...According to a recent study in the Annals of Internal Medicine, yoga may be more effective for the treatment of low back pain than traditional exercise. The study, sponsored by the National Institutes of Health, followed participants who suffered from chronic but not serious back pain. Participants either took yoga classes, attended therapeutic exercise classes, or practiced therapeutic back exercises from a book. At the end of 26 weeks, those who tried the yoga classes experienced the most improvement in back function and were most likely to have reduced their pain medication, and these benefits persisted for at least several months.

Why is Yoga an Effective Way to Treat Back Pain?

There are a number of reasons that yoga is an effective way to relieve back pain and improve the overall health of your back.

1) Yoga helps increase strength in very specific muscle groups and works to strengthen all major muscle groups that support the spine.

2) The stretching postures in yoga increase blood flow to the tissues that support the spine, improving the health of the intervertebral discs and muscles along the spine.

3) Yoga increases flexibility in your shoulders and hips, which decre...more

Giving the Inner Sanctum Its Own Room - Create a Yoga Room for Your Home

...bound to be more yogis than yourself in your room, consider that these measurements will need to be multiplied by the number of participants.

You will need a closet or a shelving unit for storage of yoga props, such as mats, bolsters, blocks, straps and eye bags. Here, you may want to store yoga literature and perhaps a sound system, if you enjoy practicing to music or using guided practice cds.

When painting your yoga room consider a color that evokes calm. Look to nature to inspire you color palate. A good place to start is with colors in the soft green and blue hues.You can then adorn the walls with with splashes of color- perhaps a favorite yoga poster, a carving or maybe some prayer flags near a win...more

Hatha Yoga for beginners: Tools for Happiness

... life in the moment.

Self-affirmations create a positive mind-set and build self-confidence. When you have self-confidence, positive thought becomes reality, and happiness is your companion.

Pranayama is a powerful method for expelling stress, anxiety, and daily pressure from your system. Sometimes, Pranayama can have an instant and positive effect on your mind and body. You can practice Pranayama anywhere, therefore, you are not limited by time or space.

Lastly, prayer is a powerful tool for happiness. It does not matter which religion you practice. prayer has therapeutic value for everyone of any religion.

Copyright 2006 Paul Jerard / Aura Publications

All You Need to Know About Yoga Mats

...e basic types of mats exist. The cotton mat absorbs perspiration quite easily and has a cooling effect. Sticky mats are the next option and they are very useful for power yoga which involves a lot of movement. In order to promote stability you have to add a little water as it is a thin mat. Another mat is the ultra double thickness mat which provides double the cushioning of normal mats; it is a sticky mat as well. The cushioning effect is quite welcome but it makes the Yoga mat a whole lot bulkier. Travel mats tend to be quite thin and they are quite foldable too but they arent really comfortable due to the slim cushioning provided. If youre constantly on the go these mats will suit you quite well, meditation mats are also a great aid as well as they can be used for relaxation and come along with a pillow.