lydiaspringer
- Sep 26, 2018

WELLNESS WEDNESDAY: YOGA

WHAT IS YOGA?

The technical definition: "a Hindu spiritual and ascetic discipline, a part of which (including breath control, simple meditation, and the adoption of specific bodily postures) is widely practiced for health and relaxation"

BENEFITS OF YOGA

○ maintain balanced metabolism

○ cardio and circulatory health

○ help alleviate back pain and carpal tunnel symptoms

○ help increase lymph drainage

○ protection from injury

○ body awareness

○ better sleep

○ versatile (yoga can be done anywhere): studio/class/gym, at home, private instruction, outside, etc.

TYPES OF YOGA

*There are many many types of yoga; these are just the most commonly known types.

HATHA

○ slow and gentle; ideal for beginners

VINYASA

○ series of postures that work cardiovascular system with flowing movements and quick pace

BIKRAM (created by Bikram Choudhury)

○ a type of hatha yoga done in an artifically heated space; always follows the same 26 poses

ASHTANGA (POWER)

○ rigorous style; similar to vinyasa

RESTORATIVE (YIN YOGA)

○ relax and soothe frayed nerves; uses bolsters, blankets, and blocks

HOT YOGA ○ similar to Bikram, but deviates from Bikram's sequence in some small way(s)

YOGA EQUIPMENT*

Yoga can be done with little to no equipment, which makes it so versatile. But, you can always use various types of equipment to aid or improve your movements. *linked at end

MATS

○ help prevent slipping and provides a slightly padded surface for floor work

TOWELS

○ microfibre towel

○ especially great for Bikram and hot yoga to wipe down your body and your mat

STRAPS

○ helps beginners with flexibility

○ make it "easier to reach parts of the body you may not be flexibile enough to reach"

○ helps to hold harder positions

BLOCKS / BRICKS

○ designed for extensions when you may not be able to reach the floor

BLANKETS

○ used mainly for hip elevation

○ also used to cover the body during cool down phase

BALLS

○ help with stability, balance and strength

BOLSTERS

○ extra support, especially for restorative yoga

There's so many ways to practice yoga in the time we live now. You can go to classes at a studio or local gym, you can follow videos online, or you can learn the movements and do them by yourself.

Even if you just do it once a week, you will start to notice a difference.

Yoga doesn't discriminate: anyone with any body can do it.

Give it a try; your body will thank you!

LINKS

YOGA MATS

Low-end | Mid-range | High-end