Practicing yoga has helped millions of people worldwide to improve their quality of life through maintaining physical and mental health. The heart of any yoga practice is the performance of yoga positions (called asanas), each of which has specific physical and mental benefits.
Each type of yoga position focuses on a particular body part, or muscle group. The following is a list of some types of yoga poses and their health benefits.
Benefits of Standing, Seated and Balance Poses
Standing poses help align the feet and the body, while increasing flexibility in legs and hips. They also add to the mobility of the neck and the shoulders while increasing the flexibility of pelvis and lower back. Standing poses are beneficial for intensification legs, opening hips and improving the sense of balance.
Seated poses, on the other hand, increase flexibility and strength the hips, lower back, knees and groin. They open hips and chest, lengthen spine and stimulate reproductive, nervous and respiratory systems. Seated poses are useful for practicing breathing exercises and relaxation or meditation techniques. They are also regularly used as a warm up or as a starting point for other poses.
Balance poses help develop muscle tone, coordination, strength and agility. They are also excellent for elongating the spine. Balance positions open up the chest, the rib cage and the hips and improve memory and concentration power.
Yoga Poses to Release Tension and Increase Flexibility
Forward and twists positions help stretch the lower back and hamstrings, while releasing tension in the back, neck and shoulders. Forward poses also increase the flexibility in spine bringing about a sense of relaxation and balance. The main aim of a twisting pose is to give a deep massage to the internal organs of the body, thereby squeezing out toxins and stimulating digestion.
Moreover, the relaxation techniques, which are usually performed at the end of a yoga session, such as deep breathing, visualization, progressive muscle relaxation and meditation help in reducing everyday stress levels and foster a feeling of calm, joy and serenity.
Studies have shown that yoga positions are one of the best practices for the toning up of muscles, lubrication of the joints, and massaging of the body. By going through various types of yoga positions, individuals can easily keep themselves physically, mentally, and spiritually fit. But, it is always recommended to avoid performing all the yoga poses at one go, as this may lead to negative outcomes instead of benefits.
Sources:
- “Poised for wellbeing yoga,” Gulf News, 29 May 2010, accessed 2 June 2010
- “Practicing yoga positions,” newyogasecrets.com, accessed 2 June 2010
Badar Salem - Badar is a freelance journalist based in Dubai, UAE. She has a BA in Journalism and Political Science from BirZeit University in Palestine ...
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