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Showing posts with label Yoga. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Yoga. Show all posts

What Are the Benefits of Yoga for Women?


What Are the Benefits of Yoga for Women?

If you are using it as a way to lose weight, you are definitely on the right track. But for women, there is definitely more to yoga than its being a way to reach one's fitness goals. It has mind-pacifying and other health benefits, so it's definitely something that you should consider trying if you haven't already done so.
Yoga: The Basics
Yoga is something that you should never practice by yourself. Enrol in classes with trained individuals who can do yoga poses even in their sleep. You'll never know when you might overstrain or overstretch your neck, shoulders, spine, legs and knees while attempting to do a yoga pose, so it does help to be under the supervision of a trained instructor.
In the US, yoga classes typically focus on physical poses which are also called asanas. Combined with breathing and meditation techniques, these asanas are done to provide utmost relaxation to an individual. But there are plenty of other yoga poses which can be done to achieve different levels of health and mind benefits.
Aside from traditional yoga, there are other types of yoga which one can practice including power and ashtanga yoga. These are more vigorous than the other styles of yoga, and the goal is to help improve muscle tone. When you perform the plank, upward or downward dog pose, your upper body strength will be developed. If you would like to develop your abdominal muscles, the chair and the upward dog poses are ideal.
Counting Down the Benefits of Yoga for Women
Now that you already have a basic idea about the basics of yoga, let us take a look at its other benefits:
- Yoga helps improve your posture as your core muscles get strengthened.
- Women become more aware of their bodies as they practice yoga.
- Practicing yoga helps improve the quality of one's sleep because the poses focus on deep breathing techniques.
- It also provides additional health benefits like improved heart rate and lowered blood pressure.
- There are some types of yoga which help alleviate symptoms of painful chronic conditions like back pain, arthritis and even carpal tunnel syndrome.
- Yoga may seem like a not-so-tedious type of activity but it can actually help improve your fitness as the poses get your heart pumping.
- Yoga helps develop stronger bones and boost muscle strength.
With all these benefits and more, there's really no reason why women should not consider practicing yoga.

                       What Are the Benefits of Yoga for Women?




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Start Indulging in Yoga for Multiple Benefits of Yoga Asana


Choosing to start up with yoga is a thought in itself. Do not be scared! Here is the thing you'll need to keep in mind and begin to enjoy the benefits of yoga.

Yoga for Beginners:

It is really easy to be distracted by what Yoga may offer you. But if you are someone who wants the best way to keep yourself healthy and free of infirmity, then you must go and start doing Yoga. One thing you need to take care of is that do yoga only when your stomach is empty in the morning. It will have more of good effect if you do it in a proper way and are dedicated towards it. You can also take help of a yoga instructor so that you become good in having the desired postures. Let's go through some of the poses which can be done without giving much pain to your body.
• Tadasana - This yoga asana is also called mountain pose. You can perform this asana by:
1. Standing upright with your feet joining.
2. Then open out your toes.
3. Raise your Knees
4. Extend your arms and shoulders in down position
5. And last breath in and breathe out calmly for at least 30 seconds.
• Uttanasana - This yoga asana is also called forward bend pose. You can perform this asana by: 

> Standing straight and breathing out.
> Now bend yourself forward.
> Make your feet parallel to your hips.
> Widen up your shoulder.
> And now inhale.
> Do this process for 60 seconds.
• Trikonasana - This yoga asana is also called triangle pose. You can perform this asana by:
> Widen up your legs up to 3 feet. Make a right angle with your right foot.
> Try to close the gap slowly with left foot.
> Now inhale slowly and lift your upper body
> Bend sideways and breathe out.
> Breathe for 30 seconds and then repeat the process using the other side.

• Savasana - This yoga asana is also called corpse pose. You can perform this asana by:
> Taking arms from hips for a min of 2 feet. It should face the upward direction.
> Flatten your legs together. And roll out your feet on the sides.
> Then relax completely. Stop thinking about anything. It often acts as a stress buster.
> Now breathe for 10 minutes.
It removes body pains by relaxing the muscles of the body. It helps in improving stamina and your strength. It helps you relax your body making it easier for the body to take rest. It acts as a stress buster and makes angry people calm. Beginners should definitely start doing some asana and get a better personality. It will definitely change your view point about life.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7531645
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Yoga Headbands: A Key Ingredient in De-Stressing Our Society


In today's world stress is the number one culprit behind the psychological and medical challenges that our society is facing. There may not be one single solution when it comes to de-stressing our societies but a great place to start is yoga.
A 2012 Yoga In America study by Yoga Journal cites that nearly 10% of Americans are now practicing yoga with a further 44% calling themselves "aspiring yogis". With the huge upsurge in people de-stressing and finding balance through a yoga lifestyle, the question becomes: how do you outfit this new generation of healthy living yogis? The answer lies with the quickly evolving category of Organic Yoga Clothing. One of the tenets of yoga is to be close to nature so the proliferation of organically grown yoga clothing is a natural fit. In fact, one could easily argue that organic yoga clothing make for the best yoga clothes on the market today.
Choosing the right yoga apparel is not just about the clothes. Depending on the style of yoga you practice, a mix of props and accessories are often required. One such yoga accessory that finds audiences in almost every discipline is the yoga headband. Though yoga headbands have their practical purposes of keeping hair and sweat out of your face - a particularly important fact when selecting hot yoga headbands - they also have spiritual significance. The kundalini yoga tradition recommends the use of white head coverings made of natural fibers to protect the yogi when interacting with powerful kundalini energies.
Kundalini headbands and hot Yoga headbands from organic materials often have the added benefit of being beautiful fashion pieces, thus transferring off the mat and into everyday life seamlessly. As Organic Yoga Headbands, in contrast to the often synthetic sports headbands of the market, must be comfortable and functional by nature - thus not causing the irritation or plastic-feeling of synthetics - they have seamlessly transitioned into the greater world of fashion. Today organically grown yoga headbands have joined with organic yoga clothes in becoming wardrobe staples of fashionistas everywhere from New York to Milan to Tokyo to Vancouver.
Organic yoga headbands typically refer to headbands made from organic cotton; however, other natural materials also fit in the category. Tencel, a silk-like fiber derived from sustainably grown eucalyptus trees and one of the cleanest man-processed fibers in the world, is also commonly included as an organic yoga headband. Beyond headbands, other organic hair accessories are also coming in to vogue. Organic cotton hair ties are small and immensely useful accessories for both yoga and everyday living. These "hairties for yoga and everyday living", as they've been affectionately referred to, have been met with great acclaim as they offer a much-needed alternative to the synthetic hairties that currently dominate the market.
Organic yoga clothing, organic yoga headbands and organic hairties for yoga have one major fact in common: none of them cause the negative short and long-term effects associated with synthetic yoga apparel. sports headbands and other apparel made from synthetics may promise supernatural properties of strength and wicking but these promises come at a heavy environmental and human cost. The World Health Organization has estimated that 20,000 people die annually from pesticides alone - not to mention the other plant and animal life sacrificed to extract the petrochemicals needed for synthetics.
If you're ready to de-stress your life and find a balance you haven't known since childhood, yoga is indeed a wonderful option. With the proliferation of organic yoga clothing, yoga headbands and other accessories now on the market, you can venture down the road of your new yoga lifestyle more fashionable and comfortable than ever before.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7520161
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How to Practice Yoga at Home


Starting a yoga practice can be scary. The person has to take into account their level of commitment when starting a yoga practice. Some individuals prefer doing yoga a couple of times a week, while hardcore yoga enthusiasts do practice every day of the week. There are also social norms a person must consider when starting a yoga practice. A male might feel uncomfortable doing yoga because of the male-female ratio in yoga class sessions. Or a female could feel anxiety in a yoga class because of her perceived body image compared to everyone else. Regardless of these issues, the individual still has to consider the fact that they must pay an ongoing monthly fee to continue their yoga practices. With the internet on the rise, it makes this possible to start or continue a yoga practice at home without worrying about social norms and ongoing monthly costs.
There is so much information on the internet regarding yoga. The different forms of yoga, numerous stretches, and many teaching philosophies makes yoga a learning subject itself. Essentially, choosing the right kind of yoga can be a difficult task. Any yoga is better than none at all. In fact, simply focusing on your breath each day is far more beneficial in health than doing nothing. The person will have increased mood, better posture, and bring more happiness in their life when doing any form of yoga practice.
If a person wants to reap the full effects of yoga, then Ashtanga Yoga might be for you. The practice is one of the most physically demanding yoga forms out there. Ashtanga requires strength, flexibility, and maintaining a routine practice each day. A person can start an Ashtanga practice at home without having to pay monthly costs to become part of a local Ashtanga clinic. This provides the individual with lower monthly costs, but also lowering transportation costs as well. Doing Ashtanga at home gives you the freedom when you want to practice, but also manages time by not having to drive back and forth to your local yoga clinic.
Ashtanga Yoga will challenge a person's physical capacities, but also test one's mental capacities as well. The rewards of Ashtanga are numerous, which includes better health, increased flexibility and strength, and a mindset that will put you into a deep state of awareness. Whether you're doing Ashtanga at home, or any form of yoga at a local clinic, the benefits of a regular yoga practice are worth the cause. Keep practicing. Namaste.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7522945
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How to Start Practicing Yoga From Home



If you haven't done it before, simply immersing yourself in a yoga home routine in womens tights for yoga isn't as easy as it looks. It can be a challenge for a beginner, not only in figuring out what kind of sequence of poses to do, but to also establish a routine.

In order to gently immerse yourself into a yoga home practice, you'll have to do a little bit of homework to lay the groundwork before throwing yourself into things. There are several ways you can prepare yourself and ease yourself into a yoga home routine.

Accommodate Your Yoga Space

Before you can do yoga, you'll have to figure out where to do it. Although you don't need a lot of space to do yoga, you should be able to set aside a place that is dedicated to the practice. Wherever you designate your yoga space, it should be clean and free of furniture or other hazards. If you want, you can decorate the space to add an aura of serenity to the place and really get you into your yoga practice.

Get the Necessary Materials

Although you may believe that yoga only uses your body, there are several items you should have to start off your yoga routine right.
  • A yoga sticky mat. With its non-slip surface will ensure a safe and comfortable yoga workout. Most sticky mats are machine washable, and it's recommended to wash it before your first use, as it might be too "slick" when it's brand-new.
  • Foam blocks and straps. These help you modify poses. These can be especially useful beginners or those not quite in shape, as it allows you to extend further during stretches.
  • Yoga blanket. Although this one is optional, it's nice to have one to keep you comfortable during the more meditative savasanas. When rolled up, yoga blankets can also serve as bolsters in certain poses.

Safety Measures

Even with low-impact workouts like yoga, there's a risk of injury if you don't perform it right. It's therefore your responsibility to ensure your safety during your yoga routine. Here are a few tips to keep you safe:
  • Make sure your space is clear of any furniture, obstacles or hazards.
  • Perform yoga on a mat on a hardwood floor. Soft carpeting could make you lose your balance and could be hard on your joints.
  • Never force yourself into poses that are too difficult for your skill level or painful. Warm up before getting into yoga poses. If you want to get into more difficult poses, it should be under the supervision of a yoga instructor.



Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7541797
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How to Start Doing Yoga

Yoga is an ancient art which has been practiced in India for more than 5000 years. Its only in the recent years that Yoga has gained popularity among the westerners. Practicing yoga will not only exercise your body but also your mind. A certified kundalini yoga instructor and medical director of Amrit Davaa Wellness Center, California tells" Yoga is a healing system of theory and practice. The purpose of Yoga is to create strength, awareness, and harmony in both the mind and body" Dr. Nevins is an osteopathic physician who focuses on the body's ability to heal itself. She advises her patients to follow the principles of Yoga for staying healthy.
The yoga postures are called asanas. The asanas are linked with breathing. When you concentrate on a posture and learn how to breathe while doing a particular posture, it becomes a powerful form of meditation. Regular practice of yoga, increases the fitness level of your body, reduces the levels of stress and increases feelings of happiness and well being.

The Different Types of Asanas include

  1. Lying postures - This is divided into on your back postures and on your stomach postures
  2. Sitting postures where you can sit on your heels and perform the postures. Those who are suffering from knee joint pain can sit with their legs folded.
  3. Standing postures is divided into standing on your legs and standing on your head.

Things you Should Know

- Yoga incorporates gentle exercises, breathing practices called pranayama and meditation.
- The asanas are preformed with breath awareness.
- The health benefits of yoga are numerous. It improves blood circulation and increases a sense of well being.

Can Anyone Practice Yoga?

Regardless of age and fitness level, anyone can practice yoga. However, it should be practiced under the guidance of an experienced yoga instructor. He would be able to tell you what Asanas to practice as per your health and fitness condition. An asana should not cause pain. Therefore, if there is any pain, relax a bit, do not overstretch or over exert yourself. If the pain is unbearable you don't do it at all. A point worth mentioning here is you should know your physical limits and keep within its limits. It is not necessary that all your postures should be perfect. An ideal yoga instructor never expects perfect postures from his trainees.

Things you Need to Perform Yoga

A quiet place which is bright and airy
Wear comfortable and loose clothes. Preferably, a loose T-shirt and track pants.
You need a Yoga mat or a thick rug.
If you are suffering from any ailments let your Yoga teacher know about the same.
Last but not the least do not talk in the class. Maintaining silence will help you concentrate on your breathing frequencies and also make you aware of your body movements.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7510793
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7 Crucial Factors to Consider Before Becoming a Yoga Teacher



Deciding on a career path is not a simple process. If you are interested in a yoga profession, you have to know the following key factors before registering for a yoga teacher training certification.


Not a Traditional Job

Teaching yoga offers numerous benefits. One benefit is that your schedule can be versatile. Teaching in this industry is not a conventional nine-to-five job. A busy yoga studio can open at the crack of dawn and close late at night to cater to a variety of yoga students. For those of you who are leaving a traditional job to teach yoga, this can be a difficult adjustment to make. As a new instructor your work hours may not be consistent at first because typically you're filling in gaps in schedule.

The Costs to Become Certified

To be employed at a reputable yoga studio, they may look for an instructor with a yoga teacher certification. There are two levels of certification: 200 hours and 500 hours. The hours refer to the length of the course. A teacher training program which meets certain standards is registered with a governing body, such as Yoga Alliance. A registered training program can be costly that range anywhere from $2,500 to $20,000. Once you complete the program, then you can elect to register with a yoga governing organization. The option to register typically involves application and annual fees.
In addition, there are costs involved if you decide to continue your yoga training.
Fortunately, there are home-based training programs available that aren't nearly as expensive.

Time Obligation

Aside from monetary costs, there's a time commitment you need to consider when becoming an instructor. You need to dedicate time for learning whether it's a registered yoga teacher training program or not. It doesn't get any easier if you have a family or other obligations. Once you complete your training, it doesn't stop there. Like any career, being a yoga teacher is a life-long learning in order to deepen your experience and knowledge.

Yoga Teacher Salary

Supporting a family on a yoga teacher's salary can be difficult. Actually, instructors don't draw a salary. Instead, they get paid per hour, per head or a percentage. Typically, teachers stitch together a living by teaching in multiple locations and doing supplemental activities, such as workshops and private classes.

Physical Toll

In the event that you teach on a full-time basis, expect to teach quite a few yoga classes for most days of the week. This volume of teaching can take a physical toll on the body. If you have a medical condition that prohibits you from this sort of continuous physical exertion, make sure that you speak to your doctor.

No Benefits

As a yoga instructor you are responsible for your own benefits. You have no subsidized healthcare, paid sick days or paid vacations. This is one of the drawbacks of having a career in yoga.

Liability Insurance

Yoga instructors aren't exempt from being sued. You need to consider getting liability insurance in order to protect yourself. Fortunately, getting coverage isn't typically expensive.
Given all the above factors, the most rewarding of this profession is that you're helping people heal on many levels. You're transforming people. You're helping students get healthier, get grounded and get physically strong. All these reasons are worth far more than whatever income you get.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7501632
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How Is Moksha Yoga Different Than Other Types Of Yoga?


Hot yoga refers to any type of yoga that's performed inside a heated room of about 100 degrees. The pioneer of hot yoga is Bikram Choudhury, an Indian yoga guru who in the 1970s created a series of 26 yoga poses done in a heated room of 105 degrees in temperature and 40 percent in humidity. This is called the Bikram yoga. Another one that's emerging in popularity is Moksha yoga from Ted Grand and Jessica Robertson from Toronto. These two yoga teachers created Moksha in 2004.
So how does the young Moksha yoga compare to the much older Bikram and other types of yoga? Keep on reading to find out how.
The first and most significant difference is the number of poses. Bikram only has 26 poses while Moksha has 40. Some of the poses in Moksha seem similar to each other. But there's more variation depending on the instructor, unlike with Bikram, which has fixed poses. In Moksha, there are more options like silent practices, Vinyasa or flows and Ashtanga, among others.
As for the class atmosphere, Moksha seems more flexible and free. Even the time duration is not fixed. It can last anywhere from 60 to 90 minutes. In Bikram, the length of class is always the same at 90 minutes. Plus, it's more rigid as it requires fixed postures with no variation from the instructor. Moksha instructors are also softer and more gentle when assisting their students. Many say that Moksha is less intimidating and demanding the Bikram and other types of hot yoga.
When it comes to benefits, all types of yoga can do so much for one's health. Moksha and other forms of hot yoga strengthen and tone the muscles, improve physical and psychological wellbeing, enhance flexibility, increase mental clarity, detoxify through sweat, burn calories, and alleviate stress, muscular pain, insomnia, asthma, and arthritis. On top of all these, yoga boosts your mood and gives you a sense of happiness and fulfillment since exercise effectively releases happy hormones from the brain.
So which type of hot yoga do you prefer? Those who are strict and serious about their exercise regimen mostly prefer Bikram yoga. They prefer the fixed and never-changing routine and they are more challenged with its demanding nature. On the other hand, those who are beginners usually choose Moksha for being laidback and easy-going. They love the flexibility and the not-so-serious quality of the workout.
If you're thinking about engaging in hot yoga, it's better to give all types a try so that you can decide for yourself, which one suit you best. Try hot yoga and immerse yourself in the vast array of benefits of this form of exercise.
Hot Yoga is a highly-effective form of exercise that was created to workout your body, mind and soul. Experience the benefits of this workout by trying yoga in Winnipeg.


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What Kinds of People Use Hot Yoga?



Yoga is getting hotter and hotter these days. More and more people are jumping into the bandwagon. But don't think that it's just a trend. Hot yoga has long existed, dating back to the 1970s when Bikram Choudhury created a 26-pose yoga routine to be done inside a heated room of 100 degrees Fahrenheit with 40 percent humidity.
If you're thinking about engaging in hot yoga yourself, but are wondering what kinds of people use this form of yoga, here's some information about this matter.

Fitness buffs

Of course, on top of the list are fitness buffs. These people can't get by a day without working out. Most of them are keen about the intensity of yoga. Regular yoga just don't cut it for them anymore. They're challenged by the heat inside the room and are exhilarated with the immense sweat that they release from this form of yoga. Fitness buffs love how low-impact yoga is but at the same time, the effects are staggering. They're very serious about their workout regimen and they combine it with proper diet and healthy lifestyle.

People suffering from pain

Pain is a common complaint among a lot of people. It's probably due to the hectic and demanding lifestyles that we lead in the modern society. Back pain, headache, muscle pains- these are just some of the woes of people today. And yoga is the perfect antidote for it. If you're suffering from any sort of muscle pain, you can get instant relief from hot yoga. The heat inside the room makes the muscles more pliant so that they're less prone to pain. The poses, meanwhile, releases tension and stiffness.

Athletes looking for low-impact exercise

Most athletes are prone to muscle wear and tear. And they're always on the lookout for low- impact exercise that can boost their strength, flexibility and endurance without wearing out their muscles and joints that much. Yoga offers a great opportunity for them, which is why you'll find many athletes enjoying hot yoga.

People who want to lose weight

Hot yoga is a very effective form of weight loss program. Yoga alone can already burn so much fat and calories. If you combine it with heat, expect the results to triple. Doing yoga poses in a heated room makes you sweat like crazy. In just one session, you can already burn up to 1000 calories. Because of this, more and more people who want to lose weight use hot yoga as their weight loss program.

Active pregnant women

Some doctors don't recommend yoga for pregnant women. It's because this can put them at risk of overheating, dehydration and so on. But some active women who have engaged in hot yoga for a long time even before they got pregnant are allowed to do it during pregnancy given that the routine is modified accordingly. So don't be surprised when you find some pregnant women sweating it out inside a yoga studio.

Just about anyone

In truth, there are no specific kinds of people who use hot yoga, as you'll find a wide array of yoga students of all classes, ages, gender, and so on. What are you waiting for? Try hot yoga today!
Hot Yoga is a highly-effective form of exercise that was created to workout your body, mind and soul. Experience the benefits of this workout. I have been doing yoga in Winnipeg for the last 8 years and haven't looked back.

  ©ezinearticles


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Using Hot Yoga To Relieve Stress



A little stress from time to time isn't bad for you. In fact, it keeps you on the go and lets you breeze through your work more efficiently. But too much of it can take a toll on your health. Constant stress can weaken your immune defense and put you at risk of a wide array of ailments from simple headaches to something as serious as cancer.
This is why it's imperative to tone down your stress levels. And one effective way to do this is through hot yoga. Hot yoga was developed by Indian yoga guru Bikram Choudhury in the 1970s. It was first practiced in the Yoga College of India, which Choudhury established in Beverly Hills, California.
Hot yoga is called such because the yoga poses are performed inside a room heated to 100 degrees Fahrenheit with humidity of 40 percent. The main purposes of this form of yoga include injury prevention, muscle pain relief, and of course, stress reduction. Yoga stimulates the body's organs, muscles and joints while relaxing the mind and putting it in a meditative state.
One who has never tried hot yoga would find it hard to figure out how a heated room can provide relaxation. Heat can be more easily linked to stress than relaxation. As anyone can imagine, It's much easier to relax in a cool location than in a hot one.
But practicing hot yoga results in lower heart rate, improved sleep, lower blood pressure, lower cholesterol levels, calmed mind, muscle tension release and many more. And all these in turn lead to stress reduction. Here are more information on this matter.

Toxin Release

When a person is stressed, his body releases toxins. Hot yoga is known to be an effective detoxification method that cleanses the body and flushes out toxins. Both the lymphatic system and bloodstream are able to flush out the toxins as the body sweats throughout the entire workout. The hormones caused by stress called cortisol are removed from the body as well.

Breathing

One important thing that you learn from yoga is proper breathing called kapalbhati and pranayama. Deep breathing enables you to release the tension from your body while clearing your mind for more focus and concentration.

Meditation

Apart from breathing, you'll also be taught how to meditate. This can be a challenge especially for people whose minds never stop thinking and talking. Yoga will teach you how to shut it off and clear it completely so that you can relax in the most efficient way possible.

Yoga Positions

All the yoga poses flow seamlessly into the next one and that process is great for toning down stress levels. When pressure points are stimulated throughout the body with each unique pose that you do, you're able to release stress and relax yourself.
Go to hot yoga Winnipeg and experience the stress-reduction benefits of hot yoga. Relaxing should not be a luxury you can't afford.
Hot Yoga is a highly-effective form of exercise that was created to workout your body, mind and soul. Experience the benefits of this workout by trying yoga in Winnipeg.

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