Y–Z

yoga A 5,000-year old practice originating in
China that blends exercise and MEDITATION. Yoga
incorporates specific configurations of the body
called poses. Many poses are gentle and easy for
most people to perform regardless of fitness level
or expertise with yoga, and some poses are com-
plex and difficult for the novice or the uncondi-
tioned to perform. Some poses are static (the
person moves into and holds the pose) and some
are dynamic (moving). There are several kinds of
yoga. The yoga most Americans practice is Hatha
yoga and its derivations. Astanga yoga, also called
power yoga, is highly aerobic and requires a good
FITNESS LEVEL. Some people chant during yoga,
while others meditate quietly.
The essence of yoga is breath control, which
ancient practitioners believed was the connection
among body, mind, and spirit. Every yoga pose
incorporates patterned, structured BREATHING.
There are dozens of such breathing patterns,
which a person also can perform independent of
the yoga postures that employ them. Pulmonary
care specialists often recommend yogic breathing
for people who have chronic LUNG diseases or
who are recovering from extensive injuries or sur-
gery. Yogic breathing emphasizes opening the full
body to the breath, and uses methods that help
the body to extract more oxygen from each
breath.
People who have musculoskeletal conditions
such as chronic BACK PAIN or REPETITIVE MOTION
INJURIES often experience pronounced benefits
from yoga. Yoga can help such conditions heal by
increasing blood flow to the area and by gently
stretching, toning, and strengthening the involved
musculoskeletal structures. Athletes may use spe-
cific yoga poses to stretch and warm up before

practices, events, and competitions. Pregnant

women, particularly those in the third trimester of

pregnancy, often find yoga an effective way to

stay fit and relieve stress. A yoga instructor can

help an individual select poses specifically for his

or her condition as well as modify poses to accom-

modate any limitations.

Health clubs, community centers, and private

yoga instructors offer classes and sessions in yoga

in many communities throughout the United

States. Numerous books and videotapes also can

teach yoga poses, though most people benefit

from having a qualified yoga instructor observe

their poses and help them get them right. Even

the basic poses are precise in how they position

and hold the body, and doing them incorrectly

lessens the benefit and may cause discomfort or

injury. There are no health risks associated with

properly performed yoga poses.

See also TAI CHI.

yohimbe/yohimbine An herbal preparation

from the bark of the African yohimbe tree

(Pausinystalia yohimbe) taken to improve erectile

function in men or as a treatment for ERECTILE DYS-

FUNCTION. Yohimbe may also produce a mild sense

of euphoria, resulting in its reputation as an

aphrodisiac. In the United States yohimbe is mar-

keted as a dietary supplement and available with-

out a doctor’s prescription. The active ingredient

in yohimbe is yohimbine. Yohimbine is available

as a concentrated extract, which is much more

potent than herbal yohimbe, and requires a doc-

tor’s prescription.

People sometimes call yohimbe “herbal Viagra,”

a reference to the prescription medication (silde-

nafil) for erectile dysfunction. Yohimbine,

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