Keep Calm and Do Yoga Site

Food has an amazing way to heal our bodies and mind. Try these subtle art of cooking for a week and see the difference yourself.

#1 Know the Food Types

All food is fuel but not all food is beneficial for our bodies. Yoga, does not dissect food into proteins, carbohydrates or fats, instead it classifies them according to the effect they have on the body and mind, into three types – satva, rajas and tamas.

Yoga is very much a part of the mainstream culture as much as any form of exercise. However, Yoga is more than just an exercise. It’s benefits go beyond the realm of the body and mind to create a positive life and environment.

1) Holistic Fitness - True health comes from not only being physically fit, but also mentally and emotionally balanced. Yoga postures, pranayama (breathing techniques) and meditation are a holistic fitness package. By synchronizing the breath with the body, Yoga brings your attention into the present moment. At the end of a Yoga session, you should expect to feel refreshed on all levels.

2) Weight Loss - Besides being a form of exercise, yoga also calms down the mind and impulsive tendencies, which leads to an enhanced ability to slow down and make healthier decisions when it comes to food.

Sun Salutations, when practiced daily, are one of the best yogic tools for managing weight, as they work every part of the body while increasing the heart rate.

3) Stress Relief - Yoga links our body to our mind with the help of the breath. When we take the time, even just five minutes, to focus our attention on the way our body feels, the content of our mind, and the quality of our breath, we enter into the present moment, which is a constant source of peace.

4) Inner Peace - Peace is a state of being that can be cultivated with the help of Yoga. Yoga is one of the best ways to calm a disturbed mind and bring ourselves to a place of peace.

And the best part is, you don’t have to pay for plane ticket! Practicing yoga is like taking yourself on a small holiday every day of the week. The more you practice and connect with your feelings of inner peace, the more your daily routine will seem as fun as a vacation.

5) Improved Immunity - Disharmony in the mind can manifest as an ailment in the body (think irritable bowel syndrome). Yoga massages the internal organs, strengthens muscles, and increases blood circulation, all of which detoxify the body.

Yoga also increases circulation of the lymphatic system (lymph is a clear, watery fluid that moves bacteria and viruses out of the body). Breathing techniques and meditation also release stress and improve immunity.

6) Increases Awareness - A restless mind is not exactly a peaceful or an efficient mind. When our mind is restless we miss out on the present moment, which is where all the magic is. When practicing yoga, because our attention is focused on the most present parts of yourself (our body and breath), we can create a state of increased awareness, which brings the mind to the present moment, where it can stay happy and focused.

7) Better Relationships - Yoga can even help improve your relationship with your spouse, parents, friends and loved ones. Human relationships are many a time based on feelings and when our feelings are a little off the balance or when we feel a little downtown in our vibrations, our relationships also end to suffer.

Yoga and meditation help to maintain a balance between our emotions and the way we act out and extend our ability to listen, be attentive, and have compassion.

8) Increased Energy - We live in a fast-paced world that places increasing demands on our mental and physical energy, not to mention to constant flow of information available at our fingertips on our phones and computers. A few minutes of yoga everyday provides the secret to feeling fresh and energetic even after a long day. The breath is naturally energizing, as it oxygenates the blood and brain. Taking just a few minutes to move your body can wake you up and even kick your caffeine habit!

9) Better Flexibility and Posture - Bad Posture is one of the modern day diseases brought on by the onslaught of technology and a sedentary lifestyle. regular yoga practice stretches and tones the muscles and helps improve posture. Yoga brings mental awareness to the body, which can lead to an increased awareness of posture throughout the day.

10) Increases Intuition - When we practice yoga, we activate and communicate with all the parts of our body, creating coherence in our brain and integration in our entire system. This increases our intuitive ability in a way that allows us to effortlessly realize what decisions are best to make.

10 secret ways Yoga changes your life for the better

from Keep Calm Do Yoga https://keepcalmdoyoga.tumblr.com/post/168718697825

Are you resembling Rudolph, the red nosed reindeer, since you caught the cold? Does your body will like it has gone on a shut-down? Does your voice sound like the funny cartoon characters on TV because of your congested nose? These are just a few visible signs of the common cold. Instead of popping a pain-killer here are some uncommon tips to beat it.

1) Meditate

You might be wondering that how can you meditate with a stuffed nose. But meditation has great healing properties that can strengthen your immune system. It acts as first aid to your immunity which is attacked by antigens during an infection. It also helps increases your energy levels when illness saps it away.

2) Try Pranayama & Yoga

The ancient knowledge of Yoga is naturally ingrained in all of us. If you see little kids sleeping you will notice that their positions and hand gestures are very similar to Yoga postures and mudras. During a cold practice Agni Mudra and Vayu Mudra as they increase the heat in your body providing much needed relief.

Agni Mudra is done by folding the ring finger to the base of the thumb and pressing it with the thumb at the medial phalange while leaving the other three fingers straight.

Vayu mudra is done by letting the index finger touch the mound of the thumb and letting your thumb touch the medial phalange of your index finger while leaving the other three fingers straight. Repeat each pranayama for 3 minutes, at least 3 to 4 times a day.

3) Heal with Sound

Listening to even the slightest sound might irritate us while we are unwell but certain sounds have the vibrations to heal. Sounds created by Sanskrit chanting produces positive vibrations and help you slip into a deep state of rest. Author Helen Lavretsky, a professor of psychiatry at UCLA, believes that sound has interesting implications for treating chronic stress and memory problems.

4) Believe That Nothing Is Wrong With You

The Daily Beast reported that playing a virtual-reality game eases pain in burn patients by as much as 50 percent, more than drugs alone Refuse to give up to illness. Rather than surrendering to the cold and slumping down on your bed hit the yoga mat. It might be difficult in the beginning, but our mind is more powerful than we think. The way you have faith in the doctors and medicines to heal you, have faith in your body and mind to heal itself.

Unique ways to beat the common cold - Slide Show

from Keep Calm Do Yoga https://keepcalmdoyoga.tumblr.com/post/168584302450

How to Start Studying and Stop Stressing We all have struggled with studying at some point of time in our lives. But sometimes even after all the planning and motivation we do not get our desired results. Have you wondered why? Stress is one of the main reasons that decreases our effectiveness while we study. Follow this simple study guide with meditation that will help you ace your grades. 1) Get Adequate Sleep We all know sleep is important but most of us also ignore it when exams are coming up. The truth is the more we skip sleep the more difficult it is to retain information in your brain. Try to get 8 hours of minimum sleep when studying a new subject to help remember the information. If you have trouble falling asleep then try some Yoga Nidra meditation or follow these suggestions for a restful night of sleep. 2) Learn the Sudarshan Kriya Better time management good grades increased focus right decision-making for the future improved relationships strength to face competition and deal with peer pressure reduce anger whatever you name the Sudarshan Kriya can offer you. Do not know how to meditate? Dont worry you could take the Yes program which teaches you the Sudarshan kriya. The Surdarshan Kriya is one of a kind meditation practiced which is widely popular among youths all over the world with proven results for better health and mind. 3) Eat Healthy The adage We are what we eat cannot get more true when it comes to eating while studying. Needless to say Junk foods are the worst category of foods to eat while studying. It not only slows you down but makes you restless in the mind. Fresh foods such as veggies and fruits keep our digestion clean and mind alert. You can even find what types of food work for your personality here. from Keep Calm Do Yoga https://keepcalmdoyoga.tumblr.com/post/168576413760

Sun Salutation - 1 Yoga sequence - Countless benefits Sun Salutation is one of the ancient yoga practices being practiced by people world over. It is a Yoga sequence consisting of 12 yoga poses that aligns your bodymind and spirit and should be practiced by anyone who wants to make a revolutionary change in their life. 1) Massages internal organs All the blood pumping deep breathing and stretching stimulates our internal organs like no otherexercise. 2) Strengthens Muscles Repetition of the asanas in the effortless flow of the sun salutations tones and strengthens our muscles along with making our bones dense and joints flexible. Many athletes practice Sun Salutation as warm-up before their games to give themselves an extra edge. 3) Aids Digestion Improper metabolic functioning is one of the main reasons for a low digestive fire. The stretching in sun salutations stimulates the digestive juice in our intestines and helps flush out ama ( digestive toxins) and sluggishness away. 4) Makes skin radiant Improved blood flow helps create and maintain a healthy skin. Follow this 15 - minute routine every day to have a youthful and supple skin for the rest of your life. 5) Uplifts Spirit The best antidote to depression is not binge watching on Netflix but by stretching out of your comfort zone on the yoga mat. Sun Salutations are like meditations in movement and chase the lethargy away from mind body and spirit. These are just a few benefits that are visible but people have noticed remarkable changes in their subtle world and personality after practicing Sun Salutations for years. Why dont you give it this ancient yoga practice a try instead of hitting the gym for the next one week and see the difference for yourself? from Keep Calm Do Yoga https://keepcalmdoyoga.tumblr.com/post/168554296615

Sun Salutation - 1 Yoga sequence - Countless benefits Sun Salutation is one of the ancient yoga practices being practiced by people world over. It is a Yoga sequence consisting of 12 yoga poses that aligns your bodymind and spirit and should be practiced by anyone who wants to make a revolutionary change in their life. 1) Massages internal organs All the blood pumping deep breathing and stretching stimulates our internal organs like no other exercise. 2) Strengthens Muscles Repetition of the asanas in the effortless flow of the sun salutations tones and strengthens our muscles along with making our bones dense and joints flexible. Many athletes practice Sun Salutation as warm-up before their games to give themselves an extra edge. 3) Aids Digestion Improper metabolic functioning is one of the main reasons for a low digestive fire. The stretching in sun salutations stimulates the digestive juice in our intestines and helps flush out ama ( digestive toxins) and sluggishness away. 4) Makes skin radiant Improved blood flow helps create and maintain a healthy skin. Follow this 15 - minute routine every day to have a youthful and supple skin for the rest of your life. 5) Uplifts Spirit The best antidote to depression is not binge watching on Netflix but by stretching out of your comfort zone on the yoga mat. Sun Salutations are like meditations in movement and chase the lethargy away from mind body and spirit. These are just a few benefits that are visible but people have noticed remarkable changes in their subtle world and personality after practicing Sun Salutations for years. Why dont you give it this ancient yoga practice a try instead of hitting the gym for the next one week and see the difference for yourself? Help yourself with this step by step guide to get you started. from Keep Calm Do Yoga https://keepcalmdoyoga.tumblr.com/post/168551105670

5 reasons why Sun Salutation is the best exercise regime Sun salutation is one of the most mystical and popular yoga routine that is practised the world over. From physical to emotional to spiritual the benefits of this yoga routine make this more like a life cleanse than just an exercise routine. Youd be surprised on how the sun salutations can remarkably change your life when you follow it for as little as ten days. 1) Energises your body How do you generally start your day? By looking at your smartphone or grabbing a cup of hot coffee? Why not pay homage to the sun the life sustaining force and indulge yourself in an usual ritual. The early morning sunlight raises your melatonin levels and pushes lethargy away. 2) Increases Intuition Yoga which was developed over 5000 years ago and the sages who developed it knew that every part of the body is somewhat linked to the natural world. One of those aspects in intuition or in simple words the gut feeling. The solar plexus (located behind the navel at the center of the body) is said to be intimately connected to the sun. The state of ones solar plexus is said to be linked to emotions and intuition. The ancient sages prescribed the practice of Sun Salutations in order to expand the solar plexus and achieve increased mental clarity heightened intuition and a tranquil emotional state. 3) Improves Blood Circulation Sun Salutations are an excellent way to get a full body workout when you cannot go to the gym. As you move through the twelve asanas your heart pumps out blood to all parts of the body that you may not achieve in a traditional workout. 4) Aids Weight Loss Have you been trying really hard to lose that fat you have been carrying around since the Christmas holidays? Many a times no matter how much we work out it is just impossible to lose that stubborn weight. One of the main reasons for this is stress. With Sun Salutations our breath is synchronised with our body movements which aids in weight loss. 5) Increases Mental Clarity The effects of Sun Salutations go beyond mat and have tremendous positive effects on our mental health. Whenever your mind feels muddled with too many thoughts just do a couple of sets of Sun Salutations and you will find your mind calm and stable just like the clear water on a tranquil lake. Practising Sun Salutation everyday is a powerful routine that not only benefits our body and mind but also helps us be a part of the vastness of the cosmos through our bodies. So the next time you find yourself in a slump try doing a couple of rounds of Sun Salutation and know that you will be rewarded in more ways than one. Want a beginners guide to walk you through the steps? Here is a great guide by The Art of Living to help you get you started. from Keep Calm Do Yoga https://keepcalmdoyoga.tumblr.com/post/168549038145

Are you resembling Rudolph, the red nosed reindeer, since you caught the cold? Does your body will like it has gone on a shut-down? Does your voice sound like the funny cartoon characters on TV because of your congested nose? These are just a few visible signs of the common cold. Instead of popping a pain-killer here are some uncommon tips to beat it.

1) Meditate

You might be wondering that how can you meditate with a stuffed nose. But meditation has great healing properties that can strengthen your immune system. It acts as first aid to your immunity which is attacked by antigens during an infection. It also helps increases your energy levels when illness saps it away.

2) Try Pranayama & Yoga

The ancient knowledge of Yoga is naturally ingrained in all of us. If you see little kids sleeping you will notice that their positions and hand gestures are very similar to Yoga postures and mudras. During a cold practice Agni Mudra and Vayu Mudra as they increase the heat in your body providing much needed relief.

Agni Mudra is done by folding the ring finger to the base of the thumb and pressing it with the thumb at the medial phalange while leaving the other three fingers straight.

Vayu mudra is done by letting the index finger touch the mound of the thumb and letting your thumb touch the medial phalange of your index finger while leaving the other three fingers straight. Repeat each pranayama for 3 minutes, at least 3 to 4 times a day.

3) Heal with Sound

Listening to even the slightest sound might irritate us while we are unwell but certain sounds have the vibrations to heal. Sounds created by Sanskrit chanting produces positive vibrations and help you slip into a deep state of rest. Author Helen Lavretsky, a professor of psychiatry at UCLA, believes that sound has interesting implications for treating chronic stress and memory problems.

4) Believe That Nothing Is Wrong With You

The Daily Beast reported that playing a virtual-reality game eases pain in burn patients by as much as 50 percent, more than drugs alone Refuse to give up to illness. Rather than surrendering to the cold and slumping down on your bed hit the yoga mat. It might be difficult in the beginning, but our mind is more powerful than we think. The way you have faith in the doctors and medicines to heal you, have faith in your body and mind to heal itself.

We all have suffered from the common cold both in our childhood and in our adult life. The occurrence of the common cold is so regular that people have just accepted it as a part of life and mindlessly pop pills without introspecting about the more deeper cause.

According to Ayurveda, the common cold attacks our body when the elements of our body go out of balance. This flu season, keep the kleenex aside and try out these natural remedies to ward of the common cold.

Viewing Link

from Keep Calm Do Yoga https://keepcalmdoyoga.tumblr.com/post/168545287570

We all have faced stress at work sometime or the other, but this phenomenon is becoming more common these days affecting people chronically. Stress, if not managed well, can manifest through both emotional as well as physical ailments.

Practice these powerful techniques so that you can sail through stressful situations with confidence.

1) Learn to relax

Our body is in sync with the nature and needs to recharge accordingly.

Go to bed early and get adequate amount of sleep to recharge your body’s cells.

Besides adequate sleep, practice meditation to give a break to your mind from the chaos of the workplace. Try these free guided meditations to get started.

2) Take short breaks

Sitting long hours in front of the computer can be detrimental both for the mind and the body.

Get up and take regular breaks, even if it is to the water cooler. Try this for a few days and you might be surprised to see that you are less stressed than before.

3) Check your diet

We are all guilty of skipping our meals or binging on something unhealthy when we are busy at work. This deprives us of energy and affects our concentration and productivity.

Following the three ‘Whats’ of a healthy diet will take you a long way in keeping you healthy, focused and energized:

#1 What time to eat?

#2 What type of food to eat?

#3 What amount of food to eat?

4) Stretch

Time health says, “ Physical activity promotes healthy brain functions needed to properly regulate emotions and behavior.” Even if you miss your morning exercise routine, we have got you covered with these easy office yoga routines.

We cannot avoid work, but we surely can steer clear from the unnecessary stress that comes along with it. Try to inculcate these simple habits into your daily office routine and see the change for yourself.

Workplace stress occurs when the mind has too much to do and very little capacity to handle it. This generally shows up as anger, resentment, poor eating habits and low productivity. You cannot eliminate tough situations at work but you can definitely learn how to deal with these challenges without losing your mind.

Slide Show -

from Keep Calm Do Yoga https://keepcalmdoyoga.tumblr.com/post/168543690385

May be the only good thing about the increase in stress levels all across the globe is the raising awareness about meditation. It is not just some health-fad anymore as more and more people are embracing this ancient stress busting technique.

1) Finding the calm in a storm

The average human being spends 46.9% of their waking hours thinking about something or the other. That is a lot of time. A research by the University of Waterloo reported that meditation helped decrease mind-wandering related to the future thoughts.

2) Master your mind for happiness and productivity

Sadness is not really a very productive trait. Even a small boost in happiness increases productivity by 12 percent.

The Harvard Business Review reports that our ability to resist an impulse determines our success in learning a new behavior or changing an old habit. It’s probably the single most important skill for our growth and development.

As it turns out, that’s one of the things meditation teaches us.

3) Train your mind to focus effortlessly

Our mind needs breaks too, just like our body. However very few people realise and do not know the process to dump the mental garbage they go on carrying around. Some people tend to think even in their sleep. This takes away the sharpness of our brain and we fail to focus on more important works at hand. But only a few minutes of meditation a day can deal with all of this. It is like flossing, only for your mind.

A 2012 UCLA study showed that people who meditate exhibit higher levels of gyrification — the so-called folding of the cerebral cortex as a result of growth — which, in turn, may allow the brain to process information faster. Scientists suspect that gyrification is responsible for making the brain better at processing information, making decisions, forming memories and improving attention.

4) Make better decisions

When stress is high in our system, there is impairment in our minds regarding the division of attention, decision-making, working memory, and multitasking — all of which we need to be productive in life and to have more balance.

This Wharton article claims that meditation can help glean out the negative emotions and thoughts in the process of decision making.

Slideshow

Viewing link

from Keep Calm Do Yoga https://keepcalmdoyoga.tumblr.com/post/168508245410