Hot House Yoga - Deep Breathing and a Deeper Focus

Hot house yoga can be a great way to get rid of stress and tension. It is not as tough as you may think. In fact, the house will be warm enough that you will not get chilled to the bone during the session.

While this technique is quite simple, it does require some practice to perfect. First you will need to choose a place that is warm enough for you. If it is too hot, you will want to lay down with your legs crossed and your upper body elevated, resting on a folded towel.

When you begin to do the pose, make sure that you use a block between your legs and on your free hand. You will want to let the towel rest on your buttocks. Your arms should be crossed above your head, or between your feet.

Step forward, placing your hands lightly on the ground in front of you. Place your left foot slightly in front of your right one, moving your right foot out as you turn your torso from side to side. As you step forward, you should also take care to move your shoulder blades up. This is a very basic pose, but it is important to keep in mind that this will be a process in which you will need to practice in order to get it right.

Your hips should be facing away from you. To deepen the pose, bring your left knee into the left side of your chest, pressing your shoulders down toward the floor. As you lift your right knee, gently bring your left knee up onto your left hip. This should make a space in your lower back.

Press your hands against the floor behind you. These are the hands you will be working with as you perform the pose. You can hold this pose for as long as you wish, however it is a good idea to hold it for as short of a time as possible. The reason for this is because the muscles in your back and legs will tend to tighten up if you hold it for too long. Eventually, this will cause you to lose the support that you are trying to achieve in the pose.

While your chest is in the air, your hands should be pressed to the floor. Slowly, bring your hips back to the starting position, using only your shoulders. Do not allow yourself to lift your leg or try to "work" your back muscles by pulling your hip to the right side. By doing this, you will not be creating any resistance. However, by holding the pose for longer periods of time, you will be able to create the resistance.

Always remember to breathe through your nose and to move from the center of your body, rather than your belly. You will want to focus on drawing your arms back and stretching your spine, rather than attempting to move your body in any way. If you are able to reach this point, you will be rewarded with an experience that you will remember for the rest of your life.