START WITH BASIC YOGA and SEE WHERE IT TAKES YOU!
1. Learn how to breathe
The most important thing to do in yoga is to breathe, especially when holding the postures. Most importantly, breathe through the nose into the belly.
2. Start and end with a brief Meditation
Start in easy pose with a short meditation to center yourself and bring your focus inside.
3. Use Basic and Beginning Postures
Start with our basic yoga pose sequences and/or these simple postures: seated twist, cat, dog, down dog, child, cobra, mountain, triangle, forward fold.
4. End with Shavasana (Relaxation Pose)
Always end your yoga practice with relaxation, resting and consciously relaxing your body for 5-15 minutes.
The most important thing to do in yoga is to breathe, especially when holding the postures. Most importantly, breathe through the nose into the belly.
2. Start and end with a brief Meditation
Start in easy pose with a short meditation to center yourself and bring your focus inside.
3. Use Basic and Beginning Postures
Start with our basic yoga pose sequences and/or these simple postures: seated twist, cat, dog, down dog, child, cobra, mountain, triangle, forward fold.
4. End with Shavasana (Relaxation Pose)
Always end your yoga practice with relaxation, resting and consciously relaxing your body for 5-15 minutes.
Resolve to Evolve! Any time of Year!
REVIEWED THE LAST YEAR AND RENEWED FOR THIS YEAR?
Let Yoga be the Evolution You Make and Keep!
New Year's Resolutions are "old hat"! We never kept them anyway. Resolving to evolve should become something we do throughout the year. Paying attention to what our body, mind and spirit needs at different time is a simple way to defeat the old new year's resolutions dread.Yoga can be that simpler way that can permeate to every part of your life. One single resolve that guides your every action, your every interaction, and ultimately all of your behaviours. Let it become a way of life and by the end of the year, it won't even have felt like a chore.
New Year's Resolutions, the ones that were actually realized, were the ones that focused on what you wanted rather than what you didn't want.
My suggestion for a yearly resolve has to do with how you live your life on a daily basis. Yoga is one resolve that can radically affect every aspect of your life. How you manage stress, how you make time for your self, and how you relax. Rather than saying "I am going to reduce stress", which is a bit like focusing on what you don't want; put it this way: "My life is more peaceful, my body and mind calmer, and my relations easier." The less stress you endure, and the less stress that impacts your life, you will feel more balanced and better able to achieve those really big "resolutions" that somehow never got realized because you put too much pressure on your self.
3 Weeks of Yoga E-course
We Love Summer Sales!
Summer is definitely one of those times that you need to refresh your yoga wardrobe or equipment to match the sun and the heat. Perhaps your yoga mat need a renewal. For myself, I have been longing to have a pair of the yoga socks with "toes". I would also like a little spa pampering something. How nice that Gaiam, your Guide to Better Living, has a July Saving Sale going on for the month of July starting right now. When you visit Gaiam.com through this coupon link, your special July coupon code automatically adds the coupon discount to your shopper's cartWhen you are unable to get away to get to a yoga class or don't have the time for a full yoga exercise, try the tips in this Gaiam video about what you can do at home in a short amount of time. No Time for Yoga?
The Most Important Thing
BASIC YOGA REVEALED
When you need to start with the basics
One of the things, which attract people to yoga, is that a basic yoga session can be as simple or as advanced as your mind and body will allow. Whether you check it out on the Internet, at your library, fitness center or by questioning someone you know who practices yoga, you will find that the market place has geared basic yoga instruction to meet all levels of interest and ability. A quick look on fitness center website might tell you that they offer everything from "gentle yoga" to "power yoga." A local senior center might emphasize, "simple yoga" or "chair yoga" for older people interested in the benefits of better muscle tone, flexibility and balance. There is some form of basic yoga being practiced some place close to you in any population center in your country.This does not mean that you have to join, register or pay up to practice yoga basics. Many people practice personal yoga routines at home, first thing in the mornings, which are as simple as they are beneficial. This could for example consist of a half dozen or so Sun Salutations with breathing techniques, the Corpse pose for relaxation, and ten minutes of meditation, completed in slightly less than an hour. Now that is basic yoga. The key is to get the information that gets you started so you can be that beginner you know you want to be.
"The most important pieces
of equipment you need for doing yoga are
your body and your mind."
7 Questions about Yoga
Many people still think that Yoga is a religion. Others believe it to be a kind of magic. Some associate Yoga with the rope trick, with snake-charming, fire-eating or sitting on nail-beds, lying on broken glass, walking on sharp swords, etc. Sometimes it is even linked to fortune telling, spiritualism, hypnotism and other "isms." In reality, however, yoga is a method, a system of physical, mental and spiritual development. Below are some basic questions and answers about yoga:
- What is the meaning of the word "Yoga"? The word Yoga is derived from the Sanskrit root "yuj," which means join, or union. The purpose of all Yogas is to unite man, the finite, with the Infinite, with Cosmic Consciousness. Truth, God, Light or whatever other name one chooses to call the Ultimate Reality. Yoga, as they say in India, is a marriage of spirit and matter.
- Is there only one Yoga? Yoga has several branches or divisions, but the goal, the aim of all of them is the same the achievement of a union with the Supreme Consciousness. In Karma Yoga, for instance, this is achieved through work and action; in Jnana (or Gnani) Yoga, through knowledge and study; in Bhakti Yoga, through, devotion and selfless love; in Mantra Yoga through repetitions of certain invocations and sounds. Raja Yoga (Royal Yoga) is the Yoga of consciousness, the highest form of Yoga. Its practice usually starts with Hatha Yoga which gives the body the necessary health and strength to endure the hardships of the more advanced stages of training.
- What is Hatha Yoga? Hatha Yoga is the Yoga of physical well-being. It consists of several steps and is preceded by the Yama-Niyama, the ten rules of the Yoga code of morality. The first stage is called Asana, or posture; the second is Pranayama, or breath control; the third is Pratyahara or nerve control; the fourth is Dharana, or mind control; the fifth is Dhyiana, or meditation; and finally there is Samadhi, the state of ultimate bliss and spiritual enlightenment.
- What does Hatha and Prana mean? Ha stands for the sun and tha for the moon. The correct translation of Hatha Yoga would be solar and lunar Yoga, since it deals with the solar and lunar qualities of breath and Prana.
Prana is a subtle life energy existing in the air in fluid form. Everything living, from men to plants to animals, is charged with Prana. Without Prana there is no life. - What religion does a yogi profess? A yogi can belong to any religion or to none at all.
- If the goal of Yoga is a spiritual illumination, why then is so much attention given to the care of the body? The yogis regard the human body as a temple of the Living Spirit and believe that as such it should be brought to the highest state of perfection. Also, the advanced practices of Yoga require great power of endurance. The body might not be able to stand the strain without special preparation.
- What is the origin of Yoga? Yoga was originated in India several thousand years ago. According to the German Professor Max Mueller, Yoga is about 6,000 years old, but other sources suggest it is much older than that.
BASIC YOGA POSES ON TAPE AND DVD
Excellent resources for DVDs and books
A company with a wealth of information and products in this area is GAIAM. GAIAM has earned a #1 ranking in yoga media. No other company matches the inspiring nature settings, artistic quality or program content of Gaiam yoga videos. Their programs led the yoga revolution in America and have earned more than 130 awards for creativity, quality and innovation. It's easy to see why Gaiam is the trusted brand in millions of homes for yoga instruction videos.Whether you're a yoga beginner or looking for a yoga DVD, soothing music CD, or a book to help you learn more advanced yoga poses, Gaiam yoga media features in-depth instruction and inspiring practice sequences created with the country's leading experts to introduce you to yoga, help you build a home practice, or advance your poses to a new level.
Check out the link below to see what they have that would assist you with basic poses/postures for your start. I would recommend the Easy Yoga Video
Gentle Yoga Category Page
Have You Heard About "Hot Yoga"?
I have; and I can say I'm not rushing to a class just yet!
I had just heard that there WAS a Yoga practice that was conducted in a "heated" room; but it wasn't until earlier this week that I actually knew someone who had done a hot yoga session. I have a friend who just took a complimentary first hot yoga session at a yoga studio near her home. The class was 1 1/2 hours in length and the heat of the room was 105 degrees. I saw her the next day and she thinks that she lost at least 5 pounds of water weight, felt like she was still sweating and every part of her body hurt. I could see why when she told me that during the 1 1/2 hour session in a 105 degree heated room; they added WEIGHTS during the session. I decided that I was glad that she had done the class and could tell me all about it so I wouldn't have to try it for myself. But, hey, I think that she is actually going to sign up.
If you would like some further information on "hot yoga"; here is what I found in a search.
What is Hot Yoga?
Hot Yoga is a series of yoga poses done in a heated room. The room is usually maintained at a temperature of 95-100 degrees. As you can imagine, a vigorous yoga session at this temperature promotes profuse sweating which rids the body of toxins. It also makes the body very warm, and therefore more flexible.
What is Bikram Yoga?
Living yoga master Bikram Choudhury is a Hot Yoga innovator. His method of Hot Yoga is a set series of 26 yoga poses, including two pranayama exercises, each of which is performed twice in a single 90 minute class. Choudhury, who was born in Calcutta, India in 1946, founded the Yoga College of India in Beverly Hills in 1974. He and his wife Rajashree were both yoga champions in India.
If you would like to look at some reader's comments on their opinion of Bikram/Hot Yoga go here to read what they have said. It seems that most of the About.com readers "love" it.
If you would like some further information on "hot yoga"; here is what I found in a search.
What is Hot Yoga?
Hot Yoga is a series of yoga poses done in a heated room. The room is usually maintained at a temperature of 95-100 degrees. As you can imagine, a vigorous yoga session at this temperature promotes profuse sweating which rids the body of toxins. It also makes the body very warm, and therefore more flexible.
What is Bikram Yoga?
Living yoga master Bikram Choudhury is a Hot Yoga innovator. His method of Hot Yoga is a set series of 26 yoga poses, including two pranayama exercises, each of which is performed twice in a single 90 minute class. Choudhury, who was born in Calcutta, India in 1946, founded the Yoga College of India in Beverly Hills in 1974. He and his wife Rajashree were both yoga champions in India.
If you would like to look at some reader's comments on their opinion of Bikram/Hot Yoga go here to read what they have said. It seems that most of the About.com readers "love" it.
AMAZON IS A FRIEND TO ANYONE WANTING TO LEARN YOGA BASICS!
Reader Feedback
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- yoga2009 yoga2009 Oct 5, 2009 @ 12:03 am
- i love this lens.
If you get the change check out my center for natural healing study
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- purplelady purplelady Jan 19, 2009 @ 1:20 am
- Been doing a chair yoga class now and loving it. Fortunately the instructor is a yogi and been teaching for 30 years; so she is very good. We do a combination of chair and floor exercises. I found your site as I was searching for something I could pick up and do at home in between my weekly chair yoga class. This looks very promising.
Great lens and information. 5 poses for you and a lens roll and fave.
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- fireheart fireheart Dec 28, 2008 @ 3:34 pm
- Found your Lens while researching beginning yoga. My wife has been doing Yoga for a couple of years and is encouraging me to get started with Yoga to improve my hip and back strength for my true passion which is golf. Great info here for the Yoga beginner.
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- Vicky Porter Vicky Porter Aug 14, 2008 @ 3:32 pm
- Love the Lens. I love the fact that you have Videos and Books available without spending hours online researching them. If you get the change check out my Yoga For Beginners Blog.
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- PattyPatio PattyPatio Mar 24, 2008 @ 5:35 pm
- I love to exercise out on my patio when the weather is nice. I have been meaning to start doing yoga; but was unsure how to begin. Found your lens and it has inspired me to just begin. I will check out some of your suggstions. This was a nice explanation.
Beginning Yoga on YouTube Videos
More Hatha Yoga for Baby Boomers : Breathing Exercises in Hatha Yoga
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