Yoga is an ancient Indian principle defining the method to live a healthy and content way of life. Yoga is not just about postures and exercise; it encompasses the lifestyle and state of mind of the people following it. You will find a myriad definitions for Yoga, so, I will not attempt to define Yoga here. What I want to talk about is how Yoga can influence and bring balance into your life.

As a brief overview, there are  six distinct schools/branches of Yoga: Hatha Yoga, Raja Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, Jnana Yoga, Karma Yoga and Tantra Yoga. The emphasis of each branch may vary, but each branch contains a set of structured asanas (postures), which are aimed at keeping your mind and body in balance. You can select any of these depending on your needs and the desired end result. For people who go deeper into Yogic practice, it means finding their path to inner peace. That is the ultimate purpose of Yoga.

I was introduced to Yoga by a friend of mine. The real reason I agreed to go with her, was because we both figured we’d give each other company and motivate each other to not miss the classes. Since I had never practiced or attended any Yoga classes, the first few classes were a little tough for me. With time and regular practice I got better and have been enjoying the benefits of Yoga.

Talking of the benefits-The combination of Yogic asanas and meditation has helped with my routine stress pains, from headaches to neck pains. I feel the increase in my flexibility, stamina and body strength. With practice I have been able to regulate my breathing and make full use of the oxygen, which has helped me clear my mind. Needless to say I have been able to handle stress and tension better. Making Yoga a routine part of my life has enabled me to maintain a fit body, controlled mind and lead a harmonious life.

I have made Yoga my way of life, are you ready to take that step? Don’t miss the opportunity to bask in the benefits offered by Yoga.

By,
Mary-Ann Roche

I was going through a period of extreme stress and duress until a vacation with friends came along. My friends and I had been planning the vacation for some time and it took us a long time to put all the logistics in place. When it finally happened we all had a wonderful and memorable time. I came back feeling like “My life hit the refresh button”. It was that much needed vacation and the timing couldn’t have been better. The merits of taking a break dawned on me then. I am completely conscious of and acknowledge the fact that a break doesn’t make the stress go away from our lives; it only refreshes us and renews our energy to face life’s challenges.
Here are a few ways to take that break; I know some sound like common sense things, but sometimes we are so engulfed in our problems that we can’t think of these simple things, a little nudge in that direction might be needed:
1)    Plan the trip well. A well planned out trip reduces the hassles of figuring out where to stay, what to do and how to get to the place. For eg. If the place is famous for shows, then make reservations for the show you want to watch in advance. That way you will not be scrambling for tickets to the show and wondering if you will even be able to go for the show. No one wants to go through anxiety during a vacation.
2)    Do your research of the place you are visiting so that you know what to expect and what you can and can’t miss. This is inter-related to planning the trip. Knowing what the place has to offer will empower you in planning better and choosing options that are favorable for you.
3)    If you are on a budget, look for sites/books offering coupons. You never know what you might find. You can spend sensibly and still have a luxurious vacation if you plan and research properly.
4)    Leave all your worries behind. Don’t carry the burden of all your troubles and hinder yourself from having a good time.
5)    If possible plan your trip with close friends. A vacation with friends makes it more memorable. Sometimes it’s the company that makes a place more enjoyable.
There may be a lot of hurdles in the way to take a vacation, but if we can cross all these the vacation will be well worth it. We all deserve some time to enjoy the beautiful places the world has to offer. Go ahead and make your life hit the refresh button.

By,
Mary-Ann Roche

Tags: relaxation, vacation

Reiki is an ancient method of healing using energy flow. The word Reiki is derived from the Japanese words “Rei”, which means spiritually guided, and “Ki”, which means energy. This ancient technique, which was used over 3000 years ago, was rediscovered by Dr. Mikao Usui in the year 1922.

Reiki is based on the belief that all human beings are surrounded by the energy field that harnesses the universal life force. The technique is a holistic healing approach with the purpose of bringing the body, mind and soul harmoniously together. The harmony of the mind and spirit enhances the body’s ability to heal.

Reiki is performed by qualified Reiki practitioners who make use of different positions, besides the 12 standard positions designed, depending on the person’s condition. These 12 positions are grouped based on the 3 body parts of the front torso, the back torso and the head. Each position is designed to trigger the flow of energy through the whole body and enable free flow of energy that has been blocked in some parts of a person’s body. A Reiki practitioner first undergoes the process of receiving the energy and then becomes a medium for transferring the energy to the person receiving it. After a session a person may have varying feelings from a warm tingling sensation to a state of relaxation.

Though the effects may vary, there are some benefits you can enjoy with Reiki:

• A relaxed body and mind – When your mind and body are relaxed, you can have more clarity of thought and be energized.
• Helps in pain and other chronic conditions management – Since Reiki has a relaxing effect, it helps in your body’s pain tolerance and the relaxation helps keep your thoughts away from any chronic conditions you suffer from.
• Promotes emotional well being and helps with any emotional issues.
• Improves the immune system – The free flow of energy not only energizes you but also integrates with your immune system in strengthening it.
• Acts as an independent system or as complementary system for your therapeutic needs.

Reiki is an effective healing technique offering a whole ensemble of benefits. You just have to remember that a healthy body and mind emits positive energy leading to a happy radiant self. Reiki can help you attain this radiant self.

By,
Mary-Ann Roche

Tags: reiki, understanding reiki

What is Guided Relaxation and why do I need it?

There are many forms of guided relaxation techniques available to each one of us and it’s simply a matter of find the method that best suits us.

How much do you really suffer stress?

Well maybe you don’t really think you suffer from stress but let’s see. Do you jump in your car or catch the train or the bus to get to work?  Or are you lucky enough to live around the corner from your workplace and you can simply stroll into work? If you are like most people the daily commute to work can often be a stress.  what if you are a Mum with litte ones at home, all needing your attention and you not getting enough sleep!  What about the stress of medical bills, or phone bills or electricity bills.  And what about the new stress of trying to find work in a world where things have become so difficult?

If you arent suffering any form of stress then to be honest I would really like to hear from you!  Let me know where you live, and I am moving there lol.

Learning to Relax

A lot of us actually find relaxing difficult, as we rarely give ourselves permission to just be.  Just to sit and listen to soft music, or lie on the couch for ten minutes  without interruption.  Close your eyes and allow your mind to wander and thoughts to come in and out. Can you actually just allow yourself this quiet time? If you try to do this every day after a while your mind and body will learn to relax.  Welcome to the world of guided relaxation!

Can you reduce stress?

Realizing and understanding your stress is the key. When you tap into what your stresses are, you can then find the resources you need to lead you to guided relaxation.  It’s generally not a one size fits all theory. Firstly before looking out its probably important to look within. Stilling yourself and finding peace within you comes first.

Another important factor in reducing stress is the opportunity to rest and rejuvenate.  Our world is so pressure filled and it sometimes feels that there aren’t enough hours in the day to catch up on rest and relaxation.  By pushing yourself too hard and solving problems and running around you are not allowing yourself enough time for the mind and body to relax.

External relaxation is often found in the form of yoga.  It is a self-teaching exercise and you learn to stretch your muscles and joints which helps in relieving overall tension.

There are so many great books and CD’s about yoga on the net.  Sounds True is a Company I can recommend and they are currently offering a discount on their yoga products:

There is also a form of yoga referred to as Nidra Yoga which is a form of yoga that allows you to melt away the tensions and pressures of everyday life while at the same time repairing and recharging your mind and body, leaving you refreshed and relaxed.

Finding material that guides you to relaxation:

To get the information  you need to get started on learning about relaxation, you can find a wealth of resources online. Books videos, mp3′s and courses – all there for you to choose from.  In fact you will find a great source of soothing relaxation music at music source.

If you know you are suffering stress, then don’t wait to do something about it!  Stress is a hidden danger, bad for your help and can kill you slowly if you don’t start eliminating it from your life. It can tend to take over and control your life in so many ways.

Begin by looking at the stress you are suffering, make a list of those things you would like to undertake in the form of guided relaxation and DO IT!

By

MaryAnn Roche.

There is much to learn on the subject of stress and how to treat it. It is extremely detrimental to our health as well as our mind and we need to learn guided relaxation techniques to combat it. It can take control of you of you and sometimes make you quite sick. You need to be healthy and possess a strong mind to fight it off. A lot of us don’t seem to actually know that much about stress and the damage it can cause ones body and mind, let alone what sort of relaxation technique they need to use!

Studies show that those who don’t seem to understand stress and the repercussions, often suffer more problems than those who do.

Guided Relaxation:

Guided relaxation is a process designed to help you manage your level of stress and daily activities. Sometimes when you feel completely and utterly overwhelmed, stress takes takes hold and practising the art of guided relaxation can help you to keep stress in perspective.

Discovering Guided Relaxation:

You can go online and check out guided relaxation products. Some of the products offered include eye pillows. Eye pillows are terrific for refreshing your eyes and relieveing stress. I know for me, often stress causes insomnia and headaches and I try to keep an eye pillows handy to relieve my stress. I have a great herbal pillow filled with lavender seeds, which not only enduces sleep but helps relive puffy eyes!  The herbal pillows are usually made of smooth satin and helps to relieve tension. You can also use the pillows as an acupressure cooling system. Lavender is my favorite, however these pillows are created with Rosemary, Chamomile, Peppermints, Basils and refreshing Marjoram.

Stress can have you feeling tired and worn out at the end of the day. To relieve stress you have to find the guided relaxation tools that work best for you. The most fundamental thing you can do when combatting stress, is to eat right, exercise daily and to stay away from chemicals and substances like alcohol and drugs.

Online you will find the CDs designed for guided relaxation. These CDs are specially designed to help you to enjoy living as you unwind to the sounds of the forest or the ocean. The CDs are therapeutic and teach you how to relax your mind at a deep level. A guided relaxation CD trains your mind and body to relax and unwind. In doing so you learn how to tune out your problems. Your adrenaline relaxes as your nervous system experiences the sensation of relaxing sounds or music.

Guided relaxation CDs are available and when used regularly you will experience peace and harmony in your life. Peace and harmony is vital to have in your everyday life and helps keep your life in balance. In undertaking guided meditation, you calm your mind while at the same time allowing your creative mind to happen. Generally on a guided relaxation CD there is a soothing and calming voice that helps you to develop new ways to relieve stress and to teach you how to listen to your body’s inner self.

Not only do you need to learn to relax as an individual but it helps to have a relaxed and stress free home.  If you don’t, or you don’t know how to achieve this, there is a great article to be found here on easy ways to create a happy relaxed home.

By

MaryAnn Roche