Ohmmm.....

   I have always done yoga on and off, but I started seriously working on my yoga this september and have gone almost every day since. This is truly saying something, as my college does not make getting to the gym very accessible, but I try to block out part of my day for it anyway.
   Yoga seems to be the new trend in fitness, with designer mats and water bottles and assorted accessories available at most stores. But, this fad has some real health benefits that are almost immediately noticeable. Generally I am a pretty high stress person, with a few OCD tendencies, which means that by the end of the day I am usually mentally and physically exhausted. By the end of my semester of intense yoga, I was calmer, slept better, had better circulation, and was stronger.
   Yoga is interesting because while practiced in a class setting, it is very personal. The many variations of poses allow each person to work at their own level and also lets you see improvement. I love when I can reach the next level of a pose, or stretch just a bit further. It truly calms the mind and the constant focus on breath makes falling asleep easier as well.
   The health benefits are numerous. The twisting poses aid in digestion, the forward folds help sleep, the elevated legs help with circulation and the entire practice tones and strengthens the muscles.
   I could go on and on about yoga. And I would be lying if I said I didn't go along with the trendy mats and outfits, but because of the popularity classes are more available and more in demand, and because of this, I can usually convince at least one friend to make the trek to the gym with me!