Final answer:
Yoga for beginners can be adapted by practicing positions like the headstand while lying on the back to improve balance and safety. The terms for these poses have changed as yoga has been embraced in the West, with modifications to make the practice inclusive.
Step-by-step explanation:
For beginners, yoga can be modified by practicing the poses lying down on the back. Yoga's eight limbs promote a holistic approach, including the practice of asana (yoga postures), which can be adapted for those starting out to ensure safety and comfort. For example, balancing acts can be challenging, but learners can modify these positions by lying in a supine position (lying on the back) to build strength and confidence before attempting them in an upright stance.
Poses such as sitting upright in a chair or using a mantra for focus are part of the broader spectrum of yoga that influences not only physical balance but also diet and mental well-being. Furthermore, yoga's history, with its origins during the Vedic period and influence on Buddhist meditation practices, highlights its cultural and spiritual richness, though its terms for various poses have evolved over time, especially in the Western context. Modifications of yoga poses allow everyone to participate, regardless of their starting fitness level or balance capabilities.