Yoga Resource

Yoga Tops – Tips on wearing the right stuff

Last modified on 2009-11-04 06:53:05 GMT. 0 comments. Top.

Yoga is a very demanding form of exercise although it is not known for it. There is alot of stretching involved and like any other workout you need to be careful not to hurt yourself. I have seen people and to some extend my self struggle to get the right kind of gear to wear.

People often choose the wrong set of  clothes in their yoga workout and in turn they loose out and don’t have fun doing the exercises and even worse can hurt them selves.

My blog is focused mainly on yoga fashion and yoga tops. It discusses my two main passions yoga and fashion.

I discuss yoga shoes, apparel to name a few. What are the point that you need to keep in mind when making those critical buying decisions.

So I am hoping you will read my articles on yoga gear and feel free to give your feedback.

I am new to writing blogs so please excuse me if you come across any mistakes. Do use the contact page to get in touch with me.

All the best,

Sarah Miller

Yoga Breathing

Last modified on 2009-10-31 06:39:35 GMT. 0 comments. Top.

Yoga Breathing ( Pranayama ) is a consciously observing the breath as we breathe in and breathe out.
When the body is relaxed, the lungs are able to inhale and exhale more deeply. And the more deeply we exhale, the greater is our capacity to inhale fresh clean air.

You will notice that yoga breathing involves breathing more deeply than your usual involuntary breathing. This deeper breathing brings more oxygen into your system. You may feel a little light-headed or dizzy when you begin.

If you feel this happening at any time while doing the yoga postures, just take a moment to rest.

The yoga breathing will change your usual pattern of breathing and will in turn change your state of mind. As your mind becomes clearer and more focused, your attention span will increase.

By begining your yoga practice with a breathing sequence, you are increasing your mind’s capacity to focus attention on the postures, As you follow the postures, continue to be aware of our breath.

There are many sequences of yoga breathing, I generally like lobular breathing as the ideal beginning to our simple posture sequence.

Lobular breathing means breathing fully into the lobes of the lungs. We will breathe into the lower lobe( abdomen), the middle lobe and the upper lobe.

Yoga breathing is often practised in either the cross-legged pose or the lotus pose.

I suggest you use yoga mats when doing any kind of yoga exercises. The breathing exercises is essential for core power yoga.

In case you have any doubt I suggest searching joining a local yoga class for a month or so to get your basics correct.

Hope you enjoyed this article and many more are yet to come.

Namaste

Yoga Gear – Your guide for starting your first yoga session

Last modified on 2009-10-30 14:31:32 GMT. 0 comments. Top.

Procedure:

It is important for you to follow the step by step directions and proceed at your own pace. As you do the postures, listen carefully to your body and recognize its warning sings.

Rather than straining to achieve the the required results, release your body gently into its own natural extensions.

Do not try to push past pain. There is a difference between the feeling of stretching muscles and the pain associated with strain.

If at any time you experience pain, slowly release out of the practice as you breather out of. Practiced gently and regularly, the postures will increase your levesl of fitness and flexibility.

A simple guide to the link between the breath and th body’s movements during th postures: breathe in as the body stretches and expands; breathe out as the body contracts or folds forward. if there is no breathing instruction to follow, breathe normally.

Consult your health professional if you are in doubt about your medical condition.

It is best to practice yoga when your stomach is empty. Before breakfast is ideal, or at least one hour before your evening meal.

Gear Requirement:

A good yoga mat provides a soft non-slip surface. A rug or capret are also suitable surfaces on which to practice.

Folded blankets and a small cushion are helpful for easing strain in certain postures. It is recommended to cover yourseelf with a blanket when resting, to avoid feeling cold.

Practice in bare feet and wear appropriate, unrestrictive cloting or sportswear for ease of movement.

Please see the below video for a demonstration.

Yoga Tops | Tips on what you should look out for when choosing the right clothes

Last modified on 2009-12-09 04:57:29 GMT. 0 comments. Top.

In this post I discuss the points that you need to keep in mind when choosing the correct yoga top.

There is no need to spend vast amounts of money on specific equipment or clothes. Invest in a yoga mat and wear comfortable clothing and if you need props to help you with the more difficult posses, use household items that have the same effect as the yoga equipment.

Clothing. Before starting, change into comfortable clothes that do not restrict you in any way. You may also feel you want to wash before you practice. The clothing you wear must be comfortable and flexible, with elasticated waist bands, Fabrics that are made from natural fibres work well, as they help the body to breathe.

Wear shorts, leggings, cropped trousers, or trousers that you can roll up, which allow you to see if your legs and feet are correctly aligned. Bare fet are essential so that you are able to stretch out and invigorate your feet.

Do not wear strapless tank tops they are not at all practical for yoga as things can pretty jumpy. Also make sure your clothes are not very loose as you will be doing stretching and loose clothing can be a problem.

Equipment

If your floor is slippery you will need to buy a yoga mat, but for the other equipment, use general household items that have the same effect. As you become more experienced, you may find that you want to buy equipment specialy designed for yoga.

Using a Belt helps sto deepen a pose without applying force and to hold a pose in correct alignment. You may also need to use one for poses where you are unable to reach your hands together.

Blocks are useful if your hands cannot quite reach the floor, or if you need mroe height under your sitting bones. Sitting on them also help sot keep you straight.

Placing a bolster underneath you when lying flat helps to open up your chest. You can also use it to sit on or place it under your kneeds to relax your back in the final relaxation.

Lightweight blankets or towels are useful to have to hand. These can be folded or rolled up neatly to support you and make you more comfortable when sitting or ying. You canalso use them to cover you to keep you warm during relaxation.

Yoga Power

Last modified on 2009-11-02 12:13:34 GMT. 0 comments. Top.

It is said that practicing yoga increases life Expectancy. Yoga makes a person calm. A person’s appetite also increases it is also known to improve your blood circulation.

Your immune system improves because of yoga. Advanced yogi’s are known to control their hunger.The bone structure of a person also improves due to the constant stretching.

Yoga is known to improve your senses. People have reported improvement in their eye sight and hearing.

I have read articles where blood circulation in the brain is reported to be better in people who practice yoga.

Yoga is best practiced in the morning. There are known 26 main kinds of yoga.

Surya Namaskar is a one of the popular yoga exercise. I will cover this topic in the following weeks to come. Doing this exercise daily for 10 minutes helps one to improve their health.

Wearing the right yoga apparel is important when doing the exercises.

Yoga is very popular around the world and you can easily find a yoga class in your area. If you have difficulty in finding a class you can always use my site to get information on yoga.

Please find the article and video on the site for more information on yoga.

Yoga Advice for Beginners

Last modified on 2009-11-04 07:06:59 GMT. 0 comments. Top.

Once you are on your mat, following the sequences set out, you’ll find the 15 minutes fly by as you focus on getting to know your body and mind better. What is more tricky is maintaining the enthusiasm and motivation to roll out the mat in the first place. These tips may help.

The most important advice a teacher can offer beginners to yoga is to make the time to roll out their mats. Practising in the same place and at the same time can help maintain motivation. Decide on a time and write it into your diary, thinking of it as an appointment you cannot miss. Indeed, this may be one of the most important appointments you make during a day since it allows you to devote time to looking after yourself. This not only makes you feel great, it sets you up for success in every other part of your day, whether that includes achieving work tasks or mixing with other people.

Setting practice times

Early morning is traditionally considered the best time for day to practise yoga. Try setting your alarm 30 minutes earlier than usual. Take a shower and then practise in the quiet period before the rest of your household awakes. It is interesting to note how this period of reflection first thing can make your home life feel less stressed.

Late afternoon or early evening make good alternative practice times, especially if you need an energy boost or would lie to wind down after a hectic day. Wash before you begin and make sure your stomach is empty.

Planning the session:

At the start of any session, spend a few minutes sitting, or lying on your back with your knees bent and feet flat  on the floor, Close your eyes and look inside yourself, watching your breath flow in and our completely naturally. Then carefully follow the warm-up exercises before beginning the postures.

Take it slowly

Yoga is all about getting to know your capabilities and limitations – but you have the rest of your life to complete this study. Do not feel pressured to push it too far or too fast. Yoga is not competitive.

Follow your breath

Tune into your breath not only at the beginning of each session, but in every posture to see what it tells you about your practice. If your breathing becomes ragged or uneven at any time take it as a sign to ease off a little. When you arrive in a pose, explore whether breathing out any tension makes you feel more comfortable, and whether the inbreath allows you to expand and reach a little further. With time, breath-awareness will become second-nature.

Listen to your body

Honour the message your body sends. If your knees or lower back hurt, for example, take it as an instruction to refer to the easier version of the posture. Acknowlege your limitations, taking things slowly and not progesing to the stronger stretches in the sequences until fully ready.

Yoga for Dogs

Last modified on 2009-11-04 07:11:39 GMT. 0 comments. Top.

Hi there I came across this cute video and wanted to share it with eveybody. It shows how how you can do yoga with your pet.

Extended crouch pose

Last modified on 2009-11-05 07:09:41 GMT. 0 comments. Top.

The video here shows us how to do the extended crouch pose. This pose is a very common stretch you will need to do in yoga.

Yoga Gear: Being calm about casual clothing so that you can forget about it

Last modified on 2009-11-12 11:19:35 GMT. 0 comments. Top.

Historically yoga wardrobe was all about loincloths.Yoga fashion is a new spin for all the fashion houses. Yoga is all about stretching and healing one self and fashion houses will not make for regular sized people. Hence there are very few retailers who do make yoga clothes.

Yoga gear tends to be more color co-ordinated compared with other gym equipment. Hence I prefer it. Who knows the real difference anyways.

Retailers usually use organic fibers with yoga as the back to nature theme really goes well with each other.

Relaxed fashion — clothes that allow us to move without popping a button is — as valued in the office as it is in the yoga class. The truth is you can spend as little or as much as you like on a yoga wardrobe.

Some of the features which I feel you need to make sure are.

Drawstrings.  Pants, leggings or shorts and tights with comfortable waistbands are a must. Since breathing is an essential part of yoga practice, it is wise to wear something you can actually breathe in.

Bulk down. Think light, free. Unless you are practicing on top of a snowy mountain in the Himalayas, shuck the fleece. You will be amazed at how much sweat you can generate by holding yourself perfectly still.

Well supported top: Choose a top which is well supported and allows you to stretch easily.

The main thing is to choose clothes you can move in, breathe in, be comfortably still in; clothes that you can forget about.

MEDITATION CALMING THE MIND

Last modified on 2009-11-14 01:10:15 GMT. 0 comments. Top.

A calming Practice bringing increased mental clarity, increased energy levels and greater capacity for contenment.

The word meditation is naturally associated with practice of Yoga. It describes state of inner stillness, a feeling of balance and peace that, with regular Practice, will radiate Form ones daily routine into everyday word of your busy lives.

Following simple practice is one you might like try while your body is feeling relaxed and alert at end of posture sequence.Or it can be practiced on its own.

Make sure your surroundings are comfortably warm and quiet. Allow 5 to 10 minute at first. Gradually Increase the time to 20 minute or more, as you feel.

Sit comfortably with a straight back and with legs crossed.Rest the hand lightly on the knees or the things. Sitting on Firm a pillow or folded blanket can help.

Close your eyes and gently bring your attention inward away form external the world. Soften the face. Tuck your chin in. Relax your neck and shoulder muscles. Breathe gently and evenly.

Bring your awareness to any thoughts that come into your mind. See if you can simply observe them, letting them come, and letting them go, It’s as if your mind is a beautiful, clear blue sky, and your thoughts are small, white clouds passing across. Be patient with yourself. Your mind is used to getting its own way. Some days your thoughts may be many and your mind might seem like on overcast sky. Enjoy the spaces between the thoughts. Allow that sense of peace and wellbeing to expand as your mind clears and become quiet.

Early Evening Energizer

Last modified on 2009-11-17 10:55:54 GMT. 0 comments. Top.

After a long day at work, this routine helps us to find the energy to get through the evening. Be opening the shoulders and chest and mobilizing the spine, it eases the stress of sitting for hours henced over a desk, and also helps to clear the mind of the day’s clutter.

I first suggest a period of Silent Sitting, which allows your mind to clear the thought of the day. Feel firmness of the Floor beneath your sitting bones anchor your body, allowing the spine to lengthen and the upper body to rest form tension.

If your knees feel stiff in the kneeling poses, place a folded blanket at the back of your knees and block under your buttocks. If your ankles hurt, a folded blanket or two beneath your shine or a rolled towel under the ankles will also help.

energizer alternate nostril breathing

1. Sit cross-legged, ready for Alternate Nostril Breathing. Rest your hands on your palms facing upwards. Bring the tips of your index fingers and thumbs together for Chin Mudra. Close your eyes and watch your natural breath.

2. On your right hand, bend the index and middle fingers down, so that your thumb is free to close your right nostril, and your ring and little fingers are together, ready to close your left nostrils. Block your right nostril Exhale through the left for 4 counts. Inhale through the left for 4 counts. Change blocking the left nostril Exhale through the right. Change and exhale through the exhale through the left to complete a full round. Do 2 more rounds.

energizer kneeling poses

1. Come up to kneeling and bring your arms into Cow Face pose. Take your right hand behind and up your back. Bring your left arm up your hand. Bending the elbow so that your forearms come down your back to clasp the fingers of your right hand. If this is difficult, use the yoga belt

2. Stay kneeling, but tuck your toes under and sit on heels. Exhale and interlace your finger, stretching your arms up over your hand, keeping them straight. It is common for the toes to hurt a little here, but you should not experience any knee pain. Stay in this pose for just a few second at First.

energizer kneeling poses /shoulder rolls

1. Exhale releasing your hand. With your left hand right thigh and your hand behind you on your left buttock, twist to the right. Inhale, moving back to the center. Change the interlace of your fingers and repeat Steps 4 and 5,twisting to the left, if your toes are too painful, put your feet flat again and build up gradually to sitting on heels.

2. Still kneeling put your Feet flat again.inhaleand move your shoulder forward and up. Exhale moving them back down.repit Twice more.Revese, moving back and up as you inhale and forward and down as you exhale twice more.

Yoga Fashion Tips

Last modified on 2009-12-09 04:53:58 GMT. 0 comments. Top.

So the that last thing you should be concerned about as you sweat and stretch is your yoga outfit and how good you look in it.

But walk around any mall, grocery store or Starbucks and you’ll quickly see that yoga-inspired attire is not just for the yoga studio. Many sportswear makers have recognised this and are offering yoga apparel. Their autumn and winter collections this year follow current fashion trends, especially in the choice of colours.

Clothes based on yoga attire are more easy to match and wear as compared to traditional sports clothes. Yoga gear tends to be more based out organic fibers and thus are more nature oriented.

As a devoted yoga practitioner myself, my favorite practice yoga attire a low rise yoga pant but if I have a lunch date or need to run some errands then I go for a more ethnic clothing which thanks to yoga’s route is widely available.

Yoga clothing can be expensive. So make sure you think about whether you really need another pair of yoga pants or another yoga shirt before you spend the $50.

I need to be confident and comfortable when I wear my yoga outfit. If I have the slightest doubt and the top is not supporting me well and I am going to show too much cleavage then I am not going to make that purchase. I just move along and see other options.

I have come across many people who saying typically something like “I started yoga and find it very interesting but I always get annoyed when my t-shirt comes in my way ” and to this I always say use something which is tight but not too tight as the top and the pant needs to allow you to stretch but at the same time should not come in your way

As you know, staying warm throughout any yoga session is important, however staying warm at the end of a session I believe is imperative. Thus make sure you have enough insulation. Unless you are doing Bikram yoga (hot yoga)–which is done at temperature of at around 100 degrees and usually more– then I don’t suggest keeping warm is essential

Below is the right stuff to wear at a yoga class and if you have some errands to take care of. They are a good match for our daily needs.

The Embroidered Halter

Last modified on 2009-12-09 04:50:05 GMT. 0 comments. Top.

I really like this top but I am not sure if I can wear it for my yoga class but its well worth a try. The Embroidered Halter by PrAna has a scoop neckline with embroidery at the bust and tie at the neck. The backless halter is smocked at the back. Embroidery at bottom hem.100% CottonMachine Wash Cold. Hope you guys like this selection of mine do let me know in the comment section.

Mind Yoga

Last modified on 2009-12-06 15:55:39 GMT. 0 comments. Top.

What happens when you mix traditional jewish teaching with the the physical discipline of yoga from India. You get Mind yoga.

I read this interesting article and thought you might also find it a good read.

Click here for more on Mind Yoga

Yoga Tops are also known as Organic Clothing

Last modified on 2009-12-19 14:49:06 GMT. 0 comments. Top.

Being socially  responsible is now become a priority for some of my friends. When they go shopping organic clothing is thus become very popular. As a tribute to them I searched and found some organic yoga clothing for my sites visitors. Organic clothing is very expensive and you need to keep this is mind.

The Organic Racerback Tank by Hard Tail is a stretch cotton scoop neck tank with racerback with shelf bra. 90% Organic Cotton, 10% Spandex Machine Wash Cold. This smart black top is just what the yoga instructor would love to see you in. Its got good support and its ogranic. Let me know what you think about it. You can search this on the net its can be found very easily.