Canyon Ranch (Massachusetts)
"Yoga calms the fluctuations of the mind."
-Patanjali, between 500 and 200 B.C.

Written more than 2,000 years ago, sutras like this one still inspire teachers and students to get on a mat and put themselves into unfamiliar poses, breathe deeply and strive for inner peace.

People's minds fluctuate more than ever these days - the result of a plugged-in, over-caffeinated, need-it-yesterday society. Amid all the distractions, the promise that you can still your mind and gain strength and flexibility brings people of all ages and physical conditions to health clubs, spas and yoga studios, and it's more popular every day. Why? Perhaps because its goal - the union of body, mind and spirit - speaks to a deep need.

With its roots in ancient Hindi, the word yoga translates to "yoke" or "union," and is commonly interpreted to refer to the union of mind and body. Research studies and modern medicine have documented that regular yoga practice does what it promises.

Yogis view the mind and the body as one, and believe that health is the natural condition of an individual in a balanced state of being. Yoga is a tool for promoting balance, harmony and integration, and is therefore considered to be therapeutic. Consistent practice of the postures (asanas) helps students become more aware of their posture, alignment and movement patterns. It makes the body stronger and more flexible and promotes relaxation even in the midst of a stress-stricken environment. The benefits of trying to straighten your arms, twist your torso and balance on one leg week after week? Practitioners feel fitter, happier, and more peaceful and energetic.

The Wide World of Yoga
"Nothing is pleasant that is not spiced with variety."
-Francis Bacon

With the wide variety of yoga classes available today in North America, there's something for everyone. But with choice comes confusion; it can be intimidating for the beginner to sift through the many styles of yoga and select the best method.

Most methods are based on hatha yoga, the "plain vanilla" of yoga styles. The name comes from "ha," meaning "sun," and "tha," meaning "moon." This imagery reflects yoga's goal of unifying and harmonizing opposites. The goal of the practice is to unite the sun and the moon in all of us, the right and the left, the tight and the loose. If a class is described as "hatha style," it is probably going to be slow-paced and gentle, and it can provide a good introduction.

Here are some other popular forms of yoga, with more being born every week:

Anusara Yoga - This method emphasizes opening the heart, alignment and balanced energy. Each student's abilities and limitations are accepted and appreciated.

Ashtanga Yoga - Translated into "eight limbs," this athletic, relatively fast-moving method builds strength, flexibility and stamina through a continual flow of movement and breath work. Ashtanga is also known as Power Yoga.

Bikram Yoga - This is done in a room that is 100 degrees or hotter. Twenty-six poses are performed in a set order. Practitioners believe the heat warms the muscles for greater flexibility.

Iyengar Yoga - This form puts the focus on body alignment in each posture, and emphasizes long holds. It is an excellent preparation for the various forms of flow yoga, because the attention to detail in the poses ensures safety.

Kundalini Yoga - By incorporating mantras (chanting), meditations, visualizations and guided relaxation, kundalini yoga, which has a strong spiritual component, promotes healing and purification of the mind, body and emotions.

Vinyasa (Flow) Yoga - Another method that synchronizes the breath with postures, vinyasa builds strength, flexibility and endurance.

All forms can be beneficial as long as students engage the mind/body connection, paying close attention to the breath. Yoga challenges the practitioner to be mindful and in the moment. Yoga not only addresses the need to calm down and attend to worlds around and within us, it also effectively addresses many of the physical ills that arise from modern life: rounded shoulders and closed chest from hunching over the computer or steering wheel, repetitive stress injuries from typing and clicking, tight hips and lower back pain from too much sitting - yoga is great at mending the damage daily life inflicts on our bodies. There's bound to be a beginning or "gentle" class near you. Discover what this ancient, healthy practice can do for you.

http://www.canyonranch.com/
(800)742-9000 (413)637-4100