Relaxation techniques -- including breathwork -- help focus your attention and increase body awareness and the rate of metabolism which can help you lose weight, according to Health Care Magic. This is because oxygen can play an important role in...
Holotropic breathing is a technique developed by Dr. Stanislav Grof and his wife in the mid-1970s. As a psychotherapist, Grof was involved in earlier tests on the therapeutic potential of LSD. When psychedelics were peremptorily banned in the...
Rebirthing is a poorly defined term that may be used to apply to any of several alternative healing modalities focused on re-creating the birth experience, often as a means of providing a "fresh start" to help individuals move on from some...
Everyone experiences periods of stress now and then. This can be from a happy event such as getting married, a job promotion or buying a new home. You may also experience feelings of stress if you are diagnosed with a chronic illness, lose your...
Advancements in ancient mind-body medicine have delivered promising pain relief that traditional medical professionals can actually agree upon. The National Pain Foundation suggests that you may find pain relief through biofeedback, breathwork,...
If you're looking for a great way to ease stress and return your body to a naturally relaxed state, try breathing and visualization, a form of meditation that can help you feel better in only a few minutes a day. With the right combination of deep...
In the Indian yogic tradition, Kundalini refers to the innate energy or life force present in all living beings. In people, Kundalini is believed to originate from the base of the spine in your first chakra, existing as a coil of energy that lies...
According the the National Cancer Institute's CAM Report of 2005, there are approximately 10.5 million cancer survivors in America and millions more who have exceeded life expectancies. Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) therapies have...
Among the many forms of asana, or posture-based yoga practiced today, Ashtanga yoga is distinctive for its physical intensity, discipline and integration of all eight limbs of yogic philosophy. Because it is a physically challenging form of yoga,...
Stress can negatively affect weight loss efforts and make it difficult to stick to a weight loss program. When stressed, people tend to eat higher calorie foods that can lead to weight gain, according to the Mayo Clinic. Breathing exercises can...
Taking up the practice of tai chi can help you calm your nervous energy and focus it with greater discipline. As you perform tai chi breathing techniques, it is often difficult to separate the practical from the mystical. As you inhale, you are...
As any exercise enthusiast knows, breathing well can enhance performance. Breath plays an especially significant role in tai chi and other fighting arts. In addition to ensuring proper oxygenation, martial arts breathing techniques allow...
Your lungs are designed to receive oxygen and transport it to your heart where it pumps oxygenated blood throughout your body and removes carbon dioxide through exhaling. This process is vital for survival. By practicing breathing exercises, you...
There are a number of different types of yoga mats available, based on what kind of yoga you plan to do. Hatha yoga is an umbrella term that applies to all kinds of yoga. For those who practice Ashtanga yoga, a set series of vigorous movements...
In the West, yoga is mostly known as an exercise routine, but this represents only the shallowest of waters for a system of philosophy and spiritual practice that extends back thousands of years. In Hinduism, the practices that move you closer to...
Your performance during a run is affected by several factors, including the amount of time you invest in training, your energy level and your aerobic capacity. Yoga makes an ideal complement to running because it teaches you to breath more...
Yoga can take many forms, from physical to devotional practices. Jennifer Cook writes, "Classes that have gained popularity in the United States usually teach one of the many types of hatha yoga, a physical discipline which focuses mainly on...
Psychotherapy has become a wide-ranging group of mental treatments that has moved far beyond the "talking cure" discussed by 19th century psychologist Sigmund Freud. Today, psychologists employ a variety of alternative psychotherapies that help...
Many different styles of yoga have evolved over the years to deliver the benefits of yoga to individuals with different needs and levels of experience. Yoga is a highly beneficial form of exercise whether you are looking to build strength and...
There are seventeen drop zones regulated by the United States Parachute Association (USPA) in California, making it some of the richest skydiving territory in the world. Whether you're looking to add some incredible freefall acrobatics to your...
The benefits of regular yoga practice include reduced stress, improved balance, increased flexibility and better overall fitness. When you're first getting started with yoga, it's a good idea to preview several classes to find a style that you...
Yoga is a mind-body practice that combines physical postures, or asanas, with breathwork and meditative techniques. The combination of these techniques results in a variety of physical and mental benefits. Yoga is low-impact, easy to learn and...
There are many forms of yoga that promote weight loss and over-all wellness for body, mind and spirit. It may be difficult to determine which approach is best for you. Often yoga programs involve a dietary and spiritual practice as well. This is...
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD, is a long-term, degenerative lung disease typically caused by smoking. Emphysema and chronic bronchitis are types of COPD. Exercise is an essential part of managing COPD, because it improves your...
According to Dr. Judith Kravitz, who created and trademarked the Transformational Breathing technique, most of us breathe at only about 20 percent of our capacity. Such shallow breathing can lead to fatigue, depression and disease. Noticing and...
When you are so angry that you see red or so anxious that you lose focus, practice breathing exercises to help calm you down. In his book, "Conscious Breathing," Gay Hendricks, Ph.D. states, "Take a few big breaths into the physical sensations of...
Everyone experiences anxiety from time to time--it is a normal reaction to stress. However, it is not normal to experience anxiety to the point that it has an impact on your everyday life. Anxiety disorders affect about 40 million American adults...
Russian yoga is similar to Indian yoga in that there is a focus on asanas, or poses, done in sequence with a concentration on the breath. Russian yoga, however, does not pull from any type of yoga, whereas Indian yoga is based on various schools...
Many cancer patients are already on a steady treatment regimen consisting of chemotherapy, radiation and narcotics used for breakthrough pain. Traditional medicine attempts to preserve and prolong life but there continues to be a gap with...