...Western Researchers are currently studying the healing effects of beta-endorphins released during yoga and meditation that may be curing people of everything from asthma, ADHD and high blood pressure to diabetes, multiple sclerosis and cancer. "Ayudervedic healing," as it's called, has been in practice for over 5,000 years but didn't arrive in the United States until the 1970s. The healing is based on three areas -- diet, herbs and meditation yoga -- particularly "Sahaja Yoga."

In recent years, Sahaja yoga and meditation has caught a lot of media attention for its alleged healing properties, as well as its use at Rikers island prison in New York City to treat mentally disturbed criminals. It is believed that Sahaja relaxation technique can instill a sense of deep spirituality and facilitates the release and circulation of beta-endorphins associated with wellness. The end goal of its meditation is a sense of inner awakening and union (sometimes referred to as "kundalini").

Students of this branch will study the three vertical energy chan...more

Yoga - An Easy Way To Stay Healthy - Part 2

... incorrect yoga asana.

Warm-up exercises thus are a very helpful part of the yoga exercises. They set the body for all sorts of asanas. Some of the most essential warm up exercises include exercising the eyes, neck, shoulders, and backbone.

Followed by this should be some Standing postures that are very beneficial. They act as brilliant stretching patterns and also increase strength and flexibility. Standing yoga asanas help become more aware of the body posture and revitalize the whole body. Some of the commonly practiced standing yoga postures are:

Triangle pose (Trikonasana): Triangle pose tone the leg muscles, spinal nerves and abdominal organs. It also helps to strengthen the lower back portion of the body. The Trikonasana gives an excellent and complete stretch throughout the...more

Can Yoga Help Cure Insomnia?

...very effective for helping people affected by insomnia. One of these, called Happy Baby, can be done in bed; it will relieve tension from the lower back and hips as you hug your knees or feet while lying on your back.

Another very useful position is the Corpse pose, where the person lies flat on their back gently breathing - this is one of the final poses during a Yoga class to instil relaxation. Yet another is the Supported Forward Bend, where one inhales, exhales and then bends from the hip without arching the back, moving one's head from side to side, slowly raising one's knees to one's chest to support muscle release and give a calm feeling through the body.

For experienced yoga participants - or adventurous first timers - posing in the Shoulderst...more

Yoga teacher Training: The Value of the Sage in Yoga

...We live in a time when the masses have to be impressed by the extremes. When people think of Yoga, they often think of circus tricks, pretzel bodies, and gymnastic feats. Feats of physical prowess are a wonderful thing, but you do not need a Yoga teachers instruction, or a sages advice, to perform them.

When I was visiting a colleagues Yoga studio, a young woman signed up for a free introductory Yoga class, and a free tai Chi class. Before the Yoga class started, she was walking on her hands, touching her heels to the back of her head, and doing full splits in every possible direction. She also put on the same per...more