Yoga

Always been curious but never really tried. Would likely do so at home with a DVD. Any tips for beginners?

 

Thanks for sharing your experience with yoga, Brightmoon.

Quick snippet on the importance and helpfulness of asanas:

"Yoga asanas help to shift lymph fluids around your body in ways that you would not ordinarily be able to achieve in daily life. Lymph nodes are the filters along the lymphatic system. Their job is to filter out and trap bacteria, viruses, cancer cells, and other unwanted substances, and to make sure they are safely eliminated from the body.

Approximately 70% are superficial lymphatic capillaries located just under, the skin. The remaining 30%, which are known as deep lymphatic capillaries, surround most of the body’s organs. The deep ones can be stimulated only by Yoga.

Yoga diaphragmatic breathing and many yoga positions open up the chest cavity, while poses like shoulder stands, enlist gravity to help lymph fluid get where it is supposed to go.

Since there is no pump, the lymph movement relies on contraction of smooth muscle tissue lining the walls of lymph vessels. Movement of skeletal muscles is also important for driving lymph along the systems network of vessels to lymph nodes and from these to lymph ducts where the lymph tissue joins cardiovascular circulation.

The lymphatic system is a closed pressure system and has one-way valves that keep lymph moving towards the heart."
http://ajitvadakayil.blogspot.com/2014/01/nandi-bull-vahana-and-gatekeeper-of.html

Here are two asana routines for morning and evening:

Sun salutation – Surya Namaskar:



Moon salutation – Chandra Namaskar:

 

No problem! Yoga has been life-changing for me.

I am still becoming more flexible so it is helpful for me to walk in place or jog in place to get the blood flowing in my legs (especially the hamstrings) before doing any poses or postures.

At the end of the day it is nice to relax by having all lights (and TV!) off, enjoy the quiet, stretch the body, and sit peacefully. For sitting for meditation, I've found the following video to be helpful to open the legs up more for sitting more comfortably for longer stretches of time (lotus pose or just simple cross-legged)

 

Yes! it is life-changing. Yoga has been a godsend for me...I discovered it the year my father passed away. it was one thing that actually helped me feel better. it helped me feel, helped me align feelings, helped me move emotionally and helped me strengthen mind, body and soul. 14 years later, it is still essential to me-- it's like breathing (haha pun intended).

in the early morning to wake up ..or late at night if I can't sleep. in the afternoon after work to release stress. in the middle of the day to express joy. it has a way of grounding and yet integrating you with the universe. it's magical and yet so practical.
it is literally good for whatever ails you. if you are sick, if you are sad, if you are stressed, if you are physically achy or stiff, I recommend this practice. there is something for everyone. something anyone can do.

yoga never hurts. if it hurts, it's not yoga. Yoga heals.
yoga is about the journey. there are no goals and your imperfection is perfect from the start. imperfection is beautiful because it provides a place to move towards. it is intention and release of intention. it is fluid. and after 5000 years, you know that if people are still doing it, it has to be something amazing and good. indeed =)

my personal favorites are the Hatha and Tibetan

 

Season 2, Episode 5 - Sun Wind = <3

 

I did yoga for several months many years ago, but didn't stick with it. The best feeling ever was when my spine realigned, popping all the way from my hips to my neck. Maybe that was bad...but it felt good!

On the topic of yoga, this is incredible. I wish my dog would do this with me...

 

YES! Earth <3 <3<3 Now, that it's been mentioned, I have to go home and do that one as soon as possible

yay.. there had to be something. =D
Anyways I have sworn off political discussion at least through the end of this year. I don't like having heartburn lol *HUG*

 

I'm in love with Yoga.

 

You must try at least one time..

 

Yoga is amazing! I started doing Ashtanga at the end of last year and it has made such a difference in my life. I have always had back problems, and after a few years in the army my body was shattered. Now though I actually feel better than before I joined up, I feel more flexible and I find my soul is just cleaner. I don't get angry almost ever anymore. While I still sometimes have negative thoughts about life from time to time, they are becoming less and less than a couple years ago. It is definitely something I will be staying with for life. Not since finding out I was an INFJ has something impacted me in such a profound way that starting yoga.