| /p> | | | | yoga classes (or get individual instruction), especially if |
| Yoga in Sanskrit means “union” and | | | | you’re new to the practice. |
| derives from the Hindu religion. It can be a spiritual | | | | The basic yoga routine described on the next few |
| practice that incorporates meditation and other mental | | | | pages is called the Sun Salutation. It is a full-body |
| exercises. A yoga session combined with mindful | | | | exercise that works on all the major muscle groups |
| breathing can be a “moving meditation.” | | | | and joints and massages the internal organs. It should |
| There are many schools of yoga, but hatha yoga is | | | | be performed joyously by everyone every day. I will |
| the form most commonly practiced in Western | | | | be recommending additional specific yoga postures. |
| countries, and classes and private lessons are | | | | Yoga is best performed on an empty stomach, in bare |
| available in health clubs, dance centers, yoga centers, | | | | feet, while wearing loose or stretchy clothing, on a |
| and community centers. This form emphasizes | | | | non–skid surface. There are special yoga |
| physical postures called asanas and integrates them | | | | “sticky mats” you can buy to prevent |
| with breathing techniques. | | | | slipping and give you the most out of your practice. |
| Inactivity alone is responsible for much of the physical | | | | Breathing is an integral part of yoga because it is |
| and mental deterioration I equate with illness, aging, and | | | | thought that prana, the vital life force, enters the body |
| “feeling old.” Practicing hatha yoga | | | | with each breath. As you practice yoga, coordinate |
| regularly not only relieves tension and pain in your joints | | | | your breathing with the movements: inhale during |
| and builds strength, flexibility, balance, and grace; it helps | | | | movements that stretch the spine and open the body; |
| you reach a state of awareness, tranquillity, and | | | | exhale during movements that involve bending or |
| well-being. Practicing yoga regularly helps balance your | | | | folding of the spine or limbs. Imagine that each breath is |
| nervous, endocrine, reproductive, digestive, and | | | | an extension of the pose, and keep your movements |
| circulatory systems. Yoga knows no age limit – | | | | fluid and precise as you work to open up and extend |
| you’re never too young or too old, and | | | | your entire spine. Be conscious of your hands and feet |
| adherents age seventy and over remain astoundingly | | | | as the foundation of each pose; imagine they are lotus |
| strong and limber. | | | | blossoms, and spread your fingers and toes as if they |
| The calmness achieved during the practice carries | | | | were lotus petals. |
| over into the rest of your life. Yoga students and | | | | I recommend that you perform the entire Sun |
| teachers tend to look and act younger than their | | | | Salutation sequence twelve times each morning. Begin |
| chronological years, and new students of the practice | | | | slowly, with fewer repetitions, if you are new to yoga |
| say they feel more energetic after only a few | | | | or physical activity. Gradually build up to twelve |
| weeks’ time. Although it can be strenuous, | | | | sequences,.Vata types should continue to do these |
| yoga is highly adaptable to your abilities and is suitable | | | | movements slowly, pittas should move at a moderate |
| for people of all ages. You can learn yoga from books | | | | pace, and kaphas should aim to do them rapidly. |
| and videotapes, but it’s best to participate in | | | | |