Many of us will put off starting a new exercise program due to lack of motivation and lack of energy.  Let’s face it, after a hard days work who has energy to exercise.  That is why yoga is so great, it isn’t extremely energetic and is a nice gentle way to get back into an exercise routine.  By practising yoga you will also increase your energy levels which will make it easier to practise as well as take on other lifestyle changes.

Here are just a couple of yoga routines that can help you increase flexibility and improve your health.

1. Shalabhasana.  Lie flat with your belly on the floor and have your arms at your sites.  Balance on the lower part of your belly and lift your arms, head, legs and torso off the floor.  Try to hold this position for around one minute and then gently return to the starting position.  Repeat this routine 2 or 3 times.

2. Halasana.  Lie flat on the floor on your back.  Lift your hips and legs and swing them over above your head and try to touch the floor above your head.  Hold this position for one minute.  This position is often difficult for the first time but if you can learn this position it is very beneficial.

3. Janushirsasana.  Sit on the floor with your legs straight in front of you.  Bend your left leg so that the sole of your foot rests on the inside of the thigh of your right leg.  Bend forward and hold the right foot with both hands.  Try to keep your back straight and bring your face down as close to your leg as you can.  Hold this position for about one minute before returning to the original position.  Repeat this routine with the other leg.  The more you practise this routine the more flexible you will become and you will be able to move into the routine more. Don’t force yourself into the position but just practise and you will be able to get your body further into the pose each time.

There are many yoga routines that will benefit your health and above are just a few.  Practising yoga routines regularly you will become better at them and they will become easier to do.  Start practising yoga today and start enjoying the many benefits that it has to offer.

Bikram yoga gets its roots from Hatha yoga, which helps in healting the body and mind.  It was founded by Bikram Choudhury who practised a number of exercises in his rehabilitation from an injury suffered in a weight lifting accident.  While practising these exercises he discovered that they had some healing benefits, he then shared this discovery and since then Bikram yoga has gone on to be practised by many people for its healing abilities.

There have been many people who have claimed that their ailments have reduced significantly when they have practised Bikram Yoga for a few weeks.  This yoga does need devotion and needs to be practised regularly to receive its full benefits.  Not only will Bikram yoga help to heal ailments, but when one continues to practise the poses they can maintain good health and prevent those ailments from returning.

Bikram Yoga works by replenishing the bodies cells and flushing toxins through the body.  At the same time it also oxygenates blood throughout the body helping to keep it healthy and clean.  The Bikram poses focus on stretching muscles, nerves, organs, glands, tendons and ligaments and helps to achieve optimum health.

 You can start practising Bikram yoga at any age and can enjoy the amazing benefits that it has to offer.  You are never too old to practise yoga and there are definately many health benefits for everyone to receive. 

If you are new to yoga then you may find Easy Yoga Basics very helpful in learning to understand yoga and its benefits and the beginner poses that can help improve your health.

Here are some of the yoga poses that are commonly used:

Standing Poses

First up lets take a look at standing poses.  These are actually very important poses as they help to align your body and your spine, helping to improve your balance and your posture.  By practising standing poses regularly you can help to maintain your balance and posture which will help to improve your overall health.   You would be amazed at the number of people with bad posture and they don’t even realise it, and bad posture can cause quite a number of health related problems.  Yoga will help to gently stretch and strengthen your spine and your legs and improve that posture.  

Seated poses

Seated yoga poses will help to increase the flexibility in your lower back and hips, which helps to strengthen your back and can be very beneficial for people with back problems.  As with any exercise however, if you do have a current medical condition it is best to check with your doctor before beginning any new type of exercise.  Seated poses will also help you to develop good breathing practises, enabling you to breath deeply which will give you a sense of peace and calmness.  

Forward Bends

Forward bends help to stretch your lower back and your hamstrings helping to strengthen them and increase flexibility.  The increased flexibility in your spine helps to relieve tension in your neck, shoulders and back.  Forward bends are great for releasing tension and relieving stress.

Back Bends

Back bends will open up your rib cage, chest and hips and relieve tension in the front of your body.  Back bends also increase spinal ability and strenghten arms and shoulders.  These poses are important to help care for and benefit the spine to improve and maintain health.

Balance Poses

When first starting balance poses you may find them challenging and be amazed at how hard they are.  Balance really is important to maintain good posture and a healthy spine so it is definately worth practising these poses regularly.  The more that you practise the balance poses, you will find them easier and actually quite fun.  Many older people have a lot of trouble with balance and often receive injuries as a result from falling over, this is very common as you get older and practising yoga balance poses will help to keep good balance and prevent this happening as you get older.

Conclusion

It is important to practise a range of yoga poses to receive all the benefits.  Each individual pose under each category will also have it’s own benefits.  It really is amazing the number of health benefits that yoga will give you.

To learn more about yoga visit http://easyyogabasics.com