Yoga For All
Looking for something new to try but not sure what? Ever thought about introducing yourself to something versatile like yoga? Google defines yoga as “a Hindu spiritual and ascetic discipline, a part of which, including breath control, simple meditation, and the adoption of specific bodily postures, is widely practiced for health and relaxation.” The best part about it, there isn’t a yoga stereotype, it’s perfect for anyone.
Despite growth in popularity, yoga still intimidates some people. Don’t let your worries and misconceptions prevent you from trying yoga. When practiced properly, yoga postures, also called asanas, help to align, balance, and focus the mind and body. People who feel that yoga might be “too hard” for them should consider BKS Iyengar’s method, a gentle, restorative approach that is accessible to all. The Iyengar method uses props, blankets, chairs and belts to properly align the body, protecting beginners from injuries and easing them into more advanced poses. Of course, yoga takes practice just like anything else, but unlike other sports or classes, yoga welcomes everyone with open arms. You could walk into a group of young teens, middle-aged moms, older gentleman and even body builders practicing the art.
In addition to being inclusive, yoga also supports overall health and wellness. It’s about a healthy lifestyle, not just about the physical discipline. In a world seemingly consumed by chaos, it allows students to find stillness and peace, to notice the breath, to work with it. The confirmed mental and physical benefits include:
- Stress Relief: Yoga is known to ease stress and promote relaxation. Studies have shown it can decrease the secretion of cortisol, the primary stress hormone.
- Decreased Anxiety: Many people begin practicing yoga to cope with feeling anxious. Yoga emphasizes the importance of being present in the moment and finding a sense of peace.
- Flexibility and Balance Gain: Yoga is known to optimize performance through the use of specific poses that target flexibility and balance.
Although yoga may seem intimidating at first, with time most people grow a passion for enhancing their well-being with the practice.
Want to try a pose today that anyone can do? Great! Here’s what we recommend.
Savasana (also known as corpse pose) is all about relaxation of your body and mind. Lie on your back, relaxing your body and mind, letting all tension fall. Stay in the pose for 5-10 minutes.
Now didn’t that feel good, and easy? Continue your wellness journey by adding more yoga to your life!
