Yoga is a physical, mental, and spiritual practice that originated in ancient India. It became popular in the West in the 20th century.
The word, yoga, comes from the Sanskrit yuj, which means “to yoke” and “samadhi” or “concentration.”
In fact, the practice aims to join the mind, body, and spirit. The ultimate goal of it is to achieve liberation.
In fact, it been practice for thousands of years and, over the years, many different interpretations have developed about what yoga means
Each different type of it has its own emphasis and practices in fact.
In the West, it is most associate with the physical practice of asanas, particularly stretching exercises to build flexibility and relax the body.
In fact, It can also build strength, coordination, balance, and stamina.
However, this is only one aspect of it as asana practice is just one of the “eight limbs” as listed in Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras, a key sacred text on the philosophy of it.
Yoga: Eight Limbs
Yama – Five abstentions (or outer observances)
Niyama – Five inner observances
Asana – Meaning “seat” and referring to the physical posture needed for meditation
Pranayama – Controlled or suspended breath
Pratyahara – Withdrawal of the senses
Dharana – Single pointed concentration
Dhyana – Meditation
Samadhi – Liberation
Yoga: Poses for Beginners Instruction
Yoga: Mountain Pose
Mountain Pose is the base for all standing poses In fact, it gives you a sense of how to ground into your feet and feel the earth below you.
Start standing with your feet together then, press down through all ten toes as you spread them open.
Engage your quadriceps to lift your kneecaps and lift up through the inner thighs.
Draw your abdominals in and up as you lift your chest then, press the tops of the shoulders down.
Downward Facing Dog
Downward Dog is used in most yoga practices and yoga classes and it stretches and strengthens the entire body in fact.
Come on to all fours with your wrists under your shoulders and knees under your hips.
Tuck under your toes and lift your hips up off the floor as you draw them up at back towards your heels.
Plank
Plank teaches us how to balance on our hands while using the entire body to support us.
From all fours, tuck under your toes and lift your legs up off the mat. Slide your heels back enough until you feel you are one straight line of energy from your head to your feet.
Triangle
In fact, Triangle is a wonderful standing posture to stretch the sides of the waist, open up the lungs, strengthen the legs and tone the entire body.
Start standing with your feet one leg-length apart. Open and stretch your arms to the sides at shoulder height.
Turn your right foot out 90 degrees and your left toes in about 45 degrees.
Tree
The tree is an awesome standing balance for beginners to work on to gain focus and clarity and learn to breathe while standing and keeping the body balanced on one foot.
Start with your feet together then, place your right foot on your inner left upper thigh.
Press your hands in prayer and find a spot in front of you that you can hold in a steady gaze.
