what you need to know about the practice

[ad_1]

Yoga is sometimes seen as a simple sports practice and sometimes even as a simple “trend”. Huge mistake! Yoga has been around for so long and brings many bodily and mental benefits ! I will give you information on its history, its benefits, as well as exercises and postures. In concrete terms, a brief global overview of this wonderful practice!

What is Yoga?

In the West, the practice of yoga and the teaching of teachers that is offered are often oriented towards postures. But in fact, this is only one of its components.

Yoga comes from the word Sanskrit Yuj which means ” mingle or join “. It is to designate the mixture of mind and body.

Often, we talk about the fundamental components:

  • Posture (Asanas) : the use of his body to achieve the postures.
  • Breathing (Pranayama) : beneficial breathing techniques for our body.
  • Concentration (Dharana) : the step before meditation to refocus on oneself and have an awareness.
  • Meditation (Dhyana) : free your mind, detach yourself from tensions and find your own spiritual path.

Yoga as a whole comes from ancestral knowledge which allow a real cohesion body and mind to have mental and physiological benefits.

Where does yoga come from?

There is still debate on the history and the appearance of the practice of Yoga, there is a lack of documents that are historically reliable to specify the dates. Its origin is very old which makes it complex to define fixed and precise dates.

What is certain is that its origin comes from India and that it has been exported all over the world over the years.

Periods have been described:

  • High Antiquity: -3000 BC, the first signs of yoga
  • The classical period: from 300 to the year 900, appearance of Tantrism and dissemination of a slightly more common knowledge, Brahman.
  • The medieval period: from 900 to the year 1600, spread of yoga to other civilizations (Arabs, Persians, Greeks, etc.)
  • The modern era: from the 16th century, yoga spread widely in the West, writings, conferences and schools were born.

the yoga has crossed the agesso more than a trend, it is really a useful practice with real benefits (which we will see together just after).

Benefits to body and mind

yoga benefits body mind

If in the West, yoga is essentially based on physical benefits due to the teachings of the postures, let’s not forget that the psychological benefit aspects are also present. When you start yoga, it is also important not to necessarily focus on a single point, but to mix the benefits of body and mind.

The benefits of yoga on the body

With yoga poses and regular practice, your body can change and perceive the benefits fairly quickly. In view of the many achievable positions, your muscles, tendons and joints will be solicited, which allows you to:

  • Benefit from more toned muscles
  • Improve your flexibility
  • Start weight loss
  • Reduce certain chronic pain (back, neck, etc.)
  • Increase your balance
  • Enjoy better lung capacity

The benefits of yoga on the mind

Side psychological and mental benefit, you can also find a lot of them! The work on listening to oneself, deep breathing, calm, activation of the body as well as the benefits of meditation will have an important role on your mind.

  • Stress release
  • Growth of self-confidence
  • Visual and spatial memory work
  • Improved quality of sleep
  • Improved mood and well-being

Are there any risks to the practice?

A poorly controlled practice on the postures can hurt and we must be aware of it.

You don’t have to not underestimate certain positions which are more difficult than others and which can cause sprains, tendonitis or dislocations.

This is why it is important to be accompanied at the beginning with a yoga program. Then, if you are pregnant, senior or with a medical history, your doctor can advise you to practice and advise against certain postures, for example.

Therefore :

  • If you are new to yoga: have someone accompany you at the beginning
  • If you have any doubts about your condition: ask your doctor for advice

The goal of yoga is to get the best possible benefits, and that’s also why I offer a program focused on practice.

By starting with the basics, we will strengthen our body and our mind in order to improve afterwards without cutting corners.

yoga program

Do an online yoga class

To get started in the practice, you can inform yourself and do an online yoga class, I offer videos on the subject like this:

My tips for starting yoga.

I give you information such as:

  • The equipment to choose to start
  • The clothes to choose to get started
  • Finding balance in your practice
  • Find your breath
  • etc

The objective is therefore to learn about yoga before starting directly.

Then you can start the practice, for that you can test my session:

Yoga challenge: 30 days to feel better in your body.

You will be able to start the practice slowly and feel the benefits. If you can’t do the 30 days, that’s okay, but the goal is to be able to find your rhythm, feel your body and take it easy.

To get started: yoga in the evening or rather in the morning?

This is a question we ask ourselves if we start, and it is legitimate, because the effects and the practice can be very different between the morning and the evening.

  • Yoga in the morning : to better wake up gently
  • Yoga during the day : mindfulness
  • Yoga in the evening : for a more restful night

In fact, you just have to choose what suits you best. And for that, you have to test.

Each session is different, start with yoga during the day or at the end of the day to be aware of your practice, movements and good concentration. Then, if you have trouble sleeping, choose evening yoga and relaxation positions that help you fall asleep. If you find it hard to have energy in the morning, then perhaps waking up your body and mind is where you thrive.

Morning and evening positions can be really different, so if you’re just starting out, start with the basics.

Lose weight with yoga

This is THE subject that everyone wants to know, but it is also the case for many sports if not almost all. In short, does yoga make you lose weight? Well yes and no.

Yes, because yoga stretches and gives a more elongated silhouette and it remains sport.

Yoga postures also strengthen the muscles. If you don’t exercise at all, then yes, it will activate the body and make its muscles work, it requires energy. Some types of yoga may be more suitable for a weight loss wish, such as Vinyasa for example.

No, because you shouldn’t always think of sport = losing weight.

Yoga is also a state of mind that accompanies us at all times, we must also know how to detach ourselves from this need to lose weight and play sports because it is good for our mental and physical health. Other sports will burn more calories than yoga. But yoga as we have seen previously, has many advantages, so do not hesitate to add it to your list of favorite sports!

10 great yoga postures

yoga warrior pose

When we learn about yoga, there are many postures emblematic of the practice of yoga. Even if you’ve never done one, I’m sure you know of one of these positions:

  1. the lotus
  2. The yoga tree
  3. The Eagle
  4. the child
  5. The warrior
  6. The mountain
  7. Downward facing dog
  8. the cobra
  9. Cat
  10. The candle

Some are simple, others complex, there is yoga for everyone and that’s what’s great! As you progress, you will find new postures that are adapted to you. There are so many that it is impossible to put them all in this article. But this diversity is a strength, because it allows an evolution of the practice over time to always keep a pleasure in the practice.

The main types of yoga

Which yoga to choose? And yes, because there are plenty of them! If you don’t like starting with the basics at all, there are also many yogas that can attract your curiosity with their differences and sometimes their innovations. Some are done with a sequence of movements, others will allow you to concentrate, to relax.

I have put some examples to show you the diversity.

Yoga Translation Explanation
Hatha Effort Rather traditional and slow form to refocus on oneself.
Ashtanga “Eight Limbs” or “Eight Steps” Fairly dynamic form focused on stretching, strengthening and breathing.
vinyasa To place Popular and modern form which will work the physique, the force and the spirit.
nidra lucid sleep Often forms on the back, focusing on meditation and deep relaxation.
Bikram hot yoga To be done under specific conditions; 40 degrees and 40% humidity to work the muscles and detoxify the body
kundalini vital energy Form that allows relaxation, self-centering and meditation.
Iyengar (name of creator) Can be practiced with accessories to make the postures easier.
Power Powerful Interpretation of Ashtanga yoga that adds fitness, yoga and pilates exercises.
Prenatal / Physical and respiratory practice for pregnancy support.
Fly Air Postures suspended in a hammock to build muscle, relax in another way.

There, now you know a little more, I hope it was able to enlighten you and make you want to test the practice!

And finally, some questions about yoga that come up regularly.



[ad_2]

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *