Why You MUST Do Yoga if You're Depressed

It is a well-known fact that more and more people are suffering from depression these days. The number only keeps increasing and shows no sign of slowing down. Our hectic lives and constant demands and pressures from society take a toll on many people.

There are over 120 million people around the world suffering from depression. Millions are being treated using medication such as antidepressants which are commonly called “uppers”.

Sadly, this is not alleviating the situation which only seems to be worsening. Maybe it’s time we all step back and look at a more holistic way of treating depression. Depression occurs within the mind and can only be treated from within and not without. Calming the mind will have more benefit to an individual than any medication ever could.

This is where yoga comes in.

This ancient art which originated in India over 5000 years ago is still going strong today. In fact, it is more popular than ever with millions around the world practicing it. Yoga forms a mind, body and spirit connection that no other physical discipline can claim to do. Using postures, poses, breathing techniques and meditation, yoga strengthens the body, calms the mind and heals the spirit.

There are the cues to really be attentive to the sensations in your body. When you're running or walking, for example, you're not necessarily paying attention to all the sensations in your body. But if you're paying attention to the sensations in your body when you're moving in yoga, it becomes like a meditation. You're cultivating the witness, the observing mind.

Most people suffering from depression are in a ‘mental hell’ that they just can’t seem to get out of. Life’s challenges, losses, betrayals, disappointments, grudges, etc. affect these people badly. Unable to release their emotions, they turn it inwards and get depressed.

In yoga, there is a technique of breathing that is known as pranayama. You will have to be attentive to the senses in your body. You will focus on your body’s senses from a third person’s point of view. Similar to being an observer and not a participant.

This is essential because it will teach you to be an observer instead of reacting to every small thing. You will be in a meditative state which will enable you to think without being emotional. When you can do this, you will be able to view life’s many tragedies in a less emotional manner.

You will not sweat the small stuff and realize that it’s all small stuff anyway. You will not get stressed out by life’s daily demands. You will not be a part of the rat race. Even if one wins a rat race, they’re still a rat.

This is the biggest benefit of yoga for people suffering from depression. Of course there are many other health benefits and positive consequences from doing yoga. However, to cure depression, it’s the meditative aspect of yoga that will matter most. No amount of normal exercise such as running, swimming or resistance training will be as effective as yoga. To cure the mind one must engage in a discipline that heals it. Yoga is that discipline.

Which Is More Effective? Pilates or Yoga?

This is a common question that many people have. To the ordinary onlooker, there really does not seem to be much difference between yoga and Pilates. However, there are differences.

Neither is better or worse than the other. Which you decide to practice will depend on your own personal goals and preferences. This article will highlight some of the similarities and differences of both these disciplines to help you make an informed decision.

If you wish you may do both. There is no right or wrong answer here and neither discipline is mutually exclusive. Unlike bodybuilding which requires its practitioners not to engage in long cardio sessions, neither yoga nor Pilates has such rules. You may do both on different days.

Yoga originated in India over 5000 years ago. Pilates was created much more recently by Joseph Pilates to help with his rehabilitation and to strengthen his body. So, yoga has more history and many more forms than Pilates.

Yoga aims to strike a balance between the body, mind and spirit. This is an eastern philosophy. The breathing and meditation techniques in yoga aim to connect with the spirit. Pilates however, only focuses on a mind and body connection.

Generally, most Pilates sessions are more intense than yoga sessions. If you are looking for quicker results, you may wish to go with Pilates. It is more focused on strengthening your core muscles and making you stronger. Yoga aims for flexibility, better circulation and mental well-being. There are some forms of yoga such as Ashtanga yoga or Bikram yoga that are much more challenging. But in most cases, Pilates is a harder workout with faster results.

You will need to decide if you want a harder workout with faster results or a slow and steady workout which yields gradual results. It all depends on your goals.

Yoga is less structured than Pilates. Since there are many poses in yoga, these poses may be arranged in many different routines with no set order. Pilates usually is structured and each move follows the next. Yoga also has a meditation element.

Many yoga practitioners chant and meditate at the beginning and end of a session. This is to create focus, dedication and appreciation for the art. Pilates which is much more modern does not have this. It’s a more calculated form of exercise that aims to strengthen and heal the body with specific moves and specific goals.

The breathing techniques in yoga are much more complex than Pilates. With Pilates, the breathing technique is pretty straightforward. You inhale through the nose and exhale through the mouth. With yoga, your breathing will be much deeper and your breaths will follow the movements, poses and postures. You will be breathing in and out through the nose. Usually in yoga classes there is a dedicated period of time just for breathing techniques known as pranayama.

So which do you choose? Yoga or Pilates? A simple answer to this could be… Are you looking to de-stress and calm your mind? If the answer is yes, then yoga is for you. If you are only interested in strengthening your core muscles and back muscles, Pilates is for you.

Understanding the Different Types of Yoga

There are many types of yoga with different names. Most people who are just starting out in yoga often get confused about which yoga to practice. The fact of the matter is that yoga has a few basic principles and all forms of yoga follow these principles. The only difference is the emphasis placed.

Yoga is about proper breathing, building strength physically, mental relaxation, spiritual well-being and aligning the body. This article will state some of the different types of yoga that are better known.

Since yoga has become so popular, there are several people and companies that put their own marketing twist on yoga and make it look like something new and more beneficial. Most often, the main difference is that their new methods are way more expensive. Most are just fads and if you are on a tight budget, worry not. Yoga can be done for free if you know the poses and techniques. In fact, ever since ancient times in India, yoga was done in a very simple manner.

Let’s look at the different types of yoga. This is just the Cliff Notes version. If we were to go into detail, the info would span volumes of books.

Ashtanga / Astanga Yoga – This is one of the most popular forms of yoga. There are continuous postures to adopt. Each pose follows the next and is synchronized with your breathing. It is one of the more physically demanding types of yoga. You will get leaner and stronger with Ashtanga yoga.

Ananda Yoga – This is a gentler form of yoga focusing on body alignment, posture and controlled breathing. The aim is to relax your body and clear your mind for meditation.

Hatha Yoga – This is the most practiced form of yoga all over the world. If you have seen yoga on TV or DVDs, you probably saw hatha yoga being done. There are a series of poses and moves that are done in a slow controlled manner with proper breathing. The whole process should be calm and relaxed. You are not in a race. This is a personal journey. That pretty much sums up hatha yoga.

Bikram Yoga – This yoga was founded by, Bikram Choudhary, an Olympic weightlifter. This yoga is famous and extremely commercialized because the yoga is done in a hot room with temperatures ranging from 95 to 105 degrees Fahrenheit. The reason for this heat is to make the body more flexible and supple to prevent injuries. The heat and sweat is supposed to detoxify the body too. Is it true? Well, the jury is out on that one. However, this form of yoga is often costly because it is done in commercial gyms or specialized places. So, you need to be aware of that.

There are many more forms of yoga like power yoga, Sivananda yoga, Jivamukti yoga, Iyenagar yoga, Vinyasa yoga, etc. If you wish to join any yoga class, find out what form of yoga they are doing and do your research online to learn more.

However, always bear in mind that yoga in all forms or types aims are based on similar principles. What really matters is you actually doing it. So, just get with the program and try out any yoga you like and enjoy the health benefits that come with it.

Thinking of Becoming a Yoga Instructor?

Yoga Instructor
Yoga has seen a surge of popularity over the years. More and more people are seeing the benefits of this ancient art. With the rise in demand for yoga classes, equipment and qualified instructors, you may have thought of becoming an instructor.

This is a worthwhile goal. Not only will you be able to help other achieve their better health and fitness, you will also be able to provide a comfortable living for yourself if you are a good instructor with a wide client base.

To become a yoga teacher or instructor, the first step is to decide which yoga you will want to specialize in. It could be Bikram yoga or Ashtanga yoga or Hatha yoga. There are so many types of yoga that you will be spoilt for choice. Choose one that suits your style and master it. That is the key to success. You must master the form of yoga you choose to specialize in.

If you are looking to make more money from yoga, it will help to specialize in yoga that is the most popular. For example, thousands of people spend good money on Bikram yoga classes. Instructors are in demand for this form of yoga. You will also need to identify the type of clients you will have.
Some forms of yoga are better suited for young people. Others are better for those middle aged or even senior citizens. Decide who your target audience is and specialize in a suitable yoga.

Of course, to become a teacher, one first needs to go to school and get accredited. This is a very important step. Unfortunately, there are many dubious schools with equally dubious certification. You may not be taught properly and after spending your money, you may find out that your certification is not even recognized. Therefore, it always pays to do your due diligence and sign up with a yoga school that is reputable and has produced its fair share of fine instructors.

Look for a school that is alliance-accredited. Or you may ask a popular instructor which school they went to and if it is worth joining the school. Very often, word of mouth and references are just as helpful. Do your background checks on the school.

The next step will be to start a class of your own or you may join a gym as a yoga instructor. Whether you go freelance or sign up with a permanent place is your choice. Many yoga instructors work for gyms and forge bonds with many different clients. When they decide to go solo, they tell these clients that they are starting their own class and very often if the client likes you, they’ll follow you. That’s how you build your client base.

Marketing also helps. Always deliver excellent service and quality instruction. Word of mouth is the best form of marketing. A friendly instructor who knows what they are doing and delivers results will never be short of clients. Do keep your prices reasonable and do not hard sell anybody.

These are just some of the tips you should follow if you wish to be a successful yoga instructor. Always keep learning and be personable. The best teachers often are.

Is Laughter Yoga Effective or Just A Ridiculous Fad?

Wikipedia defines laughter yoga (Hasyayoga) as a practice involving prolonged voluntary laughter. Laughter yoga is based on the belief that voluntary laughter provides the same physiological and psychological benefits as spontaneous laughter.

When done in groups, with eye contact and playfulness between participants, forced laughter soon turns into real and contagious laughter. Laughter yoga does not involve humor or comedy.

To most people watching this from the outside, laughter yoga may seem ridiculous and even mildly annoying.

This form of yoga unlike traditional yoga that is over 5000 years old, is relatively new. It was developed by an Indian physician named Madan Kataria.
Since this yoga is still relatively new, it’s really difficult to say if it is effective or beneficial. Any benefits that can be gained from laughter yoga can be derived from normal yoga with less humiliation. Whether you choose to take part in laughter yoga is a personal decision is up to you.

You need to be aware that the idea of laughter yoga tends to polarize people. Most think it is ridiculous and those who do try it say that it makes them feel better. The problems arise when you try telling your friends or family that you’re into laughter yoga. Most of them will think you’ve lost your marbles.

It may be exasperating for you that they just don’t seem to understand what you’re doing. This tends to make some people feel inferior or stressed out and this contradicts what yoga is meant to do. It is meant to make you feel good. So, if you are into laughter yoga and you think your friends and family will laugh at you, maybe you should keep it to yourself and do it since it makes you happy.

The benefits of laughter yoga are that your cardiovascular health may improve and your happiness level will increase. The theory is that your body can’t differentiate real laughter from forced laughter. So, you will reap the same benefits as having a good laugh.

The theory that forced laughter becomes real when done in a group could be true because everyone is laughing at everyone else forcing themselves to laugh. In some strange way this may be true. It’s like watching “Wipeout” on TV and we can’t help laughing as the contestants fall on their face or get thrown off the obstacles. It is hilarious.

Cynics may say that laughter yoga then is no different from watching a funny movie or listening to a joke. They may be right. Laughter yoga doesn’t really have any scientific basis or even make much sense. Only those who seem to do it find it beneficial and many who do give it a try are turned off by it and never return.

Whatever they case may be, laughter yoga can neither be considered effective or ineffective. More research needs to be done on it to get solid proof that it works. If you wish to get healthy and feel better, perhaps you would do well to give laughter yoga a wide berth and stick to the more traditional forms of yoga that have been proven to be effective.

Should You Get A Yoga DVD To Help Guide You?

There are many reasons you may wish to get a yoga instructional DVD. Maybe you’re shy to be in a group, maybe you can’t afford to get a gym membership for yoga classes, and maybe you like your privacy and are more relaxed at home. Whatever the case, you need to discover for yourself why you wish to get a yoga DVD.

This article will tell you how an instructional yoga DVD will help you. For starters, it is easier to follow video instruction than to read a book and copy the pictures. Because of this, your learning curve will be greatly reduced.

Yoga DVDs are relatively inexpensive when compared to paying for private instruction or signing up for a series of yoga sessions at a commercial gym. You will be spoilt for choice if you go on Amazon and look for yoga DVDs.

Other than purchasing a DVD, there are other options for video instruction.

You may sign up with several websites that provide online yoga lessons.

1. YogaGlo.com
2. YogaVibes.com
3. MyYogaOnline.com
4. Yogis Anonymous LIVE

Most of these websites have a free trial for a specified period and after that a monthly billing cycle. They are relatively more expensive than a DVD since you will be paying monthly and the dollars will add up. However, you will have a wider variety of yoga instruction available instead of watching the same old DVD over and over.

If you do not wish to sign up for online classes, you can always go on YouTube and look for yoga channels. There are hundreds of them with many videos demonstrating a wide variety of poses, stances, etc.

A word of caution here. The person demonstrating the pose might be a beginner who really doesn’t know what they are doing. Trying to emulate them may be dangerous or just a waste of time. It always pays to find proper instruction from someone qualified.

If you do decide to buy a yoga DVD, you must realize that not all yoga DVDs are equal. Some instructors will be better than others. Look at the reviews on Amazon. Notice any DVDs with rave reviews? Word of mouth is excellent and if many people are saying they love the video, you can bet it’s probably good.

Do take note that if you’re a beginner, you should choose a DVD meant for beginners. Do not try advanced poses because you’re impatient and think that by practicing the advanced poses alone you will become a yoga master. It just doesn’t work that way. Yoga is a journey. A gentle, peaceful journey. Not a sprint. Take your time, learn the poses and progress slowly. You will discover yourself in the process and develop a sense of appreciation for this ancient art.

There are no DVD recommendations in this article because DVDs come and go. Some are taken off the shelves and there are always new ones popping up. You will have to look around and decide which the current hot favorite that everyone likes is and get it. Then watch the video and apply. Try and have a daily yoga session until you are good at it. That’s the best way to reap the rewards that yoga offers.

How Can A Beginner Get Started With Yoga?

Most beginners always get intimidated when first starting yoga. They see all the advanced moves such as headstands and other bodyweight balancing poses and wonder how in the world they are going to execute them.

This is understandable. If you’re a beginner, you’ll need to understand that the advanced and difficult postures, poses and movements are often done by people who are very experienced and have been doing yoga for years. They have built the strength and stamina necessary to execute these moves over time.
You are not in a race with anyone. Start slow and build a strong foundation. Slowly progress and you will be amazed at what you will be able to do in the future.

First and foremost, you’ll need to decide how you wish to learn. There are many ways from books to DVDs to online instruction to private instruction from a qualified teacher. You will have to know your budget and decide appropriately.

If you wish to learn on your own, you may get a DVD which is way easier than trying to learn from a book. These DVDs are relatively inexpensive. Look at the reviews and buy one that many people are praising. Make sure the DVD is for beginners. Then watch it and practice daily. The key to getting good at yoga is to practice daily.

Always take your time and do the moves. There is no rush. If any pose hurts or seems uncomfortable, check if your technique is correct and you’re not missing any crucial points.

You’ll need to invest in a good yoga mat. If certain poses hurt your lower back or neck, you may wish to purchase a yoga bolster to help cushion your back. There are a wide variety of yoga accessories available. If you’re a beginner it would be wise to first try and get a grasp of the yoga fundamentals before going shopping for yoga equipment that you may never need.

As a beginner, you will have to become familiar with different poses and how to do them. You may not be able to do them all in the beginning and in the event you can do a pose; you may lack the strength to hold the pose. That’s normal. However, you must try and remember what the poses are and the correct techniques to do them.

Most poses fall into one of these categories - seated yoga poses, standing yoga poses, backbends, inversions, weight loss poses, arm balances, core poses restorative poses, yoga poses for back pain, etc.

Sooner or later you will be doing poses that fall into one of these categories. Each pose has its benefits. Try and learn what each pose does and how it helps you. You can do the research online or ask your instructor. Knowledge is power. Always know why you are doing a pose and its benefits.

In this way your knowledge of yoga will be both theoretical and practical. Once you have a sound knowledge of the principles and have all the poses in your arsenal, you will feel a sense of achievement.