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We all know that exercise can improve us physically - lowering our cholesterol, decreasing our predisposition to heart disease, and enhancing our immune system - but, what we might not be aware of is the mind, not to be left out, can also be improved through exercise. The reasons for this are biological and emotional, benefiting the exerciser on several levels and leaving us to discover, when it comes down to it, that the mental benefits of exercise are as important to our overall wellbeing as the physical ones.

Rather than mindlessly putting on the running shoes, or climbing onto the treadmill to discharge energy and get the blood flowing, participating in yoga can give you both exercise for the brain and the heart. While providing physical benefits, it also powers your brain's ability to focus and to recognize unconscious habits that don't support your structure in gravity or your full potential as an emotional spiritual being.

yoga is often described as a type of exercise, although much more than an exercise routine, when practiced consciously, it greatly aids our mental capacity. While mental health can be difficult to quantify - there is no blood test that reveals emotional health - people who practice yoga regularly can not help but adopt better moods, possess more energy, and have an outlook submerged in positivity. In a nutshell, yoga makes you feel good, and good energy always results in better mental clarity and performance. When you are filled with positive, life affirming emotions, your mind reacts in a way that makes thinking and achievement virtually limitless.

From a biological standpoint, the ways yoga aids the brain can be explained in medical journal fashion. To begin, yoga is a science...more

An Introduction to the Different Types of yoga

...ittle discussion about the spiritual side of yoga.

Kundalini yoga - one of the styles that allows increased flexibility, energy, serenity and personal empowerment without causing stress. This style often uses chants as well as yoga postures to achieve the channelling and release of Kundalini energy; the energy that lies dormant at the base of the spine and is guided through the body's major energy centres.

kripalu yoga - a more meditative form of yoga, this style aims to encourage insight and awareness of the self. Although not as dynamic as some other yoga styles, this style does work as deeply on both the mental and physical levels. It is a popular style in America.

Viniyoga Yoga - a gentle ...more

Yoga Mats

...life of the yoga mats. Though most yoga mats are machine washable, the use of strong detergents, tumble-drying and spin washing may spoil the mat. The mat can also be cleaned with a damp cloth. Do not fold wet mats - squeeze out the water by rolling the mat in a towel, and press.

The price of a yoga mat can start from $20, though there are cheaper mats available for as low as $10. Yoga mats can be bought at yoga-related stores. They can also be ordered online. There are many websites that provide information about yoga mats, where the mats can be compared and even ordered online.<...more

Yoga and Gratitude

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Gratitude is something we often forget about on a day to day basis. Sure, we try to maintain it, appreciating that we have things that we want, like good jobs, and grateful that we dont have things that we dont want, like bird flu. But, no matter how hard we try to have it, in every day life its easy to lose; gratitude often falls through the cracks like the ease of car keys becoming lost in the cushions of a couch.

Gratitude is a virtue or law that manifests gratefulness, appreciation, and thankfulness. It is thought of as the first law of attraction, the springboard from which a pathway towards moment to moment self awareness gains momentum. It is what allows us, as human beings, to grow.

When it comes to yoga, some may assume that gratitude means tipping your instructor at the end of class. However, gratitude and yoga actually go hand in hand, with each affecting the other. This actually makes a lot of sense, considering both gratitude and yoga are strong advocates of self awareness and mindfulness - they on are the same team, coaching each of us on how to ease into the flow of life, rather than bumping up against life and losing sight of what we ...more

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