...tions it simply will not go, and this can of course cause serious injury.

A good place to start is comparative anatomy - which is understanding the underlying skeletal structure of the body, how the bones differ significantly from person to person, and how to use that knowledge in gaining a much deeper understanding of our individual Yoga practices.

A good curriculum for learning more about the anatomy of Yoga could look something like this:

- General knowledge of the principles of anatomy and physiology as applied to various styles of hatha yoga.

- How breathing expedites movement and posture in your practise, and about how the pelvis and abdomen form the foundation of the body - how these can be strengthened through exercise.

- Analysis of the basic standing postures, as these are vital for beginning students and because they provide a ...more

The Benefits of Pilates Exercises

...orated after a session instead of feeling exhausted.

Your first Pilates session should be a private lesson in which the instructor will introduce you to the equipment, give you an idea of where your body's strengths and weaknesses lie, and enable you to make informed decisions.

The Pilates exercises can be performed either on machines or on a mat. A variety of equipment is used to perform some of the over 500 exercises. On the mat you perform with a group, performing the ...more

Yoga and the Breath

...Your yoga practice and the way you breathe are intertwined. You wont fully experience the benefits of yoga without first learning how to breathe properly.

Different types of yoga practice call for different types of breathing, so it is important to note from the beginning that there is no one right way to breathe in yoga. If, in your yoga practice, your goal is total relaxation then your breathing should reflect that. This means long deep breaths meant to slow your heart rate and allow you to fully relax into the yoga pose. Here are a few tips:

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Gym Or Yoga - Take Your Pick

...es.

Yoga or Tai-chi are slow exercises. The emphasis in them is on slowness, on calmness and on breath control. The heart rate slows down. The metabolic activity slows down. This relaxes the body and the mind. When this happens, the mind goes into repair mode. The bodys natural defences kick in. Because there is no danger perceived by the body, the bodys metabolic activity reduces. The body needs less food to survive. So the food intake reduces. The accumulated fat, in an ...more

Total Yoga Dvd