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TOPIC 12: Yoga Considering it's thousands of years old, it might seem silly to say yoga has come a long way in recent years. But as mind and body exercises continue to take hold in the 90's, the practice of yoga has moved from the alternative to the mainstream. We explored why so many people believe it's the piece you need to complete the puzzle of keeping both the body and mind fit. The world we live in is so fast paced and hectic. That stress takes a toll on our bodies and mnds. How you relieve that stress is critical to living younger, longer. Yoga has been around for more than 5000 years. It is an ancient practice that can help you deal with the stresses of life. Yoga means "to unite." It is the practice of bringing together all aspects of a person, body and spirit, through physical postures, meditation, and breathing. Yoga instructor Marie Kearney stresses the importance of breathing, "Often times we're breathing only with 10 to 15 percent of our lung capacity. Yoga teaches you how to breathe with all three parts of the lung. We're bringing in more oxygen, and it gives the neurological system a signal to relax." Jamie Macarty, another Yoga instructor, says, "there's some kind of reverberation throughout the day on how we make our breath, how we stand, feel clear, strong and proactive in our lives." Yoga also helps with flexibility, strength, and muscle tone. Joe Weiss started doing yoga 14 years ago. He says, "I found that it not only creates more flexibility, more energy, it puts bounce in my step, makes me feel better." More than 6 million Americans now practice some form of yoga. Teenagers are doing it. Middle aged men and women are doing it. So are are 80 year olds. Once a week one group of Tucson women, most of them in their 80's, get together and do yoga. Some have been doing it for years. Others just started. Elaine Sublette summed it up for the group, "I like it and when I can't come, I miss it. It relaxes me, and I need that." The best way to get started in yoga is to take a class. There are many branches of yoga, each with their own focus. Find one you like, and de-stress.
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