Why Practice Yoga?

Everything You Wanted to Know – But Did Not Ask!

Yoga has evolved over many years. First of all, yoga is multi-faceted delivering: grounding, stretching, moving, strengthening, reducing pain and stress, and more. The practice of yoga may help with the physical, cognitive, and emotional aspects of one’s life. Also, yoga may reduce angst, thus enabling the skills necessary to reduce stress and think more clearly.

Now more than ever, scientists are studying the effects of yoga to confirm what “yogi’s” have known for hundreds of years: “That yoga is beneficial for one’s entire mind and body.”

Everyone will face some stresses in their life. Many yoga students and clients have stated that their particular stress is less, and the tension in their body is reduced after a yoga session. Also, one is better able to understand how one’s body and mind are reacting to what is going on around them. When the world gets strange or stressed, that condition is reflected in not only our mind, but in our body as well. Naturally, this duality of negative impact delivers a double-blow to one’s body.

For this author, upon stepping on my mat, the whole world fades from view. Nothing else exists. Instead, I am able to “focus on my breathing, how each movement feels, how I move, where my feet are positioned, if one side feels different from the other, what areas of my body have tightness, and whether a particular movement feels different than the last time.”

Usually, my schedule is hectic, and many times, new events can disrupt it. When this occurs, I find myself going on ‘autopilot’ more often than usual. When something changes, accomplishing the most straightforward tasks becomes a more significant effort — increasing my stress. You may feel the same way.

Many of us rely on ‘autopilot’ to accomplish several things at the same time. That is how we accomplish so much in a short amount of time. During ‘autopilot,’ routine tasks get done without much thought so that we can think about all the other things that we need to do.

Now, because my life routine has changed, I cannot presently go on ‘autopilot.’ What I do and when I do it has changed. The people I interact with have changed. The way I do my work has changed. You’re possibly experiencing the same thing. And maybe, your stress has increased, as well?

If you have not tried yoga, take the time now to explore ‘yoga.’ If you have a mat, then great! (If not, make sure you have non-slip shoes on.) One can also practice yoga in a straight-backed chair, such as a kitchen chair. Join me online or find a publicly available video to follow.

As a yoga teacher, I often say, “Do what you can do. If something doesn’t feel right for YOU, just don’t do it!” As teachers, we often offer different modifications because everyone has different levels of ability. Discover what works for YOU!

Remember, everyone starts somewhere. Take this time while we are all at home and experience the benefits of yoga. (If you already have a personal yoga practice, take time every day to practice.) That way, YOU will both feel better, and also have your answer to the question: “Why Yoga!”