We all have our passions. One of mine is yoga.
Emotionally, I wasn't on the whole "spiritual mind and body thing" that came with yoga at first. I was just worrying about where to put which foot on my mat. It took some time to not think about the smaller things and to just focus on that present moment, but I was doing yoga however I wanted to do it. I learned that yoga is your practice and your practice only. No matter who or what you dedicate it to, why or where you do it, yoga is so personal.
Yoga, in my mind, was always something I thought that older, middle-aged women do after they take their kids to school every day. To my surprise, it wasn't. My love for yoga started just about two years ago after a fatal sliding injury that pretty much ended my softball career in high school. Let's just say, I was pretty sad about it. Everyone goes through obstacles in their life and a fantastically spiritual revelation of mine was soon to be discovered.
Emotionally, I wasn't on the whole "spiritual mind and body thing" that came with yoga at first. I was just worrying about where to put which foot on my mat. It took some time to not think about the smaller things and to just focus on that present moment, but I was doing yoga however I wanted to do it. I learned that yoga is your practice and your practice only. No matter who or what you dedicate it to, why or where you do it, yoga is so personal.
Yoga, in my mind, was always something I thought that older, middle-aged women do after they take their kids to school every day. To my surprise, it wasn't. My love for yoga started just about two years ago after a fatal sliding injury that pretty much ended my softball career in high school. Let's just say, I was pretty sad about it. Everyone goes through obstacles in their life and a fantastically spiritual revelation of mine was soon to be discovered.
I guess I didn't really know what to do after my ankle broke. My friend and I were just going out to coffee one day when I saw a sign that read, "One Week Free Yoga." Of course a broke high school student like myself would be interested in that amazing deal--I was sold.
Let me clear things up for anyone wanting to start yoga--it's hard. During my first class, I realized that I didn't exactly know what I got myself into, but I loved it. I loved it so much more than I loved playing softball. Even if I couldn't bend or turn the way you're supposed to in yoga, it was so different and challenging. It made me more self aware and I loved it.
Let me clear things up for anyone wanting to start yoga--it's hard. During my first class, I realized that I didn't exactly know what I got myself into, but I loved it. I loved it so much more than I loved playing softball. Even if I couldn't bend or turn the way you're supposed to in yoga, it was so different and challenging. It made me more self aware and I loved it.
Yoga is incredibly different for every person and that’s just natural. Not everyone's anatomy is the same. To be honest, I get very jealous when someone can just simply touch their toes when they are just born with very flexible bodies. I believe that everyone should give yoga a shot even if it does seem intimidating. While there are many misconceptions about yoga and fears people have with moving their bodies in uncomfortable or “contortionistic” ways, practicing yoga the right way with a properly trained instructor as a beginner can ensure you that the postures are only for your overall well being.
An article written by Carolyn Gregoire on the Huffington Post illustrates the many benefits of yoga on one’s body. Doing various yoga postures in a practice can aim to improve brain function, lower stress levels, increase flexibility, lower blood pressure, reduce injuries and arthritis, relieve stress and anxiety, strengthen your metabolism, build muscle, lower the risk of heart disease, reduce the chance of unhealthy weight and much more.
I've done yoga in the studio, at the park, on a beach and even in my basement. With or without a teacher, I am in control of my practice and what I want to get out of it. It took me a while to realize that but, now I know that no one else can dictate the way I want to do yoga. It’s my own sport.
I've done yoga in the studio, at the park, on a beach and even in my basement. With or without a teacher, I am in control of my practice and what I want to get out of it. It took me a while to realize that but, now I know that no one else can dictate the way I want to do yoga. It’s my own sport.
With that said, it's taken me only two years to fully master a headstand or even balance Crow Pose. The effort and time commitment you put into yoga is a reflection upon what you will get out of it.
Yoga is not for everybody--I get that. People may say it's challenging, however, yoga has become my own sport that I will continue to take with me everywhere I go. There are no competitions or winners and losers. It's me improving on myself every time I roll out my mat.
Yoga is my savior and I will never give that up.
Word Count: 645
Word Count: 645
0 comments