Yoga, as a traditional exercise originating in India, has become more than a sports activity and into a lifestyle. People love the exercise and also appreciate the theory and culture of Yoga.

Over 100 million people are taking Yoga classes worldwide.

As autumn comes, the Yoga classes in Beijing, the capital city of China, have become hot once again. But this time, Yoga classes are no longer crowed with women. Now, many fashionable young men are also taking part.

Mike, an American, is a member of a Yoga club in Beijing and he is among the few male students in his class. Mike says exercising Yoga has helped him relax himself and has also cured his insomnia.

Meanwhile, more young Chinese men are joining in the activity. 20-something Xiao Gang, first dragged to the Yoga course by his girlfriend, hopes that the self-proclaimed computer-addicted could lose some weight doing Yoga. Now, Xiao Gang has become a real Yoga goer himself. He also successfully lost 2.5 kilograms in a 3-month exercise. Xiao Gang says Yoga has changed his lifestyle.

(CRI October 18, 2005)