exercises — are intended to promote the union of the mind, body, and spirit.
Most forms of yoga focus on relaxation and deep breathing as you perform
and hold the poses.Yoga classes have a different feel than the usual Western workouts, often
including a spiritual element such as chanting or burning candles or incense.
(However, many classes these days dispense with the traditional Indian
touches and just get right down to the business of kicking your butt.)The most common misconception about yoga is that you have to be as flexi-
ble as Gumby to do it. In fact, there are many, many variations on the poses,
and a good teacher can teach you to do them in a way that accommodates
your level of flexibility. As you improve, you’ll need fewer modifications.Finding a Yoga Style That’s Right for You ................................................
There are many forms of yoga. Most include the same fundamental poses but
differ in terms of how quickly you move, how long you hold each pose, how
much breathing is emphasized, and how much of a spiritual aspect there is.
Some styles offer more modifications to the really bendy and twisty moves,
so they’re more accessible to new exercisers and the flexibility-challenged.
Others are for people who can already touch their toes with their tongue. If
you find that you dig yoga, experiment with some of the different styles. You
may find you like one more than the others.Here’s a brief look at the main yoga options.Ananda: Ananda yoga requires less strength and flexibility than most
other styles, so it’s a great place to start. The moves are fairly straight-
forward, and ananda doesn’t involve much chanting.Anusara: Anusara, a relatively new form of yoga, has a deep spiritual ele-
ment and a heavy focus on good posture and body alignment.
Astanga: Astanga, sometimes called Power Yoga, is one of the most
physically demanding forms of yoga in terms of flexibility, strength, and
stamina. You move from one posture to another without a break, so we
don’t recommend this style for beginners.Bikram: Bikram, an intensely physical style of yoga, includes a lot of
breathing exercises. The same 26 poses are performed in the same order
during 90-minute classes that are usually conducted in a room heated to
100 degrees. (The heat is intended to make it easier to stretch.) If you
have high blood pressure, are at high risk for developing heart disease,
or already have heart disease, get your doctor’s permission before
taking a class conducted in a room at a high temperature.250 Part V: Cardio-Strength Workouts: Getting the Best of Both Worlds