Must I be a Vegetarian before I can practice Yoga?

The first rule of yoga philosophy is called ahimsa, which means a state of being harmless to self and others. Some people interpret this principle to mean that you must also be a vegetarian to practice Yoga. There is already an argument going on in the yoga community about this issue. I believe that, becoming a vegetarian is a personal decision; and whoever is planning to become one should decide within himself, consider his present health condition and most importantly, take into account the effect of his decision on his entire household. Being a vegetarian should not be forced on people. It’s all about choice!  The harshness in the act of imposing vegetarianism on individuals who are willing to practice Yoga, has not really expressed the concept of ahimsa.

What is the meaning of Om?

Om is a song, or vibration usually rendered to traditionally proceed and end the Yoga sessions. It’s believed to be an echo of the universe. What’s the meaning?

The proof by modern day scientists that the whole world is moving is an already known fact by the ancient yogis. They too believed that nothing in this earth has ever been still or solid and that all existing creatures pulsate. As a result of this, the ancient yogis believed that, by chanting the rhythmical vibration represented with the sound of Om, we would have a reflection and experience the movement of the universe. We may not notice this sound in our everyday lives, but we can hear it while the autumn leaves rustle, the waves at the seashore, and within a seashell.

Whenever we chant Om, it is believed that it gives us the opportunity to have understanding on the movement of the whole universe and some other trends like the rising and setting of the sun, the rising and setting of the moon, the movement of the tides and the regular beating of our hearts. Chanting the Om sound will make us travel taking us through this universal movement, via our breath, consciousness and physical oomph; and by this we begin to have a bigger sense of connection that is inspiring and comforting.

What are the benefits to detoxification?

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          Clear Thinking - A sweet benefit of detox is enriched thinking. Not only does it allow your body to eliminate all of the fogginess that comes with consuming lots of sugar and fat, it helps to improve concentration as well.

·         Decreased Colon Cancer Risk – There are a lot of toxins in the average diet today. With all of the foods we eat and the things that we drink, we put ourselves at risk for developing serious illnesses if we don’t detox. When toxic waste builds up in the digestive track, it can fester over long periods of time and can develop into polyps or cysts which can become cancerous. Detoxing can help to reduce that risk.

·         Stronger Immunity – Taking the time to cleanse your colon regularly can help to build up your immune system by simply allowing your internal organs to function normally. This can have many positive benefits from less illnesses experienced during the year, to even an increase in fertility because the body is allowed to get back into its natural rhythm.

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More benefits of detoxification

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    Better Looking Skin – It makes sense that when you clean toxins out of your body and give it healthy nutrients that your skin is going to show it. This is a wonderful benefit of making healthy changes and taking time to detox.

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     Healthy Bloodstream – The types of foods that block up the colon are usually pretty acid forming. Those are generally from high protein diets which don’t require the right amount of fiber. When the colon gets blocked it can cause it to become inflamed and prevent it from working correctly. The colon can’t do its job if it is in poor condition. If more than water or nutrients pass into the bloodstream it can throw off the pH balance and cause any number of maladies. By detoxing you are actually maintaining a healthy bloodstream.

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    Overall Improved Wellbeing – When you remove the toxins from your body you feel better and you look better. When you feel good it is much easier to function in better ways. You do things that make you feel good by eating right and getting exercise and the result is an overall better sense of wellbeing.