In the present day I’m feeling reflective as I have a good time a significant milestone – 20 years of training yoga!
Hello buddies, I hope you had an exquisite weekend. Ours was low-key and we noticed Riverdance, which was every thing.
Whereas I used to be at sizzling yoga final week, I noticed that I’ve been training 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 lessons in little one’s pose, and discovered 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 exhausting 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 few of the classes I’ve discovered, and the rewards I’ve reaped over the previous 20 years of training yoga.
(Maisey additionally desires me to let you know that as we speak is her birthday! OF COURSE she’s getting a doggy cake and birthday tune)
20 years of training 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 cherished 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 proper solution to get began: it was zero stress (as a result of I used to be solo, at dwelling, in my mother’s front room). I began to apply yoga recurrently, largely earlier than mattress, and ultimately transitioned into studio lessons. Over the previous 20 years, I’ve taken lots of of yoga lessons 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 various kinds of yoga on the market, and each affords a singular and difficult expertise.
Listed here are just a few 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 apply is ideal for individuals who wish to get their coronary heart charge up and sweat it out on the mat. Courses will be barely heat, or heated.
Restorative Yoga:
In case you’re in search of a extra enjoyable and restorative apply, restorative yoga is the way in which to go. This mild apply makes use of props and long-held poses to launch rigidity and promote deep leisure.
Yoga Nidra:
it is a sort of yoga apply that’s sometimes called “yogic sleep”. Not like conventional yoga lessons, the place you progress via a collection of postures, in Yoga Nidra, you lay down in a snug place and are guided via a deep leisure and meditation. This apply is designed that can assist you enter a state of deep leisure, the place you possibly can launch rigidity, 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 general well-being. So, should you’re in search of a solution 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 apply is nice for individuals who wish to construct power, flexibility, and focus.
Bikram Yoga:
In case you’re a fan of sizzling yoga, Bikram yoga is the final word problem. This intense apply 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 apply helps to enhance flexibility and enhance circulation, making it excellent for individuals who wish 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 apply 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 good possibility for freshmen or anybody seeking to enhance their bodily health, flexibility, and general well-being.
It doesn’t matter what sort of yoga you select, keep in mind to take heed to your physique and honor your limits. With common apply, you’ll have the ability to discover your circulate and take your yoga apply to the subsequent stage. I additionally advocate making an attempt out quite a lot 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 training yoga recurrently:
Not solely does yoga assist to extend flexibility and power, however it additionally has quite a few advantages in your general well-being.
Reduces stress and nervousness:
Yoga offers an area so that you can join together with your breath and quiet your thoughts, which can assist to scale 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 offers a secure area to attach together with your breath, launch rigidity out of your physique, and quiet your thoughts. By training yoga recurrently, you possibly can be taught to handle stress and nervousness 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 hysteria.
Improves flexibility and stability:
With common apply, yoga can assist to extend flexibility, enhance stability, and probably stop accidents. That is particularly vital as we age and our our bodies change into much less limber. It additionally entails getting on and off the mat, which is a good ability to take care of as we age. Most of the actions are purposeful and require core power.
Strengthens the physique:
Many yoga poses require power and stability, which can assist to construct muscle and enhance muscular endurance. Plus, yoga is a low-impact type of train, making it nice for individuals 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 higher sense of mindfulness and self-awareness. This can assist to enhance general temper and well-being.
Connects you to a group:
Practising yoga recurrently can assist you to attach with like-minded people and construct a supportive group. This may be particularly vital for individuals who could really feel remoted or disconnected. One thing I discovered throughout trainer coaching is that typically changes are the one bodily contact that some individuals obtain for your entire 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 trainer coaching only for me. I by no means actually had the intention of instructing – I taught recurrently after we lived in Valdosta however have solely subbed right here and there since then – however wished to to deepen my very own private apply and be taught as a lot as I might about yoga.
In case you’re contemplating trainer coaching, listed here are a few of the wonderful issues you possibly can expertise:
Deepen your apply:
Yoga trainer coaching is a chance to take your apply to the subsequent stage. You’ll be taught 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 be taught concerning the historical past, philosophy, and religious elements of yoga. I particularly loved studying the “Seven Religious 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 apply.
Be 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 assist you all through your journey.
Problem your self:
Yoga trainer coaching is usually a difficult expertise, however 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 apply.
There ya have it, buddies! 20 years of training yoga has been an incredible journey crammed with challenges, progress, and transformation. By this apply, I’ve discovered to attach with my breath, calm my thoughts, and take heed to my physique. I’ve gained power, flexibility, and resilience, each on and off the mat. I’ve met unbelievable buddies and had the chance to be taught from a few of the perfect lecturers. And most significantly, I’ve discovered to domesticate a way of interior peace and well-being that, together with my religion, has carried me via life’s ups and downs.
In case you’re new to yoga or have been training 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 model?
