From A-list celebrities to soccer moms to Auburn students, yoga attracts people in all walks of life.
“I think yoga is great exercise, I would recommend it to anyone,” said Emily Canan, a junior in public relations.
But to those who have not hopped on the yoga bandwagon, the terms “downward facing dog” and the “sun salute” sound like a foreign language. So what do these terms mean, and what exactly is yoga?
According to ABC-of-Yoga.com, the practice of yoga can be traced back to around 3000 B.C. Archaeological evidence proves that stone seals in the shape of yoga poses depict the emergence of yoga during this time in ancient history.
Yoga has developed and changed since its appearance. The practice began with a heavy emphasis on spirituality, its goal being to unite the body, mind and soul.
Yoga was introduced to Western civilization in the 19th Century. Just as the practice of the ancient exercise changed with time, so did the teachings of yoga.
“Yoga and Pilates classes may be taught with different approaches - some instructors may choose a more meditative and calming format, while others may use a more physically challenging routine,” said Traci Seen, group fitness coordinator at Gold’s Gym. “Ultimately they each provide a workout that gently stretches and strengthens the entire body, especially the core, while focusing on breathing techniques and relaxation methods, as well as increasing the body’s flexibility through various positions of holding.”
According to Wikipidia.org, the modern practices of yoga focus mainly on the physical aspects like stretching and breathing.
Although most do not consider it a religion, many who practice yoga swear by its health benefits.
“Yoga tones muscles, improves flexibility, balance and strength while energizing the body,” said Jenna Kay, a graduate student who teaches yoga at Auburn.
Like Canan, many Auburn students practice yoga on a regular basis. Local gyms like Gold’s Gym offer yoga classes with trained instructors. Auburn University also offers yoga as a physical education class, which Kay is currently teaching.
According to healthandyoga.com, there are five main physical advantages to yoga.
The first benefit comes through a person’s increased flexibility. Through the variety of different positions achieved during a yoga session, such as the downward facing dog, a wide range of joints are worked, including those that are not commonly used.
“Flexibility is one of the most important fitness components, and it will quickly disappear if not consistently challenged,” Seen said. “Adding just one weekly workout of this nature to an exercise program can promote changes physically and mentally, and the increase in strength is functional for normal daily activities, which will definitely add effectiveness to the other parts of a workout program as well.”
Yoga also increases the lubrication of joints, tendons and ligaments.
The ancient yoga positions work to not only increase flexibility of the joints, but through the science of the stretches, the range of motion of the body’s tendons and ligaments are improved.
When practicing yoga, a person also massages all internal organs in the body. Because of this benefit, yoga experts believe that disease is kept at bay through the stimulation of important bodily organs.
Yoga adherents also claim yoga leads to complete detoxification of the body. Through increased blood supply to different parts of the body, impurities are flushed out, which can lead to increased energy.
Healthandyoga.com lists the last physical benefit of yoga as the toning of muscles. Although not an aerobic exercise, the muscles during yoga are stimulated and eventually become toned and tight with repetition.
Yoga offers mental benefits as well. During a yoga session, people are encouraged to meditate and live in the moment.
Healthandyoga.com claims that if this is achieved, not only do people feel better mentally, but their improved mental state will lead to an even more improved physique.
