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.

Office Yoga: Corporate Yoga for the Office

By Dr. Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500

Could Yoga training increase office productivity? Can Yoga teachers help the corporate sector? What can Office Yoga programs do for large and small businesses? Let’s look at solutions that Yogic methods can offer to the business world.

The number of office workers has increased, with the invention of the personal computer. Working excessive hours in front of a personal computer can create a multitude of back, neck, shoulder, spine, hip, and wrist problems. Muscle groups, in all of these areas, respond with tension and a variety of long-term problems - if they are ignored by office workers and management.

Forty years ago, secretaries would have been patronized for their migraines, cluster headaches, back pain, hip problems, and sore necks. Now, times are changing, and there has been much progress with ergonomics and studies which reveal new insights about the relationship of prolonged sitting to specific health problems.

A recent study, by The Medical Research Institute, in New Zealand, has revealed that office workers may be at a higher risk of developing blood clots. As most of us know, these studies are worded very tactfully, and do not jump to conclusions; however, anyone who understands body mechanics would realize that this makes perfect sense.

With that said, let’s remember that blood clots can be potentially fatal as they travel to the heart and vital organs. Blood clots can, and do, cause stroke, chest pain, and heart attack.

With larger numbers of office workers putting in extra hours of work, some “forward thinking” companies have begun to respond with office Yoga programs for their employees. Even short Office Yoga sessions can release muscle tension and alleviate the routine pains and aches, which result from prolonged sitting.

Therefore, companies, which take pro-active measures, by installing Office Yoga programs, are taking positive action toward health solutions for employees – thus, increasing productivity, while decreasing sick time, tardiness, and medical leave.

Office Yoga creates an atmosphere of decreased anxiety, less stress, positive thinking, and raises morale. Nothing is more rewarding than feeling worthy and being treated with respect. Any small company can take such action by installing an Office Yoga program.

Some companies pay a percentage for a Yoga teacher to operate an Office Yoga class, while employees pay the balance. Other companies see this as a “win-win” situation and pay for the Yoga classes in full. Regardless of how an Office Yoga program is paid for, the benefits for the corporate sector are just starting to be realized.

© Copyright Paul Jerard / Aura Publications

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.

The Benefits And Joys Of Yoga

By Kimaya Singh

Yoga is a popular physical, mental and spiritual practice that strengthens both the body and the mind. Yogic methodology is one of the six schools of traditional Indian Philosophy and has been practiced all over the globe for  centuries. Yoga is spiritual growth system, which benefits the body and the mind regardless of religion, culture or other differences.

Yoga Lifestyle for Mental Well Being

There are various forms of yogic practices, and they all have separate and distinct purposes. The most common types of yoga are Ananda, Anusara, Ashtanga, Bikram, Hatha, integral yoga, ISHTA, Iyengar, Jivamukti, Kripalu, Kundalini, power yoga, Sivananda, Svaroopa, Viniyoga and Vinyasa.

Ananda, Hatha, integral yoga, ISHTA, Iyengar, Sivananda, Viniyoga and Vinyasa are more relaxed, meditative yogic practices where the focus is placed on the breath. These types of yoga rely on deep stretching, meditation and increased flexibility. The purpose of these types of yogic practices is to restore the body, heal the mind, rid the body of negative toxins and increase flexibility.

Anusara, Ashtanga, Bikram, Jivamukti, Kripalu, Kundalini, power yoga and Svaroopa are strength-based practices that typically require a high level of physical fitness and flexibility. The purpose of these types of yoga practices is to combine a focus on the breath with quick, complicated movements, for a vigorous workout for the body and the mind. These yogic practices strengthen the body, increase flexibility, strengthen the mind, and rid the body of impure toxins.

Yoga not only strengthens the body and increases flexibility, but a daily yoga practice has been shown to benefit one's overall mental health. The ujjayi pranayama practiced during a flowing asana practice is a diaphragmatic breath, which increases oxygenation in the body, and helps calms the body while it eliminates toxins from the blood stream. Research shows that those who practice yoga on a daily basis have also been shown to have lower levels of stress than those who have a staggered practices, or those who don't practice at all.

The benefits of yoga are numerous. Practicing yoga on a regular basis can relieve chronic back pain and decrease stress. Yogic practices can help people fall asleep, yet they can also give them energy. Yoga can relieve menopausal symptoms, increase flexibility and promote an increase in overall well-being.

© Copyright 2007 – Aura Wellness Center – Publications Division

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.