Intention for the Day: Having a clear and more focused mind.
Focus is an important mindset to have. It allows for greater concentration on the task at hand. Without allowing yourself to be distracted, you are able to accomplish much more.Yoga can help train your mind to be more focused. Regularly practicing poses that require a lot of concentration to do successfully, like boat pose, will eventually allow you to reach a focused mental state more quickly and efficiently. This ability can be applied to many other areas of your life, like schoolwork, sports, or work. Yoga can also be a great way to unclutter your mind and help you get back on track during a homework break.
http://yoga.org.nz/benefits/psychological_benefits/better_focus.htm
Sunday, February 10, 2013
Sunday, February 3, 2013
Reducing Stress Through Yoga
Today's Intention: Reducing Stress & Burnout
As the semester gets going and the frequency of homework and tests begins to increase, stress levels naturally increase as well. High levels of stress are associated with vata derangement. When vata levels are high, the person has what is called a "rajastic" state of mind, which is characterized by impatience, anxiety, insomnia, constipation, and an inability to focus. These symptoms only make getting work done more difficult. Fortunately, there are some yoga poses and lifestyle changes that can help to reduce stress and burnout in order to help you feel better and be more productive.
Engaging in more vigorous yoga exercises can help to burn off some excess nervous energy, but these workouts should only be done in moderation so that the symptoms of stress are not exacerbated. Poses that can decrease vattic symptoms include squatting, inversions, and standing poses with an emphasis on remaining grounded through the legs. A regular sleep and eating schedule that includes warm and nutritious foods is also useful in reducing vata derangement.
Another way to decrease stress and improve your overall state of mind is through breathing practices. Shallow, rapid chest breathing can be the result as well as the cause of stress. One method of slowing the breath down is by breathing through the nose to increase resistance. Breathing more deeply also has a calming effect by bringing more oxygen into the body. Lengthening the period of exhalation relative to inhalation will increase relaxation by decreasing the effect of the sympathetic nervous system's "fight or flight response" on the body. This technique can easily and discreetly be used whenever stress starts to appear in your life.
http://www.yogajournal.com/for_teachers/2365
As the semester gets going and the frequency of homework and tests begins to increase, stress levels naturally increase as well. High levels of stress are associated with vata derangement. When vata levels are high, the person has what is called a "rajastic" state of mind, which is characterized by impatience, anxiety, insomnia, constipation, and an inability to focus. These symptoms only make getting work done more difficult. Fortunately, there are some yoga poses and lifestyle changes that can help to reduce stress and burnout in order to help you feel better and be more productive.
Engaging in more vigorous yoga exercises can help to burn off some excess nervous energy, but these workouts should only be done in moderation so that the symptoms of stress are not exacerbated. Poses that can decrease vattic symptoms include squatting, inversions, and standing poses with an emphasis on remaining grounded through the legs. A regular sleep and eating schedule that includes warm and nutritious foods is also useful in reducing vata derangement.
Another way to decrease stress and improve your overall state of mind is through breathing practices. Shallow, rapid chest breathing can be the result as well as the cause of stress. One method of slowing the breath down is by breathing through the nose to increase resistance. Breathing more deeply also has a calming effect by bringing more oxygen into the body. Lengthening the period of exhalation relative to inhalation will increase relaxation by decreasing the effect of the sympathetic nervous system's "fight or flight response" on the body. This technique can easily and discreetly be used whenever stress starts to appear in your life.
http://www.yogajournal.com/for_teachers/2365
Saturday, January 26, 2013
Poses for Feeling Under the Weather
My Intention for the Day: Take Care of Myself
Recovering from being sick can be tough, but there are some easy yoga poses that can help! Yoga can assist you in increasing circulation and breathing, clearing the sinuses, relaxing the mind and internal organs, and releasing tension. This will make the symptoms of a cold feel less acute so you can feel a little less under the weather! While doing yoga poses when you're feeling sick, it is important to feel comfortable. This can be done by modifying poses you might ordinarily do, like a bridge pose, by supporting yourself with blankets or padding. It's also important not to over-exert yourself, since you're doing yoga to help yourself feel better, not to add any more stress to your body. For this reason, it's a good idea to avoid difficult poses, but instead focus on poses that are simple and relaxing.
Here's a link to some great poses for when you're trying to feel better! :)
http://www.yogajournal.com/health/117
Recovering from being sick can be tough, but there are some easy yoga poses that can help! Yoga can assist you in increasing circulation and breathing, clearing the sinuses, relaxing the mind and internal organs, and releasing tension. This will make the symptoms of a cold feel less acute so you can feel a little less under the weather! While doing yoga poses when you're feeling sick, it is important to feel comfortable. This can be done by modifying poses you might ordinarily do, like a bridge pose, by supporting yourself with blankets or padding. It's also important not to over-exert yourself, since you're doing yoga to help yourself feel better, not to add any more stress to your body. For this reason, it's a good idea to avoid difficult poses, but instead focus on poses that are simple and relaxing.
Here's a link to some great poses for when you're trying to feel better! :)
http://www.yogajournal.com/health/117
Monday, January 21, 2013
Take Time for Yourself! You Deserve It :)
My Intention for the Day: Make time for myself.
With classes, hours of homework to do, and club meetings and events to plan, it becomes difficult to remember to make time for yourself. But despite how hectic our schedules become, it remains important to set aside at least an hour every day to relax and reflect internally. This can be as simple as taking the time to sit and breathe, relax while listening to music, meditate, or exercise. Taking just a small break from our daily activities allows us to clarify our thoughts, relieve some of the stress that has been building up throughout the day, and center ourselves emotionally and mentally.
http://www.selfgrowth.com/articles/Take_Time_For_Yourself_With_Yoga.html
With classes, hours of homework to do, and club meetings and events to plan, it becomes difficult to remember to make time for yourself. But despite how hectic our schedules become, it remains important to set aside at least an hour every day to relax and reflect internally. This can be as simple as taking the time to sit and breathe, relax while listening to music, meditate, or exercise. Taking just a small break from our daily activities allows us to clarify our thoughts, relieve some of the stress that has been building up throughout the day, and center ourselves emotionally and mentally.
http://www.selfgrowth.com/articles/Take_Time_For_Yourself_With_Yoga.html
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