What can {yoga} do for YOU?

Yoga is invigoration in relaxation, freedom in routine, confidence through self-control.

Energy within and energy without.

~Ymber Delecto

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i remember back a few years ago when i was just beginning to explore what {YOGA} was all about.
i was intimidated by the sad indian music, the idea that flexibility was a requirement, the barefeet and the balance poses.

i put off diving into a yoga practice for a long time because i was too afraid to go to my first class.

{thankfully} another cold, gray, rainy Seattle day forced me inside for my workout and i couldn't bear the thought of another second on the dreadmill or elliptical. i needed a change, an awakening, a good class.

i needed yoga, which as luck would have it was offered right there, in my gym, beginning in five minutes.

it was destiny.

i won't lie, i wasn't "hooked" after my first class. i think that yoga is one of those things that, like wine and friendship, get's better with time. if you really apply yourself and listen to your body, you'll sink deeper into your poses and postures with each class, increasing all of the wonderful benefits that yoga offers.

i did yoga once a week for a long time. just once a week, at my gym. never on my own, never really more than once a week....

until i moved out of the city and began researching and practicing yoga and pilates on my own (let's just say that a few years back there was a lack of yoga/pilates classes in the vast expanse of North-Eastern Oregon, where now there are a handful of gyms/studios that have popped up in our area that offer classes, thank goodness!)

the point of this post is:

there are many people out there who stay away from yoga because they don't know what it's about. they think they have to be outrageously flexible and master the advanced poses right away. they think it's just for hippies and Indians. they think it's just for women....i've heard several excuses.

but guess what? it's for EVERYONE! that's whats great about yoga--it can be practiced by all ages, and it's benefits can be reaped by individuals in every walk of life.

yoga stresses focus and self-discipline. you are in charge of your body, so you work as hard as you want to on a class-to-class basis. One day you may want a slower-paced, stretchy class and the next day you may want a challenging, sweat-inducing class. you can press into the postures as deeply as you desire, and challenge your strength and flexibility at your own pace.

Yoga has really helped me get in tune with my body. It has GREATLY increased my flexibility and core strength and has most definitely enhanced my half-marathon training as it's low-impact nature feels great on tight hips and quads that high mileage running inevitably brings. I also have been blessed (and cursed) with a body type that puts on muscle rather easily. However, it can make me appear somewhat "bulky" and Yoga and Pilates is a great counter-exercise to weight lifting as it really lengthens your muscles and gives you a more toned, lean look. In addition to the physical benefits, practicing Yoga has also affirmed how vital is is for me to have "quiet time" at least once a day. Some meditate, I pray. Overall, yoga has taught me a great deal about taking care of my mind, body AND soul. It's not just about getting a work out, it's about working on myself.

wondering what yoga can do for you?

I found an incredibly informative article on all of the Surprising Health Benefits of Yoga. it's lengthy, so allow me to summarize:

Health benefits within: blood pressure, pulse rate, circulation, respiratory, cardiovascular endurance, organs, gastrointestinal, immunity, pain, metabolism.

Health benefits without: aging, posture, strength, energy, weight, sleep, balance, integrated function of the body, body awareness, core-strength, sexuality.

Emotional health benefits: mood, stress reduction, anxiety, depression, self-acceptance, self-control, mind/body connection, positive outlook on life, hostility, concentration, memory, attention, social skills, calmness.

Body chemistry: cholesterol, lymphatic system, glucose, sodium, endocrine functions, triglycerides, red blood cells, vitamin C.

Exercise health benefits: low risk of injury, parasympathetic nervous system, muscle tone, subcortex, reduced oxygen consumption, breathing, balanced workout of opposing muscle groups, non-competitive, joint-range motion, eye/hand coordination, dexterity, reaction time, endurance, depth perception.

Disease prevention: heart disease, osteoporosis, alzheimer's, type II diabetes.

Symptom reduction or alleviation: carpal tunnel, asthma, arthritis, multiple sclerosis, cancer, muscular dystrophy, migraines, scoliosis, chronic bronchitis, epilepsy, sciatica, obsessive compulsive disorder, constipation, allergies, menopause, back pain.

*if you want to read further into these benefits, please visit the article where each of the benefits is explained in greater detail. it's a good one!

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If you are intimidated at the thought of dropping in on a yoga class, there are several good DVD's available out there for at-home yoga practice. However, there is something to be gained by being challenged by an instructor in a class environment.

....i hope that you are inspired to take some time for YOU and explore some of the ways that yoga can invigorate your body, challenge your mind and enhance your life!