20 years of working towards yoga

 At this time I’m feeling reflective as I rejoice a serious milestone – 20 years of working towards yoga!

Hello mates, I hope you had an exquisite 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 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 baby’s pose, and realized to really be current and give attention to my breath.

It’s been 20 years of unrolling my mat, connecting with my breath, and flowing by way of sequences that problem and remodel 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 methods 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 number of the classes I’ve realized, and the rewards I’ve reaped over the previous 20 years of working towards yoga.

(Maisey additionally needs me to let you know that as we speak 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 firstclass 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 follow of yoga.

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

Forms of yoga I’ve tried:

There are such a lot of several types of yoga on the market, and every one affords a novel and difficult expertise.

Listed below are just a few varieties 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 individuals who wish to get their coronary heart charge up and sweat it out on the mat. Courses may be barely heat, or heated.

Restorative Yoga:

When you’re in search of a extra enjoyable and restorative follow, restorative yoga is the way in which to go. This mild follow makes use of props and long-held poses to launch stress and promote deep leisure.

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 cushty place and are guided by way of a deep leisure and meditation. This follow is designed that will help you enter a state of deep leisure, the place you possibly can launch stress, stress, and nervousness. Yoga Nidra may 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, cut back stress and nervousness, and enhance your total well-being. So, if you happen to’re in search of a approach to chill out and unwind, I extremely advocate giving Yoga Nidra a attempt!

Ashtanga Yoga:

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

Bikram Yoga:

When you’re a fan of scorching yoga, Bikram yoga is the last word problem. This intense follow 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 virtually 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 intervals of time. This follow helps to enhance flexibility and enhance circulation, making it excellent for individuals who wish to work on their mobility.

Hatha yoga:

this a standard type of yoga that focuses on bodily postures (asanas), respiratory strategies (pranayama), and meditation. The follow is designed to steadiness the physique and thoughts, and create a way of concord and interior peace. Hatha Yoga lessons usually transfer at a slower tempo than different types of yoga, permitting practitioners to give attention to the alignment of the postures and their breath. Hatha Yoga is a superb choice for learners or anybody seeking 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 follow, you’ll have the ability to discover your movement and take your yoga follow to the subsequent stage. I additionally advocate making an attempt out a wide range of types; you’ll discover those that talk to you and that you just take pleasure in probably the most!

Advantages I’ve seen from working towards yoga repeatedly:

Not solely does yoga assist to extend flexibility and energy, nevertheless it additionally has quite a few advantages on 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 can assist to cut back stress and nervousness. As somebody who’s battled nervousness previously, 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 stress out of your physique, and quiet your thoughts. By working towards yoga repeatedly, you possibly can study to handle stress and nervousness extra successfully, which might 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 cut back emotions of hysteria.

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 out to be much less limber. It additionally entails getting on and off the mat, which is a superb ability to take care of as we age. Most of the actions are practical and require core energy.

Strengthens the physique:

Many yoga poses require energy and stability, which can assist 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 follow, you possibly can develop a higher sense of mindfulness and self-awareness. This can assist to enhance total temper and well-being.

Connects you to a neighborhood:

Training yoga repeatedly can assist you to attach with like-minded people and construct a supportive neighborhood. This may be particularly vital for individuals 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 the whole 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 needed to to deepen my very own private follow and study as a lot as I may about yoga.

When you’re contemplating trainer coaching, listed here are a number of the wonderful issues you possibly can expertise:

Deepen your follow:

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

Be taught in regards to the philosophy of yoga:

Yoga is greater than only a bodily follow. In trainer coaching, you’ll study in regards to 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 follow.

Be a part of a supportive neighborhood:

Yoga trainer coaching is an effective way to attach with like-minded people and construct a supportive neighborhood. 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, 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 follow.

There ya have it, mates! 20 years of working towards yoga has been a tremendous journey full of challenges, progress, and transformation. Via this follow, I’ve realized to attach with my breath, calm my thoughts, and take heed to my physique. I’ve gained energy, flexibility, and resilience, each on and off the mat. I’ve met unimaginable mates and had the chance to study from a number of the perfect academics. And most significantly, I’ve realized to domesticate a way of interior peace and well-being that, together with my religion, has carried me by way of life’s ups and downs.

When 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 usually do you follow? What’s your favourite model?