SIDEBAR
»
S
I
D
E
B
A
R
«
Learning Power Yoga Poses and Asanas
Jul 14th, 2009 by Dee Marie

Power yoga videos can be valuable tools to help students to learn power yoga poses without investing in an expensive class until they are sure that they enjoy it. Students need to choose the videos carefully to make sure that the instructor is certified to teach it. The poses are called Asanas in Sanskrit, the ancient Indian language. At the first instance, power yoga poses can be quite difficult to learn. Hence some students are more comfortable learning the poses in the comfort of their own home so that other people cannot see their mistakes. One caution in using a video to learn the power yoga poses is that the instructor on the DVD might not be fully trained to teach power yoga.

Types of Poses

This style allows for a lot of variety, but will almost certainly include Sun Salutations or “Surya namaskar ” in Sanskrit. There are power yoga poses that require the individual to hold on one hand and one foot, or even some that are all on the hands or on the head and hands. These balance poses require a lot of concentration and strength to hold it the entire time. There are other standing power yoga poses that are done in a balance position. Although all the power yoga poses require some degree of balance, there are some that are done on one foot with the other leg held up in the air in an asana position.

The word Vinyasa means “breath-synchronized movement.” There are some power yoga poses that are done while standing up. These poses require the students to hold their body weight in a variety of stances, from wide lunges to straddles. These poses help to develop the leg muscles and also help to make the person more flexible in those areas. There are also some twisting poses that use the upper body in a twisting hold so that the stretch is even deeper and the hold is more difficult.

Power yoga poses are also done on the floor, utilizing the hands and feet at the same time. Some of the power yoga poses are done not for the strength part of yoga but for flexibility and to open passageways. Some power yoga poses are done in what looks like a push-up position or some modified push-up position. There are also some power yoga poses that are done lying down on the yoga mat in various positions. Some of the power yoga poses or asnas are done for sheer relaxations, allowing both body and mind to relax completely for a matter of minutes.

Power yoga poses help to train individuals to concentrate fully on one thing and to learn to control their bodies in the various positions. It allows them to relax the parts of their body that are not working in that particular pose, and also teaches them to breathe properly.

Check out the Power Yoga DVDs
Jul 11th, 2009 by Dee Marie

Power yoga poses can be learned from power yoga DVD’s, although the best situation for learning power yoga is in a class with other students and a live instructor. Power yoga is a term used in the West to describe a approach to vinyasa-style yoga which is vigorous and fitness-based The reason that the power yoga class is a better choice if it is available is that the instructor can watch the poses that the student is doing and make corrections so that the technique is right and there is less of a chance of injury. When a person uses a power yoga DVD, there is not an instructor to make any corrections, nor are there usually mirrors available in the person’s house that allow him to see if the poses that he is doing match the poses the instructor is doing in the video.

These power yoga DVD’s will teach the individual the basic skills that are needed in yoga. Unlike Ashtanga, since power yoga does not follow a set series of poses, therefore, any power yoga DVD can vary widely from the next. Other things needed to practice yoga with the power yoga DVD are yoga mat and some comfortable clothes. The yoga mat is important because yoga mat also allows individuals to participate in the power yoga DVD’s without feeling the pain in their buttocks or other areas when performing certain poses since there is some padding in the yoga mats to help with it. The Yoga Mat also allows the individuals to participate without the hands and feet slipping when they get sweaty during the workout. It allows the poses to be held solidly which is important, allowing the individuals to hold them without readjusting every few minutes.

You shall also need appropriate yoga clothing to practice your Power yoga DVD. The clothing should not slip up or down and needs to be comfortable while practicing the yoga poses. Comfortable pants or tights and a comfortable tank or snug t-shirt are usually the best choices. If shorts are worn, they should be longer in length so that other individuals are not surprised by a look up the pant legs during some of the poses. Some men prefer to go without a shirt, but this can also be uncomfortable when lying without material between the skin and the mat.

Remember– unlike Ashtanga, power yoga does not follow a set series of poses. Power yoga DVD can vary from one to the other as they do not follow a set series of poses unlike Asthanga. What they should have in common is an emphasis on strength and flexibility the power yoga DVD will teach how to do the basic asana or poses in yoga. It will also usually teach how to do various modifications of these poses so that if there are back problems, knee issues or flexibility problems, the poses can still be held even with these issues. The power yoga DVD is a great way to for a beginner to get started in this wonderful exercise.

Developing the Core with Power Yoga
Jul 11th, 2009 by Dee Marie

Power yoga is a term used to describe a new approach to the to vinyasa-style yoga which is vigorous and fitness-based. Developing the Core, Power Yoga is the translation from the ancient Indian language of Sanskrit, meaning”Asthanga Yoga” – meaning power Yoga. Because of the vigorous and fitness based poses,it helps to develop the core of the student in power yoga so that the foundation of the body is strong. Power yoga develops these core muscles especially because they are used in almost every pose that is held in the practice of power yoga. There are many power yoga DVD’s and classes that teach students how to develop their bodies using simply their body weight and different poses which are held for a certain length of time. With this yoga poses, the stomach muscles are engaged and grows stronger by the minute whether the pose is sitting, standing or balancing.

Improving your Core health with Power Yoga

All the Core Power Yoga poses require that the individual hold his own body weight throughout the series of five or more deep breaths that he needs to take before the pose is over. This requires strength from the muscles that the respective asana concentrates on. The back is kept in better alignment throughout the day as it maintains a better posture whether sitting of standing. It helps people who enter the class with back problems. Developing the stomach muscles helps the body to support the torso through the use of the stomach muscles rather than using the back muscles so much. In addition to the core’s development in power yoga, the flexibility that is gained in conjunction with the core development allows individuals with back problems to have looser muscles in the back and hamstrings, which also helps to alleviate pain.

Importance of Breathing in Core Power Yoga

The term “power yoga” became widely used, in the 90s, when some yoga teachers were looking for a way to make Ashtanga yoga more accessible to students. The students are also taught to breathe properly so that the people can breathe deeply even in the midst of strenuous exercise. Apart from the muscles that are being used to hold a particular pose, it also teaches the individuals to relax all other muscles in the body. These breaths are controlled and are taken in and out through the nose. The breaths are drawn from the diaphragm so that they are slow and full, supplying much needed oxygen to the entire body. These breathing methods are important life skills as well to help calm the person down and reduce stress levels. In addition to these looser muscles and developing the core in power yoga, there are other health benefits as well, like stress reduction and helping the person’s concentration levels.

The benefits of Power Yoga
Jul 10th, 2009 by Dee Marie

 

 

Together, Power Yoga is a truly exhilarating experience. Here we exercise our bodies and minds leaving us feeling energized and refreshed! Power Yoga is the translation from the ancient Indian language of Sanskrit, meaning”Asthanga Yoga” – meaning power Yoga. Power yoga is practiced by almost every age of person and almost every physical ability. While performing Power Yoga remember to think of uniting all the elements of your being– uniting your body, your mind and your breathing. It helps to strengthen not only the person’s body, but also his mind and overall well-being. Power yoga has become popular in this country as yoga students have seen the benefits of the all around workout that this style of yoga can give. Power yoga is taught in a variety of different yoga studios as well as traditional gyms that are quickly adding these studios to their list of available classes.heres some of the benefits of Power Yoga

Health benefits of Power Yoga

Increasing the Body’s flexibility with Power YogaThere are many different health benefits to practicing power yoga on a regular basis. Power Yoga is the translation from Sanskrit of “Asthanga Yoga” – meaning power Yoga. It comes from the yogic belief that Mind, Body and Breathing can help govern and reach well being. In addition to strength, however, there are other health benefits for not just the body but the mind as well. The body becomes more flexible when practicing power yoga since the poses require many different stretches and contortions when holding them. This enables the body to gain strength and flexibility at the same time, opening passageways that may have been bound up for years, constricting blood flow and holding in toxins. Increased blood flow is an additional benefit to practicing this type of yoga, as well as balance and coordination, since these are also needed to perform the poses correctly and to hold them.–  flexibility and control. Although the workout often appears to be easy since it is so smooth and flowing, looks are deceiving since all the Power Yoga poses require that the individual hold his own body weight throughout the series of five or more deep breaths that he needs to take before the pose is over. This requires strength from the muscles that the respective asana concentrates on. Power yoga consists of a series of poses that individuals perform in a very controlled manner, smoothly flowing from one to another. This requires a high level of concentration and body control that has to be mastered and gives the students a great workout as well.

 

Developing Strength with Power Yoga

Developing your strength is an additional benefit of power yoga. The first is obvious from the previous paragraph

Breathing & Mental Discipline and uniting your mind and body with Power Yoga

Yogis belief is that Pranayasana i.e. controlled breathing, combined with yoga poses can help reach mind and body harmony. Power Yoga requires discipline and concentration. Mental health is bolstered through the breathing techniques that are used in the poses of power yoga. The breathing is maintained at a constant level throughout the power yoga class, even when it gets difficult. Since Power Yoga requires a very high level of discipline and concentration, it provides a high level of concentration and relaxation to the person participating in the yoga class which he can carry over into his work life. The breathing is always deep and slow, being pulled in and out through the nose, rather than through the mouth. It is always pulled through the diaphragm so that it is deep and provides the necessary oxygen to the body. One important aspect to remember when performing Power Yoga to remember to think of uniting all the elements of your being– uniting your body, your mind and your breathing

 

Simple Yoga Positions For Beginners
Jun 29th, 2009 by Dee Marie

Most yoga poses can be practiced by people at any level, so yoga positions for beginners are not really so different from any other yoga poses. What you will find if you go to a beginners class is that there will be much more explanation of each pose and where all the parts of your body should be every time. The yoga teacher will also spend more time explaining the principles of yoga and making sure that you know how to practice safely.

In a beginner yoga class the instructor will also tell you the English name for each position (e.g. Downward Facing Dog) and not just the Indian name (Adho Mukha Svanasana). This is especially important if you are joining a power yoga class where students move quickly from one pose to another. The instructor may only say the Indian names in an advanced class and you could be completely lost!

If you are beginning yoga at home without an instructor, it is best to buy a beginners yoga DVD or video and watch it closely all through the first time before starting to practice along with it.

Sun Salutation (Surya Namaskara)

The sun salutation is a series of positions that flow well in a sequence and give your body some well balanced stretches. Sun salutations each morning and evening is perform by many yogo students. This is a shortened version which forms a very basic series of yoga poses for beginners.

It is very important to go through the series in time with your breathing. Breathing should be slow and relaxed. If you strech to much your breathing becomes strained.

1. Tadasana – Standing Pose

Start of standing with the outer edges of your feet parallel and big toes together. Hands by your sides. Back straight, neck long, head well back on the shoulders. Practice by a mirror or against a wall at first to be sure you are straight.

2. Inhale – Urdhva Hastasana – Raised Hands Pose

Bring the arms straight out to the sides with palms up, sweeping up until they meet above your head and slightly forward. Look up at your thumbs but keep the back straight. Do not strech the arms up to high and keep the shoulders down.

3. Exhale – Uttanasana – Forward Bend

Sweep the hands out and down, hinge at the hips keeping the head and back straight as you go forward in a swan dive. At the end of your dive, let the head hang and the back bend so that you flop forward. If you need to, bend slightly at the knees then touch the floor either side of your feet. Put your hands flat on the floor if you can do this easily. Relax into this pose. The head should be completely relaxed.

4. Inhale – Flat Back

Roll the spine up to come up to a flat back at right angles to your legs, chin up looking forward, fingertips touching the floor or just above it. Make sure the back is not hollow or bent.

5. Exhale – Return to Uttanansana – Forward Bend

6. Inhale – Return to Urdhva Hastasana – Raised Hands Pose

Reverse the swan dive of #3: roll the spine up to a flat back with arms out to the sides and continuing on up with a flat back, hingeing at the hips, to stand straight with the hands meeting above your head in the Raised Hands Pose.

7. Exhale – Return to Tadasana – Standing Pose

The first step in your yoga practice can be these yoga positions for beginners.

If you found this article interesting please visit Hot Yoga Blog

»  Substance:WordPress   »  Style:Ahren Ahimsa