Abstract:
An apparatus and system is disclosed for assisting people with Yoga related postures and exercises in the space above the yoga mat. The apparatus includes one or more Resting Pads (includes a bar and handles under the top pad) that are used in the space above the Yoga Mat (the Z and Y-axis.) Resting Pads are approximately the width of the yoga mat and can be adjusted from the ground level to 6 ft. high or higher to help assist with yoga style postures and exercises. The apparatus is placed around the yoga mat with gridlines on the yoga mat and in the space above the yoga mat to assist users with adjustments and for visual reference points while performing exercises or postures while using the yoga mat.

Description:
PRIORITY APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/690333, filed Jun. 25, 2012 and titled APPARATUS AND SYSTEM FOR ASSISTING WITH YOGA STYLE POSTURES AND EXERCISE IN THE SPACE ON AND ABOVE THE YOGA AT MAT (X, Y AND Z-AXIS). 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    1. Field 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to exercise and stretching equipment and, in particular, to a multipurpose exercise and stretching apparatus which allows a participant, regardless of the exercise or stretching motion being performed, to always stretch in a preferred ergonomic and physiologically acceptable fashion. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    Typical yoga mats are approximately 24″ wide by 72″ long, though they may vary in size. The yoga mats are typically used alone or with a chair, block or other devise(s) to help users with yoga postures and exercises (e.g., a chair). The yoga mat offers the ability for people to exercise and perform postures by using standing, sitting and many other positions that use natural gravity by positioning or by applying downward force on the yoga mat. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0006]    In accordance with one embodiment, an apparatus and system is disclosed for assisting people with Yoga related postures and exercises. The apparatus includes one or more resting pads (includes a bar and handles under the top pad) that are used in the space above the yoga mat (the Z and Y-axis.) Resting Pads are approximately the width of the yoga mat and can be adjusted from the ground level to  6  ft. high or higher to help assist with yoga style postures and exercises. The apparatus is placed around the yoga mat to assist users while performing exercises or postures while using the yoga mat. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]      FIG. 1  is a top view of a yoga mat having a measurement grid. 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  is a side view of a yoga mat. 
           [0009]      FIG. 3A  is a view of a rest pad over a bar of the yoga framework and a handle and strap attached to the bar. 
           [0010]      FIG. 3B  is a view of the rest pad and handle and strap attached to the bar of the yoga framework, showing different actions the user can take with the rest pad and handle. 
           [0011]      FIG. 3   c  shows different ways the rest pad, bar and handle can be engaged by the user&#39;s arms. 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  shows an example of the position of the rest pads and bars of the yoga framework over the yoga mat. 
           [0013]      FIG. 5A  shows the working area for the yoga framework where the rest pads can be located above the yoga mat along the Y and Z axes of the yoga framework. 
           [0014]      FIG. 5B  shows a top view of two rest pads and bars of the yoga framework at different locations along the Y axis over the yoga mat. 
           [0015]      FIG. 6  shows different positions that the rest pads and bars of the yoga framework can be positioned at above the yoga mat. 
           [0016]      FIG. 7A  shows a side view of one embodiment of a yoga framework positioned over a yoga mat and allowing positioning of rest pads of the framework at different locations along the Y and Z axis of the framework. 
           [0017]      FIG. 7B  shows a front view of the yoga framework of  FIG. 7A  showing adjustment of the positioning of one rest pad and bar of the framework in the Z axis. 
           [0018]      FIG. 8A  shows a user in a downward dog yoga pose with a rest pad positioned in the front hip area to adjust the posture of the user during the pose. 
           [0019]      FIG. 8B  shows a user in a Warrior III yoga pose with rest pads of the yoga framework used to support a leg and an arm of the user during the pose. 
           [0020]      FIG. 8C  shows a user in another yoga pose with a rest pad positioned to support the user&#39;s lower back and an arm of the user during the pose. 
           [0021]      FIG. 8D  shows a user in hanging style backbend yoga pose with rest pads of the yoga framework used to support the user&#39;s legs and arms during the pose. 
           [0022]      FIG. 8E  shows a user in another hanging yoga pose with rest pads of the yoga framework used to support the user&#39;s legs and arms during the pose. 
           [0023]      FIG. 8F  shows a user in a modified pushup position, where the user can push down on a rest pad of the yoga framework. 
           [0024]      FIG. 8G  shows a user hanging from a bar of the yoga framework. 
           [0025]      FIG. 9  shows a flexible or nonflexible cord with a holding device or handle that can be attached to a connection loop of the yoga framework. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0026]      FIG. 1  shows a yoga mat  100  with a width W of 24 inches and a length L of 72 inches. However, the yoga mat  100  can have other sizes. The yoga mat  100  can have a measurement grid  110 . The grid  110  can provide reference lines (or reference points) to help users see and record progress toward more difficult or desired moves, postures or exercises. In use, the user stands, sits or holds other positions on the yoga mat  100 , thereby pressing on the mat  100  and applying a downward force on the mat  100 , as shown on  FIG. 2 . 
         [0027]    A yoga framework  200  (see  FIG. 7A ) can be placed above the yoga mat  100  and around the yoga mat  100 . In one embodiment, the framework  200  can be fixed to a floor. In another embodiment, the framework  200  can be portable that can be carried and placed by the user over the yoga mat  100  during use. The framework  200  can have a base frame  210 , a front vertical frame  220  and a rear vertical frame  230 . Therefore, the yoga framework  200  utilizes the space above the yoga mat (e.g., cube area) along the horizontal Y axis and vertical Z axis to assist users with yoga related poses and exercises. At least the front vertical frame  220  can be movably coupled to the base frame  210  and can move forward and backward along the base frame  210  to vary the distance between the front vertical frame  220  and the rear vertical frame  230  along a Y axis. The front vertical frame  220  can have a rest pad assembly  300  that can include a rest pad  310 , a bar  320  under the rest pad  310  and a handle and strap  330  attached to the bar  320  (See  FIGS. 3A-3B ), where the rest pad assembly  300  can be adjusted up, down, frontward and or backward (see  FIG. 7A ). In one embodiment, a lever under the rest pad  310  can be actuated by the user to release the rest pad assembly  300  from a fixed position on the front vertical frame  220  and allow the rest pad  310  to be moved to a desired location along the Y axis or Z axis (see  FIG. 6 ). Alternate release mechanisms cans be used as well, including pins or other types of locking or moving type fasteners known in the art to move and fix the rest pad assembly  300  at a desired location on the Y and Z locations. The front and rear vertical frames  220 ,  230  can allow the adjustment of the red pad assembly  300  along a height of 6 feet along the Z axis. However, the framework  200  can have other heights. Looking at yoga mat  100  from the front, as in  FIG. 7B , the rest pad assembly  300  runs approximately the width of the yoga mat  100  (e.g., between two bars or rails of the front vertical frame  220 , between two bars or rails of the rear vertical frame  230 ) and can be adjusted up, down, frontward and/or backward. 
         [0028]    With reference to  FIGS. 3A-3C , the rest pad  310  of the rest pad assembly  300  can be a soft pad to allow the user to rest body parts (e.g., arms, feet) on the rest pad  310  while exercising or doing a yoga pose. The rest pad  310  can also be grabbed by the user and allow the user to pull or push the rest pad  310  in a horizontal way. The rest pad  310  can be exchanged quickly for different size or shape pads depending on user need (e.g., rest pad  310  can be detached from bar  320  and replaced with different rest pad  310  that is attached to bar  320 ). The bar  320  is disposed under the rest pad  310  and can be grabbed by the user (e.g., pulled on, as in seated pull-ups). The handle and strap  330  can be attached to the bar  320  (or attached directly to the rest pad  310 ), where the user can also grab onto the handle to pull down on the handle and strap  330 .  FIG. 3C  shows embodiments of how the user can use the rest pad assembly  300 . For example, the rest pad  310  can support a user&#39;s forearm thereon, or a user can grab onto the bar  320 , or grab onto the handle portion of the handle and strap  330 . In another embodiment, shown in  FIG. 9 , a handle and strap  330 ′ can be connected to a connection loop  240  of the framework  200  and include a flexible or nonflexible cord  332  detachable from the connection loop, and a handle  334  attached to the cord  332 . 
         [0029]      FIG. 4  shows a user using the yoga framework  200  having two rest pad assemblies  300  (one on the front vertical frame and one on the rear vertical frame), where the rest pad assemblies  300  are positioned at 3 feet above the yoga mat  100  and are adjustable up and down the vertical Z axis and forward and backward along the horizontal Y axis so that the rest pad assemblies  300  can be placed at any intersection point on the Z and Y axes. In the illustrated embodiment, one rest pad assembly  300  supports the user&#39;s hands and the other rest pad assembly  300  supports the user&#39;s feet while in a yoga pose. 
         [0030]      FIG. 5A  shows the cube area above the yoga mat  100  or working space that the yoga framework  200  provides via the positioning of the rest pad assemblies  300  at intersecting points on the vertical Z and horizontal Y axes. In the illustrated embodiment, one rest pad assembly  300  is at the top Z-axis location of the framework  200  and another rest pad assembly  300  at the bottom of the framework  200 . As discussed previously, the rest pad assemblies  300  can be moved up and down and front to back to get the desired support position (vertical Z and horizontal Y axis intersection). The framework  200  can have two or more rest pad assemblies  300  that can be placed at any point on the vertical Z-axis and horizontal Y-axis, with typical use being one or two rest pad assemblies  300 . The framework  200  can also allow the rest pad assemblies  300  to be slid to the ends of the frame work (e.g., by moving the front vertical frame relative to the base frame, as in  FIG. 7A ) so that the yoga mat  100  can be used alone without rest pad assemblies  300 .  FIG. 5B  shows a top view of two rest pad assemblies  300  of the framework  200  that can be adjusted frontward and rearward along the horizontal Y-axis.  FIG. 6  shows four examples of different positions that the rest pad assembly  300  can be moved to within the framework  200  along the horizontal Y-axis and vertical Z-axis. 
         [0031]    The framework  200  allows the use of the horizontal X-axis, the horizontal Y-axis and the vertical Z-axis (see  FIG. 5A ,  6 ) as measurement points to help the user gauge performance and improvement in yoga related postures, exercise and physical therapy. The yoga mat  100  has reference points and a grid for this use (see  FIG. 1 ) to provide visual reference points to the user while performing postures or exercises while using the yoga mat  100 . The reference points on the framework  200  are determined by selected positions (e.g., of the rest pad assemblies  300  on the framework  200 ), which could be at intervals of 6 inches, though the intervals can be smaller or larger, to provide the user with visual reference points during use of the framework  200 . By having X, Y and Z reference points, users and trainers are able to remember or record past measurement points so that users will know how they are progressing toward more difficult or desired moves, postures or exercises. 
         [0032]    Instruction materials can be provided along with the yoga framework  200  to instruct the user on how to use the framework  200 . In one embodiment, programs for users are provided on different yoga style exercises and postures while using the yoga framework  200 . For example, while in Downward Dog ( FIG. 8A ), one Rest Pad can be positioned in the front hip area to adjust the posture to a desired level. A second example would be the Warrior III pose, where two rest pad assemblies  300  can be used to support the leg and arm ( FIG. 8B ). In another example, the user can bend backward, supporting their arms on one rest pad assembly  300  and their arched back on another rest pad assembly  300  ( FIG. 8C ). Yoga postures can also be modified and enhanced with the yoga framework  200 . For example, a user can do a hanging style backbend the opposite way by hanging ( FIG. 8D ). In another pose, the user can hang off the framework, with their arms hanging from one rest pad assembly  300  and their feet supported on another rest pad assembly  300  ( FIG. 8E ). Another example is pushing down on the rest pad assembly  300  while doing elevated pushups ( FIG. 8F ). Another example would be for the user to hang from one bar using their arms ( FIG. 8G ). While these are only a few examples of the yoga assisted postures and modified yoga postures or exercise moves, the yoga framework  200  can assist the user with currently known yoga related postures and exercises, as well as, many other previously unseen postures and exercises that can be developed and used with the framework  200 . Instructions and training programs can also include reference points on the X, Y and Z-axis of the framework  200  to help users to progress to more difficult or desired moves in a methodical way to avoid over exertion and possible injury from moving to difficult or desired moves too quickly.