Hey there! My name is Kaitlin and I am so excited you are here. I am very passionate about yoga and meditation and have been practicing since 2012 and teaching since 2020. Some of specialities and interests include: Vinyasa and Hatha Yoga, Yoga Nidra, Restorative Yoga, Trauma Informed Yoga, …
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Hey love! My name is Stacie. I am a Conscious Mindset Mentor and Transformational Life Coach for women who are ready to unveil the Truth of their inherent VALUE and WORTH and step into the next, highest version of themselves that they fully deserve. I provide authentic support and guidance through…
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Welcome, love. I'm Molly Rose, a yoga, meditation, and breathwork teacher with a decade+ of experience teaching, studying, and seeking truth around the globe. As a yoga teacher, I seek to plant a seed. I hope to guide you out of your head and back into the wisdom of your incredible body. My cla…
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Noelle is a Holistic Health Practitioner specializing in Yoga Therapy, Clinical Herbalism and Personal Training. She has worked in the wellness industry for over 12-years. She believes in a natural way of living that promotes health, vitality, happiness, connection and joy. Her programs are desig…
As a meditation teacher, counselor, and coach, my mission is to empower individuals to cultivate inner peace, emotional well-being, and personal growth. With a holistic approach to mental health and self-discovery, I am dedicated to guiding clients on a transformative journey towards greater self-a…
Alexis designs private sessions to meet your needs. Together, you'll create a custom, ever-evolving program that will support you in reaching your desired outcomes and increasing your resilience. From personalized yoga sessions to yoga nidra meditations to co-meditation visioning sessions, Alexis c…
Having learned and practiced Tai Chi as a young man, I recently renewed my study and have been practicing daily for four years. I can teach Yang Style Tai Chi Forms 8, 13, 16, 24, 32, 37, 40 and 42 forms. I also teach the recently adopted "Bafa Wubu" form, China's new Tai Chi standard. I use the "S…
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Izabela Marić, certified teacher of yoga and yoga therapy, ITEC alumni, certified Holistic Life Coach, founder of Verbasana yoga studio, president of the Croatian Yoga Association, B.Sc. Indologist. Namaste, my name is Izabela and I encountered yoga more than twenty years ago. I am a certified y…
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As a Yoga and Spiritual Life Coach, my purpose is to guide individuals on a transformative journey of self-discovery, inner growth, and holistic well-being. I am dedicated to helping individuals embrace their authentic selves, cultivate mindfulness, and live a purposeful and fulfilled life. Thro…
Hello! I believe in the power of food to heal, and I want to empower you to feel in control of your health. I provide customized plans and coaching to people looking to improve their health, prevent illness and move toward healthier, long-lasting habits.
My mission is to continually work and partner with individuals and companies that are in alignment with a vision of enlightening lives. Bio: Jennifer Ellis started her company Life Enlightenment in January 2001. She is featured in the book "Guerrilla Publicity 2" and has co-hosted and produce…
Welcome! My name is Haley Halteman. I'm a Master Nutrition Therapist, Certified Nutrition Therapy Practitioner, Board Certified Holistic Nutritionist, and 200hr RYT with Yoga Alliance. I believe physical health and emotional peace are not only possible, but also interconnected. My mission is to hel…
Heather is a dedicated yoga teacher who believes in the transformative power of yoga for all. With a focus on breath, movement, and mindfulness, she creates an inclusive and empowering space for her students. Drawing from her background in dance and holistic healing, Heather offers a diverse ra…
I welcome anyone who is looking for lasting nutrition and lifestyle improvements in accordance with the latest science and research on nutrition, health, and wellness and/or their personal preferences. Being in Best Health educates clients about the science-based health-supporting holistic nutrit…
Holli Cavalluzzi is a yoga instructor passionate about wellness and dedicated to the craft of writing. Her academic journey includes earning a Master of Arts in Liberal Studies from UNC-Wilmington in 2017 and obtaining a Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology from Appalachian State. Holli's co…
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Melissa Russell is certified as a yoga therapist by the International Association of Yoga Therapists and as an iRest meditation teacher by the Integrative Restoration Institute. She uses movement, breath, meditation, and lifestyle modifications to help people find better health and well-being ph…
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FAQs:
What is a Yoga Instructor?
A yoga instructor is a trained fitness professional who specializes in yoga practice. As yoga instructors, their responsibilities and duties include preparing the studio for the class, creating a relaxing and peaceful practice environment, teaching poses and proper form including modifications for beginner students, teaching proper breathing, sharing yogic philosophy, and helping their students along in their yoga practice journeys. They may conduct classes in a yoga studio, fitness facility, or home for a group of students or an individual. Their job is to nurture your students and help them practice yoga well.
What Does a Yoga Instructor Do?
There's more to being a yoga instructor than teaching asanas and adjusting postures. A yoga instructor is responsible for leading yoga classes and helping students improve their physical, mental, and spiritual well-being through yoga. An ordinary week of a yoga instructor can consist of the following duties and responsibilities:
- Plan and teach yoga classes that are appropriate for the level and abilities of the students in the class.
- Create a safe and supportive environment for students to practice yoga.
- Continuously educate themselves on new techniques, practices, and evolving knowledge in the yoga field.
- Build relationships with students and create a community atmosphere in the studio.
- Promote the studio and attract new students.
What Is The Difference Between a Yoga Instructor and a Yoga Teacher?
A Yoga Instructor instructs his/her students as the name defines. During his Yoga Instructor’s course, he must have learned the ways to practice the asanas and will teach the same. But a Yoga Teacher will adapt his teaching to his student’s abilities and limitations. The yoga Instructor gives a class based on what he knows. A Yoga Teacher teaches what is needed by the student in front of him.
Is Yoga a Good Way to Lose Weight?
There’s evidence that yoga may help people lose weight. In 2013, a review supported by the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) looked at 17 yoga-based weight-control programs and found that most of them led to gradual, moderate reductions in weight. The programs with the best results included at least some of these elements:
- Longer and more frequent yoga sessions.
- A longer duration of the overall program.
- A yoga-based dietary component.
- A residential component (such as a full weekend to start the program).
- A larger number of elements of yoga.
- Home practice.
Another review, in 2016, looked at 10 studies of yoga in individuals who were overweight or obese and found that practicing yoga was associated with reduced body mass index (BMI; a measure of body fat based on height and weight).
How Does Yoga Affect Mental Health?
There’s evidence that yoga may be helpful for anxiety associated with various life situations, such as medical conditions or stressful educational programs, and for depressive symptoms. The evidence of yoga’s impact on diagnosed mental health conditions is less promising.
1. In a 2013 review of 22 studies (involving 1,728 participants) of yoga for anxiety associated with life situations, yoga seemed to be helpful in some instances but not others. In general, results were more favorable for interventions that included at least 10 yoga sessions. The studies were of medium-to-poor quality, so definite conclusions about yoga’s effectiveness couldn’t be reached.
2. In a review of 23 studies (involving 1,272 participants) of people with depressive symptoms (although not necessarily diagnosed with depression), yoga helped reduce symptoms in 14 of the studies.
3. A 2018 review of 18 studies (1,532 participants) of people who had been diagnosed with an anxiety disorder or depression found that hatha yoga was not more effective in relieving symptoms than treatment as usual or most of the other interventions examined in the studies. However, it was more effective than psychoeducation programs at relieving symptoms of depression. Most of the studies included in the review were not of high quality.
4. A 2018 evaluation of 7 studies (284 participants) of yoga for people with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) found only low-quality evidence of a possible benefit.
5. A 2021 study of Kundalini yoga for generalized anxiety disorder (226 participants, 155 of whom completed the study), supported by NCCIH, found that Kundalini yoga improved symptoms but was less helpful than cognitive behavioral therapy, an established first-line treatment for this condition.
Is Yoga Helpful for People with Chronic Diseases?
There’s promising evidence that yoga may help people with some chronic diseases manage their symptoms and improve their quality of life. Thus, it could be a helpful addition to treatment programs.
1. Cancer
- In a 2018 evaluation of 138 studies on the use of yoga in patients with various types of cancer (10,660 total participants), most of the studies found that yoga improved patients’ physical and psychological symptoms and quality of life.
- Many yoga studies have focused on women who have or have had breast cancer. A 2017 review of 24 studies of women with breast cancer (more than 2,100 total participants) found moderate-quality evidence that yoga helped reduce fatigue and sleep disturbances and improved health-related quality of life. The effects of yoga were similar to those of other types of exercise and better than those of educational programs.
2. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
A 2018 analysis of 10 studies (502 total participants) found evidence that yoga can improve physical ability (such as being able to walk a defined distance in a defined time), lung function, and quality of life in people with COPD. HIV/AIDS. A 2019 review of 7 studies (396 participants) of yoga interventions for people with HIV/AIDS found that yoga was a promising intervention for stress management.
3. Asthma
A 2016 review of 15 studies of yoga for asthma (involving 1,048 total participants) concluded that yoga probably leads to small improvements in quality of life and symptoms.
4. Multiple sclerosis
Two recent reviews on yoga for people with multiple sclerosis had mostly negative results. One review found a significant benefit only for fatigue (comparable to the effect of other types of exercise), and the other found no benefits for any aspect of quality of life.
Do I Need to Attend a Yoga Class or Can I Just Follow a Dvd?
If you are not sure whether yoga is for you – or are feeling a bit shy about attending a class at first, it can be useful to try a basic DVD or browse some online instructional videos. You can get a taste of the different styles of yoga and find specific programs aimed at addressing different aspects of physical or emotional health. However...... a good instructor in a class or one-to-one setting will be able to modify your exercises and correct any poor techniques, as needed. If you have any musculoskeletal problems, they will be able to advise alternative positions or provide aids, such as blocks, straps, cushions, or even chairs, to enable you to perform an exercise comfortably.
What is the Difference Between Yoga and Pilates?
Pilates and yoga are two types of exercise that can benefit almost everyone. Although many people consider them similar, they have important differences. But either one can be a positive force for your health. Both Pilates and yoga are low-impact exercises, but there is one important difference. When practicing yoga, you typically adopt a position and hold it, or flow into a different position. In Pilates, you adopt a position and then challenge your core by moving your arms or legs. Both approaches increase strength and flexibility.
What is the Importance of Yoga in the Future?
The art of practicing yoga helps in controlling an individual's mind, body, and soul. It brings together physical and mental disciplines to achieve a peaceful body and mind; it helps manage stress and anxiety and keeps you relaxed. It also helps in increasing flexibility, muscle strength, and body tone. It improves respiration, energy, and vitality. Practicing yoga might seem like just stretching, but it can do much more for your body from the way you feel, look, and move.
What are the 3 Main Elements of Yoga?
There are three basic elements in yoga: Asanas, Pranayama, and Concentration
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Asanas are poses that exercise the front, back, and side of the body equally. A full range of movements such as horizontal and vertical expansion is created while performing asanas. Both the asana and the sequence of asanas are important for creating a response such as stimulating, energizing, or calming the body. The asanas also improve muscle strength, mobility of the joints, circulation, and balance as well as body awareness.
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Pranayama means control of the breath, which leads to deeper breathing thereby providing the body with more oxygen. This intensive breathing technique creates a feeling of serenity and inner peace.
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Concentration is fundamental in yoga. The focus on the specifics of the pose and control of the breath will improve concentration.
What Is Yoga and How Does it Work?
Yoga is an ancient and complex practice, rooted in Indian philosophy. It began as a spiritual practice but has become popular as a way of promoting physical and mental well-being. Although classical yoga also includes other elements, yoga as practiced in the United States typically emphasizes physical postures (asanas), breathing techniques (pranayama), and meditation (Dyana). There are many different yoga styles, ranging from gentle practices to physically demanding ones. Differences in the types of yoga used in research studies may affect study results. This makes it challenging to evaluate research on the health effects of yoga. Yoga and two practices of Chinese origin—tai chi and qigong—are sometimes called “meditative movement” practices. All three practices include both meditative elements and physical ones.
The 5 Principles of Yoga
Yoga comes from a vast and rich ancient philosophy that was developed to serve the wholeness of the human experience. As it has evolved over the centuries, it has been refined to incorporate practices that enhance the lifestyle of everyone. Many studios continue to practice these standards; one particular tradition is following the Five Points of Yoga - said to be the foundation for healthy living.
1. Proper Exercise - Asanas
The poses (asanas) taught in these classes are meant to bring greater flexibility, strength, and mobility throughout the whole body. Further, your asana practice can improve your heart health, relieve stress, and stimulate healing. Not only is this considered a very good exercise, but it offers a way to be deeply connected and more aware of your body.
2. Proper Breathing - Pranayama
One style of yoga is called pranayama, or breathwork. This is a practice devoted to healthy breathing. There are specific breathing exercises that can help you manage your heart rate, calm your stressed mind, and help detoxify from toxins that envelop your body. On a more subtle level, these breathing techniques help energize and vitalize your body and mind. The intention is to raise the prana, or subtle vital life force, throughout the whole body. Pranayama, the breath work, helps to open the blocked bodily channels so that prana, the life force, can flow naturally through you. When combined with asana, your body responds by releasing any tensions or other internal obstacles so you can experience the full richness of life itself.
3. Proper Relaxation - Savasana
In the holistic view of yoga, relaxation, practiced in the state of Savasana, is very important. By practicing deep relaxation, it rejuvenates your mind, body, and spirit. When you attend a yoga class, the final posture, Savasana, is often practiced. It is a reminder that you have completed your work and it is time to relax.
4. Proper Diet - Vegetarian
How we treat our bodies on the inside is just as important as how we treat our bodies on the outside. Eating a pure, clean, and healthy diet is very important for your body to live fully. As yogis, we want to enrich ourselves with positive foods that sustain our physical beings as well as our mental and emotional selves. Processed foods that exist abundantly in our culture today do not necessarily contain the nutrients needed for healthy bodily maintenance. A vegetarian diet is said to be more natural and pure, easier to digest, and full of all the nutrients you require for healthy living.
5. Positive Thinking and Meditation – Vedanta and Dhyana
In addition to all the other life-sustaining requirements listed above, living with a peaceful mind and body, through the practice of meditation, is also needed. We live very stressful lives which can lead to very negative effects on the body, mind, and spirit. If you practice good nutrition, exercise with required rest, and add meditation to your daily routine, then you can lead a productive, positive life. Through the practice of mindfulness meditation, you can establish joy, peace, love, and gratitude in everything you do. Meditation eases and calms your mind; it allows you to hear the internal voice of truth and knowledge.
6 Branches of Yoga
The overall philosophy of yoga is about connecting the mind, body, and spirit. There are six branches of yoga. Each branch represents a different focus and set of characteristics. The six branches are:
1. Hatha yoga: This is the physical and mental branch that aims to prime the body and mind.
2. Raja yoga: This branch involves meditation and strict adherence to a series of disciplinary steps known as the eight limbs of yoga.
3. Karma yoga: This is a path of service that aims to create a future free from negativity and selfishness.
4. Bhakti yoga: This aims to establish the path of devotion, a positive way to channel emotions and cultivate acceptance and tolerance.
5. Jnana yoga: This branch of yoga is about wisdom, the path of the scholar, and developing the intellect through study.
6. Tantra yoga: This is the pathway of ritual, ceremony, or consummation of a relationship.
Different Types of Yoga
Modern yoga focuses on exercise, strength, agility, and breathing. It can help boost physical and mental well-being. There are many styles of yoga. A person should choose a style based on their goals and fitness level. Types and styles of yoga include:
Ashtanga yoga
This type of yoga practice uses ancient yoga teachings. However, it became popular during the 1970s. Ashtanga applies the same poses and sequences that rapidly link every movement to breathing.
Bikram yoga
People practice Bikram yoga, also known as hot yoga, in artificially heated rooms at a temperature of nearly 105F and 40% humidity. It consists of 26 poses and a sequence of two breathing exercises.
Hatha yoga
This is a generic term for any type of yoga that teaches physical poses. Hatha classes usually serve as a gentle introduction to the basic poses of yoga.
Iyengar yoga
This type of yoga practice focuses on finding the correct alignment in each pose with the help of a range of props, such as blocks, blankets, straps, chairs, and bolsters.
Kripalu yoga
This type teaches practitioners to know, accept, and learn from the body. A student of Kripalu yoga learns to find their level of practice by looking inward. The classes usually begin with breathing exercises and gentle stretches, followed by a series of individual poses and final relaxation.
Kundalini yoga
Kundalini yoga is a system of meditation that aims to release pent-up energy. A Kundalini yoga class typically begins with chanting and ends with singing. In between, it features asana, pranayama, and meditation that aim to create a specific outcome.
Power Yoga
In the late 1980s, practitioners developed this active and athletic type of yoga based on the traditional Ashtanga system.
Sivananda
This system uses a five-point philosophy as its foundation. This philosophy maintains that proper breathing, relaxation, diet, exercise, and positive thinking work together to create a healthy yogic lifestyle. People practicing Sivananda use 12 basic asanas, which precede Sun Salutations and follow with Savasana.
Viniyoga
Viniyoga focuses on form over function, breath and adaptation, repetition and holding, and the art and science of sequencing.
Yin yoga
Yin yoga places its focus on holding passive poses for long periods. This style of yoga targets deep tissues, ligaments, joints, bones, and fascia.
Prenatal yoga
Prenatal yoga uses poses that practitioners have created with pregnant people in mind. This yoga style can help people get back into shape after giving birth, and support health during pregnancy.
Restorative yoga
This is a relaxing method of yoga. A person spends a restorative yoga class in four or five simple poses, using props such as blankets and bolsters to sink into deep relaxation without exerting any effort when holding the pose.
10 Common Yoga Poses
Want to start trying some common yoga moves? Check out 10 common yoga poses below for information on how to execute each pose and learn their purpose!
1. Child’s pose is an important yoga position to take the opportunity to find your breath. Relax on the ground by bending the knees and hips, stretching the shoulder muscles, and resting the head on the floor or in a lowered position. Stay in this pose for up to 30 seconds.
2. Warrior 2 is a lengthening pose. Notice the front knee is at a 90-degree angle, while the back leg is extended with the foot pointing outward. Arms are extended toward the front and back, and the focal point is just beyond the fingers on the front hand.
3. Reverse Warrior is similar to its sister poses, Warrior, yet it includes a lateral stretch or bends. Rather than the arms being extended front and back, one arm will extend upward, while the other lightly supports the body by grasping the lower leg.
4. Tree poses can be a challenging pose for balance, but much of the challenge comes with trying to maintain focus. There is so much to balance in our daily lives, and yoga presents a physical way that we can master that balance with our bodies. Tree pose acts as an effective hip opener and core stabilizer. You can always lower the bent leg if balance is an issue. Remember to refer to the instructor for modifications of the tougher yoga moves.
5. Chaturanga is a more challenging yet common yoga pose used in more experienced yoga classes. The pose is similar to a push-up position, except the positioning of the hands is slightly different. The bottom should be down and in a flat alignment with the back. If you feel comfortable, try this pose on a mat surface and hold for a couple of seconds and then slowly lower yourself toward the ground as if performing a push-up. Then, lift yourself back up to the original position. This is a full-body strengthening pose.
6. Cow pose is a nice spine extension exercise. Try getting on all fours on a mat surface, lift the head, and press the spine toward the ground. Breathe through this exercise as you then lift the spine slowly so it makes a slight rainbow arch, and then transition again into the cow pose.
7. Downward-facing dog is probably the most popular yoga move in many yoga classes around the country. The pose helps strengthen the shoulder and upper back muscles as well as stretch the calves and hamstrings. If this pose places too much pressure on the wrists or shoulders, you can modify it by going down to your elbows.
8. Rag doll helps elongate the spine. It is essentially a forward fold, wherein the knees are slightly bent with the upper body folding forward, arms hugging, and head down. If desired, you can slowly sway from side to side while in this position. Emphasize relaxing and being loose (like a rag doll) in this position and finding your breath.
9. Chair pose is a nice hamstring extender and core stabilizer. The feet are close together and the bottom is slowly moved into a seated position as if sitting in a chair. Arms move upward above the head, and the eyes look forward. Try holding this pose for 20 seconds.
10. Prayer Twist presents a nice variation to some of the other yoga poses. Start in a balanced position with feet close together if possible, squat into a comfortable yet challenging depth, put hands together, and then try slowly twisting the upper body to one side so that the opposite elbow touches the opposite knee. To modify, simply start with the squat position and try to twist even a little bit. Progress is key!
11 Benefits of Yoga
You've probably heard by now that yoga is good for your health. Maybe you've even tried it for yourself and discovered that it makes you feel better. A consistent practice offers a plethora of mental and physical health benefits. Some, like improved flexibility, are evident.
Others, including mental clarity and stress reduction, can be more subtle but are just as powerful. When put together, these benefits of yoga contribute to increased feelings of well-being, which helps explain why so many people find yoga so addictive. Here are the top benefits of yoga and some poses to try to help you get the most out of your practice.
Improves Flexibility
As you get older, your flexibility usually decreases, especially if you spend a lot of time sitting, which leads to pain and immobility. Yoga can help reverse this process. A study conducted in China in 2015 found that 12 weeks of Hatha yoga improved flexibility in adults with a median age of 50. The practice also increased cardiorespiratory and muscular endurance as well as physical strength.
Builds Strength
Many yoga poses require you to bear your body weight in new and often challenging ways, including balancing on one leg or supporting yourself with your arms. Holding these poses throughout several breaths helps build muscular strength and endurance. As a byproduct of getting stronger, you can expect to see increased muscle tone. Yoga helps shape long, lean muscles in your legs, arms, back, and abdomen.
Improves Balance
Exercises that strengthen and stabilize the core can promote agility and prevent accidents from stumbling or falling. Improved balance is one of the most important benefits of yoga, especially as you get older. Poses that require you to stand on one leg, and, for more advanced practitioners, turn you upside down in an inversion, can be a great way to build the core strength to hold you upright.
Supports Joint Health
The movements necessary for yoga are low-impact, allowing you to use your joints without injuring them. Yoga also helps strengthen the muscles around the joints, lessening their load. People with arthritis often see a marked improvement in their pain and mobility with regular gentle yoga practice.
Eases and Prevents Back Pain
Increased flexibility and strength can help prevent the causes of some types of back pain. Many people who have back pain spend a lot of time sitting at a computer or driving a car, which causes tightness throughout the body and spinal compression. Yoga counteracts these conditions, as studies show that the practice can help to ease common symptoms of back pain.
Teaches Better Breathing
Yoga breathing exercises, called pranayama, focus our attention on breathing and teach us how to take deeper breaths, which benefits the entire body. Breathwork in yoga can have physical and mental benefits both on and off the mat. Certain types of pranayama such as Skull Shining Breath (Kapalabhati Pranayama) can also help clear the nasal passages (helpful for people with allergies), and Ujjayi Breath can help calm the nervous system.
Fosters Mental Calmness
Yoga asana practice is intensely physical. Concentrating on what your body is doing has the effect of bringing calmness to your mind. Yoga also introduces you to meditation techniques, such as how to focus on your breath and disengage from your thoughts.
Reduces Stress
Physical activity is good for relieving stress, and this is particularly true of yoga. Because of the concentration required, your daily troubles, both large and small, can seem to melt away during the time you are on the mat. This provides a much-needed break from your stressors, as well as helps to put your problems into perspective.
Increases Self-Confidence
Doing yoga improves your mind-body connection, giving you a better awareness of your own body. During yoga, you learn to make small, subtle movements to improve your alignment, putting you in better touch with your physical body. You also learn to accept your body as it is without judgment. Over time, this leads to feeling more comfortable in your own body, boosting your self-confidence.
Boosts Heart Health
Heart disease is the leading cause of death worldwide and research shows that yoga can potentially help to prevent it. Yoga is good for your heart because it increases circulation and blood flow. For instance, a 2015 study found that a year of yoga improved cardiovascular risk factors like obesity and high blood pressure among older adults with metabolic syndrome. The study authors concluded that yoga can be a complementary treatment to managing this condition.
Improves Sleep
Many people who practice yoga report that it helps them to sleep better and a large body of scientific evidence supports this claim. A review of 49 studies involving more than 4,500 participants determined that mind-body practices like meditation or yoga can be beneficial to those with insomnia and other sleep disorders.
Yoga for Beginners: What You Should Know Before Your First Class
New to yoga? Here’s what you need to know before you try out a class.
1. Check out the class ahead of time. Observe a class and interview the teacher if possible. Even if the class is labeled beginner, you may want to investigate further. It may be that the class is beginner-level, but not intended to be the first class someone ever takes. Sometimes beginner classes are designed for younger or fitter people or even people with a little yoga experience. If possible, talk to the instructor or watch a portion or all of the class before you take it.
2. Try a slower-moving class or one designed for beginners. Make sure the teacher encourages people to listen to their bodies. “You should feel supported in just doing what you feel comfortable doing on any given day. You don’t want a class that feels like a competition, especially if you’re a beginner.
3. Communicate with the instructor. Introduce yourself to the instructor before class starts and let him or her know it’s your first class. If you have any injuries or chronic conditions, you should let your instructor know that too. They have the training to help you modify the poses to help prevent injury.
4. Don’t sweat the small stuff. Remember, everyone was a beginner at some point. It doesn’t have to be complicated; you don’t have to have special clothing or props; it can be a very simple practice. Yoga is about finding peace at the moment.
What are the Risks of Yoga?
Yoga is generally considered a safe form of physical activity for healthy people when performed properly, under the guidance of a qualified instructor. However, as with other forms of physical activity, injuries can occur. The most common injuries are sprains and strains, and the parts of the body most commonly injured are the knee or lower leg. Serious injuries are rare. The risk of injury associated with yoga is lower than that for higher-impact physical activities Older adults may need to be particularly cautious when practicing yoga. The rate of yoga-related injuries treated in emergency departments is higher in people aged 65 and older than in younger adults.
To reduce your chances of getting hurt while doing yoga:
- Practice yoga under the guidance of a qualified instructor. Practicing yoga by self-study without supervision has been associated with increased risks.
- If you’re new to yoga, avoid extreme practices such as headstands, shoulder stands, the lotus position, and forceful breathing.
- Be aware that hot yoga has special risks related to overheating and dehydration.
- Pregnant women, older adults, and people with health conditions should talk with their healthcare providers and yoga instructor about their individual needs. They may need to avoid or modify some yoga poses and practices. Some of the health conditions that may call for yoga modifications include preexisting injuries, such as knee or hip injuries, lumbar spine disease, severe high blood pressure, balance issues, and glaucoma.
How to Find a Yoga Class Near You
There are a few things to keep in mind as you begin your search for a yoga class that fits your schedule and your needs.
- Try to find a studio or class that’s convenient for your home or work. You don’t want to get to yoga class to be a source of stress.
- An online search could be a good way to see what’s in your area, as well as a way to find out what other people think of the studio.
- Observe and try different classes. There are many, many styles of yoga, and lots of studios allow students to have their first class free.
- Find a community of like-minded people where you feel comfortable and supported.
- Make sure that the teacher is well-trained and qualified. Check out the credentials and what kind of training is required at the studio. Having a well-trained teacher is important, especially if you have physical limitations or a chronic health condition.
- Don’t be afraid to experiment. Ideally, you should try out a few different teachers and styles.
- Be consistent. Once you find a teacher or class that you love, commit to it. Stick with it and attend class a few times a week.
What to Wear to Your Yoga Class
Start with loose clothing and a yoga mat (if one is not provided at the class), as well as a willingness to try what may seem strange at first. Yoga is very much about tuning into the sensations inside the body. Some people are not comfortable with this and sometimes are frightened by the new experiences, which is why an open mind is probably the most important thing you could take with you. Once you’ve got comfortable, then you can start thinking about investing in some more advanced Yoga kit.
Active wear and sports intimates have come a long way since the days of wearing a loose oversized cotton t-shirt and shorts with more than two conventional holes to put your legs through. Today, particularly yoga equipment, comes in a range of colors and designs, with some high-end brands offering fabrics that possess multi-stretch and sweat-wicking properties allowing you to stay comfortable and dry during practice.
However, not all textiles perform the same way. Owing to their structure, many have unique properties and behave completely differently from others. When choosing certain clothes to work out in, you have to bear in mind that it is the type of fiber, fabric structure, and weight that are the most important parameters when wearing them for their intended purpose.
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The content herein is provided for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Medical information changes constantly, and therefore the content on this website should not be assumed to be current, complete or exhaustive. Always seek the advice of your doctor before starting or changing treatment. If you think you may have a medical emergency, please call your doctor or 9-1-1 (in the United States) immediately.