Yoga was originated in India three thousand years ago as a spiritual practice, focusing on self-awareness, physical and mind liberation. Yoga was design to release stress from the daily routine by giving control to physical strength and psyche. You don’t have to be a believer to experience the benefits of yoga. Here is some information you should know before taking yoga:
The teacher will lead you to easy positions and you will be able to reach them at your own pace.
* Yoga positions can be reached on the floor, standing, sitting and sometimes inverted.
* The teacher will ask you to focus on your breathing at times and to hold your body in a given time in a certain position to give it strength.
* Classes normally finish with sitting meditation or laying down relaxation.
* After your first class you will experience relaxation and a feeling of well-being and happiness.
* Yoga is a form of stretching and strengthening of your muscles, able to be applied for beginners and later to impose a challenge in intermediate classes.
* It is good for people that don’t like choreographic moves and the rapid loud music experienced in the cardio gym classes.
* If your goal is to get very fit you might want to try yoga together with another aerobic exercise.
Yoga gets you started by improving your breathing and circulation, while stretching your muscles. Make sure to find a teacher that suits you and shows the yoga results you are looking for.
There are many types of yoga one can try, here are a few:
o Kundalini yoga – Focuses on the release of energy around the spine by fairly heavy positions. It is based on tantric tradition in order to reach enlightenment.
o Lyengar yoga – It is based on the teachings of B. K. S. Iyengar. It entails physical strengthening, combined with heavy breathing and relaxation.
o Asatanga or Power yoga – Has gymnastic like moves, focusing on the production of heat. It is popular in the younger community and targets people that are already fit.
