The benefits of yoga

I have practiced yoga for many years and teach yoga classes alongside mindfulness meditation. Many people are put off going to a yoga class because they feel that they are not flexible enough. Pictures on Instagram of people practicing yoga and getting their bodies into weird and wonderful positions can be offputting to many. But the essence of yoga is not about what our bodies can or cannot do, it’s about spending some time getting to know our bodies through moving, stretching and breathing.

I love all types of yoga and try different styles from dynamic to yin. But when I practice yoga, I try to understand what it feels like for me to experience self-judgement, how I respond when I try to place my body in a certain position. If my body doesn’t respond the way I want it to then I notice my thoughts and feelings. On the other hand, when I focus on my breathing and soften into the posture, I then take a moment to notice my thoughts and emotions. When practicing familiar postures such as the child’s pose, I often try to bring curiousity to the posture, what do I notice here that is different, or even the same?

This approach can bring us back to the origins and essence of yoga. Our physical yoga practice was designed to prepare us for meditation. By moving systematically through the body and stretching each muscle group in turn we are using our energy. This means that when we come to stillness in our meditation our bodies can be less agitated and our minds can become quiet. So by practicing yoga, we are not only getting to know our bodies but also our reactions. We are practicing being in the here and now.

If you are new to yoga, why not give it a try and bring your beginners mind to the experience. If you have practiced yoga for some time then try to bring a new perspective to your practice by bringing curiousity to each posture. Above all view your yoga practice as an opportunity to have fun exploring your body and getting to know your body better.

Please do contact me if you are interested in practicing Mindful Yoga with me.