The practice of Yoga is physical, mental, and spiritual. It is a discipline which originated in ancient India over 5,000 years ago.  Introduced to the Western world in the late 19^th century, it wasn’t until the 1980’s that yoga gained widespread popularity.

Yoga comes in many forms:

• Hatha – this is a slower class requiring each pose to be held for a few breaths.
• Vinyasa – this is a flow class that links movement and breath together.
• Hot Yoga – typically Bikram style of Yoga preformed in hot and humid conditions. The benefit is detoxification.  Heavy sweating is said to flush toxins from the skin.
• Iyengar – named after one of the foremost yoga teachers in the world, B.K.S. Iyenger, this is a form of Hatha yoga emphasizing detail, precision, alignment, and breath control.

Yoga promotes health and wellbeing through a variety of different techniques such as postures, movement, breathing, relaxation, concentration, self-inquiry, and meditation.  The main goal of the yoga lifestyle is life balance – training your mind, body, and breath.

According to a Yoga Journal Study, there is a rise in popularity.  20 million Americans practice yoga today which is up from 15.8 million in 2004. Home practices are great and you can make it your own.  Others enjoy group practices where you can leave all the distractions at the door and concentrate only on your practice.

Having a stressful job, I have decided to take some yoga classes.  I have only done it for a few weeks, but I am addicted to it now.  I now have more items to put on my Penless Wish List: sessions to a yoga studio, extra yoga mat, and yoga props such as a strap and a block.  With my birthday coming up soon, my wife and kids will be able to look on my Penless Wish List and not have to wonder what to get me.  It is so easy to add to the wish list.  I added to my wish list by browsing yoga stores online and cropping pictures.  When my family pulls up my wish list, it is all there along with the store and website where they can purchase it.  Doesn’t get much easier!

“The rhythm of the body, the melody of the mind and the harmony of the soul create the symphony of life.” – B.K.S. Iyenger