Wellness Haven Yoga

Author: Umang Goel

  • Declutter Your Mind With Yoga

    Declutter Your Mind With Yoga

    Declutter Your Mind With Yoga

    A relaxed mind is an uncluttered mind, and an uncluttered mind leads to an organized and productive life.

    1. Let deep breathing and meditation lead you to calm your mind.
    2. Let yoga asanas enable you to relax your body.
    3. Let silence and non-doing allow you to reflect and contemplate into finding out which part of your life remains in chaos.
    4. Let action steps lead you into organizing your life so that there is time and space for everything you want to do.
    5. Have a plan for each day from morning to night, including self-care and power-nap. Know that if something is not scheduled and planned there is a high risk that it will not get done.
    6. Have a TO DO LIST in one place so that the mind can be relaxed and not worry about forgetting what needs to get done.
    7. Declutter everyday so that you have to spend 10 minutes and not hours cleaning your mess.
      1. Paper Piles, Paper Bills, Reminder Notes
      2. Electronic Filing: Emails
      3. Clothes in your closet, and laundry
      4. Bathroom mess-up
      5. Bed
      6. Kitchen Counter, Sink, Dishwasher, Fridge

    Clean your physical space and mental space so that you can lead the life you desire. Le Yoga, breathing, meditation propel you into the right action. ~ Umang Goel

    We would love to read your comments below. And do not forget to share your joy with others.

  • Yoga Asanas For Being In The Present

    Yoga Asanas For Being In The Present

    Yoga Asanas For Being In The Present

    Yoga is such a beautiful way to be in the present moment.

    We are always rushing through life – doing this and running towards that! While we are doing one thing, our minds have already rushed into something else. Many thoughts run throughout the day as ‘doing’ continues to unfold.

    Never BEING in the moment depletes us in so many ways leading to many frustrations, restlessness and the inability to complete any one task thoroughly with peace in the heart.

    A wonderful way is to have a yoga asana practice each day. In an unrushed yoga asana practice the mind is engaged in self-discovery of both the body and the mind and even more so the breath. It urges us to relax in the moment, pay attention to the self and become mindful of the life-force that is keeping us alive. The frustrations of the day release, judgments disappear, stresses dissolve, the tight grip on life relaxes, and we become grounded and centered in our beings. We become keenly aware and fine-tuned with who we are, where we are and where we are headed  and pave our way to becoming the wholesome human we are at our core.

    Here are some yoga asanas that help us be in the present, to get grounded, especially when we are on our feet and rushing through life or waiting in frustration to get our turn!

    1. Being still and in correct alignment in Tadasana / Mountain Pose is very centering.
    2. Clasping hands behind our back as we wait our turn relaxes the shoulders and the tension in the back.
    3. Stretching the head sideways as we take a break in the middle of a task releases the stress in the neck.
    4. Standing and twisting our bodies slightly as we swivel our feet calms our nervous energy.

    Try these simple yoga asanas next time you feel frustration, impatience or tension well up within you and experience for yourself the relaxation these bring.

    Life is very precious. Do not let your moments pass you by. ~ Umang Goel

    We would love to read your comments below. And please remember to share your joy with others.

  • Chair Yoga

    Chair Yoga

     

    Chair Yoga

    What does chair yoga mean?

    It means that there is no excuse for not exercising your body through Yoga whether you are at home, at a yoga school, or at your office!

    It also means that there is help for those who are unable to sit flat on the mat without the support of the wall or those who can’t be on their knees or wrists.

    Here are just some of the yoga stretches that I like to do on a chair:

    1. Sitting on a chair and twisting your body on one side and then the other.
    2. Extending your legs in front of you and back, repeating a few times.
    3. Eagle arms while sitting and bending over the knee.
    4. Siting Mountain pose as you extent your arms up.
    5. Extending arms sideways and then twisting your body on both sides.
    6. Extending your arms behind you and interlacing fingers for a deeper shoulder stretch.
    7. A pigeon pose right on your chair as you take your leg to make a four with your other thigh and bending over.
    8. Using straps to stretch and dumbbells  to build your muscles while sitting is so simple.

    Yes there are no excuses.

    For the determined, everything is possible no matter where you are and how much time you have in your hands. ~ Umang Goel

    We would love to read your comments below. And please remember to share your joy with others.

  • What Makes A Joyful Yoga Class Environment

    What Makes A Joyful Yoga Class Environment

    What Makes A Joyful Yoga Class Environment

    A holistic and spiritual practice like yoga no matter what style of practice also needs a holistic environment.

    A yoga class environment is the wholesome energy that enriches the yoga students and the teacher during the yoga practice.

    Dos:

    1. The class space should be safe and comfortable inviting the yogins for a joyful practice.
    2. The space should be energetically rich and robust
    3. The space should be large enough to let the yogins do their practice with ease
    4. The music played during class should merge with the practice.
    5. It should invite the students to ask questions related to their practice so that all practicing yogins can learn.
    6. But most of all the energy the teacher brings in to her students should be the kind that is motivating, inspiring, energetic, joyful, soothing, relaxing, trusting, honoring, educating and inviting the yogins to release into the safe environment without any inhibitions.

    Don’t’s:

    1. The space should not be congested
    2. The music should not be distracting
    3. Cell phone ringing should not impinge on the yoga class environment.
    4. Once the class begins, there should be no chatter that has nothing to do with the practice itself.
    5. But most of all there should be no negative energy either from the space itself, the teacher or the student.

     

    How the experience is at any given place is a combined energy of all the yogins practicing together.

    There are  things that may not be in control of the yoga teacher teaching in a leased space or the student attending the class, but what one can be in control of is ones attitude, perspectives and the energy one brings into any space, for any environment can be turned joyful for the practicing yogin with the right attitude. When both the teacher and the student make a joint effort to get to know each other, a wonderful student-teacher relationship is formed and the practice reaches joyful heights.

    ~ Umang Goel

     

    We would love to read your comments below. And don’t forget to share your joy with others.

  • Finding Balance

    Finding Balance

    A well balanced life is the secret to joy and happiness.

    There are a few areas of life that we all need to be aware of to create that fine balance we all need in our lives:

    • Mental – This is a very important ingredient in the recipe for a joyful life. If the ‘head’ is together and finds its connection with  the heart, every other aspect of life flows beautifully, irrespective of what unfolds in front of us.
    • Emotional – Emotional well-being comes from understanding the basic life principles; emotional strengthening helps us create a life that is progressive and not stuck.
    • Spiritual – Spiritual growth helps us understand and accept life peacefully and joyfully.  It brings faith in your Higher Self enabling life to unfold without the tight controlling grip. Prayer and Gratitude are key ingredients.
    • Physical – Physical health enables us take full advantage of the opportunities life presents us with. Flexibility, strength, balance and stamina as well as the right nutrients not only helps our body to be healthy but also helps our minds to become flexible, strong and balanced, allowing us to be joyfully independent and self sufficient.
    • Financial – When mind is working at its optimal best and the body is fluid, balance comes in the financial part of our lives as well for we are able to work with our passions and empowered to achieve the life of our dreams.
    • Relationships – With a healthy mind, a healthy body and a secure financial future, relationships are also at their very best.

    Balancing life is a juggling act. Very few of us are completely balanced in every aspect of our lives. But awareness at all times allows us to take a deeper look at our life and evaluate every so often which parts of our life need a tune-up.

    Many may even be aware of which part of life is in chaos, but may not be mentally, or emotionally ready to act on it, leading to continued imbalance and chaos. This is where expert coaching becomes a necessity.

    Life is as simple as you want it to be but it can only be achieved by bringing awareness leading into action and ultimately into balance.

    It is the law of nature to be in balance. What falls out of balance has to come back in balance. How difficult the coming back to balance will be resides in our hands.

    We all are aware that:
    PREVENTION IS MANY TIMES BETTER THAN CURE – Why get into a broken state with scars before attempting balance? Why not take all necessary actions to prevent going out of balance?

    PREVENTION IS ALSO LESS EXPENSIVE THAN CURE – Why get into forced spending that is externally controlled after we are broken and when there is no other choice?

    You cannot be happy if you are not balanced.

    Here is a fine balanced recipe for a healthy, happy, joyful and balanced  life:

    1. Make a habit of  Joyful Mental practices EVERYDAY to keep the mind strong.

    2. Practice Breathing/Pranayama and Meditation EVERYDAY to stay in a relaxed and calm state of mind so that beauty can unfold naturally.

    3. Practice Therapeutic Yoga Asanas EVERYDAY to keep both your mental and physical body flexible, strong, and balanced.

    4. Put the Right Nutrients in your body EVERYDAY to keep both your mental and physical body functioning at its optimal best.

    5. Indulge in Spiritual practices like prayer and gratitude EVERYDAY to bring your mind and heart in sync and to keep your spirits soaring high.

    Evaluate yourself regularly so that you can keep bringing yourself into that fine balance that keep the elusive happiness very much a part of your daily life.

    ~ Umang Goel

    We would love to read your comments below. And do not forget to share your joy with others.

  • De-stress Yourself The Right Way

    De-stress Yourself The Right Way

    How do you de-stress yourself?

    When you are tired or frazzled or anxious or feeling low, what do you do?

    Do you reach out for salty, sugary and fatty food?

    Do you sit in front of  the television and eat salty, sugary and fatty food?

    Do you hide under the blanket?

    or

    Do you go for a walk in fresh air?

    Do you indulge in some deep breathing /pranayama exercises?

    Do you relax with yoga asanas?

     

    Deep Breathing / Pranayama, Meditation and Yoga Asanas are the best drug for frazzled nerves.

    Everything comes naturally once they become a habit. It takes not 21 days, but 3 months to form a habit. Know that you are worth the habit that .will keep you healthy for years to come. Everything starts with the first step. Begin with something small like sitting down in silence just for 5 minutes even before you get out of bed or before you go to sleep. Breathe deeply from your belly.  Then do this everyday for 90 days and see for yourself what happens!

    You will appreciate yourself more than ever before. This is one of the best ways to stay de-stressed on a daily basis.

    Try it out today! ~ Umang Goel

     

    We would love to read your comments below.

     

     

  • Goddess Pose

    Goddess Pose

    Goddess Pose in Horse Stance
    Utkata Konasana/Fierce Angle Pose/Fiery Angle Pose

    Benefits:
    Goddess pose offers many of the benefits of a squat as well as warrior poses

    • Great hip opener and works to stretch the pelvic floor.
    • Strengthens the arms and legs
    • Builds heat and stamina
    • Increases circulation
    • Opens up the heart, chest and lungs
    • Strengthens and tones the core muscles, quadriceps, inner thighs, shoulders, arms, upper back

    I love all yoga asanas but this one is one of the special ones. Opening up the heart with so much strength in the body brings out immense freedom. ~ Umang Goel

     

    Which Yoga Asana is special to you?

    We would love to read your comments below.

  • Devaduuta Panna Asana

    Devaduuta Panna Asana

    Devaduuta Panna Asana / Fallen Angel Pose / Falling with Grace

    I especially like this beautiful and graceful arm balancing asana, which is a variation of the Parsva Bakasana / Side Crow Pose, for it is merging of strength , twists, stamina and flexibility and takes the arm balances to to next level.

    Kathryn Budig has described this pose very aptly: “It embodies what it must be like to fall from grace, to hit the ground hard, but remember once you’ve hit rock bottom that there is no such thing as falling from grace because no one can ever take it away from you. It is our birthright and our duty to maintain it and keep our inner grace shining. This posture presents a huge physical challenge as well as emotional. Practice keeping your grace regardless of your circumstances, keeping yourself in a place of allowing, and remembering that the past is behind you and the present is full of opportunity. So enjoy this fall, knowing that the lift and grace always come from within.”

    Benefits:

    Arm balances bring in many different benefits of the yoga asanas together all in one asana –  steady mind, discipline, tenacity, body awareness, focused concentration, deep twist, forward bend, as well as neck and wrist strengthening.

    ~ Umang Goel

     

    We would love to read your comments below.

  • Self Empowerment

    Self Empowerment

    Self Empowerment is critical to a happy, confident and self sufficient human being.

    Many of us feel lost, and are left struggling in so many ways keeping us from living our life’s potential. Each one of us has it within us to achieve the dreams and desires that are coming from our heart space. But we are humans and human world is based on relationships. In order for us to have the best human relationships we have to learn the tools to have the best relationship with the Self first. And this is where a Mentor comes in the picture – the mentor of the best kind, who not only has your best interest, but who has the skills and the tools to support your growth process. It is imperative that each one of us who has this intense desire to grow, to find this person whose philosophies and teaching style you agree with, who you will listen to and who will be subtly aggressive in their coaching so that you can actually see the results you desire. The student-teacher relationship is very important, and so it is even more important to find the right teacher. It is also very important for the teacher to find the right student. When there is an authentic meeting of the minds, the outcome is SUCCESS.

    Yesterday, I could not have said it better as was said by one of my Private Annual Life Coaching Students:

    “Aren’t we naive and ignorant to know if we are perceiving things in the right direction before we knew the POWER of EMPOWERMENT!
    How my Journey of Freedom began?
    I reached out for help. July 4th, 2013 was my first session.
    How it helped me?

    • Made me believe in myself every time
    • Changed my mind set by making me realize how important it is the way you perceive things and you always have to keep moving
    • Made me aware of how my thoughts, perceptions, belief system attracted people, situations in my life
    • Provided logical answers, a different way of looking to all my questions
    •  Made me aware of the cosmos laws and how the universe works
    • Journey continues in getting empowered, building a self-centered and unshakable being 
    • I am very grateful to have find a Mentor, who has created this awareness in me and has a burning desire (of the same level) to see me where I wish to see myself in LIFE!!”

    ~ Umang Goel

    We would love to read your comments below.

  • Yoga Props

    Yoga Props

    Yoga Props

    Yoga props not only help the beginners realize the asanas but it also enables us to deepen our body explorations and enhance our yoga asana, breathing and meditation practice. But understanding of how and when to use the props without becoming ‘attached’ to the props is very important in the yogic journey.

    Props should be used effectively and wisely.

    –          A restorative yoga asana session seems incomplete without props.

    –          A flow session on the other hand minimalizes the use of a prop. One has to have a clear understanding of the use of a prop to be able to use it effectively in a flow yoga practice.

    –          A Breathing/Pranayama and Meditation session becomes enhanced with use of props by providing back support and posture support.

    1. What are the very basic yoga props?

    Mat, Blocks, Wedge, Strap, Bolsters, Blankets

    The Wall proves to be one of the most effective prop for a new yogi.

    The Ball helps the yogi in many ways to enhance their yoga asana practice.

    The chair is a wonderful prop for many.

    The backjack chair provides the much needed support to a meditative sitting yogi without wall support.

    2. Characteristics of a good quality yoga mat:

    –          Moist sticky  surface

    –          1/4th inch thick

    –          Compact

    –          Durable

    –          Hypoallergenic

    Those new to yoga are not aware and end up buying cheap quality yoga mats that have a plastic like surface, are very dry, and very thin! All of these prevent a beginner from getting the full benefits of a yoga practice for they are slippery and prevent the yogi from finding stability and balance. When the mat is very thin, it does not provide enough support for the bones and joints.

    3. How are Block, Wedge, Strap, Bolster, and Blanket helpful?

    All the above props provide support to the yogi providing balance, height, stability and comfort.

    –          Blocks help by allowing the yogi to reach the earth when they are still working on stretching and lengthening their ligaments and muscles to become more flexible.

    –          Straps/Belts are very handy when tight hamstrings prevent the arms from reaching the toes in any forward bend or when tight shoulders prevent the fingers from finding their way together in the Gomukhasana pose.

    –          Wedge enables the heels to get grounded and to provide the much needed lift to the pelvis for an aligned posture.

    –          Bolsters and Blankets help cushion and support the body in a restorative asana.

    If you have invested yourself in a well-supported yoga asana session, go a little further and provide your body the much needed support so that the body develops in the most optimal and correct manner. Your body deserves all the love and attention you can give it.

    At Wellness Haven we believe in guiding you to find your optimal support through some of the best props from HuggerMugger. ~ Umang Goel

    We would love to read your comments below.

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