Yoga is accessible for everybody and every body. When recommending yoga as a means of exercise, pain relief, stress management, or simply a fun activity – I often hear all of the reasons one believes they cannot do yoga. You can do yoga if you are unable touch your toes – I promise!
The practice of yoga teaches us how to meet and honor our bodies where they are. By encouraging more conscious and intentional movement throughout the day, we can observe the changes it is capable of. Yoga may help you touch those fingertips to your toes but it takes time and patience to cultivate a relationship with your body. This is why yoga is referred to as a ‘practice’. It calms the fluctuations of the mind, soothes the nervous system, and is extremely beneficial for the physical body by way of stretching and strengthening.
Each time you come to the yoga mat you have the opportunity to learn something new about yourself may it be physical, psychological, or even both. The way we move and breathe significantly impacts our state of being and in turn our quality of life. By moving mindfully through a series of guided yoga poses, you may gain more awareness of your body and what makes it you, resulting in a more centered, bodily conscious state.
Starting yoga can be a daunting task if you have an injury, haven’t practiced in a while, or if yoga is completely new to you. Asking someone to try something new is asking them to enter the unknown. This can be a challenging endeavor if there aren’t any classes that offer a suitable and welcoming environment for a particular student’s needs. A gentle yoga class is the perfect way to safely and comfortably begin or explore under the guidance of a trained teacher. Small class sizes are ideal to ensure that you receive the attention and individualized care during each sequence of poses. Open the conversation with your teacher at the beginning of class to notify them of any injuries, pain, or concerns that they need to be aware of during instruction.
Your body and your mind will thank you for taking the time out of your busy day to practice yoga!