Yoga Certification: April 2021

Wednesday, April 28, 2021

Practicing Yoga for Physical Strength

By Rachel Holmes

Yoga is a combination of physical, spiritual and mental disciplines that originated in ancient India. It is designed to both strengthen the body physically and mentally. There are many different types of yoga, and they all have a specific purpose. Hatha yoga is a slow paced physical practice that focuses on strengthening the body as well as the breath. Vinyasa yoga is a flowing physical and breath based practice that is very physical or very therapeutic (slow flow) with synchronized ujjayi pranayama and asana movements.

Iyengar yoga concentrates on realigning the spine and the chakras, it’s another Hatha based practice. Bikram yoga, also known as hot yoga is practiced in a 105 degree Fahrenheit room in order to cleanse the body of toxins and loosen up the muscles. Ashtanga and power yoga can be fast paced and require the ability to transition quickly from one position to the next. These practices are the most physically demanding yoga practices. Yoga has been shown to have numerous health benefits, both mentally and physically.

Ashtanga Vinyasa is an asana based yoga practice that stresses daily Vinyasa flow practice, ujjayi breathing, which is breathing from the core, and the practice of uddiyana bandha. The benefit of Ashtanga yoga is that it can be practiced at any pace so those looking for a vigorous workout can go for a long routine, filled with complex poses and quick transitions, whereas someone looking for a more meditative practice can go through the motions slowly, with smooth transitions, concentrating on the breathing. The benefits of Ashtanga include increased flexibility and increased overall strength.

Power yoga is a modern practice focused on high intensity physical work outs with fast paced transitions and complicated positions. Power yoga is not for the novice practitioner. Following in the footsteps of Ashtanga, power yoga includes the Vinyasa flow practice, ujjayi breathing and many similar poses. The difference between Ashtanga and power yoga is that power yoga is meant to be more of a work out or exercise class than a traditional practice, focusing on strength building and increased flexibility. Power yoga is great for those looking to increase their flexibility, decrease chronic pain and improve their physical health.

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Sunday, April 25, 2021

Spring Ayurvedic Detox Diet for the Vata Dosha

By: Virginia Iversen, M.Ed

Ayurveda is a beautifully designed health care modality that arose approximately 5000 years ago in Northern India. The intricate healing system of Ayurveda is known as the sister companion to Yoga. When followed consistently, it optimizes the overall health and well-being of a Yoga practitioner through a combination of nutritional advice, lifestyle guidelines, herbs, and detoxification practices. Ayurveda practices can also address specific health problems through its comprehensive techniques of cleansing and rebalancing the body.

Vata dosha individuals are often very thin, delicate and light. They are great multi-taskers and quite easily move from one activity to the next. The Vata dosha is ruled by the air element. When a Vata individual is out of sorts, he or she may feel a high degree of anxiety and insecurity. By cleansing and balancing the body through a springtime detox diet, a Vata individual will feel lighter, clearer and more able to accomplish many tasks with ease and energy.

Like all Ayurvedic detox diets, the Vata spring detox diet removes substances from the body that produce toxic buildup in the tissues and organs, known in this healing system as “ama.” Ama slows down the flow of energy throughout the pranic and physical bodies, causing an unsettled and anxious feeling in a Vata individual. Foods to avoid during a spring detox diet that increase ama are refined grains, meat, refined sugar and other processed foods, including food products that are frozen or canned.

Life-enhancing and energizing foods that are recommended for a Vata dosha individual during a springtime cleansing diet are soups, whole grains, vegetables, sweet fruits and spices. It is best to eat foods that are warm, easily digested and light during a springtime detox diet. The inclusion of Ming bean soup, cilantro and fennel into a Vata springtime detox diet is highly recommended by most Ayurvedic doctors.

Additionally, drinking a special Vata tea throughout the day made out of ajwain, fennel and cumin seeds, is advised. To make this tea, add ½ teaspoon of each seed into 2 quarts of boiling water and let the seeds steep in a covered pot on very low heat for twenty minutes. After the tea has steeped, strain out the seeds and store the tea in an appropriate container so that you can drink it throughout the course of your day, particularly within thirty minutes of finishing a meal. Drinking a new batch of tea everyday will help to support your digestion and the cleansing process of the Vata springtime detox diet.

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