Free Online Yoga Site

REFRESHING FLEXES
A Guide To The Various Kinds Of Yoga Pose
Copyright 2005 Free Online Yoga Site

The discipline of yoga is defined by the performance of a yoga pose, also known as asanas. A yoga pose is meant to stretch and open up the body to improve its flexibility. Each yoga pose has a specific function, but all aim to provide physical and spiritual benefits.

If you are a beginner, you must master the following basic yoga poses:
1.) Lotus Pose - this pose focuses on the hips.
2.) Standing Forward Bend Pose - a pose that strengthens the spine

3.) Mountain Pose - makes the spine more elastic

4.) Tree Pose - this yoga pose focuses on the legs
5.) Downward-Facing Dog - full-body stretch
6.) Triangle Pose - targets on the ankles and legs
7.) Cobra Pose - opens up chest and stretches the spine

8.) Staff Pose - This yoga pose focuses on the legs

Though yoga poses target different parts of the body, most of them has the spine is the primary focus. The spine is strengthened, thus enabling the body to perform progressively harder yoga poses. After several sessions of yoga, the body - particularly the back - is stronger and more pliant. Because of this, physical therapists have incorporated some yoga poses to their treatment of patients suffering from back problems.

Yoga poses are not meant to cause pain. If you are feeling major discomfort when performing yoga poses, there are some items you can use to alleviate the discomfort. These items are called yoga props. One example of a prop is a block, which is held in each hand and acts to shorten the distance between your hands and the floor, lessening the strain in your arms. Another prop is a rubber strap, which is used to assist you in stretching by helping you pull your limbs.

The huge yoga ball, a prop made of vinyl and filled with air, is propped underneath your back to support when doing a yoga pose involving backbends. For headstands, a pillow can be used to support your head. If you still feel major discomfort in performing a certain yoga pose, it’s possible that you’re not doing it correctly or you’re body is still not on a level to execute that yoga pose. If you’re not used to exercise, or if you have a medical condition, it is best not to perform yoga poses on your own. Enroll in a yoga class and surely, all you’ll be reaping are benefits.

Enrich Your Mind body and Soul with the Power of Yoga. Download it Today:
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A CLASS OF ITS OWN
The Basics In Yoga Classes
Copyright 2005 Free Online Yoga Site

In many parts of the world, yoga has become a cultural interest to a great number of the population. It has become a global hit, so to speak, as its teachings and practices have been widely embraced. Due to a burgeoning public demand, yoga books, self-help videos, featured articles and yoga classes have grown rapidly in recent years.

Most people would pay a rather generous amount for an hour of yoga class. It is quite amazing how many people have become curious about the discipline of yoga and its astonishing benefits. Well, most are indeed satisfied with the results of learning yoga because they indeed spell a big difference for our physical and psychological wellbeing, so it shouldn’t be surprising why a lot of people continue to enroll in yoga classes across the land.

Here are some of the things you could expect from a yoga class:

Asanas

Doing asanas or yoga postures requires special attention and guidance from the yoga class instructor because a wrong twist can hurt a muscle or dislocate a joint. Yoga classes provide useful equipment such as blankets and mats to facilitate an easier execution of the asanas.

The lesson in yoga posture can be modified depending on the experience of the student in yoga class. Beginners can start from the simple postures before they move on to more challenging ones. However, the student must honestly reveal his/her true physical condition to the yoga class instructor. For sick participants, it is best to first consult a doctor before enrolling in a yoga class.

Meditation

Meditation focuses on breathing and thoughts of an image or sound – depending on what the yoga class student prefers. Mastering the meditation process will help in developing the awareness of the practitioner of his/her body, mind and spirit.

In yoga class, meditation always comes together with breathing, and breathing enhances deep relaxation. Relaxation reduces stress and tension and is often considered more of a reward than a process.

Chanting

Chanting, in history, is a sacred way of unifying a community. It was also used as a spiritual encouragement to the early people. Traditionally, it is a vital aspect of Hatha Yoga.

Yoga classes practice chanting to achieve what is called a “common vibration.” The syllable “om,” which you might be familiar with, is a common chant in many yoga classes. Producing sound from the bottom of the heart is difficult to achieve, so yoga class instructors are present teach the right ways to do it.

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BENDING TOWARDS SPIRITUALITY
The Essence Of Yoga Meditation
Copyright 2005 Free Online Yoga Site

Yoga, from the Sanskrit word yuj which means to unite, has been an unparalleled activity of many traditionalists and even the avant-garde of today. Many wonder why yoga meditation is practiced even by non-Hindus and Buddhists, because it originated, and was confined for many centuries, in the Indian continent with a Hindu culture. This is because of yoga meditation’s complex ways of achieving a peaceful and sound life. How complex, you might ask?

Dimensions

The spiritual unification of a person’s individual soul and the Divine (they call it cosmos, representing the universe) is an achievement of enlightenment – their universal philosophy. The said union, which is done by a deep yoga meditation, ends up in an illuminated path which they say is self-realization. The relationship between a human being’s soul and the cosmos is the philosophical dimension of yoga meditation. The actual activity or practice, like the different stretches of the body and the chants or mantras, is the practical dimension.

Categories

The art of yoga meditation is divided into four categories: the Raja Yoga, which concentrates on meditation; the Bhakti yoga, which focuses mainly on devotion; the Karma yoga, which ponders on the unselfish and noble service to the Divine; and the Jnana yoga which reflects on truth and reality.

The Hatha yoga, a sub-branch of the Raja yoga, is the most popular because of its crucial role as an instrument that perfects the deep meditation process. In this kind of yoga meditation, the mind and the body unites to test the physical well-being of a person. This is achieved by performing different body movements and postures.

Universal Philosophy

The universal philosophy of yoga meditation emphasizes that it can prepare the path towards “enlightenment”. But then, this said enlightenment is not limited to Hinduism alone. It is also embraced by other religions such as Catholicism or Christianity. Remember that what yoga meditation is certain to give human beings is eternal light – Jesus Christ for instance, can be seen and thus accepted as the path to light by the Christian yogis (male yoga practitioners) and yoginis (female yoga practitioners). However, you must be reminded that yoga is definitely not a religion. It does not in any way observe practices that promote the existence of a supreme being.

Yoga and meditation

Although yoga and meditation are commonly associated with one another, they still differ in the explanation of how the subconscious is handled.

In simple meditation, the tangible body remains cognizant while the mind is being focused on a certain word, image, sound, person or idea. The goal of yoga, on the other hand, is to rise above the conscious level of the body since the latter is an obstruction to bringing enlightenment to the soul.

Benefits of Yoga

It is proven in the medical and scientific arena that yoga meditation is a beneficial workout. Scientists and modern doctors are amazed on how yoga improves the condition of the body. Yoga meditation reduces stress and pain, and can help in stabilizing the normal heart rate, blood pressure and respiration of a person. Yoga meditation also helps enliven the immune system, making our body disease-proof and always in the best shape possible!

Enrich Your Mind body and Soul with the Power of Yoga. Download it Today:
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THE PRINCIPLES OF ASHTANGA YOGA
Copyright 2005 Free Online Yoga Site

Ashtanga yoga is also known as the “eight-limbed yoga” because it incorporates in its discipline the eight spiritual practices recognized by the yogis and yoginis today. The first four are:

1. the yama (moral codes)

2. the niyama (self-purification)

3. the asana (posture)

4. the pranayama (control of breath)

They are the cleansing practices of Ashtanga yoga which are external in nature. These four limbs can be corrected by means of study and application, as they are concentrated on the physical aspects of one’s being.

The other four limbs are:

5. the pratyahara (sense control)

6. the dharana (concentration),

7. the dhyana (meditation)

8. the samadhi (contemplation)

These cannot be easily corrected because their nature is internal and they focus mainly on the manipulation of the mind and the promotion of its healthy development.

The difference between Ashtanga Yoga and other yoga classes is in the type of learning environment involved. Ashtanga Yoga students are taught on an individual basis, that is, one teacher for one student. These students, however, are responsible for their own practice and spiritual growth, and the teacher’s job is to merely facilitate the instructions. Additionally, silence is a pre-requisite in Ashtanga Yoga. It is important that no outside sound should be heard inside the room.

The most important factors of Ashtanga Yoga are the asanas (posture) and vinsayas (breathing with movement). In each asana comes a corresponding count of vinsayas. Postures cannot be completed without breathing and movements.

Perfecting the joint of asanas and vinsayas will be of help in correcting the four limbs which are internal in nature as we have discussed earler. How? Once asanas and vinsayas are done appropriately, the relaxation process will be achieved, and the same effect will occur in the mind. The mind must fully be attentive to realize the turmoil going on in a person’s spirit so that it may be able to correct it. Only then can the full mental and spiritual effect of Ashtanga Yoga be felt.

Ashtanga Yoga helps in improving blood circulation and relieves joint pains. It can also clear out the toxins out of the body. Ashtanga Yoga serves as a cleansing agent that works on the body, mind and spirit of a person – achieving the universal goal of general yoga practice.

If Ashtanga Yoga is done correctly, with a mind free from any unpurified thoughts, the practitioner may have a full realization of what the eight-limbed yoga is all about.

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MATTRESS OF THE GODS
Tips On Finding The Ideal Yoga Mat
Copyright 2005 Free Online Yoga Site

If you’re serious about yoga, you need to be careful in choosing a yoga mat. You’ll find yourself on your yoga mat for most of the time during sessions, so you better invest on one that will give you comfort, first and foremost.

When buying a yoga mat, spread it out and lie on it if possible. A good yoga mat is thick enough to give your back proper cushioning but firm enough to give support. If you can’t unroll the yoga mat and lie on it for testing purposes, measure the mat’s thickness instead. A good yoga mat has thickness of one-fourth of an inch. Pinch the mat between your fingers and see if it returns to its original shape even after the pressure. If it does, then that yoga mat can support your weight without its losing its contour.

The next factor to consider when buying a yoga mat is grip. You sweat a lot when practicing yoga, so better choose a mat that won’t feel sticky when you’re sweaty. On the other hand, don’t get a yoga mat which can’t be grasped when your hands are wet. Choose a yoga mat which provides enough friction so you can grip it easily whether your hands are dry or not.

Next, choose a yoga mat which your whole body can stretch on. This will depend on your height, and yoga mat manufacturers are making mats of all lengths to accommodate different people’s needs. It’s just a matter of looking at the measurements indicated in the label of the yoga mat to see if it fits your height.

Comfort, grip, and length are three essential factors to look for when buying a yoga mat, but there are other concerns that need to be addressed as well. Is the yoga mat easily cleaned? Does it spread flat after unrolling and laying it on the floor? Can you store it easily, and perhaps even carry it around without a problem if you’re traveling? If you have comfort, grip, and length, and if you answer yes to all questions, then you’ve got yourself a winner.

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