summer training cross country?

this summer i really want to get in shape and become a better runner. i currently run a 6:10mile in track and in the fall i am doing cross country. i am also playing field hockey. we have field hockey conditioning for 4hrs every day where we do running/agility stuff for one hour, play indoor hockey, weight train, and do a video workout. i want to do xc too but conditioning is the same time should i run by myself in the evenings?? i am afraid of overtraining and actually hurting my times. i cant really run outside during the day from 12-5 because it is super hot and sunny. i was also gonna do yoga and swimming for cross training. any suggestions on how to improve my xc times w/o overtraining? thanks!

Yoga for Endurance Athletes – Downward Dog

www.ttuniversity.com – Yoga for Endurance Athletes DVD – Sample from DVD

Reasons Why Yoga Supplies A Healthy Lifestyle

Yoga is said to be the oldest practice of self-development known. It started in India which dates back about 500 years ago. By exercising Yoga, one can gain information and benefits on the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual well-being. Moreover, it encourages the individual to focus on his or her capabilities as well as self-awareness.

There are several methods of Yoga. This includes physical postures, breathing control as well as meditation. But most of the time, people engage in Yoga to shape up and to improve one's health and well-being. Only a few are really into pure mediation and reflection without doing or performing the Yoga asanas.

It is said that Yoga is not a series of steps to be followed but an evolving process. Through time, one who practices it is cleansed and aware of his being. As a result, he perceives life as good and does well on many aspects.

Through Yoga, one can practice or improve his body. Furthermore, he can practice controlling his breath and knows self-control. He or she also attains or has the capability to direct his mind and to interact with the object of his concentration. However, one must be dedicated enough in order to achieve these goals and have its corresponding benefits.

Yoga has become a common practice nowadays and has influenced millions around the world. Different classes and groups are found in various cities and regions. The most common form of Yoga is Hatha yoga. This kind of yoga involves breath and body coordinated. Through physical exercise and harmonized breathing, a certain relief and blood circulation is improved.

This can increase one's vitality, strength and flexibility. Hatha yoga is only one form of Yoga. There are still many other kinds aside from that. Some are fast aerobic Yoga workouts while some are strong precise styles for the fitness conscious people. There are also styles for those who prefer gentle and focuses more on healing.

Yoga is open to all people of different ages, faiths and lifestyles. One need not pay for a personal tutor or attend a prestige Yoga class. There are books and references which you can use if you want to learn Yoga self-taught.

However, you must choose a kind or form of Yoga that is apt for you and your lifestyle. It is also important to know your own qualities so that your learning is guided. It is because each kind of Yoga has its own unique form of meditation.New forms of Yoga are also developed nowadays.

In addition, there are videos and dvd's available in the market to guide you as a beginner. There are also supplies sold and available when you are already applying or performing the physical activities involved in Yoga. There are videos like Yoga for athletes, yoga for couples, yoga with grace and strength and yoga workout for beginners.

There are various supplies and equipment that can be used while you are into a Yoga session. Equipments like yoga mats, yoga belts, yoga straps and blocks. There are mats that provide support when you are already into the exercise.

hese mats protect and serve as a cushion for you when you are performing on hard floors. They are accompanied with Yoga straps as well as blocks that aid you in your Yoga workout.

In addition, it is advised that you pick clothing that will not prevent you from moving freely. In this way, you can stretch and optimize your flexibility skills.

What Yoga Can Do For Your Health

In the past, yoga has become one of the coolest and trendiest of the exercise and alternative methods that have made a big appearance in the world today. Not only is yoga a fun thing to do, it is also a way for you to loose weight and make yourself more healthy without undo stress on the body. Many people have taken upon themselves to start this wonderful and easy way to get in better health. Thousands of humans that are any age and that are from many occupations now do it. it is a safe thing for even children to start doing on a regular basis. Professionals are now looking into yoga to provide the user with many benefits to your health. can you imagine how great it will be to know that the easy exercises of yoga will also help to cure you of an ailment that has bothered you for years with no relief?

You will definately be able to find a way to use yoga for the bettering of your health and your total life. Yoga will take you to a place where you are stronger and more flexible. You can find a way to prevent or cure a serious illness in your life, even serious ones. You will also get a stress reliever and a way to meditate that is also beneficial to your health.

Several claims have emerged highlighting the health benefits of yoga. Yes, according to several resources, yoga is not only capable of making you feel strong and flexible, but it can also help cure whatever ailments you may be suffering from, even the most serious health conditions. It is exciting to find that results from studies are showing that with a regular schedule of yoga that has breathing deeply, different poses, and meditation, you can help problems with asthma, mental health, and heart diseases, and more. It is not certain what other things that yoga can help you with. Each person who is practicing yoga will give you a story about how yoga has helped them. For more info see http://www.ezyogaguide.com/ on Yoga.

We will look at a few of the ways that yoga can help you.

A.) Asthma – yoga can help anyone to heal him or herself of asthma. Deep breathing is involved in yoga and there is also a relaxing of the muscles of the chest that will give you an easier time breathing. There are many people who have problems with asthma today and yoga is helping it. Yoga will help to focus on helping those who have it. The symptoms that are associated with the problems of asthma are reduced in a big way by practicing yoga on a regular basis. The meditation part of the yoga will also give those suffering from asthma a way to control their fear when the asthma attack starts and thus provide themselves a way to not make the situation worse. Those with asthma tend to get more upset when an asthma attack occurs and this will help them to stay calm.

B.) Mental Health – There are some reports that yoga can help those who have a mental health problem. Professionals have had their interest peaked with the strength of the yoga. They have started to work with people of all ages who are known to have obsessive-compulsive disorder. Within the months that the study continued, the group that was practicing yoga has shown to help. It was in the range of forty percent of the people who have started the study doing yoga would continue and have positive results from the disease. Learning to meditate and to release your feelings in a positive way instead of holding them in is a result of the yoga.

C.) Cardiovascular – One other way that yoga can help is with cardiovascular problems. This benefit from yoga comes from the results that yoga is a great way for you to get rid of stress and will make the length of the cardiovascular system better. It has also shown to give you a better blood pressure and rate of heartbeats. The yoga will give you a way to learn to breath deey and it will give you a proper blood flow to all the right places in the body which will ultimately improve the whole system.

Because of these and other things that yoga can give you, it has caused many people to get interested in practicing it. The amount of the classes for yoga have also increased. The positive effects are endless and are different for each person.

Understanding The Different Types Of Yoga

There are many different types of yoga and each has its own traits and benefits. By picking up the fundamental on each and every type of yoga, you can determine what is suitable for you.

Hatha Yoga is one of the most widespread and it a divine practice that concentrates on the physical aspects to derive mental, emotional and physical health. It goes back to the fifteenth century and founded by Yogi Swatmarama, a wise teacher. Hatha yoga is called "hatha vidya" with "ha" means the sun and "tha" implies the moon and together they are the "nadis" or the flow of energy in the body and must work to achieve "dhyana" a feature of meditation.

The full notion of the ancient hatha yoga is a divine path that encompasses moral and ethics, exercises, breathe control and meditation. Hatha yoga practices that are taken up by western practitioners largely concentrate on poses. Both hatha and raja yoga concentrate on the physical aspects and are collectively known as astanga yoga.

The key difference is that raja yoga concentrate on "asanas" or poses to prepare the body for extended meditation.

On the other hand, Hatha yoga creates harmony in the mind and body through exercises, breathe control as well as relaxing the mind by relaxing and meditating. Adopting different poses can ease or prevent health troubles from constipation to cancer.

Raja yoga is known as king of yoga and is also referring to as "Classical yoga" or "Astanga yoga". It is a practice that has to do with the stimulus and harmony of the mind from yoga poses. Raja yoga is also able to manage your feelings in addition to getting your bodies into raja yoga postures. In Indian civilization, the mind lords over the body hence raja.

Astanga, known as eight limbed yoga and is the eight objectives of raja yoga to become a raja yoga master: "Yama" is the application and observance of being moral. "Niyama" is staying true to your own spirituality. The practice in India is believed to be abiding by religious traditions and festivals.

"Asana" is subjecting your body to the various poses to achieve relaxation and increase flexibility. "Pranayama" is keeping to a correct breathing technique by not constantly thinking about the past, as it results in superficial breath. "Prana", generally refers to "life force" in Hindu. "Pratayahara" is through forming your own strength of will and mind without subjecting to outside influence.

"Dharana" is observing of meditation, "Dhyana" is to maintain self detachment. This is by far the most difficult objective of raja yoga to clarify. An absolute ideal is to be free of any emotional or materials attachment to be one and harmonize with the God and the Universe even depriving yourself of food, oxygen and sleep. Once your body attains flexibility, it will align with your needs and desires. "Samadhi", this is the highest state, to be one with God, the Nirvana state of raja yoga.

While Ivengar focus on the right alignment and shape of the body and cling to it for extended period of time instead of changing poses like ashtanga yoga. Props are also requiring in ivengar yoga to achieve alignment.

One of the most widespread types of yoga is the bikram yoga and it is practiced in forty degree Celsius and forty percent humidity. It was founded by Bikram Choudhury and main philosophy is to achieve better breathing and body suppleness as well as circulation in the body. The increased temperature will induce the blood to flow.

Bikram yoga has 26 postures and two detailed breathe control. Bikram yoga is taught by trained and licensed practitioners in order to provide a safe environment for those taking it up. This type of yoga will make you suppler with a better body circulation, an ability to manage breathing together with many other benefits.

Besides the few major types of yoga that are mentioned above, other forms of yoga exist but to start off with yoga, it is best to be acquainted with one of these major types. Having a rough idea of all these major types, you can proceed to find out about other forms of yoga. For beginners, astanga yoga is the most ideal as all other different features can be picked up from there.

Yoga for Healthy Life

YOGA FOR HEALTHY LIFE

YOGA is a science. Like all other sciences it is based on observation and experiment. This method of observation and experiment is regarded in the west as a distinctly modern innovation, but as a matter of fact it was adopted in India in very ancient times by the “RISHIS”, or seers of truth. Through the process of close observation and constant experimentation, they discovered the fine forces of nature, as also the laws that govern our physical, mental and spiritual well being. The truths thus gained through their own experiences and investigation, they wrote down in Upanishads, preached in public and expounded to their pupils.

“PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN CURE” it is the famous quotation and meaningful quotation..
Yoga helps us to not only prevent from the diseases; it also helps us to cure some of the common diseases.

Yoga is the only branch that has exercises to make us fit in a physical, Physiological, and psychological manner.

ESSENTIAL OF YOGA PRACTICES:

In order to derive the full benefits of yoga it is necessary to understand the following requirements and principles related to its practice.
TIME:
Though the morning time, before breakfast, is regarded best for practicing yoga. One can do it also in the evening or at any other time provided the stomach is empty and not heavy with food.

The individual should select a time which is convenient for his daily routine and should try to do yoga at the same time everyday. A practice for atleast 5 to 6 days in a week should be enough to show improvement.
PLACE:

Practice yoga on the floor. Avoid chowki (Or Bed). Use a carpet, rug, blanket, or mat on the floor. The place of practices should be neat, clean and well ventilated.

SILENCE:

One should maintain silence while doing yoga. Any conversation, mental activity and even listening to music should be avoided.

REST:

Two types of Rest:
1.Short Rest
2.Long Rest

Short Rest:

The short rest should be for about six to eight seconds only. This is taken between two rounds of asana, or between one and the other asana. The Shorter restis completed by breathing twice at the completion of one round of a posture

Long Rest:
Long Rest comes at the end of all the asanas, pranayamas and other kriyas which one does at a stretch. The general principle is to devote one fourth of the actual practicing time for this rest. For e.g. : If one has done yoga for 20 minutes , the rest at the end should be for 5 minutes

DRESS:

There should be minimum clothes on the body while doing yoga. Male practitioners can wear half pants or pyjamas along with an underwear. Ladies can wear saree, slacks or stretch pants with blouse. In winter, light woolen clothes may be used while doing yoga.
BATH:

It depends on the convenient and personal choice of the practitioners to bath either before or after the practice. For taking a hot bath after yoga practice one must wait for about 15 minutes

METHOD OF PRACTICES:

In order to obtain the fullest benefit of yoga, one must practice in a proper way. Since yoga is the scientific systems it requires to be done in a specified manner. What is more important here to mention is that though every one cannot practice all the postures which perfection, they can certainly follow the method of doing them without any difficulty. Therefore the advice is;do yoga according to the limits of your body. Do it only as much as you can. You need not be perfect in form. If you cannot do the full form, do half it or even less

FEMALE PROBLEMS:

Female practitioners should avoid the yoga practice during menstrual period and during advance stage (After 4 month) of pregnancy. Pregnant women may practice yoga under proper care and instruction of a yoga experts.

HOW MUCH YOGA? :

Yoga can practised for a longer time in the winter season than in summer . Maximum times devoted for actually practicing yoga should not exceeed 45 minutes in a single day of winter. In summer maximum time for actual practice should be 30 minutes.

DIET:

Foods have been divided into 3 categories

1.RAJASIK
2.TAMASIK
3.SATTVIK

First 2 categories is not suitable for yoga practitioners. Third one, SATTVIK, is highly recommended for the yoga practitioners,

QUALITY OF FOOD:

Eat not more than 85 % of your capacity. In other words always keep some space left in your stomach after dinner.

WATER:

Yoga practitioners should drink about 5 lbs (10 to 12 glasses) of water everyday. Water should be not taken at the time of eating, but after half an hour of eating..

Before starting yoga practice we should know the above the factors then only our yoga practices will be meaningful and beneficial one.

YOGA AND HEALTH BENEFITS:

1. PADMA ASANA
2. PASHCHIMOTTAN ASANA
3. MATSYA ASANA
4. ARDHA MATYENDRA ASANA
5. HALA ASANA
6. BHUJANGA ASANA
7. DHANUR ASANA
8. SHALABHA ASANA
9. SARVANGA ASANA
10. PAWAN MUKTA ASANA
11. TARA ASANA
12. VRIKSHA ASANA
13. SURYANAMASKAR ASANA
14. SHAVA ASANA

HEALTH BENEFITS: (PREVENT FROM THE DISEASES)

PHYSICAL:

1. MUSCULAR STRENGTH
2. FLEXIBILITY
3. POSTURE IMPROVEMENT

PHYSIOLOGICAL:

1. NEURO MUSCULAR CO-ORDINATING
2. CARDIO RESPIRATORY EFFIENCY INCREASES
3. CIRCULATORY SYSTEM BENEFITS
4. EXCREATORY FUNCTION IMPROVES
5. IMMUNITY INCREASES
6. ENDOCRINE SYSTEM NORMALISES

PSYCHOLOGICAL BENEFITS

1. SELF ACCEPTANCE AND SELF REALISATION
2. SELF CONFIDENCE
3. FREE FROM ANXIETIES ,STRENGTH AND TENSION
4. PEACEFUL MIND
5. SOCIAL ADJUSTMENT

YOGA CURE FOR COMMON DISEASES:

In the Medical system on external agent (medicine) does the corrective work, in the yogic system this external agent is not needed at all .It is the patient himself whose personal understanding, practice and care cure his diseases in the yogic system

In certain cases, the medicine provided them immediate relief, but not a lasting cure. On the other hand, a great number of such patients achieved permanent cure through thereaptic yoga within in a period of two or four months .This has specially been so in case of diabetes, arthritis, asthma, gastro intestinal disorders, nervous tension and various other cases.

YOGA HELPS US TO LEAD A HEALTHY LIFE
 

SuperBrain Yoga

If this really works, then count me in!

The Usefulness Of Yoga Accessories

Although yoga does not require too much accessories, the usefulness of yoga accessories cannot be doubted as it will make you more relaxed and secure. There are a few requisite yoga accessories that you cannot do without, especially clothing such as upper body wear and pants. The next is a yoga mat for practicing the various yoga poses, and then there are the yoga shoes or socks. Other like a bag for yoga mat, DVDs for self study and water bottle are optional, including yoga props.

One of the most essential yoga accessories is the clothing and it should not be too tight or too loose as you will not want it to interfere with your yoga exercises or leave you unfocussed. The upper body wear should be just right and usually they are made with a combination of cotton or Lycra as these materials are ideal for yoga for they provide comfort and pores for circulation

Another is the lower body wear and for warmer climate, it can be just shorts so that you won't get too hot while practicing. During colder weather, you can wear pants but they should not be too loose and distract your exercises. Except for t-shirt and pants, you should leave your jewelry and watched at home to avoid getting in the way of your yoga practices.

Other necessary yoga accessories are the yoga mat as it will cushion you against the hard flooring and it should be hygienic as your body and head will be in contact with it. Other consideration is that it will provide friction between your body and the mat as you will perspire during the exercises so as to ensure that you do not slip and get yourself hurt.

In addition, the yoga mat should be tried out and it should also be easily maintained and wash so as not to add to your stress level. As the yoga mat will be rolled up after practices, it should be able to lay flat when you need it and not too sticky when you are doing the poses.

Those staying in colder countries should ensure that the yoga mat remains flexible after it is out in the cold climate or when you need to place it in your car trunk. Also check the sturdiness and lifespan and it is neither too light nor heavy. For those mindful of the environment, it is essential that it can be recycled or reused.

Most of the time, yoga is done barefoot or just with a pair of cotton socks but yoga shoes can provide the comfort that you need. Yoga shoes are different from the usual exercises shoes in that it has slim soles to provide suppleness and the top part of the shoes is lighter so as to ensure air circulation.

In addition yoga shoes are vital as bacteria and germs will not form and also when you need to share yoga mat. On the other hand it can avert injuries like stepping on jagged pebbles or ants bite. With the yoga shoes, it will help ensure that you do not slip when you are carrying out certain postures.

Yoga socks can be used in place of yoga shoes as wearing them is like putting on gloves for your feet but some would choose to use toe socks that is accompanied by non-slip rubber dots to provide friction and those are feasible choices besides yoga shoes.

The optional yoga accessories like a bag for your yoga mat so that you can transport then back and forth from your yoga classes and with provision for change of clothes, keys or wallet. Yoga DVDs can help you to revise the moves that you have practiced and other like yoga props to assist you in the various poses.

Water bottles can be useful but not necessary as you will perspire profusely during the exercises, as a result releasing toxins. With the replenishment, it will replace lost fluids and remove the excess toxins. In addition you will be dehydrated after practices so a fresh, rejuvenating bottle of water will lighten you up.

Shopping for yoga accessories can be done at yoga specialty retailers and it is better to shop there than just any retailers as they will have a wide ranging items and knowledgeable sales staffs to guide you. Also it can be done online but the drawback is that you will not get to test the items, on the other hand, it provide a relaxed ambience and convenience without stepping out of your house.

 

World Relaxation Yoga Instrumental Music – Album Sampler

astronomyrecords.com The music in this video is all 6 songs from the album “Embrace The Moment – Music to enhance your yoga practice”. Read a review of this album here: astronomyrecords.com The songs in order are: 1. Preparing The Way 2. The Higher Mind 3. Fire In The Belly 4. Inner Strength 5. Reflection of Self 6. The Journey Home The full album can only be purchased from our website at astronomyrecords.com but just by subscribing to our free newsletter you get to download 1 free mp3 from …

Knowledge And The Relevance Of Yoga Poses

Although yoga is not a high-impact exercise, it can provide strength as well as suppleness to the body but you can cause injury to yourself if the poses are not correctly done. Through an in-depth knowledge, you can avert possible injuries.

The correct breathing techniques as in other form of exercises are essential to yoga postures to avert unnecessary injuries. The most glaring is to withheld your breathe in between changes of yoga positions. Yoga is similar to weight lifting, you need to inhale and exhale while doing the poses and holding it only when you are done with the exercises.

Normal yoga poses are unlike those that you found in television where they contort their body to make you squirm as yoga postures are done with little strain. Do not overstretch yourself and if you are uncomfortable with the poses, do not carry on as you might be heading for a serious injury.

Yoga should be done at a certain pace as you will want to be with the flow and keep your muscles tension free. Going through the yoga positions too fast is not healthy as it will strain your muscles and hurt yourself.

Practicing from a qualified teacher rather than through self learning such as self-help books or self taught videos are better as you can then the yoga poses correctly, thus avoiding hurting yourself. It can be done at a gym or one-to-one coaching. A knowledgeable yoga teacher can assess your skill level and offer the right supervision saving you a lot of times and unnecessary headaches.

As yoga is very healthy and beneficial, it is better to learn the postures correctly from the beginning. Asanas or yoga positions can be difficult if not carry out correctly. After picking up from a qualified yoga teacher, you can then supplement through self-help books and self-taught videos. The yoga book by Dharma Mittra called the Asanas:608 poses is one of the most complete book.

Video is more comprehensive than book as there are movements to guide you instead of interpreting from the pictures. With video, there is voice to guide you so you can learn all the poses with minimal misunderstanding.

The advantages that you can derive from a qualified yoga teacher is that the yoga poses is performed before you so there will be no ambiguity and at the same time, he/she can rectify your mistakes instantly. With yoga teachers, they can design the courses to suit you and even for those with special needs such as pregnant women. As well as, you can use the yoga classes to network with friends thus increasing the joy of attending practices.

Generally picking the right postures is essential to yoga so that you can enjoy the full benefits of it. The numerous yoga postures are listed below:
1. Sukhasana which is a fundamental yoga pose. This type of yoga will assist in focusing and breathing technique as well as building the lower back and hips
2. Dog and Cat which is another basic pose and it is actually two dissimilar poses.
3. Sethu Bandhasa, also known as the bridge is done by lying on you back and with your knees upward and hands by the side.

For beginners, yoga can educate you on the relevance of our day to day movements such as sitting, lying down, crouching or even stooping. With certain changes, basic yoga are like those positions that you do daily without noticing and there are many benefits to gain.

As beginning yoga has been endorsed by medical society for its mental and physical benefits, physicians usually recommend it to their sick patients as it encourages curing and respite from the illness.

You can progress from beginning to more difficult poses by certain adjustments. Yoga is adopted from observing the many daily movements and they can give you the full benefits of the workouts that you won't be able to get from it otherwise.

Yoga poses is progressive, you can pick up the more difficult poses gradually and with supervision from a qualified yoga teacher, you will be able to pick the correct poses. As yoga is also a mild and developing exercise, it can be done irrespective of your age. With more confidence, you can then go on to pick up more difficult poses.

While doing yoga poses, you can feel the improvement in your joints as well as look better and an improved self esteem. What you need is consistency and self discipline to follow through all the poses.

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