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Yoga Breath: Kapalabhati
In yoga, breath is just as important as the postures. Linking your breath with your movement creates complete awareness. These breathing exercises are called Pranayama, which means breath control.
Class Act: Kripalu Yoga
Looking to try Yoga? Not sure what kind of yoga is best for beginners? I recommend you try Kripalu Yoga; it is a great place to start because these classes tend to involve slow and gentle movements.
Vinyasa: The Link Between Poses
Yoga is all about connecting your breath with your body, and vinyasas help that happen. Vinyasas link static yoga poses together, so your practice becomes more of a deliberate, fluid dance instead of just a bunch of random poses thrown together. Vinyasa is a series of 5 movements, kind of like a shortened Sun Salutation.Cool Yourself With Yoga Breath
We are all looking for ways to keep ourselves cool this summer, especially when we are working out in the hot sun.
I learned a type of Pranayama (yogic breath) that has cooling effects on the body called Sitali (tongue hissing). You've probably done this without even knowing it, when you eat something really hot to cool off your mouth.
Yoga and Asthma
Several studies have shown Yoga to be a powerful therapy in reducing the frequency and intensity of asthma attacks. I also found that when I'm practicing Yoga regularly, I can decrease my prescription meds.
Yoga is all about pranayama (breathing), which is great for meditation, but it's also good for your lungs.
Class Act: Mysore
If you're checking out classes at an Ashtanga yoga studio, you may come across a class called Mysore.
In a Mysore style yoga class, you lead yourself, following your own breath and a series of memorized poses, either First Series or Second Series. If you are an advanced practitioner, you may even do Third Series.
Strike a Yoga Pose: Mountain — Create Your Intention
Depending on what kind of yoga class you are taking some start off seated and some start off standing. However the class begins physically, it's always important for you to begin your personal practice mindfully.
If the instructor offers you a moment of meditation in the beginning of class, use this time to bring yourself into your body.
Forrest Yoga
There are many dialects of English spoken in the U.S. - we got "youse guys" and "y'all". Well, yoga is no different, there are many distinct styles.
Darth Vader and Yoga: A Connection Through Breath
Yoga is all about connecting your breath with your movements.
It's called ujjayi pranayama (pronounced oo-jai pra-na-ya-ma). Some instructors call it "ocean breath," "victorious breath," or "Darth Vader breath."
Other Search Results
Learn to Love: Bilateral Breathing in Freestyle
Swimming is one of my favorite forms of cardio, but if you are going the distance swimming laps of freestyle you're going to want to learn how to breathe to both sides. I know trying to breathe on the side you aren't used to feels extremely awkward and uncomfortable, but in the long run it is well worth conquering the skill of bilateral breathing. You know it is skill since it has such a fancy sounding name!
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