Yoga stretching for relaxing the body and mind
Stretching is one of the most important components of exercise. It helps increase the flow of blood to all body parts and reduces the risk of injury. It involves the lengthening of body muscles in order to increase muscular fiber and increases the range of motion of the joints. It plays a vital role in increasing the body’s flexibility and helps keep you active throughout the day. Stretching exercises are important not only for athletes and sportspersons but also for ordinary individuals as they enable them to perform day to day tasks with ease. Stretching relaxes the mind and reduces post exercise muscular soreness and fatigue. The recent years have seen an increase in a new trend of yoga stretching which is gaining immense popularity in the United States.
This concept is based on the ancient science of yoga that originated in India about 500 years ago. It is estimated that over 18 million Americans practice yoga regularly. Yoga means the union of the body, mind and spirit. It occurs when an individual disciplines his body and mind with postures, breathing and meditation. Yoga exercise involves stretching but consists of far more elaborate exercises than just a few stretches you might do at home or in the gym. The emphasis in yoga stretching is on alignment. Most of these stretches are not about stretching isolated muscles but focus on the involvement of the entire body.
Yoga Techniques:
Vinyasa or flow: This is one of the most popular yoga styles which can be seen in a number of exercises. It focuses on movement from pose to pose.
Asana: This is the most widely practiced style that focuses on the physical style of postures.
Hatha yoga: This style focuses on physical discipline and is most popular in the United States. It helps individuals develop flexibility, resistance, strength and enables them to relax.
Yoga Stretching Technique:
Yoga stretching helps you attain maximum benefits from the stretching program. It helps you relieve stress which is the root cause of a number of diseases and ailments such as hypertension, anxiety, nervousness etc. In order to perform a stretch correctly, you must keep certain things in mind.
Never perform any stretch all by yourself. You must take proper guidance from a certified yoga teacher before beginning any of the asanas. This will enable you to perform the stretch correctly and will increase your efficiency. If you end up performing any of these exercises incorrectly, the chances of injury or muscular damage might increase.
Never give in to over stretching. It is essential for you to stretch only to a point where you do not feel any pain.
Avoid bouncy or jerky movements while performing a stretch.
Always hold the stretch for 30 to 60 seconds in a particular position.
Perform a mild warm up routine prior to stretching. This increases the core muscle temperature of the body and reduces the risk of injury. This can be done by jogging, skipping, running etc.
Breathe freely while performing any stretches and never hold your breath during any exercise.
Popular Yoga Stretches:
Fish Pose: It is also known as Matsyasana and is great for relieving the stiffness of the shoulder and neck muscles and is good for the spine as well. Holding the pose exercises, the chest and is good for the thyroid and parathyroid glands. It also expands the rib cage and increases the capacity of the lungs.
Triangle Pose: It is also known as Trikonasana and helps strengthen the lower back and the legs. It also helps you relieve tension from the upper and lower back, the hips and the hamstrings.
Sage Twist: It is also known as Marichyasana. It enables you to strengthen the back and is good for the abdomen and various organs such as the liver, spleen and intestines.
Cat Pose: This is also known as Bidalasana and helps you coordinate movement, alignment and breath.
Yoga stretches not only increase joint flexibility but also reduce stress and its associated disorders. It is great for the body and mind and helps you relax completely.
This concept is based on the ancient science of yoga that originated in India about 500 years ago. It is estimated that over 18 million Americans practice yoga regularly. Yoga means the union of the body, mind and spirit. It occurs when an individual disciplines his body and mind with postures, breathing and meditation. Yoga exercise involves stretching but consists of far more elaborate exercises than just a few stretches you might do at home or in the gym. The emphasis in yoga stretching is on alignment. Most of these stretches are not about stretching isolated muscles but focus on the involvement of the entire body.
Yoga Techniques:
Vinyasa or flow: This is one of the most popular yoga styles which can be seen in a number of exercises. It focuses on movement from pose to pose.
Asana: This is the most widely practiced style that focuses on the physical style of postures.
Hatha yoga: This style focuses on physical discipline and is most popular in the United States. It helps individuals develop flexibility, resistance, strength and enables them to relax.
Yoga Stretching Technique:
Yoga stretching helps you attain maximum benefits from the stretching program. It helps you relieve stress which is the root cause of a number of diseases and ailments such as hypertension, anxiety, nervousness etc. In order to perform a stretch correctly, you must keep certain things in mind.
Never perform any stretch all by yourself. You must take proper guidance from a certified yoga teacher before beginning any of the asanas. This will enable you to perform the stretch correctly and will increase your efficiency. If you end up performing any of these exercises incorrectly, the chances of injury or muscular damage might increase.
Never give in to over stretching. It is essential for you to stretch only to a point where you do not feel any pain.
Avoid bouncy or jerky movements while performing a stretch.
Always hold the stretch for 30 to 60 seconds in a particular position.
Perform a mild warm up routine prior to stretching. This increases the core muscle temperature of the body and reduces the risk of injury. This can be done by jogging, skipping, running etc.
Breathe freely while performing any stretches and never hold your breath during any exercise.
Popular Yoga Stretches:
Fish Pose: It is also known as Matsyasana and is great for relieving the stiffness of the shoulder and neck muscles and is good for the spine as well. Holding the pose exercises, the chest and is good for the thyroid and parathyroid glands. It also expands the rib cage and increases the capacity of the lungs.
Triangle Pose: It is also known as Trikonasana and helps strengthen the lower back and the legs. It also helps you relieve tension from the upper and lower back, the hips and the hamstrings.
Sage Twist: It is also known as Marichyasana. It enables you to strengthen the back and is good for the abdomen and various organs such as the liver, spleen and intestines.
Cat Pose: This is also known as Bidalasana and helps you coordinate movement, alignment and breath.
Yoga stretches not only increase joint flexibility but also reduce stress and its associated disorders. It is great for the body and mind and helps you relax completely.