Yoga has been touted to be a relaxation technique
which is able to tone the mind, body and spirit into
working harmoniously. Many yoga teachers and fitness
experts claim that yoga can lead to successful and
lasting weight loss.
Any weight loss program is comprised of a healthy diet
and regular exercise. However, you have to stick to
your program. This is difficult for most people as
their often hectic schedules make it hard to find
enough exercise time. This is where yoga can be
extremely fruitful.
Yoga is a very fast form of deep relaxation. Just the
most basic poses and breathing exercises will help you
deal with stress and clear your mind. This will affect
your state of mind not only toward yourself but your
whole life.
The more relaxed you become the better able you will
be to to control eating between meals. Deep breathing
exercises will help to improve your inner strength as
well as your concentration. This will help you stick
to your diet and exercise program.
Yoga tones your body and fortifies all of your
muscles. It helps to stimulate the glands that secrete
hormones which in turn increases your metabolism. As
you attain higher levels of yoga, you get faster at it
and find that it becomes easier to work off your
excess fat.
If you are extremely overweight, yoga is a very good
way of getting back into shape. It not only prepares
your mind but also your body for weight loss. If you
start your yoga sessions as well as the other required
steps to your weight loss program, you will soon
experience a lighter you and will begin to lead a much
better lifestyle.
What Kind of Yoga is Best?
There are different forms of yoga. This type of
exercise can leave you toned and supple or you may
even be spiritually enlightened according to some
teachers. Yoga is the latest thing. It has reshaped
some of the greatest stars all the way from Madonna to
Sting.
Some forms of yoga are more physical and some are
highly spiritual. Yoga is extremely good for fatigue,
depression, arthritis, aging, stress-related illness,
migraine, PMS, back pain and mobility problems.
You must first decide why you wish to start yoga and
then go about choosing the appropriate form for you.
The principles of yoga are quite simple – relax, tune
out everything and stretch and you will feel better.
If you are looking to get fit these types of yoga are
for you:
Hatha yoga
This type of yoga is based on controlled stretching.
An emphasis is placed on developing a flexible spine.
This type of yoga is excellent for all levels of
fitness.
Vini yoga
This type of yoga is gentle and safe and is very good
for older people. It is taught by a teacher called a
Desikachar and is usually taught on an individual
basis.
If you really want to get physical then you should
choose these types of yoga:
Lyenger yoga
This type of yoga focuses on correct postures. It
often makes use of ropes and blocks to maintain these
postures.
Sivananda yoga
This type of yoga is suitable for every age and covers
a wide range of poses which range from simple to
complex. Ashtanga yoga This type of yoga is known
as power yoga. It is very demanding and is only
suitable for those people who are very fit.
For those of you who want to get spiritual, then you
would want to choose from these types of yoga:
Raja yoga
This is often referred to as royal yoga. It is
concerned with the mind.
Dru yoga
This is group yoga which concentrates very heavily on
breath work.
Jnana yoga
This concentrates on the philosophical aspects of
yoga and is very spiritual and meditative.
Photo by Jason Leung on Unsplash
