yoga poses-related stories
Flow Yoga
Flow yoga is a type of yoga that connects your movements to your breathing. In flow yoga, the yoga postures or "asanas" flow smoothly from one yoga position to the next on either an inhalation or an exhalation.
Flow Yoga is also called Vinyasa Yoga, which means "breath-synchronized movement." The thought is that the controlled breathing that accompanies the yoga positions in Flow Yoga cleanses the body and creates energy. This philosophy is the basis for other popular yoga styles like Ashtanga Yoga and Power Yoga.
But unlike the predetermined sequences of Ashtanga Yoga, there is no single set of rules or philosophy governing Flow Yoga.
Instructors have the freedom to create unique experiences by linking yoga positions according to their personalities and the needs or mood of the class. This makes Flow Yoga a great option for both beginners and experienced yogis alike.
Flow Yoga is also called Vinyasa Yoga, which means "breath-synchronized movement." The thought is that the controlled breathing that accompanies the yoga positions in Flow Yoga cleanses the body and creates energy. This philosophy is the basis for other popular yoga styles like Ashtanga Yoga and Power Yoga.
But unlike the predetermined sequences of Ashtanga Yoga, there is no single set of rules or philosophy governing Flow Yoga.
Instructors have the freedom to create unique experiences by linking yoga positions according to their personalities and the needs or mood of the class. This makes Flow Yoga a great option for both beginners and experienced yogis alike.
Yoga Journal
Keeping a yoga journal can be a great extension of your yoga practice. Too often, we go through yoga positions without noticing the benefits the practice has on our minds and bodies.
If you decide to keep a yoga journal, you'll be able to track changes in your flexibility and strength. If you're able to hold a yoga position you had previously failed at or if you can hold a tricky pose longer, you'll be able to take pride in your successes.You'll also be able to better understand your state of mind before, during and after your practice.
Remember, yoga is about your improvement, not whether you're in better shape that the yogi next to you.Keeping a yoga journal might also encourage you to stay with yoga on difficult days when you can't hold even a basic yoga position for a long time -- just like keeping a food diary might help you adhere to your weight-loss plan.
To create a great yoga journal:
1. Sign up for a yoga class or get some yoga dvds.
If you decide to keep a yoga journal, you'll be able to track changes in your flexibility and strength. If you're able to hold a yoga position you had previously failed at or if you can hold a tricky pose longer, you'll be able to take pride in your successes.You'll also be able to better understand your state of mind before, during and after your practice.
Remember, yoga is about your improvement, not whether you're in better shape that the yogi next to you.Keeping a yoga journal might also encourage you to stay with yoga on difficult days when you can't hold even a basic yoga position for a long time -- just like keeping a food diary might help you adhere to your weight-loss plan.
To create a great yoga journal:
1. Sign up for a yoga class or get some yoga dvds.
2. Choose your journal. You can purchase a notebook specifically for writing about yoga or you can start a blog.
3. Pick a consistent time each day to write in your journal. This is your time, so make it sacred!
4. Journal away! If you love the written word, great! But don't feel like you have to write an essay. If you are more comfortable expressing yourself with drawings, sketch the positions you are currently practicing. Write about the way your practice makes you feel, both physically and emotionally.
5. Pause for reflection. Look over your journal from time to time. How has your practice evolved? How has your body changed since you started doing yoga? Has meditation become easier or more difficult? The journal will give you an accurate picture.
6. Keep at it! Yoga is not a race, and neither is journaling. If you enjoy both, though, you will continue to do it!
More Yoga Terms Defined from That's Fit:
Ashtana Yoga
Hatha Yoga
Kundalini Yoga
Power Yoga
Prenatal Yoga
Strengthen With Yoga
Yoga Benefits
Yoga for Weight Loss
Working in the Workouts: Next stop, yoga
Womens Health, Diet & Weight Loss, Fitness
Each week, Debbie will share her goals, challenges, successes and tips on how to fit in fitness when caring for a rambunctious toddler.You know what? I feel great! I love that my new fitness regime is morphing into something that I enjoy, with lots of variety that somehow actually fits int o my lifestyle. I still find this mind-boggling, as I really didn't believe I could do much more than nothing with my hectic toddler-centric schedule.
It's OK with me that I dumped the loathed elliptical, because I have filled the time with something else that I actually like doing (30 minute walks).
It's OK with me that some day, and some weeks, I get more exercise than others, because that is just part of life, and in the big picture, I am doing lots of good fitness-type things.
It is not OK with me that I haven't been able to fit in yoga again . . .yet. So that is my next goal, and here is how I plan on sneaking in some yoga time . . .
Is yoga losing its spirit?
Last night at yoga class, we were doing jumping handstand prep and I decided to give my wrists a much-needed break by taking child's pose. The guy on the next mat over looked at me and said, "Aww, is this your first time?"
Excuse me? I have been doing yoga for 2 years, thankyouverymuch. I was a bit annoyed until I remembered that yoga is not about competition or anyone else but you. It doesn't seem that way though. These days, it's like everyone is trying to bend themselves as far as the next person, more concerned with having a tight butt than peace of mind.
I found this article on the subject, and liked how it summed up the spirituality behind yoga. Check it out if you get a chance and let me know what you think. Are you a competitive yogi?
Excuse me? I have been doing yoga for 2 years, thankyouverymuch. I was a bit annoyed until I remembered that yoga is not about competition or anyone else but you. It doesn't seem that way though. These days, it's like everyone is trying to bend themselves as far as the next person, more concerned with having a tight butt than peace of mind.
I found this article on the subject, and liked how it summed up the spirituality behind yoga. Check it out if you get a chance and let me know what you think. Are you a competitive yogi?
Healthy Handful: My favorite yoga poses
Stress Reduction, Fitness, Motivation
Yoga is the perfect mind-body-spirit exercise, in my opinion. The only thing better than yoga is Kundalini Yoga, which I would urge you to try. Not only are some of the better known poses used as part of Kundalini, but it also includes lots of quick moving, repetitive, challenging exercises that sometimes remind me of calisthenics, but surely get to the root of what ails me and redistributes the energy trapped in my body.
The best part about it is that each class has a different theme, from strengthening the immune system, to detoxification, to opening the heart. Each student can work at his or her own pace and assume the pose in the most comfortable way; there is not a focus on pose perfection, which is so freeing to me.
We can classify that as a digression, or you can pause, in awe of the amazing new yoga style that has come into your knowledge sphere. Even if I don't have time to do as much yoga as I would like, these are some poses that I have grown to love and can easily do daily for my yoga fix.
