Everyone is trying to live a healthier lifestyle. Young people in particular are always on some sort of new fitness or diet kick, and now more than ever, yoga seems to be one of those trends. It’s hip, college-aged girls love it and it’s an almost artful way to get in shape. But if you aren’t already doing yoga, or if you got into it just because your friends dragged you to their classes, chances are you aren’t aware of the many benefits that yoga can provide. September is National Yoga Month – what better time to learn that this fitness fad is actually a brilliant way to improve your wellness?
- Diversify your workout
Not everyone’s body is built for dead lifting weights or running marathons. But everyone’s body needs to be toned up, re-energized and worked out from time to time. Yoga is arguably one of the most diverse forms of exercise, because even if you’re not flexible enough to touch your toes, there are countless poses to experiment with. The squeezing and releasing motions encourage blood and hormone flow to the muscles, relieve unwanted tension and even reverse damage to overworked parts of the body. Whether you’re sitting, standing, kneeling or bent over backwards, there are guaranteed to be a more than a few poses that will benefit your muscles with a good stretch.
- Make a sweet escape
The daily grind: classes, work, commuting, laundry, studying and fulfilling social obligations. It takes its toll, not just on the body, but also on the mind. The brain can only keep running on full speed for so long before it crashes. A quiet form of exercise like yoga allocates an hour or two for pure, unadulterated personal time. The pressures of school, work and your social life disappear while you bend and stretch and deeply breathe. Even if you’re someone who knows they like to relax with music, with friends, by the pool or with a good book, you may find that this type of silent reprieve is exactly what you’ve been missing.
- Connect your body and soul
Whether or not you believe that our bodies contain some kind of eternal cosmic energy, there is no denying that being physically fit and mentally sound leads to a holistic sense of satisfaction and self-fulfillment. Yoga is derived from the ancient Hindu practice of connecting one’s body and mind with the soul. Heavy emphasis is placed on the alignment of the chakras, or the scientifically-proven centers of energy lined up along the spine. With every deep breath and conscious motion, one is synchronizing the many working parts of his or her body and recharging his or her energy. So, however you define “the soul,” yoga can only be good for it.
- Put down those boring weights
The repetitive heaving up and down can be tedious and for some, sucking all the fun out of exercise. Some people really get a sense of satisfaction from weight-lifting. But, others who prefer something more dynamic and seek an entertaining way to get fit will get hooked after they try their first yoga class. You can attend alone or with a group of friends. Pushing yourself to attempt every single pose is a fun and possibly laughable adventure. Just as weight lifters check out their muscle growth from week to week, yoga enthusiasts measure their progress in improved flexibility and ease of practice. If you can’t touch our toes on the first day, you’ll be surprised and satisfied to find that you’re suddenly able to after week two.
- Get hooked on a gateway “drug” to a healthy lifestyle
Yoga isn’t just for sorority girls and hippie weirdos. It’s an ancient practice that has been utilized by both genders, and people of all ages. The most important aspect of yoga is the way it encourages a holistic sense of fitness. It’s no secret that many yoga practitioners also practice meditation, eat healthy, and have a firm grip on mental stability. Every advertisement for a yoga class is full of pretty, smiling people who look totally at peace. This doesn’t mean that yoga is only for these kinds of people; it means that once you become a frequent practitioner, you’ll feel the same way they do. The healthy habits of the people in your class might start to rub off on you, and you might find yourself practicing deep breathing and meditation for more than just the ten minutes programmed into your class.
There are thirty days of National Yoga Month –thirty days to unroll that yoga mat in the back of your closet or try out a free class at the RecPlex with your friends. When you feel the difference, you just might make it part of your regular routine.
