Tuesday 3 February 2015

Best Yoga Poses to Soothe Back Pain

These yoga poses for back pain provide traction for your spinal muscles as you root through the hips and let a gentle pull or gravity make space between the spinal bones. You’ll walk taller and enjoy a body that’s no longer stopping you, but rather serving you to live, move and play to the fullest.

Multiple studies have shown the power of the ancient practice, which emphasizes stretching, strength, and flexibility, to relieve back soreness. In fact, several studies have found that yoga can even trump usual care for back pain when it comes to improving back function.

Pigeon

This is the best yoga for back pain. From all-fours, bring your right knee behind your right wrist with your lower leg at a diagonal toward your left hip. Square off your hips toward the ground. Bend forward. Widen the elbows and place one hand on top of the other as a pillow for your forehead. Hold 2-3 minutes and then switch to the left side for 2-3 minutes.

Bound Ankle Pose

This pose requires that you bind your ankles—and by doing so you’ll unbind your hips. Bring the soles of your feet together, pulling the heels close to your groin, bending the knees, and butterfly flare the legs open. If you notice your knees are set too high to relax, simply place a blanket right under the sit bones to prop the hips up. You can also take the feet out further from the pelvic cavity to create a diamond shape with the legs. Keeping your spine straight, lead with the chest, pull your shoulders back, and fold toward your feet. This pose will open and relax the inner thighs and groin.

Spinal Twist

You have many options when it comes to twisting postures. One of the basic and effective ones is Marichyasana C. Keep your left leg straight and bend your right leg so your foot is flat. Place your right hand on the floor behind you for support, like a tripod, and twist so you can hook your left elbow over the right thigh. If this is too much, you can also grab hold of your right knee and twist to look over your right shoulder. Other options are to bend the left leg under you or bend both legs and let them fall to the side then twist in whichever way your knees are facing.

Wall Plank

Stand in front of a wall at arm’s length. Reach forward from your shoulders and plant your palms on the wall, fingers wide, middle fingers pointing straight at the ceiling. Firm your fingers into the wall and draw your navel back as you lengthen the tailbone towards the floor. Lift your ribs from the pelvis. You want to work with a natural lower back curve but an active belly. As you lift the navel and lower ribs into the body, reach long through the tailbone and legs into the floor while reaching the spine, arms and head towards the wall. Repeat for 10-20 breaths, then fold into Fists Forward Fold once again. Move to the next pose after a few breaths.

Cow Face Pose

Begin by threading the left leg under your right leg. Work toward stacking the knees, while keeping both sit bones on the ground. Tuck the toes in to protect the knees. Sit in the pose for several minutes. When the muscles start to loosen and you no longer feel a stretch, fold forward with a straight spine. If this stretch is too intense, you can situate both sit bones on a blanket and place a block or blanket between the knees.

Downward Dog

There’s a reason Down Dog is one of the most iconic postures in yoga. It can rejuvenate your entire body. Start in tabletop and raise your hips so your body is in an upside down V position. Relax your head and neck and draw your inner thighs toward the back of the room. Spreading your shoulder blades apart will stretch your upper back even more, and reaching your hips up and back will help to open your lower back.

Child’s Pose

Roll over and take Child’s Pose for one minute or more. Try knees wide, big toes closer, but end with knees together for a neutral spinal stretch. If your head doesn’t touch the floor, place a yoga block or fists under your forehead so you can relax completely. Breathe slowly into your back body, expanding more nourishing energy and space on the inhale, and on the exhales, let ever more tension dissolve.
Infra-Sec

Monday 12 January 2015

Heal Your Back Pain With These Yoga Poses

If you are living with chronic back pain, good news is coming your way.  There are now several pain relieving options out there that do not include medication. In the past, the primary treatment for chronic back pain was rest and the use of painkillers. Today, doctors are encouraging their patients to manage pain and illness by partaking in activities like yoga. Some research even suggests that yoga is one of the most effective treatments for body pain.

You can greatly reduce back pain with yoga poses. and help heal back problems with proper back exercises. Let us help you understand how you have the power to heal and manage your back's health

Thread the Needle

Lying on your back, bend both knees with the feet flat on the ground. Bend the right knee like a figure four, with the outer left ankle to the right thigh. Lift the left foot into the air, bringing the left calf parallel to the ground. Thread your right hand between the opening of the legs and interlace your hands behind your left thigh. Hold 2-3 minutes and then repeat on the other side.

Downward Dog

There’s a reason Down Dog is one of the most iconic postures in yoga. It can rejuvenate your entire body. Start in tabletop and raise your hips so your body is in an upside down V position. Relax your head and neck and draw your inner thighs toward the back of the room. Spreading your shoulder blades apart will stretch your upper back even more, and reaching your hips up and back will help to open your lower back.

Two-Knee Twist

Lying on your back, bend your knees into your chest and bring your arms out at a T. As you exhale lower your knees to ground on the right. Keep both shoulders pressing down firmly. If the left shoulder lifts, lower your knees further away from the right arm. Hold for 1-2 minutes each side.

Child’s Pose

Not only is Child’s Pose an amazing way to relax, it can also stretch your entire back and your hips. Start on all fours, keep your arms forward and sit back so your butt is resting just above your heels. Hold and breathe deeply, feeling the breath reach all the way into your hips. The more you extend in either direction, the more you’ll feel relief.

Plow Pose

From Shoulder Stand, bend at your hips to bring your toes or top of your feet to the floor. Your hands can remain against your back for support, or you can clasp them together, keeping your forearms on the floor. Hold this as long as is comfortable to get a powerful stretch in your shoulders and spine. If this is too much, you can place a chair behind and you rest your feet on the chair.

Sunday 6 April 2014

Yoga Poses to Increase Flexibility

Yoga is a wonderful tool to increase joint flexibility. Factors like sedentary lifestyles, our jobs as well as our age can have strong effects on the flexibility and without it, poor postural habits and incorrect movements begin to appear in our daily tasks (like going from sitting to standing and lifting). These habits, due to perceived, real or anticipated aches and stiffness can result in joint immobility.

Staying in the poses for a few minutes is the way to get a good stretch. Many times you can feel several different phases of opening while you stay in a pose for longer. Don't expect overnight changes, however. For the best results, do your stretches daily. The following yoga poses usually are meant to give you some options to fit your current degree of flexibility.

Downward dog

Come into a straight arm plank with wrists under shoulders and feet hip width apart. Press into your palms while you shift your hips up and back. Draw shoulder blades together, release tension in your neck and press chest toward thighs. Point tailbone up toward heaven as you press heels toward the ground.

Cow Face Pose

Increase flexibility in your outer hips, chest, shoulders and arms all at one time with cow face pose. Take a seat on the floor with your right knee stacked on your left knee. Your heels ought to be pulled in toward your hips. Sit on a folded towel or perhaps a block if you're having difficulty. Raise your left arm straight up, then bring your left fingertips to your upper back. Keep your elbow as close to your head as possible. Reach your right arm around your back, linking right and left fingertips together or keep a strap. Avoid dipping your chin down and arching your back. Hold on each side for 10 to 15 breaths.

Plank Pose

The number one way to build arm strength is as simple as executing plank pose on a day-to-day basis. This pose is one of the simplest yoga poses and can be modified to be more difficult as your muscles get stronger. While you progress in your yoga practice you might decide to hold one leg up started or one arm and eventually the opposite leg and arm simultaneously. This pose will also help you focus on your balancing skills.

Uttanasana

A standing forward bend is a straightforward way to stretch your hamstrings. Try to keep your hips over your ankles; most people tend to let their hips creep too much back. Microbend your knees to avoid hyperextension. A nice variation is to grasp opposite elbows and let your torso hang.

Triangle

Stand with feet slightly wider than hip width. Turn left toes out and right toes inward. Bring both arms as much as shoulder height. Slowly shift torso forward and put left hand above or below knee. Extend right arm directly above head. Spin ribs up toward the sky.

Reverse warrior

Stand with feet slightly wider than hip width. Turn left toes out and right toes in. Deeply bend left knee, ensuring it tracks directly over the ankle. Extend arms out to shoulder height. Reach up and back placing right hand above or below knee and increasing left arm overhead.

Thursday 9 January 2014

Yoga Poses for Weight Loss

Yoga is an ancient practice followed within our country by many for ages. It has benefited everyone who has regularly practiced it. In today’s busy age, people look up to yoga as a type of exercise for a healthy body & a stress-free life. Yoga can help to lose weight. The best part about yoga is it leaves you fresher and more energetic than ever before after the workouts. 

Yoga considered being much more of aerobic exercise burns less calories during the workout when compared with other strenuous workouts which are as effective. Yoga has its very own sweet ways to cut the flab. It is a slow process however it cuts the fat as a knife cuts the butter. Let’s consider the best asanas which can help you to lose the fat.

Bow Pose

This really is more of an advanced yoga pose but not only helps in burning the fat but additionally helps in toning of legs and arms. One can feel the stretch within the abdominal region taking this pose. The stretch helps to unwind the fat in the region. Continous practicing of the asana further melts the loosen belly fat.

Warrior Pose

The warrior pose strengthens the hamstrings, thighs, legs and ankles because the body weight is transferred on the thighs using the forward bend. It helps to stimulate abdominal organs which will help increase the stamina. Stamina developed can help you to keep going over a longer period of time. 

Plank Poses

Planks help improve your stamina while building lean muscle mass in your core and arms. Perform a basic plank by placing your hands on the ground in front of your chest and extending your legs straight back to ensure that your weight rests on your toes and your palms. Keep your hips and torso in a straight line and hold for five breaths. Give your obliques a workout by getting into a side plank. Rotate your body to one side and lift one arm right to the ceiling as you stack one foot on the top of the other.

Locust pose

To increase the rate of leg muscle minimizing back muscle, Locust pose works well. Locust pose increases the metabolism rate of the back bone because it assigned with bending back. It strengthens entire back, arms and shoulders.

Cobra Pose

This is the pose which works on the chest and also the back region. The heart opening pose helps to consider deep breaths resulting in more oxygenated blood being pumped to different parts of the body. The oxygenated blood helps to burn the fat. Helps in toning the buttocks too.

Bow pose

One of the perfect pose that helps to manage your anxiety, tiredness and minor back pain is bow pose. Bow pose is indulged with bending back hence reveals neck, shoulders an chest. It's good for people who are having kidney disorders. Increases flexibility to back and helps for back and front muscles.

Side Bends

It’s as important to operate on muscles in the stomach region as often as working on other muscles group. After a certain age the body stops to develop and the fat starts accumulating within the stomach region. Side bends helps to melt those tops . These bends might not assistance to burn a lot of calories but will be instrumental in inch loss. Don’t be amazed if you need to wear belts as your pants is going to be loose the next time.

Friday 3 January 2014

How to Prepare for Bikram Yoga Class

According to the Bikram principles, the heat relaxes your joints and muscles, allowing you to sink deeper in to the flexibility-building postures with reduced injury risk. It also introduces a few complications that you ought to come prepared for including copious sweat that, according to the principles of Bikram, helps flush toxins from your body.

If you have already joined a Bikram yoga class, you realize this type of yoga is practiced inside a room that is heated to between 95 and 105 degrees. Due to this heat, there are a few precautions you must take and some preparations you must make before attending class. Continue reading to learn how to prepare for Bikram yoga.

Arrival

Please come early, try Twenty minutes. It promotes a more slow paced life as you register and orient yourself. We attempt to stay on time so that you can plan your schedule. Each class is 1 hour 30 minutes. 

Get there early

At least half an hour early. Gives you time to complete the necessary paperwork, get changed, and get a good spot within the room. Also, many teachers give specific instructions at the outset of class for first-timers, so you want to make sure you’re within the room to hear it and not still within the locker room fiddling with your tiny butt-hugging shorts.

Hydrate

Drink lots of water throughout your day, before and after class. Good hydration supports the healthy function of all your body's systems. The Institute of drugs sets general guidelines for total water intake. It recommends that women consume as many as 91 ounces (that's a couple of.7 liters) per day. For men, it comes down to 125 ounces a day (or 3.7 liters). Exercise in heat will increase water losses and lift daily fluid needs. Attempt to come to class fully hydrated. You will be surprised the difference it makes. 

Outfit

Dress to sweat. Think swimwear, running shorts, sports bra, etc. There's an awesome retail area if you want an outfit. The school is shoe free. So, please take your shoes off within the reception area. 

Repeat

Take your 2nd class within 24 hours. The 2nd class is the equivalent of 3-4 classes, and you will bypass much of the soreness you'd experience otherwise. This practice works cumulatively; the more frequently you practice the faster you'll improve and also the greater the benefits. 

Eating

Practicing Bikram Yoga requires energy, and food is energy for that body. However if you come to class having a full stomach, it could be really miserable. Here are some general guidelines on eating before clas: should you attend afternoon or evening yoga class, leave about 2 to 3 hours of time between your last large meal and your class. 

Stay in the room

It gets hot. The postures are challenging. Listen to your body. If you feel like you need a break, take a seat on your mat with a straight spine, eyes open and breathe. We recommend you relax in a seated position instead of child’s pose or savasana; seated position gives your lungs room to breathe as well as allows you to stay connected with the class through observation.

Class

It's useful to realize that other students focus on themselves in class. They're working way too hard to even notice you. No judgments. Try to your edge, but listen to your body. If you want to, take a break. Stand out a posture or take a seat on your mat. Approach each posture towards the best of your ability and you'll receive 100% of the benefits. Speak with us if you have questions, we're always here to assist.

Wednesday 25 December 2013

Bikram Yoga Poses Best For Your Health

Bikram yoga, which is the practice of 26 postures selected and produced by Bikram Choudhury and derived from hatha yoga, takes place in studios with temperatures set around 105 degrees F with 40 % humidity. Hot yoga, like Bikram, is also practiced inside a heated room, usually maintained in a temperature of around 95 to 100 degrees F.

Because it involves extensive stretching of body parts and muscles, Bikram Hot Yoga can improve the flexibility of your body. The heat will loosen your joints and muscles, and you will be able to stretch them beyond their usual limits. Your muscles will end up more toned and stronger, and you'll also develop a stronger spine.

Toe Stand pose

Created for improving your balance and honing your concentration, this pose also helps alleviate gout, rheumatism of the knees, and hemorrhoid problems.

Standing deep breathing pose

The first pose you undertake within the Bikram yoga routine is designed to get you focused on breathing, get your blood circulating, and your mind calm and aware. With repeat practice, it can help you expand your lungs and breathe more fully.

Eagle Pose

Eagle pose is really a standing pose that helps build flexibility, especially in your hips, knees, and ankles. It is another great posture for reproductive health. If you're looking for yoga instruction that will help you during pregnancy,you might also look in to an web based course in pre-natal yoga.


Fixed firm pose

For several ailments that cause sore muscles, bones, and joints, fixed-firm pose is really a yoga prescription. Particularly if you have a bad knee, this can be a good one for you.

Standing Head to Knee pose

The way in which this pose is performed is clear by its description. Practitioners stand balanced around the left foot with the left leg pulled forward and also the head brought toward the knee. It offers benefits of flexibility in the sciatic nerves and strength towards the back, biceps and triceps.

Standing Bow Pose

This pose requires great balance, with students balancing on a single leg, with the rest of the body forming a bow position. Along with improving balance, this pose is designed to improve concentration and determination, also it helps strengthen the spine.

Balancing Stick

Like the standing bow pose, the balancing stick pose is finished by balancing on one leg. With it, however, students will extend using their toes to their fingers inside a straight, stick-like position, essentially forming a T-shape. It’s benefits act like standing bow pose and it is constantly on the improve circulation.

Tree Pose

A good pose to improve your posture and your patience. The tree pose also increases flexibility in your lower body, also it can help prevent hernia by strengthening the oblique muscles.

Half tortoise pose

The half-tortoise pose is exclusive among items on this list for the reason that it is particularly good for controlling the sleep-wake cycle. It helps in this area because it energizes the pituitary gland. You may realize that people struggling with sleep disorders do yoga to aid them within this. If you count yourself among this group, you can test a course in yoga to help cure insomnia.

Half Moon Pose

Included in your routine, the half-moon pose is designed to further increase circulation, get you energized, and strengthen your muscles. By itself it also has a number of long term health benefits, including strengthened muscles in your thighs and calves and decrease in low back pain. Note that if reduction of back pain is really a goal for you, you can also have a course specifically designed to support your neck and back health.

Awkward Pose

Awkward pose is essentially an incomplete kneeling position, where you will balance around the balls of your feet. It's designed for toning and shaping your legs. It's also highly beneficial for alleviating symptoms of arthritis.

Camel pose

Another position that relieves back pain and promotes health for that nervous system, the camel pose is also good for weight loss efforts, also it helps cure constipation.

Rabbit pose

The rabbit pose is really a good one to demonstrate why Bikram yoga is performed in a precise order. It is made to balance the spine following a previous camel pose, and so it is meant to accompany that pose directly after. It also prepares the body for that final poses, and on its very own, helps relieve sinus-related problems on top of other benefits.

Head to knee pose with stretching pose

Grouped together in a single process, these two poses assist with your metabolism and balancing your blood sugar levels. Additionally they provide a number of internal benefits in your body.

Spine twisting pose

The ultimate pose balances the equilibrium and usually gives a well rounded help to many parts of your body as you end the routine.

Corpse pose

A restful pose for relaxation, the corpse pose restores circulation at halfway with the Bikram series of poses. This pose is used in lots of toga courses, and it can be a helpful a part of a restorative routine.

Wind Removing Pose

If you're looking for a pose to help with abdominal discomfort, that one is designed for that purpose. Also good for flexibility within the hips.

Sit up

This pose uses the familiar upward position of the sit up to increase flexibility in your spine and draw strength to your abdomen.

Cobra pose

Poised just like a snake preparing to strike, you are able to get a lot from perfecting this position. Among it’s benefits are increased spinal strength, reduced back pain, relief of menstrual problems, alleviation of loss of appetite, and concentration.

Locust pose

Serving many of the same purposes targeted using the cobra pose, the locust pose can also help cuer tennis elbow; firm your muscles within the hips, buttocks, and legs; and make your core strength, among others.

Full locust pose

Continuing the job of the standing bow pose and the cobra pose, full locust can also be unique in helping improve the functioning of your liver and spleen. This may also make it a good addition to a yoga routine for detox and cleansing the body. If it is really an interest, you can try an online course in yoga for detox and empowerment.

Standing Separate Leg Stretching Pose

This pose begins from the standing position, and the practitioner will spread their legs apart while bringing their scalp downward to the floor, extending so far as possible. It is particularly helpful for the sciatic nerve, and in addition it provides benefits to the internal organs and spine.

Triangle Pose

A pose with widespread benefits for your bones, muscles, joints, and tendons, the triangle pose also has a restorative impact on your nerves, tissues, and veins. Some students undertake a yoga practice specifically for restorative benefits such as these. And if this is the case for you, you could have interest in a course on Yin Yoga for restorative health.

Standing Separate Leg Head-to-Knee Pose

Another pose with lots of restorative benefits, the standing separate leg head-to-knee pose also strengthens abdominal and quads and provides a number of all around health benefits of yoga.

Bow pose

You are able to tell by looking at someone within the bow pose that the spine gets a good workout. In addition to this, bow pose serves many purposes, along with a prominent one is that it improves oxygen intake by opening up the rib cage.

Wednesday 27 March 2013

Yoga Poses - Back Pain Relief

You expect sore quads, calves, and glutes after copious saddle time. But Back pain is easily the most common overuse injury reported by competitive cyclists. Even though you don’t pin on a race number every weekend, “simple yoga-based stretches align your spine; relieve back, neck, and shoulder pain; and make flexibility in your upper body. Do this sequence two or three times a week to keep your back going strong.


Millions all over the world suffer from back pain and one of the best types of exercise you can practice is yoga. We’ll explore various yoga exercises for back pain in just a minute, but first, a few amazing information about why you should try yoga for back pain relief.

Cat Stretch

Remain on your hands and knees maintaining a set back. Make sure that your hands, wrists and shoulders form an upright line and your knees are positioned directly below your hips. Inhale so that as you start exhaling round your chin for the ceiling, tucking the chin for the chest. 

Child’s pose

Child’s pose is a very relaxing, to be the ideal pose that you can use to unwind following a stressful day. Start by kneeling on the floor together with your feet together placed together. Inhale deeply and gradually bring your torso close to the inner thighs. Slide your hands back across the body, placing the forehead close to the floor. Exhale and hold this position for some minutes until you being feeling a pleasant relief.

Downward facing dog

This yoga pose provides a total body stretch being very effective. Arrived at your hands and knees together with your hands directly under your shoulders. Next, move your hands and legs forward at approximately a 90 degrees angle, spreading the fingers around you comfortably can. Rotate top of the arms moving the neck away from your ears.