7 ways yoga melts fat and tones [infographic]

Infographic courtesy of somuchyoga.com.

If you have never actually performed yoga or its meditative cousins, you may be surprised to know how effectively it builds strength and flexibility. You can even expect to work up a sweat. However, yoga is much more than just a physical workout. Yoga practitioners say it can become a way of life.

The five main principles of yoga consist of proper relaxation, proper exercise, proper breathing, proper diet and positive thinking along with meditation. Yoga’s focus on relaxation releases muscle tension and puts your whole body at rest. By calming mind and body, you revitalize your nervous system and move toward an inner peace that has a soothing effect on all your other daily interactions.

Furthermore, the physical changes linked to yoga occur from practicing yoga postures. These entail initial relaxation of the eyes, neck, shoulders and whole body; stretching in positions that involve standing, kneeling, sitting and backbends; and poses that enhance your sense of balance. Yoga continually improves your core muscle strength and flexibility when you hold postures for an extended time while simultaneously stilling your mind and controlling your breathing.

Below are links to some of our favorite yoga postures and their benefits:

7 super poses for a supple body

Many stretches isolate a single muscle or muscle group. And stretching the entire body can take quite a bit of time and energy. But this one yoga exercise, steeped in tradition, stretches the entire body in one sequence.

Get strong and flexible with yoga’s “Upward Dog, Downward Dog”

Time is always a big factor when selecting a fitness or exercise program. For me, the best exercises are the ones that do more than one thing for me. So in today’s video article my friend Alan Orr, will show you how to do yoga’s “upward dog, downward dog.”

3 essential yoga poses worth doing daily

Stability and balance are two different concepts that many understand to mean the same thing. But when working toward a healthy body to improve activity, at any level, and quality of life — it’s important to know the difference…

Get balanced with yoga tree pose

In yoga there is a pose called the “Tree Pose.” This single-leg posture, held for a few moments, does wonders for balance, concentration and focus. This single pose will pull together your mind and body into one unit for focusing your concentration and improving your wellbeing.