| Yoga can be more intimidating than other types of | | | | mall, but yoga doesn't require the buying of anything |
| exercise. While many types involve more ineloquence, | | | | extravagant. It involves very simply clothing. The best |
| yoga maintains a certain grace, as if it raises a curious | | | | clothing to wear is loose or stretch clothing, outfits that |
| eyebrow to the panting and grunting of other routines. | | | | are flexible and easily moved in. Yoga is also practiced |
| Because of this, people sometimes get scared off by | | | | barefoot, saving you money on expensive footwear. |
| yoga, thinking it's only for those who are extremely | | | | When to Do Yoga |
| flexible, those who are extremely poised, and those | | | | Yoga can be practiced at any time of the day, but is |
| who have taken a Lamaze class to prepare for | | | | best done on an empty or near empty stomach. |
| breathing. | | | | Eating an energy bar or a light snack an hour before is |
| But, the opposite is really true: yoga is suitable for all | | | | fine, but stray away from a five course meal. While |
| kinds of people. Just learning a little about it is all you | | | | practicing it at any time is beneficial, practicing at |
| need to get started. | | | | specific times may benefit different things. Practicing |
| Why Take Yoga | | | | early in the morning, for instance, is an excellent way |
| Because yoga does more than just exercise the body, | | | | to reenergize your mind and body, preparing for the |
| exercising the mind and spirit as well, its benefits are | | | | day ahead. Practicing late at night allows you to fully |
| really immeasurable. From pain reduction to stress | | | | relax right before bed, granting a more restful night of |
| reduction, yoga decreases the things in your life that | | | | sleep. |
| are decreasing its quality. While it includes the benefits | | | | Yoga Props |
| of other types of exercise - increased strength, | | | | People who aren't familiar with yoga may be confused |
| cardiovascular conditioning, and weight management - | | | | on what kinds of things they need to practice, some |
| it also facilitates balance, flexibility, and proper body | | | | falsely under the impression that they need to buy out |
| alignment. Through breathing exercises and meditation, | | | | an entire sporting goods store. In truth, the most |
| it teaches students to focus on the present, allowing | | | | important and elemental yoga props are an open mind |
| the worries of the past and future to drift away. | | | | and an open heart; once you have these, the rest is |
| Yoga does far more than get you relaxed and help | | | | simple. |
| your body to become stronger and more flexible. It's | | | | These elements aside, there are tangible items that |
| another way in which you can learn about yourself | | | | can aid in the practice of yoga, helping people to |
| and come to experience yourself as a whole, | | | | achieve proper balance, and alignment. These can |
| regardless of your physical condition or level of | | | | include a non-slip Yoga mat, a strap, a blanket, and a |
| "fitness." Although it looks like exercise and conveys | | | | block of wood or foam. |
| the benefits of exercise, it is far more than exercise. | | | | When it comes down to it, yoga isn't scary. It's not |
| It's done without striving and without forcing, allowing | | | | going to jump you in a dark alley, flexing its muscles |
| acceptance of our body as we find it: in the present, | | | | and taking your wallet. It's not that kind of twisted. |
| from one moment to the next. Whether stretching, | | | | Instead, yoga exists to do the opposite: cleanse your |
| lifting, or balancing, yoga teaches us to work at our | | | | mind, body, and spirit and invoke a sense of peace and |
| limits, maintaining moment-to-moment awareness. | | | | rest. It's not scary at all, and, after learning a few |
| Who Should Take it | | | | basics, even the biggest novice can take yoga to the |
| Anyone. Everyone. Yoga is suitable for so many | | | | mat. |
| people because it can help any person who's willing to | | | | TWISTED is a medical yoga studio at the Center for |
| ask for its assistance. From people with chronic pain, | | | | Osteopathic Medicine in Boulder, Colorado. Twisted |
| to those with chronic stress, yoga can teach you how | | | | integrates osteopathic medicine, hatha yoga and |
| to minimize personal demons. For those who are pain | | | | mindfulness practices to teach optimal balance |
| free and carefree, yoga can maintain a sense of | | | | between physical, mental, and emotional health. It aims |
| peace. Yoga also provides so many physical and | | | | to educate and help people to live a healthy life - from |
| mental health advantages that it's hard to find anyone | | | | the inside out. Rehabilitation programs offer a |
| who can't benefit from it in some way. | | | | comprehensive treatment regime for the whole being. |
| What to Wear | | | | Empowering each person, one breath at a time, to |
| Some forms of exercise may warrant your purchase | | | | stimulate the body's natural healing potential. |
| of that new workout suit calling your name at the local | | | | |