The document provides an overview of yoga, including that it originated in India 5000 years ago as a practice to strengthen the body for meditation, it discusses the meaning and history of yoga as well as some popular yoga celebrities and the benefits of different poses such as Mountain Pose.

1. Yoga 11

2. Yoga 11
• Yoga translates from Sanskrit into “yoke”
or “union”
• The uniting of body/mind/spirit

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• Sanskrit - Sanskrit is the classical language
of Indian and the liturgical language of
Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism
• It is also one of the 22 official languages
of India
• The name Sanskrit means "refined",
"consecrated" and "sanctified"

4. Yoga 11
A Brief history of yoga
Yoga began 5000 years ago in India as
a practice for young men in training to be
wisemen. The postures strengthened
their bodies so that they could sit for
hours at a time in meditation and become
enlightened beings.

5. Yoga 11
A Brief history of yoga Continued…
The postures helped to harmonize the
energy in their bodies so that their minds
could rest in the present moment with
complete awareness, as spiritual
attainment was one of the symbols of
success in their culture.

6. Yoga 11
A Brief history of yoga Continued…
When it began, yoga was practiced by
men in order to develop strength and
concentration to pursue personal mastery,
while the women stayed with the family.
Women practiced traditional Indian
dances.

7. Yoga 11
A Brief history of yoga Continued…
Today, with current work and family
demands on both women and men, yoga
has become a tool to manage stress and
transforms the body to be lean and
strong.

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Why yoga now?
Today our goals are a bit more
practical, like building core strength for
proper posture and learning to de-stress
through the fast pace of our lives using
deep breathing.

9. Yoga Celebrities
Madonna – “Yoga is a
metaphor for life. You have
to take it really slowly. You
can’t rush. You can’t skip to the
next position. You find yourself
in very humiliating situations, but you can’t judge
yourself. You just have to breathe, and let go. It is a
workout for your mind, your body and your soul.”
Madonna began to practice ashtanga yoga (the Vinyasa
style) to get back in shape after the birth of her
daughter, Lourdes, in 1996

10. Sting is a yoga practitioner
who has mastered the various
complex asanas of
Ashtanga Yoga
Sting reveals that yoga also allows him greater
composure to confront the more stressful events
of his day. He says, "My mind develops calmness
and clarity and I get a lot more done." He
stresses that there are more benefits to yoga than
he would have thought had he not gotten into it.

11. Gwyneth Paltrow’s main fitness
workouts revolve around both
yoga and Pilates. She also
spoke of how important yoga is
for strengthening the pelvic floor
after giving birth.
Gwyneth Paltrow’s yoga routine starts at 4:30am
each morning. She says “I’m really not a morning
person at all, it’s just sheer determination. I’m
very strict with myself. When I practice six days a
week and eat clean food, I feel much better.”

12. • Evander Holyfield
Well know boxer Evander Holyfield has been practising
yoga for years, to keep him focused on his games and to
help him concentrate in daily life. As yoga helps to make
muscles more supple and keeps up your stamina and
regulates your breathing, people performing sports
professionally benefit greatly from yoga.
• The Los Angeles Lakers
The entire Lakers team practices yoga few times a week,
to
improve performance and to help prevent injuries during
games. Using yoga techniques to warm up before games,
the Lakers prove that yoga is a technique to be reckoned
with as they are convinced that yoga helps them perform
better.

13. What other students have to say…
• “Yoga is … the place where I can go to let
everything just roll off my shoulders and not
worry about it.”
• “I can now manage my emotions better through
yoga.”
• “Yoga is more than just exercise – it is a
lifestyle.”
• “I’m actually a happier person because of yoga.”
• “I was sceptical at first… (but) I began to feel
good for the first time in a long time!”

14. Yoga 11 in Room 208
My expectations
– Respect your self and others always
– Attend class regularly and arrive on time
– Do not disrupt the learning and practise of
others during class time and especially during
Savasana

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My expectations Continued
– You will be prepared for yoga class (loose,
comfortable clothing)
– NO food or drink, except water in class
– Absolutely no electronic devices
– Participation is essential for meeting the
outcomes of this course

16. Yoga 11 in Room 208
Assessment and Evaluation
Throughout the semester you will be asked to keep a
variety of journals and share your thoughts with the
teacher.
Success will come through your own personal
development of personal fitness and personal discipline.
• Development of personal yoga practice
(participation and attitude) 50%
• Written Assignments, tests 20%
• Major Projects 20%
• Journals 10%
*There will be a final exam for this course*

17. Tadasana
(Mountain pose)
General benefits of mountain pose or what is also
called “Tadasana”
• Aligns the spine, which increases circulation
• Helps develop proper standing posture which
can reduce problems associated with improper
weight distribution, resulting in worn joints. This
reduces wear and tear on the knees.

18. Tadasana
(Mountain pose)
• Tones abdominal muscles and strengthens
the legs
• Strengthens the arches of the feet, knees
and thighs
• Fosters mental focus and clarity

19. Tadasana
(Mountain pose)
• Enhances self-confidence
• Reduces mild anxiety
• Encourages deep breathing for an overall
sense of calm
• Enhances digestion
• Prevents osteo-arthritis in the spine
• Job success

20. Affirmation
“I stand tall with
confidence and
self assurance.”

21. Activities
• Demo messages that different postures
give
• Demo standing height slouched posture
• Demo mountain pose perfect
• Demo standing height perfect posture

22. Partner Activities-Mountain Pose against wall
Stand with heels 3 inches from the wall
– Press tailbone, shoulder blades and head
against the wall
– Slide a hand through between the lower back
to ensure the lumbar curve and the neck to
ensure proper cervical curve.
– -With these three points of contact and
awareness of the natural curves, step away
from the wall and walk around
– Try to relax the neck and breathe as you
retrain your spine how to stand and walk with
proper alignment

23. Tadasana
• http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/492