With the start of the New Year, chances are you may have thought about some fitness goals and healthy resolutions for 2009. There is no better way to start off on the right foot than with an exercise regimen that involves body, mind, and spirit.
Yoga has resurged in popularity throughout fitness gyms in the United States since the turn of the century. It is a new fitness craze that originates from an ancient Indian body of knowledge, dating back to more than 5,000 years ago. The word itself, “Yoga” originates from the Sanskrit word “yuj” which can be defined as “to unite or integrate.”
Yoga is more than just a series of different stretches; the main goal of yoga is to create balance between the body and mind by developing strength and flexibility. This can be done through breathing exercises, poses that increase circulation and stamina, and sometimes meditation, all depending upon the instructor and the style of yoga in which he or she has been trained in.
“Yoga improves your flexibility, posture, increases your oxygen intake, slows the aging process, increases strength, helps back problems, and is a great stress reliever,” said YMCA yoga instructor, Beverley Smith.
Smith has been practicing yoga for nine years and has been teaching classes at the YMCA in Terrell since it opened. She said the best thing about Yoga is that anyone can do it, regardless of your age, weight, or level of experience.
“You can start as a beginner in our Yoga classes here because all of our exercises have modifications to make them doable for anyone,” she said.
In Yoga, there is no competition and no perfect pose, according to Smith. It’s all about how far your body will allow you to go.
“Yoga is like crawling before walking, then walking before running; you have to master the small steps before advancing further,” Smith said.
The weight-bearing exercise forces you to use your own weight to strengthen your muscles along with your bones. Unlike when lifting weights, doing yoga helps you build long lean muscles from stretching exercises rather than bulky muscles.
“It is absolutely amazing the benefits that you gain with Yoga,” Smith said. “I have had class members say after three weeks, their back pains and aches were completely gone.”
The benefits of Yoga can be physiological, psychological, and biochemical for your body. It can also be used as a means of therapy to treat an array of physical and mental diseases and disorders.
For Smith, yoga is not only a way to stay healthy and relaxed, but it’s also a vital therapeutic tool in her life in order to remain healthy.
“I was diagnosed with Lupus about 10 years ago,” Smith said. “I had to learn how to walk and do everything again during my 45-day stay in the hospital. During my recovery, I began practicing yoga and ever since, I have been in remission.”
Smith added that her doctor told her to never stop doing yoga and that her healthy physical condition today can be credited toward her yoga practices.
“Everyone has to try Yoga at least once,” Smith said. “You’ll never know the impact it may have on your life unless you give it a chance.”
Yoga classes are offered at the YMCA on Rockwall St. on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday, every week from 5:30-6:30 p.m. You must have a YMCA membership in order to enroll in Yoga classes.
For more information on Yoga and its benefits, please visit www.webmd.com/balance/the-health-benefits-of-yoga.
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