By: Howie Holben
Submitted: 2009-12-24 13:02:15 | Word Count: 539
Depending on how you look at it, yoga is an art, a science, or a fitness technique. For some people it can be all three. It stems from ancient Indian practices for right living and is still practiced in many forms on the subcontinent. It has also become a popular way to mediate and exercise in the West. Most Westerns use a flowing style of yoga that is more conducive to strength training and weight loss. There is even a hot yoga that helps you sweat out toxins while you are doing your poses. While yoga is a very individualized way to exercise, it is often conducted in a group setting under the supervision of a qualified instructor. Because of this, there are many yoga classes that are geared toward a specific demographic so that the attendees will feel more comfortable in a group. For instance, there is prenatal yoga, yoga for women, and gay yoga.
Yoga is all about focusing your mind and body toward the task at hand. It is much easier to do so if you are in a situation in which you feel comfortable. From the moment you walk into the yoga studio the entire atmosphere should be designed to put you at ease. The lighting is generally soft and the floor supportive. Even though you are using the additional support of a yoga mat, most studios designed specifically for yoga will also have a sprung wood base so there is a minimum of wear and tear on your joints. Some studios will also play relaxing music at the beginning and end of each session.
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A good instructor will have a tone that is both encouraging and soothing. This means that you should push yourself has hard as your body lets you, but not feel tension if you can t immediately accomplish full blown poses. Being surrounded by people who are at your same physical level also helps to make you feel comfortable.
The flow of a general yoga class is also designed to challenge you without stressing your mind or your body. Generally the class starts out with some easier warm up exercises.
The structure of a yoga class is also designed to reduce your stress level. When you first start you will engage in breathing exercises should help you to clear your mind.
You might even find that you class combines traditional yoga with Pilates exercises to strengthen your core muscles. In this case the work will become more and more challenging until right before the end of the class.
Then, by the end of the class you should really be pushing yourself to take it to the next level. Finally there will be a period of cool down and relaxation that includes more breathing and relaxation exercises. By the end of a yoga class you should have an energetic body but a relaxed mind.
All yoga classes are designed to make you feel both relaxed and energized. They are truly exercises for both the mind and body. Many yoga practitioners even begin to think of yoga as a lifestyle choice. That is why there are so many community oriented yoga classes such as gay yoga that further help to bring people together.
