Yoga has really increased in popularity in the last couple of years. Widely held as a great form of exercise for both your body and your mind, people have been adopting this ancient form of meditation all over the world. As far as equipment is concerned there is very little required to get started.
As time goes by you will improve your technique, posture and that’s when you start enjoying your routines a lot more. Even though there are no ‘props’ required for yoga, you will find certain specific forms of clothing that help you in performing these exercises. Not only will these clothing items make you feel more comfortable and confident in your training, but they should also assist you to improve your style.
One of the very important things to remember about yoga is that this practice has its roots in Hinduism which has been around for centuries. In its eastern form, there was no recommended attire. However, in the western form of this practice, it is not only the style of clothing that is important, but also the quality of the fabric that is used. There are also traditional stitching patterns and methods that are part of the yoga tradition and if you are serious about getting legitimate yoga clothing then you should make sure that you are getting real yoga stitching as well. This will require you to go to a high quality and serious manufacturer who really is dedicated to the art of yoga.
For those who are doing their own research on this topic please keep in mind that yoga attire includes monks meditation robes, sitting jackets, sitting pants, kimono and jubon. There are also western adaptations of these eastern traditional garments. Besides the clothing, there are also meditation cushions and traditional bags that can also help you with your development and commitment to yoga as an art.
At the very least you should look to make sure that the yoga garments you are considering purchasing are made from one hundred per cent pre shrunk cotton. You will also have to ensure that you can dry them on a clothes line after washing, or on the lowest temperature of your dryer.
You can get your yoga clothing in a variety of colours and also different weights depending on the weather conditions that you think you will be practising in. There are usually two weights, a light one for spring and summer, and a warmer heavier one for the winter and fall. The costs will vary but you should not expect to pay extortionate prices unless you are really looking at something special.
Visit http://www.yoga-made-ez.com/ to read articles about pranayam and pranayama exercices.
Showing posts with label Props. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Props. Show all posts
March 2, 2009
February 24, 2009
Yoga in Practice: In Search of the Perfect Yoga - Part 1
What is the perfect Yoga? Is it hot Yoga, based on correct alignment; Vinyasa Yoga, only to be performed with props; or do props take something away from Yoga practice? What about Yoga styles which are not from the Hatha Yoga tree? So - what exactly is the right Yoga for you?
Below, I will cover some of the statements I have heard over the years. Some of these statements are straight from the ego, self righteous, and a bit intolerant of other styles of Yoga. Please don?t be offended, and please try to understand ? we are not all the same.
?Yoga should be hot; otherwise you?re getting nothing out of it.?
Interesting - I heard Bikram make similar claims on the television show, ?60 minutes.? I am in admiration of Bikram, and his wife, Rajashree. They have trained many good Yoga teachers, Yogis, and Yoginis.
However, there are many Yoga practitioners who practice at moderate temperatures and receive fantastic health benefits from their daily practice. When people make statements such as: ?Yoga should be hot; otherwise you?re getting nothing out of it.? They scare off those potential Yoga practitioners who believe them.
This could be a person who would have improved their life through the practice of Yoga. Let?s stop the ?my way or the highway? mentality. If you truly care about people, tell them the whole truth and give them options. If I can?t please someone with the Restorative and Vinyasa styles in our wellness center, I will find someone who can meet my student?s expectations of Yoga.
Lastly, I do personally like the heat. However, in New England, I know many people who don?t. Even at moderate temperatures, many students get quite warm in a Vinyasa class.
?If your alignment is not perfect, why bother to practice Yoga??
Without a doubt, alignment is very important, but some of us really need to use props to find the best alignment for our bodies. Yoga teachers need to encourage all of their students to practice more often and accept some limitations that come with each body.
Yoga teachers should be careful not to discourage those students who have limited range of motion. Again, props can be used by any Yoga practitioners, and with the careful guidance of a compassionate Yoga teacher, progress is made.
One last note on this point: No two bodies are alike, so let?s be more understanding of ourselves and those around us. This applies to Yoga and life.
? Copyright 2006 ? Paul Jerard / Aura Publications
Paul Jerard is a co-owner and the director of Yoga teacher training at: Aura Wellness Center, in North Providence, RI. He has been a certified Master Yoga teacher since 1995. He is a master instructor of martial arts, with multiple Black Belts, four martial arts teaching credentials, and was recently inducted into the USA Martial Arts Hall of Fame. He teaches Yoga, martial arts, and fitness to children, adults, and seniors in the greater Providence area. Recently he wrote: Is Running a Yoga Business Right for You? For Yoga students, who may be considering a new career as a Yoga teacher. http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org/index.html
Below, I will cover some of the statements I have heard over the years. Some of these statements are straight from the ego, self righteous, and a bit intolerant of other styles of Yoga. Please don?t be offended, and please try to understand ? we are not all the same.
?Yoga should be hot; otherwise you?re getting nothing out of it.?
Interesting - I heard Bikram make similar claims on the television show, ?60 minutes.? I am in admiration of Bikram, and his wife, Rajashree. They have trained many good Yoga teachers, Yogis, and Yoginis.
However, there are many Yoga practitioners who practice at moderate temperatures and receive fantastic health benefits from their daily practice. When people make statements such as: ?Yoga should be hot; otherwise you?re getting nothing out of it.? They scare off those potential Yoga practitioners who believe them.
This could be a person who would have improved their life through the practice of Yoga. Let?s stop the ?my way or the highway? mentality. If you truly care about people, tell them the whole truth and give them options. If I can?t please someone with the Restorative and Vinyasa styles in our wellness center, I will find someone who can meet my student?s expectations of Yoga.
Lastly, I do personally like the heat. However, in New England, I know many people who don?t. Even at moderate temperatures, many students get quite warm in a Vinyasa class.
?If your alignment is not perfect, why bother to practice Yoga??
Without a doubt, alignment is very important, but some of us really need to use props to find the best alignment for our bodies. Yoga teachers need to encourage all of their students to practice more often and accept some limitations that come with each body.
Yoga teachers should be careful not to discourage those students who have limited range of motion. Again, props can be used by any Yoga practitioners, and with the careful guidance of a compassionate Yoga teacher, progress is made.
One last note on this point: No two bodies are alike, so let?s be more understanding of ourselves and those around us. This applies to Yoga and life.
? Copyright 2006 ? Paul Jerard / Aura Publications
Paul Jerard is a co-owner and the director of Yoga teacher training at: Aura Wellness Center, in North Providence, RI. He has been a certified Master Yoga teacher since 1995. He is a master instructor of martial arts, with multiple Black Belts, four martial arts teaching credentials, and was recently inducted into the USA Martial Arts Hall of Fame. He teaches Yoga, martial arts, and fitness to children, adults, and seniors in the greater Providence area. Recently he wrote: Is Running a Yoga Business Right for You? For Yoga students, who may be considering a new career as a Yoga teacher. http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org/index.html
Benefiting From Your Yoga Practice
Yoga is not only an extremely popular form of exercise, but depending on the form you practice, can be exciting or calming, social or meditative, energizing or relaxing. No matter which of these best describes your yoga class, here are a few tips to help you get the most out of every class you attend.
* Go to yoga class with an empty stomach. Yoga is full bending, twisting, lengthening, stretching, and strength moves. Eating a big dinner before that kind of movement could result in you cramping up or feeling nauseous and having to leave the class or not participate as fully as you?d like.
* Communicate with your yoga instructor. If you have a bad back or a sprained ankle, let your instructor know before class. She or he will offer you adjusted versions of poses or give you a nod when you should skip a pose that could make your condition worse.
* Leave your cell phones and pagers outside. Don?t just put them on silent mode, but literally keep them in the car. This is not only a favor to your classmates and their focus, but your mind should be focused only on yoga and not concerned with whether not someone is trying to contact you about work or spilled juice on the living room carpet.
* Don?t be late and don't leave early. This disrupts the instructor's train of thought and the concentration of others in the class. Also, you certainly won?t get everything you can out of your hour if your hour is cut to 50 minutes before you?ve even begun.
* Be respectful of others in the class. This means keeping your voice down when you talk to others and in general, keeping conversation to a minimum. Bring your own towel or yoga mat if you need to and make sure that you are clean and not wearing any perfumes or strong scents. If props are used, make sure that you put yours away when you?re finished and by all means, leave them there for the next class.
About the author: Stephen Kreutzer is a freelance publisher based in Cupertino, California. He publishes articles and reports in various ezines and provides yoga tips on http://www.your-yoga-resource.com.
* Go to yoga class with an empty stomach. Yoga is full bending, twisting, lengthening, stretching, and strength moves. Eating a big dinner before that kind of movement could result in you cramping up or feeling nauseous and having to leave the class or not participate as fully as you?d like.
* Communicate with your yoga instructor. If you have a bad back or a sprained ankle, let your instructor know before class. She or he will offer you adjusted versions of poses or give you a nod when you should skip a pose that could make your condition worse.
* Leave your cell phones and pagers outside. Don?t just put them on silent mode, but literally keep them in the car. This is not only a favor to your classmates and their focus, but your mind should be focused only on yoga and not concerned with whether not someone is trying to contact you about work or spilled juice on the living room carpet.
* Don?t be late and don't leave early. This disrupts the instructor's train of thought and the concentration of others in the class. Also, you certainly won?t get everything you can out of your hour if your hour is cut to 50 minutes before you?ve even begun.
* Be respectful of others in the class. This means keeping your voice down when you talk to others and in general, keeping conversation to a minimum. Bring your own towel or yoga mat if you need to and make sure that you are clean and not wearing any perfumes or strong scents. If props are used, make sure that you put yours away when you?re finished and by all means, leave them there for the next class.
About the author: Stephen Kreutzer is a freelance publisher based in Cupertino, California. He publishes articles and reports in various ezines and provides yoga tips on http://www.your-yoga-resource.com.
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