Recent research has proven that meditating two times per day for only ten minutes can lower stress levels and other negative side effects of possessing a hectic lifestyle.

Here are five outstanding tips about how to meditate. Employing these suggestions can aid in making meditation pleasant, relaxing and routine.

1. Where is the best place to meditate?

I advise you should have particular location, nook or space in your home, office or in the place where you meditate. You may prefer to provide those areas with particular objects that have a spiritual meaning and will assist you in doing your meditation. But having special objects in the area is not required.

Be sure that the location you choose for meditation is calm, and will have no disruptions. Also ensure that others acknowledge that this is the place or time where you spend on yourself. However, this is only to accustom yourself to having a certain mindset in this location or during a set time, What is important is creating a routine, and a state of calmness.

2. How should I sit when I do my meditation?

The standard posture is to sit down with legs folded and hands resting softly on the lap or on your knees. However, you should determine your own best position to meditate. The position you choose should offer a sense of focus. And at the same time it needs to be comfy.

Now make sure that the symmetry is right between being focused and being comfortable. If you’re overly focused, ie rigid, it might be uncomfortable which will prevent you from relaxing. If the posture is overly comfortable you’ll run the risk that you will fall asleep and not meditate at all. So keep the balance between the two, find a position that is cozy enough, just not so comfortable you’ll doze off.

This is your meditation, so there’s no proper or improper technique to how to sit or lay to do meditation. Practice and determine which position is the best for you. You may just prefer to sit on a chair, cross your legs and sit on the floor, lay down, or position yourself with your back to a wall for support. It is up to you, experiment with a couple of different positions and see which one gives you the best benefit.

3. Should my eyes be open or closed?

A few meditations will tell you to close your eyes, other meditations will tell you to open your eyes. Once more, what is significant is what are you comfortable with and what generate the best results. The majority of people will keep their eyes shut, and will experience good results. Others won’t have good experience when they shut their eyes and will doze off. For some it’s easier to keep their eyes opened and meditate. I personally find open eye meditation distracting. If you shut your eyes the greatest risk is drifting off. It can be very easy to do. Experiencing a quiet, relaxed state is the perfect environment for catching some shut eye, even if it is unintended.

Therefore whenever you keep your eyes shut make certain that you sit in an alert position. This might be with your legs folded on the floor. The primary concern is for the spine to be straight and aligned.

4. How long should I meditate?

Most people say to meditate between 10 and 20 minutes twice a day. That’s a really beneficial routine, however, I’d advise against being too ambitious when you first start a meditation schedule. Start with just 5 minutes 2 times each day, once that is routine, add a couple of more minutes.

Honestly, the amount of time isn’t significant. The basic goal is that you meditate regularly. Twice a day is marvelous. Meditate twice a day for five minutes or twice a day for 60 minutes, as long as you feel at ease, focused and at peace the amount of time spent meditating is insignificant.

The key is routine, mold meditation into a schedule and ensure the time spent isn’t a burden but a pleasure. When a person meditates for just ten minutes a day and the benefit is felt, its likely that individual will choose to continue. You may step-up the length. So start off slowly and for just a few minutes, but keep a daily routine.

5. Should I have music or not?

I’ve felt music is helpful. I actually enjoy guided meditations, but other people just prefer to have quietness. I advise trying a guided meditation. It genuinely aided me to have a goal when I first began meditating, otherwise I felt a little lost and unclear on the goal. Perform a meditation with just silence after you master the routine and staying focused. Again, have some soft relaxation music at times to enhance your meditation.

That is it! Those are some great tips to get you on your way to doing great meditation. Enjoy!

Keep in mind that menopause and the pre menopause symptoms are a natural process for women and not an illness. Menopause is actually a specific date, the day that the end of menstrual cycles has occurred for twelve consecutive months with pre menopause symptoms preceding that. At some point in life as a woman ages, it is normal that the reproductive cycle slows and eventually ceases functioning.

There are some pre menopause symptoms that are subtle and you may not connect them with the onset of menopause. The following is a list of pre menopause symptoms that are common:

1. Urinary tract and yeast infections
2. Water retention, unexplained weight gain especially in hips, waist and stomach
3. Low metabolism
4. Depression, anxiety and mood swings
5. Allergy symptoms
6. Chronic fatigue and morning sluggishness
7. Craving sweets, caffeine and carbohydrates with unstable blood sugar levels
8. Endometriosis
9. Facial hair growth
10. Hair loss, thinning hair
11. Symptoms of low thyroid with normal T3 and T4 levels
12. Uterine fibroids

The pre menopause symptoms vary in magnitude and effect. They all can be quite diverse as well. The first and most common is hot flashes. This is where you run into these periods of time where you get very hot. This tends to lead to another pre menopause symptom called night sweats. You’ll wake up in the middle of the night soaked in sweat, which can be quite an annoying problem to have. The pre menopause symptoms don’t stop there, they even extend into such things as anxiety which will keep you even more uptight with these pre menopause symptoms.

To eliminate the pre menopause symptoms we have to get the natural herbs and spices into our diet that women in the eastern world have in their diets. This can be tough for people in the western world because we’re just not used to them. We have a particular taste for our food and that is what we like. I’ve found that the supplement known as Menozac works great to treat pre menopause symptoms. It has all the herbs designed specifically for eliminating any pre menopause symptoms you maybe experiencing from menopause.

Finding a good prenatal yoga DVD that is safe for you and your baby can be challenging. There are many DVDs out there that can help you keep fit and healthy during this time so how do you find one that works for you and fits your lifestyle.

Here are a few things to look for that can help…

Make sure that you are only looking at prenatal yoga DVDs. Other yoga DVDs offer great exercises but there are exercises on those DVDs that are not safe during pregnancy. There are several different yoga poses that could potentially hurt you or your baby. A good prenatal yoga DVD will be sure to stay away from those poses and will even offer modifications for poses that may become more difficult later in your pregnancy. It is better to be safe and underdo your exercise routine during pregnancy than to overdo it.

Look for reviews of the prenatal yoga DVD that you are looking at. Amazon is always a good place to find product reviews. This will help you get an idea of what other expectant mothers thought of the DVD and how it worked out for them. It can also help give you a better idea of the content of the DVD and if it is appropriate for you. If you have practiced yoga before your pregnancy, there may be a prenatal yoga DVD that is more appropriate for you than if you have never practiced yoga before. Getting a DVD that is appropriate for your comfort level is important and reviews from others can often help you in this area.

Do some research on the company that produced the prenatal yoga DVD and the instructor for it. There are several different forms of yoga and they all have a somewhat different format. Researching the company that produced the DVD and more importantly, the instructor who is teaching on it will help you understand the type of yoga being taught. That can help you make a decision about whether or not the DVD will work for you. Some forms of yoga incorporate more a spiritual component than others and it is helpful to know that before you buy a DVD.

Bestselling Prenatal Yoga DVD’s from Amazon

1. Prenatal Yoga
2. Prenatal Vinyasa Yoga & Short Forms 2 DVD Set
3. Prenatal Yoga (20 Routines for Common Prenatal Issues for Each Trimester)
4. Crunch Yoga Mama – Prenatal Yoga
5. Prenatal Yoga with Mimi Solaire

Or CLICK HERE to see reviews of all the Prenatal Yoga DVD’s.

Effects of an Unclean Colon

The organs working to reduce the toxic load on the body include the liver and several parts of the digestive systems. The colon is the chief organ in actually eliminating waste and creating an internal environment where nutrients can be easily absorbed into the bloodstream but with toxins being eliminated. When stress, poor nutrition, and environmental toxins overwhelm our bodies, disease may occur as the end result.

The colon in particular is a vital organ because it comprises much of the immune system and clears out hostile organisms not belonging in a healthy body. When the colon’s health is compromised, the cleansing process is slowed down or halted altogether. This is a dangerous situation because it can be the start of a number of debilitating diseases. This occurs because the body’s natural ability to heal itself, the immune system, has been hindered. In some cases, autointoxication may occur wherein toxins from the waste residing in the colon (for days and weeks) begin to be reabsorbed back into the bloodstream. Some signs a colon flush, or colon cleanse, is needed may include chronic constipation, diseases such as irritable bowel syndrome, or a hindered immune system.

Methods for Cleansing the Colon

Many ways exist for remedying a colon that is not functioning properly. Colon cleansing formulas and colon flushes are a necessary measure for removing impacted fecal matter and pathogens as well as built up mucous. In many cases, a colon flush formula will clean the colon and will also enable the bowel to begin healing itself and functioning properly again. There are different ways to flush out the colon. For example, herbal remedies offer help by stimulating the bowel to expel wastes and by killing harmful bacteria and other pathogens. Bowtrol Colon Cleanse Formula is the best choice as it is a safe, non-habit forming formula that safely eliminates accumulated waste matter from the intestinal walls, while naturally stimulating the body to induce regular bowel movements.

CLICK HERE to read more about Bowtrol Colon Cleanse Formula.

Another type of colon flush formula includes colonic hydrotherapy. Colonic hydrotherapy consists of an internal bath of warm, filtered water that is pushed into the colon for cleansing out waste. This helps to eliminate unhealthy substances within the organ itself and helps to create an environment suited for self-healing. Colonic hydrotherapy should be performed by a professional health care practitioner trained in this specific procedure.

Another type of colon flush is an enema. An enema involves flushing out the colon by the forceful insertion of a liquid, usually combined with water, in order to stimulate a bowel movement. Different herbs and chemicals are used in different enemas. Coffee enemas are becoming more common as the coffee stimulates a cleansing and healing effect within the colon, and is a natural stimulant for elimination. Enemas containing enzymes are also used as a type of colon flush, as natural enzymes safely consume and break down built up waste material and expel it. Enzyme therapy as taken orally is also a method of flushing the colon. Enzymes naturally break down food particles that are difficult to digest and help remove them from the body.

Results of Colon Cleansing Formula

Colon cleansing formulas serve the purpose of promoting healing and cleansing of the body’s vital elimination organ. After healing the colon, other bodily systems can also work more efficiently. A colon cleansing formula is a healthy measure to take if the colon’s functioning has been compromised lately. In order to help secure long-term health, exercise, a nutritious diet, and reducing stress from your life should also be practiced. Although you should seek a health care practitioner trained in the field before initiating these colon cleansing formula methods, you can begin to implement an improved diet and other positive lifestyle changes on your own. Take care of your colon and you will begin to notice the change in how you feel in practically no time at all!

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The Colon Cleansing & Constipation Resource Center is sponsored by Global Healing Center, Inc. The Resource Center’s Web site features information on constipation, articles on colon cleansing, and research on the latest treatments. For more information, please visit The Colon Cleansing & Constipation Resource Center.

© The Colon Cleansing & Constipation Resource Center, All Rights Reserved

Yama

Yama are ethical disciplines that relate to how we can live in a shared world with peace and integrity.

Niyama

These disciplines relate to the individual and focus on living a healthy, fulfilled and masterful life.

Asana

The word asana means ‘to be’, in the sense of being in a posture. The asanas were developed for the maintenance of a healthy mind and body, with each posture affecting the body, mind and emotions in a unique way and working as a pathway to balance and wellbeing.

Pranayama

In the practice of pranayama, we develop breathing techniques that increase oxygen intake and strengthen lung capacity while also increasing the absorption of prana, or life force. In its simplest form, pranayama involves deep, full breathing.

Dharana

Following on from pratyahara, dharana is the ability to be completely internally absorbed and focused. This practice of single-pointed concentration stills the mind and leads to profound quietness within.

Dhyana

Following on from dharana is dhyana, or meditation – sitting where there is no focus, just stillness; no thoughts, only emptiness.

Samadhi

In this state of absolute personal freedom there is union of the individual soul with the universal soul. It is the practice of living at one with all that is.

With regular yoga practice of yoga, you will gain strength, flexibility and good health, the benefits of which flow into all aspects of life. Increased energy levels bring a new perspective on life, the increased feelings of self-love and inspiration lead us to discover talents and interests we never knew existed and problems that once seemed overwhelming become more manageable.

Original Article by: Yoga Supplies

Although a great number of people try meditation at some point in their lives, a small percentage actually stick with it for the long-term. This is unfortunate, and a possible reason is that many beginners do not begin with a mindset needed to make the practice sustainable.

The purpose of this article is to provide 20 practical recommendations to help beginners get past the initial hurdles and integrate meditation over the long term:

1) Make it a formal practice. You will only get to the next level in meditation by setting aside specific time (preferably two times a day) to be still.

2) Start with the breath. Breathing deep slows the heart rate, relaxes the muscles, focuses the mind and is an ideal way to begin practice.

3) Stretch first. Stretching loosens the muscles and tendons allowing you to sit (or lie) more comfortably. Additionally, stretching starts the process of “going inward” and brings added attention to the body.

4) Meditate with Purpose. Beginners must understand that meditation is an ACTIVE process. The art of focusing your attention to a single point is hard work, and you have to be purposefully engaged!

5) Notice frustration creep up on you. This is very common for beginners as we think “hey, what am I doing here” or “why can’t I just quiet my damn mind already”. When this happens, really focus in on your breath and let the frustrated feelings go.

6) Experiment. Although many of us think of effective meditation as a Yogi sitting cross-legged beneath a Bonzi tree, beginners should be more experimental and try different types of meditation. Try sitting, lying, eyes open, eyes closed, etc.

7) Feel your body parts. A great practice for beginning meditators is to take notice of the body when a meditative state starts to take hold. Once the mind quiets, put all your attention to the feet and then slowly move your way up the body (include your internal organs). This is very healthy and an indicator that you are on the right path.

Pick a specific room in your home to meditate. Make sure it is not the same room where you do work, exercise, or sleep. Place candles and other spiritual paraphernalia in the room to help you feel at ease.

9) Read a book (or two) on meditation. Preferably an instructional guide AND one that describes the benefits of deep meditative states. This will get you motivated. John Kabat-Zinn’s Wherever You Go, There You Are is terrific for beginners.

10) Commit for the long haul. Meditation is a life-long practice, and you will benefit most by NOT examining the results of your daily practice. Just do the best you can every day, and then let it go!

11) Listen to instructional tapes and CDs.

12) Generate moments of awareness during the day. Finding your breath and “being present” while not in formal practice is a wonderful way to evolve your meditation habits.

13) Make sure you will not be disturbed. One of the biggest mistakes beginners make is not insuring peaceful practice conditions. If you have it in the back of your mind that the phone might ring, your kids might wake, or your coffee pot might whistle than you will not be able to attain a state of deep relaxation.

14) Notice small adjustments. For beginning meditators, the slightest physical movements can transform a meditative practice from one of frustration to one of renewal. These adjustments may be barely noticeable to an observer, but they can mean everything for your practice.

15) Use a candle. Meditating with eyes closed can be challenging for a beginner. Lighting a candle and using it as your point of focus allows you to strengthen your attention with a visual cue. This can be very powerful.

16) Do NOT Stress. This may be the most important tip for beginners, and the hardest to implement. No matter what happens during your meditation practice, do not stress about it. This includes being nervous before meditating and angry afterwards. Meditation is what it is, and just do the best you can at the time.

17) Do it together. Meditating with a partner or loved one can have many wonderful benefits, and can improve your practice. However, it is necessary to make sure that you set agreed-upon ground rules before you begin!

18) Meditate early in the morning. Without a doubt, early morning is an ideal
time to practice: it is quieter, your mind is not filled with the usual clutter, and there is less chance you will be disturbed. Make it a habit to get up half an hour earlier to meditate.

19) Be Grateful at the end. Once your practice is through, spend 2-3 minutes feeling appreciative of the opportunity to practice and your mind’s ability to focus.

20) Notice when your interest in meditation begins to wane. Meditation is hard work, and you will inevitably come to a point where it seemingly does not fit into the picture anymore. THIS is when you need your practice the most and I recommend you go back to the book(s) or the CD’s you listened to and become re-invigorated with the practice. Chances are that losing the ability to focus on meditation is parallel with your inability to focus in other areas of your life!

Meditation is an absolutely wonderful practice, but can be very difficult in the beginning. Use the tips described in this article to get your practice to the next level!

Original Article by Todd Goldfarb

Yoga refers to traditional physical and mental disciplines originating in India. The word is associated with meditative practices in Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism. In Hinduism, it also refers to one of the six orthodox (?stika) schools of Hindu philosophy, and to the goal toward which that school directs its practices. In Jainism it refers to the sum total of all activities—mental, verbal and physical.

Major branches of yoga in Hindu philosophy include Raja Yoga, Karma Yoga, Jnana Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, and Hatha Yoga. Raja Yoga, compiled in the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, and known simply as yoga in the context of Hindu philosophy, is part of the Samkhya tradition.[10] Many other Hindu texts discuss aspects of yoga, including Upanishads, the Bhagavad Gita, the Hatha Yoga Pradipika, the Shiva Samhita and various Tantras.

You may know that you want to practice yoga, but be baffled about all the different types you’ve heard of or seen listed on the schedule at the gym. Although all these types of yoga are based on the same poses, there are some major differences between them. Here are the basics of many of the more popular styles.

Iyengar Yoga

Iyengar Yoga, created by B. K. S. Iyengar, is a form of yoga known for its use of props, such as belts and blocks, as aids in performing asanas (postures). It is firmly based on the traditional eight limbs of yoga as expounded by Patanjali in his Yoga Sutras, emphasizing the development of strength, stamina, flexibility and balance, as well as concentration (Dharana) and meditation (Dhyana).

A form of Hatha Yoga, it focuses on the structural alignment of the physical body through the development of asanas. Through the practice of a system of asanas, it aims to unite the body, mind and spirit for health and well-being. This discipline is considered a powerful tool to relieve the stresses of modern-day life which in turn can help promote total physical and spiritual well-being.

Iyengar Yoga is characterized by great attention to detail and precise focus on body alignment. Iyengar pioneered the use of “props” such as cushions, benches, blocks, straps, and even sand bags, which function as aids allowing beginners to experience asanas more easily and fully than might otherwise be possible without several years of practice. Props also allow tired or ill students to enjoy the benefits of many asanas via fully “supported” methods requiring less muscular effort.

Standing poses are emphasized in Iyengar Yoga. They are said to build strong legs, increase general vitality, and improve circulation, coordination and balance, ensuring a strong foundation for study of more advanced poses.

Unlike more experiential approaches where students are encouraged to independently “find their way” to the asanas by imitating the teacher, an Iyengar Yoga class is highly verbal and precise, with misalignments and errors actively corrected. Iyengar teachers complete at least two years of rigorous training for the introductory certificate. They may complete subsequent intermediate levels and senior levels of certification, potentially entailing a decade or more of training.

Iyengar also developed extensively ways of applying his practice to various ailments, diseases, and disorders. Many of these sources of suffering, such as chronic backache, immunodeficiency, high blood pressure, insomnia, depression and menopause, have specific programs of Iyengar yoga associated with them. Iyengar himself worked with patients after patients had myocardial infarctions[2]. The asanas can be adjusted based on the patient’s stage of recovery. These programs are formulated in their most advanced form at the centre of Iyengar Yoga: the Ramamani Iyengar Memorial Yoga Institute located in Pune, India.

There have been many studies performed on the effects of Iyengar yoga on patients with physical problems. In general, Iyengar yoga is useful in physical therapy because it assists in the manipulation of inflexible or injured areas. One study by Dr. Sharon Kolasinski et. al studied the effects of Iyengar yoga on symptoms of osteoarthritis of the knees. The 11 participants attended a weekly 90-minute session for eight weeks in which they practiced Iyengar yoga. After the program, they had reduced pain and disability. This study had some limitations in that only 11 patients were involved and there was no control group.

In another study of Iyengar yoga, it was shown to be promising as a complementary treatment for depression. Shapiro et al performed this study in which 17 participants that suffered from major unipolar depression attended at least six sessions of Iyengar yoga. At the end, they reported a reduction in depression, anxiety, and anger. This was a pilot study with a single-group outcome design and no placebo or other control group. The study concluded that yoga is cost-effective and easy to implement and that it produces many beneficial emotional, psychological, behavioral, and biological effects.

Bikram Yoga

Bikram’s Yoga, also known as Hot Yoga, is a style of yoga developed by Bikram Choudhury and a Los Angeles, California based company. Bikram Yoga is ideally practiced in a room heated to 105°F (40.5°C) with a humidity of 40%. Classes are guided by specific dialogue including 26 postures and two breathing exercises. Classes last approximately 90 minutes. Beginners may take Bikram’s yoga classes.

Bikram or hot yoga is a series of yoga poses done in a heated room, which is usually maintained at a temperature of 105 degrees Fahrenheit (approximately 40 degrees Celsius). Yoga at this temperature promotes profuse sweating, which is believed to help rid the body of toxins. It also keeps the body very warm, and therefore more flexible.

Bikram yoga works toward wellness, restoration and rejuvenation. The heated studio facilitates deeper stretching, prevents injury, and relieves stress and tension. Bikram yoga was designed to systematically stimulate and restore health to every muscle, joint and organ of the body. Participants are guided through a series of 26 postures during which the heart, lungs, circulation, muscles, brain activity and mental capacity are all affected. There are two descriptions of the 26 exercises and they are asanas (postures) and pranayama (breathing exercises). Both of these rely on each other to deliver positive results. According to Bikram, many people only use up to 50 percent of their lung capacity, and just like any muscle, the lungs must be stretched in order to (through practice) withstand holding more oxygen. When one is practicing the pranayama s/he will eventually be able to enhance oxygen conversion and absorption, as well as improve blood circulation. (Choudhury, 2007)

It is common for beginners to experience dizziness and nausea. Beginners may feel faint or pass out. It is encouraged to take breaks as needed if a participant is feeling lightheaded. (Advisement brochure at Bikram Yoga, Glen Allen, Virginia)

According to Choudrey: Blood circulation is affected immensely during Bikram Yoga, because of two processes called Extension and Compression. These two dynamics are said to work together to deliver fresh oxygen to every joint, muscle, and organ within the human body. While performing a specific asana, the body is stretching or compressing a certain part of the body; thus, cutting off circulation temporarily. This restriction of circulation causes the heart to pump more blood in reaction to the shortage. The pumping of excess, fresh blood is called extension. Once the asana is complete, and the individual comes out of the posture, then the new oxygenated blood is able to rejuvenate the arteries that were being compressed. It is said that because of the volume change and influx of fresh blood, any infection, bacteria, or toxin can be released.(2007)

Ashtanga Yoga

Ashtanga (also spelled Astanga) means “eight limbs” in Sanskrit, which refers to the eight limbs of yoga laid out in the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. The Ashtanga method of asana practice was interpreted by Krishnamacharya and Sri K. Pattabhi Jois from an ancient text called the Yoga Korunta, which described a unique system of hatha yoga developed by Vamana Rishi.

The first or primary series, called Yoga Chikitsa, is described in Yoga Mala. Yoga Chikitsa, which means yoga therapy, realigns the spine, detoxifies the body, and builds strength, flexibility and stamina. The series of about 75 poses takes an hour and a half to two hours to complete, beginning with sun salutations (surya namaskara A and surya namaskara B) and moving on to standing poses, seated poses, inversions and backbends before relaxation.

The intermediate or second series is called Nadi Shodana, meaning nervous system purification. It cleanses and strengthens the nervous system and the subtle energy channels throughout the body. This series is only introduced when the primary series is strong. It follows the same progression (sun salutations, standing, sitting etc.) as the primary series, but introduces new poses and variations.

The four advanced series are called Sthira Bhaga, which means divine stability. Pattabhi Jois originally outlined two intensive advanced series, but later subdivided them into four series to make them accessible to more people. These series emphasize difficult arm balances and are only appropriate for extremely advanced students.

Kundalini Yoga

Kundalini yoga is a physical and meditative discipline within the tradition of Yoga, associated with the subdivision of hatha yoga. It describes a set of advanced yoga exercises. The exercises are also sometimes referred to as Kriya Yoga or simply Kriya. According to Hindu tradition Kundalini yoga is a pure spiritual science that leads to enlightenment and God-Realization under the guidance of a Spiritual Master. The awakening of kundalini means awakening of inner knowledge.

In Hindu tradition, the techniques are only communicated from Master to disciple once the disciple is deemed ready. It is believed that some methods were made public in the west by rogue disciples. Inability to follow strict instructions of the Master, or practicing of methods without a living and self-realized master, can lead to a series of psychic disturbances and sometimes even mental damage. The conditions are known in psychiatric circles as Kundalini Syndrome.

Power Yoga (Vinyasa Yoga)

Vinyasa Krama Yoga is a root form of Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga that employs the vinyasa technique of “connecting postures,” but does not use the six series of postures specific to the Mysore Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga system, as outlined by Sri K. Pattabhi Jois. “Vinyasa Yoga” connects movement and breath. A difference to Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga is, that the “asanas” (yoga postures) can be arranged into different sequences that can meet the practitioner’s need or mood. In Ashtanga Yoga, the sequences are called series and are not changed.

Acupuncture is one such treatment that has been making strong statements with people struck with the hypertension disorder. It is proved that acupuncture can effectively bring your blood pressure down to the normal levels.

High blood pressure generally occurs when arteries narrow down, with the blood exerting high pressure against its walls. And if this continues over a period of time, this high energy blood damages the blood vessels. The situation can further worsen to harden the arteries.

There are some peculiar forms of acupuncture treatment to treat high blood pressure. To get the best results, acupuncture is now combined with the process of electric stimulation. This type of treatment is known as electro-acupuncture.

This treatment involves the insertion of acupuncture needles in the forearm, just above your wrist. As this process is done the needles are electrically stimulated. As a result electricity starts flowing from the needles to the other body parts. This electrical stimulation carries low frequency. These charges that are carrying low frequency ultimately works in the direction of reducing your blood pressure.

The theory employed in the acupuncture treatment is very simple. The needles are inserted on certain points on the wrist, the forearm and the leg that immediately excites the production of some chemicals in the brain cells. These chemicals interact with the muscles of the heart, thereby reducing its activity. As the activity of the heart reduces, the demand of oxygen in the body reduces. Thus all these developments leads to lower blood pressure.

Apart from curing your hypertension problem, acupuncture also promotes the healing of other problems related to your heart. That is, with acupuncture you can keep healthy for a longer life.

Still, in some cases acupuncture treatment alone may not help you. Though you can get rid of your blood pressure disorder soon with the consumption of certain herbs which paces up your aim. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle pattern will also considerably help you in attaining a normal blood pressure level.

Article by: Ashish Jain

The Basics of Chakra Meditation

Chakra Meditation is a means of striking a balance between the seven energy centers of the body; these are known as Chakras. Once these energy centers are properly balanced, proper energy flow through the body can be achieved. We should briefly explain these seven Chakras:

1. The Crown Chakra; located at the top of the head, this is the Chakra which relates to our thought; wisdom, knowledge and our very consciousness.
2. The Brow (or Third Eye) Chakra – this Chakra is located between the eyebrows and relates to the element of light; that is to say our powers of perception and visualization.
3. The Throat Chakra – this Chakra is found at the base of the throat and is tied to the element of sound. This Chakra is related to our ability to communicate and our creative impulses.
4. The Heart Chakra – found in the center of the chest close to the heart, this Chakra is responsible for your capacity to love and feel compassion, as well as governing your relationships. This Chakra is related to the element of air.
5. The Solar Plexus (or Power) Chakra – situated just above the navel, this Chakra is related to our will power as well as our metabolism. This Chakra is related to the element of fire.
6. The Sacral Chakra – found just below the navel, this Chakra relates to physical love and our generative organs, as well as the creative impulse.
7. The Root (or base) Chakra – Found at the base of the spine, this Chakra is responsible for our general physical health, as well as security and prosperity. This Chakra is related to the element of Earth.

To refresh yourself and bring things back into the proper balance, nothing works better than does Chakra meditation. If all of these important energy centers are in proper alignment, then you will enjoy better health; physical, mental and spiritual. Chakra meditation can make a huge difference towards fostering better health and a better life for you.

Chakra Meditation:- The Process

Chakra Meditation consists of three techniques:

1. Grounding – This technique aims to make you feel physically connected with the Earth. Close your eyes and visualize a root growing from your body and into the Earth beneath you. You will need to focus intensely in order to do this successfully.
2. Centering Technique – Take a few deep breaths. Tighten and relax each part of your body, from bottom to top; visualize yourself relaxing as you do so. Finally, visualize centering a piece of pottery on a potter’s wheel.
3. Relaxation Technique – This can be anything which works to produce the necessary state of relaxation for you, but many find that visualization techniques are best to achieve this.

Here is a simple way to perform Chakra meditation:

• Sit or lie down in a comfortable position.
• Close your eyes and try to shut out external stimuli – you want to have as few distractions as possible.
• Breathe naturally – your breath will naturally reach the proper state.
• Begin to concentrate on each part of your body from toe to head. Eyes still closed, feel the surface you are sitting or lying on, the air around you; visualize your surroundings.
• You may find this difficult at first, but just let any distracting thoughts run through your mind – they will work themselves out and disappear with practice.
• Don’t hold your consciousness back; let it flow as it will through your body.

Do this meditation for as long as needed at any time of the day!

Original Article by Paul White

Guided Chakra Meditation Balancing & Healing

Buying fruit and veggies that are in season is a healthy way to enjoy and appreciate the taste of the season.

Today I made myself an amazing mid morning Veggie Juice cocktail.

• 1 whole celery stalk
• 1 whole carrot bunch
• 3 tomatoes

This is also a great way to get your daily allotment of fruits and veggies, and to ensure your loved ones do too.  Pick any in season fruit, juice, and add one or 2 carrots or celery.  This adds extra vitamins and nutrition, but no one is the wiser because the flavors of the vegetables are subtle.

Happy Sipping!