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By Faye Martins How much do techniques for lower back pain cost? Nothing, but more than $50 billion is spent on lower back pain every year in North America. It is a leading contributor to missed work, the most common cause of job-related disability, and one of the most common neurological ailments, second only to headache. Still, knowing that you are in good company does not offer much relief for the pain of spinal compression or other low-back issues.

By Faye Martins What can Yoga do for chronic lower back pain? Residents of the developed world are doing plenty of things our ancestors of only a few thousand years ago never would have dreamed of doing. Among other things, the modern world has us sitting far more than our body was designed for. We sit at desks, on couches, we sit to drive, and we sit to eat. All this sitting has created a number of health problems unique to modern society. People of the modern developed world are fatter than ever before, engage in less physical activity than ever before and, as a result of all this sitting, lack of exercise and extra weight, they have weaker backs that are much more prone to lower back pain.

By Kimaya Singh It has long been discussed, in the medical and yogic communities, that yoga can help to reduce the levels of stress in the body, and the good news is that this can potentially lead to a reduction in body weight as well. Lower stress can lead to Lower levels of cortisol, a hormone found in the body that is secreted from the adrenal glands. When our bodies are stressed, extra cortisol is released into the blood stream, and for a short period of time, this can be beneficial to the body. It can provide increased energy, increased immunity, as well as Lower the body's sensitivity to pain. However, over time, if the body is experiencing chronic stress, too much cortisol is produced, and the balance of the body can be jeopardized.

By Faye Martins Practicing yoga is a well known method for releasing stress. Lowering chronically high levels of stress in your life will help you to speed up your metabolism, have more energy, increase the functioning of your immune system and sleep better. Cortisol is one of the main hormones found in the human body that revs the body up under internally or externally stressful situations. It is known as the flight-or-fight hormone. The release of cortisol can give you a quick burst of energy and enhanced mental ability.

This pose can be an effective tool to control urinary disorders. The pelvis, abdomen,and lower back receive additional circulation. The kidneys, prostate, and bladder are kept healthy, and sciatica and hernia are reduced. There is the added benefit here of permitting the brain to relax. Tension in the neck and shoulders is reduced. The pose reduces agitation and nervousness, thereby lowering stress.

By: Virginia Iversen, M.Ed It is not uncommon for many Yoga practitioners to put on a few extra pounds during the winter season. If this is the case for you, practicing a vigorous, flowing series of Yoga postures, that includes a series of core strengthening poses, will help you to maintain a healthy weight and a strong core. Strong core abdominal muscles are very important for stabilizing the entire body, including the lower back. When the abdominal muscles are weak, the lower back is much more vulnerable to strain and injury, both on and off the Yoga mat.

By Seema Deshpande Practicing yoga, either in the form of yoga postures, pranayama or meditation, has innumerable benefits. Consistent practice of yoga can help one stay fit both physically and emotionally. In addition, yoga has the potential to improve one's spiritual quotient as well. In comparison to other forms of exercises, such as strenuous gym exercises, practicing safe yoga has relatively lower risks, and can be tailored to suit the needs of various people - young or old, healthy or physically weak, normal or athletes. Yoga can be performed by anybody and everybody.

By Faye Martins The hips hold a tremendous amount of tension. Yoga training poses for muscular tension in the hip area also reduce lower back tension. When our lower backs are tense, our neck and shoulder areas also become tense, and our alignment is not optimally supported. Yoga poses that release tension in the hip area help to increase energy by increasing the flow of life force energy throughout the entire body.

By Faye Martins Laughter Yoga has been clinically shown to be an effective practice for relieving symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress. Chronic stress has long been known to lower the functioning of the immune system. A compromised immune system leaves an individual open to a variety of diseases and chronic health problems. Laughter Yoga practitioners claim that not only does Laughter Yoga lighten their mood, it also energizes them and boosts the functioning of their immune systems. Many of the "club" members also report a lower incidence of respiratory infections and a quicker recovery time if they do catch a cold. With a regular practice of Laughter Yoga, a participant can anticipate better mental and physical health as well as a more optimistic outlook on life.

This pose will open the groins, increase circulation in the lower pelvis, and increase flexibility in the hips, adductors, and hamstrings

By Faye Martins Both intermittent and chronic insomnia can have a profoundly negative impact on your quality of life. If you struggle with insomnia, you are aware of how difficult it is to focus on your daily activities when you have not slept well. You may even have a flu-like feeling for most of the day, accompanied by a pervasive headache. You mood may also suffer, and you may find it more difficult to look on the bright side of life. Chronic insomnia also lowers your body's ability to fight off colds and flus as well as more serious health conditions.

Outside of India, Yoga for men's health is a new concept, but medical and scientific studies are breaking new ground with results, which...

By Dr. Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500 There are many different Yoga techniques to relieve sciatica, and there are many factors that cause sciatica. Sciatica is a painful condition that is often caused by the compression, or irritation, of one or more nerves. Often, this compression is felt only on one side of the body, depending on which nerve is affected by the compression or irritation. Sciatic pain is often felt in the buttocks and lower back. Sciatic pain can even run all the way down the leg and into the foot. Sciatica is very uncomfortable and can limit mobility and even make sleeping difficult.

By Virginia Iversen The practice of Yoga offers us many tools to help manage our internal and physical states of being. One of the most challenging and sometimes debilitating internal states is that of unremitting anxiety. Anxiety can be defined as the fear of being hurt in the future, in one form or another. This internal alarm system can save our lives. For example, if you are alone in a train station late at night, and you begin to experience tendrils of anxiety because you feel like you are being watched, this heightened state of alertness may enable you to save your own life. However, if you are constantly feeling anxious at one level or another, your mental and physical health may be compromised. Anxious thoughts and feelings release adrenalin and cortisol to help you navigate out of a dangerous situation. If these hormonal levels are too high for an extended period of time, the functioning of your immune system will be lowered, your cardiac health may suffer and your serotonin level may decrease, leading to depression and even more anxiety.

By Dr. Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500 How can teachers establish Yoga student safety guidelines? For all Yoga instructors, the number one priority in our classes is student safety. Hatha Yoga is important for the health of the mind and body, but, unfortunately, it can be unsafe if not practiced properly. In comparison to many other physical activities, Yogic methods are in the lower risk category.

By Rachel Holmes With millions of people practicing the art of yoga worldwide, people everywhere are experiencing such benefits as improved strength and flexibility, reduced tension, lower blood pressure, and much more. However, while many people who practice yoga are able to stay injury-free, others who are new to the practice may try to do too much too quickly. As a result of their enthusiasm, they often suffer various types of injuries that may hinder their progress. However, as yoga instructors gain experience and knowledge through continuing education, they can often help students' progress at a safer pace and allow them to avoid many nagging injuries.

By Amruta Kulkarni, CYT 500 What are ski postures? After a challenging day on the slopes, it is important to stretch out your muscles and ligaments. Yoga poses that help to elongate and release tension in the muscles and ligaments are critical to preventing injury and stiffness after an exhilarating day of skiing. Your level of skiing ability does not impact the necessity of keeping your muscles, joints and ligaments flexible and pliable. Our bodies work hard to provide us with a perfect run down a favorite bump run or a fast time through the gates on a GS race course. Practicing Yoga asanas that stretch out the hamstrings, quadriceps, lower back and shoulders will help to keep you feeling loose and flexible.

This pose can be an eff ective tool to control urinary disorders. The pelvis, abdomen, and lower back receive additional circulation. The kidneys, prostate, and bladder are kept healthy, and the occurrence of sciatica and hernia is reduced.

This pose aids digestion, reduces gas, tones the lower back muscles, relieves discomfort from long periods of sitting, realigns the thoracic spine, and reduces tension in the shoulders and neck.

It relieves lower back discomfort from sitting for extended periods of time, aids elimination, and reduces constipation.