Posts Tagged ‘ Yoga ’

Power Yoga For Weight Loss: Know Yoga Exercises For Weight Reduction

February 25, 2011
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Power yoga for weight loss has become increasingly popular as a strategy for shedding weight. It is a variation of traditional yoga and involves vigorous exercises that help to build cardiovascular health. It is widely accepted that yoga offers numerous advantages for the health. It helps to tone the body, relieve tension from the muscles, enhance respiratory functioning and alleviate stress and anxiety. But does yoga make you lose weight?

Traditional forms of yoga have many health benefits and if practiced on a regular basis can also help in weight loss. Many people practice hatha yoga weight loss exercises. This is essentially the regular mat yoga which combines physical postures and breathing. Then there are also bikram yoga weight loss postures which are more structured and specific than hatha yoga. Due to the intensity of power yoga, there is a higher level of fat burning while performing the exercises. Beginners may find it difficult while beginning a power yoga program. However one of the aims of yoga is to gradually build endurance and flexibility through regular practice. Therefore it is important to take time to practice and master each movement. The right way of breathing is also essential in yoga. This ensures that the body receives sufficient oxygen to exercise properly. Power yoga causes the muscles to heat up due to the vigorous nature of the poses. This elevation in body temperature leads to loss of calories.

Power yoga involves warm-up and cool-down sessions. This is necessary in order to prevent injury. Power yoga, much like other forms of yoga, contributes to a relaxed state after the session. This is on account of the deep breathing and muscle stretches. Therefore it is advisable to avoid any high energy activities after a workout. This will allow you to obtain maximum benefit from the exercise.

Power yoga can be performed by individuals of any fitness level. You may begin at your present level of fitness and take the time to perfect each sequence before you can progress to the next stage. Weight loss occurs with a combination of regular exercise and healthy diet. Hence it is essential to also follow a balanced and nutritious diet.

Alex Dsouza manages sites related to lifestyle, yoga and fitness. He has profound authority on teaching yoga poses like Power yoga for weight loss other useful yoga exercises.


Article from articlesbase.com

Poses and Exercises in Yoga for Weight Loss

February 25, 2011
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Yoga has originated from India many years ago. The word ‘Yoga’ is derived from Sanskrit which means union. It is the union of the mind and body to achieve a well balanced life. Practicing yoga not only helps in toning your body, improving the physical and mental well being, but also helps in fat loss. Yoga for weight loss is very commonly used by most of the people as the awareness is spreading. Many celebrities are using yoga for weight loss nowadays.

Yoga is an effective way to maintain healthy body without any negative side effects. It helps in reducing the fat and increasing the metabolism of the body. There are various school and styles of yoga which depict different ways of practicing yoga. Some of the styles are: Bikram, Kundalini, Astanga and Iyengar. They all aim towards the same goal but in slightly different ways. There are many poses or asanas in yoga for weight loss. Deep breathing in yoga increases the intake of oxygen in the body. Some of the poses and exercises in yoga for weight loss are as below:

1. Pranayam: Pranayam is a set of breathing exercises that have an effective impact on weight loss. Deep breathing done in the proper way helps in reducing the abdominal fat. There are different breathing techniques which can be practiced like kapalbhati, bhastrika, anulom vilom, bharamari and ujjayi pranayam. Kapalbhati is said to be very effective since it involves forceful exhalation of air. Care should be taken that this should be done on an empty stomach only. This is not only good for obesity but also for indigestion and acidity. In Anulom Vilom, one has to close one nostril with the thumb and breathe deeply from the other. This has to be repeated alternating the nostrils. These deep breathing exercises are very helpful and should be done under guidance.

2. Sun Salutations: Sun Salutations or Surya Namaskar is a series of 12 poses which help in weight loss and tone up the whole body. These poses along with sequenced breathing provide a lot of benefits to the body and mind. One should start with 1 or 2 rounds and slowly increase to at least 10 to 12 rounds. People with high blood pressure and pregnant women are advised not to perform this.

3. Bhujanga Asana: This is also called the Cobra Pose. It works on the shoulders, back, arms and other internal organs.

4. Yoga Spinal Twists: This works on your abdominal region and your entire digestive system. Spinal Twists help in burning calories and toning the abs. This is a good yoga for weight loss. Likewise there are many other poses which help in weight loss. One has to learn under guidance and perform slowly.

Yoga for weight loss will be effective only if combined with a proper diet. Eliminate the junk food and carbonated drinks from your diet. Include lot of greens, pulses, sprout, salads and fruits in your food intake to provide the body with the necessary proteins and vitamins. Do not break your yoga routine; do it regularly with dedication. The results may not be very quick but be patient and keep practicing yoga for weight loss. It is important to do yoga under an expert’s guidance. Yoga for weight loss will also result in a toned body, flexible body, less stress and anxiety, increase in concentration, strengthening of physical and mental health.

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Article from articlesbase.com

TV9 YOGA FOR KNEE JOINT PAIN RELIEF

February 17, 2011
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Fat Free Yoga – Lose Weight & Feel Great FOR BEGINNERS & BEYOND w/ Ana Brett & Ravi Singh NOW W/THE **MATRIX**

February 16, 2011
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Caring For Yoga Mats

January 14, 2011
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If you’ve just purchased a yoga mat or are considering buying one, you’re probably wondering how involved cleaning it will be. Thankfully, yoga mats are easy to clean. Yoga mats don’t need intensive care, and need cleaning only once a month. Cleaning ones made of vinyl or rubber is considerably easier than cleaning those made out of jute or cork. Vinyl and rubber mats only require soap and water to clean, while jute and cork mats require cleansers that are less harsh than either of those due to the porosity of those materials.

A little preventative care goes a long way with yoga mats. Before doing any yoga on your mat, you want to make sure the floor that you put it on is clear of any dirt and debris, since they can become impacted into the mat while you are exercising on it. In addition, you will want to take a shower before doing yoga on your mat to prevent any dirt from your body from getting on the mat. Wearing loose-fitting clothing to minimize sweating while doing yoga is also a good idea, since sweat will impact the stickiness of the mat and make it require more constant cleaning. If the temperature of your workout area allows, wearing loose-fitting clothing that also absorbs your sweat, such as sweatpants, is even better since it will prevent sweat from contacting the mat.

If these pre-cleaning rituals are followed, you will only need to give your mat a thorough cleaning once every month or so to eliminate the built-up dirt, sweat, and grime. For vinyl and rubber mats, simply clean it with water and a little bit of soap. Too much soap can leave a residue on the mat making it slippery, and using harsher cleaning products will damage the mat. Vinegar is also a good option for getting the smell of sweat out of yoga mats without damaging the mat. Don’t put your yoga mat through the washing machine, as the violent spinning will seriously damage the mat. When drying your mat, lay a dry bath towel on the mat and roll the mat up along with the towel. Squeezing the mat with the towel rolled up inside it will cause the water to be absorbed by the towel, leaving you with a dry mat.

For yoga mats made out of jute and cork, cleaning with water is not recommended, as these materials are porous and cleaning them with water will speed up the degradation of the mat. Practitioners usually recommend treating these mats like futons, and simply allowing them to air out in a shaded area during the day. If you need a more thorough cleaning for a natural yoga mat, you can use organic cleaners sold by manufacturers of natural yoga mats which contain natural cleaning agents that aren’t as harsh to the materials these mats are made out of as soap and detergent.

Choosing Yoga Clothing: Stop Posing!

November 22, 2010
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Yoga is a very popular way to get fit and trim and also an excellent method of learning how to relax. Yoga studios can be found in towns and cities across the globe. Using an instructor is the preferred method of yoga training, for most people, as it ensures that the various postures and positions are correctly mastered from the very start of training. Why waste your time trying to learn on your own and probably getting it completely wrong? You need to achieve maximum benefit from each of your workouts so that it encourages you to continue and thus achieve the compound benefits from regular, methodical exercise. Many people worry about the correct yoga clothing to wear during their workouts. They shouldn’t, as it is really very simple and involves making common sense choices. However, there are a few tips that can help you to choose the correct clothing, both for looks and functionality.

Form Fitting or Baggy?

As a general rule, loose fitting clothes are the best for yoga. This is because they allow you to move with more freedom and won’t interfere with the various yoga positions or asanas. Also, tight fitting clothes could hamper your blood and energy flow which is obviously a bad thing to happen in the middle of a workout. On the other hand, if your yoga clothing is too baggy, your instructor will be unable to check your form sufficiently and you could be performing your postures incorrectly. So, loose, but not TOO loose, is the order of the day!

Cold or Hot?

This is often an overlooked element, especially by beginners, but keeping your body at the correct temperature is vital for an effective workout routine and could even be dangerous if you ignore it. For this reason, choosing the correct yoga clothing is vital. Shorts and T-shirt are fine if you tend to get too hot and sweaty during exercise. If you tend to feel like an ice cube in air-conditioned rooms and gyms, long sleeves and long
pants are recommended. You may even feel more comfortable with a sweatshirt on. This is fine. But remember, you still need to consider the need for your instructor to check your form throughout the workout. Go for comfort and functionality, rather than for the ‘posing’ value of the latest Lycra number!

Do I Need Shoes?

This is a more controversial area to tackle. Most yoga sessions are undertaken with bare feet. You might, therefore, choose some easy footwear to slip on and off on the way to the gym. If you feel unhappy about working out barefoot, there are various shoes and socks that can be purchased in yoga clothing shops (both online and offline) especially for this kind of exercise. If you have an instructor, why not ask him/her first? Better to be safe than sorry.

Choosing suitable yoga clothing is vital for a successful workout but it only needs a little common sense to choose appropriately and need not cost a fortune. Remember, choose functionality and comfort above the desire to simply look good!

The Purpose Of Yoga Music And Why You Should Use It

October 29, 2010
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Yoga music is absolutely one of the most key components to any type of yoga, and there are many different reasons why you should use yoga music when you practice yoga. Music is actually beneficial with any type of exercise, but particularly so with one such as yoga.

About Yoga Music

The basic purpose of yoga music is to help you with the practicing of yoga, as it helps with the relaxation and meditation techniques, and as well it can even be used outside of yoga for your own personal purposes, if you wish.

Yoga music basically works by using certain and specific sounds which have a particular integrating quality for the body and mind, and this music was actually first derived from the ancient musical system of India in order to help yoga practitioners to connect with and become aware of their bodies at the most deepest levels.

Obviously the whole purpose of yoga is to relax and ease your body and mind, and so if you have loud or irritating music playing then obviously this is going to make the process much more difficult overall. However if you have the yoga type music on, which is calming and soothing, it will help to improve strength, clarity, and inner peace.

All in all, this calming and expansive yoga type of music combined with that of the gentle sounds of nature makes for a relaxed and meditative listening experience, and thus is great for an exercise routine such as yoga.

If you are wondering where you can go to get this type of music, then you can really rest assured because there are many different options that are available to you here, and you can generally find this type of music at any location that sells any other type of yoga equipment, and so try going to your local exercise retail store first.

Even if you decide to go without music, you will still be reaping an incredible number of rewards when it comes to doing yoga because it is one of the best forms of exercise of all that you can do for yourself, and you will feel better mentally, physically and spiritually, which is something that most other exercises cannot claim to.

However, as stated previously, the music truly brings the exercise of yoga together for you, as it helps you to relax and free yourself so that you can act out the exercise to its full potential.

Weight Loss And Yoga, Estranged Bed Partners?

October 6, 2010
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When you primarily want to significantly and rapidly lose weight, experts and fitness gurus attest that yoga is not the exercise of fitness regime for you.

But is there any reason why yoga would not be highly recommended for weight loss?

Actually, it is a great and amusing fact that yoga and weight loss are estranged bed partners. It is because yoga also facilitate weight loss. When someone practice or do yoga, expect that there would be a corresponding weight loss that would follow suit.

Yoga truly is not the best and recommended exercise for weight reduction purposes, but it could greatly help. It is not to be compared to the widely popular calorie-burning and cardiovascular exercises.

However, yoga also facilitate for improved agility and strength in the large and core muscle groups of the body.

Doing yoga regularly and properly is said to be equivalent to running, walking, rollerblading, swimming and cycling.

Thus, when regularly done and practiced, yoga can also lead to a significant weight loss, to the advantage of the exerciser.

Here are some yoga exercises that are so simple and are aimed at helping any person eventually lose weight in the long run. Take note that great and proper execution of each of these simple exercises are vital to the success of the weight-losing yoga practice.

FROG STAND

1. Lowly squat. Place the hands on the below ground, resting the triceps on top of the kneecaps. Then, tip forward, and lift the feet from the ground and into position similar to a balanced frog stand. Keep the position for 30 seconds.

2. Extend a leg in back, keeping it diagonally relative to the floor, at the same time elongating the neck to maintain balance.

3. Straighten the elbows, lift the legs, tip forward, then try to press up slowly into a handstand.

These exercise strengthen the whole shoulder girdle. These also help build up core muscles and enhance the body’s overall stamina.

BRIDGE

1. Lie down, faceup on the floor and then put the knees up, then feet flat and grasp ankles using the hand, drawing the heels close to the butt. Inhale, thrust the belly button up. Release the hands. Put palms up, then dig the thumbs into the tailbone and push the lumbar spine further up.

2. Move the hands palms-down near or beside each ear. Press up into a U shape inverted position.

The exercise will improve posture through strengthening the muscles along the spine. This would be very beneficial since people spend more than 90 percent of daily daytime existence in a slight and forward fold.

Do the exercises regularly or whenever you have the time to properly and orderly execute them and see the weigh loss or the difference in only just a span of a few days.

Jeanette Pollock is a regular article contributor on yoga and stress management. To learn more about yoga, please visit her website at http://www.justyogabasics.com

Effective Gain From Yoga

September 23, 2010
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It is well known that Yoga aimed to integrate the mind, the body, and the spirit. Yoga is a science that has been practiced for thousands of years. Yoga is experienced by over 20 million Americans daily. Each day people are reporting their superb experiences with Yoga. The most essential benefit of yoga is physical and mental therapy. The aging procedure, which is mostly an artificial condition, caused mainly by autointoxication or self-poisoning, can be delayed by practicing yoga. For getting maximum advantage of yoga one has to merge the practices of yogasanas, pranayama and meditation. Yoga is all about feeling good; feel the blood surging through your veins.

Yoga helps us to get profound respiration which broadens the oxygen consumption to the system cells, together with the plump cells. Yogic exercises cause more continual and deeper respiration which slowly but surely burns. The loosening and drill components of yoga have a important character to beat in the handling and prevention of higher blood force hypertension. Yoga is supposed to cut pain by helping the mind’s pain centre govern the gate-controlling mechanism located in the spinal cord and the secretion of normal painkillers in the system. Breathing exercises used in yoga can too cut pain. Yoga’s inclusion of loosening techniques and meditation can too help out to cure pain.

Effectiveness of yoga help to reduce pain due to its application on self-awareness. Regular rehearse of asanas, pranayama and meditation can relieve various ailments such as diabetes, digestive disorders, arthritis, arteriosclerosis, chronic fatigue, asthma, varicose veins and heart conditions. Following Yoga also results in greater reduction in anxiety scores than drug therapy. Back pain is the most common reason to seek medical attention. Yoga has constantly been used to treat and avoid back pain by enhancing strength and flexibility. Both acute and long-term stress can lead to muscle tension and exacerbate back problems.

Practicing yoga can identify chronic pain victims with helpful tools to dynamically deal with their pain and help counter feelings of helplessness and depression. Yoga is effective for all, despite of age, color, caste, creed or religion; from the healthiest to the sickest, from the richest to the poorest, from the whitest to the blackest. Regular yoga practice can help in weight management. There are several asanas, such as the shoulder stand and the fish posture, which are specific for the thyroid gland. Fat metabolism is also increased, so fat is converted to muscle and energy. Yogic practices that reduce anxiety tend to reduce anxious eating.

By: John-David

Read More about Alo Smith at www.healthwikinews.com/

The Health Benefits of Yoga

September 21, 2010
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There was a time when yoga was considered, in the United States, something that was only practiced by flower children and sun worshipers. The general association with yoga was a woman sitting in the lotus position and meditating. People who didn’t understand the discipline looked at it as not much more than a way for people to try to relax. And they probably doubted the success of even that.

Today, however, more and more people are coming to realize the many health benefits of yoga and are becoming more involved. Men and women of all ages are realizing the positive effects it has on the mind as well as body. Classes are filled with people who hope to achieve these results.

What are these benefits? For starters, yoga does help one relax. There are some classes that are taught and attended for the sole purpose of relaxation. Not only is relaxation important in reducing stress, it can lead to other improvements as well. The relaxing effect is shown in reduced heart rate and blood pressure.

Of course that is part of the relaxation. But reduced blood pressure also means reduced risk of stroke and heart disease. This increased heart health has also sparked interest in studies directly linking the exercises to lowered cholesterol and boosts in the immune system.

It is also associated with improved flexibility. Many of the exercises are geared toward achieving more flexible muscles. Flexible muscles grow more easily and thus aid in building strength. Muscles that are taut and stiff hold stress as well as impurities in the body. Stretching releases these toxins. It is also good for blood circulation and stress reduction.

And speaking of improved blood circulation: when the blood circulates better, more oxygen is delivered throughout the body more efficiently. This includes oxygen to the brain. More oxygen to the brain leads to better memory and concentration skills. It also has been shown to improve general mood and stave off depression. That is probably why yoga practitioners claim to have clearer heads and to be in better frames of mind more often.

One of the main focuses is on breathing. Much attention is paid to proper breathing including deep breaths and full utilization of all the air taken in with each inhalation. By the way, this also contributes to the better blood circulation and reduced stress mentioned earlier. Additionally, by taking control of breathing, one is able to actually put themselves into an aerobic state. This is when stored fat is burned by the body. So, weight loss can be achieved too.

In addition to aerobic “workouts” there are strength building exercises too. The many positions each target different muscles and build strength and endurance. There are standing, seated and lying poses. Some are geared toward upper body while others target legs and lower body. Just about any pose, when done correctly, will strengthen the abdominal muscles. And do not forget that firmer, stronger abs is pivotal to better posture and the reduction of back and neck pain.

And you thought yoga was just for relaxing? Think again. It is actually a well balanced complete health routine.

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