| During a recent yoga lesson with one of my new | | | | 2. Proper Breathing |
| students, she said she wanted to know what other | | | | In yoga, proper breathing, known as pranayama, |
| changes she could make in her daily life to improve her | | | | means breathing fully, deeply and rhythmically using the |
| health. | | | | whole of your breathing apparatus. Most people use |
| She realised that her yoga practice is just one aspect | | | | only a fraction of their lung capacity for breathing. |
| of living a healthy and happy lifestyle. | | | | When you practice yoga you learn how to breathe |
| To live a holistic and balanced lifestyle, you need to | | | | properly. This is a precious gift you give to yourself. |
| include relaxation, wholesome foods, breathing and | | | | When you feel stressed, frustrated and tired a few |
| positive thinking into your daily routine. | | | | round of deep yogic breathing helps to recharge your |
| Five Useful Habits To Adopt To Live a Healthy | | | | body and clear and calm your mind. |
| Lifestyle | | | | 3. Proper Relaxation |
| 1. Proper Exercise | | | | We lead stressful, busy and full lives. Many of my |
| Proper Exercise is one of the five basic points of | | | | yoga students come to yoga as a way to learn how |
| yoga, as taught by Swami Vishnu-devananda, founder | | | | to relax and release stress and tension from their |
| and Guru of the International Sivananda Yoga Centre. | | | | body. During yogic relaxation, you are encouraged to |
| Yoga exercises are designed to promote flexibility, | | | | relax in savasan, the corpse pose. This promotes |
| strength and balance in the body. In yoga, the physical | | | | deep physical, emotional and spiritual relaxation. |
| body is regarded as the vehicle in which the soul lives | | | | After a busy day at work, I encourage my students to |
| in on its journey in this lifetime. Yoga exercises are | | | | rest and relax for 10 - 20 minutes when they get |
| therefore designed to also enhance your spiritual and | | | | home. This helps the body to let go of the stress and |
| mental life. | | | | tension of the journey home and frantic pace of work. |
| Yoga physical exercises are called Asanas, which | | | | 4. Proper Diet |
| means steady pose. As you become more attuned to | | | | Yoga encourages you to eat a nutritious diet which is |
| yoga, you are more able to 'hold' i.e. be in a pose for a | | | | based on eating wholesome, natural and simple foods, |
| longer period of time. | | | | e.g. whole grains, fruits, pulses, seeds, sprouted seeds, |
| Through the practice of yoga your body becomes | | | | nuts and vegetables. These foods are easier for the |
| more flexible, stronger and supple. The postures bring | | | | body to digest and have a calming effect on the mind. |
| balance to the body, especially to the muscular-skeletal | | | | 5. Positive Thoughts and Meditation |
| which supports the body. | | | | A positive attitude plus the ability to calm and clear |
| Internal organs are gently massaged; muscles gradually | | | | your mind is an essential habit to cultivate to help you |
| release tension to allow new energy to flow through | | | | lead a healthy, balanced life. Meditation is the key to |
| your body. | | | | help you achieve this state. |
| Yoga exercises focus on developing a strong and | | | | Regular practice of these five habits will help you to |
| supple spine. You may be aware of the saying "you | | | | live a happy, healthy and relaxed life. It takes time to |
| are as young as your spine." The spinal column houses | | | | change, but with regular practice you will live the |
| the nervous system. As you stretch and exercise, | | | | healthy lifestyle you desire. Let me know how you get |
| circulation is increased, which helps to supply and | | | | on. I would love to hear from you and support you |
| nourish the nerves with a rich supply of nutrients and | | | | achieve your health goals. |
| oxygen. | | | | |