Yoga and You

The practice of yoga was developed in India roughly 5,000 years ago to encourage emotional, physical, and spiritual wellness. While it's an ancient art, the popularity of this form of exercise continues to this day. It's easy to see why — yoga not only improves balance, flexibility, and muscle strength, but it also can help to relieve stress.

Yoga is composed of a series of very specific movements, or poses, aimed at building strength and balance. Yoga moves can be done quickly, to build up heat in the body, or slowly and contemplatively to focus on flexibility. Meditation, breathing exercises, and chants may also be featured. There are many styles of yoga. Different styles emphasize different aspects of the practice, and some are more strenuous than others.

If you've never tried yoga, consider signing up for a class. You may want to start with hatha yoga, a style that tends to be slower paced and is good for beginners. Choose an introductory class where the instructor will teach you the poses involved and observe you to make sure you're doing them properly. After a few sessions with a good instructor, you can continue practicing yoga with a group, alone, or along with a yoga videotape.

You'll want to wear comfortable, breathable clothing that allows you to move easily. Yoga is done barefoot, so you don't have to worry about buying any special shoes. You'll need a mat that prevents you from slipping while you do poses, and these can be borrowed or rented at most studios or gyms that offer yoga. If you decide to continue practicing yoga, you may consider buying your own mat.

If you've never done yoga before, let the instructor know it's your first time. Remember, others in your class may have been doing yoga for years, so don't compare yourself to them. In time, you, too, will become comfortable with the poses, and you will begin to experience the benefits.