INSPO Fitness Journal July 2018

YOGA SURGING
in popularity
Yoga is surging in popularity
around New Zealand, while
organised sport is in decline,
according to Exercise NZ chief
executive Richard Beddie.
Yoga is now one of New Zealand’s
most popular forms of movement or
exercise, with recent research statistics
showing yoga has grown around the country.
A report from Sport New Zealand, Sport and
Active Recreation in New Zealand has shown
that New Zealanders’ involvement in club
and organised sports has declined.
“If yoga was considered a sport, it would
be the biggest sport in New Zealand by more
than 50 percent,” says Richard.
“There are more than half a million Kiwis
taking part in exercise in gyms and fitness
centres alone, and yoga has been a major
part of this growth.”
Yoga is valuable as an activity, as well as
being complementary to many other exercise
activities. It is common for regular gym users
to add in yoga as a part of balanced routine.
“Relief from stress is also a key factor.
Yoga improves the body, calms the mind and
helps balance life. For many people yoga is
the yin to the yang of everyday life.
“Stress is almost a given in a developed
country and, as a result, the mindful component
of yoga is so beneficial. While yoga can
vary in physical intensity, it always provides
people with methods of being mindful,
which is something many benefit from and
seek in today’s busy lifestyles.”
“It has become so big as a form of and activity
that we are staging the inaugural yoga
conference in Auckland in November. Yoga
has doubled in the last five years and just
keeps growing largely due to its versatility,”
says Richard.
A Lincoln University international PhD
student Tilak Raj is teaching yoga to Lincoln
University rugby players as part of his doctoral
research, to see if yoga is helpful in reducing
injuries and improving performance.
“Yoga has just exploded in recent years
and there are now lots of support organisations
for yoga including the New Zealand
Register of Exercise Professionals.
“Exercise NZ is committed to supporting
all forms of exercise and structured movement
and activity in New Zealand and sees
yoga as an important and essential mode to
help Kiwis stay active.” •
Yoga for Athletes & Everyone
Balance Yoga offers yoga classes for all types of bodies. You don’t need to
be an athlete, and you don’t need to be flexible. Come and try yoga with our
experienced, professional teachers can discover how yoga can help you move
better, stretch better and breathe better.
Classes six days a week.
Why should athletes do yoga?
• Develop and maintain muscular balance
• Reduce your chance of injury
• Mindfully stretch out your tight spots
• Improve your range of motion, coordination and core strength
• Develop body awareness and mental focus
• Faster, more effective recovery
For class timetable and full details visit
www.balanceyoga.co.nz or contact Sarah 027 287 3444
Strengthening Women
Inside and Out
• Fitness for women
• Total body workout
• Coaches during every circuit
• Results for every fitness level
• Weight Management Programme
• FREE 7-day Trial
Curves Chartwell
Lynden Court, Chartwell, Hamilton
Phone: 07 8533 493
INSPO – FITNESS JOURNAL JULY 2018
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