Yoga Introduction

Yoga is a form of exercise that unites breath, mind, body, and
spirit. The word and practice YOGA conjures up images of Eastern
philosophy and ancient practices. Modern day yoga practice has been
discovered in the Western world by many people who want to
strengthen their bodies in a new way. Yoga is not the fast pace
cardiovascular workout like running, dance class, or a sport like
tennis. Yoga is learning how to slow your thoughts way down, place
all your attention on the present moment, and create an oasis of
stillness in your movements. Striking a yoga pose builds strength in
every part of your body. It reconnects you to your higher spirit while
your body and mind learn to BE still.

 

Breathing:

The most important part is learning the yoga practice of breathing.
The automatic shallow breathing we do everyday is not the way. The
correct way is to inhale through your nose as you begin counting at an
even pace. One… two…three…four. Take in as much air into your
lungs as you possibly can and hold it for a brief moment. Your
abdomen or belly should expand as you are taking a big breath of air.
Let the flow of breath into your chest and belly. When you reach the
number four exhale just as slowly and evenly counting backwards.
Four…three…two…one.
Placing all attention on breathing gives your thoughts a way to
defuse so that you can concentrate on the task at hand-doing your
yoga practice. As thoughts come up, let them pass like cars on the
highway. As soon as you realize that your attention has wandered off
from your breathing, bring it back gently to this important work.
Teaching yourself to do this will move mountains in terms of your
ability to control where your attention goes throughout the day off of
your yoga mat as well.

The result in learning to concentrate on your breath during yoga
practice is a feeling. It is a feeling of something familiar- peace and
surrender. You will know this feeling when you come upon it. Only
through patience and practice will this be disclosed to you. Your mind
now becomes a tool. You may use it to reshape your thoughts and
therefore, your actions as well. Fear fades and peace grows.
In conclusion, your breath should be graceful and steady. It is even
more important than the form of the pose itself. Inhale on opening
the body. Exhale when releasing and closing the body.

The process of each pose:
The process of a yoga session may be compared to cooking a recipe.
It takes many different ingredients to create a dish. Each one serves
its purpose for making the food taste good. In yoga, each pose is like
an ingredient to create a soothing session that will make the body
stronger and the mind more peaceful. The inversion poses give your
mind and body a chance to shift into the yoga mindset. It stretches
your limbs and creates a sense of familiarity on what you expect your
mind and body to do next. Stretching your body and stretching your
mind. Slow stretching is wonderful. Your body enjoys it and awakens
it gently.
Babies and children yawn and stretch gracefully each time they
awaken-even newborns. They round their backs and stretch their
arms and legs in sheer satisfaction.
The yoga poses in the Makeovers Fitness program are designed to
offer you a well rounded yoga session.

 Remember to breathe...Enjoy the silence...