Yoga is a stress-free way to gain strength, flexibility and a sense of well-being like no other form of exercise.
Imagine, if you can, something that takes only a few minutes to learn – but a lifetime to master. Sound interesting? Well, you can easily describe yoga this way.
In fact, contradictions seem to abound when you think about yoga. Is it for young or old? Is it for the body or mind? Is it a form of exercise or a lifestyle? You will discover that it is definitely all these things and more.
You’ve probably seen photos of those old Indian yogis. They look painfully thin and are twisted into the strangest positions. What you may not have seen are the people of all ages, shapes and sizes, who practice yoga on a regular basis. They’re at countless schools, health clubs and senior centers everywhere.
The simple fact is that most anyone can practice yoga, regardless of age or physical strength. Granted, some people may never stand on their head or perfect the more complicated poses. But you can still achieve the physical and mental benefits of this ancient practice without either.
You may wonder what these benefits are and how they can come from twisting your body into some, agreeably, odd positions.
Well, first of all, you’re using various muscles to hold each posture. The more you use a muscle, the more you strengthen it. And, when you stretch your muscles and bend your joints to achieve a posture, your flexibility increases. Even basic movements, done correctly over time, will add to your strength and flexibility.
Second, you need to concentrate if you want to do a posture correctly. Concentrating on your movement and alignment surprisingly calms the mind. You cannot hold most postures beyond a few seconds if the mind is wandering. This requires that you focus and still your thoughts.
You’ll also find that the relaxation session after performing yoga postures, a required part of a good practice, is a wonderful way to calm your mind and rejuvenate your spirit. A sense of peace is often evident in regular practitioners.
This leads to the ultimate question – do you need to change your lifestyle when you practice yoga? The answer is no. You don’t have to become a vegetarian, flash back to the 60s hippie movement, change your religion, or stop listening to rock music.
You will find that some of the mental and physical changes occurring as a result of yoga practice lead to lifestyle changes. For example, you may become more aware of what foods you eat as your physical condition improves. And, as you gain that sense of peace and relaxation, you may not be so inclined to become angry or stressed by life’s challenges.
A few common sense cautions seem appropriate here – no preaching, just some things you should keep in mind.
Remember, as with any exercise, you should check with your doctor before starting to practice yoga if you have any existing physical conditions. Also, beginning yoga practitioners will benefit from working with an instructor. A trained instructor will help with proper body alignment, positioning and technique to reduce the risk of injury.
And finally, yoga is a not a competitive sport. Do only what feels comfortable. You should never force any posture or go beyond your body’s limit.
Try it, you may just find you like it. But remember, standing on your head is not required!
Imagine, if you can, something that takes only a few minutes to learn – but a lifetime to master. Sound interesting? Well, you can easily describe yoga this way.
In fact, contradictions seem to abound when you think about yoga. Is it for young or old? Is it for the body or mind? Is it a form of exercise or a lifestyle? You will discover that it is definitely all these things and more.
You’ve probably seen photos of those old Indian yogis. They look painfully thin and are twisted into the strangest positions. What you may not have seen are the people of all ages, shapes and sizes, who practice yoga on a regular basis. They’re at countless schools, health clubs and senior centers everywhere.
The simple fact is that most anyone can practice yoga, regardless of age or physical strength. Granted, some people may never stand on their head or perfect the more complicated poses. But you can still achieve the physical and mental benefits of this ancient practice without either.
You may wonder what these benefits are and how they can come from twisting your body into some, agreeably, odd positions.
Well, first of all, you’re using various muscles to hold each posture. The more you use a muscle, the more you strengthen it. And, when you stretch your muscles and bend your joints to achieve a posture, your flexibility increases. Even basic movements, done correctly over time, will add to your strength and flexibility.
Second, you need to concentrate if you want to do a posture correctly. Concentrating on your movement and alignment surprisingly calms the mind. You cannot hold most postures beyond a few seconds if the mind is wandering. This requires that you focus and still your thoughts.
You’ll also find that the relaxation session after performing yoga postures, a required part of a good practice, is a wonderful way to calm your mind and rejuvenate your spirit. A sense of peace is often evident in regular practitioners.
This leads to the ultimate question – do you need to change your lifestyle when you practice yoga? The answer is no. You don’t have to become a vegetarian, flash back to the 60s hippie movement, change your religion, or stop listening to rock music.
You will find that some of the mental and physical changes occurring as a result of yoga practice lead to lifestyle changes. For example, you may become more aware of what foods you eat as your physical condition improves. And, as you gain that sense of peace and relaxation, you may not be so inclined to become angry or stressed by life’s challenges.
A few common sense cautions seem appropriate here – no preaching, just some things you should keep in mind.
Remember, as with any exercise, you should check with your doctor before starting to practice yoga if you have any existing physical conditions. Also, beginning yoga practitioners will benefit from working with an instructor. A trained instructor will help with proper body alignment, positioning and technique to reduce the risk of injury.
And finally, yoga is a not a competitive sport. Do only what feels comfortable. You should never force any posture or go beyond your body’s limit.
Try it, you may just find you like it. But remember, standing on your head is not required!
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