Yoga: Your new fitness regime

Yoga has been around for a long time! From Indian origins, it has been practiced for thousands of years. Yoga has immense fitness benefits and also help release stress. Try out these simple yoga techniques which have been developed by personal trainer Sherry Nassif especially for beginners .

Yoga was once considered to be a ‘weird' hippy exercise or something only practised by middle-aged women. But in recent years it has undergone a revival in the fitness world. Now, thanks to celebrities like Madonna, Yoga is chic, hip and an essential part of a balanced programme. Yoga consists of various postures, called asanas in Sanskrit.

Tips

• Yoga is non-competitive. Work at your own pace and do what feels right for you.
• Hold each posture as long as you feel comfortable.
• Enter and exit the postures slowly and carefully.
• Be patient with yourself.

Always begin each session with the Sun Salute, this warms and centres your body. Perform at lest four times alternating the lead leg.  This is posted to garden of light.

1.Start with the feet together, standing tall.

2.Inhale and stretch the arms up.

3.Exhale and bend forward from the waist.

Breathing

This is the essential part of Yoga practice. Try to breathe fully and deeply, inhaling and exhaling through your nose. As a general guide, inhale into the postures, when raising the arms or body, and when coming out of the posture. Exhale as you try to develop the pose and when moving downward.

4.Bending your knees as much as you need to, put your chest on your knees. Let your head drop down and hold behind your calves.

What to wear

Something loose, warm and comfortable, preferably made of natural fibres. Layer your clothes so you can stay warm throughout the workout.

5.Inhale and place your hands on the floor. Take a big step back with your right leg. Raise your hands and look up.

When to practise

For best results try to practise everyday. Even 20 minutes a day will reap huge benefits. Set aside a time where you won't be disturbed, put on some soothing music and savour the time for yourself.

6.Return your hands to the floor, moving the left leg back.

7.Lower slowly to the floor in a straight line as you exhale.

8.Inhale, put your hands under the shoulders and bend your back, keeping the shoulders down and the elbows tucked in. Keep your head and eyes up.

9.Lower down again and push your hips up to the downward facing dog position. Press the heels towards the floor

10.Step the right leg forward with the arms up as exercise number 5 .