It's been around for the last 5,000 years, so it may not be too late to get started on the ancient technique of yoga. And if rock climbing, spinning and other cardio exercises are doing a number on your lower back, yoga could be worth looking into. Yes. It may be time to explore that yoga class you've been questioning. Why yoga? Strength. Flexibility. Balance. Concentration. Muscle tone. Yoga simply makes you feel better. Yoga is the answer for many of things that distress your body, like chronic back pain. It's been proven that it helps manage arthritis, asthma, back pain, blood pressure, chronic fatigue, headaches, heart disease, multiple sclerosis and other conditions. Yoga is a Sanskrit word that means union, to join or yoke together (also called samadhi.) It brings the body and mind together as one. A technique developed in India, the idea behind the exercise was to join the mind, body and spirit as one.

Helpful Tips Before You Get Started Go with an empty stomach - if you are really hungry, snack on something ?light (try yogurt or fruit) one hour before class. Wear loose, comfortable clothes and bring a mat. If you are setting up shop at home, find a quiet place. And when you are looking for a class, look for a qualified teacher. You may want to check out their training and background. Check with a doctor, of course, when starting any new routine Be realistic and go with confidence and an open mind. And, please, be patient. ... and connect.

It is a spiritual practice. But it's not to be confused with a religion. There are four ways of yoga. Jnana is the path of knowledge or wisdom; Bhakti is the path of devotion; Karma is the path of action; and Raja is the path of self-control.
Yoga is a Sanskrit that means union j to join or yoke together (also called sarlladhi,) It brings the body and mind together as one. Heather Trzuskowski, co-owner and founder of the The Yoga Center in Greenwich, Conn. says yoga gives you peace of mind. "The reason why it does that is because it rings you out. It thoroughly involves your mind," Trzuskowski says. "It keeps the body in balance because of our lives and the way we lead it. Yoga can prevent a lot by balancing the musculature on the front and the back."
If you are curious about yoga, try it out. It lengthens the spinal column and stretches the entire back of the body while stimulating the digestive, nervous and endocrine systems. You don't want to give up spinning and tennis? No one says you have to, but yoga is a great substitute. And if you are expecting, yoga is ideal. "Yoga is poplar among pregnant women. It's the one thing they can do," Trzuskowski says. "Yoga teaches them breathing. When you are pregnant you get tight in certain areas. (You get very tight groins as the body creates its hold for the baby.) In the hip flexor, you get tight and as a result a lot of women get back pain. Yoga helps alleviate that pain by stretching and keeping the muscles in balance."

Your Yoga Dictionary
Niyama- The do's of yoga
Yamas - The don'ts of yoga Al1anda yoga - The more meditative yoga
Anusara - Heart-centered yoga style
Asanas- Postures Ashtanga - Very physical yoga style
Bikram. - Hot, vigorous sweat yoga style. Usually done in a sauna...type environment Dhyana- Meditation Hartha yoga - The physical form of yoga most of us would recognize
Om - A mantra. A word chanted in meditation Pranayarna- Breathing technique
Samadhi - enlightenment Sanskrit - Classical language of India

Try This Standard Position…
The Triangle
" Basically all yoga poses are the same. It's just depends on how the teacher approaches them,"
Trzuskowski says. The triangle is standard.
" You create a triangle-like angle with your body between your legs and arm. By doing this you are opening your hip flexor. It's great for the lungs and it tones you," says Trzuskowski.
Triangle: Spread feet shoulder width apart. Keep feet parallel. At the same time spread hands at shoulder level and maintain stretch from shoulder to fingers. Turn right foot 90 degrees to the right. Keep left hip open at all times. Slowly spread out legs, while keeping them strong. Exhaling slightly bend right knee and put right elbow above right knee. Send left arm towards the ceiling. Look up. Stay here for a few breaths, with inhalation come up to the starting position and repeat to the other side. Repeat 3 times each side.