Doll Face Style Scoop

If you wish to deepen your yoga practice and feel it on a different level, you should definitely try to use certain tricks to wake up all of your senses before or during the class, and some of the ideas are listed below.

1.    See

Yoga practitioners are often encouraged to practice with their eyes closed, but looking at the right things could actually set up the foundations for meditation. When practicing outside, gaze at the mountains, clouds, sea, trees or whatever you find interesting in the nature around you. On the other hand, if you are practicing in a room, set up some dim lighting, experiment with colored light bulbs, or just open the windows to look outside.

2.    Hear

Music is rarely left out of the public yoga classes because it helps people calm their thoughts and focus more on their breath. You should try and do this at your home practice as well. Choose one of the many pre-made playlists for yoga and relaxation online, or even better, invest some time and create your own set of songs out of all the music you enjoy practicing and resting too. Also, try to listen to your own voice while chanting mantras as this can be extremely enjoyable.

3.    Touch

Yoga is already felt through the sense of touch. You can feel different parts of your body while going through the postures. But, this can be brought to a higher level with massage. Ask someone to push your body deeper in the postures lightly, and the energy of their touch will make you more relaxed and vigilant. You can also practice self-massage; gently massage different parts of your body in a direction towards the heart, or press acupressure points based on your own specific needs.

4.    Smell 

There are many ways to incorporate the sense of smell into yoga practice. For example, scented incenses are very popular in public yoga classes. If you are burning an incense in a small room, open your windows since having an incense can get very intense and make the space stuffy. Scented candles are inexpensive and are always a good choice; and, they also add a bit of dim light to the room. But if you just need a little boost at the beginning of the practice, put a drop of essential oil on your palms; rub them and place this on your face. It will have a strong effect and set your attention inward. Scents can activate different emotions, so educate yourself and choose wisely.

5.    Taste

It is not recommended to eat nearing a yoga class, but making a little tea ceremony before practice will have a significant positive influence on it. Pick only the highest quality teas and choose wisely. Different types of teas are used for stimulation and relaxation. If available, pick fried leaves instead of tea bags; pour hot water on them and then drain them after only 10 to 20 seconds for a better effect and drink this while hot.

There’s no shortage of solutions for the right ways to stylishly pair your Capri leggings with tunics, wedges, or oversized sweatshirts. Fashion-conscious yogis adore the versatility that capris offer their wardrobe, whether they are only going to the studio or heading out for an evening date. The real question is: do you know how not to wear your Capri leggings?

If you’ve been thinking about taking the plunge to wear your Capri leggings, make sure you take a look at these fashion faux pas before you leave the house.

Don’t go crazy with prints.

Have you been considering a bolder fashion statement with your yoga leggings? For some yogis, their apparel is a way for them to embrace self-acceptance. Patterns can represent bold, outgoing personalities that stand out from the crowd. If you fall into this category, keep in mind that all of your prints should be well-balanced.

A print on one item in your outfit is more than enough to make you original. If you opt for patterned capris, make sure that you tone them down just a bit with solid colors elsewhere. A solid-colored top in a matching color may be a good choice if your personality suits lots of bright colors. Others will want to choose dark tops to balance out the bright colors on their bottom half.

Don’t purchase low-quality leggings.

This is a great fashion reminder for all capri leggings. You don’t want to purchase low-quality leggings because they won’t hold up as well to continued movements. Capris leggings should be able to withstand plenty of rigorous movement if you plan to wear them for your practice. Not only that, but the fabric should be thick enough to keep everything underneath your leggings hidden. A standing forward bend shouldn’t give your classmate a front row seat to what you have beneath.

Stick with good-quality name brands when you purchase your leggings, like 90 Degree by Reflex.

Don’t carry your gym bag around town.

If you plan to take your Capri leggings off the yoga mat and put them into good use elsewhere, remember to bring something other than a gym bag. Your leggings will look much classier without the bulk of a gym bag advertising their primary purpose. Not only is it cumbersome to carry a gym bag around town, but it also adds a significantly more casual feel to your capris leggings instead of a polished appearance.

Put a small handbag with your essentials inside your gym bag if you know that you will be going out later. This allows you to leave the gym bag in your car at your next destination while still keeping all of your necessities by your side.

Yogis who want to use their fashion to express themselves on and off the mat should pay close attention to these guidelines. Keep your Capri leggings from looking frumpy or outdated with these helpful tips on the best ways not to wear them.

We all have fears and our own ways of dealing with them. We’ve grown up with them, developed them somewhere along the way, or hidden them so well that we’ve forgotten they were there. But we have a couple of them we need to learn to overcome, or at the very least, learn to live with. The stress and anxiety from fears can have many physical manifestations. One thing that yoga teaches you is that whenever you start getting anxious or stressed, learn to manage your breath. As unlikely a solution as it is for most people, it’s awareness and managing your breathing patterns that help address these symptoms.

So grab your yoga pants or workout clothes and let’s get comfortable.

Restorative Yoga

A version of yoga highly accessible for everyone as it has different variations of reclined, seated or prone poses. Here’s a simple sequence to get you started:

Janu Sirsasana

1. Sit on a folded blanket with your legs straight out in front of you.
2. Bend your right knee and place the sole of your foot against your left inner thigh.
3. Stack 1 to 3 blocks in front of your right shin to rest your forehead on top of.
4. Have your arms rest by the sides with your palms turned up.
5. Set the timer for 5-7 minutes and close your eyes.
6. Do the other side.

Reclined Twists

You’ll need two blocks and a bolster.

1. Place one block the second height at the back of your mat and set the other block the shortest height 5 inches away from the first block and closer to you.
2. Rest the bolster on top like a slide.
3. Sit with your legs folded together and sit really close to the bolster with your right hip next to the lower edge.
4. Place your hands on either side of the bolster.
5. Inhale and extend your chest up, turn your torso further to the right, and lay your chest and upper body on it.
6. If it’s comfortable for your neck, look over your right shoulder.
7. If not, turn it to the left.
8. Arms rest at the sides at a comfortable distance for you.
9. Set the timer for 5-7 minutes.
10. Close your eyes and rest.
11. Do the other side.

Supta Baddha Konasana

1. Keep the blocks and bolster set up and grab another pair of blocks or pillows.
2. Sit with your back turned away from the bolster with your tailbone close to the setup but not sitting on it.
3. Bend your knees and open them to the sides to rest the soles of your feet together.
4. Prop both legs with pillows underneath the thighs and recline onto the bolster.
5. Set the timer for 5-7 minutes.
6. Close your eyes and turn your palms to face up.
7. Rest.

Pranayama

Breathing exercises are helpful and a way to self-soothe. Prenatal yoga is an excellent example of how it creates a more peaceful atmosphere for what could potentially be stressful.

2-to-1 Breathing

1. Sit upright and you can have a blanket to sit on.
2. Make sure your head and spine are aligned.
3. Place one hand on your belly and another on your chest.
4. Notice if you’re breathing more through the chest or through your belly and start transitioning into breathing through your belly more.
5. Count silently 1 to 3 for your inhales, and then, count 1 to 6 on your exhales.
6. Contract your belly to prolong your exhales.
7. Do 15-20 rounds.

How can yoga improve heart health? In recent years, yoga has become one of the most popular ways to stay fit in the modern world. Yoga originated, in India, as a form of physical and mental health maintenance, in hopes of attaining total peace. However, you do not have to be a guru to experience the many health benefits of a yoga routine. The modern lifestyle is often far from healthy. From the foods we eat, to the activities we take part in, many people eventually suffer from a heart-related illness. Luckily, the yoga trend is here to help.

Yoga and Heart Health

Yoga focuses on flexibility, breathing, and heart rate. All these things relate to heart health. The light exercise and stretching of a yoga routine have been known to lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of developing a cardiovascular disease. These activities exercise and strengthen the heart, lowering the chance of a heart attack in patients with existing heart problems.

Yoga is essentially the perfect exercise. Yoga teaches people to listen to their bodies, rather than some intense trainer who teaches from personal experiences. Every human body is unique and requires unique care. When you become more in tune with your body, you can avoid injury and still get the exercise you need to improve your heart health.

The Therapeutic Benefits of Yoga

Patients, who suffer from a heart attack, will benefit greatly from yoga. Surgery helps in an immediate sense, but people with cardiovascular diseases must change their lifestyle if they expect to get better. Heart attack patients, who practice a regular yoga routine, are far less likely to experience another heart attack or develop any other heart problems. This is because yoga strengthens the heart and promotes physical fitness.

Practicing yoga and staying fit helps to lower cholesterol and balance blood sugar levels. There is no better preventative care when it comes to cardiovascular health. Yoga can be practiced through many levels of intensity. The young and the elderly, alike, can find a routine that works for them. A yoga instructor focuses on what individuals need. Patience is major parts of yoga, so there is no pressure to push yourself farther than you are willing to go.

Yoga Causes Change

The human body is a complex organism. Every little detail has an impact. Cardiovascular diseases are often cause by years of inactivity and poor dietary choices. Yoga is a great way for inactive people to gradually train their bodies and minds at a reasonable pace. Yoga reduces stress, which lowers blood pressure and helps patients to relax and stay focused. Try a yoga routine today and find out first-hand how simple it can be to take control of your health.

Yoga Today for Heart Health

In the world today, there is little question as to why there is such a high prominence of heart problems in adults, and in children and teenagers as well. More individuals than ever are reporting a high level of stress, increased work hours, and significantly decreased leisure time. All of this is a great burden on even the hardiest individual, and the heart is the organ that suffers the most during times of high stress. The long-term effects on the heart can be detrimental. Preventing heart disease is absolutely easier than treating it, and many people are unaware of one of the easiest methods available to keep their hearts safe.

The Numbers Don’t Lie

The number of people, who suffer heart attacks each year, in the United States alone, is disquieting. A statement released by the American Heart Association indicates that there are a recorded 1.5 million heart attacks in the United States each year; and this is not a completely accurate indicator, as many small heart attacks remain undiagnosed and, as a result, are not reported. This number is best used as a base reference, because this number includes all reported heart attacks, whether they are fatal or mild. Obtaining a statistic on the number of individual Americans who suffered heart attacks within the span of a year would be difficult, if not impossible.

Where Does Yoga Fit?

Yoga provides a significant improvement to heart health with regular practice. One of the main benefits of yoga is improved circulation, and circulation issues are responsible for the majority of heart attacks. There is decreased blood pressure and cholesterol, increased oxygen flow to the organs and tissues, and improved vessel health and elasticity. The decrease in stress levels, that is associated with yoga, will also greatly improve heart health. For these reasons and more, therapeutic yoga can be used to preserve, or improve, heart health in both people who have and have not had a heart attack.

Using therapeutic yoga poses involves primarily those that open the chest and shoulders. These poses are usually those that are standing or bending, and they should be held for extended periods of time with slow, deep breathing to allow for more oxygen intake. Standing and bending poses also help tone cardiac muscle. The mountain pose, the tree pose, and the cat stretch pose can be used therapeutically to greatly benefit circulation and help to prevent the onset or further development of heart disease.

The yoga newcomer grabs a mat off the stack at the studio. Her yoga journey as such has only begun, and she is not sold on the practice. She might call the whole thing off. The mats at the studio are the same shade of periwinkle as those carried by other class participants. These mats are fine, thinks the yoga newcomer. Didn’t the gym authority figure describe the strict sanitary procedures for cleaning these mats? Nevertheless, the yoga newcomer observes the care the other classmates take with their mats. She watches them tote their mats to and from class and decides this activity is too much of an investment in the practice of yoga for her. She cannot see the point. She is not that woman—the mat-carrier—and nor does she care to be. The yoga newcomer is not the type to gossip, but she suspects the mat-carriers carry the mats so that the others might see them carry their mats, and know they are on their way to yoga.

Several weeks pass. The yoga newcomer is no longer new, and nobody is more surprised than she. Whilst in the corpse pose, a vivid picture presents itself to her of the tens, or hundreds of pairs of bare, sweaty, possibly ringworm-laden feet that stand on the very mat where her not-so-new-to-yoga head now rests. She worries over the feet of multitudes when she should be surrendering all thoughts of her day, casting aside worry, and achieving a quiet neutrality.

The yoga no-longer-newcomer shall buy herself a mat. At a big box store, the yoga no-longer newcomer spies a slice of tell-tale periwinkle mixed in with carabiner clips and hand weights. The price is not bad. Not bad, that is, if you aren’t morally opposed to buying a personal yoga mat. And yet the yoga no-longer-newcomer buys the mat, and brings it along to class, chagrined to have at long last become one of the mat-carriers after all. She is, as it turns out, that woman.

The yoga no-longer-newcomer, assuming her mat troubles are over, skips along to class, mat-in-hand.

Poor yoga no-longer-newcomer! She knows nothing of the hierarchy of mats, the mat break-in period, or the towel-over-mat practice, and soon finds herself slick with sweat, slipping off her mat in the middle of a difficult floor pose. The sweat worries the yoga no-longer-newcomer. She’s distracted—she knows she’s losing her grip. She knows she will fall.

Had the yoga no-longer-newcomer humbled herself in front of one of those mat carriers, she might have learned something. She might have known that, even allowing for a period of time to break-in a mat, some mats maintain better grip than others. One of the mat-carriers might have clued her in to the towel-over-the-mat practice or told her about the rubberized towels that provide extra traction. She might have heard solutions for fixing the mat free of charge.

The yoga newcomer was arrogant. Don’t be like this poor yoga newcomer.

There are plenty of yoga types out there but you shouldn’t feel confused by them. You are probably wondering how you can tell the difference between Ashtanga and Anasura yoga. We did our research and put together the following types of yoga, which are among the most popular ones. Hopefully, this will help you on your trip to yoga bliss.

The Most Common Yoga Types to Know About

Let’s take a look at four most common yoga types that you should know about. Some of them are great for beginners.

1. Ashtanga Yoga

This yoga type is built on wise ancient yoga teachings. Still, it wasn’t popular in the Western countries until the 1970s.

During this sequence, one must rigorously follow specific postures. Every pose or movement is linked to a breath. It is quite a demanding practice.

Check out the video below to learn the basic moves if you’re a beginner.

2. Anasura Yoga

Anasura is a more modern type of yoga. It was developed in 1997, by John Friend, an American yogi.

Although it is a relatively new practice in the world of yoga, it has rapidly gained popularity among yoga enthusiasts due to its concept and ideology.

Anasura bases its practice on the belief that all people have an intrinsic goodness. Through Anasura the students learn how to open their hearts and experience grace.

The following video will help you get into Anasura yoga; it is a complete class with Marie Lumholtz, a certified yoga instructor.

3. Iyengar Yoga

This is an incredibly meticulous yoga style. Students are meant to find their body’s proper alignment in each pose of this sequence.

To organize this yoga type, studios use all kind of props such as straps, blocks, chairs, and even bolsters.

Iyengar involves a lot of staying put poses which is quite challenging, to be honest. It is a great option for those who suffer from a chronic condition or injury.

If you’re not already familiar with this type of yoga, take a look at the following introduction video which explains what makes this method so unique.

4. Bikram Yoga

If you choose to do this yoga style to burn calories, rest assured! You will definitely sweat a lot. The class will challenge both your mind and body. An interesting fact is that classes are held in heated rooms.

There are 26 different poses as well as two breathing techniques in this type of yoga.

It lasts 90 minutes and its main purpose is weight loss and flushing toxins.

Maggie Grove is a certified Bikram yoga instructor, check out one of her classes below. Perhaps you will fall in love with this type of yoga.

Types of Yoga That Match Different Experience Levels

No matter what level you are in, during yoga you need to focus on your breathing mostly as well as on your posture and balance. Moreover, all levels and types have the goal of providing a centered peace and calm. The best yoga types for beginners are those that have easier asanas (sequences) such as the already mentioned Iyengar or Ashtanga.

If you’ve already reached the intermediate level, you should definitely try more complex sequences like Bikram. Either way, make sure to start learning yoga with a trained and experienced teacher who will know how to properly correct your body position and breathing technique.

Summing It Up

So, you have finally decided to do yoga but you aren’t really sure what type of yoga to try first? We hope this article will help you make well-informed decisions that will completely change your life for the better.

If you have already experienced one or more of these yoga styles, feel free to share your insights with us, in the comment section. Thanks for reading!