Yoga for weight loss . Are you really worried about extra weight ?

                               

                                                           Yoga for Weight Loss         


In the recent years, yoga has become a common alternative for losing weight. If you have been unable to lose weight due to various reasons, it is advisable to try yoga and breathing exercises that has become a great exercise to do at home, after Baba Ramdev has presented it to the world in a simple form.
Yoga can have magical effects in reducing your extra pounds or in putting an effective control over it. Yoga popularized by Swami Ramdev has gained immense popularity in the past couple of years. With increasingly large number of people benefiting from Yogic exercises suggested by Swami Ramdev, it has become a great alternative to eliminate the extra body fat and regain a slimmer and healthier body.

Reasons Behind Popularity of Yoga

Hailed by the New York Times as the "Indian Who Built Yoga Empire", Swami Ramdev Baba is a yoga guru who has become an international figure, owing to his popularity of making Yogic sciences available to the masses, in simple and easy steps. Ramdev Baba believes that Yoga and Ayurveda have the ability to impart healthy body to even a diseased person. Many followers of Swami Ramdev yoga have reaped rich benefits from his Yogic exercises as well as various Baba Ramdev medicines.

Readers must understand that Swami Ramdev has not invented any new techniques of doing Yoga, he has just made Yoga, simpler and easier for the laymen to understand. He has made us realize how to effectively use the wonderful gift of Yoga and stay healthy. A large number of people attending his camps all across the globe have claimed to have reaped phenomenal benefits by practicing Yoga. Weight loss is one of the health areas where maximum number of people have gained benefits. People with thyroid problems, who find exercises ineffective in their weight control have been reported to have benefited from Yoga and breathing exercises. Such is the magic of Swami Ramdev Baba yoga, that all across the globe, there has been a mass awareness about Yoga benefits.

Yoga Asana For Weight Loss: Cycling Pose

Swami Ramdev Yoga focuses more on living a healthy lifestyle by combining it with few sessions of yoga exercises and pranayama (breathing exercises). If an individual religiously practices Yoga and follows a healthy diet, it is quite possible to put a significant control on weight gain. One of the most popular exercises recommended by Swami Ramdev is to practice the cycling pose. It is commonly known as cycling in laying position. It is a very simple and effective exercise. Here are the steps to do this exercise which is also called Pada Sanchalanasana:
Lie on a bed or Yoga mat with your face upwards. Just like in the primary pose of Shavasana.
Relax and close your eyes for sometimes by being conscious of your entire body.
Think of how we use our legs during cycling. You have to do exactly the same.
Open the eyes, breathe deeply and start practicing the cycling asana.
Raise the right leg little above the floor, at least, 2 feet in air.
Bend the knee and gradually bring the thigh up to the chest.
Straighten the leg upward, with the sole towards the ceiling.
Now lower the straight leg in forward movement.
Repeat this entire process by going forward and backward ten times.
While raising and lowering right leg, keep the other one straight, touching the mat or bed.
Repeat the entire procedure with the left leg.
People who're comfortable in balancing their body while doing Swami Ramdev yoga for weight loss, can use both legs at the same time. Also remember to inhale while straightening the leg and exhale when you bend the knee and bring it to the chest.

Pranayama for Weight Loss: Kapalbhati Pranayama

Although, there are six to seven breathing exercises that have been popularized by Ramdev, the most effective one is Kapalbhati Pranayama. The word Kapalbhati is derived from the Sanskrit word "kapal" meaning "forehead" and "bhati" meaning light. It is said that practicing this pranayama imparts luster and shine to the forehead, improving our overall health. Kapalhati pranayama is one of the most preferred and very effective breathing exercises. In Kapalbhati, there is a forceful exhalation that is accompanied by passive inhalation. Here are the steps to do Kapalbhati pranayama from Swami Ramdev Baba Yoga for Weight Loss:
Sit cross-legged in a comfortable asana and breath normally.
The spine, back and shoulder must be in vertical alignment. You must sit straight by elongating your spine and lengthening your neck. The back of your head and spine must be aligned properly.
Relax and close your eyes. Let your breathing be normal. Don't strain or think about anything else. Just try to focus on your breathing.
The hands must be in gyan mudra. This means that your thumb and index fingertips must meet and the wrist must rest gently on the knees, with the palms turned slightly upwards. Just see a picture of ancient Yogis and saints of how they use to sit for breathing exercises.
Let the stomach muscles relax and mentally prepare to breathe.
Now, expel the air as forcefully as you can. Do not strain. Understand that forcefully means you must be comfortable in doing so. This will cause the abdominal muscles to be drawn inwards. It is just like the stomach muscles are sucked in. Remember not to draw your stomach inwards without exhaling. Your exhalation will automatically cause the abdominal muscles to be drawn inwards.
Allow the inhalation to occur totally without any extra efforts.
Repeat the exhalation and inhalation cycle for at least 10 times.
In the starting sessions, inhale and exhale as per your body strength.
In the starting sessions small pain can be experienced in the region of abdomen however, it disappears with more practice. Kapalbhati pranayama must only be practiced with an empty stomach. The ideal time for practicing pranayama is in the early morning with empty stomach. People who wish to practice Kapalbhati in the evening should do them only after 4 - 5 hours of their afternoon lunch. It is ideal to have light lunch or dinner for people who practice Yoga and pranayama. Now this is just not enough for weight loss. One of the vital facets of Swami Ramdev Baba Yoga is that a balanced diet. Only yogic and breathing exercises supplemented by proper Ramdev baba diet for weight loss can lead to healthy body and consequently mind. Ramdev Baba encourages individuals aiming for weight loss to stop the consumption of aerated or carbonated drinks. He advises us to eat green vegetables, sprouts, pulses, salads and fibrous foods and avoid spicy or oily foods. Drinking one or two glasses of water every morning after we wake up, not only fosters digestion but also helps in fluid balance in the body.

Many people have benefited from Swami Ramdev Baba Yoga for weight loss and individuals interested in watching him live can visit their camps or purchase Ramdev's Yoga CDs. Visiting the official website of Swami Ramdev Baba yoga can help an individuals to know more about places where one can get more information about Ramdev Baba Yoga and its various medicines.


By By Kundan Pandey  
Read more at Buzzle: http://www.buzzle.com/articles/ramdev-baba-yoga-for-weight-loss.html

Kundalini jagran . How is that possible ?

                                                           Kundalini Rising



The quest for spiritual enlightenment is never more intense than during Kundalini practice. For the home practitioner, music and dance offer alternative ways to initiate the life force awakening.
Yogis believe that everyone has both male and female energies residing at opposite sides of the chakra line - Kundalini is the female energy that resides in your root chakra, coiled near the base of your spine. The goal of Kundalini meditation is to encourage that energy to rise through the chakras, awakening each one along the way, until it reaches your crown chakra at the top of your head. This is where Shiva, the male energy resides, and the unification of Kundalini and Shiva is said to result in the "Kundalini awakening" that produces spiritual enlightenment.

Contacting Kundalini

Traditionally, yogis achieved Kundalini awakening through Hatha yoga or meditative techniques - this requires strict self-discipline and years of training, and even after a lifetime of trying, many people still never achieve enlightenment. Modern techniques combine the mindfulness of meditation and the physical energy of yoga asanas to produce an intense self-awareness that may help dedicated practitioners awaken the Kundalini with less difficulty.

Because we’re dealing with energies and forces of consciousness here, the practice still requires concentration and plenty of trial and error - but persistence can pay off, and the destination is worth the journey. You’ll also discover other benefits along the way - the more physical methods will contribute to good physical health, and the meditative methods will help improve your mental and emotional health.

Kundalini classes are available at most yoga centers, but you can try it yourself at home by putting a different twist on two traditional techniques.

Music Appreciation

Traditional Kundalini awakening through meditation requires an extremely patient, disciplined mind to cut through the mental clutter and commune with the life force. Most people don’t have the time or training to achieve this level of self-awareness, but listening to music can help clear out the cobwebs and put you in tune with the essence of life.

Put away your iPod and turn off the radio - singing along to your favorite song won’t do it. Instead, find a quiet room where you can remain undisturbed - it is vitally important that you aren’t interrupted. Turn on some music that moves you - classical composers expose you to the peak of human brilliance, while modern New Age artists frequently compose music specifically made to plumb the depths of the mind. Stay away from music with lyrics, because words can be distracting and are usually unnecessary.

Play the music loud enough that it’s the only thing you can hear. If loud music isn’t feasible, use headphones. Turn off the lights, get comfortable, and focus your entire consciousness on the sounds you hear. Listen like you’ve never listened before, picking up every nuance and shade. The longer you listen, the more self-aware you’ll become, and the easier it will be to contact the Kundalini.

Dance

In much the same way that music can help unite your mind and your consciousness, dance awakens your physical energy and elevates your consciousness to an awakening-ready state. The effect is similar to that of the Hatha yoga approach, but requires absolutely no guidance. Music appreciation comes into play with this technique as well, but there’s the added benefit of physical movement that can manifest your inner self.

Choose your music the same way for this technique, focusing on truly moving pieces without distracting lyrics. Find a space large enough to move in - clear away furniture if you must, but it is vital that your movements remain uninhibited. Some people prefer to find a private area outdoors to take advantage of the added benefit of nature, which works in its own way to achieve the same goal.

Turn on your music, and listen. Don’t begin to move until you are truly in sync with what you’re hearing. Don’t dance the way you do on a dance floor, just allow the music to move your body. This is not about how you look, it’s about allowing your inner self to awaken. No movement is better than forced movement. You’ll probably begin slowly as your body gets used to the idea of having free rein over your mind, but you’ll be surprised at what will manifest if you let it.

Music is a powerful thing. It can create or ruin a mood, it can calm or agitate, and it is the soundtrack to your life. It can represent absolute genius or absolute garbage, and it is an essential part of the human condition. Being a part of the music and allowing it to take over your body and mind frees your consciousness to commune with the Kundalini, and makes the journey through the chakras more natural. The unification of Kundalini and Shiva may not coincide with the climax of the song, but it will definitely be a climax in your life’s journey.



Read more at Buzzle: http://www.buzzle.com/articles/kundalini-rising.html

Best Ways To Make More Time In Your Life For Meditation

                            19 Ways To Make More Time In Your Life For Meditation


If you are finding it difficult to meditate regularly then you are in good company, often it is a struggle to find space in your life. Like all things, it is only once you establish an action as a habit that it starts to feel vital to your day. These ideas can help you cut down the distractions that pull you way from your time to just sit and be.

1. Unplug

Turn off the computer, email, social sites, and funny cat videos. It is amazing how tempting this technology is and how much it distracts us. Please wait until you've read the whole of this article though:)

2. Turn off the television

Another of the great time killers. You can always catch up on that episode of 'Elephants That Ski' but if you miss your meditation session, it's gone. This is a great way to begin to learn about becoming aware of what you do with your time, moment to moment.

3. Get a timer

Okay, I'm not saying we get so obsessed about time here, it's just that when you raise your awareness of how you are spending time it opens up vastly in front of you. Using a timer is a great way to establish a committed meditation practice. Get a timer, set it. Sit. 5-10 minutes. It's enough.

4. Turn off your phone

Turn off your mobile and unplug the phone. Sometimes it's a good idea to tell anyone that you live with that you will be unavailable for the next half an hour. They'll get used to it (after the initial suspicious raised eyebrows).

5. Meditate at work

Have a lunch break outside, in the park, or at the shopping centre. Sit on a bench and have 10 minutes peaceful reflection. Don't bother trying this at your desk, unless you have a plush top floor office with your own secretary: 'Mrs. Bootle, I will be unavailable for 15 minutes'.

6. Early bird

Just get up 10 or 20 minutes early and use that time to meditate. Then leave the rest of the day exactly as it is. Simple. A morning meditation is probably the most effective thing you can do to give you a direction and positive energy for your day.

7. Decorate

Now I hate decorating and anything to do with home improvements, so if that's the same for you just think of it as a bit of a spruce up. Create yourself a dedicated meditation space. This might just mean clearing up a bit, but you could also consider soft lighting, candles, incense, music, and inspiring images.

8. Keep a journal

Note down each time that you meditate and any thoughts or insights that came up. You will find it motivating to look back after a month and see how far you are into your practice. It will also make you more likely to keep up the routine.

9. Read

Take the time to read inspiring literature and texts before your meditation session to get you in the right frame of mind. Why not make it educational as well as enjoyable?

10. Earplugs
headphones. It does wonders for your focus.

11. Use apps

There are loads of meditation apps and timers which can help you time your session, plot your progress, and connect with other people meditating at the same time. Just make sure that you don't spend all of your time buying apps instead of meditating.

12. Slow down

Purposefully slow down your day. You will become more efficient once you stop rushing at things and start flowing. With the time you save you can sit and meditate.

13. Find a meditation group

Link up with a meditation buddy or group. This not only gives you a different, perhaps deeper, meditation experience but always means that you are less likely to blow it out if other people are expecting you.

14. Set a limit

Give yourself a maximum time that you will meditate each day. Once that is completed, you're done. It is tempting to think that you should meditate for hours at a time - resist this temptation. Keep it short and focused so that you look forward to your session the next day. Don't overdo it and burn out.

15. Don't feel guilty

If you miss a day, don't be too hard on yourself. It's just feedback. Are you trying to meditate at the wrong time of day? Is the location right? Could you try a different technique instead?

16. Make meditation a part of your day

Put the dinner on then go and meditate. Put the kids to bed and take some time to sit while they sleep. Make meditation a part of who you are, everyday rather than this extra thing you are trying to cram in.

17. Keep people out

Lock your door and stick a picture of an angry Tibetan God on your door. Do not disturb means just that.

18. Use audio

Instead of a timer you can use meditation audios to give you timed sittings. Use binaural beat recordings or subliminal tracks for deeper relaxation and focus.

19. Bliss Out

Every now and again book some time for a meditation session or retreat out in the middle of nowhere. This could be a 1 hour trip into the mountains or a 10 day holiday in Bali.

If you want to be part of 'One Million Empty Minds', my mission to create one million new meditators, then please sign up to get your FREE Meditation Toolkit.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Craig_S_Coggle

By Craig S Coggle 

Benefits of meditation and yoga .

                                       Meditation Benefits the Mind, Soul and Body


Meditation benefits the mind, soul and body by self regulating the brain to bring awareness of one's inner being. For this, many people believe that those who meditate are crazy or religious lunatics when meditation has been used by many for thousands of years.

There are so many types of meditation out there in this vast world, due to different cultures and traditions, that modern science has yet to agree on a definite definition of meditation.

Me, I've always just thought of meditation as clearing your mind of all of life's worries and getting in touch with your inner self, creating a state of consciousness that is all around better for you. Meditation is a way to empty the mind and attune to the body.

Meditation requires practice and patience, along with determination to find a proper technique that works for you. It takes time to get into the practice of meditation especially when first learning it. Many people find it takes way too much time out of their busy schedules and give up on it, not realizing the benefits they can reap by just sticking with it. Like anything else, it takes time to get into the routine of doing it.

Meditation can be used for so many of life's daily struggles, such as, anxiety, sleep disorders, weight loss and depression, leading to better health of your body. Science has proven that people who meditate have activated disease fighting genes.

Those who meditate are healthier in all aspects of life. They have less joint pain, stronger immune systems, hormone levels are evened out and it helps to lower blood pressure.

Meditation reduces the stress of our daily lives. Stress can have a very negative effect on the body; many people just don't realize how hard stress can be on their health.

A meditative state is where ideas are sparked, where one can find guidance from one's inner self, where confusion and doubt don't exist. A good form of meditation will allow you to develop awareness of your body and senses.

Basically, whatever cause you would like to use meditation for in your life you will surely find a book, CD, cassette tape, DVD or even do an internet search, where you can find an abundance of information.

Meditation has been around for thousands of years and will be around for thousands more (as long as the world doesn't end next month), helping the human race to manage their lives better and find inner peace.




By Heidi H Strickler

Find more suggestions for a better lifestyle by visiting here.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7383910