All About Yoga Towels and Blankets

Posted by admin | Posted in Bikram Yoga, Hatha Yoga, Hot Yoga, Vinyasa Yoga, Yoga For Beginners, Yoga Mats, Props, and Accessories, Yoga Poses - Yoga Asanas and Postures | Posted on 07-04-2009

Yoga towels are a simple solution to slippage off the yoga mat that might occur from too much sweat while practicing yoga. Also called yoga mat towels, they’re designed to fit on top of your yoga mat and be absorbent, not only helping you stay in place but wicking up excess moisture, as well. These towels are soft on one side, and generally have grippers on the other, whether that be in the form of rubber dots or a latex-free coating that keeps the towel from sliding around.

Often times, people try to use beach or bath towels, but these are most always the wrong size, or not as absorbent as necessary. You want your towel to not only fit your mat, but take up as little room as possible, especially working out in a class with other people around. Yoga towels can also be a substitute mat in a pinch, and can be used in place of a regular towel, as well – especially after working out to hot yoga, like Bikram. They help you stay put by using your body weight to evenly distribute the gripping agent, meaning you get a steadier, more stable yoga experience every time.

The super absorbent material that comprises yoga mats is better at soaking up water and sweat than regular towels, dries quicker than a regular cotten towel, and the lightness of the towel means it can be rolled up and stored easily, without bulky excess in your yoga bag. Available in an array of colors and styles, yoga towels coordinate with your personality and style, without becoming an overwhelming accessory. Brightly colored towels might signify motivation for you, or a lighter color might help with relaxation during the meditation period.

Yoga towels are a little more expensive than regular towels, but many yoga practitioners feel they’re a good investment. It’s a good idea to have several yoga towels on hand at all times, so you always have a clean one and one that fits your mood. You can purchase discount and wholesale yoga towels and yoga blankets at SunShineYoga.com.

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All About Yoga Bolsters and Yoga Blankets

Posted by admin | Posted in Hot Yoga, Yoga For Beginners, Yoga Mats, Props, and Accessories, Yoga Poses - Yoga Asanas and Postures | Posted on 03-04-2009

Yoga Blankets and Bolsters Yoga has become the fitness exercise of choice for millions of people around the world. People of all ages are benefiting from this ancient method of circulating positive energy throughout the body. Yoga puts us in a state of balance and the body aligns itself with the mind. While some people find Yoga poses exhilarating, others have a difficult time achieving the poses, so Yoga Blosters and Blankets have been created to assist those who need a little extra help.

Bolsters support the abdomen, spine, neck and legs during difficult poses. Yoga Bolsters are shaped cushions and can be used in different styles of Yoga like Ananda, Bikram and Kripalu. Yoga Bolsters act as a support to straighten the backbone. Yoga Bolsters come in the Standard Round, the Standard Rectangular, the Pranayama Rectangular and the Junior Round Yoga Bolster. Each style is unique and has a different purpose. Yoga Bolsters are portable, easy to store and are used for meditation as well. Yoga Bolsters can retail anywhere from $28 to $68. SunshineYoga.com has a great selection at special sale prices.

Yoga Blankets are another item that enhances different poses. Mexican Yoga Blankets are versatile Yoga props. Yoga Blankets can be substituted for Blosters in some poses and are also great for providing a stable but giving surface for shoulder stands. Yoga Blankets can be used in restorative and Pranayama poses. They also provide warmth and relaxation for the body at the end of a Yoga routine. Mexican Yoga Blankets come in several colors and designs. The premium Yoga Blanket measures 76” long x 57”wide. It is machine washable, weights 3 pounds and is made in Mexico. The Classic Mexican Yoga Blanket measures 74’x 54” wide. It’s machine washable and is a blend of Acrylic, Polyester and Cotton. It weighs 2.25 pounds. Yoga Blankets retail for $16 to $30, but SunshineYoga.com has both designs and they can be purchased at special prices.

Yoga Bolsters and Yoga Blankets are two of the products that assist in achieving Yoga poses. Both of them can be used as tools to connect the body to the mind.

Yoga Poses, Positions, Postures, and Asanas

Posted by admin | Posted in Yoga For Beginners, Yoga Poses - Yoga Asanas and Postures | Posted on 28-03-2009

Yoga is an ancient practice that imparts multiple benefits to those who experience it, uniting the mind, body and spirit. Everyone can practice yoga, and it requires nothing special in the way of equipment or clothing. Yoga enthusiasts note that their yoga practice results in increased energy, improved posture, more flexibility, increased circulation, and an inner sense of calm and fulfillment.

Holding a series of yoga postures, also known as yoga asanas, is the basic method of practicing yoga. Historically, yoga asanas served to create a stable position for prolonged meditation, which is probably why modern-day yoga has such a deep link to the mind and spirit. Asanas serve to stretch the muscles and joints of the body while opening the energy channels and chakras within the body. Classical yoga advises that asanas should be comfortable and steady, and the body should be firm, yet relaxed.

A yoga session starts with slow and deep breathing to prepare the body for the asanas. This is the time to concentrate on breathing and calming and centering the mind. Next, basic stretching poses start to warm the body and prepare for more rigorous postures. Some excellent poses for the beginning of a session are cat pose, cow pose, cobra pose, downward dog pose, and forward fold pose. As the body begins to warm up and the muscles start to stretch, a series of sun salutations incorporate many of these postures and a few more.

Moving further into the yoga session after the body is prepared, many yoga practitioners like to introduce more challenging postures, but only to the extent of their physical capabilities. It is recommended to move into each pose to the point where there is a good feeling of stretch and a slight resistance, but never pain. Postures introduced at this point in the practice can include balancing poses, bending poses, twisting poses, prone poses, seated poses, inversions, and standing poses.

Ending a yoga session is usually accomplished with a gradual slowing of the poses and a focus on stretching and breathing. The final pose is almost always Shavasana, or corpse pose, and is deeply relaxing. Most practitioners spend five to fifteen minutes at the end of their session in Shavasana.

Yoga can be an effective form of exercise for the body, mind, and spirit for those with any level of fitness. The basic yoga poses and breathing techniques help to promote radiant health, as well as inner peace.

What is an Asana?

Posted by admin | Posted in Yoga Poses - Yoga Asanas and Postures | Posted on 26-03-2009

A foundation of yoga practice, “asana” is a Sanskrit word meaning “seat” or “sit down.” While this may refer to any physical position that can be held for long periods of time to promote stillness and mental focus during meditation, asanas are more commonly known as the poses a yoga practitioner, or yogin, assumes during yoga practice.

Asanas are especially important to the most common styles of yoga practiced in the Western world today, including Ashtanga, Hatha, Bikram and Iyengar. Although an absolute number of asanas has not been established, each yoga style tends focus on a certain group of asanas. Bikram Yoga, for example, consists of a strict series of 26 asanas, while other styles allow for asanas to be performed in response to a yogin’s needs and abilities.

An asana consists of three main components: entering the pose, holding the pose and leaving the pose. During each of these stages, the yogin is mindful of mental state, breathing and physical position. Asanas may be performed seated, standing or supine, and may be classified in different ways such as meditative, restorative or corrective, depending on the intended effect.

While all asanas are meant to promote health and vitality, certain asanas can often target specific concerns. Asanas should be performed on an empty stomach and should not involve jerky movements or excessive strain on any part of the body.