Yoga: The How Now of the World's Oldest Exercise

The humming, the candles, the insane positions and the rather cool workout clothes. What comes to your mind when you think of yoga? Well the humming is actually meditation, and that part is optional. So are the candles. But the insane positions stay put, like you will be when your foot gets stuck behind your head.

Joking aside, yoga is a heavenly choice if you are looking to strengthen muscles and condition your body without lifting weights and risk getting all bulky and Rambo-like. There is also the calming effect, which aides in realigning the mental muscles. Unknown to most people, there are actually eight main types of yoga:

1) Bhakti
2) Karma
3) Jnana
4) Raja
5) Mantra
6) Laya
7) Tantra Hatha

Each is as different and unique as the student who toils over the variety of positions. Benefits abound, from physical to spiritual regardless of which path you take. Whether or not you originally chose yoga as a way to meditate, you cannot help feeling calmed and relaxed during some of the breathing exercises. Not only can you calm your anxieties, you can also be lowering your blood pressure and combating a host of chiropractic aggravations at the same time.

The Origin of This Species

From the country that also gave you the Kama Sutra, India is also responsible for creating yoga. Madonna should be thanking her lucky stars. Ancient texts dating back six or seven thousand years ago first mention the stretching/meditating art. Weather worn statues depict possible yogis in a lotus position.

This definitely makes yoga the contender for oldest form of exercise in the world. Unless you count those frolicking gods on Mount Olympus; but they probably borrowed their moves from lusty god Kama, so the torch goes right back to India. Approximately two thousand years ago Indian guru Patanjali wrote the Yoga Sutra, an anthology and guidebook of the practice. From the Sutra come the eight limbs:

1) yamas (restraints)
2) niyamas (observances)
3) asana (postures)
4) pranayama (breathing)
5) pratyahara (withdrawal of senses)
6) dharana (concentration)
7) dhyani (meditation) samadhi (absorption)

Each of these limbs presents a stage of ashtanga, or the "enlightened path." When approached and executed correctly, they can function a recipe for better living. There almost is not a better avenue to take to strengthen mind, body, and soul. So grab a mat and strike a pose.