To many people, the practice of yoga may feel daunting, but to those of us who have given it a shot, we cannot imagine our lives without it.
The physical, psychological and spiritual benefits of yoga seem almost limitless, providing a platform in which one can consistently improve the body, mind and spirit.
“I am not flexible enough to practice yoga” is a common stereotypical view of this majestic practice – however yoga is for everyone, whether you can wrap yourself up into a pretzel, or barely touch your toes. The connection you acquire during the practice, I find, is what is most beneficial – walking into the studio, leaving everything that negatively affects us outside and just focusing on the movement and breath, and letting all thoughts float by without impact, allowing the body, breath and mind to energetically connect and gracefully flow through every crevice of our being.
For someone who has never attempted the practice, the thought of being thrust into a class, having no clue what in the world Adho Mukha Svanasana is, can be somewhat of a deal breaker, but my advice would be to find a studio where you feel comfortable to talk to the instructor and start off slowly, get familiar with the movements, and understand how to train your mind and breath. Yoga is called a ‘practice’ for a reason, it is because even when you have been practicing it for 20 years, there is always something to continue working on, it is a wonderful quest in search of enlightenment.
There are so many avenues that yoga offers, some may prefer the physically demanding and flowing practice of Ashtanga yoga, some may prefer the slow-paced concentration and relaxation into a pose such as Yin Yoga; whatever your preference there is a fit for everyone, you just have to explore what yoga has to offer and embrace the change it may give to every aspect of your life.
Open up your mind, body and soul and just give it a go.
