There are studies all over the world that explore and celebrate the benefits of yoga, and although I know this to be true, I was always a little sceptical. I tended to explain away my weight loss as a combination of diet, running, and yoga. However, I have to admit to not only being hooked but being a full 100% believer. Yoga has moved emotional blockers in the body that allowed my body to find a healthier state. Weight loss is a bonus, all the other benefits far outweigh a smaller waist and a stronger plank. The personal benefits I have felt in myself as well as others are astounding.
Find the space within
I’m not sure where it starts, it might be that the body wakes up when you give it time and space to move. It might be that conscious breathing expands every nook and cranny in the body and allows for a lightness to take you over. Wherever it starts for you it doesn't matter, just know that it grows, endlessly. Every time I roll out my mat my mind knows, she quiets in sweet anticipation of her time to rest, she knows that this is her gift, her peace. She doesn't always stay quiet for long, but she appreciates the effort, the devotion and the routine of it all.
Respect the journey
Wherever you are on your wellness / getting to know yourself journey (as I assume that is why you are here) know that it is a journey and some days the hill will be harder to climb than others. Some days the poses or the hip openers will be beyond you. The path to self-understanding is not linear, and acknowledging this allows you to be patient with your body as it unfolds from years of not having the space it deserves.
Yoga is so much more than exercise
I have been to many studios over the years and each one has its own personality, some good some not-so-good. Find one that offers you a judgment-free community. The 45-minute cardio-based fitness studios are incredible for the strength-building section of your journey but please know there is more, much much more. Any studio that ignores the importance of Savasana will ultimately limit your journey. At that point find a more traditional studio. I say this with love, my first commitment to a studio was too much community and not enough sweating, now I am back at the original and I know the names of nearly all my fellow students. You’ll need different things along your journey, so look out for this as you needs change.
