Originally published April 19 2010
Empower Yourself with the Various Practices of Yoga
by Danna Norek
(NaturalNews) Some people may not think of yoga as a true "exercise" because it is often viewed as more of a relaxation and stretching technique. That is, until they feel the incredible empowerment, flexibility and spiritual peace they experience after a few challenging sessions.
Yoga is an extremely adaptable practice that offers both men and women the chance at increasing flexibility, muscle strength, mental sharpness, and even self confidence. There are several different types of yoga to choose from that fit into just about every user's experience levels and fitness goals.
For beginners who want to learn the basics about yoga and lay a foundation for the base poses in more advanced practices, Hatha is a good choice. Hatha is considered the foundation of all other yoga practices since you learn the ground level poses which the more advanced dynamic poses are built upon. Breathing is emphasized, and slow, easy movements help prime the body and ease the joints, muscles and more importantly the mind into the practice.
Kundalini yoga is a bit more involved, with movements and breathing focusing on the spine as the center. There is also quite a bit of chanting and meditation that occurs, making it more of a peace-inducing practice for those looking to ground themselves in serenity in peace. This is a great choice for those that feel they can never "quiet" their mind and live in the moment.
Ashtanga yoga is one that is very dynamic and a good choice for those seeking more of an aerobically challenging workout. It involves almost constant movement, flowing in and out of yoga poses that range from basic to challenging. Those that don't think of yoga as true exercise would almost certainly change that mindset after trying this modality.
Ashtanga builds up the lung's ability to process oxygen, increases physical endurance, tones muscles and is great for building a strong, lean physique. It is not for beginners though, and so you must have a solid base in yoga practice before trying this physically taxing practice.
If physically demanding is what a person has in mind, then surely Bikram yoga will not disappoint. This is also commonly called "hot yoga", and that is because it is quite literally performed under hot temperatures. This discipline is carried out in rooms that are anywhere from ninety five to one hundred degrees Fahrenheit.
The idea behind the high temperature is that the muscles are more flexible, more "pliable", and therefore more conducive to bending and stretching without injury. You may find that after a physically challenging Bikram yoga session, you won't experience much soreness the next day.
That's because your muscles were essentially manually warmed by the high temperatures. The beauty of Bikram yoga is that it also may have benefits for toxin release since one typically sweats profusely during practice. Adequate water intake is vital for this reason. Purified water helps your body to expel those toxins more quickly and effectively.
There are numerous types of yoga for you to consider, all with various levels of complexity and targeted health benefits. It truly is the perfect way to bring your body in tune with its natural rhythms, induce peace of mind, and increase your confidence.
Sources :
http://www.matsmatsmats.com/yoga/yoga-discip...
http://itandb.com/thai.htm
http://www.evolutionhealth.com/flextasy/yoga...
About the author
Danna Norek is the owner and primary contributor for several natural health blogs and websites, where she frequently shares her experiences and knowledge on herbal supplements, natural remedies, vitamins, and healthy lifestyle habits. You can find information on a 100% natural, chemical free deodorant here at Natural Effective Deodorant and an all natural sebum-neutralizing, SLS, paraben and chemical free Acne Soap with lavender, lemongrass and tea tree essential oils here at All Natural Acne Soap.
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