| Are you a young athlete who thrives on power | | | | be stepped up or slowed down accordingly. For a |
| workouts? Are you a baby boomer and stressed? | | | | vigorous practice, hold poses longer, move from pose |
| Are you a senior citizen who needs to stretch those | | | | to pose without pausing, or invert with handstand or |
| hamstrings? Hatha Yoga can be the yoga method for | | | | shoulderstand. Slow down with stretches and twists. |
| you. | | | | Always enjoy corpse pose. |
| Yoga is a field of study which includes a variety of | | | | Dandasana is an excellent pose to aid with stretching. |
| yoga methods to practice. Compare it to music study | | | | In this pose you sit with your legs stretched out in front |
| where you can be a performer or a composer, play | | | | of you and your hands at your side, palms down. |
| violin or trumpet, sing or dance. There are many | | | | Press the soles of your feet against a door or wall. |
| traditions of yoga practice available today including | | | | Begin your movement by stretching your torso up and |
| Iyengar, Bikran, Astanga, Vinyasa, and Hatha. All are | | | | then down toward your ankles. Lift your arms and |
| wonderful traditions, but one yoga method adaptable | | | | grab your legs, ankles or toes. Keep your back flat and |
| for all ages is Hatha Yoga. | | | | your head aligned with your shoulders. Hold the pose |
| Iyengar emphasizes alignment and preciseness of | | | | for five breaths. As you progress, you may reach the |
| movement. Postures are generally held for longer | | | | full pose, resting your torso on your thighs. |
| periods of time. | | | | For quieting the mind and relieving stress at any age, |
| Bikran, Hot Yoga, uses a set series of twenty-six | | | | try Uttanasana, standing forward bend. To move into |
| postures and two breathing exercises. The | | | | this pose, stand straight with feet about hip width apart. |
| temperature of the room will be around 105 degrees. | | | | Reach your arms up and then move them down |
| Vinyasa, Flow Yoga, usually emphasizes the yoga | | | | towards the floor, keeping your abdomen tight and |
| series knows as the Sun Salutation. The yogi moves | | | | your back straight. Stay in this position for five deep |
| effortlessly and continuously through the series while | | | | breaths. Repeat three times. |
| focusing on the breath. | | | | A power practice using the Hatha Yoga method could |
| Hatha Yoga includes most of the features of these | | | | begin with five Sun Salutations as a warm-up. During |
| other traditions. For this reason, it is one of the best | | | | the next series, add chair pose at the beginning and |
| yoga methods for all ages and all types. | | | | end. After four legged limb pose, turn to the side for |
| If you choose to be a yogi (male) or yogini (female), | | | | Parsva Dandasana, side staff pose. Do one on each |
| develop your Hatha Yoga practice around your | | | | side. There are many choices in the Hatha Yoga |
| interests and needs. Your needs will change on a daily | | | | method for asanas guaranteed to accelerate your |
| basis and will change as you age. Your practice can | | | | heart rate and tax your strength. |