6 Benefits of Yoga for Spine Health

“Do not follow the idea of others, but learn to listen to the voice within yourself.”
#1: Yoga Can Help Lengthen Your Spine
Poor posture is far more common than we might think. Many of us spend long hours sitting behind a desk, holding babies, or simply living a sedentary lifestyle.
The constant …
• Slouching
• Arching of the low back
• Locked or bent knees; and
• Forward head tilt
… can compress muscles around your spine, leaving it in unnatural positions. Not only is this uncomfortable, but it can lead to bigger problems.
Yoga is a fun and natural way to help lengthen your spine and can help bring your bones into proper alignment.
#2: Yoga Can Help Decrease Stress Levels
Studies have shown that regularly practicing yoga two to three times per week for three months can reduce stress. How does this work?
The levels of your stress hormones, adrenaline, and cortisol, are reduced through yoga, as well as c-reactive proteins in your blood that contribute to inflammation.
Conversely, yoga increases your “happiness hormones” — serotonin, oxytocin, and dopamine — as well as GABA-neurotransmitters that tell your brain and body to relax.
#3: Yoga Can Help Improve Flexibility
Yoga is a great physical exercise because it promotes strengthening your mind and body to help them move better. Think about it:
With …
• Better joint mobility
• Stronger muscles
• Improved balance; and
• Improved mobility
… the likelihood of your flexibility increasing is higher.
#4: Yoga Can Help Improve Balance
Having good balance is more important than you might think. Not only does having good balance help to maintain the body’s correct position, but it also helps you to:
• Walk without staggering your steps
• Stand up without falling
• Climb stairs without tripping; and
• Bend over without falling
If you’re struggling with any of these issues, practicing yoga to help strengthen your core is a great way to help.
#5: Yoga Can Help People Deal with Pain
When practiced correctly, yoga can help to reduce pain. How?
One Doctor of Philosophy has discovered through research there are simple ways to help people with both chronic and acute pain beyond pharmaceuticals. Instead, with mind-body practices — yoga and meditation — pain perception may be reduced because an increase in gray matter can help your brain regulate its response to pain.
#6: Yoga Can Help Build Lean Muscle
Yoga can sometimes be more difficult than many people tend to think.
Working through …
• Balance
• Mobility
• Core strength; and
• Flexibility
… takes both mental and physical work.
But while your body is working hard through yoga sessions, it’s:
• Building strength
• Toning; and
• Building lean muscle.
#7: Yoga Can Help Improve Joint Support
Yoga can help improve joint support in a few different ways:
1. Yoga helps to improve your range of motion, which is helpful for you to complete simple daily tasks.
2. Weak joints could be due to weakness in the muscles surrounding them, so yoga helps to strengthen muscles that support your joints.
3. When joint cartilage is immobilized, it can become unhealthy and weak. Yoga can help to keep cartilage moving, healthy, and strong.

How to Practice Ragdoll Pose for Low Back Relief

What is Ragdoll Pose?
Ragdoll pose is a variation of uttanasana, or standing forward bend. Here, the yogi clasps opposite elbows, bends the knees and allows the head to hang. The pose releases the low back and revitalizes the mind.
Instructions
Begin standing with the feet hip distance wide.Bend the knees slightly, exhale and bend at the hips.Clasp opposite elbows and allow the head to hang. Shift the bodyweight forward.Hold here or slowly sway side to side.Breathe while holding the pose.Inhale and return to standing.

Symptoms Of Blocked Energy In The Chakras

“If you want to lift yourself up, lift up someone else.”
SYMPTOMS OF BLOCKED ENERGY IN MULADHARA
Another name for the Muladhara chakra is the root chakra. Located beneath the tailbone, this chakra is the first one. It represents security, trust, our validity in our experience, and our ability to care for ourselves and others.
Root chakra imbalances can present as physical symptoms in the legs, foot, rectum, tailbone, and immune system. It may manifest as constipation, eating disorders, sciatica, knee pain, or degenerative arthritis. Unbalanced emotions have an impact on our basic needs for survival, including money, shelter, and food.
SYMPTOMS OF BLOCKED ENERGY IN SVADHISTHANA
The Svadhisthana, or sacral chakra, is found two inches below the navel at the sacrum. The source of sensuality, energy, and fluidity is Svadhisthana. We are dedicated, passionate, sexual beings that feel at ease taking chances when we are in a state of equilibrium.
Svadhisthana’s physical manifestations of obstructed energy include hip, pelvic, and low back discomfort, urinary troubles, sexual and reproductive disorders, and kidney malfunction. Emotional symptoms manifest as difficulties fulfilling our relationships, expressing our feelings, having fun, and playing according to our desires, creativity, enjoyment, and sexuality. It can also come across as fears of impotence, betrayal or addictions.
SYMPTOMS OF BLOCKED ENERGY IN MANIPURA
The Manipura, or solar plexus chakra, is the third chakra. It is located beneath the rib cage in the upper abdomen. Maniupura contains our sense of value and self-worth as well as our capacity to fully understand who we are without the need for any projected masks.
Physical symptoms can show in the stomach since it’s so close to the navel with digestive problems or stomach ulcers. Liver malfunction, persistent exhaustion, elevated blood pressure, diabetes, problems with the pancreas and gallbladder, and colon illness are other physical signs. Manipura emotional symptoms of obstructed energy manifest as problems with self-worth and personal authority. When there is a Manipura imbalance, it is common for our inner critic to take center stage, making worries of rejection, criticism, and appearance our top priorities.
SYMPTOMS OF BLOCKED ENERGY IN ANAHATA
The heart chakra, which is situated there, is where the soul or the Self resides. It manifests as feelings of openness, expansiveness, joy, and contentment.
Physical imbalance shows up in or around the heart such as asthma, heart and lung disease, issues with breasts, lymphatic systems, upper back and shoulder problems. You could emotionally suffocate someone with your presence or experience feelings of resentment, rage, desertion, or jealousy.
SYMPTOMS OF BLOCKED ENERGY IN VISHUDDHA
The throat chakra, Vishuddha, is located in the throat and is responsible for the ability to clearly express ourselves. As it facilitates clear communication between the head and the heart, it also serves as a messenger. When we are in balance, we are able to speak honestly and truthfully.
When imbalanced, physical symptoms of blocked energy in Vishuddha appear as throat issues. Thyroid difficulties, sore throats, laryngitis, ear infections, ulcers, face troubles, or pain in the neck and shoulders are common signs of blocked energy. Emotional symptoms including feeling powerless or uncontrollable are typical. A further sign of emotional distress is difficulty speaking.
SYMPTOMS OF BLOCKED ENERGY IN ANJA
Anja, also known as the third eye chakra, is the sixth chakra. This chakra is located just above the middle of the forehead. It is in charge of insight and intuition.
Anja experiences migraines, impaired vision, sinus problems, eyestrain, seizures, hearing loss, and hormone dysfunctions when she has blocked energy. Other blocked energy symptoms include issues with moodiness, volatility, and self-reflection. It’s also typical to have an imbalance in the third eye chakra and find it difficult to face one’s own fears and learn from others.
SYMPTOMS OF BLOCKED ENERGY IN SAHASRARA
The Sahasrara, or crown, chakra is the final chakra. Located at the top of the head, Sahasrara is our connection to universal consciousness. It’s also the site where our spiritual development happens. When balanced, we are present and trust our inner guidance.
When imbalanced and blocked, you may struggle with depression, an inability to learn, and sensitivity to light, sounds, annd environment. Rigid ideas about spirituality and religion lead to emotional imbalances and problems with self-awareness. There might be confusion and prejudice and fear of alienation when experiencing blocked energy in Sahasrara.

Discover Your Rising Sign and Influence

“To be beautiful means to be yourself. You don’t need to be accepted by others. You need to accept yourself.”
What is a rising sign?
The planetary influence that was rising at the time of your birth—that is, on the Eastern horizon—is represented by your rising sign. It’s about first impressions. It usually conveys how other people perceive you in real life and can also forecast your spontaneous, instinctive responses to situations. Your rising sign is the part of you that is most visible to others; your outward facade / social version.
Is my ascendant sign the same as this?
Because of its connection to the rising sun, your rising sign is also referred to as your ascendant sign, and birth chart analysis frequently describes it this way. It is the same thing, so don’t be confused (just as sun and star signs are actually the same thing).
Why is knowing my rising sign important?
Well, aren’t you curious about how you come across to other people? A lot of people consider your rising sign to be your outgoing nature and the side of you that other people first notice. Weirdly, if someone is guessing your sign, they might hit upon your rising sign before your sun sign. Put it to the test!
How does it influence me?
Your rising sign is a reflection of your physical characteristics, personality, and social persona, since it indicates which sign was in the sky when you were born. This is a part of yourself that you are not familiar with (maybe what we see when we watch ourselves on camera), and as such, it may be both fascinating and a little embarrassing. If your sun (or star) sign is your fundamental personality type and your moon sign your inner emotional, mushy core, then your rising sign reveals the façade you present to the world.
How do I work out my rising sign?
Provided that you have your date of birth, time, location, and birth, several free websites will calculate it for you.

Discover the Digestive Benefits of Peacock Pose

What is Peacock Pose?
Peacock pose, or mayurasana in Sanskrit, boosts the digestive fire perhaps more so than any other yoga pose. In this advanced posture, the practitioner balances on their forearms with their elbows pressing against their abdomen.
Instructions
Begin kneeling. Place the hands on the floor, fingers pointing toward the body.Bend the elbows and lower the torso so that the chest rests on the upper arms.Stretch the legs back.Exhale and lift the legs from the floor. At the same time lean the torso forward. The body should be in one line and parallel to the floor.Breathe while balancing in the pose.Exhale and lower the legs to the floor to release.