Unlocking Word Meanings
Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.
1. modern (adj.) [mod-ern] – relating to a well-developed or advanced form or style
Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.
1. modern (adj.) [mod-ern] – relating to a well-developed or advanced form or style
Example: The mobile phone is the modern form of the telephone.
2. dynamic (adj.) [dahy-nam-ik] – having
or showing continuous change
Example: Every
economy experiences the dynamic rise
and fall of market prices
3. in harmony (idiom) [in hahr-muh-nee] –
in agreement or in combination with other parts or elements
Example: The dancer performed in harmony with the music.
4. meditation (n.) [med-i-tey-shuhn] – the
act of thinking deeply and quietly, usually for a spiritual purpose
Example: Every night, he undergoes meditation and thinks about what he has
experienced in the day.
5. modify (v.) [mod-uh-fahy] – to
change
Example: The game’s difficulty was modified so young children could play
it.
Article
Read the text below.
Power yoga, a modern form of yoga, has grown in popularity as a form of exercise because of the dynamic flow of its poses.
This
kind of yoga became more accessible to people in the West by the start of the
21st century, and has since been taught and practiced in gyms in
many countries.
Originally,
yoga was done for spiritual gain, but today, people are mainly interested in
doing power yoga for exercise because of its Vinyasa- styled poses. These Vinyasa
or “breath-matching” poses are focused on improving strength and flexibility,
and are always performed in harmony with one’s breathing.
For
example, in the Cat-Cow Stretch, the Cat pose is made upon inhaling, and the
Cow pose upon exhaling.
A
more complicated series of poses is the Sun Salutation. There are several
connected movements in the Sun Salutation, three of which are the Plank, the
Four-Limbed Staff Pose and the Upward Facing Dog. The first pose, the Plank, strengthens
the arms and the spine. Next is the Four-limbed Staff Pose, or Chaturanga Dandasana, a pose similar
to a push-up, which is used to strengthen the arms, wrists and abdomen. Finally,
the Upward Facing Dog involves a backbend, which promotes flexibility of the
spine.
Although
the poses in power yoga change from teacher to teacher, it is important that
the yoga is started with 3 to 6 sets of Sun Salutations, and ends with at
least 5-minute Savasana or meditation.
Many
people whose bodies are already in good condition try power yoga as a
challenge. However, the exercises in this form of yoga can be modified according to a person’s
fitness level, and can be enjoyed by anyone looking for a good way to
exercise.
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Viewpoint Discussion
Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.
Discussion A
·
Would
you consider trying power yoga exercises? Why or why not?
·
Can
you think of other exercises similar to power yoga?
Discussion B
·
Is
exercise alone enough to stay healthy? Why or why not?
·
What
kinds of exercises do you do in order to keep yourself healthy?