Yoga postures are meant to help a person not only exercise but also relax, release muscle tension and improve flexibility. There are various forms of yoga, and numerous yoga postures to choose from. A person trying out yoga for the first time should work with a yoga instructor and start with easy postures. There are intermediate yoga postures and then there are more advanced postures that should be used only by those who have been doing yoga for some time.
The Four Types of Yoga Postures
Generally speaking, yoga postures can be divided into four categories:
- Warm up poses, as the name would imply, are meant to limber the body up and prepare a person for more challenging postures.
- Standing poses are helpful for anyone and many of them are popular yoga pregnancy exercises. They help to exercise the arms, legs, and waist. Some examples of yoga standing poses include the Standing Side Stretch Pose, Hands to Feet and Sun Salutation.
- Yoga mat poses include both seated poses and poses that are done while lying on the back. These help to exercise the stomach, thigh and leg muscles. Some examples of these types of exercises include the Spread Leg Forward Fold and the Child Pose.
- Twist poses are yoga positions that strengthen the back. They also massage the abdominal area and can even help to improve one’s digestion. Some exercises of this type include the Half Spinal Twist and the Sage Twist.
Why Do Yoga?
First of all, a person should identify the reasons why he or she wants to do yoga. Many people use yoga as a warm up exercise routine before engaging in some form of cardiovascular exercise such as jogging, running or going for a bike ride. Such individuals will find yoga to be ideal, as they help one to get limber and warm up the body in preparation for more vigorous forms of exercise.
Many people turn to yoga to help cure a particular physical ailment. Yoga has been known to be effective in helping to reduce and eliminate back pain. However, not all forms of yoga are suitable for those who have back problems. A person with back problems may want to consult a yoga instructor before starting a yoga regimen. If any particular exercises causes pain or discomfort to the back, then it should be avoided.
Many pregnant women turn to yoga as a way to get good exercise while pregnant. Yoga is safe for pregnant women in any stage of pregnancy, although women in the second and third trimester of pregnancy will want to avoid laying on their back. Balancing exercises should also be avoided at this time, as pregnancy usually causes a woman to be more prone to loss of balance than she would be at other times. However, appropriate yoga exercises can not only provide a good workout but also strengthen the muscles that a woman will use when giving birth. This helps to make a woman’s labor shorter and less painful than it would be otherwise.
Working with a Yoga Instructor vs. Working Alone
If you are just starting out, working with a yoga instructor is the best option. A yoga instructor can not only teach a person how to do a particular exercise correctly but also help one to develop an exercise regimen that is just right for him or her. Yoga is meant to be a highly personalized form of exercise. As was noted above, there are numerous yoga positions to choose from. However, not all positions are suitable for all people. A good instructor will be able to get to know a person and help him or her get the most out of a yoga workout.
On the other hand, it is possible to do a yoga workout without the assistance of a trainer. A person who is doing yoga for the first time may want to consider trying a class online, as this will still help him or her to learn the postures correctly. There are many sites that provide free yoga classes online that are taught by experienced teachers. Some of these sites are even free of charge. One such site is Do Yoga With Me. Here you will find yoga classes and poses for yogis of all levels. It is an excellent place to start.
Learning to do yoga is an enjoyable experience. This form of exercise is becoming more and more popular and it is not hard to see why. Yoga has many benefits; besides being a great form of exercise it also helps to reduce certain aches and pains in the body, provide a better sense of balance and help a woman who is pregnant have the strength needed to have a complications free childbirth. However, the key to a successful and fulfilling yoga workout is to choose the right postures. Working with a yoga instructor is ideal; however, those who decide to do yoga on their own should consider each yoga posture carefully, see which ones work best for them and avoid postures that cause pain and/or discomfort. Once you gain more experience you can add more advanced yoga postures to your routine.
