The art of yoga is attracting all kinds of people who want to pay more attention to their bodies – and to the mind/body connection!  The funny thing about yoga is that it wasn’t originally created so that people could get exercise; at least, that wasn’t the only aim of practicing yoga, and it’s only fairly recently in human history that yoga became synonymous in some cultures with “body fitness”. 

But nevertheless, it has caught on in a big way, and nowadays everybody from corporate health programs to individual “free spirits” are latching on to the benefits of yoga.  With all of the new changes in our health care system, there’s even talk that insurance plans will soon provide incentives to practice yoga and other similar activities.

But the centuries of wisdom behind this “meditative art” make it easy to see that yoga is not just a ‘random’ set of exercises and activities.  Whether you use yoga to broaden the mind or simply to relax the body and mind, it is a useful, practical tool for modern health (contrary to what you might hear from some ‘fitness-reactionary types’).  Sure, yoga isn’t for everyone, but is has the potential to help many of us deal with the pressures of life today. 

And it’s not a “made-up” activity or discipline – it’s handed down from specific ancient practices to today’s trainers who see a link between expanded range of motion and confidence, health and a better vantage point for every day.  Lots of yoga participants go from learner to instructor to spread the word about the way yoga can help with core training, balance, poise and agility – and if you don’t believe it, check out what on the menu at your local gym. or civic center.

The other thing about yoga is that you don’t need to go to a gym to do it.  In fact, sometimes the gym is the last place you want to be (unless that’s where you trainer is)!  A quiet space without any distractions is the best place for yoga, again, unless you are participating in group yoga, which is also very popular, since the training aspect is often useful for beginners.

But, if you’ve advanced beyond the first steps of yoga and want to go it alone, you can do this almost anywhere.  The tools are minimal: a good yoga mat is important, and today’s fitness tools makers have rolled out great new mat products featuring adhesion and comfort balances for the best chance at practicing yoga well.  Other tools include yoga straps for those who need to give their bodies a little help in achieving held poses and a greater range of motion.  The idea behind yoga straps and related tools is that the body, once helped along by these ‘training’ materials, can gradually establish its own range of motion, allowing the participant to hold the poses on their own.

Learn all you can about the various spiritual and cultural aspects behind yoga, and don’t be afraid to try it for yourself, in any way you choose.

 By Justin Stoltz,  your FitnessFuture correspondent