Possibly the most successful aspect of the alternative medicine craze.
Most Americans associate the word yoga with the practice of hatha yoga, a discipline introduced in 15th century in India focusing on physical purification leading to mental purification. This purification is obtained through the practice of asanas, or postures, and breath control.
Yoga itself is a much older animal, dating back to the fourth century B.C.E.
Since then, the practice has spread all over the world, even to Murfreesboro.
At Yoga On The Square, instructor Angela Johnson offers classes seven days a week. Johnson, who holds degrees in physical education and exercise science, spent several years teaching other forms of physical fitness like aerobics and aquatic fitness, before turning her attention to yoga.
Yoga is also offered at MTSU’s recreation center, or as a physical education course with Jennifer Craze. It is sometimes offered at Murfreesboro’s Dance City (although currently the spot is dedicated to an urban strip-tease aerobic class).
Yoga, trainers say, is a correlation of the mind, body and spirit. Although yoga itself is not a religion, over time it has been incorporated into several.
Its benefits include an increase in flexibility and use of ligaments and joints. It’s little wonder, as any yogi worth their salt will guide students through linked asanas, called vinyasas, that stimulate all portions of the body, including those that “normal” exercise rarely even address.
Another benefit is the internal massaging of organs. This may sound strange, but increasing blood flow to organs through postures is said to stimulate health and encourage healthy bodily functions, like digestion and respiration.
Additionally, thorough stretching leads to detoxification, and, possibly the reason for yoga’s success in Western cultures, muscle tone. Yoga focuses on strengthening the core, or center of a person, the abdomen and groin area.
The disciplined breath control in yoga has also been prescribed to help people deal with stress. Focusing on breathing can be calming and centering.
Yoga knows no age or physical boundary.
