Haven't Tried Yoga? Here's Why You Should

Contributing Staff
Rich Women Sisterhood

Written by Lindsay Evans

What exactly is yoga?

The term yoga, which has been translated from Sanskrit to mean yoke or union, refers to a discipline of mental, spiritual, and physical exercises designed to bring oneself to a state of well being. Originating in India thousands of years ago, practicing yoga - particularly the physical aspects - has gained in popularity in the US since the 1960's.

In a yoga class, students learn different poses, or asanas, that help to strengthen, tone, and align the body. The teacher's goal is to assist students to align their bodies correctly in each pose while breathing deeply through the movements. Taking a deep inward breath as you begin a pose and a deep outward breath as you stretch into the pose helps your body to relax deeply into the correct position. By learning yoga poses, you learn ways to use nothing but your own body (and maybe a few simple props) to provide a whole-body workout.

Vastly different from traditional western exercises, yoga does a magnificent job of both relaxing and revitalizing your body. Many yoga poses work several different muscle groups while stretching others. Beginners can move into the poses as their body allows, stopping when they have reached their limit. Yoga is an individual, non-competitive pursuit. You can go further and deeper into each pose as your body becomes more accustomed to the practice.

If you want to join a yoga class, be sure it is geared to fit your ability. Many different styles of yoga exist. Some are for advanced students only. Learning yoga in a class setting, rather than at home on a DVD, is preferred, because the teacher can give you individualized information about how to properly hold your body in different poses. Many times, you will not realize you are not aligning your body properly until the instructor gently corrects you. Practicing yoga on video is recommended only when you are comfortable in several standard poses.

What are the benefits of yoga?

While yoga enthusiasts have long known that the practice makes them feel great, several recent studies have documented some of yoga's health benefits. Practicing yoga regularly has multiple, well-documented perks, from weight loss to stress relief, to improved cardiovascular health. Many western doctors are finding that yoga can be a beneficial addition to patients' recovery or therapy regimens.

In her book, Dr. Yoga, author and cardiac yoga therapist Nirmala Heriza explains how her yoga classes at Cedar’s-Sinai Medical Center have been shown to reduce stress and improve the lives of cardiac patients. Heriza teaches Cedars-Sinai's Hatha Yoga Cardiac Program, which utilizes Integral Yoga©, a gentle yet effective style. Her students' health improvements have been documented and studied by physicians from around the world.

Medical studies have concluded that practicing yoga can improve the quality of life for people dealing with major issues, such as treating breast cancer or going though menopause. In one study, yoga was integrated into the treatment care plan for women with breast cancer. All women underwent radiation therapy, but those who also took a specially designed yoga class reported significantly increased physical function and general health as well as reduced fatigue, as compared to the control group. A study looking at how yoga or walking could ease symptoms of menopause found that both forms of exercise improved overall fitness and decreased unpleasant occurrences such as hot flashes and night sweats.

How do I begin?

To start experiencing the mental and health benefits of yoga yourself, search for a beginner's yoga class in your area. Check local yoga studios, health clubs, and gyms. Be sure to ask about the instructor's credentials and whether you can observe a class before joining. Unless a mat is provided for you, you will need to purchase a yoga mat and dress in stretchy or loose-fitting clothes. Most importantly, come to your first class with an open mind and willingness to try something new! To learn more about the basics of yoga, visit www.abc-of-yoga.com.