Sleep Deprivation and the Elderly

By: Mary Desaulniers
My grandmother used to be up at the crack of dawn—not because she had to, but because her body clock had shifted to a different time frame with increasing age. My step-mother used to complain that after Dad retired, he woke up every morning before six. The connection seems inevitable—older people do not need as much sleep as younger folks do. While changes in sleep patterns may explain this situation to some extent, they do not address a fundamental problem–lack of sleep is not only unhealthy but potentially dangerous to the senior population.

a)The body chronically deprived of sleep is a walking time bomb. Consider some of these statistics from the National Sleep Research Project.

b)Seventeen hours of sustained wakefulness leads to a decrease in performance equivalent to a blood-alcohol level of 0.05%.

c)Research estimates that fatigue is involved in one in 6 road accidents. The 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill off Alaska, the Challenger Space Shuttle disaster and the Chernobyl nuclear accident have all been attributed to human errors in which sleep deprivation played a role.

d)As well, sleep compromises the immune system; it decreases your resistance to infections. A study at San Diego’s Veteran Medical Center discovered that reducing a person’s nightly normal sleep time by half decreases the activity of T-cells—the cells that destroy bacteria, viruses and tumor cells.

e)Young adults who are sleep deprived may be increasing their risk for diseases that accompany old age.

f)A recent study at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine suggests that sleep deprivation in older adults can lead to earlier death. The study involved tests that measured EEG sleep assessments. Results showed that those with low percentages of REM sleep were at the greatest risk. REM is an active period of sleep characterized by interval brain activity and rapid bursts of eye movement. REM is the brain wave stage of dreaming sleep (the theta stage) that is characterized by increased creativity, memory, healing and integrative emotional experience (what is usually called the “Ah-ha!” moment of insight and connection). There is no doubt that REM sleep contributes to the development of human imagination and consciousness.

There are, however measures that one can adopt to promote restful sleep. Like anything else, proper sleep can be encouraged through the maintenance of familiar and soothing routines— a ritual that is sometimes referred to as “sleep hygiene.”

1.Exercise: An exercise routine (30-40 minutes) four to five times as week is excellent not only for sleep promotion, but for cardiovascular health, weight maintenance, osteoporosis and diabetes as well. It’s like killing 5 birds with one stone! Both aerobic and resistance training can increase energy expenditure and lean body mass. As well, exercise is a natural mood enhancer because repetitive movement helps the body release its natural store of endorphins—the good feeling hormone.

2.Alpha and Theta-Wave CDs and relaxation music: Listening to soothing music or CD’s that help entrain your brainwave activities can definitely help you access Alpha and Theta brainwave states more readily. New technology is providing us with more accessible ways to tap into our subconscious mind and allow us to mould our behavior and emotions inside out.

3.Reduced liquids: Cut down on liquids in the evening as this will prevent frequent bathroom visits that interrupt sleep.

4.Reduced caffeine: Do not consume caffeinated products after 2 in the afternoon. Double check your medication as well; some drugs also disturb sleep. Anti-depressants, for example, can disturb normal sleep patterns and some barbiturates suppress REM sleep which can be harmful over a long period. Decongestants can also act as stimulants and beta blockers are known to cause insomnia.

5.Turn digital clocks away from your line of vision. Studies show that even the tiny luminous rays from a digital alarm clock can be strong enough to disrupt a sleep cycle. The digital light turns off a “neural switch” in the brain, causing levels of a key sleep chemical to decline within minutes.

6.Hot Bath: Researchers who studied female insomniacs (aged 60-70) found that those who had a hot bath before sleep spent more time in deep, slow brainwave sleep.

7.Avoid heavy, late meals that sit heavily in your stomach.

8.A glass of hot milk just before bedtime will also give your brain the amino acid tryptophan which the body converts to sleep-inducing chemicals.

9.Consult a doctor or dentist if you have a problem with sleep apnea, which can be controlled by a simple plastic appliance that fits in the mouth.

10.Last but not least, for those who are sleepless because of unresolved issues or problems—learn to make amends where changes can be made and lean to walk away (mentally and perhaps physically) when things cannot be changed. Pray and place everything in the hands of the Universe. Know that you are more than your problems.

A runner for 27 years, retired schoolteacher and writer, Mary is now doing what she loves--running, writing, helping people reclaim their bodies. Nutrition, exercise, positive vision and purposeful engagement are the tools used to turn their bodies into creative selves. You can subscribe to Mary's newsletter by contacting her at http://www.GreatBodyafter50secrets.com or visit her at http://www.greatbodyat50.com/SpiritWorks.php

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Reduce Stress with Meditation

By: Crizza Reyes
Prior to the last year, it is hard for me to see myself meditating. I'm the type that you might call a woman of action. At all times I was on the go. It would hardly for me to stop for even a few seconds in the daily routine of my life. Every split seconds of my life would be filled with activities I get involve. When I stop working, it was racquetball. When it wasn't racquetball, I was use to go out with my friends as a habit. Stress reduction meditation never been entered in my mind. I have hectic schedule that I didn't even know that I was stressed.

Subsequently, it strikes me unexpectedly. I had experienced a breakdown to myself easily like that. And there's nothing had ever happened to me quickly. There's nothing good happened to me at that moment. I was lying on the ground sobbing. My superior in the office gave me a couple of week's vacations to set myself relax and I decided to find a treatment for myself. She said that I was well-adjusted, but that I was keen to keeping busy. I try to find some mindfulness stress reduction meditation.

At first, my idea she was a fake. I told myself I don't need meditation stress reduction. I just needed a week or two off at least that is what my boss told me. She said that it wasn't that simple. Without stress reduction meditation, still I continue to feel the same inner tensions. And I would stay stressed until I recover this for the second time.

Experiences during meditation probably vary significantly from one individual to another, or at least if different techniques are involved. Relaxation, increased awareness, mental focus and clarity, and a sense of peace are the most common by-products of meditation.

Indeed I don't want that kind. One breakdown was uneasy enough for me. I tried Reduce Stress meditation CDs. Primarily, I don't even get myself to acquire it sincerely. I put on stress reduction CDs, heard the relaxing tone and the chimes, and split into laughter. Behind that, I realized that I was just wasting my time. And come into my mind if I had to acquire the stress reduction meditation sincerely or I should give it up altogether. And I preferred to give it up.

In a week I did stress reduction meditation every morning. Everyday my meditation worked wonders. After one week, I felt much at ease. I could relax and take it easy without worrying. I did not need to always be panic around. It successfully changed my life!

Even if you don't live a busy life like I do, stress reduction meditation can be helpful in a daily basis of our life. Whether you take a stress reduction meditation course, or used CDs like I did, it can change your life. Even if you only have 30 minutes a day, it can be greatly enough have an effect on the way you see the world. Mindfulness meditation is a powerful and helpful tool.

Crizza More Reduce Stress information and relief can be found at our web site http://www.tomnicoli.com

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Yoga Postures and Yoga Asanas

By: Rob Daniels
Many yoga styles have been derived from classical yoga, and are designed to suit various preferences. Most of the different yoga positions practiced fall into one of two categories: meditative or therapeutic. There are literally hundreds of yoga basic positions or yoga asanas. All of the yoga positions are designed to provide benefits for both the mind and the body.

Each of the five prayer positions have a corresponding yoga position, and the positions together activate all seven chakras or energy fields in the body. The different yoga types and positions focus on different chakras or energy forces. The numerous positions that are part of yoga were originally designed to prepare the body for meditation.

Asanas, the actual poses or positions of yoga, may seem difficult or complicated to the novice. However keep in mind that all the basic positions of yoga are designed to help develop both strength and flexibility. Many yoga positions involve deep stretching and, as such, could help the repetitive trauma disorders tendonitis, tennis elbow, and carpal tunnel syndrome.

A basic knowledge of yoga postures and philosophy is helpful, but not essential. If you cannot be comfortable in your meditation and yoga positions, then you will be unsuccessful.

Unfortunately, many believe that yoga requires tremendous flexibility and the willingness to twist oneself into pretzel-like positions while chanting something unintelligible. But yoga is a series of in and out breaths which move through a variety of physical positions. The physical part of yoga consists of a series of stretching and strength-building positions of varying difficulty.

Although most yoga exercises are safe for nearly everyone, certain twist positions should not be done by pregnant women or people with back problems.

Muscles stretch better when they are warm so be sure to practice yoga in a comfortable environment. Remember to sink into yoga positions slowly and carefully to avoid injury. Don't try to hold poses for too long of a time period. If you get used to practicing yoga positions everyday, it is expected that your bones and muscles will react accordingly.

It is recommended that practitioners include some form of yoga positions and preferably a yoga routine in daily life. When done properly yoga should increase the lubrication of the joints, ligaments and tendons. The well researched yoga positions exercise different tendons and ligaments of the body so focus on those difficult areas. There are a lot of yoga positions and poses that is built to enhance posture. The Yoga philosophy urges that the necessary inhibition of mental states is brought about by practice and conquest of desire. Through the practice of yoga an individual can gain information about physical, emotional, mental and spiritual well being.

The yoga postures are often misconstrued as the definition of yoga. Stretching is only a small part of the yoga philosophy. To be rid of sorrow and sin, one must, according to yoga philosophy, attain spiritual unification, the consciousness of two in one, or yoga. Each pose integrates the foundational principles of asana, anatomy, and yoga philosophy, and develops the transcendent inner experience. For an authentic appreciation of the Yoga philosophy of mind, it is essential that these ideas be fully explored.

Rob Daniels is a long term practitioner of Yoga and Pilates additional articles available at Pilates Shop http://www.pilates-shop.net and Yoga Store http://www.yoga-store.net

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Yoga For Pregnant Women - Soothe Your Body And Mind

By: Ron King
Sometimes it is challenging to exercise while pregnant. Yoga for pregnant women offers moms-to-be a great workout that is healthy for you and your unborn baby. Here is a guide on safe, basic yoga exercises and stretches to use during pregnancy.

Prenatal yoga provides both mental and physical benefits during pregnancy. Firstly, it is beneficial because it teaches you how to use breathing to relax your body and mind, factors which will certainly come in handy during childbirth. Learning how to master the postures presented in prenatal yoga will prepare you for labor and childbirth and it does this by instructing your body to stay tranquil.

Yet the benefits of yoga for pregnant women are not only determined by your physical stamina, as the entire principle of yoga is to use not just the body, but the mind and the spirit also. Not only that, but simply working out in a positive and nurturing environment with others who are in the same situation as you can help to give you an emotional pick-me-up right when you require it most.

There are many yoga poses in particular that are designed for use while pregnant, such as the Cobbler or Tailor pose. This is a sitting pose that helps to open up the pelvis. To do this pose, you sit yourself up straight against a wall with the soles of your feet touching each other, and then gently press your knees down and away from one another. Then just stay in this posture for as long as you feel relaxed.

Another helpful prenatal yoga position is the pelvic tilt, which is a posture that helps to relieve back pain. Get down on your hands and knees with your arms shoulder-width apart and your knees hip-width apart. Attempt to keep your arms straight; then tighten in your abdominal muscles and tuck your buttocks under and round your back, breathing in while you hold the position.

Now, relax your back into its relaxed position, and breathe out, repeating as you feel comfortable.

Finally, another important pose is the squatting position, which helps to open up the pelvis and to strengthen the upper legs. As you start to put on weight during pregnancy there are certain support props that you can use to facilitate this position, such as yoga blocks or a pile of books.

Commence by standing facing the back of a chair with your feet spread slightly apart, with your toes pointed outward.Lower your tailbone towards the floor as though you were about to sit down on a chair, but rather than sitting you hold the position there. Take a deep breath in, and when you exhale, push your legs up and bring yourself to a standing position, and then repeat as you feel comfortable.

So if you are wondering how you will possibly exercise while pregnant, consider trying yoga for pregnant women. Not only will you feel great, you'll be accumulating lifelong benefits for you and your child. This natural exercise program will reduce tension and enhance your flexibility. Yoga poses are a wonderful way to ensure your sense of health and well-being, and a practice that you can always manage to adapt into a mother's busy schedule.
For more information, check out Absolute Natural Health - Yoga Guide or the articles at Yoga For Life. Unlock your FREE report on Alternative Medicines at Everything You Wanted To Know About Alternative Medicine. Copyright 2008 Ron King. This article may be reprinted if the resource box is left intact and the links live.

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Yoga Cures For Modern Day Stress

By: Lucy Jones

Yoga is a 3,000-year-old, Hindu discipline of mind and body that became known in Western society with the hippie generation of the Sixties and early Seventies. Its image as a mystic practice is disappearing as fast as the stressful aspects of the eighties appeared.

Stress Management As an effective method of stress management, yoga is spreading into the business world, the helping professions, nursing and old age homes, and is used in the treatment of alcoholics, hyperactive children and youngsters with learning disabilities. Yoga centres are getting stiff competition from adult education classes of community colleges, boards of education and parks and recreation departments.

The meaning of Yoga The meaning of yoga is the coming together and union of the body, mind and spirit with truth. There are many kinds of yoga to study, and there can be endless years of practice for the willing student.

Popular Western forms of Yoga Hatha Yoga is among the most popular forms practiced in the west. It emphasizes the practice of postures, which stretch and strengthen the body, help develop a sense of balance and flexibility, as well as body awareness and mental concentration. All forms of yoga incorporate the practice of proper breathing techniques for relaxation, to rest the mind from its constant chatter, to experience an internal calm, and to energize and purify the body.

Stress levels treatable with Yoga As stress levels in society reach new heights, Raja Yoga, the yoga of meditation, is growing in popularity in Western society, while others, such as Krya Yoga, the yoga of cleansing, and Mantra Yoga, the yoga of chanting, not surprisingly, have little appeal for newcomers.

Stretching and toning, though beneficial, aren’t the primary reasons people turn to yoga. Newcomers are hoping that yoga will provide them with a means for handling stress and diffusing tension. The difference between exercise and yoga is that yoga has a meditative quality.

Psychological benefits of Yoga - Using Yoga for Anger Management A lot of people are exercising for the psychological benefits and trying many of the Eastern activities, like yoga and tai chi. Yoga seems to have a calming effect on people.

The techniques work on children as well as adults. When your children are quarrelling, ask them to stop what they’re doing, raise their arms over their heads, lean forward and breathe deeply to help diffuse their anger. It definitely helps them to cool it - peace and tranquillity all around.
Yoga is an effective stress management method. Discover more about keeping fit and healthy with Yoga at our site.

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Three Kinds of Yoga Practice To Perfect Sex

By: Aaron He

Kundalini Yoga "half-hook on" practice is to stimulate sexual energy centre, and add fun and the best way to promote creativity on weekdays. It can stimulate the phrenic basin energy centres and suprapubic energy centre, only when these two parts of uninterrupted energy, creativity, sex can bring into full play out. "Half-hook on" exercises - stimulate your creativity Kundalini Yoga "half-hook on" practice is to stimulate sexual energy centre, and add fun and the best way to promote creativity on weekdays. It can stimulate the phrenic basin energy centres and suprapubic energy centre, only when these two parts of uninterrupted energy, sex creativity can fully. Starting position Supine, to maintain the body straight. Action decomposition a. arms on both sides of the body, two-Rafah to the hip, feet close to the ground. Hold hands foot joints. b. eyes closed, focus on Shuangmei between the point, with a smooth nose breathing. Each suction, it will be the pelvis and back up to as much as possible; palm feet, arms, head and neck still maintain contact with the ground. Each breath, the body down. Repeat all the moves 1 to 3 minutes. Pregnant women since the five months since banned the practice. Role 1, enhance the strength of the diaphragm basin. 2, and promote capacity. 3, improved ability to conceive, the prevention of bladder weakness, the uterus down and hemorrhoids. 4, improving spinal flexibility, stretching the thigh and abdominal muscles. 5, compact hip muscle. Special Tips If the foot joints can not hold hands, to use a towel Guozhu scapula, and then the Zhualao. Began practicing when to be careful as much as possible to breathe more slowly. Or only in 2 or 3, when the suction against the body, should gradually increase speed. "Pelvic rotation" exercises - allows you to rotate the pelvis Kundalini Yoga "pelvic rotation," general practice to energy flow, energy, enhance sex Ganshou Li and the elimination of cramps. Women can not only open lower body energy, but also ease menstrual pain and back pain. Starting position Take four-legged animals, "the cat Gongbei" Guizi, Shuangxi and the distance between the shoulder with wide, arms straight. Action decomposition a. hands steady support on the ground, fingertips forward, the first to the lower natural relaxation. You can get more infortion and ideas at http://www.my-health-articles.com
Kundalini Yoga "half-hook on" practice is to stimulate sexual energy centre, and add fun and the best way to promote creativity on weekdays. It can stimulate the phrenic basin energy centres and suprapubic energy centre, only when these two parts of uninterrupted energy, creativity, sex can bring into full play out. You can get more information and ideas at http://www.my-health-articles.com

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Meditation Techniques - Your Sacred Place For Meditating

By: Michael Spencer

As part of your meditation practice, you should try to create a particular space at home just for meditating. It's not essential that you do so, but it helps to put you in the right frame of mind and set your mood. Many people find that as soon as they sit in their special meditation spot they immediately feel calmer.

If you are part of a busy household, the best place to choose may be your own bed. If this is so, you might want to take a little time before starting your meditation to make the bed and tidy your room.

However, if you have the space, try creating a spot dedicated entirely to you for practicing your meditation techniques. It should be somewhere warm and comfortable and the corner of your living room will do. Keep in mind that this space is about helping you to focus your mind inwards, so you should have as few distractions as possible.

If you feel comfortable with the idea, you may want to create an altar on a flat surface at, or just below, eye level - you could use a bedside table, coffee table or a small shelf, for example. This should be a chance for you to express yourself creatively. It's important that you feel that your altar is beautiful - that you have created it yourself, for you.

To begin with try to keep your altar reasonably minimal, with only one or two items on display. As time passes, you will add to it and it will develop organically. You might want to add or subtract items to reflect your mood or a special event.

Here are some items you might want to put on your personal altar:

• Icons, symbols or statues connected to your religious belief.
• Candles.
• Photographs of family, friends or places that mean lot to you.
• Crystals (but not too many).
• Flowers or fruit
• Potpourri or fresh petals.
• Something you have created yourself – a painting, a piece of pottery or embroidery, some food.
• An altar cloth.
• Natural objects you have found - for example, driftwood or beautiful pebbles
• A bell.

It sounds simple - you sit down, focus your mind on one thing and you're meditating. But anyone who strives for the benefits of meditation knows that somehow it doesn't quite work like that. So why not try some meditation techniques that have been tried and tested over thousands of years.

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Yoga For Arthritis

by: Roger Thompson

Try Yoga Exercises Specially Tailored For Arthritics
Living with arthritis pain is not something that anyone would like to happen to them, and the need to find arthritis pain relief is on top of most sufferers’ minds. It could mean taking a pill, performing gentle exercises, stretching or trying some other means to obtain relief. So, if you have tried all other avenues and are still not satisfied with various methods of obtaining arthritis pain relief, then you would do well to consider practicing yoga that has been proven to be able to provide significant arthritis pain relief, as well as some other benefits too.

With the help of yoga, you can become stronger and more flexible as well as confident - even if you are suffering from arthritis. It is quite usual for an arthritic to cut down on his or her activities that will not however, be of much help as it can cause further stiffening of the joints as also extra pain. Your best bet under these circumstances would be to turn to practicing yoga exercises that will improve your blood circulation and it will also strengthen the bones and muscles. With yoga exercises, you should find that your confidence returns and you are able to live a full life once more, in spite of your arthritis condition.

Yoga for arthritis pain relief does not mean bending and contorting your body into weird and impossible positions just to get relief for your arthritis pain. It may be enough that you just practice breathing as also self-awareness, both of which are the core of yoga exercises, and which should help you find relief, even if you are merely standing and breathing using a yoga exercise known as Mountain Pose.

Yoga exercises can be modified to treat arthritics and they are useful and effective arthritis pain relief methods that only require using chairs, bolsters and some other props, which will still provide you with the complete benefits of yoga, and which may even result in your being able to dispense with the props in due course of time thanks to the effectiveness of such yoga exercises.

You may also need to consider where the best place to practice yoga is for your arthritis pain relief. Do you want to go to a yoga studio or do it at home? The choice is entirely up to you, and there are also many DVDs available that show arthritics how the yoga exercises shown in the DVDs can help you because such exercises are being performed by those already affected by yoga.

The bottom line is that you will not harm yourself by trying any of the various yoga exercises for arthritis pain relief available to you. On the contrary, yoga should significantly contribute to providing pain relief and you will become more healthy and also enjoy life more, and find yourself becoming happier and more confident thanks to yoga.

For more information on arthrits check the link http://www.arthritisreliefhelp.info

About The Author
Roger Thompson writes articles on arthritis & pain relief for http://arthritisrelief.info

Easy ways to practice yoga at home.

Yoga is a spiritual practice which assists people in unifying mind, body and heart. Yoga consists of many Asanas and different yoga postures. For practicing yoga you are not necessarily required to join some sort of yoga classes, instead, you can easily practice yoga at home. Many times on account of many reasons such as lack of time, living far from yoga studios or unable to afford join yoga classes’ people prefer to practice yoga at home rather than going anywhere else.

Sometimes people want to do yoga in odd hours, like late night for peace of mind and at such time home is the best place to practise it. But to do that you should know how and what to do. There is below mentioned some points which you should keep in mind when you are going to do yoga at home –

• Make a specific place for meditation. It may be either a room with door or even you can part one room into two sections with the help of furniture or a screen.

• Arrange for tools required for doing yoga at home like yoga mat. It becomes easy to practice yoga with right tools.

• Paint this place with soothing colours and decorate it with music, art and plants. Soothing music will help you in concentrating your mind.

• Use some media assistance like yoga DVD. Then you will not have to worry remembering yoga steps and you will be able to practice well. During meditation if you are taking help of VCD or DVD voice then it prevents your mind from wandering anywhere.

There is no such compulsion that for yoga you must join some yoga studios. This is the best feature of yoga that you can do it anywhere you desire. When you are doing yoga at home then first of all you should make sure that you are physically fit and able to do it. If you are suffering from some sort of disease then doing yoga may be harmful. Hence practice yoga at home only when you are physically sound and healthy.

Jim is a normal person who has realized his passion by writing about being healthy. He has struggled with health problems. He is fit now, and wants to send the message accords to everyone. For more information and advice on Health and yoga. Please visit us at http://www.whatyouneedtoknow.co.in

How to Practice Naked Yoga

There are four main methods of practicing naked yoga: self-directed nude yoga practice, nude partner yoga, private naked yoga lessons, and group naked yoga classes.

Self-directed nude yoga practice

Self-directed naked yoga is as simple as taking off your clothes and doing the yoga you normally do, whether a vinyasa flow, holding poses, or some combination. Depending on the type of yoga you practice, pranayama and meditation may also be part of your naked yoga session.

Beginners and advanced yoga students alike can benefit from watching a yoga DVD during their self-directed practice from time to time, but this should not be the basis of a self-directed practice, whether naked or not, for it draws the attention outward rather than inward.

For the solo naked yoga practitioner, an uncluttered practice area is very important. You may want to think beforehand of the poses you would like to do, or simply see what asanas the prana (life force) leads you into. Be sure to leave some time for relaxation, and have blankets nearby in case you get cold.

Nude partner yoga

Practicing yoga in the nude with your partner is a wonderful way to build trust and intimacy. Not only that, but naked partner yoga allows you to explore the asanas in new and different ways, getting deeper stretches with less force.

In fact, many partner-yoga poses you simply can’t do on your own, for they depend on four hands, four feet, or the balancing of body weight of more than one person.

There may be partner yoga classes already in your area, if not, yoga teachers sometimes offer partner yoga weekend workshops or private partner yoga lessons. You can take what you learn home to practice in the nude. There are also a number of quality books and videos on the subject, though some of the videos are more entertaining than instructional.

Private naked yoga lessons

One-to-one nude yoga lessons can be very helpful for your yoga practice, as you will have individualized attention to your breathing and alignment while in different asanas. It is much easier to see alignment without the restriction of clothes. For a case study, see Nude Yoga (not safe for work).

Practicing nude yoga in front of someone also invites you to drop your inhibitions. At first it is very scary to “open up” so much in front of another person, but this can also be very freeing, inviting us to be more accepting and less judgmental of ourselves. In turn, we become more accepting and less judgmental of others.

To find a yoga instructor who will have a nude practice session with you, your first stop would be the yoga teacher who already leads a naked yoga class. If there isn’t one in your area, you might check advertisements on Craigslist or advertise there yourself. Be careful with such classifieds, however, for they often attract people who are looking for sexual encounters rather than actually practicing yoga.

Other yoga teachers in your area who don’t offer nude yoga classes already may be open to one-to-one naked yoga private sessions, but don’t expect them to shed their clothes (although some may be willing). Remember, this experience isn’t about seeing others free of clothing, it’s about setting yourself free and coming into the uninhibited experience of your own body.

Group naked yoga classes

Whether straight or gay, male or female, group nude yoga classes are highly recommended.

Though it’s a fairly easy thing to practice nude yoga in the privacy of your own home, it’s an entirely different thing to get naked in front of a dozen or more strangers.

Again, it can be liberating, allowing you to let your guard down and stop judging yourself and others by the surface layer. Rather, you feel a part of a close community, sharing deeply.

A quick Internet search will show you the nude yoga classes near you. If there aren’t any, you might look on Craigslist or Meetup.org for other people interested in naked yoga classes. If you can get a few people together, you are more likely to convince a yoga teacher to conduct a clothes-free or clothing-optional class.


Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/yoga-articles/how-to-practice-naked-yoga-279062.html

About the Author:
Vivasa Yogi is a nude yoga practitioner who maintains a beautiful but not-safe-for-work (NSFW) web site dedicated to naked yoga: Nude Yoga. The site complies voluntarily to parental controls.

What Is This Thing Called Yoga ?

Author: David Stevens

Yoga is a system of physical and mental practices that originates in India more than 5000 years ago. What is the purpose of yoga? The purpose of yoga is to help yourself and other people to achieve your highest potential and to experience a healthy and happy life. By using the practice of yoga you can extends your healthy and happy life for far beyond the accepted known. And more importantly improve the quality of your life.

There are different kinds yoga. The main focus of yoga is to benefit your physical and mental health. Yoga is a practice that will focus on the harmony between mind and body. Even though the philosophy of yoga comes from India, now it is practiced all the over the world.

The actual word yoga is a Sanskrit word. That means union or merger and the ultimate goal of the practice of yoga is to strike a balance between the mind and body. In order to achieve this balance between the mind and the body the practice of yoga will use movement, breath, posture, relaxation and meditation in order to establish this balance. This in order to live a healthy, lively and balanced life.

There are many types of yoga, one of the most popular forms of yoga is called Hatha Yoga. Hatha Yoga deals mainly with physical postures and breathing exercises. Another form of yoga is Karma Yoga which emphasizes the spiritual practices to help you unify your body mind and daily life through certain practices. The other form of yoga is called Bhakthi Yoga. Bhakti Yoga is a devotional form of yoga and generally includes chanting, reading scriptures and doing worship.

Most people have heard of the word yoga as yoga is a very popular practice that is practiced all over the world. The ancient yogis had the believe that in order for somebody to be in harmony with themselves and his environment he have to find a balance between the mind that the body and the spirit with in. Yoga was used to find a balance between those three. The yogis formulated the way to achieve this balance. And this is done through breathing techniques and meditation.

Lets look at the 5 different kinds of yoga.

Hatha yoga
Hatha yoga is a yoga of postures. Probably when you think of yoga you will be thinking of Hatha yoga. Hatha Yoga is the most popular form of yoga in the west. Hatha yoga uses physical postures or Asana and different breathing techniques and meditation. All of this is combined to achieve a better health as well as in understanding of spirituality.

Bhakthi Yoga
Bhakthi yoga is the yoga of devotion. It is yoga for the heart and devotion of the people. The practice over Bhakthi Yoga teaches a person to have devotion for his spiritual being or God and to develop this love and acceptance for all living things.

Raja Yoga
Raja Yoga is the yoga of self control. The word Raja actually means Royal. By using the practice of Raja Yoga one sees oneself as central. It means to respect oneself. To achieve this kind of self respect one has to gain control over oneself and the senses.

Jnana Yoga.
Jnana Yoga is the yoga of the mind. Jana yoga is a kind of yoga that will deal with the mind. It will focus on the persons wisdom and intellect with the aim to unify these two to surpasses limitations in life.

Karma Yoga
Karma yoga is the yoga of service. Karma yoga mainly uses the Law of Karma meaning that the present situation is based on your past actions. So by doing selfless service now you are choosing a future that is free from negativity

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About the Author:
Click here for more info : Yoga Courses Online

Novice Guide To Yoga

Author: Koz Huseyin

For many people in the west, yoga can seem like a very strange practice. Doing yoga has many benefits and as you read this article, you will learn more about yoga and the benefits of beginning yoga.

Points I cover in this article:
* History of yoga
* Benefits of yoga
* Beginning yoga

History of Yoga
The history of yoga dates back to the Upanishads. The Upanishads a part of the Vedas and form part of the Hindu scriptures was written before the 7th century BCE, which makes it one of the oldest texts known to man!

For many people in the west, the meditation aspects of yoga is known, however, there is more to yoga. Doing yoga for many people practicing yoga, is also a way to spiritual growth, and spiritual enlightenment.

Benefits of Yoga
When you start to do yoga, you will find many benefits, not just spiritual or physiological, but also psychological, and biochemical, not to mention the many more benefits of you doing yoga.

Some of the benefits of yoga, you may be able to get are your mood improves and subjective well-being increases, your level of Anxiety and Depression decreases, sleep improves, pulse rate decreases, and your weight normalizes. This is only a very small handful of the benefits of doing yoga.

For people who may be looking for the health benefits which can help heal certain ailments, you may be glad to know glucose and sodium levels in the body go down because of doing yoga. So the steps you are taking now can greatly benefit your health in a positive way.

As always, remember to get these health benefits from yoga, you will need to remember to keep to practicing yoga regularly. If you have old health issues, then also make sure you speak to your doctor before embarking on any new healthy health exercise regimen, such as yoga.

Beginning Yoga
Beginning yoga is much easier today, thanks to the major interest in yoga over the last few years, more and more yoga classes are being started. The first step in beginning yoga, is to decide to start! At this point, most people may wonder if they have what it takes to start yoga, what will be involved etc. Relax, yoga classes can teach you from beginning, even if you do not know the first thing about yoga.

Whether you want the spiritual benefits of yoga or the physiological benefits of yoga, you can get them by doing yoga at a yoga class. It is best to go to a yoga class to learn how to correctly do yoga. There are many great books and videos about yoga, and they can be beneficial. However, a yoga class can help you get the right yoga postures, and get the full benefit of yoga.

Finding a yoga class can be as easy doing a search online to find local classes. Perhaps speak to someone who you know who has an interest in yoga, check local adult education institutions. As more and more yoga classes are available, you can find a local yoga class.

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