Fight stress and find serenity BY ANNA ENGLAND, GUEST COLUMNIST o those who haven’t tried yoga, it may be hard to understand why anyone would want to give it a shot. If you have avoided yoga under the notion that it’s just light stretching, a religious practice, or “not real exercise,” then you’re missing out! WHAT IS YOGA? As far back as 6000 years ago, yoga was used as a spiritual practice. More recently however, yoga has evolved into a form of exercise laden with well-known health benefits. Coming from the Sanskrit word for “union,” yoga is an attempt to balance the mind and the body with one’s own breathing by using a series of controlled poses. These poses are used to increase strength and flexibility while breathing techniques are used to keep control over the body and quiet the mind. Although it may seem a little complicated, a good instructor ensures that each person knows
the next pose before they transition into it and that they are doing it correctly. Yoga follows the philosophy that exceeding personal limits may lead to injury. Perhaps one of the most interesting aspects of yoga is its adaptability. For example, if a pose becomes uncomfortable, it is perfectly acceptable to alter it or omit it completely. It is one thing to have a pose be challenging, but it is quite another for it to be painful. For this reason, yoga is quite suitable for individuals of all shapes, sizes, ages, and genders. However, as with any form of exercise, it is important to check with your doctor if you have any medical conditions, or if you are pregnant, as some yoga postures may pose a risk. WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF YOGA? Yoga has a wide array of health benefits and is often recommended as a form of therapy for multiple medical conditions.
HEALTH MAGAZINE |FALL 2020
