I regularly practice yoga and cannot recommend it enough. Why? Because as a discipline, when practiced regularly, yoga
gives you a thorough workout of mind body spirit.
Yoga is fast becoming one of the most popular forms of fitness. Whether you're looking for yoga DVD for beginner, or you're an elder, an experienced yoga practitioner, or even if you're looking to combat joint or back pain, you'll find an array of Mind, Body Spirit
Active Video Active Yoga To Choose From.
Whatever your present health circumstance, there is a form of yoga to suit your needs. Video yoga is fast becoming the number one choice for many, in addressing holistic health care needs, whether your goal is:
To simply enjoy yoga health secrets of Happiness And Good Health
About Yoga
Yoga originates from ancient spiritual practices in India, where it is seen as a means to enlightenment. The word yoga has its roots in the Sanskrit language and means to merge, join or unite. Yoga is therefore a a form of exercise based on the belief that the body and breath are closely connected with the mind.
Yoga classes and video yoga consist mainly of the type most commonly practiced in the West, which is Hatha yoga. Whilst there are variations in the types of Yoga being taught, Hatha yoga is by far the most popular form being used in the West today.
This form of yoga which is associated with asanas (postures) has become a popular fitness exercise and viewed favourably for the health benefits it provide rather than being perceived as a path to enlightenment, to which it is originally associated.
According to the Yoga Journal, approximately 15 million
people practice yoga in the United States, while a Roper poll confirmed that 6 million Americans now practice hatha yoga.
In addition, yoga is fast gaining a reputation as being a viable and effective holistic exercise program, boosting the demand for
video yoga. Its increasing popularity is being further fuelled by many celebrities who have given yoga their celebrity seal of approval. For example, Raquel Welch, Jane Fonda, Demi Moore, Madonna and Michelle Pfeiffer, Sarah Jessica Parker, Gweneth Paltrow, and Cindy Crawford, to name but a few.
It is well documented that the effect of regular physical exercise on the body can reverse many of the typical effects of ageing - such as excess body fat, imbalance of body sugar, decreased muscle mass and high blood pressure. See, weightloss-exercise
In a recent study on two groups of 'healthy' women, funded by the American Council On Exercise, researchers found that the women
who practiced hatha yoga 3 days per week, showed significant improvements in their flexibility, muscular strength, endurance and balance, compared to the non-yoga group. After eight weeks, the average flexibility of the yoga group improved by 13 percent to 35 percent and the gains were significantly greater than the non-yoga group.
Since yoga is fast being recognised as a forefront contender in the exercise fitness arena, you too can benefit from this safe,
holistic health care alternative. The good news is that anyone, irrespective of age can take up yoga - young or old, it's never too late to start. There's also the added convenience and flexibility of yoga workout in your own home.
How Does Yoga Work?
"The word Hatha is a composite of 'Ha', which means sun and 'Tha' which means moon. Yoga is the union between them, suggesting that the healthy joining of opposites - in this case, the mind and body - leads to strength, vitality and peace of mind".
Key elements of yoga are:
Breath: Learning and developing your breathing:
Yoga sees the body as being related to the breath, which is in turn related to the brain and the conscious
mind.
Mind: a second key element of hatha yoga is concentration, leading to a meditative state.
Movement: being the 3rd element, relates to the practicing of postures and holding the body in steady controlled poses while at the same time controlling the breath. While movement is slow and controlled, they provide a thorough workout for the mind and body as well as the internal organs.
Achieving a combination of control over breath, body and mind, brings benefits of relaxation, meditation and a healthy life balance
Benefits of Yoga
The benefits of yoga are numerous. Incorporating yoga into your daily life is seen by many advocates, as being advantageous to improved health, emotional well-being and mental clarity. The relaxation and meditative benefits that can
be derived from various Meditative Tools, will not only reduce the effects of stress but will bring about harmony.
Women who do yoga regularly often look years younger. Apart from being great for your mind and your body, yoga makes you feel younger because you end up with a fantastically supple body and are
able to do things you wouldn't have thought possible. Learning to exercise regularly is just like learning any new habit. To quote
a famous phrase, 'the only secret is to do it and keep doing it, until not doing it feels odd'.
Here are some of the many other ways you can benefit from taking up
yoga classes or yoga dvd:
Yoga can be practiced by anyone, regardless of age.
Yoga enables better agility, improved posture and
greater degree of flexibility; all this without putting
your body under strain from more vigorous exercise program
regular yoga exercise workouts of mind, body, spirit will promote a balanced and healthy lifestyle and there are many choices of yoga videos, yoga dvd's or yoga classes to fit your personal circumstance and need.
Yoga exercise will improve blood circulation, digestion and the nervous system. You can choose a video
yoga workout based on your current level of fitness and based on your particular health needs. For instance, you
might want to consider a video yoga with emphasis on weight
bearing poses which helps to strengthen bone - an important criteria for women
Regular video yoga workout will increase your metabolism,
leading to an increase in the number of calories you burn.
The benefits are even greater when you combine your video
yoga with another calorie burning exercise program.
In addition to weight loss with yoga, you can also benefit from an improved immune system; an enhanced feeling of wellness; physical and mental well being.
Whether you opt for yoga classes or yoga video, do bear in mind that whilst there are numerous forms and variations available to you,
these are equally as varied in the purpose they serve. For example, some video yoga is not strictly for rapid weight loss but will nevertheless bring excellent results when used over a period of time.
Hatha yoga for example, which includes breathing, relaxation and meditation will increase your spiritual, mental, physical and emotional health aspect. This form of yoga is different from power yoga in that its aim is not to raise the heart rate but to help you gain holistic balance and harmoney. The benefits of this type of workout is that it keeps you lean and supple; improves your concentration; improve your ability to manage stress and an overall balance to your life.
If you're looking to practice yoga that is more geared toward rapid weight loss, then you might want to consider yoga alternatives such as Ashtanga, Power Yoga, which focus on working muscle groups or burning calories. To further give you a helping hand, I've listed below a few yoga examples to cover different needs, which you might find helpful. These are by no means the extent of that which is currently available though.
Which Yoga is right for you?
There are many types of yoga exercise. Your health objective will however determine your choice of video yoga exercise or yoga dvd. While yoga practice shares common elements, your goal will be to choose a program that is right for you. If you're just starting out for example, be sure your choice of video yoga reflects your
level of yoga experience. For example, if you are looking for yoga for beginner, you can opt for a gentle and slower paced
program. Likewise, if you're already at a higher level of fitness then a power yoga video or
Active Yoga might be in order.
Yoga For Beginner
Don't worry if you're new to yoga, since there's a wide range of
video yoga workouts to suit every level of ability - anyone can do it, irrespective of age. You
can even combine different yoga exercise to achieve your workout objectives
Look for a video yoga that incorporates poses for standing, sitting, and laying down, to increase muscle tone, enhance flexibility and relaxation. You might want to consider a yoga video that gives you different stages - i.e. once you've mastered the beginner stage, you can move onto another stage which will stretch your abilities.
Power Video Yoga
If you're looking for a more demanding and vigorous workout, then
power video yoga would be right for you. These programs will generally offer a more fast-paced sequence of yoga postures, which
might be more geared toward the more fit among us who want to improve on their fitness levels.
Fat Burning/Weight Loss Video Yoga
Your video yoga workout should include a series of poses which
stimulate and boost your metabolism. This will in turn burn more calories, reducing your body weight. Make sure you choose a program that covers breathing exercises and techniques, meditation and affirmations which will inspire and motivate you.
Do also ensure your choice will accomodate your level of physical fitness and as well as giving you the option of progressing to a more demanding intermediate stage once you've achieved your early goal milestone. Do also remember that while successful dieting can result in short term weight loss, long-term weight loss comes with balancing the mind, body and spirit.
Video Yoga For Health Conditions
Yoga is increasingly being embraced by the medical community who continue to encourage patients and clients to take it up for
various health reasons. Today, many people use yoga to help alleviate back pain, reduce stress, increase flexibility. Whether you have major scoliosis or minor imbalances in the body, You will want to consider a yoga video, classes or yoga dvd that offers a medical analysis of yoga for back health as well as a holistic solution to include poses to ease pain and strengthen your back.
See below for an excellent example which includes information on scoliosis by an orthopedic surgeon; a section for students; yoga teachers and health proffessionals, showing how to use props
and adjustments for poses specifically for scoliosis.
Video Yoga - Intermediate
If your goal is to increase your strength and endurance, then a more advanced level video yoga or yoga dvd would be right for you.
At this level of yoga expertise you can expect elaborate poses such as sun salutation, inverted poses, backbends head and shoulder stands and much more.
Yoga Workouts For Seniors
Excellent news for senior ladies! You now have the option of
choosing and enjoying the benefits of video yoga. Look for a
video yoga that builds strength, improves circulation, aids joint movement and builds energy. There is also the choice
of video yoga for early morning workout to set you up for the
day; or evening workout, to relax and sooth you at day's end.
Video Yoga For Expectant Mums
Are you an expectant mum? There are yoga videos or dvd yoga to help you take very special care of your baby and yourself. Video yoga during pregnancy can help you to become more sensitive to your body
as well as to your baby’s needs. Look out for a yoga exercise program that offers a safe and effective pre-natal yoga practice that will help you to maintain a strong and balanced body and mind.
Yoga For Kids
Yes! There's even video yoga or dvd's for kids from as young as 3-6 years of age. Yoga provide a fun approach to channelling your little
angels energies in constructive ways. Look out for video yoga with playful and simple techniques, which provide creative associations between learning, using alphabet and animal and yoga poses etc.,
Self Help: Yoga Resources
The above informs you a little as to the many choices available to you. Do consult your physician or qualified health practitioner or yoga expert prior to undertaking a yoga practice. This is especially important if you have health conditions such as heart disease, arthritis, back/neck injury or high blood pressure.
Do also bear in mind that while yoga video or yoga dvd
is an excellent alternative to more high impact weightloss exercise program, for optimum results, video yoga should be combined with a healthy diet to optimise your weightloss potential. With a gradual and patient approach, in time you'll benefit from more natural lasting and longer term weight loss as well as greater sense of inner peace and harmony from a life that
is truly in balance.
If video yoga or yoga classes appeals to you, Why not set yourself a goal to develop your holistic health and well being. Just get started and keep doing it until it feels odd when you don't do it. This can take anything from 2 weeks to 3 months or so. Don't wait until you're
in the mood or having the time or energy - once you get started you'll have all the energy you you'll need.
Resources:
Active Yoga - Yoga Video, Yoga DVD and more...
Yoga Weight Loss Secrets
Achieve natural sustained weight loss based on Yoga, Meditation And Vegetarian Diet
Yoga Health Secrets
A complete guide to yogic techniques for happiness and good health
The Magic Of Finger Yoga
An ancient secret to help you raise your energy, demolish your inner blocks, crack your toughest challenges, heal your relationships and nurture your spirit
"Your mental energy is limited by your physical energy. How do you develop more energy of all kinds? You start by putting your body in top physical condition.
Unless you do that, all your other activities wont help much -
you'll be stuck with the mental and emotional energy you have now". (Tom Hopkins)
The information on this site is purely of educational value and is not intended to replace your seeking medical advice. You must consult your doctor over all your health concerns.
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