Breastfeeding Yoga Mom

The importance of getting the right yoga clothes

When you work out it’s easy to throw on a few old items of clothing and hope for the best, but that isn’t always the best way to go. Those old, baggy sweatpants will do nothing for you and that oversized t-shirt could easily get in the way, and after a few (hundred) times in the wash the material will be anything but comfortable. In clothes like that you certainly won’t be working out to the best of your ability, particularly if you’re going to a yoga class, and the importance of getting the right yoga clothes can never be underestimated.

Yoga is as much about relaxing as it is about exercising, and you can’t hope to relax if you’re in clothes that are downright uncomfortable. You need the material to be soft and comforting and the fit needs to be the perfect balance between loose and snug, ensuring you can move around with ease whilst making sure no loose material will be getting in the way (and of course, you wouldn’t want to be hitching your trousers up if you’re trying to get into a different position).

Getting the right clothes can transform your workout and will ensure you can really make the most of your yoga class, and let’s not forget, even if you’re in the gym it’s still nice to know you’re looking good. It may not be a catwalk but that doesn’t mean you have to totally forget about your style and with the right clothes you can hit all the right notes, so be on the lookout for specially-designed yoga clothing and you could soon notice the difference.

bio: This guest blog post is written by Webmaster of wellicious.com, offering  Yoga clothes  and Yoga clothing services!

Best tips to be followed in Yoga Class

Here are some tips for being mannerly on your mat:

On arriving late (or leaving early)

The main thing here is, try not to do either. But, things happen, and the best-laid plans often go awry.

In some private studios, the door will be closed and quite possibly locked, thus taking care of what to do about late-comers. Pounding on the door would not be a viable option here. In gym settings, or in studios where walking in late is possible, be respectful of the meditative yearnings of the rest of the class who showed up on time — open and close the door quietly, tiptoe in, open and lay down your mat as delicately as if you were handling TNT. 

Be as unobtrusive as a pickpocket. And if you must leave early, best to inform the teacher before class starts, and leave with the utmost quietness. Getting up during savasana (final resting pose) is a no-no.

Taking up space

Avoid wedging your mat in where there is insufficient space Your teacher can help rearrange the layout of mats. That way you won't have to incur the wrath (wrath is unyoga-like, yet not uncommon in such situations) of participants who are already deep into their own inner as well as outer space.

Do not tread on others' mats

This should go without saying, but I am saying it anyway because I see it happening all the time. This is tantamount to inviting yourself into someone else's home. Step over anyone's mat that's not your own.

Come to class clean . . .

Body odor is a big distraction. If your routine is to work out vigorously and then come to yoga class, wash off the sweat and use a deodorant. Hand sanitizers should be liberally employed. Offer to share with your neighbors, especially in flu season. If you are ill, stay away from class; others do not need to be exposed any more than is necessary, and you can always practice at home.

. . . but not too clean

Avoid finishing off your aura with perfumes and colognes. Many people are sensitive to fragrances.

Wear appropriate clothing

Yoga is not about fashion statements. Comfort and practicality rule. Please, leave your shirt on. I have on two occasions witnessed practitioners strip during class. I suppose that one may ask permission before doing so in an unusually warm setting.

On doing your own thing

Don't. Even if you have a better practice than the teacher, or anyone else in the room. This kind of thing leads to a free-for-all, which is definitely not conducive to a mind-body-spirit balanced class. If there is a pose that you just have to do, and the teacher is not offering it, wait until the end of class and go do it to your heart's content. Now, if you are pregnant, that is a whole other matter. You do need to modify poses and avoid certain ones as well. 

Breathing too loudly

Uijayi pranayama (ocean-sounding, or victorious breath) is a wonderful practice, even if you have not been invited by the teacher to use it. But it can be distracting to others. Properly performed, it should be audible only as far as the next mat over. And please, no grunting; if the pose is too strenuous, simply back off and pause in prayer or child pose.

Thank your teacher

Simply repeat "namaste" after she says it at the end of class, even if you are a bit unsure of exactly what it means. And perhaps you might take a moment to expand upon the sentiment by saying a bit more about how great the class was, etc. Teachers love feedback.

Clean up

That means wiping off your mat, especially if you are using one that belongs to the facility. Put away your props too — neatly. Be like a Boy Scout and leave the place a little better than you found it.

Courtesy:  Copyright © 2011, Reuters

Dhyana Yoga

Dhyana Yoga is one of the eight limbs of Astanga Yoga proposed by Sage Patanjali in his ‘Yoga Sutras’. The word ‘dhyai’ comes from Sanskrit, which means “to think of”. A popular form of Dhyana Yoga is the Kundalini Yoga. The Dhyana Yoga system is specifically described by Lord Sri Krishna in chapter 6 of the famous ‘Bhagavad Gita’, wherein he explains the key Yoga systems to his disciple, Arjuna in the battleground of Kurukshetra.

In the Ashtanga Yoga, Dhyana is practiced together with Dharana and Samadhi comprises the Samyama. In Dhyana, the mediator is not conscious of the act of meditation but is only aware that he exists (consciousness of being), and aware of the object of meditation.

There are different forms of Dhyana Yoga. The aim is to withdraw all senses from various objects of interest and focus on one object. Dhyana Yoga produces a state of calm. The main objective Dhyana Yoga is to cleanse the subconscious, develop concentration, clear the mind, and bring about various stages of unified unity with God.