Health and wellness trends come and go, but the holistic benefits of yoga continue to be part of our lives. From the spiritual potential of the practice to the physical contortions involved, yoga has become a core component of a healthy lifestyle. North America is filled with world-renowned yoga studios, each with their own unique boutique-style classes and approach. Read on to learn about the major yoga trends and styles that have been making waves across the country.
1. Experiencing the Eastern Wisdom of Yoga
Yoga is an eastern practice that has been known to help bring peace and mental clarity to practitioners all over the world. It is an activity that combines poses, breathing, and meditation to create balance and serenity in the body. Here is an overview of how to start experiencing the amazing wonders of yoga and its Eastern wisdom.
Learn the Basics: The best way to start learning the wonderful practices of yoga is to start with the basics. There are many yoga poses, but some common ones to start with are chants, sun salutations, and the warrior poses. There are helpful YouTube videos and articles that provide guidance in finding the poses that resonate with you. Additionally, there are beginner classes, private lessons, and retreats to help navigate the world of yoga.
Meditation: Meditation is an ancient practice that is used to help still the mind and open the body up to its own intuition. It can be practiced for short periods of time or in longer sessions if desired. The goal is to learn how to be still and observe the flow of thoughts without being attached to them. Mindfulness is an excellent way to become in tune with the sensations with the body and the space around you.
Benefits: Practicing yoga can aid in reducing stress and building strength. It helps cultivate awareness in the present moment, as well as clarity for the future. Additionally, it can help improve balance, flexibility, and focus. Furthermore, it is an excellent physical activity to build strength in the body, and can provide a feeling of accomplishment when poses and meditations are mastered.
Getting Started: Once you are familiar with the basics and the benefits of yoga, you can begin to incorporate it into your daily routine. Set aside a time each day that works best for you to practice. It can be 10 minutes or an hour. As you practice, focus on releasing any tightness or strains in the body and be mindful with your breathing. Allow yourself to let go of expectations and stay present. Viola! You are now immersed in the Eastern wisdom of yoga.
2. Exploring North American Yoga Trends and Styles
Yoga is an ancient practice from India, but it has become increasingly popular among those living in North America. In the United States alone, more than 60 million people practice yoga. Given the pluralism of the region, different styles of yoga have emerged that provide practitioners with various options to choose from.
The best way to explore North American yoga trends and styles is to look at the types of yoga classes that can be found in the United States and Canada.
Vinyasa: This style often moves faster than other types of yoga; it links poses together in a flowing sequence with a focus on breath. Classes typically follow a set format and sequence of poses and can include both basic and challenging poses.
Hatha: This style is often a foundation for other styles of yoga and is widely available. Be prepared for slow, gentle movement that can include basic poses and stretching.
Restorative: This style uses props like blocks, blankets, and bolsters to support the body during poses, and provide relaxation and calming of the nervous system.
Bikram: This type of yoga is performed in a heated room (up to 105°F). It is physically challenging and includes a set sequence of postures.
While there are many variations in the different styles of yoga available in North America, the most important thing to remember is to find the practice that’s right for you. Whether you’re looking for strength, flexibility, balance, breathing techniques, relaxation or all of the above – there’s a style that can help you achieve your goals.
3. Bringing Mind-Body Fitness to Life in the Studio
Mind-body fitness classes have been steadily increasing in popularity over the last decade, and with good reason! They offer a unique blend of strength, flexibility, and mindfulness, which work together to bring balance to your physical and mental wellbeing. And, while it can be quite challenging to incorporate a mind-body approach into your home practice, it can be done in the studio with professional guidance. Here are some tips to help make your mind-body fitness routine come to life in the studio!
- Know what you want: Before you even step foot into the studio, take a few moments to think about what you want to accomplish with this workout. Having a clear goal—whether it’s stress relief, improved flexibility, or increased strength—will help you better focus on your class and get the most out of it.
- Follow the instructor’s cues: Mind-body classes require a certain level of concentration, and paying attention to the instructor’s cues will help you stay focused and in sync with your class. Listen and understand how their words and movements fit together to create a concise and comprehensive practice.
- Check in with your body: As you begin to move through your workout, check in with your body to make sure you are not pushing yourself too hard. This is especially important in mind-body classes, where the focus is on safely building strength and making your practice sustainable.
- Focus on your breath: An essential part of any mind-body workout is proper breathing. Instead of focusing on the physical moves, allow your breath to be your guide. Notice how each movement harmonizes with your breath, which will help you relax and stay present throughout your workout.
- Let go of expectations: It’s easy to get into comparisons with your fellow classmates, or to judge your practice harshly. But, in order for mind-body fitness to really work, you need to be gentle with yourself. Remember, each practice is unique, and there’s always room to grow as you become more and more familiar with the techniques.
By following these tips, you’re sure to make the most of your mind-body fitness class and find the perfect balance between physical and mental wellbeing. Keep practicing, and soon enough you’ll be well on your way to mastering the art of mind-body fitness.
4. Discovering the Joys of Yoga Classes
Yoga classes have become increasingly popular in the modern era, offering students a wide array of opportunities to deepen their physical and mental well-being. With an experienced instructor, a yoga class can be an incredibly enjoyable practice that is sure to bring many moments of joy into your life.
The Benefits: Yoga classes are incredibly beneficial for both body and mind. Along with various flexibility, balance, and strength benefits, each class can become its own unique journey as one uncovers inner-growth and spiritual harmony.
The Journey: Starting with some breathing exercises to refuel with energy, yoga classes usually move to a series of poses and asanas that target different areas of the body. Warm-ups come next, followed by sun salutations, and advanced poses that will leave you pushing your limits in possibly new ways.
The Finale: After pushing yourself to the limit (in a safe way!), the final part of yoga classes normally entails a savasana or corpse posture. This is the most important part of the class, where the body relaxes and all the energy gained during the session is welcomed. The feeling of a quiet, peaceful mind in this pose is unforgettable.
Things to Remember:
- Honor yourself: Yoga classes should be a soothing and safe environment for you to experiment and not to exhaust yourself.
- Breathe: Learning to master the art of deep breathing is perhaps the most important part of the class.
- Dive in: Consider different types of classes with various objectives and styles.
- Just enjoy: Most of all, let yourself enjoy the process and don’t take life too seriously!
Yoga classes make it easier than ever to discover the beauty of mindfulness as well as how yoga can become a powerful tool for staying healthy and happy. So why not get a mat and come on this fascinating journey of self-discovery?
Yoga has grown in the North American market, offering reliable exercise regimes that help improve physical and mental fitness. There are many different yoga studios and classes that cater to different tastes and needs. As yogis across the continent navigate this ever-changing landscape, one thing remains unchanged: yoga remains one of the trendiest and most viable ways to stay physically and mentally fit. Namaste!
