Yoga for Fun and Profit

stress levels around the world are on the rise. In order to deal with this, relaxation and stress reduction therapies have sprung up from everywhere. yoga instruction is no longer just a fringe population idea. It is now a mainstream fitness methodology. yoga certifications are now available from many places in north America. As a result of this, yoga instructors are now available everywhere. Each gym now offers yoga classes from certified yoga instructors. Its time we understood what this is all about and where we are going with respect to the fitness industry.

The word yoga is a sanskrit word meaning joining or union. What are we joining? The human being consists of several entities commonly referred to as body-mind-spirit. An integrated human being is the goal of yoga. We are joining the different pieces of the human being to make an integrated, holistic being that is attuned to one goal. The body, mind and spirit are all integrated with a common attitude and viewpoint. This is different from the state of being where the body wants to satisfy one need and the mind another and the spirit yet a third. This is the state during which mental storms occur and the body responds in turn with a manifestation of that mental vortex.

yoga seeks to align the human being using its own tool of breathing. When we breathe rhythmically, our body is more in tune with itself. We function better as an integrated being in a holistic way. yoga was invented in india, about 5000 years ago, precisely to achieve the goal of integration. When our being is aligned our interaction with the world will be more efficient. We perform better at work and in our home life. Rela-tionships become easier. This is what yoga achieves.

In india, yoga is taught and researched as a science at a place in Bangalore called the Swami Vivekananda Yoga Anusamdhana Samsthan (SVYASA). This means Yoga Research institute. One can obtain intensive instruction in yoga and therapy techniques using yoga. Recently, I completed a month long certificate course for yoga instructors at this institute. The yoga that is taught here is not just about the physical poses. The idea of yoga from the original meaning is to really integrate the whole human being. This involves all of our activities in life. We must be aligned and integrated during all of our tasks during the day. All of our activies can be divided into several broad categories. All actions like going to work, eating breakfast are classified as Karma yoga. All philosophical discussions are classified under Jnana yoga. Any devotional activities such as the singing of hymns or prayers are considered part of Bhakti yoga. The physical poses of Western ideas of yoga are a part of Raja yoga, which includes other methods for gaining mastery over the physical body. This is the original concept of yoga from india and is taught in that form at the SVYASA institute.

The institute is named after Swami Vivekananda who was a monk and scholar of Indian philosophy. In 1893, Swami Vivekananda was invited to speak at the Parliament of Religions, held in Chicago, on the topic of hinduism. His speech became famous for explaining the unity of religions as many paths to God, and that hinduism in its original sense encompassed that view. Swami Vivekananda wanted the Western world to understand Indian spirituality in the correct view, as a synthesis of the four types of yoga, which ultimately leads to the goal of spiritual evolution. SVYASA is dedicated to the education and research of yoga in this context. The school retains strict attention to the original sources of yoga from sanskrit scripture.

The teaching styles of the school and environmental factors do not cater to the Western lifestyle. Those who come from abroad must acclimatize themselves to the pure Indian way. Meals are served on the floor and must be eaten using the hands. Vegetarian Indian food is served. No cutlery is provided. Footwear must be left outside of all classes. Be prepared to literally be on your feet for long amounts of time. While the majority of the students are comfortably able to sit on the floor during the long lecture sessions, chairs are available for those who will not be able to survive in that position. The philosophy of discipline is everywhere, starting from the boot camp like nature of the roll call before each session. Students who miss a portion of the attendance will not receive their certificate. Attendance is considered a very important factor of the study. In addition, a strict code of uniforms is enforced. Women must wear the Indian dress of salwaar kameez, which is a tunic, and pant set made of 100% cotton. This dress could be modified to be more forgiving for yoga poses. Men must wear loose fitting track pants and t-shirt. This is more conducive to rigorous physical activity. It must be noted that everywhere the students of the yoga instructors course can be identified by their uniform.

As attendance is strict, so is the keeping of students on the grounds. While exceptions can be made for justifiable reasons, students cannot usually leave the campus for any reason after the start of the course. The campus is 32 km north of the major city of Bangalore. Fortunately, Bangalore boasts many amenities including an international airport. The city of Bangalore itself is very multicultural. One can find the modern world mixed with the original flavour of india everywhere. The SVYASA institute has a city office in Bangalore from where a bus is arranged to take travellers to its campus outside the city in a place called Geddallahalli. The name of the campus is Prashanti Kutiram, which means abode of peace. While the name is very amenable to yoga studies, I found that one needs to practice yoga in sincerity to find the true peace, which is only inside the human being.

A variety of personal interests and professional paths have led the author to her current role as a personal trainer and lifestyle consultant with over 20 years experience. Siva is an author, lecturer and Can-Fit-Pro certified personal trainer who specializes in body-mind-spirit consulting and training women. Currently she is writing a book entitled Body, Mind, and Spirit Fitness, which discusses her particular style of training the complete being, rather than just the physical body.

Siva is a yoga instructor, an expert on East Indian Philosophy and teacher of sanskrit. She holds a doctorate in engineering from the University of toronto and has balanced her time between personal training and engineering for over 20 years. In February 2005, Siva spent an intensive month studying a course for Yoga Instructors, at the Swami Vivekananda Yoga institute in Bangalore, india to further her interest in yoga as a science of holistic living and not merely as yoga postures.

For more information on yoga visit http://www.getshanti.com

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Golf Ball Comparison For The Average Golfer

Golf, like most sport, is a game of precision and accuracy. In order to score a hole in one, you need the utmost concentration, and physical and mental strength. Furthermore, you need to match your skills and experience with your golfing accessories and equipment, particularly the golf ball.

For non-golf aficionados, one golf ball is the same as other golf balls. The only major difference such people may see between one ball from another is the manufacturer or brand name. In the eye of a golfer lover, however, golf balls differ in more ways than one.

If you want to improve your game, you need to pay attention to the type, covering material, core structure, and compression rates of a ball. You must bear in mind that your swing and level of play should be matched with the golf ball you use. Thus, you can't expect to be like Tiger Woods simply by buying and using the same golf accessories, shoes, and balls that he uses.

Here are basic golf ball comparisons you need to know to help improve your golf games:

Common Golf ball Types

Two-piece

If you are just starting to play golf, you most probably need to consider using the two-piece golf ball. This type of ball, aside from being the cheapest type available in the market, is aimed at providing great distance. If your swing is slow, the big rubber core of the ball helps in transferring the energy from the swing to the ball efficiently, thereby providing you with good distance.

If you are a neophyte in the game, you need to concentrate on your accuracy. Hence, you need a ball that will boost your distance, enabling you to concentrate more on building your accuracy. Once you have mastered consistency, then you need to try the other types of golf ball.

Three-piece

The three-piece ball is ideal for advanced players, who have pretty much mastered control, partly because a person wouldn't want to spend too much for a golf ball that will brandish his or her hit-and-miss swings. Such a ball, which is preferred by pro players, is composed of a core, which can be solid or made up of liquid or gel, a layer of wounded thread, and a plastic covering.

Materials used as golf ball coverings

Although there maybe other kinds of golf ball covering, the two most popular are the surlyn and balata.

Balata

Balata golf balls, which are usually three-piece balls, are made of soft covering. Professional golfers prefer such balls because they not only cuts and scuffs easily, but they are also easier to control. Furthermore, balata balls give more spin. However, these balls have shorter life span and are more expensive.

Surlyn

Surlyn balls are more apt for amateur gofers because they are cheaper. Most two-piece golf balls are made of surlyn, a hard material, thus it is more resistant to cuts and scuffs and provide more distance. Aside from being more inexpensive, such balls are also long lasting. However, it is harder to control and does not provide ample spin.

Compression rate

Traditionally, the tightness of the golf ball's thread windings determines its compression rate. Due to recent technological advancement, however, the compression rate of a golf ball is now basically dependent on how the ball is affected when it is hit. The compression rating of golf balls usually range from 70-110.

Low compression balls

Balls with compression rating of 70-80 are considered low compression balls. Such balls are soft and are easily deformed or compressed when hit. Players with slow swings are encouraged to use such ball.

Medium compression balls

Most advanced golfers prefer balls with a compression rate of 90. These medium compression balls provide both softness and ease of control.

High compression balls

Golf balls with 100-110 compression rating are high compression balls. Such balls are hard and are less likely to deform upon impact, compared to those with lower compression rates. A high compression ball is ideal for those whose club head speeds are high.

Be keen in knowing how the type of ball or its compression rates affect your performance. Keep in mind that the knowledge of golf ball comparisons is handy in enhancing your strengths and masking your weaknesses in the golf course.

Lee Dobbins writes for http://www.sports-wise.com where you can learn more about your favorite sports as well as read more great articles on golf.

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