By: Michelle Bery
Yoga – the ancient art of breathing and stretching – has long been favored as a natural way to achieve optimal fitness and ward off stress. Today, more and more people are turning to yoga to help them achieve what traditional exercise has not – a mind/body connection that offers a greater level of health and inner peace.
Yoga positions consist of holding certain postures of the body while performing deep and precise breathing techniques. There are many types of yoga practice to which different people prescribe but there is a common thread that unites all sects of yoga. They all have various postures or positions that are common to yoga in general.
Some common yoga positions include:
Seated Yoga Position – Seated yoga positions often focus on learning disciplined breathing techniques. Participants sit cross legged in an erect position and learn to control their diaphragm and let their breathing work for them.
Standing Yoga Position – Standing yoga positions concentrates on improving flexibility and spinal alignment while still utilizing breathing techniques.
Supine Yoga Position - Supine yoga positions lengthen and strengthen the spinal column thus benefiting parts of the back.
Belly Down Yoga Position - Belly down yoga positions concentrate on abs and upper body strength. Participants are asked to lift themselves from the ground and perform a series of stretch positions in a fluid motion.
Balancing Yoga Position - Balancing yoga positions improve flexibility and strengthen back and abdominal muscles. Holding a particular position for an extended period of time while balancing body weight uses muscles much more then you would think.
Twisting Yoga Position - Twisting yoga positions stretch the body – most significantly the spinal column.
Yoga can be a wonderful way to tone your body, increase flexibility, improve cardiovascular function, and lower stress. Research yoga online or turn to professionals who practice and teach yoga. A local class can be just the thing to turn you on to the benefits of yoga positions.
