Which camp are you in? The one that believes yoga is wonderful for mind, body and soul? Or the one that thinks yoga is just a bunch of mumbo jumbo? Well, the yea-sayers are on the right track: scientific studies are showing that the practice of yoga at any physical level can help with musculoskeletal issues, like lower back pain, as well as things like stress and anxiety.
Getting started with yoga can be as simple as watching a video, and we’ve compiled a list of our favorites on YouTube. But first, let’s talk about why people hesitate to try yoga. Maybe you feel intimidated by radical poses and think “I could never do that” or you have a medical condition you think keeps you from practicing.
The good news is, there are many types of yoga and it is believed that even the simplest poses practiced just once a week has its benefits (NIH: Scientific Results of Yoga for Health and Well-Being). As for medical issues, whether you have a chronic problem or not, it’s recommended you talk to your health care professional before embarking on your yoga journey; that way, you’ll know which kind of yoga would be best for what ails you and how best to modify the poses as needed.
Now, take a break from your search for, say, new homes in Austin, TX or real estate in Orlando, FL and explore the world of yoga with us.
Yoga for beginners – Great place to get started if you’ve never explored yoga before. Yoga Online presents 22 demonstrations of different poses, from simple breathing techniques to the Dog pose.
Rejuvenating yoga – This how-to video demonstrates a 39-minute routine to recharge and relax. For those who don’t want to take the time to watch the entire video, this website link is provided so you can customize your own gifs as desired.
Yoga for runners – We’ve found two websites for runners: a Pre-Run Warm Up and a Post-Run Cool Down. The videos present practices that can help increase your speed and endurance and decrease your injuries.
Morning and bedtime poses – Austin yogi Adriene has several videos for a variety of purposes, including for beginners, weight loss and more. We particularly like her Morning Yoga and Bedtime Yoga.
Fat burning – Yoga Flow 202. Set seaside, the video presents a 30-minute, fast-paced flow yoga sequence that emphasizes breath awareness and staying in the moment.
Advanced flow sequence – A more advanced flow practice is shown here. If you’re not so experienced, the video is still a good one to watch as it explains the different steps really well.
Yoga infographic – This is a great resource to find out the particular benefits of different yoga practices. It also illustrates poses well.
These videos you can help practice yoga even without joining a class. But, be sure to see your physician first so you stay safe and within the scope your individual abilities.
