Sivananda Yoga 101: All About The Vedantic Yoga School Based On Selfless Service

Sivananda Yoga is a style of yoga that was founded by Swami Vishnudevananda. It is a system of yoga postures or asanas and relaxation techniques that is encapsulated in a 90-minute class.

Vishnudevananda named the school and system of yoga after his guru Swami Sivananda. The teachings of Sivananda have been incredibly influential to other teachers and styles of modern yoga.

In this article, we’ll take a look at:

The Sivananda method: principles, asanas, benefits

Swami Sivananda

Swami Vishnudevananda & Abuse Allegations

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What Is Sivananda Yoga?

There are many types and styles of yoga, which range from Restorative to Rocket Yoga. Sivananda combines elements of Vinyasa Flow with Hatha Yoga to create a balanced approach to yoga.

Sivananda Yoga features a substantial amount of sun salutations which require you to take a breath with each movement. They generally feature in the warm-up section of the practice.

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Sivananda Yoga is a fusion of movement and relaxation.

While the sun salutation element will get your heart rate up and your body moving, the more static postures, which are held for a longer period of time, encourage you to relax the body and the breath, making it a very balanced practice.

A long savasana and meditation are used to promote relaxation.

Sivananda[……]

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Restorative Yoga & Meditation

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Transformative Home Practice – Discover the Benefits of Restorative Yoga

Open to individuals of all skill levels, including complete beginners

Slow, supported yoga poses, each held for 10-15 minutes at a time using props like folded blankets, pillows, cushions, and blocks

Engages with parasympathetic nervous system, recognized as the “rest & digest” system

Focus is on joint range of movement, flexibility, and mobility

Incorporate mindfulness in relation to your senses – sight, touch, smell, hearing, taste, and thought

Ideal for those times where you may be feeling overwhelmed, anxious, stressed, or when recovering from illness or injury. The invitation is to cultivate a habit of self-care and self-compassion through deep relaxation.

Cost: €15 drop-in / Package 4 classes for €40 / €50 for monthly membership to join any hatha or restorative drop-in classes each month.

Testimonials

Córa’s Restorative Yoga and Mindful Movement is wonderful. I find the mindfulness aspect easier when combined with yoga instruction, and the class is gentle enough for those recovering from/ with chronic injury or illness. Very calming effect. I also found it very effective if you are a carer – this is a class where you genuinely feel no stress but do feel cared for yourself.

I attended Córa’s 5-week Restorative yoga course. I found it to be very relaxing and really helped me to listen to my body so now I can identify the areas in my body I am holding stress and take action.

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Manage the Physical Challenges of Pregnancy with Prenatal Yoga

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Many primary care doctor in Sugar Land, Texas prescribe this form of exercise to pregnant patients. This is because a woman’s body and mental outlook are transformed during pregnancy.

Pregnancy can:

Change a woman’s posture.

During pregnancy, a woman’s body undergoes a natural shift in gravity as she gains weight, which causes a curvature of the spine.

Tighten her hip sockets.

This is to support the additional weight they are carrying.

Anxiety about pregnancy and giving birth.

Women tend to worry about their child’s well-being and their upcoming labor experience.

Performing yoga poses can help ease the discomfort and pain that a lot of women may experience as their pregnancy progresses. It can also help mitigate the stress they feel and improve their mental state.

Other benefits according to the American Pregnancy Association are:

Improved sleep

Reduced stress

Increased strength, flexibility, and endurance

Decreased lower back pain

Reduced risk of preterm labor

Acquiring medical services in Texas that can guide you through your pregnancy journey is important, especially for first-time mothers.

Get a certified and reliable Family and Internal Medicine Doctor in Sugar Land by contacting us here. Sugar Land Physicians would be happy to help you out!

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4 Best Pranayama Breathing Exercises for High Blood Pressure

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Almost everyone, from teenagers to the elderly, is highly affected by high blood pressure, which is a very common ailment.

A higher occurrence of high blood pressure has been linked to poor lifestyle choices such as eating the wrong things, being inactive, and having trouble sleeping. Stroke and heart disease are more likely to affect those with high blood pressure.

Yoga can help lower blood pressure by bringing these lifestyle changes: exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, and stress reduction.

Pranayama, a part of yoga that deals with breathing and its regulation, is highly effective to control blood pressure. It plays a vital role in calming the mind, stabilizing the heart rate, and increasing lung capacity, all of which can directly lower blood pressure.

In this article, we will discuss which pranayama is good for high blood pressure, how it works, and which pranayama one must avoid in case of hypertension.

What is high blood pressure?

When your blood pressure is higher than the normal range, it is typically called high blood pressure (also known as hypertension). Before understanding the situation of high blood pressure, we should first understand what is normal blood pressure.

The force of blood against the artery walls is known as blood pressure.

Systolic blood pressure is the first number, and it represents the pressure in your arteries while the heart beating.

Diastolic blood pressure, or the second number, gauges the pressure in your arteries between heartbeats.

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The Incredible Bond Between Power Yoga And Weight Loss

Strengthen your core and build lean muscles with this fast-paced cardio workout.

Reviewed by Sri Yogi Anand, Registered Yoga Teacher

Written by Shirin Mehdi, BA

Edited by Arshiya Syeda, BA (Literature & Psychology), PG Diploma

Fact-checked by Himanshi Mahajan, BSc (Life Sciences), Certified Health & Nutrition Life Coach • Mar 8, 2024

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Power yoga is different from the traditional yoga postures you usually come across or do at home. It is much like a cardio workout. So, is power yoga for weight loss an option worth trying? If yes, how does it help shed some pounds? And how do you plan your session for it to be weight loss-friendly? In this article, we answer all your questions and dig deeper into power yoga, its overall benefits apart from weight loss, and when not to practice it. So, let’s get started to get your body in shape!

What Is Power Yoga?

A Vinyasa practice, Power Yoga is a fitness-based workout that promotes wellness of both body and mind. It finds its roots in the Ashtanga branch of yoga and shares common qualities and benefits. Much like Ashtanga Yoga, when you practice Power Yoga, your body builds internal heat and increases your stamina and endurance, and promotes better breathing. With regular practice, you become strong, flexible, and stress-free.

Power Yoga is becoming increasingly popular around the world. It gives your whole body a good workout. It is, of course, strength building, and also includes the properties of a good aerobics or cardio session[……]

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What Is Kundalini Yoga

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There are so many different forms of yoga out there that it’s difficult to decide which style is for you and when/where you should practice each different method. Here we’ll give you an overview of all things Kundalini Yoga so that you can understand what it is, why you should try it and what the benefits of practicing this style are.

Kundalini is a style of yoga practice that centres around pure/divine energy that is thought to be located at the base of the spine (the area also known as the base/root chakra). The belief is that we all hold this divine energy within our bodies but that it is not until it is activated and channelled upwards through our energy bodies, through the practice of Kundalini Yoga, that we are really able to engage and make the most of this pure, spiritual energy. The name Kundalini is derived from the Sanskrit word “kuṇḍalin” meaning “circular” but as a noun, it also refers to “a snake”. When you put these two words together, you begin to understand the concept of Kundalini energy representing a coiled snake at the bottom of our spines which we then release to rise up through the chakra system.

While both males and females can, of course, practice Kundalini, this style of yoga is often associated with the divine feminine.

History Of Kundalini Yoga

Kundalini was first introduced to the public in 1935 through the medium of the “Kundalini Yoga” book by Sri Swami Sivananda Saraswati. This book teaches the importance of combining Laya Yoga (the teaching o[……]

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About Karma Yoga

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Lord Krishna says in the Bhagwad Gita: “Tasmat sarveshu kaleshu mam anusmara yudhyacha”. Which translates as “Therefore, at all times think of Me and fight”. This means to give the mind to God and the hand to work. Half-hearted service is no service at all. Give your whole heart, mind and soul when you serve. This is very particularly important when you practise Karma Yoga.

Some people have their body in one place, mind in another place, and soul in another place. This is the reason why they do not attain any substantial progress in the path. Do not forget not the goal of life amidst selfish activities. The goal of life is Self-realisation!

The mind is programmed so as to always expect something in return for little work. When you smile at someone you expect a smile in return. When you raise your hand in salutation, you expect a salute in return. Even when you give a cup of water to another man, you expect him to be grateful. When such is the case how can you perform Nishkama Karma Yoga? We must prepare the mind for Karma Yoga by applying diligently to selfless service with the right mentalality. In other words practicing selfless action.

A true Yogi does not see any difference between menial and respectable work. It is the ignorant man who makes such a difference. Some aspirants are humble in the beginning of their spiritual career. However when they acquire the name, fame, followers, admirers, devotees and disciples, they become victims of pride.

By purifying the heart thr[……]

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