Posted by on 7/26/2021 to
Let's Talk Yoga!
Time = Constant Change, Even for Yoga Practices: All About Aqua (or Water) Yoga
https://www.thehindu.com/life-and-style/fitness/what-is-aqua-yoga/article27997148.ece
It is called Aqua yoga or water yoga and it is an increasingly popular and popular discipline that combines the benefits of water with those of a good yoga practice. Born in the 1980s in California, as a result of the studies and experiences of Harold Dull, an internationally renowned poet and holistic bodyworker, yoga in the water relaxes, tones and allows you to reach a state of deep meditation with ease.
Let's find out together what water yoga is, why it is good for you, how it is practiced and for whom it is suitable.
This is nothing new: practicing physical exercises in the pool or at the sea is good for the body and spirit. Thanks to the hydrostatic thrust that counteracts the force of gravity, in fact, in water the weight on the joints is less and this allows you to perform the asanas with much more ease and effectiveness.
To this must be added the power that water has on the psyche. Our first contact with life occurs when we are immersed in amniotic fluid and when we find ourselves immersed in water, the unconscious call to that phase is immediate. As is well known, the resurfacing of "ancient" memories is the trigger for the self-healing process which is the main goal of those who practice yoga.
The muffled sound, the slower movements and heartbeats and the increased feeling of relaxation mean that yoga in the water greatly facilitates the realignment phase of the various energy levels, thus favoring meditation. Pool yoga is one of those practices that can help us disconnect and reconnect in a brand new way, letting us anchor in the present moment focusing on each movement and the sensations of the water experience all in one.
Where can you practice water yoga?
Aqua yoga is practiced immersed in a swimming pool or, even better, in thermal baths, with water brought to a temperature of 33 ° -35 °, which is close to the internal temperature of our body. Most of the positions are performed with the feet, but there are some, for the more experienced, to be performed while floating or diving.
Finally, it should be added that water yoga also allows you to counteract cellulite; the naturally draining massage performed by water promotes venous return, improves microcirculation and fights water retention. We bet you can’t wait to give aqua yoga a try!
How do you practice aqua yoga?
Just like traditional yoga, yoga in the water also involves a complete exercise session. There are five main phases of a yoga class in the water. Let's see them together:
• 1st phase: warm-up and stretching, to warm up the muscles and stretch the energy meridians;
• 2nd phase: breathing, to better manage the apnea phases, if any, and to free one's prana;
• 3rd phase: focus / meditation, to reduce stress and find a good level of concentration;
• 4th phase: execution of the asanas, taking care to perform a sequence that involves working on the muscles and joints of the whole body;
• 5th phase: eutonic exercises, to refine the toning of the individual muscles involved.
In water yoga, the classic standing positions of yoga are performed with water that reaches waist or shoulder height; seated asanas are practiced in the lowest part of the pool or, for more experienced yogis, in apnea sitting on the bottom of the pool, using weights to maintain the position; the lying positions, on the other hand, are performed lying on the water and floating is facilitated by specific tools.
The main benefits of aqua yoga
So let's summarize what are the main advantages of water yoga:
it does not load the weight on the joints because it allows you to make gentle movements;
facilitates the execution of Pranayama;
facilitates the prolonged maintenance of asanas;
slows the heartbeat;
fights cellulite;
perform difficult asanas with greater ease.
That's not all, though. A constant practice of pool yoga, in fact, also allows you to obtain benefits that persist in everyday life, such as:
fight anxiety, stress and insomnia;
reach your deepest self more easily;
acquire a better balance;
reduce joint and muscle blocks;
increase psycho-physical well-being.
Who can practice aqua yoga?
Virtually everyone. In fact, pool yoga has no contraindications. Even those who can't swim or are afraid of water can feel comfortable; most of the positions are performed standing in a pool that has a variable height between 1.10 meters and 1.40 meters. Furthermore, the absence of weight on the joints and the consequent ease of movement make the aqua yoga particularly suitable for pregnant women, for the elderly, for people who are overweight and for those who are facing a rehabilitation process and needs to practice some therapeutic yoga.