The other day I was chatting with a cousin who lives abroad. He asked how to choose a yoga class for himself. When he did a Google search for yoga classes close to home, he got a few options; some of them being highly recommended by students too. But how do I know which yoga class is right for me, he asked. When I do start to attend a class, what do I look for in a yoga class ...
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How to Manage Stress Effectively with Yoga
Did you know stress produces mental as well as physical symptoms? Apart from the fact that stress makes us short tempered and irritable, it also causes muscle pain and tension, headaches, tiredness, indigestion and loss of libido. So, there are very good reasons for all of us to find ways to lower and remove stress from our lives. As a mind-body system of wellness, yoga is one...
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Don’t Chase the Posture, Let the Posture Come to You
If you're attending a yoga class, it is likely that some people seem to be performing a yoga asana better or more effortlessly than others. It is natural to want to be able to do all those yoga postures perfectly. It is also natural to want to be among the best in your group or to be ‘better’ than others. This is a natural human instinct – to try and improve and excel. But her...
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How to Get the Most Out of Your Yoga Class
As a yoga instructor, I think I would probably have a different view of yoga and the benefits of yoga, as compared with the student attending yoga class. Each person would have some quite specific aims and goals that they hope to achieve by practicing yoga and trying to become proficient at it. However, the point of view of a yoga teacher can be different. Let me explain this ...
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Diaphragm Breathing for a Better Night’s Sleep
We spend about one-third of our lives sleeping. Or at least we should. The average adult needs seven to eight hours of sleep every day and children need even more. If we don’t get that amount of sleep, the body and mind cannot rejuvenate and repair. Inadequate or poor quality sleep causes problems with focus and memory, weakens immunity, and raises risk of many life-threatenin...
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Natural Ways to Treat Heartburn – Yoga to Treat Acidity
Heartburn or what we call acidity is a common issue for so many of us. It is that discomfort or burning sensation felt in the chest, stomach, neck and upper arm region. Most people may experience occasional or mild episodes, with increase seen during pregnancy or when on certain medications. Since acidity is so common, my students and others often ask me about specific yoga po...
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The Benefits of Utkatasan or Chair Pose
This is one of the deceptively simple poses of yoga – utkatasan or the chair pose. It looks simple to do but is much less so than it looks – it requires strength, stability and practice to do properly. It is also known to have a number of benefits. Let’s find out today how to perform this yoga pose and why:
How to perform Utkatasan
This pose belongs to the hatha yoga tra...
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Hypertension & Yoga – World Hypertension Day Special
May 17 is observed the world over as Hypertension Day – a condition we generally know of as high blood pressure. This is a day meant to increase awareness about hypertension, which is so common in the population but so often goes undetected. It is also a day when we can resolve to make lifestyle changes that will help to naturally control high blood pressure.
Why is hyp...
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Mother’s Day Special: Enhance Reproductive Health with Yoga
They say the job of a parent, particularly that of a mother, is the most difficult job in the world – plus there are no days off! Let Mother's Day (observed all over on the second Sunday of every May) be a day when we appreciate not only our own mothers, but every mother on Earth. And this brings us to reproductive health, which is important even for those of us who are not mo...
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What Is the Jal Neti Pot and How to Use It
I have, in the past, spoken about Jal Neti, which is a part of six purification systems of Hatha Yoga. Jal neti or water therapy helps to maintain good respiratory health. A jal neti pot or a neti pot as it is commonly referred to, helps with this therapy. A neti pot is a device that is very widely used not only in India but also abroad.
What is a jal neti pot?
As yo...
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