Santos Yoga

Mother nature has given a grand gift on women in the form of motherhood. We get both the strains and joys of conception and bringing the child into the world. The 9 month point in between conception and birth of the child can be a most sensitive period of time for any woman in many ways. During this time period each and every action of a pregnant woman can create an affect either advantageous or negative on the wellness of the unnborn child. Wholesome food and wholesome eating habits are really crucial for the wellness of the coming child and its mom. However it will take more than wholesome eating habits to be positive that you experience a calm delivery and a healthy child. We are living in a...

Depending on the time of year and where you live, your vicinity may experience extreme temperature in the summer months. If so, this style of yoga may be just for you. If you are more used to a cooler environment, read on to see how yoga can really warm you up. Bikram yoga is hot. Specifically, Bikram yoga is a standardized procedure which teaches 26 poses which are performed in a place which is heated to 105 degrees Fahrenheit (about 40 Celsius) year around. Hot enough for you? That should take the chill off on a cold, snowy day! Bikram yoga is becoming a more desirable and increasingly popular yoga type. Like all other forms of yoga, Bikram emphasizes balance combined with a mind-body connection...

Are you looking for a distinct mat different among any ordinary mats? Then the search is over since the Bikram yoga mat is now out in the market that is truly astounding because of its unique features. Why is there a need for mats while enjoying yoga sessions? Mats usually serve as barrier between our body and the floor when doing certain exercises and activities that requires one to be sitting or lying down in the floor. All of which is offered by Bikram yoga mat plus with additional characteristics that other maps do not offer at all. While doing Pilates exercises, one is expected to perspire and the same case goes with yoga sessions or simply doing their daily routine exercises. This can be true...

Yoga is one of the favorite hobbies of some individuals especially those who love to maintain a healthy body and a sound mind. This is a method that originated in India where physical and mental disciplines were practiced with different poses performed in a series of time. When doing Yoga, expect different poses and postures that will actually make your body sweat thus the need to have Bikram Yoga mat becomes a sort of necessity throughout the fitness session. Hot yoga, most commonly known as Bikram yoga, involves different poses in a heated room and it needs the most suitable mat that was actually named after it. Doing this type of yoga makes our body perspire more than the usual especially being...

You can try to do the Bikram Yoga or Hot Yoga, and it will definitely make your body in perfect shape. This exercise is not only limited for your body, but will aid you to have a positive outlook in life as well. Bikram Yoga or some call it Hot Yoga, is an intense kind of Yoga. This is performed in a hot ventilated room, maybe around 95-100 degrees. Performing this exercise will make you sweat hard. Once you perspire, all toxins of your body will be washed out. Heat will also make your body more flexible, so it will be easier for you to do the different body postures. Bikram Yoga does a lot of benefits to those who engage in this activity. Yoga, especially Bikram, has been known to be very effective...

You have probably heard people talking about it in your workplace, in the subway, in the coffee shop. That it really works. That it made them lose weight. Yes, Bikram yoga is hot. It may seem everybody else has tried it but you. But before you dive in, it is important to be more informed. Because when people say Bikram is a hot yoga, they do not only mean it's well-liked and in style. They also mean it literally. A session in Bikram yoga means exposure to elevated temperatures-105 degrees and about 40% humidity-for 90 minutes. It will make you sweat buckets. It's All about Sweating? Now there's a little confusion surrounding the sweating part. Some say sweating alone does not make you lose weight...

So it was 2002. I was 25. Two years out of college. Had about 100 Bikram classes under my belt. Was attending 5-6 times per week. Totally addicted and wanting to attend teacher training. I told my father of my plans, and with him being an Acupuncturist. I planned for a positive and supportive response. Instead what I heard was, "yoga teachers scratch out a pretty meager living." I never did muster the effort to attend or complete the training. However, over the years I've probably completed somewhere in the range of 700-800 Bikram Yoga classes. My relationship with the practice that is sometimes hot (I feel so totally awesome with consistent practice), and often cold (I better get out of the studio...

Bikram is currently the most popular form of Yoga used for weight loss programs. Bikram regulates the metabolism, which in turn leads to better calorie consumption. On top of that, the high heat used for Bikram helps burn an average of 450 calories during a session. The only problem of losing weight through hot yoga is dehydration, as the high temperatures in a hot yoga class create a large moisture loss from the body. People who are on a hot yoga regime for weight loss need to take special care of keeping themselves hydrated, so that the loss of water during the session does not cause severe lack of fluids in their body. Bikram's Hot Yoga can be broken down into seven key ways to lose weight by...

The end of pregnancy marks the beginning of a joyous little bundle in the new mom's life, but at the same time, it can be mentally stressful and taxing as well, especially for first time moms. In addition it leaves behind the undesirable excess weight that was packed on during the nine months of wait for the precious baby. So all health conscious moms turn to strict exercise programs to shed the extra pounds as dieting during breast feeding is not possible and recommended. Bikram yoga offers a great way to get back in shape physically and reduce stress levels post pregnancy. Although Bikram is not suitable to practice during pregnancy; it can do wonders for the yogi post partum. Conducted in a...

Well, you might have a slight doubt if doing Yoga can harm your body. You might ask if it is really dangerous. A lot of people have different opinions about this issue. Apparently, Yoga fanatics will definitely take no for an answer. But, there are other individuals who started to feel back aches and other muscle cramps. Medical experts and physical therapists have also their side on this. According to them, since this activity is done in a heated room there can be some side effects to the human body. As we all know, heat increases the flexibility of the muscles, but stretching the muscles should only fall between the normal percentage of its resting length. Beyond that, it is already considered...

Bikram Yoga was developed by a famous Indian Guru by the name of Bikram Choudhury and it is based on using heat, humidity and twenty six poses to increase flexibility and muscle strength. It is a great Yoga for non-pregnant people but it is not safe for Mums-to-be. The heat of the room which is usually around 95-105 degrees centigrade, poses a serious risk of dehydration to anyone but to a pregnant woman it is even more seriously dangerous. The sudden loss of fluids from the body in combination with increased body temperature, could make a pregnant female faint at best. Fainting is not something that I recommend. When I was pregnant with my first child in Darwin, Northern Territory Australia where...

Yoga has been around for over 3,000 years, and still remains one of the most popular forms of exercise in the world. In fact, yoga popularity has increased tremendously over the past few years, and is rapidly becoming one of the most popular forms of exercise among young people. Yoga exercise can be used to strengthen the mind, body and spirit by people of all ages and levels of physical health. It doesn't matter if you are in good shape or not, you can reap huge benefits from practicing yoga. There are actually several types of yoga, ranging from the high speed and high intensity level to a gentle, free flowing style of yoga and everything in between. Regardless of which form or style of yoga...

In yoga, breathing is everything. Breathing is more than just an intake of oxygen. It is also a way of cleansing the body and restoring equilibrium. But, in order to gain high quality results from the breathing that you do, you must do them correctly. There is no quick way to learn the right technique, but here are a few pointers to bear in mind while starting out with yoga breathing. Kapalabhati- basic yoga breathing. In this method, you learn to breathe in order to purify the body. It is one of the six different Kriyas practices. Your breath is short, strong and fast. The lung acts as a pump that expels the waste from it. Here, you are deliberately breathing faster while breathing through your...

If you have been considering Bikram Yoga there are a few things you should know about it first. Unlike aerobic exercises that get your heartrate going Bikram yoga does not require such specifics. The main purpose of this type of yoga is to restrict the blood flow in the vessels and veins and then suddenly releasing the pressure causing the blood to flow through the veins rapidly at first. This type of yoga can cleanse your veins and vessels. There are many ways to prepare for this type of yoga and not everyone can do it. If Bikram yoga is right for you, you will need to be prepared for your class. How to do Bikram Yoga To perform Bikram yoga you will put your body into a tourniquet using stretching...

Peace of mind seems like a fantasy to most people. Even when they sleep, their dreams do not give them rest. The mind of an optimist can have pessimistic thoughts, which surface during sleep patterns. That said, can Yoga really help you find peace of mind? When one of us decides to become a Yoga teacher, there are many different reasons why, but peace of mind is usually part of the reason. It is gratifying when we empower our Yoga students to find peace of mind. Sometimes, a Yoga teacher chooses to "spread the word," for his, or her, own peace of mind. Within personal Yoga practice, and teaching Yoga classes, most of us find a "retreat from the rat race." Yoga class becomes more than a...

Yoga teachers should establish control over their classes. A Yoga class is not an "open campus." If you expect everyone to follow along without structure, order, and guidelines, you will be disappointed. It will not take long for "one bad apple" to show up and distract your lesson plan. Here's an example: You have no rules or official policy in your Yoga classes because you believe adults know how to act. Wrong - Why do you think we have traffic lights? We have speed limits too, but how many adults obey them? However, let's give your theory a chance. Without any guidelines, a Hatha Yoga class will quickly disintegrate into an informal stretch class. You are no longer seen as the Yoga teacher...

Let's look into the minds of our Yoga students. What do they need most? What are the most valuable gifts we can leave behind for our Yoga students? Is it something expensive? Would they benefit most from an electronic gift? Many people look at the word "gift" as a tangible present, but you can give Yoga students good memories and valuable lessons, which last a life time. Below are a few priceless gifts for Yoga students. Instill enough positive energy within them to become their own best Yoga teacher. A Yoga student must learn to develop full awareness of his or her physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional health. Never hold back any information, which will benefit a Yoga student's health...

Among the many benefits of Hatha Yoga practice is enjoying a state of relaxation. If you have been practicing Yoga for a while, you might think this is a "no brainer." Yet, you cannot expect someone who has never practiced Yoga before, to automatically know the benefits. Relaxation, reduced stress, and being able to manage body weight are attractive reasons to begin and maintain a consistent Yoga practice. However, let's take a closer look at the benefits of relaxation. When you think about relaxation, what picture do you see in your mind? Most people would envision a vacation, when thinking about a state of relaxation. When should you take a vacation? Most people have created a vacation deficit and...

Is your back hurting you? Does it feel stiff, sore and tender to touch? If you sit or stand for lengthy periods, do you cringe and hold your lower back when you change positions? Maybe you experience shooting pains down one side of your legs and hobble when you walk. If you have ever suffered from back pain, you will know how painful and debilitating it is. You can go for months without any pain when ping...you bend over and your back "locks" and you are not able to stand up straight. Back pain is the second most common cause of long term sickness in the UK after stress. The most common causes of back pain are strained muscles or ligaments, wear and tear, bad posture and stress. About 150 million...

If you spend all day staring at a computer screen, reading small print or completing close reading tasks your eyes can suffer. Concentrating for any length of time on the same task, for example, playing computer games, can also lead to eye strain and weary eyes. Eyestrain is in fact a form of muscle cramp. To alleviate tired eyes it is essential you take regular breaks from constantly focusing on close objects, your computer screen or television. Exercising the eyes releases tension and offers quick relief from eye strain. If left untreated, constant eye strain can lead to headaches and a build up of tension in your body. If you are going through a stressful life issue, your eyes may look tired...

Bikram Yoga is hot yoga. Immediately, this conjures images of the Sahara or Death Valley in people's minds. All the movies and cartoons that ever depicted desert scenes where a withering person is dragging himself across miles of sand, licking the edges of an empty water bottle, and squinting while the sun beats down at him come flashing into your mind. This is perfectly normal. Rest assured it's not that bad, but yes... it will be hot! You can always tell the newbies. They come with gallon bottles of water and are usually slightly over dressed. Think baggy t-shirt as opposed to stretchy tank top. Everyone goes in feeling fresh and ready for a fun-filled 90 minute class. You'll always have the hard...

If there's one medical condition which can seemingly strike anyone at anytime, that is none other than insomnia. This common sleep disorder can have psychological, physiological, environmental and medical reasons. Now, if you are one of the millions of people who are suffering from this condition, did you know that there is a type of yoga which can help cure it? The key is to learn about the breathing techniques involved in the Ujjayi Pranayama - a style of yoga which is also called ocean breath, hissing breath and victorious breath. Ujjayi literally means rising victoriously. When you practice this style, you can use the techniques to cure any sleeping disorders that you may have. 5 Steps to...

Yoga has become the "in" thing to do in many places and more people than ever practice it. But I am sure that there are still many people who would like to be convinced that they need yoga. In case you are one of these people, this article was written for you and presents the reasons why a regular practice of yoga postures may be just what you need. The major argument in favor of yoga practice is that it is one of the best ways to relieve stress. While humans of today have far surpassed the achievements of people who lived in a simpler era, we are paying for this intellectual and technological development with a world that is more stressful. Yoga postures and relaxation exercises help to balance a...

Many of my women friends, especially those with babies, say that losing fat in the tummy area is the toughest. I am sure; each one of us has struggled to lose tummy flab. It seems that when one gains weight, even a small amount, it all seems to go to the waist area. And, when one loses weight, this seems to be the most problematic area from where the flab just refuses to go. My advice to all women wanting to lose tummy flab is to try Yoga. I know you expected aerobics, strength training, or Power Yoga as a possible solution. However, I am talking about Yoga, the way it has been practiced since its origin thousands of years ago in India. Yoga is a complete exercise system, which builds strength...

Yoga is not something which has to be done by a specialized group. It is a universal exercise and is practiced by children, the elderly, and everyone in between. So what's the big deal about doing a yoga pose? Simply put, yoga is good for you. Unlike many other forms of exercise, yoga can be done at the pace of the individual involved and targets not only your physical well being but your mental and spiritual as well. The mental benefits of doing a yoga pose are endless. Have you ever heard the saying that a healthy mindgives a healthy body? Yoga is an important way of keeping the mind healthy. How does it do this? It does it by training you how to deal with all those thoughts floating around in...

Are you sick of experiences back pain every single time you roll out of bed? Are you pregnant or over weight and dealing with the strain it puts on your back? You can find a healthier life and a much less painful life by practicing yoga for back pain. Yoga has many benefit including an increase in flexibility, which will greatly reduce your back pain. Yoga will also help to relieve the stiffness and strain in the spinal cord. This stiffness is usually caused by prolonged sitting or standing. Yoga is great for you if you are stuck in a chair all day or standing behind a counter all day. It will also help to re alight your spine, which will help with the back pain you are experiences. Certain yoga...

A student comes to yoga because of illness, hoping that yoga can rejuvenate them, and restore health. Another comes to come yoga after hearing of the many benefits, hoping to maintain good health and prevent illness. Others may come hoping to challenge themselves physically and emotionally. And many come to relax and reduce tension and stress, drawn to the contemplative side of yoga. All will find what they are looking for in the practice of yoga. The list of health related issues that yoga offers relief for is a very long one indeed. The ability of yoga to lower blood pressure and reduce stress assists in recovery after heart attacks. Dr. Dean Ornish, best selling author, has done considerable...

For those who want to pursue a mind-body connection, yoga techniques offer a dynamic conditioning program that will help you achieve a mental and physical balance in your life. Yoga is not only about building strength and doing gentle stretching; it will allow you to explore positive thinking, meditation, concentration, emotion, and spiritualism. Begin With the Sun Salute There are hundreds of yoga techniques but beginners will start with a series of twelve poses called the Sun Salutation (Surya Namaskar). It is performed in a single, graceful flow. Basic yoga poses work from the inside out to improve and condition the health of the mind and body. You move in an ever progressing sequence of poses...

Yoga is one of the most popular forms of exercise these days, especially for women. It helps you to stay fit and healthy not only physically, but also mentally. There are almost endless benefits to yoga training. Add balance to your life physically, mentally, and spiritually. Physically, yoga will help improve your balance. Due to the many postures and poses that require balance, practicing them helps you understand where your center of mass is, and how to use muscles you rarely utilize. It's been said that balance is a good indicator of your health. In addition to balance, yoga training helps your metabolism. While it doesn't seem strenuous in cardio, the constant stretching from postures and...

Ashtanga is largely focused on relieving stress and tension by relaxing both the body and the mind. The yoga mantra is actually made up of eight limps, each of which has a purpose for benefiting the entire body through more ways than one. They also develop great virtues such as understanding, honesty, worship and belief in God, kindness, and a good and highly nutritional diet. Ashtanga also works by keeping the body always healthy. In fact, most Ashtanga methods can only be very effective when performed with effective physical work out strategies. It is through Ashtanga that yoga practitioners are able to accomplish their long-term goals which are usually more focused on having internal happiness...

Have you ever heard a Yoga teacher cue without thinking? Did you ever wonder if cueing was actually covered in his or her Yoga teacher training? Let's take a look at some common mistakes Yoga teachers make when cueing. Most Yoga students retain information by actually performing a technique. Some studies estimate that 90% of all people learn by "doing." In comparison, only a small percentage (10 to 20%) of your Yoga students will retain what you demonstrate or what they hear. Below are some examples of what never to do when cueing your Yoga students. The Introverted Yoga Instructor Over the past few decades, I have found introverted Yoga teachers to be some of the kindest, warmest, and gentlest...

Every once in a while I will meet a veteran Yoga teacher who is disgruntled over difficult students. The complaining Yoga student, the student who has not washed for days, the student who harasses other students, and the student who believes you should teach Yoga for free, can all challenge your purpose in life. So what can you do to get through to difficult Yoga students? Firstly, you must go back to the Law of Karma, which states that for every action, there is an equal reaction. With a difficult student, it may appear as though he or she selected you, and now you are the victim. This is absolutely wrong. Due to your personality, or the atmosphere of your Yoga class, the student has detected...

Recently, a conversation arose about the dangers of prolonged and forceful Pranayama (Yogic breathing techniques). A friend, and colleague, was discussing pushing the limits of Bhastrika and Kapalbhati to the point of neuron damage, within the brain. It is true that some Yoga teachers and students are unaware of the dangers of prolonged Bhastrika and Kapalbhati. These two Pranayama techniques are classified as hyper-ventilation. If this means nothing, the short example below will open your awareness to the potential hazards. When I was a child growing up in the United States, my family moved around the country quite a bit. It was not uncommon for children to play fainting or "passing out" games by...

Core abdominal training and power is perhaps the most important aspect of physical fitness, and yoga is an excellent science to help target and develop this region. According to yoga, the abdominal area is governed by the Solar Plexus Chakra, called the Manipura Chakra in Sanskrit, and this chakra is responsible for not just providing the body with the physical energy it needs, but is also responsible for your willpower and strength of character. Yoga abdominal exercises work on many dimensions of your being. They not just tone and strengthen the stomach muscles, but they also open and balance the Manipura Chakra mentioned above. Thus, not only is your core strength and power improved, but, also...

Backaches are mainly caused by a misalignment of the spine which in turn are caused by bad posture or injury brought about by things like sudden movements or carrying excess weights. The best course of action in treatment of back pain is to stretch and rest the spine, allowing it to realign itself as much as possible. Many people resort to costly medical treatments like painkillers but these end up making the body more toxic and only treat the symptoms, not the cause. Here are two simple and safe yoga poses that will likely give backache sufferers real relief and should be tried before anything else. 1. Stand with feet together. Interlock the fingers with palms facing upwards and rest the hands on...