Issue link: http://www.wacmagazine.com/i/546729
26 | Washington Athletic Club Magazine | AUGUST 2015 Getting Fit By Natalie Johnson, WAC Yoga Instructor T he main yoga practice observed in the world today is Asana, or yoga postures. Asana is the outer face of yoga and typically the first step on a person's yogic path. Asana-based yoga is rooted in Hatha yoga tradition, in which postures, breathing exercises, and meditation form a triad of spiritual practices aimed at developing our internal energies. What many people don't realize is that yoga traces its earliest roots back more than 5,000 years. Its methods and ideas are best known for creating improvements in strength and flexibility, but yoga also offers extraordinary healing potential for the body and mind. Yoga not only addresses structural imbalances, such as bone and joint problems, but also organic dysfunctions, including hormonal and immune system issues. It can also play a pivotal role in improving our elimination of waste by enhancing the function of our circulatory, digestive and lymph systems. Each of those systems plays a crucial role in maintaining our internal balance—and each is affected by poor nutrition and stress. When we attend a well-rounded yoga class, our bodies are pushed, pulled, twisted and stretched. This movement facilitates the removal of waste products that many other forms of exercise don't reach. Yogic breathing also plays a huge role in promoting detoxification and in calming our nervous systems. Here are a few detoxifying yoga poses that help circulate blood flow, stimulate digestion, and purge toxins. See you on the mat! Relax and detoxify with simple yoga postures YOGA AT THE WAC The WAC offers several yoga formats for members. Try our Hatha, Power, Restorative, and Vinyasa group classes along with Yoga Moves, a combination of Hatha and Vinyasa, and Yoga Shala, which uses longer-held poses designed to lengthen and strengthen. We also offer Get Fit Yoga, a gentler class with an emphasis on breathing and relaxation. Yoga classes begin as early as 5:15 am and as late as 6:30 pm. See the Athletic Programs listings starting on page 50 for details. Members may also practice privately with one of our coaches or seek yoga therapy by appointment. Inquire with Fitness Programs Manager George Sommerrock at georges@wac.net. bodies & minds Clearing our