It seems everywhere I turn there is a new trendy yoga studio opening up with various classes like power yoga, cardio yoga (I don't even know how those two exercises mix but whatever), and I even saw pop yoga where you listen to pop music while doing yoga which totally defeats the entire purpose and meaning behind yoga!

There is a long rooted history about the practice of yoga and the cultural significance behind it. Yoga originated thousands of years ago in India with the intent of meditation and self-awareness. Nowadays when you enter a yoga class it's usually because people want to sweat, get a workout in, and stretch thus forgetting the most important piece to yoga: meditation. Yoga isn't about the difficulty level and how deep into the pose your body allows you to go or even how much you sweat. It's all about tuning into your body and your mind, connecting your breath with your body and movements.

When a yoga instructor begins to blast some top 10 hits and throws in some crazy cardio movements, then it's not a yoga class. It's a yoga *inspired* class.

Besides forgetting about the most important aspect of the practice of yoga, yoga has become a trend for clothes. Yoga pants, leggings, and cute workout tops that are sold "for yoga" are just a label. In an authentic yoga practice, it won't matter what you wear, it only matters that you are comfortable and prepared to meditate and practice. You don't need $100 Lululemon leggings (that pill BTW) to be able to practice yoga, that's just absurd.

As young adults in this hectic world we live in, we should all really take in the true meaning and reason behind the practice of yoga and utilize it in our daily life. Lord knows we need to relax and meditate our mind once in a while. Next time you are picking out a yoga class to attend, maybe try yin yoga and focus on relaxing and be mindful.