For thousands of years, people worldwide have turned to yoga to better themselves both physically and mentally. Originating in ancient India, people continue to practice yoga for its health, relaxation and spiritual benefits.There are more than 100 different types of yoga, according to ìThe Benefits of Yoga,î an article posted on the American Osteopathic Association website. Most types of yoga focus on meditation, breathing control and assuming postures (called asanas) to stretching and flexing various muscle groups, the article states.With so many choices available, there is a yoga practice for everyone.Board-certified osteopathic family physician and certified Kundalini Yoga instructor Natalie Nevins, DO, told the AOA, ìWhether youíre a couch potato or a professional athlete, size and fitness levels do not matter because there are modifications for every yoga pose and beginner classes in every style. The idea is to explore your limits, not strive for some pretzel-like perfection. It is a great way to get in tune with your body and your inner self.îIn the United States, the 5,000-year-old practice has remained popular since its introduction in the Victorian era but has steadily gained popularity since the early 2000s.In his September 2010 article titled ì35 Moments: A Timeline of Yoga History,î published in ìYoga Journal,î Eric Shaw described how Hindu teacher Swami Vivekananda advocated for the practice of yoga to western audiences during his European and U.S. tours in the 1890s.Following a second so-called ìyoga boomî in the 1980s, yogaís popularity has continued to increase in the United States.In 2016, ìYoga Journalî and ìYoga Allianceî collaborated to release the 2016 Yoga in America Study, which showed that the number of yoga practitioners in the United States increased to more than 36 million, up from 20.4 million in 2012.Data collected from Ipsos Public Affairs for this study also showed that annual yoga spending on classes, clothing, equipment and accessories rose to $16 billion, up from $10 billion in 2012.Study results showed that 72 percent of yoga practitioners in the U.S. are women; men account for 28 percent of practitioners.ìThere are mental and physical benefits to yoga, but for those with a spiritual practice, thereís also spiritual benefits,î said Heather Boucher, owner of Black Tree Yoga Center in Black Forest, Colorado. ìItís definitely a mind, body and spirit thing.îBoucher, a 500-hour registered yoga teacher who has lived in Black Forest since 2000, teamed up with her husband, Bobby, to open the yoga center in the 113-year-old log cabin on the corner of Black Forest and Shoup roads in May.ìYoga works from the inside out. Itís all about energy,î Boucher said. ìThe goal of the asanas is to get the energy out of the body so we can open ourselves up for new energy. Yoga is about the journey of the self. If someone wants to get to know themselves better, yoga is a good way to get back to themselves. At first, itís physical, and later, mentally, the magic happens.îYoga has been shown to alleviate chronic pain, arthritis and headache. Other physical benefits include increased flexibility; increased muscle strength and tone; improved respiration, energy and vitality; weight loss; cardio and circulatory health; and prevention from injury, according to the AOA.Boucher, who has been teaching yoga for seven years, said many of her students are rehabilitating physically.ìMost people seem to come to yoga because theyíre dealing with some sort of injury that theyíre trying to work through or something physical theyíre trying to alleviate,î Boucher said, adding that she started yoga to ease the pain of a back injury.But, in her experience, yoga transcends the physical; ultimately, it teaches lessons that can be used off the yoga mat, she said.ìYoga is mostly uncomfortable,î she added. ìIt teaches us to sit with that discomfort. If we can handle it here on our mat, then we can take that out to the world. Itís a good skill.îBoucher said yoga can also help manage and/or alleviate stress, which has been shown to have devastating effects on the body and mind.The calmer the mind, the better, Boucher said. Meditation and breathing exercises generate mental clarity and calmness by relaxing the mind, sharpening concentration and centering attention, she said. Yoga also promotes self-awareness; thereby, preventing injury as one becomes more in-tune with his or her body and its needs, Boucher said.ìThe best thing as a teacher is seeing students get better at their poses and realize themselves Ö . The biggest compliment as a teacher is hearing (a sigh of relief), because you know (your student is) in the moment and just being.îTo view the full 2016 Yoga in America Study, visit https://yogaalliance.org/2016yogainamericastudy.For Black Tree Yogaís class schedules and pricing, visit http://blacktreeyoga.com.
