COOL YOGA HEALTH

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.Study carefully the techniques of Yoga and Health benifits.
1.WHAT IS YOGA
2.The History of Yoga
3.Is Yoga a Religion?
4.Yoga & Your Body
5.YOGA EQUIPMENT
6.FACTS ABOUT YOGA
7.POSTURES
8..CONTRAINDICATIONS
9..BENIFITS
10.Yoga & Diabetes...








1.WHAT IS YOGA ?

If you have been considering learning yoga or have recently begun a yoga practice, I hope to provide you with some useful and interesting information to encourage your practice.


Often associated with Hinduism, yoga actually is older. It is the oldest physical discipline in existence. The exact origins of yoga are unknown, but it is thought to be at least five thousand years old. The earliest evidence of yoga practice can be traced back to about 3000 B.C. The original purpose of the postures and breathing exercises was to bring stability and relaxation so practitioners could prepare for the rigors of meditation, sitting still and alert for long periods of time.
The word yoga has its roots in the Sanskrit language and means to merge, join or unite. Yoga is a form of exercise based on the belief that the body and breath are intimately connected with the mind. By controlling the breath and holding the body in steady poses, or asanas, yoga creates harmony. Yoga is a means of balancing and harmonizing the body, mind and emotions and is a tool that allows us to withdraw from the chaos of the world and find a quiet space within. To achieve this, yoga uses movement, breath, posture, relaxation and meditation in order to establish a healthy, vibrant and balanced approach to living.
Modern scholars have defined yoga as the classical Indian science that concerns itself with the search for the soul and the union between the individual, whose existence is finite, and the Divine, which is infinite.
Yoga is one of the original concepts which today would be labeled as holistic. That means that the body is related to the breath; both are related to the brain; in turn this links with the mind, which is a part of consciousness.
The essence of yoga is to be in the driver's seat of life. Control is a key aspect of yoga: control of the body, breath and mind.
The secret of yoga practice lies in a simple but important word: balance. In every area of our life, yoga represents balanced moderation.



2. The History of Yoga
The story behind a 5,000 year-old artYoga is believed to have been born over 5,000 years ago. Its beginnings can be traced back to Stone Age Shamanism, which shares many similarities and was once integral to the Indus-Sarasvati civilization in Northern India - which included the cultures of Modern Hinduism and Mehrgarh (now Afghanistan).
Both countries attempted to heal members of their community with human transcendence. The first archaeological evidence of an archaic type of yoga was excavated in the Indus valley. The stone drawings showed figures performing various yoga postures.
The actual word “yoga” was first mentioned in the Rig Veda, the oldest of sacred texts known to man. The Vedic book dates back to approximately 1,500 BCE. This collection of hymns or mantras defined yoga as a “discipline” or a type of “yoking” (in other words a type of bondage) without going into detail about what exactly these “yoking” practices entailed. In later books “yoga” is mentioned again, but this time as the practice of controlling one’s breath.
From approximately 500 BCE to 800 BCE, yoga played a more important role to the Upanishads, the sacred scriptures of ancient Hinduism. The Upanishads (a combination of the words “shad”, “upa” and “ni” meant “to sit down” or “to sit below”) seemed to imply that the only way a student could become enlightened was to sit at the foot of his teacher. The Upanishads were taught to sacrifice the ego through self-knowledge, action (karma yoga) and wisdom (jnana yoga), instead of through sacrifice as Vedic philosophy believed. There was little that we would call yoga asana practice in the Upanishads. In fact, yoga was more likely a common form of discipline rather then an exercise in relaxation.
The earliest yoga meditation practices were taught by the Maitrayaniya Upanishads in 2nd or 3rd Century BCE. Yoga was defined as a way “to bind, join, connect and attach.” The Maitrayaniyas presented yoga in six folds: pranayama (breath control), pratyahara (senses withdraw), dhyana (meditation), dharana (concentration), tarka (contemplation) and samadhi (absorption).
3.Is Yoga a Religion?
Without credos or congregations, the practice can't be regarded as religion—unless we say that each yogi or yogini comprises a religion of one.
At the closing ceremony of the "Yoga into the 21st Century" conference in New York City last September, T.K.V. Desikachar offered some thought-provoking comments on the subject of the relationship between hatha yoga and religion. "Yoga was rejected by Hinduism," he noted, "because yoga would not insist that God exists. It didn't say there was no God but just wouldn't insist there was." And, he added, there was an important lesson for yogis inherent in this schism: "Yoga is not a religion and should not [affiliate] with any religion."
One could easily argue in support of Mr. Desikachar's assertion: Yoga has no singular creed, nor does it have any ritual by which adherents profess their faith or allegiance, such as baptism or confirmation. There are no religious obligations, such as attending weekly worship services, receiving sacraments, fasting on certain days, or performing a devotional pilgrimage.
On the other hand, there are ancient yogic texts (most notably, Patanjali's Yoga Sutra) that many regard as scriptures, revelations of truth and wisdom meant to guide the lives of yogis down through the ages. And there is an elaborate moral code (the yamas and niyamas) that, while not uniformly espoused or understood, is widely studied and promulgated. Likewise, while there is significant variety in the ways hatha yoga is taught, raising questions about what is and is not a proper yoga posture, most yogis would probably tell you that they'd know a pose when they saw one, leading one to suggest that the various schools of yoga could be considered "sects" of a larger quasi-religion.
Still, most would disavow the term "religion" if it were applied to yoga. This begs the question: If hatha yoga is not a religion, what is it? Is it a hobby, a sport, a fitness regimen, a recreational activity? Or is it a discipline such as the study of law or the practice of medicine? The odd truth is that there are ways in which the practice of yoga resembles all of those pursuits.
Perhaps it would be helpful to consider the difference between the word "religion" and another word commonly associated with it, "spirituality." Spirituality, it could be said, has to do with one's interior life, the ever-evolving understanding of one's self and one's place in the cosmos—what Viktor Frankl called humankind's "search for meaning." Religion, on the other hand, can be seen as spirituality's external counterpart, the organizational structure we give to our individual and collective spiritual processes: the rituals, doctrines, prayers, chants, and ceremonies, and the congregations that come together to share them.
The fact that so many yogis report spiritual experiences in their practices indicates how we might best view the ancient art. While many Westerners come to yoga primarily for its health benefits, it seems safe to say that most people who open to yoga will, in time, find its meditative qualities and more subtle effects on the mind and emotions equally (if not more) beneficial. They will, in other words, come to see yoga as a spiritual practice. But, without credos or congregations, it can't properly be regarded as a religion—unless we say that each yogi and yogini comprises a religion of one.
4.Yoga & Your Body
According to yoga the Human being is made up of 3 bodies.
The Outer physical body Karya Sharira The Middle Subtle Body Suksma Sharira The Inner Spiritual Body Karna Sharira These three bodies are nourished by feedlines called Kosyas --
The Outer Body has one Kosya -- The Anamaya Kosya. The Middle Body has 3 Kosyas -- The Pranayama Kosya, The Manomaya Kosya, The Vijnyanamaya Kosya. The Inner Body has one kosya -- The Anandamaya Kosya
5..YOGA EQUIPMENT
1.Towels
These soft, silky, super-absorbent towels are great for the planet and your health.






2.Blocks & straps
Yoga tools to assist and support you in various asanas while improving strength, flexibility, and alignment.
3.Blankets
Blankets are an extremely versatile prop for enhancing your yoga practice.
4.Bolsters
Our yoga bolsters are ideal for restorative, prenatal, and supported yoga postures. Available in 2 styles: standard and round.
5.Chairs & cushions
A wide selection of chairs and cushions perfect for meditation or relaxation.
6.Yoga & pilates mats
Wai Lana's beautiful selection of mats offers you a safe foundation for your yoga or Pilates practice.
7.Mat bags & carriers
For easy transport and protection of your favorite yoga mat.
8.Yoga balls
A perfect companion for yoga exercise to help you get in shape and loosen up your body.
9.Posture props
Improve and maintain your physical well-being with these

6..Learn facts about yoga.
The today's practitioners of yoga can be divided into three groups. The smallest group comprises of those who take it very seriously as a way of life and as a philosophy of renunciation and emancipation. Such person live in the monastries and ashrams.
The second group includes people who are disenchanted with the effects of affluence and wealth generated by the progress in science and technology. They seek a new way of life, for which they leave their homes, often join some of the new movements, change their dress and food habits, meditate, sing devotional songs, and try to find a new purpose and meaning to their otherwise dull ultra modern way of life.
The third and the largest group consists of people who are not very keen on the deep philosphical or esoteric implications of yoga or in a new way of life. Instead, they are able to overcome these health problems, they can lead a happier and more productive life. A large number of people in this group are interested in quick, easy cures to their problems. Some of them are those who seek benefits of yoga after having tried other methods and therapies without much success. The number of such yoga enthusiasts is growing very rapidly. It is they who have helped the opening of a new chapter in the history of yoga. Yoga for fitness and health consists of five main categories of techniques. Each one of them has its special importance and utility. These categories include:
(a) Postures or asanas: Asanas are a wide range of postures that improve flexibility of muscles and suppleness of joints. People who are not sufficiently well informed about various aspects of yoga believe that yoga practice mainly comprises of practice of asanas. This is perhaps because a large number of yoga teachers are teachers or experts of asanas, many books on yoga discuss only the techniques of various asanas, and many common discussion, exhibitions and performance of yoga deal only with the asanas. There are two main categories of asanas. These includeThe meditational poses -good for sitting comfortably and steadily for a long time for the purpose of breath-control or meditation. They have three main benefits. These are to relieve tension from the body and mind, improve digestion and exertion, and overcome postural defects. There are about half a dozen such poses available. The cultural or exercising poses - involve stretching, pressing or squeezing action and arrangement of the limbs in a sitting, standing, lying down, inverted, or balancing position. Hundred of such postures can be learned and practiced, and each one of them has its own special advantages.(b) Breath control or pranayama with muscular looks or bandhas: Pranayama is a technique of controlling breathing. It involve sitting in a comfortable, steady, relaxed position, and taking deep, full breaths with prolonged, uniform and complete inspirations and expirations. After practicing deep breathing for some time, retention of breath inside and outside may also be practiced. Pranayama yields benefits for all functions like respiration, blood circulation, digestion, excretion, secretion, and for improving muscle tone, removing congestion of blood, and release of tension. It helps considerably to calm down an irritated and excited mind and make it steady. The bandhas that involve vigorous contractions of particular muscles enhance the benefits of pranayama. Meditation can be done easily after a few rounds of pranayama.
(c) Cleaning techniques or shuddhikriyas: Shuddhikriyas are cleansing techniques that cleanse various internal organs of the body. They are also called shatkriyas or shatkarma because they are six in number. These include: Neti, which is used for cleansing the nasal passage with water, a linen thread, or rubber catheter. Dhauti, which is used for cleansing the stomach with water or with a twenty-two feet long strip of cloth. Basti, which is the technique of cleansing of colon. Trataka, Which is a technique to cleanse the eyes and the mind. Nauli, which is the foremost among the cleansing techniques, is used to cleanse all the organs and glands inside the abdomen and make them strong. Kapalabhati, which is an exercise in continuous abdominal breathing, is said to cleanse the skull and make it shining.
(d) Relaxation : The dead pose, called shavasana is a special technique of yoga for deep relaxation in order to lesson the ill effects of stress. Meditational postures and pranayama are also effective in reducing the adverse effects of stress.
(e) Meditation: It is an effective method for improving the poise and stability of the mind. When meditation is combined with other techniques of yoga, its effect is greatly enhanced for treatment of a wide range of health problems or disorders.
Practicing yoga is a continual life-long journey. It might start with weekly classes at a beginner level and transform to a daily devotion, or end in your study to become a yoga teacher. That's just one of the many beautiful things that yoga teaches. Just like it stretches your body, it also opens your mind and body to endless possibilities.
The study of yoga can begin at any age. You are never too old, too overweight, too unfit, too ill, too injured or too pregnant to enjoy and benefit from yoga. There is a yoga class and teacher for every individual. You may choose to study yoga in a group or private setting. Some love the attention, time flexibility and assistance they get from private classes; while others benefit greatly from the sense of community, habitual nature and connectedness of group yoga.
There are many styles of yoga to choose from and many different yoga instructor personalities to experience in a wide variety of settings, under very diverse conditions. Take care to sample many yoga instructors, settings and styles to find the best fit for you.

Your guide to finding an idyllic place to practiceYoga is the ancient practice of gentle self care. I didn’t fully understand it until the conclusion of my first yoga lesson when my instructor placed her hands together at her heart chakra and said “Namaste”. Being a writer and a naturally curious individual, I looked up its meaning the following day.
I discovered that Namaste represents the Divine spark in each and every one of us. "Nama" means bow, "as" means I and "te" means you. Therefore, Namaste literally means, "I bow to you." In essence, it’s the acknowledgement of one soul by another. It’s a display of deep respect for the continuous circle of yoga student to yoga teacher.

7..POSTURES
Sirsasana (headstand) - Pranayama Yoga as an effective treatment for back pain Yoga asana The stratospheric rise of yoga brings opportunities and challenges The yoga we all hate Finding inspiration - can other students improve our yoga? Benefiting from the unbearable - Pain in our yoga practice Recharge and relax at work with these simples yoga techniques online Give yourself a boost at work with these simple, refreshing tips Discover how a commitment to yoga can change your life forever 3 keys to unlock greater benefits from yoga practice Discover how to look and feel fantastic – with yoga deepen your knowledge and your stretch. Learn what is yoga and how to do yoga to improve your health Learn facts about yoga for better health - mind and body. Get our free streaming yoga videos, helping you learn how to do yoga poses correctly Sirasana (headstand) - The queen of yoga poses Sirsasana meaning headstand is considered to be one of the most important yoga poses. Sirsasana is known as "the queen of poses", and the reason relates to the effect it has on the brain and mind. The inversion of this pose causes increased and unrestricted blood flow to the brain. This brings increased oxygen, nutrient and vitality providing energy to the mind, clarity of thought and ease of concentration. The increased blood flow to the head stimulates the pituitary gland, considered to be the "master gland", controlling the function of the endocrine system including the thyroid, adrenal gland, ovaries and testes among others. These glands in turn regulate metabolism, growth, blood pressure, sexuality and other fundamental body functions. An imbalance of the secretion of the various hormones produced by the pituitary gland can lead to many serious disorders of the endocrine system. In yogic terms, the increased blood flow to the head helps to awaken the Sahasrara (crown) Chakra (energy center). Sahasrara is considered to be the most important Chakra intimately connected to, and influencing, all other Chakras and controlling consciousness. It is when the Kundalini energy unites with the Sahasrara Chakra that the yogi achieves Samadhi, becoming enlightened and united with the universe and god. Benefits of Sirsasana The increased blood flow to the brain stimulates the pituitary gland which revitalises the mind and central nervous system. The pose is considered to have a profound effect on anxiety and other nervous disorders which can lead to other illnesses, and is therefore used in the yogic treatment of many conditions. The final position requires muscles in the neck, shoulders, arms, back and abdomen to be active, which strengthens and revitalises the entire body. The inversion changes the effect of gravity on the body, which has an important effect on blood circulation to the legs and head; increases pressure on the diaphragm which aids deep exhalation to expel waste gases and bacteria from the lungs and can relieve the daily effects of gravity on the spine. Ashtanga Yoga Ashtanga Yoga is an ancient system of Yoga that was taught by Vamana Rishi in the Yoga Korunta. This text was imparted to Sri T. Krishnamacharya in the early 1900's by his Guru Rama Mohan Brahmachari, and was later passed down to Pattabhi Jois during the duration of his studies with Krishnamacharya, beginning in 1927. Vinyasa means breathing and movement system. For each movement, there is one breath. For example, in Surya Namskar there are nine vinyasas. The first vinyasa is inhaling while raising your arms over your head, and putting your hands together; the second is exhaling while bending forward, placing your hands next to your feet, etc. In this way all asanas are assigned a certain number of vinyasas. The purpose of vinyasa is for internal cleansing. Breathing and moving together while performing asanas makes the blood hot, or as Pattabhi Jois says, boils the blood. Thick blood is dirty and causes disease in the body. The heat created from yoga cleans the blood and makes it thin, so that it may circulate freely. The combination of the asanas with movement and breath make the blood circulate freely around all the joints, taking away body pains. When there is a lack of circulation, pain occurs. The heated blood also moves through all the internal organs removing impurities and disease, which are brought out of the body by the sweat that occurs during practice. Sweat is an important by product of vinyasa, because it is only through sweat that disease leaves the body and purification occurs. In the same way that gold is melted in a pot to remove its impurities, by the virtue of the dirt rising to the surface as the gold boils, and the dirt then being removed, yoga boils the blood and brings all our toxins to the surface, which are removed through sweat. If the method of vinyasa is followed, the body becomes healthy and strong, and pure like gold. For cleaning the body internally two factors are necessary, air and fire. The place of fire in our bodies is four inches below the navel. This is the standing place of our life force. In order for fire to burn, air is necessary, hence the necessity of the breath. If you stoke a fire with a blower, evenness is required so the flame is not smothered or blown out of control.Learning YogaIt is possible to practice yoga on your own using a video or instruction book, though many people enjoy the company of other yoga students and the presence of a yoga teacher who can correct poses and technique. Yoga teacher training involves several days of full-time training or part-time training spread out over a number of weeks. Yoga teachers have a comprehensive understanding of yoga from various perspectives – physical, mental and health – and are well equipped to teach their students. For yoga videos, check your local bookstore. Otherwise, choose the in-class route and begin talking to friends and community centers. Yoga EquipmentWhen you have found a suitable yoga class offered in your area, get started with yoga mat and yoga clothing. The mat is the most important piece of equipment for yoga, because it provides the grip and cushion needed to hold the various yoga poses. Yoga apparel is a growing trend, and while not a necessary part of practicing the discipline, many pieces are now designed to minimize restriction while in yoga poses and can be quite useful. Some yoga activities are beginning to involve additional yoga accessories including physio balls, support wedges, towels, cushions and yoga rugs. Find out if the yoga class you are taking recommends that you have these or other accessories. Yoga is a fun, challenging and rewarding way to incorporate exercise into your life. It is also a great stress management technique that can promote relaxation in your day-to-day activities. Get started today!Everything you need to succeed with yogaYoga, as it is known to most people in the West, is derived from Hindu practices designed to allow individuals to broaden their spiritual side and gain a greater understanding of the nature of their existence. The yoga trend gaining popularity in the United States and Canada typically involves specific movements, poses, breathing strategies and meditation. The Westernized versions of yoga have really taken off, with yoga videos, yoga mats and yoga clothing being sold in many stores. Tantra Yoga: Yoga is very popular nowadays. With its various benefits, many are influenced to engage in this form of exercise and meditation. There are so many kinds of Yoga that are known and practiced by many as of today. One if this is Tantra Yoga. Tantra yoga is more concentrated on the spiritual healing and most of all the integration f the body, mind, and spirit. In India, it is an ancient tradition that sexuality is an important and significant phase to be able to achieve a certain degree of enlightenment. There are so many benefits that can be obtained by performing these various physical exercises. Some of these include improved prostate functioning and enhanced and improved sexual performance. Another benefit is improved sexual stamina when engaging in sexual intercourse. 8.Contraindications Despite many cautions, with a little preparation including strengthening the arms shoulders and neck as well as some practice balancing, Sirsasana can be performed by almost anyone. However there are contraindications and those exhibiting these conditions should not practice Sirsasana. The inversion of Sirsasana increases the pressure of blood flow to the brain and eyes. It is therefore important the Sirsasana should not be practiced be those with high blood pressure, headaches, haemorrhaging or other brain or blood disorders. Sirsasana should not be practiced by those with eye conditions such as weak eye capillaries, cataracts, or conjunctivitis. Sirsasana should not be practice by pregnant or menstruating women. Performing the pose When performing headstand there are a few steps that need to be achieved before the final pose should be attempted. These include building strength in the neck and shoulders and developing balance in the inverted position. The preparation steps will help to build the necessary strength in the neck and shoulders, and should be practiced until sufficient strength is obtained to hold the final position. Once the neck strength (and sufficient balance) is developed, the weight of the body should be borne by the neck, the arms and hands are only used for support and stability and are not used to bear the body weight. Until balance is developed, it is recommended to practice Sirsasana next to a wall. In this way, in the final position, the heels can be brought into contact with the wall to prevent falling backwards. The feet should be moved away from the wall to learn the correct balance for an unsupported headstand. Kneel facing the wall sufficiently far away so that when placing the head into the hands, the hands are about 20cm from the wall. If you should fall when practicing Sirsasana, bend the body into the fall (forward, backward or to the side) so that it is possible to land on the feet first. When falling, it is unusual to hurt the body since the height is not great, but be careful not to collapse the neck as this could cause injury - remember to use the arm and shoulder strength to support the body weight. When learning Sirsasana, it is strongly advised to seek the guidance and assistance of a trained yoga instructor who can help support the balance until sufficient experience is gained. Sirsasana - Preparation steps Kneel on the floor. Bend forward and place the elbows on the mat below, and slightly wider than the shoulders. The distance can be measured by moving the arms to hold each elbow from the inside. Without moving the elbows, move the forearms to interlock the fingers, the elbows, forearms and back of the hand should be in contact with the mat. Lower the head so that the top of the head sits in the hands and is held securely to prevent movement and the crown of the head rests on the mat. Tuck the toes under and raise the knees from the floor, distributing the body weight between the legs and back. While learning, use the arms to support the weight so the full body weight in not on the neck. Walk the feet closer to the head, straightening the back and moving the buttocks above the head. From here, walk the thighs close to the chest, toes on the mat. Raise one foot from the mat at a time exploring the balance and counter balance of the movements. Sirsasana - full pose Kneel on the floor. Bend forward and place the elbows on the mat below, and slightly wider than the shoulders. The distance can be measured by moving the arms to hold each elbow from the inside. Without moving the elbows, move the forearms to interlock the fingers, the elbows, forearms and back of the hand should be in contact with the mat. Lower the head so that the top of the head sits in the hands and is held securely to prevent movement and the crown of the head rests on the mat. Tuck the toes under and raise the knees from the floor, distributing the body weight between the legs and back. While learning, use the arms to support the weight so the full weight in not on the neck. Walk the feet closer to the head, straightening the back and moving the buttocks above the head. Slowly and with control, bend the knees and walk the feet in, bringing the thighs close to the chest. Raise both feet together off the mat, adjusting the body with small movements, to counterbalance the weight of the legs. Slowly move the feet up, close to the buttocks, using the back muscles, until the feet are pointing up and the knees are pointing down. Raise the knees, keeping the legs bent a nd feet close to the buttocks, until the hips are facing forward, the thighs are vertical and the knees are aligned with the buttocks. Slowly straighten the legs, raising the feet above the knees so that the entire body in aligned. This is the final position. Relax the legs and feet. Keep the back active to support the spine and hold it straight. Relax the mind and breathe normally. Exit the pose by slowly reversing the sequence of steps. Bend the knees, bringing the feet close to the buttocks. Bend at the hips, lowering the knees. Lower the feet and then the knees to the mat. Relax in child's pose with the head down for 1 minute to avoid dizziness that may result from the change in blood flow to the brain. Want to learn more about yoga and its effects, take a look at the TotalYogaPractice yoga poses galleries or get professional yoga instruction at home with our streaming yoga video. TotalYogaPractice.com are currently offering free no-strings-attaches, zero obligation trial access to our library of online yoga videos instructed by our highly experienced teacher Varun Veer. Find out how you can learn yoga online.
9.General Benifits
a]Physical Fitness. b] Mental Stability. c]Good Looks. d]Less Illness e]Happiness f]Long Life 10.Yoga & Diabetes... Adult-onset diabetes can usually be controlled through dietary and other lifestyle changes. While Yoga cannot “cure” diabetes, it can complement the lifestyle changes necessary to keep diabetic symptoms in check, and it can help you feel more in control of your health and well-being. If you need to lose weight, Yoga can help build your concentration and willpower so that it’s easier to stay on a weight-loss program. Yoga breathing techniques are particularly helpful because they teach you to focus on one thing — in this case, your smooth, rhythmic breathing — to the exclusion of everything else. In addition to strengthening your will, this practice also reduces harmful stress reactions and conserves energy so that more of it is available for living your life the way you want to. Learning how to cope with stress is important to anyone dealing with a chronic physical condition. Yoga exercises gently tone and shape the body, improve posture and flexibility, and contribute to feelings of well-being. Most Yoga exercises have a profound effect on improving circulation, especially to the extremities. Yoga exercises help keep the blood vessels elastic, and Yoga exercise combined with relaxation training has even been shown to reduce high blood pressure in some cases. After you’ve practiced for a while, you can add more vigorous exercises to your Yoga routine to give you the added benefits of some aerobic conditioning and increased muscle strength. Yoga exercises gently press on the body’s glands and organs, resulting in positive effects for the digestive, endocrine, and reproductive systems. By releasing muscle tension and teaching you how to relax at will, Yoga relaxation training helps reduce the harmful effects of physical and mental stress. Daily practice of meditation shows you a quiet, restful, stable part of yourself that supports everything you do, and teaches you how to draw on these inner resources for the strength and health that can be your choice. Coping with diabetes does not mean giving in to an “illness” mentality; by following your physician’s instructions and changing your lifestyle, you can create a life that is full, happy, energetic, healthy, and balanced. For a special routine for diabetes, please see the chapter on diabetes in our book 11.Yoga and Men "I want to teach men that it's good to come up against obstacles, it's good to be faced with what you see as your weaknesses." We hear so much about yoga and women. What do you think yoga has to offer men? First of all, more men take yoga than you think. My classes are about 30 to 50 percent men. I do think yoga has a lot to offer men. I just think it's harder for men to begin initially because of the male stereotypes in our society. Men are supposed to be strong and goal oriented and to identify physically and mentally with sports. But what many men discover is that the stereotype of a strong, independent male is very isolating and doesn't really work. They begin to look inward and begin to move toward relationships with themselves and with others. Yoga is all about relationships between the body and the breath, the muscles and the skeletal structure, between your physical self and your emotions, your mind and your body, yourself and your community. It gives men permission to stop and listen to their inner voice. Many men prefer the rigors of contact or competitive sports. Can a yoga practice help them perform their chosen sport better? How? I think so. Every sport has a unique vocabulary and we often find it difficult to translate the kinesthetic language of one sport into another way of moving. If we've trained for years to be a gymnast, for example, our body responds a certain way. Certain muscles are always contracted; others are loose. The body sets up particular neurological and neuromuscular patterns that stay the same and serve us in that sport. We breathe a certain way; we move a certain way. We often injure the same muscles or ligaments in the same way. Yoga brings the body back into balance, into its natural alignment. Yoga, with its full spectrum of poses-prone, supine, backward bending, forward bending-can teach someone where imbalances and physical weaknesses are and can help strengthen the body. Yoga can help enhance an athlete's performance in his sport by teaching how to breathe properly, how to relax and how to gain flexibility. What advice can you give men who may be interested in yoga but don't know how to begin? Taking a yoga class in a health club is a good way to start. I'd also tell them not to get discouraged. Most men are very competitive and have used their bodies that way all their lives. Suddenly they come into a yoga class and everyone can do the poses so much better than they can. They begin to compare themselves to everyone else and it sometimes feels downright humiliating. Often their first inclination is to give up. Staying with it will not only be good for their body-giving strength, flexibility, and balance-but also good for balancing their mind and emotions. I want to teach men that it's good to come up against obstacles, it's good to be faced with what you see as your weaknesses. By doing that, you not only begin to understand who you are, but you begin to develop a sense of compassion and acceptance.

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