Power Yoga: Your Choice for a Healthy Body and Mind

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

Gritty Yoga Basics and the Seeds of Simplicity - How to Clean Your Yoga Mat

While breathing the ‘essential breath’ and returning to our natural
rhythms is key to our journey of self-knowledge and vibrant good health,
we need not ignore or turn away from the mundane and often gritty
aspects of our basic selves. There can evolve a pleasant rhythm to the
maintenance activities in life. There is beauty in simplicity. By becoming
mindful and aware in the present moment the most humble task has the
possibility to become a meditation, dance or prayer. If the eye is clear,
said Jesus, our body will be filled with light. When our attention is
receptive and accepting, all that we see may become a source of
teaching.

According to Kabir, the 15th century Indian poet, (a favorite of mine)

“When the eyes and ears are open, even the leaves on
the trees teach like pages from the scriptures.”

Every act or task we perform with mindfulness and care may plant a
seed of awakening. The Buddhists say that even chopping wood and
carrying water can lead us to healing and joy if we bring to them our
absolute full and loving attention. As Mother Teresa said, “We do no
great thing. We do only small things with great love.”

Yet, at times the seemingly simplest of things can become complicated.
Like when it’s time to wash your yoga mat. Can your love for your
practice and hope for a sweet-smelling prop, win over the fear of
wrecking your cool mat?

Can you wash your yoga mat, and if so, how? What is the best way
to do it?

The first thing to consider is what type of mat you have. Is it a
standard synthetic yoga mat or one of the newer, all-natural rubber
mats? Is your mat a padded exercise mat with a foam core? Follow
manufacturer’s directions if at all possible. If needed, follow theses
steps…

~ If your mat is lightly soiled,… use a spray bottle, damp
sponge or terry-cloth rag to apply a solution of 2 cups water, four drop
dishwashing soap and 1 teaspoon baking soda. Rub the soiled areas.
Next wipe the mat with clean water. Finish by rubbing with a dry terry-
cloth towel and hanging to air dry.

~ If your mat is heavily soiled,… submerge it in a solution
of warm water and a very small amount of mild detergent. Any soap
residue may cause the mat to become slippery during future use. Hand
wash mat thoroughly then rinse it in clean water. After squeezing out
excess water, lay the mat on a dry terry-cloth towel and roll them both up
together. Repeatedly step on the mat/towel roll to squeeze out even
more moisture. Finally, unroll mat and hang to air-dry.

***If you have a foam filled mat, do not submerge…repeat spray/wipe
method!

Namaste’

? 2005 Karen B. Cohen All Rights Reserved.

Karen B. Cohen C.L.C. RYT500 is a wellness coach and master yoga
instructor, writer and speaker residing in a college town in rural Virginia.
Karen leads people to their own limitless supply of creativity and vitality
so that they can express their talent and abilities fully in the world. She
incorporates her expertise in mind-body techniques to work with a wide
spectrum of clients. Karen provides seminars, workshops as well as
individual coaching and training nationally and internationally.

For more information go to KarenCohenYoga.blogspot.com
and RockbridgeCoaching.blogspot.com