The whole idea of using one form of exercise to enhance another is not new, but it is becoming more universal. Bicycling magazines are full of articles about how riding your mountain bike will improve your road bike skills. Snowboarding magazines will show the benefits of skateboarding?no surprise there.
Every couple of years, I will laugh when I read a sports section headline stating that? A new revolutionary training idea has hit the National Football League”?fifteen or twenty 400 pound lineman are then shown taking a ballet class or step aerobics. It almost seems faddish to be unusual in your cross training. Oh well, thankfully they come and they go.
All, and I do mean all, sports use muscles. When overworked constantly those muscles will tighten and shorten. The ultimate result is often an injury if not treated properly.
Yoga is now recognized as the ultimate solution to this problem and more and more athletes are turning to it for relief, if not as part of their regular pre-training.
Since bicycle racing is my preferred sport, I peruse several national and international cycling magazines regularly. Recently, I discovered numerous ads for videos, DVD?s, and books touting the benefits of different forms of yoga for different types of cyclists. Among the disciplines discussed were Hatha, which was used for the cyclist wanting stretching techniques that were easy to use before and after a training ride or race. Ashtanga lent itself more toward the endurance athlete who would be competing in hot summer criteriums and road races.
The advantages of incorporating yoga into any training regime are many; let?s cover a few of them:
? Calming the mind brings focus and concentration to your sport of choice.
? Slow movement combined with stretching allows the athlete to be very aware of their body and it?s needs.
? Stretching lengthens the muscle and brings balance to the tissues.
? Learning balance poses increases mental and physical acuity for competitive sports.
? Post-event stretching is as old as the hills, but when only four or five yoga poses are used muscle recovery is improved, lactic acid is removed, the muscle is lengthened once again and strength is enhanced.
It doesn?t really matter if your sport is skiing, mountain climbing, football, baseball, tennis, rollerblading, hockey or poker (Hey, they get tight neck muscles, right?) there are benefits to adding yoga to your routine.
For me, the advantages were revealed with more flexibility during and after a race. My muscles rebounded quicker, with less soreness and I was able to ride again sooner without the usual pain. My race results are also better; okay, I?m still middle of the pack, but improving, which is always a good thing. Give it a try; you too, may be surprised with the gains.
In the end it?s one man?s opinion?mine.
Keith Edwin Renninson is co-owner, along with Jeffrey Forman, of Golden Years Videos, LLC a production company dedicated to offering exercise videos for those over 50 or of any age who are rehabilitating from an accident or illness.
Renninson is an avid exercise and yoga enthusiast. Now in his late 50?s; he still races bicycles and regularly skis the black diamond runs in Colorado where he lives. For many years, a bona fide gym rat, Renninson still loves to lift free weights and use exercise machines.
You can contact Renninson or read more about his company and the videos they have available at: http://www.goldenyearsvideos.com
Showing posts with label Cyclists. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Cyclists. Show all posts
March 1, 2009
The 8 Physical and Mental Types of Yoga
There are a lot of different types of yoga today, so if you are starting out and feeling confused, you are normal.
It is best to start with a type of yoga that is appropriate for your own level of fitness, physical and spiritual goals and health condition.
The 8 most common types of yoga are described in this article and briefly explained to help guide you in choosing the best type of yoga that you can start with.
Physical-Focused Types of Yoga
Iyengar Yoga: Iyengar yoga is focused solely on body alignment and executing precise movements. Yoga accessories such as blocks and straps are normally used by beginners who are not as flexible as the experts.
Yoga accessories help assist all sorts of people to be able to do the poses comfortably.
Because of its attention to details and the flexible modification of poses, Iyengar yoga is often considered a good form of exercise for people with neck or back pain, as they are likely to benefit from the random movement in the poses.
Practicing Iyengar yoga will give you a good knowledge on the classics in yoga poses so that whatever other style you eventually practice, you will have the basic fundamentals on how to do each position.
In Iyengar yoga the teacher focuses more on alignment and inner awareness. This awareness starts with the body and expands to other parts of the self as one continues to practice regularly
Ashtanga Yoga: Ashtanga yoga is commonly called “power yoga” because it is focused on a powerful flowing movement.
The movements include pushups and lunges, which deals with strength and stamina. Ashtanga yoga is best for people who have a strong back, or have successfully overcome back injuries and are looking for more challenging practice.
Athletic people such as runners, cyclists and gynmasts who wish to add more balance and concentration to their routines are also fans of Ashtanga yoga.
Bikram Yoga: Bikram yoga is also known as the “hot yoga” because it is done in a very warm room. Bikram yoga is an excellent tool to increase flexibility because the heat helps you to stretch.
Keep in mind that Bikram yoga is not safe for anyone who has developed cardio vascular diseases, because vigorously exercising in the heat places strain placed on the body.
Mental-Focused Types of Yoga
Bhakti yoga: or commonly known as devotional yoga. Bhakti yoga focus on self surrender in the face of the divine, if you know what that means.
Mantra yoga: Mantra yoga is known as the “yoga of potent sound”. Mantra yoga aims at liberation through the verbal or mental repetition of empowered sounds, such as “om,” “hum,” and “ram.”
Viniyoga: Viniyoga yoga links breathe and movement in flowing exercises that are modified to each individual. Viniyoga is a good form of yoga for those with back problems or neck injuries because it can be easily adapted by everyone.
Raja Yoga: Raja yoga aims for liberation through meditation. Raja yoga is meant for those people who are capable of intense concentration.
As you can see, there are many types of yoga to choose from. It is a good idea to discuss the type of yoga practiced before engaging in any yoga class. In particular, learn which philosophy the teacher uses, so you’ll know if it will be a gentle, passive yoga, or a bone crunching form.
Both you and the teacher will be glad you knew what you were getting into, before the class begins.
About The Author
Jack Sinclair is an avid yoga devotee.
Learn everything about yoga for free at http://www.types-of-yoga.com
It is best to start with a type of yoga that is appropriate for your own level of fitness, physical and spiritual goals and health condition.
The 8 most common types of yoga are described in this article and briefly explained to help guide you in choosing the best type of yoga that you can start with.
Physical-Focused Types of Yoga
Iyengar Yoga: Iyengar yoga is focused solely on body alignment and executing precise movements. Yoga accessories such as blocks and straps are normally used by beginners who are not as flexible as the experts.
Yoga accessories help assist all sorts of people to be able to do the poses comfortably.
Because of its attention to details and the flexible modification of poses, Iyengar yoga is often considered a good form of exercise for people with neck or back pain, as they are likely to benefit from the random movement in the poses.
Practicing Iyengar yoga will give you a good knowledge on the classics in yoga poses so that whatever other style you eventually practice, you will have the basic fundamentals on how to do each position.
In Iyengar yoga the teacher focuses more on alignment and inner awareness. This awareness starts with the body and expands to other parts of the self as one continues to practice regularly
Ashtanga Yoga: Ashtanga yoga is commonly called “power yoga” because it is focused on a powerful flowing movement.
The movements include pushups and lunges, which deals with strength and stamina. Ashtanga yoga is best for people who have a strong back, or have successfully overcome back injuries and are looking for more challenging practice.
Athletic people such as runners, cyclists and gynmasts who wish to add more balance and concentration to their routines are also fans of Ashtanga yoga.
Bikram Yoga: Bikram yoga is also known as the “hot yoga” because it is done in a very warm room. Bikram yoga is an excellent tool to increase flexibility because the heat helps you to stretch.
Keep in mind that Bikram yoga is not safe for anyone who has developed cardio vascular diseases, because vigorously exercising in the heat places strain placed on the body.
Mental-Focused Types of Yoga
Bhakti yoga: or commonly known as devotional yoga. Bhakti yoga focus on self surrender in the face of the divine, if you know what that means.
Mantra yoga: Mantra yoga is known as the “yoga of potent sound”. Mantra yoga aims at liberation through the verbal or mental repetition of empowered sounds, such as “om,” “hum,” and “ram.”
Viniyoga: Viniyoga yoga links breathe and movement in flowing exercises that are modified to each individual. Viniyoga is a good form of yoga for those with back problems or neck injuries because it can be easily adapted by everyone.
Raja Yoga: Raja yoga aims for liberation through meditation. Raja yoga is meant for those people who are capable of intense concentration.
As you can see, there are many types of yoga to choose from. It is a good idea to discuss the type of yoga practiced before engaging in any yoga class. In particular, learn which philosophy the teacher uses, so you’ll know if it will be a gentle, passive yoga, or a bone crunching form.
Both you and the teacher will be glad you knew what you were getting into, before the class begins.
About The Author
Jack Sinclair is an avid yoga devotee.
Learn everything about yoga for free at http://www.types-of-yoga.com
February 23, 2009
The Most Common Types of Yoga
As there are so many different types of yoga available today, it can present a major
problem for beginners. It is of best advice to choose a form of yoga that is
appropriate for each individual?s level of fitness, physical and spiritual goals and
health condition.
Some of the most common types of yoga are listed here and briefly explained in
order to assist you in choosing the best type of yoga that you can start off with.
1. Iyengar Yoga
These types of yoga are solely focused on the alignment and precise
movements. Yoga props such as blocks and straps are usually used as part of this
type of yoga for those beginners who are not as flexible as the experts as to
compensate for injuries.
These Yoga props help assist all sorts of people to be able to do the poses
comfortably.
Because of its attention to details and the flexible modification of poses, these types
of yoga is often a good form of exercise for people with back pain or neck pain, as
they are likely to benefit from the random alteration to the poses.
Practicing these types of yoga will give you a good knowledge on the classics in
yoga poses so that whatever other style you practice, you will have the basic
fundamentals on how to do each position.
In Iyengar yoga the teacher focuses more on alignment and inner awareness. This
awareness starts with the body and expands to other parts of the self as one
continues with the regularity of practice.
2. Ashtanga Yoga
These types of yoga are commonly called ?power yoga? because it is
focused on a powerful flowing movement.
Such movements include pushups and lunges, which deals with strength and
stamina. These types of yoga are best for people who have successfully overcome
back injuries and are looking for more challenging practice.
People who are already athletic such as runners, gymnasts and cyclists who want to
add more balance and concentration to their routines are also utilizing these types
of yoga.
3. Bikram Yoga
These types of yoga are also known as the ?hot yoga? for this is
done in a very warm room. These types of yoga are excellent tools for increasing
flexibility because the heat helps tissue to stretch.
But keep in mind that these types of yoga are not applicable to those that have
developed cardio vascular diseases due to the strain placed on the body when
vigorously exercising in the heat.
4. Viniyoga
These types of yoga links breathe and movement in flowing exercises that
are adapted to each individual. These are often a good form of yoga for those with
back problems or neck injuries because it can be easily adapted by anyone.
5. Raja Yoga
These types of yoga aims for liberation through meditation. These types
of yoga are only for those people who are capable of intense concentration.
6. Bhakti yoga
Or commonly known as devotional yoga. These types of yoga focus on
self surrender in the face of the divine.
7. Mantra yoga
Much more know as the “yoga of potent sound?. These types of yoga
aims at liberation through the verbal or mental repetition of empowered sounds,
such as “om”, “hum?, or “ram”.
There are so many yoga institutions to choose from. It is also a good idea that
before going into a class, discuss with the teacher first regarding hi or her
philosophy and beliefs in order to find the most appropriate and personally
appealing form of yoga for you.
? Copyright Melvin Chua, All Rights Reserved.
Melvin has dozens more related articles and tips on doing yoga at his site: doing yoga, check them
out today!
problem for beginners. It is of best advice to choose a form of yoga that is
appropriate for each individual?s level of fitness, physical and spiritual goals and
health condition.
Some of the most common types of yoga are listed here and briefly explained in
order to assist you in choosing the best type of yoga that you can start off with.
1. Iyengar Yoga
These types of yoga are solely focused on the alignment and precise
movements. Yoga props such as blocks and straps are usually used as part of this
type of yoga for those beginners who are not as flexible as the experts as to
compensate for injuries.
These Yoga props help assist all sorts of people to be able to do the poses
comfortably.
Because of its attention to details and the flexible modification of poses, these types
of yoga is often a good form of exercise for people with back pain or neck pain, as
they are likely to benefit from the random alteration to the poses.
Practicing these types of yoga will give you a good knowledge on the classics in
yoga poses so that whatever other style you practice, you will have the basic
fundamentals on how to do each position.
In Iyengar yoga the teacher focuses more on alignment and inner awareness. This
awareness starts with the body and expands to other parts of the self as one
continues with the regularity of practice.
2. Ashtanga Yoga
These types of yoga are commonly called ?power yoga? because it is
focused on a powerful flowing movement.
Such movements include pushups and lunges, which deals with strength and
stamina. These types of yoga are best for people who have successfully overcome
back injuries and are looking for more challenging practice.
People who are already athletic such as runners, gymnasts and cyclists who want to
add more balance and concentration to their routines are also utilizing these types
of yoga.
3. Bikram Yoga
These types of yoga are also known as the ?hot yoga? for this is
done in a very warm room. These types of yoga are excellent tools for increasing
flexibility because the heat helps tissue to stretch.
But keep in mind that these types of yoga are not applicable to those that have
developed cardio vascular diseases due to the strain placed on the body when
vigorously exercising in the heat.
4. Viniyoga
These types of yoga links breathe and movement in flowing exercises that
are adapted to each individual. These are often a good form of yoga for those with
back problems or neck injuries because it can be easily adapted by anyone.
5. Raja Yoga
These types of yoga aims for liberation through meditation. These types
of yoga are only for those people who are capable of intense concentration.
6. Bhakti yoga
Or commonly known as devotional yoga. These types of yoga focus on
self surrender in the face of the divine.
7. Mantra yoga
Much more know as the “yoga of potent sound?. These types of yoga
aims at liberation through the verbal or mental repetition of empowered sounds,
such as “om”, “hum?, or “ram”.
There are so many yoga institutions to choose from. It is also a good idea that
before going into a class, discuss with the teacher first regarding hi or her
philosophy and beliefs in order to find the most appropriate and personally
appealing form of yoga for you.
? Copyright Melvin Chua, All Rights Reserved.
Melvin has dozens more related articles and tips on doing yoga at his site: doing yoga, check them
out today!
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