For many people the word yoga conjures up something only vaguely related to the lotus position. However, it is more than just one pose; it embraces not only a physical discipline but also a philosophical basis for leading one’s life. The word itself comes from ancient Sanskrit text and roughly translates to “royal union, ” which is to say a proper balance between body and mind.

The ancient text that provides the foundation is the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. It was written over two thousand years ago and is divided into four books. They are called the Samadhi Pada, Sadhana Pada, Vibhuti Pada, and the Kaivalya Pada. It is in the Sadhana Pada that one can discover the physical aspect of yoga.

Within the Sadhana Pada one will find the eight “limbs.” These steps are known as the Ashtanga yoga. The first five limbs concern external aids while the last three address internal issues. Asana is one of the five external aids, or the third limb, and refers to discipline of the body. It stresses that the body should be kept disease-free while preserving vital energy. It is the teachings found in this book of the Sutras that give rise to what most Westerners construe as yoga.

Asana is the plural of asan which means body position or posture. Its purpose is to improve flexibility, vitality, and promote meditation. Some adherents of asana believe that practicing its positions open up the energy channels and psychic centers in the body. According to asana, any position assumed should be steady and comfortable, yet firm.

As alluded to earlier, the body should not experience any discomfort when assuming any pose. There are dozens of positions that a practitioner can strike, from beginner level to advanced.

Regardless of one’s level of expertise, there are some fundamental concepts that should be adhered to. The stomach should always be empty before commencing any exercise. The body should not experience any trembling from force or pressure. Breathing should be controlled and not erratic. Most of the exercises are not performed on a floor but rather on a mat, and at the conclusion of the session, time should be spent attaining a deep state of relaxation.

Poses can be done standing up, seated, supine, while balanced, or while the back is bent. There are a wide variety of poses and they can be classified as beginner, intermediate, or advanced level positions. Some beginner standing poses are The Downward Facing Dog, The Standing Forward Bend, and The Pyramid Pose. Seated poses such as Half Lord of the Fishes, Seated Wide Legged Straddle, and the Cobbler’s Pose are also geared towards those just starting out.

As mentioned, yoga encompasses much more than just forming your body into a specific pose. It is a philosophy that addresses not just corporeal well being but also spiritual needs as well. In fact, the first “limb” of the Sutras preaches such virtues as non-violence, truth in word and thought, and celibacy for those who are not married and monogamy for those who are.

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Most obstetricians will tell you to continue with your exercise regime while you are pregnant. It is important to keep your mind and body healthy for your unborn baby’s sake. But there are limitations on what you can do. Some workouts are just too risky to participate in but there are some that are very, very low impact, which can give you a great workout throughout your entire pregnancy. Prenatal Yoga lead by Shiva Rea is one such workout.

Undoubtedly, one of the absolute best features of the Prenatal Yoga DVD is the fact that it takes your trimester into account. The DVD is divided up into trimesters. Shiva Rea shows you the poses and then you actually get to see women in different trimesters using or modifying these poses and exercises.

This DVD is an incredible discovery for women who want to build their muscles and remain relaxed. It can prove to be difficult to be expecting and locate workout videos that allow you to get the exercise you would like while keeping your baby safe. It really is a bonus to be able to see women in different stages of pregnancy performing the postures and stretches because you can be certain that they’re taking the safeguards necessary to keep their unborn children safe and at the same time still getting the exercise they should have.

The one thing you need to keep in mind is that this video will not be best for your needs should you be on bed rest. Simply make sure to discuss any exercise routine with your doctor prior to commencing it, and you will be confident that it is acceptable for you to do certain moves and postures which are part of the yoga routine.

Among the wonderful advantages of performing yoga when expecting is that you are taught breathing skills. These kinds of breathing skills are going to be incredibly useful once you go into labor. And also, the hours put into learning how to control your muscles will help the process along too.

Prenatal Yoga is definitely a DVD you need to consider using while you are pregnant. You can use it from the beginning of your pregnancy and even afterwards to get back into shape. Shiva Rea has decades of experience teaching yoga so it does not matter if you are a beginner to yoga or you have practiced it for many years. She can give you the safest yoga exercises possible and you will benefit immensely.

Shiva Rea: Daily Energy - Vinyasa Flow Yoga is a popular yoga DVD these days. But how can you tell if it’s a good workout for you? Click here to read more yoga DVD reviews that will help you make the right choice.

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