With so many of us experiencing back pain in the modern day, it is hard for me not to point out the benefits of practising yoga to alleviate any spinal discomfort.  Many physical therapists are also prescribing yoga to both treat and prevent back pain. I want to offer you two very simple yoga poses to get you started.

Simple Yoga Pose One -The Cobra

The first one we are going to look at is called ‘The Cobra’. It is quick and easy to learn and will certainly help with any discomfort.  Follow these easy instructions:

1. Start by laying on your stomach, with your palms face down on the ground. Keep them either directly underneath, or just to the side of  your shoulders.

2. Keeeping your elbows away from your side and your body relaxed. Raise your body, arching your back (yes, you have all seen a cobra on TV so you know what you should look like).

3. Hold this pose fo between 10-15 seconds and then slowly lower.

This simple routine can be repeated and will stretch your abdominal muscles while at the same time relaxing your back muscles.

Simple Yoga Pose Two – The Cat

Staying with the animal theme, we are going to look at a pose called ‘The Cat’.

1. Get down on all fours with your knees, hips and shoulders at 90 degree angles.

2. Inhale while allowing your belly to drop to the floor and trying to look over your head. Hold for 5 seconds.

3. Exhale whilst pusing into your hands and arching your spine, with your head looking into your belly. Hold for 5 seconds.

Repeat these two poses while synchronizing your breathing.

Bonus Yoga Pose

Finally, a really simple pose and a really effective one to prevent your back pain.

1. Lie with your back flat on the floor and relax.

2. Slowly bring one knee up to your chest by placing your hands underneath the back of your knee and pulling gently.

3. Hold for 10 – 15 seconds and relax.

In alternating your knees and repeating, you will feel your hamstring stretch.

You should not experience any discomfort in practising these yoga postitions, if you do, or if you feel any tingling at all…..come back out of the pose slowly and relax. Some of these positions I am sure you will already know, but it gives you a

Yoga offers many different health benefits from toning muscles to becoming spirituality enlightened. There are different types of yoga and each type focuses more on one element or another although every type of yoga is still based on the principal of improving well being through physical, emotional, and spiritual exercise. If you want to take yoga, it is important to evaluate your fitness goals to decide which type of yoga is right for you. If your goal is to become more relaxed and spiritually aware then you should do a different form of yoga than a person who wants to become physically fit and improve muscle tone. All types of yoga will reduce stress and help you to increase flexibility but there is probably one type of yoga that is the best for your fitness goals.

If your goal is to become fit, increase your flexibility, and improve your muscle tone, Hatha yoga is the best for you. This type of yoga is the most common form of yoga and uses the types of techniques and positions most people associate with yoga. You will focus on stretching and developing your flexibility. Hatha yoga is not the most strenuous form of yoga but it will work wonders on developing your flexibility and helping you reduce stress.

If you are looking for a more strenuous workout but still want the other emotional and spiritual benefits of yoga, there is a type of yoga for you too. The most strenuous form of yoga, known as Ashtanga yoga, is great for people who want a challenging workout that will help them to tone their muscles and improve their physical health. Ashtanga yoga uses the most challenging poses and movements to improve your physical health.

If your fitness goals focus more on your emotional and spiritual fitness, there is a form of yoga that will help you to reach your goals as well. Jnana yoga focuses on the spiritual and philosophical aspects of yoga and helps students to reach a deeper spiritual level. If you are searching for meaning in your life, Jnana yoga can help you to develop spiritually and emotionally as well as relieve stress and allow you to live a more balanced and fulfilling life.

If you are like many people you have probably considered starting an exercise program to help you loose weight. Many people assert that yoga will help with weight loss, and while many people have lost weight thanks to yoga others do not believe that such a serene form of exercise will help them to reach their weight loss goals. It is widely acknowledged that yoga helps to develop flexibility by stretching muscles and promotes a more balanced approach to life that can also help with stress reduction, but in the area of weight loss yoga’s benefits are not as clear.

The truth is that people do loose weight from practicing yoga, but that weight loss is not a result of strenuous exercise as yoga is a very gentle way to tone your body. The weight loss management from doing yoga is a result of embracing the principals of yoga that work to reduce stress and balance your mind, body, and soul. A lifestyle that is free of stress and balanced is conducive to weight loss as you can more easily manage a healthy diet and lifestyle choices. The principals of yoga that allow students to lead a stress free and balanced life also help them to avoid destructive practices such as overeating that contribute to weight problems. Stress has been proved as a cause of weight gain, so an exercise that aims to relieve stress will eliminate this weight gain risk factor from your life. Even though the physical aspect of yoga is gentle, it still helps to keep your body healthy, limber, and in shape.

Even though we may not know exactly how yoga causes weight loss, you can use yoga to loose weight. Yoga may not be the fastest way to lose weight but you will notice many benefits after you start a yoga program. The benefits of yoga will positively affect your entire life and help you to find balance between your body, mind and soul. No other exercise program encompasses so many aspects of life and serves to create balance that will help you to live a healthy lifestyle conducive of weight loss.

Yoga is a great way to get fit, increase flexibility, and learn how to lead a healthy balanced life. Yoga has become very popular in recent times although it is a form of exercise that has been around for centuries. If you are considering taking up yoga you may have looked into all of the equipment and clothing specifically designed for doing yoga. The truth is that all you really need to do yoga is your body, but some equipment can make mastering yoga poses and movements easier. Before you go out to stock up on yoga gear, you should understand what each type of equipment is used for and decide if you really need it for the type of yoga you will be doing.

Yoga mats are the most common yoga accessory and can be a necessity depending on where you practice and the type of poses you do. A yoga mat can help to increase balance, coordination, and symmetry as well as help you achieve more challenging poses by giving you friction. Yoga mats are also a must if you are practicing on a hard surface or need extra support for your joints.

There are also specially designed yoga straps that can help beginners reach and maintain challenging poses. Yoga straps work as an extension of your arm or other limb to help you reach positions you could otherwise not achieve. If you are having trouble getting into some types of poses, yoga straps can help you to develop more flexibility and to extend your workouts.

Some types of yoga workouts require the use of yoga blocks. These soft blocks are used when attaining certain positions and help with alignment and stability. You may or may not need yoga blocks depending on the type of positions you are trying. Yoga cushions are also yoga tools that you can use to establish and maintain proper alignment and posture. Yoga cushions are great for people who have trouble maintaining proper posture or who need extra support.

Some types of yoga also require the use of a yoga ball. Similar to an exercise ball, a yoga ball is made of durable vinyl and helps to develop balance and flexibility. Certain yoga poses require the use of a yoga ball and usually they are more intense and focus more on building muscle tone and improving your range of motion.

Simple yoga does not require the use of any equipment other than your body providing that you have a comfortable place to practice. But if you are serious about studying all of the different types of yoga, you should look into buying or using these different types of yoga equipment.

Yoga is designed to foster flexibility, stress relief, and relaxation, which means that the clothing you choose to wear while practicing yoga should help you to achieve these goals. Yoga clothes should be comfortable, breathable, and should allow you to move freely in a variety of different poses. Clothing that is too tight will restrict your movement and will not allow you the full range of mobility required by yoga movements. Loose fitting clothes as well as stretchy leotard type outfits are best suited for yoga outfits as they will allow you a full range of motion.

Even though yoga is a low impact and relaxing exercise, you still need support when practicing yoga. Women should wear a comfortable and supportive sports bra and anyone with joint problems should wear some type of joint support. It is also a good idea to wear clothing that absorbs or wicks away moisture because it is possible to work up a sweat doing challenging poses. If you are a beginner to yoga you should also consider wearing shorts so you can better see your feet, ankles, and knees and learn how to properly align them.

Many people enjoy yoga because of it helps to build self esteem and boost self image. It’s ok to want to look the part and feel great in your yoga clothes, but skip the fancy form fitting outfits that will restrict your movement and hinder you from learning the correct breathing techniques. It is possible to look great and trendy in comfy sweats and tops, and no matter how chic you want your clothes to be, make comfort your number one priority.

Some people wear shoes while practicing yoga, either by choice of because the class requires it. You should pick your yoga shoes with the same things in mind as your yoga clothes, comfort and flexibility. Rigid yoga shoes will not give you the full range of motion needed to master challenging yoga poses. Make sure your feet can flex in all directions when trying on yoga shoes and that there are no points that pinch or rub.

Yoga is about total mind and body fitness and nothing will make you feel better than looking your best while you tone your body. You should enjoy your yoga clothes but also be able to experience all the benefits of a full range of motion.