Your Health
A Practice Worth Embracing
Yoga practitioners discipline their bodies and minds with low-impact postures and breathing techniques.
BY
Kate Riha
PHOTOGRAPHY
courtesy of iStockphoto/Eliza Snow

Where to Try
There are numerous yoga studios offering different styles of yoga throughout Kansas City. There is sure to be one to suit you based on your personal desires, expectations, level of commitment and physical abilities. And don’t be deterred if you are limited in mobility. Inspire Yoga in Prairie Village, for example, offers a yoga class where all poses can be done seated in a chair, and Darling Yoga in Overland Park has a pre/post natal class. Of course, anyone with a chronic health problem should check with their physician before starting a yoga practice.
Check out these links:

www.inspireyoga.com
www.yogallery.com
www.mayayoga.com
www.moyoga.com
www.bodyandsoulkc.com
www.theyogastudio.com
www.shinespakc.com
www.hotyogakc.com
www.kcyoga.com
www.kckundaliniyoga.com
www.darlingyoga.com
Yoga is HOT — both figuratively and literally. And Kansas Citians are not lagging in regard to embracing yoga with open arms. If you have yet to test the yoga waters, you have multiple options throughout the region. Dozens of yoga studios have sprung up in recent years, giving yogis choices in regard to practice.

Yoga comes from the Indian Sanskrit word yuj, meaning union or joining. And in many parts of the world, it is just one aspect an all-encompassing belief in a union occurring between the mind, body and spirit. Both Hinduism and Buddhism have employed yoga practice throughout history to assist with teaching mental and physical disciplines.

In the western world, yoga is largely viewed as a secular practice that utilizes a system of postures (“asanas”) combined with breathing techniques (“pranayama”) to promote health, well being and union of body and mind. Yoga devotees seem fairly united in their claims of increased flexibility, strength, stamina, muscle tone and resistance to illness. In addition, many yogis attribute a reduction in stress, improvement in sleep, lowering of heart rate, relief from allergy and asthma symptoms, a sense of well being and spiritual growth to their yoga practice. Positions used in yoga practices also can lubricate joints, ligaments and tendons and massage organs within the body. 

What to Try
Hatha yoga is a “catch all” word for the physical styles of yoga. It means many things to many people, so it is not a good indication of the type of yoga a particular yoga studio practices.

Ashtanga, which means “eight limbs” in Sanskrit, is a set of poses that are performed with synchronized breathing. It can vary among studios but is designed to produce internal heat and a purifying sweat that detoxifies muscles and organs. Ashtanga can be a vigorous, athletic style of practice.

Vinyasa yoga uses Ashtanga yoga movements but utilizes a variety of poses instead of a set series of poses.

Bikram yoga, founded by Yogi Bikram Choudhury, is a precisely designed series of 26 postures that are performed systematically, with each one preparing the body for the posture that follows. This type of yoga is performed in a 105-degree room, which warms muscles, takes the trauma out of stretching, and helps heal and prevent injuries. Bikram yoga is oftentimes referred to as Hot Yoga, which employs the same postures and heated room but not necessarily Bikram instructors.

Kundalini yoga is an ancient form of yoga but is a relative newcomer to the West. In 1969, Yogi Bhajan founded the 3HO (Healthy, Happy, Holy) Organization to introduce Kundalini to a broader population. It consists of body postures, movements, chanted mantras and mudras (hand positions). Kundalini classes usually consist of a warm-up to stretch the spine; a series of poses, called kriyas; and meditation. Kundalini is one of the more spiritual types of yoga.

Need to Know
•You will need a mat (many yoga studios have yoga mats for first-time students) because the cushioning and sticky texture help keep hands and feet firmly in position. Kundalini yoga might suggest a sheepskin rug instead.
• Do not eat for a minimum of two hours before class. Abstaining from food makes inversions and forward bends more comfortable, plus gravity could cause food in the stomach to slide up the esophagus, preventing energy from moving freely throughout the body.
•Drink plenty of water prior to and after class. Some yoga studios discourage drinking water during a class; others encourage it. Find out what your teachers advise.
•Wear comfortable clothing that allows bending and moving without restrictions, such as leggings, yoga clothing and exercise attire. Sweatpants and sweatshirts are not recommended, as you will sweat, making the heavy clothing uncomfortable. Yoga is done barefoot and most yoga studios don’t even permit shoes in the yoga room.
•Bring a towel. Not only will you want a towel on your mat to create a steady foundation for yoga practice, but you might need to dry your hands periodically.

Most importantly, relax and keep an open mind when you attend a yoga class. Remember, it’s called yoga “practice” for a reason. Yoga meets the body where it is in a specific time and space. One never achieves yoga, one only practices and improves with time.