Why Yoga Postures?

Why Yoga?

The initial benefits of Yoga are immediate.  As you move your body in new and unique ways, muscles are strengthened, balance is found, flexibility is gained, and toxins are reduced.  As you progress in your yoga practice you will feel both a sense of accomplishment and well-being.  Vitality is gained.  Life begins to have more of a lightness to it, as if your body is saying thank you for the gentle stretch. 

Yoga postures are unique in that they put the body in positions that aren’t normally experienced in daily routine or other exercise activities.  Take for instance a posture called the twist: you wring your spine out almost like a dishrag, releasing the old and stale “junk” that gets stuck at the core of your body allowing the body to bring in fresh blood and energy.  There is a saying in yoga: a flexible, healthy spine is at the core of a flexible, healthy life.  Yoga postures give you this healthy spine to support all of your activities.

Another benefit you will experience from yoga is a sense of ease and calmness.  Resting at the end of the practice allows your body to assimilate the movement, restore vitality, and heal dis-ease.  As you learn to let go of tension in your body, you will become less frantic and more graceful.  Ease begins to seep into your day, making you strong to face the ups and downs of life.  You begin to know the strength of being centered.

As you develop a sense of calmness and centeredness, you will find more motivation to begin to live the life you want.  Doing yoga gives you a foundation to put clarity and strength behind your daily choices.  Life becomes more interesting as happiness and contentment become normal feelings.

Don’t let excuses stop you.  It doesn’t matter your age, weight, or flexibility.  Yoga will meet you where you are and support you to live your life awake.

[This article by Deborah Adele appeared in the Lakeside Times and Essential Wellness.]