Today I’m feeling reflective as I rejoice a significant milestone – 20 years of working towards yoga!
Hi pals, I hope you had a beautiful weekend. Ours was low-key and we noticed Riverdance, which was the whole lot.
While I used to be at sizzling yoga final week, I noticed 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. Moves, 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 discovered to actually be current and deal with my breath.
It’s been twenty years of unrolling my mat, connecting with my breath, and flowing by way of sequences that problem and rework 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 probably the most versatile bear, this apply 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 discovered, and the rewards I’ve reaped over the previous 20 years of working towards yoga.
(Maisey additionally desires me to let you know that right this moment is her birthday! OF COURSE she’s getting a doggy cake and birthday music)
20 years of working towards yoga
My introduction to yoga:
My very top notch was a Rodney Yee yoga DVD I picked up at Target on a whim. I used to be in school, feeling the stressors of a dramatic relationship and fixed homework deadlines, and figured I’d give it a whirl. Instantly, I used to be drawn in by the sense of calm it introduced me. I additionally liked Rodney Yee’s clear, concise instruction and his capability to information college students to a deeper understanding of their our bodies and the apply of yoga.
Looking again, this was the proper strategy to get began: it was zero stress (as a result of I used to be solo, at house, in my mother’s lounge). I began to apply yoga commonly, principally earlier than mattress, and finally transitioned into studio courses. Over the previous 20 years, I’ve taken tons of of yoga courses in studios all around the US, from California to Orlando and lots of spots in between.
Types of yoga I’ve tried:
There are so many several types of yoga on the market, and each gives a novel and difficult expertise.
Here are a number of varieties of yoga and what makes them so particular:
Vinyasa Yoga:
Vinyasa yoga is a dynamic model of yoga that focuses on linking breath with motion. This flow-based apply is ideal for many who need to get their coronary heart price up and sweat it out on the mat. Classes may be barely heat, or heated.
Restorative Yoga:
If you’re on the lookout for a extra stress-free and restorative apply, restorative yoga is the best way to go. This light apply makes use of props and long-held poses to launch pressure and promote deep leisure.
Yoga Nidra:
this can be a kind of yoga apply that’s also known as “yogic sleep”. Unlike conventional yoga courses, the place you progress by way of a collection of postures, in Yoga Nidra, you lay down in a snug place and are guided by way of a deep leisure and meditation. This apply is designed that will help you enter a state of deep leisure, the place you possibly can 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, cut back stress and anxiousness, and enhance your general well-being. So, for those who’re on the lookout for a strategy to loosen up and unwind, I extremely suggest giving Yoga Nidra a attempt!
Ashtanga Yoga:
Ashtanga yoga is a conventional model of yoga that follows a set sequence of poses. This difficult apply is nice for many who need to construct power, flexibility, and focus.
Bikram Yoga:
If you’re a fan of sizzling yoga, Bikram yoga is the final word problem. This intense apply is finished in a heated room and follows a particular sequence of 26 poses. This is what actually acquired me hooked on yoga, and I’d drive nearly two hours after we lived in Valdosta to take a Bikram class. My present favourite model is a mix of Vinyasa and Bikram, in a heated and humid room.
Yin Yoga:
Yin yoga is a slow-paced model of yoga that focuses on holding poses for longer durations of time. This apply helps to enhance flexibility and enhance circulation, making it good for many who need to work on their mobility.
Hatha yoga:
this a conventional type of yoga that focuses on bodily postures (asanas), respiration strategies (pranayama), and meditation. The apply is designed to stability the physique and thoughts, and create a way of concord and inside peace. Hatha Yoga courses usually transfer at a slower tempo than different types of yoga, permitting practitioners to deal with the alignment of the postures and their breath. Hatha Yoga is a superb possibility for learners or anybody seeking to enhance their bodily health, flexibility, and general well-being.
No matter what kind of yoga you select, keep in mind to hearken to your physique and honor your limits. With common apply, you’ll have the ability to discover your stream and take your yoga apply to the subsequent stage. I additionally suggest making an attempt out quite a lot of types; you’ll discover those that talk to you and that you simply take pleasure in probably the most!
Benefits I’ve observed from working towards yoga commonly:
Not solely does yoga assist to extend flexibility and power, nevertheless 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 cut 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 protected house to attach together with your breath, launch pressure out of your physique, and quiet your thoughts. By working towards yoga commonly, you possibly can be taught to handle stress and anxiousness extra successfully, which may result in a extra balanced and fulfilling life. Additionally, sure yoga poses, corresponding to ahead folds and inversions, can stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system, which helps to calm the physique and cut back emotions of hysteria.
Improves flexibility and stability:
With common apply, yoga will help to extend flexibility, enhance stability, and doubtlessly stop accidents. This is particularly essential as we age and our our bodies turn into much less limber. It additionally entails getting on and off the mat, which is a superb talent to take care of as we age. Many 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 many who need to keep away from high-impact exercises.
Promotes mindfulness and self-awareness:
By focusing in your breath and physique throughout yoga apply, you possibly can develop a larger sense of mindfulness and self-awareness. This will help to enhance general temper and well-being.
Connects you to a group:
Practicing yoga commonly will help you to attach with like-minded people and construct a supportive group. This may be particularly essential for many who could really feel remoted or disconnected. Something I discovered throughout trainer coaching is that typically changes are the one bodily contact that some individuals obtain for the complete day. That was highly effective for me and a reminder of how a lot we want connection and human contact to thrive.
My expertise with yoga trainer coaching:
Selfishly, I did yoga trainer coaching only for me. I by no means actually had the intention of instructing – I taught commonly after we lived in Valdosta however have solely subbed right here and there since then – however needed to to deepen my very own private apply and be taught as a lot as I may about yoga.
If you’re contemplating trainer coaching, listed below are a number of the superb issues you possibly can expertise:
Deepen your apply:
Yoga trainer coaching is a chance to take your apply to the subsequent stage. You’ll be taught new poses, refine your alignment, and enrich your understanding of the apply.
Learn concerning the philosophy of yoga:
Yoga is greater than only a bodily apply. In trainer coaching, you’ll be taught concerning the historical past, philosophy, and non secular points of yoga. I particularly loved studying the “Seven Spiritual Laws of Yoga” and studying about primordial meditation.
Share your love of yoga with others:
As a licensed yoga trainer, you’ll have the chance to share your love of yoga with others and assist them to find the transformative energy of the apply.
Join a supportive group:
Yoga trainer 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 help you all through your journey.
Challenge your self:
Yoga trainer coaching could be a difficult expertise, nevertheless it’s additionally extremely rewarding. You’ll push your self bodily, mentally, and emotionally, and are available out on the opposite aspect with new perspective and a stronger apply.
There ya have it, pals! 20 years of working towards yoga has been an incredible journey stuffed with challenges, progress, and transformation. Through this apply, I’ve discovered to attach with my breath, calm my thoughts, and hearken to my physique. I’ve gained power, flexibility, and resilience, each on and off the mat. I’ve met unimaginable pals and had the chance to be taught from a number of the highest academics. And most significantly, I’ve discovered to domesticate a way of inside peace and well-being that, together with my religion, has carried me by way of life’s ups and downs.
If you’re new to yoga or have been working towards for some time, I encourage you to remain dedicated to your apply, and permit it to information you by yourself journey of progress and transformation. <3
Are you a yoga fan or not a lot? How typically do you apply? What’s your favourite model?