Yoga for Men Among the demographic of yoga practitioners, a good percentage of them are males. Indeed, while yoga exercises help women to address women’s health problems, improve function, help cope with the symptoms of stress and as a sideline increase exponentially the number of yoga clothes brands, men can experience a great deal of benefits through performance of yoga exercises. However, their ability to gain benefits rely mainly on the type of exercises they perform. Below are some excellent exercises that provide wonderful benefits according to your individual needs. Crescent Lunge Position Since men are generally involved in sports and other highly physical activities, this particular pose is very beneficial in reducing tightness in your lower body and injuries. This exercise can be incorporated into your pre-workout routine, which will help to open up your hips. You will start off on both hands and knees. Then, place your right foot in the middle of your hands. Make sure that your right knee is directly on top of your heel. Upon inhalation, lift your back knee away from the floor in a slow but gradual manner. Press your back heel against a wall to straighten up your back leg. Maintain a straight and long spine as well, which you must keep steady as you breathe. Allow the hips to fall forward while you continue the pressing motion against the back heel. Stay in position for at least a minute before switching onto the other side. Make sure to perform two repetitions for each side. Warrior I Pose This is one of the most ideal poses that men can perform, particularly those who would like to attain an overall physical enhancement as this can workout both your upper and lower body. From your Crescent Lunge position, lunge your right foot forward. Spin your left toe towards your left while pressing your heel down at the same time. Make sure that your back foot is parallel to the front of the room. As you inhale, bring your arms up on either side of your body and allow both palms to meet. Lift your torso up and down your front thigh. Avoid extending your front knee beyond your toes. Stay in position for at least a minute before switching on to do the other side. This pose is highly beneficial for your hips, shoulders, and knees, which help add mobility into your entire body. It also serves as a nice complement to high-impact workouts since it generate a lot of stability. Bow Pose For men suffering from a great deal of stress on a regular basis, the Bow Pose is one of the highly suggested poses to do. By opening up your chest, you increase the supply of oxygen entering your body and create a de-stressing effect. Start on a prone position and use your arms to reach toward your feet while palms are turned up. Allow your knees to bend such that your heels touch your buttocks. As you inhale, grab hold […]
Yoga as Alternative Medicine
Alternative medicine, a term used to describe any form of healing that does not utilize conventional medical practices or use of synthetic drugs and medications, includes acupuncture, herbal medicine, naturopathy, meditation, hypnosis, diet-based therapies, homeopathy, and yoga.. There are several different forms of alternative medicine innovated during ancient times and still being practiced in the modern world. In fact, some of them are considered more effective than conventional medicines. Depending on the type of alternative medicine that you use, the methodologies also vary. Most of these practices incorporate folk knowledge into their healing methods. Some modern medical practitioners warn about using alternative medicine approach to treating various diseases though since most of these practices are not accepted in the medical community. Hence, the question of safety and effectiveness are put in the spotlight. However, there are several patients who would attest to the ability of alternative medicine to bring about healing, regardless of the disease or condition. Yoga as Alternative Medicine Yoga is an integral system that combines physical exercises with meditation and breathing to produce holistic wellness. Its practice dates back during the ancient Hindu times until it evolved into a more established alternative medicinal philosophy in the West. There are several variations to the approach used in yoga practice, which has led it to become categorized as a fitness tool aside from healing. Yoga is considered as an alternative form of medicine due to its unconventional approach to healing. Instead of using prescription drugs to cure diseases, it combines postures and meditation to bring balance into the body, mind, and spirit. According to yoga experts, this helps in correcting imbalances within the body that causes the disease. Therefore, yoga’s method of restoration instead of actual healing as an alternative or supplemental therapy for various diseases. Yogic Perspective on Diseases The idea of diseases in the yogic point of view is that it is caused by insufficiency or blockage in the life force, whether in a part of the body or the whole. As a result, the functions are affected and an individual loses its immunity, which eventually leads to development of various diseases. Even in medical science, lack of immunity is often pointed as the leading cause of diseases. It disables the body from fighting infection or other disease-causing bacteria and viruses. The emphasis on taking a holistic approach then makes yoga a suitable answer for all these health problems. Meaning, you do not only perform yoga exercises and meditation but you also have to vary your lifestyle. Make sure you have proper dietary habits and get enough sleep to maintain your immunity level. Another crucial factor that is considered is the health of your spine. Ancient yogis believe that spinal misalignment could result to a wide range of diseases. Yoga for Restoration A specific branch in yoga practice known as restorative yoga is one of those specifically recognized for disease treatment. An individual is required to perform various poses that promote proper alignment that enable […]