As the weather slowly gets better, people are once again embracing the outdoors and becoming more active. After studying for hours in your TOEFL preparation course in New York, you need to get out and do something physical! One form of fitness that has become increasingly popular amongst adults, teens, and even children is yoga. But what exactly is yoga?
Yoga is a Hindu spiritual discipline which has been practiced for thousands of years, now often practiced for health and relaxation. The word “yoga” comes from the Sanskrit root “yuj”, which means “to yoke” the spirit and physical body together. It consists of a series of physical and mental exercises including breath control, meditation, and the adoption of specific body postures aimed to energize the body and calm the mind. There are many varying levels of yoga from beginner to advanced, making it a great form of exercise for everyone. Additionally, yoga has been proven to have many health benefits that help transform one’s body. These benefits include lowering blood pressure, increasing strength and flexibility, reducing back and neck pains, improving sleeping patterns, normalizing organ functions, and more.
In New York, there are countless yoga studios to visit. These studios often offer classes at a low cost and sometimes even at no cost. For those of you who are interested in finding a place to practice yoga during your stay in New York, I suggest taking a look at Shape Up NYC. Shape Up NYC offers free fitness classes every week at dozens of locations across the five boroughs and you do not have to be a member to attend.