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Practice Yoga

The practice of Yoga has countless benefits. These include physiological, mental and spiritual. Yoga means different things to different people and can be any or all of the following. That, again, depends on why a person wants to take it up and how he / she wishes to incorporate Yoga into his or her life:

For one thing, Yoga is a great physical fitness program. It involves stretching, strengthening, and elongating the muscles, bones and spine for right alignment of the body. The breathing techniques and relaxation help lower the blood pressure and improve cardio-vascular health. They also help increase lung capacity, release stress and tension, and teach you to relax and enjoy life

Yoga Meditation helps the practitioner calm the mind, while bestowing emotional balance, mental clarity, focus and concentration. By learning the philosophy of Yoga, you experience release of emotional tension from your own mind. This is through increased awareness of what is happening in your own self. A lot of Yoga practitioners feel their heartbeats, blood circulation through their body and are able to decrease blood pressure at will. This is all the result of heightened awareness taking place in your body and mind.

For those who are feeling empty right now, they ought to find out whether it is a spiritual emptiness they feel. Yoga is in no way a religion. However encourages the practitioner connect with his / her inner spirit and abide by its guidance. For those who want it to be, Yoga is a spiritual practice.

Some of the many benefits of Yoga:

Helps to build strength
Tones up and sculpts the body
Gives a calm and non-reactive mind
Improves the health of the back – stretches the spine, resists compaction of the spinal column, avoids fusion of the vertebrae
Helps prevent osteoporosis
Balances the endocrine system and helps with symptoms of menopause, PMS, thyroid
Helps you develop awareness
Helps increase concentration
Increases bodily flexibility
Improves stamina
Increase stamina and energy
Helps you gain balance and flexibility

Can I practice yoga during periods?

It is generally considered alright to practice yoga during menstruation. However, some yoga instructors are of the opinion that the inverted poses of yoga should not be practiced during menstruation. Keep in mind however that every woman’s body is different and each one should take their own decision. If doing vigorous exercises helps her during menstruation, she should continue. If not, she should stop. Bikram yoga during menstruation is also considered safe. Once again, this should be an individual choice. Yoga during pregnancy is also advocated as it is beneficial for both mother and child. However, certain poses should be avoided as the pregnancy progresses.

How I should set sequence of yoga practice?

Keep these points in mind before you attend a yoga routine for beginners. The best time to practice yoga is in the morning. Avoid eating anything before you start your exercises. Also try to stick to the same time daily. For beginners the routine should last for about 30-40 minutes. Yoga routine poses for beginners should include Tadasana ( Mountain Pose), Adho Mukha Svanasana ( Downward Facing Dog), Uttanasana ( Standing Forward Bend), Virabhadrasana – I( Warrior I), Balasana (Child’s Pose), Savasana ( Corpse Pose), Bhujangasana ( Cobra Pose) among others. A yoga routine for runners can help runners to stay healthy and also teach them how to prevent pain by focusing on balance and alignment.

I am planning to do yoga at home, which sequence will be best?

Keep these points in mind if you are considering setting up a yoga practice at home. First of all, find a large space and if possible, dedicate this space (or room) for practicing yoga at home. Next, purchase a yoga mat. Work out which time of day works best for you to practice. Remember to start off with just the yoga basics. Certain poses which you can practice initially are Surya Namaskar (Sun Salutation), Trikoasana (Triangle Pose), Tadasana (Mountain Pose), Chandrasana (Crescent Moon), Padangusthasana (Extended Hand to Toe), and Balasana (Child’s Pose) and so on. Incorporate these and other poses into your yoga routine for maximum benefits.

What is Tapas in yoga?

What is tapas in yoga? Tapas can be described as the excitement, enthusiasm and discipline one has towards the practice of yoga. Tapas consists of meditation, intense prayer, and asana practice. It is the practice of self discipline. Yoga tapas niyama refers to tapas being the third niyama, as is put forth by Maharishi Patanjali in the yoga sutras. The term niyama means rules or laws. The practice of tapas in yoga is essential and each person should strive to practice this tapas with each asana or pose. Yoga tapas kundalini refers to the attainment of enlightenment through tapas as well as release of kundalini (energy).

When I do yoga exercises there is wrist pain. Does is occur due to yoga?

Wrist pain during yoga could be due to many reasons. Both beginners and advanced students of yoga may experience this wrist pain during yoga due to less flexibility. Inform your instructor if you have any wrist pain during yoga exercises. He/she might then recommend some weight bearing poses. Such poses will help to strengthen the muscles in the wrist and get rid of the pain. Pain in early yoga or pain during exercise could be due to improper poses or practice of the exercises. Ensure that you practice yoga under a trained instructors so as to avoid any further injury to yourself.

Submitted on July 16, 2010

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