Yoga Makes Your Chakras Spin With Delight

Energy Yoga Mats To Enhance Your Workout

There’s a good reason you feel like a god or goddess when you walk out of a yoga studio and it’s not because you’ve finally mastered the ability to twist your body into a human pretzel and actually like it. Here’s why. Yoga and other mind-quieting techniques, such as meditation, deep breathing, visualization, qui gong and tai chi can work as effectively as many medications at treating your ailments. “We now have compelling scientific proof that the mind can heal the body,’ says Herbert Benson, M.D., director of emeritus of the Benson-Henry Institute for Mind Body Medicine at the Massachusetts General Hospital.

Brain Expander

Bad news! Your brain shrinks as you age, but here’s the good news; yoga can prevent it from happening. In a Neuro Report study, researchers discovered that the prefrontal cortex and the anterior right insula, areas linked to attention and sensory processing, where healthy and thicker in those who meditate. “It’s like exercise for the brain, making it stronger” says Rick Hanson, Ph.D., neuropsychologist in San Rafael California and author of the Buddha’s Brain.

Stress Buster

The deep breathing and visualization in Yoga promotes relaxation and suppress the release of stress hormones adrenaline and cortisol. It also lowers the blood pressure, slows the heart rate and eases digestion.

Immune Enhancer
The relaxation response causes cells to release micropuffs of nitric oxide, a gas that dilutes blood vessels and stabilizes the immune system. According to Dr. Benson’s report in the Medical Science Monitor, mind/body methods works as well as prescription drugs designed to do the same thing, but without the negative side effects.

Now, if all these reasons don’t convince you to grab your yoga mat and run to your nearest yoga studio, then consider this. Those Downward Dogs, Sun Salutations and Cobras are the secret to sexy curves and a strong, lean body.

For everything I’ve mentioned and then some, you can find me at the gym five mornings a week doing Yoga, Pilates and cardio. Yes I’m one of “those people”, the gym jock-ets who are always looking for new ways to kick up their technique. In doing so, I discovered a beautiful line of yoga mats, by Donna Johansen at Inspired Art Décor, that allow me to hold poses longer, calm my mind faster and maximizes my workout. The thicker matt eases the bodies’ floor contact making it ideal for anyone with knee and elbow issues.

I work out on the gorgeous cobalt blue chakra mat. Chakra or energy center, a Sanscrit word meaning “Wheel of Light”. It refers to the body’s seven major energy centers that are positioned along the spinal column. Beginning with the Root Chakra at the base of spine and continuing up to the Crown Chakra on top of the head. Each chakra has a unique function that corresponds to a specific color. These energy portholes regulate the flow of energy in and out of our body. These energy yoga mats, called "NRG Mats" assists in rebalancing the body to its optimum wellness. They’re a must-have for all Yoga and Pilates enthusiasts.

Donna Johansen, an NCIDQ health care interior designer of 20 years, trained energy healer and artist. She creates healing paintings for health care facilities and spas. In her recent collection of yoga mats, Johansen incorporates the vibration of sacred geometric patterns, such as mandalas and healing Sanskrit symbols to bring in positive healing energy to maximize your yoga experience. http://www.inspiredartdecor.com/