Informative Speech
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. Its 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 Teachers 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 include breathing practices as
well as guided meditation.
3. The poses are as diverse as the instructor and include: sitting, standing, forward bends,
back bending, twisting postures, and upside-down asanas.
4. Classes are a good way to go for a lot of people but they do have their drawbacks.
a. The classes can be difficult for people with physical limitations.
b. The classes can also be expensive and are not right for people who feel self conscious in
a large group.
D. However, there are other options for people who choose to do a yoga program on their
own.
1. There is a wealth of knowledge online or they can watch a DVD.
