The Classical Yoga of India is Raja Yoga, the “Royal Yoga” of the mind. Because the mind is traditionally seen as the “king” that rules the life of the human being, the union with or awakening of the mind to the true and higher Self is the ultimate goal of Raja Yoga.

Established by the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, Raja Yoga is one of six orthodox schools of Hindu philosphy that are described by Patanjali. The term Raja Yoga was introduced in the text of the 15th century Hatha Yoga Pradipika to distinguish Raja Yoga from the newer Hatha Yoga.

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People have been proclaiming the many benefits of yoga for centuries. Some of the praises for this ancient discipline include greater flexibility and strength, improved energy levels and sleep, and a calmer more contented mind. People love it because it is not only a powerful way to get into shape physically; it is also a fantastic way to feel more emotionally harmonious. It offers a holistic approach to cope with the challenges of daily life.

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I love yoga. The way it makes me feel is so amazing I sometimes can’t believe it. There is a reason why so many people, from yogis to celebrities to your average Joe are raving about this form of physical and mental exercise.

While experiencing the benefits of yoga first hand is enough of a reason to make this practice part of my routine, a recent scientific study has further validated the benefits that have been talked about for centuries.

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When non-yogis hear the word “yoga,” they usually think of slow, deep breathing, stretching and odd-looking postures that resemble pretzels. Even many semi-yogis often forget about the meditative aspects of this activity. When in a class, the instructor will usually end the session with a short meditation, but that’s only the tip of the iceberg. I guarantee you that the instructor meditates much more often than just those 10 minutes at the close of class, and he/she expects the passionate students to do the same.

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Life is peaceful one moment and then with little warning the harmony is broken into one million little pieces. You go from being in the zone, I’m such a clever got it all together mum into having a frantic mind and stressed body.

Enter the very useful and very de-stressing yoga in your hand postures. Known to all the “in crowd” as mudra’s.

Mudras are hand postures that when held for as little as three minutes can encourage the flow of specific energy channels in your body. They are very subtle and allow the body when given the chance to re-balance itself.

No flash outfits, groovy eco-friendly yoga mats or super flexible bodies needed here.

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Yoga has traveled across geographical boundaries and over the mighty Atlantic all the way from India and is being considered as one of the best therapies for fighting physical and mental conditions. Yoga in chairs or chair yoga is just another simplified posture that will allow you to practice this art while sitting on a chair. This is good news for those who are working overtime!

The origination of yoga can be traced back to India where it is still considered as the only effective method of spiritual awakening. Yoga can be practiced through various postures also known as asanas in Sanskrit. Some of the most influential and important yoga practices include the Karma Yoga, Hatha Yoga, Jnana Yoga, Raja Yoga and Bhakti Yoga. Some of these yogas can be practiced on chairs and hence are also known as chair yoga.

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Yoga is a great way to both exercise and calm the body. This spiritual practice from India can do a lot for the person if done properly.

There are many forms of yoga. The one that is known where the partipants have to do this in a hot climate up to a temperature of 115 degrees Fahrenheit is known as Bikram Yoga. This form was developed by Mr. Bikram Choudhury together with the help of people from the University of Tokyo Hospital after a weightlifting accident.

Bikram yoga serves two purposes. The first is for healing purposes and the other is for physical therapy.

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One of the reasons that I have been drawn to Ashtanga yoga is that I love the Ujjayi breathing. Translated as victorious, the breath is inhaled and exhaled through the nose. The throat is constricted to create resistance to the passage of air, which results in a rushing sound similar to ocean waves rolling in and out, (although to be honest, some of the sounds coming from my classmates sound like there has been a pretty serious storm at sea.)

The length and speed of the breath are controlled by the diaphragm, which is strengthened through the Ujjayi breathing. While there is resistance to the air, the breathing should not be forced grated. The breath is long and smooth.

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About a year and a half ago, after experiencing some bizarre symptoms, I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Up until this point, I had no clue what MS was, what it did or how it really affected those afflicted by it. After hours of research, I started to understand my new condition and learn the limits it would place on my life. As of today, it limits my life very little; however, one area that had to completely change was my ability, rather inability, to deal with stress. When I first realized stress had an extremely adverse effect on those suffering from MS, I considered myself as good as dead. I have always been a stress case and unable to remain cool and calm under pressure. In 7th grade, I spent the better part of a week throwing up and doubling over with intense stomach pain. After a few days, and fearing appendacitis, my mom took me to our GP. After running a few tests and talking to me, my doctor concluded that my condition was brought on by stress, induced by exams. Now seriously, what normal 7th grader stresses themselves into a fit over exams?

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The full yoga backward bend, also known as The Wheel, is meant to energize, refresh and invigorate the body. It opens the chest and encourages deep inhalation. This dynamic yoga posture builds energy and strength, especially in the wrists, arms, legs, buttocks and spine. It also stretches the front of the body.

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