Archive for the ‘Yoga’ Category
Yoga and Meditation
If you are like me then you may be thinking like I did when I first heard about Yoga and wondering how you are going to bend over backwards or end up looking like a pretzel with a head attached to it. It wasn’t until I tried a very basic routine that I discovered how great Yoga makes me feel. The stretching is a bit difficult at first but you feel so relaxed at the end of a session that you end up wanting to continue learning and remaining consistent with your workouts.
Yoga comes from the East and it is a name for a group of stretching and breathing exercises that can have a tremendous positive effect on your mind and body. You do not need any special equipment except for a mat or a place to work where you will not slip as you move along the exercises. I highly recommend investing a small amount of money for Yoga blocks because the will help you when you have to stretch. A good Yoga kit should not cost you more than twenty dollars and it will include a mat, 2 blocks and a stretching band.
There are many ways that you can learn how to practice. If you enjoy working out in your home then you can buy a book or you can use a DVD to learn how to perform Yoga. You will be able to mimic the moves as well as understand the proper breathing techniques by listening to the instructor. It is very helpful to watch it a few times before you begin to make sure that you are comfortable before attempting the moves because once you begin, you will take your cues from the audio instruction and not the visual since you will be looking up, down or away from the screen. (This took me a few tapes to figure out.) Also, if you belong to a health club, many of them offer Yoga classes and this will help you learn because you will be able to see firsthand what you are supposed to be doing and if the class is small enough, the instructor may be able to correct your posture when you are not getting it right. There are plenty of independent Yoga instructors in most areas but it can be a bit pricey at 10-20 dollars per lesson or about $100 per month for an unlimited membership.
As you progress through your diet and exercise plan, I want you to seriously consider giving Yoga a try. Yoga has been practiced for thousands of years and will continue to be used by people for their health and harmony.
Controlling Blood Pressure with Yoga
Blood pressure problem is on the rise with many individuals and is becoming a silent killer as it is an increasing cause for a number of health problems. There is a certain amount of pressure at which blood is flowing through your body and a problem arises when the pressure at which blood flows is higher than the normal value and is known as high blood pressure or hypertension. Similarly, a very low pressure in the flow of blood is termed as low blood pressure and these pressure problems are primarily a result of a lot of tension and stress. Blood pressure problems need to be treated as it could lead to a lot of complications. High blood pressure especially, can be very dangerous as most of the times it does not show any prior symptoms and can directly result in a heart problem or a stroke.
The best way to keep your pressure under control is by leading a healthy lifestyle that is stress free, includes good eating habits and follows regular exercises. Yoga is a great way to treat blood pressure because it is known to have a number of positive effects. It helps to fight the factors that cause blood pressure in the first place and also helps reduce the effects that are caused out of having pressure problems.

