Have you ever dreaded the idea of pulling weeds, planting a tree, or pushing a lawn mower around the yard?
Does just thinking about it make you sweat? I am sure the majority of are nodding your heads in agreement. What I am about to suggest only takes a slight change in your thinking and a bit of planning and you can learn how to lose weight and get in better shape while gardening this year.
For those of you that are already gardeners, you know that gardening is one of the best ways to get exercise because it involves all of the muscle groups in your body.
Like I mentioned earlier, we only need to change the way you think about outside chores. See I am falling into the trap too, I just called them chores. Instead, you should think of them as outdoor exercises that are designed to enhance the condition of your body and help you lose weight.
As with any exercise program, check with your doctor before starting. Make sure you are dressed properly and that you stretch before beginning.
If you aren?t used to exercising in the garden or have been relatively inactive all winter, start slowly. Start with weeding, watering, and planting seeds.
As you feel yourself getting stronger you can increase your gardening repertoire to include: pruning, heavy digging, hoeing, pushing a loaded wheelbarrow, or mowing the lawn. I think you get the idea because the list of outdoor gardening exercise ideas is endless!
Even carrying plants or a bag of potting soil to the car from the store and then out into the yard is exercise! You can potentially burn up to 300-600 calories per hour depending on your intensity and which gardening exercises you engage in.
You CAN lose weight by gardening ~ eat less and move more! The following list shows what a typical man weighing 180 pounds will burn in 30 minutes of activity. If you weigh more you can burn even more calories!
* Watering lawn/garden~ 61
* Raking~ 162
* Bagging leaves~ 162
* Planting seeds/seedlings~ 162
* Planting trees~ 182
* Weeding ~ 182
* Clearing Land ~ 202
* Digging, spading, tilling~ 202
* Laying Sod~202
* General gardening~ 202
* Chopping wood~ 243
* Gardening with heavy power tools~ 243
* Mowing the lawn with a push mower~ 243
* Shoveling snow~ 243
* Shoveling heavy snow~ 364 cals
Tips for your success:
1. Don?t over do it~ one or two hours of gardening is plenty, especially when you are beginning!
2. Don?t lift objects that are too heavy for you. If you injure yourself, chances are that you won?t be able to continue to garden for exercise and weight loss.
3. Stretch before, during and after gardening. Don?t stay down on your knees while weeding or planting for extended periods of time~ get up and move!
4. Get out in your garden and exercise at least 3-4 times a week.
5. Continue your outdoor exercise routine even after you last blooms have faded. Shoveling the snow, raking leaves, and splitting wood are great calorie burners that will lead to weight loss!
6. Don?t forget the added benefit of growing your own healthy fruits and vegetables and your yard will look beautiful from all of your hard work!
7. Have Fun and “Just do it”!
Once you get into the habit of viewing gardening as an excellent way to lose weight and stay in shape, you may never go back to the gym again!
? 2005, Candee Stark and GoingAllTheWeigh.com
This article is provided courtesy of Candee’s Weight Loss Success - You may freely reprint this article on your website or in your newsletter provided this courtesy notice and the author name and URL remain intact.
Showing posts with label exercise program. Show all posts
Showing posts with label exercise program. Show all posts
March 6, 2009
March 5, 2009
Lose Weight: How to Exercise and Burn Fat on a Busy Schedule
In my fitness consulting business, I get the opportunity to talk with people from all walks of life about their health, fitness, and weight loss goals. Whether their goal is to lose weight, gain muscle, stick to a diet plan or program, improve their cardiovascular health, or simply to maintain their current fitness level they all have one common enemy—TIME.
For most of us, the #1 challenge in the quest to stay in shape
and/or lose weight is not exercising itself but being able to actually
fit an exercise program into our busy schedules.
So how do you do it? How do you balance the demands of family,
career, important errands, relationships, organizational responsibilities,
and working out? I have found that there are five keys that will
help you to be able to fit a consistent workout plan into your already
hectic life.
1. Commit to a specific schedule
When you fail to plan you plan to fail. Don’t try to haphazardly fit your
workouts into your schedule without any rhyme or reason. Don’t think you’re
guilty? If you’ve ever told yourself “I’ll workout as soon as I get some time”,
you were in direct violation of this key principle.
In order to set yourself up for success, you will need to take the time
to literally write your workouts into your weekly schedule. In order to be effective,
you will want to be following your exercise program at least 3 days per week.
Anything less would be kidding yourself.
Therefore, right in the midst of all of your appointments, “to-do” lists,
etc., should be a written plan for your weekly workout routine, so that
you will never be in the dark as to when you committed to yourself to go.
2. Utilize the weekend
Take advantage of the fact that it only takes 3-5 days per week to put
together an effective, results-producing workout. One trick to help you
pull it all off is to workout on the weekends. One of the benefits to this
course of action is that your schedule is more flexible and under your
control during this time.
What is also means is that when the hectic weekdays roll back around,
you will only be responsible for working out 1-3 days during the work week.
3. Keep your workouts as a high priority
One of the biggest mistakes that even many people who have scheduled
a workout program into their schedule make is allowing it to be bumped
off of their schedule to easily.
Although things will occassionally come up that will cause you to
have to reschedule the workout you had planned, you must be vigilant
in making sure that only the most important emergencies are allowed
to temporarily take you off of your plan.
In the event that one of those important emergencies does happen
and you can’t make it to your workout, reschedule with yourself to make
it up on the next possible day that you are available to do so. If your
own health, fitness, and efforts to lose weight are not a priority to
you, they certainly won’t be so to anyone else.
4. Enroll others in your goals
Don’t go at this alone. Let the important people in your life
know what you are up to. Your spouse or love interest, parents, children,
co-workers, and close friends will often pitch in and help you to meet
your fitness or weight loss commitment to yourself if you make them aware
and ask for their support.
Leverage these relationships to delegate some of your normal responsibilities
or even allow you to shift appointments that you have with them as you restructure
your schedule for your workout. If any of them are into exercise or trying
to lose weight themselves, don’t hesitate to form a buddy system with them
as you move forward with your program.
5. Don’t beat yourself up
No matter who you are, there will be times in your workout program
that you just aren’t able to keep it up as you would like due to outside
demands. Don’t be too tough on yourself when that happens.
Remember that it is what you do consistently over a long period
of time, not what you do in spurts, that truly counts. Just make sure that
you get back on the horse full force as soon as you can and continue to
press forward, doing your best to avoid slacking off again.
No matter what goals you have for health, fitness, or weight loss, you
CAN fit an effective exercise program into that hectic schedule of yours
and be amazingly successful at getting the exact results that you want!
To Your Best Body,
Lawrence Cole
Your Lifestyle and Fitness Coach
YourbestbodyNOW.com
Lawrence Cole is a Lifestyle and Fitness Consultant based
out of Los Angeles, CA. He has over 10 years of health and
fitness experience and designing simple, effective nutritional
strategies to help individuals achieve their personal best
internal health and physical conditioning.
See this Weight Loss article on YourBestBodyNOW.com
For most of us, the #1 challenge in the quest to stay in shape
and/or lose weight is not exercising itself but being able to actually
fit an exercise program into our busy schedules.
So how do you do it? How do you balance the demands of family,
career, important errands, relationships, organizational responsibilities,
and working out? I have found that there are five keys that will
help you to be able to fit a consistent workout plan into your already
hectic life.
1. Commit to a specific schedule
When you fail to plan you plan to fail. Don’t try to haphazardly fit your
workouts into your schedule without any rhyme or reason. Don’t think you’re
guilty? If you’ve ever told yourself “I’ll workout as soon as I get some time”,
you were in direct violation of this key principle.
In order to set yourself up for success, you will need to take the time
to literally write your workouts into your weekly schedule. In order to be effective,
you will want to be following your exercise program at least 3 days per week.
Anything less would be kidding yourself.
Therefore, right in the midst of all of your appointments, “to-do” lists,
etc., should be a written plan for your weekly workout routine, so that
you will never be in the dark as to when you committed to yourself to go.
2. Utilize the weekend
Take advantage of the fact that it only takes 3-5 days per week to put
together an effective, results-producing workout. One trick to help you
pull it all off is to workout on the weekends. One of the benefits to this
course of action is that your schedule is more flexible and under your
control during this time.
What is also means is that when the hectic weekdays roll back around,
you will only be responsible for working out 1-3 days during the work week.
3. Keep your workouts as a high priority
One of the biggest mistakes that even many people who have scheduled
a workout program into their schedule make is allowing it to be bumped
off of their schedule to easily.
Although things will occassionally come up that will cause you to
have to reschedule the workout you had planned, you must be vigilant
in making sure that only the most important emergencies are allowed
to temporarily take you off of your plan.
In the event that one of those important emergencies does happen
and you can’t make it to your workout, reschedule with yourself to make
it up on the next possible day that you are available to do so. If your
own health, fitness, and efforts to lose weight are not a priority to
you, they certainly won’t be so to anyone else.
4. Enroll others in your goals
Don’t go at this alone. Let the important people in your life
know what you are up to. Your spouse or love interest, parents, children,
co-workers, and close friends will often pitch in and help you to meet
your fitness or weight loss commitment to yourself if you make them aware
and ask for their support.
Leverage these relationships to delegate some of your normal responsibilities
or even allow you to shift appointments that you have with them as you restructure
your schedule for your workout. If any of them are into exercise or trying
to lose weight themselves, don’t hesitate to form a buddy system with them
as you move forward with your program.
5. Don’t beat yourself up
No matter who you are, there will be times in your workout program
that you just aren’t able to keep it up as you would like due to outside
demands. Don’t be too tough on yourself when that happens.
Remember that it is what you do consistently over a long period
of time, not what you do in spurts, that truly counts. Just make sure that
you get back on the horse full force as soon as you can and continue to
press forward, doing your best to avoid slacking off again.
No matter what goals you have for health, fitness, or weight loss, you
CAN fit an effective exercise program into that hectic schedule of yours
and be amazingly successful at getting the exact results that you want!
To Your Best Body,
Lawrence Cole
Your Lifestyle and Fitness Coach
YourbestbodyNOW.com
Lawrence Cole is a Lifestyle and Fitness Consultant based
out of Los Angeles, CA. He has over 10 years of health and
fitness experience and designing simple, effective nutritional
strategies to help individuals achieve their personal best
internal health and physical conditioning.
See this Weight Loss article on YourBestBodyNOW.com
March 1, 2009
Yoga for Pain
Is Yoga really a cure for pain? What kind of Yoga teacher should you visit for pain management? What style of Yoga would be best, if you are constantly feeling pain? In which cases would Yoga not be advisable for students in severe pain? Let?s look at some pain management solutions that Yoga has to offer.
Is Yoga really a cure for pain? Many Yoga students swear by the results they have received from regularly attending Yoga classes, two or three times per week. In truth, Yoga has its limits ? just like any diet. Can you imagine if you were going to diet wisely once a week? You can imagine the results.
Therefore, the real dilemma, with Yoga practice, is getting a student to practice on a regular basis. Also, Yoga, much like any prescription drug, cannot promise to be a ?cure-all? for every ailment. Yoga can promise to be a diversion from pain and help students to manage it better, with no adverse side effects.
The lifestyle changes that occur after regularly practicing Yoga, will cause Yoga students to evaluate everything they do, and everything they eat. Yoga is not just another exercise program or some fad that just came along within the least decade. According to some archaeological findings, Yoga has been in existence for over 5000 years. Show me an exercise fad with those credentials!
What kind of Yoga teacher should you visit for pain management? The Yoga teacher you select, for pain management, should be knowledgeable in the use of props. The prospective Yoga teacher should understand that each posture can be modified for the needs of the specific student. In other words, if you detect a ?it?s my way or the highway? attitude, get as far away from that Yoga teacher as you can.
The most important component in a Yoga teacher?s personality, who helps students with ailments, is compassion. If you don?t see, feel, or hear any compassion, this is the wrong match for your needs. Yoga can be customized for the specific needs of students. The Yoga teacher, who has not yet felt any pain, is going to have less empathy for students who are in pain. So, an ?elite? Yoga teacher, who can perform every asana imaginable, and has the body of a competing Olympic gymnast, may not exactly understand your pain.
What style of Yoga would be best, if you are constantly feeling pain? There are a number of styles to consider that can be easily customized for your specific needs. Here are a few to consider: Restorative Yoga, Therapeutic Yoga, Iyengar Yoga, Yoga Therapy, and Tri-Yoga. Please keep in mind that these styles will vary according to the Yoga teacher?s interpretation of the style?s principles.
In which cases would Yoga not be advisable for students in severe pain? Sometimes, physicians do not recommend Yoga in cases of severe pain, such as in the case of extremely severe arthritis. The reasoning is that any movement will cause a great deal of pain in the joints. If your physician tells you not to practice a gentle form of Yoga, you should at least ask why. If you are not satisfied with the answer, you should seek a second opinion.
If you are feeling pain, and want to take positive action, you should consult your physician, and if agreed by your physician, explore your options with a local Yoga teacher, who teaches a gentle style and has a history of helping Yoga students with ailments.
? 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
Is Yoga really a cure for pain? Many Yoga students swear by the results they have received from regularly attending Yoga classes, two or three times per week. In truth, Yoga has its limits ? just like any diet. Can you imagine if you were going to diet wisely once a week? You can imagine the results.
Therefore, the real dilemma, with Yoga practice, is getting a student to practice on a regular basis. Also, Yoga, much like any prescription drug, cannot promise to be a ?cure-all? for every ailment. Yoga can promise to be a diversion from pain and help students to manage it better, with no adverse side effects.
The lifestyle changes that occur after regularly practicing Yoga, will cause Yoga students to evaluate everything they do, and everything they eat. Yoga is not just another exercise program or some fad that just came along within the least decade. According to some archaeological findings, Yoga has been in existence for over 5000 years. Show me an exercise fad with those credentials!
What kind of Yoga teacher should you visit for pain management? The Yoga teacher you select, for pain management, should be knowledgeable in the use of props. The prospective Yoga teacher should understand that each posture can be modified for the needs of the specific student. In other words, if you detect a ?it?s my way or the highway? attitude, get as far away from that Yoga teacher as you can.
The most important component in a Yoga teacher?s personality, who helps students with ailments, is compassion. If you don?t see, feel, or hear any compassion, this is the wrong match for your needs. Yoga can be customized for the specific needs of students. The Yoga teacher, who has not yet felt any pain, is going to have less empathy for students who are in pain. So, an ?elite? Yoga teacher, who can perform every asana imaginable, and has the body of a competing Olympic gymnast, may not exactly understand your pain.
What style of Yoga would be best, if you are constantly feeling pain? There are a number of styles to consider that can be easily customized for your specific needs. Here are a few to consider: Restorative Yoga, Therapeutic Yoga, Iyengar Yoga, Yoga Therapy, and Tri-Yoga. Please keep in mind that these styles will vary according to the Yoga teacher?s interpretation of the style?s principles.
In which cases would Yoga not be advisable for students in severe pain? Sometimes, physicians do not recommend Yoga in cases of severe pain, such as in the case of extremely severe arthritis. The reasoning is that any movement will cause a great deal of pain in the joints. If your physician tells you not to practice a gentle form of Yoga, you should at least ask why. If you are not satisfied with the answer, you should seek a second opinion.
If you are feeling pain, and want to take positive action, you should consult your physician, and if agreed by your physician, explore your options with a local Yoga teacher, who teaches a gentle style and has a history of helping Yoga students with ailments.
? 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
Pilates Yoga
Though referred to as yoga, the Pilates exercise regime has no connection with it and works on entirely different approaches. The common factor between yoga and Pilates programs is their emphasis on mental focus and breath control during exercise. Some refer to Pilates as ?yoga with movement,? and others as ?yoga with machines.?
George Pilates, a German, was a sickly child who managed to improve his health with dedicated exercise programs. As a nurse during the First World War he was looking after the internees. He developed his system of exercises during this time. In 1926 he and his wife opened an exercise school in New York and never looked back. Now it is the top method of keeping fit. Initially, many dancers flocked to his studio to get a supple, strong and balanced body. Now his system has over 500 centers throughout the United States.
His basic approach to exercise was maintaining correct posture while exercising, with particular reference to the spine. The muscles that support the spine, like the back and stomach muscles, get a good workout. He uses breathing techniques to keep the mind focused and increase efficiency. The movements flow from the spine and posture, and balance predominates.
Initially he used the help of some springs. Now over the years many Pilates machines have been developed. These use springs, pulleys and weights, and over the years have become very complicated.
The Pilates exercise program is sweeping over the United States with so much enthusiasm that there are long waiting lists in most studios. There is an acute shortage of trained instructors.
There are three pieces of equipment that are used with Pilates exercise - Reformer, Cadillac and Wunda chair. Individual studios have come up with their own specific machines also. But it is not always necessary to use equipment. There are programs, though limited in effect, that can be done on a simple mat.
The merger of yoga techniques with Pilates exercise enhances its effect and appeal to the public.
Yoga provides detailed information on Yoga, Bikram Yoga, Hatha Yoga, Pilates Yoga and more. Yoga is affiliated with Cheap Yoga Mats.
George Pilates, a German, was a sickly child who managed to improve his health with dedicated exercise programs. As a nurse during the First World War he was looking after the internees. He developed his system of exercises during this time. In 1926 he and his wife opened an exercise school in New York and never looked back. Now it is the top method of keeping fit. Initially, many dancers flocked to his studio to get a supple, strong and balanced body. Now his system has over 500 centers throughout the United States.
His basic approach to exercise was maintaining correct posture while exercising, with particular reference to the spine. The muscles that support the spine, like the back and stomach muscles, get a good workout. He uses breathing techniques to keep the mind focused and increase efficiency. The movements flow from the spine and posture, and balance predominates.
Initially he used the help of some springs. Now over the years many Pilates machines have been developed. These use springs, pulleys and weights, and over the years have become very complicated.
The Pilates exercise program is sweeping over the United States with so much enthusiasm that there are long waiting lists in most studios. There is an acute shortage of trained instructors.
There are three pieces of equipment that are used with Pilates exercise - Reformer, Cadillac and Wunda chair. Individual studios have come up with their own specific machines also. But it is not always necessary to use equipment. There are programs, though limited in effect, that can be done on a simple mat.
The merger of yoga techniques with Pilates exercise enhances its effect and appeal to the public.
Yoga provides detailed information on Yoga, Bikram Yoga, Hatha Yoga, Pilates Yoga and more. Yoga is affiliated with Cheap Yoga Mats.
February 26, 2009
Health Benefits of Yoga
Yoga is an ancient way, practiced for thousands of years, steeped in tradition and, to most people, a mysterious enigma. When practitioners would speak of the many benefits they had experienced in both mental and physical health, yoga would seem to be both a perfect practice, or one whose claims were impossible to believe.
practitioners of yoga, or yogis/yogins (yogini for the ladies) would speak of the unification of mind, spirit, and body. The belief was that when these were brought into balance the persons mental and physical health would improve. The word “harmony” would be heard a lot, as would be “healing”, again, applied both to the body and the mind.
Until recently, you could only go by what someone who had personal experience could tell you. There was a reasonable amount of skepticism that yoga could actually be as beneficial to your mental and physical health as its proponents claimed.
However, in the last few years, scientific study, observation, and measurement have proven that yoga can indeed have specific observable affects on your health. It has been shown that body, mind, and spirit do work together and when the effective level of each is raised, the person experiences a much better life in terms of health, happiness, and harmony within himself or herself and with the world in general.
An article published by Johns Hopkins states:
“Over 75 scientific trials have been published on yoga in major medical journals. These studies have shown that yoga is a safe and effective way to increase physical activity that also has important psychological benefits due to its meditative nature.”
In our modern society, we are likely to look at yoga first as an “exercise program”. As with any good exercise program, yoga can increase muscle strength and respiratory endurance, improve flexibility, and promote balance. It also tends to lessen pain in those afflicted with arthritis and helps to increase energy levels in those who practice it.
Yogis and yogins also have long reported increases in what might be called positive mental states, along with decreases in negative mental states. They tend to report a greater level of optimism, a renewed or improved enthusiasm for life, and a higher sense of alertness and awareness of themselves and the world and people around them. They have also reported decreased levels of aggressiveness, anxiety, and excitability, as well as lowered levels of physical complaints and illnesses.
Scientific observation and testing is now bearing out what practitioners have been saying for years. Studies on the biological, psychological, and biochemical aspects of yoga have shown a wide range of positive results for most who take up the practice of yoga.
When practiced over time, yoga tends to level pulse rate, stabilize the nervous system, normalize stomach and digestive activity, level hormones, and increase joint range of motion. It increases energy, endurance, immunity, and cardiovascular efficiency. It improves eye-hand coordination, reaction time, dexterity, and helps the person to get more restful and restorative sleep.
Yoga also seems to have psychological benefits as well. practitioners and those who study them report that it helps you become more aware of your body, accept yourself more readily, improve your concentration, memory, learning and mood.
Additional benefits of yoga as compared to other exercise programs is that it massages internal organs in a way that other programs do not, and produces a detoxifying effect. Some speculate that this may lead to delaying aging.
Finally, yoga can be practiced almost anywhere, anytime, by anyone, and requires no special equipment. It does not even require special training! While having an expert teach you personally would be best, a careful reading of books on the subject and a DVD or two can get you started. However, our modern citizens tend to throw themselves headfirst into new projects. Not only is this completely opposite from the philosophy and aims of yoga, but it can invite injury and strain. The people in the books and DVD’s have been doing yoga for years. It is highly unlikely that you will immediately be able to duplicate their ability to achieve the positions they demonstrate. Just do the best you can, and then do it again tomorrow, and the next day, and the next day…
As always, before beginning any physical fitness program, check with your doctor first to make sure it is okay for you to start. Once started, however, be aware that there are people in their 70s, 80s and 90s doing yoga. You will not be alone.
The author is retired from the Army after 21 years of service, has worked as an accountant, optical lab manager, restaurant manager, and instructor. He has been a member of Mensa for several years, and has written and published poetry, essays, and articles on various subjects for the last 40 years. He developed an interest in health and fitness in the ’70s after reading numerous books, including Dr. Kenneth Cooper’s “Aerobics”. This has led him to continue his personal research into health and fitness for over 30 years, and to pursue course work on health and fitness, including yoga, which he practices regularly. Learn more about Yoga. Articles on Diet and Weight Loss.
practitioners of yoga, or yogis/yogins (yogini for the ladies) would speak of the unification of mind, spirit, and body. The belief was that when these were brought into balance the persons mental and physical health would improve. The word “harmony” would be heard a lot, as would be “healing”, again, applied both to the body and the mind.
Until recently, you could only go by what someone who had personal experience could tell you. There was a reasonable amount of skepticism that yoga could actually be as beneficial to your mental and physical health as its proponents claimed.
However, in the last few years, scientific study, observation, and measurement have proven that yoga can indeed have specific observable affects on your health. It has been shown that body, mind, and spirit do work together and when the effective level of each is raised, the person experiences a much better life in terms of health, happiness, and harmony within himself or herself and with the world in general.
An article published by Johns Hopkins states:
“Over 75 scientific trials have been published on yoga in major medical journals. These studies have shown that yoga is a safe and effective way to increase physical activity that also has important psychological benefits due to its meditative nature.”
In our modern society, we are likely to look at yoga first as an “exercise program”. As with any good exercise program, yoga can increase muscle strength and respiratory endurance, improve flexibility, and promote balance. It also tends to lessen pain in those afflicted with arthritis and helps to increase energy levels in those who practice it.
Yogis and yogins also have long reported increases in what might be called positive mental states, along with decreases in negative mental states. They tend to report a greater level of optimism, a renewed or improved enthusiasm for life, and a higher sense of alertness and awareness of themselves and the world and people around them. They have also reported decreased levels of aggressiveness, anxiety, and excitability, as well as lowered levels of physical complaints and illnesses.
Scientific observation and testing is now bearing out what practitioners have been saying for years. Studies on the biological, psychological, and biochemical aspects of yoga have shown a wide range of positive results for most who take up the practice of yoga.
When practiced over time, yoga tends to level pulse rate, stabilize the nervous system, normalize stomach and digestive activity, level hormones, and increase joint range of motion. It increases energy, endurance, immunity, and cardiovascular efficiency. It improves eye-hand coordination, reaction time, dexterity, and helps the person to get more restful and restorative sleep.
Yoga also seems to have psychological benefits as well. practitioners and those who study them report that it helps you become more aware of your body, accept yourself more readily, improve your concentration, memory, learning and mood.
Additional benefits of yoga as compared to other exercise programs is that it massages internal organs in a way that other programs do not, and produces a detoxifying effect. Some speculate that this may lead to delaying aging.
Finally, yoga can be practiced almost anywhere, anytime, by anyone, and requires no special equipment. It does not even require special training! While having an expert teach you personally would be best, a careful reading of books on the subject and a DVD or two can get you started. However, our modern citizens tend to throw themselves headfirst into new projects. Not only is this completely opposite from the philosophy and aims of yoga, but it can invite injury and strain. The people in the books and DVD’s have been doing yoga for years. It is highly unlikely that you will immediately be able to duplicate their ability to achieve the positions they demonstrate. Just do the best you can, and then do it again tomorrow, and the next day, and the next day…
As always, before beginning any physical fitness program, check with your doctor first to make sure it is okay for you to start. Once started, however, be aware that there are people in their 70s, 80s and 90s doing yoga. You will not be alone.
The author is retired from the Army after 21 years of service, has worked as an accountant, optical lab manager, restaurant manager, and instructor. He has been a member of Mensa for several years, and has written and published poetry, essays, and articles on various subjects for the last 40 years. He developed an interest in health and fitness in the ’70s after reading numerous books, including Dr. Kenneth Cooper’s “Aerobics”. This has led him to continue his personal research into health and fitness for over 30 years, and to pursue course work on health and fitness, including yoga, which he practices regularly. Learn more about Yoga. Articles on Diet and Weight Loss.
February 23, 2009
Your First Chair Yoga Class in a Senior Center
Chair Yoga has become more popular in senior centers, but can also be found in nursing homes, physical rehabilitation units, adult day care centers, and some Yoga studios. However, the vast majority of us will attend a Chair Yoga class in a senior center.
You should consult your family physician and get the ?go ahead,? before starting any exercise program. If possible, visit, or call the senior center, to find out about their policies and general guidelines. When it is your first class, it is a good idea to get into the front row, so you can clearly see and hear your Yoga teacher.
When you need extra advice, or have a particular health condition, you should talk to your teacher before, or after, the class. Your Yoga teacher will give advice and show modifications, throughout the class, but when you have questions that concern your safety and health, you should ask right away. This is not something that should be put on the ?back burner.?
Within the senior center staff structure, there are volunteers, paid staff, and management. They are all extremely helpful. Seek help and you will find an abundance of it. If the business world ran like this, we would all be happy customers.
You don?t have to bring any special equipment to a Chair Yoga class. Most senior centers have more than enough chairs to accommodate everyone. Some Chair Yoga classes do use mats, as well as chairs, but this is more the exception than the rule. If the center uses mats, in part of the class, you will have to take your shoes off.
Most senior centers have hard floors with tile over cement. In this case, you should wear good sneakers, tennis shoes, or aerobic shoes. This will allow your shoes to grip the floor, to prevent potential slipping accidents. It also gives your feet and joints some cushion from the hard surface.
There is no need to buy special clothes. You should wear comfortable clothing that does not restrict your movement. Don?t wear anything tight around the waist. This will bother your stomach during some of the bending or twisting movements.
You should never push or strain into a Yoga posture. This can cause a variety of injuries from very slight to serious. Therefore, stay in the ?comfort zone.? No one really knows how your body feels, except you.
If the class is large, it will be held in a large room, like a dining hall. Expect some distractions, with people coming, and going, from different activities, within the senior center. This is not ideal for meditation, but the physical rewards, and new friends you gain, will make up for it.
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
You should consult your family physician and get the ?go ahead,? before starting any exercise program. If possible, visit, or call the senior center, to find out about their policies and general guidelines. When it is your first class, it is a good idea to get into the front row, so you can clearly see and hear your Yoga teacher.
When you need extra advice, or have a particular health condition, you should talk to your teacher before, or after, the class. Your Yoga teacher will give advice and show modifications, throughout the class, but when you have questions that concern your safety and health, you should ask right away. This is not something that should be put on the ?back burner.?
Within the senior center staff structure, there are volunteers, paid staff, and management. They are all extremely helpful. Seek help and you will find an abundance of it. If the business world ran like this, we would all be happy customers.
You don?t have to bring any special equipment to a Chair Yoga class. Most senior centers have more than enough chairs to accommodate everyone. Some Chair Yoga classes do use mats, as well as chairs, but this is more the exception than the rule. If the center uses mats, in part of the class, you will have to take your shoes off.
Most senior centers have hard floors with tile over cement. In this case, you should wear good sneakers, tennis shoes, or aerobic shoes. This will allow your shoes to grip the floor, to prevent potential slipping accidents. It also gives your feet and joints some cushion from the hard surface.
There is no need to buy special clothes. You should wear comfortable clothing that does not restrict your movement. Don?t wear anything tight around the waist. This will bother your stomach during some of the bending or twisting movements.
You should never push or strain into a Yoga posture. This can cause a variety of injuries from very slight to serious. Therefore, stay in the ?comfort zone.? No one really knows how your body feels, except you.
If the class is large, it will be held in a large room, like a dining hall. Expect some distractions, with people coming, and going, from different activities, within the senior center. This is not ideal for meditation, but the physical rewards, and new friends you gain, will make up for it.
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
Why Chair Yoga
Isn?t Yoga just for young ?hard bodies,? like you would see on the cover of a magazine? Don?t you have to turn your body into a pretzel, to practice Yoga? These are, a few of the many, questions I am asked about Yoga and Chair Yoga. Any idea that Yoga is only for the fit, and young, is a complete myth. Anyone can practice Yoga, at any age, but not all Yoga styles are the same.
Many of us struggle, most of our lives, to find the optimum exercise routine, in order to stay in shape. As time goes by, we look for low-impact fitness solutions, due to excessive wear in our joints. It can?t be helped that, joints will wear, as our bodies take a lifetime of stress, tumbles, and injuries.
Low-impact exercise philosophy works like this: ?No pain ? No gain,? slogans are definitely short-term thinking. When you consider longevity, you want to receive maximum benefits, of a health maintenance program, without abusing or unnecessarily wearing, any body parts out.
It is far better to intelligently exercise the body, than to work the body hard with risk of injury. To injure oneself, while exercising, is irony in its purest form. After all, isn?t the purpose of exercise to improve or maintain your health?
Some of us can also blame genetics, for ailments, as certain body parts wear out faster within particular families. I have seen this, ?up close, and personal.? Within the knees of my own family, for generations, there have been knee problems.
My mother, uncle, son, and I have all had knee problems, starting at a young age, and all of us are from the same direct bloodline. With my son, doctors told us he should have surgery on his knees, before he was 10 years of age.
So, the one reason to try a Yoga class is because you have found a low-impact exercise solution. Chair Yoga will develop or maintain the body?s circulation, flexibility and strength, with very low impact. It is a complete health maintenance exercise program.
However, there are a multitude of reasons why people attend Chair Yoga classes. Over the years, I have seen clients, who have had a huge variety of ailments, take Chair Yoga classes for physical rehabilitation, and to maintain their overall health.
There is also the social factor. It?s good to get out of the house and socialize with friends and family members in a different setting. In fact, Chair Yoga is just one of many activities that take place in the average senior center. You can usually find dancing, Tai Chi, various exercise programs, crafts, card games, and many more activities, in the average senior center.
Back to Chair Yoga: It goes by a variety of different names and is sometimes mixed with other forms of exercise, within the same class, such as: weight resistance, low-impact aerobics, Chair Pilates, and Tai Chi.
Some of the many names associated with these classes are: Stretch, Stretch and Tone, Senior Yoga, Wellness, and Senior Fitness. As mentioned before these classes may contain a mixture of low-impact exercises from different origins.
There is also, another reason to start a Chair Yoga class. What if you suddenly found your mobility limited or were confined to a wheel chair? A common belief is that, Chair Yoga is only for seniors. As you already know, limited mobility has nothing to do with age, and can be a problem, at any point in life.
Every week, I teach Chair Yoga classes in nursing homes, physical rehabilitation units, and adult day care centers. These clients look forward to their Chair Yoga classes every week. The workouts in these classes are restricted to sitting in your chair, but the same mental and physical health benefits apply to all of us.
So, there is no excuse for staying away from a Chair Yoga class. Anybody, at any age, can join a friendly group of people who seek to gain the rewards of good health.
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
Many of us struggle, most of our lives, to find the optimum exercise routine, in order to stay in shape. As time goes by, we look for low-impact fitness solutions, due to excessive wear in our joints. It can?t be helped that, joints will wear, as our bodies take a lifetime of stress, tumbles, and injuries.
Low-impact exercise philosophy works like this: ?No pain ? No gain,? slogans are definitely short-term thinking. When you consider longevity, you want to receive maximum benefits, of a health maintenance program, without abusing or unnecessarily wearing, any body parts out.
It is far better to intelligently exercise the body, than to work the body hard with risk of injury. To injure oneself, while exercising, is irony in its purest form. After all, isn?t the purpose of exercise to improve or maintain your health?
Some of us can also blame genetics, for ailments, as certain body parts wear out faster within particular families. I have seen this, ?up close, and personal.? Within the knees of my own family, for generations, there have been knee problems.
My mother, uncle, son, and I have all had knee problems, starting at a young age, and all of us are from the same direct bloodline. With my son, doctors told us he should have surgery on his knees, before he was 10 years of age.
So, the one reason to try a Yoga class is because you have found a low-impact exercise solution. Chair Yoga will develop or maintain the body?s circulation, flexibility and strength, with very low impact. It is a complete health maintenance exercise program.
However, there are a multitude of reasons why people attend Chair Yoga classes. Over the years, I have seen clients, who have had a huge variety of ailments, take Chair Yoga classes for physical rehabilitation, and to maintain their overall health.
There is also the social factor. It?s good to get out of the house and socialize with friends and family members in a different setting. In fact, Chair Yoga is just one of many activities that take place in the average senior center. You can usually find dancing, Tai Chi, various exercise programs, crafts, card games, and many more activities, in the average senior center.
Back to Chair Yoga: It goes by a variety of different names and is sometimes mixed with other forms of exercise, within the same class, such as: weight resistance, low-impact aerobics, Chair Pilates, and Tai Chi.
Some of the many names associated with these classes are: Stretch, Stretch and Tone, Senior Yoga, Wellness, and Senior Fitness. As mentioned before these classes may contain a mixture of low-impact exercises from different origins.
There is also, another reason to start a Chair Yoga class. What if you suddenly found your mobility limited or were confined to a wheel chair? A common belief is that, Chair Yoga is only for seniors. As you already know, limited mobility has nothing to do with age, and can be a problem, at any point in life.
Every week, I teach Chair Yoga classes in nursing homes, physical rehabilitation units, and adult day care centers. These clients look forward to their Chair Yoga classes every week. The workouts in these classes are restricted to sitting in your chair, but the same mental and physical health benefits apply to all of us.
So, there is no excuse for staying away from a Chair Yoga class. Anybody, at any age, can join a friendly group of people who seek to gain the rewards of good health.
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
Benefits of Chair Yoga - Part 1
In comparison to many forms of exercise, the benefits of Chair Yoga far outweigh the risks. The therapeutic exercises work the body, from head to toes, to the best of any client?s ability.
Therefore, the method used, addresses the whole body in a single routine. This is an amazing feat, for a low-impact exercise program, where the average session lasts 45 to 60 minutes. The following information will highlight some of the many benefits of regular participation in a Chair Yoga class.
Increased circulation is a result of movement and every body part that can move is used in a typical Chair Yoga class. For many of us, we think of cardiovascular heath first, and this is right fully so, but Chair Yoga helps many other forms of circulation, within the body, as well.
To sit still for days on end, we invite diseases of many kinds. Diabetics need movement to keep sugar levels in ?tolerance zones.? Chair Yoga also has routines for the feet, toes, hands, and fingers, so there is no part of the body left out. Due to this whole body approach, the immune system is also stimulated by regularly attending Chair Yoga classes.
The many movements, bending, and twisting, in a regular Chair Yoga session, stimulate the elimination of toxins, within the body. Every time you bend the waist in one direction or another, the stomach aids in digestion and the lower back is gently stimulated.
Now, back to cardiovascular benefits - There seems to be a lot of confusion about what is classified as aerobic exercise. One of the definitions for aerobic exercise is: Any exercise that would increase circulatory and respiratory ability. When the heart and lungs have to work harder to keep up with the body’s need for oxygen that is aerobic.
In fact, gardening and housework are also aerobic exercise that most seniors routinely do. This is not to say that gardening and housework are complete health maintenance systems, but they do burn over 200 calories per hour, for the average person, and meet the aerobic definition.
Much of this mentality stems from the ?No pain ? No gain? era. Most of the original advocates of this theory are now ?nursing their own wounds? and practicing gentler forms of exercise. After all, none of us are immortal, and the body can only take so much abuse over time.
May I remind anyone, who is left standing, from the No pain ? No gain era, that walking is also classified as aerobic exercise. So, whether you walk or run a mile, aerobic benefits are gained and significant calories are burned.
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
Therefore, the method used, addresses the whole body in a single routine. This is an amazing feat, for a low-impact exercise program, where the average session lasts 45 to 60 minutes. The following information will highlight some of the many benefits of regular participation in a Chair Yoga class.
Increased circulation is a result of movement and every body part that can move is used in a typical Chair Yoga class. For many of us, we think of cardiovascular heath first, and this is right fully so, but Chair Yoga helps many other forms of circulation, within the body, as well.
To sit still for days on end, we invite diseases of many kinds. Diabetics need movement to keep sugar levels in ?tolerance zones.? Chair Yoga also has routines for the feet, toes, hands, and fingers, so there is no part of the body left out. Due to this whole body approach, the immune system is also stimulated by regularly attending Chair Yoga classes.
The many movements, bending, and twisting, in a regular Chair Yoga session, stimulate the elimination of toxins, within the body. Every time you bend the waist in one direction or another, the stomach aids in digestion and the lower back is gently stimulated.
Now, back to cardiovascular benefits - There seems to be a lot of confusion about what is classified as aerobic exercise. One of the definitions for aerobic exercise is: Any exercise that would increase circulatory and respiratory ability. When the heart and lungs have to work harder to keep up with the body’s need for oxygen that is aerobic.
In fact, gardening and housework are also aerobic exercise that most seniors routinely do. This is not to say that gardening and housework are complete health maintenance systems, but they do burn over 200 calories per hour, for the average person, and meet the aerobic definition.
Much of this mentality stems from the ?No pain ? No gain? era. Most of the original advocates of this theory are now ?nursing their own wounds? and practicing gentler forms of exercise. After all, none of us are immortal, and the body can only take so much abuse over time.
May I remind anyone, who is left standing, from the No pain ? No gain era, that walking is also classified as aerobic exercise. So, whether you walk or run a mile, aerobic benefits are gained and significant calories are burned.
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
Yoga for Seniors - Using Yoga to Reverse Aging
Yoga has become quite a popular exercise for people of all ages, but especially
for the seniors. Yoga exercise for elderly people can help reverse the aging process
and provide a wide range of positive benefits even if practiced on a moderate
basis. There are many styles of yoga ranging in degree of difficulty. However,
the basic moves and positions can be utilized by any age group. It is all about
how you approach your exercise program that makes the difference. Since everyone
is unique, it is always advisable to see your doctor before beginning any type
of exercise program.
The Benefits of Yoga Yoga can provide positive health benefits for anyone
but can be especially helpful for those more mature adults. The three main areas
of development would be balance, stretching, and strength. Balancing exercises
strengthen leg muscles and help to prevent falling. Every year in the U.S. there
are tens of thousands of patients admitted for broken hips and usually some type
of fall is the reason for the bone fractures. Balancing exercises can also help
you avoid disabilities that may result from falling.
Beginning Yoga Exercises
Stretching exercises can increase your range of motion and allow you to do more
of the things you need and want to do. Stretching by itself is not designed to
enhance strength or endurance, however keeping one?s muscles more flexible
can also reduce strains and may improve circulation as well. Flexibility exercises,
such as stretching, might help keep your body and joints limbered up, which could
help prevent injuries and falling. It sometimes can speed up a recovery from an
injury. Exercises for strength help build muscle as well as increasing your metabolic
rate. This stabilizes blood sugar which and helps you maintain a healthier weight.
By having stronger muscles, you will be less likely to need frequent assistance
in doing your normal routines.
The Mental Benefits of Yoga
Besides the physical attributes of yoga, there are several mental benefits seniors
can enjoy. By definition, yoga means union; therefore it is no surprise that one
of the main underlying concepts is to achieve greater peace and harmony by better
uniting the body and spirit. Perspectives on life and ourselves tend to change
as we advance in age. The spiritual side of the world receives more importance
as we grow older - this forms an excellent foundation for elderly people to start
practicing yoga.
Proper Warm-ups for Seniors
It is recommended for seniors to begin their yoga exercise with slow, controlled
motions. This phase can last for several weeks or longer depending on the individual.
It is especially important in the earlier stages to avoid muscle sprains and strains.
That will make the experience more enjoyable and safer while reducing the chances
for injury. Even while using this slow gradual approach, many retirees can still
benefit from improved circulation, range of motion and vitality.
Improve Your Circulation
Another benefit of yoga that most seniors can experience is improved circulation.
This helps to better utilize the oxygen in their blood vessels resulting in improved
memory and concentration. Many elderly people experience losses in these areas
as the age increases and yoga can help reduce or reverse some of these effects.
Seniors have many options for keeping fit through various forms of light exercise.
One of the most important and often overlooked keys to staying healthy is proper
breathing. That happens to be one of the foundations of yoga. Air feeds our bodies
just as much as food and water does. Slow, deep breathing through the nose helps
to cleanse the body on many different levels.
Just Get Started
Contrary to popular belief, yoga does not require years of practice to attain many positive results. In fact many elderly people really look forward to their yoga exercise sessions not only for the increased vitality also opportunities or social contacts if done in a group situation. The biggest key to succeeding is just get started.
Feel free to reprint this article in its entirety in your ezine or web site, as long as you include the resource box and the active link to my website. Please notify me when it is used.
Barry Craft is the owner and webmaster of http://www.Yoga-Exercise-Help.com.
For more inspiring and useful tips about the benefits
of yoga, please visit our web site.
for the seniors. Yoga exercise for elderly people can help reverse the aging process
and provide a wide range of positive benefits even if practiced on a moderate
basis. There are many styles of yoga ranging in degree of difficulty. However,
the basic moves and positions can be utilized by any age group. It is all about
how you approach your exercise program that makes the difference. Since everyone
is unique, it is always advisable to see your doctor before beginning any type
of exercise program.
The Benefits of Yoga Yoga can provide positive health benefits for anyone
but can be especially helpful for those more mature adults. The three main areas
of development would be balance, stretching, and strength. Balancing exercises
strengthen leg muscles and help to prevent falling. Every year in the U.S. there
are tens of thousands of patients admitted for broken hips and usually some type
of fall is the reason for the bone fractures. Balancing exercises can also help
you avoid disabilities that may result from falling.
Beginning Yoga Exercises
Stretching exercises can increase your range of motion and allow you to do more
of the things you need and want to do. Stretching by itself is not designed to
enhance strength or endurance, however keeping one?s muscles more flexible
can also reduce strains and may improve circulation as well. Flexibility exercises,
such as stretching, might help keep your body and joints limbered up, which could
help prevent injuries and falling. It sometimes can speed up a recovery from an
injury. Exercises for strength help build muscle as well as increasing your metabolic
rate. This stabilizes blood sugar which and helps you maintain a healthier weight.
By having stronger muscles, you will be less likely to need frequent assistance
in doing your normal routines.
The Mental Benefits of Yoga
Besides the physical attributes of yoga, there are several mental benefits seniors
can enjoy. By definition, yoga means union; therefore it is no surprise that one
of the main underlying concepts is to achieve greater peace and harmony by better
uniting the body and spirit. Perspectives on life and ourselves tend to change
as we advance in age. The spiritual side of the world receives more importance
as we grow older - this forms an excellent foundation for elderly people to start
practicing yoga.
Proper Warm-ups for Seniors
It is recommended for seniors to begin their yoga exercise with slow, controlled
motions. This phase can last for several weeks or longer depending on the individual.
It is especially important in the earlier stages to avoid muscle sprains and strains.
That will make the experience more enjoyable and safer while reducing the chances
for injury. Even while using this slow gradual approach, many retirees can still
benefit from improved circulation, range of motion and vitality.
Improve Your Circulation
Another benefit of yoga that most seniors can experience is improved circulation.
This helps to better utilize the oxygen in their blood vessels resulting in improved
memory and concentration. Many elderly people experience losses in these areas
as the age increases and yoga can help reduce or reverse some of these effects.
Seniors have many options for keeping fit through various forms of light exercise.
One of the most important and often overlooked keys to staying healthy is proper
breathing. That happens to be one of the foundations of yoga. Air feeds our bodies
just as much as food and water does. Slow, deep breathing through the nose helps
to cleanse the body on many different levels.
Just Get Started
Contrary to popular belief, yoga does not require years of practice to attain many positive results. In fact many elderly people really look forward to their yoga exercise sessions not only for the increased vitality also opportunities or social contacts if done in a group situation. The biggest key to succeeding is just get started.
Feel free to reprint this article in its entirety in your ezine or web site, as long as you include the resource box and the active link to my website. Please notify me when it is used.
Barry Craft is the owner and webmaster of http://www.Yoga-Exercise-Help.com.
For more inspiring and useful tips about the benefits
of yoga, please visit our web site.
February 22, 2009
Yoga Versus Pilates - Which Should I Do?
Many have heard of yoga and Pilates. But, not everyone realizes that there are several differences between these two types of exercising regimens. In fact, yoga is hardly classified as just an exercise program. Each of these methods are quite powerful tools to allow you to feel and look better. But, they are also very different. In order to help you to make a choice between yoga and Pilates, let?s explain them a little further.
Yoga - It came way earlier
Yoga has been around for over 5000 years. It is something much more than just a way of exercising. In fact, it is a lifestyle change that many people need to take seriously. This type of program is centered on the spiritual healing of the body as well as the physical aspects. It uses a wide combination of breathing and movements to get the body back into its targeted range. Yoga is something that encompasses the entire lifestyle in ethical, spiritual and physical form.
It is important to note that yoga is centered on meditation and that the poses that are done are done to allow for better concentration and better meditation abilities.
Pilates - It’s a whole different animal
Pilates, on the other hand, is a physical healing process that uses movements and breathing to work. In Pilates, the body is taken from one movement to the next in a fluid change. This allows for continuous improvement in the body in a normal way. Pilates uses Contrology in its dance form. In this, the poses that are done are more fluid and provide for a more natural movement from one to the next.
Both of these types of programs allow for individuals to improve in their health and well being through breathing techniques. Controlled, regulated breathing is very important to the success of yoga or Pilates.
Which Should I Choose?
In order to know which of these you should choose, the best way to know which the better choice is for you is to actually give them a try. Sign up for a couple of classes and give them a try each. Which methods and processes do you feel more comfortable with? Which works the best for your lifestyle? The choice between yoga and Pilates is something that you need to make on your own.
Mike Singh is a successful webmaster and publisher of http://www.yoga-made-ez.com He provides more yoga health benefits and yoga sequences for your convenience.
Yoga - It came way earlier
Yoga has been around for over 5000 years. It is something much more than just a way of exercising. In fact, it is a lifestyle change that many people need to take seriously. This type of program is centered on the spiritual healing of the body as well as the physical aspects. It uses a wide combination of breathing and movements to get the body back into its targeted range. Yoga is something that encompasses the entire lifestyle in ethical, spiritual and physical form.
It is important to note that yoga is centered on meditation and that the poses that are done are done to allow for better concentration and better meditation abilities.
Pilates - It’s a whole different animal
Pilates, on the other hand, is a physical healing process that uses movements and breathing to work. In Pilates, the body is taken from one movement to the next in a fluid change. This allows for continuous improvement in the body in a normal way. Pilates uses Contrology in its dance form. In this, the poses that are done are more fluid and provide for a more natural movement from one to the next.
Both of these types of programs allow for individuals to improve in their health and well being through breathing techniques. Controlled, regulated breathing is very important to the success of yoga or Pilates.
Which Should I Choose?
In order to know which of these you should choose, the best way to know which the better choice is for you is to actually give them a try. Sign up for a couple of classes and give them a try each. Which methods and processes do you feel more comfortable with? Which works the best for your lifestyle? The choice between yoga and Pilates is something that you need to make on your own.
Mike Singh is a successful webmaster and publisher of http://www.yoga-made-ez.com He provides more yoga health benefits and yoga sequences for your convenience.
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