Guide To The Best Yoga Poses To Stay In Shape – Best Poses And Practices And Useful Tips

Guide To The Best Yoga Poses To Stay In Shape

The scope of Yoga has finally bypassed the confines of a seemingly esoteric Eastern practice. The Y word is now commonly and righteously associated with fitness, both on the mental and physical level. And, as paragons of our pop culture, there are a few celebrities who have taken Yoga to a whole new spiritual level. You too can practice the best yoga poses to stay in shape and start a whole new wellness routine in your life.

In this guide you will read about:

Guide To The Best Yoga Poses To Stay In Shape – Best Poses And Practices And Useful Tips

How to make a brand new you by adding Yoga to your life?

Two young girls practicing stretching and yoga workout exercise together on the terraceYoga has become an integral part of life for many people, as they all have realized the true significance of it. It is a form of exercise that has numerous health benefits, be it your physical health, spiritual health, or mental health, yoga maintains all. Yoga practice enhances body’s resistance and immunity, thus, shielding it from diseases, effectively sheds those extra pounds off your body. Coming down to its spiritual benefits, many yoga postures call for meditation, which enhances spiritual health and calms down a person. Last, but certainly not the least, is our mental health, yoga soothes and calms down a person, eventually taking all the stress and depression away. This is why yoga is included in wellness programs in wellness resorts all over the world.

Yoga has innumerable benefits and this is why people desire to make it a part of their lives but few people doubt that yoga is not suitable for elder people, say who are above 50 years of age. Well, this is untrue, as yoga is equally beneficial for all ages. To clear this doubt and to find out some hidden benefits of yoga, continue reading.

Is yoga to stay in shape viable for you?

Young woman doing yoga on the wooden bridgePeople exercise because they want to maintain their body shape and weight, and to live a healthy long life, the same goes for the yoga as well. One can continue doing other exercises and yoga regardless of their increasing age, provided they do not overdo it, and they do it safely. Yoga is absolutely fine for all age groups, no matter how old a person is, he can practice yoga. The only thing you are supposed to consider once you are over 50 years of age is the intensity of yoga postures you practice. You can do breathing exercises, as they help rejuvenate lungs, improves blood circulation in body.

With age, the limbs and joints develop pains and other problems, and you can find relief with stretching yoga exercises. The stretching improves flexibility of joints, makes bones stronger, takes away pains, and improves mobility. If you have a serious condition like arthritis, heart disease, or a slipped disc then you must consult your physician before you start practicing yoga, as not all yoga postures are for you.

A new you— what are the psychological benefits of yoga?

Equestrian poseYoga offers so many health benefits that it is potent enough to transform you into a new you. It can cure any disease and ailment, as it cleanses human body from inside out. Stress and depression is one of the most common ailment found in people today and the most effective way to cure it is through yoga. The cutthroat competition and the desire to succeed bring itself a fair share of tensions and burden in the life of an individual. All this disturbs a person’s peace of mind, which eventually creates a number of mental illnesses. It starts from anxiety that keeps increasing as the burden increases, and when it reaches a certain level, it turns into panic attacks and finally into depression. You could treat yourself to a relaxing holiday at a wellness resort and learn yoga as part of the wellness resort programs there.

Psychiatrists prescribe anti-depressants that are effective but have some side effects as well. However, yoga is a practice that is helpful in treating without causing any harm to the body. Yoga cures the negative state of mind and makes a person feel normal; the same effect psychiatrists try to create with the help of antidepressants. Yoga makes people enjoy a positive state of mind, and a blissful life.

Unlike some other exercises that are age-restrictive, yoga is a practice that suits all ages. It has so many health benefits that people world over love practicing it.

Do you know these famous celebrities who do best yoga poses to stay in shape?

Let us check out how serious some of the well known personalities are in their very own personalized Yoga sessions.

1. Madonna

woman doing Ashtanga poseSince we are talking about the ‘esoteric’, how can we exclude Madonna? However, this time it’s not only about Kabala. The Material Girl has supposedly mastered the practice of Ashtanga (aka astanga) yoga. Touted as the modernistic form of the classical Yoga practices, the vigorous Ashtanga gives more importance to dynamic postures, thus also helping out with our cardio exercises.

2. Gisele Bundchen

Working out and straining yourself physically is all well and good when it comes to maintaining a figure. However, the Brazilian supermodel also believes in the mental side of affairs. And that is why Gisele Bundchen gets up every morning at four to practice Anusara yoga. Combining Hindu spiritualism with some healthy physical habits, this yoga form poses as the ‘collective art’ of exercising.

3. Gwyneth Paltrow

Silhouette of woman in tree yoga poseWell, Gisele Bundchen is not the only early bird that gets its worm. Gwyneth Paltrow also supposedly wakes up at four thirty every morning to practice her personalized form of yoga. In fact, the actress has gone on record to say that it is her sheer determination and six day per week yoga sessions that keeps her mentally and physically confident.

4. Jenny McCarthy

Yes, she may not be some A-list celebrity, but when it comes to curvy yet refined physique, nobody beats Jenny McCarthy. A serious proponent of yoga for the last three years, the more important news is that the blonde bombshell helped funnyman Jim Carrey to shed over a whopping fifty pounds from just yoga exercises.

5. Robert Downey Jr.

Concept of yoga and meditation

Add power-flow yoga advocate to the list of ‘genius, billionaire, playboy, philanthropist’. Yes, our very own Iron Man has been dabbling with motley of exercising forms over the years. This fusion pack features various yoga techniques, massage therapy, healthy herbs and even martial art features. Of course, the whole course is flavored with the unique quirkiness only Robert Downey Jr. could bring to the table.

6. Woody Harrelson

Actor extraordinaire Woody Harrelson is a firm believer in the dictum of yoga improving our love lives. According to the actor, yoga helps us to traverse the constraints of both our mental and physical self, thus enhancing our capacity to appreciate our partner’s form. And, beyond just poetic considerations, it also keeps us in good shape.

Can only skinny people practice yoga to stay in shape?

Girl child teenager with excess weight does yoga exercises on mat on concrete path, promenade in cityWhenever we turn the pages of any magazine or watch a video related to yoga, we come across striking image of a skinny slim body practicing various difficult poses with ease. Many people get discouraged and think that yoga is not for them. In present day environment thin is in. When we gloss through any fashion magazine, we do get affected by watching thin and perfectly shaped bodies. However, it is not important how your body looks. It is more important what your body can do. If you happen to be overweight, you can do the best yoga asanas to lose weight too.

There is no need to suffer from body dysmorphia. It is more important to remain healthy and feel positive about yourself. Yoga can help you feel good about your body, and make you calm from within. Yoga invigorates you, no matter what your body size is. In fact, if you are overweight, or do not have very flexible body, practicing the best yoga asanas for weight loss will help you improve your physical fitness.

Do not get discouraged if you find you cannot do all the poses to the perfection. If you have potbelly, you may not be able to bend completely, some people cannot sit on the floor. The beauty of yoga is that it is all encompassing. People of all age, gender or physique can benefit from yoga. You can use simple modifications to help you perform the exercises according to your capability. Over time, you will build flexibility and stamina to do exercises that are more difficult.

In addition, size people may find it difficult to sit on the floor. They can sit on the chair. If comfortable, you can sit on a pillow. Individual modifications will make these poses more enjoyable and safe. If you get tired soon, you can repeat an exercise only few times. Even performing yoga for a short duration can help you stay fit and boost your mood. You can get rid of body aches, as you can strengthen your muscles by performing certain exercises. Yoga not only reduces tensions but also help you get rid of joint aches. Breathing exercises increase your stamina. Often overweight people become breathless very soon. By practicing Pranayama, you can improve your breathing. Meditation helps in calming you down and relieving you from mental tensions.

It is very important to find a yoga instructor to help you in the beginning, someone who understands your body and gradually guides you to attain better fitness. Physical wellbeing cannot be measured by counting calories. At the end of practicing yoga, you should feel healthier and more relaxed.Yoga classes offered at any wellness retreat in India will help you relax and rejuvenate.

What are the yoga poses you can practice anytime and anywhere?

Beautiful young female adult doing yoga pose at lake. She's balancing on one leg.Busy schedules have extinguished exercise and relaxation from the lives of so many people. It is like working in office or eight or more hours, rushing back home and doing errands, sleeping late, getting up tired, so there is literally no time for relaxing and exercising in the morning. Well, the scenario is undoubtedly so but nothing to worry much, as yoga has some poses that you can perform just about anywhere and at anytime of the day, which means you can practice those poses even while being at office and benefit yourself. These are the best yoga poses you can do everyday.

Chair Twist

Yoga exercise on a Kiev streets. Parivritta UtkatasanaThis particularly for those people who get tired sitting for long in their office that kind of stiffens their body. It is a spinal twist that helps take away all the stiffness from your back, and to do it all you need to do is to sit on any chair and twist. While sitting, stretch, twist your back on the chair, and experience the relief.

Mountain Pose

practicing partner yoga outside against city park background, standing barefoot on mats in mountain pose with hands raised upOut of the many yoga poses that one can perform anytime and anywhere, one of the simplest is the mountain pose. Whether you are in your office or doing some work at home, you can perform this yoga pose to regain the lost energy and to bring in some flexibility to your body.

Deep Breathing

The Deep breathing technique

This one comes handy when your office environment starts getting onto your nerves. The Deep breathing technique helps you relax and calm down. It is such a great stress buster that can take away any kind of stress within few minutes, enabling you to concentrate and behave in a normal manner once again. Breathing techniques of yoga are absolutely doable in an office environment, even right there sitting at your desk if you choose to do deep breathing while sitting on your chair. If the environment allows you, take a mat to sit down and then do the breathing, if not, then breathing on chair is as good as sitting down. Deep breathing is one of the best yoga asanas you can do everyday.

Revolved Triangle Pose (parvrtta trikonasana)

Concentrated male while practicing Parivrtta Trikonasana in bright roomSitting for long hours continuously on your office chair might cause a back pain or stiffened arms and shoulder. This pose relieves all such tension in your body and it is perfect to be performed in an office, provided you are wearing flat shoes. Stand 3 feet from the wall, bend your upper body forward and place your hands on the wall in front of you. Now step one of your legs forward and one back so that both your legs have a gap of 1.5 feet or so. Now start pushing your hands against the wall and feel the stretch in your back, hamstring, and calf muscles.

Dancer Pose

Lovely active fit elderly family couple practicing partner yoga outside in nature standing on rubber mat in lord of dance pose

There are a number of dancer pose variations, so pick the one you can do the best in the environment around you. An ideal pose to perform when your body starts craving for an overall stretch that could open up your body and recharge it.

Tree Pose

group of people practicing T

One pose that you can perform literally anywhere without any difficulty. Choose a spot and stand tall in a Mountain Pose while fixing your eyes on some spot in front of you. The fixing of eye is necessary, as it enables you to balance. Pick your left leg, bend it from the knee and place its foot on the inner side of your right leg. Bring your palms together in front of your chest and join them. Hold this posture for some time and then repeat it with the other leg.

Majority of people today complain that they do not get time to relax and exercise owing to their super busy schedules. In such a situation, people must practice certain yoga poses that one can perform at any time during the day and at any place and reap its health benefits.

How can you practice Yoga with a paddleboard prop?

Sporty woman in yoga position on paddleboard, doing yoga on sup board,

Looking at the amazing benefits of yoga on body, everybody is making it a part of their lives. The reason that many people adopt yoga in their lives is due to its soothing effects on mind and body. Besides being so good for health, an amazing stress buster that helps relieve the mind from useless things.

When yoga combines with natural elements like water, fresh air, and sunshine, creates magical effects on the bodies. The combination of natural elements and yoga gives the feeling of relaxation and peace. Yoga on paddleboard is one such way to get in touch with nature while doing yoga.

Yoga on paddleboard is a natural way to stay healthy. Being natural, it has so many good effects on our bodies. When practicing yoga on a paddleboard, it becomes more challenging to maintain the balance. It is quite hard to achieve that balance because the board is unstable. To achieve that stability, it needs more muscle work. And more muscle work makes the workout more challenging. Many yoga poses that one can practice on paddleboard are as follows.

Bow pose

Woman doing Bow yoga pose on paddleboard While on the paddleboard, it is a tough task to maintain balance. Bow pose is a tough task on ground, and it becomes harder on a paddleboard. But one seems to forget everything in the beauty of the nature and just focus on exercise. For this pose, one must first lie on stomach with feet hip width apart and arms by side of the body. While lying, fold knees, and hold ankles. Pull the chest off the board and legs up while inhaling. Now just look at Mother Nature and enjoy the view. Relax after a while and exhale. Doing this exercise will makes abdominal muscles and back strong. Besides, smile while performing this exercise helps in relieving stress.

Side plank

young blonde woman planking sideward on SUP in water For this pose, one needs a lot of strength and balance. Stabilize on the board first with bottom knee down or top leg bent. Touch the board with right palm and raise hips towards the sky. While moving upward, total strength will be on right side of the body. At this point, the body will make the rainbow arch shape. While the balance is on right side of the body, other arm will extend up straight over the head. Stay in the position for few breaths. Until you feel the urge to back to the original position, stay in the position and take deep breaths. Repeat the process on other side.

Scorpion

woman performing scorpion pose, extremely difficult, training

This is one of the hard exercises of yoga to do on paddleboard. But with practice and body strength, one can get perfection in this pose. It starts with placing forearms on the board with elbows, shoulder distance apart. Now lift one leg towards the head and when it is stable, move the other one following first. When both legs are on the top of the head, slightly lift the head and breathe. Doing this exercise needs a lot of strength, but it works mainly on abdominal muscles and legs that makes them even stronger.

Warrior II

Mature couple in warrior yoga position. Side view. Horizontal.For this pose, position with right leg forward and left leg back and straight. With straight spine and tilted tailbone, spread arms wide apart and lift the crown of the head. Look at the top of the middle finger and sink in the hips when putting right knee forward. Hold the breath and repeat it with other leg. This pose mainly focuses on strengthening the leg muscles, straightening spine, and aligning the body.

Yoga on paddleboard improves balancing skills and strengthens the body and helps you to stay in shape. No doubt, paddling in and out is a great task in itself. And posing on board and on floating water makes it more interesting. If you are nature lover, then yoga on the board is a good idea to get in touch with nature

How do you use Yoga blocks to stay in shape?

woman using Yoga blocks to stay in shapeYoga may look like effortless and easy but in reality; it can try your capacity of stretching and moving in every possible way. To get the best out of your Yoga routine, you have to incorporate some difficult postures. Practicing these difficult postures will improve your health and fitness in many ways. But sometimes it is very tough to perform these Yoga postures without any help. The Yoga block is a Yoga tool that helps you to move and stretch easily while performing the tough Asanas. They are especially helpful in the standing Yoga poses and you can perform some of the Asanas by sitting on them.  If you want to reap the benefit of every type of Yoga posture, then yoga with yoga blocks can prove to be useful.

What is a Yoga Block?

Samakonasana pose using blocks for deep stretchThe Yoga block is a tool used for performing Yoga Asanas. They help in aligning your body while you are practicing Yoga. Beginners should use Yoga blocks to get their posture correct. The Yoga blocks look similar to the bricks and they are usually made of cork, hard-foam or wood. They come in different sizes but generally, they are approximately 9X6X4 inches big. You can get your own Yoga block both online or offline. Doing yoga with yoga blocks depends on the user and the level of Yoga that they are capable of practicing.

What are the uses of Yoga blocks?

Women practicing yoga therapy, stretching in down dog using blocks

  1. You can use the Yoga block for your forward bends. Sit straight and keep the block in front of you. Raise your hand above your head and then bow your body above the hip downwards. Touch the block and then slowly straighten your body.
  2. You can improvise the Triangle pose by using the Yoga block. For this you just have to place the block behind your feet. In the Triangle pose you are supposed to bend the upper half of your body backwards to hold your ankles with your hands. Many times tightness of our hip prevents us from keeping our body aligned properly while practicing this pose. If you bend and touch the block kept behind your feet, you will easily keep your body aligned proportionately.
  3. You can support your neck by placing the block beneath your head while doing meditation or performing postures, which puts pressure on the abdominal muscles.
  4. You can use the block also for the Pigeon pose. Here you can keep your body appropriately aligned by sliding the block beneath your hip and then stretching your upper body forward towards your thighs.
  5. For practicing the Bridge pose you can place the block between your knees to keep them from moving needlessly.

What are the benefits of using the Yoga blocks?

Beautiful fit caucasian woman wearing black sportswear stretching legs, holding hands on small purple blocks on floor. Side view of female dancer practicing in ballet hall. Gymnastics concept.

  • The Yoga blocks help your posture and keep your body aligned while performing Yoga.
  • They are used for support, especially by the beginners
  • It keeps your muscles from getting hurt due to excessive stretching.
  • You can improvise the Yoga poses according to your needs and capability with the help of the Yoga blocks.
  • Your muscles are not strained.
  • Helps in both strength and stretch exercises

Enjoy a fit life with Kriya Yoga

Woman practicing meditation in sunset, with chakras markedKriya Yoga is all about action, as the word Kriya is the Sanskrit translation of “to act”. A form of Yoga that merged the exercising art of ancient East and West, it was practiced by Lord Krishna, Saint Patanjali, Jesus Christ and his disciples like St. John and St. Paul. Lost for centuries during the dark ages, the art has been revived by Mahavatar Babaji in the later 19th century. Popularized as Pranayama, the teachings were passed by Babaji to Lahiri Mahasaya in the peaks of Himalayas. Yogananda, a great disciple of Lahiri, took upon himself the responsibility of spreading the knowledge in the West.

1.     Energizing Exercises:

young woman wearing white comfortable clothes practicing yoga breathing technique by the lake worm summer spring dayParamahansa Yogananda in 1916 introduced the art of using breathing and life force while focusing to garner most of the vital energy from the outside to the soul. These series of psychophysical exercises give strength and purity to the body. The fifteen minute long exercises are great stress relievers and make you live a tension-free life.

2.     Hong-Sau Technique of Concentration:

In this kriya yoga technique, the hidden powers to concentrate are drawn out by eliminating external disturbances and pouring the energy on the thought of how to solve the problem at hand. The divine consciousness is explored by this technique.

3.     Aum Technique of Meditation:

Woman practicing yoga at sunrise.This method helps to realize the persistence of almighty in the individual. Chanting ‘Aum’ here refers to the human manifesto of the supreme sound of creation.

4.     Kriya Yoga Technique:

Thespine and brain are considered as bark and root of the tree of life. Revitalizing and energizing the tree allows efficient flow of energy through the nervous system and organs.

The Kriya yoga technique helps in the revival of body’s immunity and ensures better functioning of the heart and lungs. The nervous system revitalizes as stress is relieved. The soul is free from the whirlpool of thoughts, emotions and worries and hence your body finds solace and serenity. The process has been elucidated by Lord Krishna in the scared Hindu book called “Gita,” which states that this technique is “offering inhaling breath into the outgoing breath, and offering the outgoing breath into the inhaling breath, the yogi neutralizes both the breaths. When he does so, the yogi releases the life force from the heart and brings it under his control.”

The person who wishes to invoke this art has to master the first three basic techniques of meditation in the first year of study. It’s equal to climbing a mountain and enough time has to be dedicated to adapt to the lifestyle.

As Babaji had predicted “Kriya Yoga, the scientific technique of god-realization, will ultimately spread in all lands, and aid in harmonizing the nations through man’s personal, transcendental perception of the Infinite Father.”, the prophecy did came to true with fitness DVDs and celebrities adopting the yoga technique for a happier and healthier lifestyle.

What are the yoga poses that help swimmers increase their flexibility?

Woman swimming pool.Underwater photo

Yoga has something for all. While a sartorial yoga practice could help golfers, athletes and runners strengthen their limbs, legs and have greater control over their reflexes, we’ve certain yoga postures for swimmers that improve their flexibility. However, swimmers need to practice diligently for achieving desired results.

Have a look at five yoga poses for swimmers that they should master to enhance their flexibility, conserve their energy, develop better balance, sharpen swimming skills and ultimately, boost their performance:

Pigeon Pose

Panoramic asian yoga instructor coach wearing sportswear bra pants do king pigeon pose in yoga studio with her students in background. Work out fitness healthy lifestyle concept.Also known as Eka Pada Rajakapotasana, the hip stretch pose also helps you stretch your lower back, glutes and knee muscles of your leading leg. Though it’s a seemingly difficult pose, it, however, ensures steady improvement in your swimming posture.

Cow Face Pose

Personal Yoga trainer teaching young woman or her friend gomukhasana outdoor

If you wish to stretch your hips, thighs, shoulders, ankles, armpits, chest and triceps, the Cow Face Pose or Gomukhasana is one mandatory pose.

Aside from helping you improve your swimming talent, it ensures fast relief from chronic knee pain and strengthens your spine and abdomen.

Seated Spinal Twist

Young people practicing yoga in spinal twist pose

Considering the fact that your spine supports every nerve of your body, it’s but important – obligatory for swimmers – to seek ways to strengthen it. The Seated Spinal Twist is the most effective yoga exercise for attaining spinal strength. While doing this pose, you actually affect the nerves of your whole body. It’s highly recommended to practice regularly and master the tricks of twisting and releasing your spine.

Cat and Cow Pose

Wild cat working out in summer park at sunset, doing yoga or Pilates exercise. Cat, Marjaryasana, asana paired with Cow Pose on the inhale. Full length

Having a right posture can do wonders to your persona and associated swimming skills. Since swimmers have to curve their spine to maintain the perfect swimming posture, the Cat and Cow pose helps them have a supple, flexible spine and remove stiffness on neck and shoulders. While doing this pose, yoga practitioners should make sure not to bend their spine in the wrong direction. Moreover, it’s important to stretch the back and shoulder while pulling your tummy in.

Spinal Balance Pose

Spinal Balance PoseFinally, the Spinal Balance Pose helps you flex your shoulders and entire back. First, you need to bend your upper body and support your bodyweight on your knees and hands. Now, extend your right arm forward and your left leg backward. Hold this position for 10-15 seconds and later, switch sides and repeat this pose.

All you need to know about Staff Pose or Dandasana

Woman is practicing yoga outdoor. Staff pose. Dandasana

Etymologically speaking, Dandasana derives its name from two Sanskrit words Danda and Asana, in which Danda means stick and Asana denotes posture. Also called as Staff Pose, Dandasana forms the basis of all seated yoga poses including forward bends and twists. Those who wish to reap the rich benefits of Staff Pose should do Adho Mukha Svanasana and Uttanasana before they attempt doing this pose.

However, it’s always advised to do the Staff yoga pose under expert supervision and favorable environment. Or else, you can always rely on our all-inclusive tutorial that narrates the steps involved, benefits and precautionary measures.

Steps Involved

  1. First, you need to sit on the floor or yoga mat with your legs extended forward, with a straight back. Make sure that your legs and feet are parallel and hip width apart.
  2. Next, for ensuring that your back is as straight and lengthened as is possible, try to press your sitting bones while pointing the crown of your head to the ceiling.
  3. In the next step, you need to flex your feet and press out through your heels.
  4. For providing support to your spine and relaxing your shoulders, place your palms on the floor while keeping your torso relaxingly straight.
  5. Next, bring your lower half to the ground firmly as you relax your legs.
  6. Hold this position for 20-30 seconds.

Benefits

  1. Dandasana improves digestion and teaches you sit with correct posture.
  2. Since this pose help your back muscles, it ultimately helps prevent sciatic pain.
  3. Aside from stretching and activating hips, pelvis and leg muscles, the Staff Pose also allows a gentle stretch to your shoulders and chest.
  4. Dandasana or the Staff Pose helps prevent tiredness in the feet and calf-muscles.

Precautionary Measures

  1. Beginners should put padding under their sit bones, it they find the sitting posture difficult.
  2. Those who are suffering with wrist or lower back injury should avoid doing Staff Pose or Dandasana.

How Yoga differs from Pilates?

Female yoga instructor correcting the pose of a woman during a yoga class on a beach on a sunny dayMost people tend to think that yoga and Pilates are one and the same thing. That notion, however, cannot be further from the truth; however, we can never sideline some stark differences between both the practices. We examine the inherent differences between the two. Read on:

Origins

The exact origins of yoga remain unclear, though archeological evidence claims that precursors to yogic practices date as far back as the mid-3rd millennium BCE during the ascent of the Indus Valley Civilization. The word “yoga” and the practice it stood for was first found in the Katha Upanishad that came into being around 400 BCE. Pilates, on the other hand, was developed in the 1920s as a way to help the rehabilitation of soldiers wounded and maimed in the First World War.

Similarities

Group of young hispanic women doing the half spinal twist pose in a yoga studioBoth yoga and Pilates use similar asana-like poses that allow the practitioner’s body to experience muscle elongation, joint movement and muscle strengthening. Both the practices have a moderate aerobic effect as well and can be used to tone and build muscles and achieve greater flexibility.

Differences

Despite using similar poses, yoga and Pilates remain inherently distinct thanks to the philosophies they evolved out of. Pilates was created as an exclusively rehabilitating therapy while yoga evolved as a holistic, all around wellness system. Meditation or dhyan is an important facet of yoga and practitioners are not advised to practice yoga with loud music playing in the background. Pilates on the other hand recommends that practitioners use music to boost their workout.

Pilates is also a lot more fluid than yoga and requires a practitioner to repeat movements within a single pose while yoga requires a practitioner to hold poses. Moreover, most yogic forms don’t require one to use props and mechanized apparatus while intermediate and advanced Pilates forms recommend the use of these apparatus.

Do you know things you probably doing wrong in yoga to stay in shape?

A woman practicing yoga, standing on a mat on the pier, performs the exercise Uttita Hasta Padangushthasana, extended leg poseYoga is all about re-uniting your mind, body and soul, so that you regain that lost connection and peace of mind. A practice that is doing good to so many people across the globe, more and more people joining the yoga league. Some understand yoga and yogic practices well while some others misunderstand yoga in several ways.

3 common mistakes in yoga

Some of the most common misconceptions people have about yoga are:

Trying hard is the key to success

A beautiful girl performs a handstand. Yoga.Well, trying hard is actually a key to success in many ways but this does not apply at all to yoga. Yoga is a series of poses and postures, which are many. Therefore, there is no need to force your body too hard to perform a particular pose if your body lacks the strength or the flexibility to perform it. Trying too hard is one of the common mistakes in yoga will only hurt your body. Yoga is a practice that you just cannot master in a day; you need to practice it for a long time to master it, so no short cuts here please.

Yoga is only for flexible people

Beautiful redhead woman practicing yoga on the grass in park, ant or below view. Athletic woman doing stretching exercise in nature. Healthy life and fitness concept.This is biggest and the stupidest misconception some people have about yoga. They think people with non-flexible and fat bodies cannot do yoga. Get your facts clear at the earliest because there can be nothing more stupid than this. If one already has a slim and a flexible body, then why on earth would such a person ever do yoga. Yoga is a practice that anyone and everyone can follow because it has some or the other benefits for all.

Sole purpose of yoga is physical fitness

Yoga fitness coach leading her group into a relaxing meditation with the sunlight behind. Sunset golden tone filterWell, if this would have been the case then people already had so many options like aerobics, zumba classes, and more to ensure their physical fitness than yoga. The reason that makes yoga so popular is not only the physical fitness but also the awareness and concentration of one’s mind, which come handy to get rid of a number of health issues.

What are the Tips to Improve Your Yoga Practice to stay in shape?

Here are a few important tips:

Know your body limits

Beautiful women doing yoga outdoors in an urban neighbourhoodNever try to overdo than your body’s actual limits because that would only harm your muscles. Sticking to your body capacity is the ideal way to perform all yoga poses and benefit you. You can keep pushing your body everyday to reach a certain level of flexibility but trying to do it all in a day is like inviting an injury to harm your body.

Stay Light

Drink waterOne should practice yoga on an empty stomach, or you can do it 2-3 hours after your meal. When practicing yoga, ensure you take three to four liters of water in a day so that it flushes out all the toxins produced in your body during the yoga practice.

Be consistent

Back view of man and woman in sportive clothes practicing Lotus pose with Namaste hands above heads on coastlineRegularity and consistency are two pillars that make the effects of your yoga practice even stronger and better. Yoga practice has to be a part of your daily schedule, if you want it to affect your life in a big positive way. Once it becomes a habit, it makes your life better and healthy. Say if you practice yoga for two to three hours once a week and on the other hand someone else practices it for fifteen minutes to half an hour daily, then you are not the one who is going to benefit but the one who practices it daily.

People who practice yoga have to get rid of all the misconceptions they have regarding it because the misunderstandings interfere with the actual benefits yoga could bestow upon you.

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