Whether you’re just starting your exercise journey or have many years under your belt, yoga has become a form of physical fitness for many around the world. Yoga comes from the Sanskrit word “yuj” meaning “to unite”. Originally taken to mean joining the mind to the body, yoga is also uniting people and building communities.
Yoga Through the Ages
Mindfulness and creating a space to live in the present moment have been around for a while. Though historians can’t name the first person to practice yoga or even when it first began, we do know that it’s at least as old the Vedic period in 1500 BC.
At first, yoga was an exclusively male activity. More specifically, only the men in the highest caste were learning the practices of yoga.
The demographics started changing in the 19th C with the rise of yoga gurus. They started traveling to Europe and the US sharing yoga with anyone who wanted to listen. And people wanted to listen.
Style
Today there are many different styles of yoga practiced around the world. Around twenty of them have become very popular lately and each style comes with its own method.
Vinyasa yoga, for example, is more posture based. There is a sequence of poses that you move through. Classes tend to be able to cater to most people, though it can be quite fast paced.
Other types like restorative yoga and yin yoga are gentler and slower paced. These focus more on breathing properly and the meditative aspects of yoga.
Still others like hatha yoga require you to memorize a set sequence of poses that you move through with a group.
Then there’s hot yoga. This is more focused on the exercise and physical activity aspect of yoga. This raises the heart rate more than other types of yoga since the room gets heated anywhere between 95-105 degrees Fahrenheit (35-40.5 C).
Health Benefits
Yoga has so many proven health benefits. It’s no mystery why people are drawn to it.
Yoga is a known stress reliever. It helps people boost their energy which in turn elevates their mood.
It been said to help people sleep easier at night after being in a state geared towards relaxation and meditation.
Yoga also helps improve heart health when it is practiced consistently.
Get to Know Some Poses
Whether you like to do yoga on the beach, at home, or in the studio, there are classes for everyone. Anyone just starting out should know these few poses before walking into their first yoga class.
Tree pose improves balance and core strength.
Downward-facing dog improves flexibility and overall body strength.
Child’s pose is a gentle stretch that is good for your back.
The warrior poses are common in classes used to improve stability.
Fun Facts
As it turns out, before it was a health trend, fitness was not the primary goal of yoga. People were more focused on the breathing techniques and living in the moment.
There is lots of tree symbolism built into yoga. Roots, trunk, branches, blossoms, and fruits each have a special set of characteristics and focus.
Around 300 million people worldwide practice yoga. In the US, one in seven adults reported practicing yoga throughout a twelve month period.
Yoga props like bricks and bolsters are not just for beginners. They help people of all abilities stretch better, be more comfortable, and prevent injuries.
In recent studies, researchers are finding that the health benefits of yoga in adults are also found in kids and teenagers.
A Russian yogi is credited with bringing Asana yoga, or posture-based, practices to Hollywood. Her name is Indra Devi and she has been named the first lady of yoga.
Yoga may be a trend today, but it has won over the hearts and minds throughout the years. If you’re interested in sharing your passion for yoga with the world or want to enrich your at-home yoga experience, check out Maatir’s collection of totes, baseball caps, and incense holders.
