Yoga is defined as “a discipline aimed at training the consciousness for a state of perfect spiritual insight and tranquility.” However, many people think of yoga in different ways, from appreciating the spiritual aspects of the ancient practice to enjoying the fitness aspects of yoga, as it’s a great way to get in shape. Yoga stands out from other forms of exercise because not only is it a challenging physical workout, but combined with meditation, it also helps you work out your mind. Yoga helps with muscle strengthening and balance, while “the breathing and meditative exercises aim at calming the mind and body and keeping distracting thoughts away while you focus on your body, posture or breath,” said Neha Gothe, a professor of kinesiology, health, and sport studies at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, in a statement.

What many of us don’t know is that there’s a big yoga community here in Colorado Springs, and it’s constantly growing. At the Cambio donation yoga studio on Austin Bluffs Parkway, you can explore a variety of different yoga classes, from Vinyasa Flow, in which movement is synchronized to the breath, to Hot Yoga, usually practiced in a room at a temperature of 95-100 degrees Fahrenheit. On any day of the week you can find a great class to try and not only at Cambio. CorePower Yoga offers yoga for everyone, no matter the fitness level, and their website says, “The emotional benefits come not only from the yoga, but also from the connection with our community.” There are two CorePower locations in the Springs; find them on Garden of the Gods Road or on North Nevada Avenue.

So what is the love chakra all about? In Hindu tradition, chakras are referred to as energy points in the body. The love or heart chakra controls our ability to love others, ourselves, and the world around us. Yoga is said to balance our chakras by helping prana (life breath) flow throughout the energy channels of our bodies. The stretching and breathing involved in yoga releases our energy. This may all sound like a lot to take in, but trust me when I say you’ll leave a yoga class feeling calm, refreshed, and healthy every time. Doing yoga is said to release stress and I’ve always found this to be true. With the breathing exercises that you do in yoga, your lungs expand, giving you more room to breathe and hold your breath for longer periods of time. After all, there must be a reason why almost 16 million people in North America practice yoga!

So which yoga is best for you? To get the most benefit out of yoga, you should choose a yoga style that matches your fitness level, your personality, and your goals. Hatha yoga is a good place to start. It’s detail-oriented and slow-paced, helping you perfect every pose. Kripalu Yoga is also gentle, involving slow movements and progressing through three levels of mind-body awareness. Kundalini Yoga takes a more spiritual approach than other styles of yoga, including meditation techniques and breathing exercises as well as yoga postures. Power yoga is a more challenging type of practice, widely known as the most athletic form of yoga. Power yoga builds upper-body strength as well as flexibility and balance, and you flow from one pose to another at a fast pace. Cambio is a great place to go if you’re interested in exploring power yoga classes. Whatever level you’re at, give yoga a try. Your mind and body will thank you.