Yoga

Yoga cultivates health and well-being (physical, emotional, mental and social) through the regular practice of a range of many different techniques, including postures and movement, breath awareness and breathing exercises, relaxation and concentration, self-inquiry and meditation.

Yoga is an approach to life that values appropriate effort, based on balance and harmony, within each person and with each other.

5 STEPS TO IMPROVE FLEXIBILITY WITH YOGA:
1. CONNECT YOUR BREATH WITH THE MOVEMENT
The main concept that separates yoga from general exercise is its emphasis on combining deep breathing with the postures. The goal in yoga is to be 100 percent present throughout the entire practice.

2. AVOID BOUNCING AS YOU HOLD THE POSTURES
Your muscles contain stretch reflexors. Their purpose is to monitor pressure on the muscles and to signal the brain if there is a chance for injury. If the brain believes the muscles will be injured, it sends signals that cause the muscles to tighten and contract to protect themselves.

3. USE YOGA STRAPS OR BLOCKS FOR MORE CHALLENGING POSTURES
If you do not have a yoga strap you can also use a towel or sheet. Some postures can be very challenging and if your body is tight in the shoulders, back or legs you may not be able to get into the posture with good alignment, or at all. In these cases, using a yoga strap or block will help you get into the posture fully.

4. TRY RESTORATIVE YOGA POSTURES
Restorative yoga postures are poses that are done using blankets, pillows and bolsters to support the body. Many typical yoga poses can be done this way. Many times when holding yoga postures there is some muscular tension as you work to maintain the posture. With restorative poses, since you are being supported by the props, you do not have to hold yourself in the pose and the muscles can fully relax. The more your muscles can relax as you stretch, the more your flexibility will increase.

5. ATTEND A HEATED YOGA CLASS
While Bikram yoga is the primary form of yoga that practices in a heated room, any style of yoga can be done this way.


BEST TIME TO DO YOGA?
The best time of the day to do yoga is early morning, this is best because it can get you ready for the day and relax you for the day. Another good time to do it is early evening around sunset.

SHORT TERM BENEFITS OF YOGA:
There are a few short term benefits of doing yoga it can start to kick in after one session these are, stress relief,confident,composed and happy.

LONG TERM BENEFITS OF YOGA:
A few yoga classes will not give you the sexy body that everyone would like, it comes over time. Instead yoga can change your lifestyle so that weight loss and flexibility are achieved. You should start to see changes in your mind and body over around the 6 week mark but remember everyones body is different.

SHOULD YOGA BE THE ONLY EXERCISE THAT YOU DO?
If your goal for exercising is for weight loss yoga is not enough it doesn't raise your heart rate enough. If you combine yoga with running,swimming or any other areobic exercises then yes it is enough but doing just yoga isnt enough if you want to drop kilos. lf you aren't doing yoga for the weight loss side of things it is great for toning up the arms and legs but I would also include something else in your workout say if you do yoga 4x a week and maybe a run and a cycle on the other two days. Also for yoga to be enough to keep you fit it has to be done alot 4 times a week at least!


Thanks for reading this, I hope you learnt something about yoga and it is great and I do it 1 or 2 times a week and I love it its had alot of short and long term effects on me! I would like to thank Lauren a yoga instructor at my gym who helped me out with this post, I have also learnt more about yoga from doing this post. And thankyou to Elisa who requested this post, follow her on twitter @ElisaMGeorge. Also tell me if you like this post and any other ideas you would like me to blog about tweet me @JessMalaholin. Thanks for reading Xx Jessica.