Most weight loss program in the market only provide temporary result and does not address the root cause of the weight problem within an individual.Losing weight through yoga means losing weight gradually that stays off and transform you in every level, be it physical, mental or spiritual.

For those who are looking for a quick fix to lose weight, yoga is not ideal as it burns less calories compared to other form of sports such as jogging, swimming, aerobic and etc.However, yoga is a very healthy way to lose flabs gradually and stay fit lifelong.

Regular yoga practice combined with a balanced diet and regular cardiovascular exercise will lead you towards your weight loss goal as it helps to build muscles, increase metabolism rate and burn calories.Most weight loss yoga program incorporate Vinyasa style yoga that links one asana to another connecting breath with movement on inhalation and exhalation.Purpose of Vinyasa is to create heat in the body to relieve tightness in muscles, ligaments, joints and tendons while the sweat will remove impurities out of the body.Ashtanga Yoga and Power Yoga are based from Vinyasa method.This vigorous and fitness based exercise stretches each and every limb to the ultimate limit, at the same time maintaining a sense of inner peace.

Bikram Yoga is also another style of yoga highly recommended for weight loss.This physically challenging, energizing and intense “Hot Yoga” is practiced in a heated room with a temperature of 105 degrees Fahrenheit that produces sweat to cleanse the toxins and break down excess fat deposits.

Various asanas (postures) such as fish posture, shoulder stand, tree pose, sun salutation and many others are used to squeeze, stretch and twist the body to help stimulate sluggish glands to increase their hormonal secretions and thus improve metabolism rate.

Another important element in yoga is pranayama (breathing).There are various breathing techniques but “Breath Of Fire” is an excellent type of breathing used to lose weight.It increases oxygen intake and speed up metabolism rate and thereby convert fat to muscles and energy.

By practicing asanas, pranayama and relaxation will gradually change an individual from the inside out.Becoming aware of your body and mind will make you conscious of your dietary habit and help you to get rid of addictive or nervous eating habits.

Yoga is a wonderful tool to lose weight depending on the type of yoga style that you choose and how frequently you practice it.For best effect, one must do 90 minutes vigorous yoga, at least 3 times weekly.Some people lose weight immediately while others will take at least 3 months before they see any result.Regular practice of yoga also tones your body in an uniformed manner, decreases age related weight gain and make your body stronger, flexible and lean.

Most styles of yoga are safe for pregnant woman and the baby as long as it is not rigorous.Some yoga instructors offer special yoga class called Prenatal Yoga.During pregnancy, many biochemical changes occur in a woman’s body that causes discomfort such as constipation, nausea, heartburn, fatigue, headache, cramps, frequent urination, swelling, mood swings and in some cases even depression due to anxiety.On the physical aspect, weight of the baby can strain your back causing backache and alignment problem.Increased hormone level will also cause joints and ligaments to loosen while abdominal muscles become stretched as the baby grows.

Prenatal Yoga classes are getting more popular than ever as it provides an opportunity to deepen your awareness of your changing body and mind, relieve common discomforts and help you to prepare for labor, birth and motherhood.Prenatal Yoga will help the fetus to develop healthily and allow you to connect with the baby growing inside you.

Pregnant women should take it easy during the first trimester of pregnancy in order for the body to become accustomed to the changes.Prenatal Yoga is recommended for pregnant women in their second and third trimester.Focus of the yoga will be on strengthening uterus and pelvic muscles, improve circulation, aid in digestion and exercise the spine to maintain good posture.Poses will be modified accordingly as pregnancy progresses.

Deep Abdominal Breathing, especially Ujjayi Breathing is also introduced to assist during childbirth by training you to remain calm and focus which helps to relax the body-mind and facilitate in the birth process.It also helps you to keep a positive outlook on life and relieves stress and anxiety caused by pregnancy.

Guidelines to follow for prenatal yoga :

• Drink plenty of water before and after class to avoid dehydration
• Stretch into the pose slowly and carefully
• Don’t hold the poses too long
• Do not stretch your body too strenuously particularly your abdominal muscles
• Do not compress your abdomen.
• Use props such as pillow, blanket, strap and chair to assist with postures.
• Always listen to your body - If you feel pain or discomfort, alter the pose or stop

Prenatal Yoga class is an excellent way to stay in shape during and after pregnancy.You are advised to consult a physician before starting any program and inform your yoga instructor if you have any medical condition.The best classes to attend are those run by experienced and certified prenatal yoga instructor who can assist if any difficulty arises.

For those who have been following a regular exercise program prior to the pregnancy, you should be able to continue the program to a certain degree.But, for those who are just starting out, do it slowly and carefully in order not to over exert.

Prenatal Yoga is also a great way to meet other pregnant women and benefit emotionally and socially.This classes provides the ground for you to be motivated and committed as you have each other’s support.

Yoga, on the other hand, is a highly developed science of living that has been tested and perfected all these years.It is a natural prescription for reversing age process to stay young in mind, body and spirit.Over the years, physicians has been recommending regular exercise to reduce weight, cholesterol, blood pressure and regulate heartbeat.

Baby Boomer Yoga is a recently designed yoga specifically for those who are 50 years of age and above.This low impact program which focuses on asanas (postures), pranayama (breathing techniques) and relaxation is great for any age, size and level of fitness and it should be embraced by every baby boomer.Classes usually incorporate flowing sequence of poses that are linked together.Various yoga routines, chair yoga and props are also introduced for seniors of all age, level and condition in order to allow them to gradually master the poses while building confidence level.Being aware of your body ’s limitation, listening to your body’s pain and knowing when to stretch deeply and hold into the pose will help your body to maintain health, energy and vitality.

Remember, a good yoga class stretches every single part of your body.It is ideal for old age people as it does not stress out muscles and bones that are brittle.Instead, it will improve muscle strength, increase joint mobility, stability and balance which helps to prevent falls, a common injury among the aged.

Pranayama is also beneficial as it teaches us to breathe correctly.Deep Conscious Breathing and full expansion of the lungs is a powerful energizing tool.As more oxygen is distributed to the tissues, all cellular processes are enhanced to repair, digest, detoxify and combat disease.Optimally nourished cells make up a fully healthy body.Breathing correctly will also relax your mind, help you to unwind from stress and worries and also make you be mentally alert.

Yoga is a non competitive exercise that can be practiced anytime and anywhere without the use of expensive tools or equipments.However, for first timers, it is advisable to attend classes conducted by professional teachers who have the ability to modify poses according to the needs of their students.The teachers will give gentle and precise instructions to guide you.It is very important to pay attention and inform them if you feel any sort of pain.In the beginning, do not overdo or exert yourself.Take it slowly and gently and gradually build it to fit your fitness level.

The benefits of yoga are many and regular practice at least 3 times a week can improve your overall well-being while focusing mind on asanas and pranayama will increase your body-mind awareness and ultimately prepare the body for meditation.

Partner Yoga is a combination of ancient and modern yoga techniques which uses buddy system to bring people together through asanas (postures), pranayama (breathing exercises) and meditation to attain peace and harmony between mind, body and spirit.

Anyone can participate in Partner Yoga.It is a program designed for two people or more to exercise together like couples, friends or parents with children.Partner Yoga fully integrates partners in various asanas, doing the same pose together or practicing complimentary asanas that intertwines.Partners rely on each other’s support to accomplish all the poses through correct body alignment, balance and concentration while assisting one another with challenging poses, breathing exercises and meditation.Stretching slowly and gently will enable partners to stretch deeply into the pose and hold it longer.

This unique physical and spiritual practice focus on both self and relationship development.Partner Yoga emphasizes on building trust, connection and communication in relationship, while exploring balance, focus and relaxation.Partners may differ in size, age, shape, strength and experience.Friends can use Partner Yoga to stay committed and motivated in their fitness program and derive benefit from the support and energy of each other.Parents and children can interact better and deepen their emotional bond between them in an enjoyable and relaxing atmosphere.

Partner Yoga among couples is a great way to stay fit with your partner.Practicing yoga with your partner will strengthen the relationship by fostering trust, communication, intimacy and spiritual connection.Partners can serve as mirrors for each other by assisting with more challenging asanas, explore new ones and moving deeply into the stretches with the support of their partner.Being in physical contact with your partner enhances your ability to stay present and focused.Partner Yoga allows you to relax, stretch, relate and sensually open with your lover.

Partner Yoga is is a physical and mental exercise that is increasing in popularity.Many yoga schools now offer Partner Yoga classes to cater for the growing demand.This class is suitable for all levels from beginner to advance and uses various asanas, breathing exercises and meditation to increase strength, flexibility, balance and cultivate a connection between mind and body.Some of the classes have even incorporated massage and dance into their program for those who are looking for variation.

In large classes, students will not be able to receive individual attention but with Partner Yoga, you will be able to gauge your progress with the help of your partner.Remember to stay attuned to your partner’s fitness level, limit and comfort level.This non competitive class promotes laughter as partners tend to make a lot of mistakes during asanas which can be hilarious and fun.

As yoga started gaining popularity and proven scientifically for it’s therapeutic values, athletes begin to notice the wonder of yoga and now are incorporating the practice with their sports training.It is a well known fact that athletes in sports training work only specific muscles repeatedly causing tightness, misalignment and imbalance, which is a major factor in injuries among athletes.

Yoga Athlete is a specially designed yoga program to focus on the areas that are of the most concern in order to improve the health and performance of athletes.It creates personalized solutions for athletes to relieve muscle tightness, build core strength and enhance muscle flexibility and at the same time prevent injuries and rehabilitate existing injuries.Constant practice of Athlete Yoga will strengthen weak areas and allow tight areas become flexible.

Another fundamental element in Athlete Yoga is learning how to breathe correctly.Deep Relaxed Breathing helps to calm the mind and soothe the nervous system thus reducing performance anxiety and improving concentration.Focusing the mind on postures and breath gives one greater body control which helps to increase mental-body awareness, coordination and performance.

Athlete Yoga is a great cross training for any sport and this combination makes good athletes perform better.Classes usually begin with a slow warm-up followed by a series of flowing asanas (postures) such as sun salutation, standing poses, stretching, balancing and breathing exercises to strengthen and stretch every part of the body to develop suppleness, agility, focus and concentration.

Yoga is not a competitive sport and therefore should be practiced at one’s own level by doing the best one can personally.It is also not a quick fix for any injuries.Athletes should remember that yoga is not only to heal the specific symptoms of injuries but goes deeper into the root cause of the problem to prevent re occurrence.

Therapy Yoga has successfully treated many illnesses and conditions that could not be cured by modern medicine.Medical Research has been done on the therapeutic values of Yoga and has provided evidence and concluded beyond doubt that Therapy Yoga is an effective tool to enhance and facilitate optimal health, healing and awakening.

Although ordinary yoga has proven to improve physical and mental health, but it is not recommended for serious conditions which requires individualized and modified sessions.Practice of Therapy Yoga is generally used in conjunction with conventional medicine to maximize effectiveness.

Therapy Yoga applies various yoga techniques in various diseases and conditions, thus helping the body to promote healing by correcting all the flaws so that the body can function efficiently, effectively and naturally.Therapy Yoga consist of tailored yoga asanas (postures) for specific illness or condition to suit individual need, pranayama (breathing techniques) and meditation.

The role of a yoga therapist is very important in Therapy Yoga.They are not qualified to diagnose illnesses and injuries although some do.You need a good qualified therapist to guide you when you start the journey as they have the power to heal or break you.Yoga therapists are qualified and experienced yoga teachers with further training in medicine and application of yoga to medical conditions.More reputable yoga therapist have additional credentials.Some are physical therapists or nurses who have completed 2 years training in Iyengar Yoga, which emphasizes on anatomy and kinesiology.

Yoga therapist usually offer private sessions or work in a small group as it will be easier for them to identify their students health problems and recommend specific and modified postures.This also helps them to keep an eye and monitor on their students progress and amend postures as and when required.

THERAPY YOGA CAN TREAT EFFECTIVELY :

DIGESTIVE

• constipation
• diarrhea
• irritable bowel syndrome
• indigestion
• ulcers

HEART & CIRCULATION

• high/low blood pressure
• heart disease
• varicose veins

HORMONAL SYSTEMS

• diabetes
• obesity
• under/over active thyroid
• weight loss

MIND & EMOTIONS

• anxiety
• depression
• fatigue
• stress
• insomnia

MUSCLES, BONES & JOINTS

• arthritis
• back/neck/shoulder/ hip pain
• computer tension
• sciatica
• fibromyalgia

RESPIRATORY SYSTEM

• asthma
• sinusitis
• bronchitis

WOMEN’S HEALTH

• irregular period
• infertility
• menstrual cramps
• menopause
• prolapsed uterus

CRITICAL ILLNESS

• symptoms of HIV
• effects of cancer treatment

Therapy Yoga should not be used as a substitute for a medical diagnosis but rather as a complimentary to modern medicine.The aim of Therapy Yoga is not only to heal the specific condition but goes deeper into the root cause of the problem to prevent re occurrence.Daily practice of a complete yoga program can restore balance, harmony and wellness at all levels: physically, psychologically and spiritually.

However, Nude Yoga classes that is spreading in the West stem from Tantric tradition which includes sensuality and sexuality as a means for spiritual development.The goal of Nude Yoga is to encourage proper body alignment during asanas without the constraint of apparel, promote body awareness as you stretch more deeply into the pose and promote acceptance of the body in it’s natural state without any form of judgment.

There are 4 main ways of practicing Nude Yoga :

Self Nude Yoga

This is very simple as you can strip off naked and practice asanas, pranayama and meditation in the privacy of your own room.Absence of clothes will make an individual feel free in his or her body and allow the body to stretch more easily and deeply into the pose.This self nude yoga is recommended for those who has prior experience in yoga to ensure correct body alignment and techniques.For a newcomer, you can rely on videos and internet for proper guidance.

Nude Partner Yoga

This is a great way to stay fit and have fun with your partner.Practicing nude yoga with your partner will strengthen the relationship by fostering trust, communication, intimacy and spiritual connection.Partners can serve as mirrors for each other by assisting with more challenging asanas, explore new asanas and moving deeply into the stretches with the support of their partner.This helps them to stay motivated, focused and balanced.Nude Partner Yoga is a very sensual yoga with a lot of skin contact, allows the couples to feel comfortable with their bodies and each other’s bodies which culminates into a more satisfying sexual relationship.

Nude Yoga Classes - Private

Private classes are offered for those who are interested in practicing nude with the help of a professional yoga teacher.It’s not easy stripping in front of o stranger in the beginning but gradually it allows you to drop your inhibitions, be more accepting of your imperfections and less judgmental.By accepting the body in it’s natural state will encourage you to accept yourself and others as they are.This individualized yoga is very beneficial as it is much easier for the teacher to focus on your alignment and breathing while in different asanas.Any mistakes can be corrected on the spot.

Nude Yoga Class - Group

This class is highly recommended for those who are comfortable with their bodies and it’s imperfections.Stripping in front of a group of strangers can be a scary experience for some and a liberating one for others as it allows you to accept yourself as your are without any judgment and accept others as they are too.This class is filled with students of all shapes and sizes to strip, stretch and exercise.Nude Yoga is more popular with men compared to women.The room is often dimmed to make students feel comfortable and in some classes, clothes are removed ritualistically as the class progresses.

Many yoga studios offer Nude Yoga classes for people with intermediate yoga skills.Since, there is no sequence to follow, classes can vary from one to another depending on the yoga teacher.However, the essence of yoga that is to unite mind, body and spirit through asanas, pranayama and meditation is maintained.This is an effective way to develop strength, rejuvenate body, boost self-esteem and improve focus and concentration.

In recent years, yoga classes has evolved drastically, especially in the Western World due to the ever changing needs of yoga students.Acrobatic Yoga was introduced in 2004 in the West Coast of United States when two people from two different background decided to combine their expertise and experience and create a new style of Yoga.

This combination consist spiritual wisdom of classic yoga and dynamic power of acrobatic, provides a platform for new generation who are looking for an intense workout and at the same time want to develop spiritually to attain peace and harmony within.Thai massage was gradually added to the whole concept of Acro Yoga.

Acro Yoga is usually practiced with a partner who can be a lover, family, friend or stranger met at the class.Partners rely on each other’s support to keep correct body alignment, balance and concentration.This forms a foundation that creates a sense of trust, connection, playfulness and relaxation while actively engaging strength and flexibility.

Acro Yoga still focus on the general aim of traditional yoga that is to bring individuals into a state of awareness within themselves, within their partners and with the Divine.

This physically challenging yoga is growing more and more popular and attracting younger crowd who are physically fit and has basic yoga background.Classes are usually catered for all levels: beginner, intermediate and advance.However, it is recommended to check your own level of fitness before signing up for this class.Sometimes, an experience in Headstand is required.

Lately, some of the corporate companies have recognized the benefits of Acro Yoga in instilling trust, connection, communication and playfulness and are enrolling their employees for private classes.

Laughter Yoga uses a combination of deep breathing, stretching exercises, rhythmic clapping and simulated laughter.In Laughter Yoga class, you do not need a reason to laugh.It is based on the philosophy of acting happiness.A fake or genuine laughter produces the same happy chemistry. In fact, a simulated laughter with a group of people quickly becomes real.After all, as we know, laughter is infectious and Laughter Yoga movement has proven it.By the end of the class, you will feel much happier, calmer and more relaxed.

The objective of Laughter Yoga is to improve our physical and mental health by enriching the blood with fresh supply of oxygen and enhancing oxygen supply to every part of the body.Practicing 20 minutes of Laughter can have a profound effect on our general well being.

Laughter is an universal language that transcends all barrier, language, age, gender, social or racial background.This low impact workout is usually done outdoors in the morning when the air is fresh and pollution level at the lowest.This movement has grown worldwide with 5000 clubs in countries like USA, Canada, Europe, India and etc. Due to it’s popularity, a wide coverage has been done on Laughter Yoga by prestigious TV channels [ CNN, BBC, ABC, NHK, Channel 7 & 9 (Australia)], newspaper and magazines [National Geographic, New York Times, London Times, Wall Street Journal and etc].

Benefits of Laughter Yoga :

• Increases circulation and stamina through increased oxygen supply
• Produces serotonin, a natural anti-depressant
• Releases endorphin, a natural pain-killer
• Prevents sleep disorder and snoring
• Stimulates lymphatic system and boost immune system
• Promotes healthy digestion
• Boost mental clarity
• Reduces stress related hormones thus control High Blood Pressure and Heart Disease
• Exercises facial muscles and take years off your age

A typical Yoga Kid class include the traditional postures, breathing techniques, simple meditation, music, games and stories to engage their attention.Classes are made to be fun where some of the instructors include element of play by using animated postures.As we know, the yogis in India developed some of the postures from observing animals and naming it after them such as Butterfly, Grasshopper, Lion, Crocodile, Downward Facing Dog and etc.Children are instructed to pretend to be a yoga animal and move about the room making noises, act out stories and play breathing games.This activity engage children physically and mentally.

Yoga is not a competitive sport and therefore is suitable for everyone.Each child can progress at his own pace and this gives them a strong sense of self-esteem and confidence.Yoga has also proven to help hyperactive children who crave for movement and stimulation as it helps to channel their energies in a positive way. Some of the schools have adopted yoga as part of their school program to help students deal with stress and anxiety before exam by using deep breathing techniques and basic yoga at their desk.Yoga does wonders to the kids as it helps them to relax and combat stress.

Benefits Of Yoga Kid :

• Develop balance and strength
• Improve concentration and focus
• Rejuvenate mind and stimulate imagination
• Boost confidence and self-esteem
• Instill self-discipline
• Promote internal health
• Connect with inner self

There are a few yoga exercises that are not suitable for children as their body is still tender and not fully developed yet and can be harmful if practiced without the supervision of a qualified yoga practitioner.It is always advisable to send your child for a professional Yoga Kid class to derive the full benefits of yoga.