Yoga For Fitness And Wellness

by Dykema, Ravi

• ISBN13: 9780534579418
• ISBN10: 0534579418
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2005-06-03
• Publisher: Brooks Cole

Summary

YOGA FOR FITNESS AND WELLNESS is designed for the basic Yoga course. In Chapter 1, we ask, What is Yoga? In Chapters 2 and 3, we explore the history and philosophy of Yoga, and then in Chapter 4, we focus on the theories of Hatha Yoga, which is the kind of Yoga upon which all modern exercise-focused Yoga systems are founded. The rest of the book explores the exercises of Yoga: breathing, stretching and strengthening exercises, relaxation and meditation. The overall goal of this text is that it, along with the Yoga class, will inspire students to include Yoga as one of the activities they can do to stay healthy for the rest of their lives!

Table of Contents

Preface	xi
Yoga: From Its Beginnings to Today	1	(22)
What is Yoga?	2	(1)
The Big Question, ``Who Am I?''	3	(4)
Yoga's Beginnings	7	(1)
Seven of the Most Important Yoga Systems	8	(7)
Bhakti Yoga	8	(1)
Mantra Yoga	8	(1)
Karma Yoga	9	(1)
Jnana Yoga	10	(1)
Raja Yoga	11	(1)
Tantra Yoga	11	(1)
Hatha Yoga	12	(2)
What is the Same in All Yoga Systems?	14	(1)
A Short History of Yoga	15	(8)
How Old is Yoga?	15	(1)
The Earliest Roots of Yoga	15	(3)
The Yoga of Patanjali: Classical Yoga and the Yoga Sutra	18	(2)
A New Era of Befriending the Body, Tantra Yoga	20	(1)
Contemporary Yoga: Hatha Yoga and Asana Yoga	21	(2)
Yoga Philosophy	23	(12)
The Goal of Yoga	24	(1)
The Ordinary vs. the Extraordinary vs. the Out of This World	24	(1)
The Core Questions	25	(1)
Yoga Morals and Ethics	25	(6)
Yama, Restraints	26	(2)
Niyama, Disciplines	28	(2)
Other Lists of Yoga's Ethics and Morals	30	(1)
Completing the Journey to One's True Self	31	(4)
Conditioning and Habits	32	(1)
The Dawning of Wisdom	32	(1)
Applying Tantra Yoga Philosophy	33	(2)
Hatha Yoga, the Yoga of Balanced Energy	35	(12)
Overview of the Theory of Hatha Yoga	36	(6)
The Energy Body and the Five Bodies	36	(2)
Clarity	38	(1)
Control	39	(1)
Surrender, Letting Go	40	(1)
``Letting Go'' in the Practice of Yoga Poses and Yoga Breathing	41	(1)
The Anatomy of Awakening: Kundalini and Chakras	42	(4)
The Serpent Power: Kundalini	42	(1)
Chakras, Wheels of Energy, and Kundalini's Ascent	43	(1)
Special Exercises to Move and Enhance Subtle Body Energy	44	(2)
Summary	46	(1)
Yoga Breathing	47	(16)
Introduction to Yoga Breathing (Pranayama)	48	(2)
Yoga Breath Practices (Yoga Pranayamas)	50	(13)
Practice Guidelines	50	(1)
Basic Proper Breathing	50	(13)
Postures, Asanas	63	(50)
The Benefits of Practicing Yoga Poses	64	(8)
Muscles and Joints	65	(1)
Strength and Extensibility: Healthy Muscles	65	(5)
Cardiovascular Benefits	70	(1)
Feelings and Relaxation	70	(1)
Mental Focus	71	(1)
Guidelines for Practicing Yoga Poses	72	(2)
Safety	72	(1)
Breath in the Performance of Poses	72	(1)
Slowing Down, Going Nowhere, Paying More Attention	73	(1)
Parasympathetic Nervous System	73	(1)
Using Props	73	(1)
The Poses of Hatha Yoga	74	(39)
Lying Down Poses	74	(13)
Sitting and Kneeling Poses	87	(10)
Standing Poses	97	(12)
Inversions	109	(2)
Salutation to the Sun (Surya Namaskar)	111	(2)
Relaxation and Meditation	113	(16)
Relaxation	114	(5)
Benefits of Relaxation	115	(1)
Relaxation Exercises	115	(4)
Meditation	119	(10)
Benefits of Meditation	119	(2)
Guidelines for Meditation	121	(1)
Preparation for Meditation	122	(1)
Practices of Meditations	123	(3)
Using Meditation Practices Already Presented in This Book	126	(1)
Integrating Meditation into Your Life	126	(3)
Yoga for Special Needs	129	(12)
Yoga Classes Are for Everybody	130	(1)
You Can Do It	130	(1)
How Yoga Became a Healing Tradition	130	(1)
Practicing Yoga Safely, Whatever Your Condition	131	(1)
Practicing Yoga Poses	131	(1)
Practicing Yoga Breathing	131	(1)
How to Adapt Yoga Poses and Yoga Breathing to Specific Needs	132	(8)
Adjusting Poses for When You Are Overweight or Out of Shape	132	(1)
Adjusting Poses If You Are Experiencing Chronic Pain	133	(1)
Adjusting Poses for When You Have Back Pain	133	(4)
Adjusting Yoga Poses for Pregnancy	137	(1)
Adjusting Yoga Poses If You Are Menstruating	138	(2)
Summary	140	(1)
How to Continue Your Study of Yoga	141	(14)
Taking Other Yoga Classes	142	(5)
Choosing a Class	142	(2)
Choosing a Yoga Style or Lineage	144	(3)
Practicing at Home	147	(2)
Designing Your Own Class or Practice Session	147	(1)
Choose Your Goals	148	(1)
Living the Yoga Lifestyle	149	(1)
Reading about Yoga	150	(2)
Instruction in Many Aspects of Hatha Yoga	150	(1)
Refining Your Performance of Asanas	150	(1)
Yoga Therapy	150	(1)
Scholarly Writings on Yoga	151	(1)
Essays and Stories about Using Yoga Every Day	151	(1)
Reference Books on Yoga	151	(1)
Biography	151	(1)
Yoga Periodicals	151	(1)
Correspondence Course in All Aspects of Yoga	151	(1)
Training to Become a Yoga Teacher	152	(1)
Personal Fulfillment or Professional Skill?	152	(1)
The Economics of Teaching Yoga	152	(1)
How Long Does It Take to Become a Yoga Teacher?	153	(1)
How Does One Become a Yoga Therapist?	153	(1)
How Does One Choose a Yoga System or Lineage in Which to Become a Teacher?	153	(1)
Conclusion	153	(2)
Appendix A: Pronunciation Guide to Sanskrit Words	155	(2)
Appendix B: Yoga Resources	157	(6)
Glossary	163	(4)
Bibliography	167	(4)
Index	171