GA parents, offended by the 'Far East religion' of yoga, get 'Namaste' banned from school
"We need to direct our attention inward and connect to the breath," yoga instructor Rachel Brathen writes in her New York Times best-selling book about the practice. "Focusing on our breath keeps us present, calms the mind, and allows us to develop the awareness of the body we need to practice with care and compassion."
Since the ancient discipline with roots in Hinduism and Buddhism became a popular exercise in the West, yogis have inundated popular culture with their pursuit of that elusive "calm" in a rapidly spinning world.