Yoga for Everyone

What Is Yoga?

It is hard to explain the concept of yoga briefly, as it is part of a long spiritual Indian heritage that has spanned many writers, and traditions, and has gone through a lot of changes over time.

Yoga as it is practiced in the West is often times simply the asanas, or yoga postures. And there is nothing wrong with this.

This site presents a lot of information on yoga postures, including diagrams, on many postures. And information on the importance of the breath, which is integral to yoga and which differentiates it from other forms of exercise.

There are a lot of benefits to doing yoga postures. You certainly don’t need to take yoga any further than that, but there is more information on these spiritual and healing aspects if the interest is there. Like anything, take what is appropriate for you, and leave the rest.

Yoga For Everyone!

Yoga is so popular these days, it’s easy to find yoga classes for all manner of issues and special requirements. There are yoga classes for pregnancy, beginners, gay men, and even kids! There are even books on yoga for couples, though these can be done with any partner – not just the romantic kind!

And, of course, yoga can be used for those with specific injuries and illnesses. Whether it’s epilepsy, arthritis, depression, or diabetes, there are asanas that can help relieve symptoms. These articles discuss what’s best, and what to avoid.

Yoga can simply be good for people who aren’t sick, but still want to improve aspects of their health – whether its digestion, stress, or they need to lose weight.

If you’re an athlete or fitness enthusiast, you may prefer a more active and strengthening style of yoga so that your body is still challenged physically. And seniors will have different requirements again.

Yoga Breathing

Yoga breathing is one of the most important aspects of a successful yoga practice. It is even more important than whether you are able to technically perform a yoga pose perfectly!

As we develop a yoga practice, we are not going to necessarily do an asana perfectly. And that is fine – as long as we engage the breath consciously.

You might be wondering why such a simple and common thing like breathing can become an element which can make all the difference in a yoga session.

Well, first of all you need to acknowledge that by the process of breathing we provide our bodies with the necessary amounts of oxygen that we all require in order to thrive. Moreover, the breathing process is vital because it is an efficient way of getting rid of the by-products of metabolism our bodies generate.

Yoga Contributes To Weight Loss:

Different types of yoga burn different amounts of calories. If you are looking towards yoga for weight loss, choose a power yoga or Ashtanga yoga class that is a more demanding workout than an Iyengar class, which moves at a slower pace. Remember that although you’ll be sweating, yoga doesn’t get your heart rate going as much as running, aerobics, elliptical trainers, or other cardiovascular workouts. But if you cut your calories and add yoga classes several times a week, yoga can contribute towards a sensible weight loss program.

A caveat

Some people think that “hot yoga” classes in which the room temperature is purposely kept high, will promote weight loss, but if you weigh yourself after class and you are suddenly 2 pounds lighter, remember that it is mostly water weight. For sensible weight loss, watch your calories and exercise regularly including yoga. But the field of weight loss is complex, and muscle weighs more than fat. You may find that regular yoga leaves you with a leaner, slimmer silhouette, even if the numbers on the scale remain the same.

Improvement Time

Beginners often wonder how long it will take before postures get easier. While there’s no simple answer to that question, you will notice that if you practice consistently (on a daily or weekly schedule) rather than intermittently postures gradually become less difficult. If you find you hurt after practice, try doing shorter, more frequent sessions to improve your flexibility.

Beginners

When you’re starting out, the important thing to focus on during your yoga practice is the balance between body and mind. You want to perform poses to the best of your ability, without stress or strain, and to remember to breathe. Your flexibility and the duration you can hold positions will increase over time.

Yoga Contributes To Weight Loss

Benefits

Headstand, and other inverted poses, increase circulation, stimulate the brain, enhance glandular system functioning, and relieve pressure on the abdominal organs. Remember that pregnant or menstruating women should NOT do inverted poses.

The Best Time To Take Yoga Class:

When is the best time to take a yoga class? There are benefits to morning, day, and night time classes. Early morning yoga — often held around sunrise — is a great way to open your channels and start the day. During an afternoon slump, a yoga class is a perfect pick-me-up, and certainly better for you than a candy bar! However, you should be aware that after a yoga class the body and mind might not be in the best state to attend an important meeting or meet a deadline. Be sure to allow time after class until you know how you will adapt to yoga. Evening or night time classes are ideal to put you into a state of relaxation that will allow you to have a deep and restful sleep.

Footwear

You should NOT wear shoes when doing yoga. Having bare feet when you practice will help you to have proper balance and stability. However, since maintaining a comfortable temperature is also important, you can wear socks if the floor surface is cold.