I remember telling my friend 10 years ago that she should come to a yoga class with me at the gym. She said, “I’m not going to sit there and say ummm for an hour.” I would laugh and say, “That isn’t what yoga is! It’s a physical and mental exercise. It’s being in positions that aren’t easy and breathing through it. Come on- Treat yourself!”
I’m grateful that there are things like National Yoga Month to create awareness and teach people about yoga. Yeah, September! In the year 2000, I had no idea what yoga was. I had a lot of health problems and the doctors could not figure out what they were stemming from. My cousin suggested I try yoga. What is it? It sounds kind of crazy-I had seen people doing yoga and getting in some crazy positions like putting their leg over their head and then I had seen monks in Thailand sitting with orange robes on and chanting. Those were my only guesses as to what yoga was. I rented a few videos from the library and decided to try it- why not?! Miraculously even following the video for 15 minutes 3 times a week something started to happen in my body. I could move without hurting. I had a couple of really young kids at the time that would do it with me and I was shocked that they liked it and asked me when we were doing yoga. This was the beginning of a life filled with a positive fitness program.
I have wished many times that everyone in the USA had to stop what they’re doing at a certain time each week and do a 15-minute yoga practice. It has brought such peace to me and an understanding of being non-judgmental. But yoga has a non-forceful approach and making people have to do yoga would ruin the whole experience. Yoga is a journey to a healthy body and mind. So awareness is the key so people will try it on their own!
7 reasons I love yoga::
- Yoga is for all ages.I learned when starting yoga that my 2 year old could do yoga. Then I started going to classes and I saw that there were elderly people in my class. Everyone can do yoga and just change the positions to fit your body and what works for you, men and women.
- Yoga is for all sizes. I thought yoga was for people who were super limber and could turn themselves inside out. No, wrong again. When I started I could not bend over and touch my toes. I couldn’t even bend over and touch my knees. I was that tight. After a few times of practicing, and then even after an hour-long class I could see a difference and could get my hands closer to my toes. Now I am happy to say that I can put my palms on the floor. (Many times I can’t until the end of class and some days it just isn’t going to happen)
- No pressure. This could be my favorite piece of yoga- when I am in class the instructor usually tells all of us to just be on the mat. Don’t worry about anyone else. Do my best. If something hurts, stop. If you get tired go to the floor and go to child’s pose. For an hour only worry about what is on this 2′ x 6′ mat. What a relief!
- The health benefits are unbelievable. I am a witness to this. I even grew an inch and I was 30+ years old. Some amazing things are lower blood pressure (deep breathing helps this happen), flexibility (I could jump off my countertop once again!), enhanced brain function, skeletal alignment, relaxed self, greater clarity, more spirituality, decreased stress, toned body, no more chronic back pain, and I get a boost of energy.
- I learned that I had an inner strength. I had intuition. If I stopped for a few minutes a day, stopped the go go go, I could think more clearly. I had always been worried about speaking my mind and after a few years of yoga, I started to be braver. I would tell people no. My self-esteem went up- I was stronger inside and out and in tune with my body and mind.
- Stress Relief. I’m so happy that science is proving yoga can relieve stress now. I could feel it, but not prove it. When your breathing patterns change, it helps so your muscles don’t tense, heartbeat slows, blood sugar levels drop. Many medical centers now offer yoga as their primary therapy for stress management. Yoga taught me meditation which has helped me in so many areas of my life but mostly in stress management. I have taught my kids breathing skills (in the schools that don’t teach this already, they should- it’s a life skill) so when they are in a stressful situation with friends or public speaking they can breathe through it. When you slow your breathing, you can work with a clear head.
- You can do it anywhere. Ask my kids- I was doing it at the airport last night 🙂 I have done yoga in many places like the beach, forest, red rocks of southern Utah, classes and many other embarrassing places for my kids. No, I don’t always have a yoga mat with me. You can stretch anywhere. When I was on a plane to Sweden I did yoga on the plane when my body needed a break from sitting. You can do yoga in a chair, on a boat and yes with a goat (I have really seen this!)
I have had years where I do yoga 5 or 6 times a week. I have had years (like this one) where I only get to a yoga class once a month. But I always get a good workout, a stress relief and feel great after. My husband asked me what I want to be when I grow up and I have finally decided! I want to be a yoga class taker. Some of my friends have suggested I take classes to become an instructor, but right now and for the past 17 years I have loved going to class and not having to prepare for it and enjoy the time with just me and my mat. I have even said that yoga saved my life, I believe it did in so many seasons of my life. I’m not saying that it’s easy, it’s really hard for me to focus physically and mentally which equals a really great workout.
If you haven’t tried yoga, go for it. Treat yourself! You will see that it is a positive experience and you can do it on your first try- because if you go to a class and do your best, you’re a winner.
Child’s pose