Unit 5-Yoga in America英语课件

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高等学校研究生英语综合教程(上)-- Unit 5 主编:熊海虹
The term yoga comes from a Sanskrit word which means yoke or union. Traditionally,
yoga is a method joining the individual self with the Divine, Universal Spirit, or Cosmic
Consciousness. Physical and mental exercises are designed to help achieve this goal, also
called self-transcendence or enlightenment. On the physical level yoga postures, called
asanas, are designed to tone, strengthen, ana align me body. These postures are performed to
make the spine supple and healthy and to promote blood flow to all the organs, glands, and
tissues, keeping all the bodily systems healthy. On the mental level, yoga uses breathing
techniques (pranayama) and meditation (dydna) to quiet, clarify, and discipline the mind.
However, experts are quick to point out that yoga is not a religion, but away of living with
health and peace of mind as its aims.

YOGA IN AMERICA
Douglas Dupler

1 Yoga originated in ancient India and is one of the longest surviving philosophical
systems in the world. Some scholars have estimated that yoga is as old as 5,000 years;
artifacts detailing yoga postures have been found in India from over 3,000 B.C. Yogis
claim that it is a highly developed science of healthy living that has been tested and
perfected for all these years. Yoga was first brought to America in the late 1800s
when Swami Vivekananda. an Indian teacher and yogi, presented a lecture
on .meditation in Chicago. Yoga slowly began gaining followers, and flourished
during the 1960s when there was a surge of interest in Eastern philosophy. There has
since been a vast exchange of yoga knowledge in America, with many students going
to India to study and many Indian experts coming here to teach, resulting in the
establishment of a wide variety of schools. Today, yoga is thriving, and it has become
easy to find teachers and practitioners throughout America. A recent Roper poll,
commissioned by Yoga Journal, found that 11 million Americans do yoga at least
occasionally
therapists and professional sports teams, and the benefits of yoga are being touted by
movie stars and Fortune 500 executives. Many prestigious schools of medicine have


高等学校研究生英语综合教程(上)-- Unit 5 主编:熊海虹
studied and introduced yoga techniques as proven therapies for illness and stress.
Some medical schools, like UCLA, even offer yoga classes as part of their physician
training program.

2 There are several different schools of hatha yoga in America; the two most
prevalent ones are Iyengar and Ashtanga yoga8. Iyengar yoga was founded by B.K.S.
Iyengar, who is widely considered as one of the great living innovators of yoga.
Iyengar yoga puts strict emphasis on form and alignment, and uses traditional hatha
yoga techniques in new manners and sequences. Iyengar yoga can be good for
physical therapy because it allows the use of props like straps and blocks to make it
easier for some people to get into the yoga postures. Ashtanga yoga can be a more
vigorous routine, using a flowing and dance-like sequence of hatha postures to
generate body heat, which purifies the body through sweating and deep breathing.

3 Yoga routines can take anywhere from 20 minutes to two or more hours, with one
hour being a good time investment to perform a sequence of postures and a meditation.
Some yoga routines, depending on the teacher and school, can be as strenuous as the
most difficult workout, and some routines merely stretch and align the body while the
breath and heart rate are kept slow and steady. Yoga achieves its best results when it
is practiced as a daily discipline, and yoga can be a life-long exercise routine, offering
deeper and more challenging positions as a practitioner becomes more adept. The
basic positions can increase a person's strength, flexibility and sense of well being
almost immediately. but it can take years to perfect and deepen them, which is an
appealing and stimulating aspect of yoga for many.

4 Yoga is usually best learned from a yoga teacher or physical therapist, but yoga is
simple enough that one can learn the basics from good books on the subject, which
are plentiful. Yoga classes are generally inexpensive, averaging around 10 dollars per
class, and students can learn basic postures in just a few classes. Many YMCAs,
colleges, and community health organizations offer beginning yoga classes as well,


高等学校研究生英语综合教程(上)-- Unit 5 主编:熊海虹
often for nominal fees. If yoga is part of a physical therapy program,' it can
be .reimbursed by insurance.

5 Yoga can also provide the same benefits as any well-designed exercise program,
increasing general health and stamina reducing stress. and improving those conditions
brought about by sedentary lifestyles. Yoga has the added advantage of being a low-
impact activity that uses only gravity as resistance, which makes it an excellent
physical therapy routine: certain yoga postures can be safely used to strengthen and
balance all parts of the body.

6 Meditation has been much studied and approved for its benefits in reducing stresses-
related conditions. The landmark book, The Relaxation Response, by Harvard
cardiologist Herbert Benson, showed that meditation and breathing techniques for
relaxation could have the opposite effect of stress, reducing blood pressure and other
indicators, Since then, much research has reiterated the benefits of meditation for
stress reduction and general health. Currently, the American Medical Association
recommends meditation techniques as a first step before medication for borderline
hypertension cases.

7 Modern psychological Studies have shown that even slight facial expressions can
cause changes in the involuntary nervous system; yoga utilizes the mindbody
connection, that is, yoga practice contains the central ideas that physical posture and
alignment can influence a person's mood and self-esteem, and also that the mind can
be used to shape and heal the body. Yoga practitioners claim that the strengthening of
mindbody awareness can bring eventual improvements in all facets of a person's life.

8 Yoga can be performed by those of any age and condition, although not all poses
should be attempted by everyone. Yoga is also a very accessible form of exercise; all
that is needed is a flat floor surface large enough to stretch out on, a mat or towel, and
enough overhead space to full raise the arms. It is a good activity for those who can't


高等学校研究生英语综合教程(上)-- Unit 5 主编:熊海虹
go to gyms, who don' t like other forms of exercise, or have, very busy schedules.
Yoga should be done on an empty stomach, and teachers recommend waiting three or
more hours after meals. Loose and comfortable clothing should he worn.

9 Beginners should exercise care and concentration when performing yoga postures,
and not try to stretch too much too quickly, as injury could result. Some advanced
yoga postures, like the headstand and full lotus position, can be difficult and require
strength, flexibility, and gradual preparation, so beginners should get the help of a
teacher before attempting them.

10 Yoga is not a competitive sport; it does not matter how a person does in
comparison with others, but how aware and disciplined one becomes with one's own
body and limitations. Proper form and alignment should always be maintained during
a stretch or posture, and the stretch or posture should be stopped when there is pain,
dizziness, or fatigue. The mental component of yoga is just as important as the
physical postures. Concentration and awareness breath should not be neglected. Yoga
should be done with an open, gentle, and non-critical mind: when one stretches into a
position, it can be thought of as accepting and working on one's limits. Impatience,
self-criticism and comparing oneself to others will not help in this process of
self-knowledge. While performing the yoga of breathing (pranayama) and meditation
(dyana), it is best to have an experienced teacher, as these powerful techniques can
cause dizziness and discomfort when done improperly.

11 Although yoga originated in a culture very different from modern America, it has
been accepted and its practice has spread relatively quickly. Many yogis are amazed
at how rapidly yoga's popularity has spread in America, considering the legend that it
was passed down secretly by handfuls or adherents for many centuries.

12 There can still be found some resistance to yoga, for active and busy Americans
sometimes find it hard to believe that an exercise program that requires them to slow


高等学校研究生英语综合教程(上)-- Unit 5 主编:熊海虹
down, concentrate, and breathe deeply can be more effective than lifting weights or
running, However, ongoing research in top medical schools is showing yoga's
effectiveness for overall health and for specific problems, making it an increasingly
acceptable health practice.



Discuss in groups the following questions.
1. In the text, the author declares that “yoga practice contains the central ideas that
physical posture and alignment can influence a person’s mood and self-esteem, and
also that the mind can be used to shape and heal the body.” Do you think the mind can
shape and heal the body? If you agree, supply examples to illustrate your point. If you
don’t, also give reasons to support your view.
2. According to the author, “The mental component of yoga is just as important as the
physical postures.” What is the mental component of yoga and why is it as important
as the physical postures?
3. The author says in the tenth paragraph that “Yoga
should be done with an open, gentle, and non-critical mind; when one stretches into
a yoga position, it can be thought of accepting and working on one’s limits.” Why
do you think an open, gentle and non-critical mind is necessary for yoga practice?
When else can you have an open, gentle and non-critical mind?
4. Do you agree that yoga can be more effective than lifting weights or running? Why
or why not?
5. Are there any factor or factors in your life that cause stress to you or people around
you? Talk with your partners and try to identify any symptoms of stress in your life.
Determine the sources of your stress and discuss their severity.


高等学校研究生英语综合教程(上)-- Unit 5 主编:熊海虹
6. Imagine yourself to be a new graduate student at a new university and list the
factors that may cause you stress. How will you cope with the stress and have a
pleasant and meaningful life at university?
7. Counseling services now have been provided in many Chinese universities. Do you
think they are necessary or a waste of resources?
8. Is stress good for people? Discuss situations in which being under stress may bring
out the best in people.

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