Stretching will awaken muscles you never knew you had. And this includes yours truly. Thigh muscles quiver with the effort of maintaining the pose, which, in turn, causes sweat to bead on one's brow. They are able to get feedback from their own stress so they know when to slack off. It's not surprising yoga should unite mind and body.
Stress relief comes from the required deep, rhythmic breathing.
Those interested in yoga can choose from a plethora of video tapes and books. Still, there's no substitute for a teacher, Wright said. For some it's a lifestyle. For others, it's simply a physical and mental fitness regime. Either way, there are definite benefits from practicing what could be the oldest self-development program in the world.