Yoga Field

What’s the best thing about yoga? It can have an amazing impact on your physical and mental well being, but won’t cost you an arm and a leg to get going.The first thing that you will need to purchase before attending any class is a yoga mat. There are many different types of yoga equipment that you will come across when searching for your mat … just make sure you find one that is comfortable for you. There are extra thick mats, yoga towels, extra long yoga mats, yoga rugs, cotton mats and covers, mat rolls, mat blankets, yoga blankets, mat bags, and aero mats. More often than not, you can find some great mats that are not too expensive. Next, look to your wardrobe to find some great yoga gear.

For the most part, you really don’t have to buy any type of special clothing for your yoga course. Still, if you want to be super comfortable, you can check out Malaika Padma cotton shorts, women’s yoga shorts and pants, women’s t-shirts, and men’s yoga clothing. Essentially, you want to make sure that your clothes are loose and comfortable, so skip the restrictive clothing. Finally, you should become acquainted with the follow props, though you won’t have to purchase all of them right away.

You can buy yoga blocks, straps, bolsters, balls, sandbags, zabutons, wedges, wood blocks, and zafus to help your poses, though not all yoga types will require these props. If you intend on joining a yoga class at a local gym or yoga center, you’ll find that most of these courses provide certain types of yoga equipment and props for you to use. Really, all you will need to bring is your mat and yourself.

The great thing about yoga is that you can practice your poses nearly anywhere. Once you figure out the basic movements (along with the type of yoga that you want to work on), you can really just plop yourself down on any surface and get to work. Of course, if you have the right props and accessories your body will suffer less, but this is entirely up to you.

The most important thing to think about when you are shopping for various types of yoga equipment is to find items that are comfortable, easy to use, and portable. You’ll find that simply signing up for a yoga class will help you on your way to figuring out which items you really need. Yoga is for everyone, so don’t worry if you don’t have everything mentioned above.

Are you beginning a Yoga practice? If so, you are probably aware of the many physical and emotional benefits of yoga. Benefits to mood, energy level, decreased stress, increased metabolism and more restful sleep have all been associated with the practice of yoga. However, in today’s busy and hectic world, you might still be looking for ways to fit yoga into your schedule.It used to be that if you wanted to practice yoga you either had to go to a yoga studio or try to practice on your own. With the advent of online yoga, there is another way to do yoga that better fits busy lifestyles and can still offer us competent and personalized yoga instruction. Many beginners would like to practice yoga more often than a once-a-week yoga class; online yoga can help make yoga a way of life rather than a sporadic exercise routine. At home and even at the office, people are taking time out of their busy schedules to log onto their online yoga studio, take a deep breath, and practice a few minutes of yoga.

Morning and evening yoga have long been a luxury of experienced yogis who could create their own yoga routines at home. But we can all use a pick me up at the beginning of a busy day and a relaxing stretch at the end of it, although we rarely have time for a studio yoga class!

Time of day definitely affects your yoga practice. Body and mind are just so different at different points in the day. Doing appropriate exercise at different times of day can be effective in regulating body functions and can improve mental performance in the daytime and restful sleep at night. Also, the deep breathing techniques taught in a yoga practice, known as Pranayama, can calm and steady the mind as well as improve overall health.

In the morning, a vigorous practice to wake up your body and to focus your mind can be beneficial. The calmness and feeling of vitality that follows your yoga practice will leave you ready for even the most challenging day! Even a short sequence can really make a difference. More and more people are turning to online yoga since it allows them to practice yoga in the comfort of their own home. A moderately vigorous morning routine of around 25 minutes works best for me but of course, your level of yoga experience and your physical limitations will affect your choice of routine.

In the evening, winding down the day with a slower paced restorative class will slow down the autonomic nervous system and promote restful, deep sleep. Yoga can promote detoxification and healing, and slipping into sleep after a gentle yoga practice will enhance this health benefit. My favorite practice in the evening is a 20 minute restorative or gentle class for maximum relaxation and sleep enhancement.

Even if you do not have time for a long practice, between the two shorter sessions you will have practiced around an hour of yoga and you will receive all of the health benefits of yoga without ever leaving your home!

Yoga is a well known discipline for body, mind and spirit. With its ever increasing popularity worldwide, it has rapidly adapted to people’s needs and has become more comfortable to practice in the home or in the classroom. Because of these factors and the fact that it has become much higher profile, it has now led to the appearance of a wide variety of yoga equipment being used for classes or for practicing at home.

Essentially, this means that before starting any type of yoga class, you should undertake a little bit of research to ensure that you find out which type of yoga will be right for your needs. Once you have decided this, you can then buy the correct yoga equipment, either online or directly from the yoga school that you attend. More information about what you need can be found over the internet as well as in books or at the various yoga studios.

A Bit about Yoga

Yoga consists of a combination of physical exercises or body positions, which are also known as “asana” and these are used together with various breathing techniques. This will usually take place under the supervision of a qualified instructor.

Most probably your instructor will advise you about what you need, in terms of the necessary yoga equipment. Clothing will be the first thing to consider. It should always be comfortable and allow for yoga poses where for instance you need to keep your head down, or in any other posture where you may slip due to using inappropriate clothes. Shoes are not required as yoga is usually done barefoot. This is great news for those used to sitting or standing for long periods of time, which can cause feet to swell. Consequently, without the need for shoes, it can make things much more comfortable for them.

As part of the exercises are done sitting down, in yoga studios, mats are used. These are called sticky mats which also help to define the personal space of each student, but more importantly, create traction for both the hands and feet.

Optional Equipment

Other yoga equipment consists of blankets, yoga blocks, yoga balls and straps. Blankets can be used in certain positions to elevate a part of the body or to achieve a particular position if students cannot do this by themselves. They may also be used purely to make the position more comfortable and to allow students to maintain it for a longer period of time. Yoga blocks are used to align the body properly, for example where the students hand can’t touch the floor. Straps are especially designed for maintaining a pose or to stretch muscles more effectively. They are used in poses where you are unable to reach or hold a position for more then a few seconds.

Other Things to Consider

In addition to the yoga equipment necessary in class, you can also find other helpful tools such as information material, namely videos, DVDs and books etc that you can use at home, or can study when you have some spare time. All of these things will help you to maintain a broader outlook and progress more quickly in your Yoga.

If you are Really Keen

For those of you willing to continue your exercise outside of the class, you can buy yoga kits. A yoga kit consists of all the necessary elements, e.g. mat, blocks, balls, books and videos to help you progress much faster. Alternatively, there is Yoga equipment available to help create a warm, ambient atmosphere while you practice your yoga. In these kits you will typically find tapes with relaxing background music, aromatherapy tools, candles, bowls and essences etc. Further to this, you can even buy charm jewelries or yoga greeting cards.

Finally

The discipline of Yoga has always been popular, but now it has become a real growth industry and has attracted masses of attention worldwide. Because of this, you need to do your research carefully to ensure that you achieve the goal you have set yourself. All this said and done, with time you can truly benefit from this wonderful ancient discipline. It is well worth the effort you will put in. Good Luck.

Deciding that you want to start doing yoga is the first step. It is often a stopping block here. Don’t be intimidated! Below outlines some of the steps you will need to take to kickstart and start enjoying the pleasures and benefits of yoga.1. Pick a Yoga Type

A little reading and research will be needed on your part. There are many different types of yoga classes available, and if you pick one that does not suit your personality and state of physical fitness, you may be turned off. Take a few minutes to review the various yoga styles. Most beginners, a Hatha or Vinyasa class will be most suitable. These are basic styles and you can always try something challenging and fancy later.

2. Find a Class

These resources will help you find a yoga class in your precinct. You can also read through local alternative newspapers or wellness magazines for listings or do a search online for “yoga” and “your town.”

Select a studio that is close to your home, work or vicinity. This is highly encouraged as you will need to take a shorter time getting to class and is easier. It is highly recommended to start with a basic level class. Many gyms also have yoga classes with excellent teachers. This is normally a good place to start if you already belong to a gym.

3. Find a retreat

Yoga retreat is another alternative place which provides relaxation for you in a community where you can practice focused learning and also practice it in a social setting. All that you really need is to have many people with a passion for yoga and thus a yoga retreat may last for short or long durations depending on how much commitment people have to its practice.

There are plenty of chances to mix around with other similarly inclined people and thus meet and interact with other people of diverse backgrounds. You never know when you can develop a lifelong friendship or relationship by going to a yoga retreat.

The yoga retreat is led by a guru or experienced yoga instructor who will offer special guidance to those who are just starting out in yoga, and who need to be properly introduced to its nuances. Additionally, a yoga retreat will normally provide food and accommodation in which the whole experience is very comprehensive. It pays special and close attention to each attendee and their diet as that will be one that encourages a better and healthier lifestyle, and the staff will definitely dedicate them to providing proper service in an idyllic locale.

The main objective of a yoga retreat is to promote relaxation as well as get the mind and body in perfect balance; so, be prepared to do leave out the radio and television and even phones in your room. It will afford you a welcome opportunity to relax and get away from the crazy city life and embrace instead the serenity of peaceful locations.

4. What to Bring

You will not need to bring much except yourself and some comfortable, breathable clothing on your first day. Know the basic yoga equipment you will encounter. Most studios have basic yoga equipments and these can be usually rented.

5. What to Expect

In a yoga class, the students put their mats facing the front of the room (often identifiable by a small altar or by the teacher’s mat) in a loose grid. It is recommended not to line up your mat exactly with the one next to it as you and your neighbor will need some space in certain poses. The students often sit in a cross-legged position waiting for class to begin or do some gentle stretching.

The teacher may begin the class by leading the class in chanting om three times. Depending on the teacher, there may be a breathing exercise or short meditation when the class commences.

It is followed by warm-up poses, then more vigorous poses, then stretches and final relaxation. At any time, return to Child’s Pose if you need some rest.

Sometimes, the instructor will go around to each student during final relaxation and give them a little massage. Most teachers conclude class with another round of oms.

Give yourself a pat on your back as you just took your first yoga class! Note that you may experience soreness after your first yoga class.

6. Don’t Have Any Access to Yoga Classes?

While there are many great yoga books and videos available, there is no replacement from learning directly from a good teacher in a yoga class. That is if you still unable to find a yoga class, I recommend starting with any beginner’s video, as this will provide you with more visuals to follow than a book.

7. Dos and Don’ts

The Don’ts

DON’T eat a heavy meal right before class. Try to eat light a few hours before class commences.

DON’T drink water during class, but have it before and after.

DON’T wear shoes or socks during class.

The Dos

DO let the teacher know that it’s your first class (you might not be the only one).

DO not hesitate to seek for instructor’s help if you need it.

DO look around and follow what other students are doing, particularly if the teacher does not demonstrate every pose. However, take note that you may be looking at more advanced students so do not compare yourself to them.

DO familiarize yourself with some beginners’ yoga poses before you begin your first class.

DO read through Yoga Etiquette so you feel very comfortable entering an unfamiliar situation.

DO return in a few days for your next class!

BakasanaBaka means the crane. In this asana the hands are placed on the seat with the fingers pointing forward. The distance between the hands should be about a foot and a half. The knees are placed above the elbows and the hips are raised, balancing the weight of the body on the hands. The head is lowered forward and the pose is maintained for a few seconds. This is a pose involving balance which helps to make the arms stronger.

Kukkutasan

Kukkuta is the Sanskrit name for the cock. Sitting in Padmasana, the hands are passed down through the gap between the calf and thigh on each side. Spreading the fingers, the hands are placed on the seat and the body is raised, balancing its weight on the hands. Like Bakasana this pose also helps to increase the strength of the arms.

Uttanakurmasana

Kurma means the tortoise. In Uttanakurmasana the hands are passed down from below the knees as in kukkutasana (after assuming Padmasana). Then keeping the hips on the seat, the knees are raised, and the hands are brought up to encircle the neck. The pose may be maintained for a few seconds. It requires rather slender limbs and supple joints. Otherwise one finds it difficult to do it.

Parvatasana

Parvata in Sanskrit means a mountain. Padmasana is the starting pose in this asana also. Sitting in Padmasana, the hips are raised, balancing, the body on the knees, and the arms are stretched up over the head, the palms touching each other. This is a balancing pose which makes the knee joints supple.

Dolasana

Dolah means a swing. In this asana, after assuming the Padmasana posture the hands are kept on the seat on the two sides of the hips just behind the knees, and the body is raised, balancing it on the hands. The body is swung back and forth, which gives this pose its name. It exercises the arms and the shoulders and also the abdominal muscles.

Utkatasana

Kala means the hips. Ud means upward. This asana gets its name from the fact that in it the hips are raised. Keeping the feet on the seat at a distance of nine inches or more from each other, with the knees standing up, the hips are raised and placed on the heels,raising the heels at the same time so that the weight of the body is balanced on the toes. This is a pose useful for practising the yogic shiddhikriya called Basti.

Padangusthasana

Sitting in Utkatasana, the right foot is placed on the left thigh and the body is balanced on the toes of the left foot. Pada in Sanskrit means the foot. Padangustha means the big toe. Thus this is a pose in which the body is balanced on the big toe. After practising it on the left side the same procedure is repeated on the right side. The hands may be placed on the knees.

Mayurasana

Mayura is the peacock. Sitting with the legs crossed, the hands are placed on the seat about four inches apart, with the fingers pointing backward. The elbows are set against the abdomen near the navel. Tbe legs are stretched back. Bringing the head as much forward as possible, the feet are raised together and the body is balanced in a horizontal position. The pose may be maintained for ten seconds to one minute, depending on practice.

In Mayurasana the abdominal viscera are pressed.There is a squeezing action on them. This helps to remove congestion and promote blood circulation apart from making the pressed muscles stronger. In the texts of Hathayoga Mayurasana is highly praised for its power to brighten up the abdominal fire (jatharagnt) so that one can digest even poison.