Common yoga questions answered

2016Mar21_Yoga_AYoga can seem a bit like a cult. Dozens of people line up in a classroom, all dressed in similar outfits, moving in unison and sometimes chanting words in a foreign language. To an outsider, this odd display of behavior can bring up a lot of questions. So if you’re scratching your head, wondering what’s the deal with this whole “yoga thing”, here are some answers to common questions the yoga curious ask.

What is yoga?

Yoga originated in India over 2,000 years ago. While today most people perform yoga through a series of postures and stretches, the original practice of yoga was much broader and included 8 total practices, which were referred to as “limbs”. The postures you see students performing in your local gym are one of these 8 limbs; the others include concentration, ethical guidelines, breathing exercises and a few others.

The original purpose of the posture-based yoga practice was to purify the body and prepare it for long meditation sessions. If you were to follow this and the other 7 practices, you would hopefully achieve the ultimate goal: samdhi, referred to today as enlightenment.

So does that mean yoga is a religion?

When you see how serious some students take yoga, you can see why it’s sometimes misinterpreted as a religion. However, yoga by no means qualifies as one. It should be noted that it was originally created as a philosophy (as described in the previous answer above), and some of the more devout practitioners today would still consider it a way of life. With that said, modern-day yoga can really be whatever you want it to. It can simply be a means to improve your flexibility, mental focus and health, or it can be a serious discipline that shapes every aspect of your life. Regardless of what yoga means to you, there are many varieties that are a far cry from religion. These include rage yoga (which involves cursing, screaming, and sometimes drinking beer), cat yoga, stiletto yoga and more.

Do you have to be a vegetarian to practice?

Vegetarianism in yoga is a hotly debated issue. One of the original principles of yoga philosophy stresses non-harming to self and others. Some interpret this to mean you can’t eat meat, as doing so harms animals. And if you choose to eat your triple cheeseburgers, steaks and mounds of bacon, you may be scrutinized by some of the old-school members of the yoga community. However, most fellow yoga practitioners won’t bat an eye, and will even enjoy that philly cheesesteak with you.

The point is that practicing yoga and eating meat is a matter of choice. You are free to do so if you’d like. And in today’s modern yoga scene, most people could care less whether you do or not.

How many times should you practice per week?

To achieve some of the benefits of yoga, aim to practice at least one hour a week. By doing so, you should notice your body becoming more limber with less pain and a slightly increased mental focus. However, if you want a more dramatic difference, aim to practice for an hour, 3 or 4 times per week. This can help you develop better posture and more muscle strength, greatly improve your disposition and provide an array of health benefits that include lower blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar.

How is yoga different from stretching?

On the surface, it’s easy to see why some people think yoga is just some glorified stretching practice. When you look closer though, there a few key differences. For one, most yoga classes try to sync your movement with breath. For example when you move into a stretch, you will breath in, and then exhale when you release it. Also, yoga requires you to pay attention to more than just the stretch and posture you’re maneuvering into. You’ll also be aware of what’s going on in your body, mind and breathing process. Becoming more aware of these three things will help you develop focus and mental clarity both on and off the yoga mat.

We hope these five answers will help shed some light on these common yoga questions. If you have more you’d like to ask or are interested in joining a class, call us today.

Published with permission from FitnessAdvisory. Source.

Is your Yoga Teacher Making these Mistakes?

Yoga_Dec28_AOf course, it takes a lot of time, dedication and effort to become a fitness instructor, whatever discipline you are primarily working in. But as in any industry some people are simply better suited to their role than others. Whether that’s through not keeping up with developments in their field, a tendency to believe anything spouted by a so-called authority without doing their own research, or simply not having the passion that a career in the industry demands, ultimately the person negatively affected is you. So what are the signs you should look out for that tell you that you might need to change yoga teachers?

Despite starting out with all the best will in the world the problem is that, as with any job, it can sometimes be tempting to tell the customer what they want to hear. Whether that’s down to wanting to close a sale or due to misinformation that sounds customer-friendly but is not actually based on any facts. The problem is, being sold a perfume that doesn’t make good on its promise to make you irresistible to the opposite sex and signing up for a yoga class that does you more harm than good are two very different things. The first is a waste of money at best (although at least you smell nice) but the second could be physically harming you.

The fact is yoga is a scientific practice which needs to integrate biomechanics – the study of a structure such as the human body. A good yoga instructor understands this and knows how to incorporate research in this field into their classes. In a quality yoga class you will not find your teacher spouting vague, flowery terms that have no grounding in biomechanics. Therefore if you’ve noticed your teacher offering pearls of ‘wisdom’ such as “shoulder stands increase activity in the brain” you might want to consider switching studios. No one is saying your instructor doesn’t mean well – they believe what they are telling you. They just haven’t thought to investigate why they are saying it. Worse, they could be putting you in danger.

Here are some other things that should be raising red flags:

Your yoga teacher is piling on the pressure

Manipulating the body to force it into an ideal of what a pose ‘should look like’ is an all round no-no. If your body is unable to attain a pose, no one is qualified or has the right to force you into a position that you find uncomfortable or are downright unable to achieve. Going deeper into your poses is something that you should work towards naturally and at a rate that feels right for you. Consider that a massage therapist undergoes intensive training and must apply for a license before they lay even a finger on a client and compare that to a yoga instructor fresh out of their 200-hour training course forcing you into a position that frankly may be dangerous for you to attempt.

Your teacher tells you yoga is the be all and end all of exercise

Yoga is hugely beneficial for people of all ages and fitness levels; that’s not up for debate, but what is, are teachers who claim that you’re getting all the physical activity you need in your yoga class. You spend an entire yoga class on your mat – this fact alone says that you are not being subjected to the range of physical movement you need to live your life to the fullest. For example, yoga will not help you develop muscles that enable you to run faster – whether you’re pounding the treadmill or sprinting for the bus.

No yoga class is complete without head and/or shoulder stands

There has been a lot of media attention given to the so-called benefits of shoulder and headstands lately and many rookie instructors feel that a yoga class is missing an integral part if they are not included. Furthermore the same teachers usually believe that holding stands for a long count is mandatory too. The problem is the claims that are being made about head and shoulder stands’ magical effects are not backed by any kind of scientific research. In fact, many instructors do not include stands in the practice, at least in general classes, for the simple reason that an average student will not have adequate neck muscles to support their body weight. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to work out that a head or shoulder stand performed incorrectly can put serious stress on the neck and lead to an accident or long term damage.

Your teacher tells you yoga gives you longer, leaner muscles

If you want to burn fat and achieve an overall sleeker look, of course yoga is only going to push you towards your goal, but the length of your muscles actually have everything to do with the length of your bones, and precious little to do with the downward dog.

If you’d rather know that you are practicing yoga in a safe, jargon-free, supportive and professional environment, talk to us today. Our highly qualified instructors are always happy to answer any concerns or queries you might have.

Published with permission from FitnessAdvisory. Source.

5 minutes is all you need for yoga

How many times have you told yourself that you are too busy to do yoga? It happens to us all from time to time, and there is no reason to feel bad about it. However, just because you don’t have time to attend a class doesn’t necessarily mean you have to skip yoga altogether. In fact, all you need is five minutes to get a quick session in. You may be busy, but chances are you have at least those few minutes to spare.

Yoga is an all-or-nothing activity for a lot of people. It’s either an hour class at the yoga studio, or nothing at all. Unfortunately, when work piles up or social obligations take center stage, it can be hard to fit in 30 minutes or an hour for a class. And that doesn’t even factor in the time needed to get to and from the yoga studio.

If your schedule has sucked out of your day the time necessary for a traditional class, we have a ready-made alternative that will let you reap the benefits of yoga in just five minutes. Sure, it’s not as good as a full session, but even five minutes of yoga can have long lasting benefits, whether you are doing it morning, noon or night.

For starters, a five-minute yoga session will help you clear your head, leading to less stress. This is especially great if you are busy and find your mind constantly racing. A short yoga session can also help balance your metabolism, ensuring your body is running at optimal efficiency. And even at five minutes, you still get the normal benefits of yoga, like improved flexibility and lung capacity.

So instead of lying in bed tapping away at your phone before going to sleep or just after waking up, why not squeeze a little yoga back into your busy life? As your parents always said, even a little goes a long way.

The five-minute yoga routine

Mountain Pose (arms up)

60 seconds
A nice, easy way to get things started. The key here is to focus on taking long, deep breaths. Make sure your mind is clear and you are paying attention to your breathing.

Side bend

15 seconds each side
From the previous pose, perform a side bend to both the left and right side. Remember, this is not a race so there is no need to rush. Take the full 15 seconds on each side. Return to the mountain pose when finished.

Child’s pose

30 seconds
After the side bend, move to the ground and enter into the child’s pose. You may have your arms outstretched or to your sides. Hold this position for 30 seconds.

Downward-facing dog pose

60 seconds
Gently transition to a downward-facing dog from the previous pose. This is a great way to stretch out your body as well as get the blood flowing.

Cat and cow poses

60 seconds
For the next pose, transition between the cat and cow pose. Don’t go too fast when doing these two, as this can put unnecessary pressure on the spine. Make sure you begin and end the asana with your spine in a neutral position.

Lotus pose or standing backbend

60 seconds
You can choose how you wish to end the session. The lotus pose is probably better to do before bed, as it allows you a chance to focus your mind, while the standing backbend is good for stretching and helping to wake up your body in the morning. You can also do both by splitting them up into 30-second segments.

If you have some free time and want to get back into the yoga studio, get in touch. We have many different types of classes to fit around your schedule and needs.

Published with permission from FitnessAdvisory. Source.

Naked yoga: the next big thing

Yoga_2015Nov16_AIn the yoga world, it seems like everyone is looking for the next trend. This year we’ve seen hot, office, and live music yoga varieties grow in popularity. One trend making waves recently was shirtless yoga. If you decided to try that form of practice, then our next suggestion isn’t all that wild. And if you thought shirtless yoga was crazy, you ain’t seen nothing yet. We’re here to introduce to you the newest trend in yoga – naked yoga.

There you are in yoga class, eyes closed and breathing deeply in the twisted sage pose. You open your eyes and notice something wrong. The person next to you doesn’t appear to be wearing any clothes. You dismiss it as a figment of your imagination, close your eyes again, and switch positions. You release your pose, open your eyes once more only to be startled by the sight of another naked person. You start looking around at the entire class to soon realize everyone in the room is as naked as the day there were born.

To some people this scenario might sound like the makings of a bad dream, but it is actually becoming a reality at yoga studios across the country. Naked yoga has gone from being thought of by more conservative types as deviant behavior, to a respected and growing form of the practice. More and more studios are offering naked co-ed yoga classes to meet growing demand.

We understand the thought of practicing yoga in the nude around others may seem like a frightening proposition, but there are numerous reasons to consider giving it try. Before dismissing it completely, consider some of the following reasons others are raving about naked yoga.

Finally feel comfortable with your body

It can be hard for people to feel liberated from the body image they have created for themselves. Oftentimes there is a desire to cover what we perceive to be imperfections, and that can lead us to feeling uncomfortable in our own skin. That all changes with naked yoga. By practicing yoga in the nude, you no longer have the option of hiding or covering up the parts you don’t like. Eventually you learn to be more accepting of your body as it is, instead of how you perceive it to be.

You will also see how others with less than perfect bodies – and trust us, there will be plenty of them in your naked yoga class – are able to have confidence in themselves. Ideally, you will learn to accept and maybe even love your body the way it is after seeing others who are able to do the same.

Practice yoga the way it should be

Yoga is a practice that is thousands of years old. And for most of that time, yoga practitioners were not rocking yoga pants and tank tops. In fact, yoga fashion is strictly an advent of modern times. The reality is that the body should be free when doing poses, and there is nothing freer than being naked.

Those who enjoy naked yoga claim to be more mindful and aware, because of the greater freedom they have during class. No matter how light your clothes may be, they are still restrictive – and the more something is restricting your movement, the less likely you are to achieve true awareness of your breathing and poses.

It’s not the creep market you would assume

When we first told you about naked yoga, you probably pictured a class full of middle-aged men with moustaches, trying to pass off their doormat as a yoga mat in an attempt to catch a glimpse of some skin. In fact, the reality is that only the most serious yogis sign up for naked yoga classes.

People who practice this are there because they are committed to yoga, and want to experience the freedom naked yoga brings, not because they are hoping to catch a glimpse of the bits and bobs of the human anatomy. Chances are you are more likely to be ogled or stared at during a trip to the gym than at a naked yoga class.

It’s a new experience

It comes down to this – if you enjoy yoga, you should at least give naked yoga a try. Think about how many people thought hot yoga sounded awful before going into a studio for a class? A lot of those people came out fans of the practice. Sure, naked yoga sounds scary, and it will force you to face some fears, but isn’t that what life’s all about? Even if you don’t like it, at least you can tell your less-committed yoga friends you had the courage to give it a shot.

If you are looking for a welcoming, diverse place where you can practice yoga, then come check out our studio. We offer all kinds of yoga classes designed to help you get the most out of your yoga experience.

Published with permission from FitnessAdvisory. Source.

The do’s and don’ts of talking about yoga

You love yoga. You love it so much much that you want others to know about it and maybe even try it for themselves. There is no problem with that as long as it’s done in a respectful manner. Unfortunately, some yoga practitioners take things a little too far when talking with others about our beloved activity. One of the key tenets of yoga is being mindful, and it is something you should extend beyond the asanas to everything yoga-related.

Yoga is known for teaching self-discipline, and awareness of the body and mind. While experienced practitioners take note of this and often times extend these philosophies to all other aspects of their life, newbies tend to be focused on the mat, and so are not as mindful outside of class.

The main difference between yoga veterans and rookies, apart from skill level, is how they talk about yoga outside of class. Those who have been doing it for some time are already aware of how others feel about it, but those people new to yoga tend to be overly enthusiastic and want to share this passion with just about everyone they come across.

However, not everyone shares this enthusiasm with you, and not being mindful of others – and the situation you find yourself in – can see you turning your friends and family off yoga forever. Here are a few do’s and don’ts when it comes to talking about yoga outside of class.

Do – organically mention yoga in conversations about health and fitness. When your friends are talking about workout routines, you have a great opportunity to inform them of the benefits of yoga, and pique their interest.

Don’t – force yoga into conversations where it doesn’t belong. For example, if you happen to be talking with your partner about the struggles he or she is having at work, suggesting yoga as the answer is probably not the advice they are looking for.

Do – let others know when you are going to the yoga studio, and invite them to join. If they are bored or have some free time, maybe they’ll want to tag along.

Don’t – tell others they need to be doing yoga, and then trick or cajole them into coming with you.

Do – have facts and experiences ready if someone asks you for your thoughts on practicing yoga. If you share something about yoga with another person, you want it to be truthful and, if possible, backed up by facts.

Don’t – be a know-it-all or a liar. If you start telling people that yoga will make them taller or that it can cure cancer – and you don’t have the proof to back up your claims – they will immediately dismiss you, or at least be pretty upset with you when they do try yoga for themselves, and find out your claims were false. Don’t bombard others with what you know about yoga, either. It can be overwhelming and off-putting to others who have no idea what you’re talking about.

Do – be passionate when you talk about yoga, even if you have only started practicing recently. There is no need to hide your passion, as long as you are mindful of those who are not as enamoured with yoga as you are.

Don’t – be a yoga zealot. Remember when all those CrossFit people were menacingly telling people about the benefits of their activity? Not only was it annoying, but it made a lot of people skeptical of CrossFit. When you think of yoga you think of tranquility and peace, so why would you want to be overbearing when talking about it?

Practicing yoga extends far beyond the mat. We can help guide you on your journey, and provide you with the support and assistance necessary to excel both inside and outside the yoga studio. Contact us for more information.

Published with permission from FitnessAdvisory. Source.

Is it possible to do too much yoga?

Yoga_2015Sep28_AYou love yoga. We get it, because we love yoga too. But if you are not careful, it can be easy to overdo it. One of the most important principles of yoga is to do no harm onto self or others. However, doing too much yoga or pushing yourself too hard can result in this ideal being neglected. It’s important to remember that yoga, just like anything else in your life, should be practiced in moderation.

The thing about yoga that makes it different from other forms of exercise is that you can do it every day and still feel great. Now this depends on the type of yoga you practice, but it is possible to partake in yoga seven days a week and not have any problems. Of course, whether you can and should actually be doing it that often are two very different questions.

While there is no definitive way of knowing when you’re overdoing the yoga practice, the first thing you should be doing is listening to the messages your body sends you. If you are feeling soreness and pain, it is important to stop and rest. You might think this sounds like a no-brainer, but many of us lose track of this in the heat of the moment and just put pain down to aches and sprains without thinking it could be a sign more more serious damage.

As we try to master a pose or push ourselves to the next level, we disconnect from the moment and let our minds become distracted. Once that occurs, we are less mindful of what the body is experiencing physically, and more focused on the end result. This negates many of yoga’s benefits and probably isn’t the reason you started practicing in the first place.

If you find yourself either experiencing physical pain or losing focus on what your body is telling you during yoga, it can be a sign you’re practicing too much. When you overpractice, it is possible to strain and sprain ligaments and tendons in your body, as well as cause problems for your joints, so it is important to be alert to what is happening in these areas of your body at all times.

The signs of doing too much yoga don’t apply only to the realm of physical or mental issues. Part of yoga is considering others, and it’s possible to get so caught up with practicing that you forget about friends and family. Much like you need to be mindful of your body as you are doing yoga, you should listen to what people say about how yoga relates to your life outside of the studio.

Do family and friends complain that you no longer have time for them because you are always practicing yoga? Have they expressed concern about how many yoga classes you participate in? It’s possible that there is some truth in these claims that you may have never even considered. Be mindful of the needs of other people in your life, and try not to neglect them in favor of yoga.

As long as you are practicing yoga in moderation, it is likely you won’t ever have to worry about doing too much. It’s also important to point out that the meaning of moderation will vary wildly from person to person. Some can do it five hours a day without it being an issue, while two or three classes a week will be the right amount for others. Don’t get caught up in what everyone else does, because you will end up losing sight of the most important aspect of practicing yoga in the first place – your mind and body.

We’re here to help you better understand all things yoga. Contact us today for advice, tips or answers to any questions you may have.

Published with permission from FitnessAdvisory. Source.

Martial arts principles for better yoga

164_YogaWhen you unroll your yoga mat and lunge into warrior pose, do you ever feel like you’re just going through the motions? As your yoga practice develops from an exciting new venture and becomes a weekly routine, it’s not surprising that it can start to feel a bit stale after a while. That’s why it’s important to find ways to keep it fresh. One such way is to combine the principles of martial arts with your yoga practice.

If the idea of mixing martial arts principles with yoga startles you, note that the two practices share a number of similarities: they both encourage strength, flexibility, breath control, discipline and focus. So while it may sound unconventional to mix these ancient eastern practices, there are certainly ideas from martial arts that have the ability to rejuvenate and deepen your yoga practice. Here are three.

Embody your yoga practice fully

In martial arts, practitioners spend hours repeating the same bodily motions to perfect a single block, kick, or punch. Paying attention to not only what you are doing, but how you are doing it, is of the utmost importance because when facing an opponent, mistakes can hurt – literally.

Next time you practice yoga, pay attention to the “how” of your poses and transitions. Feel the stretch in your legs as you hold downward dog. Embrace the ache in your arms as you bend into scorpion pose. Most importantly, be mindful that it’s not about the end result, but the journey.

Remember that a fundamental principle of yoga is to pay attention to your breathing. This helps you stay present in your body, one breath at a time. Try to synchronize your breathing to your movements. This will help you embody your yoga practice fully and breathe new life into it.

Wear a blindfold

Martial arts practitioners sometimes use blindfolds to improve muscle memory and bodily awareness. Transferring this practice to yoga can have a similar benefit. Not only will you be more present in your body, but you’ll also improve coordination and balance.

To incorporate a blindfold into your yoga practice, start slowly. Use it for only one pose at first. As you become more comfortable, add another pose until you can go through an entire yoga session blindfolded.

Yield, instead of force

“Be like water,” Bruce Lee once said. What does water have to do with martial arts? Water never fights or forces no matter what obstacle it faces. It is always soft, always flexible and can dissolve even the hardest of substances in time.

For many martial arts styles, yielding is a fundamental principle. The idea is to use the energy of your opponent against him or her, using as little force as possible. How can this apply to yoga? Don’t force yourself into poses. Instead, listen to your body. Breathe into your poses, and allow your body to deepen and soften into them in its own time. With practice, you’ll be able to ease more fluidly into your poses – as naturally as water itself.

Want more ideas on how to rejuvenate your yoga practice? Call us today to talk with one of our seasoned yoga teachers.

Published with permission from FitnessAdvisory. Source.

Mindful of New Year changes!

yoga_Jan22_AHow are you doing on your New Year resolutions to get fit and live a healthy life? If you are yet to really get going or have faltered before the month’s end then no fear, help is here! While you might want to look at how realistic and practical your plans are, you also need to make sure that your approach and intention is giving you the best chance of success too. In other words, you need to be mindful of New Year changes and yoga can definitely help!

While not all yoga classes are centered on breathing techniques and meditation, and instead offer a more physically challenging workout, mindfulness is still a core value of this ancient, holistic exercise system. Mindful living and mindful exercise can transform your life way beyond your resolutions and fitness goals.

What is mindfulness?
In essence, mindfulness is really about bringing a greater awareness to the present moment. When we listen to others we are often focused on what we want to say next or in quiet moments we are going over past events and analyzing them in our minds. Mindfulness is about letting go of what has been and also what is to come. It is about acceptance and being fully present in the here and now.

What are the benefits of mindfulness?
There are huge benefits to mindfulness and that is why it is such an intrinsic part of yoga practice. Awareness in the present moment can lead to clarity of thought, help release stress and allow you some mental space to just ‘be’. In turn, this can pave the way for personal development and for making positive change in your life. If the idea of this present moment being makes you feel in any way anxious then that could be a strong sign that you need greater mindfulness in your life.

How can mindfulness help me stick to my resolutions?
Yoga can bring about a state of mindfulness but you can also adopt this approach in your everyday life. You may feel this is somehow avoiding dealing with real issues in life, but actually mindful living and mindful exercise can help you achieve your resolutions, through:

Greater focus – By steadying the mind and not becoming bogged down with thoughts from all directions, you are able to clearly concentrate on what you are doing and really get into the zone.

True intention – Mindfulness frees-up the mind and inspires an internal honesty mechanism where your true feelings can come to the surface. Have you made resolutions you truly want or because you feel you should be making them?

Takes away the pressure – Mindfulness practice is not about preventing thoughts but about letting ideas and emotions flow in and out of your mind, with no active holding on or analytical process. As a result you can feel less burdened by what you have not achieved and less focused on negative emotions such as feeling as if you have failed. It is amazing how much lighter and brighter the world feels as a result and how much more achievable change can be.

Yoga can help you achieve your resolutions as it not only keeps you fit and strengthens and stretches your whole body, but it also calms the mind. On top of this, yoga practice influences other aspects of your life, such as your lifestyle and your diet, as well as how you spend your time and with whom. To change your life and to reach your resolutions get in touch with some yoga sessions with us.

Published with permission from FitnessAdvisory. Source.

Yoga is a top fitness trend for 2015!

yoga_Jan14_AIt might be as old as the hills, but yoga is still a modern, popular practice that tops the fitness charts year after year, with an increasing number of new recruits realizing the huge benefits of yoga to the body, mind and whole being. According to the respected American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) annual survey, yoga comes in the Top 10 for their Worldwide Survey of Fitness Trends for 2015.

A study just a couple of years ago revealed that 20 million Americans practice yoga and that as well as seasoned practitioners the ancient practice attracts beginners too. Over recent times, knowledge about fitness in general has increased and much more is understood about the value of exercise and the human body. This has served the practice well, as today there’s even more understanding about the benefits of yoga.

Holistic exercise for the whole of you

While there is an emphasis on working on specific muscle groups, such as the abs and core muscles, for example, what many love about yoga is that it is a whole body practice that takes a holistic approach to fitness and wellness. Yoga is credited with boosting energy and your immune system, as well as providing cardiovascular benefits and helping improve circulation and detoxification. In other words, yoga gives you a real all-over good-feeling!

Complementary to cardio workouts

Whereas in the past, it was often popular to just sweat it out with some cardio burn classes, nowadays there is a growing fitness style of adding more into the mix. Strength training can actually improve the power of fat burning activities and yoga is a great way to strengthen the whole body, especially when it comes to powerful yoga inversions where the head is below the heart in movements and poses. Flexibility and suppleness also help prevent injuries and support better mobility, which explains why yoga is such a popular practice with athletes as well as part of functional training regimes.

Accessible and progressive

Aside from the mind and body benefits, yoga is also open to beginners or those returning to practice after time away. If you enjoy seeing progression then yoga fulfils that too as poses become more complex and you challenge your body more. You do not already have to be superfit to enjoy and feel the benefits of yoga. In fact, it is amazing how you feel after just one session!

Healthy mind and body

There is much more of a focus on the health not just of the body but also of the mind these days as well. Stress can have a huge impact on all of us and really take its toll on you physically and mentally. Fitness trends today are much more about exercise for a better lifestyle and of how you feel, rather than simply about creating a buff body that looks great. By mentally giving yourself some space and de-stressing the mind and body, you are promoting health and quality of life too, which keeps you motivated to live your life in a healthy and active way.

Yoga is all set to transform bodies, minds and lifestyles in 2015 and if you have yet to explore this thousands of years old fitness practice then this could be the year to try. We are waiting to welcome you so get in touch.

Published with permission from FitnessAdvisory. Source.

Why yoga is perfect for 2015!

yoga_Dec26_AIt is always an exciting time of expectation at the start of New Year; with plans to make positive change. If you are planning to make a difference with your health and your fitness levels, then yoga could be the practice you are looking for in 2015. Yoga might have been around for what seems like forever, well thousands of years, but it is still as popular and as relevant as ever; making it into the top 10 of the American College of Sports Medicine’s 2015 fitness trends, an annual worldwide survey of industry professionals.

So, what’s so perfect about yoga for beyond New Year and into 2015?

Yoga embraces new beginnings and change – Yoga is a non-competitive exercise program that is deeply personal. You progress at your own pace and when you start your practice there is a feeling of being at the start of a wonderful journey. This fits with New Year, where you are looking ahead at new chapters unfolding and alternative fitness routes to follow.

The breathing techniques and meditative elements of yoga are connected with the idea of letting go and living mindfully; aware and present in the here and now. New Year too is about saying goodbye to the past and looking forward; of starting from this point onward.

Yoga is a great entry level exercise program – This time of year, many people who have long been out of the habit of regular exercise or even activities, are propelled to make a difference. However, if you are not used to working out, the world of health and fitness can be a little overwhelming to say the least. You want to feel motivated and not humiliated or out of your depth and yoga is one of the best exercise programs to do this.

Even beginners with little or no experience, and those who have led a sedentary life as of late at least, can feel comfortable with yoga and progress without any pressure.

Yoga destresses you after the holiday season – The festive holidays can be great fun for some but also a source of stress for many. There is often a real feeling of internal stress building up in individuals, while relationships and socializing can intensify, not to mention the general hubbub about this time of year, which can put strain on anyone.

After a frenetic or simply an indulgent holiday, you really need to reduce your stress levels. Yoga is a calming and soothing practice that lets you escape your everyday world and suspend your mind in its own time and space; a perfect exercise antidote that helps you energize and revitalize.

Yoga inspires lifestyle changes – Yoga is a holistic practice and which really encourages greater mind-body connection and awareness. Of course, there are also many poses which are aimed at one part of the body, say to strengthen or stretch, but the overall idea behind yoga is about general wellness.

This wider approach, along with an enjoyable practice, often extends into other areas of life, such as nutrition, patterns of behavior, and relationships. Health is about much more than fitness after all.

Yoga grounds and creates balance and stability – Many yoga poses are concerned with strengthening muscles so that the spine is well supported and there is a sense of equilibrium, both mentally and physically. Breathing, correct posture and awareness of your body has a wonderful effect of making you feel strong and in control and gives you a grounded feeling.

Yoga focuses on wellbeing in general – Because yoga is all-encompassing and about your whole being, it is ideal to get involved with for New Year and beyond. In January your focus is on this wider health and fitness philosophy too.

Yoga is perfect for 2015, so get in touch with us and make some moves towards a healthier and happier fitness journey for the year ahead.

Published with permission from FitnessAdvisory. Source.