How is yoga different from other types of exercise?
Most other forms of exercise focus on strengthening by contracting the muscles. In yoga we get strong by lengthening and extending our muscles. This lengthening action brings balance to how we work our muscles, and as a result, yoga is an exceptional practice to add to your normal fitness routine. It will add a new level of awareness to all of the physical sensations in your body and will most likely improve your performance in many subtle ways. You learn to focus on proper bone alignment and muscle movement. As a result, you learn how to avoid injury during a yoga practice as well as during any other sport. Most students notice several things after their first couple of classes. Many report that they are more aware of how they stand, sit and walk. Sleep improves and their minor aches and pains start to subside. The lengthening and extension that comes from our movement creates space in the body, inviting energy, fresh oxygen and blood to flow into areas of the body that have been tigh
