Finding the Best Yoga Poses for You

Yoga is basically the discipline of uniting body, mind and spirit through a series of yoga poses that are also known as asanas. These asanas were developed centuries ago, and each position has its benefit over a specific part of the body. Some of these positions will enhance flexibility, others are meant for balance, and still others will concentrate on strength. By combining a variety of yoga poses into a single workout, you can achieve maximum fitness and health for you entire body, through flexible joints, toned muscles and increased strength. Yoga that is done properly will also work the mind, resulting in better concentration and focus and less impact from the day to day stresses of life.

·         Warm Ups and Cool Downs

Some of the first yoga poses that you will need to learn will be the positions that you will use at the beginning and end of your workout. The warm-up poses that you select will vary based on the type of yoga program that you will be doing and where you will focus most of your positions. It is very important to take the time to do your warm-up yoga poses before beginning your regular yoga routine to properly prepare your muscles and joints for the work ahead and to help prevent injury. At the end of your workout, it is also a good idea to do some finishing yoga poses. This will help to complete the work that you have done and help you to relax properly at the end of your workout.

Tantric Yoga Tip: While most forms of yoga seek to unite the mind, body and spirit in harmonious oneness, tantric yoga actually takes that process to a higher spiritual level. This type of yoga is tied to many Eastern religions and philosophies that all stem from the belief that the universe and the individual are intertwined. The process of tantric yoga involves concentrating one’s energy to achieve spiritual regeneration and awareness. This type of yoga cannot be taught in books – it is generally learned through devotion to a single yogi who passes the philosophies and discipline down to other students.

·         Standing, Seated and Twisted Poses

There are many different types of yoga poses that can be done throughout your yoga workout. Some of these are done in a standing position, which can help to align your body properly as they promote strength and flexibility. These are the best yoga poses to improve your posture. Seated positions are often used for the meditation portion of a yoga workout, as well as for therapeutic purposes. There are also twisted yoga poses that you can do. Not only will these gently stretch and strengthen your back, they also will massage the abdominal muscles and aid in digestion. Keep in mind that any type of twisting that is done in your yoga pose should be slow and fluid. Avoid jerking or bouncing, since this type of action can lead to injury.

In addition to the yoga poses listed here, there are many other types of positions that you can try as well. If you are new to yoga, it is best to learn these different positions from a qualified instructor who can ensure that you are completing the positions correctly. Once you have a basic knowledge of how to perform the different yoga poses, you can begin to enjoy your yoga workouts from the privacy of your own home.