Why Choose Yoga?

Yoga has been around of thousands of years, it is a cherished practice in Eastern culture and is used by millions in the United States. While some may not know this, yoga is a science, and not some mystical hocus pocus as some believe it to be.

Reasons To Choose Yoga

The rapidly advancing urban life on today's generation seems to have taken away both the space and the time - the space in terms of parks for running or safe pedestrian streets for walking.

Lack of open spaces and growth in the concrete jungle has made many reconsider the options of a healthier lifestyle and being in the midst of nature for exercise. With that, came the growth in the gym culture.

More and more people love to work out at a gymnasium with modern equipment to maintain their fit frame. However, busy schedules have wreaked havoc on the time men and women can spare to go somewhere for exercise.

Also, many are too tired and drained both physically and mentally at the end of the day to jazz up for some strenuous exercise. If you are one of them and yet want to remain healthy and fit, then you could consider yoga.

Yoga soothes the body and the soul and is a great option for the 21st century.

Breathe In and Out

Firstly, yoga is a great option for inner peace. One could do that with various Pranayam poses which essentially translate to breathing techniques and control.

The regulation of air in our body leads to a boost in metabolism as well as oxygen in our system, leaving us fresh and energized. It is done sitting cross legged on the floor and controlling the air input and output through the nose.

Sometimes the hands are also used for added benefits.

More Benefits Of Yoga

• Then there are multiple poses for one to try. They aim at increasing your flexibility and balance.
• They also target the core muscles and strengthen them.
• Yoga is great for weight loss and pain relief too.
• Since it goes slowly, there is not much stress on the body to perform and keep up.
• One can do them at a steady pace and aim at perfection of each pose for the best results.
• If you are overly ambitious and have a fit body that is used to working out, then you could try the Surya Namaskar. It is a combination of 10 poses with alternate breathing in and breathing out methodology for each pose. Needless to say, it targets every part of your body and can be strenuous.

Prep up with some yoga style stretching, do the entire move for 10 reps twice and then end with some Pranayam for the best results.

The Poses and What They Target

However, if this is difficult as a beginner, then there are plenty of standing, sitting, lying, balancing and relaxing poses for you to practice.

You could alternate them and do it thrice a week for optimum results. Mountain pose, pyramid pose, raise hand pose, forward bend pose, downward facing dog and warrior pose are some of the standing pose which is fairly simple for all beginners.

This essentially stretches your entire body. If you are working towards developing your core strength and balance then the plank pose and the tree pose are a must.

There is always the issue of back and neck pain or fat accumulation in the back due to sitting and working the entire day.

Focusing on the spine, the cat-cow stretch, the cobra pose and the bridge pose bring in some great benefits if done properly. The Staff pose, head to knee pose, seated forward bend, cobbler's pose, seated wide legged straddle are some seated poses targeting the thigh muscles and could be attempted after the body is warmed up.

Lastly, there are tons of resting poses to put you in a relaxed frame of mind towards the end of a workout session.

Some of them are pelvic tilts, legs up the wall pose, happy baby pose, Goddess pose, child's pose, etc.

Enjoy

With these basics you would surely be on your way towards a fulfilling yoga session that simply does wonders for you and your body.
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