Yoga

Question: yoga???...? anyone no of some good sites that can help me out with my work out i want to start doing yoga and/or platies to get a little more fit and i cant find any videos or tips.. help?

Answer: Okay,so we have no yoga instructors out here so I've been using videos. Go to www.collagevideo.com and they have a bunch of yoga dvd's you can purchase. Check www.YogaJournal.com they have a bunch of article and also see www.totalvid.com,you can down load workouts to your computer. Good luck

Question: YOGA???????????????????????????? I am 19 and am considering starting yoga, and i have a few questions: *I have always been thin an fit, but i am not very flexible. can i still do yoga, and with time, will yoga make me more flexible?? *Is 19 too old to begin?? *Is yoga fun?? thanks everybody!!!!

Answer: Yoga is an awesome workout. Yes, workout, meaning, you'll burn lots of calories doing it. All those balance and stretching movements are like micro-muscle workouts. All your little muscles twitching and holding you in position takes lots of energy. Any routine that requires balance, is a "core" workout. (midsection). You may not feel like your keeping up for the first week or so - but i promise - you'll get Flexible plenty fast. Is it fun? That's really up to you to decide. It's one of those love it or hate it things. As a gymnast, im flexible already - but nothing close to yoga queens. Im always "OMG..That move isn't possible!" . lol This keeps it fun and challenging for me. 19 too old? Hardly. At our gym, we have 60-70 yr olds (woman AND men) joining yoga.

Question: YOga???!!!!? Yoga ?? for the ones that are doing it now? OK I am starting yoga, and I am wondering about something.. I have a good amount of weight to lose I do an exercise program as well as eating right to lose it slowly and gradually to keep it off.. Now my ?? is, is that I wanted to start yoga to become more flixible.. Does that mean that yoga also helps with skin elasticity.??? I am wondering cause of the fact that my biggest fear is getting saggy skin, soo I am trying to find all the things u can do while losing to try the hardest to keep from getting loose skin.. Just to give some back ground cause u guys normally state the obvious.. I am 22 I have a little more than a Hundred pounds to get to where I need to be... i am 5 9... Soo again the main ?? here is, can yoga help with skin to make it more elastic......???? I hope soo... lol....

Answer: Hi Hon, Yoga will help with it as much as it can. It stimulates blood flow to the smaller capillaries, including those in the surface of the skin. Making sure you are breathing correctly is most important in yoga, as it carries the oxygen to the muscles and areas that usually don't get much, and it also helps to "squeeze" out areas that contain stale blood, providing fresh blood and oxygen to the areas. Twisting poses do this most effectively, but all are beneficial. As for having saggy skin, you will have some in your weight loss, as the skin is slower to recover than the muscles and the rest of the body as you lose weight. Don't despair, keep up the exercise and the yoga and it will eventually become firmer, it will just take a long time. I suggest you visit http://www.sparkpeople.com and sign up, it's completely free, and join their forums and ask your question about loose skin there, to find out more from people who have experience with large amounts of weight loss and the resulting loose skin. They can tell you their success stories for helping them tighten up, and help you see also what you will have to accept. It's a great website to help people who are trying to live a healthier lifestyle. Good luck!

Question: YOGa??!??!?!?!!??!? im in a friggen fight with my friend and my other friend is with me and we are about to kill each other with stress...so we want exercises that will make us...HAPPY=] THANKSq!?!?!?!?!?

Answer: kickboxing and Yoga/Pilates...

Question: How much yoga does it take to become a yoga pro? I've been doing yoga for a while, and I definitly can feel a deference in how I am able to move now. The guys on my yoga tapes are bendy to the extreme though. Any yoga gurus out there, please let me know how many months, years, etc. it takes to have a great range of motion, and a ton of flexibility.

Answer: It's a case by case basis. Being a 'yoga pro' isn't about bendibility. The fact is we are born with a set range of motion. The muscles hold about 20% of the flexibility. The ligaments only 4%. So, once you've worked out all the flexibility that is being held in the muscules, you only have 4% left to go and if you go over that level, then you can hurt yourself and damage the ligaments (in other words, don't do it - don't over push yourself past pain ). The other thing about yoga is the spiritual aspect which comes with letting go of expectation, judgement and competition. This is more important than the flexibility and physical balance that we observe. So, once we've mastered those inner voices - once we've let go of those things like the ego which hold us back then, we may quite happily say that we've become 'yoga pros'... but at that point, when you've conquered these ego based attachments, you might not want to be a yoga pro anymore - and be just really happy with where you've come in your life. Write me if you have any more questions.

Question: How do I become a certified yoga instructor? I am interested in becoming a yoga instructor, specifically for prenatal and mommy and me yoga (also known as Itsy Bitsy Yoga in some places). I used to do yoga all the time and I am now getting back into it and my love for it keeps growing. I know it will take a long time, and I am starting by taking regular Hatha Yoga classes, I just want to know the steps I will need to take, and any tips from anyone who has been there.

Answer: Talk with your Yoga instructor to see how they were certified...and to see "if" they are certified, many are, but quite a few are not... You could also look online to see what the cert process is...try doing a google search on Yoga Certification and see what comes up...

Question: What is a good yoga video for beginners to use? I have recently become interested quite interested in yoga. Iv been doing a yoga Pilate's combination video for a while, but im not flexible enough to do it properly. I was wondering if anybody new any good yoga videos for increasing flexibility. Im pretty skinny so Im not really looking for a video that is trying to burn fat or increase weight loss. Thanks very much if you have any ideas.

Answer: I would recommend Shiva Rea's "Yoga Shakti." http://www.amazon.com/Yoga-Shakti-Shiva-Rea/dp/1591791847 Check out some of her sample clips on youtube to get a feel if her style of instruction appeals to you. If increasing flexibility is your only goal, then I recommend book "Stretching" by Bob Anderson. http://www.amazon.com/Stretching-20th-Anniversary-Revised-Anderson/dp/0936070226/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1266558574&sr=1-1 There is also a "Stretching" dvd by Anderson, but I have not seen it. I don't know about Pilates, but would like to comment that being "not flexible enough" should not stop you from practicing yoga asana (poses). You do not have to do a perfect pose (or even close to it), to derive benefit. Example, in pose Uttanasana (Standing forward bend http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/478 ) even if a person cannot touch their toes (let alone get forehead to touch shins), you receive benefit by doing whatever creates a "developmental stretch." A "developmental stretch" is more than an "easy" stretch, but less intense than a painful, drastic (and potentially injury causing) stretch. If you practice developmental stretches regularly (ideally once a day), you will likely see improved flexibility in two to three weeks. Namaste', dwb

Question: Is it a possible that a very good yoga pants will not show panty lines? I saw these $98 yoga pants . They look so high quality and they're much, much thicker than average yoga pants. Do you think it is possible for good yoga pants such as the expensive ones i saw to not such the panty lines? In other words, are there such yoga pants that exist? Also, is 98 dollars for a pair of yoga pants really expensive?

Answer: if your not comfortable showing a vpl then either wear a g-string or go commando or you could buy some seamless panties which help stop a vpl showing

Question: What do to with a yoga ball and how to get rid of lovehandles? ok i have a couple of questions: 1.i have a yoga ball and people say they are good with targeting the lower abs.what do you do with a yoga ball?what are the excercises that you do? 2.what are excercises that are great for getting rid of lovehandles? any links would be appreciated.and i don't want to have to buy any equipment.all i have is the yoga ball.

Answer: Facing upwards, place the yoga ball underneath your stomach and hold your feet on the other side. Then slowly lean back and forth using only your stomach muscles.

Question: What is the big difference between Yoga breathing and Zen Meditation? When you meditate using Yoga what do you do to meditate? I am talking about relaxing Yoga like breathing Yoga. And with the Zen meditation do you follow the samething? Or you are counting your breathing etc? Please give me example and breathing ratio. Thank you.

Answer: The Difference Between Yoga Breathing ( Pranayam) and Zen Meditation. - Yoga Breathing ( Pranayam ) - : Pranayama (Sanskrit: prāṇāyāma) is a Sanskrit word meaning "lengthening of the prana or breath". While Zen Meditation : Includes Zazen & Sesshin : which itself express the meditation while sitting in Half Pranyam Position and Breathing. Several researchers have reported that pranayama techniques are beneficial in treating a range of stress related disorders,[33] improving autonomic functions,[34] relieving symptoms of asthma,[35][36] and reducing signs of oxidative stress.[37][38] Practitioners report that the practice of pranayama develops a steady mind, strong will-power, and sound judgement,[32] and also claim that sustained pranayama practice extends life and enhances perception.[39] Sources by information : http://www.zmeditation.com

Question: What type of yoga is best for a beginner who is specifically looking to reduce stress? I'm trying to decide between 2 classes being offered locally: Kundalini Yoga and Hatha Yoga. The course descriptions make Hatha sounds a bit more kinetic, but since I'm new to all this I really don't know which is best. My goal is to reduce stress and muscle tension. By the way, I am NOT looking to lose weight.

Answer: If you're a beginner then Hatha Yoga might be the way to go since it's more likley to be slow paced. I would also consider Bikram Yoga as Bikram only has 26 poses.

Question: What kind of yoga should I do for endometriosis? I was recently diagnosed with endometriosis. I am going to try a Holistic/Alternative approach to treatment and "cure", as a supplement to medical treatment. I want to start yoga. What kind of yoga should I do that would be best for this condition? I know that yoga can do more harm than good if you are doing the wrong kind. Any videos to get? Should I try "yoga for fertility" videos? Also, any advice on endmoteriosis treatment would be appreciated! Thank you!

Answer: You should try EFT.http://www.emofree.com/ Emotional Freedom Techniques. You can learn the basics for free from this website.You can also download the EFT course for free on The Pirate Bay torrent.You can find tonnes of yoga video's as well on pirate bay.

Question: How can I learn yoga without going to a class? I live in a very small town that is really in the middle of nowhere. The nearest decent-sized town is about 200 miles away...I want to start doing yoga but I don't know how to start. I want to make sure I have the right technique; I don't want to be doing it wrong and hurt myself. Are there books I can get on basic yoga or something?

Answer: You might like the variety of free 60 min classes at http://www.yogatoday.com/. Namaste', dwb

Question: What are some yoga moves that burn a lot of calories? I am trying to lose weight, and I want to do some yoga, but I want to do some more active yoga then I do. I do plank and sunsalutes, things like that. Any suggestions? I take yoga at the Y, but what are some websites that have a few active yoga moves I could do at home, all I have is a mat.

Answer: All I have is a mat, too, and a box that is about the size of a yoga block. :) A great website with FREE 1 hr classes (nothing to buy, ever!) is http://www.yogatoday.com You can select from a choice of 7 different classes per week, and do them as many times as you like. The video is live streaming though, so you will need to be able to do yoga wherever your computer is. Some of the workouts really do make you work up a sweat, and you might also end up a little sore afterwards, but not too sore. You will also learn to focus on your muscles and your form even more. I love the site because it has all kinds of yoga, including kundalini, hatha, vinyasa flow and ashtanga. If you really want to burn calories while doing yoga and can afford to take some hot yoga classes, that's the way to go. The room temperature is cranked up to about 110 degrees (which sounds hotter than it feels) and you do Bikram or a modified Bikram set for an hour and a half. It is awesome for burning calories, and the heat helps you go much more deeply into the poses, and you end up less sore afterwards. Hope this helped!

Question: How long after a yoga session should I wait to lift? I just started doing yoga about a week ago, and I really enjoy how I feel afterward. Since I feel rejuvenated and full of energy after a session, I like to do it in the morning. I like to lift weights or do some cardio in the afternoon or at night if I have the time and energy. But, I read online that doing yoga makes you temporarily weaker because of the static stretching. About how long does this temporary weakness last? A few minutes? Hours? Days?

Answer: Do it in the morning and lift at night. Static stretching helps prevent injury and is the best way to warm up your muscles.

Question: What is the best yoga technique to study and practice? I am interested in beginning a yoga practice. Which technique or school of yoga would be best & why?

Answer: Congratulations for your interest in yoga, but be for warned that the western influence on yoga has changed it's essence considerably. New yoga fads geared for the no pain no gain "I am the body" western exercise approach to yoga is the common rage. The appearance of power yoga and hot yoga would certainly have Patanjali himself shedding a tear. These two modern styles have their roots in hatha yoga, but cannot be labeled as classical hatha yoga. Classical hatha yoga is a science that incorporates yogasana, pranayama, shatkarma, mudra and bandha. In all respects the hot yoga and power yoga fall short. However, from the most basic standpoint they can be used as an addition to a well rounded fitness program for one who does not want to go deeper, using yogasana as a fitness tool only. Modern power yoga is not to be confused with Pattabhi Jois Ashtanga Vinyasa style which is a form of Hatha yoga. When undertaking a yoga practice the basic philosophy and history must be known. Yoga is one of six systems of Hindu philosophy (from yuj, to yoke or to join). Yoga teaches the means in which the individual spirit (jivatman) can be yoked with the Universal Spirit (Paramatma). When reviewing basic yoga philosophy it is apparant that much of western yoga practiced today resides in the shallow end of the yoga pool. As mentioned by Dances with Buddha there is no best yoga. Yoga is designed as a vehicle of higher consciousness, and if practiced with awareness it is potent medicine. As a beginner it would be wise to study with an experienced, reputable teacher in classical yoga so that you get a basic grounding in the eight limbs. If your interest is perked you can look deeper into paths such as Jnana Yoga (knowledge), Bhakti Yoga (devotion), Karma Yoga (selfless service). Tradionally yoga was taught in a guru/disciple relationship, and the guru understood the disciple completey, therefore guiding the disciple in the most suitable path. You are your own guru and you will intuit what is best for you once you gain some experience. I hope you found this answer educational and helpful! Hari Om Tat Sat