The ancient Indian practice helps students get in tune with the higher self. By Erene Mina Sit, legs crossed, eyes closed, back straight, and hands rested on the knees, absolutely still. Nothing but the blinding blackness and the soothing, ear-tickling music. Thoughts wandering in and out of the mind like passing clouds, completely ignored. Inhaling then exhaling and cleansing the spirit from worldly junk.
Yoga is more than just forming the body into differently shaped pretzels.
Although yoga is relatively new to the United States, it brings with it a refreshing approach to life. According to Paul Gordon, a yoga instructor at the Anteater Recreation Center and massage therapist, yoga has been around for 5000 years. Indians practiced yoga in an attempt to attain liberation from the eternal cycle of life, death and rebirth. Practicing yoga is a way to honor the connection between the body, mind and feelings. The different poses open up inner energy differently, making yoga both spiritual and therapeutic.