What Is Core Power Yoga

Core Power Yoga is a challenging program that combines strength, spirituality and sweat, power yoga recognizes three different power levels. First is physical, developing the body's strength and improving

health. Second is mental, improving concentration and the will through practice. Third is the power of the spirit, which lies behind the purely physical and mental.

Ashtanga is the Indian yoga that core power yoga was formed from in the west. The term, core power yoga, was given by Beryl Bender Birch, a teacher of Ashtanga yoga. Followers of Sri K. Pattabhi, a renowned Sanskirt scholar, brought the yoga to the west where it inspired western practitioners with it's style and philosophies.

The workout, experienced during this form of Yoga practice, is intense and utilizes the entire body. To hold the series of poses in this type of Yoga session, the practitioner has to use muscles in the arms, shoulders, back, legs, feet, and abdomen, which tone and strengthen these muscles. This workout also burns a lot of calories, so a practitioner can benefit by losing excess weight, while at the same time, build lean muscle tissue.

Due to the fact that an integral part of practicing any dynamic form of physical Yoga is stretching and breathing exercises, the practitioner increases overall flexibility. The joints, tendons, and muscles all become more flexible. This can be particularly beneficial to practitioners, who suffer from arthritic conditions, since the increased flexibility helps to alleviate the pain and stiffness associated with these conditions.

A Power Yoga practitioner also enjoys increased stamina. Following the series of poses, in this practice, means the practitioner is in constant motion from holding each of the challenging poses and quickly moving into the next pose. This is an energetic cardiovascular workout that strengthens the core muscles, as well. An added benefit, resulting from the workout experienced through Power Yoga, is improved blood circulation and heart health.

Another physical benefit of Power Yoga is the reduction of stress and tension. While the powerful workout, experienced through this style of Yoga, increases strength, flexibility, and stamina - in order to achieve these, the practitioner learns to release stress, and relax the body, in order to perfect each of the challenging poses.

Finally, a major physical benefit of Power Yoga is improving general health. With this form of Yoga, practitioners boost their immune systems and become more in tune with the body overall. Since the workout involves challenging moves, toxins are also eliminated from the body through sweat.