Tuesday, December 09, 2008

What Yoga Can Do For You

It is a simple fact - we are a nation of mostly overweight, stressed out, poor eating people. Our focus is on a supercharged lifestyle, and we are driven by making a living more than anything else.

Eventually, this catches up to us. We become ill, and lose our energy and drive. This can often happen at an early age, because when you are young you are blessed with more drive and energy than older folks. We begin to become ill and lethargic. Our ambitions and goals seem less important to us. Does this become a fact of life, or is there a solution?

Many people, when confronted with this situation, will run out and buy a membership to a gym. They will go half-heartedly, and soon that too falls by the wayside. There is a much better solution - yoga. Yoga is one of the best forms of exercise there is. It is basically low impact, because you rely on the positioning of the body to achieve results. There is no heavy lifting, endless hours on a treadmill or weight training.

Yoga will only work for you if you use the complete system. This means focusing on both the spiritual and physical sides of yoga. There are many systems - find one that works for you depending on your physical condition. As always, consult a physician when attempting any new form of exercise.

Namaste,

Charlie~

Friday, August 04, 2006

Yoga is a Safe Solution to Weight Control - Yoga

Yoga is a Safe Solution to Weight Control - Yoga

Benefit of Yoga relies on content from the web. We use that content, searched for in an orderly manner with the best technology available, to present to our readers.

I have recently done business with the owner of this site, Larry Westfall, and we are in a mutual Blog Alliance that Larry runs at Money Articles.

Larry lives in Hawaii, and is a great guy who travels to Thailand a lot. As we share the common interest of military service in the Far East, particularly SE. Asia, I present this article for you to read.

Enjoy...

Namaste,

Charlie~

Friday, June 23, 2006

This is Not Your Grandma?s Rocking Chair - Yoga

This is Not Your Grandma?s Rocking Chair - Yoga

From Larry Westfall's blog comes this article on Chair Yoga.

Yoga is for everyone, and this article on Lar's blog gives you a real head's up.

Enjoy...

Namaste,

Charlie~

Wednesday, June 07, 2006

Breast Cancer Patients Benefit From Yoga

Breast Cancer Patients Benefit From Yoga

Benefit Of Yoga realizes that the many benefits of a regular yoga practice can increase your wellness, longevity, and spiritual well being.

As an owner of http://www.breastcancerinformationsite.com, we constantly look for new content for that site, but also look to new information on yoga, too.

Here, a treatise on breast cancer benefited by yoga is discussed. It is a good read...

Namaste,

Charlie~

benefit of yoga

Sunday, June 04, 2006

Yoga Information - Yoga

Yoga Information - Yoga

My compadre' Larry Westfall in Hawaii has set up a blog and one of the features of this blog is a yoga site, visited here.

Larry is a "kewl" dude, working for the US Army as a civvy, and has just returned a while ago from a trip to Thailand & Taiwan. He is full of ideas, solutions, and has a lovely soul...

Namaste,

Charlie~

benefit of yoga

Monday, May 22, 2006

The Benefit Of Yoga

The Benefit Of Yoga

Benefit Of Yoga has had issues with Blogger, and help does not seem forthcoming. I have worked on the forum, but can get no results. Now, I am using a new piece of software that I hope alleviates this.

The benefit of yoga is one thing that benefits all ages, races, and age groups. In this article by Joanna Petaschnick, these benefits are explored. This is a good basic read for those wishing to attempt to learn the benefit of yoga…

Namaste,

Charlie

benefit of yoga

Saturday, April 29, 2006

Benefits Of Yoga

Benefits Of Yoga

Benefit Of Yoga is always on the lookout for new content and articles for the blog. Our team searches weekly for things to post that we find relevant.

This is the results of one such search. Listed are many articles on the benefit of yoga, and other resources that can be accessed. We hope you enjoy these as much as we have.

Namaste,

Charlie~

benefit of yoga

Sunday, April 23, 2006

Yoga Versus Pilates

The yoga craze of the late twentieth century ended up segueing into the Pilates craze of the early 2000's but many people questioned the exercise value of both. Despite media hoopla, few people actually seemed to understand the physical benefits of either. The truth is that both forms of exercise have unique approaches to fitness and can provide significant benefits for the strengthening and conditioning of the body. Though similar in the focus on strengthening the body through isometric movements, the paths of yoga and Pilates ultimately diverge.

Yoga was developed over five thousand years ago in Northern India. It is first mentioned in the sacred Hindu text Rig Veda. During its first clear period, yoga was practiced and refined by Vedic priests, who documented the practice in their writings. Patanjali, who is considered by most to be the father of classical yoga, fostered the next phase of yoga's development. Following Patanjali's broad expansion of yoga and its meanings, Tantric yoga became accepted as the new form of yoga and concentrated on cleansing both the mind and the body. Yoga finally neared its modern form in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century when more and more Indian yogis traveled to the West, sharing their art and increasing the world's interest in yoga. The 1947 premiere of Indra Devi's yoga studio in Hollywood became the opening bell to the American fascination with yoga. While most incarnations of yoga have had a strong spiritual element, modern Hatha yoga does not align itself with any religion or spirituality; instead it focuses primarily on the yoga postures and using them to reach and maintain strength and flexibility as well as inner calm.

Compared to yoga, Pilates is a spring chicken in terms of age. Joseph Pilates, who was born in Germany and suffered frail health as a child, created the program. Pilates overcame his childhood sicknesses through exercise and began to create a system of physical development that would later become his legacy to the world. In his thirties, Pilates traveled to England to work as a self-defense instructor to Scotland Yard but was forced into an internment camp during World War I. Despite the hardship of internment, Pilates went about his business within the camp, teaching his physical program to his fellow internees. During the terrible flu epidemic of 1918, thousands of people died, but none of Pilates proteges were affected. Following the war, Pilates returned to Germany but left for good when asked to teach his method to the German army. Settling in New York City with his new wife, Pilates opened his first fitness studio. He taught thousands of students until his death in 1967 at the age of 87. Trusted students carried on with the Pilates name and method, and by the early twenty-first century more than 5 million Americans were practicing Pilates.

Despite the wildly different histories, yoga and Pilates share the same focus on developing the muscles of the body and strengthening it by primarily using the body's own resistance to build up power. The postures of yoga and the movements of Pilates are sometimes strikingly similar, but ultimately the two follow separate roads. Yoga has spawned a multitude of varieties that range from Kundalini to Iyengar to Tantric, though Hatha remains the most popular form in the United States. Many first-time yoga practitioners can find the pace to be overly slow or grow impatient while waiting to see results. The best candidate for Hatha yoga is a person who appreciates time to slow down, meditate, and spend quiet time with oneself, and does not become easily discouraged by failure to immediately master a pose. Yoga requires a certain measure of patience and while this can be developed through practice, lacking it can make the first several weeks of yoga practice very trying for a person. The good thing about yoga is that it rarely requires extra equipment. You will need a yoga mat to begin with but after that, accessories are optional. Blocks, straps, and other tools can be helpful, but are not required.

Pilates is a method that is fairly easy to master. It doesn't call for complicated movements and is usually straightforward and simple to understand. The program's movements also tend to build strength fairly quickly so that results are apparent sooner than in yoga. The ideal Pilates practitioner should be able to discipline himself to complete his routine every day, which is a large part of the method. Attending classes is a great way to start but for the maximum results, the method should be practiced daily to benefit the body. Pilates typically doesn't require many props or accessories, though advanced practitioners will probably want to add machines or tools to their collection in order to maintain a high level of fitness.

Saturday, April 15, 2006

An introduction to a Yoga Lifestyle for a deepening approach to Yoga Meditation.

An introduction to a Yoga Lifestyle for a deepening approach to Yoga Meditation.

Benefit Of Yoga realizes that many people are concerned with only the physical aspect of yoga. To understand yoga and realize the benefit of yoga, you must also devote time to the spiritual side of the discipline, and remember that yoga means "union" - union of body and spirit.

Yamas And Niyamas are discussed here. To realize the full benefit of yoga, one must also understand the philosophy. Visit this site today and learn more...

Namaste,

Charlie~

benefit of yoga

Thursday, April 13, 2006

Yoga for Men - Yoga Pose and Techniques for Men @ ABC-of-Yoga.com

Yoga for Men - Yoga Pose and Techniques for Men @ ABC-of-Yoga.com

Benefit Of Yoga is aware that many people see yoga as something women practice and in reality I have seen little for the men on the web.

Men need to realize the benefit of yoga to help in keeping both physically fit and mentally strong, but to also help in the fight against osteoporosis.

Combining weight training with yoga can help the interested male in achieving this. Yoga adds flexibility, and also helps increase focus. What man could want anything more?

Namaste,

Charlie~

benefit ogf yoga

Tuesday, April 11, 2006

The Benefit of Yoga - Yoga

The Benefit of Yoga - Yoga

Benefit Of Yoga is aware of one thing - yoga is a physical activity that increases the union of body and spirit. This is not only a major benefit, but the path to awareness.

On this site, the benefit of yoga is discussed. Beginners will benefit from this article. Enjoy the site...

Namaste,

Charlie~

benefit of yoga

Thursday, April 06, 2006

Stress Management, Stress Management London

Stress Management, Stress Management London

Benefit Of Yoga is aware that we live in a very stressful world, and that one of the major causes of many illnesses is stress.

It is a simple fact that we now live in a supercharged world that is very hard to cope with. Stress in the workplace, in school, at home, is causing illness throughout our nation.

we are a nation of over-achievers, and it tells in the sales of Prozac and Zoloft. Found on this website is an overview of just how badly stress can affect you. It is also mindful to remember that yoga is one of the best ways in the universe to relieve stress. Enough said...

Namaste,

Charlie~

benefit of yoga

Monday, April 03, 2006

Benefit of Yoga

Benefit of Yoga

Benefit Of Yoga is aware of the many people that have considered yoga, but do not take advantage of it because of reason that are unclear to them.

Many people view yoga as an occult experience. Still others view it as practicing the Hindu religion. Yet many do not realize that yoga is designed after centuries of discovery to help unite the body and spirit to increase health and well being.

In this article, the benefit of yoga is discussed in length.

Namaste,

Charlie!

benefit of yoga

Saturday, April 01, 2006

Simply Yoga

Simply Yoga

Benefit Of Yoga searches the web constantly for new content and relevant articles. The benefit of yoga are many, and a lot of questions arise about a regular practice, health benefits, and religious connotations.

In this article these issues are addressed.

Namaste,

Charlie~

benefit of yoga

Saturday, March 25, 2006

Benefit Of Yoga - The Christian Viewpoint

The benefit of yoga is twofold - increased health and unification of the spirit with the body. It is accomplished through the use of many different aspects, but mainly through the combination of Asanas, or postures, and breathing/meditation practices.

This raises many question in the Christian community. In my research for this article, I was very surprised at the viewpoint of the Christian apologists, and their take on yoga and its practice. I have hesitated on writing this article because of that viewpoint. However, I feel that this question and the stance of the Christian community warrants reflection on the subject.

Yoga has a history dating back over five thousand years, to the beginning of the civilization of man. Little is really known about Yoga. it is believed to have originated in Mehrgarh, a neolithic settlement in what is now Afghanistan. Scholars believe it has grown out of Stone Age Shamanism. In this early period of civilization's beginnings, Yoga was a community resource, because of its attempts to determine cosmic order through inner vision, and apply it to daily living. In later years, yoga evolved into an inner dialogue through which the Yogis sought to develop their own salvation and enlightenment.

Archaeological evidence of the existence of Yoga first appeared in stone seals excavated from the Indus valley. It depicted figures in many Yogic Asanas, or postures, and officially put Yoga in the time period of approximately 3000 B.C. Of greater import, it also linked yoga to the great Indus-Sarasvati Civilization, a period in time that was considered modern and efficient.

From the Indus-Sarasvati civilization came the ancient texts known as the Vedas, the oldest scriptures in the world. The Vedas are a collection of hymns that praise a higher power and contains the oldest recorded history of Yoga teachings. The Vedas required the practitioner to transcend human limitations, and reach a higher spiritual plane. In later years, texts known as the Brahmanas were written to explain the rituals and the hymns of the Vedas. Following this came the Aranyakas texts, which outlined the practice of Yogis living in the seclusion of the forest. This led to the beginning of India's medical tradition, known as Ayurveda. All in all, Yoga transformed into a practice of health, harmony of the spirit, and a way of life.

The Christian viewpoint is thus - if one opens the mind to clearer thinking and inner vision, they open the spirit to demonic possession. It is felt that Yoga practice borders on occultism, and that opening one's mind and spirit to the benefit of yoga is both dangerous and against everything Christianity preaches. Christians believe that studying yoga is akin to practicing Hinduism, and one cannot separate the philosophy of Hinduism from their Christian beliefs, regardless of the health benefit of yoga.

As a practicing Buddhist, I take issue with this viewpoint. To me, this smacks of tunnel vision and narrowmindedness. A Christian is expected to open their heart and minds to Jesus, and to give in to the spirit of the Lord. They are expected to rely on blind faith, and to accept the word of God as the only truth in the world. A thinking person would find this hypocritical, for on the one hand Christians preach that Yoga must be avoided because opening the mind to clearer vision encourages the possibility of demonic possession, yet on the other hand preaches that one must open the mind and heart to accept Jesus into their lives. Opening one's heart and mind is exactly that - whether it is to look into one's self, or to accept Jesus into their lives. If, as Christians preach, we are open to demonic possession if we look inside ourselves and open the mind to all the possibilities, how then can we safely open our hearts to the concept of Christianity? Is there a gatekeeper who makes this decision when we do so that determines what path we are to follow? I think not...

For the record, I was raised in a Christian household. My father was the deacon of a small Baptist church in the farming community where we lived. My mother, who taught us children to question everything, moved from the Baptist community to the Assembly of God churches, and was ostracized by my father. I think that to her dying day, she resented my father for this narrowmindedness. Life is a matter of choice, and my mother believed that we are not required to operate under the illusion of blind faith, but to do what is right to us as an individual. And it is why I walk the Noble 8 Folded Path. It is simply a matter of choice, and questioning everything in this universe.

I believe that the practice of yoga is a good thing. It provides us with great health benefits, clearer vision, and harmony in our souls. And in this day and age, what else is there? Whether we be Christians, Muslims, or Buddhists, we must not disrespect the feelings and thoughts of others, their rights to practice as they wish, or try to push our views down other people's throats. To live in harmony is exactly that...

Namaste,

Charlie~

benefit of yoga

Wednesday, March 22, 2006

Types of yoga and their benefits

Types of yoga and their benefits

Benefit of Yoga knows that the practice helps decrease health problems. In this short article, the author gives alternatives for the busy person who does not have the time for formal yoga classes.

Also, different types of yoga, such as Hatha and Mantra, are discussed. This is a quick read, but has good information.

Namaste,

Charlie~~

benefit of yoga

Saturday, March 18, 2006

Yoga for PMS (Pre-menstrual Syndrome) and Menstrual Cramps @ ABC-of-Yoga.com

Yoga for PMS (Pre-menstrual Syndrome) and Menstrual Cramps @ ABC-of-Yoga.com

Benefit of Yoga realizes that many women suffer from PMS and painful menstruation. Cramps and pelvic pain are not uncommon.

In this article, several yoga poses are reviewed that help to relieve menstrual pain and cramps, and help the mind and body deal with the stress of PMS.

Namaste,

Charlie~

benefit of yoga

Wednesday, March 15, 2006

Hindu Yoga: The Four Paths of Hindu Yoga

Hindu Yoga: The Four Paths of Hindu Yoga

Benefit of Yoga knows that there is a style of yoga for everyone, regardless of age or temperament. All can benefit from different practices, whether it is Karma Yoga, which is suitable for a man or woman of an active temperament, or Bhakti Yoga, for a person of a more devotional manner.

In this article the different types of yoga are explored, and information is given on the different styles. A must read for someone exploring different styles...

Namaste,

Charlie~

benefit of yoga

Tuesday, March 14, 2006

LA Yoga. Feature. Yoga and Healing Addiction

LA Yoga. Feature. Yoga and Healing Addiction

Benefit of Yoga realizes that many people struggle with addictions, whether it be drugs, alcohol, overeating, or sex. In this world of fast-paced living, many people suffer from addictions and are not even aware that they do.

In this article by Felicia M. Tomasko, she discusses various techniques, case studies, and centers where yoga is used to treat addictions. A very good read...

Namaste,

Charlie~

benefit of yoga

Monday, March 13, 2006

Yoga for Menopause - Cope with Menopause through Yoga @ ABC-of-Yoga.com

Yoga for Menopause - Cope with Menopause through Yoga @ ABC-of-Yoga.com

Benefit Of Yoga understands what women go through when experiencing menopause. My wife has struggled with these hormonal changes for several years now, with hot flashes, mood swings, and sleep disturbances.

In this article, basic poses and ways to relieve the stress of menopause are discussed. It is a "must read" for all women struggling with menopause.

Namaste,

Charlie~

benefit of yoga