There are many ways to help you to get into a home practice, you can get video, DVD or even an audio track of instructions, go to the library, charity shop or borrow from a friend, so you can try before you buy. In fact I sometimes prefer older yoga videos or DVDs that are not fronted by “famous” actresses but proper yoga instructors.
When you are just starting out in a home practice of exercise you need to have a comfortable and safe place to start usually a bedroom or living room, ideally a space were you do not need to move any or too much furniture. Try and have a dedicated space and always check that if you stumble in a balance you will be safe, move that glass coffee table or lamp stand.
I have done my yoga practice in cramped hotel rooms with no problem I just do a simpler routine, with lots of seated postures and sun salutations. Although when I need to do a headstand in a strange place, a folded towel to protect your head from the floor, is in my opinion just as good as a mat.
The best way to get into a home practice routine is to practice a number of short yoga routines so that you have a routine for every occasion and time slot.
Donna Houston
]]>By performing the asanas you work out all of the muscles in your body, but the effect is not only external. There is evidence that yoga allows for the more effective lubrication of the joints as well as of the ligaments and tendons. You will become more flexible, but most importantly you will be better protected from aging diseases such as osteoporosis. You will be able to move freely and without pain even at a very old age as long as you are serious about performing the various asanas. One of the main benefits of yoga is that it can effectively provide for the massaging of all body organs and glands. By providing for the more efficient work of these, you can be certain that you are protected from various types of diseases.
The regular or rather every day performance of the asanas will stimulate the blood flow in your body and more oxygen will reach all cells. This one of the benefits of yoga can efficiently protect you from the diseases of the cardiovascular system such as heart attacks and strokes. Also, your entire body is naturally purified through the battling of free radicals. In turn, you will feel more energetic and refreshed. Your looks will also be improved – your skin will be more radiant and softer while your hair will be shinier.
You should not underestimate the benefits of yoga to the mind and soul. If you practice meditation along with the asanas you will be able to battle stress efficiently. Most importantly, you will be able to achieve a peace of mind and find the harmony in your life that is the base for bliss and happiness. Yoga will make you more self confident and motivated, but will also teach you how to accept the misfortunes. When you are in harmony with yourself and the surrounding world and exercise your body and its organs you will live longer – there are many famous yoga practitioners that are over a hundred years old.
Donna Houston
]]>Through yoga meditation, you will attain a high sense of tranquility as you become more aware of yourself and your surroundings. Meditation also helps in the development of a stronger self will and better concentration. In addition, your mind will become clearer and you will gain more wisdom. Meditation has definite benefits both physically and mentally.
You need to be disciplined in order to learn proper meditation, as focusing the mind is more challenging than it appears. There are a number of things you need to bear in mind when you would like to meditate effectively.
Once you have mastered how to meditate properly, you will feel a great sense of calm. This is something that can only be experienced but not captured into words properly. Try it for yourself.
Donna Houston
]]>While you should strive to find a good Yoga class to join, you should not feel left out in case there are no classes anywhere near you. One of the great advantages of Yoga is that you can practice almost anywhere. You can set up your Yoga practice right at home and get relevant requirements and you will be on your way to achieving its benefits.
There are a number of Yoga props that you need to gather for your home exercise. One of the basic requirements is Yoga mat. While it is perfectly possible to practice Yoga without a mat, having one will greatly improve your performance as they provide cushioning and traction. Most mats are made of synthetic materials. A new mat is likely to be slippery. You can easily hasten the aging process by washing it with mild detergent so that it has traction. The more you use it, the less slippery it will become. You may also have a hand towel if your sweaty hands make you to slip. You can wipe your hands with or rest them on the towel as you take postures.
Another useful prop is a Yoga blanket. Sitting on a Yoga blanket helps in raising the hips above the knees during seated poses. It also supports the back during reclining poses as well as providing warmth at the last stage of relaxation. This stage helps to give the body enough time to process the information it has received during the exercise. Please be aware that it is not an opportunity to take a nap!
]]>First, in order to benefit from Yoga, you should not do it like an every other day thing. You need to discipline yourself and set time apart for practicing Yoga every day. As a result, Yoga itself will become a way of life for you.
On the health front, Yoga will prove quite therapeutic; as it will help you prevent and treat many types of ailments. Indeed, there are many Yoga exercises that are meant to relieve different types of diseases. You are advised, however, to consult a physician prior to starting your therapeutic Yoga exercises.
Yoga is concerned with the harmonization of the body and mind, resulting in a greater self realization. The practice of meditation will not just make you have a calm mind but also develop a whole new type of lifestyle. You will have a unique detachment from worldly possessions that will prevent the development of anxiety.
Scientific research conducted by the University of Yale has proved that meditation has significant effects on the brain. The research showed that meditation increases the thickness of the grey matter in the brain’s cortex, particularly in areas concerned with cognitive, emotional, and sensory processing. Regular meditation also helps in preventing shrinking of the frontal cortex that is associated with the aging process.
Yoga will help you to develop very strong characteristics. You will be more caring, loving, and compassionate. Hence you will be a completely new person with higher ideals.
Donna Houston
]]>Have Enough Time to Get into Proper Mental Attitude
In order to achieve this, you should come fairly early to your yoga class. You can use the spare time before starting your lessons to take a few exercises.
Listen to Your Body
As you start your yoga lessons, you may find it difficult to take the necessary poses accurately. You should not strain your body beyond its limits in an effort to get the perfect pose, as you will just end up injuring yourself.
Do not ignore any possible injuries. Let your instructor know of any problem you experience.
Avoid Eating Just before Coming to Class
This will help you to avoid unnecessary discomfort, such as when you have to bend forward. The process of digestion will also take up necessary energy.
Have a Goal to Focus On
You should have an objective in mind as you take your exercises. For example, you may focus on developing more strength or becoming a more understanding person. In this way, you will be able to have better concentration.
Maintain Silence during Your Lessons
Silence will help you to focus more on what you are doing and get maximum benefit. You should neither talk loudly with your mates nor carry cell phones.
These measures will ensure that you get optimum benefit from your yoga exercises.
]]>Sukhasana:
This is an easy sitting posture that is the basic starting position. The posture helps you to take note of your breathing and body as a whole. The posture is also helpful in developing strength in the lower back as well as opening the hips and groin.
You sit with your legs crossed and hands on the knees. Concentrate on how you breathe as you maintain your spine in a straight position while pushing your sit bones onto the floor. Lower your knees gently as far as you can. You may need to sit on a cushion in case your knees go higher than your hips. Breathe slowly but deeply about five to ten times.
Raise your arms above your head as you inhale, and bring them down slowly as you exhale between five and seven times.
Dog and Cat:
This is a combination of two different poses, with one flowing into another. Start on all fours, with your hands barely in front of the shoulders and the legs apart at about your hip width.
Inhale as you tilt the pelvis and tailbone up while curving your spine downward. Lift your head up at the same time. Do the reverse as you exhale, getting into the cat posture. Repeat a number of dog and cat postures flowing into each other to help in making your spine more flexible.
Donna Houston
]]>Harmonization of the body and mind in Yoga is achieved through the practice of meditation. When you do not have a settled state of mind, you will find it nearly impossible to concentrate and perform your duties well. Stress may be so common that we risk taking it for granted. Although we seem to get used to it, stress is quite damaging to our whole system.
Meditation is a significant part of Yoga, which greatly helps in the goal of bringing the unity of body and mind. Meditation creates a detachment that results in emotional balance. In other words, meditation helps you attain a state whereby you are not influenced by your surrounding environment. This will make you quite calm and you will not have a negative outlook of things. While this will improve your physical health significantly, the benefits go much deeper than that. Indeed, it is higher state of thought and relaxed mind that eliminates some diseases. The founders and early yogis practiced Yoga as a way of achieving more self awareness or enlightenment. They practiced meditation very extensively, which required that they be very physically fit. They achieved physical fitness while meditating by practicing asanas (the exercise of different postures). In turn, the meditation helped them to develop strength to undertake the asanas. Hence this was, and still is, a beneficial cycle.
Donna Houston
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