YOGA FACTS

The tradition of yoga began in northern India over five thousand years ago the word yoga means "union" to connote a union of the individual's mind, body and spirit there are different yoga paths or training methods, but Hatha yoga (the way of the physical training to prepare the mind and the body for meditation), and Raja yoga (the way of meditation), are the ones most practiced in the Western world yoga is a form of exercise based on the belief that the body and breath are intimately connected with the mind by controlling the breath and holding the body in steady poses, or asanas, yoga creates harmony anyone at any age can practice yoga and choose the path that best suits their own needs we are all seeking some magic formula for good health and inner peace in a fast paced world charged with tension and anxiety…yoga is the answer.  

 

Yoga has been making astonishing inroads in the American way of life over the past ten years, because with regular practice it produces results of better health yoga is suitable for everyone, young or old, and for all levels of fitness, with or without previous yoga experience unlike many sporting activities, yoga is noncompetitive and since it is done slowly there is little risk of injury, providing it is done properly regular yoga practice maintains ones good health by: helping you stay flexible, helping to focus the mind, relieving stress built up in the body, aiding the digestion, stimulating circulation, lessens the effects of arthritis, amongst numerous other common ailments yoga presents children and teenagers the opportunity to develop self-awareness, self-control, and better concentration Hatha yoga will teach you to breath and meditate in order to achieve deep relaxation and therefore calming the mind, body and spirit our minds tend to jump about constantly and this cuts down on our efficiency at work, or when studying and even during recreational activities—yoga practiced correctly will significantly improve concentration and therefore your goals will be better met and/or surpassed numerous studies have shown that yoga measurably affects the nervous, musculoskeletal, circulatory, and endocrine systems of the body positively using specific postures (asanas), we can take charge of our well-being, tapping into our body's wisdom to heal our dis-ease and imbalance(s) yoga's positive influence on our health is becoming increasingly recognized by mainstream medical circles showing that yoga and meditation boost immunity and reduce stress—an underlying factor in many chronic illnesses, including heart disease and cancer prestigious hospitals, clinics, spas, health clubs, etc., now offer yoga classes to their patients and clients--powerful proof that yoga works yoga asanas can be practiced by young and old—no one should be excluded, but always check with your doctor before you begin a course if you suffer from a medical condition or have any questions or concerns about your health it is best to be supervised by an experienced yoga teacher, they can demonstrate how to ease your body gently in and out of the yoga postures and how to breathe correctly when holding a balanced posture—plus aligning your body without undo strain on the limbs—a talented instructor will propel your yoga toward a greater mind, body and spirit connection when practicing yoga be sure to find a quiet place large enough to lay down and stretch, with pleasing light, comfortable/warm temperature, an uncluttered and clean area with or with out relaxation music, and have fresh water to drink and a mat or towel to practice on.