The yoga lifestyle has flooded from the exercise scene to the fashion scene… And we love it! With its rich history and famed popularity, it’s no wonder people want in. This is what you need to know about yoga to get you started.

FOUNDATION:

The practice of yoga began as far back as 500 BCE in Ancient India – that’s 2,500 years ago! It closely ties to Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism. Yoga was practiced as a form of religious meditation meant to “yoke” the mind and body. This “yoking” is achieved through the harmony of relaxing, breathing, stretching, posing, and meditating. There are similarities between ancient and modern versions, but today it is frequently performed as a healthy exercise. Yoga became popular in the United States in the 1890’s when intellectuals became interested in the subject. There was a second boom of interest in the 1980’s. Since then, millions of people have taken up the activity in the United States.

 

FORMS:

Modern yoga has taken on many forms in recent years – Hot, Hatha, Laughing, Prenatal, Power, Men’s Only, Women’s Only  – the opportunities seem endless. We’ve even heard of one form called “GLOWGA” that features black lights, lasers and high energy music! Yogatrail.com has come up with a funny, but useful guide to find the form of yoga that suits you best.

FITNESS:

Physical, mental and spiritual benefits have been studied on people who practice yoga. Among the many benefits are:

• Increased Balance and Flexibility
• Healthier Heart
• Stress Relief (and the laundry list of the negative effects of stress is a long one)
• Relief of Minor Aches and Inflammation
• Happiness and Tranquility

 

FASHION:

Yoga is HOT right now. From doing yoga to dressing yoga, its popularity has grown tremendously. Women’s everyday attire has become yoga pants and an athletic top. Any woman who lives an active life can be found wearing this lifestyle clothing. Even though we’ve all seen the typical black, elastic, three-quarter length pant, it’s still as stylish as ever. And it’s easy to keep your active-wear wardrobe fresh. Find the little distinctions that make each pair unique. Some are tight, some are loose. Some flare at the bottom, others hold form. One has a wide waistband, the next is narrow. And with the introduction of new colors and prints, the yoga style has leapt from casual to classy! Find the hottest yoga attire from brands like Lole and Lucy at Alabama Outdoors.