Yoga

The four paths of yoga, Jnana, Bhakti, Karma and Raja, are connected to many other disciplines and philosophies of yoga, according to SwamiJ.com. These paths are natural extensions of the whole that is the practice of yoga, and they relate to all other philosophies connected to yoga.

Yoga competitions focus on the execution of challenging yoga poses that require superior strength and flexibility. These poses, known as yoga asana, see competitors demonstrating physical endurance in addition to yoga skill and ability in what is seen as a sport by its practitioners, who would like to see the practice of competitive yoga asana incorporated into the Olympic Games.

Generally, most informed sources will agree that there are six different branches of yoga practice, and these branches include hatha, bhakti, raja, jnana, karma and tantra yoga. Each branch is characterized by a different kind of practice, and not all of these are the typical physical exercise form of yoga that most people think of when they think of yoga practice. For example, hatha yoga focuses on the physical practice of yoga poses, while karma yoga is philosophical in nature, and raja yoga takes more of a meditative practice.

The word "chakra" is Sanskrit for "spinning wheel," and in the context of certain spiritual beliefs, this word refers to a series of energy points that fall on specific parts of the human body. There are seven total chakras, and these areas serve as convergence points for energy. So-called blockages of these energy points are said to cause a cascade of different effects, including bad mood, physical discomfort or mental confusion.

Laughter yoga is the practice of using forced laughter to produce the same psychological and physiological benefits real, spontaneous laughter is believed to give. The laughter yoga technique begins with warm-up exercises, followed by the laughter exercise. It ends with 15 minutes of laughter meditation.

Yoga poses and routines tend to increase flexibility, balance and agility, so it often helps athletes prevent and recover from injuries. The slow, mostly mellow pace of yoga can help high-intensity athletes exercise or stretch without straining joints, muscles and tendons. For example, sequences such as the sun salutation provide a dynamic warm-up for runners and endurance athletes.

Yoga mats get covered with sweat, so they should be cleaned frequently. While some mats can be cleaned in the washing machine, while others need to be cleaned by hand; be sure to check the label on your mat to know which kind you have. For hand-cleaning mats, you can make your own cleaning solution to spray and clean your mat.

A yoga posture is a bodily position held during a yoga routine that involves proper alignment of the arms, legs and torso. According to the Mayo Clinic, the combination of yoga postures and breathing promotes stress management and relaxation.

Yoga has not been proven to treat the chemical imbalance that causes clinical depression, but a gentle yoga practice can introduce depressed individuals to simple physical activities, which benefits overall mood and physical health. Serious clinical depression, (as opposed to just a passing depressed mood) can lead to a decrease in an individual's physical activity, so introducing a short and easy yoga practice helps disrupt sedentary habits caused by depression.

In the context of yoga practice, "om" is more of a sound than a word that has meaning. However, this doesn't mean that the om chant, which typically occurs at the beginning and/or end of a yoga session, is meaningless. Rather, this sound is a meditative chant.

According to Yoga Journal, regular yoga practice improves flexibility, increases muscle strength, improves joint flexibility and encourages healthy blood flow. Yoga stretches and poses also encourage healthy lymph drainage, which helps to boost immunity. Because yoga improves cardiovascular health, continued yoga practice can help to lower the risk of heart attack.

According to the Huffington Post, prenatal yoga not only lowers stress levels but contributes to an overall healthier pregnancy. Prenatal yoga relies on gentle exercises that focus on building strength, stamina and flexibility in preparation for childbirth. Many exercises also help to relieve tension, in the lower back, that builds up due to the growing weight of the infant.

A yoga bolster is a yoga accessory used to support the body while doing poses, intensify practice sessions or facilitate stretching. It is usually made of cotton and looks like a cushion with a removable cover. Yoga bolsters take strain off the body when easing from one pose to another.

Also known as Vasisthasana, the plank pose of Ashtanga yoga requires powerful arm balance. The plank pose is used to strengthen the wrists, forearms, shoulders, spine and abdominal muscles. The plank pose is also used to improve balance and focus.

The yoga pose of Downward-Facing Dog (also known as Adho Mukha Svanasana) is correctly performed by ensuring proper alignment, weight distribution, and hip and pelvic awareness as you move your body into an A shape. Arm strength is also important in this pose.

Vinyasa yoga is a set of yoga poses that focus on inhaling and exhaling. Often referred to as vinyasa flow or just flow, it is a smooth, dance-like and rhythmic form of yoga.

The advantages and disadvantages of yoga are still being determined to some degree. Studies from the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine indicate that there are many types of benefits and some significant risks in practicing yoga.

Bikram yoga is the formal name for hot yoga, according to Mayo Clinic. Hot yoga is performed in a studio that is heated to 105 degrees Fahrenheit with a humidity of 40 percent. A session of Bikram yoga lasts for 90 minutes and consists of a series of 26 postures.

The yoga pigeon pose, also known as the one-legged king pigeon pose or Eka Pada Rajakapotasana, is valuable for increasing range of motion in the hip joints. In the advanced version of the pose, a yoga practitioner can touch her rear foot to the back of her head.

Lateral flexion is an exercise designed to warm up the neck. The exerciser tilts the head from side to side, stretching the vertebrae out to the left and the right, describes SportsInjuryClinic.net.