One of the first exercises that I grew to love once I began to lose weight was yoga. Keep in mind, before then, there wasn’t a single exercise that I liked before I started getting healthier. All of it seemed like hard work to me, so I just didn’t do it.
Now, more than two years later… yoga is one of my go-to exercises. I find such peace in its breathing techniques and an incredible amount of strength in its asanas. I never thought it would be this way.
I’ve learned over time that yoga is not just about improving my flexibility, working my way to that tripod headstand pose, or perfecting my dancer pose. It’s about how I feel mentally when I walk out the door and what I’ve learned. Kindly, my instructors have taught me a lot over time… a few nuggets that I’m about to share with you.
I attended Karen’s class this week and she had a lot of new students in the class. At the beginning, she shared a lesson that really resonated with me.
I love that yoga really moves at your own pace, and it’s about YOUR body and YOUR practice. It’s completely acceptable to move into a child’s pose or a resting position if that is what your body needs.
However, Karen’s words made sense… you have to BRING as much as you have. If you take the easy route, you’re not going to be satisfied, and if you overdo it, you’re body’s not going to be happy either. Simple statement and powerful truth. It’s applicable to everything you do in life, if you ask me…
I picked this quote up from Shelly in the recent Yoga Around the World workshop I attended, and it reflects something else I love about about yoga…
Yoga is my time to look inward, and mostly “my” time. No one is looking at my stretching… no one knows how long I held the last pose. Only me.
This is a quote my instructor Susie used during a few classes that always sticks with me as well. It reminds me to relinquish power and just surrender to my practice… and in doing so, I will gain peace. Thanks, Jimi and Susie, for this beautiful reminder.
Do your fitness instructors offer you invaluable lesson? Anything you can share?