These busy men and women have learned that internally focused exercises, such as yoga and chi gong, lead to a sense of well- being beyond that attained from a workout routine. Concentration, controlled breathing and different postures help the mind and body integrate to reach an inner spiritual core. Body awareness increases, and thinking patterns change.
Energy begins to flow freely, relieving tension and strain.
Long-term benefits range from lower blood pressure and increased strength and flexibility to coping better in daily life. Practitioners often report more patience with their children, spouses and colleagues or a longer attention span for absorbing information beyond sound bites. Rave reviews in the media have enticed many young people in fit condition to practice astranga, a power yoga from India. Embraced by Madonna and other celebrities, astranga features a series of interconnected yoga postures, intense enough to take the heart to aerobic training range. Masters of this technique combine a steady heart rate with highly efficient breathing so the body relaxes and performs more effectively.