...Pilates highlights just a tiny aspect of the vast discipline of Yoga. Yoga includes all that Pilates comprises and a lot more. While Yoga stresses the unity of mind, body and spirit and involves a combination of physical exercises, breathing exercises and meditation, Pilates is more physically inclined; it is, primarily, aimed at promoting flexibility, increase stamina and strength, reduce stress and cure ailments. Yoga is considered not just physically therapeutic but also mentally and spiritually. People take up Yoga not just to be physically fit and energetic, but also to reduce stress and anxiety and achieve inner peace and happiness.

While Yoga is the considered most holistic approach to physical and mental well-being, Pilates refers to a physical fitness exercise system. Together with lengthening and stabilizing of the spine it is designed to achieve and maintaining perfect body alignment and posture. It primarily focuses on cultivating core postural mu...more

A Brief Timeline of Yoga

...As we know, yoga is enjoying an immense renaissance across the world - we know about Bikram's Hot Yoga, Lotus Pose, general physical pretzelling and oh so much about where to buy yoga clothes, yoga mats, even yoga gear for our pets! However, the history of yoga is rich and long standing and deserves some mention. So without further ado, let us begin near the beginning.

Between 200BC and 300AD an Indian philosopher known as Patanjali gave the world the Yoga Sutras - a series of aphorisms that set out the practice of the eight limbs of classical yoga. Though we know very little about the sage himself, Patanjali's great work is considered the cornerstone of the knowledge of yoga practice, from asana practice to the deeper internal journey of meditation and self- realization. The work is set out into four chapters known as The Samadhi Pada, the Sadhana Pada, the Vibhuti Pada and the Kaivayla Pada. Yoga means union, sutra is the Sanskrit word for thread, and pada is the Sanksrit word for book. These 196 short phrases remain the foremost body of work on the philosophy of yoga. From the commentary and analysis of yogis, sages, translators and philosophers over waves upon waves of time we have accumulated the wisdom of yoga as it is practiced today - a combination of asanas, meditation and body/spirit care that has proven to be of t...more

The Purpose of Yoga - Releasing Anxiety

...cause damage to the individual. You cannot stop an earthquake with a land fill. This is not a permit to go around making rude gestures, telling everyone off, or an endorsement of road rage, but there are healthy ways to let steam off.

The secret of controlling emotion is: Deflection of anger, but it will take much time, and conditioning, before you are able to do this. Yoga is, in fact, an archive of solutions for anxiety, but you must have the will to maintain a regular practice for complete mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual health.

Copyright 2007 Paul Jerard / Aura Publications

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Yoga For pregnant Women

...rcises will bring negative effect on both moms and babies. Here are some tips for pre-natal pregnancy Yoga practice:

1. The general yoga exercises are recommended for the first 2 months. You must consult your doctor and find very experienced Yoga teachers. With proper guidance, you can practice some yoga right into labor. If you new to yoga then you should start slowly.

2. Breathing exercises are beneficial if done twice a day. The breathing exercises provide more oxygen and energy both to the mother and the child.

3. Some yoga poses that can help a pregnant women dealing with the symptoms of pregnancy, ensuring smoother and easier delivery, and fa...more

Hot Yoga Positions