Category Archives: Yoga Gem

Yoga Lowers Blood Sugar…

Posted on March 14, 2018 | Comments Off on Yoga Lowers Blood Sugar…

Yoga has been found to lower fasting blood sugar in people with diabetes, as well as levels of hemoglobin A1c, a measure of longer-term control of blood sugar. The effect may in part be due to lowering cortisol and adrenaline levels. Higher blood sugar levels increase the risk of such common diabetic complications as heart attacks, kidney failure, and blindness. Yoga may also help lower high blood sugar levels via weight loss and appears to improve sensitivity to the effects of insulin. (source: Timothy McCall, M.D.)

Comments Off on Yoga Lowers Blood Sugar…

Posted in Yoga Gem

Tagged

To Place The Next Step In A Special Way…

Posted on September 6, 2017 | Comments Off on To Place The Next Step In A Special Way…

(Inspiration comes from: “The Heart of Yoga”)

Yoga is a practice of observing yourself without judgement. Asana translates as “posture.” The word is derived from the Sanskrit root as which means “to stay,” “to be,” ‘to sit,” or “to be established in a particular position.” An asana has two important qualities – steadiness/alertness and the ability to remain comfortable in a posture. You could take this concept off the yoga mat and into your daily life. Ask, “am I being steady, alert, and comfortable within the position I am in?”

When we practice asanas there is a natural starting point where we begin, just the same as for anything else in life. The starting point for our practice is the condition of our entire being at that present moment. Because we are all changing constantly – our bodies, our minds, our emotions, our energies – even the exact same sequence of postures done in the same way will be a different experience every single time we do them. It is helpful for us to know – be aware – of our whole self so that we can advance step by step, developing our practice in accordance with our abilities.

Developing a yoga practice (life practice) according to this idea is referred to as vinyasa krama. Krama is the step, nyasa means to place, and the prefix vi- translates as “in a special way.” This concept tells us that it is not enough to simply take a step; that step needs to take us in the right direction and be made in the right way.

Comments Off on To Place The Next Step In A Special Way…

Posted in Inspiration, Well-being, Yoga Gem

Tagged , , , ,

Yoga Lowers Levels of the Stress Hormone Cortisol…

Posted on April 24, 2017 | Comments Off on Yoga Lowers Levels of the Stress Hormone Cortisol…

The adrenal glands secrete the stress hormone cortisol in response to an acute crisis. When people are regularly stressed, their cortisol levels may be chronically elevated. Persistently elevated levels of cortisol can have adverse effects on the immune system, on body weight, and on memory. (source: Timothy McCall, M.D.)

Comments Off on Yoga Lowers Levels of the Stress Hormone Cortisol…

Posted in Yoga Gem

Tagged

Yoga Changes Neurotransmitter Levels…

Posted on February 2, 2017 | Comments Off on Yoga Changes Neurotransmitter Levels…

A study at Benares Hindu University found that three- and six-month practices of yoga lessened depression. The practice consisted of relaxation poses, inversions, and other asana, pranayama, and mediation. The yoga group and a comparison group treated with an antidepressant showed similar improvements in neurotransmitter levels, both experiencing a significant rise in serotonin levels and a decrease in the levels of cortisol and monoamine oxidase. Such changes may help to improve mood. (source: Timothy McCall, M.D.)

Comments Off on Yoga Changes Neurotransmitter Levels…

Posted in Yoga Gem

Tagged

Perception and Action…

Posted on November 30, 2016 | Comments Off on Perception and Action…

Adapted from “The Heart of Yoga”

How does our perception work? We often determine that we have seen a situation “correctly” and act according to that perception. In reality, however, we have deceived ourselves, and our actions may bring misfortune to ourselves or others. Just as difficult is the situation in which we doubt our understanding of a situation when it is actually correct, and for that reason we take no action, even though doing so would be beneficial. In yoga terminology, this is called Avidya – literally meaning “incorrect comprehension.” The opposite is Vidya, “correct understanding.”

Our incorrect comprehensions are very rooted in us because we often live life through a series of many unconscious actions and ways of perceiving that we have been carrying out for years. As a result of these unconscious responses, the mind has become more and more dependent on habits until we accept the actions of yesterday as the norms of today. Such habituation in our action and perception is called Sam Skara. These habits cover the mind with Avidya, as if obscuring the clarity of consciousness with a filmy layer.

If we are sure we do not clearly understand a given situation, generally speaking we do not act decisively. But if we are clear in our understanding we will act and it will go well for us. Such an action stems from a deep level of perception. In contrast, Avidya is distinguished by superficial perception. I think I see something correctly, so I take a particular action and then later have to admit that I was mistaken and that my actions have not proved beneficial. So we have two levels of perception: One is deep within us and free of this film of Avidya, the other is superficial and obscured by Avidya. Just as our eye is transparent and clear and should not itself be tinted if it is to see colors accurately, so should our perception be like a crystal-clear mirror. One goal of yoga is to reduce this film of Avidya in order to perceive and act correctly.

Comments Off on Perception and Action…

Posted in Well-being, Yoga Gem

Tagged , , , ,

Find Stillness to Find Your Answers…

Posted on August 31, 2016 | Comments Off on Find Stillness to Find Your Answers…

If you are still enough, the wild mind, the mind that isn’t preoccupied with oughts and shoulds and the minutiae of life, will approach you and make itself known.

Comments Off on Find Stillness to Find Your Answers…

Posted in Inspiration, Meditation, Well-being, Yoga Gem

Tagged , ,

Yoga Improves Brain Function…

Posted on July 16, 2016 | Comments Off on Yoga Improves Brain Function…

Yoga has been shown to improve coordination, reaction time, memory, and other measures of effective brain function. When you study yoga, you are learning completely new ways to move the body, and coordinating different actions simultaneously. Beyond all the variety in asana, there are breathing techniques, visualizations, mantras, and different kinds of meditation. Each of these activities causes the brain to build new synapses, the connections between neurons. Scientists now believe that continuing to learn new things into older age is one key to increasing neuroplasticity and maintaining brain function. Yoga also teaches you to focus your attention. (source: Timothy McCall, M.D.)

Comments Off on Yoga Improves Brain Function…

Posted in Yoga Gem

Tagged