背景介绍

【背景】

瑜伽这个词，是从印度梵语yug或yuj而来，是一样的读音，其含意为“一致”“结合”或“和谐”。瑜伽是一个通过提升意识，帮助人们充分发挥潜能的哲学体系及其指导下的运动体系。瑜伽姿势是一个运用古老而易于掌握的方法，提高人们生理、心理、情感和精神方面的能力，是一种达到身体、心灵与精神和谐统一的运动形式。古印度人更相信人可以天人合一，他们以不同的瑜伽修炼方法融入日常生活而奉行不渝：普文以目、梵音绕耳、思吾省身、诺于人心，道德、忘我的动作、理性的大脑、宗教性的责任、无欲无求、冥想和宇宙的自然与创造。

　　近年在世界多个不同地方流行和大热的瑜伽，不是只是一套流行或时髦的健身运动这么简单。瑜伽是一个非常古老的能量知识修炼方法，集哲学、科学和艺术于一身。瑜伽的基础建筑在古印度哲学上，数千年来，心理、生理和精神上的戒律已经成为印度文化中的一个重要组成部分。古代的瑜伽信徒发展了瑜伽体系，因为他们深信通过运动身体和调控呼吸，可以控制心智和情感，以及保持永远健康的身体。

英文原文

【原文】

Mike: What're you doing up so early, Amanda? Have you decided 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 postures.

Amanda: Come on, there's more to yoga than that! It's perfect for physical and spiritual well-being. It also helps your body become more flexible.

Mike: No thanks－I think all of this is just a moneymaking gimmick. I'm telling you Amanda, don't buy into it!

Amanda: Mike, we just learn three new postures every day and do some meditation. 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 celebrities 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!

1. to contort (v.) 扭曲；曲解
Peter's face contorted with rage when he found out his sister had broken his laptop computer.
皮特发现妹妹弄坏了自己的电脑后很生气。

2. posture (n.) 姿势；姿态
He maintained a good posture even in old age by sitting straight instead of slouching.
虽然已经很年迈了，他还是站的很直，而不是耷拉着。

3. flexible ['fleksəbl] (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.
那个舞蹈演员，柔韧性很好，可以用脚碰到自己的头顶。

4. guru (n.) 导师；大师
Many people in the U.S. consider Martha Stewart to be a lifestyle guru.
玛莎斯图尔特在很多美国人眼中是个生活大师。

5. 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.
莎伦不愿意让临时保姆给自己看孩子，但她只能这样做。

6.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.

7.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 jewelry!
B: Come on, that's just a moneymaking gimmick to attract more customers.

8. 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

(可可英语版权所有,未经允许请勿转载)