I love Yoga. There are so many styles and practices. Do you practice Yoga?
No, I know nothing about it. Where did yoga originate?
It originated in ancient India. There are even schools. The most well known kind is Hatha.
Cool. What are the health benefits of yoga?
Yoga originally was part of traditions and close to religion. Now it has become popular in the West as exercise. Stress relief is a huge benefit. Do you like to exercise?
No, I don't exercise very much. Do we still consider yoga a religion?
Mindfulness
Mindfulness is the psychological process of bringing one's attention to experiences occurring in the present moment, which one can develop through the practice of meditation and through other training. Mindfulness is derived from "sati", a significant element of Buddhist traditions, and based on Zen, "Vipassanā", and Tibetan meditation techniques. Individuals who have contributed to the popularity of mindfulness in the modern Western context include Thích Nhất Hạnh (1926– ), Herbert Benson (1935– ), Jon Kabat-Zinn (1944–
celebrities.
"Hinduism is attracting Western adherents through the affiliated practice of yoga. Yoga centers in the West—which generally advocate vegetarianism—attract young, well-educated Westerners who are drawn by yoga's benefits for the physical and emotional health; there they are introduced to the Hindu philosophical system taught by most yoga teachers, known as Vedanta."
It is estimated that around 30 million Americans and 5 million Europeans regularly practice some form of Hatha Yoga. In Australia, the number of practitioners is about 300,000.