英语听力文摘 English Digest 60、谈谈瑜珈

　　Mike: What're you doing up so early, Amanda? Have you decided¹ to take up jogging in the park like me?
Amanda: No, Mike. You know I really can't stand jogging. I've joined a yoga class at our local fitness center. I hear it's a great way to stay fit. Want to join me?
Mike: No way! Yoga is for girls. I'd rather do some weights or cardio at the gym than contort my body into painful postures³.
Amanda: Come on, there's more to yoga than that! It's perfect for physical and spiritual well-being⁴. It also helps your body become more flexible.
Mike: No thanks－I think all of this is just a moneymaking gimmick⁵. I'm telling you Amanda, don't buy into it!
Amanda: Mike, we just learn three new postures every day and do some meditation⁶. My yoga guru is going to teach us about breathing today. Did you know that we don't even breathe properly anymore?
Mike: Count me out! I don't need anyone to tell me how to breathe! Just because celebrities⁷ are doing yoga, everyone's jumping on the bandwagon.
Amanda: That's not true! You're always reluctant to try something new. Give it a chance－you might enjoy it.
Mike: Okay, but only if you promise I'll end up with a body like Matthew McConaughey!
to contort  (v.)   扭曲；曲解
Peter's face contorted with rage when he found out his sister had broken his laptop computer.
posture²  (n.)   姿势；姿态
He maintained a good posture even in old age by sitting straight instead of slouching.
flexible  (adj.)   可弯曲的；柔韧有弹性的
The dancer is so flexible that she can touch her head with her foot.
guru  (n.)   导师；大师
Many people in the U.S. consider Martha Stewart to be a lifestyle guru.
reluctant  (adj.)   不情愿的；勉强的
Sharon was reluctant to leave the children alone with the babysitter, but she had no other choice.
spiritual well-being   心灵上的平静；心灵上的喜悦
A: Aren't you glad we decided to take a trip to the Himalayas instead of New York?
B: Yes, the peaceful atmosphere and fresh air have been good for my spiritual well-being.
moneymaking gimmick   赚钱的技俩；赚钱的花招
A: Guess what? The department store is offering a buy-one-get-one-free deal on all clothes and jewelry⁸!
B: Come on, that's just a moneymaking gimmick to attract more customers.
to end up with   最后…；结果…
A: Why are we here so early? The concert doesn't start until an hour later!
B: I wanted to find good seats－I always end up with seats in the back row when I arrive late

1 decided   

adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的

参考例句：

• This gave them a decided advantage over their opponents.这使他们比对手具有明显的优势。
• There is a decided difference between British and Chinese way of greeting.英国人和中国人打招呼的方式有很明显的区别。

2 posture   

n.姿势，姿态，心态，态度；v.作出某种姿势

参考例句：

• The government adopted an uncompromising posture on the issue of independence.政府在独立这一问题上采取了毫不妥协的态度。
• He tore off his coat and assumed a fighting posture.他脱掉上衣，摆出一副打架的架势。

3 postures   

姿势( posture的名词复数 )； 看法； 态度； 立场

参考例句：

• Modern consciousness has this great need to explode its own postures. 现代意识很有这种摧毁本身姿态的需要。
• They instinctively gathered themselves into more tidy postures. 她们本能地恢复了端庄的姿态。

4 well-being   

n.安康，安乐，幸福

参考例句：

• He always has the well-being of the masses at heart.他总是把群众的疾苦挂在心上。
• My concern for their well-being was misunderstood as interference.我关心他们的幸福，却被误解为多管闲事。

5 gimmick   

n.(为引人注意而搞的)小革新，小发明

参考例句：

• He dismissed the event as just a publicity gimmick.他不理会这件事，只当它是一种宣传手法。
• It is just a public relations gimmick.这只不过是一种公关伎俩。

6 meditation   

n.熟虑，（尤指宗教的）默想，沉思，（pl.）冥想录

参考例句：

• This peaceful garden lends itself to meditation.这个恬静的花园适于冥想。
• I'm sorry to interrupt your meditation.很抱歉，我打断了你的沉思。

7 celebrities   

n.（尤指娱乐界的）名人( celebrity的名词复数 )；名流；名声；名誉

参考例句：

• He only invited A-list celebrities to his parties. 他只邀请头等名流参加他的聚会。
• a TV chat show full of B-list celebrities 由众多二流人物参加的电视访谈节目

8 jewelry   

n.（jewllery）（总称）珠宝

参考例句：

• The burglars walked off with all my jewelry.夜盗偷走了我的全部珠宝。
• Jewelry and lace are mostly feminine belongings.珠宝和花边多数是女性用品。