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  Instructional yoga game and method of playRelated Patent Categories: Amusement Devices: Games, Board Games, Pieces, Or Boards Therefor, Piece Moves Over Board Having Pattern, Sports Or Outdoor Recreational ActivitiesInstructional yoga game and method of play description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070057460, Instructional yoga game and method of play. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS REFERENCE To RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims priority to U.S. provisional application 60/447,937 filed on Feb. 14, 2003, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] The present invention relates to a game for teaching yoga positions and in particular to an instructional game utilizing a mat and cards to teach the techniques and benefits of various yoga positions. [0004] 2. Description of the Related Art [0005] A popular activity related to overall physical fitness and well-being is the practice of yoga. Generally, yoga is the practice of controlled bodily movements usually accompanied with deep breathing. Various yoga positions provide the benefits of increased physical flexibility, strengthened and toned muscles, improved digestion, improved balance, relief of stress, improved concentration and reduced fatigue. [0006] When yoga first became popular, the primary participants were adults hoping to improve their overall physical fitness and mental well-being. Yoga was considered an excellent opportunity to relieve tension and stress from an adult's fast-paced life. However, yoga can provide physical and mental benefits to all types of participants, including children and disabled persons. Many children today are subjected to high levels of stress and pressure to perform well in academic and extra-curricular activities. Furthermore, recent studies and reports have illustrated the damaging results of fast-paced lifestyles, namely poor nutrition and lack of physical activity that cause obesity, even in children. [0007] Accordingly, programs are continuing to develop that help reverse the damaging effects of fast-paced lifestyles. Classes focusing on improved nutrition and physical fitness are springing up in schools across the country. People are taking a renewed interest in promoting a healthy lifestyle in hopes of developing good habits that their children will follow for a lifetime. [0008] The benefits and advantages of yoga align closely with a healthy lifestyle and provide the same benefits to children as they do to adults. However, encouraging the practice of yoga with children encounters an additional set of obstacles. The practice of yoga must compete with the television, video games, and action-packed sports, such as hockey and basketball, for the short attention span of the child. Furthermore, the various bodily positions commonly associated with yoga may be too challenging for young participants who have yet to fully develop control of their body. [0009] Accordingly, there is a recognized need to teach children the techniques and benefits of the practice of yoga while retaining their interest and encouraging physical accomplishments at an individualized pace. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0010] The present invention is an instructional game that teaches the techniques and benefits of yoga to participants, preferably children. In an embodiment, the game includes a playing surface including illustrations of various bodily poses and a plurality of cards having top and bottom faces. The top face of the cards includes illustrations of various bodily poses, which may or may not correspond to the poses on the playing surface. The game may also include a random selection device including a plurality of numbers and a plurality of corresponding actions. Methods for playing the game of the present invention are also provided. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0011] The present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: [0012] FIG. 1 is a top view of a mat including multiple spaces with illustrations of various yoga positions; [0013] FIGS. 2 and 3 are top views of two examples of cards having illustrations of various yoga positions; [0014] FIGS. 3 and 4 are top views of two additional examples of cards having illustrations of various yoga positions; [0015] FIG. 5 is a top view of an action spinner of the present invention; and [0016] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a carrier holding components of the game of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0017] As shown in FIG. 1, an instructional game to teach the techniques and benefits of yoga includes a playing surface 10 is provided. In an embodiment of the invention, the playing surface 10 is generally a rectangular mat 10. The mat 10 may be a sticky yoga mat typically used in the fitness industry for practicing yoga techniques. The mat 10 measures generally twenty-four (24) inches wide by fifty (50) inches long. A 24''.times.50'' mat 10 is typically considered an appropriate size for a child. An adult may utilize a larger mat 10. The size, shape and texture of the mat 10 are not limited to the descriptions given above. [0018] Positioned around a peripheral edge of mat 10 are a plurality of spaces 12. Each space 12 includes a printed boundary 14, a graphic illustration of a bodily pose 16 and a title 18 of the pose 16. As shown in the embodiment of FIG. 1, the mat 10 includes twenty-four spaces 12 each illustrating a different bodily pose 16. The number of spaces 12 is only illustrative and not meant to limit the scope of the invention. The rectangular center of the mat 10 remains clear of any printing and is used to practice the yoga techniques of the instructional game. [0019] Referring to FIGS. 2-4, the game also includes a plurality of cards 20. In an embodiment, the cards 20 include top and bottom faces, with the top faces being shown in the figures. The top faces are imprinted with a photographic illustration of a bodily pose 22, a title 24 of the pose 22, and a description 26 of executing the pose 22. The illustrations depicted on cards 20 are not intended to be limited to those shown and described. Continue reading about Instructional yoga game and method of play... Full patent description for Instructional yoga game and method of play Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Instructional yoga game and method of play patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Instructional yoga game and method of play or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Trading card game and a method to play Next Patent Application: Methods and systems for providing enhanced value of lottery-type tickets Industry Class: Amusement devices: games ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Instructional yoga game and method of play patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 1.43797 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Computers: Graphics , I/O , Processors , Dyn. Storage , Static Storage , Printers |
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