Introducing Yoga

Over the past few years, yoga has emerged as a huge trend and has become a favorite among celebrities and fitness experts alike, but if you’ve never done it, it can seem a little intimidating. Yoga is an ancient practice originating in India several thousand years ago. While the history suggests that the original aim was to unite the body with the heavenly spirits, the practice of yoga today is more focused on creating a balance between the mind, body, and soul. This is achieved through the practice of physical postures and yoga breathing.

The great thing about yoga is that it’s a low-impact exercise that offers a range of benefits including increased flexibility and strength, while improving overall fitness levels. In addition, yoga can assist in injury prevention, as yoga poses work to ward off the pulls and tightness that can impede your training regime.

More than the purely physical, yoga also offers a number of mental benefits. Because the practice of yoga forces you to concentrate intensely on your bodily movements, many report an increase in mental awareness and calmness. This technique of intense concentration and focus can be applied to everyday situations and routines to create a more calm and centered awareness of yourself and your surroundings. Key to this state is being able to master your breathing and focus. This, of course, takes practice, but gets easier the more you practice.

Most yoga studios offer beginner classes and drop-in rates for you to try it out. Not sure if it’s for you? Grab a friend and check out at a studio near you—even if you decide not to make it a regular part of your workout, the worst that can happen is that you end up with an hour of quiet.