I’ve done yoga irregularly since my freshman year of high school when it was an option in my first period P.E. class. I was probably one of the only 14-year-olds who took the early morning class in the wresting room (ick!) seriously. As a gymnast and a dancer, I’ve always enjoyed stretching and increasing the flexibility of my naturally stiff body. Since high school, I’ve done yoga here and there, but being busy with academics and athletics, I was never able to practice regularly. Not to mention, yoga isn’t a cheap activity.
It wasn’t until this spring semester that yoga found its way into a regular part of my life via “free” classes at the WREC. I’ve taken 30 (60-minute) yoga classes since January 30, 2011. I did not anticipate this yoga “addiction”, but as I attended one class after the other, I could feel the difference… and I’m not just talking about the added strength and flexibility.
I’ve always used exercise – mainly running – as “therapy”. My mind is a busy one, and running has gotten me through the harder times in my life, as I simply put one foot in front of the other. Running organizes my mind, while yoga calms my mind. This is not to say that during a single 60-minute class, I don’t have 1,000 thoughts float in and out of my head; though as I’ve continued to practice, my extraneous thoughts are not as abundant and loud.
When I do find my mind drifting to life outside of the yoga studio, I’ll say the mantra:
BE HERE NOW.
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These three short words are incredible in how they allow me to focus on the present – not the article I have to write for my journalism class, not what I have in my fridge to make for dinner, not about life two weeks in the future – but now:
my body on the sticky, tangerine mat, reaching my hands strongly in the air as I “salute the sun”; making my chaturanga as strong and effortless as possible; just the present; being able to move my body just so; trying not to get frustrated when I can’t twist as much as the student beside me, but noticing the improvement I have made as I hold Crow a few seconds longer or extend further into the full Bird of Paradise.
As I started noticing the incredible benefits – mentally (and physically) – of consistent practice, yoga immediately gained priority on my to-do list.
Thank you, yoga for:
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decreasing my anxiety & reducing stress
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my relaxed shoulders
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my stronger core
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my toned arms
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my slow, steady breaths
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my calm(er) mind
The style of yoga I’ve been practicing this semester is vinyasa flow. A few of my favorite poses include: chaturanga/upward-facing dog, crescent moon lunge, pigeon, and of course savasana.
Although I am interested in trying the many other styles of yoga, the flow of poses smoothly running from one to the other in vinyasa remind me of the dance classes from my youth that I greatly miss.
I am more than excited to roll out my mat again and again, to try new poses, to deepen my breaths, and to strengthen my mind-body relationship.
Namaste.
Of Possible Interest:
- Find the Right Yoga For You via Self Magazine
- How To Do a Sun Salutation via Self Magazine
- Yoga For Your Abs via Self Magazine
- The Best Yoga Poses for You via Women’s Health Magazine
- The Yoga Body Diet
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Do you practice yoga? If so, what style?
What are your favorite poses?
If you’re a seasoned yogi, do you have any tips?
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I just recently starting doing yoga, but only a beginner’s dvd in my house. I have to say, I notice a difference after only doing the workout 3 times. My body actually craves it because I’m naturally stiff, too. I’ll have to check out the websites you suggested!
I love the mantra “Be here now”. <3
My current favorite type of yoga is Ashtanga (is that the same as Vinyasa?). I often see their names together…I just know it to be the name of my favorite yoga class at my gym.
I love yoga and am so happy to hear you’ve been practicing! “Running organizes my mind, while yoga calms my mind” <—110% agreed.
You should try hot yoga or a pi-yo class. I really enjoy those! You might have to find a local studio (as opposed to the school rec) for these, but they often offer a free first class ;) Enjoy!
I love that mantra, and it’s a really great one to focus on in class. I love yoga because of all those reasons, and it perfectly complements my busy life and running as well. I’ve done mostly vinyasa or power vinyasa flow classes, but I’ve tried a few slower classes. The slower classes require so much more mental focus, but it feels amazing to go deeper into poses.
My favorite poses are crescent lunge & twist, pigeon, and firelock (amazing for hips!).
Hillary, I enjoyed your ode to yoga. I definitely feel like yoga has helped me a lot in the last year. My arms, core and glutes are no doubt stronger as a result and my body is much happier after all my running when I do some vinyasas in the a.m. My favorite yoga at the moment is a hot yoga flow that I’ve been going to. I just wish it weren’t so darn spendy.
I love yoga! I do Vinyasa Flow as well. And I love how different a week with yoga feels compared to a week without it!
I love yoga! I am still kinda new and going to start classes this summer. So far I like vinyasa yoga the best! I really like the sun salutations. I love the quiz you posted from Self magazine :)
Nice post! I’m envious – and happy for you :)
Yoga IS so good, yet I haven’t done it in a while. I think it’s just like any other form of exercising; when you don’t do it for a while, it’s harder for you to get back into it. I definitely need to start incorporating it back in my life, because like you, I love to run, but I don’t think it’s enough. There’s definitely a piece missing from my fitness puzzle, and since I’ve done yoga before, I know that that’s the piece I’m missing!
I’m new to yoga, but I’m totally loving it! Thanks for the links to more info :D
I have practiced yoga and I mix it up and go to different classes. I haven’t been enough to see a real difference in myself, but I want to go back soon!
great post! i definitely need more yoga in my life!
Oh my gosh! Reading this post honestly made me go check my gym’s class schedule, just so I could see if they were offering a yoga class tomorrow! I think I could use a little bit of that “be here now” business…