National Yoga Month 

Did you know that several yoga poses are based on animals and the unique postures they do in nature? According to the CDC, the word yoga derives from an ancient language and means yoke or unite-to bring together your body, mind, and spirit.

If you have ever thought about taking a yoga class but weren't sure where to start, you're in luck! September is National Yoga Month, and we're going to focus on the benefits it can provide for your overall health and wellness.
 
Read on to learn more about the health benefits of yoga and how you can receive a free week of classes at your local studio.

What Is Yoga?
By Yoga Alliance

Answering the question, "What is Yoga?" is challenging and is the subject of extensive academic and philosophical study. As the largest nonprofit supporting yoga, we offer this brief introduction to Yoga, along with perspectives from leading scholars and yogis, to help answer this question.

Yoga was developed up to 5,000 years ago in India as a comprehensive system for wellbeing on all levels: physical, mental, emotional and spiritual. While Yoga is often equated with Hatha Yoga, the well-known system of postures and breathing techniques, Hatha Yoga is only a part of the overall discipline of Yoga. Today, many millions of people use various aspects of Yoga to help raise their quality of life in such diverse areas as fitness, stress relief, wellness, vitality, mental clarity, healing, peace of mind and spiritual growth.


 

Yoga Gaining in Popularity Among Americans
By Alan Mozes, HealthDay            

Yoga is increasingly popular among U.S. adults and children, two new government surveys reveal.
 
One survey found a little less than 6 percent of adult Americans said they had tried yoga, tai chi or qi gong back in 2002, but that figure jumped to slightly more than 10 percent in 2012, fueled mostly by yoga. And a second survey that focused on children found a similar trend: Yoga had been tried by about 1.7 million children in 2012, representing an increase of about 400,000 since 2007.



What are the Benefits of Yoga?

One Week Free Yoga for New Students

New to Yoga? Get the Yoga Month Card for ONE WEEK FREE YOGA at a local yoga studio for FREE and experience the proven health benefits of yoga

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Yoga May Cut Heart Disease Risk Factors
By Amy Norton, HealthDay  

Yoga has long been believed to improve overall health, but a growing body of evidence shows the ancient practice may also help the heart, a new review finds.
 
In fact, the benefits were similar to those of conventional exercise such as brisk walking, said lead researcher Paula Chu, a doctoral candidate at Harvard University's Health Policy Program in Boston.                                  

 

Basic Tips to Get Started With Yoga
By Kamlesh Barwal, Art Of Living Yoga Director

  1. Take a deep breath out: Often we equate yoga with some tough, limb-twisting poses. And aren't you sometimes concerned that: "I can't even touch my toes, how can I do yoga?" Yoga is not about touching your toes, or stretching 98 degrees to your north-east. It's a simple process of uniting with yourself - using your breath, body and the mind. And it's easy and effortless. So, never mind if you're not Ms Flexible, or you're venturing into yoga at the age of 40, or you have secret love handles which are stressing you out - remove all those myths! The only one watching you is yourself - so just relax. The journey will be enjoyable and relaxing.
  2. Follow the tradition: It is best to start learning the yoga practice under the guidance of a qualified yoga teacher who can lead you through the correct way of doing each technique. This would help you learn yoga postures properly and avoid possible injuries. Some of the philosophies or techniques taught in yoga may be new. It is a good idea to keep an open mind as it will help broaden and enhance your yoga experience.
  3. Your doctor and yoga teacher is just a call away: If you have a medical condition, inform your yoga instructor prior to the commencement of the training. It will help the teacher customize your yoga posture practice.
  4. Simple wearing, high thinking: Wear comfortable clothing while going for the yoga class or when practicing yoga at home. Also, avoid wearing belts or excessive jewelry as it could get in the way of yoga practice.
  5. Wake up at cuckoo's call: Although it is best to practice yoga postures early morning, if it doesn't happen, don't let it be an excuse to not practice yoga at all! You can do it any time of the day as per convenience.
  6. Lighter stomach aids to your yoga practice: It is advised to practice on an empty stomach or at least 2-3 hours after your last meal. Also it's advised to at least have three to four liters of water during the day as it will help you to flush out the toxins out of the body which are released during your yoga practice.
  7. Set the tone right before you start: Sukshma Vyayam or gentle warm-up exercises help loosen up the body and prepare it for the yoga postures coming ahead.
  8. Smile to take you through the miles: See the difference for yourself. Keeping a gentle smile relaxes the body and mind and helps you enjoy the yoga postures much more.

What Yoga Can and Can't Do for You
By Serena Gordon, HealthDay

Chances are that you've heard good things about yoga. It can relax you. It can get you fit -- just look at the bodies of some celebrities who sing yoga's praises. And, more and more, yoga is purported to be able to cure numerous medical conditions.
 
But is yoga the panacea that so many believe it to be?
 
Yes and no, say the experts. Though yoga certainly can't cure all that ails you, it does offer significant benefits.

 

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