Yo, dog. Do you down dogâ¢
Yoga, meet hip-hop.
Pop culture and pure popularity is bringing the centuries-old practice of strengthening the mind and body into the modern ages.
A Harris survey shows that 7.5 percent of U.S. adults, or 16.5 million people, now practice yoga. This is an increase of 43 percent from 2002. The fastest-growing segment is the 18-24 age group.
The popularity of the ancient discipline of meditation and exercise has prompted some people to seek new ways to cater to a growing audience.
Hip-hop impresario Russell Simmons is one of the people jumping on the yoga bandwagon. He released a video series earlier this month -- "Yoga Live" -- with instructions set to rap beats.
A devout practitioner of yoga, Simmons, who founded Def Jam Records, said the tapes concentrate on the basic postures and breathing and steers clear of some of the deep spiritual principles.
Other offshoots of yoga that have gained popularity include yogilates, which mixes yoga and the core strengthening aspects of Pilates; yoga spinning, which combines yoga and indoor cycling; and hybrids that mix martial arts and yoga.
Some yoga instructors say concentrating on only the physical qualities of yoga is just scratching the surface.
"Yoga can go beyond the physical level. It can influence you on so many levels," said Leta Koontz, principal of Schoolhouse Yoga in Lawrenceville. "If you look at yoga as if it were an iceberg, the physical aspects of it is just the tip."
Yoga has a philosophy that can be missed when it is combined with other styles, she said.
"I think people have a hard time committing to fitness activities that are just based in physical enhancement," she said. "Yoga helps the mind and body. Learning to relax and concentrate can help in all facets of daily life."
Robert Barton, founder of Three Rivers Yoga Institute in Oakmont, said it is about meeting students where they are.
"I am not real dogmatic about certain things," he said. "I try to teach people to express their own yoga."
Barton said the commercialization of yoga is positive in that a wider audience is being introduced to the art.
"Music is a nice thing to incorporate into yoga as long as it does not distract people," he said. "The foundation of Pilates is yoga, so to mix them is not that unusual. And there is a definite connection between yoga and martial arts, and they can enhance each other."
After looking at what yoga has to offer, some people will want more while others will stray, Barton said.
"It does not have to be religion to you," he said. "But if your attitude is to feel good, practice it religiously."
Peter Gildenhuys, 29, of Lawrenceville, has been practicing yoga for six months. A squash sport player, he chose yoga to help with back aches.
"I don't think it is too commercialized here in Pittsburgh," he said. "Certainly, more people are doing it though. I think many people like that it gets deep, even if they don't choose to get into the mental and spiritual control."
Koontz advises people starting out in yoga not to get twisted up in what they see on television and in books and magazines. Yogic postures are designed to rejuvenate the brain, spine, glands and internal organs.
"It is not just about putting your foot behind your head. It is about the subtle aspects," Koontz said.
