In other yoga forms, practitioners are encouraged to find their own way to the asanas by following and imitating their instructor. However in Iyengar Yoga, Guruji lays great emphasis on precision and alignment which is followed by his students to achieve perfection in any asana. B.K.S Iyengar reports that it is ‘research based experience’ and ‘experience based research’ that has helped him in evolving this technique which is now known as Iyengar Yoga. Iyengar still practises today at the age of 91, and sometimes still teaches today, assisted by his son Prashant and daughter Geeta, at his Ramamani Iyengar Memorial Yoga Institute in Pune, India. Like other forms of yoga, Iyengar yoga is a way of life and can be practised by anybody.

Iyengar yoga is based on the traditional eight limbs of yoga as expounded by Patanjali in the Yoga Sutras, emphasizing the development of strength, stamina, flexibility and balance, as well as concentration (dharana) and meditation (dhyana). Regular practice integrates the body, mind and emotions by experiencing the wisdom of these sutras.

It is renowned for being extremely beneficial to those suffering from illness, elderly people and those with weight issues. Iyengar also developed extensively ways of applying his practice to various ailments, diseases, and disorders. The use of props such as wooden gadgets, blankets, bolsters, belts, foam blocks, straps and ropes helps the practitioner achieve the correct posture in any asana, as Iyengar gives importance to the physical alignment of the body in the asanas. The belief is that if the body is aligned with precision, then the breath is also aligned with the same precision. If the breath is balanced then the mind, emotions and senses become balanced.

The props are used to move into postures that a practitioner cannot fully access on his or her own, thus helping them deepen their explorations of an asana before they are supply enough to manage it without the aid of a prop. However, one must use the body’s signals as cues to devise new and effective ways of using props to enhance your practice.

Iyengar is a non-fluid yoga form which is lacking in vinyasa flow or the fluid transition between poses, instead poses are held for longer durations while the alignment is perfected. For this reason, Iyengar is not a great cardiovascular exercise, but great for building strength and flexibility. This makes it a great yoga form to begin with for the unfit and unable to do a flowing style practice.

There are Iyengar teachers and institutes worldwide, and and many yoga centers offer Iyengar classes. However, if you can’t find one at easy reach, Iyengar’s techniques are now prevalent in the way yoga is taught worldwide regardless of type, as its alignment fundamentals are so strong. The utilisation of props comes directly from Iyengar.

For  special Yoga Apparel, yoga inspired clothing comfort clothing clothing designed according to the Colors of the Chakras and the best trendy, high quality and comfortable Fitness Apparel do visit YogacaraShop.com

Photo credits: MZagid, dynamon2001, domestictimes, Andy Polaine, on flickr

Yoga and creativity are inextricably linked. Yoga practitioners worldwide can attest that their daily practice serves their creativity well. So how are yoga and creativity connected? After all, one is a physical and mental discipline, and the latter a manifestation of innovative thoughts and ideas. But what seems like the ultimate mismatch, is in fact deeply entangled. Both can lead to a newfound enlightenment. Creativity needn’t necessarily be painting, sculpting or writing a novel, one can be an artist in the smallest of his or her endeavors from doing chores to planning out an afternoon. People are creative when the things they do are executed with passion, imagination, a sense of humour or a new approach.

What can yoga do for creativity?

To access the deep seated creativity within us, yoga can influence one’s body and chakras, mind, ego and focus.

Body and chakras
Yoga increases bodily and spatial awareness. Pranayama and other breathing techniques pump oxygen into the body and increase renal and cerebral blood flow, causing the organs to function better. This energised circulation as well as the inner massage from the asanas cleanses and rids the body of toxins and stimulates creativity.

The first and the sixth chakra are strongly linked to creativity. Stimulating Muladhara, the root chakra which grounds us, gives us the confidence to express ourselves. The sixth chakra, Ajna or the ‘third eye’ is associated with intuition connecting the mind and psyche, to unleash the subconscious creativity within us. The second chakra Svadhishthana is often referred to as the source of sexual and creative energy.

Mind
Yoga also creates mental awareness. The meditative aspect of yoga helps eliminate unnecessary thoughts cluttering the mind, freeing up valuable imagination real estate. When the mind is clear, ideas will flow easily and freely. The best inspiration comes from a calm mind that is free of constant distraction.

Breathing techniques are also known for their effect on banishing negativity. A mind free of dark thoughts breeds clever ideas without playing devil’s advocate and dismissing what may be constructive or worthwhile ideas.

Yoga practice also makes one mindful and subject to meta thinking (thinking about thinking) when in the process of creating. The importance of this is that one is constantly made aware of the background, possibilities and limitations of their new work.

Ego
We’re all well aware that ego (consciousness of the separate personal self) hinders innovation. Yoga can help you surrender your ego and give into the creative process. One things that severely hinders the creative process is the need to control it. Drop the ego and immediately one is less defensive, more open minded and more creative.

Focus
Yoga also increases focus, which can benefit your expression of creativity. This enhanced focus is the reason many people practice yoga early in the morning to feel more centered and productive during the day. Yoga will calm you and aid you in concentrating on what matters and shifts the focus to your art.

The key to using yoga to unearth your creativity is to practice regularly and train your body, mind and spirit. That said, even short bursts of yoga around fifteen minutes before you embark on any creative pursuit will help.

For  special Yoga Apparel, yoga inspired clothing comfort clothing clothing designed according to the Colors of the Chakras and the best trendy, high quality and comfortable Fitness Apparel do visit YogacaraShop.com

Photo credits: leshoward, dalydose on flickr

Bikram yoga is derived from Hatha yoga, and is a series of twenty six yoga poses ideally practiced in a room heated to 105°F with a humidity of 40%. The Bikram yoga poses and method were selected and developed by Bikram Choudhury from whom it gets its name.

Thousands of practitioners the world over are breathing, stretching and maintaining poses in properly heated Bikram studios known as ‘torture chambers’. The reasoning behind the high temperature is that the warmer the body, the more flexible it is while the sequence of twenty six different postures are said to increase circulation and pump oxygen to every single organ and inch of the body, warming and stretching muscles, ligaments and tendons, in the order in which they should be.

Bikram teachers attest that 105°F is the optimal temperature for a practitioner to perform a posture with ease. Bikram Yoga employs heat to also further that detoxifying process, as the body’s impurities are flushed out of the body through the skin when a person sweats profusely. It employs a method known as the tourniquet effect, cutting off the blood supply in arteries and veins, creating pressure and causing blood to rush when released. Plus as anybody who practices Hatha yoga would agree the yoga itself makes a person feel pretty great, the heat being an added benefit especially in cooler climes.

The Bikram method uses both pranayama and postures, listed below. An 90 minute class would ordinarily have the entire sequence repeated twice.

1. Standing Deep Breathing or Pranayama
2. Half Moon Pose or Ardha-Chandrasana
3. Hands to Feet or Pada-Hasthasana
4. Awkward Pose or Utkatasana
5. Eagle Pose or Garurasana
6. Standing Head to Knee or Dandayamana-Janushirasana
7. Standing Bow Pose or Dandayamana-Dhanurasana
8. Balancing Stick or Tuladandasana
9. Standing Separate Leg Stretching Pose or Dandayamana-Bibhaktapada-Paschimotthanasana
10. Triangle Pose or Trikanasana
11. Standing Separate Leg Head to Knee Pose or Dandayamana-Bibhaktapada-Janushirasana
12. Tree Pose or Tadasana
13. Toe Stand or Padangustasana
14. Dead Body Pose or Savasana
15. Wind-Removing Pose or Pavanamuktasana
16. Cobra Pose or Bhujangasana
17. Locust Pose or Salabhasana
18. Full Locust Pose or Poorna-Salabhasana
19. Bow Pose or Dhanurasana
20. Fixed Firm Pose or Supta-Vajrasana
21. Half Tortoise Pose or Ardha-Kurmasana
22. Camel Pose or Ustrasana
23. Rabbit Pose or Sasangasana
24. Head to Knee Pose and Stretching Pose or Janushirasana and Paschimotthanasana
25. Spine-Twisting Pose or Ardha-Matsyendrasana
26. Blowing in Firm Pose or Kapalbhati in Vajrasana

Those who are interested in doing Bikram yoga should note that this is a high intensity yoga workout, and it’s best to try before you buy as it made not be tailored to everybody’s yogic sensibilities.

Some essential advice

• It is important to learn from a certified Bikram yoga instructor as they are versed in the appropriate training and knowledge to teach it effectively and safely.
• Invest in good quality yoga apparel. Less is more as the high temperature suggest less
• Carry your own yoga mat and towel to classes as you will be sweating buckets and sharing is out of the question
• Make sure you drink adequate water before and after class although many studios will allow you to keep water on hand. Dehydration is a common problem for Bikram practitioners. Being hydrated will also aid you in flushing out the toxins and enough water will also help you tolerate the heat better.
• It’s a good idea to eat before class, but not in the two hours prior. Minerals such as sea salt and potassium will keep you from feeling dizzy and nauseous.
• If you have health or heart problems, consult your doctor before signing on.

*Photo credits: photos by DennisSylvesterHurd, Ron Sombilon Gallery, GraceD on flickr.

For  special Yoga Apparel, yoga inspired clothing comfort clothing clothing designed according to the Colors of the Chakras and the best trendy, high quality and comfortable Fitness Apparel do visit YogacaraShop.com

Water Yoga a.k.a Aqua Yoga or Pool Yoga is yet another modern adaptation of the age old art of Yoga and a convenient way to beat the heat this summer without missing out on your fitness. Using the same poses as traditional yoga with minor modifications this type of yoga can be performed in any medium of water, be it a swimming pool, beach or lake taking things to a deeper level.

Aqua yoga is a great activity to take up after a high-intensity workout as a cool-down stretch or any time of the day on its own. Ideal water depth is chest-high, which provides the perfect amount of resistance yet allows you to crouch or bend a little as most poses require. Besides being just another type of yoga, performing yoga asanas (yoga poses) in water is recommended for people recovering from surgery or those with restricted movements as the water not only relaxes the muscles but also support your weight. Other than being a good restorative workout, water yoga allows you to work on getting deeper into a pose and holding it longer without fatigue.

Poses such as the Warrior poses, Tree pose, Triangle pose with the support of the pool wall and even back-bends against the wall are recommended for Pool yoga. Take the warrior pose for example- Place your feet leg-length apart, and lunge one leg forward. When your shoulder comes out of the water, slowly lift arms to the sky with the toes of your rear-positioned foot turned slightly inwards. Sinking your lower body into the water, lift the upper body (stretching out, at the ribs). Your arms should be straight. Squeeze the shoulder blades together and lift chest up and forward. Tuck your pelvis in and push your tailbone towards the pool bottom, keeping your feet aligned avoid moving your knee past your ankle. Ensure that your arms are beside your ears. Hold for 10 seconds to one minute, depending on your comfort level. Switch sides and hold for the same amount of time.

So this summer, if your sticky mat gets a little too sticky, take your practice into the pool and you’ll be chanting H2Om instead of just Om!

*Photo credits: photos by pocketmonsterd, randomtruth, Homies In Heaven on flickr.

For  special Yoga Apparel, yoga inspired clothing comfort clothing clothing designed according to the Colors of the Chakras and the best trendy, high quality and comfortable  Fitness Apparel do visit YogacaraShop.com

Sadly, for most people, the outdoors is a place where they commute, purely transitional from one indoor space to another. They lack consciousness of the natural world, as they never fully experience it. Yoga outdoors will reward you with the awareness of the outside space, and a renewed presence of mind. Many studios have beautiful ambient lighting, or burning incense that create a distinctive mood once you enter but many are just a mere recreation, a replica of what nature has to offer. Sunkissed mornings, pleasant smells and fresh air. In the outdoors, you practice yoga with a certain awareness, taking careful note of your surroundings and feeling the true connection with the universe, as yoga (meaning union with the Supreme) intends. Enjoy the warm summer morning or the pleasant chill of autumn, dewy grass beneath your feet or a pink sunset as you practice stillness.

Take careful note of your surroundings and feel the true connection with the universe, as yoga (meaning union with the Supreme) intends. Ever consider why so many asanas reflect nature, animals especially? Enjoy the warm summer morning or the pleasant chill of autumn, dewy grass beneath your feet or a pink sunset as you practice stillness in the elements. Weather permitting, choose the time of the day that feels best and head out in your favourite yoga apparel with your mat or without if the terrain allows it. Find your rhythm in a spot you feel at ease. It doesn’t have to be far from home, not everyone has access to a lush forest or a peaceful riverbank. Your own backyard, Central Park, the beach, a tiny creek, a terrace garden, any location you feel is right will do.

Sink into the ground beneath you and breathe deeply. Enjoy the change from what’s most likely recycled air to increased oxygen as it floods your lungs. Allow your breath to fall in sync with the rhythms of nature – a chirp or a coo, a gentle wind, the crashing of waves. For a minute, forget about repetitions and encourage flow through your asanas, let nature dictate the sequence in which you perform your asanas. It will inspire and rejuvenate your practice.

If you feel distracted by the elements, change your thought. Rather than a challenge, think of the four elements earth, wind , water and fire as your guide. Meditate with the flowers and leaves, find your balance in the ground beneath your feet, release your worries into the wind, feel the sun on your skin and warming your bones, push yourself into a challenging pose that will create heat in the body, imagine your breath is like the tides, going in and out. Visualize these elements moving through you as you forget fancy flooring, air conditioning, humming lightbulbs, mirrored walls. Just you and the universe. Enjoy being a part of it and it being a part of you.

For  special Yoga Apparel, yoga inspired clothing comfort clothing clothing designed according to the Colors of the Chakras and the best trendy, high quality and comfortable  Fitness Apparel do visit YogacaraShop.com

* Photo credits: lululemon athletica, CrazyFast, Jordan Lewin, Shunpikie on flickr

The almost rhythmic breath-synchronized movements in Vinyasa Yoga and other types of yoga are not that far off from a form of dance. That’s why a new fusion of the two activities is fast becoming all the rage these days. Yoga dance can be a fun yet hardcore fitness routine. The combination of the two brings  some serious cardiovascular benefits from the upbeat tempo of the music while the balance, flexibility and strength of the movements is what the comes from the yoga aspect.

So what does a yoga dance class entail?
In most yoga dance classes, not many people are game to just start dancing in front of a bunch of strangers, so gentle yoga postures and the usual yoga stretches are done to bring the body slowly into movement. Then comes the music and beat along with instructions to try a dance move inspired by the belly dance or African dance. Before you know it you’ll be gliding around the room, waving your arms in the air your hands in the air painting the walls as the music engulfs you in a full-on free-form dance groove. The dance prepares the body and muscles for a pose. It often helps you get deeper into the pose and more balanced and flexible without even realizing it. Dancing your way into poses encourages a state of mind that makes you open to possibilities. Dance is truly one of many ways through which one can explore an openness in ourselves that we’re often too guarded let down.

What makes the combination of Yoga and Dance any good?
The usual strictness and structure of performing yoga asanas is shed in this this fun new activity, which is quite liberating. The music and dancing allows people to loosen up and disregard comparisons with others for perfection of movement. It’s light, fun and comes from deep within ourselves. The free movements and stress release of dance yoga awakens elements of your own being through music and movement.

Unlike regular yoga which can often be a somewhat inward-centered, and a solitary experience, yoga dance is a complete group activity. After a class of yoga dance you’ll usually find yourself, red-faced, sweating and giggling with a bunch of people you hadn’t even known before. And once you’ve dance with them, what’s there in a little conversation which may perhaps lead to a real camaraderie.

Yoga dance classes are often designed to progress through the elements of nature: earth, water, fire and air. The music both reflects these elements as well as cleanses and energizes the Chakra system. The overall experience is sacred, sensual, silly and fun which can be described as celebration of life that lets you leave behind all the worries of the day and just enjoy your body, unconsciously opening the heart. If you aren’t in it for just the feel good factor, the sheer exhilarating aerobic work out for your body including cardio, flexibiliy, agility, strength inducing moves, without feeling like exercise at all will definitely sell it to you!

*Photo Credits: photos by [desta] and Listen Missy! on flickr

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Chair yoga practices a number of yoga poses using a chair as a prop or for seating, in the case of the seated poses. The chair is primarily used to eliminate the difficulty of sitting on or getting up off the floor. This gentle form of yoga is a good way for people with physical limitations like arthritis, multiple sclerosis, carpal tunnel syndrome and hypertension as well as older persons unable to bend and perform complex maneuvers, to derive the many heath benefits of yoga with the practice of this simple yoga.

Unlike other more traditional types of yoga like- Ashtanga Yoga, Hatha Yoga and Iyengar Yoga, chair yoga is not spiritual but purely aimed at the physical and fitness aspects of yoga. It includes postures, exercises, breathing and ways of relaxation with the help of a chair. Apart from just sitting on the chair the chair is sometimes used as a prop to support other parts of the body for certain poses, in this way students with flexibility issues too can use a chair to modify poses until they improve their flexibility gradually.

Instructor Lakshmi Voelker-Binder, benefactor of chair yoga in an interview in 2005 described how she started the concept of chair yoga in the late 1980’s. One of her students developed rheumatoid arthritis at which was so severe that she had difficulty dressing herself or opening a car door — much less doing form poses on her hands and knees. Lakshmi was inspired to devise a modified form of yoga for her student and many like her so came up with teaching yoga poses with the help of a chair.  Over the years it has helped numerous people suffering from health and physical related issues to ease back into health and make gradual improvements in their fitness through the practice of yoga.

Today you will find chair yoga classes on offer all over the United States at senior fitness centers, retirement facilities, adult daycare centers and physical rehabilitation units. So don’t let age or flexibility stop you from practicing this advantageous form of exercise. Take up chair yoga and you’ll be reaping from it’s benefits even in your ripe old age!

*Photo credits: photos by myyogaonline, kahala, GWSA on flickr

Yoga is a school of thought, originating from India  and includes physical, mental and spiritual practices to bring about a complete balance in a person for their well being. Over the years, a number of different types of yoga philosophies have developed, which  more stress on the physical, mental or spiritual aspects more than the others. Recently in the United States the most common style of Yoga adopted focuses purely on the physical benefits of yoga in the form of Power Yoga. Some people find that the physical practice of yoga becomes a gateway into a spiritual exploration, while others just enjoy a wonderful low-impact workout that makes them feel great. Whatever you are looking for, there is a Type of Yoga to suit your needs.

Here’s a look into the most popular types of Yoga-

Classic Yoga’s

Hatha Yoga
The most popular form of yoga in the western world. Hatha yoga is often practiced solely for its physical benefit. It uses asanas, which are the physical postures or poses of yoga. This 15th century form of yoga is believed to purify the physical body and bring strength in order to lead to the purification of the mind.

Along with Asanas (poses), Hatha yoga includes breathing exercises (Pranayams), meditation and purification procedures known as ‘Shatkriyas‘. Hatha yoga is not just about stretching as many people mistake it for, it develops both strength and flexibility and each pose has specific physical benefits. Hatha Yoga with its many modern variations is the style that many people associate with the word “Yoga” today.

Ashtanga Yoga
Also known as Patanjali’s Ashtanga Yoga or Raja Yoga, is one of the earliest types of yoga. Started around 5000 BC, Ashtanga yoga follows an eight fold path formulated by Patanjali also known as the eight limbs of yoga mainly- Yama (moral code towards others); Niyama (personal discipline);
Asana (ashtanga yoga postures); Pranayama (yoga breathing); Prayahara (withdrawal of senses); Dharana (concentration); Dhyan (meditation); Samadhi (salvation).

As you see out of the the 8 limbs, only one involves the physical performance of yoga postures. Each of the limbs builds off each other in order, with an aim of achieving a healthy and fulfilling life. The benefits of this yoga practice is more than just the physicality found in Hatha yoga, it applies to everyday aspects of life and is more of a complete way of living rather than a short practice.

Karma Yoga
Many people are familiar with the term Karma, but how many know that it’s a type of yoga. Karma or ‘discipline of action’ is the conscious practice of those actions that bring the most amounts of good and the least amount of evil as it is believed the result of that action will reciprocate yours. This discipline of yoga dates back to before 800 BC and is a spiritual path that dedicates actions to God.

Jnana Yoga
Jnana yoga is a type of yoga that focuses on knowledge. Jnana Yoga includes knowing oneself that leads to self-realization, control of the senses, developing an indifference or detachment from objects, concentration, attainment of tranquility and ultimately bliss.

Pranayama Yoga
The literal meaning of the Sanskrit word Pranayama is ‘restraint (ayama) of breath (prana)’. It is the practice of breath control and breathing techniques. Since air is considered the breath of life or vital force responsible for life, it’s control into the various parts of the body especially the mind is said to help attain higher states of awareness. On a scientific level pranayama techniques are believed to be beneficial in treating a range of stress related disorders, asthma and oxidative stress.

Swara Yoga
Swara yoga focuses on controlling and manipulating the flow of breath in the nostrils. The word swara means “the sound of one’s own breath” and this form of yoga involves studying the nostril’s breath flow at all times of the day and seasons. It uses Pranayama or ‘breath control’ exercises as a part of a more precise and extensive focus on nose breathing.

Modern Yoga’s

Iyengar Yoga
Developed by the living yoga master B.K.S. Iyengar (now age 91), this modern adaptation of Patanjali’s Ashtanga yoga and Hatha yoga, uses props such as belts, cushions, blankets and blocks as aids in performing asanas (postures). This style of Yoga is said to promote strength, icrease flexibility, endurance, balance and stamina through coordinated breathing and poses that require precise body alignment. Iyengar Yoga is one of the most popular types of yoga taught today.The poses are performed at a slow pace and are generally held longer than in other styles of yoga making it especially good if you’re recovering from an injury.

Power Yoga
The American interpretation of ashtanga yoga aimed at a physical workout is what has come to be known as Power Yoga. This fitness approach to yoga is a sweat-producing, muscle-building series of yoga asanas (poses) that flow into each other without the usual pauses between the poses practiced in traditional yoga. Power yoga is also breath-synchronized and the fluent movements from one pose to another create an almost aerobic workout feel. Power yoga’s popularity as a way to workout has made is a common option in the gyms of America.

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* Photo Credits: photos by lululemon athletica, myyogaonline, milopeng, apolaine on flickr

For the best trendy, high quality and comfortable  Fitness clothes and special Yoga Apparel do visit YogacaraShop.com