Assimilating the Yoga Spirit into Daily Life, Part 1 of 2

Yoga originated in India more than 5,000 years ago and was introduced to Western society in the 19th century. The many benefits it brings to body, mind, and spirit have made yoga not only a popular form of exercise but also a kind of lifestyle. Meggie has been practicing yoga for 16 years and specializes in Hatha yoga, which focuses on asanas, or pose. Asanas, pranayama, or regulation of the breath, and meditation are some of the key fundamentals of yoga. “In fact, yoga is a spiritual practice method in India. The spiritual practitioners probably do yoga first thing in the morning, then do pranayama, and meditate. This process makes their meditation more stable and concentrated.” “In the three most important yoga asanas: Salamba Sirsasana (supported headstand), Salamba Sarvnagasana (supported shoulder stand), and Paschimottanasana (seated forward bend), Salamba Sirsasana gives you 10% physical and 90% spiritual enhancement.” “In yoga practice, bending forward is about your past. Bending backward is about looking into the future, and stepping outside the comfort zone.”