Yoga immersed in water, letting yourself be pampered by our main natural element. Underwater yoga, or better known as Woga, is something that goes far beyond pure meditation. With Woga, the millenary Indian holistic discipline moves practically into the water and is slowly arousing more and more interest. But what exactly is Woga? And what are its benefits?
The Woga® was born about ten years ago in California, thanks to the therapist Harold Dull who thought it best to take advantage of the absence of gravity to train both mind and body effectively and at the same time. The movements in the water seem more difficult, but during the Woga exercises the mind, more relaxed and concentrated, is able to command the muscles with better results even in the phase of buoyancy.
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What is Woga
The term "Woga" is none other than theunion of the words "Water" and "Yoga". And if "yoga" literally means "to join", with water the body and mind find their balance in a different dimension.
It is true that underwater Yoga is not for everyone, since to practice it in its original practice you need a minimum of experience not only with yoga but also with diving, even if there are many centers that manage to combine the two with a series of specific exercises and with the least possible effort.
As with traditional yoga, Woga encompasses a series of exercises control of breathing and posture and different positions to perform, both standing and sitting or floating in the water. In addition to the benefits of traditional yoga, the more dynamic Woga has different benefits thanks to the action of water, which completely stimulates the muscles.
Furthermore, if it is practiced properly, Woga is also a form of meditation, thanks to the water slows the heartbeat, muffles the sounds, increases the feeling of relaxation all to the benefit of psychophysical balance.
Types of Woga
There are four types of Woga practice:
- physical exercises of a static or moderately dynamic nature (asana), which strengthen the whole body by increasing strength and elasticity of the entire muscular system
- breathing exercises (pranayama) to develop awareness and control of the breath
- concentration / focus and relaxation exercises to reduce stress
- water eutony exercises, ie the refinement of the basic muscle tone of each muscle
The benefits
Relax your mind, burn calories, make peace with yourself. Since Woga is practiced in water, at a recommended temperature of 33 ° -35 °, and since the water element is a container of very useful energies, the same asanas of yoga, even the most complicated ones, will end up being done with a lot more ease and naturalness.
Staying immersed allows you to move by slowing down your movements and focus more on your breathing. Usually the positions are performed almost always with the feet resting on the bottom of the pool or natural thermal tub, but also in floating or immersion.
In addition, the heat and the massage of the water allow you to:
- eliminate any kind of tension
- stave off the problems of insomnia
- fight anxiety and stress
- relax the spine thanks to an almost zero load
- become more aware of your breathing
- possibility of maintaining the asanas for longer
On yoga you can also read:
- Underwater yoga, a truly magical practice (photo)
- Yoga and meditation in nature: all the benefits of practicing surrounded by greenery
Woga experts divide the practice of aquayoga into four main stages:
- stretching in water: with the consequent muscle lengthening and revitalization of the organism through the stretching of the energy meridians that flow on the surface of the muscles
- respite: the excursion of the respiratory act is increased and one learns to better manage respiratory flows and apneas
- "focuses ", ie the views and exercises of concentration which lighten the work of the mind and relax
- work of muscle harmonization which loosens joints and muscles based also on breathing. But not only that, Woga movements and postures allow you to correct muscle imbalances and improve the dosage of strength in the use of muscles.
At this link you will find all the information on the upcoming Woga 2017 courses.
