Keep Fit by Doing Yoga

August 10, 2009 by admin  
Filed under Yoga

Nirmala asked:


 

Yoga’s primary emphasis is upon general well-being. Although yoga has been shown to be beneficial in a variety of conditions, it is not considered a therapy for specific illnesses. Rather, yoga employs a broad holistic approach that focuses on teaching people a new lifestyle, way of thinking, and way of being in the world. In the process, however, it is also found to bring a myriad of healing effects. By attending to practices for improving, regaining or retaining general good health, a person is likely to find that some of his more specific difficulties tend to disappear. Many of the healing effects of yoga is clinically verified. We will look at the healing effects of yoga. However, one of the most important benefit of yoga is its application in relieving stress, fatigue, invigoration and vitality and its anti-aging properties and its application for relaxation therapy.

According to Swami Sivananda, the benefits of pranayama (yogic breathing practices) include: “The body becomes strong and healthy. Too much fat is reduced. There is luster in the face. Eyes sparkle like diamonds. The practitioner becomes very handsome. Voice becomes sweet and melodious”

Indra Devi, author of many books on yoga suggests that with yoga: “You will be able to enjoy better sleep, a happier disposition, a clearer and calmer mind. You will learn how to build up your health and protect yourself against colds, fevers, constipation, headaches, fatigue, and other troubles. You will know what to do in order to remain youthful, vital and alert, regardless of your calendar-age; how to lose or gain weight; how to get rid of premature wrinkles, and keep a smooth skin and clear complexion.”

Doing yoga regularly offers many benefits, including making you feel better about your body as you become stronger and more flexible, toning your muscles, reducing stress and improving your mental and physical well-being. Will it help you lose weight, though?

Answer: Practicing any type of yoga will build strength, but some types may not raise your heart rate enough to make them the only form of exercise you need to include in your weight loss regime. It depends on the type of yoga you select and how frequently you practice it.

In order to lose weight, you must eat healthily and burn calories by doing exercise that raises your heart rate on a regular basis. Some types of yoga, such as Iyengar, in which yoga poses are held for several minutes with a resting period between each pose, will build muscles and improve your posture, but will not give you the cardiovascular workout you need to lose weight.

If you plan to make yoga your primary form of exercise, you must do a vigorous 90-minute yoga class at least three times a week. Many people also choose to combine yoga with running, walking or other aerobic exercise in order to reach their weight loss goals.

Ashtanga:

Ashtanga Yoga is a very vigorous style of practice with a few distinct advantages for those who want to lose weight. Ashtanga practitioners are among the most dedicated of yogis, and beginners are often encouraged to sign up for a series of classes, which will help with motivation. Another advantage is that once you learn the poses, Ashtanga Yoga is ideal for home practitioners.

Power Yoga:

Power Yoga is extremely popular, because it provides a very vigorous cardiovascular workout.

Hot Yoga:

Vinyasa yoga done in a hot room ups the ante by guaranteeing 

Yoga’s primary emphasis is upon general well-being. Although yoga has been shown to be beneficial in a variety of conditions, it is not considered a therapy for specific illnesses. Rather, yoga employs a broad holistic approach that focuses on teaching people a new lifestyle, way of thinking, and way of being in the world. In the process, however, it is also found to bring a myriad of healing effects. By attending to practices for improving, regaining or retaining general good health, a person is likely to find that some of his more specific difficulties tend to disappear. Many of the healing effects of yoga is clinically verified. We will look at the healing effects of yoga. However, one of the most important benefit of yoga is its application in relieving stress, fatigue, invigoration and vitality and its anti-aging properties and its application for relaxation therapy.

According to Swami Sivananda, the benefits of pranayama (yogic breathing practices) include: “The body becomes strong and healthy. Too much fat is reduced. There is luster in the face. Eyes sparkle like diamonds. The practitioner becomes very handsome. Voice becomes sweet and melodious”

Indra Devi, author of many books on yoga suggests that with yoga: “You will be able to enjoy better sleep, a happier disposition, a clearer and calmer mind. You will learn how to build up your health and protect yourself against colds, fevers, constipation, headaches, fatigue, and other troubles. You will know what to do in order to remain youthful, vital and alert, regardless of your calendar-age; how to lose or gain weight; how to get rid of premature wrinkles, and keep a smooth skin and clear complexion.”

Doing yoga regularly offers many benefits, including making you feel better about your body as you become stronger and more flexible, toning your muscles, reducing stress and improving your mental and physical well-being. Will it help you lose weight, though?

Answer: Practicing any type of yoga will build strength, but some types may not raise your heart rate enough to make them the only form of exercise you need to include in your weight loss regime. It depends on the type of yoga you select and how frequently you practice it.

In order to lose weight, you must eat healthily and burn calories by doing exercise that raises your heart rate on a regular basis. Some types of yoga, such as Iyengar, in which yoga poses are held for several minutes with a resting period between each pose, will build muscles and improve your posture, but will not give you the cardiovascular workout you need to lose weight.

If you plan to make yoga your primary form of exercise, you must do a vigorous 90-minute yoga class at least three times a week. Many people also choose to combine yoga with running, walking or other aerobic exercise in order to reach their weight loss goals.

Ashtanga:

Ashtanga Yoga is a very vigorous style of practice with a few distinct advantages for those who want to lose weight. Ashtanga practitioners are among the most dedicated of yogis, and beginners are often encouraged to sign up for a series of classes, which will help with motivation. Another advantage is that once you learn the poses, Ashtanga Yoga is ideal for home practitioners.

Power Yoga:

Power Yoga is extremely popular, because it provides a very vigorous cardiovascular workout.

Hot Yoga:

Vinyasa yoga done in a hot room ups the ante by guaranteeing 

Yoga’s primary emphasis is upon general well-being. Although yoga has been shown to be beneficial in a variety of conditions, it is not considered a therapy for specific illnesses. Rather, yoga employs a broad holistic approach that focuses on teaching people a new lifestyle, way of thinking, and way of being in the world. In the process, however, it is also found to bring a myriad of healing effects. By attending to practices for improving, regaining or retaining general good health, a person is likely to find that some of his more specific difficulties tend to disappear. Many of the healing effects of yoga is clinically verified. We will look at the healing effects of yoga. However, one of the most important benefit of yoga is its application in relieving stress, fatigue, invigoration and vitality and its anti-aging properties and its application for relaxation therapy.

According to Swami Sivananda, the benefits of pranayama (yogic breathing practices) include: “The body becomes strong and healthy. Too much fat is reduced. There is luster in the face. Eyes sparkle like diamonds. The practitioner becomes very handsome. Voice becomes sweet and melodious”

Indra Devi, author of many books on yoga suggests that with yoga: “You will be able to enjoy better sleep, a happier disposition, a clearer and calmer mind. You will learn how to build up your health and protect yourself against colds, fevers, constipation, headaches, fatigue, and other troubles. You will know what to do in order to remain youthful, vital and alert, regardless of your calendar-age; how to lose or gain weight; how to get rid of premature wrinkles, and keep a smooth skin and clear complexion.”

Doing yoga regularly offers many benefits, including making you feel better about your body as you become stronger and more flexible, toning your muscles, reducing stress and improving your mental and physical well-being. Will it help you lose weight, though?

Answer: Practicing any type of yoga will build strength, but some types may not raise your heart rate enough to make them the only form of exercise you need to include in your weight loss regime. It depends on the type of yoga you select and how frequently you practice it.

In order to lose weight, you must eat healthily and burn calories by doing exercise that raises your heart rate on a regular basis. Some types of yoga, such as Iyengar, in which yoga poses are held for several minutes with a resting period between each pose, will build muscles and improve your posture, but will not give you the cardiovascular workout you need to lose weight.

If you plan to make yoga your primary form of exercise, you must do a vigorous 90-minute yoga class at least three times a week. Many people also choose to combine yoga with running, walking or other aerobic exercise in order to reach their weight loss goals.

Ashtanga:

Ashtanga Yoga is a very vigorous style of practice with a few distinct advantages for those who want to lose weight. Ashtanga practitioners are among the most dedicated of yogis, and beginners are often encouraged to sign up for a series of classes, which will help with motivation. Another advantage is that once you learn the poses, Ashtanga Yoga is ideal for home practitioners.

Power Yoga:

Power Yoga is extremely popular, because it provides a very vigorous cardiovascular workout.

Hot Yoga:

Vinyasa yoga done in a hot room ups the ante by guaranteeing you’ll sweat buckets.

Keep in mind that if you are just starting to do yoga or are quite out of shape, always choose a beginner-level class.

Yoga Workouts at Home

Keep yourself exercising by doing yoga at home on the days you can’t make a class. Follow along with a video or audio recording, if you are new to yoga. When you are ready to plan your own workouts, use these yoga sequencing ideas to help you come up with yoga sessions of varying lengths that suit your needs.



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Pilates – the Power to Heal Your Body

August 2, 2009 by admin  
Filed under Health

Derek Kemp asked:


Pilates – the Power to Heal Your Body

Millions of people like you are discovering the radical changes that Pilates can bring to your mind and body. So what is Pilates, and why are so many people spending fortunes on Pilates classes?

Healing Motion

Pilates is a complete mind and body routine that improves the performance of the human body.

The Pilates principle, created by Joseph Pilates in the 1900s, involves conditioning the entire body by proper alignment, centring, concentration, control, precision, breathing and flowing movements.

Pilates focuses on the core postural muscles which help keep your body balanced. These critical muscles support your spine. When these muscles are weak or misaligned, you’ll know about it – as this is where chronic pain often starts.

Economy, Grace and Balance

The principle aim of Pilates is to create a fusion of your mind and body, so that your body will learn to move with economy, grace and balance.

Mastering the art of Pilates allows you to tap into your body’s ultimate powers – giving you access to your natural strength and vitality. Pilates will connect you to your strengths, counteract your weaknesses, and correct your imbalances.

Mastery of Pilates requires careful practice – you must be mindful of your body as you perform the Pilates movements.

How people benefit from Pilates

Joseph Pilates created his new system of movement while treating injured soldiers returning from the battlefields of World War One. The Pilates system was designed to be a versatile solution to a huge variety of conditions and ailments.

What would you change about your life?

Pilates can bring huge rewards:

·        Pilates improves your mobility and flexibility

·        Pilates makes you physically stronger, by developing your core muscles

·        If you suffer with back pain or stiff joints, Pilates gradually lifts away the pain you feel

·        If you walk or run, but find you’ve hit a wall and can’t improve, try Pilates. By building your core strength and stability, you will soon notice increased speed, endurance and resistance to injury

·        If you suffer from a disability or are rehabilitating after injury, then the Pilates system will help you recover quickly and effectively – reducing the likelihood of recurrences or relapses

·        If you, like me, enjoy sports and are looking for more power, speed or agility, you’ll love how Pilates can raise your game. Pilates is my secret weapon on the tennis court!

·        Pilates also teaches you perfect posture, helping you to stand tall and proud

Learning Pilates

So, does Pilates sound like something you would like to try? Pilates is not a miracle cure. It’s a system for moving and for living. To really benefit from the art of Pilates, you must give it time. Try searching online for Pilates classes near you, or consider learning by DVD.

Courses and classes are great if you have the time and like working with other people, not everyone has the time or the money to learn in this way. For me there are so many other things that I like to do, so I have found a set of DVDs that take you from Beginner, through Intermediate to Advanced level enabling anyone to learn this great art.  I am so impressed with Pilates that I have made these DVDs available to everyone at http://www.howtolearnpilates.com.  My name is Derek and you can find out more about what I do at http://www.guides4you.com.  I have also produced a FREE Brochure that you can receive through the post, just call 0845 003 8366, leave your details and we will send your brochure.