This is a re-post for those of you who are interested in exploring yoga for your health and wellbeing.
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Thanks to Nancy over at Spirit Lights the Way for sparking some yoga inspiration!
I take a therapeutic approach to my Yoga teaching; focusing on body awareness, mindfulness and the breath. To me its more than a physical work out.
I love this quote from Georg Feuerstein taken from Yoga Gems:
“Beginners on the yogic path would do well to understand correctly what Yoga is all about and to then approach it accordingly.
There is a humorous saying in Yoga circles that Yoga has been reduced to the practice of postures, and that postures have been reduced to stretching, and that stretching has been reduced to lengthening the hamstrings. Authentic Yoga is always a spiritual discipline, even when the focus is on the body, as it is in Hatha Yoga.”
The intention of Yoga is the quieten the mind and connect with our inner spirit, consciousness or higher power. Read more about it on my Yoga page.
In his book “Yoga as Medicine” Dr Timothy McCall shares 40 ways that Yoga (Poses, Breathing and Meditation) heals:
- Increases flexibility
- Strengthen muscles
- Improves balance
- Improves immune function
- Improves posture
- Improves lung function
- Leads to slower and deeper breathing
- Discourages mouth breathing
- Increases oxygenation of the tissues
- Improves joint health
- Nourishes intervertebral discs
- Improves return of venous blood
- Increases circulation of lymph
- Improves circulation of the feet
- Improves proprioception (awareness of body in space)
- Increases control of bodily functions
- Strengthens bones
- Conditions the cardiovascular system
- Promotes weight loss
- Relaxes the nervous system and reduces anxiety
- Improves the function of the nervous system
- Improves brain function
- Activates the left prefrontal cortex
- Changes neurotransmitter levels
- Lowers levels of the stress hormone cortisol
- Lowers blood sugar
- Lowers blood pressure
- Improves levels of cholesterol and triglycerides
- Thins the blood
- Improves bowel function
- Releases unconscious muscle gripping
- Uses imagery to effect change in the body
- Relieves pain
- Lowers need for medication
- Fosters healthier relationships
- Improves psychological health and mood
- Leads to healthier habits
- Fosters spiritual growth
- Elicits the placebo effect
- Encourages involvement in your own healing
This list still wows me!
If you are young – there is every reason in the world to start now. Do it!
If you are in Mid life – it isn’t too late. I started yoga in my 40’s and it changed my life. This is where I find my middle ground every day.
Find a studio and a teacher that you can relate to and feel supported by. A word of caution here. Not every Yoga offered in classes is the same. Unless you are an athlete, avoid Vinyasa or Power Yoga.
Even if you are elderly and have a number of health and physical issues, finding an experienced trained teacher with a therapeutic approach can lead to a more active and healthy life… and a sense of peace and wellbeing.
So many people try Yoga in gyms these days. Please be careful as the focus is usually on having a physical workout. In my experience the instructors may not be as experienced, there is less personal attention and less time for relaxation and mindfulness.
For me, Yoga is about balance, alignment and inner peace. Finding balance and peace in our lives and alignment of our mind body and spirit… on and off the mat.
Namaste
I like your focus. Wish I lived in Philadelphia if only to experience the zen of your teaching on the mat.
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Thank you Louise. I wish we were closer too. Not just for yoga 💛
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Thanks for sharing this long list of benefits and the great quote. To yoga as it’s meant to be!
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… Yes … Although the original yogis hung out in caves and wore loin cloths 😉
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Yoga is such a key piece to my living practice. And yes, yes, it is not just a workout. I spent most of my first years practicing at a Krishna temple that held evening classes. What a wonderful place to begin where your ‘beingness’ and your breath were as much a part of the practice as the poses. Even now, when I fit in a class over at our rec center, my mind travels through those earlier habits, even as the class continues on hoping to break a sweat. Such a difference that focus makes.
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Thank you Noelle for sharing your journey. You are right, the environment and space created is so important .. As well as the teacher. 🙏
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Yoga has definitely improved this ‘older’ body. 🙂 I wouldn’t be as healthy and happy, and it enables me to garden without pain. I have a great teacher who encourages us to see it a personal practice that we happen to do in a group. We just moved to the local library which has a round marble foyer and the (feng shui?) energy was so noticeable that several remarked about it. Talk about the energy of a group – we fairly float out of there after class. 😀
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Sounds nourishing and fun Eliza! So glad you enjoy your group 😊
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Val, another reminder for me to try and find someone local to where we live.
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Check it out Paul! 😉
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With so many benefits, you wonder why more people don’t take up yoga?. Excellent advice. Val!
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Thank you Jill! I wonder too. There are many misconceptions around yoga …
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Yoga is such a gift.
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… And keeps on giving 😉 Thanks Kim!
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Wow that is one impressive list of positives of why to do Yoga.. 🙂 My daughter does.. I do Qi Gong… not as much stretching but I swear by its benefits too Lovely post x
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I believe so Sue! Mindful awareness and movement are good for us all. Thank you for being here 💛
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Yoga sometimes gets a bad rap and that’s unfortunate. Too many people are skeptical of something they’ve never tried.
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So true Carol. Alas, ego and conditioning prevents us from being open to try new things…
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Balance alignment and inner peace … great aims. Thanks Val.
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Great doable aims Elizabeth. It’s the do piece that holds most people back. Thank you 💛
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Val how fortunate you are to enjoy what you love and teach it to others. ❤
Diana xo
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Diana, yes I am truly fortunate to love what I do – and get the opportunity to bring what I bring to my yoga students and coaching clients. When we nurture each other it feels so good!
I think you understand this too 💕
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Why would you not do yoga??? So many beautiful benefits. Thanks for sharing Val.
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DUH!?! I’m with you 300% Karen 🙂
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Yoga has always been about balance for me, the mat helps me find my priorities and a happy side benefit has been finding peace that I didn’t know was missing! I truly love that I found a class that fills me! I always wanted to do yoga, and I knew I was a yogi, but it took many years and many attempts to find the path and teacher I was meant for. And I truly believe it all happened when it was supposed to for me! 🙂
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Music to my ears and soul Kate. I am so happy for you and where you are in your journey ☺️
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Thank you so very much Val!
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I would sooo take yoga from you!
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We would practice in nature! Thank you for your kind words 😊
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I am not too sure why you haven’t been showing up in my reader, but glad I am catching up on all this great stuff. Peace, Harlon
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Thanks Harlon. It happens sometimes. Good to see you 💛
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Love to see benefits of yoga its on my list too soon will start
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It helped me find my better and higher Self ❣️
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Great 👍 I will be joining yoga soon as it’s happening every morning in front of my house
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Balance is required.. On and off the mat! 👍👍
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So true Rupali. Thank you 🙏
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Yoga helps you be one.
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So much in so few words. Thank you Cindy 💕
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All those wonderful benefits! And much better than a handful of pills. 🙂
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Smiling at the truth of your words. Thanks Diana. 💛
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Lovely – I keep meaning to try it again!
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Ah yes … yoga is always ready to become you back when you are ready Fiona 💛
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I’ve always liked Yoga because it felt good to “stretch.” I had attended a few classes that were slower, and the instructor talked a lot, which was fine, but I had always thought of it as more relaxing; although I always felt better afterward. Then I attended a class in my home town at a place called “The Yoga Place,” and it changed my perspective. It is a constant flow, concentrates on the breath, and meditation the whole shabang, and I LOVE it! I was doing a little home practice for a while, bc getting to the studio is difficult with four kids, but I lose motivation. Any suggestions on staying motivated when practicing at home? 🙂 I do want to go to the studio more regular when I can make time for it!
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So glad you have your connection to yoga and have found a connection. Home practice isn’t easy as there needs to be an inspiration. What inspires you? Creating a space dedicated to yoga? A particularity teacher on YouTube perhaps? Music? Being with others so there is a sense of belonging? All of these are important. Good luck in exploring where you did inspiration 🙏
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Thank you for responding. Yes, I did create a space for myself and it definitely helps! In fact it is also what triggered my increased love of plants lol. I’ll have to explore some Yoga teachers on YouTube, I didn’t think of that, thank you!
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I enjoy yoga at least once a week and not only does it help restore my body, also my mind! Love the insights of yoga practice into body awareness. Yes, every time I practice, I find where my problem areas are where I need to address them. Love this read.
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Thank you for sharing this ♥️
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I love this! Dealing with mental illness is hard but yoga has helped me SO much!!
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I’m so happy for you 💛 thanks for sharing 🙏
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Please read it and let me know if I m right..
http://knowledgeisle.com/9-deceptive-beliefs-about-yoga/
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Also check this out…
http://knowledgeisle.com/9-deceptive-beliefs-about-yoga/
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Yoga poses at office work..
http://knowledgeisle.com/best-and-easy-yoga-poses-for-office-job-holders-at-work/
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“…there is less personal attention and less time for relaxation and mindfulness.” – even in regular physical fitness programs, warmups and cool downs are minimal at best. Lot of great points!
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Thank you Felipe❣️
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