WHAT IS YOGA?

Yoga is an ancient Indian system of exercise, stretching, and controlled breathing, combined with meditation. Many also consider yoga a way of life.

WHAT ARE THE HEALTH BENEFITS OF YOGA?

Yes. Yoga has been shown to have many health benefits, which include lowering blood pressure, weight loss, lowering breathing rate, relaxation/decreased stress, improving the ability of the effectiveness of the heart to pump blood, decreased pain, and improved sleep.

HOW DOES YOGA WORK?

Yoga partially works through various “postures” which are muscle stretching/lengthening techniques that also squeeze organs inside the body to increase circulation. Before and during the postures, breathing techniques are used to help calm and focus the mind, whi.ch is something meditation also helps with. According to yoga enthusiasts, these techniques help to improve the life force (known as prana). The goal is to improve the life force so that a balance is struck between the mind, body, and spirit. People who use yoga hope to achieve well-being as well as mental and physical control over themselves.

ARE THERE DIFFERENT TYPES OF YOGA?

Yes. There are many different types of yoga, from those requiring little physical activity to those requiring what will seem like a very intense work-out. Each type of yoga emphasizes different types of postures.

WHAT IS THE ORIGIN OF THE TERM, YOGA?

Yoga comes from the Sanskrit word "yoga" meaning "union," which refers to union with the Supreme Spirit.