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Some shy away for
fear of becoming indoctrinated into
a cult religion, or some may lean
more toward other exercise methods
out of sheer intimidation. They see
pictures of celebrities like Sting
or Madonna in these impressive
poses, and sadly, they mistakenly
decide they are incapable of
practicing such an art or exercise. |
Yoga is defined by
MedicineNet.com
as: A way of life that includes ethical
precepts, dietary prescriptions, and physical
exercise. Its practitioners believe that their
discipline has the capacity to alter mental and
bodily responses normally thought to be far
beyond a person's ability to modulate them.
During the past 80 years, health professionals
in India and the West have begun to investigate
the therapeutic potential of yoga. To date,
thousands of research studies have been
undertaken and have shown that with the practice
of yogic meditation a person can, indeed, learn
to control such physiologic parameters as blood
pressure, heart rate, respiratory function,
metabolic rate, skin resistance, brain waves,
body temperature, and many other bodily
functions.
My own feeling is that everyone
approaches life and its many opportunities in
their own way. If a person is hesitant to
experience some aspects of life, for fear of
what path it may take them on, then I feel the
only solution is to allow themselves the
experience with their own boundaries in place.
If someone is afraid of the physical demands of
Yoga, then approach it knowing you will not
require yourself to do every single pose
as it is done in class. Know that you can do
things at your own pace. If someone is
hesitant out of fear of the mental or spiritual
aspects, I believe it is so physically
beneficial, it cannot harm a person to approach
it for strictly the physical exercise. I find
my personal yoga practice to be very restorative
and strengthening to my body, and look forward
to it daily! My practice enhances every aspect
of my life - physically (for me, it is
beneficial for my joints and any aches I feel in
my muscles as a result of mere age... (yikes),
but it also strengthens and conditions me for
rock-climbing, snowboarding, and hiking), as
well as emotionally and spiritually (yoga keeps
its practitioners grounded, with a keen sense of
who they are, and how they relate to their
natural surroundings. It can be very
humbling!).
More General Information on Yoga
Some of the greatest benefits of Yoga are
the improvement of the shape and tone of the
muscles and body, the relaxation of the mind,
and the increased vital energy flow to the body.
Other poses (also known as Asanas) improve blood
circulation and the flow of nutrients to the
body. Yoga can also relieve irregularities in
vital organs. Relaxation Poses (corpse pose,
etc) relax not only the body but also the mind.
The practice of Yoga increases your awareness of
yourself and your environment, and can be an
incredible stress management tool.
Practicing Yoga takes great willpower . To
reap its many benefits, it is imperative that it
be practiced daily, and with perseverance. Some
poses may be a bit difficult at first, but the
rewards are well worth it: health, increased
energy and resistance, sharp, mental awareness,
and a positive attitude. As with any exercise,
it is vital that attention to one's body is
given - not allowing the over-stretching of
closed or tight muscles. Knowing when to stop or
slow down, and when to pull or push a bit more
in a posture is half the process. If you feel
pain, stop and try again, perhaps in a different
or modified manner.
Below you can view a portion of a sample
practice (which I teach to my clients and at
clubs), and it is available in complete
PDF form. It is
something anyone can do on a daily basis in
their own homes or offices. Check it out, and
let me know what you think!
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