| For those who want to pursue a mind-body | | | | Each pose can be modified so that yoga can be |
| connection, yoga techniques offer a dynamic | | | | practiced by anyone at any age level and at any |
| conditioning program that will help you achieve a | | | | fitness level. To increase the level of difficulty, hold |
| mental and physical balance in your life. Yoga is not | | | | each asana longer, and later on, increase the speed |
| only about building strength and doing gentle stretching; | | | | and repetition of each series of poses (vinyasa). |
| it will allow you to explore positive thinking, meditation, | | | | A yoga instructor can help you with proper alignment |
| concentration, emotion, and spiritualism. | | | | of the body, breathing, and explain how to draw on |
| Begin With the Sun Salute | | | | lines of energy, the directional path of force moving |
| There are hundreds of yoga techniques but beginners | | | | through your body during a pose. |
| will start with a series of twelve poses called the Sun | | | | The Benefits of Yoga |
| Salutation (Surya Namaskar). It is performed in a single, | | | | Classical Ashtanga Yoga is a vigorous type of |
| graceful flow. | | | | Vinyasa-style yoga in that the poses flow from one to |
| Basic yoga poses work from the inside out to improve | | | | the next, in the same order, without pause, |
| and condition the health of the mind and body. You | | | | incorporating rhythmic breathing. The meditation |
| move in an ever progressing sequence of poses, | | | | technique of focusing on the intense physical aspect of |
| known as Asanas. As you move slowly in and out | | | | each movement helps to bring calmness to your mind |
| from one asana to another, your body produces a high | | | | and shut out distractions. The most important product |
| body heat that purifies muscles and organs. Asanas | | | | of Vinyasa series is producing cleansing sweat. |
| are taught in a sequential order and each should be | | | | Performing the Asanas creates heat and pushes |
| mastered before proceeding to the next. This gradual | | | | toxins out the body through sweat. |
| training develops the strength and balance required for | | | | The regular practice of yoga techniques has multiple |
| more advanced levels. | | | | wellness benefits for the body, and many people begin |
| Along with poses and learning proper alignment of the | | | | yoga with the goal of losing weight. Since yoga |
| body, which is very important in yoga techniques, | | | | uniquely involves the training of the mind as well as the |
| beginners will also learn the art of breath control | | | | body, you will begin to overcome bad habits and learn |
| (Pranayama). | | | | control that applies to many aspects of your life. Your |
| Moving Meditation | | | | appetite, cravings, and other longings will diminish, and |
| This dynamic flow of moving meditation is linked | | | | you will shed unwanted pounds through the purifying |
| together with a breathing and movement technique | | | | heat of the sweat and cleansing that yoga provides. |
| called Vinyasa. Vi means "to go" and nyasa means | | | | Tune In to Your Inner Self |
| "placing" so the term is describing a method of entering | | | | Ideally, you should learn yoga techniques at a local |
| and exiting one asana to another. Each movement is | | | | class taught by an instructor who has at least 200 |
| accompanied by one breath. | | | | hours of certified training. You should never have any |
| Beginners and novices will learn the Sun Salute | | | | discomfort after the class, but feel centered, calm, and |
| sequence including poses such as Downward Facing | | | | rejuvenated. If classes are not available in your area, |
| Dog and Plank. Many yoga techniques look similar to | | | | there are excellent books and DVDs on how to get |
| exercises used in bodyweight resistance training, | | | | started in yoga on your own. With just a session or |
| although they are known by different names. They are | | | | two, you will begin to learn how to tune in to your inner |
| some of the best tools you will ever learn for building | | | | self and establish a close mind-body connection |
| strength in your muscles and bones. | | | | through the practice of yoga. |