Personal Trainer

Yoga, meaning to unite, is the practice of bringing together all aspects of an individual through physical postures, meditation, and breathing exercises.  This ancient practice, thousands of years old, is now being practiced, in one form of Yoga or another, by more than six million people in the United States.  The health benefits you can gain with this form of exercise are strength, flexibility, and improved posture and breathing.  Besides its external component of fitness, Yoga can improve internal wellness as well, helping you calm your mind and improve your concentration skills.

With the various types of Yoga available, choosing one that is right for you can seem like a daunting task.  It is worth the time to research a type of yoga that fits your goals, fitness level, and personality.  If you aren’t sure what type is for you, go to your neighborhood yoga studios and try out classes in different yoga styles to see what you enjoy the most.  Yoga instructor, Linda Lack, PhD, says, “Visit three different classes.  Make sure you feel like you are in a safe environment both physically and emotionally.  When looking for an instructor, find out where they trained and what kind of technique they teach”.

Once you decide to try Yoga, you will find various styles to choose from.  One of the most common is Hatha Yoga, which integrates gentle stretches and strengthening exercises.  Another form of Yoga is Astanga Yoga, which is not for beginners because of the vigorous moves, and postures that are similar to acrobatics.  Pranayama focuses on breathing and breath control while Mantra Yoga uses specific words and phrases to control the mind.

It is important to check with your doctor before beginning a new fitness program.  He or she will be able to tell you if certain types of Yoga are contraindicated due to health conditions you may have.  Once cleared by a doctor, be sure to discuss any physical limitations you may have with your Yoga instructor.  A qualified instructor with a commitment to safety will be able to tell you if you have chosen the right style of Yoga that is safest for you.  If it isn’t, the instructor will be able to recommend the safest most effective style of Yoga for you to participate in.  Whichever form you decide to choose, let your instructor know of any physical problems you have.  They will be able to modify your Yoga program to provide you with a safe and effective routine.

Whichever style of Yoga you choose, take things slowly and enjoy the process.  Local Yoga Instructor, Kelly Wood, owner of Karuna Yoga in Los Feliz, states, “there is a misconception that you need to be flexible to begin.  This isn’t true.  You just need to have the instructor guide you at your own pace.  Take the pressure off of yourself and just try a class.  Yoga is an on-going process and you never reach the perfect pose.”  Yoga is not only relaxing but it also improves your day to day activities, manages stress and improves overall quality of life.  I recommend taking a Yoga class to discover for yourself the benefits all types of Yoga have to offer.