Power yoga is basically known as the “yoga with brawn”. This is the American version of ashtanga yoga, a kind of discipline that combines stretching, strength training, and meditative breathing.
A lot of poses look like basic callisthenics (push?ups, handstands, toe touches, and side bends). But the key to power yoga?s sweat-inducing, muscle-building power is the pace. As a replacement for pausing between poses as you would in traditional yoga, each move flows into the next, making it a powerful aerobic workout.
Power yoga is an energetic exercise that challenges you physically and mentally in order to help you connect to your inner power. The power yoga poses are performed at a fast pace unlike regular yoga. One big benefit is that it can help you increase your physical endurance and ability to focus on a task for a long time without even breaking your concentration. In power yoga there is still the need to execute the basic yoga postures. Power yoga poses offer a vigorous workout which can be done even by beginners.
Power yoga aficionados have their sessions in a heated room. These sessions are composed of accurate cardiovascular exercises. It is designed to build strength and flexibility. Power yoga has also the ability to increase your stamina, tone your body, and remove toxins through sweating.
Since power yoga sessions are rigorous and painstakingly thorough, they should only be done by people who are physically fit and who are not suffering from chronic ailments. One element of power yoga that distinguishes it from other forms of the practice is a breathing technique known as ujjayi.
This deliberate “whoosh, whoosh, whoosh” breathing is an integral part of the poses. It stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system, adding a meditative component to the workout and leaving you with a transforming sense of calm that lingers long after you’ve rolled up your exercise mat.
Power yoga still focus on the main goal of classical yoga, which is to unite the body, the mind, and the spirit. Yoga is practiced to help you get connected to your inner core of power.
Power is also classified into several levels. The first is the physical power which is developed through the poses which develop the body?s strength and improve one?s health. The key to the second level is the mental power of drawing your mind from scattered thoughts and concentrating on your practice. And the last one is spiritual power - the power behind your physical and mental powers. Through these powers, yoga can connect your body, mind, and spirit to the deepest level.
There are some basic precautions for the power yoga beginner. Tell your instructor if you’re a first-timer and never stretch to the point that you feel the pain. Since power yoga involves a lot of twisting and weight-bearing moves, you should be especially cautious if you have a history of neck, shoulder, or knee injuries.
Power yoga is a big help in training for athletes and also aids in injury prevention and rehabilitation. Learning power yoga benefits people who want to improve their skills and performance - especially in sports like cycling, golf, football, and swimming. Many health clubs today promote the use of power yoga as a powerful body and mind exercise regimen.
Yoga has been a popular discipline for centuries because of its rejuvenating effect on body, mind, and spirit. If you are interested in yoga and what it can do for you, be sure to visit Katie Simpson’s Healing Spirit Yoga site at: http://www.healing-spirit-yoga.com
February 23, 2009
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