A Beginner’s guide to start Yoga asana practice

by | May 21, 2022 | Lifestyle

A Beginner’s guide to start Yoga asana practice

Would you like to start doing yoga but don’t know anything about the practice? Or are you a beginner and would like to enter this world on the right foot? Are you thinking of attending a yoga class but don’t know where to start?
Then this article is perfect for you.

Getting Started

Maintaining the harmony of body and mind is the secret to balancing health and having a peaceful and happy life. And yoga can be of great help for that. This millennial philosophy of life and practice emerged in India and gained even more supporters in the pandemic when many people needed extra help to maintain sanity during isolation. The ultimate goal of yoga is to connect the body with the mind and spirit to release anxieties and tensions and develop the vital energy that everyone has within them.

Hatha Yoga

This style is for beginners who want to start gradually. It consists of a more traditional practice, with poses held for 5 to 10 breaths at a slow, controlled pace. However, it is good to clarify that if you are a person who really struggles to relax and is very dynamic, Hatha Yoga could be complicated because a remarkable ability to concentrate is required.

Vinyasa (Krama / Flow) Ashtanga Yoga

These are two very dynamic types of yoga, where the breath is connected to the movement, which can be more or less fluid depending on the case, without great pauses between one asana and another.

It is important to consider that although they may be similar, these styles have different origins and some substantial differences:

  • Vinyasa (Krama) Yoga: practice supported and refined by the one who is still defined as the father of modern yoga, T. Krishnamacharya. ‘Vinyasa Krama’ means ‘cleverly constructed progressive sequence. ‘ It is a guided sequence, always in a different way, with some precautions that make it effective for the practitioner, helping him to enter complex positions safely and gradually. The classes are dynamic but maintain the asanas for several breaths, so they can also be challenging from the point of view of concentration.
  • Vinyasa (Flow) Yoga: deriving from the more traditional Vinyasa Krama style, Vinyasa Flow has evolved in the West as a mix of yoga asana, contemporary dance, conscious movement, martial arts, and much more. All the styles derived and invented by Western teachers, such as Power Yoga, Prana Flow, Rocket Yoga, Anukalana Yoga, etc. These types of classes may vary depending on the teacher, but in general, the common feature is that we move (and sweat) a lot!
  • Ashtanga Yoga was developed by one of T. Krishnamacharya’s students, namely Sri K. Pattabhi Jois. In this case, a specific sequence of asanas is performed, which always remains the same: in fact, it always starts from the first series and continues to do it and repeat it until it is fully learned, and then moves on to the next one. I do not recommend the type of class called “Ashtanga Mysore” for beginners because it requires knowledge of the sequence already practiced individually without the teacher’s help.

Choose a suitable yoga style

Today, there are tons of types of yoga that you can choose from.

Some are calmer and more static such as Hatha Yoga, others are much more physical and dynamic, such as Ashtanga, and still, others are completely different practices from others, such as laughter yoga.

Choosing the most suitable style for you is very important, because in this way you will be able to experience greater benefits and in less time.

There are many factors that can influence the choice; let’s see together the most important ones:

  • Age: The expectations of a young person are totally different from those of someone who is older in age. Usually, young people prefer a much more vigorous and dynamic practice, while as we age, we prefer a much calmer and more relaxing style of yoga. But there are many exceptions.
  • Purpose: What people want to achieve with yoga can be very different from one individual to another. Some try to lose weight; others try to get stronger; still, others try to eliminate stress. The choice of a style also depends on this. Certainly, if you want to increase your strength, you will have to orient yourself towards a much more dynamic and rigorous style such as Ashtanga; however, if your problem is stress, you will have to move towards a more calm and relaxing style. However, many benefits are common, only that you get there through different paths.
  • Specific problems: if you have a specific type of problem, certainly the right choice for you is a type of therapeutic yoga, where the teacher focuses on you and your specific problem, making you do a different practice depending on your need.
  • Work: by this, I mean that depending on the work you do, you may choose a different style. For example, if you do a very physical and stressful job, you could opt for a calm and relaxing style. On the contrary, if you sit at a desk all day, the best option, in my opinion, is a more rigorous and physical practice.

So get informed and make a choice that suits you.

How to tell if you are practicing yoga correctly

Already after a few weeks of constant practice, you can have visible results such as a more correct posture, an increase in concentration, and a decrease in stress.

With yoga, the body regains its harmony, and one feels relaxed and at the same time full of energy and vitality.

If at the end of the sessions you do not feel regenerated, but you feel tired and have a sense of discomfort or malaise, you are probably not doing the exercises well, or you do not have the right attitude towards the discipline.

It is important to perform the positions taking into account your limits and abilities, especially at the beginning. Feeling pain during the first lessons is absolutely normal because the body has to get used to the new movements.

You should never overdo it or want to get a certain result quickly, everyone has their own time, and yoga is by definition the discipline of slowness and calm.

With perseverance and commitment, enormous benefits can also be obtained in everyday life.

Finally,

When you start this journey, it is vitally important to find the right teacher you like and who is connected with you.

ASHAexperience is a healing community platform that connects people and Ayurvedic Doctors with experienced yoga teachers. ASHAexperience’s ever-expanding teaching and healing community is trained to understand body anatomy, biomechanics, physiology, and traditional yoga practice.

And with this strength of knowledge, they are able to create personalized and effective yoga programs for each student. So, are you ready to channel your inner yogi?

We believe in collaborative relationship-based care where our Ayurvedic Doctors, Ayurvedic Practitioner, Ayurvedic Supplement Brands, Ayurvedic Nutritionists & Chefs, Yoga, and Meditation Trainers are in sync. Contact the team who passionately works together to hold your hand in this healing journey.

Why Sleep Management is important for Corporate Employees

by | May 7, 2022 | Lifestyle

Why Sleep Management is important for Corporate Employees

Poor sleep quality impacts the health of employees and the quality of work.

But, what connections are there between a good night’s sleep and your team’s daily performance?

Well, Sleep Deprivation can have very negative consequences for the individual, from loss of concentration and productivity to more severe diseases such as Hypertension and Heart Disease.

I recently read a super interesting article about a company that paid its employees to sleep better. That’s right! An American health insurance company, Aetna, decided to reward employees who sleep at least seven hours a night. Employees can earn up to $300 more in their yearly salary just to get a good night’s sleep. The program was created in 2009 due to the company’s concern about the impact of lack of sleep on employee performance. Each year the number of participants only grows, and in 2015, almost half of Aetna’s employees (12 thousand people) had already joined the program.

So, how sleep management will improve productivity at work?

With the arrival of adulthood, many people prioritize professional development, often sacrificing nights of sleep. However, many are unaware that sleeping well helps at work and can even improve performance and creativity.

The growing demands of modern life have led people to increasingly value career advancement. However, this can be a very dangerous practice, directly harming aspects such as health, affective life and even development at work.

Improvements in mood, reduced stress, and increased creativity are some of the areas of life that benefit when we understand the value of a night’s rest.

Below I explain how rest can impact your performance and bring better results at work.

Increased productivity and creativity

It is very difficult to maintain focus and motivation when you are tired, and in these conditions, it is common for people to stop paying attention to what is happening around them. In the face of exhaustion scenarios, minor errors usually occur.

Although many believe that sacrificing a night’s rest to finish a job is a professional advantage, studies show that sleep deprivation decreases people’s ability to process information and solve problems.

So remember that, to be the professional that the market is looking for, sleeping and allowing your brain to have the deserved rest will be essential.

Decreased stress

It is common for people to have difficulty “disconnecting” from the problems and demands of work, which can lead to a decrease in rest hours. However, repeated nights of sleep deprivation can increase anxiety, stress and irritability.

With the job market increasingly demanding, people live under a high level of professional pressure. But, just like leisure time, rest at night is the key to replenishing mental energy and improving motivation at work.

Improvements in mood

Did you know that sleeping poorly directly affects our ability to relate to people? Now, think how important it is to be able to interact with co-workers easily as a professional.

In addition to being invigorating, valuing a night’s sleep will help you live in harmony with the different profiles of people in your professional environment.

Coming back to the main topic – why should companies care about the sleep management of their employees?

The formula for good performance at work includes a cheap activity: sleeping. Quality sleep is critical to maintaining productivity. However, this important daily task is being neglected by many professionals.

How did you sleep last night? It may sound like a weird question, but studies prove that sleep is one of the most significant factors influencing how you’ll work – and perform – today and throughout your life.

In recent years, an increasing number of companies have been concerned about the quality of sleep of their employees, and different actions have been adopted to work on this issue in organizations. Johnson & Johnson, for example, offers employees a digital coaching program to combat insomnia, which involves an online sleep diary and mobile relaxation videos. And of course, I couldn’t forget to mention Google, with the initiative called Sleeposium, which are informative symposia that reveal the benefits of good sleep and give practical tips to help employees sleep better.

The fact is that poor sleep quality affects productivity and health costs for the employee. For example, a Harvard survey estimated that the average worker misses 11.3 workdays a year due to lack of sleep. This is estimated to amount to an annual loss of $63.2 billion to the US economy.

Investing in your team’s quality of life can bring an invaluable return, as it not only affects the company financially but also promotes more health and well-being for your team.

We believe in collaborative relationship-based care where our Ayurvedic Doctors, Ayurvedic Practitioner, Ayurvedic Supplement Brands, Ayurvedic Nutritionists & Chefs, Yoga, and Meditation Trainers are in sync. Contact the team who passionately works together to hold your hand in this healing journey.

Embrace Yoga with rhythm of music and dance

by | Apr 21, 2022 | Lifestyle

Embrace Yoga with rhythm of music and dance
How can we embrace yoga with the rhythm of music and dance? We all know the benefits of yoga on elasticity, balance, joints and mental well-being. But imagine these, enhanced by soft and influential music, which allows you to perform the typical movements of Indian dance.
Dancing, in Western culture, is a widespread form of entertainment, both for the dancer and the spectator. But in its origins, dancing was also a way to connect with people in the same community and celebrate. Dance can be a manifestation of harmony and peace with the environment, and in this way, it can be easily linked with yoga.

Yoga and its healing power

Yoga is an ancient philosophy that takes us to the state of Union or Integration with ourselves and with everything around us. In the view of Yoga, there is no separation between body, mind and spirit. Through some tools like pranayama (breathing), asanas (physical postures), meditation and others, we can experience presence and awareness from moment to moment. The practice of Yoga takes us to bring the outside look into ourselves, connecting with the present moment and discovering a little more about the limitless nature of our own Being.

Thus, Yoga leads to self-knowledge, making us increasingly skilled in dealing with life and living one day at a time with awareness, tranquility, and balance. Practice does not transform us into something we are not but reveals our true nature that is often hidden by the confusion and distortions of the mind.

Dance has been an ancestral art and expression of humanity since its beginnings. When we dance, we are not just doing something physical but also moving the whole story and emotions stored in our cells. We are letting all this content come to the surface through body movements.

Yoga Dance has its roots in Indian mythology where dance is sacred. When a god dance, everything that exists enters a continuous transformation process. In this tradition, every human being is considered divine in its essence, and dance provides the possibility to access the spiritual potential of the body. In addition to Indian culture, Yoga Dance has influences from tantra, Vedanta, shamanism, cultural dances, and spontaneous movement, thus uniting all ancestral wisdom with contemporary experience.

How are dance and yoga related?

Yoga does not exclusively represent doing postures and meditations, all on the mat. If we take into account that the word yoga itself means union (union with consciousness). It is a great fortune that this ancient science unites with other disciplines to help us experience our spirit. Currently, different philosophies and arts have been integrated into yoga to enrich the experience of all the branches that invite awareness and exploration of being. Among them is dance.

You are probably wondering how dance and yoga could be mixed to create a yoga of dance. Well, this fusion is based on the movements, styles and rhythms of dance integrated with yogic tools such as breathing, focus, mudras and awareness of the energy centers in the body (known as chakras). The result is Shakti Dance or Yoga Dance.

Yoga Dance is defined as “a style of yoga that combines fluid movement with music in a yoga practice.” In it, yogis practice postures to the beat of the music, which can be as simple as drumming or traditional chanting (such as mantras).

As an emerging style, it has many ways to be practiced; instructors who take it for their daily practice do so based on their criteria, tastes, or class needs. Therefore, we can find various fusions—for example, fluid yoga with hints of artistic gymnastics.

Benefits of Yoga Dance

Since the dawn of our culture, dance has strengthened social ties and emerged as one of the most therapeutic and healthy movements. Dancing provides great benefits on a physical level, such as giving us stronger muscles and bones and improving our balance and coordination. Also, on a mental level, dancing gives us energy and improves our mood, reduces stress, and even helps us with memory, reducing the risk of dementia. If we add to this the benefits that yoga brings, it seems that combining both disciplines can bring us quite close to full well-being.

Yoga Dance is a discipline that merges both worlds to bring fluidity and naturalness to movement in search of a deep connection with our interior.

This type of yoga creates a creative, energetic, devotional and spiritual space that connects the practitioner both with their physical body and with the conception they have of it and the free expression of their own language, which makes it yoga that balances the body-mind-spirit to expand consciousness, increase the possibilities of body movement, and promote physical, mental and emotional health.

Yoga Dance includes everything from gentle stretching exercises to dynamic movements, free dance, relaxation and meditation, as well as choreography with mantras to reorganize energy not only individually but also in groups. Its benefits are multiple and very enriching: it invigorates all body systems, increases cardiovascular health, circulation and breathing, improves posture and coordination, increases flexibility and muscle tone, reduces stress and increases vitality, and also increases self-esteem.

We believe in collaborative relationship-based care where our Ayurvedic Doctors, Ayurvedic Practitioner, Ayurvedic Supplement Brands, Ayurvedic Nutritionists & Chefs, Yoga, and Meditation Trainers are in sync. Contact the team who passionately works together to hold your hand in this healing journey.

Why should most CEOs practice mindfulness

by | Apr 8, 2022 | Lifestyle

Why should most CEOs practice mindfulness
Cultivating the ability to maintain attention in the present, without judging it, could irreversibly transform every part of our existence…
I have realized that the past and the future are true illusions; they exist in the present, which is what we have and is all there is.

—Alan Watts

The exercise of mindfulness simply involves cultivating the connection with the present moment and making it a habit. In other words, it is about allowing each thing we do, no matter how small or trivial it may seem, every event that comes our way, to be the most important thing at that moment and to have our full attention.

It is also a practice shared by most of the world’s cultural and religious systems and is closely related to various methods of meditation—such as those derived from the Zen tradition and Tibetan meditative practice. Today, mindfulness is widely known and used in medicine, education and psychology.

At its core, mindfulness meditation is the practice of being in the present moment as consciously as possible. This means being mindful of every movement, situation, breath… Over time, using this method, it is possible to increase the power of focus concentration, relieve stress, become more empathetic, etc.

How to practice mindfulness?

Getting out of your own mind and living in the present moment is the purpose of mindful meditation. A simple practice that has been gaining more and more fans over the years.

Naturally, this skill depends largely, like any other, on practicing it. Many types of meditation, for example, focus the mind on the present through attention to breathing (from the moment of birth until death, the human being inhales and exhales); others focus on the physical sensations of the body in real time, on the movement or on the sounds that exist around us. The mind naturally tends to wander and lean towards compulsive and obsessive thinking, but the technique is to bring it back without frustration, without judgment, over and over again. It is not about not thinking but observing your thoughts and returning.

With the passage of time and daily practice, the goal is no longer just to put our attention in the present but to hold it that way at will. In this way, the exercise becomes a habit and then it is possible to start practicing it inadvertently, resulting in the way of life that allows us greater awareness and the possibility of experiencing the moments of life more fully.

The benefits of mindfulness for CEOs

Why do business leaders advocate meditation instead of, say, massage or physical exercise?

The reason is that there is definitely something about mindfulness practice that seems to benefit CEOs more than physical training and other types of relaxation.

Specialists in mindfulness training for companies affirm that the growing interest among business leaders in this type of practice is mainly due to the benefits it has provided them, among which is the development of leadership skills, understanding, openness and optimism.

Mindfulness research concludes that mindfulness training improves three skills that are key to successful leadership in the 21st century: resilience, collaboration, empathy, and the ability to navigate complex conditions.

On a physical level, the practice of conscious attention is capable of developing and strengthening neural circuits in the same way that a muscle is strengthened when it is exercised; it is capable of reducing stress, insomnia, depression and anxiety; it also radically strengthens our ability to focus and concentrate.

On a less individual level, the practice of these disciplines has a potential for community transformation, as it is capable of bringing us closer to others in unexpected ways by strengthening our ability to listen to others without judging, always with kindness, generosity and compassion.

Finally, the practice of mindfulness allows a glimpse of how dazzling the present can be as it is—a lesson as simple as it is complex and as refreshing as it is essential.

Final Words

Different studies by psychologists and cognitive scientists have confirmed that mindfulness helps to strengthen the ability to regulate emotions, benefiting modern leaders who, among other things, must be able to control anger, have empathy and put themselves in the “shoes of others” for a better relationship with work teams.

The relationship between mindfulness and leadership is a fact. The question is, how long will it take to be integrated as an essential theme of managerial development in companies? Time will tell, but if a company wants to increase its effectiveness and lead the changing market, it must seriously study the implementation of mindfulness programs among its employees, and especially among its managers.

We believe in collaborative relationship-based care where our Ayurvedic Doctors, Ayurvedic Practitioner, Ayurvedic Supplement Brands, Ayurvedic Nutritionists & Chefs, Yoga, and Meditation Trainers are in sync. Contact the team who passionately works together to hold your hand in this healing journey.

Corporate yoga festival

by | Mar 11, 2022 | Lifestyle

Corporate yoga festival
Yoga and Meditation wellness at the workplace has become more known globally as a means of staying fit and healthy. According to Ayurveda, Yoga has many healing benefits including stress and anxiety management, increased focus, combat fatigue, increased blood flow for increased rejuvenation, and much more.

ASHAexperience has designed the Virtual Corporate Yoga Festival ranging from 1 to 5 days suited as per your employee and community preferences. The team can join as and when they feel suitable as per their availability during the festival.

What is ASHA Corporate Yoga Festival

ASHAexperience Corporate Yoga Festival is aimed at meeting the needs of the corporate world.

  • The corporate team can digitally access the Yoga festival regardless of where their team members are located.
  • Designed for everybody and everyone, regardless of age or gender,
  • ASHAexperience Corporate Yoga Festival is organized by bringing together passionate and experienced Yoga therapists from across the world to provide various types of yogic therapy to meet the needs of each individual.
  • Yoga festivals can be organized for 1 day or more
  • Yoga festivals can be scheduled with flexible start and end times ranging from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

What is expected from ASHA Corporate Yoga Festival

  • Yoga Therapists, meditators, and Yogic Healers will offer various healing sessions throughout the festival for 45 minutes.
  • Yogis around the world will offer Hatha yoga, Vinyasa yoga, Ashtanga yoga, Pranayama, chakra healing, meditation and other yogic healing during the festival.
  • The team members can participate in the healing sessions as either a beginner or a regular practitioner.
  • Team members can join the session at any time and from any location during the event.
  • Get introduced to the Yogic and sustainable lifestyle as well as to the concept of yogic food

Why Corporates need Yoga Festival

  • People are stressed and exhausted as a result of their irregular work careers, especially in this time of isolation, to which we can all connect
  • Yoga is the only holistic wellness therapy that addresses both the mind and the body.
  • An excellent approach to make employees feel important to the organization.
  • Encourage individuals to have healthier lifestyles and to embrace the preventative mindset.
  • The most effective method to empower individuals is to provide them with good health.
  • It is the most cost effective wellness programme.
  • One festival with a variety of yogic activities and therapies from which individuals can choose according to their preferences and interests.
  • Yoga is the most sustainable healthcare approach that focuses on both physical and emotional well-being.

How ASHA Corporate Yoga Festival helps the team members

  • Yoga is the only practice which has been shown to improve flexibility, strength, balance, focus, and breathing capacity while decreasing tension and anxiety.
  • People can start practicing Yoga at work since they don’t have to find separate time for it.
  • People appreciate these events when organizations implement a wellness programme in their workplace.
  • Yoga contributes to increased morale, discipline, interpersonal communication, and strong emotional bonds within the organization.
  • Yoga Improves overall workplace effectiveness

We believe in collaborative relationship-based care where our Ayurvedic Doctors, Ayurvedic Practitioner, Ayurvedic Supplement Brands, Ayurvedic Nutritionists & Chefs, Yoga, and Meditation Trainers are in sync. Contact the team who passionately works together to hold your hand in this healing journey.

Motherhood and Ayurveda

by | Mar 3, 2022 | Lifestyle

Motherhood and Ayurveda

Mother is the first and special person in everyone’s life. In recent years the modern world came up with the idea of celebrating mother’s day to pay gratitude for all the sacrifices that she makes for her children.

Whereas Ayurveda has always given the emphasis on mother and motherhood even 5000 years ago. Back then one did not have to wait for Mother’s day to celebrate motherhood. Ayurveda clearly believed that the creation of life is the reflection of the divine aspect within us. It beautifully justifies what is written by Mitch Albom “ behind all your stories is always your mother’s story, because here is where yours begins”

The ancient treatise of Ayurveda such as Sushrutha Samhitha and Charaka Samhita has special references to Garhini Paricharya and Garbha Vyakarana, i.e detailed information regarding the importance of diet, hygiene, preventive measures, Antenatal and postnatal health, and also the process of development of Embryo. These books give an elaborate explanation of the important regimen a woman needs to follow and the significance of care she should get not just before or during pregnancy but also after delivering the baby. Therefore, it prepares each and every woman for her motherhood by offering sustainable natural and nutritional measures for her growth and protection.
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Ayurveda advocates a specific regime for Pregnancy that extends from food, diet nutrition to physical and mental activities she needs to follow regularly. A few of the important tips are listed below for all the women who wish to be a mother.

Dosha Type- Know the body

We all know that a woman needs to be physically strong from her birth, the time of Menarche, the time of her fertility and conception when she carries the child in her womb till she attains Menopause, and the life after that. Also, the duration of conception, delivery, and recovery plays a vital role in various levels. Hence the focus on immunity should start from the very day she prepares herself to become a mother.

Therefore, It is very important for each and every mother to know one’s Prakriti/constitution as per Ayurvedic science. These constitutions are described as Vatta, Pitta, and Kapha or combinations of the same. A woman’s body behaves very differently as per her own constitution. Hence it is important for a woman to start knowing the body before she prepares herself for motherhood. These Prakriti shall be analyzed and the Dosha, the deviation if any, would be diagnosed by an Ayurvedic doctor which is based on a set of physical and mental parameters. Once she is aware of these factors, it will be easier for her to start planning for nutrition and an ayurvedic lifestyle.

Nutrition – Build the immunity

Women are usually vulnerable to various kinds of health problems due to the constant changes in their bodies from Pre menstruation till menopause. Therefore, Ayurveda advocates that the diet and nutrition of the mother is the most essential factor to combat the emotional, psychological, and physical changes she goes through during motherhood.

A wholesome adequate timely diet and nutrition not only play an important role in building the immunity of the mother but also can be passed to her children as a legacy. The Ayurvedic diet always involves the food that is eaten as per Prakriti. Ayurveda always offers personalized diet plans to every mother explaining the food to be eaten or to be avoided as per the body type

Abhayanga – Self Massage

A mother is not only the most important role a woman can play in her life. As a primary caregiver to the family and children, the mother needs a holistic approach by offering Abhyanga to her body along with the right nutrition. Abhyanga is an Ayurvedic oil massage regime that each and every mother should inculcate. Abhyanga can also be done as per Prakriti.

This not only relaxes the body from all the changes that a woman goes through during motherhood but also increases the strength of bones and muscles.

Blissful- Learn to be joyful

The world of the mother revolves around her children and family. Hence the entire life of the mother can be very stressful. Despite taking the right nutrition, being physically fit Ayurveda always recommends each woman to be joyful during the journey of motherhood. When a mother is joyful it helps her to handle the stress more effectively, focusing more on the development of her children and family. Pregnancy Yoga and meditation also play a vital role in maintaining not only physical health but also mental vigor.

A healthy mind in a healthy body, as well as physical mental equilibrium, is the key behind a healthy mother thereby a healthy child.

We believe in collaborative relationship-based care where our Ayurvedic Doctors, Ayurvedic Practitioner, Ayurvedic Supplement Brands, Ayurvedic Nutritionists & Chefs, Yoga, and Meditation Trainers are in sync. Contact the team who passionately works together to hold your hand in this healing journey.