Yoga

The word “yoga” is derived from the Sanskrit root yuj meaning to yoke or join together. It most often refers to the yoking of a conscious subject (jiva-atman) with a Supreme Spirit (parama ta man) in order to reach an ecstatic condition (Samadhi, a “placing or putting together”). It is derived from the Proto-Indo-European base *yeug-, meaning “to join” as in jugular.n A 2008 market study in Yoga Journal reports that some 16 million Americans practice yoga and spend $5.7 billion a year on gear.l “Doga” is a type of yoga in which people use yoga to achieve harmony with their pets.Dogs can either be used as props for their owners or they can do the stretches themselves. It reportedly started in New York in 2002 when Suzi Teitelman started “Yoga for Dogs.”l The swastika is a yoga symbol that comes from the Sanskrit term Svastik, meaning “that which is associated with well-being.”c The yoga symbol “Om” is found in Hindu and Tibetan philosophy. It is said to be the primordial sound of the universe and is connected to the Ajna Chakra (the conscience) or “third eye” region.d Hatha yoga is the type of yoga most frequently practiced in Western culture. Hameans “sun” and tha means “moon,” representing hatha yoga’s attempt to combine both complementary forces.j Aaron Star teaches “Hot Nude Yoga” in a Chelsea studio. The classes are men-only, and there are only two rules: “no kissing and no touching penises.”k Yoga can improve sexual performance A growing body of research shows that yoga can improvesex and may even prevent and treat sex problems by increasing the overall health of the cardiovascular system.b Yoga can improve orgasms. When a person has an orgasm, the pelvic floor muscles that run between the legs rapidly contract. In yoga, the pelvic floor muscles are known asmoola bandha. Yoga strengthens them, providing benefits similar to Kegel exercises.b Pierre Bernard (1875-1955), also known as the “Omnipotent Oom,” was one of the first prolific American yogis. He founded the Tantrik Order, a secret society which taught its initiates Hatha yoga, philosophy, and Sanskrit and which also sanctioned sacramental sex.b