The Benefits of Different Types of Yoga Pose
May 11, 2009 by Gail Grannum
Filed under Beginner Yoga Poses, Exercise & Fitness
The practice of yoga is aimed at developing a harmonious relationship between mind, body, and spirit through different types of yoga poses or asanas. A combination of different types of yoga poses in one session helps the individual attain flexible joints, toned muscles, and increased strength. Here are the different types of yoga poses and their benefits. 
Standing Yoga Poses
Some yoga poses are done in the standing position. These standing yoga poses such as the triangular pose or trikonasana help in promoting the strength and flexibility of the body and in its proper alignment. Since they promote the strength and endurance of the body, they work wonderfully for improving posture and thus help build the confidence of the individual.
Sitting Yoga Poses
Some sitting yoga poses are used for the practice of breathing exercises (pranayama) and for practicing meditation. However, sitting poses such as the lotus pose or the padmasana are not only good for meditation, but they also strengthen your legs, ankles, and hips. They help in elongating the spine and strengthening it. This promotes a good sitting posture.
Twisting Yoga Poses
The half-spinal twist or the Ardha Matsyendrasana is an example of the twisting yoga poses. These poses exercise the spine a little differently than the other asanas. They gently stretch the back and thereby strengthen it. And this is not the only benefit that you can expect from these asanas. They also gently massage the abdominal organs and improve digestion. They relieve the tension in the muscles and joints. These poses require special attention and the movements should be slow and fluid in order to avoid injuries.
Inverted Yoga Poses
Any kind of inverted yoga pose does wonders for your facial skin, your hair, and your brain. The upside down position of poses such as the headstand or Shirsasana promotes circulation of blood throughout the body and helps detoxify it. A fresh supply of oxygen to the brain reduces lethargy and depression and improves concentration and memory.
Relaxation Yoga Poses
Yoga poses such as the corpse position or Shavasana are not just aimed at relaxing the body, but also at relaxing the mind. It relieves stress and anxiety. It calms the body and the mind. When the body and mind are calm, the immunity of an individual is strengthened and it prevents the frequent occurrence of illnesses.
Bending Yoga Poses
These yoga poses can either be forward bending or backward bending. Forward bending poses help promote the flexibility of the back and relieve tension and stiffness. Backward bending poses are often used to counterbalance the forward bending yoga poses. They are good for the nervous system and prevent hunching which is common with age.
It is believed that there are around 84,000 yoga poses know to man. For a yoga beginner, it is essential that the right kind of yoga poses are learnt from a qualified instructor and practiced daily at a regular time. A complete yoga session should ideally include the different types of yoga poses. This will help an individual reap the numerous benefits of yoga for a healthy body, mind, and spirit. Click Here to take survey
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The Different Types of Yoga Styles
May 11, 2009 by Gail Grannum
Filed under Beginner Yoga Poses, Exercise & Fitness
If you are planning on including yoga in your daily exercise routine, you need to know that there are actually different types of yoga styles that are being taught and practiced during this modern day and age. Although the yoga poses or asanas are similar in most of these yoga styles, the way they are practiced might vary. Here is a brief description of the various types of yoga styles that are quite popular these days.
Hatha Yoga
This type of yoga style is a combination of the positive current (“ha” or the sun) and the negative current (“tha” or the moon). Hatha yoga includes physical yoga asanas, breathing exercises, meditation, mudras, and purification procedures. It is gentle and slow-paced and a good yoga style to choose for a beginner.
Vinyasa Yoga
This yoga style is more vigorous than Hatha yoga. It involves a series of yoga poses called Surya Namaskar or Sun Salutations. Each movement in this series is matched to the breath and each pose is balanced with a counter pose. This type of yoga works wonderfully well for warming up and is an ideal preparation for more intense stretching.
Ashtanga Yoga
Popularly known as power yoga, this type of yoga style is fast-paced and intense. It is a physically demanding type of yoga with a focus on building strength and stamina. The yoga poses are more difficult and the individual has to quickly move from one pose to the other in a constant flow. It is not ideal for yoga beginners. However, those who are looking at building their athletic abilities, Ashtanga yoga poses are quite suitable.
Iyengar Yoga
The Iyengar yoga style focuses on body alignment and inner awareness. It emphasizes holding yoga poses for long periods of time and meditating in these postures. This type of yoga also encourages the use of props. It is ideal for beginners and for those who have never exercised.
Kundalini Yoga
This type of yoga style combines breath control, chanting, meditation, hand and finger gestures, and guided relaxation. Kundalini refers to the vital energy which lies at the base of the spine and this yoga style is aimed at freeing this energy for the purification of the mind, body, and emotions.
Bikram Yoga
Bikram Yoga is performed in a room with a temperature as high as 95-100 Fahrenheit. This loosens the tight muscles and leads to extreme sweating. This sweating is believed to be cleansing for the body. This yoga style is very intense and demanding and is only ideal for extremely fit individuals.
Besides these most popular types of yoga, there are a few other yoga styles which are practiced throughout the world. These include, but are not limited to:
Kripalu (spontaneous and meditation-oriented),
Sivananda (based on the 5 principles of proper exercise, breathing, relaxation, diet, and thinking),
Raja Yoga (attaining liberation through meditation),
Bhakti Yoga (devotional yoga), and
Mantra Yoga (liberation through repetition of sounds)
Choosing the right type of yoga style will depend on your specific needs and your own fitness ability. Whereas Hatha, Vinyasa, and Iyengar yoga styles can be safely practiced by anyone and are ideal for beginners, Bikram Yoga and Ashtanga Yoga are usually practiced by individuals who are yoga veterans. However, whatever the yoga style, you can expect to gain maximum benefits of yoga by a regular practice. Click Here to take survey
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4. The Benefits of Different Types of Yoga Pose
The Wonderful Benefits of Yoga
May 11, 2009 by Gail Grannum
Filed under Beginner Yoga Poses, Exercise & Fitness
Irrespective of religion, country, sex, and age, anyone and everyone can enjoy the benefits of yoga. Yoga is a Sanskrit word which means “union” and originated in ancient India. According to ancient Sanskrit texts, there are actually 8 limbs of yoga which relate to the different aspects of an individual’s life and are essential for leading a healthy and fulfilling life.
Its focus on the overall development of an individual is the reason why it has become so popular throughout the world. There are probably hundreds of benefits of yoga which are know to us at present and many might still be revealed in the future. But here are a few of the benefits that you can expect with a regular practice of yoga.
Benefits of Yoga for Your Body
Most people usually take to yoga for its numerous physiological benefits.
- Yoga poses or asanas are designed to stretch and strengthen your muscles, joints, ligaments, and tendons.
- Combined with the right breathing practice, they work to make you supple, flexible, and fit. Regular practice of yoga helps build immunity, improve the quality of your sleep, helps you lose or gain weight, and improves eye-hand coordination and dexterity skills. And that’s not all.
- Yoga stabilizes the different functions of you body. So, you can expect yoga to normalize your hormonal imbalances, your gastrointestinal and excretory functions, improve your respiratory and cardiovascular functions, and also stabilize your nervous system.
Benefits of Yoga for Your Beauty
A beautiful and ageless skin is one of the benefits of yoga which attracts people. The regular practice of the many inverted yoga poses reduces the wrinkles on the face. Better circulation to the face, calmness of the body and mind, and better sleep provides a natural glow to the complexion of an individual which can never be achieved with the various products available in the market. Yoga also does wonders for your hair. It increases the blood supply to your scalp and thus delays the graying of hair and helps you get thicker, shiny, and beautiful hair. And of course, the improved posture which results from the regular practice of yoga also adds to your beauty.
Benefits of Yoga for Your Mind
Although there are many physical benefits of yoga, it is considered to be one practice which provides more psychological benefits than any other form of exercising.
- The different yoga poses, breathing exercises, and regular meditative practices which are important parts of a regular yoga session improve concentration and memory, makes learning and retention easier, reduces depression and anxiety, improves mood, reduces tension, and promotes mind-body harmony.
Other Benefits of Yoga
Yoga also provides other benefits for an individual.
- The person becomes more self-aware. A positive self-esteem and a clarity of mind helps you deal with people and situations in a more effective and positive way. Calmness of mind and respect for yourself and others helps in better relationships. In this way, yoga provides benefits in each and every aspect of your life.
A yoga session involves many yoga poses and for a yoga beginner some of them may be instantly relaxing whereas some may take a few days to get used to. But there is one thing for sure. The above-mentioned benefits of yoga are not the only ones. Only when you practice yoga regularly will you be able to actually realize and experience the many wonderful benefits of yoga. Click Here to take survey
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