Wednesday 25 May 2011

Using A Premium Yoga Mat - For Health And Happiness

How Important Is My Mat For My Practice?

The answer to this question is that other than your mind, your mat is the most important thing you have when you practice. Choosing the right mat for your needs is not so easy as it might seem, and the color is not the number one issue here. Many people go for the pink or black yaga mats because they like the colors and the style, and it is true that yoga have become a very stylish trend. However, it is not advisable to choose a mat according to these superficial criteria, and you must remember that it this mat needs to support you during a physical workout. Your mat is there to help you go about your yoga practice without worrying about safety and slipping from poses while sweating half-way into the practice. There are a number of important points to remember while heading out to the store and getting your mat, and color is the last one on that list, at least when it comes to safety.

Having a loud pink-colored mat might be safe when it comes to being spotted easily by passing traffic while you are riding your bike to and from your favorite yoga center. On the other hand, it is far less important while you are actually practicing, and for the actual practice it is always better to have a premium yoga mat that is made out of high-quality materials and that can hold your hands and feet from slipping and sliding over. The most important thing to know while choosing a yoga mat is the level of stickiness. The stickier it is, the better and safer it is to practice on, and some can hold you even while you practice out in the rain. The colors that are used for dyeing the mats are too often slippery enough to shake even the teacher off his balanced pose, and it is highly recommended for beginners and experienced yogis as one to use a super-sticky yoga mat.

A Premium Yoga Mat Is A Green One

When I say that a high quality mat should be green, I'm not talking about the actual color of the mat itself. I am talking about the materials it is made of, and the environmental impact it carries. Be it the manufacturing process or its ability to break-down and not hurt the planet, getting a good mat means you are getting an ecological one and that you are doing your share as an aware person and helping the planet survive. The popularity of the practice of yaga in the west has come hand in hand with the new movement for ecological awareness, and I am not the first to claim that it is not by chance alone. Taking the step towards becoming a yogi is taking a giant leap towards awareness and self-discipline.

Being aware means you are taking responsibility over actions and choices, and thus know when you are doing right or wrong. This responsibility starts with awareness to your own body and your own personal health. This is followed by a stronger awareness for your surroundings and your friends and family. Choosing a yaga mat that is better for your practice and for the world in general symbolizes the decision you are taking upon yourself when you choose to enter the world of yoga. It is important to always remember that your health is the most precious thing you have, and that your practice is all about enhancing your stamina. It will be completely ridiculous to practice in a way that hurts your body and your spirit as you will be missing the entire point of the practice. Choose the right mat for your body, and do not be tempted by cheap merchandise made from materials you do not want to have near your body.

Friday 13 May 2011

You Can Get To Do Yoga Daily By Practicing at Home

Practicing yoga has many benefits on your overall health and well being. It is great for preventive care, and also for aiding already existing health issues. The practice in itself is commonly the part every practitioner enjoy. However, find the time for it can be a challenge. This is why practicing yaga at home is a great option when there is not enough time to get a yoga studio. So now there are really no longer any excuses to not be practicing more often. Also researching yoga online can be a great tool that can be done from home. Such as for beginners to getting started or to find out more about a specific type of yoga.

One of the benefits of practicing yoga at home is that you decide when the class starts and ends. There is actually even more time to practice yoga when there is no getting to and forth to a yoga studio. Some days you might have time for an whole hour or more on practicing yoga at home. On a more busy day there might only be time for 20 or even 10 minutes of yoga. Still, that is so much more than not getting to practice any yoga at all that day.

You also decides what specifically poses to include in your routine when you practice yoga at home. The practice and poses are your choice depending on what your body needs on that day. Maybe even add some meditation or simply just do the meditation. However, if you find it easier and more relaxing to simply follow a routine, then there are classes to download from the internet.

yoga in itself have many different styles to be practiced. Part of what can be done from home is research online to find out more about the many various styles. This will assist in learning more and to pick the one style that fits you the best right now. For example, prenatal yoga is only useful at a very specific and short period in life, while Iyengar yoga might really be a practice that will become part of you.

Researching the internet for yaga can be a good start for beginners. Before taking that first class, there is plenty to that could be read through. This is a great preparation before getting started and to get more out of the class. However, beginners need to attend yoga classes to gain understanding of yoga and to get the necessary adjustments. Most of all to get the experience of yoga. The truth is every practitioner needs to get to a yoga studio every now and then. Although, for all the other days when there is no time, there is always the option of practicing yoga at home.

Including yaga in your life most likely will bring serenity to your mind, body, and spirit. It might even lead you to make better decisions in other parts of your life. Commonly the spirit of yoga will add rejuvenation and energy therefore more productivity. The great serenity of yoga can be a great pause when your life is in chaos. When life is not in chaos, serenity and a feeling of well being is still a great addition. Your feeling of serenity will spread to the world around you. Therefore if you are practicing yoga regularly then you are helping the rest of the world. In essence, everyone should be practicing yoga. So if you ever thought about starting yoga or wanting to practice more often, there is no time like the present!

Sunday 1 May 2011

Kids Have Fun Taking Yoga

A lot of children are under stress today due to homework, pressure of competition, scheduling sports practices, endless school activities and many more such reasons. Therefore, parents as well as their children are turning to yaga for relaxation. When you teach yoga to children, it increases the awareness of the body. It also helps develop flexibility, self-control and coordination. This is something that can be applied both in school and in difficult situations.

Yoga has also benefits to reduce hyperactivity and poor concentration in kids. These children desire for movement and sense motivation. Yoga assists in channeling these impulses in a constructive way. Postures that are very helpful are the tree pose and warrior pose. It inspires confidence, calmness and balance.

It's fun when teaching kids poses. They love to do postures that involve stretching like animals. There are poses such as the frog, lion and cat stretch. Kids enjoy these movements and often laugh while doing them. Breathing is also something they enjoy to do. Kids are not always good at keeping their eyes closed. They like to cheat and open their eyes. Expect that if you are teaching, but encourage the kids to close their eyes and to just go inside. It also helps stress because there is then no way to compare yourself to others.

At the end of yaga classes, generally time is spent lying on one's back and listening to relaxing music. Kids are very visual and often can imagine themselves walking on the beach or being in a spot in nature they love. Make use of their imagination to visualize a place that gives them inner peace. Also using imagery about taking all the burdens off their shoulders works well.

Don't forget that kids like to sing. Incorporate some English or sanskrit mantras into the class. Also have a few partner or small group moments in the class where kids can interact. Doing this can encourage teamwork and cooperation. As children have a lot of energy, stretching poses are an incredible way to channel it into activities which will nourish their mind and body.

Additional benefits include improving focus, concentration, confidence and self-esteem. This will enable them to have better focus periods during homework time as well as when taking exams. This ancient practice helps them to manage stress efficiently, and manage behavioral issues as well. Enroll your kids in yoga and if you are a teaching, remember to throw in animal poses and visualizations to make it fun.