【推荐2】If you’ve heard of “pickleball,” chances are that you connect the sport with seniors. That’s not surprising, as it was the 55-plus set that began growing the sport at the end of last century. But today, pickleball is attracting players of every age as it becomes more and more popular across the U.S. and around the globe.     1    

Pickleball is a combination of badminton, ping-pong and tennis. It’s played on a badminton-sized court with a low net like that used in tennis. Players use a bat that’s smaller than a tennis racquet (球拍), but larger than a ping-pong bat.     2     Most games are played to 11 points, with a two-point spread needed to win, and each game typically lasts just 15 to 20 minutes.

In 2021, more than 4.8 million people in the U.S. were playing pickleball. That’s about four times as many people as were playing in 2010, and makes pickleball one of the fastest-growing sports in the U.S. and North America. So, what’s the appeal?

    3     Also, it doesn’t take a lot of time to play and is accessible, as players just need a racquet and ball. It provides a great exercise, too. And for experienced players, pickleball can become a fast-paced, strategic game. It’s also just plain fun.

In North America, indoor and outdoor pickleball courts can be seen everywhere. About 66 new locations open every month. In addition, the game is being introduced to kids in middle school and high school PE classes.     4     Many professional players are appearing.

Pickleball may even become an Olympic sport one day, especially if the International Federation of Pickleball (IFP) gets its way. Created in 2010, the IFP’s goal is to make pickleball universally present around the world.     5     IFP membership has spread fast to over 60 countries, including the U.S., Australia, Canada, China, India, Italy, Pakistan, the Philippines and Spain.

【推荐3】Mind-Bending Facts About Yoga

It’s been around for roughly 5,000 years, but yoga is more popular today than ever. Here are some mind-bending facts about yoga.

Vinyasa yoga, also called flow, is one of the most popular styles in the West. It focuses on linking a series of poses with the breath at a quick, smooth pace. Ashtanga is like Vinyasa, but more structured: it is made up of a series of poses done in the same order every time. Hot yoga is performed in a room heated between 33-40℃. The heat is said to increase vitality, flexibility and kilojoule (千焦尔) burn.

Already into yoga and looking to change up your practice? Try one of the many modern yoga variations, such as Aerial and Animal yoga. Aerial yoga involves hanging from a silk swing attached to the ceiling; it reduces joint pressure that some people feel while doing floor poses. Animal yoga, on the other hand, is less about mastering poses and more about decreasing stress and boosting your mood by practicing alongside puppies, goats and even horses.

Savasana looks simple, but it can be difficult to master, as it calls for a state of calm. Typically the final position of a yoga class, the purpose of this pose is to allow your practice to settle in your mind and body, and it’s ideally done for at least five minutes. After that, you and your classmates typically acknowledge each other with a greeting that even non-yogis know: Namaste.