| Yoga used to be viewed as an exotic, "Eastern" form | | | | underneath and alongside our thinking consciousnesses. |
| of spiritual practice that requires austere discipline in the | | | | In fact, many people don't even recognize that they |
| practice of hard-to-achieve postures. When yoga was | | | | have bodies unless they fall ill or bark their shins on a |
| first introduced to American audiences, it was taken up | | | | coffee table. |
| by the Ram Dass crowd but viewed somewhat | | | | What yoga does for the typical desk-bound or "in their |
| askance by the average person. That has all changed. | | | | head" person is that it gives them a sense of |
| These days, yoga is considered one of many | | | | movement for movement's sake that is entirely |
| mainstream forms of exercise and relaxation, and | | | | pleasurable (as long as they don't push themselves too |
| most people would agree that yoga provides an | | | | hard). Some people refer to this experience as |
| experience of enhanced well-being and physical | | | | "making friends with the body." Slogans aside, the end |
| comfort, while more enthusiastic supporters of yoga | | | | result is that at the conclusion of a yoga session, one |
| claim that it can provide deep, long-lasting relief from | | | | simply feels better-more relaxed, mentally clearer, |
| chronic disease, pain, premature aging, and will | | | | calmer, more focused, and less hurried and worried. |
| generally elevate one's level of chi or life-force. | | | | In fact, most people have little interest in the modern |
| Anyone who has taken a few yoga classes will attest | | | | science of mindfulness or the ancient tradition of the |
| that even the gentlest series of yoga postures, if gone | | | | spiritual practice of yoga. Instead, they have found that |
| through under the guidance of an experienced teacher | | | | when they show up for yoga class (or follow tapes or |
| in a pleasant environment, can make you feel much | | | | videos in their home) at least once a week, when they |
| better at the end of a yoga session than you did at | | | | go through a series of yoga poses and let themselves |
| the beginning. What causes this feeling, which can | | | | breathe a little deeper for a time, they just feel |
| actually border on euphoria? Recent science points to | | | | better-physically and mentally. |
| several causes of the "feel-good" effect. | | | | But there's only one way to find out for yourself, and |
| First, for the average sedentary person, just putting | | | | that's to actually try it. My advice is to Google "gentle |
| one's body through a series of gentle stretches can | | | | yoga" or "beginner's yoga" along with the name of |
| release endorphins and initiate a "back-in-one's-body" | | | | your city of town, find a studio that looks appealing, |
| awareness that is a pleasant change from the more | | | | and just show up for a class. If you keep an open |
| familiar "in our heads" state. This is a simple point but | | | | mind and come willing to experience something new, |
| an important one. Many Americans experience | | | | you just may join the millions of other Americans who |
| themselves primarily as thinking beings, and we identify | | | | have come to view their yoga practice as an essential |
| ourselves with our thoughts (likes, dislikes, etc). | | | | part of a healthy, happy, vibrant life. |
| Meanwhile, our miraculous bodies hum along quietly | | | | |