Ways to Energize With Yoga Techniques Before A Meeting

It's a full day at work and you are moving into another meeting. You feel spent and are pretty sure the others at the meeting will be as well. What could be used at the beginning of that meeting to increase creativity, create a space between the multiple demands of the work at your desk and the very focused task or project to be accomplished in the meeting? Something simple but effective, that the team could do together.

Let's design a practice that would increase energy through deep breaths synchronized with movement; release tension in the shoulders, neck and jaw; and generate energy through the hips, buttocks and big thigh muscles. Combine these with attention training for relaxation and focus. Here is short practice of 15 minutes.

Team Yoga Practice

1. Stand erect with feet close together and arms at sides; cross hands in front of the body. Breathing in slowly raise arms overhead keeping hands crossed, look up at the hand; then exhaling spread arms out to the sides at shoulder height and lower head. Encourage those who wish to make a sound on the exhale to do so. Repeat this exercise about 10 times.Then stand erect and still; feel the whole body.

2. Still standing erect and steady, find a spot on the wall in front of you just above the level of the head. Fix the eyes at this spot throughout the exercise. When you are ready interlace the fingers and inhaling raise the arms overhead palms turned upward. Exhaling lower hands on top of the head. Inhaling again raise the arms, feel the shoulders and chest lift upwards. You may raise the heels as well and stretch up. Hold the breath and the position for a few seconds then exhale and lower heels and arms. This is one round. Stand still keeping the eyes focused then repeat for about 10 rounds with the break between each round.

3. Stand with feet about 2 feet apart. Pick a spot directly in front for focus. Breathing in raise arms overhead. You may interlace the fingers, if you like. Exhaling lean towards the left side, pause a few seconds; then inhaling slowly return to standing erect. Repeat on the right side and return. Then exhaling lower arms. Rest for a few breaths. This is one round. Repeat about 10 rounds.

4. Perform mini squats with arms overhead palms together or perhaps holding on to chairs for support, if needed. Start with a small knee bend and increase according to ability. This can also be a partner pose. Clasp wrists with a willing partner.

Short breaks contribute to mind-body wellness. This before meeting practice will increase focus; making sounds will release tension faster and create lightness and fun.

Heather Greaves is an avid yoga student and the owner of Body Therapies Yoga Training. She organizes yoga and meditation retreats and workshops in Ontario and Barbados, and has been helping yoga enthusiasts learn to teach therapeutic yoga in a certified program. For more yoga tips or to sign up for our monthly newsletter visit http://www.yogatogo.com/

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Four Factors to Consider Before Your First Hot Yoga Experience

Bikram, or "hot yoga" is a style of yoga in which participants perform a yoga exercise routine in a heated room that can reach as high as 105 degrees Fahrenheit in temperature, in accordance with Bikram principles. This type of yoga works to relax sore muscles and joints, thus allowing participants to more easily perform some of the more difficult poses. Within this article, we'll look at four factors that you should consider before beginning your first Bikram yoga class.

1) Staying Hydrated is One of the Keys to Success

As the heat is often extremely intense, especially for beginners, in bikram yoga classes, it is essential to stay hydrated in order have an enjoyable and relaxing experience. It's not enough to simply bring one regular sized water bottle to class with you. This isn't the same as working out at the gym. You're going to need to bring a liter bottle of water with you to your first class to ensure that you stay hydrated throughout.

Another thought to consider is that you'll need to drink plenty of fluids both before and after your class to make up for fluid loss during the bikram yoga routines. The recommended water replenishment rate for those beginning an intense hot yoga routine is 1oz for every 2lbs of body weight each day. This should help you stay on track with your exercise goals.

2) Dress Light

Hot yoga specialists will recommend that you avoid wearing longer items of clothing during your hot yoga classes. Not only do these long clothing items impede flexibility and thus prevent you from carrying out poses properly, but they can also make you overheated and therefore prone to exhaustion. Try to wear form fitting, light clothing items in order to gain the most from your bikram yoga experience. Consider how you would dress if you were going to the beach. That should give you an idea as to classic bikram yoga attire.

3) Pack a Large Towel and a Change of Clothes

When you leave your hot yoga class, you'll have sweat soaked clothes that will be uncomfortable within the outside environment. It's important that as soon as you leave the heated arena that you change out of your hot yoga attire in order to prevent your body from cooling too quickly. You'll then be able to cool off in the shower after that long, revitalizing workout.

4) Arrive Early to Class

Many people who are in the process of learning about hot yoga don't know that most hot yoga studios actually close the doors to their heated rooms about ten minutes before the class begins in order to ensure that the environment is ideal for the workout experience. It's best to arrive at least 15 minutes before the instructor begins the class to ensure that you reserve a place in the heated studio.

Remember to Enjoy the Learning Curve!

Very few people immediately take to the idea of hot yoga. It can often take a class or two before you truly enjoy the experience. You'll sweat. You'll experience muscle pain. And you'll likely be thirsty for the majority of the time. But remember - it's the overall experience that ensures your body remains in great shape.

As one of the emerging exercise trends in the last few years, hot yoga is no longer a fad. It's an exercise experience that's here to stay. Begin your experience in the right way by following the previously outlined tips.

Ian is a writer, public speaker and coach.

He's the founder of Soulmate Science. A website to help people find their Soulmate. If you're looking for a little inspiration while you look for "The One" why not check out the ever expanding collection of Soulmate Quotes.

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