The Yoga rules

By Lenox Smith

For beginners, doing yoga may seem an impossible task. It might seem scary for people who have not tried doing this exercise. They might have seen men and women wearing almost nothing and are able to twist their bodies to positions that seem almost impossible.

Yoga is among the oldest practice for self-development. Its approach is gentle, helping even the stiffest bodies to yield and become flexible in a gentle way. The key to yoga is the non-competitive way of practice. Progress comes with regular practice. It does not come from sudden exercises that force the body into intense positions even if it is not ready yet. More like a work out system, people who do this exercise have made yoga a part of their daily life.

The results of these exercises are visible too. Greater flexibility, increase in muscle strength and an internal peace that is impossible to hide. Even though your family and friends will be unable to point out the changes, they will notice that something is different in you gradually.

Talking about yoga, the stances are identified as asanas while the breathing is known as pranayama. Both of these helps the yoga practitioner relax the body and mind at will, increase the vitality and flexibility, and a calm feeling at times of crisis. Having a frenzied society today, one can go through the stress and strains in life having inward confidence and inner peace.

For those who practice yoga with intent and focus daily, yoga will bring confidence and clearness of mind. In practicing yoga, the most efficient time of day to do it is during early hours of the day. However, some people will have stiff bodies and aches during this time, so practicing yoga will come in the later hours of the day. Yoga can be done any time of the day depending on the physique and agenda of the practitioner.

Yoga has no limitations on to who can and who cannot practice it. What is needed is the desire and intent to learn. With respect to the age or disability, the movements will be slower. However, progress is still guaranteed even if the movements are slower.

It is ideal and beneficial for starters to attend yoga classes. There, they will experience the guidance of experts when it comes to the proper posture alignment. They will also be taught about the benefits of each individual stance. The instructors can also demonstrate each stance from early stages to higher stages.

In some cases, like pregnancy, there are stances that are to be avoided. It is significant to let the instructors be aware of any illness or condition. This is to ensure the safety of practitioners.

Yoga is a nice practice due to the fact that it can be done just anywhere and anytime. You can practice at home, at the office, the beach and even at the backyard, though it is expected that people passing by will surely take a curious glance.

Want to read more articles on yoga for health? Lenox Smith has a website dedicated to various topics of alternative health. You can visit his website by going to: http://onalternativemedicines.com