I wanted to take some time to talk to you about yoga! It’s so amazing for the body, mind and soul! Although I don’t think it is the only exercise one should do, it is very useful when performed consistently and correctly.
yoga classes
Before I start listing the benefits, I wanted to divide yoga into two categories: meditative and active. These are my yoga classes. Many others have different ways of explaining yoga.
In short, there are many different schools of thought when it comes to yoga. It is important to find what works for you. Take what serves you and leave the rest!
Now, back to the yoga classes!
Meditative yoga is a type of yoga that exercises the mind and promotes alertness. Most yoga classes begin and/or end with some type of meditation.
Moreover, there are many ways to meditate.
The main thing to keep in mind when meditating is to stay as present as possible and try not to judge yourself or your surroundings.
Meditation includes the idea of letting without attaching meaning. The poet said, “There is neither good nor evil, but thinking makes it so.”
This is absolutely true and has to do with what we try to avoid when performing a meditative practice.
Active yoga is all about asanas, stretches, and flow. Active yoga can vary greatly in intensity, speed, and movement.
Both categories are very broad and leave plenty of room for versatility and modification.
Benefits
There are countless benefits when it comes to yoga. Here are some of the benefits of practicing yoga on a weekly basis.
However, someone may not reap all this. Furthermore, they may experience positive side effects not listed.
- improved flexibility
- improved agility
- Enhanced strength
- Posture improvement and posture alignment
- Pain relief
- More self-confidence
- Weight loss
- The ability to focus more comprehensively
- Able to be more present and conscious
- Better mood regulation and increased positivity
- Navigation improvement
- Better body awareness and proprioception
- improved balance
- Improve core strength
- Calm demeanor, better mood
- increased blood flow
- Improve lung and heart health
- A deeper understanding of oneself
- Further development of self and spirituality
- better sleep
Please, note that not all of the above can be achieved with one class or one type of practice. Some of these can be best achieved with meditative yoga, some with activity and some with both.
Finally, I highly recommend taking lessons and learning from many different trainers, so you can learn constantly, your practice doesn’t get outdated, and you can really find what works best for you.
Remember that what works for you may change over time, too.
Cobra Pose!
While it would be nearly impossible to go through all the yoga poses in one article, I wanted to touch on one of my favorites that is great for nearly all fitness levels.
It’s called the cobra pose.
To perform this movement correctly, lie face down on the mat, place your hands, palms down on the floor, fingers facing forward, hands on the outside of your chest, elbows bent.
Then, using your core and upper body, press your torso away from the mat, press your shoulder blades together, and look up.
Go as high as you feel comfortable. You don’t want to experience any kind of stress – especially not from the back or neck.
For our more advanced individuals, feel free to get your legs off the rug when getting into the pose by going into the toes.
Make sure that your body is not sagging and that you are squeezing your butt muscles well to help your body stay awake and avoid stress.
Moreover, cobras are great to incorporate into a chaturanga – a sloping dog, to a high plank, to a cobra, then repeat.
Please remember that any type of cobra or plank motion can always be done on the knees if the toes are too hard at this time.
Cobra benefits
One can achieve many of the benefits mentioned above from the cobra pose. However, I would like to touch on a few things specific to this movement.
- Increased back extension
- Increase core strength
- Increase butt and upper body strength
- Release tension from the shoulders and cervical spine
- Increase back movement
- Increase back flexibility
- Increase the length of the neck
Final words of advice
Please try to use cobra only if it is safe and healthy for you. This applies to everyone and any movements as well.
Finally, find a quiet place to practice yoga where you feel at peace and at home.
Personally, I love doing yoga on a paddleboard in the middle of a marina or lake. However, this may not be possible or safe for you to achieve. I just wanted to give you some site alternatives.
Before you start practicing yoga, I suggest you take at least a minute to focus on yourself and try to clear any mental chatter.
The more open and present you are, the more effective and clean your practice will be.
Thank you all for the time you took to read this article! If you have any questions or comments, feel free to contact us.
Thanks for reading and stay tuned!
Alexis is grateful to be a NASM Certified Personal Trainer and a Mad Dogg Certified Spin Coach for athletics. Its mission is to help all individuals achieve their best, and have the happiest and best life possible. Her specialties are resistance training, TRX, bodybuilding, HIIT/VIIT/LIIT, rotation, work out, functional moment, nutrition, and weight loss.
She is honored to be a contributing guest at DIY Active and wishes to inspire and motivate all readers. Feel free to email her at alexismallery121@gmail.com for more information on health, fitness and personal training including default options.
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