Posts Tagged: Yoga


18
May 11

The key to Mughal history lies within Red Fort

Travelers who enjoy doing their yoga practice may want to head to the birthplace of the breathing exercise on their next vacation. A tour of India allows visitors to explore some of the most sacred monuments in the country, such as the Red Fort in Delhi.

Built in the mid-17th century, the attraction's Mughal architecture boasts ochre towers and ornate decor created by the empire's leader, Shah Jahan. It is located in the center of Old Delhi, where the imperial family resided for more than two centuries prior to the emperor's expulsion from India by British forces.

The Red Fort is a popular tourist attraction thanks to its title as a World Heritage Site, as UNESCO's recognition has spread the word to people around the world that the area is a unique architectural marvel. Visitors will see inspiration from Persian, European and Indian cultures in the fort's design.

There are two ways to explore this area: by day, tourists can take a self-guided stroll through the grounds. At night, a sound and light show takes place offering a look into Mughal history.


17
May 11

Marvel at the Amalfi Cathedral’s intricate design

When one thinks of the Amalfi coast, images of doing yoga on white-sand beaches while the blue waves crashing to the shore are sure to engulf one's mind. However, there is far more within the city that may be pleasing to the eye of history buffs. While spending a few days on the beach is ideal, those who also want a little cultural exploration can head into town to check out the beautiful Amalfi Cathedral.

Throughout the early Middle Ages, the 9th-century church was a significant center for the city's religious society. It is said that following the Fourth Crusade in 1206, St. Andrew's remains were taken from Constantinople to the holy site, where a crypt was constructed in his honor.

Those who are interested in history and architecture are sure to appreciate the beautiful of the Amalfi Cathedral, as it blends various styles of the past together to create a unique appearance. The creators of the church drew inspiration from the Baroque, Byzantine, Gothic and Romanesque eras. On the inside, there hangs a 13-century crucifix and a mother-of-pearl cross, as well as a delightfully ornate boxed ceiling.


10
Mar 11

Yoga may help reduce stress, increase fertility

Yoga is more than a system or stretching the body or increasing strength and flexibility. It is also a holistic system of mind-body healing, which is why so many Americans are becoming interested in Dahn Yoga. Because of its ability to relieve stress and set the mind at ease, yoga may increase a woman's odds of conception, new research has suggested.

A study published in the journal Fertility and Sterility found that stress markers, particularly a protein called alpha-amylase, found in women's saliva were negatively correlated with conception. The more stress proteins found in a woman's saliva, even during ovulation, the lower the chance she had of conceiving.

The study's authors noted that previous research has suggested this idea, but that this is one of the first studies to cement it. They recommended that women try relaxation techniques in order to de-stress themselves.

"Couples should aim to stay as relaxed as they can about trying for a baby," explained Cecilia Pyper, a perinatologist at the University of Oxford. She added that "in some people's cases, it might be relevant to look at relaxation techniques, counselling and even approaches like yoga and meditation."

Dahn Yoga is specifically designed to reduce stress, promote good health and realign the body and mind.


2
Mar 11

Yoga festival celebrates thousands of years of history

While there are many forms of the discipline known as yoga, the roots of the practice date back at least five millennia, to the Asian continent and sub-continent. Yogic practices came from places as diverse as India, China and Korea, each variety with its own philosophy. Today, practitioners of arts like Dahn Yoga look to Rishikesh, India, where the International Yoga Festival is held annually.

The gathering, which takes place near the Himalayas, pays homage to the lengthy history of yoga, which according to ABC News extends back 5,000 years or more. The meeting itself involves approximately 400 participants from 30 countries. They are there to unite the body and mind.

"Yoga is not merely for our bodies, but rather Yoga is for our bodies, minds, hearts and souls," the festival's official website states.

Dahn Yoga pursues just such a unity. This ancient meditative practice combines the physical methods of stretching, deep breathing and posing with the mental work of meridian channeling, energy gathering and brain wave vibration. Done properly, yoga can consolidate one's being into a single, harmonious totality.