Ask ten Central Texans to define yoga and you'll likely get ten different answers. To some, yoga is their method of exercise. For others, it's a way to relieve stress. Whether you choose either one or choose to improve concentration, conquer bad habits, or form a practice of meditation, yoga has helped millions of people over the years. Another reason you may get ten different answers lies in the variety of yoga methods. Shiva, Vinyasa, Hatha, Karma, Jnana and Raja are some of the types of yoga available in the area.
People often mention after a yoga session they feel more relaxed, it's easier to concentrate and overall, that it just feels good. If that's the case, why wouldn't you start every day with a little yoga? Many people do and there is a routine called Surya Namaskar (Sun Salutation). It's a group of postures that flow together to create movement while conscious of breath in order to stretch and strengthen muscles, wake the body and prepare it for the day at hand.
There are many variations of the Sun Salutation and it's even possible to develop your own. If you're more of a beginner, then remove the more difficult positions and replace them with alternative positions. You will also start with few repititions of the series and build to more. Likewise, if you're more advanced, feel free to insert some more difficult positions and repeat the series many times. You can always consult with one of the local yoga teachers or studios, such as Shana Logue, Seton Family of Hospitals Associate and certified yoga instructor for Breath & Body Yoga , featured in the slideshow and video below.
Namaste.
