Discover How Yoga Can Transform Your Body & Mind
Firstly, what is yoga?
Yoga is a deep subject of ancient lifestyle philosophies dating over 5,000 years since its inception. It was designed as a way of living a meaningful path through moral and ethical conduct, and self-discipline. A journey of finding internal enlightenment through external daily practices.
Yoga was never meant to be an exercise system. However, fast forward to modern times and you will find most people get into it looking for its physical benefits.
WithinMVMNT uses strength training and yoga to help others build bodies that are both strong and supple. We incorporate more modern exercise biomechanics into traditional yoga for better mobility outcomes.
The result is a more physically-minded approach to practicing yoga (more on that later).
Of the 8 limbs of Ashtanga yoga, we focus more on the Asana (aka physical poses), and Pranayama (aka the breath).
Yoga is a powerful movement system for a more youthful body and clarity of mind. Through the consistent practice, it can help you develop a body and mind like a warrior!
It All Starts With The Breath…
Inhale.
Exhale.
Your breath gives you life.
And it also has power over your stress response through the Autonomic Nervous System (ANS).
Your ANS is responsible for involuntary functions–such as respiration, digestion, sexual function, etc. It’s divisions are the Sympathetic Nervous System (SNS) and Parasympathetic Nervous System (PSNS).
SNS handles your “fight-or-flight” response mechanism. PSNS handles “rest-and-digest” activity.
Problem is, most of us are in SNS activity. This evolutionary mechanism is designed to help us out in moments of stress. Prehistorically, this is great. Mountain Lion attacks? You get a ‘Nitrous Oxide’ like dump of adrenaline and cortisol to get you moving.
Problem with stress these days is… We face it all the time!
With work, relationships, finances, life events, accidents – all of it throwing our stress responses out-of-whack!
Difference is, with the mountain lion you can RUN. Not so easy to do that when your boss is reaming you out in your office! Now it’s like you hit the Nitrous Oxide button with your foot on the brakes. You’ll go nowhere and that boost will be rushing through you, effecting crucial engine components!
Enter focused breathing.
Through the breath, you can achieve PSNS activation and slow the heart rate. Turning off SNS’s fight-or-flight to calm the mind and bring focus in stressful scenarios.
Navy SEALs use box breathing techniques to do this very thing.
Try box breathing out for yourself:
First, sit in a comfortable position. Spine long. Empty the lungs, close your mouth, and breath through your nose:
- Inhale for a count of 4
- Hold for a count of 4
- Exhale for a count of 4
- Hold for a count of 4
- Repeat steps 1-4 for 3-5 minutes
Go ahead and try it out right now. I’ll wait…
.
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How you feeling? Cool as a cucumber? I bet!
Linking Asanas through “Flow”
In yoga, the breath is what guides the movement. You are linking the poses together between breaths…
- Inhale. Upward Salute.
- Exhale. Forward fold.
- Inhale. Halfway lift.
- Exhale. Low-plank / Chatarunga.
- Inhale. Upward Dog.
- Exhale. Downward Dog.
- Inhale. Move forward halfway lift.
- Exhale. Forward fold.
- Inhale. Upward salute.
That’s how to do sun salutation a in yoga. With your breath guiding you between poses.
Most opening poses will be done on an inhale. Folding and twisting on an exhale.
This focused breathing creates a “movement meditation”. A wave. Flowing the body through each inhalation and exhalation.
It’s a big factor in what differentiates yoga from physical exercises:
Emphasis on breath regulation, mindfulness during practice, and importance given to maintenance of postures are some of the elements which differentiate yoga practices from physical exercises.
In Vinyasa yoga, a common pranayama technique is called Ujjayi Breathing.
As you inhale and exhale:
- Keep your mouth closed and breath through your nose.
- Constrict your throat so that your breathing makes an “ocean” sound.
- Control your breath with your diaphragm.
- Keep your inhalations and exhalations equal in duration.
Go ahead and try that out now, I’ll wait.
.
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Got it?
Good. Later when we get to the classes, you can practice this as you move between poses.
How Often Should You Practice Yoga?
If you can practice yoga every day, you’ll be a new person in no time!
In fact, I think we should all aspire to exercise and/or practice yoga daily.
Local studios in your area might offer introductory offers. Giving you unlimited classes for a period of time. Some might even include 30-day yoga challenges that you can do.
I also have a Free Mens Yoga Series (we’ll get to that shortly) you can use.
BUT don’t think that you must do it everyday!
Hell, I’d be lying if I said I practice every single day myself.
HOWEVER… IF I let a week or two pass… I do start to notice negative effects.
- Body gets achey and stiff
- Mental clarity diminishes
- Stress increases
- Posture and core stability weaken
Maintaining some frequency – even if it is only once per week – will do wonders for your body and mind.
We all have different lifestyles to work yoga around. If you can make it a daily practice, you’re doing awesome. If it’s just a part of your Sunday rest and recovery, you’re still doing better than most.
WithinMVMNT: Yoga Meets Modern Physical Exercise
I’m going to show you an incredible way to get healthy, build strength, increase flexibility, and lose weight (when paired with a healthy diet).
Most importantly, anyone and everyone can benefit. It’s a low-impact fitness system you can do anywhere!
I’ve dedicated more than a decade to learning, applying, and experimenting with exercise, fitness, and yoga practices. I’ve studied and practiced numerous styles from Iyengar, Hatha, Vinyasa, Ashtanga, Baptiste, Rocket and more.
But I’ve also been interested in the inclusion of more modern bodyweight biomechanics, like calisthenics.
I believe this divergence from traditional yoga allows us to explore movement and mindfulness practices that we can adapt to our own lifestyles. As a result, you can use yoga to:
- Build incredible core strength
- Increase your flexibility and mobility
- Lose weight and tone muscles
- Improve sexual function and stamina
- And more…
BUT DON’T FORGET! Those benefits are the result of doing the work!
There are NO quick-fix pills. You simply have to DO THE WORK.
Get To Work With Our (100% Free) Mens Yoga Series!
WithinMVMNT’s Mens Yoga Series (MYS) is a 100% Free Yoga and Fitness series for men.
You will learn how to implement a yoga practice into your life. As well as other helpful tips regarding mens health, mindfulness, and philosophy.
It’s an experience PACKED full of value. And it also comes with 7-feature mens yoga classes. These are designed to teach you the foundations of yoga. While providing you opportunities for more challenging and advanced movements.
If that sounds all fine and dandy to you, just hit the button below and tell me the best place to send your very first lesson.
Click the button to get started:
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