Yoga & Yoga Fitness Balls

by Heather Long | More from this Blogger

19 Oct 2006 08:30 PM

More and more, people are making yoga a part of their exercise routine and you should too. The secrets to yoga are being discovered as more people practice what is considered one of the more ancient forms of exercise. A yoga ball - or stability ball - is a great part of the yoga exercise routine and it helps to make your routine interesting and fun.

The right equipment can produce great results and using a stability ball can really provide new ways to improve your routine, enhance your movements and focus your health and fitness. When you use a stability or yoga ball you will:

• improve your flexibility
• loosen your joints
• strengthen your core and abdominal muscles
• stretch and relax your back
• relieve tension and stress throughout your body

If you need help picking out what size ball you need here is a little guide for stability ball selection:

• If you are 5'5 or shorter, pick a small ball
• If you are between 5'6 and 5'11, then select a medium ball
• If you are over 6 feet but under 6'3, you want a large ball
• If you are over 6'3, you may need to special order an extra large sized ball

Plenty of gyms and fitness classes are using stability balls for their exercise routines. One of the best and easiest forms of exercise to use your stability ball is just to sit on it. They even make desk chairs that utilize a stability ball for sitting on. Sitting requires that you use your body for balance and you use your core to hold you steady.

So whether you use the exercise ball for anything else - sitting on it for several minutes a day can actually promote your fitness - not a bad way to workout, eh?

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Learn more about Heather Long

Heather Long is 35 years old and currently lives in Wylie, Texas. She has been a freelance writer for six years. Her husband and she met while working together at America Online over ten years ago.

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