Congratulations! You are starting off the New Year by increasing your activity! You are walking, or jogging, or you joined a class at the local Y. Whatever it is, you have taken the first step to improving your fitness. Now you are considering working on becoming more flexible. You read somewhere that, to have a ?total fitness program,? you need to include not only increased activity, but also flexibility and strength.
Good luck. I'm almost 53 years old, and I am not sure I'll ever get all three parts down. But I am a walker and my goal is to walk 4-5 times a week for 45 minutes. Many times I take several short walks, but the total is 45 minutes, so most times I meet my goal. I have also been working on my flexibility for many years by doing yoga. Many yoga poses involve holding this 144-pound body in a headstand, or handstand, and that takes strength. So maybe I won't need to buy weights to keep my bones strong!
Let me tell you a bit about doing yoga, because, as a big fan, I wish everyone could take time to do it. What I love the most about yoga is that you find yourself more comfortable in your body, regardless of the shape you may think you are in. Whether I feel too fat from overeating, or I'm feeling energetic because it's...a good day, ten minutes of yoga makes me feel even better. Maybe it's the idea that I have made time to take care of myself, I don't know. Whether you have ten minutes or an hour, you can always find some type of pose (or series of poses) to fit the way you are feeling. You will always feel better, physically and psychologically.
There are many styles of yoga, including Ashtanga yoga, a fast moving, intense practice; power yoga, a Westernized form of Asthanga; and then there's "hot yoga"-you practice in a heated room (over 100 degrees F). Make sure you take LOTS of fluids with you to this class.
The style I practice is called Iyengar yoga, based on the teachings of B.K.S Iyengar. It has been referred to as ?props? yoga, because it involves the use of blocks, belts and other objects to aid in learning the poses (also called ?asanas?). Once I went to another yoga-style class. After the class, I had a conversation with the instructor about Iyengar yoga. I have a distinct memory of him saying "yes, that is the yoga for people who have hurt themselves and need to start over again, slowly".? I was so angry I would have kicked him! (Since I'd injured my back, though, I couldn't.)
I complained to my instructor about this comment, and she smiled. It's important that you simply start doing yoga, she said, not what style you choose. Very Zen, don't you think? But she's right. The important thing is for people to just get started.
There is one essential piece of advice I'd like to offer anyone interested in learning yoga, regardless of the style you choose. Please make sure your instructor is experienced and well qualified. While there are many people out there who may be considered qualified, not all of them should be teaching classes.
Here is one way to tell: at the beginning of your class, if the instructor does not ask ?Is there anyone here with a particular health issue I should know about??-get up and leave. A misconception about yoga is that you simply sit, breathe deeply, and learn small stretches. Learning how to breathe correctly is essential, it aids in concentration and movement through the asanas. However, many yoga poses involve deep stretching and lots of strength (to stay in those poses). Suppose you walk into class with an injury (perhaps you strained your neck in the middle of the night, or pulled a back muscle getting out of bed). If your instructor isn't aware of this at the beginning of class, by the end of class you may be in more pain than when you started.
By all means, pick a yoga class you like-that's the most important part in getting started. Just remember to make sure your instructor knows what going on in your body (and your mind) before you start the class.
Just look at what stress does to your blood pressure and heart. Cancer patients recover better when they are dealing with less stress. There are many reasons to worry, and none of us is without worry or stress. Too much stress can also cause an abrupt withdrawal from society and result in a possible depression.
Stress overload can cause job burn out, chronic fatigue, and nervous breakdowns. All of these conditions can result in long-term effects that can "sap" a person's life energy, focus, and motivation.
Unfortunately, stress can also be caused by the ego, too much attachment to outcome, greed, jealousy, and hate. This is mentioned within the Yoga Sutras, by Patanjali, which has remained a timeless guide to human insight. Sometimes, we create our own stress and are our own worst enemies.
So, what's the solution? Stress management programs are one answer. Have you ever noticed how many stress management techniques look like Yoga? To be honest, if something looks and sounds like Yoga; it's probably "Yoga in disguise."
I do not want to take away any credit, but Yoga is a 5,000 year old health maintenance system. You could call Yoga the "mother" of all health maintenance systems. Many of today's health maintenance systems are "off shoots" of Yoga.
Hatha Yoga teaches you to stretch and strengthen your tense muscles, breathe correctly, relax, meditate and much more. Regular Yoga practice will help you develop your focus and turn stress "on its head." As a result of Yoga practice, you will easily be able to handle life's daily stress.
Whether the form of Yoga you practice is holding postures for a while, or flowing from one posture to the next, your body will be relieved of stress. Hatha Yoga sub-styles such as, Restorative Yoga and Iyengar Yoga, hold the Yoga Postures a bit longer than most.
The controlled breathing, practiced while holding a posture, enables the Yoga student to release stress, and walk away from a Yoga class feeling better than he or she did before the start of the class.
On the other hand, Hatha Yoga sub-styles that flow such as, Vinyasa Yoga, Power Yoga, and Ashtanga Yoga, have more movement, but the repetition of movement will also release stress from your body.
So, which is the best style for you? Most Yoga studios and wellness centers realize that students do not all "dance to the same beat."
These movement-based Yoga classes differ from a gentle Restorative Yoga style. Each Yoga style has its own flavor, but a prospective student should talk to a Yoga teacher prior to the particular class. This is the wisest course of action, when considering your own goals.
Yoga is not a complete cure for stress, but it does cause the opposite effects of stress. Most Yoga students do find themselves living a calmer, more relaxed, and healthier life style as a result of practicing Yoga on and off the mat. This is why so many doctors recommend Yoga to their patients.
Both Leeann Simons & Jackie are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Leeann Simons has sinced written about articles on various topics from Fitness, Marketing and Fitness. Leeann Simons has over 20 years of experience in the field of nutrition. She received her Master's Degree in Nutrition Science at Penn State University. As a Registered Dietician (R.D.), Leeann has worked as an outpatient dietitian for Harvard Va. Leeann Simons's top article generates over 49500 views. to your Favourites.
Jackie has sinced written about articles on various topics from Yoga Practice, Anger Control and Yoga Practice. Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500, is a co-owner and the director of Yoga teacher training at: Aura Wellness Center in, Attleboro, MA. He has been a certified Master Yoga teacher since 1995.http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org. Jackie's top article generates over 74000 views. to your Favourites.