20 years of working towards yoga

 Right now I’m feeling reflective as I have a good time a serious milestone – 20 years of working towards yoga!

Hello mates, I hope you had a beautiful weekend. Ours was low-key and we noticed Riverdance, which was all the things.

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 exhausting and I couldn’t consider how a lot life I’ve been via 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 youngster’s pose, and realized to really be current and concentrate on my breath.

It’s been twenty years of unrolling my mat, connecting with my breath, and flowing via sequences that problem and remodel 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 tips and I’m not probably the most versatile bear, this observe has formed my life in numerous methods. So, in honor of this milestone, I wish to share with you among the classes I’ve realized, 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 now is her birthday! OF COURSE she’s getting a doggy cake and birthday tune)

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 beloved Rodney Yee’s clear, concise instruction and his potential to information college students to a deeper understanding of their our bodies and the observe of yoga.

Wanting again, this was the right approach to get began: it was zero strain (as a result of I used to be solo, at dwelling, in my mother’s front room). I began to observe yoga repeatedly, principally earlier than mattress, and ultimately transitioned into studio lessons. Over the previous 20 years, I’ve taken a whole bunch of yoga lessons in studios everywhere in the US, from California to Orlando and lots of spots in between.

Sorts of yoga I’ve tried:

There are such a lot of various kinds of yoga on the market, and every one provides a novel and difficult expertise.

Listed below are a couple of varieties of yoga and what makes them so particular:

Vinyasa Yoga:

Vinyasa yoga is a dynamic fashion of yoga that focuses on linking breath with motion. This flow-based observe is ideal for many who wish to get their coronary heart price up and sweat it out on the mat. Lessons might be barely heat, or heated.

Restorative Yoga:

For those who’re searching for a extra stress-free and restorative observe, restorative yoga is the best way to go. This light observe makes use of props and long-held poses to launch pressure and promote deep leisure.

Yoga Nidra:

it is a kind of yoga observe that’s sometimes called “yogic sleep”. In contrast to conventional yoga lessons, the place you progress via a sequence of postures, in Yoga Nidra, you lay down in a cushty place and are guided via a deep leisure and meditation. This observe is designed that will help you enter a state of deep leisure, the place you possibly can launch pressure, stress, and anxiousness. Yoga Nidra might be extremely highly effective, not just for bodily leisure, but additionally for psychological and emotional leisure. It’s an effective way to recharge your batteries, scale back stress and anxiousness, and enhance your total well-being. So, when you’re searching for a approach to calm down and unwind, I extremely suggest giving Yoga Nidra a attempt!

Ashtanga Yoga:

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

Bikram Yoga:

For those who’re a fan of scorching yoga, Bikram yoga is the final word problem. This intense observe is completed in a heated room and follows a selected sequence of 26 poses. That is what actually bought me hooked on yoga, and I’d drive virtually two hours once we lived in Valdosta to take a Bikram class. My present favourite fashion is a mix of Vinyasa and Bikram, in a heated and humid room.

Yin Yoga:

Yin yoga is a slow-paced fashion of yoga that focuses on holding poses for longer durations of time. This observe 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), respiration strategies (pranayama), and meditation. The observe 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 superb possibility for freshmen or anybody seeking to enhance their bodily health, flexibility, and total well-being.

It doesn’t matter what kind 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 move and take your yoga observe to the following stage. I additionally suggest making an attempt out quite a lot of types; you’ll discover those that talk to you and that you just take pleasure in probably the most!

Advantages I’ve observed from working towards yoga repeatedly:

Not solely does yoga assist to extend flexibility and energy, however it additionally has quite a few advantages on your total 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 also help to cut back stress and anxiousness. As somebody who’s battled anxiousness prior to now, I do know firsthand the advantages of incorporating yoga into your wellness routine. Yoga supplies a protected house to attach along with your breath, launch pressure out of your physique, and quiet your thoughts. By working towards yoga repeatedly, you possibly can study to handle stress and anxiousness extra successfully, which may result in a extra balanced and fulfilling life. Moreover, sure yoga poses, resembling 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 observe, yoga may also help to extend flexibility, enhance steadiness, and probably forestall accidents. That is particularly essential as we age and our our bodies change into much less limber. It additionally entails getting on and off the mat, which is a superb talent 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 also help 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 observe, you possibly can develop a larger sense of mindfulness and self-awareness. This may also help to enhance total temper and well-being.

Connects you to a group:

Training yoga repeatedly may also 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. One thing I realized 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 want 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 repeatedly once we lived in Valdosta however have solely subbed right here and there since then – however wished to to deepen my very own private observe and study as a lot as I may about yoga.

For those who’re contemplating trainer coaching, listed below are among the wonderful issues you possibly can expertise:

Deepen your observe:

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

Study concerning the philosophy of yoga:

Yoga is greater than only a bodily observe. In trainer coaching, you’ll study 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 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 observe.

Be a 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 assist you all through your journey.

Problem your self:

Yoga trainer coaching could be a difficult expertise, however 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, mates! 20 years of working towards yoga has been an incredible journey full of challenges, progress, and transformation. Via 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 unbelievable mates and had the chance to study from among the absolute best lecturers. And most significantly, I’ve realized to domesticate a way of inside peace and well-being that, together with my religion, has carried me via life’s ups and downs.

For those who’re new to yoga or have been working towards for some time, I encourage you to remain dedicated to your observe, 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 observe? What’s your favourite fashion?