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...th, and putting the principles into action.

One last point about fear: If it is real, you have to take action, and this may be a major move in life; however, if you or your familys survival is at stake, worrying will not solve fear. You have no choice, other than taking positive action.

Self-pity can cause us pain, sorrow, and grief. We feel self-pity from loss, but we must pick ourselves up and move on. Yoga practice, Yoga classes, and Yoga meditation can help us bear this pain, but positive habits, and time, heal us, as well.

Yogic philosophy teaches us to do something for someone who is less fortunate. Even when our own situation looks dismal, it will not be hard to find a person who needs our help. When you help others, this is a form of Karma Yoga, and you will feel better about yourself.

Insecurity is a result of lack of faith. Yoga can help you find faith again. Everyone who practices Yoga long enough understands the Yogic aspect of spiritual he...more

Yoga and Pregnancy

...imester?

Are you a Yoga enthusiast and want to continue to do your practice while pregnant? Yoga can continue to be practiced during your second trimester with just a few precautions.

By the second trimester, your morning sickness should be over and should be feeling better.

If you haven't yet started a yoga yet and wish too, and you are in luck, "now is the perfect time to start".

Always contact your health care provider before starting any new exercise program. This is a good rule of thumb even if you arent pregnant.

Start with finding a class with an excellent and experienced instructor. Many women enter yoga for the first time during their pregnancy so don't worry that you will be the only new pregnant woman in class. Talk with your friends and get references for and instructor.

If you are already practicing yoga, there is no need to give up your classes if you feel strong enough to do them. You can incorporate your own adaptations to the poses when fitting. As your belly grows, the more adaptations you will need to make. You will want to take any inversion pose to the wall if it poses a risk of falling. If you arent comfortable doing these poses, then its all right to give your body permission to skip them. One that you can practice safely is the Legs Up the Wall Pose.

If you practice at home, you still might consider going to a prenatal class at least once or twice a week. You will be able to connect with other pregnant women there and know you are not alone in what you are going through.

Some Yoga Poses you will want to avoid during your second trimester or at least adapt them...more

Beyond Flexibility - The Health Benefits Of Yoga

...iffness, and sometimes pain, we develop a resilience and mental fortitude. Yoga does, of course, help with concentration. But that process of releasing and going beyond the point of physical limitation is not limited to the body. It develops a quiet confidence and knowledge about one's own capacity that is not held back by the boundaries we may have falsely believed about ourselves before. With a yoga practice, we can get back in touch with what yogi's call our dharma, our purpose in life. And we find in ourselves, by virtue of our growing strength, the courage to follow that path.

And finally, a quote from a yoga teacher from sydney, Australia, Eileen Hall, printed in the Australian Yoga Life magazine:

"Yoga is not about relaxation, it's not about losing weight, it's not about learning meditation. It's about discovering the divine being within ourselves."

References: Yoga Journal, November 2005
Australian Yoga Life, Nov 2005 - Mar 2006<...more

Get Into Asana Twists For A Yoga-Calm Mind

... properties. One of the major categories is asana twists which are designed to extend and open the spinal channel, tone the abdominal muscles and untwist the mind.

The aim of most asana twists is to bring the shoulders to a right angle with the hips. The pose will be held for between thirty seconds and a minute and with each outward breath we should aim to twist a little further towards our goal. Asana twists can be performed standing or sitting.

One of the most popular asana twists is the spinal twist pose or Matsyendrasana, named after Sri Matsyendrasana who originally conceived hatha yoga. This pose realigns the spinal column, and is used to treat diabetes, constipation, dyspep...more