There are many different styles of yoga and defining yoga may be better left to personal discovery. “To get there you need to go through it;” and there’s not better way to define yoga than to experience a yoga class first hand. Typically a class includes: centering, stretching, forward bends, standing and balancing postures, twists, backbends and inversions with enhancements or variations offered to all depending on the student’s level of ability. Dedication to an on-going yoga practice has a lot to offer no matter what stage of life you are in. Physically, it can help to improve your strength, flexibility, and balance, as well as address specific problems such as PMS, back pain, hot flashes, or poor digestion.
Yoga can also bring a spiritual and emotional element to your life. The practice of yoga is a breathing practice which links movement to breath. By mentally letting go of your "whole day" and coming into your body through conscious awareness of your breath and by paying attention to the sensations in your body, you have arrived at the practice of yoga. The practice requires that you focus exclusively on the present moment, which can help clear your mind and bring you a sense of peace. Daily practice can lift your spirits; give a valuable energy boost, and provide the time needed for personal reflection. With all that said, however, I believe that what is learned on the yoga mat is unique to the individual. Every posture offers a doorway to Samadhi, the awareness of bliss, and the door is always open.
Yoga by definition of its Sanskrit origin means to yoke or to join. Hatha yoga, the physical aspect of yoga, is the umbrella for all styles of yoga in the United States. The styles range from gentle flow to power yoga to others which blend martial arts, dance, and restorative yoga. Asana refers to a specific posture and vinyasa refers to the sequencing of postures. Yoga is an ancient practice thousands of years old and takes into account the physical, mental, and spiritual realms of a person, hence trying to define it is somewhat formidable. However, there are numerous well-accomplished authors and yoga scholars who have written many books on the subject, and below is list of those I have found beneficial.
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