Posts Tagged ‘Yoga Mats’

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.

Hatha Yoga Postures

Hatha Yoga Postures

If you are wanting to learn Hatha yoga postures a good starting place is a Hatha yoga video or DVD.  Take care when choosing your video or DVD though to ensure that the instructor has adequate qualifications to teach Hatha yoga poses to students.  

What to Expect

Comfortable clothing that is easy to move around in is important when performing Hatha yoga postures and poses.  The clothing should not be too loose, otherwise it may slide around too much and get in their way when performing some of the postures in the class.  Usually pairs of tights or sweatpants are ideal along with a snug fitting tank top.  Shorts are also allowed in classes.  

Beginners in Hatha yoga postures can bring their own mat or can usually borrow a mat from the gym where they will be participating.  Although the mats at the gym are fine, they are not always the most sterile, and when there are bare feet, sweating and faces to the mat in some cases, this is not a fine proposition that many people want to do where other people have done it there beforehand.  These Hatha yoga posture mats can be found in various sporting goods stores for around fifteen dollars, so it is not an expensive buy if the beginner wants to purchase one. The mats are essential so that the feet and hands do not slip when doing the various Hatha yoga postures, as well as giving the user some padding when the buttocks or stomach are on the mat during the course of the class.

One of the advantages of a Hatha Yoga DVD is that yo can perform the Hatha Yoga postures in the connivence of your home and any time that suits you.

If you want to learn more about Hatha Yoga poses or just general information regarding yoga visit HealthyYogaInfo.com

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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A home Yoga studio may be easier to build than you think!

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There are numerous reasons to set up a home Yoga studio.For some, they may not like certain studios, may not have time, or may simply like being at home. For some, it reduces the embarrassment of having the Yoga instructor tell you to do some heinously difficult pose and find that everyone else looks like a ballet dancer and you just fell on your head.

In truth, I think the practicalities are much less important than the intangible benefits. At home, your studio can be customized to you desires. It can look how you want, be equipped you want, and grow with you. A professional studio will have their own schedule and register of styles. I do not intend to say anything negative about Yoga studios. I just want to present another option- a well-constructed home Yoga studio. Having a studio in your own home becomes more than just a way around difficulty practical issues but a means of getting what you want out of your practice. If you are usually a meditative practitioner, but want something more physical, you can grab a different DVD. Or if you prefer power Yoga, but are just too tired, you can practice any number of less physically demanding styles.

With these benefits, I would think all people who love Yoga would have their own studio. However, creating your own Yoga studio at home seems like it would be simple, but I found it more difficult than I realized. The trouble is simple. The reason to set up your studio is exactly what makes it difficult. A studio at home is one you can use on your own time, but there’s nobody to tell you to do Yoga right now.

Here are a few pointers that I found helpful

1. First, the space should always be peaceful and separated from the goings on of the rest of the house. This is not to say that you have to build an extra room, but simply separate some space within a room from the rest of it. Decorate it to remind yourself of your practice in whatever way you like. That may be through complete quiet and no decoration or it may be through music and a lavishly decorated space. Either way is fine, but separating a space helps make it your own sacred space for meditation and practice.
2. Make a schedule for doing Yoga. This is your time to enjoy your Yoga training or meditation. Remove outside distractions (i.e. turn off your cell phone, don’t have any other projects going, etc.) and people in your house know not to disturb you. There remains one problem to be dealt with, though. Settinggoal is great, but you have to follow through. It remains a common wisdom that it is easier to set goals than follow them. Consider starting with smaller goals like practicing once a week and working up.
3. The ideal studio will haveYoga quality equipment that fits your needs. I recommend a Yoga mat that is at least 5 cm thick. I also recommend at least getting a Yoga block. They are inexpensive and can often assist you in getting a pose that you would never have been able to do without the assistance. Even people practicing Fitness Yoga can sometimes do with a Yoga block or strap.
4. Find the right Yoga DVD’s and instruction. I will briefly say that you should check into reviews and ensure that you find DVD’s that are the style you want and at your level, that’s a good start. Mostly, however, this is a big enough topic for another post.

My final thought is this. Setting up the studio, making the schedule, and following through is all well and good, but there is one key element remaining- enjoy the experience! Having a home Yoga studio allows you to improve your health, relax, and tailor the space in a way not possible at a professional studio It is a wonderful thing to have, so enjoy it! Best of luck with setting it up!

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.