...There are over 84, 000 yoga poses but some do stand out as essentials and should be practiced daily. One of them is the diamond pose also known as Vajrasana.

Now why do I single this pose out for beginner yoga enthusiasts?

Well, here are some of its benefits:

1. Vajrasana strengthens the muscles of thighs and calves.

2. This is one asana which can be done immediately after consuming food. Sit in Vajrasana and do right nostril breathing. This relieves heaviness in stomach and improves digestion.

3. Vajrasana is a very important meditation posture, as we can sit with an erect spine comfortably for a ...more

Laughter Yoga In A Nutshell

...e body as spontaneous laughter. So even if you're faking it when you laugh, your body does not know the difference. Therefore, you don't need to be happy to laugh and you don't need to have a reason to laugh; even fake laughter can help relieve stress and bolster your mood.

Laughter Yoga encourages unconditional laughter: it's possible for adults to laugh like children without the use of jokes, humor, or comedy. In a Laughter Yoga session you won't find people sitting in a circle taking turns telling jokes or using humor to make each other laugh. instead, a session of Laughter Yoga consists of a series of exercises which include yoga breathing, funny gestures, systematic giggling and guffawing, and improv-like activities.

A Laughter Yoga session will probably begin with rhythmic clapping and chanting of "Ho-Ho-Ha-H...more

Weight loss and Yoga

...d a teacher with at least a 200-hour certification, minimum.

Next it's important to develop a yoga practice that's suitable for your body as it is today -- not how you'd like it to be. With that in mind, yoga can be a very powerful tool for weight management.

Use yoga to breathe more deeply and simply relax. Yogic breathing (pranayama) increases the delivery of oxygen to the cells, allowing the organs to function as they should. This will give you more energy.

Deep breathing also triggers the "relaxation response," reducing stress and the production of cortisol. Cortisol is one of the "fight or flight" hormones that your body produces when it gets stressed -- like when a tiger is chasing you, or its modern equivalent: traffic and work. Overproduction of cortisol can lead to damage in the cardiovascular system as well as -- get this -- weight gain.

conscious relaxation, as opposed to unconscious relaxation like sitting in front of the tv, activates the parasympathetic nervous system and t...more

Raja Yoga Gaining Complete Control of Mind for Deep Meditation

...is point, meditation is said to begin. All the rest was preparatory for it and to it.

Raja Yoga getting to meditation

Finally one arrives at Dhyana, which is mediation. Your senses are internalized, your breath is controlled, your mind is thus free from the stuff that keeps it perpetually busy.

Once in true mediation, the road leads directly to Samadhi. In Samadhi you are in harmony with all creation, and non-creation, and are yourself the five principles or Yamas, which are: Ahimsa - of the refraining from injury (non-life supporting action)

satya which is truthfulness

Asteya of the freedom from stealing

Bramacharya which is living within the Self (moderation; abstinence)

Aparigraha or the freedom from attachment to possessions Having attained this, you are considered in perfection and able to feel one with your creator. This is the goal of all yoga, but in Royal Yoga, the path is easily set out, and if followed without deviation, you may arrive just there.<...more

Adam Bornstein Yoga Dvd