Yoga is a fun and relaxing form of exercise that has been practiced by millions of people all over the world for thousands of years. It is a great way to learn how to relax and sleep better, and to get into great shape, with improved flexibility and muscle tone. One of the first things you will learn in a yoga class is Sun Salutation, the foundation to any yoga workout.
In most yoga disciplines, one of the main series of stretches is the Sun Salutation. This is a series of 12 postures that one performs in one single, fluid movement. It's actually very beautiful to watch, because the movements of the yoga practitioners are so fluid and trained; it's almost like watching a lovely, winding river flowing along. Sun Salutation may be done slowly, or some people really want to get the most physical benefits from the exercises, so they do what is known as power yoga, and perform the postures quickly.
Breathe as You Move
Each movement goes along with the yoga practitioner's breathing. One posture is done while the person is breathing in, the next movement done on the exhale. Sun Salutation begins and ends with the same posture, beginning on an inhale and ending on an exhale. This sometimes can take a while to learn how to do properly, especially if you tend to get out of breath easily. Be patient, and in time you will be doing the postures with the proper breathing and getting the full benefits of yoga.
The 12 Postures of Sun Salutation
When you do the Sun Salutation, you are performing stretches that will utilize every joint and muscle in your body, for a total body workout. In fact, a one-hour yoga workout is just as beneficial as a one-hour aerobic workout, without all of the jumping and running that can cause injuries, especially to the hips, knees and ankles. Each of the 12 yoga postures stretches different groups of muscles, and the combination makes for an awesome workout. The 12 yoga postures for Sun Salutation are:
-- Mountain
-- Hands Up
-- Head to Knees
-- Lunge
-- Plank
-- Stick
-- Upward Facing Dog
-- Downward Facing Dog
-- Lunge
-- Head to Knees
-- Hands Up
-- Mountain
When you practice Sun Salutation regularly, you will find that it gets easier and easier to do, and the breathing techniques will be just like second nature. As you improve your flexibility, muscle tone and lung capacity, hold the positions longer, while still practicing the breathing techniques, with longer and deeper breaths. You'll be getting into great shape in no time, looking and feeling better every day.
