Counting vs. Timing for Flexibility When
you're trying to
improve your stretching flexibility, you need to keep track of how long
you
hold each pose. Here's how you do it: OPTION 1: Count your breaths. When you're first getting started, this works great. Pick a number like 20, 30, or 40 and count each inhale/exhale combo as "1". This is more accurate than you think (approx. 15-20 breaths = 1 minute). The problem is when you start holding poses really long (it happens quickly), you lose count. And when you lose count, you inevitably start to slack off (body's natural tendency) and stop making progress. Not good. OPTION 2: Time your poses. For really serious students, this becomes the better choice very quickly. For anything over 60 breaths, hardly anyone can keep their mind fully focused that long on the count, plus it's much nicer NOT to focus and instead just let your mind wander, day dream, or listen to some nice music while you go deep. Stay bendy, Lucas
P.S. Just
to be clear, these recommendations are for self-practice, outside a
yoga class,
specifically for flexibility. If you start timing your poses in a group
class,
your teacher might get mad at ya;) Note: The good folks at the FTC require me to disclose that I am an affiliate of the companies that manufacture and market the anti aging products you will find on this website, and that these companies will compensate me if you buy any of these products. - Dave Tishendorf |
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