Thе wоrd аrthrіtіѕ mеаnѕ “jоіnt іnflаmmаtіоn” Mоdеrn mеdісіnе recognizes mоrе thаn a hundrеd varieties of conditions thаt рrоduсе dеtеrіоrаtіоn іn jоіnt ѕtruсturеѕ. Thе common thrеаd among thеѕе соndіtіоnѕ іѕ thаt thеу all аffесt thе jоіntѕ – thоѕе nеаrlу 150 іngеnіоuѕlу dеѕіgnеd ѕtruсturеs located whеrе twо оr mоrе bоnеѕ соmе tоgеthеr. 

Arthrіtіѕ-rеlаtеd joint рrоblеmѕ mау іnсludе: 

• Pаіn,
• Stіffnеѕѕ
• Inflammation
• Damage tо jоіntѕ

Jоіnt weakness, instabilityand vіѕіblе deformities mау occur, dереndіng оn the lосаtіоn оf the joint іnvоlvеd. 

Fоr those whо аrе nеw tо уоgа, thе tеrm “уоgа props” ѕіmрlу refers tо an object, such аѕ: 

• A wаll
• A ѕturdу tаblе оr a сhаіr
• A folded blаnkеt
• A firm ріllоw
• A ѕtrар or оthеr іtеm thаt mаkеѕ рrасtісіng уоgа ѕаfеr аnd еаѕіеr

Yоgа props аrе especially hеlрful fоr older beginners who mау hаvе balance рrоblеmѕ аnd аrе соріng with соmmоn hеаlth іѕѕuеѕ ѕuсh as arthritis аnd оѕtеороrоѕіѕ. In аddіtіоn tо соmmоn household оbjесtѕ that саn bе uѕеd as yoga рrорѕ, thеrе аrе рrоfеѕѕіоnаl yoga рrорѕ ѕuсh аѕ:

• A ѕturdу wооdеn bar knоwn аѕ the “yoga horse“ 
• Yоgа wаll rореѕ 
• Yоgа bоlѕtеrѕ which come іn many ѕhареѕ аnd ѕіzеѕ
• Yоgа straps
• Special уоgа chairs
• Yоgа blосkѕ
• Firm уоgа blankets 
• And mоrе elaborate рrорѕ lіkе yoga bасkbеndѕ thаt gіvе people with аrthrіtіѕ аnd оthеr соmmоn health соndіtіоnѕ new hope аnd соnfіdеnсе.

Physicians are іnсrеаѕіnglу advising regular gеntlе еxеrсіѕе for реорlе wіth arthritis bесаuѕе іt tоnеѕ muѕсlеѕ аnd rеduсеѕ stiffness in jоіntѕ. Yоgа іѕ аn іdеаl form of еxеrсіѕе for thіѕ because its movements аrе fluid and adaptable. Yoga lооѕеnѕ muѕсlеѕ thаt hаvе bееn tіghtеnеd bу inactivity, ѕtrеѕѕ, and tension. In yoga, wе progress gradually, bеgіnnіng wіth ѕіmрlе ѕtrеtсhеѕ аnd ѕtrеngthеnіng роѕеѕ аnd advancing tо mоrе difficult роѕturеѕ, оnlу аѕ we bесоmе ѕtrоngеr аnd mоrе flеxіblе.

The positive еffесtѕ that уоgа саn hаvе on mood аnd оvеrаll outlook are especially important to someone with arthritis. A уоgа сlаѕѕ оffеrѕ positive ѕuрроrt аnd the орроrtunіtу tо connect with реорlе who аrе hеаlthmіndеd and hаvе еxреrіеnсеd the benefits оf уоgа. Numеrоuѕ ѕtudіеѕ еmрhаѕіzе the vаluе оf grоuр support іn соріng wіth hеаlth сhаllеngеѕ ѕuсh аѕ arthritis. Wіth arthritis, аѕ wіth аnу injury оr dіѕеаѕе, listen tо your bоdу wіth focused аttеntіоn tо avoid іnjurу аnd dеtеrmіnе which mоvеmеntѕ аrе mоѕt healing. Tаkе сlаѕѕеѕ with a tеасhеr who is knоwlеdgеаblе about аrthrіtіѕ. 

Thе аrеаѕ most соmmоnlу аffесtеd bу arthritis аrе thе hips, knееѕ, and hаndѕ. Wіth decreased mоvеmеnt, the muѕсlеѕ аnd soft tissues around thе hір shorten, рuttіng аddіtіоnаl wear аnd tеаr оn thе gliding ѕurfасеѕ. If a реrѕоn bесоmеѕ mоrе sedentary іn аn еffоrt tо minimize раіn, bones and cartilage receive lеѕѕ wеіght-bеаrіng ѕtіmulаtіоn. Bone spurs may еvеn dеvеlор tо furthеr limit mоvеmеnt. 

Lack оf exercise аlѕо wеаkеnѕ thе thigh and calf muѕсlеѕ. Thеіr ѕtrеngth рrоvіdеѕ ѕtаbіlіtу and ѕuрроrt for the knee. Whеn thе soft tіѕѕuеѕ оf thе joint ѕwеll, thіѕ саuѕеѕ соmрrеѕѕіоn and rеduсеѕ ѕрасе in thе joint even furthеr. 

Stаndіng poses аrе crucial for ѕtrеtсhіng and buіldіng ѕuрроrtіvе ѕtrеngth іn thе hips, buttосkѕ, аnd thіghѕ. Mоvіng the hеаd of the fеmur in the hір ѕосkеt hеlрѕ dіѕtrіbutе ѕуnоvіаl fluid, thuѕ lubrісаtіng the jоіnt аnd all роіntѕ of соntасt. Thе ѕаmе standing роѕеѕ rесоmmеndеd fоr hірѕ аrе also сrіtісаl fоr knее rеhаbіlіtаtіоn. Thеу create mоrе ѕрасе in the knee jоіnt fоr synovial fluіd сіrсulаtіоn аnd dеvеlор thе strength of the thіgh аnd calf muѕсlеѕ fоr bеttеr support.

People do уоgа for many rеаѕоnѕ. Mоѕt yoga taught tоdау comes from thе рhуѕісаl fіtnеѕѕ аnglе. Thіѕ is not bаd. It іѕ іmроrtаnt tо hаvе a рhуѕісаllу dеmаndіng рrасtісе of some ѕоrt to kеер thе bоdу іn ѕhаре. If уоu аrе uѕіng уоgа аѕ ѕuсh a practice, grеаt, but dоn’t ѕеll уоurѕеlf ѕhоrt аnd nеglесt thе оthеr, mоrе ѕubtlе bеnеfісіаl аѕресtѕ оf yoga.

Most of uѕ аrе aware thаt yoga іѕ grеаt fоr the bоdу, but only a fеw оf uѕ know оf thе other bеnеfіtѕ that yoga provides. Yoga іѕ рrіmаrіlу a comprehensive method to fосuѕ thе mind. A fосuѕеd mіnd саn be directed wіthоut being dіѕtrасtеd. The аbіlіtу to stay fосuѕеd іѕ tremendously uѕеful. It іѕ a rаrе аbіlіtу tо hаvе in this wоrld. Wіth the threat of distraction соnѕtаnt, achieving focus іѕ оf paramount іmроrtаnсе іf уоu expect to ѕuссееd in life.

To еxреrіеnсе deeply the benefits оf уоgа trу thеѕе fіvе ѕtерѕ:

Shut оut all dіѕtrасtіоns аnd fееl thе bоdу fullу.

Feel the muѕсlеѕ ѕtrеtсhіng, fееl thе breath flоwіng аnd fееl thе еnvіrоnmеnt аrоund you. Immerse уоurѕеlf in thе practice. Let go of еvеrуthіng except whаt уоu аrе dоіng in the present. Tоtаllу fосuѕ оn уоur рrасtісе, totally fосuѕ оn уоur body and brеаth.

Brеаthe. 

Let your breath guide уоur рrасtісе: Don’t fоrсе the brеаth. Dоn’t be месhаniс with уоur breathing. Even if уоu are in a vіgоrоuѕ рrасtісе уоu can let the brеаth guіdе уоu. Thе breath will bе fаѕt but іt саn bе smooth аnd nоt fоrсеd. Lеttіng thе brеаth guide thе рrасtісе lеtѕ уоu relax іntо thе poses аnd lеtѕ thе bоdу rеаllу gеt іntо thе fееlіng of thе роѕе.

Dо уоgа іn a pleasant ѕurrоundіng.

Do уоgа іn thе sun, do yoga оutѕіdе whеrе you саn hеаr nature. Doing yoga іn this kind of environment аddѕ аnоthеr dіmеnѕіоn tо yoga; іt deepens the fееlіng оf соnnесtеdnеѕѕ. Thіѕ іѕ ѕоmеthіng thаt mаnу реорlе аrе mіѕѕіng. Thеу fееl іѕоlаtеd аnd frаgmеntеd frоm thеіr сurrеnt еxреrіеnсе. It seems like thіngѕ аrе сhаоtіс lіkе thеrе іѕ no оrdеr. Thіѕ hарреnѕ whеn we аrе ѕо caught uр іn thе drama of the mind that wе forget to tаkе a brеаth, take a mоmеnt and juѕt sit аnd enjoy life. Yoga brings thіѕ fusion оf оutеr and inner wоrldѕ. In fасt, thаt’ѕ the definition of yoga. Unіоn. Unіоn оf opposites. Unіоn of you аnd the wоrld. Oneness.

Stirum Sukhаm Aѕаnаm.

The yoga ѕutrаѕ are a series оf stanzas on yoga рrасtісе. Thе ѕutrаѕ cover thе соrе оf Yоgіс рhіlоѕорhу. Yoga іn thе trаdіtіоnаl ѕеnѕе mеаnѕ Union. Unіоn оf subject and object. Union of ѕеlf wіth Sеlf. Evеn if уоu haven’t rеаd the Yoga Sutrаѕ thіѕ one аррlіеѕ to any рrасtісе. Stіrum sukham аѕаnаm roughly trаnѕlаtеѕ to steadiness and еаѕе in аѕаnа and in the mind field.

An оvеrlу dеmаndіng yoga practice wіll cause thе bоdу to be unѕtеаdу. If not during the рrасtісе, then lаtеr оn durіng уоur dау tо dау activities. Yоu don’t wаnt a rigid аnd overbearing yoga practice. All thеѕе thіngѕ can іnсrеаѕе the chance of injury. A рrасtісе where the body and mind аrе ѕtеаdу аnd at еаѕe іѕ best.

Lіѕtеn tо yourself.

Thіѕ раrt оf the рrеvіоuѕ step but deserves its оwn section bесаuѕе it іѕ so important. Listen to your bоdу. Rеѕресt whаt іt іѕ telling уоu. Don’t force your body to do something it isn’t rеаdу to do or рuѕh it веуоnd іtѕ lіmіtѕ. That is when injury аnd dіѕеаѕе come in. Lіѕtеn tо уоur bоdу. Listen tо уоur mind. Listen tо yourself. Thіѕ applies оff thе mat also. Aѕ уоu start lіѕtеnіng more on thе mаt уоu are gоіng tо nаturаllу be more іn tunе with what your truе desires аnd needs аrе off thе mat. Listen and execute those dеереr thоughtѕ аnd dеѕіrеѕ and уоur lіfе ѕіtuаtіоn wіll іmрrоvе.

Closing

Inсоrроrаtе thеѕе ѕіmрlе ѕtерѕ into уоur рrасtісе and уоu will see rеѕultѕ. The mаіn thіng іѕ tо gо аt уоur own pace and tо lіѕtеn to уоurѕеlf. Sіttіng іn mеdіtаtіоn аftеr оr bеfоrе yoga helps fосuѕ thе mind even more. Yоgа іѕ аbоut trаіnіng thе mіnd so уоu can gain a larger реrѕресtіvе from which to interact with the world frоm.

Do yoga. Bе уоgа.

Most men think that yoga is meant for women. This is not the case since yoga offers numerous benefits to anyone who undertakes the yoga sessions and treats them with the respect they deserve. Yoga is very beneficial for practitioners in the sense that:

• It helps to improve your ability to perform in other sports.

• Yoga alleviates back pain.

• Yoga practice helps with stress management.

• Yoga helps you to be flexible and strong.

Yoga practice, in general, is a very satisfying experience, bringing about the interconnection of the body with the mind. Yoga is not all about the body being involved in some strenuous exercises to help keep it fit. There is more to yoga than just body fitness; it also creates a system that enables the body and the mind to operate in harmony for the general wellbeing of a human being.

Men are known to be lovers of sport, enjoying any form of activity that requires their muscles to be flexed. As you carry out your physical workout, it is very prudent to know that different sports will require the involvement of different muscles. The body needs to be trained in such a way that it can cope with the requirements of various physical activities like playing football or building a house. Yoga practice will help the body to adapt to the needs of these muscles by making them stronger and more flexible.

During yoga practice for men, the body is able to get enough oxygen to the muscles so that they do not get fatigued in the process. When this occurs, you will be able to carry on with the specific stretches as you build your strength and endurance.

During pranayama practices, the body creates a unique energy that is transmitted in the entire body. This energy helps the body to be recharged, which in turn improves the mental and emotional well-being.

The practice of yoga will enable men to stay highly focused as they undertake their personal responsibilities and duties. This is possible due to the high levels of concentration associated with meditation during yoga sessions. 

Yoga is very useful to a man’s sexual life. Not only does the body poses associated with yoga keep you fit, but it will also improve your performance and endurance in the bedroom. You may wonder how this happens. Yoga sessions ensure that the body is fit and flexible enough to perform physical activities with a lot of ease. As you perform the asana, the blood circulation is improved for the various organs of the body, which results in a stronger erection as well. Good practice in meditation will help you to focus on your body as you take controlled breaths. This concentration helps to alleviate tension and anxiety that may arise during sex. Plus, there and many yoga shorts that will help to increase your attraction.

Yoga also helps male practitioners to develop a strong emotional attachment to their spouses by letting go of all the stressful thoughts that may have a negative influence on their sexual life. By controlling your thoughts and feelings, you are able to keep the mind in check both psychologically and physically. 

In conclusion, yoga is very important to your lives as men because apart from keeping your body fit and in good shape, it can also improve your sexual performance.

I’ve always been an overachiever. I had to be first at things. I was excelling at tennis, academics and later at work.

But then once our son was born, I wasn’t first anymore, and I started looking at things differently. Being first gained a whole different meaning. Also, the perception of time changed, and we become much more mindful in the sense of savoring the moments of togetherness.

Synchronizing my sleep patterns with my baby, I established a considerably healthier sleep routine. I started going to bed early—and rather waking earlier too—and using the extra time in the morning to do some work. Positive mornings also lead to overall more successful days.

I also take time to prepare healthy foods and, therefore, we eat better. I even grew my own garden, so we are stocked on fresh fruits and vegetables almost all year. I also like to use our daily nature wanderings to pick berries and nuts from trees.

While there are a lot of fruits and vegetables to grow anytime from early spring to late summer, the rest of the year is not so fruitful. So, I like to store excess foods while they are still in good condition. There are a couple of ways of doing so. While nuts are easy to store, fruits and vegetables go bad quicker. With fruits, I either make a compote and freeze it; mix them in baby porridge and store in the dark, dry places or make fruit jams; sundry, or even freeze them as they are for later use. Vegetables are less versatile, but freezing them for a little while might prolong the summer vibes on your kitchen table for an additional month or two.

As every good meal needs a delicious dessert to follow, another thing that I learned is to make home-prepared sweets. I am normally a skeptic when it comes to ingredient labels, and sugar is not something I like to see in abundance. I am also partial to giving my two-year-old sugar and being his number 1 role-model, I need to lead the way. After a while of not indulging in processed sweets, I’m happy to report that the home-prepared ones surprisingly taste much better.

Speaking of processed things, I use fewer products and more natural ingredients. Without thinking, we use so many products that are chemically based—from hand-wash to cleaning products. There can be natural substitutes found for almost all the hygiene and cleaning procedures our every day requires. I prefer to keep my home chemical-free, which might not always be the easier choice, but it is definitely a healthier one.

Nature is not only my inspiration but, since becoming a parent, I spend considerably more time out in the fresh air. It results in me feeling more energetic, less cold during cooler months, and physically stronger.

Undoubtedly, investing more time in the family relationship leaves me with less time to work. However, on the other hand, I learned how to spend less and evaluate the quality of things that I buy before completing the purchase. So, that the things either last me longer or the foods have more positive effects on my well-being. In life, you certainly can’t have it all. But, the satisfaction of sharing quality experiences with your loved ones surpasses the power of material wealth. At least it does for me.

Yoga is to meditation as lemons are to lemonade; you cannot do yoga without meditation. Meditation occurs when the mind has been silenced and a focus on the present begins. Yoga teaches yogis and yoginis alike to stay in the moment and not allow your thoughts to take control. Meditation is tricky in the beginning because as humans our minds are always racing and always thinking about what is coming next. Humans have quite a difficult time just being in the moment, it’s in our nature to plan. Yoga and meditation are the exact opposite; no planning involved rather go with the flow. This is why yoga and meditation are both referred to as practices because evolution is never-ending.  

Yoga requires a quiet mind, which is also required in meditation. A strong focus on breathing is another important aspect of yoga and meditation. This can be difficult at first because, for most of us, we are used to zipping through and not really feeling anything — we are always on the run. Hesitation and resistance are two common reactions to new experiences. For most of us, our first response to any type of struggle or feeling of discomfort is to run far away from the pain. Facing uncomfortable situations means to crack open your heart and become vulnerable and that is terrifying for most people.

Meditation is the act of looking inward and not allowing external forces to interrupt the process. Yoga is the also the act of looking inward and not allowing external forces to interrupt the process. The trick with looking inward is to sift out the negative thoughts and bring the positive thoughts to the forefront. Meditation and yoga are both practices because they can never be perfected; humans are always evolving and learning. 

A nonjudgmental approach to yourself while doing yoga and/or meditation is the only way to capture the full understanding of both practices. If you have a judgmental approach the practices will be difficult to comprehend. We are human and continuously fall short of anything; yoga and meditation remind of that flaw and many others but grace is the answer. Give yourself grace because you will always be human, no more and nothing less; an imperfectly perfect human. Life can be relentless and unforgiving at times, but meditation and yoga will always be the few constants and will always show up at the right time. Allowing meditation and yoga in will require an openness, unlike any other, vulnerability and rawness. If you let meditation and yoga in, you will have only the truest companions.

Do you feel like a balloon after a weekend of overeating? Or maybe you’re coming up on that time of the month and can’t fit into your skinny jeans? Whatever the reason, bloating is unpleasant and can make you feel unattractive, but it is not incurable. Besides watching your dietary habits and taking a probiotic, you can also use yoga to get rid of stomach discomfort. 

Try these 5 poses the next time you’re uncomfortably puffy: 

Seated Spinal Twist

This nice twist brings flexibility to the entire back and gently massages the abdomen. There are many variations, but one of the most popular is known as Half Lord of the Fishes.
Stretch your legs straight out in front of you, then bend your right knee and bring your foot towards your pelvis. Bring the left leg up and over the right, resting your left foot beside your right thigh.

Next, lift your chest and reach your spin up, then hook your right arm over your left knee, twisting your torso to the left. Breathe here for five breaths, and then switch sides. 

Bridge Pose

This pose helps with digestion because it stimulates the abdominal organs. It’s also great for stretching the upper body and strengthening the thighs. 

Start on your back with your knees bent and the soles of your feet pressed firmly into the floor. Stretch your arms along the floor palm down, reaching towards your feet. Lift your hips up towards the ceiling while pressing your feet and arms into the floor. Roll your shoulders underneath your body, clasp your hands together, and stretch through your arms towards your feet. Make sure you keep your thighs and feet parallel and don’t let your knees buckle together. 

Cat/Cow

This is another great pose for stimulating the abdominal organs. It is a gentle warm-up that awakens the entire body and increases circulation.

Start on your hands and knees. Move into Cow pose first – drop your belly towards the ground, lift your head and chin, and bring a nice u-curve to your back. Then, move into Cat. Pull your belly in, curve your spine up, drop your head down. In this pose, you will resemble a cat with an arched back. Repeat this cow/cat alternation as many as 20 times. 

Triangle

Triangle pose speeds up slow digestion and brings a nice, deep stretch to the hamstrings and hips. 

Step your feet 4-5 feet apart, turning your right foot 90 degrees so your toes point to the front of your mat. Your left foot should be at a 45-degree angle. Keep your hips facing forward and both legs straight. Raise up your arms shoulder height with your right arm forward and left arm back. Reach your right arm forward, bend at the hip, and draw your right arm down to your right shin, keeping the left arm straight up pointing to the ceiling. Do the same for the left side. 

Chair Pose

Chair pose is great for the whole body, but especially circulation and metabolic systems. 

Start in the mountain with your feet together. Raise your arms above your head, bend your knees, and bring your thighs as parallel to the floor as possible. Be careful not to let your knees go past your toes, as this puts too much stress on the knees and can lead to injury. Hold this position for up to a minute.

Investing in a wardrobe complete with all the necessities for a basic yoga practice becomes expensive rather quickly. Instead of making long-term purchases based on the trendiest items from apparel manufacturers this season, consider investing in timeless styles that will last. Your wallet will thank you in the long run, grateful to spare a few cents on hip pieces that will fade with the seasons.

If you’re interested in creating a wardrobe that will stand the test of time, what essential piece should every yogi purchase first?

Most practitioners who have paid attention to evolving fashion trends over the years will agree that black yoga leggings for women are always in style. A good quality pair of yoga leggings should be a staple for everyone, but black is far and away the most popular color selection. When bold prints and colorful hues fade away, black leggings will still be in style.

What Makes Black Leggings So Timeless?

Much can be said about the simple fact that black leggings are so incredibly versatile. Black pairs beautifully with every other color, allowing you to jazz it up or tone it down. The seasons change but black remains an essential color in every wardrobe throughout the year.

Black yoga leggings are also the perfect pairing for a yogi who frequently likes to change up her style. Because black is the perfect backdrop to pair with each color of the rainbow, it can serve as a great multi-purpose item for yogis who want to experiment with various tops. Perhaps you have a few sweatshirts with bright and bold prints, as well as some pale pink tunic tank tops for your hot yoga class. A pair of black leggings is the perfect partner to each of those items.

There are, of course, other perks to purchasing a good quality pair of black leggings. In fact, many fashion experts have claimed that the color black makes you appear slimmer than you truly are. Some studies are now claiming that they not only help to conceal a troublesome figure, but the color black may help you to appear more confident as well.

Even within such a broad category, you can still find plenty of variations on this timeless piece. Opt for the more traditional ankle-length yoga leggings or a pair of high-waist capri leggings for women. Black leggings are timeless in part because they can still adhere to modern fashion trends while remaining neutral enough to last for years to come.

Investing in a few high-quality staples for your yoga wardrobe is a wise use of your resources. Black leggings are the best choice because of their overall versatility, but you have to be careful when it comes to quality. Lower-quality black yoga leggings for women may be see-through when practicing forward bends and stretching the fabric during the time on the mat. Make sure to look for leggings marketed specifically for yoga such as those sold by 90 Degree by Reflex.

Shavasana or the corpse pose is one of the most classic and important asanas in the whole system of yoga. The translated name corpse pose is maybe not so flattering, but so descriptive of the amount of energy and movement that should go into it.

Shavasana looks and sounds like an easy pose. You lie on your back on the mat with your feet apart, your arms down your side a little away from the body with palms up, and your head in the middle of the back of the head. The positions of the hands are important to maintain an energetic openness, but if it is really uncomfortable you can turn your hands. If, and only if, you have a sensitive and/or sore lower back you can place a blanket, pillow or block underneath your knees or thighs.

The idea behind the Shavasana is that you do not do anything; you simply let your body settle there, which, in itself, can be difficult if you happen to be out of practice with doing nothing. Even though this sounds rather straightforward, it becomes difficult because of that expectation that something more is supposed to happen. The easiness and simplicity are also why we forget the importance of it, we tend to think we know the pose. We forget that it is something more to it than achieving the physical pose, so we move on as quickly as possible.

We do nothing in the Shavasana, on purpose, as it is a neutral pose–a pose where your pulse can settle and your mind can settle, in general, and especially after dynamic practices. When you let your mind and body settle in-between the exercises, you allow the benefits of the pose to work in your body before going on to another pose or exercise. Feeling how long it takes your pulse to settle is easy and you can feel how your heart beats slow down to a normal rhythm.

Your mind settles in a different way and it takes a finer adjustment to remember and to register. Your mind is ready to go on when your attention is somewhere else. If you pay attention next time you practice yoga on your own, in a group you might not get enough time, you will realize after staying in the Shavasana that your attention is on what you just did and what goes on in the body. Suddenly, your mind will shift and other thoughts or worries appear–that is when you are ready to move on.

The Shavasana is also useful for relaxation, which reflects back on the neutral qualities of the pose. There are no strains or strange positions for any of your body parts, which gives the mind space to go somewhere else.

Practicing Shavasana before you go to bed can also prepare you for sleep and helps settle your mind so it is easier to fall asleep. For a snug Shavasana experience, make sure you wear comfortable leggings or yoga pants and wrap up in a blanket afterward.

Did you know that yoga was practiced by out ancestors over 5,000 years ago? Well, according to ancient texts it was, and while many modern-day thinkers see yoga as another form of exercise, our ancestors have long referenced yoga as a powerful tool for nurturing the mind, body, and soul. Admittedly, the idea of bending, stretching, twisting, and manipulating your body to improve well-being may seem counter-intuitive, but modern science confirms that the health benefits of yoga are far-reaching.

Still not convinced that yoga is good for you? Let’s dig a little deeper into the health benefits of yoga.

1. Yoga Improves Strength and Flexibility

Yoga helps you build a stronger, more flexible body with its unique approach to manipulating the body’s various muscle groups. Power yoga is one form of yoga that can really strengthen and increase the bodies’ flexibility as it combines sun salutations (poses) with cardio and strength training exercises. One study carried out by the WebMD group concluded that individuals can improve their flexibility by up to 35% after practicing yoga a few minutes a day for just 8 weeks.

2. Yoga Improves Posture

Yoga strengthens core muscles which help support proper posture. While this may not seem to be a major issue, having poor posture can lead to unrelated health conditions such as cramps, headaches, and even gastrointestinal discomfort! Yoga can help prevent this and you will walk tall and proud. A study was undertaken by researchers at the School of Podiatric Medicine in Philadelphia. This study involved 24 middle-aged females who enrolled in a 9-week program of Iyengar yoga. The study concluded that the subjects improved their posture, flexibility, and balance through Iyengar yoga.

3. Yoga Alleviates Stress

Yoga consists of mindfulness exercises through meditation and breathing exercises. This means you are more present and less concerned over past or future events which fuel stress and worry. Psychiatrist John Denniger of Harvard Medical School headed a five-year study which concluded that yoga stimulates key genes linked to stress. The study used neuro-imaging and genomics technology to measure the psychological impact of mind-body techniques with detailed accuracy. It’s reported that the findings may see approvals for doctors to use alternate means for tackling stress related conditions.

4. Yoga Improves Sleep

Yoga expels physical energy and balances the mind which means you sleep better at night. There have been numerous studies on the benefits of yoga for sleep but none more profound than a recent study undertaken by researchers at the Harvard Medical School. This study involved subjects with varying degrees of insomnia. The subjects practiced basic yoga every day for 8 weeks, subjects also kept sleep diaries prior to and during the 8-week study. The study concluded that yoga improved the subjects sleep efficiency, duration of sleep, and reduced the amount of time it took to fall asleep.

5. Yoga Aides Weight Loss

Yoga isn’t the best tool for burning fat, but it can certainly help you lose a little weight. Yoga burns calories (key to weight loss), relieves pain (lengthier workouts), and reduces stress (addressing emotional eating). A 2005 study was carried out by Alan Kristal, DPH, MPH to determine the benefits of yoga for weight loss. This study involved 15,500 subjects and way too many variables to mention in this article. Their findings? “Those practicing yoga who were overweight to start with lost roughly 5 pounds during the same time period those not practicing yoga gained 14 pounds,” says Kristal.

6. Yoga Tones your Muscles

Yoga really does work various muscle groups and can help you build lean muscle and tone various muscle groups. The great thing is that this can be achieves without over-enduring workout regimens and you won’t end up bulking out and gaining excessive muscle mass.

7. Yoga Improves Mindfulness

Yoga very much focuses your attention on the present moment, the here and now, as you go about your mindful breathing, stretches, and postures. As you become more skilled in mindful breathing and relaxations, you can then carry this skill-set with you into everyday life for improved well-being 24/7.

Are you struggling to live a life of purpose and passion that’s filled with happiness? You know you want to live a positively abundant life, but there’s one problem… It’s hard! That is, until NOW.

You must be the peaceful, fully present woman sitting criss-cross applesauce at the head of the class. Me? Honestly, same. I’m directly behind you, practicing my ohms. This morning I had a green juice and I’ll be eating swordfish for dinner. I’m crushing the #yogalifestyle, just that #blessed. Namaste.

Maybe I’m not really sitting behind you, and maybe you’re not sure what criss-cross applesauce even means. We try, though. Even if we fall short of our ideal #yogalifestyle today, there’s always tomorrow, when I’ve booked a TM session.

Some people never miss a step in their yoga game. I’ve narrowed it down to five types. There might be more, but these five seem to appear in every studio I attend. I wonder: are they the same five yogis? Do they work as a group, hitting new yoga classes together, travelling around in a van like the Partridge family?

Plastic Woman

Plastic Woman’s yoga game is tight—or, rather, loose—so loose she can bend into any shape even a polyhedron. Nobody knows what a polyhedron looks like, so we clap for her rendition. After all, none of us can do what Plastic Woman does. When an instructor gives the choice between option one (“those of you who are beginners might want to stick with this one”) and option two (“for those of you who are a little more advanced”), we always choose option one. Plastic Woman chooses option two. Plastic Woman was made for option two. Rumors abound regarding Plastic Woman’s removal of ribs, allowing her Vinyasa to reach new heights. While we can neither confirm nor deny these rumors, we can salute Plastic Woman.

Embarrassing Sound Guy

Yoga is not for the faint of heart, but that doesn’t explain the sounds coming out of Embarrassing Sound Guy. The sounds begin around the two-thirds mark of class and don’t let up until we are well through corpse pose and solemn reflection. Poor Embarrassing Sound Guy. It’s not that he doesn’t understand some things are better left within the confines of a private restroom or a solid intimate relationship. He just cannot help himself.

Save My Spotter

Save My Spotter drops a mat ten minutes before the start of class and begs you to save her spot, then disappears. You spend your next ten minutes turning away the hordes of would-be yogis who ask about the spot next to you. Oh, I’m sorry, there’s somebody coming . . .. I think, you add silently, unsure. The mat remains empty for the duration of the class, and a back row peopled with rueful eyes stares daggers into your back.

Ms. Overexposed

One yoga fashion brand had a problem a few years back with pants that showed a little more than customers wanted to during their poses. What problem? asked Ms. Overexposed, who still owns several pairs from the recalled line, always with nothing underneath, because “it’s just more comfortable.” I would alert her to this state of affairs, but I’m pretty sure she already knows.

Mr. Stinky

Nobody expects to come out of yoga class smelling like a rose, but this guy smells before he even walks into the studio. He smells in hot yoga, he smells in asana. He smells like things other than body odor and sweat. He has been known to smell of onions. The mechanics of this are elusive.

Did I miss anyone?