Many people know yoga as an exercise that includes breathing, different postures, and stretching. The word "yoga" is derived from the Sanskrit word yuj, which means to join or unite. Essentially, yoga is about harmoniously unifying mind, body, and spirit as a way to overcome suffering.
I used to think that yoga was just a practice, didn't understand what the practice was all about, and never really stuck to it. After practicing, I knew I needed to incorporate it into my life on a more regular basis.
Now, after years of practicing yoga, I have witnessed a shift in my mental clarity, flexibility, and physical strength. While each practice is different, showing up on my mat gives me an opportunity to turn my focus inward, allowing me to create positive change in my life outside of the mat as well. Here's how yoga has influenced and changed me.
1. I have a greater sense of purpose in life
In yoga, we set a goal for the day's practice, setting a goal and achieving it repeatedly throughout the course helps me feel more grounded in my practice. Bring it into life to plan each day to add a greater sense of purpose.
2. I learned how to use my breath
Breathing is something that we don't have to think about and have the ability to control. In yoga, breath regulation is the ancient practice of controlling the breath through different techniques. When we consciously tune our breathing, we activate our parasympathetic nervous system, which is the "rest and digest" mode. Spending time sitting pranayama in yoga classes has helped me reduce stress and anxiety. In the face of all the distractions of everyday life, it's good to take a moment to stop and catch your breath, even if it's just for a minute a day.
3. I'm better at savoring the moment
The most practical phrase I've learned in yoga is, "Don't rush. "Much of yoga is about deliberately slowing down and treating each moment calmly. When I practice yoga, I choose to show up in every pose, sitting with my thoughts and feelings. While I wouldn't say I'm completely present 100% of the time, adopting this mindset in my daily life helps me enjoy the moment.
4. I am more connected to my emotions
In yoga, it's common to hear "we leave our problems in the tissue" or "our hips are the body's garbage drawer." It turns out that trauma and negative emotions can be stored in the body. Practicing yoga can help reduce trauma. I've learned that sitting with my emotions and letting them take up space, rather than over-analyzing or reacting to them, allows me to process my feelings better.
5. I learned that there is no such thing as a "perfect balance".
Balance is an elusive concept. In fact, not everything in life will always be perfectly balanced. Yoga helped me accept this fact and focus my energy where it matters most. By practicing balance poses on a regular basis, I have been able to become more aware of my body and strengthen my core and mind, which has also helped me manage many things in my life.
6. I'm better at listening to my body
First yoga, hip tightness, hamstring tension. I feel completely disconnected from my body. Gradually, I started to repair this disconnect as my muscles became stronger and I increased my flexibility. There is no longer a problem with low back pain, but the absence of physical pain is not the only change. I've learned to listen to my body and what it needs. I find that yoga is a continuous self-study and you should focus on the message your body is trying to convey.
7. I don't compare myself to others
Taking a yoga class for the first time, I envied people who could get a firm foothold in downward facing dog, and it was hard not to compare myself to those who had been practicing much longer than I was. It is slowly understood that everyone's yoga practice is different, and what feels good for one person does not mean that it is right for another. Focus on your own mat while focusing on what my body needs. This mindset also applies to everyday life. We are all trying to live our lives in a way that works best for us; Trust that you are on the right path, even if it looks different from everyone else.