How To Do Simple Poses: Yoga For Beginners

By Thaya Kareeson

Yoga has been around for thousands of years. It has been studied extensively by scientists and has been shown to have great health benefits. If you are interested in learning some yoga for beginners, this article will show you five simple poses you can easily incorporate into your daily life.

Sukasana is translated as Easy Yoga Pose. You may be doing this pose already and not even know it is yoga! Start by sitting on your bottom with your legs crossed and bent at the knee, not straight out in front of you. Then move one leg toward your body. The other leg can lie on the floor. Sit up straight and tall with your head parallel to the floor. Be sure your shoulders are relaxed.

To do the Tree Pose, start from a standing position. Your hands should be in a prayer pose, fingertips pointing up, at chest level. Hips should be parallel to the floor as much as possible. Slowly bring your right foot up the inside of your left leg until it rests on your inner left thigh (or as high as you can get it without pain). Remain balancing for a time, then repeat with your other leg and foot. Hold on to the wall or a chair if you need extra support.

A fantastic stretch for your entire body is called the Downward-Facing Dog Pose. Begin by getting down on your hands and knees with your shoulders and hips directly over your hands and knees. Keep your spine straight. Now, begin inverting your body by raising your bottom, unbending your knees and walking your hands back as far as you can. Drop your head. Keep your shoulders down. Do not force yourself to stretch beyond your comfort zone.

Child's Pose is done from the Downward-Facing Dog Pose, spread your knees and then bring your stomach towards the ground. Stretch your arms out in front of you. Of, if that is uncomfortable, put your arms down alongside of your body with your fingers pointing at your toes. Stay in this position for as long as you like.

The Cat and Cow Pose also starts from the Downward-Facing Dog Pose. Bend your toes under. Relax your shoulders and drop your stomach toward the ground. Your back will be concave. Hands and knees need to stay aligned with your shoulders and hips. Then stretch your back like a cat, arching upwards. Return to starting position.

Garland Pose is a standing position. Your feet should be spread apart comfortably. With your back straight, lower your bottom towards the ground and go into a squat. Your elbows should be at the insides of your knees, pressing outwards. Shoulders need to be relaxed. Stay like this for five breaths.

There you have five very simple poses that you can use to relieve tension, improve balance and flexibility. They were not too difficult, were they? And you probably feel much more relaxed than when you began. Now that you know yoga for beginners is not too hard, continue your practice and consider joining a yoga class in your community. Your body will thank you. - 31994

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How To Choose The Right Pilates Books

By Jennifer Willenson

It doesn't matter if you are just starting out or have been doing fitness exercises for a long time, Pilates is a great way to keep in shape. In just about every country Pilates is one of the best ways to exercise, regardless of the body shape you are trying to achieve. Especially important for beginners is making sure you choose a Pilates book that matches your level of fitness. Keep reading for valuable tips to choosing the right Pilates book.

Learning just about anything for the first time can be an intimidating experience. There are mountains of information available on Pilates, and more Pilates-related equipment and apparatus for sale than a person could count in a single sitting. So how exactly do you know where to start? Before spending hundreds of dollars on equipment you may not need or jumping into classes that may be above and beyond your skill level, consider choosing Pilates books to learn the basics. Pilates books are an inexpensive alternative to home study courses and traditional classes. That being said, you may need some advice to choose the right Pilates books for you. Follow the simple tips outlined in this article to ensure that you make the right choice when purchasing your books.

1) Learn the basics with a beginners Pilates book

If you don't know the basics look for a book that is for beginners. It can be discouraging when you can't perform the exercises outlined. Of course it takes practice but if a book is too far above your skill level will just be frustrating to follow. Start from the beginning courses and then move on to more advanced exercises.

2) Stay away from Pilates books that need you to buy expensive equipment.

You will not need expensive equipment right away. most of the Pilates exercises can be performed without the need for equipment. A few Pilates books are packaged with small pieces of equipment, and that is ok, but it is good to know how to do exercises without equipment, that way you can do them anywhere. If you do want something cheap and simple, try the exercise ball or exercise mat.

3) Buy a Pilates book with detailed images.

Learning even basic movements and poses from written text can be a difficult task for some people. When choosing a Pilates book for beginners, be sure that the book you choose includes illustrations or photographs depicting the movements you will be learning. Being able to see the movements in illustrated examples will help to ensure that you are exercising correctly and prevent injuries.

Pilates books are a fantastic way of learning fitness exercises and getting yourself in shape. If you are feeling low on energy and need simple exercises to give you back that spark and help you lose weight than finding a beginners Pilates book is definately for you. - 31994

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The Top Reasons To Include Pilates In Your Fitness Routine

By Mark Trodor

You have been quite lazy this year and your body and mind were those that suffered most. You went about with your usual work routine giving less time for fitness and strength. This coming year you want to give yourself the needed health boost not just in the body but also in the mind. One way to do so is to start Pilates. This physical fitness system is primarily aimed to strengthen the body - that is, to keep the body balanced and to provide the spine the needed support. This muscle control system is known not only to give the body a physical healthy boost but also in keeping the mind stress-free. Pilates is developed by Joseph Pilates of Germany and is now used by millions of people all around the world.

Included are a few reasons why Pilates should be part of your routine this coming year:

1. Get lean without getting those bulky muscles.

We all want to be strong and when we mean strong we do not really mean having the heavy bulky muscles. If you want to increase your body's physical strength but not really take on the bulk of the usual physical fitness program, then Pilates can do well for you. Since the program does not focus on movement repetition, you do not get to have overgrown muscles which are considered to be unsightly by some people.

2. Round out your body-mind workout. Another thing that sets this particular physical fitness program apart from the usual exercise regimens is the fact that it can give you a total mind and body workout. The smooth and flowing movement of this system allows you to be more mindful of the body. The breathing system also helps in relieving stress and reducing anxiety and depression.

3. To help prevent future injuries.

Pilates is also known for balancing and strengthening the entire body. Its focus is not just on certain muscle groups. Over time, your body becomes more supple and fluid, protecting your from physical injury. Another reason is because the exercise system veers away from under training or overtraining of certain muscle groups.

4. Aid your body to become more efficient.

With regular Pilates sessions, you can expect your body to become more efficient when it comes to movement and overall function. Of course, this does means a lot as you are given the natural ability t move smoother and safer. It can also help you manage daily tasks easily.

5. Make getting older easier on yourself.

This physical fitness system can help you not just be more physically and spiritually ready for the present but it can also help you in your senior years. Practicing Pilates can save you from painful and stiff joints years from now. It aims for body strength and flexibility so it can also be quite useful for those already in their senior years. If a senior is planning to start this system, then it would be best to be under a trained instructor's program. - 31994

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