Yoga for the Inflexible Athlete

                   

Yoga for beginners may be a bit challenging at first, but once you've gotten used to the different yoga poses and techniques, it will be a fun, continuous learning process.

If you've decided to practice yoga, here are 5 important things you should understand before you start:

1. It is vital that you consult with your health care provide first

Even if you only plan on practicing less aggressive styles of yoga, it is still recommended that you check with your doctor first if you have any underlying chronic conditions as well as bone or muscle injuries. Yoga for beginners is still a new physical fitness program that needs your doctor's approval no matter how relaxing you think it may be. Remember, safety should always be your top priority to avoid injury.

2. Yoga is for everyone

Contrary to popular belief, yoga isn't just for fit and flexible individuals. In fact, anyone can practice the art - young or old, slim or heavy and even flexible or not. As mentioned above, yoga is a continuous learning process. You don't have to feel discouraged every time you can't perform a pose right. The practice is all about exploring your inner self through different styles of yoga so don't hold back and just keep on practicing.

3. Start slow

With all the wonderful things you might have heard or read about the practice, it's easy to get excited and dive right in. Doing so may just burn out your body faster or result to injuries so it's important to take things slow and follow your natural learning pace. Learn and master all the basics first before trying out more complicated poses or techniques. More importantly, if you're attending a yoga for beginners class, let your instructor guide you through the learning process - follow his instructions and don't try to get ahead.

4. Keeping a journal to track your progress is important

Keeping a record of everything you learn about yoga will do nothing but good to your progress. After a month or so, reading your journal will show you how much you've improved as a yogi. Yoga also has LOTS of terminologies so it doesn't hurt to write them down.

5. Yoga is a lifestyle, not a "diet" that ends

Many people treat yoga like a weight loss diet, stopping once the desired weight is achieved then resuming when the weight is gained back. Yoga shouldn't be approached as all or nothing. When you decide to practice yoga, it is important to understand that it is more than a physical fitness program - it is a lifestyle that will improve your general well-being.

So whether you're seeing results or not, keep practicing until yoga has become part of your everyday routine - it is only then you'll discover what yoga has to offer.

Michelle Nicole is an avid fan of the healthy lifestyle. Yoga is her passion and she shared her love for the discipline through her book Yoga for Beginners. If you'd like to learn more yoga beginner's tips and other helpful info from Michelle Nicole, her book is also available in kindle edition.

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Ashtanga Yoga is Power Yoga

                     

Ashtanga Yoga (also known as Power Yoga or Vinyasa Yoga) is a modern day form of classical Indian Yoga. It was popularized by Sri K.Pattabhi Jois who began his Yoga studies when he was just 12 years old. In 1948 he established an institute for teaching this specific Yoga practice.

Ashtanga Yoga literally means "eight limbed Yoga", (Ashtanga is Sanskrit for 'eight-limbed'), and refers to the eight spiritual practices (as outlined by the sage Patanjali in the Yoga Sutras) on the path of internal purification which lead to revealing the Universal Self. They are Yama (moral codes), Niyama (self-purification and study), Asana (posture), Pranayama (breath control), Pratyahara (sense control), Dharana (Concentration), Dhyana (meditation) and Samadhi (absorption into the Universal). According to Sri K.Pattabhi Jois - While the first four limbs are considered external cleansing practices (with correctable defects), the last four (Pratyahara, Dharana, Dhyana and Samadhi) are considered internal cleansing practices (with defects potentially dangerous to the mind unless following the correct Ashtanga method).

Ashtanga Yoga makes use of a sequence of Asanas which are linked with the breath, generating heat, facilitating flexibility and giving a healthy sense of wellbeing. Synchronizing the breath with a progressive series of postures produces intense internal heat with a profuse purifying sweat detoxifying muscles and organs. Improved circulation, calm mind and a strong body are among many benefits gained from this modern practice.

Techniques include deep resonant Ujjayi breathing, activation of the Bandhas (internal points of engagement and focus which direct energy upward) and the use of Dristhi (directing the eye to focus on specific points). These techniques eliminate external distractions and direct the energy inwards. The Vinyasa (or link through flowing movement), done between Asanas produces an uninterrupted continuity, in effect a 'moving meditation'.

To perform Asana correctly in Ashtanga Yoga, one needs to incorporate both the use of Vinyasa and Tristhana. Vinyasa synchronizes breathing and movement in the Asanas, heating the blood, relieving joint pain and removing toxins from the internal organs. Trishana refers to the union of the 'three places of attention' (posture, breathing and looking) and covers three levels of purification (body, nervous system and mind). They are always performed in conjunction with one another.

The breathing technique performed with Vinyasa is called Ujjayi (victorious breath) and consists of puraka (inhalation) and rechaka (exhalation). Both should be steady and even with the length of the inhale being the same as the length of the exhale. Over a period of time, the lengths and intensities should increase, with increased stretching of the breath initiating increased stretching of the body.

Bandhas are important components of the Ujjayi breathing technique. Bandha means 'lock' or 'seal' and its purpose is to unlock Pranic energy, directing it into the 72 000 energy channels of the subtle body.

Dristhi is the point at which one gazes when performing Ashtanga Yoga. There are nine Dristhis (Forehead, nose, navel, thumb, hands, feet, up, right and left).

The four internal cleansing practices (Pratyahara, Dharana, Dhyana and Sanadhi) bring the wandering mind under control. When purification is complete, and mind control occurs, the Six Poisons (desire, anger, delusion, greed, sloth and envy) surrounding the spiritual heart will disappear, revealing your true Universal Self, eventually leading to the full realization of Patanjali's Eight-Limbed Yoga.

Famous actor Willem Dafoe, who played the Green Goblin in the movie Spider-Man, is a dedicated Ashtanga Yoga Practitioner.

This article was originally published on The Yoga Plane. Explore more - read "Meditation on The Yoga Plane" at [http://www.theyogaplane.co.za/what-is-yoga/meditation-on-the-yoga-plane/]

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