Health Benefits of Yoga

yogapersonYoga is being practiced all over – there are even classes offered by the local Y or as part of an adult school class.  The health benefits of yoga can’t be denied.  Practicing yoga on a regular basis can give your health a boost.

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Yoga Energy in Ten Minutes

Yoga is so versatile that anytime is a good time for a yoga, whether working late at the office or staying at homyoga3e with the little ones. Yoga is so simple to do that you can recreate many of the poses and stretches almost anywhere. I’m sure you know of a few folks who use their lunch hour to improve their fitness by working in a bit of exercise to take off those extra pounds.

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Yoga Breathing Techniques – Part One

Heart and lungs

Heart and Lungs

Reducing stress is easy when you use simple breathing exercises.  Because breathing is an action of the autonomic nervous system – it happens without you consciously thinking about it.  The lungs expand and contract, bringing in oxygen and expelling carbon dioxide from body and the bloodstream.  When at rest,

your natural breathing patterns is regular, but when your adrenaline kicks as part of the flight or fight response, the body automatically tenses up and the breathing becomes shallow.  Imagine during exercise, where the body is under stress – it is common for you to hold your breath unconsciously….and the instructor is always saying…”remember to breathe!”.

As we are holding our breath or are breathing too shallowly for adequate oxygen to get to our brain through the bloodstream, our muscles will tend to stiffen up and our thinking may become muddled.  Read more »

Yoga for Weight Loss

yoga_sketch_5There are many people in America today who are trying to lose weight.  You’ve seen all the commercials about this pill or that pill that is supposed to help you lose x number of pounds – all you have to do is take six of these pills a day.  There are the celebrity diets, the cabbage soup diet, the grapefruit diet, etc. etc.  Look on the cover of any magazine in the checkout aisle at the grocery store and nearly every single one of them has a headline about how to lose weight.

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Power Yoga

meditatingWhat in the world is power yoga? Power yoga is basically a version of Ashtanga Yoga that is practiced in the west. Beryl Bender Birch, a practitioner of Ashtanga yoga, originated the term Power Yoga. Power Yoga is a series of yoga poses which are done without stopping in between each pose. These movements are done with special breathing techniques which enables the power yoga practitioner to easily move from one pose to another.

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Types of Yoga – Part 2

yoga3Four types of yoga were discussed in a previous post, ashtanga yoga, iyengar yoga, bikram yoga and viniyoga. In this article, I’d like to discuss a few more types of yoga that you can either purchase a DVD about or take lessons at your local yoga center, YM/YWCA or at evening classes.

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Types of Yoga – Part One

yoga2There is more than one type of yoga. Although the local class or center may be called a yoga class, in reality there are so many different types of yoga to choose from that a beginner should choose a yoga class based on his/her level of fitness and physical/spiritual goals.

Yoga is a subject that is very interesting to me as I have begun to take classes at the local YMCA. I have listed some of the most common types of yoga and given a brief explanation. You may be able to use this article to guide you in choosing the best type of yoga for you.   Of course, please consult with doctor or other medical professional before beginning any exercise regimen. Read more »

Yoga Benefits

Cardiac yoga sample exercise

Yoga Pose

Benefits of Yoga

There are many benefits to practicing yoga.  Yoga benefits both the mind and the body because as you practice yoga meditation, the poses work to achieve mind/body harmony and assists the mind in working in sync with the body.  Yoga helps us clear our mind and focus on the tasks at hand.  I’m sure many of you reading this have found it difficult to perform your tasks and activities because there are so many distractions in your mind! Read more »

What is Yoga?

What is Yoga?  Yoga is an exercise, involving meditation that was created from Buddhist and Hindu traditions. Although it was originally based in religion, in modern times, there are many who do not indulge in the religious aspect but rather use it because of the great benefits it affords the body and mind. Yoga is full of stretches and strength building poses and movements that burn fat, build muscle and you will definitely see an improvement in flexibility! Combine yoga with heart-pumping exercise and you will be well on your way to a lean, healthy body. Read more »