At the moment I’m feeling reflective as I have a good time a serious milestone – 20 years of practising yoga!
Hello associates, I hope you had an exquisite weekend. Ours was low-key and we noticed Riverdance, which was every thing.
Whereas I used to be at sizzling yoga final week, I noticed that I’ve been practising yoga for TWENTY YEARS. It hit me fairly laborious 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 courses in baby’s pose, and realized to actually be current and concentrate on 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 laborious 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 essentially the most versatile bear, this observe 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 realized, and the rewards I’ve reaped over the previous 20 years of practising 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 practising 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 school, 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 beloved Rodney Yee’s clear, concise instruction and his capacity to information college students to a deeper understanding of their our bodies and the observe of yoga.
Wanting again, this was the proper method 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 observe yoga commonly, largely earlier than mattress, and ultimately transitioned into studio courses. Over the previous 20 years, I’ve taken tons of of yoga courses in studios everywhere in the US, from California to Orlando and plenty of spots in between.
Varieties of yoga I’ve tried:
There are such a lot of various kinds of yoga on the market, and each affords a singular and difficult expertise.
Listed here are just a few forms of yoga and what makes them so particular:
Vinyasa Yoga:
Vinyasa yoga is a dynamic type of yoga that focuses on linking breath with motion. This flow-based observe is ideal for individuals who need to get their coronary heart price up and sweat it out on the mat. Courses could be barely heat, or heated.
Restorative Yoga:
Should you’re in search of a extra stress-free and restorative observe, restorative yoga is the best way to go. This mild observe makes use of props and long-held poses to launch stress and promote deep rest.
Yoga Nidra:
it is a sort of yoga observe that’s also known as “yogic sleep”. In contrast to conventional yoga courses, the place you progress by way of a sequence of postures, in Yoga Nidra, you lay down in a cushty place and are guided by way of a deep rest and meditation. This observe is designed that will help you enter a state of deep rest, the place you may launch stress, stress, and anxiousness. 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, cut back stress and anxiousness, and enhance your general well-being. So, for those who’re in search of a method to calm down and unwind, I extremely suggest giving Yoga Nidra a attempt!
Ashtanga Yoga:
Ashtanga yoga is a conventional type of yoga that follows a set sequence of poses. This difficult observe is nice for individuals who need to construct energy, flexibility, and focus.
Bikram Yoga:
Should you’re a fan of sizzling yoga, Bikram yoga is the last word problem. This intense observe is completed in a heated room and follows a particular sequence of 26 poses. That is what actually bought me hooked on yoga, and I’d drive virtually two hours after we lived in Valdosta to take a Bikram class. My present favourite type is a mix of Vinyasa and Bikram, in a heated and humid room.
Yin Yoga:
Yin yoga is a slow-paced type of yoga that focuses on holding poses for longer intervals of time. This observe helps to enhance flexibility and improve circulation, making it good for individuals who need to work on their mobility.
Hatha yoga:
this a conventional type of yoga that focuses on bodily postures (asanas), respiratory methods (pranayama), and meditation. The observe is designed to steadiness 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 concentrate on the alignment of the postures and their breath. Hatha Yoga is a superb possibility for freshmen or anybody seeking to enhance their bodily health, flexibility, and general well-being.
It doesn’t matter what sort of yoga you select, bear in mind to hearken to your physique and honor your limits. With common observe, you’ll be capable of discover your movement and take your yoga observe to the subsequent stage. I additionally suggest attempting out a wide range of kinds; you’ll discover those that talk to you and that you just take pleasure in essentially the most!
Advantages I’ve observed from practising yoga commonly:
Not solely does yoga assist to extend flexibility and energy, nevertheless it additionally has quite a few advantages in your general well-being.
Reduces stress and anxiousness:
Yoga supplies an area so that you can join along with your breath and quiet your thoughts, which may 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 secure area to attach along with your breath, launch stress out of your physique, and quiet your thoughts. By practising yoga commonly, you may study to handle stress and anxiousness extra successfully, which might result in a extra balanced and fulfilling life. Moreover, sure yoga poses, comparable 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 steadiness:
With common observe, yoga may help to extend flexibility, enhance steadiness, and probably stop accidents. That is particularly necessary as we age and our our bodies change into much less limber. It additionally includes getting on and off the mat, which is a superb ability to keep up as we age. Most of the actions are useful and require core energy.
Strengthens the physique:
Many yoga poses require energy and stability, which may help to construct muscle and improve muscular endurance. Plus, yoga is a low-impact type of train, making it nice for individuals who need to keep away from high-impact exercises.
Promotes mindfulness and self-awareness:
By focusing in your breath and physique throughout yoga observe, you may develop a higher sense of mindfulness and self-awareness. This may help to enhance general 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 could really feel remoted or disconnected. One thing I realized throughout instructor coaching is that generally changes are the one bodily contact that some folks 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 instructor coaching:
Selfishly, I did yoga instructor coaching only for me. I by no means actually had the intention of educating – 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 observe and study as a lot as I may about yoga.
Should you’re contemplating instructor coaching, listed here are a number of the wonderful issues you may expertise:
Deepen your observe:
Yoga instructor coaching is a chance to take your observe to the subsequent stage. You’ll study new poses, refine your alignment, and enrich your understanding of the observe.
Study in regards to the philosophy of yoga:
Yoga is greater than only a bodily observe. In instructor coaching, you’ll study in regards to the historical past, philosophy, and religious facets of yoga. I particularly loved studying the “Seven Non secular Legal guidelines of Yoga” and studying about primordial meditation.
Share your love of yoga with others:
As a licensed 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 observe.
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 help you all through your journey.
Problem your self:
Yoga instructor coaching is usually 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 facet with new perspective and a stronger observe.
There ya have it, associates! 20 years of practising yoga has been an incredible journey stuffed with challenges, development, and transformation. By this observe, I’ve realized to attach with my breath, calm my thoughts, and hearken to my physique. I’ve gained energy, flexibility, and resilience, each on and off the mat. I’ve met unimaginable associates and had the chance to study from a number of the absolute best academics. And most significantly, I’ve realized to domesticate a way of internal peace and well-being that, together with my religion, has carried me by way of life’s ups and downs.
Should you’re new to yoga or have been practising for some time, I encourage you to remain dedicated to your observe, and permit it to information you by yourself journey of development and transformation. <3
Are you a yoga fan or not a lot? How typically do you observe? What’s your favourite type?
