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