What is yoga?
Yoga is the best and most time-tested path to physical and mental
well-being known to mankind. While some people think of yoga simply
as physical exercise, it is actually a complete system for overall
health and well-being. It includes everything from physical postures,
personal hygiene, and a healthy diet to premeditation, breathing,
and relaxation techniques. The most advanced forms of meditation
and self-realization are also a part of yoga. Wai Lana’s
workouts focus on yoga’s physical techniques.
Why do yoga?
Like many forms of exercise, yoga asanas effectively stretch and
strengthen your body. The greatest benefits of yoga asanas, however,
come from their profound effects on the internal systems of the
body. By bending, stretching, twisting, and flexing in the various
postures, you bathe your internal organs with oxygenated blood
and prana, also known as life force energy or chi. Yoga asanas
soothe and tone your nerves and regulate the endocrine system,
which is responsible for the production of hormones—one
of the keys to both physical and mental health. They also improve
digestion and elimination, strengthen the respiratory system,
and tone the reproductive organs. Although yoga techniques like
asanas, breathing, and relaxation are extremely effective in
relieving stress, it is Yoga Sound meditation that relieves deep-seated
stress and anxiety, enabling you to experience yoga's greatest
gifts: spiritual happiness and inner peace.
Wai Lana
It would be difficult, if not impossible, to find anyone who has
had as much influence as Wai Lana in increasing the worldwide
appreciation of the beauty and benefits of the ancient art of
yoga. Wai Lana's internationally aired TV series attracts a huge
audience and has played a significant part in the skyrocketing
popularity of yoga. Click here to read Wai Lana’s
biography.
What is Pilates?
Derived from ancient yoga asanas, the Pilates exercise system was
formulated by Joseph Pilates over 80 years ago for more specific
and limited purposes. Although Pilates is not a complete balanced
or holistic exercise and health system, it is quite useful. Pilates
focuses mainly on cultivating core strength in the body and lengthening
the spine. Practiced for decades by dancers, Pilates has become
popular in recent years for its largely aesthetic body sculpting
effect. Pilates can be a valuable tool for enhancing strength,
definition, and good posture in partnership with Wai Lana Yoga. Click here to explore Wai Lana's Pilates Yoga line of products
Guidelines for
yoga and Pilates practice:
• Yoga postures, especially inversions and those that compress
the abdomen, should not be done on a full stomach. Listen to
your body—if you practice too soon after eating or drinking,
certain poses will feel uncomfortable.
• It’s best to practice yoga asanas barefoot, using a yoga mat
or nonslip surface for standing poses. A mat, rug, or folded yoga blanket
will provide firm padding for other asanas.
• Wear comfortable clothing, something that allows you to move
freely.
• Ideally, the room should be well ventilated. Have enough space
to extend your arms and legs in all directions without hitting
anything.
• While practicing, concentrate on the feeling that the asana is
producing in your body.
• If you feel too weak or shaky in a pose, come out of it. Gradually,
you will build up your strength and be able to hold the pose longer.
• Don't go beyond your personal limitations, but extend your boundaries
gently. Doing the asanas correctly means doing them to the best
of your ability without straining.
• Throughout the workout, focus on your breath, inhaling and exhaling
fully and completely through your nose. Breathing with awareness
not only feels good, but also balances and regulates energy flow
within the body, strengthening your internal organs and boosting
your resistance to disease.
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