Have We Lost The Art Of Yoga?
6 Tips to guide you to your best practice yet.
Written by Jessica Fields
A few years back yoga hit a trend moment and became THE workout. Yoga pants flew off shelves and community classes began to fill up and over flow. The trend of yoga seemed to be everywhere, yet somehow, the art of yoga seemed to be disappearing by the minute. Yoga is known to be a discipline balance of breath control with stable body posture and meditation. Through a method of stacking the body in anatomical posture, stretching muscles and deep breathing you can widely improve your health and relaxation levels. At a time when life moved fast, it was easy to get wrapped up in the trend of yoga, but in truth all you need is a mat, some instruction and the time to tune into your body.
The essential purpose of yoga is to foster harmony throughout the body, mind and environment in order to promote positive energy for ourselves and the world we live in. Keeping that in mind, with all this time the last few months has allotted us the time for yoga is now. With this time even a newbie can become a trained yogi. The tips and poses listed in this article are meant for both those who are new and those advanced learners. Practicing yoga or regular basis has proven to be restorative, and while some moments may be uncomfortable it should not be painful. Think less painful and more lively. It is the perfect opportunity to quiet the mind and restore the body and spirit. Gather some time during your morning or evening and have yourself a good “work-in”.
Stretch it out with Childs Pose
A common pose for relaxation, child’s pose helps to stretch the muscles in the lower half of your body whilst relaxing the muscles in the front half of your body. It’s also known to reduce stress and fatigue.
Become An Early Riser
Practicing yoga first thing in the morning lets you focus and avoid distractions that might come throughout the day. Studies show that the early hours of the morning are the most advantageous for meditation and breath control.
Begin With Intention
Prepare your mind for a thoughtful and reflective experience by creating an intention. Centering your mind around that intention can help you stay present and focused throughout your practice.
Open Your Heart For Optimal Breathing
Posture can affect the physical alignment of the chest muscles where the heart lies, and help stretch the lungs for the best breaths, a-la opening of the heart. The phrase not only refers to the physical benefit of the position but also to the emotional capacity of love, gratitude and acceptance.
Flex The Spine With Cat-Cow Pose
The cat-cow pose gently increases the flexibility of the neck, shoulders and spine. The heart and lungs lift forward as you inhale and exhale stretching the muscles in your back abdomen and chest.
Thank Your Body & Enjoy With Corpse Pose
Use the end of your practice to thank your body and enjoy the moment. Allowing your body to rest in corpse pose gives your mind and body time to relax and cool down.
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