77 Things You Never Knew About Yoga By Katie Sorene

Whether youre an accomplished Yogi or a bright-eyed newbie check out these fascinating yoga facts youll be amazed at what you never knew! Following the amazing success of Elizabeth Gilberts Eat, Pray, Love meditative travelers are trading in sun, sea, sand vacations for more introspective trips. The author found inner-peace and true love through yoga and meditation via New York, India and Bali. But before you set off on your own journey of self-discovery check out these 77 things you never knew about yoga, share with your friends and spread the yoga love! Yoga Facts 1. 2. 3. 4. soma 5. Yoga was originally practiced as a form of healing Yoga is over 5,000 years old Yoga originated in India Yoga is inspired by practices in Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism The earliest Yogis are said to have been intoxicated on the sacred drink

6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23.

Yoga is one of the oldest physical disciplines in existence Yoga connects the mind, body and spirit Yoga combines body postures, breathing and meditation The official language of Yoga is Sanskrit The word yoga means yoke or union There are 19 different types of Yoga There are 66 official yoga postures Yoga breathing is called pranayama Yoga hand positions are called mudras Mudras affects the flow of prana (life energy) within the body Bikram or hot yoga is practiced in rooms heated to 40C and 50% Jivamukti yoga is performed to music In Mysore yoga students are invited to practice whatever postures Hasyayoga or Laughter Yoga is practiced in more than 60 countries Chair Yoga is practiced by seniors / people with disabilities The largest yoga center in Asia is the Markandeya Yoga City in Bali The bestselling yoga book in English is Light on Yoga: Yoga Dipika by B. Elizabeth Gilberts Eat Pray Love has sold 8 million copies worldwide

humidity

they please

K. S Iyengar

Yoga in the US 24. 25. 26. 27. 28. 29. 30. Yoga was first practiced in the US in the late 19th century The most popular type of Yoga in the US is Hatha Yoga The largest yoga center in North America is the Kripalu Center Americans spend $5.7 billion a year on yoga classes and products* 6.9% of US adults, 15.8 million people practice yoga 72.2% of US yoga practitioners are women, 27.8% are men 71.4% of US yoga practitioners are college educated, 27% have

Massachusetts

postgraduate degrees

31. 32.

Yoga to the People is a donation-based yoga movement that started in Naked yoga is gaining in popularity across Europe and the US

New York

Yoga Benefits 33. 34. 35. 36. 37. 38. 39. 40. 41. 42. 43. 44. 45. 46. 47. 48. 49. 50. 51. 52. 53. 54. 55. 56. 57. 58. Yoga relieves anxiety, depression and stress Yoga can increase self-confidence Yoga can improve your mood Yoga can lead to a more positive outlook on life Yoga can alleviate anger and hostility Yoga can improve concentration and motivation Yoga can improve memory Yoga can improve reactions times Yoga can make you live longer Yoga can help you quit smoking Yoga aids weight loss by improving metabolism Yoga reduces cellulite through muscle stretching Yoga improves posture Yoga can help you sleep better Yoga can improve sexuality through better control, relaxation and Guarasana or Eagle pose can help improve male sexual performance Yoga can reduce menopausal hot flashes Yoga improves balance Yoga can make you more graceful Yoga can help prevent migraines Yoga delays aging by stimulating detoxification in the body Yoga can relieve constipation Yoga can alleviate allergy symptoms Yoga increases pain tolerance Yoga reduces blood pressure and pulse rate Yoga helps prevent disease by massaging internal organs

confidence

59. 60. 61. 62. 63. 64.

Yoga can make you more aware of an impending health disorder or Yoga can help improve your immune system Yoga can heal the body and prevent injuries Yoga can help prevent Alzheimers disease Yoga can alleviate Asthma symptoms Yoga can reduce OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) symptoms

disease

Yoga Tips 65. 66. 67. 68. 69. 70. 71. 72. 73. 74. 75. 76. 77. Kids yoga sessions should not last more than 25 minutes Dawn is the best time to practice yoga when the air contains the most Yoga is best practiced on an empty stomach The bowels and bladder should be emptied before commencing yoga A glass of lukewarm water should be drunk before commencing yoga Yoga should not be practiced in front of a mirror Clothing should be loose, especially around the abdomen The maximum amount of skin should be exposed to the air A session should begin with gentler postures and advance to more The mouth should be closed breathing though the nose only Foot spray can protect your feet from bacteria from shared mats Yoga should be practiced in a quiet, dust-free room Windows should be kept open for ventilation

prana (life energy)

difficult ones