Yoga and Pilates are both forms of exercise that lengthen, stretch and tone muscles to create more flexibility, range of motion and strength in the body. Both of these types of exercises can be done on a mat, using few or no props. They simply require a deep concentration to how the body is moving, thus creating the mind-body connection.
Yoga exercises to increase beta waves are great to do when you're feeling a bit sluggish. Do Yoga exercises to increase beta waves with help from a certified personal trainer, yoga instructor and holistic health practitioner in this free video clip.
Hardcore Yoga exercises at home are best done after a series of warmups to make sure that you don't get too sore. Do hardcore Yoga exercises at home with help from an internationally-recognized holistic health and wellness expert in this free video clip.
If you are feeling a little tight in your hips, there are a number of different yoga exercises that you can safely do to open up and stretch them. Rocking the Cradle is a yoga exercise that stretches your hip flexors, inside thighs, hamstrings, glutes and shoulders. With continued practice, Rocking the Cradle and other yoga exercises help you increase your flexibility and range of motion.
Your lats, which are your latissimus dorsi muscles, span across your back on either side of your spine, from the middle of your spine down to your lower spine. Your lats are mainly used when you reach overhead to push or pull against resistance. There are several poses practiced in yoga that exercise and tone your lats. At the same time, performing yoga with good posture and balance can be hindered by tight lats, especially in Handstand. Tightness in the lat muscles reduces your range of arm movement, closes the chest and moves your back out of alignment. Doing yoga…
Yoga helps strengthen both mind and body, leading to an overall holistic and healthy lifestyle. Many yoga poses can help you tone and strengthen your glutes, reducing their size for a sleek, lean look. However, only targeting certain areas of the body for spot-reduction is not an effective method for weight loss. Instead, incorporate certain types of yoga in with a larger fitness plan that includes a healthy diet and regular cardio exercise.
Yoga Nidra is full-body relaxation in a state of mental awareness. The term means "yogic sleep," and it happens during a guided meditation that releases all tension and stress in a 20- to 45-minute session. Yoga Nidra may follow a regular yoga class or be used as a stand-alone practice to wind down at the end of the day. Warming up and chilling out with a few asanas or a breathing session first enhances Yoga Nidra's benefits.
You can do a couple of exercises before Yoga Nidra to help make your whole routine that much more worthwhile. Do exercises before Yoga Nidra with help from a reliable and passionate Yoga instructor in this free video clip.
Yoga grounding exercises typically need to be done in a very particular stance for the maximum effectiveness. Find out about Yoga grounding exercises with help from an experienced Yoga professional in this free video clip.
Not all yoga exercises need to be done during the day. Find out about yoga exercises for nighttime with help from an experienced fitness professional in this free video clip.
Certain yoga exercises are great for treating lymph congestion. Find out about yoga exercises for lymph congestion with help from a certified Ashtanga Yoga instructor in this free video clip.
Sleep apnea is a disorder that effects the nasal cavity and makes it difficult to breath properly during sleep. Find out about yoga and sleep apnea with help from a certified Ashtanga Yoga instructor in this free video clip.
A number of different yoga exercises can help aid with both sleep and general relaxation. Find out about yoga exercises for sleep and relaxation with help from a yoga instructor in this free video clip.
Bunions can result from a tight peroneus longus muscle that gradually pulls the bone out of position, but this yoga technique can help stop it in its early stages. Get important advice on bunions in this free video on therapeutic yoga.
Yoga exercises ca not only invigorate your body, but they can also energize and activate your brain. Learn some brain-boosting exercises in this free video on basic yoga.
You can prevent DVT, or deep vein thrombosis, with exercises such as squats that prevent blood from pooling in the body's deep muscles. Get that blood pumping with the aid of this free video of exercises for better health.
To exercise for spinal stenosis, a narrowing of the intervertebral nerve canals, you want to strengthen your core muscles with stability ball crunches and back extensions. Learn how to combat spinal stenosis in this free video of exercises for better health.
Chronic hip bursitis can occur from a lack of strength in the stabilizing muscles on the inside and outside of the leg, but this simple exercise routine can help you turn the condition around. Get hip to a helpful new workout with this free video on safe exercise tips.
Kasina exercises are used in the pursuit of deep meditative states. Perform Kasina yoga exercises with help from a yoga instructor in this free video.
Yoga promotes healthy muscles and can reduce the size of your waist. Minimize your waistline with help from a yoga instructor in this free video.
Japanese yoga is based on Japanese martial arts. Discover the benefits of Japanese yoga from a yoga instructor in this free video.
Even if you're wheelchair-bound, you can still do yoga and get fit. Exercise your body with help from a certified yoga instructor in this free video.
Happy Face yoga exercises are designed to strengthen the muscles in the face. Learn about Happy Face yoga exercises with help from a yoga expert in this free video clip.
Gentle yoga exercises work well for beginners, as well as disabled and elderly people. Learn gentle yoga poses with the help of a certified yoga instructor in this free video.
A closing exercise in yoga is used to finish out the exercise session. Discover how to end a peaceful yoga session well with the help of a certified yoga instructor in this free video.
Spinal stenosis Yoga exercises help reduce injury to the spinal column and relax it. Keep your spine in the clear with help from a certified Yoga instructor in this free video.
Raja yoga is a type of yoga that combines basic positions along with meditation. Familiarize yourself with Raja yoga exercises with help from a yoga expert in this free video clip.
A variety of yoga exercises can help increase strength and stamina for the sport of kayaking. See yoga exercises for kayakers with help from a yoga expert in this free video clip.
Learning how to sequence yoga exercises takes time and practice, especially when you are building a class for a diverse array of students. You have to know your students' limitations and needs as well as your own. As with any other workout, the class should begin with a warm-up before progressing into more challenging poses, and then after completing the most challenging exercises, ease back into a cool-down or deep relaxation phase.
Vajroli yoga exercises are performed slowly and carefully. Learn some vajroli exercises with the help of a professional yoga instructor in this free video.
The diaphragm sits beneath the rib cage and controls breathing. Exercise your diaphragm with the help of a professional yoga instructor in this free video.
Yoga exercises performed while sitting work the diaphragm and focus on breathing. Improve your seated yoga poses with the help of a professional yoga instructor in this free video.
There are yoga exercises that can help lessen the pain derived from ringing inside the ear. See how yoga can combat ringing inside the ear with help from a personal training expert in this free video clip.
Certain types of yoga exercises can help with a condition called uterine fibroids. Learn how to teach effective yoga exercise for uterine fibroids with help from a personal training expert in this free video clip.
Yoga exercises can help with fibromyalgia among other conditions. Learn a few yoga exercises for fibromyalgia with help from a personal training expert in this free video clip.
Create heat in your hands and feet with yoga exercises including wrist and foot rotations, core work and deep breathing, all of which stimulate the circulation. Get your blood pumping with this free video on yoga therapy.
Certain yoga exercises involving the standing pelvic tilt and Downward Dog work the muscles of the pelvic floor to increase blood flow to the prostate. Help assure a healthy prostate by learning the exercises in this free video on yoga therapy.
If you struggle with a bunion or plantar fasciitis, grab a tennis ball and learn these simple yoga exercises to massage and restore flexibility to your feet. Get the foot relief you need from this free video on yoga therapy.
Chin lifts, neck rotations and other yoga exercises can help you relax and support the area around your thyroid gland. A professional instructor demonstrates in this free video on yoga therapy.
Yoga exercises that involve twisting and stretching the trunk area massage the internal organs to improve your digestion. Learn a yoga routine for digestive health in this free video on yoga therapy.
Simple but effective yoga exercises such as massaging the eyebrows, warming the eyes and working the shoulder and neck area can relieve those troublesome tension headaches. Learn how to relax headaches away in this free video on yoga therapy.
Kriya yoga techniques consist of cleansing exercises involving the breath, arms, and trunk twists. Explore the benefits of Kriya with tips from an experienced registered yoga instructor in this free video on Kriya yoga exercises.
Restorative yoga practices can offer relief for bursitis, or inflammation of the joints. Ease joint discomfort with simple instruction from an experienced registered yoga instructor in this free video on yoga exercise for bursitis.
Yoga postures that strengthen abdominal muscles can reduce the stomach. Master the practice of Navasana, or boat pose, with advice from an experienced registered yoga instructor in this free video on yoga exercises.
Yoga exercise offers many therapeutic and health benefits, relieving stress, dispelling fatigue and correcting muscular or joint misalignments. Get valuable tips on how to improve your quality of life in this free yoga video.
Sequences of yoga exercises such as Downward Facing Dog, Plank and Three Legged Dog help you build strength throughout your body. View a demonstration of yoga strength exercises from an expert in this free yoga video.
Yoga poses rely on the part of your body touching the floor to provide a strong foundation for the muscles to perform their tasks. Watch a demonstration of the principle by an expert instructor in this free yoga video.
Yoga goes beyond exercise by combining the strength training and muscle toning of physical exercise with an emphasis on mental focus and connecting your mind with your body to achieve peace. Learn the difference between yoga and exercise in this free video.
Yoga exercises such as Plank use leg lifts to strengthen the abdominal muscles and stabilize the spine. Learn how to work your abdominal muscles in this free yoga video.
Step-by-step yoga exercises, such as this sequence of Arta Chandrasana, Warrior One, Half Moon Pose and Standing Split, proceed in an unbroken sequence with several transition options for the practitioner. Learn each step in this free video on yoga exercises.
Standing Mountain Posture helps you balance your weight and provides the basis for other standing yoga exercises. Learn this simple but essential pose in this free video on yoga techniques.
Yoga exercises such as the Tree Pose and Crane Pose develop the strong legs, skeletal alignment and focus necessary for correct balance. Improve your own balance with the information in this free video on yoga techniques.
Yoga poses are the core of any Yoga-based exercise. Discover poses that work for you with help from a professional yoga and Pilates teacher in this free video on fitness.
It's important to perform yoga exercises daily in order to maximize your strength. Keep your body well maintained with help from a professional yoga and Pilates teacher in this free video on fitness.
Practicing water yoga exercises are really effective for stretching tight muscles, as well as for relaxing your body and mind. Utilize these water yoga exercises with help from a fitness trainer in this free video on water aerobics.
Outside of the classroom, continuing your yoga and pilates exercises helps you to make the most of your in class workouts. Practice your toning exercises with a professional Pilates trainer using this free video.
The unique properties of water, according to Cynthia Bialek of Yoga Afloat, allow people of all fitness levels to safely enjoy yoga poses under water. A safer alternative for some to posing on land, water yoga enhances flexibility, balance and strength while also calming the mind. If necessary, wear water shoes to keep your balance in the water and only practice poses at a depth where you are comfortable.
Practicing yoga regularly can lead to smoother skin and a glowing complexion, according to many sources. Yoga's ability to increase circulation to the face and help release toxins from the bloodstream allow it to refresh your mind and body while simultaneously bringing glow-inducing nutrients to the skin's surface. This can result in reduced wrinkle formation and smoother, firmer skin, many yogis believe.
Yoga has become increasingly popular due to its accessibility and variety. The levels of difficulty and range of movements make this exercise less intimidating than it may appear at first glance. The focus on simple concepts such as posture and breathing make the activities easy to understand and accessible to participants of varying experience and fitness levels. In addition, a yoga enthusiast has the option of taking classes with others or practicing a few simple postures in the privacy of her own home.
Yoga blocks are rectangular foam or cork props made to aid in yoga poses and improve posture. If you lack the flexibility or range of motion to perform a yoga exercise, yoga blocks might be able to aid you in achieving proper form. Though not all yoga poses can be modified to utilize yoga blocks, there are many poses that make good use of the props.
Yoga is not just a series of exercises, but a complete system to train and balance both the mind and the body. The practice of yoga can last a lifetime, so getting started can be a bit intimidating and slow going. Learn some basic yoga poses to begin with and practice them in a relaxed, yet focused manner. Don't force it--you will master the poses with time and discipline.
Yin yoga focuses on long, deep holds in poses to stretch the connective tissue instead of the muscles. Paul Grilley, who popularized this style of yoga, claims that the connective tissue is the site of energy meridians that run through the body. In yoga, these pathways are called nadis. Grilley advises holding yin poses for one to five minutes each, both to stretch the physical body and to keep energy flowing through the nadis.
A yoga strap is a prop beneficial for beginning yoga students. One reason people may hesitate to attempt yoga is their inflexibility. Since yoga is ultimately a practice for strengthening, a yoga strap allows a student who may not have much flexibility to develop and push deeply into poses. Straps, also known as belts, are made of cotton or nylon and have a buckle at one end. Yoga strap exercise are extensions of traditional yoga exercises in which the strap helps users grasp otherwise unreachable limbs or hold a pose longer.
Yoga is believed to be more than 5,000 years old, originating in the Stone Age Shamanism that was once integral to civilizations in Northern India. Yoga exercises consist of chanting, postures and controlled breathing exercises that have been practiced for centuries as a form of meditation. Different yoga styles were developed, with the Hatha Yoga being the most commonly practiced today as a form of fitness exercise.
Dahn Yoga, or "Dahnhak," is a Korean blend of stretching, meditation and breathing exercises. Its primary purpose is to increase energy, according to the Dahn Center Association. It also strives to educate practitioners about energy, energy flow and how to use it to increase personal potential. It was recreated for modern times by Ilchi Lee from mind and body training which originated in ancient Korea.
Swami Ramdev is an Indian yoga practitioner who is famous for popularizing yoga as a practice. The practice of yoga is designed to help people connect their bodies to their minds. Practitioners claim this can help people lose weight, cure illnesses and conditions like depression and improve the general posture. According to the website Know Yoga, the purpose of yoga is to achieve control over the 'prana', the essence that pervades all of life. There are several popular exercises particular to Ramdev Yoga.
Yoga exercises are a fantastic way to keep up good blood flow and heart rate, especially for someone that just gave birth. Keep up great health after pregnancy with help from a certified personal fitness trainer in this free video on postpartum yoga exercises.
Yoga is a 5,000-year-old practice that originated in India. Yoga means "to yoke," referring to the unification of mind and body to breath through the practice of asana or physical postures. Yoga is increasingly popular in the west, as stress levels rise and people become aware of an alternative to chronic discontent. Yoga not only promotes peace of mind and physical health, but it also helps to cultivate balance, inner strength, flexibility and insight--invaluable tools on anyone's life journey. Everyone can do yoga. You don't need to be bendy or coordinated to give it a try. All you need is…
Creating a comprehensive yoga routine can help you exercise every major muscle group in your body. Challenge your body and mind with guidance from a yoga instructor in this free video on yoga exercises.
Morning yoga exercises can help reenergize you for the rest of the day. Perform this morning yoga routine to attain a clear, alert mind in the morning with suggestions from a yoga instructor in this free video on yoga exercises.
Exercising your core muscles with yoga postures can lead to better posture and balance. Challenge yourself and your core muscles with guidance from a yoga instructor in this free video on yoga exercises.
When doing yoga exercises to energize the mind, you'll want to start in the standing position while creating a stable ground underneath you. Energize your mind with guidance from a holistic healing expert in this free video on yoga exercises.
Yoga exercises can be done at work, and all you need is a chair. Perform Yoga exercises at work with help from a holistic healing expert in this free video on Yoga.
A bulging disc refers to the inner gel that seeps out from a spinal disc because of an injury or disease. It creates a painful condition that makes normal movement difficult. Yoga can be appropriate if you have medical clearance from your doctor to practice yoga poses as part of your recovery. Yoga poses that elongate the spine and create therapeutic traction along the length of the spine are appropriate. Work with a skilled yoga teacher who has specific training in this condition.
A slant board is an exercise tool that allows users to lie in a straight slant. They can be purchased in a variety of places or you can modify any workout bench. Exercise on the slant board started as a fad, but because of their effectiveness they have endured. The yoga stretches that utilize the slant board are some of the most popular because they are highly beneficial for strength and flexibility.
A herniated disc is a condition where the discs between the vertebral bones become compressed and bulge beyond the confines of the spinal column. The bulging disc irritates nearby nerves resulting in pain, numbness or tingling along the path of the nerve. Most herniated discs are a result of aging and normal wear and tear, but posture is also a factor. Yoga can help relieve some of the symptoms and strengthen the postural muscles that support the spinal discs.
Yoga postures contract and expand muscles helping to remove blockages and alleviate lymph congestion. Postures and muscular movement encourage the healthy flow of lymph fluids and also promote the removal of bodily waste. In particular, inverted yoga postures use the pull of gravity to increase drainage, restore immunity and rejuvenate all bodily systems. Yoga inversions range from gentle to intermediate and advanced.
Your feet are an important but overlooked part of the body. You spend much of your day on your feet, but mostly ignore them. Even when off your feet, they remain inside uncomfortable shoes. Chances are your feet are tense, tight, and overworked. It's important to practice yoga on the feet for relaxation, health, and mindfulness.
An excessive curve in the mid-back, or thoracic spine, is called kyphosis and can result from a habit of slouching forward or a disease such as osteoporosis, scoliosis or ankylosing spondylitis. According to a 2002 study in the American Journal of Public Health, yoga helps improve "hunchback" posture. Yoga also releases neck and shoulder tension and opens the lungs for freer breathing. Before you begin a yoga practice to reverse kyphosis, check with your physician.
Exercise is essential for a healthy body, but what about fitness to invigorate the mind? Yoga is an exercise that has positive effects on the overall being. Whether the level is beginner or advanced, yoga movements energize the mind and body. Focusing on breathing and concentration are key aspects when practicing yoga to fully reap benefits. Young or old, big or small, anyone can benefit from performing yoga exercises.
The feet are an essential part of the body, bearing weight and stress as you walk throughout the day. Toes are used to provide balance, as well as help in movement forward. The feet also are important structures for the rest of the body, affecting the alignment of the ankles, knees, hips and the back. Stretching with yoga feet exercises is an ideal way to relieve tension, improve flexibility and reduce pain.
Your tailbone, also called the coccyx, is a vestigial structure consisting of three or four fused vertebrae and located at the base of your spine. The tailbone plays a major role in helping you find optimal alignment in yoga poses. By scooping the tailbone downward, you root firmly into your foundation and strengthen the integrity of your pose. The rest of your spine lengthens upward for greater extension.
Isometric and isotonic exercises both build muscle. The difference is that isotonic exercises involve contracting muscles while moving the joints around. Isometric exercises involve contracting the muscles while keeping the joints still. You can find examples of both in yoga, and that's what makes the practice such a beneficial way to gain fitness and build muscle.
If you've had enough of the dreaded abdominal crunch, yoga offers an alternative. The Uddiyana Bhanda, or diaphragm lock, is one of the three key bhandas (muscular contractions) in yoga practice. The abdominal-workout and bodybuilding world adopted this exercise and dubbed it the "Vacuum," or the "Stomach Vacuum." This isometric contraction helps form a firm, trim midsection and provide greater core strength to all movements.
Yoga exercises for children are a great way to improve flexibility in the spine, back strength and overall good posture. Keep it fun with advice from an expert yoga instructor in this free video on yoga exercises for small kids.
Yoga crouching exercises focus on opening up the hips and are great for increasing balance and core strength, especially in pregnant women. Learn some stretches from a yoga instructor in this free video on crouching exercises.
Yoga exercises can be done to help maintain youthful and healthy looking skin by stretching to produce more body heat and sweat. Create heat in the room and sweat away age with advice from a yoga instructor in this free video on yoga exercises for youthful looking skin.
Kasina refers to the use of physical objects in meditation, usually colored disks. The exercises are used in the practice of absorption or Jhana or Jnana yoga. Jhana yoga is the pursuit of deep meditative states in which to produce inner knowing. There are four stages of jhana's meditative states.
Yoga can be used to strengthen the bladder in several different ways. Certain poses will massage your internal organs, including the bladder. Other poses help to strengthen the muscles you need for bladder control such as the pelvic floor muscles. Still others help to relieve your organs of stress.
Originating in Indian, yoga is an ancient form of exercise, working both the physical and mental aspects of the body. Yoga helps to cultivate awareness while grounding a person in her surroundings. Beyond the physical activity of yoga, it works to calm the mind and create a greater awareness. Yoga can be a relaxing or strenuous depending on the sequence of exercise that is practiced.
Yoga is designed to integrate the mind, body and soul in three ways: meditation, exercise and breathing. Yoga has been practiced for centuries, and archaeological drawings of yoga poses have been found that date to 3000 B.C. Today, there are many variations of yoga, however all yoga exercises are based on general poses. Once you have mastered the poses, you can delve into other types and stages of yoga to strengthen your mind, body and soul.
In the push to get their bodies back to pre-pregnancy fitness, new and not-so-new mothers are turning to yoga for help. Yoga is ideal for new mothers because it isn't as strenuous as any other form of cardio or strength training, but it is effective with healthy eating and rest (if possible). Not only does yoga help trim the figure, but it is also a way to strengthen abdominal and pelvic muscles that may have been weakened during childbirth.
In yoga, the breath is known as the prana, or universal energy, and it's important to learn how to breathe properly when doing yoga exercises. Discover ways to breathe when doing a triangle pose with help from a certified personal fitness trainer in this free video on yoga lung exercises.
If a person has a slipped disc, yoga exercises should be put on hold until first consulting with a physician. Find out how complete immobilization of the spine is the quickest way to recover from a slipped disc with help from a certified personal fitness trainer in this free video on yoga exercises for slipped discs.
Hypertension is when a person's blood pressure is above normal levels, mainly between 120 and 130 mm/Hg over 80 to 85 mm/Hg. Consistent yoga practice can lower your blood pressure by as much as 10 to 15 mm/Hg. It can also help you lose weight and maintain a healthy weight, which also lowers your blood pressure. Some yoga poses are gentle enough to do daily, and help reduce hypertension.
When dealing with right hand pain, there are a number of yoga exercises to consider. These yoga exercises are especially useful in relieving the aggravation caused by working at a computer for long hours. This strategy for yoga exercises will stretch out the hands, wrists, fingers and arms, relieving pain and discomfort.
Clinical depression is a serious mental illness that can only be diagnosed and treated by a professional. A psychiatrist or therapist may take a variety of steps toward curing depression, but the chances of a cure are better when you take things into your own hands as well. Physical exercise has proven to be effective in alleviating the symptoms of depression, and yoga is included in that. For those who are finding it difficult to kick their depression symptoms, consider yoga as an alternative and complementary form of treatment.
Yoga is an ancient practice that is used to conjoin the body and mind. Some of the health benefits yoga provides are a higher level of flexibility, which is vital for men and women as they age to maintain functionality and muscular fluidity, and an increase of energy. For men, yoga works to strengthen and enhance endurance levels by stretching and calling upon all muscles for stability and balance. Yoga is beneficial after an intense weight-lifting routine as well as for conditioning already defined muscle groups.
Yoga offers many benefits from stress relief to increasing flexibility. The practice in its many forms, but especially Ashtanga or Power yoga, will work your core to the core. Those muscles include your abs, inner and outer thighs, spine and lower back. Core exercises should be done three to five days a week to boost agility and stability, and taking a class or doing the following exercises three days a week will strengthen your most central muscles.
There are many different yoga poses that can be done to rid the mind of clutter, such as the uttanasana, which is a simple standing forward bend. Use yoga to get relaxed and ready for bed with help from an advanced yoga instructor in this free video on yoga exercises for better sleep.
Yoga is a great way for athletes to wind down a workout because it helps to prevent soreness from intense workouts. Relax and rejuvenate the nervous system with help from an advanced yoga instructor in this free video on yoga exercises for athletes.
Yoga focuses your mind on your body's function through breathing exercises, poses and meditation. Yoga can improve lung function and capacity by opening the chest cavity. According to a study presented at the 2009 American College of Sports Medicine annual meeting, yoga can help asthmatics.
Over 6 million Americans have already discovered the health benefits of yoga. Simply put, yoga is a system of beliefs that can enhance your physical well-being, calm your mind and heal your soul. Yoga is not a religion, but it can be very spiritual. A typical yoga class begins with centered breathing and mild stretching exercises. The bulk of the class is spent performing yoga poses (asanas) individually or linked together in flows (vinyasana). Class always ends with a period of relaxation and meditation in shavasana, or corpse pose.
When performing yoga, exercise the arms by moving them back and forth slowly while utilizing special breathing techniques. Exercise the arms with tips from a registered yoga instructor in this free video on yoga.
Yoga hypertension exercises are a great way to stretch trouble areas of the body and help prevent arthritis. Learn some tips on how to properly do hypertension exercises from a yoga expert in this free video clip.
Over the course of the past century, yoga has evolved from an ancient spiritual practice to a popular form of exercise with a myriad of health benefits.
Yoga, like any physical exercise program, has certain risks. Learn about yoga risks with expert tips from a yoga instructor in this free fitness video.
The upside down face is a great facial yoga exercise. Learn how to do the upside down face in this free facial yoga video.
The shifting face exercise in yoga is a great facial yoga exercise. Learn how to do the shifting face in this free facial yoga video.
If you’ve ever been to a yoga class, you’ve more than likely heard the teacher speak of “opening the heart” or “opening the heart center.” This refers to the area of the body where your physical being unites with your mental and spiritual beings. Though most of the postures in yoga focus on this area of the body, there are a number of poses that are better equipped to open and balance the chest and heart. The three exercises described are some of the easiest to perform, and can be sequenced into almost any practice.
Many people are familiar with yoga chants using the "om" sound. Learn more about how to use chants for yoga exercises with tips from a yoga instructor in this free yoga lesson video.
Besides meditation there are many ways to center yourself for yoga exercises. Learn about a variety of centering techniques for yoga with tips from a yoga instructor in this free yoga lesson video.
Yoga suggestions to relieve back pain. Learn the Knee Folds yoga exercise to promote a healthy back in this free video.