Yoga calmes the nerves, purifies the emotions, heals the body and opens the heart. It elevates and concentrates the mind, preparing one for meditation and communication with the divine.
When you think of yoga do you think of a gentle class with lots of yogic breathing , meditation and gentle stretching ? Do you think of a class where you are sweating from jumping back and forth thru a vinyasa flow ? Or do you think of Gumby...putting your foot behind your head ? Well, yes you are right to any of the three. There are many styles of yoga , the key is to find the style that resonates with you and let your practice soar.
Yoga is about intention. What's your intension ? Do you want to relieve the daily stress in your life while relieving your back pain ? Do you have anxiety ? Do you want to sweat away the toxins in your body ? Do you want to gain strength and balance while improving flexibility ?
Does a gentle practice interest you , perhaps a vigorous flow ? What's your intension ?
We all start in the same place, it doesn't matter if you run 5 miles a day or if you are a couch potato. There is no wrong way to do yoga. Do not let your lack of flexibility or balance keep you from trying a class. Moving into a posture safely with awareness and feeling an opening in your body , is yoga. Honor where your body is at that very moment you are on your mat, not where your body will be after a month of practice. Our bodies are different , no one will do a yoga posture in the same exact wat as someone else. There is no competition with anyone else or ourselves.
Top 10 Reasons To Try Yoga
Stress Relief : Yoga reduces the effects of stress on the body by lowering blood pressure and heart rate, improving digestion and boosting the immune system as well as easing symptons of conditions such as anxiety, depression, fatigue, asthma and insomnia.
Pain Relief : Yoga can reduce pain for people with many chronic conditions as well as arthritis, back and neck pain.
Better Breathing : Taking slower, deeper breaths helps to improve lung function, trigger's the body's relaxation response and increases the amount of oxygen available to the body.
Flexibility : Yoga helps to improve flexibility and mobility, increasing range of movement and reducing aches and pains. Yoga also helps to improve body alignment helping to relieve back, neck , joint and muscle problems.
Increased Strength : Yoga postures use every muscle in the body, helping to increase strength from head to toe.
Improved Circulation : Yoga helps to move oxygenated bloood more efficiently to the body's cells.
Cardiovascular Conditioning : Even gentle yoga can provide cardiovascular benefits by lowering resting heart rate, increasing endurance and improving oxygen uptake during exercise.
Focus On The Present : Create the mind body connection.
Open the way to improved concentration, coordination, reaction time and memory.
Inner Peace : The meditative aspects of yoga help many to reach a deeper, more spiritual and more satisfying place in their lives.
Weight Management : Even gentle yoga reduces cortisol levels as well as burns extra calories. Yoga provides a sense of well being and self esteem.
Yoga is a safe , natural, gentle, non competitive practice where you can experience your true self ...