...swara Yoga is a highly complicated, intricate branch of Yoga based on a higher form of pranayama or breathing exercises. The term swara means musical note or sound in Sanskrit; in Yogic terms swara denotes a continuous flow of air through one nostril. It is this practice that takes the practitioner of swara Yoga closer to bliss.

Conventional pranayama consists of mastering breathing by inhaling, retaining and exhaling air. In swara Yoga the breathing exercises go a couple of steps higher. They touch all parts of your daily activities right from the time when you wake up. This includes eating, bathing, working, socializing and even sleeping.

Those who master swara Yoga can gain control over anyt...more

Coping Strategies - Yoga For Menopause Relief

... preparatory and counter postures. And if you have a particularly tense neck, it may be better to do a standing forward bend than downward dog (and certainly not shoulder stand or headstand), as the angle of the shoulders, combined with the weight on them, can cause tension in the neck.

Other good postures for menopause can be the standing postures - including triangle pose, half moon, and the extended side angle pose. These open up the front of the body, and the hips - which can be an area of stiffness for many women anyway!

Whatever poses you incorporate into your daily life during menopause, remember to be flexible. The needs of our bodies change, areas of stiffness change, symptoms change. learning to respond to this, like the challenges that life can send our way, is the best way to tailor a practice to suit your needs.

References:
1. Australian Yoga Life, Nov 2006 - Mar 2007
2. A Mohan, Yoga For Body, Breath, and Mindmore

Lower Your Blood Pressure by Practicing Yoga

... best effects on high blood pressure, so they can help you the most to lower your blood pressure. These exercises have a calming effect on the brain, the blood circulation to the brain is normalized, and they help you reduce the stress from the sense organs, things that lower blood pressure. So, the brain, the sympathetic nervous system and the sense organs are relaxed, the cardiac output and the pulse rate decelerate at the same time, and blood pressure stabilizes, so it lowers blood pressure when its high. Other asanas which have beneficial effects on the nervous system and help you lower blo...more

Yoga clothing - What To Wear For Yoga?

...ress shirts will not allow the body to relax and breathe freely. As simple as it is, make sure that you take the time to use the proper clothing. Here are some things to look for in good clothing choices for yoga:

Loose-fitting is good- Form fitting clothing restricts the blood flow inhibits the correct breathing techniques. You should be able to able to perform various yoga...more