...yoga or Pilates. Pilates or yoga. You've seen the late night/early morning infomercials for both. Bookstores in Dallas, Houston and throughout Texas have the latest books on these two activities. Exercise and health magazines devote a growing number of articles to both. Even the rich and famous have made their choices and divided into camps. So what's the big deal about Pilates and Yoga? Is one better than the other? What's different? What's the same? Which one makes the better dessert topping? Pilates or yoga -- which one should you choose?

yoga is a technique that claims to unite the mind, body and spirit. yoga teachers, or Yogis, hold the belief that the mind and the body are one. And if you're given the right tools and taken to the right environment, you can find harmony and heal yourself. That's also why yoga is considered therapeutic. It helps you become more aware of your body's posture, alignment and patterns of movement.

The practice of yoga makes the body more flexible and can help relax you even in the middle of panic stricken surroundings. This is one of the biggest reasons why people start practicing yoga -- to feel more fit, more energetic, be happier and more peaceful. yoga movements are performed, mostly, in a group setting on a special yoga mat with the aid of a Yogi. The practice utilizes the body's own weight for resistance. A great deal of focus is concentrated on flowing from one posture to the other. There are numerous yoga styles and they differ on what they emphasize. No style is really better than anothe...more

Power yoga: Your Choice for a Healthy Body and Mind

...wer behind your physical and mental powers. Through these powers, yoga can connect your body, mind, and spirit to the deepest level.

There are some basic precautions for the power yoga beginner. Tell your instructor if you're a first-timer and never stretch to the point that you feel the pain. Since power yoga involves a lot of twisting and weight-bearing moves, you should be especially cautious if you have a history of neck, shoulder, or knee injuries.

Power yoga is a big help in training for athletes and also aids in injury prevention and rehabilitation. Learning power yoga benefits people who want to improve their skills and performance - especially in sports like cycling, golf, football, and swimming. Many health clubs today promote the use of power yoga as a powerful body and mind exercise regimen.more

Lower Your Blood Pressure by Practicing Yoga

... the supine poses, like Supta Baddhakonasana which, by relaxing the abdominal region, and so the entire body, bring calm on the nerves.

Inversions asanasas such as Viparita Karanti and Halasana revitalize the nerves, assure the control over the lungs and diaphragm, so if you practice these exercises constantly, you will get a lower blood pressure. There are also useful the Svanasana and pranayama, which provide the control over the automatic nervous system. As the senses and the mind are chilling, the blood pressure stabilizes, and in case of hypertension it leads to a lower blood pressure.more

Why Bikram Yoga is So Hot

... near or above body temperature allows the muscles to relax and achieve postures you never thought they could. You can get deeper into a posture. And best of all, the heat actually prevents injuries and minimizes the aches you feel after any new exercise program.

Yoga is seen by most as a way to achieve balance between the body, mind and spirit. It helps us towards optimum health and rids our lives of stress. Bikram yoga addresses all these factors, and is an excellent way for those not in the best physical shape to begin. Many Bikram yoga classes are geared specially to seniors who may have lost some of the flexibility they enjoyed when younger. They are always amazed at what they can do again while in that heated Bikram yoga environment.

Some common benefits notic...more

Free Online Yoga Sites