practice

Medicines are there to eliminate numerous health problems in the body. And with advancement of science and technology, production of medicines for different purposes is enhancing and thus we can get rid of several health related troubles. By the term herbal we mean the medicine extracted or synthesized from the plants and its products. Medicines are the part and parcel of today’s living where development has reached the peak, at the same time this development lead to the emergence of different fatal and non-fatal health problems.

Herbal medicines are the primary health management and this practice of healing a broad range of complaints or to boost health with plants and plant extracts are the principle of herbalism or phytotherapy. The concept of herbal medicine is the most primitive form of healthcare playing a vital role in the development of recent medicine which we are using today.
In other words we can define herbal medicine as the utilization of plants along with herb extracts intended for their therapeutic and curative value. The majority of the plants species found to have and produce chemical essences that facilitate in healing and supplementary physical treatments.

Herbal medicines are using at greater extent as these are associated with least side effects. Medicines though give immediate solutions to the health problems or illnesses, leave some side effects which become more fatal to the remaining body functioning system. Herbal medicines are extracted from the natural substances basically the plants and its products.

The practice of herbal medicines are prevailing since the prehistoric days and in India it is very famous and Indian Ayurveda has a big position in the world of herbal medicine. Nearly 80% of the world population is utilizing the herbal products in curing and preventing numerous diseases and its effects. Herbal medicine is associated with the primary health care programs.

All plant life generates certain chemical complex during their ordinary metabolic activities which can be further categorizes as primary metabolites for example fats and sugars available in the entire plants species and the secondary metabolites though found in smaller varieties of plants, particularly in specific species or genus. The identification of healing powers in the plants has lead to growth of various herbal medicines manufacture from different plants and plants extracts.

More than 80,000 plants species are found to contain medicinal properties and widely used in treating and preventing diseases. Herbal medicines are also using in association of other therapeutic programs like acupuncture and a good deal of prescription drugs are manufactured from the plants and plants extracts. Several herbal ingredients are found in the drugs used for healing and preventing diseases for example aspirin manufactured from Salix species whose common name is willow bark and digitalis made from Digitalis purpurea, foxglove.

The most common question arises is that if all the herbal products are beneficial and are they capable replacing the modern medication that is with drugs and associated chemical substances? The answer is that herbal medicines are used generally for treating mild cases and are less effective in case of the serious diseases, this can also be considered on the basis of the longer duration required for the herbal medicine s to effect. At the same time all the plant and plants extracts are safe to use and therefore is essential thing to consult the experts and doctors of the specific field.

Read more

The question “What is Yoga?” is not the type of question that is answered simply or in depth in such a short space. The practice of yoga has numerous unique schools of thought and varying opinions. In ancient Hinduism, the term “yoga” is more or less a general one, similar to the word “biology” or “physics”.

For the vast majorities of Hindius, the word “yoga” stands for a type of “technology of the spirit” (even though it doesn’t actually translate directly into that), which involves meditation, asceticism. The main goal of “yoga” in this type of circumstance is to get a more beneficial understanding of yourself, of nature, and of the various concepts of existence itself.

Ideas as well as beliefs have been influenced outside of the Indian subcontinent by yoga. Buddism in all of its various forms has been highly shaped by the constructs behind yoga, as has the numerous other asian philosophies and religions. For disciples of other religions, the question of “what is yoga” will be different in a significant way. There are many people who will carry out practices that are highly influenced through the use of yoga without really knowing what it is.

What is Yoga in the Western Environment?

For western culture yoga is a relatively new introduction. It was first introduced in the latter half of the nineteenth century by Swami Vivekananda, an Indian spiritual philosopher and spiritual leader whose speeches on the philosophy behind Indian culture and yoga mesmerized audiences in both the United States as well as the United Kingdom.

He passed away at a relatively young age in his late 30’s, however the seeds of ideas that he planted would later develop into the current day practice of yoga in Western society. The counter-culture of western society that sprung up in the latter half of the twentieth century. It’s assorted interests in many things Eastern furnished the practice of yoga with the drive it required to arise into the prevalent practice in western culture that it is today.

Yoga in the context of western culture affiliated with Hatha Yoga postures or “asanas” as a type of exercise. Even though there are traditionally only 6 styles of orthodox yoga, (Karma Yoga, Jnana Yoga, Hatha Yoga, Raja Yoga, and Bhakti Yoga) people in western culture have integrated various ideas from these types of schools of thought with each other or even with completely foreign concepts to arrive at other types of styles which might arguably be named “yoga”. Amongst these are “laughing yoga” and “chair yoga”.

In the west yoga is very well liked, particularly in the United State of America. People in America spend in excess of 3 billion dollars each year on classes for yoga as well as associated accessories. Whether or not this Commodification of a ritual that is ancient is helpful or not to the overall practice is debatable; however it does beg more in depth questions on “what is yoga” and what it’s practices stand for.

What is Yoga And How Does It Benefit a Person?

There have been many different benefits that have been shown to the practitioners of yoga. Firstly, the traditional forms of practices pf yoga have shown to enhance strength, flexibility, endurance, as well as general well being and lower the psychological stress and trauma.

Helpful effects on people suffering from asthma as well as individuals with heart conditions who practice yoga breathing techniques have also been demonstrated. There have also been numerous other advantages to using yoga that have been claimed, however unfortunately, not all of them have been proven.

Read more

Yoga is a powerful tool to help you blossom and reach your full human potential. The seeds are all within you, yoga is the water, the sunlight, the nutrients and the love they need in order to make your life vibrant, beautiful and full of sweet fragrance. It is not a religion, it is really a science with which to develop your body, mind and spirit.


The ultimate goal of Yoga, which literally means, Union, is to reunite you with the Universal Source. You may call this Universal Source by any name you wish, God, Brahman, Allah, Christ Consciousness, Buddha Nature etc, Yoga is a pathway to bring you to the realization that you and this Universal Source are inseparably One.


There are many branches of Yoga, such as Bhakti Yoga, Hatha Yoga, Jnana Yoga, Laya Yoga, Raja Yoga, Karma Yoga, Kundalini Yoga to name a few. These all have the same one goal, unification with the Universal Source, but each follow a different path to get there. Depending on your personality one or the other path may suit you better.


Here is a description of some of the major branches of Yoga:


* Bhakti Yoga: Emphasizes love as the pathway to liberation and Union.


* Jnana Yoga: Emphasizes the intellectual and philosophical approach to penetrate the illusion of dualistic reality.


* Karma Yoga: Emphasizes right action and selfless service as the path to moksha (liberation).


* Kundalini Yoga: Emphasizes the activation of Kundalini Shakti for enlightenment.


* Raja Yoga: Considered the Scientific approach, this branch emphasizes Sage Patanjali’s 8 step path to Self-Realization.


In this article I will expand on Raja Yoga as that is perhaps the most prevalent and popular Yoga system in use today.


As indicated above Raja Yoga employs Sage Patanjali’s 8 step path to achieve Union with the Supreme. This 8 step system (ashtanga) compromises of the following parts. Yamas, Niyamas, Pranayama, Pratyahara, Dharana, Dhyana, and finally Samadhi. This 8 step path is designed to bring about physical, emotion and mental harmony; and in the advanced practices of Dharana, Dhyana and Samadhi lead to the cessation of thoughts allowing the mind to realize that Reality is indeed Singular, Whole and indivisible.


Here is a description of the 8 limbs of Raja Yoga:


1. Yamas: Yamas are abstensions. They are truth, nonviolence, control of sexual energy, nonstealing and noncovetousness.


2. Niyams: Niyams are observances. They are austerities, purity, contentment, study and egolessness.


3. Asanas: Steady postures and poses.


4. Pranayama: Breathing exercises and control of the vital energy.


5. Pratyahara: Withdrawal of the Senses.


6. Dharana: Concentration of the mind.


7. Dhyana: Meditation.


8. Samadhi: Union with the Supreme Consciousness.


The regular practice of Raja Yoga promotes health, happiness and insight. Although the ultimate goal of Yoga is Union with the Supreme, many material benefits are also obtained by its practice.


Today, many ailments are treated via the use of Yoga asanas and pranayamas, and the stress reducing benefits of Yoga meditation are becoming more and more valuable to us given our hectic and frantic lifestyles. Furthermore, the principles of humility, truth and other high values that Yoga promotes are helping to offset some of the excessive materialism and greed that is eroding the peace and spirit of our society today.


The most important aspect of Yoga is that it is based on Self-Realization. In other words, you are given the tools required, and using them you bring about the necessary transformations in yourself to reach your true potential in life.


It is now often said, that the next great teachers will arise from the West. This is because the West has an empirical approach to things, as opposed to superstition and blind faith. If something works it is embraced and utilized, if something does not prove to work, it is discarded as junk. This is probably the reason why Yoga has grown in such popularity here in the West, because it works. So dive in and reap the benefits.

Read more

One of the oldest known techniques which helps in the all round development of a person is Yoga. Yoga has been around for ages dating back as far as 500 years. Yoga practices helps in the well being of a person by making him or her mentally, emotionally, physically and spiritually sound. Yoga also helps a person achieve a sense of self awareness because it helps enhance the person’s capabilities.

There are many parts to Yoga which include meditation, physical postures or asana and breathing techniques. Most people only do yoga for their physical well being and to remain healthy. Very few take up meditation to contemplate upon the truth without doing the yogic postures.

Many people mistake yoga for a series of steps which have to be followed but actually yoga helps you to evolve so that as you practice you will soon find that your inner system is cleansed and you become more aware of your inner self. This changes the perception of the person and he sees everything in new light.

Yoga postures help you to gain perfect health and strength. You can also learn to breathe correctly and learn and gain self control. Mastery over the mind can be achieved and concentration improves. To achieve focus and mind concentration total dedication is needed so that you can achieve what you set out to do.

Yoga is one of the most popular forms of therapy which many all over the world are taking up. Many people relate to Hatha yoga when they hear the word Yoga in general as it is this form of yoga which is highly popular and practiced by many all. Hatha yoga involves techniques which include physical exercises and controlled breathing techniques. Through harmonious breathing and postures one can achieve a well balanced body.

The benefits of hatha yoga are it improves your strength, vitality and gives greater flexibility. There are many other forms of yoga other than Hatha yoga like aerobic yoga workouts which are fast and demanding and still other forms which fitness conscious people follow. The gentle forms are for people who need healing.

Yoga is universal and does not cater to the needs of any faith, lifestyle and can be practiced by people of any age group. You do not have to attend a class to learn yoga or be instructed personally through a teacher. You can learn yoga through self taught books.

Choose the form of Yoga that you think would suit you and your lifestyle. There are various kinds of meditation techniques so you need to choose one that you think would be apt for you. Different variations of Yoga are being developed today.

For beginners, the use of videos and DVDs which are available are an ideal way to learn the art. There are videos and DVDs on Yoga for couples, athletes, yoga with grace and strength and yoga or beginners.

The various supplies that you would need to practice yoga include Yoga mats, yoga belts, yoga straps and blocks. The yoga mats give you perfect support while you move into various postures. The very purpose of the yoga mats is to provide adequate cushioning and protection when you are doing Yoga on hard floors. Along with yoga mats, yoga straps and blocks help in your workout. Another essential supply that is very important for yoga is buying the proper clothing which will help you to stretch freely and allow you to be more flexible.

Read more

Maybe your doctor, chiropractor, physical therapist, or best friend told you Yoga would be good for you. You have heard so much about Yoga; it seems that Yoga is a “cure” for almost anything. The more you hear, the more confusing it is to understand what Yoga is all about.


Should you go out and buy a Yoga book? What would be the best Yoga book to buy? If you visit the local book store, you see hundreds of Yoga books, CD’s, DVD’s, card decks, and kits. Should you buy a copy of the Yoga Sutras by Patanjali or buy one of the “for dummies” Yoga books?


Below is an overview of Yoga, which may help you decide your path of Yogic study. There is no right or wrong path of Yoga study, but be selective when you choose a Yoga teacher, Yoga book, or Yoga class.


You should first realize that there are many styles of Yoga. There are nine major styles of Yoga; many more styles exist, as well as many sub-styles. The nine major styles of Yoga are Bhakti, Hatha, Jnana, Karma, Kundalini, Mantra, Raja, Tantra, and Yantra Yoga. Each style emphasizes unity of body, mind, and spirit.


The literal meaning of Yoga is “union” or “unity.” If we can unify the body, mind, and spirit in harmony, we can achieve tranquility. One of the main purposes of Yoga is tranquility through improved health due to a holistic approach to life.


India is the birth place of Yoga. There are many written works about Yoga, but the origin of Yoga dates back thousands of years. Yoga is the “mother” of most of the world’s health maintenance systems. Asian martial arts, with an origin from the Shaolin temple, and Pilates, can trace their ancestry back to Yoga.


The “higher forms of Yoga” are said to be Bhakti, Jnana, Karma, and Raja Yoga. Each of these four styles is a complex subject, within themselves, and I cannot do them justice by a summarization.


Hatha Yoga sub-styles are the most prolific outside of India. Most new Yoga practitioners will learn a Hatha Yoga sub-style first. Hatha Yoga, and its many sub-styles, primarily emphasize physical health, which will likely result in improved mental health. Most Hatha Yoga classes, outside of India, do not approach spiritual health.


Nevertheless, Hatha Yoga is seen by fundamentalists as an “export of Hinduism.” In some rare instances, this may be true, but most Hatha Yoga teachers are content to teach improved health for body and mind.


Therefore, when you choose a book, or local Yoga teacher, be aware that the Yoga teacher or Guru is a guide – but you have a right to know which direction you are being guided to. The Yoga practitioner learns to expand his or her mind and make independent decisions “along the way.”


Yoga is non-threatening to religion. If a Yoga instructor teaches intolerance, of any kind, that is not Yoga. Unity is not sectarianism. We have to learn to appreciate diversity, and we should never tolerate prejudice. Prejudice and intolerance are often the cause of crime and wars.


On the “Grand Scale,” the goals of Yoga are the end of suffering, tranquility, and world peace through unity.


Copyright 2007 – Paul Jerard / Aura Publications

Read more

Yoga aims to bring together the mind, the body and the spirits. People that practice yoga view that the mind and body are one and that if given the right tools, it can find harmony and find a way to heal. Practicing yoga is then considered to be a form of therapy. Awareness of posture and patterns of movement, flexibility and relaxation are only a few of the things that can be achieved with the practice. To feel fit, be more energetic, be happier and more at peace are only some of the reasons why people choose to practice yoga.


Yoga dates back to thousands of years of practice, consisting of ancient theories, observations and principles about the connection between mind and body that are now proven by modern day medicine. Research has proven that there are a lot of health benefits, whether physiological, psychological or biochemical, that can be obtained through the practice of yoga.


Some of the physiological benefits include a decrease in pulse rate, respiratory rate and blood pressure which in other words would mean that the cardiovascular and respiratory efficiencies increase which can help in the increase of immunity. Bodily functions like gastrointestinal, endocrine and excretory either normalizes or improves which can help in the normalization of weight. Musculoskeletal flexibility and joint range of motion increase which can help in the improvement of posture, dexterity, balance and the integrated functioning of body parts. In essence, gaining all of that can help decrease any pains in the joints or muscles. With the practice of yoga, endurance, energy level and even eye-hand coordination improves. Weight can also normalize.


The psychological benefits of yoga include the increased awareness of somatic and kinesthetic waves, improvement of mood and subjective well-being which subsequently increases social adjustment. With a calmer mind, concentration, memory, attention and learning efficiency can also improve.


The biochemical benefits of yoga are effects of some of the physiological benefits. Levels of glucose, sodium, bad cholesterol and triglycerides decrease while levels of good cholesterol, cholinesterase, ATP, hemoglobin, vitamin C and serum protein increase. These changes are all beneficial for a healthier body.


Apart from all of this, the benefits of yoga have been compared versus that of the benefits of regular exercise. With the slow dynamic and static movements of yoga, there is a lower risk of injury to muscles and ligaments as opposed to regular exercise routines due to the lesser effort and relaxed way of movement which subsequently makes for better energizing since breathing is not taxed. There is also a more balanced activity of opposing muscle groups, thus being able to gain a normalized muscle tone instead of getting bulky.


Yoga does not need to be for people that are extremely flexible. It can be for people that are looking to improve on their flexibility or other areas of their physical or mental health. With these many benefits, its no wonder why yoga has been a successful practice for thousands of years.

Read more