The Yogic Lifestyle

A yogic lifestyle consists of regular asana practice (postures), pranayamas (breathing exercises), relaxation, meditation, a healthy vegetarian diet and positive thinking.

Asanas (Postures).  
The Sanskrit word asana means steady pose.  A regular yoga asana practice helps to develop a finely tuned and strong body. It also promotes general health and vitality, encourages the systems of the body to work effectively and improves mental focus.  During asana practice the whole body is worked. The internal organs are stimulated, stretched and massaged to aid functioning.  Levels of oxygen in the blood are increased and circulation is enhanced. The muscles are lengthened, strengthened and toned which will correct posture, reduce body fat and help to reduce stress and tension within the body.

Pranayamas (Breathing Techniques).
The Sanskrit word pranayama means control of vital life force.  The benefits both physically and mentally of being able to control and utilize the breath are phenomenal.  Yoga practitioners believe that by taking control of your breath, you have taken the first step towards controlling your life.  The breath can be used to evoke deep relaxation, remove pain, and enhance meditation techniques.  Pranayamas help to increase oxygen levels in the body and to expand the lungs which can improve lung capacity permanently.

Savasana (Relaxation).
The ability to relax is not to be underestimated. So many people in today’s busy world struggle to relax properly.  Life must be balanced, therefore moments of stress and tension should be followed with periods of deep relaxation.  During relaxation the body and mind have time to recover, without this recovery time the body will gradually show signs of fatigue. If this fatigue becomes extreme illness may occur.  When we relax our bodies use very little energy thus allowing mental and physical recovery. 

Dhyana (Meditation).
Developing meditation techniques and the ability to calm and still our minds takes a lot of time and practice but brings very many positive effects. Meditation helps strengthen the mind enabling clarity of thought and inner strength.  Because no two people experience the same sensations during meditation it is impossible to universally define how one should feel when meditating. 

Diet.
The yogic diet is a pure one of a vegetarian or vegan nature.  Of course, you do not have to be a vegetarian to practice yoga, the important thing to remember is if you do eat meat consider the type of meat you eat, the conditions that the animals were kept in, how they have been fed and slaughtered and the effect that it has had on the eco-structure of a particular area.  For more information on vegetarianism visit The Vegetarian Society.

Positive Thinking.
It is important to be positive at all times. A positive mind anticipates happiness, joy, health and a successful outcome to every situation and action. Whatever the mind expects, it finds.  Positive thinking also helps to maintain mental balance and clarity which has many benefits.
 

Yoga 2 Hear have a growing range of yoga classes suitable for all levels of experience and abilities including a number of specialist classes. All provide an ideal way to learn and practice yoga with expert tuition whenever and wherever you choose. Each Yoga 2 Hear Yoga CD and Yoga MP3 Download is complemented by relaxing background music and comes with a yoga guide booklet. The booklet highlights the class instructions and provides a series of photos for each yoga posture used just in case you feel you need a visual reference.

The Beginners Yoga Class CD’s & MP3 Downloads and Beginners Yoga Flowing Sequence Class CD & MP3 Downloads provide a practical, easy to follow, effective and varied introduction to yoga for those with little or no experience. 

For those with more yoga experience our Improvers Yoga Class & CD’s & MP3 Downloads  and Improvers Flowing Sequence Class CD & MP3 Downloads provide easy to follow and effective classes that use stronger postures. 

Our Prenatal & Postnatal Yoga Class CD's & MP3 Downloads have been devised specifically for expectant and new mothers. Both products offer safe and effective classes created by a Pre and Postnatal yoga expert.

If you would like to use yoga to improve your performance on the slopes then our Yoga for Snow Sports Vol.1 & Vol.2 CD’s & MP3 Downloads are for you. The classes have been created specifically for Skiers and Snowboarders with and without experience of yoga. The classes will improve your strength, flexibility, co-ordination, balance and mental focus. They will also help to reduce the risk of injury and enhance your precious time on the slopes. 

We have also created theYoga for the Surf Vol.1 & Vol.2 CD’s & MP3 Downloads these classes are specifically for Surfers, Kite Surfers, Windsurfers, Wakeboarders, Kneeboarders and Waterskiers with and without experience of yoga. The classes pay particular attention to increasing upper body strength and flexibility and will also improve your, balance, coordination and mental focus. 

For those wishing to loose weight without heading to the gym we have created the Yoga 2 Hear 2 in 1 Yoga for Weight Loss class. When used in conjunction with a healthy low fat diet this class will help to reduce levels of body fat as well as tone and shape the body. 

We have also produced a  Introduction to Core Yoga class that will strengthen and bring your awareness to the deep muscles of the lumbar spine, pelvis and abdominal areas which together form our core muscles. The core muscles respond well to slow controlled movements so yoga is the perfect way to strengthen them.

For those who are returning to exercise after a long break or who have not exercised before we have a Gentle Yoga Class CD & MP3 Download that has been created to allow you to try basic Hatha yoga techniques with minimum physical impact to the body. We have also devised a Yoga on a Chair CD & MP3 Download.  The classis ideal for those with restricted movement and features a number of basic hatha yoga postures that have been adapted to allow them to be performed whilst seated on an appropriate chair. 

Our Pranayamas for Beginners CD & MP3 Downloadhas been devised specifically for those with little or no previous experience of yoga to offer a practical introduction to basic yoga breathing techniques. Once learnt, these techniques can be combined with your regular yoga practice or used on their own to evoke deep relaxation, manage pain, and enhance meditation techniques.  Pranayamas also help to increase oxygen levels in the body and to expand the lungs which can improve lung capacity permanently.

If you feel you need to give your head a holiday, de-stress and relax then our guided yoga Relaxation No.1 CD & MP3 Download has been devised to be followed whilst laying and sitting on your yoga mat. The class teaches basic relaxation techniques that are the perfect tools to help you banish stress and clear your mind.

We have also created the Relaxation on a Chair CD & MP3 Download. This relaxation session, which has been devised to be followed whilst sitting still on a comfortable chair, uses simple rhythmic yogic breathing and relaxation techniques that will de-stress, relax, refresh and recharge your body and mind. Relaxation on a Chair is ideal for use in many, many situations, for example, during or after a tough day at home or at work, in a departure lounge, on an plane, train or bus journey or just sitting around the pool on holiday, the possibilities are endless.

If you are one of those who struggle to get to sleep or who often wakes during the night and just can’t get back to sleep again, we have the answer. Our Relaxations for Sleep Vol.1 CD & MP3 Download consists of two different relaxation sessions that are designed to be followed whilst lying comfortably in bed.  Both sessions use yoga breathing, meditation and muscle relaxation techniques that will clear your mind, release stress and tension from your body and relax you into a really great nights sleep. When you wake the following morning you will feel calm, refreshed, rejuvenated and of course relaxed. As a bonus this class comes with our Relaxation on a Chair CD & MP3 Download session FREE OF CHARGE.