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Vipassana is an ancient meditation technique that is still taught and practised all over the world today. The word Vipassana means ‘to see things as they really are’ – that is to be able to see things objectively without feelings of craving or aversion. Learning the technique involves attending a ten-day silent retreat at a Vipassana centre, where one is taught in the original tradition. The premise is that ‘seeing things as they are’ can lead one to happiness. (more…)

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Longer working hours and more demands at home often lead to less time to devote to important things like your own personal well-being. Saint Benedict spoke long ago about living a complete life by routinely structuring things like work, exercise and spirituality and this still applies today. Practicing virtues like generosity and building good relationships can also heighten one’s sense of happiness. As can getting your hands dirty in soil, as recent research shows us. (more…)

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Yoga is a discipline that originated in India about 5,000 years ago. This ancient tradition is not only associated with Hinduism but also with Buddhism and Jainism. Whether your goal is to simply improve your health or to achieve Moksha, a concept similar to Nirvana or the release of the soul, yoga is a great addition to your exercise routine. It has tremendous physiological, psychological as well as biochemical benefits. All you need is loose, comfortable clothing and a soft mat to practice on. (more…)

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There’s no foolproof prescription for happiness, unfortunately. But there are things we can do to make positive change in our lives – and ourselves – that will help us be happier in future. As everyone is different, with a unique combination of genes, experiences and relationships that shape us, there’s no one-size-fits-all recipe for feeling good. There are some therapeutic principles, though, that will benefit just about everyone. Psychotherapist Philippa Perry, author of Couch Fiction, shared her four top tips for happiness with The Guardian. (more…)

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There are many different yoga styles to learn and enjoy and all will help you de-stress as well as exercise and strengthen your muscles. Choosing one that suits your personality and exercise style can be a difficult, and rather confusing, decision. Be it ashtanga, iyengar, bikram or kundalini there is a yoga style out there to suit every age, flexibility and fitness level. Read on to find out a little bit about each of the yoga styles and which one would be best for you. (more…)

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The life and times we live in are hard enough without having to dread waking up every morning to go to work. Working consumes a good eight hours of our day, excluding time spent travelling and working a bit from home to keep afloat, so it goes without saying that you’re tired and likely drained. Perhaps work has started to clash with your values, or your really just detest your working environment. The burning question is: How you know you’re ready to quit? (more…)

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Depression is more common than we think it is. Everybody at some point or another has gone through a lull that became a state of depression. Some people deal with this emotion everyday, whether it is due to genetic reasons or a string of negative events in their lives. (more…)

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Sufferers of migraines are often left unable to function when these intense headaches hit, and the fact that there’s no remedy for them is no help. The good news is that the discovery by researchers of a ‘migraine gene’ means that new methods of dealing with pain may soon become available – and this may be big news for the way that all kinds of pain, and not just migraines, are treated. (more…)

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Walking is a great low-impact exercise, and yoga is good for body, mind and soul. Why not combine the two? Walking while doing yoga meditations will still burn calories, while leaving you feeling the calm of someone who has meditated for however long you walk. Simple breathing techniques, body awareness, and a new approach to walking will have you feeling better than you ever before. (more…)