Wednesday we talked about the health of our society. Here are some of the reasons.

The environment is becoming more and more polluted. Our water is becoming more and more polluted. Our food has become more polluted in the last 50 years. Did you know that there are more than 3000 chemicals in our food chain?

Our foods are becoming less nutritious. The vitamins and minerals that are supposed to be in our food have been either destroyed during processing or absent because of the depleted soil they are grown in.

Irradiation kills all the germs and bacteria that are harmful, but in doing so it kills everything.. The result is dead food with little or no nutrients.

Whenever you see the words “fortified” or “Enriched” it means that the nutrients have been removed during processing and the chemical equivalent are added.

Many of us drink bottled water because we are told that it is safer than tap water. By law bottled water has to be filtered with a process called reverse osmosis so that the harmful substances are removed, but the natural minerals, which the body needs, are also removed. Bottled water is dead water. The results of consuming foods and water lacking in nutrients is a lowered immune system which make us more susceptible to disease.

We need to become proactive with our health. We need to practice true preventative medicine. It seems that when the Medical profession talks about prevention they mean “if you get sick we will try to make sure you don’t get sicker.

True preventive health means adjusting one’s lifestyle to maximize healthy habits and choices. I encourage you to educate yourself in ways to maintain health and wellness. Open your mind to alternative health practices. The medical profession will tell you that these methods have not been proven with modern testing. Most alternative methods have been working for thousands of years. If they didn’t work they would not still be used.

Let me end by offering a few simple things you can do to improve your health. First and probably the most important is rid your life of stress. Stress is the number one cause of disease. Practice stress reduction techniques such as meditation regularly.

Take a daily vitamin and mineral supplement from whole foods. Substitute red or cayenne pepper for black pepper. Black pepper is abrasive to the inner membranes; red pepper soothes and is a blood cleaner.

Start your day with two tall glasses of water before eating or having coffee. This gets a head start on you daily water consumption and helps to flush the digestive system of yesterday’s leftovers.

Be more active, the best exercise is simply walking. A lot of people say well I don’t have time to exercise. You don’t need a lot of time to exercise. Studies have shown that exercising in segments of 10 minutes will satisfy the body’s need. In future posts we will discuss each of these topics in more detail. Stay tuned.

TODAY’S TIP: Start doing little things that help to make you healthier. Park some distance away from where you are going and walk, take the stairs instead of the elevator and practice deep breathing.

Will your health improve tomorrow?

We are a society in crisis. There are several but the one I want to talk about is health. Because of advances in science and medicine we have been continually increasing our lifespan. In the year 1900 it was 46 years, today it is over 70 years and continues to increase. However according to various health organizations, including the US Dept of Health, we as a people are sicker now than at any time in our history. In the last several decades cancer, diabetes, arthritis, asthma, and hearth disease have increased to near epidemic levels.

To illustrate here are some statistics from the US Dept of Health and The Center for Disease Control.

•  In 2006 there were 1,399,790 new cases of cancer, resulting in 564,830 deaths. The fastest growing cancer of men is prostrate cancer and for women, breast cancer.
• 15.7 million People in the US, 6% of the population, have diabetes, 1 in 3 don’t even know they have it.
• In 1997 it’s estimated that 59.7 million Americans have one or more forms of cardiovascular disease. 41.2% of all deaths in 1997 were due to cardiovascular disease (1 in 6 were younger than 65.
• Nearly 40 million Americans (1 in 7) have arthritis. This figure is projected to increase to 60 million by 2020(20% of the population)
• Asthma has become a major public health problem, especially among children, where it is the third-ranking cause of hospitalization of children under 15 years of age. Pediatric Asthma rate jumped 72% among children 5 to 16 years old from 1980 to 1994.
• In 1938, 0.5% of males were functionally sterile vs. 8% to 12% today. A study done about 10 years ago by an independent health organization showed that men’s sperm counts were drastically reduced around the world except in one region in Norway. The difference was their lifestyles. They were rather isolated and ate mostly fish and other seafood. They also grew their own produce which was grown organically.
• The 1999-2002 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey indicate that about 16% of children and adolescents ages 6 to 19 are overweight. This is a 45% increase from estimates of 11% in the 1988 to 94 study. The 1999 – 2002 study also showed that 65% of adults are either overweight or obese, 16% higher than the previous study.

What does this mean? Why is our health becoming so poor? Is it really true that this is a part of aging as we are led to believe? Or is this just an excuse? We are told that the increase is due to environmental factors and a more sedentary lifestyle. We are not eating right and not getting enough exercise. These are contributing factors.

Friday we will talk more about the causes and what we can do to not become one of those statistics. We do not have to except the misconception that aging brings with it diminished capacities and sickness.

TODAY’S TIP: Do not buy into the notion that aging means sickness. Look around you and see those seniors that are in excellent health and emulate them.

What are are you doing to stay healthy?

When I was about 30 years old I decided to quit smoking. All went well, except I gained almost 40 pounds. So there I am sitting at my desk with my Buddha belly and looking like Bluto in the Popeye cartoons.

Well I figured I had two choices, buy a new wardrobe or lose the weight. I joined the YMCA. I was there every morning at 6am when the Y opened.. A couple of days after I started I met a gentleman who had been a professional prize fighter. He was 67 at the time, so had long retired from the ring.

My step-father had been a professional prize fighter also and had tried to teach me how to fight. I thought I had a little skill but by no means enough to become a professional. This gentleman, whose name was George, volunteered to help me with my quest and teach me a little more of the art of fisticuffs. We began working out together every morning.

I will never forget that first morning. I knew that I was no where near as good as George but figured that at his age he must have slowed down quite a bit. I was fine for the first 2 or 3 rounds. I was ducking and weaving, mostly backpedaling to stay out of his reach.. Up to that point I had been the ultimate couch potato so it didn’t take long for me to run out of steam.

It wasn’t the skill that did me in it was endurance, I was ready to fall on my face and George was hardly breaking a sweat.. My plan wasn’t working and so each morning I had something to look forward to, being used to wipe up the floor.

Can you imagine the humiliation? At the age of 30, being beaten every morning by a 67 year old man. I wanted to quit after each session but kept telling myself that one day I would win.

We worked out for six months and I lost the weight I wanted to lose and was in the best shape of my life. I never did beat him but I had started holding my own. It was truly a blessing because not only did I accomplish my goal but I learned a couple of other lessons.

The greatest lesson was that because we age we don’t have to become sick and broken down. This lesson was re-enforced years later when a man named George Forman, a former world heavyweight boxer decided to come out of retirement and fight for the Championship again. He was ridiculed and laughed at for his decision. He was called an old man because he was over 40 years old at the time. Not only did he hold his own in the fight, he won. Proving that you are limited by age only as much as you think you are.

I tell this story to pass on the important message I learned from my experience. You are as old as you allow yourself to be. It was after my experience with George that I promised myself that when I got to be his age I would be in as good a shape as he was.

I also learned that when reaching for a goal don’t give up when the going gets tough, keep your eyes on the prize and your reward will be worth everything you had to go through. Follow your dream with joy and persistence.

TODAY’S TIP: Keep your eye on the prize and not on the effort and energy it takes to get there.

How young will you be at 67?

There are many benefits from practicing a form of the martial arts. Here are some thoughts on some of them.

The Benefits of Martial Arts Training By Clint Leung

As any martial artist will tell you, there are multiple benefits in martial arts training. Of course, the most obvious benefit is a knowledge of self defense which is one of the major reasons why systems were developed in the first place. Knowing how to defend oneself and loved ones in a potentially dangerous situation is an asset in today’s world just as it was hundreds of years ago. Unlike often portrayed in the movies, training is not just about fighting. Many people take up martial arts for the fitness benefits as well. Training in karate, tae kwon do, kung fu and other styles will improve one’s cardiovascular fitness as well as tone the muscular system. Strength will increase from the calisthenics usually employed within training but perhaps not to the same extent as working out with weights. But overall power of one’s body will definitely increase since the techniques teach how to use strength effectively.

Most people will also improve their flexibility significantly while training since entire ranges of motion from the body are exercised. This is especially true with styles such as tae kwon do, Thai kickboxing as well as some schools of karate and kung fu where high kicks are used. All martial art styles will result in an improvement of one’s coordination as well.

Unlike many other forms of physical activity, martial arts also have a mental and sometimes spiritual element which not only improves the mind’s focus but also helps in self control. Emotions such as anger and fear are better controlled through training. Many martial artists can find an inner peace through their training. In today’s hectic world, these particular benefits translate into one of the most effective stress management tools available. When training in a session or in a group class, all the day to day troubles of the world seem to be forgotten. People come out refreshed, energized and ready to tackle the big world out there.

Training in martial arts usually involves many little steps and progressions. As one advances, the feeling of accomplishment comes with added confidence. This is especially beneficial for children who were not very confident in the first place. An increase in self confidence for kids (as well as adults) will have a cross over effect in other areas of life such as in other sports and general self esteem. Other challenges in life, both physical and mental, will be met with much less fear.

An important benefit of martial arts training for parents to note is that children will generally become more disciplined from the unique formalities of martial arts classes. This is one benefit that is often lacking in other sports. Former ‘problem’ kids with bad attitudes could become well behaved and respectful as a result of taking classes a few times per week. Respect is something that all instructors place great importance in during their classes. Martial arts kids are often very well behaved children no matter what social economic backgrounds they come from.

Martial arts training has so many great benefits covering physical, mental and emotional aspects that it’s no wonder why it has become one of the most popular activities for both adults and children. However, it is important to point out that not all programs will produce the range of benefits discussed. Programs that teach just combat fighting techniques may not result in the desired mental and spiritual benefits so it is important to search around for the right school that will offer the benefits one wishes to achieve.

Clint is a lifelong martial artist with over 36 years of training experience in kung fu, tae kwon do, karate, kickboxing and martial arts weaponry. He has won Canadian and world championship titles (NASKA, NBL and WSKF). He is also owner of Martial Arts Articles Online (http://www.martialartsarticlesonline.com), an online martial arts information resource.

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

TODAY’S TIP: If you practice a martial art if will not take long for you to see improvement in how you look and feel.

Hope you have a Merry Christmas. My next post will be Monday.

Do you enjoy Christmas?

Practicing the martial arts increases the Qi or Chi or life force. Here are some thoughts on that subject.

Martial Arts Chi By Dean Walsh and Kephrira B

One of the most unique and fascinating aspects of oriental martial arts such as kung fu is the use of a mysterious ‘internal’ energy called chi, or qi. Amazing claims are made by practitioners of these martial arts about what can be accomplished using chi energy. Examples of what can be done using martial arts chi include: more powerful strikes, the ability to fight for extended periods of time without fatigue, the ability to withstand attacks, even from blunt weapons like bats / sticks without injury, and many more things as well. And it is, at least in part, the mystique of ‘chi’ energy that drives the popularity of kung fu in movies and popular culture. But despite the mass appeal of chi very few people have any real idea about what is it or how it can be cultivated and used, which is why I decided to write this article and try to help shed some light on the subject.

Chi itself is the vital life force which we all posses. It flows through and around the body along pathways which are known as meridians. According to traditional Chinese medicine blockages in these channels which impede the flow of chi are the cause of many illnesses. Treatments such as acupuncture, herbal remedies and massage are used to free these blockages and reinstate the normal flow of chi around the body, thus healing the illness. The exact nature of this energy flow is not known for certain in terms of modern science, but many practitioners believe it to be electromagnetic.

In addition to this normal flow of chi which maintains a healthy functioning of the body, there is also a reservoir of stored chi called the ‘Dan Tien’. This is located in the lower abdomen about 3 inches below the navel. A special system called chi kung, or qi gong, can be used to increase the amount of chi in the dan tien, by using a combination of gentle physical stretching and exercise, special breath control techniques, and the meditative control of the mind. Increasing levels of chi will improve your health and vitality, slow the aging process, and give you a feeling of joy and optimism. This abundant chi is also used in some higher mystical meditative practices, and chi can be drawn from this storage reservoir for specific purposes, as is the case in martial arts.

The classic exercise for martial arts chi is called ‘One Finger Shooting Zen’ (see supporting links). This exercise teaches you to draw chi from the dan tien and channel it through the arms and to the hands for use in strikes. It is an exercise that originally comes from the Shaolin temple teaching syllabus.

Beyond this the various types of martial arts chi kung can be classified using two main divisions containing two categories each, with one category corresponding to yin, and the other corresponding to yang. The first division is between moving and still chi kung. The one finger shooting zen exercise is an example of moving chi kung, which is considered to be yang. Still martial arts chi kung usually involves holding a kung fu stance whilst performing the abdominal breathing technique and entering a still, meditative state of mind. The most widely practiced martial arts application of this is ‘rooting’, which teaches practitioners how to establish a very stable stance so that they cannot be moved even by ten people pushing against them.

The other main division is between hard and soft chi kung. Hard chi kung often combines breathing techniques with tense body movements. It can be used to strengthen the muscles, tendons and sinews, and increase the density and strength of the bones. It is also used in techniques such as ‘iron palm’, or ‘iron short’, where chi is lead to the outside to the body to form a hard barrier. This kind of chi is called guardian chi. If you are interested in learning some hard chi kung practices then please take a look at the supporting links where you will find some useful videos and articles.

Soft chi kung usually uses very relaxed and expansive movements, which look very soft and gentle but actually contain a great deal of power which can, in some techniques, be expressed suddenly in an explosive burst. The ability to sense the flow of energy (either chi or subtly movements) in your opponent and use this to control them and redirect the force of any attack they make also comes into the category. tai chi is almost entirely based on this soft kind of chi kung.

There are many different styles of martial art which incorporate some element of using chi into their system, and they all have a different approach and a different set of techniques, so what I have said here is by no means comprehensive, but I hope that it has at least made an interesting read, and perhaps stimulated your curiosity enough for you to want o learn more.

Dean Walsh is the webmaster of a martial arts website http://www.esotericmartialarts.com which has many free video lessons, articles and other resources. He also writes a regularly updated martial arts blog at http://www.esotericmartialarts.com/digital-warrior To learn some powerful martial arts chi training practices, including ‘one finger shooting zen’ and ‘iron arm’, take a look at the articles and video lesons at http://www.esotericmartialarts.com/hard_chi_kung.html

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

TODAY’S TIP: Any discipline that strengthens your Qi or Chi is worth the effort.

How strong is you Chi?

One must maintain a good degree of flexibility to be proficient in the martial arts. Here is why stretching is so important.

Martial Arts Stretching – The Methods of Stretching That Will Make You Flexible Fast! By Donald Borah

The proper knowledge of modern scientific stretching applications applied to a martial arts stretching routine can help the new martial artist achieve maximum flexibility, or allow the experienced martial artist to easily move up to the next level in a fraction of the time it used to take with traditional stretching methods.

There are several methods used for improving flexibility which should be incorporated into a martial arts stretching routine. Stretches are either static which means the stretch uses no motion to achieve extended flexibility or dynamic which means they use movement to increase the range of motion. There are several variations of these categories to be used to increase your flexibility and we will include an explanation of the primary methods.

Static-Passive Stretching

Static-Passive stretching (also referred to as relaxed stretching) uses the process of extending a muscle group to the maximum point of flexibility and holding this position until the muscle tension relaxes.

Ballistic Stretching

Ballistic stretching uses a rhythmic bouncing or bobbing motion, relying on the momentum of the moving limb or body part to forcibly move the concerned muscle group to a position beyond the normal limits of flexibility. Ballistic stretching can be dangerous and although it was once a popular method used by martial artists it is not recommended. The risk of injury far outweigh the potential for gains in flexibility using this technique.

Dynamic Stretching

Dynamic stretching involves moving a body part or limb in a controlled manner. Dynamic stretching is similar to ballistic stretching but does not use any bouncing or bobbing motions. Movements are typically performed using a full range of motion at near full speed and typically imitate specific motions used in the martial art itself. Examples of dynamic stretches are leg raises or arm swings beginning with slow controlled movements and quickly moving up to a full speed and range of motion.

Isometric Stretching

Isometric stretching is a form of static stretching which uses resistance or tension of the muscle groups being stretched. Isometric stretching increases the strength as well as the range of motion of the muscle groups being worked on and is much more effective than simple static or dynamic stretching for the modern martial artist.

PNF Stretching

PNF is short for proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation and is the most effective and fastest method known to achieve maximum flexibility as part of a martial arts stretching regimen. PNF was initially developed by the American Neurologist Herman Kabat with physical therapists Margaret Knott and Dorothy Voss in the mid twentieth century as a treatment for paralysis in stroke patients. These techniques have been modified since the 1970′s for effective use as a sports flexibility method. PNF stretching is a combination of passive stretching and isometric stretching methods to achieve maximum static flexibility.

The proper application of the stretching methods discussed can help the modern martial artist realize rapid increases in flexibility far beyond what could have been accomplished just a few years ago. With the knowledge of which method to incorporate into his or her martial arts stretching routine the modern martial artist can accomplish mastery of their art in a fraction of the time it used to take.

I invite you to use these methods to increase the benefit of your stretching routine

And I also invite you to visit MartialArtsStretching.com to complete your knowledge of the martial arts stretching methods, routines and applications needed to rapidly increase your flexibility to the point of performing full splits easily and mastering high kicks and effortless technique.

From Donald Borah – The Martial Arts Stretching Master and MartialArtsStretching.com.

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

TODAY’S TIP: Stretching is good for overall wellness, so practice, practice, practice.

Can you touch your toes?

This week we will look at another great discipline for those who wish to improve the quality of their life.

We have looked at QiGong, Pilates, and Yoga. Forms of the martial arts, such as Kung fu and others, are very beneficial in all areas of life. Martial Arts practice is more intense than those we have talked about, but is an excellent way to keep the physical body and the mind in shape.

The Martial Arts are a great way to build confidence in everyone from children to adults. It will flow into all areas of life because with the discipline you are establishing makes it easier to become discipline in other things that you wish to accomplish.

The martial arts encourage you to be form habits that get and keep the physical body in tip top condition. They are physically demanding and work to keep the body flexible and build strength.

The arts also work on strengthening the mind and giving the practitioner more control of their mind. The more mental control one has when practicing the martial arts the easier and faster one becomes skilled.

Practice of the martial arts is good for the entire family. It is especially good for children. I would suggest that as soon as a child shows interest int the arts that lessons should begin.

When looking for a teacher be selective. Find a master that is truly concerned with the well being of his students and who has the moral and ethical values that lead to the well being of the student.

Avoid those Martial Artists who are full of themselves, have a big ego, and who convey a sense of humility.

When I started practicing the martial arts back in the 1960s it was considered a religion in that there was a heavy emphasis on the spiritual values of the Arts. These values were things like never strike first and use your ability only when it is the last resort. There was also a strong emphasis on meditation. We practiced meditation for some time before we began studying the movements.

The attitudes have changed over the years. Now we have what is called Ultimate Fighting, or the martial arts as a sport. When I practiced it was no contact. We pulled our punches just before the point of contact. I think this resulted in greater control and timing.

If you wish to explore your interest in martial arts visit the Dojo, studio, of different styles to find the one that interests you. There are two divisions, the hard style and the soft style. The soft style would include Tai Chi Chuan and Aikido.  Hard styles include Kung Fu and others.

TODAY’S TIP: Find a discipline that you can embrace. It will enhance health and well being.

Have you tried the Martial Arts?

We end the week with an article on truth or myth in the practice of Yoga.

Yoga Myths Dispelled By Angelena Craig

To better understand why you should have a yoga practice, we need to look at the myths surrounding what yoga is, and what may be preventing you from getting started.

MYTH #1

You have to be young, thin, and extremely flexible to do yoga.

THE TRUTH

Those pictured in the magazines or on commercials are most likely either professional models, ex-gymnasts, or they are advanced yogis demonstrating poses that only 15 to 20 % of all yoga practitioners could possibly execute, at least in this lifetime.

In fact, those of us doing yoga are of all ages, sizes, shapes and fitness levels and twisting our bodies into pretzel-like shapes is never, ever required. You can, of course, depending on your body type and dedication, advance in yoga and work at a very high level.

MYTH #2

Yoga is too far out, they’ll make you chant or do something weird. And it is probably too hard for me.

THE TRUTH.

In our modern, westernized world yoga is made to be mainstream. You won’t be out of your element in a yoga class, as long as you find the right one for YOU.

Yes, some classes include chanting, but know every teacher is different, every style varies, the intensity of the physicality can be any where from highly athletic to very gentle or restorative, and for those who can not easily get up and down off the floor, yoga may be practiced while sitting in a chair.

You have to find the right class not only for your physical level and your temperament, but also if you resonate well with the teacher, it will be a positive experience, one that will keep bringing you back.

MYTH #3

It’s too hard to find a class that is the right fit for me.

THE TRUTH

Of course this depends on where you live, but most towns offer some choices. Finding the right class and teacher for you requires you do the research. Interview a potential teacher and ask them questions about their training and experience. Describe your needs and interests and ask if they think their class is right for you. Ask how large is the class and how much individual attention you will receive.

If you are a beginner, try to find a class that does start at the beginning, or take a few individual private classes if that is possible. It is very difficult to jump into a group class that may move quickly, a class where you are not being taught yoga, but rather required to just follow along.

If you can’t find a class close to your home then another idea is to purchase a Yoga DVD, but make sure it is one that you can easily follow and that will keep you safe.

MYTH #4

Yoga is a religion which may be in conflict with my own religious affiliation.

THE TRUTH

Yoga is not a religion; there is no church, no preaching (well maybe a little) or doctrines or creeds. That said, your practice may become a part of your own spiritual path, if you choose to walk it. Yoga opens the body, which might be thought of as the vessel through which the divine works in our lives. Many practitioners find they just naturally want to further explore spirituality, developing this side of their nature which may have been dormant.

For the most part Yoga is simply the way to have a good work out and at the same time learn the tools of healthful living, including the practice of deep and conscious breathing, and calming the mind through relaxation techniques. Whatever reason you find to go to a class, you will leave feeling very peaceful, yet fully energized and happy to have found what works for you.

Angelena Craig is a professional level Kripalu Yoga Instructor with fifteen years of teaching experience. She was the founder of Beacon Light Yoga Center of Boston and has trained thousands of beginning and more experienced yoga students.

As a teaching consultant for the Massachusetts Department of Housing of Finance she created her Chair Yoga program primarily for seniors. She then produced Chair Yoga DVD, “Angelena’s Yoga Using a Chair” to make this easy to follow program more accessible to anyone of any size, shape or fitness level in a format that can be used in the comfort of the home or the office.

In 2008 Angelena opened her new business The New Aging Movement, how to stay young while growing older. She offers private and group Yoga classes and Wellness workshops in Sarasota Florida and in the Boston area. She also offers in the summer Yoga on the Beach on Plum Island, MA and each winter leads a yoga/adventure retreat to Jamaica, WI.

She may be reached at http://theNewAgingMovement.com

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

TODAY’S TIP; The practice of Yoga will bring you closer to Spirit and who you really are.

Have you heard the myths about Yoga?

Today we take a look at why Yoga has become so popular and practiced by millions of people.

The Popularity Of Yoga By Greg Pierce

From celebrities to athletes to court judges, yoga has become so popular that everybody is already indulging to free their minds from the bondage of stress. It is not only a good exercise, but one can also learn how to practice meditation when doing yoga.

All over the continent, Americans run from the pressure of their jobs and listen to the calm yet firm voice of an instructor softly goading them to ‘solder a union’ connecting the body & the mind. 15 million Americans bring in some manner of yoga in their exercise routine. Several in these classes are not looking internally but externally, they want to improve parts of their bodies. But others have high hopes of finding remedies for their conditions.

Oprah dedicated a single episode to the advantages of yoga with special appearances by celebrities, testimonies about quitting smoking, saved marriages, improvements on attitudes & grades, beating insomnia, etc.

But can yoga cure cancer, or protect against heart attacks, and can the alleged benefits pass measurements by known standards of medicine? To put it in another way is yoga a science? With this question, we are challenging a worldview that is different from ours. The Indian practice treats these things as mystical developing ways of depicting the body as it is undergone, from the inside to the outside. The Western practice looks at the body from the outside going inside, unwrapping one coating at a time, measuring and testing thru experiments, believing only in concrete things. The East cures the individual while the West cures the condition. Here we refer individuals to various specialists to patch up the different parts of our bodies. The Eastern practice is more holistic; it integrates the mind with the body.

The results of some studies look bright; a group of people with coronary heart disease used some yoga exercises coupled with a vegetarian diet made the blockages in their arteries stable, it even reversed it in others. Another study, still halfway through, includes males who have prostate cancer. So far the results are heartening. This ancient way could turn out to be the medical phenomenon of the future.

Yoga became popular in the US in the late sixties as Mia Farrow and the Beatles trekked to India to learn from the yogi Maharishi Mahesh. Through the years it evolved from cleansing & rebirth of the spirit to a method of prevention & management of stress. We are already at the latest wave of evolution which is about fitness of the body as well as the mind.

You can become a yoga instructor by enrolling in a yoga certification course. You can find out first hand the effects of yoga on the body by taking this yoga training course.

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

TODAY’S TIP: As my Mother used to tell me, “everybody can not be wrong.” There is a reason why Yoga is so popular.

Have you checked out a Yoga class near you?

Today we will take a look at some of the history of Yoga.

History of Yoga By Rob Daniels

Yoga is a union of body, mind, and spirit. The history of yoga is long and steeped in tradition. Yoga is an ancient system of health and fitness which originated in India. The word yoga has its first mention in the Rig Veda, the oldest of the sacred texts. Those that study Yoga estimate it’s age to be four thousand year.

The history of Yoga can be divided into four main periods which are the pre-classical period, classical period, post-classical period and modern period. In the history of yoga, the book is called the yoga sutras. The history of yoga would not have been completed in the classical stage of yoga.

The word Yoga literally meant the Yolk that joins something together, such as an ox to a cart. The idea is that yoga unites all aspects of being into one.

What most people envision to be Yoga, those contortionist postures, is really only one small aspect of a much larger field of practices. The methods of yoga includes ethical disciplines, physical postures, breathing control and as well as meditation.

The 20th century witnessed a renaissance of yoga that caused a globalization of this ancient tradition. Modern approaches to yoga have created a clear delineation between the Hindu religion and the practice of yoga. Through the practice of yoga, an individual can gain information about physical, emotional, mental and spiritual well being.

Over the long history of yoga, different schools have emerged, and there are numerous examples branches and philosophies that have spawned. Ultimately, all agree on one common element the fundamental purpose of yoga is to foster harmony in the body, mind, and environment.

Today yoga is accepted as a comprehensive exercise to promote control of the body and mind. More than just a means of being fit and trim, yoga can help you live a healthy, whole, and empowered life. In recent decades, yoga has greatly and swiftly evolved. Yoga is the most diversified spiritual practice in the world. The living tradition of yoga now recognizes no borders as it continues to spread globally.

Rob Daniels is a long term practitioner of Yoga and Pilates additional articles available at Pilates Shop http://www.pilates-shop.net and Yoga Store http://www.yoga-store.net.

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

TODAY’S TIP: No matter what discipline you decide to try, stick with it for at least a couple of months. This will give you a good evaluation of the practice.

Did you practice today?