| Most people are well aware by now that the | | | | students in the class will also serve as a |
| formula to a happy and healthy life is to | | | | motivation to continue with the yoga. |
| exercise and eat well. However, today's | | | | |
| hectic lifestyles often mean that we | | | | Of course, a class isn't necessary, |
| frequently find ourselves in stressful | | | | especially if there are no yoga classes in |
| situations. In order to combat stress we need | | | | your area, or you can't find the time to |
| to learn how to relax, and that's where | | | | travel to your nearest yoga center. It's |
| meditation and yoga come in. | | | | possible to perform yoga within the comfort |
| | | | of your own home, and with the number of yoga |
| The practice of yoga has been around for | | | | DVDs available today, it's also possible to |
| hundreds of years (or more). It originated in | | | | get almost the same level of instruction that |
| India, and was introduced by holy men (called | | | | you'd get from attending a class. It's also |
| Yogis) who would meditate for days together, | | | | possible to practice yoga online with others, |
| in order to train their minds and bodies, and | | | | which may help motivate you to regularly |
| to achieve a sense of well being. Nowadays, | | | | practice your yoga. |
| many people think of yoga in terms of the | | | | |
| different styles of yoga, or in terms of yoga | | | | In an ideal world we'd each have time to |
| poses, but in reality it is a combination of | | | | practice yoga each day, but this isn't |
| these exercises as well as the practice of | | | | realistic for many people. If possible, try |
| meditation. | | | | to perform your yoga at least three times a |
| | | | week. If you haven't got a large amount of |
| However, it's not necessary to practice both | | | | time, perhaps it would be possible to break |
| meditation and yoga simultaneously, as the | | | | your practice time down into chunks of twenty |
| two compliment each other any way. In | | | | minutes, or even less if necessary. You may |
| general, though, combining the practice of | | | | find that the regular practice of yoga gives |
| yoga with meditation will have a synergistic | | | | you more energy and allows you to do your |
| effect, working simultaneously on both the | | | | chores more efficiently, thus freeing up time |
| mind and the body. Engaging in meditation and | | | | for more yoga! |
| yoga requires a certain amount of | | | | |
| self-discipline, and it's necessary for | | | | If you decide to practice yoga and meditation |
| beginners to be very careful to follow | | | | at home, it's a great idea to get yourself a |
| instructions carefully. Ideally, the beginner | | | | yoga mat, some comfortable clothes and even |
| to yoga and meditation should join a class, | | | | some yoga music (or other appropriate music). |
| where a qualified instructor can demonstrate | | | | Most of these should be available in the |
| the correct way to practice the poses, and | | | | sports department of your local department |
| can ensure that all moves are done | | | | store, but if not, you should be able to find |
| effectively. Often, the presence of other | | | | them online. |