The Popularity Of Yoga Classes

Approximately 16.5 million Americans participated in yoga classes this year! Undoubtedly, even more people choose to do yoga in the privacy of their own homes. While yoga may carry the stigma of being "some weird New Age hippie thing," the physical and psychological benefits of the practice can't be ignored.

For instance, a new study published in Pain Medicine magazine cited that yoga helps the elderly alleviate chronic pain by connecting mind and body in a powerful, almost inexplicable way.

If improved circulation, relaxation, digestion, stress relief, muscle strength, respiratory strength, energy levels and mental clarity sound appealing to you, then look for a yoga class today!

First of all, you might be wondering what kind of yoga classes you should be looking for. There are almost limitless options and traditions and the best way to discover your favorite is to just try them!

But basically, most beginners start with Hatha yoga, but Iyengar yoga is often appealing because it focuses on proper body alignment, allows instructor-student interaction and uses props like mats, buckles and blocks.

Intermediate to advanced yoga enthusiasts get into Ashtanga and power yoga, which are more physically demanding. Bikram yoga is focused on internal cleansing and is practiced in a room that's 95 to 100 degrees, which causes a purifying sweating process.

Kundalini is a type of yoga meditation and practice based around "spiritual awakening."

YogaFinder.com, the largest internet directory of its kind, can match you up with classes, events, retreats, products, jobs and teacher training opportunities. You can get the yoga center address, phone number, website, browse available styles and read a general description of what's offered.

This directory pulls results that others may not have and worldwide retreats are listed. The site is colorful, easy to navigate and very comprehensive!

Yoga.com lists studios and classes near you by address, phone number, styles, levels, cost and certification information. You can also check out yoga vacations, read articles, browse the store and participate in forums here.

It's a simple site but can give you all the basic statistics quickly and easily.

FindYoga.com is another expansive, well-designed site with multiple search engines to find yoga workshops, teachers, retreats, classes and training centers (within the US).

If you're really busy, you can even search for classes by the days and times you have available! Results are listed by school, suburb, day, time, style, level type and teacher. There are many resources for people looking to learn more about yoga, get their corporation involved in a yoga program, or to find a mentoring program.

New York yoga instructor Sharon Gannon tells us, "You cannot do yoga. Yoga is your natural state. What you can do are yoga exercises, which may reveal to you why you are resisting your natural state."

By taking yoga classes, you will not only strengthen your muscles, but your spirit as well.