Are you trying to get more flexible in your Yoga Class? Are you getting frustrated with your lack of flexibility? Are your thinking of dropping out of your Yoga class because of your lack of flexibility? You know what! You are not alone in this. Countless people everyday give up their Yoga training only because they believe they are not getting any better with their flexibility. Actually there are 6 Ultimate ways to improve flexibility for yoga practitioners.
Your lifestyle can contribute to your lack of flexibility. Most Yoga trainers do not look beyond Yoga postures to increase your flexibility. There is more to Yoga than postures that canm get more flexible in your Yoga Class. Actually there are just 6 ultimate ways to get more flexible in your Yoga Class faster than you can imagine.
1. Your daily activity
Reduce Restlessness in daily activity. Restlessness in your daily activity can cause Prana to become deficient and create stiffness in your body. Activities that cause restlessness are; computer and mobile games, mobile browsing, worrying, negative thinking, rash driving, fear, excessive travelling, etc,. Sometimes, restlessness can be your inborn trait. In such cases, it is appropriate to get an Ayurvedic Pulse Diagnosis done. This is the only way to know what your natural or inborn traits are. Knowing it and rectifying it will see you through.
2. Moderate your quantity of food intake
Moderate your quantity and quality of foods that you consume. Certain foods create stiffness in the body while certain foods that help your body being more nimble. Foods that are rich in protein such as sprouts, chana, rajma, paneer, bread and biscuits, pizza, pasta, excess intake of cashew, almonds and dates in vegetarian foods and eggs and chicken in non-vegetarian foods cause the body to experience more stiffness. Over eating causes indigestion which also causes stiffness in the body. Liquor is another substance which causes stiffness specifically in your ligaments, tendons and other muscles in the body.If you are practicing Yoga, you may want to avoid consuming food items and other substances that cause you to lose flexibility. You can get an Ayurvedic Nadi Pariksha to find out which food combinations are right for you and follow a meal plan that is suitable for you.
3. Take time to eat your food
The time at which you eat is also very important. Food must be consumed only to nourish the body. Your body creates hunger when it needs energy. Eating when hungry is the only way to nourish your body. Simply eating quality foods anytime will not only cause stiffness in your body, it will also convert into toxins in your body and hamper your body’s metabolism. There are certain indicative timings when your body feels hungry.In the mornings – before 8:30am – your body will express a mild hunger. Satisfy this hunger with a breakfast which is light and easily digestible.Between 11am-1:00pm is the time when your body expresses a strong hunger pang. This is the time to eat your full meal. Chew your foods well and drink about 100ml water along with your food so that your stomach has some space left to digest food.In the evening your body expresses hunger between 6:30-7:30pm – This is your dinner time. Again, eat light and freshly cooked food that is easily digestible. Some people may have a hyperactive metabolism. In such cases, the body digests foods very fast and expresses hunger every few hours. The others don’t have to worry as the body, once nourished, will hibernate through the night peacefully. To find out whether your metabolic rate is normal, sluggish or hyperactive, get an Ayurvedic Pulse Diagnosis done.
4. Consume adequate amounts of water
Consumption of water is equally important. The appropriate quantity of water you need to consume can be measured by the number of times you urinate. If you are urinating 6 times daily excepting your first urination, your water intake is optimum. If more, then reduce your water intake and if less, increase it appropriately. Inadequate water intake can cause stiffness in the body.
5. Lubricate your body well
Your body not only needs food and water! It also requires lubrication so that it can get more flexible. Your body requires internal lubrication as well as external application of oils with a healthy body massage. These oils are excellent in nourishing your muscles, bones, nerves and other tissues. The common oils you can use are til oil and coconut oil. These are the best oils that lubricate the body externally. In Karnataka and Tamilnadu, Til oil is used as cooking oil as well. People in Kerala use Coconut oil. People in the north use mustard oil. However, Til oil is the king of oils when it comes to internal as well as external lubrication.
6. Give adequate rest to your body
And lastly, your body needs adequate rest so it can repair itself through the sleep cycle. The human body hibernates by night and wakes up before dawn. This is best for your body too. The best time to sleep is before 10:30pm and wake up before 5:00am. If you are not habituated to this time, you can try having a shower before dinner. This will restore your body clock.If you encounter sleeplessness despite your best efforts, or your body continues to remain stiff, an Ayurvedic Pulse Diagnosis can reveal what you are missing and help you set your system right.
You can follow these suggestions so that you too can get more flexible in your Yoga Class.
Thank u, this is very useful.