22 September Ray Child September 22, 2011 Dallas Hot Yoga: Sunstone’s Beginner Poses Hot Yoga dallas hot yoga, Sunstone Yoga 1 Comment Anyone who is new to yoga, or curious about yoga, can be deterred by visions of people tying themselves up into impossible pretzels. Dallas hot yoga in particular, since we live in such a hot climate to begin with, often gets a sideways look and the question, “Why would you do that to yourself?” While the pretzels do, occasionally, happen at the highest levels of yoga practice, a student can get great benefit from yoga long before any “pretzeling” is required. At the simplest, introductory levels, yoga “asana,” or postures, resemble the basic stretches you once saw in high school gym class – but carried out with a slow deliberation that listens to the body’s response, rather than the jerking callisthenic motion you may remember. Sitting Poses There a number of sitting posture that we do in our Dallas hot yoga studios. You can check out a few over at yoga journal. Cow Face Pose, Hero Pose, Head-to-Knee, and we do a spine twist that is similar to this posture. Each of these postures is excellent for beginners and challenging as you progress. Supine Poses From a position flat on your back, you can undertake any number of yogic postures that increase strength and flexibility while feeling stable and comfortable for beginners. Some examples of supine poses include a variety of shoulder stretches that also loosen the chest muscles, leg lifts and circles, and basic twists that increase flexibility of the spine and shoulder blades. Standing Poses Standing poses may be the most difficult to master in the beginning, as they require balance as well as flexibility, but their benefits cannot be overstated. Beginning standing postures include forward bends, side bends, and even beginning backbends that involve balancing on the flats of your feet and looking towards the ceiling, bending backwards as far as your body will comfortably allow. Even the most basic standing backbend is a surprisingly good cardiovascular and strength-based workout for the core muscles and the large muscles in the legs. Safety and Progress At Sunstone, we’re here to make sure your practice is a success. Check out YogaPoint for a basic series you can practice at home to increase your confidence before you even set foot in our studio. To reap the full benefits of hot yoga (yes, even Dallas hot yoga), come to the studio and let us show you what we have to offer. Whether you’re brand new to yoga or a seasoned practitioner looking to try something new, we’re here to bring your practice alive. We do recommend that you consult your doctor before starting any exercise routine, and that you stop at once if you feel dizzy or weak during practice. Children under 12 years of age should only practice for short periods and hold asana for a short duration. Menstruating women are sometimes instructed by some doctors not to perform inverted poses, and pregnant women should undertake yoga only under a qualified instructor to ensure the safety of mother and child. Related Articles Who Does Yoga? – Breaking Through Dallas’ Hot Yoga Myths Yoga has been around for thousands of years, but it’s still a very misunderstood form of exercise in America. Misconceptions about yoga, most especially Dallas hot yoga, are still, (sadly) widespread in the West. Here are a few of the most far-reaching yoga myths. You have to be in perfect shape if you want to do yoga. Yoga Tips for Beginners: What To Know Before Your First Yoga Class Yoga Tips for Beginners: What To Know Before Your First Yoga Class If you’ve been thinking about getting into shape, you may have considered taking a yoga class. Yoga can be a great way to either get in shape or maintain your level of fitness. It builds strength and flexibility while simultaneously allowing you to focus on your breathing. By practicing yoga, you learn how to control your breathing, even during some rather challenging poses. This in turn helps you in virtually every other area of your life, as it allows you to remain calm and stay in control of your emotions. Yoga also helps you become more in tune with yourself. Therefore, you have the chance to reap both physical and mental benefits of practicing it. Here are some top yoga tips for beginners: Advantages of Hot Yoga: 5 Ways Hot Yoga Helps Insomnia The advantages of hot yoga are many and varied… and one of hot yoga’s most surprising benefits is that it can alleviate insomnia. Insomnia can be caused by stress, anxiety and depression, a lack of physical activity, diet, or imbalances in body chemistry. Yoga, especially hot yoga, can address all of these concerns. Proper Hydration for Dallas Hot Yoga Staying properly hydrated is always important for optimum health, especially in a warm climate like Texas. When undertaking a hot yoga practice, especially with Dallas hot yoga, please make sure to stay well hydrated both inside our studio and during the rest of the day. Our bodies can expend up to 3 liters of water during a single hot yoga class! Spotlight: Lisa Owens, Yoga Teacher - Dallas TX Lisa Owens has been with SunstoneFIT for 13 years. In this time, she has dedicated her teaching to empowering and inspiring our students from all walks of life. From newbies to life-long yogis, Lisa offers something for everyone in each of her classes. When asked about what Lisa brings to Sunstone, Jodie Hudson (SunstoneFIT SR Director) says, “Lisa has been with Sunstone a very long time. She is committed, dedicated, and her students always leave her class feeling great!” Don’t Settle for “Gym Yoga” – Dallas Hot Yoga is a Cut Above Gym Yoga Do you know what the difference is between “gym yoga” and Dallas hot yoga? When you take a yoga class at the gym, you may get a sub-par experience that leaves you disappointed. Gym classes are designed for the broadest audience, and sometimes even taught by instructors with no certification and little experience. Comments are closed.