Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Yoga Blocks Help With Your Poses In Yoga Classes

By Thaya Kareeson

Yoga is a fabulous way to get fit that everyone can participate in. Sometimes, the beginner yoga enthusiast feels like they might be going in over their heads. Yoga blocks can make yoga postures and positions that much easier! Imagine being able to finally stretch far enough to get into the more difficult positions! Or not being afraid to try yoga for the first time!

Yoga is a traditional exercise method or discipline that originated in India. It is a practice in which the mental, physical and verbal beliefs of Hinduism first were expressed. Now, at least in terms of today's fitness world, it is a healthy way to stay fit, build strength, tone muscles and increase flexibility and agility.

While doing yoga, people twist and turn their bodies and teach themselves to stretch into different positions and postures. These are called asanas. To the beginner, trying to do asanas can be very intimidating. However, with a little encouragement from an understanding instructor and perhaps some help and support with yoga blocks, beginners can try easier postures and experience success.

Yoga blocks are placed most often beneath the hands, buttocks, heels or the head. They can be used to help someone see how far their reach goes and to push it that much further. They also help new or struggling practitioners of yoga learn what muscle groups should be involved in a particular stretch without injuring themselves.

Another thing that yoga blocks can do is help those who have trouble twisting or maneuvering their bodies into some of the more difficult yoga positions. There are hundreds of asanas that can be used in a yoga session. The blocks are ideal for people who have tight hips or hamstrings, or who have yet to improve their flexibility.

Some positions in yoga are more difficult to obtain than others. Some require more support than others. For the beginning or struggling yoga practitioner, yoga blocks can help these asanas be obtained. The Sarangasana, which is a shoulder stand, could be improved with four blocks beneath the shoulders. The 'hero lying down' or Supta Virasana pose would be better supported with a few blocks under the spine. In yoga, spine and body alignment are crucial to proper and safe exercise. By keeping posture and alignment, people are less likely to experience strain or injury.

Yoga blocks can come in many different types and materials. Part of practicing yoga means having an open mind and earth-friendly consciousness. Many blocks come in materials that are friendly to the earth. Bamboo, pine wood from New Zealand, cork are all specifically chosen to be renewable resources. It's also helpful to have natural materials in one's yoga practice to help with meditation and tranquility of atmosphere.

Yoga as an exercise soon becomes a way of life. A good yoga routine added to a healthy diet and other types of fitness activities can help people last longer while becoming stronger. Yoga blocks make yoga just a bit easier for people starting out or for people who need just a little bit more support. These helpful tools encourage rather than discourage reaching goals and seeking success. - 29161

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