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Mara Carrico
Yoga instructor and author
During a time when just filling one’s
gas tank can cause stress, it’s not
surprising that Yoga’s popularity is
increasing.
Many people are discovering what I have known
since I started teaching Yoga in 1971: Yoga
provides "more bang for your buck"
since it provides benefits for the
mind and
the body. In other words, Yoga
practitioners
find they can reduce stress while improving
flexibility and posture as well as building
strength and stamina. Generally, the
practice both calms and
energizes both mind and body.
Today more than ever, people need to find
ways to de-stress. Many have discovered Yoga,
making them feel happier and have a more
patient and positive outlook toward others
and life in general.
Yoga’s benefits go even deeper
than that. When we are less stressed and
happy, our immune systems tend to be
stronger, we sleep better, and are more
focused in our daily lives.
The branch of Yoga that we are most familiar
with is Hatha Yoga—the physical
component of this philosophy. Ha means Sun;
Tha means Moon. Hatha Yoga is a method of
channeling and balancing the duel energetic
aspects of life. The literal translation
means force, power or effort.
Hatha Yoga can be calibrated for all fitness
levels, ages, genders, and degrees of
physical potential. In fact, there are Yoga
classes for expecting moms, children, teens,
athletes, dancers, couch potatoes, the
physically challenged, seniors… There
also are programs for people in recovery from
alcoholism and drug addiction! There is a
whole realm of Yoga Therapy and Restorative Yoga.
All who are breathing and still have their
mental faculties can do it — even if
the Yoga session comprises just breathing
exercises and super-gentle stretches. There
are no limits to whom Yoga may help.
It seems to be particularly popular with
those of the Baby Boomer generation.
While more women practice Hatha Yoga than
men, men are joining classes today more than
ever. (Interestingly, most male students who
continue their studies become quite dedicated
and often go on to become teachers.)
Baby Boomers' interest in Hatha Yoga is
not surprising, considering it is
particularly good for people who need to
de-stress, relax, and get centered while
gaining fitness benefits.
For the general population, Hatha Yoga
can be one very important component of a
fitness program that should also include
a cardio-vascular regimen as well as a
strength program. Advanced styles
of Hatha Yoga—for example, Ashtanga
and Bikram—have the potential
to satisfy all fitness requirements:
stamina, strength, and flexibility. This
level of commitment is for those willing to
include it in their schedule four to six
times a week.
The best way to
start is join a beginner's class or
commit to a beginner's introductory
course. Yoga classes can be found everywhere
these days—from your local gym,
college, recreation and senior centers
to exclusive yoga studios and luxurious
spas. You can also pick up a Yoga
book to get yourself started and there is a
whole line of excellent Yoga DVDs, but,
ideally, it’s a good idea to learn
from a qualified and experienced
instructor so you can develop safely and gain
the most benefits.
At the beginning, taking two one-hour classes
a week is best. One class a week
is fine; you will benefit, but not as
quickly.
If you want to go to a higher level, you need
to commit to three or four Yoga sessions a
week. It depends how advanced you want to
become and how much time you can
dedicate yourself to this. The bottom line is
this: the more you put into it, the more you
will get out of it. But this doesn't
negate the fact that a little Yoga goes a
long way. Wonderful benefits and results can
be realized with minimal, consistent
practice!
Hatha Yoga can even
benefit those considered to be in good
physical condition. One of my students
started Yoga in her late fifties; she was
slim and fit but had no flexibility and very
poor posture. In less than a year —
with two classes a week and continuing her
other fitness activities — she had
improved her flexibility and posture to a
very impressive degree! She said that she
felt better and had more stamina while
feeling generally calmer and more positive in
her attitude.
When one considers the benefits of
Yoga, it’s not surprising more and more
people are turning to it when time is at a
premium and stress-relief is essential.
Mara Carrico is a spokesperson for the
American Council on Exercise (ACE). She
operates Yoga Lady(R) INK! and is Director of
YogaLink(R) International. She wrote Yoga
Journal's Yoga Basics and the ACE
publication, Fitness Yoga, that can be
found
at www.acefitness.org.
Carrico choreographed and
scripted Jane Fonda's Yoga Exercise
Workout video. Mara began studying Yoga at
eighteen years old and has been teaching for
more than 30 years. She has studied with the
finest teachers in the United States and has
taken two trips to India to study with B.K.S.
Iyengar.
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