The word 'yoga' comes from the Sanscrit and literally means 'union,' referring to the intergration of mind, body and spirit. Yoga is recognised as one of the most powerful forms of exercise for combatting stress. Many people think yoga is a passive exercise method that is very slow-paced and won't use up much energy. But this concept is misleading. Unlike aerobics, yoga is not an endurance method. Instead, the postures are held for a few seconds rather than repeated. And the more adapt the student becomes, the longer he or she will hold them. It is quiet usual for a yoga class to work up a sweat. The emphasis is on the quality of the postures undertaken and these can be deeply penetrating.

I cannot stress strongly enough that everything in yoga is achieved by relaxation. The more you strain to achieve effect, the more distorted the effect will be.

Because yoga reduces stress and tension, it can help you to sleep better. Increased suppleness and mobility make you less liable to get injured as most strains and muscle tears are caused when muscles get contracted and tight. Yoga stretches them slowly and safely, playing the muscles to the edge of their stretch and relaxing them.

Breathing plays an important role in yoga. To practice yoga, you must learn to breath abdominally by inhaling right down to your pelvis. Breathing slowly and deeply in this way relaxes your muscles as well as your mind, aids circulation and blood flow to the brain and muscles.

Warm up before you start with a few gentle stretching exercises and some aerobics, such as running on the spot. This will warm up your muscles and make them more flexible.

Never hurry a posture, always keep your mind concentrated on it. Never try to practise any posture you don't understand, you can do more harm than good. Unless you have natural suppleness, don't try postures such as the Lotus or Headstand unless you are taught by a quailified instructor.
The key to yoga is to perform the asanas slowly, gently and without straining. You should never bounce yourself into a given position as this will invoke the stretch reflex and is more likely to damage or shorten muscles that you want to extend and stretch.

If you feel any physical discomfort, slowly come out of the stretch and return to your original position. As you become more proficient and supple you will be able to hold the positions for longer. Listen to your body all the time and never overdo it. Your body will be stiff at first and unused to the unfamiliar postures so learn to distinguish between discomfort and pain and gently withdraw from the posture as soon as it starts to hurt.

Benefits

There is a style of yoga for everyone. And it's definitely worth a try. It can improve mental clarity and concentration, ability to relax, coordination, flexibility, and strength. Whether you aim to boost your strength, your flexibility, your mind-body connection-or just your overall health-yoga may have answers for you. If you want to explore the benefits of yoga, how can you get started? It's helpful to know something about the many styles of yoga today. And it's important to know what to look for in a class.

Hatha Yoga

The most well-known, uses pranayama, asanas, and meditation. Some Hatha Yoga instructors may also focus on chakras. While some instructors teach Hatha Yoga as one independent style, there are also sub-styles of Hatha Yoga-including Iyengar, Ashtanga, Kripalu, and Integral. Iyengar Yoga, the most popular style of Hatha Yoga, focuses on poses. It uses props, and concentrates attention on precise execution of poses.

Ashtanga Yoga

Also known as Power Yoga, focuses on movement. It is the most intensive style of yoga and increases strength, flexibility, and endurance. If you're a beginner, this style is probably not for you.

Kripalu Yoga

Is a three-stage process in which poses are eventually held for long periods of time. It is a meditative style that focuses on self-awareness. Integral Yoga includes the usual asanas and pranayama with meditation, chanting and relaxation. Depending on the instructor, it may also be more spiritual.

If you don't already have a rigorous exercise routine- start in a beginners course. These are sometimes called "easy yoga" or "gentle yoga." You will be able to comfortably learn the basics with other neophytes, without being overwhelmed by complicated poses and movements.

Regardless of your needs, there is a yoga for you. By investigating your options and finding out where you feel comfortable, you can enjoy a good fit for improving your own health through this ancient art.

If you suffer from heart trouble, dizziness or back disorders, you should not do yoga or any other strenuous activity without consulting a doctor.