Elite Fitness Zone » Yoga & Pilates http://elitefitnesszone.com Improving one's lifestyle through the power of fitness. Fri, 30 Jul 2010 11:11:51 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 en hourly 1 Pilates: Forget the Myths and the Back Pain http://elitefitnesszone.com/pilates-forget-the-myths-and-the-back-pain http://elitefitnesszone.com/pilates-forget-the-myths-and-the-back-pain#comments Fri, 30 Jul 2010 08:19:00 +0000 http://elitefitnesszone.com/pilates-forget-the-myths-and-the-back-pain Whilst Pilates is becoming more popular as a proven technique to assist in greater muscle strenghten and flexibilty, there are still many who would not consider it techniques due to some myths that they may have picked up. Pilates offers far more than many expect and is not what many think.
Firstly, there is a common misconception that Pilates and Yoga are the same. You have to understand that it is not a derivative of yoga, although the founder, Joseph Pilates did in fact study yoga together with many other fitness and body/mind disciplines. While Pilates and yoga are very complimentary practices, they are also very different in their techniques and outcomes.
Secondly, there is a misunderstanding that Pilates is only a quick fix for out of shape abdominal muscles. It is used as a fix for abs. And it is well-known for flattening stomachs. The reason that Pilates does focus on working from the core, especially the deeper abdominal muscles, is that toning the abdominal and pelvic floor muscles provides stability and freedom of motion throughout the body. This is one of the reasons that it has been so successful for people who have back pain. However, the methods do not stop at abdominal work at all. Structural integration and learning to create a flexible, strong body that can move freely and efficiently are important goals of Pilates fitness. To this end, the methods work all body parts in a very balanced way, not just the abs.
The Pilates method is also a practice of mind/body fitness. Developing a body that works as a harmonious whole requires much more than a calisthenic or a spot reduction approach to fitness. The overall principles – control, centering, concentration, breathing, flow, and precision all support an integrative mind/body experience through such exercise.
Thirdly, some consider that Pilates is for wimps. Pilates is very adaptable. The techniques can vary from easily undertaken to advanced forms of exercise according to the requirements of the individual. The ability to modify exercises for different populations is actually one of the its greatest strengths. In addition, its soaring popularity has meant that there are many beginner classes in practically every gym and studio around the country. This is a good thing, but it also means that people are not necessarily exposed to the intermediate and advanced levels of Pilates. Lastly, the exercises are often done slowly. There is an emphasis on the concepts of awareness and body control that can make the techniques look very simple to perform to the casual onlooker.
It can also be a popular form of exercise for pregnant women, it can be used for rehabilitation from injury, in fact anyone of any age and fitness level can participate in some technique. Nevertheless, the method presents ongoing challenges for even the fittest athletes who use it as a means of not just optimising the performance of their body’s but also to reduce the occurrence of injury.
Fourthly, some are misguided in thinking that Pilates is only for women. It has never been “just for women” and its benefits are certainly not gender biased. After all, it was developed by a man, Joseph Pilates, who is said to have been a rather macho man at that. He was a gymnast, a boxer, and a military trainer in his early years, and pictures of him even into his eighties, reveal a very strong, fit physique. Men have always played an important role in maintaining the methods and shaping its evolution and there are particular techniques designed for the male physique.
It is true that Pilates is very popular with women, but there is nothing about it that makes it more for women than for men. The adaptability of the Pilates method to different levels of fitness and body types has made it an accessible and effective fitness choice for women. Also, Pilates has attracted a large number of dancers, especially women, and many of them have chosen it as a next career. More women teachers have made Pilates more attractive to women students. Both of these factors may have contributed to a somewhat feminised perception.

]]> http://elitefitnesszone.com/pilates-forget-the-myths-and-the-back-pain/feed 0 Keeping Fit And Healthy With Pilates Yoga http://elitefitnesszone.com/keeping-fit-and-healthy-with-pilates-yoga http://elitefitnesszone.com/keeping-fit-and-healthy-with-pilates-yoga#comments Fri, 30 Jul 2010 08:16:34 +0000 http://elitefitnesszone.com/keeping-fit-and-healthy-with-pilates-yoga Joseph Pilates, a German immigrant, developed the famous and highly popular Pilates exercise program, designed to get you fit without the bulky muscle of the Mr. America type. He spent many years, beginning as an adolescent, studying various body disciplines in his search for a program of exercises to promote health and fitness with a lean look and a graceful demeanor. Among the disciplines he studied was yoga, which he integrated into his method. Developed in the late 1920’s, Pilates yoga today is a well respected and wildly popular form of this ancient art and body discipline.
Although Joseph Pilates did not achieve fame in his lifetime, his work was practiced and carried on by a small group of devotees to his methods, for decades, before the recent explosion of Pilates exercise programs and Pilates yoga. Today, Pilates’ form of yoga is at the forefront of exercise and self discipline regimes. Pilates yoga is especially popular with dancers and athletes, as well as celebrities who’ve caught on to the superior benefits of Pilates’ methodology.
Pilates yoga requires an instructor to have expertise in human anatomy and movement, physiology and the principles of yoga. In order to evaluate the knowledge and integrity of the yoga instructor, several yoga organizations offer online information on choosing a qualified yoga instructor. There are even certification programs which require months or even years of study.
If you choose to pursue a Pilates oriented yoga program, you’ll want a well qualified person as your instructor. Be aware that some “certified” instructors may have as little as a day’s or one weekend’s training. In order to gain maximum benefit of a Pilates yoga class, look for a teacher with at least the minimum certification of 250 hours of training. An instructor with a 500 hour training certification will likely prove a good choice.
With the current popularity of the Pilates programs, you need to be careful in choosing an instructor, as certification programs are not standardized and vary widely in both standards and depth of training a certification may represent. So how do you make an intelligent assessment of your Pilates yoga instructor?
The Pilates Method Alliance (pilates method alliance on the web) has a database allowing you to search for qualified Pilates instructors in your locale. In addition, they give you a run down on the profile and standards of a qualified instructor, as well as tips on interviewing your potential instructor.
Another resource is the non-profit Yoga Alliance group (yoga alliance on the web), dedicated to serving the yoga community with resources and their own searchable database of Pilates yoga instructors meeting their strict standards of qualifications.
If the Pilates yoga program holds an appeal for you, invest a little time in finding the right instructor and you’ll soon be on your way to that fit, lean body you always wanted.

]]> http://elitefitnesszone.com/keeping-fit-and-healthy-with-pilates-yoga/feed 0 Dahn Yoga Helps Improve the Health of Self and Others http://elitefitnesszone.com/dahn-yoga-helps-improve-the-health-of-self-and-others http://elitefitnesszone.com/dahn-yoga-helps-improve-the-health-of-self-and-others#comments Thu, 29 Jul 2010 20:44:47 +0000 http://elitefitnesszone.com/dahn-yoga-helps-improve-the-health-of-self-and-others Courses in yoga, the union of body and mind, continue to increase in popularity in the United States. Many different yoga systems are available, although they usually share the features of stretching, posture, breathing, relaxation and meditation.

While most Americans think of yoga as coming the Indian cultural or Hindu traditions, there is a yoga with more-than-5,000-year-old roots in Korea, In its modernized holistic fitness training version, 30 years old, it is called Dahn Yoga and can be learned and practiced at the 120 Dahn Yoga & Health Centers in 15 metropolitan areas of the U.S. Sister Dahn organizations operate in Canada, South Korea, Japan, United Kingdom, Germany, Russia and Brazil. Worldwide, there are 600 centers, with around 1,000,000 people using Dahn Yoga and related Brain Education methods daily. The originator of Dahn Yoga is Ilchi Lee.

Dahn Yoga is an integrated body-mind-brain system of exercises for improving the body’s health, the mind’s capability, and the spirit’s connection. From practicing Dahn Yoga, the results tend to be individual health. But it is natural for Dahn Yoga practitioners to share what they have learned, directly or indirectly, with others – family, friends, workplace, and community.

Here is a prime example of the dual set of benefits – self and others – that Dahn Yoga often produces: Linda is in her early 50s, a school teacher in the Midwest. She started to exercise at a Dahn Yoga Center in the Midwest, originally becoming a member to make her middle-aged body more flexible. But soon she found out that Dahn gave her many more benefits.

As Linda put it, “In the first year of practicing Dahn Yoga regularly, m life changed completely. Yes, I achieved my original goal – my body became more flexible. But in addition my overall health condition improved a great deal. Specifically, my headaches disappeared and my lower back stopped aching. My body posture became straighter and my shoulders more relaxed. I was feeling happier too. When I did not feel pain, I was still able to concentrate better on the tasks I was doing. My concentration improved tremendously. Projects at home and work were completed faster and easier.”

With work often being the most stressful place in people’s lives, the positive effects of Dahn Yoga are usually observable there. This happened to Linda, who stated, “Being a schoolteacher exposes me to a lot of stressful situations. But after practicing Dahn Yoga, I became better able to handle even high stress levels around me. I have learned to choose my emotions and am no longer overtaken by them. My reactions have changed. I am quieter and calmer. The relaxation techniques taught at Dahn Yoga have helped me to become a better teacher, co-worker, friend and family member.”

As if these individual benefits from doing Dahn Yoga were not enough, people like Linda often report that they feel compelled to share their new health and well being with others. For Linda as a school teacher, this meant to teach selected Dahn Yoga exercises to her students. As she explained, “I began teaching my students (6th and 7th graders) to have good posture and relax their bodies. Before class or tests, we would do a few minutes of exercises and their concentration is improved. Since doing these Dahn Yoga exercises, my students’ performance went up remarkably. I have taught my students to use more of their brain potential, which is more possible after they relax their bodies by doing Dahn Yoga techniques. Their confidence levels have increased as they were able to perform successfully after doing the Dahn Yoga exercises, many of them for the first time in their lives.”

Seeing in the workplace the positive results generated by everyone practicing Dahn Yoga can in turn elevate the self-confident and self-esteem of the instructor. According to Linda, “My confidence level was raised from sharing Dahn Yoga exercises with students and colleagues. I started much more to believe in myself. Speaking in public was always a challenge for me. Since practicing Dahn Yoga, my speaking anxiety has disappeared. I now actually enjoy public speaking because by sharing my experience I can help others. I have more to offer my students now that I have been doing Dahn Yoga. I have become a much better teacher.”

Another aspect of life that emerges for many Dahn Yoga practitioners is that they want to give more to the community. In Linda’s case, this led her to a unique volunteering experience. As she expresses it, “I am teaching Dahn Yoga exercises to developmentally disabled adults, as part of an outreach program organized by the nonprofit Dahn Foundation. This is a very rewarding personal experience. It feels good to share Dahn Yoga methods in order to add to people’s health and happiness. I have found something that I will continue to do when I retire – teach Dahn Yoga and spread health, happiness and peace to other people. Thanks to Dahn Yoga training, I have truly found my life purpose.”

]]> http://elitefitnesszone.com/dahn-yoga-helps-improve-the-health-of-self-and-others/feed 0 How To Find The Perfect Yoga Outfit For Yourself http://elitefitnesszone.com/how-to-find-the-perfect-yoga-outfit-for-yourself http://elitefitnesszone.com/how-to-find-the-perfect-yoga-outfit-for-yourself#comments Sun, 25 Jul 2010 20:42:49 +0000 http://elitefitnesszone.com/how-to-find-the-perfect-yoga-outfit-for-yourself Yoga is a special form of meditation to give you the serenity that you need in this chaotic world. During yoga practice, you should be able to relax and meditate with absolute comfort. To do this, you will want to be dressed in the most comfortable clothes that would allow you to do those challenging stances and positions. Therefore, some basic guidelines will be drawn out to assist you in purchasing your perfect yoga outfit.
Comfort
Comfort is the main concern that one should be bear in mind when choosing clothes for yoga in yoga clothing. The clothes that you wear should allow you to move every joint of your body freely without the fear of hindering blood flow. Loose clothing is good choices but it has the tendency to slide down when doing those bending positions. Thus, a good yoga outfit should provide easy motion and capability to leave parts of the human body move in different postures and positions. Afterall, Yoga needs one to perform plenty of twisting and stretching; performing these steps in unfit yoga clothes could akin to make suffer. Elastic materials like spandex are better choices because they allow you to move freely without any part of the outfit getting in the way. Pure cotton is another material to consider as it allows the body for breathing in proper manner and offers a lot of comfortable. Wearing a sports bra that is comfortable enough for those moves for woman
Look out shoes with rubber soles and are as flat as possible for comfort. FootEase is a good brand of Yoga footwear that relieves sore, cold or aching feet. The unique shoes put in herbs and rice that improves the circulation in the feet.
Sweat Absorbance
Yoga may seem like a gentle kind of exercise but, keeping your body in challenging positions will surely make you break out into a sweat. Therefore, it is good to choose fabrics that are made of cotton which breathes and absorbs sweat.
As doing different types of yoga produce heat, it can cause the body to sweat. One can start feeling moist and sticky in case of Yoga clothes are not sweat absorbent. So, it is recommended to people to buying only yoga clothes that easily absorb sweat. One should select pure cotton as it keeps the human body cool and easily absorb sweat from the body.
Right Fit
Yoga is not just about moves, it is about how you see yourself in a positive way. Donning on clothes that make you look good is also a consideration. Choose stylish yoga outfits with color that suits your personality to make you feel good when doing the moves.
It is vital that clothes to do yoga must be perfectly fit for body figure. Take heed; it is not necessary that anyone wear a specific form of fitting yoga clothes that it will fit for one. One should take some time for deciding which type of yoga clothes will fit the best. It is the preferred choice if one top is bit fit for body.
Shorts would also be good as it allow you to see your knees, feet and ankles in proper alignment.
Due to the numbers of yoga postures, in which head moves toward lower the hips that can be go ahead to top sliding down. There are many types of yoga clothes that are many features in nature. One can wear these clothes to do yoga and is better to wear before going to the yoga class.
Value For Money And Attractiveness
Tank tops are favorites that are made of materials that breathe and with designs that are trendy and appealing. Semi-fitted or spandex pants allow comfort while covering full range of motion movements. Pants come in many different cuttings and designs. You can opt from Capri, to boot cut, to leggings and many more. Plus sizes are available for the big people. It offers an individual a good feeling during workout. An individual can perform exercise with more confidants.
One should be practical while purchasing clothes for yoga. Never let clothes designer makes order one selections as the selections might not necessary fitting for your body structure. Note that valuable yoga clothes does have a guarantee at all. One can purchase comfortable yoga clothes as per budget.
If you are practicing yoga outdoors, it would be good to wear a snug-fitting hat that provides enough protection against the sun’s rays. A cap with a wide front brim and a tail at the back would protect your face and nape from the harmful UV rays.
It is very common that outfits alter their shape after washing them. If this appears with clothes for yoga, it can hinder exercise, as shapeless yoga outfits will get in the order of the different poses and postures. Therefore, it is good that one buys only clothes that are constructed from organic materials.
Conclusion
Yoga is centered at giving you a healthy body and peaceful mindset. Dressing right, while doing yoga is necessary. If you did yoga dressed in ill-fitting and uncomfortable clothes, you just might not be able to achieve the right effect of yoga. Take heed that yoga is supposed to make you calm, unmindful of your surroundings. Invest in the right yoga clothes to get the desired results of yoga.

]]> http://elitefitnesszone.com/how-to-find-the-perfect-yoga-outfit-for-yourself/feed 0 How to Benefit From Pilates http://elitefitnesszone.com/how-to-benefit-from-pilates http://elitefitnesszone.com/how-to-benefit-from-pilates#comments Sun, 25 Jul 2010 08:18:18 +0000 http://elitefitnesszone.com/how-to-benefit-from-pilates Pilates is becoming more popular with people of different ages, physical aptitude and mobility as a holistic, common-sense approach to efficient movement habits for the complete health of the body. Developed as a system or movement regime, Pilates training provides a variety of choices in both exercises and specialised equipment to help reinforce good movement habits, lying down, seated, kneeling, and standing.
A great side benefit is that anything that is taught about how movement of the body with Pilates exercises can be practiced during other sport and fitness activities. New habits learned during Pilates workouts can also be reinforced during daily life activities.
The inventor, Joseph Pilates believed that, “Physical fitness is the first requisite of happiness.” A sound mind in a strong body gives us the tools necessary to live life to the fullest. If you’re looking for a fitness program that is fun, challenging, develops balance and control, provides total body conditioning, improves posture and breathing, helps reduce stress, and has a strong focus on a combination of core strength and flexibility then Pilates will most certainly be of benefit to you.
Whether you are young or old, Pilates has something to offer for the improvement of health. A pilates workout programme always offers a suitable starting entry point for anyone, irrespective of their age or fitness mobility. The workouts are not strenuous and can be easily tailored to the individuals needs. The options available can be joining a local group or have one to one instruction or a very cost effective method of being introduced to the benefits of Pilates is to watch an instructional dvd in the comfort of your own home.
There are over 500 exercises in the Pilates system. Each exercise can be modified and made more challenging, which creates a never-ending abundance of variety for developing a personalised Pilates training program that can be fine-tuned to meet your unique fitness goals. For healthy individuals, a group Pilates Matwork class might be a good way to get your workout program started. If you have any special needs, injury, accident, or recent surgery, or just want to make the most of your Pilates workouts, private training with a qualified Pilates teacher using the Reformer and other specialized equipment (Cadillac / Trapeze Table, the Ladder Barrel, Spine Corrector, Pedi-pole, and chairs,) may be the best option to develop a safe and effective exercise program to achieve your wellness goals.
Of all the procedures available, it is the Pilates mat work that is most recognised yet many are unaware that this constitutes only half of the Pilates exercise technique. For the best results a Pilates programme should include both mat work and equipment exercises that are most appropriate for your body. The equipment you need is not expensive as it is only some rope and different sized balls.
Most students begin to see improvements after their first few sessions. For some participants, changes are dramatic and happen very quickly. Others begin to notice subtle differences in how they breath, sit, stand, and move, or enjoy benefits they didn’t even realise they were going to get from their Pilates program. One of Joseph Pilates famous quotes is, “You’ll feel better after 10 sessions, look better after 20, and have a completely new body after 30 sessions.”

]]> http://elitefitnesszone.com/how-to-benefit-from-pilates/feed 0 Pilates Mat Exercises – What They Can Do For You http://elitefitnesszone.com/pilates-mat-exercises-what-they-can-do-for-you http://elitefitnesszone.com/pilates-mat-exercises-what-they-can-do-for-you#comments Sun, 25 Jul 2010 08:15:22 +0000 http://elitefitnesszone.com/pilates-mat-exercises-what-they-can-do-for-you Pilates is a form of exercise that was invented by Joseph Pilates in the early part of the 20th century. You may have some knowledge of what this kind of exercise entails and maybe have a few misconceptions about how simple or complicated it might be. The fact is that the basic Pilates exercises are performed on a mat, and nothing else is required.
The main focus of Pilates Mat exercises is to target and strengthen the abdominal and lower back muscles. This is highly beneficial for men and women who wish to tone and flatten those muscles that createa the appearance of a flat stomach. Pilates exercises have been designed to strengthen these core muscles by a series of low intensity, low impact repetitions. The advantage of perfoming Pilates exercises on a Pilates Mat is that you are working independently of any supportive machine, therefore making the exercises more challenging. In fact the muscles you are trying to strengthen are used as a form of resistance much like using weights in the gym. For many the results are encouraging especially for the abdominal muscles which are notoriously difficult to tone.
The beauty of performing Pilates Mat exercises is that you do not have to rely on any other equipment but yourself and a Pilates Mat. However, Pilates mat exercises should be taught by a qualified instructor. You could purchase a video or DVD to help you follow these excercises but an instructor will monitor your movements and correct your position if you are performing an exercise incorrectly. Not only will you learn the best way to execute a movement you will be sure that an instructor will prevent you from damaging yourself in any way. So for the sake of your body’s safety it is advisable to accept proper tuition in this endeavour. You may think that the exercises look fairly simple but in fact the movements are quite intricate. If you are planning to attend a Pilates Mat class it is worthwhile checking the teaching credentials or your instructor and ensuring that he or she is fully qualified to teach.
There are many DVD’s created to demonstrate Pilates Matt exercises, quite a few are very good, and can be useful as you can take it anywhere with you whether at home or away, and is considerably cheaper than paying for a course of lessons. If you are already experienced in the practice of Pilates Mat exercises a DVD is really helpful when you want to exercise but don’t have time to attend a class. Ideally though, the best principle to adopt is to attend a class where the instructor can be on hand to demonstrate the exercises properly in front of you and correct your posture should it be needed. Your Pilates mat instructor will also be able to see the areas that you specifically wish to target and tailor your exercises to meet your needs. There is always the safety aspect to consider too. A Pilates Mat instructor will build a rapport with his pupils and understand each individuals limitations. However, all that aside, if you are a practicing Pilates Mat devotee and you have been performing these exercises for some time, carrying out your basic movements in front of a DVD is preferrable to no exercise at all. If you do choose to exercise this way be very aware of not overstretching your body or trying a new movement unsupervised. Its all a question of confidence and training.

]]> http://elitefitnesszone.com/pilates-mat-exercises-what-they-can-do-for-you/feed 0 Pilates, the Art of Contrology http://elitefitnesszone.com/pilates-the-art-of-contrology http://elitefitnesszone.com/pilates-the-art-of-contrology#comments Sat, 24 Jul 2010 20:55:34 +0000 http://elitefitnesszone.com/pilates-the-art-of-contrology Pilates is an exercise technique, which encourages the mind to control the muscles by strengthening the powerhouse. In Pilates, the powerhouse resides in the middle of the body such as the abdomen, lower back and buttocks.

You will need to support and strengthen the powerhouse to enable the rest of the body to move freely.

Pilates is an exercise that you will perform while sitting or lying down. Thus, it is best for rehabilitation purposes especially for patients with injuries and those that are bedridden.

Initially, Joseph Pilates, the German national who discovered Pilates used this exercise to train police officers. Police officers perform this exercise in 1912 as a means to rehabilitate themselves after a long day of work.

Joseph Pilates also designed Pilates Cadillac, an exercise equipment patterned from an old hospital bed. He did this precisely for the purpose of teaching rehabilitating patients confined in bed and for those officers who are down from injury.

The exercises in pilates avoids too much repetition unlike other exercises do. This exercise uses fewer, but precise movements. These movements employ control and form. These exercises also reduce stress that regular exercise can do for the heart. It is thus safe for older exercisers and even for injured patients.

In almost five hundred exercises in pilates, the most frequent form is the mat work. The mat work involves a series of callisthenic motions without weight or apparatus and are done while lying down.

Additionally, Joseph Pilates believes that mental health and physical health are essential to one another, thus he creates this exercise program based on the belief that a total body conditioning is necessary and beneficial. Total body conditioning emphasizes proper alignment, centering, concentration, control, precision, muscle tone, body awareness, energy and improved mental concentration. These words are the backbone of pilates.

Pilates focuses on the use of the mind to control the body, thus Joseph Pilates who lived his youth with asthma, rickets, rheumatic fever, overcame poor health and grew to be a body builder, diver, skier and a gymnast.

After which, in 1912, he worked in England as a boxer, circus performer and self-defense trainer. You will of course agree with me that this is quite odd for a sickly kid.

This therefore shows that the mind can be more powerful than the muscle. Following this belief, pilates practitioners use their body as weights in training to build strength and flexibility without focus on high-powered cardiovascular exercise.

You will not need to perform those rigorous exercises that put strain in your cardiovascular zone as other exercises do.

Pilates and the environment it evolves in is as an assistive environment that optimizes the acquisition of movement with a reduction of destructive forces. These exercises can be used to progress individuals through more challenging movements that represent day-to-day activities.

In fact, these exercises are an old approach to movement re-education that is coming to be important in physical fitness and rehabilitation from injury.

The method of performing Pilates especially for beginners consist of very gentle exercises done with a mat while sitting down or lying down. It focuses on awareness of the spine, proper breathing, core strength and flexibility.

The desired outcome of Pilates is a balanced body, which is strong and supple, flat stomach, balanced legs and strong back.

In today’s time, physical therapists use these exercises and techniques to help in the rehabilitation of injured patients. Only quite a few use pilates for general health and well-being, this however needs to change because Pilates offers more than just a cure for sick patients, it is in fact helpful for those overweight individuals who cannot find ways and means to lose weight and control their body.

It may be helpful to try Pilates if you want to be healthy and active.

]]> http://elitefitnesszone.com/pilates-the-art-of-contrology/feed 0 Tibetan Yoga http://elitefitnesszone.com/tibetan-yoga http://elitefitnesszone.com/tibetan-yoga#comments Fri, 23 Jul 2010 21:00:14 +0000 Quincy http://elitefitnesszone.com/?p=1786
Never seen before yoga from tibet. Seems to be a method to expel trapped gases in stomach and to speed up excretion of waste in the intestines.

]]> http://elitefitnesszone.com/tibetan-yoga/feed 10 Learning the Popular Styles of Yoga http://elitefitnesszone.com/learning-the-popular-styles-of-yoga http://elitefitnesszone.com/learning-the-popular-styles-of-yoga#comments Wed, 21 Jul 2010 20:46:50 +0000 http://elitefitnesszone.com/learning-the-popular-styles-of-yoga There are many styles of yoga, but teachers should be familiar with the nine main forms of yoga, from India, and their relationships to contemporary styles. The nine main styles are: Bhakti, Hatha, Jnana, Karma, Kundalini, Mantra, Raja, Tantric, and Yantra Yoga. Bhakti yoga is widely practiced in India, yet barely known by the masses outside of India.
If you’re looking to become a yoga instructor, you must be thoroughly trained and ready to cater to a variety of student needs. A competent yoga instructor should be well-versed in many aspects of yoga. Different styles emphasize varying aspects of yoga. Some may focus on the coordination of breath and movement, while others focus on the proper alignment of the body. Others use atmospheric conditions as the basis of the style.
Globally, one of the most popular styles is Hatha yoga. This is a style that focuses on slow, meditative breathing and relaxed postures. A yoga instructor will slowly guide students through poses one at a time. Many people, who attend Hatha classes, appreciate the relaxed feeling they get from the exercise aspects. Some people, who try Hatha classes, do not like the slow-pace and are searching for a higher-intensity exercise.
Vinyasa yoga, sometimes called Flow or Power yoga, contains a completely different focus, in comparison to the meditative Hatha. Vinyasa is called, Flow or Power, because of its emphasis on smooth and powerful movements. The teacher will guide students through a series of poses, changing them in rhythm with the breath.
The poses run together like a dance. Vinyasa classes can be either, high or low intensity, depending upon the yoga instructor’s emphasis. Vinyasa can be very diverse because it allows the yoga instructor to interject their personality into the routines.
Vinyasa, Flow, or Power yoga, draws sequences from Hatha or Raja yoga, depending upon the instructor’s lineage. Raja is the form of yoga, which Maharishi Pantanjali describes in the Yoga Sutras. It should be noted that Raja is sometimes called, Ashtanga, which means “eight limbs.”
Ashtanga yoga can also be an athletic style of yoga. It is based on a demanding series of pose changes, sometimes connected by jumps. Designed for flexible, and usually young, bodies, Ashtanga has gained popularity in the Western world because of its intensity. Some popular students of this style are Madonna and Sting. An advantage of this style is that it can be self-led.
Usually the yoga instructor will teach students a series of poses and lead them in the routine. After mastering the poses and changes, the students can go through the routine at their own pace. Since this is done in the company of the yoga instructor, and other students, progress can be monitored and mistakes corrected.
For a completely different experience, there is Bikram yoga. Also known as Hot yoga, Bikram is a modern style, focusing on a set series of poses performed in a heated room. The creator of the style, Bikram Choudhury, designated twenty-six poses that constitute the Bikram style. The temperature of the room is ideally set to 105 degrees.
By keeping the room at a high temperature, the muscles of the body are more flexible. This is a controversial style because of an intellectual property lawsuit by Choudhury. Only those yoga instructors, certified in his method, are permitted to teach Bikram yoga.
On the other end of the timeline is Kundalini yoga. An ancient form, that is relatively new to the West, Kundalini focuses on the spiritual aspects of yoga. The yoga instructor leads students through a series of poses, making sure that movement is linked with breath.
The idea behind this discipline is to cause dormant energy in the lower body to become free and move upwards. For students seeking an athletic workout, Kundalini is not the place to look; but it is still an important style for a yoga instructor to understand.
From the purely physical yoga, to the more spiritual forms, a yoga instructor must be well versed. If you want to be a great yoga instructor, you should understand the basics of each major style, even while you focus on your favorite style. In this way, you’ll be ready to answer any student’s question and guide them to the right style.
Copyright 2008 – Paul Jerard / Aura Publications

]]> http://elitefitnesszone.com/learning-the-popular-styles-of-yoga/feed 0 Choosing Pilates Videos for Pregnancy http://elitefitnesszone.com/choosing-pilates-videos-for-pregnancy http://elitefitnesszone.com/choosing-pilates-videos-for-pregnancy#comments Tue, 20 Jul 2010 08:16:19 +0000 http://elitefitnesszone.com/choosing-pilates-videos-for-pregnancy Are you thinking about using Pilates videos for pregnancy? Taking a class or would like to find out a little more information? Well I have written this article with you in mind. I hope that you find it useful.

Looking for an exercise program while you’re pregnant can be somewhat like choosing chocolates in a candy store. You don’t know if you’re going to like it once you buy it or if it’s going to satisfy your very individual needs and tastes. Pregnant women who are addicted to their weekly Pilates workouts don’t need to give them up, they just need to find a workout that takes their new status as a pregnant woman into consideration.

For the sake of convenience, many pregnant women choose to do their workouts at home with one of the many videos or books available on the subject. The question is which one? It’s important to choose a workout that will keep you in shape and yet not compromise the pregnancy when choosing Pilates videos for pregnancy. Remember to get a go ahead from your health care provider before beginning any workout program, even if you are used to physical exercise.

Pilates has become really very popular over the last 10 years and due to the fact that certain techniques are safe during pregnancy it is not surprising that many people are looking for the perfect Pilates videos for pregnancy to enable them to use this wonderful form of exercise in their own homes.

Pilates is often seen as a one size fits all program. Pilates takes the core strengthening, stomach flattening, muscle lengthening exercises that Joseph Pilates invented and group them together to target specific needs or are modified so that people who previously thought they couldn’t do Pilates can benefit from Joseph Pilates brilliant method.

Many women find Pilates to be one of best exercises to do, both during and after their pregancy. One the top reasons Pilates and pregnancy go together so well is that Pilates is great at building core strength. If your abdominals, back, and pelvic floor/Kegel muscles are toned, they will support a more comfortable pregnancy and delivery. Pilates is also famous for helping new moms get their figures back after baby is born!

When buying Pilates videos for pregnancy, first make sure that the instructor on the tape is an expert in the field. Also look for a section or introduction that addresses safety and posture. Posture is a constant challenge throughout pregnancy. Good posture and alignment can help pregnant women avoid the usual aches and pains. And, like any exercise program, enjoyment is a large part of wanting to work out regularly.

Lindsey Jackson’s Video ‘PILATES IN PREGNANCY’
This video claims that by doing these exercises women will gain more balance, control of their bodies, energy, self awareness, better posture, strength and flexibility and be able to relax. To a large extent this is true, if done regularly (2-3 times a week) and the workout would take about 30 minutes.

What Others Have to Say
The Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Women’s Health said “This video is endorsed by, and was produced in consultation with the Association . . . we were impressed at how thorough Lindsey was in making adaptations, based on the advice given by women’s health physiotherapists . . .”

“The video has helped me with a number of things. It has helped my back, which was a problem and has also helped me avoid the slight inconstancy I suffered following the birth of my first baby. I also regained the shape of my stomach far quicker following the birth of this child, than following the birth of my first child when I was not practicing Pilates” Susan Kinderlane

“seeing the effect I could have on my tummy muscles whilst pregnant was incredibly empowering.” Kirsty Maddocks

“Clear and correct instructions . . . appropriate modifications .. well selected exercises . . . well produced and well instructed” Lisa Westlake Australian Physio Association

“I would highly recommend this video to all pregnant/post-partum clients, especially those who are experiencing pelvic ring dysfunction. The instructor is knowledgeable, and the quality of the exercise routine is among the best I have seen for this patient population” Lauren Potach, PT Women’s Health Coordinator Rehab Partners- Methodist Hospital, Nebraska

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