| The practice of Yoga has been around for centuries, | | | | The first position- Hold both of your hands palm-side |
| and was originally developed from Hindu Philosophy. | | | | up. Now place one hand on top of the other hand and |
| Yoga is the Sanskrit word which means "union". The | | | | lay both of them on the heels of your feet. |
| original purpose of Yoga was to "find the union of the | | | | The second position- Keep the palms of your hands |
| individual with the divine means." This was | | | | down and place both hands on your knees. |
| accomplished by using Yoga techniques along with | | | | The third position- Place the palms of both hands |
| proper diet, exercise, breathing, posture, and mediation. | | | | face-up. Then place both hands on your knees and |
| Hatha-yoga is probably the most popular type of this | | | | form a circle with your thumb and index finger. Keep |
| practice. People use Hatha-yoga in order to improve | | | | the remaining fingers straight outward. |
| their health and sense of well being. This is | | | | Another common technique that can help you relax |
| accomplished by learning body control through | | | | and de-stress your body is called "alternate nostril |
| breathing exercises, posture positions, and by | | | | breathing." It is, of course, performed by breathing |
| concentration of the mind. The people of today's | | | | through one nostril at a time. In order to do this, use |
| modern society usually practice Yoga for the benefits | | | | your thumb and the little finger of your right hand. Use |
| of relaxation. | | | | the right thumb to close off the right nostril. Lay the |
| There are numerous posture positions to choose from, | | | | remaining fingers gently between your eyebrows. |
| but the most common and most widely-known is the | | | | Inhale slowly and deeply through the remaining open |
| Lotus Position. To perform this, you must be first | | | | nostril, and then hold your breath as long as you |
| seated on the floor. Place your right right on your left | | | | possibly can. Then, when you cannot hold your breath |
| thigh, and your left foot on your right thigh. This may | | | | any longer, uncover your right nostril and cover your |
| sound easier than it really is. In order to accomplish this, | | | | left nostril with the little finger of your right hand. Let |
| bend your right leg at the knee and grab your right | | | | your breath come out slowly-do not force it or blow |
| foot with your hands. Then, place your right foot on | | | | hard- and exhale completely through your nostril. You |
| your opposite thigh. The next step is to bend your left | | | | can practice this technique for a few minutes every |
| knee and grab your left foot with your hands. Place | | | | day, or you can use it anytime that you feel the need |
| your left foot on the opposite thigh. Both knees should | | | | to relax. |
| be on the floor, and the bottoms of your feet should | | | | Deep breathing exercises, such as this one, has a |
| be facing upward. Keep your spine straight too. | | | | natural calming effect on the mind and the body |
| Now that you have your feet and legs in place, you will | | | | because of the increase in oxygen that it brings to |
| need to position your hands also. There are three | | | | your entire being. |
| ways in which to do this: | | | | |