Yoga has become increasing popular.
Once a form of Eastern medicine, the practice is becoming a way of life for many in the West too.
Although too many may love it for the comfy yoga pants instead of the amazing relief to the mind, body and soul, it remains an increasingly popular form of exercise and meditation.
Whether you are hot for Hot Yoga, boppin for Bikram Yoga, amazed by ashtanga or vivacious for vinyasa, yoga has in some way impacted your life.
Those who fear yoga, miss out on the amazing opportunity to tune out the world and tune into oneself.
Yoga is for the body
Some believe yoga does not provide the best cardiovascular activity compared to other exercises, but they have forgotten about the amazing yoga booty.
Yoga is a total body workout.
A low-impact activity, yoga is kind to the joints and avoids strain on the muscles.
The Hot Room makes you hot
“I don’t think I can stand the heat in a Hot or Bikram class?”
“105 degrees plus humidity, no way in hell!”
Not all yoga is hot, but the heat can be conquered in some practices.
High heat is very beneficial to increase one’s metabolism and flexibility.
The heat allows safe stretching and the release of toxins through sweating, once adjusted to the heat.
It’s what’s inside that counts
Many get too caught up in thinking, “how do I bend like that?” and forget the many internal benefits bending and stretching provides.
Bikram yoga comprises 26 postures with two breathing exercises, all of which have a medical benefit.
In Bikram many postures provide compression to stimulate one’s reproductive system, digestive system, lymphatic system, and more.
It’s not just one’s yoga booty and hard-rock abs that need love, but their insides too.
Yoga is for the mind
Yoga is today’s happy pill.
Dr. Natalie Nevins, a partner with the American Osteopathic Association, believes that yoga helps one’s physical and mental health.
“Regular yoga practice creates mental clarity and calmness, increases body awareness, relieves chronic stress patterns, relaxes the mind, centers attention and sharpness concentration,” said Nevins.
Stop counting sleep, start counting yoga mats
Everyone has his/her sleep routine – avoiding coffee past a certain time, turning off the TV or lighting a candle, etc.
All those help, but yoga helps more.
Yoga is the most effective sleep aid, and all one has to do is set on a mat and bend a little.
There are even yoga poses designed to help with sleep!
Yoga is for the soul
Many people are afraid they will fail in their first yoga class.
If one isn’t falling out of a pose, shaking in stand-head-to-knee or concentrating so hard that their tongue sticks out, then they aren’t doing it right.
Yoga is a trial-and-error type of exercise – it teaches to try, try and try again.
Erin Motz, also known as the Bad Yogi, shows us how yoga transcends into everyday life and reveals the life lessons yoga has taught her.
For the love of the future of America
Yoga isn’t just for the Lululemon™-wearing, kombucha-drinking zen masters.
Yoga is also for students, from elementary to college.
The Livestrong Foundation conducted research on the positive academic improvements yoga brings into the classroom, such as providing increased attention span, higher grade average and more.
Yoga in the classroom also builds students’ confidence, mindfulness and increased social enjoyment.
Gary Cook, author and renowned physical therapist, told CNN that yoga doesn’t discriminate based on body type, race and more.
Instead, yoga focuses on the internal.
“It teaches kids that their physical presence is about more than their ability to compete,” Cook said.
by Alaina Hay
CougarBuzz 