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a lot of people suffering from psychological problems have found an ally in this mind practice. It is said to be able to pull one out of depression. And because it gives us a better understanding of ourselves, meditation also encourages people to quit their addiction to vices, help in their healing and recovery, and live better and healthier lives.

Meditation helps you get in touch with your inner self and recharges you. It makes you happy and also empowers you to accomplish things in the daily world.

Energy healing meditation helps you to concentrate your positive energy on an afflicted area and alleviate any adverse symptoms and feelings that are being manifested through the physical pain.

Meditation helps you relax in a stressful lifestyle. Meditation works to empower your brain and thoughts.

By Dr. Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500 How can Yoga and meditation help people with chronic insomnia? Results of studies, released by the Associated Professional Sleep Societies, in 2009, show that meditation "may be an effective behavioral intervention in the treatment of insomnia." The research looked at 11 healthy participants, between the ages of 25 and 45, who suffered from chronic insomnia. Findings show, that the subjects who practiced Yoga during the day, had fewer sleep problems at night.

By Dr. Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500 Yoga has many facets for healing. At the top of the list is meditation. Although Yoga postures help people cope with life's daily problems, the body is being adjusted to bring about states of inner calm. Yoga meditation preserves this feeling of calm by teaching the practitioner how to control the mind. Controlling one's mind is a life saving skill.

Meditation is an extremely powerful tool for self-empowerment. When meditation is practiced correctly, it has been known to be the key...

By Bhavan Kumar Having a set of well thought out goals prevents individuals from drifting aimlessly through life but goals should never become distanced and removed from present moment reality. Pairing meditation with efforts to reach goals leads to heightened levels of productivity and success easily and with less perceived effort. It's a state worth living in.

By Leah Nagy The difference between a mediocre yoga class and a completely transformational one starts with the instructor's intention. By focusing on only the physical practice of the asanas, a true yoga practice is incomplete. A meditative theme that runs throughout a class is helpful in creating a sense of well-being for the body, mind, and spirit. There are all different types of themes that yoga instructors use. Some are for the type of students in the class, i.e. gentle yoga. Others are structured around a specific body part or type of pose, like backbends. Preparing the class for one difficult pose by opening those specific areas of the body first is the way of Anusara Yoga. The meditative theme is helpful in the connection between the teacher and student and ties the class together.

Whether you're looking for a yoga instructor or a meditation guide, here are a few signs of a good teacher, one who will help you expand your knowledge of yoga and meditation with patience and compassion.

By Natalie Clee Vinyasa refers to a series of yoga movements synchronized with the breath. The poses flow with rhythmic variations through each inhalation and exhalation. The breathing style used is called Ujjayi, which is a relaxed diaphragmatic breath with the sound coming from the back of the throat like the sound of the ocean. Vinyasa and Ujjayi together create internal heat, which purifies the body through increased oxygen, circulation and sweat. This breath helps take in fresh oxygen, build energy, and clear toxins from the body. Ujjayi is also said to aide in self - awareness and staying grounded and present during your practice, which is also helpful during meditation. Improved circulation can help ward off illness and aide in recovery of sickness and repair of injury.

By Faye Martins How can a yoga teacher explain wellness and its relationship to yogic methodology? When new students ask how yoga can help improve their lives, many teachers shrug and say, "It helps with everything." While this may sound like a flip answer, the truth is that asana, meditation and pranayama can help students with virtually every aspect of their physical and mental well being.

By Faye Martins A regular practice of Yoga poses, breathing exercises and meditation techniques is a very effective and hopefully enjoyable way to ease feelings of anxiety. There are many different Yoga poses that will help to release tension and anxiety. You may have heard about heart opening asanas (backbends), but forward bending Yoga poses are also soothing and nourishing. Forward Folds also help to calm you down because they encourage you to relax into the pose while pulling your senses inward, which allows you to rest for a few moments in your own inner essence. Forward Bending Yoga poses also allow you to curl your body into itself while protecting your heart and abdominal areas. Additionally, Forward Folds open up your hips and first chakra area, which releases stagnant survival energy and helps you to feel more empowered and grounded.

Padmasana or Lotus pose is a cross-legged yoga posture which helps deepen meditation by calming the mind and alleviating various physical ailments. Practicing asana helps you in terms of increasing your focus and reducing the stress level.

By Bhavan Kumar Many athletes turn to yoga to provide a balance to their usual vigorous and demanding workout routines. Yoga training gives athletes' muscles and ligaments the necessary stretching that they need after intense work. Postures help prevent soreness, strain or injury. Power yoga combines the best of both worlds by giving athletes a more intense, cardio-based workout combined with the stretching and lengthening of muscles. In addition to the physical aspects, physically challenging classes help athletes work on focus and concentration through breathing and meditative practice. Power yoga teachers can pinpoint some key areas of the body to work on to give students a satisfying workout.

By: Virginia Iversen, M.Ed A daily Yoga practice offers a practitioner many benefits. These benefits range from an increased range of flexibility to a more positive outlook on life. On a physical level, a daily practice of asanas, pranayama exercises and meditation will energize your body and calm your mind by balancing the parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous systems. Of course, a regular practice of asanas increases flexibility and muscular strength and helps to prevent injuries due to misalignment and repetitive stress. There are even Yoga postures that help to undue some of the tension and stress that ultimately lead to Carpel Tunnel Syndrome!

By: Virginia Iversen, M.Ed A daily Yoga practice offers a practitioner many benefits. These benefits range from an increased range of flexibility to a more positive outlook on life. On a physical level, a daily practice of asanas, pranayama exercises and meditation will energize your body and calm your mind by balancing the parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous systems. Of course, a regular practice of asanas increases flexibility and muscular strength and helps to prevent injuries due to misalignment and repetitive stress. There are even Yoga postures that help to undue some of the tension and stress that ultimately lead to Carpel Tunnel Syndrome!

By Dr. Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500 Is Yoga for shaping and strengthening the core muscles realistic? Hatha Yoga practitioners benefit physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually from many different Yogic techniques (poses, breathing exercises, and meditation, etc). One of the physical benefits experienced by Yoga practitioners is the shaping and strengthening of the core muscles. Yoga for shaping and strengthening, in turn, helps to maintain correct posture and prevents heart-related conditions from developing. Shaping the core muscles is not about developing a six-pack to show off. It is, instead, about developing a healthy physique, as a result of taking care of the body.

By: Virginia Iversen, M.Ed. Choosing effective themes for teaching Yoga classes is one of the subtle nuances of teaching that will help to keep your classes fresh and engaging. Sequencing a series of physical postures, breathing exercises and meditation techniques that nurtures your students' well being, in a balanced and effective manner, is similar to a stringing a handful of loose pearls together. Choosing effective and appropriate themes for your classes is the very glue that holds together the individual postures and gives the class itself a deeper and more profound meaning than the simple practice of individual asanas and pranayama exercises.

Stress has been shown to be a great contributor to weaken the immune system greatly. With a combination of asana practice, pranayama, meditation and relaxation, yoga can help to balance and strengthening the immune system as it reduces the stress hormones that compromise the immune system.