By Gopi Rao, CYT 500
Yoga teaches its practitioners how to
reflect their inner calm onto the outside world. Unfortunately, as of late,
many yoga studios have allowed the outside world to affect their practice. The
culture and practice of yoga has existed for centuries as a method of achieving
balance and harmony with one's body. However, in many studios around the world, yoga is being twisted into a way to sculpt abs and burn fat.
While those are benefits of yoga, they are merely side effects, and were not originally what a guru or student aimed to accomplish.
Fast, aerobic yoga in a hot room has
its place, but slow flow yoga forms the core of yogic methodology and teaches vital concepts
that a student might miss if he or she only participates in classes
designed around burning calories. Slow flow yoga is also safer and easier for
children and the elderly, and develops the mindfulness and meaningfulness of
breath that is so crucial for new students.
Yoga is one of the safest forms of
exercise in the world. However, just as with any other exercise, performing
poses improperly can lead to injury. Slow flow yoga will allow students to
focus on proper form and can decrease the chance of harm. Older students can
also do it. Many seniors desperately need the heart, lung, and muscle
development that yoga can bestow and fortify, and slow flowing yoga sequences
allow them an avenue to gain those benefits.
Many new pupils will have difficulty
with the deep and coordinated breathing that is so crucial to proper yoga. Fast
yoga meant to flatten stomachs is a great way for improper breathing methods to
become ingrained in new students. It encourages quick and unstable breathing.
Conversely, slow flow yoga will keep the trainee's breath in their body and
will allow them to experience the harmony of breath, body, and mind.
Without this unity, yoga becomes just another form of
exercise. With slow flow yoga, students learn and teachers reconnect with what
makes yoga such a healthful, stable, and singular practice.
© Copyright – Aura Wellness Center – Publications Division
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