20 years of working towards yoga

 In the present day I’m feeling reflective as I rejoice 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 all the pieces.

Whereas 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 onerous and I couldn’t imagine 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 lessons in little one’s pose, and discovered to actually be current and concentrate on my breath.

It’s been 20 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 onerous to imagine that 20 years have handed since I first found yoga, and whereas I can’t do any loopy tips and I’m not probably the most versatile bear, this follow has formed my life in numerous methods. So, in honor of this milestone, I wish to share with you a few 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 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 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 capability to information college students to a deeper understanding of their our bodies and the follow of yoga.

Wanting again, this was the right solution 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 follow yoga recurrently, principally earlier than mattress, and ultimately transitioned into studio lessons. Over the previous 20 years, I’ve taken a whole lot of yoga lessons 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 each presents a singular and difficult expertise.

Listed here are a couple 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 follow is ideal for many who wish to get their coronary heart fee up and sweat it out on the mat. Lessons could be barely heat, or heated.

Restorative Yoga:

In case you’re in search of a extra stress-free and restorative follow, restorative yoga is the best way to go. This light follow makes use of props and long-held poses to launch rigidity and promote deep rest.

Yoga Nidra:

this can be a sort of yoga follow that’s sometimes called “yogic sleep”. In contrast to conventional yoga lessons, 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 rest and meditation. This follow is designed that will help you enter a state of deep rest, the place you possibly can launch rigidity, stress, and nervousness. Yoga Nidra could 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, for those who’re in search of a solution to chill out and unwind, I extremely suggest giving Yoga Nidra a strive!

Ashtanga Yoga:

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

Bikram Yoga:

In case you’re a fan of sizzling yoga, Bikram yoga is the last word problem. This intense follow is finished in a heated room and follows a particular 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 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 intervals of time. This follow helps to enhance flexibility and improve circulation, making it excellent for many who wish 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 follow is designed to steadiness the physique and thoughts, and create a way of concord and inside peace. Hatha Yoga lessons 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 possibility for rookies 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 hearken to your physique and honor your limits. With common follow, you’ll have the ability to discover your move and take your yoga follow to the following degree. I additionally suggest making an attempt out a wide range of types; you’ll discover those that talk to you and that you simply get pleasure from probably the most!

Advantages I’ve seen from working towards yoga recurrently:

Not solely does yoga assist to extend flexibility and power, but it surely additionally has quite a few advantages in your total well-being.

Reduces stress and nervousness:

Yoga supplies an area so that you can join together with your breath and quiet your thoughts, which can assist to cut 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 supplies a secure area to attach together with your breath, launch rigidity out of your physique, and quiet your thoughts. By working towards yoga recurrently, you possibly can study to handle stress and nervousness extra successfully, which may result in a extra balanced and fulfilling life. Moreover, sure yoga poses, similar 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 follow, yoga can assist to extend flexibility, enhance steadiness, and probably forestall accidents. That is particularly vital as we age and our our bodies turn into 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 can assist to construct muscle and improve muscular endurance. Plus, yoga is a low-impact type of train, making it nice for many who wish to keep away from high-impact exercises.

Promotes mindfulness and self-awareness:

By focusing in your breath and physique throughout yoga follow, you possibly can develop a better sense of mindfulness and self-awareness. This can assist to enhance total temper and well-being.

Connects you to a group:

Practising yoga recurrently can assist you to attach with like-minded people and construct a supportive group. This may be particularly vital for many who could really feel remoted or disconnected. One thing I discovered throughout trainer coaching is that typically changes are the one bodily contact that some individuals 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 trainer coaching:

Selfishly, I did yoga teacher training just for me. I by no means actually had the intention of instructing – I taught recurrently after we lived in Valdosta however have solely subbed right here and there since then – however wished to to deepen my very own private follow and study as a lot as I may about yoga.

In case you’re contemplating trainer coaching, listed here are a few of the wonderful issues you possibly can expertise:

Deepen your follow:

Yoga trainer coaching is a chance to take your follow to the following degree. You’ll study new poses, refine your alignment, and enrich your understanding of the follow.

Study concerning the philosophy of yoga:

Yoga is greater than only a bodily follow. In trainer coaching, you’ll study concerning the historical past, philosophy, and religious 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 follow.

Be part of a supportive group:

Yoga trainer 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 help you all through your journey.

Problem your self:

Yoga trainer coaching could be a difficult expertise, but it surely’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 follow.

There ya have it, pals! 20 years of working towards yoga has been an incredible journey full of challenges, progress, and transformation. By way of this follow, 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 unbelievable pals and had the chance to study from a few of the easiest 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.

In case you’re new to yoga or have been working towards for some time, I encourage you to remain dedicated to your follow, 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 follow? What’s your favourite model?