For some time the science, practice, or lifestyle is present in the Brazilian and American territory, but never before with such proportions, Yoga has previously been considered an oriental science, a Buddhist or practice a healthy lifestyle gained strength in the various offices of psychology and Naturology. However, the ‘jerk doctor’ is that really popularized the search for Yoga. In magazines and newsstands you can find a variety of publications and videos-lessons on the various existing approaches: Prana Yoga, Ratha-Yoga, Bhakti-Yoga, Nada Yoga and many others, each with a specific goal and so also of finding the balance between body and mind. But whatever the style practiced, yoga has become a powerful ally to mental health, because through its practice leads the practitioner to get your sanity while leading the meditation practice. Mistakenly, many people come up to the great spaces of renowned academies or seeking to lose weight, gain muscle, strength, or looking to seek relief for premenstrual syndrome, sciatica, anxiety and depression. A lesson or practice of yoga (as is commonly said) is not a pill or medicine that is used for some time and after use reveals a ‘cure’ to the practitioner. It is similar to the sessions of psychotherapy, therefore, the practice of yoga is procedurally and as you are doing (like a walk in the park, eating habits more healthy) and learn the various postures that the body is able to do ( comprising the various possible ways of thinking about a situation in therapy), and ways of breathing (acquiring new behaviors and attitudes in accordance with the specific cognitive) the student develops a new way of thinking and focus, acquiring the ability to meditate not only in academy or in the spaces (discharge process of therapy, in which the therapist worked with the patient it be your own therapist), but anywhere you want to meditate. However, for this is necessary to understand that yoga is not a pill or a class of aero ‘something’ to lose weight is a practice linked to an Eastern philosophy of life that aims to teach how to live a more balanced and harmonious between body-mind. It is interesting and vital that every student / practitioner / curious study and read with their teachers / masters, originally on the books’ Yogas Sutras of Patanjali “comprising teachings on what would be the Yoga, for whom he was destined for and practicing”. It is that yoga is a process of identification with the modifications of consciousness / mind, enabling greater control of thoughts, intended for those who want to avoid the kleshas to take good quality of life and that through mental practice techniques Yoga can prepare and qualify physically, mentally, emotionally and morally to take a practice called Yoga higher (samadhi). But ultimately, what are these kleshas? These are elements that cause pain and suffering for individuals and considers the existence of five kleshas, ??these being Ignorance (Avidya), Egoism (Asmita), attachment (raga), aversion (dvesa) and Fear of Death (Abhnivesa). Through, for example, the social disciplines (Yamas) Yoga proclaim the necessity of Truth (Satya), Non-Covetousness (Asteya), Abstention (brahmaccarya), Non-Appropriation (Apharigraha) and Non-Violence (Ahinsa). Apart from other disciplines, named as individual disciplines (Niyama) Courses Physics (Asanas), Disciplines Respiratory (pranayama), Discipline of the Senses (Pratyahara), Attention (Dharana), Meditation (Dhyana) and Harmony Plena (Samadhi). In all, the best known and most widespread are the Asanas and Pranayama. So the next time you start doing yoga does not give up, the first classes are really hard, but are not mystical, in contrast, are only the tip of an iceberg of a philosophy of life that have much to add. Understand that religion teaches what man must be, that philosophy makes man understand why to be and that the psychotherapy teaches how to be, will provide an excellent quality of life physically, mentally and spiritually.

By Cintia Vilani (Psychologist specialized in Cognitive Therapy and Mental Retardation Ms in Clinical Psychology from Catholic University of So Paulo – Brazil)

Website: https://cintiavilani.com.br

India is rightly known as the World Capital of Yoga and the word yoga is from the Sanskrit language which means to unite or to attach. Yoga is widely believed to be in existence as old as civilization. Yoga poses are known to be found in stone seals from around 3000 B.C , although some believe that yoga was prevalent even before that and an other form of body postures ‘shamanism’ which was similar to Yoga. Yoga could be classified into four periods namely Vedic period, Pre-Classical Yoga, Classical Yoga and Post-Classical Yoga. Yoga restores balance and peace into our lives and helps in the physical, mental and psychological well being of an individual. India’s yoga retreats are very traditional and authentic in their treatment which follows the ancient teachings of ‘yoga asanas’. There are many yoga retreats packages that have come into existence through the length and breadth of India.

These yoga retreats emphasize on leading an ashram life and guests are treated very divinely and gracefully. They are instructed to undergo many practices such as meditation lessons, chanting classes, daily yoga etc and they are provided a very soothing environment as it is surrounded by farms and the guests could interact with the local population and get an insight into their lives. Guests are given practice in various facets of yoga for therapeutic guidance and they are also aided if they want to pursue aesthetic and a spiritual path in their lives. yoga thus has the tenacity to bring a change in our outlook towards life and turn us into more reformed beings. It is really a revelation to know that how the minute changes in the life style and dietary habits could bring a world of change in the overall well being of an individual.

These retreats also take special care in the culinary and dietary habits of the guests. It is pure Organic vegetarian food on a very strict time policy and a strict no- alcohol policy. The guests are even involved in the farming in the gardens with the morning sun and they could offer help in the cooking arena thus making their stay as close to home and warm as possible. The massages are performed in a very meticulous manner as the guest requirements vary from one another. They provide an environment to free all types of stress be it professional or personal and help in rejuvenating and reprising our lives to restart our lives on a refreshed note.

There are a number of specific Bikram yoga poses that you will need to learn and that have to be performed in a room that has a temperature of ninety to one hundred degrees Fahrenheit and where humidity levels are also high. Bikram yoga is named after the founder Bikram Choudhury who after years of studying yoga, under the well-known yogi Bishnu Ghosh, developed this unique form of yoga that has today gained in popularity, especially in the Western world.
Union of Mind and Body and Spirit
By performing Bikram yoga poses it is hoped that you will be able to unite your body with the mind and spirit, affect greater flexibility of the body while also increasing its strength. Part of the increased popularity of Bikram yoga lies in the fact that it enables a person to strengthen the muscles as well as the lymphatic, nervous and endocrine systems.
There are a total of twenty-six different Bikram yoga poses that need to be learned and mastered that must be performed in a room with desired level of heat and humidity. It must also be remembered that each of the twenty-six Bikram yoga poses should be performed twice in each session.
These different twenty-six Bikram yoga poses include those for standing, and for backward and forward bends and a number of twists. The advantage of performing Bikram yoga poses in a heated room lies in the fact that it has been proven that a practitioner will get the maximum benefits at a certain level of heat when the body becomes more flexible and less prone to injuries.
No doubt, many of the different Bikram yoga poses are challenging and not everyone will be comfortable performing them. Though with greater amount of heat in the room, the body increases its flexibility and so it becomes easier to practice the Bikram yoga poses, and in addition allows for reaching greater depth of each physical pose in a shorter period of time.
Because of the heat, the body will also sweat more and so lead to expelling of harmful toxins from the body and of course, as mentioned before, reduces the chance of injuring one. In any case, each of the twenty-six Bikram yoga poses are especially designed to enable the practitioner to strengthen their bodies and stretch muscles and joints as well as ligaments, and so leads to improved physical well being.
If you have thought about attending a Bikram yoga class, you will do well to follow your inclinations, as you will be getting an excellent opportunity to perform different Bikram yoga styles that will suit your needs. Though of course, to identify the proper style, you will have to make an effort and do your own research beforehand.
Though Bikram yoga poses are challenging and involve greater physical activity, there are various poses that can suit people of different abilities and so whether you are a novice or experienced you can pick the type of pose that you feel the most comfortable with and provided you can stand the heat, there will be nothing stopping you from achieving a better state of health and fitness.

This is the latest article in our yoga central series and today we will be looking at a pose known as cat cow pose and is the combination of two poses. We will look at how to properly carry out the pose, the benefits you can get from it and anything that you need to consider before beginning. Please read the entire article before trying the pose.

How to Carry Out the Pose

We have put together instructions on how to carry out the pose correctly however there are also a number of modifications that can be done to make the pose easier as well as deeper. These modifications will be found lower in the article.

1. Begin the pose by coming to your hands and knees. It is important that you make sure your knees are directly underneath your hips and are hip width apart. Your hands should also be directly under your shoulders and your wrists firm. Make sure your head is in a neutral position and that you are looking at the floor.

2. As you exhale round your spine towards the ceiling making sure that your hands and knees remain in their starting position. You should also lower your head towards the floor but not press your chin against your chest.

3. Now release the pose and go back through the starting position and arch your back. As in the previous step you should keep your hands and knees in their starting positions. The head should be lifted towards the ceiling but it important to keep your neck soft and not compress it and lift it too far.

4. You should then release this pose and go back to step 2. Continue through steps 2 and 3 for 4 or 5 times in order to get the maximum benefit.

5. On completion of the pose push back into child pose with your bottom on your feet and rest your head on the floor or on your hands whichever is most comfortable.

Tips and Precautions

This is a relatively easy pose to perform but there are a number of things you may want to do if you are new to it and lack flexibility. For example you may find it difficult to round your back for the cat part of the pose. If this is the case then you should get someone to place their hand above and between the shoulder blades in order to activate that area. For the cow part of the pose you can protect your neck by broadening the shoulder blades and drawing your shoulders down away from your ears.

If you suffer from a neck injury then it is a good idea to keep your neck in a neutral position for both sections of this pose combination. This will enable you to keep your neck safe but still get the desired benefits.

Benefits and Focus

Although this is the combination of both the cat pose and cow pose the benefits are the same for both of them which is part of the reason why they go so well together. Practising this pose on a regular basis will help to stretch out the back torso and the neck. It will also provide a gentle massage to both the spine and the abdominal organs. The main anatomical focus of this pose combination is on the uterus and therapeutically it will be very helpful for people suffering from stress. In addition, although it is not its main focus it may also be helpful for people who suffer from anxiety and depression as well as other similar conditions.