Yoga FAQ | Bodywrap FAQ
What is yoga?
What different types of yoga are there?
Is yoga a religion?
Have the benefits of yoga been proven?
Is yoga aerobic?
What is the difference between just stretching and yoga?
How many times a week should I do yoga?
Will yoga help me lose weight?
Can Yoga help cure migraines?
What is Yoga?
Developed in India, Yoga is a psycho-physical discipline with roots going back about 5,000 years. Today, most Yoga practices in the West focuses on the physical postures called "asanas," breathing exercises called "pranayama," and meditation. However, there's more to it than that, and the deeper you go the richer and more diverse the tradition becomes. The word "Yoga" means union. Linguistically, it is related to the Old English "yoke." Traditionally, the goal of Yoga is union with the Absolute, known as Brahman, or with Atman, the true self. These days the focus is often on the more down-to-earth benefits of Yoga, including improved physical fitness, mental clarity, greater self-understanding, stress control and general well-being. Spirituality, however, is a strong underlying theme to most practices. The beauty of Yoga is in its versatility, allowing practitioners to focus on the physical, psychological or spiritual, or a combination of all three.
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How many types of Yoga are there?
Many. There are four paths of Yoga: 1)Jnana, the path of knowledge or wisdom; 2)Bhakti, the path of devotion; 3) Karma, the path of action; and 4) Raja, the path of self control. Hatha Yoga, which includes postures and breathing, and is the form most popular in the West, is actually part of Raja Yoga, the path of self control. The path most followed in India is thought to be Bhakti Yoga, the path of devotion. Within Hatha Yoga there are many styles, such as Iyengar, Astanga, Integral, Kripalu and Jiva Mukti, to name a few. These Yogas all share a common lineage back to Patanjali's Yoga Sutras, a text outlining the basic philosophy and practices of Classical Yoga. It was written sometime between the second century B.C. and the first century A.D. For more about the different styles of Hatha Yoga, see the Yoga Site's
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Is Yoga a religion?
No and...maybe. It depends on how you define "religion" and how the Yoga practitioner approaches his or her practice. The physical and psychological benefits of Yoga are real and don't discriminate on the basis of race, religion, gender, political persuasion or any other way people like (or dislike) to categorize themselves. The benefits also don't depend on chanting Om. On the spiritual side, most mystical traditions -- East or West -- draw similar maps of the spiritual path. So in that respect, Yoga is mainstream. Like Shakespeare said, "A rose by any name would smell as sweet." For these reasons, many people feel they can practice Yoga without conflict with their religious beliefs. However, Yoga is connected to the Hindu tradition and draws on many Hindu beliefs -- karma, dharma, reincarnation, Atman, etc.
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Has it been proven that Yoga is good for you?
Yes. Western science has been studying Yoga for nearly 50 years, and the evidence shows numerous physical and psychological benefits from Yoga. Interestingly, there seems to be something about Yoga -- vs. exercise and controlled breathing -- that is beneficial. For example, a recent study with heart patients showed that those who followed a stress reduction program that included many Yoga practices did better than patients who exercised or did nothing. Further, preliminary studies in the United States and India suggest that Yoga maybe helpful for specific conditions, such as asthma, epilepsy, anxiety, stress and others.
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Is Yoga aerobic exercise?
Yes and...maybe. Aerobic exercise is simply exercise that improves oxygenation of the blood through an increased heart rate and deeper breathing. Yoga can do that, especially those styles such as Astanga and ViniYoga that have a strong focus on the flow of one posture to another.
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What's the difference between Yoga and just plain stretching and normal exercise?
Traditional exercise is goal oriented: How many push ups can I do? Can I touch my toes? I'm going to do 10 more crunches today than I did yesterday. Yoga, by contrast, is a process. The idea is to focus your awareness on what you are doing and how you feel as you perform the postures. In exercise, you fail if you miss your goal. In Yoga, you succeed by trying. There's also a difference on the physical level. Weight training, for example, makes you stronger by breaking down and rebuilding muscle tissue. It's this breaking down and rebuilding that results in the bulky muscle look. Yoga increases strength by toning the muscles.
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How many times a week should I do Yoga and for how long?
If you can do that everyday -- great. If not, try and do that much a few days a week. Any Yoga is better than no Yoga, and 20 to 30 minutes a day is better than 90 minutes once a week.
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Will Yoga help me lose weight and which style is best?
Yoga can make you look and feel better, regardless of your weight. That said, Yoga can help you slim down in a couple of ways. First, the exercises will help you burn calories. In addition, they'll help tone your muscles and improve of your posture. Yoga is also about healthy living, which includes a healthy diet. That doesn't mean you have to become a vegetarian, just that you should be conscious of the foods you eat, sticking with natural, fresh fruits and vegetables, grains, etc. as much as possible while limiting your intake of junk food and foods high in fat, like red meat. Any of the basic hatha styles will help. The important thing is to practice daily (or at least 4-5 days a week). If possible, try and find a teacher. Books, videos and website can be a great help, but nothing beats a live instructor.
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Can Yoga control high blood pressure?
Sometimes. Studies have shown that certain Yoga practices can help some patients control their high blood pressure. In general, Yoga promotes health, a sense of calm and relaxation. In addition, it teaches you to be aware of your body and to listen to the signals it sends -- all of which can be very useful. Specific techniques that may be helpful controlling high blood pressure include diaphragmatic or belly breathing, which has been shown to reduce stress and induce relaxation, and a pranayama (controlled breathing) technique called Nadi Shodhana, or alternate nostril breathing, which also helps reduce stress and induce relaxation. Moreover, there have been a number of studies that show meditation can be a great help in controlling high blood pressure. Certain Yoga postures should be avoided, however, if you have high blood pressure, including the shoulderstand, headstand and downward dog. There are also a number of postures that you should approach with caution and not hold for extended periods of time (more than a few breaths). These include Warrior I and II, Mountain, Triangle, Half Moon, Tree, Standing Squat and Symbol of Yoga.
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Can Yoga help cure migraines
Migraines are caused by the sudden constriction and then dilation of blood vessels to the brain. No one knows what causes the blood vessels to behave this way. It could be genetics, stress or a something else entirely. Regular practice of Yoga, including postures, pranayama (breath exercises) and meditation can help relieve some of the suffering and make the condition more manageable. Postures will help improve blood circulation and also relieve physical tension and stress, which may be a contributing factor to migraines.
The Body Wrap" FAQ
What is a bodyWrap?
Why does it work?
What is in The Body Wrap" Solution?
The Body Wrap" a heat or sauna type treatment?
How long does it take to get a body wrap?
Who will The Body Wrap" help?
What do I wear while I am wrapped?
What is meant by "total inch loss"?
How many wraps will I need?
What do I need to know?
What will The Body Wrap" do for my skin?
What will The Body Wrap" do for cellulite?
What is Body Sculpturing?
I have large hips, & thighs. The rest of my body is okay. Can you help me?
I am a water retainer...what will The Body Wrap" do for me?
What about problem spots?
Will I be in a state of fatigue or feel tired or depressed after my wrap?
Q. What is a bodyWrap?
A. The Body Wrap" is a method for helping to visually slenderize and contour your body shape and visibly tighten your skin in only 60 minutes. It involves wrapping the body in porous elastic bandages soaked in a special mineral solution. The Body Wrap" is applied firmly to areas needing inch loss and contouring and lightly where only skin tightening is desired. It is very healthful and relaxing.
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Q. Why does it work?
A. Waste, chemicals, stress, medication and pollution in our environment overload body systems and cause water retention and soft spongy cellulite-ridden tissue. Our minerals and proven wrapping techniques compact and firm the body quickly.
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Q. What is in The Body Wrap" Solution?
A. Although the solution formula is secret we can tell you that it is composed entirely of food grade inorganic minerals and distilled water, all of which may be taken internally.
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Q. Is The Body Wrap" a heat or sauna type treatment?
A. NO. Although the wraps are applied warm, your body will feel cool. For your comfort, a poncho is put on you to help you retain your own body heat.
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Q. How long does it take to get a body wrap?
A. Allow a total of 2 to 2 1/2 hours for your first wrap. You are in your wrap for only 60 minutes; the extra time is for measuring, weighing, bra fitting, wrapping, unwrapping and re-measuring. Subsequent wraps take less than 2 hours as you don't need to repeat certain preparatory steps.
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Q. Who will The Body Wrap" help?
A. Anyone who wants to tone and tighten their skin. People with overly dry or rough skin. People with loose skin due to weight changes or from pregnancy. Men and women who want to look terrific fast! Anyone who wants to look and feel younger.
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Q. What do I wear while I am wrapped?
A. Women are wrapped in a bra and panties (no girdles, please, as they make accurate measurements impossible). Bring a change of underwear because what you are wrapped in will be wet. Men are wrapped in swim trunks they bring with them.
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Q. What is meant by "total inch loss"?
A. Before we wrap you, measurements are taken of various parts of the body (hips, calves, waist, midriff, abdomen, upper arms, etc.) and recorded on your own personal record chart with notes as to where you want to lose inches or contour. After the wrap you are re-measured and the difference of your measurements are added to determine "total inch loss."
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Q. How many wraps will I need?
A. That depends on several things: The results you seek, the amount of loose skin you have, how active you are in your wrap, (it's advised you do mild aerobic motions while you are wrapped) your commitment to any necessary weight loss program, etc. To maximize your results you need to get in once or twice a week until your skin looks tighter, you are satisfied you look great in and out of your clothes, then it just takes a few times a year for maintenance. We wrap 2, 3 or 4 times a day if time is a factor; i.e., weddings, reunions, photo shoots, etc.
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Q. What do I need to know?
A. Common sense says that if you have medical problems you should always obtain your doctor's permission before you try anything new or different. The Body Wrap" is no exception.
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Q. What will The Body Wrap" do for my skin?
A. Our Patrons report that their skin appears smoother and tighter after wrapping. In fact, we have many Patrons who do not need to lose inches but need skin tightening because of weight loss or aging. Others are wrapped to tighten skin that has loosened over the years.
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Q. What will The Body Wrap" do for cellulite?
A. As you probably know, cellulite is water-logged fatty tissue. One of the first things women with this problem report is a visible improvement in the cellulite dimples and ripples within the first few wraps. Results, however, can be seen from the very first wrap.
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Q. What is Body Sculpturing?
A. Body Sculpturing is the art of wrapping and shaping in the same process. When we wrap you, we not only improve overall size but contour as well. We have found that the body functions better in an aesthetically perfect shape.
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Q. I have large hips, & thighs. The rest of my body is okay. Can you help me?
A. YES. We can do a great deal for those problems because the body wrap helps to bring the body into correct proportion. Many women with heavy hips, thighs and legs (and men with heavy midsections) are water retainers. The wrap itself may assist with this problem but we can also provide you with good, general, non-medical things to do at home on a day to day basis. We help you understand the causes of water retention so YOU can control it.
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Q. I am a water retainer...what will The Body Wrap" do for me?
A. Water retainers usually have disproportionately large hips, thighs and/or legs, etc. They also have a problem with bloating and swelling. Studies show strenuous dieting seldom helps. The Body Wrap" tends to slenderize these problem areas. It is important to be wrapped once or twice a week regularly during weight loss so that you can keep your skin tight. The Body Wrap" helps reduce swelling and bloating and is vital in a program to control water retention.
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Q. What about problem spots?
A. Many Patrons with basically good bodies have problems in only a few areas. In such cases we wrap the problem spots firmly to make these areas slimmer and the rest of the body lightly to tighten skin and improve shape only. If we are only wrapping for loss in a few spots, we do not guarantee a 6 inch loss, * but we will take as much as possible off those spots.
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Q. Will I be in a state of fatigue or feel tired or depressed after my wrap?
A. NO. On the contrary, you feel VERY good after a wrap. Most Patrons tell us it leaves them feeling relaxed, energized, clean and very tight.
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Q. How much weight will I lose?
A. The Body Wrap" was designed to take off inches rather than pounds. If you lose any weight it's a bonus.
