The Benefits of Yoga and Some Basic Yoga Postures

A great way to get natural stress relief and increase your lifelong fitness is practicing yoga.

Yoga positions will teach you balance and to gradually get your body back into balance so both sides will be equal in strength and flexibility. Yoga will help you to achieve harmony and balance in both body and mind.

You can practice yoga at any age and if you have any specific conditions you can modify some postures to suit your circumstances. Some postures look quite difficult and you may not be able to do them perfectly at first, but with some practice you will soon be able to do postures well.

If you find a position impossible to do then just move on to another one, you should never become stressed or anxious over a yoga posture.

Yoga should be a relaxing and stress free natural health therapy, yet it is still a very powerful form or exercise.

Basic yoga postures 1: The Bow.

Take this posture in easy stages. Lie face down on your mat.

As you inhale bend your knees up. Stretch back with your arms and grab hold of your ankles, keeping your fingers and thumbs all together on the outside.

As you inhale again raise your head and chest, pulling your ankles and lifting your knees and thighs off the floor.

Breathe normally as you try to kick your legs up higher and lift your head up. In this position you are bent like a bow with the weight of your body balanced on your abdomen.

If you feel this is as far as you can go then stop here, but if you feel you can go further then slide your hands down your legs, lift them higher, keep your knees together and pull back as far as you can.

Hold this position for a few breathes and then relax back into the face prone position. Turn your head to one side and relax.

See more Basic Yoga Postures further below:

Rodney Yee's Yoga for Beginners

Product Description

DVD INCLUDES

Two full-length yoga workouts for beginners
On-screen pose training for perfect form
Secrets to overcoming the most common yoga mistakes
Audio Selection for each program full or pose only instruction

PERFECT POSES FROM THE PROS

Get that long, lean yoga look while centering your mind and improving posture and flexibility. Yoga masters Rodney Yee and Colleen Saidman demonstrate all the basic poses in a detailed 40-minute Pose Training session. Learn accurate alignment, technique and how to avoid the mistakes they see most often. Then, put those lessons into practice with two full-length workouts. The 20-minute

Morning Workout
will get your day off to a refreshing start, helping you awaken and energize. The15-minute Evening Workout restores, relaxes and soothes. Choose full, in-depth guidance as you get familiar with the routine or opt for minimal conversation so you can take in the sights and sounds of beautiful Molokai, Hawaii.

Customer Review:
5.0 out of 5 stars "The best beginner yoga DVD,"
By Jabez Cooley (USA)
I purchased several yoga DVDs designed for beginners and/or inflexible people, and this one is by far the best.

The pose section leads you through about 10 key poses, providing clear guidance on how to do them properly, and noting common mistakes. Going through this section a couple of times is very useful, and a good workout in and of itself.

The additional two workout provided on the DVD are GREAT, and give you several options for voice-over narration--detailed instruction when you are still learning, more low-key or inspirational voice-overs once you've got it down. Get this DVD before getting any others.

Bean Products Yoga Mat 1/4" Extra Thick High Density 72" Length

- Clean PVC (TM) Phthalate Free PER

Product Features

* Ultra thick 1/4" mat for comfort with high grip performance and any color to suit your mood.
* Finally a low priced, high performance, easy care, premium yoga mat that is non-toxic & environmentally friendly.
* CleanPVC Yoga Monster yoga mat will provide a stable, slip-resistant surface for your practice. Good for all types of Yoga & Pilates. Extra long and extra thick.
* Free of toxic phthalates, dioxins and furans, phenal, or heavy metals. SGS tested and verified.
* Durable and easy care, machine washable.

Customer Review:

5.0 out of 5 stars "Great yoga mat, great price."
By heymabel (Texas)

I first bought one (blue) for my husband. We were both impressed with the thickness, stickiness, and extra length.

I immediately ordered a red mat for myself, and am very pleased. I have a sensitive nose, and did not find the new mat smell offensive, just smelled a bit like rubber at first.

The scent was gone after a couple of uses. Much better price than what I have seen in yoga studios.

Basic yoga postures 2: The Cobra.

With this posture you will lay face down, your legs tightly together and stretched back and your forehead on the floor. Place your hands, palms facing down, just under your shoulders.

As you inhale, raise your head, pressing your neck back, then use your hands to push up your trunk until you are bending in an arc from your lower spine to the back of your neck.

If you feel this is your limit then stop here, but if you feel you can go further then straighten your arms completely, bend the legs at the knees and drop your head back to touch your feet.

At first, your head may be nowhere near your feet and that is fine, just drop it back as far as comfortably possible. Hold this posture while breathing deeply.

Come out of the posture slowly, returning to the face down position. Relax with your head to one side for a few moments and then repeat.

See more Basic Yoga Postures further below:

Yoga For Beginners (3 DVD Box Set)

Product Description

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO GET STARTED AND PROGRESS WITH YOGA YOGA FOR BEGINNERS is the perfect way to explore and experience the numerous benefits of yoga. E

ach of these 40 routines focuses on different physical and mental aspects of yoga, such as building strength, improving flexibility, reducing stress and more!

Never before has a has a single collection of yoga DVDs contained so much valuable information to help you explore the healing, invigorating, joyful world of yoga. Be inspired and motivated with this amazing library that will grow with you for years to come.

DVD HIGHLIGHTS:

* Over 40 routines for a wide range of needs
* Modifications of poses for less-flexible people
* Routines from 15 - 60 minutes
* Filmed at stunning Half-Moon Bay, Antigua

YOGA FOR BEGINNERS contains the following three DVDs:

YOGA FOR STRESS RELIEF
Excessive stress in our daily lives is one of the greatest obstacles to achieving happiness, good health & well-being. For the first time ever, this DVD reveals how to approach numerous physical, mental and emotional stress related conditions through the ancient science of yoga.

AM/PM YOGA FOR BEGINNERS
The AM routines are customized to wake up both your mind & body in a balanced, energetic, yet serene way. The PM practices help you to let go of the mental and physical stress of the day and prepare for a deep, relaxing sleep.

ESSENTIAL YOGA FOR INFLEXIBLE PEOPLE
These proven & effective routines will help anyone increase flexibility and strength while developing a calm, serene mind.

Proper form is emphasized through these slower paced, flowing routines. Great for both the beginner and intermediate student.

Customer Review:

5.0 out of 5 stars "Great DVDs,"
By Leisha Carnie

This set of DVDs covers everything you need - if you are starting out and need extra work, to targeting issues to having workouts to wake up and go to sleep to.

I borrowed one of the DVDs for a couple of weeks from a friend who has been practicing a few years and who started out with the one to increase flexibility. (She also has the other DVDs and uses them all the time)

This DVD is very good to get you started if you have not done yoga or are early in your yoga practice, really helped me get a basis with assistance and then move along.

Stress Relief is usuable by pretty much anyone with routines designed to help stress issues, digestion, hips, neck and so on. The relaxtion routines are easy to do and very effective.

Though Stress relief has some routines for morning and evening, AM/PM has a wide variety of routines for the morning and evening.

I was able to mix and match as I worked through things and there is a ton of variety. Will be able to use this for a long, long time.

Beyond Yoga Supplex Original Capri

Product Description
There's simply no more versatile a piece of workout apparel than the Capri pant--it can be worn for most any athletic endeavor.

Beyond Yoga's version, crafted of 90 percent Supplex and ten percent Lycra, provides the versatility you want in a Capri pant with a slight flare at the calf for full range of motion.

A truly flattering pant, the Original Capri also has flat-locked seams inside to keep you dry, comfortable, and chafe-free during your workout, while the unique contour waistband with supportive panel, makes it perfect for mommies-to-be.

Made in the United States of a luxuriously soft yet ultra durable Supplex-Lycra blend; a quick-drying performance fabric with generous stretch and full recovery.

Highly resistant to wind, moisture and abrasion, Supplex retains its color and shape wash after wash, making this fabric ideal for active wear. Machine washable with minimal shrinkage.

* Made in the USA with 90% SUPPLEX &10% LYCRA
* Provides style and function,hitting at the lower-calf, with a slight flare for full range of motion
* Truly flatters every body type - while wicking away sweat, eliminating any embarrassing color change

Customer Review:

5.0 out of 5 stars Love these capris
By K. Schlaefer "Yoga junkie" (St. Paul, MN)

This review is from: Beyond Yoga Supplex Original Capri (Apparel)
Beyond Yoga supplex is the best for yoga, especially heated, hot or bikram.

They never feel cold, clammy or wet even when they're drenched and they hold their shape perfectly. I live in these.

The plum is a great color to change things up and it's dark enough that it never shows bad "sweat patterns".

Highly recommended! I have four pairs.

Basic yoga postures 3: Triang Mukhaipada Paschimottanasana

With this position you need to sit with your legs stretched out in front. Bend the right leg and place the right foot near the right hip with the toes pointing back and the calf pressed against the right thigh.

The natural response of the body is to tilt when in this position so put a small folded towel under the left buttock to keep the hips level. The forward stretch needs to be even and extended.

Hold the left foot with both hands and inhale, bending forward, keeping both knees together as you stretch your body over the straight leg.

If you cannot reach the left foot then just hold the knee, shin or ankle, just go as far as you comfortably can.

Sit and breathe deeply. If your muscles are tight it can take lots of practice of this pose before you will become more flexible and find the pose much easier.

Release the hold and straighten the bent leg and then repeat on the other side.

Yoga for Depression and Anxiety DVD

'Through Ira's intelligent and contemporary voice, he is uniquely able to communicate traditional mind/body practices, making yogic philosophies and modern day psychology a natural blend that is necessary for Self-awareness and transcendence to occur.

He understands that healing is not possible without awareness and as a yogi and therapist is skilled at guiding his students and clients to richly explore the depths of their inner lives and relationship to Mystery while also staying firmly rooted in the here and now. I recommend Ira's work.' --Seane Corn

Product Description

Yoga for Depression and Anxiety contains a discussion of how our minds function and how yoga treats depression and anxiety. After that, there's an all-level 75 minute yoga class specifically designed to cultivate peace of mind and combat maladaptive thinking.

Customer Review:
5.0 out of 5 stars "AWESOME AND INSPIRING WORKOUT"
By Jessica E. Venters
I suffer from mild anxiety and wanted to try a natural way of coping with it. After seeing all the great reviews on this DVD, I had to try it-- and I am so glad I did!

First off, it is a great workout. Second, it really does help me relax.

At the end of the DVD Ira says something about how if you just concentrated solely on your breathing and nothing else for even one breath, then it did its job in ceasing your anxiety.

It's really taught me how to take 75 minutes out of my day and instead of constantly thinking and worrying, just concentrate on my breathing. It can be done!-- you can realize how it feels to think more clearly!

I'm not in the best of shape in order to do yoga, so unfortunately, I can't achieve all of the poses yet, but it's my goal to do so and I'm hoping it just gets better in time!

ToeSox Half Toe Toe Socks

Product Description

ToeSox are made with a five-toe design to promote toe separation resulting in greater flexibility and strength.

The Patented Non-Slip Sole provides slip free security during your practice. Worry no more about dirty mats and sweaty residue, ToeSox are the best hygienic altenative to bare feet.

Made with cool and comfortable organic cotton. The new 1/2 Toe design increases tactile sensitivity & awareness.

Cooler style for warmer weather and great for Hot Yoga.

Customer Review:

5.0 out of 5 stars "Awesome!"
By Grailmaiden (Austin, TX)

I love my yoga ToeSox!! They are comfortable, just snug enough, and have good gripping power.

I was worried if I started wearing these socks I would be distracted by something on my feet, but that is not the case at all.

The only possible problem I can see with them in the long run is that they fray a little around the toe openings.

Other than that, I highly recommend!

Yoga and Health - An Alternative Form of Exercise

Listen to our audio article video about natural remedies:

Use Yoga for Relaxation and Natural Stress Relief

As children our bodies are flexible and in a natural state but as we get older we tend to lose that natural state and flexibility.

Yoga helps you to regain the natural state that your mind and body should be in – a state of relaxation.

Yoga has a lot of deep breathing exercises that help to calm and energize you.

When you practice deep breathing and relaxation exercises you will find you have much more energy, but not nervous or hyper type energy, it is more a calm, steady energy.

When you slow your body down with deep breathing it sends a message to your body and nervous system to be calm.

In this way gentle relaxing yoga posture are very effective to get you fast stress relief

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Basic Yoga Postures,