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Yoga
Yoga movements, a series of postures that are usually held or done very slow, are coordinated with the breath. For example, as you inhale you slowly raise your arms, on the exhale you slowly lower your arms.
Yoga helps to focus the mind and the body. Yoga is practiced to attain physical, mental, and also reported by some, spiritual well-being.
Beginners
Benefits of Yoga include improving balance, flexibility, and strength.
Not all yoga DVDs are the same. But most should have a warm up, a middle, and a cool down or relaxing at the end.
The main piece of equipment for yoga is a yoga mat
Environmentally Friendly Yoga Mat on Amazon
Hugger Mugger Earth Elements Eco Exercise/Yoga Mat 5mm (72-Inch, Violet/Lavender)
Amazon Price: $44.95 (as of 12/07/2009)
"This mat is honestly the best I have ever used. Like rubber, the mat is eco friendly and not nearly as slippery as a pvc mat when I sweat. Unlike the rubber mat, however, this one did not have a funky smell, and looks just about as new as it did when I bought it. For the experienced yogi, or at least one who doesn't have a particularly sensitive spine, the mat is certainly thick enough." B. Perry
A good yoga practice begins with warm up stretches.
After several breaths, while still standing in mountain posture, arms are raised out in front and upwards, reaching, fulling extending, on the inhale. On the exhale, arms are lowered outwards, gently and down to the sides.
Always listen to your own body
Yoga to me is about stretching and improving my capabilities; I also listen to my body and my breath to let me know if what I am doing is right for me.
The warm up is usually followed by more strenuous postures
When lifting the body up from a front laying position, the toes are pressed into the mat before lifting the knees. Yoga for Beginners on Amazon
Yoga for Absolute Beginners
This is the one I have. It has 4 different 25-minute practices, including a Beginner Practice I, Beginner Practice II, Osteo Therapy, and Strengthen I.
Amazon Price: $6.99 (as of 12/07/2009)
Healthy Living - Power Yoga / Yoga For Absolute Beginners
Amazon Price: (as of 12/07/2009)
I like following along to a DVD
Using a DVD gives me flexibility as to when I do my yoga practice. Some people like taking a class. Which do you prefer?
Yoga Assitance
Depending on one's level and/or experience, assistance may be needed. That's okay.Here, I am going to use the wall for assistance for a good back and leg stretch.
I start out by laying on my side, buttocks and feet against the wall.
Back and leg stretch with the wall
After starting out from my side, I roll on to my back and lift my legs up. The lower part of my legs are supported by the wall and I stretch my toes towards me, stretching the back of my legs further. The wall pose, extending the arms
From the wall pose, I can also stretch my arms overhead for an additional stretch. Yoga Bricks on Amazon
You may want to check your video first, some videos use Yoga blocks, and some don't.
4" Yoga Blocks 4lb (2 Per Pack) Black
Amazon Price: $13.99 (as of 12/07/2009)
Hugger Mugger 4-Inch Foam Blocks (Green)
Amazon Price: $13.68 (as of 12/07/2009)
Organic Yoga Block on Amazon
Hugger Mugger Cork Yoga Block
Amazon Price: $12.45 (as of 12/07/2009)
"I am very happy with my cork block. It is a nice size and is heavy enough that it doesn't tip as easily when I use it to steady a pose." Shauna M. Crowe
The dancer
Following along with the DVD, I balance on one leg, reaching the arm on the same side forward, as I hold the opposite leg with the opposite arm behind me.A lot of yoga is about balance and balancing. After balancing, holding, and stretching on one side, then the sides are switched.
Yoga fun with cat yoga postcards
These cats on the Cat Yoga Postcards
make yoga look like fun. Of course my cat thinks it's fun to check out what I'm doing when I do yoga! This is the locust posture
From a laying position, forehead on floor, while exhaling, buttocks and back muscles are tightened as the arms and legs are raised. Length is more important here than height. Inhale is on the lowering of the arms and legs. Gaiam Canvas Yoga Mat Bag
A bag for the yoga mat helps to keep it clean and is easier to store in a small space.
Gaiam Embroidered Yoga Mat Bag
Amazon Price: (as of 12/07/2009)
"I really like this bag! The color combo is so pretty, and the embroidery looks great! I am keeping a 1/4" Hugger Mugger mat in it and an eye bag in the pocket. The fit is a bit tight, but everything's in there. A 1/8" mat would be a perfect fit!" Y. Daugherty
Yoga Mat Bag
Hugger Mugger Ultra Yoga Mat Bag
Amazon Price: (as of 12/07/2009)
"Very nice, clean-looking bag with a shoulder strap for a thin, regular-size yoga mat. Mat doesn't stick to the fabric of the bag so it slides in and out easily." Nayla Rathle
The half bridge posture
The half bridge posture is achieved by laying on your back, knees bent, arms along the sides, with palms down. Feet and arms are pressed into the mat. On the exhale, buttocks are lifted off the floor, raising until thighs are parallel to the floor.Continue breathing, continuing to press arms, back of shoulders, and feet into the mat, keeping the breath even and steady.
The knee hug
As I've said before, yoga is about balancing and balance. After stretching the back in one way, the back muscles are also stretched in the other direction. This is accomplished with the knee hug.After the knee hug, a nice lower back massage is accomplished by rocking the hips from side to side while still hugging your knees.
Another fun enjoyable stretch after the knee hug and lower back massage, is to reach the arms up through the legs and grab onto the feet. While holding the feet, move the feet nd legs around in a Happy Baby pose.
There are more yoga postures
than what I've covered here. But I wanted to give you some basics and tips to help you in your yoga practice. I hope you have found it helpful. Namaste.
Have you found a helpful yoga tip or have a helpful yoga tip to share?
You can share it here.
More Yoga options DVDs on Amazon
Kundalini Yoga for Beginners & Beyond NEW! Now with the **MATRIX** MENU OPTION!!!
NOW FEATURING THE NEW DESIGN YOUR OWN WORKOUT MATR more...0 points
Yoga for Stress Relief (With The Dalai Lama)
Over the centuries, yoga practitioners have discov more...0 points
Yoga For Inflexible People
Yoga For Inflexible People is for anyone who consi more...0 points
Eco Friendly Yoga Paws on Amazon
These yoga paws are made from eco friendly yoga mat material.
YOGA PAWS Mini Yoga Mats for Hands and Feet
Amazon Price: $31.50 (as of 12/07/2009)
"Wow! I love yoga paws! I have never been able to fully enjoy downward facing dog because I am concentrating so hard on not slipping out. Never again! I noticed that others have commented on size, but I wear a size 9 shoe and have a narrow foot and they fit so absolutely perfect. Yoga paws have made all the difference for me." Mary M.
Clothing for Yoga on Amazon
American Apparel Women's Stretch Cotton Yoga Pant
Amazon Price: (as of 12/07/2009)
Roll Down Yoga Pant by Hard Tail
Amazon Price: (as of 12/07/2009)
Ladies Low Rise Fold-Over Yoga Pant
Amazon Price: (as of 12/07/2009)
V-neck Fitness and Yoga top
Amazon Price: (as of 12/07/2009)
Embroidered Tank Top - Men's by prAna
Amazon Price: (as of 12/07/2009)
Facial Yoga Demo
Facial yoga is suppose to help in toning facial muscles which helps maintain a more youthful look.
Subscribe to your favorite Fitness magazine
Advanced Yoga on YouTube vids
Here's to your achieving new strength, flexibility, and vitality.
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Reply
- RinchenChodron RinchenChodron Feb 10, 2009 @ 4:01 pm
- Well done.
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Reply
- dkdaniel dkdaniel Aug 12, 2008 @ 11:12 am
- Yoga for inflexible people - now that is inviting to everyone! Hmm - nothing about yoga music though...come visit my lens if you have a chance.
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Reply
- Hanna Hanna Aug 9, 2008 @ 3:19 pm
- That's a very cool Ashtanga video. I wish I were that good! Come visit my blog on my quest for a hot yoga mat some time.
Interesting news on Yoga
- Yoga Day USA
- Yoga Alliance created Yoga Day USA in 1999 to raise awareness about yoga's benefits by offering free or low cost workshops across the country, on Yoga Day.
More info on Yoga
- About Yoga
- Have questions about Yoga - Yoga after pregnancy, Yoga for Seniors, Yoga on your period; check it out here.
About Me
Lensmaster CreativeArtist has been a member since January 11 2006, has rated 611 lenses, favorited 41, and has created 179 lenses from scratch. Cheryl Paton donates their royalties to Squidoo Charity Fund. This member's top-ranked page is "Acrylic Painting Techniques". See all my lenses
My Bio
I am known as CreativeArtist on Squidoo and CherylsArt on Zazzle. I love creating custom art for you - www.zazzle.com/CherylsArt*/ and writing too.
I do earn money from sales made on products I've posted. No companies have given me any products or have paid to have these items posted.
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