20 years of practising yoga

 Right this moment I’m feeling reflective as I have fun a serious milestone – 20 years of practising yoga!

Hello associates, I hope you had a beautiful weekend. Ours was low-key and we noticed Riverdance, which was every thing.

Whereas I used to be at sizzling yoga final week, I spotted that I’ve been practising yoga for TWENTY YEARS. It hit me fairly arduous 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 actually be current and deal with my breath.

It’s been twenty years of unrolling my mat, connecting with my breath, and flowing via sequences that problem and rework my thoughts and physique. It’s arduous 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 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 needs me to let you know that in the present day 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 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 cherished Rodney Yee’s clear, concise instruction and his capability to information college students to a deeper understanding of their our bodies and the observe of yoga.

Trying again, this was the proper method to get began: it was zero strain (as a result of I used to be solo, at residence, in my mother’s lounge). I began to observe yoga often, largely 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 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 every one affords a singular and difficult expertise.

Listed below are a number of sorts 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 observe is ideal for many who need to get their coronary heart price up and sweat it out on the mat. Lessons might be barely heat, or heated.

Restorative Yoga:

When you’re searching for a extra enjoyable and restorative observe, restorative yoga is the best way to go. This mild observe makes use of props and long-held poses to launch rigidity and promote deep leisure.

Yoga Nidra:

it is a kind of yoga observe that’s also known as “yogic sleep”. Not like conventional yoga lessons, the place you progress via a sequence of postures, in Yoga Nidra, you lay down in a snug 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 rigidity, stress, and anxiousness. Yoga Nidra might be extremely highly effective, not just for bodily leisure, but in addition 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, in case you’re searching for a method to calm down and unwind, I extremely advocate giving Yoga Nidra a strive!

Ashtanga Yoga:

Ashtanga yoga is a conventional model 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 finished in a heated room and follows a selected sequence of 26 poses. That is what actually obtained me hooked on yoga, and I’d drive nearly two hours after 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 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), respiration strategies (pranayama), and meditation. The observe is designed to stability 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 deal with the alignment of the postures and their breath. Hatha Yoga is a superb choice for freshmen or anybody trying to enhance their bodily health, flexibility, and total well-being.

It doesn’t matter what kind of yoga you select, bear in mind to take heed to your physique and honor your limits. With common observe, you’ll have the ability to discover your move and take your yoga observe to the following degree. I additionally advocate attempting out quite a lot of kinds; you’ll discover those that talk to you and that you simply take pleasure in probably the most!

Advantages I’ve seen from practising yoga often:

Not solely does yoga assist to extend flexibility and energy, but it surely additionally has quite a few advantages on your total well-being.

Reduces stress and anxiousness:

Yoga gives an area so that you can join together with your breath and quiet your thoughts, which may help to scale back stress and anxiousness. As somebody who’s battled anxiousness up to now, I do know firsthand the advantages of incorporating yoga into your wellness routine. Yoga gives a protected area to attach together with your breath, launch rigidity out of your physique, and quiet your thoughts. By practising yoga often, 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, reminiscent of 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 doubtlessly 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 ability 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 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 better sense of mindfulness and self-awareness. This may help to enhance total temper and well-being.

Connects you to a group:

Practising 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 realized throughout trainer coaching is that typically 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 trainer coaching:

Selfishly, I did yoga trainer coaching only for me. I by no means actually had the intention of educating – I taught often 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.

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

Deepen your observe:

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

Be taught 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 religious features 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 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 generally is 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 aspect 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 way of this observe, 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 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 interior 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 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 model?