The sage of Thiruvannamalai, India the great saint Ramana Maharishi has never revealed His true powers. But yet devotees were aware of His greatness.

At the time of His death the devotees got the firm confirmation that verily He is a great saint…

The ancient Hindu looked upon the Nakshatras (meaning Stars) as the abodes of the Gods.

The Taittiriya Brahmana (I.5.2.5) declares that “Devaktahaha vai nakshatrani”.

The Satapatha Brahmana also declares that the “stars are the lights of religious men”.

The great rishis believed that one day they themselves would pass on to one of the heavenly luminaries.

In this context let us see what had happened at the moment Ramana left his body.

In 1949 a small nodule appeared below the elbow of his left arm. This was cut. But within a month it returned and it was recognized as a tumour.

Aruthur Osborne in his biography of ‘Ramana Maharishi’ says:
Did Ramana really suffer? He said to one devotee: “Where is pain if there is no mind?”

He expounded a verse from the Yoga Vasistham: “The Gnani (meaning true Yogi) who has found himself as formless pure. Awareness in unaffected though the body is cleft with a sword. Sugarcandy does not lose its sweetness though broken or crushed”

Indeed when he was operated the doctors were amazed at Maharishi’s indifference to pain.

When doctors pronounced failure of the treatment, Ramana was asked to say himself what treatment should be tried. He said, “Have I ever asked for any treatment? It is you who want this and that for me, so it is for you to agree about it among yourselves. If I were asked I should always say, as I have said from the beginning, that no treatment is necessary. Let things take their course.”

April 14th 1950.

Osborne explains the last moments of Ramana:

A group of devotees sitting on the veranda outside the hall began singing ‘Arunachala Siva’. On hearing it Ramana’s eyes opened and shone. He gave a brief smile of indescribable tenderness. From the outer edges of his eyes tears of bliss rolled down. One more deep breath and no more. There was no struggle, no spasm, no other sign of death; only that the next breath did not come”

The time was 8.47 p.m.

At the very moment an enormous star had trailed slowly across the sky.

Many had seen it even as far away as Madras, and felt what it portended. It passed to the north-east towards the peak of Arunachala hill.

As per the Taittiriya Brahmana and the Satapatha Brahmana the greatest of the great saints, Ramana became a star

Indeed he has proved the ancient texts in modern times.

We can see one more incident to know who He is.

T.K.Sundaresa Iyer was an ardent devotee of Ramana, recorded an interesting incident in his book, ‘At the feet of Bhagavan’:

Once Ramana was in the Virupaksha Cave on the Thiruvannamalai Hill.

One evening after 7 p.m., they were all coming down the Hill to go round Arunachala.

The other devotees had all gone in advance; only Sri Kavyakanta Ganapati Muni was in the company of Ramana, and they were slowly climbing down the steps from the cave.

When they had walked a few steps, all of a sudden Ramana stopped, and with Him
Ganapathy muni as well. The full moon was shining bright in the last in the starry sky.

Pointing to the moon and the beautiful sky, Ramana said: “Nayana! (Ramana maharishi used to call him affectionately thus) If the moon and all the stars have their being in ME, and the sun himself goes round my hip with his satellites, who am I? Who am I?”

This remark of Ramana made his blessed disciple envisage the Master as Great Person of the Vedas, as described in ‘Sri Rudra’, the ‘Purusha Sukta’ and the ‘Skamba Sukta’,
and the Atharva Veda. He is verily all these and That beyond; there is nothing that is not He.

Ganapathy Muni later made this revelation known to all devotees.

Ramana’s powers are indescribable

S. Nagarajan is a vehicle body engineer by profession. He has written more than 1300 articles in 16 magazines and published 18 books. He is revealing Eastern Secret Wisdom through T.V. Programmes, magazine articles, seminars, courses. His ebook “Breakthrough to Success” which contains his ezine articles could be obtained from http://www.nilashop.com/product_info.php?cPath=64&products_id=592 His articles on Yoga, laughter, efficacy of mantras and sound, Hypnotism, Tele Kinesis, Power of Prayer, Vastu and Feng Shui, Auto suggestion, Success Formula, Out of Body Experience etc are regularly appearing in ezinearticles.com. So far eighty eight articles have been published in http://www.ezinearticles.com

Generally, Yoga consists of and is described in eight stages astanga-yoga, (‘eight-membered Yoga’). Yama (‘restraint’) denoting abstinence from injury (ahimsa), falsehood, stealing, lust, and avarice is the first stage; with niyama (‘observance’), denoting cleanliness of body, contentment, austerity, study, and devotion to God, the second stage.

The next two stages consist of physical preparations, such as, Asana (‘seat’), a series of physical posture exercises intended to condition the body, making it supple, flexible, and healthy. Mastery of the asanas can be calculated by one’s ability to maintain a prescribed postures for an extended period of time, without involuntary movement or physical distractions. Pranayama (”breath control”) is a series of exercises intended to stabilize the rhythm of breathing in order to encourage complete respiratory relaxation.

With great benefits, Yoga is becoming very popular all over the world, including making a come back in the land of its birth i.e. India.

Pratyahara (‘withdrawal) is the fifth stage, which involves control of the senses, whereby one can centre all of one’s senses from outward objects to the mind. The first five stages of Yoga are considered external aids, while the remaining three are purely mental or internal aids.

Dharana (‘holding on’) is the ability to focus awareness of externals to one object for a long period of time, such as, focusing the mind on an object of meditation e.g. an image of a deity or some such. Dhyana (‘concentrated meditation’) is the uninterrupted contemplation of an object of meditation, beyond any memory of ego. Samadhi (‘self-collectedness’) is the final stage and a pre-condition for attaining moksha or being released from the cycle of life and death. This stage, allows the meditator to perceive or experience the object of his meditation and himself as one entity.

Though, the pre-history of Yoga is not clear, however, early Vedic texts speak of ecstatics, who may well have been predecessors of latter day yogis or the followers of Yoga. Although Yoga has been made into a separate school (‘darsan’), its influence and many of its practices have crept into other schools.

In the course of time, certain stages of Yoga become ends in themselves, notably, the breathing exercises and sitting postures, as in the school of Hatha Yoga. In a less technical sense, Yoga used for achieving union with God, in the epic poem the Bhagavadgita, is also used to distinguish the alternate paths (‘margas’) to such a union.

With the philosophy and practice of Yoga increasingly becoming popular in the West, the physical and spiritual benefits of Yogic techniques have become available through a wide variety of sectarian Yoga organisations, non-sectarian classes, and television programmes in the United States and Europe.

‘Prapti’ is the fifth power that a practitioner of Yoga can gain mastery over. Anyone, who becomes proficient in it, is able to reach distant places according to his will, in just a matter of moments. Those people wishing to expose this psychic claim as a hoax conducted experiments, only to find that 95% of the time the yogis were able to transport themselves to distant, remote places.

Next, mastery over ‘Prakamya’ shows one how to achieve whatever one desires. Like the Genie in the bottle who granted every wish and carried out every command issued by Alladin, a person who can perform Prakamya can make his every wish come true e.g. asking for Eternal Youth will ensure he is forever young.

In meanwhile, you can read yoga books or buy yoga accessories, if you are convinced it is time to become a yoga devotee. One can purchase online yoga books on meditation and spirituality, yoga audiotapes, including yoga accessories, such as, yoga mats, yoga straps, yoga blocks! from Yogabestseller.com Prepare yourself well to make yoga practice a pleasant and fruitful experience! We can promise you, it is one decision you will never regret!

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Originating and implemented in India thousands of years ago, Yoga, essentially is a way of life and an integrated means of synchronizing mind, spirit, and body, a system now practiced universally, regardless of caste, creed or religion.

In addition to other forms of treatment, yoga proves an effective physical therapy for helping alleviate painful conditions, such as, arthritis, stiffness of neck, back and feet, improved blood circulation, constipation, increased lung capacity, improved respiratory conditions, insomnia, and much, much more.

Yogic exercises called Asanas or postures in Sanskrit language comprise of what is designated as Hatha Yoga. If, one practices this ancient and respected system, it most certainly helps in maintaining physical, mental and emotional health. And, best of all, regardless of age or present physical condition, one can perform these non-strenuous exercises, without any harm or damage to self. Easy of pace, yoga is not based on competition, nor does it believe in competing with others.

While, the results of doing strenuous physical exercise is reflected in the muscles and tone of one’s body, yoga addresses every mental and the physical aspect of mind and body, and helps a yogi slowly come to realization of the spiritual reality of one’s existence over time.

This ancient system is a unique method has proved its timelessness by helping combat the stress and strains of modern day life!

In addition to other forms of treatment, yoga proves an effective physical therapy for helping alleviate painful conditions, such as, arthritis, stiffness of neck, back and feet, improved blood circulation, constipation, increased lung capacity, improved respiratory conditions, insomnia, and much, much more.

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Yoga Guru Patanjali has defined Yoga as a ‘steady and comfortable state of Mind and Body’. And, a comfortable and steady state of body and mind is precisely what practising yoga delivers. Other forms of exercise increase the strain on body muscles, as well as, the requirement for blood and oxygen. But, Yoga ‘asanas’ or postures not only lessen the need, decreasing the strain on them, they also cause every muscle in the body to relax. Similarly, the body’s requirement for blood and oxygen goes down, reducing the strain on the mind and making it stable and focused.

Furthermore, the twists and stretched yoga asanas or postures compel the organs of the body, such as, the endocrine glands, the digestive, heart and other organs to function in an improved manner. And, all this can be achieved with even the most simple of Yoga asanas!

Practised in India for centuries, this ancient practice is elaborated in great detail in sub-continental historical treatises and texts! As in everything else, India is beginning to show the world how to heal the mind and body, without resorting to the swallowing of heavy doses of poisonous chemicals in the guise of medicine, or expensive surgery and psychiatric treatment. Prevention is better than cure, and practicing Yoga not only prevents an individual from falling sick, it also helps to recover a healthy state of mind and body!
Furthermore, the twists and stretched yoga asanas or postures compel the organs of the body, such as, the endocrine glands, the digestive, heart and other organs to function in an improved manner.

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Ancient practitioners have likened yoga to a living tree with six branches coming from the trunk, with each branch having its own unique function relating to a particular lifestyle. The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali is one of the six darshanas of Hindu or Vedic schools and, alongside the Bhagvada Gita and Hatha Yoga Pradipika, is a milestone in the history of Yoga. Though brief, the Yoga Sutras are an enormously influential work, just as relevant for yoga philosophy and practice today, as when written many thousands of years ago.

The six branches of Yoga tend to have some aspects in common and familiarizing oneself with all six will certainly help in the selection of your own yoga programme that incorporates routines that appeal from any of the six branches. Asanas or postures, Pranayama or breath control, these two disciplines along with meditation and a strict moral code are the fundamentals of the practice of yoga.

Hatha Yoga
Introduced in the 15th century by an Indian sage as a preparatory stage of physical purification to enable the body to be fit for the practice of higher meditation as in Raja Yoga, Ha means sun and tha means moon, a reference to the energy channels of the body. Fully opened energy channels allow the body to become supple enough to attain the mental disciplines of Raja Yoga. In practice, both Hatha and Raja Yoga are inter-related and dependant upon each other. Western practitioners associate yoga with the hatha branch to attain mental and physical wellbeing.

Raja Yoga
Raja translates as ‘royal’ and meditation is central to this branch of yoga, which has eight side branches or limbs in an order that must be strictly followed. We start with Yama meaning ethical standards, Niyama – self discipline, asana – posture, pranayama – breathing control, pratyahara - sensory withdrawal, dharana – meditation, samadhi - ecstasy or final liberation. Those inclined to introspection or meditation are best suited to Raja yoga.

Though members of religious orders and spiritual communities devote themselves to this yoga branch, one does not have to embrace a monastic lifestyle to gain from the benefits of practicing Raja Yoga.

Karma Yoga
The fundamental principle of Karma Yoga is that what we experience now is created by our past actions, whether in this life or a previous one. Once we understand this principal, then we can ensure all our present actions help create a future free of negativity and selfishness. To practice Karma Yoga is to lead a life of selfless service to others.

Bhakti Yoga
Bhakti Yoga is yoga of the heart, a branch of devotion Bhakti is the Sanskrit term for selfless love of God and mankind. Bhakti principles are universal and common to many world religions. By following the path of bhakti we learn to channel our emotions, accept and have tolerance for all those that cross our path.

Jnana Yoga
This is the branch of knowledge, the yoga of the mind and is both the most difficult and the most direct of the six branches. It is yoga of the mind, of wisdom, the path of the sage or scholar. The practitioners of Jnana Yoga develop their intellects by intensive study, particularly but not confined to, the yoga tradition and other spiritual teachings. This is the path that most appeals to the intellectuals pursuing the practice of yoga. Within the context of our Western religious traditions, Kabalistic scholars, Jesuit priests, and Benedictine monks epitomise Jnana Yogis.

Tantra Yoga
Tantra, from the Sanskrit ‘to weave’ or ‘loom’, is the branch of yoga that practices ritual as a means of experiencing the divine in all our activities. Probably, the most misunderstood or misinterpreted of all the yogas, tantra, the sixth branch, is the pathway of ritual, an in tantric practice; we experience the Divine in everything we do. A reverential attitude is, therefore cultivated, encouraging a ritualistic approach to life. In essence, tantra is the most esoteric of the six major branches and appeals to those yogis who enjoy ceremony and relate to the feminine principle of the cosmos, which they call Shakti.

In the West, the tantric path of yoga has become associated almost entirely with sexual activity. It is because of this emphasis on only one aspect of this branch that it has become misinterpreted and misunderstood by so many. It is amusing to note that, although tantra has become associated exclusively with sexual ritual, most tantric schools actually recommend a celibate lifestyle. The ‘Kama Sutra’ an ancient Hindu book of sexual techniques is the best known example of the lack of understanding of the true objectives of tantra yoga.

A discipline that leads to a reverential attitude to even the most every day celebrations of giving and receiving, of birth and death, of achievements and of failure, and of relationships and understanding, this is a path that will appeal to westerners who enjoy being actively involved in celebrations, church going, clubs and associations and other types of ceremonies.

Combining the Paths
You do not have to limit yourself to one expression, but can practice hatha yoga, taking care of your physical body, while simultaneously cultivating the lifestyle of a Bhakti Yogi, expressing compassion for everyone you meet. Whichever, avenue of yogic expression draws your interest; it will probably be the right yoga path for you.

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Kids get stressed just like adults do because they are placed in demanding situations where they feel they must excel. School, athletic programs, and daily tasks will tend to stress many kids to the breaking point. All of these expectations that are placed on them afford them little opportunity to relax. Yoga Postures For Kids helps children in many areas of their life, and sometimes transports them into a whole other self.

When kids begin taking yoga classes, they are guided by instructors who want them to become in tune with their mind, body and spirit. Yoga can be likened to the phrase, “thinking outside of the box.” Through the different yoga postures for kids, children can change their behavior by going to another place, and becoming a animal, bird, or mental time traveler, if only for a short time.

Many yoga postures for kids are taught in postures, vinyasas, or yoga flows. The postures have clever names such as bridge, cobra, mountain, and cat and dog. A vinyasas is a sequence of postures, and yoga flows are vinoyasas that continuously flow form one to another. Yogoa postures for kids are not speed events and are not meant to be done to the point where any type of pain is caused.

All of the yoga postures for kids serves a direct purpose and will benefit one or more body areas. One of the yoga postures for kids is the Sukhasana, which is a starting position that helps children focus on the breathing techniques, and it will help kids strengthen their lower back and loosen up the groin and hip areas of the body.

Two yoga postures for kids are done together, because one flows into the other. The Dog and Cat yoga postures for kids will help to increase the flexibility of the spine. The basic movement of the Dog places the child in a knee and hand crawling position, and the Cat movement is the reversal of the Dog movement. These postures require tiling of the pelvis and bending the spinal column.

One of the exciting yoga postures for kids is the Mountain, which is a three phase movement that improves posture, self-awareness and balance. This yoga postures for kids is deceptive, and kids think it will be so easy. The Mountain is done in a seemingly simple standing movement that requires a lot of movement and breathing exercises to be performed at one time.

The Uttanasana II is a forward bend or extension movement of yoga postures for kids that stretches the legs and spine, and provides rest to the heart and neck. The Uttanasana II also relaxes the mind of the child, as well as the body. Sports enthusiasts might refer to this movement as the standard, touch your toes routine.

The Trikonasana, or Triangle is one of the yoga postures for kids that will have kids moving in constant motion. The Triangle stretches the spine, opens the child’s torso, and help them improve their balance and concentration. Sports enthusiasts might refer to this yoga posture as the typical and laborious, windmill exercise.

The Warrior Ii, or Virabhadrasana II, is one of the yogo postures for kids that will strengthen a child’s arm and legs, and improve balance too. This posture helps to build confidence and improve a child’s concentration. Sports enthusiasts might refer to this yoga posture as the lunge exercise.

Read more tips about Yoga at the online guide at http://www.yoga.zupatips.com

Yoga has many options for ridding your body of toxins, negative energy, stress, and daily anxiety. Yoga postures (Asanas) are most commonly known, but Yoga breathing techniques (Pranayama) are very beneficial; most can be practiced any time of the day.

The worst action you can take is to ignore anxiety. Anxiety requires a plan of action to instill positive energy within your being. If your plan of action is to take a Yoga lesson, you are “on the right path” to eliminating negative feelings.

Anxiety can lead to a multitude of health problems. Therefore, you should take action to rid your body, mind, and spirit of negative feelings, which build up from within or are a result of your environment. Within a typical Hatha Yoga class, you will learn Asana, Pranayama, and some form of meditation.

The combination of these three methods, within the span of 45 to 90 minutes, occurs in one Yoga lesson. Yoga students often practice at home, but the “home Yoga sessions” are usually much shorter.

This is fine because a little Yoga is better than no Yoga at all; especially, in the case of a person who experiences anxiety. One short Yoga session can help the mind and body lose feelings of negativity. Yet, it may require a longer session to give you relief, if negative energy is “getting out of hand.”

The study of Yoga requires your commitment to make a personal appointment with yourself. Do you have the time to take care of your health? This requires pro-active thinking on your part, because most of the world reacts to health problems.

Setting a time of the day for a Yoga lesson, at a studio, or a Yoga home practice session, is not difficult. Yet, there are other ways to practice Yoga off your mat and say “goodbye” to anxiety at the same time.

Here’s another option: Go for a 20 to 40 minute walk. You can practice the natural breath technique (belly breath), Dhirga Pranayama (Three part breath), or a walking meditation.

If the weather is rough, you can always go to an indoor facility, or a shopping mall. It does wonders for your body, and mind, to get out and stop thinking about regrets. We must all learn to put the past behind, do our best now, and plan for the future.

Yoga has a number of options for a public, which seeks relief from daily anxiety and stress. Yoga can be considered part of a coping strategy, but in the case of severe anxiety and depression, professional medical or psychological help should be sought.

© Copyright 2007 – Paul Jerard / Aura Publications

Paul Jerard, e-RYT 500, is a co-owner and the director of Yoga teacher training at: Aura Wellness Center, in Attleboro, MA. http://www.riyoga.com He has been a certified Master Yoga teacher since 1995. To receive a Free e-Book: “Yoga in Practice,” and a Free Yoga Newsletter, please visit: http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org/index.html

Pranayama is a wonderful method to reduce anxiety. Pranayama originates from two Sanskrit words, “Prana,” which means universal energy, and “Yama,” which means restraint.

In effect, Pranayama is the cultivation of universal energy through breath. You have the ability, within your being, to make sure the energy you cultivate is positive, with the help of Pranayama and a positive mental attitude.

There are many methods for the cultivation of Prana to choose from, but let’s start with a deep natural breath. This is the “breath of infants.” When you watch a baby in the crib, notice how the stomach rises as he or she inhales. Then notice that the navel draws to the spine on an exhale.

This is “natural breath,” but this can often feel unnatural to adults, who have unconsciously been practicing a “half breath” from the diaphragm to the nose or mouth. The half breath does not allow for complete expansion at the bottom of the lungs.

In effect, the half breath method would not be good for Yoga students, who have high blood pressure. Natural breath has wonderful blood pressure benefits, but could not be considered a cure. Why not?

Most people, who learn the natural breathing technique, will not be able to instill this Pranayama method as a regular daily habit; let alone practice it all day, and every day - especially, if the Yoga student in question has a life full of stress.

So, how many times should someone practice natural breath to reduce anxiety? To achieve tranquility, natural breath should be practiced every day, at least eight times per day for 3 to 5 minute sessions. This should yield optimum results within a week, but it must become a habit.

Another way to cultivate positive energy is to reverse the, “Why me,” mindset; how many times have you heard somebody say - “Why me?”

Let’s take a close look at “Why me,” and put a positive “spin” on it. Why are we so lucky? Why do we have Internet access? Why do we live at a time, so full of opportunities?

Many of the most optimistic people, I know, are my Chair Yoga students from within the Providence, Rhode Island area and in the Greater Attleboro, Massachusetts area.

Some of these Yoga students have ailments, diseases, and health conditions such as: Cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, stroke, high blood pressure, Parkinson’s, Frederick’s Ataxia Syndrome, and a variety of heart problems.

To practice any form of Yoga, with such grace, and to the best of your ability, is a monumental task. When I hear anyone, who can walk, or easily stand on two feet, make statements such as, “Life isn’t fair” and “I don’t have enough time to take care of my health” - it reminds me of Russell Conwell’s book, “Acres of Diamonds.”

In a “nutshell,” most people do not see how truly lucky they are. Life’s treasures are right under our noses. Those who have faced major obstacles in life are the greatest mentors, guides, and teachers any one of us could ever have.

© Copyright 2007 – Paul Jerard / Aura Publications

Paul Jerard is a co-owner and the director of Yoga teacher training at: Aura Wellness Center, in Attleboro, MA. http://www.riyoga.com He has been a certified Master Yoga teacher since 1995. To receive a Free e-Book: “Yoga in Practice,” and a Free Yoga Newsletter, please visit: http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org/index.html

Lie on your back on the floor with your arms placed naturally by you side, your palms uppermost and fingers relaxed. Have your legs about shoulder width apart. You may place a folded small towel beneath your head, but nothing more comfortable than that.

Now some people, especially beginners, tend go to sleep very quickly in this position and that is not what we are seeking to do. If this happens to you, adopt the following position instead: Be seated in a straight-backed chair with your hands on your thighs or knees. Sit up straight and make sure that your feet are comfortably flat on the floor. Also be certain that each side of your body is positioned identically. In other words place the hands identically with the finger spread being the same on each hand; ensure that the feet placed symmetrically.

So now, in either your lying or seated position, close you eyes.

Now, take your mind to your right thumb. Visualize it. Ensure that it is relaxed. Move it if necessary. Take your mind now to you right index finger; again, visualize it and make sure that it is relaxed. Move to the middle finger, then the ring finger and then the little finger. Move your mind now to the back of your right hand, your right wrist, your right forearm, your right upper arm. Be sure that you are visualizing each part and ensuring that it is completely relaxed. Move your visualization now to the right shoulder, the right armpit, the right side of the body, the right hip, the right knee, the right calf, the right ankle, the soul of the right foot, the right big toe, second toe, third toe, fourth toe, little toe.

Take your mind now to your left thumb, left forefinger… and so on around the left side of your body to the left little toe.

Visualize now and ensure relaxation of the left buttock, the right buttock, the small of the back, the spinal column, the right shoulder blade, the left shoulder blade, the area between the shoulder blades, the tops of the shoulders and back and sides of the neck, the back of the head, the right ear, the left ear, the right temple, the left temple.

Pause here and imagine that the feeling of relaxation that you are now experiencing is flowing through your temples into your mind. Feel your mind as being totally relaxed; totally at ease. Tell yourself that It is that way because of the relaxation flowing into it. Savor this experience for a little while and then move your consciousness to the top of your head, your forehead, your right eyebrow, left eyebrow, right eye, left eye, the nose, the nose tip, the upper lip, the lower lip,(at this juncture ensure that the bottom jaw is totally relaxed, with the teeth a barely touching it at all)… and then on to the chin, neck, right side of chest, left side of chest, abdomen and then… the right leg, the left leg, the right arm, the left arm, the trunk, the head, your whole body… your whole body…your whole body.

(This may sound complicated in the reading, but in practice, because the parts are in sequence, there is no difficulty in running the visualization from one part of the body to the next and so on. It is an old Yoga technique that has been practiced for thousands of years and it is its very simplicity that underpins it historical success).

By now you are probably feeling very relaxed… almost divorced from the real world. (If you do not, don’t be concerned. Simply go through the procedure again)

Now is the time to begin to visualize places of great contentment, beauty and peace that you have experienced during your lifetime. Perhaps a lake, or a beach, a forest, a running stream, a sunset, the glory of the stars. Feel the cold of the water or snow; feel the warmth of the noonday, smell the forest, smell the grasslands, listen to the insects, the call of the birds; see the sky, see the clouds…

Do this for what appears quite a long time… five or ten minutes. Then let your imagination rest. Just visualize nothing at all. Stay like this for as long as you can. You will feel totally at peace. You may even feel so peaceful and contented that you’d like to stay this was forever! Many people feel that way and are quite reluctant to return to a wakeful state. But all good things come to an end—even successful meditations and in meditation, it is easy to loose track of time. Some people set a quiet alarm that rings after about 45 minutes or an hour. You may want to do the same. Whatever, when it comes time to go back to the everyday, do so slowly. With your eyes still closed, raise your arms above your head and drop them down to your sides again. Move your bottom jaw. Move your legs and then slowly open your eyes. Wow! You’re back in the real world!

Follow this technique every day for at least half an hour—preferably an hour. You’ll be amazed at what it does for you. You’ll be more relaxed; more confident; more alive! The real world will become a much, much better place in which to be. Who knows, you may even take up yoga and reap even more rewards!

Michael Russell
Your Independent guide to Yoga

In the same way that golf is becoming more open to women players, yoga is beginning to be more appealing and acceptable for men. The discovery that certain yoga postures are an excellent way to improve your golf swing, has led to the formation of retreats that combine yoga classes with access to a high quality golf course, to create the perfect relaxing holiday.

So can yoga really help your game? Top golfers such as Jesper Parnevick certainly believe so, and he should know as he uses yoga as part of his regular exercise regime. As well as improving your general physique, the frame of mind created by yoga, which is calm and concentrated, is perfect for a good game of golf.

One of the things a golf focused yoga course will concentrate on is controlling your breathing. The pressure and competitiveness of a golf game can cause erratic breathing, which makes playing much more difficult. Being able to release all negative thoughts and feelings using yoga techniques will allow you to be focused on the game without any destructive tension.

Physically there are many ways yoga can help your golf game. Initial courses will concentrate of increasing flexibility as a huge proportion of golfers are actually not flexible enough to achieve a really effective swing. As your proficiency in yoga increases, you will become more aware of what your whole body is doing during your swing.

There are various poses used in yoga programs aimed at golfers, and as well as flexibility, these focus on balance and correcting the posture. The repetitive nature of the golf swing can lead to a body imbalance that yoga can easily correct.

The cat pose is often used for golfers to work their spinal muscles, to increase flexibility and range of motion, and to develop a balanced stance. In addition golf programs usually include warrior poses which also work on a maintaining solid stance, whilst increasing rotation and extension capabilities at the same time.

Other postures used in golf specific yoga include the extended table pose and twisted straddle prose. The extended table will help you to keep your back straight, reducing back ache during a long game. The twisting straddle will increase a golfer’s range of motion as well as improving their hamstring flexibility.

So if you are a golfer looking for the ultimate holiday where you can relax and balance your body and mind, whilst working on your golf swing, a golf and yoga retreat may be just the thing for you. Most packages include accommodation, course fees and daily yoga classes specially tailored to meet your golfing needs.

For more information on what you can expect at a yoga retreat center, click here. Rebecca presents information on ashtanga and other forms of yoga here.