Yoga has been practiced for more than five thousand years. In the last 50 years, Western medical science have been busy studying it and deciding that yes, there are many benefits. Maybe we should try it.

A recent study with heart patients showed that those who followed a stress reduction program which included some yoga practices did better than patients who followed exercise programs without yoga or did nothing. Further preliminary studies indicate that yoga might be particularly helpful for patients with conditions like epilepsy, asthma and anxiety/stress-related conditions.

Western yoga practitioners generally focus on the physical postures, called asanas, and the breathing exercises, called pranayamas, and reap the benefits of stress management, improved physical fitness, mental clarity and general well-being.

"A part of the beauty of yoga is its versatility," said Nikki Muzick a 10-year yoga instructor of the Yoga and Wellness Center in Columbia. "Spirituality is a strong underlying theme in its practice, but you don't have focus there. You can enjoy the physical benefits of the practice without ever considering the philosophy. But I do think that by focusing only on the physical, you miss so much of the richness of practicing yoga."

Although some people have the misconception that yoga is tied to Eastern religions, such as Buddhism or Hinduism, Muzick is quick to point out that yoga is not a religion. The benefits of practicing yoga postures is not given or withheld on the basis of race, religion, gender or political persuasion, so people can practice yoga without conflict with their religious beliefs. It has become increasingly popular in the West for that reason.

"A major difference between yoga and other exercises is the process," Muzick said. "Traditional exercises tend to be goal-oriented, stressing that more and more are done each day -- ten more sit-ups, crunches or toe touches than yesterday. But yoga is a process. The idea is to focus your awareness on what you're doing and how you feel as you perform the postures. In traditional exercise, you fail if you miss your goal. In yoga, you succeed by trying.

"There's also a difference on the physical level," she said. "Weight training makes you stronger by breaking down and rebuilding muscle tissue. It's the breaking down and rebuilding that results in the bulky muscle look. Yoga increases strength by toning the muscles. It's gentler than traditional exercise. In yoga, you just wouldn't work beyond your body's capacity. No one would suggest it and your body just wouldn't allow it."

Muzick suggests that the best way to get started in yoga is with a teacher. "There is so much to be said about the one-on-one interaction that is possible with a teacher." But she is also in favor of books and videotapes to get on the path.

"I would love to see everybody doing some kind of exercise with some yoga involved in the regimen," Muzick said. "It's so important to the development and maintenance of good health that we do some kind of exercise and it's even more beneficial when it's done with some joy."

John Grimes, a certified yoga instructor and personal trainer, teaches morning and afternoon yoga classes on Wednesdays at the Orangeburg Family YMCA at 1050 Chestnut St.

"The type of yoga I do is a beginner level course involving mostly stretching and relaxation," Grimes said. "It is designed to relax the mind and body, increase flexibility, improve balance, tone up, and relieve stress."

Grimes divides his classes into two groups. The morning class tends to be made up of older people who are adding yoga to their regimen of walking or who are working on becoming more flexible.

"In the evening, I mostly have teenagers and others who have been working out," Grimes said. "Yoga helps them to relieve or prevent soreness after a workout. And there's absolutely no doubt in my mind that they gain flexibility. I do martial arts and it has helped me gain balance."

Grimes is also a certified instructor in Kuk Sool Won, a form of Korean martial art.

The class is free for members of the YMCA. For non-members, the first class is free, but successive classes are $3 each. During the classes, Grimes plays soft music, and the exercises are done by candlelight. He suggests that loose-fitting clothes be worn so that movement is not restricted. Participants should bring a mat or towel to pad the floor.

"We start with relaxation and breathing techniques and from there we start a series of stretches and go into a series of postures, balance techniques and poses and back into some more stretches and relaxation," Grimes said. "A lot of people are scared that I'll try to get them to tie their legs behind their head, but when I tell them this is just for beginners, they are more willing to come in and try it and they find they can do it.

"I tell everybody who comes to work at their own pace," Grimes said. "I do beginner posturing and that's modified for those who might have trouble. I try to push them at their own pace. They don't have to worry about getting pushed too far. They're there to relax and have fun, not to hurt themselves."

For more information on yoga classes at the Orangeburg Family YMCA , call 534-9874.

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