Discovering yoga
It was only a matter of time before overworked, overstressed, and overextended Westerners discovered the power of yoga. As we endured the running craze of the 70s, sweated through the aerobic classes of the 80s, many have embraced yoga during the 90s. If the thought of twisting your body into a pretzel shape is what's holding you back, don't despair. You set your own goals and develop at your own pace. Sound intriguing? Yoga can increase your concentration and flexibility, offer a deeper sense of well being and improve posture. It relieves a variety of medical conditions, and is perfect to stretch, tone and increase muscle endurance.
What is it?
Yoga, from the Sanskrit word meaning union, is a 5,000- year-old Eastern philosophy, …show more content…
The physical exercises are called asanas (postures). These are isometric moves, which stretch and tone muscles. Similar to weight lifting, yoga strengthens muscles by incorporating resistant weight-bearing exercise using the body's own weight as the resistance. While all yoga traditions employ variations of the asanas, each type offers different fitness benefits and wellness goals.
Different types of yoga
Hatha yoga is the most common type of yoga adapted by the Western world. Hatha concerns itself primarily with physical purification and training. It includes posture and breathing exercises. Hatha's goal is to bring the physical body into a perfect state of health.
Iyengar yoga is another tradition, focusing on the body's alignment and obtaining the correct posture positions. Marjan Wazeka of Florence Oregon has practiced the Iyengar tradition for twelve years. She feels the benefits are certainly physical. As a runner she uses yoga to balance the kind of work her body does while running. "No doubt the breathing exercises help to keep my blood pressure low, since they promote relaxation. My strength, coordination, balance and flexibility are all helped immensely by consistent yoga practice," she
It was only a matter of time before overworked, overstressed, and overextended Westerners discovered the power of yoga. As we endured the running craze of the 70s, sweated through the aerobic classes of the 80s, many have embraced yoga during the 90s. If the thought of twisting your body into a pretzel shape is what's holding you back, don't despair. You set your own goals and develop at your own pace. Sound intriguing? Yoga can increase your concentration and flexibility, offer a deeper sense of well being and improve posture. It relieves a variety of medical conditions, and is perfect to stretch, tone and increase muscle endurance.
What is it?
Yoga, from the Sanskrit word meaning union, is a 5,000- year-old Eastern philosophy, …show more content…
The physical exercises are called asanas (postures). These are isometric moves, which stretch and tone muscles. Similar to weight lifting, yoga strengthens muscles by incorporating resistant weight-bearing exercise using the body's own weight as the resistance. While all yoga traditions employ variations of the asanas, each type offers different fitness benefits and wellness goals.
Different types of yoga
Hatha yoga is the most common type of yoga adapted by the Western world. Hatha concerns itself primarily with physical purification and training. It includes posture and breathing exercises. Hatha's goal is to bring the physical body into a perfect state of health.
Iyengar yoga is another tradition, focusing on the body's alignment and obtaining the correct posture positions. Marjan Wazeka of Florence Oregon has practiced the Iyengar tradition for twelve years. She feels the benefits are certainly physical. As a runner she uses yoga to balance the kind of work her body does while running. "No doubt the breathing exercises help to keep my blood pressure low, since they promote relaxation. My strength, coordination, balance and flexibility are all helped immensely by consistent yoga practice," she