Views #408 | Low-Intermediate 4

Yoga

Marion talks about her fondness for Yoga.

Views # | Intermediate (B1)

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Script
Vocab
Quiz

Marion

The first time I went to a yoga class was with my friend many years ago now. We used to go together once every week, I think it was Wednesday, and have a class.

In yoga it's very important to stretch your body, so you have to reach down to touch your toes for example, or stretch out your arms or legs, like that.

Another part of yoga is when you have to practice balancing. For example when you stand on just one leg, and you have to keep standing, even though it's a bit difficult sometimes, because you feel like you might fall over.

At the end of yoga class, usually, you have a few minutes just to relax, so you lie down on the floor, on your back. You let your legs and arms become loose and relaxed and it feels very, very calm and peaceful. Sometimes, people even fall asleep.

Learn vocabulary from the lesson!

went to a yoga class

The first time I went to a yoga class was with my friend many years ago.

You can 'go to a yoga class' to practice or to learn new moves in yoga. Notice the following:

He went to a lot of yoga when he lived in China.
This morning we went to yoga class, so my back feels great now.

reach down to touch your toes

You have to reach down to touch your toes or stretch out your arms or legs.

When you 'reach down to touch your toes' it means that you bend the top part of your body down in the direction of the floor and try to put your fingers on your toes. Notice the following:

If you aren't flexible it is difficult to reach down and touch your toes.
After a long run it feels good to reach down and touch your toes.

practice balancing

Another part of yoga is when you have to practice balancing.

When you 'balance' it means that you have to keep your weight in such a way that you don't fall over. When you try to stand on only one foot you are balancing. It is important to practice balancing in yoga so you can improve. Notice the following:

If you practice balancing a lot you will quickly improve at yoga.
Gymnasts spend a lot of time practicing balancing.

you might fall over

It's difficult because you feel like you might fall over.

When you 'fall over' you fall to one side or the other because you don't have a good center of balance. When you fall over you can't control your body against gravity. Notice the following:

Many people fall over when they get new glasses because their site is very different.
That chair is broken, so if you aren't careful you might fall over.

let your legs and arms become loose

You lie down on the floor and you let your legs and arms become loose and relaxed.

To relax your muscles you have to let them 'become loose.' This means that you are not using your muscles for anything and they are soft. Notice the following: