Yoga and Stress Relief
By: Susan Hutson
When it comes to physical exercise, some people thrive on the grunting and grinding of competitive sports. But not all exercise needs to be so extreme. Recently more and more people are discovering and thriving on the quieter body-mind workout provided by yoga…
Yoga is an ancient Hindu practice of physical, spiritual and mental exercise designed to promote relaxation, flexibility and wellness. Apart from the physical workout it gives by building strength, endurance, flexibility and opening muscles to improve one’s posture, it requires deep breathing and often guides people through periods of meditation.
Has the real philosophy behind yoga simply been eclipsed by our material focused culture? Can this ancient practice maintain deeper philosophical roots in our contemporary landscape of fast-food, want and desire? In fact, can we experience something like ‘happiness’ through Yoga?
Yoga transforms people without them expecting to be transformed. Whatever your initial motivations may have been to go to a yoga class, once you start practicing yoga, you can’t help but become more aware of how you live, what you eat, where your clothing comes from and how you treat the people in your life. And with this growing self-awareness also comes a sense of self-acceptance, and a movement towards balancing our innate competitive drive that so often drives us to a point of exhaustion. In fact there are only two possible outcomes when you override contentment with a competitive attitude in your yoga practice: either you get hurt, or you get injured and quit.
Though it seams particularly relevant in our present-day era of eighty-hour work-weeks and expansionism at any cost, this idea of finding balance through physical yoga is ancient. The fundamental purpose of yoga is to realize and experience the truth of who we are, and yoga teaches that happiness as an inherent component of our true identity.
We don’t always feel comfortable in our bodies. We don’t always feel content in our minds. And we often don’t feel connected and at home in the world. The different yoga practices are all meant to reveal our physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, and interpersonal blockage that prevents us from experiencing our inner peace. A disciplined practice of yoga may allow our body to become stronger and supple, it is through transformation of mind and the opening of our heart that we can access happiness.
Of course, yoga is not simply a physical exercise, but a holistic philosophy of body, mind and spirit. Anyone with a stressful work life can benefit from its calm, meditative classes. Just an hour at the end of a long day can magically quiet the niggling voices and aggressive work attitude and bring a more positive outlook and refreshed mood.
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What Exactly Is A Yoga Swing?
by: Christopher Jay
Yoga has become one of the fastest growing exercise industries. Through the system of stretches you can incorporate many tools and props into your routine. One type of prop is a yoga swing. If you are intrigued by yoga and interested in becoming more educated on what yoga, and particularly what a yoga swing, can do for you continue on.
The Yoga Swing
Your basic yoga swing is constructed using an over head pull up bar, six individual handles that are attached to nylon rope and either a cushion or nylon sling. The swing has adjustable heights beginning at your feet level, then mid-level, and an overhead setting.
Now you can suspend the yoga swing. You can use a sturdy extension spring and hang it from an optional pyramid shaped support structure that can be made from either hardwood or aluminum poles. All of the handles and the pelvic sling can be adjusted for the perfect height. Using a spring with the pyramid support structure allows you great maneuverability. This flexibility gives you the ability to get into any position that you would like.
You can choose a posture or movement that requires you to be completely off the ground, or you can use the sling and rope handles in conjunction with one arm or leg so that you are only partially suspend. It just depends on what position you need to accomplish.
Using a swing is a great addition to your regular yoga routine. It allows you the choice of suspending forward or backwards during an inversion. It will also give you the ability to rotate your trunk or flex while being inverted. These types of stretches will strengthen your muscles, and increase your joint mobility in your spine.
A yoga swing can be a great way to get the most out of your yoga routine but it can also be a great source of recreation for both adults and kids. Whether you are just beginning to learn about yoga, or you are a veteran you should certainly consider adding a swing to your workout routing. It will immediately have a dramatic effect on your workout. It gives you the ability to accentuate all the postures and positions which in turn strengthens your body and dramatically increases your flexibility.
Now is a great time to seriously learn about a yoga swing. There is a tremendous amount of enjoyment to be had by yourself and the whole family. Bring some health into your home today.
About the Author:
Christopher Jay has much more information available at Yoga Health Benefits .com Yoga swings, supplies and plenty of information are available.. Come and visit us today.
