By:Amber Samworth
Topic: Yoga
General Purpose: To Inform.
Specific Purpose: To inform my audience about yoga.
Thesis Statement: I want my audience to be informed about what yoga is, its history, and why it has become so popular in recent years.
Introduction
I. (Open w/impact) According to Ann Pizer, a Yoga Alliance Certified Instructor, in an article last accessed on September 18th 2007, for Yoga.About.Com. “Yoga means “union” in Sanskrit, the language of Ancient India where yoga first originated. We can think of that union occurring between the mind, body, and spirit.” II. (Introduce topic) As you can see, yoga is an incredibly healthy practice. III. (Establish credibility) I have just recently started doing yoga and I have already noticed a change in my life because of it. IV. (Audience adaptation) Most of you may be asking yourselves: “How can yoga possibly help me?” V. (Preview main points) Hopefully I can help you answer that question by informing you about what yoga is, what its history is, and why it has become so popular in recent years.
Body I. So what exactly is yoga? A. It’s basically a way to create balance in the body by developing strength, flexibility, spirituality and emphasizing a non-materialistic lifestyle. B. Ann Pizer goes on to say that “’Yoga’ is more accurately described by the Sanskrit word “asana” which refers to the practice of physical postures or poses.” C. The yoga poses are essential to a yoga class. Most people go to a class because there is an instructor and other motivated people. 1. Rod Hutchings, a member of the Yoga Teacher’s Association of Australia, states in an article on http://www.yoga.net.au, last accessed on September 18th 2007, titled “What is Yoga” that “A class starts with breathing exercises, then begins with gentle asanas and works up to more difficult ones.” 2. A class will usually exercise all parts of the body and will
Cited: Pizer, Ann. “What is Yoga?” About.com. 18 Sept. 2007. 20 Sept. 2007, http://www.stress.about.com Stachowiak, Julie