How Yoga Transforms Your Body [Infographic]

We've all heard how the regular practice of yoga confers many health benefits, including weight loss and healthy weight maintenance, increased flexibility, improved balance, stronger bones, and decreased risk of chronic disease.

But what many of us may not realize is that certain benefits begin to accrue immediately - right after the very first class!

This wonderful infographic entitled "How Yoga Transforms Your Body" illustrates how yoga improves various aspects of physical, mental and emotional health and well-being after just one class, after several months of practice and after years of practice.

With so many important immediate and long-term benefits, there is no excuse not to begin a yoga practice today!

Related:
What is Yoga?
26 Amazing Benefits of Yoga
Yoga Starter - What's Your Style?
Redefine the Role of Yoga
Restorative Yoga Poses to Relieve Stress

Infographic Source and More Information at: Huffington Post, How Yoga Changes Your Body, Starting the Day You Begin

Infographic: 26 Amazing Benefits of Yoga

A regular yoga practice confers so many more health benefits than just toning and strengthening muscles, enhancing flexibility and improving coordination.  There are many other important physical, as well as psychological and biochemical benefits associated with yoga.

This infographic identifies 26 of those health benefits.

Infographic Source:
Mind-Body Yoga of Butler, PA

Related:
✿ How Yoga Transforms Your Body
✿ The Eight Limbs of Yoga
✿ Yoga Health Benefits
✿ What is Yoga?
Yoga Starter:  What's Your Style?

Make Time for Your Yoga [Picture of the Day]

Make Time for Your Yoga (its important)

Image source:  this handmade 8 x 10 doodle print is available for purchase at Artsyville ~~

Picture of the Day: Downward Dog Pug!

This is precious! This little pug really knows his downward dog pose!

Image Source: Unknown - please contact us for credit!

Infographic: Yoga Health Benefits

We've all heard of yoga and how great it is for our physical, mental and emotional health.

Study after study has shown that a regular yoga practice confers a broad spectrum of health benefits including reducing inflammation, relieving anxiety ad chronic stress, improving heart health and helping with weight loss.  A healthy weight, in turn, lowers the risk for coronary heart disease, stroke, cancer, diabetes, arthritis and other overweight or obesity related illnesses and conditions.

Yoga aids in weight loss by:

❤ Decreasing cortisol and adrenaline, two stress hormones that are linked to weight gain, especially belly fat

❤ Increasing heart rate and internal body heat which increases the metabolic rate (metabolism) and helps burn fat

❤ Stimulating the digestive tract, which improves digestion and aids in detoxification

This infographic entitled "The Health Benefit of Yoga" beautifully illustrates some very good reasons to begin a yoga practice.

A daily yoga practice combined with a daily meditation practice is a powerful health and weight loss combination.  Best of all, both yoga and meditation can be done at any time, in the privacy of your own home.

Related:
✔ What is Yoga?
✔ Yoga Starter - What's Your Style?
✔ The 8 Limbs of Yoga
✔ What is Mindfulness Meditation?
✔ The Body on Meditation


Infographic Source:
YogaCaraShop

Infographic: Spring Detox Health Tips

Spring Detox Health Tips [Infographic]

Holistic health experts recommend cleansing the body of harmful toxins on a regular, daily basis, preferably with healthy food, herbs and activities like meditation, yoga and exercise.  This infographic entitled "Spring Detox Health Tips" illustrates six simple detoxification suggestions, including:

❤ Sleep - a good night's sleep reduces stress and boosts metabolism

❤ Stretch - a stretching break gives muscles a shot of oxygen for improved circulation

❤ Exercise - daily exercise helps the body detoxify naturally

❤ Exfoliation - gentle exfoliation keeps skin looking and feeling fresh

❤ Lemon Water - drinking lemon water in the morning cleanses the digestive system


Related:
Is Your Diet Toxic?
How Sleep Aids in Natural Weight Loss
Dry Skin Brushing (Skin Exfoliation Technique)
Health Benefits of Drinking Lemon Water
DIY Aromatherapy Detox Bath

Infographic Source: Institute for Integrative Nutrition

Plant-Based Diet and Yoga - a Powerful Combination

The Flexi Foodie! Shamazing Plant-based Recipe Blog (via PR Newswire)

Fantastic, Delicious Plant-based Recipes Download image The Flexi Foodie: Combining plant-based nutrition with power yoga! So unbelievably good for you! (PRNewsFoto/Julie Montagu Ltd.) LONDON, May 17, 2023 /PRNewswire-iReach/ -- Yoga and a plant-based diet: they're like Harry and Sally, or Batman and…

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Panchakarma Journal: Daily Routine

Buddha Reflecting by Morgan Ellis

I have always been interested in Ayurveda and, before undertaking Panchakarma, I did a lot of research and reading on the subject matter.  Because Panchakarma is quite orderly and straight-forward, I was relatively confident that I knew what to generally expect.  As it turned out, I was not  as prepared for the experience as I had thought. 

The following is a detailed account of my daily routine during my Panchakarma treatment:


Morning Routine

• Wake up 30 minutes before sunrise
• Examine and scrape tongue
• Oil pulling (15 to 20 minutes)
• Wash face, brush teeth
• Drink ghee
• Dress and go outside:  grounding exercise and solar gazing, 15 minute walk
• Return to the hotel (home):  prepare morning meal (spiced stewed fruit) and set it to cook
• Prepare Ayurvedic herbal tea
• Drink hot/warm water infused with ginger root
• Yoga (30 minutes)
• Meditation (20 minutes)
• Eat morning meal of stewed fruits
• Rest 10-15 minutes
• Go back out and take 15-20 minute walk
• Return to hotel (home) and take Ayurvedic herbs
• Warm Bath
• Drink Aloe Vera gel
• Walk to treatment

Mid-Day:  Ayurvedic/Panchakarma Treatments

• Consultation with Ayurvedic practitioner
• Dry skin brushing
• Abhyanga
• Nasya
• Shirodhara
• Chakra Therapy
• Vibrational and Sound Therapies
• Steam
• Return to hotel (home)

Related:  Panchakarma:  Daily Ayurvedic Spa Treatments

Afternoon Routine

• Eat lunch (kitchari)
• Rest 10-15 minutes
• Take a 15-20 minute walk
• Journal
• Nap (1 to 3 hours)

Related:  Panchakarma:  Daily Diet During Retreat and Detox

Evening Routine

• Warm up kitchari and eat
• Take Ayurvedic herbs
• Rest 10-15 minutes
• Take 30-40 minute walk
• Wash and soak Mung Dal beans
• Set almonds in water (to soak overnight for morning meal)
• Wash dishes and clean up living space
• Read, listen to music and/or journal
• Herbal/oil enema
• Hot aromatherapy bath
• Meditate (20 minutes)
• Drink Aloe Vera gel
• Rub Brahmi Oil into soles of feet
• Journal, listen to music and/or read
• Sleep

Related:  Ayurveda:  Books and Recommended Reading