An asana, or held pose, is only one of the many foreign and strange-sounding words associated with the wonderful exercise form known as yoga. The true origins of yoga are shrouded in mystery, but it is believed to date back at least 5,000 years to the beginning of human civilization and Stone Age Shamanism. Regardless of where it came from, it’s here to stay, and there’s no better way to stretch, relax and release tension than by employing the techniques of this ancient art.

You can do some of the exercises while watching television, although it’s unlikely that anything you might see on the news will make you feel more relaxed. If you are really serene and at peace with your inner self, (or at least getting there) you can probably fall asleep while doing others, especially if there is some soft music in the background. Yoga is many things to many people, but most will agree that one of its major benefits is its calming effect on tense muscles and brains. It releases stress and makes you forget about, albeit only for a little while, whatever is waiting for you at home or at work or anywhere at all, for that matter.

So get up. Get dressed, get out of the house and sign up for a beginner’s yoga class. You can try instructional videos at home but it would probably be a good idea to hold off on that until you can be sure that you are doing the exercises right. It’s also beneficial to do it with others in the structure of a class environment, at least in the beginning. Make yoga friends; have yoga parties. Relax and have fun, but never say you did yoga if you didn’t.

To get the most out of your classes, arrive about ten minutes early. This will give you some time to settle in and prepare for the purpose of the class. It is also not a good idea to eat for two or even three hours before your class. To do so risks nausea and cramps. Don’t enter class late or leave early as it is disruptive to the process. Think about what you learned afterwards and review the poses you practiced.

Remember that the grand yogi master always knows the truth. Isn’t it time You learned it too?