The first time I tried it, I was hooked. Practicing Yoga clears my body and mind of all "waste" which accumulates over days. In addition, my back and joints continue to feel more relaxed, yet stronger. The joy, strength, and benefits I retain from Yoga do not allow me to stop. I became a certified Yoga instructor in 2008 and enjoy each day of teaching and learning. - Gwenn Jones, ACE-certified fitness trainer since 1989. The Power of Yoga
Apr. 15, 2001 - by RICHARD CORLISS - Stars do it. Sports do it. Judges in the highest courts do it. Let's do it: that yoga thing. A path to enlightenment that winds back 5,000 years in its native India, yoga has suddenly become so hot, so cool, so very this minute. It's the exercise cum meditation for the new millennium, one that doesn't so much pump you up as bliss you out. Yoga now straddles the continent — from Hollywood, where $20 million-a-picture actors queue for a session with their guru du jour, to Washington, where, in the gym of the Supreme Court, Justice Sandra Day O'Connor and 15 others faithfully take their class each Tuesday morning.
Everywhere else, Americans rush from their high-pressure jobs and tune in to the authoritatively mellow voice of an instructor, gently urging them to solder a union (the literal translation of the Sanskrit word yoga) between mind and body. These Type A strivers want to become Type B seekers, to lose their blues in an asana (pose), to graduate from distress to de-stress. Fifteen million Americans include some form of yoga in their fitness regimen — twice as many as did five years ago; 75% of all U.S. health clubs offer yoga classes. Many in those classes are looking not inward but behind. As supermodel Christy Turlington, a serious practitioner, says, "Some of my friends simply want to have a yoga butt." But others come to the discipline in hopes of restoring their troubled bodies. Yoga makes me feel better, they say. Maybe it can cure what ails me. [photo right: Christy Turlington - RUVEN AFANADOR FOR TIME] Oprah Winfrey, arbiter of moral and literary betterment for millions of American women, devoted a whole show to the benefits of yoga earlier this month, with guest appearances by Turlington and stud-muffin guru Rodney Yee. Testimonials from everyday yogis and yoginis clogged the hour: I lost weight; I quit smoking; I conquered my fear of flying; I can sleep again; it saved my marriage; it improved my daughter's grades and attitude. "We are more centered as a team," declared the El Monte Firefighters of Los Altos Hills, Calif. Sounds great. Namaste, as your instructor says at the end of a session: the divine in me bows to the divine in you. But let's up the ante a bit. Is yoga more than the power of positive breathing? Can it, say, cure cancer? Fend off heart attacks? Rejuvenate post-menopausal women? Just as important for yoga's application by mainstream doctors, can its presumed benefits be measured by conventional medical standards? Is yoga, in other words, a science? By even asking the question, we provoke a clash of two powerful cultures, two very different ways of looking at the world. The Indian tradition develops metaphors and ways of describing the body (life forces, energy centers) as it is experienced, from the inside out. The Western tradition looks at the body from the outside in, peeling it back one layer at a time, believing only what it can see, measure and prove in randomized, double-blind tests. The East treats the person; the West treats the disease. "Our system of medicine is very fragmented," says Dr. Carrie Demers, who runs the Center for Health and Healing at the Himalayan International Institute of Yoga Science and Philosophy of the USA in Honesdale, Pa. "We send you to different specialists to look at different parts of you. Yoga is more holistic; it's interested in the integration of body, breath and mind." The few controlled studies that have been done offer cause for hope. A 1990 study of patients who had coronary heart disease indicated that a regimen of aerobic exercise and stress reduction, including yoga, combined with a low-fat vegetarian diet, stabilized and in some cases reversed arterial blockage. The author Dr. Dean Ornish is in the midst of a study involving men with prostate cancer. Can diet, yoga and meditation affect the progress of this disease? So far, Ornish will say only that the data are encouraging. To the skeptic, all evidence is anecdotal. But some anecdotes are more than encouraging; they are inspiring. Consider Sue Cohen, 54, an accountant, breast-cancer survivor and five-year yoga student at the Unity Woods studio in Bethesda, Md. "After my cancer surgery," Cohen says, "I thought I might never lift my arm again. Then here I am one day, standing on my head, leaning most of my 125-lb. body weight on that arm I thought I'd never be able to use again. Chemotherapy, surgery and some medications can rob you of mental acuity, but yoga helps compensate for the loss. It impels you to do things you never thought you were capable of doing." A series of exercises as old as the Sphinx could prove to be the medical miracle of tomorrow — or just wishful thinking from the millions who have embraced yoga in a bit more than a generation. Yoga was little known in the U.S. — perhaps only as an enthusiasm of Allen Ginsberg, Jack Kerouac and other icons of the Beat Generation — when the Beatles and Mia Farrow journeyed to India to sit at the feet of the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi in 1968. Since then, yoga has endured more evolutions of popular consciousness than a morphing movie monster. First it signaled spiritual cleansing and rebirth, a nontoxic way to get high. Then it was seen as a kind of preventive medicine that helped manage and reduce stress. "The third wave was the fitness wave," says Richard Faulds, president of the Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health in Lenox, Mass. "And that's about strength and flexibility and endurance."  At each stage, the most persuasive advocates were movie idols and rock stars — salesmen, by example, of countless beguiling or corrosive fashions. If they could make cocaine and tattoos fashionable, perhaps they could goad the masses toward physical and spiritual enlightenment. Today yoga is practiced by so many stars with whom audiences are on a first-name basis — Madonna, Julia, Meg, Ricky, Michelle, Gwyneth, Sting — that it would be shorter work to list the actors who don't assume the asana. (James Gandolfini? We're just guessing.)
- Article courtesy of: TIME Magazine url: www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,106356,00.html A major benefit of yoga is physical. Yoga improves your flexibility • Yoga helps improve your balance Yoga can help reduce pain • It tones your muscles It helps to increase your level of energy • Yoga helps promote a sense of relaxation Another benefit of yoga is mental. Yoga clears your mind and helps you focus your attention. Yoga helps reduces stress • Yoga can help release stuck emotions Also, as you take your body past the limits of where it has been, you start to feel that you can move past other limitations in your life as well. You gain a sense of peace and tranquility... - by Della Menechella: A yoga and fitness enthusiast who has been involved in fitness for over thirty years. Yoga for Beginners
January 6, 2007 - NATURALFAMILYONLINE - Most people have heard of yoga, but many aren’t aware of its great benefits. Yoga is a method of posing and deep breathing that can improve strength, flexibility, stamina, and relieve stress. If you’ve ever thought about trying yoga, now is a great time to start.
The first thing you need to do is figure out what type of yoga you want to try. This may seem simple, but there are 40 different types of yoga to choose from. Each one has its own benefits, strengths, and requirements. Which one is best for you will depend on your current physical fitness level, what you’re looking to accomplish in yoga, and your own personal preferences. If you plan to take classes, you should check to see what types are available in your area before you choose. While you can find tapes and books that teach you various yoga poses and techniques, you will get the most benefit from attending a class. A qualified instructor will be able to tell you if you’re doing everything properly; doing the poses correctly will give you the biggest benefit. One thing you should be aware of that many people may be uncomfortable with, is touching. Your instructor may move you around if you’re posing incorrectly, or massage you for further relaxation. If this is a big problem for you, then you may want to learn through a different method. When you go to a class, you should be prepared. Remember to wear loose clothing that you can move around in. If you’re unsure of what will go on in a class, look up your type of yoga online or ask someone who has been to a class before. When you show up, be sure to inform the instructor that you’re new so they can provide you with extra help, and don’t be afraid to ask questions during the class. If you find you like the techniques used in the class, you should make it a point to come regularly to experience the full benefit. While you may want to try yoga as a physical fitness regime, you may also be interested in its other aspects. Yoga is more than just posing and deep breathing; it is a belief system that involves all aspects of life. If you find your classes beneficial, you should do more research into this fascinating subject. - Article courtesy of: www.NaturalFamilyOnline.com - Photo courtesy of: yogadurango.com The Benefits of YogaSHERRY ROBERTS - Babies are born yogis. Once we were all able to pull our toes up by our ears and laugh about it. Then we aged, got injured, began carrying stress in our shoulders and back.In short, we lost our balance. Yoga is an ancient practice that helps create a sense of union in body, mind, and spirit. It brings us balance. I was seriously out of balance when I started practicing yoga in 1999. I had plantar fascitiis in both feet, and my doctor had put the kibosh on all the things I loved to do: walking, hiking, and playing tennis. I was desperate for exercise. Yoga became my salvation and even enhanced my other fitness activities.
I practice hatha yoga at least twice a week, but I consider yoga to be part of my daily life because after awhile you no longer just practice yoga — you live it. Stretching into a Fit Life Yoga becomes part of your physical life. Your body grows stronger, more toned, and more flexible as you move from one asana—or pose—to the other. I spent a week in Mexico at a yoga retreat, and it was the first vacation on which I lost weight. "Rather than building muscle, yoga builds muscle tone," says Shakta Kaur Khalsa, author of the K.I.S.S. Guide to Yoga. "Because yoga helps maintain a balanced metabolism, it also helps to regulate weight. Additionally, yoga stretches muscles lengthwise, causing fat to be eliminated around the cells, thus reducing cellulite." I do yoga poses throughout the day. After hours at my computer, I stretch my stiff shoulders and arms. When I need a boost of energy, I do energizing poses. When I am feeling exhausted at the end of the day, I do restorative poses. Yoga becomes part of your mental life. Yoga teaches you to focus on breathing while you hold the poses. This attention to breath is calming; it dissolves stress and anxiety. I use yogic breathing on the tennis courts, in the dentist’s chair, when I’m stuck in traffic. You should always leave a yoga practice feeling energized, not tired. If you feel tired after yoga, it means you spent the time "fighting" yourself, trying to force yourself into poses. In yoga, you "surrender" to the pose by letting go of the tension. Yoga becomes part of your spiritual life. Yoga is practiced by people from all religions; it is nondenominational. Yoga teaches "right" living in how we deal with ourselves and others. As I work on a difficult pose, I learn patience, forgiveness, and the value of gentleness. Yoga advocates proper eating, but you don’t have to be a vegetarian to practice yoga. There have been some medical studies on the positive effects of yoga. And a growing number of doctors are following the lead of cardiologist Dr. Dean Ornish and incorporating yoga into their patient recovery programs. But for the most part, the evidence of the benefits of yoga is anecdotal. They range from the simple “I can touch my toes again” to "it helped me handle my disease." A woman who was diagnosed with hepatitis C, for example, said: "Yoga has helped me immensely to deal with the hepatitis C treatment. I truly feel that the reason that I have had such a successful treatment so far is that my whole being was ready, calm, and accepting of what would be—and throughout the treatment the ability to focus, breathe, and stretch the limits of my body and mind has definitely kept me together." Getting Started Anyone can do yoga—no matter how young or old you are, whether you’re a couch potato or a professional athlete. Size and fitness level do not matter because there are modifications for every yoga pose. The idea is to explore your limits, not strive for some pretzel-like perfection. Start by going to a yoga class. Look for a teacher who challenges you but does not push, who offers modifications, and who works one-on-one with students. Wear comfortable clothing that allows you to move. Use a yoga mat for cushioning and to keep from slipping. If there is no yoga studio in your town, practice with a video and read books. Just remember one thing: “No pain, no gain” is NOT the yoga way. If it hurts, stop. Patience and feeling good about yourself and your world is the way of the yogi. - Article courtesy of Yoga Movement url: http://www.yogamovement.com - More Yoga articles at: http://www.yogamovement.com/resources.html A Taste of Yoga ~ Correcting the 'Twisted' MythJune 23, 2009 - Grass Valley Union - GWENN JONES"You're convinced that yoga is not for you, right? You can't see yourself practicing a 5,000-year-old religion-based art form. Well, think again. Yoga is hot - and it's not just for willowy types who wear small spandex pants and tank tops. Today's yoga participants are young and old, flexible and inflexible, shapely and out of shape. They are everyday people just like you who want to treat their bodies well. And what better way than through a low-impact exercise that induces relaxation, lowers stress and relieves tension? Even better, yoga also helps tone and strengthen your muscles and loosen your joints." – quote from Arthritis Today magazine Millennia ago Yoga was practiced to spiritually enlighten one to encourage sound mind and body connection – an understatement as it is. Some termed it a religion, others a philosophy. But add a few centuries, go west, and the art of yoga has radically altered. According to some, it is unrecognizable to traditional eastern practitioners. Interestingly, many instructors from the U.S. travel to India to augment their skills. In turn, many practitioners from India come west to modernize their teaching. All in a wonderful effort to expand, develop and educate themselves and their students to a deeper sense of mind-body health. True, many folks begin yoga to become more fit realizing later the immense influence the entire yoga package yields. Yoga’s physical benefits No matter a beginner or advanced student, yoga builds body balance—a constant crusade fitness trainers struggle with for clients. Many competitive athletes now practice yoga to develop balance and reduce risk of injury. Articles report those adding yoga to their fitness schedules are pro-golfers, tennis players, pro-football, baseball and basketball teams. Just a few sports teams active in yoga are: the Miami Dolphins, Philadelphia Eagles, New York Giants, LA Lakers, Chicago Cubs, plus Evander Holyfield, Venus & Serena Williams, Pete Sampras, and John McEnroe. Yoga builds overall muscle tone and strength of the spine, as all muscles of the body are challenged. Additionally, it develops muscle and tendon flexibility—an essential part of physical fitness especially as we age. Upper body strength breaks down substantially as we mature. Poses (asanas) which build upper body strength are Downward dog, Plank, and Upward dog. In addition, asanas strengthen the abdominals with proper technique and coaching. Yoga practice assists us in the control of our muscles and works those muscles often not used in everyday activities, or used incorrectly in daily life. Moreover, yoga improves posture, coordination, stamina, strengthens ligaments, tendons and bones, heightens the immune system, helps in healing injuries, improves blood circulation, cleanses and improves internal organ function, contributes to pain relief—some things most would not reject. Many see these types of results in a very short period of time with adherence. Over the past five years scores of health care providers have recommended yoga as they recognize benefits such as lower blood pressure, slower heart rate (addressing hypertension), plus reduced heart disease and stroke risk. Increased lung capacity due to follow-through with breathing is a common benefit. Most yoga styles focus on deep, long breaths with movement which encourage relaxation. Emotional and mind benefits Adherence to one's practice shows proven success in lowered stress levels and enhanced powers of relaxation. As well, yoga participants report: - enhanced mental focus - increased peace of mind, and a more positive outlook - higher energy levels - improved concentration and heightened awareness - balances in mood and emotions - elevated self-confidence When and where should one try yoga? Almost anytime. Young, old, active, non-active, tall, short, in-shape, out-of-shape or just for the sake of variety—most everyone can learn. Yoga is major all over the U.S. and California. In particular, more Placer and Nevada County residents and commuters are starting up each week. This compels more classes, produces positive energy, and increases exercise adherence which is key in maintaining fitness. Cautions People with medical conditions should speak first with a qualified health provider. Some inverted postures should not be practiced by those with certain conditions or illnesses such as spinal disc disease, blood clots, glaucoma, retina detachment, severe osteoporosis, high blood pressure. Modifications are a necessity. One choice to address these issues might be Restorative yoga. What style of yoga is suitable? There are plentiful yoga styles. The most prevalent and accessible styles in the Placer and Nevada Counties area are: Beginner – slow and relaxing sessions where stretching and restful poses are executed. Many students progress to intermediate levels after acquiring the basic asanas. Restorative yoga – a passive, carefully executed practice utilizing assistance such as pillows, blankets, chairs and sandbags. Very lengthy poses are accomplished comfortably for stimulation of blood circulation, respiration, calmness incorporating proper breathing technique. Elderly students enjoy this style. Iyengar yoga – which leans toward a slow, therapeutic aspect using the aid of support props to accommodate injuries, recovery, joint issues, or weakness due to lack of exercise. Iyengar style focuses on posture technique and correct body alignment. This subtle method is satisfying for exercise beginners, seniors, or those overweight. Vinyasa or Ashtanga (aka Power Flow) – a lively style consistent in flowing postures with breath increasing strength, heart rate, flexibility, stamina, and mental focus. Often, a flow style focuses on the physical practice and shortens the meditation. Bikram (or Hot Yoga) – performed in a heated room (95-105 degrees F), is vigorous, challenging, and inclined to be competitive in nature. The heated room allows for release of tight muscles and generous sweating which is cleansing for the body. Many folks enjoy Hot yoga to enhance their practice. Good pre-hydration is essential. Pre-natal and Post-natal – classes are also available in the larger studios. It is best advised to speak to qualified yoga instructors to evaluate your fitness level and suggest a suitable class to begin. Practicing mindful breath and balance are typically abundant in yoga. Deep breathing calms the mind. Standing and balancing poses (asanas) increase core strength, muscle tone, and mental focus; while many floor poses increase strength as well as flexibility. If you are already physically fit, utilizing yoga as a cross-training tool is a diverse and stimulating mix. The Myth in yoga practice and results Contrary to what many perceive and articulate as "hauling the feet behind the head," this is rare in group yoga sessions except at advanced levels. A qualified yoga instructor demonstrates modifications for even basic asanas to facilitate ease in class. After any yoga workout the physical goal is evident. However, common emotional results from yoga are: a sense of pride, calmness, reduced stress, joyful spirit, positive outlook – to name a few. It is accurate to summarize the feeling after yoga to be a huge and gentle ahh! Post-yoga workout Stress, regardless of type or reason, often seems bottomless. But luckily the post-yoga exhilaration and emotional balance hits every time. It helps us stay in the battle so-to-speak as life itself is frequently unstable. Yoga quickly becomes a passion and subsequently, part of the soul. This writing touches merely on yoga's fundamental benefits. Yoga practice can be a world in which you can immerse yourself in practice, on the internet, in books, in videos, and of course, educate culturally – or not. Enjoy the pleasure, it's all good. For more information, call (530) 889-2920 or see URL: http://www.AuburnYF.com -by Gwenn Jones, certified PT, GFT, Yoga instructor; Auburn Yoga & Fitness, Auburn, CA |
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