Yoga

Yoga seeks to bring into balance all the different aspects of the body, mind, and personality so that the student ends up with energy, strength and clarity.

Yoga exercises are designed to efficiently improve muscle tone, limberness, and circulation. Yoga also strengthens the nervous system, which builds concentration, poise, and a more stable emotional nature. Students quickly learn to recognize and reduce physical tension in an enjoyable and relaxing daily routine.

Yoga breathing techniques can help to speed recovery from stress reactions, relieve insomnia, as well as improve concentration and stamina.

The student learns a total body relaxation technique followed by meditation, which is simply learning how to quiet the mind so that it rests from daily stresses. Regular meditation practice teaches one how to relax at will and also stimulates the intuitive, creative, and problem-solving capacities that we all have but often don't use.

It is recommended by most people that you take a class in Yoga, as having a teacher will make sure you don't strain any muscles and are doing the stances properly. Classes are often offered at your local recreation centre. If you can't take a class, there are many books on the subject, and a lot of magazines have articles on the basics of Yoga.