In the last few years, yoga has hit the mainstream in a big way. Why? Because this healing, strengthening, calming and empowering ancient practice offers something for everybody, regardless of age, gender, race, size, shape, background or fitness level.
Local yoga teacher, Kate Kirrane, gives ten reasons why you should get your yoga stretch on!
1. It relieves stress
Yoga is a true stress reliever that benefits people from all walks of life. In yoga, you learn to pay attention to your breath, and your breath is the easiest way to change your mindset and emotional state.
When you slow down and take full, deep breaths, this positively impacts your parasympathetic nervous system, which alleviates tension and anxiety. And once you discover how powerful connecting with the breath can be, you will always know it is there to help calm you down in times of stress.
2. It’s a great workout, helping you to cultivate strength and endurance
When people try yoga for the first time, many are surprised at how much it made them work. When you practice yoga, you use muscles you never even knew you had! You utilise your whole body to support you in different postures. This helps develop strength.
3. Yoga helps you to become more flexible
When you start a yoga practice, it enables you to explore your edges and limitations. You will find that the breath helps you go deeper into each posture and you open up more each time. It’s a process and it takes time, but if you commit to a regular practice, you will feel better each time.
Releasing tension from tight muscles and joints and lengthening out the body feels incredible. And it’s something everyone could benefit from in our wound up, chair-bound culture.
4. It’s the best way to connect to your inner self
Yoga provides a sacred opportunity to tune in your own inner sanctuary. Subsequently, you feel more balanced, at ease and more able to be your true, authentic self in the outside world. You also learn to tune into your physical body, enabling you to hear what it needs.
5. It can be done anywhere, anytime
All you need is your body and breath to practice yoga. If you don’t have a mat, you can just use a towel or even the floor, beach, grass instead! You don’t need any fancy equipment to do yoga. All you need is yourself!
6. It’s non-competitive and adaptable to your own particular shape, size and level
Yoga isn’t one size fits all. So, you can adapt your practice to your own body, needs and level. At the end of the day, when you are on the mat, it’s your yoga and no-one else’s! You learn to listen to your own body and move from within.
7. It’s fun!
Yoga lets you channel your inner child. You get to go upside down, roar like a lion, make loads of different shapes, and even have a little nap at the end of your practice. It’s truly one of the few times you can just let go and be free.
8. It’s low impact and something you can do for the rest of your life
Yoga is a low impact workout that lubricates the joints and massages the muscles. You can practice yoga for your entire life and use it as an aid for staying young and agile. Some of the most graceful people I know are older yogis who practice to stay open physically and mentally.
9. It’s empowering
The more you learn to rely on your own self and discover the power of your breath and potential, the stronger and more confident you feel.
Yoga helps you to tune in to your own instincts and lead from your heart and gut. You will learn to listen to your inner voice and trust in yourself. Yoga is all about being powerful and kind.
10. It’s life changing
Yoga has literally changed my life, and I think it will change yours as well. If you start practicing now, beware—you may discover something so magical, you’ll never return to the way you used to be before yoga came in to your life.
So, anytime you want to recharge and restore, clear your mind, de-stress, get lean, flexible, and strong, improve your balance, or get back in touch with yourself, all you have to do is get onto your mat, stretch, and breathe!
Kate teachers yoga in Beaconsfield & Penn during the day and in the evening. Please contact kate@seedwellness.co.uk to find out more.
