Posts Tagged ‘Power Yoga’

Power Yoga Video – choose the appropriate one

There are different choices on the market today that allow students to learn power yoga. There are power yoga videos, classes and even power yoga CD’s. It is important to choose a power yoga video carefully to make sure that the instructor is qualified to teach the class. Two famous yoga teachers are most often credited with the near simultaneous invention of power yoga: Beryl Bender Birch, based in New York, and Bryan Kest, based in Los Angeles, both have trained under with Ashtanga master Sri K. Pattabhi Jois. There are power yoga videos that give the instructors all that they need to be able to instruct their students. Good power yoga videos are the ones that are led by qualified instructors and also have more than one version of the workout depending on the level. The power yoga video should also offer modified versions of the various poses so that the beginners can use a modified position to make it easier and more advanced practitioners can use a harder position.

Equipment

Once a power yoga video is purchased, there are a few other things that are necessary in order to fully participate in the workout.

One of the items to focus on is proper yoga clothing when doing your yoga video class. The clothing should be loose and comfortable so that the different poses can be done without hindrance. Most people prefer some sweat pants or tights and a tank top which allow movement without hindrance. It is very important that the clothing used during yoga should not be so loose so as to move around too much and have to be readjusted during a pose, interrupting the flow of the asana.

The other important item needed is a yoga mat and can be purchased for about fifteen dollars. Yoga mats (also called sticky mats) are used in most yoga classes to provide cushioning and traction. Students’ hands and feet get sweaty when participating in the power yoga video and the rubberized mat helps to prevent slippage and mistakes. The yoga mat helps the students to keep their feet and hands in place when participating in the power yoga video. The cushion that is offered by the mat allows the individuals to have more comfort when participating in some of the floor poses, but it is not so thick that the students lose their balance when doing the balancing poses of their power yoga video.

A good power yoga video will leave the person feeling exhausted yet stretched out and relaxed at the same time.The poses in the power yoga video flow from one to the next, yet are held for about five slow breaths each to give the strength part of the workout. The poses are so difficult because they require the students to hold their own body weight, which gets tiring over time.

Learning Power Yoga Poses and Asanas

Power yoga videos can be valuable tools to help students to learn power yoga poses without investing in an expensive class until they are sure that they enjoy it. Students need to choose the videos carefully to make sure that the instructor is certified to teach it. The poses are called Asanas in Sanskrit, the ancient Indian language. At the first instance, power yoga poses can be quite difficult to learn. Hence some students are more comfortable learning the poses in the comfort of their own home so that other people cannot see their mistakes. One caution in using a video to learn the power yoga poses is that the instructor on the DVD might not be fully trained to teach power yoga.

Types of Poses

This style allows for a lot of variety, but will almost certainly include Sun Salutations or “Surya namaskar ” in Sanskrit. There are power yoga poses that require the individual to hold on one hand and one foot, or even some that are all on the hands or on the head and hands. These balance poses require a lot of concentration and strength to hold it the entire time. There are other standing power yoga poses that are done in a balance position. Although all the power yoga poses require some degree of balance, there are some that are done on one foot with the other leg held up in the air in an asana position.

The word Vinyasa means “breath-synchronized movement.There are also some power yoga poses or asanas that are done while standing up. These poses require the students to hold their body weight in a variety of stances, from wide lunges to straddles. These poses help to develop the leg muscles and also help to make the person more flexible in those areas. There are also some twisting poses that use the upper body in a twisting hold so that the stretch is even deeper and the hold is more difficult.

Power yoga poses are also done on the floor, utilizing the hands and feet at the same time. Other poses are done more for flexibility and to open passageways rather than for the strength part of yoga. Some power yoga poses are done in what looks like a push-up position or some modified push-up position. There are others that are done lying down on the mat in various positions. Some of the power yoga poses or asnas are done for sheer relaxations, allowing both body and mind to relax completely for a matter of minutes.

Power yoga poses help to train individuals to concentrate fully on one thing and to learn to control their bodies in the various positions. It allows them to relax the parts of their body that are not working in that particular pose, and also teaches them to breathe properly.

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 advantages of Power Yoga

Together, Power Yoga is a truly exhilarating experience. Here we exercise our bodies and minds leaving us feeling energized and refreshed! Power Yoga is the translation from the ancient Indian language of Sanskrit, meaning”Asthanga Yoga” – meaning power Yoga. Power yoga is practiced by almost every age of person and almost every physical ability. While performing Power Yoga remember to think of uniting all the elements of your being– uniting your body, your mind and your breathing. It helps to strengthen not only the person’s body, but also his mind and overall well-being. Yoga student have seen the benefits of the all round workout that this style of yoga can give and this has made Power Yoga very popular in this country. Power yoga is taught in a variety of different yoga studios as well as traditional gyms that are quickly adding these studios to their list of available classes.heres some of the benefits of Power Yoga

Health benefits of Power Yoga

Increasing the Body’s flexibility with Power YogaThere are many different health benefits to practicing power yoga on a regular basis. Power Yoga is the translation from Sanskrit of “Asthanga Yoga” – meaning power Yoga. It comes from the yogic belief that Mind, Body and Breathing can help govern and reach well being. In addition to strength, however, there are other health benefits for not just the body but the mind as well. The body becomes more flexible when practicing power yoga since the poses require many different stretches and contortions when holding them. This enables the body to gain strength and flexibility at the same time, opening passageways that may have been bound up for years, constricting blood flow and holding in toxins. Increased blood flow is an additional benefit to practicing this type of yoga, as well as balance and coordination, since these are also needed to perform the poses correctly and to hold them.–  flexibility and control. Although the workout often appears to be easy since it is so smooth and flowing, looks are deceiving since all the 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. Power yoga consists of a series of poses that individuals perform in a very controlled manner, smoothly flowing from one to another. This requires a high level of concentration and body control that has to be mastered and gives the students a great workout as well.

Developing Strength with Power Yoga

Developing your strength is an additional benefit of power yoga. The first is obvious from the previous paragraph

Breathing & Mental Discipline and uniting your mind and body with Power Yoga

Yogis belief is that Pranayasana i.e. controlled breathing, combined with yoga poses can help reach mind and body harmony. Power Yoga requires discipline and concentration. Mental health is bolstered through the breathing techniques that are used in the poses of power yoga. Even when its difficult, a constant level of breathing is maintained throughout the Power Yoga class. Since Power Yoga requires a very high level of discipline and concentration, it provides a high level of concentration and relaxation to the person participating in the yoga class which he can carry over into his work life. The breathing is always deep and slow, being pulled in and out through the nose, rather than through the mouth. It is always pulled through the diaphragm so that it is deep and provides the necessary oxygen to the body. While performing Power Yoga remember to think of uniting all the elements of your being– uniting your body, your mind and your breathing

Good Yoga Mats

There is a very wide variety of yoga mats on the market. You will find both synthetic and natural yoga mats, and they come in many different sizes and colors. Which is best?

Natural or synthetic?

There two main types of yoga mat made from natural materials. The first is mats manufactured from natural fibers such as cotton. These can be good if you are in a power yoga class such as ashtanga yoga (or astanga yoga) where you will move quickly from one pose to another. If you are sweating you may be more comfortable on natural fibers. Check that the mat has a non-slip surface on the underside if you will be placing it directly on a hard floor.

You may also see some rubber mats. Rubber is of course a natural material. These will grip well on the floor but can become slippery if your feet and hands are perspiring.

Sticky yoga mat which is made from synthetic materials is the most popular form of yoga mat today. These are designed so that the mat will not slip on the floor while also providing good grip and cushioning for your feet and hands. Sticky yoga mats are good security for stretch poses and for balances. They are also lightweight and easy to roll and carry.

Size

Yoga mats come in various sizes but you will want to be sure that it is longer than your height so that you can lie stretched out with both your head and heels on the mat. For most women a 6 ft mat will be long enough but some men will need an extra long size.

The width depends on the poses that you will do and how you use the mat. Usually if the mat is 1.5 times the width of your shoulders, that is fine. Keep in mind that a wider mat will make a longer roll and may be more awkward to carry.

If your yoga style includes a lot of sitting and lying relaxation and breathing exercises, you may want a thicker mat for comfort.

Color

The color may not seem important but it is! Feel calm and relaxed when you are practicing, having your yoga mat a colour you like will help. Always avoid very bright colours. For most people green or blue mats are best. If you always practice in the same room it is good if the color of your mat harmonizes with it. Any clash of colors will affect your mood.

Grid patterns are printed on some yoga mats. This can help you check that your feet and hands are correctly positioned in the yoga poses.

Caring for your yoga mat

A yoga mat should be easy to clean and care for. Remember that your mat is used on the floor and often in public spaces, so for hygiene you should wash it regularly. If your mat is machine washable remember to keep it at low temperatures and do not spin or tumble dry. You can simply wipe down with a mild antiseptic household cleaning product with other mats. After cleaning the mat, leave it out to dry thoroughly. When yoga mats are wet never roll or store them.

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