Kripalu Yoga: Answers To Your Questions

Kripalu Yoga is another popular form of yoga that is a great choice for people who are looking for a complete yoga practice that is still easily integrated into their daily lives. Kripalu refers to consciousness or willfulness, and it implies that this form of yoga is focused on the concentration of both mind and body in the development of one’s practice of yoga. Like most other forms of yoga, this style is intended to bring balance into the yogi’s life and for there to be an attainment of spiritual development and growth. kripaluyoga

Hatha yoga postures are an important part of Kripalu yoga and this practice teaches the student to both use the mind and body to listen and respond to in order to achieve the maximum results.

This school was first developed in the United States at the Kripalu Center of Heath and Healing in the 1960’s; at a time when yoga was gaining popularity for the first time in that part of the world. It has since then grown to have quite a following and continues to be practiced widely today.

Has the sofa cushion started to mold into the shape of your bottom?

Do you hit the gym regularly only to find yourself bored and looking for a new challenge?

Has an injury sidelined your normal workout routine?

Perhaps, then, it’s time to explore Kripalu yoga. This form was developed by guru Amrit Desai, who moved from India to the United States in the early 1960s. It’s becoming an increasingly popular way to create an all-natural path to wellness.

Who can practice this yoga form?
Kripalu is one of the most popular forms of yoga, and it’s easy to see why. Its gentle movements and its emphasis on building a healthy lifestyle makes it easy to adapt it to nearly anyone’s life, whether you’re 17 or 70, already fit or not quite there yet. Kripalu yoga is also ideal for both beginner and advanced yoga students.

Because this style focuses on physical healing, it’s the perfect form of yoga if you’re a senior, have physical limitations, or are recovering from an illness. In addition, it’s an ideal way to transition into exercise if you have haven’t seen the inside of a gym since you graduated from school. If you’re nursing an injury or recovering from illness or surgery, Kripalu postures can be modified to help transition back into health and wellness. Some prenatal yoga programs have also been based on this gentle practice, allowing moms-to-be to stay healthy naturally during pregnancy.

What is the focus of Kripalu yoga?
Unlike a power yoga class that focuses on developing Madonna-worthy muscles, Kripalu yoga addresses the entire person: the body and the mind.

The Body
From diets that consist of fried or fast foods to forsaking exercise in favor of glowing computer screens, our lifestyle can be hard on the body. In addition, the natural aging process takes its toll as well. For example, once we reach our 30s the body starts to shed one to two percent of muscle mass every year. The result is that you’re less able to do everyday things, whether it’s walking to your son’s football practice field or twisting open a bottle of your favorite beverage.

Lack of exercise and age also wreak havoc on our body’s elasticity as well. As we become less flexible it becomes more difficult to reach into the back of the trunk for a bag of groceries or reach to trim the back of the hedgerow.

Kripalu yoga is an ideal way to beat back the ravages of lifestyle and time. In this form, postures flow continuously from one to the next. Although each pose is only held for a short time, the flow from one pose into another helps strengthen and tone muscles and increase flexibility. The result is a body that feels and looks younger than it is.

The Mind
That same lifestyle that leads to flabby bottoms and fleshy arms can soften the mind as well. Stress is a rampant and often chronic condition that can trigger a host of unpleasant conditions and ailments, from insomnia to high blood pressure. One study found that chronic stress actually ages the body’s cells by more than 15 years. That means if you care for a houseful of kids or handle a high-stress job—or both—you could be prematurely aging your body.

Kripalu yoga can help turn back the clock. This gentle practice places a heavy emphasis on proper breathing techniques. The practice, called pranayama, conditions students to take invigorating breaths that send oxygen deep into the lungs. The process has been clinically shown to reduce levels of the notorious stress hormone called cortisol. This trouble-maker triggers the body’s stress reactions, such as higher blood pressure, increased heart rate, and lowered immunity. Kripalu breathing helps the body decrease cortisol, reducing its health-destroying effects.

One of the best aspects of learning Kripalu breathing exercises is that they can be used anytime, anyplace. That means if you find yourself battling with a spouse over whose turn it is to unload the dishwasher it’s simple to take a few moments to breathe deeply to calm yourself. You can also break out the pranayama exercises before a high-stakes meeting or job interview. You’ll look and feel more serene.

A stronger body. A relaxed mind. If you want both, then it’s time to consider adding Kripalu yoga to your lifestyle. Find centers in your neighborhood or look for a professional-quality DVD or book to guide your practice. In fact, if you want or need to practice at home, the only other equipment you’ll need is a yoga mat, comfortable yoga clothes, and perhaps a few props, such as blocks or straps.

So what are you waiting for? Step onto the mat and find out how Kripalu yoga can change your life.