Seems like yoga has been a craze for the last few years, but what exactly is the deal with yoga? Celebrities swear by it, your neighbor does it and you see yoga classes in session at the gym all the time. If you are looking for a way to calm and soothe your soul while toning your body then yoga just might be the workout for you! Here are a few things you might want to know about yoga and the benefits of this 3,000 year old practice.
The word yoga comes from Sanskrit, and it means to "yoke," or bring together the mind, body, and spirit. (Ha ha all I can think of is Jeremy Piven in PCU saying "You're majoring in Sanskrit?" That is a 3,000 year old dead language- seriously?" Ahhh fun times but I digress - back to Yoga). Although yoga includes exercise, it is also a lifestyle for which exercise is just one component. Disciplining your mind and body as well as connecting with your spirituality are the main goals of the yoga lifestyle. Yoga has tons of benefits. It can improve flexibility, strength, balance, and stamina. In addition to the physical benefits, many people who practice yoga say that it reduces anxiety and stress and improves mental clarity.
There are also several kinds of yoga such as Ashtanga (Madonna does this one), Power, Bikram, Gentle, Kundalini, and Iyengar. Here are the differences between the different types of Yoga.
Ashtanga yoga: is a vigorous, fast-paced yoga that helps to build flexibility, strength, concentration, and stamina. When doing Ashtanga yoga, a person moves quickly through a set of predetermined poses while remaining focused on deep breathing. Power yoga: Similar to Ashtanga yoga, this is also a very active form of yoga that improves flexibility and stamina by completing poses. This type of yoga is popular in the United States. Bikram yoga: whichis is also known as "Hot Yoga." It is practiced in rooms that may be heated to more than 100 degrees Fahrenheit (37.8 degrees Celsius). Gentle yoga: focuses on slow stretches, flexibility, and deep breathing. Kundalini yoga: uses poses, deep breathing and other breathing techniques, chanting, and meditation. Iyengar yoga: This type of yoga focuses on precise poses. and participants use benches, ropes, mats, blocks, and chairs.
Some fitness experts recommend that before you check out a class or spend a lot of money on clothes and equipment (if needed) you should invest in a beginners yoga DVD and try it to see if the workout is actually something that will benefit you. For more information visit www.yogasite.com
DarthPaul says:
Yoga's great. It's the perfect crosstrainer for any other activity and all but the most rigorous gymnasts can benefit from it. I recommend checking out hatha first, since it's the root of all yogas.
Ashtanga's my personal favorite, despite Vadge's pop-association.
Hershel Miller says:
I am a huge fan of Yoga as well. I can assure you that this is something much larger than a fad.
I personally am most drawn to Kundalini as it integrates, mantras, mudras, meditations and asanas into lovely sets.
Hershel
JK says:
were you paid to write this? i really think you should disclose to your readers that every once in awhile, you write articles that endorse a sponsor.
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