YOGA

What is YOGA?

Yoga (/ˈjoʊɡə/ (🔊listen); Sanskrit: योग, lit. 'yoke' or 'union' pronounced [joːɡɐ]) is a group of physical, mental, and spiritual practices or disciplines which originated in ancient India and aim to control (yoke) and still the mind, recognizing a detached witness-consciousness untouched by the mind (Chitta) and mundane suffering (Duḥkha). There is a wide variety of schools of yoga, practices, and goals in Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism, and traditional and modern yoga is practiced worldwide.

Goals of YOGA

The ultimate goals of yoga are stilling the mind and gaining insight, resting in detached awareness, and liberation (Moksha) from saṃsāra and duḥkha: a process (or discipline) leading to unity (Aikyam) with the divine (Brahman) or with one's Self (Ātman). This goal varies by philosophical or theological system. In the classical Astanga yoga system, the ultimate goal of yoga is to achieve samadhi and remain in that state as pure awareness.

You don’t need anything to start a yoga practice, but here’s what you may want as you progress.

• No Sock, No Shoes, No Problem: Yoga is generally practiced in bare feet on a mat. Socks are slippery, which is why wearing them is not recommended. If you really want to wear socks, look for sports socks that have rubber grips on the soles.
• Yoga Mats: Most yoga studios and gyms offer mats, but many yoga students prefer to buy a mat, for hygiene and because mats differ in material, density and stickiness. You may find you develop a strong preference for a certain type of mat. Choose a mat that prevents you from slipping and sliding, as that will give you a stable base for transitioning from one pose to the next. Clean your mat regularly with antibacterial wipes. If you plan to rent mats at your studio or gym, it would be a good idea to carry around a small packet of antibacterial wipes to clean your rental mat.
• Clothes: Comfortable clothing is recommended. Any workout clothes would generally work well for a yoga class. However, clothing that is too loose-fitting may get in the way if you progress into headstand and handstand poses.

10 Yoga Poses You Need to Know

Yoga for everyone

The building blocks of yoga are poses. These are good ones to learn as you build a regular yoga practice.

These 10 poses are a complete yoga workout. Move slowly through each pose, remembering to breathe as you move. Pause after any pose you find challenging, especially if you are short of breath, and start again when your breathing returns to normal. The idea is to hold each pose for a few, slow breaths before moving on to the next one.

Child's Pose

This calming pose is a good default pause position. You can use child’s pose to rest and refocus before continuing to your next pose. It gently stretches your lower back, hips, thighs, knees and ankles and relaxes your spine, shoulders and neck.

• Do it: When you want to get a nice gentle stretch through your neck spine and hips.
• Skip it: If you have knee injuries or ankle problems. Avoid also if you have high blood pressure or are pregnant.
• Modify: You can rest your head on a cushion or block. You can place a rolled towel under your ankles if they are uncomfortable.
• Be mindful: Focus on relaxing the muscles of the spine and lower back as you breathe.

Downward-Facing Dog

Downward-facing dog strengthens the arms, shoulders and back while stretching the hamstrings, calves and arches of your feet. It can also help relieve back pain.

• Do it: To help relieve back pain.
• Skip it: This pose is not recommended if you have carpal tunnel syndrome or other wrist problems, have high blood pressure or are in the late stages of pregnancy.
• Modify: You can do the pose with your elbows on the ground, which takes the weight off your wrists. You can also use blocks under your hands, which may feel more comfortable.
• Be mindful: Focus on distributing the weight evenly through your palms and lifting your hips up and back, away from your shoulders.

Plank Pose

A commonly seen exercise, plank helps build strength in the core, shoulders, arms and legs.

• Do it: Plank pose is good if you are looking to tone your abs and build strength in your upper body.
• Skip it: Avoid plank pose if you suffer from carpal tunnel syndrome. It can be hard on your wrists. You might also skip it or modify if you have low back pain. pregnant.
• Modify: You can modify it by placing your knees on the floor.
• Be mindful: As you do a plank, imagine the back of your neck and spine lengthening.

Four-Limbed Staff Pose

This push-up variation follows plank pose in a common yoga sequence known as the sun salutation. It is a good pose to learn if you want to eventually work on more advanced poses, such as arm balances or inversions.

• Do it: Like plank, this pose strengthens arms and wrists and tones the abdomen.
• Skip it: If you have carpal tunnel syndrome, lower back pain, a shoulder injury or are pregnant.
• Modify: It’s a good idea for beginners to modify the pose by keeping your knees on the floor.
• Be mindful: Press your palms evenly into the floor and lift your shoulders away from the floor as you hold this pose.

Cobra Pose

This back-bending pose can help strengthen the back muscles, increase spinal flexibility and stretches the chest, shoulders and abdomen.

• Do it: This post is great for strengthening the back.
• Skip it: If you have arthritis in your spine or neck, a low-back injury or carpal tunnel syndrome.
• Modify: Just lift up a few inches, and don’t try to straighten your arms.
• Be mindful: Try to keep your navel drawing up away from the floor as you hold this pose.

Tree Pose

Beyond helping improve your balance, it can also strengthen your core, ankles, calves, thighs and spine.

• Do it: Great for working on your balance and posture.
• Skip it: You many want to skip this pose if you have low blood pressure or any medical conditions that affect your balance.
• Modify: Place one of your hands on a wall for support.
• Be mindful: Focus on your breath in and out as you hold this pose.

Triangle Pose

Triangle, which is a part of many yoga sequences helps build strength in the legs and stretches the hips, spine, chest, shoulders, groins, hamstrings and calves. It can also help increase mobility in the hips and neck.

• Do it: This pose is great for building strength and endurance.
• Skip it: Avoid this pose if you have a headache or low blood pressure.
• Modify: If you have high blood pressure, turn your head to gaze downward in the final pose. If you have neck problems, don’t turn your head to look upward; look straight ahead and keep both sides of the neck long.
• Be mindful: Keep lifting your raised arm toward the ceiling. It helps keep the pose buoyant.

Seated Half-Spinal Twist Pose

This twisting pose can increase the flexibility in your back, while stretching the shoulders, hips and chest. It can also help relieve tension in the middle of your back.

• Do it: To release tight muscles around the shoulders and upper and lower back.
• Skip it: If you have a back injury.
• Modify: If bending your right knee is uncomfortable, keep it straight out in front of you.
• Be mindful: Lift your torso with each inhale, and twist as you exhale.

Bridge Pose

This is a back-bending pose that stretches the muscles of the chest, back and neck. It also builds strength in the back and hamstring muscles.

• Do it: If you sit most of the day, this pose will help you open your upper chest.
• Skip it: Avoid this pose if you have a neck injury.
• Modify: Place a block between your thighs to help keep the legs and feet in proper alignment. Or you can place a block under your pelvis if your lower back is bothering you.
• Be mindful: While holding this pose, try to keep your chest lifted and your sternum toward your chin.

Corpse Pose

Like life, yoga classes typically end with this pose. It allows for a moment of relaxation, but some people find it difficult to stay still in this pose. However, the more you try this pose, the easier it is to sink into a relaxing, meditative state.

• Do it: Always!
• Skip it: If you don’t want to have a moment’s peace.
• Modify: Place a blanket under your head, if that feels more comfortable. You can also roll up a blanket and place that under your knees, if your lower back is sensitive or bothering you.
• Be mindful: Feel the weight of your body sinking into your mat one part at a time.