
How I started a yoga practice
Yoga had been on my to do list for years. I kept putting it off. I'll start when...I'm done with school. I'll start when...my practice is up and running. I'll start when...the kids are older. I'll start when...it's not winter anymore.
Finally, I actually started. It was February, and I decided to go to a yoga studio that mostly practices hot yoga. The heat and humidity in the middle of winter was heavenly. I found myself jazzed up, riding a high at the start of class, chit chatting with my yoga neighbors. (Later, I realized many enjoy the quiet before class!). I had known a few people who either worked or were members at the studio before I went, and I was delighted to reconnect with a few others I ran into unexpectedly.
I'm no yoga expert. I had done some yoga previously and had knowledge of the major moves (downward dog, the warrior poses, child's pose, etc) but nothing extensive. I am absolutely not flexible at all. Pre-yoga, I could barely reach my toes. I was also not in good shape at all. I used to be a runner, but hadn't revisited running since having two kids.
My goal in going to yoga was more than being active. I wanted to feel strong. In hindsight, I wanted to feel strong in my body and my mind. I wanted to feel strong enough to manage stress, anxiety, depression, anger, being overwhelmed much better than I had been.
After a few classes, my biggest surprise was how focused my mind became during class. Normally, my mind is running through to do lists or planning the next 5 years of my life or - ugh - criticizing me. But at yoga, my mind was 85% quiet (not perfect, I am human after all). I don't even remember the last time my mind felt that quiet. That focused. It was incredible.
Even better was the calm that lasted for at least a few hours after class. Sure, my mind started going off in a million directions right away again, but it didn't move quite as fast. The biggest difference was in my body. In reflection, I finally realized the calm was...feeling relaxed. Not just I'm going to sit on the couch and watch an hour of mindless TV relaxed. Like, real relaxed. Relaxed as in no tension. I definitely don't remember the last time I haven't felt tension. In fact, I never fully comprehended how much tension I carry in my body every day until I knew what it felt like to be without it (mostly).
When doing yoga regularly (2-3 times per week), I notice I'm calmer overall. I'm less reactive, less likely to be impulsive when I'm overwhelmed or frustrated. When I am upset, I'm better equipped to take a step back, recognize what I'm really feeling (i.e. what's really going on underneath the stress, anger, anxiety, etc), and - if I'm in a really good spot - be able to identify what it is I need to respond in a way that I feel good about. Instead of losing my patience with my kids or husband, maybe I take a 10 minute break in my quiet bedroom (headphones if necessary!) to get myself regulated again.
I'm also LOVING how better connected I am with my body. I find myself doing yoga poses or stretching randomly throughout the day. Just a few minutes here or there can put me into the calm mindset, even fore a little bit. And taking a good stretch, really reaching across an entire side or across my back, it feels sooooo amazing. I've noticed my muscles aren't so tight. I can even crack my neck! Not a great habit, I know, but I feel like if I can crack my neck, it means I've loosened up the muscles in there.
I've also been more in tune with noticing when I'm tense and working to release that tension. I carry tension in my neck/shoulders when I'm stressed and in my gut when I'm anxious. When I notice my gut is in knots, I take a breath and really let my belly go soft. I've done this so much that now, it sends helpful messages to my brain, like you are enough or just be here now.
Not everything is awesome, of course. Sometimes my muscles are fatigued and I have to take breaks during a class. I've been working on my posture, so sometimes my back hurts as I'm demanding more of certain muscles. But my breathing comes easier, my heart feels more open, and I do feel stronger.
Adding yoga to your life
If you are thinking of adding yoga to your life, here are my tips for you:
Just start somewhere. Maybe it's a yoga studio, maybe it's an app, or maybe it's videos on YouTube. Just try it. Then try it again. Keep in mind that there are different approaches/styles, so if one doesn't feel right for you, try another. Some people like slower movements with a focus on breath, some like to push their bodies to stretch farther or hold a balance longer. Both are great - just find what you like.
Set realistic intentions. There was no way I was going to start yoga and lose a kabillion pounds. Not when I live on chips, sugar, and caffeine half the time just to make it through my day (and nights sometimes, I do have young kids!). I just wanted to feel strong, so I paid attention to moves that made me feel powerful in my body. Maybe for you it's strength, or balance, or - if doing hot yoga - sweating it all out!
Make it your meditation time (for now). Some people find it frustrating to meditate, especially at the beginning, because it can be difficult to quiet your mind. I include myself in this "some people"! I found it helpful that yoga gave me something to focus on - the poses, the sensations in my body, my breath. It's a great step towards finding that quiet mind on your own.
Take advantage of the time with your body. Tune into what you notice in your body - where you hold your tension; when a stretch feels so, so good; which poses come easily and which ones take some extra effort. This noticing increases your connection to your body outside yoga too. When we are tense, it sends a message to our brains that we are on alert, anxious, on the lookout for danger. When we calm our bodies, it tells our brains to relax too.
Start some yoga in your life and watch it flourish!
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