Yoga
Introduction
The body is an energy system with close interplay between breathing, heartbeat, and brain function. Yoga provides a maintenance service for that system. Described as "the heart of healing," yoga also provides a harmonizing process that leaves no part of the body untouched. Yoga can be used to prevent and ease many painful conditions caused by the over-use of joints and limbs. It can also be used as a short-term remedy for stress. Yoga encourages the heart and brain to function freely, unhampered by stress. Anyone and everyone can benefit from yoga.
Guiding Question
How is yoga different from other "exercise programs?"
Questions
1. What are the origins of
yoga?
2. Name and describe five different forms of yoga.
3. What areas of health-related fitness are worked on and improved by
practicing yoga?
4. Describe the postures and sequence of exercises done in the "salute to
the sun."
5. What does the term "asana" refer to?
6. The word "yoga" comes from what great classical language of
ancient
7. What ideas about life are expressed in the word "ahimsa?"
8. What effect do the "standing deep breathing" exercises have on the
body?
9. How are yoga and Hinduism related? How are yoga and martial arts related?
10. What are the traditional "chakras?"
Internet Resources
Origin of Yoga
The Forms of Yoga
Yoga, Health and Fitness
of Mind, Body, Spirit
Salute to the Sun
The
Meaning Of Asana
What is Yoga?
Ahimsa
Standing Deep
Breathing
Yoga and
Hinduism
The
7 Chakras
Activities
1. Make a diagram listing 10 basic yoga poses that work on spine flexibility.
2. Draw the human body showing the location of the chakras.
3. Research to find 10 celebrities who practice yoga. List and describe the
form of yoga that each practices.
4. Write a paragraph explaining the term KAPALBHATI and how it affects internal
organs.
5. Create a children's book about yoga.
6. Find three local and three national yoga associations.
7. Create your own 1-hour workout - include the poses and holding times for
each pose.
8. Compare and contrast five different forms of yoga.
Lori Mcloughlin, Teacher, and Yezhou Shi, AP student, collaborated to develop this web hunt.