Saturday, August 30, 2008
Teaching Hatha Yoga - How Long Should Warm-Ups Be?
...There are many ceremonial aspects, within a Hatha Yoga class, which make up the entire class. These are necessary components such as: The greeting, bringing your presence into the room, rooting, mantra, mudra, Pranayama, warm- ups, Surya Namaskar (Sun Salutations), Asana, relaxation techniques, meditation, and the closing ceremony (which may end with a reading, Udgeeth Pranayama, Japa, Namaste, Thank You, a combination of these, or something else).
The value of warm-ups, before Asana (Yoga posture) practice, cannot be understated in Yoga, and in life. Warm-ups reduce the chance ...more
Yoga For Health
...tion by study and selflessness. 3) Asana: This is concerned with physical postures that improve bodily strength and endurance. 4) Pranayama: This is the regimen for regulating breathing. It keeps the body healthy and the mind calm. 5) Pratiyakara: This refers to the withdrawal of the mind from worldly affairs and the control of the senses. 6) Dharana: This is the art of concentrating on a specific object. 7) Dhayana: Deep meditation. 8) Samadhi: This is the highest state of yoga where, one's consciousness identifies with the super-consciousness.
The practice of yoga holds the promise of slow aging and a long and healthy life.more
Yoga As An Aid To Weight Loss
...Yoga is wonderful for nurturing a state of mental and physical well being . It promotes a balanced and healthy lifestyle, and yoga techniques can be applied also to removing excess weight, thus bringing you an extra benefit, that is if being overweight is a problem to you.
Practicing yoga will increase your metabolism. An increased metabolism leads to an increase in the calorie burning process, so combining yoga with a calorie burning program may bring you excellent results. Of course, the use of yoga is no rapid weight loss method. Used over a period of time, though, it can bring good results. If you keep to the rigours imposed by yoga discipline, you should gain a holistic, long term solution to balance your life style and help you reduce and prevent any surplus weight. In addition to losing weight, you will also experience an increased ability to concentrate and focus, higher resistance to stress factor...more
A Beginner's Guide to Popular Yoga Types
..."Sun Salutations" as warm-up. These match physical movement with breath. More strenuous stretching movements are done toward the end of the class.
As we discuss the more specific types of yoga, you'll see many are named after the teachers that invented them:
Kundalini - This Vinyasa type of yoga uses quick, repeated movements rather than long position holds. There may even be some chanting or call and response techniques used during the class. kundalini holds the breath control during posture performance as essential. The expected result is energy moving from the lower body to the upper.
Bikram/Hot - This is usually referred to as "Hot Yoga," and was initiated by Bikram Choudhury. In its full version it is a series of 26 moves, but not all are used in all classes. As its name implies, it is practiced in a hot room - about 95 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit. This allow...more
