Bhujangasana, Cobra Pose

How to do it: Lie on your stomach. Place hands next to your shoulders. On an inhalation, roll the shoulders back and down and straight your arms as much as you can without straining your lower back. Hold the pose for 15 to 30 seconds before releasing back to the floor.




Benefits :
 

Cobra Pose strengthens the lumber spine, relieving pain and combating slipped or herniated discs, scoliosis and arthritis in that region.

Other important benefits include improved digestion, relief from menstrual disorders, improved appetite, and raising low blood pressure.

Cobra Pose also improves the functioning of the liver and spleen.

Downtown Yoga Holistic Centre 30-Day Yoga Challenge

• Are you ready? The Downtown Yoga Holistic Centre 30-Day Yoga Challenge commenced on January 9th. You may ask why take the challenge. Research shows that it takes 30 days to fully develop a new life-promoting habit or to drop a current destructive one. It is a great way to strengthen the body, unburden the mind, and begin a daily commitment to yourself. And you can enjoy a great price - $75 for unlimited yoga. To join the challenge all you have to do is register at the front desk and your name will appear on the board where you will indicate every time you come for a class. There are weekly prizes to win – e.g. a gift certificate for “Under the Volcano”, Thai Yoga Massage, an eco-friendly yoga mat, a yoga mat bag.

The challenge will help you experience:

• increased strength
• improved flexibility
• possible weight loss
• definite stress reduction
• improved focusa
• better body image
• improved sleep patterns
• improved eating habits

Welcome to a new YOU!!!

Please feel free to share your stories and experience in this blog.

Dolphin Plank Pose

Start in Dolphin Pose, knees bent. Then walk your feet back until your shoulders are directly over the elbows and your torso is parallel to the floor.

Press your inner forearms and elbows firmly against the floor. Firm your shoulder blades against your back and spread them away from the spine. Similarly spread your collarbones away from the sternum.

Press your front thighs toward the ceiling, but resist your tailbone toward the floor as you lengthen it toward the heels. Lift the base of your skull away from the back of the neck and look straight down at the floor, keeping the throat and eyes soft.

Stay anywhere from 30 seconds to a minute. Then, release your knees to the floor with an exhale


Benefits

•Calms the brain and helps relieve stress and mild depression
•Stretches the shoulders, hamstrings, calves, and arches
•Strengthens the arms and legs, and core
•Helps prevent osteoporosis

from:http://www.yogajournal.com/

Recapture Those Great Childhood Summers!

When we were children, summer meant no school, running through sprinklers on hot days, and riding our bikes with friends until the street lights came on. Unfortunately, as adults, our summer experiences are a bit different. They usually include racing our children to baseball and soccer, covering for work colleagues who are fortunate enough to be away on holidays, and mowing grass that never seems to stop growing! Those long, carefree days of our childhood seem far away. But it is possible to experience those great childhood summers once again. All we need to do is take our cue from our kids!

• Take time to daydream
When we were children, daydreaming was a big part of our lives. As adults, we still daydream, but we call it by another name – visioning. Your vision is your dream of what your future is going to look like. It motivates you to get out of bed in the morning, and forms the framework for your goals and plans. So spend some time sitting quietly and daydreaming about your future. Then, take the time to write it down and review it every day.

• Take time to explore
Summer is a wonderful time to let your adventurous side take over. A great way to get started is to make a list of all the things you would like to see, do, and accomplish in your lifetime. Review your vision for ideas. Then, take tiny steps toward achieving them.

• Take time to nap
Everyone needs time to themselves to rest and recharge their batteries. Give yourself permission to set some time aside each week that is just for you. Sit in the sun and read a book. Soak in the tub. Or yes, even take a nap. Setting aside and taking time for yourself isn’t selfish, it’s demonstrating self-respect. It gives you the energy you need to be there for others when they need you the most.

Cathy Obright is a Stress Relief and Life Coach with Brighten Your Future Coaching

Reiki - what is it and what are its benefits?

Reiki is a Japanese technique for stress reduction and relaxation that also promotes healing. It is administered by "laying on hands" and is based on the idea that an unseen "Life force energy" flows through us and is what causes us to be alive. If one's "life force energy" is low, then we are more likely to get sick or feel stress, and if it is high, we are more capable of being happy and healthy.

A treatment feel like a wonderful glowing radiance that flows through and around you. Reiki treats the whole person including body, emotions, mind and spirit creating many beneficial effects that include relaxation and feelings of peace, security and wellbeing. Many have reported miraculous results.

Reiki is a simple, natural and safe method of spiritual healing and self-improvement that everyone can use. It has been effective in helping virtually every known illness and malady and always creates a beneficial effect. It also works in conjunction with all other medical or therapeutic techniques to relieve side effects and promote recovery.

While Reiki is not a religion, it is still important to live and act in a way that promotes harmony with others. Dr. Mikao Usui, the founder of the Reiki system of natural healing, recommended that one practice certain simple ethical ideals to promote peace and harmony, which are nearly universal across all cultures.

from: http://www.reiki.org/faq/whatisreiki.html

Thai Yoga Massage

How to clean a yoga mat?

If your mat is lightly soiled, use a spray bottle, damp sponge, or terry cloth rag to apply a solution of two cups of water and four drops of dish soap. Rub the soiled areas. Wipe the mat with clean water; then rub with a dry terry cloth towel. Hang to air dry. If your mat is heavily soiled, submerge it in a solution of warm water and mild detergent; use very little soap as any residue may cause the mat to become slippery during future use. Thoroughly handwash the mat and rinse in clean water. After squeezing out the excess water, lay out the mat to on a dry towel together. Stepping on the rolled up mat will squeeze more moisture out of the mat and into the towel. Then unroll and hang to air dry. by Donna Raskin Other solutions to use:

• To remove tough spots use baking soda with warm water.

• Hydrogen peroxide and water is another alternative.

• Tea Tree Oil and warm water is very popular.

• Dr. Bronner's Peppermint soap in a bowl of water