Think yoga and some people picture aging hippies attempting to bend themselves like pretzels. In fact, yoga is an ancient system for integrating physical, mental and spiritual well-being that is moving squarely into the American mainstream.
While there are several branches of yoga, Hatha Yoga is the most widely practiced yoga system in the West. It involves postures that stretch and tone all of the body's muscles and joints, as well as breathing disciplines which calm and revitalize the mind and body.
Medical research has identified a number of potential health benefits of yoga, such as lowering blood pressure in hypertension patients. The November 11, 1998, issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association reported that yoga postures based on the Iyengar method can relieve symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome. And a study in the December 1994 Journal of Rheumatology documents how yoga can help remedy symptoms of osteoarthritis in the hands and finger joints.
Members of the Los Angeles Lakers basketball team regularly practice yoga to cultivate their mind-body focus, balance and flexibility. But yoga teacher Nateshvar Ken Scott says, "The beauty of yoga is that anyone of any age can do it, since it requires no special athletic ability." Scott's students have included actors Woody Harrelson and Demi Moore and fashion designer Donna Karan.
You don't need to go to the gym or a special class for a yoga session. Scott, who teaches at Mountain Trek Fitness Retreat & Health Spa in Ainsworth Hot Springs, Canada, says, "Restorative yoga postures can be done in your chair, your hotel room or your office."
"Yoga is a process and it means union," says California yoga teacher Nancy Wadsworth, who holds classes at Yoga House in Pasadena. "It can be a useful practice for developing mind-body awareness, managing stress, and helping you stay physically, mentally and spiritually strong and flexible."
