Utkatasana: The Imaginary Chair

Often called the Chair Pose, Utkatasana literally translated from Sanskrit means powerful pose. To the eye it looks like somebody sitting in an invisible chair and although a task that gets easier over time, is not difficult to learn and is an effective addition to any yoga routine.

A deep squat, Utkatasana is a yoga pose or asana that demands poise and concentration and will reward the yogi with many benefits as it engages the strength of your lower body and provides a stretch for the upper. Utkatasana can help reshape your body as well as it tones the butt and quadriceps, stretches the calves, strengthens the core and exploits the hidden power within the body. Plus it stimulates the organs and heart, opens the diaphragm, strengthens and stretches shoulders, boosts stamina, and works at improving the immune system as well as the various joints.

Sometimes also called the fierce pose, Utkatasana generates heat within the body and employs the seat of power so you can literally ‘feel the burn’ which can be very satisfying. Over time however, the sitting position can easily be attained for longer without support, providing more and more of the numerable advantages listed above. Sparking the fire within the pelvis, that you will feel in your belly will aid you in radiating this energy out through the limbs as you perform this asana.

How to perform Utkatasana:

• Stand with your feet and arms in Tadasana or basic mountain pose
• Inhale deeply, moving your arms forward and overhead, palms facing inwards and on exhalation, squat as if you’re sitting on an imaginary chair, keeping your heels firmly grounded.
• Try keeping your thighs as parallel to the ground as possible, but you should be able to see your toes, so your knees should be bent just slightly forward of the ankles.
• Draw in the navel which should help support the spine and aid in dispersing the inner power you have tapped into. Tuck your tailbone in and gaze upwards slightly but do not strain the neck and jaw.
• As much as possible, keep the spine, head and raised arms in line. Make sure the arms are at the same level as the ears.
• Hold the position for four to eight slow and steady breaths. And on exiting the pose, inhale as you straighten the legs and exhale when returning the arms to the sides as in Tadasana. It’s important to remember to breathe through this asana and find your balance. Repeat.

Variations – to make them easier or more challenging can include keeping the feet at shoulder width to start with, optionally using a block between the thighs and squeeze to engage the abductors, keeping the arms perpendicular to the floor, performing the pose on tiptoes, keeping the chin level, etc.

Cautions – Avoid lower back pain by maintaining the natural lumbar curve of the back, avoid straining the shoulders and neck as this can cause sprains or dizziness.

But performed both traditionally and unconventionally, practicing Utkatasana as part of your daily yoga will prove extremely beneficial as over time this asana will strengthen the core and pelvis, which will enable you to hold the sitting position for longer and longer.

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

*Photo credits: Photo by tarnalberry, myyogaonline on flickr

Pranayama: 3 Yoga Breathing Exercises for Beginners

As we saw in our last post Pranayama: A Beginners Guide to Yoga Breathing, Pranayama involves breathing techniques and exercises to the control the life force (prana)  within our body. This is practiced in thousands of different ways and is known as the types of Pranayama. While breathing is normally an automatic process, the conscious regulation of air in and out of the lungs in the form of inhalation and exhalation both in respect of speed and time has a beneficial effect on the mind and the body. This is the aim of Pranayama. Of the various types of Pranayama, here’s a look a few types of pranayama (breathing exercises) for beginners which can be practiced anyone, anywhere, where distractions are minimal and if you have few minutes to spare.

Bhramari
Bhramari is a large bumble bee. This pranayama is named so because of the humming sound you make when exhaling. It has a very calming effect because of the vibration the humming causes and it helps in lengthening the breath.

• Start off in a comfortable seated position- padmasna, sidhasana or Vajrasana
• Close your ears with the balls of your thumbs and cover your eyes with your middle fingers applying a little pressure, elbows straight out. All sound from the outside should be closed off when you press your ears.
• The position of your index fingers is along your eyebrow bone and the other two fingers lightly covering the rest of your eye and just below the eyes.
• Take a deep inhalation.
• Slowly exhale, releasing air through your nose all the while making a humming sound that resonates in your head. You should feel the vibrations.
• Repeat 3-5 times and end with three simple breaths before releasing your ears and uncovering your eyes.

Kapālabhāti Pranayama (Cleansing Breath)
This exercise is known as the cleansing breath as it clears blocked nasal passages. It emphasis on exhalation leaves inhalation up to the natural reflex. It uses only abdominal breathing, that is breathing into the diaphragm. (*This exercises should be approached with caution for people with Blood Pressure as if it is done incorrectly one may feel lightheaded )

• Sitting upright in Vajrasana, place hands on your thighs.
• Gently exhale all of the air from the lungs then take a regular inhalation.
• Exhale through the nose, mouth closed with force rapidly in a short burst (like a sneeze) so your stomach squeezes in.
• Repeat twenty times, keeping a steady rhythm paying attention and emphasizing on the exhalation each time. Let the inhalation happen automatically. You should use your stomach muscles to exhale completely.
• Perform 8 to 12 Kapalabhati inhalations and exhalations for starters. This is one round. Slowly build up the Kapalabhati breaths taken in each round with practice to 30 times or 1 minute and then to 5 mins minutes.
• Repeat for 3 rounds.

Anulom Viloma (Alternate Nostril Breathing)
This Pranayama technique that directs the flow of Prana (life force) between the two sides of the brain and balances the body. It is a simple exercise for beginners that makes you feel balanced, relaxed and calm.

• Sitting in simple crossed leg or any comfortable seated position, fist your index and middle finger of one hand leaving the thumb, ring finger and pinky sticking out.
• Where the bridge bone of the nose ends close one nostril with the thumb. If you closed the right nostril, inhale deeply through the left nostril and count the time of inhalation.
• Closing the other nostril (left in this case) with the middle and pinky finger hold the breath for a few seconds
• Keeping the left side closed, release your thumb and exhale slowly through the right nostril. The exhalation counts should be higher than the inhalation.
• Once you completely exhale, inhale through the same nostril (right)
• Close both nostrils, hold breath and then release through the left side. Repeating this pattern.
• Continue alternating 5 to 10 times.

*Photo credits: photos by lululemon athletica, Bindaas Madhavi 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

Pranayama: A Beginners Guide to Yoga Breathing

The Basics of Yoga Breathing and Pranayama

Pranayama is the practice of breathing exercises, one of the many parts of yoga. ‘Prana‘ translates into “life force energy” and ‘Yama‘ translates into “control or mastery of”. In other words, Pranyama is used to control, cultivate, and modify the art of breathing and energy balance. Pranayama involves breathing techniques practiced in thousands of different ways.

Most of the Yoga Pranayama exercises consist of 4 parts:
1. Inhalation – Puraka
2. Lungs full retention – Antara Kumbhaka
3. Exhalation – Rechaka
4. Lungs empty retention – Bahya kumbhaka

Many of the breathing techniques in pranayama vary the use of these 4 parts and in the earlier stages of learning the retentions are done lightly.

It is only through proper breathing that oxygen is supplied to the various parts of the body and vital organs. Since Pranayama with regular practice improves your breathing technique, it helps your organs which rely on oxygen function better.

Here’s a Short Guide to Pranayama for Beginners:

Traditionally Pranayama is practiced in the full Lotus Pose (left image). For beginners though this position is not easy to hold and it can make you stiff or uncomfortable. Since the basics of Yoga calls for concentration and to remove all thoughts especially distractions from your mind, it’s best to start your pranayama exercises on a chair, till you learn the lotus position and are completely comfortable holding it for long periods of time (for which you need to do some stretching exercises before taking the seated position).

Choose a nice seat that prompts you to sit upright. Since most seats naturally make you slouch, put a cushion behind your lower back so that your spine curves forward pushing your shoulders back. Allow a little looseness in your posture so that the muscles around the chest and torso have plenty of room to move and expand. Pay attention to your sitting position during the exercises as it’s very easy to start slouching and loose the right posture. Remember there should always be space between the front of the belly and below the navel.

This is the first step to Pranayama. Your Inhalation must be slow and controlled. When inhaling listen to the sound. Keep it smooth and harmonious so that the air enters at a steady rate throughout the inhalation.

Try to inhale deeply but stop when your chest or mind feels any strain. In fact your should try to stop just short of your deepest boundary because of tension or too much pressure. Never forcefully try to deepen your intake. Respect your limits and know when to stop. Your capacity with gradually increase with regular practice.

Antara Kumbhaka means full container. It refers to the part of the breath when the lungs are full of air. It can be done passively or with a positional lock called Jālandhara Bandha. It is done by raising the rib cage up and placing the chin down thereby cutting off the flow of air and energy from the base of the neck.

Introduce the technique after your inhalations have been mastered and harmonized rhythmically. Once the lungs have filled with air cease forcing it in. When the lock is performed the air is trapped and gripped. This causes more pressure as the expansion is decreased by the lock. It sometimes feels as though you are still taking in air.

Antara kumbhaka is essentially holding the breath and allowing time to pass as the lungs change direction. These again like everything in Yoga becomes easier to do with practice.

There is quite an art to exhalation. When exhaling listen to the sound. Like finely tuning a musical instrument the sound is carefully adjusted so that its vibration is perfect throughout exhalation.

If you feel strain at any time during exhalation relax and break the breathing technique. Take easy breaths until you feel relaxed then continue.

Just as in inhalation this process must be slow and controlled. You could even keep count in your head if it helps.

Bahya Kumbaka refers to the time after exhalation and before inhalation. It is the time when the lungs have little or no air. In advanced yoga the lungs are completely emptied but for beginners it is much more fruitful to allow a little air to remain in the lungs.

During Bāhya kumbhaka a lock can be performed called Uddīyana Bandha. In this lock after exhalation the lower abdomen and diaphragm are then drawn upwards in a vacuum. The rib cage is raised creating a little space around the heart.

These 4 parts are the basic of any Pranayama exercise. It’s important to practice each part carefully paying attention to your position of both your outer body and posture and as bizarre as it may sound, your inner organs as well. Be aware of your organs their capacity and if you concentrate and are focused you’ll understand this is possible.

With practice your capacity will increase gradually. You’ll notice your inhalation deepen, your retention will be easier and longer with out the need of any locks and your exhalation will lengthen.

*Photo Credits: photo by odysseyfx 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

Looking for a Yoga Weight Loss Workout? – Turn to Power Yoga

Power Yoga: The Physically Intensive and Exercise Driven Modern Yoga

If your looking at Yoga as a form of physical exercise and want minimal amount meditation and spiritual guidance, then Power Yoga is just the type of Yoga you’re looking for.

Started by two American Yoga teachers Beryl Bender Birch, based in New York, and Bryan Kest, based in Los Angeles, almost at the same time, Power Yoga was designed to suit the weight loss and physical work out needs of Americans. Adapted from Ashtanga Yoga, power yoga practices a fitness approach to yoga and 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. The goal of power yoga is health and fitness rather than spiritual quest for enlightenment or a balance of body, mind and heart. At the same time power yoga leads to a calmer mental state by releasing tension, making you feel lighter and better balanced and a healthy body harbors a healthy mind. It’s this connectedness of the physical body influencing the mind, that Power yoga touches upon. It creates optimal physical health by enlivening and invigorating the whole body which is a direct manifestation of the mind, as the body heals, our mind naturally follows.

A Glimpse of What They Do at Power Yoga
While all Power yoga classes will differ from teacher to teacher the essence of the emphasis on strength and flexibility remains the same. There are no set series of poses, but it’s dynamic mix of stretches, nd poses all done while struggling to maintain balance and support your own body weight. This increases strength by natural moments, tones muscles, makes you more flexible and improves posture.

Classes often start with a series of stretching poses like the child’s pose or Cat – Cow Stretch as a warm up. This is followed by a five to six pose set, flowing from one to the next with no break. All poses are done twice on both your left and right sides. Another very important aspect of a power yoga routine is the breath flow. Each pose is synchronized with one’s breathing patterns and each movement is soft and free-flowing like a rhythmic dance. It’s important to first know the correct posture and alignment of each pose before going on the power yoga which needs to be uninterrupted to be effective. The transition from one pose to the next is not fast, but slow yet steady pace.

Some of the popular poses in Power yoga include the warrior poses, triangle poses, side angle pose, a variety of balance poses, forward folds with chest openers, seated folds, twists and balances. For the more advanced students poses like the side crane, tree pose into warrior 3, eagle pose, deep lunge with back bend and twist into pigeon are popular. A brief breathing exercise or meditation poses closes a session.

So what are you waiting for? If you want that intense physical workout with none of the spiritual jargon grab that yoga mat  & yoga apparel and join your nearest Power Yoga classes for a all round workout that works!

*Photo Credits: photos by myyogaonline, Kelly Loves Whales, BeckyKP on flickr.

Surya Namaskar: The 12 Step Sun Salutation Yoga Sequence

A Well Rounded Yoga Exercise Sequence

Surya Namaskar or the Sun Salutation is a 12 step sequence of Hatha Yoga Asanas often performed as a warm up exercise before a Yoga session. Each of the 12 poses performed in a rhythmic sequence brings a different vertebral movement to the spinal column. The positions are tuned to the inhalation or exhalation of each breath and improves circulation, stretches the body making it limber and also strengthens it. A full round of Surya namaskara consists of two sets of the twelve poses starting alternating with starting the starting leg through the series. In some sessions, 12 Surya Namaskaras are performed at one practice. However, if you’re new to Yoga and just starting the practice for the first time, it is generally started with 3 to 6 Namaskaras per day and gradually increased to 12 Namaskaras.

Here’s a Step by Step on How to do Surya Namaskar: all you need is a Yoga Mat and you are good to go:

Step 1: Pranamasana (prayer pose)- Stand erect with your chest out, feet together, knees pulled up and thighs tight like in Tadasana. Bring your hands forward, in front of your chest as if in prayer, elbows straight and not drooping.

Step 2: Hasta Uttanasana (raised arms pose)- On inhale, stretch your arms up over your head, palms still together. Then arching back as far as you can go, stretch with your arms apart for next pose.

Step 3: Uttanasana (standing forward bend pose)- While exhaling, swing down from the hips keeping your upper body and torso straight.Without bending the knees place your hands on either sides of your feet flat on the mat, head as close to your knees as possible.

Step 4: Aekpaadprasarnaasana (equestrian pose)- Inhale bring the right foot to the back of the mat on the toes like a lunge. Using your finger tips for support and the left leg at a right angle start bending the extended leg at the knee towards the floor and look up.

Step 5: Dandasana (plank pose) - Retain your breath and extend your left leg back on your toes side by side your right without moving the position of your hands and leg at all. Palms flat on the mat, keep your spine straight and elbows locked. Do not let your head or hips drop. It should look like you are about to do a push up.

Step 6: Ashtanga Namaskara (Salute with 8 limbs pose)- Exhale, bending your elbows towards your body and going down as low as you can at the shoulders while keeping the rest of your body perfectly stiff exactly like a push up. Once down near the floor, bend and drop your knees, chest and forehead to the ground lightly touching in that order. Your hips and pelvic should still be raised. Eight points should be touching the floor in this step- forehead, chest, and two palms, both knees and both feet.

Step 7: Bhujangasana (cobra pose)- Inhale, while swinging your body forwards, straightening your arms, stretching your shoulders upwards and lowering your hips down to the ground. Lift your chest upward and arch your back and look up towards the ceiling.

Step 8: Adho Mukha Svanasana (downward facing dog pose)- Exhale and without moving your hands and feet, tuck your toes and raise your hips and backside up. Elongate the spine and straighten the knees, spreading the fingers evenly push down from your forearms and try to put your heels down to the ground pushing back the thighs. Let your head hang and try lowering your shoulder blades to broaden the collarbone.

Step 9: Aekpaadprasarnaasana (equestrian pose) - Lunge forward while inhaling and bring your right leg in between your hands repeating the position in Step: 4

Step 10: Uttanasana (standing forward bend pose)- On exhale, bring the left foot forward next to the right and forward bend into Uttanasana (Step:3).

Step 11: Hasta Uttanasana (raised arms pose)- Straighten the back and raise your arms above your head, palms joined and repeat Step:2

Step 12: Pranamasana (prayer pose)- Lower your hands in down to your chest as in Step:1.

* Photo credits: Photos by Joseph RENGER on Wikimedia commons & tarnalberry on flickr

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

5 Yoga Asanas (Poses) For a Toned Stomach

Yoga for your Abs

Most people will tell you their problem areas when it comes to fat is their stomach or abs. If asked about the one area they wished to improve their body, they would like nothing more than to have a flat tummy or better still abs of steel (aka a six pack). Exercises targeted at toning and building abdominal muscles, usually take a long time to show results and require you to perform the same move repeatedly to achieve that lean middle. Abs exercises like abdominal crunches or sit-ups may strengthen the front of your abs, but they do little for the rest of your body. In fact, they can actually lead to a flattening of the lumbar curve, creating a weakened spinal structure. The cost of being a six-pack junkie can be quite high considering your flexibility and freedom of movement is in jeopardy with the wrong exercises.

Instead of obsessing about fat on our tummies and aiming for rock hard bellies, we’d do better to focus on strengthening our torso which is key support to our lumbar spine. Considered it’s the core of our body support, the abdominal muscles assist breathing. They also hold and protect the organs of digestion in our body and are crucial for body alignment. Through Yoga Poses and breathing exercises you can develop the perfect balance of abdominal strength, get a toned stomach over time and best of all will help find your center, which improves balance.

Here are 5 Yoga poses to Strengthen and Tone (but not tense) your Abs:

Navasana (Boat Pose)

• Start from a seated position with your legs together stretched out straight in front of you, knees pulled up, thighs tight and toes pointed up towards the ceiling .
• Keeping your your feet together slowly bring your legs straight up to a 45 degree angle while inhaling without bending your knees.
• Without letting the spine collapse, but leaning back naturally as your legs are raised, your body should take a “V” shape.
• Raise your arms stretched out in front of you till shoulder level.
• Balance the entire weight of your body the sit bones. Hold the pose for a count of 8 and then slowly release your arms and legs down while exhaling.
• Beginner Tip: For a half boat pose bend your knees with the calves parallel the the floor.

Trikonasna (Triangle Pose)

• Start with your legs 4 feet apart. Heel and toes inline. Both arms raised to shoulder level, palms facing down.
• Now tun your right foot to the right, keeping your hips facing straight (put your hands on your hips and straighten them if needed).  Make sure your knees are pulled up straight and thighs are tight to deepen your hip crease.
• Palm upwards, raise your right hand above your head touching your ear while keeping your left hand in line with your shoulder and start stretching down with your right hand towards your right foot, while exhaling.
• Reach down to your shin, ankle or onto the floor inside or outside the right foot, whichever is comfortable for you.
• Ensure your shoulders are in line with each other, as you open your chest and look up toward your left hand fingertips.
• Repeat on the left side.
• Beginner Tip: If you cannot reach the floor without bending the knees, use a yoga block on the floor to rest your hand.

Ustrasana (Camel Pose)

• Start by sitting on your heels with your knees close together and your calves parallel with each other.
• Come up onto your knees. Use a blanket under your knees for padding if you would like.
• Keeping your hands on your hips start looking up all the while stretching your torso and leaning back, opening your chest.
• Slowly release your hands one hand at a time and grasp your heels.
• Pull your hips forward, arching your back so that they are inline with your knees and not falling behind.
• Drop your head backward, opening your throat. You should feel your chest and abdomen muscles stretching and keep the weight on your arms.
• Beginner Tip: use blocks on either side of your heels if you can’t reach.

Bitilasana – Marjaryasana (Cat – Cow Stretch)

• Start on all fours, with your spine straight keeping the neck, shoulders and hips in line.
• While inhaling, curl your toes under the heels and starting from your tailbone to the neck gradually drop your belly and look up towards the ceiling. This is known as Bitilasana or Cat pose
• Hold the pose for 5 seconds.
• On the exhale, release your the tops of your feet to the floor. Drop your head and round the spine.
• Look at your navel and hold for 5 second. This is Marjaryasana or the cow pose.
• Repeat the Cat – Cow Stretch on each inhale and exhale for 5-10 breaths and then return to neutral straight spine position.
• These poses performed in succession at the start of a yoga session  like a rhythmic sequence increases spinal flexibility and abdominal strength.

Adho Mukha Svanasana (Downward Facing Dog)- Plank Pose

• From a position of all fours with your wrists under your shoulders and knees in line with your hips. Curl your toes under and lift your backside towards the ceiling.
• Elongate the spine and straighten the knees, spreading the fingers evenly and pushing down from your forearms.
• Let your head hand and try lowering your shoulder blades and broaden the collarbone.
• Pay attention to stretching the thighs and arms but using the abdominal muscles to keep the weight off them look towards your feet making this a resting pose.
• Try lowering your heels to the floor as much as you can.
• From the downward facing dog, lower your torso until your shoulders are inline with your wrists and your body is in a straight line.
• Lift your head in line with the spine and without letting the chest sink push back with the heels. The weight of your body comes on your arms. This is the Plank pose
• Move back and forth between the downward facing dog and plank pose without changing the distance between your feet and hands to strengthen the spine and abdominal muscles.

*Photo Credits: photos by D Sharon Pruitt (Pink Sherbet Photography), myyogaonline, apolaine, tarnalberry on flickr

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