At the moment I’m feeling reflective as I have fun a significant milestone – 20 years of working towards yoga!
Hello associates, I hope you had a beautiful weekend. Ours was low-key and we noticed Riverdance, which was all the pieces.
Whereas I used to be at scorching yoga final week, I spotted 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 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 20 years of unrolling my mat, connecting with my breath, and flowing via 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 apply 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 desires me to inform you 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 quality 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 apply of yoga.
Trying again, this was the right method to get began: it was zero stress (as a result of I used to be solo, at house, in my mother’s front room). I began to apply yoga frequently, principally earlier than mattress, and finally 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 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 each presents a singular and difficult expertise.
Listed here are just a few varieties 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 apply is ideal for many who wish to get their coronary heart fee up and sweat it out on the mat. Courses could be barely heat, or heated.
Restorative Yoga:
If you happen to’re in search of a extra stress-free and restorative apply, restorative yoga is the best way to go. This mild apply makes use of props and long-held poses to launch rigidity and promote deep rest.
Yoga Nidra:
this can be a sort of yoga apply that’s also known as “yogic sleep”. Not like conventional yoga lessons, the place you progress via a collection of postures, in Yoga Nidra, you lay down in a cushty place and are guided via a deep rest and meditation. This apply 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 a good way to recharge your batteries, scale back stress and nervousness, and enhance your total well-being. So, when you’re in search of a method to loosen up and unwind, I extremely advocate giving Yoga Nidra a strive!
Ashtanga Yoga:
Ashtanga yoga is a standard type of yoga that follows a set sequence of poses. This difficult apply is nice for many who wish to construct energy, flexibility, and focus.
Bikram Yoga:
If you happen to’re a fan of scorching yoga, Bikram yoga is the last word problem. This intense apply is finished 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 durations of time. This apply 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 apply is designed to stability the physique and thoughts, and create a way of concord and interior peace. Hatha Yoga lessons 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 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, bear in mind to hearken to your physique and honor your limits. With common apply, you’ll be capable of discover your circulate and take your yoga apply to the following stage. I additionally advocate attempting 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 observed from working towards yoga frequently:
Not solely does yoga assist to extend flexibility and energy, but it surely additionally has quite a few advantages to your total well-being.
Reduces stress and nervousness:
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 nervousness. As somebody who’s battled nervousness previously, 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 rigidity out of your physique, and quiet your thoughts. By working towards yoga frequently, 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, reminiscent of ahead folds and inversions, can stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system, which helps to calm the physique and scale back emotions of hysteria.
Improves flexibility and stability:
With common apply, yoga may help to extend flexibility, enhance stability, and probably stop accidents. That is particularly essential 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 talent to keep up as we age. Most of the actions are purposeful 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 wish to keep away from high-impact exercises.
Promotes mindfulness and self-awareness:
By focusing in your breath and physique throughout yoga apply, you possibly can develop a larger sense of mindfulness and self-awareness. This may help to enhance total temper and well-being.
Connects you to a neighborhood:
Training yoga frequently may help you to attach with like-minded people and construct a supportive neighborhood. This may be particularly essential for many who might really feel remoted or disconnected. One thing I realized throughout trainer coaching is that generally changes are the one bodily contact that some individuals obtain for the complete 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 frequently after we lived in Valdosta however have solely subbed right here and there since then – however needed to to deepen my very own private apply and study as a lot as I may about yoga.
If you happen to’re contemplating trainer coaching, listed below are a number of the superb issues you possibly can expertise:
Deepen your apply:
Yoga trainer coaching is a chance to take your apply to the following stage. You’ll study new poses, refine your alignment, and enrich your understanding of the apply.
Be taught concerning the philosophy of yoga:
Yoga is greater than only a bodily apply. In trainer coaching, you’ll study concerning the historical past, philosophy, and non secular elements 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 apply.
Be part of a supportive neighborhood:
Yoga trainer coaching is a good 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, but it surely’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 apply.
There ya have it, associates! 20 years of working towards yoga has been a tremendous journey full of challenges, progress, and transformation. Via this apply, 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 associates and had the chance to study from a number of the perfect lecturers. And most significantly, I’ve realized to domesticate a way of interior peace and well-being that, together with my religion, has carried me via life’s ups and downs.
If you happen to’re new to yoga or have been working towards for some time, I encourage you to remain dedicated to your apply, 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 apply? What’s your favourite type?
At the moment I’m feeling reflective as I have fun a significant milestone – 20 years of working towards yoga!
Hello associates, I hope you had a beautiful weekend. Ours was low-key and we noticed Riverdance, which was all the pieces.
Whereas I used to be at scorching yoga final week, I spotted 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 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 20 years of unrolling my mat, connecting with my breath, and flowing via 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 apply 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 desires me to inform you 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 quality 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 apply of yoga.
Trying again, this was the right method to get began: it was zero stress (as a result of I used to be solo, at house, in my mother’s front room). I began to apply yoga frequently, principally earlier than mattress, and finally 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 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 each presents a singular and difficult expertise.
Listed here are just a few varieties 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 apply is ideal for many who wish to get their coronary heart fee up and sweat it out on the mat. Courses could be barely heat, or heated.
Restorative Yoga:
If you happen to’re in search of a extra stress-free and restorative apply, restorative yoga is the best way to go. This mild apply makes use of props and long-held poses to launch rigidity and promote deep rest.
Yoga Nidra:
this can be a sort of yoga apply that’s also known as “yogic sleep”. Not like conventional yoga lessons, the place you progress via a collection of postures, in Yoga Nidra, you lay down in a cushty place and are guided via a deep rest and meditation. This apply 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 a good way to recharge your batteries, scale back stress and nervousness, and enhance your total well-being. So, when you’re in search of a method to loosen up and unwind, I extremely advocate giving Yoga Nidra a strive!
Ashtanga Yoga:
Ashtanga yoga is a standard type of yoga that follows a set sequence of poses. This difficult apply is nice for many who wish to construct energy, flexibility, and focus.
Bikram Yoga:
If you happen to’re a fan of scorching yoga, Bikram yoga is the last word problem. This intense apply is finished 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 durations of time. This apply 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 apply is designed to stability the physique and thoughts, and create a way of concord and interior peace. Hatha Yoga lessons 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 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, bear in mind to hearken to your physique and honor your limits. With common apply, you’ll be capable of discover your circulate and take your yoga apply to the following stage. I additionally advocate attempting 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 observed from working towards yoga frequently:
Not solely does yoga assist to extend flexibility and energy, but it surely additionally has quite a few advantages to your total well-being.
Reduces stress and nervousness:
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 nervousness. As somebody who’s battled nervousness previously, 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 rigidity out of your physique, and quiet your thoughts. By working towards yoga frequently, 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, reminiscent of ahead folds and inversions, can stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system, which helps to calm the physique and scale back emotions of hysteria.
Improves flexibility and stability:
With common apply, yoga may help to extend flexibility, enhance stability, and probably stop accidents. That is particularly essential 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 talent to keep up as we age. Most of the actions are purposeful 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 wish to keep away from high-impact exercises.
Promotes mindfulness and self-awareness:
By focusing in your breath and physique throughout yoga apply, you possibly can develop a larger sense of mindfulness and self-awareness. This may help to enhance total temper and well-being.
Connects you to a neighborhood:
Training yoga frequently may help you to attach with like-minded people and construct a supportive neighborhood. This may be particularly essential for many who might really feel remoted or disconnected. One thing I realized throughout trainer coaching is that generally changes are the one bodily contact that some individuals obtain for the complete 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 frequently after we lived in Valdosta however have solely subbed right here and there since then – however needed to to deepen my very own private apply and study as a lot as I may about yoga.
If you happen to’re contemplating trainer coaching, listed below are a number of the superb issues you possibly can expertise:
Deepen your apply:
Yoga trainer coaching is a chance to take your apply to the following stage. You’ll study new poses, refine your alignment, and enrich your understanding of the apply.
Be taught concerning the philosophy of yoga:
Yoga is greater than only a bodily apply. In trainer coaching, you’ll study concerning the historical past, philosophy, and non secular elements 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 apply.
Be part of a supportive neighborhood:
Yoga trainer coaching is a good 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, but it surely’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 apply.
There ya have it, associates! 20 years of working towards yoga has been a tremendous journey full of challenges, progress, and transformation. Via this apply, 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 associates and had the chance to study from a number of the perfect lecturers. And most significantly, I’ve realized to domesticate a way of interior peace and well-being that, together with my religion, has carried me via life’s ups and downs.
If you happen to’re new to yoga or have been working towards for some time, I encourage you to remain dedicated to your apply, 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 apply? What’s your favourite type?