Archive for the ‘Yoga Benefits’ Category

By Suza Francina

When I began teaching yoga in the early 1970’s, the term, “yoga props,” was practically unheard of. When we sat on the floor to practice seated forward bends, people who could not touch their toes simply held onto their lower legs. Then someone had the bright idea to wrap a sock, towel, belt or an old neck tie around the foot to hang onto while stretching forward. While not as versatile as the modern prop known as a yoga strap, these early around-the-house props actually worked quite well!

At the time that I began teaching yoga, I was also working as a home health-care provider. I befriended and cared for many people up until the last years of their life. My main job was assisting people who were unable to take care of themselves independently with their daily activities. Many of these people had arthritis and other common health conditions that restrict movement. Back then, people with joint pain, swelling, heart disease, shortness of breath, etc., were generally advised not to move. So they became increasingly weaker, stiffer and incapacitated.

My background in home-health care showed me how important exercise is for all ages, but especially the older population. When an older beginner comes to my yoga class with pain and stiffness in their body, one of the first things I generally teach them is how to practice yoga’s challenging weight-bearing standing poses safely with the support of props such as a wall and chair.

What is a yoga prop?

In the world of yoga, a prop is any object helps you stretch, strengthen, balance, relax, or improve your body alignment. Props include yoga mats, which are sticky, nonskid mats essential for providing stability and preventing your hands and feet from slipping, blankets that provide padding and support, long yoga straps and belts that are used in dozens of innovative ways to help you stretch further and prevent muscle and joint strain, bolsters, blocks, chairs and benches that support the body in various ways, wall ropes, sandbags, back benders, and many other objects designed to help students experience the various yoga poses more profoundly and safely.

Many common features of our homes or work place can also serve as props: floors, walls, doors, doorways, stairs, ledges, tables, desks, chairs, windowsills and kitchen counters. When I teach people at home, I show them how to use these common household objects to improve their posture, maintain balance and stretch, strengthen and relax.

By providing support, props help you to extend beyond habitual limitations and teach you that your body is capable of doing much more than you think it can.

Props are used to teach specific actions such as lengthening the spine and opening the chest. For example, the student in the photo at right, a beginner in his mid-seventies, is practicing the Triangle Pose with the back of his body against a wall and his lower hand on a chair, rather than straining to reach the floor. This helps assure that his body is in good alignment which is especially important to prevent injury if we have joint problems (or hip or knee joint replacements) or weak bones that are susceptible to fractures. People who have scoliosis (curvature of the spine, rounded back, or other chronic postural problems can significantly improve their posture by stretching with the help of a wall and chair.

Props can be used to make postures more challenging; to safely stretch farther; to work in a deeper, stronger way; and to expand, open, and blossom in a pose. In yoga we are asking the body to “work against the grain.” We are asking the body to let go of the death grip that habit and conditioning have on us. Props help us to accept this revolutionary (and evolutionary) process.

Using yoga props makes postures safer and more accessible. Most older people are quite stiff by the time they start yoga, and props allow them to practice poses they would not ordinarily be able to do. Older students also frequently come to yoga with problems, ranging from back and neck pain to knee problems to old injuries. The more problems a student has, the more useful yoga props are.

Props allow you to hold poses longer, so you can experience their healing effects. By supporting the body in the yoga posture, muscles can lengthen in a passive, nonstrenuous way. By opening the body, the use of props also helps to improve blood circulation and breathing capacity.

One of the greatest benefits of yoga as we grow older is that it offers exercise without exhaustion. Yoga replenishes our precious energy reserves. Supporting the body with props opens the door to what is known as “Restorative Yoga”, which not only allows you to exercise without exerting any effort but simultaneously relaxes and reenergizes you. This is critical during times when we find ourselves feeling too tired to exercise and then feeling even more tired because we are not exercising.

By using props, students who need to conserve their energy can practice more strenuous poses without overexerting themselves. People with chronic illness can use props to practice without undue strain and fatigue.

Props are adapted to each student’s body type and flexibility. They are especially helpful to anyone who may avoid certain poses because of fear, problems with balance due to loss of hearing and eyesight, pain, or other limitations.

Props help all practitioners-including both the most advanced students and those of advanced years-to receive the deep benefits of postures held for sustained periods of time.

Eight Reasons Why Props Are Beneficial for Older Practitioners

Props help us conserve and replenish energy, which becomes increasingly important as we grow older and also during times of illness.

Props make difficult poses more accessible and safe. They allow even those who start late in life to hold poses for a long time, without strain.

Props help prevent injuries and help old injuries to heal.

People tend to stretch from their more flexible areas and rely on their better-developed muscles for strength. Props encourage weak parts to strengthen and stiff areas to stretch, thus balancing and realigning the whole body.

Props allow us to stay in poses long enough to release tension and experience deeper levels of relaxation.

Props help create space in the spine and the joints, ever more important as we grow older and cope with issues such as osteoporosis, arthritis and joint replacements.

Props allow older practitioners with balance problems to practice the weight-bearing standing poses, helping them to remain independent and out of wheelchairs.

Props allow us to practice inverted poses safely and to reverse the downward pull of gravity, slowing down the aging process.

SUZA FRANCINA, the former mayor of Ojai, California, is a writer, animal advocate and Certified Iyengar Yoga Instructor. She has taught yoga since 1972 and is a pioneer in the field of teaching yoga to seniors. Her first book, Yoga for People Over 50, was published in 1977. She is author of The New Yoga for People Over 50 (Health Communications, Inc., 1997); Yoga and the Wisdom of Menopause (HCI, 2003); and The New Yoga for Healthy Aging (HCI 2007). She is currently completing a spiritual memoir, Autobiography of a Yogini. Her writing has appeared in numerous other books, magazines and publications worldwide. Born in Holland in 1949, she emigrated with her family to Ojai, California at the age of seven and has made the Ojai Valley her home ever since. To learn more visit  http://www.Suzafrancina.com

By Richard John Anderson

The life of a modern person is quite a stressful one there are always so much we need to get done in a day plus all the other life pressures like finances, family, etc. So it would take pretty good reasons to convince a person to add something else to already busy schedule, so why would we even think about regular Yoga training sessions. Here I will try and examine the main benefits of Yoga and what it can add to our life.

Point One: Physical Health

One of the reasons why we keep this busy lifestyle is to create wealth for ourselves and our families. But have you ever heard a saying “health is your wealth”? Well trust me it is true. It does not matter how much money you have you will not be able to use them if you are dead and neglecting your health is one of the quick ways to get there. The question we have to ask ourselves is not whether we can afford the time for exercise but it is whether we can afford not to. Health is a sliding scale and it is important to remember how much health affects our everyday life and work. The healthier you are the better you can concentrate on your work you also have more energy to get more things done in a shorter time frame, which means the healthier you are the more productive you become.

Yoga is one of the easiest and best ways for us to look after our physical wellbeing. The reason for this is that yoga exercises are so incredibly simple that they can be performed by even the most out of shape person and the more regularly you exercise the healthier you become. Yoga is also an efficient way of releasing stress and tension. During our normal workdays certain blockages develop around the body and that’s results in a number of vital organs not getting enough oxygen and other nutrients they need to function efficiently. Yoga designed to stretch different muscle groups in a particular ways that will remove these blockages from the body and the blood flow will bring all the oxygen and other nutrients to all body organs.

The benefits from yoga are both immediate and also long term. In a short term you will get an improvement in a blood flow extra energy and generally your body will function better as blood can deliver oxygen and other nutrients to all body organs. Another immediate benefit is the release of tension from muscles and reduction of stress. The long term benefits will be ongoing benefits and your digestive system will also function more efficiently, which has innumerable health benefits. You general flexibility and coordination will also improve.

Point Two: Mental Health

Have you ever thought about the importance of breath? We all aware that when someone stops breathing they will die, just thinking about this simplistic understanding tells us how important it is to breath. But proper breathed are often ignored. It is quite important not only for multiple health benefits but also for strong mental advantages it provides us.

Yoga exercises will normally begin with the breathing exercises. This simple exercise of taking a deep breath and then slowly releasing it, it is incredibly calming and relaxing, and the breathing exercises are a vital backbone of Yoga. The key to this is that it concentrates all our attention to one simple action of breathing. We become quite aware of the life giving benefit of a controlled and deep breathing cycle and we are able to achieve a level of calmness that we often don’t find in our everyday lives. That calmness itself is a major stepping-stone to achieving focus.

For us the ability to focus is possibly the single most important skill in a work environment. There are always so many things happening around us so much that we need to do that is quite difficult to focus your mind on a single task we are in process of doing because of all other things which we have in the back of our minds. Yoga teaches you the technique of how to quickly clear your mind and then focus on a single current task. It is also a good provider of personal discipline. The self discipline that is learned from focusing on the body and becoming a master of oneself is one of the major benefits of Yoga.

Point Three: Happiness

Happiness is something which is quite often sacrificed in the short term in exchange for some mystical hope that everything will come together in a future and everything will be ok. Yoga will not move you closer to that point in future, but it will help you to develop a strong sense of self and a connection with yourself so you can become more content with your current situation. The more you practice yoga you will find yourself more comfortable spending quality time alone and with other people. Your sense of self worth will increase and you will perform better in social situations. This is probably the most important skill that yoga can teach you.

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Benefits of Yoga

By Michelle Buford

Yoga is defined as a form of exercise by a series of different poses and breathing exercises. Yoga is done by slow and fluid motions. This exercise is not fast paced or a series of strenuous movements. Yoga is also found to be relaxing and to heighten your mental senses. It is found to be a very beneficial to your health.

Due to some of the poses, people tend to shy away from this form of exercise. It is true you can injure yourself if not done correctly. However, that is true for any exercise. There are instructors as well as videos to aid you in doing the exercises correctly. For instance, if you have a back injury, there is a series of poses for you situation. A few of the poses for back injuries are the pelvic tilt, standing forward bend, and the side angle poses. If you need to see these poses and others, there are numerous videos listed on the Internet. It really does not matter what shape you are in physically, there are yoga poses you can do.

The benefit of yoga is getting your body in shape. Today in a health care society, we have to remain active. Our lives are very busy causing exercise not fit into anybody’s schedule. You have to make a conscious effort to do so. If you add an injury to the equation, is adds to the lack of wanting to exercise. Yoga can be done in short periods of time, and if you have a physical impairment, you can still exercise. Yoga will tone your muscles, help you lose weight, and increase your flexibility. Plus, you will feel energized and relaxed.

As with any exercise, you do need to consult your doctor. The back injury is just an example of how Yoga can work with any injury. Yoga offers a range of exercises from beginners to expert. There are easy and complex poses. So you can increase your strength as you progress. There is no expensive equipment and clothes to purchase. The benefits truly outweigh the liabilities. Exercise is something we all must do. Try yoga, you may be pleasantly surprised.

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    By Kathi Duquette

Some basic yoga positions for beginners can give you benefits that you might not think about. You might think you don’t need the basics once you feel you are at an intermediate level, or you might think the basics won’t help you because you are not flexible enough to “do yoga.” All levels of practitioners can benefit from basic yoga positions.

If you are new to yoga or interested in starting a yoga practice, the basics are your starting point. You can always modify a more difficult pose by practicing a basic pose. You can even modify a basic pose. The object is to find the benefit that each pose has for you – inside your own body.

If you are an intermediate yogi, practicing the basics can re-root you to your poses. Sometimes we move through the poses like we’ve been there before and it is easy. Try re-connecting with the basic poses. Be mindful of the four corners of your feet pressing into the ground – making your feet the root of your pose. Stand a little straighter and be aware of how small changes affect how you feel in the pose.

Basic poses can seem like they have no benefit at all, such as mountain pose. It looks like you are simply standing. By actively pushing your feet into the ground and consciously lifting your spine, you are straightening your posture, and strengthening your ankles. By opening your shoulders you are relieving stress in your shoulders and neck and opening your chest to promote full utilization of the lungs. When focusing on your breath you are increasing your cardio respiratory function and endurance. Add in tightening your quadriceps in an upward motion and tucking the tailbone under slightly and you add the benefits of strengthening the upper leg muscles and abdominals. This is all accomplished by simply standing up straight and breathing with awareness.

Other basic poses can have just as many benefits, some physical, some stress relieving, some just feel good. Basic positions for beginners include child pose, forward bend, warrior 1, 2 and 3, triangle pose, cat/cow pose, downward dog, spinal twist and cobra.

You usually want to practice an inversion such as a forward bend which gives your brain a fresh dose of oxygenated blood. A side stretch, a twist, and a back bend will keep your spine lubricated and supple. By moving the spine in different directions with awareness you are improving flexibility and decreasing risk of injury. Back bends stretch the front side of your body, forward bends stretch the back. Twists give your organs a gentle massage.

Overall moving through the poses and breathing with awareness while tuning in to how your body feels builds your mind-body connection. This connection can help you with many things from stress relief to pain relief.

Basic yoga positions can be practiced as often as you like; daily is best to keep the benefits coming. You can practice for 15 minutes or up to an hour (or even more). Fifteen minutes of yoga daily can provide you with a feeling of general well-being. You will be relieving stress while promoting healthy breathing and gentle flexibility.

Practice some basic yoga positions. Pay attention to your body, your breath … yourself.

By Kathi Duquette

Certified Yoga Instructor

Certified Personal Trainer

http://www.basic-yoga-information.com

    By Swati NitinGupta

Yoga is an ancient science which was practiced some 5000 years ago not in any gurukul but on a battlefield. Indian epic Mahabharata says yoga lessons were first imparted by Lord Krishna to his pupil Arjuna the third pandava.

These days thanks to some practicing yogis (like Baba Ramdev) yoga has become a household name bringing significant changes in people’s stressful lives.

Even the doctors are realizing the importance of yoga in leading a healthy life and advising their patients to incorporate this ancient technique of being fit and fine in their busy schedules. So then what exactly is yoga and how is beneficial to our health?

To put it simply, yoga is not just a series of breathing exercises it is in fact a way of life. Yoga is derived from the Sanskrit word ‘yuj’ or yujir yogey’ meaning to join, to unite, yoga is all about becoming conscious about your body, your breathing and connecting with your soul at the most basic level. So then what are the health benefits of yoga? Plenty I should say and here are few of them.

1. Stress buster: Yoga offers relief from the stress we keep gathering in our day to day living. Various positions known as asanas and gestures known as mudras have a soothing effect on our minds and bodies. Rhythmic repeat of the breathing exercises enhances the relaxation power and once you start relaxing your stress levels go down and you are once again ready to face the world.

2. Increased physical strength, stamina, and flexibility: Yoga with its various sets of breathing exercises, meditation and bending and twisting exercises boosts one’s physical strength, increases stamina, and flexibility of body.

3. Increased levels of concentration: When you start practicing yoga you will feel that your concentration levels have increased suddenly. You are able to concentrate and pay more attention to your life and your family. Your work starts improving and you gain confidence in yourself.

4. Self Control: Apart from concentration you start realizing that self control comes naturally to you now. You have started noticing your limitations and working around them for better lifestyle.

5. Healthy glowing skin: You wanted to have that healthy glow on your skin that you see on your neighbor’s face or on favorite TV/movie star. Know their secret yoga. Yes, practicing yoga gives you a clear healthy skin from within thus putting radiance on your skin.

6. Say bye-bye to acne and pimples: It is a known fact that acne and pimples are a result of impurities in the blood and yoga improves blood circulation thus flushing out all the impurities. Result is a clear skin free of acne and pimples. Believe me I tried it and it works.

7. Well toned muscles and abdomen: No amount of cardio exercises will give you such well toned muscles and abdomen as practicing yoga. That’s because yoga not only targets wholesome wellbeing it also targets specific areas of concern.

Apart from these few common benefits yoga has been known to reverse the effects of epilepsy, asthma, chronic arthritis, infertility in women. Yes to some extent yoga can treat infertility like Poly cystic Ovaries and let you have regular menstruation.

  Written By Noel Halpin

This article gives you all you need to know if you wish to make yoga a major part of your life.

Yoga is for every man, woman, and child on this planet, regardless of age. In fact it seems to benefit the elderly as much as it does the younger people.

It is probably the only activity which is so beautifully designed that there is no stress on the body , because everything is done at the individuals own pace. You can be very selective as to the exercises you wish to perform, and you can ease into every movement without causing any pain.

The most enjoyable way to learn yoga, is to take one or two movements each day and practice them until you feel you are ready to take on another move or two.

Remember there is no stress or pressure on you to keep up with anyone else. You do it at your own pace.

Yoga, as most people know is an ancient tradition going back thousands of years. It was used as a means for those who wished to practice it to find enlightenment.

Yoga was always deemed to be esoteric and spiritual. It is regarded as the only path to self realization.

It is said that the true yoga master can find the answers to all the mystical questions in the Universe.

This is because he, or she, are at one with their spirituality. They have found peace in the inner depths of their mind. They are at one with the Universe.

In yoga all the techniques are designed to enrich the health of the physical body, to improve the mental, and emotional state of the practitioner, eventually reaching the spirituality where inner peace is the ultimate goal.

Most yoga students practice to develop flexibility in their limbs and joints, to develop their posture and strengthen their body.

There are immense benefits to ones breathing, and the more one becomes proficient at the movements the more the lungs expand and the heart pumps purer oxygen around the body. This gives a feeling of exceptional well being and self confidence.

There is no doubt the ancients knew more about how to look after themselves than we do.

Yoga is for everyone, there are no exceptions, whoever wishes to learn are welcome. It is the modern way of going back to the future for our health and well being.

As a black belt third degree master of Kenpo Karate, I would like to say that Yoga has been my inspiration and guide through all my active sports life. I am now getting on in years, but I would not go one day without practicing my yoga combined with my karate katas.

It is never too late to change your way of life. Do it now. Find your real self, CLICK BELOW NOW.

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  By Caryn Kelly

Why practice yoga? Is it to live longer, sleep better, alleviate stress, or simply to feel good? Whatever your reason is for wanting to practice yoga, there are many benefits to keep you going!

The benefits of yoga have been touted for thousands of years. Scientific studies have confirmed that a regular yoga practice can improve overall health and wellbeing. It’s also sometimes prescribed by doctors as a therapeutic approach for chronic illness and injuries.

Not only can a regular yoga practice reward you with a healthy glow, but it can relieve fatigue and increase your energy levels. With a regular yoga practice, you’ll wake up more refreshed and walk with a lighter step.

What are some of the other benefits of yoga? For starters, it stimulates your glands, increases your immune system and you’ll recover from illness faster than someone who’s a couch potato. If you get a cold, you may be able to shake it off a lot sooner than someone who doesn’t practice yoga at all.

Yoga can reduce stress, and improve your focus, concentration and mood, especially if you take the time to meditate as well. Yoga can also help you to lose weight and shed inches, although the process is much slower than if you take on a more rigorous exercise program, such as aerobics or running. Adding a yoga practice to a cardiovascular workout, however, can improve balance and coordination. Many runners who do yoga improve their performance, especially while training for a marathon.

A regular yoga practice will help you to stand taller by improving your posture, and certain yoga poses counter the effects of aging on the spine. If practiced regularly and over time, some yoga poses can also build bone, prevent osteoporosis, and increase balance. This is especially important for women as they age.

The look and feel of your body will also change over time if you practice yoga regularly. You’ll become stronger, your muscles will take shape, and your skin will improve. People may tell you that you look younger than you are. And you’ll feel younger, too.

Yoga is known for its healing effects and can be used to manage back pain, breathing disorders such as asthma, and help with sinus conditions. Women in the throes of menopause can reap the benefits in more ways than one as some yoga poses are designed to prevent or manage hot flashes and minimize erratic mood swings.

If you keep to a regular yoga practice it will change your life for the better.

Caryn Kelly has been practicing yoga for over eight years. She has been teaching a beginner hatha yoga class at Wasatch Presbyterian Church in Salt Lake City, Utah, for over three years, and welcomes visitors to her blog at http://myyogamylife.com