The practice of yoga, as you may realize, has been around for thousands of years. Several researches have claimed it to be around for more than 5,000 years, actually. It was first developed in India as a philosophical practice that is centered significantly on obtaining union with the mind and body; hence it is named yoga from the Sanskrit word yuj meaning to unite.

The sequences of ashtanga yoga are primarily based on the book entitled Makaranda. This ancient spiritual approach is an energetic exercise originally intended for the teenage boys. However, things have changed and is now been performed by individuals of all ages.

The term ashtanga yoga actually means eight limbs namely yama, niyama, asana, pranayama, pratyahara, dharana, dhyana and samadhi.

Yama has five parts such as aparigraha (non- covetousness), brahmacharya (celibacy), asteya (not robbing), satya (honesty) and ahimsa (non- violenece).
Asana is a posture that focuses on breaking free from the tensions.

Pratyahara provides internal strength by getting rid of different manner of interruptions that will lead to the development of will- power.

Dharana begins with concentration which is integrated with meditation finishing off in samadhi.

Samadhi has four impediments namely abhinivesha (fondness of the world), asmita (egoism), avidya (ignorance) and raga- dvesha (all likes and dislikes).
Dhyana proposes that material attachment, gluttony, slothfulness and subtle yearnings are considered as obstacles.

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Have you every thought of becoming a yoga instructor? Being a yoga teacher is a very fulfilling and rewarding career. To learn about the best yoga home study course go to www.yogainstructorscoursecertification.com

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As we all know, yoga is a group of ancient spiritual practices, which has shown a tremendous growth in generating awareness among the people all across the globe, regarding their physical fitness since last few decades.

Yoga is not only confined to the various aspects of physical fitness, rather it also enables to achieve the state of mental balance as well as enlightenment which will further lead to the betterment of the life.

The various types of yoga positions are the simple movements which are capable of being performed by the normal individual simply. But in order to obtain the best outcomes, the mind and body should work in accordance to each other. Therefore, all the movements should be performed gradually, amiably, and with an ease.

A) Yoga Positions (Asanas)

It has been found after undergoing various researches that the yoga positions are considered as the best practices for the toning up of muscles, lubrication of the joints, and massaging of the body as compared to other exercises.

Not only this, these positions enable each nerve inside the body, glands, ligaments, and muscles to exercise. Therefore, it is apt to say that the performing yoga asanas is the most outstanding method of self care.

B) Various types of yoga positions

Standing Yoga Asanas; One of the most effective standing yoga position is Tadasana, which deliver flexibility and pliableness to the joints and muscles in case of physical and mental stress.

a) Forward Bending

Paschimotanasana is one of the forward bending asanas, which is accompanied by the gradual stretching of the body for the extension of back portion of the spine so as to deliver elasticity which will further impart flexibility to the limbs.

b) Back Bending

Bhujangasana is a type of back bending asana, which extends the front portion of the spine. Therefore, the combination of Bhujangasana and the Paschimotanasana results in obtaining nimbleness for the body.

c) Matsyendrasana

The combination of Matsyendrasana with the Paschimotanasana and Bhujangasana delivers buoyancy to the spirit as well as a whole arrange of new bodily movements.

d) Adho Mukhavasana

Adho Mukhavasana is an inverted position which strives against the stresses of day-to-day life.

e) Padmasana, Vajrasana, & Simhasana

These three asanas are the sitting yoga positions, which enable the body to maintain upright position by correcting the defective posture as well as to help in toning up of the muscles.

f) Marichyasana

Marichyasana focuses over the abdominal and lumbar regions due to which it maintains the good functional state of various abdominal organs and results in the massaging and toning up of the pelvic and lumbar areas.

g) Sirsasana & Sarvangasana

These two positions play a significant role in making the forelimbs strong.

Therefore, it has been found that by going through various types of yoga positions, you can easily keep yourself physically, mentally, and spiritually fit. But, it is always recommended to avoid performing all the yoga asanas at one go, as this may lead to various severe outcomes instead of benefits. Therefore, you should always practice different types of positions each day for a variety.

For more Articles, News, Information, Advice, and Resources about YOGA and MEDITATION please visit YOGA TIPS and MEDITATIONBUZZ

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Yoga for Alleviating Chronic Pain

Today, yoga is an effective pain management tool as it controls many diseases, especially the chronic and functional types. A regular yoga practice and yoga instructors can aid you to cope with chronic pain, a pain that lasts for a longer time and is unrelieved by standard medical treatment.

Effective Ways of Yoga to Relieve Chronic Pain

The chronic pain can be an irritating one and normal lifestyles can be constrained or even makes impossible. There are many people suffering with chronic pain and are unaware of a variety of treatment options that helps them to lead more normal lives. So, it is better to learn the way to relieve the chronic pain and try to relieve it or erase it totally.

Now researches show that the ancient Hindu practice, yoga, may ease chronic pain. Yoga techniques such as practicing poses, breathing exercises are very helpful in treating chronic pain. The initial step is to begin by taking full, deep breaths.

Your breathing will have a tendency to be shallow and will become difficult for you to inhale and exhale completely, when you are suffering from pain. If you are not breathing out properly then the toxins that generally are to be out from your body will stay and unable to escape.

Thus, the musty air ruins in the lungs and toxin residues increases. So, a regular deep breathing will helps in eliminating toxins from the body and also digesting the food intake.

Chronic pain also makes your muscles cold and then with limited oxygen, the muscles suffer from poor blood circulation. So, it is great to practice deep breathing yoga routines, as it makes your lungs work harder, it progress the diaphragm, the back and abdominal muscles.

Generates Heat

Thus yoga generates heat in the core of your body, which helps in healing and controlling severe chronic pain.

If you are breathing fast and shallow then you may suffer from anxiety, dizziness, stomach upsets, insomnia, heart palpitations, and visual problems. One more consequence of controlled breathing is it provides a calming effect on your emotions.

It reduces fear and anxiety in you. Thus makes you feel safer, more at ease with your body, and feel more relaxed physically. Deep breathing also helps in reducing tension that accumulates near that part of the body where the pain is.

Adjusts Your Mental Thoughts

The second step in controlling chronic pain is to adjust your mental thoughts towards that part of your body where the pain is. Some attitudes that are related with chronic pain are anger, despair, depression, and helplessness. However these are just a few of the feelings that you may experience when suffering from chronic pain.

You may reject that part of the body where the pain is and neglects to give proper care, the love and attention towards that part, which it deserves and needs to heal.

So, lie down on the floor in an easy relaxed position, which is a soothing yoga posture and place your hand on the part of the body where the pain is. Direct your thoughts and energy to that painful part of your body.

Introducing your hands to the painful part of the body makes it gentle and sends a message that you care about it. Consecutively, it sends heat and fluids. Thus, makes an overall feeling of happiness and healthiness.

With the intention of healing that part of the body where the pain is, you have to think and focus on your breathing. So, concentrate on the part that pains you. Keeping your hands on that part makes ease and relaxing to the painful area.

Generally people pray for healing and place hands on the patient. As a consequence, the hands makes comfort, and the warmth of these touching on painful area can greatly influence the painful area and there will be some progress making you a step up toward your healing.

Never allow yourself to be an injured party of chronic pain. A regular yoga practicing, stretches and deep breathing exercises will assist you to manage and even remove your pain entirely.

Alien writes for yoga for health. He also writes for yoga for beginners and arthritis relief

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