The Purpose of Yoga- Yoga for Stress Management and Relaxation
Many people are looking for stress management in Yoga classes, but cannot find it in the area where they live. If you are looking for relaxation techniques, it is unlikely that you will learn them in a room full of young hard bodies, in which the room is heated to 105 degrees Fahrenheit.
In truth, a hot room may do many of us some good, but for some people, a 105 degrees Fahrenheit Yoga class, may have just the opposite effect. Some of us are comfortable in warm weather climates, while others dislike the heat. In the end, Hot Yoga is a matter of personal preference.
When Aura Wellness Center was located in North Providence, there was a Hot Yoga studio just a few blocks away. We would often receive some of their students, who no longer wanted heat.
Many of them would tell us of students who vomited in the parking lot after 90 minutes of Yoga at 105 degrees Fahrenheit. Well, thats one way to get the toxins out of your body, but there are less radical methods.
So, what do you do if the only styles you can find are aerobic, cardio, hot, or fitness Yoga? These days, many people may find initial exposure to Yoga in a health club. Yet, Yoga is still being taught in ashrams and Yoga studios.
Yoga teachers, in local Yoga studios, usually have, at least, two styles, which they teach to the public. If you have never heard of the style, or styles, at your local Yoga studio, you can still research the style in books or on the Internet.
What if there is nothing in your area to help in the area of Yoga for stress management? Then, it is time to visit your local book store or library. You should research Yoga books, stress management books, Yoga audio books, until you find the stress management course, which is right for you.
Yogic Relaxation Techniques can be practiced any time you need them, but most people practice them before sleeping or before meditation. Your body and mind need rest every day, but dreams do not allow your mind to rest.
Lets discuss two Yogic methods for relaxation, which you will easily find in your books. One is the Stage-by-Stage relaxation technique and the other is a variation of the Body Scan Technique. Both of them incorporate breath awareness; we will focus on the body from the toes up.
You should take the time to decide which relaxation method is best for you, by practicing each method a few times, over the course of seven days.
Stage-by-Stage relaxation takes a bit more time, but each method could also be practiced before meditation, bedtime, or on nights when you experience insomnia. The worst that can happen is you fall asleep.
Do not judge yourself - Just practice, observe, and enjoy.
Copyright 2007 Paul Jerard / Aura Publications
Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500, has written many books on the subject of Yoga. He is a co-owner and the Director of Yoga Teacher Training at: Aura Wellness Center, in Attleboro, MA. http://www.riyoga.com He has been a certified Master Yoga Teacher since 1995. To receive a Free Yoga e-Book: "Yoga in Practice," and a Free Yoga Newsletter, please visit: http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org/index.html
Low Impact Yoga Dvds
Yoga: Opening the Hips with the Pigeon Pose
A common request in any yoga class is for hip openers like the Pigeon Pose. Although hip openers can be challenging, they are popular because they can also be very satisfying, both physically and emotionally.
Our hips tend to be extremely tight. Most people spend much of their day sitting which renders their hips joints immobile and reduces their agility. Also, everyday activities like walking and common sports such as cycling and running involve hip strength but not hip flexibility. Most of us lead very busy lives and this leads to stress. This stress in turn creates tension in our bodies and often results in further locking up our already tight hip sockets.
Incorporating Pigeon Pose into your daily routine will help you to unlock your hips, move with greater ease and relieve a considerable amount of tension.
This pose stretches the hip flexors and the hip rotators, providing a terrific solution to problems arising from hip tightness. Since it also requires internal rotation in the back leg and external rotation in the front leg, it will have a positive effect on your whole body, perhaps even allowing you to move more freely after consistent practice.
The Pigeon Pose isolates various muscles in the hips, reducing stiffness and increasing flexibility. It is this isolation of muscles that can make this pose so challenging. Be aware that there is definitely some physical work involved with the practice of this asana. The key is to bring your attention to and observe the sensations created in your body during your practice.
On your mat, go on all fours with your knees below your hips and your hands underneath your shoulders. Bring the right knee forward until it touches the right wrist while maintaining a straight line between the right thigh and the sides of the mat. Slowly move your right foot and shin toward the middle of your body until your foot is directly below your left hip. Straighten the left leg toward the back of the mat.
Don't lean forward but walk your hands back and lower both sides of the pelvis toward the mat. Keeps your hips straight and level as the pelvis releases. You can use a block or a folded blanket if you have trouble lowering the hips evenly.
Press the fingertips firmly into your mat and lengthen the sides of your waist as your hips continue to settle. This will help keep your lower back long and free from strain.
Inhale deeply and walk the hands forward as you lengthen in the midsection. Exhale as you fold forward and lower the elbows to the floor. The weight that is released in the hips can be adjusted by using the arms. Using the arms to support the body can ease any discomfort felt in the hips.
Pay attention to the sensations in your hips and buttock. If it feels extremely uncomfortable, a shift in alignment may be required. Remember, the idea is to relieve tension, not to create additional tension in your joints.
Keeping the hips level is vital in the practice of the Pigeon Pose. If the hips are uneven, an imbalance will result when you fold forward. To offset this, a folded blanket may be placed under the right buttock (if you are extending the right knee).
Keep the thigh of your front leg lined up parallel to the sides of the mat. Your front foot should be directly beneath your back hip. Bring your breath into your hips and observe the sensations running through them. Relax the muscles in your face and let go of thoughts appearing in your mind. Allow your body to melt to the floor as you continue to breathe into your hips.
Stay in the forward fold for 5 - 10 breaths. Then inhale and come back up. Lift your hips away from the floor as you press into your fingertips. Transition to downward dog and take 5 deep breaths, observing how you feel in your hips. Then switch to the other side.
Michael Russell Your Independent guide to Yoga
Yoga Pilates Body Sculpt Fayetteville
