Keisha Brown, Health Writer

Yoga dates back more than 5,000 years and is a form of spiritual practice in India.

In the West, it has evolved from its founding philosophy. Globalisation over the last decade has opened new doors for many industries and within the yoga industry, it has resulted in commodification.

Today, yoga is now a lucrative and growing business. About 16.5 million Americans now spend nearly $3 billion annually on classes and products.

Yoga is believed to calm the nervous system and balance the body, mind and spirit. It is thought by its practitioners to prevent specific diseases and maladies by keeping the energy meridians open and life energy (Prana) flowing. Yoga is usually performed in classes. Sessions are conducted at least once a week and for approximately 45 minutes.

Yoga has been used to lower blood pressure, reduce stress, and improve coordination, flexibility, concentration, sleep and digestion. It has also been used as supplementary therapy for such diverse conditions as cancer, diabetes mellitus, asthma, AIDS and irritable bowel syndrome.

In Jamaica, Shakti Mind Body Fitness Centre has been providing members with a unique yoga experience for eight years. Shakti, since its inception, has evolved from a yoga centre and now provides a complete mind-body fitness experience.

The owner, Sharon McConnell-Fianni, is a certified yoga instructor and was gracious enough to shed some light on various aspects of yoga. Below is an excerpt from our interview.

What is yoga?

Yoga, by definition, means to unite or to yoke. My own definition of yoga is the union of the mind, body and spirit through the vehicle of the breath to create a more harmonious life.

How does yoga help to facilitate the union of mind, body and spirit?

Yoga is a way of life. It helps you to let go of a lot of criticism and judging and allows you to just be. A lot of what is taught on the yoga mat is transmitted into your daily life. An important concept of yoga is present - moment consciousness - how to be fully present in each moment of life. This helps you to find out who you really are.

What are the different kinds of yoga practised?

There is hatha yoga (physical yoga which involves various postures), bhakti yoga (mainly devotional) and jnana yoga (devotion of life to the yogic path). Within hatha yoga, there are many different styles, eg, ashtanga, iyengar, vinyasa, and shakti.

What are the health benefits of yoga?

There are physical, emotional, mental and spiritual benefits of practising yoga. The physical benefits include, strength, flexibility, an improved digestive system, decreased PMS symptoms and delayed menopause. Spiritually, it allows you to connect with your heart, your inner self. Emotionally, it allows you to work with the chakras (energy centres of the body) to improve your emotional well-being.

Are there any risk factors?

If one has spinal injuries, there are certain poses that should be avoided. Pregnant women should avoid certain poses as well.

What health conditions does yoga significantly improve?

Depression, any stress-related condition, digestive disorders and osteoporosis.

Can yoga enhance a weight-loss programme?

Yes. Although yoga does not provide a high-calorie burn, it does improve consciousness. Hence, you make healthier choices. It improves your present-moment consciousness and so, you become more aware and make better lifestyle choices.

What's the best way to incorporate yoga into a healthy lifestyle plan?

The best way is to do yoga with a teacher, rather than a DVD or book. Start with a class for beginners or just come in and start. At Shakti, our instructors will help you to modify poses for your level.

Are the instructors at Shakti Mind-Body Fitness certified?

Yes. Not only are they certified instructors, they also have been teaching for a while.

Yoga is for everyone - pre-teens, teens, young adults and seniors. For people with heart problems, studies have shown yoga to help persons young and old. Specifically, yoga seems to promote heart health in several ways, including regulating high blood pressure and improving resistance to psychological stress.

Yoga also has the potential to buffer against the harmful effects of bodily self-objectification, as well as to promote embodiment and well-being. If you are interested in incorporating yoga into your healthy lifestyle plan, visit: www.shaktimindbodyfitness.com. The website provides a schedule of classes and additional information.

Sources:

www.shaktimindbodyfitness.com

Shakti Mind Body Fitness Centre,

5 Bedford Park Avenue, Kingston 10.