ENCINITAS, CALIFORNIA The practice of yoga began in India more than 2,500 years ago. It was introduced to the West about a century ago, and has become increasingly popular. For some it is an exercise, for others it is also a spiritual practice.

While people of all ages attend yoga classes in the U.S., the instructors are usually adults. But one young yogi in Southern California is breaking the mold.

I just love yoga so much, just loved how it made me feel, said Jaysea DeVoe, who discovered yoga when she was eight years old and fell in love.

She loved it so much that this year, at the age of 12, she decided to teach it.

"Im the youngest certified female yoga instructor in the U.S.," she said.

DeVoe teaches yoga every Tuesday. Her entire family, including twin brother Fisher, try to attend her classes when there is room.

Ive been to every one except one because I wasnt here. I think its awesome [be]cause just like...a kid teaching yoga like... by kids for kids kind of thing," she said. "I think its [awesome].

I think its fun because its really fun to do Yoga with friends and family," said Eli Park, 8, one of DeVoes younger students.

Thats really inspiring for somebody who's been doing yoga for a long time to meet a 12-year-old girl who not only does yoga but teaches yoga," said student Rachel Williams.

"It was a really nice flow, really nice balance, really good energy in the class and I loved that she consistently told us to smile," she said. "I think thats important because often it becomes super-serious and not very playful so it was really nice.

Read more:
Unconventional Yoga Instructor Teaches Adults, Children

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By Pagosa Springs SUN Yoga. 10-11:30 a.m., community center. Free. Follow these topics:

By Pagosa Springs SUN Yoga. 10-11:30 a.m., community center. Free. Follow these topics:

By Pagosa Springs SUN Yoga. 10-11:30 a.m., community center. Free. Follow these topics:

By Pagosa Springs SUN Yoga. 10-11:30 a.m., community center. Free. Follow these topics:

By Pagosa Springs SUN Yoga. 10-11:30 a.m., community center. Free. Follow these topics:

By Pagosa Springs SUN Yoga. 10-11:30 a.m., community center. Free. Follow these topics:

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All events for Yoga

If these photos of celebrities doing yoga do not inspire you to sign up for a class, we don't know what will!

There's a growing trend of models and actors showing off their toned bods in impossible-to-achieve yoga poses.

While purists may cringe and call this yoga porn, the fact is that it is more popular than you can imagine.

Does it help spread awareness about yoga?

Or is it just a passing fad?

But if these incredible images of celebs doing yoga do not inspire you to sign up for that yoga class, we really don't know what will.

PS: Don't try any of these poses without proper guidance.

ALSO SEE Simple yoga poses for beginners

We start with supermodel Candice Swanepoel striking the pigeon pose or the Eka Pada Rajakapotasana.

Do you practice yoga too? Share your #Yoga-Pics here!

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10 photos of celebs doing yoga to kickstart your day

Posted by Claire Hoffman on June 16, 2014 at 4:00 PM

These days I barely make a move without thinking about the consequences. Last night, I stared at my 5-month old daughter, marveling at the miracle of her being. I stroked the round curve of her belly, gazed into her bright blue eyes. My chest warmed as she cooed ecstatically back at me. Had life ever been so new and wonderful? Then, my mind wandered. I reached over her breathtaking being for my computer. I was on deadline.

With that reach came a flood of thoughtswould Vivian be forever scarred by my multitasking? Would her brain waves be altered by the glow of the computer screen? And worse, did the work I had to do really matter when such beauty lay before me?

For so long, Ive wanted to be in the moment. But I think thatmoment is over. I think the now has ended. Actually, I wonder if it ever existed.

Five years ago, I sat across from Eckhart Tollethe millennial guru of being in the Now. He said he didnt like talking to press, with the exception of his No. 1 disciple, Oprah. But, Tolle told me, his puckish face crinkling into a bemused smile, the universe had told him to grant me this interview. Ill admit I was suspicious of Tolle before I met him. I had read his books and felt vaguely annoyed that he had repurposed in a digestible form an age-old spiritual truth: Happiness was letting go. I was raised in a utopian community based on meditation that deified our guru, Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, who said he was enlightened and encouraged all of us to achieve his state of 24-hour bliss. I developed a long-standing dislike of men who stood on stages and told people to emulate them.

Still, all the meditating Id done as a child hadnt eradicated my ego. So when I heard Eckhart and the universe had talked about me, he had my full attention.

Outside the sterile studio room where we were chatting at the University of British Columbia sat one other writer who had been approved by the universe. She was from Modern Dog. Tolle, as it turned out, really loved dogs. I felt flattered despite myself. I had often thought the universe had something special in store for me and sitting across from Tolle, I tingled with the meaningfulness of it all. This was it! I was in the Now. I was in Tolles Now. We sat facing each other. Tolle, an elfin 60 years old with reddish hair and pointed ears, seemed to be slowing time with his fixed intensity.

We were in Vancouver, where Tolle lived a relatively private life with his girlfriend and soon-to-be wife, Kim Eng. Despite having book after book on the best-seller list for years, Tolle said he was modest in his habits, citing a new Lexus SUV and a nice condo as his biggest splurges.

Before we sat down together, I had been nervous about interviewing himhow do you ask somebody about their history, and about what they do, and why they do it when that person has cobbled together a philosophy of life in opposition to history and who preaches that all that really matters is the moment?

Excerpt from:
The Power of Then