It is becoming more and more apparent to me that yoga is truly for EVERYONE! I think a lot of people are still skeptical of yoga because they don't want to stand on their head while chanting and "ohm-ing." Let me say I have yet to do either of those in any of the classes I have experienced. There are some great organizations that have really transitioned yoga into a very comfortable and beneficial practice for general fitness centers and a group exercise setting.
What are your personal and fitness goals? Increase flexibility? Increase strength? Reduce stress? Clear your mind? Lose weight? Multitask and get multiple benefits within a shorter period of time?
All of these, and many more benefits can be acheived through yoga! And the great thing is you can be a yogi at any level. Pay attention to the name of the class you attend (don't start with advanced or "challenge" or hard core, etc.) but for the most part, each yoga class should be taught showing many levels and options that you can perform throughout the class.The most common type of yoga seen in our culture is hatha yoga, which means we place most of our focus on the physical practice of the asanas, or poses. Furthermore, we flow through those poses in a vinyasa style, meaning we flow and transition from pose to pose with our breath.
The classes are most likely set up so that you start standing, sitting or lying on your mat barefoot, and spend the first few minutes of class focusing on your breathing and clearing your mind. In yoga, you breath through your nose the whole time, both on the inhale and the exhale. (This is partly in order to generate warmth through our breath, but also is considered a "cleansing breath" since our nose acts as a filter.) This time is meant to be a transition for you to stop the never ending thought processing in your mind and focus purely on your body and breath. The class should build slowly, adding movement with your breath and building up to the sun salutation (which is a series of poses that have you bending forward and backward, stretching and strengthing and ultimately increasing your body temperature so that your muscles are warm and ready for a deeper stretch). Then you progress to more intense stretches for your legs, hips, spine, and arms (only as intense as YOU would like), maybe a few balance poses, and the class starts to wind back down to some milder stretching on the floor and into final relaxation. The final relaxation is a way to "seal" your practice before entering back into the busy, hectic world. Again, focusing on your breathing and keeping your thoughts on your body instead of your to-do list. How often do you allow yourself 5 minutes to completely clear your mind and to be still? Just five minutes can give your body and mind so many benefits.
There are still many varieties and options for yoga, and I encourage you to check them out! In general, they should follow a similar sequence and could last from 30 minutes to 90+ minutes. Yoga is an activity that you could perform on your own, once you knew a few stretches. There are also "hot yoga" or Bikram yoga classes that are set in a 105 degree room, increasing the heat to your muscles and therefore helping you acheive a deeper stretch (and increasing your sweating and weight loss).
Stay tuned for the next two posts where I will explain in detail how each of the goals mentioned above can be achieved through yoga and also lead you through the sun salutation.
Additionally, for my friends in Texas ~ let me know if you'd like to join me for a yoga session. I have free passes to attend the classes I teach at Gold's gym (7:30 pm on Mondays and 6:30 pm on Fridays). Finally, what I am MOST excited about is that there is a Hot Yoga studio opening in College Station in one more week. Check out the website if you are interested:
http://www.collegestationyoga.com/
I believe that they will be offering free sample classes the week of October 12th. I'll be looking to go to a class that Tues, Wed, or Thurs evening if you'd like to join!
More to come on why you'll be saying yog-"aahh" with me!
Have a HEALTHY day!
~ Fit Britt
Very cool. I have to work out childcare, but I am thinking of trying to check them out on a t or th 7: class, if I can convince Ralph that is a good idea. :)
ReplyDeletehey, I don't see a location on their website. I'm sure it's there, I just can't find it. where are their classes?
ReplyDelete