6 Beginner Yoga Poses: The Secret To Accelerating Your Fitness Goals (These are Good!)

For those who often feel stressed out because of having to juggle so many things in their fast-paced lives, one of the best ways to seek peace and relaxation is to take at least one hour a day to practice yoga. In the recent years more and more people have turned to yoga as a way to find calmness and peace of mind and it has helped many overweight people to shed off a lot of unwanted pounds too. Yoga studios and fitness centers have been popping up everywhere but for those who do not have the means or the luxury of time to go to these places they can just practice yoga at home.
It is best to practice yoga at home in the morning when your mind is still free of any work-related pressures. Find a clear place where you can stretch out properly such as in your spacious living room or even in your back yard. This does not mean that you should completely ignore your neighborhood yoga studio. Supplement your home routine with at least two to four classes a month where a professional instructor can check your alignment and your posture. While you are at the studio you will also be able to practice more beginner yoga poses that you could add to your home routine to keep it more challenging. So pick a nice quiet corner in your home, put on some calming music, start rolling out the mat and try these easy yoga poses. Remember to practice proper breathing as you do the poses.
1.) Mountain Pose - Stand straight facing the light and put your arms on the side. Put your feet slightly apart, close your eyes, take five to ten deep and slow breaths then bring your palms together over head facing each other.
2.) Standing Forward Bend - Exhale then bend forward at the hips. Try to stretch as much as you can to reach your fingertips or your entire palm to the floor.
3.) Four-limbed Staff Pose - Take a deep breath and step your feet into plank position. Exhale then bend your elbows until your upper arms are parallel to the floor.
4.) Upward Facing Dog - Inhale then push your chest forward at the same time pushing the top of your feet on to the floor. Simultaneously stretch your arms then stretch your neck with your face facing upward.
5.) Downward Facing Dog - Exhale then use your arms and abs to lift your hips toward the ceiling. Try pushing your heels towards the floor then hold for three breaths.
6.) Warrior 2 - From the downward facing dog position step your right foot between your hands. Turn your left foot parallel to the end of the mat. Take a deep breath then rise to standing position with your legs straight and your arms extended to the sides at shoulder level. Gaze over your right side then exhale.
One of the yoga moves that you should do at least once everyday to achieve maximum results is the sun salutation pose. It is one of many easy yoga poses and will help you achieve a better balance. Always remember to practice proper breathing as you do yoga at home. Who knows, maybe you'll get so far into yoga that you'll want to do Bikram yoga. What you will do is that you'll learn to discover that you do have the time to enjoy the perfect life.


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Is Yoga Addictive?

Yoga feels good and is addictive, millions will argue or rather agree. The question is, Does it grow on you slowly from a casual acquaintance to a loyal partner and friend? Can it move through all aspects of your being? Here's the story of a Yoga addict. It is my story.
When I reached for a 1968 paper back on yoga many moons ago at Montreal's airport, it was the promise in the title that tempted me. It promised: Be Young With Yoga - and at the back it continued to entice - And Never Feel Old and Tired Again. The yellow paperback by Richard L. Hittleman has green and red letters. Pages discolored, cover tattered, it has relocated with me in as many moons.
My body said yes to yoga poses in rare delight. "Restore grace, balance, poise and self-confidence". It beckoned and I followed; an eager youth. Experimenting. Awkward. Intrigued. I read and practiced. Practiced and read.
In the last pages it told of "the infinite wisdom of the mental and philosophical aspects of yoga (particularly Raja Yoga)". My heart craved to taste this ancient wisdom; to be absorbed with more. And my prayer was answered. I found myself drinking from the Yoga Philosophy cup every day. Waking early in the "ambrosial hour of nectar", amrit vela, longing to sit in stillness and be absorbed in the silence once more. Aah, wine for the soul. It brought that elusive inner peace. And after drinking and drinking, peace remained - a garland adorned around the neck.
Back then Yoga was in the shadows. Far from the daylight fast-paced hot activity it is now. Still as it did thousands of years ago, it flowed in your veins and enriched your blood. It softened your eyes, and calmed your heart. It made you stand on your feet, and implanted courage in your backbone. It dared you defy the norm and find your voice.
For sure, sometimes I staggered as I walked; and lost friends along the way. And even family raised their brows and prayed that I'd find their way again and not indulge so much. Instead I grew less inhibited, and chose to do the unthinkable.. to follow my body's way. The drink of Yoga relieved anxiety. I definitely became more lively.
Daily hundreds of thousands of addicts drink from the variety within Yoga's cup. Some look forward to finally relaxing. Some enjoy working up a sweat. Others experience freedom in chanting loudly or silently. How have you experimented with Yoga's drugs? I'd like to know your story.


Article Source: http://ezinearticles.com/