| Yoga is a family of ancient spiritual practices | | | | BC, is believed to have studied what was known of |
| originating in India. It is one of the six schools of | | | | yoga at that time as part of an extensive education |
| Hindu philosophy. In India and across the World, Yoga | | | | in Hindu philosophy. It is also very likely, given the |
| is seen as a means to both physical health and | | | | rapid growth of Buddhism after his death and before |
| spiritual mastery. Outside India, Yoga has become | | | | the Bhagavad Gita was composed, that Buddhism |
| primarily associated with the practice of asanas or | | | | had some influence on that work. There is a |
| postures of Hatha Yoga. | | | | considerable overlap between the Hindu yoga |
| In the United States the American Fitness | | | | tradition and Buddhism. |
| Professionals & Associates offers Yoga Certification | | | | ************************************ |
| for intructors. | | | | Many athletes prefer Ashtanga yoga because of its |
| Ashtanga means "eight limbs" in Sanskrit, a reference | | | | vigorous full-body workout. With meditation |
| to eight elements that define as a lifestyle. These | | | | downplayed and the poses emphasized, "power |
| "limbs" cover your attitudes towards the world | | | | yoga" focuses on building flexibility, stamina, and |
| around you, your attitudes towards yourself, the | | | | strength, tied into breathing control, with breathing |
| poses, breathing exercises, the withdrawal of the | | | | synchronized with the poses. Each breath correlates |
| senses, concentration, contemplation, and | | | | with one pose. The focal point of the eyes is also |
| enlightenment. | | | | controlled, to create a unified control of the looking |
| As a type of yoga, Ashtanga is better known as | | | | point, the breathing, and the bodily position. |
| "power yoga." This specialized form of Hatha yoga | | | | "Intense" describes Ashtanga yoga as a whole. This |
| (which uses the third and forth of the eight limbs, | | | | type of yoga stresses the synchronized breathing |
| poses and breathing exercises) provides an intense | | | | and vigorous poses to produce intense internal heat |
| workout. Six series of poses within Ashtanga yoga | | | | and to detoxify the body (organs and muscles) by |
| allow for steps of progression in skill, strength, and | | | | profuse sweating. Make sure you have time for a |
| flexibility. After learning the order of poses from an | | | | shower after the Ashtanga yoga lesson! The results |
| instructor (the first series includes 75 poses and can | | | | include improved circulation and a body that's both |
| take two hours to complete), students often | | | | strong and lithe. |
| practice Ashtanga independently. This allows them to | | | | A warm environment best suits Ashtanga yoga to |
| progress at their own pace to master each series | | | | comfort the muscles and ease their flexibility. A |
| before attempting to learn the next. | | | | proper warm-up and relaxing session are required for |
| With 75 poses in the first series alone, Ashtanga | | | | this form of yoga to avoid harm. The demands of |
| yoga can be difficult to learn, especially with the | | | | these exercises make caution necessary, as an |
| Sanskrit names. | | | | individual can overdo the workouts, overstrain his or |
| ************************************ | | | | her muscles, and do physical damage. People not |
| Did you know? | | | | used to exercise definitely should not start with this |
| Buddha, who is estimated to have lived 563 to 483 | | | | form of yoga. |