Yoga and Meditation

The practice of yoga is characterized by various asanas, which are also referred to as yoga poses or positions. These are aimed at promoting health and offer various benefits to participants. All of the various schools have become increasingly popular throughout the United States and across the world.

Yoga is a traditional physical and mental discipline with origins in India. It is associated with meditation and includes several branches based in Hindu, Buddhist and Jainist faiths.

Asanas are aimed at improving both physical and mental health. The word ‘yoga’ comes from the Sanskrit word for ‘control.’ The idea is that controlling your thoughts, movements and breathing will help bring greater control and calmness to other aspects of one’s life.

With various schools within yoga, and thousands upon thousands of positions, there is a wide range of difficulty and focus. Each pose is aimed at a different body part and way of self-improvement. Here, you will find several common poses that students may encounter throughout a single session:

Downward Facing Dog: This pose is also known as Down Dog and is done standing up. It attempts to stretch and strengthen the entire body and is conducted many times throughout a yoga session because it is a transitional stance. It is often the first pose when learning yoga practices and consists of standing with both palms and feet flat on the ground, then raising your rear end.

Child’s Pose is another commonly used stance. It is utilized by beginners and advanced practitioners alike. This is the position typically used as a form of rest during the class as it allows students to catch their breath and become centered again. It involves transitioning from Downward Facing Dog and dropping knees and forehead on the floor. There the entire body is relaxed, allowing for a mild stretch of the thighs, hips and ankles.

Child’s Pose: This is known as a resting pose that is done by beginners and advanced students. To do it, you transition from Downward Facing Dog and drop your knees and forehead onto the floor and relax. Students are typically advised to return to this position at any time if they become tired or lose their breath during a class. This allows them to recover and then join the flow again. Child’s Pose provides a gentle stretch for hips, thighs and ankles.

The Cobra Pose is done while lying on your stomach. Legs are flat and hands are used to push the upper body away from the floor. This is helpful for those suffering from back pain and increases overall flexibility. Cobra is typically used as part of the larger sequence of poses called the Sun Salutation.

Finally, the Tree Pose is a more difficult stance as it involves, and aims at improving, balance and leg strength. Hands are held together while balancing on one foot and bringing the other closer to your body. The Tree Pose is supposed to be done on each leg separately, while focusing on breathing and stillness.

The practice of yoga is characterized by various asanas, which are also known as yoga poses or positions. These are aimed at promoting health and offer various advantages to participants.