| People practice yoga for a variety of reasons. Many | | | | profound stage of relaxation and synchronization |
| yoga practitioners are interested in the health benefits | | | | between your inner and your outer self can occur only |
| that come from regularly performing the routines. | | | | with appropriate action. |
| Others want a state of harmony between inner and | | | | Relaxation is actually a necessary part of every yoga |
| outer self. Still others practice yoga primarily to relax. | | | | routine. The body needs to relax after practicing the |
| A State of Harmony | | | | exercises, especially the more demanding ones. |
| The profound relaxation available through yoga | | | | Certain asanas require an unusual positioning of the |
| includes a state of clarity of mind, and of harmony with | | | | body, which can result in discomfort if the relaxation |
| and understanding of the world. If such a state of | | | | stage is omitted. |
| relaxation is your goal, you will need to use most of | | | | Bridging Worlds |
| the yoga techniques available. Pay special attention to | | | | Yoga connects the spiritual and material worlds, and |
| breathing, diet, correctly performing the exercises, and | | | | relaxation is the bridge that brings the practitioner back |
| meditating. | | | | fully to the present reality. |
| The deep, prolonged breath one learns through yoga | | | | As a general rule, during relaxation exercises, you will |
| helps the brain stay oxygenated, which contributes to | | | | lie down comfortably and meditate. Your yoga trainer |
| mental clarity. Diet influences the structure of our body | | | | will suggest ways for you to gradually move and |
| as well as our brain. The exercises (called asanas and | | | | position your feet and arms. Yoga routines may have |
| pranayamas) were developed thousands of years | | | | different relaxation exercises, but they all have the |
| ago to produce beneficial results. | | | | purpose of cushioning the shock of contact with the |
| To have the desired effects, yoga routines must be | | | | surrounding reality. Relaxation also helps to maintain a |
| carried out correctly. Poor yoga practices will likely | | | | certain degree of peacefulness created by the routine. |
| produce disappointing results. | | | | But talk is never enough. The only way to be sure of |
| The Keys | | | | the relaxation benefits of yoga is to try it yourself. The |
| Your attitude and your focus are the keys to making | | | | only thing you have to lose is your tension. |
| your yoga experience deeply satisfying. Entering the | | | | |