Yoga techniques for beginners in English & Spanish: A complete practice for health, relaxation and

Feb. 25, 2010 - PRLog -- Although yoga has been practiced continuously for 5000 years, its popularity in the West is relatively recent. After first becoming popular in the 60s and 70s, Yoga has returned with greater force in the
last two decades. Its popularity has grown in part due to the large number of celebrities who practice yoga regularly including artists such as Madonna, Sting and Ricky Martin, as well as a number of professional athletes. However, the recent popularity of yoga is not just a result of the famous names that have taken up this ancient practice. Each day, new scientific studies confirm the many benefits that yoga offers to its practitioners. And even though most people associate yoga with “asanas”, or exercises that synchronize breathing and movement, the asanas are just one of many techniques that make up this discipline. To enjoy the physical, psychological, and spiritual benefits of yoga, it is essential to practice a variety of its techniques.

Our contemporary lifestyles are associated with tension, stress and anxiety. In addition, sedentary lifestyles also increase the likelihood of diseases such as diabetes, cancer and cardiovascular problems. Thus, millions of people today are seeking ways to improve both their physical and mental health. "Yoga is focused on balancing and integrating the different aspects of being: physical, mental, emotional and spiritual" explains Rubén Vásquez, who has practiced yoga daily since 1996.

In his DVD "Yoga Here + Now / Yoga Aqui + Ahora" (produced by international marketing and media company, Ziel), Rubén Vásquez offers an introduction to yoga in clear and simple terms for beginners to yoga. This yoga DVD is unique in that it offers two soundtracks, one in English and the other in Spanish. In spite of growing interest in Yoga among Spanish-speakers, the selection of instructional Yoga videos in Spanish remains rather limited.  For this reason, Vásquez, who often gets questions on Yoga in Spanish through his bilingual Yoga blog, developed scripts in both Spanish and English to fill this gap. This bilingual video provides a complete and balanced practice that integrates movement, breathing, relaxation and meditation, all of which are appropriate for complete beginners.

Because of the importance of breathing in yoga, one section of the video is devoted to a concise and easy-to-follow set of instructions that explain the proper ways to breathe when practicing. Scientific studies have determined that breathing better results in numerous health benefits, including muscle relaxation, lower blood pressure, pain relief, stress reduction and mental clarity. "For years I have found that for a large majority of beginners, breathing with ease and without obstructions is often a challenge."  For this reason, Vásquez emphasizes the importance of smooth, deep, and effortless breathing in his video.

Yoga, in addition to exercising the body, aims to create balance through relaxation, thus facilitating restoration and repair processes in the mind as well.  Through yoga, the mind, which is active most of the time, is able to reap the benefits resulting from conscious rest. Ancient yogis for centuries have cultivated breathing and meditation techniques so that the mind can find clarity through stillness. "While some yoga practices have been esoteric, it is possible to learn simple yoga techniques to be balanced, relaxed and energized. In my experience, most people come to yoga seeking inner peace and relaxation rather than wanting to perform complex and sophisticated postures," Vásquez says, adding that "In yoga we are trying to integrate body, mind, and breath, in order to be more present in our ‘here-and-now’ experiences. It is difficult to ignore the wise lessons of a discipline that has been around for more than 5000 years."

"Yoga Here + Now" with Ruben Vásquez conveys with clarity and simplicity many powerful techniques that have been handed down through the millennia, yet are just as applicable in modern life. The soothing music featured in the DVD, composed specifically for each practice, integrates with the simplicity of the images onscreen. The DVD offers 8 sessions, from gentle to more active practices, and varying in time from 15 minutes to 1 hour. Each session includes physical postures, relaxation, breathing and meditation.  The DVD is appropriate both for those who want to learn to practice yoga, and also for yoga practitioners who want to move deeper into the techniques of traditional yoga.

The DVD "Yoga Here + Now" with Ruben Vásquez costs $20.00 costs and is
available in www.yoga-here-now.com