Posts Tagged ‘Alignment’

Development of the Core with Power Yoga

Power yoga is a term used to describe a new approach to the to vinyasa-style yoga which is vigorous and fitness-based. Developing the Core, Power Yoga is the translation from the ancient Indian language of Sanskrit, meaning”Asthanga Yoga” – meaning power Yoga. These poses help to develop the core of the student in power yoga so that the foundation of the body is strong. Power yoga develops these core muscles especially because they are used in almost every pose that is held in the practice of power yoga. There are many power yoga DVD’s and classes that teach students how to develop their bodies using simply their body weight and different poses which are held for a certain length of time. With this yoga poses, the stomach muscles are engaged and grows stronger by the minute whether the pose is sitting, standing or balancing.

Improving your Core health with Power Yoga

All the Core Power Yoga poses require that the individual hold his own body weight throughout the series of five or more deep breaths that he needs to take before the pose is over. This requires strength from the muscles that the respective asana concentrates on. The back is kept in better alignment throughout the day as it maintains a better posture whether sitting of standing. Developing the core with power yoga helps individuals who enter the class with back problems. Developing the stomach muscles helps the body to support the torso through the use of the stomach muscles rather than using the back muscles so much. In addition to the core’s development in power yoga, the flexibility that is gained in conjunction with the core development allows individuals with back problems to have looser muscles in the back and hamstrings, which also helps to alleviate pain.

Importance of Breathing in Core Power Yoga

The term “power yoga” became widely used, in the 90s, when some yoga teachers were looking for a way to make Ashtanga yoga more accessible to students. The students are also taught to breathe properly so that the people can breathe deeply even in the midst of strenuous exercise. The individual is taught how to relax all other muscles in the body other than the ones that are being used to hold a particular pose. These breaths are controlled and are taken in and out through the nose. The breaths are drawn from the diaphragm so that they are slow and full, supplying much needed oxygen to the entire body. These breathing methods are important life skills as well to help calm the person down and reduce stress levels. In addition to these looser muscles and developing the core in power yoga, there are other health benefits as well, like stress reduction and helping the person’s concentration levels.

The Benefits of Yoga Can be Enhanced With a Yoga Strap

No doubt, once you’ve used one, you’ll find a yoga strap to be an valuable “prop” in your yoga practice. However, before we list the benefits of using a yoga strap, let’s talk a little about Yoga, itself.

What Yoga Practice Can Do for You

Yoga practitioners find that consistent yoga practice awakens both mind and body! As you unburden your mind to give your complete attention to each pose, you stimulate your “inner body” awareness of the present moment. Your “outer body” benefits as each pose nourishes, energizes, and revitalizes every cell, fiber, and tissue due to enhanced breathing, flexibility, strength and alignment. The goal of yoga practice is to create a union between the body, mind and spirit.

If you want to master a yoga pose, you will need extraordinary patience, plus time and dedication. Do not expect perfect poses in the beginning. But, slowly over time, as you practice and attempt to perform each pose perfectly, without pushing yourself too far physically or beating yourself up mentally, you will discover that you are developing flexibility, strength, and energy physically and feeling more peaceful and clear mentally.

Choose an uncluttered, graceful space for your practice area, if possible with a bare floor and an accessible wall. Avoid distractions, such as cell phones, during your yoga practice. For optimum function, you should not eat for at least 2 hours before practicing. If you can’t go without eating, then try to eat something light, such as a piece of fruit, but no more than 1 hour before you start your yoga practice.

Always be mindful with your movements, and if you encounter pain or discomfort as you try a pose, pause or stop, and then try again.

Yoga props and yoga accessories, such as yoga mats, yoga bolsters, yoga straps, yoga blocks, yoga mat bags, and even yoga towels are perfect for aiding you in moving deeper into a pose, in performing a perfect pose, and in practicing in a healthful way.

High on the list of the many benefits of using yoga props is that most are made to assist in relieving any pain or discomfort you might have while you are perfectly a yoga pose.

Until you’ve developed core structural strength, yoga props can assist you in avoiding injury to yourself.

Relief from tension and relaxation benefits are an integral part of any yoga practice. Yoga props can give needed support so you’re not tempted to “stress out” because you’re unable to do a certain pose.

The plumb line, that is, “head-over-heels” body alignment, is crucial in doing yoga poses correctly. Yoga props help you maintain appropriate alignment.

Yoga props help to enhance movement. Certain props create space in the joints and let the body more fluid movement without putting stress on a particular joint.

As we mentioned earlier, yoga practice is about unifying the mind, body and spirit through the development of a deeper awareness and the evolution of mindfulness. How do yoga props assist in this great goal? When you are able to simply focus your mind on doing your yoga poses flawlessly, rather than concerning yourself with transitory limitations, you will go deeper into that balance of mind, body, and spirit.

Now, About That Yoga Strap:

Whether you are a beginner and require extra help in your poses, or you simply want to get the most out of your yoga routine, a yoga strap is a excellent addition to your “yoga props.” Good flexibility is valuable in yoga practice. If you’re thinking you’re not flexible enough for a yoga practice, don’t give up. Flexibility takes a while to develop, and a yoga strap can be most useful in that development. In fact, without a yoga strap, some individuals just starting out will find certain poses impossible.

A yoga strap allows you to hold onto your limbs (the ones you can’t otherwise reach) or to hold a pose longer. In other words, a yoga strap has a variety of useful uses. For example, a yoga strap can make a hamstring stretch far more gainful if you hook it around your foot while your leg is held straight. Then as you lean forward and pull on the strap, you will get a far better hamstring stretch. If your hands are not able to by nature clasp each other, bound poses, like cow face or Gomukhasana are problematic to do without a yoga strap. A yoga strap can also be used to hold your leg in a Trikosana, to stretch your shoulder in the Shoulder Stretch Exercise, and a lot of other yoga postures.

Yoga straps are commonly available in materials such as nylon and hemp, and often have buckles on the end to aid in storage and transportation.

Yoga Blocks, What Are They Good For?

You’ll remember to place your yoga blocks in your yoga bag once you’ve discovered their many benefits to your practice. But, before we review the many benefits of yoga blocks, it’s a helpful idea to review a bit about the good things Yoga, itself.

What Yoga Practice Can Do for You

Yoga helps you in awakening your inner body and enlivening your outer body! Doing each pose perfectly requires your undivided attention, and such focus enhances your mental awareness. Your “outer body” profits as each pose nourishes, energizes, and revitalizes every cell, fiber, and tissue as a result of enhanced breathing, flexibility, strength and alignment. The goal of yoga practice is to create a union between the body, mind and spirit.

Patience is not only a virtue, it is the “key” to mastering a yoga pose, especially when combined with ample time and commitment. No one is a master the first time they try to do anything. But, slowly over time, as you practice and make an effort to perform each pose perfectly, without pushing yourself too far physically or beating yourself up mentally, you will notice that you are developing flexibility, strength, and energy physically and feeling more peaceful and clear mentally.

The best environment for doing your practice is a clean, graceful place with a bare floor and available wall. Remove any distractions from your yoga environment. Ideally, you should not eat for at least 2 hours before practicing. If you find you need to eat, then try to eat something light, such as a piece of fruit, but no more than 1 hour before you start your yoga practice.

Be consistently mindful of how your body feels, and stop or pause if you encounter any pain or discomfort while trying out a pose. Then try again.

Yoga props and accessories, such as yoga mats, yoga bolsters, yoga straps, yoga blocks, yoga mat bags, and even a yoga towel are made with the intention to assist you in moving deeper into a pose, in performing a perfect pose, and in practicing in a healthful way.

Yoga Prop Benefits:

• Pain relief and body comfort

• Prevent injury

• Stress relief and relaxation

• Encourage appropriate alignment

• Ease and flexibility of movement

• Open up the joints

• Develop awareness and understanding

Yoga Blocks

Unfortunately, on occasion before a beginner can start to know the benefits to mind and body that yoga supplies, discomfort in attempting to do a few of the yoga poses will cause them to turn away from a beneficial yoga practice. Yoga blocks can assist in improving your alignment and, in the process, make you less strained during your yoga practice. Several standing yoga poses include one hand being on the floor. In other words, the floor can appear to be a long way down for a novice. Think of a yoga block as adding length to your arm. By placing your hand on the block, you will be able to do the standing poses correctly while you are in the process of developing your flexibility. A yoga block is a wonderful transitional aid.  In addition, several sitting poses make use of a yoga block.  A yoga block assists you in going a lot farther in your practice, and maybe even in your life. Who could ask for more from something so “square.”

Yoga blocks come in several different materials. To name a few: Foam blocks are durable and lightweight, an effortless add to your yoga mat bag! Wooden blocks are also lightweight and hollow, yet essentially indestructible (even Fido would find one hard to destroy!). And, then there is the environmentally friendly cork block.  An added bonus is that the natural texture of the cork gives a little extra traction.

Yoga blocks are generally sold individually but, for versatility, you’ll probably want to buy several.