| Yoga is an ancient mind-body unifying practice that | | | | become controllable, sleep becomes deeper and |
| originated in India but has now spread throughout the | | | | uninterrupted, and many people become more |
| entire world. Although in India it is regarded as a | | | | creative! Effects of practicing Yoga can be felt |
| religious practice, in the western world it has become | | | | immediately, which is another reason why yoga's |
| a secular practice focusing on conditioning and toning | | | | popularity has surged in modern life's fast paced |
| the body, while calming the body and mind. While the | | | | environment. |
| dates of yoga's origination vary, experts have two | | | | Yoga does not require many supplemental |
| estimations: one is that it began around 3,000 B.C.E, | | | | instruments to be effective. Instead of using |
| and the other is that it started as far as 8,000 B.C.E. | | | | cumbersome weights, certain types of shoes, or |
| Either way, yoga has withstood the test of time | | | | special outfits, yoga only requires comfortable |
| because this practice is proven to reduce stress, | | | | clothing and a yoga mat. The yoga mat cushions the |
| increase flexibility, improve breathing, calm the mind, | | | | ground and makes practicing the poses very |
| tone the muscles, and increase longevity. | | | | comfortable. Due to yoga's popularity, many |
| Anyone can practice yoga - literally! Despite age, | | | | businesses do sell specific yoga clothes, but any |
| flexibility, or any physical limitations, there is a type of | | | | comfortable clothing will do. |
| yoga for everybody. Children's, geriatric, and prenatal | | | | In addition to practicing asanas (the Sanskrit term for |
| yoga are all becoming very popular exercise classes in | | | | 'yoga poses'), most classes culminate with a |
| addition to the traditional yoga classes. There are | | | | meditation. Yoga is very concerned with unifying the |
| many types of yoga (hence the wide array of | | | | body and mind, so while the physical poses do |
| classes to choose from), including but not limited to | | | | wonders for the body, the meditations provide |
| Kundalini, Jivamukti, Hatha, Bhakti, and more. There | | | | respite for the mind. This balance is lacking in other |
| are even hybrid classes of yoga - for example, many | | | | forms of exercise. While practicing yoga, not only will |
| classes now offer Yoga and Pilates classes mixed | | | | physical prowess increase, but mental abilities will |
| together. Some Aqua Yoga classes (combining | | | | skyrocket as well. |
| swimming with yoga) are beginning to spring up | | | | Yoga can be practiced almost anywhere, and at |
| around the country too! | | | | anytime (although some places and times are more |
| The wide variety of yoga classes serve as a | | | | conducive to certain people than others). People |
| testament to the potency and benefits of practicing | | | | enjoy the flexibility yoga offers - a person can take |
| yoga. Besides becoming physically toned and lean, | | | | yoga classes, learn from e-books, follow DVD's, or |
| people report being able to breathe easier, to think | | | | practice solely on their own. Yoga is a wonderful way |
| more clearly, and to handle their emotions better. | | | | to transform physical appearances and mental |
| People with chronic pain routinely report having less | | | | stability, and anyone can partake in this powerful |
| pain, and people with concentration disorders are able | | | | exercise! |
| to focus for longer periods of time. Appetites | | | | |