U.S. patent application number 11/338213 was filed with the patent office on 2007-07-26 for yoga belt and method of use.
Invention is credited to Helena Axelrod.
Application Number | 20070173382 11/338213 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38286263 |
Filed Date | 2007-07-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070173382 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Axelrod; Helena |
July 26, 2007 |
Yoga belt and method of use
Abstract
A yoga belt to assist in Dhanurasana (Bow Pose) prevents lumbar
and sacroiliac problems arising from the exercise or asana. The
belt includes a first portion, a second portion, a third portion, a
first loop positioned between the first portion and the second
portion, and a second loop positioned between the second portion
and the third portion. The user picks up the belt and places one
loop over one foot and the other loop over the other foot. Each
belt strap should be pulled through the inside part of the foot to
maintain the integrity of the thighs and feet in an effort to
remain hip width apart. The user then faces forward with the elbows
under each shoulder and is ready to begin.
Inventors: |
Axelrod; Helena;
(Jamesville, NY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
PASTEL LAW FIRM;CHRISTOPHER R. PASTEL
8 PERRY LANE
ITHACA
NY
14850-9267
US
|
Family ID: |
38286263 |
Appl. No.: |
11/338213 |
Filed: |
January 24, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
482/91 ; 482/148;
482/23 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 2023/006 20130101;
A63B 21/0023 20130101; A63B 21/0004 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
482/91 ; 482/148;
482/23 |
International
Class: |
A63B 26/00 20060101
A63B026/00; A63B 21/002 20060101 A63B021/002 |
Claims
1. A yoga belt, comprising: a first portion; a second portion; a
third portion; a first loop positioned between the first portion
and the second portion; and a second loop positioned between the
second portion and the third portion.
2. A yoga belt according to claim 1, wherein the yoga belt consists
of the first portion, the second portion, and the third portion,
with the first loop positioned between the first portion and the
second portion and the second loop positioned between the second
portion and the third portion.
3. A yoga belt according to claim 2, wherein the first and third
portions are of equal length and the first and second loops are
equal in length.
4. A yoga belt according to claim 3, wherein the first and third
portions are forty-two inches in length, and the second portion is
one of ten, eleven, or twelve inches in length.
5. A yoga belt according to claim 4, wherein the first and second
loops are each one of ten, eleven, or twelve inches in length.
6. A yoga belt according to claim 5, wherein the yoga belt is made
of woven cotton canvas approximately 1.5 inches wide.
7. A yoga belt according to claim 1, wherein the first and third
portions are of equal length and the first and second loops are
equal in length.
8. A yoga belt according to claim 7, wherein the first and third
portions are forty-two inches in length, and the second portion is
one of ten, eleven, or twelve inches in length.
9. A yoga belt according to claim 8, wherein the first and second
loops are each one of ten, eleven, or twelve inches in length.
10. A yoga belt according to claim 9, wherein the yoga belt is made
of woven cotton canvas approximately 1.5 inches wide.
11. A yoga belt according to claim 1, wherein using the yoga belt
helps to prevent lumbar and sacroiliac problems arising in a user
when the user uses the yoga belt to assist in the yoga bow
pose.
12. A method for a user to use a yoga belt, wherein the yoga belt
consists essentially of a first portion, a second portion, a third
portion, a first loop positioned between the first portion and the
second portion, and a second loop positioned between the second
portion and the third portion, and wherein the user has a belly,
feet, hands, elbows, arms, and a head, the method comprising the
steps of: the user lying on the belly; placing one foot in the
first loop; placing another foot in the second loop; ensuring that
the first and third portions are pulled through the inside part of
each foot; grasping the first and third portions with one hand
each; drawing the elbows over the shoulders; lifting the head; and
reaching the arms over the head holding the first and third
portions firmly.
13. A method according to claim 12, wherein the first and third
portions are of equal length and the first and second loops are
equal in length.
14. A method according to claim 13, wherein the first and third
portions are forty-two inches in length, and the second portion is
one of ten, eleven, or twelve inches in length.
15. A method according to claim 14, wherein the first and second
loops are each one of ten, eleven, or twelve inches in length.
16. A method according to claim 15, wherein the yoga belt is made
of woven cotton canvas approximately 1.5 inches wide.
17. A method according to claim 12, wherein using the yoga belt
helps to prevent lumbar and sacroiliac problems arising from
performing the steps of the method.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates generally to the field of exercise
equipment, and more particularly to a yoga belt with loops for hand
or foot.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Stretching before activity has long been known to reduce
injury. Yoga, in particular, is known to reduce injuries, promote
good health, and tone muscles when practiced regularly. One of the
yoga positions, Dhanurasana (Bow Pose), derives its name from the
fact that it looks like an archer's bow, with the torso and legs
representing the body of the bow, while the arms represent the
string. This pose stretches the entire front of the body, ankles,
thighs and groins, abdomen and chest, and throat, and deep hip
flexors. It strengthens the back muscles, improves posture, and
stimulates the organs of the abdomen and neck. This pose is not
typically suited for persons with serious lower-back or neck
injuries.
[0003] A typical yoga belt is of woven cotton canvas, 1.5 inches
wide, 6, 8, or 10 feet in length, with 2 D-rings held at one end by
a loop of the canvas. The rings, while used frequently during yoga,
can be a nuisance when used for Dhanurasana because they are not
easy to place around a hand or foot without being cumbersome or
pressing against bone. Such belts also cause a problem when used
with Dhanurasana because they pull the feet together, causing a
pinching effect in the lower back that creates pressure in the
lumbosacral and sacroiliac region of the spine and lower back.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] Briefly stated, a yoga belt to assist in Dhanurasana (Bow
Pose) prevents lumbar and sacroiliac problems arising from the
exercise or asana. The belt includes a first portion, a second
portion, a third portion, a first loop positioned between the first
portion and the second portion, and a second loop positioned
between the second portion and the third portion. The user picks up
the belt and places one loop over one foot and the other loop over
the other foot. Each belt strap should be pulled through the inside
part of the foot to maintain the integrity of the thighs and feet
in an effort to remain hip width apart. The user then faces forward
with the elbows under each shoulder and is ready to begin.
[0005] According to an embodiment of the invention, a yoga belt
includes a first portion; a second portion; a third portion; a
first loop positioned between the first portion and the second
portion; and a second loop positioned between the second portion
and the third portion.
[0006] According an embodiment of the invention, a method for a
user to use a yoga belt, wherein the yoga belt consists essentially
of a first portion, a second portion, a third portion, a first loop
positioned between the first portion and the second portion, and a
second loop positioned between the second portion and the third
portion, and wherein the user has a belly, feet, hands, elbows,
arms, and a head, the method including the steps of (a) the user
lying on the belly; (b) placing a foot in the first loop; (c)
placing another foot in the second loop; (d) ensuring that the
first and third portions are pulled through the inside part of each
foot; (e) grasping the first and third portions with one hand each;
(f) drawing the elbows over the shoulders; (g) lifting the head;
and (h) reaching the arms over the head holding the first and third
portions firmly.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 shows a yoga belt according to an embodiment of the
present invention.
[0008] FIG. 2 shows perspective view of a user using the yoga belt
of FIG. 1 to perform the Dhanurasana (Bow Pose).
[0009] FIG. 3 shows a top view of the user using the yoga belt of
FIG. 1 to perform the Dhanurasana (Bow Pose).
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0010] Referring to FIG. 1, a yoga belt 10 according to an
embodiment of the invention includes two loops 12, 14 sewn in
preferably 32 inches from ends 16, 18 of belt 10. In three
variations, loops 12, 14 can be 10 inches in circumference, 11
inches in circumference, or 12 inches in circumference. Belt 10
includes first, second and third portions 20, 22, and 24,
respectively, with first and second portions 20, 22 separated by
loop 12, and second and third portions 22, 24 separated by loop 14.
First portion 20 is defined as that portion of belt 10 between end
16 and loop 12, second portion 22 is defined as that portion of
belt 10 that is between loop 12 and loop 14, while third portion 24
is defined as that portion of belt 10 between loop 14 and end 18.
An optional D-ring 26 may be attached to end 16.
[0011] Belt 10 is preferably of woven cotton canvas approximately
1.5 inches wide. First portion 20 and third portion 24 are each
preferably 32 inches long, while second portion 22 is preferably 12
inches long, with variations of 10 inches and 11 inches. The three
sizes permit the user to select the right belt depending on the
user's body type. The length of the finished product is thus 74,
75, or 76 inches long. For the three variations with differing loop
lengths, the initial lengths of woven cotton canvas, before forming
loops 12, 14, are 100 inches, 98 inches, and 96 inches,
corresponding to loops of 12 inches, 11 inches, and 10 inches,
respectively. Table 1 shows the various lengths (in inches) of belt
10 and its component parts.
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Second portion Total starting Loop length
length belt length 10 10 94 11 10 96 12 10 98 10 11 95 11 11 97 12
11 99 10 12 96 11 12 98 12 12 100
[0012] With loops 12, 14 at their preferred locations on belt 10,
using belt 10 to assist in Dhanurasana prevents helps to prevent
any lumbar and sacroiliac problems arising from the exercise. Belt
10 is used to provide hand (hasta) or foot (pada) loops, or both
hand and foot loops.
[0013] Belt 10 can be used to assist in Dhanurasana or can be used
to practice the easier pose to prepare for the more intense
Dhanurasana without the belt. Intense Dhanurasana with belt 10 for
added depth in the practice follows the following sequence. The
user lies on the belly with the hands alongside the torso placing
the belt near the user on the mat. The user can also lie on a
folded blanket to pad the front of the torso and legs. The user
exhales and bends the knees, bringing the heels as close as
possible to the buttocks. The user picks up belt 10 and places one
loop 12 over one foot and loop 14 over the other foot,
approximately in the midfoot area, being careful to leave the
trailing length of belt 10 on each side of the body so that ends
16, 18 are within easy reach. The user inhales, drawing the elbows
under the shoulders, and grasps each end 16, 18 of the belt 10 with
each hand. Each belt strap should be pulled through the inside part
of the foot to maintain the integrity of the thighs and feet in an
effort to remain hip width apart. The user then faces forward with
the elbows under each shoulder.
[0014] The user inhales, draws the elbows over the shoulders, lifts
the head, and reaches the arms over the head holding first and
third portions 20, 24 firmly. The user should keep the elbows in
alignment with the shoulders, as in pincha mayurasana (Feathered
Peacock Pose). The neck should be kept long, with the user gazing
at the tip of the user's nose or toward the earth. The user inhales
again, walks the hands back reaching closer to the feet. The user
may then put the straps of first and third portions 20, 24
together, and grasping the combined portions with both hands, one
hand in front of the other, walk the hands back even a bit further
if there is no resistance. The user inhales, rocks back pressing
the heart forward, and feels the rise in the thoracic spine. As the
user exhales, there should be no strain in the lower back. The user
inhales, takes the thighs straight up, presses the hips into the
mat, and brings the heart forward. The user should keep the legs
and arms active. The user should make sure that the knees aren't
wider than the width of the hips, and should keep the knees hip
width for the duration of the pose. Belt 10 should help to
facilitate this action by keeping the feet apart with the
separation that is between each loop 12, 14. The user inhales,
rocks forward, and explores the power in the legs. The user
stretches the tailbone back to keep the sacrum strong. The user the
repeats two to three times or as tolerated. The user inhales and
feels the peak of the pose. The user exhales, releases down, lets
go of first and third portions 20, 24, and releases loops 12, 14 on
each foot. Belt 10 is placed on the side of the mat. The user
gently rests completely down on the belly with arms relaxed on each
side. One cheek is placed on the mat as the user melts into the
earth.
[0015] Belt 10 can also be used in a standard way by inserting end
18 through D ring 26. For example, belt 10 may be secured with D
ring 26 for use in urhdva dhanurasana (Upward Bow Pose, backbend,
or wheel) or the preparatory pose for pincha mayurasana by placing
over the thighs or the upper arms to maintain the integrity of the
feet, thighs, hips, arm alignment, and safety.
[0016] While the present invention has been described with
reference to a particular preferred embodiment and the accompanying
drawings, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that
the invention is not limited to the preferred embodiment and that
various modifications and the like could be made thereto without
departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the
following claims.
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