Yogic Happiness - Fact or Fiction?

By Jenny Park

If you practice yoga all the time, you might be oblivious to the number of people who are suffering from depression. As the current mental health epidemic continues to be at an all time high, the practice of yoga training to increase one's happiness and sense of well being has become a growing trend. 

In today's fast paced world, many people find themselves chronically stressed and worried, which can often lead to bouts of depression. As the population continues to over rely on medications in order to cope with life's dilemmas, a growing trend of utilizing yogic practices alongside traditional medicine has proven to be very successful for many people to combat depression and regain a sense of happiness.

Yogic practices are deeply embedded in ancient traditions, which focus on utilizing the mind and body connection to achieve a blissful state of being. What makes yoga techniques particularly effective for achieving happiness has to do with effectively developing this connection and becoming more in tune with one's inner self. When an individual engages in any kind of physical activity, endorphins are released, causing a rush of intense happiness (often referred to as "runner's high," in the jogging world), however, with yogic practices, the mindfulness which one must utilize in order to effectively engage in each pose is so powerful, that those hormones, which are released into the system, cause a more permanent state of bliss. The practice of utilizing pranayama techniques while maneuvering into each asana causes one to eventually reach a sense of inner tranquility.

Yoga training has been recommended by doctors as an adjunct therapy for individuals who are suffering from depressive disorders, as a way to teach them how to be more mindful of the small things that create states of inner happiness. This practice is particularly helpful for people suffering from depression, due to the fact that these individuals are often not aware of how their mindset might affect their physiological being, as well as vice versa. By becoming more aware and in tune with how interconnected their mind and bodies are, they are more empowered to exert a positive influence over their physical and mental well being.

In today's fast paced lifestyle, many people have become less aware of the beauty that surrounds them. People go through life at break neck speed and run on autopilot day in and day out. Oftentimes, they don't slow down until they are forced to by illness or death. A typical class within a yoga school is a wonderful place for all people to learn to slow down, rejoice in life's little pleasures, and rediscover a state of inner happiness and complete bliss.

© Copyright – Aura Wellness Center – Publications Division

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Want to learn more about how to become a certified yoga instructor or practicing yoga as a form of therapy? Please feel free to use the resources on the right side of this page for research.

Yoga for Cancer Recovery: Boosting Immunity

By: Virginia Iversen, M.Ed

If you are coping with a cancer diagnosis, remember that you are not alone! Unfortunately, the incidence of cancer has risen dramatically over the last fifty years. By some estimates, one in two people will be affected by cancer at some point in their lives, as opposed to one in twenty people fifty years ago. 

This increase in the incidence of cancer is quite daunting. So, if you are a Yoga practitioner and you are facing a cancer diagnosis, you are clearly not the only one. 

However, even if you are not alone, dealing with cancer can be very overwhelming and incredibly upsetting. According to experts, many forms of cancer are related to environmental toxicity. Some researchers believe that up to 95% of all cancers are related to environmental factors. For those of us who have a genetic vulnerability to developing certain types of cancer, the high level of carcinogenic chemicals in our food, air and water directly promotes the development and growth of cancer cells. One of the most important aspects of fighting cancer and winning is limiting your exposure to carcinogenic compounds in the environment, in addition to supporting the optimal functioning of your immune system. 

Many of the cutting-edge allopathic treatments are now focused on boosting the immune system, because the functioning of the immune system is so critical to winning the war against cancer. In addition, many of the natural protocols for beating cancer entail nutritional recommendations and herbal supplements for enhancing the immune system. One of the primary ways of boosting the functioning of your immune system is to get enough deep, restorative sleep. Sleeping well is one of the most important factors of allowing the body to balance, heal and fight disease of all kinds. A regular practice of Yoga postures and breathing exercises will help to promote restorative and deep sleep. 

Taking in an adequate amount of vitamin D is another critical element of supporting your immunity. Spending time outside in the sunshine for twenty to thirty minutes a day will help to boost you immune system. By combining moderate physical exercise, such as Yoga, with being outside in the sun, you will further support your immune system. If it is too cold to spend time outside, or it is cloudy or rainy much of the time to receive your vitamin D from the sun’s rays, you may want to take a vitamin D supplement. If you are fighting cancer, maintaining an adequate level of vitamin D is critical to winning the war against cancer. 

Researchers are discovering that an optimal amount of vitamin D is one of the most important aspects of maintaining a strong immune system, keeping your mood optimistic and lowering inflammation throughout the body. In addition, by remembering to breath deeply and take in fresh oxygen, you will help to create an internal environment that is not conducive to the growth of cancer. If you are a Yoga practitioner, the combined practice of Yoga postures, breathing exercises and relaxation techniques will comprehensively support your physical and emotional well-being, while you strive to eradicate cancer and reestablish an optimal state of health.

Another critical element to winning the war against cancer is to maintain strong connections with your loved ones and your community at large. By taking Yoga classes at a studio or health club, you will easily maintain your connection with others and also help to support your health through a balanced practice of Yoga postures and breathing exercises. In order to increase the level of oxygen in your body, practicing gentle Yogic breathing exercises will flood your tissues with more oxygen. By saturating your tissues with oxygen, you will create an internal environment that is inhospitable to the growth of cancer cells. 

Including pranayama exercises into your Yoga practice will also nurture your body’s ability to relax, which will boost your immune system, as the adrenalin-fueled release of cortisol is turned off for a period of time each day. As you consciously practice Yogic breathing exercises, you may discover that you have been unconsciously holding your breath or breathing in a shallow manner most of the time, especially if you have been dealing with a life-threatening illness such as cancer. Consciously practicing Yogic breathing exercises will help to retrain your body to relax and take in the life giving energy of fresh oxygen on a daily basis. 

Virginia Iversen, M.Ed, has been practicing and studying the art of Yoga for over twenty years. She lives in Woodstock, New York, where she works as a writer and an academic support specialist. She is currently accepting Yoga and health-related writing orders and may be contacted at: enchantress108@gmail.com 

© Copyright – Aura Wellness Center – Publications Division

To see our selection of Yoga teacher training courses, please visit the following link.

https://aurawellnesscenter.com/store/

Click here to see our online Yoga Nidra teacher training course.

Are you an experienced teacher looking for YACEP credits or continuing education?

Subscribe to Our Newsletter for Special Discounts and New Products

Related Resources

The YOGA MIND: 

52 Essential Principles of Yoga Philosophy to Deepen your Practice 

by Rina Jakubowicz

RESTORATIVE YOGA FOR LIFE: 

A Relaxing Way to De-stress, Re-energize, and Find Balance

by: Gail Boorstein Grossman

YOGA: THE PATH TO HOLISTIC HEALTH

by B.K.S. Iyengar

TEACHING YOGA: Essential Foundations and Techniques

By Mark Stephens

Yoga Exercises for Preventing Back Pain

By Faye Martins

The human back is a miraculous assembly of bones, ligaments, tendons, muscles and nerves. Backs should be both incredibly strong and supremely flexible at the same time. The back supports the whole body from the neck, through the upper back into the lower and then to the bottom of the spine. We use it for every single movement we make. If your back is hurting nothing seems to go right. Your back is the entire support system for your body and keeping it strong and supple is important for your overall wellbeing.

“You’re only as young as your spine is flexible,” this quote was said repeatedly by Richard Hittleman in his 1970s PBS television series, “Yoga For Health.” He was one of the first people to bring the ancient science of yogic methodology into living rooms across the United States. Now, 50 years later, yoga has mushroomed into a movement of health and spirituality practiced by millions of people at all levels of adeptness. Yoga is one methodology that focuses attention on the back. There are many postures or asanas that strengthen it and keep it supple. Once you know the basic movements yoga is a gentle way to wake up in the morning, stretch after sitting or to wind down after a hectic day. 

The entire body benefits from these traditional yogic asanas. From the head to the feet, there is a beneficial posture. Yoga is inclusive, benefiting the whole body. But sometimes our backs need special attention. Here are some classic yogic exercises that can strengthen, stretch and tone your back to prevent pain and to ensure you can move and play at will.

Cat/Cow pose – This exercise is done on the hands and knees. The stretching and curving in this asana helps slowly and surely to work out the kinks in your back.

Downward Facing Dog – Getting into this triangular pose is a great stress reliever. Holding this position helps your back relax and let go of tightness. This inverted posture allows blood to flow into the head while at the same time it stretches the back muscles.

Cobra/Locust/Bow – These three complementary movements are centered on strengthening the back. You alternately tense and rest the muscles and ligaments that support the spine. This is an advanced posture so go easy and rest in between. The Cobra/Locust/Bow is yoga at its finest.

Head to Knee Forward Bend (Also known as alternate Leg Stretches) - This is a wonderful asana that may take you years to master, but every time you do it your back will benefit.

Spinal Twist – this was the exercise Richard Hittleman suggested most often to bolster the back. He unfailingly emphasized the importance of a supple spine.

There are many more yogic asanas that can help tone, strengthen and stretch out the important bones and muscles of our back. Attending a yoga class is a great way to learn this valuable tool to back health. Regular yoga classes can teach you the proper way to do the postures and connect you with other people who are interested in not only the physical but also the emotional and spiritual components of this five thousand year old practice. Once you learn the postures you can practice at home so that you are helping yourself stay young and fit every day.

Our modern lives are busy and filled with much sitting around and lots of stressors. Our bodies and especially our backs take that inactivity and stress and do their best to keep us going. The wise and ancient practice of yoga can help keep our backs limber and our spirit strong.

© Copyright – Aura Wellness Center – Publications Division

To see our selection of Yoga teacher training courses, please visit the following link.

https://aurawellnesscenter.com/store/

Click here too see our online Yoga Nidra teacher training course.

Are you an experienced teacher looking for YACEP credits or continuing education?

Subscribe to Our Newsletter for Special Discounts and New Products

Related Resources

The YOGA MIND: 

52 Essential Principles of Yoga Philosophy to Deepen your Practice 

by Rina Jakubowicz.

RESTORATIVE YOGA FOR LIFE: 

A Relaxing Way to De-stress, Re-energize, and Find Balance

by: Gail Boorstein Grossman.

YOGA: THE PATH TO HOLISTIC HEALTH

by B.K.S. Iyengar

TEACHING YOGA: Essential Foundations and Techniques

By Mark Stephens