At present I’m feeling reflective as I have fun a significant milestone – 20 years of working towards yoga!
Hello associates, I hope you had a beautiful weekend. Ours was low-key and we noticed Riverdance, which was all the pieces.
Whereas I used to be at sizzling yoga final week, I spotted that I’ve been working towards yoga for TWENTY YEARS. It hit me fairly exhausting and I couldn’t consider how a lot life I’ve been by way of since I used to be first launched to yoga. Strikes, deployments, infants, highs, and lows, yoga has been a reasonably constant a part of my life. I’ve cried throughout savasana, mastered sure poses, struggled with others, spent 90% of sure courses in baby’s pose, and realized to really be current and concentrate on my breath.
It’s been twenty years of unrolling my mat, connecting with my breath, and flowing by way of sequences that problem and remodel my thoughts and physique. It’s exhausting to consider that 20 years have handed since I first found yoga, and whereas I can’t do any loopy methods and I’m not essentially the most versatile bear, this observe has formed my life in numerous methods. So, in honor of this milestone, I need to share with you a number of the classes I’ve realized, and the rewards I’ve reaped over the previous 20 years of working towards yoga.
(Maisey additionally desires me to let you know that immediately is her birthday! OF COURSE she’s getting a doggy cake and birthday track)
20 years of working towards yoga
My introduction to yoga:
My very top quality was a Rodney Yee yoga DVD I picked up at Goal on a whim. I used to be in faculty, feeling the stressors of a dramatic relationship and fixed homework deadlines, and figured I’d give it a whirl. Immediately, I used to be drawn in by the sense of calm it introduced me. I additionally cherished Rodney Yee’s clear, concise instruction and his skill to information college students to a deeper understanding of their our bodies and the observe of yoga.
Wanting again, this was the proper option to get began: it was zero stress (as a result of I used to be solo, at dwelling, in my mother’s front room). I began to observe yoga recurrently, largely earlier than mattress, and ultimately transitioned into studio courses. Over the previous 20 years, I’ve taken lots of of yoga courses in studios all around the US, from California to Orlando and plenty of spots in between.
Kinds of yoga I’ve tried:
There are such a lot of various kinds of yoga on the market, and every one presents a singular and difficult expertise.
Listed here are just a few forms of yoga and what makes them so particular:
Vinyasa Yoga:
Vinyasa yoga is a dynamic fashion of yoga that focuses on linking breath with motion. This flow-based observe is ideal for individuals who need to get their coronary heart charge up and sweat it out on the mat. Lessons may be barely heat, or heated.
Restorative Yoga:
If you happen to’re in search of a extra enjoyable and restorative observe, restorative yoga is the way in which to go. This mild observe makes use of props and long-held poses to launch pressure and promote deep leisure.
Yoga Nidra:
this can be a kind of yoga observe that’s also known as “yogic sleep”. Not like conventional yoga courses, the place you progress by way of a sequence of postures, in Yoga Nidra, you lay down in a snug place and are guided by way of a deep leisure and meditation. This observe is designed that can assist you enter a state of deep leisure, the place you’ll be able to launch pressure, stress, and anxiousness. Yoga Nidra may be extremely highly effective, not just for bodily leisure, but additionally for psychological and emotional leisure. It’s a good way to recharge your batteries, scale back stress and anxiousness, and enhance your general well-being. So, if you happen to’re in search of a option to calm down and unwind, I extremely suggest giving Yoga Nidra a attempt!
Ashtanga Yoga:
Ashtanga yoga is a standard fashion of yoga that follows a set sequence of poses. This difficult observe is nice for individuals who need to construct power, flexibility, and focus.
Bikram Yoga:
If you happen to’re a fan of sizzling yoga, Bikram yoga is the last word problem. This intense observe is completed in a heated room and follows a selected sequence of 26 poses. That is what actually obtained me hooked on yoga, and I’d drive nearly two hours after we lived in Valdosta to take a Bikram class. My present favourite fashion is a mix of Vinyasa and Bikram, in a heated and humid room.
Yin Yoga:
Yin yoga is a slow-paced fashion of yoga that focuses on holding poses for longer intervals of time. This observe helps to enhance flexibility and enhance circulation, making it excellent for individuals who need to work on their mobility.
Hatha yoga:
this a standard type of yoga that focuses on bodily postures (asanas), respiratory methods (pranayama), and meditation. The observe is designed to steadiness the physique and thoughts, and create a way of concord and interior peace. Hatha Yoga courses usually transfer at a slower tempo than different types of yoga, permitting practitioners to concentrate on the alignment of the postures and their breath. Hatha Yoga is a good choice for rookies or anybody trying to enhance their bodily health, flexibility, and general well-being.
It doesn’t matter what kind of yoga you select, bear in mind to take heed to your physique and honor your limits. With common observe, you’ll be capable to discover your circulation and take your yoga observe to the following degree. I additionally suggest making an attempt out a wide range of kinds; you’ll discover those that talk to you and that you just take pleasure in essentially the most!
Advantages I’ve seen from working towards yoga recurrently:
Not solely does yoga assist to extend flexibility and power, however it additionally has quite a few advantages to your general well-being.
Reduces stress and anxiousness:
Yoga supplies an area so that you can join together with your breath and quiet your thoughts, which will help to scale back stress and anxiousness. As somebody who’s battled anxiousness previously, I do know firsthand the advantages of incorporating yoga into your wellness routine. Yoga supplies a secure area to attach together with your breath, launch pressure out of your physique, and quiet your thoughts. By working towards yoga recurrently, you’ll be able to be taught to handle stress and anxiousness extra successfully, which might result in a extra balanced and fulfilling life. Moreover, sure yoga poses, comparable to ahead folds and inversions, can stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system, which helps to calm the physique and scale back emotions of tension.
Improves flexibility and steadiness:
With common observe, yoga will help to extend flexibility, enhance steadiness, and doubtlessly stop accidents. That is particularly essential as we age and our our bodies grow to be much less limber. It additionally includes getting on and off the mat, which is a good talent to keep up as we age. Most of the actions are useful and require core power.
Strengthens the physique:
Many yoga poses require power and stability, which will help to construct muscle and enhance muscular endurance. Plus, yoga is a low-impact type of train, making it nice for individuals who need to keep away from high-impact exercises.
Promotes mindfulness and self-awareness:
By focusing in your breath and physique throughout yoga observe, you’ll be able to develop a larger sense of mindfulness and self-awareness. This will help to enhance general temper and well-being.
Connects you to a group:
Working towards yoga recurrently will help you to attach with like-minded people and construct a supportive group. This may be particularly essential for individuals who might really feel remoted or disconnected. One thing I realized throughout instructor coaching is that typically changes are the one bodily contact that some folks obtain for your entire day. That was highly effective for me and a reminder of how a lot we’d like connection and human contact to thrive.
My expertise with yoga instructor coaching:
Selfishly, I by no means actually had the intention of educating – I taught recurrently after we lived in Valdosta however have solely subbed right here and there since then – however needed to to deepen my very own private observe and be taught as a lot as I might about yoga.
If you happen to’re contemplating instructor coaching, listed below are a number of the wonderful issues you’ll be able to expertise:
Deepen your observe:
Yoga instructor coaching is a chance to take your observe to the following degree. You’ll be taught new poses, refine your alignment, and enrich your understanding of the observe.
Be taught in regards to the philosophy of yoga:
Yoga is greater than only a bodily observe. In instructor coaching, you’ll be taught in regards to the historical past, philosophy, and non secular points of yoga. I particularly loved studying the “” and studying about
Share your love of yoga with others:
As a licensed yoga instructor, you’ll have the chance to share your love of yoga with others and assist them to find the transformative energy of the observe.
Be part of a supportive group:
Yoga instructor coaching is a good way to attach with like-minded people and construct a supportive group. You’ll be surrounded by others who share your ardour for yoga and who will assist you all through your journey.
Problem your self:
Yoga instructor coaching is usually a difficult expertise, however it’s additionally extremely rewarding. You’ll push your self bodily, mentally, and emotionally, and are available out on the opposite facet with new perspective and a stronger observe.
There ya have it, associates! 20 years of working towards yoga has been a tremendous journey full of challenges, development, and transformation. Via this observe, I’ve realized to attach with my breath, calm my thoughts, and take heed to my physique. I’ve gained power, flexibility, and resilience, each on and off the mat. I’ve met unbelievable associates and had the chance to be taught from a number of the highest academics. And most significantly, I’ve realized to domesticate a way of interior peace and well-being that, together with my religion, has carried me by way of life’s ups and downs.
If you happen to’re new to yoga or have been working towards for some time, I encourage you to remain dedicated to your observe, and permit it to information you by yourself journey of development and transformation. <3
Are you a yoga fan or not a lot? How typically do you observe? What’s your favourite fashion?