You probably know by now that stretching is important for maintaining or even improving your mobility. There are several forms of exercise, such as Pilates, that have a particular focus on these kinds of movements. Yoga may be one of the most famous.
The history of yoga dates back thousands of years to ancient India. It’s a series of exercises that traditionally focused not just on physical movement, but also on practices to improve emotional and spiritual wellbeing. In some ways, it’s a form of meditation. Hinduism is probably the religion most associated with yoga, but it’s important in Buddhism and Jainism as well.
Modern yoga doesn’t always resemble its ancient origins. Westernized versions in America and Europe don’t always have the same spiritual focus and are often turned into a more secular form of exercise. New schools have been established with different priorities, serving an ever-widening group of practitioners all around the world. To some people, this is a corruption of yoga’s original purpose; to others, it’s a way to make it more attractive and accessible to more people.
Hatha yoga is one of the most common kinds. It has a particular focus on physical movements known as asanas. These are the forms you’re probably used to seeing whenever yoga appears on the television. Traditional Sanskrit names are translated into English phrases like “downward dog”, “warrior” and “triangle”.
A traditional yoga class will be divided into different sections, allowing you to work on different parts of the body with differing levels of intensity. The “Sun Salutation”, a sequence of asanas that take you from standing to the ground and back again, will often feature near the beginning.
There are asanas that focus on the back, the shoulders, the hips, the abdomen, and pretty much every part of the body. More advanced practitioners may find themselves mastering trickier moves like handstands and headstands. A good yoga session will allow you to work on balance as well as mobility.
People practice yoga for different reasons. For some, it’s a form of spiritual fulfillment that can relieve stress and calm an overactive mind. For others, it’s simply an effective form of physical exercise. You can take what you want from yoga, but if you’re looking to improve your mobility and maybe experience some other benefits as well, it could be a good place to start.
