Weight loss and physical beauty have become an obsession in Western society. It reminds me of a time a few years back, where in my daughter's grade 7 class, a little girl dreamed about reaching her 18th birthday. At the age of 12 yrs, this little girl was already celebrating the new breast implants she'd have surgically placed in her body.
Maybe this is a lower brain, preprogrammed state as we approach teenage years, to ensure procreation and continuity of the species. One must attract a mate whether it is through birdsong, a beautiful array of peacock feathers, or a huge set of antlers on the biggest male. However, one eventually matures and becomes less thoughtful of his/her role in procreation, and yet continues to anguish over the physical condition and acceptability of our bodies to the rest of society. The magnitude and beauty of the real self, doesn't seem to recognized in the individual, or in society.
How do we come to realize the self?
Patanjali, the author of the original Yoga Sutra's, shares the philosophy and religion of ancient India, offering a step by step system which describes how to stop the judgment and crazy thoughts of the mind, ultimately leading us to recognize and love the true self.
Through teacher training all yoga instructors learn Patanjali's Yoga Sutra's, and learn through the sutra's that continual practice can to self realization.
Patanjali would say that all anguish comes from the mind (mind stuff). But as you have experienced in Shvasana or in even a 5-10minute meditation, you are not the mind. The mind constantly fires out thoughts in quick succession. You'll notice the mind going off on tangents, musings, desiring, judging, dreaming, fantasizing, and they keep coming, random and persistent. Immediately a realization occurs.
"If I am able to watch this body, and watch these thoughts as they occur in the mind, then who is the watcher?"
You are not the body, you are not the mind and you can watch almost as a third person from the perspective of you, the self. Pantanjali might say that the mind and body are temporary vehicles, but that the essence of you, your self, never ages.
Have you ever marveled at the fact, that you have come to be (your age), and yet you still feel that you could easily be twenty one? Who is the self that is still twenty one years old?
Although we don't tune into it often, the self is a small portion of the same spark, or life force, that animates the entire universe. The same spark that has brought your vehicles (body, mind) to life has brought every other person, dog, cat, tree and blade of grass to life, as well.
Patanjali's Yoga Sutra's describe how to quiet down and eventually rid oneself completely of the turmoil of the mind. It teaches how to live from this place called Self, and as a result to feel the bliss of tranquility.
Instead of feeling unworthy, allowing the thoughts to wreak havoc you might realize through yoga, the divinity within, feeling peace, wholeness and harmony. It requires fine tuning your awareness and your observation.
Asana (the physical practice of yoga) is one of the ways to liberation, says Patanjali. Practicing yoga, especially Ashtanga yoga, may burn extra calories as it has a more vigorous flow. But any yoga, will over time, bring you to that place of awareness where you finally feel in your heart that the individual self and the Universal Self are one in the same, thereby recognizing and feeling the energy of your eternal beauty.
Yoga invites you to explore these possibilities by observing patience, compassion and love towards all
неделя, 24 октомври 2010 г.
Yoga and the Benefits of Healthy Living
Do you want to get healthy? Are you looking for simple ways to stay trim and fit? Looking for a way to relieve some of the stress in your life?
Why not give yoga a try? It isn't strenuous so if you have trouble doing the more "physical" exercises to stay in shape, yoga would be perfect for you. It is very relaxing and simple to do, with good concentration and technique. Yoga can help you feel relaxed, energized and more focused throughout your day. If you have never participated in yoga techniques or yoga practices then you will need to start with yoga basics. There is a wealth of videos both online and in stores that will teach you yoga techniques and yoga practices. You can also call your local gym or fitness center and sign up for basic yoga classes. With the basic classes you will need to make sure that you practice each and every day. This will help you master the basic yoga techniques and yoga practices, making it easier for you to move to the advanced classes.
One of the most important yoga techniques is breathing. It is the core of yoga practices and yoga techniques. If you don't get your breathing just right, it will not have quite the same affect. Ask all questions that you need and practice every day to master the breathing technique. There are many benefits to yoga practices:
1. Promotes flexibility
2. Strengthens muscles
3. Heightens your energy levels
4. Improves mental condition
5. Relives stress
Another essential tool for yoga techniques and yoga practices is a yoga mat. There are many out there to choose from, depending on how much you can afford to spend. If you have problems with your joints or your knees, they recommend using a Pilate's mat; as these have a lot more padding than a traditional yoga mat. There is a great amount of freedom when you're involved in yoga practices. You can take short breaks at work and do your poses and breathing. You can do it anytime, in any room at home when you feel you need to relax.
Yoga practices are great for the mind and body. If you have a lot of concentration and dedication in learning the way to breathe correctly and to do the poses the correct way, then yoga practices will benefit your overall health and well being. Take the basic classes to master all the yoga techniques or purchase beginner videos if you prefer to learn in the privacy of your own home. Make sure that you master all the techniques and poses before you move onto advanced techniques. You and your body should be extremely comfortable with the poses before you try anything past the beginner's level. Try it; see if you don't feel more energized and relaxed throughout the day.
Why not give yoga a try? It isn't strenuous so if you have trouble doing the more "physical" exercises to stay in shape, yoga would be perfect for you. It is very relaxing and simple to do, with good concentration and technique. Yoga can help you feel relaxed, energized and more focused throughout your day. If you have never participated in yoga techniques or yoga practices then you will need to start with yoga basics. There is a wealth of videos both online and in stores that will teach you yoga techniques and yoga practices. You can also call your local gym or fitness center and sign up for basic yoga classes. With the basic classes you will need to make sure that you practice each and every day. This will help you master the basic yoga techniques and yoga practices, making it easier for you to move to the advanced classes.
One of the most important yoga techniques is breathing. It is the core of yoga practices and yoga techniques. If you don't get your breathing just right, it will not have quite the same affect. Ask all questions that you need and practice every day to master the breathing technique. There are many benefits to yoga practices:
1. Promotes flexibility
2. Strengthens muscles
3. Heightens your energy levels
4. Improves mental condition
5. Relives stress
Another essential tool for yoga techniques and yoga practices is a yoga mat. There are many out there to choose from, depending on how much you can afford to spend. If you have problems with your joints or your knees, they recommend using a Pilate's mat; as these have a lot more padding than a traditional yoga mat. There is a great amount of freedom when you're involved in yoga practices. You can take short breaks at work and do your poses and breathing. You can do it anytime, in any room at home when you feel you need to relax.
Yoga practices are great for the mind and body. If you have a lot of concentration and dedication in learning the way to breathe correctly and to do the poses the correct way, then yoga practices will benefit your overall health and well being. Take the basic classes to master all the yoga techniques or purchase beginner videos if you prefer to learn in the privacy of your own home. Make sure that you master all the techniques and poses before you move onto advanced techniques. You and your body should be extremely comfortable with the poses before you try anything past the beginner's level. Try it; see if you don't feel more energized and relaxed throughout the day.
Finding The Perfect Performance Flooring For Your Studio
For those who perform activities such as yoga, pilates, and other types of dance performance, having the appropriate flooring is crucial to preventing injuries. A smooth floor with resilience makes the exercise and performance experiences much more enjoyable as well. It is for these reasons that many turn to a sprung wood dance floor for these purposes.
Depending upon the type of performance flooring you decide to purchase, the wood dance floor you select can be sized to fit any area, from a large studio to an individual practice space in your home. Better yoga flooring that utilizes a sprung floor will also be portable. This means that you can take your investment in quality yoga flooring with you should you move to another location.
You will also want your new yoga floor to be easy to set up. Quality yoga flooring companies will take this set up into account, and make it easy on you by making sure that the yoga floor is designed so that the individual panels interlock with tongue and groove on the edges. This means that you will not need any carpentry skill in order to install the new yoga floor, a decided benefit for most of us.
Because this type of pilates or yoga floor is raised above the subfloor, you can install it over hard flooring surfaces that may already be in place, such as concrete. The resiliency in these types of high-quality pilates floor come from the cushioning used between the subfloor and the new top flooring surface. Although the type of material can vary, some of the best pilates floor cushioning material is crafted from foam blocks. The type of cushioning is important in a pilates floor, or floors used for yoga or other types of dance and performance, because the performers, over time, can develop stress injuries and hurt delicate knee and ankle joints if the flooring used does not give and take with their movements on it, and this is especially true if the performers are jumping or doing tap dance, or making any sort of repetitive, percussive movements.
Another aspect of this type of performance flooring that you will want to keep in mind is that the new floor will be raised above the old floor. This means that you will need edges and ramps in order to safely bring one from a lower level of existing surrounding flooring to the new raised level. All of these pieces are available from quality flooring manufacturers, who can help you get the correct lengths, and then you can easily cut them to fit your specific room.
If taken care of properly, this type of flooring will offer an excellent exercise and dance surface for many years of use.
Depending upon the type of performance flooring you decide to purchase, the wood dance floor you select can be sized to fit any area, from a large studio to an individual practice space in your home. Better yoga flooring that utilizes a sprung floor will also be portable. This means that you can take your investment in quality yoga flooring with you should you move to another location.
You will also want your new yoga floor to be easy to set up. Quality yoga flooring companies will take this set up into account, and make it easy on you by making sure that the yoga floor is designed so that the individual panels interlock with tongue and groove on the edges. This means that you will not need any carpentry skill in order to install the new yoga floor, a decided benefit for most of us.
Because this type of pilates or yoga floor is raised above the subfloor, you can install it over hard flooring surfaces that may already be in place, such as concrete. The resiliency in these types of high-quality pilates floor come from the cushioning used between the subfloor and the new top flooring surface. Although the type of material can vary, some of the best pilates floor cushioning material is crafted from foam blocks. The type of cushioning is important in a pilates floor, or floors used for yoga or other types of dance and performance, because the performers, over time, can develop stress injuries and hurt delicate knee and ankle joints if the flooring used does not give and take with their movements on it, and this is especially true if the performers are jumping or doing tap dance, or making any sort of repetitive, percussive movements.
Another aspect of this type of performance flooring that you will want to keep in mind is that the new floor will be raised above the old floor. This means that you will need edges and ramps in order to safely bring one from a lower level of existing surrounding flooring to the new raised level. All of these pieces are available from quality flooring manufacturers, who can help you get the correct lengths, and then you can easily cut them to fit your specific room.
If taken care of properly, this type of flooring will offer an excellent exercise and dance surface for many years of use.
Can Yoga Make You A Better Triathlete?
I have recently come across quite a few discussions, both online and in person, regarding yoga and the benefits. This led me to think about the benefits of yoga and my passion of triathlon. I had previously practiced yoga and knew how it made me feel in terms of lengthening my body and silencing the mind. During my triathlon training the strength work that I have been doing has lengthened my body as well. In addition to the benefit to the body, my mind has had to be trained as well. Trained to be able to go farther and faster than ever before as well as knowing my body and when I am not properly hydrated or nourished. It would seem that yoga and triathlon go hand in hand, similar to massage which I previously wrote about.
There are five principles of yoga and each one can and does have an impact on a triathlete. The principles are proper relaxation, proper exercise, proper breathing, proper diet and lastly positive thinking and meditation. I will show each principle separately and why it goes hand in hand with triathlon.
PROPER RELAXATION
We all know the benefits of relaxing in this hectic world we live in. News cycles are 24/7, the internet is always on, the TV is in the background and so learning to relax properly is important. Relaxation is not just a way to get away from it all, but it also aids in recovery and rejuvenation of the athlete. As a triathlete or endurance athlete knows there is a time prior to race that you go through tapering. Tapering is the process of working less so that the body is rested and ready to explode on race day. Being able to relax during that tapering period is important because you need your muscles to get rest and that rest will lead to a rejuvenated body come race day. If an athlete doesn't go through that tapering period they run the risk of tight muscles and burnout of pushing and pushing the body to its limits.
As any triathlete knows the beginning of a race and going through the white wash of the swim can be very taxing on the body and mind. You are fighting to get position and all at the same time are hitting and being hit by other swimmers. Everybody is battling and knowing how to relax at this point during a race is important. Getting your heart rate elevated during this point can ruin the day for a triathlete. The adage that you can't win the race in the water, but can lose it is very true. Being able to relax the mind and body will allow you to get through what is almost always an anxiety riddled beginning to a race. Having a rough start can do harm to the mind and body during the rest of the race.
PROPER EXERCISE
A triathlete spends hours and hours exercising. There is bike riding, running and swimming. Don't forget to include strength training as well and with all of this yoga should be included as well. Yoga will stretch and tone muscles and ligaments, it will enhance the flexibility of the spine and other joints and will also improve blood circulation. Yoga will also teach you to breathe properly while doing the poses and thus allowing for proper flow from one pose to another.
Proper exercise in yoga is also known as posture. Posture is not only important to the yogi to help stave off injury, but to the triathlete as well. In the water the body must be in proper form in order to go fast because there is no way to muscle through the water if technique is not perfected. The same can be said while on the bike and during the run. While on the bike the body has to be positioned properly in order to limit the amount of drag from the wind while in air. Having the bike fitted to your height and leg length is a great way to start to get you in the proper posture to have a successful ride. During the run the proper foot strike and making sure that you are not landing awkwardly on your feet is important. Getting the proper shoe is another way to ensure that you have proper posture and help avoid injury.
While doing yoga you are going to build muscle tone and strength which will also help to avoid injury. Certain poses will help to strengthen the shoulder and back muscles that are used during the swim. Other poses will help develop flexibility in the legs which will translate to leg turnover and higher cadence on the bike and run.
In addition to the benefits of strengthening muscles and blood circulation what may be the most important is the flexibility of the spine. The three sports that make up triathlon are all linear movements and thus training causes the body to become stiff and thus more effort is needed to perform them. By doing yoga the spine becomes flexible and allows for a greater range of motion in each sport. Using swimming as the example when one is gliding through the water it is important to be able to be able to get your arms in and out of the water through the mid-line of the body. If the athlete is not flexible then the hand will enter the water not in proper position and could eventually lead to injury of the shoulder because proper alignment is not being practiced.
PROPER BREATHING
Yoga will teach you to use all parts of your lungs. By being able to utilize all parts of your lungs you are more capable of increasing your oxygen intake. By increasing your oxygen intake you are capable of recharging your body and control your mental state.
During yoga the lessons on breathing learned will include the ability to have steady slower breathes. With the proper breathing techniques a triathlete will learn to become more efficient because you will learn to breathe out. The thought process can be that I need to breathe faster and harder to get oxygen in, but if you take a longer deeper breathe you will not only get more oxygen into your lungs you will get old oxygen out and replace it with new fresh oxygen. Add in the fact that by taking a longer and deeper breathe you will also relax your mind and body which pointed out earlier is one of the principles of yoga.
Each principle works together to lead to a much more efficient athlete. For example, when we are stressed (ie the swim start) breathing tends to become shorter which results in improper breathing, and poor posture. This can lead to an injury of not just the physical state, but of the mental state and endurance events, especially triathlon, are battles of the mind as well as physical.
PROPER DIET
As I have pointed out getting the proper nutrition is imperative to a triathlete. Filling your body with poor nutrition will lead to less energy and not the proper fuel while out training. Making sure that you are eating whole foods with lots of color will provide the athlete as well as the yogi the proper amount micronutrients which are important in having the ability to go longer and faster.
The way that yoga is involved in the proper diet, is that if you are not eating healthy and nutritious meals will result in a mental inefficiency. Not being mentally prepared to tackle the extremes of a triathlon will possibly lead to injury and a mindset of giving up. The beauty of yoga and triathlon both is that it is a way to exercise not just the body but the mind, and being properly fueled is important.
Proper fueling during training is important but it is also important during the race. While it is impossible to fuel during the swim, getting the proper amount of calories on the bike and run can be done. A triathlete can zip-tie gels to their bike frame as well as have a hydration system where it is as simple as bending over to get a drink. During the run there are aid stations where water and an electrolyte drink are provided which will help in getting calories and micro-nutrients into the system. Being properly hydrated and fueled will make the time while in the saddle and on the run of a half-Ironman and Ironman race easier to handle.
POSITIVE THINKING / MEDITATION
In triathlon or any endurance sport for that matter the mental portion is needed to not only compete in a race but to also endure the hours on end of training. When training in a pool and seeing that black line repeatedly for an hour one needs to have the mental fortitude to get through it. Going out for a 6 hour bike ride or a 20 mile run is not just physical, but being able to know mentally that you can do it is just as important. While during this training how does an athlete generate positive thoughts? How do you teach yourself to enjoy the life around you with family and friends? Dealing with all of this is not easy but being positive and keeping your mind fresh is the key.
We, the triathlete, seem to deal with the same mundane items with what are seemingly countless hours of training. The days seem to blend together and usually incorporate the following, wake, eat, train, work/school, eat, train, eat, train and sleep then do it again. In there the mind needs to be able to stay sharp and fresh so that those days are enjoyable and keep us coming back for more.
Incorporating yoga into our training will teach us to be mentally sharper and focused so that our training remains enjoyable. Keeping training as a positive aspect of our lives will allow us to continually keep pushing ourselves to go farther and faster.
By combining the principals of yoga into the training regimen will allow the triathlete to become one with their body. Knowing what to eat and how that impacts your body, plus staying relaxed and breathing properly during the race will lead to improved results. Staying positive regardless of outcome will also lead to improved results. Didn't get your PR? Not a problem, how did you do in each of the three events? Was your swim better than you would have thought? Break down the race so that you know what to work on and take the positive out of the results.
Yoga is a great compliment to the biking, swimming and running of a triathlete.
There are five principles of yoga and each one can and does have an impact on a triathlete. The principles are proper relaxation, proper exercise, proper breathing, proper diet and lastly positive thinking and meditation. I will show each principle separately and why it goes hand in hand with triathlon.
PROPER RELAXATION
We all know the benefits of relaxing in this hectic world we live in. News cycles are 24/7, the internet is always on, the TV is in the background and so learning to relax properly is important. Relaxation is not just a way to get away from it all, but it also aids in recovery and rejuvenation of the athlete. As a triathlete or endurance athlete knows there is a time prior to race that you go through tapering. Tapering is the process of working less so that the body is rested and ready to explode on race day. Being able to relax during that tapering period is important because you need your muscles to get rest and that rest will lead to a rejuvenated body come race day. If an athlete doesn't go through that tapering period they run the risk of tight muscles and burnout of pushing and pushing the body to its limits.
As any triathlete knows the beginning of a race and going through the white wash of the swim can be very taxing on the body and mind. You are fighting to get position and all at the same time are hitting and being hit by other swimmers. Everybody is battling and knowing how to relax at this point during a race is important. Getting your heart rate elevated during this point can ruin the day for a triathlete. The adage that you can't win the race in the water, but can lose it is very true. Being able to relax the mind and body will allow you to get through what is almost always an anxiety riddled beginning to a race. Having a rough start can do harm to the mind and body during the rest of the race.
PROPER EXERCISE
A triathlete spends hours and hours exercising. There is bike riding, running and swimming. Don't forget to include strength training as well and with all of this yoga should be included as well. Yoga will stretch and tone muscles and ligaments, it will enhance the flexibility of the spine and other joints and will also improve blood circulation. Yoga will also teach you to breathe properly while doing the poses and thus allowing for proper flow from one pose to another.
Proper exercise in yoga is also known as posture. Posture is not only important to the yogi to help stave off injury, but to the triathlete as well. In the water the body must be in proper form in order to go fast because there is no way to muscle through the water if technique is not perfected. The same can be said while on the bike and during the run. While on the bike the body has to be positioned properly in order to limit the amount of drag from the wind while in air. Having the bike fitted to your height and leg length is a great way to start to get you in the proper posture to have a successful ride. During the run the proper foot strike and making sure that you are not landing awkwardly on your feet is important. Getting the proper shoe is another way to ensure that you have proper posture and help avoid injury.
While doing yoga you are going to build muscle tone and strength which will also help to avoid injury. Certain poses will help to strengthen the shoulder and back muscles that are used during the swim. Other poses will help develop flexibility in the legs which will translate to leg turnover and higher cadence on the bike and run.
In addition to the benefits of strengthening muscles and blood circulation what may be the most important is the flexibility of the spine. The three sports that make up triathlon are all linear movements and thus training causes the body to become stiff and thus more effort is needed to perform them. By doing yoga the spine becomes flexible and allows for a greater range of motion in each sport. Using swimming as the example when one is gliding through the water it is important to be able to be able to get your arms in and out of the water through the mid-line of the body. If the athlete is not flexible then the hand will enter the water not in proper position and could eventually lead to injury of the shoulder because proper alignment is not being practiced.
PROPER BREATHING
Yoga will teach you to use all parts of your lungs. By being able to utilize all parts of your lungs you are more capable of increasing your oxygen intake. By increasing your oxygen intake you are capable of recharging your body and control your mental state.
During yoga the lessons on breathing learned will include the ability to have steady slower breathes. With the proper breathing techniques a triathlete will learn to become more efficient because you will learn to breathe out. The thought process can be that I need to breathe faster and harder to get oxygen in, but if you take a longer deeper breathe you will not only get more oxygen into your lungs you will get old oxygen out and replace it with new fresh oxygen. Add in the fact that by taking a longer and deeper breathe you will also relax your mind and body which pointed out earlier is one of the principles of yoga.
Each principle works together to lead to a much more efficient athlete. For example, when we are stressed (ie the swim start) breathing tends to become shorter which results in improper breathing, and poor posture. This can lead to an injury of not just the physical state, but of the mental state and endurance events, especially triathlon, are battles of the mind as well as physical.
PROPER DIET
As I have pointed out getting the proper nutrition is imperative to a triathlete. Filling your body with poor nutrition will lead to less energy and not the proper fuel while out training. Making sure that you are eating whole foods with lots of color will provide the athlete as well as the yogi the proper amount micronutrients which are important in having the ability to go longer and faster.
The way that yoga is involved in the proper diet, is that if you are not eating healthy and nutritious meals will result in a mental inefficiency. Not being mentally prepared to tackle the extremes of a triathlon will possibly lead to injury and a mindset of giving up. The beauty of yoga and triathlon both is that it is a way to exercise not just the body but the mind, and being properly fueled is important.
Proper fueling during training is important but it is also important during the race. While it is impossible to fuel during the swim, getting the proper amount of calories on the bike and run can be done. A triathlete can zip-tie gels to their bike frame as well as have a hydration system where it is as simple as bending over to get a drink. During the run there are aid stations where water and an electrolyte drink are provided which will help in getting calories and micro-nutrients into the system. Being properly hydrated and fueled will make the time while in the saddle and on the run of a half-Ironman and Ironman race easier to handle.
POSITIVE THINKING / MEDITATION
In triathlon or any endurance sport for that matter the mental portion is needed to not only compete in a race but to also endure the hours on end of training. When training in a pool and seeing that black line repeatedly for an hour one needs to have the mental fortitude to get through it. Going out for a 6 hour bike ride or a 20 mile run is not just physical, but being able to know mentally that you can do it is just as important. While during this training how does an athlete generate positive thoughts? How do you teach yourself to enjoy the life around you with family and friends? Dealing with all of this is not easy but being positive and keeping your mind fresh is the key.
We, the triathlete, seem to deal with the same mundane items with what are seemingly countless hours of training. The days seem to blend together and usually incorporate the following, wake, eat, train, work/school, eat, train, eat, train and sleep then do it again. In there the mind needs to be able to stay sharp and fresh so that those days are enjoyable and keep us coming back for more.
Incorporating yoga into our training will teach us to be mentally sharper and focused so that our training remains enjoyable. Keeping training as a positive aspect of our lives will allow us to continually keep pushing ourselves to go farther and faster.
By combining the principals of yoga into the training regimen will allow the triathlete to become one with their body. Knowing what to eat and how that impacts your body, plus staying relaxed and breathing properly during the race will lead to improved results. Staying positive regardless of outcome will also lead to improved results. Didn't get your PR? Not a problem, how did you do in each of the three events? Was your swim better than you would have thought? Break down the race so that you know what to work on and take the positive out of the results.
Yoga is a great compliment to the biking, swimming and running of a triathlete.
Yoga For Beginners - Starting an At-Home Practice
If you've never practiced yoga before, prepare to encounter yourself on an entirely new level of consciousness! Yoga penetrates into your inner power, connecting the body, intellect and spiritual center and no matter what discipline of yoga you decide to practice, you will find a greater sense of harmony and awareness as you re-discover your infinite potential.
Beyond the more obvious benefits of increased flexibility, balance and strength, yoga has a seemingly never-ending stream of less dramatic (though no less important) rewards.
Practicing yoga at home can be a very enriching and meaningful experience. Ideally, if you are an absolute beginner, I would highly recommend participating in a few group or private classes with a reputable yoga teacher in order to get "a feel" for the practice. However, there are many excellent books and DVDs available.
Here are few guidelines to help get you started:
* Practice in a quiet, clutter free and well ventilated room. In the winter months, keep your practice room properly heated. Keeping warm while practicing yoga is extremely important for keeping the muscles supple and injury free.
* Wear comfortable, non-binding clothing that allows the body to breathe and move freely. Take off your shoes and socks.
* Practice on a non-skid surface: carpeted floor, a small rug or a sticky mat.
* Props you may find useful would include: a blanket or a shawl for still postures and meditation (your body temperature will drop); a meditation cushion; a block and a canvas yoga strap to assist with postures for when you're "not quite there yet."
Things you should know before you begin your yoga practice:
* Yoga postures affect the internal organs and digestion. Always practice yoga on an empty stomach, leaving about 2-3 hours after a meal. You may find, as I do, that an early morning practice is the most ideal.
* Always practice yoga barefoot to avoid slipping. Practicing barefooted not only increases the safety and the organic fluidity of the postures, it also encourages a grounding foundation to your yoga practice and is wonderfully energizing and relaxing for the entire nervous system.
* Avoid inverted poses while menstruating. However, many women find tremendous relief from menstrual discomfort and tension with gentle yoga stretches and breath work.
* In yoga, breath is linked with movement. Remember to inhale through the nose and exhale through the nose throughout your practice unless otherwise noted.
* If you are new to exercise, have a medical condition, are recovering from injury or it's just been a while, always consult with your medical practitioner before starting any new regimen.
* Be mindful of your body's temperaments; move slowly into your postures, mindful of your knees, back and joints.
* Traditionally yoga is a non-competitive practice. Allow your body to progress organically and ask yourself, "Where am I today?" Respect your body's wishes and have fun with your yoga!
Beyond the more obvious benefits of increased flexibility, balance and strength, yoga has a seemingly never-ending stream of less dramatic (though no less important) rewards.
Practicing yoga at home can be a very enriching and meaningful experience. Ideally, if you are an absolute beginner, I would highly recommend participating in a few group or private classes with a reputable yoga teacher in order to get "a feel" for the practice. However, there are many excellent books and DVDs available.
Here are few guidelines to help get you started:
* Practice in a quiet, clutter free and well ventilated room. In the winter months, keep your practice room properly heated. Keeping warm while practicing yoga is extremely important for keeping the muscles supple and injury free.
* Wear comfortable, non-binding clothing that allows the body to breathe and move freely. Take off your shoes and socks.
* Practice on a non-skid surface: carpeted floor, a small rug or a sticky mat.
* Props you may find useful would include: a blanket or a shawl for still postures and meditation (your body temperature will drop); a meditation cushion; a block and a canvas yoga strap to assist with postures for when you're "not quite there yet."
Things you should know before you begin your yoga practice:
* Yoga postures affect the internal organs and digestion. Always practice yoga on an empty stomach, leaving about 2-3 hours after a meal. You may find, as I do, that an early morning practice is the most ideal.
* Always practice yoga barefoot to avoid slipping. Practicing barefooted not only increases the safety and the organic fluidity of the postures, it also encourages a grounding foundation to your yoga practice and is wonderfully energizing and relaxing for the entire nervous system.
* Avoid inverted poses while menstruating. However, many women find tremendous relief from menstrual discomfort and tension with gentle yoga stretches and breath work.
* In yoga, breath is linked with movement. Remember to inhale through the nose and exhale through the nose throughout your practice unless otherwise noted.
* If you are new to exercise, have a medical condition, are recovering from injury or it's just been a while, always consult with your medical practitioner before starting any new regimen.
* Be mindful of your body's temperaments; move slowly into your postures, mindful of your knees, back and joints.
* Traditionally yoga is a non-competitive practice. Allow your body to progress organically and ask yourself, "Where am I today?" Respect your body's wishes and have fun with your yoga!
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