YOGA BELT AND METHOD OF USE

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[01] 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

[02] 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.

[03] 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

[04] 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.

[05] 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.

[06] 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

[07] Fig. 1 shows a yoga belt according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[08] Fig. 2 shows perspective view of a user using the yoga belt of Fig. 1 to perform the Dhanurasana (Bow Pose).

[09] 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

Referring to Fig. 1, a yoga belt 10 according to an embodiment of the invention includes two loops 12, 14 sewn in preferably 42 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.

[011] Belt 10 is preferably of woven cotton canvas approximately 1.5 inches wide. First portion 20 and third portion 24 are each preferably 42 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 94, 95, or 96 inches long. For the three variations with differing loop lengths, the initial lengths of woven cotton canvas, before forming loops 12, 14, are 120 inches, 116 inches, and 114 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 1

[010] 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.

[011] 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.

[012] 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.

[013] 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.

[014] 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.