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 the whole lot.

Whereas I used to be at sizzling yoga final week, I spotted that I’ve been working towards yoga for TWENTY YEARS. It hit me fairly exhausting and I couldn’t imagine 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 courses in little one’s pose, and discovered to actually be current and deal with my breath.

It’s been 20 years of unrolling my mat, connecting with my breath, and flowing via sequences that problem and rework my thoughts and physique. It’s exhausting 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 observe has formed my life in numerous methods. So, in honor of this milestone, I need to share with you among the classes I’ve discovered, and the rewards I’ve reaped over the previous 20 years of working towards yoga.

(Maisey additionally needs 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 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 cherished Rodney Yee’s clear, concise instruction and his skill to information college students to a deeper understanding of their our bodies and the observe of yoga.

Trying again, this was the proper option to get began: it was zero stress (as a result of I used to be solo, at dwelling, in my mother’s lounge). I began to observe yoga often, principally earlier than mattress, and ultimately transitioned into studio courses. Over the previous 20 years, I’ve taken a whole bunch of yoga courses in studios all around the US, from California to Orlando and lots of spots in between.

Kinds of yoga I’ve tried:

There are such a lot of several types of yoga on the market, and each presents a singular and difficult expertise.

Listed here are just a few kinds 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 need to get their coronary heart price up and sweat it out on the mat. Courses will be barely heat, or heated.

Restorative Yoga:

When you’re in search of a extra enjoyable and restorative observe, restorative yoga is the way in which 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 sort of yoga observe that’s sometimes called “yogic sleep”. In contrast to conventional yoga courses, 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 can assist you enter a state of deep leisure, the place you possibly can launch pressure, stress, and nervousness. Yoga Nidra will be extremely highly effective, not just for bodily leisure, but in addition for psychological and emotional leisure. It’s a good way to recharge your batteries, scale back stress and nervousness, and enhance your total well-being. So, in the event you’re in search of a option to loosen up and unwind, I extremely advocate giving Yoga Nidra a strive!

Ashtanga Yoga:

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

Bikram Yoga:

When you’re a fan of sizzling yoga, Bikram yoga is the final word problem. This intense observe is completed in a heated room and follows a particular sequence of 26 poses. That is what actually received me hooked on yoga, and I’d drive nearly 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 good for many who need to work on their mobility.

Hatha yoga:

this a conventional type of yoga that focuses on bodily postures (asanas), respiratory strategies (pranayama), and meditation. The observe is designed to stability 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 deal with the alignment of the postures and their breath. Hatha Yoga is a good choice for novices 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 observe, you’ll be capable to discover your circulation and take your yoga observe to the subsequent degree. I additionally advocate attempting out a wide range of kinds; you’ll discover those that talk to you and that you simply take pleasure in probably the most!

Advantages I’ve observed from working towards yoga often:

Not solely does yoga assist to extend flexibility and energy, nevertheless it additionally has quite a few advantages to 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 may help 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 pressure out of your physique, and quiet your thoughts. By working towards yoga often, 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, comparable 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 stability:

With common observe, yoga may help to extend flexibility, enhance stability, and probably forestall accidents. That is particularly essential as we age and our our bodies grow to be much less limber. It additionally entails getting on and off the mat, which is a good ability to keep up as we age. Most of the actions are practical 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 many 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 possibly can develop a higher sense of mindfulness and self-awareness. This may help to enhance total temper and well-being.

Connects you to a group:

Working towards yoga often may help you to attach with like-minded people and construct a supportive group. This may be particularly essential for many who might really feel remoted or disconnected. One thing I discovered throughout trainer coaching is that typically changes are the one bodily contact that some folks obtain for the whole 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 trainer coaching only for me. I by no means actually had the intention of instructing – I taught often once 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.

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

Deepen your observe:

Yoga trainer coaching is a chance to take your observe to the subsequent degree. 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 trainer 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 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 a good 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, nevertheless it’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 observe.

There ya have it, mates! 20 years of working towards yoga has been a tremendous journey full of challenges, development, and transformation. By this observe, I’ve discovered 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 mates and had the chance to study from among the highest academics. And most significantly, I’ve discovered to domesticate a way of internal peace and well-being that, together with my religion, has carried me via 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 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 fashion?