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JUST FOR YOU; INTRODUCTION TO HATHA YOGA by Janet Kolish, Yoga Instructor
ARTICLE ONEYoga movements and postures are different from physical exercise or gymnastics. Yoga asanas (Sanskrit word for posture) are performed slowly, with special consideration given to proper breathing methods. When deep breathing is stressed, more oxygen goes into the bloodstream. This oxygen-rich blood circulates through the tensed muscles, enabling them to contract better than poorly oxygenated muscles. The muscles usually do not tire because there is little accumulation of lactic acid (caused from a efficiency of oxygen) in the muscle fibers. You may often feel refreshed after completing a yoga routine, even though you were tired before you began. Individuals with lung disease do not have the normal reserve in their lungs because of their severe lung condition. Yet, it is critical to maintain a level of fitness designed according to the individual�s condition and performance ability. When the body is fit (muscle tone, less fat) it functions more efficiently and uses less oxygen. There are no quick or jerky movements as in other forms of exercise. If you bounce and bob, quickly pulling your muscles, the sensor system in each muscle automatically reacts. This causes a reflex contraction in the muscles which keeps them from relaxing enough to fully extend and many times results in injury. This does not happen while doing yoga postures, because they are done slowly and smoothly, usually retaining a sustained stretch which is a comfortable length of time determined by the individual. There is a rest period after each stretch or movement or posture, then the stretch is performed 2 more times. I have found in my experience that once a stretch is performed 3 times, the body gets it! Boredom comes into play in many techniques of exercising, but is unlikely while doing yoga movements as you are always listening to the body and paying attention to the body�s needs. Instead of commanding and demanding the body, you are always asking and allowing the body to perform what it is capable of doing. While doing the posture, you are performing both a physical and a mental exercise. You will be experiencing the stretch, the pleasant hold and observing the change in circulation and how this altered circulation affects different parts of your body, plus the deep relaxation which occurs when concentrating on deep diaphragmatic breathing. - We will discuss breathing in the next article - Back to Exercise Information Page
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