Yoga Fitness

Yoga does constitute as a full exercise program to help become fit. People who practice yoga have well-toned bodies that are supple and strong. Yogic exercises have to be done systematically, smoothly, and start from a beginner’s level to intermediate and then go on to advanced levels. All that is required is a yoga mat for you to do the ‘asanas’ or exercises.

Yoga requires correct breathing. When you inhale, the breath should fill your lungs completely and your stomach should push out. When you exhale, the breath should be completely thrown out and the stomach sucked in. The breath has to be coordinated with the movements.

The benefits of these exercises are manifold. Different exercises are focused on different parts of the body. Yoga helps you to make your joints supple and removes aches and pains from the body. It helps to cure diseases like high blood pressure, backache and menstrual problems. It improves your digestion, breathing, eyesight and posture. It helps in calming your nerves. And you definitely lose weight by doing the yogic exercises.

For example, just one exercise like the ‘Dhanurasana’ or The Bow Pose has manifold benefits. The method of doing this exercise is simple. Lie flat on your stomach. Bend your knees. Grasp the ankles with your hands and pull your legs up as you raise your head and upper torso. Only the stomach should touch the ground as the body forms an arch. Look up. After releasing the posture lie for a while in Shavasana or Copse Pose, to completely relax yourself.

This exercise alone reduces abdominal fat and tones up the abdominal muscles and internal abdominal organs. The spine becomes more flexible. It tones up the heart, reducing the chances of a heart attack, and improves blood circulation. The adrenal glands and the sex glands function better and the nerves of the solar plexus region are toned as well.

With a combination of a few exercises, yoga will provide a complete fitness program.

You should do yoga regularly every day for best results. It is not a strenuous form of exercise and hence can be used as method to remain fit by young and old alike. Yoga employs exercises that gently stretch the body and you should do only as much as you can without unnecessarily straining yourself. After each exercise session, it is necessary to lie in the Copse Pose. Yogic exercises leave you relaxed and at the same time you feel infused with energy.