Yoga

[Dizzy_Girl]

Is it really beneficial - and what is it supposed to do?

[shadowninja]

1) improved flexibility
2) de-stress
3) improved balance

There are other things that it claims to do but I would be accused of being religious if I went into them.

[drivin_me_nuts]

Yep,

can improve suppleness, it can be a powerful relaxation tool and some forms can be very good at developing core muscle strength.

(and for many there is a spiritual aspect to it that brings other benefits.. but say stuff like that on this forum and it tends to get dismissed rather quickly..)

try it, what's there to l(o)ose?

[mybrainhurts]

I like the apricot ones....

[dirkgently]

I think it shows you how to use the force, and become a Jedi knight

[Airbag]

shadowninja said:

1) improved flexibility
2) de-stress
3) improved balance

There are other things that it claims to do but I would be accused of being religious if I went into them.

And general fitness, core strength etc.
It's a fantastic form of exercise, irrespective of any spiritual aspect people find in it.

[plasticpig]

Which one? There are over 10 diffrent types of Yoga and not all of them concentrate on ansanas. Traditionally you are supposed to purify the mind and spirit before moving on to ansanas in Hatha Yoga which is the one commonly taught in the west.

[shadowninja]

You would have sounded so much more well-informed if you'd used the word "asana" instead.

[plasticpig]

shadowninja said:

You would have sounded so much more well-informed if you'd used the word "asana" instead.

Its been a while since I have read any vedic texts I was always rather more taken with the colourful stories of Devas and Devis fighting the Asuras than the deeply philosophical stuff.

[shadowninja]

In fairness to you, I have no bd idea what you're talking about. I do have The Synthesis of Yoga in hardback. I hope to read it before I die. It must be a good book on yoga... 900 pages and not a single picture of a woman in a leotard.