Trying to save the world through the power of laughter and yoga reports: “Workshop participant Sparky Lovejoy, a yoga teacher and massage therapist from Santa Rosa, says laughter yoga has been life changing.

‘On a physical level, it cleared up an ongoing sinus problem in a month. On an emotional level, it helped me overcome fear, anxiety and helped me relax,’ she said. ‘I’m not so afraid of people, and I’ve finally found a reason to come out of hiding.’”

Yoga and laughter sounds like a great idea. You could of course devise your own sessions at home – put on your favorite comedy DVD or CD during your yoga workout.

Yoga always shifts your energy – if you start your session feeling depressed or tired, you’ll feel happier and more energized afterward.

Yoga is good for you, and as the truism states, laughter is the best medicine.

[tags]yoga laughter, yoga, fun, DVD, CD, exercise, therapy[/tags]

Befuddled by all the different styles of yoga? Here’s a description of several common yoga types you’ll find available at studios near you.

Iyengar Yoga is focused on body  alignment and precise movements. Yoga props such as blocks and straps are usually used as part of this type of yoga for those beginners who are not as flexible as the experts as to compensate for injuries.

Because of its attention to details and the flexible modification of poses, this type of yoga is often a good form of exercise for people with back pain or neck pain, as they are likely to benefit from the close attention to the poses.

In Iyengar yoga the teacher focuses on alignment and inner awareness. This awareness starts with the body and expands to other parts of the self as one continues with the regularity of practice.

Ashtanga Yoga is often called power yoga because it is athletic.

Ashtanga yoga includes pushups and lunges, for  strength and stamina. This style is best for people who have successfully overcome back injuries and are looking for a more challenging practice.

People who are already athletic such as runners, gymnasts and cyclists who want to add more balance and concentration to their routines are also utilizing Ashtanga yoga.

Bikram Yoga is known as hot yoga because it’s done in a very warm room. It’s great for increasing flexibility because the heat helps you to stretch.

But keep in mind that this yoga is not applicable to those that have developed cardio vascular diseases due to the strain placed on the body when vigorously exercising in the heat.

Viniyoga links poses with the breathe and movement in flowing exercises that are adapted to each individual. This is a good form of yoga for those with back problems or neck injuries because it can be easily adapted by anyone.

Raja Yoga is meditation, primarily.

Bhakti yoga is commonly known as devotional yoga and aims to develop your spiritual life.

Mantra yoga is known as the yoga of potent sound. It involves chanting mantras to improve your mental and spiritual health – common mantras include “om,” “hum,” or “ram.”

So there you have it – a roundup of popular styles of yoga. Try several styles. There is no single correct yoga, it’s a banquet of styles.

[tags]yoga, styles[/tags]

Lord Ganesha, the remover of obstacles

Do you confine your yoga to the times each week when you’re “doing” yoga?

That’s a shame. You can and should use yoga throughout the day. Yoga means “union” or “yoke.” In yoga, you’re uniting all the separate parts which make up “you” – your body, your mind, your emotions, and your spirit.

Take yoga with you every day

You can take yoga with you by taking note of your breathing as often as you can. Take a deep yogic breath as you sit at the computer, or while you’re waiting for a red light to turn green in your car.

Straighten your body, and do a modified Mountain Pose in the supermarket checkout line.

When you remember your breath, and breathe consciously, you return to yourself – to the present moment, which is all any of us have.

Combine breathing with a mantra

You can combine your breathing with chanting a mantra: try “let go”, or “breathe” or “relax.” Choose a single word, and say it silently as you breathe in and out.

If you’re familiar with Sanskrit mantra, say Om Gum Ganapatayei Namaha as you breathe – this is the Ganesha mantra. Ganesha is the remover of obstacles: remember him when you’re about to give a presentation, or make a phone call on an important matter and say the Ganesha mantra aloud or silently.

[tags]yoga, everyday, mantra, Sanskrit[/tags]