This article should be of special interest for people over 40, especially men. I would like to introduce you to the basis of basis of Yoga, Sun Salutations. It only takes about 5 minutes and if that is all you have it is still enough.
This series of poses warms up the body and tones the abdominal muscles. It is excellent for practically EVERYONE because it stretches and strengthens all the major muscle groups in the body and exercises the respiratory system. If you are 40-plus and never ever done any exercises it will help you a lot. In a short period of time you will feel in your best shape ever (regardless if it is true or not :). If you are a 40-year-old man who is working out a lot, it will help you relax those stiff muscles.
Sun Salutations are very old. Some traditionalists contend that the sequence is at least 2,500 years old. If so, there was a lot of time to perfect it.
The physical base of the practice links together several positions (asanas) in a dynamically performed series. These positions are ordered so that they alternately stretch the spine backwards and forwards. Each position is moved into with alternate inhalation and exhalation. A full round of Sun Salutations is considered to be two sets of the poses with a change in the second set to moving the opposite leg first through the series.
Proponents of the use of Sun Salutations prefer to perform it at sunrise, which is considered to be the most 'spiritually favourable' time of the day. For me it is the quietest time of the day. There is no street noise yet and my family is still sleeping so nobody can interrupt me (except for my cats, the most inconsiderate animals).
Also, if you had tough day, the Sun Salutations will help your body relax, more then just dropping on the couch in front of TV.
Benefits of Sun Salutations:
· Strengthens abdominal muscles.
· Thoroughly ventilates the lungs, and oxygenates the blood.
· Promotes sleep and calms anxiety.
· Improves muscle flexibility.
· Revives and maintains the spirit of youthfulness.
· Makes the spine and waist flexible
Who should NOT do it:
· Pregnant women should not practice this after third month of pregnancy
· Patients of Hernia and high blood pressure are warned against this practice.
· People with recent or chronic injury to the back, knees, hips or unmediated high blood pressure.
Let's start with Sun Salutations A
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