The Benefits of Yoga
by Maya Toracki
If something lasts for thousands of years and has been proven to have a positive impact on people it has to be a – good thing! Don’t you think?
As an ancient spiritual practice Yoga has stood the test of time. Today it became a big business and premium life style which is – perfectly fine with me and I am sure - with thousands of people who already enjoy benefits of Yoga.
I had a chance to meet many women and men who went to Yoga in order to lose weight, or to reduce stress or to gain flexibility, yet, Yoga helped them in so many more ways than any of them expected at the beginning.
Who needs Yoga?
Everyone. It’s good for kids, for seniors, pre/post natal moms, for athletes, corporate employees and it is beneficial for everyone with disabilities.
Iyengar students use yoga props such as blocks, straps, blankets. Focusing on perfect alignment is greatly helping clarity of your mind.
by Maya Toracki
Warning! Yoga has been
known to cause health and happiness!
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| Meditation ( Bigstock Photo, Rights EpicStock Media) |
As an ancient spiritual practice Yoga has stood the test of time. Today it became a big business and premium life style which is – perfectly fine with me and I am sure - with thousands of people who already enjoy benefits of Yoga.
I had a chance to meet many women and men who went to Yoga in order to lose weight, or to reduce stress or to gain flexibility, yet, Yoga helped them in so many more ways than any of them expected at the beginning.
Who needs Yoga?
Everyone. It’s good for kids, for seniors, pre/post natal moms, for athletes, corporate employees and it is beneficial for everyone with disabilities.
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| Yoga in the park... |
Why would one do Yoga?
At the beginning it helps you
getting more flexible and improves your sense of balance. Soon you are noticing
that you lost some weight, and your muscles are toned and longer. And - it
teaches discipline.
Later you became aware that
you are calmer, more focused and more confident. Meditation is helping to increase
level of Self Awareness; it teaches you to quiet your mind and with that stress
level is reduced to minimum.
It is proven that Yoga is also
helping to reduce neck and back pain, improves lung capacity with special
breathing techniques; improves your sexual function, and helps you sleep better.
What Yoga Style would
benefit you the most?
If you want gentle, slow
and smooth movements, nevertheless powerful – choose Hatha Yoga.
Hatha Yoga is foundation
for all yoga styles and although everywhere you’ll find that hatha is meant for
beginners – I do not agree. Hatha Yoga is full rounded experience that includes
discipline, physical postures (asana), breathing (pranayama) and meditation.
Ashtanga Yoga (Power Yoga)
is very aggressive and athletic practice, with less approach to meditation. It
is widely spread on the West.
Vinyasa/Flow Yoga is
similar to Ashtanga but enriched with
rhythmical flow almost like dancing through postures, often accompanied with
music. Classes are more meditative than in Ashtanga classes.
Kundalini Yoga is focused on breathing, rapid movements, chanting and meditation. It is deeply spiritual.
Iyengar / restorative Yoga
stress the importance
of body alignment and balance. Poses are
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| Yoga Props |
held longer,
sometimes you work full hour
on just one pose aiming to get that perfect
pose.
Bikram Yoga is practiced in
heated room (105 F) with an intention to sweat, cleanse the body and loosen
muscles. It consists of 26 postures repeated twice for 90 minutes.
 |
| Bikram/Hot Yoga |
Clearly, everybody can
choose what likes and needs the most. What we need to remember is that when we
are at Yoga class we don’t need much – mat and ourselves, our body, breath and
moves, and we are far from out phones, busy life style, noise, pressure.
It is powerful
and magical experience – giving ourselves time to heal!
Yoga is not a sport.
It’s a
philosophy and lifestyle.
So, Today is the day!
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