Sadhana Bhumi, Nepal the other home of Yoga. By Gaby

It does not come naturally to associate Yoga and Nepal. The first thing that comes to your mind is Trekking, not Yoga. It is funny that just the opposite applies to India, you would not think Trek but Yoga. The fact is that there are wonderful mountains to trek in India and amazing yogis associated with Nepal. So why is this almost natural segregation?

When we refer to yoga, we are talking about a tradition of several thousands of year and Nepal or India as political boundaries are from the 18^th century only, and obviously the Vedic Rishis and sages of the Upanishad who where so eager to transcend the limitation of the mind had other things to do than bother about political boundaries!

When we say yoga is India’s contribution to the world, this “India”, the historical India is the subcontinent and its geographical extent goes far beyond today’s Indian political boundaries. In fact it includes all the foothills of the Himalaya (much of today’s Nepal) up to the mountains of Afghanistan to the west and to what is today Bangladesh to the east and would even include Sri Lanka to the South.

Nepal, just like India, was shared and ruled by a number of local princes. The unification was done in 1768, under Prithvi Narayan Shah, a Gorkha king, and Nepal was often referred to as the Gorkha Kingdom. Gorkha was a name referring to the 8^th century Hindu warrior saint Goraknath, disciple of Matsyendranath who is said to have brought Hatha Yoga to the world, after having heard it from Shiva himself, when he was spending some time at the bottom of the Ocean with Parvati.

So here are a few reasons to correct this mis-perception:

Nepal today offers a unique blend of Hindu and Buddhist culture, the two main religious influences over Yoga practices. In the Newar culture of the Katmandu Valley, some temples are the place of Hindu festival on certain days and Buddhist pilgrimage on another, completing an interesting and unique fusion. Some of the last genuinely tantric practice alive are also present and represented by the Vajrayana Buddhism tradition since Nepal host a large Tibetan refugee community.

Katmandu valley alone has 7 UNESCO World Heritage Sites related to both Hinduism and Buddhism, some of these places are some of the most visited pilgrimages site in the sub-continent and here the tradition is very alive. Together with the hundred of temples, shrines, monastery, stupas, pilgrimage sites, it makes the Katmandu Valley the most amazing “full size” mandala, a unique tribute to the spiritual architecture of its Vedic and tantric past.

Baghwar, one of the powerful place of the Shivapuri National Park

The Himalaya: home of Yogis for thousand of years. Also called “Tapo Bhumi” the land of practice (tapas) and mostly home of the God-heads Bhrama, Vishnu and Shiva (as described in the old Purana “Himavatkhandah” or “chapter on the Himalaya”) the Himalaya is home of many caves, hermitages and most importantly the “ageless body” of all these famous enlightened masters who have escaped to Nirvana and are waiting to inspire you.

The Mahasiddhas and the Nath tradition is at home in Nepal. Matsyendranath and his disciple Goraknath, founder of the Hatha Yoga tradition are also ever present in what was once called the “Gorkha Kingdom”. During spring one of the most amazing festival takes place in Nepal: the huge chariot of “Rato Matsyendranath” is man-pulled across the city of Patan, a festival not be missed!

Of course, last but not least, Nepal is also the birth place of Lord Buddha (Lumbini). There are many more reasons to come to Nepal of course but they 

When people ask us why we are conducting yoga training and retreats in Nepal, these are a few of the reasons we give, but there are many other, somehow insignificant but powerful. For example, my taxi driver phone ring is the Gayatri mantra, when I pay the electricity bill, it is shakti bill, when I go to the ATM it is LAxmi bank (the Goddess of wealth). Here you cant escape it, and evrytime you meet someone, greeting is Namaste "the Divine in me salutes the Divine in you".

Recently I was reading a post on a website: "Come to Goa, India, the motherland of Yoga", I could not stop laughing, in Goa you will find tourist, the true yogis have always delved in the Himalaya!

For more info about Yoga Training in Nepal check yogi-nomad.org

Kathmandu, Nepal

December 24, 2011 

For information about yoga and trekking: http://www.trekkinginnepal.com/

For more info about classes and retreats in Kathmandu http://www.yoganepal.com ; http://pranamaya-yoga.com

Yoga, some like it hot... By Gaby

A early morning experience at Pashupatinath...

This morning, wake up at 4h30, to attend a Ram Dev Yoga Class (a famous saint teaching yoga to large crowds in India) at Pashupatinath, the main burning ground of Kathmandu, with Poonam and Ashok, two upper class Nepalis. We enter the temple area, cross the bridge over the Baghmati River, and walk up the big stairs through lines of sleeping monkeys and freezing beggars sitting around bonfires.

We sit on a large carpet placed outdoor, it is still completely dark and by 6 am, the class commences. It is in Nepali and I can only get the Sanskrit names of the practices. There are about 25 persons sitting and waiting for instructions from the "guru" speaking in a mike. Students are of both sexes, of all ages and from all levels of the Nepali society. The sound system makes high sharp noise and there is a guy who does his best to fix it. On our left side, the stone shrines of Pashupati overlook the scene. Some stray dogs are sleeping between the rows of student, on the comfortable carpet that seems to be here just for them. On the wall in front, monkeys are looking for mischief and I am told to keep my bags close by, just in case. It smells of garbage burning and people around wear heavy winter jacket, hats and socks, and for a reason: it is 5°C and it feels like it.

We start with Om and mantras: I am happy to know them and to participate as everyone chant. Then we do a series of warming exercises like jogging on the spot and jumping back and forth between Urdva Mukha Svanasana (upward dog) and squat in order to beat up the cold, followed by some classical Surya Namaskar (sun salutation). We sit again for some pranayama (breathing techniques) and then some floor poses, always with some hand clapping and rubbing at interval to keep some feeling in our fingers numbed by the cold. The classes goes on for 90 minutes, alternating between gentle asanas and pranayamas, nothing that would satisfy the basic rules of a "flowing sequence" as modern yoga standards, but nevertheless a very classical practice. None of the challenging poses we see in the west neither and that was not expected by anyone here. People are in blue jeans or kurtas (local casual dress) and you can see they will probably go straight to work after this.

Shavasana is a challenge; the cold is biting fingers and toes. However, there is deep source of heat that comes from the center of my body, something that creates a bearable balance. I can feel a fire inside, working to keep the body warm, but from where I look, strangely there is no feeling or cold nor hot. After a few more rubbing hands, we finished with Simhasana (the Lion pose) and everyone roars wholeheartedly (not the shy practice I am used to) and then a good minute of laughter yoga. Such a genuine energy is coming out of this group that I can only feel humbled and grateful to be here.

By then the smell has changed to Chai (milk masala tea) and Aloo paratha (potatoe fried pancakes), the day is coming out, however the sun will need another half hour to come, the temperature is now 4°C. The power went off, so no more light nor mike, something everyone is used to here with more than 6 hours of daily power cut. The Pujaris (men in charge of the prayers at the shrines) are ringing bells, chanting and burning incense, the dogs are playing and fighting, the monkey roaming around in search of food. The beggars are sitting wrapped in rags in front of their begging bowls, the painted sadhus prepare to receive the crowds of tourist for the day. The first corpses are burning on the Ghats reminding us to appreciate every moment while we are here. Today we were closer to the Aghori (form of yoga practice on burning grounds). When we walk back over the bridge showing a once mighty Baghmati River, now looking more like a sewage drain, with barely enough water remaining to carry away the ashes of the departed souls, I feel sad for the little respect we pay to our home, mother Earth.

I know Pashupati (a form of Shiva) was here all along, I felt his strong and powerful presence. The legend says that Shiva was hiding in the nearby forest under the form of a deer (Pashu means animal), until worried; the other gods forced him back into his divine form. In the process, Shiva broke one horn and it became the linga worshipped here and one of the holiest places in the whole sub-continent.

Today the cold was our tapas (meaning heat, but also discipline and austerity). I can't help to think about how many times I have heard students complain about the "conditions" of practice, either too hot, too cold, etc. Always trying to fix something outside to feel good inside. I also think about Hot Yoga or Bikram yoga so in fashion these days, were the heat does not come from your practice but from the heated room and also about Tumo yoga a form of Kundalini Yoga practiced in the snow in Tibet. Here there was no performance, no fluorescent yoga mat, no Lulu Lemon clothing, the class was free, everyone was smiling and lighthearted, no one complained. Something was present here that I have never felt in any other classes in.

I think it was just simple and genuine faith, embedded in daily life and not something made up or pretending to be anything else. Some people told me "it is hard sometime but we feel so good after... will you come tomorrow?", I had tears in the eyes...

For info about Yoga Training in Nepal check yogi-nomad.org

Kathmandu, Nepal

December 12, 2011

For more info about classes and retreats in Kathmandu http://www.yoganepal.com ; http://pranamaya-yoga.com

15 min. version of the documentary "Land of the Seekers" directed by Brendan Turrill, shot in Nepal

Living Yoga and Other Hobbies

In the past, many people who had enough free time took up some kind of hobby. Nowadays, with technology and other distractions, hobbies are far less popular. However, some people still collect, make or study things just for fun. One popular kind of hobby is any form of exercise, as it improves one’s health while also giving them a break from daily life. There comes a time in one’s hobby life when they consider taking the next step and making more of the activity than just a hobby.  It is not always a success, but if it does work, that person can then lead a very fulfilling lifestyle. For example, to go from a novice or low level in something like yoga, to actually making a living out of it. Now, living yoga might not be every yoga fan’s cup of tea, as it may be oversaturation and therefore no longer a hobby. But for most it would be wonderful to enjoy one’s work so much.

Imagine doing something that is so beneficial and relaxing for an occupation. To take up yoga teaching would involve more than just quitting a job and starting yoga courses for your customers. It would require reaching a high level of the art in advance, and also performing pure yoga for a reasonable length of time. Then, once the appropriate level has been reached, one can start to teach. Living yoga really would be a great lifestyle in circumstances allowed it. Of course, there are other hobbies which can lead to careers. For example, scuba diving is for most people a sport that can be practised just once or twice a year. But there are also plenty of people who become addicted to it quite quickly and want to move up the ladder of different levels, until reaching Divemaster or Instructor.

Normally, making a hobby into a career is a big step and it is usually only possible if that hobby can be taught or instructed. Yoga and scuba diving are just two simple examples, but there are plenty of others, such as hang gliding, golf, mountaineering or climbing. Of course, one must bear in mind that to maintain a constant income one needs to have regular customers and this can often require moving away from one’s home town or country. In addition, after a year or two, many people become bored of the activity that they once loved.

Beginner Yoga for Men

Exercise has become even more important in recent times, mainly due to our lifestyles and diets. Many years ago we didn’t have escalators or lifts or 12-hour days working in offices. In addition, our diets contained far fewer substances that cause the build-up of fat. Combined, these factors cause the need for more exercise. However, exercise is often not fun, can cause injury and is mostly inconvenient. Swimming is the best, but it requires a pool, time to prepare, swim, and shower and change afterwards. Jogging is a good cardiovascular workout, but damages knees and other joints. One of the best solutions was created thousands of years ago in what is now known as India. Yoga is proven to be a wonderfully healthy and effective form of exercise that can benefit experts and beginners alike. Moreover, it can be performed at any time of day and in almost any place where there are two square metres of floor space. For the beginner yoga may appear rather intimidating, but with good advice, some respectful training and a little patience, one can advance swiftly to become proficient, and at the same time healthier.

Unfairly, yoga is often regarded as a woman’s activity, or only performed by men who are less masculine than those in the gym or on the football field. Those men who are broad-minded enough to at least give yoga a try will soon realize the benefits and be able to perform in the gym, on the football field, or even in the bedroom much more effectively in a very masculine way. Nowadays courses and rooms that focus purely on yoga for men are becoming more available and more popular. Beginner yoga lessons are gentle on the muscles and joints, and do not leave the new students with any form of ache or pain. The improvement process is smooth and gentle and one does not become an expert overnight. Those who try too hard too early will only set themselves back further. This could also be said for any other form of exercise.

Of course, one needs to learn a little about the activity before trying to arrange their feet behind their head. A good teacher will be patient and understanding. A good school will have plenty of yoga pictures showing examples and a list of yoga workouts for all levels to practise.

The biggest step, especially for men, is the psychological one that restricts the taking up of yoga. The stigma of being thought of as a leotard wearer or a hippie is far from easy for any man to swallow, but that first hurdle is the only one that is difficult to pass. After accepting that it is beneficial in so many ways and discovering that other men, real men, are already performing yoga to help their performances in other, manly, activities, one can relax and enjoy a long and healthy life.

Yoga Tips And How To Beneficial For Health

Yoga is a way of life, an art of virtuous living or an included system for the benefit of the body, mind and inner spirit. This art originated, was perfect and skillful in India thousands of years ago. Also visits our website herbalcureindia.com

The references to yoga are obtainable in 'Upanishads' and 'Puranas' calm by Indian Aryans in the later Vedic and post- Vedic period. The main credit for systematizing yoga goes to Patanjali who wrote 'Yoga Sutra', two thousand Years ago. 

Yoga Tips

1. To get started, you need to have the urge and self-assurance in yourself. 

2. To practice Yoga, the place chose must be calm, quiet, ventilated, dust free, moisture free and also disruption free. 

3. Before you start practicing Yoga, it is very significant for you to clear your bowels and bladder as well as clean your nostrils and throat of all mucus. You must also drink a glass of lukewarm water. 

4. Yoga clothing should be loose and as comfortable as probable. Form-fitting cotton/Lycra pants and shirts are the best. 

5. Wait for a few minutes and then you can start. 

6. Like all other work outs, you must begin with easy poses, thereafter you can advance to the tough ones. Be logical and systematic. 

7. Remember, to start with your actions should be light and if you feel fatigue in between you must discontinue. 

Yoga for Weight Loss

1. There are various Yoga asana like Paschimottanasana, Bhujangasana, Halasana, Dhanurasana, Veerasana, Trikonasana, Ardha Matsyendrasana which are specially meant for weight reduction. Following few of them frequently will certainly help you lose flab. 

2. Incase you are a thyroid patient and you have unusually gained weight. You must go for Sarvangasana and Matasyasana for examination on the hormonal secretion of your thyroid gland. 

3. Regular Yoga asana done with Sun greeting (Surya Namaskar) is also very helpful in weight reduction. 

4. Regularly practicing Pranayamas for instance Kapalabhatti, Anuloma-Viloma and Bhastrika not only help in weight decrease but equally helps in achieving a better muscle tone and endurance.

Yoga Benefits

1. Yoga is recognized to increase suppleness; yoga has posture that triggers the different joints of the body. Including those joints that are not acted upon with regular exercises routines.

2: Yoga also increases the lubrication of joints, tendon and tendons. The well-researched yoga position exercises the different tendons and ligaments of the body.

3. Yoga also massages all organs of the body. Yoga is possibly the only exercise that can work on through your inner organs in a thorough manner, as well as those that hardly get externally stirred during our entire lifetime.

4. Yoga acts in a wholesome manner on the various body parts. This stimulation and massage of the organs in turn reimbursement us by keeping away disease and providing a forewarning at the first likely instance of a likely onset of disease or disorder.

Asanas, Postures & Exercises

Surya Namaskar - Surya Namaskar means greeting or bowing the sun. Usually all sessions of Yoga asana begin with the 'Surya Namaskar' or sun salutation. It nourishes and energizes the upper part of the body.

Paschimothan Asana (The Forward Bend) - Paschimothan Asana also known as touching toes posture, means stretching the back. It brings flexibility and corrects disorders of the spine. 

Read more: http://www.articlesnatch.com/Article/Yoga-Tips-And-How-To-Beneficial-For-Health-/2248088#ixzz1IdGpDUMO 
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Learn to Teach Yoga in Spain (Yoga TTC)

After several trips to Asia, I have decided to take my next sabbatical to lands a bit nearer to home (UK). Having grown accustomed to warm sunny climates, I think that southern Europe has regained a lot of its charm, now that Asia is inundated with foreign tourists on package holidays, health tourists wanting plastic surgery, and backpackers looking for the cheapest or most uninhabited spot. In addition, Central and Eastern Europe’s bubble appears to have just about burst now that the novelty has worn off, and the cost of things has increased along with the number of drunken Brits and Swedes.

Spain looks to be great value this summer and a four-week trip can easily include a relaxing (I think) three-week break at a Yoga resort. There are several stages to learn and perform Yoga, from beginners for fun or just to try it out, through advanced, instructor and level-two instructor. Like many activities such as this, there will always be those who try it once or twice and give up, some who make it a hobby, and others who go all the way and make a career out of it. To be honest, I can’t see myself becoming a level-two Yoga instructor, well at least not this year. However, if anyone wants to learn to teach Yoga in Spain (TTC) then there are several options of professional Yoga training centres, specifically and surprisingly on the island of Ibiza. It is important to use a training centre that has a reliable and easy-to-check set up and history, especially in Asia, near the roots of Yoga. Additionally, a place that doesn’t have too many students on each course, to enable each one to get lots of good attention and plenty of personal instruction is essential before you part with over one thousand Euros.

So, Spain it is, and probably Ibiza, although I will have to exercise a lot of self control to get myself safely past all the bars, clubs, parties and sexy bodies distracting me from the beach. I hope that my joints are up for a bit, no a lot, of stretching. It has been a while since I last sat down and did any serious meditation or Yoga. The course to become an instructor is my main goal this time, but I am still not quite sure how far I will get, nor how beneficial the career move will be. However, the price is good, including accommodation, and the physical and psychological benefits that I will receive are going to be priceless.

 

Lovely Places to Learn to Teach Yoga

What a contrast! A peaceful, spiritual activity such as Yoga performed, even taught on a loud, buzzing and energetic party island that is Ibiza. Well, firstly, it's absolutely true and secondly it is not as ridiculous as it may seem. If you have ever heard of Koh Pha Ngan in the Gulf of Thailand, you will know that it is famous for its wild full-moon parties, rife with hard and soft drugs, and strong local whisky mixed with Red Bull. Well, in fact, this madness only happens every two to four weeks (they also have new-moon parties, which are not as big) and only happens on a small peninsular at the South West tip of the island. For the rest of the month, Koh Pha Ngan's party beaches are quite peaceful, and the rest of the place is serene and unaffected all year round. It's an ideal place to take the family, have a romantic break, or lose yourself in your own company on a deserted beach. However, I digress. This is about Ibiza and learning Yoga there.

 

Ibiza is about twice the size of Koh Pha Ngan in Thailand and, as everyone should know, is located in the West of the Mediterranean Sea. Yes, it has a reputation as a hub for party goers aged between 17 and about 30, but there is a lot more to it than that. Its size, and party revellers' apparent inability to travel far from wherever they finish drinking or dancing and to wherever they fall in an unconscious heap allow Ibiza to offer so much more than what most of us are aware of. Now, some may question the likeliness of a person who is keen on Yoga going to such a place as Ibiza, but there are plenty of reasons, opportunities and evidence. Yoga is a wonderful way to wind down and clear one's mind (and possibly one's) body of the nasty things that a night out can inflict. However, there are valid professional reasons to go there and perform Yoga, too. For example, someone who has already completed level one as a Yoga instructor, say in Nepal or other parts of Asia may be looking for somewhere nearer to home or a different climate to do the 300 hour course for level two.

 

Learn to Teach Yoga in Ibiza (Yoga TTC), and you will become certified and proficient within just a few weeks. The best training centres will accommodate you within their complex and keep class sizes down to a maximum of twenty students to ensure the personal touch.

 

It really is a wonderful island, there are always good deals for flights to get there, and the quieter parts of the island are as idyllic as you can ask for anywhere with an airport. Now, Yoga enthusiasts can learn to improve their skills, become a level one teacher, or make the step from level one to level two all in Ibiza, Spain.

Improve Your Health With A Thai Massage

Of all the ways to relax and improve our general health and well-being, there is one activity, therapy, call it what you like, that has proven effective over hundreds of years. For some reason, in the Western world it is done by women much more so than men. It originated in India and can, on extreme forms, appear impossible for physically normal humans. However, anyone can do it and start at any age they like. What is it? Yoga! There are various levels of yoga, and probably as many reasons why people do it, but there is no doubt that it can help them. Also, there are some alternatives that may, or may not, be helpful.

Yoga comes from several religions in the area, including Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism. Its name also has different meanings in several languages. And, as mentioned before, there are plenty of reasons for doing it. Traditionally, believers in whichever religion perform yoga to discipline their minds and bodies and become closer to their god or gods. Nowadays, the activity happens in modern air-conditioned gyms and is taught and performed by those from all walks of life including professionals and housewives. In Buddhism, for example, it is used in some mild forms when meditating. In Thailand, there are plenty of people who do yoga, on a serious or very relaxed basis, to improve their health or even just as an easy thing to do at the fashionable gym. Thai massage the lazy person's yoga, is maybe an extreme way of doing nothing while having your body put through some gentle therapy and exercise. It would be wrong to totally disregard Thai massage as a therapeutic, easy exercise, as there are plenty of benefits of a good Thai massage, but one needs to make sure it is administered properly. Otherwise, there could be no benefit, or even some negative affects.

To call Thai massage a lazy person's yoga would probably be fair for those who know what they are talking about, but the phrase should not be overused to make Thai massage appear either a waste of time, or a viable alternative. Yoga is a very old, religiously traditional activity. It has been so popular in the East that those in the West have taken it up. Thai massage has also been around for hundreds, maybe thousands, of years and it too is connected to religion with its use in Buddhist meditation. One of the main differences being that one you can do alone, and it probably stimulates blood flow and improves discipline more than the other, which requires a masseur or masseuse and the recipient can relax, do nothing or even sleep.

Staying Fit With Yoga

"That can't be at all comfortable," "It's just for girls," "Have you found your other self yet?" and "Have a wash, you hippie," are all phrases that could be unfairly said to those people who practise Yoga. However, it could probably be guaranteed that the vast majority of the people making those remarks have never taken the time to do a little research or even ask a few questions about exactly what Yoga is. Originally from South-Central Asia and dating back several thousand years, Yoga helps to control the discipline of one's physical body as well as the mind. Yoga has proven benefits for the mental and physical health of those people who practise it properly on a regular basis. For people who just do it for fun, or in an attempt to keep up with the latest craze, there are minimal benefits, but rarely is any harm done, as long as the Yoga is performed properly.

Nowadays, Yoga is practised in Asia, and all over the rest of the world. It would probably be fair to say that its roots are still firmly in the Indian region, where it is used in Hinduism and Buddhism. A little further east is an extremely popular place to study about Yoga for both recreational and spiritual purposes. For example, many people learn Yoga in Thailand. Thailand is conveniently situated between the Andaman Sea and the South China Sea. Thailand has islands with pristine beaches, mountains and good shopping, to complement its warm year-round climate and wonderful cuisine. To learn Yoga in Thailand requires little more than some preparation and plenty of open-mindedness. Some learn it to help them relax, others learn it to aid recovery from some kind of ailment, and others still just learn it for something to do. There are also financial benefits. In the West, fees for professional and qualified Yoga teachers are not unsubstantial and there is a growing market. Therefore, as a career move, there is a lot of sense in wanting to learn Yoga in Thailand, while enjoying a beach or trekking holiday, or meditating in a temple. Going home to Europe, America or Australia could be the beginning of a new business venture or an extra service of a present practice, such as massage or acupuncture.

Of course, there are plenty of reasons to visit Thailand, and probably as many reasons to learn to practise or teach Yoga. Added together and bearing in mind the wonderful holiday opportunities as well as the low cost and new experiences, and it is easy to see how beneficial it can be to learn Yoga in Thailand. You never know, it could result in a whole new you!

Travel And Learn Yoga

I am currently based in Bangkok and live a relatively simple life. Work is easy enough, and very flexible. Finances are never enough to be extravagant, but I'm comfortable. Although in a semi-serious relationship, I have total freedom to either leave for a while, or take my partner and go overseas with me. After having recently seen a few television documentaries and done some research, I decided to have a quick go at Yoga in my local fitness center. Now I didn't really enjoy the experience a great deal, but not for reasons that one might first think. The thing that made it less than enjoyable was my instructor. Not only did the language barrier cause some misunderstandings, but he also appeared to not really understand Yoga for what it is.

Therefore I am looking to learn Yoga in Nepal properly and have a vacation at the same time. I want to go somewhere special, close to Buddhism and quite out of the way and spiritual. Even though Yoga originated in India, I don't want to go there again. I have decided to learn Yoga in Nepal. I appreciate that there are still going to be some language issues, but believe that the better techniques of the instructors and the serene environment will help us both. Nepal is not India, but let's face it, when Yoga was first created, practised and established several thousand years ago India as a nation didn't exist in its present form. Also, with all the hustle and bustle that one gets in India, I truly believe that Nepal has the best balance of spirituality, ease of relaxation, peace and fresh air, and competent instructors.

I will miss Bangkok. But I am so eager to become proficient in Yoga that I think it is the perfect opportunity to get away from the traffic and the sweltering Thai summer months. After doing some research, I have discovered that with the right mindset and some ability to meditate, one can become quite good at Yoga within just a few weeks. My biggest hurdles are going to be switching off the pain because I am far from lithe, flexible or athletic, and turning my mind off from worldly interruptions. Nepal is peaceful, yet it has a half-decent infrastructure for public transport and the people have relatively good English skills. The food is something that needs getting used to, but I don't foresee too much of a problem there.

The biggest decision to make, now that I have already decided to learn Yoga in Nepal is whether or not to take my partner. Freedom and loneliness are good commodities when trying to clear the mind, but doing things together is more fun and less expensive.

Improve Your Health With A Thai Massage

Of all the ways to relax and improve our general health and well-being, there is one activity, therapy, call it what you like, that has proven effective over hundreds of years. For some reason, in the Western world it is done by women much more so than men. It originated in India and can, on extreme forms, appear impossible for physically normal humans. However, anyone can do it and start at any age they like. What is it? Yoga! There are various levels of yoga, and probably as many reasons why people do it, but there is no doubt that it can help them. Also, there are some alternatives that may, or may not, be helpful.

Yoga comes from several religions in the area, including Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism. Its name also has different meanings in several languages. And, as mentioned before, there are plenty of reasons for doing it. Traditionally, believers in whichever religion perform yoga to discipline their minds and bodies and become closer to their god or gods. Nowadays, the activity happens in modern air-conditioned gyms and is taught and performed by those from all walks of life including professionals and housewives. In Buddhism, for example, it is used in some mild forms when meditating. In Thailand, there are plenty of people who do yoga, on a serious or very relaxed basis, to improve their health or even just as an easy thing to do at the fashionable gym. Thai massage the lazy person's yoga, is maybe an extreme way of doing nothing while having your body put through some gentle therapy and exercise. It would be wrong to totally disregard Thai massage as a therapeutic, easy exercise, as there are plenty of benefits of a good Thai massage, but one needs to make sure it is administered properly. Otherwise, there could be no benefit, or even some negative affects.

To call Thai massage a lazy person's yoga would probably be fair for those who know what they are talking about, but the phrase should not be overused to make Thai massage appear either a waste of time, or a viable alternative. Yoga is a very old, religiously traditional activity. It has been so popular in the East that those in the West have taken it up. Thai massage has also been around for hundreds, maybe thousands, of years and it too is connected to religion with its use in Buddhist meditation. One of the main differences being that one you can do alone, and it probably stimulates blood flow and improves discipline more than the other, which requires a masseur or masseuse and the recipient can relax, do nothing or even sleep.

Improve Health and Relax - Thai Massage

Regardless of our lifestyle, or our financial or social status, we all need to relax. There are hundreds of different ways that people like to relax around the world. Some smoke or drink, others play games or watch TV, some people even exercise! There are healthy ways, neutral ways and unhealthy ways. One way of relaxing, that is usually healthy and effective, is to have a massage. There are many different kinds of massage, including oil, neck and shoulders, Thai, Swedish and Chinese, to name a few. One particular type massage that is popular is Thai massage.

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Thai massage has plenty of advantages, including its value and its physical and psychological benefits. Like cuisine, it needs to be experienced in its native environment to get the 'real thing.' Thai massage in Thailand is rarely expensive. A full body massage for one hour can cost as little a $4 U.S. For that you get a good working over, starting at your feet and legs and then your arms and hands. The masseuse or masseur then asks you to roll over onto your front and massages your back an shoulders, then sits you up a little, resting your head on their lap to finish your shoulders and then sometimes your head. It really is a fantastic experience, but the most important thing to do is relax and give your body up to the masseuse or masseur.

The physical and psychological benefits are almost immediate and can last for hours or even days. There is an instant slow bounce to your step and a general aura of happiness and peace. Some people enjoy it and believe in it so much that they even learn Thai massage to take back to their home countries to earn a living from, or relax their family members.

There are also one or two potential disadvantages of Thai massage. Firstly, it hurts and secondly, it is very rarely performed by a qualified professional. Many people cannot relax properly, which causes some discomfort during the massage. In addition, even if you are able to relax entirely, the correct procedure involves the use of elbows and heels pushed into your flesh. It can be quite uncomfortable for anyone who is not a bit of a masochist. However, there is the opinion that the more pain during the massage is evident as more effective relaxation and physical benefit for the hours or days following it. Moreover, due to its origins and the low cost, a Thai massage is usually performed by a masseuse or masseur with little or no recognized qualifications. Years of experience, maybe, but walking on someone's back or digging your elbow into someone's stomach can be potentially dangerous. The ways these people learn Thai massage is often from their peers, and from experience with satisfied or dissatisfied clients.

The fact that Thai massage is so popular, both in Thailand and around the world, is probably proof in itself that it is beneficial, healthy and good value. It has become one of the top ways to relax and even become a good money-spinner for those who want to learn Thai massage for personal or financial reasons.

Yoga Nepal – Why Learning Yoga May Benefit You

Yoga is an ancient art that has made its way into the main stream over the years. People have begun to see some of the many benefits this activity has to offer, and you may see them as well. Learning from a yoga Nepal instructor can give you a new look on how your body works and what you do to it during the day. You can learn how to better make these movements work in your favor through a series of targeted exercises. Listed below are some of the advantages you will find from looking into yoga.

When you learn yoga Nepal, you will gain a greater flexibility. Yoga taps into joints you may not realize have the ability to move, giving you a chance to spread out in positions you may have never thought possible. While this may not seem like a feat, it can help you sleep better at night, walk better during the day, and feel better all around because you are better in tune with your boy. You can learn different positions to better increase your flexibility, and after many sessions, you will feel like a whole new person.

There is also a meditating quality embedded into most yoga Nepal lessons. As you learn more about your body, you can develop an energetic connection with it that you may not have now. Yoga takes a lot of the environment out of your mind just long enough for you to be in touch with yourself. People often leave their yoga sessions feeling more at peace then when they came in. Even if you do not believe in meditation, you can find the calming abilities of yoga to be beneficial for you. Rest your mind and relax your body all at the same time.

Yoga Nepal is the only activity that literally taps into all muscles of the body. The most obscure bodily components can be brought to the forefront of your mind, and believe it or not, you can actually use that knowledge to detect physical ailments faster than you normally might have. Studies have been conducted that show people who abide by a yoga regimen detect infections in their bodies faster than others, so you could treat your problems more early on this way. Yoga can be a challenge at times, but as you can see from above, it yields great rewards for the effort. 

Yoga Kathmandu – How You Could Easily Change Your Body

Yoga Kathmandu is often looked at by the public as nothing more than a new form of exercise. If you have seen this act as that and nothing more, you are missing out on some of the biggest essences of yoga. This art form does more than help you lose weight. It can cleanse, relax, and transform your body in a way that you cannot find anywhere else. Yoga is designed to target all areas of your body through different exercises and positions. Practicing properly can yield great transformations in the end.

By tapping into all these different parts of your body, yoga Kathmandu gives you a greater sense of flexibility. You will start feeling a change in the way your muscles interact with one another, and you will lubricate joints you may not have even known you had. Yoga is all a matter of awareness and application. If you are aware of certain things about your body, you can apply techniques to it that will make you much more limber than you may have thought possible. You can see your body’s abilities change right before your eyes.

Yoga Kathmandu can also help you by massaging the different organs in your body. Literally every organ is impacted by the positions in one way or another, and by targeting all of them, you can actually become more aware of potential disorders you may have. Studies have shown that people who practice yoga are more likely to discover the onset of a disease or disorder because of how well they are tuned in with their bodies. Indeed, something as simple as an exercise can actually improve your health by making you more aware of what is happening within your system. That way you can get help as soon as you need it.

The creative positions in yoga Kathmandu allow your body to hit its maximum blood circulation abilities. This is great for ridding out toxins in your system that you may not even be aware of. As yoga flushes out these bad things in your body, you can start to feel more energized, less depressed, and genuinely happier overall. You may be sore from your yoga positions, but you will develop a tolerance for that in time. If yoga sounds like the right activity for you, take a look into some of the lessons available in your area.