| Yoga practitioners typically follow five specific Yoga | | | | what he or she can do comfortably. Exercises are |
| techniques. These yoga techniques are proper posture, | | | | also followed by relaxation sessions so that any |
| proper joint movement, controlled breathing, meditation | | | | tension that has been built up inside the body and mind |
| and total relaxation. It is believed that these five yoga | | | | is released. |
| techniques can combine to improve the health of the | | | | During the relaxation session, all environmental |
| mind and body. | | | | distractions are tuned out. At this point, the yoga |
| Using the proper postures helps to tone the whole | | | | practitioner is ready for meditation -- he or she will |
| body. They are performed from a variety of positions | | | | become even more focused and mentally relaxed. |
| such as sitting, standing and lying. Most of these | | | | The goal is a state of tranquility and peacefulness. |
| postural yoga exercises are very easy to perform, | | | | While these yoga techniques may be performed at |
| while some are very demanding. | | | | any place or time, they work best for newcomers to |
| Proper joint movement helps ensure that the | | | | the practice of yoga if they are performed in a quiet, |
| exercises provide maximum benefit without causing | | | | secluded place. Most people find that yoga works best |
| injury. Some of these joint movement exercises are | | | | during sunrise or sunset. |
| performed by themselves, while others are actually | | | | Experienced yoga practitioners, often labeled as |
| performed in conjunction with postures. All of the joint | | | | "Gurus" or "Seniors", may also perform techniques |
| movements of yoga are gentle; they are aimed at | | | | beyond the five techniques we have covered in this |
| making various joints more supple. Among the areas | | | | article. For instance, Hong-Sau is a technique that |
| where joints are targeted are the legs, arms neck, | | | | focuses on using the latent powers of concentration to |
| hands and back. | | | | overcome any surrounding distractions when focusing |
| Yoga always stresses deep breathing. Deep breathing | | | | on a specific target. Aum is another yoga technique |
| exercises relax the body while at the same time | | | | that seeks to expand one's awareness beyond the |
| helping to strengthen the body's support muscles in the | | | | normal awareness of humans. However, these |
| abdomen. | | | | advanced techniques are only successfully practiced |
| Yoga does not follow the "no pain, no gain" slogan. | | | | by those who have mastered the basic techniques |
| When practicing yoga, a person is not to go beyond | | | | and are ready to achieve an advanced focus. |