Many people skip out on yoga because they don’t think it’s for them or that it’s not an intense-enough exercise. However, yoga is for every body (pun intended) and benefits everyone who gives it a go. Although it may be scary to jump out of your comfort zone a bit, yoga will have a positive impact on many facets of your life.
It’s not just stretching.
While some people think that yoga is just a form of stretching, it isn’t. It actually does a lot more than providing flexibility. According to this article, yoga is an ancient practice involving physical poses, intense concentration, and deep intentional breathing. It promotes endurance, calmness, strength, flexibility, and overall well-being. The philosophy of yoga is to build a connection among the mind, body, and spirit.
You may notice that when you’re stressed, certain muscles become stiff. Or maybe you start to get headaches and stomach aches more frequently. Practicing yoga will help you reset your mind and body when they begin to clash. Just like everything, the more you practice yoga, the better you become. Your main goal when starting yoga is to challenge yourself, calm your mind, and strengthen your connection between your mind and body. Whether you are in a classroom setting or all alone at your house, your focus should be on keeping your feet within the bounds of your mat’s four corners.
As you learn different poses or try different types of yoga, you’ll start to develop favorites. Once you feel comfortable with a handful of poses or postures, you can start creating your own sequences. Specific poses will yield different physical and mental results. For example, the pose “Cat-Cow,” explained here, is actually two poses done together to activate the lower and middle back. It helps mobilize the joints from your tailbone to your shoulder blades. As it lengthens the spine, it’s shown to improve circulation and blood flow, which in turn, can relieve stress. So, if you’re ever feeling stiff in the lower back, or stressed from work, Google™ this pose and give it a try.
The proof is in the poses.
As a beginner, you have a couple of options to kickstart the learning process. You can take yoga classes at your local gym, find live-streamed classes, or watch a prerecorded class.
Check out this resource, specifically for beginners. It has tons of poses and videos that explain how to do them. As you gain interest in yoga, consider going to a class. Being in a classroom with a professional instructor gives you the opportunity to realize any mistakes you’ve been making. It also gives you a chance to connect with other people who might be willing to get together and do yoga outside of a class setting.
Feet to the ground.
Doing yoga in an outdoor setting is great for you! Practicing yoga out in the open, with the sun shining, will give you the opportunity to:
- Breathe fresh air and the aromas around you (so make sure you’re doing it in nature and not down the road from a landfill).
- Stretch out farther than you normally would in a room with people nearby.
- Connect with the world as you connect with yourself.
- Get the vitamin D you need, straight from the source—the sun.
- Remove yourself from the various sounds of the man-made world. Instead, insert yourself into the world of rustling leaves, buzzing bees, and whistling birds.
Switching up your yoga routine and taking it outside can help to slow you down and think more deeply about your poses. If nobody is around to watch you, the exercise becomes more personal and more focused. This article states that exercising in the landscape surrounding you has many proven benefits, such as:
- Reducing blood pressure and heart rate.
- Aiding in healthy sleeping habits.
- Lowering stress levels.
- Boosting mood.
- Enhancing energy generation in muscles and oxidation of tissues.
Besides, it doesn’t cost a penny! These are just a few of the many reasons why you should take your poses outside. Who knows? You might also see a cute squirrel eating lunch or a deer poking its head out of the brush … wouldn’t that boost your mood, too?
Healthy and happy.
Yoga is for anyone who wants to feel happier, healthier, and stronger. You don’t have to push yourself to the limit every day. Sometimes it’s nice to loosen that grip on the free weights and stretch your palms to the sky. Give your body a break every once in a while, and help it recover by doing some yoga.
What other healthy habits can you add into your routine? Our advice, make sure you’re getting plenty of rest. Read more, here.
