How to do Yoga

(November 9, 2010)

How can I see the actual exercises? And I am particular on my tummy area and thighs. Thanks

Yoga is a series of physical postures that have a relaxing effect on the body. Yoga poses help to improve the strength of the body and enhance the state of the mind. While performing yoga moves, one must also maintain balanced breathing. One must inhale while entering into a pose and exhale slowly while holding the pose. Each pose may be held for about 10 seconds to one minute depending on your stamina and endurance. Those who regularly do yoga exercises experience greater alertness, better physical fitness and a balance of body and mind. Here are some basic instructions on how to do yoga.
Sukhasana (Easy Pose), also called the lotus position is one of the most basic poses in yoga. In order to perform the easy pose, sit with your legs cross legged. The soles of the feet should face inwards and the heels should touch the lower abdomen. Straighten the spine and place your palms on the knees. You can remain in this position for as long as it is comfortable. The pose brings about a sense of balance and peace. You can then perform Tadasana (Mountain Pose). Stand with the feet together and pressed flat against the ground. Then stretch your body upwards using the muscles of the hamstrings, hips and knees. Your weight should rest evenly and the chest and abdomen must be kept high. This posture promotes balance and constitutes the starting point of the standing postures. Another posture which improves balance is Natarajasana (Balance Posture). Stand in mountain pose and raise your arms above the head as you inhale. Simultaneously, raise your left ankle and hold it with your other hand. Rest your weight on your right side. Then exhale, and lean forward while pulling your left leg towards the body. Hold the pose and then resume original position. This posture helps to enhance coordination.
In order to get a better idea of the various basic yoga positions and how to perform them correctly, you may enroll in a yoga class. There are also many books, DVDs and websites that provide step-by-step instructions on how to perform different yoga poses. In order to lose belly fat and tone the abdominal muscles, you can try out postures such as the supine abdominal twist. For the thighs, poses such as Kurmasana (Tortoise Pose) and Vajrasana (Diamond Pose) are helpful for toning the muscles. It is important to practice yoga on a regular basis in order to obtain its benefits.

Submitted by A on November 9, 2010 at 04:50

“How to do yoga for beginners?”, “how to do yoga for kids?”, “how to do yoga at home?” and “how to do pilates?” are some of the often asked questions in the exercise and workout world. The best thing about a routine like yoga is that it can be done anywhere. For those who have never done yoga before and would like to start, beginning with some classes either with a dedicated yoga instructor or in yoga school is recommended. The yoga expert will help in explaining all the breathing techniques and positions that one should be doing to obtain maximum benefit from these yoga positions. If a person wishes to start doing yoga from home, then there are a few requirements that they need to understand. One can also make use of yoga videos and other yoga audio recordings to help them in getting the kick start they need. If one opts for Pilates then the focus here is on teaching one awareness of the breathing and also alignment of one’s spine. Pilates also helps in strengthening the deep, inner torso muscles.
Some of the pertinent and most useful yoga poses include positions like the half moon position, the cobra pose, and the camel position and also the position of the locust. These different sets of positions have been found to help to stimulate a person’s body organs in different ways thus allowing for an increased blood flow and reduction in stress levels. If one is aiming to obtain a flat stomach then there are some yoga positions that can prove to be extremely beneficial. Start by doing the yoga pose known as the mountain tilt. This involves one standing with their arms hanging down by their side and their feet positioned at least a foot apart. The toes on the feet should be pointing in the forward direction. Then proceed to raise one’s hands above their heads with the fingers pointing directly up. Next bend from the waist in the side ways direction. One should then hold this stretch for a few seconds before returning to the center. Next proceed to repeat this position on the right side. These yoga poses should be done for about 4 to 5 minutes. One can also try doing the triangle pose. This pose involves one standing straight and tall with their feet placed about 3 feet apart and can help one in toning their abs muscles.

Submitted by A on September 12, 2010 at 11:38

To see the actual exercises, you will have to search for each asana in Google or Yahoo image search. You will get a reliable picture of all asanas. Alternately, get a book on Yoga. BKS Iyengar’s Light on Yoga is your best bet.

For your tummy area and thighs, do lots of Surya Namaskar and all forward bends in standing and seated positions. Also the practice of Bhastrika pranayama will help you. But always do Bhastrika only after a few rounds of Kapalabhatti and Anuloma-Viloma.

Submitted by A on September 7, 2007 at 04:52

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