Ball yoga requires practitioners to use strength combined with ingenuity and flexibility
In the gym, each student sits on a rug and warm up for 30 minutes under the guidance of a yoga instructor. Soothing music and tranquility enough to feel each breath get students seemingly forgetting the busy daily life, focusing mind on the exercise and on the muscles of the body.
After the initial "static" warm-up exercises, students get more exercise with ball yoga, which is a combination of many different yoga poses that make them feel relaxed. These are both easy and difficult exercises, requiring the practitioner to use a lot of strength combined with ingenuity and flexibility.
When practicing on a round ball, the body must use its own strength to balance on the ball. Students need to concentrate hard and put the right force to prevent the ball from rolling or moving. Exercises with yoga balls increase muscle tone, strengthen connective tissues to support bone and joint strength. At the same time, with the help of the ball, students can perform precise movements with less muscle tension.
Loved thanks to liveliness and refreshment
With a striking ball, Ms. Thu Lan (residing in An Dong Ward, Hue City) is flexible and active with yoga movements. She said that this is her favorite yoga because it is lively, energetic and refreshing.
When practicing ball yoga, students have to wear comfortable clothing, usually specialized one. Space of practice has to be cool and clean. In addition, students should not be too full or too hungry before practice, and anyone can practice.
The yoga ball is an effective tool for movements that require strength, flexibility and challenge the yoga practitioner's balance in some poses. These exercises are only favorable for and very supportive of health when students choose a yoga ball of the right size, suitable for the body. Accordingly, the ideal ball size is that the top of the ball is level with the practitioner's knee.
For office workers or students whose job and study characteristics are to sit more and exercise less, practicing ball yoga will help reduce back pain, neck pain and relieve stress.
Ms. Nguyen Thi Quyen, (residing in Phu Hoi Ward, Hue City) having practiced ball yoga for over 1 year, expressed, “I previously had a pain in shoulder and neck, after practicing ball yoga, my health condition has improved greatly. Besides, I also sleep better and feel more energetic inside the body.
Many people choose to practice ball yoga because it not only has a healing effect, but it also helps beautify and train patience. Indeed, yoga exercises help free the spirit from negative emotions and bring optimism. Like most other sports, ball yoga needs concentration, perseverance to promote effectiveness.
The exercises help ease the bone and joint problems
According to yoga instructors, ball yoga has exercises to help ease bone and joint problems such as back pain, shoulder and neck pain. It also increases muscle strength, helps to control poses and perform yoga movements more accurately. Concurrently, it helps students have flexible body, less muscle tension, and easily perform exercises.
The initial practice of ball yoga can be difficult because students cannot maintain a good balance; however, the step-by-step practice will help students easily perform and achieve high efficiency.
The best time to practice yoga ball is in the morning when there is fresh air. However, depending on the personal schedule of activity, work and study, students can also choose the suitable time of practice
Ms. Ho Thi Nhu Mai, Head and yoga instructor at the New Vitality Yoga Club, said that in order to be able to practice some simple ball yoga movements on their own at home, students take about 1 - 1, 5 months to learn. However, it is best for students to go to yoga centers for practice, where the practice will be more methodical, the exercises are plentiful, and the instructors’ supervision and adjustment enable the correct practice poses and avoid deviations causing traumas.
Story and photos: Phuoc Ly