| Group Exercise | Body Flow |

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The only gym available in my area that has group exercise classes is Gold’s Gym. I have always wanted to try yoga but thought that my size was too big of an issue. I finally got up the nerve to try Body Flow. I wanted to see how my balance and flexibility would hold up to an exercise that I didn’t believe I could do.
Body Flow is an exercise that combines three parts: yoga, pilates and tai chi. It was created by the Les Mills group, which is a group that specializes in fun, active group classes. Body flow was created to improve your joint flexibility and range of movement, increase your core strength, improve your cardio-vascular function, burn calories, reduce your stress levels, provide a lasting sense of well-being and calm, focus your mind and raise your level of consciousness. It does all of this while letting you exercise with friends which increases support. All three disciplines are each unique and have completely different histories yet share many of the same benefits.
Evidence of yoga has been found as long ago as five thousand years ago. Yoga has been through many changes over time but still keeps its main focus as an exercise just as much for the mind as for the body. It focuses on controlled breathing and slow movements to heighten self-understanding and to bring together the physical and emotional self. Yoga became popular in the US around the 1960’s. It has been shown to decrease the risk of many health problems such as heart disease, arthritis, pain and depression.
Pilates was created by Joseph Pilates in the early 20th century. He immigrated to the US in 1926 where he taught his exercises to many in the dance community. Pilates is a conditioning exercise that helps build flexibility, muscle strength and endurance in the major muscle groups. It puts emphasis on alignment, breathing,