Hot Yоgа, a brilliant recreation оf thе Indіаn Hаthа Yоgа or Hаtа Yoga, hаѕ bееn introduced tо thе people оf Amеrіса ѕіnсе the еаrlу 70 of thе last сеnturу by Bіkrаm Chаudhаrу whо hаѕ еxtrасtеd and dеvіѕеd thе therapeutic vаluе оf Yoga.

Lеаrnеrѕ in Hot Yоgа are lеd to push thе body tо the еxtrеmе аnd to use іt аѕ a mеdіum to brіng thе mіnd bасk tо thе brаіn іn оrdеr to реrfоrm a “реrfесt mаrrіаgе bеtwееn the body аnd the mіnd” and thus thеу саn “knock the dооr tо thе spirit”. Scintillating personalities like Madonna, Mісhаеl Jасkѕоn, and Quіnсу Jones оf Hоllуwооd have bееn rероrtеd wіth thіѕ Hot Yoga. This іѕ uѕеd іn dіffеrеnt mеdісаl centers.

Hоt Yоgа consists оf a set of 26 роѕеѕ instead of the trаdіtіоnаl 84, аlоng wіth twо breathing techniques traditionally tеrmеd аѕ Pranayama* in Indіа. The lеаrnеrѕ аrе tо practice еасh роѕе twice аnd еасh fоr a period оf 15 tо 20 ѕесоndѕ іn a сlаѕѕ оf 90 mіnutеѕ under аn unuѕuаl еnvіrоnmеnt whеrе thе temperature is ѕеt tо rеасh to 105° F (43° C) or mоrе.

Thе lеаrnеrѕ are іnѕtruсtеd to stretch аnd turn аnd twіѕt thе body frоm the роѕіtіоn of rest (а standing роѕіtіоn) tо lеft оr rіght bends in рrе dеtеrmіnеd dеѕіgnѕ. Thеу dо ѕwеаt еxсеѕѕіvеlу because оf еxtrеmе hеаt so it is important to wear proper shorts of good fabrics. Hоt Yоgа postures аrе ѕіmрlе аnd are аlѕо challenging in аnу wау.

The extreme heat has been justified wіth thе grоund that such wаrmth will еnаblе one to utіlіzе 100% performance of thе vаѕсulаr ѕуѕtеm whеn the blооd carrying оxуgеn will be allowed tо be circulated bеttеr thаn еvеr. This blооd, ѕuffісіеntlу аnd easily, wіll reach tо the tіѕѕuеѕ оf еасh and еvеrу corner of thе muscle аnd tо thе tіѕѕuеѕ оf аll thе оrgаnѕ оf thе bоdу.

Thе exhaustion аwаrdѕ the muscles and joints grеаtеr еlаѕtісіtу аnd flеxіbіlіtу, аnd thе collagen еnсоmраѕѕіng the jоіntѕ wіll асhіеvе роѕіtіvе tеndеrnеѕѕ. Thuѕ, a person engaged іn ѕроrtѕ аnd gаmеѕ wіll find hіѕ or hеr роѕіtіоn аlwауѕ above the rіѕk lіnе.

In еасh сlаѕѕ іn Bіkrаm’ѕ Yoga сеntеr, mоrе thаn 600 саlоrіеѕ will bе burned раvіng wау fоr thе muсh-еxресtеd lоѕѕ іn weight, and thе body wіll be freed from toxins ѕіmultаnеоuѕlу. A student who is ѕеrіоuѕ іn the Hot Yоgа сlаѕѕеѕ is sure tо hаvе a reshaped, energetic, strong and slim bоdу.

Hоt Yоgа helps іn thе іmрrоvеmеnt оf the metabolism аnd the dіgеѕtіvе ѕуѕtеm. The extreme hеаt асtѕ аgаіnѕt infections. It is said thаt diabetic оr саnсеr раtіеntѕ оr раtіеntѕ suffering frоm insomnia or frоm аnу chronic diseases hаvе been grеаtlу bеnеfіtеd by Hоt Yоgа.

The trеmеndоuѕ exhaustion built up bу thіѕ рrосеѕѕ over thе body saves thе mіnd frоm gеttіng еntаnglеd or gеttіng disturbed bу аnу kіnd оf еxtеrnаl interference, аnd the сарасіtу оf concentration іѕ remarkably еnhаnсеd. Hоt Yoga lеаvеѕ a fabulous еffесt оn thе nervous ѕуѕtеm аnd the реrѕоnѕ who are regular іn the ѕtudіоѕ feel hарру as thеу dеvеlор a mіnd frее frоm all ѕоrtѕ of ѕtrеѕѕ аnd tension.

A bаlаnсе іn the funсtіоnѕ оf thе body іѕ urgеntlу needed, and Hоt Yоgа аwаrdѕ реrfесt bаlаnсе аnd coordination іnѕіdе the bоdу аnd rеdеfіnеѕ relaxation.

The wild thing pose is also known as camatkarasana. It is known to be a celebration as well as a representation of the various dynamic forms in which a body can move. It lets your heart open up towards the top which in turn allows the poser to tab in love, empathy as well as compassionate energy. It challenges the balancing capacity of your arms and strengthens the muscles of the same to the core. Prepare you gym leggings and get ready to practice!

How to Perform the Pose

Step 1 – Begin the pose by getting in adho mukha svanasana or the downward-facing dog pose.

Step 2 – Concentrate the weight of your entire body on your right arm while rolling onto your outer foot’s edge like the side plank pose or vasisthasana.

Step 3 – Now, slowly inhale and lift up your hips with a buoyant force. Keep your right hand strong while forming a clawing with your hand’s fingers. Rest your right arm’s bone back head. With slow exhalations, take the foot back while placing the toes on the ground while your knee is in a partially bent position.

Step 4 – Curve backward via the upper back region such that a sweeping action of the blades of your shoulder is created into your rib cage’s back.

Step 5 – Raise the hip even higher while simultaneously inhaling and continue the action until you further curl into a backward bend having your right leg foot firmly placed on the floor.

Step 6 – Keep breathing constantly while you bend your head towards the back via mild curling motions. Extend the left arm from the region of your heart while you express your strength as well as freedom.

Step 7 – Stay in the pose for around five to ten deep breaths. While releasing the pose, return back to the down dog pose. Now, repeat the pose on the opposite side. You can increase the duration of the practice with time.

Benefits

• This pose opens up your shoulder, chest as well as the lung region.
• It also opens up the hip flexors as well as the front of your legs.
• It develops strength in your upper back region as well as your shoulders.
• It relieves the sensation of fatigue.
• It works as a therapy for a mild depression sensation.

Mistakes and Contradictions

If you are a patient suffering from rotator cuff injuries as well as carpal tunnel syndrome, then you must refrain from practicing this pose. Do not haste into performing the pose as it might lead to cause unwanted injuries.

How to Perform the Pose Perfectly

To perform the pose perfectly, you must make sure to place your limbs on the floor with the utmost firmness. This will not just avoid the chances of injuries but also make sure that the posture is attained as it must be. An expert yogic professional help can be the best solution to avoid mistakes and master the art. Put on athletic leggings along with a comfortable t-shirt such that you face no hassles while practicing the pose.

Many herbs and flowers can be dried and then either chopped or ground to produce a natural herbal tea. 

• Valerian (Valeriana officinalis) can be used for sleep and anxiety. The Valerian herb promotes sleep and has been used historically in different tribes to treat nervousness. It is considered a tranquilizer and has been shown to depress the central nervous system and relax muscles. It can help overall physical and mental health through this action and has been used to treat irritable bowel syndrome, asthma, muscle tension, restless leg syndrome, and also different phobias. It assists in total body and mind relaxation, most importantly decreasing stress, anxiety, and promoting proper sleep. Valerian was used in wars to treat nervous stress and shell shock. It is recommended only to use it at night as it does have a strong sedative effect and to not mix with any other pharmaceuticals. It can be drunk in tea, steeped for 15 minutes, or taken in a concentrated extract form. 

• Basil (Ocimum sanctum/Ocimum Tenuiflorum) can be used for stress and relaxation. It is known to be an antidepressant. It has a stress-relieving effect and is calming when used. It can be beneficial for relieving anxiety. This herb can be used to make relaxing teas. It is traditionally thought to be a very sacred herb. Its leaves and flowers are medicinally useful. Infusions can be made to create steam for inhalation. It can promote the soothing of stress, relieving congestion, overcoming uneasiness, and enhancing relaxation.

• Chamomile (Chamaemelum Nobile/ Chamomilla Recutita) tea is commonly used for relaxation and to treat stress. This flower is known to be incredibly soothing and a great way to treat anxiety. It is because certain species of sage are considered sedatives and relaxants. It is a popular tea that is often sold in single-use tea bags but can be created by simply steeping the dried flowers without any additional treatment. It is also useful to use the cooled tea as a face wash as it is known to be a skin healer. Infusions can be made for inhalation or other body treatments. Chamomile is one of the most popular herbs used for a wide array of healing intentions. It is sometimes referred to as an “herbal aspirin.”

• Skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora & Scutellaria Baicalensis) tea can be used for tension, stress, worry, and sleep. This herb has many historical uses with indigenous tribes of North America. It has a sedative effect and is used to soothe anxiety, nervous exhaustion, and tension. It has many therapeutic properties that assist the body and mind in nourishing the central nervous system, calming overall levels of stress, and relieving feelings of anxiety. It also assists in relaxing the body through its antispasmodic action, which is very beneficial for individuals who experience body tension caused by stress and worry. Due to its sedative effect, it is also used to treat insomnia and other sleep disturbances. A tincture created from fresh skullcap herb is the most efficient method for easing nervousness, but capsules and tablets have also been known to be used effectively. It is often mixed with other herbs to treat certain ailments. A great tea for sleep combines half a teaspoon of skullcap with half teaspoons of passionflower, lemon balm, and spearmint. Let this recipe steep for 20 minutes before consuming. 

Herbs are an amazing natural alternative to pharmaceutical options when looking to become more relaxed.

If you are one of the millions of people suffering from premature ejaculation, you have to understand that there is absolutely nothing wrong with you. There is a high chance that your premature ejaculation is triggered by anxiety in one way or the other.

The Chemical Release When The Body Becomes Stressed

The body secretes a lot of chemicals, such as enzymes and hormones when stressed. These bring about various reactions, which tend to raise blood pressure, induce muscle contraction, increase breath rate, etc.

During sexual intercourse, these same chemical emissions into the bloodstream can impact the ejaculatory mechanism. It results in an early expulsion and thus ending the arousal state which brings a bit of orgasm, and the body back to the state of chemical equilibrium.

CAN YOU CONTROL THIS? If you can handle your anxiety, you can. However, if you allow anxiety to control you, you definitely cannot. It is as simple as that. Managing stress and anxiety during sexual intercourse is crucial.

It is a widely known fact that the life force Prana is linked to the breath. Pranayama, meaning the control of the life force, can at least help you put anxiety aside if it is done properly. Controlling the life force simply means controlling bodily function. By doing that, the chemical reaction created by anxiety and stress would be hindered.

The chemical emissions induced by stress and anxiety are generally damaging to the cardiovascular system and specifically can cause a high level of cholesterol deposits in the arteries that causes strokes and heart attacks.

A Simple Exercise To Control Anxiety During Sex And In Your General Life

Few minutes before intercourse, excuse yourself from doing this natural magic when you can. Go to the bathroom, and sit for two minutes doing this yoga exercise. 

• Take three deep breaths. 
• Then, inhale to a count of nine 
• Hold your breath for another count of nine 
• Finally, exhale for a count of nine. 
• Repeat this exercise five times. 
• At the end retake the three deep breaths. 
• Wash your face and put cold water on your wrists.

Your blood pressure has just been reduced with this yogic exercise, and the general body function has been regularized.

Returning To Your Sexual Activity

As you return to your sexual activity, keep your breath exercise in mind, proceed gradually with your partner, and stay clear of any anxiety about your performance. Instead, keep your mind concentrated on that great feeling of control you demonstrated with your breath. Let that feeling reach every cell in your body.

Keep remembering that feeling throughout the process of penetration. If you are too excited, then start to divide and multiply by the number 16 or 14 mentally. Let the sexual performance continue naturally, and eliminate worry from your mind. Instead, start thinking about 73 times 14. Do the math problem mentally, and the anxiety will disappear. You will realize you are penetrating deeper and better each time you try it.

Continue your breath control exercise every day. If you can achieve that, you can eliminate premature ejaculation forever.

There’s a new trend sweeping across yoga studios everywhere. It’s become an interesting blend of the preppy styles seen in fashion magazines meeting athleisure apparel. Many yogis are trying to decide how they feel about the new custom apparel that is popping up around town and in their yoga studios.

It may come in the form of a scripted first name stitched on a yoga bag or an elegant monogram on a jacket. You may even start to see yogis with customized yoga leggings sporting their initials or full names on the front. How would you feel about wearing this custom apparel for yoga practice?

On the one hand, customized yoga apparel can be a great tool to help build a community in yoga classes across the country. Seeing someone’s initials on his/her bag or their shirt can help you to remember the name when you see them or when you return home. It’s a small reminder that stops just shy of wearing a physical name tag to your yoga class.

The community is an important aspect of having a full and well-developed yoga practice. These customized materials could give your classmates the confidence they need to strike up a conversation with you, now that they have been subtly reminded of your name.

It also allows yogis to connect with one another about where their clothing came from. Few people have the tools or the skills required to customize their own apparel at home without some help. Asking someone where they purchased their customized gear can open the door to further conversations and potential friendships. Of course, you will have to be committed to following the conversation past this basic point to strike up a lasting relationship with someone.

Customizing your yoga apparel is also a great way to keep track of what belongs to you in the classroom. Throughout the practice, you may find yourself shedding layers or loaning props to a friend. When the end of the class arrives, you can’t quickly identify which sweater, props, or accessories belong to you instead of your nearby classmates.

Having your initials or name sewn onto the fabric makes this identification much simpler. It can help you to avoid confrontations and arguments from a classmate who believes your sweater may belong to him/her.

It could be a unique and wonderful way for you to express your creativity and individuality during your yoga practice. The combinations of styles and colors you can choose from to customize your apparel is seemingly infinite. You only need to find someone who is qualified and talented enough to perform the work you imagined when you purchased the item. This a great time to get creative with fonts and introduce small splashes of color onto neutral items.

In the end, there are very few inherent disadvantages to customizing your yoga apparel beyond the cost of doing so. Adding anything custom to your clothing is bound to come with a cost, so you will have to weigh whether you believe these relatively minor benefits are worth the price.

I like to do a combination of things when it comes to healthy living; and, a drive to live self-sustainably is one of the major ones.

Self-sufficient living means that you provide for all of your own needs without outside help or resources. It not only requires skill but firstly independence. As with any decision you make, your why needs to be strong enough.

Here is mine:

– Providing healthy foods for our household.

– To be in control of how I plant and harvest the foods so I know exactly what we consume.

– To feel a sense of independence.

– To develop an economical nature as it is cheaper to grow your own produce than buying it from the store. Plus, I always have it literally on my doorstep, instead of always driving somewhere to get it.

In reality, however, there are more reasons that you might not instantly think of. One example is preparedness. If anything goes awry, you won’t be shaken to the ground. It could be political. As there are major cooperations running the world and marketers targeting us from left and right, you might want to be in control of your own happenings. A pivotal reason might derive from the social disagreement as self-sustainable lifestyle produces less waste and supports local agriculture. Have you ever heard of a 100-mile diet? It runs hand in hand with self-sustainability. My fundamental one is obviously personal (as it should be anyone’s who decides to live self-sustainable). I feel accomplished by growing my own crops and I like to know exactly what goes into my mouth. There’s a smaller footprint left behind if you’re one who cares about the environment deeply. The one aspect I prefer the most is economic as seeds are normally inexpensive and most can be easily cultivated by yourself.

There is no guide for becoming self-sustainable. For me, it most definitely didn’t happen overnight. I also didn’t choose it intentionally, but it rather flowed naturally.

Look for opportunities within your community to barter. You can trade your produce with some of what your neighbor produced. Look for suitable jobs in your area and operate from home when possible. You’ll save gas. Also be mindful of what car you’re driving, if you can’t avoid commuting (opt for public transportation or carpooling when possible). Or when the weather is nice, biking is always a great way to get your exercise in while going places, too.

You’ll learn new skills, achieve financial freedom, and learn how to make things last. Buy clothing made of natural materials as it will last you longer, and will leave smaller effects on the environment. If you are considering to get a new pair of yoga leggings then these cotton leggings from Amazon would be a good sustainable choice. Learning to sew and making your own clothes is also a great way to make materials last much longer than they normally would.

It is in human nature to prefer options; and, there are always alternatives to what we choose – so choose wisely. For me, there are still major areas where I’m rather merging the best of both worlds; but it’s the kind of lifestyle I’m proud of leading.

It obviously depends on the community in which you live in and to what extent you can manage self-sustainable living. Starting out by carrying your own reusable bags to the store and buying unpackaged produce in your own glass containers is a great start. Paired with eating foods that are produced locally and in the season, you’re on a great track to help form a cleaner environment for us all.

Yoga has a rich and illustrious history. Its foundations are rooted in tradition and stories that offer you clear and simple guidelines to live a healthy and spiritually aligned life. Many people are drawn to yoga philosophy as well as the more physical aspects of yoga. However, if you are a yoga beginner you may feel daunted and overwhelmed by the subtler philosophical aspects of Yoga.

Have you heard your yoga teacher talk about Patanjali? Or the words yoga sutra’s yama’s and niyamas and wondered what that has to do with yoga? Did you know that yoga is over 5,000 years old and originally, practiced by monks and seers as a way to assist them connect more deeply with the divine?

The roots of yoga can be traced back to the Indus Valley Civilization (mature period 2600 – 1900 BCE) that flourished in the Indus River Basin. This area covers most of Pakistan and extends into parts of modern day India.

Several seals discovered during the Indus Valley Civilization (c.3300 – 1700 BC) depict figures in yoga or meditation like postures, which suggest yoga, was practiced then. The word ‘yoga’ comes from the Sanskirt language and means union. In the west there are many schools of yoga, but the goal is always the same, to achieve union, total harmony between body, mind, and spirit traditionally in each individual and the divine.

In today’s modern climate, many students view yoga purely as a form of physical exercise and do not realize that behind the physical exercises lies a deep and long standing philosophical history and tradition. The “mind” aspect of Yoga is often negated to the practice of meditation. However, it goes much deeper that this and has its roots steeped in Yogic tradition. Running alongside your asana and meditation practice is the philosophical side of yoga. Yoga philosophy provides you with a deeper understanding of the relationship between your mind, body, and spirit.

The Yoga Sutra’s of Patanjali is one of the most popular texts dealing with yoga philosophy. Widely influenced by the great Indian sage Patanjali, most modern-day yoga student’s first introduction to philosophy is through their introduction to the Yamas and Niyamas or in hearing the words “the Eight Limbs of Yoga.”

Pantanjali is known as one of the founders of yoga. Born around 300 BC, Patanjali’s texts give you a set of 196 aphorisms or threads known as the Yoga Sutras. This work epitomizes the principles and practices of yoga as it brings together all the various strands and thoughts of yoga philosophy into one comprehensive bundle of knowledge.

These threads cover all aspects of life, from giving guidelines on how to live a healthy industrious life right through to thoughts on how you can reach the ultimate goal of yoga – self-realization. Through studying Patanjali’s text and understanding his teachings it is possible for you to gain a deeper understanding of the history and philosophical roots of yoga. This understanding will help to underpin your yoga practice and efforts to gain control over your mind and emotions as you aspire to lead a more spiritually aligned and balanced life.

While performing yoga may seem as simple as exercising on a mat, there is much more to it. More so when it comes to Vinyasa yoga. Although you may already know that Vinyasa yoga is a yoga performed in a flowing motion, there are other aspects that you may not. Here are five interesting additional facts that you may not know.

Vinyasa Offers Diversity

Most types of yoga follow in the same poses and the same exercises every time. For example, Hatha yoga follows a sequence of 26 postures every time. This can be a bit boring when done repeatedly. Vinyasa yoga on the other hand, offers a different kind of spice. No one can fully predict the movements since there is a different approach every time.

This has the benefit of creating mental clarity for practitioners. The only thing student is expected to control is their reaction to these movements. The Vinyasa yoga instructor is not held into following a set sequence, giving them room to be more creative. This also explains why many other branches of yoga have developed.

Faster Paced

Vinyasa yoga is an offshoot of Hatha yoga, a stricter type of yoga. Vinyasa yoga is designed to be faster and more fun. One key factor is that it is faster paced, and the movements are linked together with breathing motions. This is why it is considered to have greater health benefits compared to other forms of yoga.

It’s More Complete

In one single session, a practitioner can move through all the asana families or categories. Each posture in yoga comes from one of these categories. The categories include all standing postures, forward bends, and backbends. In other types of classes, the students go through each category over the weeks. This can delay one’s understanding of yoga in general, as compared to Vinyasa yoga.

It’s Very Accommodative

One of the common fears of those wishing to take yoga classes is that they will be unable to master the poses. Some look too complicated to achieve while others appear tiring. In Vinyasa yoga, the instructor meets the student at the middle. That’s why it is said that Vinyasa yoga accommodates people of all shapes and sizes.

The shapes and sizes of our body structures are different. This creates a difference where each person achieves each pose differently. There are those who have short hands, open hips, or longer limbs. Each of these people will experience yoga differently. With this in mind, a Vinyasa yoga teacher will embrace each student accordingly.

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Let your clothes reflect your story. Shop the above look here.

It Tells a Story

The sequence of movements in Vinyasa yoga is designed to tell the life story. The practitioners start their movements with the child pose and end with the death pose. It is supposed to show one’s movement through life.

Each pose is a transition that one is supposed to embrace gracefully, even in life. The transitions represent the in-between and every part of life is connected to the next. Therefore, while we may not be where we want to be in life, we always know that we are on our way there.

These are the five interesting facts that you may not have known about Vinyasa yoga. You can now share with your friends and teach them something they may not know.

We all have days when we’re in the zone, feeling completely calm and relaxed. Other days, not so much. Our minds are going a thousand miles an hour while thoughts and to-do lists are consuming our thoughts. On those days, it’s especially difficult to get into a focused state but it happens to all of us. It can be frustrating when you can’t control racing thoughts and shallow breathing, enough to make you want to forget meditating altogether. Don’t give up so easily!

These five tips will help keep your mind centered and enhance your meditation practice. Find a quiet spot, grab your mat, and get ready to regain your sanity and your zen!

5. Create a Space

Find a place in your home that you can designate as an area you use strictly for meditation. A quiet place that has minimal interruptions will be best. Even if you only have a corner in your bedroom, make sure it’s away from the TV or any other electronics and free of any clutter. You can place a candle or incense in this space or hang a photo that reminds you to focus on your breathing.

If you don’t have a room or space in your home, simply take out your yoga mat or a pillow and use it exclusively for meditation purposes. This will trigger the mind to get into a relaxed state.

4. Prepare the Mind and Body

Going into a meditation session with racing thoughts and shallow breathing is not going to get you very far. If you are feeling stressed or anxious, try going through a few gentle poses to get your body and mind prepared. Sometimes when the mind is unsettled, it can be difficult to get the body to follow. Downward dog and child’s pose are perfect and will help you ease into your practice.

3. Let Go of All Expectations

Like many things in life, we all put expectations on ourselves for what we believe something should be. Meditation is no different. Letting go of any stress or preconceived notions of what the perfect meditation practice should look like is counterintuitive. Everyone’s practice looks different and that is totally fine.

What works for you might not work for someone else and vice versa. Each time you meditate might even be different, depending on many factors. Try to relax your mind and just focus on your breath. Let go of all control and let your meditation take you where it needs to go. You might be pleasantly surprised the minute you let everything unfold on its own.

2. Leave Your Problems and Stress at the Door

Or anywhere outside of your designated meditation space. All of the things that you are worried about will be waiting for you when you’re done. Let this be your time to find peace within, away from the chaos of the world. Just like you make appointments to see your doctor, this is a very important appointment as well.

Imagine you are in a bubble, where time stands still. No negative thoughts can enter your bubble. Let the breath be your main focus, as you take deep inhales through the nose and exhales from your mouth.

1. Be Gentle with Yourself

Even the world’s most spiritual and experienced yogis and meditators encounter times when they have a difficult time finding inner silence. You will most likely experience this one time or another, but don’t get down on yourself. Your mind will want to wander and that’s okay. Acknowledge when this happens and move on.

One day you might be more preoccupied with a problem than other days. On those days, make sure you are extra gentle on yourself. Create a loving mantra for yourself and repeat it over and over again in your head. This is your practice, unique to you so don’t compare it to anyone else’s practice.

This is it. Thanks for reading! Which step is your favorite?