| Dating back more than 5,000 years, yoga was first | | | | others in a studio at least once a week will help to |
| introduced in India as a form of meditation. Originally | | | | keep you motivated and even advanced yoga |
| practiced in accordance with Hindu, Buddhist, and | | | | students enjoy continuing in group classes. |
| Jainism philosophies, yoga is now regarded as a | | | | Regular yoga practice can offer great health benefits. |
| common form of exercise for anyone. | | | | Many people practice yoga regularly as a way to get |
| With millions of followers world wide, yoga has | | | | fit or maintain their physique. It can be used to increase |
| become a valuable form of exercise and well being. | | | | flexibility, build muscle tone, and increase |
| With a variety of benefits, it's no wonder why so | | | | cardio-respiratory fitness. Yoga has also been known |
| many people have taken up yoga as a regular | | | | to decrease blood pressure, as well as have an overall |
| practice. With it's increase in popularity yoga has | | | | calming effect on the body. Those who are dedicated |
| become both a form of physical exercise and | | | | to this ancient fitness regime will have lower stress |
| meditation. Most studios offer classes and practices | | | | levels, better breathing, and higher concentration |
| that can be done by people of any fitness level -- | | | | abilities. It has also been said to help regulate the |
| from beginner to advanced. In fact, one of the many | | | | digestive system, boost immune system function, and |
| benefits of yoga is it's flexibility to be customized to | | | | lower cholesterol. The list of positive health effects |
| each person's skill set. | | | | goes on and on. It's no wonder that this form of |
| Yoga combines physical stretching with deep and | | | | exercise has lasted through the millenia. |
| controlled breathing. Yoga poses, known as asanas, | | | | Because there are so many varied benefits, there are |
| are practiced in a sequence. A sequence connects a | | | | different types of yoga specially designed to achieve |
| number of poses together, creating a flow or 'hatha' | | | | specific physical and mental goals. Some of the |
| practice. Controlling your breathe and connecting your | | | | classes that are geared towards physical goals such |
| breathe with your movements will optimize your yoga | | | | as: muscle toning, weight loss, or increased flexibility |
| experience. | | | | and endurance. There are also classes aimed at |
| New students will find it easier to learn Yoga in a | | | | mental goals such as: meditation, stress relief and |
| group setting or one-on-one with a yoga instructor. | | | | relaxation. |
| Practicing yoga with a group is beneficial because is | | | | Yoga can easily be personalized for your individual |
| ensures that you get the best out of your workout. | | | | goals. Whether you need to increase flexibility, or |
| The instructor is present to assist you if necessary, | | | | de-stress your life, yoga offers numerous benefits for |
| and you are following the lead of the class. Once you | | | | a healthy body and mind. Check out a yoga studio, try |
| become very comfortable with the moves, then | | | | a class or even start with a video or DVD. Achieving |
| practicing at home will be more successful. While it's | | | | wellness through a yogic lifestyle is a path worth |
| great to continue your practice at home, practicing with | | | | heading down. |