|
|
The Basic Yoga Workout
Physical fitness is an
essential part of our life. Health,
vitality and happiness
are important goals for everyone. Our fast moving, chaotic modern
lifestyle seems to diminish health rather than improving it. We must
resolve to take positive steps to upkeep our health and well-being.
At any time prevention is better than having to cure ourselves.
Yoga is a series
of simple exercises that are not only enjoyable but are also aerobic
in nature. It oxygenates the blood, improves your strength and
mobility, aids relaxation and helps reduce stress. One gets
disciplined from consistent practice of yoga, develops
self-awareness and remains calm in all situations. One achieves
tranquility and a higher level of consciousness, peace and happiness
from within.
Yoga Workouts
Yoga is an ancient Indian discipline, more than five thousand years
old but still in practice. It substantiates organic health. Yoga
means union of mind, body and soul with divinity. Yogasanas
accelerate the flow of blood in the body without a tiring and
rigorous workout.
Pranayam or
deep breathing brings down the
level of carbon dioxide in the blood, increases oxygen intake to
tissues situated deep inside the body.
Normal workout
exposes the particular part of the body to constant usage; yoga
focuses on strengthening the whole body through series of simple
postures. Attaining and holding a yoga pose is more challenging than
holding breath. In normal exercise the muscles or organs initially
show improvement but in the long run eventually wear off due to
constant repetition. While yogic exercises stretch and maintain
them.
Yoga exercises vary in form.
They range from basic yoga poses to the more complex exercises;
simple breathing techniques to advanced meditation and spirituality.
Yoga poses focus and target
specific body parts or organs. The main goal of yoga is balance and
harmony. Each posture is
followed by a posture that reverses it. Thus, if you bend forward
then follow through by arching backward, left sided stretch is
followed by the same stretch on right side. Head roll, arm swings,
foot pedaling, deep breathing and stretching are good preparatory
movements for yoga.
Types of Yoga
Depending on your nature and growth process, you can draw from
various yoga techniques and methods. There are yoga poses for
cleansing the nose (neti kriya), stomach washing (dhouti kriya),
cleansing the alimentary canal (vasti kriya) and cleansing of
intestines, bladder and sexual organs (vajroli kriya).
Hatha Yoga concentrates on
flexibility and stamina and works with the energies of astral body.
Ashtanga Yoga, or vigorous
yoga, focuses on flexibility, strength, concentration, stamina and
deep breathing. A person moves from one pose to another rapidly
while holding on to the pose for a few seconds.
Kundalini yoga makes the
meditator concentrate on a mantra for purpose of stilling the mind
and evoking positive energy. It emphasizes chanting and meditation.
Bhakti Yoga sublimates
emotions into devotion.
Gentle Yoga is very popular in the US. It focuses on stretching,
flexibility and deep breathing.
Bikram Yoga is practiced in a
well-ventilated warm room up to 105 degrees Fahrenheit benefit of
body mobility and weight loss.
Iyengar Yoga focuses on
precise poses by using a variety of props like ropes, mats, blocks,
chairs and benches to attain and hold the pose.
Yoga postures and workouts
employ deep breathing, concentration
and flexibility to give a
person total health. It balances the body and mind leading to peace,
happiness and a healthier life style.
© 2009 Copyright Creative Communications
|
Yoga Articles
|
