Archive for the ‘Techniques’ Category
A Guided Relaxation Exercise
The first thing I’d like to do is to wish all the readers of Relaxation Haven a happy, healthy and relaxed 2010. If you haven’t already you should check out the last article I wrote which was all about New Year’s Resolutions – how to choose them and how to successfully follow them.
For now though I’ve found a great guided relaxation exercise. It takes just under fifteen minutes to complete and mixes a number of techniques from a variety of relaxation methods. After you have finished the guided relaxation exercise you can expect to feel your muscles very loose and limp and your mind refreshed from the stresses of the day.
Right click the link below to save it to your computer.
Guided Relaxation Exercise Download
Resource: Exercise To Reduce Tummy – Worried about your bulging tummy? Easy and effective exercises to reduce your tummy at your doorsteps.
An Overview of Yoga
Evidence of the practice of yoga goes as far back as 3000 BC. Archaeologists have found seals of the Indus Valley Civilization depicting people as well as godlike entities in various forms of meditative and yogic poses. The word “yoga” comes from the Sanskrit yuj, which means to unionize. This is in reference to the way yoga unionizes the mind and the body.
The Purpose and Goals of Yoga
A young woman in a yoga stretch.
The original purpose of yoga was a spiritual one. While spirituality has almost disappeared from Western society we have still managed to find a place for yoga in our lives. A poll taken in 2006 revealed that over fifteen million Americans practice yoga on at least a semi-regular basis. Now people tend to treat yoga as another form of exercise, a way to improve flexibility and overall fitness, however without even realising many of these people will feel the mental benefits yoga provides. Through a combination of physical poses, breathing techniques and meditation yoga you will feel much more centred, calm and relaxed after you have practiced yoga.
The goals of yoga depend on the individual. Some practice yoga to loosen their muscles, others to find enlightenment, while others still do it to reduce their stress levels and relax after a busy day. Whatever your goal yoga can probably help you to achieve it. And the great thing about yoga is it can be tailored to anyone of any age, size or level of fitness.
Getting Started
It’s hard to describe many yoga positions or exercises textually which is why I posted a video earlier which contains a great beginners guide to yoga. You might like to try these exercises for a few weeks before purchasing a DVD full of yoga exercises or alternatively many leisure/rec centres and gyms hold regular yoga classes with fully qualified instructors.
Useful Yoga Resources
Here are a number of sites, articles and videos that you might to like to visit to find out a little more about yoga and its many positive effects.
Disabled Vet Walks Again Thanks to Yoga *MUST SEE*
Basic Yoga For Beginners
Yoga is an excellent skill to learn since it not only aids with relaxation but with flexibility as well as muscular strength. This video is for those of you who’s like to learn a little more about yoga whether you’re about to start looking for a yoga studio in your area or just interest in learning from home.
In this thirty minute video of basic yoga for beginners your instructor Susan Kenney will talk to you about what to expect from yoga, what you will need and she will teach you a few simple techniques that you can try right now at home.
I plan on writing my own overview of yoga within the next couple of weeks for all you Relaxation Haven readers but I feel a video may be of more use since it can be hard to describe yoga positions in words. Here the visual approach is much better.