Santos Yoga

Why are more, and more, students, over 40 years of age, discovering Hatha Yoga classes for the first time? What can Hatha Yoga do for a "couch potato?" What can Hatha Yoga offer the active person, who is over 40? Let's take a closer look at each of these issues for the deeper answers, which Hatha Yoga contains. There are many styles of Yoga, and Hatha Yoga is just one of the nine main styles from India. Hatha Yoga has many sub-styles, such as: Vinyasa Yoga, Restorative Yoga, Iyengar Yoga, Kripalu Yoga, and many more. Before we go too deeply into this subject, please realize that outside of India, the most common form of Yoga is Hatha Yoga. Why are more students over 40 discovering Hatha Yoga...

Are you a young athlete who thrives on power workouts? Are you a baby boomer and stressed? Are you a senior citizen who needs to stretch those hamstrings? Hatha Yoga can be the yoga method for you. Yoga is a field of study which includes a variety of yoga methods to practice. Compare it to music study where you can be a performer or a composer, play violin or trumpet, sing or dance. There are many traditions of yoga practice available today including Iyengar, Bikran, Astanga, Vinyasa, and Hatha. All are wonderful traditions, but one yoga method adaptable for all ages is Hatha Yoga. Iyengar emphasizes alignment and preciseness of movement. Postures are generally held for longer periods of time...

There are many ceremonial aspects, within a Hatha Yoga class, which make up the entire class. These are necessary components such as: The greeting, bringing your presence into the room, rooting, mantra, mudra, Pranayama, warm- ups, Surya Namaskar (Sun Salutations), Asana, relaxation techniques, meditation, and the closing ceremony (which may end with a reading, Udgeeth Pranayama, Japa, Namaste, Thank You, a combination of these, or something else). The value of warm-ups, before Asana (Yoga posture) practice, cannot be understated in Yoga, and in life. Warm-ups reduce the chance of injury to the practitioner. The time spent doing warm-ups can vary due to the purpose. The age of the students, the...

Yoga is very beneficial for your whole body if it is done properly and regularly. Every one has the busy schedule in this fast life. No one has the time to go for medicine, doctor and body care centers. Therefore yoga now a day is taking popularity to keep the body feet and away from disease. It is very important to have the proper and right information before going for yoga. Yoga is natural and has no side effects on body. Yoga is ancient art of keeping body fit and healthy. You will find no need to go to the doctor if you promise for regular practice of yoga. It will develop your mental, physical and spiritual power. You would have definitely heard the name and news of Swami Ramdev Baba. Swami...

Hatha Yoga teachers are suddenly seeing a resurgence of student numbers, within their classes. Many new Yoga students have one common factor, which has driven them to attend classes. In short, the population is experiencing chronic stress. Local news stories from Boston to Providence, and across the United States, are confirming that the current financial crisis is "sending people over the edge." In the face of stress, Yoga provides solutions that relax the body and calm the mind. When people chronically worry, they also tend to lose sleep. When this scenario becomes a regular part of daily life, many different health ailments can occur, such as heart palpitations, high blood pressure, heart disease...

What is yoga Bikram style? Bikram yoga has different names. It is perhaps most popularly known as hot yoga. They call it the "hot" yoga because students of this style practice their poses in a room with very high temperatures. These temperatures can range from ninety to one hundred and five degrees. Why is it called Bikram yoga? The style was created in the 1970's by Bikram Choudhury, an Indian yoga master who resides in Beverly Hills, California. He was the original person to take hatha yoga poses and specifically construct a routine to be performed in hot temperatures. He learned yoga from Bishnu Ghosh. How popular is Bikram's style? The short answer: extremely. Bikram Choudhury's yoga is taught...

Ashtanga yoga, also known as power yoga, is quickly gaining popularity among practitioners. So what is Ashtanga yoga? It is the form of yoga most used by athletes and those interested in quickly increasing strength and stamina. Because of that, Ashtanga yoga postures have a higher degree of difficulty than those in other styles. Additionally, they are done as part of series. Usually, students doing Ashtanga yoga postures will move quickly from one to the other to maintain that focus on strength. That is in opposition to many other forms of yoga where the emphasis is on breathing, relaxation, and flexibility. Who Should Practice Ashtanga Yoga? Ashtanga yoga poses are for most anyone who is in decent...

What is an inverted posture, or an inversion, in a Hatha Yoga class? Technically, any posture (asana), in which the head is below the heart, is an inversion. Whether you stand on your head, bend forward, or bend back, if the head is below the heart, you are performing an inversion. This also means that Downward Dog (Adho Mukha Svanasana) and Fish (Matsyasana) are also inversions - although both postures are mild in comparison to Head Stand (Sirsasana). If you bend back far enough in Camel (Ustrasana) -that is also an inversion. This is not meant to beat a dead horse, but inversions are not for everyone. When you perform any Yoga technique, there should be a clear intention. If the risks outweigh the...

Let's look at some ways to group techniques, within a Yoga class, and keep them interesting for each session. Please keep in mind that there are thousands of ways to design lesson plans. The only time a lesson plan is wrong is if it can potentially hurt a student. Centering: This is a time for students to bring their full awareness into the classroom. If I were to compare Yoga to any other discipline, this is similar to the ceremonial bow at the beginning of a martial arts class. Some teachers go into a brief meditation, at this point, while other teachers may focus on seated or standing breath awareness. The point being - there are many ways to approach this, but time should be taken for the...

Ashtanga yoga, also known as power yoga, is quickly gaining popularity among practitioners. So what is Ashtanga yoga? It is the form of yoga most used by athletes and those interested in quickly increasing strength and stamina. Because of that, Ashtanga yoga postures have a higher degree of difficulty than those in other styles. Additionally, they are done as part of series. Usually, students doing Ashtanga yoga postures will move quickly from one to the other to maintain that focus on strength. That is in opposition to many other forms of yoga where the emphasis is on breathing, relaxation, and flexibility. Who Should Practice Ashtanga Yoga? Ashtanga yoga poses are for most anyone who is in decent...

You'll learn how to insure that a beginner Hatha yoga student feels comfortable enough to return for future Hatha Yoga classes with you. Have a nice, peaceful, comfortable and serene space for your students. Welcome all students and have new students know they can select to choose a contract for 5 weeks, 6 weeks or whatever packet you decide to offer to your students. I have students introduce themselves using a couple of sentences about themselves and why they decided to come. This sharing helps a newbie feel related with others on some level. I would offer one free class at the end of the 5 week packet and let there be a discount if they choose to sign up for 5 or 6 week course. Explain to them a...

Everyday people are reporting their wonderful experiences on health benefits of Yoga, the transformation of being, taking you beyond the here and now. In one great session of Yoga, people get to practice a number of things; some Yoga poses (asanas) breathing exercises (pranayama), meditation and chanting. In Yoga you get to learn basic terms like Mudras, Bandhas and Chakras. Best of all, Yoga is fun and soothing while, at the same time, being delectably challenging to beginners. It seems like a hot new trend, but yoga in fact began more than 3,000 years ago in India. The word yoga is Sanskrit (one of the very old languages of the East). It means to "yoke," or unite, the mind, body, and spirit. Yoga...

> The article discusses about the benefits of music in daily yoga and meditation pratcice. The surest pathway to salvation - yoga and meditation practice can be termed as the symphony of life. Practicing yoga and different asanas develop greater discipline. Yoga sadhana unites the mind, body and soul and lead an individual to a state of timeless bliss. Though yoga evolved some five thousand years back, its utility and benefits are widely recognized. In today's jet edge, human beings often than not, are subjected to anxiety and stress. These mental hazards also have a negative influence on the physical health of the individual. At such a predicament, practicing yoga...

Yoga's rejuvenating and mind-clearing abilities are pretty much undisputable at this point, but what about the more intense, physically trying experience of Bikram yoga, a growing trend amongst yoga devotees? Here's my experience with Bikram yoga, and why I'll most certainly be doing it again. Bikram yoga is a specific style of yoga founded by Bikram Choudhury. Bikram yoga is often referred to as hot yoga as it is practiced in a room heated to 105 degrees with a humidity of 50%. The origin of this type of yoga is spiritually derived from Hinduism and regionally from Yoga College of India. Bikram yoga consists of 26 asanas or postures and two breathing exercises. The word asana translates to the...

Ashtanga is a more physically intense form of yoga than most, which is one of the reasons for its' immense popularity. This can make it more challenging to learn however. There are two main ways it is taught - a more traditional approach pioneered by Pattabhi Jois in India, and an adapted form of the primary series developed by teachers here. One of the questions many beginners may have, is do they actually need a class to learn this style anyway? An associated question is what makes it so different? By addressing these issues, it is much easier to learn ashtanga in a way that promotes true benefits, as well as avoiding some of the frustrations that beginners may face. Pattabhi Jois was a lifelong...

One of the philosophies of Yoga is called Patanjali and comes from the Sanskrit for its definition of Ashtanga Yoga. Ashta means 8 and Anga means limbs and these 8 limbs are intended to help the Ashtange Yoga devotee to live a healthy life. The practice of this form of Yoga is intended to help us minimize stress in our lives, which if course is a good thing, or at least minimize its effect. It also strengthens our endurance. Ashtanga Yoga was made popular by the Yoga guru Shri K Pattabhi Jois. There is a different term in western Yoga to describe what is in effect a form of Ashtanga Yoga. This term is Power Yoga. Power Yoga is modeled on Ashtanga yoga. The 8 limbs of Ashtanga Yoga are as follows...

Are you ready to make a life changing resolution? What is a daily Yoga plan? How can a daily Yoga plan reduce stress and change your life? You can make a change at any time of the year, but New Year's resolutions are the most popular. Yet, we often see that New Year's resolutions do not make it past Valentine's Day. So, if you are ready to make a change and add Yoga to your life - let's look at a way for you to be successful for the long-term. Get a journal and prepare it for writing. I prefer to write things down, but you may prefer a lap top, personal digital assistant, or your computer. Either way, you should write your goals down - especially the amount of time you plan to practice Yoga in...

One of the most common questions Yoga teachers answer is about the healing aspects of regular practice. As we become more aware of our health, we would like to capture wellness and hold onto it for as long as possible. This is not only an indication of self-awareness, but also a sign of intelligence. Unfortunately, some of us will abuse our bodies in one way or another, but Hatha Yoga gives us a path toward the best possible health. The asanas (yoga postures) create movements, which we can visibly see, but there is much more going on at the microscopic level. As you move, you stimulate the circulation of lymphatic fluids throughout the body. These are clear fluids, which are derived from blood...

The best hatha yoga tip I ever received, was from a yoga master who understood the inner workings of life, karma and reincarnation. Employing this tip is essential if you are going to extract the full benefits of a yoga practice. Without this piece of wisdom, hatha yoga becomes just a series of physical movements and exercises. The tip is that all yoga should be practiced with the Witnessing Consciousness active. This is really more than just the best yoga tip, this is an essential yoga guideline. Yoga means, to join or yolk, and the joining that is being referred to, is the merging of your consciousness with the Universal Consciousness. This is the true purpose of yoga. To bring you to the doorstep...

"> In simple words, the yoga postures are various positions of our body. But these postures or Yoga Asanas are not merely the position given to our body. In addition of provide good exercise to our physical self, the body, yoga postures provide us with opportunities to create or it is an attempt synthesizing our mind and body. It is just like a fusion of human mind and human physical strength. The regular practice of doing the yoga postures could render us with more awareness towards the exact relationship between our mind and body. After ding this exercises for a period, one might start feeling that his or her body moves with balance and grace, her or his mind functions with mental and physical...

Bikram Yoga is designed for you to heat and lengthen the tendons, muscles, and ligaments in a correct and scientific way that is comprised of twenty-six hard asanas. Created by Choudhury these twenty-six of the Bikram poses for yoga that when completed in a correct method will give you more oxygen and circulation to every part of the body. This includes the muscle fiber and all the organs of the body. The new circulation will help to heal the body systems to a healthy and better state the way that nature ordained it to be. The way this will end up is for you to have muscles that are tight and toned, the correct weight for you, you will feel better, and a better health in general. There are many...

Restorative yoga poses are often the prescribed remedy to help alleviate stress, but how big a problem is stress really? Well, pick any person off the street and they can tell you how stressful daily life is. Sometimes it can seem as though there is no end to the pressure. Having to face the reality of juggling a job, a family, an education and any other pursuits can really start to wear on a person's constitution. It is a well documented fact that stress can be at the root of a number of conditions including headaches, backaches, muscle tension, high blood pressure and stomach ulcers. In extreme cases it may even contribute to such things as heart attacks. Sadly that's not all. Just think about a...

Do you want your child to be healthy, flexible and strong? Would you like your child to know how to calm and relax their minds, to concentrate and focus better at school? Are you concerned that your child does not like exercise and prefers to spend their spare time playing video games rather than mixing with their peers? As a parent or carer you naturally want your child to be healthy and fit. Yoga exercises, with their emphasis on gentle stretching exercises, joyful breathing exercises and creative relaxation techniques encourage your child to exercise and feel good about themselves. If your child is anxious and not keen to attend a Children's Yoga Class, you can always introduce them to yoga poses...

On March 22, 2001, the New England Journal of Medicine published a study about the connection between specific Yoga postures (asanas) and a particular type of stroke called, "arterial dissection." It seems that sudden neck movements, or any Yoga posture that places extreme pressure on your neck, can put you at risk. Am I trying to scare you about the dangers involved in practicing a posture, such as: Shirshasana? No, but you should be aware of the potential for injuries in any posture. The chances of experiencing arterial dissection, as a result of Shirshasana practice, are quite rare; but this is only the tip of the iceberg, when we consider developing a safe Yoga practice. For example, your...

Yoga means union in the language of Sanskrit, which is a language of India, where yoga originated. Yoga is actually the union of the mind, body and soul and is a philosophy in itself. Power yoga is a form of yoga that is based on a choreographed sequence of poses known as asana during which process, the joints in the body unwind, muscles get relaxed and the energy gets moved. When a person performs power yoga, he tends to build strength and flexibility and is able to focus better and consequently the tension in the mind and body is released. Ashtanga yoga is a rigorous form of yoga that is practiced in the eastern part of the globe and hence Beryl Bender Birch and Bryan Kest of the United States...

The term 'Yoga' is derived from a Sanskrit word meaning 'union' or 'to join'. Yoga is an ancient form practiced in India by ascetics when they were in meditation. Yoga aims for the union of the body, mind and spirit through a system of postures, breathing exercises and meditation. Breathing exercises: These help in increasing oxygen intake to the body cells, including the fat cells. This results in burning up of fat cells. It also reduces anxiety. Whenever we are anxious, if we take a deep breath, our anxiety or anger goes. Anxiety makes us swallow our food without chewing. So we tend to eat more than is needed. This hampers weight loss. Here these breathing exercises help and keep you calm and cool...

Patanjali's Ashtanga Yoga has eight limbs(parts). In my earlier article, Yama and Niyama have been described briefly. Yama and Niyama are external limbs of Yoga; these are to be practised while leading social life. The rest six limbs - Asana, Pranayama, Pratyahar, Dharana, Dhyana and Samadhi are internal limbs of Yoga. While practicing these six limbs one concentrates one's mind on true self and realises the divine truth. In this article Asana and Pranayama have been described. Asana(posture) Asana is a posture of the body by which the body rests on a plane surface. For different actions man chooses different postures. For Yoga one should choose a comfortable posture by which one may concentrate...

Hatha Yoga, or Hatha Vidya, has gained in popularity since its inception in India in the 15th Century by Yogi Swatmarama. If you are looking to cleanse and purify the body in order to make it ready for a higher level of spirituality then this yoga is for you. It's sad to say that in such a materialistic world many forget about spiritual maturity or attaining enlightenment, all they want is a slim and fit body. There's nothing wrong with being healthy and fit but a far greater endeavour is mastery over ourselves. The word Hatha literally means the joining of energies, specifically that of the sun and the moon. Sun coming from the word 'Ha' and moon from the word 'Tha'. So we have 'sun' and 'moon...

Does life feel like a carnival ride? How do we deal with life's challenges? What do you consider happiness to be? Can Hatha Yoga really open the "Gateway to Happiness?" Let's look at solutions to happiness, which you can find in your Hatha Yoga practice. Life is often compared to a carnival ride. The "ups and downs" of life cause us pleasure and pain. To a degree, we all need a certain amount of stress, but Hatha Yoga practice can help you gauge the amount of stress you take. Picture stress like water: You need some water to live, but too much water can become a flood. Hatha Yoga controls stress, like a dam controls water. We want a steady flow, but not too much. How do we deal with life's...

Real men do yoga. NFL running back Eddie George, NBA superstar Kevin Garnett and pro-golfer David Duvall all profess to be believers, attesting that yoga has improved their game. Also, Yoga is not as easy as it looks. Do not be fooled by its calming, tranquil façade. The Yoga system is as sophisticated and complex as they come. The exercises engage both major and minor groups and often involves re-learning something as basic as breathing. Yoga movements may be few and far between. Yet, it is the getting to and holding the posture for those extra millimeters and seconds that is the true measure of a man. Bending over to touch yourself becomes an unlikely challenge. Curious? You are not the...

I've been moving more and more toward the benefits of Bikram yoga after a brief visit to a local studio. I found that the addition of heat and sweat to the smooth movements made my middle aged body feel great. Bikram Yoga is widely known as Hot Yoga. Some know it as The Bikram Method. Bikram yoga is derived from Hatha yoga; a healing style designed for the recovery of mind and body. There are many Bikram enthusiasts who have been swear by this system for their recuperation from alcoholism to shingles. Many people have changed their lives after mastering the basic positions. Bikram Choudhury, the founder of the yoga style was born in Calcutta in 1946. Bikram began practicing yoga at the age of four...

One type of yoga that is very popular today is Ashtanga yoga and you can easily take a closer look so you understand what this sort of yoga is all about. Sri Krishnamacharya at Mysore Palace was the initial creator of Ashtanga yoga. He was also the person responsible for influencing the different modern forms of yoga that we have today. The Ashtanga Yoga taught by Sri K. Pattabhi Jois of Mysore, India, is that yoga which is truest to the teachings of the creator. The yoga is an aerobic type of yoga and it is physically demanding too. The main focus of the Ashtanga is the vinyasa which is the series of movements which are combined with certain specific breathing patterns. One breath is required for...

If you are interesting in taking up yoga, Ashtanga yoga may be the kind of yoga for you. This popular form of yoga has an interesting history. Sri Krishnamacharya at Mysore Palace originally established Ashtanga yoga. Krishnamacharya is responsible for influencing many modern forms of yoga practiced today. The Ashtanga Yoga taught by Sri K. Pattabhi Jois of Mysore, India, is the most faithful to Krishnamacharya's teachings. It was originally developed for teenage boys, but is now popular with people of all ages. It is an aerobic type yoga, which is physically demanding. The main focus is on vinyasa, which are a series of movements combined with specific breathing patterns. There should be one breath...