20 years of training yoga

 As we speak I’m feeling reflective as I rejoice a significant milestone – 20 years of training yoga!

Hello pals, I hope you had an exquisite weekend. Ours was low-key and we noticed Riverdance, which was every thing.

Whereas I used to be at scorching yoga final week, I spotted that I’ve been training yoga for TWENTY YEARS. It hit me fairly arduous and I couldn’t consider how a lot life I’ve been by since I used to be first launched to yoga. Strikes, deployments, infants, highs, and lows, yoga has been a reasonably constant a part of my life. I’ve cried throughout savasana, mastered sure poses, struggled with others, spent 90% of sure lessons in little one’s pose, and realized to really be current and concentrate on my breath.

It’s been 20 years of unrolling my mat, connecting with my breath, and flowing by sequences that problem and rework my thoughts and physique. It’s arduous to consider that 20 years have handed since I first found yoga, and whereas I can’t do any loopy methods and I’m not probably the most versatile bear, this follow has formed my life in numerous methods. So, in honor of this milestone, I need to share with you among the classes I’ve realized, and the rewards I’ve reaped over the previous 20 years of training yoga.

(Maisey additionally needs me to inform you that in the present day is her birthday! OF COURSE she’s getting a doggy cake and birthday tune)

20 years of training yoga

My introduction to yoga:

My very top notch was a Rodney Yee yoga DVD I picked up at Goal on a whim. I used to be in faculty, feeling the stressors of a dramatic relationship and fixed homework deadlines, and figured I’d give it a whirl. Immediately, I used to be drawn in by the sense of calm it introduced me. I additionally cherished Rodney Yee’s clear, concise instruction and his skill to information college students to a deeper understanding of their our bodies and the follow of yoga.

Wanting again, this was the proper strategy to get began: it was zero stress (as a result of I used to be solo, at house, in my mother’s lounge). I began to follow yoga repeatedly, principally earlier than mattress, and finally transitioned into studio lessons. Over the previous 20 years, I’ve taken tons of of yoga lessons in studios all around the US, from California to Orlando and lots of spots in between.

Forms of yoga I’ve tried:

There are such a lot of several types of yoga on the market, and every one affords a singular and difficult expertise.

Listed here are a couple of forms of yoga and what makes them so particular:

Vinyasa Yoga:

Vinyasa yoga is a dynamic model of yoga that focuses on linking breath with motion. This flow-based follow is ideal for many who need to get their coronary heart charge up and sweat it out on the mat. Lessons might be barely heat, or heated.

Restorative Yoga:

In the event you’re searching for a extra enjoyable and restorative follow, restorative yoga is the best way to go. This light follow makes use of props and long-held poses to launch stress and promote deep leisure.

Yoga Nidra:

this can be a kind of yoga follow that’s also known as “yogic sleep”. Not like conventional yoga lessons, the place you progress by a collection of postures, in Yoga Nidra, you lay down in a snug place and are guided by a deep leisure and meditation. This follow is designed that will help you enter a state of deep leisure, the place you possibly can launch stress, stress, and anxiousness. Yoga Nidra might be extremely highly effective, not just for bodily leisure, but additionally for psychological and emotional leisure. It’s an effective way to recharge your batteries, scale back stress and anxiousness, and enhance your general well-being. So, for those who’re searching for a strategy to calm down and unwind, I extremely suggest giving Yoga Nidra a attempt!

Ashtanga Yoga:

Ashtanga yoga is a standard model of yoga that follows a set sequence of poses. This difficult follow is nice for many who need to construct energy, flexibility, and focus.

Bikram Yoga:

In the event you’re a fan of scorching yoga, Bikram yoga is the last word problem. This intense follow is completed in a heated room and follows a particular sequence of 26 poses. That is what actually acquired me hooked on yoga, and I’d drive nearly two hours once we lived in Valdosta to take a Bikram class. My present favourite model is a mix of Vinyasa and Bikram, in a heated and humid room.

Yin Yoga:

Yin yoga is a slow-paced model of yoga that focuses on holding poses for longer durations of time. This follow helps to enhance flexibility and enhance circulation, making it good for many who need to work on their mobility.

Hatha yoga:

this a standard type of yoga that focuses on bodily postures (asanas), respiratory strategies (pranayama), and meditation. The follow is designed to stability the physique and thoughts, and create a way of concord and inside peace. Hatha Yoga lessons usually transfer at a slower tempo than different types of yoga, permitting practitioners to concentrate on the alignment of the postures and their breath. Hatha Yoga is a good choice for rookies or anybody trying to enhance their bodily health, flexibility, and general well-being.

It doesn’t matter what kind of yoga you select, bear in mind to hearken to your physique and honor your limits. With common follow, you’ll be capable of discover your move and take your yoga follow to the following degree. I additionally suggest attempting out a wide range of kinds; you’ll discover those that talk to you and that you just get pleasure from probably the most!

Advantages I’ve seen from training yoga repeatedly:

Not solely does yoga assist to extend flexibility and energy, but it surely additionally has quite a few advantages in your general well-being.

Reduces stress and anxiousness:

Yoga gives an area so that you can join along with your breath and quiet your thoughts, which can assist to scale back stress and anxiousness. As somebody who’s battled anxiousness up to now, I do know firsthand the advantages of incorporating yoga into your wellness routine. Yoga gives a secure area to attach along with your breath, launch stress out of your physique, and quiet your thoughts. By training yoga repeatedly, you possibly can be taught to handle stress and anxiousness extra successfully, which might result in a extra balanced and fulfilling life. Moreover, sure yoga poses, reminiscent of ahead folds and inversions, can stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system, which helps to calm the physique and scale back emotions of hysteria.

Improves flexibility and stability:

With common follow, yoga can assist to extend flexibility, enhance stability, and probably stop accidents. That is particularly necessary as we age and our our bodies turn into much less limber. It additionally includes getting on and off the mat, which is a good talent to keep up as we age. Most of the actions are purposeful and require core energy.

Strengthens the physique:

Many yoga poses require energy and stability, which can assist to construct muscle and enhance muscular endurance. Plus, yoga is a low-impact type of train, making it nice for many who need to keep away from high-impact exercises.

Promotes mindfulness and self-awareness:

By focusing in your breath and physique throughout yoga follow, you possibly can develop a better sense of mindfulness and self-awareness. This can assist to enhance general temper and well-being.

Connects you to a neighborhood:

Practising yoga repeatedly can assist you to attach with like-minded people and construct a supportive neighborhood. This may be particularly necessary for many who could really feel remoted or disconnected. One thing I realized throughout trainer coaching is that generally changes are the one bodily contact that some individuals obtain for the complete day. That was highly effective for me and a reminder of how a lot we’d like connection and human contact to thrive.

My expertise with yoga trainer coaching:

Selfishly, I did yoga trainer coaching only for me. I by no means actually had the intention of instructing – I taught repeatedly once we lived in Valdosta however have solely subbed right here and there since then – however needed to to deepen my very own private follow and be taught as a lot as I might about yoga.

In the event you’re contemplating trainer coaching, listed below are among the wonderful issues you possibly can expertise:

Deepen your follow:

Yoga trainer coaching is a chance to take your follow to the following degree. You’ll be taught new poses, refine your alignment, and enrich your understanding of the follow.

Study concerning the philosophy of yoga:

Yoga is greater than only a bodily follow. In trainer coaching, you’ll be taught concerning the historical past, philosophy, and non secular features of yoga. I particularly loved studying the “Seven Non secular Legal guidelines of Yoga” and studying about primordial meditation.

Share your love of yoga with others:

As an authorized yoga trainer, you’ll have the chance to share your love of yoga with others and assist them to find the transformative energy of the follow.

Be a part of a supportive neighborhood:

Yoga trainer coaching is an effective way to attach with like-minded people and construct a supportive neighborhood. You’ll be surrounded by others who share your ardour for yoga and who will assist you all through your journey.

Problem your self:

Yoga trainer coaching could be a difficult expertise, but it surely’s additionally extremely rewarding. You’ll push your self bodily, mentally, and emotionally, and are available out on the opposite aspect with new perspective and a stronger follow.

There ya have it, pals! 20 years of training yoga has been a tremendous journey full of challenges, progress, and transformation. Via this follow, I’ve realized to attach with my breath, calm my thoughts, and hearken to my physique. I’ve gained energy, flexibility, and resilience, each on and off the mat. I’ve met unbelievable pals and had the chance to be taught from among the best lecturers. And most significantly, I’ve realized to domesticate a way of inside peace and well-being that, together with my religion, has carried me by life’s ups and downs.

In the event you’re new to yoga or have been training for some time, I encourage you to remain dedicated to your follow, and permit it to information you by yourself journey of progress and transformation. <3

Are you a yoga fan or not a lot? How usually do you follow? What’s your favourite model?