| People practice yoga for all sorts of reasons: to stay | | | | mantras, such as "um", "oh" and "ah". The idea is that |
| fit and trim, to achieve a sense of inner calm and | | | | once a person chants a specific sound endlessly, it will |
| well-being, to gain increased flexibility and coordination, | | | | enter their consciousness until the subconscious is |
| and to improve their posture. But to the uninitiated, the | | | | revealed. A bit tricky, that one... |
| practice of yoga remains a mystery. What exactly is | | | | Raja yoga. Helps increase meditation techniques by |
| yoga - and why do we care? | | | | directing your life force towards the object upon which |
| Yoga can benefit the mind, body and soul. | | | | you are meditating. Translates as a "kingly" type of |
| The word "yoga" means union in Sanskrit, and it aims | | | | yoga. |
| to create a basic union behind mind, body and spirit. | | | | Viniyoga. Incorporates regular breathing techniques to |
| This is achieved through a combination of flexibility and | | | | help practitioners practice yoga poses that are suited |
| strength, which usually is carried out by a striving to | | | | to them as individuals. Gives credence to the idea that |
| create and perfect a series of yoga poses, known as | | | | as we grow and develop so must our yoga |
| asanas, or postures exercises. | | | | techniques, the way in which we achieve specific |
| While creating the same exercises day after day may | | | | poses, and the poses themselves. |
| sound repetitive and mind-numbingly dull - at least to | | | | Popular Yoga Postures |
| the uninitiated - to adherents of yoga the case is | | | | Here are some of the very basic yoga postures, |
| exactly the opposite. In theory, at least, people bring a | | | | suitable for beginners: |
| varied and different approach to the postures each | | | | Cat. Basic stretch on all fours designed ideally to |
| time they do them, often with the help of a teacher, or | | | | stretch out the spine. Get down on hands and knees, |
| guru, who teaches and guides them along the way. | | | | then lift back and arch gently like an angry or surprised |
| In addition, chanting, meditation and breathing exercises | | | | cat. Some practitioners advise hissing loudly like a cat |
| are taught concurrently alongside the postures, so | | | | as well, to get full benefit from this pose (yeah, right!). |
| people should feel varied benefits which affect them | | | | Cobra. Lie on floor on stomach then raise up and place |
| both inside and out. But as yoga can be tricky and is | | | | hands on floor, near the shoulders. Inhale then raise |
| physically very demanding, many people give up at the | | | | yourself from the floor, raising your chest with your |
| onset. Others, however, try it a few times and | | | | back arched (don't lift belly-button from floor). Exhale |
| become converts for life. | | | | as you lower yourself to the floor and repeat as many |
| Types of Yoga | | | | as seven times. |
| The practice of yoga is a varied one, which is why | | | | Upward Facing Dog. Much like the Cobra (above) but |
| there are so many types of yoga being taught and | | | | your arms remain straight while your stomach is lifted |
| practiced all over the world. Many people have heard | | | | from the floor. Stretches many parts of the body, |
| of Hatha yoga, which is actually an all-encompassing | | | | including the lungs, back and abdomen. Is thought to |
| word for all types of yoga. Other actual types, in | | | | help alleviate symptoms of depression. |
| alphabetical order, include: | | | | Cow. Start by getting into position on your hands and |
| Ashtanga yoga. Literally means "eight-limbed yoga", as | | | | knees. Gently push your stomach toward the floor, |
| the path of internal purification contains eight spiritual | | | | while you try to arch your tailbone and chin upwards in |
| practices which followers are advised to follow. They | | | | the direction of the ceiling. |
| are: moral codes; self-purification and study; posture; | | | | Yoga for Children and Moms-to-Be |
| breath control; sense control; concentration; meditation | | | | Yoga for kids is not about losing weight, it's about |
| and contemplation. There are strict sets of poses | | | | becoming more flexible and more centered. Kids these |
| which should, in an ideal world, be followed to the letter. | | | | days often feel unduly stressed, with an overload of |
| This type of yoga is both athletic and requires a strict | | | | homework and after-school activities and pressure to |
| sense of order and is also referred to as "power | | | | perform well at exams. Practicing yoga on a regular |
| yoga". | | | | basis can help them not only get in better physical |
| Bhakti yoga. Achieves calm by visualizing, thinking | | | | shape, but also help them to relax their minds and learn |
| about and feeling a Divine Being. Sometimes referred | | | | how to concentrate and focus. |
| to as the Yoga of Love or Yoga of God. Requires | | | | Expectant mothers can also benefit from practicing |
| one to want their own oneness to become a | | | | yoga, under the advice of a qualified instructor. Studies |
| "twoness" with a higher power. | | | | have shown that women who routinely practice yoga |
| Bikram yoga. Started by Bikram Choudhury, this type | | | | while they are pregnant have faster births that are |
| of "Hot Yoga" is practiced only in a very warm room. It | | | | significantly easier than those who don't. Practicing |
| is though that the heat helps flush nasty toxins from | | | | yoga while pregnant is also a great way for many |
| the body and thus assists in making the limbs more | | | | women to connect with their babies and take time out |
| flexible. Helps you sweat out your problems as well as | | | | to concentrate on themselves. |
| become stronger and more coordinated. | | | | Proponents of yoga says this age-old practice can |
| Iyengar yoga. This type of yoga concentrates on the | | | | benefit virtually everyone, from small children up to |
| use of props (no, not that kind) to achieve yoga poses. | | | | people of the geriatric set. It can help individuals not |
| Wooden belts, blocks, ropes etc help those practicing | | | | only become more aware of their bodies and minds, |
| Iyengar yoga achieve the various asanas, or poses, | | | | but also increase their flexibility and coordination and |
| and thus help their body, and eventually their mind, | | | | make them feel happier and healthier. It also reduces |
| become stronger. | | | | tension and stress, and boosts our energy levels. Now |
| Mantra yoga. People practice yoga techniques coupled | | | | that can't be a bad thing. |
| with the repetition of certain monosyllabic sounds, or | | | | |