion, a dream and just a game, is it really important to bother with it at all? Or, since suffering is real for those who are not enlightened, is it the responsibility of the enlightened to go out there and be of service to others, and help alleviate their pain? Would love to hear your thoughts on this matter. Related posts:
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| What is the Deal with Meditation? Posted: 12 Jan 2012 10:00 AM PST Article by Ace Smith When we hear the word "meditation", the thing that comes to mind is a deep concentration of a thing or reflection of some things, it may be sound, images, or even the way we breathe. But there are a lot of better things to know about meditation. In fact, nowadays, meditation is one of the best alternative therapies that many doctors recommend to their patients. The use of meditation for healing has been in existence for thousands of years. Why is there a need for meditation? Many people today work hard to earn profit. They toil day in and day out for them to earn money to buy the necessities that they need in everyday life. Because of these reasons, many people end up with a life full of stress...--burdens from work, meeting their deadlines, sleepless nights...--all these make our body weak. Stress is one of the causes of many diseases. Examples of them are heart disease, hypertension, and other organ failures. One of the most popular types of meditation is prayer. Though some belief systems consider prayer apart from meditation, there are many who practice them similarly. This is usually the case with the practice of Christianity. People, when they pray, put their hearts on it. They are releasing all their worries and burdens they have to the Most High and asking God for His grace. When we pray, we believe that God hears our prayer and from that fact, it gives us assurance and contentment. It removes all our anxieties and fears. When we pray, we find peace and solace in our hearts. Another common example of meditation is yoga, which is rooted in the beliefs of Hinduism. In modern times, many people try yoga because they find it very relaxing, and a lot of those who already tried it have a good feedback on it. Most practitioners claim how more flexible their bodies have become, which adds to their strength and endurance. Yoga also means a system of religious philosophy which requires physical and mental discipline in order to attain union with the universal spirit. One a! ctivity that people do in yoga is the breathing exercise. In this activity, one person will quietly observe the way he or she breathes. An individual will sit silently, and focuses his or her attention only to his or her breathing. As one focuses his attention on the activity, the way he or she inhales and exhales, the mind will become aware and the individual will have a very good feeling of relaxation. Meditation can be classified into two types: the concentrative meditation and the mindfulness meditation. In concentrative meditation, from the word concentrative means you concentrate on something, whether it is breathing, an object, or a specific thought. A person will put all his attention on that thing, as a way of practicing the narrowing of our focus to one thing. The common example of this kind of meditation is yoga, which centers the attention to the breathing patterns. The other classification of meditation is mindfulness meditation. It differs in concentrative meditation in such a way that in mindfulness meditation, a person is aware of the things that surround him, he is aware of the thoughts, memories, worries, feelings, and other emotions, but he does not involve himself in thinking of them. Nevertheless, it's your choice what kind of meditation you use, what is important is how you take care of yourself. Now you know the importance of meditation, why not give it a try? You might be surprised at how better your life will be through this practice. About the AuthorAce Smith is a prolific writer touching base on topics like Technology, Travel, Health and others. For more information you can drop by his web sites that deals with: Credit & Finance, Teen Pregnancy and Money with Blog. Tibetan Flute - Deep Tibetan music (1) 
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