| Did you know that over fifteen million people | | | | capacity. That doesn't mean it is |
| practiced yoga in 2003, according to a | | | | particularly easy or particularly challenging |
| landmark study by Yoga Journal Magazine. And | | | | - it can be either or both on any given day. |
| the numbers are expected to increase | | | | |
| dramatically in subsequent years. Your own | | | | Then there is the therapeutic component. Yoga |
| experiences probably confirm this study - | | | | can be used successfully with conditions such |
| maybe you practice yoga, know someone who | | | | as insomnia, back problems, digestion |
| does, or just take a walk along any busy main | | | | problems, asthma, improving circulation, |
| street - your bound to see someone carrying a | | | | anxiety, weight loss, just to name a few. |
| yoga mat. In fact you can't even open a | | | | |
| magazine or newspaper without finding an | | | | Basically yoga is non -competitive; it is not |
| article about yoga. So, how does a | | | | about winning or losing - you can go at your |
| 5000-year-old spiritual practice become | | | | own rate. Of course people still compete with |
| today's hottest mind/body trend? | | | | themselves though and compare their posture |
| | | | to others in class. |
| Perhaps the best way to understand yoga's | | | | |
| popularity is to go right to the people who | | | | In addition many of us are yearning for |
| practice it. If you ask them why, some of the | | | | something more. Many of us have shied away |
| more common replies you might hear are | | | | from organized religion yet seek a spiritual |
| "flexibility, increased energy, improved | | | | practice that connects us to ourselves as |
| focus, reduction of the symptoms associated | | | | well as something larger - a spiritual |
| with stress, and an overall good feeling." | | | | practice that is non-dogmatic, without many |
| The fact is that yoga can have a rejuvenating | | | | rules. While most of the yoga practiced in |
| effect on all systems of the body including | | | | health clubs is primarily the physical |
| the circulatory, glandular system, digestive, | | | | aspects of yoga - the philosophical side |
| nervous, skeletal/muscular, reproductive | | | | seeps in. And for those that want to learn |
| system and respiratory system. | | | | more about the philosophy of yoga information |
| | | | and classes are readily available to them. At |
| On a physical level - according to the U.S. | | | | its simplest level yoga quiets the mind and |
| Dept. on Aging there four components to good | | | | opens the body - setting the stage for |
| physical health: Strength, flexibility, | | | | withdrawing deeper inside oneself - to a |
| balance, aerobic capacity. It is interesting | | | | place of peace, a place of balance, a place |
| to note that yoga can accomplish all these | | | | of health. It is here where the divine within |
| things and no fancy piece of equipment is | | | | us can be more easily discovered. |
| needed - other than your own body and a yoga | | | | |
| mat. | | | | There are many different styles of yoga and |
| | | | it never needs to be boring - it can be slow |
| Over the last 100 years our lives have become | | | | and gentle, it can challenge your strength, |
| very fast paced: cell phones, computers, | | | | it can be aerobic or vigorous or it can be |
| internet, television. This along with a | | | | very introspective. There is as style to |
| strong work ethic often results in people out | | | | match most personalities. There is yoga for |
| of balance - people experiencing a lot of | | | | seniors, pre-natal yoga, postnatal yoga, |
| stress. Consequently, there is a strong need | | | | power yoga, gentle yoga, etc. There are |
| to de-stress - to quiet our minds and | | | | classes that focus on back care, yoga done in |
| rejuvenate our bodies. And yoga helps achieve | | | | groups and one-on-one, privately with an |
| this - helping us return to a state of | | | | instructor. The yogic scriptures say there |
| balance and health. | | | | are some 84,000 postures and variations. The |
| | | | field of yoga is huge and there is always, |
| Yoga brings us into the moment - it is very | | | | always something new to learn. |
| difficult to practice and be thinking about | | | | |
| what happened at work today or the party | | | | The media has also helped spread the message |
| tomorrow night. Becoming present in itself | | | | of yoga and the fact the celebrities like |
| is a great release from stress. At its best, | | | | Madonna and Sting practice yoga doesn't hurt |
| yoga meets the student where they are - so it | | | | either! |
| is adjusted to the student's level and | | | | |