Image by lululemon athletica via Flickr

Yoga, becoming increasingly popular in the Western world, is derived from the Sanskrit word for uniting or controlling. The practice has taken on many forms throughout the centuries and is now commonplace everywhere, including in the United States, where it was alien even a decade ago. Yoga is an excellent way to balance body, soul, and mind and many have taken it up. Perhaps you are considering it and do not know where to start. This is a rough guide to some of the terms you will see describing classes and videos and which you should choose for what purpose.

Hatha

Hatha yoga is somewhat of an umbrella term used to describe many different practices. It means nothing in particular in the United States, but if you see this label on a class, expect it to be slow-paced and easy-going. It is probably an introductory course meant for beginners, though anybody can take benefit from it.

Vinyasa

Vinyasa is also an umbrella term for many different postures. These classes are usually a little more intense, based off of Sun Salutations as a warm-up (before moving onto more intense stretches toward the end), and have movement based off of breath. Expect to get into very deep lunges and be prepared for a workout.

Ashtanga

Ashtanga, commonly mutated into “Power Yoga” in the United States, is a very intense series of poses, always completed in the same order. Each movement moves along quickly to the next, making this a very strenuous yet relaxing class. I do not recommend trying Ashtanga until you are comfortable with the movements of Hatha and Vinyasa, and you are very flexible.

Iyengar

This style of yoga is dedicated to positioning and alignment. Expect to hold a stretch for a prolonged time and the use of props to aid in correct posture to avoid injury. This is based off the teachings of yogi B. K. S. Iyengar.

Kundalini

This style is the one often seen in movies in which there is chanting. A more spiritually-oriented practice, Kundalini yoga focuses on freeing energy from your lower half and allowing it to flow upward through rapid and repetitive movements, rather than holding a posture for a prolonged period of time. This is somewhat similar to Qigong.

Bikram

Bikram yoga is often called “hot yoga” because it is performed in a room at a temperature of approximately 100 degrees, to allow muscle relaxation and purification through sweating. Bikram yoga is often an awakening and unique experience meant for those in good shape who can handle physical activity at such a temperature.

There are many other types of yoga, but these are the most common practices. Choosing which one to follow requires a little thought. Always be sure to attend more than one class before making a choice on which one to attend permanently, as sometimes one coach is better or resonates more with you than another will.

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• Keeping a Diet During Holidays

See recipe featured below

Many people set goals at the beginning of a new year. In America, one of the most common goals is to lose weight. Many fail over the course of a year, with a renewed motivation towards the end of the year. But with Halloween being stuffed with candy, a gigantic turkey with stuffing being the norm at Thanksgiving, and cookies galore during the winter holidays (not to mention alcohol at New Year’s Eve), it can be easy yet troubling to get off-track of a diet during this period. This is a guide to avoiding the blues come Valentine’s Day by keeping off the weight you worked so hard to lose.

Avoid the standard food

For many holidays, fattening and unhealthy food is commonplace. Instead of candy on Halloween, try apples or another form of sweet fruit to fulfill cravings. Turn off your lights to keep trick-or-treaters from guilting you into making a mid-evening run to the grocery store. Nobody hands out all their candy; what’s stopping you from filling up on it later?

While nobody wants to avoid turkey on Thanksgiving, fortunately, you do not have to. Turkey is a healthy food, so long as it has not been fried and the skin has been removed. As an alternative to casserole, try sauteing fresh green beans in a little olive oil. Avoid the gravy and desserts, and you will do fine.

Donate to charity

If you cannot resist the urge to give out candy, try donating whatever you have left to a local school, food bank, or shelter for children to enjoy well after the holidays are over.

Bake at home

Bakery foods are often loaded with sugar to keep them extra sweet and extra addictive. Avoid baked good like the Plague, but if you must have cookies, try making oatmeal-apple-raisin cookies from the recipe below:

Oatmeal-Apple-Raisin Cookies

• 3/4 cup butter
• 1 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1 egg
• 1/4 cup milk
• Vanilla to taste
• 3 cups oats
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 cup apples
• 1 cup raisins

In a large bowl, cream butter until smooth. Beat in brown sugar, egg, milk, and vanilla. Continue to beat until well-combined. With a wooden spoon, stir in flour, cinnamon, baking soda, salt, and apples. Finally, add raisins and oats. Mix well.

Set on a greased cookie sheet in two-inch-diameter circles. Bake at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 13 – 15 minutes.

Use smaller plates

Small plates mean you will feel like you have eaten more without becoming absolutely full. Also consider downing a glass of water 15 to 30 minutes before eating, to feel fuller on less.

Do Not Stress Eat

By far the most stressful time of year, the winter is the perfect time to begin stress-eating. Avoid eating to make yourself better, instead taking up exercise or a hobby, or perhaps beginning early spring cleaning.

What are your tips for avoiding weight gain during the holidays?

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• The Types of Yoga

There is a difference between being humble and being harsh on oneself. I crossed the line and that is why I am writing this post. I want to dedicate it to all who have down-spoken their accomplishments for the sake of being polite – who have felt depressed because their own inner critics could acknowledge a good thing. Be kind to yourself.

Here is a simple exercise to try: write down something you love about yourself, something you have done well today, or something you accomplished that you had been putting off for a while. If you cannot come up with something immediately, think: have you been kind to somebody today? Made a funny joke? Did you finish a long-term project? Has your blog gotten a new commenter, or have you successfully tried to meditate? Did you learn something new?

If you still have nothing on paper, try looking at your to-do list. Cross something off. Now you can be pleased with yourself.

Today is Thursday. I want you to make Wednesday a weekly be kind to yourself exercise day. Look in the mirror and tell yourself why you have done a good job and what you love about yourself every week on Wednesdays.

You will be all the better for it.

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