According to US News & World Report some 4 million people practice yoga in this country, twice as many as in 1991. According to Jake Jacobs, director of the Center for Yoga in Los Angeles, one of the nations largest training facilities for instructors, the number of yoga classes being offered in gyms and health clubs is at an all-time high.

The instructor that taught the class I took at The College of New Jerseys Wellness Center, was Kim Onichowsky, a 20 year old college student certified in yoga. Kim became interested in yoga during high school in gym class. Last year she was approached by the coordinator of the wellness center to become certified as an instructor to teach yoga at the college, since no class existed at the time.

Kim believes that yoga is relaxing, and relieves stress. Surprisingly enough, she states that it is not relaxing while teaching the class because it doesnt relieve the stress for herself.

"Only other people benefit from my class, not myself. I cant truly relax when I practice yoga in my class, because I am more concerned with the students own well being rather than myself. I want them to get everything out of the class, so I concentrate on them.", said Kim.

She describes the Cobra, a snakelike movement pushing against the floor then into a holding position the air, as her favorite exercise. It is very relaxing for her back muscles. It releases the tension within her back muscles , and all stress is removed from her back during the exercise.

Although Kim has only been teaching her class for about one semester at the college, she describes her class as basic and ideal for the college setting. She teaches about an average of 25-30 people per class twice a week. On her own time, she tries to practice everyday.

Kim also described the many different types of yoga, and their benefits upon the body.

"Power yoga is an extreme exercise that is practiced in 150 degree temperature with constant movement, and no resting for a full hour. You basically just follow what the instructor does during the hour with no stopping. It helps build strength, flexibility, and coordination. The Philadelphia Eagles practiced this type of yoga during their pre-season," said Kim.

She describes the benefits of yoga as balance, alignment, strength, flexibility, coordination, and increased function specific in organs/glands. She feels that yoga is definitely becoming the exercise of the 90s, through a combination of strength training and yoga.

Jackie Altman, a 19 year old College of New Jersey student , is an avid student of yoga. She along with 20 other students was in the yoga class that Kim taught that night.

"I discovered yoga this semester. I saw that the center was offering a class, so I decided to check it out and ever since then I try to make the class as often as I can. I feel that it really relaxes me, and takes me away from all the stress of exams, papers, and projects. I feel completely relaxed after the class, almost like a different person. It truly can make your stress disappear, and in college that is something that every student needs.

Most programs vary widely, but a typical 90 minute workout begins with 10 to 15 minutes of breathing exercises, then 30 minutes of exercises that stretch and strengthen the back and arm muscles through sitting positions, then another 30 minutes of exercises for the legs and chest through standing positions, and 15 minutes of relaxation poses towards the end of the class."

Although for most people the benefits of Yoga seem great, they really dont have that extra time to practice the techniques at a class. But actually yoga, regardless of what many people believe, doesnt have to be practiced an hour each day. A fifteen minute break out of ones busy schedule can also extremely help ones state of being.

According to Vasanthi Bhat, who teaches Yoga in the San Jose Bay area and has produced a series of videotapes including Yoga For Busy People, these exercises and many others are some of Yogas numerous benefits. It not only helps alleviate the stress one encounters during ones busy day, but also helps the mind, body, and spirit over a prolonged period of time, enabling one to have a long and healthy life. For more information about yoga for busy people connect at http://www.genuis.net/indolink/Health/yoga2.html

The techniques of Yoga seek to bring into balance all the disparate aspects of the body, mind, and personality so that the person ends up with energy, strength, and clarity of purpose supported by his/her whole being, according to The American Yoga Association. There are as many different forms of yoga as there are people who practice it. For more information regarding the various forms you can connect @ http://www.poweryoga.com, to learn about Bryan Kests power yoga program and video, at http://www.innerlight.com/gy/welcome.htm, to learn about gentle yoga by Naomi Judith Offner, at http://www.eclipse.couk/iys/, to learn about the international yoga school, and connect at http://members.aol.com/amyogassn/aya/index.html, to learn about the American Yoga Association.

Various yoga breathing techniques help to speed recovery from stress reactions, relieve insomnia, and improve concentration and stamina. A person learns a total body relaxation technique followed by meditation, which is simply learning how to quiet the mind so that it rests from daily stresses. Regular mediation practice teaches one how to relax at will and also stimulates the intuitive, creative, and problem-solving capacities that we all have but often dont use, according to The American Yoga Association. Yoga is a great way to enhance your health by strengthening your mind and body, but before you pull up a mat to start meditating consult a doctor or instructor regarding any health risks.