Dorene Coles, a yoga instructor for the City of Torrance Parks and Recreation program, thinks that the popularity is from a gained understanding of what yoga is really about. I think that before, people had a bad idea of yoga that it was some type of religion or cult where you had to wear a turban around your head and sit in the Lotus position and do a mantra for two hours, she said. That s not what it s about, and I think that once people get past that mental block, they realize how wonderful it is. Broken down in Sanskrit, Hatha symbolizes a balance. Ha means sun and Tha means moon.
Yoga is an easy way for anyone to exercise.
Unlike sports such as tennis, no partner or equipment is needed, and you can give yourself your own class. It s individual, because you re working with yourself there s no competition, Coles said. That s why you re going to yoga. Coles believes that yoga teaches her students how to relax and enjoy life more. One of her favorite sayings has become, Yoga is not about the burn it becomes an internal experience.