SWAP PULSATING DANCE MUSIC for the gentle lilt of bamboo flutes. Trade athletic shoes for bare feet. And turn down the glaring lights so the room is comfortably dusky. Then stretch out and breathe deeply.
Preparation for a massage? Perhaps. The atmosphere of serenity could just as easily be for a class in yoga, which teaches the art of tranquility by quieting your mind and stretching your body. It’s no wonder that this ancient Hindu discipline- which requires little more than a mat and the willingness to learn—has become so popular in our frenetic society.
The appeal, says veteran instructor Ann Merlo, is yoga’s remarkable ability to promote flexibility of body and mind. "Yoga makes you feel positive. It can turn a negative attitude into a positive attitude," says Merlo, one of the owners and directors of the California Yoga Center in Northern California and a yoga instructor at Stanford University. "Yoga is about creating space in the body, the heart and the mind. You get a clarity of vision that makes you less reactive."
Getting Started
Whether you’re a seasoned athlete or a novice curious about yoga, start with an introductory class. Wear clothes that let you move comfortably but aren’t so baggy that they get in your way. Bring a yoga mat, which has a textured, slightly sticky surface that prevents your bare feet from sliding while you’re holding a pose or moving from one posture to another.
There are many varieties of yoga, from Bikram yoga, which is performed in a 105-degree room, to hatha yoga, which blends poses and breathing to foster a sense of composure. Not every class billed as "yoga" actually is one, though. Some yoga classes are designed solely for exercise, which shortchanges participants of yoga’s powerful mind-body benefit, says Thomas Fortel, a Big Sur, Calif., yoga instructor.
"In our culture, we value yoga as a workout," he says, "but the purpose of yoga is to clear the mind for meditation."
Finding a Teacher
The most important aspect of a yoga class is the instructor. Because there’s no mandatory accreditation program, anyone can claim to be a yoga instructor.
Ask your instructor about her experience, credentials and philosophy. Merlo, who has been teaching for 20 years, is accredited through Yoga Alliance, which certifies instructors who meet its standards for training and instruction. One sure sign of a dedicated instructor is an ongoing commitment to learning, so Merlo recommends asking your instructor where he or she studies. "A teacher who doesn’t have a teacher? I’d really question that," she says.
During class, the instructor will give clear directions on how to position your body in various poses or postures, or asanas. Some poses improve flexibility and balance. Others stretch and tone muscles or promote feelings of peacefulness. A skilled leader will correct your poses, either by verbal command ("Raise your chin and tuck your tailbone under") or, if it’s OK with you, by gently positioning your body.
Tapping into your ability to create your own oasis of calm is one of the fundamental benefits of yoga. It’s never about competing with classmates to master poses. That’s why, Merlo says, no matter how many classes you take or how many years you study, the art of yoga is always called "practice." - By June D. Bell