...Americans are increasingly looking for alternatives to prescription medications to promote health and prevent disease. I previously wrote about the effects of Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) on promoting mental health and reducing anxiety. What about other alternative approaches? Yoga is a discipline derived from India combining mental and physical exercises that is increasingly catching on in the U.S. Not really knowing how to describe it I looked up the handy online dictionary for a definition of the word.

Yoga (noun); the word yoga derives from the Sanskrit, literally, yoking, from yunakti ("he yokes").

1. a Hindu theistic philosophy teaching the suppression of all activity of body, mind, an...more

kundalini Yoga

...the west.

The purpose of kundalini Yoga is to reach the untouched energy that is located at the base of the spine. With kundalini Yoga the energy should be drawn up through the body and causes a positive effect. If this happens you are to experience full enlightment.

The main focus in kundalini Yoga is breathing. With each kundalini Yoga session and with specific breathing techniques your body will move the energy that is buried wit...more

Pregnancy - Recommended Yoga

...massaging the abdomen helps stimulating bowel action and appetite.

iv) Raises the level of energy and helps in slowing down the metabolism to restore focus.

v) Helps in reducing morning sickness, nausea and mood swings.

vi) Relieves tension around cervix and birth canal.

vii) Focuses on opening the pelvis to make labor easier and quicker.

viii) It helps in postal natal care -it restores the uterus, abdomen and pelvic floor

ix) Also it relieves upper back tension and breast discomfort after delivery.

x) It re...more

A Review Of Yoga For Pregnant Women

...p circulation, strengthening of the legs and increased energy. Poses like "the mountain," "the triangle," "the warrior," "the tree yoga," "the standing side stretch" and "the standing spread leg forward bend" will all provide relaxing and satisfying stretches. During this time, you may perform poses that require you to lay on your back, but you should avoid back and belly poses into the next trimester.

In the second and third trimesters, practice time should be cut down considerably to avoid fatigue or overdoing it. Don't hold poses too long and use a chair or wall for balance, if necessary. Remember to put pressure on the shoulders and back, but never the abdomen.

The sitting poses, plus more emphasis on breathin...more

Scandanavian Yoga And Meditation