Yoga Is NOT for the Weak

I love yoga.  However, I’m no yogi or expert.  I pretty much take 1 or 2 classes a week and then I use an app on my i-phone, Pocket Yoga, that I use at home.  I just love the simplicity, the strength you develop and the calmness it brings me before I begin my day. 

Yoga is so much more than being “zen” or wrapping your feet around your head.  It is now considered a valuable tool to keep one healthy, fit and centered.  It can also help:

• Burn calories and manage or lose weight
• Improve flexibility
• Promote good posture and can decrease back pain
• Strengthen every muscle in your body
• Reduce stress, blood pressure and help manage depression
• Enhance mental focus, concentration and clarity
• Increase confidence and creativity
• Promote better sleep
• Improve balance

Personally, it has certainly helped me with all of the above, but noticeably, my arms have never been so toned and my core as tight.  Plus. I really feel great after I am done.

The best way to start yoga is with instruction in a class.  That way, you know if you are doing the poses correctly.  It also helps to do yoga in front of a mirror to make sure your form is in line.

Check out some basic types of yoga:

Iyengar– emphasizes precision, detail and alignment in the form of breath and posture control.  This is best for those seeking therapeutic results or treatment of specific conditions.

Vinyasa/power yoga– students flow from one pose to the next in a dance-like rhythm, tied to the breath.  This can be dynamic and often challenging.

Ashtanga- Similar to vinyasa, but refers to a specific, fixed sequence of very physical and dynamic poses that are held for a shorter time.

Restorative- gentle supported poses with loots of attention to individual needs.  Good for those recovering from injury or illness.

Hatha– a gentler, more centering approach to the practice of postures.

For me, I enjoy Vinyasa.  I kick it up on my own by holding poses longer or simply by engaging my muscles tightly (thighs or core) when in poses.  See what types suits you best and go for it.Most typical yoga classes run about 1 hour 15 minutes, which is great.  However, this can eat up quite a bit of time.  On days I don’t have class and time is stretched, I use my Pocket Yoga app for 1/2 hour.  Some yogis may feel this is too short a time to benefit from.  However, I say some time spent doing yoga every day is better than none at all.  Also, on my own, I have consistently increased my difficulty level with longer holds or by adding push-ups or other modifications.  The trick is to never let it be too easy as your body will improve the most if it stays challenged.

There you have it, my trick is to feed your body the right food (one-ingredient foods as in the Official Health Coach Detox) and strengthen and challenge it every day with yoga.  You will love the results.

By the way, if you want to lose weight by dumping out toxins that have built up in your body, our Detox Deadline for the early bird special is Friday, September 25th at midnight.  Check out what our Detoxers are saying and join our group starting this Monday, September 28th.

Namaste.