Sunday, January 1, 2012

Simple Morning Yoga

By Aiden Garcia


Yoga is a meditative discipline originating in India that combines the spiritual, physical and mental processes to reach a state of peace and spiritual enlightenment. No doubt, you may have seen or heard of a few of the common yoga postures like the downward dog, the lotus, or the frog; but trying them is altogether different. It takes great flexibility, concentration and discipline to master any yoga routine, and there is another missing element that could help you along the way: heat.

When you started to do the basics of yoga, you had no problems trying to do all the yoga postures, and were are so drawn to them daily. But as the days passed by, you've noticed that you do not have enough time to do your daily yoga program anymore. Your schedule became so hectic that you have to jump out of bed in the morning to get the children to school or to meet clients for the sale you want to close. Thus, after a long stressful condition, the body began manifesting less enthusiasm. You started feeling sorry because you cannot do your yoga and the feeling of self-neglect moved in.

Hot yoga is a derivative of yoga that is performed in hot and humid conditions. It is done to capture the warm climates associated with India, the birthplace of yoga. There are four types of hot yoga: 1) Bikram Yoga, 2) TriBalance Yoga, 3) Forrest Yoga and 4) Power Yoga. Bikram is the most popular of the group. Bikram Yoga was conceptualized in India by Bikram Choudhury in 1946, but wasn't introduced to the United States until the 1970s. Bikram Yoga includes 26 signature exercises and 2 breathing routines in a 90-minute session.

A typical hot yoga setting lasts up to two hours long, and the temperature inside the room is about 105 degrees Fahrenheit with 40% humidity. You could imagine how hot it can get in those conditions, while moving, stretching, straining and sweating the whole time. The humidity and moisture created in the atmosphere is meant to encourage deeper, clearer breathing, smoother blood flow, and detoxification.

Hot yoga instructors encourage participants to refrain from eating two hours prior to class, to wear loose-fitting clothing for easy movement and to bring a towel, mat and plenty of drinking water to rehydrate after all of the water loss that occurs from so much perspiration. Hot yoga participants have been known to overheat causing dizziness, nausea and fainting spells.

A) Lie on back with both arms at your side, move one leg to the other side and grab the big toe with your other hand. Feel that good stretch on your back and hamstrings. Bend your knees if needed. Hold for about 18 to 30 counts. Now, do it on the other side. B) Still on your back, bend your knees and hold your ankles. Now raise your buttocks. Hold for 18-30 counts. C) Now turn on your stomach, hands by the sides of the chest. Push yourself up and press the hips on the bed. Hold 18-30 counts. D) At this point, you now have the energy to sit on the bed. Open both legs wide to bend on one leg. Hold again for 18-30 counts. Then do it on the other side. E) Now, while seated, you can do the spinal twist; 18-30 counts on each side. F) Then do your stretching on one leg on the side while you keep that other leg bent and heel near your groin. Execute this on an exhale; start bending from your hips and hold for 30 counts. Do this on the other side. G) If you still have time, make one or two rounds of Sun Salutation. H) Now lie on your back for 2-3 minutes. Consciously relax each part of your body.

Today, the basic term is hot yoga, which sums up all yoga routines that are done in a hot and humid setting. Hot yoga is very popular among Koreans and has become increasingly popular in the United States as a peaceful spiritual practice as well as an exercise routine to build strength and flexibility.




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