Increase Your Flexibility - Practice Yoga On the Go

As we age, maintaining flexibility is one of the most important things we can do to keep fit and active. Strong bones and lean, flexible, muscles can do more to prevent injury than just about anything else. Always make sure to stretch well before any workout and devote extra effort to increase flexibility and muscle tone.

As an ancient art that seeks to promote balance, energy, vitality, harmony, and well-being through its flexibility-increasing poses, yoga is the ideal stretching exercise. Poses are choreographed into a series of slow, methodical movements that stretch and tone all the muscle groups in the body.

Yoga mats are often used by those who practice. Mats are made of spongy, durable materials that give yoga practitioners added support, cushion, and stability. Unfortunately, yoga mats are also large and cumbersome. YogaPaws Yoga Gloves and Socks provide the perfect compromise. They provide the same stability and cushion mats do while taking up far less space. YogaPaws are much more portable, allowing users to stretch and tone in their hotel rooms, at the beach, or in the office.

While practicing yoga or any stretches, it is important to listen to your body. Your movements should be slow and not forced. While stretching in yoga poses, you should feel a pull, but do not go too far. Stop if you feel pain. Yoga is low impact and while it should be strenuous, it should not be painful. Make sure to use correct form in every pose to avoid unnecessary injury. YogaPaws do promote a safe workout environment, but good technique and common sense are equally important.

Here are three poses to practice while traveling to help maintain flexibility:

	Supta Baddha Konasana (Reclined Bound Angle Pose) Benefits: When you're looking for a pose with relaxing and restorative powers in combination with a great hip opener and inner leg stretch, this is the one! How it's done: Begin this pose lying on your back with your knees bent, heels close to your sits bones, and feet together. On inhale, as you let your knees slowly fold outwards, keep the soles of your feet together.   You may use blocks under your knees as support. Place hands where most comfortable and relaxed.
	Urdhva Prasarita Eka Padasana (Standing Splits Pose) Benefits: This is the splits on one leg - stretching your hamstrings, thighs, and calves while enhancing your core and balance.   How it's done: Stand with your feet together, toes forward Point the hips forward As your torso bends forward at the hip, raise your right leg behind you Keep the right leg straight with toes pointed Rotate your thighs together, to keep the hips neutral The left knee should be soft and pointed forward Grasp your ankle or calf with your hands
	Virabhadrasana II (Warrior II Pose) Benefits: As you go into this pose, you can physically feel your confidence grow and your inner-warrior shine through.  This position strengthens your legs and arms and helps you develop your core balance and concentration.  How it's done: Begin in Mountain Pose at the front of your mat Take a big step backward with your right leg, and bend left knee so you are in a lunge position, aligning knee over the left ankle Align your heels and then turn your right heel out 90 degrees  Your hips should be facing out to the right Your arms are lifted in line with your legs Your fingertips are stretching as far as possible Shoulders are relaxed Gaze is over your forward fingertips

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