All Yoga Info’s

March 9, 2010

Finding Out About Pilates Yoga Exercise

Filed under: Uncategorized — Tags: , , , , , , , , — Alexander James @ 12:05 am

If you have been looking out for distinct exercise workouts for you, this is exactly what you want, a yoga or Pilates exercise. Yoga and Pilates exercise are different forms of exercise, at the same time have fairly similar workouts and thus make them connect with each other and form a new program that is used.

But if you are looking for building muscles or reducing the fat, this program is not for you. Yoga and Pilates exercise are not intended to build muscles, instead they give the body a leaner appearance and keep the mind and the body connected and altogether helps the body and mind to relax and help the person, who leads a stressful life, to deal with it. By just trying it once, you won’t be able to let go off it.

How does a Yoga and Pilate’s workout regime look like?

Since these two programs are different, many do yoga on one day and pilates on another. Some people combine portions of these programs to make their own work out regiment. A pilates yoga exercise program could incorporate positions from yoga with workouts from pilates to work on specific areas and strengthen core muscles.

A good example can be given to flatten that excess fat on the tummy, incorporate the yoga form of warrior position and 100’s from the Pilates exercise. These positions give the tummy muscles a precise and controlled movement to tighten the muscles. A person in the warrior position must stand and place one leg forward by four feet, parallel extension of hands to the ground. Now you have to turn the foot in the right a little, and place the left foot at an angle of 90 degree. Now you have to exhale and the right knee should be bent, the right knee should be over the ankle, left leg should be pressed straight, hold for 30 seconds.

The 100’s involve lying down on your back and pulling your legs straight off the floor slowly. Lift the head and the shoulders off of the floor and press your abdomen down. Put your hands flat by you hips and thighs and slowly lower you legs but don’t touch the ground. Press hands up and down and count to five and inhale and then count to five and exhale do this until you reach 100.

This combination of these two exercise helps keep the disciplines of workout and form a balance between yoga and pilates.

For individuals who in the past have made use of both these type of program can be as simple as combining two positions together that have a similar flow. Exercises by Pilate’s yoga are one of the best methods for a complete body and mind workout.

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March 5, 2010

A Look At The Philosophy Of Yoga

Filed under: Uncategorized — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , — Adriana Noton @ 7:57 pm

For many people the word yoga conjures up something only vaguely related to the lotus position. However, it is more than just one pose; it embraces not only a physical discipline but also a philosophical basis for leading one’s life. The word itself comes from ancient Sanskrit text and roughly translates to “royal union, ” which is to say a proper balance between body and mind.

The ancient text that provides the foundation is the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. It was written over two thousand years ago and is divided into four books. They are called the Samadhi Pada, Sadhana Pada, Vibhuti Pada, and the Kaivalya Pada. It is in the Sadhana Pada that one can discover the physical aspect of yoga.

Within the Sadhana Pada one will find the eight “limbs.” These steps are known as the Ashtanga yoga. The first five limbs concern external aids while the last three address internal issues. Asana is one of the five external aids, or the third limb, and refers to discipline of the body. It stresses that the body should be kept disease-free while preserving vital energy. It is the teachings found in this book of the Sutras that give rise to what most Westerners construe as yoga.

Asana is the plural of asan which means body position or posture. Its purpose is to improve flexibility, vitality, and promote meditation. Some adherents of asana believe that practicing its positions open up the energy channels and psychic centers in the body. According to asana, any position assumed should be steady and comfortable, yet firm.

As alluded to earlier, the body should not experience any discomfort when assuming any pose. There are dozens of positions that a practitioner can strike, from beginner level to advanced.

Regardless of one’s level of expertise, there are some fundamental concepts that should be adhered to. The stomach should always be empty before commencing any exercise. The body should not experience any trembling from force or pressure. Breathing should be controlled and not erratic. Most of the exercises are not performed on a floor but rather on a mat, and at the conclusion of the session, time should be spent attaining a deep state of relaxation.

Poses can be done standing up, seated, supine, while balanced, or while the back is bent. There are a wide variety of poses and they can be classified as beginner, intermediate, or advanced level positions. Some beginner standing poses are The Downward Facing Dog, The Standing Forward Bend, and The Pyramid Pose. Seated poses such as Half Lord of the Fishes, Seated Wide Legged Straddle, and the Cobbler’s Pose are also geared towards those just starting out.

As mentioned, yoga encompasses much more than just forming your body into a specific pose. It is a philosophy that addresses not just corporeal well being but also spiritual needs as well. In fact, the first “limb” of the Sutras preaches such virtues as non-violence, truth in word and thought, and celibacy for those who are not married and monogamy for those who are.

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Stay In Shape While Pregnant With This Prenatal Yoga DVD

Filed under: Uncategorized — Tags: , , , , , , — Kim Archer @ 3:59 am

Most obstetricians will tell you to continue with your exercise regime while you are pregnant. It is important to keep your mind and body healthy for your unborn baby’s sake. But there are limitations on what you can do. Some workouts are just too risky to participate in but there are some that are very, very low impact, which can give you a great workout throughout your entire pregnancy. Prenatal Yoga lead by Shiva Rea is one such workout.

Undoubtedly, one of the absolute best features of the Prenatal Yoga DVD is the fact that it takes your trimester into account. The DVD is divided up into trimesters. Shiva Rea shows you the poses and then you actually get to see women in different trimesters using or modifying these poses and exercises.

This video is a fantastic discovery for women who want to build their muscles and be relaxed. It can be tricky to be pregnant and come across workout videos that allow you to get the workout you would like while keeping your baby safe. It really is a bonus to be able to watch women in varying trimesters performing the poses and stretches since you can be sure that they are taking the precautions needed for the safety of the child they are carrying while still getting the exercise they should have.

One thing you ought to be aware of is that this DVD may not be good for you if you are on bed rest. Just make it a point to discuss any fitness program with your physician prior to starting it, and you can be assured that it is acceptable for you to perform particular exercises and postures that are part of the yoga routine.

Among the incredible advantages of practicing yoga when pregnant is that you learn breathing skills. These breathing skills can be incredibly helpful when you go through labor. In addition, the time put into discovering how to control your muscles will make a big difference as well.

Shiva Rea is no newcomer to yoga. She has been around for decades and really knows how to motivate even beginners. The Prenatal Yoga DVD is just one of her many yoga instructional DVDs on the market. But Rea has definitely put together a yoga routine that even novice pregnant women can use. The music and background settings are very relaxing. She can guide you through your entire pregnancy without risking your health or that of your unborn child.

Yoga for Stress Relief With The Dalai Lama is a popular yoga DVD these days. But how can you tell if it’s a good workout for you? Click here to read more yoga DVD reviews that will help you make the right choice.

February 27, 2010

Tips To Recognise The Symptoms Of Depression

Filed under: Yoga — Tags: , , , , , , , — Nick Summers @ 5:57 am

One of the most common questions that we all ask ourselves is whether the feelings that we are experiencing are in fact those of depression or not. However, on the other hand, the mere fact that we are asking ourselves such a question is not reason enough to begin reaching for the nearest anti-depressant at the slightest suspicion that things are a lot more serious than we would like them to be and it would in fact be far better to begin searching for answers rather than making knee-jerk reactions to the issue.

Indications

To be sure, clinical depression is different from simply feeling low as well as out of sorts and in fact it has its own set of symptoms that can help to distinguish it from other kinds of ailments. Therefore, you will need to find answers as to how bad is your mood and how is it affecting your ability to fall asleep unaided and does insomnia also bother you and do you also continue sleeping endlessly in spite of yourself.

Some of the other symptoms that are considered as signs of depression are constantly being irritable and bad tempered, developing a dislike for things which were liked before, getting into strong arguments without any kind of provocation.

Look out for signs that tell you, you are melancholic and pondering over misguided thought like an approaching death and probably mull over thought of committing suicide. Suddenly these thoughts take control of you and you are devastated, thus encompassing you to do things irrationally.

Of course, we are all given to a certain amount of worrying and grieving which occurs every now and then and which is really a normal aspect to living and thus not reason to worry about. It is only when such moods and feelings turn persistent as well as very resilient that you may need to suspect them to be symptoms of depression. In fact, your friends and close friends can easily tell if you are suffering from depression and they should do their best to snap you out of your dreadful mood, though it must be said that if the ailment is so bad, you normally won’t be able to comply with such wishes.

The million dollar question then is to understand whether the feelings you are feeling are those of depression or simply related to a particularly different period in your life. In addition, you will also need to check whether you are not in fact a victim of anxiety depression, which too is especially difficult, and which would certainly be the case were you also suffering from panic attacks, and being too stressed out.

Facing with misfortunes in life and dealing with hardships can change the life course, however they may also trigger the bottled up grief and bring back depression attacks. Definite events of our like a tragedy or losing someone you love could lead to a dismal state. Going through divorce is another aspect were one is forced to go. This leaves with a gloomy feeling and overcasts a shadow on the future and doomed feeling persist.

Certain symptoms of depression last for a longer period of time and have emotions that are more pain filled than any of the other normal grieving circumstance and it will include your whole life and can be cured only with the help of a professional. However, being safe is much better than being sorry and therefore taking the guidance of an expert is always better than trying to brush away the idea that you might be depressed and ignoring the problematic condition.

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Finding The Best Pilates Classes

Filed under: Yoga — Tags: , , , , , , , , , — Richard Nickson @ 5:05 am

Which ever Pilates classes you attend, ensure you have a good instructor. The instructor should be the best, his instruction methods are always based on the way of instruction he has had. The instructor should be basically talented, his quality of instruction and the kind of Pilates will talk about his ability to teach. Check out on different Pilates classes before taking admission in one.

It will also entail asking a lot of questions to determine who can teach Pilates classes best in your area. Besides experience there are a number of things that you should look for in an instructor. The type of class you take is also important, different types of classes will give you different things in terms of fitness benefits.

Question to Ask

An instructor is never asked about his talent or his potential as an instructor but it becomes essential. You should know about the certification that he has acquired and from where. About the duration that he has been instructing and his experience as a Pilates instructor.

Not all certified instructors have been studying Pilates for a length of time. This is because prerequisites for training vary from one board to another. Some boards require that a potential instructor study the movement for a certain length of time while others will allow someone to sign up for a course right away without much experience.

Another important question you should ask before signing up for Pilates classes is if your instructor will not teach certain people. Not all instructors feel comfortable teaching everyone, for example some instructors will not feel comfortable teaching pregnant women, and others might not be able to teach someone who has certain health complications.

Survey

The best way to tell if you will like Pilates classes is by observing one. Watch the instructor and how they interact with students. Do they wipe down the equipment after each client has used it? Most importantly you should feel comfortable with an instructor’s teaching style.

Everyone works out for different lengths of times. You might not be ready to do a full hour of Pilates. Check if all sessions are the same length and if there are any that might better suit you. Although certification does not always guarantee that someone is a good instructor is does mean that your instructor has had some training.

A more detailed or inclusive training includes the study of physiology and anatomy including training in sports science. This ensures to make students do not harm themselves in the process because of pushing too hard.

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February 26, 2010

Essential Information About Hip Pain And Lower Back

Filed under: Yoga — Tags: , , , , , , , , , — Maxine Johnson @ 11:15 pm

Having lower back and hip pain is very common. At least four out of five people will have it sometime during their life. Some people tend to have more problems than others and some factors are controllable, while others are not. Learning more about lower back and hip pain is the first step towards being pain free.

Get to know the various kinds of hip pain and lower back ache

There are three categories of lower back and hip pain depending on how long your pain lasts and how often you get it. If the pain lasts less than three months, it is acute back pain. Most back pain is this type. It is easy to deal with at home and no doctor’s care is needed. Get a few days of bed rest if you like, then back on your feet and work through the pain. Exercise will help, as can analgesics.

Some people have acute pain, but it comes back again, making it recurrent. While it is annoying and frustrating to have the pain return, if you treat it carefully as before, it should go away again, hopefully forever this time.

The other type is the chronic kind of back pain which lasts for three or more months and the pain stays for the majority of the day. At this stage you will have to consult a doctor or undertake different ways to treat your pain like chiropractic care and the other is acupuncture, but the best alternative is visiting a professional as he knows his job and most probably do not want to aggravate your problem.

The one exception for the lower back and hip pain that lasts for more than 3 months is during pregnancy. Pregnant women have back pain that are on and off through their pregnancy because of the straining ligaments and growing uterus. But this will ease once she has delivered the baby.

Know the probable causes

Hip pain and lower back pain can be caused by several reasons. The most common of them being muscle strain, but the reason can be sciatica, which is nothing but a pelvis that is uneven or one leg being smaller than the other. It can also be because of flat feet or having weak muscles that don’t protect the spine properly. Various other reasons can also cause hip pain and lower back.

The piriformis syndrome

This is a condition in which the piriformis muscle gets swollen and sore. The muscle is situated in the interior of the buttock and as the muscles job is to rotate the hips, but if there is any kind of rigidity within the hamstring then you have to expect a swollen and sore muscle around the buttock. The sciatic nerve also can be affected which leads to sciatica. Sometimes the situation is worsened due to sitting for a long time.

To relieve the lower back and hip pain and swelling, it is wise to use ice (wrapped in a towel for twenty minutes, several times a day). Taking an anti-inflammatory medicine will also help, if you don’t mind taking a drug to ease matters. If touch is tolerable, massage the muscle deep into the tissues. Also strengthen and stretch out the hip area, using exercises targeting the hip, lower back and hamstring muscles.

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February 25, 2010

An Explanation To The Different Yoga Poses

Filed under: Yoga — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , — Adriana Noton @ 9:52 pm

There are many advantages to taking part in Yoga, but unlike other exercises there are many different yoga poses to be learned which is why I have decided to tell you about some of the main ones so that you can learn this age old art of stretching to give yourself a better body, relaxation and improve your inner strength.

As with most things you wish to learn, it is best to start off with the basics and work up to the more complex poses with time once you have mastered the easier ones. The bridge pose is a good one to begin with but you need to make sure you stretch first to avoid injury.

This one involves you making a bridge with your back arched and towards the floor hands stretched behind you keeping your feet on the ground also. You can see how this pose got its name. There are a lot of variations to this kind and to list them all would mean I could not tell you about the others!

Strengthening your core can help both in day to day activities as well as any exercise or sports you take part in. This can be achieved with many different poses that are part of yoga. One that is common is the cat pose. If you have ever seen a cat stretch you will know where this name came from.

You need to begin on all fours with your legs together and arms straight down in front of you. Slowly arch the back to point towards the ceiling and then return to the starting position.

There are some of the exercises you are able to do in a standing position. They vary as to their benefit but are all steps in the right direction. If you suffer from tight hamstrings and wish to lengthen them you will definitely benefit from the big toe pose. It is pretty much as it seems, you have to bend down and touch your big toe without arching your back.

To strengthen your legs and your ankles allowing you more flexibility also is the half moon pose. This also begins in a standing position.

You then have to keep one leg on the floor and put the arm on the same side of the body down also. While doing this keep the leg from the floor aligned with your torso and your free arm stretched upright.

Meditation is just as important as the other kinds as you need to have a healthy body as well as mind. This means allowing free flowing thought so that you don’t have bad thoughts holding you back from inner peace. There are various poses that can be taken while meditating and although some can take to them straight away others may take longer. It is not about competing to be the first if you are working as a group or with a friend. It is about you making yourself healthier both inside and out. No matter what your fitness levels are there are always yoga positions you will be able to get into and benefit from.

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Reasons For Doing Daily Yoga Sessions

Filed under: Yoga — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , — Adriana Noton @ 9:22 pm

Yoga has been around since ancient times when people would use it to relax and create good karma around themselves. When most of us think of the practice we often imagine people who contort their bodies into all sorts of positions that the normal human should not even attempt. The truth is that the ancient art is so much more than that.

For centuries people have been aware of the many benefits that yoga can have. With the simple implementation of a basic routine a person can find that inner piece that is often elusive in today’s hectic world. It only takes a few minutes a day to grab hold of those peaceful feelings that we are all lacking.

Most people tend to think of any workout as a chore, but the fact is that this relaxing form of exercise will soon create feelings that are nothing close to work. The atmosphere is truly peaceful and the impact on the body is amazing. It is so relaxing that people actually scramble to find time for this wonderful routine.

Yoga is truly relaxing and requires your body to be able to move freely. Wear loose fitting and comfortable clothing when starting. The last thing that anyone wants is to worry about how tight their clothing feels.

Styles:

As with other programs yoga offers a wide variety of styles and techniques. When beginning a regimen try and find a class that is led by a certified instructor. Most towns offer some sort of instruction in this ancient art and a class will help teach you the styles, postures, and techniques that are used.

Almost every style that is currently being taught depends on a solid knowledge of the basic poses that have been used throughout the centuries. With each one of them has a reason or meaning for benefiting the human form. Work with an instructor to decide the routine for you.

In a world where people are always trying to maintain a good aura, Karma yoga has become very popular. This is a type of routine that implements certain techniques and forms that will create that good energy that we all want in our lives. A majority of newcomers practice this method.

Another common regime for those who are just learning is Hatha. This is a very laid back and docile form of the art that implements slow moves and deep breathing to achieve that inner peace.

For the more adventurous sorts there is a routine that is done in a very warm and humid room. This type of hot yoga is said to help relax those weary muscles in a way that a normal workout will not allow. There are different stretches and poses that are included which reinforce this theory.

Yoga is a time honored tradition that is still being practiced in our modern society. It is an effective way of decompressing from the everyday stressors that most of us go through. After only a few sessions you will find yourself feeling like you do not have a care in the world.

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February 24, 2010

Balance Yoga for a Healthy Body, Mind & Spirit

Filed under: Yoga — Tags: , , , , , — Julie Mills @ 5:20 am

If you add up the list of health benefits that balance yoga provides, your list would be a mile long. You’re sure to feel the effects happening the minute you leave the yoga studio. It’s an emotional feeling of elation, but also a full body feeling of flexibility and exhaustion.

Lets start with the most obvious. Flexibility. Of course this is going to improve with the practice of yoga. Your tight muscles will hold you back at first and even protest most of the way through your first few classes, but soon you’ll start to feel them give in and work with you. You’ll be able to feel your deep breathing allow your muscles to relax further and further into the stretch. Over time you won’t believe what your muscles are capable of and you’ll be craving getting deeper into each pose than in your previous practice.

Yoga will also make you much stronger. You won’t get bulky or be a giant muscle man, but you will be able to attain smooth, lean muscles (like Madonna!). There are no weights involved in yoga, but you’re asked you support your own body weight through a variety of poses, working different muscles. At first you’ll probably find even the most basic poses, like downward facing dog, very challenging. Your shoulders will be burning! Over time, your muscles will learn to be controlled and strong while hold up your own weight. You’ll end up with long, lean and toned muscles!

The focus on breathing in yoga is huge. Some say you begin to really breathe.

When the Breath wanders, the mind is unsteady, but when the Breath is still, so is the mind still.” – Hatha Yoga Pradipika

It’s not often that we think of our breathing in everyday life. In yoga class, you’re trained to breath fully, deeply and consiously. The idea is that yoga breathing exercises gets more oxygen to your blood and to your brain. You’ll use more of your lungs than you do normally and feel the difference between normal breath and fully yoga breathing exercises.

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February 23, 2010

Fitting Exercise Into Your Daily Routine For REAL

Filed under: Yoga — Tags: , , , , , — Emily Shaw @ 6:04 am

Working exercise into your daily routine can be tough. There just never seems to be enough time in a day. But if you can pick apart your daily routine, you can find ways to burn those extra calories and stay heart healthy. There are lots of general tips out there but the secret is dissecting your own lifestyle and determining where you can fit exercise in best for you.

For example, you work a full-time day job. You wake up and don’t have much time for anything besides getting to work. Directly after work might entail dating, time with friends, kids, or those last minute happy hours. You may do some formal exercising once or twice a week, but would like to get in more.

1. If you live near a light rail or work, walk or ride a bike once or twice a week. You don’t have to go all out and do it every day.

2. Can you actually take the stairs? If it’s feasible, do it. If you work in a high rise with key coded entries, even taking several floors may not be an option. so…

3. Start a walking group on your lunch break. There is probably one or two people in your office who want to walk also, but don’t want to go it alone. And make sure you always take a lunch break. If you set this precedent with your boss and yourself, you’ll be much happier at work in general.

4. Do it before bed. If you’e burnt out from work, it doesn’t take much thought to go out for a jog or do some yoga

There are too many scenarios to list. You may be a young working professional, work full time and have kids, or work from home. Whatever the case may be, the important thing to remember is to fit something in each day where you can, even if it’s just 15 minutes. The more you do, the easier it will get to keep going and get more creative.

One type of exercise to keep in mind is yoga. It tones muscle, works your cardiovascular system, and provides a means of relaxation. And best of all, you can get your own mat and practice at home.

If Yoga sounds like the routine you’d like to start, I’d suggest getting yoga mats with designs and yoga mat bags. These are the basics to get you started doing yoga.

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