I first got into Yoga when I was about 16 years old. I would go to while at the time, a new center in our town every Sunday morning.....I got hooked because of the amazing teacher who owned and ran the place and I've been practicing ever since.
A lot of people I know have told me they can't get into Yoga because it's too slow or they don't feel like they're getting enough of a "workout" but practicing Yoga has many health benefits attached to it.
My first suggestion is if you are finding the class isn't challenging enough or you feel bored then look into a more advanced class or even a different style such as Vinyasa Yoga ('flow yoga') because it moves faster than say a Hatha Yoga class...
Second, trust me, you are getting the benefits of exercise by practicing yoga...while you may not be dripping sweat as if you ran a marathon (unless you just took a Bikram class) many of the different asanas (poses) practiced increases your strength in you upper-body, core, and legs. Additionally, you can improve your posture and balance.
The following are a few asanas I like to practice especially when I want to do moves that work on strengthening and toning certain areas of the body.
(Adho Mukha Svanasana and Apanasana)
Benefits of down-dog split:
- Improves digestion
- Energizes the body
- Calms the brain and helps relieve stress and mild depression
- Stretches the shoulders, hamstrings, calves, arches, and hands
Benefits of knee drives:
- Strengthens core
- Tones abdominal muscles
Low lunge to High lunge variation
(Anjaneyasana to High lunge..there's no exact sanskrit name for this pose )
Benefits of low lunge:
- Opens and stretches hips, thighs and quads
- Strengthens knees and chest
*To make this pose more challenging lift your arms straight up alongside your ears
Benefits of high lunge:
- Strengthens arms, thighs, and arms
(Kakasana)
Benefits:
- Strengthens arms, shoulders and wrists
- Improves balance
*If you're a beginner try using a block at first, under your feet so you can get used to the sense of being "lifted" off your mat and start with one foot at a time
(Vrksasana)
Benefits:
- Strengthens thighs, calves, ankles, and spine
- Stretches the groins and inner thighs, chest and shoulders
- Improves sense of balance
A healthy snack or breakfast for after your yoga practice....
The "Yogi Bowl"
Ingredients:
- 2 packs Sambazon Pure Unsweetened Açaí
- 1 tablespoon of flax seed oil
- 1 tablespoon of Navitas Naturals Organic Hemp Protein Powder
- 1/4 cup of almond milk
- Udi's Artisan Granola or chopped walnuts
Recipe:
(adapted from Sambazon Açaí)
Add Pure Açaí, flax seed oil, Navitas Naturals Organic Hemp Protein Powder and 1/4 cup of almond milk into blender.
- Blend on high or liquefy setting (depending on your blender)
- Add more almond milk as needed- but the consistency should remain thick
- Top with granola or a handful of chopped raw walnuts
xoxo
Meg
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