Kick boxing and spinning make for great physical fitness activity, but they can be daunting to beginners or even harmful to exercisers recovering from an injury. For anyone who wants to start a new physical fitness practice or needs to take time starting over, yoga is a great choice. Practiced for centuries, yoga can gently stretch or vigorously exercise the body. Additional benefits to yoga include a calming of the mind and spirit. Finding the right yoga class or instructor is key.
Practicing Yoga Individually, or in a Group Setting
Yoga classes are available at many gyms for no extra cost when the participant is already a member. Yoga classes are often offered independent of gyms as well. Additionally, many yoga instructors offer one-on-one sessions in the home. The personal fitness goals of the participant will dictate whether or not they choose group or individual sessions.
New yoga participants may feel more comfortable practicing one-on-one with an instructor. They may also benefit from the extra attention they will surely receive in such a setting. This could be very important for anyone recovering from an injury who needs to move quite slowly through the poses. Call yoga studios to find out if the instructors offer individual instruction. Participants may elect to practice with the instructor in the privacy and convenience of their own home.
However, if joining a yoga community and getting to know other participants is key, a group setting is often the right choice. Yoga classes are available at all levels and even within those classes the instruction is often differentiated, so all will feel welcome. Different types of yoga include Hatha and Vinyasa. Vinyasa yoga focuses more heavily on sequences of poses and movement.
Yoga Practice Benefits Both the Mind and the Body
Yoga instruction often begins and ends with deep stretching and meditation exercises that calm the mind and cool down the body. Practicing yoga can be very restful following a stressful day at work. The meditation and stretching following the practice allows the individual to reflect and appreciate their progress in their practice that day.
Meditation linked with yoga practice has a calming effect on the mind and the body. It can even be spiritually revitalizing. Deep breathing exercises coupled with meditation often leave the participant in a relaxed and reflective spirit. There is no loud, pulsating music or glaring overhead lights that often stimulate exercisers in the gym. In fact, yoga is often practiced in a dark room with the lights dimmed so that the participants do not obsess over how they look while posing.
Evangeline Deaton - Evangeline Deaton is a teacher and freelance writer living in Central Virginia. A graduate from Mary Washington College, Evangeline ...
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