The Ancient Healer for the Mind, Body & Soul
At one point in our lives we come across a “it’s too good to be true” moment on our healthy lifestyle journey… like loosing 20 pounds, in 1 month, with no exercise; or reinstating all your self-love and self-esteem with no therapy or serious life changes…Nine times out of ten, there’s almost always a catch, and its generally not a healthy one.
But... there is one technique that has been able to sustain the body, mind and soul SIMULTANEOUSLY for over 5,000 years now… and, anyone can do it!
any guesses?
.
.
.
Y O G A.
yup, seriously.
Now right about now you are either with me, like, "yeeah, girl!! I FEEL YOU! YOGA IS AWESOME!"
or you're like, "you mean that one thing where you lay on the floor and think of nothing"....
Well, either way, hear me out....haa.
For starters, there is definitely WAY MORE to yoga than laying on the floor. And there is in fact, a method to the madness. For those of you who aren’t YogiBears and may not know all the ins and outs of the practice... AND... for those of you who are yogibears, but want to know more about the benefits of yoga and see my master yogi list, well, keep on reading...
Like I said, yoga feeds the mind ,body and soul. It’s a workout that combines strengthening and stretching poses with deep breathing and meditation practice.
There are more than 100 different forms of yoga. Some are fast-paced and intense. Others are gentle and relaxing. Each serve a special purpose and are designed to focus on a particular area or aspect in life.
Now since I LOOOOVE yoga and truly believe it's a practice EVERYONE needs to be aware of, I took it upon myself to create a” super awesome, master yogi list” of the TOP TEN types of yoga. That way, you can figure out what kind of yoga speaks to you, and then get on it!
So, let's get to it...
- H A T H A
This type of yoga is considered the most widely practiced form of yoga. It is a simple and slow paced, which makes this type of yoga ideal for beginners. This practice is also designed to align and calm all three elements (mind, body and soul) to prepare for meditation.
- B I K R A M
This type of yoga is commonly known as “hot yoga”. It is very straightforward when it comes to what to expect. The room is heated to 95-100 degrees (35-38 celsius) and includes 26 poses with two breathing exercises. The heated room allows the body to stretch, detoxify, tone, destress, and heal. This type of yoga is recommended for those who have practiced before and are in general good health.
- A S H T A N G A
This is a free flowing and energetic type of yoga that is quite physically demanding. The practice is designed to create an internal heat to purify the body from the inside out. Those looking to loose weight or increase their overall fitness, this is the yoga for you!
- V I N Y A S A
Vinyasa Yoga is well known for its fluidity. This practice focuses on poses that can quickly flow into one another being connected by the breath. The synchronization of breathing and movement is powerful and easily achieved by anyone at any fitness level.
- P O W E R
Power Yoga is a fast paced, intense practice. There is no set sequence, as teachers usually design their own. This practice focuses on building strength , stamina and flexibility. The face paced motion teaches students to synchronize their breather with their movement.
- K U N D A L I N I
Blending the physical and spiritual, Kundalini yoga focus on the “ Root Chakra “ or around the lower abdomen and back.Meditation, dynamic breathing and chanting mantras are used to increase consciousness. The balance between mind and body is the goal of this type of practice.
- Y I N
A passive practice that focuses on strengthening and restoring your connective tissue and fascia. This practice is helpful for those whom have troubles sitting or would like to sit more comfortably. Poses are held between three to five minutes. Props are used to help your body release into the posture.
- I Y E N G A R
Similar to Yin yoga, Iyengar is also based on holding poses for long periods of time. Often times, props are used to assist students to further their practice. Posture and precision are the main focal points of this type practice. By paying such close attention, mental and physical strength, flexibility, stability and awareness are expanded.
- A N U S A R A
Founded in 1997, by John Friend, this spiritual practice is designed to open up the heart. It is commonly referred to as “modern day Hatha”. Anusara means, “flowing with grace”, “going with the flow”, “following your heart”. Who wouldn’t want to do this kind of yoga?!?
- R E S T O R A T I V E
This sedentary practice is heavily focused on relaxation. Various props, such as eye pillows, blankets and cushions are used to promote ultimate serenity. With only five to six poses, restorative yoga allows your body to rest, allowing your mind to cleanse. This is perfect for anyone who endures stress, or simply wants to feel rejuvenated! And there you have it! A slice of the "yogi pie".Now I won't ask you to make up your mind about yoga right now or point you in the direction of a studio (although, I do have some local recs if you are looking...).However, I will ask you to try and open your mind to the thought. Open your mind to the possibilities and positivity that flows from the practice. Give back some time to yourself and nourish those three essential parts of your being, mind, body and soul. I will be sharing my yoga journey in the net few weeks and I invite you all to join with me!Namaste & grow with the flowxxC. 