| Before you begin to learn yoga you must first | | | | different routines, see which one suits you best. |
| decide what you are hoping to learn from yoga. | | | | Different forms of yoga can effect different |
| The simple fact is yoga can provide many | | | | people in many different ways. So make sure to |
| benefits on the body and mind. | | | | find out which type will provide the maximum |
| If fitness is the sole aim of why you wish to | | | | benefit on your mind and body. Yoga can be a |
| practice yoga then you will leave your mind closed | | | | very strenuous exercise so make sure that you |
| of to the benefits that it can have on you | | | | do not push yourself to much when you start of. |
| mentally. If you decide to perform yoga for the | | | | This can result in an injury. So take your time to |
| sole reason of gaining spiritual enlightenment and | | | | build yourself up and when you feel extremely |
| the positive effects it can have on you mentally | | | | comfortable then begin to push yourself more. |
| then the fitness aspect may not be exploited to | | | | Below are a list of the most common yoga |
| its full potential. | | | | practices |
| What I would recommend and believe everyone | | | | Ashtanga (Also known as power yoga) - Perfect |
| who is interested in taking up this practice is to | | | | for the person who wants a very hard workout |
| enter it with an open mind. Learn the basics to | | | | session. It concentrate less on meditation and |
| yoga first and then as you become more adapt | | | | more on tough physical exercise. |
| to the postures, poses and mental side that it | | | | Iyengar - This is a classical form of yoga and is |
| teaches then and only then will you begin to | | | | seen as the best starting block for beginners. |
| expand and reap the full benefits of yoga. | | | | Many props are used in this yoga style. |
| Many practitioners of yoga often talk about it | | | | Bikram - Must be carried out in a room that is |
| uniting the mind, body and spirit through the | | | | over 38C or higher. There are 26 postures that |
| practice of yoga exercises. I am not saying this is | | | | are carried out in a specific order. |
| a false statement as I do belive that it can reap | | | | Hatha - Very chilled out form of yoga which |
| those benefits, but many people who enter into | | | | focuses on poses that flow from to another at a |
| yoga for the first time have a perception that | | | | very easy pace. |
| they will gain this enlightenment and benefits | | | | Kundlini - Includes mantras, visualizations, guided |
| instantly. | | | | relaxation and meditations. |
| Where as the truth is that it takes many years | | | | Kripalu - A flowing and meditation orientated. |
| of practice and dedication to reach these levels. | | | | There are 3 stages and the person will perform |
| When you start performing yoga for the first | | | | from stage one to stage three. |
| time you will begin to notice a difference, but it is | | | | Sivananda - This type of yoga consists of a |
| essential that you take it a small step at a time. | | | | series of 12 poses |
| There is a reason that yoga is the oldest existing | | | | Viniyoga - This form helps to develop strength |
| (what I like to call) mind and body system around, | | | | balance and healing. This is probably the most ideal |
| this is due to the fact that it helps to aid in | | | | form of yoga for elders, beginners and people |
| providing a great level fitness, has known health | | | | with muscle injuries |
| benefits and can help in improving a persons | | | | Raja-yoga - This is aimed at people who are |
| mental state. | | | | capable of intense concentration |
| One of the main reasons why yoga has such a | | | | Bhakti-yoga - Helps a person to gain focus on self |
| huge benefit on the body is because it stretches | | | | surrender when in the face of the divine |
| the muscles therefore when you perform a yoga | | | | Mantra-yoga - This is a meditation like yoga which |
| workout it would have a similar effect of a | | | | focuses on the verbal repetition or can be mental |
| massage which will ensure that the ideal blood | | | | to empowering sounds such as (om and ram) |
| supply can be reached by every organ. | | | | The top five are the most commons forms of |
| The beauty of yoga is that there are many | | | | yoga. Remember if you do decide to try yoga |
| different forms which gives everyone the chance | | | | out, take your time, do not push yourself to hard |
| to find what one suits them best. Don't just set | | | | at first, enter into it with an open mind and find |
| your mind on one type of yoga, try out a few | | | | out what type of yoga suits you best. |