How Yoga Works.
Yoga helps you to create symmetry in the body.
Yoga works by extension and compression of the body...
When you stretch one side of the body you compress the other side so extension and compression are happening in every posture.
When you stretch a part of the body you stretch not only the muscle, tendons and ligaments but also the veins and arteries. You put stress on the bone which makes it stronger. Stretching causes the blood to build up in the veins and arteries surrounding an organ, muscle, gland, etc.
The heart then pumps harder to push the blood through these constrictions. Thus there is a back up of blood. After 20 seconds the blood volume and pressure has reached it's maximum-then the release of the rush of blood creates cleansing and revitalization of the organs, glands, etc. At the same time the arteries and veins are being flushed.
Compression works by squeezing the blood out of the area being compressed for specific time releasing toxic material into the blood to be released out of the body through sweat or breath.
Then the release of posture forces blood back into the area flushing it with fresh oxygenated blood.
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Pranayama Breathing Prana means life force in sanscrit.
Pranayama breathing is meant to distribute fresh O2 throughout all the systems in the body and release CO2 and other toxic gasses
through the exhale to balance to blood gasses. Pranayama breathing expands the size of the lungs and rib cage making them more useful.
Pranayama breathing helps to calm the nervous system and gives you energy.
Pranayama breathing exercise opens the shoulders, spine, rib cage heart and lungs and diaphragm.
(The surface area of the lungs is equal to the size of the yoga room.)
No forced breathing in BIkram Yoga.
Only breathing through the nose with the mouth closed except in the 2 breathing exercises we do at the beginning and end of the practice.
Breathing is the only system in the body that you can control or let work on it's own.
Therefore breathing is the yogic connection of the mind and body.
Breathing keeps you here/now.
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