Posts Tagged ‘Flow Yoga’

Advantages of Flow Yoga

Monday, July 25th, 2011

yoga certificationBy Dr. Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500

The term “flow Yoga” is an abbreviated form of the phrase “Vinyasa Flow Yoga.” This form of Yoga is based on movements synchronized with breath.  The word ‘flow’ refers to the way the poses are strung together gracefully, and how the Yoga practitioner moves with each breath, while the sequence of movements come together like a dance. Even though it is seen in many Hatha style classes, one of the most popular sequences of Vinyasa Yoga is Surya Namaskar (the Sun Salutations).  Many Yoga practitioners know this series, and its many variations, quite well.  For anyone who wants to add flowing movement into his or her asana routine, this can be a great starting point.  Chandra Namaskar (Moon Salutations) may also be of interest for anyone looking to go further into Vinyasa flows.

There are many different forms of flow Yoga, and it can be practiced in many different ways by changing speed, raising room temperature, or by the posture sequence chosen. In fact, slower Vinyasa Yoga (slow flow) can be extraordinarily therapeutic, healing, and restorative.  There are also Restorative Flow Yoga classes, which leave students in a state of euphoria. The pace of movement, and the use of props, can change the experience entirely.  When you consider the fact that some flow classes end with a five minute relaxation, while a Restorative Flow class teaches relaxation methods, meditation, and traditional pranayama techniques, there can be vast differences in the way flow Yoga is taught.

The repetition of movement helps to increase flexibility as much as holding a posture for minutes.   Flow Yoga is, by its nature, a different school of thought in comparison to styles that hold postures for lengthy periods of time.  Styles that hold postures have their advantages, as well.  Depending on how well you know the teacher, the movements can also be fairly unpredictable, thus creating a new or exciting environment. As there are many different interpretations teachers can take to this practice, it will be easy to find an instructor with whom you can identify.

For those who crave intense exercise, the faster activity level of flow Yoga, with increased speed and continuous movement, creates internal heat within the practitioner, which has a plethora of benefits. Increased heat means a body sweats, expelling toxins, and promotes overall cleansing of the body. Heat is also a boost for metabolism, so it may burn some extra calories. The movement also stimulates blood flow and heart rate, creating a more healthy body by caring for many organs, and the warmth in the muscles makes them more limber and easy to stretch.

The breathing exercises (pranayama) in flow Yoga are very good for the body, as well. Although some teachers may only focus on Ujjayi, while you are moving, other teachers may devote extra time to pranayama practice.  Learning and practicing pranayama is an important practice as it gives you better control of your functions, and increased focus of everything you do, bringing about a more relaxed mind and body. Learning to breathe in correct synchronization with your body can leave you better equipped to handle the tough situations life throws at you, by helping you keep your stress levels in check.

Conclusion

Flow Yoga has many faces.  It can be a very challenging exercise class or a therapeutic experience.  Chair Yoga classes have flowing movements.  On the other end of the spectrum, some martial arts teams practice dynamic flowing Yoga sequences before tournaments.  The point being: Flow Yoga can be dynamic or therapeutic.  If you want to be sure about which end of the spectrum you are looking at, you should consult your local Yoga studio.  If you are a Yoga teacher, label your class accordingly, and describe the experience your students should expect.

© Copyright 2011 – Aura Wellness Center – Publications Division

To see our complete selection of Yoga teacher training courses, please feel free to visit the following link.

http://www.aurawellnesscenter.com/store/Teacher-Courses/

FREE Yoga Report. FREE Yoga Newsletter. FREE Yoga Videos. Free Podcasts. Bonus: Free Yoga e-Book, “Yoga in Practice.”

FREE CONTENT: If you are a Yoga Teacher, Yoga studio, blogger, e-zine, or website publisher, and are in need of quality content, please feel free to use my blog entries (articles). Please be sure to reprint each article, as is, including the resource box above. Namaste!

Tags: , , , , ,
Posted in Flow Yoga, Restorative Yoga, Vinyasa Yoga | 1 Comment »

Yoga Exercises and Diet for Hip Dysplasia

Friday, May 6th, 2011

yoga teacher trainingBy Dr. Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500

Hip dysplasia is a misalignment, or deformation, of the hip joint. It may be a congenital condition, or it may be acquired over time. A person may have hip dysplasia in both hips – bilateral dysplasia, or in one hip – unilateral dysplasia.  The condition is very painful, as anyone who suffers from it will confirm the pain he or she experiences from Hip dysplasia. The hip joint takes the force of three times one’s body weight. If a person weighs 160 pounds, the hip is handling 480 pounds of force and pressure. With this consideration, the need to be gentle with a painful hip joint becomes very clear.

The process of Yoga is to stretch and strengthen muscles. When considering Yoga for hip dysplasia, or any hip pain, be mindful of the method of Yoga you choose, in addition to being attentive to the individual Yoga moves. It’s important to move slowly and gently when building the muscles to support hip joints. Therapeutic Yoga, restorative Yoga, gentle Yoga, basic Hatha Yoga, or Anusara Yoga are examples of styles that hold postures. Unfortunately, Power Yoga, Flow Yoga, and Vinyasa, with their focus on a faster paced movement, are not advised.

The following are Yoga exercises to reduce pain, and possibly, help the hip joint heal. Do these poses slowly and mindfully. If there is pain, back out of the movement. Always consult with your family physician or medical specialist before beginning an exercise routine. He or she knows the specifics of your health, and each of us is unique.

Cat and Cow Poses

On hands and knees, with shoulders above wrists and hips above knees – that is to say, knees are hip distance apart, slowly and gently lift the head and chest up, and the tailbone up, stretching the belly, while inhaling deeply. This is cow pose and is classified as a backbend.  Reverse the pose into an angry cat, bringing the tail bone down, contracting the belly, and rounding the back up, navel to spine, gently curling the head and neck in, exhaling gently, but deeply.  Do six to ten cat-cow movements, slowly.

Extended Child’s Pose

Relax into child’s pose by exhaling and lying your torso onto your knees, with your arms outstretched in front. You can also modify this asana by spreading the knees out to the sides of your mat. In this way, you can breathe as deep as you like, while your spine is in a linear position. This modification also brings one into deeper states of relaxation.

Leg Extension and Knee to Chest

On hands and knees (in Table Pose), with shoulders above wrists and hips above knees, extend one leg back, to hip height. Gently curl knee and head with the thought, “knee to nose.” Repeat with the other leg. Do six to ten on each side. Afterward, you should relax into modified Extended Child’s Pose.

Anti-inflammatory Diet

A healthy diet, focused on anti-inflammatory components, might contribute to your hip healing. There is a need for more formal studies on this subject. However, it is believed, among proponents of this school of thought, that a diet, which is rich in different colored vegetables, such as broccoli, spinach, yellow squash, and carrots will reduce inflammation. Strong anti-inflammatory components include: turmeric, garlic, ginger, green tea, flaxseed, omega-3 fatty acids, and cinnamon. Consult with your family physician or medical specialist before changing your diet, and inquire to find out if the anti-inflammatory diet is right for you.

© Copyright 2011 – Aura Wellness Center – Publications Division

To see our selection of Online Yoga teacher training courses, please visit the following link.

http://www.aurawellnesscenter.com/store/

FREE Yoga Report. FREE Yoga Newsletter. FREE Yoga Videos. Free Podcasts. Bonus: Free Yoga e-Book, “Yoga in Practice.”

FREE CONTENT: If you are a Yoga Teacher, Yoga studio, blogger, e-zine, or website publisher, and are in need of quality content, please feel free to use my blog entries (articles). Please be sure to reprint each article, as is, including the resource box above. Namaste!

Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in yoga for ailments, Yoga for Pain Relief | No Comments »

Losing Weight Naturally – The Power of Yoga

Friday, August 27th, 2010

By Johnny B Adams

Yoga has existed for thousands of years. Many of us fail to realize the extent to which yoga has positive effects towards weight loss. Yoga tones the body in an uniformed way unlike those commercialized weight loss programs out there which claims to have cut down body weight drastically. Yoga can be practiced by individuals of various age groups. You are not too old to practice yoga. The Vinyasa or Flow yoga is the common type of yoga practiced by those who want to lose weight.

Out of the many Vinyasa yoga exercises, the Astanga yoga still stands to be the most popular. Ashtanga yoga combines various athletic movements The poses still remains to be the same as a very slow and calm paced workout that combines strength and grace. The main difference between conventional forms of yoga and Astanga lies in the movements between the poses. Instead of holding on to a certain pose for a long time, the movements that take place during transitioning to a new pose are more brief and athletic.

For those who are just about to set out into a journey of yoga, it is always advisable to start off with a beginner level yoga that will help you lose weight. Yoga is an excellent way to to make your body muscles more flexible and toned up. Many of us ought to think that yoga isn’t a exercise, but for a matter of fact, it is. Muscle balance and control are needed to balance a certain yoga pose. Improving these steps does help the body to burn fats hence losing weight.

Yoga also helps to perform aerobic exercises. Aerobic exercise is physical exercise that helps improve the oxygen system. Aerobic exercises are performed at moderate levels of intensity and over an prolonged period of time. Yoga helps us to breathe the correct way in turn can be an added advantage towards aerobic exercises. The more you tone and sculpt your muscles, the stronger you become. You’ll be able to do your aerobic exercises more easily and for longer periods of time. Yoga helps to reduce the possibilities of developing osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is common among ladies in which after their menopause, their bones tends to lose density and are prone to fractures.

So, if you wish to receive a FREE weight loss program that has been proven to help countless OVERWEIGHT VICTIMS transform their physique, by using many ways including YOGA, checkout PrimitiveFitness.com. It’s an ALL FREE – ONE STOP – FITNESS CENTER.

Tags: , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Recent Articles, yoga for weight loss | No Comments »

What is Vinyasa Flow Yoga?

Friday, April 16th, 2010

By Macy Robbins

Yoga is a complete package of spiritual and physical postures. It was originated in India, way back in 3300 BC. Anthropologists have uncovered statues portraying figures in yoga style postures.

Yoga is referred to as a form of exercise that presents a wide range of benefits to those who practice it by improving flexibility, stamina, providing strength and cleansing mind and the body.

Yoga also helps in increasing circulation of blood and reducing stress and fatigue levels thus providing relaxation, bringing together mind, body, and spirit.

There are numerous yoga postures and depending on your age, flexibility and stamina you can choose from them. One of such yoga form is Vinyasa Flow Yoga.

What is it all about?

Vinyasa simply means Breath Synchronized Movement. It is a broad level term that covers a wide variety of yoga classes. While practicing this yoga the instructor instructs you to change from 1 posture to another on an inhale or an exhale, thus it is sometimes also called Vinyasa Flow Yoga or just ‘Flow’ for the reason of the soft technique of doing the different yoga postures.

An example of simple Vinyasa is a ‘Cat-Cow Stretch’. In this posture, your spine is arched on an inhale and is rounded on an exhale. Example for a complex Vinyasa is ‘A Sun Salutation’. In this posture each movement in the series is done on an inhale or an exhale.

Seeing the variety of health benefits of practicing yoga, more and more people are switching on to it.

From celebrities to the common man everyone wants to do yoga to remain healthy and to stay away from common illnesses like arthritis, diabetes, and thyroid problems. Vinyasa flow yoga is all about strength in its diversity, so just try it out to feel the difference within you.

To discover more free information on yoga and how it can help you, visit my website Vinyasa Yoga DVD

Tags: , , , , ,
Posted in Vinyasa Yoga | No Comments »