If the thought of yoga brings you out in a cold sweat – visions of the seemingly unrealistic pretzel like poses seen on social media, fear not – that is not the reality of modern-day yoga.
For a couple of 40 somethings who discovered yoga later in life, it has been an absolute game changer in the way we choose to live our lives. Let us tell you why…
When you have a busy mind and a busy life it is easy to make all the excuses in the world not to take the time to do something for yourself. Honestly, we get it, it doesn’t matter if you are a busy mum, trying to get up the career ladder, or just trying to juggle life – life can be hectic and it can be hard to find time to exercise, or take a moment for your own well-being. There is always a reason not to put yourself first, but there are lots of reasons why you should, after all how can you give to others when your own cup is not full.
Taking some time out, even just an hour on your mat gives your body a chance to stretch out and let go of the tension that builds in our bodies during our busy lives. Woman are known to hold stress in the neck, shoulders, and hips, causing pain and discomfort – which in turn can affect your mood. Being guided through a gentle vinyasa flow or yin practice can release the stress your body holds and help recalibrate and refocus your mind.
Walking into a yoga studio for the first time can be a daunting prospect, the uncertainty, the worry that you won’t get the poses right, or the thought that everyone’s eyes will be on you couldn’t be further from the experience you will get from a good yoga studio. Don’t worry about being able to do the poses you see on Instagram (no we still can’t do Crow pose many years on, and really, who cares). There is no competition in yoga, or judgement - it’s just about you.
Look for a studio in your local area that has a timetable that suits your life, then try a couple to see which has the vibe you like. You should feel welcomed, supported, and comfortable. Most studios offer a beginners pass or introductory pass to enable to you try the various classes to see what style suits you best. Try them all; the class you get the most benefit from may not be what you were expecting. Or if you are not quite ready to face a studio yet, check out the many free yoga videos YouTube.
Every practice is different to the last, some days you will nail a balance pose, others you won’t. Sometimes you will want to challenge yourself and see what your body can do, be playful and try new things, other times you may prefer to take a gentler practice and just enjoy the energy the studio provides. It really doesn’t matter, you have the freedom to choose how you practice, to suit you – your mood and your body. However you choose to practice - set aside the time, show up for yourself and honour your body and what it needs from you on that day. It’s the best gift you can give yourself, the gift of time.
The benefits of yoga reach far beyond your mat, it is with you in everyday life, during times of stress when you can call on your calming breaths you have learnt will ground you, to help you self-calm and refocus. Yoga is perfect for stress relief and those who suffer with anxiety, or an overly busy mind. Your yoga mat is the one place you don’t have to be anything for anybody except yourself. Giving yourself the time to stretch, strengthen and improve flexibility through gently holding poses is the ultimate in self-care.
Let’s face it, with winter here it’s all too easy to hibernate and spend time on the couch in front of a good show (and there’s nothing wrong with that) – but if you want to try something new and are willing to get out of your comfort zone for just a minute – check out your local yoga studio and see what your body is capable of. You may just find that it becomes your absolute place of comfort.
Namaste 🙏
With Love .
Linda & Terri xx