About Yoga:
What is yoga?
Yoga is a ancient system of health and healing that originated in India. It is a Sanskrit word whose definition includes "union." In the most traditional sense this is a union of all aspects of the person--mind, body, and spirit--culminating in a complete sense of balance and wholeness. In modern times, yoga is a practice that includes physical exercises, breathing exercises, and relaxation to keep one physically, mentally, and emotionally healthy and strong.
What are some of the benefits of yoga?
The benefits of yoga are numerous. Yoga postures, or asanas, strengthen, stretch, and tone the muscles of the body. They help blood to circulate more freely, massage many of the internal organs, and can reverse the flow of gravity. Yogic breathing techniques, or pranayama, bring fresh oxygen into the body and expel old, stale air. They can help calm nervous energy and awaken stagnant or dormant energy. They have been known to help people with asthma breath deeper and more freely. Yoga relaxation and meditation techniques help to calm the mind, reduce stress, tap into creativity, and promote inner peace. The combined effects of the yoga practices are nothing short of transformation.
Who can do yoga?
Anyone can do yoga. It doesn't matter whether you're male or female, old or young, flexible or inflexible, stressed-out or calm; there is a yoga practice for everyone. Yoga can be gentle, moderately challenging or intensive. It can be done sitting in a chair or lying on one's back. It can be a physical, sweaty workout. Unlike many other forms of exercise, yoga can be practiced well into old age; in fact, some of the greatest yogis alive today are in their seventies and eighties. The best way to find the right practice for you is to explore. Try different teachers and different level classes. Buy a DVD or book. Ask a friend who practices to show you some basics. Whichever way you choose to take that first step the important thing is to take it. It's time. Your time.
