:: YogiSutras News ::

Rachel Dayer

In most forms of Yoga there are three components to the practice; breathing, concentration and physical poses also known as asanas. The two poses below are the most common asanas used in Western Yoga practice today.Padma-Asana: Probably the most famous and well-known pose; the Padma-asana is referred to as the Lotus Position. The root of the words to this pose mean to “bend”, and “snake”. Think of it as the maneuvering of the body into a position that requires the flexibility and smoothness of a snake. To practice this pose, sit down and place the right foot on the left thigh and the left foot on the right thigh.

Raj Kenshin Norbu

The purpose of this article is to provide information on methods and techniques on how to cope with pain, or in some instances, possibly even overcoming pain with the use of techniques derived from Yoga meditation.Chronic pain sufferers spend millions of dollars to find ways of relieving their pain. This article hopes to share a process that is natural, and free.Meditation: The Most Popular Alternative Pain Relief TherapyAccording to a study in the Journal of the American Medical Association, mind-body medicine is the most popular alternative approach for people in pain. And at the heart of mind-body medicine lies the age-old practice of meditation; a quiet, simple technique that belies an extraordinary power that has scientifically been proven to boost disease resistance and maintain overall health.For many people who suffer from chronic pain, spending quiet time in meditation has proven to be the first step in learning how to cope with their pain. Over the years, thousands of individuals have sought help at stress reduction clinics that teach meditation techniques to people with pain. Their symptoms vary -from headaches, arthritis, and back pain to anxiety, eczema, and many other conditions- but their stories are remarkably similar: For those seeking help in coping with their problems, meditation works.How Pain Relief Is Attained Thru Meditation (Why Meditation Decreases Pain)The human body can produce its own natural chemical self-stimulants called endorphins.

Paul M. Jerard Jr.

At one time, or another, all of us have experienced insomnia for any type of reason. There are times when lack of sleep just can’t be helped, such as: the loss a loved one, going through a divorce, and losing your job. These are some of life’s serious crisis situations, where we have to let time heal, and try not to fall apart in the process. Some of the solutions below will help insomnia, but they will not heal grief. However, if you are continually staying awake over trivial matters, these solutions will aid you to get a good night’s rest.

(ContentDesk) August 4, 2005 — There will be four separate lectures and guided meditation sessions with Swami Jnaneshvara Bharati (Swami J) on the weekend of September 9-11, 2005 in East Aurora, New York (Buffalo/Toronto area). You may attend one, two, three, or all four sessions.Those who attend all four classes will find this is an intensive experience focusing on the convergence point (bindu) of the highest principles and practices of Raja Yoga, Advaita Vedanta, and Samaya (Internal) Tantra (Sri Vidya), as well as the convergence point of Meditation, Contemplation, Prayer, and Mantra. You will also see how this convergence point is part of the mystical, esoteric aspect of most religions. By understanding the convergence point of these practices, you can see how all of the various practices of Yoga and Meditation can be done in the context of being support structures or preparation for the higher practices, experiences, and revelations.These teachings and trainings on this highest perspective (the convergence point of the practices) will be most enjoyed by those people who insist on reading the last page of a book first. Such people are not satisfied with incomplete representations of Yoga and Meditation, such as those limited to physical fitness, stress management, or medical treatment.

Paul M. Jerard Jr.

One more study tells the world, that Yoga can help with weight control and weight loss. The latest study was held by the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle, Washington.The study involved 15,500 healthy, middle-aged, men and women. This is a group that typically has difficulty with weight loss, since the number of calories needed declines, and the energy levels needed to burn calories, is not what it used to be.Unfortunately, this is a fact that I have become painfully aware of during the past few years, and cutting back on food was my unwanted last option. Although, I cross train almost daily, it took me one year to lose 16 pounds of extra weight.Back to the study: Yoga practice was defined as practicing at least 30 minutes once a week for four or more years. Comparatively speaking, this is truly “bare minimum,” and many Yoga teachers used to say that this amount of Yoga will do nothing.How times change; Yoga has been keeping people fit for approximately 5,000 years, and its many health benefits are still a mystery worthy of more studies.Alan R.

Michael Sanford

Yoga is an ancient proven tradition that exists for thousands of years and also one of the most ancient cultural heritages in India. The word yoga means, “to unite”. But it does not only mean contemplation but also communion and yoking all powers of the body, mind and soul to God. It is a very ancient and efficient system of disciplines and controls designed to produce the integration of the body, mind and spirit. It also achieves higher states of awareness and self-realization by methodical efforts to attain perfection.

(ContentDesk) August 11, 2005 — A socially conscious online business is helping to raise awareness and raise money to help the fight against breast cancer. MatsMatsMats.com designed a Pink Yoga Mat with an affixed woven label that shows a pink ribbon (the breast cancer awareness symbol) and reads “Help Fight Breast Cancer.” This yoga mat is a unique variation of a popular mat and is currently being sold to yoga studios, clubs/gyms, wellness centers and schools across the nation.This yoga mat is not only a high quality mat in a cool color, but also raises awareness of the prevalence of the disease, and MatsMatsMats.com donates 10% of every purchase to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF). BCRF was selected as the charity to receive the donations because it guarantees that a minimum of 85% of all funds raised go directly to research and treatment of breast cancer. While October is “Breast Cancer Awareness Month,” breast cancer is a year-round fight – therefore, MatsMatsMats.com continues to sell its “Help Fight Breast Cancer” Yoga Mat to raise awareness and money throughout the year.Yoga is increasingly being used as a form of Breast Cancer Therapy, and there are a growing number of instructors and yoga classes specifically dedicated to breast cancer survivors. Breast Cancer patients utilize yoga to improve their mind, body and spirit.

(ContentDesk) August 16, 2005 — Yoga Yoga, along with presenting sponsor Yoga International magazine, will host a Yoga in Small Communities Conference on October 14-16, 2005, at Yoga Yoga Westgate, 4477 South Lamar, in Austin, Texas. The goal of the Yoga in Small Communities conference is to bring yoga teachers and students together to address the opportunities and challenges particular to teaching and practicing yoga in small communities.“One of the most profound changes in yoga in this new century is the accessibility and receptiveness afforded to it by people in small communities,” says Mehtab Benton, founder of Yoga Yoga and director of its teacher training programs. “No longer is yoga only for the university town or the big city, it is being widely taught in churches, fitness centers, and studios in even the smallest communities. Every year we train dozens of teachers who take yoga back to their home towns, in some cases for the very first time. While this is an exciting development, teaching yoga in small communities represents a real challenge to teachers who now must mainstream an experience for middle America that was once the jealously guarded domain of rock stars, health nuts, and aging hippies.”In addition to sessions on retail and other income opportunities, becoming a yoga teacher, and various other topics regarding teaching and practicing yoga in a small community, there will be break-out sessions to encourage networking and discussion amongst the participants at this conference.

Rita Jenkins

Copyright 2005 Daily News Central

Yoga practice helps middle-aged people lose weight and keep it off, suggest new studies published in the online journal Alternative Therapies In Health and Medicine.

Researchers at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center surveyed 15,500 men and women to assess their weight and yoga histories between the ages of 45 and 55.

For purposes of the study, regular yoga practice was defined as practicing at least 30 minutes once a week for four or more years.

20-Pound Gap

Statistics showed that the subjects who were of normal weight at the age of 45 and did not practice yoga consistently gained about 10 pounds, while those who performed regular yoga routines lost 3 pounds during that same 10-year period — a difference of 13 pounds.

There was a wider gap between people who were overweight at the age of 45. The non-yoga group gained about 14 pounds, while the yoga group lost 5 pounds — a difference of almost 20 pounds.

Beverly Hills, CA - August 8, 2005 - Shubhayan Entertainment, a new record label based in Beverly Hills, Calif., is proud to announce the worldwide release of the first edition of its long awaited Music Therapy Collection.Fans of Rajasree Mukherjee have long awaited the release of this collection. The recording of this collection was conceived by Rajasree Mukherjee, a native of India, a renowned performer, music teacher and music therapist for over the past twenty years. Mrs. Mukherjee has performed in India, Kenya, Tanzania, USA and Canada, has in three occasions received the Government of India grant for the promotion of culture and has performed for dignitaries, including Dr. A.P.J.