The Benefits of Yoga

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Yoga has been around for centuries, but it has recently increased in popularity. Yoga originated in India and refers to traditional physical and mental disciplines. There are 5 major branches of yoga in the Hindu philosophy, they include: Raja yoga, Karma yoga, Jnana yoga, Bhakti yoga, and Hatha yoga (Yoga). Yoga goals vary and range from improving health to achieving Moksha (Yoga). “In the state of Moksha lies the ultimate peace, ultimate knowledge, and ultimate enlightenment. Paradise is believed to be a place of temporal attractions to be avoided by the seeker in order to pursue the ultimate goal of union/yoking with god through yoga.” (Moksha) After finding out a little more about yoga I began to wonder about it a little more. I want to know if yoga has any beneficial effects, for those in a regimented exercise program. So, I found a level one yoga class at my gym and thought I would try to find out if it was going to help or just waste my time because I am not into meditation.

It is Saturday morning at 10:00 AM, as I walk into the yoga studio armed with a bottle of water and my yoga mat, I’m not sure what to think. I follow what everyone else does. People are getting these foam blocks, blankets, and straps I am not sure what is going on at this point and the class has not even started yet. I ask what the three different things are for and the instructor Susan tells me, “The blocks are for balance if you need them, the blanket is for more knee support or padding if needed, and the strap will give an easier way to hold certain poses.”

The yoga mats are lined up on the left and right walls. As we begin, I am still not too sure about yoga. It is safe to say I am skeptical about how this is going to do anything ...

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...oga is a good place to start because we are all fumbling to get into the poses and there was not one person that could hold a pose very long. It was nice to be in a room where it did not matter how bad you are because everyone is in the same boat. I really went to see what I would get out of yoga. In that one class I was sweating just as hard as I would during a regular workout. Not only was I stretching, but I was sore from working my muscles in a way they were not used to working. I am becoming a believer in yoga and its benefits for the mind, body, and soul.

Works Cited:

“Moksha.”Wikipedia.Wikimedia Foundation, Inc.

20Feb.2011.Web.9Feb.2011.

Roberts, Sherry.”the benefits of yoga.”Yoga Movement.The Roberts Group.

n.d.Web.22Feb.2011

www.yogamovements.com/resourses/benefits

“Yoga.”Wikipedia.Wikimedia Foundation, Inc.

22Feb.2011.Web.9Feb.2011

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