If you want a simple answer, yes you do. But if you’re looking for a long winded but more truthful answer, then no. One doesn’t lose weight by consecutively striking social media-worthy poses that you see professionals do quite effortlessly. The root of the problem here is that yoga is widely misunderstood for just one aspect that it represents: The poses or asanas, as we know them.
Benefits:
Good pose for learning how to properly align (especially the shoulders and pelvis).
Great variation pose for people with carpal tunnel, shoulder, and low back issues.
Stretches the hamstrings.
Helps lengthen the back and spine.
Foundation & General Alignment:
Facing wall, align heels of the hands at ribs, forearms are parallel to the floor.
Hands are shoulder width apart.
If there’s one activity gym-goers are likely to cut out of their workout, it’s stretching. While the warm-up, workout and cool-down are all-important components to a fit and limber body, stretching ensures your joints have full range of motion and you can maintain or enhance your flexibility. Additionally, stretching post-workout delivers blood to the muscles, helping to reduce soreness.
I’d never considered myself a “teacher” before teaching yoga. I’m TEFL certified, completed the so-called authentic way (which means 60+ hours in a traditional classroom in Latin America is under my belt). I taught sophomore supplemental courses during my graduate program because it halved my tuition. I taught Kindergartners in Seoul for a year in the afternoons, right on the heels of teaching executives in the mornings.
Benefits:
Strengthens core and upper body.
Teaches how to engage all parts of the body.
Learning to extend out in all directions evenly.
Foundation & General Alignment:
Two hands and two feet, balance weight evenly.
Feet are hip width apart.
Hands are shoulder width apart.
Elbows are above wrists, forearms are perpendicular to the floor.
There are many fitness programs that help improve your golf, but does golfing improve your fitness?
Be it professional golfers to amateurs, golf has many of us hooked. The very first time you step onto the course and look at the gentle rise and fall of the slopes, golf insidiously invades your body, heart, and soul. And you can even match your dosha to see if golf is the correct fitness program for you!
Benefits:
Strengthens the abs and hip flexor muscles.
Stimulates and tones the abdominal organs.
Foundation & General Alignment:
Balanced on the pelvis, slightly above the sitting bones.
Knees/legs straight if hamstrings allow it.
Feet are active and in “floint” (pointing but flexed).
Pelvis is in a neutral position.
90 degree angle between thighs and pelvis.
Chest is lifted and shoulders are back.
Benefits:
Strengthens the entire back.
Helps stretches the hamstrings.
Can be a very calming pose to some people but for other it can make them feel claustrophobic and stress if they are tight in the shoulders/back.
Foundation & General Alignment:
The base is formed by the upper arms from elbow to shoulder, top of the shoulders back of the head and feet on the floor.
Fit or not, yoga is great for the 40+ man, be it as sole exercise or even as a supplementary one…
Benefits:
Opens the hips.
Great calming pose.
Perfect for meditating.
Foundation & General Alignment:
Sitting bones are weighted into the floor.
Outer edge of feet can be under knees or under hips.
Pelvis is in a neutral position.
Chin is parallel to the floor.
All sides or torso equally extended.
Shoulders are back and away from ears.
Head is resting halfway between knees and hips so elbows are under the shoulders.