The word "renaissance" means re-birth, and it seems fitting for students who are discovering yoga for the first time. Among other things, practicing yoga allows us to be "reborn" to some degree. We can actually regain some of the strength, stamina, and flexibility we had when we were younger. Practicing yoga is also a wonderful way to cope with the stress and pressure that is so prominent now in our lives.
While the name "Renaissance Yoga Studio" came into being only in the fall of 2006, Bob Hayes, the director of the studio, has actually been teaching yoga classes at the same location for the past three years. The original name was "Yoga with Bob". A new name (and website) was felt to be appropriate at this time, because of the increasing numbers of students attending classes at the studio, and the corresponding need to offer additional classes, and staff to teach these classes.
Why Practice Yoga?
Yoga involves bending, and twisting, and stretching the body into various positions, called "asanas". Like most forms of physical exercise, yoga can give you a good workout, while at the same time strengthen and tone your muscles. There are numerous weight-bearing poses in yoga that can accomplish this. However, what makes yoga different from most other forms of exercise is its ability to make you more flexible. By stretching and bending and twisting, your muscles can become longer as well as stronger, and eventually your flexibility can improve. Every part of your body can move more easily when you practice yoga regularly. Yoga, then, complements nicely any form of exercise you now may be doing. And practicing yoga is also important as we age, and as the body shrinks and becomes more stiff, and we develop age-related illnesses. Yoga can help to slow down this aging process. And not only can yoga benefit you physically, but emotionally as well. Because of the emphasis and the focus that yoga places on the breath and the physical body, your practice then becomes a distraction from all of the stresses you may face in life. At the same time, practicing yoga regularly can help to calm your mind, and relax you physically.