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Yoga
Asanas
by
Rob Daniels
Many
yoga styles have been derived from classical yoga,
and are designed to suit various preferences. Most
of the different yoga positions practiced fall into
one of two categories: meditative or therapeutic.
There are literally hundreds of yoga basic positions
or yoga asanas. All of the yoga positions are designed
to provide benefits for both the mind and the body.
Each
of the five prayer positions have a corresponding
yoga position, and the positions together activate
all seven chakras or energy fields in the body. The
different yoga types and positions focus on different
chakras or energy forces. The numerous positions that
are part of yoga were originally designed to prepare
the body for meditation.
Asanas,
the actual poses or positions of yoga, may seem difficult
or complicated to the novice. However keep in mind
that all the basic positions of yoga are designed
to help develop both strength and flexibility. Many
yoga positions involve deep stretching and, as such,
could help the repetitive trauma disorders tendonitis,
tennis elbow, and carpal tunnel syndrome.
A
basic knowledge of yoga postures and philosophy is
helpful, but not essential. If you cannot be comfortable
in your meditation and yoga positions, then you will
be unsuccessful.
Unfortunately, many believe that yoga requires tremendous
flexibility and the willingness to twist oneself into
pretzel-like positions while chanting something unintelligible.
But yoga is a series of in and out breaths which move
through a variety of physical positions. The physical
part of yoga consists of a series of stretching and
strength-building positions of varying difficulty.
Although
most yoga exercises are safe for nearly everyone,
certain twist positions should not be done by pregnant
women or people with back problems.
Muscles stretch better when they are warm so be sure
to practice yoga in a comfortable environment. Remember
to sink into yoga positions slowly and carefully to
avoid injury. Don't try to hold poses for too long
of a time period. If you get used to practicing yoga
positions everyday, it is expected that your bones
and muscles will react accordingly.
It
is recommended that practitioners include some form
of yoga positions and preferably a yoga routine in
daily life. When done properly yoga should increase
the lubrication of the joints, ligaments and tendons.
The well researched yoga positions exercise different
tendons and ligaments of the body so focus on those
difficult areas. There are a lot of yoga positions
and poses that is built to enhance posture. The Yoga
philosophy urges that the necessary inhibition of
mental states is brought about by practice and conquest
of desire. Through the practice of yoga an individual
can gain information about physical, emotional, mental
and spiritual well being.
The
yoga postures are often misconstrued as the definition
of yoga. Stretching is only a small part of the yoga
philosophy. To be rid of sorrow and sin, one must,
according to yoga philosophy, attain spiritual unification,
the consciousness of two in one, or yoga. Each pose
integrates the foundational principles of asana, anatomy,
and yoga philosophy, and develops the transcendent
inner experience. For an authentic appreciation of
the Yoga philosophy of mind, it is essential that
these ideas be fully explored.
About
the Author
Rob
Daniels is a long term practitioner of Yoga and Pilates
additional articles available at Pilates Shop http://www.pilates-shop.net
and Yoga Store http://www.yoga-store.net
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