20 years of working towards yoga

 Right now I’m feeling reflective as I have fun a significant milestone – 20 years of working towards yoga!

Hello pals, I hope you had an exquisite weekend. Ours was low-key and we noticed Riverdance, which was the whole lot.

Whereas I used to be at scorching yoga final week, I noticed that I’ve been working towards yoga for TWENTY YEARS. It hit me fairly onerous and I couldn’t consider how a lot life I’ve been by 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 little one’s pose, and discovered to really be current and deal with my breath.

It’s been 20 years of unrolling my mat, connecting with my breath, and flowing by sequences that problem and remodel my thoughts and physique. It’s onerous 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 apply has formed my life in numerous methods. So, in honor of this milestone, I wish 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 inform you that right now 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 notch 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 potential to information college students to a deeper understanding of their our bodies and the apply of yoga.

Wanting again, this was the proper technique to get began: it was zero strain (as a result of I used to be solo, at house, in my mother’s front room). I began to apply yoga commonly, largely earlier than mattress, and finally transitioned into studio courses. Over the previous 20 years, I’ve taken lots of of yoga courses in studios everywhere in the US, from California to Orlando and lots 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 provides a singular and difficult expertise.

Listed below are a number of forms 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 individuals who wish to get their coronary heart charge up and sweat it out on the mat. Lessons will be barely heat, or heated.

Restorative Yoga:

Should 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 rigidity and promote deep rest.

Yoga Nidra:

it is a sort of yoga apply that’s also known as “yogic sleep”. Not like conventional yoga courses, the place you progress by a sequence of postures, in Yoga Nidra, you lay down in a snug place and are guided by a deep rest and meditation. This apply is designed that can assist you enter a state of deep rest, the place you’ll be able to launch rigidity, stress, and nervousness. Yoga Nidra will be extremely highly effective, not just for bodily rest, but additionally for psychological and emotional rest. It’s an effective way to recharge your batteries, scale back stress and nervousness, and enhance your total well-being. So, should you’re on the lookout for a technique to loosen up and unwind, I extremely suggest giving Yoga Nidra a strive!

Ashtanga Yoga:

Ashtanga yoga is a conventional model of yoga that follows a set sequence of poses. This difficult apply is nice for individuals who wish to construct power, flexibility, and focus.

Bikram Yoga:

Should you’re a fan of scorching yoga, Bikram yoga is the final word problem. This intense apply is finished in a heated room and follows a selected sequence of 26 poses. That is what actually acquired me hooked on yoga, and I’d drive nearly two hours once 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 individuals who wish 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 internal peace. Hatha Yoga courses sometimes 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 good possibility for novices or anybody trying to enhance their bodily health, flexibility, and total well-being.

It doesn’t matter what sort of yoga you select, keep in mind to take heed to your physique and honor your limits. With common apply, you’ll be capable to discover your circulation and take your yoga apply to the subsequent stage. I additionally suggest attempting out quite a lot of kinds; you’ll discover those that talk to you and that you simply take pleasure in essentially the most!

Advantages I’ve seen 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 total well-being.

Reduces stress and nervousness:

Yoga offers an area so that you can join along with your breath and quiet your thoughts, which may help to scale back stress and nervousness. As somebody who’s battled nervousness up to now, I do know firsthand the advantages of incorporating yoga into your wellness routine. Yoga offers a protected area to attach along with your breath, launch rigidity out of your physique, and quiet your thoughts. By working towards yoga commonly, you’ll be able to be taught to handle stress and nervousness extra successfully, which may result in a extra balanced and fulfilling life. Moreover, sure yoga poses, reminiscent of ahead folds and inversions, can stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system, which helps to calm the physique and scale back emotions of hysteria.

Improves flexibility and stability:

With common apply, yoga may help to extend flexibility, enhance stability, and probably stop accidents. That is particularly necessary 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 ability to keep up as we age. Most of the actions are purposeful and require core power.

Strengthens the physique:

Many yoga poses require power and stability, which may help to construct muscle and enhance muscular endurance. Plus, yoga is a low-impact type of train, making it nice for individuals who wish to keep away from high-impact exercises.

Promotes mindfulness and self-awareness:

By focusing in your breath and physique throughout yoga apply, you’ll be able to develop a better sense of mindfulness and self-awareness. This may help to enhance total temper and well-being.

Connects you to a group:

Practising yoga commonly may help you to attach with like-minded people and construct a supportive group. This may be particularly necessary for individuals who might really feel remoted or disconnected. One thing I discovered throughout instructor coaching is that typically changes are the one bodily contact that some folks obtain for your complete 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 did yoga teacher training just for me. I by no means actually had the intention of instructing – I taught commonly once 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.

Should you’re contemplating instructor coaching, listed here are a number of the wonderful issues you’ll be able to expertise:

Deepen your apply:

Yoga instructor 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.

Study concerning the philosophy of yoga:

Yoga is greater than only a bodily apply. In instructor coaching, you’ll be taught concerning the historical past, philosophy, and non secular facets 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 an authorized 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 apply.

Be a part of a supportive group:

Yoga instructor coaching is an effective 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 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 a tremendous journey full of challenges, progress, and transformation. By means of this apply, I’ve discovered 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 pals and had the chance to be taught from a number of the easiest lecturers. And most significantly, I’ve discovered to domesticate a way of internal peace and well-being that, together with my religion, has carried me by life’s ups and downs.

Should 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 usually do you apply? What’s your favourite model?