One of the most popular methods for getting in shape involves an ancient exercise practice called Yoga.  There are many stereotypes involving yoga, including the notion that it’s all about sitting on a mat and wrapping your foot behind your neck.  This is simply not true. More often than not, you have to put both feet behind your neck, so that you roll forward and bang your nose on the mat.  This explains why many people who practice yoga tend to walk around with a dazed expression.

Yoga carries many of its own unique traditions and expressions.  For example, it’s not uncommon for a practitioner of yoga to wish you “Namaste.” This is an ancient Hindu word meaning “I’m slightly better than you in just about every way.”

There are several types of yoga.  The Americanized version is called Hatha, which is more about physical fitness than refining and achieving a spiritual outlook.  In fact, the American tendency to discard the spiritual side of yoga in favor of its fitness benefits has upset many traditional practitioners.  However, most Americans are very open and interested in the spiritual aspect of yoga, as long as it doesn’t interfere with their television schedule.

Another popular American version of yoga is called Bikram, which was developed in the east.  That is, East Los Angeles.  It’s the version of yoga where strange people make weird noises inside of a heated room, usually around 105 degrees, and is therefore often mistaken for jury duty.

Revered spiritual leaders in the distant past were responsible for spreading the ideals of yoga, and one of them is actually still living and teaching today.  Carmen Electra single-handedly invented an important and influential branch of yoga called “Cardio Strip Tease.” She has many tapes and DVDs on the subject, and they are worth watching over and over again. 

For more information on yoga, move to the goddamn SF Bay Area. People won’t shut up about it around here.  That and the 49ers--although usually not by the exact same people.