【英语趣味课堂】瑜伽-Yoga

 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 standing¹, 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.

 

学习内容：

 

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 means² 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 flexible³ 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.

Gymnasts⁴ 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 gravity⁵. 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 muscles⁶ 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:

 

At a massage⁷ you have to get your arms and legs become loose.

If you don't let your body become loose when you jump you will hurt yourself.

1 standing   

n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的

参考例句：

• After the earthquake only a few houses were left standing.地震过后只有几幢房屋还立着。
• They're standing out against any change in the law.他们坚决反对对法律做任何修改。

2 means   

n.方法，手段，折中点，物质财富

参考例句：

• That man used artful means to find out secrets.那人使用狡猾的手段获取机密。
• We must get it done by some means or other.我们总得想办法把它干完。

3 flexible   

adj.易曲的，灵活的，柔软的，能变形的，可通融的

参考例句：

• We need a foreign policy that is more flexible.我们需要一种更灵活的外交政策。
• We should stick to the principles and be flexible as well.我们既要有原则性，也要有灵活性。

4 gymnasts   

n.体操家，体操运动员( gymnast的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• People gasped with admiration at the superb skill of the gymnasts. 体操运动员的高超技艺令人赞叹。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
• Groups of gymnasts are having their physical training in the gymnasium. 几组体操运动员正在体育馆里进行体育锻炼。 来自辞典例句

5 gravity   

n.重力，引力，地心引力

参考例句：

• An apple falls down because of gravity.由于重力的关系，苹果往下掉。
• The stone rolled down the mountain by gravity.这块石头由于重力作用而滚下山。

6 muscles   

n.肌肉( muscle的名词复数 )；（操纵他人的）力量；权力；肌肉组织

参考例句：

• I must take some exercise and loosen up my muscles. 我必须活动活动使肌肉放松些。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Gosh! My muscles is going to ache all over tomorrow. 哎呀！明天我全身肌肉都会痛了。 来自《简明英汉词典》

7 massage   

n.按摩，揉；vt.按摩，揉，美化，奉承，篡改数据

参考例句：

• He is really quite skilled in doing massage.他的按摩技术确实不错。
• Massage helps relieve the tension in one's muscles.按摩可使僵硬的肌肉松弛。