Travel Yoga
Yoga does not have to be practiced only at home or in a studio. You can perform some asanas pretty much anywhere. You can even try a yoga position or two in your office. Here's one position that will help ease tension in your upper back. Cross your right arm over your left elbow and bend them upward. Wrap your upper arms around each other until your two palms are facing, directly in front of your face. Take a deep breath. As you exhale, stretch and expand your upper back and shoulders. Repeat by reversing your arms, left over right.
How to Gain Without Pain
While holding any yoga position, it is imperative that you not over exert yourself. Many postures involve advanced levels of flexibility. This does not mean that you cannot approximate these poses if you are not at that advanced level. However, you should perform each pose as accurately as you can, without forcing your body into a painful place. Yoga is meant to be connective and flowing. If your body is in pain during the exercises, you will be off-center and the full benefits of the exercise will be lost.
Restorative Yoga Pose
A simple restorative yoga pose is a great way to rejuvenate your body and mind. The pose can be done by nearly anyone. Lie flat on the floor and rest your legs on a chair or up the wall. Be sure your body is in a comfortable position. If you need help, a bolster is available to provide support and relieve tension in your neck and chest while lying down. Doing this anywhere from one to fifteen minutes a day helps calm the mind and aids in headaches, digestion, elimination, insomnia and much more. Be sure to check with your doctor to be sure this kind of leg elevation is safe for you to perform.
Naming Yoga Poses
Keep in mind as you move through asanas, that each yoga pose represents a different symbol. Although each motion has a spiritual purpose, many of the poses are given common names such as "child's pose," "downward dog" or "sun salutation" to help you visualize how your body should move during each pose.
Yoga and Your Brain
As you learn different yoga poses, you will find your intellectual mind entering your practice. You'll be thinking about how to execute the pose more than the connection is has with your body. Be patient. Once the movements become memorized by your body, you will be better able to relax into them and combine the physical movements with breathing and meditation, creating an ideal balance.
Choosing a Style of Yoga
One of the best ways to decide which style of yoga is right for you is to take a look at the kind of person you are. How physically active are you? Are you more meditative than active? There are many yoga styles that appeal to a wide range of personalities. Ashtanga Viniyasa Yoga is good for medidating and breathing exercises. It can be very difficult physically, but the basis of Ashtanga Viniyasa yoga is the method and flow of breathing with the various yoga postures. Iyengar Yoga is a more passive and peaceful yoga exercise that focuses on posture and body alignment. Iyengar yoga uses blocks, ropes and other props to help in the various positions. This type of yoga is especially good for people with disabilities or injuries. Hatha Yoga is often referred to as "beginner yoga". The practice of Hatha Yoga combines physical and breathing exercises to calm the mind. Reviewing each style's yoga technique with an honest eye will help you find a style that works best with your personality.